MELAMINA THE QUEEN

CHAPTER 45

KUHLEKONKE ZULU

My family will always come first, no matter what. Being a leader can sometimes make you abandon the ones you love. Not because you want to. But due to the duties that you have. As men, sometimes we cannot balance well between work and spending time with loved ones. Which is why today I have decided to take my family out. It's a normal Saturday and fortunately the older kids don't have any plans or commitments. Hopefully my wife is also free. I enter the kitchen through the backyard door after my morning jog and I find my wife tickling Nomandla who is seated on the counter. My little girl is laughing like crazy and it's the sweetest sound I have ever heard.

"Morning, my princesses." I greet from the door before making my way in. I hug my wife from behind and kiss my daughter's forehead.
"Hey, daddy. Were you running?" she asks and I nod.
"But why? You are already sexy and you have a six pack, which is illegal for a man your age. Why are you jogging on top of gym sessions that you have every once in a while?" my wife asks. I know this is her way of showing jealousy or being petty. She really makes me fall for her more when she acts all possessive over my body.

I smile and take out bottled water from the fridge. I take a sip and then turn to look at her. "You do know that your husband will be faced with the king of the jungle soon, which he needs to defeat? So, dali, I need all the strength I can get." She frowns and places Nomandla on the ground.

"Go watch TV, baby. I will be with you soon." She kisses the side of the head and Nomandla blows a kiss at me before hopping away. This girl has my heart. Futhy turns to look at me with her arms folded in her chest. She does not look happy. "No husband of mine is going to battle a real lion. Sorry. No. There has to be another way. I am not gambling with my soulmate. Tell your ancestors to find another way." She walks to the sink and washes the dishes there. We do have people for that but if she's pissed, I let her do whatever she wants.

"You are the one who connect with them more than me. You should plead with them." She gives me a look before taking out eggs. I come closer to her and hold her. She takes a deep breath before placing her head in my chats and wrapping her arms around me. "I am the rightful king, my love. When I leave, our ancestors will be guiding me and protecting me the whole way. Nothing bad is going to happen to me. You will also make sure of that, my ancestral witch." She chuckles. "So you have any plans today?"

She looks at me and shakes her head. "Why? You have something in mind?"
I nod. "I just wanna take my family out for a fun day."
Her eyes light up. "You wanna spoil us?" I nod. Hope I won't regret this. She squeals and kisses me before rushing to the lounge. Moments later, I hear screams. Oh God. They are going to take ages getting ready.

×××

We arrive at Gateway Mall and head to 1 on Palm. We have to charge up before our adventurous day. We only came here because Zara just reopened and Amahle wants a bag from there. My 12 year old daughter knows a lot about bags and shoes. She reminds me of Sthabile sometimes. She loves the glamorous life. But she is very humble and kind. Something she doesn't share with her birth mother. We order breakfast and sit while waiting for it. I can see the kids wanna go play on the slide outside. Kids will always be kids. They don't care about dangers or threats on their life. If they see toys or rides, they wanna play. And I want them to grow up like that. Not feel like they are caged or something.

I am used to sitting dynamics whenever we are dining with the kids. Manelisi always takes my place besides my wife. He always sits next to her and because he and Zobuhle and inseparable, she always sit next to him. Sibonge is seating on the other side of my wife. He says something in her ear and she laughs. I am jealous. They always manage to take her away from me.

"Daddy." Nomandla's voice draws me back to everyone. My wife looks at me and then smiles. She figured me out. She always does. I look at Nomandla.
"What's up, baby?" I ask.
"Aunt Halala said you and mommy are moving to Nongoma soon. Does that mean we are coming with you?" she asks. Hebana. We forgot to address the kids in this regard. I look at my wife for assistance and she sighs.