MY SPIRITUAL JOURNEY

THE JOURNEY OF ZAMA DLALA

  CHAPTER THIRTEEN 

I was busy picking up leaves from a tree when a sudden thought creeped in me to dig ground. I do not have anything on me. I look for a very long, strong stick. It's hard enough for me to dig. I begin to dig. I don’t know what I am digging for, but I know that I am looking for something. My arms are tired, but I don't dare to stop. I need to do this. A hard metal is blocking my path. I saw a red cloth too. I threw the stick aside and continued to dig with my hands. This is a rusty metal plate. But why was it buried? I dig it out and toss it aside.  I fight out the red cloth that is now sticking out.  It's hard to remove it from the ground. But I must. With all the strength that I have, it finally comes out, but something is staunch to it. I look closely, and it’s a hand. I gasp in shock. I landed with my butt painfully on the ground. But I won't stop wanting to see more. I crawl, I am hesitant to continue, but I want to know the ending of it.  So, I continue to dig until the sight is a better view. This is full human. Looks like he has been buried for quite some time.   
“Please, take me home. That’s all I ask for.” A male voice in my head speaks. But where is his home? Who is he?  And where is he? I look around – I am all alone in the bushes.
“Sisi! Open your eyes...” I feel that voice from a far end distance. I drop everything and follow the voice but it’s leading me nowhere. But it keeps calling my name. Something hits my chest making me gaps. My eyes blink rapidly. I am so cold and there is this beeping sound continuously awakening me. 
“There you go. Take a deep breath Sisi. Breath and calm down.” I do as told. But my eyes will not stop nictate. I can feel my muscles relaxing a bit but all I want to do is fall into slumber...

--

The nurse requests for Skhundla’s parents aside. 
“I am sorry to keep you waiting.” The nurse takes a deep breath. 
“She is fine for now and asleep. But my fear is that she is pregnant. If she continues having these episode – she might lose the baby and she is still in her first trimester.” 
Skhundla’s mother blinks away in tears. If only she knew then she wouldn't have told the poor child. Now she is suffering because of what is needed. 
“How far is she?” She asks. 
“She is eight weeks. That marks two months. I will be keeping a close eye on her. Just make sure you do not say anything that will upset her.” The nurse begs to take her leave as she has other patients to attend to. 
“Kodwa baba. What are we going to do?” Her heart is heavy. All she wanted was for her son to be given a dignified funeral. She wants this so the family can all rest peacefully. 
“I don’t know honestly. I don't even know if she is the right person. She is just too young for this. let alone understand what is going on.” He heavily sighs. This is someone's daughter. 
“But Gedleza said...”
“I know what Gedleza said. But I just feel like it should someone more matured. Did you see the poor child? She failed to accept what we told her. I don't think she knows she has a gift.” This is just getting worse day by day. Skhundla’s father assures his wife that he will pass by Gedleza’s  hut before returning home.  Hopefully, the old man has all the answers that they need. 

As promised the parents visited Gedleza’s hut. He was outside chopping firewood. 
“Ah. Just the people I need to see.” He says letting go of the machete and dusts his hands. “Let's go inside.” He leads them inside the hut. They all sit down on the African grass. Gedleza smiles looking at the devastated parents. 
“The day has come. Your son will finally rest in peace.” He says. 
“The girl he brought home is very young.” 
“I know. Trust her. She will know what to do. She has been shown.”
As much as this sounds far-fetched but they believe in Gedleza. He is a well-known healer, and he never speaks otherwise. The parents decide to return to the hospital. They find Zama wide awake. 
“You are awake.” Zama smiles and sighs. 
“I need to do something. Is it possible for me to be discharged?” She asks. Skhundla’s parents have their eyes wide open in shock. 
“But you cannot discharge yourself. You are pregnant and the doctors need to monitor you closely.” This woman reminds her of her own mother. Loving and caring. 
“I will be fine Mah. If I don't do this, Skhundla will not let me rest. He is crying wherever he is.” Skhundla’s parents look at each other.