MELAMINA THE QUEEN

CHAPTER 54

The hype post coronation hasn’t faded. It’s been a week since my husband was crowned the Zululand King but we are still trending. I think we are number one on X and other social media platforms. We are also on the news regularly. But unlike government officials, we can’t just appear on TV every time someone wants to interview us or do magazine interviews. We can’t even appear on podcasts. Being royalty means you are known but at the same time, the life you live must be as private as you can maintain. The things that get known or famous are the things that we want to be known. We control the narrative. This means that no posting on social media recklessly. Luckily our kids are raised in a way that will teach them not to be active on social media. If they want to, they can create fake accounts and not post any personal things about them. This serves to protect them at all costs. Even if we go to family vacations, we can’t post them. If we do, it has to be preplanned photoshoot that has quality pictures that won’t make people want to drag our name in the mud.

My husband has been in and out of meetings since the week started but he makes sure to spend the night in my bed. Today is our first doctor’s appointment and his PA made sure to clear his schedule. He has had one PA from the start and the woman is very loyal to her job. She works both for Geba Developers and the crown. I admire her, but I can never be friends with her. I don’t want lines to be blurred. Kuhle and I get ready for the day and we head downstairs to have breakfast before we leave. We find the kids waiting patiently in the dining hall. Yes, the kids are royalty and they are taught. I nearly ask why Mahle and Zweli are still here but I remember that it’s a public holiday. We only managed to get a slot with the doctor because we are going to the royal hospital. We get seated after greeting the kids.

“So what are we doing today?” Milisuthando asks. Why is the boy including himself in our plans?
“I don’t know about you, my boy, but I am going to spend some quality time with my wife and I will like no disturbances.” Kuhle responds and the older kids laugh while my troublesome boy pouts.

“Daddy is kidding. When we come back from the doctor, we can spend some time with you guys. Maybe play some games or watch a movie or two in the Theatre.” I chirp in. I have a soft spot for all my kids, especially for Gcinokuhle’s twin.
Mahle frowns. “Why are you going to the doctor, mom? Are you sick?” she asks and I sigh. I guess we need to tell them the news sooner or later.
“No, honey. I am healthy as a horse. Mommy is pregnant and we are going to check on how the babies are doing.” I answer her and Zobuhle gets up from her chair. She comes to me and pokes my belly.

“There is a baby here? Hey baby. You awake?” that is so random, coming from her. I just laugh and pick her up, putting her on my lap.
“Yeah, there are babies. Two of them.” I tell her and she frowns before nodding.
“Like me and Lisi?” she asks and I nod.
“Yes, baby. Like you and Lisi.”
“Okay.” Why do I feel like this pregnancy is going to bring her closer to me? She eats from my place and I hear Kuhle chuckling. I look up at him and he winks.
“That means Nomandla will stop being a diva since she won’t be the last born. Thank God. I just hope you’re carrying boys, mom. They are less dramatic.” Zweli comments and that starts a debate between him and Mahle about who is better between girls and boys. I am glad the twins and the quads are still young and can’t understand most of what these two are saying.

“Silence. Or have you guys forgotten about table manners?” Kuhle breaks the argument and Zweli and Mahle mumble their apologies before they continue eating.

When we are done eating, we bid farewell to the kids before heading out. As we are descending the stairs that leads to the driveway, I hear Zweli’s voice calling me. Kuhle looks up.

“I will wait for you. I think the boy wants privacy.” He kisses my cheek before walking away. I turn and look at my eldest son as he makes his way to me.
He starts scratching his head and I just know I may not like what he is about to say. “Ma, before I go to England, I would like to visit Sthabile’s family. Even if it’s for a day. Just to see them.” He has never has this request before. But I would never stand in his way of getting to know his maternal family. His mother is the one that wronged, not the whole family.
“Ohh okay. I will talk to your dad, but I am sure he won’t have a problem.” I tell him and he smiles.
“By the way, I wish the babies are girls. Too much testosterone in one place is not good.” I laugh. He heads back inside the house and I go to my husband. He opens the car door for me and I climb inside before he gets in on his side.

“What did he want?” Kuhle asks as soon as the car drives out of the palace.
I internally roll my eyes. “You are a noisy king.” He laughs. “He wants to see his maternal family before he leaves for England. I told him I will tell you about it and get back to him.” He looks outside the windrow. I hold his hand. “Myeni wam, you know he has the right to speak to his family, even visit them. He just didn’t want to in the past.”

He looks at me. “Melamina, those people are vile. What will stop them from turning my son against me, or worse you? What if they say you were responsible for their daughter’s death? I don’t want Zweli to hate you for something you didn’t do.”
I take a deep breath. “Whatever happens, we will deal with it when the time comes. For now let’s give the boy what he wants. He rarely requests for things.”
He sighs. “Fine. But this will backfire, Futhy.” We will deal with the consequences when they arrive.

We arrive at the hospital and head inside. I guess one has to get used to people bowing wherever my husband goes. Two days back, he passed the mall with his convoy and people were bowing all the way. The love and respect the Zulu nation has for him is admirable. We get to the OB/GYN office and she greets us with respect before we sit down.

“So you are expecting? Firstly congratulations on that and you are in good hands. I will make sure you have a healthy pregnancy.” She starts off. I am sure she said that because she seems nervous. Nobody can guarantee a healthy pregnancy. Not even me, a powerful seer.
“Thank you, Doctor Mkhunjini. I want the best treatment for my wife and I know you won’t disappoint. We also you to apply doctor-patient confidentiality. We hope the public don’t hear about this until we have a proper welcoming ceremony for my kids after they are born.” Kuhle states and the doctor nods. “In the last months of her pregnancy, I would like you and your team to set up one of the rooms in the palace to be her labor ward so that she won’t have to come here for appointments or any emergencies.” He has really thought this through.

“I hear you, my King. And I will make sure we keep this between us. Now, since we already know that Her Majesty is pregnant, how about you get up on that bed and we do a scan?” she points on the examination bed and I nod before climbing up. I take off my shoes and lie back. She comes with the BP machine and checks it before writing something on her file and then she lifts up my blouse. She rubs the cold gel on my belly. She the takes her detector and scans my belly before we hear sounds of heartbeats.

“That sound will forever be magical to my ears.” My husband comments and I smile.
“Okay, so I am getting two, wait, no. Three heartbeats. The third is a bit faint but I am sure it’s nothing bad. We will have to do a couple of tests to make sure everything is good. But there you have it, Your Majesties. You are having three princes or princesses. We may be able to determine the gender in two months.” She wipes the gel on belly. “Let me quickly print your scans or you want a video?” she asks, standing up.

“Both will be fine.” Kuhle answers for us. The doctor nods before heading out. I am still gobsmocked. I can’t believe I am pregnant and having multiple babies again. This is surreal now that I have heard their heartbeats. I feel someone grabbing my hand and I look up at Kuhle as he helps me sit up. “You should be excited as me, but something is troubling you. What’s up?” he asks and I sigh.

“It’s probably nothing, but I am worried about the third heartbeat. Why is it faint? Is there something wrong with the baby? Does she or he have heart problems? What’s wrong with my baby?” I don’t even realize I am crying until he wipes my cheeks.
“Please don’t cry. You will make me cry in public and the doctor will laugh at me.” I chuckle, rolling my eyes. “Please don’t stress about this, my love. Everything will be okay.” He wraps his arms around me and I soak in his comfort. If he says everything will be alright, hopefully it will be okay. He is the king after all.

The doctor comes back and draws a bit of my blood which leaves me lightheaded. She writes the prescription script and hands it to Kuhle before we head out. By the time we get to the car, I can’t even feel my legs. I pass out in my husband’s arms.
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She is not sick. Remember her condition from Miss Chubby.