MELAMINA THE QUEEN

CHAPTER 57

It had been four months since the tea party which was a great success. It was nice to be surrounded by influential women and engaging in building conversations with them. Of course some were kissing ass, that is always going to happen  in this world. People are always trying to build connections because in this country you can’t go anywhere without connections. Qualifications and experience alone can’t get you the life you want unless you ancestral things are in order or you were born lucky. A lot was discussed in that tea party but we didn’t go deep into the planning. We agreed that we will have a formal conference and discuss our plans. Like why have all the money and influence in the world if you are not willing to utilize it and better less fortunate people? And that’s what I want to do in my reign. Sure I wont help everyone, but I need to at least assist fifty people minimum.

A lot has happened in the past four months. Nqaba and Zisanele tied the knot and it was such a joyous occasion. Although I did receive some backlash about my A-line dress at the wedding, I couldn’t care less because I had to protect my babies. I don’t know what Nqaba drank when he thought Milisuthando would be a great ring bearer. My son was entertaining but he ended up sitting on the aisle and eating the edible flowers that were inside the rings basket. It was an adorable toddler moment until he ran away with the ring.

Last night before going to bed, I felt cramps all over my belly and I knew it meant something bad. So I prayed about it and then set up an appointment with my doctor for this morning. I didn’t want to worry my husband because he had an important meeting in Pietermaritzburg. I know he won’t be happy that I remained quiet about this but hopefully it is not something bad. I pretended to be asleep this morning when he kissed me goodbye and left. Soon after I heard his convoy drive out, I bathed and dressed up.

Right now I am at the kitchen, eating a cereal before I leave. I asked one of the maids to prepare it for me and even though she wanted to make me a full breakfast, ‘king’s orders’, I said no because I didn’t want anything greasy. So she made me the cereal and left. Sibonge walks in followed by his personal maid who bows at me and walks away, and I frown. Isn’t he supposed to be in school? I look at him as he makes his way to me. He raises his arms, indicating that I pick him up and I do that, placing him on the counter. He rubs my belly.

“Ahlungu mama? (Is it sore?)” he asks and his sincere tone makes me emotional. I nod. He closes his eyes and mumbles inaudible things before opening his eyes and smiling at me. “Uzoba right, mama.” Did my baby just pray for me? I don’t even know what to say. I just hug him while fighting back my tears. I don’t want to scare him. I take a deep breath and break the hug.
“Thank you, my love. Now why aren’t you at school?”

They attend a preschool and primary school not far from town. The amount of security measures that had to be implemented for them to attend school, yoh. I am just glad I was never a royal baby. Amahle is studying in Veld n Vlei in Richards Bay. She has about eight guards who accompany her to school. Zwe had to choose between staying with my parents or Lee and Mabutho because he is still a minor. He couldn’t stay alone or with helpers like he is an orphan. He stays with the rents but he visits Lee’s house any chance he gets. My parents couldn’t give two shits if he is a prince or what. He does chores there, even mom is teaching him how to cook.

“I wanted to stay with you today.” The little prophet responds and I roll my eyes.
“Sorry, but no. I have to go to the hospital and you know, no kids allowed.” He pouts and I kiss his small lips. “And don’t ever dodge school just because you want to stay with me, okay? You my be my special boy but school is important. Okay?” I know this doesn’t make sense to a four year old but I need to teach him a lot of things while he is still young.

He nods. “Okay mommy. See you tomorrow. And I want to go to that Zion church soon.” I help him off the counter and he walks out of the kitchen. Tomorrow? What is this child on about? And church? It’s not that we don’t believe in God or anything, but we are royalty, people never act normal around us. Now imagine if we were to go to church? People will end up praising us, not the Almighty. But that’s what happens when you birth a special a kid. You have to grand every weird wish because it might be the ancestors telling him to go there.

I head out and ask my driver to drive me to the hospital. When I get there, I find the doctor not in yet, so I wait in the parking lot while contemplating on when to call my husband. I know he is going to be upset when he finds out that I went to the doctor without telling him. I browse through my WhatsApp messages and find one from Lee which has an invitation. She is inviting us to celebrate Sthuli’s birthday. The only reason, besides her, that would make me go to the party is because in our events, we have a NO PICTURES rule. Because my pregnancy belly has grown a lot. It looks like I am nine months pregnant with one baby. At this point I am going to quarantine myself.

“Your Majesty, the doctor has arrived.” My driver announces.
“Thank you.” One of the guards come to open the door and I climb out. Even that is workout. Maybe I should do some cardio just to stabilize my blood pressure. We head inside and they give me some privacy when I enter the doctor’s office.

“Your Highness. Welcome. I was surprised to see you here. Is everything okay?” she asks right away and I shake my head.
“I felt cramps last night and when I woke up this morning, my belly was swollen, but not in a good way. I didn’t want to stress my husband if it turned out to be nothing, but I am worried.”
She nods. “You are seven months pregnant with triplets. It’s normal to worry if there is something abnormal that happens. For a pregnant woman, the swelling of the belly can be normal but if that happens overnight, then it raises some concern. Also, I am scared of you but I am more scared of His Majesty. So if we get some not so pleasant results while testing, please allow me to contact him.” I smile at her. King Gcinisizwe may be scary but my Kuhle is not.
“It’s fine.”

“Let’s start with an ultrasound and then we will draw some blood if I see anything unusual.” Shit, she might have to call my husband after all. I lie down on the examination bed and expose my belly. She ribs the gel on it and scans it with her machine. I would smile like always at the sound of my babies’ heartbeats, but today I am too anxious.  “Oww, that’s not good. You hear that heavy third heartbeat?” she asks and I keep quiet to listen. There are two who seem to be chasing one another and another which beats maybe a a few times a minute. I nod and she sighs. “I need to run some tests, Your Majesty. But if it’s what I think it is, then we have to deliver these babies soon for their safety and wellbeing.”

“Before you draw some blood, can I call my husband?” she nods and stands up.
“I will give you some privacy.” She hands me my phone and walks out. I take a deep breath and dial his number. It rings a few moments before he answers it.

“Mkami, I am kind of busy. Can I call you back?” hearing his voice breaks down all the walls and tough guy act and I just cry. “Wait, baby what’s going on?” I hear some shuffling and him shouting out orders as he excuses himself. “Are you okay? Is it the babies?” I don’t respond. I just continue crying. He hangs up and five seconds later, he video calls me. I answer it while wiping my tears. “Whats going on, baby? Where are you?” he squints his eyes. “Are you at the doctor’s office?” I nod.

“It’s the babies. Something is wrong. Doctor said she might have to take them out.” I manage to utter.
“What happened?”
“It started last night.”
He sighs. “And you didn’t say anything? Kodwa Futhy you know that the minute you reach 7 months, any day is the day.” He exhales. “I am coming. I will be there as soon as I can okay. Just be strong for me and our babies until I get there.” I nod and wipe my tears. “I love you and everything is going to be okay. Say it with me. Everything is going to be okay.”

I sigh. “Everything is going to be okay.”