MELAMINA THE QUEEN

CHAPTER 58

KING KUHLEKOKE ZULU

By the time i get to the hospital, my wife is already unconscious and she is admitted to a private ward. Her doctor did inform me that she will draw some blood, so i knew that would make my wife lose consciousness. I don’t ask any questions, I just head straight to the doctor’s office and find her busy studying some paperwork. Her office door is open, so I just knock twice and let myself in. She raises her head and quickly stands up when she sees me.

“Your Highness.” She bows.
“Doctor Nkabinde. I came as soon as I could. What is going on? What’s wrong with my wife and kids?” she sighs.

“Please sit.” I take a seat and she also sits down. “When we did a scan with your wife, it showed that the babies were healthy, even though the third one’s heartbeat was slower than normal. But everything was okay, until I ran some tests and did a second scan. That was when I discovered that the umbilical cord is around one twin’s neck and it can strangle them in any moment. Also, that twin is not getting enough nutrition. It’s risky, delivering them soon, because some organs haven’t fully developed. But to prevent any danger, we need to perform an emergency C-section before the day ends.”

I take a deep breath. Somehow, I wished I was hearing good news but I am not. My wife and my kids are in danger and I need to make a decision to save them. If she delivers the babies as soon as she can, we can avert a crisis. I look at the doctor and nod. “Do whatever it takes to make sure my wife and children are safe and healthy. Schedule the C-section for this afternoon.” She nods.
“I will do so, Your Majesty. And i will try everything in my power to make sure that everything goes well.”
“Okay.” I clear my throat and stand up. I am a king now. I need to be strong. I can’t tear up at the possibility of my wife being in danger. “In what ward is she?”
“Let me show you the way.” She closes her file and walks out. I follow her. We walk down the corridor and enter a private ward. My wife is awake and just staring into the ceiling. She looks our way when she hears us enter and I see tears falling down her cheeks. “I will let you tell her.” The doctor says quickly and walks out, closing the door after her.

I rush to my wife and hug her. She just breaks down in my arms. “I can’t feel them, Kuhle. I can’t feel them move or kick. They are quiet. What’s going on? What’s wrong with them?” Her voice is hoarse. I can tell that she has been crying for a while. I rub her back, closing my eyes just to gather my emotions. I need to be strong for her and the babies. I can’t afford to break down, not now.

I break the hug and sit on her bed. “There are minor complications with babies. One of the twins have a umbilical cord wrapped around their neck. It’s not strangling them as yet, but they need to perform an emergency C-section just to prevent any further danger. I asked the doctor to schedule it for this afternoon. The sooner the better.” I wipe her tears and she sighs.

“Can you call my mom?”
I take out my phone and video call Mrs. Cele. She responds after a few rings. I tilt the phone towards my wife’s direction. “Hey baby. How are you? Wait, why are you crying? Are you in a hospital?” she doesn’t respond. She just cries. “Kuhle, what’s going on?”
I turn the camera to my side. “The babies might be in danger, so the doctors will be performing an emergency C-section this afternoon.”

“Can you please come?” Futhy asks in a low tone and I turn the screen towards her. “I need you. I am scared.”
“I will be there soon, my baby. Try to calm down. I will call your father and we will be there as soon as we can.”
“Okay. I love you.”
“I love you too. Kuhle?” I turn the screen towards me. “Be strong, son. Trust in God that everything will be alright. Have you called your parents?” I shake my head. “Don’t worry, I will call them for you. Just be there for your wife physically and emotionally. I will se you guys soon, okay?”

“Okay, ma. Thank you.” She hangs up. I take of my shoes and climb on the bed. I pull her into my chest and she wraps her arms around me.
“You are going to break the bed.” She mumbles and I chuckle.
“Who? Me? I am light as a feather.” She snorts. “Also, they know that a lot goes down on these beds, so they make sure they are stable.” She laughs. I would do anything for my wife and right now I need to take her mind off things. “So I guess I am back to DIY until further notice?”

She laughs, hitting my chest lightly. “I will buy you a toy so that you will stop whining.”
I gasp. “A whole king using a toy? Imagine people’s reaction when they find out. Angeke Futhy. What if someone takes a video of me and it gets leaked. Now i will be the next Gigaba.”
“You know yours is not as big as Gigaba’s. Your tribe is the likes of eMtee.” I turn her face upwards so that she can see my reaction and she laughs. “Sorry babe.”

“You know I don’t forget. As soon as 6 weeks is up, you will tell me who is in the same tribe with eMtee.” She hides her face in my chest and continues laughing. We chat about silly things and when I see that she is dozing off, I kiss her. “The next time you wake up, you will be hearing three loud cries. Although they will be ugly, they will be ours and we will love and cherish them.”
“Yes, we will.” She mumbles as she drifts off to sleep. I stay with her for an hour before climbing off bed and heading back to the doctor’s office. I find her in a meeting with some other doctors.

“She is asleep now, you can start prepping for the surgery.” I instruct her and she nods. “I will be in the waiting room.”

I head to the private waiting room and find mom already there with dad and Martha. He married Martha two months back. It was an intimate wedding which included only close friends and family. They are yet to do their traditional wedding but Martha is in no rush for that. And she doesn’t mind that we call her by her name. She is a Modern while lady. Mom stands up and comes to hug me.

“Are you okay? How is MELAMINA?” she asks.
“I am fine, mom. Mela is also fine, hopefully. The doctors should be starting the preparations of her C-section soon.” Dad also comes to hug me, as well as Martha.
“Your mothers are at your house. Someone had to be there for the kids.” Martha informs me and I nod.
“Thank you.” I sit down and dad comes to sit next to me.
“How are you really feeling, son?”

“I am a king, Baba. The head of the family and a husband. That means I put other people’s feelings and emotions above mine. That means my emotions don’t matter in this scenario. My wife is going through the most and I should soldier on. If I allow myself to break on, who is going to be there for her or our family?”

He sighs and nods. “I hear you, son. And I am glad I raised a man like you. You know when to show weakness and when to how strength. You and the kids are going to be fine. Hopefully i won’t lose a wife his time around.” I know that part was meant to be a joke since he will never head from losing KaMahlaba but that worries me. “Chill, son. I am just messing around.” He nudges me a bit and I chuckle. An hour late, Jabu and Ndosi walk in. They greet us and Jabu comes to hug me.

“Everything is going to be alright, just trust in God and your ancestors, okay?”
“Yes. Thank you, ma.” She smiles and her husband comes to shake my hand.
“Look at you. You have grown now. You no longer cry when shit hits the fan.” I chuckle. He had to say something silly.
“I am king now.” I respond.
He rolls his eyes. “Could have fooled me. Now where is my daughter?”
“I am not sure.” I call one of my guards. “Can you please check on Doctor Nkabinde and ask what is it they are doing now?” he nods and walks away. He comes back after a minute or so.

“The queen is in surgery.” He informs me and I nod. He walks away. I know I am not supposed to be there but being out here and knowing that my wife is being cut open as we speak doesn’t sit well with me. I guess Jabu sees my inner conflict because she rubs my arm.
“I will go in just to make sure there is no foul play.” She states walking away and my mom follows her. I sit down and close my eyes, sending a prayer to our ancestors. May they be with my wife and make sure nothing bad happens.