MELAMINA THE QUEEN

CHAPTER 60

KING KUHLE ZULU

I remember how unreal it felt when my wife told me that she was pregnant a few months ago. I was so over the moon. I even started brainstorming names, which is something I always let her do because that’s not my strongest suit. When I told her the names I had thought, she just laughed and said “myeni wam, let me deal with the naming and you will give the kids your last name”. I thought she would be mad at the pregnancy seeing how the quads still demand attention even though they are almost 5 years. I wish they could be more mature like Zoh and Manelisi who recently turned seven. I swear those kids are so humble and down to earth. I just know that even if Zoh never gets married, she will help her brother lead the nation one day.

Something I never dreamed of was losing a child. Either through miscarriage, stillbirth or someone who has walked this earth. I am super grateful that last night I gained two beautiful princesses but my heart is in pieces. I mourn the death of the princess who never got to open her eyes, see the world from her own perspective. I never thought I would meet one of my kids when they are cold and lifeless. It’s funny how I thought she would just surprise me and open her eyes when I uncovered the white sheet to stare at her body. Even though the Zulu gene is very dominant, she looked like a replica of Futhy through and through. I can’t imagine how she would feel like when she wakes up and finds out she has to bury her lookalike.

Last night when I got home, I asked Sbo to tell all our family members and very close friends the tragedy that has befell us. Then I asked Zwe’s guards to bring him home. I didn’t want him to find out about this and then have to deal with it alone since Futhy’s parents are here. I had to personally call Lee and Noma to inform them about this. It was my first time hearing Noma cry out loud. Then I went to Amahle’s room. I delivered the news to her and my baby was so heartbroken. She cried herself to sleep and I stayed with her until she dozed off. I don’t know how I feel asleep but I remember looking at the last scan of the triplets and crying. When I woke up this morning, I was still carrying the photo. I took a shower and dressed up in a way that I hoped masked my true feelings.

Heading downstairs, I find most my friends and family already there. They take turns hugging me and Lisa is the last one to hug me. She just breaks down in my arms, triggering my own tears. I sniff and make eye contact with Zenzo who comes  and takes his wife.

“Thank you all for being here. Your support means a lot.” I say because I really appreciate their presence.
“We are not just friends, Kuhle. We are family. We are there for each other through sickness and health.” Phumudzo responds giving me another hug. I notice that Lee, Noma, Mabutho and Carter are not here. They are probably at the hospital.

“Dad, what’s going on? Where is mom?” I turn to find Zwe standing at the doorway. It looks like he just got home. I take a deep breath and open my arms.
“Come son.” He gives me a sceptical look but walks to me nonetheless. I take his hand and lead him to my home office. I close the door and look at him. “So your mom gave birth yesterday and you have new sisters.”
He smiles widely. “That’s nice. More princesses. Hopefully they won’t be like Nomandla.” He makes a face and I chuckle painfully. “So everyone is here for their welcome home party? When are they coming home? Today?”

I swallow hard and clear my throat. I need to be strong for my son. I can break down later. “So, mom gave birth to three beautiful princess but one decided to go to heaven.” He frowns.
“To visit?” I shake my head. “You mean she died?”
“Yes. But she is at peace now. She has become an angel and she is looking over us.”
“But why? She didn’t even get to leave hospital. Why did she die? What happened?” he asks, his voice already cracking and I pull him close. He just cries silently in my arms. “But it’s not fair, dad. What was wrong with her?” It is still a mystery to me because she was one of the healthy twins. How the umbilical cord ended up around her neck will forever puzzle me.

“I am also saddened by her death but it’s no use crying over how things happened. But we are going to be okay, son. I am going to the hospital to see your mom. Hopefully she is awake now. I don’t expect you to be strong, son. This is very hard and it is still going to be hard for all of us. But we are here for each other. Everyone in that lounge is here for you. If you wanna talk, you can talk to any one of them, okay?” he nods. “Everything is going to be fine. God and our ancestors will be there for us.” I hug him one more time and I give him the opportunity to wipe his tears before we exit the office. We bump into MaMolefe in the passage and she just opens her arms for Zweh. He rushes to hug her and continues crying.

She looks at me. “All will be well, Kgosi. We are not praying for this to pass because loss is not something that can pass easily, but we are praying for strength to deal with this together as a family.”
“Thank you, ma.” I side hug her and bid farewell to my friends before heading to the hospital.

I am dreading facing my wife. I know I have to be there when she hears the news. I may also be sad and upset about my daughter passing, but she nurtured her from day one. She bonded with her while she was still locked in her tummy. Sometimes I would wake up in the middle of the night to find her talking to the three ninjas. That’s what she called them when they kicked. She would sing for them and laugh when they kicked in response. I know this is going to kill her. I arrived at the hospital and start at the waiting room. I find Futhy’s family with Lee and Noma and their husbands already waiting. I greet them. Lee comes to hug me.

“May God be with you and give you all the strength you need to deal with this.” She comforts me and I exhale.
“Thank you, Lee.”
Noma also comes to hug me. “The doctor came to tell us that she woke up about three minutes ago and the nurse is helping her freshen up. We thought you would want to see her first.”
I nod and start off towards her private ward. Ndosi stops me with a hand on my shoulder. He squeezes it. “Nobody expects you to be strong here, ndodana. You also lost a child. You are allowed to cry out loud if you feel like it. No one is going to judge you.”

I give him something remotely close to a smile. “Thank you, Baba.”

I head to the private ward and walk inside. I don’t find her in the ward, so I assume she is still in the bathroom. I sit on the visitor’s couch and look down. Nina baka Phunga noMageba, give me strength. A few minutes later, a door opens and I look up. The nurse is wheeling my wife back in. She smiles when she sees me but a frown immediately appears on her face.

“What’s wrong, myeni wami?” she asks. Her voice is a bit hoarse. The nurse helps her back in the bed and rushes off, promising to come back soon. I know she is giving us privacy. I stand up and go sit next to my wife and cup her face in my hands.
“Nothing is your fault, mkami. There is no one to blame. This was natural and It’s sad that it happened to us, but I don’t want you to blame yourself for anything or we are going to have a problem, okay?” her frown deepens but she nods.

“I hear you, but tell me what happened? Is it the kids? Did something happen? Did they make it?” her voice is already a bit shaky as she asks that question.
“You did well, my love. You delivered three beautiful princesses.” I try smiling by my own face sells me out because a tear falls down my cheek and I don’t wipe it. “One is strong as a horse, one is a beautiful albino with minor health issues and one is already an angel.”
She smiles widely but it disappears a few moments as my statement sinks in. “An angel? An angel? What do you mean, Kuhle?” her whole body starts shaking, “Kuhle what are you talking about? My baby is not dead, angithi? Not my baby. Hhay owami. Please. Joke about all things but not that. Ngiyazicelela.”

I swallow hard as I feel more tears stream down my cheeks. “I am sorry, sthandwa Sami. She had a umbilical cord around her and when she came out, she was already gone. The doctors tried reviving her but it was too late.”
Her eyes pop out as realization sets in. And then she starts sobbing loudly, triggering my own tears. “Ingane yami, Kuhle. Ngicela ingane yam! Ngifuna ingane yam! Niyenzeni?!” I wrap my arms tightly around her as she breaks down in my arms. “Kodwa ngimone ngani uJehova? What did I do to Him? Why did he punish me like this? Why? My child, Kuhle! My baby! My daughter! Yoh!”