Little Miss Successful

Part 28

Amahle's POV
*Dream*

I look around and see that I'm at the beach,the waves as beautiful as ever with the breeze fanning through.I'm sitting on a rock and wearing a white dress.I'm not happy,I feel like the old Amahle...the Amahle who was bullied,the Amahle who was insecure,the Amahle who witnessed her mom dying on her birthday,the Amahle who used to take drugs and cut herself as a way of coping with her pain,the Amahle without a dad,the Amahle with only 4 brothers not 6 and lastly, the Amahle who isolated herself from the rest of the world.Out of nowhere a woman holding a green amulet,makes her way towards me emerging from the beach itself.
Old woman:You need to go now,your journey to ending the prophecy begins here.
Me:What is the prophecy exactly?
Old woman:You will know in due time.For now,you need to go back KwaNongoma.Give this amulet to Hlelolenkosi,she will know why she got it.
She then turns around and walks back into the beach,disappearing into the waves.Is she a mermaid?

*End of dream*

This is why I'm here at this moment,on the way to kwaNongoma with Hlelo as my passenger princess,pun intended,lol..Phindile and Lazola said they will come by tomorrow as they need to finish some things. The sound of the engine hums beneath my hands as I grip the steering wheel and my knuckles becoming pale against the smooth leather. The open road stretches ahead but the towering peaks of the kingdom loom in the distance as they grow larger with every passing minute.My heart starts beating fast at the consciousness that I'm about to go back to the place I was hurt in.

I glance at Hlelo in the passenger seat. She looks calm and unaffected even though we are getting closer to the kingdom.I can't say the same for myself shame.
Me:Are we sure we want to do this?
I ask, breaking the heavy silence that has settled between us.Well we are kind of forced to do this whether we want to or not so this is one stupid question to ask and I'm sure Hlelo thinks so too.I'm just passing by time,people.
Hlelo:Yes, Mama.It's about time.
Her confidence is unnerving.She just said "it's about time", like she isn't walking back into the lion's den. Like I aren't about to face the man who had shaped my life into chaos.I tighten my grip on the wheel, swallowing hard.
Me:He won't make this easy for us, Hlelo. You know that, right?
Hlelo:I know.
She turns to me with her gaze sharp and unwavering.
Hlelo:(continuing)But he's still my father.He's still your chosen one,mama.
I flinch at the word with my fingers twitching against the wheel.
Chosen one? The idea still feels foreign, even after all these years. Nkosinaye isn't just Hlelo's father anymore —he is king. A man who had haunted me every day since I left by saying... "you need to come back warawara."

The palace gates looms ahead, tall and imposing against the backdrop of the mountains. My stomach churns into knots as I slow the car as the familiar stone walls come into view. The last time I'd passed through these gates, I'd sworn never to return.But here I am, the past chasing me down like a predator.
Me:(whispering)You're Amahle kaDlamini.
I whispered under my breath, as much to myself as to the universe.
Me:(continuing)You do not cower. Not even for him.

The gates creak open and I drive through with my chest tightening with every inch closer to the palace. Hlelo sits upright with her shoulders squared and her calmness only deepening my unease.She holds and squeezes my hand in a reassuring way and I smile,appreciating the little gesture.The weather starts changing as slight drizzles of rain start falling.
Bab'Mdoni makes his way to the the car while reciting the Zulu clan names,talking about how they are happy that we finally found our way back home.Isn't he supposed to be reciting MY own clan names as MY ancestors protected HLELO & I ,against all odds? Honestly I feel like they are given too much credit because what do you mean by Zulu this,Zulu that,hayi marn.

I pull into the courtyard as I see helpers and guards walking around.The palace looms above us, its grandeur and warmness unchanged.My hands start trembling as I open the door and step out.
Bab'Mdoni:Ndlovukazi
He says as he bows.
Me:Molo ta,kunjani?
Bab'Mdoni:Hayi kuright ndodakazi.Ndivuyela lento yokuba ubuyile.(...I'm happy for the fact that you came back.)
I nod my head as I pass him a tight smile.He then turns to Hlelo who smiles widely at him.
Bab'Mdoni:Hlelo latamkhulu!
Hlelo throws herself in Bab'Mdoni's arms and he stumbles back a bit.I slightly laugh...this girl thinks she's still young and weighs little to nothing kodwa ligriza elingaka!
Hlelo:Kehla lami!
Bab'Mdoni chuckles and looks at her with delight.
Hlelo:Where is the rest of the family?
Bab'Mdoni:They all went to Qamata for the holiday.
Hlelo:Oh okay then.
As I'm looking at their little interaction I feel eyes on me so I look up and then...I see him.