NTOMBI (GIRL)

chapter 5

Ntombi felt heartbroken. There was nothing between the prince and her but she felt sad that he was going to marry another person. Meanwhile in the chiefs house the elders were discussing the prince's situation. He needed a wife or else he can't ascend the thrown.

"My son, your mother and I have found a suitable lady for you. She is from royalty and beautiful."- the king.

"Father I can't marry her. I have found a wife here in our village. She's the one who stole my heart." - the prince.

"Ah! That's excellent. Who's daughter is she?" - the king.

"Her name father is Ntombi. The daughter of bab'Zulu." 

"Son that is even great! I haven't heard of any daughter of his but I'm sure she is well mannered just like his father. You have made me proud son." 

Muzi was happy and couldn't wait to inform Ntombi. But first he will have to tell her about how he feels. He loves her and nothing and no one can stop that. He will make her his. 

************************************

"Mama! I'm going to the stream?" Ntombi informed her mother before she bolted out of the house to see Muzi. Although she wasn't sure he will be there. She wanted him but with all her burdens she doesn't think it can all be possible. How can a handsome looking young man want a bruised and a ruined maiden when there's more than a dozen to chose from.

"Muzi I thought you weren't going to come." She said while Muzi was sitting on a big rock near the stream.

"Never. I'll always be here no matter how busy my day went. I have to see that smile of yours." Ntombi couldn't stop blushing until she noticed that Muzi is a bit hesitant today.

"You don't look fine. Uhm... look if its about us. I get it. You need to be with your new wife instead of coming here everyday to cheer me up. After all we are just friend." 

"Ntombi, please never say that. I care for you and you are the only special girl that I know. I love you." 

"Thanks Muzi you are a true friend. I really care for you too."

"You see Ntombi that's the problem. You see me as just a friend and I want more than that from you. I love you. I loved you ever since I laid my eyes on you that evening. You are beautiful. Please be my wife."

"Muzi I hear you. And I too can't deny this love which I have for you, but somethings are just impossible. I can't be your wife." She ran back home as fast as she can careful not to drop the water she carried. 

Just as she entered the house her step father was sitting with one of the elders. "Morning sir. Morning dad". She bowed her head as she greeted both man.

"Morning my daughter." The elder replied. She walked away from them to cry about the Prince Muzi and the fact that she couldn't marry him. She wasn't a virgin and it is forbidden for the him to marry an impure girl.  Worst of all her step dad raped her. She never wants Muzi nor anyone to know because to her it was shameful. She blamed herself...

*************************

Prince Muzi couldn't gather the strength to stand up and go home. Her only love rejected him and what worse she ran away. How was he going to convince her that they are meant to be. He had to marry her. She is the only girl she found interest in. He can't just let go.

It was a sunny Saturday morning. Yesterday Ntombi didn't go to the stream. How can she face Muzi and worse of all tell him to move on while her heart said otherwise. Her step dad was in a cheerful mood today. He gathered Ntombi and her mother to tell them what he thought would uplift his name. 

"My beautiful wife and daughter." Ntombi and her mother looked at eachother. What has gotten the almighty bab'Zulu to be in a good mood, Ntombi thought.

"Remember bab'Dlamini, the palace elder that came to visit me on Thursday." they both know that. Ntombi was forced to cater for them that day.

"Well... he came to tell me great news. The prince has found interest in my daughter. Ntombi is going to be the next queen of our land." 

 Ntombi was dumbstruck that Muzi already announced this non-existence affair they were having. It made Ntombi heave in anger. While her mother stood up and ululated and her bab'Zulu to whistle and do a bit of Zulu dance. This was ridicules, she thought.

She wondered if bab'Zulu remembered what he had done to her. He is an elder he should know the traditions of this land. What sort of a girl that is not a virgin marry the Prince. Remembering his sweaty self on top of her brought unimaginable pain to Ntombi. How could he have done this to her. Now she can't marry the only man that makes her smile. He ruined her.

She quickly stood up and ran away to be alone. She couldn't bare to look at the man that caused her so much suffering to be happy. They did this and now they want her to do this.

Her mother came after her." Ntombi, what is wrong with you. You know how your father is. You should be happy baby." 

"Mama I don't care what that man does!" She received a hot clap that sent her thought away for a moment. "I can't marry the Prince." She stated with tears gashing out of her eyes.

"You will marry him. Even if it cost me a fortune." A deep voice achoed around the room. It was bab'Zulu. "This is an honour to my family. A Zulu will become royalty. Tomorrow you will accept the Prince's proposal or all hell will break. Try me girl!" 

Argh typical, Ntombi thought internally rolling her eyes. He walked away leaving the both of them in the room. "You better do as he says." That was her mother's last words to her that day. 

***********************************************************************

Author's note: 

Hi everyone thank you for reading up to this part. Don't give up on this book just yet. if there are any errors I'm sorry I just haven't found time to edit.

Please remember to vote and comment.