CH25

BURNING BLUE.
BY BELLA ROYALTY.
25.

[SHAKA 'PRIME' ZWANE]
I exhaled as I saw Sean, Lungelo and Tumelo approaching me, I was certainly not in the mood for an interrogation today, since I told them about Ntando and I, things between us all have been kind of weird, I know they are judging me, especially Tumelo and it saddens me because I considered him as a brother and the last thing I wanted, was that brotherhood to end because of a girl.

Lungelo: Prime, mfethu why has your phone been off? We've been worried about you! We heard about the house and your father, how are you holding up?
Me: I'm good, as you can see.
Sean: Can we sit down and talk?
Me: About what, Sean? So you can tell me how wrong what Ntando and I are doing? How disgusting we are?

I said that looking at Tumelo who looked down.
Lungelo: Prime, please.

I sat down and looked at them.
Tumelo: Bro, I'm sorry, I was just hurt okay? But I shouldn't have said what I said about you and Ntando.
Lungelo: And there's no judgement from our side, we know how much it must have taken from you to even give in to this.
Sean: I'm just happy you get to experience love even if it comes from your cousin, I don't care honestly, I loved Playboy Prime but I'm eager to get to know the Prime who's in love.

We laughed.
Tumelo(smiles): No hard feelings? I will even apologise to Ntando, I miss my brother.
Me: You better, especially because Ntando and I aren't cousins.
Sean: I don't understand.
Me: Well… where do I even begin? There was a day when we went to see dad at the hospital, Ntando couldn't handle it, she started getting a panic attack after she had rushed out of the ward, she met a psychologist who helped her get through the attack, and she noticed that she had a strong resemblance to me, at first we thought maybe dad had another child out there with another woman, but then Ntando met up with this girl and they got talking and turned out I was swapped at the hospital, a couple of hours after I was born.

Tumelo(shocked): Bro? As in you are not related to the Zwanes at all?
Me: Nope, the woman who gave birth to me noticed that I wasn't breathing and she thought I was dead so she swapped me with Mandisa's son, she took Mandisa's son and left me there thinking I was dead, when Mandisa woke up she noticed I wasn't breathing well, she panicked and called for help and they resuscitated me back to life.
Sean: What the fuck? This woman didn't even give you a chance? And she was happy with raising a child that's not hers?
Me: Yeah, she just left me there and took the child that was healthy and alive, unfortunately there's a bitch called Karma, that child started getting sick, it needed to be introduced to the Zwane ancestors, she was accused of cheating by her husband, anyway long story short, that child died, she lost her family, her kids and husband.
Lungelo: So Mandisa's biological son died?
Me: Yeah.
Sean: Oh man that's so sad, so what does this mean?
Me: It means I'm not a Zwane, I am a Miya, my father is a Miya and I have 3 siblings, the psychologist, the brother is in UKZN and the other one is still I high school, I've met them but we haven't talked, they just dropped that bomb on us and before we could process it, it was crisis after crisis.

I said and sighed.
Me: I found out my father, Zwane was a ritualist, he had a whole snake, like a whole secret room that nobody knew about in the house and it was into young girls, when he came for Ntando in her room, he wanted her for the snake.
Tumelo: Nah, bro now you just making shit up! Ain't no way!
Me: I'm telling you, this is how it started, I went home this one time and found Ntando sleeping, looking ill, mom told me she had attempted suicide which was odd, Ntando isn't suicidal, I mean yes she's been through a lot but suicide? I didn't believe that, they were suddenly overprotective of her, not wanting me to be around her, the Miyas arrived, next thing Ntando is calling me asking me what I did to her and she's screaming In pain, okay we took her to the hospital where we were told that she had suffered a miscarriage which was odd because it wasn't so long ago that she and I had sex ain't no way she could already be having a miscarriage and she had told me she was on the shot.

Tumelo: From attempted suicide to miscarriage?
Me: Exactly! So she woke up and I told her what the doctor told me and she just went crazy, saying she couldn't have a miscarriage because she's on the shot, something about a IUD or whatever but it's referred to as the most effective form of birth control, also she couldn't remember some of the events of the previous night like the attempted suicide, she also believed I snuck in her room like there was a lot, it didn't make any sense and I thought she was just indenial.

Lungelo: Ntando has suffered bro.
Sean: She really has.
Me: So next thing she's discharged herself and she's asking for space, she went to stay with Ndalo, the psychologist who is also my sister, I wasn't allowed to see her because she was being cleansed and strengthened, next thing she's asking me to pack all her clothes at the house and also take everything that belongs to me as well, okay I do that, she bought some gasoline and went to slay the beast and blow up it's castle.
Tumelo(shocked): What?
Me: I have a video.

I showed them the video, Sean is afraid of snakes, he jumped off his seat and stood afar.
Tumelo: Prime! How did she…
Me: Ndalo came with her healer of a friend, anyway, she had to axe that thing's head and burn it up, unfortunately that meant it dies with its master and that's my father, so she came back to the apartment, looking like she had survived a war.
Tumelo: She had survived a war! Prime did you see that thing? It couldn't even move because it was fat! No, Ntando is brave! I would have just burnt the house.
Me: It could have slipped off, she needed to be sure, turns out there was no attempted suicide or miscarriage, this thing slipped in her room and she assumed it was me, she was hallucinating, robbed of sight and sound, she thought she was hearing me tell her that I snuck in because I missed her next thing I'm trying to penetrate her and it feels weird because there's no romance, even the penetrative feels weird, she said she tried to move—
Lungelo: She couldn't, I've heard stories bro, you cannot move a muscle when this thing is near.
Me: She couldn't move, or scream, or even see, so she started saying an inaudible prayer, I think that is what helped her because she was able to wiggle herself, so it left but she saw it and because it had tried to forcefully penetrate her through the fabric of her underwear, it kind of hurt her so she was covered in blood, my mom, grandma and Mamncane heard her scream when they got in, they just knew and they tried to cover it up.

Tumelo: I swear this is a script in a movie, Ntando is the main character.
Sean: This script better have a damn happy ending otherwise I'm killing the director and writer myself because what the f****? Like let the girl go, let her live and be happy!

Me: So Yeah, it's been an eventful couple of days, we've been ignoring calls from the family ever since they told us Dad was gone, I don't know how I will be able to face them, with what I know because Ntando doesn't want me to confront them, I should just pretend that I know nothing about the house, the snake, what they tried to do…

Tumelo: Ntando with her damn good heart!

Sean: So, let me get this straight, your mother knew that your father was into these things and she didn't mind? She still stayed? Okay I get that, I mean for better or worse or true love whatever, but then she brought her niece to stay in the same house? Knowing damn well this thing of theirs likes them young? I want to be sympathetic towards your mom bro, I really do, but I'm struggling to believe she has a good heart.

I shook my head.
Me: That's because she's not a good person as well, she knew exactly what she was doing, bringing Ntando here, they planned on sacrificing her to keep their wealth.
Tumelo: Your mom is a monster.
Me: I know bro, I feel like I don't even know the people that raised me, like was I too invested in myself in such a way that I never suspected anything? And now when I cut ties with them it'll be like I'm ungrateful, I'm abandoning them because I've found my real family.
Sean: I think you should let them know why you're cutting them off, they have to know.
Lungelo: I heard that when the pet and the master die, all the wealth accumulated by the pet perishes, so very soon Zwane Construction will perish right in front of our eyes.

Me: I really don't care, I was never interested in all of that, that's why I have a car wash and shisa nyama, I've always wanted to make my own money, I guess my blood could tell that there was something off, I even bought my own car with my own money, bought that apartment with my own money as well.

They sighed.
Me: So… yeah.
Lungelo: How's Ntando in all of this? How is she coping?
Me: She's struggling Luh, she's struggling and this time I don't know if I can be able to help her get through this, she can't sleep, the past two days she's been struggling to fall asleep, even when she finally does, she wakes up screaming in the middle of the night, checking herself, she's always looking for anything that's crawling, like the other day she screamed and almost had a heart attack because my tie was on the floor and she was triggered.

Tumelo: She's going through the most indeed.
Me: Yeah, hopefully she will be okay, if she wasn't suicidal on the first incidents of assault, she might just be now, finding out that your aunt brought you to Durban to sacrifice you?
Tumelo: I'd lose my shit too.

Khanya and her friends walked in making noise, talking about something and they came to us.
Khanya: Hey boys.
Tumelo: Khanya.
Khanya: Prime, isn't this your cousin?

She handed me her phone and it was a video of Peach, beating someone up.
Me(shocked): What the f*****?
Lungelo: What's up?

I showed them the video.
Me: When was this Khanya?
Khanya: A few minutes ago, I think the girl was her former friend or something, they started exchanging words and it got physical, no your cousin is unhinged, she just wouldn't stop beating this girl up.
Tumelo: And where is she now?
Khanya: Arrested, security called the police and ambulance.
Me: Fuck!

I got up and rushed out, I ran to my car and drove to the police station like a maniac, I got there and requested to see the Commander, Brandon we woke together at the agency.
Brandon: Tony Stark or should I say Prime?

I chuckled.
Me: Hi boss.
Brandon: Step into my office, what do I owe the pleasure?
Me: Uhm… my girlfriend was just brought in, Ntandokazi Ngema, the student who—
Brandon(whistles): That's your girl?
Me(nervously): Yeah, she's kind of going through something and she must have been triggered, she can't spend the night here Brandon.
Brandon: You need me to let her go?
Me: Yes!
Brandon: The victim has to drop the case against her, we haven't processed her yet so if you can convince the victim to drop the charges, we will be sorted.
Me: Okay, can I see her?

He nodded and made a call, an officer came to take me to her, she was alone in the cell, sitting on the corner, her hands bloody and she was crying, the officer opened for me and she looked up and got up and threw herself in my arms.

Me: Hey, hey it's okay, I've got you! I've got you.
Ntando(crying): I'm so sorry, I'm sorry baby, I didn't mean to, Nandi just started telling everyone who could listen my business with you and I warned her to stop but she didn't, and I just—
Me: It's okay, it's okay baby, I understand.
Ntando: Are you angry at me? Have I disappointed you?
Me(surprised); What? Why would you assume that?
Ntando: Shaka—

I shook my head, we don't call each other like that, no matter how angry we are.
Ntando: Baby I keep bringing you problems… making you worry, I'm sorry that I come with so much and I'm not perfect, I'm such a burden, I'm so sorry.
Me: You're speaking nonsense, you're not a burden to me baby.
Ntando: One day you'll get tired of me and you'll leave me baby.
Me: Where is this coming from? Who filled your head with this nonsense? I'm not going anywhere, I told you, I love you, Through it all!

She wiped her tears and I inspected her knuckles, she needed urgent medical attention.
Ntando: I have failed my first year.
Me: The year is not over Peach.
Ntando: I failed my first semester, and now I've just received the results. I failed the trials, there is no way I will be able to pass this year babe.

I exhaled, it's understandable to be honest, with the shit she's been going through?
Me: It's okay, it's going to be okay, we will deal with this together, it's not the end of the world, you'll try again next year.
Ntando: You're not angry?
Me(smiles): Why would I be?
Ntando: Everything is such a mess.
Me(smiles): It's not your fault.

Officer: Times up.
Me(sighs): I have to go and convince Nandi to drop the charges.
Ntando: She won't agree, with the way I beat her up?
Me: I'm a very convincing person Peach, if I wasn't, you and I wouldn't be together.

She laughed a little as I wiped her tears.
Me: You don't even have a scratch.
Ntando: Turns out miss loud mouth can't put her mouth where her money is.
Me: Didn't know you were such a badass, I saw the video.
Ntando: I just saw red, that was my first fight, it felt so good to punch something.
Me(warns): That was the first and last time Peach.

She looked down.
Me: Am I clear? I will not have a girlfriend that goes around beating people up.
Ntando: I'm sorry.

[MANDISA ZWANE]
Everything is currently a mess, we've been rocking our heads back and forth, trying to figure what could have happened. Did the house with uMadlabantu inside blow up because Sfiso took his last breath or is it the reverse?

We can't even get ahold of the person who gave Sfiso after his late brother Skhalo died that snake, his phone goes straight to voicemail, luckily Sbani had a house this side so that's where we all are right now.

Mrs Zwane: Where the hell are Shaka and Ntando?
Me: I don't know Mah, I called Shaka and told him about his father, he said he was on his way but he never arrived.
Sbani: That boy is starting to get on my nerves, we know he is currently struggling to accept his paternity, but we are his family. We've been his family since he was born, he should be here! My brother just died! Or does he not care because his real father is still alive? Very ungrateful if you ask me.
Me: That's the way Shaka deals with things bhuti, he will be here.
Grandma: No, Makoti go to his apartment and see him, also find your niece, I don't trust this break of hers, what if she runs into someone who is spiritually gifted and unpacks her memories? We don't need the drama Mandisa.

I exhaled and grabbed my purse and phone, I went to my car and drove off to Shakas apartment.

Thankfully it seemed like he was here, I knocked on the door.

He opened.
Shaka: Mom.
Me: Shaka, so this is where you're hiding?

He let me in.
Me: I don't blame you honestly I was getting tired of pretending as if I wasn't happy that Sfiso is dead, you should have at least shown your face, the family is starting to ask questions, how are you?
Shaka: I'm okay, how are the twins?
Me: They are okay, we told them the truth.
Shaka: I see, and the house? What is the insurance saying?
Me: They are still conducting an investigation, trying to figure out what caused the fire.
Shaka: Mmh.
Me: Haven't heard from Ntando?
Shaka: She's sleeping.

I widened my eyes.
Me: She's been here the whole time?
Shaka: No, she got here on Saturday.
Me: How is she?
Shaka: She remembers, if that's what you are asking mother.

My heart slammed against my chest, she… remembers?
Me(nervously): What do you mean she remembers?
Shala: Really? Yazi, she asked me to not confront you about this, but seeing your face makes me so angry. Do you know the pain and trauma you've subjected this girl to? And she's your niece might I add?
Me: Shaka, you're speaking in riddles, uthini?
Shaka: You brought Ntando here so that you'd sacrifice her to your money making pet didn't you?

I choked.
Me: Shaka…
Shaka: Very cute looking fella, can't even crawl, it was so damn fat, you fed it well didn't you?

He handed me his phone and I gasped in shock.
Shaka: The insurance is not going to pay up because the fire wasn't an accident, Peach remembered and went to look for help, she then destroyed your beast and it's castle, welcome to poverty mother.

I struggled to breathe, I cleared my throat a few times and he handed me a glass of water and just looked at me, I couldn't even kook at him, I've always found my son a little bit intimidating, yes he's cute but he can switch up.

Me: Shaka…
Shaka: How could you mom? Your own niece? Nakhona I don't get it, why? Why ukuthwala? You and dad are smart and educated, why ukuthwala?
Me(crying): I didn't know Shaka until we got married! He inherited it from his brother, uSkhali, the one who had taxis, he made it impossible for me to leave him, he promised me that it wasn't the kind that wanted family members, he said it didn't kill, it just slept with the young girls, but some would die, I begged him to stop but whenever he tried to get rid of it, we'd find it back in our room, we'd throw it in the river or bush, we'd find it in our room every single time, it got angry and started taking my own kids, causing me to have miscarriages!

I wiped my tears.
Me: It then started wanting Elihle and Esihle, we went to the person who gave it to Skhali, he told us it needed my blood now and since I was tainted with so many kids and miscarriages, it needed someone else, a young blood, so I thought about my sister, I found out she had a a daughter.

He stood up, visibly angry, and I stood up as well.
Me: Shaka I admit, I wanted to trade Ntando for my babies but then I met her, Shaka, such a sweet innocent young girl, I couldn't let it have her, Sfiso found another girl which Madlabantu…

He raised his eyebrows
Me: It was its name, so Madlabantu killed that girl and we thought he was happy, until it started draining me Shaka, for weeks it slept with me, but it was still not satisfied, so we started losing money, hence why we arranged you and Slindile to be married, we were at the verge of a shutdown, I was still adamant that it was not getting my niece, I'd rather it killed me, but Sfiso had other plans, he promised it that he'd get Brando for it without my knowledge, I swear! Shaka you have to believe me!

Shaka: You knew once it has been promised by its master, it wasn't going to stop!!!

He spat out and I swallowed.
Shaka: You should have said something especially when dad landed in hospital!
Me: The hospital which you put him in!
Shaka: And I'd do it again if I had to!

I held my chest, a little shocked, I hoped Sfiso was lying.
Shaka: Ntando wanted to leave and you begged her to stay! You were even willing to send your own husband home if it meant she remained in the house! Mandisa you wanted it to get her!!
Me(crying): We were going to lose everything Shaka!
Shaka: So you you—

He was fuming, he couldn't even talk.
Shaka: I hate you! I really wish you had woken up late in that hospital bed and I had really died like my biological mother thought because you are a monster Mandisa! You and your husband and in-laws are monsters! She is your sister's child! Your niece! And you were willing to sacrifice her all so you could keep your wealth! Do you know what you have done to the poor girl? She's a shell of her own self! She cannot sleep! She's failing at school, today she beat a girl to a pulp and she was arrested and it's all because of you!!

Me(crying): I'm so sorry Shaka!
Shaka: I don't ever, I mean ever want to see you again do you hear me? You are dead to me from now on!
Me: Shaka, baby please I am your mother!
Shaka(coldly): No you're not, I am a Miya and you're a greedy monster! Stay away from me and Peach! You can forget about me coming to the funeral as well! I am done with you Zwane people! Get out!

I knelt down and pleaded.
Me: Shaka, please don't do this!

He grabbed me by my shoulders and dragged me out and slammed the door shut on my face, I banged on the door.
Me(crying): Shaka! Shaka!! Baby please!! Please don't do this!!!

I kept banging but he wouldn't open.