CHAPTER 68

CHAPTER 68

[KUKHOKONKE]

The meeting went well with Zenzele. I cannot complain. Everything moved smoothly, and for now, there is no conflict. I just hope things will work out on his side about becoming the next chief. But if I am being honest with myself, I doubt his father and mother will survive this week. Their condition is worse than I expected. When I saw them, I knew time was not on their side. That monkey's paw is not something to play with. It listens, and it answers but it always takes something in return.
Celokuhle will have to go through a welcoming ceremony from the Zungu side. That is tradition. Zenzele also said he wants to pay damages and start the lobola process for Yibanathi. That part did not sit well with me. Yibanathi is still young. She is not ready for marriage. Not now. Maybe next year, maybe when she has grown a little more and understands what marriage truly means. I wanted to decline immediately, but I held myself back. This is not a decision I can make alone. I will have to speak to my parents. They seem excited about it. They are proud. They see it as progress and unity between families. But I see responsibility. I see a young girl whose life is about to change forever.
The piece of land I got from that boy is not far from home. It is close enough that if I decide to build there, we will be neighbours. I do not know if that is a blessing or a future problem. Land carries meaning. Living close to someone ties your lives together whether you like it or not. Especially with family.
I still need to talk to Diamond about this. I cannot make decisions like this without understanding where we both stand.
Speaking of Diamond… I have never met someone so stubborn and reckless in my life. After everything I told her, after I pleaded with her and warned her clearly, she still chose to go against me and visit her family. It frustrates me, but more than that, it scares me. Her life is in danger and she does not seem to understand the seriousness of it. She thinks she can handle everything on her own. She thinks she is strong enough to walk into a trap and walk out safely. But strength does not protect you from everything.
If I had not sent those crows, I do not even want to imagine what could have happened to her. The thought alone makes me angry. Angry at her for not listening. Angry at the situation. Angry that I have to protect someone who refuses to see the danger.
Nikky told me they got into a fight when she went to see Diamond. Now Nikky is too angry to even check up on her today. That worries me too. When the people who love you get tired, that is when you start losing protection you did not even realize you had.
I will have to leave as soon as I am done here. There is too much happening at once. Family matters here. Danger waiting there. And Diamond standing in the middle of it all, unaware of how close she is to something that could change everything.
I need to get to Johannesburg soon. We need to talk. And this time, she must listen.
.
.
.
This is the mountain I saw in my dream. I remember it clearly. In the dream, I was picking something from the ground, a plant, leaves… something green and important. Standing here now makes my skin feel strange, like I have already lived this moment before.
As I look around, I suddenly notice a quiet, eerie lake. I blink in confusion. I never expected there to be a lake here. This mountain is really hiding it. It is tucked away like a secret that does not want to be found. The air feels heavy and still. Even the wind is silent.
As I step forward, I almost trip. I quickly look down. My heart beats faster when I notice the same plant and leaves I saw in my dream. The exact same shape. The same colour. For a moment, I just stare at it. This cannot be a coincidence.
I slowly bend down. Before touching it, I gently ask for permission to pluck it. I once heard that plants can listen. They can hear. Some people say they even speak back in their own way, just like trees. So I do not want to disrespect it. I place my fingers around the stem carefully and pull it out gently.
I look at it closely. I bring it near my nose and smell it. It smells… like a plant. Earthy and fresh. But there is something else about it, something I cannot explain. I feel like it carries purpose. I carefully place it inside my bag. Then I pick up the loose leaves lying on the ground and put them inside my bag as well.
This whole situation stresses me deeply.
One of the students at Cothoza's place once told me that for some of them, it took years or even months before they were allowed to initiate. Some waited for a very long time. It reminds me of my situation right now. My journey does not seem simple. Ever since I saw that vision of Ndleleni arguing with those people, I have felt uncertain. I keep wondering if they will truly teach me everything I need to know. Or if I will be left to figure things out on my own.
Mostly, I use water to transport myself or to see different timelines. Just a few days ago, when I tried to see more about Diamond's father's past, I used a bucket of water and his toothbrush. I even laugh a little now thinking about it. No one told me to do that. It was just something that came to my mind. And strangely… It worked.
Now plants too.
It is like I am discovering things on my own without anyone guiding me. I am just noticing that certain things respond to me. Water. Objects. Now plants. Maybe these are tools I will need to help whoever comes to me for help. Maybe this is how my gift is forming.
But now that I have this plant and these leaves, I need to figure out who they are meant for. Who will need them? Who am I supposed to help?
I walk closer to the lake. It is too quiet. So quiet that it feels like this body of water has an owner. Like something is watching me from beneath the surface. The water does not move. Not even a ripple.
I rummage in my pocket and luckily find two one-rand coins. I throw both of them into the lake and wait.
I stand there, listening.
Nothing happens.
No sound. No movement. No one appears.
I sigh softly and sit down on the grass near the lake. The silence feels eerie around me. I do not know if I was expecting something dramatic. Maybe I was hoping for a sign. But all I hear is my own breathing.
This journey is becoming more confusing every day.

I place my bag next to me and sit quietly, trying to think. Suddenly, I freeze. My whole body goes still when I notice a hand resting on my bag. The hand is pale and covered in blood.
Slowly, I raise my head.
It is a woman.
She is standing there, wounded and bloody. There are open cuts on her arms, and I notice a deep scar on her shoulder. Her presence feels heavy but calm at the same time. I sigh deeply as I begin to connect the dots in my mind.
"Are you Nikky's guardian?" I ask. The words leave my mouth easily, as if I already knew the answer.
I remember seeing her before. The woman with tarot cards. The one who was sitting with another lady, a woman I strongly believe is Diamond's mother.
She looks at me with eyes that seem tired but wise.
"You figured it out really fast," she says softly. "I thought it would take you longer. I thought I would have to wait."
Her voice is gentle, but there is something powerful about it.
"What are you to her?" I ask carefully. At first, I thought she might be Nikky's mother. But Nikky has a mother, unless there is something more.
"That does not matter right now," she replies calmly. "The truth will reveal itself soon. For now, I just need to make sure she gets that plant."
Her eyes shift to the bag beside me.
"Something will happen to her," she continues quietly. "Something painful. Again. And I want you to make sure that after that incident happens, she grinds this plant, boils it, and drinks it."
I tilt my head slightly, confused and uneasy.
"You know she will ask questions," I say gently. "I cannot just give her this plant without explaining."
She gives me a small, knowing look.
"I know," she says. "But I cannot talk too much right now. I cannot tell you everything yet. I have to wait. I have to wait for her to lose something very dear first. Then… when you return from your initiation, I will tell you everything."
Her voice becomes firmer.
"What I went through… and what Nikky is going through… it requires you to be stronger. Much stronger. Because somewhere out there, there is a dirty, musty river. In that river, there is a bottle. And inside that bottle is something very important to Nikky."
Her words make my mind race.
"If you go looking for it now, or if I start explaining too much now, it will cause more problems. For her. And for me."
She pauses, and the air around us feels even heavier.
"It has been 28 years," she says quietly. "I have repaid my karma. Now… it is time for payback."Her voice is still soft, but there is strength in it.
A quiet determination. I sit there, trying to understand everything she has just said, knowing that my journey is only beginning and it is much deeper than I ever imagined.
I sigh and look at her. I have so many questions. Too many questions. Questions that need serious answers. But I can see it in her eyes, this is not the right time. She will not be able to say everything now.
"I understand," I say softly, letting out another sigh. "I have lots of questions. Questions that need serious answers."
"I know," she replies gently. "I know you do. And I know you want answers about the woman in your life."
Her words make my heart beat faster.
"I cannot say much," she continues. "But I knew her mother. We were very good friends once. Very close. Then men came. Two men who caused a rift between us and changed everything."
She pauses, her eyes distant, like she is looking at memories I cannot see.
"I am sure you will see all of this in your visions," she adds quietly. "Soon enough."
I frown slightly and blink in confusion. My mind is racing. Two men? A rift? Diamond's mother? Nikky? Everything feels connected, but I cannot see the full picture yet.
"Please make sure Nikky gets this plant," she says again, her voice serious now.
I hesitate. I know I should stop. I know I should respect whatever rules exist in this world between the living and the spirits. But I cannot hold it in.
"I know this might be going against the rules or whatever," I say carefully. "But please… tell me. I promise I will not tell her or anyone else. What will Nikky lose?"
She gazes at me for a long moment. Her eyes soften, but there is sadness in them. Deep sadness.
"Just know this has to happen," she says quietly. "It cannot be prevented. And when it does happen, please tell her that it will be the last time she experiences such pain again."
Her eyes shift down to the bag beside me.
I feel fear creeping into my thoughts.

"She will lose a baby," she says sorrowfully.

•••

[NIKEZINKOSI]

Diamond's words keep ringing in my mind over and over again. No matter how much I try to distract myself, they keep coming back. I did not even bother to call her and ask if she was lying or not. I know Diamond. When she is angry, her words are sharp, but they are never lies. Especially when she is trying to hurt you. She does not throw random accusations. She speaks truth in the most painful way possible.
That is what scares me.
I called the company earlier and asked if Stan, the manager, is back from leave. The lady on the phone told me he will be returning tomorrow. Just hearing that made my stomach twist with nerves. It means tomorrow I will finally get answers. And I need answers.
I think I will be the first person waiting outside his office in the morning. I do not even care how early I have to wake up. I will sit there and wait if I have to. Because right now, I am confused. Completely confused.
Why would Dad lie to me?
Why would Mom lie about something like this?
What are they hiding from me?
The more I think about it, the more it feels like my whole life might not be what I thought it was. I trusted them. I believed everything they told me. Now I am starting to question everything.
Tomorrow, that manager better tell me exactly what is going on. I am tired of half-truths. I am tired of secrets. If there is something about my family that I do not know, I deserve to know it.
And if they lied to me… I do not even know how I will handle that.
But tomorrow, I will find out.
I will also be meeting aunt Lunga for lunch, and Ntobe said she will join us too. I keep wondering if she already knows that I am unemployed. I am certain Letsatsi will be informed sooner or later, especially since Pinky took our picture. News spreads fast in that clinic.
Maybe I can dig out some answers from Ntobe or Aunt Lunga about what really happened to my funds. Maybe they know something. Or maybe they were also fed the same lies I was given. I do not even know who to trust anymore.
I look down at my arms as I lotion them slowly. I pause… then chuckle softly to myself. I have so many love bites. Even on my neck. I shake my head.
I swear from now on I am going to check all the sweets Mnotho buys. What happened on Saturday cannot happen again. I still do not understand how we left the main bedroom and ended up in the guest room completely naked, without any blankets. It makes no sense. One minute we were fine, the next thing we woke up feeling drowsy, tired, and confused.
At least the door was closed. And thank God Mtho or Bonga were not home when we woke up like that. I do not even want to imagine that embarrassment.
It is very clear that we were high on those edibles and completely lost control. We must have said things, done things, and left these marks as evidence. I touch my neck again and laugh nervously.
Bonga did apologise. He looked sincere. He said he meant no harm and promised he would speak to his mother. But that also makes me nervous. What if in the future I give him advice or talk to him about something, and somehow his mother finds out again and creates drama? I do not want to be the reason for tension in that house.
I am honestly so grateful that Mtho did not mention any of this to Mnotho. That would have been another storm I am not ready for.
Sometimes I feel like my presence in Mnotho's life has only brought more drama. More complications and more misunderstandings. I never wanted that.
.
.
.
I hold my stomach and laugh again. I honestly cannot believe this.
"Why didn't you take a video, Auntie? Oh, poor Sno!" I say, laughing even harder. I need to call her and hear this story from her directly. I do not even understand why she went to help that church in the first place. Look at her now. She got humiliated by those amaphara boys.
Ntobe just chuckles softly beside me. I am actually shocked she did not attend that funeral after everything.
"Oh, that poor friend of yours. Her car was hijacked while they were at church," Aunt Lunga says.
I blink, my eyes widening in shock.
"Oh my God! They didn't see who took it?" Ntobe asks in disbelief. "Yoh, crime in that place is getting scary," she adds, shaking her head slowly.
"Shame… I need to go to her place and check on her. She must be devastated," I say softly. Yes, I am still angry about what happened in Durban, but she is still my friend. I love her. No matter what, I cannot ignore her pain.
"She will learn. It is karma for helping at that church. More bad things are going to happen to that church for what they did to you," Aunt Lunga says seriously.
Oh Lord. I just shake my head quietly.
"By the way, Auntie, about your salon. Do you have everything you need?" Ntobe asks, changing the topic as she sips her wine.
Aunt Lunga sighs and frowns slightly as she looks at both of us.
"Not yet. There is something I still need to deal with. A very important issue that I cannot ignore," she answers, her voice sounding serious and heavy.
I wonder what that could be. She looks troubled.
"Well, Letsatsi and I were thinking about Granny's 90th birthday. How about we throw her a big party?" Ntobe says casually, as if she is suggesting something small.
I chuckle softly when I see Aunt Lunga's reaction immediately change.
"Hah! You and your husband want to kill my mother now? You know someone her age cannot have birthday parties. They die quickly after that!" Aunt Lunga says, clearly not pleased.
I burst into laughter. I cannot help it.
"That is just superstition, Auntie. Look at Letsatsi's grandmother. She had a birthday party too, and she is still well and alive," Ntobe argues politely, trying to sound reasonable.
"Hayi! I do not care. We are not throwing her a birthday party. That is a bad omen, Nontobeko," Aunt Lunga says firmly. Her tone makes it clear this discussion is over.
Ntobe frowns and sulks like a child who did not get her way. She takes her phone out of her bag and stands up quickly.
"Let me inform Letsatsi," she says and walks away, clearly disappointed.
My aunt shakes her head slowly and then looks at me.
"What is wrong with your sister? Has she ever seen us or our people do such things where we come from?" she asks, confused and slightly annoyed.
"Well… things have changed, Auntie. People no longer believe in those superstitions," I say with a small shrug.
But now that Ntobe has walked away, I feel something shift inside me.
This might be my chance.
Since she is gone, maybe this is the perfect time to start digging for information from Aunt Lunga.
"Uhm… Auntie, I need to ask you something serious," I say, leaning closer to her so Ntobe cannot hear us.
She immediately frowns, sensing the change in my tone.
"I want to ask… what really happened to the company my dad worked at? Did it really go bankrupt or…?" I ask, stumbling over my words. My voice feels shaky.
"Bankrupt?" she repeats, looking confused.
"Yes. When I was supposed to get my funds or a bursary after matric, I was rejected because they said the company went bankrupt. That is why I could not go to culinary school," I explain, my throat feeling dry.
She scoffs softly.
"Bankruptcy? Your father told me they could not fund you because of the course you wanted to take. Apparently, they did not fund or give bursaries to students who wanted to study in hospitality," she says calmly.
I blink at her in disbelief.
"Your father told you it went bankrupt?" she asks again, studying my face carefully.
I nod slowly, feeling even more confused than before.
What is really going on here?
"Maybe he was just trying not to hurt my feelings," I say quickly, forcing a small smile and shrugging like it does not matter.
But it does matter.
My aunt looks at me with suspicion and confusion written all over her face.
"Maybe… but he should have told you the truth. Not lie," she says, clicking her tongue in disappointment.
I take a long sip of my wine, trying to calm my thoughts. My mind is racing. I need to investigate this properly. Quietly and discreetly. Without any family member knowing what I am doing.
And I will send Diamond a message later and tell her I will not need her help anymore. She already has too many problems in her life. I do not want to drag her into mine.
"What? You were really thinking of going to culinary school?" Aunt Lunga asks, her voice suddenly softer, almost sad.
I look at her and force a smile.
I cannot tell her the truth. I love her so much. But I have noticed something… every time I share my goals and plans with people, something bad happens. Doors close. Things fall apart. Maybe it is just bad luck. Maybe it is fear. I do not know.
Maybe I will tell her once I am already registered and sitting in class.
I smile gently.
"No, I was just curious, that is all. Culinary school is expensive anyway," I say softly, brushing it off like it is nothing.
Her face drops.
"I know… but who knows? Something might come up. Just do not lose hope. You are still young," she says, trying to encourage me.
I just nod politely, even though I no longer believe in miracles like that.
"I was meaning to ask… about the 'driver.' When is he planning to send lobola?" she suddenly asks, shifting the topic completely.
I choke on my drink and cough hard.
Oh my God. This woman is already trying to trade me.
"Really, Auntie? Our relationship is still new, and I am not in a rush for that," I say quickly, trying to sound relaxed.
She raises her eyebrows slowly.
"I was just asking. Because what I saw that day… it looked very serious. How old is he? He looks like a good-looking young man, but his demeanor tells me he is much older," she says curiously.
I giggle at the "good-looking young man" part.
"He is not that old. He is in his early forties," I say honestly.
She gasps softly.
"Yoh! Your uncle will finally have his match this time around," she says, laughing loudly.
Goodness. People in this restaurant are probably wondering what is wrong with us.
"Wow, you sound very happy, Auntie. What is going on?" Ntobe asks the moment she sits back down.
"Well," Aunt Lunga begins dramatically, "I was telling your sister here that since your uncle is bored and has nothing to do, he might chase her boyfriend all the way to Johannesburg for dating his niece."
She bursts into laughter again.
Ntobe turns to look at me, her eyes wide.
"Oh Nike! When am I meeting him? Can we not wait until next month? And how will you introduce him at my wedding? Babomkhulu will be there. I should meet my future brother-in-law now," she says, whining playfully.
True, that will be tricky.
Babomkhulu does not play around. And Mnotho is such a respectful man. I cannot imagine him being chased with a gun by that forever-angry man like he is some teenager.
"And do not worry," Ntobe continues, lowering her voice, "I will not tell Ma. I can see you do not want her to know. She is still stuck on Sphephelo."
"Your mother is what?" Aunt Lunga asks sharply. "Sylvia will drive me crazy. She is still stuck on that dog?"
"Do not worry," I quickly interrupt before this turns into another family war. "You will see him this Friday. We are going for fittings anyway. Will that be fine?"
Ntobe nods immediately, her mood lifting.
I reach for my phone slowly.
I need to inform Mnotho about this little change of plans.
.
.
.
I find Snothando's door wide open as I call out her name.
"Snothando?"
My voice echoes softly inside the house. I hope I will not find Sboniso here. The last thing I need right now is awkward tension or drama.
I step inside and walk into the lounge, but she is not there. The house feels strangely quiet.
Where is this girl?
I place my bag gently on the couch and look around again. Maybe she is outside.
Let me check the patio.
I walk toward the back door and step outside. I pause immediately.
Snothando is by the garden, bending down, and she quickly buries something in the soil with her hands. She moves fast, like someone who has been caught doing something they should not be doing.
She looks stressed. Very stressed.
I walk closer to her slowly.
"Snothando… what's going on?" I ask, confused and slightly worried.
She freezes.
Her shoulders stiffen. She starts breathing heavily, like she just ran a marathon. Her eyes are fixed on her hands, and she does not even look at me.
Why is she shaking like this?
Her fingers are trembling. What did she just bury?