CHAPTER 79 PART TWO

CHAPTER 79
PART II

[KUKHOKONKE]

Diamond told me she will be leaving for home. Her aunt wants her to get cleansed. She believes such bad luck might follow her and ruin her life. That's good. I do feel like Diamond needs a serious cleanse… actually, the whole Sokhulu family does.
I need to meet up with Sbo so I can get access to Diamond's father's ward, without sneaking around like a criminal. This will help me understand what is really going on with that family. Those spirit words are still stuck in my mind. I need to help my in-laws, because I know if there is someone bad in the family, they might try to ruin Diamond's life too.
Her life is doing well, especially in her career, and that alone can trigger jealousy. That can push someone to do something bad to her.
I tried using the toothbrush, but nothing showed itself to me.
Nikky did come with her father's wallet. I will use it and try to figure out where he hid the key Nikky is looking for. Her stepmother won't help, because her mission is to keep Nikky miserable and suffering. I'm just glad Nikky didn't tell her about this.
Khulekani went to sleep. He has been sleeping a lot. He told me he wasn't getting enough rest because he was always scared his things would be stolen. And of course, he hasn't slept in a warm bed with proper blankets in a while.
My dad called and told me that both of Zenzele's parents have died. They were found in their bedroom… already rotten. I guess Miss Monkey Paw really did get her revenge.
The funeral will be held tomorrow. Just the royal family only.
Now I'm worried about Yibanathi's future. Since Zenzele's father is gone, Zenzele will have to take over. And from what I was told, he will need Yibanathi by his side.
And that really annoys me.
I sigh softly, sipping my tea, and lean back on the couch. I'm already feeling sleepy.
I think it's time I go to bed and rest.
I gather all the paperwork for the hardware. I've been working on it with Khule. Fanele will find us already done here, because I don't know why she's stalling.
As I make my way to the bedroom, I hear water tapping… no, running from the bathroom. I frown slightly.
Is Khule using the bathroom?
The sound of the water gets louder, and then I notice something else… water slowly coming out from under the bathroom door.
"What the…" I whisper quietly.
I quickly rush to the bathroom. We will get flooded if I don't check this out.
As I open the door.. I freeze.
I see myself… walking into a shop.
I gasp. I've just shifted.
I quickly look around. It's the same shop where I buy my beads. The same shop where Diamond and I met for the second time. The same shop where I met Ndleleni's mother.
I sigh softly.
Who am I going to meet now?
I hope it's not that rude ancestor. I'm really not in the mood to argue.
I start walking slowly, my eyes moving around carefully. Ndleleni told me to pay attention to every small detail in the visions I get.
Then I hear something drop.
I follow the sound slowly, my steps careful and quiet.
I pause.
There's a woman standing with her back facing me. She's in the tarot cards section, picking up decks and looking through them one by one.
I walk closer and slowly.
As I get closer, I finally see her face.
It's Nikky.
I frown.
"Nikky…" I say quietly.
Is this vision about her? Was I holding her father's wallet?
She suddenly turns her head and looks at me.
Her eyes widen immediately.
Wait.
"Konke?" she says in disbelief.
What is going on here?
"Huh?" I murmur, confused.
"Konke, what are you doing in my dream? You are dreaming, right?" she asks, still shocked.
This is a first.
I have never spoken to someone like this inside a vision before. I don't interact with anyone in my dreams… except Ndleleni, my ancestors… and.. Wait. Nikky's mother.
"What do you mean I'm in your dream, Nikky?" I ask slowly.
I look around.
It's just the two of us.
"Are you going to tell me why you are in my dream?" Nikky asks again.
I sigh and look at her.
"What if you are the one in my dream?" I ask.
Is this one of Ndleleni's tricks?
"I'm not. This is my dream, and you are intruding," Nikky says. She is clearly not pleased.
I scoff. This girl!!
I look around again. I notice a door not far from where we are standing, on the left-hand side. I turn my head to the right and notice another door there too.
"I'm leaving. Don't follow me. I'm leaving this space," I say, confused about what is going on.
"If you want to leave, use that door, not the one I'll be using," I add.
I turn around and walk toward the door. I open it, and suddenly, I find myself standing at the entrance of Y3.
What the hell? What am I doing here?
I left Y3 a long time ago. Why am I dreaming about it now?
I sigh softly.
The sliding doors open as I walk in.
My frown deepens immediately when I see Nikky already inside, looking around confused.
You've got to be kidding me.
I walk straight to her.
"Nikky, I told you not to follow me," I say.
She turns around and huffs.
"I didn't follow you, Konke. I used the door you said I should use, and it led me here," she says, a little frustrated.
"Are you sure?" I argue back. "I'm the only one who has a connection to this place. I used to work here," I add.
She shakes her head.
"Konke, I didn't follow you. I'm also confused… why am I here?" she says.
I stare at her, then sigh heavily.
I look around. This place is empty. No one is here except us.
"Okay, we are here now. We will figure out what's going on. Arguing won't help us," I say softly.
I need to understand what her connection to this place is.
"What is this place?" she asks as we start walking slowly.
"An insurance company," I answer.
Nikky pauses.
I stop too and look at her.
"Insurance?" she whispers. "Are you sure that you didn't ho…"
"Watch your step, it's slippery here," a voice suddenly says from behind us.
We both turn around.
A man walks past us with his daughter.
They pass right by us.
"Ba…" Nikky whispers, her voice breaking, and she quickly turns to follow them.
I grab her arm.
"What's going on?" I ask, confused.
Her face is filled with shock.
She's breathing heavily.
"That's me… and my father," she says.
Huh?
I look at her younger self.
She and her father are standing by the elevator, waiting.
Does this mean…
"Let's go," I say quickly, pulling her with me as we make our way to the elevator too.
The door opens just in time.
"Don't talk to your dad, or we won't understand why the two of you are here," I warn her softly.
She nods.
We step inside the elevator just before the doors close. We stand a little far from little Nikky and her father.
Her father is holding a briefcase, dressed in formal clothes.
"I remember this…" Nikky whispers next to me.
"Baba, two butterflies," little Nikky says, pointing at us.
I frown.
Her father chuckles softly.
"Butterflies? I don't see them," Nikky's father says, still smiling.
Little Nikky keeps looking at us, smiling innocently.
The elevator doors finally open, and they walk out.
We follow them.
"So… you used to see those butterflies when you were a child?" I ask quietly, both confused and amazed.
Nikky nods slowly.
"Yeah, I did… but they were so tiny," she answers.
I nod.
We pause near a desk where little Nikky and her father are now sitting. One of the Y3 insurance agents is helping them.
Their conversation is low.
We can't hear a single word.
"I think I know what it means," Nikky whispers softly. I squint my eyes and look at her.
"Let's leave," she adds quietly. I just nod, and we walk away, keeping our distance from her past self.
"I think my dad had a policy with this company. I remember they once took my fingerprints," she says softly. That makes sense.
"The reason why I need to find the key is to know why my dad didn't add me to his other policy," she continues. We both pause. Ah, no wonder we are both here. I'm the one who has access to this place, through Josh. I can ask him to help us out.
"I think I know what I need to do," I say with a small smile.
Nikky exhales, relief written all over her face.
"Thank you so much, I…" she pauses and glances toward the elevator. "Are you smelling that?" she asks nervously.
I turn toward the elevator. Smoke is curling out of its doors. As we process what's happening, the elevator doors suddenly burst open, and flames shoot out violently.
I gasp and grab Nikky's hand. We start running. The flames chase us, fast and uncontrollable.
I spot a door up ahead. We sprint to it, throw it open, and step inside. The place shifts immediately. We're no longer in the office. We find ourselves in a rural area, standing in a dusty yard.
Then we see them, people walking into the yard, an angry mob.
"What's going on?" Nikky whispers beside me. I wish I knew.
The crowd moves closer, shouting, waving sticks. Their voices rise in unison.
"Kill the witch!" they scream.
We back up, staying near the small gate, helpless as the huts around us catch fire. Nikky clings to my arm, her eyes wide with fear.
We notice a woman holding her two daughters, running toward the gate. The angry mob doesn't see them because they are busy cheering at the burning huts. The moment the woman and her daughters pass by Nikky and me, they pause. She turns around and looks at us. She can see us, and so can her daughters. The woman's eyes, there's something familiar in them, like she recognises us.
She smiles warmly, tears threatening to fall. Then, without another word, she turns and runs again with her daughters.
Who is she? And why does seeing her face make my heart ache so much?
Nikky screams softly next to me and collapses to her knees. My heart skips with fear.
"Nikky? What's wrong?" I ask, kneeling beside her.
She's breathing heavily, still screaming.
"My…my bellybutton… it's painful…" she says, clutching her stomach.
Oh God… what should I do? I look around, panicked, unsure what to use or how to help. I stand up and step back into the yard, hoping there's a bucket of water or something nearby.
I feel a familiar spirit. I turn around and see someone gently patting Nikky's head. I run closer. Nikky has already passed out.
"She's fine," the figure says, standing up. It's Nikky's mother, her body still marked with scars and blood.
"What's going on? Where are we?" I ask, my voice filled with confusion.
She smiles softly.
"The portal is finally open," she says. Huh? I frown, bewildered.
"Everything is connected, Konke," she adds, her gaze following the running woman and her daughters, already far away.
"I guess I'll have to be a vengeful spirit now," she says quietly.
No. No.
"No, you can't," I say, shocked. Isn't that dangerous?
She turns to look at me.
"I told you… it's payback time," she says softly, then shifts her attention to Nikky. She bends down and takes her hand. Nikky rises, eyes closed, as a glowing door appears before them.
I try to move to follow, but I'm stuck to the spot. I can't step closer.
"No… don't cross that line. Her stepmother will pay," I whisper softly.
She looks over her shoulder at me.
"Don't worry. There's so much work waiting for you anyway," she says, and then she continues walking. She opens the door, steps through with Nikky, and it disappears.
I grunt softly.
"Let her be," a voice says behind me. I turn. It's Ndleleni.
"Sometimes, to get what you want, you have to cross boundaries," he adds.
"She will cause destruction, and that will harm Nikky," I say softly.
"No, it won't. Just let her be. Nikky won't be harmed in the process," Ndleleni replies calmly.
I chuckle in disbelief. I can't believe this.
I turn my gaze to the burning huts.
"Where are we?" I ask.
"Where it all began," he answers quickly. I frown. Here we go with riddles.
"And don't worry," he adds, "the rotten apple from Diamond's family will reveal themselves soon."
.
.
.
I hear soft music playing. It doesn't stop, it continues and continues. My eyes open slowly. I close them again for a few seconds, then open them once more. I'm on the floor. My eyes move around. I'm in my bedroom. The soft music rings again.
I groan softly as I reach for it. That's my alarm. I sit up, rubbing my eyes. I pat the bed, searching for my phone, and finally find it.
"9 a.m.," I whisper to myself. Fuck… I slept this long. I need to call Nikky. I need to check if we shared the dream or not. I scroll through my contacts, pause on her number, and press the call button.
It rings twice before she answers.
She stays quiet. I can hear her breathing. I sigh softly.
"We shared a dream?" I ask gently. She keeps quiet for a moment.
"I think so," she says. "I remember it clearly too," she adds.
I sigh heavily and stand up.
"Okay… can we meet later and discuss it?" I ask.
"Okay. See you later," she replies softly. I nod happily, even though she can't see me.
We fall silent again. I don't know where all these emotions are coming from right now.
"Look… can you please send me your ID number? I'll contact one of the people from Y3," I say. I need to call Josh.
"Oh… thank you so much! Let me send it now," she says gratefully and hangs up.

••••

[NIKEZINKOSI]

Tomorrow I need to jog again. I don't even remember the last time I did this. I take a rest on top of a hill. It's still a little dark, but the street lights have been very helpful. It must be around 5 a.m.
I see a few people jogging with their dogs. I should be grateful for this… for how safe this place is. I know in Maboneng, someone would have already tried to grab me or rob me.
I can't stay here for long, because I know the minute Mnotho wakes up and doesn't find me in the house, he will panic and send a search party for me… a whole flying squad.
I spot a blue flower. It's standing there alone near a big rock. I walk slowly toward it and switch on my phone torch. The light falls softly on it.
I need to pluck it. I'll give it to Mnotho as a gift.
I pull it out gently with its roots. Finally, my peace offering. Mnotho has a beautiful garden, and he takes good care of it. He even planted some herbs for me, for my cooking.
I didn't wake up with any weird dreams today, or yesterday, or even the day before. But the dream I had with Konke in it still makes me uneasy. A lot happened in that dream or vision, I'm not even sure what to call it. Because everything I felt in it felt real.
We did talk about it with Konke. The only thing that made sense was the part where we were in that insurance company. And yes, my dad does have a policy with them. Konke was able to find that information for me.
What is left now is finding a way to get my father's documents… which will be very hard, since my mom is still angry with me. It's been three days now after that dream, and I still haven't come up with a plan on how to go home and take those documents without my mother or Futhi knowing.
The thing that makes me the most uneasy is that woman… the one with her two daughters, running away and leaving their home behind. That woman looked at me and Konke like she knew us… like there was some kind of recognition.
Konke said he will try to go to the river and find a way to figure out who that woman was.
I see a car approaching. It is driving slowly. It's Bonga. The car stops, and he rolls down his window.
"Mamncane, what are you doing outside at this hour? You want people to snatch you," he says, looking confused. I chuckle softly.
"I was jogging, Bonga, and I wasn't alone," I say calmly. He just shakes his head.
"We have gym equipment in the house. Why don't you use it?" he asks. Of course… They have everything in that house.
"Bonga, I needed some fresh air too," I say. "And where are you heading this early?" I ask. Bonga never wakes up this early.
He sighs loudly.
"I'm going to deal with a few things before we attend the wedding. That's why I'm leaving this early," he says softly. I'm sure Mnotho is proud of him.
"Let me get going. See you later, stepmommy," he says, then drives off.
I giggle softly and start walking. Yes, there is a wedding happening… Dr. Mike and Camilla.
I've now met all the wives of Mnotho's friends and business associates. I only knew Miranda, Brian's wife. I finally met the other two the day Miranda invited all of us for brunch. That's when I found out about the wedding.
And it was planned in only three days!!!
It's really nice to have money. You can do anything so fast. And of course, they are white… unlike us, where you have to plan more than two ceremonies before you even get to the white wedding.
.
.
.
I find Mnotho already awake, sitting on the couch with his laptop. He doesn't seem fazed or anxious that I went out. Instead, he gives me the biggest smile as I sit next to him.
"I thought men here in Mulbarton had snatched you away from me," he teases, placing the laptop aside.
"Good morning, beautiful," he says smoothly, leaning closer and planting a soft kiss on my lips.
I smile, feeling good inside.
"Look, I got you a gift," I say happily, handing him the flower.
He takes it gently, like it's something fragile and important. His eyes soften as he looks at it, then back at me. He studies it for a moment, turning it slightly between his fingers.
"It's beautiful," he says softly. "I'll plant it in our garden."
He pauses, then looks at me again, this time with a deeper expression in his eyes.
"You know…" he starts quietly, "this flower reminds me of you."
I raise my eyebrows a little, curious.
"It was out there, alone growing in its own space, strong enough to survive on its own," he continues. "And then you came into my life the same way, unexpected, calm, but powerfully strong."
I feel my face warm as I listen to him.
"You didn't ask for permission," he adds with a soft chuckle. "You just grew into my life… slowly, naturally. And before I knew it, everything felt different."
He gently brushes his thumb over the petals.
"And just like this flower, I don't want to just admire you from a distance. I want to take care of you… protect you… and make sure you grow in a place where you feel safe."
My heart melts at his words.
"You already do that," I say softly, my voice almost a whisper.
He looks at me, smiling in that quiet, confident way of his.
"Then I'll keep doing it," he replies. "Because losing you…" he pauses, shaking his head lightly, "Is not something I'm willing to experience."
I lean closer to him, resting my head lightly against his shoulder.
"Good," I whisper. "Because I'm not going anywhere."
He smiles and pulls me closer, holding me gently with one arm while still holding the flower in the other.
"And now," he says playfully, "we need to find the perfect spot for this one, because not every place deserves something this special."
I laugh softly.
"Now, let me go and put this beautiful flower, just like you, in our garden," he says, then kisses my forehead before standing up. He slowly walks out.
I lean back on the couch and check my phone. Diamond is online on WhatsApp. Let me call her. I press call and put it on loudspeaker.
It only rings twice.
"I miss you, come back," she complains immediately. I laugh softly.
"Aren't you supposed to leave for KZN?" I ask. She mentioned it yesterday when she got discharged.
"That's why I want you to come and save me," she says, chuckling. "Mxm. By the way, have you decided how you're going to fetch your father's things?" she asks, now sounding serious.
I sigh.
"I think I should invite my mom for a spa day and apologise for whatever I did. I know she won't say no to getting pampered," I say.
"Yeah, that might work too… then I go to the house and steal them," she says.
I laugh out loud.
"It's not a bad idea," she adds.
I sigh again, thinking about it. At that spa, I already have a membership, and they even gave me vouchers to bring anyone I want.
"Mmh… let me think about it," I say softly. I might as well invite all my sisters too.
.
.
.
The wedding theme is burgundy with white and cream, it's really beautiful, exactly what Camilla wanted. Camilla is a YouTuber, so of course there are cameras pointing at us, and I don't like it. A bouquet landed on me, and I quickly tried to avoid it. Mnotho looked happy seeing that.
Bonga took pictures of us as a family before leaving the house. I need those pictures, Mtho joined us too, and he looks handsome. A little smile on his face would make him more approachable.
I feel a hand on my waist.
"Are you good?" Mnotho asks softly. I look up at him.
"I'm okay. Miranda went to fetch some drinks," I answer. I'm with Gladys, who is Phumudzo's wife, the guy who owns the security company that found me when I was kidnapped.
"Okay. Gladys, please take care of my wife," Mnotho says. He drops a kiss on my forehead and walks off.
Gladys laughs softly. I haven't felt any hostile vibes from her or from Camilla, to be honest. Camilla even wants us to hang out later, and I know there'll be cameras on both her face and mine for vlogging.
Miranda finally comes back with the drinks.
"I got our drinks. I don't want us to risk getting our drinks spiked," she says. I laugh softly. Forever dramatic.
"Who would spike our drinks? There's security all over here," Gladys says, sipping her wine.
"But we should open your eyes, especially you, Nikky," Miranda says. I frown slightly.
"Don't scare her, please. Don't mind her, Nikky," Gladys says quickly. What are they talking about?
"I was just saying…" Miranda shrugs. Now I'm curious.
"What are you talking about?" I ask, looking at her.
She opens her mouth, then closes it again.
"Miranda, please. Don't start," Gladys says firmly. I hope Miranda gets more alcohol so she'll finally tell me what's going on. My eyes drift to Bonga and Mtho. Looks like they're arguing a bit. Bonga walks off.
"I'll be back," I say to the ladies and walk straight to Mtho's table. I stand next to him.
"What's going on?" I ask, worried.
Mtho just clicks his tongue.
"Isn't it Julia? She saw our family pictures and she's throwing a tantrum," Mtho says with an annoyed shrug.
What? Why though?
"So Bonga is…"
"Bonga is just a mama's boy. He doesn't see what his mother is doing. She pisses me off because she slept…" He pauses and looks at me with a nervous smile. "Don't worry yourself, Malumekazi, about this. I'll go talk to Bonga."
With that, he walks off in the direction Bonga went. I sigh heavily. What the hell is happening here?