4

The school grounds were alive with the usual chaos students running to classes, teachers trying to herd them, and the distant sound of whistles and bells. Zimkitha held Langa's small hand as they walked toward his classroom.

"Here we are, Langa,"

she said, kneeling slightly so she could look him in the eye.

"Try not to cause too much trouble, okay?"

He grinned mischievously.

"No promises!"

Zimkitha laughed, giving his cheek a quick pinch before watching him run off to join his classmates. Her little brother's energy was exhausting but contagious. She shook her head and headed toward her own classroom, slipping through the crowds and into the familiar corridor that led to her desk.

Before she could even reach her seat, a familiar voice called out.

"Zim! Girl! Over here!"

She spun around and saw Sihle, her forever-smiling best friend, waving wildly. Her face lit up automatically. Sihle had that rare kind of energy that could make anyone feel lighter just by being around her.

"Morning, Sihle,"

Zimkitha said, hurrying over.

"Morning? Girl, morning? You look tired! Exams already got you in chains, huh?"

Sihle laughed, her eyes sparkling with mischief.

Zimkitha rolled her eyes, but she couldn't help smiling.

"Not in chains yet… but give it an hour and I'll be begging for mercy."

Sihle plopped down on the desk next to her, leaning in conspiratorially.

"Tell me you studied last night. Don't lie, Zimkitha. I can read your face."

"I studied… a little,"

Zimkitha admitted, grinning.

"Mostly, I stared at my books and wished the formulas would learn themselves."

Sihle threw her head back and laughed so hard that a few students glanced over.

"Girl, you're impossible! You really think these books are going to do the work for you? Magic hasn't been invented yet!"

Zimkitha chuckled. "

Apparently not. But don't worry I'll survive… somehow."

"Mhmm,"

Sihle said, nudging her shoulder.

"That's the spirit. And if you fail, we'll just blame the universe. Classic strategy."

Zimkitha laughed again, shaking her head.

"You're ridiculous."

"Ridiculous? That's my middle name!"

Sihle grinned, tapping her temple.

"Besides, I needed to come see you this morning. Who else would understand my random panic attacks before exams?"

"True,"

Zimkitha said, rolling her eyes but grinning.

"You do have a lot of panic attacks."

"Exactly! And you, my dear, are my calm in the chaos. Without you, I'd probably be crying in the bathroom somewhere, pretending it's for hygiene reasons."

Zimkitha giggled, nudging her friend lightly.

"You're dramatic. Always have been."

"And you love me for it!"

Sihle shot back, winking.

"I tolerate you,"

Zimkitha corrected, though the smile on her face betrayed her words.

"Ah, tolerance! Love in disguise!"

Sihle said, dramatically clasping her hands to her chest.

"See? I knew you cared deep down. Don't try to deny it."

Zimkitha shook her head, laughing softly.

"You're impossible."

"Impossible?"

Sihle tilted her head.

"I prefer 'unforgettable.'"

And just like that, they both burst into laughter, their voices mingling with the morning chatter of the school. The exams, the stress, the routine they all faded for a few moments. Zimkitha felt lighter already, as if Sihle's endless optimism could chase away even the heaviest thoughts.

"Okay,"

Zimkitha said, finally catching her breath.

"Enough laughing. We need to survive maths first."

Sihle pouted dramatically.

"Fine… but after that, we celebrate surviving… because that's how legends do it."

Zimkitha shook her head, still smiling, and settled into her seat. Whatever the day would throw at them, she knew that with Sihle by her side, it would at least be bearable.

SIPHOSAKHE LUTHANGO

After Siphosenkosi left ,the office went silent again ,the silence i had learnt to live with , it's no longer strange ,the only thing strange is when there's noise buzzing into these walls ,

" Sir ,the queen is here "

Yep ,you might ask yourself why she didn't knock or exchanged sweet pleasantries with me ,but that's just my rule ,just get to the point and stop wasting my precious time

"Okay ,bring her in and excuse yourself "

She nodded and her heels clicked again back until the sound faded in the building ,Yes she's my mother of course, But I first have to approve to anyone who comes in here,whether it's a family member or not , unless it's Siphosenkosi because he comes unannounced and father too , After conquering all the bullets ,wars and all ,the next men i ever feared and obeyed to was my father , I don't know much about God ?why ? I was given birth by my mother not God ,i stayed in my mother's precious womb ,not in God's holy book ,so i can't give him the credit i don't know of ,and besides no man should be awarded without solid action , that's what I have been learning all along

"Ndodana "

She says making her soft entrance at the door ,Her small lips curling into a thinnest pure smile

"Ndlovukazi yami "

"Your father would kill you if he ever hears you saying that

"Hehe ,better he's not here "

I say leaning back to my chair ,and she sits down with her ring glistening like it's was bought yesterday ,my father really went all out on my mother ,I could talk all day when it's comes to his endless love for her ,but anyways talking a man who has never paved space for love

" I bought you lunch "

She says putting the lunch boxes on the table ,3 ? 3 lunch boxes ? Kanti how much do i eat nah

"All for me ?"

I ask looking at her wrinkled yet beautiful face , beauty runs in the blood of Luthango royals I guess

"No for you "

I chuckle ,at that

"But Mah ,you know i can buy my own food "

" I know "

She simply said that sipping her juice she had come with

"So why do you like bothering your feets here "

" I do it because I can ,and when I can I do "

She says like batman just made a bold sentence on stage

"Heeee "

I say shaking my head ,the untouchable, unyielding, a man feared by the world.

"I appreciate it, Ma,"

I murmured, voice quieter than usual.

She nodded, sitting briefly on the edge of the desk, smoothing the fabric of his suit lightly, almost unconsciously.

"You're working too much again ,Ndodana

she said softly.

"Don't forget to take care of yourself. No empire in the world is worth your health, son."

I looked at her, the corners of my lips curling faintly. She always knew how to anchor me , even when the world around me demanded control, demanded fear, demanded absolute loyalty to my name.

"I know,"

I said simply. And in that moment, for a heartbeat, the Don of the underworld, the heir of the Luthango family, the man who commanded fear and respect, allowed himself to feel the warmth of home, of a mother who would always see him as her child first, and the king second.

She smiled, satisfied, and quietly left the lunch boxes , her presence lingering like a calm after a storm.

I turned back to my desk, to the files, to the empire ,but the faint memory of her smile stayed with me, softening the edges of the day, if only for a moment.