36

TEARS OF A ROYAL BLOOD

36

 

ZIZIPHO

Nozipho suggested that they go back to the place she's renting so they could talk more about this. It feels good getting it off her chest. Although she doesn't know how Nozipho feels about this because she hasn't said anything.

Zizipho:Nozipho..

She calls her out. Nozipho looks at her and sighs.

Nozipho:I need to call my dad.

She reaches for her phone and call her father.

Nozipho:Tata…

.....…

Nozipho:Can you come down to Durban? It's urgent.

....…

Nozipho:No I'm not hurt. Please come.

....…

Nozipho:Okay, I will see you tomorrow then.

She hung up and looked at Zizipho.

Nozipho:Honestly I don't know what to say, Zee. That's why I called my dad to come here, I will book him a flight for tomorrow morning because a bus takes too long.

Zizipho:He's coming here?

Nozipho:Yes.

She nodded and looked down. She does want to see him, but she's afraid of rejection. What if he wants nothing to do with her? From what she knows, he has a family.

Nozipho realizes that she is overthinking and she hugs her.

Nozipho:Don’t stress. We will fix this. I will be delighted if this is really happening. You would make a great big sister.

She playfully pulls her cheeks.

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Later, she returns back home after spending the day with Nozipho.

Sindiswa:Where have you been?

Zizipho:You will not believe what happened today.

Sindiswa:What happened?

Zizipho:I met a girl named Nozipho. Turns out, she's my sister. She called Sipho and he's coming here tomorrow.

Sindiswa:Sipho is coming here!?

She asked almost falling off from the chair.

Zizipho:Yeah, he's coming. I hope he accepts me.

Sindiswa:Sipho is coming here.. Invite him to come here.

Zizipho:Uhh why?

Sindiswa:This is the right place for all of us to talk. Remember he thinks you are dead, so I think we should tell him everything here. With me present.

Zizipho:Okay, I will tell Nozipho. She's so amazing ma, I thought she would chase me out when I told her but she hugged me and showed me pictures of our dad. Here let me show you.

She took her phone and showed her mother the pictures Nozipho sent to her.

Sindiswa took the phone and stared at Sipho's pictures. He still looks the same as he did those years ago. She smiles with a tear dropping from her one eye.

Zizipho:Are you okay?

Sindiswa:Yeah…

Zizipho:I hope you apologize deeply to him mom. You lied to him that I was dead for 23 years. And I really hope you won't do anything to jeopardize his marriage because Nozipho said dad loves his wife.

Sindiswa:I'm older than you Zizipho. Don't talk to me like that.

Zizipho:It's just that you said you still loved him. Please don't do anything to ruin my chances of knowing my father. You have already denied me the opportunity to know him for 23 years. You owe me this much.

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MKHONTO

It's been days since he's been here. He must say, he does feel a whole lot better. Every morning and night, he goes to the river to bath, it must be a magical river or something. Because he doesn't even hear Madida whispering within him. He would really be glad if that angry demon could leave him alone.

Phazama has really changed and it's quite surprising. He's the one who brought him here, and everyday he's always saying they are getting rid of Madida for good.

Lisa is also here, and that warms his heart.

It looks like they are in another village because the houses are built differently, and are far from each other.

The woman who's helping him, her name is Mantwa, she's a good person.

Lisa comes into the hut he's in, carrying a glass of water. She gives it to him.

Mkhonto:Thank you.

Lisa:It's a pleasure…

Mkhonto:How are the kids?

Lisa:I called Thembeka in the morning, she said they are fine.

Mkhonto:Are they still in the royal house?

Lisa:Seems so.

Mkhonto:Oh.. I can't believe that's not our home anymore.

Lisa:Yeah... It's really confusing. So, do you remember anything?

Mkhonto:About?

Lisa:When you traveled with your father, the time they went missing. Do you remember what happened?

Mkhonto:No I don't.

He quickly dismissed her before she could ask any more questions.

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SOLWAZI

Maybe he is crazy, but something is definitely wrong with Londi. Her attitude and behavior towards him is just off. It's worrying him, because he can now say he loves her. But it doesn't look like she's interested anymore..

He tried to kiss her again yesterday and she pushed him. He sees her coming towards him and he smiles but she's keeping a straight face.

Londi:Hey, can we talk?

Solwazi:Sure.

Londi:So. I just want to thank you for everything you have done for me. Fighting for my family's legacy and going out of your way to find me, thank you Solwazi. You are too kind. Any woman would be lucky to have you.

His smile lowered. He knows these kinds of talk. They always end with, "It's not you, it's me".

Solwazi:But you're that woman. I love you and I want you.

Londi:I can't, Lwazi. I'm not in the right place to date. There are many responsibilities awaiting me from now on. I need to do everything on my power and dedicate myself to this kingdom, like changing the name back to KwaSompisi. I hope you understand.

Solwazi:So you don't love me?

Londi:I didn't say that. I am just asking for time to figure myself out.

He chuckled and shook his head.

Solwazi:Okay.

Londi:Just like that?

Solwazi:Yes, you are asking for space and I am giving you one. I will be out of your kingdom by tomorrow morning. Have a great life Londi.

Londi:Solwazi I am not chasing you out. Please understand where I am coming from.

Solwazi:Even a fool can see when he's being played. I don't like forcing things Londi, it's quite clear that you're not interested in me. But then I blame myself for jumping into conclusions, I thought you felt something for me. Clearly I was wrong.

Londi:It's not like that.

Solwazi:You don't need to explain yourself. I get the picture relax. My mission has always been to get the throne back to the family it belongs to. I've done my job and it's time I step away.

He kissed her forehead.

Solwazi:Goodbye.

Londi:I don't want you to stay away.

Solwazi:Take care of yourself.

He sighed and walked away. That was hard, and he is feeling major chest pains. He really thought Londi was the one. He was ready to even ask her to marry him. He thought he had found his soul mate, but clearly he was wrong.

He locks himself inside his old room and he just kneels down crying on the inside.

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The following day, Sindiswa had prepared the house for the guests coming. He cooked Sipho's then favorite food. She woke up early and scrubbed the whole house.

Zizipho:Ma he's not a president.

Sindiswa:He's a guest Zee. Everything needs to be clean. Where are they now?

Zizipho:Nozipho just sent me a text that they are on their way.

Sindiswa:Okay, bring me those glasses. The new ones.

Zee shook her head and brought her the glasses.

The doorbell rang and Sindiswa jumped anxiously. This was really happening!? She removed the apron and fixed herself. Today she removed the doek on her head and styled her natural hair beautifully. She is wearing a dress above her legs slightly.

Sindiswa:Open the door.

Zizipho:He's not your husband. Stop fixing yourself.

She was annoyed at how her mother was behaving.

Zizipho went to open the gate for them.

She looked at Sipho and swallowed. She was his exact replica.

It was Sipho, his wife and Nozipho.

Sipho looked around confused, he didn't notice Zizipho.

Sipho:What’s going on?

He asked Nozipho.

Nozipho:Shh, let's go inside.

They walked inside and Sindiswa was standing in the kitchen waiting for them.

The moment Sipho entered the room and his eyes met Sindiswa's, he became instantly shocked.

Sipho:Sindiswa??

Sindiswa couldn't stop herself and she rushed to hug him. It was an emotional hug that lasted for a while. Until the wife cleared her throat.

They unhugged each other.

Sipho:Sorry, this is my wife, and mama this is Sindiswa.

Wife:Thee Sindiswa?

Sipho:Yes.

Wife:Nice to know you.

Sipho:This is my daughter, Nozipho.

Nozipho:Nice to know you ma.

Sindiswa looked at his wife and frowned. Well she definitely looked better, and she's beautiful. You can tell that she's old, but she takes care of herself. It's the type that doesn't want to age.

Zizipho was standing in the corner awkwardly. Her stomach was in knots, this was her father.

Sipho lifts up his eyes to her and she does the same. He closes his eyes and opens them again.

Sipho:What's going on here?

This young girl looked exactly like him. What was going on? He still doesn't know why they had to come here.

Sindiswa clears her throat, well she didn't think he would bring his wife.

Sindiswa:Sipho... Those years ago, I lied to you.

Sipho:About what?

Sindiswa:I told you that I had a miscarriage, but that wasn't the truth. Our baby didn't die, I gave birth to her and named her Zizipho.

She looked at Zizipho.

Sindiswa:She is your daughter. Our daughter.

Sipho breathed deeply and held his chest.

Wife:Baba are you okay?

He didn't respond and he fell down still holding his chest.

Nozipho:Oh no I think he had a heart attack.

Sindiswa panicked and knelt next to him.

Sindiswa:Call the ambulance. I can't lose him.

The wife looked at Sindiswa and frowned.

Sindiswa:Zee call the ambulance.

Zizipho rushed for her phone and called the ambulance. Her father can't die just when they met. He's just in shock, he'll be fine. Anyone would be in shock after finding out that the daughter they thought died 23 years ago was still alive. She convinces herself.

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