Chapter 4

IMBIZO..

The Vicious Curse

~~FOUR ~~

~ZANOKUHLE~

I'm sitting here rethinking all the decisions I've made in life, the mistakes I've made.

I'm a sinner, I know that but nothing amounts to this punishment.

In every multiple choice question I used to guess and I'd dismally fail.

Today I suddenly have superpowers of guessing right?

There were so many surnames in my head, and I had to get this one right?

I need Jesus in my life..

You know the black Jesus from eShowe..

That one

My aunt decided to speak without being told. She actually insinuated that I'm pregnant. The woman in black clothes just left the bedroom.

Two women came with some cute, chubby lady. They told us to wait..

Scones and two litre coke were put before us.

This cannot be Qaphelani's home. Problem is how do I say that to these dragons..

I elbow my aunt gently

"Yey wena ngane! Behave yourself. Is it not enough that you opened your legs wide for a man who didn't even give a puppy or a duck for you! Sies man!"

If only the superpowers can give me strength to strike Aunt Nomsa with Lightning, I'd be grateful

My heart is drumming, literally.

"Aunt, we are not in the right home.."

"Tsge!" she thinks I'm lying.

I hear a loud male voice before someone emerges at the door wearing blue overalls.

Legs rolled up his knees and one arm out revealing a leopard vest underneath.

"Is it him?" my aunt nudges me, whispering.

The hell.

I quickly shake my head, frowning.

I've never seen that brown bald, skinned man before.

He takes a seat on an empty couch and greets.

I'm not good at reading people but that one seems like a very rude man.

There is something in his mouth, it's a tiny stick. He balance his hands on his knees and gazes ut us

"We are here on behalf of my daughter" my father begins

But the man raise his hands stopping him

"You will only speak when my brother gets here"

He says, staring at the door.

This home is culturally grounded, I mean we should have said our business to the women we found but no. We are waiting for the damn brother ..

"What is his name again?" my aunt asks

They should have done their investigation before dragging us here.

And I'm not answering that, what If I end up guessing the right name again

"Zano…"

The two women suddenly shift before us staring at the door.

"Sanibonan" A deep sensation suddenly washes over me before I even look at the sudden, deep voice speaking.

A striking, ambrosial fragrance overflows the room.

I slowly cast my eyes up meeting with a ceiling brusher of an alpha male.

He is adorned in formal black pants, black turtle neck t shirt and white socks with neat flops.

His other hand carries a black hat..

He sits in an empty coach, crosses his legs and just stares in our direction..

He asks who we are..

The way he speaks, it's like his voice is held up his throat. I feel a tight knit chilling below my tummy….

"It's him," I hear my aunt whisper.

My voice is blocked in my throat.

I'm.. In an unbearable moment.

"We are the Zulu's from eThafeni. We are here because there is a disrespectful thief in this yard that rudely ate in my kraal without permission. And now my daughter is no longer pure and innocent. I therefore require proper cleansing of my image and hers.. "

He could have just choked on that coke and fainted. All of this would have been avoided

A deadly silence falls upon us.

The gaze is suddenly stamped on me.

My heart throbs furiously

this man's presence is making my skin shiver

He screams dark and dangerous..

I need to stop this

"Ahem. If… If Ahem..if I may speak" .

I run my hands through the stupid wig in my head. Damn I was slaying yesterday and now I look like I just shot a horror movie

"The elders are talking. You may not"

What?? He just dismissed me like a child and gave the one chewing a poor stick a stare.

He speaks

"We hear you, boMageba. Sadly we just lost the head of this household. Therefore we cannot discuss such matters while surrounded by dark clouds. But if I may ask, who is this so called thief"

My aunt quickly gazes at the dangerous looking man

"It's him"

My world literally stops moving

"No.. Aunt it's not him.." I argue

"You may leave, come back after a month and then we can discuss this and find a way forward"

With that the two gentlemen stand up and leave the room..

This has gone out of hand. Where is Qaphelani When I need Him?

As gloomy as it was, I breathed a sigh of relief when we left that homestead behind..

**'******

***NYANDA NZUZA****.

It is after two in the afternoon when their allies come.

They get inside the first rondavel closer to the gate crowding it instantly.

The noise becomes unbearable. Some men here are on a mission of their own, they have a grudge against the Biyela's because they too lost their loved ones once.

Some are just defending their own neighbourhood and ensuring that they remain feared and respected.

It's all about preserving their reputation.

Village men can go to war, to prove a point. Especially when their egos are provoked.

"I say we attack at night"

Khathaza Sbiya, the current leader of traditional men speaks. Bold and fearless is what defines him

He stands big and tall as Nyanda

"They will be expecting us" Snqamu, who is the driver of one of the Nzuza taxis adds as

well. Argument breaks off, the noise is deafening

Everyone speaking their minds unable to give each other an ear

"Quite!"

His voice carries dominance as he speaks boldly.

And they all listen.

Some are standing, while others have found seats along the walls

"I don't know if some of you have forgotten or they are just plain stupid. We are still mourning, why are you all making noise as if this is a tavern?"

"We apologise Mshazi" they shants, one after the other.

Mzungezi is not around, Mabutho is in between the crowd listening.

He really doesn't care about any plan, blood is what he is gunning for

"Those scumbags are expecting us. That goes without saying. I heard only their drivers are working and not them. Which means they are more than ready. I say we just attack in broad daylight. The day after tomorrow.

For now we all strengthen ourselves and get ready for a deadly war, because it will be deadly and messy"

Its silent for a while

"Why attack during the day?"

Asks one of men

"cowards and witches attacks at night and we are none of those"

And with that it is decided.

**MZUNGEZI NZUZA**

Behind the Biyela homestead, there is a forest that the village uses for firewood, grazing of cattle and sometimes.. hide in times of war

That's where he spends his time inspecting every move inside the Biyela homestead.

It has taken a lot of strength to not get in there and rain bullets.

He can stand anything but not when it comes to his family.

Even though Mabutho thinks he is a sissy, while Nyanda seems him as a comedian, behind the scenes he fights for each and every one of them.

When the day comes, he will be right here.

Unnoticed and invisible as always.

He's never been one to be visible like his brothers, he never wanted part of family business. The only time he sees a taxi rank is if one of his brothers is in trouble..

Which is why many in the village consider him as harmless..

He likes it that way, looking harmless but deadly as a python vernom.