Zenande Okhethiweyo

Insert 10

As we drive through the gate there are guards,they greet Zano and make small talk about the latest soccer match that took a turn for the worst during the last minutes of the game. What is it with guys and acting like soccer is the oxygen they breathe? As they conversate my eyes drift to this beautiful home. Along the driveway there are two 4 room houses painted in white not too far off from the mansion. This is indeed a royal palace! The main house looks like a double if not triple storey house,it is also painted in white with black tiles on the roof and a beautiful veranda decorated with flowers,on the side there is two double door garages,the garage doors look like they are made of a mirror. You would swear this is not in the villages.

"Are you still alright my beautiful lady?" He asks while parking on the driveway,I blush and a smile makes its way onto my face.
"Yeah this place is so beautiful."i say trying but failing to keep my mouth closed,he laughs out loud whilst getting out of the car.
"Yeah my mom was pretty much a show off so she went all out,we will see how our house will look like since you will be responsible for how it looks."he says with a smug smile. I choke on my own saliva! As I cough and gently beat my chest to allow inhalation again,he bursts out with  laughter. I almost died and he is laughing! can the ancestors give me another husband! Since he seems so happy I also join in but as i shake my head.
"You are one of a kind do you know that? So much drama over an innocent comment." He says chuckling. I giggle as i blush. I must look like a tomato,then I remember that I haven't told my mom about any of this,she is going to freak out!
"What is the matter now? You know that i was just joking right?"he asks looking concerned.
"I just remembered that I haven't told my mom about any of this." I say biting my nails a habit i do out of being nervous.
"You are so cute when you do that,you look like a little anxious child."he smiles and looks away. This guy and making me blush! "You will call her after settling in then lets go so that you can do that quickly before she sends out a search party thinking that i kidnapped her beautiful daughter."he says placing his hand on my smaller back and leads me to the front door. I could get used to being like this with him,it makes me feel powerful in a crazy way.

When we enter the house I'm welcomed by a huge black and white double staircase,a table with a huge black vase with beautiful white roses. A gold chandelier is hanging from a gold and white ceiling. This place looks huge,they must have maids because the white tiles are spotless. I feel like i have just walked in to a different dimension,i have only seen houses like these on television and right now im inside one,this is crazy!

"I'm sure my grandmother is in the kitchen. Are you hungry?"He asks as he leads me to the kitchen as he says. I shake my head when he gives me that "Answer me" look. The kitchen is also white and gold. The cupboards are all white with gold handles,an island has a built in black stove that matches the black double door fridge. These people are rich who am I kidding thinking I will fit in here? So much class and elegance.
"Why didnt you tell me you have arrived Zanothando!?",an old woman scolds as she walks towards us,it must be Gogo. I must say she doesn't look a day over fifty with her silk cream white pants and matching blouse. She has straight grey hair that is neatly combed back to show her beautiful face. She gives me a tight hug that lasts for a minute,the hug makes me feel like it's all going be alright becuase she will be right here with every step of this journey.

After welcoming me in to her home with a few kind words she leads me to the other ladies in the kitchen they are all sitting around the island.
"Chomi!" Rea shouts squeezing the life out of me. A beautiful teenage girl also hugs me,she looks like the girl version of Zano but with braids and dimples. "Sisi" she greets softly,hugging me tight and I squeeze her back also. Rea introduces her as Enhle short for Minenhle,just like I thought she is Zano's little sister. Rea introduces the other ladies as Nokuzotha,Phephelo's wife. I didn't even think that he was married but what do I know my own life is also a mystery. She is so kind and welcoming I like her already. The other one is Anele,Zano's cousin she doesn't seem to like me much but I don't care im not here for her. Enhle makes jokes and we laugh after the introductions. I feel eyes on me so I look back and to my surprise Zano is still standing by the doorway looking deep in thought. He smiles when I look at him and my heart skips a beat. Then he walks away.

Apparently Nokuzotha and Phephelo have three kids together. Enhle is still in grade eleven and Gogo is not Bab' Zulu's biological mother,she is the youngest wife who was married to the previous king,she tells me that she never got the opportunity to have children of her own so she found comfort in raising her sister wife's children. Anele just walks out as we are speaking. Gogo tells me that she is twenty three years old with four kids from different fathers and she dropped out of school,Enhle even refers to her as the rotten tomato of the family. Zotha advises me not to mind her,she is rude to everyone who she feels is better than her in some way. After a while I remember that I have to call my mom,I tell Gogo and she walks me to my room while having small talk about my plans for the future.

"Rea went shopping with Enhle since you two didn't bring any clothes,i hope that is okay with you." She says pointing to the shopping bags on the bed. "You can take a bath and call your mom,pass my greetings to her. Dinner will be ready soon." She says smiling warmly,squeezes my shoulder and walks out. I love this woman,She is my knew favourite person. The bedroom looks like it was cut out of a magazine. It's painted in white. White floor to ceiling closet,black side tables on either side of the bed with grey lamps. The bedding is all white with grey continental pillows and a grey throw. The curtains are grey,there is a huge mirror and a white door at the corner,probably the en-suite bathroom.

I look through the shopping bags and these girls shopped like I'm permanently moving here. I find toiletries,take out a white night gown,pink slippers and a pair of white socks. I grab my things and head to the bathroom. The bathroom has white tiles,a small window with grey blinds and a grey laundry basket. Grey and white must be the theme I say to myself. I take a nice long hot shower,grab a towel and head to the mirror in the bathroom. I look like hell with these eyebags and red puffy eyes. I dry my hair with a towel and plait it into four straight to back lines putting my forehead on show. I lotion my body,brush my teeth and get dressed. I grab a grey robe hanging at the back of the bathroom door. I go to the bedroom take my phone out of my handbag and dial my mother's number.

"My beautiful girl" she greets warmly and I feel a lump go up my throat.
"Ma...Mama"i  stutter struggling to keep my tears back.
"What is wrong my love talk to me." She encourages me softly. I tell her everything that has happened from the beginning until now,when I'm done I feel like a huge weight has been lifted off my shoulders. I walk over to the window admiring the view.
"When are you going back to school then?" she asks.
"Probably on Sunday because of the cleansing ceremony tomorrow. "
"Okay i will be there early in the morning on Monday . I will explain everything to you and it will all make sense. You are a very special person and your purpose is greater than you realize. So open your heart and mind to new things. Our lives are all different and this is the one that is chosen for you. Give it a try and see where it leads alright my baby?" She sounds like she knew something all along. And judging from her little speech I have no choice but to accept all of this. We talk for a few more minutes until I hear a knock on my door.
"Mama I will call you tomorrow goodnight." i say.
"Open your heart to new possibilities Zenande. Goodnight mama loves you okay?"
"I love you too." i say as I hang up.