Zenande Okhethiweyo

Insert 16

When we get to the flat we grab our backpacks and head straight to the library. We find Buhle already there,we greet her and study.

When I check the time on my laptop it's now 21:15pm,I pack up my things whilst yawning and the girls do the same. We fill Buhle in on everything as we walk to the flat.
"Wow this is great." Buhle squeals. "I remember when my mom told me about this I actually thought it was a cover up for the Prince being gay." She says and we all burst into laughter, imagine MY man being gay! Since exams begin tomorrow the street is buzzing with students walking back to their respective accommodation. When we get to our building we hug Buhle goodnight,she lives a floor below us then we head to our room. We get in and I lock the door. I'm really tired.
"You hungry?" Rea asks while taking out two plates and a loaf of bread. I nod as I switch on my phone.I switched it off because I didn't want any disturbances while studying. I immediately get four missed call notifications from Zano, he must be missing me and that thought alone makes me smile. There is one from Gogo, I'm sure it was a checkup kind of call, I can't call her back she must be asleep. There is a text from my mom saying she will be here early in the morning tomorrow. I text her back and decide to call my baby, it rings for a while he is probably asleep, I mean it's 22:00pm as I'm about to hang up he answers.
"What wrong did i do my love?" He asks with a sad and tired tone. Oh! my poor baby, he thinks I'm upset.
"Im sorry about that. I was at the library with the girls. We just got back to the flat."
"Just got back? Nande, do you know that these streets aren't safe especially for three beautiful girls walking alone at night?"he now sounds serious. Why does this turn me on? There is something about a man that wants you to be safe at all times.
"Relax babe we walked back as a group."
"Mmmhm..." he doesn't sound convinced. "Your grandmother has been asking about you."
"Please tell her that we arrived safely and that I will call her tomorrow. " I say.
"Alright i thought you abandoned all of us, you don't want anything that links you to us." He says.
"That's a really good idea you Zulus are going to be a problem, I must run away." I say giggling.
"I will find you no matter where you go my love so don't even try it." He sounds serious and I don't know why that makes my heart skip a beat, he will never let me go. I love this man. Rea gives me my sandwich and I thank her while talking to Zano. When we hang up, I check the time it's 01:00am, I rinse my plate, change into my pajamas and get into bed. Rea is already In lala land.

After 3 hours of sleep my alarm rings. I get up, take off my pajamas, wrap a towel around and take my toiletry bag. Rea is still sleeping so I lock the door and head to the bathroom. Not many people are awake, so the bathroom is empty. I take a quick shower, lotion and brush my teeth. When I walk back to my room I bump into my mom in the corridor.
"Mama!"I say throwing myself in her arms, I'm so happy to see her. I missed her so much.

"Nande ka mama." She says squeezing me with one hand because the other is carrying a plastic bag. I assume it's food because she always complains about us not eating enough. We walk into my room and Rea was just about to head to the bathroom. She is holding her towel and toiletry bag.
"Morning Mama!" She says excitedly hugging my mom. My mom hugs her and then pulls back.
"Morning baby go shower and I will start making breakfast because I'm sure you two were not planning to have any." We both look down, guilty as charged. But we were going to grab a cupcake each and some tea down at the café at least that's also food. Rea walks out and I quickly get dressed in my black leggings,black oversized t-shirt and white Airfoce sneakers. I moisturize and comb my hair then tie it into a high bun and go to my mom in the kitchen.

"So, what is the story mama?"i ask as I sit on the barstool at the kitchen counter.
"Do you remember that your grandfather had a spiritual gift?" I nod listening attentively. "I found out when you were six years old." She says looking down. "You were not like a normal six year old, you couldn't talk not even utter a single word or sound. We thought that you were mute then your grandfather had a vision he said a Zulu man told him to take you to the river and bath you with the water. He said that you will be able to talk after that because you are not mute. He also told my father that if we do as he says then you will marry into his family, a royal family. I was hesitant at first but eventually we did it, after bathing you in the river you went to sleep and the next day you woke up talking like a normal child, you could say words perfectly, it was almost like a dream." She exhales like she just freed herself from something that was holding her back. I don't even know what to say, I mean it does make sense in a crazy way, but I will just never understand fully. And I don't even remember that time in my life, but I guess it's true since all of this is now happening. She dishes up the food, cover Rea's plate and sits down next to me. I start eating and she smiles. She must have thought that I'm angry well I'm not I'm just tired of all of this, no use crying over spilled milk. I'm in debt to the Zulu ancestors and now they have come to collect.
"Before your grandfather died, he told me it was time for the family to come. I kept on expecting them to knock on my door any day, but nobody ever came so I thought maybe the deal was off until now." She says shrugging. I laugh.

"Unfortunately, they were waiting for the perfect time to cause havoc in our lives." She shakes her head. "I accept it all Mama, I'm doing this, it is such an honor to be the one who gets specifically chosen to spend the rest of my life with such an amazing man."
"So, what is the problem then?" She asks sensing my worry.
"He has a woman he loves Mama, what will become of Zenande in this relationship?I feel like I will always be second place, I don't know why but I do have feelings for him also. He said that he loves me but he could be just saying that." I say.

"Just focus on you and him, forget about the other woman,yes he might love her but your souls are tied together by the ancestors. You will never be second place to him,he is not just saying he loves you for the fun of it he honestly does, you are his missing piece. And you also love him the same way because your souls are one." Mom says. Rea walks in as we are chatting ,she gets dressed and joins us. She tells my mom about everything that has happened and about the Zulu family,my mom seems impressed by their kindness. When we are done my mom washes the dishes and cleans up while me and Rea go over a few things we might have missed last night.