*
IYANA
*
We just arrived at Manzini Kingdom. Even though I haven't been here in a while, nothing has changed. It still looks the same. The air is different though. Somehow it smells stale, different from the fresh air of Ntabentle Kingdom. That place has grown on me, it feels like home. I grew up here but I feel like a stranger. It feels like a prison, a prison disguised as home but it was never a home for me. Come to think of it this palace has never been a home for me. The only people that showed me love here are my brother, Bab' Sbonelo and my nanny. I wish it was tomorrow already. Qophelo opens the door for me. The action bring me back to reality.
Qophelo: Cupcake try to relax please. You are going to be fine. Your brother is here, my sister is here and Neliswa is here. You are going to be fine. It's only for tonight Cupcake and tomorrow after all the celebrations we go home together. We are going to be here early in the morning so we can leave late afternoon. You don't have to do anything today. Just relax and be ready for tomorrow.
"I hear you. I'll relax and I'll try to enjoy myself I promise."
Qophelo: That's all I ask. You won't have to lift a finger. I sent people to make sure that everything is ready for tomorrow in case your mother didn't want to help. To my surprise she did and everything is sorted. I won't go in with you, but I'll definitely see you tomorrow. Look at me. Everything is going to be fine. "He says kissing my lips gently, he pulls out and gives a warm tight hug that makes me melt into his embrace. God knows I have fallen for this man. He pecks my lips a few times." Now go and show them who you. You are Iyana, your are strong, you are a queen and you are my wife.
I smile at him and kiss him again. I walk away from him telling myself it's not permanent. I'll see him again tomorrow and I'll be going home with him. Neliswa is right next to me. Phiwo went off with my brother. I feel Neliswa's hand brushing my back which gives me a little comfort. Qophelo must have told her about my fear of being her. I look back, and see him still standing next to the car, watching and the other two guards slowly following behind us with my bags. As I turn I see my parents standing at the entrance. As I walker closer to them, I look back, he smiles and nods at me, gets in the car and drives off. My dad has the most genuine smile I've ever seen on his face, my mother is right next to him looking all grim.
Menzi: My baby, you are home. You look beautiful. How are you?
Nobuhle: You are certainly beautiful dear.
"Mom, Dad. I'm fine thank you. How have you been?
Menzi: Come inside. Let's talk. You can tell us more about this marriage. Who are these people that you came with. You didn't have to come with guards. You are safe here.
"Am I really safe dad." I see his face change quickly to a sad one. He knows exactly what I mean by it.
Nobuhle: Iyana please, let's not start with that right now. Come introduce us. "Just then my brother walks into the lounge with Phiwo laughing loud. I guess this is going to be a good couple of days with them around.
"Mom, Dad, this is Neliswa she is my personal guard and that is Andrew and Senzo they are my guards as well."
Nobuhle: Why do you need so may guards?
Thando: She is going to be Queen of the most powerful kingdom, The Hidden Kingdom, she needs to be safe at all time. Besides Andrew and Senzo will be in the shadows, no one will know they are even there.
"Why is it a problem that I have guards. Is not standard procedure for royalty to have guards around the. I don't under the issue. Anyway, we are not here to discuss my guards. Is everything ready for tomorrow. Is there anything I need to.
Nobuhle: You don't need to do anything. You future husband sent people over to help with the preparations. Everything is ready for tomorrow. The caterers will be here very early tomorrow.
Phiwo: Oh I almost forgot Iyana, mom gave me a dress for you to wear tomorrow. You are going to love.
"Thank you Phiwo. Mom which can my guards use? Phiwo will share my room with me."
Menzi: She doesn't have to. We have enough rooms her for everyone.
Phiwo: Actually, I want to share with her. I was going to ask her if I could share a room with her. We have a lot of catching up to. My bags are already in your room, Thando showed me the room.
Nobuhle: There are three rooms down the hall from your room and Thando's room. They are clean with fresh linen and towels. Come guys I'll show you your rooms.
The guards get up following her to their rooms. I can see my dad is not happy about me sharing a room. I'm actually glad that Phiwo is here, I don't think Neliswa would agreed to share my room. After Phiwo said all that Thando dragged her out saying he is going to give her a tour of the grounds. Now I am just sitting here with my father who is just staring at me with a smile on his face. I really don't know what he is smiling about. Maybe he is imagining things in that brain of his. I take a look at him, really look at him and it saddens me that I don't see my father in him. I just see a man who sees me as anything else but his child. I doubt very much that he has ever seen as his daughter. My mind takes me back to that one day, that one day that is deeply etched in my brain, that day that no matter how hard I try to not think about it, it always comes to mind. It always manages to invade the privacy of my thoughts. No matter how hard I try to lock it out, it always finds it's way into my thoughts. Suddenly I feel like I can't breathe. I feel hot, is it hot or is just me. Maybe someone just punched my chest since my breathing has changed to somehow dragging it from deep in me. I quickly get up running outside. I am suffocated in here. I need to breathe.
I take a walk towards Bab' Sbonelo's hut and I find him there mixing herbs and humming that song that always soothes my soul. The song he never wants to tell me where he learned. Everytime I ask, he always says that one day he'll tell me. He quickly gets up and embraces me warmly welcoming me. He lets go and tells me to sit and I do just that.
Sbonelo: You are back.
"I'm not staying Baba. I'm going back tomorrow with my husband."
Sbonelo: That's good my angel. You cannot stay here, it not safe anymore for you but I see you came prepared. That man of yours will do anything to make sure you are safe.
"I know Baba. I am trying to relax and just enjoy this time that I am her. Bab' Themba said that there is something you have to give to help finish off the cleansing process he has started with me."
Sbonelo: Yes I know. It's something you have to drink. It will complete the cleansing process. After this, no one will ever be able block your powers. You have the power of sight. You can see the past, the present and the future but you cannot see your own path. I am here for that and Themba as well. Whenever you feel need guidance, talk to me or him. Once the cleansing process is complete, your shield power will be completely active. You even be able to block any spells being cast upon you or your husband. Once you become one with your husband you will be able to protect him more with your shield. There is lot that you can do my dear. Don't be afraid to explore your powers. You are a very powerful being.
"He says it with a smile. We continue chat about everything, in between telling me how to use the mixture that I have to drink for a week. He tells about how he's been lonely here without me, no one to talk to and tried to make me understand why things had to happen the way they did. I'm sure it hurts when you are shown something and told not to do anything about it. After a while a walk out of his hut and tells me that he'll give me my medicine before I leave. I find Neliswa waiting outside for me and Andrew and Senzo walking around the grounds blending in with the other guards, probably trying to get the feel of the place.
Neliswa: Are you ok My Lady?
"Neliswa please, call me Iyana. You don't have to stress about all these formalities besides, I think you and I are going to be best friends." She smiles warmly and we continue with our walk around the palace ground. I am actually giving her a tour. I feel better. I feel much better than when I came here and Neliswa is not as uptight as I thought she would be.
*
STHEMBISO
*
I have been the Queen's personal guard from the day she moved in the palace when she got married. I was also married then and just a twins, a boy and girl. They were about three months old then. The only kids I have. I couldn't have any more kids after them. My wife got sick. She was diagnosed with cancer and it took a toll on her until it claimed when the twins were five years old. After my wife's death I focused on raising my kids the best way I can. I was on my own. I did have help from my sister. The rest of the family was just not interested. Her side of the family was also interested because I was not the man they wanted her and she was not the woman they wanted for me. It didn't matter though. She was my the woman my heart chose and we were happy, very happy together. After her I never dated again.
Three years after her death, the twins were eight years old then. I noticed a change in me. It began slowly with long, not too long stares, an increase in my heart beat, feeling fuzzy all the time, smiling when I'm alone. At first I couldn't put a finger on it but eventually I realized that it all happened whenever I was around Lona. As time went on I couldn't control it. It would just happen. She picked up on it but never said anything to me. She never confronted me and I knew I had to learn to keep whatever I was feeling for her under control. Qophelo was three years and the twins were spending a lot of time with him. He became their little brother. Lona used to always ask for the twins to come to the palace everyday after school. The way she treated and still does was and is amazing. She took my twins and became a mother they always needed. I fell in love hard but I had to love her from a distance and yet I was so close. It's funny how things work out. A few day after the King got sick, he called in. I still remember his exact words. "I know you love her, I see it in your eyes every time you look at her but because she is bound to me, she can never return that love. I want you to continue protecting her, taking care of her even when I am no longer in this world. The day I leave this world, her heart will be free to welcome yours. Thank you for not acting on what you feel and respecting our marriage. I won't be here for long and she will need you. They are killing me and there's nothing that can be done. It is meant to happen, it supposed to happen. Be there for her and my kids." To say I was shocked was an understatement. I stayed with him for a while and left the room. He knew was not going to make. He knew he was going to die and he knew who was killing him but never said who. All he said was that, all will be revealed.
Lona: I thought about what you said the other day.
"And? What is my Queen saying?"
Lona: I'll give it chance, I'll give us a chance. My husband visited me yesterday and told me it was ok. He said that I can move on. I am scared Sthembiso.
"I am scared too but we can make it work. It will work. Just let me in and the rest will work itself out."
She doesn't say anything but moves closer and kisses me. She is saying yes, without saying the words. God! I just love how she makes me feel. She pulls out and smiles looking at me. All I could was to pull into my arms and just hold her tight. We pull apart and I know what she is thinking.
Lona: I have called a council meeting next week, so that we can decide what to do with Bheki and his wife. I want to son to get his wife in peace and after we deal with the traitors.
"You do understand what the old laws require, right? Are you sure about it?"
Lona: They didn't think twice, they killed him for greed. They committed treason Sthembiso, numerous counts for treason. I can't be expected to just hand them over to police to deal with them. The old laws were kept in place for such. They must suffer.
I know she means. The fire in her eyes says I won't win this argument so there's no need for me to try. I pull out my gun from the back and place on the floor next to the couch. I lie on my back on the couch and bring her to lie on my chest, my arms tight around her. Thank goodness this is her private space. We just lie there in comforting silence.
"My Queen" Just as I pick up my gun, Mxolisi shows himself. This is definitely not how I wanted them to find out. Sh*t.
Mxolisi: I knew it, I knew it, I knew it.