Rena is back in the kingdom, so I’m here at her home sleeping over and catching up with her. We slept late last night just chatting away about her travelling, my relationship with Khanya and the drama with Khanya’s mother… then Reahile arrived extremely FURIOUS. He had come to speak to Aunt Phuthi and Uncle Khotso. He was with my parents when he arrived. So obviously, Rena and I eavesdropped on the conversation. We just do that because the drama around our parents is super entertaining. 

It turns out that Uncle Ona is having an affair with Mohale’s fake wife. Now Rea is furious. He is even threatening to tell Aunt Thabi and we all know that’s a shit storm waiting to happen. Mara Malome Ona le yena! Has he run out of options that are his own age?! And that girl his running around with is Vanessa. She’s part of the larger crew I’m part of. I’ll never look at her the same again. Come to think of it, so many of these girls are selling their cookie to the highest bidder and it’s actually disgusting. 
My parents and Rena’s parents tried very hard to calm Rea down and asked him to let them manage it. My mom asked him how his new girlfriend, Maphodile, feels about what she witnessed. Yes, apparently, they caught them comfortably half naked at the flat that Maphodile and Vanessa live at together. Rea assured them that Maphodile won’t go around talking about this. I also actually trust Maphodile. She’s not a liker of things and she believes in staying in her lane, remaining seen but not heard. 

Today, there is a meeting with Uncle Ona. It’s happening here because they cannot risk Aunt Thabi and Aunt Phindi hearing the contents of the meeting.
Rena and I make our way downstairs for breakfast. Aunt Phuthi cooks the best meals. I swear she probably has culinary qualifications or something. 

Aunt Phuthi and Uncle Khotso look like they are about to have sex in the kitchen. 
“Get a room!” Moloko says. I didn’t even see him.
They giggle then say, “Good morning, Moloko.” 
“Good morning”, I greet them. 
“How are you, baby girl?” Uncle Khotso. 
“Good. Just happy it’s Saturday. I live for Saturdays. All I do is focus on my stores… not stores and school. Plus, I’ve already done my studying and tutorials at my session with Wehweh and Zaza this morning.” I explain. It’s a thing that Zaza, Wehweh and I do every Saturday morning.
“I like these friendships that encourage the books.” Aunt Phuthi says.
“Maybe Rena needs to be part of that crew.” Uncle Khotso.
“Uqalile”, Aunt Phuthi.
He just shakes his head as he looks at Rena.
“Why do you not force the boys to go to university? Why is it okay for them to be educated to a matric, but I must be some PhD graduate?” Rena fights for herself. 
“Must I really answer that question for you?” Uncle Khotso snaps right back at her.
“Cha. Awuphenduli lutho. Le nkulumo iphelile”, Aunt Phuthi says. 
Wandi walks in with Melo. She’s the cutest baby ever. She briefly says hi to all of us and sprints to Uncle Khotso. Uncle Khotso picks her up and tickles her, making her laugh aloud. I see Wandi smiling at them. I actually smile at them too. 
“Hello”, Wandi is now in front of me with her arms open for a hug. I snap out of the grandpa-grandchild moment and hug her, saying hi. 
“Nibuyaphi?” Aunt Phuthi asks them. 
“From dropping daddy off at work. He’s flying this weekend”, Melo says. She even knows that her dad has one hell of a schedule.
“Are you all good?” Wandi asks us. I think she can sense that she walked in on a tense moment. 
“All the better for being with the one baby girl that actually still listens to me”, Uncle Khotso says.
“Mohale! Awu kahle!” Aunt Phuthi. 
Rena is actually pissed off. I just don’t know how to be at all. Wandi regrets asking her rather innocent question. 
“What?! I’m just saying… I’m enjoying these days where I’m not fighting useless boys because of her and when I tell her that going to school is a good thing for her, she will actually listen to me.” 
Aunt Phuthi now slams utensils on the kitchen counter. 
“This is coming from a man who himself doesn’t have so much as an undergraduate degree vele?” Rena Mara. Is she trying to be killed in front of all of us?! 
“Khuzeka nawe! Khuzeka!” Wandi snaps at Rena. 
“What did you say?!” Uncle Khotso.
“Papa, why do you treat me like this? Why?! My sin is being different? Really?!” Rena.
“Different from what, Rena? From what?!” He yells.
“I’m not who you want me to be! You hate that I exercise my freedom of choice and agency and you shove it in my face all the time, making sure that I feel useless.” Rena is raising her voice.
“I have an issue with the fact that you want to be a minimum-educated slut that sleeps around the kingdom. That’s different to you? That’s you being what I don’t want you to be?!” Uncle Khotso le yena.
“Akere that’s how you and Uncle Ona like young girls? You sleep with university girls that are barely educated. I guess I learned my preferences from you.” 
Uncle Khotso slaps her! 
Yoh! 
We all didn’t see that coming at all. We are all in so much shock! I’ve taken Melo from him. Wandi is holding Rena back. Aunt Phuthi has now pushed Khotso back so he’s too far to reach Rena. Moloko is just eating. How???!!!  This moment is way too tense.
“Who do you think you are talking to, wena?!” Uncle Khotso says to Rena.
“I wish my mom was alive. She would at least understand me and not be forced to agree with you because you are such a bully.” Rena le yena! She has no woh! 
“You didn’t even know her. I knew her though. She was my wife. I’ve made peace with her passing, and I know that she wouldn’t be happy with what her daughter has become. Go to her grave ubuwe masepa owayetsang ko yena and see the bad luck that will follow you. I loved my wife and I’ve tried to make sure that I do right by you and Moloko in her memory. But you’ve spat on that every chance you got.” 
“When exactly did you start loving her?! Before or after you dribbled Fikile like a senseless soccer game?! My mom was just her placeholder because she no longer wanted you! Because you were an asshole.”
Where does Rena get this information from?! I don’t even know this shit and my mom tells me everything.
“I’m not going to stand here and explain all my relationships to you. They’ve got no bearing to the fact that you are disrespectful little shit living under my roof, spending my money and forgetting that all this shit you want to do instead of going to school is on my dime. While I live with the fact that I’ll probably have to support you for the rest of your life because you have no plan for yourself and these boys are now rendering you useless because getting your cookie is not that difficult, you don’t get to ho ntlwayela masepa! Ha senna sebunu sahao! If you are too grown and too woman to respect me, my wife and my kids, you can pack your shit, get the fuck out of my house and go live on your mother’s tombstone! Do you understand?!”
Now Rena says nothings. She just stares at her father. Uncle Khotso leaves the kitchen. Aunt Phuthi gives Rena a brief look then follows Uncle Khotso upstairs. 
Yeses! 

…

“I need a job”, she says as she paces up and down her room. I’m just lying on the bed and watching her be a mad woman. Wandi is right here with me.
“Ask Aunt Phuthi”, I say.
“I don’t want something that will have my dad in my face all the time. What is her is him and what is him is her.” She says.
“Did you really call your father uneducated to his face?” I ask. I need to understand her bravery.
Wandi is not happy. She loves the hell out of Uncle Khotso and she will throw hands for him.
“Mama can’t stand up to him. He bullies her”, Rena says, ignoring my question.
“I don’t see it. Aunt Phuthi can never be bullied by anyone. She loves her man. She respects her husband. But she’s never let anyone bully her. Not even him.” I say.
Wandi smiles at me. I think she agrees with me.
“So why isn’t she fighting for me?” Rena.
“Because you are disrespectful, Rena. If I said half the things you said to my dad, I’d be dead. You’d be preparing to bury me. Your father still lets you live and breathe under his roof after you called him uneducated and referred to him as a slut? I wouldn’t defend you neither.” I say.
“He called me a slut first. And he called me useless. Papa will never forgive me for Thabiso.” 
Now I sit up. I clearly need to give this girl the tea on her reality. 
“Lefatselabarena Mohale, I’m not sure if you are aware… but you are a princess. You cannot just sleep with anyone and at any time. The ideal situation for you would have been to marry another prince then start having sex there. You are not a Mantwa from Maki’s back opposite. You operate like that means nothing to you.” 
“Everyone has opinions about how I’m supposed to feel and live my life. No one ever asks me what I want.”
“Lefatselabarena, do you even know what you want?” Me.
She looks at me.
“Look, being of royalty is not just the glam and the title. There is a responsibility that is put on you that is not put on anyone else. You can’t compare yourself to anyone else – not even me. You have a responsibility to the kingdom, not just to your family or those around you. Rena, you are the eldest princess. Everyone is looking at you. You are the princess that’s going to groom this kingdom’s next king. You are what nobody else is – a king maker.” 
Then Wandi backs me up and says, “Uqinisile uRuri. And ubaba is trying his best to make things as normal as possible for you. Ukuthi nje, there’s nothing normal about being in the position that you are in.”
“But your father is also from a royal family. Howcome you get to choose the direction of your life?” Rena asks Wandi.
“Rena, Uyakhohlwa yini ukuthi mina angiyona ingane yasemshadweni? It’s a little different for me. Had I been called to duty to groom Khanya or Khosini, I’d respect the responsibility. I just wasn’t. And now I’m married, so the Buthelezi family no longer have rights to call me to duty.” Wandi says. 
Rena thinks a bit. 
“I still can’t believe you called your father an uneducated slut.” I’m really not over this.
“I’ll apologise”, Rena says.
“You know that’s not enough, right?” Wandi.
“What more do I need to do?” Rena.
“Rena, you do this crap all the time. You act up. You disrespect him. You throw your mother’s memory in his face. And today, you reached a new high by throwing an ex at him. Then you apologise, but your actions don’t change.” I say.
“How do you think mom feels when you dig up his exes just to remind him of his past mistakes? And every time she needs to console him, reminding him that you are still his child no matter what?! Do you think about what it does to Moloko?” Wandi.
Silence. 
“I don’t know what to do. I really am sorry.” 
“Maybe get that job. Show him you not doing all this to spite him. You choose not to go to school because you believe in other options. Show him.” Wandi.
“I do have a plan”, she says.
Wandi and I look at her with interest. 
“I just don’t know if he would support it. I have a plan to contribute to community engagement within the kingdom.” 
“Then pitch it to the community engagement council. The queen heads that council. Show him that you don’t always need him to intervene for you. Be any other person who’s going to pitch an opportunity then follow the necessary process. Ruri and I can help you put a business plan together and prep for the pitch. Then the rest is your baby.”
She nods her head. 
“And friend, you need to do better. We can’t always be on cringe every time we are around you and your dad. We love the both of you. You need to make a plan to get along.” I say.
The room is just tense. 

…

I’m back home now. I just arrived. My parents are not home. I phone my mother. She doesn’t answer her phone.
Where the hell are they?! 
I phone my dad. 
“Hey baby girl”, he answers his phone.
“Papa, where are you guys?” I ask him.
“We are out having lunch.”
“Must be nice. Why did you leave me behind?” 
“Don’t you have a boyfriend? Why am I suddenly playing his role?”
“Excuse you! You are my father!”
“I’ve taken my wife out. Please.”
“When will you guys be back? I want to gossip.”
He laughs. I hear him tell my mom that I said I want to gossip. I hear her laughing.
“Can you give us two hours?” My dad says.
“Fine. I’ll just take a nap until you get back. Wake me up when you get here.” I say.
“Shup. See you soon.”
“Bye. And please bring me food.”
“Goodbye Ruri Seete.”
Now I laugh then hang up. 

Khanya is in SA dealing with his mother once again. I haven’t spoken to him all day though. I hope he’s not getting married wherever he is. 
I make my way to my bedroom then throw myself on my bed. 
Let me actually text Khanya. 

“How’s everything going that side, babe? I miss you.” 
He replies after about ten minutes.
“Are you available for a call?”
I call him.
“Hey love”, he answers his phone. He sounds so –
“What’s going on, babe?” Me.
“My mother’s boyfriend stabbed me. I’m in hospital.”
I’m literally on my feet. 
“WHAT?!”
“I’m okay. I’ve just asked that my mom and Khosini not be allowed in my ward. I had the fucker arrested.”
“I’m on my way. I’ll catch a flight. Expect me in the next two to three hours. I love you.” 
“I love you, Ru.”
The line goes dead. 

Four hours later…

I flew down with Wehweh and Wandi. Zaza couldn’t come because she’s a wife and a mom. We all completely understand. But she keeps checking in telephonically. Wehweh’s father’s driver picked us up from the airport. Wehweh is letting us stay at her home. Wandi left Melo at home with her mom and uncle Khotso. She said she’s staying with us instead of sleeping alone at her dad’s house. Wehweh didn’t mind. So, we’ve dropped off our bags and now the driver has just brought us to the hospital. 

We make our way in, then instantly bump into Khosini and the mother at reception. My intention is to walk right past them and go to Khanya. But the mother stops me… aggressively so!
Thankfully, Tholoana arrives as well. His flight was after ours and he is also staying at Wehweh’s home. Wehweh and her family must be abundantly blessed. I’m so thankful. 
“Ufunani wena la?” The mother asks me. 
“Ke tlo bona Khanya”, I say. 
“How do you know he’s here?” Khosini. 
“Duh! He phoned me and told me”, me. 
“You are not welcome here”, the mother. 
“Mah, yini inkinga yakho? UKhanya wants her here”, Wandi says. 
“Well mina I don’t want her here”, the mom says. 
“And what the fuck are you doing here?!” Khosini says to Tholoana. 
“You know what… Khanya wants nothing to do with the two of you and wants nothing to do with you seeing him here. Akere wena you are the kind of mother that exposes your children to violent men who beat you up in front of them and have now put your child’s life in danger! So thina who actually care about him are here to make sure that he’s safe! Wena uhlulekile!” 
She tries to slap me, but I catch her hand. 
“Do you know who my parents are? Unlike wena, they’ll kill anyone who hurts so much as my pinky finger. Do you really want to take that risk?” 
She stares at me. 
I push her out of the way then make my way to Khanya’s ward.  This twit! 

I’m holding Khanya’s hand. Tholoana is leaning against a wall in here. Wehweh and Wandi are sitting on the other chairs in here. 
Khanya is still asleep. 
My mom phones me. 
“Hey mama”, I answer my phone. 
“Hello nana. I’m with your dad and you are on speaker. How’s Khanya?”
“He’s still asleep.”
“Okay. Thandeka just phoned me and swore at me. A re you are disrespecting her. What’s going on, Ruri?” 
“Wahlanya mosadi oe”, I say. 
“Ruri!” My mom. 
“She doesn’t want me here”, I say. 
“Khanya ureng?” Mom. 
“Khanya phoned me to come here, so he wants me here.”
“I’ll speak to Thandeka. Le wena tlohela ho sokodisana leThandeka.” My mom. 
“Fine, I’ll just ignore her every time she speaks to me”, I say. 
I hear my dad laugh. 
“Maboko!” My mom.
“Keng? Why am I even part of this call? Hai, leave me alone.” My dad.
I actually giggle. 
“Ruri, I know that you and Thandeka don’t like each other. But the two of you have one thing in common – you love Khanya. And I understand that it’s annoying to have a frustrating mother-in-law, but you’ll need to tolerate Thandeka if you plan on being in Khanya’s life for a long time.” My mom.
“I know, mama. And I’ll apologise.”
“Good”, she says.
“Just don’t allow her to walk all over you”, my dad.
“Definitely”, me.
“Lona mara! What’s wrong with the two of you?! My mom.
We both laugh. 
The call ends. 

Khanya finally wakes up. 
“Nobuhle wami”, he mumbles. 
“Senatla saka”, I say, standing to and getting closer to his face. 
“Woza la uzong’shaya ngesincane”, he says. 
Wandi and Wehweh smile at us. I laugh then kiss him. 
“How are you feeling?” I ask him. 
“I’m just in a bit of pain. Yerrr, that loser almost hit my heart with that knife.”
“Khanya, ayihlekisi lento”, me. 
“Baby, I’m fine. Come here. You are all I need. Woza la”, he keeps taking this so lightly. 
“Woza!” He insists. 
I get into the bed with him, much to everyone’s humour. 
“Are you going to see this case through?” Tholoana asks. 
“Yeah. He almost killed me.” 
“Good. It’s time he started paying for his shit. But what are we going to do about mom and Khosini?” Tholoana. 
“Kokuqala nje, Khosini needs to find employment. He’s not a baby anymore. Le nto yakhe yokuzifihla phansi kwesidwaba sikanina must stop. Kusemhlabeni la”, Wandi says and I actually agree with her. 
“I agree with you”, Tholoana. 
“What is he qualified to do?” Wehweh asks. 
“Qualified? You’ve really upgraded him. He barely scraped through matric then lived off being my mother’s baby”, Khanya. 
“Maybe he can do some work at my dad’s office. He takes young lost boys and guides them. He sends them back to school then gets them to pay it off by working at his office. It could keep him busy”, Wehweh. 
This is so thoughtful of her.
“Khosini is a handful, Wehweh. I wouldn’t recommend him anywhere. He lives to disappoint”, Khanya. 
Tholoana laughs. 
“It’s a program for problematic kids. My dad has a way of straightening boys out. I think it’s because he only has girls and he’s always wanted boys. He adopted my brother. So he raises boys in communities”, Wehweh. 
“Okay, we’ll take anything”, Wandisa. 
“Siyabonga sisi”, Khanya. 
“So, you really choosing Mnqobi over me? You know that I’m a prince, right?” Tholoana says to Wehweh. She is his type. I’m not surprised that he likes her. 
Khanya and I look at each other. 
Then we laugh. 
Wehweh just rolls her eyes. 
I shift the focus a bit and say to Khanya, “my mom wants me to go apologise to your mother and I need your help.” 
“What are you apologising for?” He asks me. 
“We had a moment when I got here… not a nice moment”, I say. 
His look is not nice, but I don’t know what it means. 
I look at him too. 
“What help do you need?” He asks me. 
“You need to allow her to come in and see you. So, if my words don’t do the trick, you allowing her to see you will help her forgive me.” 
He’s not happy hey. 
“Will you sleep over if I say yes?” Him. 
“Sleep over where?” 
“Here. With me. In this bed.” 
“Bathong wena!”
Everyone laughs. 

– 

Everyone has left. I go to reception to see if Khanya’s mother is still here. I find her at reception. I don’t know where Khosini is. 
“Mama Khanya, can we talk?” I say. 
She looks at me. 
I sit down next to her. 
“Mah, I’m sorry for disrespecting you earlier today”, I say. 
“Inkinga ukuthi iyaphinda le nto yakho yokudelela la ekhaya”, she says. 
“Mama Khanya, I love Khanya. I do. And I know you don’t like me. But I’m hoping we can be cordial… for him.” 
“Whatever Ruri. It’s fine. Sizobona ngezenzo zakho ukuthi uyaxolisa ngempela”, she says. 
“Khanya wants to see you.” I say.
She’s so shocked. 
“Really?” 
I nod my head. 
She gets up then leaves.
Ja neh.