NURSE THEMBENI
CHAPTER 24
THEMBENI
Mehlo’s mom went to work, I don’t know how I will cope without her in this house. I prefer her over MaPhikela. I have been walking around the palace, it’s so big I had to cut my trip short and find my way back to my room.
There are two beautiful girls appointed to me. They told me their names which I quickly forgot. Anyway, they refuse to converse with me, MaPhikela does not want it, because “I am not their friend.” That’s what she told them.
I’ve been sitting on the edge of the bed for what feels like forever, the maidens are outside this door. What nice jobs they have, getting paid to stand around doing nothing.
I’m not really a troublesome person, so they have a lot of free time on their hands, thanks to that.
This place is beautiful and I’m beginning to love the soft life it comes with. Not just that, but having people bow to me, mind you, I am not officially married to Mehlo yet, we’re not even engaged. What more when I am his queen?
I scroll through my missed calls, with the intent to call one of my family members, just to lower their BP. But end up logging into WhatsApp and calling Nala, because my family will raise my BP instead. She answers on the second ring.
“Themi! Oh my God, where are you? Mkhululi came to the hospital last night looking for you. Yoh, your brother is always angry? Is everything okay at home, chommie?”
See?! BP risers those ones!
“I’m in Mnweni Valley, at Golide’s palace.”
Even saying it feels strange, and unbelievable. I tell her what happened since the lobola thing and how I got to a palace I didn’t know existed. Nala squeals so loudly I pull the phone away.
“You’re at a palace? Like the actual king’s palace? Chommie!”
“Wait, wait, wait. Hold up, Yesterday you were crying about Menzi’s cows at your gate. Today you’re in a palace? Explain.” It’s Qondi’s voice, these two are always together.
I take a deep breath. Let me hear it out loud too.
“Turns out Golide is Mehlokazulu Hlongwane. The real king of KwaZulu.”
Nala screams. “Chommie! That’s insane! You’re basically a queen now! Golide came through!”
I still feel like I should check behind me when someone says that.
“Golide? Themi, be serious. You were literally about to marry Chief Menzi yesterday. His people were paying lobola. Now you’re telling us you’re in some hidden palace because a guy who ghosted you turned out to be a king? How? And you chose him over Chief? Just like that?”
Did I choose? Or did life just grab me by the arm? Still, I would have chosen anyone if it meant not adhering to my brother’s demands.
“I didn’t choose anything, it just happened. I told you how it went down. Menzi’s people came, then Mehlo’s people came with a cow for inhlawulo. Mehlo showed up later and I went with him because I wanted to make sure he was okay.”
That’s the truth, I didn’t plan a palace.
“Sounds like you made your decision to me. Sorry friend, but I feel like that is the worst decision you’ve ever made and you will regret it. That guy isn’t even serious about you, we were there to witness your situation-ship with him. It’s hard for me to believe that you are suddenly his queen and he is a king? What if he’s a pyscho who is obsessed with Menzi, and has been using you to get to him? Phela chommie, for years we’ve only known Menzi as the chief. Manje out of the sky, there’s a new king? Haikhona. What if Menzi won’t take you back when this falls apart?”
If I wasn’t in the palace right now, I would be convinced that this is a lie. Qondi can be convincing.
“Take me back to where? He never had me, and I can survive without a man, Qondi. If you’re insinuating that I can’t.”
“I’m not saying you can’t, I’m saying think outside the box. You went from lobola cows to a palace overnight. That’s not normal, something’s off.”
Normal left my life three days ago, but she won’t understand.
“But why would Golide lie about a whole kingdom? What does he gain from making Thembeni his queen if it’s fake? He’s already the king. He doesn’t need her for that.”
Exactly.
“This place is real, the people are real. They bow down to me, you guys, I’m not even lying about this.”
Nala laughs. “Chommie, when are we getting invitations to the palace? I want to see this palace. I want to eat food that doesn’t come from a spaza.”
“You believe all of this?” I hear Qondi whisper.
I’m not going to keep explaining myself to her. Let me focus on Nala who believes me.
“I haven’t even gotten used to it yet, but once I do, I’ll invite you both for a braai. Imagine a braai at the palace.”
I still have to go home and explain everything. I’m pretty sure they are confused.
“How’s Golide? Is he treating you well? How was your first night as… whatever this is?” I’m surprised by Qondi’s tone, sounds like she cares.
“I haven’t seen him yet. His nanny won’t let me, she says I need to make an appointment with her, only she will decide if I see my king or not.”
“Golide has a nanny at his old age?” Nala sounds concerned.
“It’s a long story, Nala.”
“But that’s insane, what does she mean you need an appointment? What does that even mean? If this is real, what kind of marriage will you two have? A wife making an appointment just to see her husband?” Qondi.
That was a lengthy statement, but all I caught was ‘if this is real.’
“I’m trying to figure it out. I don’t know if he’s okay with it or if she’s just controlling everything.”
That’s what confuses me. Is he silent? Or unaware?
There’s a soft knock at the door.
“Come in.”
One of the maidens peeks in, they are always standing outside my door, in case I need their assistance.
“Ndlunkulu… MaPhikela is asking for you.”
I tell the girls I have to go, and disconnect the call. The maiden looks nervous, and that alone tells me something.
“Where is she?” I ask.
“In the garden, Ndlunkulu.”
Let me think before I move. If I rush to her, she will think I’m easy to control.
“Go tell her to come to me. I will wait here.”
The maiden’s eyes widen. Have I broken a rule I don’t even know yet.
“Is there a problem?” I ask.
“It’s just… no one goes against MaPhikela, not like that.”
Interesting.
“What happens to them?”
“Anyone who disobeys her is either fired… or punished.”
Now I understand her strategy. Access to Mehlo is power, she controls access and that makes her powerful. But where does that leave me? What’s my role in his life? MaPhikela won’t treat me the way she treats others, yeah I’m new but if I start bending now, I will bend forever.
“Well, I’m not anyone. I’m the future queen. If she wants to talk to me, she’ll find me here.”
I’m not declaring war, just setting boundaries. The maiden looks stunned.
“Go.” I send her off with a smile, she looks nervous shem.
She bows and leaves. This place is a dream, yes, but dreams don’t mean I must shrink inside them.
MaPhikela thinks she owns access to him, she’s wrong. I’m not here by mistake.
.
.
I have been waiting, there is no sign of MaPhikela dragging her attitude all the way to my room like I asked. Instead, the same maiden slips back in after about fifteen minutes, head bowed so low I can only see the top of her headwrap.
“Ndlunkulu, MaPhikela is busy. She says on your first night at the palace, tradition requires you to cook for Ndabezitha.”
Huh!
This is so ridiculous it almost hurts.
“Cook for him?” I repeat, just to make sure I heard right. “The man I haven’t even been allowed to see yet? I have to cook for him? Did she really say that? Or is this some kind of prank?”
The maiden nods, still staring at the floor.
“It is tradition, Ndlunkulu. The future queen prepares the first meal for the king on her first night in his home. It shows devotion.”
Devotion my foot. I’m not engaged to Mehlo, unless I am and I don’t know about it.
I almost laugh again at this absurd request, but this time it sticks in my throat. MaPhikela is a very creative woman.
This girl is young, maybe eighteen, nineteen poor thing is shaking just a little. Probably afraid of getting this message wrong.
I feel sorry for her, but I’m also pissed.
“What kind of tradition is that? I’m not allowed in his room, but I’m allowed in the kitchen?” For a man who probably can’t even keep food down right now?
She keeps her eyes on the floor and doesn’t answer.
Sigh! Okay, let’s do this. Let’s cook for the king, not that I’m a chef. As long as he ate.
“Okay. Lead the way.”
I follow her through corridors that all look the same, every person we pass bows. I’m starting to love the sight of bent heads.
We reach the kitchen. It’s huge, bigger than my whole house back home. There’s an open fire in the middle, modern gas stoves on the side, the shelves are lined with spices I’ve never even smelled before. There are three more girls waiting, hands clasped, heads bowed. They must be cooks judging from the aprons they are wearing.
I stop in the doorway. They all turn at the same time and drop into deeper bows.
“Ndlunkulu. We are ready to help you preper a meal for Ndabezitha?” One of them says.
I look at the counter, the ingredients are waiting for Ndabezitha.” One of them says.
“What are we making?” I ask.
“Pap with tender beef stew, served with spinach. Ndlovukazi MaPhikela said it is what the king prefers today.” The lady cook says.
Wait a million… Ndlovukazi? As in Queen mother?
She called MaPhikela queen mother. What do they call his mom then?
I turn to my maiden appointed to follow me everywhere.
“Is that how everyone addresses her?”
The maiden nods. “In front of her, yes. Behind her back… some do and some don’t. But everyone is expected to address her as Ndlovukazi.”
I feel my mouth twist. MaPhikela is not even his real mother. She was the nanny, the paid help, and now she’s walking around like she owns the crown.
I look back at the ingredients on the counter. Change of plans, I will make something different.
“I’m not cooking that.”
All girls look at me.
“I’m making what I want to make. If he’s going to eat something from my hands, it’s going to be something I actually know how to make, and something I’d eat myself.”
Yes I eat pap and beef stew, but this is MaPhikela’s choice, so I hate it.
The cooks look panicked.
“But… Ndlovukazi MaPhikela said…”
“I don’t care what MaPhikela said,” I cut her off. “I’m the one cooking. So unless she wants to come in here and hold the spoon herself, we’re doing it my way.”
They stare at me like I just declared war on the ancestors. This is MaPhikela’s fault, she challenged me when she refused me to see my Gold mine.
I start moving anyway, grab onions, tomatoes, peppers, a little garlic, some beef that’s already been cut. I’m not a chef. I’m not even that good in the kitchen. But I know how to make a decent beef stew, everything should go well as long as I don’t use brown onion soup and curry powder.
The girls watch me for a second, then start helping, washing, chopping, stirring. I like that they don’t argue with my decision, or question me. They just follow my lead.
Oh Thembeni wakaMajola! Who knew that one day you would be calling the shots? Soon you’ll be queen of this whole nation of KwaZulu. Shut up! I like it.
Just to be clear, I’m not cooking because MaPhikela said so. I’m cooking because Mehlo is lying in a room somewhere in this palace and this is a good excuse for me to see him. I will serve him myself. I’m halfway through browning the meat when the door opens.
Everyone stops what they are doing as MaPhikela steps in. The girls drop everything, literally and bow so low their foreheads almost touch the floor.
“Ndlovukazi!” they say in unison.
They bow down to her? I missed this part this morning, everyone was at the table when I arrived. MaPhikela doesn’t even acknowledge them. Her eyes go straight to me, then to the pot, then back to me.
“Aren’t you dreaming too big? I’m impressed, you have a vision for a rural girl. You are not his wife yet, and already making decisions for him. How brave.” She says.
“Excuse me?”
“I gave specific instructions, for a simple meal. Pap, tender beef and spinach. That is what the king wants to eat today.”
That’s a boring meal.
I turn to face her fully, spoon still in hand.
“And I decided to make something else, because I’m the one cooking.”
Her eyebrow lifts just slightly.
“You changed the menu.”
“Yes. I did.”
She glares at the girls, her expression sending a warning. Does Mehlo know any of this? Or better yet, does KaMavika get the same treatment? I don’t recall seeing it.
“And who gave you the power? You are new here, KaMajola. Are you forgetting your place? You are just here to fulfill a duty, not to take over the palace. I am in charge, I say what goes and what doesn’t.”
“And what duty is that, MaPhikela? As Ndabezitha’s future queen, I am allowed to make decisions for him. I can pick what he eats and what he drinks. I can visit my future husband without having to make an appointment with you.”
Her lips press into a thin line.
“What gives you that right? Tell me, Thembeni.”
“The fact that it has been established that I am his chosen bride. Besides, you told me I couldn’t see him, then you sent word that I had to cook for him. Fine, I’m cooking. But I’m cooking what I want for my future husband.”
I’m not going to be bullied by an old woman.
“You think you can walk in here on your first day and change tradition?” Her eyes are red with anger, I can’t believe she’s that upset over something so small.
“I think I can walk in here and feed my man the way I want to feed him. Unless you’re telling me I’m not allowed to do that either. You claim to be his mother, yet you fight everyone who cares for him.”
Her finger is in my face faster than I blinked.
“If you knew of the sacrifices I made for that boy, you would understand why I am overprotective of him. I was with him before all of this, this big palace that you see here was built with my sweat and tears. He’s the man he is today because of me, there would be no palace without me. And if anyone tries to come between Ndabezitha and me, they will regret it.” Her voice trembles as she speaks. Gosh, she’s so angry.
I’m being threatened.
“You think you are special because you are favoured by the ancestors? Think again, Thembeni. I will never leave my Mehlo exposed to the likes of you, do not try me.”
What a wow!
She turns to the girls and says, “Watch her. Make sure she doesn’t poison the king.”
MaPhikela looks at me one last time before she turns and leaves.
“Ndlunkulu… no one talks to Ndlovukazi like that.” The girl in an apron says.
I’m too shocked to answer. What have I walked into? If MaPhikela wants to play queen mother, that’s fine. But I’m not here to play daughter-in-law, I’m here for Mehlo.
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Apologies, there’s no electricity in my area.