Written in the Stars (A Romance Novel)

Chapter one: 20 years ago

A loud wail rang out as Menzi made his way back home from school. He ran towards the sound and found himself in front of the Mkhize household. The source of the loud wailing was a tiny four year-old girl huddled on the grass. She was also his betrothed, Buhlebendalo. When he was younger, he found it hard to believe that he already had a wife, but at twelve years-old, he guessed he felt a tad bit grateful that he didn’t have to go looking for one when the time came for him to marry.

Menzi slowly opened the gate and walked towards her. She was a sight for sore eyes. Her caramel coloured skin was bright pink , her cheeks were stained with tears and her hair was in complete disarray. Yet she was still the most beautiful little girl Menzi had ever laid his eyes on. The creaking of the gate alerted the girl of his presence and he watched as she looked up and saw him walking towards her. Her wailing ceased completely and a radiant smile took over her face before she got to her feet and raced towards him.

“Bhut’ Menzi!” She squealed as she crashed into his body wrapping her arms around his legs.

Her genuine excitement at seeing him caused him to laugh out loud as he scooped her off the ground and swung her around a few times.

“Hello Princess,” he spoke softly as he wiped the tears from her face, “why are you crying?”

“Because Simphiwe was playing Prince and princess with me but then Thulani came and asked why Phiwe was playing with girls and so Phiwe took the head off my Prince and pulled my hair then ran away with Thulani.” Buhlebendalo complained.

Menzi sighed loudly, his irritation and anger rising as he saw new tears forming in the girl’s eyes. His younger brother was always the cause of the little girl’s distress yet he could never leave her alone. Menzi knew that Phiwe had a crush on the little girl but Buhlebendalo’s attention was elsewhere.

He gently placed the girl on the ground before seating himself in one of the tiny chairs she had laid out on the grass. Ndalo seemed confused but quickly squealed with glee when she noticed Menzi attach her doll’s head back to its body. She jumped in pure joy, making her ebony curls bounce around her face. He thought she looked like a cherub. Her cheeks were puffed out and flushed and her pink lips pouted as she flung herself towards him and clung to his neck.

“Oh thank you Bhut’ Menzi, you’re my hero!”

Menzi pulled her away from him and handed her the female doll.

“What’s your prince’s name?” He asked as she dressed the dolls.

He watched as the little girl shyly bowed her head, a small giggle escaping her. She rapidly shook her head, refusing to answer his question. Menzi reached over and lifted her head. She stared at him for a few seconds before whispering his name.

“Okay, Prince Menzi…” he smiled before continuing, “and what might the beautiful princess be called?” He asked her, even though he knew the answer.

“Buhle,” the little girl whispered, her head buried deep within her shoulders. Menzi picked her up, and placed her on his lap before lifting her face to meet her eyes.

“Hmmm… what if we called her Ndalo? It will be the name only you and I use. Is that okay?”

Her eyes widened fractionally before she nodded her head enthusiastically.

They played and played until it was time for all the other children to come home from school. A little girl who was about Ndalo’s age walked in as they were about to conduct a make-believe wedding.

“Ayanda!” Ndalo screeched, staggering to her feet and pouncing on the other girl with a massive hug.

The girl named Ayanda looked just as enthused to see her friend and clung to her with the same ferocity.

“Ayanda, this is Bhut’ Menzi.”

Menzi watched as a flush stole over Ndalo’s friend’s face and the two girls started giggling hysterically.

“That’s your Prince!” Ayanda whispered, in a voice that was not all that quiet.

Ndalo pulled away from her friend and started giggling.

Menzi stood as the girls took Ayanda’s school bag into the house and began to gather his stuff that had been strewn about as they had played. He waited for the girls to come back outside and caught the crestfallen look that shadowed Ndalo’s face as she saw that it was time for him to leave. Tears gathered in her eyes and her bottom lip began to quiver violently. Menzi could never understand why this always happened when it was time for him to leave. He spent two hours with the girl everyday yet she never tired of him. He took Ndalo into his arms and squeezed her tightly.

“Don’t cry, Ndalo. You know that I’ll see you again soon.” Menzi whispered.

Ndalo pulled away from him and gave him an innocent peck on the lips before hugging him again.

“I know, Bhut’ Menzi. I just miss you a lot, that’s all.”

Menzi gave her a final kiss on the forehead before putting her down and walking back to his house.

Menzi could hear the shouting from the gate and a feeling of dread washed over him with each step he took towards the door. He had just placed his hand on the doorknob when the door crashed open and a maiden he saw regularly at school stepped out onto the stoep. She gave him a cocky smirk before walking down the walkway and out of the gate.

Menzi walked into the house with his head bowed. He tiptoed past his father’s office where it sounded like several men were speaking in hushed tones. Afraid of being caught he rushed past the door and up the stairs until he was locked safely in the sanctuary of his room. He placed his schoolbag on his bed and headed for the open window which gave him a view of the entire village.

He loved watching the hubbub of his homestead below in the anonymity of his abode. Here, no one treated him differently or watched how they talked or behaved because of his royal status. He looked from one corner to the other, observing the ritual and rhythm that seemed synonymous with village life. He saw Bab’Mdlalose, the mailman as he rode his bicycle from house to house depositing the mail through the holes on the gates but always hesitating when he reached the Myeni household out of fear for the dog. He saw his friend Thabane and his girlfriend Nelisa wrapped in an embrace beneath the old Lemonwood tree. He saw Ndalo’s mother, MaKhumalo, talking to the maiden who had run out of his house. Her face was flushed red and angry and her sandy-brown curls bounced around her face. She took the maiden’s hands in hers and Menzi watched as tears streamed down the maiden’s face as she hung her head in shame. Perturbed, he turned away and looked towards the Mkhize household and watched in amusement as Ndalo and her friend Ayanda seemed to be conducting a make-believe wedding between the two dolls. He burst into short laughter when they shoved the two dolls faces together in kissing motions before shyly giggling with one another.

Shaking his head, he walked away from the window and lay on his bed closed his eyes and eventually dozed off.

************

A loud knock woke Menzi out of his sleep. He rubbed the sleep out of his eyes and opened the door. His father stood on the other side but simply turned away without saying a word. Menzi took this as a sign to follow him and kept his head high as they walked through the house and into his father’s office. His father walked behind the desk and sat down while Menzi closed the door then stood before him.

“Sawubona Baba.” Menzi greeted, forcing his eyes to stay locked onto his father’s.

“Gatsheni. Sit down.” His father answered, motioning to the seat across from his own.

Menzi sat down and watched apprehensively as his father leaned forward, his broad shoulders and bulky arms flexing and stretching the material of his linen shirt as he rested his elbows on the table.

“My son. You have reached a vital age where I believe you should be allowed to start seeing the world outside this tiny village,” his father began.

“I realise that the world around us is changing and while we must preserve our culture and traditions, I must also give you the opportunity to find the person you are outside of being the future king as I wish my own father had given to me. It will make it easier to accept your lot in life and the responsibilities that come with the role.”

Menzi was stunned. The father he knew was straight-laced and rigid. He believed heavily in tradition even to his own self-detriment.

“As you know, your uncle lives in Johannesburg and he has agreed to take you in to live with him as you will be completing your secondary schooling there. As of Monday, you will officially be a student at St. Judes School for Boys. Represent me well, my son.” His father finished.

Menzi was flabbergasted. Speechless. A fountain of nervousness and excitement was threatening to bubble out from inside him but he held himself in check, behaviour that was befitting the Crown Prince.

“Thank you sir for the opportunity. I will do my best, not to let you down.”

But as he pondered on his new future, his mind quickly drifted over to Ndalo and his excitement was dampened just a little.

“Father, this is a wonderful opportunity but what will become of Ndalo once I leave?” He asked.

His father smiled a little and shook his head.

“I am pleased that you are fond of your betrothed but you do not have to worry, she will be well taken care of by her parents.”

“Yes father, I know that. What I am asking is if she will be following me when she is of age”

Menzi’s father frowned and leaned back against his chair, causing the leather to creak. He steepled his fingers and pressed them against his lips, silently staring at his son.

“That I’m afraid, is a decision you will have to make once you are ready. Perhaps after experiencing the pleasures of this life you will prefer to keep her here or you will choose to take her to live with you until you ascend to the throne.” His father answered.

Menzi nodded in understanding and waited for further instruction.

“That is all, son. You may go and pack your clothing as you are leaving tomorrow. Oh and your friend Thabane will be joining you on this new adventure. Perhaps his presence will make your stay there more comfortable.”

Menzi could have kissed his father, instead he silently thanked him, then he stood up and left the office.

He had never thought that he would ever get to leave the village but now that he was, it felt like a dream come true. He thought of all he would see and experience and could hardly wait. Another part of him though, ached at not seeing the little girl he loved so dearly grow up. He hoped she would be okay and remain the kind and soft soul she was, untainted by the hardships of life.

As he placed the last of his clothes into his suitcase, he also took a small picture of her smiling face and closed his suitcase. His future awaited.