THE BROODER

EPISODE 23

THE BROODER

23.

**RICHARD**

It's been weeks since the revelation and I have been me, trying to bottle up all the questions. I want to focus on the coming of my children. King Banzi has been calling and sending messages but I wasn't interested. I am still trying to adjust to the whole context. He shouldn't expect me to start bonding and calling him dad like if I'm a child. I am a thirty-six years old father to-be. He should respect my space.

There's a soft knock on the door...

"Come in"

Leo: Mr Richard, there's a man here to see you. He said he is Richard snr and he's here to meet his son, Mcebo.

"Leonard, Do you know any Mcebo in this office?"

Leo:" No sir, but I thought he's your father. You look alike a lot."

" Get out of my office, Leonard"

Leo:" okay sir, should I tell him to leave as well?"

" No, take him to your house and show him to your father. Your father's name is Mcebo, i***t. Get out!"

He left my office in a hurry. The boy is getting comfortable with me and I don't appreciate that.

There's a knock again in my god damned door.

"Leonard, you're fired if you come inside this room."

The door opens and he comes in...king Banzi!

" Greetings Richard "

King Banzi: " Keep your greetings to your self Richard junior. I came here to know why you have not been picking my calls and replying my messages."

This man aura commands respect. I feel shivers as he shouts and points at me. My eyes couldn't raise up to meet his. Something un-Death like.

"I needed space"

King Banzi:" From what? From who?"

" From you okay? I needed space to breathe away from you and think about my life. You don't expect me to jump at you and bond or call you father. I am a grown man and I don't need you anymore. I grew up in the home as an orphan and I'm used to it so leave me be!"

King Banzi:" you may not need me but I do. I need you Richard. You can't punish me for the things I had no control over. I didn't abandon you Mcebo. I thought you died. They said your mother killed you. How can I be punished for that?I buried the wrong child thinking you are dead son. You may have been accustomed to being an orphan but you're not an orphan anymore. You are my son and I am your father. Don't turn your back at me now that I need you more son. I already missed out on a lot of your life but I'll live the rest of my life making up for it. Please son, let me be your father. Please son"

This is the first time he's seen the old man's teary face and it didn't sit well with him.

" I don't know where to start Dad. Where do we start? I am a grown man father!"

The old man walked to his son and they both hugged, each with his tears dripping down.

King Banzi:" I want to introduce you to my ancestors and my people. I want to teach you the ways of your ancestors. I want to make mends anywhere I could."

He also wants to atone through his grandchildren. He just wants to be there in his son's life.

Jordans comes into the room and the two men separated from each other. He's as confused as ever. His hands aims for his gun and he's ever ready.

Jordans:" Bra D, are you okay?"

"Hmm,yes."

Jordans:" who are you old man?"

"Stay calm Jordans, he's my...fa.ther" the word was too new to him but he'll try to adjust.

Jordans:" oh! I am sorry sir, I wasn't aware that..."

King Banzi:" Are you his friend or bodyguard?"

"He's my friend and brother from the home."

King Banzi:" Wait, is this the friend from the home? The one with the red coat?

"Yes, he is."

King Banzi:" He never takes the red coat off no matter the weather and he goes with you everywhere even though you were older."

Jordans is red in embarrassment. The man truly knows him but who is he?

" Jordans, he's the Richard. Mr Richard that always visits the home"

Jordans:" wow, how come? That's a misery! You're always on mask. We didn't know what you looked like. Amia said you must have had a big scar and you didn't want kids to run off after seeing you."

Even after I ran away from the orphanage, he kept on visiting and he made the police look all over for me. But they couldn't find me cause I was in another land.

King Banzi:" I'd like if you boys can visit the Tokolla's palace next weekend. I will be hosting y'all. I want to introduce my son to my family."

I did some research on his family and I found out he has Eight daughters, two brothers, a late sister, two nephews, three nieces and five grandchildren. My research also tells me that his wife only had two girls, the rest of the girls were from unknown surrogacy all for a male child.

" We will be there Makosa."

King Banzi:" And Mcebo, I really want you to come. Please come."

" I give you my word, I'll be there next weekend." We all bow as he leaves the office.

I know the look on Jordans face. He's curious but he won't press.

"Sit down if you want answers to your questions" I went back to my seat and I found him seated already.

I narrated every details to him emitting the part I cried or he cried. I didn't want to be seen as weak.

Jordans:" Are we really going next weekend?"

"Yes, we are. I need to meet the witch who separated my mother and I and who gave me the scar."

Jordans:" We have to prepare for war cause she's going to be prepared too"

" Yes, we are. I will invite the sangoma next week. You should prepare our men, load them with the right ammunition. I want everyone ready".

The witch is going to regret not killing me when she had the chance...