THE BROODER

EPISODE 20

THE BROODER

20.

***ASHLEY***

After the long walk to the washroom, she didn't need more assistance to move about.

Ruthie and Ashati are the room when we return.

Ruthie: "Hi Thintiwe."

Ashati: "Hey"

Thintiwe: 'How are the love birds?"

We all share a knowing look.

Ruthie: "Have you seen a pregnant lesbian before? I feel bloated. It's been twenty years here but this brooding thing is always a new experience every time."

Thinking of that, Ruthie looks more like a man with a big round tummy. Like those uncles who drink a lot.

Ashati: "You're lucky you don't have this my pair of nose. It gets bigger with each pregnancy."

" We all do mama. I mean look at mine."

Thintiwe: "Ash, you're the only good looking brooder here. I mean look at that shape. I do think you're a model"

" Haibo! That's a lie Sisi. I came here slim as a pin now I look fatter than my aunty. Aunty Maisie. And these wrinkles, aiibo"

I have had it better with this pregnancy. The nose growth are there but unnoticeable. Plus, I've never been a big lady.

We argue and argue sharing jokes and compliments around.

Ruthie brought her leftover pap for Thintiwe and she eat it happily.

Later, we walk together to get our lunch.

We lock eyes together, the bvstard is staring at me with that miserable pity looks of his. I return the gaze back with my angry look and an accomplished tongue click.

Guard 1: "Look who we have here. How are doing. Bro.Oders". The stress on the brooder words was so unnecessary.

Guard 2:" let me guess, y'all came to get your lunch?"

Ruthie:" look we are not here not to batter words with y'all. Just give us our lunch and we'll be out of ya faces".

They all laughed at us including the bvstard. His own was more of a chuckle. I look at the desk and I see all three dish containers but it is open and it looks like it is empty.

Guard1:" Sabelo, give them their lunches. Don't be mean to the poor pregnant ladies."

One of them brings the empty containers and throws it at our feets.

I turn my back to return to my room. I can't let them see that I am affected by what they did.

Ruthie:" you bvstards!"

I also lost it when I saw Ruthie jump on the Sabelo guard and started hitting him. I throw my fists to another guard and hit him too. They're about five guards all together. Thintiwe bit the third guard while Ashati slapped the other guard, only saga was excluded.

It was a tough fight because they fought back and we sustained injuries. I am glad we made a mess of them too. The stupid BabyDaddy was busy pulling us out of the guys giving them leverage to hit us. When he got to me, I punched the living lights out of him and he didn't retaliate rather, he hold my hands preventing me from making any further use with my hands.

I had to kick him on the balls which made him groan in pain. The guard I was fighting with throws a punch to my face and I suffer a blackout.

**RICHARD**

Voice:" open your eyes son. Open it."

It is so white everywhere that my eyes can't adjust to the brightness. I force it open and I am surprise to see myself in the most beautiful garden I have ever seen. I recognise all the old faces siting in what looks like a round table. These are the faces of all the dead kings I saw their portraits in the cave. And they're all wearing the same crowns and the emerald necklace. They all smiled at me.

King 1:" You should have been introduced to us a long time ago."

King 2:" That witch made herself god in your life when she separated a mother from her child and a father from his heir. She can't kill you and she knows that."

I mentally counted the kings and they're about twenty-one of them.

King 3: Any royal blood cannot be killed by mere humans. We the ancestors cannot allow that. We will never allow that. We have been protecting you all your life, Mcebo."

King 1:" I am sorry for being the cause of all this. I hated your mother because she isn't of noble background. I tried to hook my son with a princess, one I see fit to be queen for her noble birth. I didn't know that she's a witch of a noble birth. Please forgive your grandfather Mcebo."

I try to talk but I couldn't...I am confused here.

King2:" you can't talk to us yet, you have not been introduced to us. After the traditional rites, you'll have to revisit the cave to see and speak to us.

King 1:" I know you have questions but we the underground gang are working towards exposing all evils done to you. We are tirelessly working on your case, son."

King3" And we are here to help you. We will always assist you even when you sit on the throne.

King4: We know about the coming of your heir. We will protect them too but you have to help their mother. She needs your help badly. Find her and every other thing will come to light.

King2: She's a strong one with the courage of a queen. Her heart is filled with kindness and her lips, ever caring.

King4: " Don't be hard on your father, he is a victim in all these. Allow him lead you. Open your heart to him and your life will be complete and peaceful.

King3: Your mother still remains the true queen of the kingdom and you shall be united with her in due time... very soon.

They all started reciting the clan names and I feel a pull out of the water. I have been under the water all this while. I cough out water till I couldn't anymore. I open my eyes to my surroundings again and I am back in the cave.

King Banzi: Welcome home Mcebo.

He laughs...

GOOD NIGHT FAM. SEE Y'ALL TOMORROW MORNING. I DON'T HAVE A SCHEDULE YET BUT I'M WORKING ON IT. VERY SOON, I'LL BE ABLE TO WORK WITH A SCHEDULE.