THE BROODER

EPISODE 14

THE BROODER

14.

***RICHARD***

Thee almighty wena wamanzi, King Banzi of the great Tokollo Sovereign nation.

His attendant help him to the couch opposite mine.

" Wena wamanzi"

King Banzi: you can call me Richard that's my middle name.

It's now clear to me why it has been difficult to get the man. He is a man of power and royalty.

After settling down, he signaled his attendant to get him drinks. He offered me more drink but I turned him down. I simply told him that I wasn't in any mood for drinks or anything.

" I've meaning to ask Richard, why the orphanage? You made it your hide out and solemnity. what's in it for you?" The main question I wanted to ask him for years was, why he picked interest in me. but asking that, will show him the needy boy that I've been trying to hide all these years.

King Banzi: You. You brought me to the orphanage.

That's a first. I don't even know him.

"How?"

King Banzi: You probably won't remember but I met you at the palace during an exhibition visit. We open the palace for brief recreational trips especially to schools and homes every year. That year your home was picked by my late sister, Ntando.

He took a brief pause. I don't understand his loss, I never had a sister.

" I am sorry about your loss Richard" I do recall the visit to the palace. I was seven years old then and it was very fun.

King Banzi: She was the Tour guide that day. She was just very happy to show you all around but she was particularly impressed with your smart ass.

I remember leaving the group and sneaking to a cave where I met a young man...him! Now I remember very well.

" We met at the cave"

King Banzi: And do you know a secret about that cave?

"Hmm" we're here already. He should just say it out. I hate the smug look on his face.

King Banzi: The door to the cave can only open to a true blood king of Tokollo.

Maybe the door was faulty that day cause I remember just pushing the stone-like doors and it simply opened up.

King Banzi: it is a spiritual door guided by our Tokollo ancestors for years. By spiritual, I mean very divine.

Well that's something...The drink I had in my throat suddenly felt so hard to swallow.

King Banzi: It is only my father and I that were able to enter the cave that time. You can imagine the tension, the suspense when you walked inside the cave when I was taking a cleansing bath in the pool of our ancestors. Not even the great sangoma of Tokollo knows the interior of the cave.

And the stupid me asked for a bath that day. The scorching sun made me sweat a lot that day so, when I saw a man in a pool in the cave, I simply asked if I could join. Stupid me!

King Banzi: I was terrified, flabbergasted and speechless. At first, I thought it was an ancestry ghost or something. I've never seen anything in that lonely cave all my life even since then except for you.

He asked me who am I and I only said " Barnabas". I thought he's a cool man so I asked to join him in the pool but he jumped up from the pool, wore his clothes and ran out of the cave.

I think he remembers how he ran out cause he's laughing very loudly. Thank goodness we have no spectators. It could have been a mess of a show. The old man has a bad laugh. Now I know why he has never laughed on television, just simple smiles. I think he knows.

King Banzi: it was when I ran out that I saw Nuns looking up and down for you. And I later found you amongst them during picnic time.

I can't connect any dots.

King Banzi: You know I told my father about you and umm, he wanted to know you. He gave me the advice to visit the orphanage and get more inquiries on you.

This one has my attention.

" So what have you got on me?'

King Banzi: Nothing... just nothing. I don't know your parents or relatives or anyone who knows how a scar-face baby came to the orphanage. Nothing at all! It's this a misery to me.

" The kingdom sangoma, did you consult?" I have had several consultations too on my own but nothing was seen. They all said the same thing...that there's a dark cloud preventing them from locating my root. Sanusi said something about my mother's afterbirth used to place a curse on me.

King Banzi: oh yes I did. I asked the sisters to get me your belongings and pictures and I consulted.

That is vile! How can the sisters give out children belongings to strangers? What if ...?

King Banzi: Nobody saw anything relating you to any royal roots. No roots at all, something about your...

" My mother's afterbirth used to place a curse on me. I know that and I think it is bullsh*t! There's no dark clouds on me and I don't have any curse. "

I think I'm done here. There's nothing interesting about the old man. I've seen him and I've known him. I stood up to leave.

" It was nice meeting you Mr Richard. I like the role you played in my upbringing and I will repay them back by contributing to the Tokolla's welfare. Have a nice day wena wamanzi "

King Banzi"I feel some connections "

There's no need for any damn connections. It is okay that I've got to know him.

I signaled my guards to leave. They opened the door out of the restaurant and I walked straight to the car park.

I was already inside my GLE 63 waiting for the driver to move when his attendant knocked on the window. I recognised him from his royal attires. I ordered my driver to open the window and he handed me an hand written note from the king.

And it says " 30th May, first meeting venue. I will be expecting you Richard jnr."