THE BROODER

37

THE BROODER

37.

***ASHLEY***

I feel like those celebrities on TV, walking with a fashion team, maids and security. I think Richard overdid it. I've got eyes on me and I don't feel comfortable with them stares.

On our way back, a thought came to my mind and I decided to visit home, to see what's left of my family.

"Mister, I need you to take me somewhere."

Driver:"where's that ma'am?"

"Octshe Route"

Driver:"okay ma'am "

My personal attendant, Refiloe, made a call to Richard telling him about my new destination. I think he approves as the driver continues the trip.

FIVE HOURS LATER,

I feel a soft tap waking me up from my nap. I am sitting with my handmaid ,Refiloe at the back so I know she's probably the one waking me up.

She wants us to get some snacks at the town's mall and probably use the restroom.

I love the suggestion as it helped me to quench my thirst and also release some carsickness.

We got to octshe an hour later and I directed the driver to my house. There's been a great amount of changes around but I know my home and I see it. We stopped at the entrance but I couldn't get off. I sent Refiloe to ask around about my family and she came back forty minutes later.

Refiloe:"Your parents are both alive though your mother has a knee issue but it comes with the aging. Your two sisters are both successful and married. Suzie is a medical doctor happily married to a Major General with two female children and they live at sandton while Evelyn is a TV presenter in SABC 1 and she's married to a big time lawyer with three children, all boys. The children visit most holidays but Suzie's eldest daughter stays permanently with the grannies here at Octshe."

They're all successful and happy. They don't need me, I'll only bring them pain and I don't want that. My sisters have all made it in life and I am just the nobody, with no matric, no dreams and fourteen children, twelve are scattered all over the world. My life is ruined and my future is blurred. I can't make sense of what I have achieved as an adult. I don't have any future. Suzie has always been focused in her academics, she wanted to be a doctor and she made it. She even went as far as getting married to a successful high ranked personality in the society. Momma must be so proud of her and her achievements. With Evelyn, we couldn't be sure of what will become of her. She's got the middle child problems, always stubborn and troublesome but yet, she's successful, married and living with her kids. My sisters are all married and living with their kids unlike me, who has kids out of wedlock and can't tell where they all at.

Refiloe:"Should we go in now? Or you want to go in alone?"

My parents and niece are all indoor probably enjoying the evening atmosphere and I don't want to ruin that.

I don't want to bring burdens to my happy family. They've probably forgotten about me and have moved on with their lives. I mustn't ruin that!

"No, let's go back."

Refiloe:"but we..."

"Mister, take me back to the mansion." I need my babies and I want to hug them. This heaviness I feel inside can only be cured when I hold my babies.

I didn't doze off all the way back to the mansion. I was weeping throughout the trip thinking about all my shattered dreams. The dreams of being a financial manager and investment banker is ruined and shattered. I can't even dream of anything anymore.

Refiloe:"Ma'am, Mr Richard wants to speak with you. Here have it..."

"Um,...hi"

Richard:"What do you need right now?"

What a weird question!

"A gun,...um...I want to shoot anything right now!"

I know it's a disturbing desire but I'm sad and pissed. I really want to shoot at something. I feel the need to shoot at my captors. I only know the famous, Mr Savannah but I'd love to shoot him right now. It doesn't sound like me but I need to release the stress.

Richard:"Is that all you'll be needing?"

"Yes... yeah"

Richard:"That's simple. Consider it done. The driver will bring you to a resort, you'll be directed to the shooting range. In there,you are allowed to do everything you want."

"Thank you"

Richard:"No need for that. I don't like you crying...stop crying"

I know it's Refiloe telling him my business. I didn't even hear her call him. She probably texted him.

***RICHARD***

Grandma:" I don't understand a thing you're saying Isisa. My Connie's son died at birth. He died before he could breathe the air and you're telling me this young man here is my grandson. What kind of tricks are the royals playing with us again? You people killed my husband and almost killed my Coco now you're telling me s**t?"

"Grandma, your Connie is alive. She's at..."

Grandma:"of course my Connie is alive! She's at the mall with her nephew. You the Zulu's thought you can separate a mother from her child for thirty-six years. My ancestors are active and they brought her back to me in peace. We don't want anything from y'all so please get out of our lives! Leave my premises! Get out!"

"Grandma..."

Grandma:"I am not your grandma! They're playing a trick with you son. Wake up soon or they'll sacrifice you someday to their evil witchery "

Aunt Isisa:"you say Connie is back home?"

I didn't catch that... the old lady was talking so fast and I couldn't grab her pace.

Grandma:" I don't want to seen as a rude host to the royals so please leave my premises! Get out now!"

Naledi:" my grandmother wants y'all out. Please leave, you're upsetting her!"

"Okay, we will leave. But I'd love to know where Connie is, do you mind telling us where your aunt is at?"

Naledi:" she's at..."

Grandma:" leave my child alone! My Connie is not here! Go away!" She's chasing us with water. I don't even know where she's got the water from but she's spraying it at aunt Isisa and she ran out. We both came out of the house and a car drives into the building. I stopped to see who's in the car and I see her...