THE BROODER

26.

THE BROODER

26.

***RICHARD***

We're here at the palace. Jordans brought the whole crew to the palace. We travelled with about ten convoys. It so extra but Jordans is not having it.

The king and his family members are waiting for us at the entrance of the main palace. It's quite crowded with people traditionally dressed. He told me he's introducing me to the family yet he's throwing a party here.

The decor is top notch and catchy. There's a "welcome home prince Mcebo Richard Carter " large sign everywhere. I had asked the king why the name Mcebo, "wealth " and he said my birth brought about riches and growth in the palace. He also said that the day I was born, his ten calves had two babies each, which was uncommon. He had a lot of blessings that year even after the fake death.

I don't have a problem with the name. It kind of befits my status. I may have been raised poor at the home but I fought to be wealthy and I believe I can never be poor ever. I have great hatred for poverty although raised in it.

King Banzi: (recites clan names)

The sangoma prickles some herbs on me. He puts the lion's blood on my forehead. A lion was hunted and killed for this occasion. Cows were killed too.

Sangoma: Welcome home wamanzi

Everyone: Wamanzi!!!

I don't recognize any faces here but they seem happy to see me. I can't count the hundreds of handshakes I've had today.

The queen is not here but every other person is here.

King Banzi: come let's go to the dining son.

I look at Jordans. He's not comfortable with eating in the public. I know that cause I've known him since he's a baby. In the home, he only eats in the room when everyone else is at the dining room.

"Jordans, you can stay back"

He smiles back. He knows I remember.

At the dining room, it's spacious and elegant. Everyone family is eating at the dining table.The table is filled with an Hundreds plates of african dishes. I didn't see the queen and I didn't care to ask. There's laughter and jokes going round the table. It's about Twenty sitter dining and only eighteen were occupied.

She comes in, with a frown on. I know her from the pictures Jordans dug out. The whole room went quiet as she walks to me.

Queen: Let me guess, You must be the supposed lost but found son?

" Yes, I am. I found out a witch tried to separate me from my roots but here I am. I guess she failed."

Queen: That's so bad son. You must have been very miserable and alone that you somehow found your way back. I'm so sorry dear. Welcome to the family.

"Thanks a lot, Step-mother. I heard you had no son so I came to be with you. To fill the space of the child you've been lacking, an heir to the throne."

I think I hurt her there.

Queen: That's so sweet of you heir, can you be a darling and move to the seats with your siblings. I sit at the this other end with my king."

" Siblings? You mean, your daughters? No thanks. I like it here."

King Banzi: MaNkosi, Let the boy be. There's no sitting rule here at dinning.

Queen: " Wamanzi, you know I sit here for years."

Uncle sithle: My queen, let the prince be for today."

Queen:" I will rather leave the food than to sit elsewhere"

King Banzi:" Then leave! Do us the honors and leave MaNkosi. I just had my son back and no one, I repeat,no one will make him feel less of himself here at his home"

Queen:"Wow, Makosa, Wow"

I couldn't care more as I eat and drink away. What a great meal!.I wanted to get on her skin and I think I did. Job well-done Mcebo.

Well, she didn't leave.

Pat: Mom, you can sit here.

She's the last child and she's eight. I know the queen can't conceive anymore but I can't seem to wonder who's the mother of the other six girls.

Uncle Bob: So Mcebo, I thought you'll be coming with a Makoti and children you know. For a man your age...

"Uncle, I have no plans for marriage yet."

King Banzi:" it's a good thing you're not, I'll invite princesses from all over the country for you to meet and maybe..."

"There's no need for that Dad, I am a grown man. I will handle that myself at my own pace"

Uncle Bob:" You know the culture right? You'll have to ask us your uncles to send a letter and negotiate lobola."

" I know that uncle. I grew up here and I know the culture around"

Queen:" Mcebo son, do you have any medical issue we should be worried about? I mean, you're thirty-six, no Makoti (wife) and no children, it is quite alarming."

King Banzi:" There's nothing alarming about my boy. He's making me a grandfather anytime this month" The old man is very excited about his grand babies than me.

There's some joy around the room. The uncles were singing praises and whistling. The women were not allowed to speak so they only smile and eat. Looking at the princesses, the first daughter, Unami, was so uncomfortable. She's looks like she's got where to be than here.

" Unami?"

Unami:" prince Mcebo"

" I heard you read medicine,why didn't you practice?"

Unami:"I..."

Queen:" She's a woman and her place is with her husband, in her home, taking care of her own family."

"What's the essence of studying and wasting funds if she's not allowed to practice?"

King Banzi:"I tell her to do what suits her and practice that the world has revolved but she didn't listen to me but her mother."

"I feel the funds wasted would have been more valuable to someone who understands the importance of the education."

Queen: The funds were not wasted. She's going to be of great value to her own family inculcating medical knowledge to her children and husband. It sounds so absurd...how can a modern mother say such jargons to her daughter?

" I see, so while she's not married yet, she'll just sit at the palace while her certificate is cooling in some cabinet drawer?"

King Banzi:" Unami, your bhuti here is saying exactly what I told you earlier. Think about it carefully my princess. This is your life and no one will live it for you"

Uncle:" Mcebo, do you know that, Nathan ,your cousin here read mathematics and Statistics like you and he's working in the government Minecraft."

I think this uncle is quite a go-getter. He wants to connect his piercing-filled son. Can you believe he pierced his forehead?