THE ALPHA'S FATED SOULMATE

The grave yard visit

THE ALPHA'S SOULMATE

Chapter 4

Azanothe

When we arrived yesterday, grandfather asked me to go to the river with him. My father had to stay behind.

We sat on his favorite spot. He always goes there for peace. It was his getaway with my grandmother. I guess it's where he thinks without noise.

"Way before I met your grandmother, she was supposed to marry into the Mngomezulu family from Babanango. She didn't want to. It was an agreement between her father and the man chosen for her. Then we met and fell in love. She couldn't marry Njengaye like her ancestors said, so we ran to Johannesburg. We stayed 10 years and came back after the dust settled. That's what we thought.

Her father told me to my face that what we did was wrong. Sooner or later, the Mngomezulu would come to collect their bride. We laughed. She was the only girl in that family. Who were they going to claim?

Years passed. We had children. We were happy. I thought my father-in-law was just scaring us. Then your grandmother got sick. You were old enough, so you know how sick she was." He paused, taking a deep breath. I sat there trying to understand why he was telling me this. In my head it was just boring history. Nothing to do with me.

"So what happened to the Mngomezulu family? Are they still there?" I asked. He went quiet.

"Where would they go? It's a big family with so much wealth. After my wife got sick, Mphikeleli came to us. He said one of our granddaughters was chosen to tame one of the Mngomezulu grandsons. He said it was time for your grandmother to settle her debt before she died. But she refused. She didn't want any of you paying for her sins.

So she died without choosing who would go marry in that family. We brushed it off. But he warned us to do the right thing. Two weeks ago he called me to his house and asked me to bring your father. I did. But you know how stubborn your father is. He told us to go to hell. No daughter of his would suffer for things they know nothing about."

The more he talked, the faster my heart beat. My mind filled with questions. A headache was coming.

"So who is supposed to be the substitute?" He stiffened. Worry in his eyes. He looked like he wanted to disappear. His face went pale.

"You. That's why no man stays in your life. It's not your fault. They don't want anyone near you. He said a lot of things, but some aren't mine to share. Ngiyaxolisa MaZungu, ngiphinde ngixolisele umkami." I'm sorry. I'm also sorry on my wife's behalf.

I tried to open my mouth but something big was stuck in my throat. I wanted to scream but I couldn't. All I heard was running water. His voice faded away.

I woke up in bed this morning. I don't know how I got here. Last I remember, I was at the river with my grandfather.

"MaZungu, can I come in?" I want to protest, but what would that help? Him and his wife already put me in a hard place.

They should've said something all these years. I know it wouldn't have changed anything. But I wouldn't have wasted time looking for love. Does he know how hard it is to watch women my age in love, married, with families? I thought I was cursed. But no. The old man and his wife knew the cause of my problems. They sat on the truth.

I know they didn't know who would be chosen. But this feels like the biggest betrayal of my life. Do I hate them? No. I'm just angry, frustrated, and disappointed. Especially the dead one. She should've listened to her parents and stayed with her arranged man.

So that's why she sent me to that forest in my nightmare. But I didn't meet anyone. All I saw were red eyes. Nothing else. Does that mean he has red eyes? Is he a demon?

"MaZungu, are you awake?" I forgot grandfather is at the door.

"Yebo, ngena mkhulu." He pushes the door open with a tray. Does he think breakfast will fix what they did? I take the tray anyway and thank him.

"How are you feeling?" Nothing. I'm numb. Still processing their betrayal.

"Mkhulu, what you and gogo did was selfish and unfair. Now I have to pay for what was done before my father was born. How do you think I'm feeling?" His shoulders drop.

"I know it's hard. I won't force you into anything you're not comfortable with. I'll go to them and see if there's another way to fix this without involving you kids." He's just saying it to make me feel better. I've heard stories like this. There's no other way. If there was, it would've been suggested long ago.

My father hasn't shown himself, but I know he's beating himself up over this. I'm not angry at him though. It's not his fault.

"I need time to process this. It's too much. Please don't pressure me. Otherwise I'll run away too."

"That will be a problem. The marriage must happen within 6 months, or we are doomed." Goodness, those bones had the audacity to set a deadline. Don't I deserve to choose my wedding date? Have a bridal shower? Yes, I know it won't be love. But that doesn't mean I must be sad and grumpy.

Am I already accepting this nonsense? Why am I thinking about bridal showers?

"Mkhulu, find a way around it. At least give me a year to prepare. Tell those Mngomezulu people to wait patiently." Wait... Mngomezulu. Could it be Busani's family? That's ridiculous. There's no one fit to be my husband. Those brothers are womanizers. They have a reputation. And Busani? Hell no. He's too serious. I want someone who matches my energy. Imagine living under the same roof with that robot.

Why am I even thinking about him? He's not the only Mngomezulu.

"Your father had to rush back but he'll be here in the afternoon." I thought he was avoiding me. He walks out, leaving me drowning in my thoughts.

My phone pings.

"I hate waiting." Argh, it's Busani. I don't have time for this. I quickly send his number to my assistant and ask him to send the samples. Work is the last thing on my mind. I have a dead person's sins to pay for. My heart twists at the thought of marrying a stranger.

Would they blame me if I pack my bags and run? Let me bath. I'm going to the woman who was the pillar of this family. I'm going to her grave. We have something to discuss. She can't sleep peacefully while I'm going through this. She better listen when I get there.

After my bath I dress respectfully and tie a headwrap. Even though I'm angry, she still deserves respect. I walk to the far end of the yard. That's where the graves are. I open the gate and walk straight to hers. It's clean and shining. Mkhulu is always here. I stand at the headstone and fold my arms.

"Here you are, sleeping and enjoying life with Joshua and the rest. You're probably having tea with your heaven friends. Makhumalo, why did you run from your suitor? Now you're making decisions beyond the grave. You watched men play me, making me feel like I have a problem. Why didn't you come to my dreams and tell me? I thought I was your favorite. I'm disappointed. I have a lot to say, but I won't say something I'll regret. At least choose someone who will respect me. Please don't send a cheater. Otherwise I'll commit my first crime. Don't just lie there. Show me you heard me."

I say it in a demanding voice. She needs to give me a sign that she's listening. I feel a little cold, but it passes. Maybe that was her.

She better grant my wish. The man better be handsome. Not someone who will make children cry.

I kiss my hand and place it on her grave.

"I love you. Don't just sleep. Do your job." I turn and head back home.

"I'm sorry you had to find out like that. I didn't know how to tell you. Your mother wasn't happy when she heard. How are you now?"

My father is back to fetch me. We're sitting in the lounge waiting for mkhulu. He's asleep.

"Honestly, I'm feeling a lot of things. But don't worry, I don't blame you. I just need time to digest everything. Mkhulu said if I don't marry the so-called man, something bad will happen. Do you know what will happen?" If they want me to do this, they better tell me everything. He's hesitant but I'm waiting.

"Death of our livestock and family members. Mostly women. I'm not saying this to pressure you. That's what Mphikeleli said when he called. You will decide if you want to do it or not. I would never force you. You have a voice. You're an independent woman. Just know your father loves you and would do anything for you."

This warms my heart. But by the look of things, there's no way out. I just have to brace myself for what's coming.

"Mkhulu, I want to meet the man first."

"That's impossible. They said you'll only see him on the wedding day." That's nonsense. This isn't 1902.

"Okay, see you soon. We're leaving." I don't want to be here anymore. With how I feel now, I might go back to the cemetery and dig up the culprit. We say goodbye.

I'm going to sleep through the 1-hour drive back to Durban. I'm not in the mood to talk. I can hear disrespectful words in my head and I don't want to be that person who spits venom when upset.

My father understood. He didn't say anything from KwaNzimakwe to Durban. He played his boring maskandi music. We arrived and my mother was waiting outside with her arms open.

"Mom, you're suffocating me." She lets go and looks at me from head to toe.

"Come, I made your favorite chicken and dumplings." My favorite? That's not my favorite anymore. I used to like it when I was young. My grandmother made it and it was the best. But I won't say that.

She drags me to the kitchen. I sit on the stool waiting to be served. I'm not hungry but I won't disappoint her. I believe a mother's food is made of love. It's insulting not to eat.

She's watching me eat. I know she's thinking how to bring up the matter. I don't want to talk about it. Let it be off-topic for the next week. I'll think about it later.

"We'll talk tomorrow. For now, go rest." Good call. It's like she read my mind. She walks out to her husband. At least she's with someone she loves. I'm the unlucky one in this family. My sisters married for love and they're happy. Here I am, marrying to save my family and fulfill a promise made long ago.

My phone rings. It's Lungelo. He just walked in from work. He found me alone in the kitchen. I don't know how long I've been sitting here after mom left. It's dark outside.

"I've been trying to call you but your phone was off. Why?"

"I don't want to talk to anyone. What did you want?"

"Mngomezulu called saying you didn't send the samples. Do you want the job, Ngcino?"

If anyone says that surname one more time, I might snap and strangle them.

"I gave his number to Thato. I'm sure he sent them." He has Thato's number. He can call to confirm. Unless he got busy and forgot.

"Call Thato. Maybe he forgot." He nods, pulling out his phone. I get off the stool, take my plate to the sink, and wash it. We have a helper but she doesn't stay full time. Mom prefers doing most house chores herself. She also trained us to do everything. The helper only comes twice a week for deep cleaning.

"He said he sent them. I wonder why Killian says he hasn't received them."

That's none of my business. I'm going to sleep. Maybe I'll wake up feeling better.

But when I lie down, my phone lights up again.

Unknown number. One message:

*"I know what your grandfather told you at the river. 6 months starts now, MaZungu. Be ready."