Chapter Five

The room falls silent, as the three siblings grapple with their raw emotions. Eventually, Zinhle's heaving subsides, and she turns away from Portia, her gaze fixed on the broken plate, still lying on the floor.

Buhle uses this brief moment of quiet to speak. "Listen to me, both of you. This wasn't anyone's fault but my own. I could have said no. I could have walked away." He looks at Zinhle. "But I did what I thought was best. For all of us."

He fixed himself. Wiping his tears away. "The princes will be here soon. Lumisa and Flora will be here to send me off." He picked up both his sisters. "Please go freshen up and I'll do the same. This is happening sisters it won't stop just because we're crying about it. Buhlanti is a good man. And I will be okay."

With those words, Buhle takes on a newfound sense of resolve. Despite the chaos swirling around him, he remains steadfast in his decision and begins to take charge of the situation. His words carry an air of quiet authority, a reflection of his maturity and concern for his sisters' wellbeing.

Portia and Zinhle, still visibly shaken, exchange a glance. Then, silently, they follow Buhle's instructions, leaving the room to prepare themselves for what is to come.

Buhle felt the water run on his skin. The shower's water was cold. And he didn't mind it.

The cold water felt almost refreshing, like a baptism of sorts. It cleansed away the tears, the pain, and the uncertainty, leaving Buhle with a renewed sense of clarity. As he closed his eyes, he envisioned his future with Buhlanti, trying to imagine what it would be like.

Thoughts of his new husband were mixed with memories of his family, his past life, and his dreams. As the water ran over him, the contrast between his hopes and the reality of the situation became more pronounced, almost tangible. Despite his fear and uncertainty, Buhle found himself accepting his new reality.

Buhle felt a cold hand on his stomach. "You're not supposed to be here yet." He spoke already knowing that this was his husband. "Leave me."

He turned around to face Buhlanti. "Where are your brothers?"

"They're coming." Buhlanti smiled looking at Buhle's body. "But I wanted to come see you before the ritual."

Buhle's body tensed as he felt Buhlanti's hand on his skin, their close proximity now heightening the tension in the shower. Even as Buhle resisted, Buhlanti seemed undeterred, his smile a mix of charm and possession.

"I wanted to spend some time alone with my new husband." Buhlanti's voice was smooth, almost hypnotic. "The ritual can wait, don't you think?"

Buhle shifted uncomfortably under Buhlanti's gaze. "The ritual is important," he insisted.

"It is but it's just a formality. What we've done already what is marriage here anyway."

Buhle breathed as he licked his lips. Thinking of the time they still had before the ritual. "Thirty minutes." He warned before getting closer to Buhlanti.

"Thirty minutes it is," Buhlanti agreed, a mischievous glint in his eyes. The pair's movements became more fluid, as they were drawn together by an unspoken desire. The water continued to cascade over them, creating a steamy cocoon that enveloped them both.

The distance between them closed, their lips finally meeting in a kiss that was as intense as it was unexpected. As they embraced, Buhle felt Buhlanti's hands exploring his body with an eagerness that was impossible to resist.