Indomitable

INDOMITABLE

ONE

*SHAKA BHENGU*

Everyone is sitting around the table. The silence is so thick that even a butter knife can slice through it. Shaka has spoken, and no one dares to oppose him. His word is law and final. However, Funani is pissed and does not agree at all with what Shaka is saying but he doesn't utter a word,  he chooses his battles wisely and surely, no one can take on Shaka in the light of day head on.

"Our next job is Luthuli mines. There are colorless kohinoor diamonds hidden deep in a very secure place behind a secret door in the CEO's office, Mr Luthuli himself." Shaka says while looking around the table. 

"Did you just say kohinoor diamond? That's the most expensive diamond in the world,  I'm sure it is heavily guarded," one of the men says much to Shaka's irritation. 

"Are you done?" He asks the man. After not getting a response from him, he clicks his tongue before continuing.

"We have the guy that designed the entire mine and after a little persuasion, he was kind enough to hand us the entire designs of the mine and Mr Luthuli's office including its hidden passages," he adds earnings him a few nods.

After  detailed planning of the heist, the meeting is adjourned, and everyone walks out of the building to their individual cars.

"I don't know how to thank you," says a voice behind Shaka as he's about to get into his car.

"Giving me an equal share of the last job even though I didn't go," the man continues. 

"It's okay, Tshepo, your wife was giving birth. You were there throughout the planning of the job, and I believe that you earned your keep," Shaka says before getting into the car.

"Well, your decision has made you, Mr. unpopular, the team is not pleased and all," Tshepo says.

"Well," he says, shrugging before driving off.

He arrives at his house and walks into the kitchen, finding his pregnant wife making dinner for them. 

"Smells amazing in here. What are you making?" He asks.

"Your favorite, cow heels and samp. Go freshesn up, and I'll dish up for you," she says after pecking his lips.

Shaka rushes upstairs and quickly freshens up before joining his wife Bontle around the dining table. They enjoy the meal in silence before Shaka clears his throat. 

"Thank you mkami, the food was delicious," Bontle nods with a smile.

"I'm going away for a couple of weeks," he says, and she gets up before taking their plate to the kitchen,  totally ignoring what her husband just said. 

Shaka gets up and follows her to the kitchen. He hugs her from behind and places a peck at the back of her neck.

"This is the last time, one big final score that will set us up for life," he says, and she heaves a sigh.

"That's what you said the last time," she says, and he turns her around, making her look at him.

"I know, but the last job didn't yield the results we wanted. This is it, baby. we get to keep 10 million a piece. With that money and the money we've saved up so far, we can start a legit business and have the life we always dreamed of," he says

"I hear you, I love you, Shaka, but you can't continue to live this life of crime anymore," she takes his hand and places it on her stomach. 

"Your priorities have changed now. You are a husband, and soon to be a father, this life of crime should come to an end because there's only two places it will lead you.  Prison or six feet underground, and I'm too young for that," she says before moving away from him.

*FUNANI NDLOVU*

He parks his car outside of Tshepo's house and then makes a call. A few moments later, Tshepo comes out and gets in the car.

"We hit tonight," Funani says, and Tshepo looks down, causing Funani to chuckle.

"Don't tell me you've suddenly grown a conscience," he says, and Tshepo heaves a sigh.

"Shaka is not as bad as I thought. He gave me a share of the nyathi heist even though I didn't participate.  I know some of you were angry about that. I might have ......." Funani takes out his gun and places it on the dashboard.

"Think very carefully, Tshepo. Your son is just a couple of weeks old. You don't owe Shaka anything," Tshepo heaves a sigh. 

"Are you in or out?"

"I'm in," Tshepo says, and funani smiles wickedly.

"If you dare warn him, your baby mama will mourn your death," Tshepo decided to keep quiet.

At Shaka's house....

Shaka can't seem to sleep. He carefully gets out of bed, making sure he doesn't disturb his wife. He walks into the bedroom next to theirs and starts praying to his ancestors. He is usually not a prayerful person, but tonight, he feels prompted to pray. He prays for almost an hour before going back to his matrimonial bedroom, he frowns when he doesn't his find his wife inside the covers like he left her, he looks around but she is not anywhere in the bedroom so he finally decides to head downstairs.

"Finally, I was starting to think  that you ran away and left your beautiful wife alone," Funani says, standing behind his sitted wife with a gun pointed at the back of her head.

"What is this?" Shaka asks camly.

"The team and I have decided that we want new management," Funani says with a smirk on his face.

"The team?" Shaka asks before chuckling. He looks around at the do called team standing just behind Funani with their guns drawn.  He looks at Tshepo, who can't hold a stare. None of his teammates can bear looking at his cold eyes.

"That's good to hear, but I still don't understand what you are doing in my house, pointing a gun at my wife," Funani chuckles. 

"It's nothing personal, Shaka. There can't be two bulls in one kraal," he says.

"I still don't get why you are pointing a gun at my wife. This has nothing to do with her," Shaka says.

"Shaka! You see what nonsense you have brought in my house," Bontle says, crying.

"I'm sorry, mkami," Funani chuckles.

"I want to see you on your knees, I want you to beg me." Funani says, but Shaka gives him a bone-chilling look.

"I am Shaka Bhengu, I don't yield to anyone nor do I beg. Do what you have to but make sure that you kill me, burn my body to ashes and pray I don't rise even in a form of a spirit," Shaka says and funani pulls the trigger blowing Bontle's brains out. He swiftly turns his gun to Shaka, expecting him to react and protect himself, but he doesn't. He looks at him dead in the eyes before Funani pulls the trigger, emptying his bullets on him.

"Burn this whole place down," Funani says, instructing the others as he wipes Shaka's wife's blood that spills on him.

SIX YEARS LATER....

*BARATANG*

I lift my head, and my father smiles proudly.  In all my life,  I have never seen him this happy. I feel like I did everything right, I have lived up to everything my parents hoped. I am 25 years old, and I am already a CFO of a successful company, and now I'm getting married.

My aunt helps me up and I rush to my bedroom. The screams from my sister and cousins as I enter.

"You didn't tell us how rich your husband is," my cousin Lebohang says, and I giggle. 

"I can't believe I'm officially someone's wife," I say, screaming while jumping up and down. 

The door flies open, and my aunt enters. 

"Go serve your husband. He is a proper Zulu man. Make sure you bend your knew when serving him and avoid eye contact," my aunt says, and I nod.

I spot him at the front of the yard sitting with his friends, Tshepo and Mbuli. He looks up and smiles at me as I approach with a tray in my hand.

"Gatsheni," I say as I bend slightly, holding up a tray.

"Where is the basin of warm water to wash my hands in?" He asks with a smirk,  oh snap! I forgot. 

"Let me...uhm, I'll be back," I say, getting up and rushing back to get a basin of water and a cloth.

"You are embarrassing us," Ayanda, my little sister says laughing and I click my tongue before rushing out again. 

A few hours later...

Lobola negotiations went well. All roads lead to KZN next weekend for the traditional wedding. I am excited. All the guests have left, I'm in the car with Funani.

"Today was amazing, thank you." I say with a smile, and he leans in capturing my lips. 

"I told you that I'm going to wife you. You were busy acting important," he says, and I laugh.  Funani and I met at work. He is a huge client, and let's just say, it was love at first sight on my side, but I tried to play it cool and played coy, but inside, I was gone, girl. It also helped that he was charming and relentless. Fast forward,  six months late, I am Mrs Ndlovu.