If only walls could talk.
The door cracked and jiggling keys made Joel eyes open. He quickly sat up and took in his environment. He realized he wasn't in his comfortable home but still having nightmares. Because it was day, Joel was able to see clearly his surrounding. He was in a mud hut with only a thin small bed made of what looked like bamboo sticks, situated at the corner of the room under the a small window covered with metal.
The door opened and Shaka slowly entered holding in his two hands a golden tray with what looked like food on it. "Good afternoon". He smiled warmly to Joel but Joel only scoffed.
"You should eat something. You didn't take anything yesterday so I decided to bring you some suop with mushed cassava". He placed the tray down on the bed next to Joel and sat down beside him.
"Tell me how you'll feel when you're being held a prisoner in the unknown with people who look like they could break your soul with just the look in their eyes". He turned to the food and grimaced." I'm not hungry so you can send your food somewhere else".
Shaka smiled making Joel heart skip a beat. He pushed the tray feather to Joel and gestured for him to eat but Joel only looked away, his heart still slamming in his chest.
Shaka breath a heavy sigh."How would you feel when you are hoping that your missing son who is out there would fight his way through just to be with is family again". He stared into Joel eyes who had tilted his head to meet his brown eyes."
"Why do you even care?" Joel asked, confused.
"I guess that's what nature has taught me". Shaka gave him his heart warming smile making Joel think that if he was white skinned, he would have been blushing.
Joel looked at the food again and it was okay for him to eat the food since it was with kindness Shaka brought it. The moment the food entered his mouth, he froze and furrowed his brows making Shaka laugh.
"The festival is tomorrow and you are going to be my guest so hurry with the food and let's get you out of here". Shaka said, rather seriously.
"What is it with this festival everyone is talking about?". Joel asked perplexed and curious.
"Every year a house in Ndebele is built to honor our ancestors who risk their lifes to safe our lands from other lands. During this occasion, the women with much experience with paint the building with different colors and motifs or designs."
"Wait, what kind of designs". Joel was astonished. How can people like this who are not even educated know about painting and other stuff?
"The design of patterns used can be figurative. Others are just geometry and animals but the most beautiful ones are flowers". Shaka turned to look at Joel but he wasn't eating. He looked on the tray and he saw only empty bowls, he smiled silently to himself but it didn't last.
"Why am I a prisoner here when you know perfectly well that I can't unite the two lands". Joel's question took Shaka by surprise. He couldn't fathom how they will still keep him here when they know perfectly well that he is useless.
"I am in no position to tell you why. You'll meet my father tomorrow and you'll talk about it". Shaka stood up and picked up the tray."Follow me and let's get you prepared". With that he walked out of the cell leaving Joel to trail behind him.
Joel slowly stood up and followed after Shaka. He got out of the cell and was blinded by the sunlight. He looked around and saw people moving about like they have no aim. As he walked after Shaka, he realized that he was back to the place he was first brought when he was tired up and drugged. He triggered by his thoughts and shook his head to get them out.
They soon approached tall trees which looked like a fence wall protecting something. Joel followed Shaka through the trees and they soon entered what looked like another settlement and Joel gasped in awe. This place was something he had never been before. The houses were perfectly arranged, the houses were forms of central drum, some six to eight metres in diameter and surmounted by a conical thatched roof. The front of every house was faced by a narrow enclosed verandah. Just as Shaka had told him, the buildings were coated with beautiful designs and patterns and Joel was mesmerized. Women and children were all clothed in beads and colourful garments.
Joel wondered why this place was different from the other so he quickened his pace to catch up with Shaka."Why does this place differs?". He asked but was answered with silence. Shaka didn't dare to stop or look at him.
"Hey, I'm talking to you". Joel grabbed his arm, making him grip tightly to the tray so that it doesn't fall. He turned and shot his angry eyes at Joel making cold shivers run down his spine.
"I told you it is forbidden to speak your language here". He whispered and turned to leave making Joel silently walk after him.
As the both walked silently, people watched Joel like they have seen a god. Some stared in awe, others with disgust. They soon stopped in front of a building, which was different from the rest Joel had seen. Just like the rest of the houses, it was painted all maroon with turquoise abstracts which looked like it is frowzy.
Shaka opened the door which was make of mahogany and gestured for Joel to enter. Joel was taken aback by what he saw. The room was fully furnished. The dull cerulean paint in the room gave the room comfort, brown varnished sculpture of different animals hanged on the wall, a small table and two small chairs were situated under the window which has limpid curtains made from an animal hides. A not so big bed with a white tiger skin which served as a sheet was neatly laid on the bed, on the floor was a fur pelt which served as carpet.
"Like what you see?". Shaka was amused by Joel's reaction.
When Joel opened his mouth to talk, he was interrupted by the door which flew open like it was about to dislocate. Both Shaka and Joel jumped in surprised when Anele barged through the door which something in her hand.
"Bheka mfowethu baba ungenzele ijazi elisha lomkhosi" (Look brother father has made me a new coat for the festival). She half giggled while talking.
"Angikaze ngikuxwayise ngokungqongqoza emnyango?" (Have I not warned you about knocking on the door?). Shaka angrily retaliated though he was happy for his sister.
"Ngiyazi, bengijabule kakhulu ukukukhombisa" (I know, I was too excited to show it to you). She trailed and bow his head.
"Kulungile. Ake ngibheke mina" (It's okay. Let me take a look at it). Shaka extended his hand to take the cloth but stopped when he realized Anele was staring at Joel with wide eyes.
"Wenzani lapha?"(What is he doing here?)
"Ungakhathazeki, ulapha ngenxa yomkhosi wakusasa" (Don't worry, he's here because of tomorrow's festival). Shaka took the material to examine it.
"Sawubona mfokazi" (Hi stranger). Anele smiled warmly to Joel making him bow his head shyly.
"Anele thatha uhambe ngizomlungiselela" (Anele take it and go I have to prepare him). She wasted no time and snatched the garment and stormed out of the room shutting the door behind her.
"Sorry about....". He stopped when Joel brushed him off
"It's okay. She seem giddy about the festival".
"Yes, she took a our mother who may our ancestors keep her soul". Shaka trailed.
"I'm sorry". Joel couldn't find a way to comfort him despite him being and stranger and didn't trust him but he still empathized with him mentally.
"Enough of this already,now let's get you started". Shaka walked to the bed and retrieved what looked like a small bag under it. "Here you go". He removed a coat with tons of different colors with it's collar made of animal fur.
"Wow...you want me to wear that? I thought the royals have to look exceptional". Joel looked at the coat in wonder.
"You are exceptional". Shaka skin changed a shade of brown making him look like he's a black man.
"You're changing complexion". Joel noticed it quickly. He moved closer to but Shaka upon seeing him skin eyes widened and slowly he passed out, but before he could fall, Joel reached out and held him.