Silindeokuhle’s father arrived at the palace and the King was happy to see him. He called his maidens to prepare some snacks for him and this generous man whose child just passed her matric which is something that most young maidens in this village failed to do.

King: Welcome sir, sit down I have been waiting for you. Thank you for showing up when I asked you to.

Silindeokuhle’s father: No problem my King, what is it that’s so urgent that you called me here? I’m surprised I don’t see other men. I thought this was a meeting?…(asked Silindeokuhle’s father in confusion.)

King: No all is well sir, this meeting is between you and I alone…(laughs the King.)

Silindeokuhle’a father: So what is the agenda?

King: Well, now that your daughter is ready for marriage and you know I still haven’t had a son from all my 6 wives, it will be an honour for me to take your daughter’s hand in marriage…

Silindeokuhle’s father: My King! What are you saying to me?…(asked Silindeokuhle’s father in anger, standing up from his chair in shock!)

King: Calm down man, this will work well for both of us. I need a son and you need money to gain respect from all these men from the village. I will give you money that you never thought in your life you would have. Let’s work this as men.

Silindeokuhle’s father: With all due respect this is madness! A man my age to marry my daughter? You become my son in-law? How? My daughter is not for sale! She has a better future ahead of her! As you have mentioned she passed her matric and she is about to head to university to further her studies…(says Silindeokuhle’s father walking out on the King.)

King: You can always come back, go think about it. I’m giving 24 hrs to think about it. Think about the power you would have as my right hand man. Nothing money can’t buy!…(shouted the King)

Silindeikuhle’s father on his way home he kept thinking about the King’s proposal. He imagined himself as a powerful man in the village with his daughter the queen of the village and calling the shots. Him and his wife living in a mansion and him with businesses and able to provide for his wife and driving a very very big car. He forgot that the King has 6 wives and him allowing his daughter to get married she’ll be the 7th wife. The King was 62 years old same age as him, and Silindile was only 17 years old. He forgot to imagine him married to someone as his daughter’s age and how will that ruin her life. This marriage could ruin her life adventures and everything that her age mates are doing, she won’t be able to do them. She will be playing wife duties to a man old enough to be her dad. A man who could be having all kinds of sicknesses.

He got home and found his daughter in the kitchen very happy preparing dinner with love, he looked at his wife who was also helping out in the kitchen. He greeted and sat down. His wife asked how did the meeting go with the King. He just said the meeting went well and it wasn’t something serious. They dished up and sat down and had their dinner. Silindile couldn’t stop talking about how excited she is to finally leave the village for better life opportunities she kept talking and talking till her dad told her to shut up because no one is leaving for anywhere.

Silindile’s mother: My husband what is wrong? What are you saying? What do you mean?…(asked Silindeokuhle’s mother in confusion)

Silindekuhle: Dad are you okay?…(asked Silindeokuhle with tears running off her face.)

Silindeokuhle’s father: My daughter, my wife, I have thought about this from the palace back to here and all I’m saying is Silindeokuhle can’t leave the village now.

Silindeokuhle: Why dad? Why not now? What changed?…(cried Silindeokuhle)

Her father stood up and went to the bedroom, her mother followed her husband to the bedroom to try and understand what is happening with her husband. Silindeokuhle was shuttered, hear broken and in disbelief. She cried herself to sleep that night trying to understand why would her dad hurt her so much when he knew how studying Medicine meant to her. She worked so hard to get where she is right now.

*in the bedroom*

Silindeokuhle’s mother: My husband what is the matter?…asked Silindeokuhle’s mother in a very concerned voice.)

Silindeokuhle’s father: My wife you said it yourself that we should not let pride get in our way of getting help. The Kimg made a proposal to me.

Silindeokuhle’s mother: Tell me about it.

Silindeokuhle’s father: The King has 6 wives and none of them has given him an heir, a male child.

Silindeokuhle’s mother: So how does that has to do with our daughter going to unierisity?…(asked Silindeokuhle’s mother in confusion.)

Silindeokuhle’s father: My wife, the King said he will give me money that will make me powerful and my voice be heard in the village. I could gain respect.

Silindeokuhle mother: My husband I’m still confused. What is that money exchanged for?

Silindeokuhle’s father: Silindeokuhle will have to marry the King and be his 7th wife and bare him a male child.

Silindeokuhle’s mother: What nonsense is this?…(shouted Silindeokuhle’s mother in disappointment.)

Silindeokuhle’s father: Woman I’m the man of this house and Silindeokuhle can still further her studied even though she will be a wife to the King.

Silindeokuhle’s mother: Had I known poverty could make you sell your daughter to a man old enough to be your daughter’s father, someone who is exactly your age, I would have not brought Silindile to this life…(cried Silindeokuhle’s mother)