The Arrangement

Ahh Memo-fricking-ries

Crystal

After that weird encounter with Jennifer, I don't even know what her problem is,  i put my phone in my pocket and then followed behind her in silence, we got to the kitchen, taking the way from the pantry rather than walking through to the living room then the kitchen because mama said we can't be seen.

"Mama you called?" I asked her leaning on the countertop.

"Ewe." She hit me with a dish cloth, "stand up straight you'll wrinkle your dress." She said. I stood up straight.

"Where is your blanket?" Dabs Josephine asked me with her hands on her waist.

"What blanket?"

"Ityali yakho marn Mbali. You can't just walk up in there without covering your shoulders. Your married now for goodness sake!" She quietly shoutedshouted

"Mama but zange acele umchado moc (mama but she never asked for marriage)" Milicent cut me off

"Stay out of this Milicent or better yet, fetch that blue and white blanket and the pin to put around her shoulders." Her mother said to her.

I hung my shoulders in defeat. "Khawleza marn! (Hurry up man!)" She said when Milicent dragged her feet. She quickly started walking faster.

"Okay Crystal. Iza ntombi. (Come girlie)" mama motioned for me to walk to her.

I did so dragging my heavy feeling body.

"Look alive man. Your a makoti now" she said pulling my arm

"Like milicent said, i never asked for any of this." I mumbled

"Ndakuqhwaba ngoku. Sund'dika Mbali. Not now, not later. Rhaa!" She said squeezing where she held me.

I held tears that wanted to escape, in. "What should i do now?" I asked turning to face her again.

"Grab that bowl there." She motioned for the lime green bowl in the bottom cupboard. I knelt down and reached in to grab it.

"Good. Now, wash it thoroughly"

I stood up, walked to the sink "Askies Lolo" id even forgotten that she's here.

"Oh! Uh-erh uhm...yeah, yeah, sorry" she moved forgetting that she was washing dishes just now so the water on her hands dripped down to the floor.

"Amanzi" I said looking at e floor

"Ntoni? (What)"

"Your dripping water on the floor" I handed her the dry dishcloth besides her.

"Enkosi (thanks)"

"Akhonto( its nothing)" she still hadn't moved. "Uhm" I pointed to the sink

"Oh ofcourse. Right!" She moved.

I washed the bowl 'thoroughly' as instructed. "Mama I'm done" I turned to her  stirring the pot. I'm guessing that the meat was being cooked inside, or at least the one for the 'guests' while the rest was being cooked outside.

"Heyi! Stop day dreaming and fill that bowl with warm water and soap."

"Uhm okay." I filled it with warm water and soap "Done!" I was so ready to leave.

"Okay." She placed a dishcloth on my shoulder "You are good to go. Take this to you husband."

"Huh?"

"I will hit you. Don't 'huh' me. Hamba khe" she pushed me lightly out of the kitchen

"Mama!" I let out a silent shriek.