COMPLETED●EDITING●
What happens when a mother abandons her child to focus on her dreams? When she decides to lock away her emotions and focus her goals, she builds up to anything she touches; but crumbles down on family orientation. Will she ever le...
The next day before we boarded the plane, all I could do was pray to the Lord above that the Headmistress did not call my parents because I had lied to them. Yes, I placed my future on hold for the sake of knowing my roots, my identity. It was a Saturday but, I was on edge. Headmistress Duke was friends with Uncanny after all. Anything at that point could have gone wrong. The moment we took off, I finally breathed.
It was my first time boarding the South African Airways flight. I did not even measure the time it took us to land. I could not contain my excitement. I was a foreigner in a new country. One moment we had arrived, the next we boarding another flight. We arrived at OR Tambo airport. Everything was different and strange compared to Brewsfort. It was after midnight when we left the airport terminals. The air was raspy; my parents and I were outside the building; a car was waiting for us. I looked at Daddy, and he gave me a reassuring look.
Momentarily we got into the car; I fell asleep. A gentle breeze fanning over my skin stirred me from my slumber. "Are we there yet?" I asked sleepily. Gazing outside the window, I saw that the sky was still angry and gloomy. When will daylight come? I heard Daddy whispering that he would wake me up when we arrived; everything else was then a blur.
Hours later.
"Kamilah, we are here," Daddy gently woke me up. Daybreak.
I got out of the car and took a look at my surroundings. The place was close to being a village. Yikes. We were outside of a compound, waiting to be allowed in. "What's going on? Why aren't they letting us in?"
Uncanny called someone, "We are here," she told them.
"Apparently, on this side of the world, you announce your visits before going where you want to visit," Daddy whispered.
Moments later, the gate opened, and a beautiful woman walked out. My breath hitched; she was aging so gracefully like fine wine. I fell in love with her on the spot. Her greying hair was breath-taking. She mirrored Uncanny's looks, and I knew right there and then that that was my grandmother.
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{Imagined as Rita M Valley}
She spotted Uncanny first and hugged her, then dad. She finally approached me and began tearing up. "Come, Paisley. I am your grandmother." She embraced me in a motherly hug, one that I never received from my own; I couldn't help the tears that flowed out freely. She pulled back and studied me, "Granny Rita, sweetheart. It has been many years. I'm sure you have a lot to ask. Welcome to Uncanny's birthplace."
Grandma took us inside the house where we were greeted {as per tradition} by Amandla, and an older man, whom I learned was my grandfather. I learned so much in such a short period. For starters, Granny Rita was from the Tsonga tribe. The Tsonga people flaunted their culture and tradition and showcased it in bold colors. Their attire, music, and love for colors, were represented by Sho Madjozi, an artist that gave recognition to the Tsonga people. Granddad fell in love with her while he was out buying farmsteads. They married and had Uncanny, then the late Nana, and last Amandla. I got to learn that Uncanny's name 'Bonang', was supposed to be 'Vo-na-ni' {read as Voh-Nah-Nih} which means 'to look or to see', according to the Tsonga people. Grandpa had issues with pronouncing it; hence they stuck with Bonang. It applied to grandma's name as well.
"My full name is Rilaveta, which means someone who loves their things in order, in my mother tongue. My ancestors had a tendency of giving names to their children that would gravely impact their lives, the names could mean tears, a bad situation, 'what kind of wife' to a girl child, and, consequently, their lives would turn out as sour as their names. Your grandfather could not pronounce it, so we all adapted to Rita. The M stands for my maiden name, which means raindrops when translated."
I loved listening to grandma Rita. She seemed like she had a lot to share about her tradition and culture, unlike, Uncanny. Grandma Rita was open-minded and ready to teach. Unfortunately, her teachings had to be cut short.
"Mr. and Mrs. Valley, thank you for welcoming us into your home," dad spoke up.
"We are just glad our daughter is home," granddad replied with a smile.
"Also, I would like to make an honest woman of your daughter. The mother of my child," Daddy continued. Grandma choked on her food. Grandma's eyes landed on Uncanny, who refused to meet hers. I found it odd. A day hadn't passed, already Daddy was making a fool of himself.
"As long as it's what she wants, you have our blessing. Right, Rita?" grandpa addressed.
Granny Rita wasn't paying attention; her eyes were still glued on Uncanny, "Yes, darling," she was tense.
After dinner, we all went to our rooms. Granny Rita and Uncanny remained downstairs, I wanted to eavesdrop on them, but daddy caught me before I could even do it. He already knew what I had intended to do. Uncanny was hiding something that grandma Rita knew. Uncanny was sus, and I wanted to get to the bottom of it.
