AYANDA: Another Chance At Love

Chapter 33

*3 months later*
My sister walks into my room as I put final touches to my look. My princess looks so cute in her white tutu dress, she sure is ready for today. I didn't want to opt for your typical white dress, I'm in a rose gold A-line sweetheart neck dress, with silver block heel strappy sandals and a long afro ponytail.

"are you ready?" Thembi and thando have been asking me this question eversince we got to this resort and honestly it's Tiring. "yes, for the 100th time I'm ready" she fixes my dress while Thando carries my baby.

Thando is one of the bridesmaids, she's in a long body hugging open back red dress, the theme is red and black. I can already imagine how he will be looking in a full black tux, well it's not like I'll be seeing him all dressed up for the very first time but today is different.

We walk out and it seems the DJ has already set up his sound system because we are walking towards the main chapel while singing along to Ndikuthandile by Vusi Nova. I must say this feels so surreal, I don't know I'm flushed with a lot of mixed emotions but I'm brought back to reality as soon as someone pokes my shoulder indicating to me that I can take my seat.

The chapel is beautifully decorated with white and red synthetic flowers, I would've preferred fresh flowers though, everything is set up and the whole family is taking their seats.

I see Muzi in front standing behind his brother as one of the groomsman. Yes, Nathi is getting married today, to his beautiful 3 months pregnant wife. She sure will look beautiful in her body hugging dress showing off her cute tiny belly.

I won't lie, my heart ached when I recieved that digital invite, I was surprised as to why so sudden? Why is he in such a rush to marry this woman who is nothing compared to me, clearly I was never his type to begin with, I was just an easy access.

I purposefully wore a dress that is far from the theme of the day because as petty as it may sound, I've always imagined myself getting married to nathi in a rose gold themed wedding so this, this here was supposed to be my day.

The DJ plays dream about you by Loyiso and we are summoned to stand for the bride. She walks in and already she's in tears, under different circumstances I'd find this heartwarming but I feel like this is all just an act.

I don't understand this sudden hate I have towards her, maybe because she took the one man that I thought I actually fell in love with, what was supposed to be my happy ending was stolen right under my nose by her. She is wearing a beautiful silk like body hugging off shoulder white dress that hugs her beautiful body including the belly very perfectly. She's walked down by a white man, I'm confused but honestly it's none of my business.

The matrimonial continues and they exchange vows, she had hers written down while Nathi spoke after the priest.

"i know pronounce you Mr and Mrs Mabaso, husband, you may kiss your bride" this is it, this right here is where my heart shuttered in to many tiny pieces, I don't think I'll ever recover from this.

You know the type of heartbreak where you feel actual chest pains? The type that makes you want to cough out your heart? That right there is how I am feeling right now, if only i could just stand up and walk out of this place, trust me I would, but I wouldn't want to draw any attention to myself so I hold it all in.

We walk out to the reception with people ulilating, others singing and some snapping pictures of the newly weds. If it was up to me I'd walk back to the room that they booked for me,yes they booked this whole resort for the wedding weekend, I got an exclusive invite from the bride herself because I'm the mother of Nathi's first child.

"MaGumede..." my mother in law calls out for me from a distance. I turn to check what she's saying but instead she just signals me to come closer, I walk over to her. "asambeni" she then takes my hand into hers and walks towards the beautiful garden where the newly weds are taking their formal wedding pictures.

"Hamba ke phambili, uNathi is Ntokozo's dad, she deserves to be a part of the wedding pictures" she says, I think she notices that I'm hesitant about this so she pulls my hand and makes me stand right next to Thando and the other bridesmaids.

"Aya I think you can give Ntokozo to Thando because, not to be rude but your dress is kind of ruining the pictures" well the lady of the day has spoken "no but babe she's..." before nathi even finishes his statement I excuse myself "it's okay Nathi, I'm sorry Amahle" I decide to walk to my room, they'll call me it they need me.

I walk in then go through my phone while sitting on this very comfy couch. I must say the venue is very beautiful, but the weather doesn't seem to be on our side. From my view the whole wedding was rushed but hey, I don't have a say in any of this, I'm just the doormat here.

It's been about an hour of just sitting her snacking on some of my baby's snacks when the door swings open and it's thando carrying wami followed by my sister who is carrying a covered plate which I assume has food in it. My baby is fast asleep, I put her down "thanks Tee" they both take a seat "here, I brought you something to eat" trust my sister to take the duty of deputy mother. I smile "I'm not really hungry though, but thanks sis"

We sit in silence and I know they have a lot to say but I'm in no mood for this, actually, I'm ready to drive back to my house now.

The plan was that everyone drives back tomorrow since the rest of the family and the new bride are driving down to KZN for the traditional ceremony happening next week but I'm done here. I don't think I'll make it to the wedding next week.

After eating some of the food that my sister brought for me I stand and start packing. "Hawu, and then?" Thembi asks while Tee is also looking at me in shock. "I'm leaving, it's late and I'm really not feeling too good, it must be something I ate when we for here yesterday" I lie. My sister notices this.

I pack everything and they help me with moving things to my car, Thembi stays with sleeping Wami while I go and say my goodbyes to my mother in law and the rest of the family.

She smiles as she see me walking into the reception venue. "Makoti..." she says, I smile "ma, bengithi ngikwazise ukuthi sengiyindlela" her face changes to more concerned. "ngabe konke kuhamba kahle?" she stands while taking my hand and leading me outside.

"yes ma, I'm just not feeling well, I think it's something I ate last night" she rubs my shoulder, "alright my baby, we'll see you next week?" I nodd and she smiles, pulling me into her embrace. When we break the hug someone clears their throat behind us. We both turn and it's Nathi.

"ma, I've been looking for you, is everything okay here?" he asks, she sighs and nodds, "Aya was just telling me that she isn't feeling well and so they're leaving" Nathi looks at his mom for a moment it's as if they're having a silent conversation. "let me go and check on your father, nihambe kahle koti" she hugs me briefly then walks off.

We stand there in complete silence. "Uhm, let me walk you to your car, I want to kiss the princess goodbye" we walk in silence, "beautiful venue..." I say, trying to break the silence, "it was all amahle's idea, I don't want to take credit for it" I chuckle lightly, "you look great" he says, I'm even shocked to hear this from him, I just smile. We get to the room and thando as well as my sister quickly excuse themselves.

"oh she's asleep, must be exhausted" he walks over to her and plants a kiss on her cheek and forehead. "yeah she's exhausted, she barely slept last night" he nodds then stands by the window looking out. It's a bit tense right now.

He walks over and stands in front of me "look Aya, I don't even know what to say for myself, I'm ashamed, I feel bad, under different circumstances, you know it would be you and I walking down that isle" I look up trying to suppress my tears.

He holds my hands and comes closer, my mind wants to risist this but my heart longs to be in his arms. He pulls me closer and next thing I know it, our lips find their way to each other.

I pull away as soon as it registers that this man is actually someone else's husband. I walk towards the bed, take my baby and walk out leaving him standing in the same position....