The Arrangement

I do?

Crystal

I woke up from a horrible nightmare.

"Heyii! Intoni inxaki (what's wrong)" Milicent asked

"I had a horrible dream. Umama lied to me and tricked me athi utata is severely sick and I need to come home, which I did only to find out that I'm getting married and the lobola negotiations are happening in 3/2 days from now- wait!" I turned to her mid rant

"Ufike njani apha Milicent and where are Ava and Belle?" I asked confused

"Sisi, firstly, I have no idea who Ava and Belle are and secondly, it wasn't a dream, it happened and inxoxo zamalobola ziyenzeka namhlanje (the discussion with regards to the bride-price are happening today) and we are at Greenale gardens estate, your home. In your bedroom"

"Oh" was all I could say..."Ohhh" realization began to set in..."Ohh! Ohh! Oh no! No! No! No! No!" I felt hot, I couldn't breathe as I panicked.

"Calm down. I thought you got over this" Milicent said calmly

"How does one 'get over' such! I'm getting married to my highschool heartbreak!" I nearly shouted.

I fell out if my bed trying to get off of it.

"Are you okay?" She shouted

"Yeah" I groaned out, trying to breath and let the oxygen that escaped my lungs return. We sat in quiet, just breathing. After a while I spoke up "Wenza ntoni (what are you doing)?" I asked when I heard a shuffle on the bed. Milicent looked down at me. "I think we should get ready sis"

Chini bethuna

"Let's just admire the beautiful sunlight for a while" I said.

"Okay" she said and turned to lie on the bed. "Did you ever think that you'd get married like this? I-i mean to the love of your life...or used to be love of your life?"

"No...i-i, I never thought I'd get married after what happened in grade12. I just...I couldn't see myself in a relationship or anything afterwards." I answered thoughtfully. "Why?" I asked.

"I mean your taking this so easily...like it doesn't, you know, affect you at all-"

"Truthfully."

"Mmm"

"I'm scared shitless. Im going to see my not official ex boyfriend after 8 years. What would you do in my shoes Mil?"

"I don't know cuz. But you brave, that's for sure."

Just as I was prepared to reply. Mama burst in "Hewethu! You girls are still in bed! Vukani marn rhaa!!"

I don't know about Milicent but I'm not in bed.

"Chini mama, there's no need to be so loud. Sivukile njele. (We are awake)" I said looking up from the ground.

"Sundiqhela Mbaliyothando. Khawlezani mantombazane, the Xhakaza family is on their way. (Don't test me Mbaliyothando. Hurry up girls)" she said

I got up. And felt my head pound. "Intoni?"

"My head mama, it hurts"

"Haai marn Crystal. This is no time for games." She said

" I'm not playing mama." I whined.

"Get up. When I get back in here,  you better have bathed. Nobabili( the both of you)" she said banging the door behind her when she shut it.

"Yhoo *sigh* umakazi bethuna" Milicent clapped her hands in disbelief.

We eventually got up, "I'll go shower quickly" Milicent said running toward the ensuite bathroom. This child always ran away from making the bed, I never understood why but I had hoped and thought that shed outgrow it but clearly, I thought wrong.