Chapter 14
Day 1295
Who would have thought? 3 and half years later I would be at my lobola negotiations? Who would have thought I would be Mrs Zuko Zonke after all the shit we went through in the beginning? Not me. Definitely not everyone else.
" Don't you know how much they paid?"
Ezile asked and my Aunt laughed, we were all hanging out while waiting for the uncles to finish up and go because everything was done. My negotiations were straightforward, my uncles didn't do anything weird and I know how much Zuko was paying. Hahaha they made him pay more because he never got around to paying for damages for Zenimdumise and because he was married when he made me pregnant.
Aunt" Are you all driving back today?"
Busi" The plan was to fly out but road trip sounds much better"
Aunt" 2 weeks from now uyatshata uAzange, you should all enjoy these moments because marriage does make things a little different. A small unnoticeable dynamic that no one ever speaks about"
Busi" I'd bully her"
We all laughed, my Aunt however was right because Zuko and I were trying for a second baby. We were literally the only parents in all our friendships groups.
Ezile" We need to stop at Tops and buy some champagne because why are we not popping bottles to celebrate today"
My Aunt gave me a look and I ignored it, Zuko and I are getting married, he's my husband not my Aunt and he knows my friends and I love having fun.
The rest of the day was great, my husband called me and told him his uncles were happy. And that he missed me, he was in Algeria for an assignment.
Me" Come home already"
Zuko" Returning Tuesday evening"
Me" I love you"
Zuko" I love you too babe"
Me" We are driving to PE, we just stopped at Tops for champagne"
Zuko" Hahaha drive safe, have fun, I need to go back"
Me" Zuko"
Zuko" What's wrong?"
Me" Nothing. Bye"
Zuko" Azange, I thought we don't do that"
Me" I am just scared that you will not return in time. You've been there for a month and it was supposed to be a week, we are getting married in 2 weeks"
Zuko" I won't disappoint you"
Me" Okay"
#
WEDDING PART 1: Traditional White wedding
"Is Zuko here?"
I asked my Aunt because like I predicted he stayed longer because things kept on getting worse that side and he had to cover everything.
Busi" Yea, he landed in O.R Tambo and he's on a flight to here"
Me" I am annoyed"
Ezile" He is here, he will land soon and he will be on time for your wedding. Focus on those things"
Busi" Focus on the fact that you are the hottest bride I have ever seen"
It took me months to find my wedding dress and when I actually did, I knew right away I wanted to take it home with me immediately.
My wedding dress was vintage turmpet lace dress with a long train. I did my hair in sloppy curls then she tied it all together in a clip to make it look messy with small white flowers.
"It's time"
I looked at Busi again and she nodded, she was my maiden of honor and on the Zuko watch.
Ezile" You look perfect"
Kungawo" Now calm down because if you fall while I am walking you down that aisle then we will have a problem"
Me" Why would you say that?"
Kungawo" We were all thinking it"
Busi" Literally no one thought of that"
Ezile" Hahaha I did"
Busi" Dumb and dumber"
We stood outside until the wedding planner came to get us again. Busi and Ezile left. Then I stood at the door. I heard my song start.
I will be walking down the aisle with Berita's Nguwe Wedwa.
"You look breathtaking"
Kungawo said and the doors opened. I looked around and I started sobbing. My parents were both not here to see this. It actually dawned on me that my little sister was walking me down the aisle and not my father.
"Stop"
I said to Kungawo because I was really crying and I felt like I was going to faint.
Me" They not here"
I looked at her and cried again
Kungawo" They are watching you and I know they are proud of who you've become. You are doing well Azange, you did it and I know they are proud. I am proud of you too"
I looked at Zuko and I just nodded, Zuko walked towards us and gave me a hug.
Me" My parents are not here"
Zuko" Let's take a walk"
He touched Kungawo' shoulder and then ushered me outside. I took off the veil and I cried on his shoulder. I have never cried for my parents, like I had d moments when I would get emotional for a day then I had to move on because my life was always on the go. Same thing for my mother, I couldn't let that get to me because so much was happening when she passed away. Yet today it dawned on me that I am basically an orphan and I miss them so much.
Me" I am sorry"
Zuko" What's wrong?"
I wiped my tears and bit my bottom lip because saying it out loud will make it all real again.
Me" I just wish my parents were here"
Zuko" Want us to cancel this and go home? I can get Kungawo and Zenimdumise"
" I mean I can do that, if you are not up to going through with this"
Me" Give me a minute"
Zuko" We can sit here for as long as you need"
Me" I am sorry"
Zuko" You love me right?"
Me" Yes, I love you"
Zuko" And I love you. Stop apologizing"
We both sat in silence, he squeezed my knee and I looked at him and he smiled.
Me" Let's go back"
" I am ready"
Zuko" Okay"
#
" Friends and Family of the BRIDE and GROOM, welcome and thank you for being here on this important day. We are gathered together to celebrate the very special love between BRIDE and GROOM, by joining them in marriage. All of us need and desire to love and to be loved. And the highest form of love between two people is within a monogamous, committed relationship. BRIDE and GROOM, your marriage today is the public and legal joining of your souls that have already been united as one in your hearts"
I looked at Zuko and smiled, I looked over at where my parents were supposed to be seated and the seats were empty it white roses placed on them.
"However, this day is not about the words spoken or the rings exchanged, nor is it about grand pronouncements and recessional marches. This day, the day of BRIDE and GROOM's wedding is about love. One of my favorite authors once wrote "If love is not all, then it is nothing: this principle, and its opposite, collide down all the years of my breathless tale."
Our Pastor was just getting Zuko and I emotional, maybe the guilt of how our union started.
"Zuko and Azange, your breathless tale is about to begin. If love is not all, then it is nothing. Its opposite If love is all, then it is everything is going to be the basis for every aspect of your relationship. All you have to do is simply love one another and that love shows through in everything you do for one another, how you treat each other, in good times and bad. Love isn't just a word; it's an action.
Love isn't something you say, it's something you do. Love is genuine, honest, and open, compassionate and kind, passionate and blind, love doesn't know space or time, nor look through jealous eyes, and in the modified words of Paul in his letter to the Corinthians "Love bears all things, believes all things, hopes all things, and endures all things.
Love never dies." There are many different kinds of love, almost if not all of which are represented here today
" They've already displayed the acts I just spoke about, I am sure we all know these two bring out the best out of each other"
#
Initially we had agreed that Zuko would go first with his vows but today I somehow got to speak first;
" I remember the first time you spoke to me, you were telling me that my friends shouldn't play music so loud when they come to fetch me and I laughed because I thought you were joking. I think you were so annoyed by that because you never spoke to me again until you asked me to run away with you, I used to always worry that I never know what comes next with you, I used to worry that I am just a phase or a symptom of your rebellious phase before everything fell apart. I was wrong, because you took every worry and every doubt and turned it back to wherever it came from. You made loving me your priority, you made me your family, your friend and your nurse. I used to think that if I laugh when you speak to me it would get you annoyed; I didn't know that my laughter is what actually made you fall in love with me, I never knew that's why you make sure I am always smiling because your favorite thing about me is how beautiful I am when you make me smile or laugh. I understand why I could never get bored when I am with you, Every moment is enchanting. So here today, in front of our friends and family, I vow; To love you, to cherish you, to honor you and be your best friend. I vow to be your strength and happiness, to make each and everyday together amazing. To make sure that you look forward to coming home, I love you and each day I vow to love you more than I did yesterday. Nothing will divide us because I know that you will never eat my ice cream hahahaha I am yours and you can have it all, this doesn't include my junk food. I never knew that life could be a dream until I met you, I am looking forward to building with you. Take my heart and love me forever, and I vow to never leave you. I love you"
He cleared his throat then had a smirk on his face and I knew that meant later I would have the best sex ever.
Zuko" Our love was not easy, I know it's all my fault. I want to thank you for everything, before I vow to do anything else. I want to thank you for being you, your strength and grace. I want to thank you for never wavering and always standing your ground. Your grace and fighting spirit. I want to thank you for stepping up and taking care of everything. You took a bad situation and didn't let it break you. For that alone, I will spend forever trying to show you how grateful I am. I just want to make this promise, you are the person I want to spend my forever with and make 10 babies with hahaha. I have spent my whole life looking for something I didn't know and I found it in you the day I saw you laugh. I promise to take every doubt away, to express my love for you as often as I breathe each breath. Without you my life has no meaning, I vow to always cherish you so that I will never lose you. I love you Azange, to promise to love you in sickness and in health, in good and in bad is the easiest promise I've ever made, because vowing to love you was something I decided when I first met you."
I am now Azange Zonke.
