Maid For Marriage

14

"Wake up, Mrs Dlamini." My aunt teased. The party went on into the morning hours, and it would probably carry on today, too. "Are the people still here?" I asked, refusing to open my eyes. "Yes, they are." I just groaned. "You need to stop having babies." She gasped dramatically. "Rude. Come on. Get up. I don't want to eat alone with these old ladies." I forced myself up and went with her.

"Here you are. We made a big pot of soup for all the hungover people, but I can make you some real breakfast if you want." Her mother-in-law was really being extra nice this time. It wasn't weird, but I wouldn't usually get spoilt like this. "No, it's fine, ma. We'll eat soup. It smells delicious." And it was. I even had a second bowl.

"So... Thandi... Are you single? You know I have another son, right?" I choked in my soup. I just heard my aunt chuckle. "Are you okay?" I just nodded. "Anyway, he's a bit older than you, but the two of you would make a great couple." Thabo rolled his eyes at his mother. "Ma, Thabang has a boyfriend. He is gay. Get over it." What? Was this maybe why she's been so nice? She wanted me to marry her openly gay son? Some mothers were actually the worst. The festivities continued, and I spent most of the day by my aunt's side.

"Thandi! Will you please go buy more juice!" I got up and started walking to the small shop around the corner. "Where are you going?" Senzo was coming out of their gate when I passed the house. "I'm just getting more juice. Want to walk with me?" He didn't hesitate to join me. He wanted to hold my hand, but I pulled away.

"I don't want people to see. They might tell my dad and I would have to go through a virginity test again. Let's just walk." I didn't mean to sound so mean, but that's just how it came out. "Oh, he makes you do that often?" I didn't want to answer, but I opened the can of worms, so now I had to talk about it. "Yes, I go do one at the clinic every month, and when he hears something, he'll make me go to the village, or he'll come here to have those old ladies test me."

"I'm sorry you have to go through that. I would hug you, but now that I know, I'll respect your wishes. Raincheck on the hug? I still want it." I just laughed and shook my head. "A smile. Finally." We went and bought the juice, and he walked me back home. Nobody was in the front of the yard, so we went to go sit there.

"The builders are coming this week. Our plans have been approved, and hopefully, they will start." I was really excited. His parents deserved to be comfortable. "How long is it going to take?" He just sighed. "Long. Six months, but they're going to try and cut it down to four. I hope it doesn't cause too much discomfort for my parents." That was a long time, but they needed it.

I looked to the gate and saw the Thabo's first wife come in with two girls. They had gifts in their hands. "Oh no." She walked straight up to us. "Hi, where can I find Nthombi?" I cleared my throat awkwardly. "I'll take you to her." I went in the house and found Ma sitting with the ladies. All of them looked just as surprised as I was.

"Hello, Nthombi, we came to give you and the baby gifts, and I was hoping the girls could meet their brothers." I haven't seen a lot of her, but by what I've seen, it seems like Thabo was lying. They met the boys and we're instant friends. And Sethu sat with the other ladies the rest of the day.

The building was moving along swiftly, and Ma and Thabo were finally planning their wedding. I was a bridesmaid and I was totally in love with my dress.

Senzo and I were inseparable, and even though my aunt knew we were seeing each other, his family grew more suspicious every day. It was my day off, and Senzo visited me. We were in the kitchen eating and choosing furniture.

"Hi, you two." My aunt walked in with the boys. They were coming from church. "Hey." We replied. "I'm not going to be here for lunch. You can either make something or buy something. I'll leave you some money." I looked at her suspiciously. "Where are you going?" She sighed heavily. "Lunch at my sister wife's house. I shouldn't be complaining because things could've been worse, but she's just awkward.  Almost like she's scared of me and I'm scared of her and now we don't know what to do."

She got changed, and they were out the door. "Seems like we've got the house to ourselves." He said, kissing my neck. I just rolled my eyes. "Are we ordering these couches or not?" He just kissed me, and I didn't hesitate to kiss back.

"What is going on here?" We jumped apart when we heard his mother's voice. "Thandi?" I just looked down. "Senzo? One of you is going to have to speak!" Never before have I heard her shout like this. "Senzo, you're old enough to be her father! I raised you better than this!" He sighed. "Ma, listen..."
"No! I will not! Thandi is like my own daughter! You hired her to work for you! You're her boss! There aren't any more lines for you to cross!" She stormed out. I didn't think she'd react like this. I thought she'd be happy.

"What do we do now?" I asked softly. I was scared she was going to tell his wife or her church friends, and then the whole neighborhood would know. "Let me go speak to her." It wasn't long until I heard screaming. When I left the house, I saw them carrying Bab'Dlamini to the car. Ma was hysterical. "What happened?" I asked because I thought maybe I caused this.

"We came back, and he had trouble breathing. We're going to the hospital. I'll keep you updated." They got in the car and sped off.

I didn't know what to do with myself.

It seemed like he was getting better these past few days. What was happening?