THANDI
I'm out of the house before anyone else gets up. I don't want to find myself here and I don't want to speak to Gundo because I feel like there's nothing more to say. Today officially marks the day our lives change and although he'd like to downplay it or be in denial about the effect this will have on us, I just know things won't be the same again
When I step outside our bedroom it's still very quiet, the others are still sleeping too so I quickly make my way downstairs
"Early shift?" A voice stops me on my tracks and I turn to find that it's Given
I clear my throat and cling to my handbag "Yes, I have to be in early. I thought you'd still be sleeping"
"I had some things to take care of" he says and I nod
"Well, I'll be off then" I turn to leave
"Thandi" He says stopping me
"Yes?"
"Are you okay?" He asks with a concerned tone and it takes me by surprise
"You're asking if I'm okay?"
"Yes"
"Why would you care Given?" I ask and this time he's the suprised one "You never wanted me here, and now it makes sense. You pretended I don't exist because you knew there was a woman you prefer for your brother and today he's marrying her. There's no need to act concerned about me, you should be celebrating that she finally comes to live with us "
" Thandi, that's not the reason why I've been distant. I just knew that this was going to hurt you in the end and I warned Gundo about it but he was adamant to have you by his side"
"Something you don't approve of, right?"
"Not because I think any less of you... You're a great woman, you're smart and beautiful, very beautiful but Gundo made a deal with Jerome. A deal that ropes in the rest of us, I just didn't want there to be any problems, not that I have a problem with you... I've liked you since the day I saw you Thandiwe "He says and there's this look in his eyes but he quickly masks it" I'm sorry for ever making you feel like I hate you or anything like that... If anything, my feelings towards you are far from hate "He says then turns to leave, leaving me confused
I shake it off and make my way outside where my driver is already afyer I texted him that we'd be leaving early and he drives me to work. Leaving behind a husband who will have a second wife by the time I knock off work
EMMÉ
"This is it, this is the rest of your life baby girl and you're entering it with style" Aunt Julie muses over my wedding gown
I can't believe this is really happening and I'm beyond nervous. I haven't been able to stomach anything since yesterday afternoon and although I only snacked on sugary stuff I don't feel hungry at all
Today is the day I become Mrs. Netshia, the second Mrs. Netshia of course... I'm nervous about spending my first night in my new household. I've been in my father's house since forever and now that it's time for me to move I can't stop nyself from getting emotional
This is worse than when ny aunt moved out to go stay with her husband after they got married. It hits deeper because I won't be seeing my daddy everyday, I'll be stuck in a house with a loveless marriage and a sister wife who hates me and does very little to hide it
I wish she could understand that it was never my intention to meddle in her marriage and if Gundo had stayed true to his word then she wouldn't be in this position. But the heart wants what it wants and his wanted her, just as mine wants Melo... Melokuhle, it's crazy how he's turned out to be Thandi's brother, like are we meant to always be in each others paths as a painful reminder of what could have been-
