AYANDA: Another Chance At Love

Chapter 53

*the day of the burial*
It's 8am, I'm standing in front of my bedroom mirror trying to figure out a way to hide my red puffy eyes. The disadvantages of being light skinned...
I chuckle at the thought of how my dad would always notice that I was crying just by looking at my cheeks and my eyes. I can't believe I'm paying my final good byes to the first man I've ever loved, my dad.

He was brought in yesterday and I didn't want to be part of the viewing, my mum really broke my heart when she released a loud cry as they viewed my dad's lifeless body, how could dad just leave us like that? No warning, nothing at all.

"I'll be by your side every step of the way, I love you" a text message pops up on my phone, it's from Nathi, he has been so supportive. I remember how thrilled he was after his long conversation with my dad when my dad gave us his blessings. I'm just glad that I'm with a man that my dad approves even after the odd manner in which him and I ended up together.

Unalo, my cousin walks in, "it's time for us to settle in the tent, your mum asked that I call you for the final viewing" I nod, she walks out.

*Nathi's POV*
Ayanda hasnt been taking her dad's passing well, she's not in a good state but she's trying so hard to maintain a strong front. It saddens me that all of this happened while I was just about to tell her the good news that my divorce has been finalized. It's been a bumpy couple of months for me, but not once did this woman ever leave my side, she took me in at my lowest and never made me feel less of a man and for that I'll make sure I do right by her.

I made a promise to her dad which I intend to keep no matter what anyone else thinks. I've just arrived at her home and the service seems to not yet have started so I walk to the main house. I find her cousin who has been eyeing me in a very uncomfortable manner since she first laid eyes on me. "sawubona ntokazi, ngicela umama kaOwami" she smiles "she's in the main bedroom" she's actually drooling over me, I'm so disgusted.

I walk in and find that they are currently viewing the body. Aya is standing on the far end of the room and she doesn't look okay, I know I shouldn't be doing this but she needs me, i walk in towards her and as soon as I hold her in my arms she breaks down and let's out a loud heartbreaking sobb, this shutters me, i can't stand seeing her in this state. She cries for sometime until the casket is taken to the out to the tent, I hush her then assist her to drink water.

Owami is with Thembi. We walk out to the tent and I sit next to her, she's holding on to my hand so tight, it breaks my heart because she probably thinks I'll leave her again, but I've learned from my mistakes, she deserves nothing my love, I'll make sure that I protect her heart at all costs.

*Ayanda's POV*
Seeing my dad's lifeless body in that coffin really broke me, I've lost so much but I have never thought that I'd have to count my dad as one of the people I've lost, I'm sitting here listening to everyone talk about the kind of man he was, everyone is taking about him in past tense, clearly he's never coming back.

After the whole ceremony we head off to the cemetery. I don't really hear much of what the pastor is saying, until it's time for my dad, my hero and the first love of my life has to get lowered down into the ground, I'll never see him again, I'll never get to hear him call me uAya ka baba, he's gone, the pain is just too much, Nathi is holding on to me tightly but I feel suffocated, I can't breathe, the world feels like it is closing in, Nathi quickly hands me a bottle of water.

Everything is finally done, we are now driving back home, I'm driving with Nathi and Thando also came through with the rest of the Mabaso family. We arrive home, thando leaves the car and I'm left with Nathi. "I have something to tell you" I look at him, "the divorce has been finalized, I'm all yours, and I promise you, I'm not going anywhere, I'll be here for you and our kids forever" I have mixed emotions, what if he leaves again.

"i made a promise to your dad, I won't leave you please trust me" I kisses the back of my hand then we walk in to get some food. I dish up for the both of us then we go and sit in his car with owami, she's basically eating off his plate, "Awusho ke Mntungwa, when are you bringing back my car?" it's been almost 2 weeks now, "ufuna ukuya kuphi?" he asks, paying no attention to me, "Haiibo?" I look at him in disbelief, "yes, wena ngitshele ngizokuyisa khona lapho ngiphinde ngikulinde" this man better be kidding me. "ngicela ubuyise imoto yam Nkosinathi" he chuckles, "are you trying to intimidate me?"

I smile, this man truly has my heart. He stayed for the whole afternoon and right through to the after tears, he sponsored most of the drinks even though I decided not to drink, my cousins and sisters were delighted...