The Arrangement

To Eastern Cape?

After the call with uMakhulu, I stood there for like ten minutes; our conversation playing and replaying in my mind. This woman has never changed. "Baby?" I felt Siya shaking me.

"Hmm?"

"I'm going to go inform uMalume ngale phone call"

"Mmhmmm" I could barely hear a word he said. The sound of the door shutting broke me from the spell I had found myself cast in. I moved from the counter and proceeded to pour some oats in a small bowl. I added a bit of milk and warmed it for thirty seconds. I walked to Belle's bedroom and placed the bowl on the floor near the bed. I sat on the bed and pulled her upwards onto my lap.

I managed to get the bowl from the floor. Once I had her in a position that I was comfortable would not have her choking, I began feeding her. The fear of this oats not traveling down to her stomach was very prominent but I had to ensure that she stays fed. Once the bowl was empty, I held her on my lap and began rocking back and forth while patting her back. It took a while but she finally burped.

I placed her on her side on top of the bed and began packing her bag. Once that was finished, I wheeled her bag to the living room and the door opened, footsteps sounded and Siya walked in followed by the other two musketeers. I'm calling them musketeers because they are forever together. "Oh molweni" I greeted and shook their hands.

"Molo sisi. Uphi umtwana?" The tall, dark one with dreads tied in a bun asked.

"The second room to your left" he nodded and walked to the bedroom. I turned bewildered.

"Makoti?"

"Hmmm?" I answered focusing on the one who called me. "Solo bhuti." I realised my 'mistake' when he gave me a look

"Ngizwa kuthiwa uyabizwa? (I just heard that you are being summoned)"

"Ewe bhuti"

"Manje njengoba sakhipha amalobola, sithini makunje? (What are we to say now seeing as how we have already paid your bridal price?)"

"Enyanisweni bhuti, andazi nam. (Honestly, I have no idea)"

What else could I have said?

"Mmm. Okay" All the while, Siyabonga was just standing there. Like wtf?

We eventually left for the main house, Belle was carried by Mlungisi, who I just learned is MakaZamah's husband. The very same person who asked me where Belle is. We walked in silence, all I held was Belle's small bag because the musketeers refused on me holding a suitcase. We entered the loud main house and walked through a passage I hadn't noticed before. We arrived I front of a wooden brown door and Siya knocked.

"Come in" he opened and they let me walk in first; inside, I found uMalume no Malumekazi, MakaZamah and Siyaxola. I greeted and stood in the middle of the room. Feeling ever so lost. "Please, sit Makoti"

"Enkosi." I sat on the black sofa besides the door. I found it to be closest to me. We all sat and the room was silent.

"So. Makoti. What is going on?"

"Well Malume, my grandmother called and asked for me to go home, she said that my bridal price has not been paid and I am not welcomed or allowed to stay here."

"Kanjani ngane yami (how child?)?" He asked

"I'm not sure malume."

"Baba. We need to fix this at once" Mlungisi said, cradling Belle in his arms.

"Ngiyazi ndodana (I know son)"

"Question is: How will we fix this" Bhut'Xola asked with his hands on his knees