NOMZAMO

chapter 15

At the Buthelezi household

Siyanda:I tried giving someone a job to look for Nomzamo's family so that we can send a delegation to her family asking for her hand in marriage.The information that I have mentions that her mother and father died during the course of the year.The people that she has are the one family that are based in Alberton and they from her mother's side and what is weird is why didn't they take her in to live with them could it be that the problem was the husband anyway that is none of my business.
Nombuso:So when are you sending the letter to her family are you even sure about all of this.
Siyanda:Yes very much.If I do not do this Mzwandile won't get married at all he'll die a lonely bachelor.So he needs this push from his father who knows this girl might put him to place. He's got an ego for days.
Nombuso:If you say so you'll tell me then so that we can prepare for everything. Make sure the letter is typed and printed out.Do not forget to inform the family members so that we plan everything accordingly and no family members are excluded.
Mzwandile:Good morning mom and dad.How are you all this morning?
Nombuso:(smitten)someone seems to be in a good mood
Mzwandile:Can't your son be happy for a moment.
Siyanda:Your mom didn't mean it like.I have news for you ,you now have a potential wife.As your father I saw it fit that it's time for you to get married you are not getting any younger.The letter had been sent already to the girl's family to ask for her hand in marriage. We are just waiting for their response to give us a go-ahead to go and pay the bride price for the girl.
Mzwandile:I told you that I would never get married my hearts fave was Nomagugu and anyone who comes after that I have no room to nurse their heart.
Siyanda:Son you have to let Nomagugu go if not you'll forever be lost in that world of misery alone imagine wasting that handsomeness for what for just a memory.
Mzwandile:I don't think you understand couldn't you put yourself im my shoes and imagined how I felt. I have no control over my emotions sometimes it's feelings of accepting and sometimes it's feelings of regret.Asking myself what if I had loved her differently the only difference between you and me is that your love is still standing next to you and mine is laying six feet under. (Sobs).I have no time for this and I need some time alone.

Narrator
Do you think that Mzwandile's reaction is allowed at this point or he's just being childish over the matter mind you his father doesn't care whether it hurts him or anything.On the other hand Siyanda (the father of Mzwandile) is just looking out for his own son and future daughter to be He thinks that if he gets this girl married to his son then Angela won't claw her way into Nomzamo's life.To sum it all up Siyanda is looking out for Nomzamo.

***

Nomzamo just got discharged from hospital. She is being fetched by the parents of Mzwandile who disappeared from the day he stormed out of the house angry at his father for the decision he made regarding his life.
Nomzamo:Greetings Ma and Baba ,my name is Nomzamo.
Nombuso:Hello to you Nomzamo. The last time I saw you it was not the nicest scene at all but now you look beautiful and strong as an ox.My husband has something to tell you but we will have a chat once we get home
Siyanda:You look so much better today it's so good to finally meet you again dear let's go to the car there is a lot that we have to do.
(They arrived at home and sat at the dining table to discuss the matter at hand)

Siyanda:Nomzamo dear I went and dug about your family background.What I found is that you have an aunt(Nozithelo Mchunu) who lives with her husband and your two cousins.She resides in Alberton so I have prepared a car for you to go and stay there she has been waiting for you since long and I think it's time now you go to her.
Nomzamo:So she's still alive mom told me that she died in a car accident.Surely she has all the answers I need may be she might shed some light into my life.I thank you for your generosity had you not appeared on time on that I might've suffocated myself to death to run away from the pain thank you so much.
Nombuso:We are grateful to have helped you dear.Take care of youself.

(Soon Nomzamo is yet to discover some disturbing news about her background.She gets in the car and waves at Nombuso and Siyanda)

Nomzamo's Pov
All these years she's been alive and she didn't bother to visit my mother or even I to make sure that were okay.I stand in front of this huge house uAuntie must have outdone herself surely.I walk towards the door and ring the door bella few times.The door opens after that I'm met by my aunt.The awkwardness between the two of us makes the eye contact impossible she then grabs me roughly for a hug then I also give in.She invites me in her house
Nozithelo:Look at how grown you are my child. I heard what happened your mom died and also your dad.I am sorry I could not make it for the funeral.
Nomzamo:After all these years couldn't you pick up your phone and simply dial your sisters number to check up on her. After she left me to fend for myself I felt so alone and lost.Like I didn't belong on this Earth I tried taking my life a couple times but I failed.Ended up as a maid or whatever you call it my body was turned into a whip tester.I was whipped for making the smallest mistakes hated because of the color of my skin.Why!!!!!!!
Nozithelo:(she talks in anger) I had to stay away ,there was no choice you were going to be killed by your grandmother because you were born out of wedlock. The person you were living with for so many years was not your mother I am your mother. Your father and I we had to make the toughest decisions so this meant that we either let your grandmother kill you or you are taken in by my late sister. Do you know how hard it was for me and your father to maintain our distance from you.I missed your first baby steps and that one word I longed for to hear you say it for the first time "mama".Your father, my husband, couldn't cope without you he had to live with this guilt of thinking that had he done right by me meaning if he married me first and consummated afterwards maybe all of this wouldn't be as it seems.
Nomzamo:Where is he?Do you have any idea how this decision of yours did to my life. I'll break it down for you.I am 21 years of age to be honest I have no matric attached on my name. My peers are surely on their last years in varsity while I,Nomzamo,is still trying yo figure out her life. How are you going to make up for all the time lost after 21 years huh "mom".You are so selfish, yes you and your husband.Show me where I'll be sleeping I need some time alone to digest this whole issue.
Nozithelo:follow me ,this is where you'll be sleeping this room was ket here specifically by your father.It is also clean. I am so sorry Nomzamo
Nomzamo:Get out ,I don't want to see your face.(cries and pushes her out of the room)