FORCED TO MARRY AND I CHOSE YOU

22

"Woza sisi they are ready for you" says Khethiwe opening the back seat door for me to get out with the help of my aunt...no its not Zinhle's mother. We are outside Hlanganani's home. My family is already standing outside the gate making noise,its almost like I brought the entire Kwa-Zulu Natal with me. I was left with Khethiwe in the car but now my presence is required. "Cover yourself" aunty reminds me placing a heavy blanket over my head. I groan out in frustration...Limpopo is bloody HOT, its blazing hot out here and I'm forced to cover myself with this heavy ass blanket.

While my brides maid,Khethiwe,Hope noZinhle are dressed in beautiful royal blue nceka printed dresses in other words in beautiful royal blue Xitsonga traditional dresses. Im wearing my Zulu traditional attire. My outfit consists of a white pleated skirt which has a trace of gold sewings on,a white vest,white and gold beaded waist belt,a matching white and gold beaded necklace which is long and wide as it reaches my breast area. To finish off the dazzling look,I'm wearing a white and gold Zulu headband,with white All Star ankle length shoes and in my right hand I have a white and gold African beaded baton.

I'm cautiously led by both my aunt and best friend to the front of all the commotion. My family is handing over gifts to the Baloyi's. I'm sat down on a grass mat,I can't see anything besides my feet. I try to focus on what's being said and what's happening kodwa haii ngiyahluleka shame. They are celebrating our union meanwhile I'm suffocating under this blanket. The noise is soon drained out,my blanket is gently thrown off me and I look around. Oh oh he wasn't supposed to do that was he?

Staring into my eyes with a panty dropping smile is my lovely husband and he has a baby in his arms. A baby? "Hi" he breathes out and before I can answer,he stands up straight making sure to carefully secure the angel in his arms and walks off. He goes back to where he was standing before I'm assuming next to his family,actually in front. Now everyone is looking at him, some in bewilderment,some look blank, others amused and some are just angry. It all then hits me that as our elders were still busy,man walked over to me without being told so and took off the blanket which he wasn't supposed to do.

On his behalf I look down in shame. "Forgive me but by the time y'all would be done there my wife would have melted." Wow that's his excuse. I try to stifle my giggle,I'm giggling like a school girl. No Hlanganani is rebellious. "Boy you don't see us neh?" Asks a male voice,an elderly man's voice. "What do you think we are doing here?" Now this second voice sounds pissed. "Its hot" he says,I lift up my eyes to look at him and he doesn't look bothered. I will say it again,man is a rebel. Laughter soon follows and they proceed well at least some people get the joke. AGAIN I zone out.

Now they are done,my husband has to welcome me. I hear his footsteps approaching,when he gets to me he goes down on one knee. He first places a hand on my cheek,then slowly he traces his index finger down my jaw all the way under my chin. He's doing all of this on purpose,ain't no way he's being this slow to charm me. He wants to tick everybody off and can I just say that its working...I'm hearing mumbles and groans of annoyance.

"Avuxeni nkatanga(good afternoon my wife)" he says when our eyes meet. We are both smiling like kids in a candy store "ahee nuna wa mina (afternoon my husband). He gently pulls me to my feet and as he does so,his eyes haven't left mine. Njani ndinga blushi!? Whuu wethu.

Bro I'm still blushing I didn't even hear them start with the ululations,or even notice that we have started walking and my nation is accompanying us with a song. "You are such a rebellious child" I speak into his ear as we walk hand in hand. "You are only noticing that now? Why do you think my dad hates me so much?" He jokes but he's also serious.

He was coming along just fine until it got to the My dad part. I won't comment on this...his beef with his dad is something which I'd rather not involve myself in. "You are welcome by the way" he grins. "Thank you baby" I thoughtfully say because he saved me from possibly reaching my melting point. "Is she yours?" I ask him about the little bundle of joy in this arms. What? He's a man and anything is possible with this gender!