Easier

Letter?

It's the last week in February and I have been asking Lerumo what he wants for his birthday which is on the 30th of March, he keeps saying he wants to wake up to me being his wife. I planned a week-long trip in the Mpumalanga; I booked a house for us to stay in because he gets fussy. About hotel food. The Ngwalane's and the Magagula's have been fighting over Lesedi.
Mrs Mags called me to say that the Ngwalane's have had 3 years in Lesedi's life, and they also need their chance, Mrs Ngwalane called my mother to says that Lesedi is still their child even if I move on, this was after they extended her visit causing the Magagula's to go on a weekend away with the rest of the grandchildren without Lesedi. So now I asked my the Magagula's to babysit.
I love the love she is getting; it makes me happy that the Magagula's see her as one of their own. I am driving to my parents' house, Lesedi is with Lerumo on their daddy and me lunch date or whatever it is they are up to. My Father summoned me home, I don't remember doing anything wrong, so I am going home blindly. I called Kea trying to fish and she couldn't help me. I park behind the Ngwalane car.
I hope everything is fine. I greet Entle in the garden, she asks about Lesedi then she runs off. My mother is in the kitchen, she gives me a hug. We walk together to the lounge, and I greet the Ngwalane's and my father. I take a seat next to Mrs Ngwalane. Karabo brings us tea and scones, I am told to sit down when I try to leave the room. "Fifi." My father calls.
"Daddy."
"Your parents here received a letter from the Magagula's." Father.
"A letter for what?" I ask with a frown.
"To ask for your hand in marriage, your Father thought that the negotiations should be handled by us." Father.
"I think I didn't hear you correctly, the Magagula's did what?" I ask feeling stupefied.
"Lerumo wants to send his people to marry you on the 13th and Lesedi, it states that Lesedi will keep her surname, but he wants to adopt her. Your parents here think that we must handle the negotiations. I called you to get your input." My father repeats.
"I will be away that weekend."
"You are not saying no to the proposal?" Mr Ngwalane.
"I don't know. Is he not supposed to ask me to marry him before he involves the elders?" I am confused, I thought regular guys bend on one knee with the ring and everything.
"You will need to talk to him about that. Which date are you available?" My father.
"Please give me a few minutes." I get up from the couch and go stand outside. I calm myself down then I call Lerumo who answers on the 3rd ring, he sounds like he is driving.
"Cherry ka Mjita, how are you?" Lerumo.
"I hear you want to get married on the weekend that we are going away."
"Yes, that is one of the proposed dates. We could push it to April though." Lerumo.
"You haven't asked me to marry you though."
"I did cherry yam, once everything is sorted, I will do it your way then." Lerumo.
"Not even a peg wire wow, bye Mags, I love you."
He laughs and promises to do right. He further explains that he wants us to move into the house by June and he wants us to do it legally. I ask him if he is sure, and he laughs saying his parents would not invest in Lesedi if he was not serious. We hang up and I bump into Otsile, I greet her and walk away. "I spoke to him and the 13th is perfect for both of us. MamZinhle are you okay with this?"
"He told me a few months ago and I can see that he loves you just as much as my son loved you. We give you, our blessing." Mrs Ngwalane.
"We are all happy for you. I hope you know that you can still come home if you are not happy." My mother.
"Thank you, if anything changes, I will inform you."
I guess love visited me again. The Ngwalane's leave an hour later and Karabo together with Otsile join us. I still can't believe that Lerumo was serious about marriage and not waiting to waste any time. He hinted marriage a few weeks after our meeting, but I thought it was being playful.
"I heard you are moving Lesedi to a new school." Karabo.
"Zamo though."
"What, that's my bestie." Karabo laughs.
"Please stop giving Zamo wine because wow, she cannot keep my secrets." I laugh.
"I didn't know it was a secret." Karabo.
"What's wrong with her school?" Otsile. I ignore her question because the last time I checked we were not speaking to each other. My mother repeats the question a few minutes later. I have taken out my phone and I am chatting with Lungi.
"Nothing, the school is closer to the house."
"Does she not attend one closer to the house right now?" My mother.
"She is moving to a new school that is closer to the new house."
"You bought a new house?" Karabo. They all look at me, I focus back on my phone.
"Yes, we bought a house last month. We will be moving soon. We need to fix logistics and get tenants for the houses before everything." I try to explain.
"I didn't know that you were in a serious relationship, you don't hang out with us anymore." Otsile.
I stare at her wide eyed, Karabo is the first to break the silence by laughing. Otsile has been inviting her sisters to her new place and on outings to the Spa and for shopping. She thought I would confront her, but I am really done with her. I am happy my sister's hang out with her though. "I need to get going, I am meeting Mrs Mags for a mother's and daughter's dinner, and I am not ready yet."
"I should meet this woman who is stealing my child, Fifi you don't even sleep over anymore." My mother.
"I think we should all sleepover next week just like old times and catch up." Otsile.
"I am broke, we paid for the kitchen update, maybe in a few months once the house is ready, I can afford."
"I mean sleepover here at home, to prepare for your lobola negotiations." Otsile.
"I will call mama to confirmed she will let you know. Bye ladies." I walk out the door and greet my father who is in the garage.
"You can text me; I will create a group with all of us in it. You haven't changed your numbers, right?" Otsile.
I find Otsile's behaviour very odd. Reminds me of the day she brought my aunt to my house. Because I refused to give her money, she thinks I didn't notice that she withdrew more money than what we agreed on then she asked for more money and when I refused, she threw a tantrum, but I am not falling for any of her tricks.

Kganya.