Easier

Only you.

"Refilwe, wake up."Otsile pulls my blanket off me.
"What time is it?" I yawn asking.
"it's 3:30, put on your gown and come outside." I jump of the bed and brush my teeth, I put on a dress then meet my parents outside.
"Kneel down here."my father says in a hushed tone. Only now do I realize the snuff, beer and goat.
I am shocked to say the least. My parents have never been traditional and to have them doing this ritual is strange. With Karabo I thought her in laws requested it.
"We didn't inform you when she left for the Ngwalane, we learned and now we are here to inform you that she is leaving for the Magagula, they have paid in full and don't owe us. We will come home with the gifts they give us." My uncle continues to speak and I zone out again.
We are told to go get ready, I find Lungi making tea. She is dressed in a black dress that has red beads.
"Hey babe, are you okay?"
"Hangover."Lungi replies.
We leave the house at 4:20am. My mother is staying behind and she will join us for the lunch. I haven't checked my phone because Karabo took it to her house by mistake last night, apparently she can't be in the yard when they slaughter. She will come with my mother.
My uncle parks a house away from the Mags, a man I didn't see knocks on the window.
"Mtolo, welcome. We prepared this house for you. To get ready and eat. We are welcomed into the house next door by Uncle Mags.
He asks some of the men to carry the dish with half their goat. "I will come and call you to the gate." Uncle Mags leaves the house Lerumo's aunt offers us tea and cakes.
"My baby, here is your porridge." Aunt Mags. I thank her, I thought they forgot about, it is warm and sweet just as I love it.
"We are ready. We apologise for the delay. " Uncle Mags says 15 minutes later it is 5:15am.
"We came earlier than the agreed time, it is well."
"Fifi, namela thaba o ba botse gore we a o nyetswe, wena o nyetswe."my aunt starts the song as we walk next door.
We stand in front of the gate and where Lerumo, Thapelo, his dad, aunt and other relatives I don't know are standing.
"Thank you Mtolo, for bringing our little girl home. We thank you for the sweets you came. Mtfombeni, we will now open the gate and welcome you inside, Lunathi take your wife's hand." Uncle Mags.
Lerumo walks to me and gives me a hug, we enter the yard with our entourage singing. "Kneel next to me love." Lerumo whispers soon as we get to the back of the yard where Lesedi was playing.
My mind drifts to how different this traditional wedding compared to my first wedding. Lerumo brushes my hand as his uncle speaks.
"Baby, come." Lerumo says, I didn't realize that we are done. I follow him to the house, his bedroom where I find his aunt, sister and mother waiting for me.
"Dumelang, thank you for the dish."
"I am glad you enjoyed it. Come get dressed." Mrs Mags.
The dress is black with tassels from the waist down, it is a boobtube style top with an infinity design on the neck.
"Thank you so much mama. I love it."
"I am happy you love it. I have a back up dress." Mrs Mags.
"Back up for what? I look like a model. Thank you very much. "
"Sponono sa papa wa pilot." Lungi cheers.
I blush and turn around, Lerumo is not in the room anymore. Mr Mags helps me into a new pair of red block heels. Lungi gives me beads to wear on my neck and earrings.
"This was given to me on my wedding day, I had 5 and gave all my daughters now this is yours." MrsMags says giving me a red beaded bangle with white hearts on it.
"I really appreciate it."
"I got you this bag because we all know you love bags." Lerumo's sister. It's a red beaded hand bag, I give her a hug.
We take pictures then Otsile is called inside. I take pictures with her. Lesedi and Lungi's daughter are in a black tutu dress with red sandals.
"Mommy you look like a princess." Lesedi comments after I picked her up.
"Thank you babe, you look beautiful."
"Daddy says I am a princess." Lesedi.
"That you are. Have you not been naughty?"
"No, we are going." She says running out of the room.
"Wamuhle kangaka uyaphi cherry ka mjita?" Lerumo says standing at the door.
"I'm getting married to my stranger." We laugh.
"Come let us not keep the people waiting." He covers my shoulders with a cream white shawl.
I lead us outside where the dj starts playing..... And we dance to it walking to the tent. Lerumo's family then we gift them. My dad gives us a voucher and says it's for the furniture.
At 11am the guests settle in the tent, Lerumo, whispers that he needs a few minutes to himself. He goes to his bedroom while I dish up for our parents and some for him for later.
Lindo and Gugu arrive and I start dance with Lungi and Gugu. We get hyped up until the song ends. We laugh and take our seats.
"Thank you Fifi, in the 3 years that I have known Gugu, I have never seen her dance. Not even on our wedding day. " Lindo.
"Akere you didn't invite me."
"Next one I am. Where is your man?"
"Taking a break, you can go check on him."
Didintle joins us as Kayise and her husband enter the yard. Kayise gives me a hug and a box wrapped.
"Ngam than'umuntu. Ngical'umbona, ngifia." Gugu, lungi and I sing.
"I love seeing you this happy." Lerumo says from behind kissing my neck.
"I love you most."
"Are you better?"
"Yes, thank you." I love you.
"You missed out on seeing majaivan, I never thought miss church here can dance." Lindo.
"Yho, she and Kea are the dancers at home, Karabo wazama nyana." Otsi.
"Angifuni lomunye omuntu, baby ngi semathandwani. Ngise thandwan LA, ngifuna wena wedwa*"
"Yebo, Yebo." Kea hypes as Gugu and I dance, more people join us and cheer.
The song finishes , I take my seat and drink my juice. "I didn't know you could still dance."Kayise."Honey, there's a lot you don't know."

Kganya.