OUR LOVE STORY

38

Nomandla Paris Mhlongo

It was the day of the funeral and my sister and I were both cuddled up on mom, locked in her bedroom. We all just didn't want to face the people after the breakdown we had at the church during Dad's funeral sermon. We left before the whole sermon could end so we don't even know if they've left for the cemetery or not.

Mom: "I really thought I could hold myself together but I can't. His coffin kept reminding me that it is not a bad dream. Mntungwa left me all alone, I am angry at him. We promised each other that we would grow old together and we won't leave each other but he left me. He didn't keep his promise and it hurts so much. I can't even pay my respects to him because of his family's stupid tradition. Who knows what those evil men might do?!" she cries. Pearl and I just comforted her and let her vent. This is actually the first time she even vents about Dad's death, she has been acting so strong that it is clear that she was just trying to convince herself.

A knock comes through the door, we invite the person in, and it's my husband. He walks in and carefully closes the door before kneeling on the end of the bed.

Lifa: "Are you all okay? Should I bring some food for you?!" he asks in his calm voice. Mom smiles briefly.

Mom: "You are such a great young man. Ngiyabonga kakhulu mfana wami."

Lifa: "Don't worry about it Mah, we are family now."

Mom: "Have they gone to the cemeteries?"

Lifa: "No but they will be leaving in a few."

Mom: "I don't want those men there but I can't do sh*t about that because they are his family." she sighs heavily.

Lifa: "Well I can leave with the men and make sure that nobody does anything foul." Mom smiles with tears in her eyes.

Mom: "Please. Thank you so much khehla." Lifa nods.

Lifa: "MaMhlongo said she will bring your food here."

Mom: "Thank you baba." He nods standing up and plants a kiss on my head then walks out. Mom smiles widely staring at me.

Mom: "I knew I wouldn't regret letting that boy marry you. He is a good man." I blush. A light knock comes through and MaMhlongo walks in followed by Lifa's aunt and my two rascals. They both immediately run to the bed shouting for their 'Gogo'

Aunt: "We brought you guys some food and we expect it to be finished please! Y'all haven't been eating well especially you two pregnant girls." she looks at me and my sister. We thank them and they walk out leaving the twins who seem to be occupied by my sister's closet. As soon as the door shuts, Mom turns to Pearl.

Mom: "Busisiwe, why did you deny when I asked you if you're pregnant?!"

Pearl: "Aybo mah!"

Mom: "I need to meet that boy who made you pregnant. I don't care if he is old or what!?!

Pearl: "Mah, come on!" The twins climb on the bed and stare at us, I know they want the food but I'm not about to share with them. These kids eat like they are starved.

Pearl: "Why are they staring at us like this?!"

Mom: "They want the food." she says feeding them.

Me: "I won't give them any food, I'm eating for two!"

Pearl: "Same and this food is delicious!"

Me: "Right?! I might go for seconds." she agrees with me.

____________

The men were finally back and I had to get my as* up and serve my man. I find him sitting with my brother, our two cousins, and some old white man. I greet them and hand my man the tray.

Nhlonipho: "Umuntu kumele agane manje, bukani oNjomane baphathiswa okwamaqanda." They all chuckle. Just as I turn to walk back inside the house, this man grabs my hand.

Lifa: "Sit with us baby, I haven't seen you properly in so long." I chuckle and peck his lips.

Me: "Let me serve the others then I will join you."

Lifa: "hhayi. Sit here." he pats his thigh. I just look at him, I am not about to sit on his lap in front of family and elders. He pulls me to his lap and locks my legs in between his.

Lifa: "Eat." he says already shoving a spoonful of food in my mouth.

Me: "Babe, Pearl and I had two plates each."

Lifa: "I don't believe that."

Me: "Go ask umah."

Lifa: "Okay, I believe you." he says wiping my mouth and continues to eat while stealing kisses. I offer to wipe his hands when he is finished then he lets me take the dishes inside.

Pearl: "Wena! We were both appointed to serve the people!"

Me: "I'm sorry sis."

Pearl: "Don't annoy me Paris, please! My feet are hurting right now! You will massage them later on!" she says angrily.

Lifa: "I'm sorry, it was my fault Sbari." he says walking inside the kitchen.

Pearl: "I want carrot cake and a Gucci scarf as a sign that you are sorry." she says cheekily making Lifa smirk.

Lifa: "Why don't you ask your man?!" he says moving aside and the old white man walks in already smiling. Pearl lightly gasps and rushes to the man's arms.

Me: "Is that..." Lifa cuts me off by dragging me outside.

Lifa: "Forget about that, Let's go get some ice cream and chocolate cake." I instantly salivate at the idea.

Me: "Let's go!" I say excitedly.