I couldn't sleep at all, not even a blink of an eye. Hlompho is still ignoring me,he's doing both of us a favour actually.
I decided to clear my head after last night and I called Papa. We're having a family meeting later on today and hopefully everyone comes to their senses and tell me that this is all a big fat joke.
I knew I was mama's favorite and I only thought that because I was the last born. Who are these Dlamini people anyway? All I know is, I'm getting married to Hlompho... Not anytime soon though.
**************************
It's 6pm sharp and the so called Dlamini people just arrived. I don't know why but I have a terrible feeling about all of this. Why have I been kept in the dark for so long?
Men walk in, the same men that came to my mother's funeral. They sit down and get comfortable on the couch. So does Kwanele.
??:Yebo, umndeni wakwaMotloung . Sikulethe lokhu njengesivula umlomo. Siyethemba ukuthi namuhla kuhamba ngokufanele. ( Yes, the motloung family. We brought this as a mouth opener. We hope that today goes accordingly.)
Yoh sezulu se se ngata che! Luckily in Uni I had a Zulu friend that taught me a couple of words. Kwanele hands my father a thick envelope that's filled with, I think money. (So much Zulu)
In the room is my Father, brother, uncles and the Dlamini family. I'm growing impatient right now, I know I should be respectful and to these, elders, I guess but who can after being told what I was told.
?? :As the oldest la kwa Dlamini, I'm concerned as to why ingane yakwaMotloung doesn't know that she has certain duties she needs to fulfill.
Duties!?
PAPA: It was my wife's job to.... to inform her but unfortunately she-
?? : We understand. When should we expect a child?
The other man asks.
A child! Ba lora shem! (They're dreaming!)
OMPHILE :Can't we wait for at least a year,our mother just passed away.
?? : Cha, an entire year? (No)
This oldest one is starting to get on my nerves.
??: Bafo ake sizwe ukuthi umkhwenyana uthini. ( Brother, let's hear what the groom has to say)
The attention focuses on Kwanele, who has been quiet the entire time.
KWANELE :Singakhohlwi ukuthi kungani silapha. Gcina isiphetho sakho sedili, sizogcina esethu.
(Let's not forget why we're here. Keep your end of the deal, we'll keep ours.)
He says in a cold tone.
My father sighs.
PAPA: Nana?
I turn to face him.
PAPA: Pack your bags, you're moving to Rustenburg.
Excuse me!
KGOPOTSO :Ke lo etsa eng Rustenburg nna? (what am I going to do in Rustenburg?)
PAPA:That's where the Dlaminis live. You'll be living with them from now on.
KGOPOTSO:Why?
?? :Haibo le ngane? (this child)
I turn to look at the eldest brother with a nasty look on my face. There is nothing I hate more than men that think they can assurt their authority hohle fela. (Everywhere)
OMPHILE :Kgopotso just listen to Papa.
KGOPOTSO :Jwang, when you guys don't tell me what's going on? (How)
PAPA:Kgopotso this is what your mother wanted! O kong mamele mahn dammit!
He snaps at me.
He takes a deep breath in and wipes the sweat off of his face. (Just listen to me man)
I've never seen my father angry. This is new for me.
PAPA: Leave, ho bua banna jwale.
He says after some time. (Leave, the men are speaking now.)
I scoff.
I leave the and go to my bedroom . Metse is there. She's on her phone, when she notices me she sits up from the bed.
ONTLAMETSE :How did it go?
I shrug my shoulders.
ONTLAMETSE :Askies ngwana ko haye. This isn't fair. (I'm sorry sis).
KGOPOTSO :Please don't act like you give a damn now. I don't even understand....
ONTLAMETSE :You don't need to understand. Mom and dad did everything for you, for us. Dad got caught up okay... He fucked with the wrong people and it was either he got thrown in prison or you... you marry into that crazy ass family.
KGOPOTSO :Why not you.. I mean, you're the oldest.
ONTLAMETSE :I'm not you, you have potential Nana. You get to be someone, something. While I'm... While I'm a barren that has no purpose in life.
Metse has been trying to have children for years now.
Unfortunately she's infecund. Something she has to live with for the rest of her life.
ONTLAMETSE :Papa is too old for prison Kgopotso and Hlompho... Well Hlompho is a deadbeat, ugly ass man. Think about it, please.
She says, holding my hand.
I'm not even going to think about it. I don't know these people... There has to be another way and what is it that my dad did? Aowa lena!
********************************
ONTLAMETSE :Nana... Nana... Wake up.
I sit up and rub the sleep off of my eyes.
ONTLAMETSE :You have to go.
KGOPOTSO :Huh?
ONTLAMETSE :Come on, let's go.
She takes my hand and I follow behind her.
As I walk into the living room I see my bags. I look at Metse... Did she pack my bags so I could be sent off with fucking strangers!?
KWANELE : Asambe.(Lets go)
He says. No.
KGOPOTSO :I'm not going anywhere with you! Papa please!
I plead with my father but he walks out of the living room. How could he? I'm not the one that fucked up... He did!
KGOPOTSO:Daddy please! Please I don't want to go.
The one brother grabs me by the arm but I pull away.
KGOPOTSO : Don't fucking touch me.
Kwanele walks towards me and leans in next to my ear.
KWANELE :It's either you walk out of this house or I carry you out.
He says. The look in his eyes tells me he's not the type to bluff.
I stand my ground and cross my arms. No man will ever.....
He swiftly picks me up and throws me over his shoulder. I kick and scream and shout but... Nobody helps me, not even Omphile. He puts me in the back seat of his black SUV.
YOU ARE READING
The Perfect Facade.
Storie d'amoreKgopotso's life is turned upside down when she's forced to marry Kwanele, the perfect son of a powerful family, to settle an old family debt. But as she gets to know him, she realizes his flawless exterior hides secrets - and finds herself falling d...
