I'm Gonna Be Ready

Vuyo.

I love watching Ore laugh, we are in the red bus going to the wine yard. In this heat, they wanted to sit at the top, like sheep we followed. “Are you okay love?” she asks and kisses my lips.
“I am good nana.” I smile, she moves to Ayo, Oratile sits beside me.
“I told my dad about the proposal, he wasn’t surprised.” Oratile.
“Of cause I asked your father first if I could propose, I may be from England but I can’t forget my roots. I sent a letter to him and my family is waiting for your reply. It should be after our trip, he knows we are in Cape Town.”
“That explains our tickets.” Oratile. I laugh.
“No, those are from home affairs. We could have gone international but Lewatle and her man don’t have passports.” I explain.
“Lewatle, why don’t you have a passport?” Oratile.
“Passport Abuti? For what?” Lewatle
“Because of you we are in Cape Town. Yesses we could be on some island.” Jr and I laughed. Oratile is beyond annoyed.
“Why didn’t you leave them?” Oratile.
“Because they are family.”
“No man, next time leave them behind.” Oratile, he side eyes Lewatle and clicks his tongue.
“Dont worry, just take Leave that week of Ore’s birthday. Don’t tell Ore.”
“I will definitely put it in Tuesday first thing.” Oratile.
Arriving at the wine yard we get off, Ayo will kill us with these videos.  She forces me to pose with Ore then tells us guys to walk slowly for her reels. She hasn’t posted any of the pictures as yet, she says she will edit them when we get home and share with us then we can post.
“Good morning, we have a booking under Mathapelo.” I greet the host.
“Oh yes, sir table for 8, it’s this way. Please follow me.” She takes the menus and leads us through the restaurant, outside a covered patio. Overlooking the winery, it smells fresh and wet soil. Reminds me of the first time I came here with my mother.
“Please have a seat , I will be back with your waiter.” The host off away.
“Baby, I’m taking the head seat. You take the other one.” Oratile.
“So much drama Abuti, I can’t take you anywhere.” Ore teases.
“I pre-ordered our drinks and starters. You can all have anything you want from there on.” The waiter introduces himself and brings our wine bottles with ice. He follows with a trolley that has our starters which are muscles in a creamy white wine sauce and croutons.
“You see all those nights that you forced to sleep in my bed and I didn’t want. I am sorry Ore. Because of you were are here and it's paying off.” Oratile, the table erupts in laughter.
“You are embarrassing me.” Ore laughs.
“Since the starter was so nice, please order for us.” Lewatle.
Everyone agrees, I order a seafood boil for everyone and their chocolate brownies with ice cream for dessert. After eating I settle the bill, we take a tour around the yard, the guide explaining the process of picking and storing the grapes.
We then sit outside for the tasting, there’s cheese boards and grapes.
“Vuyo, what’s the name of that bread again?” Jr asks.
“Crotons.” He continues shooting his video, saying he had fancy bread.
“I love you.” Ore kisses my cheek.
“I love you more.” She blushes.
The tour ends and we ride the bus back to the city. We take our car to the hotel, Ore and Ayo want to go to the beach. We refresh and go to the mall for snacks then we go to the beach.
“Yho, Ayo can we please have a moment without your camera.”
“Leave us alone, I need to document keeping up with the Mhlongo’s.  Also when will we get another opportunity to bring your clothes, everything is paid up? My man’s not a computer guy.” She rolls her eyes and sets her tripod.
She pulls Ore to her, Ore is wearing a rainbow coloured maxi skirt and top, Ayo gives her instructions on how to pose before calling me forward on the edge of the water.
“Ore look back but hide his face. Vuyo face down.” Ayo.
“Good, now keep your hand on her bum, look at her breast.”
“Good.” Ayo.
“Alright, everyone group photo then we are done. Love put away that bottle.” We all laugh, as Oratile groans. We finish taking pictures and we are allowed to sit on the beach and just chill

Lerato, Lesedi le Kganya.