THE LAST PROMISE

CHAPTER 24 | Wear Your Name Proudly

SPONSORED BY  SIS HLALAMANI

MAYA

Ever since I walked into this yard I have been welcomed with warm and loving arms. Everyone has been so nice to me and it has warmed my heart. I know the brothers and parents know about my life and Luh obviously but I don’t know if the rest of their friends do but it seems that they don’t because I haven’t seen them looking at me with pity or worry. Busani was right when he said that there are many of them because the yard is full…of very handsome men with their women. Almost everyone here is either married or in a relationship.

Before we go any further, I would like to state that Busani didn’t say anything about knowing the royals. To say I was shocked is an understatement because I was flabbergasted. I have seen the King on TV many times with his wife but I never thought that he could be best friends with my partner’s twin. Then I met Angel. Kabelo’s wife. My God! I don’t ever think that I have ever met who’s as beautiful as her. When we were introduced my mouth was hanging because I couldn’t believe she was real even when we hugged. There was something about her that somewhat felt familiar. It was like it wasn’t our first time meeting, maybe it is because she’s the owner of “Angel’s candle shop.” I couldn’t believe it and the young man inside I found is their son Junior who is not here with his little sister because they went somewhere with their grandparents.

My friends and I have been speechless because you could see that these people live completely different lives from the ones we live and they are just from another world. They are wealthy, nice and very kind. It’s very rare to meet people who are wealthy and also nice people who don’t look down on others like they are beneath them. For a moment I felt intimidated and my friends did too but they all these ladies made sure that they don’t feel that way and that made me relax a bit and not be in my shell. I made sure that my friends looked beautiful so they wouldn’t feel out of place so Lu and I woke really early, went to see them then we went shopping.

It was nice to spend my man’s money on the people I love. They were thankful especially when they met the women. They told me that I'm yet to meet Angel’s sister Zella and her Husband Bishop and Kane who are Kabelo’s brothers. It’s amazing that the sisters are married to brothers because that rarely happens. Apparently Bishop and his wife are out of the country and Kane couldn’t make it. Auntie is here and so is baba too but he has been on his phone like someone had all his attention. Bonga is not yet here and from what I heard from the ladies, he might show up with his second baby mama, not Luh’s cousin Sims.

I don’t know what’s going on but it seems as if there’s some sort of drama that involves Bonga’s baby mama. Zipho and his wives are going to arrive later and then Lu’s brother and his wife will join us later too because they are in Ladysmith. Luh’s eldest twins are not at home because they are studying in UCT and live there and they are going to be home before the unveiling of their grandmothers and all the other Gumede family members who have passed.  Did I mention that we are just chilling and the housekeepers are doing all the work. The ladies are drinking champagne, my friends too and I am just enjoying my non-alcoholic one.
It makes me happy that they all came here to welcome me to their family and also get to meet everyone.

Busani is with the other men and they seem to be having a serious conversation and not even one of them has a drink on their hand. That’s weird because in settings like these, it's men who mostly have a drink in their hands but not here because it is their women who are drinking.  Mbali hasn’t been back since she excused herself and went to use the bathroom. I excuse myself and go look for her. When I walk in the house, I find her sitting in the kitchen alone and she’s deep in thought. God I hope nothing is wrong.
“Friend, why are you sitting here all by yourself when everyone is outside?” she sighs.
“I’m just thinking.” She quietly says.
“Thinking about what?”
“How Deli and I don’t belong here.”
“I don’t understand”
“Maya, did you take a really good look at those women out there? The clothes they wear, their hair and everything about them and I don’t want to mention the jewellery they are wearing. You can clearly see the difference between us and them.”

“I saw all of that and yes, I was intimidated too but you met them. They are not snobs, not at all about the clothes they wear or how much money they have…”
“You don’t understand, friend. You are already one of them. Soon you’ll be having all of that just like them and you’ll forget about us and…”
“Now why would I do that when you are practically my family? Mbali I meant it when I said where I go, you’re coming with me. You are my sisters and I would never desert you just because I have met other people and they are going to be part of my life since they are Busani’s family. Don’t you know your place in my life? You were there for me, friend when I was at my lowest. You didn’t desert me so why would I forget about you when things are starting to come together in my life huh? Wherever I am going, I am dragging you and Deli by your clit to come with me if I must. We’re stuck with each other for life. Okay?”

“I know, I don’t know what came over me but these women are gorgeous, flawless and unreal. It’s like they bathe in milk and honey and….wow. I’m still in shock. We’re sitting with a princess, us commoners? God I’m dreaming. They have guards, Maya. All of them. It feels like I’m in some movie and I was invited to get a glimpse of what the wealthy smell like” I giggle. She’s crazy.
“You’re not alone. We will get used to them. Remember friend that it’s also my first time meeting them so I was intimidated too but we’re all human and they are very nice people so don’t let other things make you feel like you’re not worthy to be around them. If they weren’t welcoming they wouldn’t be sitting with us. We would have felt that we are not part of them.”
“I know, friend. I guess I just got into my head too much.”
“Don’t, I love you and you’re stuck with me.” We hugged.
“I love you too.”

“Love” Busani calls me. I turn around and he’s watching us. I wonder if he heard the whole thing.
“Let me join the others” she walks out.
“Are you okay?”
“I am. I was just reassuring my friend here that I won’t forget about them. She’s worried that I might change on them because the ladies and we are from two different worlds.”