THE LAST PROMISE

CHAPTER 53 | Man Enough For Her

SPONSORED BY Jabulile Sibanyoni

BUSANI

I walk in, grab the remote and switch off the TV. He hasn't been quiet himself these past few days and I just need us to talk without anyone disturbing us. He frowned. “I was watching that”
“I know. Let's take a walk around the neighbourhood”
“It's hot outside”
“You're not made of ice. You won't melt”
He gets up and we walk out “Luh won't like it if. I came back ashen. I'm going to tell her it was your idea.”
“Of course it is. She can blame it on me then put those masks and stuff on you since you really enjoy them.”

He chuckles “They make my skin feel amazing. You should try them” the gate opens and we walk out.
“I will, we should go to the spa and get pampered before Kuhle's big day. It's been a while since I did that.”
“I get massages from home and maybe you will too since you are about to be a married man soon.”
“How do you feel about that?”
He looks at me. “I'm very happy for you. It feels like I'm the one who's going to get married. You're doing everything right with Kuhle and I love it. It makes me realise that I didn't do many right things with Luh the first time I saw her on the second time of finalising the lobola negotiations. I feel like I robbed her”

“But you made up for it when you asked her father for her hand and paid amalobolo for her again. The two of you got married in front of all those who love you and it was perfect. I know I wasn't there but the videos and pictures tell it all. You were both happy and that's what matters. You topped the cake when you gave her her dream wedding. What more could you have possibly done at that time?”

“I don't know man. I feel like I should have been more gentle with her and didn't force my will down her throat.” He kicked a stone.
“Stop doing that, blaming yourself. Luh could have left you when she went back to her family. She didn't. She gave you a chance. Look at what you have right now. A big family, wonderful children and a wife who adores you. Some people don't get to have that but you do. You love her and treat her like the queen she is so stop thinking that you failed her because if you did. You'd still be a bachelor”

“You're right.”
“Is that what has been making you quiet? Sad?” He stops walking and sighs. “Talk to me. What's going on because you're making me anxious?”
“For the first time in my life I wish I wasn't a twin,” he confessed. That hurt because I wasn't expecting him to say that.
“Why do you feel that way?”
“Because I can't go to Kuhle's family and speak on your behalf, represent you well and come back with our bride.” So that's the reason he's been moping for.

“You heard what dad said. You're not allowed because we're basically one person. It's tradition and it is not done. You going there would be like it is me who's there and that's not right. They would think that we are disrespectful. I understand how you feel because I also felt the same way when I found out you're married and had two children. I missed out on so many wonderful things that happened in your life and I'd ask God why he didn't make us meet earlier than meeting you on your deathbed.

You are going to be next to me, with me while they negotiate for our bride to come home. You won't be alone but with me the whole entire time. Mbuso, I hope you know that no one would ever take your place in my heart. What we have, no one can understand.”
“I know but it doesn't mean that I don't get jealous sometimes when I see how close you are with Kabelo.”
“The same way you are close to Sbu. Just because we are closer to other people, it doesn't mean that our bond is not stronger than it used to be. We may have other friendships outside each other but what you and I have, can only be understood by Junior and his twin.

I love you, you're irreplaceable and you're the most important things to me. You and your wife, your children and all my brothers too and their wives and children. Our father too and auntie. We are adding a new member to the family and I know she is important to you just as she is to me. We are going to see Kuhle on her umemulo and I know she's going to be happy too see us but me especially”