Oyama: Her Story

CHAPTER 50

We are all standing, and the looks between Qhawe’s father and Phiwe’s mother are still intensifying.
“Kea” she repeats more concerned, and turns and looks at Mxolisi and walks towards him, “How can you allow your sister to marry into that family?!!” she says so loudly, we can all hear. Qhawe’s father walks towards them, we all move closer, “Can we please talk about this in private?” Qhawe’s father asks.
“No why?” she says, “Why are you always tied to my life?”
“I didn’t know you’d be here” he answers.
“Do you know exactly who this man is?” she asks.
“I mean, they gave us a brief history of their family, can’t say I know him or them very well” Mxolisi replies.
“Listen to me, if you love your sister, give them their cows back,” everyone erupts in shouts and curses, “Give them back, listen to me Mxolisi, ndithembe(trust me), you don’t want your sister married to anyone, who is related to this man or his brothers, turn them back. As the leader of your family you can do that” she says.
“Asemahle, ema phele wena”(Asemahle, wait a damn minute) says Mzi’s father.
“Lucas” she says, “Nawe ulapha?”(You are also here) she looks at him with the same disgust, “Thapelo, I see you are also here, but I always like you”
“Thank you” he replies.
“Mama, how do you know Qhawe’s father?” Phiwe asks.
“Asemahle,” Qhawe’s father says, “Please” he says softly, like I have never heard before.
“Don mfana a re vaye”(Don bro, lets go) says Kagiso’s father.
“Asemahle, I just need 5 minutes” he says.
“Don o nyetse mfana”(Don you are married, bro) says Kagiso’s father.
“Please” he says softer, even holding her hand.
She looks at his hand and then at him, she crumbles and walks into the house, she turns around, “Are you coming!!!” she shouts.
His father starts walking and Qhawe grabs his arm with a strong expression.
“Trust me” he says and walks into the house and close the door.

The tension outside was so thick you could cut it with a knife. The sound of the door shutting behind Qhawe’s father and Asemahle sent a ripple through the gathering. Everyone was on edge, whispering amongst themselves, trying to make sense of what they had just witnessed.
Phiwe, visibly shaken, turned to Mxolisi.
“What does she mean, Mxolisi? What’s wrong with Qhawe’s family?” Mxolisi shook his head, running a hand over his face as though trying to piece it all together.
“I don’t know, Phiwe,” he says, his voice tight, “I only know what they told us during the lobola negotiations. This is news to me too.”
Bab’Thapelo starts laughing and so does bab’Lethabo.
We are all looking at them, waiting for them to tell us exactly what’s going on, but they just continue laughing.
“Eish ja neh, mathatha a rena ha fele”(Yeah, our problems never cease) says bab’Thapelo. “Aowa, eish”(No, they don’t) says bab’Lethabo, “And esale lepyatla, ka mahlo nyana ama China so, Yellowbone soos custard”(She’s still beautiful, with Chinese type of eyes and lightskin like Custard) 
“Mfana!!!” replies bab’Thapelo, “Mei dawgo ah mfana Don joh, if there’s one thing I can give him, ah broer wa rena weitsi kgo ketha da man”(He really knows how to pick them) Bab’Thapelo and Bab’Lethabo’s laughter grew louder, cutting through the tension like a blade. It wasn’t a laugh of amusement; it was a laugh of disbelief and shared understanding. The kind that comes from years of buried secrets bubbling to the surface.
“Baba” says Qhawe concerned.
Bab’Lethabo and bab’Thapelo lift their hands at the same time and stop Qhawe in his tracks, “Eish mara le yena why akwatile? We really didn’t know”(Why is she angry)
“Akitsi, basadi ba makatsa”(Woman are a mystery) bab’Lethabo.

After exactly 5 minutes the 2 come out and the tension has been cut down, “A re yeng”(Lets go) he says.
All the boys without even changing a beat all start walking as a group to their cars.
I walk with them, so I can say goodbye to MY HUSBAND, MY HUSBAND, NOT BOYFRIEND, MY HUSBAND.
“Give me a reason, why I can’t leave with you?” I ask, “Hape its been a week and I am technically your wife, at this point I’m trespassing in here”
“Uhhmmm” he stutters, “Its my dad, he says tomorrow” he says.
I nod, “We gonna pretend, like we didn’t see Phiwe’s mother and your father?” I ask low.
“Ayy, I’m gonna be honest with you, izindaba zamadala, I don’t interfere, I don’t ask questions, if he wants us to know he’ll tell us” he says.
“But aren’t you the least curious?” I ask.
“Of course I am, I wanna know how he knows, Phiwe’s mom” he says.
“Do you think they could’ve dated?” I ask.
“Maybe, but I don’t even know Phiwe’s history that well to make a decision on whether her mom and my dad had a thing or not” he says.
“Mkhathini” someone shouts, it sounds like his dad.
“Can’t you catch a ride; I don’t know take a taxi or something later?” I ask.
“Sorry babe, but its my dad, he says we have to finish the foundation we have been digging” he says.
“Aren’t yall done?” I ask.
“Nope, we have about 10 more meters to go, but we should be done by tonight” 
  
I sighed, crossing my arms.
"Fine. But you owe me a proper explanation when this is over. This whole thing with your dad and Phiwe's mom is weird. I’m not just gonna let it slide."
He smiled that disarming smile of his, the one that made it impossible to stay mad for too long. “Ngiyakuzwa, my love. I promise, once I know more, I’ll tell you."
He leaned in to kiss my forehead, “Most importantly, Happy Birthday my love” he says.
I actually forgot it was my birthday with all the drama that’s going on today. He goes down on one knee and grabs my hand and slips my engagement ring on.
“Now will you marry me?” he asks.
“Yes” I smile, “With all your family’s drama”
He starts laughing and kisses, my cheek, then my hand and presses it to his forehead like Mogale did.
“I will see you tomorrow morning, I’ll be here before the sun even starts to rise” he says, before jogging off to join the group of men heading toward the cars.
The moment they were out of earshot, I turned back toward the gathering still buzzing with whispers and speculation.