Unhinged Love

Epilogue - Part Two

Three Years Later

Mitchy Gwamanda-Vilane

I married Mndeni because I saw something in him that others did not see— a quiet strength, a loyalty that ran deep, and a heart that had been bruised but never broken. When he proposed, I thought he was joking. I don’t know what made me think that because he never joked about serious things. But one thing that he used to say during the initial stages of our relationship is that “I will marry you wena MaGwamanda, one day. You will bear my name, and you will my wife and the mother of my kids”. Our generation usually take that as a threat because we know men these days will threaten you with commitment but do not follow through with the action. Mndeni is not that kind of man. If he says he will do something, he does it without a hassle.

After Hle moved to Durban to be with Melisizwe full time, I thought Mndeni would ask me to move in with him at Hle's house so that we can be together most of the time. But no, he didn't want that. At first, I was angry. I thought that there was another woman going in and out of that house. I even made it my mission to pop by unannounced just to catch him in a compromising situation. But that day never happened. Each time I came by, he would be so happy and would treat me like an egg.

Then a few months later, he told me that he had bought a house. Initially, I didn’t believe him. I knew he earned a lot but I didn’t think a man like him would buy a house instead. Guys usually went for cars first because they liked being flashy. But not Mndeni. He bought a five-room house in the same area as Hlengiwe’s house was located. It was a big one, but it still needed a lot of work. First time I slept over, the following morning, I had to pull him by the ear and we headed to the mall to purchase some furniture, paint and all the works. In a matter of three months, we turned that house into a home and then had a housewarming where our friends got to see the house for the first time. Hlengiwe was so proud, she even cried. I love their bond. I wish I had something that strong with any of my siblings. But this is life. We do not always get what we want.

The next morning after the housewarming, he proposed. I did not believe it. I was so shocked but not shocked enough to say no because I knew how he felt about me and how much I loved him. It is like destiny was on the wheel because a few weeks later, we found out that I was pregnant. I was carrying a boy. Someone who would carry the Mabuyakhulu legacy to the next generation. What was supposed to be our happiest time became sombre because after a talk with Melisizwe, Mndeni came back and told me that his son needed to bear the Vilane surname even though he wanted nothing to do with his paternal surname. He was incredibly angry, and I steered clear of him during that time.

My family didn’t make things easy. When I told them about Mndeni and the baby, they were so disappointed. In their minds, they thought I would move back home, marry a good Venda man, and raise our children in the same space I was raised in. My ambitions had limits according to them. That was another obstacle in our way. But one morning, Mndeni came back and said he was a Vilane now. He wanted us to have a small ceremony with close friends and family just to celebrate our union and be a married couple before bringing our son into this earth.

We did get married and had an intimate reception. Truth be told, even though I had dreamed of having a big wedding one day, having that small one made me content because I was marrying the man I loved with everything in me and I was about to start a life with him. A month later, baby Ayabongwa came to the world. Mndeni had been walking around with this dark look on his face which he would sometimes mask with fake smiles and all, but when he held Aya for the first time, any dark look faded and he became mushy. He did send a long recording to his father detailing everything that he had ever done wrong to him and in the end, he forgave him. The birth of Ayabongwa healed my husband and I am glad that I brought something to this world that was part of his healing journey.

I remember the look on my mother’s face when I told her. Disappointment. Maybe even shame. She wanted the whole affair — the décor, the speeches, the merging of clans. But Mndeni said no. He did not want the noise. He did not want the performance. He wanted peace. I chose him. I chose peace. She tried to bring drama when she came to see baby Aya a month after he was born but Mndeni became fierce and told her not to bring chaos near his son since babies can sense bad energy and that makes them sick. She hated Mndeni even more but at least she toned down on the drama. She also fell for Aya and what was supposed to be a few days visit, turned into a month. By the time she was supposed to go back home, she kept on bringing excuses to stay since she was worried about leaving me with a baby. My father had to come and fetch her. He also fell in love with Aya but could not pretend to hide his hatred for Mndeni. They demanded that he should do the Venda traditional wedding to honour my tradition and origin, and to my surprise Mndeni agreed but only said we will do it when we are ready.
Our precious Aya just turned two, and he is everything good in this world. His laugh fills our home, and when Mndeni holds him, I see a softness that is only reserved for Hle and me. He loves our son unconditionally and I also love him.

“We can do the wedding festivities next month.” A voice announces, and I turn to see my husband standing at the kitchen doorway. We have never set a date before but hearing him say this makes my heart swell.
I wipe my hands and sit on the counter. “Why now?” I ask, looking at him.
He smiles and walks in. “I figured there is no getting rid of your Thohoyandou ass, so I would rather just make things official for all your mother’s neighbours to see.” I laugh and roll my eyes.
“So, it is for me and not for you?” I fold my arms to my chest.
He smirks as he comes to stand before me. “Well, there Is a small part in me that wants to parade a certain dark beauty who captured my heart and my soul.” He shrugs like that means nothing while it means everything to me. He doesn’t talk much about his feelings, he just lets his actions do the work, so I melt every time he says something like this.
I giggle as he perks my lips. “Just admit you love me.”
He chuckles. “That’s like admitting God created heaven and earth. Into ecace bha.” I laugh at his analogy. “But you are one fearless woman, Mitchy Vilane. How could you fall in love with a Phara? And do not say it is because of my looks.” He quickly cuts me off before I can respond with my regular answer of how his handsome face just swept me off my feet.

I take a deep breath and look straight into his eyes. “I saw a man who had lost everything in life but had hope in his eyes. I saw a man who loved his sister fiercely and a very strong and courageous man. You had no idea that one day your life might take a turn for the best, but you never gave up on yourself. You never gave in to drugs. You are the epitome of strength, and you defied all odds. You are a warrior, Mndeni Mabuyakhulu, and I knew that locking you down would ensure that I have a warrior to protect my heart and soul for as long as God allows. I did not see a Phara. I saw my future. Ngiyakuthanda myeni wami.”

That brings tears into his eyes and for once, he doesn’t hold them back, he lets them fall. I don’t say anything more, I just wrap my arms around him and he starts sobbing. It breaks my heart to hear him cry but I know this is good. I know this is the start of something new and good. I know we can never go wrong from here on, as long as God allows.