The love of my Wife

Chapter 3

Chapter 3

Her family were pleasant and very welcoming. They were all smiles when they met me and even prepared a feast of traditional food and drinks.

We weren't the only guests. Her sister that resided in the US also came with her family for the union and so her mom have called not only relatives but also close neighbors over. It was very crowded and warm.

I knew Ethiopians were close-knit families even with strangers but seeing it in real life was a whole new experience. It felt like a party without the music. People were chatting everywhere could be the music I guess. They didn't really need the music to fill the silence since it was noisy enough.

I got kisses from almost everyone. they also gave warm close hugs and the guys gave a firm handshake. Her oldest brother gave me a handshake with a small smile and her older brother gave me a nod and a little bow.

Our arrival time was around the same time her sisters arrival. We had arrived around 15 minutes earlier so I had a brief chat with her brothers while we waited for them. They were both handsome and tall, big eyes and sharp nose they looked so much alike.

Her sister arrived a few minutes later with her 2 kids, Heran who was 6 and Kirubel who was only 3. They were so cute especially when Heran ran at her in a bear hug I felt a tug looking at them. It was a picture I'll never forget they were so beautiful. Heran looked so much like my girl than her mom and I was slightly jealous of the spouses that had her.

I could see the age differences between her and her siblings. Her sister, Yohana, was 19 years older, her eldest brother,Simion, 17 years older, and her older brother, Zekarias, is 5 years older

he looked older for his age, honestly. He looked closer in age to her big brother. She had informed nobody knew that she was dating let alone engaged to me, a foreigner at that. She just informed them that she was bringing a friend over and they believed her because well apparently My girls friends in high school and university were guys.

Yep, woe is me.

The weather was a bit cloudy because we had gone there during summer and summer in Ethiopia is the rainy season. They call it winter in Ethiopia through its summer in other countries.

Ethiopia is so different from the outside world the way they count their time, months and seasons are very different. Ethiopia has 13 months where all 12 months have 30 days each butthe last month fluctuates from 5 to 6 days every 4 years and their new year is on September 11.

In Ethiopia a new day starts at 6 in the morning. So they call 6, 12 and start counting their time from then on.

The refreshing air breeze felt like it was late autumn down here with the heavy cloud that will let go of the snow soon. It was cold but not as bad as winter in Korea. I understood why she always complained about the humidity in Seoul, when she has been breathing an air like this her whole life it's hard to get used to the frustrating weather there.

Back at her home I had lost count of the many people I had met. The kids were all over me while she went to help out at the kitchen the kids had bombarded me with series of questions.

Heran was close to her grandmothers side and was giving me curious looks from afar. Her cousins were asking for my phone and if they could play games. It was chaotic until her brothers told them off and asked me to join them outside with their friends and cousins.

" So how did you meet my sister " Simon asked genuinely curious. I couldn't tell them I manhandled their sister.

" Accidently," I said to shy to speak up. I was surrounded by the men of the house so I was in a bind.

" What's your relationship with her then " Zekarias asked. I saw his brother nudge him to shut up which actually worked. I think Simion knew I didn't like being interrogated with these much people around. One of the friends laughed and changed the subject.

Apparently Zekarias was really successful he had finished his MSc in a prestigious school in the US and worked for a very influential company there. He bought the family house we were in.

They were thoughtful enough to hold their conversation in English so I would understand.

" So Zeki are you looking for a job here then? " One of the friends asked.

" I already found one but I'm not really satisfied with the pay so I'm still looking around. "

Zekarias is thinking about moving to Ethiopia and settle down here with his wife. He had recently got married 3 months ago and just came to visit the family alone a few days ago upon his mother's request.

Suddenly, Priests came to the house greeting everyone on their way with the cross on their hand. I was confused that i searched for her with my eyes. when she caught my eyes she just gave me a relaxing smile and nodded it was alright. After they had entered the house they said some prayers and ate with the family and left. After that a series of congratulation was heard. I looked at her brothers confused and Simon gave a very embarrassing smile.

" Simion is finally getting married " laughed Zeki. " He is my older brother but I must say he lacks game. He is always a late bloomer " joked Zeki.

Simion said something in Amharic and they all burst out laughing. One of their friends whispered and told me what Simion has said.

"I could get your girl without blinking an eye. "

Yep Simion definitely had game.

…
Simion in the picture above