SIBLINGS-IN-LAW:LOVE & CONSEQUENCES

THREE

NTOMBENHLE MNISI

I glanced at myself at the full length mirror, I look so beautiful. I would have been very happy if only I was doing this on my own without anyone having to put pressure on me. Don't get me wrong, I am going to enjoy my wedding, whether I like it or not. I have put so much effort in it. I don't know if it will be my first or last wedding I get to have so, kuzo moshakala if it must. I smile at myself with tears threatening to fall off my eyes, I quickly blink them away; I can't let them ruin my face beat. That make-up artist really did his thing on my face, damn gays are talkative! But I enjoyed having him around. There was a knock on the door and my bride's maids entered with my mother, and my mother in-law whom I have already met, with a lady my age or younger. My sister was carrying her daughter, Minenhle. She is just a year old.

Mom:"Ntfombetana ka mama, you remind me of myself ngise mncane yati. Bengi bukeka nje ngawe" (Mama's baby girl, you remind me of myself when I was your age. I looked just like you."
Thandeka:"Haow ma, ihaba. This is the 22nd generation, not the 70s. She looks way better than you, no offence." A slap lands on her back, not too hard though but enough to make her take back what she said. (Ma, you are exaggerating.)
Thandeka:"Ouch! Ma. Okay I'm sorry, usese muhle nje nge chichi. No one can take away the beauty that you have, not even yena uNtombi." (You are still beautiful like a pure girl.) We laughed at her slippery mouth, but my mom is used to her now so she did not take that as an insult.
My mom pulled me softly towards the balcony with my mother-in-law and the lady.

Mom:"You look so beautiful baby. I have always longed to see this day and here we are. I am just said that you will be going away. When your sister got married, it wasn't that bad but now both of my daughters are going to be taken away from me." She softly sobbed.
Mother-in-law:"Hai Nomathemba suk'lila. Uzok'lolisa uNtombenhle." I feel a lump building up in my throat. I quickly swallow it and take back in my tears. (Nomathemba don't cry, you'll make Ntombenhle to also cry.)
Ntombi:"Ma, I will always be your baby girl. No one will take you away from me. Although I am still mad about this arranged marriage, I am not going anywhere mama you will always be in my heart. Please, I want to enjoy this ludicrous day, stop crying mama." I hug and brushed her back.
Mother-in-law:"She is right Nosibusiso, musukuba ne drama uvuye kuze uvuyele ne ndodakazi yakho. Oh and Ntombi my baby, meet my daughter Nokuzola. She is 22 years old and she is the last born of mine." (Don't be dramatic and be happy for your daughter.) Oh, I am just 24 years old, I am not that old.
Nokuzola:"Ndiyavuya ukukwazi sisi." (Nice to finally meet you sister ) She is so beautiful.
Ntombi:"Nami futhi." (Like wise.) I open my arms for a hug, she gladly hugged me.
Mother-in-law:"Ixesha limkile makoti.sesizaku dibana enzantsi ke." (Time is not on our Side, we'll meet you downstairs.) She said that walking out.

"Makoti, we don't want to be late now do we? My future husband is calling my name down there!" Thandeka shouts from inside the room. She is something else that one. You'd swear she been drinking. My sister appears to where mama and I were sitting.
Mbali:"Nisahleli, ma? It's time to go down there now. Anyway mtase, I hope you are prepared because after today, a lot is bound to happen or even change in your life. You will face a lot of challenges and I want you to be strong okay baby sis? If you think that the pressure is too much be selfish and walk away. Don't stay in a ruthless marriage. Now I will meet you down there, all the best and I love you okay." I stood up and hugged her then she left. My mom stood up, still sobbing.
Mom:"I am very sorry my love, I am truly sorry. I did not want you to get married to that boy. You could marry anyone but not him."
Ntombi:"Why not him mom? Do you know him?"
Mom:"Don't mind what I said. I love you baby and I am very sorry okay. Let's get going, we will meet you father downstairs." I nodded. Why is she now sorry? She was all out about this wedding to happen and now she does not want me to get married to my dearest husband I am about to meet? Anyway, we left the hotel room and went to the altar.

The bride's maids have already walked down the aisle to the altar. I am standing by with my father as we are waiting for the song to start so we can walk in. I am nervous. I am meeting my husband for the first time on our wedding day, this is absurd! My dad fixes my veil after kissing my cheek.
Dad:"Lovey wam, I know this was not part of your plans but one day you will understand why I had to do this. I can't believe that my favourite daughter is being taken away today. For what is worth, I am so sorry for arranging a marriage for you. I love you. Just don't tell your sister that I said you are my favourite though. My princess." I laugh at him because he says the same thing to my sister. I hug him. My dad has been my escape through everything, instead of my mother. I mean, I have been closer to my father more than my mother, I am just Daddy's princess.
Ntombi:"I love you too Daddy." I didn't want to say too much, we are already here aren't we.
"If there's a question of my heart
You got it
It don't belong to anyone but you
For you, yeah
If there's a question of my love
You got it
Baby don't worry I got plans for you
Baby I've been making plans"
The song plays as we entered, I chose this song of course. I am not an old school have who walks down the aisle with that "here comes the bride" shit song, I would never. I like changing the tradition. I am still facing down as I walk, I can feel the eyes of the guests have turned back on us before we step on the white carpet.
Dad:"You ready?" I feel my tears welding up in my eyes, a lump threatening to block my throat but I quickly swallow it. I nod to my dad.
Ntombi:"Yes, let's do this." Our arms intertwine and I looked up straight to the alter and my heart palpitated. I felt hot and my palms started to sweat. We walked not too slow towards the alter and I see his broad, tall and muscular self looking at me, we gazing at each other and we don't dare to drop our eyes.