SIBLINGS-IN-LAW:LOVE & CONSEQUENCES

ELEVEN

NARRATOR

AT THE HOTEL IN EASTERN CAPE

“Ntate nthekele seanamarela
Ntate nthekele seanamarela”

Ntombenhle was with her family (The Mnisi) very early in the morning before the sun rouse. They were getting ready while singing wedding songs. They arrived in the Eastern Cape last night (Friday) and they have to arrive at the Mayiza residents in Bisho at exactly 6:00am or there will be a fine to pay. Ntombenhle was in a very beautiful Swati attire, with white All-star sneakers. She also wore Isiqholo (A bride’s hat) designed with in Swati cloths which had beads hanging from her forehead, covering her eyes. She looked pretty much like a Swazi princess. It is just sad that her mother could not be here with her since well, the tradition strictly says that “Uma wengane akayi phelekezi indodakazi ebukhweni bakhe” Which means she isn’t allowed to accompany her daughter to her in-laws. The same rule applies to men to, but they can be stubborn.
It was now time to leave. They had gifts for the Mayiza family as they cannot go empty handed. They had also brought a big chest with that will allow Ntombenhle to enter their home. Along the way, Ntombi is in the car with her father, her sister which the three of them are seated in the back seat and the aunty settled on the passenger seat and the uncle was driving. Other family members were following them with other two different family cars behind. They were following the directions they got from the GPS and they were thirty minutes away.

“Sis, can we please video call Mom?” Ntombi asks her sister, Mbali.
“My cellphone is with Neo in the other car, dad do you mind video calling Mom?” Neo is Mbali's husband. Their father tossed his phone to them. They video call their mother.

“Bab… Oh my babies.” Their mother answered the phone.
“Hey mom.” The girls replied.
“Oh Nkosi Yami. Nibahle.” (You girls are beautiful.) She starts sobbing. “Ngifisa ngabe bengikwati kutsi ngite lapho, kodfwa akukhoneki. Wamuhle Ntombenhle ngane yam.” (I wish I could be there, but it is against tradition. You are really beautiful my child.) Ntombi also shed a tear.
“Akuhluphi loko ma. Ukungeseka yikho okubalulekile kim.” (That’s not important mom. What is important to me is that you are supporting me.) Ntombi says. 
“Ngiyakuthandza okay my baby. Nginithanda nobabili.” (I love you two) 
“We love you too ma!” The girls confess.
“Baba?”
“Mkami?” (My wife.) Their father says.
“Please make sure that my daughter gets well taken care of there.” 
“Ngiyakwethembisa, Mamabo.” (I promise you that, mother of my kids.) “And please stop with the crying and be happy! We only cry on sad days or at funerals.” He chuckled as their daughters laughed and making sounds in agreement. They ended the call.

AT THE MAYIZA RESIDENCE.

ZOZIBINI MAYIZA (Luyolo’s Mother)

The day we have been preparing for all week has finally came. I don’t remember seeing my son that happy in a very long time. The day we told him that we are arranging marriage for him, is the day we lost our son, our Luyolo. He was filled with rage but ever since he met his wife, I got my son back. Speaking of witch, my son’s wife, there is something about her that I can’t put my finger on it. My consciences may be wrong but my mind tells me that, there is something about her. I just hope everything goes well for my son today. I check the time and it is almost 6am, they should be here at anytime. My husband walks into our bedroom just as I finished applying my nude lipstick.

Siboniso:”Uyambona ke lo. Nguye lo enga tshata naye. Nyani umhle sthandwa sam, tschi!” (You see now, this is the woman I got married to. You are beautiful my love.)
Zozibini:”Utheth’ukuthini kaloku? Ndihlezi ndi nguye lo mfazi owamu tshata.” (What do you mean? I have always been the woman that you married.) He moves closer and held my waist. Of course, as old as we are, he still finds my waist very sexy.
Siboniso:”I know. I mean, I haven’t seen you wearing amadaki in a very long time. We should come back to Bisho more often, or even sizohlala apha (live here)” He puts a grin. I chuckle shaking my head.
Zozibini:”Asoze! Futhi andizi.” (I will never!) He laughs off. I roll my eyes. 
Siboniso:”Umhle, kakhulu.” (You look very beautiful.) I blush a little.
Zozibini:”Ndiyabulela tata.” (Thank you.) He pecks my lips.
Zozibini:”You smell like smoke, you have a few minutes to get ready, the bride will be here at anytime. I will go and check on everything?” He sighs and nods. “Kukho inxaki?” ( Is there a problem?) He sighs again, there is definitely a problem.
Siboniso:”Huh-uh. Akho nxaki (no problem). Ndisayo wasa ngoku (I am going to take a bath.)” Lies something is up with him.

Anyway, With that said, he went to the bathroom. He has been acting a bit weird this whole week, I wonder what is bothering him.
I make my way outside, the catering team has arrived and they are doing their job, I see the décor is done, the whole traditional reception is absolutely amazing. I really hope that it all goes well, despite the strong feeling that I have that something might happen, I really want this to be a happy day for my son. I make my way to his flat before I knock. He opens and let’s me in.

Luyolo:”Molo ma.” (Good Morning.) I hug him. 
Zozibini:”Molo mntanami. Sekuli xhesha.” (Good morning my child. It’s time.) I smile at him, he genuinely returns the smile.
Luyolo:”Yebo ma. Sendi qcibile, sizao hamba ngoku.” (Yes. I am almost done so we can leave now.) He finishes his Xhosa traditional outfit by wearing the beaded bracelet around his forehead. He looked very handsome, just like his father. Such moments make me want to cry, cry because of joy.
Zozibini:”Khandinga kholelwa ukuba ndizaw'libona le langa. I just want you to know that I am a happy mother and I am very proud of you. It started with your brother uLubabalo getting married, now it’s you although you got married for our selfish reasons, I hope that one day, you will forgive your father for it. I love you, yeva?” (I didn’t believe that I will get to see this day. I love you.) He grabs a piece of tissue before he wipes off my tears. 
Luyolo:”And I love you too mother. Now stop crying or you will ruin your make up.” He kissed my forehead.