QUEEN OF HEARTS

CHAPTER 13

"Mama, please. Let them in," I pleaded with her. Andile's family had been outside for almost 45 minutes shouting our clan names and I was standing at my window watching. "Aii Keabetswe, move from the window. You are not involved in this," she said. Bathong! Kanti  kemagadi amang? I saw one of my uncles go to the gate and talk to them. They stood like that for a good 10 minutes discussing whatever. My phone rang and I grabbed it. Andile, I smiled. "Hello?"
×××
I was a nervous wreck. They hadn't let my family in yet which annoyed me. I'm in my car parked away from Kea's house because I'm not allowed to be here. I could see her peeking out the window since her home was a double storey. I decided to call her.
"Hello"
"Hello? No hi husband, baby nothing just hello"
*laughs* "Hi baby"
"Move way from the window"
She looked around searching for me I suppose.
"What? Where are you?"
The gate opened and they let my family in. Good.
"No. Move away from the window"
She looked around and then she saw my car. Shit!
"I'm coming"
"No. Don't. And anyways, how were you going to get here? Stay there I'll see you tomorrow babe"
"Okay, I love you"
"I love you, you look beautiful by the way"
I ended the call and then one of my uncles called me, what now?
"Mshana"
"Malume"
"They are asking if you found her while she was still a virgin"
I chuckled.
"Yes, she still is actually"
"Weehh aii they are demanding a lot of money already, her being a virgin is just going to increase it"
"Malume, I don't care. If we have to pay a million, we will"
"Okay Mshana"
And he hung up. This is it, I thought.
×××
It's 12, they have been in there for 2 hours, what could they possibly be discussing. One of my aunts walked in and told me I had been summoned. I gave myself a once over before walking out. The doek on my head was very tight and hot and the pinafore was itchy. At least I look pretty. I went into the living room with my head bowed, greeted and sat on the mat. "Ngwanaka, do you know these men?" dad asked. "Eya ntate, I know them," I replied. Sighs of relief. "They are asking for your hand in marriage, do you accept," dad asked and I said yes. There were a few grunts of happiness and I was dismissed. After about 30 minutes I heard ululations. "Sifuna umakoti wethu!" I heard one of the uncles say and I was brought out. "Awu, mbalenhle. Bakhethe kahle oAndile," I heard on of the uncles say and I smiled. I sat down again on the mat. "Siyakwamukela kwaMkhize MaMoloi. Noma singakuthathi kahle, kodwa usungowaka Khabazela manje," the uncle said. "Ngiyabonga baba," I responded. Ululations again. I was then dragged to the kitchen and brought them food. They left afterwards and I went to my room to call Andile. "Mrs Mkhize," he replied sounding very happy. "Myeni wami,"
"How does it feel to be a Mkhize?"
"It hasn't kicked in yet."
"Don't worry it will soon"
"Okay, I have to go wash dishes"
"I love you"
"Me too"
"You too ini?"
I rolled my eyes.
"I love you too"