Mabhena opened the gate and stood back for Aunti and me to enter. He led the way to his house and into his living room. Once we were seated, he on his own sofa and my aunt and I on the other one, he called his two wives. I had seen both of them peering at us through the kitchen window as we made our way to the front door. Now they came in faking surprise. They greeted us and they acted as though they had never seen me before. As if I was not the girl who had cooked with them and plait their children’s hair. For now, I was a stranger and Simon would decide whether I remained so or not. Lizwe was sent off to call Simon from his room. While we waited for him, tense formal greetings and questions about the families’ health tumbled around in the room, making me dizzy. Saliva pooled in my mouth and I had to spit but I had forgotten my handkerchief. These days all I did was spit into a hanky. If I swallowed I would gag and vomit.
Simon walked into the room and I forgot about the need to spit. He was totally unprepared to see me sitting on the sofa with my head wrapped in a quiye and my Aunti next to me. But from the look of things he knew immediately what was going on.
“Simon, do you know this young woman?”
Mabhena did not even look at me but pointed in my direction all the while scrutinizing Simon as though the answer to his question was a tiny speck on his face.
“Yes, I know her baba. This is Thembinkosi wako Mapondo. She is my girl and I want to marry her.”
Simon looked at his sandaled feet, his hands folded in his lap.
Mabhena bellowed, “You want to marry her? With what money? Do you have any idea how much it costs to take a wife? Do you know the responsibility of having a family? What about your studies?”
NakaVelile the thundercloud leaked a few drops, threatening a deluge. “If he knew where to find a woman’s hidden parts and was able to plant his seed, then surely he is old enough to be a husband and head his own family.”
I kept my head down but could not help myself. I peered at Simon. I needed to see his reactions. I felt as though I was alone floating on a log on the Shangane River when it was swollen from the December rain, insignificant and on the verge of perishing.
“Baba, I love Thembi and she is carrying my child. I am willing to do whatever it takes to be there for her and the child.”
NakaVelile the thundercloud dissipated and the brewing storm gave way to clear sky. Her whole body gave in to relaxation and melted into the sofa. The frown and wrinkles walked off her pretty face and the curtains over her eyes drew open.
The room was silent. We all waited to hear Mabhena’s next utterance.
“I am proud of you my son. You are a real man now. He puffed up his chest and crowed. Yes, a real man takes responsibility for where his cattle have grazed and he takes ownership of the consequences if they have grazed on someone else’s pasture. The Mabhena livestock went grazing on the Mapondo pastures and now we must, like men take responsibility. Mama, you may leave our wife with us. She will be in good hands. We will send a message to your people with due haste.”
As if by magic Mabhena’s wives appeared with trays carrying drinks and food. The children brought us a dish of water to wash our hands.
I looked up at Simon and he winked at me grinning like he had stumbled on a wad of money on the road. What I felt for him then was deep gratitude for rescuing me from perishing on the Shangane River all alone. I had never doubted his love for me. But sometimes love and courage are not companions. Nothing mattered to me from that moment on, except to be the best wife for him.
1 Comment
Ohhh noo so what happened next?This never ending cycle of things that happen to the girl child!!