Mmbengwa (English Version) 6-10

Chapter 6

I don’t know how to explain what I was feeling. I was totally confused, totally happy and feeling like a damn winner. I broke the embrace with Thilivhali and the people were busy ululating and clapping for us. I had no idea how good it felt to have everyone’s attention on you. I looked at Thili and couldn’t believe that he gave me such a wonderful surprise. Finding myself with someone who understood me as much as Thili did was obviously going to make me happy. I had always been a loner and no one truly understood me because the situation at home made me an angry child. I was generally angry for no reason most of the times.

Thili:” I think our purpose is served…let’s go” he said that while whispering to me. He then scooped me up and walked out of the hall with me in his arms. The whole thing was overwhelmingly too much. People continued ululating until we got outside. He walked with me in his arms until we got to his car.

Thili:” Happy?” he said that looking into my eyes and putting me down

I started laughing hysterically…I burst into a serious laugh and clapped my hands while at it. My mind was taking me back to Balanganani’s face when she saw what was happening and the shock on her face. The more I thought about it the more I lost myself and laugh so hard. Thilivhali just stood there and looked at me. After five minutes of laughing I stood there leaning against his car

Thili:” you are really happy?”

Me:” you have no idea just how happy I am…I’d been watching her while she was in the spotlight my whole life…I was always in the shadows…gosh you should have seen her face”

Thili:” I know the feeling, you feel like a winner right?”

Me:” like I’ve won the fight that I’ve been fighting for years…I have never made her feel this way”

Thili:” I get your happiness with regard to your sister’s reaction but what do you say about my proposal?” I looked at him with my eyes wide open

Me:” what about it?” the proposal couldn’t have been real. Yes I wanted it to be real but I felt that there is no way that someone would meet a girl yesterday and decide to propose to her the following day. I mean, I thought the whole proposal thing was just for a show

Thili:” I didn’t do all of that just for a show Mmbee, I really want to marry you” I looked at him with a smile because somehow I expected him to tell me that he was joking but he didn’t

Me:” you’re serious?”

Thili:” yeah”

Me:” Thilivhali I am serious”

Thili:” not as serious as me…do you think I did all of that just for a show? Mmbengwa it’s real”

Me:” but we met yesterday”

Thili:” but I’ve known you for a while” I looked at him and felt like the whole thing was a joke of some sort.

Me:” I don’t know what to say” I was being honest. I mean, who would jump at an opportunity to get married to a guy they don’t even know?

Thili:” say yes”

Me:” but Thilivhali you are handsome and you have money…I am sure you have a girlfriend somewhere” he looked at me and smiled

Thili:” ok let me not lie to you…I had a girlfriend but she doesn’t have what you have. You are not scared, you have a big heart and can tolerate harsh situations and you can survive just about anything…when I look at you I see a perfect match”

Me:” and love? You don’t want love?” he looked at me while laughing

Thili:” love is for those who don’t know what they want. You can reject my proposal and go out there and find someone whom you love but the big question is will that person be able to give you what you want in this life? You want power and I want the same and together we can get far” I looked at him and my mind trailed off. I could already see it…me and him side to side. I would never need anything else because he could give me everything

Me:” give me time” I felt that I needed some time to think

Thili:” I am giving you two weeks maximum to decide and during that two weeks we will date so that you can get to know me. Getting to know me will help you decide” I looked at him feeling all confused

Me:” is this how people start relationships?”  I had a confused look on my face

Thili:” are you telling me that you’ve never been in a relationship?” he was shocked. I shook my head slowly

Thili:” really?” I crossed my fingers and looked at him…he smiled shaking his head and I knew I got him.

Chapter 7

I thought that it’s supposed to take years and years for someone’s life to finally change but that’s not the truth. My life changed in a speed of light. One minute I was lying on my bed hating on my sister’s wedding and the next minute life started to happen for me. Meeting Thilivhali is one of those moments that I will never forget…no matter how good things may turn out for me…this was the moment to be remembered. How do I forget someone who changed my life for the better?

The two weeks he gave me to think about the whole thing started immediately when we parted ways on the day of Balanganani’s wedding. The following day people were cleaning up at home but I stayed in my bed and did nothing. Balanganani was obviously gone to her new family. Some of the relatives where at her in-laws but my mom and the others came back late last night. Do you know what I was excited about? I wanted to see how my mom was going to cope without her beloved Balangani now that she was gone because they were very close.

I was lying on my bed alone when my mom walked into the room and sat on my bed. It felt like a dream…I mean, the only time she ever stepped foot in my room was when she was coming to yell at me for something or to call me so that I may assist with something but sitting on my bed? That was all new.

Mom:” Mmbengwa” I looked at her with nothing but a frown

Me:” yes”

Mom:” what that boy did yesterday…is it for real?” I smiled and thought to myself ‘so you thought no one was ever going to love me huh?’

Me:” yeah…it’s real”

Mom:” did you say yes?”

Me:” yah”

Mom:” but you are still young Mmbengwa don’t you see that? And what was that all about? According to tradition when a man wants to marry a girl he send his elders to come propose on his behalf first…not that little charade that almost ruined your sister’s wedding” you can never understand the joy that came with listening to my jealousy mother mutter those words…bruh she just fuelled my happiness

Me: “so you think I am young? I’ve been sitting at home for two full years doing nothing…and I am 19 mom…19 and even though I may be young…how is sitting here not doing anything going to help me? Balanganani said she is not taking me to school anymore so I might as well get married”

Mom:” I will make a plan for you to start studying next year Mmbengwa” wow I laughed…like I really laughed

Me: “which plan is that? I mean you failed to come up with a plan for the last two years and now all of a sudden you can make a plan? I made a plan myself and the plan is called Thilivhali. I will marry him mom…don’t tire yourself by trying to stop me because I will go ahead and marry him with or without your blessings. Wow, you honestly thought she’ll be the only one to get a husband and get married didn’t you? I must have wronged you a great deal for you to hate me so much”

Mom:’ why do you always think that we hate you? We don’t hate you Mmbengwa, you are just stubborn that’s all”

Me:” just…leave please”

Mom:” this wedding is not going to happen…he will not marry you” I got up from the bed and walked to the door, I wanted to open the door for her so that she may leave my room but before I did that, I turned around and looked at her

Me” I will get married to Thilivhali and if you don’t want his lobola money then that’s ok. I will walk out of here and go to him and never come back and you won’t get a cent out of it…it’s all up to you. I am tired of sitting here and feeling like a maid while the kids my age are studying” I said that and walked out of the door.

Thilivhali decided that maybe I needed more time to think without him intimidating me so he finally decided on the fact that he won’t be coming to see me for two full weeks so that I can think. What bothered me was that I missed him already…I don’t even know why I was feeling like that but I missed him all of a sudden.

Chapter 8

TWO WEEKS LATER

My mom was still angry at me so she was sulking and not talking to me half the time…when she finally talked to me it was usually in shouting. I was not surprised and the whole thing didn’t even bother me at all. I was used to being ill-treated so as long as I still had oxygen to breathe then I didn’t give a crap. Last time I check Balanganani was in a honeymoon so I had no idea if she was already back and I wasn’t about to ask. My brother was around and even though he didn’t really ill-treat me…I was the one who was mean to him every time…I mean, I was just bitter to everyone because of how I was being treated. Most of my relatives were interested in knowing about Thilivhali and when the wedding will be held…I didn’t really give them solid details because I had no idea when it was going to happen so I just told them that they should be on the lookout for the invitations…my mom didn’t mention the engagement issue or the wedding since that last confrontation in my room.

It was Thursday afternoon and I was sitting alone watching TV when I heard someone calling outside. My mom was not around and my brother was at school so I got up to check who was outside. I got outside and almost ran out of breath and fainted when I realised that it was Thilivhali. Why didn’t anyone warn me that being in a relationship is all kind of weird? I mean my legs were suddenly weak and wobbly…not to mention the churning in my stomach…the blood in my veins where moving faster than they should. I don’t know why but suddenly my mouth stared stretching and I involuntarily started smiling…I had no control over anything anymore…things were just happening.

Thili:” Mmbengwa” wow his voice neh? I stood there leaning against the wall because I was afraid I was going to fall

Me:” Tshilivhali” he looked at me and smiled…damn lemme laugh at this because it was honestly funny…the things I was feeling? Yerrr

Thili:” so?” he said that with obvious interest in knowing which decision I had taken. To be honest, taking a decision wasn’t hard at all...it was actually the easiest thing I have ever had to do…I mean…who wouldn’t want to get out of this horrendous situation I was living in?

Me:” uhm…you don’t think that maybe you should come in and sit down?”

Thili:” no…I need an answer” I started looking around

Thili:” sorry to come here and if it will cause problems then we can leave” he said that turning around

Me:” the answer is yes” my heart was beating out of my chest as I say that. I don’t know why but it felt as though I had just sold my soul to the devil…but there was a bigger part of me that was really excited and looking forward to my new life. Thilivhali looked at me for a long time without saying a word. Did he change his mind? I mean maybe he expected me to say no and now that I said yes he was changing his mind.

Me:”you heard what I said?” he blinked several times and then nodded his head

Thili:” uhm wow…you’re serious?”

Me:” that’s if you still want me” he laughed while walking towards me

Thili:” what? Mmbengwa I am honoured” he got to me and wrapped his hands around my waist…Dear God I started to panic. He looked straight at me and slowly bent over to me. I tried to look at his eyes but I couldn’t so I quickly looked away. He then slowly tilted my head so that I may look at him. Gosh I couldn’t look at him…I was suddenly regretting this whole thing…I mean how does this love thing work guys?

Thili:” You’re beautiful Mmbengwa” i was 19 years old right? Well, in that 19 years of my existence, I had no single memory of someone ever telling me that I was beautiful...not even a single person. Thilivhali was the first one to tell me those words.

Me:”stop playing please” I said that while giving him my fake laugh

Thili” I am not playing Mmbengwa, you are really beautiful” you see that? That silenced me for real…I couldn’t say anything anymore. I expected him to finally give me my first kiss but nahh…he didn’t

Thili:” I will send the elders next week” he said that and let go of me and stood a little distance away from me. I thought this relationship thing is supposed to be like how they portray it in movies…like a kiss maybe?

Me:”my mom is not happy” he smiled

Thili:’ do you care?”

Nne:” not even a bit”

Thili:” then the elders will come next week”

Chapter 9

I smiled looking at him. This was not just a smile…no…I was still wondering about the kiss

Me:” uhm okay”

Thili:” uhm…I brought you something here…I will be busy at work during the week so I won’t possibly be able to come see you all the time so I bought you a phone so that we can be able to communicate” he reached inside his jean pocket and took out a phone…I looked at him with my eyes wide open

Thili:”I hope this will do” he said that smiling

Me:” Thili” I was shaking my head…I was happy and scared at the same time.

Thili:” I bought it for you Mmbengwa, I was really hoping that you’ll say yes and you did…so we will communicate” I smiled

Me:” iphone?” he nodded

Thili:” just be my wife and things like an iphone will not mean much to you anymore…the price of this phone will be like that of a loaf of bread to you”

Me:” wow” he gave it to me and I looked at it in disbelief. It was white and looked really beautiful. Thili:”the simcard is ready for use and I have set up everything…I even took the number and I also stored mine in there. I also recharged it with enough airtime just in case you feel like contacting me” I looked at the phone and then at Thilivhali and just laughed.

Me:” I don’t know what to say”

Thili:” that makes me a happy man”

Me:” which iphone is this?”

Thili:”7 but I can get you 8 if you aint happy with this one” seriously? I didn’t even have a R100 phone so how the hell could I be picky? I was just glad that I had a phone

Me:” even if you got me an iphone 2, I would have celebrated” he smiled looking at me

Thili:”so we will talk on the phone okay? I don’t know when I will see you because I am busy but we will stay in contact” he sounded like he wanted to leave

Me:”so we are dating now? I mean are we girlfriend and boyfriend?” he looked at me and laughed and his laugh made me feel stupid

Thili:” I thought it’s obvious…I am about to marry you so yeah we are dating” I melted

Me:” okay…so”

Thili:” so?”

Me:” nothing” I wanted to ask him about the kiss but I didn’t have the guts to ask him about it. I mean…once people starts dating then we can move on to the kissing part right?

Thili:” okay let me get going…we will keep in contact”

Me:” okay” he turned around and started walking

Me:” so…no kiss” my heart was pounding by now. He turned around and looked at me with a smile

Thili:”have you ever been kissed?” I shook my head

Thili:”then let’s not spoil it…let our first kiss be on our wedding day and everything else will take place at the honeymoon…I will prepare a fancy one” okay now I was scared

Me:” but what if I am not good at it?” he laughed and I was irritated because this was important to me

Thili:” just leave it all to me…don’t forget to tell your mom about the visitors” he said that and turned around and left.

I stood there and looked at him until he got to his car and left.

I was still standing there when Balanganai’s car drove through the gate…she was with my mom. I walked inside the house immediately. I didn’t understand how someone who just got married would be driving up and down coming to her home already. I mean why? After I get married I was never going to set foot in this God forsaken place. I went to my room and went to lay down on my bed. After a while someone knocked on the door and walked in before I could tell them to come in. I looked at the person at the door and it was my sister Balanganani

Balanganani:”Mmbengwa”
me:” yes”

Balanganani:”was that car here? The one we drove past while driving back home”

ME: “why are you bothered? This is not your home anymore so who is asking about the cars driving past your house when you are asking about the ones past my home?”

Balanganani:’ wow you think that you’ve made it neh? And what was that crap you did at my wedding?’ I honestly had no strength for anything else but to laugh

MMBENGWA

Ndima 10

Bala:” you think this is funny? Did you see how you ruined my wedding with your blue dress that looked nothing like the theme colour?”

Me:” it’s funny because you are talking to the wrong person. If your wedding was really ruined then the person responsible would be Thilivhali…he is the one who snatched the mic and started talking…not me…I didn’t even say a word”

Bala:” I know that you conspired with him so that you can ruin my wedding…why can’t you just grow up?” I smiled

Nne:”I am in the process of growing up and that’s why I will be getting married in the next few weeks. And ow…if you don’t mind, I would love to have the video for your wedding reception so that I can see my engagement on the video please” I was trying to tell her that I got a new phone…she looked at my phone and I could see her facial expression changing

Me:” I told you that one day is one…which phone are you using again? Huawei neh?”

Bala:” what the hell is your problem huh?” she screamed

Me:” my problem is that you are in my room…leave” my mom walked in

Mom:” so what’s wrong with you two? Will you stop fighting for a second?”

Bala:”it’s her…you know how she is”

Me:” I thought marriage will make you a better person but no” she marched over to me looking like dragon…she was fuming. My mom marched after her and she was about to hit me when my mom grabbed her hand

Mom:’ no Balanganai stop fighting”

Bala:”if you dare try this again Mmbengwa, not even she can stop me”

Me:” really? Just try me” this is how defeat looks like. The fact that Balanganani stooped as low as trying to hit me meant that she was in pain…and that was a win for me and defeat for her.

Mom:’ Mmbengwa stop it”

Me:” why are you blaming me? She is the one who came to my room and start provoking me…why do I have to be blamed for everything?”

Mom:”the two of you will be the end of me…this will give me a heart attack one day” when she said that I wondered if I would mourn my mom if she dies? Well, I didn’t have an answer to that…I had no idea if I would ever be able to mourn her. My mom walked to the door after Balanganani who had already walked out

Me:’mom” she turned around and looked at me

Me”:”Thili’s family is coming this Saturday to start with the lobola negotiations”

Mom” this Saturday?”

Me:” yes” looking at her I was ready for any answer she was going to give me. I was prepared to fire back hard

Mom:” I thought about this whole getting married thing and you deserve to be happy too so if this Thilivhali boy is prepared to make you happy then be it” I was prepared for anything she was going to tell me but I was not prepared for any of this. I didn’t expect her to give me her blessings.

Me:” you want me to be happy?” she looked at me and breathed and nodded her head

Mom:” we are always fighting and it’s not healthy so let them come…I will talk to your uncles” I couldn’t believe it, it felt like a dream. Balanganani walked in right after that

Bala:” are you serious about letting her get married? She is a child” I looked at her and smiled. She just played into my hand…this is what I was waiting for and this is what I had perfect answers for

Me:”Balanganani you kn-“ my mom stopped me

Mom:’ Mmbengwa wait a minute” she said that and looked at Balanganani

Mom:” I don’t want us to fight about this Bala, let her get married if it’s what she wants” Balanganani angrily walked out of the room. My mom breathed and walked out too.