Mmbengwa (English Version) 16-20

MMBENGWA

Chapter 16

The day went on very well. I was as excited as a toddler who’ve just walked into a  candy shop…it was the best day of my life so far. I wasn’t really the praying kind of person but I found myself feeling thankful to God and thanking him for coming through for me. I finally believed that people were not lying when they say that ‘when God decide to show off then he show off for real’ I mean…Thilivhali’s family brought stakes of cash with them and after the negotiations they paid up what was due to my family and just like that I was rightfully his wife. I had never felt so important in my life.

After the whole thing was done, Langanani and I cleaned up and washed the dishes together. My friend was really happy. My mom seemed happy about the whole thing too. Here is the thing, with everything that used to happen in this house…I found it pleasurable to burst my mom or siblings’ bubbles whenever I got the chance. So whenever my mom smiles and looks at me…I would stop smiling all at once and give a death stare…she would swallow saliva and look away. It was the funniest thing to watch I tell you…does it make me a crazy person to enjoy something this insane? Well, maybe I was a crazy person.

When we were done my mom asked to have a word with me. So we went to her room and we got there and she sat on the bed while I stood with my back against the wall.

Mom:” so as you’ve seen in the afternoon…everything went accordingly and therefore we’ve decided that the date for the wedding should be decided by the two of you so you’ll let us know when it should be”
me:” uhm okay”

Mom:” and its okay if he wants to come see you anytime…he has done right by you so I won’t stand in your way. I am so happy Mmbengwa” I smiled

Me:” what’s making you happier? That you are finally getting rid of the daughter you never wanted or that today you are R40 000 richer?” she looked at me and let out a loud sigh

Mom:” Mmbengwa w-“

Me:” it’s okay mom…it’s getting dark outside so let me walk Langanani to her place”

Mom:” okay” I walked out of her room and outside to Langanani who was waiting for me at the patio

Langi:” wow that took long”

Me: “sorry to keep you waiting...let’s walk you home” I said that while looking at my phone and I noticed a message from Thilivhali and it read “I am on my way to see you…we need to celebrate” I smiled alone

Langi:” and now?” I just beamed and said nothing for a second…don’t be fooled guys…love is great…the feeling of being in love is great. Instead of saying anything to Langanani I just gave her my phone and she starred at it and laughed

Langi:” wow…this is love”

Me:” yeah let me walk you home…I am sure he is already close because he sent the message a while ago and I am only seeing it now” I said that while we make our way out of the gate and that’s when we saw a vehicle driving towards is and I knew it was him

Me:” speaking of the devil”

Langi:” that’s his car?” I nodded

Langi:” wow no” I smiled while I nod

Me:” I know right”

Langi:” uhm let me go home before I interrupt” she said that with a smile and walked away.

Thilivhali parked his car out of the gate. Even though I was wearing one of my best outfits but I looked at myself and felt like I didn’t deserve someone like him…I mean…look at his car and him? How do I fit into all this? Thilivhali walked out of the car right that second. He was in shorts, male sleepers and a white vest. He looked like someone who didn’t pay attention to his outfit but he still looked hot. I just stood there and looked at him…even if I would have wished not to smile but my mouth wouldn’t let me get away with it because without a single effort I just found myself smiling. Looking at him my eyes narrowed and I carefully starred…I couldn’t believe that he was mine and I was his. The butterflies in my stomach started doing their thing and I shook my head and said to myself ‘God this Sunday I am coming to church because this is more than I have ever asked’. Thilivhali walked over to me and put his hands in his pockets and looked at me. my chest expanded within seconds and then go back to normal

Thili:” you are mine Mmbengwa” he said that while opening his arms to hug me.

Chapter 17

I smiled shyly and hugged him. Have you ever hugged someone and feel like falling asleep right there on their chest? I didn’t want to let go, I really didn’t. I took a deep breath and couldn’t help but feel the smell of his perfume that obviously smelt expensive. Do you know the smell of money? Money is what I smelt when I was with Thilivhali. We broke the hug and he starred at me…at this point I felt like disappearing into thin air because I was shy.

Thili:’ you’re beautiful” I was not sure if he really meant it or if he was just trying to make fun of me so I couldn’t even say anything

Thili:” I prepared something so that we could have dinner together…I can go talk to your mom so that she can expect you back home tomorrow…that’s if you are game” I looked at him with my eyes wide open. Didn’t he say that we won’t do anything until we get married? Yeah I was many things but I was definitely not an expert on relationships and dating so I was scared to be alone with him the whole night.

Me:” but you said we will wait for the wedding” I said in a small voice…Thilivhali smiled at me

Thiili:’ and we are still waiting for the wedding”

Me:’ soo…”

Thili:” so we won’t do anything” I smiled

Me:” okay let me go talk to my mom”

Thili:” don’t you think that I should also come with so that she can know for sure that you are leaving with me?”

Me:” I’ve never really slept out and she’s never seen me with a boy so I am sure that she won’t need any convincing…she’ll know that I am really with you”

Thili:” where the hell were you all this time Mmbee?”

Me:” I was still growing up I guess” then it hit me…I was getting married to someone whose age I didn’t know….i mean, how forward was I being? But I didn’t really stress because Thilivhali looked really young

Me:” uhm, how old are you again?”

Thili:” 25 and you are 20 right?”

Me:” how did you know that?”

Thili:” I am a resourceful man Mmbengwa…go talk to your mom and please don’t bring anything…I have it all covered” I turned around and walked to the house. Everything felt like a beautiful dream and I felt as though I would wake up and find myself still living my miserable life.

My mom was in the kitchen when I got to there…I stood at the door and looked at her

Me:” mom”

Mom:” yes” she looked at me

Me:” Thilivhali is asking to have me over at his place…he will bring me back tomorrow” I don’t know why but it was kind of hard to discuss this with my mother, maybe it was because of my inexperience when it comes to the whole dating situation. I’ve always thought I was young but now I could feel that I was no longer a child but an adult

Mom:” I don’t see a problem, I mean…he paid lobola for you”

Me:” uhm so what if he says that he wants it? I mean uhm…ehhh…I mean that…he said that we will wait until wedding but what if he just decide that he wants it…what should I do?” I won’t lie…I was scared. My mom was not really my favourite person in the world but I needed her guidance on this

Mom:” he paid lobola for you Mmbengwa” I looked at her with nothing but fear…I mean I at least expected her to tell me that should he show any signs of wanting sex then I should run out of there and make a plan to get home

Me:”so lobola means that I am now his? That we can start doing things?” my mom looked at me and smiled

Mom:” you remind me of the year I got married”

Me:” really?”

Mom:” it’s not really a problem Mmbengwa…if he wants it then you’ll have to do it…he will be gentle because he knows that it’s your first time…plus I think that he will wait because that’s what he promised you so maybe you should relax”

Me:”thank you….i am gonna have to go now” I said that turning around

Mom:’ Mmbengwa”

Me:” yes” I turned and looked at her

Mom:” I am sorry Mmbengwa…there are things that happened, things I can’t share with you but just know that I shouldn’t have taken it out on you…I am sorry” I just blinked several times and then walked away. I didn’t even know what to think anymore.

Chapter 18

I was nervous when I got to the car. I mean who wouldn’t be nervous and scared? I mean, even though he had already paid lobola for me, that still didn’t change the fact that he was still just a  total stranger to me.

Thili:’ what did she say?” I smiled

Me:” she has no problem…I mean you’ve done the right thing so there is no need for her to worry”

Thili:” yeah that’s true” he said that opening the front door for me. This didn’t feel like me at all. I still felt like I would wake up from the beautiful dream that I was having. I got into the car and was greeted by none other than the smell of the leather seat. I smiled and looked around and I couldn’t believe that I was marrying this guy. Thilivhali closed the door and went to his side and got in

Thili:” here we go” he said that and started the car and drove.

He fiddled with his phone while driving and when he put it down John Legend ‘All of me’ track graced the atmosphere…damn I melted. I couldn’t help but smile as we drive through the streets….i had never been so satisfied about life itself like I was at this moment. I had no idea where we were going…matter of fact I didn’t even know where Thilivhali stayed.

We drove for a while and even though I expected that we were going to Tshisaulu…Tshisaulu is the village where he told me that he stayed at. I was surprised when instead of hitting the Punda Maria road straight towards Tshisaulu we turned at Hollywood garage and headed towards Makwarela

Me:” where are we going? I thought you stay at Tshisaulu?”

Thili:” Tshisaulu is where I grew up but it’s not our house” I raised my eyebrows while looking at him…I was a little bit confused

Thili:” we are going to the house that I bought for us” okay I was really trying to contain myself but I failed. I started smiling right away

Me:” our house?”

Thili:” yes” my heart melted and I knew right then that this was the end of my suffering.

Thilivhali drove around until we ended up at Thohoyandou Block D. It was dark at night and I couldn’t really see the streets clearly but all I know is that Block D is where monied people in Venda stays…it’s one of those places. Thilivhali drove through some gate and parked the car outside at the driveway. After that he got out of the car and I did the same. I looked at the house and my breathing stopped for literally five seconds. I starred at the house and froze…this can’t be our house…no I refuse to believe that this is it. Thilivhali came and stood behind me and wrapped his hands around me…we looked at the house together and I couldn’t believe it. It was a double storey house…the lights around the house were all on and it looked like some fancy hotel. Even though it was dark at night…I could see just how beautiful the house looked.

Th8ili:’ do you love it?” I turned around and looked at him. I know that I was excited at the idea of being married to a monied guy and leave the situation at home but this was too much…this was way more than what I had in mind

Me:” Thilivhali”

Thili:” just us Mmbee” I swallowed hard and breathed in short heavy breaths

Me:” uhm” I lost my speech…like I couldn’t talk

Thili:” just me and you and our kids” no this better be a dream

Thili:” you want to see the inside?” I smiled and nodded…I had no words…words couldn’t come out of my mouth

Thili:” come” he took my hand and I felt this electrifying sensation when our hands touched. We walked to the house together and he got there and opened the door and ushered me in. I walked in and stood at the door and covered my mouth with my hands while my eyes were dancing around

Me:” Thili” I said that and walked further and stood in the middle of the room

Thili:” Mmbengwa I want you to understand that all of this come at a price” I turned around and looked at him. The house was gigantic so it obviously didn’t come cheap so I understood that.

Me:” that’s obvious”

Thili:” you are not understanding me…I am trying to say that we will be required to do certain things, things that will ensure that we don’t lose any of this. I want you to know that once we get married there is no going back”

Me:” why would I want to go back?”

Thili:’ because you are walking into the darkness Mmbee and one day you’ll wish to see the light”

Even though he was not clear about what he was talking about. My guess was that he was one of those people who used muti in order to have successful business, well…I was at a stage where I couldn’t possible back down. I had sat and reminisce about a lavish life with him so it was not possible to go back to my miserable life.

Me:’ if the darkness gives us all of this then I am in”

Chapter 19

There was honestly no going back here. I had already told myself time and time again that I was getting married and that my life was about to change so I couldn’t go back on that. For the first time in my life, my mom was treating me like her daughter so if I wasn’t getting married…would she be treating me like this?

Thili:’ what are you thinking about?” he said walking to me

Me:” nothing” I said that and threw myself on the sofa. Damn some people are living large I tell you…some of us just made a mistake of being born into the wrong families but damn look at this? Thilivhali just stood there and looked at me

Thili:” feel at home because this is our house and if there is something that don’t sit well with you….something that you want to change then you are welcome to do so”

Me:”okay”

Thili:” I cooked dinner” I raised my eyebrows and he gave me a shy smile

Me:” you can cook?”

Thili:” I try…come…I want to show you our bedroom” he said that handing out his hand to take mine. I walked to him and he took my hand and our fingers intertwined.  I was electrified and the more his fingers move against my skin the weaker I got. My eyes kept dancing around the house because the house was really beautiful. The house was painted Gold and everything in the house was either Gold, White and a bit of Black. We took the stairs and then walked through the passage. We got to some room and he opened the door. I walked in and damn. It was a huge bedroom that looked like those hotel ensuite bedrooms

ThiliL:” we will obviously go shopping and buy the beddings of your choice and we can even change the bed if you don’t like it”

I couldn’t say anything because I was wondering if Thilivhali didn’t know where I was coming from. I mean, where would I get the guts to not be happy with this gigantic bed when my bed at home was old and has a big hole in the middle? I sat on the bed and my heart started beating fast…I mean this is where everything was going to go down

Thili:”you are not saying anything and that’s making me nervous” I looked at him and he really looked nervous

Me:” this is all more than what I expected so I am just trying to take it all in” he smiled

Thili:” ow okay” his phone rang and he picked it up

Thili:” Mr Madzunye…yes…okay I am coming right now” he hung up the call and looked at me. He looked scared

Thili:” we have a visitor” he took my hand and we walked out of the room

Thili:” after our visitor has left I will give you a tour around the whole house. And please, I would like us to spend the night together in our bedroom and I promise you that I won’t even attempt to touch” I smiled when I heard that

Thili:”and please, remember that I love you and you are the only one I want as my wife. Whatever happens with our visitor…please I am begging you not to leave” he said that and tightened his grip around my fingers

I looked at him and even though he wasn’t looking at me, I could see that he was scared. Why was he so scared? That I would leave him? What kind of demon would have enough power to make me leave him? Because I was sure as hell not going to do it willingly. He needed to relax and accept that I wasn’t going to just up and leave…forward we go and I am not backing down. When we got to the living room there was an old man there…he was obviously a traditional healer or an inyanga or whatever name you may use for him. Ever since I was born, I had never been to a traditional healer to consult or anything like that so this was all new to me. When I saw the man and realised what he was…I let go of Thili’s hand and looked at him

Thili:” Mmbengwa this is Madzunye…Madzunye this is the girl that I’ve been telling you about” Madzunye just looked at me and said nothing. I looked at the man and I couldn’t look at him for a second without blinking. I had never seen such an ugly and scary man in my entire life. He was the kind to scary kids

Me:” what’s going on?” I whispered to Thilivhali even though I was loud enough for Madzunye to hear me

Thili:’ Madzunye is here to bind us together so that we may become one” I frowned looking at him..i was confused, I didn’t understand what he meant

Thili:” we are rightfully married because I paid lobola so Madzunye is just here to make it official and to join us and bind us together so that we can become one…the wedding will just be a procedure but this is the important part of our union”

Chapter 20

Madzunye:” there is nothing to be scared about…it’s not really a hectic procedure” I expected his facial expression to at least change when he was talking to me because he looked angry and ugly at the same time but nothing changed…he still looked the same.

Me:” how does it work? And did you tell my mother?”

Thili:” this has nothing to do with your mother…you are the one that I am marrying, not her…this is about us” I blinked and decided that I should just do it and get it over with

Me:”so what’s going to happen?”

Madzunye:” uhm I forgot to give you a complement Thilivhali…you’ve got yourself a beautiful young woman” even though I was scared of this old man…what he said made me relax a little

Thili:” she really is beautiful” I wanted to smile because what he said made me happy but the thought of what we were about to do was bothering me

Me:”can we start with the binding thing? I just want to get it over with” I said with a frown…Thilivhali wrapped his hand around me and looked at me

Thili:”it’s going to be okay Mmbengwa, I chose you because I know you are strong”

Me:” let’s just start please” I was impatient.

Madzunye was down on both his knees. He then opened his sac bag which was on the floor and took out the round clay pot and many other things that I couldn’t even recognise. I felt this cold breeze that made me so scared. I looked around and breathed in fear. What did I get myself into? I said silently while Thilivhali stood there with his hand around me

Madzunye:’ you may sit down guys”

He said that while taking some leafs and putting them into the clay pot. Thili and I sat on the floor in front of Madzunye. After putting the leaves inside the clay pot…he started a small fire inside the clay pot…at this point I was just looking at him with nothing but shock and fear. I finally understand his talks about the darkness…this is what he meant. He liked Witch Doctors…I mean it’s not really a bad habit is it? I can definitely try and live with it. I shook my head looking at Thili who just looked back at me and said nothing. The fire inside the pot stopped and there was now only smoke coming out. Madzunye started grunting, groaning and chanting all at the same time. I felt like getting up and run for my life. I grabbed Thili’s hand and hold it tight…I was so scared.

Madzunye:’ give me your hand” he was looking at Thilivhali.

Looking at him I realised that his face was suitable for this whole Witch Doctor thing. He took out a new box of minora razors and I started shaking in far. He took Thilivhali’s hand and made two small cuts and then positioned his hand above the clay pot and drops of blood dropped into the pot. After that he looked at me

Madzunye:’ your hand” I swallowed and hesitated and then looked at Thilivhali who put his hand on my arm and nodded. I gave him my hand and closed my eyes instantly. He made two small cuts and I opened my eyes…few drops of my blood were also dropped inside the pot. And then he gave my hand back to me.

Madzunye:” give me your hands both of you” we gave him the hands that were cut and he put them together with Thilivhali’s hand on top of mine. After that he took out muti and splashed it on our hands. When he was done he let go of our hands and poured a black muti inside the pot and a fire erupted from the pot. I jumped and almost ran away but the fire stopped immediately after erupting and I relaxed a little. Madzunye looked at us and smiled

Madzunye:” they agreed”

Thili:” yess” he took a sigh of relief

Me:” who agreed?” Thili and Madzunye looked at each other

Thili:”you’ll know all about it soon Mmbengwa….for now we should allow Madzunye to complete his work here”

Madzunye:” from now on you are one thing…there is no cheating or looking the other way…if that happens then a lot will go wrong”