CHAPTER 62
NALEDI MOLETSANE

“I miss you already,” I sulk and he pecks my
lips.
“Me too baby but I promise I’ll be back on
Sunday,” he says and I tighten my arms
around him. He’s going back to Durban to
attend Nhlangano’s teachers hearing
tomorrow. On Saturday he’s going to his
village to tell his mother the whole situation
of her grandson sleeping with his educator,
and also the issue with his biological father;
then he will talk to her about our
relationship. He promised that he will do
everything in his power to make his mother
understand that I am the love of his life. I
hope he succeeds now that we are husband
and wife, yes, we went to home affairs today
and got legally married. I am now Naledi Aluta
Moletsane-Mavimbela, I know it’s long but I
wasn’t about to drop my maiden surname.
“Naledi leave the man or they will miss their
flight,” Thuli says and I let go of my husband
and look at him in the eye, they are full of
adoration and happiness. What good did I do
to bag myself this man?
“Be good for me okay? I’ll call as soon as my
boots hit the ground,” he caresses my face
tenderly.
“I love you,” I murmur and his eyes twinkle.
“I love you more than life itself, mfazi wam,”
my butterflies go a tad crazy. Shlobo takes
my hand and kisses my diamond ring. I take
his hand too and kiss the band on his finger.
We got our rings yesterday at Lukhele
diamonds, that’s how serious we are taking
this marriage.
“Go before I start crying, please,” he kisses my
forehead.
“Thuli, please take care of my baby,” he says
to my friend who nods with a grin on her
face.
“Bafo we can leave,” he adds, looking at his
friend and business partner. He came through
this morning to be our second witness at
home affairs. After the ceremony we went to
a restaurant and shared a celebratory meal
and drink.
I watch my boyfri…uhm my husband walk
away. My heart feels heavy, I was hoping that
we would have an amazing night, to celebrate
our union. But he promised that we will go
away on a mini honeymoon soon. Thuli clasps
my hand once they have disappeared and
leads me to the parking lot. Can we skip all
other days so Sundays can be tomorrow? I
don’t think I will be able to survive this long
distance. We need to talk about this as soon
as possible.
“You bitch! What did you put in your stew?”
Thuli hits my arm once we are in the car.
“Ouch! What are you talking about?” she
smacks her lips.
“You meet a man less than a month ago and
you already have his surname,” she says and I
giggle.
“It feels surreal for me too but I’m so happy
Thuli, I feel like I’m about to explode. I have
never felt this way with anyone, Shlobo is my
soul mate and I’m glad we didn’t wait,” she
nods.
“Your crazy love story is giving me hope.
Seeing you guys today made me believe that
I’ll find love again,” she mutters and I frown.
“Not with Mongezi, please,” she laughs,
shaking her head.
“Ugh no. Mongezi is good in bed but I won’t
allow his penis to confuse me. He’s just
something to have fun with,” that’s good to
hear, Mongezi is not the type to take
seriously. I was shocked when she told me
over the phone that she reached out to
Mongezi and they’ve already snacked each
other. I honestly didn’t think Thuli had the
balls to do it, but I’m glad she’s living life and
slowly but surely getting over Jimmy.
“Thank you, Thuli. I appreciate you coming to
stand in as our witness,” she leans in and we
hug.
“It’s a pleasure my friend.”
.
.
.
Thuli is sleeping over, we are going to get
stupid drunk so she can’t drive. She says it’s
my bachelorette and bridal shower all at once
because I didn’t give her enough time to
prepare for those. I don’t know if there’s a
difference between the two but hey I’m here
to have a good time.
She bought me some gifts and it’s mostly sexy
underwear and role playing costumes. I
laughed so hard but I appreciate them so
much because my husband and I are very
sexual.
Can you believe that we have already downed
two bottles of champagne in just an hour?
And I’m already draped in toilet paper, a
makeshift wedding dress, this is silly but I’m
having a good time.
“We should take shots,” I nod vigorously.
“Yes, please,” I clap excitedly. Shlobo knows
that we are going to get up to no good, so he
won’t be surprised when he calls and I’m
slurring my words.
The intercom goes off as Thuli pours tequila in
shot glasses. Who could it be?
I get up from the rug and go answer, my
toilet paper dress is ruined on one side. At
least she has taken as many pictures and
videos to show Shlobo and just for memories
of this beautiful and life changing day.
“Yes,” I answer, crossing fingers that it’s not
my mom or manana. I wouldn’t know how to
explain missing work and drinking heavily on
a weekday. My marriage will not be a matter
of public knowledge, at least not until next
year after Shlobo pays lobola. Maswabi won’t
be too mad then because she will be planning
a wedding and inviting her political frienemies
to see it happening.
“Hey, it’s me. Can you please open,” I close my
eyes. Why is Vhutshilo here? We haven’t
spoken since that little fight we had last
Friday at his house when I went to drop our
daughter. I take a deep breath and open for
him. I hurry back to the lounge.
“Bassie’s father is here,” I inform Thuli and her
eyes widen.
“Shit! Take off your ring,” I furrow my
forehead.
“No, I’m never taking this off. Everyone knows
that I love diamonds so they’ll just figure that
it’s one of many,” she shrugs her shoulders.
“Okay. And the dress?” Thuli must relax.
Vhutshilo is smart but he won’t put two and
two together. He will think we are just two
drunk women who used to sleep with the
same man.
“Ladies,” he greets, walking in with his hands
burried in his pockets.
“Hey,” Thuli and I say in unison.
“What are you two celebrating?” he asks,
looking at the ice bucket filled with
champagne and a bottle of taquila.
“You know, just phuza Thursday, nothing
much,” he nods.
“Nice dress,” he says with a confused smile. I
chuckle nervously.
“Thuli wants to become a fashion designer and
I’m her muse,” I say and look at my friend who
gulps down her drink.
“Can I?” I nod and he settles on the single
couch.
“let me go to the bathroom,” Thuli gets up and
leaves the room. I know it’s to give us some
privacy.
“I’m sorry,” he says.
“Why can’t you be happy for me?” I ask and he
closes his eyes.
“I’m just worried Naledi. I don’t want you to
get hurt. You just went through a lot with
Jimmy,” I appreciate him for caring but he has
nothing to worry about.
“Shlobo is amazing. I have never loved any
man the way I love him,” he gasps in shock,
“He loves me too and we want to spend the
rest of our lives together. Give him a chance
and I swear you’ll like him. I want Bassie to
meet him next week, join us if you don’t
mind,” he swallows hard.
“I’ll meet him, but promise that you will take
things slowly,” I just nod to get him to chill.
“I will, now are we okay?” I ask and he smiles.
“Yes,” he gets up from the couch and comes to
kneel infront of me on the rug. We share a
hug.
“Want a drink?” I ask and he nods.
“I have to go home but I’ll have one glass,” he
takes my flute and goes to the coffee table
and takes the open bottle of champagne. He’s
about to walk back to me when he turns
again with narrowed eyes. He picks up the
marriage certificate on the table and after a
few minutes he turns in the speed of light.
Eyes blood shot red, there’s a vein throbbing
on his forehead. Fuck!
“You married him?” he roars and I’m blinking
rapidly, my heart thudding hard against my
chest.
“Vhutshilo, you can’t tell anyone,” I say,
getting on my feet. He is shaking with anger,
jaws clenched. He squashes the glass in his
hand and I take a step back. Jesus, I have
never seen him so angry.
“Naledi, you married that guy?” his voice
doesn’t come out matching his physical
appearance. He sounds wounded.