Melanie

A goat and two chickens were escorted in the Mahlangu homesteads. The lobola negotiations were officially finalised and the Dlamini family found themselves with an additional member in their clan and they couldn't be more happier. They were excited about this mysterious bride who could possibly bear their son an heir. That was what they wanted more than anything else in the world and having given the chance, they would climb on top of the planet just to tell everyone that Sizwe was getting married. That was how happy they were.

Everyone was ecstatic except for the groom, Sizwe Dlamini.

"Yes dude I'll be there as soon as all of this is over. I also can't wait to get the hell out of here," Sizwe pronounced, annoyed at how little power he had over this situation.

He was on a call with his older brother Sbongakonke.

"Aren't you happy you are getting married? At least you chose that girl for yourself. I am stuck with a monster that abuses the living daylight out of me and l don't even know what to do. This girl is crazy little brother. I would have married Priscilla, the love of my life but l couldn't because Ma had already picked out the wife she thought would be beneficial for me," Sbonga chortled bitterly at his own words.

"She was covered with a blanket Sbonga l couldn't even see her face. I don't know this chick and l don't even love her," Sizwe let out a heavy sigh as he spoke. "I'm thinking of running away from all of this."

"We'll talk later. Wifey is on my case apparently I'm using too much airtime," Sbonga chuckled.

"We'll talk later. Bye."

Sizwe cut the call and sighed. His mother could see how frustrated he was so she came to sit next to him.

"She's only 16 Sizwe. She will bear an heir for the whole family and then you can do whatever you like with her as soon as that happens. It is a shameful thing to have 2 sons who don't have heirs. You know that right?" She leered at the sight in front of her. She hated crowds.

The elders ululated when they saw the goat being ushered in the kraal. Food and drinks were then served. The local people were dancing to the music in a fixed rhythm, drinking beer and eating the most delicious food ever. It was a huge festival. All the aunts had called out their neighbours to come and witness their sister's daughter getting married to a millionaire. That would boost their family name wouldn't it?

In the middle of the huge yard was a rondovel and the bride was sitting there quietly, waiting to be called by the elders to meet her husband for the first time. She had been trained her whole life to become someone's wife and now that the time had come for her to officially change her surname, she was a nervous wreck.

Her two aunts and grandmother walked in the rondovel. Her aunts were happy to finally get rid of her. It was about time they had the house to themselves without any disturbance.

"Melanie..." The bride's grandmother spoke as she entered the room.

Melanie looked up and saw her grandmother and tears streamed down her face. She looked beautiful in her Sotho outfit, the seshoeshoe, a doek and a white shawl.

"Granny," She wailed as she ran to her grandmother's open arms for an embrace and her aunts started laughing.

"She will never survive marriage. She's way too much of a softie to commit to such a thing. Marriage is no child's play and she's still a child," One of the aunts burst into a huge laughter.

"Let her go and suffer," The other aunt chuckled.

She crouched next to Melanie and whispered in her ear,"Remember darling, you no longer have a place in this is house. You must never set foot in this house ever again. Can you hear me?"

She then smiled and stood up to leave.

"Let us go my dearest sister. The smell in here is too much," The other aunt added.

They left the room and the painful sobs that came from Melanie were not one to be missed.

"I don't want to leave granny. I don't want to go to the city of gold my love please tell them to leave me behind," Melanie cried as she wet her grandmother's blouse.

"Hey baby look at your grandma,"

Melanie looked at her granny in the eyes and she could see tears gushing through her brown eyes.

"I am not well Melanie and I'm going to die soon, l can feel it. I don't want to leave you here with your aunts to suffer at their hands when I'm no longer here to ensure that you live a life worth living for. You are going to be someone's wife now and that is the better option," Her grandmother confided.

"The Dlamini family wants to see their bride Ntombi! Finish up please!" That was one of the aunts at the door.

"She's coming!" Ntombi screeched.

The aunt walked away as Melanie and her grandmother stood up and wiped their tears.

"Listen to me Melanie; your house must always be warm at all times. Cook for your husband, clean the house, handwash his clothes and undergarments at all times. Can you hear me?" Ntombi added as she wiped Melanie's tears away.

Melanie nodded, but her tears uncontrollably flowed through the sides of her cheeks all the while.

"Satisfy your husband in bed all the time so he mustn't go and seek for food elsewhere. Listen to your mother-in-law at all times, open your ears to her advice because she's the mother you never had. You must never come home no matter how hard it is baby girl. Perseverance is important Melanie you must never leave your home no matter what. Humble yourself at all times and never cause an argument between you and your husband," Ntombi advised.

She wiped the tears in Melanie's eyes once more and fixed her up.

"Can you hear me?" Ntombi asked and Melanie nodded.

"I love you," Melanie admitted.

"I love you too."

They walked out of the room holding Melanie's suitcase and rucksack. Ululations were heard in the yard as people danced in joy.

Melanie's grandma accompanied her to the car that was already waiting for her at the gate, and she opened the door only to find Sizwe, Sindi and the uncles already inside.

Sizwe helped them with the bags as Melanie got inside and greeted the people she already found in the car. The door was closed, locked and they set off!

A goat and two chickens were escorted in the Mahlangu homesteads. That was all they thought she was worth, and that, to begin with, was an honest insult.

The lobola negotiations were finally finalised after what seemed like forever and the Dlamini family found themselves with an additional member in their clan. It was safe to say, that they couldn't be more happier. At least they rejoiced at the thought that this mysterious bride could possibly bear their son an heir. Something he dismally failed in producing as a gift to his family even after his countless attempts. Having an heir in the family was what they wanted more than anything else in the world and having given the chance, they would climb on top of the planet just to tell everyone that Sizwe was getting married.

That was how happy they were. Everyone's mood seemed to be so light, so in the moment, expect for one person's, the man of the moment, Sizwe Dlamini.

"Yes dude I'll be there as soon as all of this is over. I also can't wait to get the hell out of here," Sizwe pronounced, annoyed at how little power he had over this situation. It frustrated him even more when he thought about the "number of things" that were at a standstill, waiting for him to fulfill them while he was here, wasting his "precious " time, so he said. He was on a call with his older brother Sibongakonke.

"Aren't you happy you are getting married to someone you picked for yourself? At least your marriage wasn't arranged. At least you chose that girl for yourself. I am stuck with a monster that abuses the living daylight out of me and l have so little control over this situation bro-" you could sense the hurt in his words.

"At least be happy for me, and promise me you won't reveal your true colors when..."

The atmosphere suddenly changed. Sbonga cleared his throat. He had forgotten that ever since his brother had been in such a bad mood for the past decade, ever since something inside of Sizwe actually broke, he had to walk around on eggshells around him and choose his words very wisely.

"We'll talk later Sbonga. I can see you're too overly excited about this." He clicked his tongue and cut the call.

"Stupid bastard," Sizwe thought to himself. "What did he know about him anyway?"

His mother found her way to the benches outside and came to sit next to him.

"She's only sixteen Sizwe, still very young, very reproductive, still a virgin. She will bear an heir for the whole family and then you can do whatever you like with her as soon as that happens. I don't know how many times we've had this conversation before -" His mother looked at him. His mind was wandering in a dry ocean, his thoughts sunken of the number of times he'd actually tried to figure out the different alternatives he could use to convince his mother otherwise. She had made it as clear as daylight that she was nowhere near changing her mind, which was true because here he was, already married to a girl he barely knew. Now tell me if there was any point in arguing about this any further. His mother sighed.

"It is a shameful thing to have 2 sons who don't have heirs. You know that right?" She leered at the sight in front of her and shifted uncomfortably. She hated crowds.

"Mmmh."

The elders ululated when they saw the goat being ushered in the kraal. Food and drinks were then served. The local people were dancing to the music in a fixed rhythm, drinking beer and eating the most delicious food ever. It was a huge festival. All the aunts had called out their neighbours to come and witness their sister's daughter getting married to a millionaire. That would boost their family name wouldn't it?

In the middle of the huge yard was a rondovel and the bride was sitting there quietly, waiting to be called by the elders to meet her husband for the first time. She had been trained her whole life to become someone's wife and now that the time had come for her to officially change her surname, she was a nervous wreck.

Her two aunts and grandmother walked in the rondovel. Her aunts were happy to finally get rid of her. It was about time they had the house to themselves without any disturbance.

"Melanie..." The bride's grandmother spoke as she entered the room. Her presence filled Melanie's heart with so much hope. Maybe she had decided against this whole marriage thing.

She looked up and fixed eyes with her grandmother's hazel ones. As though a huge flood rushed over her, tears streamed down her beautiful round face.

She looked so exquisite in her Sotho outfit, the seshoeshoe, a doek and a white shawl.

"Granny," She felt herself sob as she ran to her grandmother's open arms for an embrace and her aunts started laughing.

"She will never survive marriage this rotten thing. She's way too much of a softie to commit to such a thing. Marriage is no child's play and she's still a child," One of the aunts burst into a huge laughter.

"That's why you guys don't even get asked out on dates. I can't even remember the last time l saw you guys genuinely happy and enjoying your lives. That's 'coz you're too stiff. Too angry, too self-consumed, too self centered to even realize the only rotten people, not just at mind but also at heart are yourselves. Take a good look at yourself poor little children of God, and tell me if rotten isn't that reflection you see in the mirror. You all are too negative and that's the only thing you'll ever attract."

Silence filled the room. The aunts weren't expecting this. One of them even muttered things to herself. She even went as far as sighing as though self introspecting herself.

"Marriage was never in our calibre to begin with. Some things, we aren't worth of, like you said. Go and have fun in your marriage sister, but remember, you no longer have a place in this house. You must never set foot in this house ever again. Can you hear me?" She then smiled and stood up to leave.

"Let us go my dearest sister before this old hag insults us once more."

"Leave! We don't need you guys here anyway. I don't even know why you joined us here from the get go."

The aunts left the room and the painful sobs that came from Melanie were not one to be missed. She couldn't bare the thought of leaving home forever. What if things don't go well where she's headed?"

I don't want to leave granny. I don't want to go to the city of gold my love please tell them to leave me behind," her voice grew faint with every word she uttered, and it broke her grandma's heart a million times more than she could ever fathom in her 80+ years of stay here on this earth.

"Hey baby look at your grandma,"

Her granny walked to her position in the room and Melanie looked at her grandma in the eyes as she approached her, and she could see tears gushing through her own eyes. At least she cared about her, unlike some people she knew.

"I am not well Melanie, and I'm going to die soon. l can feel it in my bones baby. I don't want to leave you here with your aunts to suffer at their hands when I'm no longer here to ensure that you live a life worth living for. You are going to be someone's wife now, and that is the better option," She confided.

"The Dlamini family wants to see their bride Ntombi! Finish up please!" That was one of the aunts at the door.

"She's coming!" Ntombi screeched.

The aunt walked away as Melanie and her grandmother stood up and wiped their tears away.

"Listen to me Melanie. Your house must always be warm at all times. Cook for your husband, clean the house, handwash his clothes and undergarments at all times. Can you hear me?" Ntombi added as she wiped Melanie's tears away. Melanie nodded, but her tears uncontrollably flowed through the sides of her cheeks all the while.

"Satisfy your husband in bed all the time so he doesn't go and seek for food elsewhere. Listen to your mother-in-law at all times, open your ears to her advice because she's the mother you never had. You must never come home no matter how hard it is baby girl. Perseverance is important Melanie you must never leave your home no matter what. Humble yourself at all times and never cause an argument between you and your husband," Ntombi advised.

She wiped the tears in Melanie's eyes once more and fixed her up. "Can you hear me?" Ntombi asked and Melanie nodded.

"I love you," Melanie admitted.

"I love you too." They walked out of the room holding Melanie's suitcase and rucksack. Ululations were heard in the yard as people danced in joy. Melanie's grandma accompanied her to the car that was already waiting for her at the gate, and she opened the door only to find Sizwe, Sindi and the uncles already inside. Sizwe helped them with the bags as Melanie got inside and greeted the people she already found in the car. The door was closed, locked and they set off!

Melanie:

The ride back home, was fun. For my mother-in-law and her brothers, who sat on the seat before us and who occupied the front seats, it was more of a platform for them to catch up on the things they've missed out on each other's lives. I laughed several times at how their conversations were going.

"Sindi," the uncle in the driver's seat would gesture at her sister once in a while. "Don't lie to us little sister –" his eyes were red-rimmed with tears from all the laughing, and the whole car burst into laughter. "You knew that David was ugly from the first day you met him, let alone sleep with him."

She defended herself, but you could see that she too, wanted to laugh.

"We met at night dude. We met at a club and things turned out fine. We clicked like a house on fire."

"You went over and beyond."

"I can say the same about Lulu."

They laughed.

"Shame my wife's beautiful sis, I don't know why you resent her. She's a free-spirit that one. Ahh shame," he tutted. "Don't say that about my babe."

"Invite her over. You'll see why l don't want her."

"You want my wife to divorce me after you guys meet up? Sorry!" He threw his hands in the air. The uncle on the passenger's side joined in.

"You're making Sindi sound like a bad influence in our family Sbu that's not fair. That's blacklisting."

Sindu chortled.

"Wrongful arrest my brother."

"Oh so you too are ganging up on me huh? Fine. I'll invite her over, and you, Sambulo, make sure my wife never leaves me. Neutralize the conversation please, and bring Rene over. It's been a while since we sat down like this you know, mom and dad are probably turning on their graves because it feels like we've deserted them in a way."

"That's true, my brother. I think they're also trying to reach out to us in a way because l found mom's blouse on top of my bed the other day. I was surprised to find it there, so l asked Rene about it. She said she found it in a ditch outside. That broke my heart," Uncle Sambulo added. Shame, poor man, you could hear the hurt in his voice.

"We should go visit them some day," Sindi beckoned. "That will also make our lives easier. My brothers, my finances!" She clapped her hands.

"You and me, same What's app group my sister. Lulu is the sole bread winner at home l don't want to lie. Remember l told you about that case, Sambulo?" That was uncle Sbu.

"Yeah," Sambulo nodded.

"No, fill me in guys," –Sindi.

"My little sister. Things have been bad. I caught some guys stealing from the company, little did l know someone had already alerted the police about this. I was at the right place, wrong time, because from where l was standing, the police came in that direction, but those thugs managed to run away. I was caught red handed. They investigated the case, because l was innocent. I wasn't going to go to jail for something l didn't do."

"You were innocent indeed imagine what would have been of Lulu and your kids," that was Sindi.

"Yes, you see what I'm talking about sister?"

We were making a turn past a golf course, and entering a group of houses. Estates. Interesting.

"During that course, I lost my job. The case is still pending. I've applied to other companies, with zero luck."

Sbu parked the car outside a very big, and beautiful house. We had arrived!

"Care coming in for a cup of tea?" Sindi offered as the car came to a standstill. Things have been awfully quiet in the backseat, where my husband and l were seated. He didn't even talk to me. All throughout this journey to his house, he has been looking at his phone, typing things down, receiving calls, serious calls, and once in a while smiling to himself when he got the texts he received from whoever he was talking to over the phone. All along l was silent, listening to the conversation my mother in law and her brothers were engaging in. They kept me from overthinking. They kept me entertained.

"Okay. Let's..." Sbu was about to say when his phone rang.

"Haw... where is it ringing from?"

"The dashboard, uncle."

All eyes turned to the backseat. Even Sizwe gave me a cold stare. His mother's was even worse. I was the one who responded.

"Thank you, makoti."

Makoti means daughter-in-law in our language. That's what most people referred to me as these few hours since the lobola negotiations were finalized.

He answered his phone.

"Mhlengi's mother..." He smiled when he heard himself say that. I wondered how long he had been married. He was still happy in his marriage. You could see how he talked about his wife that she made him truly happy. I wondered if l would ever feel like that in my marriage.

He listened on.

"Hello, baby."

Silence.

"I'm good, how are you my love?"

My mother in law sighed, and opened the door so she could exit.

"These lovebirds could talk the whole day," she gestured to Sambulo and they chortled.

"Their conversation could also get pretty..." He eyed his sister and they both laughed.

"Don't even say it, brother. Are you coming in?"

He shook his head.

"I miss my wife, sis. But I promise, we'll pass by soon, and we'll talk over the phone."

They shared a brief hug.

"I'll miss you too," Sindi said. "Let me call this guard to help us with the bags."

Sambulo nodded, making his way to the garage. Sbu finally got out of the car. I was also standing outside, near the boot.

"Hey, guards! Ndumiso! Ndumiso!" She yelled as she went towards the gate.

"Ma..." A guy came out of the little house by the gate.

Oh crap! Ndumiso looked so yummy. He was a light medium skinned dude, skinny, tall, with curly hair and beautiful, pink lips. Shit.

"Bring those bags in. I'm so tired son, I would've helped you with them. No, we have a new makoti there. She's standing near the boot. She'll help you with them."

"Yes ma. It's nice to see you again."

Sindi smiled. She yelled to me.

"Melanie!"

"Yes, ma!"

"Help Ndumiso out with the bags, okay!"

"Yes mama."

Ndumiso opened the gate wide. Sambulo was driving out. He rolled down the window. I guess he had left his car here when they were coming to the village.

"We'll talk over the phone sis. I love you."

"Love you!"

He hit the hooter and all of us waved him goodbye. All of us, except, like always, Sizwe. He was leaning against his car, his shades on, looking at his phone. I didn't like his attitude. How was l going to cope with him?

As Ndumiso, with his curly hair of different shades of brown, walked towards the car, Sbu finished speaking over the phone and went to speak with his sister. They were inside the yard.

"Greetings."

I melted a million times. He flashed his smile at me. I couldn't help but blush. I wish Sizwe wasn't here.

"Sure, brother." That was Sizwe.

I glanced at him. Brother?

"Welcome to the Dlamini family, Mrs?" He stretched out his hand, and l welcomed it.

"Melanie."

He smiled.

"Beautiful name."

I blushed. Sizwe cleared his throat. I doubt he was even listening. His mind was preoccupied. Hell, l doubt he even knew my name.

"The luggage is in the boot."

Ndumiso nodded and opened the boot.

"Is the car going in?" He asked. Sizwe nodded. He closed the boot.

He got inside the car, and drove it inside. He parked it near the door. Sbu exited the house.

"I'll see you guys on Friday. Ndumi, please take me home."

"Alright uncle."

Ndumiso unloaded my bags off the boot and was about to hand them to Sizwe when he plainly looked at him and shook his head. He gave them to me.

"I'm sorry for this. I'll make it up to you."

"You don't have to. It's okay."

He looked at me one more time and went inside the car.

"Bye fellas!" Sbu said as he left and l waved him goodbye. Ndumiso closed the gate as soon as he was outside the yard, and drove away. Sizwe snatched my bags.

I looked at him.

"Go home, rural rat. You don't belong here."

He clicked his tongue and threw the clothes in the air. When gravity took its honors, he kicked them all over the lawn, stamping on some, and l watched in horror as dirt began to fill my clothes. He clicked his tongue.

"I hate you already."

He left me standing there, and walked to the front door. He shut the door closed.

What the hell?