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Chapter Twenty Four.

Laughter.

"I love you." I say.

I can't say more than that. If I do I'll be a crying mess and have Mapaseka on my case.

"Well...with that said, Rings please."

Khaya my dapper looking man comes forward with the rings as our ring-bearer.

•••

"Heal my heart and touch my soul. Ngivele ngishawe luvalo, wangithanda ngingenanto. Ngelosi yami yokuphila, ngicel' uhlale nami. Uthando lwami dali, lubanzi lujulile. Ngif' ukuchith' insuku zokuphila nawe. Ithemba lami dali, luphelela kuwe yinjabulo ye ntsuku zonke my sweet darling. Sthandwa sami, woza my love woza my love..." Ndumiso sang the song as I swayed as best as I could to the beat.

He spins me around and again I land in his hands. He rests his hand on my side, as the other clasped tightly to his. We're going with whatever feels right at this moment, not caring if we looked unprepared cause we were.

"I love you." He mouths.
"I love you too." I peck his lips before I lay my head on his chest.

When our dance was over we went to sit down. Our 50 close family and friends join us for some delicious food.

"Can I get your attention please." Monde clicks on his champagne glass, standing. "Good evening Ladies and gentlemen. The lady who stole our friends heart. Thank you. Now I know my Job is to make fun of you Bangza and its expected of me but you know that's not how I roll. Instead, I’d rather make it clear to everyone just why our new bride Zanokuhle has decided to marry Bangizwe. And the reasons are pretty simple and straightforward." Monde lowers his glass.

"First and foremost, he’s a handsome fellow. Although standing up here and looking at him next to Zanokuhle,  honestly you could have done a bit better sweety.”

We share some laughter.
Bangi shakes his head.

"Secondly, the man has impeccably taste. He chose me as his best man after all. He even decided to wear the same outfit as me today...just a bit more drama from his side."

Laughter.

"Thirdly, when he loves, he loves hard. There’s nothing this man wouldn’t do for me. In fact, he’s spent 15 years doing nothing for me. See there really isn't a lot to look forward to Zanokuhle."

I chuckle looking at Bangi.

"And lastly, he's a very patient man. I mean if he could spend up to 15 years with me and Thulani then a lifetime with you is nothing." He says. "So, a toast to our lovely couple. Congratulations my friend. Cheers!"

"Cheers!" We clink glasses.

••••••••••••••••••••••••••

The new day came with me feeling like I could take over the world. I was, according to law now Bangi's wife and that alone made me emotional.

The sun was still out, blazing down as the celebration continued ahead. The palace gates were opened to the public and it was full, beyond the inside. Some roads had been closed off because of the support that came out to celebrate with us.

The crowd celebrates as Aunt Grace receives her blanket and basket of goodies. She also dances and ululates when I peek up.

Buhle calls out Aunt Jabulile next before I shift slightly for some blood flow to my one leg. Sitting on isidwaba is not it, but I'm glad I chose to wear some tights underneath otherwise the not so smooth cow skin would actually make this whole ordeal even more unbearable.

The list reading carries on for several more minutes before it's finally my turn to get up. Buhle and Ama help me up and hand me tiny grassmats that weren't that heavy. My spear is in my other hand as I cleared my throat ready to start a song I've heard before from a wedding that took place several years ago. It was a pretty simple song too anyway.

"Eyam lendoda eyam eyam! (He's mine this man is mine)" I start singing and my maidens back me up. I remember how I revised this.

First the right foot. Stump. Then the left one. Stump. And then the right one twice. Stump. Stump.

"Eyam..." I scan the crowd of men standing at the far end, spotting the one that made my heart beat faster than Castor Mokgadi Semenya on the tracks. "...lendoda eyam."

Stump!

The women are ululating as I went lower, some of them coming into my circle in jubilation and dance. He looked at me, winking as I turned almost laughing. He wore that umblaselo and not the other way around.

I make my way back again but this time to slightly bow in front of him.

I lay out the mats in front of him, making a path that led all the way to the mattress that had been put near the centre. I'm multitasking still singing out and laying. He walks steadily and lowers his shield and spear.

When he gets to the where the bed was I have Buhle hand my and empty basin that had a small clay pot, a washcloth and lotion. I put the basin down remove the things that were inside before taking the washcloth and taking his hand. He smells like he's been out in the sun the whole day. I stand closer to him, pretending to wash his toned arm.

"Mhnn...sesiya gezwa manje.(we're being bathed now)" He says. Haibo. I chuckle and grab his other arm. "Kumnandi ke ukushada mos, nawuzomane ungigeze nje, awu Sthandwa sam. (It's nice to be married then, if it means you'll just bath me my love)"

Shut up Bangizwe! I chortle, shaking my head.

"Hlala phantsi. (Sit down)" I say and he listens to me. Holding my hand. "I need my hand Bangi."
"Cela. (Ask)" He grinned.
"Haibo." I manage to free my hand as he laughs. I pretend to wash both his feet and them proceed to fake lotion his body.

I grab the empty calabash and shake it in a circular motion. Handing it to him after I drink from it. He does the same before giving it back to me. "Lala. (Sleep)" I raise my eyebrows.

He lies back, shifting and owning the mattress. I attempt on covering him with a light cover when he sits up. "Hau ungishadelani mangizo phinda ngilale ngedwa? (Why did you marry me if I'm still going to be sleeping alone?)" He complains causing me to push him back laughing. Others heard that too as they laugh. This guy.

I tuck him in with my white covers and have my ladies come forth. Playfully hitting on him with thin sticks. His escape is dragged, but he's a gone man with my white covers.

I shake my head.