THE COVEN’S BRIDE
CHAPTER 23
NALEDI
I want to go home. I feel very embarrassed being around Sibusiso’s family after the sleepwalking. Sibusiso says it’s fine and that no one will ask about it, but I feel very ashamed. I have never sleepwalked in my life before, and so far, I have done it twice. The Gumbi family is very nice, and I don’t want them to think I am weird for their son. I love Sibusiso and I love his family, but I feel like the sleepwalking has ruined things for me.
Where will I even be going when sleepwalking? I don’t know this house that well. Jules showed me around, but I barely memorized my way around. How will I look at Mr and Mrs Gumbi now? I am sure they think I was trying to steal something from their house, and I was faking sleepwalking. I hate my life right now – I wish I could just disappear. If Sibusiso was just a fling, this was going to be the last time he heard from me.
“What is going on that pretty mind of yours?” Sibusiso hugs me from behind and kisses my neck. I am standing in front of the mirror fixing my braids.
“It’s nothing.”
He turns me around to face him. “Clearly, it’s not nothing. You have been doing and undoing your hair for the past ten minutes. What’s wrong?”
“I feel bad about the sleepwalking. What if your family thinks I am weird?”
Sibusiso says, “There is nothing weird about sleepwalking, my love. There is nothing to be ashamed of.”
“I am still ashamed.”
He pulls me in for a hug. “No one will judge you. My family is not like that, I promise you.”
“But what if they judge me? What if they think I am too weird for you?”
“I love you – I don’t care what my family thinks. And they will never judge you. Trust my word when I tell you that they won’t even bring it up,” he says.
“I trust your word.”
He leans and kisses my lips, “I love you so much. Now let’s go have breakfast.”
I am scared to be in front of his family, but I guess I will have to face them at some point. Today I am wearing Sibusiso’s oversized sweatpants and a matching hoodie. I don’t know if I am even allowed to be wearing this in front of his family, but Sibusiso said it’s fine.
“Hey, you two,” Jasmine calls from behind us, moments after we leave Sibusiso’s room. She is carrying two tops, a blue one and a red one. “Red or blue?”
Sibusiso answers, “I think….”
Jasmine cuts him mid sentence, “Shut up, I am not talking to you. What do you think, Naledi?”
“I love the blue one,” I answer. She thanks me and walks away.
Sibusiso says to me. “I swear sometimes she forgets that I am older than her.”
“It’s a siblings thing, I guess.”
My phone rings, and Sibusiso tells me to get it. He stands a distance from where I am. It’s my aunt calling. I assume she is calling about my text message.
Me: Good morning, Aunty.
Aunty: I saw your message. I hope you are not pregnant now that you want to see me.
Me: I promise I am not. I want to introduce you and Uncle to the man I am with.
Aunty: Is he ready to marry you? You cannot just introduce us to any man that you see.
Me: He said he is and that he would like to meet my family.
Aunty: You can come this Wednesday, I am available.
Me: Okay, Aunty, thank you very much.
Aunty: Make sure you come here early so you can cook. I am not cooking for your guest.
Me: I will come early. See you on Wednesday.
Aunty: Are you sure you are not pregnant? And if you are, are you sure he is the father? I don’t want to be embarrassed when things turn out the other way.
Me: I promise you, I am not pregnant.
Aunty: I will see you on Wednesday then. It’s good that you are finally settling down. You are old now, and after 30, you might never find a man to marry you.
Me: I will see you on Wednesday, Aunty.
I hang up and take a deep breath. I trust my aunt to say the most unhinged things. And even if I were pregnant, there is nothing wrong with that, I am an adult.
“Let’s go,” I say to Sibusiso.
He cups my face and asks, “Are you good?”
“Yeah, that’s my aunt, and she said we can see her this Wednesday. Now that I am saying it, I’m realising, I needed to conform with you first. Are you available this Wednesday?”
Sibusiso answers, “I am always available for you. I cannot wait to meet your family.”
“Let’s go eat,” I say. Deep down, I am worried about Sibusiso meeting my aunt. My aunt says the most random and embarrassing things sometimes. I am not saying I am ashamed of my family, but I wouldn’t want them hurting Sibusiso’s feelings. All he wants is to meet my family.
“Good morning!” I greet the family after sitting down. It’s just Mr and Mrs Gumbi at the table.
“Hey, baby, how are you today?” Mrs Gumbi asks me.
“I am good, I hope you slept well?”
Mrs Gumbi says, “I wish I could say the same. Sipho was snoring like a tractor last night. I almost left the room.”
“You took my comfortable pillow, and I don’t snore,” Mr Gumbi defends himself. I love how no one is bringing up last night. Senzo, Jules, and Jasmine also join us. Mrs Gumbi says the elders left before breakfast.
SIBUSISO
“Naledi is gorgeous,” Jules says to me when I walk into the dining area. I just came back from dropping off Naledi at her house. I haven’t gotten the chance to talk to my siblings about Naledi since the previous day we had Mzilikazi’s funeral – may his soul rest in peace.
“She is.”
“Where did you meet such a gorgeous woman? I am curious?” he asks as I take a seat on one of the couches.
“Why does everyone ask that as if there is no way I could have bumped into her on a random day?”
Jules says, “We are just asking, hey, we are not saying you don’t deserve her. You two look amazing together.”
“I met her at one of Jasmine’s friend parties.”
“Nice, she is gorgeous. When are you thinking of putting a ring on it? A lady like that deserves a title and a nice ring,” says Jules.
“I am thinking of proposing to her. I don’t know if it’s too soon, but I love her and I don’t want to wait.”
Jules says, “Listen, man, if you love her and you know you want to spend the rest of your life with her, then put a ring on it. Plus, you need to pave the way for the rest of us.”
“Senzo is the one who should be paving the way for everyone, but I feel you. Can you help me look for a ring?”
He doesn’t hesitate to say, “Let’s go.”
“Should we get Jas too? She knows about these things better.”
“Jasmine will make you buy the expensive one, but we can get her,” says Jules.
“Where are we going?” Senzo asks, walking into the room. When do these people even work? They are always at home and doing nothing.
Jules answers, “We are going to get an engagement ring for Naledi.”
That was supposed to be a secret. Why is he telling Senzo? Senzo claps his hands and says, “That’s what I am talking about. Soon we are attending a wedding. Let’s go get the ring.”
“We are going to get the ring, and you are staying at home. I just need to find Jas,” I say.
“What did Jas do? Why are you 3 talking about me?” Jasmine asks. I swear these people are always somewhere waiting for their names to be mentioned.
Jules excitedly says, “Sibusiso wants to propose to Naledi, and he needs help choosing a ring.”
I think I should have just told Jasmine. Telling Jules is like telling the whole world. Jasmine squeals in excitement. “We have a wedding coming up! Finally! I need a dress, and I need to know how to style my hair.”
“Hey!” I snap my fingers in her face. “This isn’t about you. It’s about getting Naledi a ring. Are you helping me or not?”
“Definitely! Let’s go now!” Jasmine answers excitedly.
“And this stays between us, no telling Mom and Dad,” I warn them.
“No telling us what?” Mom and Dad walk into the room. This is why one should have a house and some privacy. Now we are all going to buy the ring.