THE COVEN’S BRIDE
CHAPTER 14
SIBUSISO
‘Baby I just got home.’ I send a text message to Naledi.
‘I am also about to leave the house for work. I hope you drove safely?’ – Snowy.
‘It’s a miracle I got home safe. The only things stuck on my mind are your mo@ns from last night.’
‘Your gro@ns are also still stuck in my mind. Do you think our relationship can survive on just oral s@x?’ – Snowy.
‘I think we will be fine. How are you going to get to work? Should I come back and drive you to work?’
‘Tshidi is driving me, thank you for the offer.’ – Snowy.
‘I should get you a car so that way you don’t waste money on Ubers and asking for rides.’
‘Baby you don’t need to buy me a car, I am fine. I also heard that having a car is expensive on its own.’ – Snowy.
‘I want to buy you a car, which model is your favourite?’
‘Love you don’t have to. I promise I am fine, what do I do with a car?’ – Snowy.
‘You drive to work and back home. I will ask my sister to help me shop for a car for you. I hope you can drive.’
I don’t wait for her to reply, I put my phone away and make my way into the house. I need to look for Jasmine and bribe her to help look for a car for Naledi. My sister loves money, and I know she won’t say no if I promise to buy her whatever she wants. There is no one in the dining area, so I walk straight to the kitchen to look for something to eat.
“Hey, Dad!” I greet the old man who seems lost in thought. He didn’t hear me, so I tab his shoulder. “Dad! Are you okay?”
“Sibusiso…I didn’t see you walk into the room. Did you say something?”
I reply, “I greeted you, but you seem in another universe. Is everything okay?”
He nods, “I am fine, just… you know, thinking about things. Or maybe I am just getting old.”
“That is the first time you admit you are old.”
One of the helpers walks into the room and tells us that breakfast is ready and that today it will just be the two of us. Jasmine and Mother went out to find outfits for the coming family dinner. Senzo is at work, and Jules is sick with the flu. He’d better stay away from us. We don’t want him infecting us. Father and I go to the table to eat.
“Where are you coming from so early, wearing yesterday’s clothes?” Father asks me.
“You said you want grandchildren. I am working on giving you grandchildren.”
He raised his eyebrow. “You are already making grandchildren before we even meet her?”
“I didn’t mean it like that, but I like her, she is amazing. I am in love with her, and I want to marry her.”
He nods lightly. “What is her name? When are we meeting her?”
“Her name is Naledi Nkala, and you will be meeting her soon. I am waiting for her to be ready.”
“I cannot wait to meet her, and I hope you know that a real man does right by a woman and her family before trying to sleep with her,” says the old man. I did not expect him to say that, but I appreciate it.
“I will do right by her and her family, that I promise. I am surprised you haven’t asked me how rich her family is.”
Dad answers, “As long as you can provide for both of you, it doesn’t matter.”
That is weird because father has always preached about marrying someone of our status, maybe he has changed his mind. Or he is so desperate for grandchildren that he doesn’t mind. I reach for my phone and check if Naledi sent anything. I have two messages from her saying there is no need to get her a car, and another one telling me that she is at work. The second one came in two minutes ago.
‘Take care of yourself for me, gorgeous. Tell Martha not to overwork you.’
‘She pays me well, I cannot complain.’ – Snowy.
“Sibusiso!” my father’s voice snaps me out of my thoughts. I was trying to reply to Naledi.
“Yes?”
“Did you hear anything I said?” he asks, and I shake my head no. “I said you should invite Naledi to the family dinner.”
“Are you sure? The whole family will be here.”
Father says, “You seem serious about her, and I think that is the only opportunity you will ever get to introduce her to the whole Gumbi family.”
“Don’t you want to run this through the family first? I also wouldn’t want to make Naledi uncomfortable.”
“She is your woman, which makes her family to us. As long as she is comfortable being around us, then bring her,” says Father.
He has never shown an interest in meeting any woman I have dated before, maybe he sees that I am grown now.
‘Dad is inviting you to the next family gathering.’ I type a text message to Naledi.
She replies instantly. ‘Dad, as in your father? He knows about me?’
‘Everyone can see that I am in love. We have a family dinner next Saturday and you are invited.’
‘Baby we recently started dating, is that a good idea?’ – Snowy.
‘I already told you I want to marry you, and my family already considers you family because of me. You are allowed to say no if you are not ready.’
‘Honestly, I am not ready, but I cannot turn down an invitation from your father.’ – Snowy.
‘Think about it. If you are not comfortable, I will make an excuse to skip so it seems like it’s my fault you missed.’
‘Let me sleep on it and then I will get back to you.’ – Snowy.
‘Okay, my love, take care, I love you.’
Father clears his throat and asks, “Is Naledi the reason you decided to move back here?”
“She is. I love her, and I am ready to settle. I am ready to marry and start a family.”
“You must love her. How did you two meet?” he asks. I smile as I think of the first time I saw Naledi. My heart skipped a beat when I saw her – she is the most beautiful lady ever.
After telling my father how I met Naledi, I ask, “How did you know Mom was the one?”
“You just know son. It’s a feeling only you know, and it’s hard to describe.”
I say, “I think Naledi is the one for me. I love everything about her, to me, she is the most beautiful and perfect human being.”
“I have to say, I have never seen you this crazy about a woman before.”
“She is the one dad,” I push back the chair and stand. “I am full, let me go catch up on work before I get fired.”
“That reminds me, I also have some work to do.”
“See you later,” I say, walking toward the stairs. Father calls me. I turn and say, “Yes…”
“Do you love her?”
“More than anything,” I say. He has already asked that, but I mean it with all my heart. I love that woman.
He nods, although I can tell he wants to say something. I head to my room, change, and then get started on work. I cannot concentrate. Naledi is the only thing on my mind. My phone vibrates, and I check it.
‘I cannot stop thinking about you.’ – Snowy.
‘Me too. What do you suggest we do?’
‘You could come give me a kiss on my lunch break.’ – Snowy.
‘See you on your lunch break.’
‘I am messing with you, baby; work and we will talk later.’ – Snowy.
‘I am coming to get my kiss, see you on your lunch break.’
Someone knocks on my bedroom door, and I permit them to come in. Jules walks in with a blanket on his shoulders. I say to him. “Keep your distance with your flu.”
“Senzo is trying to reach you. He says I should check if you are home.”
I answer, “I didn’t get a call from him, but I will call him. How are you feeling?”
“I am dying, brother. Start planning my funeral.”
“You are not dying, just take your medicine and you will be fine in no time. Tell me what kind of a car would a woman like as a gift?” I ask.
“Kia Forte, I don’t know…”