THE COVEN’S BRIDE
CHAPTER 16
NALEDI
“Is this man crazy?” I say to Tshidi. This man bought me a car even though I told him not to. I don’t know if I should be happy or offended because I told him that there wasn’t any need for him to get me the car.
“Girl, are you sure you are not f*cking this man?” Tshidi asks after going around the car. “This car is gorgeous, and not only is it gorgeous, but this is the latest model.”
“I told him not to get me a car. Why would he get me a car after I told him not to?”
Tshidi stands in front of me and holds my shoulders. “Listen to me and listen clearly. You never tell a man not to spoil you because he might stop completely. When a man gets you something, you smile and thank him. He did it because he saw that you needed a car. He did it because he loves you, and maybe spoiling his woman is his love language. Don’t bruise his ego, thank the man and tell him you are happy he got you this car. Unless you are not happy.”
“I am happy it’s just that a car is a huge thing. People don’t just gift each other with cars.”
Tshidi answers, “They do. My parents gifted me with a house, so what is wrong with your gift?”
“This is a car, Tshidi, a whole car. I am not used to people gifting me with big things like cars.”
“Then get used to it, Snowy. This man loves you and wants to spoil you. Let him do that for you,” she says.
I take a deep breath and look at the car. It is so gorgeous. I close my eyes and count to 5, maybe this is a dream, and this is all in my head. There is no way I got gifted a car, a whole car. I open my eyes and it’s not a dream. My lips curve into a smile, my man bought me a car.
I look at Tshidi and say, “My man bought me a car! My man bought me a car!”
“Let it sink in, baby. Your man bought you a car. Instead of questioning him, be grateful.”
“You are right, I should be happy, and I am grateful. I just didn’t expect him to buy it for me after I told him not to. Let me call him.” I reach for my phone, move away from Tshidi a little, and dial Sibusiso’s phone number.
Sibusiso: Hey gorgeous!
Me: I got the gift and it’s beautiful. Thank you so much, my love, I love it.
Sibusiso: I was expecting you to lash out at me. You did tell me not to, but I wanted to. I love spoiling you, and I will not stop just because you told me not to.
Me: I love my gift, thank you so much.
Sibusiso: I am glad you love it. I will come to your house, then we can work on putting everything in your name. I will pay for the insurance and fuel monthly, so do not worry about that. When are you available so you can have everything in your name?
Me: We can do it tomorrow on my lunch break. That is if you are available.
Sibusiso: Lunch sounds perfect.
Me: Thank you, my love, you are amazing, and I appreciate you and everything you do for me.
Sibusiso: You don’t have to thank me.
Me: Let me test-drive it. I will call you later, I love you.
Sibusiso: I love you too, gorgeous.
I look at Tshidi and say, “Let’s take this baby for a test drive!”
“That’s what I am talking about!”
We remove the bow on the car and get in. Finally, I get to put my driver’s license to use. I usually drive Janell and Tshidi’s car for errands – it’s nice that I have my car now.
“I forgot to tell you this, Sibusiso invited me to a family dinner with his family this Saturday,” I say to Tshidi.
“What did you say?”
I answer, “I told him that I will think about it. And if I am being honest, I don’t think I am ready to meet his family yet. It feels sudden… I don’t know.”
“I don’t think it’s sudden. I think Sibusiso loves you, and he wants his family to meet the woman he loves.”
I sigh heavily and say, “Do you think I should go? I mean, it is family, and if I say no, it will sound like I don’t want to be around his family.”
“I think you should do what feels comfortable for you. If you feel like you shouldn’t go, then don’t go.”
“I want to go, and I don’t want to go at the same time,” I say, causing Tshidi to chuckle. I know I sound confused, but this is a lot, and I don’t know what to do.
“Turn the car around, let’s go to Maggie’s.”
“Why? Do you want to buy something at Maggie’s?” I ask, turning the car around. Maggie’s is a boutique where Tshidi buys most of her designer clothes and shoes.
“We need to buy you a dress for Sibusiso’s family dinner. Think about it, and if you decide on going, then you will get to wear the dress.”
“You are right, I should prepare for both.”
SIBUSISO
Today is the family dinner. The helpers have been running around like headless chickens, with Jasmine barking orders about how things should be and shouldn’t be. I haven’t seen Mom since this morning, but I am sure she is the one handling the food. Dad, well, Dad doesn’t seem like himself lately. I think something is bothering him, and he just doesn’t want to tell us.
I hope he is not dying. Usually, when people get sick, they start acting weird. Naledi agreed to join the family dinner, and I cannot wait to introduce her to the family. I did tell my family that she is going to be there so that they wouldn’t be surprised when they see her. My brothers begged me to show them Naledi’s picture, but I told them they would see her at the dinner. Jasmine already knows her and refers to her as the girl from the party.
I stand in front of the mirror looking at my reflection and spray some cologne on my neck. I am wearing black formal trousers with a black formal shirt. Naledi told me that she is going to wear black because she will also be wearing a black dress. The theme of the dinner is black and gold. I trust my sister to put a theme on the family dinner.
“Sibusiso, can I borrow a pair of trousers?” Senzo barges into my room.
“What is wrong with your clothes?”
“I don’t like everything I have, and you should lend me something,” he says, already walking to my closet.
He and Jules just enjoy wearing my clothes. Senzo owns many black pants, but for some reason, he wants mine. One would think with the money they have, they would buy their clothes, but they want mine.
Senzo comes back with 3 pairs of black trousers and says, “I am going to try these on and see which one I like.”
“You ruin them, you buy them.”
Jules also walks into the room. He doesn’t greet or say anything, he walks to the closet, takes what he wants to take, and leaves the room. Crazy siblings I have. I hate sharing clothes with anyone, but I have accepted that these two will always take my clothes and sometimes not give them back.
“So you are not going to show us her picture?” Senzo asks me.
“If I show you her picture, are you going to leave my room?” I reach for my phone and look for a picture of Naledi and show him.
He whistles. “My…my…my…where did you get this gorgeous lady?”
“I met her at the party Jas dragged me to. I am glad I went to that party even though I didn’t want to.”
Senzo shakes his head and says, “Now I wish I had also gone there. Does she have sisters?”
“Even if she did, I wouldn’t want to date from the same family as you.”
“Thanks for the trousers, looking forward to seeing the beautiful Naledi at dinner,” says Senzo, walking towards the door.
“Please bring back my clothes, I don’t want to fight with you or end up taking something from you because of that.”
“I cannot promise anything, brother,” he slams the door shut behind him.
I video call Naledi, and she answers.
Me: (I whistle) You are breathtaking!
Naledi: (giggling) Hey, love, how do I look?
Me: You look gorgeous, I cannot wait to kiss those juicy lips. How do you feel?
Naledi: I am very nervous.
Me: There is no need, my family is looking forward to meeting you.
Naledi: Still, I cannot help it.
Me: I will be by your side all evening, I promise.
Naledi: You can come pick me up. I am ready.
Me: I will call you when I get to your house.