I'm more than just the second wife

3

The day before my wedding day I woke up early in the morning, 3am in the bloody morning. Not even the chickens are up yet! I was very annoyed. If that wasn't bad enough we all had to go to the dam to bath in ice cold water. That isn't even part of the process but when the Ol mighty great aunt Gugu has spoken no one goes against her word. We were all cursing her out the entire time especially Thobeka. "Can that bat just die already! She thinks she's a fucking goddess and her word is the goddamn law. If there's not a special raging fire just for her in hell the devil would have failed!" She grumbled as we were making our way home and the rest of us let out guffaws of laughter forgetting our own anger.

"You know what I need now is a shot of Tequila. I can't feel my fingers." Zandi said rubbing her hands against her arms. "Even after a week of non stop drinking you want more, no mahn Siza was right you are a drunk." Mangaliso whispered as we entered the gate so the elders wouldn't hear her. Siza and Amy snickered besides me. "Dear lord, you know I've been trying to be good but your child is tempting me to curse her out. Amen." Zandi said walking away from us and we all laughed at her theatrics.

"Ntombizonke it's time." Came my fathers deep commanding voice from the distance. I felt my heart twist at his words. A part of me kept hoping it was all just a dream but these moments are set to remind me that I'm marrying a stranger all because my father lost a stick fight.

We now had to walk around the Kraal with him chanting our clan names telling my ancestors that I'm leaving my fathers house and going to get married and that they are to shield me and ensure I don't come back, it's frowned upon for a woman to comeback home after she's married.

"Mkhize, Khabazela kaMavovo, kaZihlandla, Gubhela, Mumbo omhlophe, wena waseMbo, Wena okhanya amasi esiswini, Singela, Nhlama eyaphelela etsheni , Ngunezi, Mumbo ombulazi, wena owafaka umunwe endunu waphuma nelahle I call upon all of you. Here is your child Ntombizonke. She is off to build her own home kwaHadebe. I ask you all to shield her from harm her sister fell into, guide her, ensure she has a successful marriage. "He started chanting the clan names again as we made one last round around the kraal.

"After this my child go to the car and don't turn your head back. This is no longer your home. Your home is with the Hadebes now." He whispered and I looked up at him for the first time in a while. He looked worn out, conflicted and sad, so sad. I had half the mind to throw my arms around him and hug him like I used to do when I was a child.

Father and I were once inseparable. I lived to be his shadow. We grew apart when I grew older and had to take my place in society as a young girl then eventually as a woman because my views were liberated about how women should be. He looked like he wanted to say more but my heart clenched in hatred, I told myself it was that but I knew better. The little girl in me still longed for her father's approval and affection I was just so angry and disappointed in him. "Yebo baba, nisale kahle (stay well). I whispered turning and walking to the car waiting to drive me to my in-laws homestead, well not inside a distance away but we'll see their house from where we'll be.

We got there and the sun had risen. The bus with everyone else arrived a bit after we did and the maidens broke out in song. The women sat under trees in the shade cheering them on and ululating in between. "Honey if you ever decide you want to be a runaway bride I can always take your place. This family seems loaded. That yard is ginormous and those houses are magnificent. They must be loaded." Amy said settling on the grass mat before her
"Or better yet does he have brothers?" Fezeka asked fixing her outfit.

"You whore you have a man behave but me on the other hand am single and have been been ready to mingle." Mangaliso muttered checking her make up on her mirror. We all turned to her and Sizakele asked the question that perhaps all of us have been thinking. "And then when did you do the face beat?"