TWO

THE ARRANGEMENT

TWO ~~

Snazo

The reception is exceptionally decorated, I just sit through all the speeches and smile. But this man next to me, he doesn't even share a grin or a smirk. Even when his friend, Bheka said some really funny things he just didn't move. And I smiled and laughed like a lunatic on his behalf.

As far as my family and friends know, Fezani and I are inlove. We had what we call a love at first sight and thats why we are getting married a month after we met. I'd like to keep it that way, but he is making it hard. Not even holding my hand. Or just look at me in adoration. Infact, he looks like he doesn't want to be here anymore He keep on checking his phone as my dad speaks about how proud he is of his first born. Right!

I wouldn't really be here if him and his wife didn't make that ‘first born title’ heavy on me. My mother used to be a street vendor, she stopped when I started working My dad is a security guard for a company called K. ES Security Services, currently he works at Capitec bank, kwaMnyandu Mall.

The highest demands started after I got a job here in Cape Town as an HR Coordinator at Carter Capital Partners.

All of a sudden every bill and expenses were mine. My three sisters expenses all mine. Including the one who decided to fall pregnant in grade 9, typically spoiled last born.

At the same time I have to live, pay rent and buy grocery. My high school friend always said I'm dumb, mostly because I can't say no when someone asks for something, especially my parents. It feels like I'm being ungrateful for everything they've done for me.

And my dump nature led to my downfall. I tried managing it all in months. Bills at home, my own expenses here. Then Amanda and Amahle’ s Matric dance happened They are the second born, the twins and love being beautiful more than anything.

So there I was renting a Mercedes Benz and I didn't even know which because they chose and I provided it as an older sister, paying for expensive makeup and hairstyles. The gorgeous dresses. That was in August

Right after that I was still trying to recover. Then it was the December holidays, house repainting and the list of what was needed for ‘Christmas and New years’ reported straight to my inbox.

My neighbor in my apartment building, Fred is a loan shark. I've always judged those who walked in and out of his apartment. Until it was my turn.

R 10 000 is what I took, just for the holiday grocery and to pay for the flight going home to eMlazi, B section. My salary was R17 000, I thought I'd manage to minus R10 000 in January salary. It was going to be easy, I would pay back in January.

Then the year started, registrations for the twins because NSFAS wasn't responding as quickly. I had to help and guess I couldn't deliver on the promise made to Fred. I only paid the interest, 30% of R10 000

Mid February came, so did my downfall, the company I worked for went downhill. “Nazo” his low pitched voice calls my name.

“Dance with your father” oh. I zoned out again didn't I? My dad is standing before us. And I get off feeling shy. What a strange bride I am.

The dance with my dad is funny, rather than emotional. I've stepped on him, he has stepped on me too and we just end up doing it the old fashioned way. Ever seen those people dancing for stimela sasezola? Yeah neh. When we are done, everyone is in stitches.

Then the dance between Fezani and I come. He holds me protectively, one hand encircling my waist, the other holding my hand and we dance slowly. I do step on him, but he makes sure to lead me gently until I feel a bit better.

This moment, my heart can't help but melt. It feels surreal and magical that I wish I can just be here, always. I feel his gaze as I look anywhere but his eyes. I feel his hand moving from my waist and he takes my chin, making me meet his gaze. I breath slowly. My heart is bulging As his face lowers, it feels the world stop moving, along with my lungs and heart. “Breathe, little Queen” he whispers, it's the third time he calls me little Queen

As I breathe softly he attacks my lips. And I feel swooped in, drowning in this lingering, slow kiss that literally takes my breath away..

He mumbles softly as the kiss deepens His eyes are closed as he mumbles the name ‘Pretty’. Then he suddenly stops the kiss, as if he just had a change of heart or remembered something. That I'm not.. Pretty! “Pretty” Who is Pretty? *******

THE NEXT DAY.

The Honeymoon bliss! I wish I could say that is exactly what is happening now. But that would be a fat lie. Its feels like a solo moon rather.

As I indulge in these solo pleasures, drinking expensive wine in this gigantic pool on the balcony, I get to reflect on life, how everything went downhill, my mistakes and shortcomings. I still remember the 12th day of February, I was so sure I'd pay back the money to Fred.

I was sipping my morning coffee at my desk when Mr Walson, our biggest client. He walked in firmly, followed by a tall scary white man whom I learnt was his lawyer. Apparently his investment in the company was questionable. After him, two more showed up. Then it was literally downhill. The company literally closed down in a space of a week as more people demanded their investment. The following one it was burnt to ashes by angry community members.

Imagine where I was, owing a sum of money to Fred. As I tried to explain he got furious and that is when I learnt that he was just an employee, Zoro was behind all the business.

Zoro, I had never heard of him until he showed up at my door with scary goons who would have probably ended my life in a snap, raped me and ditched my body where not even my family would find. I did ask for money from my father, I was reaching. He didn't have R10 000 in the middle of the month. He was however going to give me month end, but Zoro had another demand

So I agreed to all the terms, it seemed easy. I'd just do deliveries, drops off and picks up. I looked innocent, young and beautiful. Nobody would question my bags.

When the month ended, I paid. But Zoro, he made it clear I worked for him until he stated otherwise. The next morning I tried running, the bus was booked and all. He found me just as I was about to get inside the bus, dragged me to a dark house and I had never received that much beating in my entire life.

What crashed every ounce of hope was my family. I'm that person who was once obsessed with Facebook. I posted everything about my family, where we live, the church, all the details. And that. I guess that is how Zoro easily found the control button on my life. He knew everything, including where my father worked, my sister's schools, everything.

I did all he asked. All, by that time my debt was paid up in full but he never let me go. Two months down the line I was back in doing deliveries, while delivering another package, I made the worst mistake to peak inside of what I was carrying. I expected diamonds, drugs but. Nothing could have prepared me for what I saw. I still get nightmares even today.

It was the head of a child. Probably Fourteen years give or take. I couldn't sleep the whole night. So I conspired, took a leap of faith in the police department. There was this mean, feared boer detective. Every gang shook at the mention of his name. That's when I decided it was time to put an end to it, the Shackles were too much. I was exhausted.

I did everything as detective Grobler asked. Who was I kidding? Turns out Zoro was as powerful as they come. When Fezani offered marriage and a release from Zoro, I didn't think twice