LEBONE: MY LIGHT

Chapter 24

LESEGO

30 SEPTEMBER

Last week was my wife's homecoming ceremony, where we introduced her to the family as Mrs Kunupi here in Hartswater.
Months before that, we agreed that the white wedding would happen here at home.
After today, I can officially call her Mrs Kunupi - my wife.
Exactly that! My wife. She's my wife.

All my brothers are in the room with me. We're already dressed. I've been sitting here, counting the hours and minutes before I can see my wife for the third time before I can have her all to myself.
This is the day we've all been waiting for - my brothers and I.

Just then, Felicia enters the room with a huge smile on her face.
It's rare seeing her in a dress and today she's wearing this beautiful black dress. Yah, you can see on Itumeleng's face that he's charmed by seeing his wife in a dress.

Felicia: "Bonang tlheng! Le bantle! You all look extremely handsome! You should also see your mother. She looks like a bachelorette!"

FELICIA

After showering these men with compliments, I leave the room and just as I close the door, my phone vibrates.

It's a WhatsApp from my mom.

"Hello my nana. Your brother and I are coming to the wedding."

Felicia [through text]: "Mama you shouldn't come" I warn.

Mama [through text]: "Hey! I want to see those people dying today!!!"

I read the text in her voice and it's like I can hear her demanding it.
My stomach turns by the thought of it all. I might die today.
No, but my kids are covered. I know who's going to take care of them in case I die.
Oh f---!
I'm dying!

I breathe in and out to try and maintain my cool.

"And then? Wat gaan aan met jou?" Maria asks when she comes.

Felicia: "Niks, Ma."

Maria: "Okay then. Move. I want to speak to my sons."

I walk away heading to the bedroom I was getting dressed in. Kaone is here too.

Kaone: "Are you okay? You look like you want to take a dump."

Felicia: "Yah, I'm fine. I'm just nervous that my mom is coming." I lie.

Kaone: "Really? I mean, I'd be nervous too. Plus, I've never seen your mother before."

Felicia: "Yah well, she never really liked this family so..."

Kaone: "So we both came here against our mothers' wishes and we're paying the price for it."

She chuckles. "But you know, looking back at everything, it's worth it. Plus I'm very happy being Thato's wife and I'm sure you're happy being Itumeleng's wife."

Felicia: "Very." I say awkwardly and let out an awkward chuckle.

LESEGO

"Marshall, Martin, Raphael, Russell, Ignatius." Maria says with a smile on her face.

Felicia was right. She looks absolutely beautiful today. She looks like a stable mother.

Maria: "I know I was never a good mother to you all." She drops down to tears but maintains her position without wiping any tear. "And I'm sorry for the way I've treated you all these years.I'm sorry for what you had to see between your father and I. Russell, ngwanake, today is the day you become a man. Today is the day you become someone's husband. Your wife, Kgomotso is a darling. I can see that she's given you the love that I failed to give you and I'm sorry. In fact all your wives gave you the love that you deserved, and please Lesego, please treat her with care. Don't let what your relationship be the reflection of me and your father's relation. Ek weet jy het anger issues, but don't let that get in the way. Kgomotso is 'n baie special vrou. And if you treat her the way your father treated me, then I'll tell her to leave--"