05 // Surprise Guests

It is said that non-believers only call upon God’s name when they are in serious trouble. Well, I went to church literally seven days a week, but I doubt He would save me right now, and it had absolutely nothing to do with the fact that I’ve been a very bad girl in the last twenty-four hours. I've just been in enough situations to know when, or not God chooses to show up and show off.

The temperature in the room dropped instantly, and I felt the hair at the back of my neck rise. I felt like I was being watched and I didn’t dare turn around, I reached for my phone and ran for the door, calling Esra as soon as I was out of the house.

Not even an hour later, she sped into the compound and got out of the car, pulling me into a hug. “I couldn’t hear you on the phone, you were saying a lot of things at once, are you okay?” She asked worriedly while inspecting my face for any injuries. “What happened?”

I didn’t have a single scratch on me, but I was shaken. “I don’t know! I was in the sitting room listening to music when something came out of nowhere and destroyed the TV stand and everything on it.”

Esra covered her mouth with one hand, the other on her waist. "Yvonne, were you playing loud music even after I told you to keep things low?" I opened and closed my mouth like a fish as her words returned to me. "Dammit, Yvonne!" She snapped and barged into the house.

"Esra, wait!" I shouted, running after her. Was she crazy? There was something in there, and it could kill her since I already provoked it. "Es–"

Esra turned to me with a worried look. "Friend, maybe you are just stressed out, you've had the longest 24 hours."

I shook my head furiously. "No."

"Yvonne –"

"No!" I yelled. "Everything was shredded, I saw it. I felt it!" I couldn't believe my eyes, everything was back in place, the TV was playing as if it was never broken.

"But everything is just the way I left it this morning when I went to work," Esra said, the look in her eyes made me feel like I was going crazy.

I shook my head and plopped down on the couch. "What's going on with me? Esra, what if I'm married to a spirit?"

"Yvonne, don't be ridiculous!"

"I'm serious. Look at what happened, I slept with someone and I don't remember a thing, and now this?" Tears rolled down my face.

Esra came over and took my hand. "Let's get you to your room, you need to rest." She said softly.

I got up and followed her upstairs to my room. I stayed in bed and couldn't fall asleep, I even thought of calling my dad, but I knew he would tell me to come home and I wasn't ready.

Trying to think about everything just gave me a migraine.

Esra brought me lunch, and I could barely eat.

She left, saying she was going to make dinner. I placed the tray aside and opened the gift she got me. On a normal day, I would have jumped with joy, but my spirit was down to the pits; she had gotten me a set of painting equipment, and only the best and expensive, I could never imagine owning this set all my life.

Eventually, I fell asleep and by the time I woke up, it was dark outside

I went to the bathroom to wash my face, I was sure that Esra was done cooking by now, after missing lunch, I woke up famished.

I made the bed and was about to leave the room when I heard voices outside, it sounded like someone was arguing.

I cautiously walked towards the door, and at that moment, everything died down.

"What? I'm still– ah!" I heard Esra yell, and I rushed out the door and found her standing in the passage, looking like she had just seen a ghost.

"Is everything okay? I thought I heard voices," I said.

"Uhm...you did? I hope I didn't wake you up, it was my boss," she said hastily, waving her phone in the air. She was really acting strange.

I cringed, feeling guilty. "Well... I hope I didn't get you into trouble."

As usual, she waved me off. "Ugh, don't worry about it! I was actually on my way to your room to tell you to come down for dinner."

"It's as if you knew, I'm starving!"

We walked downstairs, and my heart saddened when I remembered the scene from earlier. Esra gave me a sad smile and then pushed me towards the kitchen.

“It smells good in here,” I said, trying to lighten my mood, but no matter what I did or said, there was this heavy feeling in my gut.

She really went all out with this dinner. My friend hated cooking, but when she did, she made sure that you never forgot about it.

Her only problem was probably that she didn't know how cook just the right amount of food, looking at this table, it would probably take us a week to finish all the food since it was just us two.

"Bon Appétit!" She cheered.

"Thank you."

"So, Yvonne, you haven't said anything about school in a while, have you changed your mind about going to Varsity?"

I had completely forgotten about school, honestly. These last two days were crazy, I even forgot why I needed an escape in the first place.

"Yeah, uhm... you are right. I'll sort it out tomorrow."

She nodded, taking a sip of her drink. "Can I ask you something?

"Already did."

"What are you afraid of?" She asked, ignoring my snide comment.

"What do you mean?"

"What happened at the lodge..." I tensed. "Why are you scared? I mean your parents are believers, the guy you are marrying is from a Christian family. So, it's not like they are going to perform some outrageous ritual to check whether you are still a virgin or not."

I understood what she was asking me, but she did not understand how I felt. Yes, I came from a family of believers and I was not that religious, but I also had my own principles, and one of them was that I wouldn't have sex before marriage.

I sighed and dropped the cutlery, leaning back in my seat. "It is not about religion, Esra. Or my parents for that matter. It was my first time, do you understand that? It was my first time, I lost my virginity and I can't even remember the experience or the person who did the honours. I wanted my first time to be special and I wanted it to be with the man I love, on our wedding night. It wasn't supposed to happen like this."

I know this is probably absurd, but that was by far one of my dreams after varsity and finally breaking away from my family, and it was lost forever now.

"I'm so sorry, friend, I really am. But-" My eyes snapped to hers, and she looked regretful and worried, making my stomach turn. "Do you think looking for him is worth it?" She asked, releasing a heavy breath.

I shook my head. "I just want to forget about this. In fact, I'm going home as soon as I'm done with the registration tomorrow."

The relieved look on her face turned to shock. "Yvonne!"

"No, Esra." I gave a sardonic smile. "It's better this way."

I thought being here would help to clear my mind, but after what happened earlier, I am not so sure anymore. Maybe going home and being surrounded by my family was exactly what I needed, I trusted them to keep me distracted.

"Okay, I understand. But please promise you will call me if you need anything."

I nodded. "I will."

Things couldn't be more awkward between us, this was the first time neither of us knew how to act around each other and had to think before saying anything.

The following day I grabbed my bag and painting set and Esra dropped me off at the school of art. The registration process was not as complicated as I'd imagined and I was done before noon, and took a taxi home.

Thankfully, Esra had lent me one of her long dresses, otherwise I would have had trouble entering home and I would be in more trouble than I already was.

"Where do you come from?"

I've never been a good liar, and my life depended on a good lie right this moment.

My mother was a huge woman who kept a straight face throughout most of her days.

She only ever smiled and laughed when she was in church or when things were going her way.

And most of those times, it was at someone else's expense.

She was intimidating.

I spent all my life scared of her and always strived to do right to avoid getting into trouble.

If she ever found out that I went out on a drinking spree and ended up losing my virginity to a stranger, she would murder me. Especially since that would interfere with her plans for me.

So, what perfect lie could I possibly tell to bring a smile to her face?

"Oh, Mama. Sorry for leaving church during prayer. A friend picked me up for the revival in town." Her face lifted at that, and I knew I was on the right track. "I just wanted to take advantage of the last two days to receive blessings and prayer from the Bishop ahead of the wedding," I lied, a nervous smile playing at my lips.

Please buy it, please buy it, please buy it! I chanted in my head.

My mother's eyes brightened up and she clapped in excitement. "I'm so glad to hear that, my child! I was starting to worry that you may be getting cold feet. It's a great thing that you prayed about it, the pastor's family will be glad to hear that we are going ahead with the wedding when they come for dinner tonight."

My eyes snapped in horror. "What? Did you say dinner, tonight?"

I swore my heart was going to tear through my chest. Hadn't she learnt anything from all the previous meetings?

It was bad enough enough that I was forced into this arranged marriage with the pastor's son, I already dreaded the thought of living with them 24/7 after the wedding. Why torture me with these awkward family dinners before the wedding?

"Yes, they are coming to set a date for the wedding," she said.

"A... a date for the wedding?" I breathed.

She frowned. "Why do you keep repeating my words like a parrot? Yes, a wedding date. Go and rest so that you can start preparing dinner, the Ramodisa family needs to know what a loss it will be if they delay this union any longer."

Was it too late to call Esra ask her if the offer to stay with her for a week still stands?

I held on to the cupboard to gather strength before heading to my room.

This was my punishment for my sister's sins, my mother wanted to make sure that I don't end up having kids out of wedlock like my sister did.

Growing up, I was always sheltered from the rest of the world. Don't for a second think I was spoilt, not even close. I've lived my entire life a prisoner, I had no life outside this house; no friends, no boyfriend, just a girl who was born to do her parents' bidding.

My mother said I should rest, but with the long evening ahead, my idea of a rest was to pour everything on a canvas.

This painting was a replica of other paintings I had done over the years, the only difference was that this time it was done with the expensive painting equipment Esra got me. It was a painting of a bird, dull and caged.

It was my first painting, and I don't know how many times I've repeated it over the years. This one would join the rest in the box once it was dry.

By the time I finished, it was 5p.m., I went out and started cooking since the pastor's family would be here by eight. I was done by 7p.m., and set the table before going to bathe.

Mama was the one who insisted on the dinner with the pastor's family and she was even more excited than me, as if she was the one getting married. Yet, she failed to even lift a finger while I was cooking, but was also quick to inspect the table.

When I finished bathing, I found her going through the entire table and scrutinizing everything. Apparently, she wanted to make sure that everything was clean, from the cutlery to plates and glasses, and she went as far as checking the food.

She wanted to make sure that everything was perfect. There was nothing wrong with doing everything herself. After all, it's written in the books: if you want something done right, you have to do it yourself.

Not place doubt on someone else's work and effort.

My mother could not keep her excitement under wraps, she went to get the door and greeted the pastor's family at the door, while my father and I waited in the dining room.

We both stood up when they walked in and exchanged greetings with a few handshakes. There was no sign of the so-called groom, and it would be a lie if I said I wasn't relieved. The only people present were the pastor, his wife, and their daughter.

I wasn't surprised that the pastor and his wife were dressed as if they were going to church, while their daughter was caged in a long skirt and a headscarf just like me.

My mother was sitting at the head of the table, with my father sitting on the side immediately next to her. It was clear who wore the pants in this house, and it was definitely not my father.

I couldn't believe that he was sitting there quietly. Most fathers would have fought for their daughters, and would never allow for something like this to happen right under their nose.

But he was just sitting there and watching my mother put me through this hell.

"Before we start," Pastor Ramodisa spoke up in his baritone voice, "I would like to open with a prayer."

"Amen." My mother agreed.

"Let's all bow our heads and close our eyes." I don't think he needed to repeat that. "Father in the name of Jesus, by the blood of Jesus. We come before you tonight to say thank you. Thank you, father, for your kindness. Thank you for your mercy. Lord, we thank you for this union, for it is said in your Word that no gathering made in your presence shall be broken."

"Hallelujah!"

I was tempted to spy on my mother, but I wondered what would happen if I opened my eyes and caught her staring at me.

"We are grateful for the Ntaba family, Lord, and we ask for your guidance through this journey we are about to embark. God, we thank you for the food and ask that you bless the hands that prepared them. In the name of the Father, the Son, and the Holy Spirit, we've prayed. Amen."

"Amen!" Everyone in the room choruses.

Well, everyone except me and my dad.

"That was a powerful prayer, Pastor," My mother said. "Uhm... please, enjoy the food."

The pastor must have been waiting to hear those words long before he reached our door. I've never seen anyone eat the way he does, not even my father. I'm surprised he doesn't choke.

Clearly, this was the part he looked most forward to when he did home visits, no wonder he was the size of a hippopotamus and looked like one with his shiny, oversized grey suits.

Too bad his children took their mother's looks, otherwise, I doubt my mother would be on the path of righteousness by marrying me off.

"Yvonne, please clear the table and prepare tea for the pastors. We will be in the living room," my mother said.

"Maria, help your sister-in-law," The pastor's wife said to her daughter.

The elders went to the living room, while Maria and I cleared the table.

I filled up the kettle and turned it on, and then took out the trash before quickly washing the dishes while the water boiled.

You'd think Maria would help with the dishes or something, but no, she was standing at the corner, with her arms folded while on the phone."Gift sends his regards, by the way" she piped up. "He says he would have loved to be here with you, and that he looks forward to seeing you in two weeks."

I heaved a sigh. "Okay."

"He is looking forward to marrying you, you know. He says he can't wait. Are you excited?"

I turned to her with an incredulous stare. "Seriously, Maria?" I asked, and she clamped her mouth shut. "Open the cupboard door behind you and take out that tea set."

Every household had that special set of plates, tea sets, and glasses specially reserved for visitors, and my mother was no exception. She had a white set with red roses, it was her most priced possession.

"Should I take the scones in the meantime?" Maria asked.

I tend to forget that she is in the room. "Yes, please." I followed with the tray five minutes later.

"We've decided that the wedding should be on the 5th of May."

I heard Mrs Ramodisa say, and froze at the doorway, and I didn't feel the tray slip out of my hands, I just heard everything crashing on the tiles, with its contents.

And just like that, my mother's China set was gone.