Bongani
brought her home after the wedding. Handing her a pair of plastic shoes for her
gift. She smiled and said, I didn't get you anything but I'm ready to be your
best wife. He carried her to the dining and said let's eat! A salad of grapes
with onions and apples, roasted chicken and fried rice and their left over cake
for desert.
That
was their first dinner as a couple. He measured all the food and told Sandy I'm
the Boss what I say goes. With her lips sealed she shook her head to agree.
Well raised Sandy came from a home where the there was only one cock in the
courtyard. Chicken was all served to the husband and it was up to him to choose
how much to share.
The
budget was announced by the head even if mama worked. Somehow mama never
questioned why things were strange because various homes in the village run the
same practices. The maize flour for 'pap' was measured and the top of flour was
leveled and signed to make sure the signature was not altered it was checked
before measuring for the next meal. Every morning Bongani went to do 'a piece
job' and Sandy worked in a small vegetable garden to supplement the meals.
Together,
with her friends they started a 'storkvel' whereby they contributed an equal
amount of money and gave one lady in the group every month. When it was Sandy's
turn, she used the money to buy furniture and clothes for her and the children.
On days where Bongani had no piece job, he sat under a tree where he was served
all meals by Sandy.
He
moved his chair further to the shade as the sun got hotter. If Bongani needed
something from his wife, he told the kids to ask their mum on his behalf. Why?
Because that meant respect. Likewise, Sandy communicated with her hubby with
the help of the kids. 'Tell your father, the food is getting finished he needs
to buy more.' This was respect. At church they sat together but never spoke to
each other. At a party she sat with the women and Bongani sat with the men. Did
he ever tell her he loved her?
Yes,
a lot but only when he was drunk. Did they perhaps talk after lights out, I
don't know but I guess they did. Bongani was not a womaniser so his eyes and
love was only for Sandy. They have been happily married like forever and
there's only one boss in this home.
ZANTON
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