My Ex Almost Broke Me

On our anniversary?

Bukhosi's POV

“Today I join my life to yours, not simply as your wife but as your best friend, your lover and your biggest supporter. Let me be the shoulder you lean on and your companion for life… “ She looked at her mother, as if asking for permission. In a way she is. She didn’t want to just quote the vows from one of our favourite movies, The Corpse Bride, she also wanted to do everything, like lighting an actual candle, taking my hand. But her mother didn’t want her to, even though I insisted it was okay, she still looked at her mother, who shook her head no subtlety. But that doesn’t dampen Sibu’s spirit. She’s looking at me with the most beautiful eyes I’ve ever seen. Eyes full of love and appreciation and she continues with her vows, “With this hand I will lift your sorrows. Your cup will never empty, for I will be your hennesy-“ I can’t help but smile at this part. She altered that part for me. Hennesy is my favourite drink. The vows in the movie say ‘wine’ by the way. “With this candle I will light your way in darkness. With this ring, I ask you to be mine”. She slipped the ring on my finger. I look at the ring and I can’t help but smile at the memory. We literally had a debate in the store. I really thought it was pointless to buy me an expensive ring, and being the good lawyer that she is, she won the argument. I let her buy the ring not only because she won the argument. It came from her heart. How could I say no to that? And that was 5 years ago. I can’t believe Sibu changed from being loving, caring, kind and thoughtful to being cold and distant in a matter of months. I’ve been trying so hard to think of where I went wrong. I haven’t gotten my answer, the only thing I got was a headache. I thought I knew her inside out. But maybe it’s true. You can’t know a person 100%, Sibu proved that. Why couldn’t she just file for a divorce? It would hurt, but at least she wouldn’t be pregnant with another man’s child while we were married, stayed in the same house and slept in the same bed. Where did I go wrong?

“Why are you torturing yourself?” asked my mom, marching into the sitting room. She took the DVD player remote and then she pressed the power button. I didn’t hear them come in. “Why would you do that to yourself?” she’s shouting this time. One thing about African parents is that once they start shouting, they don’t stop. “Is this the reason you refused to accompany your aunts and uncles to the airport so you could torture yourself like this?” My mom seemed to have forgotten that I am almost 30, I don’t need to trick her so I can do stuff. And I always watched the DVD with Sibu on the morning of our anniversary before we both headed to work if we had work to do. And then later we took a shower and prepared for dinner. At home or at a restaurant. But unfortunately, the plans I had for today aren’t going through. And then I remembered that I had forgotten to cancel my reservation with the restaurant. I took out my phone, and I told my family that I needed to make a call to the restaurant. Sibu’s favourite restaurant. I saved a lot of money for that place. But I wasn’t complaining. She deserved it. But then an idea popped into my head. It’s four hours before we are expected to arrive. Maybe my parents can go there. I haven’t heard them talk about going out for some time now. And my mom enjoys going out, seeing new places and trying new food. I know she will love this place. I’m just not sure about my dad. “Or you can go there,” I suggested to my parents, but they declined. So unlike them, especially my mom. And I knew they wouldn’t go there. I turn to Senkosi, my annoying brother shouts yes before I can ask him. I can’t help but laugh.

“Who are you taking?” asked my mom. Poor woman looks so hopeful.

“No mom, I’m not getting married,” said Senkosi, laughing.

“But son, we are worried about you. How old are you now? 27? And we’ve never seen you with a girl?” asked my father. He sounds serious. He’s worried, but Senkosi isn’t going to budge. Any other day I’d rescue him, but today I won’t. I need my parents’ attention away from me. I’m not in the mood to discuss what’s in the brown envelope for today.

“Why are you talking about marriage today of all days?” asked Senkosi, looking at me. I know my little brother is worried about me. But at the same time, he wants to divert the attention from him to me. And I won’t let him.

“Go on now. I also want to hear what you have to say for yourself. Don’t hide behind my situation.” Senkosi gives me an evil eye, but if it’s meant to scare me, he should do better than that. I just laughed it off. So I switch off the TV and I turn to Senkosi, who looked like he wanted to bolt out of the room. And he’s capable of doing that. He just ignores us and he whistles, turning the TV on. I thought as much, typical Senkosi.

And out of the blue, while he was changing channels, Senkosi asked me a question. “What do you think about a divorce party?” I am sure he is looking for the sports channel. I’ve never been a fan of sports, even from a young age I preferred karate. I don’t remember playing any sort of sport.

“What is wrong with you?” asked my father. He sounds pissed. I don’t know where this divorce party idea is coming from, and I am not sure if it’s a good idea or what. It’s like I am happy that I’m getting divorced and I’m not. When we got married, divorce never crossed my mind. Even when Sibu was being difficult, I always stuck by her. But how could she betray like that? Why didn’t she just divorce me before she moved on? I’m watching TV with my father and brother, my mom is in the kitchen when someone knocks on the door. I offer to go to the door even though my mom is in the kitchen. Anything just to leave the room and never watch sports. I could go to my room, but I don’t want to be alone.