Falling For My Contract Husband

Saying 'I do' the second time

We are in some building at my in-laws'. It looks like a venue they usually host dinner parties, I assumed. My cousins help me with the dress as soon as they are done with theirs. They look good in their baby blue long dresses.

When I'm done, one of my cousins opens the door to tell my dad I'm ready, he can come in. He walks in looking good in a light grey suit, white shirt and brown shoes.

"You look beautiful, my baby." He told me a million times today.

He's been kind of emotional, especially in the past week. My mom said it's normal for fathers to be like this when their daughters are getting married. She said my granddad, her father, cried from the day they received a letter from my dad's family asking for her hand in marriage until the day she got married. But luckily for her, she got a good man. That's why I always argue that there are still good men out there. Because I know one.

"Ngiyabonga baba (Thank you, dad), you also look handsome."

He wipes a tear and then he takes my hand and we head to the altar.

When the door opens, the camera starts flashing. And the guests all stood up and turned to look at me. I know I look good in this dress. My mother-in-law has a choice. She chose a bobtube dress with glitter up to the waist.

Sabelo looks handsome in his expensive navy suit, and a white shirt unbuttoned at the first 3 buttons. He smiles at me, but I know he's doing it for the media. When we stand in front of him, my dad kisses my forehead and squeezes my hand and then he turns and leaves me at the altar. He takes a seat reserved for him in the front with Sabelo's parents.

I wish mothers were allowed to attend their daughters' weddings. Cruel tradition excludes them for a reason that seems dumb. I turned to my husband. The pastor, his uncle, starts talking. And then he asks us to say our vows. Sabelo told me to write and memorise the vows.

"Google them if you have to. But practice them and make sure they don't sound practiced and cliché." He commanded a month ago.

He goes first, "I Sabelo Gregory Mwelase promise to love you, cherise you. I promise to protect you. I promise to be there for you. Be your shoulder to cry on. Be there to listen when you need an ear. Be with you through thick and thin, in sickness and in health. I promise to love you with all I have till death do us part." And then he slides a very expensive ring for a fake marriage.

When it's my turn, I breathe in and out before I start speaking.

"I Simingaye Samantha Mkhabela promises to always love you unconditionally through thick and thin. From today onwards, I'm going to be your best friend, cheerleader, number one supporter, your defense attorney, your motivator."

I stop and sigh, I'm getting emotional not because I'm marrying the love of my life. I wrote these vows a year ago just in case I got married. Don't judge me. The guests and media misinterpreted this as me getting emotional. I hear a lot of sighing and ncooos.

And then I continue, "your advisor, whether you need advice or not, your annoyer."

The guests laugh at the annoyer part after Sabelo nods and make a comment. They think he's saying I'm already an annoyer as a joke because he said it with a smile. But I know he's saying it in a negative way.

But I continue," I promise to always respect you as a husband and as the father of my kids in the future. Through thick and thin. Till death do us part." And then I put the ring on his finger.

"I now pronounce you husband and wife. You may kiss the bride." The pastor announced.

He lifts my veil and pecks me on the lips and kisses my forehead. 'No kissing' was part of the contract. But I thought he would today. Disappointment aside, we were all prepared to go to the reception. For the decor theme, they chose white with a touch of blue.

I'm so hungry, the waiting staff isn't quick enough. I didn't want to do the first dance s**t with this cold person while hungry. I asked one of them to hurry and she did. We eat and listen to speeches.

My dad is the first to talk. He asks us to treat each other well. He asks Sabelo to take good care of me. He reminds him that I am his wife, not a punching bag. He expects me to glow each time he sees me. And then he sits down.

Sabelo's dad stands up, welcoming me to the family again. He first advises his son to treat me as an equal, with respect and love. He also advised me to do the same.

More people talk, especially older people who are married. An hour after our first dance, the bouquet throwing and garter, we say our thanks and goodbyes before heading towards the house. But then I stopped to hug my dad and brothers, who had been quiet throughout the day. They all look sad. I try to smile at them to make them feel better but the stupid tears fall. My dad thinks I'm crying because I'm happy. But I'm crying because I was sad and nervous.