Down The Aisle

As the rain slowly tickled her face, whilst fusing with the tears that rolled down her tender cheeks, carefully landing on the concrete floor, Zinhle stood face to face with her long lost lover, who had just returned from The City of Gold after ten years. Zweli had left in search of his elder brother, Swazi, who had also gone to Johannesburg to pursue his dream of becoming a prominent lawyer after studying at the University of Johannesburg. “Watch this space little bro, he would say occasionally, your brother will be one of the world’s greatest lawyers soon enough. And then, you, I and mama will move to the Cape, the States or wherever the wind blows us! Where we will worry about nothing else except for having too much money ha! “. Thereafter he would then burst in laughter before collapsing onto the couch that once belonged to their well-respected father. Every night Zweli would stare at his at his drunken brother, cover him up in with a blanket and continue with whatever he had been doing before that - which was mostly nursing his ill mother.

Life was tough growing up, and Zweli seemed to be the one to suffer more than anyone else in his family. From the time his father was slaughtered to death by thieves, while he hid inside a cupboard at age thirteen to the time where he watched his beloved mother – who, after her husbands’ death lost all hope for a better life - slowly perish in illness, one could understand why his reason for leaving the love of his life in search of the last member of his family, whom he loved dearly. Zweli and Zinhle had met after his mothers’ burial and since then, they would constantly be seen together despite the sheer disapproval Zinhles’ parents had for this friendship. She was his pillar of strength and was his main source of comfort and gave him hope when his world seemed to come crumbling down, she was undoubtedly his one and only true friend. As the years flew by, what had started out as an innocent friendship soon blossomed into a romantic ordeal between the two youngsters and Zinhles’ father who had now given up on the constant lectures, soon started to accept the special bond shared between his daughter and her companion. Everything seemed to be in perfect harmony now for Zweli, the storm had finally settled, he thought, until one day when he had just returned from school, he noticed a letter that lay on the kitchen counter, with neatly printed letters that read: TO MY BELOVED BROTHER AND FRIEND. Slowly with shivering hands and in total despair, Zweli stared deadly at the anguished letter that he held in his hands. As usual, his guardian angel was there to pick up the broken pieces and soon he made peace with the betrayal and abandonment he had suffered from the hands of his own brother, well at least he thought he’d made peace with it.    

Two years later, Zinhle and Zweli are enjoying a romantic dinner outside the Dolce Vita restaurant under the night stars, listening to the soothing sounds of Smokey Robertson. The cool breeze, Zinhles’ breathe-taking smile, the gourmet dish and sparkling chateau wine create the perfect scenery for Zweli to finally ask her the question he had been waiting impatiently and nervously to ask. He stood up, walked and kneeled before his love, reached for the diamond ring that was in his pocket and after many efforts, uttered the words: “Would you please, ever so kindly do me the honor and the pleasure of accepting my proposal and making me the happiest man alive?” Within a few seconds those that had witnessed the show, were applauding and congratulating the two young lovers, who set off under the night sky in excitement of what was soon to come. After announcing the engagement to family and friends, soon the news had spread across their entire village and as usual trouble lurked in the shadows for the couple. Three weeks after the announcement, Zweli gets into a fight with Thapelo, Zinhles’ ex-boyfriend, who had come back claiming his undying love for her and pleading to be taken back, after a three-year break up. To his disappointment, the only thing he found himself taking back was a black-eye and some stitches from the local clinic.

As the months flew by, the only thing Zinhle could think about was her wedding day, the day when her dreams will finally come true, but little did she know though, that those dreams were far from becoming a reality as her fiancé had alternate plans for them. Two weeks before the wedding day the future newly-weds were seated in a café enjoying, a slice of seductive, creamy chocolate mousse gateaux garnished with pecan nuts and topped a dash white chocolate shavings accompanied by two cups of cinnamon flavored coffee. As small as it was, the Lincoln Café boasted a high reputation and was anyone’s’ favorite hang-out spot. The fresh aroma of newly roasted coffee beans and freshly baked goodies gave the place a warm and welcoming atmosphere, sure to cheer up even the faintest souls. Watching his soulmate glow with excitement as she spoke of their wedding day filled Zweli’s heart with joy and guilt at the same time as he did not how she would digest the news that he had in store for her. “My dear heart, he said while slowly reaching for her hand, You do know that I love you with all that is within me, and that there is nothing more I could ever dream of in this world either than making you the queen of my castle, my future wife and the future Mrs. Zwelibanzi Mkhize right?” As he said this, Zinhle noticed the seriousness in his voice and face and the tone in his voice made her feel a wave of fear overcome her as she nodded with her head in agreement. “Good, because I want to ask you something that might sound a bit difficulty at first but Love you must understand how important this is to me. So Zee – my dear heart – I am going to Johannesburg in search of my brother. I’d like him to be present on the big day but I promise I’ll be back in time for the wedding” Mystified, Zinhle stood up and walked out of the café, entered her car and drove off in the rain, leaving an unmitigated blank Zweli baffled.

Three days later, Zinhle and Zweli were standing at the local train station waiting for the next train which will take him to a place where young boys learn to become men as they feed off independence. And even though she had failed to understand why Zweli had decided to venture out only two weeks before their big day, Zinhle decided to let it go, momentarily and hope for the best. “Promise me that you will return as soon as you find your brother” she said with tears slowly rolling down her cheeks. He was about to utter his final words when the conductor called for those boarding the train to Johannesburg. Before handing in his ticket, he took placed a kiss on his fiancés’ left cheek, held her hands as if it were for the last time and soon they parted with a hug. Zweli took on last glance at his beloved and waved goodbye and that was the last time that they had seen each other- until now.

Five years later, memories of a lost lover had vanquished from Zinhles’ mind. After his departure, she had hoped that he’d soon return and decided to wait. But days became weeks and weeks transformed into months and eventually, she realized that she had put her entire life on hold for two and a half years and had finally run out of patience. She then decided to continue focusing on her career as a doctor and volunteered at a clinic which was situated on in out-skirts of their village. This is where she began her new life: a life of freedom, independence and rejuvenated love. When she and Nduduzo met, it was as if their worlds collided and became one. They shared everything with each other and amongst all, a burning love that could not be extinguished by anything and after a good three years of sharing this art of deep affection, Zinhle found herself engaged for the second time. The 29th of August 2008 marked her last night as a bachelorette. The following day, she would be walking down the aisle with her soul mate and will be bestowed a new name as the new Mrs. N.Z Dladla, the thought of this filled her heart with excitement. Making her way to her bedroom, thoughts of a blissful future were circulating in her mind when a knock on the door interrupted her. “Who could be visiting at this time of the night? She thought to herself turning and walking towards the living room door. Slowly and carefully, she turned the door knob and when she saw the person that stood in front of her, a wave of panic and mixed emotions overcame her.

There he was, Zweli, standing in her doorway, totally drenched in rain with a smile on his face, which dripped with water. At first, Zinhle lost her trace of thought and retrieved her senses when she realized that tears were now streaming down her cheeks. As they stood there face to face, lost memories began to flood their minds. From the first time that they laid eyes on each other, their struggles, their special moments, the proposal and their heart-breaking separation.

“What do I do now? Where has he been all these years? Why come back now? What does he want now after so many years? All these questions played in Zinhles’ mind as she walking up and down her kitchen waiting for the kettle as it was boiling, trying to make sense of what was going on. As she re-entered the living room, where Zweli was seated silently on her chaise longue- that Nduduzo had surprised her with when she moved into her apartment- with his eyes staring deadly at his hands, she could feel the anger that she’d  put to rest years ago start to rekindle itself. She placed the tray of coffee and Danish biscuits in front of him and then took a step back as he reached for the cup. Failing to sustain it any further, Zinhle decided to release the fire that was in her. “What are you doing here Zweli? And are you staying forever or leaving as soon as possible? Why now? Huh? After all this time?!” Startled by the sudden interrogation, Zweli looked at the woman whom he had once loved more than life itself, stare at him coldly and overcome with anger. “You haven’t changed much Zee, he said with a slight grin across his face, you still turn red when you’re angry - yet still so humble”.

“You haven’t answered my questions Zweli!” She shouted taking a step closer towards him. “I’m back for good. Swazi and I reunited a year ago, found him working as a taxi rank owner in Hilbrow and I’ve been living with him since. Zee I wanted to come back sooner, you’ve got to believe me, but life got in the way and I then heard that you were getting married and I thought that maybe if I…“ At this, Zinhle asked him to leave at once. As he was about to reach for the door, he glances at her as he did at the train station a few years ago, and with a blink of an eye Zweli was nowhere to be seen. Zinhle strolled back into her and threw herself onto her bed.

Within a mere second, her pillow was drenched in tears. She sat in the darkness, teary in the company of heart ache and confusion and soon drifted off to sleep with hope of a better tomorrow. The next day was one of the most beautiful days ever. The sun shined so brightly that the rain drops from the previous day had dried up by the time that the town came to life. Bird sung holistic tunes and the sweet sounds of ululation filled the streets of Tambo Ville. It was indeed the perfect day for a wedding and everyone in town was looked forward to having a great day, all except for the bride. No one would have guessed the pain that felt as she kept it bottled up inside and refused to let anyone, including her mother or her best friend Zoe, to know of the previous nights’  events - well not until the wedding was over at least and so tried to do what any woman in her position would possibly do : FORGET. She wanted to erase any memory of the previous nights’ events, every little detail and aspect needed to be forgotten because it was her wedding day, the day she had been preparing and praying for and was not going to allow anyone to ruin it for her – not even the person who still secretly, held her heart captive.

Cars filled the church yard and after the bridal party, there entered the beautiful bride – elegantly dressed in her wedding gown and next to her was her father well known as Mzee Dlamini, a well-respected elder amongst the people of Tambo Ville. It had pained him to see his little girl leave his homestead in search of independence and now to begin a new life, but he was proud of the woman she had become over the years and could not be happier for her. Down the aisle, next to the priest stood the most decent, humble and congenial young man any one in Tambo Ville had ever known and possessed the characteristics of a good human being. Nduduzo stood in front proudly staring at his beautiful bride who looked like an angel, a goddess, a true replica of pure elegance, class and beauty and she was walking down the aisle coming towards him, everything seemed perfect and in serenity. He shook his father-in-laws’ hand as he nodded in approval with a smile and gently, as if handling a precious gem, took Zinhles’ hand and they both took a step towards the priest. Everything was in place.

“Dearly beloved, we are gathered here today to bear witness as these two…” said the priest in his deep commanding voice that echoed across the hall. Everything was running smoothly until a loud screeching of wheels distracted the priest. As he was to continue, suddenly through the church doors, there flew in Zweli who looked as if he’d been running for a long time, with perspiration running down his face and gasping as he glanced around the hall. He wore a black tux and bow tie that hung loosely around his neck with sneakers that had laces untied. The entire congregation turned its eyes to the back of the hall followed by the bride and groom. Whispers came from all angles of the hall followed by gasps of shock from those who recognized the handsome young man who had just interrupted the ceremony. As first Zinhle thought she was seeing a ghost but reality struck as this delusion had come to life. At the back of the church, there stood Zweli, whose eyes were now piercing through her soul. He took a few step towards the front but stopped when Zinhles’ father stood up with hatred written all over his face, directed to him. “I am sorry but I can’t allow this wedding to go- I am still madly in love with you Zee and I know you feel the same way- I won’t let anyone stand in my way” at this Zoe rushed towards Zweli and grabbed his arm “Zweli, save yourself the embarrassment and walk away”, she whispered into his ear as she hauled him towards the door. “No! I still love your daughter Mr. Dlamini, he said to Mzee Dlamini, I know I left you Zinhle but that never changed the way I felt about you and I am willing to fight for you” said Zweli now facing an angered Nduduzo.

Uproar aroused from the entire congregation and most of the people were on their feet, up in arms, shouting and cursing viciously at Zweli. In just a second, Nduduzo was on top of Zweli, constantly punching, Zweli returning the punches and Mzee Dlamini trying to separate the two. At that moment Zinhle stood frozen not knowing what to do, two men fighting over her may have seemed like a pleasant ordeal in an alternate world, but for a woman of her esteem and nature, it was a rather hellish ordeal with a dashing of disgust all over it. A drop of pain started to possess her, from her head straight down to her feet and soon everything seemed blurry and the room started spinning for some reason. The mother of the brides’ shriek of horror and the cries that came from the women that were running towards the altar caught the three men’s attention. Within a mere few seconds later, everyone surrounded the bride that lay sprawled on the porcelain tiled floor, down the aisle where a perfect wedding had become a perfect nightmare.