TOO FAR TO REACH CHAPTER 22

 TOO FAR TO REACH

CHAPTER 22

TWO WEEKS LATER.

PUMULO’S POV

“If you want to change your mind, I will understand. However, just remember that this will not be an easy road. You have a man right now who has promised to stay by your side through it all. Life is not perfect, it does not go as you expect. Trust this guy and let us go ahead with this…”

I looked at aunty helplessly; all this seemed like a dream. I did not see myself getting to this place ever in my life. I was going to a foreign land and I had no idea exactly what this would mean, I had to start my life afresh and this meant all my dreams were going to change. I sighed heavily as my aunty handed me my bouquet. It was finally he day that I was going to wed Jeff. Jeff had assured me of his love the last two weeks, he was always ensuring we were safe in our hidden apartment somewhere in the outskirts of Lusaka. I had suddenly gotten so used to this place that leaving felt a little sad. Well, fate will always happen as and how it should. 

I smiled at aunty and nodded my head to assure her that all was well.

“I will do this” I said

“Good girl” she said as she helped me up from my chair.

I was done with makeup and the lady who was hired to do my makeup was strictly warned not to post any pictures of the work she did on me. She was paid handsomely but also warned she would be breaching a serious contract which would get her in trouble if she took any pictures. Aunty took me towards the mirror so I could see myself and I must admit I had never been so blown away by my own appearance, I looked gorgeous, I could not identify myself. 

“You look so beautiful my darling” I heard aunty say as she drew nearer to me.

My wedding dress was a flowy dreamy white gown, it was a sweet neckline and had a simple silver band just below my bosom then it fell freely in a simple lace. I was quite simple but looked beautiful I must admit, the pregnancy glow was evident. I opted out of a veil; instead I had a fascinator on my right side which had a net that created a sort of shade for my eyes but not hiding my makeup.

Well, I left the apartment in a tinted vehicle, I do not quite remember the make but it was a nice ride. Aunty sat next to me and held my hand, I couldn’t be more grateful to her for being there for me. All was set, I was just going to sign at the civic centre and proceed to the airport. I was moving to Cape Town. Aunty was going with me but only for two weeks to ensure I was safe then she would return to Zambia, I would have to start my life alone.

“You are now going to be a wife, I do not think there’s anything I have not taught you my daughter, follow all these things and you will have a happy marriage. I am positive you will make it and help your siblings as well”

Aunty was referring to her children, she had three daughters, and they were 16, 14 and 12. She was never really married but she was always hard working. I do not quite remember how she left my late aunts house as I remember her living with us in my childhood, I know she was pregnant but aunty had decided to keep her just like that but for some reason she left not too long after my mother died.  My late aunt seemed to be the only one who was doing fine amongst my mum’s siblings. 

“I am looking forward to be in Cape Town, I am sure it’s just as beautiful as I remember” she said.

In the last two weeks aunty had told me all about Cape Town, I was surprised she knew the place so well but then again aunty had travelled a lot so it was inevitable that she knew South Africa. After all, South Africa is the hub of business in Africa and aunty was a business lady. As we progressed on our journey, aunty received a call and she spoke in some kind of coded language, almost as if she was insecure about talking to the caller in my presence. I ignored her and begun pressing my own phone and it was then I overhead something. Well, not much but I connected aunty was talking to my uncle; my late aunt’s husband. Last time aunty told me he was getting better and talking, she said that was an update she got from my cousin. I was surprised they were in touch. She however, hung up before I heard much.