The proposal: Part 1
“So, bro, do you really want to do this? You can only die once,” JB says to Simo as they are leaning on his car in the driveway overlooking the big green lawn at Lee-Ann's home. It is Lee-Ann’s parents 30th anniversary. There is a lot of people who have come to celebrate this day with this family, most are family and family friends. There is a bit of a noise of music on the lawn, people are dancing and having a good time. Simo, Mlu and JB are standing in the driveway, feeling rather uneasy, being the only black people here in this neighbourhood.“Oh come on man, please don’t start with that. Not today of all days.” Simo responds to JB rather annoyed. Or maybe he’s also asking himself if this is the right thing to do. This isn’t really a surprise proposal because he had already proposed to Lee-Ann but they just didn’t tell her parents. Or, it could be a surprise because Simo didn’t tell his girlfriend that he was going to do this today, of all days. They had agreed that Lee-Ann will tell her parents when the time is right. Simo takes the ring from his pocket and looks at it and then looks at JB.
“Look, man, I know you don’t support interracial relationships and I know you and Lee-Ann don’t get along very well but…” but Simo is cut off by JB, “Look bro, you’re my friend and I love you. I’m just trying to look out for you. I don’t have to tell you why I don’t trust white people. You know my story and…” but JB himself is cut off by Mlu, “Oh. All Simo was trying to say is thank you for coming man,” he says with a smirk on his face. JB looks at him and takes a moment.
“Oh yeah I almost forgot that you have joined the losing team.” At that he bursts out laughing. Suddenly all of them just laugh at this. But in blink of an eye, there’s silence as the best friends look down at the lawn where people are. It is as if they are all thinking. But Simo looks more in deep thought than the others.
“Hey man, what’s going on?” Mlu asks his nervously looking friend. But Simo keeps his eyes firmly on the lawn and sees Lee-Ann with her family laughing and having good time. Mlu and JB look at each other wondering what’s going on now. “Hey man are you okay?” asks JB this time. “Because if you have changed your mind, I’d be happy to take you home. We can even leave your car here. Hell, I’d be happy to organise you a new password with a new name and arrange for you to escape the country.” At that him and Mlu burst out laughing. Simo looks at both of them with amazement but then couldn’t help but laugh at the joke.
“Hahaha. No you guys. I’m just looking at Lee-Ann and all those people down there. All white people and I can’t help feel like we come across as gate crashers you know,” he says with a more worried face and voice. There’s a bit of an awkward silence.
“Oh come man, didn’t we bring our own big gun for support? Hahaha,” JB says laughing. “Speaking of which, where is your aunt anyways? Shouldn’t she be here already?” Mlu asks curiously as he looks around down the lawn. As he asks that a car pulls over next to JB's car where they are standing.
“Speaking of the devil, there she is.” Simo says with relief and smiled as her aunt comes out of the car. He now feels a lot better now. When Simo lost her parents, this is the woman that had raised him up and taught him to a man that he now is and he has the outmost respect for her.
“Hi, aunt Zandile,” JB and Mlu say simultaneously. Zandile hugs them both, “how are you boys? I’m happy to see you supporting my boy here,” she says as she brushes Simo cheeks as if he’s a little boy. “It means a lot to me and him. I hope you know that,” she says smiling. At that, JB and Mlu move away to give them space to talk. Zandile hugs Simo.
“How are you my boy?” she asks a visibly happy Simo who squeezes the hug a little hard in excitement. “I’m okay auntie. Just nerves that’s all,” he says as they break the hug. They lean on the car as they both look down at the lawn where people are. There’s a moment’s silence. “So you are sure you want to do this?” Zandile asks with a low voice looking around to if anyone is listening to them. Simo looks around and sees that JB and Mlu have gone down to the people and then looks at her and pulls the ring from the pocket and smiles as he shows it to his aunt.
“Yeah auntie I’m sure,” he says. “But you already know that I had proposed to her auntie. It’s just that I need to do it here at this party in front of everyone,” he says as he smiles like a school boy who just fell in love with a popular girl in school. Zandile can see the glow in his nephew’s eyes and she just nods in approval.
“Well son, let’s just hope her family accept this okay? Because all I want us for you to be happy. And you know I love Lee-Ann. She’s a good girl and if she makes you happy, then I’m happy too,” she says as she smiles at Simo. Simo looks down at the lawn and sees Lee-Ann’s parents and sighs, “well, auntie I also hope for that. Her sister is okay. But her folks and cousin… well, let’s just say are not my biggest fans. But we had decided that we will continue with our lives because we love each other. We can’t let people decide for us.” he reassures her aunt. “Well, in that case then, let’s get the ball rolling,” Zandile says jokingly as they both go down to join the people.
At the lawn, everyone is having a great time mingling with each other. Lee-Ann is with her sister Derby, her cousins Julie and David. They are sitting under the tree. It is a very hot Saturday. It is still early, around 12:00 noon.
“So where’s your guy? Shouldn’t he be here by now?” David asks Lee-Ann who is having a cocktail. She looks at her cousin looks around and ignores the question. “Does he know that in this family we support one another and we take offence if someone doesn’t honour the invitation?” Julie asks Lee-Ann who is now growing frustrated with sarcasm from her cousins. She looks at both of them and looks around again and keeps quiet, visibly annoyed. “You two should shut up,” Derby says as she brushes her sister’s back, consoling her. “Don’t worry Simo will be here sis,” she tells Lee-Ann.
“You, David just want Simo for yourself and don’t deny it. But forget it, he’s taken,” they all burst out laughing at that. “Well darling, of course Simo is hot and I’d definitely date him,” David says jokingly. “and if this snail over here,” he points at Lee-Ann “doesn’t hurry I will take that snack away from her, hahaha,” he laughs loud.
“Oh forget it. That’s my Simo and mine alone.” Lee-Ann gives her cousin a naughty look as she slips in her drink. They both laugh big. “I wish I can find love to hey. My life sucks,” Derby says as she slips on her drink disappointingly. “Well you shouldn’t even be thinking about men. Finish school first young lady,” David says jokingly. But Derby ignores him. “Plus, we have had enough of black forest cake,” Julie adds as she looks at Lee-Ann teasingly. “We’d love a milk tut from you sweetie,” she says to Derby, winking at her. But that joke doesn’t sit well with Lee-Ann or even Derby. “You know what you guys,” Lee-Ann says, “That’s not nice. Quite frankly I can’t tolerate that racist behaviour from you.” She’s now upset. “Especially you, Julie. We’ve been through this with you for a long time. And I you I love Simo and you will have to get used to it.”
At that she downs her drink all in one go. “Whoa, whoa, whoa. Okay calm down I was just joking okay? Gosh.” Julie says as she looks at David as if to say, you see what I’m talking about? There’s a bit of a awkward silence. But Derby breaks it.
“Speaking of which,” she says. “am I not seeing your black forest cake right over there?” she says to Julie as she points with the eyes behind her. Julie turns around and sees Mlu standing with JB under one tree having drinks. She tries to hide the smile. She turns around to see all of them are staring at her, eagerly waiting a response. “What? Why is everyone looking at me like that?” she asks with a smile. “What are you smiling about?” David asks, “plus why are you calling that guy Julie’s black forest?” he asks Derby. “Guys what don’t I know?” he looks so lost right now.
But Derby ignores him by sipping her drink and looks the other way. “So, anyone?” David insist on getting the answer. “Oh well, let me go over and say hi. See you girls.” Julie says as she gives a naughty wink to Derby and smiling at Lee-Ann. She goes over to Mlu and JB, leaving David still confused at all this drama. “So no one will tell me. I see. So this is how it is now? Huh?” a disappointed David says, as he sips his drink. But that silence is cut short by Lee-Ann, “Oh look,” she says with a smile, “looks like my black forest cake has arrived,” she smiles as she sees Simo and Zandile approaching. “Excuse me guys,” says as she leaves the table to meet her boyfriend.
“Hey baby,” she says as she hugs and holds on to her boyfriend, Simo. “How are you my love?” Simo responds as they break the hug. Lee-Ann nervously turns to his aunt, “Hi Zandile,” as she attempts to shake her hand. Zandile looks at it, and smiles, “Oh dear, come here,” she says as she pulls Lee-Ann to her bosom and hugs her. “You see? There you go, that’s how I like it,” they both laugh as they break the hug. Simo just smiles.
“Welcome to my home. I’d love to introduce you to my parents in a moment, Zandile.” Lee-Ann says as she blushed. She’s struggling to look at her in the eyes, even though this isn’t the first time she meets her. “Oh I would love that darling but I have just spotted my colleague Jessica Seago there,” Zandile says as she points to a lady in a green jersey. “and then you’ll take me to your parents. I didn’t know Jessica was related to you,” she says curiously as she looks at where her colleague is. “Oh no. She’s just a family friend or… more like a family doctor,” Lee-Ann responds with a smile. “Oh I see. So let me go over there and say hi and then you can take me to your folks thereafter,” Zandile says.
“okay no problem. See you soon “Lee-Ann says as she and Simo hold hands and watch Zandile walk to Jessica. Lee-Ann turns around as if she’s looking for something. “what, love? What are you looking for?” Simo asks curiously. But Lee-Ann doesn’t answer but just pulls her boyfriend and lead him by the hand, “Come baby,” she says.
Simo is puzzled, “What’s going on?” Lee-Ann doesn’t respond but leads him to the other side of the lake in the trees and pushed him against the tree and starts kissing him passionately. Simo is still in shock buy he’s not fighting the kiss. After a while, in an attempt to catch a breath, they break the kiss. Simo is still shocked at the pleasant surprise, “Lady, what are you trying to do in your father’s house?” he asks naughtily. “are you trying to move me from their bad books, to their enemy books? Hahaha,” he bursts out laughing Lee-Ann joins in, in the laughter, “hahaha. Oh come on. I missed you baby. Didn’t you miss me?” she asks as she continues to kiss him.
“oh yeah baby I missed you,” Simo says. “it’s only been a few days love. But I don’t mind this moment with you,” he says as they becoming more and more steamy. This Stain mansion is so huge that you could play golf on the lawn. It also is surrounded by a beautiful lake where swans are swimming. It is a bit far off from the house and on the other side of it there are tall trees so no one can spot them. But what they didn’t realize is that Julie and Mlu also took a walk to this side of the lake too.
“Alright lady, so why walking me so far from the people into the bridge of the of the lake? What’s on your mind?” Mlu smiles as he looks at a shy Julie. “Oh before I answer that, will your friend JB be okay alone there since you are here with me and Simo and my cousin are wherever they are doing whatever freak on?” she asks naughtily. “Hahaha, I don’t know about the freak on hahaha. But I think JB will be okay. Aunt Zandile is there also.” Mlu says smiling. Julie takes his hand and holds it, so much to Mlu's confusion. “I actually don’t think he likes me very much,” she says as she puts her hands on Mlu's chest who is lean against the light pole in the bridge.
“Oh, you mean just like you don’t like my friend Simo, very much? Hahaha.” Mlu bursts out laughing. But Julie doesn’t seem to enjoy the joke. “No man, don’t be like okay. What his deal anyway?” she asks. Mlu looks around to see if no one is listening. She takes Julie’s hands from his chest and put them around his waist. He starts caressing her hair.
“Look,” he sighs. “JB has had a bad experience so he is struggling to trust people,” he says. “Plus he’s just looking out for us, you know?” But Julie pulls away from him and looks at the people at party from a distance and then looks at Mlu. “So what? He thinks we are going to hurt you or kill you or something like that?” she asks in frustration. “because we are not like that you know. We are human beings who care for other people.” She looks said. There’s a moment of awkwardness. But Mlu pulls her close to him again and lifts her head so that their eyes are locked on each other. He then slowly moves in with a kiss, which seems to disarm Julie of frustration as she responds to it.
On the other side of the lake JB has been looking for his friends who seem to have disappeared but he sees Derby with her cousin sitting and drinking under the tree. He is reluctant to go ask but does he have any choice? And quite frankly he could use a drink?
“Hey guys,” he greets nervously. Derby and David look at him without responding. “Uhmm, I was just wondering if you’ve seen my friends, Mlu and Simo?” he asks without sitting down. “relax dude,” David says like he wants the guy. But JB is lost for words. “oh no thank you, I just need to find them cause…” but Derby cuts him of, “No man we haven’t seen them but you can hang out with us for now. I’m sure they will be done with whatever they are doing, wherever they are,” she giggled as she looks at David. But JB may have missed the joke. He doesn’t laugh. He looks more nervous than anything else really. He looks around, “Uhmm. Okay I will just…” but Derby cuts him of again.
“JB, please sit down and have a drink with us. We won’t bite. We are also waiting for them. our aunt looks like she’s with her friends and we feel obliged to host you as this is my home. It would please me if all the guests are comfortable. So please hangout with us.”
With that, JB sits down and David pours him a drink. He nervously takes it and have a huge sip to calm the nerves. “Thanks for the drink,” he says as he lifts the glass to David and Derby. They also lift theirs to him. There’s a bit of an awkward moment of silence but David has his eyes firmly fixed on JB in somewhat admiration of the species than anything else. But JB pretends he’s not seeing that as he continues to take sips of his drink. He is beginning to feel a little warm and quite frankly, comfortable.
He looks over and sees Zandile talking to some people. “I had no idea white people could throw a party, old people at that, hahaha,” JB says to try and break the ice. Luckily for him David and Derby got the joke as they both bursts out with laughter, which becomes a relief for JB because the last thing he wanted was more awkward moments.
“Well you’d be surprised, JB. We can do it better than the township, hahaha” Derby says laughing. “Oh yeah? You think? Hahaha,” laughs loud as he takes another sip of his drink. Well, this wasn’t so bad, was it? Mlu thinks to himself. He’s beginning to enjoy the conversation with these people. He had initially declined Simo's invitation but changed his mind at the last minute. He didn’t want anything to ruin years of friendship.
“Well, let me leave you guys,” David says. “I want to see uncle Morgan about something.” He stands up and taps JB on his shoulder, “it was good to see you JB. I’d leave my number but I figured we might not be there just yet,” he first. JB doesn’t know how to respond to that but says, “Thanks man. Good to meet you too.” Even Derby is embarrassed, “Shut up you, idiot. Just go away,” she whispers to David who smiles and goes away. “I’m really sorry about that. D can be a little too much sometimes,” Derby says embarrassed. “It’s okay really,” JB says and smiles like it’s really not a big deal.
“Well, can I just say…” Derby says as she pours JB another drink and then herself. “my sister has told me a little bit about you and your story.” This comes as a surprise to JB. He looks at Derby who’s now sitting opposite in the table since it’s only the two of them.
“Oh really?” he asks curiously. “What did she tell you exactly?” he takes a huge sip of his drink, as this could be interesting. Derby looks at his reaction and wonders if the timing isn’t just a little of but it’s all too late now. She started it. She takes another sip. There’s a moment’s silence. “well, she told me you don’t really approve of her relationship with Simo, or you just don’t approve of interracial relationships,” she looks away avoiding immediate eye contact. But when she turns to look at JB she finds he’s still looking right at her without saying a word.
“May I ask why that is?” she asks nervously or is it just embarrassment? JB sighs deeply. He looks very reluctant to have this conversation with someone not even his friend. He takes another sip with his eyes still fixed on Derby and she herself is not backing down now. It’s a stare contest. I suppose she needed to get that out of her chest.
“Is that the only thing she told you about me?” JB asks curiously. He looks around to see if there’s anyone nearer to listen to their conversation. He sees there’s no one and continues to look at Derby, waiting for an answer. Derby leans forward while still looking at JB. She doesn’t want to speak loudly. JB leans forward too. There are so close to each other they are one move away from having their lips locked on each other. “Well,” Derby says as she looks at JB’s lips, almost moving to kiss him. She’s so besides herself right now. She pulls away and brushes her hair and wipes her eyes. JB licks his lips as he realises what’s just happened.
“Well, she told me what happened to you at your previous work.” With that Mlu pulls away and takes his eyes of Derby. This seems triggering and Derby can see it. “Look, JB I didn’t mean to bring this up okay? But I just wanted to say I understand why you feel the way you do.” That seems to shock JB who was looking away but suddenly looks at Derby again.
“Yes, I really do understand why you feel this and why you don’t trust us. I mean why you don’t trust white people. When something like what happened to you happens it becomes hard to get over it. So yes I understand you. I’m not saying I agree with you but I guess I get where you are coming from.” She takes a huge sip. This conversation wouldn’t have been easy without alcohol. It’s sensitive. So she thinks “But how would you know if you haven’t been through it Derby?” he asks with a low voice. He looks around to see if people aren’t staring at them. Derby looks at him, “Because that’s why my mom and my cousin don’t approve of Simo dating my sister. I’m sure Simo has told you about my aunt, Julie’s mom being hijacked by black men? So they feel black people are all dangerous and just like you feel all white girls are dangerous.”
As JB is about to comment on this they are disrupted by a voice in the PA system. Okay everyone, can you please gather for a moment? Please. This side,” it’s Simo speaking on the microphone, standing on the veranda that is a little high, making it a nice stage for people on the lawn. So people move closer to him to listen as the music has stopped playing.
Derby looks at JB in confusion, as if to ask what is going on but JB shrugs his shoulders as if to say, you will see. They too move just a little closer but they are still standing together. Derby looks around and sees her cousin Julie who looks just as confused at the whole thing. She’s still with Mlu and they have also come a little closer. Derby looks for her sister Lee-Ann and she spots her in the front line. There’s about 50 people in the lawn. But it doesn’t look like Lee-Ann knows much herself. “What is going on JB?” she whispers so that no one hears. But as JB is about to respond, he’s disrupted by Simo again in the PA system.
“Thank you guys for giving me an ear,” Simo says to everyone’s curiosity. “But before I continue with what I wanted to say, can I just say…” as he turns to Morgan and Debra, sitting behind him and who are just as lost as to what is happening as everyone else. “Mr and Mrs Stain, happy 30th anniversary to you folks, may you see many more years to come and…,” he is disrupted by the applause in the lawn, which gives him the much needed boost.
He looks around the lawn and sees far on his left, Mlu is standing with Julie and he also looks far on the right and he sees JB standing with Derby. They are all clapping. And then he looks down not far from him Lee-Ann standing next to Zandile and they are both clapping but his girlfriend looks confused as to what he’s doing. He nods at everyone and motions with his hands and suddenly the place goes quiet. “And I’m sure there are many people here today that have witnessed and have been encouraged by the love you share and would love to reach this stage if 30 years as well,” Simo continues as he turns to Morgan and Debra again.
Morgan nods in gratitude over the gesture. But Debra doesn’t look impressed at all but forces a smile out if her. He then turns around and looks at the people again and out of nowhere he takes a huge sigh that resounds through the PA system. This leaves everyone asking themselves what was that all about and where is it going.
He looks down on Lee-Ann, and stretches his hand, “baby, can you come up here please,” he says, much to Lee-Ann's shock or surprise. She just stands there not knowing what to do but with her eyes, she’s asking him What the hell are you doing? But Simo keeps his hand stretched at her. She gives in and comes up the stairs. All this happens as Julie is looking on in shock. She thinks she has an idea what’s going. She moves closer anxiously, praying and hoping this isn’t what he thinks it is. Derby on the other side as well decides to come closer to see what’s going. She looks across the lawn and sees Julie who seems infuriated by what she thinks this is.
“Thank you sweetheart,” Simo says as she helps Lee-Ann to the last step. “Babe, what on earth is going on here?” she whispers to Simo, who decides to ignore the question with a smile. He walks with his girlfriend, holding her by the hand until they reach the centre. He turns around and looks at Morgan and Debra again.
“Sir, the love you and Mrs Stain share inspires all of us. It makes all want to evaluate what’s important.” He then turns to Lee-Ann and holds her hand, “Baby, we’ve been through it, haven’t we? Joys, laughter, cries, sadness, good times and rough moments,” as he says this, Julie’s breathing picks up as she looks at Debra as if to say, what is this man doing? Debra is looking at her back and she’s also now looking more and more upset. Morgan is trying hard to hide his annoyance as his daughter is looking right at him. Derby looks at JB, “oh so you didn’t to tell me about this ambush?” she asks but JB ignores her as he looks on.
“one thing that has never been a doubt,” Simo continues. “It is our love for each other.” Lee-Ann looks at his parents to see their reaction and she can tell that they are not happy. She turns around and tries to locate her sister and she sees that she is confused. She tries to locate her cousin Julie and she sees that she doesn’t like this one bit. But when she turns around to look at Simo, she almost falls over the veranda in shock when she notices that he’s already on one knee. Her heart beats fast and her breathing takes off. She covers her mouth with both hands.
“Miss Stain, will you make me the happiest man and marry me?”
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