Vows

Unedited 1900

Milkah

I had blocked out the environment so when I decided to acknowledge what was happening I noticed pin drop silence.

When I lifted my head up to look at my uncle he had a bewildered look on his face.

I looked towards the gate to find everyone with the same look.

What? Have you never seen someone kill a chicken in such a way before?

We all stood there for a good minute. Me staring at them and them doing the same to me until someone said "Is she a barbarian, does she not know how to slaughter a ritual animal!"

No, no I don't but you forced me too! So I did what you wanted, now deal with it.

" Mkhize clan as the ritual has been completed you may enter so that the festivities can begin" the man that looked like my father's age stated.

He looked like a normal no-nonsense person. He must have had enough of my shenanigans. Good for him! He has saved us both.

Everyone looked at him for a second but conceded to what he said. This man must be really powerful if no one objected to what he has to say.

Oh well, time to see The  Zulu Palace!

Before my uncle could even lead the way my dad had to bring me down for the last time ." You are a disgrace to my family clan!"

He said this then walked away

Ouch! Melokuhle you really have one nasty hell of a family girl!

Nomathemba and the other maidens walked with me as was part of tradition to walk with me through the gates to my husbands house. I  walked towards the centre of the palace where everyone was.

We got there and I watched as the two families exchanged gifts and dances. It was really festive but I was not in the mood.

My emotions have been trampled on today since I came to this place. All I wish for is to go back to my world where people cared and loved me.

Nomathemba pulled me towards a room given for  me to change.

Inside the room, was lit with scented candles. Not much was there only clothes given to me by the in-laws to change into.

Finally!

I was clean and refreshed, they even had perfumes as well, made out of many common ingredients. They all smelt different,  one smelt like lemon grass, the other was lavender and the other was rosemary. The list went on but I chose lemon grass perfume it smelt more refreshing.

After the change of clothes we where escorted inside a huge Hall decorated lavishly in gold animal skin and tribal prints on the walls.

The hall was packed full with people in full swing merriment. The tables where long so people sat in rows. As my side of the family was being directed towards their seats a woman dressed in simple attire bowed down towards me then took my hand.

Startled I looked at Nomathemba but she gave me a reassuring smile.

The woman started leading me towards the front of the whole.As I continued going deeper inside the more quiet the hall became.

To say that my heart was in my stomach would be lie. It's  in my bum!

I can't even even feel my self walking I can't even see the people I'm passing. It seems like I'm in a fast moving car and that cars destination is the stage.

My eyes where wondering around trying to focus on one thing put everything looked fuzzy.

I gave up and just stared at the back head of the girl. She seems young....maybe my age. However compared to my stature I could pass as being older then her, she was very petite.

She came to a halt. I didn't even notice that we had arrived at the front of the Hall. By now the entire hall was quiet. I could hear my heartbeat in my own ears.

I felt my armpits starting to itch.

I gained enough courage to lift my eyes away from the woman head and look to what was in front of me.

As I lifted my eyes I was met with a beautiful sight of woman dressed in amazing beautiful dresses of different colours and designs,  they where all beautiful in their own way.

My eyes traced each and every single face until I my eyes caught movement of what was happening on top of the stage.

Naturally my eyes would follow the movement. As I lifted my eyes further high I saw the symble of a shield painted on the wall, the painting had a 3rd degree visual in my opinion.

I then lowered my eyes to see what else was on the stage when everyone else was below it.

That's  when I saw him.

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