It was the day before the gender reveal party, and Khanyiswa was pacing through the living room while on a call with the event planners. "No, no, I said pastel pink and blue, not neon. Fix it!" she said, exasperated. Once she hung up, she turned to Mmabatho, who was lounging on the couch, rubbing her slightly swollen belly.
"You know what? You're sleeping here tonight," Khanyiswa said decisively.
"Wait, what?" Mmabatho blinked at her.
"It's just easier, babe. You'll already be here, and I need you fresh and ready for tomorrow morning. Plus, we can have breakfast together and get dolled up. Trust me, it's a win-win."
Mmabatho hesitated but eventually nodded. "Fine. I'll just text Ona and let her know."
Khanyiswa clapped her hands. "Perfect. We'll make it fun. Now, let me go double-check the seating chart before I lose my mind."
The next morning, Mmabatho woke up early to the sound of soft chatter coming from the kitchen. After a quick shower, she put on a simple robe and made her way downstairs, where the smell of fresh croissants and coffee filled the air.
"Morning" Khanyiswa greeted her with a bright smile.
"Morning," Mmabatho replied groggily, reaching for a cup of tea.
"Okay, so there's a makeup artist and hairstylist coming in an hour," Khanyiswa announced, glancing at her phone. "Thank goodness you took out your braids because we're going to give you the full glow-up treatment."
Mmabatho laughed softly. "As long as I still look like me."
After breakfast, the glam session began. The hairstylist worked magic on her natural hair, styling it into soft curls, while the makeup artist accentuated her glowing skin with a natural yet stunning look.
Upstairs, Mmabatho was in Khanyiswa's room, admiring her reflection in the mirror. The blue one shoulder maxi dress Khanyiswa had picked for her was stunning. It hugged her growing bump just right, and she felt beautiful in a way she hadn't in a long time.
Khanyiswa came up behind her, resting her hand on Mmabatho's shoulder. "You look perfect, girl. I made the right call with this dress."
Mmabatho laughed softly, her cheeks warming. "I have to admit, you did. I feel... amazing."
"And you are! Now, let's go show you off."
As Mmabatho walked into the backyard, conversations paused, and all eyes turned to her. Guests were taken aback by how radiant she looked. Even Sandile's parents, who were usually reserved, greeted her with warm compliments.
"And here's our star of the day," Sandile said, walking over to give Mmabatho a quick side hug.
"And looking like she owns the place!" Khanyiswa added, snapping a picture of Mmabatho while she laughed.
"Stop, you're embarrassing me," Mmabatho joked, though she secretly enjoyed the attention.
They posed for a few picturesâKhanyiswa on one side of Sandile, Mmabatho on the other. The camera captured everything: Sandile's proud grin, Khanyiswa's practiced elegance, and Mmabatho's quiet confidence.
As guests began to arrive, the house buzzed with excitement. Celebrities, influencers, and close family members filled the space, each one complimenting the decor and atmosphere.
Sandile's parents were among the first to greet Mmabatho, their expressions softening when they saw her. "You're glowing," his mother said with a genuine smile.
"Thank you," Mmabatho replied, slightly shy under all the attention.
Ona arrived shortly after, practically tackling Mmabatho in a hug. "You look so freaking gorgeous. I can't believe this is my bestie!"
They laughed, and Ona stayed by her side as they made their way to the backyard.
When Mmabatho stepped outside, her breath caught. The backyard looked like a dreamâa pastel paradise with cascading balloons, floral arches, and an elegant dining setup.
"This is... stunning," Mmabatho whispered, her eyes wide.
"I know, right? I outdid myself," Khanyiswa said smugly, snapping a quick selfie.
When Andile arrived, the crowd shifted again. He made his way directly to Mmabatho, dressed in a sleek white shirt and tailored black pants, looking effortlessly put together.
"You're stealing all the attention," he teased as he approached her.
"Blame Khanyiswa," she replied with a grin.
He chuckled and leaned closer. "She has good taste. You look incredible."
"Thank you," Mmabatho said softly, her voice barely above a whisper.
Without thinking, Andile reached for her hand, intertwining his fingers with hers. "Mind if I stay close to you today? This whole influencer and celebrity crowd isn't really my vibe."
She smiled at him, their hands fitting perfectly together. "I don't mind at all."
When it was time for the gender reveal, the crowd gathered around the pink and blue balloon backdrop. Sandile, Khanyiswa, and Mmabatho stood front and center, each holding a smoke popper. Andile stayed just behind Mmabatho, his hand gently brushing her back as if to remind her he was there.
"Okay, everyone, count us down!" Sandile announced.
The crowd began shouting, "Three, two, one!"
With a burst of blue smoke, the air filled with cheers and clapping. Sandile threw his arms in the air, clearly ecstatic. He pulled Khanyiswa into a kiss, then turned to Mmabatho and hugged her tightly, his gratitude written all over his face.
"Thank you for this," he said, his voice full of emotion.
Khanyiswa followed, wrapping Mmabatho in a warm hug. "Thank you, Mmabatho."
The moment was emotional, but Andile's hand on her back grounded Mmabatho. When she turned to him, he was smiling down at her, his eyes soft.
"You're doing such a good thing," he said quietly. "I hope you know that."
As the party shifted into a more casual vibe, guests mingled and enjoyed the stunning decor. Andile stayed by Mmabatho's side, their connection impossible to ignore. At one point, they sat on a couch in the corner of the backyard, Andile's hand resting on hers as they chatted quietly.
"I think your friends are trying to figure out what's going on between us," Mmabatho joked, noticing the side glances from a few guests.
"Let them wonder," Andile replied with a smirk. "I don't care what they think."
She shook her head, laughing softly. "You're bold, Mr. Bayise."
"And you're beautiful, Miss Phiri," he shot back, squeezing her hand.
When the party wound down, only a few people were leftâAndile, Ona, Sandile, and Khanyiswa. Mmabatho sat on the living room floor, surrounded by gifts, opening each one while the others watched.
"This one's from us," Sandile said, passing her a box.
She opened it to reveal a personalized baby blanket embroidered with the name "Baby Jabavu." Her throat tightened as she ran her fingers over the soft fabric.
"It's perfect," she said, her voice shaky.
Andile handed her another box. "This one's from me."
Inside was a delicate gold bracelet with a tiny charm of a baby footprint. Mmabatho's eyes widened as she looked up at him.
"You didn't have toâ"
"I wanted to," he interrupted gently. "You deserve it."
The room fell silent for a moment as everyone exchanged glances, but then Khanyiswa broke the tension with a playful grin. "Alright, Andile, you're making the rest of us look bad. Stop showing off."
The group erupted into laughter, and the evening ended on a light note. As Andile helped Mmabatho gather her gifts, he leaned in and whispered, "If you ever need anything, you know who to call."
Mmabatho smiled up at him, feeling a warmth she hadn't felt in a long time. "Thank you, Andile. For everything."