(Dinner at the home of the Luthuli family)

Tumelo: I am glad that you all came at such short notice!

Muzi: As if we had a choice!

Zodwa: Not now, Muzi. Zip your mouth and open your ears.

Punkush: He reminds me of my younger self. I didn’t want to marry Pia, but look at us now!

Muzi: It’s not the time to reflect, Mr Habib. I’m sure no-one’s interested how you two got married.

Zodwa: I apologise for him. Our son is lacking manners here and there.

Muzi: Don’t sugar coat it, mother. Say it out loud. I won’t be offended.

Zodwa: Say what?

Muzi: You know, that I’m the loose side of the car body that needs to be chiselled over and over. You always say that!

Rendaan: My true, please give your father a chance to say what he summoned us here for.

Muzi: Your true? Who is your true?

Rendaan: You, Muzi.

Muzi: I am sorry to burst your bubble, but I’m not your partner! I can’t believe you’re giving them the go-ahead for this!

Rendaan: I know it might sound off, but I am beginning to love you again. At first, everything about me hated everything about you. Now, I feel I can spend an eternity with you.

Muzi: Oh no! You just didn’t say that. I am black and you’re Indian! What is it that will bind us for eternity?

Pia: Love. Love.

Muzi: We heard the first ‘love’. But shouldn’t love come naturally?

Punkush: In some cases, it has to be forced.

Muzi: Like right now! I can’t marry someone I don’t love!

Pia: You’ll thank us in a few years.

Muzi: You’re right, I will.

Pia: At…

Muzi: I’ll thank you for showing me your true colours early, before I became independent.

Rendaan: Father, I am leaving. I can’t be in the same room with him (pointing at Muzi). The man obviously despises me. I am getting some fresh air!

Pia: Please stay put, dear. Muzi is probably confused and feels powerless. He’s a man.

Muzi: Hello? I am here! I haven’t gone anywhere!

Punkush: Tumelo, please tell them what we agreed on. We’ll soon have to leave, it’s already late.

Tumelo: Well, the date for the marriage is set for three months from now. You don’t have to pay for anything. We’ve planned everything and hundreds of invitations have already gone out.

Pia: Don’t you think that’s too soon?

Zodwa: Yes, I mean the kids have to go out and be seen in public before their marriage.

Muzi: Why? You’re afraid that people will add two and two to figure out that this is a marriage of convenience?

Rendaan: Will you for once be obedient?

Muzi: You’re nothing at all to me! Even if a truck ran over you, I wouldn’t weep or attend your funeral!

Zodwa: Muzi!

Muzi: Mother.

Zodwa: You don’t say such things to a lady, especially not to your future wife!

Muzi: I tell you for the last time: I am not going to tie the knot with her.

Punkush: Yes, you will, and she’ll give you kids.

Muzi: I am out of here! (He rushes out)

Pia: You might want to join him, dear.

Rendaan: Okay, but I won’t beg him for anything. I owe him nothing.

Pia: That’s all I need you to do; just join him.

(Rendaan goes out, following Muzi and she finds him on the patio)

Rendaan: Hi.

Muzi: What do you want? Why did you follow me? Oh, let me guess. Your parents asked you to change my mind.

Rendaan: No, I came here because I wanted to ensure that you were not doing something stupid.

Muzi: Now you know I’m fine, you can go back.

Rendaan: What’s with you? Why are you so angry?

Muzi: You must be kidding me!

Rendaan: Why are you angry?

Muzi: Goodness, are you blind? Are you from the future? Aren’t you the same Rendaan I have to be married to?

Rendaan: I am. Now answer my question.

Muzi: I don’t want to marry you. Yes, you are a beautiful girl and you have manners, but you are not for me.

Rendaan: Statistics say that forced marriages are the ones that last.

Muzi: Well, I don’t want to be part of that statistic!

Rendaan: They always work.

Muzi: Did they tell you how miserable those marriages are? It’s like imprisonment.

Rendaan: Can’t you make your parents happy?

Muzi: By sacrificing my happiness? Never! I am a grown up now.

Rendaan: I give up.

Muzi: Finally! Now go and talk some sense into your parents.

Rendaan: I don’t have a say. I am a woman. I always have to compromise.

Muzi: The Constitution is there to support you, but no, you’re playing the victim. Something’s telling me you like this situation.

Rendaan: Well…

Muzi: Oh no you don’t!

Rendaan: I love you, dammit! I’ve loved you since childhood. That’s why I befriended you. Everything was easy; all I had to do was to give you my candies to make you happy. I’ve loved you since then. Your dimples, the way you walk, the way you laugh and smile, your slender tight body, I love it all. All those little things. I didn’t have to project it. I am surprised that you never noticed. All your friends did.

Muzi: Goodbye Rendaan. Sleep well tonight!

(Muzi leaves Rendaan standing alone. Rendaan goes back to her parents)

Pia: How did it go, dear?

Rendaan: I want to go home.

Pia: Why?

Rendaan: I am tired. I need to rest. I have to be at the hospital tomorrow.

Pia: But…

Rendaan: Change of plans, mother. I have to complete my Practicals. Can we go, papa?

Punkush: Yes, certainly. Mr and Mrs Luthuli, have a lovely evening. It was nice having dinner with you. We’ll keep in touch.

Tumelo: It was a pleasure. You too.

(The Habib family exit the room and go to their car)

***

Tell us: Do you believe in this kind of marriage? Do you think the couples grow to love each other?