So now, in the present, I can say without hesitation that there is no such thing as a knight in shining armour, blind or otherwise. I had every day, for two years, to know that my husband was not blind. So, now you are probably wondering why the hell he married me.

Well, I found out the night of my wedding that my husband had no intentions of being a husband to me. You see, my husband is a prince. I, of course, didn’t know that until after the wedding, which took place a week after meeting him.

The wedding took place without my parents’ blessing because it was happening too fast. I, of course, having read many romance novels, went against my parents’ wishes. And they, in turn, refused to receive my lobola negotiations. So we just went to court and got married.

That night, he took me to his home where I found out that he is Gezani Chauke, the crown prince of Malamulele. I was so happy when he introduced me because by being his first and only wife, I was a crowned Princess. I was so happy I would have stayed smiling even if you had insulted me, until I realised that I was the only one smiling. The rest of his family was stunned. I could not understand how they could be shocked; didn’t he tell them about me? That was the first thought I had.

“You didn’t tell them about me?” I asked before I could think better of it.

Gezani turned his attention to me, with what I thought was an irresistible smile.

He said, “I wanted it to be a surprise babe.”

God should stop making people so beautiful, I thought. I was 23 years old, yet I believed him like a naïve school girl. I believe that had Gezani been average, I would have been thinking clearly. I believe I would have suspected an ‘average looking’ man of ulterior motives had he approached me with a wedding proposal, and to have wedded me in a week.

That is why I blame God for my stupidity.

After our introductions, he told them that we were tired and that we were to retire for our wedding night. I was so excited when he said that. He held my hand and led me out of the room. When he touched me I felt like I was in heaven and he had only touched my hand. I could only imagine how I would feel when we consummated out marriage. But as it turned out, touching my hand was the only intimate act I would feel from my husband.

***

Tell us: Why do you think Gift rushed into this marriage?