Rhino has his arm around Mary as they enter the Sun1 Hotel and check into a penthouse suite. Rhino enters the room carrying Mary in his arms. He spins around until they are dizzy and fall onto the bed.
“Mary …”
“Yes, Rhino.”
“I love you!”
“Eish …”
“Don’t you love me, Mary?”
Mary cuddles onto Rhino’s chest; they feel each other’s heartbeats.
“I … like you.”
“Come on, Mary. I want to marry you. Please accept my love.”
Mary sits up. Rhino also sits up. She looks away from him.
“Please, Mary.”
“I am confused, Rhino. There’s a lot on my mind. What about the situation with my dad?”
“I have a very easy solution to that.”
She stares into Rhino’s eyes. “What do you mean?”
“I thought about this long and hard. I don’t want to be accused of kidnapping you. You have to go back home.”
“What? And say what to Dad?”
“I thought I should go to your father to ask for his blessing, because I want to marry you.”
“Marry? What if he shoots you?”
“Don’t worry about that, my love. Do you agree that I should ask him?”
“It’s not a bad idea. But what if he calls the police?”
“You are old enough now, Mary. Your father would be proud if a man asked for your hand in marriage. He is just worried about your disappearance. He would be happy if you returned home. The best way is for me to pay lobola. Do you agree with me?”
“What if he asks for way too much money?”
“Money is not a problem. I would do anything just to be with you.”
Mary is out of questions.
“So, do you agree?” Rhino draws her closer to him.
Tonight by Westlife is the soundtrack to their conversation. It adds to the electricity of love in the air. Rhino starts to kiss Mary. It is obvious she wants a proper kiss. He kisses her on the forehead, runs his finger over her lips and lifts her to his lap.
“Mary, do you agree that I should pay lobola for you?”
She nods.
“I want to hear you say it, my love. Not in sign language.”
“I agree,” she says.
“Agree to what?”
“To being your woman.”
He lays her on the bed and lies next to her.
“Are you sure, Mary?”
“Yes. I love you, Rhino.”
They kiss passionately, but soon Mary stops Rhino.
“Mary, relax. I can wait. I won’t make you do anything if you are not ready. I want to do everything in the correct manner, as culture dictates.”
“Thanks, Rhino, for respecting me.”
“I do that because you respect yourself.”
Mary smiles a smile that warms Rhino in a place in his heart he never thought he had.
He ignores his phone when it first rings. Whoever is calling needs to speak to him urgently because it rings non-stop. He shows Mary that it is Ndlovu calling, and answers.
“Sho Ndlovu. What’s happening?” He heads to the balcony, his back to Mary. He returns, shocked.
“And now?” Mary asks.
“I have to go. I am so sorry, my love.”
“Hhayi bo! Are you already leaving, right now?”
“Eish, Mary. I have to go.” He is getting dressed.
“You are leaving me here? Alone?”
“Forgive me. Room service will take care of you. Buy whatever you want,” he says quickly and opens the door.
“But when will you come back?” Mary is close to tears.
“Soon. Wait for me … until I come back.”
“What’s the big emergency, my love?” Mary surprises even herself: that she has called Rhino her ‘love’.
“It’s work.”
“What wor–?”
But Rhino has left.
She has no appetite and just watches the TV news instead. A story about an ATM bombing in Durban leads the bulletin. A still photo from CCTV footage flashes on the screen. She narrows her eyes to try to make out the man in the photo.
Such an uncanny resemblance to Rhino, Mary thinks to herself. The news moves on.
She remembers Menzi’s words: ‘Can I trust you with a secret, Mary?’
She pushes these thoughts away quickly, bathes and sleeps.
*****
An entire week passes without a word from Rhino. His phone is off. Mary is getting frantic with worry. She remembers Menzi. He picks up quickly when she calls.
“Hello, Menzi.”
“Who am I speaking with?”
“It’s Mary.”
“Oh! Can I help you?”
“Yes. Where is Rhino?”
“I suggest you ask Rhino everything about Rhino. OK?”
“When was the last time you spoke to him?”
“Long time ago. Bye.” He drops the call.
“Menzi, Menzi!” He’s gone. She sends a message.
Plz fetch from
the Sun1 Hotel
I’m at work.
Try someone else.
I need key to Rhino’s
house in Arboretum.
OK
After ten minutes her phone rings.
“I am downstairs. Come get the key,” says Menzi.
Mary has already packed all her belongings. She has decided she will hitch a ride with Menzi to Arboretum, since she does not know the way.
They are quiet for a long time as Menzi drives.
“Mary …” Menzi is first to speak when they are about a minute from the house in Arboretum.
“Yes.”
“The day Rhino left, where did he say he was going?”
“To work.”
“Work where?”
“In Durban.”
Menzi would like to tell her more. But he doubts any of it will register, because they are driving into the gate and Mary’s breath is taken by the beauty of Rhino’s mansion.
Seeing she is dazed, Menzi says, “Your husband’s house is beautiful. Isn’t it? Let’s go inside.”
“My husband?”
“Yes, Rhino. Isn’t he going to be your husband?”
“I suppose he will be, but there is a lot about him I don’t understand.” Mary feels the luxurious leather of a couch.
“You will get used to him,” Menzi snaps, and leaves.
Mary hardly notices that Menzi snapped because she is amazed by the beautiful new furniture that fills this big house. She takes a tour of all the rooms. In one room she finds several driver’s licenses on top of the bed. According to the names on the licenses they belong to different people. But the photo on each is unmistakably Rhino.
***
Tell us: Do you think Mary’s father will accept the lobola for her?