It is a week after the funeral. Most relatives have left. Only a handful of Nontobeko’s cousins remain. Nontobeko is in her bedroom, looking at her wedding photo.
She smiles, remembering her wedding day. It was a windy day. The white veil blew away and got tangled in a tree. She remembers what she was thinking as people climbed up the tree to retrieve the veil: that this wind has come to blow away all her problems. And indeed her marriage was blissful. Most people in the suburb of Kingsley admired the life of the Mdlalose family.
The bell rings. Thuthukani’s brother, Lindelani, is at the gate. Nontobeko presses the intercom and he enters. He can see that she has been crying.
“Makoti, don’t cry too much. My brother is finally resting,” says Lindelani as he sits on the couch.
“It is still hard to accept that he is gone. God has taken him away from us too soon.”
“That is true. But find comfort in the fact that the Mdlalose family is here for you.”
“I know that. But I will miss the love we shared. Nothing can replace that,” says Nontobeko. Tears fill her eyes.
“I know that. But don’t cry, Makoti. I know it is tough but crying will only hinder his journey to the ancestors.”
“Thuthukani knows me, he knows I cry easily. He knows I will cry for him for a long time.”
“I hear you, that is understandable. Listen, we need to discuss a serious matter. I can come back a little later when you are feeling better,” says Lindelani.
“No, it’s fine, let’s talk now,” says Nontobeko.
“It doesn’t sit well with me that my brother’s house is coming to an end just like that. I cannot allow that.”
“What is bringing his house to an end?” Nontobeko is confused.
“You gave birth to girls and we all know they will go get married and leave you. The family name will end.”
“But I will still be here.”
“You can’t stay here on your own. You need a man to help you.”
“But the man who was the love of my life is gone.”
“Yes, Thuthukani is gone, but I’m here and I’m healthy,” says Lindelani.
He touches Nontobeko’s hand but she quickly moves it away.
“What!? I’m mourning for my husband who I loved with all my heart but you come to me with such an indecent proposal?”
“We can get married after you finish mourning,” says Lindelani.
“What will your wife say if she hears you speaking this nonsense? Even if this is what you want couldn’t you wait until I have finished mourning Thuthukani before you decided to tell me all of this?”
“I decided to act first before my other brothers beat me to it.”
“Beat you to it? Is this a competition where I’m the prize?”
“I’m sorry to put it like that. I’m sorry if I have hurt you.”
“Lindelani, I’m surprised to see you here. The only time I saw you here was at the funeral. You never visited us when your brother was alive. Now you want to be in his bed barely a week after we put him in the ground.”
“I never visited because I was too busy with work.”
“Well then return to that hole where you were hiding. I’d rather die than marry you.”
“Mako-”
“I said leave!” Nontobeko’s rage fills the house.
A single tear rolls down her face. Beads of sweat are on her nose. Lindelani stands up and leaves quickly.
Tell us: What do you think of Lindelani’s proposal? Is it indecent or reasonable?