It was the weekend of the opening of the new crèche and everyone was busy. Baba, Ma Stella and Ma Ruby were busy painting the walls and Baba was teasing the women. After much talk, Baba and Stella had decided to take their relationship to the next level and be business partners and they were in the process of registering the crèche as an ECD.

Bra Mike also came to help. He even contracted himself to build shelving and storage for the crèche. He had wanted to be the head of the fundraising committee but the others had laughed him out.

“You know Ruby, my dululu, I think it’s time we took our relationship to the next level as well,” Bra Mike said.

“Mike, we aren’t even on any level, so how can we take it to the next one?” said Ma Ruby.

“My point exactly. It’s time you stopped playing hard to get, woman, and just be mine!”

“Or what?” asked Ma Ruby. “You’ll go and find someone else?”

“Why would you say that? You know you’re the only one for me.”

Stella and Baba laughed. The way Ma Ruby and Bra Mike carried on, it was unclear if she was teasing him or not. Sometimes she said Bra Mike was a dreamer, and other times she played along with it. Maybe they were together, maybe not. But one thing Baba knew was that if he could find love again and it felt this good, then he wanted it for his dear friends.

“Oh Ruby, throw the man a bone, why don’t you?” teased Baba.

“Ha-ah Majola! This one would take the whole cow and run away!” Ma Ruby laughed and they all joined in.

“Ngiyabonga Majola, nawe Ruby,” said Ma Stella. “I don’t know what I would do without you both.”

Baba couldn’t respond, he was almost in tears. To think that he was so happy, something he never thought was possible after Grace’s death. He was given another chance in life, and in love. He decided he would tell his family about the relationship. He was a grown man and had the right to love whomever he wanted. They weren’t kids anymore, they would understand. They were also busy with their own lives.

***

The happy bride-to-be was thriving in her new job. With the wedding close at hand, she had enlisted the help of her sisters-in-law as she focused on decorating their soon-to-be new home. It felt like time had flown by and Lerato couldn’t believe that this was her life now. She never would’ve thought they would get to this point.

Samke had insisted on doing everyone’s hair and even convinced Josiah to cut the males’ hair, mahala! She was the self-appointed matron of honour, in charge of coordinating the whole wedding. She started planning the reception and the outfits for the bride and groom. But all her suggestions were over the top.

At first Lerato was amused by her, but as the day got closer, she became frustrated. Samke was too ambitious, and this was to be a small wedding with a small budget.

Busi was in charge of the menu and so spent most of the days sampling foods. Since her project at work was over and she was waiting to start full-time in a few months’ time, Busi had more time to spend with her friends and family. She had made contact with her high school friend, Nolwazi again, and Nolwazi was doing the catering. She had always been talented when it came to food and she was a natural cook.

Lerato had a lot to deal with, her new job being at the top of her mind. A few days ago, Khwezi had jumped in on a Zoom meeting and stood around to sing his ABCs. Lerato almost died with embarrassment, but most of her colleagues were parents and had kids at home. This little incident made Lerato appreciate Themba’s stubbornness. She was now looking forward to getting their own place. Some peace and quiet was way overdue.

Baba was stressed in the days leading up to the wedding. His relationship with Stella was finally out in the open and the kids couldn’t be happier for him. The crèche was to open after the wedding and they had planned a grand affair. But all that was nothing compared to what kept him up at night.

He hadn’t told Gogo about Stella yet. He was afraid.

It was ridiculous really, that a grown man could be afraid of an old woman. Baba had thought about how to break the news to Gogo, but no matter how much he practised, it just didn’t sound right. What if Gogo didn’t approve? It wasn’t that long ago that they had buried her daughter, so why should she be happy that Baba had moved on so quickly? Was it even that quickly? How long was a person supposed to wait, especially after they got another chance at love?

Gogo was coming to the wedding and Baba knew people would talk. He didn’t want Gogo to hear the news from the gossips of the community. He had to come clean. So he made the phone call that he been putting off since Stella and he became official.

“Sawubona Gogo,” he greeted.

“Yho Majola! I thought you didn’t want to know me anymore. Kunjani?”

“Siyaphila Gogo. Kumatasa-tasa nje. (Things are just hectic.)”

After a brief chat about the trip ahead, and Gogo sharing that she was bringing a friend for the wedding, Baba broke the news.

“Oh Majola, life must go on,” Gogo said. “Grace is happy where she is nabadala (with the ancestors), so you should be happy too.”

This surprised Baba. He hadn’t expected Gogo to respond so well to the news.

“Life is too short Majola, take it from me. And growing old alone is not nice. So when will I meet this woman?”

This was music pleasing to Baba’s ears. He could finally sleep better now that he had spoken to Gogo, and she was happy for him.

Themba and Lerato finally went back to look at the flat they would rent after the wedding. They planned to buy some furniture, but not until after the wedding. Most of their things would come from the families; this is what the lobola money was being used for, to make sure they had a new start. They could already imagine their new life together. But they both knew it would be bitter-sweet moving out of the Majola house.

***

The family was celebrating Themba and Lerato’s wedding. The party was in full swing and everyone was in high spirits, the house buzzing with excitement. And now, it was time for Baba to give his speech.

“When Themba was a young boy all he talked about was family. He always wanted a wife, kids and a big house. ‘I want to be just like you, Baba,’ he always said. But he was young and didn’t understand all the hard work that went into taking care of a family. And then, he met you, Lerato – a wise, strong and intelligent young woman. You helped him grow. You showed him what it means to be a man. Even when my Grace passed on, you were here and you put up with all his nonsense. And Samke’s.” The crowd laughed.

“Grace and I thank you. OoMajola thank you. You’ve always been part of this family but today we celebrate you truly being one of us. I can’t wait to have more grandkids …”

Everyone clapped and ululated.

“But take your time. Enjoy each other and grow together. I get sad sometimes when I think of you moving out of the Majola house but today you have moved into the very heart of the Majola family – a family that has been through a lot but has never given up. A family that hopefully will soon grow bigger,” Baba looked in Stella’s direction with the widest smile. Again, the crowd went nuts and the men whistled.

“To Themba and Lerato, may your journey be blessed with joy, laughter and many, many children!”

There were tears in the eyes of all the Majolas as they watched Themba kiss his bride. But they were tears of joy.