Zulu love letter

By 9 o’clock everyone was awake and ready to go. S’bu took them to Pretoria and showed them the universities and colleges there. He then took them to the Union buildings where the President’s offices are allocated. Walking thru its beautiful gardens they wished they had more time to have a picnic there. It was now midday and S’bu took them back to the BnB to join the we rest of thy their school mates. S’bu was once more under the spotlight with the school pupils surrounding him with more questions and collecting the application forms he had promised them. S’bu said his goodbyes hugging his sister and Thandi before leaving.

The DOCS were sitting at the university cafeteria and chatting about life and girls.

“Congratulations are in order, you finally got what you wanted” Duma said looking at S’bu’s wrist.

“Thanks man” S’bu said lifting his wrist showing off his bracelet to them.

“I don’t get it” Clarence said confused.

“Neither do I” Omesh added.

It was a simple beaded bracelet, it did make sense at all to them why S’bu was so excited about it when he could afford the most expensive ones around.

“Thandi gave it to me, each colour on it has a meaning” S’bu explained with a grin.

“It’s a Zulu love letter” Duma added. “A triangle facing up represents an unmarried male, the one facing down represents an unmarried female. Colour white symbolises purity or virginity, red for love, pink a promise and blue a request or faithfulness.”

“So our virgin First Lady pledges her love and promises to be faithful to you. You have finally proved worthy of her love” Omesh said putting everything together.

“Beautiful! maybe the Jobe Princess will make one for me?”Clarence exclaimed.

“Ouch” cried Clarence as a cool drink can hit his hand.

“I swear one of these days I will kill you!” threatened S’bu.

Thandi and her school mates stayed for two more days in Johannesburg but did not manage to see S’bu again as they left very early and came back very late everyday. When they got back home, everyone was motivated to work harder to get ready for their matriculation examinations. The girls started their study groups again and worked harder than they ever did before.

Thandi and S’bu did not see each other for almost two months. S’bu insisted they spoke every night no matter how busy both of them were. Time went by very fast, matriculation examinations were written, now everyone waited eagerly for their results. The schools and universities were officially closed for the year and all students went home for the December holidays.

Thandi was back in her village and busy carrying out her chores. She had arranged to meet S’bu in town the following day and was trying to do as much of her chores today so she won’t be hurried tomorrow. She joined her friends to go collect fire wood from the forest. Even though her village had electricity the families still enjoyed sitting around fire, telling stories and making braai mealies. This was a way of passing knowledge from generation to the next.

Her last chore for the day was to fill the water barrel, she took her bucket and headed for the river. She got to the river bank to scoop the water and froze. The water was crystal clear she could see her reflection on it. Behind her someone else was reflected.

“S’busiso” she said turning around and throwing herself in his arms.

“MaDlamini” he responded charmingly.

Thandi blushed, it didn’t matter how many times she’s heard him address her like that, it still made her blush.

“We supposed to meet tomorrow not today”she said looking at him.

“I couldn’t wait any longer” he said kissing her.

“You know I can’t stay long, my elders will get suspicious and I would be in trouble” Thandi said after talking to S’bu for 10 minutes.

“I know” he responded.

Girls in villages were seriously monitored. Some families more strict than others. If elders suspected or discovered that a girl was dating before she was formally given the permission to do so, she would be punished severely. Some argued that it protected girls from unnecessary heartache before they were matured and unplanned pregnancies.

“I feel bad that you came all the way only to see me for such a short period” Thandi said looking down. S’bu didn’t tell her that he was coming which means he must have waited for a long time for her to come to the river, only to see her for 10 minutes.

“It was worth it, you are worth it” S’bu said kissing her again.

Thandi rushed back home smiling. S’bu knew just what to do and what to say to melt her heart.

The following day, the two lovebirds met in the city and had a picnic at the park. It was a beautiful sunny day with light wind breeze. They were sitting on a blanket under the tree. S’bu sat with his back against the stem of the tree for support and Thandi was sitting between his legs her head resting on his chest. So in love, in harmony, if only they could stay like this forever but soon they will have to part again and go home.

“You know if you choose my university, we would spend more time together” S’bu suggested. Thandi had applied to four universities and had not made up her mind on which one she preferred.

“Let’s wait for the results first and see which one accepts me. I don’t want to choose and get disappointed later” Thandi responded.

“Ok, then”S’bu conceded.

“You know you don’t have to wear that all the time” Thandi said pointing at the beaded bracelet she gave him.

“Are you kidding me, I even shower with it. It’s like I’m carrying you with me whenever I go. If you make me a second one with a black colour on it then I won’t wear this one as often” he said charmingly.

“We too young for marriage!” Thandi exclaimed laughing.

“It’s the promise that counts” S’bu said kissing her ear then her neck.

“Stop that, there are elders passing by” Thandi said shyly.

S’bu laughed “we not in village, elders here don’t pay any attention to the young people they don’t know.”

Thandi went back to her village and could not stop thinking about S’bu. She was looking forward to the day they would meet again.