Congratulations
756 Words
Adam’s birthday had arrived, and everything was in perfect order. The theme was Biltong Braai, so guests showed up dressed in varying shades of brown, adding a rustic charm to the celebration.
Adam stood at the entrance with Nomafu, greeting guests with a forced smile and distant eyes.
He kept glancing at the road, hoping to see Nomadlozi.
> “Is your sister not coming?” he finally asked, unable to mask his disappointment.
> “Mhhhmm,” Nomafu responded casually, her eyes scanning the arriving crowd.
> “Why?”
Nomafu leaned in, her tone low but sharp.
> “Well… she said you forced yourself on her. She couldn’t bear to see you.”
Adam froze. “What?”
> “Relax. I know she lied,” Nomafu added lightly, then quickly turned to greet the next guest with a bright smile.
Adam stood stunned.
Nomadlozi? Lie like that?
Or... had he really pressured her too much? Maybe asking her to marry him—so soon—was a kind of force she hadn’t wanted.
Doubt and self-loathing stormed through him, and his face darkened.
> “Adam, you can’t welcome people looking like that. C’mon, smile,” Nomafu said, turning toward him. She reached for his face and lifted it gently, forcing a smile.
He sneered, pulled away, and stepped aside. Whatever this was—it was no longer a celebration for him.
---
Later that afternoon
The braai was in full swing. Laughter filled the air, meat sizzled on the grill, and the DJ played nostalgic hits that brought the older uncles and aunties to their feet.
But Josh wasn’t laughing.
He scanned the crowd. No Nomadlozi. His expression hardened. This wasn’t just a birthday—it was a moment of legacy, of alignment. She needed to be present.
He dialed her number.
---
PHONE CALL
📱 Josh: Pa.
📱 Nomadlozi: Hey Pa.
📱 Josh: Where are you? Why aren’t you here yet?
📱 Nomadlozi: Didn’t Nomafu speak to you?
📱 Josh: Hey, Missy. Whatever your sister said has nothing to do with your absence. If you’re not here in the next 30 minutes—heh—I swear.
📱 Nomadlozi: But Pa...
📱 Josh: Nomadlozi, you’re grown. Act like it. And bring a gift for that boy. I mean it.
Click.
Nomadlozi sat frozen in her office. Her heart pounded.
What did Nomafu tell him?
How was she going to find a gift in 30 minutes?
But she knew one thing for sure—she had to show up. No matter what.
---
Back at the Khoza Mansion
Guests laughed and danced. The air was rich with the smell of flame-grilled meat and old school jams. People were happy—but two men weren’t.
Adam kept glancing at the gate.
Josh kept checking his watch.
Meanwhile, Lily and Nomafu stood to the side, practically glowing.
> “It worked,” Lily whispered with a smile.
> “Of course it did,” Nomafu replied, sipping her drink.
The trap was closing—and Nomadlozi was too late to stop it.
---
Evening fell.
Guests began to leave. The fire burned lower, and only close family remained—the Radebes and the Khozas.
Mandla raised his glass, calling everyone around the bonfire.
“Everyone, gather round.”
The crowd drew closer, forming a semi-circle under the warm glow of firelight.
Nomafu moved beside Adam, locking her arm with his.
“Thank you all for coming to celebrate our son’s birthday,” Mandla began, his voice deep and commanding. “But tonight, we also celebrate something greater.”
He looked directly at Adam, then to Nomafu.
> “Our son is about to marry the beautiful flower standing next to him.”
Gasps of joy rippled through the crowd.
“To the soon-to-be newlyweds!” Mandla toasted.
Everyone raised their glasses.
Everyone except Adam.
He blinked. Confused. Jaw tightening.
Guests started congratulating him. Patting his back. Hugging Nomafu.
Adam pulled away and stormed toward his father.
“What wedding, Dad?”
Mandla didn’t flinch.
> “Yours, of course.”
> “I don’t understand.” Adam shook his head, voice rising. “We never agreed to that.”
“You heard me. You and Nomafu are getting married.”
“No—we didn’t talk about this. You can’t just—”
“This is what’s best for the family, Adam.”
Adam stared at his father. Then at Nomafu, who smiled sweetly at him like she hadn’t just detonated a bomb.
- Writer
