Chapter 2: He Was Already My Husband
1408 Words
Graduation day.
I should have been thinking about my degree.
Instead, I was thinking about marriage.
As I stood in front of my bedroom mirror, I tried convincing myself that my parents were genuinely proud of me—and not simply relieved that the day had finally arrived. The day they could hand me over to my future in-laws.
My mother, at least, was proud.
That much I knew.
My father… was different. He had always cared more about tradition, reputation, and preserving the family legacy than personal achievement.
Still.
Today belonged to me.
No matter what came after.
I had worked tirelessly for this degree.
Countless late nights.
Endless assignments.
Exams that had nearly broken me.
And now—
Today, I would officially become a lawyer.
A small laugh escaped me.
“I’ve probably just increased my bridal price.”
The joke sounded ridiculous the moment it left my mouth.
But I didn’t take it back.
I exhaled and looked at myself again.
The fitted red designer dress hugged my petite frame perfectly. Delicate detailing shimmered under the light, while the slit stayed elegant rather than loud.
For once… I actually looked like I felt ready for something.
Even if I wasn’t.
I grabbed my bag.
Time to collect my degree.
⸻
One of our family drivers dropped me at the venue while my parents followed separately.
The air outside buzzed with life.
Graduates posed for pictures. Families rushed around with flowers and gift bags. Laughter echoed everywhere like it belonged to a different world entirely.
My phone vibrated.
Lisa.
Already here. Seat 416. Two seats away from mine so you don’t spiral.
A small smile formed.
Of course she knew me too well.
I texted back nothing. Just walked in.
Inside, I found my seat quickly, exchanging a wave with Lisa who looked far more excited than I felt.
I sat down.
And waited.
⸻
The ceremony began.
Names were called one after another.
Applause rose and fell like waves.
Some students cried. Others screamed. Others sang. Others did traditional dance. Families cheered loudly enough to make strangers laugh.
I found myself watching all of it like I was slightly detached from my own life.
Years of work.
Years of pressure.
Years of becoming someone.
Then—
My name.
Amanda Mthembu.
My breath caught.
And then I paused.
Just for a second.
At the edge of the aisle, something in me hesitated—like my body was trying to process the fact that one part of my life was ending… and another was already waiting for me somewhere I couldn’t see.
I forced my feet forward.
Step by step.
Applause filled the hall.
The world blurred slightly at the edges.
Then—
A sharp, familiar sound cut through everything.
Ululation.
I almost smiled despite myself.
My mother.
Of course.
And somehow, she had convinced another woman beside her to join in a celebratory dance that absolutely did not belong in a formal graduation hall.
The audience laughed.
My face burned instantly.
My father, meanwhile, clapped politely.
Controlled.
Measured.
As if emotion had to be approved first.
I returned to my seat quickly, still recovering from embarrassment, when Lisa grabbed my hand.
“You did it!”
“We did it,” I corrected.
For a moment, it felt real.
The rest of the ceremony went smoothly.
⸻
After the ceremony were standing outside the venue taking selfies with Lisa’s and then, my parents were heading towards us.
My smile didn’t just fade.
It stopped.
Completely.
There was a shift in the air I couldn’t immediately explain.
My mother stood slightly ahead, beaming. Beside her was the woman who had been dancing earlier.
Then my dad and another man who might be his age.
And one younger man.
Tall.
Broad-shouldered.
Black tailored suit.
Still.
Like he didn’t need to adjust himself to be noticed.
My brain registered him before I fully understood why my body had gone quiet.
Pause.
I blinked once.
Then again.
Oh.
Oh.
I knew exactly who this was.
Not because I had met him.
But because I had been told this moment would come… eventually.
The young man stepped forward.
His gaze met mine.
Steady.
Confident.
Curious.
As if I were the one unfamiliar in a story he already knew.
“Congratulations, Miss Qualified Lawyer.”
His voice was calm.
Deep.
Too composed for someone I was seeing for the first time.
Something in my chest tightened unexpectedly.
He extended a bouquet of red roses and a small gift bag.
I stared at it.
Then at him.
Then at it again.
Lisa pinched my arm.
Hard.
“Ah—” I jolted slightly, snapping back into reality.
Right.
Human response required.
“Thank you,” I managed.
A faint grin tugged at his lips, like he found the entire situation mildly entertaining.
Before I could say anything else—or embarrass myself further—
Lisa stepped back instantly.
“Well! Nice meeting everyone. Amanda, I’ll be at the photo booth.”
She paused.
Looked at me.
Then at him.
Then walked away far too quickly to be innocent.
Traitor.
⸻
The drive to dinner was quieter than I expected.
Too quiet.
My parents had taken another car.
Which meant—
I was alone with him.
Sizwe.
I stared out the window.
He stared ahead.
Neither of us spoke.
Normally, I liked silence.
Today, it felt heavier than conversation.
After a few minutes, something in me snapped.
“Okay.”
I said it too quickly.
Too sharply.
He turned slightly toward me.
“I’m Amanda.”
Pause.
His eyebrow lifted.
“I know.”
“…Right. Of course you do.”
Heat rushed to my face immediately.
Why did I say it like that?
Why did I say anything?
“I just—” I rushed on, “—thought introductions made sense since this is technically the first time we’re meeting.”
A low chuckle left him.
To my absolute irritation… it sounded unfairly good.
“You’re nervous.”
My shoulders dropped slightly.
“That obvious?”
“Very.”
I covered my face with one hand.
“Please forget this conversation ever happened.”
“No.”
The answer was immediate.
I peeked at him through my fingers.
He was smiling now. Properly.
Not mocking.
Amused.
“You’re nervous,” he continued, “but you still started the conversation anyway.”
A pause.
His gaze held mine a second longer than necessary.
“You’ll make an excellent lawyer.”
Something in my chest softened before I could stop it.
“Thank you,” I said quietly.
He extended his hand.
“Sizwe Ndlovu.”
I hesitated for half a second before taking it.
His grip was steady.
Warm.
Intentional.
Then, casually—
“And your future husband.”
My eyes widened instantly.
His smile deepened like he knew exactly what reaction he would get.
Confident.
Controlled.
Dangerously charming without trying too hard.
I pulled my hand back too quickly.
“That is a very strange way to introduce yourself, Mr. Ndlovu.”
His grin widened.
And for the first time since I met him—
I wasn’t sure if I wanted to look away or look longer.
⸻
The restaurant was elegant.
Soft lighting.
Low voices.
Everything too calm for what I was feeling.
Our families were already seated when we arrived.
And immediately—
“Amanda!”
Sizwe’s mother’s excitement was immediate.
“My daughter-in-law, come sit here.”
The words landed too easily.
Too practiced.
I forced a polite smile and sat.
The conversation flowed.
Laughter here and there.
I slowly started relaxing.
Just a little.
Until—
Sizwe’s father leaned back in his chair.
And spoke.
“The bridal price was certainly worth it.”
Silence fell.
Instant.
Heavy.
My body went still before my mind caught up.
I wasn’t even sure I had heard him correctly.
A pause.
Then he continued, completely unbothered.
“You’re even more beautiful and smart than expected.”
I choked.
Literally.
Juice went the wrong way.
Coughing.
Spluttering.
Utter humiliation.
“What?!” I blurted out.
Too loud.
Too fast.
Across the table—
Sizwe closed his eyes.
Slowly.
Like a man accepting the consequences of being related to someone.
⸻
And for the first time that day…
I realized something very important.
This wasn’t the beginning of an introduction.
It was the beginning of a life I had already been placed inside.
- Writer
