I had just gotten out of the shower when I found River standing on the balcony, the birds chirping in the distance, he was just about to feed a leaf to a baby giraffe.
“River!” I warned him, and he turned around to face me. “They said we’re not supposed to feed the animals, even if they are tamed.”
“But he looked sad…and hungry.” He conceded.
“Babe there’s trees everywhere.” I reminded him with a slight laugh. “I promise you that none of the giraffes are hungry.”
“Well,babeyou don’t speak giraffe.” He refuted, teasing me.
“And you do?” I snorted, and just then my reminder chimed on my cellphone. “Damn it, we have to move fast.”
“What time are we supposed to be at your grandmother’s house?” He asked.
“At 17:00, just before the dinner begins because I have to help cook. Here’s a reminder that you can still stay at the hotel, I’m handing you a get-out-of-jail-free card.” I cautioned.
“Well, good thing I always hated monopoly.” He confided.
“But you love board games?”
“Not that one.”
“Well, then since you’re so determined we better hurry and mentally prepare ourselves!” I assured him, holding up a thumbs up. “And put on nice clothes.”
Once we arrived at my bibi’s house, I felt a huge wave of nostalgia, I knew her house very well, and I knew the very cobblestone path I was standing on. I knew the loud chatter that was coming from inside, and I smiled as my family approached me, my brother racing forward to hug me.
“Armani!” He cheered, “You’re here!”
“I wouldn’t miss it for the world,” I assured him.
“Oyana, I on the other hand knew you would be here.” My father greeted me and I hugged him tightly.
“Mama.” I greeted and she cleared her throat awkwardly, “Hi.”
“Hello.” She acknowledged, “I thought you said you wouldn’t be coming alone?”
“I’m not,” I assured her, reaching my hand out as River stepped out of the car, his hand fit perfectly into my palm of mine. And as he stood beside me I watched as my family’s gaze followed him, much taller than I was. He had a stoic expression on his beautiful face, the warm sun against his skin. “Mama, papa, Jaadi this is—”
“I am River Kennedy, your daughter’s partner.” He expressed reaching out his hand to shake my father’s firmly, Jaadi smirked knowingly like he knew a little secret. “It’s a pleasure to make your acquaintance.”
“So formal?” My father marvelled, taken by surprise, “Believe me, the pleasure is all mine… River.”
“Don’t worry I’m still reminding him every day to not be so formal with me either!” I joked nervously clinging to his arm. “Well, we might as well make our way inside, no?”
“Indeed.” My mother leered, then held me back to whisper something in my ear. “I cannot believe you’d bring some boyfriend you barely even know to this incredibly important family event. Shame on you.”
“I am not here for your unwanted opinion, I’m here to see my grandmother on her birthday.” I reminded her, proceeding to walk ahead.
River had remained in the living room with my uncles and father who were drinking and laughing heartily, I hated to leave him there knowing he didn’t drink but my father insisted on getting to know him better, whatever that meant. I was in the kitchen with my bibi, aunties and cousins preparing the food that we were going to have for dinner. We were making nyama choma and ugali with assorted vegetables. It was nice being able to bond with the women in my family this way.
“So Armani, how are your studies going lately?” My cousin Amina asked me chopping carrots. “I can’t believe you actually managed to convince Aunty Xolani to let you pursue the arts, my father would have a stroke if I ever even suggested going the creative route.”
“They’re actually going pretty well, incredibly time-consuming though,” I explained to her,
“I always knew you would do great things Oyana, I only wish your mama wasn’t so hot-headed all the time, she would’ve recognized your abilities sooner.” My bibi spoke, her voice was hearty as she sifted the millie meal into a big bowl, her eyes filmy and posture a little crooked. “Do you know what I want to know about?”
“Is it her new boyfriend?” My aunt Cleo teased, “He looks like a movie star.”
“I always knew she would end up with a white man.” Amina giggled and I swatted her shoulder playfully. “Ouch! What? Everyone was thinking about it.”
