MY PLEASURE

IMANI " There are five thousand six hundred reasons why a woman should be married by 26 ...with two to three kids already ..." Mom trailed and raised her fingers before I could argue.

I stared at her fingers then to her Beautiful black face. There's one thing about Mrs Yemi Lerato , No one , I repeat no one argues with her especially not so early in the morning .She's ready to bring down the house ,so we all just agree to whatever she has to say without a word .

" Five thousand six hundred reasons ? Really mom ? I asked as I sat for breakfast ." Of course , but like always you wouldn't listen to what I have to say . "

You children of this generation think you know everything about love Which is totally stupid ! She said frowning and I bit my lower lip to stop myself from bursting into fits of laughter." Good morning Baby " Dad greeted as he kissed her gently on the lips."

Tell your daughter to grow up mandla , she is so disobedient and would not listen to what I have to say " she said dramatically." Mom I'm listening ..." I said and she raised her eyebrows." What did I say then ? She asked pointing her wooden spoon at me and Dad took a slice of bread from the table ."

That there are five thousand six hundred reasons why a twenty six years old should be married with kids already ,that's it " I said and she scoffed ." Did you take a bread ? Mandla we haven't prayed ,why do you go to church when you always forget to pray before eating" she asked and Dad paused ." I'm sure I'm covered by all your numerous prayers ,from church to those prayer meetings you attend " Dad said and that did it ,I threw my head backwards as I laughed crazily."

I should have married that rich man that came asking my hand in marriage those years ago ,at least you would have grown old a single man " she said pointing at Dad who stifled a laugh ." You've said that for 30 years of marriage and yet you would've chosen me with your eyes closed , you love me " Dad said and her cheeks heated in a blush .

I rolled my eyes at their early morning romance as my eyes moved to my watch .I'm supposed to report to work by 8:30 , nothing more than that ." Imani dear. .." she trailed as she sat next to me ." You know how much I love you right ? Both your siblings are happily married . Zuri got married at twenty .. and your brother...is also married ...." She trailed ." Mom marriage is not the measure for success ." I said immediately and Dad gave a nod in agreement." She's talking back at me mandla dear , your daughter just beat me up " she said dramatically and I stared at her in amusement." Mom I didn't..." I trailed and she cut me off dramatically."

Raising your voice at me equals to slapping me in the face " she said and I took a deep breath in and out ." I'm sorry " I breathed out before I could stop myself." I'm doing this because I love you . My good friend ...has her son coming over this weekend and we thought..." She trailed ." No...not another blind date . You are my mother you're not supposed to play matchmaker for me,it's so Weired " I complained.

" Listen Baby girl , this is the time you are supposed to sell your market time waits for no one , by the time you're 30 a man becomes your prayer point . But God forbid it " she said dramatically ." Amen ...but I'm not going on the blind date " I said and she rubbed her forehead." I think I need to fast and pray about this my love " she turned to Dad who Chuckled in return.We were already used to her drama anyways."

I am absolutely fine ma , there's nothing wrong with me . You fell inlove with Pa and married him ,why can't I do the same ? I asked frowning." Because your eyes have refused to open to the love walking around everywhere " she said and my jaws literally dropped ." A woman is like a perishable fruit dear ,the longer it stays the more perishable it becomes " She quoted the lines from her favorite book ." You know what fine ...I'd meet this man you're bringing up ,but if it doesn't work out . You'd stop ' I said and she smirked ." Fine " she said and I sighed softly ,

I didn't need a suitsayer to tell me ,I knew she won't keep to her words ." Stay for breakfast " she said immediately she noticed i wanted to leave the table." I have thirty mins before I report to work ,ma ..." I said and kissed both sides of her cheeks." You are way too stubborn young woman " she sighed I chuckled as I made my way out of our house while checking my bag for my car keys.

Driving towards my office , my mind went back to what conspired in the house ,I sighed immediately.

Marriage ...since when did marriage become the measure for success ?

It's not like I should just jump on any guy that's available because I want to get married .

Relationship so far hasn't worked for me . My highschool boyfriend wanted to move to Standford and we broke things off because well I couldn't do long distance .

It's not just my thing ,I can't be in South Africa and the man I'm dating is in another country ...even another city I can't imagine" I thought then sighed again.

A few hours away is fine I guess . But well I'm scared of relationships it has never worked for me . I know I'm the one at fault because I always cut things off before they get preety Seriose.And now my mom has taken it upon herself to find me a husband . Who the hell does that ? I wondered with a frown ." I should avoid going to the family house for a while " I muttered under my breath.I'm from a normal family ,we are not poor and we are not exactly super rich .