A Wedding on His Behalf

Samson Chidongo was only twenty one when they asked him a favour that turned his life for ever . The request was put to him when he had just completed his university. It was a hard and difficult question to answer . But he knew two things , saying no meant his parents would not be happy , saying yes meant he would have the wedding on behalf of his brother . That was what he deemed unthinkable . How would girls think of me ? He asked himself over and over shaking his head violently left and right . He thought about what his parents have said , he thought again and shook his shoulders up and down , he shook his head not knowing whether it was time to flee . " The thing about your brother , he is not coming home as of now . All he is asking is you sit in his place as a dummy , complete all the marriage rites on his behalf and then she will follow him ." His father Chidongo said . " You are asking me to have a wedding with a woman I don't know ? " " For the sake of your brother ." His father said and continued , " You see , Anah and your brother Mark are engaged but your brother will find it extremely expensive to travel from South Africa and have the wedding, so that's why you are the answer to his problem ." It took four weeks for Samson to give his father a nod . His father assured him , " Anah is not your type , you will only kiss on the wedding day and pretend you are a couple then off she goes to your brother in Durban. " He showed him the pictures , " This is how she looks , very good for your brother hmm ? " Anah Banda appeared to be in her early twenties and Samson looked at the photo closer , she appeared tall , slim with broader lower bottom and long black silky hairs . Samson when he looked at her was not that very much attracted . He assured his father Joseph Chidongo , " I may have a wedding on my brothers behalf then she travels to South Africa , has she been there before ? " Joseph Chidongo said , " Never , but your brother will be waiting for her at the Beltbridge if not he will be at Petersburg in a motel waiting for her . " " Why can't her family take her there to him ? " " Her sister in law will accompany her ." Joseph said . He thanked his son with a warm hug for accepting to do his brother a favour . The wedding preparations began . The announcement on radio said , " The family of Joseph and Isabel Chidongo , Matt and Ivy Banda are cordially inviting you to the wedding of their second born son Samson Chidongo and the first born daughter Anah Banda . The wedding ceremony will take place at St Michael's church and the reception will be at College of Medicine Hall ." The news spread faster that Samson was getting married . It was just a shock to many of Samson's friends. How can he start with a family instead of looking for a job ? Many friends debated . Samson only confided to a few that he was in reality just a dummy but he would do nothing beyond a kiss on the day of the wedding . Well , the rehearsals began . Samson and Anah held hands . And a new song of Bendeka Bendeka was chosen to be the one to dance as they would enter the hall . The more they rehearsed , as days to the wedding drew closer , the more Samson found Anah very attractive . Suddenly the opinion about her as an ordinary girl changed . ' No wonder my brother is mad about you , ' he whispered to himself . The wedding day was colourful . Almost half a thousand people attended . Samson and Anah kissed in front of the priest attracting a chorus of applause from the crowd . Then during the wedding party at the College of Medicine Hall Samson kissed Anah , this time it felt different . Her lips were sensuous and he didn't want to let it go . She politely pulled herself from him and sat down as the crowd joyously sang and danced . A strange feeling was growing in Samson's heart but he quickly and furiously chased the bad feeling . ' I only do this for my brother ,' he assured himself. After the wedding the couple traveled to a hotel. Samson's father constantly reminded his son , " this is only for your brother , please don't do anything silly in the hotel with her , tomorow we finish the ceremony then she travels to South Africa ." " Dad , I have no feelings for her ." Samson said . When Samson and Anah arrived at Chitukuko Hotel they were left in a large room with ensuite just the two of them . The two of them sat on the edge of the bed and they talked about Mark a hundred times . " I really like your brother , he is a nice guy , I cannot wait to see him , thanks for accepting to wed on his behalf .' Anah said . " Aah my inlaw , this is nothing , I want the two of you to be happy ." Samson said . As the night grew older Anah walked to the bathroom and changed into pajamas. She looked stunning in his eyes . He looked at her again and he breathed deeply , ' so how shall we sleep my in law ? I can sleep on the floor , I don't mind ." Anah said , " I think that's too harsh on yourself my in law , what if we put something in between , you face that side I face that side ?" ' Good idea " They slept peacefully as agreed . In the middle of the night Samson was not aware that Anah wrapped him with her hands . Anah too was not aware . When both were awake , there was fast apology from either side , " sorry my in law , sorry mulanu! " The reality that Samson and Anah became closer each day was becoming a thorn in their lives . In the morning Anah told the story of run away lovers , " its such a fascinating movie , two people are in love but the problem is they are both already with someone , so they ran away , my in law you should watch it ." At that point Samson had other ideas on what to do with Anah . Find out next