Her First Encounter: Part 2

By Inge Marry

It's five days before Maggie's wedding day. Invited guests have arrived, and so did others. The homely atmosphere faded with every passing day.

 

Every day, family bonds are put to the test, as love, laughter and family secrets unfolds. Her mother's untimely arrival and confession was no cheer. Her past secret sex life torments her as the wedding day approaches.

 

Maggie is determined, her family life and past sex life must never cross paths. The past must remain in the past.

 

Her First Encounter Part Two, is a captivating family drama which unfolds at the most delicate time of a young woman's life.

• Language: English
• Publisher: Inge Marry
• Release date: Dec 4, 2023
• ISBN: 9798223385875

Inge Marry

Inge Marry is a seasoned accountant and public auditor with fifteen years of professional experience across the development, non-profit, and public service sectors. Her career includes working as a public auditor for the Office of the Auditor-General Namibia. She holds a master’s degree in commerce as well as in leadership and change management. Native to Ovamboland, Inge Marry currently lives in Windhoek, where she has spent most of her adult life. She loves dogs, plants, and the rain, and enjoys taking walks with her sister on cloudy days. Recently, Inge Marry began exploring additional career options, and in the process, discovered her passion for writing which she has been pursuing ever since. She has been published in the Hektoen International Journal. From her father, she learned to go after what she loves.

Book preview

Chapter 1: The week’s arrivals

Once more, the family had gathered for the same reason, Maggie. Only time could tell what the week had in store for Maggie’s family. Things always had a habit of sneaking their way into the agenda. As the week unfolded, Maggie’s uncles Theo and Paul and most of her cousins travelled to Windhoek to attend her wedding. Anna and Ida came into town early and as usual, stayed at Maggie’s flat along with a few of Maggie’s cousins. They wouldn’t miss their best friend’s wedding for anything. Maggie’s Aunts Julia and Rebecca, and Anita, the caretaker from the village, stayed at Tomas’ house, along with Grandma. The house was a buzz as friends and family worked together tirelessly in preparation for the wedding day. It all started on Monday.

* * *

Maggie, her father Tomas, and sister Linda took the week off to prepare for the wedding. On Monday morning, they ate their breakfast as they had done years ago before Maggie had moved out of the house. They quietly relished their breakfast not saying much, but with smiles on their faces. It was as if they were marking the moment to savour every second of it. After eating, Maggie and Linda moved some of Linda’s belongings to Maggie’s room to make space for the wedding guests.

Pee, pee, pee! A car hooted at the gate.

Maggie and Linda ran excitedly outside to the driveway to see who had arrived.

It was Aunt Rebecca, her husband Gideon, and their three children Toini, Susan, and Alex, exiting their car. As Aunt Rebecca walked toward the house, she said something that Linda and Maggie could not make out. Still, they could tell that she was happy to have arrived.

Maggie’s father came out of the house to meet the family and greetings of hugs and laughter commenced. Congratulations were all to Maggie. The moment was as joyful as if it were already the wedding day.

Alex, take my luggage inside! Aunt Rebecca instructed. Then she turned to Maggie and said, I am going to stay here with you. Your uncle and cousins are going to stay at a rented house just two streets away. It’s not far and they can always walk over.

Yes. We are just minutes away. If you need us, just shout, Uncle Gideon confirmed to Maggie’s father.

Not a problem at all. As long as you don’t miss the wedding, Tomas replied.

Never! I wouldn’t miss it for anything, said Susan. Susan was Maggie’s age mate and one of the cousins who also wished to move out of her parents’ house. Yet her financial status stood in the way.

Tomas looked at Susan warmly. I didn’t think so, he said.

Alex carried his mother’s luggage into the house. Linda showed him to her bedroom since Aunt Rebecca would be sleeping there during her stay. She hoped Aunts Rebecca and Julia would agree to sleep in her room. She trusted them with her things and was sure they would not snoop.

Ok, let’s all go and settle into our house, said Uncle Gideon. He got into the car with Toini, Susan, and Alex and drove off. Aunt Rebecca, Linda, and Maggie followed the car to the gate as it drove away.

As they walked back to the house, Aunt Rebecca put her arm around Maggie’s shoulder and whispered, Congratulations, my dear. This is indeed wonderful news.

Linda squeezed her head between theirs and said, Congratulations to me too.

Aunt Rebecca stopped walking and retracted her arm away from Maggie’s. She turned to Linda, her eyes wide with excitement, and asked, For what? What’s the congratulations for?

Maggie was about to start laughing, she knew her sister was joking. However, Aunt Rebecca was truly clueless.

Well, said Linda. For being me! The two sisters burst into laughter.

Oh...very funny Linda. Very funny. You got me, said Aunt Rebecca. She looked at Tomas standing ahead of them, looking happy to see his daughters’ glee.

For a moment, Aunt Rebecca forgot about Maggie and Linda. She was pleased to see her brother enjoying himself so much. She couldn’t remember the last time she saw him so happy.

Aunt Rebecca! Aunt Rebecca! Can Aunt Julia stay with you in my room? Please! Linda pleaded. I don’t trust anyone else around my things.

Sure, my dear. Don’t worry about your things. We will take good care of them and no snooping around, Aunt Rebecca assured Linda.

Ok, thanks, Linda said.

Aunt Rebecca put her arms around Linda’s shoulders and said, You know, if you hadn’t set a good example for Maggie, she probably wouldn’t be getting married now.

Linda giggled and looked at Maggie, I don’t know about that. Her life is entirely foreign to mine.

Maggie put her arm around Linda’s waist and said, Our lives might be different, but she is still right. You are the best anyone could have for a sister.

See! There is her confession, Aunt Rebecca said. You have been a great sister.

I can definitely get used to hearing this, Linda said as they walked to her room to help Aunt Rebecca settle in.

About an hour later, another car hooted at the gate. Again, Linda and Maggie ran to see who had arrived. It was Aunt Julia and her three teenage boys Lukas, Job, and Mateu. Tomas and Aunt Rebecca came back outside. Again, they were filled with joy to see their relatives had arrived safely.

Please, come in. Are you staying with us here? Maggie’s father asked.

Yes, Aunt Julia replied.

The boys offloaded their mother’s luggage and then Linda showed them to her room. There was now only one empty bedroom left. That room was reserved for Maggie’s grandmother.

Before Maggie could start helping Aunt Julia unpack her things, Anna and Ida called. They too had just arrived at the flat.

So, how many of us are going to sleep in this room? Aunt Julia asked.

Just you and me, Aunt Rebecca replied. Why do you ask?

Oh, great. Then I don’t have to worry so much about my things. There is always theft during weddings. The fewer we are in the room the better, Aunt Julia explained.

And that is precisely why I only want the two of you in my room. I don’t want to lose anything, Linda added.

So, Maggie, the bride-to-be! Are you ready for the big day? Aunt Julia asked.

Maggie smiled.

Yes, you must be sure! You are going to hear a lot of these questions over the week. Take time to seriously think about it, Aunt Julia advised.

I think she is ready, said Linda.

Me too, Aunt Rebecca agreed.

I think I am ready, said Maggie.

Ok, then we will make sure everything goes well. You shouldn’t worry about anything at all, Aunt Julia said.

She is right. We will make sure that everything goes well, Aunt Rebecca added.

I can’t thank you all enough, Maggie said.

Are you going to wear your mother’s dress? Aunt Julia asked.

What? Aunt Rebecca and Linda asked in surprise. They hadn’t thought of Maggie’s mother’s dress at all.

No, Maggie answered in disbelief. She had never thought of her mother’s dress either. She couldn’t even remember a time ever seeing it.

What? It’s a fair question, said Aunt Julia. I was just asking. I haven't heard anything about you shopping for your dress. That's all. Just asking.

No, Maggie said and shook her head. I am having my dress made.

For a few seconds everyone was quiet. Then, realizing she had created an uncomfortable moment, Aunt Julia said, I didn’t mean to ruin your moment. I just thought you might have taken your mother’s dress, and maybe tweaked it here and there to your liking. But I can tell that I am the only one here who thought about it.

Well, you got me there. It never crossed my mind. Never, Aunt Rebecca said.

Me neither, said Linda.

Me three, said Maggie. Isn’t it weird that none of us thought about that dress as an option?

Not really. Why would you want to wear her dress? You don’t even know much about her. So, it’s not weird at all, Aunt Rebecca reasoned.

She is right. I wouldn’t wear her dress and I knew her for eight years, Linda added.

I guess you are right. Sorry for bringing that up. So, back to joyful faces please, Aunt Julia pleaded.

I think it’s a good thing that you brought it up, Linda said as she turned to look at Maggie. Now you can think about it. You never know. Maybe Mom will ask you to wear it.

Maggie was puzzled. You think she would ask? she asked.

I don’t know. I am just saying, just in case she does. With her you never know, Linda said.

Maggie frowned and said, I don’t think she’ll ask. She doesn’t even know me.

I also don’t think she will ask, Aunt Rebecca said.

Are we talking about the same person? Aunt Julia asked.

To break the growing awkwardness in the room, Linda said, Anyway, Maggie’s dress is very beautiful and we are going to collect it tomorrow.

Yes, I love my dress! You will see it tomorrow, Maggie confirmed.

I am looking forward to seeing it, Aunt Julia said.

Me too, said Aunt Rebecca.

Who did you say made your dress? Aunt Julia asked.

Maggie was about to answer Aunt Julia's question when a car hooted at the gate. This time they all watched the car at the gate from one of Linda’s bedroom windows. It was Aunt Maria with her husband Amon and their two kids Peuya and Tangi. Like Susan, Peuya was the same age as Maggie.

As the male, Tangi opened the gate and then made his way to the house.

After the family got out of their car and was welcomed, Aunt Rebecca asked, Where exactly are you going to stay? Gideon and the kids are just two streets away that way. She pointed.

We are also two streets away, just in the opposite direction, Aunt Maria said. We are renting a house. There is plenty of room for more.

Mom, can we go there instead of us sleeping in the living room? Lukas asked his mother Julia.

Aunt Julia looked at Aunt Maria for approval.

Like I said, there is plenty of room at the other accommodation. Besides, you don't want them running around here, said Aunt Maria.

Aunt Julia looked at the boys and pondered for a few seconds. Ok, get your things and put them in the car already. And behave yourselves. Lukas and his brothers ran quickly for their bags and put them in the car.

As Maggie’s aunts and uncle chatted with her father outside the house, Maggie went inside the house to chat more with Linda and Peuya.

Who else is here so far? Peuya asked.

Uncle Theo is not yet here, Linda said.

Uncle Paul and Anita are still on their way. They should be here by now. They were not that far behind us, Peuya said.

Maybe they will be here soon, Maggie said.

And I hear Uncle Theo will only come tomorrow with your grandmother? Peuya asked.

Yes, Linda confirmed.

And Kumbo’s family? Peuya asked.

They are staying at Kumbo’s place. But most of them are only coming on Friday, Maggie answered.

His parents are already here and a couple of others I think. You will meet them today in the evening, Maggie added.

In the evening? What’s in the evening? Peuya asked.

Linda and Maggie looked at each other in surprise.

Didn’t your mom tell you? We are all going to have dinner with Kumbo’s family, so you guys should come early to help with the cooking, Linda explained.

Ok, she must have forgotten to tell me. Anyway, everyone is so excited about the wedding, Peuya said.

I still can’t believe you are getting married, Peuya added.

Say that again, Linda added.

You do move fast, Peuya added.

Believe me, I am starting to feel the speed, said Maggie.

Linda patted Maggie’s shoulders and asked, You’re not getting nervous, are you?

Yea, I am nervous. With people coming every hour, I am starting to feel it, said Maggie.

Just then another car hooted at the gate and they ran to the window. It was their uncle Paul and Anita. They quickly went outside to meet them. Their uncle and aunts were still outside chatting.

Maggie and Linda were most excited to see Anita. They helped her offload her luggage and put it in Maggie’s room since Anita would be sleeping in there with them. Uncle Paul had rented out a place not far from the house.

Before Maggie and Linda could dive into their usual chit-chat with Anita, Aunt Maria and her husband Amon decided to take off with Peuya and the boys.

Maggie’s father and Uncle Paul went to the sitting room. Aunts Rebecca and Julia, Maggie, Linda and Anita started preparing lunch.

Uh, you my dear, are not going to cook, Aunt Julia said before Maggie could lift a finger. Just sit there and enjoy watching us cook. This whole week you are not to do anything. If you need something, just say it and one of us will be at your service.

Maggie smiled gratefully and said, Aunt Julia, did I tell you just how much I love you?

Linda and Aunt Rebecca giggled. Aunt Julia smiled.

Well, enjoy it while it lasts, Aunt Rebecca warned.

Maggie sat on a chair in the corner of the kitchen where she could have a clear view of everyone. Then she cleared her throat loudly to draw their attention. My throat feels dry, she said.

The ladies looked at each other. So early? Aunt Julia asked.

Aunt Rebecca nudged Linda to go to Maggie. Grinning, Linda walked over to Maggie. Is there something you need your majesty? Linda asked.

Aunt Rebecca and Julia chuckled while holding each other’s arms.

Oh, I couldn’t. I wouldn't want to be such a bother. But yes, I would like some water please. Sparkling! Maggie said and then she joined her aunts in laughter.

Right away, said Linda. Five more days my sister. Five days. Sparkling water my ass.

It’s definitely going to be a long week, Aunt Julia said.

Linda looked