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You arrive in the countryside for the funeral of your grandfather and all eyes are on you as one of the most significant grandsons. As usual, funerals have become shindigs for the materially inclined to ostentatiously display their machines and gadgets.
You arrive in your saloon car, but Carol has to arrive the following day (on the material day of the funeral) because she could not be given permission earlier from her work place.
She arrives in a big car, probably hired or owned by one of her friends. The car is as big as the ones parked by the roadside belonging to a number of dignitaries attending the burial of Mzee.
When she gets off, or they get off, for she is accompanied by four stunning women, dressed in dresses that fit as perfect as skin, everyone in the mid-morning sun turn their heads towards the four 'powerful' women. They are offered seats; local people have to be ejected so that the women can sit under the tent.
When all the nonsensical speeches are done, it is time for the family to bond and introductions to be made. Luckily enough, Carol and her friends take off their shades that seemed cocky, and save for the tight dresses-in the eyes of the locals - they all look a good game.
The ladies behave in every way decent, controlled. Comes with age. At 30, women have learned how to behave around relatives of potential in-laws. No playing with the phone, or chewing gum when talking to those particularly patriarchal, if misogynist, uncles.
As soon as she is introduced, Carol moves in to mingle with your sisters, carefully participating in household chores, serving food, washing utensils, and in every way, acting like her thousands-worth pedicure is nothing in the face of greasy plates and dirt that has to be picked. For a moment, you are compelled to think that you actually misunderstand Carol.
Whereas you like her external beauty, you have always had issues with Carol's attitude, you have always found her too aristocratic and snobbish. But her mingling freely, her deceptive charm and patience with Aunt Rose, who is the most annoying human being you know, leaves you wondering what Carol is or not capable of.
On the sides are nods of approval that you are about to quit the bachelor's club. Everyone seems to be blessing your union in advance and many even ask if there is a wedding on the cards come December. But your mother has her doubts.
"Is this the one you have settled for?" she asks you, you can hear some ring of skepticism in her tone.
"Looks like," you say, matter-of-factly.
"I hope she is the last one. You are not introducing any other girl, it is embarrassing, I can't keep up with their names..." she offers before demanding a quick intro, on who she is, what tribe she comes from, her level of education, and where you met. Which you explain quickly as you lie about that part of where you met.
She nods, but slowly, and skeptically. They say, your mother can sense a good wife from a mile away. You wonder how they will get along! Time will tell.
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