Liaise with me

It had been a day well spent. All the most important matters had been addressed. The first bride price had been paid. Interestingly, there were no heated negotiations, no back-and-forth bartering as is often the tradition.

Benjamin had insisted there would be none of that. To him, Megyn was priceless. Still, he made sure his actions reflected the deep value he placed on the woman he loved. He had wanted her family to know that he was not just grateful for her love, but also deeply thankful to the parents who had brought her into the world and raised her into the phenomenal woman she had become.

He also understood the weight of what he was stepping into—this was more than a romantic relationship. It was a river of kinship that he had just stepped into: one that flows slowly and steadily, unending even beyond death.

Traditionally, the acceptance of the bride price meant that the couple could be considered husband and wife. Culturally, Benjamin could have left with Megyn that very day to begin their new life together. But their hearts were also committed to a bigger dream—their church wedding. That would be the grand celebration that sealed their love in the eyes of their faith, their friends, and the larger community.

After the ceremony, Benjamin left with his people to Hotel Sunset. He would have loved to take Megyn along and spend the evening with her in his hotel room, but he reminded himself that real love often requires patience. What he felt for Megyn transcended the intense physical desire that tugged at him. Their connection was something deeper - a profound understanding, respect, and appreciation that went beyond mere emotion. It was spiritual, even eternal.

They had agreed to meet the following day to plan the next phase: the second bride price, during which sixteen cows were to be brought to the Maringo family.

The cows had already been purchased and were being kept at his granduncle's place in a neighboring county. But Benjamin, though well-prepared financially, was still uncertain about the traditions and ceremonies surrounding that part of the cultural rite.

He looked forward to seeing Megyn again. The images of her from the previous day played over and over in his mind. The way she looked at him after he uncovered her veil, in the presence of the elders.

He could still see her—the hot pink dress, the sparkle in her eyes, her laughter that echoed gently like soft bells. That's why they chose to meet at the restaurant by the lake, the very place they had first laid eyes on each other. This time, they chose to sit on the same side of the table. Megyn sat near the window in her vibrant pink dress, and Benjamin wore a plain brown trouser with a shirt that had earthy print designs.

They agreed that the second bride price ceremony would be held on Thursday of the following week. Benjamin's youngest uncle, Shem, had remained in Randi to help oversee the preparations. Though technically Benjamin's uncle, Shem was more like a cousin in age and interaction.

"Uncle Shem is basically the firstborn of Uncle Tom," Benjamin joked to Megyn that afternoon. "He's more of a son to Uncle Tom than to his own aging parents."

"So your grandparents are still alive?" Megyn asked with curiosity.

"Yes," Benjamin replied. "But Grandpa has been unwell this past year, and Grandma insists on staying by his side all the time."

Megyn sighed thoughtfully. "I'd really love to meet them someday. You're blessed, Benjamin. I hope you realize that. You should talk about your grandparents more often."

Benjamin nodded. "You'll like them. They're true traditionalists. The way they eat, dress, travel, even how they pray—it's all rooted in their culture. Dad had to beg them just a few years ago to let him build them a modern house, and even then, they insisted on keeping their original hut. They still drink their milk sour and keep it in calabashes."

Megyn smiled, reminded of her own grandmother. "That's beautiful. Culture is such a treasure."

As the week progressed, everyone dispersed to prepare. Cindy returned to Pwani to be with her mother, and Evans headed back to campus to finish marking exam papers. Uncle Tom, along with Mr. and Mrs. Hawi, traveled back to the city. Benjamin also went back to finalize details with his family, but he and Megyn remained in close contact, discussing the upcoming ceremony in detail.

By Wednesday, Benjamin's cousins arrived from the UK and the US. They joined him in Randi, ready to fulfill their unique role: helping walk the sixteen cows from their father's ranch to Benjamin's future father-in-law's compound.

Evans and Cindy also returned that day, and Megyn's aunties, June and Nereah, were already present to help host.

Thursday afternoon arrived in a colorful procession. Five men were seen herding the cows toward the Maringo homestead—Benjamin, his two cousins, Uncle Shem, and Evans. Each man carried a shepherd's staff and wore coordinated traditional attire. Benjamin's outfit was slightly different to distinguish him as the groom.

Benjamin had traveled back from the city with the outfits carefully packed—clothing for both the men and the ladies, hand-selected to blend cultural beauty with modern elegance.

Traditional singers, who had been hired for the occasion, accompanied the group with joyful music and spirited dances as the cows entered the compound.

"The joy of a mother is seeing cows entering her compound!" sang the women, as the beat of drums and ululations filled the air.

Martha Maringo, Megyn's mother, could not contain her joy. She danced, laughed, and wiped joyful tears from her eyes. It was a sacred day—a day when culture, love, and family came together.

Once the cows were secured and tied, the men were ushered into the house for a late lunch. Benjamin was served a whole chicken - specially prepared for him, symbolizing his special status, a tradition meaning he is the honored husband of the daughter of the house. He had fulfilled all the traditions.

A larger bowl of chicken was shared by the rest. There were other dishes. The food was delicious, prepared with love and care by the women of the household.

After lunch, the guests were directed to rooms where they could rest from the long journey. Benjamin and Evans were given rooms in a separate smaller house, where Amanda stayed. The house had two spare single bed seaters with en suite bathrooms.

Meanwhile, Megyn's cousins and Cindy helped Megyn settle and prepare to receive the men for a short evening conversation and entertainment.

Uncle Shem remained at the main house, helping finalize the traditional affirmations.

As night fell, Benjamin's cousins went to spend the night at Dr. Lucia's home nearby, leaving Benjamin and Evans to stay in the guest rooms until morning.

Before they parted that evening, Benjamin to have his first night at his in-laws home, another tradition showing that he has become the son of the home, and Megyn to retire to her room, at the main house, Benjamin teased Megyn, his voice low and playful.

"Gazelle, you should be very careful from now on. I might just plan to abduct you as from today."

Megyn laughed, her eyes twinkling with affection. "And I won't even shout," she whispered back. "Because I should now be called Mrs. Moko - Mrs Benjamin Moko Hawi."

Benjamin chuckled and reached for her hand gently. "Yes, you should."

"How does that sound?" Megyn asked with a wink.

"Splendid, Princess. Just fantastic." Benjamin said while leaning towards her for a kiss. "Goodnight, My Gazelle. Tomorrow is my whole day out with you."

With the second bride price complete, Megyn and Benjamin were now husband and wife - traditionally. It was a moment of fulfillment for their families and for them.

Yet, their hearts still longed for one more milestone - their church wedding, the sacred celebration that would unite them before God, heavenly witnesses and the congregation they cherished.

The journey of love had not ended. It was only beginning, flowing like the river of kinship they had both stepped into - steady, sacred, and eternal.