Saturday morning, true to his words, Moyo brings Sheline to his people. Ma Malvin, her sister and Tobi, eager to receive the guests, waits outside the compound. A few of their neighbours are also around to witness the occasion. Moyo is popular in the area, so glimpsing his wife-to-be doesn't sound like a bad idea.

Pa Malvin remains indoors, as does Tauya.

"They are here!" Ma Malvin waves both hands sky-high the moment Moyo's car cruises into view. She won't even let him park before rushing towards him. On sighting the lady seated on the front passenger seat, the old woman heightens the drama. "Praise God," she yells, waving side to side. Her screams alert everyone in the neighbourhood to the arrival of her beloved son.

Moyo and Sheline emerge from the car looking well at peace with each other. His cherished white long-sleeve shirt glitters. Having it tucked into dark-blue chinos trousers, with a black loafers shoe to match, makes the occasion look formal.

Sheline dons a sleeveless yellowish knee-length gown, covering her head with a golden scarf rolled around her forehead in a rim. The yellow band of her wristwatch and chiffon handbag gives her a simple African-girl look.

As they walk towards the building, neighbours welcome them with various modes of greetings which reflect their diverse ethnic backgrounds. While Moyo waves back with a broad smile, Sheline isn't sure how to cope with the barrage of greetings which sounds like those reserved for married couples. She isn't married yet; she's only here to see Moyo's parents.

On taking their seats in the living room, surrounded by Moyo's family members, the exchange of pleasantries continues and that takes a while to subside.

Ma Malvin won't stop greeting the guests. "Welcome, people."

Sheline, experiencing this kind of attention for the first time, drops her eyes at what seems like an overwhelming assembly. When not looking at the floor, she'll be stealing glances at everyone on seat, especially Pa and Ma Malvin who're seated opposite.

Her shyness rubs off on Moyo who had earlier delivered a lengthened lecture on how to make a good impression at his family house. Not that his parents are fussy, far from that, he just doesn't want surprises.

"Where are you two coming from?" Tauya asks, measuring up the lady whose appearance doesn't portray the destitute personality Moyo painted the week before.

"Morningside," Moyo says.

"Morningside! Uhmm." Tauya repeats, eyeing Sheline's bright dress. If she's from that part of town her parents must be rich. That means she'll have some shoulder-raising attitudes, despite her seeming humble outlook. "Do you people talk to each other?" He asks Moyo.

"Sure," Moyo jerks, rising to his feet. It's time to introduce his woman to every member of his family. "This is Sheline – the one I've been talking about. She's pleased with and I'm pleased with her. She lives with her mom in Morningside but her dad is late. She's a Shona girl, just like us."

"Sheline!" The name swims in the air, echoing around the room as people exchange glances. The sweet-sounding name matches her cool-headed personality and undeniable beauty. For a lady living in that part of the city, agreeing to a relationship with a man here in the ghetto, she must be down-to-earth and well-trained.

Sheline's knees hit the carpet on the floor as she acknowledges the complimentary remarks flying around her. She stays there for a bit.

Next, Moyo introduces his family members, their position and status in the family. He begins with his father and wraps up with the neighbours who have been like a family since his younger days.

Each person either wave at her or pass comment.

Moyo briefs others about Sheline's background and the status of their affair, plunging his voice into emotional depth as he says: "Sheline and I are planning to get married soon." A broad smile forms on his face which quickly spreads around. "So we came here so that she will be known and to ask for your blessings."

The room cheers to the news as everyone on seat ask questions at the same time. Pa Malvin nods slowly with suppressed anxiety. His wife, reeling in delight, claps as she busts a move on the chair. A grin appears on Tauya's face. Tobi beams all the way.

"You are already blessed together," a neighbour shouts from behind. The room gets more crowded as people continue to pass good remarks about Sheline. Some can't seem to close their mouths, expressing shock at how Moyo managed to win a lady so pretty.

Without a prompt Tobi leaves the room and reappears with bottles of soft drinks and glasses. "You must be thirsty after the journey of a thousand kilometres?" he looks at Sheline who only smiles. Why should she be thirsty when Morningside to Nyerere Street is about twenty minutes' drive? Tobi must be full of humour, just as Moyo hinted.

"Thank you." She says, still keeping her head low.

"Ha, our wife is shy," Moyo's aunt says in a bid to loosen Sheline up, but the lady can't manage more than coy grins.

"Please be free with us. This is your new home now." Ma Malvin's says. "You're welcome here anytime, any day. Whenever Moyo troubles you, please come and tell us. But we know he's not wayward."

Ma Malvin cups both hands forward, her eyes radiating genuine love for the docile young lady.

Moyo then delves into Sheline's plans to attend a university in Soweto, a situation that calls for a quick wedding. Ma Malvin's permanent smile dims on hearing the university story. She soon eases up though. "Our wife wants to speak big, big English."

Pa Malvin can't hide his shock. He turns to Moyo. "Will you cope when your new wife leaves you for school just a few weeks after marrying her?"

Tauya's face straightens as he tilts his neck forward.

"That's not a problem, Papa," Moyo says. "We've discussed and agreed on it."

Sheline nods slowly.

Tobi chips in. "I thought you'll want to look into her face for a year at least."

The jibe dissolves the room into laughter, even Sheline can't hold back.

"She won't be in school forever," Moyo tries to clear the air. "If I've lived alone all these years, I shouldn't have a problem when she travels to South Africa. She'll return to Bulawayo often and we'll be okay."

Turning to Sheline, Ma Malvin teases: "Our wife, can you cope with your husband staying away? You won't be worried someone will take him from you?"

Sheline laughs, covering her mouth. "We will work it out, Ma."

"All right. Husband and wife are in support. These educated people know how to sort themselves."

Ma Malvin hurries to the kitchen to prepare food, bringing along her retinue of well-wishers. While she's at it, they ask about Sheline's family background, expressing subtle doubts she'll stay with Moyo for long. Apart from her polished looks, her spoken English comes with a foreign twang.

"Where did your son get this kind of girl?" one says.

"Will he not spend all his money on her?" says another.

"She's too pretty." Someone sounds despondent. "Will she eat our kind of food?"

Proud Ma Malvin raises her shoulders. "My son brought a good Shona girl who'll live with him forever."

The subliminal messages that statement carries silence them all. They take the food trays to the living room.

As rice and beef stew, prepared with lots of motherly love, take centre stage, neighbours continue to make jokes while they eat. "I hope you'll stay with us forever?" An elderly woman in an Ankara fabric says to Sheline.

Laughter fills the room again, following which questions tumble around, most directed at Sheline.

"Can you cook pap?"

"Can you even fetch water from the well?"

"Yes, ma'am," Sheline replies in a sober mien, without looking at the inquirer's face.

When the question gets tougher, although served in harmless jibes, Moyo rescues her. The back and forth opens Sheline up, and people around get to see that she can express herself confidently.

"Let me see you for a moment." Pa Malvin invites Moyo outside the building for a brief chat.

While walking through the corridor with his dad, Moyo guesses the topics the old man might raise. Does he have an objection to Sheline? Most unlikely. Is there a traditional dictate he must adhere to? Or is it about her decision to attend a university? It occurs to Moyo he's lately been taking important decisions about his life, seeking no opinions from his folks.

Maybe that's what his father wants to bring to his attention.

Pa Malvin clears his throat the moment they step outside. "It's an important step you're taking today. Your lady looks decent and I'm happy about the kind of person you brought home. But make no mistake: no woman is good and no woman is bad. If you're good to them, they'll make your life sweet. But when you handle them roughly, be ready to face the heat. Women will always treat you the way you treat them."

Moyo nods to statements he considers wise. These are words he has been missing all these years, for fear of upsetting Tauya. That the old man dislikes using a cell phone didn't help matters.

Pa Malvin isn't done. "So be careful how you treat your wife. Engage her in everything you do and try to make her your friend. I can see that you've been consulting together already. That's good, but I must add: as humans, we sometimes misunderstand each other. Be patient and tolerant when she annoys you. You should learn to settle quarrels quickly. Be the best husband you can be. I'm confident you'll take good care of her. I'm saying this now because the chance may not come again. Soon, we'll get busy with your wedding preparations."

While the two discuss, Tauya shows up and joins them. His presence prompts the old man to appeal to his two sons to close ranks. As they become older, they'll need to respect each other's wishes, especially as they make children.

"Moyo." Pa Malvin calls out to draw his attention.

"Sir."

"Engage your brother on issues you find difficult. Don't disrespect him and don't let your wife come between you two. Since he's already a father, multiple times over, I'm sure you'll learn a few tricks from him."

"Yes, Papa," Tauya quips. "I'll teach him how it's done."

The tightened air looses.

Talks over, Pa Malvin digs a joke. "Your wife will be expensive to maintain. I hope you'll cope well?"

Moyo cracks up.

Tauya joins in the fun. "She's beautiful and decent. Where did you find such a nice girl? How did she even agree to marry an ugly face like you?"

Pa Malvin flashes a grin.

"You think I'm ugly but she sees a gentleman."

"You, a gentleman?"

The men laugh, after which Moyo returns to the sitting room to find that the women have laid bare his past juvenile mischiefs.

"I hope you people didn't speak badly of me?"

"Not at all," Sheline says. "They only said you built a wooden cage in grade seven where you kept your hens."

Laughter fills the air.

The meeting continues for a while, after which Moyo signals to Sheline that they should leave. If the group that welcomed them was much, the one seeing them off to the car is more. They all wave as the vehicle leaves the compound.

While driving to Morningside, Moyo churns his father's words, doling out respect to the old man who has always been patient with his mom. Not once did he raise a finger on his and they resolved their disagreements without involving the children. He must tear off several pages off the man's wisdom book if he can't take them all.

Sheline also stays quiet, ruminating over the warm welcome the Malvins accorded her. What a wonderful family! Poor though, love radiates among them. They'll respect her if she marries into such a group. Besides, their culture isn't different from hers. She only needs to open up to relatives and neighbours. That shouldn't be difficult to do.

Particularly inspiring is Moyo's mother's expressive attitude. Such a woman will quickly point out her mistakes when she errs, rather than bottle them up, only to explode at a later date. That woman sounded very nice and welcoming.

To have chosen to be Moyo's partner isn't a mistake after all. This marks the beginning of a new stage of her life. One she hopes to spend with a warm, pleasing and God-fearing family.