Katomato’s online love

As I was saying, after a few months of FB chatting, Katomato and Brian were truly in “online love”, there is nothing anyone can do about it, such is the cherished “iterambere” (development), and we either embrace it and move along with it or reject it and risk being left behind! Not so easy, just like being caught between a rock and a hard place! Let me go, electricity has just got off and the Battery of my device is warning. See you next time. It was not long that, Brian informed our own Katomato that, he was going or coming (not what you think) to visit her so that he could sort out all the traditional marriage arrangements.Excitement was so high; nearly everybody made their wish lists. Now that our own Katomato was at the verge of becoming a Muzungu, we allhad greater expectations, who wouldn’t? It is many a ladies’ dream to get married to a Muzungu, travel to Europe and then end up being a Citizen of this or that European country!First and foremost, Brian wanted to have just the “Gusaba” or is it called “Dote” (introduction) function) and the so called “Commune” (nowUmurenge) marriage done here, the Church wedding would take place in Europe, reason being that, only then would their marriage be legal in Europe (smart thinking)! In order for the above to be accomplished in the shortest possible time, Katomato had to send her Passport to Europe (UK for that) in order for the Visa and other issues to be arranged.True to his word, Brian jetted into the country onboard KLM (The Royal Dutch Airline). You could have seen the group that went to meet him at the airport and the bouquets of flowers they carried; it was as if the marriage was taking place right there at our Kigali International Airport a.k.a. Kanombe!Brian loved Rwanda and its citizens so much that, he decided to visit all places, Cyangugu a.k.a. Rusizi, Kibuye a.k.a. Karongi, Gisenyi a.k.a. Rubavu, etc. In the mean time, the wedding preparations were in the highest gear. We were all eagerly waiting for the day the two would hold unto the Rwandan Flag and say, “I Do”! We had to dig deeper intoour pockets to have our uncle’s home renovated and re-furnished for one of the most important functions in our family history. We could not leave anything to chance because, Mzee Katomato’s dad) is such an organised man and he did not want to create any chance for his neighbours’ tongues to wag! “Mwana wanjye, ugiye guheshaababyeyi bawe hamwe n’umuryango wose ishema (you are going to make your parents and family proud)! How many families get the opportunity to have a Muzungu for an in-law?It is mandatory for any marriage to be registered with theauthorities and a “gestation” period of at least 21 days given after the publication of the intents of the wife and husband to be are declared.This period is to give chance to anyone that may have reason as to why the two should not get into matrimony, to voice out such reasons. Since the waiting was going to be long, it was decided that, Brian travel back to the UK with Katomato’s passport in order to begin working on her Visa and any other UK legal requirements. On our part, we would continue with the local preparations as we wait for the 21 days to expire and the two would say “I do”! We shall continue from here next time. It is very difficult compressing such an important function in just a page!(to be continued)