Let’s party!
Romeo and Khethiwe’s bachelor and bachelorette parties couldn’t have come at a better time for the pair.
Still reeling from the news that his cop dad Marvin (Duncan Peterson) is presumed dead, Hillside nurse Romeo (Clint Aplon) isn’t really in the right headspace for his bachelor party. “He’s happy and in love with his fiancée Khethiwe (Sesethu Ntombela), but does he want to party? I don’t think so,” explains Clint. And Sesethu’s character is in the same space, says the actress. “She is trying to be strong for her fiancé but she has her own thing to worry about – her parents (offscreen) won’t be able to attend the wedding.” That doesn’t mean the pair are going to be left to their own devices, thanks to Romeo’s mom Ivy (Nazli George). “She insists that the couple’s friends organise their parties,” explains Clint. “Their friends know them well and they both need this distraction.”
MENTAL FATIGUE
It’s been almost two months since Marvin was kidnapped and it’s taken a toll on his family, especially Romeo. “He’s emotional and not in a party mood,” says Clint, adding, “Romeo is taken totally by surprise when his pals grab him for his bachelor party.” He’d rather sit at home on his own and mope a bit, adds the actor. “By nature Romeo isn’t a wild guy. He’d rather have a drink with friends than go out and do anything adrenaline-junkie like. He’s chilled, so he’s not entirely sure that’s going to happen on this night,” says Clint.
GETTING HER DAY
It’s a little different for Khethiwe, says Sesethu. “She’s had a lot of things go wrong. Ivy became almost a bridezilla and took over all the planning. Her dress got burnt. Her parents aren’t coming. So this bachelorette party is going to be great for Khethiwe.” Her friends have put together a fancy do on the rooftop and there’s a surprise in store. “Someone’s there waiting to see Khethiwe – someone who’s going to celebrate her wedding with her and make it special,” says Sesethu.
It’s also going to be a chance for Khethiwe and Ivy to bond. “They had a strained relationship to start with because Ivy thought she wasn’t good enough for Romeo. But that’s changed and they’re close now,” says the actress. And like her fiancé, Khethiwe is going to be smiling more as the night ends. “They’re going to be in better headspaces. And it’s going to be a surprise for viewers because whatever you’re expecting, it’s the opposite,” say both Sesethu and Clint.