Distanced but Destined(A South African love story)

Chapter 9

It was finally exam day. I woke up, took a quick bath and tiptoed out of the house. I didn't know if my father was in the guest room or my mother's bedroom, either way I didn't want to wake him up. I got to school earlier than usual and headed to the library. It was always open. I took out my notes and started summarising.

All of a sudden I felt a pinch on my back. I looked back to see Nosipho nibbling on a slab of wholenut chocolate. "Isn't it early for chocolate?" I asked. "Baby wants chocolate, baby gets chocolate. It doesn't matter how early it is" "Did you tell Sizwe?" Her facial expression changed immediately. "That son of a-" she stopped herself and took a deep breath "he was cheating so I left him. He knows I'm pregnant though and he knows its not his baby" "Hold up! I don't want to stress about this right now" "No one asked you to be the mediator in our circle, if you focus on your problems then we'd all be chilled"

"That was harsh" I thought. But she was right. I needed to take my nose out of their business and focus on how my life was slowly falling apart. Rich people had dirty dark secrets, like my parents. The world wouldn't believe me if I told them about the real Sinidswa Sono. Just then Nosipho dragged me out of my thoughts. "What should I name it? I mean its a girl right, well even if it's a boy, what should I name it?" She asked. "Think of something deep, something powerful, something with a meaning" "Come to think of it, why were you named Nompilo?"I sighed. "My grandmother fell sick, three months before I was born. Instead of getting better she got worse. That stressed the hell out of my mom. When she had to give birth to me she was weak, she could barely push and the doctors didn't think she was going to make it. I finally popped out and she fainted. When she finally woke up she couldn't lift her arms, but she wanted to see me. She says the sight of me, gave her strength. Its like all the pain in the world had faded and this little bundle of joy had brought life. Three days later, my grandmother could walk and talk again, she had strength. That's when my parents named me Nompilo. A baby so small, so innocent and so young, was powerful enough to bring life" Nosipho fake-cried. "That is so sweet! I don't even know why my parents named me Nosipho, I guess I was a gift" she said. "You're a pain in the butt, not a gift" Nolwazi said as she strolled in. "Why are you guys even at the library?" I asked. Nosipho and Nolwazi looked at each other and laughed. "Its exam season sweetie. Like we wanna pass" Nosipho said. "So you study here?" "Uh, Duh" Nolwazi responded.

After three hours of sitting infront of a desk, I desperately needed an espresso. I walked into the house, expecting to see Maria in the kitchen, but I didn't. I went up to change my uniform. I could hear people softly talking so I slowly walked to the balcony. "They didn't even break up. She couldn't even stay away from him" I recognized Maria's voice. She was talking to one of the other helpers. "I would love to air the mighty Sindiswa Sono's dirty laundry. Inagine how much I would make" she laughed. Maria covered her mouth with her hand. "Don't even say a word!" "Why not? She almost fired me because she thought I was 'flirting' with her so called husband. She deserves it!" Maria stepped back. "I give up. I'm never telling you such. Let me go before Nompilo arrives" "Don't worry Maria" I screamed from the balcony. Her face turned red with embarrassment.

I stepped out of my bedroom to see my parents laughing together. "I missed waking up next to you" my father said as he kissed my mother on the cheek. She blushed. "Sowubuyile ke manje" I watched in disgust. "Oh Nompilo, buzobulisa ubab'wakho" "And act like we're a happy family. I'll pass" I hurried down the stairs. "Miss Nompi, how would you like your espresso" my eyes turned red, I tried to smile a little "don't worry Maria" I grabbed my keys and left. In the car I called Andre. "Are you busy?" I asked. "Never too busy for you, what's up?" "Uhm well I just wanted to see you, and uhm talk to you" I imagined him worrying "Let's meet at home, Faye and Karabo went shopping" he said.

I finally arrived and I saw him standing outside the gate. Was he really waiting for me. I stepped out of the car and smiled. "You sounded sad on the phone" he said. I hugged him and whispered in his ear, "I just wanted to see you, let's go inside" we sat down and he made me some coffee. "I am no expert at making these things but I know you like strong coffee" It was the little things he did, the little things he said that touched my heart. For a second he made me forget about everything that was happening at home and focus on him. I took a sip of the coffee, but it was hard to swallow. He laughed, "what's wrong?" "Its bitter" I said. He sat by me on the sofa. "Like I said, I'm no expert" I moved closer to him and he wrapped his arms around me. "I don't know why but I feel so comfortable around you. Like I can tell you all my secrets" I said. He lifted my face and stared at me, "Can't you? I mean I'm not your friends, you don't have to fake a smile around me, like you are right now" I broke down and cried on his chest. He wrapped me tighter, like he didn't want to let go of me. "I'll give you time to cry then you can tell me all about it" he said. I caught my breath and sighed. "My father came back yesterday. I don't know if he really left us because all the helpers are talking about how they couldn't break up. And my mom, she just wants us to act like the happy family we were. It works with Nkanyezi but not with me. No one in this world understands me anymore, I don't know why" Andre kissed me. "I'm still here. You don't wear that mask when you're with me, I'm not your rich parents or rich friends, I don't want your money or your status" "Then what do you want from me?" I asked. "I just want your love, I want you. I want to wake up to your smooth face, I want to smell your pillow when I miss you, I want to help you comb your hair, I want to watch scary movies with you, I want to see you smile, I want to see the real Nompilo Sono laugh hard. I want to hold your hand forever, I want to love you Nompi" He moved closer and whispered in my ear "I want to remove that mask"

There was something attractive about Andre. It wasnt his looks, it was the things he did, the things he said to me. Things he doesn't think matter, things he thinks I don't notice. He could be the most caring guy ever and be a gangster on the street when someone tries something with me. He could be Doctor Phil or Buddy Valastro. He always went out of his way for me and maybe that's what I failed to notice. We kissed for five minutes before I slowly tried to unbutton his jacket. "Nompi no!" He pulled away. "What wrong?" I asked. "Nothing. I just don't think we're both ready. I don't want us to do something we'll regret" he said. He was right. I never thought that I'd try and find comfort in sex.

I guess I am messed up. More than I thought I was. "Want to get a milkshake?" He asked. "I need an espresso urgently" "I have a better idea. How about I buy a coffee machine and you show me how to use it, Ms Sono deserves the best coffee" I laughed. "If you pass, I get to stay here till Faye's birthday party" "And if I fail?" "I'm going home" He hugged me tightly. "Nah, I won't let you go there" and he kissed me on the forehead.

Translation
Sowubuyile ke manje - you're back now
Buzobulisa ubab'wakho - come and greet your father.

Author's note
How many of you wish you had an Andre Dube in your lives? He is the sweetest thing close to cotton candy. But happy endings don't exist. I'm grateful for all my readers. Please continue reading and voting. It means so so much to me. To give me ideas or just talk to me
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