Chapter 2 Episode 2

CHAPTER 2

"Sure no problem" I replied.

This gentleman pulled up a chair and called for the barman for three shots of tequila. I was thinking to myself "this guy is such a heavy drinker" he gulped down the shots without making an ugly face, almost like he had just taken water.

"wow..." i I'mmarvelled.

"I'm sorry... long week" he said as he pulled out his phone from his jean.

Did I mention that this guy was fine?... superfine. He was clad in a black and white striped gold tshirt paired with blue jeans and black nikes. I took a moment to scan his outfit as he tapped his phone before finally putting it away.

"Ndaweni is my name" he said.

I was quietly sipping on my cocktail and I nodded my head.

"I see. Well that's good" I said.

"well?" he asked suggestively

"well what?"

"your name.." he said.

"oh I see.." I giggled.

"what did you think I was talking about?" he asked with a teasing smile.

His smile, lord his smile could brighten many days.

"Don't mind me.. just a little absent minded... stressful week as well. I am Thandiwe" I said.

"oh.. nice name. Tell me about your stressful week while I get you another cocktail" he said.

Ndaweni ordered me a cocktail and he got himself an Amstel Lite, as he made the order I couldn't help but scan his finger. I just wanted a mark to show he had a ring somewhere but to no avail. His ring finger looked clean, no mark whatsoever. I automatically concluded he is one of those guys who never move around with a ring or he just has this complicated baby mama drama.

"I'm waiting for you to tell me about work" he said.

"oh work.. well I'm into marketing. Sales and marketing. Its good I like it"

"I see.. Well I'm an accountant.. Just trying but hey life goes on" he said.

"I see..." I replied before sipping my cocktail.

"You are here alone? Why is that?" he asked.

"you are here by yourself too"

He burst out in laughter and nodded his head.

"ya you got me.. guess what I just want to know is why you are not with someone .. I mean for us guys its normal but ladies..."

"I see you think its suggestive? Like I came looking for a man?" I asked wonderingly.

"Don't blame me.. society set these standards not me" he said teasingly

"well society has set many standards for women.. its hard to breath"

Ndaweni pulled out his phone and begun texting, I noticed he was very busy with his phone because it was the third he was checking on it. I was beginning to think his woman was checking on him.

"so.. your boyfriend is fine with you being here?" he asked after putting his phone away.

"well I don't think this a bad place therefore no one would have issues with me being here.. not even my boyfriend if I had one. It seems however your madam is not comfortable with that" I said.

Ndaweni looked at me wonderingly as I focussed on his pocket and his phone was flashing.

"no.. not at all.. it's actually not a woman I'm chatting with. Its my supervisor. He is attending the annual general meeting in south Africa... he is the reason I left the office late. Fridays I'm usually out by 3pm, take a nap and then find my way out but this AGM has had me working late. Ya so he keeps checking on me to confirm certain things.. you know its hard to present a report you did not write" he said

"oh I see" I replied

Ndaweni excused himself to make a call outside while I remained imagining he wouldn't come back, not that any guy ever did that to me but I just didn't trust men. He was probably talking to his woman and he had to step outside.

"Excuse me.." I said to the bar man.

"how much is the bill? Including his drinks?" I asked.

"that will be k180" he said.

"this foolish guy seriously has me paying for a bill I didn't intend to" I sighed.

I removed a k200 from my purse and I placed it on the table while the barman prepared another cocktail for me.

"why is this money here?" I suddenly heard ndaweni ask.

"oh hi.." I said.

"you didn't think I would come back? It was just a call" he said.

"ya that took over 20minutes" I replied.

"madam keep you money.. I will take the bill.. including your bill" he said.

I took a sigh of relief and packed my money back without hesitation.

"so you live with your parents?" he asked.

"no.. I'm alone"

"I see.. miss independent right?"

"ya.. I try.. I guess you could say that" I replied.

"well.. thandiwe I will be honest with you.. My day was hectic and I just wanted to take a few drinks before I can finally go to sleep. Im actually on my way from work direct. So..."

"so you have to go" I interrupted.

"no I need to buy a meal and then I can leave after that.." he said.

Ndaweni ordered a meal and we moved from the counter and instead sat by the outdoor sitting area, soon many people were coming and music was playing really loud.

"thank goodness.. I hate when the music is too loud" I said.

"I see.. you know you're beautiful" ndaweni said as he leaned forward on the table that separated us.

"I see.. well thank you.. you are not bad yourself" I said.

"your boyfriend is lucky" he said.

I thought of running him through the drama I had been through with men but I held back. It wasn't necessary ... I was probably never going to see him again. He was nothing to me.

"I thought you would oppose and say you don't have a man" he added.

"well I already told you I don't"

"I want to be convinced." He said.

"why?" I asked.

'well because today is my lucky day"

"Lucky how?" I asked

"Because I like you and I want to see you again..." he said.

I nodded my head and brushed the thought. I had met his type before. The type that will say all the nice things when you meet and then you later realise he was just looking for a good time. I wasn't going to be swept by those sweet words. They meant nothing to me.

The food was soon served and we both rinsed our hands before digging into the platter. The food was great, ribs with fries and some dipping sauce.

"You like?" he asked as I ate.

"Ya... my favourite when I'm here" I said.

"so you come here often" he asked.

"To be perfectly honest yes.. "

Ndaweni was quiet for a little while as he observed me dip my fries in the sauce.

"Thandiwe what's the truth? I mean tell me honestly.. are you nursing a broken heart? Is your man cheating? Are you just lonely? Like I've been trying to get you.. Ladies don't just hang out alone like that" he said.

I smiled as I dipped a chip into the sauce.

"Well I do... I see nothing wrong with that... I don't blame you... I also thought like you at one point. But ladies can equally have fun.. enjoy some alone time" I said.

"oh.. really?

"yes really" I replied

Ndaweni nodded his head as we continued eating. The food was so good and we ate to our hearts content. In my heart, I was thanking him for making my night and I would care less whether he left without my number after this but he was just not going to do that.

"Dear I wish I could stay longer but I can already feel myself getting sleepy. I'm exhausted" he said as he wiped his hands.

"No I understand... its only 21.. I will leave at 23" I said.

"Wow... 23? For a lady? Why would you return home at 23 you are a lady" he said.

"you know you need to tone down on some of these misconceptions you have about ladies. I am a lady quite alright but that doesn't mean that I can't have fun" I said.

"so what do you do up to 23hrs?"

"enjoy my cocktails and when I am done I go to sleep.. that's it" I said.

"I see.. well.. I just feel for a lady...."

"Ndaweni.. I am not the everyday lady and I am certainly not bothered by how men feel about my kind of personality. I am not a prostitute. I hang out, eat, have a drink and go to bed. I work a lot and this is my way of relaxing. I honestly have no interest in books or television. I only watch television on Sunday after church" I replied.

"oh.. so you are a Christian?" he asked.

I must say I was almost bursting into laughter.

"of course.. what did you think? I am a Christian of course.. I am catholic.. as a matter of fact I am going to church tomorrow" I said.

"after leaving this place at 23hrs? are you sure you will wake up early enough for church?" he asked.

"yes.. I will.. I always do. I never sleep beyond 6hrs no and if I sleep early I tend to be awake by 4am" I said.

"I see.. you are a light sleeper.. so what service do you go?"

"11hrs... by saint Ignatius" I said

"ok.. I am catholic too and i don't believe you.. so.. I am hoping to get your number and I will pick you up for church tomorrow" he said.

"you go to saint Ignatius?' I asked wonderingly.

"no.. I live in avondale so the nearest is chelstone catholic church or Chainda but seeing that you are convincing me about this church thing I will drive to your apartment and pick you up" he said.

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It was 9am on the clock and i had just finished with my bath, I quickly changed into a black peplum dress and wore some light makeup before having a quick meal. I had given my number to Ndaweni the previous night before he left the club and I was certain he wouldn't call. Much to my surprise Ndaweni called me immediately at 23hrs asking if I was leaving the club and I told him I was just walking to my car. He asked me to call him when I got home but I chose not to. That Sunday morning he called me to make sure I was awake just past 7am. He was surprised when I picked the call lively. I was watching television and he asked if I was going to church. When I agreed he said he would come as promised and he needed my directions.

I had just finished with my breakfast when my phone started buzzing uncontrollably.

"hai.."

'hai I'm at the gate" he said.

I was thinking to myself as I walked to the gate.. "lord let this guy not be nice to me.. I don't want to like him"

Ndaweni had a nice Mercedes.. white in colour and he dressed fine. Nice smart checked shirt with a black trousers and he had a jacket hanged on his seat.

"you look great" he complimented.

'thanks.. you look great too.." I said before realising how awkward it was. We met the previous night in the club now we were going to church. My life was weird.