Chapter 5 Episode 5

CHAPTER 5

Ndaweni was such a gentleman, we had a great time and he dropped me back home after our outing without attempting anything silly. Our conversations were all jokes and laughter as we discussed everything from family to work and many other things. I really liked him a lot. I was very appreciative of such a guy who knew the value of true friendship without engaging me in any uncomfortable topics.

"I hope you had a great time" he said as he pulled over in front of my flat.

"I had more than that... as usual you were great company. Thanks..." I said.

"Ok... I guess tomorrow then at church?" he asked.

"yes"

"ok.. I will pick you up as usual" he added

I looked at him with a very charming smile, I could tell from his expression that he was loving my smile.

"I know that look on your face" he giggled.

"yes... I am actually sleepy"

For sure, I was normally smiling like a fool when I was sleepy or intoxicated with alcohol.

"Take care" he said.

"I will... thanks for your time again"

I walked into my flat and Ndaweni watched me unlock and he waved. As I entered into my house I couldn't help but think of how wonderful these two weeks had been. I had only known Ndaweni for the shortest period of time ever but we talked about everything. We were always talking and texting.

I changed into my nightie and crawled into bed immediately. I usually waited for Ndaweni to call and tell me he was home before I could finally sleep. Ndaweni did that and he let me go to bed quickly as I was sleepy.

"Ok good night..." I mumbled.

Soon my body had slipped into deep sleep and I didn't realise I had slept with my light on. I hated to sleep that way as it always gave me a terrible headache. Around 2am I woke up in deep agony as my head ached terribly, I rolled out of bed and headed to the kitchen to take a glass of water and for a moment I felt better. I was suddenly also quite hungry and I quickly grabbed some yoghurt and a spoon before heading to my room reluctantly. Every inch of sleep had escaped my eyes and I decided to watch the Kardashians from my bed. I noticed my phone had the notification light coming on and I opened to check. To my surprise my dear Ndaweni was the one who left me messages. They were actually photos that we had taken together as we were out.

"Wow..." I marvelled as I saw how great I actually looked and of course how good he also looked.

The messages that followed after the pictures were... "You are so beautiful and intelligent. You lighten up my day... the time I spend with you is always valuable. You are special"

See the cupid's arrow had struck my direction and I couldn't help it. My excited self couldn't help it, I was already responding with my heart out.

"Thank you so much for your time too... Ndaweni you are a friend every girl needs... I really appreciate our friendship"

When I sent the message I was shocked to see Ndaweni immediately come online and he replied.

"Hey you... why aren't you sleeping?"

"I was... I kept my light on it gave me a terrible headache" I replied.

Ndaweni was typing for a while without sending the message and I was wondering what on earth he was trying to say. For a moment I felt like rebooting my phone thinking the internet network had jammed but he was actually just typing.

"I hoped I could tell you this when we are together but I am not as courageous as you think. Today, I looked you in the eyes and still failed to say what I felt. Thandiwe, you are an amazing woman and honestly I don't just want to be your friend. Thandiwe I want to be more than that. The past days I find myself smiling and constantly checking on you... I'm sure I annoy you sometimes with constant calls and messages but I guess it's just the fear of what your answer will be"

"Answer to what?" I asked.

"If you would be my girlfriend.. I know its old school... other guys don't even ask these days, they just kick it off but I really want to be your boyfriend"

I remember starting to type something and stopping and starting again and stopping. I honestly wanted to say yes BUT I just wanted to be sure. To be sure that he will forever be like this. That he would never change.

"Ndaweni... are you sure? We have barely known each other for two weeks" I stated.

"But also the most adventurous, fun filled two weeks. We literally talk all the time. I am not asking you to marry me... at least not just yet. I am asking you to just be my girlfriend... we can see where it goes from there" I said.

I didn't want to annoy him or seem impossible. I liked him and so I guess I could give it a try. I must admit again that I wanted to just be sure if all this fairytale would come to an end quickly but I also really liked him to say no. I didn't know if he would exercise the patience to wait on me.

"listen can we talk about this when we meet?" I asked.

"yes sure.. sleep tight my angel"

For church that Sunday I dressed modestly, one of those long maxi dresses. It was floral with a lot of red, brown and black The dress was made of chitenge sewn by my dear friend Tasha, she was a great designer and she picked the best designs for me. I paired it with red wedges which were hidden under the dress and I had a red clutch, brown and red beads on my left hand and small red earrings. The brazillian wig was combed out below my shoulders

"you look gorgeous honey" he said.

I smiled with my teeth I believe looking like that rabbit on a toothpaste advert. He led me to his car and we settled in.

"I noticed you liked my bible so I also got you one" he said.

"awwww...." I marvelled as I unwrapped the beautiful bible he gave me.

Ndaweni drove to church while holding my right hand with his left, we blushed at each other and I must say that church service was tense. You know that moment when you are with someone who has or professed their love for you. Ndaweni was so awesome, he gave me Goosebumps... ok let me describe Ndaweni.

A breath of fresh air on a hot day, a touch of warmness on a cold day.. make sure you add a cup of hot chocolate with a lot of milk as you relax on the couch watching your favourite

show. A light in a path that seemed grieved with darkness, a thrill of excitement... Almost like when you take a sip from your favourite chilled cocktail on a lazy summer afternoon.... with just a little liquor to tickle your taste buds, a cup of shredded ice by the beach, the cherry on a perfect sundae and the pop in a Popsicle. Need I say more?

"honey how was church?" he asked as we settled in the car.

I mean church was awesome no doubt but I was constantly aware of this shadow of greatness next to me. Ndaweni Musa Alinani... those were his three names. You bet he was my prayer point. That Sunday was unlike any other Sunday, I had said a prayer and my prayer was that God blesses my knight in shining armour. The only guy who was brave enough to penetrate through my shielded heart and see the best in me.

"Can we go for lunch?" he asked as he looked me in the eyes.

"Yes...no problem..."

Ndaweni drove to Taj Pamodzi Hotel. I looked at him wonderingly as he pulled over in the parking lot.

"is this our lunch location?" I asked.

"Yes... this is where I would like us to have our lunch please" he said.

My heart trembled as I slowly walked had in hand with him. Firstly I had never been to Taj Pamodzi Hotel and secondly hotels had their rules and regulations such that I just didn't want to look lost. Don't worry, I had been to hotels before in the past but every first time always gives you that uneasiness. Taj wasn't a new hotel in fact it had been there for years before I was born I presume... however, the standards were

always upgraded and you couldn't afford to show up looking like a drunk. It was one of those modest places.

"come on lets go" he said

Ndaweni and I walked hand in hand as we headed to the revolving door entrance, there was a gentleman in a black suit who welcomed us and for a moment I almost had an awkward minute trying to get myself in but Ndaweni pulled me along.

"Never been here" I said with a gentle smile.

"Oh ... it's beautiful... you will like it" he said.

"I can tell already... my family likes Protea and Radisson blu hotel" I quickly interrupted trying not to seem unexposed.

"Oh ya?... Those are nice too" he said.

As we walked down what seemed like a foyer, I constantly thought of my panty liner which for some reason or out of nervousness felt like it had lost position. I was looking for that moment we would sit and I would ask to use the bathroom.

We finally came to what looked like a lounging area while there was a bar one side. A few people were having a meal while the open bar had three guys gulping some beer.

"let's have the meal then we can come and have cocktails if you so wish" he said.

"cool.. Meanwhile I want to use the bathroom" I whispered.

Ndaweni pointed the direction I had to take and he also showed me where I would find him. My panty liner was indeed almost falling, it had lost its adhesive but luckily my clutch had an extra one and I quickly changed. Touched my

face a little making sure my brazzilian closure wig sat perfectly on my head and my maxi dress was worn perfectly.

"ok.. so what should we have?" Ndaweni asked I settled down.

"I will have ..." I said as I flipped through the menu.

"Ok I will have quails with mashed potato" I said.

"Great I will have the same" he responded as we handed the menus to the waiter.

"And drinks?" he asked.

I honestly wanted to ask for a mojito but for the love of God in me I knew I didn't need alcohol, I needed to talk to this guy seriously.

"Let me have apple juice..." I said.

"I will equally have the same" he said.

"hey why are you getting everything I am picking?" I giggled.

"because today is special.. its about you"

Dude had to take a chill, I hadn't even accepted him yet but for all that's it worth I would like to mention there was only one answer. Yes!