A GUY NAMED AVAILABLE

INTRODUCTION

There's always that guy... the one who always understands. Yes, the one who just knows the right things to say and when to say them; the one who fits into last minute plans without complaining? The one who will listen to you speak your heart out when you are troubled. The one who will watch the sunset with you and won't mind breaking the night with you when you can't sleep. The guy who always picks his phone, the guy who is never too busy for you, the guy who will show up even when he knows you are calling only because you got disappointed. The one who is selfless with his money? The guy who won't mind sacrificing his important activities just to accommodate you. The guy who laughs at all your silly jokes, the guy who doesn't mind you being clumsy or grumpy. Always understanding. The one whose answer is usually "no problem..." the guy who is everything but the one. He is just not the one. As a matter of fact he is nothing like the one. You don't like him, you don't fancy him, he doesn't tickle anything in you.. He is just not the one!

Thandiwe is the name, the age isn't the problem. I presume, unless you just haven't identified him, there is always that guy. That guy in this case is Henry.. but he isn't the one.. the one is Ndaweni.. the most handsome guy I have ever come cross. Accountant by profession, tall, perfectly built and absolutely amazing. So amazing he actually makes it obvious. Many are the times I feel like I'm pushing for this relationship to work. I know many of you will say I should leave but naaa.. you just don't leave like that. Guys are hard to find these days you know. Guys that you actually like, very rare. But why do they grow big-headed? It always starts out so well up until they know you like them. Suddenly the relationship is a pain... you literally have to hold it together and you feel like a nag. Yes they come around once in a while but that's just to boost their ego. The moment you seem to play the silent treatment they come back with their tails folded and as we are so loving, we tend to fall in love and lay down our hearts again before they trip once again. Anyone know what I'm talking about? Great let me tell you about my life then.

CHAPTER 1

Where did it all start? It was summer of 2016, I was drained with so much work and I just needed a break. A time to hang out and just relax could help. But then again I knew getting home would be another chapter. I would probably just sleep instead. See, if you're in marketing like me, it's important to note that you cannot afford some decent rest. Sleep is apparently too expensive. You always have to meet deadlines because for every sale you make, the money comes in. How much you want all goes to how much you put in. I loved my job because it accorded me the opportunity to meet new people. And I mean people from all walks of life. The company I worked for sold printers and computers to firms or willing individuals. I joined mid-2015 and by 2016 I got an award for the most motivated employee. I made a decent amount from it. All was going perfectly fine but one part... the relationship life.

You know when you describe bad lack in relationships that was me. I seemed to start so well with all these guys but as time went on I just couldn't. Let me mention that I have this zero tolerance for nonsense that whenever I noticed a guy was being difficult I simply just packed my bags and left him in the relationship alone. I was blessed with strength of letting go, that I really appreciate. One person who could hardly stay in a relationship for more than 5 months was me. I tell you it took only a few days to know where I am headed with a guy and I would already be looking for my exist. Of course I would stick around for a little bit just to give it a benefit of a doubt but really,.. I would always be right. Firstly I must mention that I knew what I wanted as a lady and therefore any man who came in my life had to have it figured out. Many would encourage starting together but I beg to disagree.. I knew what it meant to start with someone and simply remaining in the dark, rather by the streets of nowhere wondering how the relationship ended. On that note, let me state that a guy who was still having his life figured out did not fit in my books.

I know you must be judging me by now but hey I tried it all, sticking around when things were bad. Cooking food from my home to take it for the ungrateful man only for him to change colours the moment he had enough money. So if we are still discussing helping a man, I would like to mention my only form of help would be asking him to leave me. He would be doing himself a favour. In fact if such a man loved me I would only pray for a day when he would love himself to leave.

Ok, so let me mention how Ndaweni and i met. After having been through very short relationships that went nowhere, usually this would only happen after I fell too deep and they would start tripping... I decided it was time to play it solo. All by myself without caring about a man. So I made a resolution in 2016. I was going to enjoy spending my money; I was living alone anyway so that was going to be easy. Being the last born in a family of 5, mum and dad were not ready to let me live alone but by my 25th birthday I was ready to get them a restraining order for stepping into my apartment and demanding that I return home. I have four older brothers; you must imagine they were in the forefront to get me to obey my parents' wish of staying in the family house until I got married. Well I was not as peaceful with them as I was with mum and dad. I got them a restraining order. Again I am not dramatic. Just a normal child with normal choices.

Pay day was always exciting because I knew I would get to buy a few new outfits. I told myself despite my tight budget I would always spoil myself with some clothes every month. That was my prayer and that pay day of September 2016 I was shopping form Mud boutique. That's not like I really shopped from anywhere else anyway. That was my usual place and i love it. Upon picking three outfits, I stopped by debonairs to enjoy a mini pizza before heading to my small apartment in Northmead. It was a guest wing, two bedrooms and quite accommodating. I bathed, changed and headed for the night out at Keg and Lion. I chose such sophisticated places for two reasons only. Reason one, I was not going to date a broke guy so I could not go to a broke place. Secondly I was trying to be in a happy place where it wouldn't look awkward if i just sat all by myself and took some special cocktail while eating my food. I would normally have two or three people talking to me but I would usually end at accepting drinks. Unless of course I wanted to feature on one of those pages that exposed sidechicks. The unfortunate part about such places was that it was difficult to find a single guy there. Well not until I felt a tap on my back as I sat by the counter ordering my drink.

"hai.. can I join you?" the handsome gentleman said

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.

CHAPTER 3

I must say walking into church with this handsome gentleman felt great, he wasn't even my man but the amount of affection he showed could get any lady envious. I remember us sitting next to each other and him sharing his bible and also the hymn book. When it was time for offertory he gave me way to be ahead of him as we joined the queue leading to the altar for offertory, a complete gentleman he was. He did the same when it was Holy Communion and finally when leaving the church. I was blown away. Honestly I was already sold on that.

"So you are really catholic?" he asked teasingly as we fastened our seatbelts.

"Yes why? You thought I was lying? Why would you think that?"

Ndaweni chuckled without a response. He drove to MandaHill mall where we had lunch at an indian restaurant. The food was great but his company even made the afternoon better. It had been a while since I experienced something like that, it felt good once in while to just feel appreciated and loved. That's exactly how Ndaweni made me feel. When the lunch was done i was thankful in my spirit but knew I would never see him again. See I had been there, that place where guys take me out and we converse and once they hear about my life and how independent I was, they just couldn't handle it and they left. For a moment I felt maybe I should just hide who I am and pretend to be doing nothing but then again it was confusing, men want an ambitious woman and men again don't want a woman who is too independent guess it was confusing to bridge the gap.

"I really had a great time with you Thandiwe" Ndaweni said as he parked by my gate.

"No I should be thanking you really. Thank you so much... I really appreciate" I said.

Ndaweni looked me straight in the eyes and i giggled.

"What?" He asked.

"No I'm just thinking... I can't believe we met in the club yesterday and today we went to church together. It's just funny" I said.

"Well people meet in different places... it's very possible to meet like that"

"I guess it is" I replied.

Ndaweni looked like he didn't want to go, he was comfortably parked and chatting with me. However, being a lady I didn't want to seem desperate for his attention.

"Ok dear... let me go.. I want to do a bit of laundry.. I have a very busy day ahead tomorrow. Maybe I can even a short nap" I said.

"ok sure.. let me hold you back"

Ndaweni and I shook hands and I went into the house as he drove off. My Sunday afternoons would usually be spent watching t.v and I would take time to prepare myself a good meal but in this case I had already been taken out for lunch so that was off the list. Although I was living alone, I liked to cook my own food and especially try out new recipes. See when you choose the life of a single lady, its hard not to be idle so every minute and every second counted. I had to do something meaningful with my life or I would be lonely and agonising. Days were there when everything was unbearable and those were the days when I would drive to the mall to either watch a new movie or maybe just indulge in cocktails. There's always that cell meeting at church where you would gather to read scripture and to interact, I was never welcome at such places. Not that anyone would ever chase me but showing up to a place where everyone is dating but you would be so humiliating. Everyone seated with their partner and sharing the word of God while you are there trying to fit in. not to forget the constant "oh you came alone" statement which would be so humiliating. Family gathering are worse. Everyone asking when the beautiful big day is.

That Sunday I changed from my church outfit and quickly washed two branded new dresses that I had bought the previous day. I lay on my king sized bed with a book in my hand, the book was supposed to keep me from thinking about unnecessary things. Things that would take me nowhere but depress me. I was flipping to chapter of my novel when Ndaweni started calling.

"Hai..." I responded.

"hai I'm home.." he said

"oh that's nice.. guess you will be resting now" I said trying not to sound like I wasn't into the conversation.

"yes but that's the problem..." he said

"what?"

"well I don't feel like taking a nap or resting. I hate being at home won weekens no wonder I usally step out. Its boring" he said.

"I can imagine.. I know the feeling.. its always boring. Right now I am just reading a novel" I said.

"wHat happened to your laundry?" he asked.

"no I was just washing two specific dresses which I bought. I don't wear clotes straight form the shop"

"I will be going to watch soccer.. if you don't mind I can pick you around 16hrs.." he said.

"well im not a soccer fan"

"then we can do something you like" he said.