The Promise

Chapter One

(17 Years Later)

In Pretoria, there is a dark skinned woman sitting on bed. A gold banded ring gleaming on her ring finger as she is constantly typing on a laptop. She is enchanting with her black hair that is arranged into a blonde knot at the back.

A man comes out of the en-suite bathroom, humming with a white towel wrapped around his waist. His muscles and biceps leave any woman drooling over his fine body. His hair cut short on the sides and is grown long on the top, perfectly matching his dark skin.

"What are you busy with babe?" said the man, swaying his lips on the woman's cheek.

"Gwin, come on. I'm busy over here." said the woman with a big smile on her face, halting the trail of kisses from her cheek.

Slouching on bed, Gwin Leered on the laptop, "Is this computer going to keep you warm at night?"

"Babe, I'm making reservations for my birthday on Wednesday. I've been so busy at work and I haven't got time to do it." the woman continues to type briskly on the keyboard.

"But you did have time to invite everyone first, Danisa." Said Gwin, gleefully.

Gwin and Danisa have been dating since university. For the past twelve years they have been happy with nothing threatening the love they have for each other.

Danisa twitches her head with a grin spread on her face and she pinches her man on his arm.

"Ouch," said Gwin, rubbing off the pain on his skin with his hand. "Let me check my diary if I'm not busy on Wednesday."

He gets up in a bustle to take out his diary in his work suitcase. He has an appointment with a doctor for this coming Wednesday, and he freezes when he sees a date.

June 15th.

He rumbles when he remembers he turned 30th two months ago.

"What's wrong?" Danisa asks with a frown.

"I.. I...," Gwin hesitated to speak, buying time to ponde a lie, but nothing came  to his mind. "I have an appointment with a doctor on Wednesday."

"Your regular check-up?"

Gwin nods gently, stunned as he realises the day of his promise he made seventeen years ago is just two days ahead.

"Come one babe. You do that during the day. The party will start  in the evening." said Danisa, returning her small fingers to the soft buttons.

"I need something to drink. Do you need anything?" said Gwin.

"No I'm fine babe. I just had coffee."

In the kitchen, Gwin guzzles a double shot of whiskey. Tussling to make up his mind whether to fly to Durban tomorrow or not.

His hands shudder with the thought of whether Sane Cele will be really waiting for her, or the fact that she has forgotten all about that promise like he had, until he remembered a minute ago.