The things we lost in the rain

Hello Billy

Chapter 4: Love hurts.

15 MONTHS AGO

"Hello"
Bayadika abelungu!!!!! If I put these earphones on again, I'll come across as rude.
Me" Hello"
He didn't say anything instead just stared at me.
" Are you looking for the pet store?"
He chuckled
" Why would you assume I like pets?"
He asked, he told me his name is Michael.
Me" Most White people do, don't you like dogs or cats?"
Micheal" I am actually allergic to their fur"
" Which was a huge disappointment for my family, they had to get rid of their dogs. When my father remarried, I think his wife almost left him when she heard her dogs can't move in with us"
Me" Hahaha your parents must have loved you, my boss had a funeral for her cat. It was really weird but I like having a job so we didn't say anything on that just bought a card and signed it"
Micheal" Your boss should meet my sister, she loved her cat too, I really never understood the whole thing"
Me" You are the first white person to not love pets"
Michael"  Get this, my surname? White ha hahaha"
We both giggled
Me" Michael White"
Michael" What's your name"
Me" Balisa"
" Please don't say it if you'll butcher it"
We sat on the benches speaking about dogs, then childhood scars, we moved on to life and books. We were both on our 3rd coffee when I noticed the time.
" I really have to go"
I said, I was actually sad about it.
Michael" I can take you home"
Me" No thanks, I will not be responsible for you getting mugged"
" Take my number"
He gave me his phone and I typed my number in, I don't know why I was shaking because I ended up writing my name as Bilisa instead of Balisa.
Me" See you around"
Michael" Definitely"
The weirdest thing is before I met Michael, I was listening to Snoh Aalegra's I want you around.

He didn't call me for two days then Saturday morning he did and I picked up after the first ring.
" Can I take you out? Today that is"
He asked, and I paused to act cool but my answer was definitely yes.
Me" Yea, when and where are we going?"
Michael" Its a surprise, no heels, you can bring a book if you want to"
Me" Where are we meeting?"
Michael" I'm fetching you, send me your address. And yes. I am about to risk it all for chivalry"
Me" Alright then, I'll whatsapp you my address"
Michael" Thank you, if it's not much of an ask, please be ready in an hour"
Me" That's cool, just call if you get lost. An hour is too long, I'll be ready in 20 minutes"
Michael" On the way then"
I ended the call, ran to my room quickly did my make up, decided on soft glam since he said no heels I figured there's no need to go all out on Make up. Then I did my weave, been wanting to try the wet hair this finally gave me a reason. I wore a yellow cowl neck satin dress, with flat rose gold sandals. I took off my doek, the edges were good. I felt and looked good. I waited for him then he finally called saying he is outside.
"Ndiyaphuma"
Was all I said, wasn't about to tell my parents I'm going on a date. I opened the door and got inside, he was staring at me.
Me"Am I over dressed?"
Michael" You look ravishing!"
"God! You are so beautiful"
Chiiiile the smile on my face, in the car we were speaking about our imaginary children. Which was strange at first but that felt so natural, he got off the car and went inside some place then came back again. We left and we finally arrived at our destination.
Me" Wait, are we going on a boat ride?"
He nodded, he lead me inside and I saw the picnic set up.
Michael" I have champagne, juice, oysters and wings. This is just the first stop of our date"
Me" Where are we going?"
Michael" You'll see"
The boat ride was so amazing, we kept on kissing and laughing at stupid things. Our age difference was really not a factor, I loved learning from him and he loved listening to me speak about myself. I made him listen to my music. I didn't even realize the boat had come to a stop, we were at a house, he helped me get off.
Michael" I hope you love eating"
I thought he was joking, there was so much food, all we did was eat and talk. Then we watched old French movies without subtitles. We had a dance off, I told him about being a virgin and he didn't care for that. We ended up spending the night cuddling.
"Billy"
I heard him say, I didn't answer no one has ever called me that and mother in my name would give me the nickname "Billy", I couldn't correct him because for some reason I actually loved the name.
" We should drive back"
Me" Where are we?"
Micheal" Jeffrey's Bay"
Me" Wow!"
Michael" Hahaha you didn't bother asking yesterday"
Me" Hahaha yea, that's the crazy part"
" Do we have to go back?"
Michael" Not if you don't want to, this is my second home"
" We need to get you some clothes then"
Me" Not rushing anywhere"
After staying in bed the entire morning, we finally went to the shops I bought myself two bikinis and a dress for tomorrow. Then we went out for lunch, we took a stroll and went to Bargain books, then walked back to the car and went to the house. I changed into the bikini, he swam while I read a book. I made us supper, then sent my mother a text that I'll come back tomorrow. I dished up for us, we watched another movie we couldn't understand but it felt like we knew everything they were saying.
Michael" Please be my girlfriend"
No one has ever said that to me ever, relationships were always assumed.
Me" I am all yours Mikey"

*

Present Day!!!!! TODAY!!!!! NOW!!!

" Umxelele ndikhona?"
I asked Gladys as soon she told me Michael's mother is here.
Gladys" Ndithe I'm not sure"
Me" Please tell her andikho. I took some pills and I need to sleep"
Gladys" Ok ke Sisi"
She closed the door, and I went back to bed. I tried to close my eyes, I finally drifted off.
*
*
*
I woke up screaming then I looked around the room and he was watching La Règle du jeu (our favorite French movie).
" Where is Harlow?"
I asked after catching my breath, he ignored me. I got up from the the bed and went to him.
" Sleep, you need to rest Billy"
He said, I walked towards him to touch his face.
Me" I think I am dead"
Michael" That's silly"
Me" Where's Harlow?"
Michael" My mother took her, you wanted to sleep and I needed work. Mom is just babysitting for us"
" So use this time to sleep"
Me" I feel like something is missing"
Michael" Like what?"
Me" I don't know"
Michael" You are dripping milk again, I'll get Harlow so you can feed her"
Me" Okay"
He returned with Harlow and he handed her to me. I fed her, she fell asleep while I was feeding her. So I put her down.
" Am I okay?"
I asked him and he nodded
Me" Stephanie asked me if you ever told me about Elena"
" It was such a random question"
Michael" What does she want you to do"
Me" Nothing, she just asked if I knew her"
Michael" Billy"
Me" Huh?"
Michael" You have a beautiful smile. You should smile more"
Me" You always say that"
Michael" Yet you never smile"
Me" There's not much to smile about"
Michael" Then smile because you got a chance to experience love. That's something to smile about"
" What was the nightmare about? You woke up screaming"
Me" It's silly"
Michael" Tell me"
Me" You killed Harlow and I"
Michael" That's a new one"
Me" I told you it was silly"
Michael" This is why you need to take your meds, so you can get some sleep"
Me" Maybe you are right"
I took my medication and looked at him before I closed my eyes.
"Will you ever tell me why you called me Billy?"
He kissed my forehead
Michael" Soon, I promise"