Intertwined

Could have

My feet slowly dragged on the darker shade of green grass as we made our way away from the public. I took in a deep breathe as I gathered myself together and slowly kept at her pace. I was getting more and more comfortable with her being around although it was very hard, I mean given her appearance was enough to send me flying off guard. I was surprised I hadn't smashed into a pole or a tree at this point because I could swear I lost my sense of direction every time she looked in mine. But I had promised myself I was going to hold it together.

" What's your favorite song?" She asked nonchalantly, putting a strand of hair behind her ear.

"I actually don't have a favorite song,"
I answered truthfully and I could tell she was thinking of a reason why I possibly did not have a favorite or maybe she was just trying to find something else to ask but she couldn't find the right words to ask the question in perseverance.

I had always felt like I couldn't have a particular song I liked enough to call a favorite because I listened to so much music on a daily so it was a challenge to comprehend and rate them all so I'd decided on not doing it at all.
" Although I'm loving that Justin Bieber song
Love Yourself I think it's called" I pointed out.

" Ohhh I love Justin Bieber he's really good" she squealed like a ten year old and I cursed myself silently for finding that attractive. At this point anything she did was going to be attractive and I quickly pushed the thoughts that were causing a surge of heat to creep up my face out of my head before the effect could be visible and focused on the conversation we were having.

" I'll sing you one of his songs when we go back to the practice rooms" I said as nonchalantly as I could. I had always hated letting people hear me sing and I'm sure if it weren't for the tough experience I had gotten with the Band I would have never let my voice be heard. But all my fears were far from thought when I said this to her. This girl will be the death of me. Either way  I'm sure I would find a way to sing as promised, without choking on my own saliva.

I swallowed the lump in my throat and she spoke before I could. " Well if you must know I also like Zimbabwean music and you should also sing me one of those Zim songs" she said but she didn't look or sound Zimbabwean so I did not expect that from her.

I'm sure she had mentioned doing elementary in Illinois in passing when we were talking earlier.
I would definitely probe her for more information on that when we came back.
" Let me guess... you are a fan of Takura?"

" Mmmh so you are a mind reader now
Mr Tkae? How did you know I love his music?"

I let out an honest laugh. " I guess I have a sixth sense when it comes to guessing people's musical preferences" I winked at her and she rolled her eyes in humor.

Was it possible for someone to get more and more attractive at such a rate, I mean it was infatuating, almost dangerous, on my end at least.

I was pretty used to my school and I knew it back to front, well I mean as far as I was concerned anyways but somehow her being here had drastically changed the view of the whole place and I knew from that moment that things would never be the same.

"Can we pass by the field? I want to see my brother and get my juice bottle and besides I also want you to meet him."

"What do you mean you want me to meet him, I'm not prepared for any interviews or interrogations." I was suddenly feeling nervous to meet her brother because I know how brothers can be when it comes to their sisters.

This was thanks to my parents for birthing my annoying older sister and I know how I felt about guys being around her and I'm sure Tariku's brother felt no different, so I knew this was going to be a load of crap.

"Don't be silly Tkae, he is super chilled and besides, you only need to say Hi." she said jovially and then I finally gave in to her demands and gave out an exasperated grunt in humorous retaliation.

I mean what's the worst he could possibly do to me? Nothing. Right? Surely this is not going to end well for me.We proceeded with our walk and passed through the old chapel behind the rugby field from were we were and we kept our small talk interesting with the simple things.

This was all starting to resemble one of those cheesy romcom scenes I used to always cringe over but at this moment I couldn't care less. It was perfect. She's perfect. Definitely something out of a hollywood movie. Out of this world.
Its definitely too good to be true! I thought to myself and quickly bashed the thought as far off as I could. I didn't want to ruin this experience with unwanted pessimism.

"Come on, let's go they might close the shop or worse run out of drinks!" I said as I picked up the pace and she did too with more strides than me since she was barely over 5 feet, which is the perfect height! In my own opinion at least.

For every two steps I took she took double, it was really adorable but I quickly realized how fast I was walking in comparison to her height and the steps she could take so I slowed down so she could catch up with ease.
I got to the front of the shop and rested my palms on either side of the poles that stretch horizontally to the mouth of the shop. I pulled my weight on the slightly cold poles and moved toward the buying area. I immediately felt a chill run down my spine and the overwhelming urge to turn back and run but it was too late.

There he was, all six feet of him, with a businessman's belly that was starting to sprout out gently and a physique that resembled an army general who hadn't been in the field for a few years but nonetheless he was still very intimidating. His bald head glistened from the sun's rays that made their way through the steel bars of the buying area and into the shop. What is this Bali doing here? I thought now trying to look like I wasn't just bunking practice and all the while still trying to maintain my cool in front of Tariku.

I'm so fucked! "Good afternoon Mr Mapiye, how are you doing today?" I said with as much courage as I could gather up.

" Ah Mr Mukono! I'm good young man what are you up to here? Aren't you supposed to be in pop band practice?" And He spoke like he always did, with passion, energy and a military like command in his deep horsy voice.

Very odd that he was a musician and a very good one at that and an even better
Head Of Department whom I credited and still do credit today for the man I had become musically and somewhat behaviorally as well.

"Um I'm just getting the lady a drink sir she's thirsty." I said nervously but was relieved when he didn't inquire any more and left after receiving a call which led him out the back door of the shop. Phew at least he's gone!

"Thirsty huh?" She looked at me with a raised brow and I knew what she was thinking.
"No!" I laughed "not that kind of thirsty gosh,
And you know what I meant." I said looking at her with my hands up in surrender.
"Mmmh okay" She smiled sheepishly and I just looked at her expressionless.

"Now that, that's out of the way which flavor drink do you want?" I asked more at ease now pointing at the coca cola in the back of the shop and she just kept a small grin on her lips and the braces in her teeth shimmered making it look like her smile was shining. She looked like an angel and I'd always been a sucker for braces so yeah this year was definitely quite the scene.

"Get me some fruit juice. I don't like soft drinks just so you know" and this was yet another thing I was learning about her.

I told the sales lady our orders and she took out a ginger beer for me and a pineapple flavored bottle for Tariku. She offered to pay for her own but I quickly denied. I knew she was very capable of paying but I felt like I needed to do this. I mean she looked fairly rich or capable, for lack of a better word. Her minimalistic outfit did silently scream that she was rich maybe. She wore a pair of lime shorts that barely made it to her knees. They outlined her thin waist and thick thighs in a drool worthy manner it was just ughh, Captivating. She wore a white oversized T-shirt that just looked right.
I just felt I had to, so I payed and we drank slowly cooling down and continued in conversation on our way to the soccer field.