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Chapter Eighteen.

Chapter Eighteen.

"You've got to learn to leave the  table when  love is no longer being served." x NINA SIMONE.

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He has me wrapped around his arms, in quietness. I sure feel like a baby in this position. His touch managed to calm me, preventing me from any further crying.

He clears his throat causing me to look up to him. He was looking right ahead before he breathed in. "You know, I know exactly what you're going through. The pain and frustration of losing someone you adored to the core in an agonising way is something that can drive a person crazy."

His eyes become glossy as he took in a deep breath.

"Baby..."
"That's how I lost my grandmother. Through a car accident. For years I didn't understand how men who've been trained to drive exceptionally well since the day they were legal could fail to control a car."

I've read about this before and I remembered how it bought such agony to our Kingdom when our Queen passed on in such a harsh way. It took the nation a year to finally bestow the new King and Queen which we still have till date.

"The day I heard she died...I...felt so weak and paralyzed. I felt betrayed because the only woman who genuinely was there for my brother and I was gone. I had lost my best friend."

I hug him tighter.

"If she was your best friend then I wish I could've met her."
"You would've loved her Sthandwa sam."

I see a glimpse of a smile on his lips as he said this before wiping away the tears that manage to slip away. I've never seen him cry before or any other man for that matter.

"There's a lot I miss about that woman, her infectious smile, her humanity and her amazing cooking. There wouldn't be day where she wouldn't cook for us even given her title and role."

"Oh so that's why you were such a chubby young adult?" I blurt.

He chuckles, shaking his head before looking down at me.

"I was a sexy chubby young adult because of uMaButhelezi."
"You must show me her pictures one day. I'd love to see the woman who bought such joy to my man's life." I say.
"Definitely." He says. "Come here." He motions with his hand before I prop myself up on the bed. He sits up as I rest on my knees making me seem taller than him. He cups my face and brings me closer to him, resting his forehead onto mine. "I never want to see you cry again unless if it's you laughing uncontrollably to my stupid nonexistent jokes okay?"

I chortle cupping his face too.

"I love you MaDlamini, and I'm serious. You crying like this affects me emotionally. Makes me wish I could just take all your pain from you."

My eyes shut just cause I might cry again and I don't want to.

"Look at me baby." Him. I sigh. "I'll always be here for you, no matter what...okay?"
"I'll be here for you too." I say truthfully.

He smiles, even though it doesn't reach his eyes.

"Can I kiss you?"
"You're even asking." I nod once and allow him to devour my lips with a slow, gentle kiss.

"Are you sure you'll be fine?" He asked as I closed my bedroom door. I hook my arms around his laying on his shoulder. I think I still had butterflies from that kiss that happened back in there. I appreciated how it made me forget about what was going on around me, even for a second.