Random encounters

15. Chances

It's been two weeks since Thiko proposed, I know I should be planning a big wedding but I'm just not into it. I also didn't tell anyone about it, he was the one who posted about it all over his social media and tagged me. I don't know how I feel about it, since I had to explain to Tebogo and Lufuno why I kept it a secret. I'm supposed to be meeting with Tebogo today, he said he can really use a friend so I drove back home yesterday with Thiko. My idea was, I'd spend a day with Tebogo, while Thiko bonds with Lufuno.
I'm all dressed up, ready to go out.
"Why do you have to overdress for this meeting?" Thiko lying on the bed
"I'm always dressed like this Babe" I say
"I don't feel comfortable about this, I also don't get why I must stay behind" him
I don't even want to look at him "I want you to meet my cousin Lufuno, without me. Besides I don't want to make Tebogo uncomfortable. He said he wanted to talk"
He raises his eyebrows "You're considering his feelings before mine?"
I stop what I'm doing and look at him.
"Can we please have this conversation when I get back?" I ask
He doesn't say anything but focus on his phone.
I walk to him, kiss him goodbye and leave. I know he's mad at me for leaving him behind but I don't want to pick sides. I try to distract myself by playing music as I drive to Thavhani mall.
Tebogo is at Newscafe, i make my way to him. He gets up, gives me a hug and pull a chair for me to sit. Such a gentle man.
"It's been forever since I last saw you" I say
He smiles at me "You are even getting married"
We both laugh.
"How is married life maybe i can take some few things from you?" I ask
"I'm not the one you should be taking advice from" he says and take a sip of whatever he's having
I know what he means.
"I'm sorry about Raisibe" I say
"She got mixed up with some bad people, what can I say?" Tebogo rhetorically
"Condolences, how is the little girl doing?" I ask
He swallows. "She has no idea what is going on."
That's hard.
We had our lunch, talked and I asked him to help me shop for few things before he leaves. One thing we didn't get to talk about is Tshinondiwa, he just looked at me and down when I asked about her. We talked about Itumeleng and how she's planning on having his kids, she's planning on giving up her career and be a stay home mom for him. Still, it's not enough, life.
"I thought you wanted a dress and a hat" Tebogo holding my bags
I shake my head "Thiko is mad at me so I have to buy him something nice"
"Women" he says almost in a whisper
I laugh "Come on, days like this don't happen often so I might as well do the most with it. It's not everyday I get to steal you from work or husband duties"
"Fine, I'm no longer complaining. Pick the whole store I'll find a spot to sit" he says playfully
"I'll go pay for this, I'll be back in few" I walk to the counter
Thank God there's no queues, I hate standing on queues. I pay for my items and head back to where Tebogo was standing
"I'm done we can leave" I say from behind
He's standing with a beautiful lady, she's one of those people who look beautiful with no effort whatsoever. She's wearing a plain white oversized dress, blue denim jacket almost the same height as the dress and Nike Air force sneakers. She looks weirdly  amazing.
"You must be Tshinondiwa, I'm Wanga" I smile at her
I concluded that by the way Tebogo is looking at her. Like she's the only thing he can see at this moment. The conversation was between me and her little sister Una, she's the sweetest. Tebogo's eyes are still stuck on Tshinondiwa, who at this point is just smiling at whatever is going on here.
"I like your style" I smile
I had to confess that before she left, she said her goodbye and walked away. I think her little sisters understood that those two needed a moment alone like I did. That is why I didn't even try to stop Tebogo.
"Wow wanga I think I want to be like you when I'm older, are you an influencer?" Una asks
I laugh "No, I was a scientist"
"Was" Thendo asks
"Yes, still am but I took a break from work" I say
"Why?" Thendo
She looks like a handful
"I lost my daughter and I didn't handle it well" I say
"Wow you are strong, it's like you haven't been through anything" Una says
Wow!
"You're brave, I admire you Wanga. It's good to know that you're doing much better now regardless of what you've been through" Thendo adjusting her glasses
"She's right, I thought beauty is a way out for me but now I know better." Una
Nchooh these girls are so sweet and making me mushy.
"Thank you Una and Thendo, both of you are very beautiful and intelligent. I know there's nothing that can stop you" I say
We hug and say goodbye. Tebogo walks towards me with his face hard.
"Let's go" he walks past me
"Is everything okay?" I ask following him
He doesn't say anything but walk, I follow him all the way to his car. He takes out his cigarette and lighter, lights  it up and smoke his cigarette in silence. I stand beside him leaning on his car, I don't want to cross my boundaries. Although Tebogo doesn't have many boundaries, Tshinondiwa Madima is a major boundary I do not wish to cross.
"I can't hurt her, she doesn't deserve it" he says in forever
"What happened?" I ask
"Itu is amazing, she deserves the world and I can't give her that if Nondi still exists in this world. I don't want to break her heart, she loves me too much for that..." he inhale again
"Then don't hurt her" I say
He doesn't say anything but exhale.
"You're doing well so far so don't change anything..."
He cuts me "I love Nondi so much i hate myself, I hate myself for comparing Itu to her, for making love to my wife thinking about another woman."
"Damn Tebogo..." I don't know what to say
"I do love Itu, honestly. I just thought hating Nondi for hurting me will make my feelings go away." Him
"How's that going for you?" I ask
He throws his cigarette on the ground.
"I need to go home right now,  it was nice seeing you Wanga and I'm sorry for what happened..." he hug me
"I'm glad I met Tshinondiwa, she's beautiful and my day will be a memorable one" I say as he lets me go
"Say hi to your fiance" he says
I smile and take my bags from his hands. Walk to my car and drive back home.