TINASHE
"Tinashe baby, will you attend the last patient for me today? It's just a basic checkup"
Mama Rose asked.
"With pleasure"
"Thanks baby, ubaba is taking me out today so I want to get home early."
She has been married for 33 years with 5 kids but you'd swear they're newly weds.
Her husband takes her on lavish dates every month. They go to movies every Friday. He sends her flowers every Monday and sometimes he surprises her with random lunch visits.
On their anniversary her took her to Paris. They are literal goals.
The patient wasn't difficult, he just wanted a checkup to see if he was fit enough to start exercising.
I was a Biokinetics graduate but was now working at a physiotherapist office. I was also studying part time towards being an actual physiotherapist myself.
After work I drove to my apartment. I couldn't wait to get inside the bathtub, soak myself as I prepared for the dinner date that Muofhe, my friend had set up for me.
It had been 6 months since I broke up with my last boyfriend so my friend has been trying to play match maker.
...
"I am meeting someone here, Stephen"
I told the lady at the entrance of the restaurant.
"He is not here yet, but I can show you a table and you wait for him"
She offered and led me to a table for 2. I was exactly on time so where was this person? He didn't even send a simple text saying he'd be late.
I just ordered a drink to keep me busy in the meantime.
30 minutes went by...
An hour went by...
Muofhe also didn't know where the guy was.
I just decided that I wasn't gonna come to a restaurant for nothing so I ordered food for myself and turned this whole thing into a solo date.
"Mind if I join?"
A voice said and I looked up thinking it'll be him but it wasn't, unless he was a catfish.
I gestured for him to sit.
"Musa"
He introduced himself as he sat and it confirmed that he wasn't my date.
"Tinashe"
"Beautiful name. Suits a beautiful lady like you"
So he wasn't just handsome but he was also a charmer.
"Thank you."
I blushed
"I wonder what type of idiot would stand such a beauty up"
Oh God. He knew I was stood up. How embarrassing.
"How did you know I was stood up"
"Well, it's the only logical explanation to why it took you an hour and half to order. And why you were constantly checking your phone"
Okay, he made sense.
The waiter then brought our food. Turns out he had ordered before coming over to my table.
We got to know each other as we ate.
His name is Musa Zulu. He is a medical doctor, studied abroad, has 3 siblings, loves chess and doesn't have kids.
Oh, and he loves his mom.
"We should meet up again, properly this time"
He said as we exited the restaurant.
"I'd like that."
I admitted because I really enjoyed his company.
We exchanged numbers and he walked me to my car.
"See you soon beautiful"
"Bye"
...
"I can't believe Stephen didn't show up. I'm sorry friend"
Muofhe apologized as we chilled at the park.
"It's nothing, and..."
I giggled
"And? Why are you so happy?"
"When Stephen was a no show, this handsome doctor joined me. And let's just say he caught my interest"
"Come on, tell me more"
She leaned closer to me.
"Well, maybe it was just a dinner but I wouldn't mind if it became more."
"Thatha bestie (you go bestie)"
She cheered.
My phone then started ringing and it was him.
"Speak of the devil"
I told Muofhe before I answered the call.
Me: "Hello"
Him: "Hey beautiful. How are you today?"
Me: "Always good, and you"
Him: "I'm good. Was wondering if I can see you today. Maybe for lunch"
Me: "uhm, right now I'm with my friend. How about tomorrow after church?"
Him: "Alright, I'll also be at church, my mom invited me to hers. So we will communicate when both our churches are out"
Me: "yeah"
Him: "bye beautiful"
Me: "bye"
"You're even blushing, damn girl"
Muofhe shouted as I put down my phone.
"Friend, I won't lie. I feel something here already. Is it too early?"
"No, not at all. Who are we to put time stamps on how long it should take to like someone?"
She was making sense.
...
Today I looked extra pretty for church just incase we meet up immediately after service.
I was wearing a black body hugging dress, red heels and had also done my makeup. My hair was in a high puff. I had started growing it natural when I completed matric because I loved my sister in-law's afro.
For a change today I arrived on time at church. I sat closer to the front than usual.
The choir was still singing songs while waiting for the MC to start the service.
More people came and the service finally started.
"Today we are blessed Bazalwane Amen..."
The MC said as she continued to welcome people.
"Amen"
The church sang in unison
"In our midst today we have Mrs Zulu's son. Our brother whom we haven't seen in quite a while... Amen"
Mrs Zulu was those tough no-nonsense church mothers whom you'd rather avoid because she's always in the mood to give a lecture.
She once told me that if I don't get off my high horse I'd never get married.
She said I was on a high horse because I had refused to marry one of the youth pastors.
Imagine marrying someone just because he knows how to quote scriptures but besides that there's nothing about him that matches with you.
"Amen"
The church shouted
"Brother... or should I say Doctor Musa Zulu. Stand up my brother"
People started clapping and I turned to look at the side they were focusing on.
It was him. The Musa Zulu I was with on Friday and was supposed to meet today after church.
He is Mrs Zulu's son.
Oh God!
YOU ARE READING
MY HEARTBEAT
Romance"What are you doing to me?" He groaned running his hand furiously over his neck. "I am just telling you what I want." "And what is it that you want?" He stared deep into my eyes. My insides were now churning with fear but I didn't back down. Thi...
