Naledi (The Moon)

Chapter 1

"This discomfort is temporary." - Unknown

I've been home for three days now and after wallowing in self pity, locked in my room all because Luca hasn't called nor texted me since I last saw him, hesitantly I decided to go out to my favourite restaurant- Cookies&Cups to maybe get in some winter break reading before second semester.

It was an early Wednesday winter morning. My parents had left for work and the twins were back home sleeping with the nanny watching over them. I'll admit it's been nearly impossible to get some dedicated, "me time" not when the twins and Iman are constantly budging through my door every ten minutes. I felt bad too. I really didn't want to bring yesterday's problems back home because the last thing, I wanted was to be a Debby Downer and rain on everyone's 'Winter break' parade.

Disrupting my concentration, the morning icy breeze gushed through the motion sensor doors as more patrons walked into the restaurant. It was a young couple- probably in their early or mid twenties, walking hand in hand as the beautiful tall curvy woman lead her partner to the booth by the window, overlooking the misty city.

I tried ignoring the sharp pang of envy curving a gapping hollow into my slowly healing heart. Motionless, I sat in silence lost in thought with my wondering eye tunnelled in on them as they sat side by side, purposely ignoring the empty booth across them. He had his arms locked in around her, carefully cocooning her while she laid her head on his chest. Having a heavy sense of deja vu- I was watching myself and Luca as he whispered sweet nothings into my right ear, as I flushed further deep into him.

"Need a refill? Or pair of binoculars for a closer view?" Neo, my old high school classmate and fellow waitress obstructed my view when she stood before me, smirking. Feeling got, I nervously took the cup into my hands, swallowed a sip of the now, cold hazelnut coffee.

Ugh. 'Stale coffee. The worst.' I cringed.

Noticing the sour expression on my face, she laughed. "So will you tell me why are we purposely torturing ourselves by doing what you're doing?" Ignoring the annoyed, impatient customer she sat directly across me. "So I can't take a break to let the words sink in?" I deflected. She raised her perfectly-thick shaped brow, clearly not buying my rhetorical question. "Right. You've been 'letting it sink in' for the past fifteen minutes," she checked the time on her non-existent wrist watch. "At this rate, you're just asking for a restraining order." She remarked.

Jeez.

I hope, I didn't make them uncomfortable with my belligerent staring. "Where's your boyfriend by the way?" She asked, and I instantly jerked, turning my attention towards her.

Boyfriend? Me?

"Huh?" I nervously turned the page on my Microbiology textbook. "You know," she sheepishly scratched her short coils with a pencil. "Iman. The one always hovering over you." Then she retired with a shy smile.

Oh?

I instantly caught on. At first, I was puzzled until I recognised the look, she had on. You know when girls do that obvious thing of asking "where's your girlfriend?" Or "what will your girlfriend, say?" An infamous ploy to test the waters and right now, she was evidently fishing for Iman, and clearly crushing on him. "I don't know. Probably work." I shrugged, smiling impishly, as I witnessed her face falling, probably disappointed that I didn't correct her.

I instantly wondered if Iman was aware of this. Neo was absolutely gorgeous with her rich milk chocolate skin tone, short baby fro with a killer hourglass body and did I mention boobs?! Although she was obviously out of his league, I knew she'd be perfect for him. With her strong, fierce personality she'd most definitely straighten his janky ass up. "How often do you see him?" I questioned her.

"Let's see, uh. Every third day at precisely nine-fifteen for his usual tall, black coffee; one sugar, smidge of vanilla syrup with a side of a medium sized Lindt dark chocolate muffin." She shrugged nonchalantly like she didn't just easily recite his go-to order, word for word. I'm his best friend yet I barely knew that about him. I chuckled softly. She was undeniably smitten.

I checked my wrist watch and on cue at nine-fifteen, the door bell rang as he sauntered in looking all dressed up in his black slacks, crisp white shirt, a thin blood red half Windsor knot tie topped with his chocolate brown knee length coat.

Uh, okay. What in the name of Michael B. Jordan is going on here?!

He looked all sorts of dapper. He instantly smiled with his eyes when our eyes made contact and began to stroll over to my table. Suddenly negligent to the perking cold, I turned and watched as all the girls in the tiny coffee shop fawn all over him.

"Morn-hi Iman! Can I get your usual?" Neo stammered, her eyes all jumpy as she quickly slid off the chair, nearly stumbling on her feet.

Woah.

Luckily, he was quick to catch her. Her cheeks instantaneously tinted. Her previous cool, calm and collected guise long forgotten. "You know me so well, Neo." Completely oblivious of his affect on her, he smiled at cooly and quickly kissed my head then sat down across me.

As if in slow motion, her eyes noted every movement, she quickly recoiled. Crestfallen, she smiled dryly then made her way to the kitchen.

Oh no. My heart sunk for her.

"Look who finally made it out her room?" He reached across the table, retrieving my chocolate filled croissant. Normally, I would've protested but I couldn't get the image of Neo's face from my memory. "You know sometimes, I wonder if you're retarded or you're just purposely acting dumb." I scrunched my nose, watching him eat the croissant callously. "What do you mean?" He asked with his mouthful.

Ah, yes. Ladies, there's your bachelor. I inwardly rolled my eyes.

Scratch that. She might be perfect for him but he was nowhere near to what she deserved. I'd have to whip him up first.

Noting his oblivious expression, I quickly retracted shaking my head. "So, how's working with your dad?" I changed the subject. He winced, grinning awkwardly. "Can you tell by my face? - It's awful." The smile instantly dropped. "I'm just a substantially payed, well dressed errand boy." He rolled his eyes.

Since Iman, has been taking a gap year to figure out what he truly wants to study, to pass time other than staying at home, his dad invited him to work as an intern at his law firm- LKM Attorneys.

"I guess, it beats doing what you were previously doing, fighting your nerdy friends in that game of yours." I retorted. "Let me stop you there before I end this friendship by your blasphemous words." He raised a chastising firm finger before my face. "'Call of Duty' is a game of gods. Which requires my undivided attention." He lifted his head, looking rather pleased with himself. I scoffed instantly. "Did that also include eating your neck into oblivion, too?" I teased. "Body shaming, much?" He retorted.

"Late much?" I jabbed back at him. He glanced a quick look at his wristwatch and jumped up from the booth, "shit, I hate it when you're right!" As he was about to leave, a panting Neo came rushing back with Iman's order. "Uh yes! Right on time." He took a quick a sip of his coffee, eyes rolled back as he welcomed the taste of it on his tongue. "Woman, I love you!" He gave a quick side hug and a huge tip. "See you later!" He kissed my cheek then bolted out before I could answer leaving me and a frozen, blushing Neo.
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~Author's Note~

Welcome everyone to my second book of the Langa trilogy. I'm still debating whether I'll make into a two part or just go ham and give you three books.😅 anyway, thank you all for reading my previous novels. Thank you for liking, sharing my work. I appreciate your support. Big or small, I'm just happy to be sharing my heart and hopefully, I moved you, made you laugh, cry, sad (Hehe😈😅).

Stay tuned and let's dive into Naledi (The Moon).

PS: to all my South African, lower South Africans readers.. I'm well aware that Naledi doesn't mean "Moon"😅 I just thought it went according to theme..

Anyway, ENJOY💕💕