Naledi (The Moon)

Chapter 9

Nani's POV:

They say that "beauty lies in the eyes of the beholder", till today, I still don't understand that phrase. I often wondered, if they meant that only I can tell if I'm in any way appealing or acceptable according to the standards of beauty? That such responsibility was mine to behold? How when the very sight of my reflection, always made me feel uncomfortable. If I starred too much, I'd often come to the conclusion that I was unattractive. Nit picking at every feature that made me, me.

My reflection was unrecognisable in the tall bathroom mirror. Over the last few weeks, I've gained some weight. I was now fuller in places that were previously slim. My cheeks were fuller making my previously subtle dimples pop, hips wider, my butt rounder even my boobs have gained mass. My mom says that I'm "coming into my woman body." I just think, it made me stand out in unwanted way. 

Today was officially the first day of The Pearl's opening. I was dressed in a formal, black and white serving attire with a white pirate-like blouse that had a bow around the neck as I fiddled with it. "I feel suffocated." I complained, trying to loosen the knot. "Speak for yourself. I look hot." Neo, revelled at her reflection. Turning to check for possible bobbles on her paints suit. Even dressed in form fitting attire, she was glorious, beautiful as the high waisted stretch material pants accentuated her bombshell curves giving JLo a run for a money with her round ass. Caught staring, I nervously fidgeted with my waist coat.
"Hey." She sauntered towards me, she studied my face, suddenly feeling anxious under the intense eye contact. "Pants, dress or suit, you're beautiful. Every part of you.. Perfect." She lifted my face by my chin, re-locking her eyes with my self conscious ones.

Confidence has never been my strong suit. Having Social Anxiety, I consequently became highly alert of everything and everyone around me. I subjected myself to count my steps and actions. Careful not to falter or stumble on my feet. Always anxious that people were marking my every move, judging every item of my clothing, even when they could be just minding their own business. I was constantly judged by my inside voices that were telling me that I'm not good enough, making me aware of my weirdness. So whenever, I'd wear anything that revealed my curves or emphasised my now protruding bum or hips, I felt magnified under each passing eye.

"I don't know, I feel like I need a jacket." I rubbed my arms, feeling awkward in my stance. I was both cold and trying to hide my body by the length of the material. Autumn had come and gone, as we welcomed winter with the new month of June. The morning had been ruthless with its wild winds, inviting sniffles from running noses. "No, you don't. From what I saw in there with those tall gas heaters, we barely need these stupid neck ruffled ties." Neo picked at the material.
"I don't know, I low-key like it." I smiled at it. "Yes I'm suffocated by the knot but it is probably, the only formal shirt that I own." I shrugged. I steadied my breath.

Despite the obvious, I was actually excited about today. The grand opening of The Pearl, my dad's career launch, the first day of winter and oh, I had managed in getting Iman and Neo to help as waiters for the whole week. —At a price of course.— I wish I had recorded Neo's instant mood change when I told her, she'd be working side by side with her crush. Forget the fact that, we were going to interact with the country's greats or the fact that, we were under this exquisite landmark masterpiece, Iman's name was what sold her. I don't remember liking someone that much.

'Ahem! Are we going to pretend that whole Zion phase, didn't exist?' Susan's snide comment, piercing it's unsolicited self and simultaneously disrupting my self praise.

Clenching my eyes shut, I shook my head failing to erase the boy with the dark curls from my memory. Ugh. I had forgotten about that. With the amount of events that have transpired since then, it now felt like a lifetime ago. In a sense it was, back then, I was naïve. Gullible. —Still am but I get it now. I get that life is game that we're all trying so badly to win and unfortunately, the meek, kind and tender hearted with good intentions are always the ones who drew the short straw.

But that was a story for another day.

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"First of all, I'd like to say: Thank you. Thank you for taking time off your busy schedules and joining me and my lovely daughter in something that means the absolute world to me." My dad remarked. He had called the waiters and additional kitchen staff for a quick debrief meeting. When he nodded his way towards my direction at the mention of 'my daughter', I shrunk as I witnessed two hundred pair of eyes zoom in on me. Shit!
I thought. Iman, sensed my discomfort and made things worse, by telling everyone who was listening my name. 'Nani!' He mouthed so loudly, my dad's eyes lifted to find my nervous ones within the crowd.

"I've separated you into groups of ten. In total, there's hundred of you. Look around, your colleagues will be the ones who share the same colour as your neck ties." Dad instructed. On cue, we all turned to look at each other and I found that, Iman and Neo had been paired together into the purple group which was the first floor. The Blue, was the second floor. The red, third floor, pink is the fourth floor. White was the middle floor and garden area which I was working. Grey, the sixth. Black, the seventh floor. Turquoise, the eighth floor. Green, the ninth floor and lastly orange, the last and tenth floor. "Seems like you're with me, Bane." Iman shifted closer to Neo smirking, when he regarded her by last name. Flushing pink, she gasped her air, lost for words. "Y—yes. Ahem! Yeah." She tried to play it cool. Failing dismally if I may interject.

I was happy for them but I couldn't help but feel alone and dejected in my group. A couple of familiar faces here and here from my dad's original staff but no one to really lean on when my nerves begin to get the better of me. "N—Nani, right?" A light tap on my shoulder startled me. "I'm sorry." He chuckled guiltily, blushing. "I'm Ayanda Yalo, I don't know if you remember me? But my mom, Lucinda used to work with your dad, about two years ago?" His sweet smile, remained plastered on his face as he introduced himself.

"Oh yes! How is she?" I asked when I recalled his mother. Even without mentioning her, I would've picked it up. His features resembled hers. Subtle, yet striking beauty that pulled you to stare longer than a second or two.
"She's well. I guess she kept in touch with your dad to get me this winter job." He extended his arms, motioning his hands to our surroundings. Last I saw Ayanda, was 2018, right before he left our school to go join an all boy's boarding school. He was an extremely clever young man who always had the top five position in our top ten overachievers. I was genuinely surprised to see him here. I would have never pegged it to be his kind of scene, him being a nerd and all. "Well, I'm glad to see you Ayanda and that you're on my team, I'll need someone as quick as you out there." We exchanged smiles.
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