Zekhethelo: Love redefined.

chapter 7 : the big day

The day has finally come! I'm super exhausted, we had a long evening of cooking, but I thank God for my two girlies who stayed up with me.

It's 12h30, the event starts at 14h00 and we're now packing the warmers into bab'dlamuka's bakkie, he is our neighbor and was the most affordable transportation we could find.

We are all dressed in jeans and white t shirts, I managed to buy 3 matching aprons for all 3 of us and our hair is obviously covered. We look formal in our impromptu uniform.

The drive from soweto to fourways wasn't that long, we finally arrive to the destination and I'm crossing fingers hoping that the food didn't get spilled along the way, Za and Nelly followed us in Za's car and I drove with ubaba.

While offloading the food warmers into the canteen, my cellphone vibrates, it's a message from my older brother "I'm proud of you" I smile proudly, this might not be much but at least it's my own thing and no one can take it away from me, it's not a big step but it's a step towards the right direction.

We get into the canteen and find that there's 5 waiters and waitresses assigned to help us. "Zekhethelo, hi" I turn and I'm guessing this is Pam? She extends her hand "Pamela, nice to finally meet you" she exclaims, I return the handshake. She's a beautiful petite woman, probably in her late 30s, she's dressed formally, I feel a bit underdressed in my jeans.

"So, the event starts at 14h00 o'clock and around 15h30 please start bringing in the starters for the guests, a different division will be handling the drinks, please make sure that the presentation is on point, we as cele constructions are trying to make a lasting impression and we trust you to help us achieve that"

I give her an assuring smile, then she walks off, since it's just 1 o'clock I decide to go and check out the main conference room so that I can have an idea of how food will be served. The room looks so proper, the decor is black with a hint of gold, very posh and classy but not ideal for an event happening during the day.

We sit around with the other guys and they seem really amazing, Thato who is very bubbly even asked for my number and begged me to consider him if "my company" ever has any open vacancies.

It's 15h00 and I decide to start dishing the starters, I'll be handling the dishing up while everyone else will be serving.

The starter is mushrooms stuffed with grated cheese and shredded chicken with bacon bits, served with a side of broccoli with a white sauce spread out on the plate.

"It's time" Pam informs us, everyone in my team walks out to serve the starters while I start heating up the main and preparing the final touches for our main course which is roasted lamb garlic mash potatoes and fresh green salad, I need to heat up the mash, creamy it up and add the garlic. The lamb was precooked at home now we just need to roast it for 10 minutes, we also have butternut stuffed with creamy spinach as part of the main, there's a vegetarian option for a plant-based portion of "chicken"

Before I know it it's finally time to serve the mains, Pam has been signaling us whenever it's time to clear tables or serve more food, I haven't left the kitchen since the event started meaning I haven't even seen the guests. "Zee you should see all those men in there!" My sister exclaims, I look at her in shock "aren't you in a relationship wena sisi?" She chuckles "she's right Zee, mahle ngempela amadoda anemali" Neli adds, I laugh my heart out, what's going on with these two?

"We are here to serve food and not drool over filthy rich married men" I say this and leave them sitting there to check on how the custard is coming along, "loosen up girl!" Thato says, I turn to shoot him a look, he raises his hands in surrender "I was just saying, feast your eyes on some eye candy!" I just ignore them they've all clearly forgotten what we're here to do.

We are now serving dessert, it's just simple Malva pudding, either with vanilla ice cream or warm home made custard.

Before we know it it's 18h00 and we are wrapping up, we are washing the final load of dishes before we can leave, I'm exhausted, I've been on my feet the whole day, Nelly and Za are outside scouting the "rich men" and I'm still in here, after all this is my gig.

While busy washing and packing the plates someone clears their throat, I turn and the shock of my life, what is he doing here? "Your sister told me I'd find you here" , "ufunani Clifford?" He chuckles, "this is a business event in case you didn't notice?" He's still an arrogant bustard, I just ignore him, "Let's grab a drink after this?" I still ignore him, I hear his footsteps, he's walking towards me, I turn and I'm a bit too late because he's already too close and this is very uncomfortable.

"Why are you suddenly playing hard to get?" I try to push him off but he's obviously stronger than me, "please get away from me" I'm at the verge of tears right now, why isn't there anyone walking in right now?

"I like it when you act like you don't want this but deep down you know this is all that you dream about at night" he traces his hands on my face, "I've booked a hotel nearby, 5 star, just how you like it" he is now breathing too close to my neck and at this point I'm sobbing softly. "Clifford please leave me alone", "sssshhh, I don't bite..." , "get off me!!" I try to push him off but he tightly grips my arm.

"Is everything okay here?"...