Zekhethelo: Love redefined.

chapter 10: The date

So last night I spent the evening with Za, Nelly and Thato who is now close friends with Za because they are both party animals.

I told them about my little date that I have today and they all think this guy is interested in me, I don't want to even entertain the thought, they apparently noticed a chemistry between us on the night of the event when we were at the kitchen, I don't even know what they're on about.

He hasn't contacted me since I gave him my number, by contact I mean him calling me or anything like that so clearly it's not what the girls think, he has just been consistent in sending good morning and good night text messages. I'll admit, I tried looking him up on socials just to get an idea of the type of person he is, I couldn't find him on Instagram and his Facebook account dates way back to 2017, that was the last time he ever posted anything.

I just finished bathing and I finally convinced my mother to please babysit for me as I go and meet with a potential client for my catering services, she agreed and it's 11 o'clock, I'm preparing myself, my kids are clean, fed and watching cartoons. It's hot today so I just opt for a knee length free flowing floral pink summer dress and nude strappy block heels. I'm wearing my weave.

While I pack my bag, I get an sms from him, "ngiyeza" I'm so shocked at how he is already telling me that he is on the way but didn't tell me that I should get ready or even the time at which we were having our lunch.

I pack my bag then scroll through my phone, I remember that I told my mum that I'm going on a meeting, I send him a message, "please wait for me by the corner, I don't want my mum seeing you"
Just a minute after the message had gone through, my mother walks in, "ifikile iRange rover ke sisi, uhambe kahle kuMeeting yakho..." right now, I wish the earth could open and swallow me.

I just walk out, he gets out of the car as he sees me walking out of the gate, "sawubona," i greet, he suppresses his laugh when he notices that I'm a bit upset, he knows. "Ngiyaxolisa mama, but I was literally here when you sent the message" I just let him be, he opens the passengers side for me then we drive off. I take a quick glance at him, he is wearing ankle folded jeans, with a white T-shirt and white lacoste shoes.

Today he is playing jazz music, what a weird combination of music taste, from maskandi to Jazz, he looks over at me, "ukahle?" I smile and nod, we finally arrive and we're at Melrose arch.

We walk out of the car and walk towards the grillhouse restaurant, I've been here a few times in my past life. We get a table for two and honestly I don't even have to look through the menu, I know exactly what I'd like to have, he looks up at me as he notices that I haven't opened my menu, "are you okay?" I nod, "I think I know what I'll have" he smiles the continues with what he was doing.

After some time a waitress walks to us, "may I take your order?", "I'll have the Prawn Jalapeno Rump, medium well, with chips and orange juice" then she looks over at Mthokozisi, "I'll have the same thing, well done with Heineken"
I look at him, I'm a bit shocked, he smiles, "haibo, ngiyindoda phela mina" I just let him be.

They bring the drinks. "So MaNgcolosi, tell me a bit more about yourself" I smile shyly, "this sounds like an interview" we laugh, "well I'm Zekhethelo as you obviously already know, I'm a mother to 2 beautiful babies, a 6 year old Athandwa and 3 year old Okuhle, I'm a qualified attorney, currently unemployed, I lost my job when the firm I was working for was liquidated and charged for money laundering, i live with my mother and younger sister, I'm the middle child" he looks fascinated by my story.

"You, tell me about yourself..." he smiles,  "well I'm an engineer, I have recently opened my construction company, I work mostly with the public sector, I'm the oldest, I have a younger brother and 2 younger sisters, my mother is sis'Thandi's younger sister, she passed on a few years back, so that's how I am related to the mahlangu's, my dad is around and basically my entire family is back in KZN, so it gets lonely this side" we laugh.

"Oh and..." Before he could even finish, "Khethelo?!" I look up and oh god! Not her!. "Naledi, Hi", "Bathong wena, when last!" She hugs me, i know that's not even a genuine hug. "You're back from rehab already? How's everything? The kids? Are you still with that abuse bustard, bare ke mang?... Clifford?"

I just sigh, "uhm...", Mthokozisi jumps in, "sawubona sisi, I don't think this is the time or place for any for any of those questions" she looks over at him then back at me "you've even scored yourself a rich guy already, see, going to rehab was worth it" I wish the earth could open and swallow me right now.

"Ma'am could you please excuse us, this is a private affair" Mthokozisi looks upset now, the lady comes towards us with our food, "please call your manager, this lady is harassing my woman" ,"easy now, I'll leave, it was nice seeing you Zee, bye now".

I just sit frozen in my chair,"excuse me" that's the only thing that makes sense right now is walking to the bathroom, I get there and let it all out, this is the most embarrassing lunch date I've ever been on. As I sob silently someone knocks lightly on the bathroom stall, "maNgcolosi..." I'm shocked at how he got in, this is the ladies restroom...