Just my cup of tea

The buds we choose

The rest of the flight went pretty fast with no turbulence. I stared out the window as we landed, seeing the beauty of my home country. I have been fortunate enough to have traveled to many places but nothing compares to coming home. As I step off the plane my nostrils full with clean fresh air. After collecting my bags I find my cousin waiting for me at the arrivals gate.

"Finally you're home! How was your flight?" I gave him big hug and marvelled at how much he's grown in such a short time. "It was alright, no real complaints. Just long. I'm in a great need of a shower and a nap." He chuckled and wrestled my bags from me as we headed to the car.

"So any big changes I should take note of?" He thought for a moment. "No, nothing really, you'll notice some new shops and construction changes around, but other than that, home is home."

Home is home yes and you are under the same sky as me after so many years. I pull out my phone and start typing.

Me: I've landed :D

Kate: Good to hear, how was your flight?

Me: Long but not bad. It feels good to be home again, under the South African sky, breathing in the fresh air.

Kate: I can imagine, what will you do the rest of the day?

Me: I think I need a nap and probably smoke a spliff as soon as I reach home.

Kate: haha great, I will smoke one later too, it will be like smoking together till we really do.

Me: Yeah..about that..which day would be best for you?

Kate: mmm I will let you know soon but most likely sometime this week?

Me: Sounds good! Can't wait to see your dumb face again! :D

Kate: If it's dumb why you want to see it?

Because it's the most beautiful face I will ever see in this life and just one glimpse can full me with happiness for years to come.

Me: Because seeing how dumb it is makes me happy haha

Kate: Shut up douche!

Me: haha see you soon moron :D

I reached home, freshened up and smoked. It felt amazing to roll and blow vapours again. 

Kate: Are your smoking?

Me: Yes :D

Kate: Me too :D 

Me: Missed this feeling so much!

Kate: I honestly don't know how you do without it. How about we meet tomorrow if you don't already have plans? 

Me: Yes tomorrow is good! 

We worked out details and I was set to see her again at 12. My heart was racing and I could not control my anticipation. Finally I would see her face after so long, I would see her smile and hear her voice. I was no longer worried about showing my feelings. I was confident enough that it won't show. She will never know I still love her. 

The hardly slept that night, the thought of seeing her the next day was to exhilarating. In out of dreams I had flashes of our meeting.  I awoke to the sound of birds, the sunrays floating around the room. Before leaving to see her, I rolled a spliff and stashed it in a small box. I drove to her with shaking hands, every red light I stopped and looked at them. "Stop that, you guys can't give me away." My hands stopped for a moment but soon started shaking again. Luckily I had left a little earlier than planned to allow myself a moment to gain composure. 

I parked along the road waiting for her to exit. She finally appeared, as she walked to me my breath caught and time seemed to stand still. I couldn't think, I couldn't move, all I could do was sit there and watch as she walked towards me. She waved and smiled, then gestured for me to approach. My body reacted on its own, I had no control. I did not think of opening the door but I did, I did not think of getting out but I did, I did not think of catching her in my arms and squeezing tight but I did. It felt like hours but it was merely just seconds. I was completely encased by her presence.  

We let go of our embrace and she lightly tapped my shoulder, "It's good to see you again!" I snapped out of it and replied, " You too, your dumb face looks as dumb as ever. It's refreshing." She scoffed, "Shut up! Watch it or I'll go back." She started walking slowly backwards. I decided to play along, "ooh is that so, you will pass up this chance to smoke with me?" I teased. She rolled her eyes, "as if it's such an honor." She chuckled but stop walking backwards. "Why of course, getting high isn't just about the weed you smoke, it's about the buds you choose." She raised her eyebrows and smiled, "wow I see your head has gotten bigger." I looked up as if looking at my head, "Really? It must be the hair." She laughed and the sound of her laughter made me smile even wider. 

"Let's go douche, I don't have a lot of time anyway." We walked back to the car and I opened the door for her. "I know a private beach nearby? If that's alright, how about I drive us there and we can smoke in peace?" She nodded, "Ok, I have one rolled already." As predicted she came prepared.  She lit the spliff as we made our way to the beach. "So, how's it being back? What have you eaten or want to eat?" I eyed her from the corner of my eye every few seconds. "It's great being back, I don't have any cravings really. It would be nice to get a burger from J'mos though. " She smiled, "then you can do that after you this." I nodded. Words were escaping me now. 

'She's here she's here she's here' is all I could think. "How was work?" Lame, what a lame thing to ask. "It was fine, a little busy. My boss asked if I wanted to start learning how to draw." My head snapped to her, "that's amazing! When will you start?" She smiled and shrugged. "I'm not sure, when I get the chance." My brows furrowed, "It sounds really promising though, is it something you are interested in doing?" She took a pull and let out the smoke. "I think so, it's really difficult though." She handed me the spliff. "I truly believe you can do anything you want to do, if it's really what you want." I could feel her looking at me. Was I getting to deep? Too  personal? 

We reached the beach and began walking on the sand as we finished off the spliff. "I have another one if you want." I pulled out the little box. "Can you handle another one weakling?" I shook my head. "No, but you can smoke it and I can just walk here beside you." I thought I saw her take in a sharp breath. I was probably imagining  it though. I doubt anything I say now can touch her heart the way it did before. "Keep it for later, when you smoke it at home, I will smoke one too." She smiled at me and my heart pounded in my chest. I looked away quickly before she could notice. 

We finished our walk and headed back to the car. The dread started setting in now, she was going to leave. I'll have to say goodbye again. It pulled on my heart. When I stole a glance at her, she it almost looked as though her fer feeling mirrored mine. "Ready to go?" I asked. She whispered yes and I notice her clutch her bag tighter. Could she really not want to go? Even if she did, it couldn't possibly be a mirror of how much I didn't want her to go, It couldn't be for the same reason. She chose her bud and it wasn't me. We reached her workplace. I stopped the car. We were silent the entire ride back. I wanted to break the silence but I was afraid of what my voice would sound like. 

She turned to me, I didn't have to try hard to plaster a smile on my face. "I should get going," she said without any intention to move. "I guess you should." She moved to open the door. "Kate!" Shit why did I do that? What did I even intend to say? 'Don't go, stay with me, I still love you.' She looked at me and for a split second I thought I saw the her, the Kate who looked at me like I was magic. "Yes," it almost sounded like a whisper. "Do..Do you think that maybe we could smoke together again before I go?"  She hesitated. "I'm sorry, I know it stresses you out. I know it's not convenient. I should not have asked. This was great and I'm just happy I got to see you at all." She smiled softly and placed her hand on my arm, "I want to smoke with you again. Maybe we will get the chance. Thank you for coming today." 

She opened the door and stepped out. I was even happier now! There was a possibility of seeing her again. She closed the door and smiled at me now with a smile that seemed full of happiness. I smiled back mirroring her. Maybe the buds we choose can't remain with us, but they are still out chosen bud.

Author's note: 

Hello my two fans! I am so happy you two are still around with me for my journey! Thank you so much! :D I hope you enjoyed this chapter. I will try to upload again soon!