Junior Dlamini

chapter 2

Saturday, 22 September

Today is my party which my parents know about but my mom is not so happy about it.

Mom: do it at home, JJ.
Me: but dad already organised the venue, mama.
Mom: Junior, please.
Me: mama, I'll be just fine. it's just a small party and a few friends.

My dad walks in.

Dad: are you ready to go?
Me: yeah, bye mama.

I give her a peck on the forehead and walk out.

Dad: you are stealing my woman, wena.
Me: I stole her a long time ago, dude.

He slaps me behind my head and I laugh.

Me: come on, dude. it's really not that deep, you chose to have kids and these are the results.
Dad: just shut up and get in the car.

I get in the car and off we go. My dad is not letting me drive today because he thinks it's risky to party and then drive, which is why he booked a lodge for us so that we can sleep there.

He drops me off and sends me some more cash. I go inside and wait a few minutes and then the guests start arriving.

Apparently, this pens down was trending everywhere so a lot of people are going to be here.

The guests at this party are not as I had estimated, this place is packed.

I am currently sitting with Dee and my friends. Dee is next to me and she keeps kissing on me.

Thulani: so Dee, where did you find an outfit?
Dee: Thulani, I don't know who told you that you're funny but you're really not.
Thulani: okay, sorry.

I get up and join the dance floor. I bust a move or two and get the crowd going crazy as the percentage goes all the way to my head. I'm kind of feeling a little tipsy at this point.

I feel overwhelmed by what's going on inside this party so I go out to get some air but as I step outside, I see a girl with the most beautiful afro i have ever seen. She's rubbing her arms as if she feels cold.

Me: hey.

She jumps as she looks back. It's that girl from school that I saw the other day.

Me: hey, I'm sorry. I didn't mean to startle you.

She just nods and looks at the sky.

Me: it's beautiful, isn't it? just like you.

Just like you?! Is that all you could come up with, J?! Really?!

Me: are you feeling cold?

She nods and I take off my hoodie and hand it to her. She puts it on and it looks so huge on her because she's small, probably 4'9.

Me: can I get your name?
Her: Mbali.
Me: I'm Junior.

She shakes my hand and nods.

Her: I've heard of you.
Me: good things, I hope.
Her: not really.
Me: well, not everything you hear is true.
Her: so you're not a player?
Me: uhm not really, what are waiting for out here?
Her: my sister is supposed to fetch me but she's not picking up my calls.
Me: I can drop you off.
Her: no, thanks.
Me: i insist.

At that moment, I remember that I left my car. So I request a ride and accompany her to her house. After dropping her off, I head back to the lodge and throw everyone out.

After throwing everyone out, my boys join me in my room.

Thulani: dude, what's going on?
Me: with what?
Lwazi: you're smiling like a gone boy.
Thulani: this one can never be gone.
Me: hai you're forward, who said I can't?
Lwazi: okay, who is it?
Me: and how is that any if your business?
Thulani: ooouuu feisty, I like that.

We all laugh and a throw a pillow at me.

Me: you are a stupid cow. I swear this one is different, she...

I pause as I lack the vocabulary to explain just how much she amazes me.

Lwazi: definitely gone.
Thulani: I don't care, we have a whole lodge to ourselves.
Me: yeah, rejoice!
Lwazi: in what? you threw the people out and we have no one to "rejoice" with.
Me: then call your girlfriends or something, just do something.

They call their girlfriends and call them back. After that, they leave my room and go to their girlfriends. I don't really care anyway, I just want Mbali in my arms.