OUR LOVE STORY

10

Prince Ndlalifa Mhlongo

I have been trying to call Nomandla since yesterday afternoon and she isn't answering. I decided to try again, luckily this time it got answered but it's an unfamiliar voice

Voice: "Hey!"

Me: "Hi. Uhm... May I please speak to Nomandla?"

Voice: "She is..."

"Pearl! Leave my phone alone hawu!" I hear her voice shout in the background.

Voice: "Angithi you ignoring it nje!"

"Letha!" I hear shuffling before her voice comes through.

Noma: "Hello?"

Me: "I have been calling you for some time now."

Noma: "I know."

Me: "What did I do?!"

Noma: "Nothing, I just felt like ignoring you so I did."

Me: "If I didn't know better, I'd say you're pregnant." she sighs.

Noma: "What do you want Lifa?"

Me: "My uncles need to know when can we come?!"

Noma: "It hasn't even been a day Ndlalifa, I haven't told my parents. My dad will only be back home later on."

Me: "Okay, I hear you. Ngicela ukukubona."

Noma: "For what?!"

Me: "I miss you."

Noma: "I can't..."

Voice: "I'll cover up for you, just go see the man and stop being so sour hawu!" I think I'm going to like whoever that is.

Noma: "Yoh Pearl! Why are you even eavesdropping?!"

Me: "Ngiyacela mawezingane zami. Just an hour ke."

Noma: "Fine." she hangs up. I honestly love Nomandla, I'm sure of that but it seems like I have a lot of work to do. My hopes of winning her easily since we already have kids seems so far-fetched. I don't waste time, I grab my keys and wallet then rush out. I want to get her some flowers first. It's already noon so I'm really hoping that I find some flower shop open.

I parked my car where I parked earlier when I was dropping them off. I send her a text, letting her know that I've arrived. A few minutes later, I see her emerging with someone behind her. I get out of the car and stand in front of it as I wait for them. 

Me: "Sanibonani."

Lady: "Hello sbari." she greets excitedly.

Noma: "Pearl, awume!"

Me: "How are you sisi? Thank you for your help." I wink at her and she smiles.

Pearl: "It's a pleasure. By the way, I'm Pearl, her older sister."

Me: "I'm Ndlalifa, her baby daddy and future husband." she grins shaking my hand while Noma is giving me a deadly look.

Pearl: "Let me leave you two, I was just accompanying her."

Noma: "Bye Pearl."

Pearl: "This time text me if you will be sleeping out again so I can cover for you." she says then leaves. I open the door for Noma before going to my side.

Me: "Sawubona."

Noma: "Hi."

Me: "I'm sorry."

Noma: "For what?"

Me: "For rushing you. I'm sorry that I keep pressuring you to tell your parents. I just got so excited and didn't even think about how hard it would be to tell them about me after knowing that I ran away. Ngiyaxolisa."

Noma: "It's okay, you don't have to apologize. I'm the selfish one. I'm sorry for being so cold towards you."

Me: "It's okay. I got you this." I say taking the gifts from the backseat and handing them to her. She smiles.

Noma: "Thank you baba kaBandile." I grin accepting her hug.

Me: "Can we take a drive somewhere?"

Noma: "Sure." I turn the car around and drive us to the beach. I park the car where we both can enjoy the view of the ocean.

Me: "I want us to watch the sunset." we both get out and walk towards the ocean. We sit by a bench facing the sea.

Noma: "This is beautiful." she whispers.

Me: "Yeah, that's why I wanted to show you."

Noma: "Thank you." she scoots closer to me and lays her head on my chest.

___

Me: "Can we go grab something to eat now?" she nods.

Noma: "I would love some pizza please."

Me: "Pizza is your favorite?" she smiles.

Noma: "I started loving it during my pregnancy and I never stopped."

Me: "Which flavor?" I ask parking in front of the mall.

Noma: "Let's go." I get out then go help her out of the car and we walk inside the mall. We start by placing her pizza order and go buy my food.

Me: "What does your sister like?"

Noma: "Why?!"

Me: "We also getting her something, phela she helped me."

Noma: "Yoh! I think a burger should be fine, there's no sushi around here."

Me: "There is, let's go."

Noma: "Lifa, buy her the burger, she will still like it."

Me: "Okay you go buy then. Add two drumsticks with fries for my boys." I say giving her my card.