OUR LOVE STORY

15

Nomandla Paris Khumalo

Pearl and I were having some wine while watching her favorite series, Emily in Paris. The parents had gone out with my kids so this was just a needed rest for me.

Pearl: "I'm not sleeping here today mina, I have to see my man." I roll my eyes.

Me: "You still don't want to show me my brother-in-law?" she giggles shaking her head.

Pearl: "Nope! You will only see him when we are married."

Me: "Hawu come on sis."

Pearl: "Lutho babes." I'm disturbed by my phone ringing. It's a number I don't recognize but I answer anyway and put it on speaker.

Me: "Unknown?"

Lifa: "Sthandwa sami."

Me: "Why are you calling me with an unfamiliar number?"

Lifa: "I lost my phone baby."

Me: "mmhhhm."

Lifa: "Can you please get ready lapho, I have made plans for us tonight." I blush.

Me: "Whatever happened to asking a lady out prior?" he chuckles.

Lifa: "Ngiyaxolisa mawabo, I didn't think it would be a problem."

Me: "It's okay! What should I wear?"

Lifa: "Something sexy and comfortable sthandwa sami."

Me: "Okay."

Lifa: "I'll be there in two hours to fetch you ke."

Me: "Alright." He hangs up. I gulp the rest of the wine in my glass and rush to my room. I take my time showering. Pearl knocks on my door and opens it.

Me: "What are you doing lana futhi?"

Pearl: "Chill, I used to change your diapers hawu!"

Me: "mxm."

Pearl: "Anywho, here. Please shave thoroughly. I will take out an outfit for you so long." she walks out before I can even respond. Pearl really needs prayers.

********

I'm busy admiring my beauty in front of my mirror. I must say, I look fabulous.

Pearl: "Let me take pictures, woza!" I follow her instructions as she tells me how to pose and all that until she is satisfied. My phone beeps in her hand, and she squeals.

Pearl: "He is here!" she says in excitement.

Me: "Let's go then."

Pearl: "Wait, please have fun tonight okay? Don't worry about your rats or your parents. Tonight is about you so enjoy it to the fullest." I smile.

Me: "Thanks, sis."

Pearl: "And please get laid, I'm tired of dealing with your grumpy self."

Me: "Uyaphapha." she giggles and walks me out. She leaves me halfway and turns around going back inside the house. As soon as I'm standing in front of him, I blush. This man is making me weak and I hate it.

Lifa: "Sawubona muntuza. You look beautiful tonight." I smile, kissing his lips.

Me: "Thank you. You also look very handsome baby." He smiles and kisses my forehead before opening the door for me. He then gets on his side and drives off.

Me: "So where are you taking me?" he smiles and kisses the back of my hand since he was holding it.

Lifa: "It's a surprise babe." I smile.

Me: "Okay." He finally parks the car in front of this cute white farmhouse. I smile with a small frown on my face.

Lifa: "Come." he said offering me his hand after opening my door. I climb out and follow his lead. We walk to the gate where we are met by a man in a suit, he smiles as we approach him. He takes off his hat when greeting us.

Lifa: "Mr. Jackson." they shake hands.

Man: "Old friend. It's good to see you."

Lifa: "Likewise man. This is my woman, Noma, and babe, this is an old friend of mine, Kobus Jackson." Kobus takes my hand and kisses it whole smiling.

Me: "It's a pleasure to meet you, sir."

Kobus: "Likewise Mrs M. Please follow me." He leads us to the back of the farm. At the far end of the yard, just by the lake, is a beautiful picnic setup.

Kobus: "Enjoy yourselves. I will be sending a waiter to help you shortly."

Lifa: "Send the waiter after 20 minutes." they nod at each other before Kobus turns back. Lifa leads me to the setup and helps me sit before he takes a seat next to me. We are both facing the lake.

Me: "This is so beautiful. Thank you." I kiss his lips making him smile. There was a cheese and crackers platter, it also had grapes and olives on it and another plate of different breads. There was also a sealed bottle of Domaine Romanée Conti.

Lifa: "May I?" he asks holding up a glass of wine.

Me: "Yes, please. Where did you find this wine? this is like the most expensive wine in the world!" I exclaim. He chuckles.

Lifa: "I know people, baby." I smile.

*********
Lifa: "My place?" I just smile at him. I feel so tipsy right now. I mean it wouldn't kill going to his place right?

Me: "Yes."

Lifa: "Text your sister and tell her that you not coming back now."

Me: "She knows." He chuckles and nods.

Lifa: "Okay."

Me: "I think I need a reminder of our first night." I blurt out the words before I can even think about them.

Lifa: "I also think the same thing, baby."

Me: "I love you so much, baby."

Lifa: "I love you too mawabo and tonight I will show you just how much." I bite my tongue nervously. I'm suddenly nervous, I mean I've only been intimate once and it was the time he broke my virginity. I've never been intimate after that.