Whispers of the heart

CHAPTER 8

The following morning, I went to work. I have two surgeries scheduled. During the second surgery, the patient's heart stopped two times before his heart gave out. It's never a good feeling to lose a patient, also having to break the news to their family isn't exciting. The other doctor will do the honours today. It's 11pm and I don't think I want to go home.
I feel someone shaking me, I open my eyes slowing and I feel dizzy abit. "Sipho, vuka noma ufuna ngikuphathe?" (Sipho, wake up or do you want me to carry you) The voice says. I feel my body being picked up and I feel the person moving. I place my head on his chest, trying to find a comfortable position for my head, I feel myself going back to sleep.

I woke up and looked around, I realise I'm in a room I don't know. I get up and go look for the bathroom, I find it, pee and wash my face with warm water, my face feels numb. Making my way out of the room, I don't know what I'm looking for but I'm looking, I walk into a room and it's the kitchen, the door is opened. I make my way to the sink, look at the cardboards for the where I can find a glass, I find one and pour myself water. I smell a strong spicy scent fills my nose and the room, "Usuvukile?" (You are awake?) He says "mmmmm" I reply. There's awkward silence between us and we both looking each other in the eyes, waiting for the other to say something. "Awulambile?" (Are you not hungry?) he asks. "Depends... who cooked?" I say. He laughs, never seen a man laugh like that because of something I said. "I cooked and I can assure you that it tastes good." He moves to the microwave and presses it, it makes a buzzing sound. "Take a site" indicating to on of the high chairs in the kitchen island, I walk towards it and take a site. "What would you like to drink?" He says. "Water, please" I reply back. The microwave makes a sound, indicating that my food is ready, he brings it to me and takes bottled water from the fridge, "Can I have room temperature water, please" I say. He moves to a cardboard and opens it taking out the water. He gives it to me and sites opposite me, "Thank you" I say. I start eating and his just sitting there looking at me eat, "Are you not eating?" I say. "I already have, when you were sleeping" mmmm. I eat half of the food and say that I'm full. "Why am I here?" I say to him. "Cause I didn't want you sleeping at the office, anything can happen to you." He says " Nothing was going to happen to me, I always sleep there whenever I'm too tired to go home." "Well that's about to change." He says. "Please take me home" I say "Why?" He asks "l like having you here" he says. I keep quiet for a while. "I don't even have things here" I say "Nje ngani?" (Like what?) he asks. "Angzi, lady stuff." (I don't know) I say "Ngizithe ngile lezozinto" (I have bought those things for you) he says. "Okay, I want to shower and sleep then" I say getting up."

He stands up and leads me to the same room I woke up in. He opens the door and waits for me to get in first, he walks in and goes to on of the wardrobe doors and takes out, bathing stuff. There's a floral shower gel, floral soap, sugar scrub, a loafer and two different towels. Who told him that this is how I like my shower items. "You would be surprise as to what I know" he say. I didn't realise I said that out loud. I just take the things out of his hand and move to the bathroom, switching the shower water on, I take my clothes off whilst waiting for the water to get warm. I go to the sink and see a closed toothbrush, I open it and use it to brush my teeth. I step into the shower, feeling the warm water cascade over my body. Ensuring that I don't make my braids wet, I tilt my head back, letting the water flow down my neck and shoulders. The steam from the shower fills the bathroom, creating a comfortable warmth around me. I lather the loafer with soap and massage it into my skin, enjoying the sensation of cleanliness, I repeat the same process with the shower gel. I get out of the shower and take the big towel and wipe my body and take another towel to wrap around myself and exit the bathroom.

I find him sitting on top of the bed with night dress and shirt and top on the bed, there's even underwear. He stands "I will leave you to change" he says. He exits the room and I release the breath I was holding. I see the lotion and roll on, on top of the vanity, and make use of them. I get dressed and get ready to go into bed, I hear the door open again, his changed, I'm guessing he also took a shower. His not wearing a top, just long pajama pants, he has that deep V, his muscles are out. He walks towards the bed, the room is filled with soft glow of the evening night, creating a serene atmosphere. He slides under the covers beside me, my body freezes. "Relax, we won't do anything" he says. As if I would be worried about that, angithandi ukulala nendoda mina (I don't like sleeping with a man next to me). He wraps his arms around me, pulling me close, and I feel the residual heat from his body radiating off him onto me. His embrace feels tender and reassuring, his fingers lightly trace patterns on my arm, making me feel sleepy. He brings my head to his chest, he kisses the top of my forehead, murmuring words I can't focus on because of the patterns his drawing on my arm. I want to focus on something else other then his patterns but the only thing I can hear is the rhythmic rise and fall of his chest as he slowly breathes, I don't know if God is testing my limits or what but I will focus on reaching a state of consciencelessness.