The two of us head outside. The very moment she closes the sliding door, my desires of trying to listen in on their conversation is sort lived because the girlfriend, Zikhona, instantaneously starts throwing various of words at me. From my age to where I work, if I school, what kind of friends I have, what Gertrude and I are.
Intrusive kind of questions, really, but I can share some sort of understanding; she holds a high standard in Gert's father's life, so she possibly finds every reason to find out more about Gert and who she surrounds herself with.
It doesn't bother me. What does interest me, borderline confuses me, is her father. Is it not weird that a man like him, who knows me not, can confidently start off by saying such, the moment he sees me? I know him not even from a pile of sand, if that's how humans say it, yet he confidently makes such a statement.
Pity; might be gifted with heightened abilities, but I'm clearly no match for the thick glass used to make that sliding door, or Zikhona's never-ending speech. She continues, never finding the need to pause, and amazing me that she needs only a second to inhale before she continues yapping, all whilst she pours us us drinks.
I've tried zoning out of her, tried by all means to break the barrier of that glass, but she just keeps yapping. Exercising vocals isn't an issue, it's the fact that she speaks so much I can't tell if it's the beginning of her sentence or the end. Also, I don't know her form a grain of sand.
"But wow, really, you are very handsome for somebody your age." She smiles, lifting her glass though finding no need to drink the content in it. "I'm sure the young girls tell you all the time."
Being flattered by known facts can be exhausting. Still, I return the smile politely; muttering a; "Thank you."
"I find it very hard to believe that yourself and Gertrude are friends. Friends? How can she agree to be friends with somebody as handsome as you, hmm? Just friends? She's silly."
Oh finally. Something we can agree on. Something I don't actually mind listening to. I chuckle, taking a sip of my drink as she proceeds.
"It's a shame, hmm? Her boyfriend. I don't like him but, who am I to say such, hmm? Do you know him?"
"Do I?" I grin. "I know a lot about him."
"You don't say." She places the glass down. See, she is yet to take a sip from it. She isn't even thirsty, with the way she speaks a lot. "What do you think about him?"
I shrug. "I think... He's great for somebody."
"You—"
Zikhona absurptly stops when the sliding door opens, and out comes Gertrude with her father. She sends me a sheepish smile, perhaps one that could be deciphered as an apology, as she makes her way to us. Zikhona waves them over, specifically her boyfriend, and grins.
The both of them settle in their respective seats; both Gertrude's and my seating arrangement gives us a great view of the forest, of which various of scents float around. Gertrude turns her chin towards me; she eyes me for a moment then releases air through her nostrals.
"Well, firstly, before we serve food, I want to take time to thank you both for coming. We were sure you wouldn't come, Gertrude." Zikhona laughs lightly, placing her hand on her boyfriend's hand, who hums though his eyes dart between Gert and I. "However, it's such a great pleasure. Even more, since you brought over your friend who, if I must speak for myself, I thought was your boyfriend."
Gertrude laughs lightly, though a part of it carries waves of uncomfortability. Or perhaps, embarrassment. "Well, Tsiamo and I broke up. Things just didn't work out well between us and, his behaviour was just poor towards the end of it so, it just made sense that we would break up, you know?"
