Noma and Kea

CHAPTER 21

As we walk through, Mall of Africa, I can feel the eyes on us. Kea, with his striking looks and confident stride, draws attention effortlessly. His arm around my shoulder makes me feel protected and proud that this is my man, but it’s also making me feel a bit self-conscious. We make our way to Woolworths, and I grab a trolley while he walks beside me, hands in his pockets.
"Okay, first things first, we need to get some fresh produce," I say, heading towards the fruits and vegetables section. Kea nods, I can tell this isn’t his type of thing. We start picking out some essentials – apples, bananas, oranges, lettuce, tomatoes, cucumbers, and more. Kea helps me reach the higher shelves, and every time he does, he gives me a small smile that makes my heart flutter. LIKE TO MY MAN, THANK YOU TO MY MAN.
As we move through the aisles, I can’t help but notice how Kea’s presence commands respect. Even in a simple outfit, he looks like he owns the place. We pick up some meats, dairy products, and other necessities, filling the trolley quickly.
“Kea, do you cook?" I ask, curious. He nods gently.
"Maybe you can cook for me sometime," I suggest, hoping to see this side of him.
"Deal," he says with a smile.
We head to the checkout, and as we unload the trolley, I can’t help but think about how domestic this all feels. It’s a far cry from the drama and intensity of the past few days. Kea pays for the groceries, and we head back to the car, loading everything into the Boot.

On the drive back, I can’t help but ask, "What do you do out on that balcony?"
Kea glances at me, then back at the road. "I think. Sometimes I smoke a cigar, other times I just sit there and let my mind wander. It’s my space to clear my head."
I nod, understanding. "You have a lot on your shoulders."
"Yeah," he admits, "But having you around makes it a bit easier."
His words warm my heart, and I lean over to kiss his cheek. "You don’t have to carry it all alone, you know."
He gives me a grateful look, and we continue our drive in comfortable silence. Back at the house, we unload the groceries and start putting everything away. We also bought some throw pillows for his sectional couch. We also got, pillows for his bed, that needed a lot of convincing, “It’s a bed it has 2 pillows, that’s all it needs” he says.
“It makes it look better, and neater” I say.
“How is getting 2 extra pillows, 2 extra big ones and a very small one, gonna make it look better?” he asks.
I look at him, I had to pull out my trump card. I stare at him a bit sad and disappointed, he looks down at me, “Get the damn pillows”. VICTORY.
It feels like we’re playing house, and I kind of like it. Kea watches me as I move around the kitchen, his eyes filled with an unreadable expression, "Do you want to help me cook dinner tonight?" I ask.
"Sure, what are we making?"
"Some Steak and some steamed Veggies" I reply.
"Sounds good," he says, rolling up his sleeves. "Let’s do it."
As we cook together, I can’t help but feel that this is what a real partnership should feel like. We work in sync, laughing and talking about everything and nothing. For the first time in a while, I feel genuinely happy and content. After dinner, we clean up together and then settle on the couch to watch a movie. Kea’s puts his arm around me, I feel safe and loved. Maybe, just maybe, this is what our future could look like.
We settle on the couch, the warm glow of the TV filling the room as the opening credits of the movie start. Kea's arm is around me, pulling me close. I rest my head on his shoulder, feeling the rhythm of his breathing. It's a peaceful moment, a stark contrast to the chaos of the past few days.
"Have you seen this movie before?" I ask, looking up at him.
He shakes his head, "No, but I've heard good things about it."
As the movie plays, I find myself getting lost in the story, but my mind keeps drifting back to Kea. There's so much more to him than I initially realized. He's not just a tough guy who runs a club and takes care of his friends. He's thoughtful, caring, and has a depth that I’m only beginning to understand.
Halfway through the movie, I notice his eyes starting to droop. The early morning run and the events of the past few days seem to be catching up with him. I nudge him gently, "Hey, if you’re tired, you can go to bed. I can finish the movie on my own."
He smiles sleepily, "No, I’m good. I want to stay here with you."
His words make my heart swell, and I snuggle closer to him. The movie continues, but now I’m more focused on the feeling of being in his arms. It's comforting and reassuring, a stark contrast to the uncertainty that has been hanging over us.
Eventually, Kea’s breathing evens out, and I realize he’s fallen asleep. I carefully slip out from under his arm, grab a blanket from the nearby chair, and drape it over him. He stirs slightly but doesn't wake up. I smile, watching him for a moment before heading upstairs to get ready for bed.
As I brush my teeth, I can't help, but think about how far we've come in such a short time. From the chaos of the robbery to the tender moments we've shared, it feels like we've been through a lot together. I finish up in the bathroom and head back downstairs to check on him one more time.
Kea is still asleep on the couch, looking peaceful. I gently kiss his forehead, whispering, "Goodnight, my love." He murmurs something in his sleep, and I smile, turning off the TV and heading back upstairs.
I climb into bed, the events of the day playing over in my mind. Despite everything, I feel hopeful about the future. Kea is more than I ever expected.
Just as I’m about to drift off to sleep, I hear Kea’s footsteps on the stairs. He appears in the doorway, looking a bit disoriented. "Hey, why didn't you wake me?"
"You looked so peaceful. I didn't want to disturb you," I say, patting the bed beside me.
He smiles and climbs in, pulling me close, "Thanks for today. It was nice, doing normal things with you."
"It was," I agree, resting my head on his chest. "Let’s make it a habit."
"Deal," he murmurs, kissing the top of my head. "Goodnight, Noma."

"Goodnight, Kea."
As I fall asleep in his arms, I feel a sense of contentment that I haven’t felt in a long time. Despite the challenges, being with Kea makes everything feel right.