Noma and Kea

CHAPTER 31

The following morning, I wake up cuddling Ntokozo. What I said must’ve really hurt her. I get out of bed and Lindy is already up, sitting on the couch watching TV.
“Ja, Wena” I say. She looks at me and nods, that’s how we greet each other in the morning. We aren’t a morning family. I walk to the bathroom and clean my face, I start making breakfast while looking at my phone, to see if I have any texts. No I don’t, just a ‘Goodnight’ text from Kea at 1am. Ntokozo walks to the bathroom and sits on the couch. I hand everyone a bowl of cereal and we eat in silence while watching a K-Drama. Why are we eating in silence? you ask. Hangover is a BITCH, that’s why.
My phone starts ringing while we eating, “Switch it off!” they cry. I walk to my phone, and it’s Kea. I walk to my room, “Hello” I say tired.
“Heyy, you sound like you are tired?” he asks.
“We had too much to drink yesterday” I say.
“OH, well what are the plans today, you wanna spend time with your boyfriend?” he asks.
“I would love too, but I promised my sister, I’d take her out for Lunch, just before she goes to her event at Motion” I say.
“At Motion?” he asks.
“Yeah Maphorisa is coming right?” I ask.
“Oh yeah, sorry I have had a lot on my mind” he says.
“You OK?” I ask.
“Yeah, check I gotta go, can I come later on?” he asks.
“Yeah” I reply.
“Oh yeah and babe…” he says.
“Yeah?” I ask.
“I LOVE YOU!” he shouts and starts laughing, my head is ringing. Mara lomfana, and he’s laughing. “I love you too” I say and hang up. I shuffle myself to the couch and we sit there before letting reality kick in. I’M NEVER DRINKING AGAIN, I DON’T CARE IF THERE’S AN EVENT. I’M NOT DRINKING.

We are having lunch at Aroma Gourmet Coffee Roastery. We are sitting inside and they playing Jazzy music. This is the vibe, I’m into. Kea brought me here for our 4th date and I have been in love with the place ever since.
“So Noma, what is Kea like?” asks Lindy.
I nervously chuckle, because I know, I can never tell them how he actually is. So I always have to tell half the truth, “He’s the best, he’s perfect for me” I say.
“So a man younger than you, is perfect?” asks Lindy.
I know where she’s going with this, “Yes, Lindy my man is perfect for me, are you gonna keep bitching about the fact that my boyfriend is younger than me?” I ask irritated.
“I’m just saying, but your right. How old is he?” she asks.
“24” I reply.
She nearly spits out her drink, and shoots me a look, “Sis he’s practically my age” she says.
I drop my head, “Yes I know, something else you wanna mention that I might have forgotten?” I ask sarcastically.
“You’re the one who told me just yesterday, my first time has to be with someone special” she says.
“Yes, and Kea is special, he’s special to me. I have never felt more loved or desired, then when he’s around” I say.
“Yeah, but he’s younger than you” she says.
“OK, Lindy, Love has made me blind, is that what you wanna hear me say?” I ask, for fuck sakes. “How come you, can do it and I can’t, because me and my partner have been on and off?” she asks.
“Because they have never been on and off” says Ntokozo who jumps in.
“Thank you” I say.
“Believe me Lindy, your first time is supposed to be special and memorable” she says.
“Thank you” I say again. She shakes her head and continues to eat, “I want him to meet, Mom, Dad and Mazwi”.
She chuckles, “Goodluck” she says.
“Come on” I say.
“Sis, the minute he tells them how old he is, dad is gonna kick him out and then he’ll tell you to never talk to him again” she says. I wish I could say, that she’s wrong, but she isn’t wrong our dad would react in that manner.
“Plus the fact he’s not Zulu could be a blow back too” she says.
“Oh dad, already knows he’s not Zulu” I say.
“Oh you poor thing” says Ntokozo.
“What?” I ask.
“Yeah, that relationship is definitely doomed” says Lindy laughing.
“What do you mean?” I ask.
“Listen you know I always got your back, but if dad says you can’t see Kea, imma keep quiet because Umemulo wam, is next year, I don’t want him remembering this” she says. Oh shit I forgot that’s next year, “That’s not gonna happen, they are gonna love Kea” I say and they both laugh.
“So what are yall doing for your birthday?” asks Lindy.
“Well that’s Kea’s planning he said, he has something special for me, I don’t know what it is” I say.
“So when you doing your license again?” asks Ntokozo.
“On Monday” I say.
“You think you gonna pass?” asks Lindy.
“Of course, why wouldn’t I” I say and wink.