Sunny Side Up 🥹🫶

_Chapter 5_

Ntsika's POV:

As I watched Melokuhle drive away with her brother, I couldn't help but feel a sense of excitement. I'd taken a risk by asking for her number, but it had paid off. She'd seemed hesitant at first, but that smile she'd given me before leaving had said it all.

I pulled out my phone and sent her a quick text: "Hey. Looking forward to starting fresh."

I grinned to myself, feeling a sense of anticipation. What would it be like to get to know Melokuhle beyond our rivalry? To see beyond the facade and find out who she really was?

I leaned back against the wall, watching as the sun began to set. I had a feeling that this was just the beginning of something new. Something special.

As I waited for Melokuhle's response, my mind started to wander. What would we talk about? Would we be able to put our differences aside and start fresh?

My phone buzzed, snapping me back to reality. Melokuhle's response was simple: "Hey. Looking forward to it."

I grinned, feeling a sense of relief. Maybe this was going to work out after all.

I sent her another text, trying to sound casual. "So, what's your favorite food?"

I hesitated for a moment before hitting send. Was I really trying to get to know her, or was I just playing games?

Either way, I couldn't deny the excitement I felt as I waited for her response.

Melokuhle's response came quickly: "Pizza. Hands down. How about you?"

I chuckled to myself. Pizza was a good choice. I could work with that.

"Pizza's a close second for me," I texted back. "But I'm more of a burger guy myself."

I hesitated for a moment, wondering if I should ask her something deeper. But I didn't want to scare her off. Not yet.

"So, what's your favorite subject in school?" I asked instead.

Melokuhle's response surprised me: "Art. I love drawing and painting. How about you?"

I raised an eyebrow. Art wasn't what I had expected. But it made sense. Melokuhle was always so creative in her insults.

"History," I texted back. "I know it sounds boring, but I love learning about the past."

I hit send, wondering if I'd just made a mistake. Did I really want to get into deep conversations with Melokuhle?

But as I waited for her response, I realized that I did. I wanted to know more about her. I wanted to understand what made her tick.

Melokuhle's response came quickly:

Melo♡: History's actually really interesting! I've always loved learning about different cultures and time periods.

I smiled to myself, feeling a sense of connection. Maybe we had more in common than I thought.

"Exactly!" I texted back. "I love how history can teach us about the present and future. It's like, we can learn from our mistakes and stuff."

I hesitated for a moment, wondering if I should share something deeper. But Melokuhle seemed different now. She seemed...genuine.

"Hey, can I ask you something?" I texted, taking a risk.

"Sure, what's up?" Melokuhle responded.

I took a deep breath, typing out my question: "What's the real reason you've been so against me all this time?"

Melokuhle's response came after a few minutes: "Honestly, Ntsika? I just didn't like how you always seemed so entitled and arrogant. You'd strut around school like you owned the place, and it rubbed me the wrong way."

I winced, feeling a twinge of guilt. I had been pretty full of myself back then.

"Fair enough," I texted back. "I can see how I came across that way. But I've been trying to work on that."

Melokuhle's response was brief: "I've noticed. That's why I'm willing to start fresh."

I grinned, feeling a sense of relief. Maybe we could put our differences behind us after all.

Melo's POV:

I couldn't help but smile as I texted Ntsika back. It felt strange to be having a normal conversation with him, but at the same time, it was kind of...nice. I was starting to see a different side of him, one that wasn't so arrogant and entitled.

Just as I was about to respond to his last message, I heard a knock at my door. "Nana, dinner's ready!" my mother called out.

I sighed, feeling a bit frustrated at the interruption. I wasn't ready to stop talking to Ntsika yet. But I knew my mother wouldn't leave me alone until I came down.

"I'm coming, Mama," I replied, getting up from my bed.

As I made my way downstairs, I couldn't help but wonder what Ntsika would say next. And whether this newfound truce between us would actually last.

As I entered the kitchen, my mother greeted me with a warm smile. " Nana, I'm glad you're down. I made your favorite - umngqusho with chicken." She eyed me curiously, noticing my distracted expression. "Is everything okay,mtanami (my child)? You seem a bit... distant."

I forced a smile, trying to brush off my thoughts about Ntsika. "I'm fine, Ma. Just a bit tired, that's all." I took a seat at the table, trying to focus on the delicious food in front of me.

But my mother wasn't convinced. She sat down beside me, her eyes filled with concern. "Nana, I know you. Something's on your mind.Yini yi skole (What ,Is it school?) Or is it... a boy?" She raised an eyebrow, her voice playful but also probing.

I felt a flush rise to my cheeks, unsure of how much to reveal. But something about my mother's gentle tone put me at ease. "Ma... it's just someone I've been talking to. Someone I didn't expect to... connect with." I hesitated, unsure of how much to share.
One thing about me is that I tell my mom about everything and by that I mean EVERYTHING and the best thing is that she's very understanding about everything I tell her .

My mother's expression softened, her eyes filled with understanding. "Ah, Nana. Love can be unexpected, can't it? But be careful, my child. Make sure this person deserves your heart."

I nodded, feeling a mix of emotions. Was I really thinking about love? Or was this just a tentative truce with a former rival? I didn't know, but I was willing to explore this new connection with Ntsika. Little did I know, our conversation was only just beginning...

As I finished dinner, my mother's words lingered in my mind. "Make sure this person deserves your heart." I wondered if Ntsika was that person. We'd been rivals for so long, but our conversation earlier had shown me a different side of him.

I helped my mother clear the table, my thoughts drifting back to Ntsika's messages. I couldn't wait to respond and see where our conversation would go next.

As I headed back to my room, my phone buzzed with an incoming message. My heart skipped a beat as I saw Ntsika's name on the screen.

"Hey, Melokuhle. Just wanted to say thanks for talking with me earlier. It meant a lot," his message read.

I smiled, feeling a warmth spread through my chest. Maybe, just maybe, this was the start of something special.