Prelude to kisses

Chapter 17

When she arrived at Victoria Falls bus station, she looked at the text on her phone again. I will be in the coffee shop, it's kind of packed tonight, it read. Jossie worked at a coffee shop called 'Bus Stop Cafe'. As her grandmother always said, you can't get lost in a country full of people. So, with that she approached a street vendor packing fruits and vegetables into a crate, ready to go home and call it a day.

She pointed to their right and gave her directions and send her off with a smile. When she opened the door to the cafe, warmth hit her face, it was packed, almost every table occupied and a long line in front of her. She'd seen about a thousand pictures of Jossie by now that as soon as she walked out of the back holding a tray with iced coffee Jackie immediately walked towards her.

"Hey, Jossie right?"

"Jackie, hey I'm sorry I couldn't come get you, but my shift is almost over. Can I get you anything?"

"I'm so hungry, what's on the menu?"

"Hmm you should try our sandwiches and blueberry muffin. It's simply the best".

Jackie giggled and was ushered to an empty table which she later shared with a girl in bright pink and black braids. She carelessly swinged her legs under the table as she typed on her computer. Jossie came out later on in her normal clothes with a purse slung over her shoulder. She was so small and petite. With dark straight relaxed hair. She had the most gorgeous dark cat-like eyes. 

"You ready?", she asked as she got closer.

Jossie helped her with her bags, a taxi was waiting just outside the building. The driver helped them with the bags and in less than seven minutes they were parked in front of a house. It was only when they were inside the yard that she realized there was another house at the back. When Jossie opened the door, she was welcomed by a lavender scent. The small kitchen was adorned with plants and flowers on the counter, it was small yet simple and beautiful. Jossie led her into the bedroom, and it was so Jossie that Jackie felt misplaced. It fitted her completely, she didn't want to touch anything.

"This is me", she said throwing herself of the bed.

"It's very pretty, very you".

"Thanks, there's the bathroom. I'm sure you could use a bath more than me right now".

"You have no idea."

"There's space in the closet for your stuff and I have an extra towel if you'd like."

"No, don't worry I'm sure mine is not that far".

"Okay, I didn't do the dishes last night so I'm going to do that right now while you take a shower".

She was about to leave when Jackie said, "Thank you so much Jossie, this means a lot".

"Don't worry about it. Make yourself comfortable".

When Jossie was out into the kitchen, she looked around again, it was so warm and cozy. With movie collections and a few magazines on the table. Plants and flowers added a touch of life and color to the yellow painted walls.

After a soothing shower, she packed everything she could fit into the closet before moving her bags under the bed. She went out to find Jossie cleaning the stove with the phone to her ear. "She arrived safely", she was speaking into the phone.

She turned at the sound of footsteps behind her, "She's here, I'm giving her the phone", she said as she handed Jackie the phone.

"Hey Angie".

"Hey how was your journey, I got worried when you didn't call''.

"I'm okay, I don't remember where I put my phone, I must be really tired".

"Okay, I will let you sleep. Call me tomorrow", she said before hanging up the phone.

"She's still the same I see".

Jackie laughed before sitting down on the chair, "Yeah, it's so weird being this far from her".

"Hey, I'm pretty cool too", Jossie said lightheartedly before joining her.

"I don't doubt it", she looked around the home again before admitting that her house was beautiful.

"You must be tired; you should get some rest. I have an early shift tomorrow too".

They walked back into the bedroom, Jackie immediately falling to sleep as soon as her head the pillow. The last sound she heard was the sound of the running shower before she succumbed to darkness.