Zamageda his heart

Chapter 32

As I slowly open my eyes, my gaze falls upon a vibrant arrangement of white tulips, an orange box, and a smaller, elegant Van Cleef & Arpels box perched atop. The contrast between the lush flowers and luxurious packaging momentarily distracts me from the exhaustion weighing me down. I feel heavier than yesterday, and the morning routine already seems daunting.Glancing at the clock, I realise I've overslept, missing the chance to see my kids off to school. With effort, I drag myself to the bathroom to refresh. The shower, unfortunately, doesn't provide its usual revitalising effect. Opting for a lightweight summer dress despite the gloomy weather, I try to shake off the lingering fatigue. The sticky note on the Van Cleef & Arpels box catches my eye: "Will be back shortly." 

I chuckle at the vintage Alhambra bracelet and Hermès Oran sandals – Sandra's style, through and through. But the man who chose them? Clueless. I take the white tulips downstairs, arranging them in vases, and indulge in Madlamini's delicious breakfast spread. As I respond to birthday wishes from friends and colleagues, my thoughts turn bittersweet. Usually, I spend my birthday surrounded by family, but this year, I dread it. For the second time, Dad won't be here, and for the first time, Mom won't be either. They've witnessed most of my milestones, but missed the biggest ones – walking me down the aisle, seeing me become a director. The pain overwhelms me, and I sob.

Zipho's concerned voice breaks through my tears. "What's wrong, baby?" He lets me cry, not pressing for answers. When I compose myself, I ask, "What time is my flight?" "11 a.m.," he replies, embracing me. "Madlamini's packed for you and the kids. We'll pick them up from school; I wanted them to say goodbye to their friends." He adds, "I dropped the car at the airport; you'll find it in Durban." "Thank you, baby," I say, kissing him deeply, longing for him. We steal away upstairs, surrendering to our desires, cherishing this moment before our week apart.

As we ascend to our sanctuary, his gentle touch ignites a fire within me. His hands cradle my face, and our lips meet in a tender, passionate kiss. The world outside melts away, leaving only the two of us, lost in this moment. his eyes lock onto mine, filled with understanding and desire. He sweeps me into his arms, and I wrap myself around him, our bodies aligning in perfect harmony. Time stands still as we indulge in each other's love, our connection strengthening with every passing moment. The pain of my parents' absence and the uncertainty of the future fade away, replaced by the certainty of our love. In his embrace, I find solace, comfort, and passion. Our love becomes my sanctuary, my safe haven. As we cherish our final moments together, I know that this love will sustain me through the challenging days ahead.

As our love-filled interlude comes to an end, reality sets back in. He gently brushes my belly, his eyes filled with affection. "I'll miss you," he whispers. "Me too," I reply, my voice barely above a whisper. We share one last, lingering kiss before he helps me gather my belongings. Madlamini has thoughtfully packed everything, including a heartfelt note wishing me a wonderful birthday. At the door, he hands me a small gift box. "For later," he says with a smile. With a mix of sadness and gratitude, I take one last look at our home, knowing I'll be away for a week.

The drive to the airport is filled with Namisa's yapping, each of us lost in thought. He takes my hand, his touch a comforting reminder of his love. As we reach the airport, he walks us to the gate, his arms wrapped around me. "Call me as soon as you land," he says, his voice filled with emotion. "I will," I promise, standing on tiptoes to kiss him. With a final glance, we board the plane, leaving him behind. The flight to Durban is bittersweet, memories of past birthdays with my parents flooding my mind. I unwrap the gift he gave me – a beautiful, delicate necklace with a small, shimmering opal, my birthstone personalised i chuckle in appreciation uyangithanda lomfana and he listens attentively when i talk his ears off because he wouldn't have know about this if he was not listening.