SHATTERED DREAMS

CHAPTER TWENTY-ONE

It was a typical Tuesday morning when I first noticed the bouquet. I opened the door to grab the newspaper, and there it was—my favorite flowers, a stunning arrangement of vibrant sunflowers and delicate white lilies. The sight made my heart flutter. I couldn't help but smile as I picked them up, inhaling their sweet scent. There was a small card attached, and my fingers trembled with excitement as I opened it.

Hlelo, I can’t wait to see you tonight. Dress up; I have a surprise for you. Love, Sbanisethu.

My heart raced at the thought of a surprise. I felt like a giddy schoolgirl, all my anxieties melting away. Sbanisethu always knew how to make me feel special, and I was intrigued by what he had planned.

As I placed the bouquet in a vase on the kitchen counter, I noticed the clock ticking away. I had a whole day to wait, and the anticipation was nearly unbearable. I busied myself with chores, but my mind kept drifting back to Sbanisethu and what he might have in store for me.

Later that afternoon, just as I was starting to think about what to wear, there was a knock at the door. I opened it to find a delivery person holding a beautifully wrapped package.

“Delivery for you, Miss Hlelo,” they said with a smile, handing it over.

Curious, I brought it inside and carefully peeled back the wrapping. Inside, I found an elegant evening dress—deep emerald green, flowing, and stunning. My breath caught in my throat. It was a style I would never have chosen for myself, but it looked exquisite.

As I dug deeper into the package, I discovered a pair of matching heels and a note.

I thought you might like this for our date tonight. Trust me; you’ll look breathtaking. See you soon!

With my heart racing, I knew Sbanisethu had put a lot of thought into this. It made me feel cherished, and the excitement bubbling inside me was almost overwhelming.

Just when I thought the surprises were over, my phone buzzed with a message. It was from Sbanisethu again.

I’ve arranged for a hair and makeup artist to come over before our date. They’ll be there in an hour. Get ready to be pampered!

I squealed in delight, the reality of the night ahead setting in. I rushed to tidy up my room, putting away clothes and straightening up. I wanted everything to be perfect.

The doorbell rang soon after, and I opened the door to a cheerful woman with a makeup kit in hand.

“Hi! You must be Hlelo! I’m Nandi, and I’m here to make you look fabulous for your big night,” she said with a warm smile.

I could hardly believe this was happening. I let her in and settled into a chair as she began to work her magic. As she applied the makeup, we chatted about the upcoming evening. She asked about Sbanisethu and our relationship, and I couldn’t help but beam with pride as I recounted our journey together.

After Nandi finished, I stood in front of the mirror, marveling at the transformation. My hair flowed elegantly down my shoulders, and my makeup highlighted my features perfectly. I slipped into the emerald dress, feeling like a queen. The heels added just the right touch of glamour.

When I glanced at the clock, I realized it was almost time to meet Sbanisethu. My heart raced with anticipation. I took a deep breath, trying to calm my nerves. This night felt monumental—a celebration of us, our journey, and the love we had built together.

As I stepped out of the house, I couldn’t help but feel that everything was falling into place. I was ready for whatever Sbanisethu had planned, and I knew that no matter what, we would face it together.