Khwezikazi.
I go by the trea with a bottle of water and a tub of orange slices in my hands and obviously sunscreen. Although He's been under that shade with all those men but I can physically see the brightness diming from his skin.
I don't stand too close to the group I just wait a safe distance at a tree nearby and I watch him socialize about and be a man among all these other Gumede men until he finally sees me and he excuses himself and he comes to where I am standing. A small blush creeps up my face when he comes closer and a small smile appears on his own perfect lips.
"Sawubona."
[Hy.]
He says and I respond like the shy girl I am inside while I add a little sway to my body.
"Sawubona."
I reply.
"Unjani ?"
He asks and I try to hide my blush this time and I look away from him and down at my feet.
"Ngiyaphila wena unjani?"
"Hau ngiphilile kahle mese u la."
He says and I look at him again.
"I brought you some snacks just to keep you going , I thought you might be hungry while we're still getting the food prepared that side. I know you have a huge appetite and some sunscreen."
I say as I sneak them over to him and he stuffs the sunscreen in the pocket of his overalls and he holds onto the tub of orange slices and he smiles at me when he looks at what's inside.
"Is this a bribe ?"
He asks as he opens his water and he takes a sip and I smile too.
"Maybe ? You don't like bribes ?"
"I like bribes, very much."
He says and I giggle and he smiles at me as I continue to stare at him now.
"I just wanted to see you, I missed you for a moment there."
I tell him honestly and he tilts his head at me.
"You missed me ?"
He asks with this soft tone in his voice, like it's the first times he's hearing me say this.
"Yeah I did... it's just... it's really overwhelming being here and you've always been the only place I can find an escape... so here I am escaping."
I say the last part nervously.
Being here reminds me a lot of my father's side of the family and their treatment towards me, it all feels a little too familiar that every once in a while I need to remind myself that I am not at that place anymore, ive moved on from it but it's people like Saneles relatives that show me that no one can ever truly move on from it.
He takes my hand inside of his and he gives it a little rub before he kisses it a few times and I give him a small smile.
He knows.
He looks at me again and he gives me a small smile.
"I did say that this might get a little intense for you."
He reminds me and I shake my head at him.
"It's okay, its just until Sunday."
I try to assure him but this look of concern still remains on his face.
"Do you need me to talk to them ?"
"No, but I appreciate the gesture, plus tea duty allows me to be able to avoid them so, I think I am good for now."
I say as I add another small nervous laugh at the end.
"Okay, Just don't stay on your feet for long, you know how I feel about that."
He says and I roll my eyes.
"Yes mom."
"Ingidlali nawe phela Mina."
[I am not playing with you.]
He says as he gently tugs at my arm reminding that he's serious about this.
"Fine i won't stay on my feet for too long."
