MINE

CHAPTER 5 : NEW LIVES?

NARRATED

Tintswalo settled into her plane seat, feeling the weight of her departure. The months of anticipation, filled with restless nights and endless daydreams, had finally led to this moment. As she buckled her seatbelt and adjusted her luggage, memories flooded her mind: laughter with loved ones, familiar streets, and cherished traditions.

As the engines roared to life, mixed emotions swirled within her: excitement for the new experiences, people, and places awaiting her, yet sadness at leaving behind the comfort and security of home. Building a new life in unfamiliar surroundings was daunting – navigating unknown neighborhoods, forging new connections, and discovering hidden gems.

But Tintswalo drew on her inner strength, knowing it had carried her through life's previous challenges. She took a deep breath, feeling the thrill of uncertainty and the promise of growth. With a quiet determination, she closed her eyes, ready to embark on this transformative journey.

MEANWHILE IN MAYFAIR LONDON

Kosi settled into her sister's cozy apartment, adjusting her laptop for a video call with Nora, her best friend since childhood. They had grown up together in South Africa before Kosi moved to the UK for university.

As Nora's face appeared on screen, Kosi chuckled at her friend's signature bright pink scarf and contagious smile .

Kosi : "heyyy"  she greeted excitedly

Nora: "that sounded so gay !!"  She joked

Kosi: "fuck off" she said chuckling

Nora: "Seriously, your accent has changed in just a month!" She teased with her eyes sparkling with amusement.

Kosi rolled her eyes.

Kosi : "No, it hasn't! You're being dramatic."

Nora's expression turned sly.
Nora : "You are glowing and that can only mean one thing, have you met someone new?"

Kosi's cheeks turned red, and she looked away, hesitant to reveal her secret.

Nora pounced on Kosi's silence.

Nora : "What the heck! You were crying about Tintswalo a few months ago and how you can't find her and now you've moved on?"

Her voice was laced so loud it sounded as if she was ready to pounce on Kosi

Kosi :"It's been five months, Nora and you said i should forget about her and she's just a little crush so allow me to move on."

She defended herself feeling like she's said the smartest thing on Earth and Nora just shook her head in disbelief

Nora : "I'm shocked. You were heartbroken."

Kosi sighed, reflecting on how she suffered to find Tintswalo

Kosi : "I know, but I've healed. And Ava...she's different, what if Tswalo was just a ghost or something..."

Nora's curiosity was piqued.
Nora : " Forget about Tswalo ,tell me about her."

Kosi's eyes lit up as she thought of her

Kosi : "Her name is Ava. She's beautiful, sweet, and lovely. We met at a a book club, bonding over our shared love of African literature."

Nora : "Now we have Avocados!" They both burst into laughter.

Kosi : "no man her name is Ava..." she said that after catching her breath

Nora : " and since when do you go to book clubs ? And since when do you love African literature?"

Kosi sighed as she remembered how much Tswalo spoke about African literature and how much of a bookworm she was and she just felt close to her whenever she'd read .

Nora wrapped up the call since there was total silence
Nora :  "I'll call you back; I have things to do."

Kosi : "Take care of yourself."

Nora:  "Bye, bitch."

After the call, Kosi texted Ava, "Want to meet up for lunch tomorrow?" Ava agreed, and Kosi smiled, feeling elated.

As Kosi whispered to herself that she had hit the jackpot with Ava, little did she know what she'd gotten herself into

With the challenges of cultural differences, Ava's mysterious past , and kosi's lingering feelings for Tintswalo, do you think Kosi will cope ?