Unhinged Love

CHAPTER 41

MELISIZWE MNGUNI

Having Hlengiwe in my space is the best feeling ever. The women I have dated after my divorce, we only went to hotels or my bachelor pad in South Beach. I have never bought them here on in my Durban North house. Mainly because I knew nothing good was going to come out of those relationships. With Hlengiwe, I know that she is the one I have been looking for and even though many odds are against us, I will make sure I don’t let her slip through my fingers.

What she did, buying the groceries even with my money, may seem small but to me, it just showed how considerate she is. I know she is independent and a very successful business woman but I just love taking care of my woman. That is not going to change just because she can afford to buy a brand new car any day.

When she fell asleep the moment she got to my house, that just indicated she was right at home. That this is her home and she is not going anywhere. Come hell and high waters. So among the plastic bags she brought when she came in, there was also a paper bag from Steers. I am not a fan on burgers but judging from the two burger meals she bought, I am assuming one of them is mine. But I will just wait till she wakes up. I am no Master Chef like her but I do know my way around the kitchen. So I defrost lamb chops and prepare a Greek Salad. Speaking of the beautiful angel, she walks a few moments later yawning and stretching her arms. She looks at me and frowns.

“I was going to cook for you.” She states, pouting a little and I chuckle.
“I know, love. But I thought I should get started since you were asleep and I was bored. Plus you are a guest in my house. I can’t make a guest cook unless I don’t want them to come back. I mean, would you let me cook in your house?”
“Probably not.” She murmurs, squints her eyes at me. “You know how to cook?”

I roll my eyes. A trait I got from Zama which I am not proud of. “You do remember me cooking for you and your ex, right?”
She chuckles and also rolls her eyes. “How could I forget? Anyways, what are you making?” She asks, washing her hands and sitting on a bar stool.

“It’s a surprise.” She snorts. I take out her burger meal from the microwave place it in front of her. “You want juice and soda?” She looks at me with an adoring look.
“This is so sweet. Thank you. I would like any juice that you have.” I nod and then pour her juice. She starts eating as I continue with the preparations. “So what have you got planned for the weekend?" She asks curiously.

“Most of it is a surprise but we are definitely going out tomorrow morning.” She rolls her eyes.
“I guess one should be used to your surprises.” I chuckle and nod. That’s just how I am. I love going all out for a woman I am interested in. She finishes eating and helps me with preparing for dinner.

When we are done, we take showers separately before changing into our sleepwear and eat dinner while watching TV.

“Tell me, what are your pet peeves?” She asks and I look at her. She is seated right next to me and I have to resist bringing her close to me and just showering her with kisses.
“What are pet peeves?” She laughs.
“My God. Now your age is showing.” I pinch her lightly and she laughs even more. Seeing her laugh warms up something in my heart. I think I am low-key obsessed with this woman.

“Pet peeves are some things that your partner does that annoys you to the core. For example loud chewing, leaving dirty dishes in the sink, snoring, those type of things that can be deal breakers in the long run. My pet peeves would be someone who chews loudly, someone who has a wondering eye, someone who objectifies women, someone who breathes loudly like he has been running or is asthmatic.”

I look at her and she laughs at my facial expression. “Are you discriminating the sinus population?” She laughs even more until tears come out of her eyes. She looks so carefree and childlike. I love her so much.

“I am not discriminating or anything. I just don’t want someone breathing like that while I am trying to get my beauty sleep. That’s the thing about our modern society. The moment you share your personal preference, people are quick to judge. You are not shaming other people, you are just saying you prefer these kind of people. So, what are your pet peeves?”

I scratch my beard a bit. “Someone who doesn’t see a problem with leaving the house dirty. Someone who doesn’t have respect for other people. Someone who snores. Not that I would dump you if you snore, ntokazi.” I brush her arm and she giggles. “One of my flaws in a relationship is that I don’t easily give up. I try to make things work and only give up when I am certain that the other person doesn’t want me the way I want them. For example, you.” She rolls her eyes and laughs, looking the other way. “No, ngibheke ntokazi. (Look at me.)” She clears her throat and looks at me.

“I haven’t given up on you yet because I know you might be ashamed of the relationship you had with my son. That’s the only thing that’s holding you back from going to the deep end with me. You are a very kind and confident person and I just know that if I let you go, I might not get someone like you ever again. You are one of a kind, ntokazi and you are slowly worming your way into my heart.” A tear slowly falls down her cheek and I wipe it.

“I don’t want words, Qwabe. I have seen some of your actions but I don’t want you to sell me dreams. When I love, I love hard and I trust whole-heartedly. You know trust is like spilled water. Even if you find a way to absorb it, it won’t go back to the same state. If I give you my heart, you won’t break it or play with it, right?” She gives me the most vulnerable look I have ever seen. I just open my arms and she crawls right into them.

“I won’t sell you dreams but you are the most important person after my children. I will never hurt you intentionally and I promise to worship the ground you walk on.” I wrap my arms around her.

“How do I feel so comfortable around you? I just feel like I wanna break down in tears and be vulnerable knowing that you won’t use that against me in any way. I feel like I can trust you. Is that crazy?”
“I am not a sociopath. I would never use your vulnerability against you. Protecting your emotional health is a priority to me and I think seeing you be vulnerable with me will make me fall even harder for you.”

She sniffs and looks up at me. “If you ever break my heart or toy with my feelings, I won’t stop Mndeni from ending your life.”
I chuckle and wipe the tears that keep falling. “I will drive myself to the grave if I hurt you. Uyiqanda lami wena.” I kiss her.