Unhinged Love

CHAPTER 42

Last night was a very emotional night. I didn't anticipate being that vulnerable in front of Melisizwe but in a way, it brought us closer. I felt like I could trust him fully and I think, no, I am ready to commit fully to him without any reservations. I know shit will hit the fan the moment Mbulelo finds out. But I am ready to face anything as long as Melisizwe will be by my side. We shared a bed but we did nothing. Well, except share a lot of kisses. When I woke up this morning, he wasn't next to me though.

Anyways, I get up from the bed and head to the bathroom. I relieve myself and brush my teeth before putting on my gown and checking on my socials as I head to the kitchen. I answer some of the DMs on our business page and just as I settle on the bar stool, the kitchen door opens and my silver fox walks in. He is wearing gym clothes and has headsets on. He removes them when he sees me. He smiles and my insides melt. This man is handsome. He is not drop dead gorgeous or any exaggerated beauty. He is just an attractive man and his personality is the most attractive trait he has. A full package if I can say.

"Good morning, MaNdiyema. How is it that you look so beautiful so early in the morning? Have you already put on make-up" I laugh as he comes to hug me. He kisses my forehead.
"Uyaphosisa Donda. (You are lying)" He laughs.
"Keep on saying my clan names like that and I will find myself proposing tonight." He says jokingly.
"Okay Melisizwe." He laughs even louder. "Were you out jogging?" I ask as he opens the fridge and takes out bottled water. He nods as he takes a sip. "You are what our generation call a snack."

He snorts. "Stop objectifying me, Ntokazi." I laugh. "This weekend, you only have one decision to make. And that is deciding where we will eat breakfast this morning. The rest, I have planned throughout. So, I am giving you a few minutes to decide." He comes closer and pouts. I chuckle and perk his lips.
"Full breakfast or coffee and cake type of breakfast?" I ask and he squints his eyes.

"I am fine with any place as long as you are my date." He brushes my cheek before walking away. This man has that thing of seducing you without even doing anything too sexual. I am no saint but I am not planning on sleeping with him this weekend. I don't want it to seem like I am easy just because he is generous or anything.

***

Watching him drive has got to be the sexiest thing ever. He is dressed in a gold tee, knee length denim shorts and sneakers. He smells so good watching his arm flex is a huge turn on. Also, I understand why most women love being passenger princesses. Having a view like this is the best.

"Ntokazi, are you listening to me?" His voice snaps me out of my day dream. I look at him and he chuckles. He caught me gawking at him.
"Yeah." I clear my throat. "I am sorry if that was weird for you. You are just a sight to behold."
He snorts. "As long as it's you, I don't mind. I also wish I can stare at you all day long but I don’t want to cause any accidents." I laugh. God, being around him makes me carefree.

We eat breakfast at ZAI in Florida Road and then continue our drive. I don’t even know where we are headed but I am not worried. Melisizwe looks like someone who does great surprises. We get to Kloof and he drives to the Krantzkloof Nature Reserve. When we get to the entrance, I am a bit stunned by the Isuzu double cabs lined up. He parks the car and we climb off. I spot a few couples standing by the cars. He takes my hand and we head there.

"Sanibonani." He greets and everybody turns to look at us. Mainly me. I notice that most of the guys are a bit old, like him. Some of the ladies are young and some are matured. They all come to shake hands with us. "This is my woman, Hlengiwe, and baby, these are my friends and their people.”
“Nice to meet you all.” I wave a little. I won’t even bother learning their names. I am terrible with those.

Melisizwe turns to look at me. “We are here for a hiking trail. The Isuzu D-Max is new, so we want to test it out, see if it can handle the pressure before buying it. You wanna drive?" I look at him with a smile on my face. I have driven an SUV before but driving on this territory, it brings out my adrenaline junkie personality. He chuckles. “Judging by that smile, I guess it’s a yes. And don’t worry about going crazy and getting lost. There is a navigator inside.”

“I can’t wait.” I squeal and he just shakes his head, smiling, before he goes to take the car keys. There is an instructor who tells us the do's and don'ts  before we start.

After that mini induction, we get into the cars and start the trail. Most of the couples are riding together and a small part of me wish to have been riding with Melisizwe but this is one of those experiences you just want to have alone so that even if you reminisce about them in the future, it won't be tainted. I test the car’s limits but increasing the speed in the mountains and I squeal as the beast adjusts to my craziness. We drive for a while until we get to a clearing where most of the cars stop. I also park beside them. When I finally climb off, I rush to Meli who is standing with his friends chatting about something. I just throw myself at him and he laughs, wrapping his arms around me.

“My God. That was so exciting, Mnguni. I enjoyed every minute of it. It was exhilarating. When are we doing it again?” I ask, jumping around and his friends laugh. That is enough to dampen my excitement.
He smiles, looking down at me and not letting me go. “I am glad you had fun, Ntokazi enhle. I might buy it for myself and let you drive it every once in a while, how about that?”
I smile widely. “Music to my ears.”

“If my woman was this crazy about a double cab, I would wife her immediately.” One of his friends comments and Meli chuckles.
“You have already wasted that girl’s time, Bongani. It’s only fair that you marry her. You have the means. Don’t be fooled by my woman’s excitement.” Melisizwe responds. His friend just chuckles and sips water. “Let’s go eat.” He announces and leads me to a very beautiful table set up. Some of the ladies are already seated while others are taking pictures.

“Can you please take pictures of me?” I ask Meli already handing him my phone. He captures a few photos and then he asks one of his friends to photograph us both. Mnguni is a poser shame. We head back to the table and immediately start eating.

“So what do you do, Hlengiwe?” One of the older women ask.
“I am a chef.” I respond with a smile.
“You work at a restaurant? Which one? Is it in Florida?” A younger woman asks. I chuckle.
“I do work at a restaurant alongside my friends. And it is located in Richards Bay, in the North Coast.”

“So you are just a cook? How did you end up with someone like Melisizwe?” another asks. I feel like this is an interrogation and I am just going to take them where they want to go.
“I used to date his son but then I saw that grass was greener on his side and here we are.” Melisizwe laughs and I give him a look. He quickly covers his laugh with a cough.

“I knew it. I can spot a gold digger from a mile away.” I think her name is Thabi. She is younger and she is seated next to Bongani.
“Yeah, worse Melisizwe is a platinum mine, so I hit a jackpot.” I respond with a wide smile, sipping on my drink.

“Okay. I will stop everyone right there. As much as this exchange is entertaining, I need everyone to know that Hlengiwe is not a gold digger or a platinum digger. She is my woman and I am proud of the person she is. She has achieved a lot in life. She may be a cook or a chef but she is one of the smartest and ambitious people on this table. And while you are on your investigative mood, google Chef Hlengiwe Mabuyakhulu.” Melisizwe states and everyone goes quiet. Such a buzz kill. I was ready to get sassy with these ladies. The number of clap backs on my tongue. I was about to unleash my inner Nqobile yazi. But I am glad that he stood up for me. It shows that I am dating a man not a boy.