~"You think a simple walk will make us friends?"~
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When 15-year-old Melokuhle Nanayemhle Bhengu and Ntsikayomuzi Ntando Nkosi first meet, they're anything but lovers-they're rivals. Competing for the top spot at school, their clashes are fi...
That’s all Ntsika heard as soon as he stepped into the hotel. Yoh, the way the crowd just came in with the loudness? You’d swear it was a concert. The whole place was decorated to kill—black with a touch of gold and silver, and I won’t even lie, it was giving luxury, soft life, money moves. This wasn’t just any birthday party; it was a whole production.
The theme was black with a pinch of silver or gold, so I went with a black dress that had a slit and silver shoulder straps nyana, paired with black heels and gold accessories. I actually wanted to wear gold heels, nehh, but hayi, they weren’t matching the vibe and moreover y'all know my relationship with heels.
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They didn’t even waste time. As soon as Ntsika walked in, the crowd broke into the birthday song. The cake? Yoh, it was one of those cakes that look too expensive to eat, standing tall like it had its own presence. Ntsika took the knife and started cutting while the cameras flashed like we were at the Grammys.
Everyone was there—his family, our squad, and then these other people who smelled like boardroom meetings. The type to wear suits even when they didn’t need to. Yoh, the way they stood in their little circles, whispering things that probably had to do with stocks and contracts? Yeah, those ones. No doubt, they were here for his dad.
I spotted Ntsika’s mom, and when our eyes met, she gave me a smile. A real one. Not that forced "oh, my son is dating you, so let me pretend" type. Meanwhile, Ntsika was getting introduced to all these serious-looking men who, by the way, did not look like they were here for cake.
An hour nyana later, it was time for gifts. Everyone lined up, handing Ntsika their presents. When my turn came, he looked at me with that smirk of his, already knowing I went all out. He took my gift, and before I could even process what was happening, he leaned in. Yoh! This boy was going for the lips, but ha-ah, I did a quick swerve and gave him the cheek. He just chuckled, shaking his head like he saw it coming.
Just as he was about to check what I got him, a deep voice cut through the moment.
"Ntando."
Ntsika straightened up immediately. "Baba."
Ntsika’s dad turned to me, his expression unreadable. "Ntombazane." Yoh.
Ntsika cleared his throat. "Uhm, Baba, this is Melo… my girlfriend."
His dad gave me a small smile—well, if you could even call it that. It was one of those polite, business smiles. "Sawubona."
I put on my best polite voice. "It’s nice to finally meet you, sir."
"Likewise." He shook my hand, firm but brief, like he was measuring something. Yoh, the energy? It was giving interview panel.
I turned to Ntsika. "Uhm, I’ll see you later, neh." No ways was I about to stand there feeling like I was being analyzed for a corporate position. I went to join Sipho at one of the tables.
