It was a relatively calm night with a swift ocean breeze , dandelions in full bloom and the bright luminous moon lingering above. We made our way out towards the tree where Mikhail gently rested his back , But as usual I was the one to have the first word.
"why are you really here , and please don't make up some pathetic excuse?" I said eager for his answer
"hmmm .. do you mean here as in outside with you? or here as in this strange country?" He said aware of how much it would irritate me
"here my country my amazing country !!" I yelled barely attracting attention
I just called my country amazing .. that would be a first
Before answering me , Mikhail took my hand in his , his soft touch against mine and raised it to his lips , he gently kissed my hand and after held it with his in a firm yet gentle grip and said " you know as well as I do that I am here for you"
5 seconds later he left my hand and strutted of back to the reception leaving me dazed and confused
I caught my breath and tried to rationalise everything that had just taken place . One minute he tells me our kiss is a mistake and the next he flies half way across the world to see me ? Clearly I could see he was going to be the death of me.
****
I spent my night replaying that moment in my head a million times and I still hadn't made sense of it all but practicality is my new mantra and this whole flirtationship thing I've got going with \Mikhail is a distraction and is not helping me achieve my dreams.
I decided to forget it , if that was even possible and enjoy my last two days in south Africa , it's only after you leave that you miss it and all it's dysfunctions and quirks and plus all my school friends came down for the wedding soooo HELLO REUNION , just what I need to forget about boys, well a boy in particular
***
We scheduled a picnic at the local botanical gardens , I have always loved that place , with all it beauty that nature has to offer and as a little girl I wished that my true love would get down on one knee near the duck pond and propose at sunset . Yeah I lived in some sort of fantasy world back then , thankfully I have left my whims and fancies in the past.
All my favourite things were there cupcakes , pastries, strawberries with whipped cream, savouries and of course my friends.
We spent about two hours just discussing all the new adventures in different countries and my own in comparison seemed like nothing . Why did all my friends have to be freaky genius successful people void of all romantic notions?
But as I was stuffing my face I recognized a boy , not a boy but THE BOY.
I nudged Celine and asked frantically if I was seeing right and that was actually Mikhail and to my disappointment it was.
I got up and went in his direction
" are you stalking me ? seriously?" I said peeved as ever
" Quite the contrary little lady , I am in fact here on a date" He said grinning away
" what with who? your imaginary girlfriend?" I said thinking I had the upper hand
'I'd turn around if I were you" He said sure of himself
I turned around to see what was basically the prettiest girl in existence and I mean like Victoria's secret model pretty. Now I just felt stupid and awkward but most importantly heartbroken . A date ? really and she's gorgeous but no I shouldn't be jealous , I can't let him see it .
so that took an unconventional turn of events although Mikhail is still a douche what do you think faatimah should do?
