UNCONDITIONAL

TWENTY-ONE

Walking into the mall with my mother to do her monthly grocery shopping. I take her monthly for her grocery shopping because she hates driving and the traffic. she prefers I to take her because I am the only one who drives like a sane person,according to her. We are having a conversation when I suddenly hear...

'Purrrrse'

There is only one person who pronounces my name like that and I can't help but love her. I turn around to find her running towards me and her older sister screaming at her not to run in the parking lot but she pays her no mind as she runs straight into my arms.

' Hey princess Faith'

She can't help but smile shyly everytime I call her princess.

'Hey purse. Hi'

She waves to my mom who is standing next to me. My mother smiles and replied back

'Hello young lady'

Faith laughs before whispering in my ear that my friend is beautiful. Of which I correct her,telling her that is my mom. The twins walk up to us,greeting both my mother and I as their older brother follows behind them.

'Guys where is your mother?'

'She went back to the car to get our shopping bags. ... there she comes'

Her oldest son says. I look up from playing with Faith to see Khanyi walking up to us while talking on her phone. My mom whispers to me that she is beautiful. I just smile in agreement with her. Khanyi is beautiful and I find it hard not to fall for her. Not just her physical beauty but also her internal beauty.

'Mommy look,Purse!'

It has been two weeks since she poured a drink on me and I have been trying to get incontact with her daily since that day. I even want to her place of work but somehow she managed to evade me. I contemplated going to ask my dad to get her to talk to me but my pride would not let me.

'Percy.... Mrs Richardson,afternoon'

'Khanyi,how many times should I tell you that my mother in law is Mrs. Richardson. I am Yvonne'

I look from my mom to Khanyi,I don't believe that they know each other. All this time I have been talking to my mom about Khanyi while she knew exactly who I was talking about. I can't believe these two.

'So you two know each other.'

'Yes I have met her on numerous occasions at your father's company'

My mom responds.

'Khanyi come let's catch up,I haven't seen you in months.'

My mother walks off with Khanyi while the kids and I follow behind them with two large trolleys. Something tells me I will be paying for more than just my mother's groceries. The kids and I chat about this and that while filling up the trolleys. My mother and Khanyi walk around the supermarket like mother and daughter. I can't help but be curious at who they are giggling about.

'what so funny you two,could you share the joke please'

'Wouldn't you like to know! I think that's all I need honey. Khanyi is that all love?'

'Yes mama'

'Good,come with me to the triumph store Khanyi. While Percy and the kids pay for the grocries. We will meet them outside'

Khanyi tries to give her eldest money to pay for her groceries but my mom drags her away.

'I told you Percy will pay!'

She says putting emphasis on Percy and pay. I don't mind paying but it is funny how my mother orders everyone around. The kids and I continue with the grocery shopping. Khanyi has not spoken a word to me but I deserve that.