Part 1
"You only get one shot, do not miss a chance to blow, this opportunity comes once in a lifetime". Eminem, Lose Yourself, 2002.
Those lyrics were so relevant at that exact moment. Whoever has seen someone being macked on in a taxi knows that it's a tricky situation that could go left for the instigator very quick. Imagine being rejected in a taxi full of people, you'd be so embarrassed that you'd even get off two stops early, emotionally scarred for life and the taxi suddenly becomes quiet while we bow our heads in shame and mourn the death of your ego.
I had a few options; A. Do nothing and risk not seeing you again for another 3 or so months, B. Go for it and risk potential rejection in front of people or C. Wait for you to get off and follow but I'd risk looking like a creep, decisions, decisions. Similar questions from the first time I saw you started flooding my brain again as the driver helped you with your luggage, you sat in front of me, should I tempt fate? "What would I even say to you? Should I open with a pickup line? Should I drop money and pretend it's yours? No, I'm broke, bad idea."
*tick tock, tick tock*
It's been 20 minutes since you got in and I'm petrified to make my advances, we'd be reaching our destination soon. Just as I was busy making up my mind I hear a sudden, "first stop" and you get off. I leap so quickly I surprise myself and startle the lady napping next to me, you get off and I follow. You're standing there trying to figure out how you'll heave all that heavy luggage meanwhile I just have a backpack and a laptop bag. "Okay Thapelo, use that to your advantage, it's now or never".
I open my mouth to talk but the words don't come out. You're now walking away slowly and I'm paralysed with fear, for a second I thought I couldn't breathe but I snapped out of it when I heard a car hoot behind me. Ah, fuck it...
"E...Excuse me, s...sorry". You turned around, looking slightly irritated, slightly puzzled and in that moment time seemed to slow down, the cars were moving slowly and I felt like I was in one of those low budget music videos with bad editing and CGI.
You were a vision, a sight to behold, you looked better up close, in fact you looked prettier than the last time. You had on a pair of blue ripped jeans, no glasses this time, your hair was down and dancing gently in the wind over your white top and your sleeves were rolled up, your sandals displaying the cutest toes I had ever seen and you smelled amazing!
"She's out of your league" a voice in my head suddenly said. "Shut up!" I said out loud before I could stop myself. "Excuse me?!?" you replied, mortified.
"No no, not you it was the voice... I'm sorry"
You stood there looking confused and scared, I actually thought you'd pull out your pepper spray or a taser or something)
"C... Can I help you with that?" I stuttered.
The moment of truth; I braced for impact, expecting the worst but you said sure although you were looking unsure. I took the biggest of your three bags, which felt like it had dinosaur bones in it but I couldn't let you think I'm weak even as I felt my knees buckle as I heaved the heavy luggage, trying hard not to pant like the out of shape loser that I am.
We exchanged pleasantries, you told me your name is Keletso and you were a first year law student from Pretoria originally but you moved to Potch with your family recently. We hit it off instantly! I told you about the first time I saw you, not leaving out a single detail, you were laughing so much I thought you were faking it at some point.
I complimented your laugh (you said you hated it) while trying to cover your mouth, your teeth were sparkling like white champagne. You told me you broke up with Arnold Schwarzenegger because he cheated with your now ex-best friend. I consoled you, faking my concern but to be honest my heart was doing backflips, fuck Mr Supplements.
You were a pretty cool person, very smart, extremely articulate; you intimidated me a bit in fact. We reached your destination which was a block away from where we got off, which happened to be a dentist's office. "My father's" you explained probably because you noticed the dumb look of confusion on my face... "I'm going to hang out here for a bit then we'll go home later", I said I understood, my voice layered with disappointment because we wouldn't continue our conversation. I took a leap of faith and asked for your number, you gave it to me and we texted over the holidays and went out a few times after recess. The rest is, as they say... history.
