Ghungroo - The Siren Call of Lovers (#1 - Completed)

Chapter 23 - E is for Engagement Party

A nice chunky chapter...and tomorrow since it's Valentines Day, my lovelies, another chapter...you're welcome:)

Chapter 23

"I think you got into the wrong car ma'am," Rahul says looking at me.

A big grin sits on his face. 

I smack him on the shoulder and grin back at him.

"Seriously, La. You look gorgeous. Always knew there was a lady somewhere under those slacks you use."

"Hey, you clean up pretty well, too," I say, eyeing him. He is dressed in a black suit and looks particularly handsome himself. He's normally in suits, but the well-tailored tux he's using now gives him that extra clean-cut, polished edge.

"Yeh, my James Bond look," he says, flicking his eyebrows up and down playfully . "It's a rental. You like?"

"Yeh, good Indian version. I like. A lot."

We both laugh.

Rahul peers out of the passenger window.

"Where's Tina? Is she not with you?"

"She's inside with Philippe. The Johny Depp look alike that helped me get ready."

I laugh again but this time Rahul does not join me. Instead, he pulls out onto the road and we head towards Riaan's parent's place.

Riaan's parents live in Franschhoek, which is about an hours drive from the centre of Cape Town. I sit back and turn up the AC hoping that the look Philippe has created for me does not melt away in the heat of the car.

The trip there is relaxed. It gives Rahul and I time to catch up. The hour moves quickly and before we know it we are in Franschhoek.

The town boasts century-old vineyards with a mix of old Cape Dutch and French provencial architecture. Some of the countries best restaurants are here and the cobbled streets and quaint little shops have made it a popular, country-style holiday destination.

It only makes sense that such a beautiful area be the home of the wealthy parents of Riaan Fredriche Zietman. Only the very wealthiest can afford to live in such a posh place and the Zietman's certainly are that.

We pass the quaint cobble-stoned streets and turn into a long, gravel road. Late afternoon is settling around us. Soon the sun will start to set. We turn yet again at a road sign that simply says 'Zietman', and ride up another gravel road.

The road is lined by large oak trees that create an intricate and lively pattern of lights and shadows on the road.

My stomach flutters just like the lively pattern that dances lightly around us.

We drive up to an ornate wooden gate. Rahul pulls down his window and punches a code into a keypad attached to a gooseneck metal pole.

The gates open slowly. We continue driving up the gravel road. In the distance I see a beautiful French-styled house that grows bigger as we get nearer.

On either side of the road, are rows of grapevines that wind their stems around wooden poles. To my delight I see that the vines have bunches of grapes hanging from them. There is something so special about fruit hanging from a tree. It leaves me in awe of nature. Maybe, it's because I never get to see such things living in the city.

No, I know it isn't that, even as the thought enters my head.

I know it's because of my father. He taught me to take pleasure in the little things in life. To appreciate sunsets, the sea, nature and spending time with the people you love.