Picture Perfect II

Chapter 17: A Sight For Sore Eyes

(A Woman Scorned, Part 2)

The following day Keletso woke up to a pungent smell of hospital disinfectant. The room was silent and her mom was by her bed side, she was informed she would be discharged today and Lerato wouldn't be laying any charges. Her mom told her she had been given notice to vacate the premises before the end of the week as this was the second time a fight broke out in her apartment.

I was oblivious to the fight of course. Chilling in my room before work, I was scrolling on Twitter when I received a text from a familiar number:

"You probably want nothing to do with me but I'd really like to see you. I don't want to leave on a sour note, I need closure, I need peace. So please, name the place and time and I'll be there, K."

I replied quicker than I was supposed to. "Okay, come to the bar around 12 today."

"That's perfect, thank you."

I wasn't so angry anymore, in fact I wanted to see her, I missed her. I wanted to be in her presence, I wanted to ask her how she was and tell her I'm sorry, I wanted to hear her out. I was scared though, maybe it was too late, I mean I slept with her best friend, how do I wiggle myself out of that one? I'm such an asshole, as much as I wanted to believe that she deserved it, I acknowledged that I stooped too low.

I wish I could take it back but I can't. Does she know? Has Lerato snitched on us? Maybe she said I seduced her. Maybe I should cancel the meeting? "Okay, Thapelo calm down. Breathe, you're being irrational, just play it cool and you'll be fine." I was trying to talk myself out of seeing her but I knew it had to be done, it was long overdue.

I got ready for work and headed out, I was performing my managerial duties while distracted but all was going well, I even convinced the big man to incorporate a new mini meal menu, this place was slowly turning into a restaurant, something I believe it should have been from the get-go and I felt proud of the change I've brought.

Anxiously looking at my watch every two seconds then the door then the watch again. Time seemed to be moving too quickly, one minute it was 09:30, the next it was 11:45... Around 11:50 she walked in, practically limping. She looked even more beautiful than I remembered her although she had a cut on her lower lip which was barely visible because of her lipstick, I wanted to ask but I wasn't sure if it was the right time, I figured she'd tell me eventually, somewhere during the conversation.

She was still breathtaking though, she even cut her hair. I remembered an Instagram post I saw that said, if a woman cuts her hair after a breakup, she's reborn like a phoenix and whatever you had has been buried in that pile of ash she was reincarnated in. My heart sank.

She grabbed a stool and I told her I'd be with her in a second, I signaled her to my office a few minutes later. My palms were sweaty, my armpits started feeling moist, I was a ball of nerves, I couldn't even look at her in the eye. My stomach was in knots but she looked calm, she looked like she had accepted everything and was about to tell me that she found a new man with a six pack, a Ferrari and a dick twice my size and they would be getting married this afternoon.

"Are you okay?" she asked softly.

"Yeah yeah, you're fine. I mean I'm fine." Damn it brain, why?

She smiled weakly and thanked me for agreeing to seeing her. This sounded so formal and serious.

"Keletso I..." as panic began to wash over me.

"No, please." She interrupted. I kept quiet, she took a deep breath and dropped her eyes then started fiddling with her handbag strap. "I know you probably hate me now and I understand, I mean I would too but I just want you to know how sorry I am and for what it's worth, I wasn't dating Daniel. Yes, there was a kiss, a kiss that I could have prevented the more I think about it but it wasn't an intimate kiss."

I was baffled, what did she mean?

"Me and Lerato had some wine that morning before heading to the library so we decided to go and ask for clarity on some things because they were confusing us. She left briefly for the bathroom and that creep kissed me. I just stood there, I should have pushed him off or something but I was frozen stiff. Turns out he's her cousin and she orchestrated the whole thing because she wanted you for herself."

She paused for a second then continued, tears rolling down her face.

"I don't drink so I blame myself, I feel like I walked into the lion's den... I also think Lerato might have drugged me but I can't prove it. We fought the other day and I kicked her out. She was gloating about how she successfully ruined my life, my own best friend, Thapelo."

I was having difficulty digesting this information.

"Anyway, I came to my senses and tried to slap him but he blocked my hand. He then told me he'd spin a story saying that I tried to assault him when he refused to give me extra credit. The fact that he smelled the alcohol on my breath just strengthened his argument. Management would obviously take his side because of this plus he's a lecturer and I'm just a drunk student."

I was beyond words. I could feel the anger surging through me. I wanted to storm out and exert vengeance in a furious rage but somehow I knew that would just make things worse. She interrupted my scheming.

"Thapelo, I know you so please don't do anything stupid." As if she just read my mind.

"Prior to the whole thing, he did flirt with me for a while and it made me uncomfortable but I should have done something about it. I thought I had it under control."

I finally spoke, with a shaky voice; "Why didn't you tell me sooner Keletso?" I was fuming, "I'll bury that bastard alive I swear! He even had the nerve to come to our home..." Wait, so that explains how he knew where we lived, Lerato that devious bitch!

"Turns out he also has a friend in our complex. This one time I was downstairs doing the laundry and they walked in. His friend is just as creepy, they followed me to the flat but turned back when I told them you were home and wouldn't be happy to learn that they were harassing me. They bought my bluff and backed off, I don't feel safe here anymore so I'm going back home, indefinitely."

She paused. "You know how I am, I always try to see the best in everyone and I thought he'd get tired and back off plus he was only a guest lecturer for like two weeks so I figured he'd go away soon but look at the damage he caused. I lost the man I love all because of my leniency, I allowed it to happen."

I knelt in front of her and placed my hand on her knee. "Don't beat yourself up about it, no woman invites harassment, no matter how she's dressed or how friendly she is." I reassured her. "I just wish I could have listened but I was in so much pain that explanations didn't matter."

She smiled with a face full of tears and said, "And I wish I could have tried harder instead of being complacent with the situation. I know you need time to process everything so I'll leave you to it, I just wanted you to know the truth. I should have said something sooner but I thought you wouldn't believe me. I hope you do now. Congratulations on the new job by the way and the new girl."

She stood up and left the office without another word. Her words pierced through my soul.

"Keletso, I..." as I tried to stop.

"Is it true? Did you two did sleep together?"

"I..." I suddenly couldn't speak. How do I explain to her that I cut off my nose to spite my face?

"I see. Goodbye Thapelo, take care of yourself." And just like that she was gone.

Keletso's mom was waiting for her outside in the car. The minute Keletso stepped inside she burst out crying, after five or so minutes of her mother trying to console her, she finally found the strength to talk.

"I'm okay mom, I'm fine." While trying to force a smile on a face full of sorrow.

"And the baby? Did you tell him?" she asked.

"I couldn't. I've already caused enough problems for him and he's now only getting his life together, this will derail everything."

"So, what are you going to do? He has the right to know, Keletso."

"I think, it's better if he doesn't, I'll deal with it on my own."

The End.