The Clichéd Love Story

Chapter VI

Morning my palesa. Have a bright day
- J♥️

I never knew I would be looking forward to cheesy, romantic messages, yet here I was beaming at the simple sentence and effort from him using my home language.

I wake up every morning to a message from Jesse, along with a photo of him making funny faces when he's training. He always finds a way to make me laugh, whether I have a week of hell at school (from assignments and tests), or any family member driving me up the wall or even the annoying ex-boyfriend who rocks up at my invited at my door, who isn't even intimidated by Jesse's large build (Yes, they met one morning and Thando walked away cursing at Jesse after he was mildly threatened, but he still comes back).

It was crazy to think that we had been together for almost two months, that I was now calling Jesse my boyfriend, and that despite his crazy rugby schedule and my university schedule, we still found time to learn more about each other, and have our heated make-out sessions.

I even made an effort to watch one of his games live with my friends, to which my male friends were ecstatic over my new relationship perks.

As I roll in my bed, my phone chimes with another message from the boyfriend.

Can't wait to see you today. Don't worry, all will be well xx.

I smile and respond with a message and a video. Happy birthday my darling, hope you enjoy part one of your birthday gift from me xx.
I giggle as I send the video of myself singing happy birthday off key, before jumping in the shower.

Afterwards, I decide on a flared skirt with a polka dot blouse and my leather jacket (the bitter May weather is starting to appear). I check my phone to see Jesse telling me that he was on his way, and the nerves start kicking as I realized that I would be meeting his family today. It was not supposed to be this early, but since it was Jesse's birthday, I relented to his requests and decided to meet at his birthday braai.

I was only uncomfortable with this setting because in my culture, our partners don't normally meet our families so early - they only really meet when there's a proposal announced before the traditional dowry discussions take place. Jesse was surprised when I told him, but he managed to calm me down and said that just like I was meeting his family, he would meet mine when the time came for said discussions. I agreed before backtracking - realizing that Jesse sounded like he was in the long run with this relationship, and that was the first time my heart and my stomach felt like leaving my body. He was affecting me that much. No previous partner had me anxiously anticipating the possibility of a lobola discussion because that meant marriage, yet here Jesse was, talking about it like it was the next step in our newborn relationship.

I shrug it off, remembering that at least his friends would be there as well. I enjoyed their company when I first met them. André was quite the teddy bear, while Thabang was the joker. The only one who was cold to me was Pieter, but eventually he started to thaw (at the speed of a tortoise) when I put him in his place, after hearing sour words from him about me and my intentions with Jesse one night when I joined the guys out at the bar.

I was pulled out of my thoughts when I heard Jesse's car outside, rushing to the door with his gift in my hand. As I open, he lifts me and kisses me passionately on the lips, as if he hadn't seen me in a very long time. "And then?", I greeted breathless. He pecks my lips, "I am just excited to see my girlfriend on my birthday, that's all".

I raise my eyebrow before moving from his arms, handing him the second part of his birthday present. "Happy Birthday J", I say as I give him a peck. Looking like an child on Christmas morning, Jesse opens the bag to reveal a box, which had a titanium watch and a thin leather cuff inside. "Uh, Sedi...this is...wow". I kiss him on the cheek as I watch him react to his gift, "It's just me showing my love, and a way for you to be on time in the future", I add with a laugh. Jesse has a slight problem with time management, even his coaches gave up on penalizing him for occasionally showing up late to training because he played well on the field.

Jesse beamed as he wrapped me in a bear hug, giving me an Eskimo kiss before putting me down and grabbing my hand. "Speaking of which, we have to head out to the restaurant for lunch. Lesedi, thank you so much for the gift, this really means a lot to me". I blush and look away, not used to the compliment, but my face is pulled back just as he leans in for another kiss, and I suddenly feel my nerves fading away slowly. "Let's go enjoy a birthday lunch".
"Yes, let's go old man", I replied earning a chuckle from him.
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