Chapter Four.
"I always like to challenge myself, i never want to be put in a box" × Lionel Richie.
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I slipped my jeans on and stared at my reflection on the mirror. Okay, maybe...just maybe did I look bomb today. I felt skinnier and not because of the 'breathe-in' I was doing right now. I comb my afro out and flatten the areas that seemed too high before giving myself the pep talk of my life.
"You'll be fine. You won't make a fool out of yourself. You are only going to be doing your part in helping our community...and that's not a big deal...wait it is!" I take in a deep breath before I yell inwardly. "Why did I agree to this?"
A knock on the door interrupts my fit.
"Zano?" Buhle calls on the other side of my door.
Maybe it's not what I think it is...
"Yes?"
"He's here."
"Who?"Please say Zweli!
"The Prince." She responds and my heart drops in a funny way.
"Tell him to go away!" I joke.
"Zanokuhle, the man is standing in the sun and you want him gone because you're nervous? Come on."I sigh. There's no way out of this. I grab my clutch bag and cellphone before spraying a bit more perfume on. Yes, it may get sweaty and I didn't want to stink.
The moment I open my door I'm met by Buhle, who's grinning like an idiot. "I thought you'd wear that expensive dress for your date." She utters.
"Date? Haibo we're just going to do some work. There's no date here." I quickly defended.
"Mhnn...okay, you look beautiful by the way."
"Really? Cause I can go and change..."
"Nooo...."she pulls me out of my room and pushes me down the passage with me still complaining and rambling on about me possibly going to change.I see him before I even step out of the house, standing next to that famous car of his. But he's not a loner today. I guess his mom spoke some sense into him that day in the car. The guards are tall and stiff, like mannequins displayed in a clothing shop. I take in another deep breath.
"Hi." I greet, awkwardly redirecting my attention to my feet.
He chuckles. "You look nervous."
"I'm not nervous." I look up.
"Could've fooled me. I want you calm, this is not the first time you see me."I roll my eyes. It's not like you get to meet, talk and be this close to royalty everyday.
We leave. The people gathered outside, watching from their yards. Ya neh. Being known like this is something different. I mean I'm known here as a teacher and that's all...but he, he's like the Mahatma Gandhi of South Africa. Wait, he wasn't necessarily rich now was he. But he was rich at heart nonetheless.
"So I don't necessarily get what we're going to be doing today."
"Why not ask?" He briefly glances at me before he focused back on the road ahead.
"That's what I was indirectly doing." I giggle.
"We're going to be giving a few things to the shelters around here. It's a small start."
"That's sweet."
"And we'll also be making bricks."
"Woah, making? As in cement..."
"...sand and water. A couple of shovels too."I find myself laughing while shaking my head.
"Do I look like I'm good with shovels?"
"Nothing you can't learn." He chuckles.
"I'm sorry, but you're talking to the same woman who tripped over her own two feet, I don't think shovels will become my best friends anytime soon."
"I'm kidding. But we'll be watching the professionals forming these bricks on our behalves." He says and I sigh out in relief.
YOU ARE READING
Embedded
RomansaAn unimaginable journey takes Zanokuhle Dlamini's life on nothing short of the unexpected when she meets a familiar looking face the day her car, Chery breaks down while on her way to a wedding.