Tainted

Chapter 40

Later on I get dressed and make my way to the restuarant to pick her up. I'm tired of Asante and her mood swings, I've been patient enough and if this time around she pushes me away then best believe I'll leave her alone for good.
I park outside and then get off and meet a guy standing outside dressed formally but the colors of the restuarant uniform.
"Hi"
I say and he looks at me in shock
"I'm Aaron Langa. Please may you call Asante for me when you head in"
I say and he nods still star struck. I smile and he nods and rushes inside. I head to an empty table and just sit alone and wait for her while chatting on my phone. I'm startled when I feel a presence in front of me, I look up and find her staring at me looking all cute in her uniform.
"Hi"
She says,
"Ready to go?"
I ask her and she nods, I hold out my hand to her and she helps me up.
"So how was your day?"
I ask her as we make our way to my cad
"It wasn't that busy today but atleast I made some tips"
She says and I frown, i cringe at the sound of that. I open the door for her and then close it when she is inside then head to my side
"why do you work there?"
I ask her and she shrugs her shoulders
"Bursary money is not enough I guess"
She says and I nod starting the car
"And your degree?"
I ask because last time u checked she was in school
"I have been job hunting but nothing has come my way yet"
She says and let's out asigh
"And did you think of contacting my mother?"
I ask her because mom could connect her with the right people, even Dr Khambula considering they in the same field
"don't let your pride stop you from getting the job you actually
want and love Asante"
I say and she doesnt respond. I park the car and we both get off and then head inside the restaurant. We are located to a table for two and then we sit to look through the menu
"What happened Asante? Between us"
I specify after the waitress has left
"I don't know Aaron. Is this why you told me to come to dinner
with you?"
She asks and I chuckle and lean back
"No but I'm curious. Things between us were great, I was loyal
to you and only you and then things just changed no reason or
explanation or whatsoever"
I say and she let's out a huff
"There's things that happened which I don't want to speak
about with you Aaron"
She explains and my heart breaks for her
"Is that why you were at the office that day? Asante I want to
be in your life and for that to happen you need to open up to
me"
I plead and she shakes her head no
"Aaron I just can't be with you. I want someone new, someone
I don't have to explain my background to"
I scoff
"Asante for a relationship to work your partner needs to know
your background in order for them to understand you and how
you respond to a situation. If a person is not interested in
knowing the person you were before then that's not real love
because when you love a person you want to know the person
you are with"
I explain and I dont get a response from her and so I continue to say
"We weren't raised the same way Asante and it would help to
understand a person's past before learning the kind of person
they are now. I am done playing around Asante and I want you"
I say to her boldly and wait for her to respond
"Aaron as much as what you saying makes sense but at the same time it doesnt because I am not ready to share what happened in my life with you and I fear that you probably know but whatever little you think you know? That's just the tip of the iceberg. I've been through a lot in my life but these past 3 years including these past couple or of months have been the worst for me and I dont want to string you along. I'm damaged Aaron and you deserve to be loved by someone who will love you without question. Someone who is clean and untainted like I am, you're like a pure white cloth and I am like red wine, one little spill and best believe you'll be ruined forever"
She says, I let out a sigh seeing how deep whatever she went through is. It would help if I understood a little
"Look, I love you. I know its not fair for you to not share these things with me but it's ok. I'm willing to be patient until you are ready to talk to me and make me understand you."
.
.
5 MONTHS LATER
"What if they hate me? I don't know Aaron"
She says with so much panic looking at herself in the mirror. I chuckle because she look gorgeous
"My family could never hate you even if they wanted to"
I sat and then wrap my arms around her and kiss her on the neck making her giggle
"You're beautiful and sweet and kind. What's not to love about
you?"
I say and she smiles and looks at me through the mirror
"Thank you for reaching out to me and giving me another shot"
She says and I smile
"Even if I bullied you into being with me?"
I ask with a cocky grin making her laugh
"Even if you bullied me. I am grateful"
She says taking my hand into hers and then she kisses my hand
"We should go before we later"
I say and then move away from her to finish up
In these past five months, I got the girl. It was our last conversation that day that convinced her to let me in. It hasnt been difficult considering we already know each other but now this time its different because now our relationship is private in such a way that very few people know and def not my family so today I'm introducing her again
"You look great Asante"
I compliment and she smiles
"Thank you"
She says and then continues you admire her beautiful self
"It's just a birthday"
I remind her and she chuckles
"Yeah sure, just a birthday"
I say and and then we head on down to the underground parking and get in the car driving to my parents house. Knowing them they went all out with this thing. I park the car and we both get off and then head inside. We walk in and look for her greeting a few people
"Mom"
I say and she turns around and smiles widely
"Asante"
She says and Showflake smiles and unsure how to respond
"Hello Mrs Langa"
She says shyly and mom looks at her for a while before pulling her in for a bone crushing bear hug
"Hi. How have you been? Where have you been? You look so
beautiful"
Mom says and then pulls Asante off her holding her at arms length
"I have been good Mah, happy birthday"
Asante says
"Yes mom, happy birthday now let go of my girlfriend please
she's already nervous as it is"
.
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To Be Continued