IS THIS LOVE Episode – 1

IS THIS LOVE – Episode 1

A story by Kennedy C Katongo

 

GIRL TALK

“His late again!” I shouted as I told Lister over the phone.

“Just wait a bit. Am sure he’s on his way.” She responded, she always sided with Chileshe. It was annoying.

“I don’t think I can wait any longer. It’s been 30 minutes now since he told me his almost reaching Intercity.” I added as I complained to her.

This wasn’t the first nor second time Chileshe was late, he was always late and I was getting tired of it. One excuse after another he would give me. Lister, who was my workmate and old friend of mine always found it funny that my boyfriend couldn’t keep time.

“I told you to get him one of those smart watches…” She teased me.

“I’ve seen him…! I will call you later.” I said as I hang up.

I felt lazy to take a seat on my own, for that reason, I stood outside waiting for him. Oasis Mall; that was were Chileshe and I mate accidentally and from that time onwards, it had become our meeting place – Hungry Lion to be exact.

“Am sorry am late!” He walked up to me. He gave me a side hug and a kiss on the forehead. He always did that once we met, I never liked it but with time I got used.

“Am not taking your sorry! Last time you were sorry… You are ever sorry and you do little to work on your bad habits.” I said furiously. “Am not hungry anymore. I will just be heading back to work.” I told him.

“Come on Matimba, okay let me just get you a drink… Then I can escort you back.” He said politely. No matter how pissed I would be at him, it never lasted, he had a way of making me sane, a way of making me feel understood and I hated that. Where did he think I was going to take all the rage and bitterness that I wanted to unleash on him?

“I won’t take long, just ice cream. I already spoke to dad and his coming to pick me up.”

“Wait… You serious about leaving? Wow!” His face lost its glow. I could tell his emotions had just sunk.

My meeting with Chileshe didn’t take long, Dad showed up and I left.

“You have an hour for lunch and you spend it with that boy. I don’t get what you see in him. There are a lot of young, fine, handsome men around and you just…” He took a deep breath, he held himself from finishing his sentence.

“I love him… And that’s that.” I responded. I had put up a mad face. Dad had never liked Chileshe, even the time I had introduced him as my friend.

“I know you want me to hang out with your friends son. But I don’t like him, his not my type – the dude is rude, arrogant and insults every five seconds.” I told him.

“His American. You know very well how these American kids can be.” “I respect you decision to date Chileshe. But can he manage to take care of you? The boy is just struggling to take care of his family, do you think that’s the kind of man you need for a husband?” Dad asked me.

We had already reached my work place, Dad’s work place if I would put it that way and that saved me from having to answer his question. He was one of the board members for Manda Hill, because of that, I began work as an Accountant there immediately I completed my accounting studies. That was 4 years ago, presently, I happened to be a Junior Accounting Officer.

Dad and mum separated after 5 years of marriage, that was after she found out that he had a wife and daughter in London. But that’s another story: with me being the last born and only girl in the family – my two elder brothers had always been over protective of me.

But that hasn’t been the case for the last few years, my elder brother was in Canada and my immediate brother was in China. At least Dad made sure to raise us right just so he could prove a point to mum. The two were always fighting even after being divorced. It sucked.

“Matimba! Be careful, I don’t want to see my daughter get hurt.” Dad said before I could get off.

“Am not going to get hurt. Am a lady now and I know what’s right from wrong. Dad, please don’t talk about Chileshe like that again.” I gave him a fist bump and got out of the car.

.

.

.

“So how did it go?” Lister asked me. I had finished everything that I needed to take care of. With a few minutes in my hand, she joined me for a snack.

“It was bad. To add up Dad kept throwing trash at him as he drove.”

“I think you better take you Dad’s advise. After all, look at yourself… You and Chileshe are not in the same class.” Lister pointed out.

“It’s not about class. I don’t care about that. He makes me happy and that’s all that matters to me.” I respond.

“Girl you need to stop dreaming. Love is all good, but you won’t be eating love. Chileshe is the breadwinner of his family, his got an entire army to look after. Do you think your proud father would let you make a reckless decision of getting married to him?” Lister asked. As harsh as her words were, she spoke only the truth.

Many are the times I felt like I was being a burden to Chileshe. Not that I asked him for anything, no. The idea of him trying to live up to my standard was a thorn in his flesh.

“So what do you think I should do?”

“Find another boyfriend. Am certain you won’t go for Mr America. But find someone who compliments your future and not the opposite.” She giggled.

Lister and I spend the rest of evening talking about marriage, she was keeping me updated on what happened a week ago between herself and her prince charming.

“Those are men. A man needs to know what he wants from a woman.” I said strongly to compliment her.

“Look at you. His making me feel nerves, the other day he took me for dinner at his parents house. Everyone was welcoming, they made me feel at home. He keeps talking about us getting married and having kids too much lately.” She said calmly.

“Wow! But why the long face?” I asked her, my own face was bright by the thought of kids.

“Nothing. Am excited and all, but again I don’t want to seem desperate for marriage. I want to make sure am ready when I say I do.” Lister said warmly, she looked up to me and smiled.

“At least you guys are even talking about marriage. For me and Chileshe that’s a dream… Right now his just hoping he gets picked in government.” I told her.

“Oh! That will be good for him. At least his pay will be much better. But then, what happens if he gets posted to a remote area. Do you think your relationship will continue?” She asked me.

“I don’t want to think about that. But on his end, that’s what he wants. He says working in a remote area will help him save money.” I explained to my friend.

“We all know what your Dad would say about that. Not to even go far… I doubt you would accept to leave your job and stay in some bush all in the name of love.” Lister commented.

“Love is blind.” I said passively.

“Only fools say that and you ain’t one of them.” She responded carelessly. As if it was an automated reflex.

To be continued…