IS THIS LOVE Episode – 10

IS THIS LOVE – Episode 10

A story by Kennedy C Katongo 

 

THE OTHER GUY – BEN

“Hey.” I giggled.

“Hey beautiful. I thought you weren’t going to respond.” He said calmly. His voice was so manly it gave me the chills just talking to him.

“Well. I was still debating on that. Guess you a lucky man.”

“Seems like someone wanted to blow me off. By the way, you still haven’t responded to my request.” He said. He was persistent, just the vibe I liked.

“I could go with you… It’s just a park after all. But what happens when you feed me to the crocodiles?” I said jokingly.

“Crocs ain’t my thing. I might consider feeding you to the lions. On a serious front – I would love you to come with me. Think about it and then get back to me.” He said thoughtfully.

“I don’t want to promise anything. But I will surely let you know.” I told him calmly.

“‘Let me know’ that’s what you’ve always told me. Even back in school it was the same excuse – I just don’t get it.”

Ben was an emotional person. Every little conversation always ended up the same way. With him feeling I wasn’t being fair or maybe him not being good enough for me.

“There is nothing for you to get. I’ve told you right now I don’t feel like dating…” I said as I tried to make him understand.

“Don’t even go there… That’s the same thing that happened on many previous occasions. You say you want to be single and before I know it you dating. I don’t get it Matimba. What is it that you seen in other men that you don’t see in me?” He asked me.

I couldn’t answer his question even if I had an answer for him. I had seen Ben as a good friend and the thought of him and I dating was something I never saw happening.

If only there was a way for me to make him understand that, I didn’t love him the way he loved me. I knew he had spite for all the guys I dated.

“I just done know… Maybe you try to hard. Love is a natural phenomenon. It just happens… And the more you try to force it – it becomes a turn off.” I cleared my throat as I spoke. I didn’t want him to get offended, on the other hand I didn’t know how to break it to him.

“What you saying, ‘you love guys who hardly try?’ I don’t get what you saying.”

“Ben. Let’s just be friends. If you and I are meant to be together then eventually one day we will be together. I can’t manage always talking about us dating when we meet.” I added.

He went silent for a second and the next thing I heard was ‘ok’ and the line cut. I knew he was pissed, his heart was broken again by the same person that he loved so much.

Even though I had told him that before, I felt bad knowing that he was going to sleep with a broken heart. I did a fast talk time transaction on my Xapit account and bought a Soche pack for K10. Since calling him would be a bad idea and would be different from pouring gasoline on a burning flame.

Without giving it much thought I wrote him a long text asking for his forgiveness and how I came out wrong. I waited for his reply but nothing happened.

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THE DAY MATIMBA MET CHILESHE

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“Am sorry.” Ben said as he told at the door. I had gone to visit him at his hostel in campus. I never wanted to go but I had promised him a visit.

“This is why I refuse to visit you.” I responded as I tried to push him away from the door.

“Come on Matimba. It was just a kiss. Why you making such a big deal.” He locked the door and held the keys tightly in his hands.

“So that was you plan all along. I come here and then you act all gentle just to force a kiss on me?” “I didn’t take you for someone who can do such a thing Ben. Just let me go please. Don’t make things worse.” I begged him in a low voice. I had already slapped him and pushed him away and I was ready to do that again.

“Come on mama. You look good, how long should I wait. How long? There is always some strange guy out there whom you going to pick. What don’t I have that those guys have! Tell me!” He said strongly. For some reason the tables had turned on me, Ben had suddenly become all worked out and angry.

“I don’t want to talk about that. Just open the door and let me leave.” I asked him politely.

With his emotions floating everywhere, Ben said a lot of things and once he was done, he opened the door, “You can leave. After all, it’s what you do best every time I want to be part of your life.”

I couldn’t believe he was using my past against me, I wanted to leave but … That would mean every word he said was true. I decided to just sit down, my right hand was ready to land another slap on him if at all he tried to touch me or kiss me. I told him off about what he did.

After both of us were on the same page. I insisted that I leave because soon it was going to rain and I didn’t want anyone from work to call me and question were I was.

It was on my way to Oasis Mall when showers began and people began running in all directions. That’s the moment I met Chileshe, just one gesture from him blow my mind and made blood to rush through my veins.

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I waited for another 10 minutes but Ben didn’t respond to my message. Since it was already late. I switched my phone off and covered myself for a good night sleep.

@@ @@ CHILESHE @@ @@

My poor head was exploding in thoughts as I sat there. I couldn’t get how someone I had only met once could make me so nervous. Once my panic attack finished, I went back in class to study. Even then, Matimba was still heavy on my mind which made me feel like I was wasting time study. I packed my books and laptop, then rushed back to the room.

Once I was outside, it never crossed my mind to knock despite the low moans that I could hear coming from the room. I just pushed the door and entered. “Damn” I exclaimed. I dropped my bag on the floor and walked out.

I couldn’t believe that he didn’t lock the door. Mwenda was busy cuddling with his girlfriend, I was lucky it was her back that faced the door when I entered and Mwenda was the one facing the door.

“You supposed to be study. What you doing here?” Mwenda asked me as he came out in a grey short and white vest.

“Am done studying. Why didn’t you at least update me that she was coming over? What If I found you guys butt naked?” I asked. “And why didn’t you lock the door? What if it was someone else who walked in? You need to stop treating her like trash man.” I added while I maintained my slow pase as I headed out of the hostel.

“Where are you going?” He asked me.

“Am going to play FIFA with the guys or maybe watch TV in the entertainment room. You don’t expect me to take a sit and wait for you to conclude your body to body.” I said irritatingly.

“Come on Chileshe. Okay am sorry. I’ve messed up.”

“Every sorry that starts with ‘ok’ isn’t heart felt. So keep your sorry and just make sure you text me when she leaves.” I said as I picked up my steps leaving him behind.

‘I don’t get why she lets him use her like that.’

‘What kind of a lady is she… She can’t even say no.’

‘That’s the problem with relationships based on cash, you end up doing everything a man wants just because he gives you money.’ My thoughts screamed. Instead of heading to the TV room, I decided to take a walk to the main building and back.

 

To be continued..