IS THIS LOVE Episode – 21
IS THIS LOVE – Episode 21
A story by Kennedy C Katongo
A SHOULDER TO LEAN ON -2
Right then, Ben imaged from behind me.
“Hope I haven’t kept you waiting for long.” He kissed me on the head before I could even absorb his sudden presence.
“Don’t sneak up on me like that.” I said while attempting to hit him in the head.
“Nigga you back? Did you get my order?” His friend said violently as he grabbed one of the plastics that Ben had.
“Hold up. That’s for Matimba.” Ben exclaimed as he snatched the plastic back and handed his friend another one. “I think we have to be going now…” He added as he placed his hand on my waist near my butt and pushed me gently.
“Was nice seeing you Matimba!” The voice of his friend echoed as Ben closed the door.
“Am really sorry about that. How are you?” He asked me.
“Don’t worry.” I giggled.
He handed me my plastic, it had a perfectly wrapped Sharwama with a drink on the side. I washed my hands and wasted no time to enjoy myself, for some reason he just sat on the other end of the bed looking at me with a smile.
“Why are you looking at me like that…” I blushed. For some reason I wasn’t uncomfortable but just uneasy in a very strange manner; I loved his eyes on me.
“Oh! My apologies. You’ve just reminded me of back in the day when we would sneak out of class to buy fritters at the road side.” He said with a warm smile on his face.
“Now you making me feel shy…” I said as I covered my face.
“You going to mess up your shirt Madam boss. Let me see…” He then moved closer to me, with precision he placed his right thumb on my lips and wiped of something. ‘Damn him!’
“You had some juice all over your lips. You good now.” With those words he backed off again – finally my heart beat began to calm down. For a second, I didn’t mind if he had kissed me.
@@ @@ CHILESHE @@ @@
Mwenda had continued to complain even after an hour had gone by. In his words, “We could have been eating some chicken right now instead both of us are yawning…”
I had tried to reach Matimba, however my calls and messages weren’t going through to her – the thought of her being pissed over what I considered a small issue to such an extent was frightening for me to say the truth.
“She’s still not picking up?” Mwenda asked me.
“It’s not that, seems like her phone is off.’ I responded with a long face.
“Well.. don’t worry. Am sure she will come around. Girls don’t like a desperate nigga.” Mwenda said as he paused his movie and got up.
“Where are you going?”
“Babe cooked some rice for us. Am going to pick the bow.” He said and left.
It wasn’t like I had never been in a relationship before, the problem was me being around someone who was doing better than me in almost all aspects of life. My fear was making Matimba think or feel I was interested in her for the money, because of such a thought I wasn’t ready to accept everything that she offered me.
On the other hand, Lydia (my supervisor) and I had become close especially after she helped me raise money for my exam. It was totally professional when we were at work – however it was different when we spoke on phone or texted each other, most of the time I found myself telling her things about myself that I wouldn’t normally tell anyone. She had a way of making me talk to her even when I didn’t want to.
“Am about to knock off… You at your room?” Lydia asked me. I was still down from Matimba’s reaction, hunger had stricken and my roommate wasn’t yet back with the food.
“Yes am at the room. You want to pay me a visit?” I asked her, I had lowered my voice in such a manner that I sounded not for the idea.
“I wouldn’t mind. Let me just change, we can meet at the park.” She suggested.
“The park is fine with me.” I responded warmly but yet beaten by her decision to still come over.
It was long, Lydia had arrived and with her was a plastic bag from Hungry Lion. We sat down and began to eat as we spoke –
“Am used getting a big bite 2. Does the third one always have a lot of chips?”
“Don’t be silly. I have a friend working there so it’s a full pack regardless of which combo I buy.” She laughed.
“And am the silly one. You didn’t have to do this though. Thanks a lot.” I said with a smile.
“You don’t have to be so polite about it. Am happy to help you out as much as I can. That’s if you are willing to let me help.” Lydia said with a serious face.
“What does that mean?” I exclamed.
“You can be a pain in the butt at times. It’s not wrong to ask for help you know?” She got some chips and deeper then in a small bow.
“Black’s use mayonnaise on everything.” I commented. She laughed and began to hit me, ‘this ain’t mayonnaise’ she said as she blushed.
“You look lovely when you smile.” I said softly.
“Don’t do that.” She replied.
“What you mean? Am just being for real.”
“Don’t make me feel good. I know you don’t see me like I see you. I would appreciate if you don’t try to make me fall for you…” She covered her mouth after she finished speaking.
I wanted to oppose her words and tell her it wasn’t like that. But I didn’t think it was a good thing to do at the moment.
Not Only that, on my end, I was bad at showing off my emotions to other people. If only she knew how much she made my heart skip a beat every morning when she walked in the kitchen at work. The warmth of her smile every time I would tell her something seemingly uncomfortable.
“By the way, how’s the waiter business coming up?” Lydia asked. I could tell that the atmosphere had become heavy thus she changed the topic immediately.
“It’s going well. Kind of difficult to follow but it’s okay.” I laughed.
“What?”
“I want to stay in the kitchen. I don’t think I will do well on the tables and walking around will get me more exhausted.” I nagged smartly.
“Is that your way of wanting to stay close to me or you being for real?” She asked me.
“It might be both… You can never be to sure about these things. Besides i have exams to study for – can you talk to the big man for me?” I asked.
“Am not promising anything but I will see what I can do.”
@@ LATER THAT DAY @@
CHILESHE: ‘You really looked beautiful today.’
LYDIA: ‘Huh! But why didn’t you tell me when I was there?’
CHILESHE: ‘So that you know I was eyeing you – awe that would have been uncomfortable for you.’
LYDIA: ‘You are complicated. Thanks. I enjoyed being with you.’
CHILESHE: ‘What was there to enjoy? Am the one who’s supposed to be grateful for your visit. Imagine my roomie isn’t back yet. I would have starved.’
LYDIA: ‘It was nothing. And what was with the kiss – I thought when we last spoke I told you I don’t kiss my friends.’
CHILESHE: ‘I was just about to apologize. I really don’t know what can’t over me. You were there, I was there as well and you looked so beautiful I just couldn’t help myself but still a kiss. I know it was wrong. Am really sorry.’
LYDIA: ‘You quick to apologize every single time. It’s a turn off. I liked the kiss. But don’t do it again.’
CHILESHE: ‘I can’t promise that I won’t do it again. But I will try not to do it again’
Our chat went on and on till Mwenda arrived with a plastic…
To be continued…