IS THIS LOVE Episode -22

IS THIS LOVE – Episode 22

A story by Kennedy C Katongo

 

HIDDEN EMOTIONS

“Sorry bro. Got occupied when I reached there. She was alone in her room so she wanted me to keep her company.” He said as he removed the bow of rice and placed it on the study table.

“You left me waiting! So you were shagging weren’t you?” I asked him.

“This time I promise, I wasn’t. We just kissed, she’s on the moon. Have you been in here the whole time?” Mwenda opened up his laptop to resume where he left his movie.

“I was at the park. Lydia came to see me.” I responded with a lazy tune to my voice.

“Was being with her as boring as you making it sound? Listen man, I’ve seen that girl, she’s one in a million. Just ask her out.” He commented.

“I ask her out?” I said repeatedly.

“Matimba is a high class kinda girl, you feel out of place being around her and you don’t even imagine yourself being with her. Lydia on the other hand is a girl from the hood, she’s cute and everything but she doesn’t make you feel lower than her when you together. You find it easy to express yourself around her than when you are with Matimba. I seriously don’t know what you waiting for – Nevertheless, make sure you pick one of them.” With those words he hit the play button and focused on the laptop.

@@ @@ MATIMBA @@ @@

“There is still one thing I don’t understand. You at a campus with a lot of beautiful ladies and you still insist that I give you a chance. Why can’t you just pick one?” I asked Ben.

“What’s the point of looking at other doors when you have already seen the one you like?” He responded with a question.

“That still doesn’t answer my question. ‘Smart butt'” I took a sip from the glass of juice.

“Apart from knowing you for years, I like how patient you are, you’ve never been the type to rush into things. Most of these girls are way easy going – they have zero girl power the moment they see you spending on them. On a serious note, a lady needs some boundaries, you know what I mean…”

“I actually don’t know what you mean.” I laughed.

“Let me say it this way. I can’t date a lady whose friends with every male around. That’s just wrong, today’s girls flirt any how with any dude just to get some food, talk time or cash. Those are the type of fish that have filled up my sea – so when you say there are plenty of fish in the sea; that’s what is found there, girls with low standards.” Ben said strongly, in his entire time of answering my question he never for once turned his eyes away from me. He maintained strong eye contact.

It really made me feel uncomfortable, it was as though he was undressing me in his mind.

“It’s my turn to ask a question right?” He asked me. “Sure!”

“What would you do if you found out that am married?” He asked me. It was a bit hard to know if he was just joking or being serious since his facial expression was almost the same on every occasion of our question and answer chat.

“What I would do, mmmh! That’s a tricky one, but ine thing is certain – I would walk out on you. I don’t entertain married men. No matter how handsome and heaven sent he might look. The fact that he has a wife , an active baby mama and so on is proof enough for me to leave.” “In fact, why would you keep such a big thing from me in the first place? That would be my first question. A man who lies about his own family isn’t worthy to be even called a man. That’s just my thought.” I took another sip, Ben had gone silent and was busy absorbing what I had just said.

“It’s your turn to ask a question…” Those are the words that came out from his mouth when he finally spoke.

“Are you married?” I asked him.

“No am not. Do I look like a married man?” He giggled.

“Looking at how you carry yourself, I wouldn’t be surprised if you even have 3 kids. After all, it’s been a long time.” I said passively.

“It’s nothing like that. I asked because I have a friend who has been chasing after a young girl for almost 2 years now, the girl gives excuses and turns him down. The word on the surface remained the same – she was single and behaved very reserved. Then he told me some weeks ago that she’s actually been sleeping with a married man.”

“That’s just insane. She turned down a guy to be with someone else’s husband, she’s gat to have issues.” I added, the thought of what Ben had been saying being true really disgusted me. Why would a woman lower herself to such a point of wanting to be a married mans sex toy?

“So that’s what lead to my question. Am guessing it’s my turn to ask, Why can’t you give me a chance for once?” He asked me.

“Not this again… You already know why I can’t date you. And talking about it just breaks you down and I hate seeing you down like that.” I told him.

I was at Ben’s hostel till 20hrs when I called Dad’s driver to come pick me up. This didn’t make Ben happy since he suggested that I sleep over and go home the following morning. However, looking at the chemistry that existed between him and me, I couldn’t trust myself in his arms. He had a way of weakening my legs with his words and making me lose my mind.

While waiting for the driver, I decided to check my Messenger. Chileshe had left a bunch of messages… I didn’t open them but I was certain it was all a bunch of apologies.

“So when are you coming to see me again?” Ben asked me, he had held my hard from his room till we reached the car park.

“I really don’t know. I just needed some company today – I wasn’t supposed to be here you even know that.” I told him.

“Can’t you just sleep. I can crush in my friends room. You don’t have to worry .”

“I can’t sleep out. Am sorry. But I will give the visiting you part a second thought.” I said.

“Sure thing. Make sure you call when you get home. Goodnight.” I could tell he wasn’t happy about me refusing to sleep over. He behaved as if I would even agree to such a thing – for some reason friendship was something he didn’t want.

When I got home, my cousin and dad were busy in the chicken baking. Dad enjoyed baking when he was free, not only that, this meant he was in a good mood.

“Someone is home finally.” My cousin commented as she waved at me. I have her a tongue out as I walked to my room.

“Where are your manners girl!” Dad called out.

“Am coming…”

“Hello dad.” I gave him a kiss on the head, “What are we baking today?” I asked as I joined them in the kitchen.

“It’s some recipe I saw saw on the Food Channel.” He responded as he handed me a plate with a piece of cake on it.

“Wow! This is good. Dad, you really out done yourself this time around.” I told him as I stuffed the whole piece in my mouth.

.

.

.

“I thought you weren’t coming back. How is Chileshe doing?” My cousin asked as we sat down to see a movie. Dad had already gone to his room.

“His great. I wasn’t at his place though.” I told her, it then crossed my mind that I hadn’t told her about Ben yet.

“But I thought… Did you get cold feet? So where were you? Listers place?” She asked one question after another.

“Nope. I visited Chileshe but something went wrong. Thereafter, I decided to visit a friend at ZCAS. That’s where I was till I decided to come home.”

“ZCAS. I didn’t know you have friends there…” She noted. Her ears were on me as she tried to pay attention to what I was about to say.

 

To be continued…