IS THIS LOVE Episode – 29
IS THIS LOVE – Episode 29
A story by Kennedy C Katongo
BEATEN DOWN
“You look beaten down. What’s with the long face?” It was the Chef asking. I had visited him – after what seemed like 3 weeks without visiting the kitchen to have a taste of his artistic food.
“I really don’t know man, I feel like I’ve lost something I never had – ” I told him.
“You talking about Lydia ain’t you?” He shook his head with a smile on the corner of his mouth. A warm one, but cold at the same time.
“I told you she was down for you – How did you successfully manage to mess it up?” Chef asked me.
“I really don’t know how… I thought I was taking things slow to be honest.” I responded.
“Let me tell you something. When it comes to ladies – you see a green light, take your shot. You need to keep in mind you not the only guy around. If you can notice her, there is definitely someone else out there who is doing the same.” His words never lacked wisdom when he spoke. He was like a relationship guru.
He went on to tell me how everyone at the company had noticed how close we became and also how distant the two of us had grown over the last month.
Not only that, Lydia’s boyfriend was all over the place. More like rubbing it in my face that he got the girl. That aside, Lydia and I hardly spoke to each other. For that reason I asked to be moved to another M&B.
“Here…” Chef had just finished decorating a plate filled with fries and chicken wings on the side.
“Food is relaxing. It might just make you feel better. You need mayonnaise?” He asked him. His question immediately triggered a memory of how Lydia and I would argue about it.
I sighed heavily before I could respond, “No please!”
“I heard you getting a transfer, I’ve you been told where?” He asked me.
“Not yet. I hope it’s Manda Hill.” I added.
But Chef wasn’t for the idea. He insisted that I just focus looking for a job in my field.
“You don’t have to wait for government. Just apply in these private schools.” He told me.
“It’s not like I haven’t been applying. I have. People ain’t just hiring.” I told him.
“Your girl is here…” He said in a whisper.
Lydia had just walked into the kitchen. Without a smile on her face, she went ahead and waved at me. I waved back with a smile.
“We working together?” Chef asked her.
“Not at all. Am off today. I just came to get something.” She responded.
Because of the awkwardness in the kitchen, I decided to leave them to their chat and walked out to the tables. That’s where I found his boyfriend seated as he waited for her.
“Chileshe! Right?” He spoke immediately he noticed me.
“Yes.” I answered coldly.
“It’s been a while. How I’ve you been?” He added.
I wasn’t planning on getting all chatty with him but for some reason he kept pressing on me.
I wasted no time – I excuses myself as I went to attend to a black couple that had just sat down. In that same moment Lydia walked out, they held hands and left. My heart was stricken, it felt cold and filled with shame – to make matters worse everyone who knew that I had become close with Lydia kept giving me a stare.
@@ @@ MATIMBA @@ @@
“Where are you crushing at?” Lister asked me.
“I have to see Ben. I promised him a visit yesterday but couldn’t make it. Am sure his pissed cause his been off.” I told her.
“Are you guys dating?” She giggled.
“It’s not like that. We just going with the flow. We good friends.” I smiled.
“‘Good friends!’ that’s what they all say but are busying kissing and smooching.” “I don’t have a problem with him. But you two better get decided soon before either one of you gets hurt.” Lister told me.
“Are you giving me a drive?” I asked her. I was done with my makeup and ready to leave. I hated busses. Yet on the other hand driving wasn’t my piece of cake.
“You need a therapist.” That was her words as we walked out of my office.
“Do you think I should get him something?” I asked her.
“Nah. You already enough.” She giggled.
.
.
.
It was nearing two months since I had met Chileshe. At last, he stopped texting and calling me since I never answered him.
It was just like a passing phase – however, he would cross my mind at certain times and the temptation to check on him would always be there. Furthermore, he wasn’t active on Facebook like some of us. So that was a life saver for me.
“Matimba! Isn’t that Chileshe?” She asked me as she pointed out the window. We had just reached ZESCO.
“Pack the car I say hi.” I said immediately.
“Do you think that’s a good idea?” She asked me.
“I haven’t seen him since he completed college. Am sure it won’t hurt.” I told her.
“Let the sleeping dog sleep. You gonna start trouble again.” Lister commented.
She stopped the car and called out to him, “Chileshe!” He didn’t look surprised at all. It was like he recognised the car. He crossed the road to were we had packed.
Since Lister was bitter about the whole thing of me talking to him, I got out of the car.
“Hi Lister…” I heard him say to her.
“Wow! How are you?” I said with a warm smile. For no reason at all, I now had butterflies in my tummy by the site of him.
“I’ve been great thanks. How are you?” He asked. He moved closer but maintained a distance, that was followed by a handshake. His face was clumsy and dull. That showed he wasn’t excited at all seeing me.
“How’s work going? You still at M&B?” I asked him.
“Work has been good. Am just from knocking off. Heading home right now.” He said as he suddenly smiled.
“What about you boss? How’s everything going?” He asked me.
I went on to explain that everything had been okay with me. I could tell something wasn’t right with him… But again, I had no right to interrogate him about his life since I was the main reason the gap between us existed.
“Have you applied some in the schools?” I asked him lastly.
“I have. It hasn’t been easy. Am sure something might work out.” Chileshe answered with his long sad depressed facial expression.
“You should give me a call. I can introduce you to a friend of you okay with it.”
@@ @@ CHILESHE @@ @@
“Mwenda! You need to stop acting up.” I hollered.
“Acting up? She side lined you. And now she wants to help you get a job? No bro…” He said.
“I really need a new job. I can’t stand being around Lydia. Today she passed through work – came with the boyfriend. The nigga engaged me in a conversation.” I sighed. Even though it was on phone, the depression was evident.
To be continued…
