IS THIS LOVE – Episode 60

IS THIS LOVE – Episode 60

A story by Kennedy C Katongo

 

HOW IT’S MEANT TO BE

“Lister told me that she was with you at work. You never mentioned that…” Ben commented.

“I think I did. I sent you a text message…” I objected.

“No you didn’t. You can check your sent messages.” He said warmly, despite the curious look on his face.

The truth of the matter was that I perfectly remembered telling someone that I was with Lister. In my head, I thought I had texted Ben not knowing that the message had gone to Chileshe. That explained why he never responded to it, taking into consideration the two of them never liked each other.

“It must have slipped my mind. Sorry.” I said lowly.

“It’s okay. You look lovely in your sports wear.” He complimented. Ben was full of compliments, a day wouldn’t go by without him noting something on me.

“Don’t make fun of me. Besides, if I knew it was a walking date I would have called in sick.” I told him.

“Don’t be lazy Matimba. It’s not like we running. So, we fine.”

That day, Ben and I walked for some time. There want anything serious he said – just a lot of chit-chats to get the mood going. Even though I could not prove he knew something was up, deep down I just felt more guilty.

On our way back, an interesting topic spring forth, and that made me decide on whom I was going to stay with between the two of them.

“How long do you think a relationship should last before they decide to tie the note?” Ben asked me.

“Wow. I really don’t know. I’ve never given it much thought.” I knew my answer was a turn down to the conversation but hey, I was being super truthful at that moment. Unlike most ladies my age, marriage was the last thing to cross my mind. Let’s just say this, ‘I wasn’t in a rush to get married.’

“Now that I’ve asked you, what’s your thought about it?” Ben pushed me to answer, he always had this way of making me talk about things I wasn’t comfortable with. ‘A man that breaks the castle walls of a princess just to get to her.’ My mind wandered off as I gazed at him.

“I don’t think there should be a period allocated to such. Of two people feel ready to get married, they can do that.” I said as I sounded a bit thoughtful.

“Is that so… Interesting.” He commented with a smile cut right through the corner of his lips.

“My opinion is different. To think of life back when I was 7 years old _ if I had married that young girl I claimed to love then, I would be in a serious mess right now.” “So, I feel it’s important for people to date at least a minimum of one year before getting married.” Ben said happily.

“Wait… But even a year isn’t enough to know someone. Let’s make it 5 years then.” I told him.

“Wow. Matimba you have a strong case there. But don’t you think dating for 5 years is a lot to just find out how compatible you are with your partner. What happens if you get dumped after 5 years because you like picking your nose?” He asked. Ben had this warm look on his face. I understand he was really enjoying what was happening even though to my eyes it was basic.

On the topic at hand, his basic way of thinking made me view marriage as something very difficult. It was more than one plus one, it was more of an investment of cash to the right bank, so that profit could be obtained handsomely.

“I don’t think someone can be dumped for such a stupid thing, Ben.” I told him.

“You just saying that because it’s you. A different people have different likes and turn-offs. Don’t ever assume what you like us what the other person likes as well. I can say this, knowing someone doesn’t end. Man is a changing being, prone to evolve with time. So, you will always have more to learn about your partner. One year, two years… That’s enough for a serious person to conclude whether to get married to their partner or not.” My hand was held tightly by his as he told me that.

“In other words, time isn’t a factor one can use to determine marriage? However, time will help to evaluate how much one has learned about their partner within the long run.” After finishing that sentence I got a kiss underneath a streetlight.

@@ @@ CHILESHE @@ @@

And I can’t stand you…

Must everything you do make me wanna smile…

Can I not like you for awhile? (No)…

But you won’t let me…

You upset me, girl…

And then you kiss my lips…

All of a sudden I forget (that I was upset)…

Can’t remember what you did

But I hate it…

“Hello!”

“Chileshe!”

With my voice raised high as I sang along to Rihanna’s hit song ‘Hate that I love you’ I had no clue someone had entered the house and was standing at the door.

“Holy!!” I shouted once I saw someone standing at the door.

“Holy what?” Lydia began laughing.

“You could have knocked or something. Am too young for a heart attack. I was this side and my heart was the other side…” I told her as I tried to catch my breath.

“It’s not my fault that you couldn’t hear me. Besides the volume is to high.” She said. She kept glowing with her bright smile and crazy laugh.

“What are you doing here, I thought you were spending the evening with him?” I asked her. I was a gentleman enough to spot the sharwama plastic she had in her hands. ‘These are girls.’

“Ah… I’ve been waiting for him for 2hrs and his been silent. Am a lady for Christ’ sake. I deserve to be treated as such. I can’t be waiting mungulu mungulu (crazy) for someone am not 18 anymore.” She said strongly.

Despite the smile that was painted on her face, Lydia was actually very pissed.

I got the sharwama from her and placed them in the oven. I told her to relax as I continued with what I was doing, not the singing part. Instead of getting pizza, I was touched by Lydia’s words earlier to an extent of me deciding to cook.

“What’s that on the pan?”

“Am frying minced meat. Then I make soup and rice later on.” I told her.

“Am sure you proud of yourself huh!” She giggled. “Any Mayonnaise?” She laughed even more once she said that.

“No you didn’t just say that… Girl take it back… Mayonnaise is a gift for us black people…” I told her. Both of us ended up laughing.

“I missed Chileshe.” She said softly, more like she was talking to herself. I heard her, yet, I pretended not to have heard a thing.

“Can I add some chili?” I asked her instead.

“Just cook the way you would cook for yourself and then I can criticise.” She smiled.

“If you are going to be eating my food you better shower me with praises.”

 

To be continued…