A Bitter-Sweet Nightmare – Episode 17

A BITTER-SWEET NIGHTMARE
Episode 17
TO THE GIRL I LOVE

As Max was there watching them eat, his appetite got messed up. The pie had even gotten cold now, all he did was stare at them. His phone rang.

“Hey, sis…”
“Where are you? Dad has been asking about it.” His sister asked.
“Am in Chingola right now. I will be back soon, maybe on the weekend.” Max said.
“Chingola! Who is there?” She asked. This was the first time she heard of her brother being in Chingola.
“Am tracking Janine.” He said.
“What! Are you insane? You know stalking someone is a serious offence and you can be thrown into prison for that?” Her sister said.
“You see… This is exactly why I didn’t want to tell you.” He nagged.
“Why can’t you just leave Janine alone? It’s been a lot of years since your relationship with her ended.”
“I know I was hard on her… All that is in the past. Am certain we can work things out once she sees me.” Max assured his sister.
“Has it ever occurred to you that she might be frightened by you? You mistreated the poor girl. Do you think that was love? If indeed she loved you, I bet she wouldn’t have run away.” She told him.
“Whatever!”
“Wapala banani iwe kanshi (Who do you take after)? You are behaving like a lunatic. If dad finds out that you’ve gone out to traumatize someone’s child, he won’t be happy.” She said.
“Dad isn’t finding out anything. If it does then it will be you and your big mouth. I don’t even know why am still talking to you. Bye!” Max said furiously.

‘Trying to lecture me as if I don’t know I made a mistake. Janine is my woman and I won’t stop till I get her back from this joke of a man.’

He took a bite and his pie was already cold. When he looked up to check on the two who were in the car, he found the car wasn’t there. The only option was to go and wait for her at her place, hide somewhere were he wouldn’t be easily spotted.
.
.
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Later that day, before Max could leave for Janine’s place he decided to buy another pie. When he entered the store, Markus was there talking to the young lady that sound there.

“We don’t mind having you over… You should visit.” Markus told her. She blushed.
However, that wasn’t what Max heard, by the time he got closer _ ‘You should visit’ were the words he heard. For him, the only conclusion was that he was cheating on her.
“Can I have a pie?” Max told the lady.
“Oh! What are the odds? You are that guy who tried to start trouble in the morning.” Markus said. Unlike Max, he had an intimidating attitude and that made the other upset.
“Yeah! Who could have thought.” Max said. Markus just laughed and continued on his way out.

‘That voice sounds familiar…’ He thought to himself.

“Hey, babe. You look thoughtful. What’s wrong?” Janine asked. The car had been parked opposite Shoprite, that was why Max didn’t see it because he came from down the road.
“It’s nothing. Have you gotten what you wanted?” He asked her.
“Yes, I have. Though I couldn’t find enough Lumanda. Am really craving for it.”
“The things you crave for sure. That same thing that tastes like poison.” Markus laughed.
“Poison! Babe like for real? First of all, how did you even know how poison tastes like?” She asked him. She had her tongue sticking out at him.
“Well, who gets to enjoy something as bitter as that?” Markus asked her.
“It’s a bittersweet kind of taste. It just knocks down the taste buds in a different way. Chocolate?” She asked as she handed him a bar.
“No thanks. I’ve gotten my pie.”
“I don’t think Alice is going to let you eat that. I already told her that you are coming through. So, she said she’s going to prepare a big meal. Her boyfriend is helping out.” Janine said, she unwrapped her chocolate bar and took a bite.

Max who had followed Markus when he left Pie City wasn’t very far from where the car was packed. He watched them steadily. It was just a matter of time, besides, he caught him asking a girl out. That was enough to break the relationship.

#CHANSA

“I was kind of thinking, is it possible that the person who is stalking Janine is her ex-boyfriend?” He asked Alice.
“It’s possible. From what she told me, he is kind of a maniac, nevertheless, he must be one obsessive guy.” She said.
Chansa laughed, “Obsession? Nah!”
“Well, whatever it is that he has for her… Am certain it ain’t love. He should just learn to love on. People get hurt all the day, they pick themselves up and move on. Life goes on.” She said.
“You think moving on is that easy? It’s not. I just hope this whole thing stops. It’s making me feel uncomfortable knowing that there is a dog on the streets.” Chansa said.
“Turn the volume up, that’s my song!” Alice shouted excitedly as she began to dance to Chris Brown’s Take Me Down.

‘If this dude was in Zambia, I could have lost my girl to him. The way she loved and talked about Chris Brown got me jealous.’

“Babe, who is your celebrity crush?” She asked.
“My list is extensive.” Chansa giggled.
“Give me just one!”
“Ciara most definitely.” He responded with a warm smile.
“Oh! That’s interesting, why her?” She asked.
“Am not going to answer that. I’ve you ever heard me ask you why Chris Brown is your Celebrity crush?” He said as he shook his head.
“I can tell you why he is my Celebrity crush…” She said in her charming girlish voice.
“Nope. Let’s change the subject.” He giggled.
“Is it her body shape? So, you don’t like my body like this?” Alice asked. It was one question after another.
“I haven’t even said anything. How have you concluded all that?” He asked her.

Her phone vibrated, it was a message from Janine notifying her that they were now starting off from town.

“You the girl I love,” Chansa said while she was looking at her phone.
“I hear you. But you would love it if I had a body like Ciara, right?”
‘Girls.’ He sighed as he thought to himself.

Tbc…

KENNEDY C KATONGO