…Ten minutes later after I politely decline his attempts at a morning glory, he holds my hand as we walk passed another couple. The boys give each other a look that says 'I know you got some last night' while we (girls) avert our gaze from each other. You see, this is the first time I've ever spent a night at a boy's house, I don't know protocol, I'm not even sure what will happen when I get home. What do I say to mama, but as for the boys they know protocol all right. Look at them they are exchanging words and lighting a cigarette while our eyes wonder around - to the ground, the rising sun, big rocks on people's lawns and--
I'm relieved when I feel his fingers slide through mine and we quietly head down the road past a few people in the morning rush and we both watch them disappear into the taxi that has not stopped honking since we started walking. After a good twenty minute stroll we reach my street and few houses from mine we stop. He wraps his arms around my waist and turns me to face him. He's actually a handsome boy when I look at him at this proximity. Is this how it ends? "I'm so sorry" my mind keeps saying, but he smiles and parts his lips slowly almost shyly, "will I see you later?" I wanted to say yes but the lie came over me and tumbled off my tongue so quickly, "I'm going to a baby shower". |
He looks at me intensely as if to say "why are you lying to me?" but I look away and to my dismay I see my neighbours, Mr and Mrs Mokopu or the Mk's as they are commonly known on our street closing their gate and briskly walking towards us.
Unlike the other people we passed before, they are in a hurry to get to church as it is Sunday after all. They have their full ZCC regalia on. Mma-Mk is wearing a bright yellow blouse, bottle green long skirt, a head wrap of the same colour, black lace up shoes and her ZCC badge shines bright as the early morning sun falls on it. Her husband walks proudly with his khaki suit and a pair of manyanyatha that look like they are touching the ground for the first time and his ZCC badge also claims a proud place on his left chest pocket. Oh God! Do I greet them or do I look back into Jack's eyes so as to pretend I didn't see them. "I'll come with you". I give Jack the puzzled look and "The baby shower, I'll come with you" he says with a winning smile. "Why? It's for girls". He gestures his understanding but is clearly disappointed. A whiff of mum roll-on deodorant and sunlight bath soap leave my nose as quickly as they entered and I realise that the Mks went past and in the meantime the hands, which were around my waist, have found their way to my ass. I breakaway as gently as I could manage, say a hasty goodbye and run towards my house <<<>>> |