Chapter 14

Another day, what a drag. I stare at my wall with my legs up leaning against the faded white cracking wall. Is it leave or suspension? You apply for a leave, but if your supervisor says to you, stay at home while we sort something out, it means that you are suspended, right? I gnaw my lower lip. Trying to figure out my predicament. I sigh. I check the time on my phone, 10:30. What can I do to keep myself busy?

I roll on my bed. There's a lot I can do. I go outside to fetch water from the tap in my small purple bucket and hastily lead back to my room. I do not want anyone to see me. I start pulling the bed and move around the refrigerator and the table. I move the bags to one side and rotate the room mopping it.

"Phew! All done! Now....let me take a bath, then yoga, eat, Netflix, eat...I can do that" I convince myself.

I start doing my facial skin routine. I wet my face, and gently soap my face, scrub it with my sponge. I wash my face, then pat it dry with my bathing towel. I take my round mirror and look at my powdered misty face. I start applying my neem, mud face mask. This is help reduce pimple formation and tighten my skin pores. I sit on the bed in silence. Thirty minutes huh? I check at the time. 11:30?!!!! Who said time is money huh?

I start making my food with my muddy face mask on. I fry my scrambled eggs and polony and place them on my marble blue stone clean plate. I check the time again. 11:20. I read the direction of use for the face mask container again.

"20-30 minutes..." I can wash my face now.

I head to the bathroom outside to wash this soon-to-be smooth flawless dripping milky face of mine. I smile complacently.

*

Another day, I search for the phone and slide it to switch the alarm. I raise the phone to check the time. 08:00...Argh! I am going back to sleep.

*

Day 3, now I am curious. Maybe, I should visit Ntshuxeko when he comes back from work instead of hiding in this room. Perhaps, he may know the reasons behind the action against me. I sigh heavily. Paris, worrying won't yield anything. The Bible says Worry about nothing, do not worry about tomorrow, for tomorrow will worry about itself. Let me meditate.

I play the headspace meditation episode "let go". I need to let go of things I can not control or change.

The phone vibrates. Focus on the picture. The episode stops and the phone rings. What bad timing, fuck! I pull a forced wide smile to set myself in the zone. I look at the screen, unknown number. I lazily watch the phone ring till it stops. The phone rings again. I pick it the phone up and clear my throat. Ready, action and go!

"Hello"

"Finally...she picks up the phone. What are you doing?" A lazy dominant male voice echoes in my ear.

"Uhm...pardon me, sir, I think you have called the wrong number" I politely correct the man. I get these kind of calls once in a while.

"Am I not talking to Paris? Vhutomi? "

"Yes, you are. Who am I talking to? "

"I am saddened, you can not recognise my voice" the man gasps.

"I apologise, but a bit of a memory jogger can help" I chuckle out of embarrassment.

"Okay...which one?... We almost kissed in my car"

"Huh?" I frown, puzzled. Kiss? In a car? Whose car?

"Yes, we almost kissed in the car this year, you know what? That is the most expensive almost happened moment of my life"

"Mr Windsor?" I follow up covering my mouth.

"Lucas, I prefer you to call me by my name"

I can imagine his smirk right now, showing his beautiful smile with beautiful white teeth.

"Ah...Lucas" I finally comment nonchalantly. I don't want to give away any vibes besides the relaxed vibes.

"What are you doing? " He asks again hastily.

"Waiting for my class..." I lie and I hear his uncontrollable laughter echo loudly in my ear drum. "Why are you laughing? " I ask with a high-pitched tone.

"You are such a bad liar. I know we are both in similar boats. So...what are you doing to keep yourself busy? " He asks again. Why does he keep on asking the same question?

"I am doing nothing. How do you know about my issue?" I raise my eyebrow.

"We are connected, love"

"How?" My heart beat faster.

"I can tell you all about it later if you let me come by"

I bet he's smirking, argh!

"I see what you are doing. I won't put up a fight because you will find a way to end up here and I want to know why am I not going to work. "

"Okay, I am excited. What should I bring? Do you drink? "

"No. Bring food because I am not cooking."

"Alright. 21:00?"

"That is late!"

"That is safe though..."

"But late"

"20:09?"

"19:09."

"Okay then"

"It is settled"

"Alright"

"Goodbye"

"See you later beautiful"

"Whatever!" I hang up.

I let my upper physique plop on the bed and gently straighten my legs. I check the time on my phone, 14:00. In a few hours, I will see your beautiful smile again...