Chapter 23

It is a Friday, and everything about this day seems to be a drag. Every time I hear those three words echo in my ear, although it was just a whisper, they echo louder than rain droplets hitting the roof in my room. Argh! I am so embarrassed. They say a lady must not confess her love first, because it changes the dynamics of love and power in the relationship. The one who loves the most is the weakest in the relationship and has no power over the other. As a woman, you must not be in that position because a man will not appreciate you as much if he had said those words first.

The bell rang.

It is lunchtime already. Is time also moving fast because I have immensely put all of my attention and energy into my thoughts? I feel like everything around me today is foreign, it makes me anxious. I shouldn't bump into him, I have tried my best to avoid his gaze today, wearing earphones so that I don't hear his mesmerising voice.

Ting.

"Are you sick?" I read the message. I reply.

I am fine, I am just trying my best to avoid you. If I look at you at any minute I will cry. I take out my simple lunch and comfort myself with all the nuttiness and sweetness I can get from my sandwich.

I receive another message. This guy is persistent. "The school is out" I read the message. I jerk my head up only to see people packing their things. I take off my earphones. "What is going on?" I ask Ayanda. "The school is out" she replied. "Why so early?" I ask. "Is it? Look at your time" She wears her handbag, "I think you didn't see the clock ticking because you had a lot of free periods today. I thought you were sick, you slept on your table all day. Are you not? " She stares. "I am feeling a bit under the weather today, not sure what it is" I cough a little. It is the shame I feel, coursing through my veins, and with every heartbeat, I feel more ashamed.

"I would offer you a lift but I have a feeling Windsor has it covered. Get well" She smiles and leaves as I see his silhouette approaches my table.

"Let me take you home" He offers

"I will walk..." I force a smile.

"I insist". I take a glimpse of his face and I start packing my books into the bag, I have a feeling a no is not the answer he will take.

"Sorry to budge, but can I get a lift too since you will be dropping her at our place?" Ntshuxeko intervene.

"Of course! I do not mind. Paris, I will be waiting in the car" He vacated the room.

**

He halts the car next to our gate. "Thank you for the ride" I open the passenger's door. "Where are you going?" He grabs my hand. "Uhm..."I froze, "Okay" I closed the door. I fixate my gaze on the windscreen and silently steal glances at Ntsuxeko alighting from the car. "Thanks for the ride", "Cool, see you on Monday", "Monday it is". After a while, I hear the sound of the gate wheels scraping and subtly slamming the gate. My heart sinks.

I hear the engine make a subtle rhythm as it comes alive. "Where are you taking me? " I turn my face to him, "I have arrived though..". I settle myself and wear my seat belt. "It is a Friday, how about a weekend together? The house is too lonely by myself plus I want to show you something." He smirks complacently. "I feel like no matter what I say right now won't matter, so I will save my energy. Let me nap" I pretentiously close my eyes. I want to unravel my thoughts in peace. I can feel whenever he turns to look at me. I feel my lips unconsciously stretch into a smile. I quickly reposition them. I can hear stifling his laugh, it is obvious to him I am awake.

"Wakey, wake Paris, we have arrived" He switches off the engine. I open my eyes and yawn a little. "Oh that was quick" I stretch my arms. He opens my door "Let me hold the bag for you". I give him the bag and alight the car.

We walk into the house. A couple of visits to this house have become familiar to me, but I still can't stop myself and awe at the minimalistic arrangement of the house. It feels open and refreshing. I would like to walk into this house after my chaotic and exhausting working hours. Just rewind and be on the sofa. I let my body plop on the sofa. He places a peck on my forehead, "Feeling tired?" He gives me a glass. "Wine?"I raise one of my eyebrows. "uh...I thought it was early but if you say so" He smirks. "No, that is not..."I peer at him with puppy eyes. "It is just water. It is hot outside" He chuckles. "You know...you are such a happy person" I retort. "When I am with a few close people and you. I love being a bubbly person" He gulps down the water in his glass.

"But that is not the side I saw that day in class, you were cross and gloomy. I was scared of myself" I put down my empty glass on the table. "That is my teacher poker face. Don't you have one yet? I mean this is not even my speaking voice in class. Learners just...turn you into a different person altogether. Don't you agree?" He brushes my face as he cups it into his hand. "Uhm...yes, I do, I do" I choke on my saliva, "I feel hot" I take off my shacket.

"I am cold, keep me warm " He pulls me into his embrace. "Close your eyes" He whispers into my ear. I shut my eyelids. "Are you ready?" He places a peck on my ear. "Mmm" My body trembles as the sensations of his lips brush my earlobe. "Open your eyes". My eyes meet the shining paper in front of me. I squint my eyes to gather my sight. I look at the white paper. "I-think-I-loved-you-first, I-call-dibs-on-it-?" I turn my face and glare at him confused. I try to process it as I mumble the words out again. "I think I loved you first, I call dibs on it. What?!" I smile nervously. "So are we official? " he caresses my face as I peer into his eyes. "Yes, yes, we are" His lips capture my lips and we slowly dance in this new romance. He parts his lips, "I love you", "I love you too", and he continues placing soft kisses on my lips. Is this what love feels like?