Nadir

It has been a month from the day Joshua first came to my house and I have been seeing him everyday since. I don’t even know how that has been possible because I am always busy at work and his job is so demanding but somehow he manages to sneak out at lunch to see me or he comes in the late hours just before he can drive home. Today is the first day I am not seeing him since that first day because he has travelled to Chipata for a funeral.

My phone rings and I almost jump out of my skin hoping it’s him but I am sad when its not.

‘What do you want?’ I say immediately I pick up.

‘What is that supposed to mean?’

‘You have been avoiding me and we haven’t spoken in a month what do you want now?’

‘Nandy you are my best friend and if anything I was just doing you a favour by staying away.’

‘What are you talking about?’

‘I saw Joshua’s status update today, looks like it was a good thing leaving you in his care.’

I put my phone on speaker and go to his status where I find he has put a picture we took together yesterday with the caption ‘I miss you’ and I can’t help smiling like a fool.

‘I bet you are smiling like a clown right now.’

‘Jackie shut up, I am still upset with you. Remember how we have always said we wouldn’t let a man come between us? Now look at you playing Judas.’

‘Not a chance, I was playing match maker. I knew he liked you the minute he set eyes on you and there was no way I was going to let that slip you by.’

I relax onto the bed.

‘I like him and what we have and how it makes me feel, but what if it won’t last? What if he ends up hurting me like the rest?’

‘You will never know until you give him a chance. Allow yourself to have this babe. Joshua seems like a good lad and I want that for you. I want the two of you to have something you can call your own.’

‘Well, it’s going on well so far and I have no regrets. Jackie this man is just so considerate and committed. I am scared I will fall way too deeply in love with him.’

‘Girl slow down, it has just been a month.’

‘I know, which is why it’s even scarier but we have been seeing each other every day and we talk almost all the time. At my age people shouldn’t have that much free time, we are supposed to be chasing dreams and going up the career ladder but this, this is way too much.’

‘As much as I want to say that it could be real I also want you to be careful hey. He seems like a nice guy but I don’t want you getting hurt.

‘Babe let me call you back he is calling.’

‘Sure.’

I drop her call and pick up Joshua’s.

‘You already miss me?’ I tease.

‘You have no idea. Seeing you every day is becoming bad for me because now I don’t know how I will go through this entire weekend without seeing you.’

‘It’s good for the both of us, to see if this is real or we are just being clouded by emotions.’

He sighs deeply.

‘You have a point, but my aunties can’t stop asking who the beautiful lady on my status is and why she isn’t here with me.’

‘Not a chance, you want them to make me cook in big pots?’ I ask ignoring the part where he has mentioned me being beautiful.

He laughs.

‘You are very funny.’

‘I miss you too.’

There is silence for a few minutes from his side.

‘What’s running through your mind Mr. Jacobs?’

‘I am starting off immediately we bury.’

‘Joshua you can’t be serious, this is the only time for you to be with family. I can’t let you do that. Besides you were on the road the entire day yesterday you can’t start off today. You need to rest.’

‘Nandy I am coming home to you, these are people I just see at family functions. We just share blood nothing else, I am trying to build something with you and my gut tells me to come home.’

‘I just want you to be safe.’

‘And I will be.’

‘I wonder who is knocking.’ I say into the phone getting up.

‘Expecting someone?’

‘No I am not.’

‘I will stay here with you.’

‘Sure.’ I respond walking to the door. I open it and find a lady I don’t know.

‘Good morning, you must be Nandy right?’

‘Good morning. Yes I am.’

‘I have a package for you.’ He says handing me a gift box.

‘Just sign here for me.’

‘Sure.’ I respond

After signing she leaves and I go back in the house but instead of going to the bedroom I go to the kitchen.

‘You there?’ Joshua asks.

‘Yes I am.’

I get a pair of kitchen scissors and cut through the wrapping paper.

‘Oh my word.’ I say looking at the pink floral dress I was admiring on Pinterest a few days ago.

I remove the card that’s inside and it reads, ‘I loved the glow in your eyes when you looked at the dress and I couldn’t help but have it made for you. Love Joshua.’

‘Joshua you didn’t.’ I say feeling my eyes get wet.

‘Check your purse, there is a bank card. The pin is the date for when we first met, spoil yourself today.’

‘Where did you come from?’ I ask a little tear falling.

‘Nandy.’

‘Yes Joshua?’

‘You are an amazing woman and I am here to remind you always.’

‘Come home.’

‘I am.’ He says and we both keep quiet for a few minutes, feeling the raw emotions.

‘Go away.’ I say breaking the silence.

‘Later Nandy.’

‘Later.’ I respond and wait for him to cut the line.

…

Kwenje’s Girl

Winnie

🙇🏾‍♀️