Pedigree

I don’t remember the last time I laughed this hard, my stomach is tired of hurting from all the laughter. VK is a very funny man and I have had a good time with him that a part of me didn’t want the afternoon to end.

After touring the Kariba we went out for lunch, this time I was more free with him because he created an environment where I could be myself and it breaks my heart that we have to go back to our real lives.

‘We are here.’ He says as if I don’t know that this is my place

I sigh heavily, he had wanted us to use his private jet to come back to Lusaka but I advised against it because we would have been home really early and that would have meant spending less time with him.

‘Home.’ I say, it’s almost midnight and I know I will be tired tomorrow from not getting enough sleep but this was worth it and I have no regrets whatsoever.

‘When do you plan on moving out?’

‘I haven’t thought about it.’

‘It will do you good, when you are ready it will be good for you to leave everything you shared with Nelson behind.’

‘I know, but this place is close to work and the rentals are quite affordable. Also the landlady treats me like a child I wouldn’t want to go somewhere else and start building new relationships.’

‘Does that say a lot about you?’

‘What? Me not wanting to go somewhere else?’

‘No, you being scared of building new relationships.’

‘Just maybe, I crave intimacy. I hate temporal things or people, I don’t want someone touching my mind, body or soul and then leaving. I want someone present and constant.’

‘Wow.’

I just chuckle

‘You really have a beautiful mind.’

‘And you are young at heart.’ I say turning to face him and then placing my lips on his, this just feels so right.

‘I will be going for a meeting tomorrow.’

‘In Livingstone yes?’

‘How did you know?’

‘Don’t answer that.’ He adds quickly obviously realizing that the email for his meeting was sent and I was one of the copied people.

‘I am not sure when I will be back in Lusaka, I have business meetings back and forth that I need to attend.’

‘Don’t beat your head VK, you don’t have to explain so much to me.’

‘Of course I have, I don’t want you feeling like I used you.’

‘Used me? We haven’t even had sex.’

‘I don’t need to have sex with you for you to feel used, remember your principles about temporal people? You have let me in, let your guard down. It would be unfair for me to walk out now.’

‘So what is this? What are we doing?’

‘I am sure I don’t have to say it in black and white that I like you, that I want to be with you. But I also understand that you are going through so much and you might have needed the weekend but it doesn’t take away the fact that you are going through a lot.’

‘VK what are you telling me?’ I ask feeling bad

‘I will only pursue you on your terms, I will only do it when you are ready to be with me.’

‘But I enjoyed the weekend and I like talking to you.’

He smiles, kissing the top of my hand.

‘Your emotions are reacting to what we shared over the weekend because of what Nelson did to you, deal with that and then we can talk about where this whole thing is going. But don’t forget that I like you, a whole lot and I want to be with you.’

I swallow hard wordlessly because this feels like another break up.

‘I need to go, I have work in the morning.’ I say trying to open the door but he locks all doors.

‘VK I need to go.’

He holds my face and kisses the air out of me.

‘I am not going anywhere, but I am only pursuing you on your terms.’ He says unlocking the doors

‘Good night.’ I manage to mumble

‘Good night Kasweka.’

He helps me with my bags and waits for me to lock up before driving off. I want to sleep so bad but then I am better off picking clothes for tomorrow because in the morning I might not have enough time.

I pick a lime grove body hugging dress, clear stilettos and a black handbag. After ironing my dress I set my alarm.

I wake up to the sound of alarm and it feels like I have only slept a few minutes, it is already 6 in the morning and I don’t have any more time to be asleep so I force myself to get out of bed. After bathing I make myself some really strong coffee just to get me to be awake, an hour later I am driving out of the house trying to beat Lusaka traffic which I do and I am at the office in thirty minutes.

‘Look who we have here.’ Gymani says when I walk past her

I am too tired and too sleepy to even argue with her so I just go straight to my office.

‘Meeting is in ten.’ She says barging into my office

‘You don’t know how to knock?’ I ask feeling irritated

‘Get yourself together, we all have been heart broken before. If I were you I would be grateful to still have a job.’ She says walking out

I know I shouldn’t be feeling like this but I can’t help but feel hurt, yes Gymani is not a friend and I shouldn’t pay attention to her ranting but not when the ranting is true.

I get my note pad and walk to the board room where everyone is seated except Vaughn and Ernest, I hate being here because the way people are looking at me in a funny way.

After waiting for at least twenty minutes the siblings walk in and as if that isn’t keeping as long enough, my ex-boyfriend joins the duo.

‘Kill me now.’ I say inwardly

People are looking from the three to me, obviously wanting to see my reaction but I am wearing an emotionless face.

Ernest greets the meeting but just before he can start his phone rings and we have to wait another two minutes for him to finish.

‘Ms. Ng’uni the chairman is requesting to have a virtue meeting with you now in your office.’

‘Okay.’ I say standing up

I carry my things and walk to my office and my phone rings almost immediately.

‘Good morning.’ I say picking up

‘Good morning to you too Kasweka.’

‘I was told you were requesting for a virtue meeting.’

‘I wouldn’t let you go through with that meeting, now lock your door and start working.’ He says before cutting the line and I stand here in awe, not knowing what just happened.

I am about to sit when I notice a wrapped parcel and one white lily on my desk, I unwrap the parcel and find that it’s a Danielle Steel Novel – it shouldn’t happen but a tear drops. I had told VK about my love for DS whilst driving to Siavonga, I didn’t know he took note of that. The attention to detail is what makes me really happy.

I text a thank you to his other number guessing it’s the private one and he responds with a welcome.

..

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Winnie

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