Perpetual

The last place I expected to be was at Sasha’s. I was never going to have any business with her but the fact that she is pregnant means I have to take responsibility and being the man that I am I need to own up.

‘What are you doing here?’

‘We have an elephant in the room that we need to sort out.’

‘More like a baby in the womb.’

I don’t know why but I find myself laughing.

‘Leo it’s not funny.’

‘I know.’

‘So why are you laughing?’

‘Is it wrong for me to laugh.’

‘You know what, just tell me what I can offer you.’

‘I thought you would never ask, I am starving.’

She lifts an eyebrow.

‘I have not eaten in days, I am honestly hungry.’

‘What makes you think that this is a restaurant where you come to eat?’

‘Sasha what food do you have?’

‘Bread.’

‘That is what you are feeding my child?’

‘Our child.’

‘I can’t hold down anything, bread is what seems to make sense.’

‘That is not healthy, we need to explore other food options because my child is not coming out as a malnourished child.’

‘Our child.’

‘Potahto-potato.’

She rolls her eyes.

‘Please show me the kitchen, I really need to eat something.’

She leads us to the kitchen and settles on one of the kitchen chairs.

‘Bread is in the fridge.’

‘Who puts bread in the fridge?’

‘Leo do you want to eat or not?’

I walk over to the fridge and remove the bread. I notice there is polony so I remove that too and the mayonnaise.

‘Should I include you?’

‘I will pass.’

I turn on the sandwich maker then assemble everything on the bread. When it preheats, I put the slices in the machine and close it.

‘Lona was here.’

‘Your bestfriend?’

‘Yep.’

‘Okay, why does it sound like there is fire on the mountain?’

‘She came to brag about the recent Livingstone trip she took with her boyfriend and his friends.’

‘Your would have been man you mean?’

She rolls her eyes

‘I am honestly just asking.’

‘Yes my would have been man and he can still be mine.’

‘So how do you explain the pregnancy?’

‘Pin it on him.’

‘Is that what you did to me?’

‘Screw you Leo.’

I laugh.

‘It’s funny huh?’

‘Yeah, seeing you like this is funny.’

‘Your bread will burn.’

‘Oh boy.’

I had actually forgotten about it. I remove it and put it on a plate then pour myself some milk.

‘I will send you a bill, there is no way you are coming to my house and eating my food without buying any.’

‘You want to charge me for eating bread and drinking milk?’

‘Why didn’t you eat at your house.’

‘You are a shit load of rude.’

‘Do pray your child doesn’t pick that up.’

I just shake my head in irritation.

‘So what happened with Lona seeing that her actions hurt you?’

‘I kicked her out. She was busy telling me all that when she hasn’t passed her condolences, I mean what sort of friendship is that?’

‘I am sorry to tell you this but she doesn’t owe you anything.’

‘Leo.’

‘I am being honest. Your friendship is fake, you both know that. So why are you still trying so hard to pretend?’

She looks away.

‘Look Sasha, you will always be angry with your bestfriend that she took your man away. You need to get to a point where you accept that the two of you can never get back what you had. Either you move on with your life or forgive her and learn to live with her. As it stands, all this is fake and there is no need putting up the façade.’

She opens her mouth to say something but I lift my hand to stop her from talking.

‘Sasha why exactly are you still friends with Lona? You don’t need to give me the answers. You can just answer the question inwardly at your own time,when the world is not listening and it’s just you and your thoughts. When you don’t need to lie to any of us. I want you to take all the time you need to decide because you might not know this but you are about to bring a child into this world and you need to set an example.’

‘I hear you.’

‘And Sasha.’

‘Yes?’

‘Tell your people that my people will be coming.’

She laughs, so hard I am starting to think she is not okay.

‘What?’

‘Leo you want your people to come and do what?’

‘We are having a baby aren’t we? What makes you think we are raising him in separate homes?’

‘Leo there is no way we are getting married, we have different dreams and aspirations you and I.’

‘I didn’t say we are going to be a perfect couple, but we will be great parents to our child. So get ready. I have already called my Aunty and she is on her way here from Pemba.’

…

Kwenje’s Girl

Winnie

🙇🏾‍♀️