CHAPTER ONE - A Little Explanation

~January 1, 2022.

Well, I don't have to start from the beginning. Well, I do, but let's just go back a little. My name is Gabriel. I am an author; you should know that by now because you're reading this novel. I am also an EDM producer. Yeah, I produce music on various platforms but that's not why you're here.

Like I said, my name is Gabriel Tembo, born on December 28, 2005. I live with my parents (Louis Tembo & Ida C. Tembo) and my two siblings, Michael Tembo, (Who is the first born) and Esther Tembo (Who is the last born).

The date this novel is being written is February 17, 2023, but I'm writing based on stuff that happened last year (2022). Mainly the important things and things I remember very well.

So, whatever I'm writing, my emotions and all is all based on how I felt at that time and not how I feel at the time I'm writing the novel (February 17, 2023). So, let's get into it.

Schools are out. It's New Year and I just got my New Year message and good morning text from a very special someone, Selena L. Kunda. I know what you must be thinking and no, I'm not dating this girl. She's not my girlfriend, yet! (Oops, why'd I spoil?) So, Selena is a 13-year-old girl who I've known since 2017 January or 2016 December, one of the two. She lives in the same area as me, Chalala, actually, in the same road, just 2 gates away.

So, I've been talking to Selena since early December 2021. Well, I won't lie, she has told me a lot about herself and her ex-boyfriend. I will not be mentioning what she told me to respect her privacy and all. So, Selena has shown a lot of interest in me and I'm really into this girl too, like, damn! I never thought I'd be into anyone else this deep after what happened with Mapepo, you remember, right? Oh, wait, that happened in 2021 and this is 2022. Well, that's a story for another day.

Selena goes to St. Mary's secondary school, or rather, she just wrote her grade 9 and is currently waiting for the Examination Council of Zambia (ECZ) to release the results. My sister, Esther also wrote her grade 9 exams at the same school. So yeah, we spent our New Year with our families of course and I don't really remember much from that day so let's just skip a little bit to 3rd January. I also don't remember much from that day, but I just remember that I told Selena over the phone that I could really use a hug.

I was in my room and Selena came home to see Esther, as she usually would. I was on my laptop, typing DEBO, a novel of mine under The Immortals, at this time, my nephew, Joseph Mutale, was also staying with us for the holiday. Selena and Esther left to go to Selena's place. Sometime after that, I heard the gate open, and Esther came at my bedroom window.

Esther: Iwe (you) Gabriel, come outside.

Me: Why ah ah?

Esther: Ah kaya (I don't Know) Selena said there's something she needs to give you.

Me: Ah, okay, I'm coming.

I remember this part like it was yesterday. I went outside to the side of the house where I found Selena and Esther standing and Esther was giving that Momo kind of smile which she normally gives when she's like, "I know what's going on here". If you don' know Momo, it's this weird looking demonic doll with a 'v' shaped smile and yeah, that's the smile Esther had on.

Selena and I stood there and looked at Esther who was smiling, looking at us. The faces Selena and I had on were faces that clearly said, "Esther, get out of here and give us some privacy."

Selena: Esther, we're waiting for you to go ah.

Esther: Awe, (No) why can't you do what you want to do while I'm here?

Me: Esther just go ah ah.

At that time, Esther then started walking away slowly while looking at us with that same Momo smile of hers. She was walking away but her head was facing us. She wasn't even looking where she was going. When she finally went and it was just Selena and I outside, I turned to her and asked,

Me: Esther said there's something you need to give me? (Me knowing exactly what it is)

Selena: Ah, your hug weh.

It was at that time when I put on my huge smile. Completely showing my lovely looking teeth, making Selena chuckle and all. It was at that time that she came into my arms and wrapped hers around my west, with her head leaning on my chest and my arms tightly closed around her.

After we were done, Esther showed up with her smile as though she had seen anything. She asked what happened and of course, we didn't tell her, maybe Selena did, I don't know. Selena and Esther left, and I entered the house with a really huge smile. With the way I was grinning, anyone would even know that it's something involving a girl. I was grinning as though I had gotten an Airtel Money text saying, "Dear Customer, you have received k100, 000." Maybe it was because the last time I ever got such a hug was in January 2021 from my ex, Mapepo. Well, that's a story for another day.

My 11-year-old nephew, Joseph would always ask why I'd be smiling when I'm on the phone. He knew there was chemistry between Selena and I. But what does tomorrow bring?