Chapter 3 - Back in Zimbabwe

Straightening his back he nodded at his mother's companion and gave the customary respectful greeting to the man. The dude was okay looking in Ronald's opinion. He was just grateful no child would ever come from that union though. After the normal pleasantries, he informed his mother of his intentions to go out with friends. Because she was with her man she was in a good mood and gave him one of the car keys and a fuel coupon on top of the fifty the Bali (slang for older man/dad) had given him.

He sped out of the house before either could change their minds. Opening the second double lock-up garage he disarmed the car's alarm system with the remote and opened the car door. It wasn't his favorite car to drive but it had four new tires, a shiny, black coat, twin exhaust, and semi-tinted windows, and the sound system was okay. He plugged his iPod into the modulator and shut the car door. When he put the key into the ignition and checked the fuel gauge, the tank was three-quarters full. He grinned.

Quickly putting the car into reverse he smoothly pulled out of the garage into the driveway. When he got 5 meters before the gate he pressed the remote and it swiftly slid to his right and he pulled out into the street. He watched the gate close silently behind him as he sped down the winding road.

They lived in a very quiet neighborhood so quiet that he'd accidentally met his neighbor at a party on the other side of town the year before last. He turned up the volume using the controls on the steering wheel and he leaned back. Time to get laid.

He arrived at the flat in 20 minutes flat even though he lived over 30 minutes away. He had been clever enough to buy her a pizza on the way to ensure that nothing killed his game. As a second thought, he had grabbed a bunch of roses from one of the flower vendors just outside the fast-food outlet.

Her smile at seeing him with the pizza was worth it. Her giddiness at receiving flowers was even better. The first kiss was sweet and poignant as if it would be their last. She understood him and his needs perfectly.

Four hours later after laying languidly in bed for ten minutes she looked at her phone and shot out of bed in a panic. She threw on her short robe and a zambia (traditional wrap) which matched the shell pink of her pink and purple robe. It was late and her sister would be coming home any minute.

Wistfully he pulled on his clothes and rushed out to his car where she naughtily gave him a lingering kiss promising there was more if he came back tomorrow. She murmured how they could do this all the time when he married her. He leaned in for one more kiss at the car and she shook her head and smiled coyly at him.

Shrugging he jumped into his car and decided to begin his courtship of Miss Stability. Waving at his love, he pulled out of the complex of garden flats and made a beeline for Stability's workplace. Weaving through traffic like a maniac he called her.

Her voice was oddly sensual over the phone. She had this British-American accent that would be perfect for phone sex one day. He told her to wait for him, he was coming to pick her up from work.

She laughed and told him she was already in a combi (commuter omnibus) on her way into town. He swore, checked his rearview mirror and blind spot, and swung the car in the direction of the final destination of the combi she had taken. He arrived at the terminus just as the combi arrived.

She jumped out and he called her cell phone. It rang and rang. She weaved through the traffic heading towards the next set of combis that would take her home.

Her phone continued to ring. Finally, she stopped and took her phone from her bag, and answered the call. Instead of hearing her voice, he heard the annoying beep of a lost connection.

Just as he was about to call her she called him back. Alright! He was in, almost.

He waited for a few rings then answered his phone, "Look behind you, I've come to take you home." He saw her turn and look. She recognized the car and waved then continued walking away from him.

He frowned, then she spoke laughing, thanking him and telling him she was actually off to class in the opposite direction of home. He put the car into first gear and trailed her until he was right behind her.

"Get in. I'll take you there." She looked at him incredulously, shrugged, and got into the car.

The rush hour traffic was all around them. People thronged the streets, the cars impatiently honking at each other as they almost crawled through the busy downtown. Touts shouted the destinations of other commuter omnibuses and the drivers recklessly drove, weaving in and out of tight spots almost magically as she held her breath and shook her head.

He got her to the private college just in time for class. She hurriedly thanked him and rushed to her class without a second glance back in his direction. In comparison to what he liked she had a pretty flat ass but the hips were tempting if he could get her to gain a bit more weight...

That was how he began his courtship of her. As he pursued her and she resisted him, his interest in her peaked. He discovered her passionate side, her shy side, her quirky but sharp mind and he found himself drawn until he knew that he had to have her completely. She was worth waiting for.

When she was with him, he had her whole attention. She challenged his mind and accepted him for who he was. Whether he was broke or loaded (with money), whether he was driving the clunky farm truck or the Benz or the Beamer, she was constant.

He began to love Stability despite himself. He began consulting his older male relatives on the finer details of how to arrange a traditional marriage. He tried to make it as subtle as possible until he was ready to make his move, he didn't have time, he had to be seen to be making a plan towards paying back the astronomical bill he'd racked up in Durban.

By the time 3 months were up, he knew her schedule like the back of his hand. It drove him insane when she got caught up in work and was unable to chat with him on FB chat. He never forgot the day when he found messages from her as he checked his phone after a crazy night with the boys at the casino then club, after club, after club until finally, he had staggered into his room relieved to find he still had his phone.

He slid his forefinger across the screen of his phone to make the first letter of her first name. He chuckled to himself, "Talk about whipped man." He went to his FBChat application and he went through her messages, by the time he was done reading he had a lump in his throat and he dialed her number.

He dropped his keys on his desk and turned on his laptop, he had to see her. He undid the top button of his casual shirt and ran his hand over his hair. Finally, her number rang and rang. He made a sound of frustration in the back of his throat and reached for the red button on his screen.

"Mhello?", her voice was sleepy and sexy and he finally let out a breath of relief.

"Ndeipi (How's it)?" His voice took on a deeper timbre, he shifted as bits of his anatomy bolted into life with a need he hadn't expected. His body heated up.

"Hey, Ronny!" She was still sleepy but she was excited, he could hear it and that turned him on even more. "Are you okay?"

"Handisi bho-o (I'm not okay)." He replied realizing he was drowning in all sorts of need and he wanted her to be in Harare.

She cleared her throat, "Indava (Why)?" He cursed silently, why did she have to speak in his language? He was starting to imagine her in the big t-shirt, her hair messy, sitting up in her bed.

He sat on the chair in front of his desk hoping the firmness of the chair would shift his thoughts. "Ronald, are you okay?" He could feel her concern, not just hear it and he felt the lump form in his throat again. He swallowed.

"Yeah, baby, I'm fine. I just miss you, really bad, right now."

He stared at her pictures on her Facebook profile, he reached for one with her smiling face and stroked her cheek. She giggled and asked him if he was drunk.