Chapter 4 - Kunyenga (Lies)

"A little. But I want to marry you. On the real. When you come back, ndichabvisa roora (I will pay the bride price)." He swore she had stopped breathing. "I'm serious. I know you're doing school and I know you don't think I'm serious 'cause I'm younger than you and my shit ain't together but you're going to be my wife by this time next year, zvese nemuchato (everything including a church wedding)."

"Ronny-" she began with a sigh.

"Aiyewa wangu, ndati usandi daira (No dear, I said don't answer me). We'll talk when you come home. Go back to sleep." His voice was soft, gentle, loving.

He knew this was it and he would do whatever it took to make it happen. "We'll chat tomorrow. I'll still feel like this when I am dead sober mangwana (tomorrow)."

He felt her hesitate and chuckled, "I know, it's tricky. If I don't bring it up at all when we chat then I am really dead drunk. Urare zvakanaka (sleep well)."

He lay on his bed and looked up at the ceiling. He had to find the money. If the guys found out about the little nest egg he had he was as good as dead.

Maybe if he found a way to get more money he could pull it off. He'd walked away from the casino with 2G, he was sure that he would have to offer serious cheddar for Stability. With the way his manhood was twitching at the thought of her, he'd have to make this marriage quick or he'd be paying damages as well.

Ronald fell asleep with a smile on his face as he fantasized about making her say his name while he drove into her. His immediate troubles were forgotten for a short while.

***************

Nathaniel looked at the information in front of him. He froze as his mind translated the transcript of the telephone call. His hand gripped the file hard crumpling the files and papers unfortunate enough to be in his right hand. His Personal Assistant nervously stood in front of his desk fidgeting with his tie unable to decide whether to ask or have his head bitten off for the second time that morning.

Normally, the file that the boss was reading would have been delivered to his house last night. Jon had neglected to print the report which in a way was a boon. Additional information came in late last night that would have gotten Jon into more trouble for leaving work early had he printed the report when he left early and had it sent over.

Taking a chance Jon cleared his throat and readjusted his tie for the fourth time in two minutes, "Boss is everything okay?" Of course, he knew it wasn't but you couldn't just pat Nathaniel Woodcombe on the shoulder and admit you had been reading his mail now, could you?

Nathaniel took a deep breath and bit his words out slowly, "Go get me ice-cold sparkling water and a lemon slice. None of that flavored stuff."

'Don't come back until you've grown a conscience,' Nathaniel thought aggressively as his Personal Assistant slunk out of the office with the speed of a cat at high chase. He forced himself to let go of the file and drop it on the wooden desk before him with a flat thud. He stood up forcefully and changed the opaqueness of the glass on all four walls of his office to the darkest black they could go.

As he stood with his back to his desk he took another deep breath. His mind was racing. He did not like that.

For possibly the third time in his life he had no idea what to do. For the second time in his life, she was the reason he was at a total loss. He felt a constriction in his chest on the left side.

He placed his hand there hoping that a massage-like action would ease the discomfort he felt past his flesh to the core of his being. He hadn't felt like crying much but this was pretty darn close to bringing the unwelcome moisture to his eyes. He placed his hands on the glass wall in front of him and he forced himself to breathe.

His mind analytically went over every sentence in the file. The moment of hope was that she hadn't said anything, well, Ronald hadn't let her and there was no mention of it in their future conversations. He could see all his plans come to naught.

'Dammit! Why couldn't she remember him? How did her mind close off everything they had shared? Why was he the one who longed for her laughter daily?'

He closed his eyes and a memory came flooding back. He remembered it vividly. *Start of Flashback* She walked out of the church in a white dress and his heart had stopped. The dress floated around her knees in the breeze, teasing his eyes with flashes of calves and thighs.

She smiled at something her companion had said and his mind had lost all rational function. She turned in his direction and paused, a look of concern on her face. She raced down the stairs and placed a hand on his back.

She had asked if he was okay. The action caused him to hyperventilate. She sat him on the stairs and searched his pocket for an inhaler when she found it she gave it to him. He took it and used it.

It didn't work. Her eyes widened in fear and she closed her eyes and placed her hand on his heart. As he was about to swipe her hand away he realized she was praying for him.

He wanted to laugh. Then, suddenly his pulse slowed down, his lungs started getting oxygen and he slowly came to himself.

"What the hell?" He asked himself. Seconds later he blushed realizing he had said it loud enough for her to hear.

She frowned, "Obviously you don't go to church much do you?"

Her brown eyes looked directly at him. The baser side of him stirred, she sees me, he thought. His heart slammed against his ribcage. A happiness he couldn't explain came over him. He shook his head slowly.

"No, I don't. No one has ever stopped the coming of an asthma attack with a prayer. Whichever God you pray to must really listen and I'm not even one of you."

She smiled, his pulse quickened and he closed his eyes," He is the most wonderful."

Her voice was like a sound he knew, she- his mind stopped functioning as she placed her hand over his. His eyes flew open. The contrast of their complexions marveled him, her skin was like milk chocolate compared to the light brown of his tanned hands. The urge to turn his hand and have her palm touching his was overwhelming.

Her hand was small and delicate compared to his and his hands were not huge. He thought of placing a ring on her left hand and that was when he knew who she was. He looked up at her in shock.

She let go of his hand. She put her hand over her heart, "I'm so sorry, I- I shouldn't have."

Her accent was almost British, the tempo was soothing and calming. Actually, he thought, the effect it had on him was calming and soothing. Her voice was borderline sensual on his aural sense. He could tell his reaction had distressed her though.

"No, I'm sorry. Girls don't touch me, especially-"

"Not black ones?" She offered looking slightly amused.

He laughed. He pushed his glasses up, bringing her attention to his dark blue eyes. She blinked in surprise and shyly looked away.

"No. I was going to say especially not the pretty ones who go to church." He scratched the back of his head and blushed slightly, "Thanks for helping me out. I know it doesn't seem like it but I play sports and stuff as long as I take my medication. I guess I wrongly timed my morning dose."

He coughed apologetically, "Maybe you'll come to see for yourself someday?" She looked at him incredulously.

He laughed, "Come on, my manhood is at stake, just mill around the basketball court on weekends or early evenings and wave when you see me so I can know to score one for the lady who saved my life."

"Everything okay?" Her companion asked. He came closer and Nathaniel looked up to see a very protective male ready to pounce on him. She looked up and behind her almost as if she'd forgotten she'd been with someone.

Nathan wanted to smirk. He wheezed on purpose for effect, her attention snapped back to him. She put her hand on his shoulder and looked up to see if he was okay.

"Yeah, I think so." She continued to listen to him breathe. "He seems to be better. I think we should take him back to his dorm though. He's much taller than I am and I don't feel comfortable leaving him alone."

"Ha! Ari right wani (But he's okay)! Chingomsiya (Just leave him there)." The other male frowned visibly and spoke in an irritated manner. Hmmm, Shona, Nathan thought, haven't heard real people speak it ever, well, in ages!

"No, what if he collapses between here and there?" She asked her companion. She looked up at Nathan, "Where do you live?"

"You want to take me home?" Nathan asked hopefully.

"No, she just wants to know where you live. We will probably just call you a cab." Her companion snapped more than irritated already by the delay.

Nathan looked sheepishly at the ground. "Iwasgoingtothecourts." He mumbled. She groaned and his body responded by weakening his knees as he stood and he lost his footing. She caught him and frowned at him.

"Tendai, we are taking him to wherever he lives." She addressed her companion with a look of determination...

*End of Flashback*