I want that girl

"I want this girl". He simply said.

" But I thought you said...".

"This is the girl I want to get married to mum. I think I like her".

" What? You can't like this girl".

"And why not?". Themba raised his brows.

" She's not your type".

" Then forget about me getting married".

Frustration was visible on Mrs Dlane's face. Her eyes were watery and her cheeks red.

" I thought you said you let go". She cried.

Themba realized at that moment that what his mother meant. The crazy girl from the airport, the girl who crashed his Camaro is Ayanda's sister. He understood at that moment why he had felt a similarity between the girl and Ayanda. He just looked on at his mom, he couldn't say anything.

"Say something Themba. I hate it when you get like this".

" I still want this girl, mom. I like her".

"What's with you and trash girls". She stood up and shouted at her son.

" Do not shout at me mother". He said in a lethal tone. "I know what's best for myself". He stood up too, towering above his mom.

" But she.....". She turned and left.

"Invite her to have dinner at our house tonight". Themba said but his mom was out the door and rushed down the stairs quickly, her high heeled shoes making an annoying sound.

Themba picked up his phone to call Mary Khumalo.

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

Dineo played loud music back in her hotel room. Only when the authorities served her a warning did she stop. She was angry, happy and confused at the same time. She received a call a few minutes ago. The call was from a man named Themba Dlane. She realized when he introduced himself that he was her husband to be. She was confused when he told her what he wanted. Her mom called earlier to tell her that she didn't need to go with the deal and now he is inviting her to dinner. She was excited to go to the Dlane's villa; she had heard about how large it was but also sad because she would be meeting her mom for the first time in years.

" Life is not a fairy tale". She said to herself. Realistically, her life isn't anything close to a fairy tale. She grew up with her grandmother and they lived in a shack with no proper amenities. She attended a public school and had to struggle hard to buy basic things like books, shoes and even lunch. She never had enough and occasionally bought new clothes. She believed life would change in Johannesburg but she didn't want it this way. Dineo didn't want to be married off to a man she had no feelings for, a man she never met. Ayanda was the one who lived the luxury, she should be the one to pay whatever debt her family owed.

Themba had said dinner time was seven pm so she had plenty of time to spare. She went out to watch a movie.

The movie turned out to be a waste of time and an emotional expense. It was a movie on arranged marriage, much similar to her own situation except that both protagonists in the movie were rich CEOs.

The warm Joburg breeze soothed her nerves, it came as a relief to get out of the cinema. She walked to the stores nearby to find a gift for her parents.

She went from store to store trying to find a perfect gift. She didn't expect anything less than awkwardness when she sees her parents but hoped the gift would make the reunion much easier.

She bought a card and two pairs of knitted gloves with matching beanies; winter was fast approaching. She even bought a large bouquet of flowers for the house owners which of course, included Themba. If she was going to go out with him, she would at least be nice to him.

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

Themba didn't meet Xolani after work, he had the solution to his problem.

"No need to meet up plans changed. I will update you". He texted Xolani but didn't get a reply. He knew Xolani was angry but didn't really care. He had bigger plans ahead.

He drove into the villa and gave his keys to one of his servants who parked the car in the garage.

He walked in and found his father in the large living room.

" Back from work so early?". He asked his dad.

"Good evening son, I had a great day. Thank you for asking". His dad answered sarcastically.

" I am sorry dad. Good evening".

"Good evening my son, how was your day?".

" Fine". He headed to the staircase.

"Meet me in the study when before dinner".

" I will sir". He walked upstairs to his room.

Themba freshened up and changed to his casual wear. It was a white Tshirt and blue shorts. The Tshirt was body-hugging and displayed his abs and muscles sexily. Usually, he would dress up formally when inviting guests to dinner but he didn't want to. He was expecting Dineo, a village girl whom he is planning his revenge on not some classy heiress or business partner. His guest was Dineo Khumalo.

-------------------------

Themba knocked on the door.

"Come in". His dad invited.

He opened the door, walked in and sat gently on a couch.

" Your mother told me something and I thought I should confirm if it's true".

"Yes, it is sir". He said impatiently.

" You didn't even ask what she said".

"It's about Dineo Khumalo and my decision to marry her".

" Exactly".

"Dad, I like Dineo so much. She reminds me of Ayanda". He lied. Of course, he was honest about Dineo reminding her of Ayanda but him liking her was a lie from the pit of hell.

" Don't you think you need to take your time....".

"I have thought about it enough dad". He cut in.

" Just this morning you told your mother and Mary that Dineo doesn't have to pay the debt they owe".

"That was before I saw her". He countered.

" You always make harsh decisions".

"And I have successfully run the company for years with this harsh decisions".

" You're right about that". Mr Dlane couldn't argue to that. Themba made a very good leader.

"Trust me on this one dad". He said convincingly, knowing he could pull through if his dad supported him.

" What if she doesn't like you". His dad asked.

Themba knew she would; many girls did but then he couldn't be sure, she was not very nice at the airport.

"I'm sure she would".

" But you haven't met her".

"She has to dad". His voice grew louder.

" It's a debt and she would pay".

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

"Dineo Dlane". Dineo repeated severally in front of the mirror. The name sounded nice enough on her tongue but she still felt that emptiness in her heart. She wished her best friend Khensani was in Joburg, she would have comforted her. She hoped silently that Themba would not want to marry her. She wants to be a fashion star, it was all she worked towards in her life. Her friends in the Eastern Cape and insisted that she would make a star out of dancing and singing, they were right. She is the best dancer and singer in her home town but that didn't matter to her, she only competed against naive, amateur village girls. In Johannesburg, she would meet the professionals, the fashion stars. She graduated from college with good grades and applied to a fashion conservatory not far from home, it was her only choice and she got rejected. But that was before she got the news that she was coming to Johannesburg. Things are about to change and they would. She planned to reapply to a fashion school in Johannesburg, she was confident that she would be selected. She had so much money to spend and was sure that her parents would give her more.

The ticking sound of the large hour hand of the clock brought Dineo back to the present. The clock struck six. She walked to a bag and brought out her new clothes. It was a long backless burgundy halter gown with a slit cut high matched with a red six inched heeled shoes. She knew for a fact that she looked really good in slit gowns and wanted to look her best so she chose the outfit. She stood in front of the mirror with satisfaction on her face.

She wore light make up of foundation and red lip gloss and beige eye shadow. She walked out of the hotel to get a cab.

To her surprise, the secretary told her a limousine was waiting for her.

" From Themba Dlane ma'am". The driver told her and ushered her to the car.

She felt a bit uneasy, she heard stories of girls being kidnapped and trafficked but then the car had the company's logo on it. She relaxed and let herself enjoy her journey to luxury. She felt on top of the world, like a queen.

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

The doorbell rang.

"I'll take it". He told the maid.

He wanted to usher his "guest" in personally. His parents shared a knowing look and smiled at his enthusiasm.

The door opened and Dineo saw the handsome man at the door. She took her time to observe him.

"He is like a demi-god". She thought to herself.

She looked at his nice sport shoes and his shorts, up to his fitted Tshirt and then to his face.

" You?". She screamed in shock and almost dropped the flowers and gift bag she was holding.

"Me". Themba smiled wickedly.