15.

A FACE IN THE CROWD

15.

Me: you shouldn't be, I'm all yours.

Katlego's expression softened.

He pulled me close.

"You better be," he whispered, his lips brushing against my ear.

I felt a flutter in my chest.

This possessive side of Katlego was endearing.

Reassuring.

"I promise," I whispered back.

As we hugged, I realized.

Meetsi Mokotso might be my mentor.

But Katlego was my love.

My heart belonged to him.

.

.

.

Saturday morning dawned with chaos.

Dad lay on the couch, sick and weak.

Mom bustled around, preparing to take him to the hospital.

The atmosphere was tense, but I remained detached.

Maybe it was because Dad and I weren't close.

He had a severe cold, cough, and fever.

His voice was gone, reduced to mere whispers.

Mom turned to us, her eyes pleading.

"I need one of you girls to come with me to the hospital. I need a second pair of hands to help him."

I knew exactly what would happen next.

Excuses would pour in.

Princess spoke first.

"I can't come with you. There's a fashion show I have to attend. I need to network and promote my brand."

We all knew she was lying.

No brand, no fashion skills.

Just a party animal.

Prestige followed suit.

"Mom, I'd love to go, but I have tutoring today. I don't want to miss it. School starts Monday, and I'm entering Form 6."

More lies.

Katlego stopped tutoring her ages ago.

I impressed by their creativity.

Mom turned to me.

"What about you, Precious?"

I laughed loudly, unable to contain myself.

"Me? No, Dad won't like that. He doesn't like me, and I won't force it. I'll pass, please."

Dad's eyes met mine, a flicker of surprise.

Mom ordered an Uber, and the driver helped her load Dad into the car.

As they left, Princess turned on me.

"Why didn't you help Mom with Dad? You don't have anything better to do."

I shrugged.

"Same reason you didn't."

Princess sneered.

"Which reason? You're useless in fashion, and you don't know anything."

I smiled sweetly.

"We all know you have no fashion show. You failed fashion school. You're avoiding Daddy dearest for a lousy party with no ambition. Bravo, sis."

Her slap came swiftly.

I returned the favor, and our fight erupted.

Punches flew.

I pinned her down, delivering knockout blows.

Prestige watched, phone in hand, recording the chaos.

No attempt to intervene.

Just entertainment.

I didn't care.

Finally, Princess submitted.

Breathless, I stood up.

Prestige grinned.

"That's going on Instagram."

I rolled my eyes.

"Go ahead."

My phone buzzed.

Katlego's text.

"Hey, baby. How's your day?"

I smiled.

"Complicated."

I filled him in on the drama.

Katlego's response made me chuckle.

"Sounds like a typical Saturday."

.

.

.

I glanced at the invitation again, confirming the details:

"Art Exhibition"

"Saturday, [current date]

"Time: 6:00 PM - 9:00 PM"

"Location: The Art Gallery, Gaborone"

I smiled, feeling excited.

Eleven o'clock in the morning.

Plenty of time before the exhibition.

A sudden urge struck me.

I'd surprise Katlego.

Visit him at his place.

Spend some quality time with his family together.

Make the most of our day.

I grabbed my phone and sent Katlego a text:

"Hey, baby! Where are you now?."

Katlego's response was immediate:

"I'm at home. It's Saturday."

Me: okay. Just wanted to know.

.

.

.

I arrived at Katlego's house, wearing a modest knee-length blue gown and black sandals.

Excitement coursed through me as I knocked on the front door.

A young man, likely one of Katlego's brothers, answered.

His tall features and nose resemblance to Katlego were unmistakable.

"Hello, damsel. Who are you here to find?" he asked with a warm smile.

"I'm here for Katlego," I replied.

His expression changed to surprise.

"Ah, you're the girlfriend who cancelled on us?"

I nodded sheepishly.

"Yes, I am. I'm sorry for that, but I'm here to make it up to him."

The young man's face lit up.

"That's better! Baba cancelled his plans today just to meet you, and he's been grumpy all day. Come in."

As I entered, he introduced himself.

"I'm Kago, Katlego's brother.

We walked into the sitting room, where an older man sat reading an inspirational book while watching the news.

I assumed he was Katlego's father.

Kago announced my arrival.

"Katlego! Katlego! Your girlfriend is here!"

I greeted the older man with a traditional Setswana greeting.

"Dumelang."

He looked up, his eyes warm.

"Dumelang, Precious Lesedi Sechaba."

I was taken aback.

He knew my full name, yet I didn't know his.

"Baba, you're making me nervous," Katlego teased, entering the room.

His father chuckled.

"You're all he talks about, Precious. Katlego is my last baby, so..."

Katlego interrupted, laughing.

"Baba, stop calling me a baby!"

Katlego's eyes met mine, and he smiled shyly.

"What a surprise, Presh! You didn't tell me you were coming."

I apologized, but Katlego waved it off.

"No need to apologize. I love the surprise."

My gaze wandered around the room, and I spotted my paintings.

One was the gift I gave him, and two others he had purchased.

My heart swelled with pride.

Katlego noticed my gaze.

"Ah, you see your masterpieces? Baba loves them too."

His father nodded.

"Indeed, Precious. Your talent is remarkable."

Kago excused himself, leaving us alone.

Katlego took my hand, his eyes sparkling.

"I'm glad you're here. Let me show you my room"

Katlego's words caught me off guard.

In his father's presence?

I felt a flutter in my chest.

Was he serious?

Katlego noticed my hesitation.

"Don't mind my father, he's cool."

He winked.

I nodded, following him to his room.

Located at the end of the hall.

A backdoor led directly to his sanctuary.

The modest one-story bungalow surprised me.

I expected something more extravagant.

Katlego's room reflected his personality.

Blue and white walls.

Blue curtains filtering the sunlight.

A desk and chair.

Books stacked haphazardly.

A bookworm's haven.

The big bed.

Inviting white beddings.

Fresh, clean scent.

There's buildings designs on his walls. His laptop is open and it shows he's drawing a building plan too.

Clothes scattered on the floor.

Wardrobe open.

Katlego swiftly tidied up. He's embarrassed by that. I like the imperfections. It makes him look real.

Shoving clothes into the wardrobe.

Closing the door.

Smoothing the beddings.

I sat on the bed.

Feeling at ease.

Happy to be here.

Curiosity got the better of me.

"Katlego, tell me about your family."

I realized I knew so little.

While he knew everything about me.

Not fair.

Katlego smiled.

"Where do I start?"

He settled beside me.