Ty was second in line at the dentist. He despised waiting in queues, so he would rather wake up in the early hours of the morning to be the first one in line. He had prepacked everything the night before.

“Water, novel, notebook, pen, and a fully charged phone with data and headsets? Check! Noisy chubby baby, is that too cute to get upset at? Check. I love babies,” Ty thought to himself.

While Ty was thinking, he got tapped on the shoulder, and before he could remove his headset, he was directed to the door of the consulting room. The air conditioning was blasting, so he shoved his pen in the notebook he had sketched a picture of Kevin’s girlfriend in. It was incomplete, but you could see the layout of box braids tossed to the side, a wine glass in her hand, and her dazzling smile.

Kevin had asked Ty for a pen-sketch portrait of his girlfriend so he could give it to her as a gift for her crown birthday, 25, on October 25. Hazel was her name, and Ty gathered how much Kevin loved her because he had brought her up during their conversations.

“It’s so cold in here,” Ty moaned to the dentist.

“Really?” the dentist responded. “So, what can we do for you today?”

The dentists’ change in topic made Ty realise that the air conditioning would not be adjusted. He would have to just sit back and think of a warm place, a place like Durban in December, where the sand burns your feet and the sun’s heat on your shoulders hurts, leaving no trace of its kiss.

The pain from the needle brought Ty back to the icy consulting room. By then, he could not complain about the cold. His jaw trapped under the suction instrument, mouth mirror, and probe poking at his teeth under the spotlight, trying desperately to return to a place of bliss. The gruesome experience at the dentist left his lips dry and his tongue numb, but he was glad it was over and done and he could get on with his day. His friend, Bheki, had said he would stop by later in the afternoon, and he had invited him to stay over for supper.

“I’m making snoek,” Ty said, trying convince Bheki over the phone while shopping.

“Fine, I’ll bring wine,” Bheki confirmed.

Ty and Bheki had been friends for almost five years. They had met at a research conference. Bheki was presenting his research on learners’ perception of social media influence on the need for school at The Annual Media and Education Research Conference held in Durban. Ty was the project manager for the conference with his former company. They had become good friends, and Ty was even the best man at Bheki’s wedding.

The snoek was laid on a platter dish, and steam rose from it when Ty unwrapped the foil, and the aroma of spice, onions, garlic, and peppers filled the room. Couscous and a fresh Greek salad decorated the plate, and lemon was drizzled onto the dish. The white wine was chilled, and the two friends enjoyed a conversation reminiscing about how life had unfolded the way they least expected it.

Their evening ended with a debate about when the Tupperware filled with leftovers would be returned. It was a verbal agreement Ty took very seriously, but Bheki’s calm nature and reassurance that it would be returned eased him. So, with the blow of a kiss, the two said goodbye.

“Send my love to Thabiso, and please tell him I’m expecting him at our next dinner,” Ty said.

“I will my …” Bheki ended.

After the greeting, Ty returned to his balcony, and the evening sky was waiting for its host. He reclined in his camp chair, dangled one foot on the right-hand rest, and unwrapped his Aero. “Happy Anniversary Ty,” he whispered.

***

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