I had never heard about Franco Restaurant. It looked like a high shot social outing for business people and everything on the menu was expensive. I kept looking around; it was a dream place. I once saw its advert in a newspaper when they had specials but it was still expensive, I couldn’t afford it. Jimmy disturbed my view when he knelt in front of me.

What is he doing?

He scratched inside of his pocket and took out a velvet box. I got dumbfounded and couldn’t say a word. Is he is doing what I think he is? He is proposing to me?

He opened the box, oh god! It was a three carat gold ring. My mouth opened wide but no words came out? Some ladies stood up and took pictures with their phones. Flashes were focused on me and Jimmy. This ring was a real jewel. A waiter who was serving us quickly told the ladies to mind their own business, but I wanted everyone to see it as if I was a celebrity.

“Will you marry me, Khanyi Dube?” he asked gently.

“Yes,” I yelled.

There was no reason to think because he was my first boyfriend and I loved him. He loved me too, I know. He put the flashy ring on my finger and I jumped to hug him tightly. I closed my eyes with happiness and he kissed my cheek. I opened my eyes to flashes, those ladies kept capturing pictures. Obviously we will be trending on Facebook or Instagram tonight, I thought.

Those eyes kept staring at us, I had a feeling of them even after eating our dessert, a chocolate cake. We were the main attention in the restaurant and Jimmy suggested we leave early because the audience was making us uncomfortable. I didn’t know what I wanted; I wanted people to keep adoring us yet I wanted my mother to see the ring on my finger.

We left in a hurry. Jimmy kept adoring my beauty and I kept looking at my shining jewel. Is it real or not? I knew it’s real. My knees broke every time he adored my beauty and proclaimed his love.

“I can’t wait to make you my wife,” he said softly.

I smiled and touched his hand while his other hand was on the steering wheel. He held mine tightly till we arrived at my place. We stared at each other and our lips touched. I felt heat in my body that I wanted more, it was our first deep kiss.

A knock sounded on the window and we stopped. It was my mother. I was frightened as I opened the door and walked out shyly. I did not see Jimmy walking out of the car.

“Where are you going? To spend time in the car?” she asked concerned.

“No Mama, I was going to walk her to the door,” he replied.

I looked up and I hid my hands behind my back. Jimmy pulled me and my mother to see the shiny ring. She smiled wider; Mother loved diamonds, she didn’t wear one but my dad brought her a fake ring that she had always been grateful for. She always said, “Love is more important than material things.”

“Mama, I love your daughter. I asked her to marry me,” he said gently.

Mother pulled my hand closer to view it. She ululated louder, even the neighbourhood heard her. Rudo ran through the door as if someone was chasing her. Jimmy got invited for tea at our house. I could see expressions of happiness on my mother’s face except Rudo, she just blinked her eyes.

***

Tell us: What do you think of the relationship between Rudo and Khanyi?