Saturday night finally arrived and the two friends were getting ready for the oh-so-anticipated double date. Anticipation on Samke side that is, which was the direct opposite of how her friend was feeling. Samke turned from the mirror and faced her friend.

“Did you know that a smile always changes a person’s mood? Like dramatically? So, put a smile on that beautiful face and relax! It’s only a date; he won’t bite, I promise.”

Her friend looked at her and smiled wanly. “If anything goes wrong, I promise you Samkele Mdluli, I’ll never speak to you again. And I mean it!”

“Okay. It’s a deal. But I just have a very good feeling about you two – in fact, I’ll go as far as to say I think you’re a perfect match! You’re going to enjoy yourself in his company. You just wait and see!” said Samke with a twinkle in her eye.

“Fine, let’s go then before I lose my nerve.” replied Zamo reluctantly.

The two friends headed out of the door to a fancy restaurant picked out by non-other than Mr Mikane himself! The dude is loaded! I, Zamo Letitia Mazibuko, am being wined and dined by this hunk of a guy! Of all people he chose me!! He’s gorgeous, loaded and a gentleman and he chose me!

All of these thoughts were swirling round and round in her head and she forgot about her ex for a moment. She knew this was only wishful thinking but it did help her banish her nervous twitch.

They arrived at the restaurant and Peello and Samke’s beau were having a few cocktails while waiting for them at the bar. The two gallant men spotted the ladies and rushed off to welcome them and take their coats.

Peello cracked that 1000 megawatt smile of his and greeted Zamo and Samke very warmly.

“Ladies welcome! It’s so good of you to grace us with your presence and looking as gorgeous as ever!” He said all of this while training his eyes on Zamo as if they were the only people in the room. Zamo blushed and looked away. She could sense the electricity in the air and if she was honest with herself she was enjoying the attention. She smiled at both gentleman and greeted back. After all of the greetings and formal introductions were done, they all sat down to order their meals.

The topics of discussion varied and everybody seemed to be getting along very well. The food finally arrived and it looked so delicious. Mmh, the man has taste too, surmised Zamo. Let’s see: well educated, caring, handsome, loaded, and chivalrous, has a sense of taste, what else? She couldn’t wait to find out – she was intrigued.

Samke was already a bit tipsy and had started flirting with the waiter. Poor guy, he’d being so courteous and threw a look of sympathy at Samke’s beau.

“Hey my friend, keep the shots coming will you? My system is in desperate need of some hot liquid! Bring me a big one hey?” she said slurring her words.

Zamo interjected. “No, I think you’ve had enough my friend. What you need is a tall glass of water.” She signaled for a waitress passing by and asked her to bring a jug of water to their table.

The jug of water arrived just as Samke was getting loud and causing havoc at the table. Fellow patrons were starting to get uncomfortable and looking for the nearest exit in case they needed to leave quickly.

Zamo poured some water in a glass that was thankfully already part of the crockery at the table and prompted, almost forcibly, Samke to drink. The men were watching in horror as the drama slowly unfolded. Samke pushed the glass away and started swearing at her friend and telling her to go back to her boring, pathetic life.

“You don’t know how to party! Just go home to your fluffy sleeping gown and slippers. That’s what makes you happy isn’t it?”

Zamo was beyond stunned and hurt, she fled the table. To say she was distraught was the understatement of the century – she wanted to just disappear! The humiliation!

Peello came running after her.

“Zamo, Zamo, wait! Zamo, please stop!”

She finally stopped. Out of breath.

“Don’t mind Samke. She’s drunk. I still like you even if you like your sleeping gown and slippers. You’re a beautiful, talented, intelligent and loving person. Samke is probably jealous because I like you. Please come back or at least, allow me to take you home.”

“How could she, Peello? I mean, was this her twisted plan to get me to meet you, like you, then humiliate me like that in one go? Why?” Zamo asked, tearfully.

“I, I can’t answer that. I’m sorry. You have to speak with her once she’s sober. Maybe she didn’t mean all of that stuff she said.” Peello soothed her, stroking her on the back.

Zamo sobbed into his arms, feeling her body relax, smelling his masculinity and delicious cologne. She spoke again and this time, there were no tears.

“I don’t know what I would have done if you hadn’t come after me. Thank you Peello.” She smiled up at him and they locked eyes.

Peello, feeling like kissing her because she looked so vulnerable and gorgeous at the same time, managed to restrain his emotions. He didn’t want to spoil the mood and besides, he really cared about her. She was definitely someone to commit to, someone he could introduce to his family. Marriage material if he dared say so himself!

“Come on, let’s go get our coats. I’m taking you home.” He steered her in the direction of the restaurant.

Zamo was suddenly aware of the awkwardness of the current situation. She certainly wouldn’t be able to face Samke while she trashed her like that. Not yet anyway. She looked at him and asked, “Can I stay the night at your place? I mean I would ask my other friend Kenny but he’s currently out of the country. I feel bad having to impose on you but I’m just not yet ready to face Samke. I need space to…”

Peello interrupted. “Hey, hey. No need to explain. I understand. You’re most welcome to crash at my place. Anytime! I have a spare bedroom that I can setup for you. No worries. Okay?”

She gave him a thin smile.

“Thank you. I really appreciate your hospitality.”

He chuckled in that deep voice of his. “You make it sound like we’re in the 1900’s; like we’re living in the era of ‘Gone with the Wind’!” He chuckled again and mimicked her voice, “‘I really appreciate your hospitality’.”

Laughing along, she swatted him on the arm and again the electricity was in the air. Zamo broke it off this time and suggested that they move along.

They headed back to the restaurant where they found out that Samke and her boyfriend had already left. The head waiter told them that they were kicked out because one of them started a fight with one of the other patrons. It was anybody’s guess who started the fight. He further informed them they left without paying the bill.

Peello promptly took out his cheque book and wrote down a sum that would cover the food and drinks, as well as any damages that might have been caused. On top of that, he left tips for the waiter and waitress who had served them.

“Thank you very much sir! I hope to see you again, without the other lady might, I add.” said the head waiter.

Peello smiled graciously.

“Don’t worry sir; we don’t plan on bringing her here again or anywhere else for that matter! Please accept my sincere apologies for all the trouble caused by our friends.”

Smiling back, the head waiter said, “Well, it wasn’t entirely your fault but I do accept your apology, thank you!”

“Good. We’ll be on our way then. Have a good night.” Peello turned to Zamo, “Shall we?”

They left the restaurant arm in arm, their coats and budding love warming their veins.

“Are you sure about sleeping over at my place?” Peello asked with concern. “Shouldn’t you at least let your friend know that you won’t be coming home tonight? My thinking is that she must’ve felt so bad and the best place she knew she’d find you would at your flat.”

“I’ll send her a text. She’s probably out like a light by now anyway. Wherever she is…”

While driving, Peello peered at her in the dark and once again marveled at her beauty. Why in the world would anyone so beautiful lock herself up at her house? Surely, men were begging to take her out? Or is she so unapproachable that men don’t dare try anything with her?

She noticed that her date was looking at her very intently but decided to pretend as if she had no clue and carried on staring straight ahead. She didn’t know why Samke acted the way she did but soon resolved to leave it for tomorrow. All she needed now was some rest. Crying is really an exhausting but healing exercise. It’s true what her mother liked to say after all: Crying heals the soul and paves the way for forgiveness to self and to others. She needed to visit her parents soon. Maybe when she went on her annual leave in December, she’d pop by before she jetted off to Durban’s sunny beaches. For now, she was quite content to spend her time getting to know Mr Chocolate-voice Mikane.

With that thought, she soon found herself asleep right there on chocolate-voice’s comfortable car seat.

***

Tell us what you think: Do you have friends who behave like Samke? What has been the most embarrassing thing your friend has ever done?console.log(‘ThelmsSurveyLink::GetLinkArray() returned ‘, false);