Someone was singing along to a James Ingram tune and Zamo thought she was dreaming. She opened one eye and saw that she was lying on an unfamiliar bed situated in an unfamiliar bedroom. She closed her eye and tried to remember why she was laying there. What happened last night and where in the blazes am I?

Well, at least I’m still fully clothed! That’s a good sign isn’t it? She started smelling freshly baked bread and decided to venture out of the bedroom. She tiptoed her way to the landing and waited to listen where that beautiful voice was coming from. Feeling like an intruder, she decided to make herself look presentable before she confronted whoever was in this amazing house.

She went back into the room where her bag had been placed so tenderly on the nightstand, checked for some mints, moisturizer for her chapped lips and her little emergency spritzer. Armed with these essentials, she trotted off to the en-suite bathroom, rinsed her mouth, and rubbed some baby powder on her bosom and finally a little moisture on her lips. All done, she spritzed her clothes and as a final touch did the beauty trick to beat all beauty tricks: spray her spritzer in the air and then walk underneath the cloud of fragrance.

Ready to face James Ingram’s singing voice double, she slowly walked in the direction of the music.

This led her to the kitchen and she gasped as she realized that it was Peello himself! Why is this man so perfect? She asked herself without realizing that she spoke out loud. Peello turned from the stove and greeted her with that smile of his.

“Good morning Madame! How did you sleep? I hope you’re hungry.”

She managed to hide her embarrassment and wondered if he heard her. She wrapped her coat tighter around her body.

“Um very well thank you. How are you?” she asked smiling shyly.

He saw the questions in her eyes and reassuringly responded. “Don’t worry. Nothing happened, I swear. And I’m doing great now that you’re awake, sleeping beauty.”

Blushing, she looked away and swiftly changes the subject.

“So, what are you cooking? It smells delicious!”

“Ah! A special meal for a special lady.” he replied.

“Flattery will get you everywhere mister! I love a good meal!” she responded with a huge grin. In the same breath she asked, “What time is it anyway?”

He took a mental note of that too, looking at her and wanting to kiss her again. She looked like an angel and he couldn’t help but stare.

“So, are you going to dish up for me or should I do it myself?” She asked her new friend.

Peello was zapped back to earth and stuttered a response. “Um, erm, yes I’ll…I’ll dish up for you. I…I…I’m sorry. Could you please, um, get some plates from the top cupboard?”

“Great, I can’t wait!” she said smiling as she stood up to get the plates.

He dished up and nervously served her the meticulously cooked food.

“Brunch is served my lady.”

“Yum! It smells and looks so delicious! Thank you so much – I nearly fainted from starvation!” she exclaimed.

Peello laughed.

“Really now! Dramatic much are we now?”

She echoed his laugh and started to eat. Before the spoon entered her mouth, he stopped her.

“Can we please say grace before we start eating?”

She stopped and stared at him.

He grinned.

“What? You don’t say grace before you eat?”

“I used to while I was growing up and well, things changed when I came to the city. I guess you could call it influence.” she explained.

“I see. So, are you willing to re-adopt the concept of saying grace before meals?”

“Yes. It’s not a problem. Not at all.” she said grinning.

“Great. Come, let’s hold hands and say grace.”

They held hands and he proceeded to say grace.

“Our Heavenly Father, we thank you for this bounty and our health. Thank you God Almighty for the opportunities and blessings You have shown us. Thank You for friendship and communion with man. We ask that Your Holy Spirit never ceases to look out and guide us. We thank You for everything. Amen.”

“Amen,” echoed Zamo.

“Now, let’s eat! Bon appétit!”

They ate in silence with Mr Ingram crooning sweetly in the background. Zamo, tried to keep the conversation going.

“Hey, I didn’t know you like James Ingram’s music. I really do. It’s so romantic – that kind of music you just want to hug. Huggable music is what I like to refer to these kinds of slow jams.”

Enthusiastically, he responded.

“Oh yes I do! Ingram is one of my all-time favourites, closely followed by Vandross. Of course, I enjoy all types of music. For me, it’s not about the genre, rather the music itself. I believe music has to leave you feeling good about yourself, without trying too hard. If that’s exactly how you feel afterwards, then music has done its job and that’s how I determine my taste in music.”

Zamo was nodding her head while he spoke, realizing that that was exactly how she felt about music. It’s not so much about the context, even though that in itself is very important, but more about the melody.

“So, are you saying that you don’t have a particular genre you prefer?” she asked.

“No. To me music is music. There are no two ways about it.” he replied in a serious tone.

“Mh. My sentiments exactly!” she responded grinning widely.

“By the way, I like this “huggable” concept. I think it’s really cute and shows me that you’re very sentimental and not afraid to show your vulnerability. That, amongst other things, is what I really like in a lady.” he looked at her straight in the eye, and then looked away as soon as he had clocked eyes with her.

If it were possible she would be beet red right about now. Her face felt a little too hot. How embarrassing to be feeling such emotions about a man she hardly knows! In an effort to suppress her feelings, she cleared her throat.

“Um, my throat is suddenly so dry, I feel like I’ve been left out in the Namibian desert for days without as much as a sip of water. Could you pour me a glass please? Plus you still haven’t told me what time it is.”

Peello jumped up feeling mortified that he had been such an awful host.

“My apologies I… I completely forgot about drinks. Ah, let me pour you a glass of wine instead. Is… is that okay? I saved a bottle especially for you and it has been chilling in my fridge since last night. Um, oh yes, it’s around 10 a.m.” He sounded like he had been running a marathon and contesting the number 1 spot for the championship of stuttering.

She felt bad for him but decided to ignore his obvious discomfort. It might make things very awkward. So, in order to keep things light, she continued on such a note.

“My goodness, I woke up that late? Whoa! Anyway, what kind of wine is it? Is it white?”

“I’ve both red and white. Chardonnay or Moët?” he asked.

She considered the options presented to her.

“I’ve never tasted Moët and would really love to please. I don’t mind whether white or red. But I do prefer white in most wines.”

“Moët it is then!” Peello said as he opened the door to the fridge. “I personally enjoy Moët myself. It’s one of my treats on days like this.”

“Ah. Interesting… so, it looks like we have quite a lot in common,” an intrigued Zamo surmised.

He handed over her glass of wine.

“That remains to be seen but so far so good. And I like discovering new facets to the person that you are. Tell me something though. I feel like you have these walls built up. Why is that?”

“Nothing. I’m just generally cautious. That’s all.”

She knew that this question would come up sooner or later. She just didn’t expect it right now. Heck, she can’t even admit it to herself and probably seeing S’khumba over the holidays will help her in finding closure so she can admit her faults and forgive herself in the process. Only then can she allow herself to open up to this new love that is really trying to find and connect with her. Although, she was dreading having to see her ex-boyfriend, she had to go through with it. It’s about time. Flip, this non-relationship is way overdue its expiry date!

“Alright, I’ll take it and leave it at that. I’ll tell you what. Let’s finish up here and go for a walk. Would you like that?”

“Can we postpone that for later? I need a proper shower.”

“Do you mind taking it here? I promise I won’t sneak in.”

Laughing she said, “Not a chance mister. I’d like you to take me home please. I like using my own shower and toiletries. We’ll meet up later, okay?”

“Okay, you win. Do you promise to keep your end of the bargain?”

“Don’t worry. I’m not that kind of girl.” replied Zamo.

“And what kind of girl are you Miss Mazibuko?” Peello teasingly asked her.

“You’ll find out soon enough if you hang around a bit longer.” she teased back.

“Well, I can’t wait. Alright, grab your bag and let’s be on our merry way.” Peello grabbed his car keys and started walking towards the front door.

“Okay, I just need to get my eyeliner. I forgot it at your bathroom sink.” She was already on her way upstairs when he stopped her mid-stride.

“Never mind; I’ll bring it to you later. Traffic is quite hectic on a Sunday morning in these parts of the city. Besides, a piece of your makeup kit will serve as something that will force you to keep the deal we made just a few minutes ago.”

“Oh you’re blackmailing me now Mr Mikane?” She was grinning.

“Well, yes if you want to call it that. Yes, I’m blackmailing you.” he chuckled. “Come let’s get out of here.”

They drove chattering intermittently and admiring each other secretly. She was thinking about how she was devastated and hurt last night and how her mood today was the complete opposite. In her mind she was thinking about Samke and how she was going to confront her. She was already anticipating a fight and really couldn’t stomach confrontation; she was dreading just coming face to face with her friend.

She checked her cellphone and found out that she had fourteen missed calls from Samke. The last call was around ten, soon after she had woken up. She ignored all those missed calls and scrolled through to her blinking massage box. Same story; it was Samke. Ugh! She now wished she had accepted Peello’s invitation to take a shower at his house.

What a magnificent house it was! The structure was a four bedroomed palace with two toilets downstairs, a spacious lounge and a humongous kitchen. He also had the biggest television set and gaming gadgets in what he called the family room, a room connected to the lounge by way of a sliding door. His house could easily feature on Top Billing if he wanted it to.

***

Tell us what you think: What is your feeling on Peello? Do you think Samke and Zamo will make up?