When George returned he spoiled Sisipho rotten. There were tennis challenges, swimming, back rubs and sometimes golf games. He didn’t really take her out much; he said she needs to eat more home cooked food. He would use this as an excuse to make her a candlelight dinner for two. Sometimes, on warm starlit nights, they would dine outside in the garden under the lavender tree. They both realised that they had missed out a lot in each other’s lives. But even so, they were now happy.

One special day George decided to give Sisipho a full body massage in the early hours of the morning. She didn’t realise how much she needed it until she got it. She was constantly treating her mother to two every month, and she herself didn’t bother making any appointments for herself.

“Do you even know that you have a plasma TV in your room?” George asked teasingly after the message.

“Ha ha, very funny. I rarely watch TV, I don’t even know why I have one in my room. What’s with the sudden commentary on my TV watching habits?”

“Or lack thereof,” said George smiling. “Just that this weekend I plan to treat you to all the Tyler Perry movies. And every movie starring Laurence Fishburne.” Sisipho smiled, with tears of joy in her eyes.

*****

It had been eight months after George’s arrival that Sisipho decided to tell him.

“George, I love you. I always have and I always will,”

George ran up to her as if something was about to fall on her, and he wanted to catch it and protect her. He pick her up in one easy swoop, spun her around and kissed her.

“I’ve been waiting for you to say that for so long. I love you too.”

[The End]