It was Maths class and the sun streamed through the window making me sleepier than I was already. Mr Ziqubu was busy talking about the preparations for the trial exam. I was not really listening; I was staring at tall and handsome Wandile walking towards the Principal’s office.

“Concentrate, Nolwazi! You can’t afford to day dream in this class.” Mr Ziqubu glared at me. As he turned back to the board, a piece of crumpled up paper hit me on the side of my eye. I swung around and frowned at Deliwe. She’s my best friend, so she should not be mocking me. She shook her head to show that she hadn’t done anything and I turned to look left. Ugh, Zinhle! the girl who loves attention in my class. I also glared at her and she looked down as if she hadn’t done anything.

Finally the class ended. Deliwe and I were on our way home. She was busy talking and I was not saying much.

“Lwazy!” she called and I turned to my right and looked at her. “What’s going on with you, you’ve been so quiet today?”

I replied with a huge grin, “Don’t worry my friend, there’s nothing wrong with me.”

“We’ve been together for so many years now and I can tell if something is wrong with you. You weren’t even concentrating during Maths class, which is so strange because you never lose concentration when you’re in class, more especially Maths class.”

“OK! Because you keep insisting I’ll tell you. I’m in love.”

“Oh wow, finally chommie. Tell me who the lucky guy is, because last time I checked you wanted nothing to do with boys.” She was so excited she was even jumping on to me. I just stood like a tree, looking at her clapping hands, happy for me.

She realised that I was not interested in what she was doing.

“Alright, tell me the whole story my friend, I’m listening.”

“It’s the guy doing his practical at school,” I admitted to her.

“Has he ever said anything to you?”

“No he hasn’t and I know I shouldn’t feel this way but it is bothering. Next week he is leaving and what if he leaves this place without saying anything to me?”

“Don’t worry, Lwazi, you know that you are beautiful and irresistible so he will come around if you were meant to be together,” she comforted me. “Besides, you guys can’t really be together right now, he is a teacher and you’re a student. He could be in trouble and that’s why he hasn’t talked to you.”

Deliwe was so sweet; she’d say anything not to hurt my feelings. I said goodbye to her at the end of the main road and walked along a footpath that lead to my house.

The next day at school went very fast. When the bell rang, I called Deliwe and we went to the shop to get something to eat before our evening class. I saw him standing with his two friends, Mxolisi and Sakhile, under the tree near the school library.

“Nolwazi, can I have a word with you please?” I heard a voice say as we passed the tree.

It was Wandile; the guy who made the rest of the world vanish when I thought of him. My heart beat changed when he called out my name. I couldn’t believe it. I walked on air but didn’t show him my excitement. I went to where he was standing.

“Hi, thanks for coming,” he greeted humbly. “I’ve been watching you and wanted to talk with you but it seems as if you are always busy,” he said. As he talked, I looked at him straight in his eyes to make sure that I didn’t forget a single word he said.

“I think you know that I’m Mr Sibisi and I’m not allowed to be seen talking with learners in corners. I know that I’m still a student and I’m here for teaching so I should also act as a professional, a teacher, even though I’m not one,” he said nervously.

Deliwe was right; he does like me. Why would he be nervous otherwise? I stood there not sure what to say.

“Oh my name is Wandile but most of the people call me Lungisani. But you decide which one you prefer.”

“I guess I would love to call you Wandile. I usually take myself as someone who is unique, I always like being different from other people so I’m not going to call you Lungisani since it’s a name used by most of the people.” I rambled nervously.

I heard Deliwe shouting. “Lwazi, Mr Ncube is already in class so you better be fast,”

“I’m so sorry to make you late in class. Could you please give me your number so that I could at least call you?” I gave him my number and rushed to class.

At 8:30 in the evening I was lying on my bed and my phone beeped with a message.

Hope u enjoyed Life Sciences class jst wanted to say hv a wonderful nyt, Wandi

I couldn’t help but blush as I texted back.

Tnx hv a wonderful nyt too…Lwazi

The thing is I love you.

He finally had some courage, I think. I didn’t respond, I didn’t know what to say.

I know that you’ve got lots of questions right now. Questions like, out of all the girls why you? Why would I want to date a learner while I’m in University? Do I really mean it when I say I love you? What I can tell you is that the first time I set my eyes on you, you created yourself a space in my heart and I don’t think my heart will ever find peace if you don’t fill up that space.

That message brought a big smile on my face as if I had won something. I replied immediately after reading it.

lv u a too…

I started thinking about this mysterious guy. It was the first time in my life I was falling in love like this. This guy was starting to make me go crazy. We chatted a bit and said our goodnights.

***

Tell us: What do you think about Lwazi and Wandi dating? Would you do it?