I can’t erase her from my mind, the day we met at border. It was like I was in a dream and I don’t want to wake up from it. We carry on talking after that and my love for her blossoms.

Seeing her smile is on repeat in my thoughts. I speak to her daily and when I start drinking one of the whiskeys, each sip reminds me of her. Every day I think about her, my feelings overcome every fibre of my being.

One morning I have doubts if she will make it to see me again. I wake up early, confused because of the dream I had. In the dream she refuses to come to see me. I grab my phone and see she is online. Maybe she didn’t like my personality or character, maybe she expected someone more than me, I start to worry. So I decide to message her.

Babes. I can’t sleep. Are you still coming?

Yes I am.

Serious?

Baby, I am coming.

You’ve been scarce.

You know it’s Christmas. I am busy up and down.

I love you.

Luv u too. Can’t wait.

I can’t wait to see her, I hope the family will love her as much as I do. We arranged that I meet her in town. Sue doesn’t like speaking in our home language, she mixes it with English. I thought she is proud but she attended private schools where English is the only language taught and she never learnt Shona. Her father who raised her only spoke English too. I’ve never met a person like her before. Most people from home speak Shona. I warn my brother about Sue so we can all understand her. Understanding someone makes them feel comfortable.

“Paul where are you?” I felt the anger behind those words.

“Baby I’m coming,” I answer calmly, she’s impatient as ever.

I haven’t yet caught a taxi. I grab my blue jeans and blue T-shirt and I dress quickly. Sue is boiling in rage. I only told her I am coming, if she knew I was going to take some time she’d never have waited. The taxi will leave after it’s full and might take too long; it roams around Mkoba till it’s full then leaves for Gweru town. I find a taxi as soon as I step out the gate and luckily only two passengers are needed for it to be full.

It takes 30 minutes, Sue calls again.

“Are you coming?” she shouts, now she is very angry. I tell her about the taxi’s routine and she understands but suggests that I should wait in town for her when she leaves Harare. At least she is calm and sounds like she’s smiling.

She tells me she is at OK Supermarket. When I jump out the taxi I run fast to the shop until I see her. She looks restless, I walk up slowly behind her; I want to surprise her. I close her eyes from behind. She looks beautiful in a classy pink one piece bodysuit. It suits her and looks elegant as if she is rich. I embrace her.

“I thought you stood me up,” she smiles and punches me slightly.

“I wouldn’t do it to my flower… You know I love you too much,” I brush her cheeks.

She smiles and I help her with her small bag. Women are impossible, I think, the bag feels like it’s full of stones, I laugh at my joke alone.

“I know my bag is heavy. A woman comes prepared,” she chuckles. I like her smile, it makes me crazy.

We walk down to the other shop, ‘Choppies’. It’s very cheap, I like shopping there. She walks slowly but all I want to do is buy groceries and go home. I have to be patient, I follow her lead. We leave her bag at the parcel counter. I grabbed some food. We are celebrating New Year’s and I will be with my soulmate. Sue grabs chocolates and flavoured spring water.

“Are those all she wants?” I ask.

She looks at me and goes to grab chips. I laugh because I am going to have to maintain a high life. I pay for the goods and we grab a taxi to Mkoba.

“Are you happy?” I ask, her expression show nervousness.

“I am… but will they accept me?”

I rub her shoulders and kiss her cheeks.

“I don’t care about that, I love you.”

She smiles wider, showing her teeth but her body is shaking and is getting worse. I have to hold her hands. When the taxi stops she breathes harshly. We step out from the taxi and check if we didn’t leave some of the groceries behind.

The house is two yards from the corner we got off at. I lead the way and she follows. She breathes heavier with each step she takes.

We enter the house slowly, my brother and his wife greet her.

***

Tell us: Do you think Sue will be welcomed in Paul’s home?