It’s dark outside. Khayelitsha’s haphazard scatterings of streetlights hardly shift the shadows.

His name is Themba. I noticed him the first time I ever saw him at school. I’ve daydreamed about him plenty. But I’ve never had the guts to speak to him.

“Are you ok Buhle?” he asks me gently, and squeezes my hand.

He knows my name! My courage soars and I lean in and kiss him before it slips away. I see Siphiso’s eyes go wide with surprise, and then I close my eyes and lose myself in the feeling of our lips touching, softly first and then more fiercely as a wave of feeling rolls through my body.

He pulls away first, and strokes my cheek with his fingers.

“I’ve always noticed you Buhle,” he says with a smile. “I think you’re very beautiful, and I like that you often look quite serious.”

I can’t believe what I’m hearing.

“You’re someone special Buhle. I’ve seen how hard you always work at school. You’re someone who’s going places.”

I’m stunned. Themba knows me and he thinks these things about me?!

“I’ve also noticed you Themba. But you’re always so busy when I see you at school. And I’ve seen you working at the spaza on weekends too….” I trail off. I feel woozy and my mind feels cloudy.

I don’t want to look like I’ve got nothing to say so I lean in and kiss him again. I’m feeling a little dizzy as our lips meet again, but his strong arms hold me gently against him.

“I’ve always wanted to kiss someone…” I hear my voice say, as if from far away.

I feel a little quiver of shock run through his body, and he goes still and then moves away a little. I move straight back in. It feels so good to be held, I throw my full weight against him. I catch him by surprise and we nearly lose our balance.

“Hey Buhle,” he says softly, “maybe you better slow down on the drinks.”

His words snap something inside me, and I pull away, flushed with embarrassment. Something inside me says stop. What am I doing? What must he think of me? I’m drunk. I’m literally falling on the guy. I pull away, shake my head and turn away from him, before hurrying back inside.

WHAT DO YOU THINK? Is Buhle getting into a relationship or a difficult situation? Have you ever thrown yourself into a drunken kiss? Do you think it was a good thing or do you regret it?