Oh God! I hope he doesn’t pick one of those car chase movies, Ntsiki frets, while she checks what’s showing at the Nu Metro complex at Canal Walk.
“Two for …” Themba points to a poster, “… that one. That Bollywood one.”
Ntsiki spins around, wondering if she had heard correctly. “Themba?”
“Yes, my love?”
“Did you just buy tickets–”
“Surprise! I know you love those movies.”
“But you hate them.”
“Not today. Today is your day. So … something to drink, and to eat?”
A smile tugs at the corners of Ntsiki’s mouth. “Something to drink only.”
“Some things never change. One blue Slush Puppy coming up.”
Okay, I’m impressed. He’s not as self-absorbed as I’d begun to think. Maybe … just maybe … I could give him another chance? Ntsiki thinks.
After the movie, Themba takes Ntsiki’s hand in his as they walk out of the cinema. “That wasn’t so bad.”
“Not so bad? There’s only one word for it – intswempu!”
Themba rolls his eyes. “It was okay. The only awesome thing was the motorbike action.”
“Yeah, yeah, motorbikes … because the girl was looking for some excitement in her life.”
“And I’m all the excitement you need, right?” Themba says, grinning. “You hungry?”
Ntsiki comes to a standstill. “Starving. I’ve always wanted to try … kodwa … anything is fine.”
“Jimmy’s Killer Prawns.”
I’ve never told him that, thinks Ntsiki. “How did you know?”
“I know you better than you think I do. I’ve seen how you look in there when we walked pass, and I’ve been saving up for this day – so let’s go.”
At the restaurant, they’re greeted by a hostess – at least Themba is. “Hey, Thembalicious. What can I do for you?”
Am I invisible? She’s actually flirting with him, thinks Ntsiki.
Themba slides his arm around Ntsiki’s waist. “Hey, Thandeka. Your best table for my lady.”
Thandeka doesn’t even look at Ntsiki. “Follow me.”
Walking ahead of them, swinging her hips, she guides them to a table tucked in the corner closest to the toilets. “This is the only available table,” she announces, even though the restaurant isn’t nearly half full.
Themba pulls out a chair for Ntsiki. “Sho, no worries. My eyes will be too glued to this special lady to notice anything else.”
When he sits down, Thandeka places a menu in his hand. “Your server will be with your shortly,” she says as she plonks down Ntsiki’s menu on the table, her eyes remaining on Themba. “Let me know if there’s anything else I can do for you. Anything at all.”
“Thanks, Thandeka.”
“You have my number – call me,” she persists.
Themba reaches across the table and takes Ntsiki’s hand in his. “Please organise a waiter – my lady is hungry.”
Lightning flashes in Thandeka’s eyes as she gives Ntsiki a scathing look before she sashays from their table.
Ntsiki can’t contain her amusement and explodes with laughter. “Oh my! One of your exes, Mr Mbatha?”
Themba shrugs. “You’re the only ex I want to get back with.”
* * * * *
When they leave Canal Walk, Themba takes the N1 heading into town. Where before, a few fluffy white clouds interrupted an endless blue heaven, now a sudden squall sweeps heavy clouds across the sky, followed by torrents of rain.
Themba flicks on the wipers. “Yho!”
Ntsiki chuckles. “You’re full of surprises today, just like this weather.”
“Ja neh, but there goes my great plan to take you to paradise.”
“Paradise?”
“Palm trees and sunshine. My perfect paradise. Sound familiar?”
Ntsiki gulps down her shock. “Yhu! You remember I said that about Camps Bay Beach?”
“Yebo, yes! I do listen when you talk.” Sometimes, anyway, he muses to himself. “But now I have to make another plan. It’s too early to end the day.”
“Let’s go anyway. I love the smell and sound of the ocean.”
Themba shakes his head and laughs at Ntsiki’s excitement. “I was gonna swing by the Gardens too.”
“All my favourite places in one day? Perhaps we can do that another time – when it’s not raining?”
“‘Another time?’ I like the sound of that.”
***
Tell us: Is Ntsiki falling for Themba’s charm again? Should she trust him, or is he just a playa?