Precious did not respond to the text so Nothando has to make another plan to escape. In the meantime, Joseph is so hooked by the beauty of Nothando he can’t even concentrate on the road. He keeps staring at her with a naughty eye, and these actions scare Nothando even more. When he talks he licks his old, wrinkled lips and winks from behind his spectacles.
“It’s good to finally meet you in person,” he tells her. “Ewu umuhle mtanomuntu (You are so beautiful).”
She is uncomfortable and blushing. “Thank you, Sir,” she says.
“You look scared, my sweety. What’s wrong?”
“No, nothing … just that I am not used to meeting men this way.”
“OK, you mean I am your first blesser?” he says and smiles with pride.
“If you will be, then yes, you’ll be the first.”
“I will definitely take care of you and your needs so that I will stay your first and last blesser.”
As they are driving, Joe’s phone rings. Nothando sees a woman’s name come up on the car audio screen.
Joe sees her looking and bursts out: “It’s my wife. I don’t want to take it because I’m driving.”
“Take it. It must be something important she wants to tell you.”
“No, she can wait. It’s our precious time now and no-one should interrupt this beautiful moment.”
Nothando is shocked at how he’s acting. “Does that mean that when you’re with someone else you will not take my calls either?”
“You are being a woman now, sweetness. No, I will never ignore you, unless you become a nagging and boring woman like my wife, Mrs Khumalo.”
I cannot believe this guy! He’s a married man but it means nothing to him. He’s definitely a womaniser. I have to get out of here before I snap, Nothando thinks to herself, feeling sorry for the wife.
She looks down at the carpet of the car, scared to look this old man in the eyes. He is old enough to be her father, and looking elders in the eyes is a sign of disrespect.
“So, sweety, where would you want to go for lunch?”
“I’m so sorry Joe, but can we please skip lunch for today? My tummy just changed, and I am not feeling well. Please take me home.”
Joe is shocked and angry.
“Are you sure? I feel like you’re running away from me.”
“No ways Joe. I’m seriously not feeling well.” Her stomach gives a loud groan because she is panicking and nervous. Joe can hear the stomach noise.
“It does sound bad. OK, let me take you home – but on one condition: that you set up another day for us to meet soon.”
“Sure! I will do that. Thank you!” says Nothando, very relieved, as Joe drives her back to the flat.
She can’t wait to get home so that she can tell Precious about her first meeting with the blesser. How he’s turned out to be married, and a womaniser and so on. She wants to strangle her friend for not replying to her message when she needed her.
***
Tell us what you think: Are blessers usually married? Do the blessees mind, or do they take this for granted?