Ntobeko



My heart skipped a bit when I saw Siza standing outside my window, I had been expecting him. Even though now I could sleep without any trouble I still wanted him to come, having him here felt like I was protected and just like always, he had brought me snacks. He put on the Tom and Jerry movie, but I hardly paid any attention to the movie my eyes were focused on Siza for the better half of the movie. His face was hard with sharp edges that needed a warm touch to smooth them over. He had a fresh stumble that I wanted to run my fingers through. I should be scared of him, he was the type of guy many girls wouldn’t find attractive.

When the credits rolled he paused the movie and turned to look at him, his eyes looked dark and dangerous under the moonlight and instead of being scared, I found comfort in his presence. “I’ll let them go,” He spoke in a low voice, his eyes looked like they were in a war with his inner self, “I will do anything for you Nkosazana.” His voice was rough on the edges indicating how hard it was for him to do this. He was probably not even used to being so vulnerable around anyone else.

“You’ll let them go?” I needed to be sure that I heard him right. Would he really let all the girls go just for me? He either was very stupid or really in love with me, for a second I didn’t even know what to say, I was speechless. He nodded, if I had blinked I would have missed it. “When I said that I love you, I meant it.”

I licked my dry lips trying to buy some time, what was I supposed to say now? was I supposed to declare my undying love to him too? I mean sure I found him attractive but was that enough to be warranted as love? “Siza,” He shook his head to silence me “I didn’t tell you so that you could also say it back to me, I just wanted for you to know that I love you.” He stood up from his camp chair and packed his stuff, “Good night Nkosazana.” And he turned to leave, leaving me with my mouth gaped open.

***

For the first time ever since I started training with Siza, he did not fetch me instead I was fetched by Ntando who looked like he wanted to be anywhere but here. The silence was deafening, he had not said one meaningful word to me since he picked me up besides the hello he said to me when I entered the car.

He made the 1 hour drive to the warehouse feel even longer than that. I watched him from the corner of my eye take a deep breath, “I care about my friend.” his voice bounced off the car, startling me a bit, “And he seemed to have fallen head over heels in love with you, I don’t think that I have ever seen him like this, so invested in someone.” He turned to look at me briefly before turning his head back on the road “He might seem like he is dangerous but he wears his heart on his sleeve and if he brought you close to see him like that he must really like you and trust me he does. So if you are going to be with him, please don’t destroy him, don’t hurt him.”

And just like that he went quiet until we arrived at the warehouse, Turns out that Siza was not joking he did let the girls go.

The warehouse was closed, I had never seen it closed this has got to be my first time. Ntando shook his head “See what I mean?” He got out of the car and I followed closely behind, I saw Siza coming out from the small door and came to me, his dark chocolate skin was more popping under the sun.

He took my hand and led me into the warehouse and we entered in one of the small doors “I want to show you something.” I could hear the excitement in his voice as he led me inside. The place was unrecognisable it was bare, all the rooms that were occupying the warehouse were now all gone instead there was nothing but broken wood and glass on the floor the only thing that I could recognise was Siza’s room on the upstairs level.

He really did it, I was skeptical that he would follow through but now standing here I could see how wrong I was to doubt him. “So what are you planning to do here?” He shrugged his shoulders while looking around the place “I thought that you could decide.” I turned to look at him, now surprised and let out a nervous laugh, “Me?” He nodded “Yes,”

“I don’t know.” I walked around a little, as I looked around, “I think that you should make this place a restaurant, something modern and classy, it can also have a kid’s place for parents who can’t leave their kids behind but because it is so big it can be split into two and the other half could be like I don’t know” I shrugged “You could make a cafe, that has some library for those who like to read, it could be nice having to eat your croissant or muffin while reading a book.” When I turned around I found Siza standing where I left him a little further behind with a smile plastered on his face.

I shrugged now self conscious “Or I don’t know.” He slowly walked in my direction, making my heart skip a beat. “I think it’s a wonderful idea.” He was standing so close that I could smell his smokey cologne making me gulp down the lump that had formed in my throat.

He was doing nothing but just standing there but my hands were now clammy, I wanted him to kiss me, I wanted to wrap my arms around him and kiss him, but he just stood there with the corner of his lips curled up a little and turned around “I think we should go, help you let go of the steam again.” I wanted to protest but instead, I followed closely behind him, much to my frustration.