Zandile

The time had come for Melusi to face reality, and it saddened me to think about his departure. In just a few days, I had become accustomed to his presence and cherished the moments we shared together. Now, as he prepared to leave, a deep ache settled within me—I knew I would miss him greatly.

My friend, Hlelo, noticed my infatuation and couldn’t help but ask about the mysterious man who had captured my attention during our massage sessions. I enjoyed teasing my friends with tidbits of information, relishing in the secrecy surrounding my connection with Melusi.

“Oh, nobody,” I stammered, blushing. I felt like a teenager, caught up in the charm of a boy. The secret text messages, whispered phone calls, and stolen moments with Melusi made me giddy, hidden from prying eyes.

Yesterday, we had spent our time in comfortable silence, enjoying each other’s company and being intimate. It felt as though we effortlessly picked up where we had left off years ago.

After our indulgent massage, I joined my friends by the pool, finding joy and laughter in their company. However, my tranquility was interrupted by a message from Melusi that illuminated my phone screen. I quickly dried myself off and eagerly made my way to our agreed meeting place, longing to be with him again.

As I approached, my heart fluttered at the sight of Melusi. He looked handsome in his casual clothes, and I couldn’t help but admire him as I got closer. Wrapping my arms around his waist, I greeted him with a shy smile.

“Hey,” I whispered, stepping back slightly to take in his appearance.

“Hi,” he replied, a touch of sadness in the air between us. The weight of our imminent separation was heavy, urging us to find the words we had been avoiding.

He pulled me closer and we shared a tender kiss, as if he had yearned for this moment all day. I held onto his broad shoulders, seeking comfort in his embrace.

Reluctantly, we broke apart, but not before I caressed his cheek with my hand. A mix of bitter and sweet emotions washed over me—I disliked goodbyes, as they had the power to break one’s heart.

“I’m leaving in 45 minutes,” he murmured, gently tucking stray curls behind my ear. “But I couldn’t leave without seeing you first.”

My heart ached as I realized our roles had reversed. It reminded me of the painful memory when I left him for Canada, except this time, he was the one leaving me behind.

With one final lingering kiss, he turned and walked away. I stood there, rooted to the spot, my heart breaking as I watched him fade into the distance. The pain grew stronger, knowing there was nothing I could do to stop him from leaving.