Stranger

After my dad left, I walked to the library and went to settle on a different spot. I took out my study equipment and placed it on the table and went to fetch a mathematical study guide on the shelves and started with my work. I started practicing. I erased everything that was not school-related and fully focused on my work.

At half-past 10 ,I took a break since I had been practicing for two and a half hours. I left my books on the table and went outside the library for fresh air. I then remembered that in the morning they did not give me any pocket money, and therefore I did not have anything to eat. I did not have my bank card and I had no choice but to call my mom.

I dialed her number, but she never answered and that meant she was in a meeting, or she was having a busy day. I dialed my dad too and it went to voices mail too. I went to drink water and went back to the library and started studying geography since I was done with mathematics.

As I was still concentrating on my notes, a random guy came and sat next to me. What disturbed me is that there was full space opposite me, but he decided to sit next to me. As much as I tried to focus on what I was doing, I couldn't because the man kept on giving me endless stares and that made me feel uncomfortable.

"Hello, can I help you with something" I finally said because I could not let it go and allow him to make me uncomfortable in a public place...

"I'm sorry for staring, but I could not keep my eyes to myself, you are beautiful, and the puzzle now makes sense because I can see the pieces clear now." He said confidently while he looked are me in the eye with no sign of blinking.

"You making me uncomfortable, and I wonder why you are sitting next to me while you can sit opposite me since there is more space," I said as I pointed to the chair that was fully open and not occupied

"I am sorry if I made you feel that way, but I am here not to scare you, but your beauty made me reconsider my job. What does it take to have you and my girlfriend? A fight? Will there be war? Because I would not mind all that if I get to have your heart" He stood up from where he was sitting and sat opposite me and continued with his endless states.

I tried to focus, but I could not. I looked at him as he falsely focused on his textbook, I then noticed that he was in his mid or mostly his late twenties. The moment he lifted his textbook to remove these notes, I got a chance to read his textbook title, which was Snymans Criminal Law. I then got interested in having a conversation with him. I had questions, but I was uncertain whether he was going to be interested in interacting with me after I told him that he was making me feel uncomfortable.

"I see that next year you will be doing your final year, it may be great being you. I am sure you are longingly expecting that graduating ceremony" I looked at him as I processed how I was going to deal with his rejection.

He lifted his head from his work and looked at me with no words said, no smile, just a facial with no emotions. I looked at my notes, but I could not , I could not let him get away with it, he is the one who came to sit where I was sitting and decided to sit next to and make me uncomfortable, and now he is not responding to me?

"I am sorry to bother you, but I am also interested in law, I am planning to go to the same field as you next year. It has been my passion to be a lawyer" I slowly said as I looked at my study notes, but my brain was fully forced on him.

"And why are you telling me all this" He closed his textbook and looked at me more like he was getting pissed off.

His response might have set me off, but I loved his facial expression. He makee me feel uncomfortable, and he ignored me at first, the least I could do for myself to feel better is piss him off. I looked at him as I analyzed him. I kept quiet and lifted my shoulder at a leisurely pace. I squeezed my eyes on the side as I looked at him.

"Is this what you do when the hunger kicks in it or just being childish, ouuu, no ,you just being yourself because that's what you are" He smiled as he kept his eyes on me.

"How old are you?" I was worried about his statement of mind, no old man can say that, I guess he was the one being himself.

He moved his eyes to me and looked at his work and started focusing on his work while I looked at him. I looked at him since I could not focus on my work because I was hungry.

"Well for your only information I am Zandile Mthombeni, and I am 21, I know that might sound unbelievable since I am doing my matric but if you have time I might explain it to you if you are interested," I said as I looked at him.

"You can be a piece of work, Zee. Nice to know that you have grown, but you look younger than your age and that's none of my business. I am 26, and can you stop bothering me and take this and go buy us something to eat" I placed his right hand to his pocket took out his wallet and took out R200 and pushed it to me...

I looked at him not knowing what to do, yes I was hungry, but I could not take a stranger's money like nothing. I parked my bag and placed back the equipment that I was using in its place. I lifted my bag and pushed back his money to him.

"Keep it, you might need it," I said as I pushed it to him. I then placed my bag on my shoulder and walked away.