97. Home is where the hurt is...3

I was flabbergasted. Was this the same guy who insisted on protecting me, but I was too excited to even dwell on any of that. I didn't even consider the fact he may have just felt sorry for me or maybe it was a tactic to keep me around, I didn't question his sincerity. I was just too happy to care. This was the man I wanted, the man I saw myself growing old with. Every time I thought of my future, I saw him there. Me and him just made sense, it felt right. I thought, 'Yes! Finally! He sees it too.'

So I agreed, without hesitation. I agreed to be his girlfriend.

Shortly after my reply, he called and we spoke a bit more before hanging up and it felt nice. At least one good thing was happening to light my day...

My mom spent two full days at the hospital and immediately after her discharge, we had a memorial service for my dad. Ntando surprised me by showing up the day before the memorial, which was a bittersweet pill to swallow. I was happy he was there but I was sad he wasn't Walter. He spent the next two days helping me and my family, I hate to admit it, but it was nice having someone else for my grandmother to mess with. I felt sorry for him but I was happy it wasn't me.

On the day of the night vigil, the house was even busier, we had people coming and going, and both my parents' family were around, making it a full house but this also meant more supplies were needed. I hardly had a moment for myself or just to catch up with Ntando, despite being surrounded by so many people, it still felt lonely and the pain was even more evident - someone was missing, my dad. That void was there and knowing that this was the new reality hurt even more. I decided to grab the opportunity to go shopping with Ntando as a chance to just breathe without hearing "I am so sorry for your loss" every 5 minutes. A constant reminder that I lost something.

"I need to take a break..", I said to him as we drove to town, and the rest of the ride was silent, which was exactly what I needed, silence. Perfect for me to dose off. After what felt like a while of driving, I heard, "Wake up...", accompanied by a soft shake at my shoulder, and my eyes opened to an ice cream place, "What? Why are we here?", I asked confused

He smiled, "You said you needed a break, and nothing says break like ice cream?"

I was happy but I was concerned, "...but aren't you lactose intolerant?", 

He chuckled, "I am but you are not, besides, I think they sell juice or soda or coffee here, something without lactose." We both laughed as we got out of the car, at that moment, I felt even more grateful to Ntando, he had become an even greater support to me. 

With our ice cream in hand, we found a nice quiet place to sit, "Wow... Silverton hasn't changed...", he suddenly said and I was shocked, "You know this place??"

He nonchalantly said, "Yeah... I met a friend overseas and she was from around here. That's how I became regular here."

This was news to me, and very interesting news at that, I instantly put on my PI hat, "Oh...a friend you say.....what happened?"

He laughed awkwardly, "We wanted different things... And everything began to feel forced like we were doing each other a favor. So we ended it..."

I could feel that he didn't want to talk about it, so I nodded, and without thinking, I blurted, "Walter and I are officially dating..", making him spit take his drink...

"What?? Since when?"

I blushed, "Uhm, since 4 days ago...", 

"That bastard!", he exclaimed, "I wonder why he never said anything.. I literally saw him before I came here... we had to reschedule our gym sessions.",

The smile on my face instantly faded, "Oh", I simply said. I was very surprised that Walter never mentioned anything to Ntando. I mean the oakie was mad that me and Ntando were close, I guess I expected him to brag about it or at least announce it, because that is what I was doing, out of excitement.

Sensing my disappointment and as if knowing what I was thinking, Ntando awkwardly said, "But I am sure he forgot to tell me. He seemed like he was in a hurry and he did say that there was a crisis at work. He couldn't leave my office fast enough...I swear."

I know I was supposed to feel comforted but his words did the opposite. That was the first time I felt this tight knot in my stomach like something was not okay, something was amiss. But it was too soon, so I ignored it. I dismissed it as him being too busy, 'Ntando is probably right..', I thought, but deep down, I felt it, it was more than that.

After our ice cream, we drove back to the house, and I was very happy to see a familiar face waiting by the gate, Sandra.

The moment she saw me get out of the car, she ran to give me a big hug, oh how I missed her, "I'm so sorry. I could've gotten here sooner but my mission took longer than expected. I am sorry I haven't been there for you..", she cried,

I could only imagine the guilt she felt and I hated it because she was there for me. I felt her support. She blackmailed me to see a doctor and because of that, I was able to get back to my sense of normal, I hugged her even tighter," You were there... more than you know. You saved me. You put your hate for Walter aside and got him to help me. You saved me...", 

She pulled out of my arms, and chuckled still with tears on her face, "Speaking of whom... Your boyfriend... Where is he??",

Like I said, I told everyone we were officially together. Walter was my dream man and so when it became official... I couldn't contain the happiness. I told anyone who could listen.

Not knowing what to say because I honestly hadn't heard from him since that phone call, I chuckled nervously, "He got caught up at work. But I want you to meet someone, Ntando.."

I couldn't wait to change the subject. Sandra had a way of making me see things... and I wasn't ready for that, not with Walter. Although deep down I could feel something brewing, I was just not ready to face it. I kept praying it was nothing and when he showed up later that evening, it did make me feel like I was worried over nothing.

I was very surprised when he called me when he was at the gate, and I rushed over to hug him. I was like a teenager again, innocently giddy and happy to be seeing my boyfriend.

"You're really here!", that was the first thing I said when I saw him, and he chuckled,

"of course, I'm - why would I miss the chance to come and support my girlfriend..". Just like that, I was completely swooned over. I was knee-deep in trouble. I even forgot about that he hadn't told anyone about us dating, in fact, it didn't matter. I had him, he was mine, officially and he acknowledged that I was his girlfriend, what more could I ask for?