Revival of us

Chapter 6

MALAIKA

Black stilettos, black tight dress that fit like second skin, a red blazer draped over. The long-legged beauty staring back at me looked nothing like how she looked when I saw her on Saturday. The picture was too heavily edited 'Yoh, let us breathe please.!!!' A comment read beneath the picture, fire emoji, heart eyes and every other emoji to show approval was beneath the picture.

"Ooh, is that Nami?" I startled at Landy's voice over my shoulder. "Do you know each other?" I asked. Shamelessly scrolling further down the instagram page. "Nope, she is the town bicycle. I have a brother AND an uncle that has been with her."

"Landy, you can't call her that? Aren't you a feminist?"

She rolled her eyes, takimg a seat across from me. "I can't call a spade a spade? My brother is also a town bicycle, there! Equal judgement."

"A lot of the boys here are town bicycles I guess."

"Is she a new friend? If she is I don't think your mother would approve."

"No, no. Uhm... She was Enzo's cousins date last Saturday night."

"Ah, that's why you ditched me and Max later on huh. No, no, no. Don't even try to lie." Shame filled me. However she had to appreciate the fact that I showed up. Something I had wished I hadn't done that night after a horrofoc date. Nami was all over Enzo, touching him anywhere as if he didn't have a girlfriend.

"There is no way. She is way out of his league. Nami prefers older men. My cousin , who is their neighbour says so many cars have come and gone every other day. Older men."

"Really? She like older Rich men?"

"Yep." Oh Lord, thank you. I heaved a sigh of relief. There was no way she'd go for Enzo, he wasn't old or rich. I beamed at this revelation.

..........

Enzo's face came into view, I skipped all the way towards where he leaned , against the brown stoned wall, surrounding my school premises. Inhaling nicotene. I frowned, he had sworn he had quit smoking.

He pushed back from the wall, stumped the cogarette as he enveloped me into his arms. I was swallowed by his towering built, that's how petite I was. I lifted my head for a gentle peck on the lips.

"Hello." I greeted, snuggling further into him.

"Mmhhmm. Someone is happy." He placed another gentle peck on my cheek. We stood there for a few minutes before untangling from each other.

My school bag draped over his shoulder, my hand in his we strolled in the direction of my home.

I crinkled my nose. "I hate that smell. I thought you stopped."

"I had but you are so stressful, I need to light one every now and then."

"Yeah, blame it on me." I playfully bumped into him.
He bumped right back into me. "Are you saying I lack self control ?" He said in mock offense. Hand on his chest.

"What? You? An undisciplined swine?Never. I would never dream of being with an undisciplined swine. Children usually get the worst qualities of their parents you know. I won't birth a fool, no."

"Oh no, are you saying the worst qualities? So all our children are going to have big heads and big ears? God forbid. Hopefully my genes are strong enough to overpower yours." He laughed as I gasped.

"Who has a big head? Or big ears?" I nudged him. He laughed bousterously. "Not me." I nudged him again.

We walked all the way teasing each other. We stopped at a yard belonging to a young widow, Ausi Mpho. She had one of the most beautiful gardens. My mother would beg to differ, as far as gardens are concerned, hers was the most magnificent of them all. I don't disagree, even if I did, I wouldn't dare tell her that.

Every time we passed by there, at least once a week Enzo would pluck a flower from one of the several flowers lined up near the fence. 'A flower for my flower.' He would mutter after he has given it to me, as he was doing now. "One of these following years, it will be a diamond ring."

My eyes would glisten like those of a dog at the promise of a bone. Skin glowing brighter than my mom after a session at the spa.

"How much carat?"

"You material girl. Is it just the diamond that excites you?"

"Yes." I teased, winking. He had to know it wasn't true, the thought of being with him forever was much more exciting. Even a cheap plastic ring, could make me say 'yes'. I had told Landy once. I want forever. Now that is something you couldn't buy.

"You my friend, are in deeper danger than I thought." She had said.

Her words of discouragement had been drowned out by my day dreams. A tiny house, vegetable garden, fruit trees and a love so big, it wouldn't match our tiny house. Who wouldn't want that?