Distanced but Destined(A South African love story)

Chapter 1

"Impressing people is the only way to keep them in your life" You could say that was my motto. I always believed in making people happy, if they were happy then I was happy. I guess it has a lot to do with how I was raised. My mom always made sure that people were comfortable and happy. I was quickly kicked out of my deep thoughts by my mother, the most elegant lady I ever came across Sindiswa Sono. She was a businesswoman, labelled Mpumalanga's classiest woman. "Nompilo, your friends are waiting for you" she said from behind the door. I grabbed my coat and rushed out. Tonight was party night but also known as movie night to our parents. My mom held the tip of my coat just as I passed by her. "You have a curfew, you know that right?" I sighed and turned around. "And so does Nosipho's mother, I'm going to sleepover at her house remember? We discussed this over the week Ma. I'll be back on Monday since exams begin on Wednesday" School was something my parents took seriously. Luckily I was in the 12th grade. Almost done with school, this was my last lap. "As long as you're back before the exams" she said. I rushed down the stairs to see my little sister giving me a horrible look. She knew what I was up to but I knew she wouldn't tell so I just stuck my tongue out at her, gave my mom a kiss on the cheek, picked up my luggage and left. I stepped out of the house and I was greeted by loud music, with Nolwazi and Nosipho leaning over Nolwazi's car. We all had cars but this week it was Nolwazi's turn to drive us around.

Nolwazi Shongwe was a boho. She was a curvaceous beautiful bohemian goddess who wore whatever Kylie Jenner or Vanessa Hudgens wore. Then there was the loud hyperactive, Nosipho Nkosi. Also a very beautiful young lady who believed in classy wear. These two never stuck to the same dress code. "Girls it's on tonight!" I said as soon as I got into the car. "No more like it's on tomorrow night, today it's just us, and maybe our guys" Nolwazi said. I sighed and looked out the window. By "our guys" they meant their guys. I was the single one but that didn't mean I didn't flirt. "Okay so we'll buy the alcohol tomorrow morning then" I said. "Like Nompi you need to get someone too. Like seriously you think Mama Sindi would like the fact that you are flirting with almost every guy?" Nosipho she won't know unless you tell her" "Girls its Thursday as in movies and pizza then the party begins tomorrow okay" said Nolwazi.
We were listening to Cassper Nyovest's Ghetto when we were pulled over. "Oh sh*t" Nosipho said. This wasn't something we expected since it wasn't the first time we played music so loudly. The traffic cop surprised me. I expected a baggy old man who was in his late forties but instead it was a biracial guy in his early twenties with neatly cut hair. He was buffed and he walked like he was trying to scare us but I didn't seem scared, he looked like a challenge, who didn't love a challenge? "Eye candy" I said to Nosipho. "Good evening ladies could I please see your driver's licence" Nolwazi searched for her license while I stepped out of the car. It took about thirty minutes for me to realise that I had left my phone in my other bag in the boot so I quickly went to get it. "Aren't you too young to be driving?" the traffic cop asked after he had scanned Nolwazi's licence. "Well you see, the thing is, I'm actually eighteen, so I guess I'm old enough" "Hold on" I cut Nolwazi off. "Aren't you a little too young to be a traffic cop?" I walked closer to him now with my phone in my hand. He looked at me and bit his lip then he grabbed my phone. After fiddling with it for about thirty seconds he gave it back and said "call me to find out" and that was how I got his number.

Nolwazi and Nosipho looked at me like I was some prostitute but I also had no clue about what had just happened. I got back into the car and smiled. "Jacob, that's what his name tag said" Nolwazi stated. "Why the heck would like a traffic cop have a name tag, isn't that for salesmen? Anyway someone's going to have a lover by tomorrow, unless he is also a flirt" Nosipho said. "Oh gosh no! He looks and smells good but he isn't my type, he is more committed. I flirt, you guys know that" I quickly erased his number on my phone. "Let's just go watch a movie and enjoy the rest of our night okay" I smiled and we left. I don't do the pretty ones. Handsome yes, but he was a little too handsome and most of the time they were taken, I wasn't ready for commitment after all I was still eighteen.

My mom called when we arrived at Nosipho's house. She was home alone this weekend and my mom didnt know, ti knew she'd go crazy if she found out. "Nompilo, do you have your charger with you? I want to be able to get in touch with you anytime. We need to get your dress for the Queen's tea party". Here we go again, the Queen's yearly tea party. Every year the Queen of Swaziland picks five wealthy women from Nelspruit and invites them to her tea party, with their daughters or sons. Wining and dining with the Queen wasn't so fun. She asked useless questions like which business you'd like to invest in when you're older, I found that stupid. "Mom listen, I don't care about that tea party, if it was up to me I would stay at home" I slowly moved my phone away from my ear, I knew what was next. My mom scolded about how important this is for her businesses and how this would get me far in life. I was tired of hearing about this. "Okay mom, anything for you business. Listen I need to go and bath so excuse me" I said trying to calm her down. "You better pick up next time I call" she said and she hung up.

"Mother issues" Nolwazi said. "I know how impossible Mama Sindi can get but like to force you to go to a lavish tea party, like that's wrong" said Nosipho. "Listen guys my mom won't allow me to skip this tea party, her reputation depends on it" Nolwazi scrolled through her phone. "Well luckily the prince so happens to be a very yummy man" I picked up a slice of pizza and shoved it in my mouth. That was my way of saying 'I don't care about hot guys. Nolwazi just laughed. "Come on, you need to be stable, for once!" "Stable? My first exam is around the corner and I need to focus on my books, I don't have time to be texting boys" And then it was silent. Nolwazi and Nosipho were staring at me. "Come on!" They both shouted. "You know what call your boyfriends and leave me alone, please" First the traffic cop then the Prince, I was not prepared for love.

"Ghetto" by Cassper Nyovest in the music box.