Confessions of a Modern U’Makoti(BWWM)

Confession #4

Confession #4

I don’t want to admit it. But I was waiting for Aaron’s call. I’d been waiting for eighteen hours, twenty-seven minutes and forty-five seconds. Don’t start rolling your eyes. I had nothing to do the entire afternoon seeing as I had an early theatre shift this morning. So there I sat half watching tv while the other half of me glanced at my phone waiting for it to ring. And when the bloody device did ring I didn’t expect this…

“Hey!” I answered my phone a little too enthusiastically.

“Thati! I’m engaged!” I heard a feminine voice on the other line. I removed my phone from my ear for a second, checking the caller ID; Kea – my baby cousin.

“What? When did this happen? I’m so happy for you!” My fake congratulation could be sniffed out by a blocked nose. She didn’t notice, she was young and overjoyed.

“I know right!” She screamed. “Last night, Thato took me out for dinner at this amazing restaurant. He booked out the entire restaurant and there were roses on the floor and giant golden harp and this amazing singer. Then he got on one knee and asked. And the ring Thati! The ring is huge, I swear I’ve never seen a diamond this big before.” She’d gushed out all the events, I soon grew bored. She was like twenty-two, with her entire life still ahead of her and she wanted to be someone’s wife? All that private school money wasted.

“Aww, Kea that sounds amazing. You and Thato are magic together. I can’t wait for the wedding,” I spoke in a sickly sweet tone.” Now I’ve gotta run okay? Love you, bye.” I was almost free of her before she yelped.

“Wait!” I paused waiting for her to continue. “ The wedding’s in a month’s time. “

My eyebrows knitted together as I spoke sceptically through the phone. “Why so soon? It’s not like you’re pregnant or anything right?” I laughed awkwardly, hoping I was wrong.

“Well….” Oh my God. She even managed to get knocked up before us. “That’s why I’m calling, I’m pregnant. But you can’t tell anyone. Promise me?” I could imagine her doe eyes and her pouty lips as she begged.

Knowing I’d regret this I’d agreed. But that didn’t stop her from asking me to do one more thing. “I want you to be my maid of honour.”

“Kea? I work. I can’t be planning a wedding in a different province.” I argued, I would happily keep her secret but being a maid of honour was just too much work.

“Please, please, please, please, please. Thati, you’re like my older sister. You know none of my other friends will do this job as good as you? Ke yo go rapela “ I knew what would happen if I rejected her… My mother would be on my ass, so to save all of us time I huffed.

“Fine, whatever.” I agreed.

“Great! I’ll be over next week to talk all the details. Monday, lunch we’ll meet with the wedding planner. That sound good to you?” She didn’t wait for my response. “ Great see you! Love you! Bye you!” With that she hung up, leaving me with a bunch of unanswered questions I didn’t have any interest in answering. Before I could even get a moment of silence to myself my mother called. Grab your life jackets.

“Nthatile!” My mother reprimanded.

“Yes, Ma?” I answered in a confused tone. It’s a happy day, her niece is engaged. Why isn’t she happy?

“You agreed to be her maid of honour?” She spat venomously.

“I figured that’s what you wanted? She’s like my little sister-“

“That’s precisely why you shouldn’t be in her bridal party at all! You’re an old maid, a single old maid at that. And now you want to humiliate your father and me in front of everyone. Why? “ She sighed dramatically as though I’d stolen her liver.

“Ma, calm down. I’m even that old. Now I’m going to help Kea and you’re going to help her too. Why? Cause we’re family. Now stop dissecting my love life and focus on someone who you can live dimly live though; Kea. I love you and I’ll talk to you soon but I have to get to work. Bye.” Before she could argue yet again, I hung up.

With this new found knowledge I couldn’t help but feel giddy – as vindictive as this may sound – I ravelled in Kea’s situation. Because of her father’s position she’d be tied to Thato – who she may or may not love, I don’t really care – as Thato’s wife. The title just seemed so demeaning. While I steered clear of all romantic ties. Unless your phone rings. Which it did.

“Ma, stop calling I’m working. “ I snapped.

“Whoa, there tiger. You need to sort out your mommy issues. “ I heard the laughter in his tone. Oh f**k.

“Aaron?” I asked staggered.

“Yeah, you okay there tiger? Or do you need to sort out some stuff with your mom?” He asked cautiously, I rolled my eyes at his tone.

“No, she’s being melodramatic. “ I clicked my tongue. “Anyway, did you need something? If it’s about the dirty martini I didn’t pay for, you said it was on the house. “I spoke accusingly.

He laughed. “ No, actually I wanted to know if your were free tonight?”

“Tonight?” I hit a mental block, I couldn’t lie. Nothing, was coming up. No period lie or headache lie seemed to pop up at this moment.

“Tonight.” He repeat happily. I stayed silent for a moment. “Hello? You still there tiger?”

“Yeah, I am. “ I bit my thumb still looking for a lie.

“So how’s tonight work for you? “

“Aaron, you’re a great guy but –“ I began my sappiest speech ever but Aaron spoke yet again.

“You’re trying to let me down easy huh? Well it’s not going to work. So I’ll pick you up, around seven. “ There was a hint of authority that had me taken aback, clearly he had no idea who he’s talking to. He can’t just order me around like I’m some ragdoll.

“Aaron-“ I tried to oppose but he spoke again.

“We’re going somewhere fancy. See you later. “ And for the first time ever, Aaron Grey left me hanging. What the f**k is wrong with this white boy?

I’ll show him who’s going on a date tonight. This boy is going to learn today. It’s not like he can force to do anything can he? Nope, I know my rights. And I will fulfil my constitutional to choice by mindlessly watching tv today.

So I watched…

And watched.

And watched.

The sun had begun to set and I was watching Trisha… Nothing like a British women solving dysfunctional African American problems. Oh my God, we’ve stooped so low. Just go take a shower and go out tonight. If you get off the couch right now, you can have two hours to get ready.

But it wasn’t the voice inside my head that got me into the shower, it was an external voice or voices of reason.

“Thati, stop being a dump b***h! One date with Aaron will not be the end of the world.” Dimpho yelled as she walked into my house unannounced. Damn that spare key.

“But what if I like him?” I whispered fearful that I’d jinx myself.

“Then you just go on another date with him.” Nadia argues equally as irate.

“But I don’t wanna Mommies!” I pouted, still very comfortable on my couch.

“If you don’t go, I will strip you and lock you out your room. So when Aaron does show up you’ll greet him in nothing but your birthday suit.” Dimpho challenged with an artic glare.

“You wouldn’t dare.” I spoke fearfully.

“You don’t want to play this game Thati.” Nadia – who usually played good cop – crossed her arms with an almost identical expression; matching Dimpho’s.

“f**k, fine. I’m going, I’m going.” I rushed into my bathroom.

You’d think Nadia and Dimpho would be happy after they dressed me like a doll in a white bohemian maxi dress. Applied my make-up like I was some life-sized Barbie. Oh and my poor hair, blown out of it natural tiny afro form only to become a tight ballerina bun at the top of my head. The pair high fived each other at their cosmetic genius.

“Why do I feel like I tried too hard?” I asked looking at my reflection, I only looked this good during family events or whenever my dad had a mining event. I felt like I was selling Aaron dreams.

“That’s because you are trying hard.” Nadia applied the layer of mascara onto my eyes.

“And when you try hard you actually look decent, not like some rogue Meer cat.” Dimpho clapped her hands viciously. I flipped her the bird, ending her celebration.

My phone rang, and being the nosey Dimpho we all know and occasionally love she answered it. She spoke way too friendly, ending the call with a big fake enthusiastic, We’ll see you soon.

“So Aaron’s at the door. I’ll let him in.” Dimpho exited the room but I stopped her, thank goodness I could run in wedges.

“Oh no you don’t! You two stay right here. If I’m being forced on a date it will be on my terms. Now I love you guys. Bye. And lock the door when you guys leave.” I ordered warningly. The pair gave me a tight lip smile, hiding their amusement.

Aaron stood behind the door in a navy blue blazer, white dress shirt and jeans. I thought we were being formal? And yet the smug bastard still look better than I did. f*****g hell. His hair was messy and the corners of his lips tugged upwards.

“Wow, sweetheart you look amazing.” His eyes did a double take, as if I’d suddenly change into a pair of jeans within seconds.

“You do know I have a name Aaron? It’s Thati. T-H-A-T-I, it’s not that hard of a name to remember.” I avoided complementing him completely.

He chuckled lowly. “Well seeing as Thati is already a nickname, I wanted to give you one as a gift from me to you. But we’ll ditch sweetheart, Tiger suites you.” He smirked.

I rolled my eyes. “You give yourself way too much credit.”

“On the contrary I give myself just enough. Anyway, I got you these. “ He pulled out a bouquet of white tulips. Clearly he’s been talking to Dimpho because this is definitely not listed on my f*******: likes.

“Oh, how traditional of you. “ I tried to remain unimpressed but the only guy who gets me flowers is my dad. These poor things are going to die in a week’s time. “You really didn’t have to Aaron.” I spoke as I returned from putting the flowers in a glass vase.

“You ready to go?” He held out his hand.

“Yeah,” I placed my hand in his. As ready as one can ever been when being forced out on a date.

Aaron wasn’t lying. We were going somewhere fancy. Not like super fancy but the Soi was the type of restaurant I went to with my parent. I wished Aaron didn’t feel the need to peacock and waste all this money on mediocre food served by waiters in tailored matching uniform.

“You’re going to hate it here.” I laughed as we approached the door.

He hesitated. “Why do you say that?”

“I know these type of restaurants Aaron. They’re so doom and gloom with really good lighting in the centre of the room. Everyone here is old and prissy. I give it half an hour.” My eyes did a double take on the door before reaching Aaron’s confused expression.

“Half an hour? You’re cutting our date short to thirty minutes?” He asked. I think I bruised his ego in the process.

“No, our date won’t be that short, but our time here will. I bet you fifty bucks that you’re going to hate it. And if I win then I decide where we go next; elongating the date.” I bargained as a cool breeze swept past us.

He smiled. “Fine but if I win, we go on another date together?”

I furrowed my eyebrows. Date number one was still in the wings and he was looking for another? “Fine. Lead the way.”

Our date started off polite and awkward. Most of it was spent attempting to understand what exactly was on the menu. Greek restaurant menus are not your simple ABC. My eyes scanned around the room, I was getting death glares from everyone who made eye contact with me.

“Aaron?” I whispered, leaning in towards him.

“Yeah ?” He placed the menu down mimicking my actions.

“Why is everyone looking at us like we killed Nelson Mandela?” I whispered, allowing my eyes to wonder yet again.

Aaron scratched the nape of his neck, he could feel it too. “Because this place sucks. “ He signalled the waiter over and asked for the bill. “Let’s get out of here.”

“Really?” I beamed, as the waiter placed the bill in front of him.

“Yeah, this was a kak restaurant. Where do you want to go?” He filled in the slip before standing.

“The Moonlight Market.”

The Moonlight Market was basically a week-long festival during the night. Greatest idea to ever hit Joburg. It was colourful and vibrant. And if Aaron and I received any death glares here, we wouldn’t be able to see them because of the darkness. We shift from stall to stall. Soon we got hungry and the burgers and chips stall answered our prayers. While sitting at the metallic red table, Aaron said something that wasn’t as funny as his last joke.

“You do know you have a Wikipedia page?” He took a sip of his Coke while I almost chocked on my chip.

“How did you find out about that?” I coughed out the remainder of the chip.

“You told me to stalk and stalk I did. I however didn’t think I’d been stalking an heiress. “He spoke in disbelief.

“And now you’re on a date with one. Well done Aaron.” I gave him a sarcastic round of applause.

“Easy there tiger, I just want to know why you’re not back home with your folks? Doing whatever the hell an heiress does?” He smiled.

I shrugged my shoulders as I whispered. “I’m defected. Shhh. “ He laughed. “It’s not like its some big sob story or anything, it’s just that I don’t want to be a puppet. You wouldn’t understand.” I popped my last chip into my mouth.

He ran his hand through his hair. “I probably wouldn’t. My mom’s the definition of a free spirit.”

“And your dad?” I reached for a chip on his plate but he fed one to me.

“Which one?” I could hear the humour in his tone.

“How many are there?” I asked, not judging his mother at all. But damn, if she could keep more than one man, she must have some going on.

“My step-dad’s just as crazy as she is. You know the whole organic farmer type. And I haven’t met my biological father. “ He shrugged as though he was announcing the weather.

“Oh holy f**k. I’m so sorry. “I gawked like a fish out of water.

“Sorry enough to go out on another date with me?” The opportunistic bastards gleamed.

“You bastard.” I laughed. “I’m not sure I want to go out with a guy who exploits his family tragedy.”

“How about you make that decision after we go dancing?” He held out his hands for me. But I am s**t dancer.

“No.” I shook my head. His eyebrows knitted together, shocked by my rejection. “I’m a terrible dancer. But we can go play putt-putt. I whip ass there.”

He laughed. “I’m pretty sure daylight putt-putt isn’t as easy as moonlight putt-putt. Plus, I played golf during high school, you should be scared.”

“My father took me golfing every sunny weekend throughout my entire high school career. You don’t scare me.” I stood defiantly, crossing my arms across my chest. Aaron’s eyes seemed to wonder towards my chest for a second.

He cleared his throat. “Are you changeling me tiger?”

“I guess I am.” I shrugged my shoulders.

“Well then let’s go.”

Moonlight mini gold isn’t easy. Of course the bastard won, he had like x-ray vision or something. While I managed to lose all five of my balls Aaron had been getting a whole in one since we started. Although I must admit I’m not very good at this during daylight hours either.

“It’s okay tiger. It was your first game.” Aaron comforted smugly once we’d ended our game.

“Shut up! You could have gone easy on me.” I slapped his hands away from my forearms.

“I was going easy on you. You were just really cocky.” Aaron laughed. “Plus I think it’s only fair that I won since you hijacked my date.”

“I did not. I just made it a lot better. Did I bruise your little man ego?” I cooed.

“You did but then I beat you at mini golf and now all is good in the universe,” He sighed as he glanced as his wrist watch. “I’d better get you home before Dimpho and Nadia eat my ass about your whereabouts tomorrow.”

It was one of those awkward moments when I didn’t want to leave but I had to. My feet were sore and I’d had my full of Aaron for the day. Well at least that’s what I thought when I fumbled through my keys, hoping one of us would prolong this evening. It was only twelve, thirty. The night was still young right?

“So I had fun. And you just call me when you want to go out again.” I gave him a tight lipped smile. He nodded with his hands in his pockets. “Do you need anything before you go? Coffee? Water? Potty break?” To stay over the night.

“You mean a nightcap?” He grinned boyishly.

“Yeah, nightcap?” I spoke in a hurried tone.

“I don’t know, on the first date a nightcap -just like a kiss- would be considered as taboo.” He lowered his head, making me crane mine back.

“I left home to pursue a career, I’m the definition of taboo. So you’re not going to come in nor are you going to kiss me? All because of centuries of Romantic Comedies?” I furrowed my eyebrows as I asked in a disbelieving tone.

“Precisely, I’ll call you tomorrow tiger.” He smiled as he walked back into his car.

Dumbfounded I stood there watching his car drive away. For the second time ever Aaron Grey left me? I usually left him? This is not cute.