Cleaning Up...

As we all know, hospital food is trash. I’d come to the point where I had to ask the girls to bring me meals throughout the day, or have hem delivered to me because my body wasn’t coping. I don’t know how some people manage with this standard, but the moment I saw my weight go down in just two days of being there I knew this wasn’t for me. I spent a week in the hospital, getting the treatment I needed for the alleged allergic reaction I have been diagnosed with. It’s funny how I’ve always wanted to take my beauty regimen seriously and then on the one day that happens, I get an allergic reaction. Like hospital food, clearly this “slay queen” lifestyle isn’t meant for me. I can officially say that beauty is not my portion, so I will remain a proud potato forever.

When I finally got home, I found the house surprisingly clean. I remember changing the locks and access key so Morena no longer has direct access to the house. Also, I don’t recall asking the girls to watch over the house. I picked up he golf club I always leave at the door, and patrol the house waiting to bump into whatever or whoever is responsible for the cleanliness of the house. I got to my bedroom and found a note on the bed. Zeus’ handwriting is on it. weird. It read, I’ve hired a cleaning company to tidy the place up while you’re away. Lesedi stole your keys for me so they could gain access. I hope you don’t mind. See you soon, Beautiful. Zeus. I’m confused by what’s happening here because I hadn’t spoken to Zeus since that dramatic night, and he hasn’t called or sent text messages. I guess he’s forgiven me for what’s happened, but I’m still trying to piece all this together. The only person that can help me do that, right now, is Lesedi. That’s when I called her.

“Lesedi, how did Zeus gain access to my house? I thought we had a policy about sharing our keys with others.”

“Relax mama, I gave him my set of keys to your place and I spoke to Thabo at the gate to let him in. I was with him the whole time while the cleaners were there to make sure none of them have taken your things. I have learned quite a bit about him, and I must say that you have a gem on your hands”, Lesedi said.

“What do you mean?”, I asked.

“What I mean is that Zeus is a good man and he has pure intentions with you. Despite how your last encounter with him ended, he still has deep feelings for you. He’s determined to walk this journey with you if you’ll let him in and do things right this time. I think you should give him a chance. You have nothing to lose. Plus, you’re the single friend now, it’s about time we here relationship issues other than mine and Thembi’s. Go get your man, girl!”

“Don’t say this… I’m going through a divorce right now, and im still hurt by everything that has been happening with Morena. What’s worse is knowing about his wedding plans with Mbali. I can’t do men right now ‘Sedi… I just can’t. let me call Zeus to thank him for cleaning the house. Thanks for your help Tsala, you’re the best. Talk later.”

Within seconds, I called Zeus.

“Hi Ona, this is a surprise… I thought you didn’t want to talk to me. Is everything okay?”

“Hi. Yeah, everything’s fine. I called to thank you for the cleaning service you hired for the house. You didn’t have to do this, but I appreciate the effort nonetheless. Thank you—”

“Have dinner with me. Tonight.”, Zeus interjected.

“Uhm, I don’t know if that’s a good idea Zeus… You know my situation now, and I feel terrible for lying to you. I need to move past all this first before I commit to anything. I’m sorry, I can’t”

“It’s just dinner. We don’t have to do anything, I’m just making sure you have good company with you tonight. We both could do with some positive aura around us. Pick you up at 6pm?”

“Sure. I’ll go out with you. See you then”, I replied.

I couldn’t really focus on anything for the rest of the day. Thinking about dinner with Zeus made me anxious, and I can’t focus when im anxious. After showering, I had a glass of wine for courage, dressed to the nines in a black, silk dress. I wore minimal makeup, kept my edges tight and put my heels on. I waited for Zeus outside after Thabo notified me he was at the gate, and as soon as the car pulled up the driveway, my stomach knotted. I put on my best poker face, stood my ground and continued waiting. The car eventually stopped, Zeus stepped out the car and my heart sunk… He wore a matte black suit, crisp white shirt with a black tie. He had a haircut I hadn’t seen before which made him look even more delicious than usual. He stepped up to me and gave me a hug. For a moment that felt like forever, I didn’t want to let him go. It was in that moment that I realised how much I had fallen for him. I wasn’t necessarily in love with Zeus, but he had solidified a special place in my life. Zeus broke the embrace, complimented me on my outfit and ushered me to the car. I obliged, got into the car with him and we drove off.

He took me to a nice gourmet restaurant a few blocks away from the house. It recently opened, and I had planned to go with the girls to check out the meu. When we walked in, no other customers were around. I asked if this was part of his plan, he said yes. We found a booth, sat down and a waiter came by to greet us. Zeus ordered my favourite wine, as well as our meals for the evening. I must admit, the setup was impressive. I haven’t been dined to this extent before, so I was particularly fascinated by how the evening rolled out. A small orchestra played classic music in the background and the chef had prepared our meals as we caught up and discussed how things had happened before the radio silence between us began.

“I was still married when we met. It had been several weeks after catching my ex-husband cheating, and I wanted to make some changes to my appearance that I hadn’t made before. That’s why I was at the barber shop. I couldn’t tell you the truth because my initial attraction to you was purely physical, and the thirst would not let the truth out. The lie continued, and I thought I could get away with it while getting divorced from Morena behind your back. Needless to say how that worked out, I feel bad about it and I am truly sorry for betraying your trust like that. I wish things could have worked out differently” I said.

“I’ll admit that I was angry with you for not being honest with me. You could have told me everything from the beginning, I wold have left you alone. Maybe, my feelings for you would be different but I still would have kept you close to me even if it was as a friend. At this point, I am at a point of no return with how I feel about you, and I want to explore what a future with you in it might be like. I know that this will take work for it to succeed, but I am willing to go through all that work with you. I’m willing to fight with you, for you. With that said, I would like to request that I make you my woman.”

I was taken back by what he asked of me. I did not think it would come to this, but I was excited about being his girlfriend. I agreed to his request, and he leaned across the table to give me the most passionate kiss I’ve ever had. It sent chills down my spine and made my head spin. I held onto his head as we continued kissing, prolonging the moment of bliss I was enjoying. I think he liked it too because he held onto my head as well. The waiter’s awkward cough killed the moment almost immediately, and we got back to enjoying the evening. The food was amazing, and the signature dessert the chef made for us was even more magnificent. I’m a foodie, so good food will always captivate me. When we were done eating, Zeus offered to drop me off at the house, and before we got up from the table, he pulled out a black, small, square, jewellery box. He opened it, and inside was a gorgeous ring. I was so blown away, I started hyperventilating. I literally couldn’t breathe and needed some air, so I used whatever strength I had to run out of the restaurant. Once outside, breathing got easier, and I had to recollect my thoughts about what I’ve just seen. I took a deep breath, and as I turned around, I bumped into Zeus. He was still holding the open box in his hand.

“Relax baby, this is not a marriage proposal. It’s a gift. You can wear it on any finger you want, I just want you to wear it as a reminder of our relationship and our commitment with each other. I’m not going to date you exclusively only to break up with you. You’re going to be my wife, Ona. I can assure you that I’ll do everything in my power to ensure that we get to the end. No matter how much you run, how far you intend to be from me, I won’t let you go. I am yours, and you are mine. Forever and always.”

With that, I let him put the ring on my right hand, I gave him a kiss and hugged him. In that moment, I was at the happiest I’ve ever been. There was nothing in the world that would change my mood, no matter how morbid.

We drove home, he came inside the house and we made love. Our bodies were synchronised in rhythm and pleasure, as if we were made to do this all along. He explored my body in a way that I felt pleasure right from within. The kind of pleasure that sends tingles all over the body and somehow releases you from whatever troubles or worries you may have. This was the kind of love-making that poets say the heavens would applaud as they look down on us. It’s the kind of love-making that liberates and fills one up with an overwhelming sense of security. I was there for it, I needed it and he gave that to me. Once we were done, we lay and fell asleep in each other’s arms until dawn. My night was officially made.