Mwila-An stood staring at the rising sun over the gushing Victoria
Falls. She took a deep breath of the cold morning breeze and thought about the
previous evening. They almost crossed over the friend zone border. Pretty
stupid, she thought, but she could not explain the desire she felt then. It had
been building up ever since Ishmael came back. Yes, they had known each other
for a while, since childhood, and were therefore best friends. She had always
been Bison, just Bison. He never showed the need to know her as Mwila-An and
she had never felt the need to show him all of who she was. But she could not explain
the burning jealousy she felt when she found out that he was dating that girl,
Samantha. She felt relieved when they broke up because she had a bad feeling
that Samantha and Ishmael would get married. What would be left of their
friendship?
Mwila-An sighed. Her love life was getting very complicated. She was
dubbed a lesbian by many people because of that unexpected kiss from Kundabene
and the fact that she sometimes dressed like a guy didn’t help. Then there was
Chomba. Where did he come from? Tall, dark, handsome and a successful business
man. What more could she ask for? What made him take interest in her? When
Chomba looked at her, he saw more than just Bison the tomboy or Mwila-An the
lady. Would Ishmael be jealous if she dated Chomba? Ishmael had so many
girlfriends, she knew that any mark she left would be quickly erased by another
woman. Mwila-An shook her head, brushing off the absurd thoughts. After the
previous night, she was convinced that he only loved her as a friend. Mwila-An
sighed and turned her back, going back into the lodge they were staying
in.
Across the lawn was a woman, a woman whose attention hadn’t flinched
from Bison and Ishmael’s life since they arrived in Livingstone. She sat in the
patio with shades on, facing the rising sun and slowly stirring sugar in the
morning coffee. My goodness, he is here, she thought. She saw him, Ishmael.
Looking better than the last time they saw each other. They met right there, at
Falls Lodge, and her attraction to him never wavered. They had a cute romantic
fling together. Ishmael seemed like a bad boy on the surface, but he was
actually sweet. He promised to respect her purity and together, they explored
the line that separated virgins and non-virgins. It was all too much, she grew
lost in their affair and she could have gladly laid down her virginity for him
to take. Instead of taking it, he decided to disappear from her life. If only
he stayed, she would have told him her secret.
Regina didn't tell him about “Max”, Max was a complication, her
on-and-off boyfriend who she only got together with for the sake of Mama; she
was in desperate need of funds for Mama’s healthcare. Max was a treasure chest
of a man and any woman would have gladly reciprocated his advances. Mama always
wanted Regina to marry Max; he was the stable, logical choice. Regina had no
love for the man; he was always serious, busy and antisocial but Mama needed
her help so she went all in. Spreading her thighs for health care and keeping
the secret from Ishmael. Her life had grown stale and Max was now her husband
but she hadn’t forgotten her holiday romance. Ishmael. He was breath-taking. In
their brief interaction he changed her world. He gave her heart a new beat. She
felt terrible about their relationship ending as abruptly as it started and
disliked Max for it. Then she saw him, the very beat of her heart told her she
had another chance to reconcile. This time she'd ditch Max and elope. Bliss.
The previous night she saw Ishmael with another girl. Was she his girlfriend?
Nah, she thought, too tomboyish for his taste. His bare ring finger was a sign
of hope.
Her thoughts were interrupted by seeing Ishmael enter the cafeteria,
getting his morning coffee. The girl wasn’t with him. This was Regina’s chance.
She was sure now. Forget Max. She loved Ishmael. She knew that once he saw her
he would remember the intensity of the affair. Regina stood up quickly and
walked towards him before he could leave.
The morning sun was beautiful and bright, a
proper opposite of my mood. I was headed back to the suite with my coffee to
start my day. The previous night was a mystery. I almost crossed the friend
zone with Bison and I couldn't face her yet. What would we say? Would she fist
bump me and greet me like it never happened. It was too early to meet her; I
was hoping the coffee would give me the courage I needed to face whatever was
awaiting me.
My thoughts were interrupted by a gorgeous
lady who approached me suddenly. Curly afro weave, hourglass body shape, smooth
chocolate skin and big brown eyes. Beautiful. I am sure my facial expression
was pretty weird because I kept looking into her huge brown eyes, she looked
very familiar. When she smiled, however, my mouth flew open as I remembered who
she was. The memories came in like a flood. She was the girl of the summer
after I finished university. She aged and became more monied, however the look
in her eyes was the same; she always looked at me with the desperation of a
woman that needed salvation. She was my damsel in distress, the one I couldn’t
save even if I wanted to.
“Regina?” I asked.
She stepped very close to me, wrapped her arms
around my neck and pulled me close. “Yes Ishmael. It's me. I am here. I am sorry about before.” She
gazed into my eyes with intent, our affair may have lain dead and forgotten for
me but for her it was only in a comma and she was serious about reviving it. It
was her eagerness, that’s what caught me the first time and looking at her
again I was feeling myself getting caught up again. It was bad. Beautiful
people are bad.
“I love you Ishmael, I know I didn’t say it
before, I know I never called, but it is true, it has always been true.” Her
words were soft as velvet, her embrace was warm and her softness was
persuading.
The right thing was to rip myself out of her
embrace but I was unable to. She entrapped me in a deep kiss. What happened
next was so fast, like something out of a ridiculous Telenovela. Out of the
corner of my eye, I saw Bison and I wrenched myself from Regina's kiss. Bison
stood there, wide-eyed, arms plastered to her sides like she was paralysed. Her
mouth was hanging open. I was surprised when a tear creeped out of her left
eye.
“Bison, exsay,” I said quickly, pushing Regina
out of the way. “Exsay, it's not what it looks like. Butah, why are you
crying?”
Bison stood there, shocked. “And to think I.
I-...” she turned away.
Man, she was a drama queen. “Yo! Bison what's
up with you? Why you being such a chick?” I chuckled while I nervously tried to
cover my embarrassment. It was stupid, at the very core she was my homie. Why'd
she be so touched about something she knew nothing about?
She turned back furiously “Ishmael. I never
want to see you again. Never. Don't even think of calling me again. This time I
AM SERIOUS.” A stubborn tear raved down her cheek again. She turned around and
walked away, disappearing into the picturesque view at the lodge.
Damn, another love triangle. Friends were not supposed to join love
triangles. I needed to fix the situation and I didn’t know how.
Enjoyed the read. ��
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