Where Love Lives

"Sometimes love shows up in small things—leftovers, laughter, and the way someone says your name like it means something."

Siphosethu Zulu

The sun wasn't even properly out yet, and already — bang bang bang !my door was under attack.

I groaned, pulling the fleece tighter around me, still feeling warm from last night's memories. My feet were half-dragging as I stumbled to the door, unlocking it with one eye open.

Boom.

Just like that, Nthabiseng stormed in like she owned my room, hands on hips, bonnet slightly slipping off and her gown tied in a lazy knot.

"Sethu!"

No Good morning, friend. No Hi, babe, you alive? Not even a fake I was worried. Just:

"Where were you yesterday?"

I blinked, still half-asleep. "Okay, wow... Hi to you too."

She rolled her eyes and flopped herself on my bed like she had every right. Her eyes scanned my room like she was expecting evidence. detective Nthabiseng mode activated.

"I even came by twice yesterday. You weren't here. Your bed was still made like some haunted res room. Where were you?"

I couldn't help it — I smiled. The kind of smile that pulls at your cheeks without your permission. The smile that makes your soul giggle because you know something no one else does.

"I was with my man," I said, dragging the words out like honey. Sweet. Slow. Purposeful.

That got her attention. She sat up straighter. "Huh?"

I nodded, biting my lip, my smile growing wider. "Yes, Katlego."

She blinked. "Wait... so, what, y'all had a little lunch or—"

"We had our first kiss," I said, interrupting her, letting it fall from my lips like a secret wrapped in gold.

Boom.

That was it.

Her eyes went wide, mouth opened like a gate to juicy drama land. She stood up, dramatic as always.

"Siphosethu Zulu! You kissed him? Kanti where did you go? What were you doing? What were you wearing? Wait, wait—how long was the kiss? Did you even brush your teeth? And who cooked? Did you sleep there? Oh my gosh, don't tell me you slept there!"

I just stood there, unbothered, folding my blanket slowly as she had her solo theatre performance in my room.

"You're doing too much," I said, chuckling. "Why are you shouting like I kissed your man?"

"Hai, friend! You disappear, you come back glowing, talking about kisses like it's normal, and I must just sit here and clap? Mina I want details!"

I sat next to her, crossed my legs like I was about to tell her a bedtime story.

"Okay fine... we went grocery shopping, bought my favourite cake, had milkshakes, and then..." I paused for dramatic effect.

"AND THEN?"

"He played Ngizokuthanda on the way to his apartment... hand on my thigh, acting all soft and loving. We cooked together. He held me from behind like those TikTok couples. And then..."

I looked away like I was shy — just to drive her crazy.

"Don't play with me, Sethu! THEN WHAT?"

"We kissed... while watching Everything, Everything, wrapped in fleece, sharing cake. He told me he loves me. The real kind. Not just words."

Silence.

She stared at me like I just told her Beyoncé DM'd me.

Then — as expected — she clicked her tongue and said, "Hai, these men are actors. You probably caught him on a good day."

I raised an eyebrow. "What's that supposed to mean?"

"I'm just saying, don't fall too hard, too fast. You're all over the place now, floating on clouds and singing love songs. Stay grounded."

"Jealousy is loud," I said with a fake cough.

"I'm not jealous!" she shouted. "I'm just being real."

I laughed. "Girl, it's giving 'I wish it was me'. Be happy for me at least. I'm still your friend."

She got up, opened my drawer without asking (like always), and took out my hairbrush.

"So, what's his apartment like?" she asked, pretending to be uninterested.

I smiled, flipping my hair.

"Babe... that place smells like generational wealth. Big windows, expensive counters, everything matching. You could feel the aircon quality. Even the floor was shining like it had dreams."

She sighed dramatically. "I hate you."

"You love me."

"I tolerate you."

"Because I'm glowing now?"

"Because you're insufferable when you're in love," she said, rolling her eyes.

We both laughed.

Katlego Moeketsi

I had just warmed up the leftovers from last night, and the whole apartment smelled like soft spices and that kind of love you can taste even before you eat. I was halfway through my plate — rice, creamy chicken, and that spinach that Sethu somehow made taste like a five-star side dish — when the front door swung open.

Boom. No knock. No warning.

"Eh banna!"

It was Tlotli.

Of course.

There he stood with that signature frown like he was owed something.

"Why didn't you tell me Mma was here, Kat?"

I paused, fork halfway to my mouth. "Granny?"

He walked in like he paid rent. His eyes landed on my plate and widened.

"Yoooh! Kat, this is Mma's food, I swear. Look at that gravy! The spinach even has that little milk touch she adds. No man, this is granny's hand. Don't lie!"

I chuckled, wiped my mouth and leaned back.

"Mma wasn't here," I said.

He blinked. "So where'd the food come from?"

I smirked.

"Sethu cooked."

Dead silence.

His head tilted to the side like I'd just told him I was getting married tomorrow. "Wait... wait, what?"

I nodded, letting it marinate. "She came over yesterday. We cooked together. That's her touch you're tasting, my guy."

His eyes popped like he'd seen a ghost. "As in... THE Sethu? The one you call 'lerato la pelo yaka'? That Sethu?"

"Yup."

"Wait," he raised a brow, leaning closer like I was hiding a bombshell. "Did y'all... you know... do the deed?"

I nearly choked on my water.

"Tlotli, can you be normal for five minutes?"

He laughed loud, clapping his hands. "So you didn't?! Haibo. What are y'all doing then? Reading the Bible?"

I shook my head, calm as ever. "It's too early for that. We're building. She's not about rushing things."

"Zulu girls!" he exclaimed like it was breaking news. "You'll starve, Kat! They always wait for that memulo thing."

I put my fork down, my tone softening.

"And I'll wait," I said, voice firm. "Even if it takes a decade. I'm not with Sethu for sex — I'm with her for her. The way she laughs, the way she challenges me, the way she sees me even when I don't say a word. That's what I love."

Tlotli went quiet. For once.

Defeated, he picked up a fork and stole a bite from my plate.

"Mxm. She can cook though. She must come often. We need to eat like this more."

I laughed. "You? You better find yourself a girlfriend, my guy. Sethu's not your wife."

"Yet," he said with a wink.

"Even yet is pushing it. Hands off."

We both laughed, and he tried to act slick, walking toward the kitchen drawer.

"Okay then, give me your spare key."

I raised my brow. "Where's yours and why do you need it?"

"For emergencies... like leftover emergencies."

"Forget it."

"i lost mine ,please."

"Not a chance."

"You don't love me."

"Not like I love Sethu."

We both burst out laughing again, the room full of boyish teasing and silent respect. But deep down, my heart was steady. Full. Rooted.

I wasn't just eating leftover food — I was eating a memory. A promise. A little piece of home, cooked in love.