The Village Girl - Chapter 1

Chapter 1

It's sunny Sunday in Pretoria CBD, the air feels nice and warm, typical summer. Morwebu restaurant, right where Paul Kruger meets Pretorius Street, is busy with people coming and going. Lesedi is cleaning a table after some students left. Then she goes to the counter and turn on some smooth jazz making the Sunday afternoon feels pleasant. At a corner table, a man, is drawn in by Lesedi's charm and he calls her over. She goes to his table, assuming he just wants to know more about the menu prices.

"Is this your first day here?"

"It's my first day of training, yes,"

"I'll have pap and roasted chicken, with a side of spicy salad."

"That would be R45 plus R10, making the total R55," He hands over the cash.

"I believe that should cover it, right?"

"Absolutely."

She moves to the counter and then to the kitchen, where she skillfully prepares his meal. Speaking from the distance.

"Do you want a takeaway, or will you be dining in? Hey, Mr.! Takeaway, or will you be staying?"

"You may call me John. Yes, my lady, I'll be staying."

During subsequent moments of silence, John observes her closely as she approaches to hand him his meal, impressed by every aspect of her – her elegant walk, resonant voice, and quiet confidence.

"What's your name again, my lady?"

"Unfortunately, I don't give my name to strangers."

"Well... My lady, I'm a sincere customer and a regular here. Hopefully, I could mention your name when writing my review of the exceptional service I received today."

Impressed by his conduct and attire, she can't help but smiles. According to her, a man needed broad shoulders and a hint of muscle. Height was secondary, and John reminds her of her favorite rap artist.

"John, right?"

"Yes, ma'am."

"You remind me of Cassper Nyovest."

"Did you just compare me to Cassper Nyovest?"

"A bit, yes...!"

"Well, I'm flattered! And no, ma'am, I'm not related to him at all."

As she extends her hand to shake his, Lesedi feels a certain vibration in her being. She wonders at the twists of fate – after numerous unsuccessful attempts at securing stable employment, she finally has a wonderful job and now, the man of her dreams is standing before her.

"I'm Lesedi."

"The lamp that illuminates other lamps. Wow! I love your name."

"What's there to love about my name? It's random, and anyone could be called Lesedi. There's nothing special about it. Or maybe... Is that your pickup line?"

"No, why would you think of it as a pickup line?"

"Well, I'm just trying to say I'm not impressed. You'd have to work hard to win my attention."

As she heads back to the counter. He finishes eating and leaves the restaurant, returning to his office at the Reserve Bank. She spends the rest of her day daydreaming about his return for lunch the following day.

However, he fails to show up, leaving her dissatisfied and stressed. Doubts and regrets fills her thoughts – had she disappointed him with her responses? Two weeks passes by without any sign of him.