07
The silence stretches between them. It’s comfortable, but also pregnant with possibility. The drive back to Cass's house is filled with easy conversation, but the earlier unspoken moment lingers between them. As he pulls up to her curbside, he turns to face her, his expression more serious than before.
Melusi :I really appreciate you tonight. And not just for the drinks.
She returns his gaze, her heart fluttering a little.
Lisa: Oh yeah? And what else would that be for?( she teases, trying to lighten the mood.)
He doesn't laugh, but a small smile plays on his lips.
Melusi :For being there. For listening. For just...being you. You're the only friend I've got who really gets it. And I'm grateful for that.
She leans forward, her hand reaching out to gently touch his arm.
Lisa : You don't have to thank me. That's what friends are for. And besides....it's not every day I get to play therapist to a Xulu.
Lisa : There's one thing I've never understood about you, though, How can a Xulu be so good at avoiding drama? I mean, it seems to follow you like a shadow, but somehow you're still the most level-headed person I know.
Melusi (chuckles, running a hand through his hair.) :Maybe it’s just the effect you have on me.”
His gaze lingers on her face, a hint of something deeper lurking behind his words. As the tension builds, the urge to reach out, to close the space between them becomes almost palpable. Lisa feels her breath catch in her throat, her heart thumping harder in her chest.
In that moment, the line between friend and something more seems thin, .
But then, Melusi's phone chimes—a text notification that breaks the spell. He checks the screen, his face falling slightly.
Melusi :I'm sorry, It's my father.
Lisa : It's fine, you should probably get back. I'm sure he's got all sorts of...boss things for you to do.
Melusi (nods, his eyes returning to the screen) :Yeah...
Lisa :It's not fair...
he looks up, his eyes searching hers.
Melusi :What do you mean?
Lisa :I mean that you shouldn’t have to live like this (gesturing to the phone in his hand). You should be able to live your life, make your own choices. Not just be a puppet on some string.
Melusi :That’s the way it is, though. It’s the family. It’s the legacy.
Lisa :Yeah, okay, Let’s drop it.”
Melusi :I really do appreciate you, Lisa. More than I can say.
She nods, reaching out to take his hand in hers.
Lisa :l’m always here for you, Dom. No matter what.
Melusi :I know you are. And I’m lucky for it.
he leans forward, pressing a tender kiss to her cheek.
Melusi :Good night, Lisa. Thanks for the drinks and the advice.
Lisa returns the gesture, her fingers lingering on his arm for just a moment.
Lisa :Any time. You know that. Just remember that you’re not alone in all this.
He smiles and nods, his eyes holding hers for a beat before he withdraws from the car.
Melusi : Ulale kahle ke maNdimande
he drives away, she watches the tail lights of his car disappear into the distance, her heart heavy .
But even as her thoughts spiral, her mind replays the warmth of his touch, the tenderness in his voice .Maybe, just maybe, their story isn't over yet.
.
.
MELUSI XULU
l slip into the house, the lights dimmed, the air still. l moves quietly down the hall, past the closed doors of sleeping servants, past the study where my father's paperwork lies across the desk.
As l approachmy own room, lm surprised to hear the faint sound of music filtering out from under Thingoluhle's door.
l pause outside her door . Is she still awake?Part of me wants to knock, to see if she's okay, to apologize for our awkward moment in the kitchen.But another part of me wants to give her the space she needs.
l hesitate for a moment longer, the music continuing to drift out into the hallway. And then, with a sigh, l turn away, heading towards his own room.
My phone rings.
" I need you here tomorrow at noon, sharp."
Melusi : Baba , uthin ?
"We having a meeting with the Mthethwa's"
Melusi : And if I can’t make it at noon? .l ask, testing the waters.
“You’ll be there.” It’s not a suggestion, it’s a command.
Melusi :l’ll be there
“Good,”
The line goes dead, leaving me staring at his phone, the screen illuminating in the darkness. l toss my phone onto the bedside table, l peeloff his clothes, ignoring the sweat and grime that clings to my skin from the day’s events. Sleep, that’s what l need right now. Sleep!
Slipping between the sheets, l close my eyes, the distant rhythm of Thingoluhle:s music still filtering through the walls.
...
Across town, Lisa turns over in her bed, the sheets tangling around her legs. She’s restless, her mind still replaying the conversation with Melusi, the looks they shared, the words they didn’t say.
Was it just her imagination, or was there something more brewing between them?
She groans, pushing her hair out of her face. “Get a grip,” she mutters to herself.
Lisa can’t help but think of Melusi, his smile, the way he looked at her tonight. Maybe he didn’t say anything, but something was different, she is sure of it.
Thingo is wide awake, the soft glow of her laptop illuminating her face. Her music is playing quietly, the lyrics of her favorite song echoing through her mind.
"Do you know what you’re getting yourself into?” the message reads.
“Who is this?” typing back.
"Someone who knows the Xulu family well and l can help you
“Help me how?”
"Escape ofcourse, l know how much you don't want to be there right now and have they told you why you Melusi's betrothed?"
"Not really but even if l was told , why do you care?"
"You stubborn l see, how about we meet at Joe's coffee shop at noon "
Thingo stares at her laptop with her mind reeling.Who is this?
[9/27, 10:14]
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Ngathi uMelusi uconfused nje. And who's texting Thingo
Posted on November 9, 2024, 6:32 pm