Her Soldier

Chapter 16

"Are you ok?" my legs were shaking and my hands were numb as I wrapped them around myself, nervous about who I was going to meet, "come here," Zack called me to his wide open arms.

Zack was looking way too good right now, and even though he was dressed casual, his built body filled out every inch of his outfit and this man was definitely a snack. He wore a pair of yellow shorts with a white shirt that clung onto his muscles and showed his flawlessly tanned skin. His dog tags were around his neck as the only accessories and his shirt had the first two buttons undone. 

My young self was losing her mind but I had to pinch myself back to reality and sanity several times.

I obeyed to his call and walked to him, letting him wrap his arms around me and I welcomed the smell of the now familiar cologne that was musky and strong, breathing it in to soothe my nerves.

He threw his arm over my shoulder, taking his other hand and placing it in his pockets as we walked up the driveway. There was another car parked here, a shiny black Range Rover and I knew that that must be my mum’s boyfriend.

We approached the door and when we did, I almost knocked until I remembered that this was my home. I pushed open the unlocked door and wordlessly walked the both of us into the home where I could hear the sound of my mother laughing.

At that, I tightened my little fist around Zack's shirt as we walked further into the home heading towards the kitchen and dining room.

I wasn't prepared for the sight that we saw as we walked into the kitchen. My mother was standing in the middle of the kitchen, dressed in a Versace jungle print dress that looked breath taking on her. She was being swayed to a non-existent beat by a man, who I'm certain is her boyfriend.

"Mum..." I called out in a soft whisper not thinking that she would hear me, but she did because she immediately turned around and looked at me. 

"Dudu," she responded, and the man lowered his hands from her waist, "Zack," she smiled at us, putting the big wooden spoon down as she walked towards us and called us to come even closer. 

The first thing she did was hug me really tight before she gave Zack a kind smile. She looked down at me and smoothed her hands over my hair, and adjusted the oversized shirt that I was wearing, "you look nice," she said with a happy expression, approving of what I was wearing. I wasn't wearing anything too much, because I was dressed for today's activity at the race track. 

I was wearing a pair of blue jeans that clung to my body because I’m a fan of skinny jeans since they make me look slimmer and taller in my opinion. I wore it with a Versace shirt that I had loosely tucked into my jeans in one side to seem a bit more fashionable. I had taken off the cap that I was wearing and smoothly ran my hands over my hair to neaten it up and paired the outfit with designer heels. 

"Duduzile," she began with my full name, holding my hand in hers, "meet Steve Kani," she stepped back and said Steve Kani stepped forward and smiled down at me. 

I looked over his every feature, drinking in the sight of the dark skinned man who towered over me. Steve was good looking, the kind of confident good looking where he didn’t have to say a word for you to know that he was very sure of himself. He had dark and healthy looking skin that seemed to glow in a way that amazed me for a little while. His dark brown eyes were surrounded by short eyelashes but his eyebrows were thick and dark. He had a bone structure to be admired because every edge of his face was highly emphasised in a flattering way. He had a rich dark beard and his nose was broad. 

He extended his hand with a kind smile and I looked over his face, "it's a pleasure to finally meet you," I placed my hand in his and let him shake it. 

"And you must be Zack Ryder," he turned his attention to Zack who gave a curt nod, "it's an honour to meet a solider, an American soldier at that," he chuckled and Zack being the emotionless wall that he is, didn't respond, only shook the man's hand. 

"Let's sit down, we were waiting for the two of you," my mother said as we walked to the dining room and I sat next to Zack, not wanting to get away from him, "so, how was your day?" she asked me, a smile on her face as we all started to eat the homemade pizza she had laying out on the table. 

"Fun," I responded with my eyes on Steve who could feel my gaze and looked back at me, "what do you do, Steve?" I asked suddenly. I wanted to know everything about this man. His handsome face wouldn’t deter me from making sure that he was the perfect man for my mother. 

He seemed to be expecting the harshness, "I am an auditor and I own a Mugg & Bean."

"Do you have any children?" 

"Yes, I do. In fact, I have three children. I have two girls and my youngest is a boy. My oldest is Mpho and she’s studying law. There's Sipho who's taking a gap year but she's really interested in art and would prefer to pursue a career in that, instead of going to school. And my youngest,  Nhlakanipho is in grade 11."

"Excuse me for this, but do you have them from the same woman?"

"Dudu, haibo! (exclamation of surprise)" My mother gasped at the intrusive question that no child should be asking but mind you, I’m 21 years old. I’m not a child…or at least, I say that now to justify what I had asked. 

"It's fine, my love. It's alright that she's asking questions and I will answer them honestly," he placed his hand on my mother's before he smiled at me, "no, I do not. I was married twice before. Nhlakanipho's mother passed away 7 years ago and I haven't been in a relationship since," he paused, "until recently, of course, with your mother." 

"How did you and my mother meet?" I wanted to know everything about this man because I really didn’t want to like him. No man was good enough to be with my mother but I also knew that I was supposed to slow down a bit with the questions. 

"We met at work. It was during a national business conference that we hold with the Department of Finances Minister. We were in Pretoria and I will never forget the day," he smiled at my mother. 

"So, you pursued my mother for how long?" 

"Five years," he replied without a blink, "five years, worth it though. We started out as enemies, she hated me and tried to keep me away but I wasn't deterred. I truly believe that she's my second chance at love." 

"Who was your first chance?" 

"I've told your mother this already but my second wife was my first chance at love. You see, my first wife and I were just young and wanted to simply find companionship. We were both working individuals who loved their jobs more than each other and it was a mutual split, six years into the marriage. I met the love of my life, a year later and that was when I knew what love truly was. I rediscovered myself and I welcomed the happiness that came with her. Sadly, she died in her sleep, seven years ago and I thought that I would never heal. I believed that for many years. Even after meeting your mother, I didn't think I'd be able to move on from my one true love. It was two years ago, that your mother claimed possession of all of my broken pieces."

"What do you love about my mother?" I just wanted to feel sure about this relationship even though I was really liking the fact that he was taking no offense to my questions. I also liked how he was transparent about everything that I asked him about. 

"Everything," he didn't miss a beat, "but I assume you want me to state whatever it is and it is a lengthy list. I love her resilience, and I love how even in her weakest moments she still manages to smile and tell everyone that she's ok. I love how she always walks with her head held high, I love her smile and her laugh whenever I try to say a pick up line; I love how she's capable of making me feel like I couldn't be any more silly, or stupid, or intelligent. I love how she talks about you and how much you mean to her. I love how she was able to move on with life after everything that she has gone through; I love how she wears her heart on her sleeves and I love how she's never afraid- not anymore. I love the love that she gives me; I love the acceptance and understanding that she's given me; I love the way her brown eyes light up whenever she talks about you; I love how she walks and even how she dances because Lord knows your mother can't dance. I love the way she talks; the way she snaps at me; the way she rolls her eyes and looks me up and down; the way she dresses; the way she glares at me and I love her cooking. Would you like me to carry on?"

I shook my head, a smile having managed its way onto my face and at that Steve chuckled, a happy expression on his face, "you're alright, Steve," I said and he high-fived himself. 

He wiped his forehead, "my goodness! I was scared."

At that everyone around the table laughed at his silliness. 

We continued on with conversation after that but it was nothing heavy, we just talked about life and everything in between. The more we talked, I noticed how Steve would look at my mother and the way that my mother would look at him- like nobody else mattered except the other. It was beautiful. 

My nerves were now at ease and I couldn't help but smile at them. They were perfect for each other. 

At some point as everyone around the table shared a laugh, my eyes met with Steve's and he gave me a warm expression and smile as we maintained eye contact. I saw then, that even though I didn't know this man; I trusted him to be the one who would give my mother everything she's always wanted but never had and that's- love.