Marriage on the Horizon: The Valentine, #2

By Lookman Laneon

An accounting degree in the bag, a paying job and a stable relationship at just 21, Yenzo looks forward to a happy future with the man of her dreams, Jack. 
When he gets a transfer to a distant city, he doubts he will stay loyal. But her commitment is also tested by past lovers and new suitors, who leave her with deep scars. 
Jack returns, proposes and the lovebirds roll out red carpets for their big day. But their blissful future is put on hold when his past deeds come to haunt him.
 

• Language: English
• Publisher: Lookman Laneon
• Release date: Apr 21, 2018
• ISBN: 9780639919010

Book preview

Chapter 1

After working half -day, Yenzo grabbed her bag and dashed out of the office. An approved sick-leave permitted her to go home. Centurion, here I come. The young lady raced down the stairs and jumped into a taxi. She wouldn’t let anyone take her place at her boyfriend’s house.

A few minutes earlier, Jack announced over the phone: We have an urgent school project in Port-Elizabeth. I’ll be away for four weeks.

Yenzo’s mouth opened as she reclined in the chair. Could he be serious? Recollecting he’d not been sent out of Johannesburg before, her voice quivered.  When are you leaving?

Tomorrow morning.

Tomorrow? Why are you just telling me?

The trip was confirmed earlier today...I’m on my way home. Talk to you later. He ended the call.

She tossed the phone on the desk. Port-Elizabeth of all places! Now that a project is taking him far, he’ll have enough time to cheat. Her mutterings attracted colleagues, but she avoided them all.

Thoughts of Jack in another lady’s arms in Port-Elizabeth gave Yenzo a headache. Concentrating on the computer became a problem. Even here in Johannesburg, keeping him as a boyfriend had been tough. Although she had yet to catch him cheating, frequent seductive looks ladies hurled at him suggested he might consider doing so. Thinking he might call someone to help pack his bags, she grabbed her phone and dialled her bestie, Dineo.

He’s travelling far to PE for four weeks, she said with a whimper.

PE? What for?

"According to him, an office project is taking him there. I hope he won’t forget me when he sees those yellow-bones."

Calm down, girl. That’s not long. You should learn to trust your man.

Four weeks? That’s a lifetime. Ladies will be throwing their panties at him by then. The way they look at him here gives me headache. Much less some unknown places my eyes can’t reach.

Stop thinking like that. As you’ve said, he’s going there to work.

But he’s going to Port-Elizabeth where ladies do things differently. They’ll hijack him, Dineo, they’ll hijack Jack. Her left hand stroked her forehead.

Dineo laughed and paused for a second, startled at her friend’s lack of confidence. You don’t have to doubt every move he makes. Do enough to show that you support the project.

And how exactly do I do that when I’m at work? He’s leaving tomorrow morning.

Go to his place and help with the packing, of course. But you always tell me he’s a good man, why are you scared all of a sudden?

Look, this whole travelling thing is new for me. I’ll see what I can do, anyway.

Yenzo ended the call with a frown.

The ladies were high-school friends and both studied at the Tshwane University of Technology. While Yenzo studied Accounting, Dineo opted for Graphics and Web-Design. Though now married and with a kid, she did better with matters of the heart, but Yenzo had an edge with academics. She stood out as the most dependable of all Yenzo’s friends, and that wasn’t because they lived in the same Centurion neighbourhood.

Do enough to show that you support his project. Dineo’s words echoed in Yenzo’s head as she stared at the computer, unable to continue type. Her mind roved away from her Tshwane office to the likely situation at Jack’s flat in Rosebank.

Since her bestie suggested a visit to his apartment, she would burst in unannounced to see if he had invited a side-chick. That should also give her an idea how he would behave when far away. Yenzo wouldn’t even mind staying at his place ’til morning and accompany him to the airport or bus station. So doing, her status as his only girlfriend would be stamped. To flee the office, the anxious lady put in a sick-leave application that got a quick nod.

Take me to Centurion, she said to the taxi driver.

The man observed her gasps. Rushing to an interview?

Something like that.

Beads of sweat gathered on her forehead as the cab got on the highway. She wound down the side window to allow fresh air that relieved her of the humid afternoon heat. Another batch of excuses juggled in her mind, but this time, for her mom. I’ll tell mom I want to spend the night at Dineo’s house.

Dr Bongani and wife didn’t take kindly to their children sleeping out, a long-standing rule since Yenzo’s high-school days. They waived the rule when her friends had important functions. But such friends had better be known to her mom, who kept a long list of family codes. Yenzo’s dad always stood by his wife’s decisions. 

I’m going to see Dineo, she announced on stepping into the living room, and I’ll be there ’til tomorrow.

Mrs Bongani stopped knitting for a moment to digest her daughter’s message. Her face creased up but soon eased up on recognizing that it was Dineo.

Hope she’s fine?

She’s okay, Yenzo stood still. We have a small get-together.

What’s the occasion?

Her sisters are coming from Mafikeng, so she wants me to help with baking. I also want to learn new recipes from the visitors. I’ll go to work from there.

Okay, take good care and be careful.

Swapping her grey skirt-suit for white jeans and a fuchsia spaghetti-strap top, Yenzo took the rare late afternoon trip to Rosebank. While in the taxi, imageries of a strange lady lounging on Jack’s bed made her cringe. She warded off the thoughts by fiddling with her braided hair whilst scanning her smartphone calendar.

Aww, this guy will be away ’til the middle of February! Her lips parted.

Against her earlier stance of making it a surprise visit, she rang his number. I’m on my way there, and I’ll stay ’til tomorrow.

What did you say? His heart skipped a beat.

Yes. It’s your first-time out of town. The least I can do is to make sure you’re in order.

When will you be here? A cackle breaks through the line. I’ll believe it when I see you.

She grinned as the call ended, unsurprised at his reaction. Not once had she spent the night with him for two years they’d been dating. In fact, this visit was one of many firsts: first-time he would travel out of town; first-time she would be sleeping at his flat; first-time she would be lying to her mom about her whereabouts; first-time...

Jack welcomed her with a hug when she stepped into his flat at half-past four. Your man is going to Port-Elizabeth. He smiled and threw both hands in the air, but she took his words and gestures for a decoy.

Excuse me for a moment. She side-stepped him and searched around.

What’s the survey about? Did you forget something here the last time?

Are you alone?

Of course! Have you met someone here before?

Oh, Thank God. She smiled, a hand on her chest.  I thought you invited someone to wash your car downstairs.

Nooo.

Pleased that he’d not betrayed her, she went around the one-bedroom apartment, taking notes of the stuff she would help with. Half of his wardrobe clothes littered the bed and unwashed utensils dotted the kitchen. She opened the fridge, and ooh the reeking stench forced two fingers on her nose.

Keeping the house tidy wasn’t one of his talents, anyway. Yenzo moved over to the kitchen and began to wash plates. Jack’s brows towered above his eyes, considering that going to the kitchen wasn’t a focus anytime she visited. You’re picking up new hobbies, uh? Amazing stuff.

So, you messed up the whole place because I’ll fix them for you? 

He beamed. I didn’t know you’ll be coming. The whole place should be upside down by now.

Why did you shave your head clean? No more flat tops?

Just to be different, you know.

You lie! You did it to attract PE ladies. You’ve not left Jo’burg and you’ve started changing your manners.

He ignored the remarks and stretched neck forward. Are you staying here with me tonight for real?

Sure. You thought I was joking or what?

Wow. He punched both fists in the air. My sweetie is growing up fast. This will be an unforgettable night.

She took both hands out of the soap lather and inched backwards. Don’t push your luck too far. I’m just here to help sort out your things.

Yeah, you’re here to make me happy, I know. He winked.

This trip excites you, uh? Yenzo sneered.

Not really. Just an opportunity to impress my bosses. I can’t take chances with my promotion.

What does the work involve?

Introduce the new CAPS curriculum and demonstrate it by taking students maths.

Is it a girls-only school?

I’m not sure.

Having been postponing cleaning the house for weeks, he couldn’t be happier she came around. He explained his unexpected Port-Elizabeth trip better as they got their hands dirty. While the duo chatted on diverse topics, he sought to douse her anxieties.

Do you have the ticket yet?

Sure. I got it online.

Let’s go and fetch some groceries. You might get to the village late and you can’t be sure what you’ll meet there.

Good point, dear. That’s why I can’t keep away from you. Your brain works.

The lovebirds left the house for Rosebank Mall, and she took charge of the shopping, picking a few grocery items along with three pairs of jeans trousers, a tracksuit and two shoe pairs.

As they left the mall, he asked: Why tracksuit?

Yes. You’ll learn to dress down in PE. Wearing suits is forbidden ’til you return. She furrowed her eyebrows.

Mindful not to dampen her morale, he flashed a broad smile.

You’re smiling too much. Is that how you’ll be laughing at every lady you come across in PE? Her eyes narrowed.

What’s wrong with that?

They’ll think you’re inviting them home when you smile like that. You should learn to frown frequently, even when in class with students.

Jack’s jaw slackened. Even if unfamiliar with Eastern Cape, those opinions about PE ladies couldn’t be correct. Evidently, the trip gave her serious concerns.

Back to his apartment, Yenzo switched off her phone, selected clothes on his behalf and filled his bags with groceries and stuff. She kept the flat uncluttered while he reclined on the bed, lost in the imagination of how to send her to Mars later at night.

Jack! I hope you won’t do what I won’t do? She slammed his shoes into the travelling bag.

He sat up and stared at her. Just saying, what do you think I would do in your absence?

The argument continued late into the night as she expressed fears about his stay in Port-Elizabeth. Not until he promised to stay loyal did she stop her verbal attacks.

When I return, I’m likely to get a promotion at work. We’ll plan our future together. He grabbed her shoulders and whispered sweet words that soothed her troubled mind. Yenzo soon sheathed her sword.

After a joint shower and a late dinner meal of rice and beef stew, they lounged for a while before going to bed. Yenzo switched on her phone to check for missed calls, but the battery had almost run flat. The lady dozed off as a text dropped on the device.

Was at your house around 6PM. Hot soup for you at home. Your mom is aware you didn’t sleep here. Where did you go?- Dineo.

Chapter 2

Rushing to the train station, Yenzo burrowed through the crowd with a frown. She must be at the office before eight, having taken the previous day off, lest her boss complained. The young lady quivered in the chilly Johannesburg wind but had to also fight influenza, which worsened her personal troubles.

Half an hour earlier, she was with Jack at the Park Station. The lad looked elegant in his white t-shirt and beige chinos trousers. As they coasted along the mall, people ogled at them, reminding her of their suitability as a couple.

But his long four-week stay in Port-Elizabeth brought tears to her eyes. Doubts about her efforts kept creeping up. She’d slept off after dinner the previous evening. Why didn’t I wake him up to play with me? She slapped her thighs. I hope that won’t be an excuse to cheat.

The guy ought to have made a move if he wanted attention, knowing that the late afternoon chores exhausted her. Not even at home did she do so much work in one day. Now, her body ached all over and nausea loitered. At least he’ll remember that I stayed the night over, she said, climbing down the escalator.

Never before had spending time with him been this yippy. The hide and seek game, gazes swap, shower together, first dinner together at his place, and the time spent packing his bags. Those should be enough to remember me.

Had the project been announced earlier, she would have taken a month leave and stay with him in Port-Elizabeth the entire time. That shouldn’t be too much a sacrifice for her man. But then, she did her best for him, given the short notice.

The tower clock read a quarter to eight when Yenzo arrived at the Gautrain station. Realising she would get to the office late, going to Tshwane became an uphill task. She began to lament her weekend work schedule.

Sunday morning when everyone is at home, I’m looking for a train to work. Aww!

She worked at BlinkOnce Agency, a call-centre business where she reported daily. Work-free days depended on her weekly workload. The income wasn’t enough to get a house or car – just could get a young lady going. What if I call my boss that I’m still sick? Of course, I still am. She dug into her handbag and brought out a phone.  Flat battery.

Can I use your phone, please? she asked a lady in the queue nearby.

Yes, sure.  

Yenzo hastened to a quiet corner and connected with Ms Griffith. After greetings exchange, she sniffed thrice. I won’t make it to the office today, ma. Aches and pains all over my body. I need to see a doctor.

The woman stayed quiet for a second. Okay. Take good care, my dear. I’m sure you’ll be fine.

I’ll try, ma’am. Thank you.

The young lady composed a text and sent to Jack:

I changed my mind about going to the office just because of you.

Yenzo handed over the phone and thanked the owner for being so kind. She soon found herself at the window coach of a train to Centurion, her eyes set on returning home for a proper rest.

Hello, lassie, a guy greeted and collapsed into the couch nearby.

Hi. Yenzo replied without looking at him.

Jeeez! You look fab, babe: Kinky hairline, dark smooth skin, beautiful long legs, and a tall sexy stature. I bet guys are all over you at school. I’m Wizzie, by the way, and I doff my heart for the beautiful damsel seated next to me.

She cast a sideways glance at him from head to shoes. His unkempt dreadlocks, wrinkled clothes, blood-shot eyes and overall shabby appearance said it all – a student returning from a nightclub or booze party. Such loafers didn’t mind chatting ladies up anywhere they met one. Who told this one I’m a student?

Though twenty-three, people often told her she looked younger. Such compliments tickled when uttered by gentlemen but not from waifs like the one seated nearby. Wary not to come across as being rude, she acknowledged his salutations and looked away. Chatting with a stranger wasn’t on her wish-list for the day.

The guy tilted his head and burped. Sorry, Miss.

She nodded, curling her lips downwards. Her mind drifted to the number of ladies Jack would meet in the bus taking him to Port Elizabeth and within the city proper. Having met him a playboy, she did her bit to make him stay committed. By a mile, he’d done well so far. But this Eastern Cape project would prove a different challenge.

Will he hold ladies off as she just did with Wizzie? How long would he stay without seeing her? Multiple questions juggled in her mind. When daring Port-Elizabeth ladies targeted a dude, they made their feelings known right away. A soft-hearted lad like Jack would fall for their tricks, Yenzo feared. I hope he’ll conduct himself well.

Regrets of not rolling between the sheets the previous night swept through her again. Yes, not often did she jump on his bed, but last night’s visit was one she ought to let him have his way however he saw fit. Tears rolled down the young lady’s cheeks as she thought of the gulf distance would create. 

Wizzie observed her wet eyes and concluded she’d softened up at last. Tears in the eyes of a pretty damsel. Sad to see; worse to ask.

Unmindful she’d been weeping, she wiped her eyes. 

He turned on an infectious smile. Spotless creamy spaghetti strap, snazzy blue jeans, befitting sling-back shoes, what else does a young lady need to appear regal. I doff my hat, princess. D’you want to share your story of pain? I just might be the one with the cure.

Yenzo darted a quirky look at him again and shook head slowly. Even if one would rub minds with a stranger, definitely not a predator. He reeked of alcohol and tobacco, despite his nice words. That his husky voice sounded like Jack’s even made him an unlikely chat partner.

The miffed lady searched around for unoccupied coaches, spotted some three rows in front and hopped over. On settling into the new seat, she whispered: I hope Jack will be this determined to chase girls away from him. 

A little seated opposite walked towards Yenzo.

Little one, how are you? She tickled her tender cheeks and smiled at the kid, asking the mother for the name.

Leleti.

Nice name. Yenzo peeped through the window. When will time come to have my own kids?

Dineo looked comfortable in her husband’s house, and her daughter did well in crèche. Some of her old classmates had two or three kids with or without husbands. Settling down with her dream man seemed suspended now that Jack had travelled. With the blink of an eye, she lobbed the thoughts aside. Everyone is different. We all have our lives to live.

On getting off the train in Centurion, Yenzo thought of reaching out to Dineo. Her friend should be carried along now that Jack had made promises of the future. If the mother of one hadn’t brought up