Chapter 5 - Chapter 5: Palesa

# Chapter 5: Palesa

AFTER OUR FIRST DATE, he kissed me good night. After our second date, we made out in his bakkie. And after our third date, he invited me inside.

Every date was on a Saturday night, the one night that worked for both of us — Puli slept over at her ouma and oupa next door — and we spent the week pining after each other. We'd message with flirty WhatsApps, which sometimes got a little dirty.

My mouth hurt from smiling so much, my days brighter as I looked forward to his messages, his calls, and his spontaneous lunches.

One late morning, he called out of the blue to say he was bringing me lunch. He stopped by with burgers and chips, and we laughed around mouthfuls of food.

So when Saturday rolled around, I couldn't wait to see him.

Especially tonight. I hadn't stopped thinking about it since he WhatsApped me earlier.

My stomach dipped the moment I saw the devil emoji. He was definitely up to no good.

I'd been waiting patiently for him to ask, keeping the ball in his court since he had a child to think about. And now he was.

When he showed up on my doorstep at exactly six, I floated into his bakkie on a cloud, carrying only a small overnight bag over my shoulder, which he eagerly took off my arm.

"I hope I can make it through dinner," Tshepo said as he slid behind the wheel, placing my bag on the floor behind the passenger seat.