N.P Jhenè Aiko – While We’re Young
We sat in the corner, a little hidden and out of sight for some intimacy. It had been a while since I saw this king. In fact I last ran into him a little over a year ago but he looked good and happy.
This meeting had none of the usual pleasantries,”So how you been?” “What have you been doing?” “Are you and your bae okay?” instead we went straight into the deep things as we got our food and sat down.
“I needed to see you to apologise buddy. It’s been way too long since I last saw you or updated you on my life. I’ve been going through some things…”
“You don’t owe me anything. We’re friends and this is real. The fact that you were quiet doesn’t change things. I get it, I’ve been through life. I get it, you don’t have to explain but I appreciate that you did.”
I reassured him that it was a safe space, and that he could tell me what ever he needed to. Thankfully the Holy Spirit had delivered me a long time ago from wanting to be included in what was going on in other people’s lives; I genuinely had no need to know everything and this made life so much simpler. If I was honest with myself, this approach made it easy for me to remember what was important because there was always so much nonsense to filter out before one got the the things that really matter.
Despite the fact that this was an after work hook-up on a Friday afternoon at McDonald’s, and we’d both have to start making our way across town to get home, the king started to unwind and we eventually veered into lighter territory.
“So I have something else to tell you.” My eyes lit up as I uttered the words and dipped my chip into tomato sauce. I unfurled my arms, adjusted the way I was sitting and began the story.
********
type, type, type …
“Hey, I’m in Joburg for a few days in September. Can I take you out to lunch?” The message came through on her phone mid afternoon.
Normally she wouldn’t accept such lunch invites, “Like who asks to take a person to lunch anyway?” She mused at the idea of lunch in one of those NY style restaurants she’d seen on TV. Why does every reference have to be based on something you’ve seen? She liked the fact that X., who had shown interest in her since the very first day they met for no reason apparent to her, had kept in touch even after those cold winter morning classes had ended.
Despite her reservations she found herself replying, “Okay.” She typed back and paused. Lunch in an open space was not so bad, right?
But then a few days later he sent another message:
“Hey, I’m having my car serviced and it might take the whole day. Can we make it supper instead?”
What kind of car needed to be serviced in Johannesburg? She wondered. Why couldn’t he just do it in Cape Town where he stayed?
“My parents stay in Bedfordview, we can meet there and then go to the restaurant, I booked for 7 PM.”
How would this go down? What if he turned out to be a serial killer? Wait what kind of restaurant do you book at and what kind of serial killer had his own accounting practice? ….. culture is so weird, why would he want me to meet his parents? And what type of area is Bedfordview, isn’t that up town? Okay, I’ve got his ID number and email address thanks to the class. He should be traceable and I’ll just send my location when I get there.
When the night came she told X. to pick her up from a nearby mall instead.
“I’ve rented a Mercedes Benz C-Class while I’m up here. Taking my parents to a game drive, for the next couple of days.” He had told her.
Okay, I think I know what a C-Class looks like, so he shouldn’t be too hard to spot but she said a prayer just in case. X. arrived a little before the agreed time. Which was fine because she was already there, but she thanked God that he had asked instead of just arriving unannounced. She waited on the stairs close to the new restaurant that had just opened up and hoped that she didn’t look too nervous. Because the day had been quite stressful, she got some flowers and a cup of tea while she waited.
“Hey, there!” She turned her head to see X.’s beaming face. He jokingly gave her a punch on the shoulder and apologised for making her wait. Apparently he didn’t know the mall very well even though he grew up in Bedfordview. Turns out X. was a perfect gentleman. He opened the car door for her and even opened up to her about himself without being asked.
“…I went to High School at a predominately Jewish school..” She heard as X. took a smooth corner.
He drove well.
“Well here we are! I asked my parents where was the best place to get fish and they told me it was here.”
You asked your parents? Don’t they go on dates? This is not a date, is it? The king stepped out and walked around to open her car door while she leaned over and picked her handbag which lay by her feet. He then proceeded to lead her up the stairs. Holding the door ajar he allowed her to step in first and she very quickly realised that this was the kind of restaurant that you book at.
“Reservation for seven, under the surname .…. by the window.” X. told the manger who welcomed them in and passed them onto their waitress. The tall slender queen lead the way to a cozy but beautifully set table for two. The waitress held out her chair and allowed her to glide in and sit. Then she pushed the chair in every time she bent forward and lifted up her bum. This made her want to giggle, but she skilfully fought the urge. The waitress then laid on her lap a clean white napkin and asked if they would prefer still or sparkling water. She returned, bottle in hand and proceeded to decant the clear liquid into what looked like wine glasses, but except they clearly weren’t because these were for water. Finally they were ready to start the evening.
“I have training, so I shouldn’t really drink but you should have some wine. Can I order you some wine?” The king knew what was up, without even trying. Did this guy read minds, or watch those Hitch-like Youtube videos?
“So I lived in Germany for a couple of years, then I moved back to South Africa, left Joburg and moved down to Cape Town.” “After I sold my car dealership I decided to start a practice.” “So what type of fish do you like?” The king asked and she was astonished that there was someone who actually requested a particular fish. Most people she knew would just acquiesce to what was on the menu. “I’m a bit spoiled living by the sea,” he continued.
When the food came, without effort, the king reached over, took her hand and prayed over the meal. In public, closed his eyes and didn’t care who saw. What?! Not only is he a well traveled gentleman who opens doors, he prays too! [ Writers note: Ladies, I know I don’t need to explain any further here.] “So we just started a fund to help kids go to school.” The chatter continued and she listened, attentively it was clear she enjoying his company.
The night went by too quickly for her but this was a Tuesday night she was going to remember.
****
Thanks king for reminding so many ladies what it is like to be in the presence of a king.
Love and peace, Fi
The Chronicles of Nana 