Armour & Grace

Without another word, he reached for me pulling me in by the waist. His hands settled on my sides, gently squeezing as he lowered his head to my neck... almost as if he was taking in my scent.

The air shifted, filled with a mix of my body mist and his cologne.

As he pulled me closer, I rested my head against his chest allowing myself to take it all in.

Being in his arms felt like...
home.

And for a moment
he didn't seem to care about anything else.

He stepped back, slowly letting go of me, his eyes locking onto mineunbreaking, intense.

"Asambe, ntokazi ," he said.

His tone was commanding... but gentle.

He opened the passenger door for me, waited until I got in, then closed it softly before walking around to the driver's side. Moments later, the engine came to life.

I sat quietly, staring out the window.

That's when it hit me
Nomhle.

I quickly reached for my phone and called her.

Ringing...

"Hello?"

"Hello??"

"Ruri??"

"Ruri 'Riratilwe' Moilwa, do you have a death wish?!"

"Yohhh... fa fela a ka bo a itse..."

Ruri: "Hi, Nomhle Mhlongo... how are you?"

Nomhle: "Don't give me that nonsense, Ruri! I've been worried sick about you! Cishe ngafonela amaHawks ngoba wena awuphenduli ucingo futhi awutholakala ndawo!"

Ruri: "Jaanong o a feteletsa dilo... a ga o akanye jalo? And friend, I'm really sorry for worrying you... it really wasn't my intention."

(Now you're exaggerating, don't you think)

I could hear her sniffing,she was crying.

My chest tightened.

Ruri: "I'm on my way back to res as we speak. I'll explain everything when I get there, I promise. I love you."

I ended the call.

He glanced my way briefly.

Sphesihle: "Which way are we heading?"

Me: "Uhm... Albert Luthuli Residence," I said softly.

Sphesihle: "Manje intokazi iphuma kuphi? I can hear you're not from around here."

Oh... he noticed.

Ruri: "Botswana. I'm originally from Gaborone. I came here about two years ago to study this is my third year."

Sphesihle: "Ohh, UKZN? DUT ? Bakuphethe kahle kodwa, mama?"
He smiled.

I turned my face toward the window, blushing slightly.

Ruri: "mmhh…..UKZN" I exhaled softly.

Clearing my throat, I added,
"Uhh... ee ke tlhomame sentle, Rra."
(We are settling well)

He let out a low laugh.

Sphesihle: "cha mama...awusathi 'Sthandwa sam'... noma 'Ndoda yami'."
He smirked, glancing at me.

I turned to him, laughing in disbelief.

"When did we get there?"

The car came to a stop.

A small, quiet moment passed between us.

"Thank you so much," I murmured soft, but enough for him to hear.

He simply nodded, a faint smile playing on his lips as he looked at me.

I reached for the door
but before I could open it, I heard his door shut.

He had already stepped out.

Walking around, he opened my door for me.

I stepped out, meeting his gaze
he was already looking at me.

Smiling.

I found myself smiling back.

I turned and started walking toward the residence, but I could still feel it

his gaze.

Lingering.

Heavy.

Unspoken.

I heard the engine roar behind me and assumed he was leaving.

But he didn't.

Not yet.

He waited.

Until I was safely inside.

Only then did the sound of his car fade into the distance.

I turned slightly just in time to see it disappear.

And somehow...

I knew this wasn't the last time.