LIFE OUT HERE

LIFE OUT HERE

PART 2

Crowded spaces always been my least favorite place ever, especially with all those men around. Lurking around, acting like monsters then using alcohol to justify their actions. My walk back to the dormitory was long and quiet, it was a little past 2 am. Within my 10 minutes walk, I noticed a lot of disturbing things; girls my age getting off million pula cars, boys having sex against the wall. Sickened, I finally arrived in my room, I tried to wait for Priscilla but I fell asleep and woke up the next day alone. It was a chill Sunday morning, nothing hectic. I tried calling her phone but as always she didn’t pick up.

I then carried on cleaning the room, then I called my mom only to find out she lost her job at the councilors house. Apparently he hired younger girl from the village; Silvia. Growing up, she had always had a questionable personality, she was always rumored to be dating older men. Before we even wrote our Form 5, there was speculation that she was having an affair the councilor, my mom and I always called her lekgantsha. I guess the rumors were true, the councilor was cheating on his beautiful wife with Silvia.

“Don’t worry, I registered for Ipelegeng. I guess I’m to start this coming month”, said my mom as she reassured me. I wasn’t really worried about myself at this point, I was worried about my grandmother, how was she going to get to the hospital now. What were they going to eat while she waited for next month to start work? I knew I had to find a way, she didn’t ask me to but I knew I had to.

After what seemed to be forever, Priscilla finally surfaced. “Where have you been? Do you know how worried I was?” She stared at me with a blank face and said, “I’ll take you with next time”. “Okay.” “ No! You really want to come with?” I nodded and before I knew, Priscilla jumped on me and we both collapsed to the ground. For some reason she was happy. I knew what she did was somehow bad or illegal but I guess I didn’t have much of a choice.

As the week went on, I seemed to forget about our little weekend adventure. By Thursday, Priscilla had picked out a dress for me to try on, it was obviously too short for my liking but you can’t really say no to Priscilla even if you wanted to. The plan, according to her, was that we go to a club somewhere in CBD, then she’ll tell me more when were there. “Follow my lead.” Following Priscilla’s lead is and will be the worst thing that I ever decided to do.

Saturday night, just a little after 8pm, we got ready. She put on her make up; not as appeasing but as long as she liked it, nothing else mattered. She tried to apply some of it to my face, she failed. Agreeing to wear that dress was as far as I would go. The club was very much like the events they host at school on weekends but more chaotic and intense. We sat down at a spot next a group of men, older men, they were too loud for their age.

“Okay friend, this is it. Look cool. We need a big fish, specifically that one”, she said as she pointed to a tall, dark skinned, fat man in the group that sat next to. He had on a Versace shirt and a Chanel hat, a wave of regret ran through my spine as I wondered what we were to do with him. I mean I understood what was to happen, I just didn’t know where to start. He kept looking over at our table, then out of nowhere, “Chommie, let’s go”. Her voice pierced through my thoughts as she got up to sit over at their table. I followed suit.

The big fish ordered shots for everyone, “A little something to ease the nerves ladies”. I could not bring myself to understand how Priscilla was enjoying this, she looked too happy. As I looked around assessing my environment, I could not help to notice someone who was apparently with big fish, maybe his friend or colleague. He was rather quiet, he was also fit, in shape, he had on a chill outfit. Blue jeans, plain white T shirt and a black jacket, I found him to be a bit captivating. I thought he wasn’t trying too hard to impress us, the way big fish did.

I mean big fish had on designer clothes and shoes, but he was giving off male pick me energy. He tried so much to be funny, he wasn’t. We had 3 more shots as the night went on, keep in mind this was my first time drinking alcohol. Everybody else in this group was chatty, except me and Mr Black Jacket. Oh and another girl who was passed out on the sofa, her friends were busy dancing and chatting with the other men.

 Mr Black Jacket kept stealing glances at me, had the most innocent eyes. He would scroll through his phone with a little smirk on his face, he didn’t really say much but his voice was calming, comforting. The space suddenly became too humid for me, never really understood why this happened, I whispered in Priscilla’s ear, “I’ll be back, I need to breath a little.” I stepped out and walked out towards the parking lot, I sat against someone’s car and closed my eyes for a moment. “You shouldn’t be out here alone, it’s not safe”, a voice said from behind me. Mr Black Jacket. He walked towards me stretched his hand out and said, “Nate.” “Hi Nate. Boston.”

He stood there holding my hand, staring into my soul. For some reason, I didn’t feel nervous or uncomfortable around, instead I felt warm inside. I just met this man. “Let’s go to my car, it’s not safe out here.” We made our way to his car, I was expecting a POLO or maybe a GTI, basically a VW but to my surprise he drove a Ford Ranger Raptor R. When were got to the car, there was an awkward silence.

“You seemed very uncomfortable in there.”

“I don’t like crowded spaces, especially if they are crowded with men. I don’t like men.” I

quickly looked at him because that sounded a bit rude and he had a funny poker face.

“You don’t like me. Damn.” He said with a sad face. I burst out laughing, he joined in too.

“No, I just don’t like being around men like this. I don’t know why. But I like you, I promise.” I reassured him.

“I mean I’m flattered but I have a girlfriend”, he said tucking imaginary hair behind his ear.

“No, that’s not what I meant.” I shyly said as he stared at me.

“I’m joking, you can have. You’re mine now”

“What?! No, I wasn’t asking you to be my…” Before I finished my sentence he grabbed my neck and kissed me, on the lips. I panicked. This was my first ever kiss, I didn’t know what to do. His lips moved to my ear, then my neck. He kissed my collar bones, he bit a little into my neck. At this point I was hyperventilating.

“Are you okay?” he asked as his warm breath hit my neck, his soft lips brushed against my neck as he asked me. My breathing got even deeper. I was at a loss for words. I could only part lips and breath. He backed up and stared at me, puzzled, “You good?” I nodded.

“We should head back. But first, put your number in my phone. I want to call my new girlfriend later tonight” He said while handing me the phone.

“Girlfriend huh?” I took it and typed in my number. He dialed it and my Nokia button phone started wailing in my purse. He burst out laughing and hang up.

“We should get you a new phone. Let me see that.” I handed it over and he died laughing, his eyes started tearing up from laughing so hard. Whole time I looked at him with a smile in my face, I caught myself admiring this man. He has perfect white teeth, he wasn’t too dark or too light, just in between. His stomach started hurting so he bent down placing both his hands around his torso, I peeped a tattoo on his chest.

“I’m so sorry, I… I don’t remember the last time I saw one of these. I don’t know why it’s so funny, reminds me of my grandmother.” He handed it back and kissed my cheek. We headed back inside, only to find that everyone was getting ready for a second location. Big fish’s guest house somewhere in Block 7. The girl that was passed out on the sofa was up, her friends and Priscilla were packing up the bottles, everyone left hand in hand with a man. Nate took my hand and we went to his car again, his whole demeanor had changed, he had a small frown on his face. He seemed bothered.