A Guy Named Available Episode 39 – 41

A GUY NAMED AVAILABLE

Episode 38 – 41

NATASHA’S NARRATION CONTINUES

One day, almost a month after Ndaweni’s kind gesture I called him. I managed to get a phone
from a friend and I called him. Ndaweni was expecting my call, in fact he had long forgotten about
the young girl he had helped but he was so glad to hear from me. When he asked why I had taken
so long to get in touch with him I explained that my mother was a widow taking care of 7 children
and I was the first born of them all. She had to strive to keep us all so whatever money I made, I
made sure I kept it for her. The change that came from the bus fare he gave us went straight to my
mother. How I made my money usually was through plaiting hair and tutoring mathematics and
accounts to some girls in my class. At that time I sacrificed every little money I had, I never got on
busses. It was a luxury. I walked and saved money. Mum sold beans, kapenta and vinkubala
outside our house. Well she wanted the best for me and I wanted the best for her. I would listen to
my mother tell me she was alright and when we went to bed in our two roomed house I heard her
crying to God at night begging him to give her a solution on what to do next because she had no
idea how we would feed the following day. She was so disciplined however, she not once ran out
of business.

Anyway, I narrated everything to Ndaweni without hiding a single thing. It’s funny how I narrated all
that in one phone call and later on thanked him for being so kind. I remember Ndaweni asking if he
could help in anyway but my mother’s
words kept ringing in my head “do not let any man know what you are going through.. they might
use you” so my response to him was that “we have everything under control”. I hang up and
walked back to class and handed the phone to my friend. she usually sneaked her phone into
school and that was never allowed. I didn’t realise that her phone wasn’t on silent and when I just
settled in class after giving it back it started to ring. Ndaweni was calling. My friend and I agreed
that I would take the blame and pretend the phone was mine and accept any consequences
thereafter. My punishment.. I had to call my guardians. I begged the principle to show mercy but
either I called my parents or I got suspended. The love I had for my mother, the disappointment
she would feel if she learnt that I was using a phone in school and worse of talking to a man I met
at a mall when I was supposed to be studying at school.

My friend advised that this guy would come and pose as my guardian and maybe I would get away
with it. After class my friend and I had a lengthy chat as we thought of how to make the call and
we finally stopped on the way and I made that call. I was almost positive Ndaweni wouldn’t agree
and he would probably just scold me but he came. The following morning he drove to my school in
a hilux and met the principal. The chat was short and I was allowed back into class. He acted as
my older brother and he pretended to be strict, he asked me to apologise and I did. Well, he saved
me and that case was closed. Our friendsh¡p however grew, we didn’t see each other much as I
had no phone but I called him on pay phones and he was always available to talk. He was just an
older brother at that time, nothing more and nothing complicated. My friends and I continued with
our crazy
outings still, it was my only way of escaping my life. I finally wrote my exams and that was exactly
4months after Ndaweni and I met. Immediately after my exam my aunty picked me up, my mother
came from a decent background but her siblings weren’t so supportive. They felt she had brought
the suffering upon herself for marrying my dad. She apparently had me when she was in 9th
grade. Mums sisters would bring us food once in a while and they helped mum start her business
but they were absent most of the time. We had to fend for ourselves.
Aunty Ingrid was mums oldest sister, she was working for some NGO that paid really well and she
owned two boutiques. After my exams I was to go and help in one of the boutiques so she could
help send me to college. She said she could help me get into teaching school. I thought this would
be easy but apart from working in the boutique I equally worked at my aunties place like a slave.
Ndaweni was the frequent customer at my aunties boutique and he usually kept me company.

Whenever he bought something he gave me tips and by then our communication was easier as I
had a simple MTN phone bought for me by my aunty. Ndaweni usually offered to buy me stuff but I
declined. His constant calls always made me escape my auntys torture. I stayed strong because
of school. On a few Saturdays she allowed me go home to see mum and it was on those days that
Ndaweni would take me for lunch before taking me to my mums house. He usually dropped me at
a distance and I walked home. Sometimes he sent money with me which I lied that aunty had
sent.

My 12th grade results came out and Ndaweni refused me to apply for teaching. I got all ones and
just a two in English
language. Ndaweni insisted I apply at the university and he even convinced me to tell my aunty
but aunty hysterically laughed mockingly and asked who would get me a bursary as many
students had my kind of results. She said I was delusional

A GUY NAMED AVAILABLE 40
NATASHA CONTINUES

Ndaweni still insisted and when I told her again she asked me to go and try my luck. I remember
her mockingly telling me that I would give up before I even started. Well Ndaweni was my esc-rt
and he pushed hærd for me to get a 100% scholarsh¡p. At that time I knew I would forever remain
indebted to him. I am the one who fell in love with Ndaweni before he even told me anything
about how he felt. I had been keeping it in for 8 months before Ndaweni approached me about it,
Ndaweni had waited until I was admitted in school and going into second year before he declared
his love for me. I instantly said yes and our relationsh¡p finally started. It was easy; it was always
easy as he had been a friend and brother for a long time. Our relationsh¡p just flowed smoothly.
He took my V-rginity on my 20th birthday.

I first learnt of this drama of another woman two weeks after he had taken my V-rginity, the lady
claimed to have been his girlfriend for a year. That was around how long I had equally dated him
before he finally took my V-rginity. I was devastated. I really was but I must be honest with you,
through all that, leaving Ndaweni wasn’t even something that crossed my mind. He had already
been in my life for three years by then and no person had ever been that kind to me. Even when
that lady approached me, I just quietly listened and waited for Ndaweni to come and exculpate
himself. She was driving an SUV and she was very intimidating. I was just a student and I was
squatting with a friend by then. Her pride couldn’t even allow her listen to what Ndaweni had to say
and she left before we even talked it through. Over the years three other women showed up. You
are the third.

“and you till stayed through all that?” I asked her wonderingly.
“I love Ndaweni and he loves me too… he has his flaws but he is a good man. He has always
been good to me” she said.
As I sat there listening to her I begun wondering if staying back for the discussion was necessary.
Honestly this was already enough and it was late. Ndaweni was still no show.
“From what I have heard.. Ndaweni truly loves you. I will do what is right. Let me go.. I was played
for a fool and I have accepted my fate. Let me go” I said.

“No please stay.. I think I am also tired. I want to hear the truth once and for all.. I am not getting
younger.. I need to know whether or not Ndaweni will ever change. I want to move on too. I am
tired. I love him but I am tired” she said.
I took a deep sigh and focussed on my phone. It was almost 8pm and Ndaweni was still nowhere
to be seen.
“does anyone know about you?” I asked her.

“anyone as in his family?” she asked.
“Our relationsh¡p is a bit tricky.. its been hærd to tell many people about it because of our age
difference. A few people in his family know though. Like his eldest sister. She met me once. We
left the knowing to when he decides to marry me. He has met my mother though and they get
along. She likes him”
I swallowed hærd and leaned against the wall as I stretched my legs on the floor.

Suddenly the gate slid open and Ndaweni drove in. I don’t think he had seen me at that point or
seen my car as he just hurried out with some plastics. When he seemed to be deep in thought and
proceeded on to the other door which was on the back. How he managed to pass without seeing
us was shocking but I guess it was a blessing in disguise because that way we could go in and
meet him in,side. Natasha led the way and I followed her. we settled in the living room and
Ndaweni walked in from the kitchen as he called out to Natasha. He addressed heras honey.

“Honey I’m home” he said as he walked to the living room.
“I’m here honey” Natasha responded.
Ndaweni was in shock, he looked at me like he had seen a ghost, Natasha was calm and pressing
her phone when he walked in. She curled her fit on the couch and comfortably waited for Ndaweni
to speak. I decided to talk instead. Since it was a moment of silence, I decided to break the
silence.

“I have met Natasha your niece again” I said.
“Please sit down” Natasha said to Ndaweni
Ndaweni obeyed and he relaxed down.
“Again, what is the meaning of this?” Natasha asked.

Even though Natasha’s tone was calm I saw her heartbeat faster through her string top and her
hands shivered a little. Ndaweni was quiet and he faced the ground.
“Ndaweni, Natasha has narrated everything to me. I am obviously the fool here therefore I will
go..” I said as I stood up
“no don’t” Ndaweni stopped me.
At that time I saw Natasha’s expression change, her eyes nearly popping out as she was in a state
of shock. She probably wondered why Ndaweni would stop me from leaving.

A GUY NAMED AVAILABLE 41

THANDIWE’S POV

Ndaweni did something I didn’t expect him to do; he got up and sat next to Natasha. At that point I
was ready to leave; I knew the humiliation would be too much so I decided to just get up but
Ndaweni still begged me to sit.
“I have been in this circle for way too long and each time I meet a new person I find myself
building an attachment and the moment they know about you Natasha they leave”
I was confused and wondering what he was talking about.

“Natasha… baby we have talked about this before and I think it’s best we just confront it once and
for all” Ndaweni said.
I was a little confused as I saw Natasha burst in a sea of tears and she shook her head “No.. I will
never accept that” she cried.

I was now wondering what was going on, I sat there shifting my eyes between the two and
wondering what exactly was going on.
“Baby please understand… you know we can’t continue like this” he said.
“Ndaweni no! I have refused!” she yelled as she cried.
“Ndaweni what is going on?” I asked wonderingly.
“Stay out of this!” Natasha yelled at me.

I bit my lip and quietly started listening, the wh0le fracas was so amazing to watch.
“Natasha not one person will ever approve of this union and you know that. They are all against it.
My mom, my sisters, your aunty, your mum…”
“Stop Ndaweni you know mum has been adjusting and she is opening up slowly. She likes you
and you know that!”

“As a man who has been there for her daughter and nothing more.. Natasha she has clearly stated
that she will never ever approve of our union. She said it herself that you needed to meet a man
who was of your age group and who could grow with you. My mum said the same thing and
everyone else who cares to know about our union”
“But other people are supportive and they wish us well… Ndaweni we love each other. We can’t
deny ourselves that and..”

“Natasha please.. please understand. We have tried for so long and you know it… I am tired of
hurting myself and others too. Thandiwe is an amazing woman and I’m afraid I will never meet her
type again. I need to make a decision for you and for me too. I am not growing any younger… I
have postponed this decision for way too long.. I always hope for the best.. ” Ndaweni said as he
knelt down before Natasha
I wasn’t going to sit and watch all that, I stormed out and left them having their moment. As I drove
home tears flooded my eyes, I was comforted of one thing though… Ndaweni was willing to
choose me. However, that’s just not a relationsh¡p I ever wanted to be in. I just couldn’t stay
through all that, Ndaweni was truly my love but I had to start moving on.
Henry was watching soccer when I stormed into his house and spoke my heart in a sea of tears, I
think he didn’t expect me to ever be that open with him but at that point I just wanted to tell
whoever cared to listen and it seemed Henry was just present at the right time. I cried my heart out
and Henry quietly listened to me. He wiped my tears when I was done and he asked me if I
needed some water. I nodded my head and he returned with a glass of water with a slice of lemon
floating in it. I took the water as i struggled to catch my breath.
“I believe when people walk out of our lives it’s for a reason” Henry said.
I listened quietly as I held my glass of water.

“I am not sure there’s a way I can help but if you teach me how I am willing to help you in any way
I can” Henry said.
I shook my head and put my glass of water on the table.
“No its fine” I said as I wiped off the remaining tears on my face.
“I guess we won’t have dess**t” he said.
I knew he was trying so hærd to create a conversation in that awkward situation. It wasn’t going so
well but it was better than extreme silence.
“I have ice cream in my fridge” I said after clearing my voice.

“Have you had supper?” he asked.
“I’m not hungry, honestly ice cream will do… for me.. I don’t know about you” I said
“I equally don’t mind” he said.
Henry and I headed to my apartment. I unlocked my apartment and left Henry in the living room
while I went to change from my office clothes in the bedroom. When I was done, I returned in a
nightdress and wrapper before heading to get an ice cream tub from the fridge in the kitchen. I
returned with it and two dess**t glasses and spoons. Henry and I scooped some before settling on
separate couches to watch a movie. There was extreme silence as we focussed on the movie and
I eventually fell asleep. Henry equally slept on the couch where he lay down.
I didn’t realise it was morning until I heard my door open forcefully. I opened my eyes slowly and
Ndaweni was standing before me. He looked at me and then at Henry who was still sleeping
peacefully.