FRICTION STORY :ARRANGED MARRIAGE, EPISODE ONE

ARRANGED_MARRIAGE.

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EPISODE 1.

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The air inside the shopping mall was festive and fresh. The place was packed with different people of different caliber. Thandi and I literally pushed our way through the crowd and joined a long queue to the till.
As was our norm, it being the long weekend, Thandi and I had decided to go shopping so here we were.
"Gillen," Thandi called after standing in the queue for a couple of minutes.
"Mmmh." I replied.
"How's Thomas?" she asked.
"He's superb," I enthusiastically said. "Was with him last night. Why do you ask?"
"No particular reason. The guy just crossed my mind. Or is it now a crime to ask how your man's doing?"
"Of course not." I patted her shoulder.
"So," Thandi said, taking a step forward in the queue. "when are you guys getting married?"
This question again, I thought. This wasn't the first time I was hearing this question and neither was Thandi the only person who had asked me this. Loads of other people had asked me the exact same question. My mum, siblings, and other people had done so before. Why wouldn't they? I was 31 years old and a working class lady. I taught Math and Biology at some secondary school in Lusaka and I was doing well at my age. Thomas, my boyfriend for seven years, was a truck driver who owned a nice house in Chilenje. But not once in the years that we'd been together had he mentioned marriage. Not that I am complaining but people were beginning to gossip and unfortunately, I was letting their words get to me.
"Gillen." called Thandi grimly. "I asked you something!"
"Oh that. I honestly don't know."
"Geez Gillen, do you plan on staying single for the rest of your life?"
"You sound like my mum." I said. "And no, I don't plan on doing so. But what do you want me to do, Thandi? You want me to propose to Thomas?"
"If need be."
"Don't be sarcastic. Am giving the guy some time. Maybe he's not ready for marriage."
"You've been in courtship for seven years." said Thandi with a snort. "Isn't that enough time?"
Ok now she was crossing the line.
"Thandi," I warily said. "I know you are my friend and hold the best interest at heart for me but I think you're going a bit overboard. If you're tired of hanging out with an unmarried lady like myself then just say so rather than-"
The guy at the till interrupted my scolding by clearing his throat.
"You're next, miss." he said to Thandi who nodded and began unloading the stuff we'd picked from the shelves.
Scowling, I helped her with the unloading of the beauty creams, toothpaste, sanitary pads, six pack of castle lite, chocolates, etc.
•
5PM found me taking a nap in my room. It was a Sunday evening and was boring as usual. What with mum's church meetings in the living room? It was the buzzing of my phone that woke me.
Frowning and without checking the caller ID, I said, "Hello."
"My love." It was Thomas.
"Hi, honey. I miss you." I honestly said, rubbing my eyes and sitting up in bed.
"Miss you too. What are you doing?"
"Nothing, was taking a nap but am awake now. You?"
"Just came out of the shower. The weather's so romantic you know? I missed you like hell."
"Why do you always miss me when the weather's chilly huh?" I was teasing him.
"You know that's a lie." Thomas said.
I giggled. "Of course I do." I flatly said. "So, why d'you call?"
"Am wounded," said Thomas quietly. "Am I not allowed to miss you? Did we fight?"
"Sorry, that's not what I meant."
"I'll forgive you on one condition."
"Which is?"
"That I get laid tonight." he replied shamelessly.
"In your dreams!" I fired at him. "Not tonight. Am not in the mood."
"Was just bluffing." said Thomas. "You're never in the mood these days. Dinner tonight?"
"Sure. What time?"
"7 PM. I'll pick you up."
"Don't bring your truck."
Thomas snorted. "Ashamed of me now? Thought you said the truck was romantic."
I giggled once again. "Relax, Thomas. Was just pulling your leg. What d'you want me to wear?"
Thomas and I had this norm where he picked clothes for me to wear on a date and I did the same.
"That floral backless dress that I bought for your birthday." said Thomas gleefully. "And since it's cold, a blazer will do. And yeah, some nude heels too. You know how much your red toenails turn me on."
"Course I do."
"And me, what should I wear?"
"Something casual."
"It's not fair," complained Thomas. "I was precise and-"
"Okay, okay." I cut him short. "You put on a black muscle T-Shirt, you know how much your abs turn me on."
Thomas chuckled.
I went on. "And blue tight jeans, you know how much the outline of your cassava turns me on. And some white snickers, a cap can do too."
"Why do I get the feeling am gonna get laid tonight?" said Thomas, suppressing a chuckle.
"You wish! Bye, Thomas."
"Bye, Gillen my love. Love you."
"Likewise." and I hang up.
I couldn't help but smile sheepishly. Who worries about marriage when their man is this sweet and romantic?
"Where are you headed to dressed like that?" said mum grimly.
It was quarter to 7 and I was already dressed. I decided to wait for Thomas' call in the living room but now I was regretting my decision.
"Thomas and I are going on a date." I flatly said, my eyes focused on my phone where I was reading some posts on facebook.
"How is he?" mum asked.
"He's fine."
"You two discussed marriage lately?" asked mum bluntly.
My brother Gerard, who was seated on another couch snorted.
"C'mon mum," said Gerard, "cut sis some slack. Don't tell me you wanna bring this issue up, again!"
"Just shut your mouth," mum snapped. "You aren't Gillen."
I sighed and decided to answer mum's question before hell broke loose.
"No, mum." I flatly said.
"You said you're going on date?" asked mum.
I nodded.
"For the 100th time?" there was a hint of sarcasm in her tone.
I abruptly stood up and grabbed my purse.
"Where you going?" scolded mum. " Am not done talking to you!"
"Not to be rude," I warily said, walking over to where mum was seated and pecking her cheek. "but am in a good mood and won't let your marriage sermons ruin it. Am off."
Mum frowned. "You can't evade my sermons for long, you know?" she said.
As if I need reminding, I thought. I went over to Gerard and pecked his cheek too. "See you later, bro."
"Likewise, sis." replied Gerard.
"Tell Thomas I want to have a serious talk with him." said mum fiercely as I turned the doorknob.
"Sure." I said, knowing too well I would be insane to do that.
No sooner had I left the yard than I spotted headlights headed my way. I knew the vehicle too well and I couldn't help but smile.
•
Meet Thomas and Gillen.