At 7:00 a.m. on Sunday, the sun hit my forehead. I opened my eyes and realized someone had opened the curtains covering the sliding door. I was alone on the bed and didn't know how I got there. All I remembered was feeling sleepy while Menzi drove, and some flashes of what I had done while drunk.
I hated myself for my behaviour.
The smell of cigarettes from the balcony attracted my attention. My nicotine craving woke up, and I got out of bed. It was then that I realized I was wearing a different outfit—the pink pyjamas. Confusion washed over me as I thought Menzi and I had surrendered to our passions. It was impossible for him to undress me and put me in those pyjamas without us sharing an intimate moment.
I clutched the sheets, searching for any evidence of our supposed encounter, but they felt dry. I made my way to the toilet and relieved myself after checking my underwear. Indeed, nothing was out of place. We hadn't slept together.
After leaving the toilet, I glanced into the next room. My doubts cleared because I realized Menzi had slept on the couch. There was a folded blanket on it.
Even though I was certain that he didn't sleep with me, I asked myself how he put me into different clothes without me knowing anything.
I tiptoed silently towards the balcony, as if sneaking. I didn't understand why I behaved that way; maybe that was crazier of me, or maybe I was still too childish.
I had no idea how I was going to face Menzi after that night. My behaviour the night before made me feel cheap. Anyway, there was no other way. I was in his room, so either way I was going to look him in the eye, so I gathered my courage.
When I was at the door, I stood while watching him smoke.
"You're some kind of work, Lisa," he said, exhaling smoke.
I thought he didn't know I was behind him, but he already knew.
My hands flew to cover my face as I tried to hide my shyness. I tried to open a little space between my fingers to see his face in daylight. Without expecting it, he came closer to me, and instantly, his hands were on my waist. I wondered why he liked to play with my waist.
His other hand slid into my pants, fingers tracing down to my pelvis. I sighed as my lips opened for his kiss. My eyelids closed. My nipples hardened, and my pear-shaped breasts swelled.
I felt my joints getting weaker and weaker to an extent that my knees nearly buckled. His other hand left my waist and unzipped my pyjama top. My breasts became visible to him. His gaze travelled over my upper body as his hands continued their teasing.
All his touches were giving me a wave of pleasure, but he didn't immediately try to seduce me into giving in to our desires.
Sleeping with him was why I had come to his room. It was what we used to do with my friends when we were enjoying our nights at the Hutton bar. I didn't understand why Menzi didn't push for sex when I was ready.
I looked at his face.
Seeing him in daylight was like seeing an angel. He was so handsome. His dark moustache blended neatly with his complexion. His brown eyes, which I cherished the most, were full of life and confidence.
"You look so nervous… so unsteady. Are you alright?" he asked, tracing his fingers along my chest.
"I'm shy," I whispered, hiding my face in his chest.
"Hmm…" he sighed. "Yesterday you passed out before we reached here."
I knew he was going to talk about that.
I breathed deeply and looked at him. I saw an open window to take advantage of and ask him questions about how the night ended.
"Menzi, did we make love yesterday?" I asked, though I was certain we didn't, but I wanted to hear it from him.
"Yesterday, we hit it… very hard. I didn't know you could be energetic like that," he said.
My heart pounded.
Not because of what he said, just that I remembered nothing. I thought we hadn't slept together.
Regardless of whether I received compensation for sleeping with him, I wanted it to happen. I wanted him to drown my soul in pleasure.
When he saw my facial expression falling because I remembered nothing, he told me we did nothing. I hit his chest with my fists and pushed him away. He shouldn't have teased me like that.
I took a cigarette from his pocket and lit it. I watched the morning view. The view from the tenth floor was breath-taking.
He came up behind me, wrapping his arms around me as we admired the city. His phone rang, and he received it.
I looked at him after receiving the phone call.
He spoke so smoothly, so effortlessly, as if he owned the world. I smiled; such a broad man was a thousand years to find in the universe. He was well-mannered and principled—rare qualities in a man. I liked him more because he didn't chance to sleep with me, even if I threw myself at him. No other man would've acted like him.
"Lisa, I should go to work. I will be back after some hours," he informed me.
Oops! I didn't want him to go.
Worse, it was Sunday. My weekend was over.
I didn't understand how I was feeling at that moment; in fact, I froze, staring at him.
"I will drive you home when I'm back. For now, suit yourself in my room. Please don't mess up my house," he said.
"Okay. Menzi… maybe at ten, I should go. Viola must be looking for me," I told him.
I wanted to leave early.
"Oh, you're concerned… your friend. Call her," he insisted.
"I lost my phone… my purse yesterday," I said.
He chuckled. "Was it your first time drinking?"
"No, I think it's that white stuff… it took me out of reality," I said, avoiding his gaze.
He nodded and told me I was real, an amateur.
Since I didn't like to be told I was young, I tossed the cigarette aside and chased him into the room as he dodged me.
When I was closer to him, I pushed him onto the bed, and he pulled me with him. We both fell onto the bed, but I landed on his broad chest. Our eyes locked on each other for a moment, and we kissed. I loved it, but we quickly pulled apart.
"I should get going. I will be late for work. Anyway, before anything this morning, take a shower. You look as if you ran a marathon. I will order your clothes," he promised.
I stayed silent, not answering him.
It dawned on me that I would be staying another night. I was comfortable with that, despite knowing I was supposed to be at college the next morning.
I wondered how he would guess the right size for my dress.