I realized I was asleep when I opened my eyes. The music had gone quiet. On the bedside table were Menzi's car keys and phone. I looked for him around the room, but he wasn't there. I knew he was on the balcony.
Hesitantly, I checked the time on his phone. It was already 5:00 p.m. I sighed, not wanting to get out of the blankets, but there was no other way. Menzi was supposed to drive me home. I had to prepare for my classes.
I pulled the sheets down to my chest.
As usual, the craving for cigarettes drew me out of the blankets. It smelled from the balcony as Menzi smoked. I needed to join him and persuade him to drive me home because he was keeping me in his apartment for no reason.
To be frank, I expected to have sex with him, but he seemed uninterested. I had no attachment to his actions because I learned about his background. He had a tough life, so his behaviour no longer surprised me. A life like his either destroys you or makes you strong.
The curtains swayed, reminding me how windy it was outside.
Menzi coughed from the balcony. A sign that he didn't have his jacket on. I took my eyes around the room and saw his jacket hung on the closet handles. I breathed in heavily and let out my breath slowly. Then, I got off from his warm blankets, which soothed me as if he were beside me. I realized that despite what I learned about Menzi; I loved him. Surely, I was ready to lend a hand to him if he needed my help.
Feeling energized, I went straight to take his jacket that was hanging on the closet handles. He needed to wear it since it was windy outside.
I went to join him.
When I was at the door, I stopped and watched him. He was standing against the rail with a bottle of whiskey in one hand and a cigarette in the other. He seemed far from reality, judging by his slumped posture.
With slow precision, he held his cigarette to his mouth. I expected him to notice me before I alerted him, but he didn't because he was miles away from reality. I waited longer, waiting for him to sense my presence.
Looking at his mood, I chose not to disturb his introspection.
He cleared his throat, and I coughed as the chilly wind teased me. I expected him to check on me, but he didn't even glance at me. I slowly walked towards him.
"You will be lying to yourself if you think I haven't noticed you," he said, gazing at me.
"Oh, not me, Menzi. Such thoughts didn't even cross my mind."
I smiled a little, feeling shy.
He chuckled and pulled me into a hug after he put on his jacket.
He smelled like a bar.
Probably he spent the whole day drinking. Anyway, that wasn't my concern. The only thing I was supposed to think about was going back home.
He released me from the long hug and handed me a cigarette without wasting time.
After one or two puffs, I took a shot of his Malawian gin. The gin burned like fire in my mouth. If I were alone, I wouldn't have swallowed it.
Menzi laughed at my facial expression.
"Stop it!"
I shouted at him, but he continued laughing.
"Oh Lisa," he said, "How can I stop laughing at you? Please take another shot. Let's see how long you last."
The moment he asked me to take another shot, I didn't wait for him to finish speaking. I put the bottle to my lips and poured the whiskey into my mouth. I didn't want him to continue thinking I was young and still learning as a teenager.
From the moment I met him, I had tried to behave like a mature woman, so I wanted to maintain it because he was much older than my actual age, and he was judging my age by my body.
"Stop it, Lisa… "
He said in a soft tone, followed by laughter. He held the bottle and removed it from my mouth.
"You will die. Don't drink it like that. One shot at a time," he said and pulled me to his chest.
I kept quiet as I felt my tongue burning. My throat felt as if scalded when the whiskey touched it.
He kept me on his chest long enough and brushed my then short dark hair by his fingers.
With a careless flick, he tossed the half-empty bottle away.
He lifted me effortlessly and carried me back to bed. He then took a chair. I looked at his eyes, which he kept them locked onto my face. I wondered when he was going to drive me home.
He went to the opposite wall and put the chair down. My wild eyes were still on him. He smiled a little and checked his wristwatch.
"I will take you home soon," he notified, as he sat on the chair.
I felt the alcohol functioning in me. My pulse quickened as warmth spread over my body.
"Do you think you're old enough, Lisa?" he asked, removing his belt.
He surprised me.
My blood rushed to every part of my body, as I knew we were going to make love. I couldn't escape that moment, as I couldn't control being tempted.
"Yes, I'm a seasoned seductress. Do you want me to show you?"
My words made me witness a smile on his face. My piercing gaze remained fixed on him and my fingers played with my lips.
He remained focused on me without responding to my question.
"Sit up and undress yourself. Slowly… no rushing," he commanded in a lower, thick tone.
I stood up from the bed and removed my clothes until my underwear left. I crossed my arms over my chest, hiding my hardened nipples.
"Remove your underwear and walk closer to me," he commanded again.
At that moment, without him touching me, pleasure blazed deep within my body.
I hooked my thumbs in the waistband and pushed down my underwear. I walked slowly towards him, as he wanted. He scanned my body and told me to get closer to him.
The moment I was waiting for came.
Menzi made love with me and my body burned with desire.
It was wild and I couldn't control myself. I gripped his shoulders and allowed myself to the utmost pleasure I ever had in my life. His sharp eyes intruded on my shy, intoxicated eyes.
In that moment, nothing else existed but the heat between us.