*The following morning.*
"Thina. Thina, wake up."
"Hmm?"
"Hey sleepy. Wake up. Hey, good morning...afternoon," Erik said.
"Oh crap...what time is it?" Thina asked, frantically sitting up.
"About noon," Erik replied with a kiss on the forehead.
"Noon! Why didn't you wake me up? Thina screamed, jumping out of the bed, "I missed class!"
She was frantically picking up and trying to put her clothes on
"I didn't know...Thina, wait...can you just slow down for a second." Erik grabbed her arm gently.
"Erik, I was supposed to be at class at 9am."
"Babe just calm down for a second."
Once she's stopped her fussing, Erik continued...
"I didn't know you had to be in class this morning. You didn't mention it last night.' He said the last part with a smile, then added "I understand you're upset but you're about three hours late now, so please just calm down."
"Erik, I have to go."
"Ok, but let me finish, please. I'm sorry you missed class. I honestly didn't know you had to be up early, ok." Erik continued, "Look, you ARE three hours late. What time do your Saturday classes end?'
"At 1pm," Thina replied quietly.
"Well there's less than an hour left of class. Which WITS campus"
"Braamfontein," she replied.
"Ok, that's about a good 15 minutes away. You also need time to shower..."
"Erik..." Thina loosened herself from his grip and tried putting her clothes again.
"Let me finish please. Again, I'm sorry you missed class. But you're not going to make it today. OK. Maybe you can call a friend for notes or whatever...but just don't leave like this..."
"Like what Erik?" she asked.
"Like this..." he gestured wildly. "You got up, got mad and are about to fly out of here."
"Well, what do you expect?"
"I understand you're a bit mad. But think about it, you've missed class already. If you still want to leave, fine. But just not like this, in a cloud of anger and clothes. Can you at least slow down...I'll get you something to eat or drink while you take a shower. Then I'll go drop you off at your car. If you still want to leave."
"Ok, you're right. I'm sorry. I should have said something last night. And I shouldn't be angry at you," Thina said sheepishly.
"It's ok," Erik smiled. "Can we start all over again please?"
Thina covered her face with both hands, "Yes, we can."
"Good morning...afternoon Thina."
"Good afternoon Erik," Thina uncovered her face
"Slept well?"
"Yes, I did, thanks. You?"
"I slept well. Didn't sleep much because you kept me busy. But I am not complaining," Erik smiled and gently brushed Thina's cheek. "I figured I wore you out and that's why I didn't wake you up."
"Wore me out? You're funny Bekker, but I'm a deep sleeper."
"Deep sleeper my ass! I wore you out sexy."
By now they were both seated on Erik's bed and he was nuzzling her neck.
He straightened himself, "Look, I actually woke you up to tell you that I need to step out for a while, should be less than an hour. We can go grab your car when I get back, and...come back here?" He asked, hopeful.
"Erik, I already missed class and I also need to get a few other things done today," Thina replied.
"Like?" he asked.
"I have stuff to do, errands to run. Plus I need fresh clothes..." Thina protested.
"Ok, so can I run out to the office quickly while you shower and eat. I'll come back, go drop you off at your car, you do what you need to and come back here?" He was really hoping that she'd agree to spending the day with him.
"Sure, sounds like a plan," Thina agreed.
Erik got up, "Good, I'll be back soon. Shower's over there. There's breakfast in the fridge, just needs warming up. Lizzy's down stairs, try to stay out of her way..." And he was out the door.
Thina was worn out and welcomed the hot shower. Stepping out, she encountered an older woman in Erik's bedroom, busy examining Thina's skirt with a disgusted look on her face. Both were shocked to see each other.
Dropping the skirt, the woman took a step back. Thina self-consciously made sure the towel around her body was fastened. The woman was old enough to be Thina's mother. The woman tilted her head to the side a bit, squinted and mumbled something to herself while shaking her head. All Thina caught was the word "Erik".
Thina was still holding on to the towel when it occurred to her that she ought to greet the woman.
"Uhm, molo ma
(hello, mother),"
she sheepishly said, her eyes trying to locate the rest of her clothing around the bedroom.
(Thina is speaking her home language, Xhosa)
(In the ethnic South African cultures, to show respect, you always refer to strangers old enough to be either of your parents as ma/mama or papa/tata/baba/nthateβdepending on the language that person speaks. Those slightly older than you are referred to as sisi/ousi (female) or bhuti (male)-both signs of respect. You do not call a person older than you by name, unless they give you permission to).
"Dumela ngwana ka, o kae?
(Hello my child, how are you?)"