Is it just my mind playing tricks on me, or does he appear more handsome than the last time I saw him? Maybe it's just that he is elegantly dressed up, now that I see him in a new light. Brenda thought without realizing that she stood awkwardly like a statue.
Grandma Beatrice was observing Brenda. And at the same time, Delvin's eyes were fixed on Brenda, trying to figure out what was going on at that moment.
'Brenda, are you going to stand there forever, or will you come and greet our visitor?' Grandma Beatrice asked, curiously.
Her loud voice awoke Brenda from her daydream, she walked to Delvin shyly and shook his hand.
'Hello, how are you Delvin?' Brenda tried to hide her nervousness.
Delvin clasped his eyes with Brenda's as he shook hands with her. He felt the tenderness of her soft hands, he could feel her heartbeat, the blood flow, he presumed her heart was thumping very fast, 'I am fine and you?' Delvin replied, acting very cool and majestic.
Brenda giggled, swallowed her saliva to allow a smooth flow of words.
'I am super fine. It's been a while since I last saw you?' Brenda flung back, struggling to keep her composure.
Delvin could see, hear and feel her uneasiness.
'You are right, the sun has stolen much of our free time, making it hard for friends to meet and chat.' Delvin tried to take some of her tension away. She blushed and then grinned.
'Brenda? Would you come with me to the kitchen?' Grandma Beatrice dived in to save Brenda, for anyone with observant eyes could see her fidgeting.
'Yes, Granny.' Brenda found her savior, and was more than grateful for the deliverance.
She hurried to the kitchen and Grandma Beatrice followed after her.
At Lusaka Blue Hotel, Jasmine was roaming within her office. She started speaking to herself in her head.
Tonight you will not come around definitely, will you? I know you finished the job in Emasdale. You have my number. Why won't you call me? It's nearly a day. You have to keep the woman attached to you. Why do I have to wait this long? What are you doing now? Is there someone else? You were leading me on. Don't leave me hanging on this cliff? I might suffocate and die from this sleeping love you have awakened in me. But if I die, I will hunt you for all of your next lives, and you will never, never find peace!
Back at Grandma Beatrice's House, the food was all set.
'Hello everyone, dinner is ready!' Brenda summoned the hungry mob to the table.
Everyone's eyes swiftly quirked at the dining table. It was full of dishes. An aroma of different foods weft in the mild air. Delvin couldn't imagine how delicious they could taste. He had never eaten in such an atmosphere, this was palpably new to him.
Is this the way people eat in families? Delvin thought while filled with overwhelming emotions.
'Delvin, you should learn to be fair. You always get to enjoy all the nice things?' Zauzo couldn't help it but complain.
'Feel at home Delvin and may you please lead the way to the table.' Grandma Beatrice interrupted their hot conversation.
'Alright!' Delvin smiled shyly, but still maintaining a mature manner. He joyfully led the way. Brenda pulled out a chair for him, before sitting down he muttered in an audible tone, 'thank you.'
'You are welcome.' Brenda grinned happily.
There were more than seven dishes on the table and two bottles of wine, two bottles of juice, and four three hundred and fifty mill water bottles. Delvin was eying the bottles of wine.
Does that mean I will test wine for the first time today? Delvin could not help it but kept eying them.
Grandma Beatrice glanced at Delvin, she suspected what he was thinking.
'Do you have any allergies to food, or is there any food you don't eat on this table?' asked Grandma Beatrice with a curious look. Perfectly ignoring her earlier thoughts.
Delvin shook his head, clearly indicating a no.
'I actually like to try new recipes.' Delvin confirmed with his mouth.
Grandma Beatrice began adding more food on a plate and served it to Delvin.
'Thank you.' Delvin expressed his gratitude genuinely.
Everyone was now settled at the dining table. You could see the shimmering faces, longing to taste the food as soon as possible. Right away, the rest of the crew helped themselves to reach out whatever they could get to fill their plates.
'As is our tradition, the visitor is the one who takes the first bite of the food,' Grandma Beatrice suggested. All the pairs of eyes in the room swiftly swung onto Delvin, who was taken by a sudden surprise.
'Go ahead! Mister guest of honor?' Zauzo mocked with a sarcastic tone.
Don't ruin my mood, Zauzo. Riposted Delvin but did not show it on the outside.
His mind raced incredibly with speedy thoughts. Delvin calmed them down, without any hesitation, picked up the fork, stung it into the food and stuffed it into his mouth. The taste of the food in his mouth was exquisite. Out of this world, it was the nicest, unique and very savoring. Everyone waited in anticipation for what would come out of him, their stomachs rumbled, the hunger grew even stronger to the point of causing uneasiness.
Delvin took his time, noticing its various ingredients, before finally, breaking the ice.
'Wow! This food is super delicious. I love it.' Delvin commented with a squeaking vocal.
When the others received the long-awaited news, they all immediately dived into their plates, they ate like hungry wolves. None spoke, only knives, forks, chewing and swallowing echoed in the room.
The feast went on, 'Wow! Good cooking Brenda!' Grandma Beatrice cheeped in with a sneaky move to push Brenda into the center of attention.
'Yes, this food is wonderful, miss Brenda.' supplemented Delvin.
George was still chewing his mouthful full of food, when he commented, 'Yes, no doubt, it is indeed lovely, thumbs up sis!'
George lifted his right-hand thumb to illustrate his words.
Brenda became rigid, she wasn't used to being in the spotlight. She was speechless momentarily, after an eruption of seconds, loosened up a bit, 'Thank you everyone. Come on, let's enjoy the meal.' She said and beamed from within. You could see her cheeks turning reddish.
At Lusaka Blue Hotel, the tides had changed. Courtney phones Jasmine. Her phone call was picked up right away, 'Hey! Lovely cousin! Have you forgotten about me already?'
Courtney's voice came from the end of the speaker. There was a short pause.
'What do you mean, cousin?' Jasmine asked in a confused, emotional way.
Courtney knew that her mission of teasing Jasmine was successful, her curiosity was picked up.
'You have been so silent with me, have you forsaken me because of Delvin?' Courtney accused Jasmine, who didn't believe what she was hearing.
She took time to swallow her saliva, 'What are you talking about? I am not married yet. Are you becoming jealous this soon already?' Jasmine flung back, making fun of Courtney in the process.
This pushed Courtney to laugh hysterically for more than thirty seconds. Tears were welling up in her eyes.
'No, young sis, I was just making fun of you, and have you made any progress with your Delvin? When do I get to meet him?' Courtney posed a series of questions to Jasmine.