It’s late afternoon on Friday and Gabriel and I are in the back of his car on our way to Limpopo. David is driving because we’re both too tired. it’s been a long and tiring week. We’re having dinner with my parents for the first time as a couple. I don’t know how they’re going to take it but I guess it won’t be that bad since they gave us the invite. I’m nervous, Gabriel on the other hand is very excited. He’s sure it will go well. He’s an optimistic and I am a pessimist. I see disaster, but he’s been so supportive and understanding through all of this. I look over to his side and find him staring at me. He raises his brows at me and I smile. He knows I’m nervous and he’s giving me the space to feel everything out. I appreciate the moments he just lets me be. He doesn’t try to force his optimism on me, he lets me go through the motions on my own. He reaches out and takes my hand in his, then he kisses the inside of my hand. His way of letting me know he’s here for me. I absorb his l

Rose and I look at Gabriel and my niece and nephew play in awe. From the moment Gabriel got here the kids took all his attention. They have been playing tag for the past 30 minutes. Rose looks at me with dreamy eyes. “He’s amazing with kids, the two of you should definitely have one,” she says smiling, I look at her like she’s crazy and go back to looking at Gabriel and the kids. He runs and falls backwards on the lawn pretending to be completely exhausted. My niece and nephew burst out in laughter, falling on top of him. “Got you, got you” they scream out loud, Gabriel laughs out loud too. He sits up and looks at me this look of pure joy in his eyes. He stands up and comes to sit with Rose and me in the Garden chairs. I hand him a drink when he sits next to me. He beams at me and then downs the drink. Rose tells the kids to go play in the house and they grudgingly do as she says. They sadly wave at Gabriel as they go. “ I think they’re in love with you,” she says waving at them t

8 months later “What are your plans for today?” Ryan asks me from across the table. We’re almost done with breakfast; she has to leave for work soon. Today is Monday so that means she won’t sleep over tonight. She has to go home after work and get fresh clothes and toiletries for the week. I have been trying to convince her to move in with me for the past month and let’s just say I am failing miserably. She needs her own space she says. My mind drifts to the day we met. I still can’t believe it’s been almost since that fateful day Ryan and I met in that office park. She has taken my breath away ever since. “Gabe?” she says when I don’t answer. She shrugs in question. “I have a long day of work and boring stuff.” I say finally and smile. She’s looking at me askance,, she can tell something is off. And she’s right something is off. But I can’t tell her that. “You okay?” She says standing from her chair and she walks to me. I push my chair back so she can sit on my lap. She ki

It’s been 3 days since Gabe and I left Gauteng. We’re in the mountains of the Blyde Canyon. Gabriel has an incredible house here. It’s the two of us in the middle of a forest basically, there’s no cleaning or cooking staff just us and the mountains and River. The house is built on the edge of a mountain, all I need to do is look up and I can see the famous 3 Rondavels in their glory. I am so blessed to be here in this incredible place but I wish we were here under better circumstances. Not on the run from a psycho member of parliament. This all seems so unreal, to say I’m going crazy is an understatement. Every morning I wake up and come to this beautiful balcony and watch the world come alive. From here I can see the Blyde River. If I look hard enough I can see Hippos swimming, birds fishing for their breakfast. I see the beauty that is in front of me but all I feel is dread, anger, fear, confusion, and… In a nutshell, I’m furious. Ramie got me into this mess and now she’s dead le

I wake to the sound of laughter. I turn to the watch on the side table on my side of the bed. It’s 9:00 am. Gabe and I made love last night to the point of exhaustion. I don’t even remember what time we fell asleep. And I didn’t hear him get out of bed either. He always has so much energy after a long night of making love. I listen carefully to the two voices beyond the bedroom door. One most definitely belongs to Gabe and the other? I want to say it’s my sister Rose’s voice but why would she be here? I hold my excitement, I don’t want o go out there and it’s no her. I would be so disappointed. It can’t be her! No one is supposed to know where we are. I get out of bed and head to the bathroom. I need to clean up before I see who’s here. If it is Rose I don’t know if I can hold in the tears I have been putting at bay. I miss her so much. I need to talk to her. I take a few minutes showering and getting through my skincare routine. I get dressed and head out of the bedroom. I walk t