The car ride was so quiet and awkward. Nkosi held my hand while he was driving .

Nkosi : Sthandwa Sam , ukahle?

Me: ya

Nkosi : Nokukhanya , ngyaxolisa ngedanba yezolo angaz nam kutsi kwenzeke njan

Me: it's okay Nkosi , ngixolile

Nkosi told me to connect to the Bluetooth and play anything I want .

Me: Well I don't have a phone

Nkosi : how ? Did you lose it noma?

Me : ( embarrassed) cha my parents can't really afford it now , I only have this ( the R250 lepopotane from pep )

Nkosi : oh okay nayi e phone yami play anything then

I connect and play me some old school R&B . I love old R&B so much I end up singing along to it so loud without noticing, but It made Nkosi happy cause he smiled and kissed my hand , I smiled back and felt a warm feeling in my heart for some odd reason After getting food we lowed the volume and listen to some soft music .

Nkosi glanced at me Nkosi: so what did you really think of my family

Me : Umah is so lovable and welcoming , uBab'Ndlovu , is intimidating

Nkosi: Ya ish uBaba can be a lot ngiyazi

We've been driving for hours , it was now dark and the city lights were twining like stars

Me: What's your favourite childhood memory ( trying to break the silence )

Nkosi: ( his facial expression softened) My grandfather used to take me on these epic road trips across the country during school holidays. ( he smiles) we'd drive for hours , singing along to old Afrikaans folk songs .

Me: ( I grinned) that sounds amazing , so do yall still do them , I mean you can never be too old for him now can you ?

Nkosi : ( his smiles fades away ) he passed away 3 years back . But what about you ( his voice low and husky) Me : huh Nkosi: your favourite memory Me: oh . I used to spend all my holidays at my mother's side , with my grandma , since my grandfather passed while I was still very young. My grandma taught me everything I know , from cooking ,and baking. We'd spend hours at her small garden making sure the flowers are beautiful and well taken care of ( smiling )

Nkosi listened intensely, making sure he heard everything I said . As the city gave way to the , the silence between us grew , but it wasn't awkward, it was companionable.

Nkosi : We should take a road trip together ( breaking the silence) Me: We have 😭 Nkosi we've been driving for hours , where are we going exactly.

Nkosi : Our home in Port Alfred , 13 hours drive but we almost there love .

After 2 hours, Nkosi woke me up and drove up to a beautiful house , I was stunned .

Nkosi : Welcome home

Nkosi gave me a house tour and I took a shower and went straight to bed , I was exhausted 😭