He sat at the edge of his seat, in the overcrowded train .The stuffy air was chocking him on every breath he tried to take. Making him dizzy and light headed .Tabo was a nervous wreck, he had a strong feeling that at any moment he was going to vomit.
The train started moving, slowly gaining momentum, as it made it off the Nelson Mandela station .He gazed through the window hoping to find some solace or anything to convince him that, he was ready and that every thing was going to be fine. Down the dusty road he saw, a group of high school students walking cheerfully and free as if they owned the very ground they were stepping on and being a Monday he was sure they were exchanging stories, about how much fun they had in the weekend they appeared so care free to, a point that he envied and wished he was a part of them and did not have to face the uphill day that was ahead of him, one of the biggest of his life.

He sat at the corner by the window of the coach, this position rendered him a passive view of everyone and everything that was happening both inside and outside the coach and not be a part of it, much like watching television. He laughed lightly to him self noting the victims of the aftermath, of the last weekend of the month the strong were drowsy and energy drained but managed to keep their eyes opened, the rest were literally dozing off; women included .

The atmosphere to the ignorant eye was calm and peaceful, But if you observed closely you would see it was not. A group of smooth operators was already at work undetected. It was an age old pickpocket trick, probably as old as the train it self which Tabo was bearing witness and was trying to stop for the unwary passenger. He tried to communicate as discretely as possible to the victim .Knowing the consequence if he gave him self away; which was death for him and his fellow passenger whom he was trying to alert. The victim, an old man .Who was standing at the passage both his hands holding on to the top rail exposing his trouser pocket, were he had put his wallet after showing his ticket to the officer .It was too late, there was nothing he could do they had already closed on him like a pack of hungry hyenas confusing him as one of them smoothly reached in his pocket for the wallet. He watched in a fit of great rage as they passed the wallet amongst theme selves up to the youngest of the crew member. A young boy whom it was difficult to guess his age but concluded was about the age of thirteen. His eyes were half closed and had a very pale skin he looked like a zombie the cause, he guessed the cause was probably a combination of hunger and sniffing too much glue. His anger suddenly turned into compassion .He wondered were the parents of this young boy were, were he stayed if he had dreams and what had happened to them.
This compassion was one of the reasons that had driven him to be a lawyer. Tabo believed the society was to blame for the chaos and the anarchy which seemed to rule Joburg.To chance the law of the constitution would make the streets a safer place for everyone. In the wink of an eye the young thugs were gone, to the next coach for the same purpose to steal from the poor and struggling.

His attention drifted to a group of four men .Sitting in the opposite four seat er facing him. They were all dressed in black overalls, and were in a hot debate. Which started from the classical Soweto derby? This was a traditional clash of the top premiership soccer giants from the SOWETO township arch rivals, Orlando pirates and Kaiser Chiefs. One who was very slim but had a high pitched base voice argued that the teams had lost their touch, while the short stout men in the centre did not agree; he maintained that the spirit of the derby will never die as long the fans lived. The debate suddenly shifted from sports to politics. He noticed that the cause of this verbal combat was caused by the newspaper which one of them read out the headline, loud it read "30 days and results still not released"

"That no good dictator should quit as it is now it would be better for him.’ Remarked one of them who had a newspaper on his lap. The man had a large frame and a very sharp squeaky voice, his face was tidy his beard nicely trimmed
and the reminder of his thinning hair nicely combed

"they will keep counting until he wins.' he continued
"I think to call him a dictator is not fair may be they are still counting to make sure" Argued one who seemed to be up against all the three other men who clearly did not agree with him.
The train slowed down and eventually stopped releasing the four. Tabo was disappointed .He had been caught up in the debate and was enjoying listening to them it made him relax bit.
He peered through the window hoping to see them but they were already drowned by the multitude of other factory workers, instead .A young man, about his age came to hate picture maybe it was the new bright blue overalls which made him stand out from the crowd. He appeared to be great rush to get off the ramp .May be it his first day to work he quizzed himself .The young man held in his In his right hand a transparent plastic bag its contents; about 8 vetkoeks a combo of breakfast and lunch, was tripped and fell emphatically on to the ground sending his plastic bag in the air and scatter ring its contents on the railroad .The culprit an old lady who seemed to comprehend the height of her crime (she had cost the men his lunch and breakfast) looked genuinely and very apologetic. Tabo watched beaming with admiration as the man got up and as if nothing had happened continued running. Tabo kept looking at him until he the factory buildings hid him. The momentarily sup aced The fear gripped him again as the train rattled to life reminding him that in a few moments he will be in town, for the biggest interview of his life .The make or break of his career in practicing law.

There was a gentle cool breeze outside, it felt good to take deeps breath and let the fresh air ooze through his wind pipe to his lungs .The midsummer sun was already up on a clear cloudless blue sky, the soft rays of morning sun gently beat on his face. Tabo prayed for the upthinth time for everything to go smoothly, As he made it off from the rail way station.
He jumped market street which was already congested swarming with cars, angry motorists impatiently hooting cursing and swearing to the slow and confused drivers, he headed up north to the co-operate part of the City but first he had to pass through the notorious and dirty residential area. Muggings were very popular in that neighborhood. He remembered countless stories had heard about day light robbery in this area. So he became suspicious and very jumpy of everyone that was either behind him or passing. He was particularly suspicious of the man who were gathered around a fire sharing amongst the six of them one bottle of beer. Just after passing them ,he felt a chill in his spine .He didn't need to turn around to see that two men from the group were following him .So he tried to increase his pace without giving himself away that he was scared that would give the leverage .The men kept getting closer and closer . So He purposefully took a divert turn to be sure that they were really following him or may be am just he was just being paranoid he thought to him trying to subdue the fear. No he was not because they also took the turn.
Oh my god! he panicked they are really following me he felt his knees getting weak fear paralyzing his whole body try as me might to increase his pace but he couldn't and they closing up on him. Where were the police when you need them their should a van on patrol he prayed. The ally he took led to a dead end that was it the last straw.

"Hey son were are you going "? Asked one of them
Tabo s throat was dry of fear he couldn't utter a word he just stood there.
"Are trying to steal our food ", he persisted. He said pointing at him with a steel claw directing Tabo's attention to the six lines of black dustbins written in white paint Alex Confectioneries

It was then that Tabo noticed the dustbins. The dead end was the back yard of a Confectionery store. Obviously the men were going to check to see if there was any food and considered Tabo be a threat. He had unwittingly taken the exact turn were the vagabonds were going.

Glad to be finally enter up north. Were The air was fresher, the buildings were clean. There was not even a single piece of paper in the pavement or the streets. The security guards were well dressed And so were the people who got off their cars hurrying to work.

He was about to ask the security guard for directions when he saw the building he was looking for was one of the tallest about 50 floors. It had a big banner which boldly read "Attorney S.Mumba and associates”. Tabo stood for while to admire the marble skyscraper he looked around in amazement. .He had a peculiar familiarity to this place as if he had been here before .Away from the shacks and dirt of the location .Concluded to him that this was the place were he wanted to be. Tabo distasted dirt it become a phobia since he was little boy he couldn't stand it .Maybe that's what explained why he felt comfortable to be surrounded with clean buildings,Tabo took two long deep breaths before entering the majestic building.

Its interior appearance did not disappoint the pace already set by the outside .The velvety blue carpet in the whole way and dark wood furniture was immaculate everything about the place was high class .Even the desk were the receptionist sat behind was of class and so was the receptionist herself, kind but very classy .

"I have an appointment with Ms Mumba for an interview".
Pointed out Tabo before she could ask
"Okay take a sit I will buzz her”.
She in an expertly manner, speedily dialed

Susan was glued to her monitor sipping on a cup of espresso trying to make sense of the email she had just received when her buzzer startled her
"Yes Linda what is it" she barked irritably
"Sorry to bother your 9:00am is here”.
"My what?" she asked genuinely puzzled.

The first meeting for her was at 12:30 "I mean your 9:00am interviewee is here she explained.
Five years ago she had initiated a programmed to give law graduates from a university she had graduated from a chance to be in the very competitive law industry. Every end of graduation she opened posts for the most passionate with high pass rate Graduate's best than her to do the interviews.

“Damn’. She cursed how could she forget.





Susan's office was always neat and tidy to bits .Her mahogany desk spotlessly clean, everything was set in the same order since she occupied the office. For nearly 10 years the lay out never changed, next to the only photo of her dad in the office was the solid gold pen-Holder a gift from his dad she had got on the eve of her graduation day. Her father was always there for her ever since she could remember. Not only for her but the entire family; her mother and three sisters .He was not an educated man, poor in estate but worked very hard, to provide food and shelter for them. He had the biggest heart which was full of love .Even though she grew up in a two roomed house, it was a happy home full of love and joy and lots of happy memories. Her mother must have been the luckiest woman to find such a man who cherished and loved her up until the end of his days .A love which seemed she was going to search for, all her life .At 35 years she still did not have a stable boyfriend .It seemed all her relationships were doomed to failure .The first and the longest lasted for eight years and the guy waited until the eve of their wedding to gather enough courage to tell her that he was gay. After that one it was more of a leeward muddy fall. Until she eventually concluded that there was no one out there meant for her .She was cursed to be alone and heartbroken. She swore to herself never to get involved with anyone and to protect as much as humanly possible her fragile heart from players and Casanovas who wanted a good time and when they got tired dropped you like a hotplate.

So she directed all her energy and frustrations to the only thing she was good at, law .It was no surprise that after a short period of time she managed to built a law firm all by her self. Hoping to fill the void in her heart but instead it got wider and deeper as she got older .Soon she realized that the career was not enough. She was lonely and needed somebody by her side when it got cold at night and it did many nights .Her only company was the bottle of wine.

She announced Ms Mumba will see you now".

Tabo nervously opened the door and was greeted by a strong and very expensive scent, he guessed it was Eremite hard by the impact that he was in the office of the most respected lawyer in Town, Susan heard the door open but was not so keen on looking up to see who it was .These graduates had become boring and very predictable lately she had already envisioned in her mind her interviewee .So she hesitantly and boringly looked up though her squared frame reading glasses. She found it funny how she was good at predicting their behavior and the way their answered all her questions, it was as if they had one mentor .So she was a little shaken by what see saw ;totally unexpected.
He felt the gaze of the most powerful woman in law business. Little did he release the impact his presence heard on Susan. Her space had been invaded in her eyes, by this 2.5feet well built frame of an athlete young man .It took him only three strides from the door to the chair which she directed him to seat .She felt threatened by his presence .She had to muster all the courage she had to be able to look through his busy eye lashes to stare in his brown eyes without showing any weak points. He is scared she concluded when noticed a faint sweat in his brow. Tabo was scared her penetrating eyes. Looking through him as she motioned him to take a seat. Her big round eyes made him uncomfortable and very conscious of his every move. So he tried to avoid eye contact and try to relax, 'always maintain eye contact' he remembered one of the tips of the book he had read on how to pass an interview. Damn how was he going to do that? A feeling of defeat mixed with anger and resentment at himself of being a jerk. Maybe he had not made enough preparations but it was too late, he had to face the music.

'Would you like a cup of tea before we start' she offered trying ascertain her self once more that she was in control and to ward of the feeling that it her who was being interviewed . He nodded politely refusing with a powerful smile on his face, showing of his white perfectly lined teeth which blended nicely with his dark brown gums dealing another heavy deadly blow to her already faint heart.




In the course of the interview she inevitably lost the main objective of the interview. Susan had long lost her concentration which she tried miserable to regain but she couldn't help but fantasize about him. If only Tabo was not so worked up on him self he was going to notice, how suddenly absent minded she had become .She dreamily stared at him captivated, by his body language, his confidence ,the way he spoke, basically everything about him had inevitably triggered an emotion, she believed to have slaughtered a long time ago. A feeling that in the past had led her to too many sleepless nights, a sea of tears and left her with a broken heart. He had released, that rebellious feeling, which intoxicates sensible reason and captures the heart and bind in to blind love.

She drifted further from reality her imagination taking her to a world which she always dreamt of, a place were there were no tall buildings, no traffic jams a place, no stress were she was a woman who loved and was equally loved. Places were it was okay to be vulnerable and to free show your heart .A place were she was not an independent high profile business woman. Were only love mattered and one could fall in love and stay in love .A secluded place were she would be free to caress his dark brown skin and have all of him to herself Damn it! She cursed inwardly snapping back to reality. She had no choice but to cut the interview short.
Still shaken how in the hell could this be. In a short while he had burn down, to ashes a fort that that taken all her life built and left her out in field naked.

'I will get back to you; you have submitted you C.V and all your contact details on the Internet”. She interrupted before Tabo had finished his sentence.
Tabo insecurities the moment he entered the office were confirmed. He was sure without any shadow of doubt that she was not going to give him the job .It did not bother him now. He had done everything in his power to convince the old cow, that he was the best person for the job. It was clear that his best was not good enough and the old hag didn't fancy him anywhere. So he confidently stood up to shake her hand to leave.

In his hand he was holding a card with her personal details. He racked his mind until he reached the train station trying to come to terms with what happened in the office before he left. He was trembling with shock. Her seductive voice was ringing in his mind "call me any time” she had instructed that was after exchanging the most passionate kisses he had, in a long time and it felt good.

Later that evening she sat in her study, with a half full bottle of vintage wine by her side deep in thought. Subconsciously refilled her class .The sparkle sound make by the red wine almost startled her as she thoughtfully watched the 1950 vintage turn the crystal white glass red. Filling it to the top .Her mind wondered back and forth .Painting the event that that took place earlier in her office it made her shiver with goose bumps and rose the back hairs in her neck. The way he had passionately kissed him made resurrected woman long lost feel like she felt so good and alive she had never felt like this all her life. Feeling but deep in her heart it was breach of conduct and morally wrong but why did feel so good that she wanted to do it again.

The whole evening she couldn't work she had been wrestling with the urge to call him longing wanted to hear his husky masculine voice one more time. It was 9.30pm when she finally lost the battle and decided to call him. The ringing of the phone made her heart skip a bit in a mixture of excitement and nervousness’ of an 18 year old.
"Hello "Answered an energetic voice of a young female

Susan froze dumb stuck not knowing what to say .She eventually managed to utter something before the girl asked for the third time whether there was anyone on the line
"Yes this Miss Mumba from Mumba associate can I speak to Tabo '.
"You just missed him he went out just now'
She quickly passed the message in embarrassment and sheer disappointment
Yes she had missed him she recoiled She always misses Susan cursed herself for such a sucker
Feeling like wounded and tired old lioness waiting for death she finished her drink in gloom and misery, cursing herself one more time .It had been barely a day she met Tabo and already had got the best of her anywhere what did I except she asked herself loudly in the air , him to be her my knight in shining amour send to rescue me from the depths of boredom and loneliness To make her feel good in the morning .That was when she realized how lonely she was salty hot tears trickled involuntarily down from her eyes burning her soft chicks .She sobbed quietly And hated herself for being a hopeless romantic and for always searching for love in the wrong places .

Tabo was staring at the call log and thinking wondering why she had called so late and why she wanted to see him tomorrow morning ASAP.Tabo had reasoned that the earlier episode in the office was just a momentary relaspe. Clearly she was not calling for the job.He had blown the interview. Pictures of the pasionate love they made in her office flickered in his mind again .Sending a sensation down to his spine no one had ever kissed him like that .Tabo had given up on trying to figure out what the kiss meant .Susan did not seem like the manupulative type .He didnt want to be a toy boy.So what does she want he wondered.The only way to find out was to take a chance and go .Tabo tried to overcome the feeling that would make him vlunerable but love overcomes reason . He had to make plan as if the god had his prayer a message got in his phone.He smiled his prayers were answered allmost instantly a solution had been presnted to his dilemma.Now it was possible to take a chance with Susan and still get the job he always dreamnt of.With that thought he dozed of.

Susan was looking forward to seeing Tabo .Even though a small voice at the back of his ind wisphered that he was not coming . Many questions were racing in her mind, did he get the mesage , hoe did he intrepret the kiss did he believe in love at first sight.The voice kept getting louder until it hit her to. Maybe it was mistake and there was no such thing as love at first sight.
It was almost lunch time and he not showed up. So tried to cast him out of his mind .There was a light rap at the door, whoever it was didn’t wait to be invited in. He entered with a bunch of flowers it was mixed bunch of red roses and white lilies in his right hand and a box on the left hand.

The air in the office was a very big contrast compared from the Last time they met. Tabo was more relaxed and less volatile this time. This gave him an opportunity to study her face and stare at the big round beautiful eyes nicely placed on an her almost perfect oval face .Susan's hair was neatly tied back in a pony tail .she was woman not an intelligent robot which had interviewed him last time. Susan's expression confused him he couldn’t tell whether she was sad or angry or both. On the other hand Susan was scared his presence ignited her most passionate desires. Trying to remain composed and with a restraint

"So your girlfriend gave you my message 'she sulked tightening her thin red lips.

"Yes my sister told me' he replied emphatically.

He watched her face relax at his reply.
"I thought maybe if you are free we could go out for lunch .Am sorry I meant to come earlier but I got a call from the D.A this morning.'
He said handing her the bouquet.
The news about the call from the D.A bugged her. He going to work for the D.A she concluded and was scared even to ask the details of the call.

Susan had a lot of questions in her mind but the most urgent and important just blurted out of her mouth before they would order Were do we go from here?.
Figured Tabo said with a lot of energy and confide dance
since I am passionately in love with two things I will work for the D.A so that I and you can have a chance.
Susan's face was beaming with joy .Sitting in the restaurant feeling very thankful to which ever gods for this moment. On the other hand she felt guilty for being self centered She had forgotten about his job there was no way they were going to wok together now that they was a high possibility of them dating .As if reading her mind Tabo took out a contract form , in his folder. He had got an offer to work in the Attorney generals office
"I was thinking we could read this together in your later at your place."
She smiled and squeezed his hand firmly. She felt like she had known him forever .The circumstances that lead them to find each other were strange but for the first time in her love she as sure that she had found love .I guess the god have a strange way of for matching us.

Tabo learned over and kissed her wrinkled skin.In an efort to revive Susan back.She was lost in thought .
It had been 20 years of their marriage but her spine had shivers just by looking at him. This was again the best annivessary present any one could ever give her .Tabo had taken her to the first place they had gone out to eat and had resurrected the day they fell in love. They road had many challengesBut they managed to overcome.

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