The sun began to set as Andrew and I sat in a picturesque spot he had prepared for our picnic. The soft glow of the golden hour bathed everything around us, creating a romantic atmosphere. The scene was straight out of a fairytale, with cushions scattered on the ground, and an array of my favorite foods laid out before us.

As I gazed at the beautiful setup, my heart swelled with conflicting emotions. Andrew had been showering me with extravagant gestures, from fancy dinners to expensive gifts. He had even surprised me at my workplace, making my heart skip a beat. Despite his efforts, my tears had been a constant companion in recent days, and I wondered if I had any tears left to cry ever since that meet up with Menzi.

“This is beautiful,” I murmured, my voice filled with a mixture of appreciation and sadness. I looked into Andrew’s eyes, grateful for his kindness but burdened by the weight of my own emotions.

“We’ve spent some wonderful times together,” Andrew began, his voice filled with a tinge of vulnerability. “But I want us to take this to another level.”

His words caught me off guard, and I coughed as I choked on a grape. Flustered, I managed to reply, “I, uh… woah.”

Andrew reached out to touch my hand, his fingers gentle and warm. “I really like you, Dineo,” he confessed, his eyes searching for a connection.

“You’re a great guy, Andrew,” I responded, trying to choose my words carefully.

He withdrew his hand, a flicker of disappointment crossing his face. “I already know where this is going,” he said, taking a sip of his beer. “Is it because of that guy?”

Reluctantly, I nodded, my eyes filled with regret. “I’m sorry,” I whispered, my voice barely audible.

A bittersweet smile spread across Andrew’s face. “It’s okay,” he reassured me. “Maybe someday I’ll get lucky.” He took another sip, his gaze fixed on the distance. “I wish that for you.”

As I stood up, I offered Andrew a sad smile, knowing that Zandi would scold me for leaving such a wonderful guy behind. But I couldn’t deceive myself any longer.

Melusi had captured my heart, and no matter how much I tried to move on, my soul yearned for him even more. I stepped into the car, finally allowing myself to breathe, realising that I had been holding my breath all along.

“Please take me to the airport,” I requested, my voice steady but filled with determination.

I needed to talk to Melusi, to have a heart-to-heart conversation and give him a chance. I couldn’t shut him down without at least trying to find closure. Zandi would call me foolish, but I can’t move forward until I faced my feelings and resolved the power he still has over me.