Melokuhle

Friday finally came to an end, but the scorching sun heat was still lingering behind. The day's classes had dragged on forever, leaving me wondering if time had maybe stopped. My backpack, loaded with textbooks, felt heavier than usual or maybe it was just the Friday feeling.

I let out a groan, wishing I'd taken my father up on his offer to send me a driver. But in my defence, I didn’t know that today would be 32°C; I never checked this morning's weather anyway. The jersey I had on in the morning was now tied around my waist. My legs felt like jelly, trembling with each step I took. I had 15 minutes before I could get home, which at this point felt like forever. I looked at the blue water bottle in my hand; all the water I had a few minutes ago was now finished.

I sighed, shaking my head. I was so ready to kick off my shoes, pour myself one glass of red wine, and relax. After all, it was a Friday, and my parents wouldn’t mind, so why not? 

I found it best for me to drink at home rather than going out to be squeezed by some thick group of people who smelled like booze and sweat. Granted, I don’t like clubs. I never saw the whole point of going to a club to have fun and having to shout over the loud music to be heard, besides any of that, I hated loud music it always caused me to have headaches.

I remember when I turned 18;  I thought clubbing was the ultimate experience. TV made it look glamorous— the dancing, lights, and nonstop fun. But when I finally went, reality hit, making me realise that I hated parties and clubs in general. 

I hated the crowds, the noise, and the chaos of everything that was happening there. I left earlier than planned, eager to escape. Staying at home and drinking at the comfort of my own home was what I preferred, that was my kind of fun.

A bell hooted. I looked behind me with a surprised look on my face; no car ever stopped for a girl like me. Besides that, it was hot, and I had no interest in talking to anyone, especially when I had zero energy like this.

"Hi," The driver said, stopping the car beside me. My earlier exhaustion was now forgotten, I stared. This guy was breathtakingly handsome— too perfect to be stopping for someone like me on this sweaty, energy-draining day.

I held the water bottle close to my chest and looked at the guy in front of me, he looked like he just walked out of a cover of a magazine, God sure took his time carving him out to be the masterpiece that he was now.

As he spoke, his low, velvety voice caressed my skin, sending shivers down my spine. "I’m lost." I couldn't help but melt into the sound of his voice. 

I felt the tremble in my legs and the stupid flutter in my chest. Guys never held my attention, but this stranger's voice started a fire that spreaded through my veins.

Dirty thoughts filled my mind, making me wonder what his tongue would do to me behind closed doors. Were his hands soft or rough? Was he rough? My cheeks darkened, glad that he couldn’t read my thoughts. 

If I ever wanted a guy to take my virginity, this would be the perfect guy that I would want to split me open and make me beg for him.

My father's warnings echoed in my mind, don't talk to strangers and don't go near their cars. But my feet moved out of their own accord, drawn to the sleek black Mercedes-Benz like a moth to flame. 

The shiny car reflected the fading sunlight. Its tinted windows brought me closer. The stranger's eyes locked with mine, they were burning with an intensity that left me feeling breathless.

I wasn't the type guys usually noticed— I had no hourglass figure or porcelain skin. My curves were subtle, hidden beneath my slender frame. My chocolate skin and full breasts were the only thing I inherited from my mother. I often felt invisible among the sea of lighter-skinned girls with perfect bodies.

For years, I'd grown accustomed to being invisible. Guys eyes would slide past me, like I was a ghost hovering around. The initial sting that I always had, had gone numb over the years, replaced by a hardened and forceful acceptance. 

But what I failed to understand was what did this man want from me? It clearly wasn’t because he was attracted to me. Guys like him only messed around with girls who looked like models. 

"Where are you going?" I asked against my better judgement, I stepped closer to the open window, my heart pounding in sync with the ticking engine.

As our eyes met, time seemed to freeze. One moment, I stood safely on the driver's side, the next, my breath was caught in my throat. Panic gripped me, suffocating me. I tried to scream, but silence choked me. Icy cold fear ran down my spine, its whisper taunting me— you knew better.

I usually liked this quiet road, but it now felt too quiet. I cursed the emptiness of the street, longing for witnesses, for someone to save me. 

A cloth covered my nose and mouth, suffocating my scream. A faint squeaky sound escaped my lips, my desperate cry was

muffled by the oppressive fabric. The squeaky sound that came out resembled the creak of an unhinge old door.

Panic had fully set in, my eyes were burning with tears as my world started to get blurry. Unconsciousness was slowly approaching.

Through my fading vision, I saw the stranger's hands move with calculated precision. Rope bit into my wrists, securing me. With a rough tug, I fell into the back seat's darkness.

                                                                                               ***

When my eyes flew wide open, I gasped, struggling to catch my breath as my vision slowly cleared. I found myself in a dimly lit room, the only light coming through was a faint glow from a small crack on top of the stairs. Panic clawed its way to my chest as I tried to break free from the ropes that were binding my wrists, the more I pulled, the tighter they seemed to get.

A low, smooth voice cut through the darkness, "You're awake." I blinked, grogginess still clinging to me. The sound of footsteps echoed through the room, they grew louder as the figure approached me.

The shadowy figure stood before me, it was the guy who had stopped me earlier, his face was illuminated by the faint light. He was handsome, devilishly so, I felt my throat go dry as he looked at me. Why was I even focusing on his looks when I was kidnapped?

"Melokuhle, right?" he asked. I nodded, still trying to wriggle my hands from the tight ropes.

"I'm Melusi," he said, his voice sounding sincere, almost apologetic. "I'm sorry to do this to you." He paused, and took his beer from the floor and took a sip. "Your father owes me a lot of money." My heart raced, while trying to process what Melusi just told me. 

My father, a wealthy businessman, owing someone money? It didn't add up.

Melusi's eyes locked with mine. "Ten million rands, to be exact." The amount was staggering, it knocked the air right out of my chest.

"Liar!" I spat, my voice dripped with venom. This had to be 

some kind of a twisted joke. The idea of my father, owing this guy ten million rands? Just sounded absurd.

And who was this Melusi guy, anyway, to be going around loaning people so much money? 

Melusi's laughter was cold and merciless, it sent a shiver down my spine. He walked closer towards me, his movements eerily silent. 

Even though I was bound and helpless, I couldn't help but notice how truly handsome Melusi looked. His chiseled face seemed to be carved from granite itself. Something had to be seriously wrong with me. Was I crazy? I had to be. I was kidnapped, and yet I couldn't stop looking at Melusi with rose coloured eyes.

I shook my head, trying to remove Melusi's face from my brain. Focus, Melokuhle. You're kidnapped. 

"My father will get me out of here," I shouted, trying to keep my voice steady. I knew that my father would never leave me here to rot. He would come for me, no matter what.

Without a warning, Melusi's hand shot out and slapped me hard across my face. "Shut up, bitch," he snarled, his eyes flashing with anger. I felt the sting in my cheek throb, hot tears came gushing out.

Melusi turned and walked out, leaving me alone and shattered. I cried, trying to make sense of the nightmare that had become my life. I wondered how my boring Friday afternoon turned into such hell.