AN: Please vote for this chapter

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Kapinga POV

"So, Kapinga, the Friday Night Market is where we are going first. Then we will go to Ubuntu to have dinner and some fun," Mishka said to me as we all walked down the muddy road. The beautiful thing about summer is that it gets dark very late so, even though it was well past six, the sun was only beginning to set now. The further we walked from the school, the more anxious I became. I mean yes, I wanted to see Kalambayi but I had no idea what I was going to say to him.

Also, I felt like deep down, the reason I kept pushing myself onto Kalambayi was because I wanted to forget about the prince. It was pointless of me to sit and daydream about this guy all day when he most definitely did not grant me a second thought. But then again, he did say that he liked me? He uttered the words I always dreamt of hearing from him. Nonetheless, he is still a jerk and could have been pulling a prank on me then. One final blow before I left. And boy it worked because I am still hurt. I always thought that when I would hear those words, I would swoon and fall in love right there and then. But when he said them, I all but hated hearing them. It felt like the words were mocking me.

The words, "Kapinga, where are you at?" brought me back to reality. It is annoying how all my thoughts, no matter where they start, always end up back at the Prince. This is why I need to move on and Kalambayi is one way to do it. "What guys?" I responded when the whole squad suddenly stopped walking. I of course in my autopilot state had walked on and then realised they were not moving after I turned around and saw all three girls glaring at me.

"We asked if you have a boyfriend?" Mado said and then went on to place her hands on her hips in the I am waiting for an answer pose. It was about time that the girls asked me this question. Mishka is engaged. I have not met the fiancé yet, but she sounds so in love. Amanda has a boyfriend who she has been with for many years now. Apparently, they lived close together and were friends. Until one drunken day where they shared a hot, passionate kiss. That was 3 years ago, and the couple is still going strong today. Amanda says the only reason she is not engaged is because she told her guy that she wants to complete her schooling first.

Mado on the other hand is known for her no commitment. She does not want a relationship. She prefers 'the chase' and as soon as she gets the guy to fall for her, she gets bored very quickly and moves on to her next conquest. As I look at my friends, I realise that it all makes sense. Mado is without a doubt the most gorgeous girl I have seen. She has the figure of an hourglass. God blessed her in both breasts and behind. And her waist is so tiny whereas her thighs could make even the most righteous man sin.

"I am single?" I asked-answered. I never had a boyfriend. I mean, I have not even had my first kiss yet. Call me old-fashioned but I am a hopeless romantic. I want a guy to work to get me. I want to be romanced like in the movies. I want my first kiss to be memorable and with someone I connect with. So, I am in no rush to get married soon honestly. Besides, I am too young to get married now.

"Well then, you and Mado might just meet people today?" Mishka said making weird eyes at me as she began walking again. The girls then went on to talking about make-up and clothing that they wanted to get at the market. I quietly listened as they spoke chiming in with a 'yeah or definitely' every now again to make the girls think I was listening to the conversation as I kept my eyes on the ground. I was never one for small talk anyways.

"So, what do you think Kapinga?" Amanda said next to me excitedly. I then looked up and saw that we had arrived at the market. Well, at the entrance of the market. And oh my, the market was nothing short of beautiful. The tables were aligned in a row under the trees. And within the branches of each tree were countless fireflies giving the Market a romantic glow as they gave us light.

I absolutely loved the sight before me. On the tables were different kinds of things being sold. The colour schemes of how the fruits were laid out was captivating. "It's beautiful," I whispered still in a daze as I stared at the sight before me.

"Well, wait until you see the rest of it," Mishka said. She then started walking forwards immediately. "Wait there is more?" I asked suddenly being pulled out of my task of admiring the market. Well, the part of the market I was standing before. I was confused as where the rest of the market was because I could not see how there was more. But then I looked at the tables and saw that there were only fruits on all the tables. But Mishka wanted to get make-up so that meant that there was more to come. The girls started speed walking to get to the other side and did not take note of me. It made sense though since they had to get to the makeup fast before it was all sold out. Apparently, the makeup stuff sells fast.

As we reached the end of the tables and had to turn, I suddenly spotted mangoes. I looked forward to tell the girls to wait because I wanted to grab some, but they were already gone. I thought about going after them, but I did not need makeup. So, I decided to stay and buy some mangoes. I would catch up with the girls afterwards.

"Hello, can I get two mangoes please," I asked the old lady siting at the stall. She looked no older than 40 years old. She had long black hair with specks of grey in them. She had lovely smooth dark chocolate skin. All in all, this woman was beautiful. She stood up and greeted me with a huge and warm smile.

"Hello child, you must be new here," the old lady said with a smile showing off her perfect teeth. I greeted her and then went to pull out my money to pay her for the mangoes when she said, "We don't work with money here my child. I can't even understand that concept of trading with coins at all," she said and started laughing. She must have seen the look of panic on my face as she then calms down from laughing as she realises that I have no other way to pay her. Aunt Martha just gave me cash. Then again, she did not know about this system either. I was so confused and scared at the same time.

"You don't have anything to trade in do you?" she said, and I silently nodded my head as embarrassment slowly crept in. The woman then asked me, "What do you do my child?" I was even more confused when she asked me this that I just opened my mouth and closed it only to open it again.

Before I could say anything else, I heard the words, Kapinga, right?" said a voice to my right. I immediately turned to look to this person as I needed to avoid the conversation with this woman. Why did I decide to buy mangoes in the first place again? But then my eyes landed on Kalamabayi. Of course, he would pop up when I am about to make yet a fool of myself again Aghhhhh!

"Son, do you know this young lady?" the woman said. I then looked back at the mango woman to see her talking to Kalamabayi. "Yeah, she is a student at the healing school. I met her when I went to see Uncle Cyrus," he answered.

"My friends are waiting for me, so I am just going to go. I am so sorry for troubling you mam," I say and begin to make a run for it. Only to have a firm hand grip my left arm and turn me back around rapidly. This resulted in me standing chest-to-stomach with Kalambayi's muscular body. I was about to ask Kalamabyi why he pulled me back when his mother spoke up, "My dear what about the mangoes. You wanted two, right?" The lady says. I was ashamed to even say something that I just nodded my head in response and looked down. Here I was wanting a second chance to impress Kalambayi, only to ruin it. And the worst part is all of this in front of his mother!

"Here you go dear, it's on me. Welcome to the village," I looked up to see the woman holding two ripe mangoes in my direction. I slowly proceeded to reach for them just in case this woman changes her mind. Kalamabyi notices my discomfort and takes the mangoes for me. He thanks his mother and still holding my left arm, he gently pulls me along with him.

I was so embarrassed that I did not even realise how close we were right now, or how good he smelt. Also, he remembered my name. All of a sudden, I felt extremely hot. So, I pulled my arm out of his grip to create some space between us. I then stopped walking and turned to face him. I totally forget how mesmerising he was that I ended up staring at him again. It was only when he cleared his throat that I returned to reality from my trance.

For the second time that night, I had embarrassed myself in front of this guy. What is wrong with me? I then looked back ahead and spoke, "I need to go find my friends, they probably looking for me." I did not wait for a response as I immediately started to walk away from Kalamabyi with no idea of where I am headed. I just knew that I needed to get away before I make a bigger fool of myself.

"What about your mangoes?" Kalambayi said. I turn back to face him and this time I did not look into his captivating eyes. "I did not have anything to trade for them, so they are not mine," I say and turn back around to leave again. Kalambayi then follows me and as soon as we hit the turn he says, "Well, my mom gave them to you. But I can tell that you do not like free things so how about this? I would like you to help my mom. She has this wound that is not healing, and she will not go to the school to get it checked out. That can be your payment for the mangoes?" Kalambayai suggested. I was about to protest when I realised that this was in fact a good idea.

Before I could even accept this deal, I heard the words, "Thank heavens! Kapinga you do not go wandering off on your own. That is why we are in a group," Mishka said. I had not seen her yet, but I could tell that voice anywhere. I then slowly turned to face her with a smile because I did not know I was going to find them when Amanda said, "Kapinga, I see you have met my baby, Kal." I then looked from Mishka to Amanda after her statement only to see her go pass me and kiss Kalambayi on the cheek. Then it all clicked, Kal was short for Kalambayi. Amanda and Kalambayi were dating. Well, there goes that then.

I guess I would have to get over the Prince another way. 

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QOC: Have you ever had a crush on any of your friend's partners?

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