Two weeks after Moyo's laborious proposal, Sheline doesn't reach out to him, a situation he can't cope with. The pensive man finds himself driving to Morningside this Saturday afternoon, eager to know what she feels about him. "Whether or not she's interested in marrying me, I'll know today."

On the highway, he wonders if the nosy fat woman he once met on Western Street reported to Audrey. I hope that woman won't spoil my chances. He grips the steering wheel tighter, gritting his teeth, at the mere thought of it.

Moyo parks at his usual spot, alights from the car and dusts his navy-blue chinos trousers. He then checks his sparkling white polo shirt for stains. None. Grabbing a rag off the dashboard, he wipes dust off his moccasin shoes and then plods towards the building in confident strides.

Finding the gate open, he walks through and waits at the doorstep. A single knock brings Sheline to the door which she opens with a cautious grin. Moyo's heart skips a beat as his eyes meet hers. This is the lady that's been giving him sleepless nights? "How are you?" He looks up with hope.

She nods, leaving the door open as she steps back in.

"Come in," Audrey's voice rings from within, sending Moyo's eyebrows towering. He walks in to find Audrey seated by the dining table, a white teacup in front of her. She dons a blue gown made of African fabric, and her head is covered with a scarf. Mama has her spectacles on.

"Mauya," Moyo greets, rubbing both hands together. His lips extend into a 'no problem' smile.

"Welcome. Please, take a seat."

Moyo looks around before sinking into a chair. He opts for the one closest to the door. In case discussions turn sour, the host won't have enough time to gauge his facial expressions before he makes for the door.

Sheline stands behind Audrey, arms folded on the chest, sizing him up like a trendy barometer. But before Moyo catches a whiff of what might have transpired behind his back, she walks away with a firm gait, telling him he has unfinished business with her mom. Offering an old woman a lift on a bad day doesn't make him the daughter's Mr Right.

To suppress his anxiety Moyo looks around, observing the artistic wall designs, electronic gadgets, deluxe furniture, chandeliers and more – all clean and neatly arranged. The room feels cosy, far more comfortable than his parent's Nyerere Street residence. But not as grandiose as the abode of one of his bosses whose mansion he has visited a couple of times. This must be a middle-class family – a very-religious one at that. Portraits of Jesus lining the walls attest.

But why don't they have a car? Well, having a vehicle to move around should score him a point or two on the old woman's assessment sheet. That might just be the joker in this matter, should there be other suitors. He'll have to wait and see.

Maintaining a happy face and regulating his anxiety, Moyo's eyes settle on the Samsung 50-inch flat-screen TV which is currently showing a Nollywood drama. Knowing the woman is studying him, probably thinking how best to get the discussions rolling. There's a reason they asked him to come in and take a seat, after all.

For five minutes Audrey refuses to talk, a silence moment that announces to Moyo that the impact of his free hike has waned. Mama is evaluating him as a suitable suitor for her daughter – a task which deserves objectivity.

Moyo furrows his brows, tilts forward, elbows on knees, ready for the worst. A heavy sigh escapes him as doubts of leaving the house with favourable news set in.

Will Sheline accept to date him? Will she ever consider marrying him at all? He overstepped his bounds and pushed his luck too far by choosing to come here. They invited him into the house is to lessen the insult that he's too poor to propose to such a beautiful girl.

Where lesser fancied ladies – ones who'll see him as a heavenly-sent catch – bestride the terrain, why should he come after a Morningside's pretty face? The only daughter of her mother – a jewel of the family who'll inherit this beautiful house in years ahead. Won't these people see him as a gold-digger of some sorts?

Audrey makes a sound which cuts into Moyo's thoughts. He turns to the woman as though an accused awaiting his sentence.

"Last time you visited, Sheline told me you're interested in her. I noticed it too because I've seen you around this area a few times. You usually park some distance away, sitting alone in the car for long."

So that nosy fat woman reported me? Moyo's heart beats harder.

"Let me ask you? What do you see in my daughter that interests you?"

Moyo turns to the TV, unsure whether to smile or keep a straight face. This isn't a question he prepared for. But he must be honest and straight to the point. The assessment interview is kicking off and his answers will determine Sheline's reply. A single daughter won't accede to a marriage proposal without her parents' consent.

"I like the way she dressed the first time I saw her." Moyo readjusts on the chair. "And the manner she does her things. And the values she has. Where I come from, we judge ladies by their mothers' actions. I believe it's the same with Sheline and her mother."

Audrey nods slightly. "Well, Sheline is an adult now. It's not out of place for men to come around. But I can't decide how she'll respond to you. It's up to her whether or not she wants to associate with you."

Moyo readjusts on the chair again, ears to the ground.

"Maybe you don't know: she's my only child so I have to guide her. Growing up, I never refused her anything, especially if it's something good. At this stage, her wish is to get a university degree, which I fully support. The situation in our country calls for young people to be well-educated."

She pauses for a sip from the teacup.

Seeing no reason for the long preamble if they won't accept his proposal, Moyo swaps despair for hope. A sixty-watt bulb might glitter at the end of this tunnelling speech. He readjusts on the seat and leans forward. Nothing she says will escape his attention.

Mama continues.

"That you proposed to her didn't shock me. Young men these days can be impatient. But when I asked for her opinion, she said she doesn't know you, which is true. You two only met recently.

She sips from her teacup again.

"But like I said before, the decision to be with you is hers, not mine. Since we lost her dad, I've been the one looking after her all these years. Although she has been an obedient girl, the issue of a future-partner is a personal one. If she accepts you, I have nothing against it. Men have come here but none talked about marriage. You're the first one I know of. That's why I asked her to allow you in."

Moyo's heart pumps. I have a chance after all. Her gentle words and depth of thoughts raise goosebumps on his skin, almost spurring him to pump fists in the air. But he pinches himself to stay calm.

Audrey reclines on the chair's backrest, indicating she's done talking. She then flashes narrow-eyed glances at the visitor as though expecting him to talk.

Moyo's excitement ties his tongue. This woman didn't ask any question which needs an answer. All that's required of him now, inferring from her speech, is to prove his love to Sheline. That shouldn't be tough to achieve. In fact, it'll be pleasurable doing so. He's not a playboy. Never been one.

Not to remain seated looking clueless, an idea strikes his mind, following which he clears his throat. "I'm happy to hear all you've said, ma'am. In fact, I don't know how else to express my joy. I'm willing to support Sheline's university education. If necessary I'll wait 'til she completes her studies. Myself, I would have studied further if I had the chance after high school. But I decided to start working so I'll gather the experience I need to set up my own business in future. A lady who has a future plan is a gift. There's no way I'll discourage your daughter from studying if she chooses me. Whatever she wishes to achieve is fine with me."

Audrey nods while he speaks, impressed with the young man's words. "Where are you from and where did you grow up?"

"I'm from Bulawayo here, ma'am, from Ubiku district in Ktangwa. But I grew up in the city here and my parents live in Nyerere Street in Bantwe." His eyes drop at the low-scale area mentioned.

Without a prompt or so it seems Sheline enters the room with a tray containing soft-drinks, water and a glass cup. She places it on a stool which she moves closer to Moyo. "Will you like to eat?"

"No, no please." Moyo clasps both hands together, observing her twitchy fingers and quivering lips, despite her characteristic calmness. Swayed by her gentle and polite manners, he smacks his lips repeatedly, receiving a hunch that the offer is a confirmation of an accepted proposal. Immeasurable joy springs forth from his torso threatening to burst his brain, but he suppresses the surge with a smile.

Although Sheline doesn't pour the drink, the pleasing manner she walks out of his presence does the pouring. A sideways peek at Mama affirms she isn't displeased with the duo sticking together, as earlier mentioned. His mind revels in ecstasy. If this girl can be mine I'll keep her happy till I die.

Despite Audrey's reassuring words, Moyo isn't under the false impression the girl will fall easily if he doesn't work hard at it. Her reluctance to give him a call proves that already. As her mom rightly pointed out, other men won't hesitate to upstage him. He's up for the challenge though.

Right away, Moyo begins to map out the steps he'll take to keep the damsel. This is the opportunity he's been waiting for all these years. Grateful he is in no small measure to be given a chance.

A gentle-hearted and cultured girl like Sheline only needs a bit of pampering and deep-sounding words to keep her feet on the ground. She shouldn't be expensive to maintain, despite her undeniable beauty. Not the wig-wearing type like past acquaintances, her hair is natural, same for her nails. If a Bulawayo lady of her age can be content with Afro hairstyle, despite the preponderance of mascara-wearing and face-painting afficionados dotting the city, she must be restrained and down to earth.

Above all, she's the church-going type. If she picks up strange habits, it will be time to sermonise with biblical verses. By the time he reads from Genesis to Revelation, she'll self-correct.

Oh, what a beautiful day this is! The smitten lad guzzles glasses of soda with relish. Fanta isn't new but the refreshing taste this one brings is worth several gulps. "I work at Emerald Filling Station, ma," he says gleefully. "And I've been there for twelve years now."

"Oh, which of the Emerald Stations?"

"The one close to the Bulawayo Mall."

"Oh, okay."

Issues bothering on fuel scarcity rent the air. Moyo can discuss these things for three days non-stop. He digs into government policies affecting fuel prices and supplies, voicing out personal opinions and those discussed with customers at work, all of which prove invaluable in this meeting. Moyo mesmerises the old woman with his grasp of fuel and transportation issues around the country.

After chatting with Audrey for half-an-hour, it's time to say goodbye. Sheline escorts him to the exit gate, walking behind with eyes fixed to the floor. While she lingers by the gate, he leans on the car scanning around for those college guys who once ignored him. Where are his rivals in the area who think they stand a better chance to win Sheline's heart? Where's the nosy woman who called him useless?

"Who are you looking for?" Sheline asks, her voice tender and measured, eyes side-stepping his.

"No one. Just appreciating your area. This area I strolled around for days, looking for you."

Sheline grins.

"Let me have your number, please. You have no idea how I beat myself up not asking for it the last time."

She calls out the digits as he punches into his phone. Sheline isn't as confident as she once was. The baton of guts and swagger is changing hands, or so it looks.

"Let me ask: why didn't you call when you had my number?"

"I just want to be sure of your intentions. You might have been daydreaming when you came here the last time." She straightens her face and then smiles, flashing that well-arranged dentition that hoodwinked him the first time they met.

The lad settles into the car and waves her goodbye. "Don't deny me a call this time, please."

"I won't"

"Is that a promise?"

She nods, watching as he drives off.

***

The moment Moyo steps out of the house, Audrey watches through the window as Sheline sees him off, returning to the chair to reflect over the young man's visit. Yes, her daughter isn't too young for a serious relationship. Although it might be untimely to bother her with marriage when a degree is a priority, the girl is mature and has the right temperament to live with a man – one who has a job and can take responsibility.

Audrey picks up her phone and dials Margaret in Soweto.

"Sheline is seeing someone now and the person is already discussing marriage."

"Marriage? Isn't Sheline eighteen or so?"

"Almost twenty."

"She's not too young, but didn't you say she wants to study first?"

"Marriage won't stop her from schooling. And this person is hardworking and responsible, even if he's still up-coming."

"Upcoming? A struggler! Haba! Sheline is beautiful, rich men will queue at our doorstep when she's done with school." Margaret yells, her voice almost tearing off the GSM network. "There's no need to rush her into marriage now."

"Well, it's her decision. Remember I'm not getting younger. By the way, how are your kids?"

"They're doing well. We're coping."