If Moyo thinks discussing with Audrey guarantees him access to Sheline's heart, the events that follow his last Morningside visit alter that notion. Staying true to her conservative upbringing, Sheline takes her time to know who she's dealing with. One unknown Bulawayo face won't just show up one day and bamboozle her with a marriage proposal.

The affair kicks-off with the exchange of WhatsApp messages, through which Sheline gets a hang of Moyo's family background, his status, friends and previous broken relationships.

"I've been unlucky with women," he texts. "Will you be the final bus stop?"

"Let's wait and see," Sheline replies.

Moyo makes it clear he was born with a cracked wooden spoon, a background Sheline has no qualms identifying with, having heard loads of such stories from church members, some of whom show up in her house.

While Moyo's at work, Sheline will send messages which get prompt replies. One of his colleagues, observing that he now pays more attention to his phone than before, throws repeated jibes:

"Something sweet is happening these days," Johnson says. "You're seeing a lady now uh?"

"You can say that again." Moyo flashes a smile, regaling him with stories of how he proposed to his sweetheart. "This one is special."

"I hope you'll keep her?"

"That's the plan."

When Sheline's queries require more insightful thoughts, Moyo will wait until after work before giving a reply, making a call in some cases. The evening-time hobby of watching TV gets a swap for attending to her probing texts, some of which necessitates looking up words from the dictionary – online and physical.

When interactions get tougher, Moyo will buzz Richard for guidance, tapping into his friend's repertoire of romantic words and hypnotic turn of phrases, many of them are so sweet Sheline have to read them over and again.

Eventually, his consistent and bias-free response to her queries crumbles the lady's resistance. Sheline begins to see him as someone who truly cares, a factor which overrides whatever he may be lacking in physical qualities.

"He's always polite and quick to apologise," Sheline says to Audrey regarding Moyo.

"Oh, okay." The old woman responds with a wry smile, finding her daughter's burgeoning interest fascinating.

"Did you ask about his family background?"

"I did, Ma. First thing."

Sheline steps up communication by being the first to call Moyo. Her first call gets Moyo's head whirring all night. Her voice, soft and tender, penetrates his ears, vibrating all ossicles therein. She now chats at will, using respectful language, expressing her opinions freely on whatever issue they may be discussing.

My mother will thank me when I take this girl home.

With the affair growing at snail speed after five weeks, despite their lively phone conversations, Moyo sees the need to quicken things up. "Let's go see a movie at the mall," Moyo invites her on a Saturday evening.

"Fine, come pick me up next Saturday."

"Next Saturday? What are you doing during the week?"

"Reading and stuff. That I'm not in school doesn't mean I have nothing to read."

"All right. See you on Saturday."

Garbed in one of his new t-shirts this bright Saturday evening, Moyo shows up in Morningside ready for the first outing with this lady who tickles him like no other. He parks outside the house, announcing his arrival through phone, seeing no need to check on Audrey.

Sheline steps out in casual house wear. No sign she's ready for the outing.

"But you asked me to be here at three." Moyo's eyes open. "How much longer do I have to wait?"

"The weather is not friendly enough." She says with a straight face.

Moyo's jaw drops as both hands turn upwards. "Meaning what?"

"I can't make it today."

He blinks around, apparently unimpressed. Is she joking or something? After waiting a while, seeing that she won't come along, he heaves a sigh. "It's fine. See you some other time." Moyo enters the car.

"Don't take it hard," Sheline says as he drives off.

The second movie date also gets a false start, though the excuse this time is her household chores. In like manner, his first request for a lunch date hits a bump – a neighbour sends her on an errand.

Unrelenting Moyo picks up the habit of buying her cellphone airtime every other day. Next is the routine of sending her chocolate bars and magazines – ideas originating from Richard who's always in the know of developments.

Sheline now looks forward to seeing a deliveryman at her doorstep every Saturday morning. "This is from ..."

The statement hardly completes before she grabs the package. "Moyo Malvin of course."

Sheline loves gifts – expensive or not. On receiving it she'll glide to the sofa opposite the air-conditioner, recline on it and cross legs before unpacking whatever Moyo considers appropriate for the week. Audrey enjoys watching the drama her daughter brings to the unpacking ritual. The young lady will take selfies with the packages, sending them to her Facebook and Instagram profiles.

The weekly deliveries clear all obstacles from Sheline's heart.

"He's so loving!" Sheline declares to her mom.

"Don't forget to thank him."

"What for? It's his duty to send gifts."

"Oh, really?"

"I'll talk to him later in the day."

Sheline's friends, observing the recent uptake in social media posts, can't wait to know about the man spoiling her. "It's one Bulawayo gentleman, so unassuming, so kind."

"You're so lucky with men, uh." One posts.

"Open your eyes, girls. There're nice men out there."

The young lady soon lifts off her self-imposed embargo on riding in Moyo's car. "You don't even take me out for lunch," Sheline tells him.

"Really? I thought you may want to wash the roof of your house after last night's hailstorm."

They laugh off the joke.

Moyo arrives the next day, a Thursday, ready for a drive out with the lass who awaits him at the gate wearing a flowery lavender top on sky-blue jeans pants and her favourite kitten-heels. Upon settling into the vehicle, they get talking after exchanging warm greetings.

Sheline asks, "Where do you have in mind?"

"There're lots of wonderful places all around."

"There are places I can't visit."

"Like where?"

"We're not going to your house, for instance. Please take note."

"No problem. I'm not taking you there."

"Cool."

The yippy lad sticks to her dictate, taking her to a restaurant in the mall. On their way there idle eyes follow them around. The curious ones furrow their brows at the contrasting pair. Others nod at Sheline's beauty, raising their thumbs towards Moyo in appreciation.

The approaching dusk won't allow them to stay out for long. Grateful Moyo drops her back at home before their first outing records an incident. Crime in Bulawayo can be unpredictable. This sweet day shouldn't be one to narrate such. Another outing follows soon afterwards. And then another. Somehow he fails to take her to the cinema, thinking she doesn't like movies – a fall out from their first cancelled date.

Moyo's gentlemanly conducts in public and his unassertive manners give Sheline the leeway to demand a visit to his flat. After moving with him for three months, it feels right to know where and how he lives.

"Won't you take me to your place?" The request comes like a quarrel.

"I thought avoiding my place is a commandment in your bible."

"Please don't say that. You never mentioned where you live."

"I live on a tree somewhere in Bulawayo."

She locks eyes with him at what sounds like a rare release of humour. They burst out laughing.

***

It's Saturday, Moyo's favourite day. There's no need to send Sheline a gift – she's visiting. He lingers by the window, eyeing the raindrop splattering on the roof of a distant building. The early-morning downpour doesn't bring worry though. Even if it rains ice-block or molten lava, he'll pick her up at the scheduled time. But then the rain is a blessing. Heaven supports our meeting today.

Moyo punches his fist in the air while announcing to Richard over the phone. "At last, we'll have our first kiss today."

"Spare me the details, man. My job is to give you ideas. Now that she's in your net, the ball is in your court. I step aside."

"Thanks, man. How much will you charge me for your services?"

"Only a million dollars?"

"American or Zimbabwean dollars?"

"Australian."

They crack up.

At noon, Moyo brushes his teeth for the second time, doing it for ten minutes instead of his usual two, gaggling rigorously while sounding like a molten volcano, following which he flosses with religious caution.

Next, he puts on carton-colour jeans and a black t-shirt on which is written: "I love you." For the umpteenth time, he lifts the 'How to kiss' magazine he's been reading of late. No harm in revising his lessons. "Today is the day for practical," he says.

Ignoring the drizzles, Moyo leaves for Morningside, appraising the affair on the highway, musing over Sheline's peculiar nature. This one is different from his exes. "Don't do this; don't do that, I hope she won't give me stories today." He glances into the rear-view mirror.

Moyo cruises into Morningside, taking note of the difference in weather. Although it's cloudy out here, there's no single drop of rain. The dry skies persist up until when he arrives at Sheline's house where she's at the gate spotting a burgundy cardigan and a knee-length skirt. Hair? Afro.

"Come in, please." He opens up the door, eyes glancing around for traces of onlookers, some of whom tarry in the distance issuing sideways looks and choreographed yawns.

Sheline hops into the car and they move off, leaving Audrey, who's just behind the gate to lock it up, to savour the sound of the vehicle.

Unlike in previous outings when they discuss in the car, chatting feels strange today. While she throws frequent sideways glances at him, he furrows his brows, eyes on the road, concentrating on the trip home. The only item on the agenda is clear.

Sheline maintains her thoughtful mien until they arrive at his flat where he serves snacks and drinks.

Chewing slowly, she studies the averagely furnished single-bedroom apartment, bestowing her man a degree of respect. Not because of his 32 inches Samsung flat-screen TV or the LG refrigerator peeping from the kitchen, but for a reason Moyo might not even consider important. Thrilling to the lady is the absence of any memento which indicates that he shares the place with a lady. Nothing here shows that one recently visited.

Perhaps due to the first-time visit effect, Sheline finds her tongue-tied. Could it be the chilly weather outside which now raises goosebumps on her skin? She maintains a steady gaze on the TV, staying calm and ridding herself of sensitivities.

Moyo narrows his eyes at his lady, wondering why she's passive today–of all days. She initiated this visit, she doesn't need to look cowed. "Is this the same Sheline who talks like a broadcaster on the phone?" Moyo teases but the lady stays mute.

Misconstruing her silence for an invitation, he moves closer though awkwardly, ready to grab her shoulder. Sheline stretches out both hands to keep him at bay. "Don't push your luck. We have an agreement."

"What agreement?" he stiffens his back, gasping as adrenalin gallops through his veins.

"Don't forget." She raises a finger. "We agreed you'll always keep a distance from me, at least a meter – except when we're in the car."

"Isn't that supposed to be for public places?"

"Public and private places."

"But this is my house. This is where I live and you're —"

"Let's keep it that way 'til further notice." She shakes her head, turning her face to the TV.

Moyo leans forward, switching on a deeper croaking voice. "This weather is good for cuddling." His extending lips take a kissing pose. Just when he's about to reach hers, Sheline ducks her face. "We didn't consider the weather when we agreed."

Sensing her resolve, he steps away, staying close to the wall and taking a second but curious look at her. This one must be from Venus. His exes won't even bat an eyelid before stripping and diving into his bed. Alas! A twenty-year-old Grade 12 graduate is making him beg for a kiss, despite his repeated spending? He must be crazily in love.

Well, at least they're making progress. At first, she didn't allow him into her Morningside residence, but she now rides in his car, even visiting his flat. Maybe she's not used to kissing. But which Bulawayo girl doesn't kiss at twenty? Hard to believe though, he makes an excuse for her. Today might not be the day. He'll kiss another time.

Six months on, Sheline continues to rebuff Moyo's advances. But the smitten lad isn't bothered. Marriage is the ultimate goal; he's not here for hit and run. The more she keeps away, the more his love for her grows by leaps and bounds. On the good side, Sheline is now less uptight, mostly wearing a subdued look each time they discuss.

Moyo digests the fact that she's the marriage-before-sex type. He adjusts to her ways, reckoning that her aloofness will be useful when she's studying at the university.