Sheline's matric result turns out well but no Zimbabwean university offers her a place to study Journalism. Instead, an admission letter arrives from the University of Johannesburg in Soweto, South Africa, granting her wish to enrol for a three-year Journalism programme.

"Mama, at last!" She rushes to her mom who grabs the letter to read.

"South Africa!" Audrey yells, half joyous, half worried. Mother and daughter exchange prolonged puzzled looks, as it dawns that the old woman has qualms with her only daughter going that far for studies.

"It's just around the corner," Sheline points a finger outside as if the school is a stone's throw. This opportunity mustn't slip. Zimbabwe or South Africa, a degree is all she craves. To douse any funny idea from her mom, Sheline dances around like a five-year-old handed a candy bar. "Johannesburg, here I come, le le..."

Her restiveness silences the old woman who feels the distance will be a problem not only for her but also for Moyo who's willing to pay her tuition fees thinking Sheline will study here in Zimbabwe. Studying outside Zimbabwe will be costlier.

"My admission letter has arrived. I'll be going to school." Sheline announces to Moyo over the phone.

"Congratulations! This is good news. I'm so, so happy for you."

"Thank you so much." Sheline blows three kisses which he gladly receives over the air, wishing they were real.

"I'll come there after work."

"You're welcome, dear. Bring something good, please. We should celebrate this in some way."

"Sure. For sure."

Rightly so, Moyo drives to Morningside later in the day, bringing along two chocolate bars and three wine bottles. On arrival Sheline welcomes him with hugs after opening the gate. "I've been offered admission. I'll be going to university."

"Good news, Sheline." Moyo is somewhat taken aback at her girlish outburst. It pleases to see her in this mood sometimes; if only to reassure him he can offer her some guidance.

Audrey, who's by the doorstep, has her brows rising, watching for the first time as her daughter hugs a man so passionately. They even walk into the house holding hands.

After greeting the old woman, Moyo places his gifts on the table, reeling in the euphoria of the moment. This university admission shows that things are turning out well for the lovebirds. "Congrats, Mama." He stares at Audrey. For once he has a reason to locks eyes with the woman.

"Thank you, my son. Sheline has been jumping all over the place all day."

"Yes, why not?" Sheline says, sitting cross-legged next to Moyo and then lifting off the chair to open up the Bacchus wine which she pours in glasses for mom and boyfriend. She then gulps some herself.

"I don't mind going to Johannesburg." Sheline bites into one of the chocolate bars. "The programme is only for three years and my auntie lives there."

"You're not studying in Zimbabwe here?" Worry lines appear on Moyo's face, as he readjusts on the chair, turning towards Sheline.

"No, it's the university in Soweto that sent me an admission letter." She slurs, enjoying every word of it, undermining Moyo's reaction.

"South Africa?" Moyo points upwards as if South Africa is in Mars.

"It's just around the corner." Sheline points to the lawn outside, smiling.

Moyo deflates, letting out a long wheeze. The glee he arrived with takes a backseat, but he's wary not to dampen her moods.

Sheline perches next to him. "It's just next door: a bus ride and I'll be there."

"South Africa?" Moyo repeats, his mouth distorted. "What about the schools here?" He says, almost in a whisper.

"Those offered some courses I can't even discuss. I want Journalism and nothing else."

Audrey studies the lad with keen eyes. "Our universities were her first choices, but it's the South African university that offered her admission. I'll prefer her to stay around too."

Those words dissolve Moyo's sulkiness. "Oh, just anywhere is fine. So long she'll be studying happily."

To mask his half-hearted remarks, Moyo reclines on the chair trying too hard to smile, even if his forlorn sailor outlook is hard to miss. In his estimation, Bulawayo is more than a day's journey to Soweto by road. But the long-distance isn't the only issue bothering the man.

Willingness to part-sponsor her education had been with the understanding that she'll be studying in a local university. Now that she'll be travelling across the border, does he have the financial muscle to support her? Transport fare, school fees, accommodation, clothing, books- the list goes on in his mind. Moyo's anxiety nosedives as subtle fear creep in.

Ordinarily, studying out of the country shouldn't bring worries. But news peddled about Zimbabwean ladies living in South Africa upset the ears. Sheline will live amid all kinds of people, many of them strange and unfamiliar. She'll make new friends and learn about new cultures, all of which will impact her personality. As a result, she may start doubting his love for her and that will threaten the foundation of their affair.

The mere thought of losing Sheline evokes proper fear in him, his brows knit in a manner of a dog whose owner lay comatose after an auto accident. Yet again, he sips from the wine glass to disguise his inner issues. Words filter from his mouth, but his voice is broken. "Did you consider that Soweto is known for strange and horrible things, xenophobia?"

"I'll be okay," Sheline says softly, noticing his dour moods.

"For sure, I know you'll be fine." Moyo croaks and then stands. "I must return home now. It's getting late – traffic will start building on the highway."

"Okay, my son. Go well."

Though looking unruffled, Moyo leaves for the exit door with concerns – concerns that don't escape Audrey's attention. Sheline sees him off to the gate where he continues to tease her about the admission.

"Congratulations, once again. Enjoy the rest of the evening." He waves and then drives off.

Moyo's mind gets active the moment he hits the highway. Now that South Africa is on Sheline's lips, he must re-evaluate how this will affect their relationship. Should he suggest that she waits until next year to try out a local university? That won't be too much to ask for since she's still nineteen.

But won't that look cruel of him? With the stiff competition for university admission, there's no guarantee she'll get a space. Besides, suggesting she waits another year will push forward the number of years she'll spend on this degree issue. A postponement doesn't look ideal.

Looking at it critically, can he stay for three or more years while Sheline studies in another country? What if she shows up one day claiming to have found one prince-charming Zulu dude? Or some strange face sweeps her into a world more fascinating than the one she's used to here in Bulawayo? A situation where he'll need travel documents to visit his woman looks undesirable. This Johannesburg story is bad news.

He must speak to friends on this matter. They should shed light on how to go about this distance relationship that will tear him and his woman apart.

"She wants to study in South Africa, in Soweto," Moyo tells Richard over the phone, sounding like a man whose car has been hijacked under the bridge.

"That's fine." Richard's voice takes a hike. "What's wrong with that?"

"Soweto of all places!"

"People study anywhere. If you want your woman to be educated, be trusting."

Moyo cuts off the line. Richard is talking trash. Why did he even call him in the first place? The guy only knows how to woo women; he has no idea how to keep or marry them. No wonder he's still single, despite his verbal prowess. Tashinga will understand this situation better. He's married and his wife once attended college.

"Your woman is going to the university?" Tashinga's jaw extends for two minutes, after which he starts laughing. "You want a sophisticated woman in the house, uh?"

"Look, I'm serious here. I love this lady, but this is what I'm currently facing."

"The college woman I have at home is still giving me problems, you want to send your woman to a university in another country?"

"Sheline is different, you know. She's a mommy's pet."

"Forget about her the moment she gets to South Africa. Look for a proper Bulawayo village girl that will cook for you from morning 'til night." Tashinga raises a warning finger, despite being on the phone.

"No one can make me happy like Sheline. Nowhere in the world. Since I met her, my life continues to shine."

"Yes, you love her. But you think she'll go and study that far, mix with children of rich men and then return to you? There's something the university does to our women. They make them arrogant there."

"Sheline loves me so much." Moyo pinches his shirt, nodding emphatically.

"Well, if you're so sure of that, why not marry her first before she goes to school. When my wife said she wanted college, I didn't complain. After her second year, I got her pregnant so she won't tell me stories that she's more educated than me. We have three kids now and she's done with college."

Moyo stays quiet for a moment, thinking about this seemingly nice idea. His situation looks similar to Tashinga's and the future will be just as close in every respect. Learning from this lad might just be all he needs to weather any bumpy storm with Sheline. Making Sheline commit to him before leaving for school make perfect sense.

"What if she doesn't agree? Or her mom doesn't want things that way?"

"In that case, you haven't found a wife. If her family truly accepts you, you should be free to discuss your future with their daughter. Didn't you say you two have agreed to marry?"

Moyo swallows Tashinga's ideas, appreciating his insights. This lad always speaks the truth. "Thank you so much."

"No problem. What are friends for?"

Spurred by Tashinga's sagely words, Moyo sees the need to discuss an urgent matter with Audrey right away. It will be wise to fix a wedding engagement before Sheline leaves for South Africa. A wedding even. If that happens, her long stay outside Zimbabwe will count for nothing. This Soweto thing may turn out a blessing-in-disguise, after all. An engagement will douse his fears once and for all, for it will give them a legally married status. Therefore, no idiot will scurry away with his woman in South Africa.

Moyo shows up in Morningside, wearing traditional attire. Sheline opens the door, but he sidesteps her. He's not here to see his girlfriend. There's a burning issue he must discuss with Audrey. Luckily, she's at the dining table, seated at her usual spot, a teacup in front.

Sheline melts out of the space, leaving Moyo with her mom.

The speech Moyo planned to make isn't free-flowing but he must utter it anyway. He opts for a request. "Mama, this far, far away studies don't sound easy for me."

"Why do you say so, my son?"

"I'm just thinking: can I have something like an engagement with Sheline before she goes to school?

Audrey, who's been nursing her own fears, sees nothing wrong with the idea. "That will be a step in the right direction."

"Ma? We can do a ceremony before she travels."

"Yes, there's nothing wrong with that."

The lad jerks forward at the news, flashing a broad smile. Although he's never doubted Audrey's support of this affair, this approval shoots it up to the skies. He looks around to see if Sheline heard all her mom just said, but the lady isn't in the sitting room area. Or so it appears.

Indeed, Sheline is around – behind the doors. Whenever Moyo comes around the young lady stays within earshot. Moyo's engagement talk isn't a new topic to mother and daughter. His conducts over the months show that he isn't hanging around to deceive her. The guy is truly committed to this affair. Not until a man acquires all material things will he be deemed suitable to wed. With a source of income, a place to live and willingness to support her education, Moyo has all she needs in a man. Every other desire is wishful thinking.

Sheline accedes to the idea of getting engaged before leaving for school. Sooner or later, she'll live with a man she loves. It should be a blessing if it happens before studies begin. In fact, she'll stay focused while at the university.

Saturday, Moyo picks up an engagement ring, takes Sheline for a ride around town. They later settle for the Acacia Gardens by Katampe Resorts. It's all smiles throughout the day. Moyo's radiating joy is palpable, even to the maze of tulip flowers lining the terrain.

"You're so happy," she says, her face forming pleasant creases.

"Why won't I be?" He spreads out his hands and flashes a knowing smile. "Since we met, good things have been happening to us: I walked into a good family, met a wonderful lady and offer her my heart, clean and pure. She picks it up and follows me about, even if she wasn't too friendly at the beginning."

Sheline eyebrows rise as she cast him a long gaze. Where are those words coming from? Well, better late than never, she's enjoying his sweet talks. Easy will it be to suggest he's influenced by alcohol, but this Bulawayo man doesn't drink, to the best of her knowledge.

The shyness lacing his lips when he first proposed has long taken a flight. Buoyed by the feat of winning her heart, he radiates infectious confidence. Moyo digs into his pocket, bringing out a box which he places on the table.

Just when he's about to talk, he changes his mind.

"I love you, Sheline."

Her eyes drop.

Unlike the first time he proposed, she has a good idea what's in that box. She won't be taken by surprise if he pops the question.

Moyo isn't in a hurry to do her bidding, perhaps still struggling with a hangover of his first proposal attempt. But events have overtaken those early days. Wherefrom are the butterflies emitting?

Well, he'll rather enjoy her company for the moment, celebrating her acceptance to his proposal. Slotting a ring into her finger will only be a ceremony. "What will you like to take?"

"Err..."

He places orders for everything she craves. The suspense he's creating leaves her speechless.

An hour later, the two make their way back to Morningside. Alighting from the car, he escorts her towards the door. As she places a hand on the handle, Moyo calls out. "Sheline!"

"Yes." She turns back.

"I enjoyed every moment we spent together in the garden."

"I did too."

"There in the garden, I wanted you to commit to this relationship. I then recalled that I have unfinished business here at your doorstep. Sometime ago, I asked a question but didn't get a reply before turning back. Today, I won't make that mistake again."

A grin sneaks on her face, but she suppresses it pronto.

Moyo retrieves a box from his pocket, drops to one knee and brings out a ring. "Marry me, Sheline. I've been waiting for five years and eight months now." He looks up and dangles the ring.

Sheline's grin morphs into a smile, just as her heart quakes at the gesture. Her right-hand lands on her chest. This isn't a joke like she once thought. Having proved himself willing, his instinct was right, after all. There's no denying it.