The Player. Akhona Bota

make sure that she wasn’t dreaming. But the warmth of his kisses and the innocence of his smile had proven over and over to her that Sizwe wasn’t a dream. He was as tangible as his flesh and blood!

      “Both,” she replied to his mocking question. “Aren’t you going to eat?” she asked, seeing him sitting comfortably next to her.

      “I already have,” he told her.

      The kind of happiness she felt at that moment, seeing how much he genuinely cared about her, could not be bought by any weight of gold in the world. She certainly wouldn’t swop it for anything. Sizwe was the kind of man who only came along once in a woman’s life. Hlobo took a bite of her toast and swallowed it with some hot coffee.

      “I’ll go and organise us a game drive,” Sizwe announced, getting up. She nodded her head and watched him stride off. He closed the door behind him, leaving her alone.

      Hlobo was left to listen to the birds singing harmoniously outside. Their tune was exactly the same one her heart was also playing. It was wonderful dating a rugby player, the song, soft and calm, said.

      2

      The game ranger took them around the reserve later that morning. It was so beautiful outside in the wild that it felt to Hlobo as if she was discovering a whole new world that she had only known in pictures and on TV.

      “Quick, take a photo!” Sizwe said, giving Hlobo his camera. The ranger’s truck was driving slowly through the reserve. Hlobo took the camera and looked at where Sizwe was pointing. She saw the pride of lions he was pointing at.

      “Take a shot,” Sizwe encouraged her.

      “Okay then,” she replied, nodding. She took a deep breath and focused on the lions through the camera, zooming in on them. It was a stunning pride, especially the cubs, playing happily with each other. She finally captured the moment, freezing it forever!

      “Wow, how beautiful,” she remarked, showing Sizwe the picture she had just taken on the small screen at the back of the camera.

      “Yeah, awesome.”

      Hlobo’s most memorable experience that day was when the game ranger offered to help her up onto an elephant.

      “Her name is Khanyisa. It means ‘light up’,” the man explained.

      What an ironic name, Hlobo thought. The elephant probably weighed more than two tons. “I can’t do it,” she said, backing away, extremely afraid.

      Her innocence and honesty amused Sizwe. Hlobo eyed him laughing at her gently.

      “Oh, come on, babes. You can do it,” he encouraged her.

      “I can’t do it, Sizwe. Look at this thing, it’s huge!” Hlo­bo protested. She really couldn’t climb onto that elephant. The thought of falling down from it and breaking her bones made her go into a panic.

      “Okay, I’ll hop on with you. What do you say?” Sizwe offered, putting his arm around her for assurance. That sounded much better than being up there alone. Hlobo nodded, agreeing tacitly.

      “All right then,” said the ranger. He skilfully made the elephant bend down and Sizwe was the first to get on. He was wearing cargo shorts and a golf shirt. The clothes might have looked ordinary on any other man, but not on him. They fitted him tightly, revealing his manly physique.

      Hlobo eyed his firm legs and bum as he mounted the elephant. The thought of seeing him without clothes again like last night aroused all her senses. She wondered what it would be like to pour massage oil on his body and run her hands over it.

      Her dirty thoughts were interrupted by the game ranger. “It’s your turn now.”

      Hlobo nodded her head and the man helped her up. Once she was settled on the back of the elephant, she exhaled. She was sitting in front of Sizwe and he put his hands around her waist, sending a sharp, tantalising feeling through her veins. Now she wasn’t sure it was such a good idea to be on top of this elephant with him.

      Her body was now aware of his hot and sizzling presence right behind her. Their thighs were already in close contact, creating a melting effect, as if she was helplessly turning from ice to water. Hlobo tried to tell herself that it was probably the hot sun above them, but she knew that wasn’t the case.

      Fortunately her attention was shifted when the elephant started to get up. It was probably the scariest moment of her life. She thought she was going to fall as the great creature rose to its full height.

      Hlobo shuddered and uttered a cry of terror.

      “Relax, you’ll be fine,” Sizwe whispered in her ear.

      She felt dizzy; the ground was so far below. Sizwe tightened his grasp on her, but she still felt petrified.

      The gigantic elephant began to walk, slowly treading forward. Hlobo didn’t know how to describe what she was feeling as Khanyisa continued to move. Her eyes were shut tightly as she held her breath. But gradually she found out there was nothing to be afraid of. The elephant simply carried them forward step by step.

      Hlobo started to relax more and more. It felt like walking on clouds. She was actually beginning to enjoy this.

      Sizwe tossed the game ranger the camera. He took a perfect photo of the couple on the elephant, capturing a very special moment of togetherness.

      * * *

      That evening the lodge had a feast. A huge fire was roaring outside and everyone was out there except for Hlobo and Sizwe. They were still in their room.

      “Hurry up, we’re missing out already,” Sizwe said, tugging on his jeans in a hurry. He had just taken a shower and now it was her turn.

      Hlobo emerged from the bathroom with a small towel wrapped around her. She went pink when he stopped and stared at her. His eyes were filled with wickedness as they scanned every inch of her slender feminine body. Her long legs were completely exposed, since the towel only covered the essentials.

      “I thought you said we should hurry,” she said, smirking at him.

      For a moment he didn’t move his eyes from hers, as if challenging her. But then he zipped up his jeans.

      “Yes, we’re late already,” he said. “Now hurry.”

      Hlobo didn’t take as long as Sizwe had anticipated. She slipped on a simple flowery dress, perfect for the warm summer evening.

      They arrived outside and joined in the celebration. People were standing in a circle around a big bonfire and young Zulu girls were doing a traditional dance. Everyone was clapping their hands to the rhythm of the drum.

      “You didn’t bring your camera,” Hlobo whispered when she noticed someone else taking photos.

      “Don’t worry about that. I have a feeling this will be a memorable night anyway,” he replied with a smile.

      Hlobo’s suspicions returned. He was definitely hiding something from her. “What do you mean?” she asked, fishing for the truth.

      Sizwe didn’t say anything. He just went back to clapping his hands for the dancing Zulu girls.

      “Ladies and gentlemen, welcome to our feast,” said the lodge’s manager when the dancing stopped. She was holding a microphone. “It’s always good to come out into the night and inhale the cool air. That’s why every month we have this feast here at Ekhaya Lodge. So please enjoy!”

      Everyone applauded.

      “Tonight is a very special night,” continued the manager. “Where’s Sizwe Bala?” Her eyes looked around before they found him.

      Hlobo frowned and looked at Sizwe. What would the manager want with him?

      He seemed thrilled, though, and not a bit surprised as he flashed his engaging smile.

      “Come on,” Sizwe said, tugging her by the hand. They went over to the manager near the fire and all eyes