Mmabatho glanced at the clock on her phone for what felt like the hundredth time. It was already 6:45 PM, and Andile was supposed to arrive in fifteen minutes. The kitchen smelled of garlic and fresh herbsâshe'd made a simple pasta dish with a side of roasted vegetables. She didn't want to overwhelm herself, especially with her bump becoming more prominent every day, but she also wanted tonight to feel special.
She adjusted the hem of her soft green midi dress and quickly fluffed the pillows on her couch. Her heart raced as she thought about seeing Andile again. Ever since the gender reveal, they'd been texting nonstop, their conversations flowing so easily it felt like they'd known each other for years.
At exactly 7:00 PM, there was a knock at her door. She quickly wiped her hands on her apron and opened it to find Andile standing there with a bottle of wine in one hand and a bouquet of pink lilies in the other.
"These are for you," he said, flashing that signature smile that made her knees weak.
"Thank you," Mmabatho said, blushing as she took the flowers. "They're beautiful."
"You're beautiful," he said without missing a beat, his gaze lingering on her for a moment longer than necessary.
She laughed softly and motioned for him to come inside. "Dinner's almost ready. I hope you're hungry."
"Starving," he replied, stepping into her apartment and taking a look around. "This place is really cozy. It suits you."
They sat down for dinner, the atmosphere warm and comfortable as they talked. Andile told her stories about his work and his travels, and she opened up about her experiences as a surrogate, how nerve-wracking it had been in the beginning but how much she'd grown to care for the Jabavus.
"You're amazing, you know that?" Andile said, leaning back in his chair as he looked at her.
She shook her head, smiling shyly. "I'm just doing what I can."
"No, really," he insisted. "You're carrying a whole human being for someone else. That's selfless. Not everyone could do that."
His words touched her more than she expected, and for a moment, they just looked at each other.