Obikwa Pinotage Cabernet Sauvignon

***
At 8:00 sharp I’m in the hotel lobby. I check once again my African tunic dress and my hair on the side, I know I look beautiful , but for a man like X , beautiful does not seem to be enough.

Then he appears, perfect shirt wine and beige pants , hairstyles , but does not need any of that with that smile on his lips.

— There is no transparency for me ? - asks X whispering in my ear, making me shiver.— I was hurt.

My face is on fire so dull I stayed. I’m not used to flirting with him live, although we spent the day together, nothing had prepared me for that night.

— It’s a first date , I need to do the modest line. - I answer shy.

He smiles and holds my hand. The touch of his hand is like fire, but I don’t want to let go. His brown eyes stare at me deeply.

— I know you’re no saint. I don’t like modest women.

We headed towards the restaurant hand in hand. The heat and the way he squeezed me, leads me to fantasize about what it would be like if we went ahead with everything I had in my mind. He smiles from the corner of his mouth, without looking at me, as if he knew what I was thinking. If he wants to play this game, I’m going to jump in and let the best man win.

We sit at the reserved table and the waiter promptly appears, X picks up the menu and analyzes it carefully, it seems not to breathe as it does. Then he smiles at me and says:

— How about we eat lobster?

— Great choice. - I say.

— A Termidor lobster. - asks X. He turns to me and asks. — What will you drink?

— I would love a good wine. - I answer , nervous. I know the laws of that country well, my request is unlikely to be met. - But unlikely to happen.

—An Obikwa Pinotage Cabernet Sauvignon for her. An iced tea and water for me, please. - says X delivering the menu to the waiter.

We talked about lunch and the conversation flowed in such a way that I get a fright when dessert arrives, so I notice that my bottle of white wine is almost over and that I drank it alone. My luck is that I can take a drink and not be hung over the next day, otherwise I was screwed. And he was just there at Ice Tea. I am very happy and I want to show him that I am willing to go ahead with whatever he wants. The waiter approaches and he asks:

—A coffee for her, please. - holding my hand.

— We can drink the coffee in your bedroom... so we’ll be much more comfortable. - I suggest, biting my lip.

He takes a deep breath and shakes his head... refusing my proposal. I can’t disguise my frustration with his refusal.

— Dalia, I didn’t invite you to dinner and go to bed. Although there’s all this sexual tension between us. I came here because I feel you need me.

I prepare to answer, but he simply puts his finger gently over my mouth, shutting me up. Then I’ll settle in to hear what he has to say:

— The last time we talked on msn, you declared yourself to be in love with me, left and had no time to answer. Then I get an email saying I was out of Barcelona indefinitely. Of course I was coming after you. I will repeat something that you don’t want to hear, but you have to hear: You can’t run away every time something doesn’t go well. You need to stop being impulsive and face life head on. If you want to get out of the marriage, don’t run away. Just get divorced and ball forward.

This time I made him shut up, putting his finger in his mouth, irritated.

— Want to know why I ran away ? I could no longer look at my husband after making love to him, imagining being with you! - I explode. —After our conversation, I knew we didn’t stand a chance, but I held on to everything we talked about and transferred it to my husband. That’s not healthy... so I left, or I ran as you insist. I need some time to see what I’m gonna do, but you had to show up and screw it up. How am I going to make a decision if it’s always in my head and now in front of me? I don’t know what I wanted with this gesture, but you can’t take a person’s hope and then move on!

My crying came next, I can no longer stand holding everything that is choking in my throat. It’s almost three years and it’s time to put it out.

— You know, I think it’s not just passion. It may even be love... Why did you come here? It just tells me the real reason and nothing to say that it’s because I need a friendly shoulder, because clearly we’re more than friends and you know it.

X faces me without reaction for a long time, leaving only silence between us.

— Dalia... I know we’re not just friends. - says X, really. — I came here to make sure you make the decision you’re making. I’m in Switzerland alone... My wife did not want to go together, she preferred to stay in Spain with our son. I know I am not the exemplary husband , but I love my son. And right after that you declare yourself and don’t even let me answer. It was very immature of you. I came here because we need to put an end to what you say you feel for me. I am not immune to you, but I will never trade my marriage for an adventure. Believe it or not, I never cheat on my wife in real life, and I don’t intend to.

All I feel are blows and more blows being dealt to my heart.
— Dalia, you’re young and one day you’ll realize why I’m doing this. You need to make a decision for yourself or in favor of your marriage, but do not include me in your future plans even if one day you are free. Once again he is breaking my heart... and for me, it will be the last time. — You could have done it by phone... or email... You didn’t have to be here in person. - I say wiping tears from my face. I take a deep breath and stare. — Everything you said is nothing new to me and you know it. Did you think seeing you in person would give up my feelings? Don’t tell me you think you’re ugly, because it’s not. The only thing you did was give a face to a voice... and words... just made it worse. When I saw you at the airport, I knew right away it was you. I felt being pulled towards him, as if we were perfect magnets... and I know you felt it too. Now if you came all this way to tell me that, you can go now, because we have nothing more to talk about. Before he could answer, I get up and leave the restaurant. I take the first taxi that I pass. Inside the taxi I remember the conversation I had with Mr.X.... It was not to be... it was not to be... I come home and go straight to my room, where I lie quietly. After remembering the conversation, I sleep like an angel, finally feel light and free. No illusions or fantasies, because now everything is clear. *** The next day, I hear distant knocks... try to identify where they come from, finally realize they are at my door. When I open the door to my room, I run into Mr. .X.