Tom hadn’t been able to sleep since Takuzwa challenged him. He spent his nights staring at the ceiling, and counting down his interests rather than sheep;
Lawyer, doctor, architect, engineer, writer, teacher, economist,…
Tom counted down as he stared at his ceiling hoping for a sign to reveal itself in the cracks of his painted ceiling. His focus always drawn towards the ying and yang symbol he painted on the ceiling. The symbol transforming itself into Takuzwa derailing Tom’s train of thought.
The thought of Takuzwa walking away haunted Tom’s days. After a week it became unbearable as Tom drifted into thought trying to answer her challenge. It started at breakfast, Tom was scrambling eggs for Ma’s breakfast when he noticed the smell of burning food.
“I hope those are not my eggs” Ma said tapping Tom’s head, snapping him out of his thoughts.
“Sorry” was all Tom muttered as he cleaned the pan and put some fresh eggs for Ma.
***
By noon, Tom had to be pried away from his canvas as Chongo and Jack stopped by to visit. The canvas was outlined upon a dark background with an unfinished silhouette floating in the centre of the canvas.
“That painting, are you still thinking about that girl sonny?” Chongo laughed turning on Tom’s video game console and handing Jack a controller.
“I’m happy school doesn’t start for six months I need to watch this very rare cosmic phenomenon. Tom falling in LOVE!” Jack shouted as he defended his goal passionately from Chongo’s attack.
Tom simply watched them hardly paying attention, hardly saying anything, simply watching his friends talk, eat and play video games.
“Go paint, you look miserable.” Chongo said spinning round to Tom as his team celebrated the goal he had just scored in the video game behind him.
“You seem to think that solves all my problems” Tom laughed
“But this is about more than paint. It’s about my future, plus if I can figure that out, the beautiful Takuzwa” Tom smiled to himself
“Its about a girl, easy, just say you’re going to study law or medicine. Why are you over thinking this? You never stay long with a girl.” Jack chimed in pausing the game deflated by the scoreline.
“Yeah but this one is different,” Tom replied.
“Different how,? Like playing hard to get different?” Jack asked raising his bushy eyebrows.
“Like we talked about sport, she actually knew the difference between painting and drawing. Also she got some of my jokes,” Tom shrugged his shoulders
“The painting is actually of her, a full moon in blood in the back with her floating silhouette in the fore ground.” Tom gestured his hands describing his creation.
“That’s cool in a scary kind of way,” Chongo laughed
“Yeah, and that’s cool to us, your boys,” Jack joined Chongo laughing at the situation.
“See, you don’t get it. But I think she would,” Tom drifted as his thoughts leaked.
“Fine, finish the painting set the date let’s see if she actually feels that way,” Chongo huffed his retort.
“You should consider becoming a full time artist. You are great at plenty of things but you dedicate yourself solely to your art.” Jack responded
“Why not become an artist?” Chongo asked,
“How many artists do you know in the country? This isn’t some movie guys!” Tom stormed away from the pair down to his room slamming the door shut.
Tom stared his painting, barely visible outlines staring back at him. Tracing his hands on the canvas as he thought about his friends advice
***
By evening Tom had lost track of time in his painting of the now mysterious Takuzwa. The moon glowed in its bleeding glory, as Takuzwa floated in the dress she had worn the first night they met. Shimmering gold on a vibrant bloody moon backdrop
Tom had been admiring his finished painting when his bedroom door opened, revealing Chongo and Jack.
“Did you forget about us?” Jack asked
“Woah! You finished it,”
“I get what you mean it’s not scary” Chongo commented on the painting moving closer to have a better look.
“Why not take it to her?” Jack asked with a smirk
“I would if I knew where she was” Tom replied huffing his chest up
“While you painted we made a few calls, we know where she is and we can take you,” Chongo smirked
“Lets go give her, see what she thinks of an artist” the pair chimed in together mischievously.
“I’ve never even thought of being a painter” Tom responded shaking his head in disagreement to the plan.
“That’s not important” The pair responded as Chongo closed in on Tom
“Come freely or we take you” Chongo said opening himself wide, seemingly ready to lift Tom.
“You know I am the one who wanted to show her, right? No need to force me I’m ready,” Tom picked up the canvas eyeing Chongo suspiciously as he walked past him.
***
Jack had driven to Rhodespark and parked outside a green gate. Chongo picked his phone and dialled Mpundu’s number.
Tom was watching his painting when the gate opened, revealing Takuzwa in sweat pants and a hoody her tousled hair tied in a bun.
Tom opened his door grabbed his painting and stepped out of the car. Tom turned the painting away from Takuzwa as he walked to her.
“Your friends are really convincing,” Takuzwa said pointing towards the pair smiling in the car.
“The deal was when I had an answer I should call you,” Tom replied
“Yeah, so what’s the answer?” Takuzwa spoke
“I still don’t know. But I really like painting.” Tom smiled his response
“Painting, is that what you’re hiding?” Takuzwa asked stretching her neck to take a peak at the canvas.
“Yes but firstly,” Tom spoke as he handed a napkin from his hoody pocket to Takuzwa.
“That’s my number, call me if this counts as doing something with my life” Tom continued placing the canvas by the gate and walking back into the car.
“Drive, Chongo!” Tom spoke straight faced. In confusion Chongo began to reverse leaving Takuzwa standing by the gate.
