Trusting all is well.
It is still wonderful and hot here in South Africa. We are all enjoying the outdoors while we can. I think there are about two more months of good weather then the cold will start to blow in and before we know it, winter will be visiting again.
I am still working on my third book in the Sipho series and am sharing chapter two today. This is still in draft form and might well change once editing starts.
Chapter 2
Lindiwe hearing the commotion outside went to investigate and found the excited children surrounding Zerydo. She walked closer to them and noticed how they were extremely absorbed in his story.
"Hello everybody, and how are all the youngsters today." She asked politely.
"We are fine thanks," Sipho said as he turned around to greet her.
She walked up to Sipho and inquired about their excitement. Zerydo stood up and told her they were debating who the swimming champion is. She listened intently to his plans of training the children at the marathon swimming pool located at the science university.
"Sounds like you are planning a mission and somewhere there will be swimming involved." She said with a wry smile upon her face.
"A mission, not at all, its just a little bit of fun we are planning," he replied with a frown upon his face.
"Well I know that you are not so keen on spending time with the children and only do so when there is an ulterior motive." She said.
"Lindiwe, you must believe me, there is no ulterior motive, and this is a challenge between the children whom all claim to be a champion swimmer."
Lindiwe folded her arms and told him she certainly hoped he was telling the truth, and with that, Sipho chirped that there was no mission planned, as he had not been called to the Holy temple. Ruffling his hair, she said good-bye and went inside. Zerydo watched her walk away and told the children that he would arrange a trip to the University soon. The excited children kept up the conversation of whom the best swimmer was and ran down the stairs to the pool area to get in some more practice. Zerydo stood back and watched the eager children splash around in the pool. He felt confident that he would be able to teach the children without the curious and inquiring mind of Lindiwe.
He was not sure whether he should leave and go home or go back inside and talk to Zanu but then he decided to go home, he did not want to arouse suspicion within the household.
Zanu had during this time, absorbed most of the requirements of what GMH had anticipated and although still in shock at the intensity of the situation, he knew he would have to tread cautiously around Lindiwe. Stretching his arms over his head, he leaned back and thought about the feisty Lindiwe's response to the news of another mission. He wondered about the best way to convince her to participate in the swimming adventure, and different thoughts raced through his mind.
Randia returned to his office and sat opposite him. She immediately told him that she was concerned about Lindiwe, and he reassured her that all would be well.
"Zanu, you have so much patience and I know you were concerned about this mission, please tell me more."
"My dear, I was shocked when I learned of what was required, but now, after careful consideration, I realize that GMH always has an extraordinary ending to any mission." He confidently told her.
"Zanu, when will you tell Lindiwe?" Randia asked him.
Zanu got up and walked around the desk, he lovingly put his hand on her shoulder and told her that he would not communicate with Lindiwe until it was necessary. He reminded her not to repeat their conversations to Lindiwe or the children until he was absolutely convinced they needed to know. She looked up at him and nodded in agreement. Zanu left the office and went outside.
A gentle breeze was blowing through the warm air, and Zerydo entered the house only to discover the children all ready to leave and go with him to the university. The eagerness overwhelmed him, and he prayed for their safety. Lindiwe not a person to be ignored came out of the dining room and greeted him.
"Zerydo, I don’t have much to do today, may I have the pleasure of joining your expedition to the University?" She asked.
"What a wonderful idea, of course I will be delighted to have you accompany me." He replied.
The children all ready and together with the two adults left the house and walked down the gleaming pathway toward the main gate. Lindiwe queried whether they would use the autoglider or the train. Simultaneously the children asked him to use the train. The train it was and so they walked toward the terminal location and waited. Lindiwe smiled at him and for the first time realized how handsome he actually was. She turned away from him in a moment of shyness and felt shamed for allowing her thoughts to venture off into a troublesome direction. Zerydo did not see her slight agitation and concentrated on the children.
Sipho, Emma, and Irma were the first to board the train, Olomos and Ogmu followed, and Zerydo, waited for Lindiwe to embark before he took his seat. A pleasant journey with the excitement barely contained as the children started to predict their swimming competition results. Zerydo listened to their enthusiasm and glanced at Lindiwe remained aloof and continued to stare out of the window. He knew she had a slight idea of not believing his motives, he decided to remain indifferent and hope for the best.
When the train arrived at the University, the children could hardly contain their excitement and urged Zerydo to walk faster toward the pool area. He felt their energy and eagerly stepped up his pace, ignoring the lagging behind Lindiwe who followed the group at her own pace.
At the pool area, the children entered the change rooms and returned almost immediately all ready clad in their swimming gear and eager to get into the pool.
"I think we must remain at the shallow end of the pool, for the sake of safety, that is." He told the children.
"I suppose that will be a good idea, especially for Irma who is not a great swimmer." Sipho replied.
"Hey, I am not that slow, I will keep practicing and beat you yet," Irma told him and whacked him gently on his arm.
All laughing they agreed and jumped into the pool. Finally, Lindiwe arrived and stood beside Zerydo. She remarked on how passionate they were and watched the children swimming in freestyle enjoying the larger swimming pool. The pool was massive, and the water crystal clear, Lindiwe was glad they were at the shallow end and dreaded the thought of them trying to swim at the deep end.
"Sipho, come over here and let's start the race and find how who has the strength of champion material." Zerydo called out to the children.
The children got out of the pool and took instructions from Zerydo. Lined up at the designated position he had chosen for them and told them on the count of three they could start the race. He counted, and the earnest children dived into the water and swam with all their might, toward the other side. Both Zerydo and Lindiwe watched in amazement as the five children all displayed a unparalleled quality. The children swam at a steady pace and remained close together to reach the other side before turning around for the home stretch.
Lindiwe watched as the delicate Irma swam with the movement of an experienced champion, she glided through the water and reached the finish in an elegant style. Closely followed by Sipho, then Olomos, Emma and Ogmu trailed into final position.
Zerydo bent over, helped Irma out of the water, and promptly declared her the winner of the freestyle competition. The children cuddled up in a towel congratulated Irma, and although slightly shocked at been beaten by a girl, Sipho told her how proud he was of her achievement. She was happy and did not gloat over her winning; she knew the others were a tad jealous of her success. Irma remained modest, reminded them in her gracious way that she might not win all races, and told them that backstroke and butterfly mode was more difficult for her. Sipho as always chirped in and told them that he was a master of the butterfly style. They laughed, and the quiet Ogmu told them he would win one day.
Lindiwe walked over the grass area and sat down on one of the wooden benches, commanding a splendid view of the group. Zerydo followed and sat next to her.
"I must say the children are certainly talented, who would of thought they would swim so well after only being exposed to a smaller swimming pool." He said trying to make light conversation.
"Yes, I too am surprised, especially with the performance of Irma, whom I thought would be the last one to return."
"Irma is certainly a child with many unnoticed talents, I would think."
"Hmmm, I wonder about that, she is rather delicate but surprising to say the least."
Zerydo and Lindiwe chatted about the children while watching them dart in and out of the water. She told him about her fear of the deep end and hoped he would keep them close to the shallow side at all times. He agreed and told her not to fear, he would always supervise their swimming activities.
Hoping you all have a great week and remain blessed.
Your friend,
Laura
