TOO FAR TO REACH 59

 TOO FAR TO REACH 59

Pumulo was lying down on her bed and watching a movie, she initially took the afternoon to be alone because she wanted to finish preparing her weekly work plan. However, she opted to relax instead. Jeff had picked his daughter an hour earlier while she remained resting. It had been 7 months after the court sent them to try and reconcile. Slowly the two had begun to see eye to eye for the sake of the baby but took the judges advice, they would take their time before rushing into reconciliation. Jeff had rented out an apartment in salama park for pumulo and his daughter, two maids were also hired to help out Pumulo. Meanwhile, in between, Pumulo had started going to teach at a nearby pre school. She finally had a teaching job just like she had wanted for so long. Ms Charlotte was a frequent visitor. So much had happened, Jeff and Hannah called it quits officially after Jeff confronted her regarding what she did. Hannah also swore never to allow her baby to ever be part of their lives after Jeff said he was trying to make it work with Pumulo. A few weeks later, Hannah wrote to Jeff announcing her miscarriage but Jeff knew she had probably been lying in the first place. Knowing Jeff was not moved, she sent him cursing texts before finally blocking him everywhere. Jeff and Pumulo discussed this, he was open with her about the whole situation. Through all this, Pumulo kept her cool and listened attentively to what Jeff told her, she kept her stance on ensuring they co-parent without rushing into reconciliation.

There was going to be a birthday coming up the following month, their daughter was turning 1yr and Pumulo could not wait. Pumulo had thought of many birthday ideas and she was still planning at any opportunity she got. This time she thought of making the birthday away from her flat, she had a beautiful location in mind and it was in the outskirts of town. She couldn’t wait to share this information with Jeff so she called.

“baby daddy” she said as soon as he picked up. She often called him that.

“I am still your husband” he responded as always.

Pumulo giggled and asked “is she not crying yet?”

“Why you miss us?” he teased.

“No.. I am okay.. but I was thinking.. ”

“Shoot” Jeff said

As Pumulo spoke, Jeff had his eyes on His daughter who was standing against the coffee table. She could stand steadily while holding on to something and even attempted to walk.

“I was thinking of booking a park for her first birthday and maybe have plenty of people over, not just a few. That way everyone who has not met her can meet her” she said.

Jeff was listening attentively.

“You are still not saying anything” she said

“I am listening to you.. you’re done?” he asked

“Yes I’m done”

“Ok let’s finish the conversation when I come” he said.

Jeff had a quick change of clothes as he put his daughter on his bed. It was 5pm on the clock and he called Sarovar Premiere hotel to make a reservation for two. Jeff was really trying his luck on this one as Pumulo was strict on keeping their relationship based on their daughter while they tried to reflect through everything. Jeff on the other hand had been making steady hints to see if he could get his wife back but Pumulo wasn’t bending over, he had planned for the last month how to start this conversation. However, the last couple of weeks were very promising as Pumulo was more open with Jeff about many things including her family drama.  The two had even agreed on going to Luanshya to take baby Emma to see pumulo’s family.

Clad in smart casual, Jeff stepped out of his room with his daughter in his arms, she had fallen asleep. He told his maid he would take some time but she could lock up with her key.

“Hai.. we are here Jeff announced as he stood by pumulo’s living room door.

Pumulo was just snacking some pop corn and watching another movie when Jeff announced his presence. She reluctantly stood up in her night dress and opened the door. She had just had her shower.

“Welcome.. she must be knocked out.. she needs to have her bath”

“Yes when she wakes up.” Jeff said as he by passed Pumulo and headed to the bedroom to lay his daughter in her crib.

“ I wanted us to discuss something important… can you come with me?” Jeff asked

Pumulo had a blank look on her face as she scratched her scalp through her bonnet

“We won’t be long… I just have something important to discuss away from this place”

“And Emma?”

“Pumulo she is okay.. the maid is here and we won’t be long.. you leave her when you go for work and besides this time it’s just for a few minutes. We will be back.. please”

Jeff managed to get her to agree and she went ahead to change while he waited. Pumulo stepped out in a black knee length dress and a clutch. She had clear stilettos on her feet and wore light makeup with her hair in a bun. Jeff was busy pressing his phone in the living room when she came.

“Too formal?” she asked.

His eyes charmed by her beauty

“You look amazing” he said.

“Ok now?”

“Oh yes.. ok let’s go” Jeff said.

Jeff opened the door for her and she hopped into the car and off they went. Pumulo was on her phone the whole time and Jeff was getting jealous but he ignored her and played some music instead. He chose just the perfect song.. “rivers run dry”

Pumulo realising Jeff intentionally put that song, she ignored and pretended not to be feeling the tension between them. From the corner of her eye, she stole a few glances at Jeff in his rolled back sleeves and his chest slight exposed. He was such a catch. It took a lot for the two to get to this place, they had both been so mature about co-parenting and they learnt something about each other everyday. It was clear they had matured through their journey and they would do it better given another chance.

Jeff pulled over at the Sarovar hotel and Pumulo looked at him wonderingly.

“I thought it was more convenient to talk here”

“Convenient? This seems like a very well thought through plan” she said.

“Please.. can we just go in and talk” he said

Pumulo sighed before nodding her head, deep inside she was so excited about this surprise. There were two candles lit on their reserved table and a waitress quickly came to take their order. Pumulo felt butterflies in her belly again, she was charmed by the well built man sitting before her. She was even a little mad that he had been sharing all this goodness with another woman.

“You have become finer lately… somebody must be responsible for this glow” Pumulo teased.

Jeff blushed and shook his head “my eyes have only been for one woman”

“Hannah?”

“Honey are you really going to start this now?” Jeff asked.

Pumulo loved the sound of that, she had longed for it for too long but was mature enough to let it grow. They had been through too much to jump at the chance of reconciliation just when they met again, the time that went by eased both their hearts for this perfect moment.

“About the birthday party…””

“Can we talk about us first” Jeff interrupted.

“Us?” Pumulo asked looking into his eyes.

“Yes” Jeff said extending his right hand across the table.

Pumulo released her hand from her left chin where she leaned and she surrendered to Jeff. Jeff played with her hand a little and gently messaged her ring finger which no longer had a ring.

“I think we have had enough time to think everything through and we already have an answer”

Pumulo tried to hide her emotions but Jeff could read through her

“I love you so much” Jeff said.

“Even after everything?” Pumulo asked.

Jeff looked Pumulo in the eyes to be as sincere as he could.

“Yes, even after everything put together… I love you, always have and always will.. you see, someone once told me you can only deeply love once in a life time. If you are lucky, you get to keep your first love” he said

Pumulo felt a chill down her spine. Her mouth struggling to open and reciprocate.

“I brought you here to ask you how you feel about us giving ourselves another chance, not just for our precious daughter but for the love we have for each other.. I believe we both need this. Pumulo we have been through hurdles, our love has been through the test of time. Honey I don’t want to do one more day without you… I love you with every fiber in my veins”

Pumulo was still quiet and Jeff touched his pocket, he pushed his chair backwards and stood up. Pumulo was wondering what he was going to do, Jeff immediately got on his knees.

“Jeff..”

“Pumulo, I want my family back. I want us back..” Jeff said getting emotional

“Baby, there was a time I even tried to convince myself we were never meant to be. I thought our love was too far to reach… we were so perfect for each other yet so far apart. Our odds seemed so unreal. I am kneeling here today to say to the universe that I tried, I tried to fight against all odds to just get my one chance at happiness. I believe God created us for each other, you made me a different man Pumulo... You even made me a father”

Jeff pulled out a box from his pocket and she could not believe her eyes, Jeff had brought her ring with him. She left it on her dressing mirror the night she left cape Town

“I was going to get a new one” he said in between the tears.

“But then I thought..  we already have vows here, this ring is still symbolic of what God had put together. Unless you don’t want it honey.  We can change it.. “

“I love it” Pumulo said as she wiped her tears away.

“if your answer is yes, I promise you.. after everything we have been through Pumulo, we will make the happiest home and ours will be a testimony. We will heal many couples. A story of love and endurance”

Pumulo extended her hand and Jeff slipped the ring on her finger.

“Yes… I will marry you again Mr Kim and I love you too.. so so much and I am so so sorry my love… I never meant to break our home”

Pumulo and Jeff both sobbed

“I am sorry I allowed you my wife… I am sorry we got here, I am sorry I didn’t fight. I Iove you Pumulo”

Pumulo and Jeff hugged tightly to the applause of on lookers. The two then planned, Emmanuela's birthday would start with renewal of their vows in the chapel and a celebration of their union and daughter’s first birthday in the afternoon. The events were going to be at Ananda events centre.