HeartWorks

by Charmaine Gordon

  “Moer, I’m just like a bloody schoolboy.”

  “Peggy...I’m sorry...I was far away...not much good at keeping a beautiful woman company...too much bush in me I suppose.

  “Hmm I like the way you say my name, and I can see you love Africa...I love the way you talk about it...so full of confidence...so tell me Mr Piet van Zyl...why did you come back in to the city today?”

  Piet feels as if someone has just thrown a ice cold bucket of water over him, and finds himself stammering for an answer...and the woman across from him, just looks deeply into his eyes...making it even harder to get the words out.

  “The...the tru...truth Peggy is that I...damn why is it so hard?”

  “Just say what is on your mind Piet...pretend that you are talking to a client about hippo or elephant.”

  “Ja well that is easy enough for you to say...what I mean is...you don’t look like a hippo or an elephant...my...my reason for coming back into the city was...phew...was to see you Peggy.”

  “Well Mr Piet van Zyl...was that so hard...and I must say I am bloody glad that you don’t think that I look like a hippo or elephant...oh and Piet...I am very flattered that you came all this way to see me...it makes me feel very special.”

  Piet looks across at the woman...her smile dazzles him...his heart pounds and for someone who does not believe in love at first sight...he is now a believer...sitting across from him is his future...sitting across from him is the woman he wants to grow old with and share his life with. He reaches deep inside himself...willing the right words to come out...wanting her to know how he feels about her, but all he can do is stare back across the table as he fumbles for the right words.

  “Ag you know...I needed a break from the bush...the company of a young lady, and now I am ready to...to...heck I don’t know...for some reason I can’t think straight...sorry Peggy, but I must take you back to the bank...the time is almost up.”

  Peggy looks at Piet...she knows like all women know...Piet van Zyl has just discovered that there is such a thing as love at first sight, and now he is out of his depth. She first laid eyes on him three months ago when he was in the bank, and from that moment onwards Peggy knew that Piet was the man for her...unknown to him she had orchestrated that she was the casher that served him, she had made a point of talking to the man Jacob and she was the type of woman that got what she wanted...and Peggy wanted Piet.

  “Wow! Piet how the time has flown...thank you so much for lunch...I really enjoyed it, and I just loved your stories. I would love to come out to your camp sometime...I just love the bush.”

  Piets head is in a spin all the way back to the bank...”I just love the bush”...played over and over in his head. He jumps out, rushes around and opens the door for her...Peggy stands on tip toe and places a gentle kiss on his lips...stunning the big man even more, and with a twinkle in her blue eyes, moves off towards the bank...turns around and leaves him feeling shattered.

  “Oh Piet...call me sometime...I would love to see you again...bye.”

  Chapter 4

  Piet travels back the odd three hundred kilometres in a daze...the touch of Peggy’s soft lips still lingers on his...the magical sound of her laugh bounces around in his head, and her parting words...”I would love to see you again”...play over and over as the Land Rover eats up the distance back to the safety of the wilds...back to where Piet feels confident...back to where he is sure of himself...back to a world that he knows.

  “Man I don’t know...this Peggy makes my knees weak...and I thought I was Mr Cool when it came to woman...David will laugh at me if he gets to hear about this little adventure. Fok van Zyl...get a grip...call David and get some advise...stop acting like a lovesick schoolboy...take charge man...remember, ń boer maak ń plan...now make a bloody plan...talk to David, get Peggy out here...and see what happens. Ja what is that bloody saying...a faint heart never won a woman or something like that?”

  With the setting sun just touching the treetops, throwing shadows across the camp, Piet arrives back at camp...his mind made up...call David in Europe...bugger the time difference, and get some advice from his best friend, and then take the bull by the horns...call Peggy and invite her to join him in his world.

  The shrill ring of the phone makes Piet cringe as he waits for the other side to be picked up...three rings...four and suddenly the clear voice of David travels across the vast distance that separates them.

  “David speaking.”

  “Well if it was not you snotkop, I would be very worried...how the hell are you?”

  “Piet! You old Dutchman...great to hear from you...how are things in that bush of yours?”

  “Ag everything is going well Dave, business is great, but I’ve got a small problem, and thought that maybe you can help out.”

  “Let me guess Piet...you got a woman pregnant and no...”

  “Nee nee nee, you think I am stupid hey...no this is different, but it is a woman...she makes me feel...shit David...she is all I can think about.”

  The laughter comes over the phone loud and clear...Piet can hear the mirth in his friend’s voice, and can’t help himself but smile.

  “Fok jou David...I’m so glad you find it so funny...I tell you man, this is serious...I need help here.”

  “Sorry Piet, it is funny...the one who had the pick of all the girls at the school dance, Mr Cool himself is asking me for advice...but seriously my friend...just how bad is it?”

  “Dave...it is bad...her name is Peggy...the most wonderful creature you would ever meet. I was thinking that I should ask her out to the camp...show her around...moer...you should see her eyes...like liquid pools of blue...a man could drown in them...I tell yo...”

  “Hang on Piet...hang on.I get the picture...loud and clear...man this is great...you my friend are in love. My advice to you old friend is to follow your heart...call her, invite her out, let her see the real Piet, and take it from there, but Piet, a word of warning...don’t wait too long...you just might lose out.”

  “Dankie David...and yes my friend, you are right...van Zyl is in love, and in the morning I will call her...Thanks again...I just needed to hear someone else tell me what I already knew.”

  Piet replaces the receiver, his mind made up. In the morning he will call Peggy and invite her out to the camp for a weekend...and see how things pan out.

  Once again his dreams are filled with the vision of cashier number four. He smiles in his sleep as he relives the quick goodbye kiss, and moans in frustration as the dream fades, desperately trying to hold on to the memory.

  Hands grip his shoulder...Shaking him...awake him in a daze.

  “Ja okay Peggy, I am coming...I’m...Jacob! What’s wrong?”

  “Ah Bwana Piet, you were talking in your sleep...this Madam Peggy, she is the right one for you my friend, but today, the clients from Germany arrive. I must take the Land Rover and collect them from Lusaka. Isaac has prepared the tents...all is ready, but you Bwana...Eish...now you even sleep late.”

  “Damn Jacob...Dankie...I bloody forgot about their arrival...Ja...you better go collect them...I need to shave and check the rifles before they arrive...moer...that now puts a spanner in the works...damn it.”

  “Bwana Piet, the Madam will still be there in a week’s time...but for now the people from Germany are there for you.”

  “Have you any idea how long a bloody week can be old man?”

  “Bwana Piet, a week is nothing...the clients will keep you busy, and then old friend, we will prepare the wedding feast for I can see the Bwana is bitten and held fast.”

  “Jacob...piss off and collect the clients, you are starting to sound like the monkeys in the trees...nonstop chatter.”

  Piet watches his boss boy leave the tent, quietly chuckling to himself as he makes his way over to the Land Rover. Piet lies back in his bed and wonders how he is going to get through this week long safari, and then in a flurry, rushed out in his undershorts, after Jacob.

  “Jacob...wag...you got someth
ing that I need, and don’t deny it old friend...I know. I want Madam Peggy’s phone number please.”

  “Eish Bwana Piet...I have it here, but Bwana, that is all I can help you with...I got enough problems with my six wives without the Bwana’s problems as well.”

  “Jacob, you are just a smart arse...go fetch the clients...we will talk again.”

  Piet watches as Jacob pulls away from the camp...then looks at the piece of paper Jacob has given him, and his eyes widened at what he sees.

  “Hello Piet,

  I knew that you would lose my number, so here it is again, and this time big man...don’t lose it...use it and call me...I’m waiting. My number is 047 347 2201.

  Peggy”

  The week passes slowly for Piet...even the attention from the twins does nothing to stir the big man...both are blonde, blue eyed beauties and both had the same idea...the big white hunter is on the menu. They try every trick in the book to capture him, but each time he looks at them...Peggy’s face swims into his vision...blonde hair, blue eyes, and that smile.

  “Fok...what the hell...two for the price of one, and I am not even interested...man I must be sick...ja van Zyl...love sick boet...shit your reputation is going to go up in smoke if this gets out. Man each time I look at them I see Peggy. Okay I admit it, but only to me...they just do not come close to that woman in Lusaka.”

  Piet builds up the courage to take the twins to one side, something he has been avoiding since their arrival. Both young women arrived at the river bank, dressed for the kill...in fact showing off more skin than a Penthouse Playmate, making the burly South Africa swallow hard, kicks himself for what he was going to say, and hoping he will not live to regret it.

  “Hello Piet, we were wondering when you were going to pay any attention to us, after all it has been three days, and we have been sending out signals like mad...we have heard so much about you, and are dying to find out for ourselves.”

  “Oh yes Piet, and we really don’t mind sharing, after all is that not what sisters do...bet you never-ever had twins before?”

  “Ag nee man...give me strength...this one is going to be tough.”

  Piet looks at the two eager young ladies...takes a deep breath and plunges right in.

  “Ladies...I mean Paula and Desire...I must admit that I find you both very attractive...but I am very sorry...you see I injured myself and because of my injury, I cannot...how can I put it...ah...rise to the occasion, and I would hate to disappoint you. So rather than try, I would rather be able to relax, enjoy your company, and just get better...the sooner the better I hope.”

  “Oh poor Piet, and here we were thinking that you were not interested. Well I am sure I speak for Paula as well when we say we are disappointed, but we understand...never mind big man, we have already booked a safari for next year again...you can make up for it then...until then...just relax and get better.”

  The twins both stand on tip toe, giving the big white hunter a soft kiss on each cheek, their bodies pressed close to him...letting him know what he is missing, and then ran off back to their tent, leaving a very relieved Piet standing there, watching them leave.

  The rest of the week passes, with the twins treating Piet as if he is wrapped in cotton wool, until finally with a huge sigh of relief he watches as Jacob takes to the dirt road...the touring party all accounted for in the Land Rover, and on their way to connect with their flight back to Germany.

  “Phew, that was a close call...now van Zyl...it is time for ń Boer maak ń Plan...operation Peggy is underway...make that call.”

  Chapter 5

  For the third time Piet cuts the call...his heart in his mouth...as nervous as a schoolboy on his first date, and then mustering his courage, he hits the redial button on his mobile...trying to control his breathing as he waits for Peggy to answer. Four rings...five...six...and just as his courage was leaving him...

  “Hello, Peggy speaking...sorry I was in the shower.”

  Suddenly the burly South African is speechless...his mouth has gone bone dry...he presses the phone to his ear, willing himself to say something. Anything...but all he manages is a groan.

  “Hello...hello...I can’t hear you. Piet is that you?”

  Visions of Peggy float in front of his eyes...his heart hammering in his chest...Piet fights with himself...forcing the words out.

  “Ja dis ek...ag...yes Peggy it is me...I’m just calling to say hello.”

  “Why hello “ek”. Really nice to hear from you. How are things in the bush?”

  “Things are great...but...but...a...the reason I called...I mean...can I take you out for a drink sometime?”

  “Oh Piet, you are so silly. You are going to drive over three hundred kilometres to take a girl out for a drink.”

  Slowly his courage returns...her voice sends shivers of pleasure down his spine...and Piet van Zyl takes the bull by the horns.

  “Ja well you know...if the lady is worth it...three hundred kilometres is nothing...so Miss Peggy is that okay with you...can I take you out for a drink?”

  As Piet took a shower, shaved and selected his best looking shirt, all he could hear in his head is her laugher, and the words...”Yes, I would love that”...over and over again.

  The next three weeks passed by, with Piet spending more and more time in Lusaka...his feelings for Peggy growing and growing...each time he sees her he finds himself marvelling at her beauty, her quick wit...she matches him word for word...and when he returns to the safari camp, he is left with an empty feeling inside, for he has left a piece of his heart behind every time they said goodbye, for he knows he has found his soul mate...now all he needed was the courage to tell her how he felt about her.

  She gazes across the table at him, the candle flickering in the soft breeze...reaches across and caresses his arm, sending bolts of electricity shooting through his body. Piet looks across at her, swallows and jumps right in.

  “Peggy, I was wandering if maybe you would like to spend some time at our safari camp...I mean you will have your own tent...I don’t mean anything like that...I mean...what I...I mean is that I would like to show you my world.”

  “Big man, I was starting to think that you did not like me...I’ve been waiting for an invitation into your world.”

  “Nee fok...ag sorry...not like you...moer...what is there not to like...of course I like you Peggy...you make me feel...ah...ah...you make me feel nice.”

  “Nice...nice...I make Mr Piet van Zyl feel nice...how nice.”

  “Ag Peggy...you know what I mean.”

  Peggy’s eyes sparkle as she put Piet in a spot...once again the burly South Africa has managed to put his size ten’s in his mouth.

  “No Piet, I don’t know what you mean...why don’t you tell me. I would love to hear what nice means.”

  “What I mean is that you make me feel good inside...”shit why is it so hard to tell her how I feel...damn it I love the woman”...I really enjoy your company.”

  Peggy can see the love light shining out of his dark brown eyes...she knows like a woman knows...the man opposite her is in love with her...but she has no intention of making it easy on him...after all she has fallen in love with Piet, but is determined to wait until he finds the courage to tell her how he feels...but for now, she will let him off the hook.

  “Well that explains all the trips into Lusaka, the flowers, the late night dinners, and your invitation...you enjoy my company, well I enjoy yours as well...soooo when can I come out to the camp?”

  The camp is a hive of activity...never before have Jacob, Isaac and Simpewe seen the burly South African like this before guests arrived...nervous...on tender hooks...and the most amazing thing to all three of the men is Piet, going out looking for wild flowers to place in the tent that has been set aside for the visiting lady.

  The three smile to themselves and talk in hushed tones...Bwana Piet is now a lost cause...his heart no longer belongs to him but to the woman who is going to be arriving soon. Their hearts are glad, for he
has been alone to long...they have seen the loneliness in his eyes when the camp has been empty...sitting staring into the flames of the fire as they licked the darkness around him...they hear it in his voice when he bids them good night.

  “A man like the Bwana needs a strong woman in his life...she must share his love for the bush...Bwana Piet has been like the young bull for too long...all that is meaningless to him. My heart tells me that if the Bwana finds the courage to speak his heart...the young bull will be put out to pasture and his heart will be filled with joy.”

  “Eish Jacob...wise words, but the Bwana is like the cattle in a kraal with the lion outside the fence...he has changed his shirt three times this morning...The one who faces down a charging elephant...trembles at this moment.”

  “Simpewe, you are still young...wait until a maiden steals your heart...you too my friend will tremble, and not only with the feelings but the worry of the Labola...Eish...Bwana Piet does not have to worry about Labola...he must just find the courage inside to let his heart speak.”

  “Jacob, Simpewe is too skinny for a maiden...he is like the dog in the city that chases a car...when he catches it. He will not know what to do with it.”

  The sound of an approaching vehicle stills all talk. The three make themselves scarce leaving Bwana Piet to act as the welcoming party, reception, check in clerk, host and most of all, leaving Piet standing there with his hat in his hands, his heart pounding, and mouth dry waiting for the arrival of Peggy.

  Piet stands and watches as Peggy arrives at the camp in her bright green V.W.Beetle, a huge smile on her face and her eyes beaming. Piet is like a race horse at the starting gate...he cannot wait to share his world with this woman...all fears forgotten as she steps out of the car...into his world. He moves to greet her...she stands on tip toe...kissing him on the lips and all his courage melts like a block of ice, left out in the sun.