Lisa thought that she might as well have hugged a boxing bag when Rudy wrapped his arms around her when he got to her. There was no kiss pecked onto her lips, no wandering hand around her waist, or secretly sliding onto her bum which she had hoped for. Even her effort to deliberately press her breasts against his chest yielded no reaction.
Rudy had to resist the urge to give Lisa an intimate kiss, to let his hands roam onto her firm buttocks. Lisa's pert breasts pressing against his chest, made it even more difficult for him. His mind was in turmoil for the past few days, but he decided that he had to be firm. He couldn't allow any signal that he had feelings for Lisa to slip through his guard. It would be unfair to give her hope, at least for now. He deliberately avoided the word 'love' in his thoughts as it would only make matters worse. He was the first to speak. "You look great, how is life treating you?"
Lisa's face turned dark. "I missed you, our regular chats in the lab." Then her eyes brightened up and she looked into Rudy's eyes, hoping her next words would bring him fond memories. "But especially our shared trips over breaks."
If she hoped to see affection from Rudy's side, she had tried the wrong approach. He tried to keep an emotional distance, knowing that his studies needed to take priority above his personal life. "And your plans for next year?"
Lisa saw the opportunity to throw out another piece of bait. "Pietersburg Gymnasium has a vacancy for a Biology teacher and seems interested in recruiting me. They invited me for an interview, I'm booked on a flight to Johannesburg after the ceremony." Lisa took a calculated risk in booking the flight when she learned that Rudy would be flying from Johannesburg to attend the ceremony, and fly back after the ceremony. She hoped to end up on the same flight, and that they would be lucky enough to end up on adjacent seats.
Rudy avoided the bait and steered the conversation in another direction. "Your sister is probably very excited about the prospect. When I dropped you off last November, William told me they're thinking of expanding the family. You'd make a great aunt!"
Lisa smiled. "Yes, Trudy told me that she already stopped her birth control medication at the beginning of the year and may have started trying by now. They offered me a room in their house until I found my feet, so I'll have time to play with my little niece... or nephew."
Rudy's eyes showed some life. He knew where William and Trudy lived, he can always go back for Lisa when the time is right. "Seems like a win-win situation, you get free lodging, and your sister a free babysitter." After a bit of silence, he continued. "What are your plans to get to the airport?
Lisa looked at Rudy when she answered. "I'll order a taxi to get to the airport."
Rudy took a deep breath. He knew he shouldn't, but his desire to be longer in Lisa's presence overwhelmed his better judgement. "I'm also flying back tonight, I'm on the 17:50 South African Airways flight. I can take you to the airport, unless you have an earlier flight."
Lisa eagerly accepted his offer. "That's kind of you, I'm on the same flight."
Rudy immediately regretted his offer. Although he wanted to spend as much time as possible with Lisa, he was unsure if he could maintain his 'loveless' act.
The organizers called the graduates' attention so they could get seated as the ceremony was about to start.
Rudy, trying to keep his distance, got a last word in. "I want to chat to a few friends and get a photograph taken. Let's meet up here at four, it would leave enough time to collect your stuff and drive to the airport."
****
Rudy woke up startled in his seat as the aircraft's wheels touched down on the runway. Lisa's head, which was nuzzled in his neck moments before jerked as she too woke from her sleep. Rudy looked at Lisa. "Sorry for being such bad company, I just couldn't stay awake. I had a rough week and just needed some rest."
Lisa was disappointed, she had such high hopes, after being seated next to Rudy, on discussing their friendship, hoping for signs that there was more between them. But she too had a busy week and appreciated the peaceful sleep when the discussion didn't happen. "To be honest, I also needed a good rest." She watched as passengers started to prepare to disembark.
The aircraft came to a halt and soon passengers started to disembark. Rudy waited patiently as they were, due to their 'economy tickets' seated near the end of the aircraft. Lisa, on the other hand, reached for her handbag and retrieved her lipstick to touch her lips up.
Rudy took his handful of items from the back pocket in the seat in front of him when the passengers close to them started to move. He accompanied Lisa to the carousel where she'd collect the baggage she had to check in. Rudy saw the time as they approached an airport information board. He pointed towards the clock and addressed Lisa. "What's your plans from here? It's already dark outside."
Lisa's heart raced. "I made a booking at a guest house in Hatfield, and planned to get a taxi to get me there." These were indeed her plans, especially if Rudy wasn't on the same flight. She secretly held her thumbs...
"I can take you, I have a place in Hatfield, so taking you to the guest house wouldn't be out of the way." He looked at Lisa who was looking intently at the carousel which started to move.
After a lone suitcase and a baby stroller did their round without being claimed, Lisa looked at Rudy. "That will be kind of you." After a dramatic pause she continued. "The guest house said that they can receive guests 24/7, so I can check in any time of the night. There is a bell at reception to call the person on duty. Why not have something to eat somewhere and catch up on our lives. I'm still a bit empty after the bite they offered during the flight." She hoped that Rudy would 'bite' on the idea. She would do anything to extend their time together.
The suitcase and stroller were claimed when it reappeared where after the carousel was stopped. Rudy thought a bit, he too was still hungry after the complementary light snack provided during the flight. He also wanted to extend the time with Lisa. "It's a noble thought, I can also do with something more substantial."
The carousel started to move again and Lisa's attention was drawn to the stream of luggage that came through the rubber curtain. She rushed towards the carousel when she spotted her bag and retrieved it, looking at the name tag to make sure it was hers.
It was Rudy who started talking as they strolled towards the parking area where Rudy's car was parked. "I can offer you my bed if you're interested. It'll need a change of sheets though." He saw Lisa's eyes brighten up and immediately knew it was a mistake. He had to protect himself in the situation. "I'll sleep on the sleeper couch in the study." He couldn't miss the disappointment on Lisa's face and took her hand. "I would have loved to share another night with you. Fuck, no! I would have loved to share a lifetime with you. But I would be selfish to keep you for myself while I cannot give myself to you, or anyone else. Not now." He was glad that he could suppress his thoughts without voicing anything.
Lisa contemplated to rather stay in the Guest House. It would be easier, than to know that Rudy was sleeping a door away from her, yet not being there for her.
****
Johannesburg/Pretoria
Rudy was in a deep sleep. Lisa and he socialized in the steak house and were the last to leave shortly after midnight. It was part of Rudy's defense strategy, he couldn't get intimate with Lisa if they were among people, or stupidly tired. They relocated their socialization to his kitchen where they chatted around the breakfast nook and coffee until it was almost two.
Lisa had a restless sleep, she told Rudy that he needn't change the sheets, it would be only a few hours. Rudy's scent was on his pillow, permeated through the entire bed, causing her to think back on the wonderful sex they had during the overnight stay of their home trips over breaks. She forced her mind to think about her upcoming interview, in the hope to escape into peaceful sleep.
Rudy woke from contact on his shoulder. It was Lisa. Opening up his duvet and sliding onto the double sleeper couch next to him. "I couldn't sleep, I need you... no strings attached." She slipped her hand down his tummy, satisfied to feel his erection growing in her hand. She purred as Rudy's lips latched onto her nipple.
Rudy cursed himself for allowing Lisa back into his life at this stage of his studies. Yet, he was glad to have her with him, where he knew she belonged. Lisa purred softly when he rolled onto her and his mushroom crown slid into her wet folds.
****
Late September - Secunda:
Choir members sat in groups of four to six at the tables in the dining room of the Secunda Secondary School's hostel. Helen was thankful that Rudy agreed to do the performance. He barely managed to keep to his choir commitments during the year, as the extent of his studies inflated. He already withdrew from minor performances and gave notice that he wouldn't sing the following year. Maestro Steyn, nonetheless, tried to convince him to stay on.