By Abdool A. Aziz

THEY fondly called him ‘sweet-boy’ Tony. Many a maiden fell for him. But he got a rude awakening when he tried to seduce this pretty miss born under the sign Scorpio. She was slim, tall and powerful. She was a young executive who was disciplined, focused and ambitious. Her hallmark was contentment and practical living. No complacency and no foolish sentiments.
“Sir,” she said to the handsome Tony “I’ve heard those compliments before, try speaking from the heart.”
“But I am speaking from the heart,” he retorted.
“Well, show some action, demonstrate your love to me. Try to win me over by being a ‘Knight in Shining Armour’.”
This young lady with a dynamic personality was no push-over. She was controlled by her head and not her belly. She was not subject to volcanic emotions. Tony was the opposite, full of sentiments. One day the scorpion lady decided to visit a farm to write a story on fish cultivation. He had to burrow through some bushes.
“Not me going through there, I am afraid of snakes,” she said.
Tony seized the opportunity to dip her up like King Kong and took her through the tall grass.
“Can’t see you get hurt,” he said. Her heart got a shot of joy at the genesis of chivalry. The lady liked it. They stopped beneath a coconut tree.
“Hmm, those nuts look good,” she said.
Tony could not climb but he tried and yanked a few.
“Be careful boy!” she yelled.

But she felt good, this guy was no coward. He was risking injury to get her something to drink. It was another badge of honour for Tony. He cut the nut, gave her to drink and had his kerchief ready to wipe the stains from her hands. On the way back, he again lifted her through the bushes, this time out of emotions he kissed her. She leapt to her feet and gave him a stinging slap. She hurried away. Too fast, my boy, too fast! He felt ashamed. What he didn’t know was that the lady admired him for a brave act. He was acting out his love in a subtle way. That was her first kiss and she felt its amorous sensation.

Tony would visit her on Sundays with a bouquet of flowers and a slab of Cadbury chocolate and gave her a sweet kiss on the jaw. Gentleman Tony was now entering her protected heart. Love in its infancy. The scorpion was coming from her raw-hide heart to cotton.
One day, there was an accident a distance away. All the household ran to the scene leaving her and her paramour alone. Tony, overwhelmed with love and the naughty misbehaviour of his libido, made a move to caress. She was a fragile person. He was a macho man. She said “No one is here but control yourself, I’d like to hug you too but I am afraid of the consequences, besides you’re still to earn my love. Let’s begin with trust and respect. Have patience you’ll be surprised, one day,” she said.

Yes, he felt embarrassed. No fornication for this lady. Little by little, acts of chivalry inoculated her heart with ecstasy but she displayed no emotions. He showered her with words of praise and love. His days of philandering were over. He met his soul mate and was ready for marriage.

She harboured a great liking for him. But on the level of courtship, she retained her dignity and something else. “You qualify to marry me, but you are a long way to earn my love. Your deeds will be observed,” she said. That marriage was consummated a month later. When she decided, Tony graduated from the true love academy.