CHAPTER 5

The week passed without any contact from Ben. On Sunday morning Calem rushed to church hoping that he would be able to clear the air between them. When Calem entered the Bible study room, he noticed that Ben was already there, hands interlocked with Sarah, engaged in conversation. Nonetheless, when Ben saw Calem, he did not acknowledge him. Instead, Ben appeared to give a subtle nod to Larry, who recognised the signal and proceeded to resume his conversation with Sarah. This caused the smile to fade from Calem’s face in disappointment as he took his usual place at the back.

At the end of the lesson, Calem gathered his belongings and decided to head home, choosing not to stay for the Divine Service. When Ben noticed him taking all his books with him, he urgently signalled Larry. Larry promptly got up and caught up with Calem before he could leave the room, pulling him aside.

“Hey, wait!”

“Yeah, what’s up?”

“Nothing, just wanted to say looking forward to tonight.”

“Oh, I’m not going anymore.”

Calem turned to leave.

“How come?”

Larry grabbed Calem’s shoulder, causing him to glare.

“Not feeling well. Catch you later.”

“Hey, wait up.”

“What now, Larry?”

“Okay… just chill… jeez… what’s up with you?”

While talking to Larry, Calem hoped that Ben, whom he noticed looking at them sporadically, would come over to speak with them. Despite noticing Ben’s furtive glances in their direction, he remained seated with Sarah. Upon seeing no response from Ben, Calem left.

“Nothing, I’m going home. Check you later!”

“Calem, bra…”

“Larry, another time.”

Realising that he did his best to convince Calem to come along, Larry decided to let him go. When Calem left the room, Ben hurriedly got up and went over to Larry.

“What did he say? Is he coming?”

“Nah, he says he isn’t feeling well. Whatever, we’ll have a blast without him.”

“Don’t worry. He’ll be there!”

“What?”

With a determined look on his face, Ben returned to his seat without answering, leaving Larry baffled.

Lunch was waiting for Calem when he got home, but he did not feel particularly hungry that afternoon and struggled to finish his plate of food. After lunch, he went to his room and fell into a deep carbohydrate-induced slumber.

When Calem awoke, feeling refreshed, he decided to read the concluding chapter of the biography of Qianlong he had started the previous week. A few pages into the chapter, Ben walked into the room unexpectedly, without saying a word. He sat on the bed and acted as if nothing untoward had happened between them. Calem gradually sat up as Ben took the book away from him, closing it before carelessly tossing it onto the desk. Ben gazed at Calem’s legs, his right hand resting on his thigh, and casually began to brush his index fingernail lightly up and down against Calem’s thigh.

“Ben...”

Calem reached for Ben’s hand, attempting to stop him from running his finger along his thigh. However, Ben firmly removed Calem’s hand and persisted in stroking his thigh. After a moment of Ben staring at Calem, he returned his gaze to follow his finger as it traced along Calem’s thigh.

“Why aren’t you ready?”

The question caught Calem off guard as Ben continued to stare at his index finger, deliberately tracing up and down Calem’s thigh.

“Ready for?”

Calem’s heart raced as he saw Ben stop momentarily, a slight frown crossing his face, only to disappear as quickly as it appeared.

“We agreed to go to the bar tonight.”

“I forgot.”

Calem, knowing Larry talked to Ben, lied to avoid an argument.

“Did you now?”

When Ben looked at Calem, his eyes registered that he knew Calem was lying.

“Sorry, I just forgot.”

Calem noticed that Ben saw through his evasion. Creasing his forehead, Ben smiled and lifted his left hand to his mouth, applying saliva to his fingers. He slipped his hand into Calem’s boxers searching for the small entrance concealed between his legs. Calem’s back arched as Ben’s finger slowly crossed the threshold. He felt himself increasingly losing control over himself as Ben repeatedly applied a soft pressure to his G-spot. Elation spread across Ben’s face as he pushed Calem further and further towards the point of climax. The hot, moist tightness that enveloped Ben’s finger further relaxed as he continued his slow, deliberate prodding. Ben unzipped and stroked himself slowly. When Calem seemed on the verge of climax Ben withdrew his hand and walked into the bathroom.

When Ben returned fully dressed, Calem was still lying on the bed, breathing somewhat unevenly and covered in sweat.

“What are you waiting for? Get ready, we are going to be late.”

Calem looked at his clothing hamper.

“Okay, all I have that’s clean is this t-shirt and that jeans.”

“That should be fine. The bar is chill and quite laid-back.”

Calem got off the bed and walked into the bathroom.

“Okay! Just give me a second to change.”

“Why are you going into the bathroom?”

“Because!”

Calem closed the bathroom door behind him. When he came out, Ben stood up, walked over to him, and pulled him into his arms, resting his head on Calem’s shoulder, exhaling heavily.

“I wish we could just stay here tonight.”

Ben’s lips, feather-light, pressed against Calem’s skin, leaving a trail of warmth in their wake. Calem tried to move away, but when he felt the tender warmth on his neck, he was unable to resist, losing himself in the gentle rhythm of this intimate moment.

“Let’s go.”

Ben inched in even closer.

“Wait!”

“Ben, seriously, now?”

Ben bit Calem’s neck softly, brushing his lips lightly against Calem’s skin.

“Yeah, seriously, now!”

“We should go. Didn’t you just say that we will be late?”

Calem, again, tried to pull free, although he enjoyed the feel of Ben’s hot breath against his skin. Ben let go of him as Calem reluctantly pulled him out of the room.

“Let’s pick this up later,” Ben said.

Twice during the journey, they had come dangerously close to colliding with other cars, a consequence of Ben’s addiction to speed. When they reached Long Street, Calem felt a profound sense of relief as he got out of the car, grateful for them to have made it there in one piece. Long Street, located in the heart of the city, was popular for its eclectic mix of bars, restaurants, and other types of underground entertainment that the authorities turned a blind eye to. The street usually came to life in the evening.

As they walked down Long Street with the sun setting over Table Mountain the warm, golden glow of the sun cast a beautiful light on the historic facades of the buildings that lined the street. The air was filled with a sense of anticipation as they readied themselves for a night of fun. When Calem and Ben arrived at the bar, Tom, David and Larry were already outside talking to Tom’s friend Jason, and some girls they had just met outside. The bouncer raised an eyebrow, as Jason gave him a nod to allow them to enter, despite noticing their age.

They were escorted to a nice spot in a corner with an excellent view of the dance floor. As the night unfolded, Calem felt a sense of relief when it became evident that the fight from a few days earlier had been forgotten. As the dance floor filled up with more and more people, they joined the crowd, forming a circle with the girls whom they had met earlier. Tom, David, and Larry exchanged confused glances as Ben, strangely, showed no interest in the girls trying to dance with him.

“Bra, what’s up with that?” David said.

“I’m on my best behaviour tonight, boys! Besides, Calem’s my date tonight,” Ben said.

The group took this as a joke, but when Ben said it with a smile on his face, he looked directly at Calem.

“What about you, Calem?” Larry said.

Larry leaned on Calem’s shoulder as the other boys looked at him for an explanation for his disinterest.

“Guys, I’m about to be baptised. I can’t.”

The boys were convinced by this lie.

After a couple of hours of dancing, Tom led them up to the balcony to enjoy the cool summer evening breeze. The sofas on the balcony were large enough to seat four of them easily. However, when Ben stretched out on the same sofa where Calem was seated, casually resting his head on Calem’s lap, it left no space for anyone else on the sofa. This manoeuvre raised a few eyebrows.

Larry, watching them with increasing interest, took a seat next to Tom.

“You two seem close,” Larry said.

“Yeah, super close. I told you he’s my date tonight.”

Ben laughed as he looked up to the star-studded night sky, making himself more comfortable.

As the waiter approached selling shots of tequila and vodka, the group flagged him down. Despite the others indulging, Calem politely declined. Undeterred, the rest purchased the shots and swiftly downed them in one gulp.

“Larry, come with me to get some more drinks,” David said.

Before Larry could respond, David pulled him out of his seat. When they vanished around the corner, David stopped Larry.

“What’s going on with Ben? I’ve never known him to pass up pussy. And now, all of a sudden, he and Calem are tight?”

Larry shrugged his shoulders and entered the bar.

As the night deepened the bar became more vibrant and livelier. The night was electric, and the thumping bass of the club’s sound system called the boys back to the dancefloor. The music reverberated through the air, causing the floor to pulsate beneath their feet. The colourful lights above, synchronising with the music, painted a vibrant, ever-changing canvas for their moves. In the heart of the dance floor, Tom’s body swayed with the rhythm, and his laughter was contagious, and soon, the rest of them tried to match his energetic dance moves. The dance floor was a kaleidoscope of motion and emotions. Neon lights flashed, illuminating the faces of the friends, revealing pure bliss. Laughter and shouts were swallowed by the pulsing beats, but they did not need words to communicate. The music spoke for them.

Ben moved behind Calem and moved in rhythm with him, caught in the music’s grip. Calem’s hips swayed, and Ben matched his movements eliciting a sly grin from Tom. David too noticed with keen interest as he nudged Tom. Calem and Ben moved together like they had done this a thousand times before, their bodies in perfect harmony.

“Hey, Tom, what the fuck is going on between those two? Do you think?”

David turned to Tom, raised his eyebrows to indicate suspicion, and Tom quickly caught on to David’s insinuation.

“If I didn’t know Ben, I’d say yes!”

When the DJ played a dance mix of Deborah Cox’s Nobody’s Supposed To Be Here, Ben pulled Calem even more tightly against him. Arms were flung around shoulders, and they moved together, an ecstatic communion as they lost themselves in the music. The world outside the club ceased to exist; they were in their own universe, united by the love of dancing, music, and each other. Time seemed to blur as they moved to the tunes, taking turns showing off their best dance moves. The night was a crescendo of energy, and they rode its wave, each taking their moment to shine. With every beat, the connection between them deepened, as they laughed, and shared this euphoric experience. The night club was a sanctuary of joy, where Calem’s worries were forgotten, and life’s complexities melted away. He felt he was connecting with Ben on a level that made their connection grow stronger with every shared beat and step.

After midnight, Calem quietly approached Ben, expressing a desire to leave. Observing that the rest of their group had already paired up with the girls they had met earlier, they discreetly chose to leave the club without drawing any attention to themselves. On their walk to the car, Calem thought that this street captured the essence of Cape Town’s nightlife. Though past midnight, the street was still bustling with activity. People were strolling leisurely along the sidewalk, dressed in a wide array of fashion styles, from trendy urban wear to bohemian chic. Musicians and street performers added to the ambiance, creating a cacophony of sounds that range from the strumming of acoustic guitars to the rhythmic beats of drum circles. As they walked down Long Street, the plethora of bars, each had their own unique character and charm. The tantalising aroma of international food aromas from the restaurants, enticing passersby with a diverse range of culinary treats. Music of almost every type spilled out onto the street, offering everything from jazz and blues to rock and electronic beats. It seemed that as the night progressed, the energy on Long Street only intensified. The bars became even livelier, the dance floors more crowded, and the air filled with more laughter.

“Are you sure you want to go home? Let’s find another bar where we can chill - just us two?” Ben said.

Calem smiled; he, too, wanted to extend the evening now that they were alone together. Calem suggested finding a bar with a cozy, dimly lit interior. But Ben decided that the bar in front of them was perfect because it had live music and open-air seating, allowing them to enjoy the warm summer breeze. Once in the bar, Calem headed to the toilet, with Ben following closely behind. Only the disabled toilet was free, and before Calem could close the door, Ben slipped in behind him.

“Ben, I need to piss.”

“Who’s stopping you?”

Ben stood against the door. After a few seconds, Calem flushed the toilet, and then washed his hands. As he turned around Ben had moved up behind him.

“What do you want now?”

“Hmm, I’m not sure. What can you offer me?”

Ben, holding Calem from behind, rested his head on Calem’s shoulder and slowly rubbed against him.

“A slap?”

“Hmm.”

“Okay, mister, let’s go.”

Ben turned Calem around to face him, pulling him into a tight embrace. Calem’s reaction was immediate yet subtle. A shiver ran down his spine, and a quiet sigh escaped his lips, betraying a mix of surprise and pleasure. He tilted his head slightly, allowing Ben’s rough kisses on his neck to linger, the sensation of their budding intimacy enveloping them in a cocoon of love. In that exchange, unspoken emotions spoke volumes, and to them it seemed as if they were suspending their breathing, savouring their shared connection. Calem reluctantly pulled free of Ben, dragging them both to the door.

“No, just a few more seconds of just us!”

“Oh, okay! But hurry up!”

Ben leaned heavily onto Calem, who had his back against the door. Calem revelled in Ben’s weight pressing against him.

“This feels so nice. Doesn’t it feel good to you too?”

“Yes, it does. Maybe, too good.”

“Hmm. Okay, then stop moving!”

Ben lifted his head suddenly off Calem’s shoulder.

“Huh? What do you mean too good?”

“Yeah, too good!”

“Too good, eh?”

Ben smiled as he returned his head to rest on Calem’s shoulder.

“Yeah, we are not supposed to be doing this, remember?”

Calem winced, fearing another flare up in Ben’s temper.

“What are you talking about? Stop moving around, let me enjoy this!”

Ben purposefully ignored what he perceived to be Calem’s prodding.

“We need to go; it’s getting pretty late.”

They left the bar without having a drink. The drive home down a deserted De Waal Drive and the N2 got them home within minutes, without incident.

Ben reached for the ignition to switch the engine off but paused when Calem removed the safety belt.

“Can I come in for a few minutes.”

“I don’t think it’s a good idea.”

“Just a few minutes, please!”

“No, I have to get up early to go to Jeremy’s tomorrow.”

“I won’t stay long, promise!”

“I’m not sure.”

“Pleeease.”

“Okay, just a few minutes.”

Ben switched the car engine off and got out of the car with Calem.

They made their way quietly through the garden into Calem’s little flat. Calem unlocked the door and switched the lights on.

Calem walked into the bathroom.

“Don’t make yourself too comfortable. I won’t be long.”

Ben nodded, sat on the bed, and took his jacket and shoes off. When Calem returned, he found Ben lying asleep, still dressed, on his bed. The main light was off, and the bedside dimmer cast a soft glow, bathing the room in warm, gentle shadows. Calem opened the window, allowing the cool summer air, tinged with the sweet fragrance of jasmine, to fill the room with a comforting freshness. In the stillness of the night, the outside world seemed to have disappeared.

Calem tried to wake Ben, but the night’s activities seemed to have worn him out. After a few failed attempts, Calem gave up and removed Ben’s jeans and socks. Calem undressed, switched the dimmer off, and got into bed. As they lay side by side, their bodies subtly entwined, creating a physical connection that mirrored the emotional bond they had shared earlier on the dance floor.

When Calem seemed asleep, Ben, who had been pretending to have passed out, turned around to look at Calem. Yet, when he glanced back, and observed Calem for a while, Calem’s eyes unexpectedly opened, and they locked into a quiet gaze. Neither of them needed to say a single word; their eyes spoke for them. Ben surprised Calem by turning around, taking on the role of the smaller spoon. He pulled Calem’s arm over him and held it against his chest, their fingers interlaced. It made Calem reflect on how, when they were alone, Ben underwent a remarkable transformation. When they were with their friends, Ben treated Calem like one of them. But in their moments alone, he became an entirely different person. Until then it had not occurred to Calem that Ben was capable of such astonishing tenderness, which revealed a more complex side of him.

Eventually their breathing fell into a harmonious rhythm, the rise and fall of their chests synchronised as they drifted into sleep. As the moonlight filtered through the curtains Calem wished that they could remain eternally suspended in this blissfully happy moment.