Bound by fate
By: Lebogang Tlou Loving himself more than he did any other living being had increased his capacity to love beyond necessity. The previous evening, he had once again found himself lying in bed beside the lover of his soul – and it hurt him less than it ever had before. She lay curled; he lay curled. Their bodies did not touch. They hovered beside one another – at ease, in peace. She listened to his soft, slow breathing rhythm as he inhaled and exhaled beside her. She observed his features. It was the only time she could enjoy his presence without being overwhelmed by his ever sounding voice. She yearned to touch his face, to trace over his features. In waking, she could not be so close to him without increasing the dormant tensions between them. Touching him would cause him to stir, and she was still enjoying having him in peace. His locks fell into a fringe covering his forehead. His face had bumps and a bushy beard. She enjoyed his face better this way. He had always