The Lonely Spy

by Mkululi Nqabeni

  ’’ Wait, whattype of snacks do you have there in your room?’’ she asked. ‘’ Just light food and snacks’’ Charles replied. ‘’ I can see you already have a wine glass on your hand’’ she said. ‘’ Yeah I forgot to bring it, so I had to go back to the kitchen’’ he said. There was moment of silence and awkwardness between them. ‘’I was wondering if you would like to join me for dinner?’’ Charles asked.

  ‘’Sure, I would love that. She replied. ‘’Wonderful, sowhere should we do it, my room or yours?’’he asked. Yolanda didn’t respond. She opened her eyes wide reacting to what Charles just said. ‘’No, I mean where should we eat’’ he said. They both laughed but Charles was a bit embarrassed. ‘’Oh now I hear you, we can do it in your room, mine is a mess’’ she replied.

  ‘’ Well, food is ready to be served madam, you can come in’’ Charles said. Yolanda’s heart beat faster and was a little bit nervous. ‘’Are you alright? Charles asked. ‘’ Yes I’m fine, let me….. ‘’ she said. Yolanda closed her bedroom door. ‘’ That was strange’’ he murmured. ‘’ I’ll join you in a moment Charles, I’m just refreshing up’’ she said. She leaned on the door with both her hands on her chest and her heart beat faster. ‘’ Alright, I’ll be waiting’’ he said. He rushed to his bedroom, opened his wardrobe and pulled out his shorts and gown. He wore them, rushed to the kitchen to fetch another wine glass and more snacks. At Yolanda’s room, she is very nervous as she applies make-up to her face. She combs her hair and applies her perfume on her neck.

  A knock came from Charles’s door. ‘’ It’s open’’ Charles shouted. Yolanda came in and Charles was amazed at the beauty of Yolanda. ‘’ You look beautiful as always’’ he said. ‘’Thanks Charles’’ she said. ‘’ It’s a pity tables were not provided in our rooms’’ he said. ‘’It’s ok, we can eat on the bed or on the floor’’ Yolanda said. Charles takes the bottle of wine and opens it with a corkscrew. He pours it on Yolanda and his glass.

  They stared at each other as they sipped from their glasses. ‘’ I am an astronomer but I never thought in my wildest dreams that I would ever travel to space’’ he said. ‘’ That makes the two of us’’ she said. ‘’Do you think we can pull this off and get back to earth?’’ he asked. ‘’I think there is a 50/50 chance we can do it. I mean if it wasn’t for the indestructible spacecraft. We would be long dead by now’’ Yolanda replied. ‘’ I agree with you there, but can believe it that we have 6 Nuclear weapons in our spacecraft’’ he said. ‘’It’s unbelievable hey, this spacecraft can survive, if we detonate the bombs outside the spacecraft’’ She said. They enjoyed their light snacks and Yolanda has never felt this comfortable since she was with Charles, long time ago. Charles took the wine bottle from the floor and poured it on his glass. ‘’ Refill?’’ he said.

  Yolanda smiled and shook her head. ‘’Are you trying to get me drunk, Charles?’’ she asked. Charles raised his eyebrows. ‘’No, no, that is not my intention’’ ‘’I’m just pulling your leg. Yes I need a refill and I love the taste South African wines’’ she said. Charles poured it on her glass and read the label of the wine bottle. Everything was perfect, the food, wine, mood and the connection between Yolanda and Charles was electrifying.

  Yolanda’s facial expression changed from being happy to sad in an instant. ‘’What’s wrong Yolanda? Did I do something wrong? He asked. ‘’No, it’s not you, everything is perfect here’’ She replied. ‘’Ok, do want to talk about it?” he said. Yolanda took a deep breath and took a sip from her glass. ‘’ I messed up, Charles. I have I have let my country, family, friends and you down. I’m sure you must be very disappointed in me? She said. Charles touched Yolanda’s hand and looked at her. ‘’ I am not angry at you, I never was. How can you love and hate a person at the same time? As President Sharon Washington said, you are already a hero back home even if this journey is not successful’’ he said. ‘’ Really?’’ she asked. ‘’Yes, people will forget about it and focus on the latest gossip in the press’’ he replied. Tears streamed down Yolanda’s cheeks. ‘’ I’m going to prison Charles, I can’t go there’’ she said. Charles took the wine glass away from Yolanda’s hand, put it down next to the side lamp and hugged her. ‘’It’s ok, let it go’’ he said. Charles stroked her back very slowly and gently. She wiped her tears on her eyes with his hand. Yolanda pulls away from Charles and looks at him. ‘’Can I ask you something?’’ she said. ‘’Ok, shoot’’ he said. ‘’Can you give me one reason you broke up with me?’’ Yolanda asked. Charles finished the wine in his glass and looked remorseful.

  ‘’That was 10 years ago, I was 28 year old lecturer and you were this beautiful, bright and naive 18 year old student. ‘’ I felt you were too young and immature to be in a relationship. You were constantly interrupting me in the middle of lecture session and ask me about some girls I laughed with. I take some of the blame too, because I took advantage of a young lady’’ he said.

  ‘’ I guess I’m mature now and you want me back and get in my pants right? Charles shook his head and stared at Yolanda. ‘’ You got it all wrong, I’m co-grieving with you’’ he said. ‘’Nope, I think you enjoy dating naïve young girls. So that they look up to you like you are some kind of a god then kick them to the curb. When was the last time you dated a woman same age as you?’’ she shouted. ‘’Yolanda since we broke up, I never dated anyone else. It was just work and work, and when I come home I feel lonely every night. You have always been on my mind every night. I’m sorry I have hurt you. One thing and one thing I only know for sure is, I love you Yolanda Anderson’’ he said. Yolanda pushed the tray of snacks to the floor and jumped on top of Charles. They kissed passionately as if their lives depend on it. A moment later, Yolanda pulled back, breathing heavily and stared at Charles. ‘’I’m sorry Charles, it’s just I’ve missed you so much’’ she said. Charles pulled her closer and kissed her neck on the sides slowly. Charles took off Yolanda’s red silk gown very slowly. He threw it to the floor and Yolanda took off his gown. Yolanda started to get really turned on by the sight of his sexy body. Yolanda breathed heavily as she touched his abs and arms and she kissed him.

  Charles kissed Yolanda on the neck then went down. Yolanda moaned reluctantly under her breath. Her breasts were round and normal size. Charles looked at them and smiled. ‘’ I have always loved your bosoms’’ Charles said. He kissed them with his lips then pulls out his tongue. He licks her nipples with the tip of his tongue anti and clockwise very gently. Yolanda is enjoying herself but, she is holding back. ‘’ I’m a bit nervous and embarrassed but I feel like screaming out loud…… but ’’ she said.

  Charles interrupted her. ‘’We are the only people here in this spacecraft, just be yourself’’ he said. Yolanda smiled, she touched him with passion. Charles kissed her on her belly then kissed her thighs. He kissed her inner thighs and bit her lightly and teased her. Yolanda was highly aroused by the foreplay, she was moving side to side, calling out Charles’s name. He took off her red panties very slowly, it had small white flower picture on it. He pulled down her panties very gently with both his hands. He threw the panties on the floor and also took off his shorts. He went down and licked her clitoris very slow. Yolanda screamed ‘’fuck me now Charles’’ Charles obeyed and climbed on top of her very slowly.

  11 hours later woke up with a big smile on her face. Charles walks inside with a tray. ‘’ Breakfast is served, Madam Anderson’’ he said. She laughed at him. ‘’How do you know its breakfast, when it’s always dark outside’’ ‘she said. ‘’Well, I have made you an omelet, fruit salad, strawberries, whipped cream and fruit juice’’ he said.

  ‘’I am impressed’’ she said. They sat on the bed while they enjoyed their breakfast. They smiled at each other. ‘’The omelet tastes very nice and a looks greenish’’ she said. ‘’Thanks I added a little basil spice on them’’ he said. After they finished their meals, Charles took the tray and put it on the floor. He went back to bed, Yolanda lea
ned on his right shoulder and Charles cuddled her. ‘’I want you to freeze this moment and remember it, as it will never happen again’’ he said. Yolanda looked at Charles ‘’ what do you mean? She asked. ‘’We made love in space, do you realize that? He replied. Yolanda notices something from the window and points her finger. ‘’ Look, the star is being ejected’’ she said. ‘’Wow’’ he said. ‘’ You were right Charles, this moment will never happen again’’ she said.

  Charles nods and holds Yolanda close and kisses her. ‘’So what’s next for us in the future, when we come back to earth’’ she asked. ‘’ I want you in my life and waking up next to you every morning’’ he replied. ‘’Do you see me in your future?’’ she asked. Charles looked confused but wanted to make sure he heard her question correctly. ‘’What do you mean?’’ he said. ‘’ I am talking about marriage and having kids’’ she said. That question threw Charles off guard; his heart beat faster and didn’t know how to answer it. ‘’ Forget it, I knew you were playing me and only wanted to sleep with me’’ she said. Yolanda stormed out of his bedroom. Charles tried to explain and followed Yolanda

  ‘’ Let me explain’’ he said. ‘’No Charles, you used me knowingly you can’t commit and settle down’’ she said. Yolanda tries to enter her bedroom but Charles blocks him. ‘’Can you at least give me a chance to explain?’’ he said. Yolanda’s face was fuming with anger. ‘’ No, let’s get back to our workstation and work’’ she said. Charles grabs Yolanda both on her shoulders ‘’ I need you in my life, have you forgotten everything I said last night?’’ he said. Yolanda slapped Charles on his left cheek. ‘’Lets meet at the workstation in 30 minutes. From now on, it’s strictly work, I can’t believe I fell for your tricks again’’ she said. Charles looked down and went back to his bedroom. Yolanda opened her door and slammed it.

  THE BLACK HOLE

  Charles arrived first at the workstation. He cleaned it and put back all the files and books in the right sequence. Few moments later, Yolanda arrives and sat in her seat. They both put on their seatbelts. Charles switched on the spacecraft engines. ‘’Hey, all the engines are working just fine’’ he said. Yolanda looked at him and kept quiet. The spacecraft sped off. Few minutes later Charles looked at Yolanda. ‘’Could you retrieve the video footage of the meteors, waves of water, and tornado that hit us, please’’ Charles asked. They studied them and collected some of the samples of the water and meteor. ‘’Could you test these samples at the lab, please’’ he said. Yolanda tested the water samples at the lab and discovered it was similar to rain water. She showed it to Charles and he was very impressed. ‘’ Enter the data and store it. Well done’’ he said. After she finished storing the data, she went to the telescope section. She looked at it and saw something strange and familiar. ‘’What do we have here ’’she murmured. She looked again at the telescope and her eyes looked terrified. ‘’Charles’’ she screamed. Charles turned and looked back. ‘’ The Black hole’’ she said. Charles switched the spacecraft on cruise control. He took off his seatbelt and went to the telescope section.

  ‘’ Wow, we are very close’’ he said. Moments later they went back to the workstation. ‘’Could you please check the mileage we have travelled so far? He asked. Yolanda checked the mileage. ‘’ We have travelled 14.5 Billion kilometres so far’’ Yolanda said. ‘’Wow!! And what is the mileage of this spacecraft? ‘’ It’s a 15 billion kilometres, we miscalculated on the distance to the black hole. We thought it would take around 5 billion kilometres.’’ Yolanda replied. ‘’ Alright it’s not a train smash but I think we will use the solar powered engines when we come back to earth.’’ Charles said.

  ‘’ That’s good to hear’’ she said. ‘’ Can you also give me more information on the Black hole report you have gathered so far’’ he said. ‘’Black hole is in the process of merging with many galaxies in the Milky Way or its intention is to merge with all the planets in the solar system. Few minutes later the spacecraft trembled. They looked around and realised the spacecraft has been struck by explosions of fire. ‘’Hold tight, I think it’s the rays or something’’ she said. They can’t see anything else on the windscreen except fire explosions. ‘’ We are in the sea of fire’’ he said. Yolanda and Charles noticed sweat coming out from head to toe. Their clothes were wet with sweat. ‘’Charles what’s happening, why am I sweating so much’’ she said. ‘’ ‘’ It will be ok in few minutes let’s keep moving, I promise’’ he said. The spacecraft is under pressure and its temperature has reached 550,000 degrees. The automated voice message alert came. ‘’ Press the ‘’North Pole’’ button so that the air conditioner can switch on to decrease the temperature of the spacecraft’’ Yolanda couldn’t locate the button but eventually found it. Few seconds later, the spacecraft cooled off inside and they finally passed the rays and radiation. From the video footage they notice their spacecraft has been badly burnt. The colour of the spacecraft has turned from grey to black but the rays never did any damage to the spacecraft.

  Few hours later, they notice something from a distance. ‘’It’s the Black Hole and we can see it with our naked eye’’ Yolanda said. They both clapped hands. Charles tried to HI 5 Yolanda but she was not interested. Charles realised he was no longer in control of the spacecraft. ‘’ What is going on? I decreased the speed but it keeps moving forward at a fast speed?’’ ‘’The Black hole is trying to suck us inside and crush us. This is the perfect opportunity to execute our plan’’ Yolanda said.

  ‘’ Alright, so what’s the plan?’’ he asked. ‘’ Just switch off all the engines then we will wait’’ she said. Charles switched off the engines of the spacecraft. ‘’Very good, our initial plan is to enter the Black Hole and detonate the nuclear bomb inside’’ she said. ‘’Then what do we do after it detonates?’’ he asked. ‘’ We wait and see what will happen next’’ She replied. Charles panicked, lifted his hands and put them on top of his head. ‘’ I wish I didn’t come here. Why couldn’t I just be like the astronauts and declined to come here’’ he said. ‘’ We have no plan B; we are going to die in here. The only reason I came here was to be with the love of my life and what do I get? ‘’ he said. Yolanda smiled, reached out to Charles and held his hand. ‘’Everything is going to be all right Charles. Once we are inside the Black Hole we will improvise and change our strategy as we go along. Our strategy right now is to detonate the nuclear bomb and reverse the extinction of our planet. The dark matter might return and get back to its universal functions’’ she said. Charles calmed down and wiped tears from his eyes.

  There is a little excitement in the workstation, as they witness the spectacular and wonders of Black Hole. It is very colourful. They see the Black Hole merging with Andromeda galaxy and the dark energy from their telescope. ‘’ Wow! This is beautiful’’ she said. Their excitement was cut shot as they saw planets that looked familiar ‘’Look’’ he said. He showed Yolanda the back footage. ‘’Is that planet Earth and other planets behind us? Yolanda asked. ‘’ Yes it is’’ he replied. ‘’ This is bad, very bad’’ she said. They looked the sky and noticed the Milky Way is shrinking smaller and smaller.

  They also notice flashes of light, rays and other unknown objects passing them and going to the centre of the Black Hole. Charles looks at Yolanda and she looked back at him. ‘’ I love you, Yolanda’’ he said. ‘’I love you too, Charles’’ she said. He said. They kissed passionately and with tears flowing from their eyes. They stopped kissing and switched on the spacecraft. They sped off to the direction of the Black hole. The Black hole looked colourful from a far but when they reached closer to it. It has different colour levels to it. They entered the green level. The spacecraft turned green and also it was green inside. ‘’It’s like we are in a night club’’ Yolanda said. They passed the green level. They entered the yellow level and the spacecraft trembled a little bit and passed it.

  They entered the Orange level. Something crossed on Yolanda’s mind. During
the White House meetings, she remembered the elite astronomers’ team warning her about the Orange level. They told her nothing escapes the orange level. ‘’Charles could you press the ‘’Freeze’’ button please’’ Yolanda asked. Charles pressed the ‘’Freeze’’ button and the spacecraft froze outside to at least - 350,000 degrees. The meteors, stars, rays, flashes of light in front of the spacecraft started disappearing from their eyes as soon as they entered the orange zone level. They enter the orange level and they hear a loud bang on the spacecraft.

  ‘’Something is trying to break in our spacecraft’’ Charles said. The spacecraft trembled as a heavy invisible forces try to crush the spacecraft into pieces but could not succeed. The screeching and tearing of the spacecraft continued until it stopped an hour late. They passed the orange level and breathed a sigh of relief. ‘’ Charles, I think we should start preparing to set the nuclear bombs’’ Yolanda said. Charles stood up and went to the artillery room to pre-initialise the nuclear codes. He takes out the notepad full of codes Yolanda gave him. He set the bomb and went back to the workstation. ‘’ We are about to enter the Event Horizon and as soon as the spacecraft enters. We drop the bomb and hide’’ she said. ‘’ Copy that, do you realise if we do not get through the Event horizon, we are finished’’ he said. ‘’ Have a little faith, I think we are going to be alright. Our spacecraft has carried us this far’’ she said. Looking at the spacecraft from the video footage they notice the ice on the exterior of the spacecraft has melted. Huge creatures similar to jelly fish appeared and stuck to the spacecraft. These creatures are trying to melt the spacecraft into nothing but couldn’t because the spacecraft sped off and entered the event horizon.