Today is the last day of o-week. Breezy and I are getting ready for the day. We are both packing our bags for the day, but are not necessarily speaking to each other.

I get a text from Zaza: “Hey girl. It’s been a week. Between all the physical activities we’ve been doing – especially that hectic amazing race we had to do to get to know the campus better – and all the lectures thus far, hubby figured I could do with a few hours at the spa. I have two vouchers. Would you like to come with me?” 

I start doing a mini-dance. I was seriously going to book myself a session after today’s two or three lectures.

I reply saying, “I’m game! BTW, how far are you with your hubby finding me a fine doctor too? I need such thoughtfulness in my life.”
She sends me a laughing sticker. 
I actually laugh.
“And then? Wandile?” Breezy asks me, rolling her eyes really. 
I roll my eyes then say, “If you must know, Zaza’s husband booked Zaza and I a spa session. I’m headed there today.” 
She looks so jealous it’s actually funny. But all she says is “Must be nice.” 
“It is.” I say. 
I change out of my jeans and long shirt then wear a cute dress instead. Easy to take off and easy to put back on. 
There’s a knock on the door. It’s probably Thendo here to fetch Breezy and they’ll walk together to lectures, so I don’t bother to get the door. She sees that I’m not going to get the door. She gets it.
There’s silence. But she’s staring at someone. Now I’m interested.
“Uhlala la?!” The voice. 
“Yep. But judging by your shock, you are clearly not here to tell me that ungivulele i-case. I take it that you are here for my roommate.” 
I walk to the door. 
It’s Sanel. 
We look at each other. 
“Hi”, me. 
“Hi. I was hoping that you and I could talk… privately.” She says, sizing up Breezy with her eyes.
“Oh please! Don’t look at me like that. Ucabanga ukuthi nginendaba ngalesithembu senu?” Why must Breezy be like this?!
“Breezy, can you please give us space? Please?” Me.
“You sure? She mustn’t come here and bully you.” Breezy.
“I’ll be fine. I promise.” Me.
Breezy takes her bag then leaves. 

It’s just Sanel and I now. 
“Would you like to sit down?” I offer. 
“No. Look… please let me say what I need to say and not interrupt me. Before I start, I need you to understand that being here is not easy for me… saying what I’m about to say is not easy. This is humiliating for me, but it has to be done.” She says.
“Okay.” I say. 
“It’s no secret that I don’t like your friendship with Wandile at all. Izolo mangikhuluma naye about this, I realized that the two of you just don’t get it. You don’t understand why I feel the way that I do. So I’ll explain it to you just like I explained it to him. UWandile indoda yami, kodwa he doesn’t see a friend in me the way that he sees a friend in you. Akakhulumi nami. When Wandile has a bad day, uwena umuntu afuna ukukhuluma naye. Noma azama ukukhuluma nami, I never have the right thing to say or the right hug or kiss that can make his day better. Kodwa one phone call from you, then he’s at equilibrium again. Ukhethe mina ukuthi ngibe intombi yakhe. Kumele kube yimina that is his best friend, not you. I understand that he had a life before me and you were a big part of that life. Kodwa ngiyacela sisi… ngiyancenga… please give my relationship a chance. To me, it’s not into edlulayo nje. I actually love uWandile and if he and I don’t make it to the altar, I want to know that I did everything that I could to make things work. I’m asking you to allow that to happen.” 
I just look at her.
“I’ve asked Wandile to end your friendship”. 
I’m so shocked and she sees it. 
“I know it’s a shock, kodwa uvumile. I’m here to also ask you to please just… walk away. I’m asking, sisi. Please.” 
I’m actually speechless.
She just leaves me my room. 
Yoh! 
What a blow.

…

Zaza and I are at this spa. We’ve done our full body massages and facials. Now, we are enjoying champagne while our feet are getting a full pedicure. 
“Are you okay, babe?” Zaza asks me.
I take a deep sigh.
“Do I need to get you drunk to get this out of you?” 
We both laugh. 
“Sanel came to see me this morning”, I say.
“Kana, which one is Sanel?” 
“You haven’t met her. She’s Wandile’s girlfriend.”
“Oh!” 
“Ja. She uhm… she asked me to stop being friends with Wandile. Actually, she informed me that she asked him to end our friendship and he agreed.”
“Did he say anything to you?” 
“Nope. That’s the problem. Maybe he just –
“Surely, whether it’s ending or not, he has gained some right to at least tell you his side of the story. Surely, you owe him that before you reach your own conclusions.” She says.
“I suppose.”
“Why didn’t you and Wandile ever date?” She asks me.
“Not you too, Zaza. Please.” 
“I don’t mean it like that. It’s just… the two of you really fuck with each other – like genuinely. And that’s important in a relationship. The sex and physical stuff are important, yes… but that’s not always enough. There are seasons in a relationship that require a couple to just fuck with each other and that’s usually the most difficult part. You and Wandile seem like you have that on lock. Why wouldn’t you want to be together and allow that to blossom between the two of you. What made you decide ukuthi that door is closed before it’s even open and that you’ll never want to open it… like ever?”
I’ve never thought about this, I must admit.
“Yaz angazi. I guess the timing was never right for us to be anything more than friends. When he and I started our friendship, we were kids. He was just always the guy who would sit with me after school when my parents were so busy and thus forgot to fetch me from school. His mom would arrive to fetch him and they’d sit with me until my parents remembered to fetch me. At some point, his mom would just take me home. The after school waits ended up being after-school conversations about our families, the things that have forced us to grow up before our time, and somehow, we discovered what kept us sensitive.” 
I’m actually getting emotional.
“In high school, I dated this guy, uNkululeko. He showed me flames and I forgave him every time. Everyone around me gave up on me because he was just a bad habit that I couldn’t get rid of… except Wandile. He was super supportive at all times. Then he dated Sanel. And now I’m single, he’s with her and our friendship is about to end.” 
“So would you think about it if the two of you were single at the same time?” 
“I don’t know. He means too much to me for me to lose him because of a relationship. He’s my best friend. I don’t want to gamble with that.” 
“You know what, after this, we can go to my place. Hubby is hosting a braai for his doctor friends. Maybe its time you met someone nice and not-so-university-childish to occupy your time and lick your wounds, you know.” 
“Then I need to change first! Please!”
We high-five each other then laugh.

We get to res. She promised to help me pick out an outfit. As we get to res, I find Wandile waiting for me on the staircase leading to my res door. 
“Hey Wandile”, Zaza greets him while I try to figure out how to be.
“Hey gorgeous. You know I’ve got a crush on you, right?” Wandile says, making both Zaza and I laugh. 
“Askies. I’m taken.” Zaza. 
Now it’s silent and awkward. 
“Uhm, I’ll give you guys some space. I need to phone my husband and let him know that we are coming”, Zaza says.
She phoned him in the car. I think she’s just giving us space. She’s already gone. 

It’s just Wandile and I now. 
We walk to a bench then sit on it. I’m already down. He doesn’t know what to say or how to be. After a while of silence, I say, “She came to see me this morning. She asked me to back off and let you end our friendship.” 
He nods his head. 
“Ngiyakukhulula Wandile. Our friendship means too much to me for it to be so painful to other people. Kunzima and I’m going to miss you… at least Zaza is about to introduce me to a hot doctor.” 
We both laugh. 
“Wehweh, ngiyakuthanda. You’ll always be my number one.” 
A tear slips from my eye.
He’s getting emotional too. 
“I have to give this relationship a chance. I can’t guarantee that it’s forever because cutting you off is like cutting my right arm off… I can only go so long without it. If she wants forever with me, she needs to understand that you’ll always be my ace and in my life. I’ll work on her okay? This is temporary.” 
“Take your time… and be patient with her. She really loves you.” I say. 
He just hugs me. 
I hug him. 
It’s a long hug and there are sniffs from both his side and mine. 
We finally get up and walk our separate ways. I get to Zaza and she literally just pulls me into a hug. 

– 

I quickly changed then we left before Breezy came back. I’m not in the mood for her today. Then Zaza and I chilled in her car, and she just let me cry. I don’t know why I’m so sad. I don’t know why I keep crying as if I lost a boyfriend. Zaza keeps saying that friendship breakups are just as painful as relationship breakups. But Wandile was my best friend.
“Next time, grow that close with a woman”, she said. 
I laughed and said, “As long as her person doesn’t think I’m lesbian.” 
We laughed. But I’m actually genuinely touched.

We are at her place now. I’m rocking high waist denim pants, a crop top that meets the jeans where they end, loafers, and my wig is out to play. Curly and long today – Malaysian wet curls. 

We walk into her apartment – in a very nice area may I add- and we are met with an onslaught of testosterone! Even Zaza is just as shocked. Amadoda angaka???!!!!
“Talk about there being many fish in the sea”, Zaza says. 
I don’t know why I find this funny because she’s shocked. But I just burst into laughter. 
She finds her husband, briefly introduces me, then pulls him aside. I’m sure she’s about to reprimand this nonsense we’ve spilled into. At least she showed me around the kitchen first. So now I’m fixing myself a drink. 
I actually blend fruit – pineapple to be specific – then I add gin. 
“That looks good.” Some guy says. 
I just look at him. I honestly am stressed about this Wandile thing. I thought I needed a new guy, but maybe I just need to miss my friend. 
“Do you mix drinks as a profession or?” 
“Bhuti, into ethi ungijwayele kabi yini vele?” I find myself saying. 
His face changed IMMEDIATELY. He actually looks like he’s ready to ring my neck. But I stare right back at him. I’m not about to be bullied by some –
“And then?” Zaza says as she enters the kitchen. Her husband is right behind her.
“Eh monna! Keng jwale?” The husband asks this creep. 
The guy gives us all dirty looks then walks away. 
“Are you okay?” Zaza’s husband asks me.
“I’m fine. Ngiyabonga.” I say.
“None of these guys must bother you. Tell me immediately if any of them try”, he says.
I nod my head. 
He leaves.
Zaza seems a bit upset. But I see her pulling pots and stuff. 
“Yaz umuntu, uthe it will be a few colleagues. Manje i-bash for all classmates. And he couldn’t even lie. Half these men don’t even look like they passed grade eight chemistry, I don’t see how they could be doctors.”
Zaza is actually salty and spicy at the same time.
I just laugh really.
“I’m happy to help. But you’ll have to teach me half the stuff. I don’t know my way around a kitchen at all. I grew up with chefs all around me.”
“Girl! Let’s trade lives.”
“Says the girl driving the Velar. Or is it a gift from hubby?” 
“Nope. From my father. But I didn’t grow up with chefs. I had to cook when I was hungry.” 
We both laugh. 

…

We actually had a good day. I enjoyed the party. She dropped me off at res when she went to pick up her kids, that’s obviously after she and hubby made everyone go home. It will take a minute to clean their place, but apparently, they have a second home here in Taung so that’s where they’ll be staying tonight. 

I walk into my room and find Thendo and Breezy sitting together… on my couch… they can see that I’m not impressed at all. There’s a couch put in every room that’s still in our room. Why would they sit on mine? It’s not even about the price of the couch, it’s the disrespect of people’s property that I don’t appreciate. 
They get up from the couch when they see that I’m just not in the mood and I’m not impressed. 
“Sorry”, Thendo says.
“Do you generally make a habit out of disrespecting people’s property?” Me.
“Uyaxolisa. Kanti yini vele?” Breezy.
“Uxolisa because she got caught, not because she was sitting on my couch when there’s a perfectly good couch provided by the university in here.” 
“It’s just a couch!” Breezy.
“It’s MY couch! And I’d appreciate it if you’d respect that. You’ve got your side of the room… stay the fuck out of mine!” 
Now there’s silence. 
Such ghetto shit! 
I pack my toiletry bag then make my way to take a shower. I just want to shower then get on my couch, relax and watch series or movies until tonight, then sleep. 

The shower is nice. But I do find myself crying. I wish I could have a chat-fest with Wandile so I can tell him all about my afternoon. Gosh… this is actually going to be difficult. I’m actually going to phone Patrick and just talk to him. We actually get along so well. I get along with him more than I get along with my mother’s other kids. Patrick is my stepfather’s son from a previous marriage. He had Patrick. Mom had me. They met, then had three other kids together. But Pat and I are actually tight. 
I get out the shower. 
I’ll lotion myself in the bedroom… hopefully those two rude bitches are out or something. Also, why don’t they ever meet in Thendo’s room? Hai! 

I get into the bedroom and it’s just Breezy in here. I don’t say anything to her. I just use my Jo-Malone products to lotion myself. Breezy is watching me so carefully. Whatever. On my face, I use Lancome skincare products. She’s still staring at me. I want to ask her what she’s staring at, but hey, I have to be civil. 
I wear my pyjama shorts and t-shirts. I pull out a Magnum ice-cream cup from my personal bar fridge – yes, I lock it – then I throw on a lingerie gown then settle on my couch under a fleece blanket… MacBook and headsets in hand. Breezy is still staring at me. I swear she will kill me in my sleep this one. 

I FaceTime Pat. 
“Yo!” He’s so loud and weird. But at least I have my headsets on so Miss Breezy isn’t too interrupted.
“Hey you! Why are you so high in spirits? What’s going on? Did you have good sex?” 
“Mfana! Ay cha iyasebenza intombi!”
I’m actually in stitches. He’s laughing too.
“Kunjani ntwana?” I ask him. 
“Ngiyaphila ntwana yami. I fucken miss you though. How are things at that kingdom of yours? I was speaking to Wandile. He told me what’s happening. Are you okay?” 
I take a deep breath. 
Breezy leaves our room. Thank God. Now I can talk in peace.
“Ntwana ngizothini? I have to respect the decision that has been made. Anyway, akayena umuntu wami.” I say. 
He and Wandile are also quite tight. I introduced them to each other, and they’ve been tight too.
“He spoke to me too. The way he put it to me made me realise that you are a fucken good friend, ntwana. I want a friend like you. Not even amajita are a friend like you. And it seems like lo Sanelisiwe wenu ozibiza ngegama labelungu o-Sanel laba sees it too. And it freaks her out. I mean truly… would you want your dude to have a you in his life?”
“I hear you. It just hurts, ntwana. Wandile and I have been in each other’s lives for the longest time. Now, it just feels like I’ve lost so much. My stomach is in knots, my heart is pumping too hard every time I think about this, my head feels light… but I’ll get through it, ntwana.” 
“Do you want me to come down and spend some time with you?” 
“I’m good. Kodwa ngiyabonga ntwana. I’ve met a few friends, kodwa the one that I’d say I’m really closer to is Zaza. She’s married with two kids and lives off campus. But we hit it off so well. I love it.”
“The hot one who drives a Velar?”
“Clearly, Wandile told you a lot.” 
He laughs then says, “I’m so glad you have her though. If you need me, ntwana, I’m here. Please, ungakhohlwa okay?” 
“Ngiyabonga ntwana. Are you and your dad okay now?” I ask him. When I left, they weren’t on speaking terms and my mom was worried. 
“That man is a bad father, man. He’s fucked up. But I just have to live with him. What choice do I have?”
“Is it that bad?” 
“I just found out that before he met Aus’Khethiwe, he slept with my girlfriend.”
Aus’Khethiwe is my mother.
“What?!”
“What father does that? Now I had to dump that girl because naye, what the fuck?!” 
“Yoh dude, sorry.”
“It is what it is. He’s my dad and I have to love him. But I don’t like him.” 
“Will you be spending Christmas with us though? Come on, you can’t leave me alone with the common siblings”, I say. We call my brothers that my mother shares with his father ‘the common siblings’. 
He laughs then says, “Only if we eat with them then fuck off to have our own day together.” 
“Word!” 
We laugh then he says, “I’ve met someone, ntwana.”
“Okay?” I’m actually interested.
“Her name is Yolanda. Ile nhlobo yabo mixed what what. Umama umuntu bese ubaba ikhalad. Muhle yena. Ngeke ngithi ngiyamthanda okwamanje, but I do like her. I’m taking her on holiday to that kingdom of yours. So, you’ll meet her, and we’ll probably hang out with you quite a lot. Please be nice.” 
I’m just in stitches. He just giggles. How does he say such things with a straight face? 
When I’m done laughing, I say, “I got you, ntwana. And I’ve never been rude to anyone you’ve ever dated or vibed with, hawu.” 
“Okay… do me a favour neh… please arrange some activities for us to do. I don’t want to look at her all day and just have sex.”
I just shake my head. 
“Ngiyagcwala ngawe, ntwana.”
“Nami ngiyagcwala, ntwana.” 
We hang up. 
Wow! I actually needed that call.