I’m running a bit late picking up Thoba from the station. Thoba is short for Thobani; her full name is actually INkosi yasithoba izinhliziyo ngawe. Thoba is the first born but her mother lost two children before she was born. Growing up, her mother used to tell her about her older sister. “She was beautiful with thick hair and big round eyes. She had a small mouth like yours,” her mother would say with a knowing smile. Thoba says this story made her feel like she has a sister who lives overseas. That during a difficult time in her young life, she used to talk to her and that would get her through.
I can’t believe it’s been three months. I’ve missed her so much – phone calls aren’t enough. I told her this and she decided to send me a ten page letter. So stupid, but I’ll keep that letter forever. I’ve fucked up though because I promised all my time to Khanyisa this weekend, what a shit compromise. Khanyisa doesn’t like Thoba for some reason. I love Khanyisa, she’d be my ride-or-die if I were to ever subscribe to that, but I worry that she will never really accept how much time I spend with other people. I used to be the same way until she admitted that she likes that we both have territorial tendencies. It was like she put a mirror to my face. I’ve since dropped that habit.
I stop by her house to get her. I don’t know why I told her I’ll be going to pick up Thoba. She gets into the car and there is already a storm brewing. It’s not even midday for fuck sakes Khanyisa. It didn’t take long before it started to thunder and rain down on me in the form of questions. “Uthe ufika ngobani iskhathi?” she asks and I reply. “Okay so why are we speeding?” she puts her hand on the door handle and asks without looking at me. “I hate being late, you know that,” I reply but she doesn’t care, probably because she knew that would be my answer. So she was ready with “Awu, ngempela? Thats new, I’ve waited for you countless time,” she exaggerates. And with that, we’re at the station. A nightmare to find parking but Thoba was never going to fly home when she can “take the bus to enjoy the views,” I don’t get it.
I switch the car off and lookup and there she is. She is that old school beautiful. She reminds me of pictures from Sophia Town but with dreadlocks and practical shoes instead of perms and heels. She doesn’t take long to get to the car. She opens the boot hurls her bag inside, ininja leli. She gets startled by Khanyisas reaction. These two. I am at the back of the car by the time she reaches to close the boot. I motion to hug her but the excitement jumps out of me. By the time I get my hands around her, we’re both half in the boot and half standing. She giggles and spanks me lightly. I blush and remember the first day we met years ago. She’s always been such a flirt. We close the boot and stand looking at each other for a moment. “And then?” she asks and gestures towards the car at Khanyisa. I shrug and pretend as though I have forgotten that we fought about her two days before she left. She doesn’t dislike Khanyisa but she does hate how often I cancel on her because of our friendship. She moves in close and kisses my cheek and then my neck all while whispering “I wanted to do more than just spank you, but ke we aren’t alone,” I give her the “Erm we’re in an entire station parking area, tell me how and where exactly,” look. Even though I moved my face away from hers slightly to give her the look, her hand was still firmly around my waist. And as if my questioning look was a dare, I feel her hand move on my hardening areola. I’m wet. “Bengim’ yosaph uKhanyisa, shouldn’t have let her tag along,” I think to myself.
Thoba sits in the back seat. I’m so glad she doesn’t subscribing to that ma’am shit, my ninja. But she is sitting as if she’s in a strangers car. I look at her from my rear view, her posture is that of someone holding their breath as if an exhale will drop her out of invisibility and into Khanyisas questions. She knows that there is a chance that I’ll drop her off and go home with Khanyisa. And I know that she’d rather hear that from me so I break the silence. “… Yani, I’ll get off with Khanyi for a moment when we get to Sabusiswa’s complex ne,” Khanyisa looks at me in confusion and so Thoba only responds with a nod and a smile. We get to the complex and Sabusiswa is also pulling up but Khanyisa tells her to go and we’ll follow behind her. “Okay beyps,” she replies. Gosh, Sabusiswas energy is infectious, even Thoba got out the car to say hello. Once Thoba is back in the car, Khanyisa and I begin to walk towards the house.
“Babe, Yani and I have something special,” I say. No reply, she just keeps walking. “… your dislike for her is preventing you from seeing what an awesome person she is,” I continue. “If she was so awesome, she would have told me that Sabu kissed some rando in the club during Sne’s hen party five years ago,” she says. Sne is Khanyisa and Thobas mutual friend. This is not news to me. She continues to explain that during one of their (forced) hangouts, Sne asked her if she still has a thing for Sabu. Njani? Sabusiswa is straight nje or am I behind? I hope it’s the latter because we are too old for this trap. “Khanyi so you don’t trust her? And why not tell me all this time?” I ask. “Because I was trying to get over it, I know you hate this territorial shit now,” hate is a strong word but I do. “And then Sne decided to start being umashonisa, an entire loan shark and Thoba said nothing babe. And how do we find out? Remember when Sne had to sell her car and uSiyanda was shocked but had no choice but to drive her around?” she continues. This is all news to me, I knew Thoba believes in live and let live, but she’s never even mentioned these things to me. But I keep a straight face, I can’t react yet, Khanyisa is finally spilling and I want her to finish. “I know that you love that she minds her own business, but Sne is her best friend. So yes, I don’t trust her and I think she’s reckless.”
Noma the writer 