“T, you’re a spirited and beautiful woman. Closing yourself to men is ridiculous,” Anastasia said as she poured the wine.
A knock at the door interrupted their conversation, and Zodwa rushed in with her bag flying in the air.
“Ladies! You won’t believe what happened!”
“Why do you do that? I thought you were the police,” Thando said.
“She always wants to make a dramatic entrance.” Anastasia smiled as she approached Zodwa to give her a hug.
Zodwa’s eyes were big. “On my way here I saw two taxis crash into each other. There were no passengers in the one, but in the other taxi there were two people.”
“Oh my word, are they all right?” Thando asked, covering her mouth in shock.
“They are. Fortunately the impact wasn’t that hard. But those taxi drivers need to have their licences revoked. They don’t know how to drive.”
“They think they own the road,” Anastasia added, pouring more wine.
Zodwa parked herself on the couch and stretched her legs over Thando. “Look at you, gorgeous! Did you get all dolled up for me?”
“You wish! I just felt like wearing make-up, that’s all.”
Zodwa chortled as she ruffled her naturally thick tresses.
“How was school today?” Thando asked, watching her fondle her hair.
“They kept me on my toes. I don’t know what substance they were on, but I couldn’t get them to settle down to do a single exercise.”
“Well, what else do you expect from a bunch of preteens? You two were there not too long ago, remember,” Anastasia remarked, handing Zodwa a glass of wine.
Zodwa was a drama teacher at a community arts school in central Pretoria and she attended Buddhist meditations with Thando and Anastasia.
“So, what’s new today?”
“Thando met a hunk at gym and she gave him the cold shoulder.”
“What? Why?”
“Ladies! I’m trying not to get involved again after the rude awakening I had with Sizwe. Men are dogs.”
“Hey, you can’t hate all men because of what he did. That jackass belongs in jail. But don’t let him imprison your heart like that,” Anastasia said, sipping her wine.
“I hear you. But right now, I just want to focus on my studies, my work and my fitness. Mr Cute-dimples, Sea-breeze-smelling Kunene can go charm someone else. I’m not interested.”
Zodwa’s eyebrows shot up. “You noticed his fragrance?”
“Of course I did. It was all over and hard to miss.”
“For someone who isn’t interested in men, you sure sound fascinated by him,” Zodwa said, gulping down her wine as if it were a glass of water.
“Oh, please.”
“You noticed his smile, his dimples, his fragrance. I’d say that’s a sure enough sign that this man captured your attention. And it’s about time you started playing the field again.”
“Now wait a minute, Zo,” Anastasia interjected. “When Thando is ready to date again, she will.”
“And I’m not,” Thando asserted, raising her glass. “I’m not looking, and I don’t plan to start doing so any time soon.”
“What in the world are you waiting for? Do you know that if you don’t use it, it turns into dust after a while?” Zodwa said dramatically.
Anastasia and Thando giggled.
“I’m serious,” their friend went on, smiling as well. “If you ever get some action again, all that dust will go poof. The poor man will have to get a broom first to sweep up the cobwebs before giving you any.”
The three women collapsed with laughter.
“But on a serious note, my friend, you need to start dating again,” Zodwa continued. “For the past eight months we’ve watched you stop having fun. You’re twenty-eight and you act like a fifty-year-old. I’m worried that you’re missing out on opportunities because you still have Sizwe’s taste in your mouth. You need a mouthwash, and this Mr Whoever Kunene sounds like the perfect kind.”
“Zo!” Anastasia admonished. “You’re so crass!”
“Not crass – honest. T knows I’m right.”
“I don’t know about that,” Thando said, squirming slightly while fingering the rim of her glass.
“You know I’m right. Don’t let Sizwe chain your heart like that,” Zodwa insisted. “You deserve to have fun and feel loved, my friend.”
“Could we change the topic now?” Thando pleaded. “I’m tired of talking about my nonexistent love life.”
“That’s fine. But think about what I’ve said,” Zodwa said before getting up to refill her glass.
Thando sighed, knowing that there was some truth in what her friend was saying.
Chapter 2
2
Arriving at work the next morning, Thando called her mother from her office phone. Never did a week go by without her checking to see that the family was doing well.
She smiled when she heard her mama’s warm voice on the other end of the line.
“Hello, Mama. How are you?”
“I’m fine, sunshine. And you? How is your thesis?”
“It’s going fine, Mama. I’ve collected most of the books I’ll need for my literature review. At some point I’ll probably need more, but I’ll cross that bridge when I get there.”
“Are you eating well, though? I know how you skip meals when you’re working too hard.”
“Oh, Mama, I eat plenty. Anastasia and I have an arrangement: she cooks, I clean. She makes a point of packing us both lunch every day, so don’t worry. There’s no skipping of meals.” Thando laughed. “How is Papa?”
“He’s fast asleep. I’ll go wake him up.”
“No, let him rest. I’ll speak to him some other time.”
“Did Siphiwe call you?”
“No, he didn’t. I was going to call him after I spoke to you. Is he okay?”
“He’s fine. It’s just that there’s a textbook he needs which costs six hundred rands, and our pension is only coming through next week.”
“But Mama, S’phiwe knows that I cover his textbooks. Why did he call you for the money?”
“No, sweetheart, he wasn’t asking us for help, the subject just came up. Would you mind sending him the money and then I’ll transfer it to you next week?”
“Mama, we’ve been through this. You don’t have to pay me back for anything. I told you and Papa that I want to finance S’phiwe’s tuition. That’s the least I can do, considering the sacrifices you both made for us. I’ll transfer the money now and give S’phiwe a buzz. Don’t worry about it, Ma.”
“You’re such a wonderful daughter, Thando. You and your brother make us so proud.”
“I love you, Mama. Please give Papa a kiss for me, neh?”
“All right, baby. Have a good day.”
“You