3.

3.

AVETHANDWA SISULU

Weekends are for me to focus on my researches or go to the rehabilitation centre to offer help to drug addicts. I'm just personally volunteering there and offering my help and support. I hate how these drugs turned those people. Did you know there's a pattern between the number of illegal immigrants in the country and the level of drugs getting in? I mean it's pretty clear how are the drugs getting smuggled in our country but anyway I received a text from Mbuso. I gave him my number last week at the dance studio and despite not wanting to and regretting my decision at that time and now, I gave him my number.

I honestly think it's because he's funny and I got to experience a little bit of his humour. Have you ever watched the Dr. Underpants movie? In that movie, the evil scientist wanted to erase the side of the brain where humour exist in kids because he was annoyed by their laughter or something. Well I feel like i am the other kid who didn't have humour and always asked what was funny. I never really get most of the jokes everyone say and I always wonder if this is how I was born but my childhood photos says otherwise. I was a happy child once. It's honestly hard to connect to that other part of me. It just feels different in a way but well, I decided to honour Mbuso's invite to his house. He said there's a pool party and well I got my swim suit.

There's no researching today or visiting the rehabilitation centre, instead I'm standing in front of a beautiful house. The man at the gate let me in when I told him my name so I guess he was expecting me and now I'm standing in front of the door. Without overthinking about the whole ordeal like how I usually do, I knock twice before the door is opened by another version of Mbuso, except this is not Mbuso. He's not smiling and he looks like he doesn't care by the way he's not even glancing at me. He's holding his phone.

“Good seeing you too.” I roll my eyes and badge in looking for Mbuso with my eyes but there's no one in this lounge except the fact that it looks like I just stepped inside another world.

“They are at the back.” The guy say and drags his push ins while he head upstairs. He's even shirtless and his shorts looks wet. I decide to follow the sound of laughter coming from the other side and find a sliding door leading to the pool where there are few people with Mbuso jumping inside the pool. That's so Mbuso like. He's such an open book. I open the sliding door and walk to where everyone is. They stop talking when I approach but the music doesn't stop playing.

“Ave? You made it. Welcome.” Mbuso got out of the pool and came to hug me but I didn't hug him back. I feel like I went back to high school. “Everyone, this is Ave. Ave, this is everyone.” The three other girls just stared at me before they resumed their conversation.

“Did you bring a swim suit?” He whispered. I stared at his silly smile at the thought of me being in a swimsuit.

“Of course I did, dummy.” I walked to one of the camping chairs and threw my beach bag. I took off my shorts and crop top. I was wearing a black swimsuit underneath. When I turned around, I found Mbuso staring. He was not the only one staring, one of his brothers was as well. Apparently they are triplets. How unfortunate.

“What are you staring at?” I put on a sun hat and sunglasses and grabbed a cocktail from the table and went to the pool. I dipped my toes and then my legs. I didn't get in fully. I grabbed the book I came with and started reading while I enjoyed my cocktail.

“You brought a book to a party?” Mbuso questioned sliding next to me.

“I don't normally enjoy other people's company and your choice of music is terrible.” I don't even know who's in charge of the music but I don't like private school amapiano. The normal amapiano would do.

“I would like to apologise princess.” I could hear the sarcasm in his voice.

“How are you and your brothers triplets? You're too different.” They are so identical but easy to point them out because of how different they are.

“Different how? Most people can't differentiate us.”

“Who can't just notice that you smile a lot and the one who opened the door for me is forever in his world while that one is always staring. I'm pretty sure he came out first.” I glare at Mbuso's brother who just can't stop staring at me.

“I came out first and besides Sizwe has a crush on you.” He grins. This man child.

“Staring at me means he's interested in me?” I stare at him again and he avert his gaze. Wow.

“How could you figure out who's Sizwe?” Mbuso's IQ level stresses me I don't want to lie.

“The other brother never stares at me. Anyway how old are you?”

“I'm 22 and so are they.” He grabbed the book from me. “A shirtless man on your cover, I see. What's special about him? I'm here.”

“Barely.” I can never date someone I'm smarter than. Mbuso looks like just Mbuso.

“I'm offended Ave.”

“Good you'll stay away.” I snatched the book from him.

—

It was in the afternoon and I don't want to lie and say I wasn't drunk because I was but I was not wasted just enough to become talkative and laugh at absolutely nothing.

“You're so funny Sizwe.” I don't even remember the joke he cracked but it's so funny I don't wanna lie.

“You're pretty.” He said out of nowhere. I don't remember us talking but here we are. The other three girls left and I'm left with the triplets. I'm gonna call them that. Triplets.

“And you're intense Sizwe. I was so sure your great great great grandmother lives within you.” I laughed at my joke while nobody got it. At least Mbuso was laughing. “I like you Mbuso. You can laugh.” I laughed again because I remember Damon telling Elena this. He was in love with her though. Am I in love with Mbuso? Eww.

“You want to throw up?” Mbuso stood up.

“Throw what? No! I'm fine. I just don't want to be in love with you.” Muzi, the other triplet chuckled. Did I say something funny?

“You're in love with me? Dude, you're too fun. Next time I'm sliding in to your crib with six pack of Savanna. It knows it's job.” He laughed and I joined him in whatever he was laughing.

“Don't mind him. Let me drop you off at home.” Sizwe stood up and helped me stand up as well. He smells so nice. I just smiled at him.

“She can stay.” Muzi said still glancing at his phone. I'm resisting the urge to throw it away. Why is he so obsessed with his phone? Is he watching p**n? He is. I laughed all over again and I could feel my stomach hurting and my eyes watering.

“Breathe.” Sizwe said and helped me catch a breath. My phone rang from my bag.

“My phone is crying!” I took my bag and took it out. It was Tinyeleti.

“It's Star. Hey Star!”

“Why aren't you back home Avethandwa? You don't even know those guys. Go home or I'm coming with my brother to fetch you.” My mother died and Tinyeleti resumed her position.

“Yes Mom.” I giggled.

“You're drunk? Give Mbuso that phone.” I passed the phone to Mbuso and took my bag but Sizwe held it and my hand.

“She'll go home safely Star. We are gentlemen. I swear.” I heard him saying. Tinyeleti is grilling him. I'm sure of it.

“Take this.” Muzi handed me a bottle of water and I opened it and drank it. Mbuso returned my phone and they both accompanied me to the garage. It was full of cars. Wow. They are so rich.

“Which one is yours?” I stared at Sizwe.

“That one.” Sizwe pointed at a white GTI. I groaned.

“You're supposed to say, all of them. Which rock do you live under? No Christian Grey shit? Take me home.” I walked to his car while Mbuso was laughing and holding his stomach. I think he got a stomach ache.

“Ginger ale would help.” I got inside the passenger seat after Sizwe unlocked it.