Today Thandi was not feeling well. She had very bad cramps and could not help it but hold her tummy and wince now and then.
What’s going on with you? asked Mandy concerned. The two of them never quarrelled again but were not very close. Her desk mate looked like she was in pain and she couldn’t help but feel sort for her.
Dysmenorrhea, said Thandi still holding her tummy.
What? Mandy raised her eyebrows.
Period pains, I get bad ones. Thandi clarified.
Mandy opened her bag took out some painkillers and gave Thandi two. Here have these, I get migraine headaches so I keep these in my bag.
Mandy looked at them and said “these can give you ulcers”.
They can also take your pain away, do you want or not? Mandy was getting impatient
Thandi took the tablets fast and
swallowed them.“Next time just say thank you, you idiot” this is what Thandi said to her before and she had waited very long to say them back to her.
Thandi looked at her and had a mischievous smile. Why are you helping me. Just say what you want. Is it money, job for your parents,Gebbie or Gibberish?
Mandy laughed so much tears were rolling down her face. Thandi was using her words against her and it was so funny. She stopped laughing and asked Thandi if her bothers names were Gebbie and Gebberish?
I don’t have brothers, I just can’t remember the names you asked me.
So you came up with Gebbie and Gebberish? Mandy started laughing again. She was laughing so hard that Thandi couldn’t help but join in.
Mandy I’m sorry I called you stupid. I was wrong, you are very smart. Thandi said sincerely
I was mean to you first, I’m sorry too. Mandy responded.
It was the beginning of a lifelong friendship. Soon the two of them were inseparable. Tell could not stop talking about each other to their families. They had sleepovers, spent weekends and school holidays at each other’s homes.
Two years later they were closer than sisters. Having decided to do quantum physics together, they made it their goal to get the best grades and collected every award there was in the school.
Grade 11 examinations and the study group was meeting at Mandy’s home this afternoon. Mandy tied up the study on the first floor and placed extra chairs for her friends.
Downstairs Sbu, Menzi were sitting on the sofa playing video games. University year was over, they had completed their first year, now was time for them to be carefree.
Mandy stood in front of the screen blocking their view.
Mandy! they both shouted in unison.
My study group is coming in few minutes time, you two better behave and stop making noise, Mandy warned them.
Study group you say, is it girls? asked Sbu
Are they pretty? asked Menzi
Mom! shouted Mandy, please tell these two to leave now.
Don’t tell Mom, we will behave, they pleaded
Mandy was not having it, she called her mother again and asked her to chase her brothers away. Mandy knew them well. Not only were they popular with girls, they delighted in flirting with every female they met no matter how old. The two of them had managed to mess around with about every friend she had in the past. These were her school friends and she wanted her brothers gone.
Mrs J came out and asked what the matter was. Mandy told her that her brothers wanted to ruin the study group.
Mrs J knew what these two were capable of and chased them away.
In the end they went to play in Sbu’s room and promised to stay there.
Today they were solving old Mathematics question papers. Mandy, Pretty,Cindy and Mandy were sitting around a circle solving the problems. There was one particular equation they had been working on for sometime and could not come up with an answer. They were tired and were taking a break, except for Thandi who could not stop until it was solved. This was an obsession of hers. A problem must be solved, no matter how long it takes. The door suddenly opened and S’bu walked in carrying a tray. On it was juice and biscuits. Beautiful Ladies, I thought I should bring you refreshments since you working so hard, he said with a breathtaking smile. They looked up at him. Mandy was furious, Pretty and Cindy were blushing. S’bu was handsome and his physique drove girls crazy and today he was wearing a tight vest that wa
They were interrupted by Amahle who was screaming hysterically. Tadie, Tadie she said pulling Mandy’s skirt with wet eyes. Mandy picked her up her niece and tried consoling her. She will come see you soon, ok precious. Let’s go get a lollipop for Amahle. The little girl nodded her head, wiping her tears. Yes lollipop, she said. Mandy laughed walking into the house, it was very easy to please her niece.S’bu are you ok?S’bu..... S’bu!, Menzi was now shouting waving his hand in front of his eyes.What? S’bu answered absentmindedI’ve been talking alone for 20 minutes now, what’s going on with you? Menzi and S’bu had been very close for as long as they could remember.They spent a lot of time together and knew everything about each other. They were similar in so m
S’bu made sure that he was back home early for the whole week but was disappointed. The study group girls did not come back.Mandy went to other girls homes for studying and got back when it was supper everyday.Today grade 11’s had just come out of the exam. They were walking home discussing the Physics paper they just wrote when an exquisite car stopped next to them.Ladies and a gentleman, S’bu greeted them with a smile.What are you doing here, Mandy asked her brother suspicious.Mom sent me to the shops and asked me to look out for you and give you a lift home. Your friends can also come, he said still smiling.Before he knew it Pretty was sitting ne
My home is an hour away! Thandi exclaimedI know. Get in, I will take you there, S'bu saidI’m sorry you can’t take me home, she said turning down his offerOuch, he said putting his hand over his heart pretending to be hurt. Most girls would not miss the opportunity to get into his car or spend time with him but it was different with her. Fortunately he was prepared for this.What have I done to offend you? he asked sounding hurt.Thandi suddenly felt guilty. This was her best friend's s brother and he had never offended her in any waybut she could not let him take her home. She tried to speak but could not find the words. In the end she just opened and closed her mouth.At least tell me why you won’t let
S’bu was in a good mood. He drove home playing his favourite song on full blast with a huge smile. Menzi saw S’bu getting off the car with a smile and knew that their plan worked so he went to meet him outside.Jobe , he said addressing S’bu by their surname. Should I organise uncles to go represent you at the Dlamini’s?S’bu laughed, unable to hold his excitement he told Menzi about the conversation he had with Thandi. Excuse me bro I need to send her a list of our similarities so she can see that we not so different.In the taxi heading home,Thandi thought about her conversation with S’bu and how she couldn’t stop blushing. This had never happened to her before. Suddenly she received a message then her jaw dropped.Similarities&n
Thandi Dlamini you better tell me you were in a coma or prison!, Mandy exclaimed answering the call.I’m sorry Mandy, the past two days were the worst days of my life, Thandi answered with hoarse voice. She had cried so much she lost her voice.Hearing Thandi’s voice Mandy knew there was a reason her friend did not talk to her for two whole days. She calmed down and asked her what the matter was.Thandi took a deep breath and told Mandy everything. She was already sobbing when she finished.Thandi please don’t cry, Mandy urged her friend feeling helpless. Grandma is strong, she will be fine and maybe the rest of your family won’t get it, Mandy tried her best to reassure her friend and made her promise that she won’t switch her phone off again.
Let go of me, people will see us, Thandi pleaded. Most people in her village fetched water from this river, if anyone saw her in his arms like this the whole village will know about it.And you are worried about people seeing us? he asked sounding hurt and letting go.We....we are not dating, I... I don’t want to send the wrong impression, she stuttered. What was wrong with her? she was blushing and stuttering in his presence.Come, let’s stand there behind the car so we can talk privately, S’bu suggested.Thandi followed him without saying anything.S’bu suddenly became serious, “ medicine has advanced a lot these past few years especially for breast cancer. With chemotherapy and radiotherapy your grandma could be cured. I know you worried about yourself and t
Mandy was thrilled to be able to spend time with her best friend. They spent the whole afternoon in Mandy’s room. They chatted the whole evening about school, friends and family.Mandy’s room was on the second floor of the house. Thandi was thirsty so she went downstairs to drink water. She got into the kitchen and drank water. When she turned around to leave she bumped into S’bu.MaDlamini, what a pleasant surprise, he said looking at her in the eyes. He already knew that she was around and had patiently waited to meet her.Thandi blushed, before she knew it, S’bu was hugging her. I have missed you, he whispered on her ear still holding her. Are you crazy? there are elders around, Thandi said pushing him away.If you let me kiss you then I will let you go, he said teasing her.Shameless! she said r