Chapter Two

It’s been a month and my squad has gained a sixth member, Gwen du Toit. She makes the meanest blueberry muffins I have ever tasted. I have also managed to take the squad’s focus off my peculiar life but I haven’t had much success in getting that Sbu guy to stop drooling over me. Nkosana doesn’t bring him by the flat anymore so he has resorted to following me around campus. Katie thinks I should give him a chance but I don’t know. I really can’t be that girl who is already in a relationship with an older guy within one month of being in university. Besides, he has never asked me out. All he does is buy me lunch and drinks and hang around our side of campus and say he just wanted to say hi. Part of me wants to report him to campus security but another part of me likes the attention because this guy is gorgeous and I don’t think he’s broke, either. He keeps referring to me as MaZwane. Maybe eventually I’ll tell him Nkosana and I don’t have the same surname. But for now, I’ll just enjoy the attention. It’s harmless.

“Are you and that guy a thing now?” Thuto asks me randomly while we’re doing breathing exercises in class. I give him a side eye before breathing out.

“Well, are you?” he persists.

“No, we’re not.” I say before getting into the tree pose. Our lecturer combines yoga with our breathing and vocal exercises because she says it is vital for getting into the zone. And every great actor and actress needs to know how to get in the zone.

“Is he stalking you or something?” he’s pulling faces at me now. Why is he frowning? Why is he so mad?

“Hmm-mmm, Thuto. He’s just… my brother’s friend.”

“It’s just weird that your brother’s friend seems to have memorised your class schedule within two weeks. I’m just looking out for you.” He looks really upset for some reason. Now is a good time to get into the zone and zone out of this conversation.

“Speak of the devil.” Thuto says as we walk out of the building and find Sbu sitting under the tree. He’s on a phone call but flashes me a smile when he sees me.

“Thuto… what’s up?” I ask him, pulling him aside so we’re not too close to Sbu.

“With what?”

“You seem so upset. What’s bothering you?”

“It’s nothing, Ntando. Just… this guy is creepy, that’s all. I mean, if he has a thing for you then he should just ask you out. Following you around campus like this…” he says, shaking his head.

“I agree.” We turn around and find Sbu standing behind us. I’m suddenly at a loss for words.

“Look,” he says. “I’m sorry if you feel creeped out.” He hands me a MacDonald’s packet and walks away. Thuto rolls his eyes and starts walking. Well, this is my last class for the day so I take my phone out and request an Uber. I’ll take Sbu’s spot under the tree while I wait. I open the packet and find a serviette placed neatly on top of the burger box. It has writing on it:

MaZwane

I am in no way good with words so I apologise if this note is cheesy. I feel a strong connection towards you and it has only gotten stronger since the day I met you. I was hoping that you would do me the honour of going out on a date with me. You can pick the day, time and place. If after this date, you decide that you want nothing to do with me, I’ll stop bothering you. If not, then I can stop claiming you and you can be my girlfriend officially.

Call me. 082 399 3232 – Sibusiso Ngubane.

This is so sweet. Honestly, the cutest thing I have ever received. My Uber is here. I guess I’ll eat this burger at home.

“Hi.” I say to the driver, Thomas is his name.

“Hello, Ntandokazi.” He says. Uber drivers never think to shorten my name when they speak to me. I don’t mind, it’s more professional.

“You look like you have a lot on your mind.” He says. I look at him for a minute before deciding if I should burden this guy with my life stories.

“So, my brother’s friend asked me out on a date. I don’t know what to do.” I say, speaking rather quickly.

“I think you know what you want to do.” Thomas says. “You like him?”

“I don’t know, I barely even know him.”

“Most people barely even know each other when they get into relationships. Knowing him has nothing to do with whether you like him or not.” Wow. Thomas is so wise. It’s a pity I live so close to campus, I would’ve loved for this conversation to go on for longer.

“Thanks, Thomas.” I say as I get out of the car.

“Ntandokazi.” He calls out to me as I walk towards the entrance of the building. I turn around. “You forgot your food.” I walk back to car and take the MacDonald’s packet from him through the driver’s window.

“Thanks.” I say and walk back into the building. I hear giggling as I approach the door. Is it possible? No… surely, Nkosana didn’t bring a girl over… or did he? I test the door handle gently, trying not to make it obvious. The door isn’t even locked.

“Flip!” Nkosana says when he hears the door open. Under him, Katie covers her face with a cushion. He quickly gets up and walks towards me. I’m not even upset, I’m just shook. So, this is why Katie missed our last class today? Because she’s here making out with my brother.

“Wow.” Is all I say before walking to my room. My brother’s got game, this I have always known. I just didn’t think he’d have his way with my friend. I mean, Nkosana looks just like his dad with his mom’s eyes. Tall, caramel complexion, thick eyebrows, broad shoulders, muscles in all the right places. Plus, he’s got a way with words. Even in high school, Nkosana dated my friends. It didn’t matter that he was a year younger than all of us, in fact some even said that made him more attractive. There’s a knock on my bedroom door.

“Come in.” I say while eating my burger. Katie walks in very slowly with a sheepish look on her face. I can’t help but laugh at her.

“Whew, so you’re not upset?” she asks as she sits on my bed.

“Katherine Mfenyana, you’re sleeping with my little brother.” I say, finding it difficult to stop laughing. I’m not laughing at the fact that she’s in a relationship with Nkosana. I’m laughing at the fact that she thinks she should be embarrassed by it. “You know he’s a child, right?”

“Come on, he’s 18. Technically, you two are the same age now since your birthday is in October. And he’s not so little, you know.” She smiles at that last part. Ew!

“Katie, honey, way too much info.” I say and she laughs.

“So, you’re okay with this?”

“Are you guys in a relationship or are you just…?” I didn’t really know how to complete that sentence but I think she understood the question.

“I think we’re in a relationship… I mean, he took me out on a date last week. I don’t know, he hasn’t really made it official. Hey, what’s that on your desk?” she asks reaching for the serviette. Damn it! I didn’t want anyone to know about the new developments in the world of Sbu but it’s too late now. Katie’s eyes widen as she reads the note. She’s literally turning pink, I don’t even know why she’s blushing over my love letter.

“This is sooooo cute! You definitely have to go out with him.” She practically screams.

“Shh! Not so loud.” But I’m too late. Nkosana is already peering through my door.

“Go out with who?” he asks.

“No-one.” I roll my eyes. I don’t want Nkosana to know that I’m considering going out with his ‘mentor’ even though I just found out that he’s been sleeping with my friend. I’m just glad I got home when I did – when their clothes were still on. Eventually, he gives up and goes back to doing whatever he was doing before he got nosy.

“I don’t think it’s a good idea.” I say to Katie, this is a continuation of the conversation Nkosana interrupted. Sbu just seems too good to be true. I feel like there’s a nasty side that will be revealed later on in the relationship and I’ll just end up regretting everything. I’m too young to be on that downward spiral. Besides, it’ll be too messy if Nkosana is dating my friend and I’m dating his.

“Hmm.” Is all Katie says. She’s been rooting for Sbu since day one, really, so I understand why she’s disappointed. Just then, my phone rings. It’s my step-mom.

“Hello, Mamkhulu.” I say. I call her Mamkhulu because she’s my dad’s first wife and my mom is his second wife. Also, she’s older than my mom.

“Hi, Ntando. Where’s your brother?” she says, sounding rather upset. I wonder what Nkosana has done now.

“He’s in the lounge. Must I give him the phone?”

“No, he’s probably going to lie to me. I need you to find out what he bought for R1 500 at La Senza.”

I almost choke on my own spit. La Senza is a lingerie shop, what could Nkosana possibly have bought? Unless… my eyes turn to Katie… no! It can’t be.

“Hello? Ntando? Do you know about this?”

“No, no, Mamkhulu. I know nothing. But I will find out.” I say, still staring at Katie.

“You kids had better not be getting up to mischief or I swear you will come back and live at home.” With that, she hangs up. Now I’m looking at Katie with so much judgement in my eyes.

“What?” she asks, stealing my fries. “It’s just chips, I can buy you more.”

“Katherine – “ I start speaking but she interrupts me.

“Hai, Ntando. This is the second time you’ve called me Katherine today, what is it? Did your mom ask about me?”

I shake my head and take a bite out of my burger. Nkosana and his girlfriend will be the death of me and it’s only the first half of the first semester. But I won’t have this conversation with Katie, I’ll have it with Nkosana because if this is what I think it is, he and I will be moving out of this flat sooner than we had planned.

“Katie,” Nkosana says, sticking his head in through my bedroom door again. “If you need me, I’ll be in my room finishing my assignment.”

“Actually, I’m gonna go. It’s like 4 already. I’ll call you later.” Katie says, blowing me a kiss and then going on to kiss Nkosana on her way out. I roll my eyes. I can’t believe he bought her lingerie. And I can’t believe he swiped instead of making a cash payment. Now his shenanigans are going to cost me my freedom.

I am still trying to decide on whether or not I should go on this date with Sbu. I mean, he is older but I think only by 2 years. And he’s extra super gorgeous with that dark skin, defined jawline and toned muscles. He’s also well-spoken and intelligent, Nkosana once told me in passing that he’s an A student which is why he’s the perfect mentor. Would it be such a bad idea for me to go on one date? Just one? Surely, it’s okay. The phone rings twice before he answers.

“Hello?” he says.

“Hi, Sbu. It’s Ntando.” I say, holding my breath.

“Oh hey. I wasn’t expecting you to call so soon. How are you?”

“Meet me at JB’s Corner in Sandton on Saturday at 15:00 and I’ll tell you how I’m doing.” I’ve got this huge grin on my face that I can’t contain.

“I look forward to it.”