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INSIDE INTERROGATION ROOM

 

Thando had everyone in cold sweats, as much as they all hurriedly bombarded him with questions wanting him to go straight to the details they found more relevant to his case, he cared nonetheless but continued to tell his story the way he wanted to. He had the whole time in the world and had warned everyone that it indeed was long and needed a lot of patience. He was not going to change his method of delivery just because some people of the ‘law’ were pressed. Only the detective who was giving out questions was invested in the whole story.

 

Det. Manzini: take us back to when you met Sandile Magagula, the deceased…

Thando: I still remember it very vividly like it all happened yesterday. It was the summer of 2016…

 

 

SUMMER OF 2016



After spending his festive season with very old, boring, narcissistic, old-fashioned, and no-fun-at-all family members, 22-year-old Thando was finally happy that he left home and was out of sight of anyone and everyone who knew him. Relocating to a new city, in a different province meant that there was zero to no chances at all of him meeting anyone he knew or someone who knew him and that was a chance for him to spread his wings and get to know himself out of the shadow of his mother who always wanted him to act a different way from how he always felt. It was a constant fight of raising him as a perfect son, comparing him to the cousins of his age, and wanting him to fly higher and shine brighter than the rest since she raised him all alone without his father, whom he had never inquired about or even blurted out any questions about.

 

This new place was different from home in every aspect. Here he was going to be his mother, his own boss and for the first time in his life, he was going to make his own decisions. Getting accepted to study at one of the most prestigious colleges of all time was a dream come true for Thando. He always was fascinated by the media and that was when he decided to come study at Ingomso College which was well known for excellent pass rates and producing out-of-hand students when it came to the Film and Directing Field, the same path Thando wanted to venture into. Seeing himself now at the front door of what was his dorm room was just as fascinating and dreamy as how his life had been from the moment he found out that he was accepted to study here.

 

Opening the door his heart raced. He was more than flustered seeing who he was to share a room with. Whoever he was, that guy definitely looked like a senior, he could not have been his age- he thought to himself. Before coming here, he promised himself that he was going to be less awkward and talk more and try to come out of his introverted shell, but this guy in particular made thinking difficult for him. He was so gorgeous that Thando had his tongue tied and stood frozen at the door like a creep.

 

Sandile: first-day jitters? You must be my new roommate… I’m sorry for this mess, I was out the whole day. I just came back a few hours ago.

Thando: no sweat…

 

His voice croaked while the perfect stranger spoke in melodies drawing him into a trance he did not expect. It dawned on him there and then that his life was not going to be as easy as he thought- and not as enjoyable as he’d wanted it to be.

 

The perfect stranger put out his hand for him to shake. The handshake was unlike any other. His hands were warm and soft, unlike his physique. it felt like he shook the hand of someone he had known before but had forgotten in this reality. His touch sent chills down his spine, it felt very comfortable and familiar that it scared him for a second. It was one of the longest handshakes Thando had ever exchanged.

 

Sandile: I’m Sandile man, nice to meet you. Sorry, I can’t stay long and prepare for a welcome party, I have somewhere to be, but I’ll see you later, yeah?

Thando: I’m Thando… Thanduxolo but call me Thando, please. As much as I would’ve loved that party I’m beat. The road here was not necessarily an easy one.

Sandile: well for your sake, I hope it was bearable enough and will be worth it

Thando: thank you…

 

After a few moments of silence and Thando finally found his foot and started packing his luggage away as the perfect Sandile who was half naked when he came in here became fully clothed in a flash. A knock came to the door and Sandile went to answer and that was the last he heard from him. Little did he know that that ‘see you later’ from Sandile meant to see you in 3 days.

 



3 DAYS LATER

It was early morning when Sandile accompanied by a ruckus of other campus boys reported back to their dorms. Thando who barely slept, ate, or even moved for the past 3 days quickly stood up to go and open the door after multiple knocks. The friends with Sandile did not even care, they threw him inside and went their way, they did not even exchange greetings or any sort of those formalities. These people were rude and definitely not people he would be seen hanging around. They were not like Sandile or was he also like them when he was not around- Thando wondered to himself as he ushered dead drunk Sandile to his bed. His weight was almost suffocating but bearable on his shoulders. His body felt familiar against his, his face was flushed from all the alcohol he consumed but the scent of his cologne was still very strong.

 

He stared at him for the longest time until Sandile said something…

 

Sandile: thank you…

Thando: you’re still sane?!

Sandile: not really, just a little bit sober to know my name and where I live and importantly who I live with. 

Thando: goodnight then, I have to wake up and prepare for my first class. I apologize for the disturbance I will make in advance…

Sandile: we didn’t even exchange numbers… when’s your first class? What time is it now?

Thando: it’s currently 06h45 am, and my class is at 8h00.

Sandile: but that’s like 2 hours from now, why are you up so early?

Thando: I am a very slow person and I prefer being early than late. Also, I believe you’re in no place to worry about who’s up early doing what when you just came in like 10 minutes ago… don’t you have any classes today?

Sandile: I do.. but my first class of the day will not be until the afternoon, plus I don’t need to attend it. It is not that important after all. But wake me up when you’re done preparing.

Thando: you’re crazy, just go to sleep.

 

He had not noticed that the more he talked to him, his nerves settled, and he was no longer nervous or freaking out around him. He met him 3 days ago, but his presence did not suffocate him, it made him feel at home, he was comfortable like he was sharing his space with an old friend. Sandile had a special charm about him and to Thando it felt like he was under a spell, nevertheless, he liked the feeling and would not trade it for anything in the world.

 

After spending his time humming in the showers he finally got done and retreated to the room where he found Sandile half-naked, again but seeming to be up and dressing up. This was becoming a common act that he’d always run into him in that state every time, but at least he was thankful it was never anything less than him showing off his ripped and almost sculpted-looking upper body.

 

Thando: and I now feel even slower, why are you up… aren’t you supposed to be sleeping? I thought you were hungover.

Sandile: I am but nothing can stop me from doing what I want.

Thando: you are acting suspicious, you know that, right?

Sandile: not really. I am just trying to make you feel more welcomed and I have a debt to pay you for, you helped me get into bed earlier and for that, I owe you a coffee date… Are you into caffeine?

Thando: yes, and that was like 30 minutes ago. I don’t think you should be up already. Caffeine? I don’t complain… and you don’t have to repay me for that. I did it because I wanted to and that is just who I am.

Sandile: well, sooner or later you’ll learn that everything here is done for a reason and that reason is never for free. Get ready, I’ll step out for a few seconds…

 

With that, he left. Leaving Thando who was just starting to understand him with confusion and another pile of new questions. Sandile was a different breed, he was different from anyone he had met before. He was as spontaneous as the wind; he did what he felt like every time. For example, on the coffee date, Thando did not say yes to being taken out for coffee, but his tone did not seem like he was asking if he should buy him coffee. It clearly said Thando I am buying you coffee so get ready. Sandile had a way of demanding and delegating very nicely and that came off as charming and admirable to Thando, his heart fluttered at the thought of the coffee date.

 

After another 30 minutes of clothing and making sure he looked and smelled good, Thando left the premises with no sign of Sandile who was meant to have come back a long time ago. As he unconfidently strode down the stairs of the building, he heard familiar voices, picking out Sandile’s in the group. To his left, there he was… with a bunch of other guys, of all shades, shapes, and personalities with just one common thing- being loud.

 

He passed the group of guys without a word seeming rather annoyed than happy. Inside he was praying that he doesn’t trip or have Sandile call out to him, he did not want to tarnish his reputation. This was the second time he got a glimpse of the people Sandile hangs around and he knew that he did not fit whatever description was used to describe that group of boys. The further he got away from the boys, the more their laughter roared bruising and melting away the littlest ounce of confidence he had in him.

 

A few steps into a different building, he took a breather while a familiar voice called out to him. It was Sandile almost out of breath. He seemed to have been running.

 

Sandile: dude, I’ve been calling you…didn’t you hear me?

Thando: no…

 

It was not a lie; he did not hear him. His mind was too busy suffering from confidence fails and possible heartaches while recalling the roaring laughter he presumed was directed at him just a few minutes ago.

 

Sandile: damn, man I’ve been running after you for like 5 minutes now.

Thando: I can tell… you’re so out of shape. Maybe you must slow down on partying.

Sandile: whatever… so that coffee?

Thando: huh… I don’t know hey, I’m running a little late. Rain check?

Sandile: okay… see you when you come back then.

Thando: that’s if you’ll be around

Sandile: ouch! But fine… see you.



 

They parted ways with Thando feeling a little better than he felt before. It was great of great console to him that Sandile ran after him, it made him feel special a little bit. Even though he might have overreacted a little bit on the stairwell, being sought after by the most resilient, charming, and handsome person he has ever seen felt good.

 

This day was going to be a good day.

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

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