4

4



THE CAMPUS GROUNDS



As Sandile approached and made his direction clear, the girls disappeared giving him his much-needed space. He was in the dark about Thando's feelings for him, as said before, to him- Thando was just a younger clumsy brother he wanted to take care of. So when he saw him in that manner, he could not help but ask in worry.

Sandile: Thando and the guy I don't know... hello. Are you okay? You don't look okay...

Chuma: he complained about flu just minutes ago.

Sandile: let's go get some help then, we can't have you sick.

Thando: don't worry about it, I am sure it will die down soon...

Sandile: but--

Thando: really... don't sweat it...

Sandile was left rather confused and dumbfounded at Thando's reaction. He may not have known him for years but the connection he felt they'd built over the last few months was pretty strong and hence it gave him grounds to worry about Thando. Seeing Thando less enthusiastic than he usually is made him worry a whole lot more than he originally was. He watched him as he threaded slowly showing his slouched back to him away from the campus. He did not like this scene nor did he feel good about it, something in him was pressed the wrong way and this slowly made him just a little annoyed and angry. With the yapping stranger beside him, he could not even have a minute to himself to hear himself think. It was all just too much in such a constricted space of time.

Chuma who was just as confused but more focused on winning the social media jackpot with this guy decided to break the ice and start an awkward conversation by introducing himself and slowly progressing through small talk and finally making his intention to know the guy known to him.

Chuma: it's Chuma by the way. My name is Chuma and you wouldn't know me because your roommate decided to keep you a secret from me.

Sandile: what? really? that's a first. From everyone I've roomed with before no one has ever kept my identity a secret even when I asked. This is oddly surprising.

Chuma: well things happened like that, nice to finally meet you anyway. This is a dream come true.

Sandile: yeah, likewise.

Sandile was not invested or interested in the small talk, his mind was running wild, and he was worried about the guy who just ditched them and ran for the wild. Frustrated that his words did not convey enough about his state of emergency he said them again, this time much clearer.

Sandile: it was nice meeting you Chuma, I really have to go. Sorry, I can't stay and chat.

He watched Chuma's face go sour at the words. This was not good and he knew the look Chuma gave him was enough to start ye another scandal about him. The last time someone looked at him like that he barely survived social suicide. He knows when people want more, he knows about himself being idolized by almost the whole school although he may act nonchalantly and oblivious to it. And to keep such an image is difficult, it really means living your life for others, and being a people-pleaser was not in his books. But this moment here called for it, he did not want to tarnish his name. He was a few months from graduating and finally closing this bittersweet chapter of his life.

Sandile: you can come by the dorm later and check on Thando. We can catch up then.

Chuma: bet, see you then.

Chuma's face loosened as his idol offered him an invite to their dorm room. Sandile too was relieved to see the expression on Chuma's face.



He had dodged another bullet.





BACK AT THE DORM ROOM



Thando slept with his face down on the pillow. Retreating from campus, he had a long day and the way it ended impacted his whole mood which led him to this point. He was not sick, and he was not coming down with anything but his heart made him feel like he was. It hurt, and at that moment he wanted nothing more than to disappear. A knock and entering woke him up from his not-so-deep sleep, he took a quick glance at the person and went back to his nap. Sandile with meds from the pharmacy on his hands ignored the cat and continued striding and searching through the room for the unknown.





MINUTES LATER



A gentle nudge but enough to wake one up woke Thando from his deep sleep which eluded him in pretence. It was Sandile with the medicine he seemed to be carrying when he came in minutes ago.



Sandile: I did not want to wake you up but I have to

Thando: have to?

Sandile: earlier you did not look okay, and here- I bought some meds for the flu to calm down. I'm leaving so I did not want to leave not knowing what condition you're in

Thando: why are you doing this?

Sandile: it wouldn't be human of me to leave and not check on you knowing very well that you're sick.

Thando: really?

Sandile: enough with the questions, take the medicine. I ordered food for you on Uber Eats, it should be here in a few minutes. Just go down and fetch it then. I'll be gone. I know we're doing this backwards- it's usually the food first then medicine, but I'm new to this so...you can't complain.

No matter how hard and long Thando wanted to stay 'mad' at Sandile he could not. The man was being adorable and thoughtful. His thought and execution of caregiving gave Thando butterflies. He could not believe his eyes, it may have been a habit for Sandile but to Thando it was an act out of love, it was his first time having someone tend to him when 'sick'. The thought of having someone worry about him filled his chest with warmth. Just what were the chances of the perfect Sandile to feel the same way as him, what were the chances that this perfect man in front of him was just as mesmerized by him as he was by him? Every person has a flaw or flaws, but what was Sandile's- he wondered.

Sandile: see, now you're smiling and I feel better about my job. Now I can go to that party with no worries

Thando: party? on a Wednesday?

Sandile: Wednesdays are the new Fridays!

Thando: I can never keep up with you or your lifestyle

Sandile: you don't have to, you are just perfect the way you are.

Tongues tied. Sandile who was now acting like a toddler who got caught stealing sugar got up quickly and went to his side of the room and started rummaging through his closet to lessen the awkwardness in the air after his comment. He knew he should've kept that to himself so as not to be misunderstood or sound some type of way to Thando but he could not unsay said words. So, the best way to manage the situation from his point of view was to address it immediately. He turned around and thought for a few seconds and there went his 'managing the situation' which made things more awkward because his response was not a little out of context.

Sandile: not in any weird way though, I respect you

Thando: what?

Sandile: nothing... don't mind me, I'll get going now.

Thando: are you okay bro?

Sandile: tops! Don't forget to go get the food, and also snap me the evidence. I demand it

Thando: okay Doc

Sandile: bye, have a great evening.

With that, he left. Thando slowly rolled out of bed a few minutes later to go fetch his Uber Eats order from the gate. Arriving, he waited a few minutes until the food was delivered. He retracted back to his room squealing with excitement and curiosity as to what Sandile had ordered for him. They may have had a few dinners together but there was no way Sandile figured out what he liked from those few night outs. The menu was delightful! The man had taste! Thando's taste buds tweaked as the aroma of the food filled the room. Sandile had ordered him a snack platter consisting of Buffalo wings on BBQ sauce, Potato Fries, Green Peas, Mashed Potatoes, Braised Tofu, Fried Chicken, and a salad. The package was complete with his favorite dessert, Tiramisu cake, and some Vanilla ice-cream and Apple juice. The servings were enough for two so he dished up for himself and left half for Sandile for when he came back.

As soon as he finished dishing up for himself, he slouched down on the chair and a small table in the corner of the room as devoured the food after taking a snap and sending it to Sandile. It was a well-needed and perfect meal after a day of acting out. This was the perfect way to close his day.





CLUB LA MACARENA



Sandile smiled at his phone at the recent text from Thando. He found it awkwardly cute and very funny that Thando actually sent a text as evidence. Of course, he meant it when he said it but he did not expect Thando to actually send the text. Another one reading, 'Thank you for dinner and party safe.' followed. He could not help but be smitten and a little warm that someone cared about his well-being. Before he could reply he was disturbed.

Ms. Kai: not on work time pretty boy! Put that phone away and save the blushing for later

Sandile: sorry Ms. Kai

Ms. Kai: yeah. You know when I scouted you and asked you to wait and serve at the bar in my club, I did not expect this many people to come out considering that I've been in this neighborhood for a while and I never had such a big turnout. This place is crawling with customers and money!

Sandile: what can I say? No one is immune to my charms

Ms. Kai: just me, but seriously you made a place out of this club and I'm grateful

Sandile: anytime

Ms. Kai: that one IG story really did save my business after all. Look at you influencing, thank you, boy.





Sandile met Ms. Kai a month ago when he and his friends came partying at her club. Of course back then it was not as big and busy as is it now. They also happened to find it by chance after being chased out from their usual hang-out after one of his friends Cleo got into a fight. After that one night, he was persuaded and virtually stalked by Ms. Kai who proposed the idea of wanting him as a waiter/bartender at her club. After rejecting the offer multiple times he finally caved in. This was a good experience for him, after all, he only had a few months left in college before he graduates. This was the best way to use all the time he has on his hands and make some coins.





His not telling the truth about his newly found hobby to Thando was just a mystery he too did not know how to solve.

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