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8
8THAT WEEKEND
After contemplating the right decision to make, Sandile decided to take up the plan to visit his family. In the state of fuzzy-headedness, he was in, this visit was the best decision he could make besides he had promised to visit so what better time times was there to visit now? His family home in the suburbs was big, elegant, and very homely. His mom was in and out on the road back and forth visiting her husband, Sandile’s father who did not stay with them in town. So, this was kind of a wasted visit because his parents were not home only his sister was.
Sitting on the balcony enjoying the beautiful evening with his sister Sandile looked far and deep in his thoughts that Sibu caught on- she was an attentive person, Nothing ever went over her head.
Sibu: you’re not okay, are you?
Sandile: what makes you say that?
Sibu: you’ve been frowning for the past 5 minutes. Deep in thought?
Sandile: not really, but something has really been bothering me lately
Sibu: it is serious, isn’t it?
Sandile: maybe, but it’s no big deal. I think I’m gonna head inside, it’s getting chilly out here
Sibu: and now he’s running away…
Sandile: who’s running?
Sibu: hey, come on sit back down. Let’s talk about it. I don’t like seeing you like this
Sandile: and what help will talking about it do? it’s not like it is going to change the fact that I’d be cast out if I acted on my own… acted on my feelings…
Sibu: oh my God!!
He did not have to say it in words. He did not have to explain what he meant. He could have been as vague as he wanted, and Sibu would’ve still caught on. Right there and then she knew what her little brother was on about. She could read the expressions on his face which more than anything screamed pain and frustration. This was something sensitive, something their family never sat down and talked about peacefully without throwing curse words and painful words in the play. Their father was a very dictatorial man and did not support any decision that strayed from his plans.
Years ago, when Sandile first came forward with the truth of his sexuality, their father went to the bounds of hell to straighten him and told him to snap out of his disruptive character and start being a man. Those were his words of telling Sandile that he did not want a gay son and would never treat him like his offspring until he cleaned up his act and became manly. That was what caused the rift between Sandile and his father. In simple words, their father was a homophobic man!!
BACK AT THE DORM
Confused boy Thando let out a sigh sitting back down disappointed after reading a message from Chuma cancelling their plans. It was the weekend and the day before they had made plans to go to the mall and explore the place a bit. This was just as sad as how he could not make sense of exactly what happened between him and Sandile, the man who went missing on the radar without an explanation. For a person with no friends, this was just flat-out a stay-at-home message from the universe herself, but Thando was adamant he wanted to get some fresh air. Staying inside would just drive him crazier he thought, he missed Sandile and sadly there was nothing he could do about that. So, he decided to go out.
THE CUPID CAFÉ
After 2 hours of window shopping and getting a few goodies here and there, Thando left the mall in a clearer state of mind than he was in when he left the dorm. Inside the cute café, he found an empty seat and ordered some refreshments. A few moments later his order was delivered by none other than his ‘rival’ Mina, Sandile’s girlfriend. This was a coincidental interaction where the other party had a clue who the other person was but to no further extent.
Mina: you can’t happen to be Thando right? Oh God, I have been dying to meet you. I am sorry for the unprofessionalism, I am Mina, Sandile’s girlfriend.
Thando: excuse me?
Mina: sorry, here’s your order- enjoy…
Thando: excuse me, lady--- what did you just say?
Mina: I’m a little busy now, but can we please chat later…please?
Thando: uhm…
Mina: I’ll catch you later
The girl with a bright personality, the total opposite of who he is, and Sandile’s girlfriend disappeared before he could say anything more. He felt ridiculous and slowly he started to make sense of things. Whatever he thought happened proved to have definitely been a dream after meeting the girlfriend. Sandile was not that type of a person--- he did not visit his bed and cuddle him throughout the night, and he was not INTO him. These thoughts ran through Thando’s mind driving him to a much more complex state of confusion than he was in before.
3O MINUTES LATER
The place served delicious drinks and desserts so upon paying Thando also ordered some goods to take away. His head was still not in a clear state, but he was glad he came here today, the distraction was worth it.
Cashier: anything else?
Thando: no, that will be all.
Cashier: today you look friendlier than you usually do, something good happened?
Thando: sorry?
Cashier: I’ve seen you around, with your other friend- the talkative one. You guys casually order coffee here before your classes at least once every Monday.
Thando: oh… yeah
Cashier: my name is Banzi by the way, I go to the same school as you guys and work here sometimes. It is really nice seeing you
Thando: nice you meet you Banzi, I’m Thando
Cashier: oh, beautiful name… here’s your stuff. Thank you for supporting The Cupid
Thando: pleasure…
Awkward and somewhat cute was the only way to describe the interaction. He was a nice stranger and seemed full of life, knowing him wouldn’t be so bad. Just a few steps away from the counter, Banzi called out to Thando.
Banzi: you left this!! The receipt, you might need it later…
Thando went back to the counter embarrassed and collected the receipt.
Thando: oh that, thank you.
Banzi: you seem like a nice person, and I’d like to get to know you better… can I have your number, if you don’t mind?
Thando: yeah, you can have it…
He might have been jumping to conclusions again, but this man’s stare felt different. He oozed confidence and anyone nearby could tell Thando was being hit on publicly. This was a good boost for his fragile confidence, and he liked the feeling of being liked and fancied publicly by someone else. He did not have to put any effort into this interaction, he did not have to act a certain way and most importantly he did not have any doubts if this was real or not. After exchanging contact information with Banzi, Mina appeared coincidently looking like someone knocking off work.
Mina: thank you for waiting… Bestie, I’m off. I’ll see you later
Banzi: you guys know each other?
Mina: not really but yes
Banzi: makes my work even better…
Mina: what was that?
Banzi: nothing, you guys have a good one. I’ll talk to you later…and Thando, enjoy your donuts
Thando: thank you, and you enjoy the rest of your shift
Mina led the way leaving the café after signaling Thando to follow him. They walked for a few minutes until she stated her intentions of knowing him clear.
Mina: so, you might be a little surprised as to why I want to talk with you… sorry if I came off as stalk-ish
Thando: not a little surprised but--- fine. How can I help you/
Mina: so, as I’ve said earlier I am Mina and I’ve been seeing Sandile for the past two years, and as you know--- Valentine’s is like what—in a week or so… SO, I have a favor to ask. Don’t worry I’ll compensate you handsomely for your help
Thando: I’m not sure I follow
Mina: I’m trying to buy Sandile a gift and I don’t have a clue what to get him. I’ve been thinking about it for a few weeks now but I just can’t grasp the right thing to get him--- he’s a man with many things and doesn’t seem to need anything… so I thought---
Thando: … that I’d know. Sorry, I barely know the guy. I am sure you know him better than I do. I’m not sure I can help you
Mina: please… is there anything you’ve seen him obsessed with lately… anything, even if it’s not tangible. I am out of clues
Thando: Sandile is barely in the house, when I say I don’t know anything about him I am not lying to you. Sorry…
Mina: no, I understand… you don’t have to apologize. I’m sorry for putting you in a spot where you feel uncomfortable. I was just trying to get help… but it is fine. Totally. Just that I have been seeing less and less of him these past few days and I thought maybe you guys talked or he spent some time with you but… it’s okay. I’ll salvage whatever's up. Thank you for your time
Thando: no stress…
If Sandile was not out there spending time with his girlfriend, what was he doing? Where was he and why did Mina feel he would know Sandile better than her? They have been going out for 2 whole years, did she not know anything about him? On what grounds was their relationship started if they shared no hobbies or interests and had nothing in common or knew each other’s favorite things? That was the strangest request Thando has ever gotten and that left him with many questions.
Just how many layers are there to this man?
How twisted is he?
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