Three weeks have passed. Nothando is checking the job sites again.
Ouch! Still no interesting emails. I know my friend doesn’t mind me squatting with her until I have my own place and income but I really feel horrible that I can’t contribute anything, she thinks. The cost of living is so high and Precious is just like me, an unemployed graduate who has to hustle to make a living for herself. Maybe I should try and find something I can do in the meantime, until I can find proper employment?
“So friend, have you decided what you’re going to do since you still cannot find a job?” asks Precious that evening.
“I haven’t given up yet, chomi, I’m still looking. There was a promising post that I saw this morning on Gumtree. I’ve applied and I’m hoping they call me.”
She is just saying that to keep Precious happy, because really she has no hope of getting the job.
“Stop being so holy and get yourself a man that will give you money, like I’ve told you. My blesser’s friend and colleague is also looking for a blessee. I can hook you up if you want.”
“Ayngeke oe … Ngeke ngilunge kuma blesser (I don’t want to be involved with blessers). Jesu! What would my granny say if she finds I have a sugar daddy? And besides, I already have my man, Sipho, and I don’t want another one. So I will just keep looking for a job until I find one,” Nothando tells her friend firmly.
Precious is irritated by her answer. “Uthi indoda lento engena twaa (That broke ass that you’re calling a man)!”
“Yes he’s broke, but he’s working hard to change that. He will be successful one day if he can get the right job. Soon I will have it all; I just need to be patient,” Nothando says, defending her loving, but poor, boyfriend.
“Bra, what I mean is, that since you live here, you should help me with rent as from this month end. OK?” Precious says, putting pressure on Nothando.
“OK friend, I will try.”
Nothando is sad, wondering why life has to be so challenging. Mrs Ntuli threw her out for no good reason, believing she was sleeping with her husband. She was forced to come to her friend for help, and now her friend wants money that she doesn’t have. She feels helpless and devastated.
“I’m going to shower,” she tells Precious.
“Cool friend. Leave some hot water and I’ll shower after you.”
***
Tell us: Do you think Nothando should go on staying with Precious? Do you think Mr Ntuli could be having an affair?