(It is Friday, the test day. The class is settling down so that Miss Jude can distribute the papers)

Miss Jude: Hurry up students! Remove everything on top of your desks except your pencil cases. Leave spaces among the desks. I know some of your necks are elastic, so please…

(The class all laughed)

Miss Jude: Now I am distributing the papers, so be quiet. When you get the paper, you read the instructions, scan it and see if it has all the questions. Don’t write until I tell you to. Comprehended?

Students: Yes, Miss Jude!

(The papers are distributed)

Miss Jude: You have only one hour to complete the test. You can start writing. I was going to say good luck, but you don’t need it. You need to remember and apply!

(Students all face down and begin to write the answers as fast as they can)

Miss Jude: Okay, time is up! Pens down. Dismissed.

(Most of the class left the room but some didn’t, including Thabo and Tshepo)

Thabo: How was the test?

Tshepo: Fair.

Thabo: Okay.

Tshepo: Okay.

Thabo: Okay.

Tshepo: Okay.

Thabo: Okay.

Tshepo: This is absurd! (laughing)

Thabo: Yeah! What’s on your mind? You look preoccupied.

Tshepo: It’s that obvious?

Thabo: Yes.

Tshepo: I am about to do something I dislike the most, but I have no choice.

Thabo: What is that?

Tshepo: It’s not okay, if anything it’s painful.

Thabo: What is that?

Tshepo: Let me just say, someone’s weekend is going to be ruined and I will be the main reason. Talking about the weekend, why don’t you come with me to the soccer match we’re having tomorrow? It’d be fun, guaranteed.

Thabo: I can’t, perhaps some other weekend. My friends feel as if I’m neglecting them. I promised to spend the weekend with them, starting today.

Tshepo: I understand. Some other weekend, I guess.

Thabo: Don’t be sad, your friends and girlfriend will be there to cheer for you.

Tshepo: But they are not you.

Thabo: What do you mean?

Tshepo: I’ll see you on Monday.

(Tshepo leaves, and goes to his girlfriend)

Tshepo: Hi.

Nonhle: Hey you, stranger! Not even a hug or a kiss? Just a simple ‘Hi’?

Tshepo: I have something to tell you. It’s important that I tell you now before it’s too late.

Nonhle: Are you okay? You seem…I don’t know… off?

Tshepo: I am okay, really.

Nonhle: Before you tell me whatever you want to, let me tell you something first. I’ve booked a dinner table for the two of us at Teddy’s Restaurant tonight. So, you will need to dress up. I know you hate being formal, but you’ll have to look the part. I’ll steal my dad’s car and you’ll drive.

Tshepo: But that’s an expensive restaurant around here. Where did you get the cash?

Nonhle: It’s part of my savings. I just wanted to take you out, like you take me out. It doesn’t hurt to treat my babe. I am so excited, and I can’t…

Tshepo: Stop! Just stop talking! I am breaking up with you now. That’s what I came to tell you.

Nonhle: (confused) But, why? I never cheated on you, ever.

Tshepo: I know. But I’d be lying to both of us if I continued being in a relationship with you. I don’t want you to get hurt.

Nonhle: Really? What do you call what you’re doing? I should’ve known that you were just like all of the other boys out there! You only want to take a girl’s innocence and leave them broken! You’re a player! A jerk! You don’t even deserve to be loved! I regret the day I gave you my love! You’re leaving me with visible scars. I feel cheap and dirty! I gave you my virginity, gave you my only valuable asset. I was such a fool to think that you were the one. You go and scoop those STI’s out there in the world! It’s what you do best. I never want to see or talk to you again, ever!

Tshepo: (whispering) Please, stop! You’re making a scene.

Nonhle: (adjusting herself) Why are you breaking up with me?

Tshepo: I love someone else.

Nonhle: I can’t listen to this. (sobbing)

(She leaves)

Khaya: And then? What’s with her?

Tshepo: I just broke up with her. She has all the reasons to be moody at the moment.

Mlondi: You did what? You’re selfish, Tshepo. She was there for you, loved you unconditionally, supported you, came to all your matches and gave you all her attention.

Tshepo: I know. I feel bad, but I had no choice. I just figured out something recently. I can’t be with her. I’d just be playing with her. Human feelings are not toys. That’s why I had to end things between us. I couldn’t continue with a lie.

Mlondi: No matter what the reasons are, you’re still being selfish. She deserves being loved, treated like a princess.

Khaya: I don’t know what kind of drugs you’re on, but you better snap out of them and realise that you’ve just broken up with the most smoking girl in the entire school. In addition, you took her virginity.

Mlondi: That’s the part that saddens me the most, that after weeks of sleeping with her, you’re ending things. That was the worst move you’ve ever made.

Tshepo: I am in love with someone else!

Khaya: Who?

Tshepo: I’ll tell you, but not now.

Khaya: She must be very beautiful if you left Nonhle for her.

Tshepo: It’s about personality, not beauty.

***

Tell us what you think: Do you think someone is being selfish when they are no longer happy and breaking things off?