I was on my way to Ziyanda’s house when I saw her jumping out of a Polo Classic. I’ve never seen her laughing the way she was laughing. Then she hugged this handsome, middle sized guy, kissed him, and then she was walking as if she was modeling as she came closer to me.

“Who’s that guy, is he your new boyfriend?” I asked curiously.

“Actually Jeromie and I have been going out for quite some time now,” she said blushing.

“But you never told me about him!” I said hiding my anger.

“Yeah I know. That’s because I didn’t want to let anybody know about us. You see people, here in Sandton, are envious. Jeromie is a sweet, loving, carrying, considerate and funny guy. And you hardly find guys like him here in Sandton, I’m afraid of losing him.”

“So that’s why you didn’t even tell me about him. What don’t you trust me? Ziyanda, I thought we tell each other everything!” I shouted.

“I’m sorry Zizi, I really am,” Ziyanda said feeling guilty. But I just turned back and walked away.

Ziyanda pitched up at home the next day, out of the blue. Luckily I was chilling outside the gate of Mrs Luthuli’s house. I didn’t want her to see what kind of place I lived in.

“Hey, Ziyanda what a surprise!” I said with a fake smile.

“Yeah. You didn’t come to my house today and I decided to see what is up with you,”

“Nah, I was helping my mom with some things at home. And now I’m trying to relax – I’m tired,”

“Oh are you sure it’s not about yesterday?”

“Oh about yesterday, I’m sorry I over reacted, Ziyanda. I shouldn’t be minding your business,”

“No it’s okay, I was the one who was wrong. I’ve realised how much you care about me that’s why I’m deciding to take you out for shopping. So you can pick a nice dress for Usher’s concert next Saturday,”

“No Ziyanda you don’t have…” Just before I finished Ziyanda answered a call. Just as she called Jeromie’s name I rolled my eyes in irritation.

“Sorry Jeromie I can’t speak to you right now, I’m with Zizipho, so chat later.” She said and hung up on him. I was very much shocked myself; I couldn’t believe she did that just because of me, she was a real jerk.

“Sorry what were you saying?” Ziyanda said. And I replied with a big smile as something came in mind.

“You know what, let me just go and change so we can go for shopping”

“Great, great, great! Do just that,” Ziyanda replied excitedly.

*****

“Hey Mom, I’m back and look what Ziyanda has bought me today!” I took out the new dress Ziyanda had bought me.

“Wooow Zizi, it looks wonderful, gorgeous… just stunning,” my mom said. Then she added, “Zizi you look happy and I haven’t seen you this happy ever since the day we were moving here,”

“Yes it’s because I had a wonderful night with Ziyanda,” I said rolling my eyes, in a good way though.

“But aren’t you going to shout at me and be mad that Ziyanda has bought you another gift?”

“Oh Mama, you’re making it seem like I’m a bad person,”

“No I didn’t mean it like that,”

“Don’t worry, I know what you mean. It’s just that I’ve realised that all the things Ziyanda has been giving me she gave them because she loves me and she cares about me. Oh Mama, I’m sorry I’ve been mean to you,” I said sadly and wanting to cry.

“Oh my baby, come here, I’m sorry too. I’m glad you’ve realised that Ziyanda has been doing this out of the goodness of her heart,” my mom said as she hugged me.

“We’ll see if she’ll still have a good heart when I’m finished with her,” I mumbled behind my mother’s back.

“What did you say honey?”

“Oh… nothing. I was thinking out loud,” I lied. “I said you are the best mother ever,”

“Oh you are the best daughter ever. And honey, Ziyanda is lucky to have you as a friend,” my mom said, kissing me on my forehead.

***

Let’s chat: What is Zizipho planning to do?