Friday afternoon when I came back from school, my mom was sitting in the living room watching one of her soaps.

“Assalamulakum mom” I said.

“Allykumsalaam sweetheart. How was your day at the new school?”

“It was so much fun mom. First day already I made some new friends. They invited me to a party, well not actually a party, it’s just like a movie night.” I said.

“That’s nice. Are you going?” my mother asked.

“I’d love to. I already said yes to them, it’ll look bad if I don’t go now,”

“You should go sweetheart. You need to get out and be around friends. Enjoy the night and have fun. Just remember that we must still talk about Saturday.”

“Thank you mom. I’ll be leaving at 7 tonight.” I said.

“Okay.”

I then went to my bedroom and Zara was sitting on my bed, waiting for me.

“Salaam Bishni, I hope you aren’t angry at me for what I did to you.”

“Do you expect me to be happy?”

“I just don’t want any tension between us cuz.”

“You caused the tension Zara. I don’t know why you had to humiliate me like that.”

“I didn’t humiliate you Bishni.”

“To think that you and Dario were friends. I wonder what he would’ve done if he heard you did what you done to me. Probably break your friendship after so long.” I said.

“I know okay, he would’ve hated me forever. But can we not talk about him now, he’s gone.”

“Don’t say that! He is not gone. He is right here in my heart and he is alive.”

“Bishni, you need to grow up!” Zara said.

“Please leave my room.”

“I’m not going to leave until I set the record straight with you. You must forgive me Bishni. I done you nothing and it wasn’t even that big of a deal. You just need to grow up.” Zara said.

I walked out to Zaahir’s room and called him.

“Zara doesn’t want to leave me alone and she’s hurting my feelings right now.” I told Zaahir.

“Zara, go!” Zaahir said.

“Why? You won’t tell me!” Zara said.

“Jys nie reg in jou kop nie. Jy moet ophou ane goete rook so aaneen. Nou wil j my sus se lewe ko opmors hieso. Ek maak dood bymy sus. Of jy family is of nie. Jy beter loop nou! Of ek sit jou uit hier. Hoor jy my!” Zaahir told Zara.

“Put me out! I don’t care. I’ll never come here ever again. You can all go to hell for my part. And f….” she still wanted to say the word to me but Zaahir pushed her out of the room and into the street. She was really high on something more than just hood stock.

Zaahir came back in and he told my mom about what happened and she understood. He then came back to me.

“You okay?” he asked.

“Yes thank you. I really needed to get her off my chest.”

“I’d want her away from me also. I heard you’re going to a movie night with Ariana and them.”

“Yes they invited me over.”

“Should I drop you off?”

“Actually, Luke is picking me up.”

“Luke is after you again, but he’ll never show it. I told him about Dario and he said he understands, but at your age, you’ll get bored of being alone so much.”

“Dario will for always be in my heart. I don’t think I’ll get bored ever.”

“That’s good for now, but you’ll see what I was talking about. Take it from me, Dario would have wanted you to be happy, so he’ll want you to have a boyfriend again that’ll make you happy just like he did.” Zaahir said.

“Really?”

“Yes, I knew Dario and he’ll want that for you sis.”

“That’s really sweet. I understand.” I said.

Zaahir went to his bedroom and I went to wait for Luke in the living room.

When he came, I had to go to the bathroom and my mom was talking to him.

“Evening, ma’am.”

“Evening son. I am Bishni’s mother.”

“Pleased to meet you, ma’am. I’m Luke Porter. A friend of Bishni’s at school.” Luke said.

“Nice to meet you.”

“Is Zaahir also out?” Luke asked.

“He’s there in his room. Probably busy reading the Qur’an that’s what he always does, if he isn’t studying.”

“Can I go see him quickly? Just want to say evening.”

“Go ahead, Luke.”

Luke then walked to Zaahir’s room just as I got out of the bathroom.

“Zaahir, you gonna come later?” Luke asked.

“You don’t want to smoke alone again nuh?” Zaahir laughed.

“My bru, you know then we always smoke saam.” Luke said, “Hit me later nuh, gonna get you somewhere then we go.”

“Shap. Kyk agter my sis.”

“Shap.”

Luke then came out and saw me in the passage.

“Evening Bishni, you look pretty tonight. Are you ready to go?” Luke said.

“Thank you, Luke, you don’t look bad either. Let’s go.” I said

We then walked out and got in the car on our way to Wayne’s house.

“Do you smoke?” Luke asked

“No, I don’t. Just pipe, why?”

“Just asking. Don’t you like the plants? We all gona smoke after the movie then block at the pool.”

“Really, tough night. Let’s do it.” I said.

“Just kidding, we gonna smoke before the movie and block afterwards. The pipe is there but you must float with us. Just this once.” Luke said smilling.

***

Tell us what you think: Isn’t it a bit soon for Bishni to move on?