When we got to Wayne’s house. Everyone was there.

I got out and went inside to greet the girls. All the guys were outside.

When I got in, Ariana was busy getting the things together for the pipe and the hood stock. She then asked if I wanted to join and I asked, “Ari, can I talk in private with you and Neesah?” and Ariana said yes. We went to Wayne’s bedroom and talked there.

“Is something wrong Bishni?” Tuneesah asked.

“Is it about Dario?” Ariana asked.

“How did you know?” I asked.

“Zaahir told us about him. We knew him very well but we don’t block with him or talked as often as he did with you. The whole town knew about you and Dario. Did you know that?” Ariana asked.

“No, I didn’t know. That’s impossible!” I exclaimed.

Tuneesah laughed. “In this case, it was possible. Dario was a really good guy. He loved socializing with people and making new friends. You wouldn’t say he was a gang member at all.”

“I said the same thing Tuneesah. I even told him once that he looks nothing like a gang member.” I said.

“I have an idea.” Ariana said.

“What is it?” Tuneesah asked.

“Dario was a smoker. I knew because this was where he always came to smoke and we all smoked together now and then.” Ariana said.

“And your point is?” Tuneesah asked.

“Let’s smoke, in remembrance of Dario tonight. When we all blow out the smoke, we do it together and we blow it to the sky. It’ll be a lot of smoke and it’ll be colorful because Zaahir and Luke is going to bring color with.” Ariana said looking really excited.

“It’s a good thing to remember him by, I’ll do it.” I said.

“Yes it’ll be a great idea and Dario will remember it,” Tuneesah said.

Before the movie, we all went to smoke and we blew the smoke out with different colours. It looked amazing.

After we all were done smoking, everyone went in to watch the movie. I called Zaahir to stay with me outside because I actually wanted to be alone with him.

“How you feeling?” Zaahir asked me.

“What’s the word? High?” I said while laughing.

“Yea’ now you’ve had experience. Come we go watch the movie.”

“I actually want to ask you something.” I said

“About what?”

“Dario.” I said

Zaahir looked worried and this I could see in his eyes and the way he started moving around.

“What about him?” he asked

“Do you remember that one late afternoon I wanted to go look for Dario, but you didn’t want me to. You said it wasn’t the right time. Why were you holding me back?” I asked.

There was a moment of silence between me and Zaahir. Then suddenly Luke came.

“Hey you guys coming in or what? The movie is already half way.” Luke said.

“Yea’” Zaahir said and went in without answering my question.

“Are you coming Bishni?” Luke asked.

“I think I’ll just sit here and look at the stars,” I said

Luke left and Tuneesah came out to me.

“Bishni, are you okay?” Tuneesah asked.

“I’m okay, I just want to be alone. That’s all.” I said and I started crying.

“You miss him, don’t you?” she asked.

“More than ever!” I said

“But I can sense, that’s not all that’s bothering you.” She said

“It’s Zaahir. He’s hiding something from me and I can feel it.” I said

“Are you sure it’s not just your imagination?”

“Of course not! I am hundred per cent sure about this. He’s keeping something from me about Dario, I can sense it. I’m telling you.” I said

“Then why don’t you ask him what it is?”

“He doesn’t want to tell me.”

“Then you better find out for yourself Bishni. This is going to affect your life, believe me.”

“I don’t know where to start searching for answers.”

“I think you should go to his gang friends. I’ll go with you.”

“Are you sure? They kind of scare me.”

Tuneesah laughed

“Don’t worry. I know a few of them.” She said

“I think we should go now?”

“Great, I can anyway use some hood stock now.” She said

“Same here.”

Tuneesah and I left and went to the gang members. They were surprised to see me smoke.

“Neesah!” a guy called.

“X-ray!” she called back

“I don’t like that name wuh. It’s so not funny anymore.” He said

“I’m sorry,” Tuneesah laughed. “Bishni, meet Xavi, Xavi meet Bishni.”

“Hi girl. It’s fantabulous to meet you.”

“Nice to meet you too, Xavi.” I said

“Jara Neesah. Ek het jou gesoek vidag girl. Ek wou mos gan shop het.”

“Jy het geld omte waist, Xavi. I don’t have time for games.” Tuneesah said

“Ooh jammer dan, verskoon my! By the waves, wat soek jy anywaves hiesu? Jys mos nogi n regular ni,” Xavi said

“Xavi, can’t you see I came to smoke with my girl.” Tuneesah said.

“Meisie, is jyni Dario se mot nie?” Xavi asked me

“Tuneesah what did he say?” I asked Tuneesah

“Xavi, sy vestani Afrikaans ni. Praat Engels.” Tuneesah told him

“Girl, aren’t you Dario’s love of the life?” Xavi asked me

“Yes I was.”

“Ooh die man het omtrent baie gehad,”

“Baie gehad?” Tuneesah asked.

“Yah! Die girl was mos sy world die way hy gespieg het as hy hiesu kom.” Xavi said.

“Oh, ek wou nou net se. hy koni wil cheat nie.” Tuneesah said.

“Who cheated Neesah?” I asked

“No, Bishni. Xavi also liked Dario, now he says Dario cheated on him. Mal moffie this.” Tuneesah said

“Jara! Hai man kos enigetime tussen my boude dux Neesah en jy weet mos dit baie good girl.” Xavi said

“Ai Xavi, get us something there and where’s the guys tonight?” Tuneesah asked.

“Hulle is agte, sal hulle roep vir jou.”

Xavi walked out and after a while came back with one of Dario’s closest friend.

“Girls… girls…” he said.

“Evan! Long time no see bra,” Tuneesah said

“Is ma hie Neesah, span mos nou ook af en toe.” Evan said.

“Span? Since when my bru? Ek sien jy het n nuwe kar nou, so die span moet seka duk betaal nuh?”

“Ja xe my beurs glats duk ma wies die?” Evan asked

“Is Dario sin, Bishni.”

“What now?” I asked, thinking they talked to me.

“Nothing, I’m just introducing you to Evan, he’s Dario’s best bra and mine too.” Tuneesah smiled, as if she and Evan knew each other way too well to just be best bra’s.

“Your boyfriend and I have been closest since he came here. It was a shock to all of us when he passed away so suddenly.” Evan said

“Like I say Evan, sharp knife of a short life,” Tuneesah said, while shaking her head.

“I was also…” I said but Evan stopped me.

“It’s okay, you don’t have to tell me, I know how you felt Bishni.” He said

“Evan, we actually came here to talk.” Tuneesah said

“Neesah, I actually want to talk to you in private.” Evan said

“Oh okay then, let’s go. Bishni I’ll be right back.” She said and walked off.

*****

What do you think Evan is going to tell Neseesah?