When the movie ended we went for ice-cream. Zaahir and Dario went to smoke and I sat in the car. Dario bought me a hooka-pipe. The whole pipe was pink and purple. I didn’t smoke out of the pipe because it was too pretty. When they were done smoking I got to drive the car because the guys were on cloud nine.

I drove to Dario’s house and I dropped him off but then Dario said Zaahir and I must come sleep by him. Zaahir said it was cool and I dropped them off at Dario’s crib and went to our house to fetch our stuff.

When I got to our house the gate was open and there was a white GTI standing in front of the house. First thought that came to mind was, my mother. I parked the Porche and went inside the house. My cousin was sitting in the lounge watching television.

“Salaam cuz. I only got here now, the door was open,” she said.

“Salaam Zara. What are you then doing here cuz?”

“I heard about Rushdiya’s passing so I came by to give my condolences to the family but nobody was here. Where’s Zaahir?”

“We’re crashing at my boyfriend’s crib in the richer area. You wanna come?”

“Great! I’ll ride behind you nuh…”

I fetched some clothes for Zaahir and I for the next couple of days as we didn’t know how long we’d stay there. Then I got in the car and Zara was riding behind me.

When we got to Dario’s crib, he and Zaahir was standing outside waiting for me. The gate opened automatically and we drove in. Zaahir was excited to see his cousin again. Zara got out of her car and greeted both the guys with hugs.

“Salaam guys. Zaahir! You’ve grown up my nephew.” Zara said.

“And you cousin, jy’t mooi geraak jong,” Zaahir said.

Zara laughed and looked at Dario.

“Bishni…is it your boyfriend this?”

“Yes. Dario meet…” I still wanted to finish but then Zara fell in…

“Oh my word! Dario Abrahams? Is it really you?”

“Zara? Do I know you?” Dario asked.

“Yes Dario! Remember you and I use to smoke together? Ages fifteen? Remember? And I lived next to your house before the passing of your family?” Zara asked.

Dario smiled.

“Zara! It’s you! I thought I’d never see you again. I missed you and our sessions we had. Dit was altyd leka met jou xe. Wa val jy nou uit?”

I got angry… I didn’t understand Afrikaans so I asked.

“Babe, what sessions?”

“Ag, Bish! Our smoking sessions we had when we were small,” Zara said, jumping as if the question was for her!

“Zara no man! Angel, Zara and I use to smoke together, but not always. Just now and then when we got the money. We were very close when we were little. I met her through my brother and she used to always come by us to help my mom make cupcakes and stuff. We had some really fun times together, didn’t we Zara?”

“We did! Me and you and Zaahir kan mos gou gaan float of hoe?” Zara asked.

Dario looked at me.

“Nee man, you and Zaahir go… I’m gonna stay by Bishni. Can’t leave her alone here just for that now,”

“It’s cool Dario. Tomorrow morning then,”

“Yeah tomorrow morning, make it early nuh,”

After that, Zaahir and Zara drove off to go smoke. Dario and I were alone. We didn’t talk much, just watched TV while I lay in his strong arms. Then I received a Whatsapp message from one of my friends at school, one of the cool girls, like they call themselves. It was Alexis.

Bishni…* Alexis ‘ere (:

Salaam…

helo my darling Bee (: ar u busy noew ? I need a favOur…

I’m with my bf.

auwzhinne mammi (: but Bee, jus this 1 fav girl…

Go ahead, he’s sleeping.

owkAy…* can u giv me ur brothers number plz ?

Is that the favour Alexis?

yEs (: did u see how hOt ur brother ish ? toO Qt :p

Lol! Really, Zaahir? Cute?

Bee…* darling… jus get theE number girl… I will LoVe u 4evurrr [ xxxooo ]

Lol! Okay but why don’t you tell him strait up you like him?

first… we’ll chat & thn I’ll see wer we go…* snd me the number nuh (: I’m off to bed darling…* nyt-nyt

ookay Alexis. Goodnight hun. *kisses*

Alexis was your everyday crazy girl. She’s the girl who will never stop at wanting what she wants and she’ll get it! just like that. She just knows how and when to do it and what to say at the right time and moment. She always had a thing for my brother but she didn’t have the guts to tell him.

Probably because he hadn’t had a girlfriend in ages. Zaahir wasn’t a guy that was much interested in having a girlfriend. I have never seen him with one and he has never spoken of one.

Dario was fast asleep next to me when the door opened and Zaahir and Zara came in. So high! I hated it when they smoked and enjoy themselves without me. Zara, was always trying and be the center of attention. She was the girl that will always click with guys and guys loved her. They all loved her because she was like a guy also, but she was very attractive and a beautiful young lady.

She could take your boyfriend, just like that, with the snap of her fingers. And now that she knew Dario from kindergarten and they grew up together and were smoking buddies, I felt a bit jealous because she knew more about Dario than I did. We had only been dating for a few weeks now and I was happy with him. I didn’t want to lose him very soon.

***

Tell us: Would you ever try to snatch a lover from a family member? Have you?