“Can I come in? Wait!! Were you crying?” he asked.

“What? Me? Crying?” I denied that I was crying and laughed it off, only to find Sibusiso looking at me with one eyebrow lifted, and that’s when I realised he was way too serious.

I suddenly changed my mind and said, “You know what, I have a lot of homework to do, if you don’t mind.”

I was getting somewhere with my ability to speak English, and I was enjoying every moment of it.

“I see! Well I just came to say happy birthday,” he handed over a box wrapped in pink cover.

“I don’t like pink, and how did you know it was my birthday?” I asked while taking the box.

“Well, most girls love pink, so I thought you would too. But no worries, though, it’s noted for next time. I will not use it next time, and, to answer your question, Mam’Gladys told me. Are you not going to open it?” he asked.

“There won’t be any next time, I don’t like presents,” I said.

I didn’t know if I loved them or not. I had only been given a present once in my life, and it was when I was set to leave home. I loved it, though, and maybe that’s because, since it was the only thing I had that reminded me that I was genuinely loved, it was close to my heart.

I opened it and I found a cell phone; a big beautiful brand-new cell phone. Mind you, I didn’t even know how to use one.

“Thank you but I can’t take it,” I gave him back the box.

“No! silly you, are taking it. Don’t you know you can’t say no to presents because they are given out with love?” he said while giving it back to me.

“You don’t have to pretend to like me, I ruined your life remember? So, you can have your phone, I don’t want it. Who will I talk to because back home there’s no one with a phone? So, no thanks, you can keep it!” I emphasized while putting the box down with a force on my reading table because we were standing next to it.

“I’m just trying to be nice. I’m trying here, so give me some credit. And are you going to remind me of what I’ve said that day every time we have a conversation? If so, then I’m sorry!” he said angrily.

“Nice? Who said I want you to be nice? There’s no one nice here, you are all heartless, ruthless monsters waiting to suck blood. And you can’t apologise for something you meant.” I shouted.

“You wanna talk about monsters? Take your dad for example. Who sells their kid into an arranged marriage like we are still in the 70’s? Huh?? Who the hell does that?” he said shouting back.

“You’re saying all that because you were born with a silver spoon to your mouth. You don’t know what you’re talking about. And you could’ve said no, right? But you didn’t, did you? You’re a monster too, and you have a hand in ruining your own life. Don’t only blame me. You should look in the mirror sometimes” I started crying.

“Crocodile tears won’t save you! You’re a gold-digging village slut! And if I knew about the arranged marriage, I would’ve said NO!!” he said while shutting the door in my face.

I dragged myself to bed in my school uniform in order to run away from my thoughts. I slept in order to escape to a far away place. I was awoken by Enhle saying supper was ready, but I didn’t feel like eating. I hadn’t eaten the whole day, and I didn’t go to eat supper too.

Tell us: Why are Sbu’s accusation unfair to Kedibone?