Lihle screams in excitement.

“What?” Her mother asked in curiosity.

“One of the universities I had applied at accepted me. It depends on my final exams.” Lihle babbled.

“Oh my miraculous God. I knew you could do it. I hope you didn’t choose a course with employment scarcity, like I did.” Her mother encouraged her.

“Yes mom I wisely chose my course.” Lihle smiled at her mother who was one of the most humbled and loving person she had ever known. Her mom did not let things like not getting a job demotivate her. She always looked on the bright side and remained with faith.

They had moved in to their new house. Lihle was also very close friends with Akhona. They were going to meet that day. Lihle went to town to meet him.

“Hey friend.” Lihle hugged him from behind whilst he was talking on his phone.

“Hey there.” Akhona slid his phone back in his pocket, turning around to hug her.

“Someone’s glowing, I guess you’ve got good news.” He stepped away from the hug. “Yeah. I got response from one of the universities I applied at. I got accepted.” She said smiling like a retard.

“I’m proud of you. But still I still prefer you stay here in Johannesburg.” He gave her a hug.

“I think we talked about this. Why are you making this hard for me?” Akhona tightened his arms around her.

“How will I be able to live without you?” He dramatically asked.

“Stop being dramatic. You’ve lived your whole life without me. You’ll survive a term.” She got away from his embrace.

“That’s before I knew you existed.” He said. Suddenly Akhona’s phone rang.

“Accompany me to my house. It’s time you meet my parents. They d….”

“No no no no. Count me out.” Lihle immediately interupted him.

“You do know that I won’t take ‘;no’ for an answer, right?” Akhona said looking all innocent.

“Did you have to be this stubborn?” Lihle rhetorically asked. They continued to chat about random things and then left for Akhona’s house.

“Dad, this is my friend, Lihle. Lihle this is my dad, Bab’Themba.” Akhona introduced them.

“Nice to meet you, Lihle.” Themba said holding out his hand. “Likewise, sir.” Lihle handshaked him. They headed to the airport to fetch Akhona’s mother.

“My two favourite males. I missed you so much.” Akhona’s mom forced them into a group hug. Lihle chuckled while Akhona mouthed to her

“That’s her for you.” Lihle nodded.

“Akhona, who’s the beautiful lady there?” Akhona’s mom asked.

“Why so sure that she was brought by me?” Akhona asked

“Well unfortunately that I don’t care about. You can just keep your big as mine mouth shut if you don’t want to tell me. I said Akhona so now AKHONA who is the lady over here?” Akhona’s mom blabbed.

“Yho” Lihle exclaimed while laughing hard.

“Mom, this is Lihle my friend. Lihle this is my mom.” Lihle introduced them.

“Ngiqale nini ukuba ngu’mom’ kuwe. Dear, just call me Thandi.I ‘m not that old. Great knowing you Lihle. Even though I don’t know what you see in this annoying soul.” Thandi hugged Lihle.

“What did you do to my husband? Wayi’smumu nje.” She smiled.
“A man can’t have a peace of mind, I guess.” Themba said as they got inside the car and drove off to Akhona’s house.

“I have to go home now.” Lihle told Akhona. Akhona informed his parents and they walked out. The time was about 3pm so they decided to chill at the park and catch up with their lives.

“You’ve never told me about your dating issues or what so ever.” Akhona said.

“Worst topic of my life.” Lihle said lying her head on Akhona’s lap.

“I’m listening.” He insisted.

“Well, I’ve got only 2 exes. One I dated when I was in the 6th grade. The other I dated when I was in the 7th till last year.” she told him.

“Wow, 4 years. What happened?” asked a concerned Akhona.

“Well, he’s probably doing his 2nd year this year. You know how it is, he met some varsity ‘real deal chicks’. But life goes on, I had to man up and deal with it. That’s why I don’t plan on dating a varsity dude. I commit myself, that’s why.” She looked at him.

“Not all of us are like that.” Akhona defended.

“We Xhosas say ‘Isizwe sifa ngomntu omnye.’” Lihle stated. Akhona nodded.

“Mom, I’m back!” Lihle called out to her mom.

“I’m in the kitchen. I’ll be there shortly.” Her mother replied. The house was blasting with Sfiso Ncwane’s Phakama song. Zoe (Lihle’s mom) emerged from the kitchen.

“What’s going on? I mean I’m gone for a few hours and when I come back, you’re so blessed.” A curious Lihle asked.

“We are truly serving a living God. Just after you left, I got a call from the Agricultural department. I’ve qualified for the post I had applied for. I’ll be starting in two weeks time.” Zoe broke the news.

“Oh my God! I’m so happy for you.” Lihle exclaimed.

They kneeled down and prayed.

“Let me go finish my pots.” Zoe stood up and went to the kitchen.

She finished off where she left off. After certain hours, they dished and ate peacefully. When they finished Lihle washed the dishes and they went to bed. Lihle went to take a night shower and wore her pyjamas. She got inside her covers and dialled Akhona’s numbers.

“Hey” says Akhona with a sleepy voice

“You’re asleep?” Lihle asks

“Yeah” Akhona replies

“Oh sorry”

“No problem. So was wassup?” Akhona asks.

“Missing you vibes.”

“Aw man” Akhona says.

“Sounding gay” Lihle jokes

Akhona talks back “Whatever. I miss you too”.

“Yeah, good night.”

“Night, wait… I adore you.” Akhona confesses

Lihle replies with a heavy sigh “Who doesn’t?”

“Ouch”

Lihle relieves him “I adore you too. Bye.”

“You interrupted my sleep. Bye.” Akhona complains

Lihle then smiled, turned into a comfortable position. She immediately fell asleep.

***

Tell us: Would you date someone who’s been your friend for quite a long time?