Pushing the silver button multiple times to summon the elevator, Cindy feels her heart racing. “This cannot be happening. Me, being rejected? No!” she thinks out loud.

The doors open and moments later, she returns to the colourful crowd.

“There you are! Chommie, we’ve been looking for you everywhere; where have you been?” asks Mpumi.

“I’m OK, guys, don’t worry.” She looks at Mpumi and gives her a signal to talk privately, and they retreat to the east wing of the building. “Chommie, you won’t believe what just happened!” Cindy says.

“Tell me! I wanna know every detail.” Mpumi is hyped.

“So I took him to a restroom upstairs for some privacy, right? Chommie, I kissed him and let him feel my cat, I even let him see it. But that bastard wasn’t grateful, he got cold feet and said he couldn’t do it. And when I told him I love him, he bluntly told me he doesn’t.” Cindy breaks down.

Mpumi hugs her, “No, don’t cry over a stupid guy, my friend. He’s a fool to say no to you.”

Cindy sobs.

“Come on, Zala, look around you; there’s plenty of fish to choose from.” Mpumi rubs her back.

“I feel like a fool, chommie,” Cindy’s voice breaks. “What was I even thinking? We all know that he doesn’t date anyone from school.”

Mpumi interjects, “Look, I know it’s difficult. But you can’t let him or anyone else see you defeated. Now pull yourself together and be the hot Slick-c that we all know and love, OK?”

Cindy nods and takes a deep breath, then gets back into character.

Hours later, the exhibition ends. And on their way back to school, Cindy stalks Itumeleng from the backseat with vengeful eyes.

“What are you thinking, love?” Mpumi looks at Itumeleng.

“I want to hurt him twice as hard. I won’t let him get away with it,” Cindy sharpens her focus on him. “He doesn’t know me, I’m going to ruin his life, I swear,” she says, while crossing her fingers.

Saturday morning, Itumeleng receives a text from Cindy.

(Slick-c) Good morning, can we talk? 08:28am.

(Itumeleng ) Yeah sure, what’s up? 08:45am.

(Slick-c) About yesterday, I’m really sorry. I got the wrong idea and took things too far. 08:58am.

(Itumeleng ) Oh that, don’t worry about it, I ain’t mad. 09:06am.

(Slick-c) So, no bad blood? 09:07am.

(Itumeleng ) Nah. 09:07am.

(Slick-c) Cool, but can we link up? I just wanna make peace in person, I promise no shenanigans this time. 09:10am.

(Itumeleng ) Ok, but not today. Maybe tomorrow evening? 09:15am.

(Slick-c) Yeah sure! can’t wait (smiley face emoji) 09:16am.

Sunday evening, Itumeleng steps out to meet Cindy at Jelo Park. They both walk to the Sasol garage, where Cindy buys pies and drinks. They return to the park, and Cindy insists they sit on a bench facing east to avoid direct sunlight.

Cindy breaks the ice, “It’s a beautiful sunset, isn’t it?”

Itumeleng scans the area, “Yeah, it is. I like how the colour complements the leaves on the ground.”

“Stunning…hey, for what it’s worth, I really am sorry.” Cindy opens her Appletiser.

Itumeleng unwraps the BBQ pie, “Like I said…we good,” and takes a bite.

“Thank you. Although I’ve been meaning to ask…why won’t you date anyone from school?” Cindy asks.

“It’s not that I don’t wanna date anyone from school. Just that I cannot decipher what it is that my heart wants any more.” Itumeleng pauses for a moment.

“Damn.” Cindy plays with her straw.

After eating, they shake hands and go their separate ways.

Cindy rests her phone on her ear and Mpumi picks up.

“Hey, is it done?”

Cindy smiles, “Yes, he totally fell for it. You can come now.”

“OK, I’m on my way,” Mpumi drops the call.

The sun goes down, and the stars light up. 15 minutes later, Mpumi arrives.

“Are you sure you wanna do this?”

Cindy breathes heavily, “Let’s do it.” She braces herself as Mpumi swings her best right hook and hits her left eye socket.

“Ouch! not that hard!”

Mpumi holds her mouth, “Askies, does it hurt?”

“What do you think!” Cindy groans. She stands up again, “OK, another one.”

Mpumi jabs her and hurts her nose. Blood covers her mouth and her eye gradually turns darker.
“OK, let’s go to the police,” says Cindy. They hug one another and disappear in the dark.

Tell us: What do you think is going on?