When Sabelo got home, he found his parents sitting outside the house with his father’s brother, Mavelo, who looked tired.
“Dialysis tomorrow?” Sabelo guessed after greeting him.
His uncle had a severe kidney condition, and always spent the night at their house on his way to dialysis, as it was a long way for him to travel from his village.
“Ja.” Uncle Mavelo sounded weary. “Man, these long journeys are getting to me. I know I’m not alone. So many of us must travel far for treatment. You heard about that poor young woman taking her baby to the clinic? Hitchhiking because she had no money for transport, and they were attacked.”
“It’s just so wrong.” Sabelo was angry.
“All of it,” his mother agreed. “These stories about broken machines in hospitals, and no money for repairs, so people can’t get treatment. Sometimes it’s because people donate the machines, but don’t think about maintenance … And it’s everywhere. This thing with Winase up there in Gauteng?”
“Ja, sorry to hear about that, laaitie,” Uncle said. “How’s she doing, your girlfriend?”
“Gonna call her now and find out,” Sabelo said, pulling out his phone.
“They’re talking about releasing me,” Winase reported.
“I hate that you’ll have to travel home on the bus after what you’ve been through,” Sabelo said. “I wish I had a car to fetch you.”
He was saving for one, but it would take a long time.
“I know. And my father can’t get time off to come – supposing our old skorokoro would make it here and back … Tjhudu said if I wait until the weekend, he and Lolo can drive me, but I just want to get home as soon as I’m out of here.”
“I can’t wait to see you.”
“And me you.” Winase hesitated. “We need to talk, Sabelo.”
“No,” he said. “No Winase, don’t start that again.”
“But … it’s not fair to you.”
“We’re happy, aren’t we?” he urged.
“Totally–”
“And your diabetes? It’s not such a big deal for me. I know the signs to watch out for, to help you control it. Your headaches, the hallucinations, your breath changing its smell … all that.”
“But what if –”
“I don’t believe in what-ifs,” he cut in.
“You can’t be watching out for me 24/7,” Winase protested. “Say I learn to drive, if I’m allowed? I’ve heard of diabetics blacking out at the wheel.”
“You know, you’re right, we do need to talk when you come home,” Sabelo said. “Not about what’s fair to me, but about things like that, whether you should risk driving, what’s reckless and what’s a calculated risk. Please let us decide these things together, Winase?”
***
Tell us what you think: Will Winase break up with Sabelo?