Once upon a time something happened to me. It was the sweetest thing that ever could be. It was the day I met you Sihle. But nothing lasts forever and life goes on I say to myself, throwing dice on what I and Sihle had: I gamble with my future.

I hear my ringtone. It is one that the girls chose for me in the village; they knew that Sihle loved it. It reminds of those afternoons when Sihle and I used to sit underneath the tall tree just outside my house. We would chat about our future plans, music, and a little less about school. We would just relax until it got late. Tata Ludwe would usually pass by us. “Pawu! Onomokhwe bazimamele – You’re just chilling here,” he would tell Sihle, who was his nephew. Sihle and I would eventually part to go to our different homes.

My ringtone was words from a song by Westlife:

“If tomorrow never comes
Would she know how much I love her?
If tomorrow never comes…”

This time, when the ringtone sings to me, I answer immediately.

“Hello Princess. How are you doing?”

“Who is it?” I ask.

“Don’t you recognise me? It’s Sandile. How come Miss SA doesn’t know her roll-on?”

“Roll-on! I am good thanks. Wena, you?” I reply.

“Good. Jonga, look, tonight I am taking you out.”

“Oh really?” I say, realising I am flirting with this boy. I can’t sit with my tears, at home every night.

At six thirty, Auntie comes home. “You look beautiful. Uyaphi na?” she asks, seeing my outfit.

“On a date.”

“Wow. Do I know him?”

“No! Not yet,” I reply, laughing. Just then a car drives up outside. “That has to be him. I have to go. Bye,” I say, kissing my aunt on the cheek as I run out to meet Sandile.

He takes me to Century City.

“Wow! This place is beautiful, and so big. I’ve never seen such a big mall as this one. You could get lost in here,” I say, amazed.

“This is one of the biggest malls in the country.”

“Can we please window shop before anything else?” I ask, curious to explore the mall.

“Your wish is my command,” he laughs.

As we go up the escalators I tell him, “In the village we used to go to the nearby town which only had a few stores. We don’t have everything, like here in Cape Town. Our towns in Eastern Cape are like ghost towns.”

“Tell me about your village,” he says, as we sit down in a KFC in the mall.

But I can’t. How can I tell him? I am trying to forget. Luckily, just then, the waitress brings our food. She explains to him what is on the tray and saves me from having to talk.

“Will the lovely couple have anything to drink?” Is that how people see us already, I think. As a couple?

“I’ll have a cream soda.” The waitress shows me a thumbs up and nods.

“I’ll have the same,” Sandile says.

Quickly, I ask Sandile about himself, so that I don’t have to talk about me. He tells me that he is from a wealthy family. He talks on and on. I stop listening at some point and just nod. This doesn’t feel real. My real feelings are buried deep down. However, part of me enjoys Sandile’s attention. He is being a true gentleman. I smile at him. Then I notice the time.

“We have to go now,” I say to him. Then “Tjo! Azisentle ezalokhwe, Wow! Those dresses are beautiful,” as we walk past a particular shop window.

“What size are you?” Sandile asks as we walk out of the mall. I know he will be back to buy the dress.

I direct him back to my aunt’s house. When he stops the car he says, “I got lost now, but will I know the way in years to come?”

“I’m not sure. You tell me,” I laugh, and let him kiss me. But I stop him when he wants more.

“Not yet,” I laugh. “Don’t be in such a hurry. Don’t call me – I’ll call you.” Sandy is right about young guys – he lets me call the shots just as I want to.

“I’ll be waiting.”

When I go inside Auntie calls me into the kitchen, where she is waiting up. “How was your date?” she asks.

I answer a bit shyly, “It was great Aunt. Thanks for asking.”

Auntie then says, “I am pleased for you, but there are rules. No coming home after nine-thirty at night, no drinking, no wild parties,” she winks. “I remember how I used to party when I was your age,” my aunt teases. “But, it was safer those days,” she adds.

“Thank you for caring.” Auntie, and Malume are already helping me with fees for varsity. I hug her.

Then my auntie’s face changes. I feel nervous. Her expression has become suddenly serious. “Noni, there is something you should know…”

My heart skips a beat.

“The date for your brother’s trial has been set.” My auntie hugs me again.

“It’s OK Auntie,” I tell her. “I am coping.” But we are feeling the same thing. I know it. We are anxious about my brother, Sabelo, behind bars. We are waiting for his trial. We are waiting.

There is something else I am waiting for. I have skipped my period the last two months…

* * *

Tell us what you think: Does Noni really like Sandile?