“Hey girls,” Bulelani said. “Nigrand?”

The two friends were caught off-guard. “Yeah, yeah, we are good handsome. And you?” Sinovuyo said flirtatiously.

“Supercool!” Bulelani said.

Nosiphiwo was embarrassed by her friend’s behaviour. She looked down, then at Bulelani, who was all smiles at Sinovuyo. His six pack was visible through his white, tight T-shirt. He was holding an apple juice and a sandwich. Sinovuyo was right, this guy was hot, she thought to herself.

“Can I have a minute with you?” Bulelani said to Nosiphiwo.

Sinovuyo smiled and looked at them. “Well, let me excuse myself. You will meet me at the fish and chips queue, chommie.”

“Okay, cool,” Nosiphiwo replied, looking at Bulelani, who was still looking at Sinovuyo as she edged away. Did Sino know him? Her friend seemed to know everyone on campus. It would be surprising if she didn’t.

Nosiphiwo’s heart was beating fast. She felt awkward, but excited, waiting for Bulelani to speak – to tell her he had been looking for her, that he was stressed when she wasn’t next to him when he woke up.

He didn’t. Instead he said: “I’m sorry, I can’t remember your name? It was late you know, and noisy and …”

Nosiphiwo was hurt – it was the one thing she did remember – his name. But they had both been very drunk. Maybe she was being too hard on him.

“I’m Nosiphiwo,” she said shyly.

“Listen Nosiphiwo, there are rumours already going around that we are dating.” Nosiphiwo couldn’t believe what she was hearing. “Apparently your friend is spreading them,” Bulelani said, looking in Sinovuyo’s direction.

“What do you mean Bulelani? What about yesterday then?” She felt the warmth of the tears as they welled in her almond eyes. She felt stupid and used.

He put his hand gently on her shoulder. “We were drunk and we were not thinking straight. Could we forget it ever happened? It’s just that–”

She didn’t wait for him to finish. “Nja ndini!” she snapped and slapped his face hard before she even thought about it.

They instantly had the attention of all the other students and some of them were cheering. Nosiphiwo walked away crying, leaving Bulelani on the spot. Sinovuyo left the line to run after her distraught friend.

“Nono! Wait,” she called to her. Nosiphiwo did not stop, let alone look back. Sinovuyo eventually caught up with her. She pulled Nosiphiwo’s arm to stop her.

“Chommie, what happened back there?” she asked.

“Why did you go around telling people that I am dating Bulelani? And why didn’t you tell me you knew who he was? Now he thinks I am interested and want to be his girlfriend. I don’t even know him.” Nosiphiwo lashed out: “But obviously you do!”

“I am so sorry, my friend. I thought I was getting other girls out of the way,” she apologised sincerely. “I thought you’d be good together. You deserve some fun.”

“You shouldn’t have, Sino. You shouldn’t. You must learn to stop sticking your nose in other people’s business,” Nono said and marched away across the quad. Other students had followed them out of the food court and they had their eyes and ears on them.

“Go back to your room, Nono. I will bring food then we can talk,” Sinovuyo called after her, trying to cut the scene.

“I never want to talk to you again, Sino. Leave me alone!” Nosiphiwo shouted back.

“Why are you being such a drama queen, Nosiphiwo? I said I am sorry mos, didn’t I? Okay, fine then, if that’s what you want.” Sino watched as Nosiphiwo strode off across campus.

***

Tell us what you think: Is Nono over-reacting to what her friend has done?