It had been three months since Nosiphiwo and Sinovuyo last spoke to each other. Even though Nosiphiwo did not want to admit it, she missed her friend. But she wasn’t the kind that easily acknowledged their wrongs. However, it had been too long, and now she had to swallow her pride and ask for forgiveness from Sinovuyo. She said what she had said because she was angry at herself for being stupid. And her mistake was taking it all out on Sinovuyo – the only close friend she had.

After an Accounting lecture, Nosiphiwo ran after Sinovuyo. “Sino, please wait,” she said. Sinovuyo turned around to see a breathless Nosiphiwo.

“I … I need to talk to you,” Nosiphiwo said.

“About what?” Sinovuyo gave her an ‘are you for real’ look.

“Could we sit down on that bench at least?” Nosiphiwo pointed at a fixed bench by the field where students normally sat during lunch time. “I am sorry, Sino. I … I was wrong to blame you for my foolishness,” she said, after they had sat down.

“You surely took your time. But I appreciate you saying sorry. It’s something you just don’t usually do.” Sinovuyo smiled. “And I shouldn’t have spread the word that Bulelani was yours. I was just excited and … you know me.”

“So … do you forgive me?” Nosiphiwo asked.

“Yes, chommie. You know me – I don’t hold grudges. Just don’t take your stresses out on me next time, neh?” They both laughed.

“And wait till you have all the information in the future, until you say anything to your friends,” Nosiphiwo added. “And check with me first. Always!”

They fell silent for a while. Then Nosiphiwo spoke again, her expression serious.

“Anyways, there is something I want to tell you, Sino.”

Sino could see it was hard for Nono to tell her. She looked upset.

“What is it, chommie? I noticed something wasn’t right with you lately, but I was afraid to ask,” Sinovuyo said, rubbing Nosiphiwo’s shoulder. “I’ve been watching you. I never see you smile anymore.

“Ndi preg, chommie,” Nosiphiwo confessed, and teared up.

“What?! Is it Bulelani?”

“Yes, chommie and because of that my father wants me out of varsity.”

“Does Bulelani know?”

“Yeah, he does. My father has been here in Cape Town for a few weeks now. He is staying with Malume and they have met with Bulelani’s family,” Nosiphiwo said, wiping away her tears.

“And? Talk Nono kaloku.”

“His family says they are tired of his reckless behaviour. They say if he gets married he will be forced to change and become responsible – stop playing the field. They want him to marry me.”

“Getting married! But chommie you are still young mos. You can’t get married. Is that what you want? How does Bulelani feel about this?

“Neither of us think it’s a good idea. But, like me, he is afraid of his father, so we have no choice. If we don’t they will stop supporting us. We will be out of res without anywhere to go. But Sino I’m scared. I don’t know how our marriage will work. Will he change?”

“I think your parents are wrong. I mean it’s the 21^st century for God’s sake,” she said and rubbed her friend’s back as Nono began to cry. They sat in silence for a while before Sinovuyo looked at her phone.

“It’s getting late and I need to go to the library. I have a book to return; it’s overdue,” Sinovuyo said as she stood up. See you back at res.”

***

Tell us what you think: Is the parents’ plan a reasonable one?