I had never felt this – like my heart was being brutally torn apart – ever in my life. And so I had been taking out my anger and frustrations on the pitch ever since I saw Dumi and Zoe’s moment of intimacy.

I couldn’t even bring myself to phone Dumi. I should have explained that it wasn’t me but Zoe who had called him, but part of me felt it was already over. He had kissed my sister! There was no going back. I couldn’t get past that.

What had she told him? She had been out two nights in a row already. To my mother’s anger, she hadn’t been practising, while I had been training furiously. Had they slept together already? Had he taken her back to visit his family?

*****

It was D-day tomorrow. Mom advised us to take a day off but I couldn’t stay away from the local stadium. I wanted to smell the freshness of the pitch and take a moment to admire the quietness of the stadium before the highly awaited event. I needed to focus on the game, not on them.

“Zuleika! Hey, Leika!” someone called me from the stands.

“Hi, Sima! Sorry I didn’t notice you.” It was Zoe’s best friend, still in her gym clothes. She ran across to me.

“I heard you took a day off today. You’ve been working hard these past days.”

“I ought to train if I want to get my form back.”

“Oh, come on, we all know you’ll be the player of the season.”

“Well, I can only hope so.”

“You’re a nice person, Leika.”

“Thank you, Sima. I’m glad you think so.”

“Not like your sister. She’s changed in the past year. She’s not the same Zoe. I need to tell you something … Zoe needs help. She’s trapped in lies.”

“What?”

“Dumi is in love with you, not Zoe. Zoe diverted his calls from your phone to hers. She seems to have this vendetta against you, and she’s even planning to give you laxatives tomorrow so that you won’t be able to play.”

“But …”

“Zuleika, stop being her victim, stop falling for her traps. Your sister is either super-jealous of you or has a personality disorder. Sometimes something triggers it and …”

“Why are you telling me this?”

“Because you deserve better, you have worked hard and you’re way better than her. Zoe needs to get help; she wants things she hasn’t worked hard for.”

“I don’t know what to say.”

“Dumi senses there’s something wrong; he must have got used to how she looks, but something is off in her conversation, I am sure. She told me she was worried because she slipped up on ordering her favourite strawberry ice-cream, when they went for dinner, not yours.”

I thought back on our date. I had told Dumi that chocolate was my favourite. I remembered how he had kissed me and felt a stab of pain.

“She quickly won him over again.” Sima shot me a look. “She’s a good liar. She needs help, she can’t stop herself.”

“What can I do?”

“Look, tomorrow Dumi will be at the stadium. I’ll tell him everything. I’ll also talk to your parents. I’ll tell them everything. Just keep your chin up and win the game, okay?”

“But … why are you doing this? What’s in it for you?”

“I’m doing this for my friend. I miss Zoe and hate who she has become. She’s crying for help, Zuleika. You also deserve to know the truth. Make sure you do not accept anything from her before the game. Don’t leave your glass or any drink of yours unattended. Make your own shake. Don’t take any unsealed bottle from anyone – she might use your parents when she doesn’t succeed on her own. Now, I’d better get going.”

I could feel my heart sink as I dropped to the ground and tried to process what Sima had told me. Was she right? Could Zoe not help herself, or was she just mean and spiteful and jealous of me? As I did push-ups I felt my heart racing with anger. I wanted to take my mind off the drama with my sister. I wanted to forget about Dumisani Sokhulu and Zoe Malope. I wanted to forget all the things Sima told me. I wished to erase them from my mind.

I had lost count of the push-ups and the stretching exercises I did. It was four in the afternoon and I needed to get home before my mother freaked out. I ran off, crossing fingers not to see anyone would want to talk to me.

“Hey, where have you been?” It was my mom’s voice as I entered the house through the garage door, hoping to not be seen by anyone.

“I went to the stadium, Mom. Where is Zoe?” I asked, as I pretended to be alright.

“She went out with her mystery boyfriend.”

“Oh okay. I’d better go rest in my room.”

“Leika, first come for a hug baby. I am so proud of you. No matter what happens tomorrow, you will always be my shining star.”

“Thank you, mom. You’re the best coach anyone could ever ask for.”

I could feel her warmth as she hugged me; I could feel my cheeks wet as tears rolled down from my eyes. I couldn’t control them.

“You’re crying? What’s wrong baby?”

“Everything, Mom.”

“Talk to me. Is it Dumi?” My mother had no idea of what had been going on.

“I … don’t know where to begin. I can’t even begin. But all will be revealed in due time, trust me.”

“What’s that, Leika? What’s bothering you?”

“Someone told me something. But I want to focus on the game tomorrow. Don’t worry, Mom. Tomorrow, everything will be clear. I promise.

I could feel her stare after me as I ran upstairs to my room, where I couldn’t stop thinking about all the things Sima told me.

I needed my mind clear for tomorrow’s game. But I was so angry; angry at Zoe for being screwed up, angry at Sima for only bothering to tell me now.

I closed my eyes as the warm shower water splashed my face and my whole body. A good book was all I needed now, and a nice rest.

***

Tell us what you think: Does Zoe have some mental disorder and need treatment, or is she just simply extremely jealous?