Sphiwe has worked up the courage to tell Zinhle how he feels but today of all days Zinhle is absent from school. He is sad for most of the day and doesn’t even take part in the study group after school. He is a bit relieved when school is dismissed 45 minutes earlier than usual because there is no water.
As Sphiwe walks out of the school gates he realises that he can walk home with Sindisiwe. He hasn’t been able to walk with her lately because he stays on after school for the study group. He is hoping Sindi can cheer him up, but he doesn’t see her as he looks up and down the road. Her best friend, Lihle, walks past Sphiwe.
“Hi, Lihle. Have you seen Sindi?”
“She left with her friends. Maybe she’s home already,” Lihle says.
“Her friends? But you are her best friend. In fact, Sindi told me you are her only friend.”
Lihle shakes her head. Sphiwe can see sadness in her innocent young eyes.
“What’s the matter, Lihle?” asks Sphiwe.
“We were best friends, but not anymore. She’s friends with older girls now,” says Lihle.
“So what’s the story with the money for the choir trip? Has Mrs Ngwenya told you guys when parents will get their money back?”
“Money for the choir trip?” Lihle asks in surprise.
Sphiwe looks at her. “Yes. Sindi said the choir trip was cancelled.”
“Choir trip? I don’t know about any choir trip,” she says.
“Aren’t you in the choir?”
“Yes, I am. But Mrs Ngwenya never said anything about a choir trip. She’s never asked us for money,” Lihle replies with certainty.
Lihle’s words are as clear and sharp as a razor. Her answer cuts deep into Sphiwe’s heart. He realises that Sindisiwe lied to him and MaGumede about the choir trip. He comes home to find MaGumede wiping dust off the TV.
“Ma, where is Sindi?”
“Well, hello to you too. How was your day? Mine was great,” says MaGumede sniffing a scent of disrespect in the air.
Sphiwe smiles apologetically. “I’m sorry, Ma. I’m fine. How are you?”
“Now that’s the proper way to start a conversation! Why are you home early today?”
“Our study group didn’t meet up today,” he says.
“I see. Sindi is out playing. I told her not to come back late, so I’m expecting her to be back soon. What’s wrong, Sphiwe?”
“Nothing’s wrong, Ma. I just miss her. That’s all.”
Sphiwe is now properly worried about Sindisiwe’s behaviour. He is deeply hurt that his baby sister has lied to them about the choir trip. He had dismissed the numerous squabbles Sindisiwe had had with MaGumede about washing dishes and cleaning the house as just the onset of adolescence. What if Sindisiwe is going off the track like so many young girls in Amaoti?
*****
The next day, Zinhle is absent from school again. In fact, she’s also absent the rest of the week and Sphiwe struggles to focus on his school work, wondering where she is. He knows where she lives, but he is afraid to visit her. The last time he visited Zinhle her mom had many questions.
On Friday afternoon, MaGumede has an appointment at the clinic for Mbali’s immunization. It’s the perfect moment for Sphiwe to confront Sindisiwe while they are alone in the house.
“What’s gotten into you, Sindi?” Sphiwe blurts out.
“Hhayi bo! Sphiwe! Why are you shouting at me? You don’t even greet me!” says Sindisiwe.
Sphiwe looks into her red, cloudy eyes. He can smell the slight scent of weed on her T-shirt.
“Is that weed I’m smelling on you, Sindi?”
“I don’t know what you’re talking about!” Sindisiwe shakes her head.
“Don’t lie to me, Sindi! Don’t you dare lie to me! Is this what you did with the money Ma gave you for the choir trip that never was? Did you smoke Ma’s hard-earned money, Sindi?”
The rage in her brother’s eyes frightens Sindisiwe. She has never seen him this way. Her lips shiver with fear.
“Where is the money Sindi?”
“There!” Sindi points with her trembling finger to her backpack on the sofa. “I’m sorry!”
“You knew what you were doing was wrong but you did it anyway. I’m so disappointed in you!” Sphiwe says, shaking his head.
“I’m sorry, Sphiwe!” she weeps.
***
Tell us: What do you think about Sindi’s behaviour? What should she do?