Mbali and Khwezi went from one shop to another, having a good time. Mbali wanted to make sure that she would look her very best on the day of the party.

But then, as they were still browsing, Khwezi spotted Mike coming into the shop.

“Mbali, have you seen him?” she whispered.

“Who?” asked Mbali, coming out of the fitting room wearing a lacy red mini dress. “I like this dress, but it is a little bit tight. What do you think?”

“Mbali!”

“What?”

“I am talking to you. Mike is over there by the door!” said Khwezi, pointing to where Mike was standing, checking out some men’s shorts.

When Mbali saw Mike, she froze for a moment.

“Aren’t you going to talk to him, Mbali?” asked Khwezi, when she saw Mbali taking another dress and heading back to the fitting room.

“And say what Khwezi? I called him already and told him that we should take a break for a while.”

“You lie! You did what? Mike loves you my friend and you know that!” Khwezi didn’t realize that she was no longer whispering. People close by could hear her.

Then Mike spotted them. He stood there as if a bolt of lightning had struck him. Khwezi did not know what to say. She felt sorry for Mike, being dumped like this. She was fond of him; it was hard for her to see him in pain like this.

Mbali had came back out, wearing another really short dress and a pair of red platform shoes, and carrying another top.

“Please hold this for me Khwezi. Don’t you think these shoes go well with this dress?” Mbali asked, completely ignoring Mike, as if he had never meant a thing to her.

As much as Mike was not as handsome as Mpho, he was a well-mannered, lovely young man. But today he looked worn out. He came over to them.

“Khwezi. Mbali,” he said softly.

Khwezi watched the expression on Mbali’s face, and it was not kind. She could not look him straight in the eye. Mike stared down at his broken, tattered Nike sneakers. For a moment there was silence.

“Hi Mike. I … I … saw you checking some clothes on the other aisle,” Khwezi said, trying to break the ice, because it was clear that Mbali did not want to say a single word to him.

Heartbreak was written all over Mike’s face; even his eyes were blood red, as if he had not slept a wink the previous night. He forced a wry smile, looking at Khwezi.

“Yeah, I was checking some jeans and shorts, but they are quite pricy.”

“I know.”

Mike looked at Mbali and came closer to her but Mbali moved backwards.

“So Mbali, is this is how it’s going to be? Did you mean what you said last night? I am still in shock because I don’t remember us fighting or anything. What did I do, Mbali?” asked Mike.

Khwezi could sense his heart ache. She could not bear to see him so cut up, so she moved away from them, giving the two space and time to talk.

“I don’t know what you want me to say Mike. I told you last night that it is over between us,” said Mbali coldly.

“Why? Can you please have the decency at least of telling me what made you change your mind about us.”

“Oh, my word Mike, please just go, and leave me alone. I am very busy here as you can see. I have a party to prepare for, so if you don’t mind–”

“Okay, if you say so, I will leave, but I want you to know that I loved you. I still do. I will always love you Mbali. I don’t know why you are acting so cold suddenly. I can’t work it out.”

Mike was trying hard to hold back his tears. As Mbali went back into the fitting room to continue with her shopping spree, Khwezi turned to try to comfort him.

“I am sorry Mike. I am very sorry.” Khwezi touched his arm gently.

“Thank you Khwezi. I guess I’ll be fine … eventually. Anyway, I should go, because I was just window shopping. I don’t have money.”

“Same here Mike. At least it’s your final year. Soon you will be starting to work.”

“Yeah, I can’t wait,” he answered as he left the shop.

Khwezi helped her friend to choose an outfit for the party and then enjoyed getting some cash to buy her own stuff as well.

***

Tell us what you think: Young people break up and make up all the time. Does Mbali owe Mike an explanation? If so, what should she say?