Tshidi stole a look at Thabang as they held hands, sitting on the bed.

“Thank you for understanding, Thabang. I just don’t feel ready to have sex,” she said.

“That’s fine, really. I’ll wait for you until you’re ready. You’re very important to me my angel,” he said, pressing her soft hand. “We will even use a condom when we do. I promise.”

“I think I’m lucky to have a boyfriend like you,” Tshidi said.

“Mmm! Say that again,” Thabang said with a grin.

“Yes! I think I am.”

“Oh, thank you, babes. That’s so sweet,” he said, his left hand on his heart.

“Well … I think I must leave now. I’ve got homework.”

“OK,” he said, then paused, staring at Tshidi. “Thank you very much for coming. This is definitely the best day of my life.”

“OK. I’ll see you next time,” she said, standing up to go.

Thabang put his arms around Tshidi’s waist and kissed her.

“Your lips are so sweet. Do you know that?” He kissed her again.

“I must leave now,” Tshidi said, pulling away slowly.

“OK. Let’s go.”

Thabang locked the door of the two-roomed house behind them and they walked away, holding hands.

The next day, Tshidi looked like the happiest girl in the world.

“So Tshidi my friend, tell me. Are you hiding something from me? I mean … like really.” Lerato was busy writing notes in her book. There was no teacher in the classroom so everyone was making noise, enjoying their freedom.

“What do you mean wena Lerato?” Tshidi stopped writing and looked at Lerato.

“I don’t believe that you and Thabang didn’t do anything yesterday. I think you’re lying to me. No way. Just look at you. You’re blushing every time I mention his name. No! He must have done something to you. Something good,” she teased, and continued writing.

Tshidi stared at her friend with a smile. She could not believe that girl. Why was Lerato’s mind always running wild?

“OK, believe what you want to believe. But what I know is that Thabang and I agreed to wait until we’re ready,” she said casually, and went back to her books.

Lerato closed her note book and shoved it in her school bag. “But do you think it’s a wise idea? I mean boys are not like us. How long do you think he will wait, choma?”

“If he cares about me like he says he does, he will wait,” Tshidi said.

“I think you’re making a big mistake my friend. Don’t forget that there are hawks out there, waiting.”

“No-one will take Thabang from me. He promised me.”

“Boys break their promises many times, choma. Just get yourself a condom and give Thabang the cake before Lesedi does,” she said, her voice loud in the classroom which has gone quiet just then.

The class was silent, shocked by Lerato’s words. Then laughter filled the room; boys clapped and whistled.

Lesedi had gone to the toilet but as she entered she had heard what Lerato said and it made her mad.

“Hey, Fatty Boom Boom! This girl can’t give Thabang anything that he really wants and needs. She doesn’t even know how to entertain a boy. I know Thabang will get bored with her soon. He will come to me because I’m the real thing. Not just a fake charity girl who stays with an illiterate granny!”

Lesedi’s friends roared with laughter.

“Leave my grandmother out of this wena Lesedi.” Tshidi stood up.

“Or what? Mmm? Or what!?” She poked at Tshidi’s chest. Learners started cheering when they realised that there was a fight about to break out. Boys were whistling, banging desks. Nobody heard the bell.

“Hei! What’s going on here?” Miss Thuso shouted, entering the classroom. “Everyone sit down. This is a classroom, not some tavern,” she said and slammed a book on the table.

Lesedi stood there, fuming.

“What’s wrong with you Lesedi! Are you deaf? I said get back to your desk and sit. Now!”

Lesedi shuffled her way back to her desk, pouting. Miss Thuso gave them a tongue lashing for a minute, and then started teaching.

As always, Lesedi’s words had planted seeds of doubt in Tshidi’s mind. She wondered if Lesedi was right. Was she an idiot who could not ‘entertain’ a boy? Maybe it was time to reconsider her decision and be a ‘real girlfriend’ to Thabang.

That afternoon, Tshidi and Thabang met at Tebogo’s. Tebogo was living alone while his parents were working in the city. They only came home at the end of the month.

“Baby, do you know what you’re doing to my heart mara wena?” Thabang said, squeezing Tshidi’s hand. They were sitting next to each other on the bed.

Tshidi did not answer.

“Baby, do you hear me? What’s wrong? Are you fine?”

“Yes! Why?”

“I don’t know,” he paused. “You just seem so … so … so deeply buried in your thoughts.”

“No, I’m fine,” she said softly. “I was just thinking about what Lesedi said to me in the school toilets. That girl is always after me. I can’t take it any longer.”

“Come on babes. I told you to forget about that girl, right?”

Tshidi nodded.

Then they started kissing, gently at first, and then more passionately. Thabang pushed Tshidi back onto the bed. He was lying on top of her now. He was breathing heavily. He slid his hand into his pocket and brought out a condom. He pulled back from Tshidi and showed her.

She didn’t stop him. She didn’t want to.

Later, Thabang walked Tshidi home.

“I can’t believe we did it,” Thabang said and hugged her. “I hope you won’t regret it tomorrow, babes, because I won’t.” He kissed her goodbye.

When he was gone Tshidi went to her room and lay on her bed. She closed her eyes. Would she regret it tomorrow?

***

Tell us what you think: Will Tshidi regret it? Why or why not?