Three weeks later. Portia and Tsietsi are sitting on a park bench.
PORTIA: Eish, and if it wasn’t for you, and Mama, and Refilwe…
TSIETSI: We’ve got you, girl. (He winks at her.) Besides, give yourself some credit, you’re a fighter.
They sit quietly for a moment and listen to the sounds of the dusty township.
PORTIA: You know, I can’t believe I allowed Bra Sticks to use me the way he did. If I knew what I know now, I…
TSIETSI: (gritting his teeth) If only I had known what that bastard was up to… (looking down at his All Stars) Don’t worry about him. Now the whole community is onto his dirty tricks.
PORTIA: When he started demanding sex without a condom I should’ve known…but he kept saying, “After all that I’ve done for you!”
TSIETSI: Bastard! It was all mind games, manipulation. You’re wiser now, and now that you’re taking your treatment you can…
PORTIA: (cuts him off) Yeah, but at what cost? Right now, I’m HIV positive thanks to that pig! I hurt my mother, lost focus at school, pushed away my friends…you… (looks away with tears in her eyes) I’m still so angry with him, with myself.
TSIETSI: But you’re going to be fine. You’ve got your ARVs and that support group. And of course, I’m not so easy to get rid of. (grins) I’ll be right there by your side.
PORTIA: Oh Tsietsi! And you’re right, it’s been so helpful meeting people living fine with HIV at the group.
TSIETSI: Which reminds me…This is for you. (takes out a gift and hands it to Portia)
PORTIA: (with wide eyes) What is it?
TSIETSI: Well, it’s not dunked wings, if that’s what you thinking. (smirks)
PORTIA: Yeyi! (She lightly punches his shoulder.)
TSIETSI: (smiles) Open it.
Portia unwraps the package. It’s a book: Witness to AIDS by Edwin Cameron.
TSIETSI: Justice Edwin Cameron is an inspiration. I heard him speak once. He was a Constitutional Court judge, and he’s an HIV/AIDS activist.
PORTIA: Wow…Thank you so much!
Portia hugs Tsietsi.
PORTIA: I don’t think I would’ve coped with all of this without all your support. Receiving those results from the doctor…
TSIETSI: Shshshshsh…There was no way I was going to let you go through all of that on your own. (squeezes her hand gently, as she leans into him) Don’t you get it? I love you damn it, o ratwa ke nna hle.
PORTIA: (looks at him with tears in her eyes) I’ve always suspected it, but now…now I know it. I’m sorry I put you through all of this.
TSIETSI: It was worth it. (squeezes her hand once more) You are worth it.
As the sun begins to set, Portia leans into Tsietsi once more and rests her head on his chest while he holds her close. She finally realises just how lucky she is to have someone like him in her life.
Tell us: What did you think of this play?