Betrayed

Chapter 1

We had just returned from school and retreated to our respective rooms. I was changing out of my uniform and into something more comfortable - grey sweats, a white t-shirt, socks, and slides.

After getting changed, I headed out of my room and collapsed onto the couch in the lounge. I switched on the TV and started catching up on All American.

Minutes later, Vusi emerged from his room, looking like he was about to head out. "I'm going to the shops," he said, barely breaking his stride as he walked past me.

I nodded, not taking my eyes off the TV screen. I was too engrossed in the show to bother with conversation.

The silence between us was comfortable, and I was happy to just relax and unwind after a long day at school.

I pause the episode and look at Vusi, who's already heading out the door. "Check, Asa is coming, and I need to go get food. Just let her in, nhe," he says, not breaking his stride.

I nod my head, acknowledging his request. "Chilled," I reply, getting up from the couch to grab myself a drink.

As Vusi opens the door to leave, he turns back to me with a parting shot. "And don't be weird. Y'all must talk," he says, his eyes locked on mine for a brief moment.

I turn and look back at him, "Nah," I say, dismissively, not even looking up from my drink.

Vusi was about to walk out the door, but my response seems to have caught him off guard. He turns around and comes back into the house, a playful glint in his eye. "Come on, she's not as boring as you think," he says, trying to persuade me.

I roll my eyes and head back to the lounge, flopping down on the couch. "Agree to disagree?" I shrug my shoulders, not wanting to engage in this conversation any further.

Vusi chuckles and comes over to me, ruffling my hair and hitting me playfully over the head. I cover myself, laughing and pretending to protect myself from his attack.

"I'll see," I say, my voice noncommittal, as Vusi heads towards the door.

"Great," he says, seemingly satisfied with my response, and leaves the house.

I shake my head, feeling a sense of resignation wash over me. What am I supposed to talk about with Asanda, anyway? I'm not exactly the chatty type, especially when it comes to girls. And let's be real, most of the time, I'm only interested in one thing...

I take a sip of my Windhoek, trying to clear my head. I unpause the TV and settle back into the couch, hoping to lose myself in the show. But minutes later, there's a knock at the door. I ignore it at first, thinking it might be Vusi coming back for something, but the knocking persists.

Sighing, I stand up and pause the TV once again. I make my way to the door, wondering who it could be. When I open it, I'm greeted by Asanda's smiling face.

I head back to the lounge, and Asanda lets herself in, taking a seat on the opposite couch. "Hi," she says, her voice cheerful, but I'm not really in the mood for small talk.

I nod my head in response, not taking my eyes off the TV. "Sho," I mutter, unpause the show, and settle back into my seat.

Asanda tries again, asking, "How are you?" I glance over at her, slightly surprised she's still trying to engage me in conversation. We don't usually talk, so this is new territory.

I shrug, not wanting to encourage her, and respond, "Shap, wena?" (I'm good, you?) without looking at her. My focus remains fixed on the TV, hoping she'll take the hint and leave me alone.

But Asanda persists, asking, "You don't like people, do you?" Her words catch my attention, and I pause the TV once more, looking at her with a hint of curiosity.