Betrayed

Chapter 8

Asanda's POV

I'm headed to Vusi's place because he wants to see me. Honestly, I'd rather be alone today, but someone's keen on my company. I hope it's worth it, since I'm not exactly in the mood for visitors.

When I arrive, I knock on the door, and Lihle opens it, leaning against the frame with a smile. I chuckle and raise an eyebrow.

"Can I help you?" she asks, and I roll my eyes. "Can I come in?" I ask in response.

"Well, that depends," she says, shrugging her shoulders. "On what?" I ask, curious.

"Why you're here," she replies, her tone playful but firm.

"Your friend called me," I say, and she clenches her jaw.

"Shii, Vusi just left and won't be back until late," she replies. "Are you serious?" I ask, growing annoyed.

"Yeah, he thought you weren't coming since you didn't reply to his text," she explains. "Where did he go?" I ask, curiosity getting the better of me.

"Can't disclose that," she says with a sly grin, shrugging her shoulders.

"Are you alone?" I ask, eyeing her.

"Yeah, but I was about to leave too," she replies. "Leave and go where?" I press.

"Home," she says simply. "Can you drop me off at home?" I ask.

"I can walk you home," she offers. "So what, people can't be in your car?" I ask, raising an eyebrow.

"What car? I don't have a car," she says, playing dumb. "So the car outside belongs to a ghost?" I ask, skeptical.

"Maybe, I don't know," she says with a chuckle. "Nevermind," I say, turning to leave.

But she holds me back, "Okay, I'm joking. Let me just get my keys." She heads into the house, and I wait by her car, amused by our banter.

We arrive outside my place, and Lihle says, "Okay, bye."

I pretend to be offended, "Damn, really trying to get rid of me?"

Lihle chuckles, "You know what, nhe, that's not even it. More than anything, I'm tired."

I nod understandingly, but then add, "Okay, but before I leave... I just realized something."

Lihle raises an eyebrow, "I really hope you're not waiting for me to ask what?" she says after a few seconds of silence, our eyes locked on each other.

I smirk, "You really know how to kill a mood, nhe."

Lihle shoots back, "Says the person who 'likes' my vibes."

I choose to ignore that comment and continue, "Just realized we don't have each other's numbers."

Lihle's jaw drops dramatically, and she covers her mouth with her hand, "Really. Who would've known?" she says sarcastically.

I playfully hit her chest, and she laughs, rubbing the spot.

"Yeah, so like you only realise that now. Hectic," she says, raising an eyebrow.

"Obviously, it's been on my mind, just remembered to bring it up now," I explain.

"Yeah, I know I don't have your number and vice versa, and for a reason," she says, her tone hinting at a deeper meaning.

"What's that?" I ask, curiosity getting the better of me.

"I don't want them," she says bluntly, and I feel my heart break a little at that. Damn.

"Not in a bad way though, I just... I don't think we should spend more time with each other than we already do," she clarifies.

"You still on the 'you can't be friends with your homies' girl?" I ask, slightly annoyed.

"Not really, cause we're quite close... But I think our relationship is fine where it is. No need to do more," she says, her words piercing my thoughts.

"What if I want more?" I ask, my voice barely above a whisper.

"More what?" she asks, looking at me with a piercing gaze.

I bite my lip, hesitant to reveal my thoughts, and shake my head. "Nevermind."

As I'm about to get out of the car, she locks the door, and her eyes bore into mine. "More what?" she asks again, her voice softer this time.

"So, you gonna keep me against my own will?" I ask, slightly annoyed.

"Just answer the damn question," she says, her tone firm.

I unlock the door, but she quickly locks it again and looks at me intensely. "More what?" she asks, her eyes piercing mine.

"I was thinking my own things," I say, trying to downplay it.

"You lying," she says, her voice laced with skepticism.

"Deadass," I reply, trying to sound convincing.

"Nah, not deadass," she says, her tone dripping with sarcasm, and I can't help but laugh.

"Looks like you want to hear something specific," I say, raising an eyebrow.

She gives me a side-eye, her expression unreadable. "Just saying though, whatever you want to happen, won't... So lose those thoughts before you lose me," she warns, her voice firm but laced with a hint of concern.

She unlocks the car and sits back, her gaze still fixed on me. "Where is this coming from?" I ask, genuinely confused.

"Asa, I'm not stupid," she says, her tone serious. "But whatever is weighing heavy on your mind must disappear, fast."

She leans over me to open my door, her face and tone stern. "Now, for real. Bye."

I'm taken aback by her sudden change in demeanor. "Why you being a bitch right now? I just wanted more as in like I want our friendship to be stronger," I explain, feeling a bit hurt and confused.

"Yeah, I'm not dumb. Asa, man, get out of my car," she says, closing her eyes, her patience wearing thin.

"You really just jumping into things," I say, shaking my head as I step out of the car.

"And why are you thinking that? What's going on through your mind?" I ask, genuinely curious, before I walk away.

Lihle is honestly doing too much. She's thinking too much of something that is not even on my mind. All I really wanted was a proper friendship with her, because, like I said before, I like her vibes. But nah, she has to turn it into something it's not. I'm literally in a relationship with her friend, and she thinks those kinds of thoughts live rent-free in my mind. Must be flattering.

I walk away, feeling a mix of confusion and frustration. Lihle's assumptions and accusations have left me wondering what's really going on in her mind. I thought we had a good connection, but now it seems like she's reading too much into everything. I shake my head and continue walking, leaving the drama behind me.