Betrayed

Chapter 34

"Funeka? What are you doing here?" Asemahle asked, her voice laced with confusion and a hint of surprise.

I clicked my tongue, shaking my head in disbelief, and made my way out of the door. I descended the stairs, my footsteps echoing through the silence.

At the bottom of the stairs, I met Vusi and the others, their faces etched with concern. "What's going on, joh?" Vusi asked, his brow furrowed.

I bit my tongue, shaking my head again, and walked past them, my eyes fixed on the door ahead. I pushed it open and stepped out into the cool evening air, making my way to my car.

As I walked, I heard her calling out to me, but I blocked her out, my mind elsewhere. "Lihle, just stop, bruh. Really now!" she shouted, her voice piercing through the air.

I stopped in my tracks, turning back to face her with a questioning gaze, my eyes narrowing slightly. What did she want now?

"I know you're not talking to me like that. Like, there must be another Lihle around-" I started to say, but my words were cut off when she kissed me. Her lips touched mine, and my insides melted like ice in the sun. My entire body became weak, my knees trembling beneath me.

But despite the familiar spark, I couldn't shake off the feeling that something was off. Kissing her no longer felt right. I pulled away, my eyes cast downward, trying to gather my thoughts.

When I looked up again, she was gazing at me with a curious expression. "Now that I've shut you up, can we talk?" she asked, her voice laced with a hint of playfulness.

I glanced behind her, and my eyes met the gaze of Funeka and my homies, all of whom were watching us with interest. "You know what?" I started to say, my voice trailing off as I hesitated.

She shrugged her shoulders, her eyes questioning, and I knew I had to say something. But what?

"What?" she asks, her voice laced with confusion, but I'm already turning away, making my way to my car.

I unlock the door, slide into the driver's seat, and try to collect my thoughts. But before I can even breathe, the passenger side door opens, and she gets in. I look at her, annoyed, my eyes pleading for her to leave me alone. "Bruh, get out of my car," I say, my voice firm, my gaze fixed ahead.

But she's not having it. "Can you just listen?" she asks, her voice laced with exasperation, her sigh heavy. I can feel her frustration, but I'm not in the mood.

Just then, Funeka appears at the door, her expression puzzled. "The fuck is going on here?" she asks, her voice firm, her eyes scanning the situation. I roll my eyes, my head falling onto the steering wheel. This is gonna be a long night. The tension is palpable, the air thick with unresolved issues.

"Can you take your hun?" I say, my voice laced with irritation, without even looking at them. This situation is annoying me now, and I just want to be left alone.

But before I can even process what's happening, my door opens, and Vusi reaches in, yanking me out of the car. I'm suddenly upside down, draped over his shoulder, my dignity bruised. I push myself off him, my eyes blazing with irritation.

"What the hell, Vusi?" I demand, my voice firm, but he just looks at me with a stern expression. "Just fucking listen to her," he says, his voice firm but measured. "Least after today, you'll know if you still want nothing to do with her or if you're willing to give her a chance. Cause this back and forth bullshit is starting to get annoying."

I clench my jaw, my teeth grinding in frustration. Vusi's words are harsh, but I know he's right.

Vusi pushes me up the road, his silence speaking volumes. I walk up to her crib, my feet heavy with reluctance.