The Two Of Us

Chapter 22

THE TWO OF US

CHAPTER 22

SIHLE

"Do you have a ride home?" she asks Ukhona, hoping that she says no because she's not ready to face whoever is here to pick her up, alone. She doesn't want this moment to end. She wants to talk to her through out the drive home and maybe wake up when she's told," We're here. "

"My mother's son is coming to pick me up. He said he's going to do it until my transport issue is sorted so that I will not end up dating abafana abanezimoto because they're dangerous. I don't even like guys who have cars, they're total players." She's in disbelief.
Sihle cannot help it but to laugh. Isn't that what Nathi was trying to say?

"That's so bold of him!"

"Hey guys!" a familiar voice says. The Holy son of Maria must be coming back! It's Ashley. Ashley, Ashley, Amanda's Ashley.

"What is it Ash?" that's obviously Sihle. She's the type to put you back in your place. You don't mess with her. Her family is messing with her emotions enough.

"Akhona, can I talk to you?"

Jesus! The Akhona name!

"You're not taking her anywhere, you talk here." You'd swear that Ukhona is her younger sister the way she always jump in to protect her. Instead, she's a younger friend, a few months younger. It's just that Ukhona is shy and humble while Sihle is the drama queen but anyway, they make a good combination. They're good friends too and look good together.

"I just want to apologize," Ashley says. It takes everything in Sihle not clap her hands and laugh.

"I'm really sorry Akhona. You're a nice girl, that's what I've realized about you and you don't deserve what Amanda and I did to you. What I did to you. I thought it was the right thing to do..."

"Are you telling me that you thought bullying me was the right thing to do?" Ukhona cuts in. She's agape!

"I mean, I wanted to save my friendship with Amanda. I had no friends, just a lonely, ugly red-haired girl. She was the first person to talk to me so I had to do whatever she wanted otherwise she would threaten to leave. I didn't want to sit alone and eat alone during lunch, I didn't want to have no one to go to the washroom with so I had to keep it going." A single tear drop from her eye.
Sihle fight the urge to say it out loud that, that's  a crocodile tear. This Ashley girl really is a good actress.

"I really am sorry."

"Nah...it's cool," Ukhona says. "This was the bravest thing a person can ever do. Thanks," Ukhona says with a faint smile. She believes Ashley, she knows a lot of people like Amanda. Actually, Amanda is the one who's scared to be lonely. Ashley mutters a thanks and leave.

'Thanks'? Then she's off the hook just like that? Yoh! She wanted to beat the bitch and mess with her face a little but no. No! Ukhona is too matured! She just forgive and even say thank you! Shembe! What's wrong with Nathi's sister.

"Really?"

"Yes, she's sorry. She's also a victim in all of this," she shrug.

"Wow! You're too kind," she uncrosses her arms, clap her hands in disbelief then place them on her waist.

"At least, she apologized. That gives me...peace?"

"Peace?" - Sihle. This is not kindness but madness.

"Please don't beat the poor girl, Sihle." Ukhona says like she's reading Sihle's mind. She's a city but she's acting like girls from her hood.

"Are you reading my mind because I was?" They both crack up laughing.