BEING A WIFE OF A PRISONER

Chapter 11

NARRATOR

Morning came and they were still in the holding cell. After that vicious slap from the officer none of them have spoken a word to each other. Now it was really sinking on them that they were jail and they couldn’t escape it.

Sihle: Mr Collins will be on our case if we don’t report for duty.

Aza: I had no choice but to take leave because he forced me.

Busi: Better you than us. What’s will be our excuse will be?

Aza: You’ll tell him the truth.

Busi snorted.

Busi: You’re not the one who will get a bad reputation but we are.

Aza: What is that suppose to mean?

Busi: I mean our lives are suddenly revolving around you. You lost your mom and we had to drop everything and come to support you. Six months later your brother gets jail time and who has to drop everything to sympathise with you, us again? Now your boyfriend just aired your dirty laundry to the public and who has to drop everything for you?

Aza: Khayeke ukugwegweleza Busisiwe uthethe lento ufuna ukuyithetha. {Stop beating around the bush, Busiswe and get straight to the point}.

Busi: I’m tired of getting in trouble because of you.

Aza: I didn’t ask you to do any of those things.

Her chest pounced up and down as she sizzles this words.

Sihle: Guys don’t give the officers that satisfaction. This is what they want, us fighting each other. We can’t be falling apart right now. We came so far.

Aza: No let her say what she wants to say. It’s clear she’s been harbouring that for a very long time.

Sihle: Guys this is really unnecessary. We’re cranky, starving and scared of the unknown which is understandable. We didn’t know where will this lead with us.

Busi: No, Sihle this friendship has been on sided since it started. It’s always about Aza and nobody else.

Aza: If it really bothered you so much why didn’t you just being my friend? I don’t need uncertain people in my life.

She spits out.

Busi: Vele I was thinking of leaving this friendship because it doesn’t even benefit me. The only I get from it getting in trouble and ending up in jail.

She screamed at her.

Aza: We were ready to leave you behind but you insisted that we wait for you so don’t make it sound like you were pressured to do so.

Busi: I was just being a good friend not know will eventually regret it.

Sihle: Guys stop it.

She stood in the middle of the room.

Sihle: We all have to take responsibility for our actions. At the end of the day we all played a part in what happened. Let’s not forget you also punched Kuhle and ate his food, Busiswe.

Officer: Ladies.

He broke the commotion standing outside the cell.

Officer: Are you guys ready to talk?

Sihle: Our answer is still the same as yesterday.

Officer: Spending a night in jail isn’t easy especially on pretty ladies like you. I’m quiet surprised that you’re still in one piece but then again you were alone in the cell. Imagine if it was a bit crowded.