Oyama: Her Story

CHAPTER 3

As I drive to work there is only one song playing, on my Bluetooth, Abalele by Ami Faku and Kabza the Small, I'm going to work and this song is what helps me go through tough times. I'm bopping my head, It's been a day and I haven't heard anything from the 'Pedi dumbass with no respect'. I get to my office, I got another bouquet of roses and Teddy, he really needs to stop this. I could text him to stop, but I don't think he would listen. This teddy bear will sit in my office and decorate my office.
I walk in and I sit down, my Chief walks in, "Oyama, I need a Doctor on hand with the HIV testing drive" he says, it's more of an order than it is him asking. I nod, walk out and head downstairs.
My phone vibrates, "I can't wait for you to see you on Friday" texts Mxolisi.
"Me too, big bro" I reply.

I get in the ambulance and we drive to the place that was agreed upon, which was just Baywest Mall parking lot. We get out and set up station. I put on my gloves, I always hated this part of the job. You get people who come here out of the good of their heart and end up heartbroken, because they didn't know they have been living with HIV, they don't even know where they got it themselves.
"Next" I say, and the next patient walks up and sit's down, they have a plastic with them, "OH Fuck no!", he smiles at me, "What are you doing?"
"Well, I saw the flags, and decided let me be a good Samaritan and get my status confirmed" he says with a smirk.
"No you didn't, I know you didn't" I say shaking my head.
He smiles, "No, not really" he smirks.
"Then why are you here?" I ask.
"You stood me up last time, so I decided, let me go to her" he says.
I roll my eyes, he looks at me, those eyes piercing me again, his jaw clenching, "If you aren't gonna get test I'm gonna ask you to please leave" I say.
He smiles again, I try and stand he begs me to sit, "I'll get tested" he says. I grab his finger and it's so soft, I don't think he has an ounce of hard labor.
I pull out the needle and he looks at me scared, "Don't tell me you are scared?"
"NO" he says eyes squinted, "I'm terrified" he says softly, I start giggling, "Ayyy, she knows how to laugh"
I shake my head and roll my eyes, I prick him while he's busy distracted, "All done" I say, he looks at and I show him his results, "Negative" I say.
He nods like he already, "Listen, I wanna have Lunch with you. If you have lunch with me today, I promise, I will never bother you again unless you want me to" he says and smiles, "I bought Spur, if you wanna find me, I will be at our spot" he walks off, not before holding my hand and letting go slowly.

I sit there pondering it, I don't know why, but I already know, what he meant by 'our spot'. I was right, same parking spot, I parked him in. He's on his phone, he has his tail gate down. His car is covered in dust; I walk up arms folded. I don't even know, why I'm here. He hops off his tail gate and puts his hands in his pockets, he looks at me, he smiles. STUPID CUTE SMILE, he gives me the gesture to sit. I hop on the tail gate and he walks into the car, he comes back with 2 plates and dishes up the 2 burgers. We sit eating in silence, by the time I'm half way through he's already done.
"So Dr. Mtyhobile, how long are you gonna keep being mean to me, or what is it a Xhosa thing?" he asks, I laugh, "She can giggle and laugh, well I'm learning so much"
"Look it's not that, I'm mean it's just that, I promised myself, I would never let a man bully me, or hurt me again" I say looking down.
He looks at me, his face is expressionless, but it seems like he's angry, "I should go" I say hopping off, "This was nice though thank you".
"Wait," he says, "Can I still bother you?"
I shake my head, "It's better if you don't get involved for your sake" I say.
He looks sad, "Must I suffer for another man's sins?"
I just shrug my shoulders and walk off. I look back at him and he's just looking at me. I hear his car turn on and he speeds off. I walk to my station and get back to work.

But my thoughts linger on him. It's so frustrating, how he's managed to worm his way into my thoughts. I've been through enough; the last thing I need is another man complicating my life. But there's something about him that's different. No, I can't allow myself to go down that road. Not again.
"Dr. Mtyhobile, are you okay?" one of the nurses asks as I re-enter the makeshift clinic.
I nod, forcing a smile, "I'm fine. Just needed some air."
She gives me a sympathetic look, but I don't have the energy to engage in small talk. I walk over to my station and resume my duties, trying to focus on the task at hand. The afternoon drags on as patient after patient comes through. Some are relieved, others are devastated. It's always the same cycle-hope mixed with despair. At least tomorrow, I get to fly to Joburg to visit Mxolisi, I finally get home and hit the hay. I look at my phone to see if he has texted me, there's nothing, but it's ok this is for the best, for the best, definitely for the best. RIGHT?