UNCONDITIONAL

SEVENTEEN

'Are you going to answer that?.'

'It's Percy'

Khanyi gives her phone to Kele as she continues cleaning her house.

'Could you just stop and answer her!'

'What do I say? What if she wants to cuss me out?'

'Well you cuss her back but you need to answer the call first'

Taking back her phone from Kele,Khanyi stares at it hoping she would just hang up and leave her alone. Irritated by her ringtone Kele kicks her friends leg,signaling for her to answer.

'Hello?'

She said it more of a question than a greeting. She spoke on the phone for five seconds before ending the call. She sat next to Kele placing her cellphone on the table.

'Well what did she want?'

'She wants to see me...'

'Uhhh...then go get dressed,what are you sitting here for?'

'She is outside...'

There's a short pause with Khanyi's answers,making Kele wonder what her problem is.

'What is wrong now? What's with the long face?'

'I am scared,why is she here? What does she want? I am afraid that she came here to tell me,how much I repulse her or something like that'

'I am sure that she wouldn't come all the way here for that....'

Before they can continue,their conversation,there was a knock at the door. Knowing it was Percy,Khanyi opened her door to let her in and let Kele out.

'I'll call you later girl'

Said Kele as she walked off to her car. Percy walked into the living room and waited for Khanyi. Taking a deep breath first to ease her anxiety,Khanyi then walked into where Percy was and set opposite her. Percy looked at her still finding hard to believe what she told her yesterday. Wondering how she manages to look and stay this healthy with her status. She does not look like someone who has hiv ,she thought to herself. From what she's seen on television and read,people who have had hiv for a long period look sick but not Khanyi. She swore every time she saw her,she looked more beautiful than before.

'Sorry....where are my manners. Would you lie anything to drink?'

Percy shook her hand no.

'No thanks'

Khanyi set back down not knowing how to act or what to do. There was an awkward silence between them and it made Khanyi more anxious. Making her palms sweaty.

'Khanyi, I really don't know where to start. This is all a shock to me and I am still trying to process it all.'

'I understand'

'I want you to understand that I don't judge you. Honestly I always thought people who slept around only get the disease but that's not what I came here for. I thank you for letting me know about your status and it must have been hard...'

'But'

Said Khanyi. Percy sighed standing up and sitting next to her. She took Khanyi's hand into hers.

' But I cannot pursue a relationship with you. It's just too risky. As much as I said I love you,this changes everything. But we can still be-'

Not wanting to hear anymore. Khanyi stood up telling Percy that she understands and she shouldn't try to befriend her only because she's feeling guilty. She's happy that she was honest about her feelings.