She played well in the netball game. She didn’t score any goals and she didn’t perform any dramatic defences, but the coach congratulated her. Her mother and father would have seen her shine. But there was nobody there to watch her. The other girls slapping her on her back and welcoming her to the team should have made her feel good. But instead they made her feel worse. Strangers were congratulating her when her mother couldn’t even be bothered to come.
On the way home she looked out for Olwethu. But Olwethu wasn’t at the taxi rank, and he was nowhere to be seen on the street. She would have to find him later.
She went to look for Babalwa. “Chommie, I just need to give a message to Olwethu. From my sister. Will you come with me?”
Babalwa was pleased. “You’ve been so mean about your sister. Good thing you’re being nice now.”
“Oh, Babalwa, you don’t know Ntombi properly,” said Zinzi. “She’s a pain, I tell you.”
“Well, she doesn’t hit you, like Phati did when I borrowed her jersey. And she doesn’t swear at your mom. And go drinking. No, you’re lucky, I tell you.”
Zinzi sighed. She didn’t really feel like talking to Babalwa about how wonderful Ntombi was. “Just come with me now, OK, chommie.”
Together they made their way to Olwethu’s house. And while they were chatting and laughing, part of Zinzi was planning exactly what to say to Olwethu – those words would change everything …
Chapter 10
“Why so edgy?” asked Mahlodi. “You’ve checked your cellphone every five minutes for the past hour!”
“My boyfriend hasn’t called,” replied Ntombi. “I’ve left a message, and a missed call.”
Ntombi had rung Olwethu and SMSed him. She had needed to after what had happened with Alex. The only way to get back onto safe ground was to remind herself just how much and why she loved her boyfriend. But Olwethu hadn’t answered.
“Don’t act desperate now,” said Mahlodi. “Maybe he’s busy, maybe he needs some space.”
“Space?” Ntombi sounded doubtful. Wasn’t her being in Jozi giving him enough space already?
“Yes, best thing in relationships. Don’t crowd the other person – it just makes them want to run away. Keep a bit of mystery. Have a bit of faith.”
Was she right? Must she still play a game with Olwethu, pretending that she didn’t love him too much? Why was it all so confusing, thought Ntombi. Why wasn’t he answering? Was he with another girl?
Just then the twins came into the rec room, booted the nerdy boy off the sofa and flopped down. Mahlodi saw Ntombi’s expression. “Just imagine those twins with guys,” she said. “It’s a good thing they didn’t want to get their claws into Dirk – he’d be dead by now!”
They laughed. Ntombi could see that they would be bitchy with boys. But she wasn’t like that. She was faithful, she had promised herself in love to Olwethu. At the same time, she thought, if I can find another guy attractive, share things with him and want him to flirt with me, then Olwethu can do the same. She couldn’t bear that thought. Double standards, she told herself. The only thing to do was to avoid Alex … but she had tried that before.
She was relieved when Mahlodi invited her to come and play soccer with her and Katrina after lunch. They had some free time and she didn’t want to go to the rec room as that was where Alex and the boys had headed.
“Come on! I’ll make soccer players of you girls before you know it!” joked Mahlodi as they made their way to the soccer pitch.
Ntombi had never liked soccer, but Mahlodi had been so good to her. And it would be great to do something fun – it would release the stress of practising for the finals coming up so soon. And it would help her to forget her problems. Katrina and Mahlodi had become good friends over the last couple of days, just like the giraffes back home. As they started kicking the ball around, some boys joined them. One stood in the goal. “Come on, girls, I’ll give you R5 if you can get a ball past me!”
Ntombi ran up and kicked with all her might – and tripped over. “That would have been a great kick,” said the boy, “if it had actually touched the ball.” The boys all laughed. “Girls playing soccer,” one of them said. “Ag shame.”
They didn’t see Mahlodi running up with a ball until it was too late. Her shot went hard into the top left corner. The boys stopped laughing. “But I wasn’t ready,” said the goalie.
“Fine,” said Mahlodi. “Ready now?”
He nodded. She ran forward, pretending to shoot at the top corner again, and he jumped. But as he jumped she hit the ball hard and flat, straight into the open half of the goal. Some boys cheered.
Mahlodi held out her hand. “R5, please.”
The boy reluctantly put his hand into his pocket, and tossed a coin at her.
“You were fantastic,” said Ntombi as they walked back. “I can’t believe how quick you are, how fast. And the way you ran – it was amazing.” She thought of Zinzi. “My sister would love to see you play.”
“Does she take part in soccer games?” asked Mahlodi.
“Not really,” said Ntombi. “She wanted to join a club, but my mother said it was too far away.” Ntombi remembered Zinzi’s disappointment, and felt a stab of guilt. She and her mother had never really taken Zinzi’s interest in sport seriously, she realised. When she got home she would persuade her mother to let Zinzi play.
“My family also doesn’t take my soccer seriously,” Mahlodi said. “I should be training now, not spending hours preparing for this competition. Sometimes I wish I hadn’t got this singing voice. I think my life would have been simpler.”
“Come on,” said Ntombi. “If you hadn’t entered, you wouldn’t have met me and Katrina!”
“My dad would never let me play soccer,” said Katrina. He thinks it’s just for boys. He’s so rude about Banyana.”
Mahlodi rolled her eyes and they all laughed.
At 4 p.m. Agnes called all of them into the recreation room and told them she had exciting news.
“We’re going to be interviewed on TV!” shouted the twins.
“No,” said Agnes, sounding irritated. “Something much better than that.”
“What could be …?”
But Agnes didn’t give the twins a chance. “Loyiso is coming to listen to your solos.”
There was a huge cheer.
As they rushed out to the hall, Alex touched her shoulder. “All good?” he asked. The feel of his fingers on her shoulder stirred mixed feelings in her again. She nodded and turned away.
“Oh, Loyiso,” said the twins. “I don’t know what the fuss is about. He’s always coming around to our house.”
Loyiso! thought Ntombi. How she wished she could tell Olwethu and her friends – they would die of jealousy. Loyiso! Whoever could have imagined he would listen to her sing? She started to type an SMS to share the news, but when she pressed the Send button she found she was out of airtime, and there was nowhere to buy it until tomorrow.
Chapter 11
Zinzi and Babalwa got close to Olwethu’s house.
“You wait here,” said Zinzi. “This is private.”
“Your sister sent a private message via you?” said Babalwa. “You, who can’t keep one secret? Ntombi isn’t as clever as I thought she was!”
“Very funny,” said Zinzi. “Just wait. I’ll be quick.”
Babalwa leaned against the neighbour’s wall. “Hurry up!” she called after her.
Zinzi knocked on Olwethu’s door and his little sister, Linkie, came out. “Zinzi! I haven’t seen you for so long! How’s Ntombi doing in the competition?”
Zinzi gave a false smile. “Is your brother home?”
“Yes, but he’s just gone to fetch something from a neighbour. Come in.”
This was just what Zinzi didn’t want, but she felt she couldn’t refuse. Linkie hel
d the rickety door of the shack open and in she went, politely greeting Olwethu’s granny, who was sitting knitting in the corner. The TV was blaring and bright, cheerful posters lined the walls.
“Hello, my child,” the old lady said, putting down her knitting.
“It’s Ntombi’s sister,” said Linkie.
“I know who it is,” said the granny, “And she has a name of her own, Linkie. Hello, Zinzi.”
Zinzi felt that the granny’s wise, old eyes could see right through her. For a moment she wanted to run away, but it was too late. Olwethu had come in.
“Hey, Zinzi,” he said. “What are you doing here?” His face looked worried. “Has anything happened to Ntombi?”
“She is coming to visit,” said the granny. “Make her some tea.”
“No, thank you, Gogo. I have a friend waiting. I must go,” said Zinzi.
Olwethu followed her out of the room. “How is Ntombi? I haven’t managed to speak to her lately. And now my phone charger’s not working.”
“Well, it’s just that a funny thing happened. I’m sure it’s nothing,” she said.
“What?” She could hear the anxiety in Olwethu’s voice.
“No, it’s really nothing.”
“You can tell me,” he said.
“Well … it’s just that when I phoned Ntombi the other evening she didn’t answer the phone.”
“She’s been very busy …”
“No, I mean she didn’t answer the phone, but someone else did. A guy. Then he passed it to her. I couldn’t really hear very clearly. There was music playing in the background – sounded like they were in a club.”
“Maybe they were just practising together,” said Olwethu. But Zinzi could see the doubt in his eyes.
His face closed. “Is that really all you came for?”
She nodded. Suddenly she felt dirty inside. He closed the door, hardly saying goodbye – polite Olwethu who was always kind, even to little sisters. For a moment she wanted to re-wind, to wipe out what she had done. She had seen pain in Olwethu’s eyes. But she told herself that he ought to know the truth, however much it hurt.
“Looked like you gave him bad news,” said Babalwa. “I could tell he was upset from here.”
“Oh, shut up, I don’t want to talk about it,” Zinzi snapped angrily, and the girls walked home in silence.
Later, when she got home, she told her mother she was desperate to phone her sister.
This time Ntombi answered the phone. “Hey, I’m glad you phoned,” said Ntombi. “I’ve run out of airtime and I have news you won’t believe! I want you to tell Olwethu to phone me … and the giraffes too. Uyaqonda?”
“What is it?” asked Zinzi, already jealous.
“Loyiso is coaching us tomorrow.”
“Loyiso?”
“The one and only …”
Zinzi couldn’t contain her jealousy. “How’s your new boyfriend?” she said meanly.
“Alex isn’t my boyfriend. He’s just one of the contestants,” said Ntombi. “How many times do I have to tell you? Are you stupid or what?”
“That’s not what it sounded like to me,” said Zinzi.
“Zinzi, please ask Olwethu to phone me,” begged Ntombi.
“What girlfriend has to tell her boyfriend to phone her? Only one who’s lost him. Well, sista, don’t say I didn’t warn you. You’re not the only one who’s moved on.” Ntombi sat, stunned.
Then Zinzi spoke again. “You know that saying, ‘When the cat’s away, the mice will play’…?”
Ntombi switched off her phone.
Chapter 12
Ntombi tried to forget what Zinzi had said as they waited for Loyiso to arrive. And when he sang his single she couldn’t believe she was standing so close to him. When he invited her up onto the stage to sing a verse with him, she thought she must be dreaming. He told her that she was very talented. But she knew that she hadn’t sung her best. And she was angry that she had let her feelings affect her singing. It wasn’t professional. How would she ever make it as a musician? It made her even angrier at her sister. How could she ruin everything for her?
She went outside. It was getting cold and darkness was coming, but she didn’t notice. She walked, not caring where. Why could it not be all good? Loyiso had sung with her – a once-in-a-lifetime opportunity – but she had been distracted, caught up in jealousy and confusion. She had been a fool. Zinzi was right. What kind of girl has to ask her sister to get her boyfriend to phone her? He should want to phone her – he shouldn’t have to be told. But he hadn’t. Why hadn’t she called Olwethu that night, before all this doubt and misunderstanding set in? Maybe none of this would have happened. But now it was too late – she had lost him. It was her fault. She felt guilty. Then she felt angry at Zinzi – she could hear in her sister’s voice just how pleased she was. What stupid game was she playing? Only 13 and already she was so manipulative. Where had she learned to be like that?
Ntombi sat down on a bench in the quad. She kept seeing Olwethu in her head chatting and laughing with a pretty girl. Pretty and sweet. Just the type of girl he would go for. Not a girl who would flirt with other guys like she had done.
Then she felt angry with him. She hadn’t done anything after all. What kind of boyfriend was he, to move on so quickly? How could he? No wonder he hadn’t called. He was avoiding her. And now she had found out from her sister – how humiliating.
How could she concentrate on the competition now, when, as she sang, Olwethu was probably making out with someone else? He was just like Mzi … false. It had been false love. Well, he could go to hell. No guys could be trusted. She would give up on boyfriends – they were a waste of time. She would just concentrate on her music. She didn’t need them.
But when her phone beeped, she felt a surge of excitement, thinking it was Olwethu phoning to tell her that he loved her and that Zinzi was just making trouble. Maybe this was a message from him explaining everything! But then she read,
dnt thnk u’re a wnner coz u’re on ur way out. enjy da trp.
She stood up and looked around, suddenly seeing shadows everywhere. It was the third message from this anonymous caller and they always came when she was feeling most vulnerable – like the person knew and was watching her. Who wanted to hurt her like this? What had she done? Was it Mzi? But how could he be here, in Jozi? She couldn’t think of anyone else who had a reason for such hatred. She wanted to run back to the safety, warmth and light of the rec room, but she was frozen with fear. And then out of the dark she heard a voice … a deep, rich voice, singing her song.
There was only one person it could be. She turned around – there was Alex coming towards her. She wanted to run into his arms. But then she saw Dirk behind him. They sat beside her, one on either side.
“Why so down?” asked Alex, seeing her tears. She felt his leg against hers. It was warm in the cold night.
She found herself sobbing. She couldn’t help it. “What’s wrong?” both boys asked. Alex put his arm around her.
She held out her phone to them. Dirk peered at the screen and whistled softly. “Somebody doesn’t like you. Who is it?”
“I don’t know,” Ntombi said, and then burst into tears again.
“Hey, don’t be sad. Let’s just phone the number and see who this asshole is.” Dirk took her phone and pressed call. Then after a few seconds he gave it back to her. Whoever it was just disconnected.”
“It makes me frightened,” said Ntombi, gulping back the tears. Alex was going to think she was one big crybaby.
Dirk pulled out a tissue for her. Alex grabbed it and wiped her face gently. “Forget it. Someone’s just jealous of you.”
Dirk looked at Alex with a strange expression on his face. Then he turned back to Ntombi. “You know what you need?”
“What?” sniffed Ntombi.
“Yo
u need cheering up. Hey, some of the guys are going out later. Why don’t you join us?”
She looked doubtful. She shouldn’t go – she had practice in the morning and there was only a day left until the finals. But she felt so lonely. And she couldn’t count on anyone at home to make her feel better.
“Mahlodi and Katrina can come too. Ask them.”
“Safety in numbers,” Dirk joked.
“Yes, I’ll come out with you,” she said.
“Great! We’ll meet you in the car park just after supper.”
As she walked down the corridor towards her room, she passed the twins’. She could see that they were getting dressed to go out too. That’s all I need, she thought.
“What’s happening with you and Alex?” asked Mahlodi, as she walked in. “He came here looking for you.”
“He found me. He was with Dirk. They wanted to ask me out … and you too.”
“Not me – I’m going to have an early night. Are you sure nothing’s going on?”
“I’m sure.”
“Better be,” joked Mahlodi. “Don’t forget your boyfriend.”
“Actually, I’m single again,” said Ntombi. “So I can do what I like.”
“He broke up with you?”
“He’s seeing someone else.”
“He told you that? The guy’s got guts! Normally they leave it for us to find out.”
“Well … not exactly. I heard it from my sister.”
“And you believed her?”
“She saw him with a girl … They were standing very close …”
“My advice – don’t do anything foolish to get back at your boyfriend. Not until you know the whole truth. How do you know it wasn’t just a friend?”
“My sister seemed so sure.”
“But you don’t know yourself. You didn’t see him, did you?”
“I guess so. Still, whether it’s true or not, I really want to go out tonight. I need to relax,” said Ntombi. “I’m under a lot of stress.” She showed Mahlodi the threatening SMS. “And there are two more,” she said. “So you see why I need to go out?”
Jealous in Jozi Page 6