Friendship Test

A true test of a friendship is not when the going is good, when there are parties and birthdays to celebrate. It’s not when babies are born or engagement rings are slotted into wedding fingers. It’s not during overseas holidays or during a drive along the coast. A friendship is tested when things are bad, when businesses are going bankrupt and when people are dying. A true friend sticks around no matter what.

Q thought that her friendship to Sbu was being tested prematurely. They’ve only been friends for little over a week and here she was consoling and advising her now bankrupt friend.

From the little she understood from what Sbu had told her, he wasn’t broke, he still had his many millions, however his company was bankrupt, which in turn would affect his net worth. He still had other businesses not linked to this one and they were doing OK, but they were smaller, much smaller than the now bankrupt business. It didn’t make much sense to Q, but she listened and offered a shoulder to cry on. Because that’s what friends do.

While she was consoling Sbu, she was thinking about her best friend Thando, who at this moment had no idea that her boyfriend had skipped the country with all “their” money, which meant that Thando was now broke. She mentally prepared herself for the tears and the rage that was still to come. Thando would be devastated. Not just because of the money, which was devastating enough, but also because she really was in love with Steve and she had trusted him.

Q decided to call for reinforcements. She couldn’t do this on her own, and besides, Thando will need all of her friends there to console her.

They met at a café outside Thando’s penthouse. They chose a table furthers from the entrance. Q faced the door and Matt and Ed sat with their backstowards the door. They sat next to each other facing Q. She told them the bad news over a cup of coffee.

‘Are you absolutely sure?’ Matt asked. He wore his gym gear complete with sneakers. ‘This doesn’t sound like Steve at all. I’ll admit, I didn’t know him that well, but still…’ He let the words trail.

‘So where is he right now?’ Ed asked.

Q shrugged. ‘I have no idea, neither do the police. They’re looking for him.’

‘Looking for him, why?’ Matt asked.

‘Apparently he was involved with…’ She looked around the café and leaned on the table. Ed and Matt moved closer. She whispered, ‘The Godfather.’

Their eyes widened simultaneously.

‘The Godfather?’ Ed asked, also in a whisper. ‘You mean the guy who shoots people because he didn’t like the way they looked at him?’

Q nodded.

‘Clearly there’s a lot we didn’t know about Steve,’ Matt said.

‘I know. I was also shocked.’ She shook her head. ‘It’s hard to believe.’

‘Does Thando know?’ Ed asked.

‘That’s why you are here. I thought it would be best she hears the bad news from us and not from a stranger.’

They both nodded in agreement.

Armed with caffeine in their systems they entered Thando’s penthouse. Thando was in good spirits when they found her. She was admiring the dress that Gert had designed for her. The dress she would be wearing to the Mandela film premier. She led them to her walk-in closet to show it to them.

‘Gert has outdone himself this time, what do you think?’ she asked.

They all looked at the dress. Ed examined it closely. Q admired it and Matt was not interested in the dress, he was more interested in breaking the news to her before he burst out.

‘I love it. It’s stunning.’ Ed said.

It was the truth. Q thought it was a lovely dress.

‘I was thinking of wearing it with these.’ She picked up a pair of heels from her shoe display that contained only designer shoes. They were Prada pale leather laser cut heels.

‘I’m not sure whether the colours will work well together.’

‘But they do! Pale goes with everything,’ Ed said.

Thando smiled. ‘All I need now is a handbag to go with it,’ she said.

Q hated to be the one to break her spirit, but she’d rather do it, then let Agent Forster be the one to break the bad news. She looked around the penthouse, one that probably Thando could no longer afford.

Thando sensed the mood. ‘What’s going on guys? You all look like you’re in mourning or something.’

‘It’s Steve,’ Q said.

‘What about him?’ She carefully put her shoes back in their right slot, right between a pair of Manolos and Michael Kors heels.

‘He has disappeared.’ Q relayed the story to her. She told her everything she knew and about his alleged involvement with the Godfather.

When she was done, Thando shook her head. ‘I don’t believe it. Steve is coming back to the country in three weeks, you’ll see.’ She smiled. ‘He’s not a criminal. I’m sure it’s all a misunderstanding. He will return. In three weeks. You’ll see,’ she said again.

Steve never returned.

A Silent Cry for Help

People ask for help in many different ways. Some scream their lungs out for the entire world to hear. Some ask quietly, hoping to keep their unfortunate situation only between friends. Others ask for it without uttering a word. That was the feeling Q got from Steve. She’d detected a silent cry for help.

Q couldn’t stop thinking about the way that Steve had looked when he entered Sbu’s office. He’d been covered in sweat. He’d kept on looking over his shoulder as if he was suspecting a tail. And the words he’d uttered had scream “HELP!” to Q. He’d been nervous about something. That was for sure. She wondered what.

She picked up her desk phone and dialed Thando. She hoped her friend could shed some light, as she was Steve’s partner. And partners know everything about each other, don’t they? She asked about Steve as soon as she picked up the phone.

‘Why are you suddenly so interested in Steve?’ Thando asked. ‘You don’t want to steal him away from me, do you?’ she joked.

‘Don’t be silly, Thando. I’m being serious.’

‘He left early this morning. When I woke up, he was already gone.’

‘You didn’t notice anything strange last night?’

‘Hmmm… No. He was his fine jovial self.’ She paused.

‘What?’

‘Well, there was a call that he received around midnight. He stayed on the phone for quite some time. I thought that was a little strange, but nothing to worry about.’

‘I see,’ Q said.

‘What? You think he’s cheating on me?’ Thando said, concern in her voice. ‘You think there’s another bitch out there trying to wreck my home?’

‘No, of course not,’ Q said too quickly. She didn’t know what to make of this. Was the call Steve received the reason he was a nervous wreck? Now her interest was piqued.

‘I’m sure it’s nothing to worry about. It was probably business. What are you up to?’

‘Shopping a storm,’ she responded. ‘And later, I’m meeting Gert for a fitting. He’s designing my dress for the Long Walk to Freedom movie premiere.’

Q would also be attending the film, but she’d be working on the day. Gail had tasked her with interviewing the stars of the film on the red carpet. She was especially looking forward to interviewing Idris Elba, Naomie Harris and of course the gorgeous Terry Pheto.

‘Guess what?’ Thando said, hauling her back to the present. ‘Steve bought me a Louis Vuitton luggage set. There’s a large suitcase, a hand luggage case, complete with a toiletry bag.’

‘That’s very nice of him.’

‘I think he’s planning a vacation for us. I can’t wait!’

After chatting more about the details of her dress, what shoes she’d pair it with, and about possible destinations Steve could be taking her to, they ended the call.

Q couldn’t shake the feeling that Steve was in trouble. But she didn’t know him well, and she decided that was part of the problem. What if Steve was involved in some shady business with some shady characters? And Thando would be caught in the middle of it all. She had to do something. She rummaged through her desk drawer looking for a business card she hadn’t used in a while. She picked up the phone again when she found it. She dialed the number.

‘Craig here.’

‘Craig, it’s Q. I have a huge favour to ask.’

‘Q, it’s been a while. I was starting to think you forgot about me.’

‘What? Never!’ she lied.

Craig had a crush on Q, but unfortunately for him, she didn’t reciprocate. She only remembered him when she needed some dirty work done. He was the member of the police service and often proved useful when needed.

‘So what’s the favour?’

‘I need you to do a background check on someone for me.’

‘Anyone I know?’

‘Perhaps. His name is Steve Pule. Anything you can get for me, I’ll appreciate it.’

‘Enough to go out with me?’

‘Craig…’

‘I know, I know. You told me you’re not interested.’

‘I didn’t say that. What if I promise to find you someone hotter than I?’

‘That’s not possible.’

‘I know someone.’

‘Deal.’

As Q placed the phone down, she hoped she was wrong about Steve and that her worry was only as a result of her over active imagination.

It's Complicated

She saw him again. At the launch of a new perfume by the gorgeous actress Connie Ferguson. She was standing alone at the balcony trying to get some fresh air and to clear her thoughts. The launch was on the top floor of the Michelangelo Towers in Sandton. She was admiring the landscape below when Sbu joined her. In anticipation of bumping into him, Q had put her best foot forward. She wore a creation by her favourite designer David Tlale that accentuated her best assets, and Manolo Blahnik strappy heels. She didn’t know why she did this to herself. She couldn’t help it. She looked forward to seeing him, but at the same time, she didn’t want to see him because she knew it would upset her.

‘I was hoping to run into you here,’ he said.

Her heart started beating faster when she heard his voice. She didn’t look at him; she didn’t want to tempt herself. ‘Really?’ she said.

He nodded, but said nothing.

‘Why?’

He looked down at the beautiful landscape and then back at her. ‘Because I can’t stop thinking about you. I think about you all the times. It’s driving me insane.’

She didn’t know what to say, her breath was caught in her throat. She didn’t trust herself to respond. She didn’t think indulging Sbu was a good idea. Because the same man who claimed not to be able to get her out of his mind had a fiancé.

‘It’s complicated,’ he said, as if reading her thoughts. ‘Every time I want to breakup with her something comes up. She’s just recently lost a cousin she was really close to.’

To Q it sounded like an excuse. If he wanted to leave her, he would.

‘I want to be with you, I really do. It’s just that…’

More excuses.

Q had accepted that she and Sbu would never be. It was just not meant to be. But he made it difficult every time he declared his undying love for her. She didn’t want to hear it anymore. She decided to leave, but Sbu arrested her steps by grabbing her wrist. A throb rippled through her body to her core, as his gentle hand connected with her skin. She wanted to walk away, but her feet failed her. She was afraid she would fall, so she held on to him. They were facing each other, staring into each other’s eyes. Sbu caressed her arm; the motion was slow, almost hesitant. She closed her eyes as the warmth within her spread. She could feel his love radiating inside of her. He used his thumb to lift up her chin. He leaned closer. She didn’t protest. Her mind was dazed. She had no control of her faculties. She didn’t understand why he had such power over her.

Their lips were so close she could feel his breath falling gentle on her face. As he leaned even closer, she got hold of her conviction and took a giant step back, as far away from him as she could manage. She wasn’t about to become the other woman in this equation.

She was about to walk away when his fiancé walked in on them. For a brief moment, she felt guilty, as if they’d been caught doing something inappropriate. Perhaps it was because Cynthia would have been upset if she’d heard their conversation. Q had nothing to feel guilty about, but Sbu did. It wasn’t her fault that he was attracted to her.

Cynthia smiled at them. If she had any inkling of their uneasiness, she gave no indication. ‘Here you are! I’ve been looking everywhere for you,’ she said. She put her arm around him and drew him closer. She was marking her territory. She was telling Q that Sbu belonged to her.

Q was taken aback. She hadn’t expected the gorgeous model that had a smoking hot body, to feel threatened by her. It just went to show that everyone had their insecurities, no matter how beautiful, how rich, or how successful. She coughed to cover the smile that was forming on her lips.

‘Come, honey, I want to introduce you to some people. Q, if you’d excuse us,’ she said.

Q nodded.

He reluctantly followed her. He seemed unhappy. Q almost felt sorry for him. She started wondering why he was with her if he was unhappy. He was an intelligent, resourceful man and yet here he was trapped in a loveless, joyless relationship. His relationship was as Q’s Facebook relationship status: it’s complicated.

Cynthia smiled at her man as they walked back inside the launch party, but she was fuming inside. She was livid, so much that she couldn’t string a sentence together. So she decided to say nothing. How dare Q lure her man outside where they’d be alone, wearing such a revealing dress? She couldn’t get out of her mind the way they’d looked at each other, the way Sbu had caressed her arm and the way he’d undressed her with his eyes. If she didn’t have a sense to interrupt them, they would have kissed. She was sure of it. More like Sbu would have kissed Q. Cynthia had seen how Q had moved back to avoid the kiss and she’d seen how her man had leaned in anyway, almost tripping over his own feet.

She grabbed a glass of wine from one of the waiters who were walking around with drinks and hors d’oeuvres. She needed something to calm her nerves so that she could think clearly. She did all in her power not to reach for the delicious tiny snacks. She was a stress eater, but she would be damned if she let that woman ruin both her evening and her figure.

She knew it was time to accelerate her plan. She had no choice; she had to take care of Q. She would ensure that Q was out of Sbu’s life permanently.

The perfume launch event was a success. The venue was packed to capacity with celebrities, businessman, and TV presenters who occasionally interviewed guests getting their opinion on the new perfume and asking them who they were wearing. Q had an unfortunate luck to run into a TV crew as she rushed back inside the venue from the balcony. She feigned a smile as best as she could and responded to all the questions patiently, giving no indication that she was in a rush. The TV presenter even made her do a little twirl for the camera so that viewers at home could see her gorgeous dress.

As soon as she was done, she rushed to the corner where her friends stood.

‘Please find me a man and do it soon,’ she said as she joined them.

Ed and Thando smiled. They’d tried for months to hook Q up, with zero results to show for it. And here she was practically begging them to do what they so enjoyed doing. They immediately started scouting around the room for a potential partner for Q. Thando scanned the room for a wealthy man, while Ed scanned the room for a handsome man.

Matt responded by pulling Q aside. ‘What happened?’ he asked.

‘I can’t do this anymore,’ Q said. She did all she could not to break down; she didn’t want to ruin her make up.

‘Do what?’

‘I bumped into Sbu outside and we almost kissed.’

‘Almost what?’Thando asked. The search for a suitable partner momentarily suspended.

‘When did this happen? Where was I?’ Ed asked feeling left out.

‘This has to stop,’ Q said.

Matt nodded. ‘Agreed,’ he said. ‘It has to stop before someone gets hurt.’

Q looked up and saw, at a distance, Sbu and Cynthia in each other’s arms, posing for a picture that would appear at the social pages of the newspaper the next day. They both smiled as the flash illuminated their faces. She could feel the tears threatening to break through.

‘I can’t do this anymore. Please take me home.’

They all scanned the room checking for an image that had caused Q to be so upset. They spotted it a few feet away. Cynthia was leaning closer to Sbu who was feigning a smile for the camera.

‘Take me home now!’

Matt immediately grabbed her arm and led her outside. Thando and Ed followed closely behind them.

Q was glad to have such good friends who were willing to leave a great launch party for her. She treasured their support. She didn’t understand why sometimes life had to be so complicated.

Breakup Because It's Broken

There’s no easy way to break up with someone. No matter how sweet you try to make it sound, the results are still awful. This is what people really mean when they break up with you.

“It’s not you, it’s me,” translate to, “It’s not me, it’s all you. You are the problem!”

“We need to take a break,” translate to, “It’s over! Get the hell out of my life!”

“I need time to focus on my career,” translate to, “You’re boring and there’s nothing interesting about you.”

“I need to figure things out,” translate to, “I don’t want you in my life.”

 Honest breakup lines are, “You’re a jerk! Get out of my life!” or “It’s over!” or “You’re a scumbag, good for nothing piece of shit!” However, no one ever really says that unless they’re high or drunk.

What I wanted to say to Tato was, ‘You’re a leech.’ I shook my head and erased that breakup line from my mind. I settled on, ‘You’re a nice person, but we want different things right now.’ But what I ended up saying was, ‘It’s not you, it’s me…’

Tato didn’t take the break up well. He went all psycho on me, smashing things around the apartment and threatening me. The worst was I broke up with him as he was asking if he could move in with me. Clearly, we wanted different things.

He refused to leave my apartment. He said I should throw him out. He just sat there on the couch, put his feet on the table (which I hated), reached for the remote and switched to his favourite channel. It was as if he owned the place. I did the only think I could. I called the muscle aka Matt.

Matt came to my rescue. He walked into my apartment and stood in front of the TV with his muscular arms folded across his chest. He didn’t say a word. He wore a stern look on his face. For a second, I was even afraid. Tato got the message and left, but not before banging the door so loud on his way out that it almost fell off its hinges.

After that draining breakup session, I wasn’t up to going out, so all my friends came to my apartment that evening. Just the thought of dressing up and facing the public was traumatic enough to cause me to bury myself under my warm, comfortable covers. Only my friends could get me out from under the covers and I went as far as my living room.

‘How are you doing?’ Ed asked as he embraced me.

I was dressed in my pyjamas. ‘It had to be done. It wasn’t easy to let him go,’ I said.

‘You’ll find someone else,’ Thando reassured me. ‘There are plenty fish in the water. And you’re gorgeous. You’re such a catch.’

I know she meant well, but it didn’t make me feel better.

‘The problem with you, Q, is that you insist on breaking up face to face,’ Ed said. ‘That’s dangerous. Tato could have punched you or killed you.’

I rolled my eyes. Ed was such a drama queen.

We all had different ways of handling breakups. Mine was to confront the man and get it over and done with.

Ed’s ideal breakup was disappearing for a couple of days. He avoided calls, didn’t respond to messages until the other person got the message and left him alone.

Thando, on the other hand, hated breakups because it meant no more all expenses paid holidays to exotic destinations, no more free dinners, and no more showing off her man at high profile events. However, none of that prevented her from breaking up with a man when she had to.

Matt was more old fashioned. He sat his partner down like the grown up he was and had a serious talk with him. As a result, his breakups were often mutual.

To cheer me up, my friends hired my favourite movie Ocean’s Eleven, with my favourite actor George Clooney. That Brad Pitt was also in the movie improved my mood. My friends also brought with them Chinese takeout. At that moment, I was glad to have friends who cared about me, friends who celebrated with me at my best and loved me at my worst. I knew they would move mountains to see me happy. Right there in my living room, I was surrounded by love. And that was a reason to smile.