So, the plan is to be in and out. Focus Tshidi. I don’t need anything from Dischem. I don’t need that new dress in the Spring Collection at H&M. Just a tray of meat, garlic rolls and juice.
Snap. It’s payday weekend and there are such long lines at this Checkers. I’m already late for this braai that I don’t really want to go to, and these long lines at the till are going to make me even later. Quick rush to the meat section, grab a juice along the way and the join them. Come on, psyche yourself up. This is going to be fun.
“Hey Tshidi!”
I turn around hesitantly while waiting for the butcher to cut my pieces of meat. I don’t really have the energy for small talk conversation right now. Oh, it’s that cute new hire in the marketing department. “Hey, Mike is it?”
“Yes, you remembered. I didn’t know you also stay around Fourways?”
Flip. I can’t lie because he’ll probably see me here again. And he used to be a journalist, so he’ll probably double-check what I’m saying. Let me just say as little as possible. “Yes, I do. How’s the new PR role? Are you enjoying the company culture?”
“Ag it’s alright you know. Since they started letting go of the journalists with this AI thing writing a lot of the news, it’s the easiest thing for us to get into to put food on the table.”
“Sorry ma’am”, the butcher interjected. “We are short lamb because the truck broke down from the Free State because of the roads. Can I get you beef instead?”
“Ya, that’s fine” I replied, disappointed that I hadn’t been saved from this small talk.
“So, how’s the transition been to corporate life?”
“It’s different hey. Staying in one place the whole day isn’t what I’m used to” he said laughing. He has an irritating laugh. “At least I still get to write a bit”.
Sounds like he’s gone from covert propaganda to overt propaganda. But I probably shouldn’t make that joke. Let’s leave my options open. And finally, my meat is ready. “See you at the office on Monday then”, and dash to the line through the juice aisle.
Oh goodness. 4 full trolleys in front of me. What’s Twitter saying this afternoon?
When it’s time to go, you’ll know it’s time to go - @SothoGoddess873
Why am I still following her? She used to have home renovation tips, and now she she’s just become a philosopher. Unfollow.
EFF calls for boycott of lamb products from Free State farms – @News24
Scroll, scroll, scroll some more.
“Sorry, can I ask a favour?”
It’s the guy in front of me in the line. I really hope he’s not trying to make conversation. “Yes?”
“Can I please use your Xtra Savings card? I forgot mine at home”
“Sure, let me get it.” Now where is this card. Why do I have so many cards? Ah, found it. “Here you go”.
I finally get to the till, pay for my items, into my car, and drive to Douglasdale to Zama’s house. How does she even afford this place?
“Tshidi, I thought you weren’t coming”, Zama says while giving me a hug. Feels a bit cold. I wonder what they were saying about me before I got here. “Put your things in the kitchen. Let’s make a nice cocktail with that juice.”
Wow looks like I am really the last person to arrive. Everyone is in the lounge.
“Hawu Tshidi, you didn’t tell us”, Asa says as if I’m supposed to know what she’s talking about. “Tell you what now?”
“Just before you arrived, we read on the news that you’re in a relationship with Mpho Bojosi”, she said folding her arms with that annoying smirk on her face.
“Who the hell is that?” gosh at least gossip about something that’s true. “I’ve never heard of that person”.
“It says in the news that he broke up with Bokang Mokwena, and there are records that he used your Checkers card along with his credit card this afternoon. How do you explain that?”
I don’t know what this cocktail of confusion, anger and irritation that I’m feeling is called. “I’ve got no idea what you’re talking about! I gave my card to some random to use before coming here. I don’t know who he is”.
“Then why did you unfollow his ex, Bokang, on Twitter? We have all the receipts here” Asa pressed in.
“I unfollowed @SothoGoddess873. I don’t even know what her real name is. Please, can we stop this or I’m leaving”.
There was an awkward shifting among them as they looked at each other through the corners of their eyes. Why did I even come here?
Zama, ever the conciliator tried to change the subject. “Did you hear about the EFF boycott of Free State lamb? I just read on the news that it’s already starting to show its effects here in Fourways with lower sales”.
I don’t have the energy for this.