After parting with Lebo I had to see Josh it was urgent. Before I went there, I decided to pass at the hospital. I don't know why I went there because things were worse, the doctor said that there are chances that my father might either turn into a cabbage if he wakes up or he might just die whilst we are hoping he'll get better. On the other hand, my mother's blood pressure shot up the minute she heard this news. Apparently, Lucia went to visit her, and it slipped…Now her condition is also worse. When I heard this, I felt helpless, I wish there were something I could do to change the situation. Then I went to Josh's place I needed some air and distraction.
[knock]
"Hey man, how are you doing and how's your father today?" asked Josh as he opened the door.
"He's worse, the doctor says that he is either going to be a cabbage if he recovers from ICU or he is going to die there," I said.
"Do you need yesterday's stuff to calm you down? I know you don't like drinking, but it seems like you need it," he said as he stood up and poured the drink for me either way.
I guess he was right, I needed it. The minute I drank it I felt more calmer, like I was in control of everything and not the other way around. Now that I was comfortable, I can ask Josh this question that was bothering me before I went to the hospital.
"Josh, I saw your cousin on campus today, is he studying in the same campus with us?" I asked.
"It's a long story," he said.
"Don't worry I have got time…Besides, I could use with some distraction at this point," I said.
"Okay, you do remember that he failed matric last year right? But knowing him I suspect that he paid off people to go the varsity he wanted to go in," he explained.
"I don't know why I feel chills about him…I saw him today on campus and I just couldn't hold it in, I had to run away," I said and then chuckled out of discomfort.
"You should be scared of him, he is dangerous," he said, and I became even more scared when I saw he was serious.
"What do you mean that he is dangerous?" I asked.
"He's families are running an underground shipping business, to be exact, trafficking business. My uncle (who is his father) wanted my father to be a part of it and he refused. The scary part of it is that Gary is the forefront of everything, and everyone is scared of him. I have witnessed at least twice that he manhandled a guy who double-crossed his father's business and trust me, it doesn't look good. There were rumours in the family that he is also a killer and is a master at kidnapping people," he explained I could see the fear in his eyes as he said that.
"Okay, don't you think you are exaggerating? I mean he does have a scary look, but the things you are saying about him are a bit too much don't you think?" I asked I am pretty sure it was fear that drove me to ask that question.
"I wish I could say that I am joking, but it's all true," he said.
[sigh]
I vaguely knew Gary in person, but I would bump into him from time to time when I was invited to Josh's family gatherings. Yes, Josh and I were close to the point that we brought our families together and they became family friends. I remember the first time I met him it was Josh's 18th birthday party. Josh introduced me to him as we were having a great time. Though he was smiling and spoke normal but there was just something about his eyes, they were scary and dangerous. His aura made you feel uneasy and for this reason, I was afraid of him. Now that Josh told me additional things about him, I have a solid reason to fear him.
Josh and I chilled, played video games for a while. Though I was in a bad space, I could use some good company.
"When was the last time you spoke to Jen?" he asked as we were still playing.
"Yesterday, she gave me a surprise visit. I found her in my room wearing a lingerie, even now I am shocked at how the security guards let her in my room," I said.
"You sound annoyed that she gave you such a wonderful surprise, what's wrong?" he asked.
"I am not in a good space and with her begging for my attention it suffocates me," I explained.
"You have been 'suffocated' by her for some time now, even before your father was in hospital. Do you even still love her?" he asked further.
"What kind of question is that? Why would I be with her if I don't love her anymore?" I said defensively.
"Answer my question, do you still love her?" he asked.
"Yes, of course I do," I said, and I could feel the bitterness of the lies coming from my mouth.
"Okay, because Jen is a wonderful woman…She's independent and she has money. Yes, she might be older than you, but that's not a train smash right?" he said.
"Yeah everything is great between us," I replied.
"Have you guys talked about moving in or something like that? Remember, after this year you are going to have to start living a more responsible life. You will be an official young adult," he said.
"Look who's talking, someone who is not even committed to one girl. How many girlfriends do you have?" I teased trying to divert from the topic.
"We are not talking about me here. I am a party animal; my lifestyle is bound to be surrounded by girlfriends. You, on the contrary, you are a good guy. That wife and kids lifestyle suits you. Do you remember even in high school, I was always in trouble and you were the reason why teachers scolded me, comparing me with you?" he asked whilst laughing his lungs out.
"Yeah I remember…What if I don't want that wife and kids lifestyle? What if I also want to be a party animal like you?" I asked chuckling.
"You would never survive; don't you remember on my 18th birthday I forced you to drink more than you normally do? You couldn't even handle that amount of alcohol and the next day you were sick. Are you going to be able to keep up with my lifestyle? The only thing you do is make business contacts. I mean what kind of party animal does that? The only thing you are is a party pooper, that's all," he said, and he started laughing again.
This side of Josh is my favourite and maybe the reason why we are still friends for all these years. He had this crazy and wild side. That side which won him blondes in every party he went to. He was such an extrovert, always willing to try out new things and new places. At first, he used to tag me along in every event he would go to. However, he realised how useless it was for me because I would always ruin his fun and make it awkward for him. He also did try to hook me up with other ladies (in my first year) and I turned him down in front of them, telling him that I had a girlfriend.
When I saw that it was getting personal, Josh was really getting at me with how much of an awful extrovert I would make, I decided to get back at him. I reminded him of the things that I knew he hated talking about. Especially…
"You know for an extrovert you are I am still amazed on how you messed up on your first time," I said, and I knew that was enough to humble him.
"Ey man if you don't like what we are talking about, there's no need for you to be all personal now…that is in the past. In fact, let's just change the topic at once," he said.
[laughing out loud]
"Okay…if you say so," I said lifting my hands whilst still smiling.
"Man, I am glad I could make you laugh like this despite of what was happening at your home. How is Lucia and Derrick taking this?" he asked.
I know why he is asking, him and Lucia had a history…they once had sex, but it was a one-time thing. What happened was that we were all chilling at my home…I was with Derrick, him, Lucia, and few other friends. They were drinking and I just took one glass and I stepped back to watch a 3D movie. Derrick wanted one of Lucia's friend (who was also a model), so he came with a strategy to play truth or dare. He did get what he wanted but then the unexpected happened when Derrick's friend dared Josh to have sex with Lucia.
At that time Derrick was having such a good time with his one-night-stand partner. That one tends to be overprotective with Lucia, but when he was drunk plus he had a girl that was not happening on that day. I tried to stop them, but Derrick stopped me from intervening. So, they had sex right in front of the crowd. I couldn't stand the scene, so I went to my room and only came back when I was certain that it was over. There was no way I was going to see my baby sister having sex with my best friend. Luckily, Beauty was not around because we would have landed in trouble and not only with her, but my parents.
One thing I know about Josh is that he drinks but he never gets wasted. So, he probably wanted her and acted drunk to get her. That was the only reason why Lucia agreed to it because she thought he was drunk. Later on, Josh tried to woo her so that they could be in a real relationship, but she refused. Ever since that day, he asks about her from time to time. At first I used to get annoyed, but I got used to it.
"They are not taking it well, we all aren't taking it well I guess," I said.
I was about to leave but Josh's mother joined in and by the look of her facial expressions he already heard about my father being in hospital. Josh's mother was also an emotional freak just like my mom. She was almost busting into tears like she was that one who was in pain.
"How are you holding up?" she asked.
"I am copying…I guess," I replied.
"Please do stay for dinner, I insist," she said.
I don't know if having supper with them was ever going to make me feel better in any kind of way. Josh's mom likes treating people who are going through tough times like they are about to break. Whilst on the contrary, she is the one who is emotional around people who are going through things. You would swear that she was the one who was facing that situation. Her sympathy used to overwhelm me and now it wasn't doing any less than that.
Josh's father was also very sweet. One more reason why I was reluctant for staying over for dinner. This was because I knew that it was more about a pity party. It made sense why Josh had so much freedom, he was the only child. On top of that, he had the sweetest parents ever. To be quite honest, I don't have a problem with sweet people, but they start being overwhelming when they become too sweet. Sadly, Josh's parents were like that-too sweet for my liking. Maybe that is the reason why I was closer to my dad other than my mom, she was also a sweet person.
Josh's mother preferred to make food for her own family. She used to say that she likes to give her domestic worker some time off, but I don't think that was the case. I think that she was afraid that the maid would actually mix poison with the food if she were given the chance. This is because though Josh's parents were sweet, they were extremely racist. With Josh it was mild, but his parents would go to the extent of calling people from different races with names. They were very harsh when it comes to that side, you will never think they are sweet if you only see their racist side.
I remember this other incident when we were doing our 7th grade. Josh and I were playing soccer, Josh's mom was the only one available to watch us play. At that time, my mom was still working. After the match, she took us out for lunch at the nearest fast food restaurant. We were served by this waiter and coming to think about it, he was new because he was very jumpy, and his uniform was different compared to the rest of the staff. So, it happened that the waiter by mistake brought a wrong order at our table. Josh's mom started cursing him and calling him words. She caused a scene to the point that the manager came to attend to the issue.
Even though the manager was trying to calm the situation, she kept on saying that she won't rest until that waiter was fired. I don't think that she would have respected the manager had he turned out to be also black.
[sigh]
Anyways, we were eating a silent awkward dinner and I hated the fact that it was awkward because of me. After eating I told Josh that I was off to res. His mother did suggest that I should sleepover and then I would go back to res the next day. However, I refused, that's exactly why I left home to stay at res. I just hate people fussing around me like a child, especially not when I am an adult. No wonder my mom and Josh's mom clicked back when we were in primary, they are one and the same thing. Then only difference was that my mom was not racist.
I then drove back to res and the minute I arrived in my room I was tired; I just threw myself on top of the bed. When my eyes were just about to close, I remembered that we had an online assignment due the next week-based on what we learned. I then jumped off my bed to quickly do it before I go to sleep. One habit that my father installed in me was that I should never leave work for the last minute. This habit was so intense that I wouldn't be able to sleep without getting my job done. It took me half an hour to complete it. I am pretty sure that it would have taken me a lot less had it not been a long assignment to complete (especially since I know this topic like the back of my hand). After that, it didn't even take me 5 minutes before I dosed off.