As Frank continued to tail Cindy just as he had previously planned, Cindy was perceptive and quickly realized that Frank was tailing her most of the time. This discovery filled her with a sense of delight, as she thought to herself, 'Ah, now Frank sees how important I am to him.
He's even jealous!' She felt a thrill of pleasure at the thought of being the focus of his attention, and her mind whirled with possibilities. She wondered if Frank's behavior was a sign of deeper feelings, and her heart skipped a beat at the prospect.
Indeed it made it clearer that Frank was now drawn to Cindy more than Thando, because of him tailing her and spying on her. Frank managed to do this for a week.
The following week, Frank spotted Cindy walking down the corridor and discreetly trailed behind her, maintaining a safe distance. Little did he knew that Thando was also tailing him, her curiosity piqued by his recent behavior.
She had been harboring suspicions and decided to keep a close eye on her boyfriend, wondering what was really going on. As Frank continued to gaze at Cindy, Thando's suspicions were confirmed - he was indeed spying on her! With a boldness that surprised even herself, Thando confronted Frank, her eyes blazing with a mix of anger and hurt.
"Frank, what are you doing. It looks like you are following Cindy. Are you guys dating for real. I just heard rumors and the fact that there is kind of an awkward distancing between myself and Cindy, it tells me that you guys are dating. Tell me the truth, are you suspicious that she is cheating on you and that's why you are spying on her." She began to cry outloud and it drew other student's attention.
After seeing that they had drawn the attention of students due to Thando weeping out loud. Frank dragged her all the way to the roof top where there was no one, in-order to avoid rumors spread around the campus.
Frank's voice boomed through the corridor as he called out, 'Thando!' He strode towards her, his face red with agitation, and pushed her gently but firmly towards the wall. 'Thando, stop this!' he exclaimed, his voice harsh, loud, and cracking with emotion.
'Why are you embarrassing me in front of the whole school? You want the truth? Here it is!' As he spoke, he turned away from her and began pacing back and forth, his hands clasped behind his head in a gesture of frustration and despair.
"The truth is," he sighed and continued. "The truth is, I am a such a jack. I have been a bad boyfriend Thando. I...I ended up dating your best friend Cindy." He began sobbing into tears.
"Thando, it's not that I don't love you," Frank said, his voice laced with remorse. "You're incredibly special to me, and I realize now that I acted impulsively, without thinking. I was driven by anger and pain, trying to reconnect with you, but I went about it the wrong way. Please, forgive me." He gazed at her with a pitiful expression, his eyes pleading for understanding and mercy. His face was etched with guilt, and his voice cracked with emotion, revealing the depth of his regret.
Thando walked towards him, hugged him, wiped off his tears. She then said, with a gentle tone and soothing voice "hey love, I have wronged you before and not only did you forgive me, but you took me back in. I have forgiven you. Just make sure you end things with Cindy." They then hugged again.
While they were still hugging each other, Cindy walked towards them. She had seen everything and felt that it was her time to make things right too.
As she approached, Thando's eyes flashed with anger and hurt. "You're my best friend, Cindy," Thando said, her voice trembling. "Or at least, I thought you were. But I guess I was wrong."
Cindy took a deep breath and let her words spill out in a rush. "Thando, I'm so sorry. I was jealous of your relationship with Frank, and I let my own insecurities consume me. I know I hurt you, and for that, I'm truly sorry."
Thando's expression softened slightly, but her voice remained firm. "You think sorry will cut it? You broke my trust, Cindy. You took something that was mine, something precious."
Cindy's eyes welled up with tears. "I know, Thando. And I don't expect forgiveness overnight. But please, please know that I love you, and I'll do anything to make it right."
Thando's eyes flashed with anger, but then her face crumpled, and she buried her face in her hands, sobbing uncontrollably, and said "You took away something I loved, Cindy! You took away my trust!"
Frank, who had been watching the scene unfold, felt his heart wrench in two. He had never seen Thando so angry, so hurt. And Cindy, his Cindy, was crumbling before his eyes.
Without thinking, Frank pulled both women into a hug, holding them close as they sobbed into each other's shoulders. "We'll get through this," he whispered. "Together."
After they unhugged, Cindy turned to Frank and said, "Frank, from now on let's just be friends. I think I have fallen for Casper and he is the guy who stole my heart. Please forgive me for being manipulative."
That day, was the day these three made the right choice and were in good terms again. Though it feels unreal that people would confess and ask each other's forgiveness. These proved to be real and good friends.
Later that day, I received a call from Thando and she wanted us to meet. She couldn't wait to tell me what had happened. So we agreed to meet at our favorite coffee shop. She came with Cindy and they were all looking happy again. As they narrated what had happened, it was fun to them, but I sobbed into tears with joy, seeing the effort they both made to be in good terms again. I longed to have such friends and I told myself that this is such an attitude I want to have.
Frank since he was excited for having made things right with Cindy and Thando, he organized a braai and it was going to be on the following weekend.
When that weekend arrived, our two groups gathered together, a union that was once unthinkable. Frank's group and my group, former rivals, were now mingling and laughing together. It was a surreal moment, one that I never could have predicted. Yet, here we were, united in our shared excitement for the event.