"You want to run away instead of fighting, then fine, go, but know this, it will be considered kidnapping. What do you think will happen when the court date arrives and you are no show? You think the Motsepes will just shrug say oh well and go back to their lives in Durban and forget about you? What do you think will happen to me and my career? What do you think will happen to Khanyi?"
Sindi didn't have an answer so she just kept on staring down at her feet. Bonisile's car pulled up behind Mandisa's. Mandisa watched her get out and look curiously at the neighbors then frown at them.
"I never figured you to be a selfish person, Sindiswa. But I guess I don't know you as well as I thought I did." Mandisa went on.
"Hey, what's going on? Why are the neighbors staring at you?" Bonisile asked looking from Sindi to Mandisa. Mandisa didn't answer; instead she turned around and went inside the house.
"Oh boy, what did you do?" Bonisile asked Sindi. "And why are you wet?"
Sindi looked up then burst into tears. Bonisile took her into her arms and held her until she couldn't cry anymore. The neighbors who had been hoping for more action, departed when they got the usual boring soapy - one sister taking care of the other.
"Want to go sit in my car for a while?" Bonisile asked Sindi once her hiccups had subdued. Sindi nodded, she couldn't face Mandisa and Khanyi at the moment. Inside the car, Bonisile rolled down the windows and got cigarettes from her bag.
"I know what you need is a shot of brandy but this is all I have," She said taking out one cigarette. "And trust me; it is great for the nerves. Want one?" Sindi shook her head no.
"Mind if I have one before you tell me what is going on?" Again Sindi shook her head.
"Mandisa hates me." Sindi said miserably. Bonisile lit her cigarette. Sindi started crying again. Bonisile quickly threw the cigarette out of the window and held her sister.
"Oh sweetie! Mandisa doesn't hate you. Why would you think that?" Bonisile asked. Mandisa was angry, that had been clear from her face. But she had a right to be angry, what Sindi had been planning was stupid and dangerous. Sindi raised her teary eyes at her.
"I attacked Khanyi. And only because she locked me inside the house like some kind of animal." Sindi said, the words tumbling out of her mouth. "It's like she doesn't want me to keep Joy."'