My Best Friend

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Pic: Nonqaba waka Msimang.
My best friend? Inequality is the formula. One is short, the other one is tall. Just think of some of the ‘best friends’ you know. One is hauntingly beautiful without the borrowed hair or make-up. The other one is not ugly, as such, just comforting.

One lives in a house the other one lives at home or in a one-room apartment. One says ‘I need a new wardrobe.’ The other one takes over the old jeans and handbags.

What about means of transport? That is the most important aspect of ‘best friendship’. If you don’t have a car, you wouldn’t dare say Portia is my best friend. She picks you up and drops you off.

DECLARATION
Portia makes that declaration, not you Temi, because she has money, house, car and family connections. She is the driver, the pilot, the webmaster or producer. She controls the podcast.

She might even control your thoughts about clothes, carnival costumes, air pollution, plastic roses, the exchange rate, house cleaners, men and other people who like you as a person and not, as a credit card. Portia doesn’t want them around you. She sees them as competition.

Portia owns the declaration Temi is my best friend because she uses Temi as a trampoline. She complains about other Portias who claim they have better parents, jobs, houses, cars, listeners or followers. Temi just nods and hopes that Portia does not jump the red light and kill both of them.

INSECURITY
Portia might be insecure. That is why she needs Temi as a trampoline, a crutch. In fact, Temi might be the strong one. Come to think of it, the world in general might be the cause of Portia-ness. Constant competition, based mostly on what you can buy or project, as per Instagram.

It’s a pity because we end up having many friends, but not a single friend. Maybe we could try and be our own best friend. That will help us deal with Portia when we come across her.

Question: Who is your best friend?
Answer: Me.

By: Nonqaba waka Msimang.

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