This weekend Ona was not going to pack her laundry and Gautrain home. She and Si planned to go to some part Si was invited to at one of the student accommodations. One of Si's friends she would smoke weed with regularly was hosting a braai in the cold and she had not had braai meat in a while.
This weekend with empty pockets, she met Si outside her residence Madelief and they made the journey to her friend's place. Ona did not remember her name but she remembers being greeted warmly by her on arrival- where did Si find all this time to meet new people? She was in awe of her capability to introduce someone new to her so regularly. While there, Si scored Ona and herself a drink while Ona talked to a boy whose girlfriend clutched him a little too tightly while sitting beside him on a wooden bench. He was interesting and as they sat in front of the fire being prepared for the meat on the braai stand, she enjoyed his company.
The atmosphere was jovial- it dawned on Ona that this was her first ever university party and she liked it! In no time, brownies were passed around to all the guests at the braai.
"This is a space brownie so let's halve one since this is your first time having weed. I don't want you to die on me because you couldn't handle it," Si laughed heartily while she gave Ona her half.
"I'm scared but I'm also excited- this is just like the movies," mused Ona while she took her first bite of the sweet treat with a distinct taste of brownie combined with something strange. She could not place it- it tasted almost… medicinal?
"What's happening with you and that boy, his girlfriend is holding onto him for dear life. Maybe she's threatened." enquired Si.
"Oh please, she has nothing to worry about- I just like his conversation and besides they are clearly an item," countered Ona.
The strangers turned friends danced excitedly as the euphoria of the weed infused brownie kicked in. Everything was big, bold and bright and she loved this feeling. What had she been afraid of?
***