Then a man shouts and a lull descends, punctuated only by the
throb of two competing sound systems. How do people sleep through
this? Or is it only on weekends? I’m all too aware of the
incidental noises from the family in the room next to ours. The
partition does little to insulate sound.
Thulani moans quietly. His injured hand rests on top of the
covers and I turn on the bedside light briefly so I can examine the
dressing. A greyish liquid stains the gauze and a distinctly
rotten-meat odour hangs about the affected limb. Oh god I hope this
isn’t gangrene. He didn’t give me a chance to change the bandage
and clean the wound before he passed out, and I don’t want to
disturb him now while he’s resting.
Though I should.
But then he’ll wake, and he’ll wake the Dladlas.
I swear u
