I

NSERT48

•
°

•
°

•
°

NARRATI
ON

Syamt handatookhersist
erhomeasshewasget t
ingbetter
.Hersist
ersatatthelounge
watchingt v
,whil
stshepreparedfood.it
'sjustthet
wooft hem nowt heyaretwins,
theirmot her
died5y earsago,t
heyneverknewt heirfat
her.Rumourhasi tthatt
heirmotherhadanaf fai
rwit
h
thelateking,
whichisNtsi
kaandNkosi '
sfatherwhenshewor kedasamai datthepal ace.But
thei
rmot herassuredthem t
hatitwasal ll
ies.NowSy amthandaislooki
ngintothisther umours
andt heoldgrannywhokeepsv isi
tingher."Ar
ewef rom t
her oyal
ty?"
sheaskshersel fgoingto
theloungeandgi veshersi
sterherplate.

Simthandi
le:
putti
ngaspooninhermout
h"Mhmmm Sist
hisi
sdelici
ous"cl
osesherey
es
enjoyi
ngthetendermeat
.Sy
amthandasmil
eswat
chi
nghersi
stereat.
it
'
sl i
keshewasn'
tsi
ckat
al
l.

Sy
a:"
Youl
i
ke?
Icangety
ousomemor
e?"

Si
m:"
Nono.
..
Idon'
twantt
ogetf
at"

Sy
a:Thi
nki
ngoutl
oud"
Whatwoul
dyousayi
fwewer
eroy
alt
y"

Si
m:"
Huh?
"notpay
ingat
tent
iont
oher

Sya:"
Nothi
ng.
..
Ineedtomakeacal l
"standsupgoingt
oherroom di
all
i
nganumber.
"Heyf
ri
end
canyougivemedirect
ionsofthatNyangayoualwaysgot
of orpor
ti
on?"
shewr
otedownthe
dir
ecti
onsasherfri
endexpl
ainedtoher.

Thef
oll
owi
ngday

SYAMTHANDA

It
'smydayof f
,Itookabathandwor eablackdenimr i
ppedskirtandacr otchetwhi tetopwith
mywhi t
eal l
-star.
Mysisteri
ssti
llsl
eepi
nggoodbecauseIdon' twantherquest ioningmywher e
abouts,
Itookat axianditst
oppedatthestoep.Iwalkedtowardsthegr avelroad,turnedtomy
l
eftther
ear eHut sintheyar
d.WomenandMenwear ingsangomaat ti
res,wit
hr edcl ayonthei
r
facesdancingt othesongstheyarechanti
ng,
wi t
hthesoundcomi ngfrom thedr um being
beaten.

¶Ng'
buy
isel
eThongol
ami
,

Ng'
buy
isel
eekhay
athongol
am
Sengi
yahambazungi
gci
neThongol
a¶

Igeti
nsi
det
hey
ard,
Awomencomesmyway

Her
:"
Saw'
bonaSi
sihowcanwehel
pyou?
"

Me:
"Ur
hm I
'
mlooki
ngf
orTat
auBi
yel
a"

shehol
dsmyhandgoingi
nsi
dethebi
groundr
edhut
,It
ookof
fmyshoes.andsi
tonthe
matt
,"
Iyeeey
ii
i"
Hegr
oansl
ooki
ngatmethewomenwhohadaccompani
edmel ef
t.

Hi
m:Het
hrewthebonesandstar
tedchant
ing"
chechechemhmmm Royalt
y..
(Closedhi
s
ey
es)
Kumeleuphi
ndel
eekhayaNtombi,
Vumani bo"okeysohedi
dn'
tev
enhav etoaskme,
wow

Icl
appedt
wice,
Isawt
hisont
vtheot
herday
.

Me:
"Sy
avuma!
"

Hi
m:"
Yourancest
orsar
ecal
l
ingf
ory
ou,
Vumani
bo!
"

Me:
"Sy
avuma"

Hi
m:"
Youneedt ogobackhomef
ort
hecl
eansi
ngandt
her
it
ual
,
all
yourwor
ri
eswi
l
l
f
ade.
Ii
ii
i
iyeeey
i"

Me:
"Sy
avuma"

Hi
m:"Theol
dwomenwhohasbeenv i
sit
ingy
ou,
i
syourgr
andmot
herf
rom y
ourf
ather
'ssi
de,
she
i
syourgui
detoev
ery
thi
ng"
groaned

Iputt
heR200not
e,andcl
appedt
wice.
Hepoi
ntedatt
hedoorandsai
d"Don'
tl
ookback"
.It
ook
myshoesandl
eft

MBALI

Thegar
bagecol
l
ectorscamebymygate,Ir
anwit
htheplast
icbagsandt
hrewt
hem att
heback
oft
hetr
uck,
andtappedthet
ruckt
olett
hem knowI'
m done.

Iwentbacki
nsi
det
hehousebutIf
eltl
i
ket
hewasaf
igur
efol
l
owi
ngme.
itur
nedt
onot
hing
IgotinsidethehouseJoyandLanicamedownstai
rswit
htheirpi
jamasyawningandsmi l
ing.
Yesterdayyoucansaywast hebestdayoft
hei
rli
ves,
shecr
iedwhenshesawt hesurpr
ise,
Lani
sai
dher smustbebi ggert
hanjoys,
that
'
swhentheyst
art
edfighti
ngli
kecatsbutlookatthem
nowsmi l
ingateachother
.

Joy
:"Poy
(Boy
)yest
erdaywast
hedayI
'
llnev
erf
orget
"

Me:
"You'
re4y
ou'
l
lfor
get
"

Joy
:"Mymemor
yisnotofbat
ter
y,i
twi
l
lnev
erdi
e"

Lani
:
"We'
reel
ephant
swenev
erf
orget
"

Joy
:"SayYounotwe,
I
'm noel
ephant
..
Mom canIeatt
hecake?
"

Me:
"Onl
ywheny
ou'
vebat
hedandat
eyourbr
eakf
ast
.You'
l
lev
engeti
cecr
eam bot
hofy
ou"

Lani
:
"Yesss(
Punchi
ngt
heai
r)
"

theyranupst ai
rstot akeabat h.Thami andLindil
eftabitearlythi
smor ni
ngbuttheyhelpedme
cleanthehouse, notbadf ri
endsatal l.
Ishouldmakecont actwiththei
reyes,
whatift
heyar e
hyenasi naf or
m ofasheep. Idon'tneedfakefri
endsI'
m br eaki
ngmyr uleonMonday .
That sif
mygi ftstil
lworks,speakingofwhi chIneedtoattendchurchl i
kebeamemberandev erything
thenmay bemygi ftwill
full
ywor kcauser ightnowIdon'tthinkitdoes.

Mamphoi
snoti
ntoday
,Igav
eheradayof
f.

Iwentt
otheki
tchen,
openedthedr
awersf
orthebook,
andi
twasn'
tther
e.My
beMaMphot
ooki
t
whenshewascleani
ng.
i'
l
laskhert
hedayaft
er.

Ipr
epar
edasandwichwithsl
icedavocado,
tomat
o,oni
onsAndscr
ambl
edeggsont
hesi
de.
Thi
s
i
swhattheypr
efereat
ing"Di
et"
joywouldsay.

Theycomedownwi
thdeni
m bum shor
ts,
andcr
opt
opswi
thf
lower
s.

Me:
"Wher
ear
eyoubot
hheadedt
o?"
frowni
ng

Joy
:"Nowher
ejustenj
oyi
ngmybi
rt
hdaymont
h"

Ir
oll
myey
es

Me:
"Yourbi
rt
hdaywasy
est
erday
,i
t'
sov
ernow"

Shepout
edandf
oldedherar
ms

Joy
:"Iwantanot
herone"

Lani
:Laughi
ng"
Itonl
ycomesoncest
upi
d"

Joy
:"Mooooom"
Il
eftt
hem,
andwentt
otakeabat
hal
so.

WhenIgotinmyroom t
hebookwason-
topofmybed.
.Thi
siswei
rdhowdi
ditgether
e?
becausei
twasn'
ther
einthemor
ning

Iwal
kedovertothebed,t
ookthebookItr
iedtoopeni tbuti
tcouldn'
topen.
Isi
ghedand
anal
ysedi
tinthefr
onttherewasaFinger
printsensorwithaneedlei
nthemiddleofi
t.Ir
isked
myli
feandplacedmythumpi tst
ungalit
tleandtherewasbloodcomi ngout.
Itookt
hewi per
s
fr
om mydashboardandwi pedmysel
f.

Iopenedt
hebookandt histimeitdi
d,
butitwasemptyl
ikenosightofi
nk,
nowrit
tenpagesokay
nowthisi
sinsane.Onthef i
rstpageIl
etthebloodf
rom mythumpspill
overandguesswhatthe
pageswerewr i
tt
enfrom endt oend.
SoonlyIcanopenthi
s?andhowdidIknowhowt oopenit?
I
l
aughedIndisbeli
ef,
incredi
ble.

Iopenedexactl
ytopage66and67,
thesear
ethepossi
blenumber
ssi
ncet
hev
oicesai
dSi
xty
S..
."
betweentheset
woisthepageI
'
ml ooki
ngfor

"Therevelat
ion"i
swr i
tt
eninbol
dlett
ers.
Iseeascr i
ptur
eofasnakeswal
lowinga
women. "
Bhamba, adangeroussnakethatcantur
nintoahumanf or
m.Mostl
ygoesoutfort
he
gif
tedast heirbl
oodisassameasofr oyalt
y"t
hat'
showf art
heexpl
anat
iongoes,
the67pagei
s
tornapartbuttheresapiecewri
tt
en"Venom will
protectt
hequeen.
."

OkaywhywasIsupposedt
oreadt
hiswhat
'
sther
elat
ionher
e?

"
Justbecar
eful
andbewi
se"

Thev oicesaysbehi
ndme,Igodownonmykneesandpr ayashar
dasIcan,
that
'swhenit
start
edr ai
ning.
il
aughedi
ndisbel
i
efasIstanduptogobath.
WhenIcamebackfrom t
he
bathroom onmybedt her
ewasanecklace,i
nashapeofamoonsil
veri
ncol
our.

"
Forher
"t
hev
oiceanchor
ed,
Lani
camer
unni
ngupanddownsmi
l
ing

Lani
:
"AuntcanIcal
lyouMommy
?"

Igr
inned,
ncourcut
e

Me:"
Yesy
oucanmybaby"
Itookheri
nmyar ms"AndI
'l
lgi
veyout
hisneckl
acej
ustt
oshowy
ou
howmuchMommylovesyou"
Isayputt
ingi
tar
oundherneck.

Lani
:"WowThanky oumom,j
ustl
ikeJoy
s"admi
ri
ngi
t"I
tsbeauti
ful"
hugsmeti
ght
,Il
ethergoshe
speaksfast
"Joysai
dImustsayshesai
dwemustgoswimmi ng,canwe?"

Me:
chuckl
i
ng"
Yheaj
ustdon'
tdr
own"

asIsai
dthatshewashal
fwayi
nthecor
ri
dorr
unni
ngof
ftoherr
oom t
ogett
heswi
mmi
ng
cost
umes

•
•

Nondl
ali
fa

I
'm surepeoplemustbewonder ingwhyI 'm Nondlali
fa,
wellthat'
sbecauseI '
mt hefemaleheir
myf athernamedmewhi lstmymom namedmeNokut hula,
dadnev erwantedtoherethatname
butNondl al
if
a.OwGodImi ssthem somet imes. Wemov edint hecot t
agethatwasgivento
us.
Hesai dwemustmov einwi t
hhi m butwedeci dedwellIdecidedwe' ll
takethecott
agehouse
i
nthebacky ard.
Ithastwor ooms,akitchenandLoungewi thabat hroom anditwasfullyl
oaded
wit
hf urni
turethedaywecameher e.
Icansayl i
feisgoodbutnoty etnotunt i
lIknowhisplan,
I
meanwhopay sforfees,
buysuniform andgr oceryfort
hemai dssi bli
ngs?nottoanyschoolbut
pri
vateschool.TrustmeI'm overj
oyedandal l buthayit
hisistoogoodt obetrue.

Igetr
eadyf
orworkit
s06:30,
mysi
ster
'sar
elooki
ngbeaut
if
ulgoi
ngt
othecart
hat
'sownedby
MrZungutr
anspor
ti
ngthem t
oschool
.

Igetint
hebackdoor,
ihaveaspar
ekeyt
ohi
shouse.
Iwal
ktot
heki
tchenandIhearagunbei
ng
cocked,
Itur
nedfastandsi
ghed

Me:
"Oht
hankgoodnessi
t'
syou"

Hi
m:"
Don'
tyouknocknow?
whati
fIshoty
ou?
"fur
ious

Me:
"I
'm sor
rybuty
ougav
emet
heSpai
rkey
s"Iwi
ggl
ethekey
stohi
sface,
hecal
msdownabi
t

Hi
m:"
OhIf
orgot
..
(Looki
ngathi
swr
istwat
ch)
You'
reear
ly"

Me:"IknowIj
ustwant
edt
ogetever
ythi
ngoveranddonewi
th"
Ist
areathi
m wonder
ingi
fI
shouldaskwhat'
shi
smot
ivewi
thhelpi
ngusoutandall

Hi
m:Hegav
emehi
ssui
t"
Pleasei
ronf
orme"
hesi
tsi
nthel
oungechangi
ngchannel
s

Me:
"Hav
eyoueat
ensi
r?"

Hi
m:"
Nott
hatki
ndoff
ood.
.Sono!
"

Whatdoeshemeannott
hatki
ndoff
ood

"
Baaaabe"
awomensv
oicesay
sfr
om upst
air
s

Hi
m:"
Getdownher
e"shout
ing

Ihearfoot
stepscomingdownstai
rs,
Aslenderli
ghtskinnedgir
l,
wit
halongbl ondweavewear
ing
onlyashir
tthatshowsherbut
t.
Notfirm asminethough.i'
m amedium si
ze,small
boobs,
small
waistandabuttthatf
it
smybodywi thlegstodiefor
.butthatal
mostvanishedaswewer e
st
ayi
ngi
nadumpsi
te.
shssnapsherf
inger
satme

Me:
"Huh?
"

Her
:"
Argggwher
edi
dyougett
hist
hingagai
n?"

Zakesi
gnor
edhergoi
ngout
sidemaki
ngacal
l
,I
'ml
eftwi
thMi
ssSki
nnyher
e

Her
:"
Don'
tIknowy
ouf
rom somewher
e?"

obvi
ousl
yyouknowmeI
'
m ami
l
li
onai
resdaught
erwhodi
edy
ear
sago,
weal
way
smadef
ront
page

Me:
"Idon'
tbel
i
eveso!
"

Her:
"Hmh.
..AnywayI
'
m Lisakhany
a,i
t'
sMrsZungutoyouandy ouwillr
espectmeGl
ori
a,
Dor
isor
whatev
er.
.ohhhandbri
ngmebr eakf
ast.
..
.chopchop"
clappedherhands

If
rownatherbutgett
otheki
tchenbecauseIdon'
twantt
ogetf
ir
ed

ZAKES(
MrZungu)ONTHEPHONEWI
THNTSI
KA

Zakes:
"Yhay
ouknowI
'
m ki
ndhear
tedbr
o"

Ntsi
ka:
"Youki
ndhear
ted?
You'
ret
hemostev
eloneamongstusy
ouj
usthi
dingbehi
ndt
hat
gent
lemanfi
gure"

Zakes:
"Youshoul
dcomeseeher
,andy
ou'
l
lknowwhyIwaski
nd"

Nt
sika:
"She'
sthatBeaut
if
ul?
"

Zakes:
"ThaaatBeaut
if
ulmyFr
iend,
butshel
ooksf
ami
l
iarl
i
keI
'
veseenherbef
ore"

Nt
sika:
"Oht
her
ewego"

Zakes:
"I
'm ser
iousy
oushoul
dcomehav
eal
ooky
our
sel
f"

Nt
sika:
"YheaIwi
l
l.
Imi
ghtj
ustscor
eawi
fei
nherwhoknows"
hol
dinghi
slaught
er

Zakes:
clenchedhi
sjaws"
Saywhat
?youknowwhatdon'
tcomeany
mor
e"

Nt
sikal
aughed

Nt
sika:
"Whynot
?isn'
tshej
ustamai
d?"

Zakes:
"Fot
shek"
hel
aughedendi
ngt
hecal
l
.
hesmi
l
edonhi
sown.

LISAquickl
ymov edfrom whereZakeswasasshewaseav
esdroppi
ngandwenttothemai
n
room wi
t hherhear
tbeatbeat
ingfast,
shedr
ankwat
ert
ocal
m hersel
f.
Zakescamei
nandwore
hissui
t.

Li
sa:
"Babe"

Zakes:
"Mhm"
notl
ooki
ngather

Li
sa:
"Whenar
eweget
ti
ngmar
ri
edKant
i?"

Zakes:Turnedandlookedatherannoyed"
Seri
ousl
ythi
sagai
n?It
oldy
ouIhavetoomany
enemiesoutthereaimingatmeandt hepeopl
eI'
m cl
osewit
handnowyoutal
ki
ngabout
marri
age.Notnowpl ease"

Li
sa:
wenttohughi
mfr
om behi
nd"
Butbabe,
wecanmakei
tbesomet
hingsmal
l
,per
hapsatt
he
magi
str
atecour
t"

Zakes:
Heremovedherhandsf
rom hi
swai
standt
ookhi
sbr
ief
casewal
ki
ngout
"By
eLi
sa.
.Got
o
yourhome.
i'
l
lcal
lyouwhenneeded"

HEGOTDOWNSTAI RShi
slunchboxwasready,
andLif
apreparedhisf
avour
it
e,hesmi
l
edput
ti
ng
i
tinhi
slunchbag.
wenttothekit
chenandfoundherbusyonthestove

Zakes:
"By
e"

Li
fat
urnedandsmi
l
ed

Li
fa:
"Hav
eal
ovel
ydaysi
r"

Hewentouti
naj
oll
ymood,
butdi
dn'
tshowi
t.

ATTHEPALACEEv
ery
onewasal
readyup,
Syamt
handaandsi
mthandi
l
egoti
nfol
l
owedbyt
he
guar
d.
QNandi:
"AwuSy
amt
handadear
,It
oldy
oui
tyourdayof
ftoday
.younotsupposedt
obe
her
e"smil
ing

Nkosi
quickl
yfr
owneduponknowingthereasont
heyar
eher
e,j
ustbyl
ooki
ngatherheal
ready
knewandreadhert
hought
s.buthekeptqui
et

Nt
sika:
"Mom'
sri
ght
?ist
haty
oursi
ster
?Hel
l
owBeaut
if
ul"
Smi
rki
ng

Nkosi
chuckl
ed

Theysatdown

Sy
amt
handa:
"MyqueenandKi
ngs.
Wehav
eanur
gentmat
tert
odi
scuss"

QNandi
:
"Yeswhati
sit
"

Syamthanda:
"Urhm Idon'
tknowhowtoputi
t,
anOl
dwomenhasbeenvi
sit
ingmeshel
ongdi
ed
butshowsupt ome, sayi
ngwemustcomeheref
oracl
eansi
ngcer
emony"

QNandi
andNsi
kal
aughed

Nkosi
:
"MayIaskwhati
sfunny
?"

t
heyst
oppedl
aughi
ngandt
urnedt
othet
wol
adi
es

QNandi
:
"Whatwoul
dmakey
out
wocomeher
eforcl
eansi
ng,
andwhoi
sthi
sol
dwomen?
"

Sy
amt
handa:
"Mygr
andmot
her
,Myf
ather
'smot
her
..
The.
..
Thel
ateKi
ngsMot
her
"

QNandi
:
"OhhhBukhosi
wasn'
troy
alt
y"

Sy
amt
handa:
"NonotBukhosi
..
Imeanty
ourl
atehusband"

QNandi
:
"What
?"

Nt
sika:
"How'
sthatpossi
ble"

Sy
amt
handa:
"Mymot
her
'snamei
sZandi
l
esheusedt
owor
kher
ebef
ore"

QueenNandi
stumbl
edupont
hechai
rget
ti
ngupandf
aint
ed,
ever
yoner
ushedt
oherf
anni
ngher
face

I
NSERT49

•
°

•
°

•
°

AMONTHLATER
Mbal
il
aidherheadonKendr
ickschest
,Kendr
ickbr
ushedherback.

Kendr
ick:
"Iwantt
omeety
ourdaught
er'
s"

Shesatupst
rai
ghtannoy
ed

Her
:"
Kant
iwhyi
sitamustt
omeett
hem t
oyou?
"shegotupget
ti
ngdr
essedi
nherj
eans

Hi
m:"
Whati
swr
ongwi
tht
hat
?"

Sher
oll
edherey
es,
Taki
nghercarkey
s.

Him;"
Lookifyou'
renoti
ntomejustt
ell
me,
stopwast
ingmyt
ime.
Somet
imesi
tfeel
sli
keI
'
m
dati
ngavir
ginthewayyoudenymesex"

Her
:"
Ist
hatwhaty
ouwant
?wel
lI'
m notr
eady
"

Hi
m:"
Ohtherewego'
I
m notr
eady
'l
ineseewhatImeant
?nomanwi
l
lbar
ewi
thy
ouwi
tht
his
ki
ndofat
ti
tude!
"

Her
:"
Somenotgi
vi
ngy
oumycooki
e,
isanat
ti
tude"
shef
rowned

Hi
m:"
JustGo"

Her
:"
What
ever
"

Shegotinhercaranddrovehome.HerandKendr
icknevergoti
nti
matethey
'vedat
edfora
mont hbutt
heyalwaysf
ighti
ng,
notevenwit
hanyoneelseshenevergav
eany onet
hecooki
e.she
thoughtmybetheevent
softhelastt
imeshewasr apedwil
lcomebackasshe'shavi
ngsexwith
someone.

Shedr
ovei
n,
andgoti
nsi
det
hehouse.

Shewentst r
aighttoshowerthencamedownst ai
rsweari
ngagown, shealwayshadagunwi t
h
herinherpurseandunderneathhercarseat
,reasonbei
ngisther
e'sbeenacart hat
'sbeen
fol
lowinghereveryt
imesheleavesthehouse.
Butithasstoppedf
ollowinghernow.Sheismore
caref
ul j
ustl
ikethevoi
cesaidtoher.

Shesatdown,hol
dingabot
tl
eofwi
nepour
edi
tinhergl
asst
hendr
ank.
Thegi
rl
scame
downstai
rsandsatwit
hher
.

Joy
:"Wher
ewer
eyouMommy
"

Her
:"
Iwasv
isi
ti
ngLi
ndi
webaby
"

Bay
anda:
"Ohr
eal
l
y?"

Shel
ookedather

Her
:"
Yha"
Bay
anda:
"Sowhydoy
ougett
osl
eepoutwhi
l
stwe'
renotal
l
owed?
"

Ay
anda:
"Bay
andai
sthi
snecessar
y?"

Her:"
It
'sokey.
..
Listenhereandlistentomecar efully.
RightnowI '
my ourmot her,
yourfatherand
everyt
hingyoumi ghtbethinki
ng,soyou'
llhavet olivebymyr ulessinceyoul i
vi
ngundermyr oof
i
fy ounotokeywi t
ht hatt
hanpleaseleavebecauseIwon' tl
iv
ewi t
hachi ldwho'l
l bepregnant
notknowingwho' schildi
tis,
Ordiefrom HIVlike(ThinkingofNdoni)..
..
li
ke..
..
youknowwhatdo
whatsuitsyou"
shesai dthatpointi
ngherwi t
hagl assofwi ne

Bayandastor
medupstai
rst
oherr
oom Joy
,Lani
andAy andawentt
owatchamov i
eatthe
ci
nemar oom.Bay
andacamedownwi
thherbagspackedMbalil
ookedatherandsmi
led.

Bay
anda:
"I
'ml
eav
ing"
fol
dedherar
mspout
ing.

Mbal
il
aughedi
ndi
sbel
i
ef

Her:"YouknowBay anda...You'rewildyou're. .
..(Drunkv oice)buuut ..
.Irespecty ourdecisi
on.Thing
i
sIdon' twanty out of allpregnantaty oungage, atthecl ub' speopl egetr apedt herethanwhat
huh?HI VandPr egnantwi thababyy oudon' tknowwhoi ti s..Peopledi eoutt herefrom...
from
thedr ugsandt herout ey ou'retakingisleadi ngr ightt othatendoft her oad. wher eyouendup
sixfeetUnder ,
allbonesi ny ouryoungstery ear s...
noIdon' twantt haty ou'remybaby ,
myLi ttl
e
sist
erpl easebel i
ttl
ejustt hisoncepleasel istent omeandbeachi ld.
I'l
l l
etyoubewheny ou' r
e
23ol denought omakey ourowndeci sionsatt hat..
hav et obewi sedeci sions..Iwanttobea
bett
ermot herthanMyownmot herwas,yousawhowshet r
eat edme( Tear sfalli
ngdownher
cheeks) sheneverr ecogni sedmeasherown, sheev ensol dmet othehi ghestbi dder.
.BayandaI
don'twantt obecomet hatandI '
dnevert hi
nkoft radingy ouguy sforusel esst hings,y
ou'r
emy
necessi t
y,Iwanttopr otecty ouandbey ourshi eld..pleaseDon' tleav e"sheput sdownt hegl ass
ofwi neandcov erherf acecr y
ing,
Bayandawasal soatt hev ergeofcr y i
ngshewentandsetnext
toherSi sterandapol ogized.

LI
FA

Isatoutsi
debyt hepool,
wit
hmyl egsinsi
det hewaterdr
inki
ngmyj ui
ce.Li
feisgoodIcanfi
nal
l
y
saythathahaIyhooMissLisawakhonahasbeencomi nghererandomlythinki
ngthi
sisher
house.Butguesswhatsheisn'
tMr sZunguy etshewasjusttr
yingtogetcockywithme.she
mustrelaxIdon'twantherman,actual
lyIdon'tneedamanIgotmyf i
ngershaha.

Ithi
nkI'
mt oocomfor
tabl
einthi
shousenow,my bebecauseIwastoldtobecomfor
tabl
e..
Iwent
backinsi
dethehousewit
hat owel
reppedaroundmybodygoi ngtotheki
tchent
oprepar
et he
meal si
nceMrZunguisabouttoar
riv
e.Iputmyearphonesandli
stentoLadyZamar
-Sharp
shooteranddancedaround,swayi
ngmybut t
.Thanthetowelf
ell
rev
eal
ingmysmallboobsina
biki
ni,
Idon'
tpicki
tupandcont i
nuedancingwhenItur
naroundMrZunguiswatchi
ng.
Ifroze
ri
ghtthere,
hecamet owardsme.wai
twhatishedoingnow.bendi
ngdownforwhat?
Iclosemy
eyesthanIfeelatowelbeingr
eppedaroundme.Il
ookathim

Him:si
desmil
e"Youdancewonder f
ull
y"wentuptohi
sroom.Icovermyf
acelaughi
ng.
OhGod
suchanembarrassment.
I'
m donecookingIwasabouttoleavet
oourcott
agewhenhestopped
meandt ol
dmehewasi nvi
tedforaBraaiofsomesortandwantedmetoaccompanyhi
m.I
hesi
tat
edbutfi
nall
yagreed

NTSI
KA

Amont hagoyouwould'
vesworntherewasabigpar tygoingon,cel
ebrit
ieswelcomingour
si
stersintot
hefamily
.Asmallcl
eansingcer
emonyt urnedintoabizarr
epar t
y.Wemadef ront
pageandmysi ster
sweresohappyt hey'
dberecognised.Theydidn'
twanttol i
vewit
husbutwe
pursuededthem i
t'
sagoodideasowe' dgettoknoweachot her
.Sothi
saf t
ernoonwef i
gured
l
et'
sTosssomemeatandenj oywithfamil
yandf r
iends.Ii
nvit
edmyf ri
endsIdon'tknowabout
Nkosi andMom andthesist
ers.

We'
regr
il
li
ngt
hemeatast
hel
adi
eschopsomel
ett
ucesorwhat
ever
.

KGar r
ivedwi
thhersi
dechick,Menzi
camewi t
hhiswomenandZakescamewi
thhi
sohhwai
t
that
'snotLi
sa,
Iguessthat
'sthe"MAID"hahabloodybust
ard.

Me:
"Myf
ri
end"
webr
o-hugeachot
her

Zakes:
"Guy
sthi
sisLi
fa"

Whatki
ndofanamei
sthatf
oragi
rl

Us:
"HeyLif
a"damnshe'
sbeaut
if
ul,
andherbodyi
sper
fectweal
lgr
inni
ngatherwhenZakes
bl
ockstheview

Zakes:
tur
nedtoLif
a"Thel
adi
esareintheki
tchen,
Rightt
othatCor
ner"
poi
ntedf
orher
,shewent
ontotheladi
es.
Theguyswatchedherasshewalksthentur
ntozakeswhowassmil
ing

KG:"
Arhhhyou"
wentonandshookhi
shandZakesl
aughedf
ort
hef
ir
stt
imehel
aughed,
O-key
thi
sisnew.

Me:"
Monnawat segha"
Iwentt
ohi
m andt
ouchedhi
smout
h,hel
aughedev
enhar
der
,t
hegent
s
andIlookedateachother
.

Menzi
:
"Kor
obel
akey
onaet
seghangesengZakeswar
ona"
(Lov
epor
ti
oni
stheonel
aughi
ngnot
ourZakes)

Zakes:
"Ohcomeoncan'tIj
ustbehappyf
oronce"
tookabot
tl
eofbeeront
hecool
erbox.and
si
ghed"Ij
ustl
ikehert
hat'
sall
"smi
rked

Nkosi
:"
Fuckl i
ke,
youloveherIcanfeelyourhear
tbeatwhenyouseeher
,i
tbeat
ssof asty
ou
evenscaredtolookather,
I'
m sur
erightnowy oueventhi
nki
ngoft
hrowi
ngthatengagement
ri
nginthiscoalbecauseofhowyouf eelf
orher"hesi
ppedonhi
sbeerandwestaredathim"I
'
m
j
ustsayingwhatIsee"

Zakes:
"My
bey
our
ight
"

Menzi
:
"Nkosi
wher
eist
hatmut
iyoudr
ankwhenThandof
edy
oul
ovepor
ti
on"

Nkosi
:
"Don'
tst
artwi
tht
hatbi
tchesnamepl
ease"

Menzi
:
"Wej
ustwantt
heMut
i.
.i
fnothert
hancal
lShenge"

Zakes:
"EyNi
nast
opi
tI'
m notf
edl
ovepor
ti
ony
oui
diot
s"

wel
aughathi
m

I
NSI
DETHEPALACEI
NTHEKI
TCHEN

QNandi
:
"Zakesdi
dagoodt
hingmaki
ngy
ouhi
s"

Li
fa:
"OhnoMah,
we'
renot
-"

Sy
amt
handa:
"Yheasy
our
ightmot
her
,t
hatgi
rlLi
ndaAr
gINev
erl
i
kedher
"

Si
m:"
Makesusbot
h"

Gi
rl
:"
MinaIpr
eferhershehasav
ibet
hant
hischi
ck"
poi
nti
ngatLi
fa

Sim:
"Ohshutupy
ou.
.You'
reKG'
ssi
dechi
cknxa.
.andpl
easesaynomor
eorwe'
l
lbeeat
ingy
ou
toni
ght
"

Li
fa:
laughi
ng"
Youeatpeopl
e?"

Sy
amt
handa:
"She'
sjoki
nrel
ax.
.st
opscar
ingourguest
"

Si
m poi
ntst
hekni
featKG'
ssi
dechi
cksheswal
l
owshar
d

•
•

MBALI

I
nthemorni
ng,
theki
dswentt
oschool
andIhav
eaheadachef
orday
s.Thami
Wal
ksi
nwi
thout
Knocki
ng

Me:
"Can'
tyouknock"

Him:
"Hunnyj
ustshutupcauset
hatbusi
nessofy
our
sisst
andi
ngbecauseofmeAndy
oul
ook
l
ikey
ou'r
edead"

Me:
"Wel
li
tisy
ourj
ob"

Hi
m:"
Ibr
oughtuswi
ne"

Me:
"Nonot
hanky
ou.
.Idr
ankt
oomuchy
est
erday
"

Hewentt
otheki
tchenandcamebackwi
thagl
assofwat
er.
igul
pedi
tdownmyt
hroat
.

Me:
"Thanky
ou"

Hi
m:"
Sincewhendoy
oudr
inkt
hisheav
y"

Me:
"Ij
usthadabaddayy
est
erday
"

Hi
m:"Ohok.
.Yest
erdayIsawLi
ndi
wit
hacut
eguywhol
ooksexact
lyl
i
keJoy
,Ihadt
ogetcl
oser
t
otheirt
abl
etoseeclear
er"

Me:
"He.
..
Hel
ookedl
i
keJoy
?"

Him:
"Yes.
.butassoonasIgotnearthem theyact
ednormal
li
ket
heyi
nabusi
nessmeet
ing.
.But
youcoul
dseet hatwasnotbusi
nessrel
atedmeeting"

Me:
"Yout
hinksheknowsMangal
i
so?
"

Hi
m:"
Who'
sMangal
i
sonow?
"

Me:
"Joy
ssper
m donor
"

Hechokedonhi
ssal
i
va,
andswal
l
owed

Hi
m:"
What
?..Di
dn'
tyousayhedi
ed?
"hi
sey
espoppedout

Me:
"Wel
lIl
i
ed"

Hi
m:"
Wow"

Me:
"Idon'
ttr
ustLi
ndi
,
Inev
ershar
edt
hisbecauseIdi
dn'
ttr
usther
..
wel
lIst
il
ldon'
t
"
Hi
m:"
You'
renotmaki
ngsense"

Me:
"Her
apedmeandJoywasconcei
ved"

Hi
m:"
OhGodno"
hecov
ershi
smout
h

Me:"
AndIdon'
twanttot
alkabouti
t,
Idon'tneedany
one'
spi
tyt
hat
'swhyInev
ert
alkedabout
i
t.
.Di
dyouknowLindi
murderedherparents"

Hehi
tsmyShoul
dercov
eri
nghi
smout
h

Hi
m:"
Youl
yi
ngbi
tch"

Me:
"I
'mt
ell
i
ngy
ou"

hef
rowned

Hi
m:"
Wai
t.
..
howdi
dyouknowt
hat
"

Me:
"Ev
eni
fIt
ell
you,
youwon'
tbel
i
eveme"

Hi
m:"
Tryme"

Me:"Ihaveagi
ft
..
itl
etsmeseethefutur
esomet i
mesthepast.
.Themostf r
ustr
ati
ngthingisi
t
doesn'tl
etmeseemyf ut
ure.
Ionl
ydream abouti
tbutst
il
lnotclearandIhearvoi
cesthatgui
de
mesomet i
meswarnme"

Hest
aresatmel
i
keI
'
m cr
azy
,hecomest
omeandt
ouchmyf
ace

Hi
m:"
Myf
ri
end,
tel
lmey
ou'
renotanAl
i
en"

Me: l
aughi
ng"I'
m noaliensi
ll
y"Il
ookedint
ohiseyes"Yourmot hergaveyouawayt
olivewit
h
yourrealf
atherbecauseyourstepf
atherwasabusiv
e,Yourrealfat
herbeat
edyoubecausehe
f
oundouty ou'r
egay .
.Youstar
tedLivi
ngwithyourBoyfr
iendand-

Hi
m:"
Ok.
.ok.
.JeezIbel
i
evey
ou"
hel
aughedi
ndi
sbel
i
ef"
Yourgi
fti
samazi
ng.
.Tel
lmemyf
utur
e"

Me:
"Idon'
tseei
tyet
"Igetupgoi
ngt
othest
udyr
oom

Hi
m:"
Comeon.
..
.ohwai
tyousai
dLi
ndi
mur
der
edherpar
ent
s"hewhi
sper
ed

Me:
"I
t'
sjustmeandy
ouher
e..
Let
'
sdr
opt
hatf
uthi
"

Hi
m:"
Nowayy
ou'
regoi
ngt
otel
lme"

Hecont
inuedbeggi
ngmet
otel
lhi
m howshedi
dit
,hest
il
ldi
dn'
tbel
i
eveI
'
m human,
stupi
d.

•
•

FAITHGOTOUTOFJAI Lwithscarsi nherfaceshewasn'texcitedal

lshewant edwast omake
someonepayf orputti
ngherinjai
l.Shedidsayshedeser v
edi tbutal
ltheseyearsshehasn't
beenliv
inggoodi nside.
Thefatheroft heboyshekill
edtol
dt heirl
awyertoarr
angegi r
lswhowil
l
hurtherfrom theinsi
deorkil
lher.Butshepr ot
ectedherselfuntil
now.Shewant edthelawy
er
andthef atherofherexboyfr
iendshewasoutf orblood.
Maki ngacallonthepublicphones

Women:
"Sho"shekeptqui
et"
Hel
l
o,kemang?
"

Her
:"
It
'sme,
yourf
ri
end"

t
hewomenkeptqui
etf
orawhi
l
etr
yingt
oputt
hef
acei
nthev
oice

Women:
"Wi
atFai
th?
ist
haty
ou?
"

Her
:"
YesandIneedaf
avor
..
Pleasef
etchmebyt
he*
***
"

Women:
"Shobabe"

Shecutt
hecal
landwai
tedf
orher

I
NSERT50

•
°

•
°

•
°

LI
NDI
WE

Mangal
isosl
owlypul
ledout,Ij
ustlai
dbackl
ikeachi
cken,
hewenttothebathr
oom andtooka
t
owelandwipedhim sel
fthenthrewiti
nbedformetowipemysel
f.Ikeptqui
ethealway
sdoes
t
hissometi
mesIdon'tunderst
andhim,hi
smoodchangerealf
astbutIbeli
evether
e'smoret
oit
t
hanwhatIseehere.

Him:"
GetdressedandLeav e"hesayscol
dly,
Icanf
eelmyi
ntesti
nesfr
eezing.
We'
renotdatingi
t'
s
j
ustabootycallIbeli
eveso.AnddidImentionhel
ooksabi
tlikeJoy
,thi
sisnocoi
ncidenceMbali
i
snottel
li
ngust hings.
Mybei fIt
ell
himthishewil
llov
emejustthewayIl ov
ehi
m.Igetupand
getdr
essed

Me:
"Doy
ouhav
eachi
l
d?"

Hi
m:"
Isai
dgetdr
essedandl
eav
e"
Me:
"Doy
ouknowawomenwhogoesbyt
henameMbal
i
?"

Hewentqui
etandl
ookedatme,
hest
oodupcomi
ngt
owar
dsmesmi
l
ing,
Ismi
l
ed

Hi
m:"
Ther
ear
esomanyMbal
i
'si
nthi
swor
ld!
"

Me:
"Mbal
iChar
lot
teNgcoboorCel
e"

Hi
m:cl
ear
edhi
sthr
oat
"YheaIknowher
,what
'
swi
thher
?"

Me:
"Wel
lIt
hinkshe-

Hi
sphoner
ang,
hepi
ckedupandwentt
othebal
cony

I
sitagoodideat
obr i
ngoutt
hesenews,Imeani
tcoul
ddest
roymyr
elat
ionshi
pwi t
hhim,whati
f
helov
eshermorethanhe'
dloveme.Thi
shastobeasecr
et.
Hecomesbackallredinhi
sface

Hi
m:"
Ihav
et ol
eaveforCapetown,
Mydadj
ustmadeadeci
sionwi
thouti
nfor
mingme.
..
Fir
stt
ell
mewhatyouwereabouttosay"

Me:"
Wel
lI.
.i
twasnothi
ngj
ustthatherbusi
nessi
sdoingsowel
l
,andshei
nspi
resmet
ost
artmy
own.
Iwaswonder
ingyoucoul
dlendmef undstost
artone"

Hi
m:"
Makgoshakewenna,
Cheef
orget
..
.nowpl
easet
samay
akot
longy
amme"

Me:
Itookmyt
hingsandl
eft"
I'
m sor
r-

Thedoorshuti
nmyf
ace

Iwenthomewi t
hasadf ace,
Ineverl
ovedany
onebefor
eli
keIlovehi
m.Usual
lyIdot
heoneni
ght
stands.
butsi
nceImethimi t
'sbeenonl
yhim.
IhopeI
'm mi
stakenwhenIsayhe'
sJoys
father
.MybehehasabrotherwhoknowsMbali.
Coul
dbepossibl
e

Igoti
nsi
det
hehouse,
Thel
i
ght
sar
etur
nedof
f

"
Wher
ear
eyoucomi
ngf
rom"

It
urnar
oundt
oseemyhusbandseat
edi
nthe

dar
k.Het
urnsont
hel
i
ght
sandst
oodup

Hi
m:"
Iaskedy
ouaquest
ion"

Me:
"I
..Duduzani
I'
m..
.I
'
mfr
om wor
k..
yeswor
k"

Hi
m:"
Ohr
eal
l
y?"

Me:
"Yesmeandmybusi
nesspar
tnerhadal
ongmeet
ing"

Hi
m:"
Thatendsat8atni
ght
?"
Me:
"Idi
dsayi
twasl
onger
"

Hi
m:"
Whycan'
tyoubel
i
keDi
aneandbeagoodwi
fe,
huh"

Me:
"Di
anel
ovedy
ou,
andme.
.mypar
ent
sfor
cedmei
ntot
his"

Hi
m:shout
ing"
Don'
ttal
ktomel
i
ket
hat
"

Igotst
art
ledabi
t

Hi
m:"Getinyourr
oom wi
l
ltal
ktomor
rowmor
ning,
andi
fIf
indouty
oucheat
ingonmehel
lwi
l
l
br
eakloose"

Iqui
ckl
ywentupstai
rs,Meandhim hav
ebeenmarri
edf
or8year
s.WhenIwas18Iwasfor
cedto
movetoJohannesburgformar
ri
age.Wedon'
thav
eachildt
oget
herbuthehas4chi
l
drenwit
h
HisDi
ane,
Thefir
stwife.

Aft
erwegotmar
ri
edhel
etmegot
oschool
tost
udyf
urt
herInev
erv
isi
tednotl
i
kehecar
ed
anyway

I
nThemor ni
ngIgetupandshowerit
's9am whi
lsttheot
herwif
ewakesupalit
tl
ebi
tearl
y,
Iget
downst
air
sthey
'veal
readysatdownonthetabl
e.It
akeaseatandf
il
lmyplat
eignor
ingt
hegaze.

Mami
ki
:"
Myboy
fri
endsai
dhedoesn'
tl
ovemeany
mor
edaddy
"

Ohshe'
s4y earsol
dbytheway,
thelastbor
nthanther
e'sQi
niso(
Cli
nton,
18)t
he1st
bor
n,Amandla(
15)the2ndandYanga(10)t
he3rd

Duduzani
:
"Awopunki
ejustt
ell
mehi
snameI
'
llcutof
fhi
sbananaf
ory
ou!
"

Mami
ki
:"
Hehasabanana?
canIeati
t?"

Diane:cl
ear
edhert
hroat"
Noy oucan'
t.
..
Eatbabyory
ou'
l
lbel
atef
orschool
"hel
ookedather
husbandshaki
ngherhead,Duduzani
chuckl
ed

Qi
niso:
"Dadatschool
theysai
dwemust
-

Duduzani
:
"YouknowIhav
ewor
ktodo"

Qi
niso:
"Buty
ouhav
en'
thear
dwhatIwant
edt
osay
"

Duduzani:
"Iknow,Thesoccermat
chandyouwantmet ocomewat chyou.Someot hert
imenot
now..Excuseme" hest
oodupandkissedallhi
sgirl
sincl
udi
nghiswifeont hecheeksthanl
eft
wit
hhisbr i
efcase.
Isawsadnessandangerbuil
dinguponQini
so'sface.

Di
ane:
"St
opaski
ngf
ort
oomuch"

Sheal
sost
oodup

Di
ane:
"Let
'sgot
oschool
,
I'
ll
dri
vey
'al
l
"
Qi
niso:
"I
'l
ltakeat
axi
"

Di
ane:
"Okeybaby
"

Theyl
eftmewi
thQi
niso

Me:
"SoQwhat
'shappeni
ngatschool
?"

Q:
"Whywoul
dthatbot
hery
ou?
"

Me:"
I'
my ourst
epmom,thatmeansI'
my ourmom inway
sIdon'tknow.
butal
soyoursi
steri
t'
s
l
ikeI
'm adopt
edint
hishouse.
.Yesheshouldadoptmecausebeingawif
eIsanoforme"

Q:
Chuckl
i
ng"
You'
rei
nsane.
.I
t'
sasoccermat
ch"

Me:
"Wheni
sit
?"

Q:
"Sat
urday
..
Andhesay
shegotwor
konSat
urday
"shookhi
shead

Me:
"I
'l
lcome"

Q:
"Real
l
y?"

Me:"
YhaImeanIgotnot
hingt
odo,
sowhynotgosuppor
tMYSON"
Iemphasi
zedSonandhe
l
aughed

Q:
"Thankyou,
fort
hefi
rstti
methere'
l
lbesomeonefr
om myf amil
ywho'
llbecheer
ingupf
or
me..
cool
"hehuggedme" Al
ri
ghtI
'l
lhavet
ogonow,bye"
grabbedanappl
er unni
ngout

Me:
"By
e"Ismi
l
ed.

Ial
wayswantedchil
drenbutnotDuduzani
'
s,HeismoreofafathertoHi
sdaughter
sthanhi
s
son,
andIdon'
tli
kethat.
Iwantmychildr
entohaveafatherwho'l
lgi
vehi
m uncondi
ti
onal
l
ove.Who'
l
llovehi
m notmatterwhatevenI
fhe'sGayhemustl ovehi
m

I
'
m goi
ngov
eratMbal
i
's.
She'
sbeenact
ingwei
rdar
oundme.

Iusual
l
ydon'
tknockwhenIgot
oherhousesoIj
ustgoti
nsi
deandagunwaspoi
ntedatme,
I
rai
sedbot
hmyhands

Me:
"Isur
render
"

Mbal
iandThami
Laughed

Me:
putti
ngmyhandsdown"
Hahav
eryf
unnyy
oubi
tchest
hinkt
hatwasf
unnyhuh?I
'
llgety
ou
f
ort
his"

Iwal
kedov
ert
opourt
hewi
ne

Mbal
i
:"Thewayy
ousai
dIsur
renderi
t'
sli
keIdon'
tknowThami
whatdoy
out
hink?
"
Thami
:
"Thatshe'
shi
dingsomet
hing"

SeewhatImeantwhenIsai
dtheyactst
range

Me:
"Whatar
eyout
oobl
abber
ingabout
?"

Mbal
i
:"Ohwel
lnot
hing"

Me:
"Tel
lme.
.Wher
eisJoy
sfat
her
?"

Theybot
hkeptqui
etandl
ookedatme

Me:
"Imeany
ou.
..
younev
erment
ionedhi
m wheny
out
alkedwi
thushaha"
Ifakedt
hel
augh

Thami
:
"Howdoesi
tconcer
nyou,
whoJoy
sfat
heri
s?"

Me:
"You'
reMbal
inow?
ohMbal
iyou'
vegr
ownt
wobal
l
sandabananat
hatonl
yent
ersass"
I
r
oll
edmyeyes

Thami
:
"Mbal
i
?"

Mbal
i
:"Yes"

Thami
:
"Hol
dme,
orel
seI
'
llscr
abi
nat
iat
eher
"

Mbal
i
:"Scr
abi
-what
?"

Me:
"Hej
ustmadei
tup"

Iwentov
ert
ohi
sface

Me:
"I
'm her
enow,
whaty
ougonnadohuh?
"

Mbal
i
:"Pl
easest
opt
hisnonsensebot
hofy
ou,
WenaLi
ndi
wewhati
sitt
haty
ouwantf
rom me?
"

Me:
"What
?"

Mbal
i
:"That
'sexact
lywhati
asked"

Imov
edf
rom Thami
toMbal
i
,whatdoesshemean

Me:
"Idon'
tknowwhaty
ou'
reonAbout
"

Thami
:
"Goodnesswhati
syourMot
ive,
whyar
eyouf
ri
endswi
thher
?"

Me:
"BecauseIenj
oyhercompany
"

Thami
:
"Weal
lknow,
youenj
oyhercompanybecauseshehasone"

Il
aughi
ndi
sbel
i
ef
Me:"
What'
sallt
his?
li
stenIdon'
thav
eanymot
iveorwhat
'ssoev
erI
'
mjustf
ri
endswi
thy
ou,
andI
seeasi
steri
nyou"

Mbal
i
:"Mangal
i
soMoeket
si,
doest
henamer
ingabel
l
?"

Me:
"Yes,
that
'soneoft
heguy
sIsl
eepwi
thf
rom t
imet
oti
me"

Thami
:
"Di
sgust
ing"
hepr
etendedl
i
kehe'
spuki
ng

Mbal
i
:"Doy
ouknowhi
srel
ati
onwi
thme,
myl
i
fe?
"

She'
saboutt
oconf
ir
m mysuspi
cions

Me:
"Hel
ooksl
i
keJoy
"

I
twentqui
etf
orawhi
l
e

Me:
"Idi
dn'
tknowhewasr
elat
edt
oyouIswear
"

Shel
ookedatmef
orwayt
ool
ong

Thami
:
"OhFucky
ouj
ustgoy
out
rai
tor
"

Mbal
i
:"Thami
,
stop!
"

Thami
:
"Butshe-

Mbal
i
:"St
op,
she'
sbei
nghonest
"

Thami
let
'sgoofmeashewasaboutt
omanhandl
eme

ATTHEPALACEt
hemai
dsar
ecl
eani
ngt
heki
tchen

Mai
d1:
"WuuuhSy
amt
handashem i
ssobl
essed"

Maid2:"
Ij
hooImeanshe'
sbeenwor
kingf
orherf
ami
l
y,andnowshef
indsoutshe'
sachi
l
doutof
wedlock"

Mai
d3:
"NxaShe'
sful
lofhersel
fnowbecauseshe'
sapr
incess"

Mai
d2:
"Awuwhatdi
dshesayt
oyou?
"

Theyl
ookedather

Mai
d3:
"Not
hing.
.shet
hinksshe'
sbet
tert
hanusnow"

Mai
d1:
"Jeal
ousy
,l
iv
esi
noneshear
tfort
hyGodshal
lremov
eit
,Chai
i
"hi
tt
ingherwi
thawi
ping
cl
oth,
theot
hermai
dsl
aughed

I
NTHEMEANTI
ME

Nkosenhl
esneaksi
ntheforbi
ddenroom andl
ocksbehi
ndhi
m,hecannowr
eadwel
lhet
ri
es.
"I
wonderwholi
vesher
e"aski
nghimself

Hetakesthediar
yfrom t
heshel
fandsit
sinthecor
nerr
eadingit
,ashereadsthef
ir
stl
ine
somethi
ngfall
sfrom t
heensui
tebat
hroom maki
nghim st
artl
eabit,
heswall
owshard

HegotupAndlef
tthediar
ygoingtothebathroom,
Heopenedt
hedoorandl
ookedar
oundt
her
e
wasnothi
ngt
hereexceptatoothbr
ushthatfel
l.

Hewentbackt
other
oom andwhathesawal
mostmadehi
mfai
nt

MBALI

Li
ndi
wesay sshedidn'
thaveanyi
deathatMangali
soisJoysf
ather,
andsheisnotlyi
ngbutI
don'
ttr
ustheratal
l.
Iwon'tl
etmyguar
ddown,Andabouthermur der
ingherparent
sisatopi
cfor
anot
herdayIbeli
eveshehadherr
easonsbutkil
l
ingisfarf
rom r
evengeit
'stoobrut
al.
Theyl
eft
whenthekidscameback.

Thef
oll
owi
ngday

I
'
m busywi
thwor
k,I
'
vebeencoopedupathomef
orday
s,t
ryi
ngt
oar
rangeext
rasecur
it
yformy
f
amil
y.

Wi
l
li
am comesi
n,
andhandsmesomedocument
s

Hi
m:"
Ther
e'sacl
i
entt
hati
sgi
vi
nguspr
obl
ems,
hedoesn'
twantt
opay
"

Igot
hrought
hedocument
s

Me:
"I
'l
lhandl
eit
"hel
eav
est
heof
fi
ce

Idi
alt
henumberoft
hecust
omeri
nthel
andl
i
nephone,
i
tri
ngst
hri
ceandaman'
svoi
ceanchor
s

Men:
"Hel
l
o"
Me:
Iproofreadthename"
Goodmor
ningsi
r,
thi
sIsMbal
enhl
eCel
efr
om MC'
sSer
vicel
oansmayI
r
equesttospeaktoMrKhan?
"

Hi
m:"
Thi
sishe!
!"

Me:
"Okeysi
r,
Irecei
vedamessagesay
ingMrKhanf
ail
stopayuscar
etoexpl
ainwhysi
r?"

Hi
m:"
MissChel
eri
ght
?"

Me:
"Af
fi
rmat
ive"

Hi
m:"
I'
m pay
ingmont
hlyi
nthatbusi
ness,
Icanev
enemai
ldet
ail
sthatshowI
'
vebeenpay
ing"

Me:"
Ther
emustbesomeki
ndofmi
staket
hensi
r,
butwoul
dyoupl
easeemai
lmet
her
ecei
pts
si
r"

Hi
m:"
I'
ll
doso"

Me:
"Thanky
ouf
ory
ourt
imesi
r"

Iendthecal
l
,whywoul
dWil
li
am l
i
enxa,
anemai
lnot
if
iesi
nmyl
apt
op.
Iopeni
tandt
ruet
heguy
hasbeenpayi
ngusini
nst
all
ment
s.

Imakeacal
lfr
om t
hel
andl
i
nephone

Me:
"Candi
cepl
easet
ell
Wil
l
iam i
needt
oseehi
minmyof
fi
cenow"

Hashebeenst
eal
i
ngf
rom me?
andThami
wher
ehashebeen.

ZAKES

Idi
dn'
tgotoworktodayi
t'
smylawfi
rm Af
ter
all
.
Lif
aisbusypr
epar
ingf
oodf
orme,
shepl
acesi
t
i
nthecof
feetabl
eandturnst
oli
ve

Me:
"Hav
eyouev
ert
houghtt
ofur
thery
ourst
udi
es?
"

Shet
urnedt
ome

Her
:"
Yheassi
rbutIhav
etowor
kformet
obeabl
eto.
.t
opaymyf
ees"

Me:
"Whati
fIsayI
'
llpayy
ourf
ees?
"

Herey
espopoutsheshookherhead
Her
:"
Nosi
r,
you'
vedonesomuchf
orusnow"

Me:
"Okay
"

Shel
i
vesgoi
ngt
othel
aundr
yroom,
Idi
dn'
tev
enknowIhadone.

Imakeacal
ltoKG

Me:
"Sho"

Her
:"
Yizo"

Me:
"Hasi
tar
ri
vedy
et?
"

Her
:"
It
'saboutt
oo,
theshi
ppi
ngpr
ocessi
staki
ngt
ool
ong"

Me:"
Ok.
Iwanty
outoorgani
sesomemenIneedsomeonet
obet
akencar
edof
f.
He'
sbecomi
ng
anui
sancei
nmyli
fe.
Lastmonthhet
ri
edt
ostealmysnow"

KG:
"Consi
deri
tdone"

Me:
"Makei
tlookl
i
keanacci
dent
"

KG:
"Shocase"

Iendedt
hecal
l
.Noonemesseswi
thmeandl
i
vest
otel
lat
ale.

CAPETOWN-
Mangal
i
so'
shousehol
d

Theyar
eseat
edi
ntheof
fi
cewi
thhi
sfat
herandhi
sol
derbr
otherJaden

Mangal
i
so:
"Soy
oucal
l
edmeal
lthewayf
rom Johannesbur
gfort
his?
"

Jaden:
"Behav
e"

Mangal
i
sokeepsqui
etashi
sol
derbr
otherRepr
imandshi
m wi
thadeepscar
yvoi
ce

MrMoeket
si:
"AsIwassay
ing,
Hismer
chandi
sei
sshi
ppi
ngt
omor
rowsoIwanty
out
wot
otake
car
eofi
t"

Jaden:
"ButIt
houghtwewer
edonewi
thdr
ugsnow,
rememberwhati
tdi
dwi
thoursi
ster
?"

MrMoeket
sil
ower
edhi
sheadashef
eltsadnessabouthowherdaught
erdi
ed

MrMoeket
si:
"Ir
egr
etsendi
nghert
her
e"
Jaden:
"What
?"

MrMoeket
si:
"What
?"

Mangal
i
so:
"It
houghtshedi
edf
rom cocai
ne,
whatar
eyout
alki
ngaboutdad?
"

MrMoeket
si:
"Not
hing,
l
eav
enowIneedt
ohav
eamoment
"

t
heyl
efthi
m

andwentt
otheKi
tchenwher
ethei
rmot
heri
sat

Mr
sMoeket
si:
"Hunnydi
dyout
aket
hepi
l
ls"

Mangal
i
so:
"YesMah,
I
'm get
ti
ngbet
ternow"

Jaden:
"Nodiff
erentper
sonal
i
tiesnow.
Wecansaywhat
everbutIl
i
kedt
hatbi
tcht
hatwasi
nsi
de
you"
helaughed

Mr
sMoeket
si:
"Ot
seghang?
"

Jaden:
"AwoMmaI
'
mjustki
ddi
ng"

Mangal
i
soshookhi
sheadpour
ingwat
er

I
NSERT51

•
°

•
°

•
°

MBALI

SATURDAY

Li
feislikeagameofchess, v eryunpr
edict
abl e.Youdon' tknowwhati sy ouropponentsnext
mov euntil
theymakeone, andboom i t
'scheckmat e.Youdownandout ,That'
swhathappenedt o
mewi thinabli
nkofaney eIlostmycompany ,
Itwasf oundburntintoashesaf terIfi
redWi l
l
iam
becauseIfoundouthewasst eali
ngfr
om me. Idon'tknowwhet herdidorwhatbutwhatIknow
i
sifhedi dthansohel phim God.Theinsurancecompanysai dthey'
llgetbackt ousassoonas
possibl
e.Nextti
meIdeci detobui l
danempi reI 'l
lbuil
dsomet hi
ngr emar kabl
e.Theyusuallysay
whenl i
fegivesyoulemons,makel emonade. Ithinkwhenl i
fegi
vesy oulemonst hr
owt hose
l
emonsbackati t.
..I
'
m kidding.
Meandmyl i
tt
lef
amilydeci
dedwet
akeami nivacati
ontoDur
ban,I
'l
ldealwit
hwhoev erbur
nt
mybusinessdown.Ir
estmyheadonthechairundertheumbr
ell
aatthebeach,Lani
andJoy
camerunningtome

Joy
:"MommyI
'
m hungr
y"

Lani
:
"Mom Joydr
ankt
heseawat
er"

Me:
"Joydoy
ouknowdi
ff
erentpeopl
eswi
mther
esomeswi
m naked,
evenwor
set
heyev
enpoop
t
her
e"

Joypul
l
sadi
sgust
edf
ace,
hol
dingherst
omach

Joy
:"I
'
m nev
erev
eragai
n"

Me:
"Good.
.nowwai
tforoht
her
etheyar
e"

AyandaandBay
andacamewi
thaboxofpi
zza,
Ayandapay
smor
eat
tent
iont
othephone,
she
st
andsup

Ay
anda:
"Ineedt
hel
oo"
goest
owar
dst
hepar
kingl
ot

Bay
andashookherhead,
Icl
appedmyhandst
wice

Me:
"Ihopesbar
iiscut
e"

Bay
anda:
"I
'm notsay
ingany
thi
ng"

Me:
"Di
dIsayy
oumust
?"

Bay
anda:
"No"
atehersl
i
ceofPi
zza

Me:
Ist
aredatherwi
thmygossi
pey
es"
Tel
lmewhoi
tis"

Bay
anda:
"OhhhhIknewi
t"
shel
aughed"
I'
m notgoi
ngt
osayany
thi
ng,
she'
l
ltel
lyouher
sel
f"

Me:
"Hmhj
ustdon'
tgetpr
egnant
"

Bay
anda:
"YouknowI
'
m nott
heonet
oheart
hatr
ight
?"

Wecont
inuedt
alki
ngmor
eaboutuni
mpor
tantst
uff

Lani
:
"Mom i
wantsomemor
e"

Joy
:"Met
oo"

Ther
ewasonl
yonesl
i
ceofpi
zzal
eft

t
heyl
ookedateachot
her

Joy
:"Yout
akei
t"
Lani
:
"Noy
out
akei
t"

Joy
:"I
'
mful
lnow,
youcaneati
t"

Lani
:
"Noy
oueati
t"

Joy
:"I
fyoudon'
teati
tthenIwon'
ttoo"
fol
dedherar
ms

Lani
:
"Fi
newi
thme,
l
et'
sgopl
ay"

Theyr
anneart
hesand,
Itookt
hepi
zzaandat
eit

Bay
anda:
"Whatwi
l
lAy
andaeat
"

Me:
"Idon'
tthi
nkshe'
l
lev
enr
eal
i
seshe'
shungr
y,i
fshedoesshewi
l
leatherphone"

Bay
anda:
"You'
reev
il
"

I
twasnowget
ti
ngdar
k

Wedr ovebacktothehot
elandsl
ept
.WestayedinDurbanfor2weeksthenwentbackt
o
Johannesburg,
Thenextmorni
ngt
hekidswenttoschoolandI'
mleftal
onethi
nki
ngofwhati
s
mynextmov e.

ATBAYANDAANDAYAMDA'
sSCHOOL

Theyar
eatthei
rlunchbr
eakwi
tht
hei
rfr
iends,
Ayandast
andsupsmi
l
ingwi
tht
hephone,
and
l
ooksaround

Ay
anda:
"Guy
sI'
l
lbeback"

Shel
eftt
hem,
theyl
ookedather

Gi
rl
1:"
WuuuhAy
ands'
sboy
fri
endi
shotguy
sjeal
ousdown"
clappedherhands

Girl
2:"
Ifonl
yIcangetapi
eceofhi
mj ustf
oroneni
ght"
theyst
areatherwithf
rownsi
nt hei
r
face"What?
weallknowever
yonewantshi
m,minai
fhe'
daskmeoutAy andahastof
orgiveme
causeIwon'thesi
tat
e"

Gi
rl
1:shookherhead"
Whyar
eyounotsay
ingany
thi
ngBay
anda"

Bay
anda:"
Ohhtr
ustmeIhavesomuchtodot
hensayt
oher
,I'
l
lrear
rangeherf
acei
t'
dlookl
i
ke
Ma'
Glor
iascr
ackedf
eetf
rom backhome"

Gi
rl
2:"
Iwantt
oseey
out
ry"
Bayanda:"
Owy heay ouwantsome"shest
oodupandGi r
l2ranforherl
i
fe"Nxawhatafri
end"sat
down" You!
IfIeverheary
outalki
ngaboutourboy
fri
ends,
I'
l
l makeyourunl
ikeher
"shenodded
eat
inghersandwi ch

Ay
anda:
"Heycakes"

Shehuggedhi
m

Ter
ence:
"Hey
,GoshImi
ssedy
ou"
peckedherl
i
ps,
shebl
ushedl
i
keat
eenagegi
rlshei
s

Ay
anda:
"Imi
ssedy
out
oo"

Ter
ence:
"Whenwi
l
lIseey
ou?
"

Ay
anda:
"Whenev
ery
ouwant
"

Ter
ence:
"Howboutt
oni
ght
"hebi
thi
sli
pseduct
ivel
y

Ay
anda:
"Toni
ght
?Ican'
tyouknow,
I
'm notal
l
owedt
ogoatni
ght
"

Ter
ence:
Hisf
aci
alexpressi
onchangedfrom happytoangry
"What
?Lookt
her
ear
esomanygi
rl
s
who'
dwanttodat
ethishotnessher
e,j
ustsayy oucan'
tonemoreti
me"

Ay
anda:
"Fi
neI
'
llseewhatIcando"

Ter
ence:
Smirked"
That
'smygi r
l,
I'
l
lpi
cky
ouupat8.
Pleasesmel
lgoodandwearsexyl
i
nger
ienot
boy
legst
heyarenotat
tract
ive"

Hel
eftherst
andi
ng,
shet
wist
edherl
i
ps

"
Hey
"

Shet
urnedt
oQi
niso

Her
:"
Hey
"fakedasmi
l
e

Hi
m:"
Howar
eyou"

Her
:"
I'
mfi
ne,
wher
ewer
eyoudur
ingt
hehol
i
day
s"

Her
:"
Wet
ookav
acat
ion"

Hi
m:"
Okay
..Toni
ghtwehav
ingast
udygr
oupatMel
i
ssa'
s"

Her
:"
I'
m sor
ryIcan'
ttoday
..
Got
tago"
sher
anof
ftoherf
ri
ends

Qi
nisost
oodt
her
eadmi
ri
ngher
.
•

Fai
thwentt
otheotherr
oom wear
inghergown,
wit
hherphonei
nthehand.
Shesatont
hecouch
andtur
nedonthet
v.

Fai
th:
"Smel
l
sgoodwhat
every
oumaki
ngt
her
e"sheshout
ed

"
Wai
tunt
ily
out
akei
t"

Thewomencameandsetdown

Her
:"
Howar
eyou"
kissedhercheek

Fai
th:
"I
'mf
ine"

Her
:"
Nowwi
l
lyout
ell
mewhyy
oudi
dn'
tgohome"

Fai
th:
"Yout
hinkdadwoul
d'
vej
ustl
etmebackt
ohi
shousej
ustl
i
ket
hat
?"

Her
:"
Ohy
ou'
rescar
edt
ogetabeat
ing"

Fai
th:
laughi
ng"
No,
Ij
ustwant
edt
ocomet
oyou"

Her
:"
Youst
il
lhav
en'
ttol
dmewhyy
ouwer
einj
ail
andwhoy
ouwantt
oav
engey
our
sel
fto"

Fai
th:
"Thel
awy
er,
Thej
udgeandAgi
rl
"

Her
:lookedatherper
plexed"
Huh"

Fai
th:
"Theysentmet
ojai
l
,iwantt
hem t
opay
"

Her
:"
Whoi
sthegi
rl
?"

Fai
th:
"Ohyou'
l
lknowher
,j
ustnotnow"
shet
ookt
hepaperont
hecof
feet
abl
etur
nedt
opage3
andSmil
ed

Her
:"
Whatar
eyousmi
l
ingat
?"

Fai
th:
"Not
hing"

Her:
Tookt
hepaper
"ShameifIwasherIwoul
d'
veki
l
ledwhoev
erbur
ntmycompanyashee
somepeopl
ecanbecruel
"

Fai
th:
Hidhersmi
l
e"Mhm met
oo"

Her
:"
Letmegogett
hef
ood"

Fai
th:
"Okey
"
•

ATTHEPALACE

WhenNkosenhlesawaGhost
,heswor
ethathe'
l
lnev
ersetf
ooti
nther
e.Butt
odayhei
sgoi
ngt
o
t
heroom agai
n.

Hewenti
nsi
de,
wit
hGar l
i
cclov
esneckl
acer
appedar
oundhi
sneck.
Hebel
i
evesghost
sdon'
tget
neary
ouwit
hsuchneckl
ace.

Hi
m:"
Le.
.Lel
ow"
hewentcl
osert
othebed"
Any
bodyher
e?"

TheGhostf
lashedi
nfr
ontofhi
m,hescr
eamedoutl
oudt
heghosthel
dhi
smout
hitwasl
i
ght
s
outf
orhim.

MBALI

Iheardaknockont
hedoorIr
anf
ori
tandopened,
ther
est
oodacar
amel
dar
kski
nnedi
ndi
an
guy,
tall
asatree

Me:
"Yes?
"

Hi
m:"
Mor
ningMem"

Me:
"Howar
eyou?
"

Hi
m:"
I'
m goodandy
ou?
"

Me:
"Goodt
hanky
ou.
HowmayIhel
pyou?
"

Hi
m:"
Owsor
ry,
I
'm MrKhan,
Just
inKhan"

Me:
"Pl
easecomei
n"

Iwonderwhathecameher
efor
,webot
hsetdown

Hi
m:"
Youmustbewonder
ingwhyI
'
m her
e"

Me:
Ist
aredeepl
yinhi
sey
es,
not
hingIseenot
hing.
Onl
ypeace"
Iam"

Hi
m:Hesmi
l
es,
thatki
ndofsmi
l
ethatmakesy
ourkneesweak"
Wel
lIwant
edt
otakey
ouout
"
Me:Youknowthatt
ii
ii
i
ii
ihsoundt
hemachi
nemakeswheni
trepor
tsomeonei
sdead,
yepi
nmy
headitwast
hat

Hi
m:"
MrsChel
e"

Me:
"Huhummm what
?"

Hi
m:"
Arey
oual
ri
ght
?"

Me:
"I
'mf
inehaha"

Hi
m:"
Okey
..
Met
aki
ngy
ouout
?doy
ouappr
ove?
"

Me:
"Ur
hgot
tacheckmydi
aryFi
rst
,t
henI
'
llgetbackt
oyou"
Ismi
l
ed

Hi
m:Chuckl
i
ng"
Okayt
han"
hest
oodup"
Goodby
ethenMr
sChel
e,I
'
llhearf
rom y
ou"

Me:
"I
t'
sMi
ss"

Henoddedt
henheadedout
.

l
eav
ingmeGl
uedtothefl
oor,
smili
ngandl
aughingi
ndi
sbel
i
ef,
Idi
dn'
tev
enof
ferhi
m somet
hing
t
odri
nk.
Whydoest
hisguyhavesuchanef
fectonme

Nkosenhl
ewokeupaf
ter2mi
nut
es,
l
ookedar
oundandcameacr
osst
heghost

Ghost
:"
Hy"

Hej
ustl
ookedati
t,
andswal
l
owedabi
glump

Ghost
:Smi
l
ing"
Howar
eyou.
.Youar
eyourf
ather
'sson"
giggl
i
ngt
ouchi
nghi
sface

Hi
m:"
Who.
..
whoar
eyou?
..
andwhyar
eyoui
nmyhouseandwhyam Iseei
ngy
ou"

Ghost
:"
Asky
ourf
ather
"

Hi
m:"
Why
?"

Ghost
:"
Askhi
m..
Ilov
eyou"

Hewi
pedhi
sfaceandwal
kedt
othedoor
.

ATSHENGE'
s

Nkosi
:
"Soy
ousay
ingIshoul
dlethergo?
noway
"

Shenge:
"Wel
ltheny
oursonwi
l
lseeher
"
Nkosi
:
"Howwoul
dheseeher
,becauseshe'
saghost
"

Shenge:
"Hei
sherson.
.Andy
ouonl
ycanseeherbecauseoft
heneckl
aceIgav
eyou"

Nkosi
:
"Ij
ustwanthert
olear
nal
esson"

Shenge:Shr
ugged"
Finet
hen,
ButIwarnedy
ouhewi
l
lwantt
oknowt
het
rut
handt
henwe'
l
lhav
e
toerasehi
smemor y!
doyouwantthat
?"

Nkosi
:
Keptqui
et"
OkayI
'
lll
ethergo

I
NSERT52

•
°

•
°

•
°

NARRATI
ON

Fai
thcamebackf r
om t
hestoresandf
oundhertalki
ngt
oanotherwoman,
shelayedthepl
asti
cs
downthenfol
dedherarmsstari
ngatt
hem,sheclear
edhert
hroatandt
appedherfootwhi
le
twi
sti
ngherli
ps,
theyt
urnedtoher

KG:"
Ohbabeyou'
reback,
thi
sisLumkaanol
dfr
iendofmi
ne.
Lumkat
hisi
sFai
thmy
..
.Wel
li
t'
s
compli
cat
ed"

Fai
thr
aisedaneyebr
ow,
andst
ormedof
ftot
hei
rroom andsl
ammedt
hedoor
,KGl
ookedat
Lumkaandshrugged

KG:
satdown"
Sowhydi
dyoucomet
omef
ort
hist
ask?
"

Lumka:
"Ionl
yknowy
out
haty
ou'
rei
ntoki
l
li
ng"

KG:"
Hahawoahhi t
tabreakngwanawamol oikewena,
Nna?
Ideal
wit
hcomput
ersnotendi
ng
someone'
sli
feashee"
sheclappedherhands

Lumka:
"Thenwher
ecanIgetanassassi
n?"

KG:
"Assassi
n?y
out
hinky
oui
namov
iey
ouer
hIdon'
tknowanyassassi
ninSwat
ini
"

Lumka:
"Can'
tyour
ecommendsomeone"

KG:
"Mhm ei
shTheNewki
ng,
Idon'
tknowwhet
herhest
il
ldoesi
t"
Lumka:
"Justgi
vemehi
snumber
s"

KG:
tookoutherphone"
Whydoy
ouwantt
hepoorgi
rldead?
"

Lumka:
"Mymot
hercan'
tdi
einv
ain"

KG:
"Thatwas6or7y
ear
sago,
what
'
sthegr
udgef
orandbesi
desy
ourmot
herwasev
il
"

Lumka:
"Ibegt
odi
ff
er"

KG:
"Ibetyoudon'
tknowwhatt
hatmeans"gav
ehert
hephoneshecopi
edt
henumberandst
ood
up"
You'll
seeyourwayout
"t
ookthephone

Lumka:
"Thanky
ou.
.t
ell
yourcompl
i
cat
edI
'
m sor
ryi
fIdi
dany
thi
ngwr
ong!
"

KG:
"Who'
scompl
i
cat
ed?
"

Lumka:
"Fai
thny
anawakhohaha"
laughi
ng,
shewentoutandcl
osedt
hedoor
.

ATTHEPALACENkosi
yezwe,
hol
dshi
shead.
Hisj
awscl
enched.

Hegoesont
othemi
rr
orandl
ookathi
msel
f,
thant
alksal
one

Hi
m:"Hy"hi
svoi
ceal
mostsoundsli
ketwopeopl
etal
ki
ng,
muchdeeper
.Hi
sref
lect
iononthe
mir
rormovesabitt
othel
eftwhi
lsthest
andsst
il
l,
conf
usedast
owhatishappening.
His
r
efl
ecti
onspeaks

"
Youseem conf
used"
itspeakssl
owl
y

Hi
m:"
Whati
shappeni
ng?
whoar
eyou"

"
I'
m Youhahaha"
itl
aughed

Hi
m:"Icanseethat
,butwhyar
ether
etwome'
s?"
ther
efl
ect
ionwentbackt
oit
'
snor
mal
stat
eas
i
theardthedooropen

Nkosenhl
e:"
Dad"

Yezwel
ookedatt
hedoorwi
thhi
sey
esbl
oodshot

Hi
m:"
Yes"

Enhl
e:"
CanIasksomet
hing?
"

Yezwet
ri
est
oreadhi
smi
ndbuthecan'
t,
hehi
tshi
sbr
ainwi
thhi
shandt
henl
ooksathi
ssonst
il
l
not
hing

Hi
m:"
Ask"

Enhl
e:"
Uhhhdoy
oubel
i
evei
nGhost
s?"

Hi
m:"
Nowhy
?"

Enhl
e:"
Ithi
nkIsawonedownt
hebasement
,i
tsai
dImustasky
ou"

Hest
oodup

Hi
m:"
WHAT?Youwentthereaft
erItol
dyounott
o?"
hewasangr
ywi
thv
einsshowi
ngi
nhi
s
f
ace,
Enhl
est
eppedbackreadytorun

Enhl
e:"
I'
m sor
ryDadbutIgotcho.
..
chor
us(
Cur
ious)
"

Hi
m:"
Godownst
air
sI'
l
ldeal
wit
hyoul
ater
"

Enhl
eranoutcr
ying

Hewentonandl
ookedatt
hemi
rr
oragai
n

Hi
m:"
Whati
shappeni
ngt
ome"

"
Not
hingper
sonal
"

Hi
m:"
Yousayy
ou'
reme?
"

"
Youhear
dri
ght
,y
ou'
rebecomi
ngwi
kkk(
weak)
"

Hi
m:"
Letmecal
lShenge"

"
NOOO"
itmadehi
m sl
i
pof
fandhi
thi
shead,
hel
aidt
her
eandcl
osedhi
sey
es

ATMBALI '
sAyandawenttoMbal
i
'sroom andenter
edherwalki
ncloset
,t
henf
oundabox
rappedni
cel
yandwenttoherr
oom.Shetoreitandl
ookedatwhatwasinsi
desmil
i
ng.
Shetooki
t
outandworeitspr
ayedsomeper
fumeinherneckandalsoinherNUNU.

Shewor
eacoatt
hent
ookherbaggoi
ngdownst
air
s

Mbal
i
:"Q'
sMom i
sout
side?
"

Ay
anda:
"Yes,
shej
ustcal
l
edmehaha"
Mbal
i
:"Ohokey
"

Ay
anda:
"By
e"

Shewentoff
,Mbal
ist
ooduptogotoherroom butstoppedonhertrackshol
dingherheadt
hat
wasbuzzi
ng,
shestumbl
eduponthecouchandfellonitthenf
aint
ed.

TheNextMor
ning,
04:
00am

Shewokeupandl
ookedar
oundt
hedar
klounge

Her
:"
Ohhhhhmyheadi
spoundi
ng"
brushedi
t

"
I'
m sor
ry"
spokei
nawomen'
svoi
ce

Her
:l
ookedar
ound"
Who'
sther
e?"

"
I'
myourspi
ri
tgui
de"

Her
:"
What
"

"
I'
mt heonewho'
sal
way
stal
ki
ngt
oyou,
nowI
'
llbecl
oset
oyou.
Youseem t
omakedeci
sions
wi
thoutthi
nki
ng"

Her
:"
NoIdon'
t"

"
Iwon'tar
guewithyou,
Youwon'
tbeabl
etor
eadany
one'
smi
ndonl
yI'
l
lbeabl
etot
henI
'
lldeci
de
whet
herItel
lyouornot
"

Her
:"
Wheni
smygi
ftf
ull
ywor
king"

"Youonl
yhavepoweroverther
ain,t
hunder
stor
msbutGodno,
i
fyouwantt
ousebot
hyour
Powersyouhavet
olear
nt ofor
give"

Her
:"
It
'shar
dto"

"
Tryt
osl
eep"

Shedosedof
fal
mosti
mmedi
atel
y

Ayandawakesupneart
hedumpsit
e,andcoughsouthol
dingherchest
.Shest
oodupwear
ing
hercoatandapol
i
cecarst
oppedbyher

Pol
i
ceMan:
"Goodmor
ningMem"
Ay
anda:
"Hel
l
owsi
r,
cany
oupl
easehel
pmeI
'
mlost
"

PM:
"Howdi
dyougether
e?"

Ay
anda:
"Iwasr
unni
ngt
hen.
.t
hen-

PM:
"Okayy
ou'
l
lexpl
ainatt
hepol
i
cest
ati
on,
comegeti
nsi
de"

Shegoti
nsi
de

PM:
"I
'm notf
rom ar
ound,
Ij
ustcamef
ixsomebr
okenst
ri
ngs"

Ayanda:
"Ow"
shekeptqui
ett
hinki
ngwhati
fthi
smani
snotapol
i
ceof
fi
cer
?"CanIseey
our
badge"

Hel
aughed

PM:tookouthisbadgeandgav
eittoher"Idon'
tbl
amey
ou,
keepi
tupy
ou'
l
lal
way
sbesaf
e.Ki
ds
getstol
enthesedaysandwefail
toprot
ectthem"

Ayanda:
gavebackhisbadge"
Yhat
rue,
eveni
fthecari
sofpol
i
ce,
wegott
obeext
racar
eful
befor
egett
ingi
nside"

PM:
nodded"
Mhmm"

Mangal
i
so'
shousehol
dincapeTown

Theyareeati
ngbreakf
ast
,Mangal
i
sopour
sthej
uicef
orhi
msel
f,
Ther
e'shi
sbi
gbr
otherJaden
andthei
rli
tt
lesi
sterAmo(3)

Jaden:
"Youf
ull
nowl
i
ttl
esi
s"

Amopul
l
suphert
opandt
apsherst
omach

Amo:
"Not
her
e'sst
il
lsomeai
rIneedt
ofi
l
lthatup,
giv
emet
hemuf
fi
nmommy
"

Mr
sM:
"You'
l
lpukemar
aAmo"

Amo:
"EhheMamai
t'
smewhowi
l
lpukenoty
ou"

Theygav
ehert
hemuf
fi
n

Jaden:
"Il
ovey
ousomuchf
rom t
hebot
tom ofmyhear
t,
myspeakerbox"

Mangal
i
so:
"OhIl
ovehermor
e"
Amo:
"Dadar
eyounotgoi
ngt
osayy
oul
ovemef
rom t
hehear
tofy
ourbot
tom t
oo?
"

Mr
M:"
YouknowIl
ovey
ouMomo"

Amo:
"Howdi
dyouknow"

Mr
M:"
Ijustknew"

Amo:
"How?
"

Mr
M:"
Iready
ourmi
nd"

Amo:
"Real
l
y?canIasl
o(al
so)
readi
t?"

Mr
sM:
"Ej
amuf
fi
nbaby
"

Amo:t
ookabi
te"
Mhmm Icantast
ethesweatandt
het
he.
.(
li
ckedherf
inger
s)t
hesnotoft
he
per
sonwhomadethi
smuffi
n"

Mr
sM:
"Amo!
!"
Repr
imanded

Jadenshookhi
sheadchuckl
i
ng

Amo:
"Keengghant
emama,
Iwasj
ustr
eadi
ngt
hemuf
fi
nsbr
ain"

Mangal
i
so:
"You'
real
unat
ic"

Amo:
"I
ttakesonet
oseeone"
shesmi
rked

Mangal
i
so:
"Iwi
l
l-

Mr
M:"
Mangal
i
so,
Jadeni
nmyof
fi
ce"
hest
oodupandt
heyf
oll
owed,
Amost
uckouthert
ongue

ATZAKES

Hetakesof
fthesui
tandgoest
oLi
fa'
scot
tagehouse,
Knocksont
hedoorsheopenswi
def
or
hi
mt ogeti
n

Zakes:
"HeyGi
rl
s"

Phi
l
aandLet
hu:
"Heeeeeey
"

Li
fal
aughsi
ndi
sbel
i
ef

Zakes:
"Weneedt
otal
k"hel
ookedatLi
fa
Li
fa:
"Ohokey
,cany
'al
lgosi
tiny
ourr
oom"

Let
hu:
"Butwewat
chi
ngt
vmar
asesi
"

Li
fa:
"I
'm notgoi
ngt
orepeatwhatIsai
d"

Theyst
oodupandwentt
other
oom "
Yes"

Zakes:
"If
oundy
ouaschool
"

Li
fashookherhead

Zakes:
"What
?"

Li
fa:
"It
oldy
ouI
'
ll
-

Zakes:
"Tool
atef
ort
haty
oual
readyr
egi
ster
ed"

Li
fa:
"Whi
chcour
se?
"

Zakes:
"You'
l
ltel
lthem wheny
ougett
her
e"

Li
fa:
"What
?howdi
dyour
egi
stermewi
thoutacour
se"

Zakes:
"Ihav
emoney
,Imaket
hingshappen"
shr
ugged

Li
fa:
"Ohwow,
Idon'
tneedy
ourmoney
"

Zakes:
"Youdon'
tsay
"

Li
faopenedhermout
htosaysomet
hingbutkeptqui
et

Li
fa:
smi
l
ing"
Thanky
ou"

Zakesst
oodupandwal
kedt
owar
dst
hedoor

Zakes:
"Youwel
come,
ohandt
hef
oody
oucookedt
odayi
sPer
fect
o"ki
ssedhercheek"
Thank
you"
walkedout

ATTHEOFFI
CE

Mangal
i
soandJadensatdowni
ntheopposi
techai
rswai
ti
ngt
ohearwhatt
hei
rfat
herwant
sto
say

Mr
M:Het
ossedov
ert
heenv
elopes"
Open"
Theydi
dast
old,
theyl
ookedateachot
her

Mangal
i
so:
"Andt
henwhat
'
sthi
s?"

Mr
M:"
It
'saf
act
oryIwantt
obuyandusei
tasawar
ehousef
orourdr
ugs"

Jaden:
"Ohher
ewegoagai
n"hesi
ghed

Mangal
i
so:
"Soy
oushowi
ngusbecause?
"

Mr
M:"
Bot
hofy
ouhav
etomakei
thappen,
theysayi
t'
sownedbya18y
earol
ditshoul
dbeeasy
"

Jaden:
"I
fthat
'ssot
henwhydon'
tyoudoi
t"

Mr
M:"
Becausey
oumyt
wodunder
headswhowi
l
lli
stent
owhat
everIsay
"

Mangal
i
so:
"Dunder
heads?
Iref
uset
henIwon'
tbeputoutasani
diotson"
hest
oodup

Mr
M:"
Shutupandsi
tdowny
oupsy
chopat
h"

Jaden:
"Dadwe'
l
l-

Mr
M:"
Yout
ooShutup,
yout
woar
edi
srespect
ful
"hesai
dfur
ious

Mangal
i
so:
"Psy
chopat
h"l
aughi
ngandshaki
nghi
shead

Jaden:"
Youseewhaty ou'vedone,comebr os"hemadehi m standupandt heyleftt
heirfatheri
n
theoffi
ce,Hesighedandlower edhisheadt oreachf orhisWi l
latthebott
om dr awer,
thena
bull
etcamet hroughthewi ndowr i
ghtwher ehisheadwassupposedt obe,hel
ookedbehi ndhim
andfelldownducki ngbull
ets.Hecrawl edt
owar dst
hedoor ,thenstoodupandr anshouting"GET
INTHESAFEROOM NOW NOW NOW" herantowardsi twhil
sthiswi f
eanddaught eralongwi t
h
hissonsfoll
owedhi m,Jadengotshoti nhi
sshoulderhegr oanedinpai nastheygotinsidet he
saferoom thatisbull
etproof.Theylockeditandkeptqui et
.Thesaf eroom wasbehindt he
wardrobeitwasbi genoughf orthem,ithadasmal lkit
chenand3bedswi t
h2couchesanda
fri
dge.

Mr
sM r
anf
ort
hef
ir
stai
dandnur
sedhi
sson.

Mr
M:"
Hangi
nther
eson"

Mangal
i
socamewi
thabot
tl
eofbr
andy
,Mr
sM t
ooki
tandpour
edi
tinJaden'
swound.

Hescr
eamedi
nagony
,Mr
Minser
tedal
ongst
eal
thati
smagnet
ict
opul
loutt
hebul
l
et.

I
tcameoutandt
heycl
eanedhi
m,t
henbandagedhi
m

Mr
M:"
Restbaby
,i
twi
l
lbeal
ri
ght
"

Mangal
i
so:
wentt
ohi
sfat
herwhowassi
tt
ingont
hecouch"
Whoar
ethosepeopl
e"
Mr
M:"
Ihav
enoi
dea"

Mangal
i
so:
"Goodness"
hishandsov
erhi
sheadcur
singunderhi
sbr
eat
h

I
NSERT53

•
°

•
°

•
°

ATTHEPOLI
CESTATI
ON

Ayandatookasi
tasshewaswai
ti
ngt
omakeast
atement
,t
hepol
i
ceof
fi
cercamehol
dingaf
il
e
thensatdownandsmil
ed

PM:"
Ididn'
tgettoi
ntr
oducemy
sel
f,
Menzi
Khozai
sthename.
ButI
'
mresi
dingt
oSwat
ini
of
fi
cial
l
y ,
Soon"

Ay
anda:
"Owokey
"

Menzi
:
Het
icksaf
ewboxesf
rom t
hepapert
henl
ooksather
"Okeyur
hm,
tel
lmeev
ery
thi
ng"

Ayanda:Breathedinandout "I
..
Iwasv isiti
ngmyboy fri
end,hefet
chedmef rom home. Thentol d
mewegoi ngtohishousebutIknewwhi chroutehishousei s,
Iaskedhim wherewegoi ngand
hetoldmet orelax.Ikeptqui
etandwat chedhim drive.
Het henparkedataclubofsomesor tand
tol
dmet ogetout.Ididastol
dt henwegoti nsideheshowedmeat abl
etositatandbr oughtme
adrink.
Thenexcusedhi msel
fgoingt ot heloowhenhecamebackhesai dImustt akeoffmy
coatandst r
ipforhimi nthepoles,
Itoldhi mI'm notgoingt odothathethanmadeacal lsayingI
changedmymi ndy oucancomet akeher .t
hatswhenIr anoutoftheclubthroughtheback
door,Hefi
redagunbutIf el
lint
oadumpst erandIguessheassumedheki ll
edmet henranf or
hisl
ife"

Menzi
noddedwr
it
ingev
ery
thi
ngdown

Menzi
:
"Yourname?
"

Her
:"
AyandaCel
e"

Menzi
:
"Yourboy
fri
endsname"

Her
:"
Ter
enceDi
ale"

Menzi
:
"OkeyIhav
ethatonr
ecor
ding,
cany
out
ell
mehi
slocat
ionandt
heschool
hegoest
o"
Shet
oldhi
m ev
ery
thi
nghewant
edt
oknow

Menzi
:
"Okey
..
Letmet
akey
ouhome"

Theybot
hst
oodupandl
eft

ATMBALI
'
s

Sheprepar
edLaniandJoyforschool
,
thenwentt
othekit
chentotaket
hei
rlunchboxeswhi
l
st
theyat
ebreakf
ast
.Bayandacamedownstai
rsweari
ngheruni
for
m

Bay
anda:
"Mor
ningFam"

Them:
"Mor
ning"

Bay
anda:
"Kant
iwher
eisAy
andaI
'
vebeent
ryi
ngt
ocal
lherbutnot
hing"

Mbali
:
"ShewentkoQ'sforst
udygroup.
..
Comel adi
esy
ourt
ranspor
tisher
e"t
hegi
rl
sand
Bay
andarantothedoorMbaliwentoutwit
hthem

Mbali
:
"Bye"wavedatt
hecar
,shecl
osedt
hegat
ewi
tharemotethenacarpar
kedout
side,
She
wentoutthrought
hewal
kingate,
andapol
i
cemangotoutoft
hecar

Pol
i
ceOf
fi
cer
:"
Mor
ningMem"

Mbal
i
:"Mor
ning"

Pol
i
ceOf
fi
cer
:"
Ist
hist
heCel
eresi
dence?
"

Mbal
i
:"Yes.
.i
sther
eapr
obl
em si
r?"

Pol
i
ceOf
fi
cer
:"
No.
.I
'
m of
fi
cerKhozaandIcamet
odr
opof
fMi
ssCel
e"

Mbal
i
:"Mi
ssCel
efr
om?
"

PO:
"Comeout
"heshout
edandAy
andacameoutl
ooki
ngl
i
keamess,
Mbal
icov
eredhermout
h

Mbal
i
:"Whathappened?
"

P.
O:"
Ifoundheratt
hedumpsi
te,
Ij
ustcamet
odr
opherof
f"

Mbal
i
:"Thanky
ouf
orbr
ingi
nghersaf
e"

PO:
"I
t'
sokey
"hewentont
ohi
scaranddr
oveof
f.
Ay
anda:
"I
'm sor
rysesi
Idi
dn'
tmeant
o..
I-

Mbal
i
:huggedher
"I
t'
sokeyl
et'
sgeti
nsi
de"

Theywenti
nsi
deAy
andat
oldherev
ery
thi
ngt
hathappened

Mbal
i
:"Soy
out
ookmyl
i
nger
ie"

"
Comeony
ouonaboutLi
nger
ie?r
eal
l
y?Justt
ell
hert
onotdoi
tagai
n,
Youwer
enotev
enusi
ng
i
t"

Mbal
il
ist
enedt
othev
oiceandcal
meddown

Mbal
i
:"Getsomerest
,Idon'twanty
outodothatagai
nyouher
eme? f
rom nowony ou'
llst
udy
wi
thyoursist
erorQwillcomehereforgr
oupstudyy
ouwil
lnotgooutatnight
.Under
stood?
"

Ay
andanoddedandst
oodupgoi
ngt
osl
eep.

"
GoodGi
rl
,wi
thmebyy
oursi
det
hingswi
l
lfl
owIt
ell
you"

Mbal
i
:"Ohshutup"

Thev
oicel
aughed

Mbal
i
:Tookherphoneandf
oundmi
ssedcal
l
sfr
om anunknownnumbershet
hendi
aledi
t

Unknown:
"Ohatl
ast
"

Sher
ecogni
zedt
hev
oice

Mbal
i
:"MrKhan?
"

Just
in:
"Yest
hisi
shi
m,I
'
vebeent
ryi
ngt
ogethol
dofy
ouar
eyouokay
?"

Mbal
i
:"I
'
mfi
ne"

Just
in:
"Aboutt
hedat
e?"

Mbal
i
:"Whydoy
ouwantt
otakemeout
?"

Just
in:
"Whatdoy
oumeanwhy
?"

Mbal
i
:"Imeanj
ustt
hat
,what
'sy
ourpl
an?
"

Just
in:
"Mypl
ani
stot
akey
ouout
,j
ustt
hatwoul
dyoupr
eferIdomor
e?"

Mbal
i
:"NoIwasj
ustaski
ng!
"

Just
in:
"Sowegoi
ngout
?"

Mbal
i
:"I
'
llt
hinkabouti
t"
Just
in:
"Comeonpl
ease"

Mbal
i
:"Fi
ne"

Just
in:
"Gr
eat
..Shoul
dIf
etchy
ouf
rom y
ourhome?
"

Mbal
i
:"NoI
'
llcomebymy
sel
f"

Just
in:
"Thanky
ou,
can'
twai
t.
Bye"

Mbal
i
:"By
e"

Sheendedt
hecal
landt
hev
oicespoke

"
Gooutandhav
efun.
He'
shar
mless"

Mbal
i
:"Yousur
e?"

"
Justgo"

Mbal
i
:"Ineedy
out
ost
aybehi
nd!
"

Laughi
ng"
Hahahast
aywher
e?Youwi
thmef
orl
i
fe"

Mbal
i
:"Youmeanev
enwhenIpl
ant
oGi
vesomeonemykukuy
ou'
l
lbe.
..
you'
l
lbet
her
e"

"
Ever
yst
epoft
heway
"

Mbal
i
:"Ewt
hat
'ssodi
sgust
ing"

"
Getusedt
oit
"

Aknockdi
stur
bshershegoesandat
tendsi
tfi
ndi
ngThami
ont
hedoorst
ep,
theyhugged

Thami
:
"HunnyI
'
m sor
ryIdi
dn'
tcomet
oseey
ou,
Iwasj
ustbusywi
th(
Clear
edhi
sthr
oat
)

Mbal
i
:"Wi
th?
"

Thami
:
"Goshy
ousosl
ow,
Iwasat
tendi
ngagooddi
cksomemenoutt
her
ecanshov
eitshem"

Mbal
i
:"OhGod"

Thami
:
"Howy
ouhol
dingup?
"

Mbal
i
:"I
tsget
ti
ngbet
ter
"

Thami
:
"Ar
eyoubui
l
dingi
tagai
n,
Ican'
tbeunempl
oyedf
orev
ery
ho"

Mbal
i
:"Gol
ookf
oranot
herJob"

Thami
:
"NoIwantt
owor
kwi
thy
oui
diot
"
Mbal
i
:"Ohsot
haty
ou'
dtakemef
orgr
ant
edaker
e"

Thami:
"Youknowy oumyf
ri
endI
'
m al
l
owedt
odoany
thi
ngt
oyou,
Li
ndi
yenast
art
edherown
busi
nessihhebet
rayal
"

Mbal
i
:"She'
sbui
l
dingaf
utur
eforher
sel
f"

Thami:
"No.
she'
srej
oici
ngy
ourdownfal
landr
ubbinghersuccessi
nyourf
ace.
Iwoul
dn'
tbe
sur
pri
sedifi
twasherwhobur
ntyourcompany"

Mbal
i
:"Shewoul
d'
nt"

Thami
:Shr
ugged

Mbal
i
:"Whati
sitt
haty
ouknowandIdon'
t"

Thami:
"Nothi
ngchi
ll
babe,
Ibr
oughtt
hese"
handedhert
hef
lower
sandt
hechocol
atet
hen
snat
chedthechocol
ate

Mbal
i
:"Hawuandt
hen?
"

Thami:
"Ichangedmymi
nd,
I
'm cr
avi
ngi
tandi
t'
ssoex
pensi
veIdon'
tknowwhatIwast
hinki
ng
buyi
ngitforyou"

Mbal
i
:Laughed

Thami
:
"Fr
iendI
'
vebeencr
avi
ngst
uff
..
Andandandohmygoshcoul
ditbe"

Mbal
i
:"Coul
ditbewhat
?"

Thami
:
"Imi
ghtbepr
egnant
"

Mbali
:Shelookedathi
mthencr
ackedupl
aughi
nghol
dingherst
omachwi
tht
ear
sst
rol
l
ingdown
hercheeks

Thami
:
"Hahanotf
unny
"

Shecont
inuedl
aughi
ng

Thami
:
"OhcomeonnowIwaski
ddi
ng,
buti
twoul
d'
vebeenni
ce"

Mbal
i
:"Wher
ewou-
..
..
.wher
ewoul
dyougi
vebi
rt
h"

Thami:
"Uuuur
ht hat
'st
hefr
ustrat
ingpart,
mybemybut
thol
e"t
heykeptqui
eti
magi
ningi
t,maki
ng
facest
henlookedateachotherandlaughed

•
•

ATMANGALI
SO'
S

Theycal
ledt
hei
rdoctorf
ri
endtocomecheckonJadenandtoal
soseei
fther
ear
enopeopl
e
outsi
de.
Andfor
tunat
elyt
herewasnoneonl
ycart
ir
espri
nts

ont
her
oad

Dr
:"
Whathappenedher
e?"

Mr
sM:
"Ther
ewasashootout
"sni
ff
ed

HecheckedJaden'
spul
se

Dr
:"
He'
l
lbef
ine"

Hecheckedhi
swoundandt
reat
edhi
m andl
eftpi
l
lst
hen,
wentout
.

Mangal
i
so:
"Ar
ewegoi
ngt
osl
eepher
etoni
ght
?"

Mr
M:"
Nowehav
etogot
hebi
ggersaf
ehouse,
we'
l
lbesaf
ether
e"

Theypackedtheirbagsandwalkedtot
heircar
sMangali
soopenedhi
scarandgoti
nthen
sighedashewasaboutt otur
nthekeyheheardaTickti
cksound.
Hegotoutandr
an
"Booom"thecarblewintheai
rmakingi
trainengi
neoi
l.

Thef
ami
l
ylookedhi
sway
,Mangal
i
sost
oodupandr
ant
othem

Mangal
i
so:
breat
hlessl
y"Al
lthesecar
shav
ebo.
.bombs"

MrM:
madeacall"
Comepickusupatmyhouse"
heendedi
twit
hin15mi
nut
esabl
ackJeep
camei
nthei
rYar
dandl
eftwit
hthem goi
ngt
othesaf
ehouse.

ATTHEPALACENt si
kaf
oundhi
sbrot
herlayi
ngdownthef
loorwit
hblooddropscomi
ngouthi
s
nose,
hepani
ckedt
henmadeacal
ltoShenge.
Shengecamewithi
nafewmi nut
es

Nt
sika:
"Whati
shappeni
ngt
ohi
m,pl
easehel
phi
m"

Shenge:
"He'
l
lbeal
ri
ght
,l
et'
slayhi
mtobed"

theyheldhimfrom si
detosideandt
hrewhiminbed.
Shengemi xedatr
eeseedst
henf
ed
him.Nkosicoughedgett
ingupandbreat
hingi
nandoutcont
inuously
Nt
sika:
smi
l
ed"
Hahahe'
sfi
ne,
thankGod.
.t
ell
uswhathappened"

Hel
ookedatt
hem

Nkosi
:
"Idon'
tqui
ter
emember
"

Shenge:
"Youhadanencount
erwi
thy
ourspi
ri
tgui
de"

Nt
sika:
"Awhat
?"

Nkosi
:
"Wai
tthatwasmyspi
ri
tgui
de?
"

Shenge:
"Yes.
."

Nkosi
:
"Whatki
ndofaspi
ri
tgui
dei
sthat
"

Shenge:
"Hewi
l
ltel
lyou,
he'
sabi
tev
ilandki
ndhear
tedy
ou'
l
lgetusedt
ohi
m becausehe'
sjust
l
ikeyou"

Nt
sika:
"WhencanIhav
eone?
"

Shenge:
"You'
renoki
ng,
i
nfactl
eav
eus"

Nkosi
:
"Noi
t'
sfi
nest
ay"

Shenge:
"Askquest
ionsy
ou'
l
lsee,
I'
ll
sendKhal
amanqat
oteachy
oual
esson"

Nkosi
:
"Sowhydi
ditchooseme?
"

Shenge:
"Youar
eaki
ng,
ever
yKi
nghast
ohav
eone"

Henodded

SOMEWHEREI
NJOHANNESBURG

Menzi
answer
shi
sphone,
packi
nghi
sbags

Hi
m:"
Yhea"

Gi
rl
:"
Arey
oust
il
li
nJHB?
"

Hi
m:"
Yhea"

Gi
rl
:"
OkaycanIpopby
"
Hi
m:"
Doesheknowy
oui
nJohannesbur
g?"

Gi
rl
:"
No.
.i
t'
snotl
i
kehepay
sat
tent
iont
omeany
way
"

Hi
m:"
Okaywhenar
eyoucomi
ng"

Gi
rl
:"
Inanhour
"

Hi
m:"
Okay
"

Heendedthecal
l
,Tookthehotell
andli
nephoneandorder
edfood.Openedhislaptopandwent
t
oFacebookandtyped"AyandaCele"hesmi l
edal
oneashesawherpr of
il
e,
theninvit
edher.
He
t
houghtf
orawhilethencancel
ledtherequest.
Hedi
dn'
twanttoseem desperateorcl
ingy
.

ATTHERESTAURANT

Mbal
iandJust
inat
ethei
rfoodwhi
l
stconv
ersi
ng

Just
in:
"Soy
out
ell
i
ngmey
oudon'
twantmor
eki
ds?
"

Mbal
i
:"NoI
'
m notsay
ingt
hat
,whatImeantwasIwantt
oset
tl
edownf
ir
stt
henhav
eki
ds"

Just
in:
"Buty
ouhav
eonenow,
wit
houtar
ingi
nyourf
inger
"

Mbal
i
:"Shewasunpl
anned"

Just
in:
"St
il
l"

Mbal
i
:"Doy
ouwantki
ds?
"

Just
in:
"Yespl
ent
yoft
hem,
10t
obeexact
"

Mbal
i
:"Hahaohy
ousuchadr
eamer
"

Just
in:
"What
'swr
ongwi
tht
hat
"

Mbal
i
:"Whati
fyou'
rei
nfer
ti
le?
"

Just
in:
keptqui
etf
orawhi
l
e"Thatwoul
dbesadbecauseIl
ovechi
l
dren"

Mbal
i
:"Hav
eyout
est
ed?
"

Just
in:
"NoandIdon'
twantt
o"

Mbal
i
:"Ohsoi
fyourexcomesbyandsay
sheyJust
inI
'
m pr
egnantorher
e'sy
ourchi
l
dyou
woul
dtaket
hebaby
?"

Just
in:
"I
fit
'
smi
newhynot
"

Mbal
i
:"j
ustgoandgett
est
ed,
you'
l
lbesaf
ethatway
!"

Just
in:
l
ookedatherandsmi
rked"
Arey
ouchoosy
?li
keIdon'
tdat
eacol
our
edguyoranI
ndi
an
guy"
heimi
tat
edherv oi
ce

Mbal
i
:laughi
ng"
HahaIdon'
tsoundl
i
ket
hat
"

Just
in:
"Answerme"

Mbal
i
:"Idon'
tknow"

Just
in:
"Whatdoy
ouKnow?
"

Mbal
i
:"Thati
twoul
dbeni
cet
odat
eadi
ff
erentbr
eed"

Theybot
hsmi
l
ed

BEHI
NDTHEM t
her
ewasLi
ndi
weandherf
ami
l
y,Mbal
isawherandaskedt
obeexcused.

Shewal
kedov
ert
othem

Mbal
i
:"Li
ndi
we!
"

Shel
ookedathershocked

Li
ndi
we:
fakedal
augh"
HahaMbal
ihowar
eyou?
"

Mbal
i
:"I
'
mfi
net
oo"
shel
ookedatev
ery
onei
nthet
abl
e"Goodev
eni
ng"

Them:
"Ev
eni
ng"

Li
ndi
we:
"Thi
sismyf
ami
l
y,mymom andsi
ster
sandbr
other
"

Theyl
ookedatheri
ndi
sbel
i
ef

Mami
ki
:"
Whyy
oul
yi
ngMama,
HyAunt
yI'
m Mami
kiandy
ouar
e?"

Mbal
i
:"I
'
m auntMbal
ini
ceknowi
ngy
ou"

Mamiki
:
"Okay
,Thi
sisMyMot
her
,Br
other
,Si
sterandst
epmom,
myf
atheri
sint
hel
oo.
Howar
eyou
r
elat
edtoMom? "

Mbali
:
"I'
m af
ri
end"
shelookedatt
hem f
rust
rat
ed"
Excuseme,i
twasni
ceseei
ngy
oupeopl
e"she
l
eftt
hem bumpi
ngint
oDuduzani,
Theydon'
tmakeeyecont
act

Mbal
i
:"Sor
ry"
shewasl
ooki
ngwher
eshewaswal
ki
ngt
hinki
ngofLi
ndi
webei
ngmar
ri
ed
Duduzani
star
edathernotr
emember
ingwher
eheknowsher
,hesatdown

Duduzani
:
"Whowast
hat
?"

Qi
niso:
"Mom'
sfr
iend"
typi
ngonhi
sphone

Duduzani
:
"Ohokey
"

t
heycont
inuedeat
ing.

Mbal
isatdown

Just
in:
"youokey
?"

Mbal
i
:"YheaI
'
mfi
ne,
Iwasj
ustgr
eet
ingaf
ri
end"

t
heycont
inuedt
otal
kmor
e

ATLUMKA'
s

Shet
ookherphoneandmadeacal
ltoNkosi

Nkosi
:
"Hel
l
o"

Lumka:
"Hyy
out
alki
ngt
oLumka,
i
sthi
sNkosi
?"

Nkosi
:
"HowcanIhel
p"

Lumka:
"Iwanty
out
otakesomeoneoutf
orme"

Nkosi
:
Hel
ookedathi
sscr
eennotbel
i
evi
ngwhatshesai
d"Whogav
eyoumynumber
?"

Lumka:
"Doesn'
tmat
ter
,wi
l
lyoudoi
t?"

Nkosi
;
"List
enher
eyouhoeIdon'
tknowy
ouandI
'
m noki
l
lerwhoev
ergav
eyoumynumbert
ell
t
hem fuckthem"

Heendedt
hecal
l
.

Lumkasentt
henameoft
heper
sonshewant
stobeki
l
ledandaphot
oal
ongwi
thar
ewar
d

Nkosi
cal
l
edi
mmedi
atel
y

Lumka:
"So?
"
Nkosi
:
"Whencanwemeet
?"

Lumka:
"Nowy
out
alki
ng"

BONUSI
NSERTASREQUESTEDBYMNI
NIPOST

#LOVEMANDI
SA

I
NSERT54

•
°

•
°

•
°

5DAYSLATER,
I
NSWATI
NI

Therewasaf emalebodyf oundlyi

nginthebusht hepol i
ceinvesti
gatedandfoundnoleads.The
ambulancetookthedeadbodyt otheMortuaryAndev erymemberwhohadl ostafamilywas
ther
et oseewhetheri
twasn' toneoftheir
s.Si
zwewast heretoo.Thefir
stf
amilySt
artedvi
ewing
thebody,t
heyranoutcryingsayingitwasn'
ther,
thesecondwomenwentonandwi thhertooit
wasn'therdaught
er.
Sizwe'sturncamehev i
ewedt hebodyandf el
ttheedget
opuke,hequickly
wentouttheroom wit
ht earsinhiseyes.

Mor
tuar
yguy
:"Ar
eyouokey
?isi
ther
?"

Si
zwenoddedhi
shead"
Whathadhappenedt
oher
?"

Mortuar
yguy:
"Wef
oundbul
l
etsi
nsi
deherbutwet
hensawt
hatshewasal
sost
rangl
edbef
ore
bei
ngshot"

Si
zwe:
"Hadt
hepol
i
cef
oundanyl
eads?
"

Mor
tuar
yGuy
:"No"

Si
zwe:
"Our
ytI
'
llbebur
yinghernextMonday
,howdoest
hiswor
kforIt
akehernow?
"

Mor
tuar
yguyexpl
ainedt
ohi
m ev
ery
thi
ngheneededt
oknow

•
•

ATMBALI
'
s

Aft
ershewentouttoaccompanyt
heki
ds,
shewentbacki
nsi
det
hehouseandf
oundherphone
ri
ngi
ngshesmiledpicki
ngi
tup

Her
:"
Hey
"shebi
therl
owerl
i
pbl
ushi
ng

Hi
m:"
Heybabyhowar
eyou?
"

Her
:"
I'
mfi
ne,
howabouty
ou?
"

Hi
m:"
I'
mfi
net
oo.
.Youwannaheart
hegoodnews?
"

Her
:"
Urhy
heasur
e"

Hi
m:"
Mypar
ent
swantt
omeety
ou"

Therewassil
ence,
ithasonlybeen4day
sandnowhewant
shert
omeethi
spar
ent
s.Ai
n'
tthat
rushi
ngthi
ngs?shethoughttoher
sel
f

Hi
m:"
Char
lot
te?
"

Her
:"
Just
in,
we'
veonl
ydat
edf
orwhat
..
5secondsIcan'
tmeett
hem nowbaby
"

Hi
m:"
Soy
oudon'
twantt
omeett
hem?
"

Her
:"
Ido.
..
it
'sj
ust
..
it
'st
ooear
ly"

Hi
m:"
Idon'
twantt
hem t
ochooseabr
idef
orme,
that
'
swhyIwantt
hem t
omeety
ou"

Her
:"
But
-

Hi
m:"
Pleaaaaase"

Her
:"
When?
"

Hi
m:"
Tomor
row,
18:
00"

Her
:"
AkashJust
inKhan!
"shecal
l
edouthi
snames

Hi
m:"
Mbhal
iChar
lot
teChel
e"

Her
:"
Whatar
eyoupl
ayi
ngat
?"

Hi
m:"Ohnott
hisagai
n,soi
fIwastosaylet
'sgetmarr
iedyou'
dthi
nkIhav
eahi
ddenagenda?
"he
wasnowfuri
ousbecausesheal
waysasksthisquest
ion

Her
:"
I'
m sor
ry.
.I
..
-
Him:"Youknowwhatfine,we'
ll
tal
ktomor r
owwheny ou'
vethoughtabouti
t.
Idon'
twantt
of or
ce
youtoseet hem,
i
t'
sSoonIknowbutIj ustwant
edthem togetoffmybackwi t
hthei
rmarr
iage
proposal
sandallthat
.Il
oveyouCharl
otte"

Her
:"
Ilov
eyout
oo"

Hi
m:"
NoIl
ovey
oumor
ethany
ou"

Her
:"
Ilov
eyouwayf
art
otheseaandbackt
oear
th"

Hi
m:"
That
'ssodump(
Chuckl
i
ng)
byeki
ssmybabi
esf
orme"

Her
:"
Okeyby
e"

Noonehungup

Her
:"
Cany
ouhangupal
ready
"

Hi
m:"
Noy
ouhangup"

Her
:"
Wai
iumunt
uuhambaet
handanj
eamandi
yanokwenza(
Wegoar
ounddat
ingI
ndi
ans)

Hi
m:"
What
?"

Her
:"
Isai
dIl
ovey
ou,
Bye"
sheendedt
hecal
landsmi
l
edal
one

ATMENZI
'
sAPARTMENT

Menzi l
ookedathiswatchWonderingwheresheis,
i
twasnow17: 30.
Hewentontot hrowthe
l
eftoversinthebinandwenttotakeashower ,
Hecameoutdri
ppingwetdry
inghi
sf adehair
cut,
Heisar efl
ecti
onofRomeFlynn,i
fyouknowhim.Heheardaknockonthedoorthen
att
endeditreppingatowelar
oundhiswaist.
Heopenedthedoorandther
eshestood,he
motionedhertocomei nandrol
ledhiseyes.

Her
:"
Hey
"

Hi
m:"
You'
rel
ate"

Her
:"
Traf
fi
c"

Him:l
aughi
ngi
ndisbel
i
ef"
HahaI'v
ebeenwait
ingfor4damnhoursforyout
oarri
ve,
what
?
someonewascr
ewingyouhuh?
"hewentcl
osertoherasshewentbacksl
owly

Her
:"
No"
Hi
m:"
YouknowwhatLi
sal
eav
e"

Her
:"
ButIj
ust
-

Hi
m:"
Isai
dtsamay
a"hepoi
ntedatt
hedoor

Her:
"Il
eftmyf
iancei
nSwat
ini
justt
ocomeher
eandbewi
thy
ouandy
out
hrowmeoutl
i
ke
somedirt?
"

Hi
m:"
Thi
sisnotr
ightany
way
,weshoul
djustqui
tit
"

Her:
"Whatdidyousayni
gga?mot
herbrotherI
'
m gonnafockyouopummadeepy ourheadi
n
yournost
ri
lsdowntoyourar
seyoudon'tknowme"shespokeinanAmer
icanaccent

Him:laughi
ng"
Fuckwhoup?
whyy
ouev
enf
ight
ingboutt
hisy
oumyf
ri
endsf
iancef
orf
ucks
sakes"

Her:
"So?hedoesn'
tl
ovemeany
way
"Hewentcl
osert
ohi
m car
essi
nghi
sabsandbi
ti
ngherl
i
p
seduct
ivel
y

Hi
m:"
Getof
fme"
heopenedt
hedoorf
orher"
Vay
a"(
Go)

Her:
Tookof
fherclot
hesinslowmot i
on,star
tedunbut
toni
nghershir
t,
andbr
ahertit
sst
ood
poi
ntyandf
irm.shet
hem loweredherski
rtandlef
twit
hherpant
ies.
Sheputherhandsi
nsideher
pant
yandplayi
ngwithhercli
tthensl
owlyrever
sedtobedandspreadherl
egstaki
ngoffher
pant
y"Don'
ttel
lmeyoudon'twantsome"

Heclosedthedoorwi
thhiscockupf
orgr
abs,
hewipedhi
smout
hlookingatt
heglamorousv
iew
andcrawledtobedki
ssi
ngherhungr
il
ygr
abbi
ngherbut
t,
amoanescapedherli
ps.
..
..
..

NKOSIFLI
PSOVERTHENEWSPAPERSMI
LING

Hegotagleefeeli
ng,gri
nni
ngaboutsomebody'
sdeath.
"Shehadtodie,
howcoul
dsheputouta
hitf
orMbali
"hethoughttomysel
f.
Theotherdaywhenshesaidtheymustmeethewasn'
tgoi
ng
tonegot
iat
eadeal ,
No.

Hewentt
her
etosl
aught
erhert
onor
ecogni
ti
on

Hi
m:t
alki
ngt
ohi
msel
f"
Iam humane"

"
HahahaYouar
eanEv
ilMan"
hisspi
ri
tgui
desai
d

Het
henhadf
lashbacksoft
heev
ent
sthathappened,
Shewasbeggi
ngt
onotgetki
l
led
Hi
m:"
Sowhydoy
ouwantt
hisper
sondead?
"

Lumka:
"Shei
sther
easonmymot
herdi
ed!
"

Hi
m:"
Ohr
eal
l
y"

Lumka:
"Asknoquest
ionshearnol
i
es,
Ineedherdeadi
ntwoday
s"

Hi
m:Helookedatherwi
thpier
cingeyes,
thatmagi
cal
l
yt ur
nedr
edandwhi
teatthesame
t
ime,
shegotfri
ght
enedbecauseitwasatnight
"Mbal
iisMyFamil
ymember,
didyouknowt
hat
?"

Lumka:St
eppedbackwi
thhereyespoppedout"
We..
.wecan.
..
Sirl
i
stenwecanfi
guresomethi
ng
out
,sacri
fi
ceherf
orweal
thhuh?hahat hatwayi
t'
l
lbeawinwinforus"
Noddedconti
nuousl
y

Him:Grabbedherthroatti
ghtl
y"Noonethr
eatensmyfamil
yandliv
estot el
latale.
Noone"
Lumkachokedwi thhereyesfli
ppingt
othewhitesi
defi
ghti
ngforherl
i
f e,
sheslowlyl
ost
consci
ousandsl i
ddown,Nkosi t
ookagunandshother5timesinherface"IgotMaggotsfr
ee
food,
asalways"
laughingsteppedinhi
scaranddroveof
f

ATMANGALI
SO'
s

MrMoeket siJuxtaposedthebrownenvelopesneatl
yintheshel
f,
andwenttot heki
tchenand
madecof f
eet henwentt oJaden'
sroom andsetont hechai
robserv
ingt
her esul
tsofhis
gr
eediness.Helapsedoutofhischil
dren'
ssafetyonlythi
nki
ngofhimsel
fthathithi
m hardwhen
hethoughtofit.MrsM cametotheroom withaplateofLasagneandgaveittohim.

Mr
sM:
"Whodi
dthi
sKagi
so?
"

MrMoeketsi
suddenl
yhadalar
yngi
ti
sil
l
ness,
hekeptqui
etnotknowi
ngwhattosaybecausehi
s
wi
fedoesn'
tknowanddoesn'
tl
ikei
twhenheisi
nvol
vedincri
meandall
hisschemes.

MrsM:"
Ibel
i
eveI
'
m mar
ri
edt
oamanwhospeaksouthi
swor
dsl
i
keapr
esi
dent
,whodi
dthi
sand
why?"

Mr
M:"
Idon'
tknow"

MrsM:
"Youdon'
tkno-haha(
Laughi
ngi
ndi
sbel
i
ef)
Soourchi
l
dget
sshotandy
ou,
youdon'
t
know?
"

Mr
M:"
Ireal
l
ydi
dn'
tdoany
thi
ngt
oany
one"

MrsM:
"Mygoodnessyoual
waysdosomethi
ngtosomeone,
youbul
lypeopl
eandwheni
tgets
backt
oyou,
i
tgetsbackbad.
NowIdon'
tl
ikethi
ski
ndofbadbecausemysongotint
oit
"cr
ying
poi
nti
ngatherson"Idon'
twanttolosemychildr
enbecauseofy ourst
upi
dit
yandandyour
sel
fi
shness"
Threwapregnancytestathi
m" Gr
owup,Ihopethischangesy
ourbehavi
ourandy
ou
thi
nkofyourfami
lyt
henyou"stoodupleavi
nghim wi
thhiseyespoppedout

I
NSERT55

•
°

•
°

•
°

ATMBALI
'
s

Shel
ookedher
sel
fint
hemi
rr
or,
thet
wogi
rl
ssatbehi
ndheri
nbed

Lani
:
"Mommywher
ear
eyougoi
ng?
"

Joy:
"Dat
e,can'tyousee"
rol
ledherey
es"
Ihopehe'
sni
ceandwi
l
lletuseati
cecr
eam f
ivet
imesa
dayi
fhewon' tthenyou'
renotgoi
ng"

Mbal
i
:"HahaIt
hinkweswi
tchedbabi
eswi
thsomewomen"
shookherhead

Lani
:
"Wi
l
lhel
etus?
"

Mbal
i
:"I
'
m meet
inghi
spar
ent
s,andnohewoul
dn'
t"

Joy
:"Thengetundr
essedbecausey
ounotgoi
ng"
fol
dedherar
ms

Mbal
i
:"Justwat
chme"
sheappl
i
edmakeupnott
oomuch.

Joy
:"Mahl
et'
sfi
rstmeethi
mthen!
"l
ookedatLani
forbackup

Lani
:
"Yhat
hat
'sagoodi
dea"

Mbali:
"I
t'
stooearl
yforthat"
shest
oodupandtookhercl
utchbag,
sheiswear
ingasi
lkdr
essthat
coversthekneesandacoatalongwi
thsandl
es.
notagoodcombinati
onbutshedi
dn'
tKnow
whethertowearhighheelsornot
.

Mbal
i
:"Comewi
thmei
fyouwantt
oseehi
m"

Theyshout
ed"
Yeeeeey
"

Mbal
i
:"Ohmygoodness"
laughi
ng.
Theywentdownst
air
s
Ay
anda:
"OhhhmyGoot
t"

Bay
anda:
"Youl
ooksobeaut
if
ul"
theysai
dast
heywer
ewat
chi
ngser
ies

Mbal
itur
nedar
ound:
"Yout
hink?
"

Ay
anda:
"Weknowso"

Mbali:
"Pl
easet akecar
eofmybabi
es,
I'
ll
bebackbef
ore8"
Shewal
kedt
othedoorherphone
beepednotif
yingamessage

"
I'
m out
side"
Sher
eadi
tandopenedt
hedoorwi
thLani
andJoybehi
ndher

Mbal
i
:"Andt
henwher
ey'
al
lgoi
ng?
"

Joy
:"Yousai
dwe'
remeeti
nghi
m"Theywalkedpasther
,shef
oll
owed.
Sheopenedt
hewal
k-i
n
gat
eandwentoutwi
ththetwoonhert
ale.

Mbal
i
:"Hey
"

Just
ingazedather
,wi
thsweati
nhi
sfor
ehead.

Mbal
i
:"Just
in"

Just
in:
"Sor
ryIwasj
ustadmi
ri
ngy
ourbeaut
y"hesmi
l
ed

Thet
wowhi
sper
edt
oeachot
her
"Iknowt
hatl
i
ne"

Mbal
i
:"Thesear
emyki
ds,
JoyAndLani
"

Just
in:
bendi
ngdownt
othei
rhei
ght
"Heyl
adi
esI
'
m Just
in"

Joy
:"Hy
"

Lani
:
"Wher
ear
eyout
aki
ngmommy
?"

Joy
:"Shutup.
.Woul
dyout
akeusoutf
ori
cecr
eam ev
ery
day
?"

Mbali
:
"Geti
nsi
debabi
es"Pushedt
hem t
heyr
ani
nsi
det
hehouse"
Somet
imesIf
eel
li
ket
heyar
e
ol
derthanmehaha"l
aughi
ng

Just
in:
"Lani
doesn'
tresembl
eyou"

Mbal
i:
"She'
smylat
esi
ster
s"Just
inopenedt
hedoorf
orherandshegoti
nthecar
,hewentt
ohi
s
si
deandsli
din.

Just
in:
"Ohy
ou'
reki
nd"

Mbal
i
:"Woul
dn'
tyouhav
etakencar
eofy
oursi
bli
ngschi
l
d?"

Just
in:
"Iwoul
d..
it
'sj
ustt
hatt
her
ear
esel
fcent
eredpeopl
eoutt
her
e"t
heydr
oveof
ftal
ki
ngmor
e
aboutl
i
fe,
andwhatt
oexpectf
rom hi
spar
ent
s.Theyar
ri
vedaboutanhourdr
ive

Just
in:
"Ar
eyouner
vous"

Her
:Fl
ashedasmi
l
e"Idon'
tknow,
l
et'
sjustgeti
tov
eranddonewi
th"

Theygotoutoft
hecarandent
eredt
hehouse,
Justanor
mal
housenodoubl
est
air
sort
ri
ple.

Just
in:
"Hel
l
owwehome"
heshout
edl
ooki
ngar
oundhol
dingMBALI
'
shand.

Women:
"OhhhMybaby
"shecamet
oJust
inhuggi
nghi
m,ki
ssedhi
m al
lov
ert
hef
ace

Just
in:
laughi
ng"
Mom y
ouembar
rassi
ngmequi
tit
"Shest
oppedandl
ookedatMbal
iupand
downbored.

Just
in:
"Mom t
hisi
sChar
lot
te,
mygi
rl
fr
iend"

J'
sMom(
J'sM)
:"
Oh"
youknowt
hatOh,
thatsi
mpl
ymeansIdi
dn'
texpectt
his!

Her
:"
Nicet
omeety
ouMr
sKhan"
smi
l
ed

J'
sM:
"Mhm.
.Ii
nvi
tedVakshant
ojoi
nus,
she'
l
lbeher
eanymi
nut
enow"
shel
eftt
hem st
andi
ng

Her
:"
Shedoesn'
tl
ikeme"

Just
in:
"Andy
ouknowt
hathow?
"

Her
:"
Ijustf
igur
edi
tout
,Who'
sVakshan?
"

Just
in:
"Anol
dex,
comel
et'
ssi
tdown"
theysatdownHi
sfat
hercamef
rom hi
sst
udy

J'
sF:
"Ohmyson"
Just
instoodupandhuggedhim"Andt
hismustbethef
amousChar
lot
te,
we'
ve
hear
dsomuchaboutyouthi
sguyher
eev encal
l
smeChar l
ott
ewhenhecal
l
sme"

Her
:bl
ushi
ng"
Ow"

Just
in:
"Daddudecuti
t"

J'
sF:
"I
t'
sni
cemeet
ingy
oumychi
l
d"

Her
:"
Thehonouri
smi
nesi
r"

Just
in:
"Wher
eisTer
ence?
"

J'
sF:
"Hei
sinhi
sroom,
Thepol
i
cewer
eher
etheot
herdayl
ooki
ngf
orhi
m asal
way
s

Just
in:
"Hewi
l
lcont
inuehav
ingbadl
uckunt
ilhechangeshi
ssur
name"

J'
sF:
"Yout
hinkt
hat
'swhyhe'
sapr
obl
em chi
l
d?"

Just
in:
Shr
ugged"
coul
dbe"
Just
in'
smot
hercamewi
that
rayoff
oodShout
ing"
Dinneri
sready
"

Her
:"
CanIhel
pyou"

J'
sM:
"NO!
!!
"

Ther
ewassil
ence,
Mbalif
eltunwel
comeandherspi
ri
tguidetol
dhertor
elaxbecauseMr sKhan
hasawar
m heartj
ustt
hatherlat
esonalsohadanaff
airwit
haSothowomennowt hathist
ory
i
saboutt
orepeati
t'
sself
,she'
sscaredshe'
sgoi
ngtoloseJust
int
oo.

Theysatdown,
Just
inbr
ushedMbal
i
sthi
ghsmi
l
ing

"Smell
sGooooodi
nher
e"shecamej
umpi
ngupanddownMr
sKhanqui
ckl
yst
oodupexci
tedand
huggedher

J'
sM:
"VakshanohI
'
m gl
ady
oucamebaby
"

t
heysatdown

J'
sF:
"VakshanInev
erl
i
kedy
ou"

Vakshan:
"Ther
e'snooney
oul
i
keany
way
"

J'
sF:
"Il
i
keher
,andsony
oumadeagoodchoi
ce"
gri
nni
ngl
ooki
ngatMbal
i

Vakshan:
"Hy
"

Her
:"
Hy"

Vakshan:
"Yourgi
rl
fr
iendi
sbl
ack!
"

Just
in:
"Ar
eyouwhi
te?
sowhati
fshe'
sbl
ack?
"

J'
sM:
"Shesi
mpl
ymeant
-

J'
sF:"
Idon'
thav
eti
mef
ort
hisl
et'
seat
"t
heykeptqui
eteat
ing,
Mbal
ichockedont
hespi
cedr
ice,
dr
inki
ngwater

Just
in:
"Youokeybabe?
"

J'
sM:
"Ar
ghi
didn'
taddt
oomuchchi
l
li
"

Just
in:
"Wel
lChar
lot
tei
snotusedt
othi
s"

Her
:"
I'
mfi
nenow"

Vakshan:
"SooooChamot
"

Her
:"
Char
lot
te"

Vakshan:
"Yhawhat
ever
,whatdoy
oudof
oral
i
ving?
"
J'
sM:
"Pr
obabl
ysel
l
ingFat
koekandf
ri
edont
hest
reet
s"l
aughi
ng

Just
in:
"She-

Her:
"Actual
l
yIhadaLoanser
vicecompanybuti
twasdest
roy
edbycunni
ngpeopl
e.I
mthi
nki
ng
ofbuil
dingacasi
noorgobi
gIdon'tknow"

Vakshan:
"AndJust
inwi
l
llendy
oumoneyf
oral
lthat
,Just
inshe'
l
lleav
eyoubankr
upt
"

Just
in:
"Iusedt
otakel
oansI
nhercompany
,she'
sindependent
"

J'
sF:
"ThatwhyIl
i
keher
,unl
i
kesomepeopl
e"

Vakshan:
"Doy
our
emembert
het
imeweski
ppedschool
justt
ogowat
cht
hemagi
cshow"

Just
in:
lookedatherbor
ed"
Yeahso?
"

Vakshan:
"Wecoul
dhangoutsomet
ime"

Just
in:
"Idon'
tthi
nkso"

Her
:"
YouShoul
d"t
heyal
ll
ookedather"
Imeancat
chup,
youshoul
d"

Just
in:
"Idon'
tthi
nkso"

Theyfi
nishedeat
ingandJust
indrov
eMbalit
oherhouseandcamebackhome,
Ter
encecame
tothesi
tti
ngroom whi
leMrsKhanwast
idy
ingthet
able

Ter
ence:
"Howcany
oueatwi
thoutme"

Mr
sK:
"YouShoul
dst
ayawayf
rom y
oureaphones"

Just
incamei
n:"
Mot
herwhatar
eyout
ryi
ngt
odo?
"

Mr
sK:
"What
?"

Just
in:
"YouknowwhatI'
m wast
ingmyt
imeher
eI'
l
lleav
etomor
rowt
omyapar
tment
"hewentt
o
hi
sroom andlocked.

Ter
ence:
"Whatj
usthappened?
"

Mr
sK:
"Hi
sgi
rl
fr
iendwasher
e"

Ter
ence:
"Cool
..
canIbr
ingmi
ne"

Mr
sK:
"Youhav
ethousandsoft
hem,
yourf
oodi
sint
heov
en"
wal
kedt
oherr
oom.

Mr
K:"
Idi
dn'
tl
ikey
ourbehav
iourt
oday
"

Mr
sK:
"I
'mj
ustt
ryi
ngt
opr
otectmyson"
Mr
K:"
From?
"

Mr
sK:
..
..
.

Mr
K:"
Justbeasuppor
ti
ngmot
herpl
ease"

Heswi
tchedof
fthel
i
ght
s.

I
NSWATI
NI

AttheZakeswar
ehousethedr
ugsar
ri
vedi
n3t
rucks,
theyof
fl
oadedt
hem andcount
edt
he
packageswit
hNtsi
kaandKG.

Zakes:
"Ihopet
hosebl
oodyhi
j
acker
sar
edeadkg!
"

KG:
"Myguy
ssai
dtheydest
roy
edt
hehouse,
wit
hthem i
nsi
desoI
'
m sur
etheyar
edead"

Zakes:
"Theydi
dn'
tgeti
n?"

KG:
"No"

Zakes:
fur
ious"
Whatt
hehel
l
,gi
vemey
ourguy
sdi
git
s"

Shequi
ckl
ytookoutt
hephoneandl
ookedupf
ort
hedet
ail
s,
hedi
aledt
henumber

Guy
:"BossLady
"

Zakes:
"Ehhf
otshegdi
dyoudot
hej
ob?
"

Guy:
"It
houghtKgi
slesbianar
hghanteobusywat
shafabanna,
omonat
e?(
IthoughtKgi
s
l
esbi
anbutshewaslyingbusyfucki
ngki
ds,
i
sshegood?"

Zakes:
"I
t'
syourboss!
"

Guy
:pani
cki
ng"
Yhobozzahaade(
Bosssor
ry)
"

Zakes:
"Di
dyoudot
hej
obna?
"

Guy
:"Wel
ltheysur
viv
ed"

Zakes:
"That
'si
tyouf
ir
edanddead"
endedt
hecal
landgav
eKgherphone

Nt
sika:
"Don'
tactr
ati
onal
bro"

Zakes:
cal
meddown"
Gett
hegi
rl
sfi
rstt
hingi
nthemor
ningatexact
ly03:
00t
opackt
he
snow.
Andy
ouguy
smakesur
eit
'sdel
i
ver
edt
othecust
omer
s"

Hewal
kedoutl
i
ght
inghi
sci
gar
ett
es

TheNextMor
ning

Thegi
rl
sar
eal
readywor
king

Zakes:
"Makeitsnappy
"het
ookouthi
sphoneanddi
aledMenzi
itr
angt
wiceandaf
ami
l
iarv
oice
anchor
edinthephone

Gi
rl
:I
nasl
eepyv
oice"
Hel
l
o,he'
ssl
eepi
ng"

Zakes:
..
..
..
..
(Hungup)het
houghtforawhi l
ethatLisawouldneverbetrayhi
m, becauseshe
knowswhathecoul ddotoherifshewast owhorearound.Thecocainewasdel i
veredtot
he
ri
ghtcust
omer sbutafewdidn'
tpayupfrontsosomecameback. Zakesgotat i
poffthatt
her
e
wassomeonewhowasbet rayi
nghim,sohecalledameetingrightatthewarehouse

Zakes:
"Youguy
sknowmeandIdon'
tfuckar
ound.
Nowt
ell
mewhoi
sthesni
tchamongsty
ou"

Thegi
rl
sandguy
slookedateachot
hermumbl
i
ng

Zakes:
"Ohist
hatwhatyougonnado?
mumbl
eupony
oursel
ves?
Ntsi
kaandKGdoy
ouwantt
o
experi
mentonthesepeopl
e"

Nt
sika:
"I
'dbehonor
ed"

KG:
"Sur
ebozza"

Theyal l
gotfr
ight
enedbecausetheyknowwhenit'
ssaid"Exper
iment"
itmeanst
okill
.
Hegota
noti
ficat
ionandvi
eweditwiththepict
ureoft
hesni
tch.Heputhisphoneasi
deandlooked
aroundandsawhi mtheyguywasj umpyandsweatyther
ewasnodoubti twashim.

Zakes:
"Youar
eexcused,
gogetsomef
reshai
rIseey
ou'
resweat
ing"

Theguydidn'
twastenoti
me,Zakest
ext
edNt
sika"
Takehi
mtot
hesl
aught
erhouse"
Ntsi
kaand
kggotoutfol
lowi
ngtheguy.

Zakes:
"Themeet
ingi
sadj
our
ned,
youcanl
eav
ewe'
l
lmeeteachot
heront
heseconddel
i
ver
yto
bemade"

Theyl
eftandhedr
ovet
ohi
shouse,
andt
ookt
hewhi
teov
eral
landgl
oves.

Li
fa:
"Si
r"

Hel
ookedbehi
ndhi
m

Hi
m:"
Yes"

Li
fa:
"Nev
ermi
nd"
disappear
edi
ntot
her
ooms
Zakesf
rownedandpr
oceededgoi
ngt
ohi
scardr
ivi
ngt
othesl
aught
erhouseandf
oundt
heguy
ti
edupinachai
r

Zakes:
"Oht
her
eyouar
eyousni
tch"

KG:
"Ar
eyousur
eit
'shi
m hel
ooksi
nnocent
!"

Zakes:
"Ar
eyousur
eyou'
rel
esbi
any
ouhav
eboobs"
sar
cast
icv
oice

KG:
"Nx
a"

Nt
sika:
chuckl
i
ng"
Sowhat
'
shi
stor
tur
e"

Zakes:
"Ical
li
ttheN.
E.I
.H?
"

Kg:
"Andt
hati
s?"

Zakes:
"Nev
erEv
enI
nHel
l
"

Kg:
"Soy
ougoi
ngt
oki
l
lhi
m"

Zakes:
"Yout
houghtwe'
dbepl
ayi
ngski
ppi
ngr
opewi
thhi
m?"

Nt
sika:
"Okeyst
opguy
s..
Getonwi
thi
t"

Zakes:
"Weart
heov
eral
l
s"

Kg:
"Why
?"

Zakes:
"Okeydon'
tthen"
hewenttogethi
shatt
hatcov
eredhi
sfacewi
thagl
assandl
et'
sout
bees,
Ntsi
kaandKGr anout
side

Kg:
"Fot
shegZakaFot
sheg"
runni
ngouthi
tt
ingt
hebees,
Zakesl
aughed

Zakes:
"Thi
sispar
toneofNEI
H"

Theguycr
iedast
hebeesst
unghi
m

It
ri
edt
omakei
tlongerhay
i

I
NSERT56

•
°

•
°
•
°

2YEARSLATER

MBALI
'
sPov

Ifeel
Horrendous,Broken,
Shatter
ed,
Theevent
sflashgr
adual
l
ydail
y.
Hecomesi
nther
oom i
nan
euphori
cmood, dancingInf
rontofmethenstopsbendi
ngdowntowher
eIam,i
nacor
nerwi
th
myar msaroundmyl egssnif
fi
ngmysnotaway .

Hi
m:"
Whyar
eyoucr
yingmhm"

Il
ookt
heot
herway

Him:Pokingmyf orehead"ListenhereIpai ddowryfory ousomet hi

ngI '
veneverdonebef oreev en
i
nmycul tur
ewedon' t.
Isacr i
f i
cedmyf amilyforyou.Idon' tgetwhyy ouact i
ngli
ket his.
I'
mj ust
doingmyhusbanddut iesnowgetupandmakemef ood" hestandsupandl efttheroom. This
hasbeengoi ngonf oray earandahal fnowitallstartedwhenwewentt oseea
gynaecologist,
shesai dIcan' thavekidsanymor eshedi dn'texplai
nfurtherj
ustthat.Het hen
start
edcomi nghomel at
e,sleptaroundanddr ankal otthatl ef
tmenochoi cebuttot akemyki ds
toli
vewi t
hmysi stersbecauseIdi dn'twantthem toseemel ikethi
s.YesMeandJust i
nar e
mar r
iedGoshwewer esohappyt ofi
nallyti
etheknotal thoughi twasrushedbutIdi dn'tcar eall
ocaredaboutwast olovesomeoneandspendt her estofmyl i
fewit
hhi m.Butsurprisesur pri
se
Myl i
feisamedi ocreallofasudden.

Spiri
tgui deshehasbeenwar ni
ngme, tell
ingmet orunawayfrom t
hiscruelmenbutIchoset o
stayIlistenedtomyhear tt
henmyswal lenwounds. Idi
dn'
tgooutmuchbecausehe' dbeatme
i
nmyf aceIhadt ocov eri
tupwi thmymakeup. Ial
way sdi
sappr
ovedofthewomenwhost ay
regardlessofabusebutseei ngthatI'
mi nthesameposi ti
onIunder
stand,Wesuff
erfrom the
"Whatwi l
lpeopl
esay"syndromewecar emor eaboutpeople'
scomment sthenourselves.
We
don'tthinkoftheconsequencest hatwilloccurdur
ingtheabuse.
Peoplegetkil
l
edfrom these
kindathingsbecauseTHEYSTAY.

I
'
mtir
ed,I
'
mtir
edofbeinghurt.
I'
mtir
edofbei
ngav i
cti
m,I
'
mtir
edofal
lthi
snonsensehowIr
ue
t
hedayImetJust
in,
IwishIcoul
dturnbackt
hehandsoft
imeandbesi
ngleagai
nwithmyki
ds.

Ishould'
veknownwhenhepr oposedt omeaf t
erdati
ngforamonth,
Myfri
endsandfamil
ytol
d
mewer ushi
ngbutIi
nsist
edwel oveeachot herandnowlookwherel
ovegotmeto.Ist
andup
befor
ehecomesi nwithanelectr
icshocker.
Igettoourki
tchenandmakehimfoodandplacei
t
Inf
rontofhim,hel
ooksatiti
ndisapproval

Hi
m:Clucki
ngandshookhi
shead"
Ncncncwhati
sthi
s?wher
eist
hebut
ter
nutsquashsoupand
t
hesweetRoti
?"

Me:"
Ididn'
thaveti
metomakeit"
hesplashedthetraydownandchargedtowardsme,Ir
everse
sl
owlyandrunuptotheroom,
hehol
dsmyankl eIendupf al
li
ngint
hestai
rsIturnmyheadand
ki
ckhim,heletgowebot
hstooduprunning,
Iquickl
ygetinthespar
eroom andlockhebangs
t
hedoorhar
d,Isl
owl
yfal
ldowncr
ying.

Ireachedformyphonei nthepocketwit
hmyhandsshaki ngIlookedatNkosi'snumber,
that'
s
theonlypersonIcoul
dt hi
nkoffIdon'
tknowwhybecausehei si nSwati
ni,
probablywon'
tev en
giveadimeaboutme. HehitsthedoorhardIcoul
dfeelitbr
eakingIst
artpanicki
ngandclicked
ont henumberitwasringi
ngwhenhebur ststhedooropen

Me:Iscr
eamed"NOPLEASE"pl
eadingandcr
awl
i
ngashegr
abbedmehesatonmyst
omachand
punchedmyfaceIscr
eamedoutloud.

NKOSI

Iendedt
hecal
l
,andscr
atchedmyheadi
nfr
ust
rat
ion,
Cal
l
ingShenge

Shenge:
"Yesmyki
ng"

Me:
"Don'
tyouhav
esomet
hingt
hatwi
l
lmakemeappeart
osomepl
ace?
"

Shenge:
Laughi
ng"
I'
m noti
nNkabi
nde'
slev
elmyson"

Me:
"Pl
easesheneedsme"

Shenge:
"Comeov
er"
endedt
hecal
l

Ispedof
ftoshenge'
shousehol
d,
Shengecameoutoft
hehutwi
thsomewhi
tepowder

Me:
"Yougoti
t"

Shenge:
"Yhea.
.Thegr
eatonesment
ionedsomet
hing"

Me:
"What
?lookIdon'
thav
eti
mef
ort
hisappl
yitonme"

Shenge:
"Seemsl
i
keshewasy
ourbr
other
'schosenone,
butnowshei
ssupposedt
obey
our
queenthe-

Me:
"Idon'
tmeant
ober
udebutI
'
llheart
hatanot
hert
ime,
shei
sint
roubl
e"

Shengeappl
i
edi
tonmyf
ace

Me:
"Wheni
arr
ivet
othepl
acewi
l
lmyf
acebewhi
te?
"

Shenge:
"No.
.Nowment
iont
hepl
acey
ouwantt
ogot
o3t
imes"

Me:
"Yousur
eit
'sgoi
ngt
owor
k?"
Shenge:
"Justdoi
t"

Me:
"Mbal
oMbal
iMbal
i
"

Shenge:
"Isai
dpl
acey
oui
diotofaki
ng"

Bef
oreIevenment
ionedthepl
aceIwasal
readyatMbal
iandJust
in'
sbi
glounge,
Il
ookedatt
he
mir
rort
hatwashunginthewal
lther
ewasnosignofwhit
epowder.

"LEAVEMEALONE" t
hatwasMbal iwithnodoubt ,
Iranuptothedirecti
onthev oi
cecamef rom
andopenedthedoort hatwasslightl
yclosedandt herehewasont opofherunbuttoni
ngher
shir
twhil
ePointingaknifeinherthroat.
Angerbuiltupinsi
demeIf eltli
kemyot herversi
oni s
taki
ngover,
Igrabbedhim byhisneckandchockedhi m,hestoppedf i
ghti
ngandkeptqui etIleft
him andt
ookMbal it
omyar msinbr idalst
ylewalkingdownthestairs.
Shelooksunconsci ous
"BHAAH"thegungoesof f,
ithi
tmyshoul derIlookedatitandplacedMbal idownandt urned.

Me:
"Bi
gMi
stake"

Thebul l
etcameoutofmyshoul der,
Ilookedathim andsmil
edgoingtowher ehei sstandinghe
fi
redmor ebullet
sIduckedt hem andgott ohim.
Hewasnowoutofbul let
s.Ipushedhim andhe
fel
l,
Isatont opofhim andgav ehim punchesconti
nuousl
yItookthegunf rom hishandand
brokeitinhishead,Iwashuffi
ngont opofhim ashewentdeadqui et.
Tobesur ehewasdeadI
tookakni f
eandst abbedhisheartmul t
ipl
etimes.
Istoodupwithbloodinmyhandsandl i
cked
them thenspatonhi m

Me:
"Ar
ghy
ounotev
ent
ast
yyety
oubeatwomenupnxa"

[HekickedthedeadJusti
nAndt ookMbali
tohisapart
mentthatheboughtamont hago,f
orhis
businesstri
ps,
hefoundhishousekeeperRoseandtoldhert
oleave.Hewentuptohisroom and
l
ay edMbal i
tobed,
wentdownst air
stothekit
chenpouredwarm wateri
nabowl andgrabbeda
clothalongwitht
hemedicalAid.Hewipedherfacewit
hawar m cl
othinthewoundsandshe
openedherey esscr
eaming]

Me:
"Heyheyi
tse,
Nkosi
"Icuppedherf
aceandshecr
iedhuggi
ngmet
ight
ly.

AFTERACOUPLEOFDAYS

[
Mbali Wasal
ri
ght,
andt hewoundshadf adedonl ylef
twithbl
ackmar ksbutr
atherthent
hatshe
wasfine,
ShewasseeingaTher apistsot hathersoulcouldheal
,Justi
nwasnotfoundinhis
houseseemshewasn' tdeadafterall
.ButNkosi didn'
ttel
lMbali
t hathewasal
ive,
Hewantedher
tomov etoSwat
iniandstaywit
hhi m andMbal isaid]

Mbal
i
:"I
'
llbef
ineNkosi
real
l
y"

Me:
"Hei
snotdead"

Mbal
i
:"Whoi
snotdead?
"
[
shel
ist
enedatt
enti
vel
yasNkosiexpl
ained,
Shedeci
dedshewi
l
lresi
det
oSwat
ini
wit
hthe
Ki
ds,
notherSi
ster
sbecauset
heywereinVarsi
tynow]

FAI
TH

IdecidedIleaveMbalialone,
andgoforMrLawyer.
Shedidn'
tdoanyt
hingr
eal
l
yitwasjust
confusion,
NowIr egr
etsendingpeopl
etoburnhercompanybutthedamagei
sdonethere'
sno
goingback.IfoundoutthatTHELAWYERi sKG'
sfriend,
rat
herboss.

I'
vebeeni nt
roducedtotheguy sandspentsomet i
mewi t
hthem andZakesi st hecruel
est
amongstt hem that
'sforsure.
Iwannapr act
icehisNEIHpr ocessonhi m asheal way s
preaches"Tort
ureistherightmedicinet
ot r
eatyourenemy"Hehasanot herthingcomi ngI
'veput
mypl ansinmydi aryandhidthem underthebedsot hatKgdoesn'tseeit
.Iwentt othemalland
boughtmyequi pment sforoperat
ionN.E.I
.HZakes.Andtookthem tothedeser tedhouses
whereI '
l
lbeoper at
ingIseteveryt
hingri
ght,
Kgisinsomebusi nesstri
psoIt ookmyphoneand
call
edZakes

Hi
m:"
Fai
thi
sKgal
ri
ghtwhyar
eyoucal
l
ingi
nthemi
ddl
eoft
heni
ght
?"

Me:
"Mhhhhhhhhhmm HEEEEEEELP(
coughi
ng)
"Iendedt
hecal
landhi
gh-
fi
vedmy
sel
f.

ATZAKEShewokeupf
astandf
rownedast
owhywasshescr
eami
ng.
Het
hencal
l
edKg

Hi
m:"
Shoy
ourgi
rl
fr
iendcal
l
edmescr
eami
ng,
cany
out
raceherl
ocat
ion"

KG:"
What?Shi
tokey
..
..She'
snotf
arf
rom y
ourhouseneart
hedeser
tedhouseswher
eyourwi
fe
usedtol
i
ve"

Hi
m:"
Youhadt
osayt
hat
..
Iwon'
tgot
hen"

KG:
"HaadebozzaIj
ustwant
edy
out
ogett
hepi
ctur
e"

Hi
m:"
Shar
po"

[
HelookedatHi
swifeLi
faandsi
ghedt
aki
nghisgunsandwalkedoutweari
nghi
sjeanscame
backandpl
acedanotei
nhispi
ll
ow,
andki
ssedli
fa'
scheek.
Theyhavebeenmarr
iedfora1year
now.
Zakesgoestot helocat
ion,
andfi
ndsfai
thti
edinachairwi
thhereyesclosed.Heunti
edherand
l
ay edherdownandi nspect
edthepl
aceandwentov ertor
eadthepapert hatwasinthewooden
tablei
tread"Operati
onN.E.
I.
HZakes"Hereadandturnedt
ofait
hwhoi njectedhi
mi nhisneck
hewentdownhol dinghisneck]

Bet
weent
hese[]i
t'
smenar
rat
ing.
Hav
eagoodday
.

#Lov
eMANDI
SA

I
NSERT57

•
°

•
°

•
°

ZAKES

Myheadi spounding,Isl
owlyopenmyey esanditbecomesblurryIquicklyregai
nedmyv isi
on
assheslappedme. Ilookedatherandmov edmybodyt oherbutIdidn'treali
zeIwaschained
fr
om myhandsandf eet
.Whati
shappeningwhyisKG'sgirl
fr
ienddoingt histome?Ihaveleftal
l
myevil
nessbehindt hedayImar r
iedLi
fabutshe!sheisbr
ingingthatl
ifeback.Shelooksatme
andcr
acksal augh.Insanethat
'
swhatI'
llsay

Her
:"
Ohsweet
hear
t,
youl
ooksodel
i
ciousIwi
shIcoul
deaty
a"l
i
cki
ngherl
i
ps

Me:"Whatdoy
ouwant ?"Ineverpani
ckedinmyl i
fe,t
heonlyt
imeIpanickedwaswhenLif
awas
walki
ngdowntheisl
eIst ar
tedsweating,
thenIcouldn'
tsaymyv owsasIwasspeechl
ess,
overwhel
med.
Ihadwor dstoshar et
onsoft hem butidi
dn'
t,
Igottongueti
redandt
heguys
l
aughedatme.Shesplashedwat eri
nmyf acethat'
swhenIcomebackt oreal
it
y

Her:
"Daydreami
nghu?..
YouknowZakesIl
ikedyoualotli
kedudeevenbef
oreImetKGIwoul
d
l
ooky ouuponFacebook,
sear
chyouonint
ernetbecauseyou'
reonhighpr
ofi
lenow,
You'
rewel
l
known"

Me:
"Ir
epeat
,Whatdoy
ouwant
"

Her:Sl
appedhim"ShutupI'
m sti
ll
t alki
ng..
.NowasIwassaying,
Inhi
ghschoolwheny ouwerei
n
grade12andIwasi ngrade10youwer emycr ush,
Younev
erlookedmyway .Rememberwhen
yourecei
vedalett
erthatIwrot
ey ouandy oucametomyclassandReaditInfr
ontofever
yone
andIwasal aughi
ngstock?Hahay haIrememberthatt
oo"

Me:
"Idi
dthat
?to.
..
You?
"If
rownedbecauseIr
emembernot
hingaboutt
hischi
ck.
Her:
"Thel astst
rawwaswheny ousentmet ojai
lyousai
dImustpl
eadguil
tyt
ogetaf ai
r
sentence,
Nowt hathaha(
Laughi
ng)Ihadenoughofyouhear
ti
ngmeov erandoveri
t'
stimei
t
ends"wipesawayhertearsandstandsup.

OkaynowIt hi
nkIrememberhert
hegir
lwhoki
ll
edherboy
fri
endatherdaddieshouse,
grudges..
Don'
thol
dgrudgeswearej
ustdoi
ngourj
obswehavefamil
iestofeed.
Shecomes
backwi t
haRope.

Her:
"Nhathi
swill
betoofast
!"
Shethrowsitgoestotheotherside,
Myr i
nghasanemergency
butt
onthatt
ell
smyguy swhereIam nowtheprobl
em ishowam Igoi ngtopressi
twit
hbothmy
handsti
edfr
om afar
.Shecomesbackwithabigscissor
s,I
'm notabouttodi
enotbefor
eIhave
ki
ds.

Me:
"Unt
iemesowe'
l
ltal
k"

Her
:"
NO"Shesnappedatme,
howthef
uckam i
goi
ngt
odot
his.
Liey
oui
dioty
ou'
real
awy
erf
or
f
uckssakes.
.Isayt
omyotherme

Me:
"Babe"

Her
:Gl
oomyey
es,
Happi
nesswr
it
tenal
lov
erherf
ace"
You.
.YouCal
l
edmebabe"

Me:
"YesIdi
d.Ial
waysl
ovedy
oui
t'
sjustthatyouandkgseemedhappy
.Iev
enwant edt
oleav
e
mywifef
oryouIlov
eyouSoomuchithurt
s,i
treal
l
ysti
ngswhenkghol
dsy ourbut
t"

Her
:Smi
l
ing"
Your
eal
l
ylov
emedon'
tyou?
"

Me:
"Somuch,
pl
easeunt
iemesot
hatwe'
l
ltal
kthi
sthr
ough"

Her
:Thi
nksf
oramoment
"Whati
fyou'
rel
yi
ng"

Me:
"Whywoul
dIl
i
etoy
ou,
Il
ovey
ou"

Her
:"
Real
l
y?"

Pl
ayt
hem att
hei
rowngame,
she'
saf
ool

Me:
"Yesbaby
"

Her
:"
Okay"unt
iesmyfeet
sandmyhands,
it
'
sdif
fi
cultt
ostandwhenyourl
egswer
estret
ched.
I
r
ubmyr i
stsandtr
acemyhandtot
heringandpresst
hediamondbut
ton.
AndIsmil
eather

Me:
"Thanky
oumyl
ove,
nowI
'
m goi
ngt
oasky
ouaquest
ionandIwanty
out
oanswer
!"

Her
:"
Sur
e"

Me:
"Woul
dyoumar
ryme?
"

Her
:cov
eredhermout
hcr
yingnoddi
ngcont
inuousl
y"Yes.
..
Yes.
..
Ido.
.y
es"
Itakeoutmyr ingandputiti
nherfingershescreamssol
oud,
Ithenhear
dabangonthe
door.Shekeptquietandthedoorburstsbrokenasmyguy
scamei nandcuf
fedherf
rom behi
nd
shelookedlikealostratwi
thhereyespoppedout .

Her
:"
What
'shappeni
ngbaby
,whoar
ethesepeopl
e?"

Me:
Iwentar
oundherandt ookmyri
ngfr
om herfinger
"Youdi
dn'tl
etmefini
sh,
Wil
lyoumarryme
i
nHell
hahaha"
Ilaughedsohardt
oherannoyance,t
hatshoul
dteachherhowtotr
eatpeopl
e

Her
:"
Youpl
ayedme"

Me:"
Ioutsmar
tedy
ou,
Ithoughtyouweresmar
tbutguessnot
..
Stot
hisshi
tyoudoi
ng!
doy
ou
knowI'
dsendyoutoj
ail
fordoingthi
s?"

Her
:"
RememberIknowal
lyoursecr
ets,
Kgt
oldmeI
'
llspi
l
lal
lthebi
nspl
easedosendmet
ojai
l
"

Me:
"Ichangedmymi
ndt
akehert
osl
aught
erhouseI
'
llat
tendherl
ater
"

Her:
"Wai
t.
.No.
.Babel
i
stenIdi
dn'
tmeani
t"
theydr
aggedherout
side,
oneofmyguy
sst
ayed
behi
nd

Hi
m:"
Youokeyboss?
"

Me:"
I'
llbe.
.Waiti
nthev anIwantt
ogetdressed"
helef
tmeandIworemytr
acksui
tsandt
ookthe
di
arythatwasont hetableandwal
kedouttothevan.
Itdr
oppedmeof
ftomyhouseandtook
Fai
thtotheslaughterhouse,
Kgcal
lsme

Me:
"Sur
e"

Kg:
"Di
dyouf
indher
?issheokey
?"

Me:
"Whenar
eyoucomi
ngback?
"

Kg:
"Tomor
row,
why
?"

Me:
"Meetmei
nthesl
aught
erhouse"

Iendthecal
l
,Idon'
tknowwhatt
hiswi
lldot
oourfr
iendshi
pbutIwon'
tbet
hreat
enedbyher
gir
lf
ri
endnever.
Igeti
nsi
det
hehouseandti
ptoe

"
Wher
eyoucomi
ngf
rom"

Me:
Itur
nar
oundsl
owl
yandl
etoutaner
vousl
augh"
Babeot
sogi
l
e(You'
reawake)
"

Her
:"
Iaskedaquest
ion,
youl
eftameani
ngl
essnot
e"I
'
llbeback"
from wher
e?"

Me:
"KG'
sgi
rl
fr
iend"

Her
:"
What
?"
Me:
"Shehel
dmecapt
ivebuti
twasn'
tsol
ongIgotsav
ed"

Her
:"
DoIl
ookst
upi
dtoy
ou?
"

Me:
Ishowedhermywr
ist
sandf
oot
"Youdor
ightnow"
Iwal
kedupt
oourr
oom shef
oll
owedme

Her
:"
I'
m sor
ry.
.Whydi
dsheki
dnapy
ou?
"

Me:
"I
'mt
ir
edIwantt
osl
eep"

Her
:"
Whyar
eyouhi
dingt
hingsf
rom me"

Me:
"I
'm nothi
dingany
thi
ng,
j
ustt
hatI
'
mti
redwe'
l
ltal
kint
hemor
ning"

Her
:"
Iti
sMor
ning"

Me:
"Mymor
ningi
sat12pm t
hat
'
swhenI
'
llwakeup,
cl
oset
hedoorbehi
ndy
ou"

Her
:"
Okay
"

Shewal
kedout
,y
hoshe'
sgoti
nsecur
it
iest
oomuch

MBALI

I'
m seat
edi
nthebal
conyar
ealooki
ngatt
heBeauti
fulvei
wandt
hinki
ngaboutmyl
i
fe.
Whycan'
t
IbeHappy?
whycan'
tGodjustgi
vemeachancetobreath.

"
Hey
"

It
urnar
oundt
oseeNkosi
standi
ngbyt
hedoorwi
thhi
shandsi
nhi
spocket
s.

Me:
"You'
reawakesoear
ly!
"

Hi
m:"
I'
m anear
lybi
rd,
rememberIexer
ciseev
erymor
ning"

Me:
"OhIf
orgot
"

Hi
m:"
Whyy
oust
andi
ngher
eal
one,
wher
ear
ethet
woChi
pmunks"

Me:"
Hahat hoset
wot
heyar
eint
hegar
denwi
thMrI
'
m amanIdon'
tpl
aywi
thgi
rl
s,
Enhl
eissuch
acharact
er"

Hi
m:"
Hahasur
ehei
s"comest
ost
andnearme"
I'
m sor
ryy
ouhadt
oendur
esuch"

Me:
"Idi
ditt
omy
sel
fsoi
t'
sokey
"
Hi
m:"
It
'snotokey
..
CanIt
ell
youasecr
et"

Me:
"Yhe"

Hi
m:"
Ihav
easpi
ri
tgui
de"
hechuckl
ed

Me:
"Youal
sohav
eone?
"

Hi
m:"
Youhav
eonet
oo?
"

Me:
"Huh?
yousay
ingI
'
m nott
heonl
yonewhohasi
t?"

Hi
m:"
IthoughtIwast
heonl
yone"

Me:
"Metoo"wewerebothexci
tedt
ohavesomet
hingincommon"
Minewar
nsmeaboutwhat
's
t
ohappen,somet
imesitkeepsqui
etandl
et'
smelear
nthehar
dway"

Hi
m:"
Hahasameher
e..
(keptqui
et)
..
..
"

Me:
"Whenar
eyouget
ti
ngmar
ri
ed?
"

Hi
m:chokedonhi
ssal
i
va"
Wh.
.what
?"

Me:
"Hahasor
ryIwasj
ustcur
ioushowcomey
ou'
reaki
ngbutnoqueenbyy
oursi
de"

Hi
m:r
ubbi
nghi
sey
es"
You'
remyqueen"

Me:
laughi
ng"
Ohy
oudon'
tsay
"

Hi
m:"
I'
m ser
ious"

Me:
".
..
..
..
"

wewer
edi
stur
bedbyhi
sphoner
ingi
ng

Him:
"Sor
ry"
excusedhi
msel
fgoi
ngoutofmyr
oom,
Whatdi
dhemeanI
'
m hi
sQueenpshhel
i
kes
pul
li
ngmyleg.

NKOSI

Igotout
sidewhenShengewascal
l
ing

Me:
"Shenge"

Hi
m:"
Youwer
esupposedt
ocomebymyhouse,
thel
astt
imewet
alkedIdi
dn'
tgett
ofi
nish"
Me:
"ButShengei
sitr
eal
l
ythatnecessar
y?whycan'
tyoucomeher
e"

Hi
m:"
AhheIonl
ycomet
her
ewheny
oudesper
atel
yneedme"

Me:
"Whati
sitt
hen?
"

Hi
m:"Comeov
er"
heendedt
hecal
l
.Di
dhej
ustdr
opt
hecal
lonme.
Igetdownst
air
sandbump
i
ntoNtsi
ka

Me:
"Br
o"

Hi
m:"
Yow"

Me:
"Youdi
dn'
tj
oinmeatt
hegy
mtoday
"

Hi
m:"
Iwasaccompany
ingmygi
rl
fr
iend,
Iswearshe'
stheone"

Me:
YhoKor
obel
athatMenzi
hasbeent
alki
ngabouti
sreal
l
ywor
kingont
heboynhe"

Hi
m:"
Nomani
t'
slov
e..
Hav
eyouev
erbeeni
nlov
e?.
.Any
waywher
eyouheadedt
o?"

Me:
i
nlov
e?hav
eI?
am I
?doi
sti
l
llov
eher
?"ToShengehehassummonedme"

Hi
m:"
Yout
heki
ngy
ethesummonsy
ou,
tomehei
stheki
nghaha"

Ihi
thi
sshoul
derl
i
ght
ly

Me:
"Seey
oul
aterdude"

Hi
m:"
Shar
p"

Idr
ovet
oShengewi
thbi
l
li
onsofquest
ions

Hecameoutandwesetatt
hebench

Hi
m:"
Wher
edoy
ouwantmet
ost
art
"

Me:
"Att
hebegi
nni
ng"

Him: sighed"Youandyourbrotherareidenti
cal.
Youhav ethesamet at
toosiny ouri
nsidethighs
that'
si nashapeofaspear .
Yourbr othermetMbal it
heQueen,Him meetingherwasn'ta
coincidenceitwastheforef
atherswhowant edittohappen.Nt
sikathoughtshewast hechosen
onef orherwhenhewasThor nbutt hatwasn'ti
t.Yourbrot
herwast heonet oleadyoutoy our
queen. Sheischosenbythegreatancest or
st ol
eadandr ulewit
hy oubyy oursideand..

Me:
"Yout
ell
i
ngmeIhadt
omeetherbymybr
other
"

Hi
m:"
Didn'
tyouf
eel
thespar
kwhenhei
ntr
oducedy
out
wo?
"

Me:
..
..
.
Hi
m:"
Letmef
ini
sh.
.Al
lthatwashappeni
ngt
oherwast
ogr
oom hert
obeagr
eatqueen"

Me:
"Rape,
Kidnappi
ngandal
ltheshi
twaspl
annedbymyancest
ors?
"

Hi
m:"Letmesaynomor e.
.Tr
ytocool y
ourselfdown"hestoodupt oseeingIwasnowangry
whi
chIdidn'
tevenr
eal
ise.
Soallthethi
ngsshewentt hroughwast ogroom her
,Whycoul
dn'
t
t
heyjustgi
veherni
cel
ifeprobl
ems,Normal pr
oblems.NowI'm notevensureshewouldagr
eet
o
marr
yingmeifIweret
oask.She'
sstil
lfragi
l
efrom thatJust
inguy

I
NSERT58

•
°

•
°

•
°

MBALI

I
t'
sMorni
ngandIwaswokenupbyabaddr eam.
Thesnakehadt i
edit
'
sselfaroundmewhi
l
st
i
t'
sownerwasrunni
ngtowardsmefr
om afarunt
ilsomeonecaughthi
m/her.
Thesnaket
hen
deci
dedi
teat
smet hat
'swhenIwokeupitwasabouttodipmyheadinit
'sthr
oat .

JoyandLani
alongwi
thEnhl
ecamei
nmyr
oom r
unni
ngandbumpedi
nmybedast
hei
rgi
ggl
es
fi
l
ledther
oom.

Me:
"Guy
sst
opIhav
eat
err
ibl
eheadache"
Imassagedmyheadandt
heyst
opped

Joy
:"Doy
ouwantmet
ogety
oupi
l
ls?
"

Lani
:
"Wat
er?
"

Enhl
e:"
Breakf
ast
?"Her
anoutoft
her
oom i
thi
nkt
hatki
tcheni
sgoi
ngt
obeamesswhenIget
ther
e.

Me:
"Ineedt
oeatf
ir
st,
l
etmegobat
h"

Theyst
aredatmewi
thpuppyey
es,
andIknewwhatt
heywant
ed

Me:
"Fi
ne"
Theyrant
othebathroom andt
ookof
fthei
rcl
othes,
Ifi
l
ledt
hebat
htubwi
thwar
m
wat
erandalav
enderbat
hingsalt
.

Wegoti
nandt
heygotcomf
ort
abl
e.
Lani
:
"Mom?
"

Me:
"Mhm?
"

Lani
:
"Imi
ssThami
"

Joy:
"Metoo,
hewast
hecool
estuncl
ehel
etusst
eal
icecr
eam andandeatt
hosechocol
ate
cooki
esatni
ght
"

Me:
"What
'swi
thy
ouandi
cecr
eam hay
i(Chuckl
i
ng)
Imi
sshi
mtoopunki
es"

Theykeptqui
et

Me:
"Youdon'
tl
ikei
ther
e?"

Joy
:"Wedoi
t'
sjustt
hatEnhl
ehadt
oldussomet
hingr
eal
l
yspooky
"shewhi
sper
ed

Me:
"Andt
hatwas?
"

Lani
:
"Ghost
s"

Me:Laughi
ng"
HahaI
'
vel
i
vedher
ebef
oreandt
her
ear
enoGhost
s,Enhl
ewasj
ustt
ryi
ngt
oscar
e
you"

Joy:
"Nohewasn't
,heev
enshowedust heroom wher
eitst
ayedandl
etusreadi
t'
sdi
aryhet
old
usitsai
d'Il
ovey
oumyson' i
tthoughtEnhl
ewasit'
sson..
MommywhereisEnhl
e'sMommy,why
can'
thehaveamommy ?"

Me:
"She.
..
.Youknowwhatl
et'
sgetoutt
hewat
ert
heycol
dnow"

Lani
:
"But
-

Me:
"Ar
hahweget
ti
ngout
"Wegotout"
Nowgogetdr
essedi
nyourr
oom,
wher
eist
hequeen?
"

Lani
:
"Inf
rontofus"

Me:
"What
?"

Theyr
anoutgi
ggl
i
ng.
Sil
l
yki
ds,
Igotdr
essedandwentt
oNkosi
'
sroom If
orgott
oknock

Ij
ustst
oodt
her
efrozenashewaswalki
ngnakedIswall
owedhar
dlooki
ngathi
sthi
ngyhe
l
ookedmywayanddidn'
tpani
ckhej
usttookhi
sbri
efsandworet
hem.

Hi
m:"
Youshoul
dlear
ntoknock"

Me:
"I
'm sor
ryIj
ustur
m..
mnc.
.shoul
dIcomebackl
ater
?yheaIshoul
d"i
twasl
i
keIl
ostmybr
ain

Him:"
Nostay,
becomfor
tabl
e.Whatisit
?"hemoti
onedmetositonhi
sbedandIsaysl
owly
.He
satbesi
desmebareinmindheisjustweari
nghi
sbrief
snoveston,
NowIseet
heoutcomeof
hit
ti
ngthegy
mi nthemorni
ngohlordtakemenow
Hi
m:"
Hel
l
ow!
"

Me:"
Huh..
Ohsorryhahawasj
ustthi
nki
ngofEnhl
eint
heki
tcheni
t'
samessI
'
m sur
e"whatI
'
m
sur
eofisthatIl
ookst
upi
dri
ghtnow

Me:
"Any
wayi
sthi
spal
acehaunt
ednow?
"

Hi
m:"
No.
.Whatmakesy
ousayt
hat
?"

Me:
"Ihear
dther
e'saghostorwas"

Hi
m:"
Enhl
eimagi
nest
hingsy
ouKnowhi
m"

Me:
"Idi
dn'
tsayi
twashi
m whot
oldme"

Hi
m:"
Iknowi
t'
shi
m,andt
her
e'snosucht
hing"

Me:"Ohokay..
Okayt henletmeleav
ey outogetdr
essed"webot hst
oodup,Iopenedthedoorand
heclosedit.
Nextthi
ngIknowweki ssi
nghesucksmyt onguemakingitdancetohisrhyt
hm. He
pull
smecl osert
ohi m andgrabsmybut t
,myonehandisaroundhisshoulderwhil
sttheother
oneisgoingdownt ohisbr i
efs.
Afi
gureshowsupbythebal conydoorofamanwi thasnake
aroundhisneck.
iletgoofNkosi

Me:
"Wai
t.
.di
dyouseet
hat
"

het
urnsandt
her
e'snoone

Me:
"Wher
edi
dhego"

Hi
m:"
Ther
e'snoonet
her
e"

Me:
"Nkosi
I'
m notcr
azy
,Isawsomeonet
her
e"Isai
dpoi
nti
ngatt
hebal
cony

Him:"Youarenotcr azyy ou'r

ehall
ucinati
ng"hepulledmecl oser,
Imovedf r
om him goingtomy
room.IfhethinksI'
m cr azywhat'
sthepoi ntofgoingaheadwi thwhateverwewer edoi ngnxa.I
call
edmyP. A'st herapistmakinganappoi ntment,Idon'
tknowwhet herit'
sagoodi deasharing
thi
ngswi t
hast r
angerbuti thel
psalot.Myspirit
ualGuideisquietli
keit
'
sdeadIshoul dbet alki
ng
toitnotastranger,i
tShoul dbegivi
ngmeadv icesandwhatnot .Igett
ot hether
apistsoffi
ceand
sit
.Shecomesi nwalkinglikeacatandgi vesoutagenui nesmileIret
urnit.

Her
:"
Howar
eyou"

Me:
"I
'mf
ine"
soIguess

Her
:"
Our
ytwhatbr
ingsMi
ssCel
eheret
oday
"sheopenshernot
ebookandhol
dsapenwai
ti
ng
f
ormetotal
k"Tal
ktomewhati
sit
"

It
oldherev
ery
thi
ngt
hathappenedt
oday
,leav
ingt
heNkosi
par
t.
Andshel
ookedatmel
i
keI
'
m
cr
azy
Her
:"
Soy
ousawamen,
wit
hasnake?
"

Me:
"That
'swhatIsai
d"

Her
:"
Arey
ousur
e?"

Me:Thi
swasabadi
deanowshe'l
lthi
nkI'
m cr
aecr
aegoodness"
YouknowwhatIhav
eto
go,
youwer
ereal
l
yhel
pful
"If
akedasmi l
e

Her
:"
But
-

Me:"
Noli
sten,
Iwon'
tneedy
ouany mor
e"Iwalkedoutinmytr
acksui
tsanddrovehome.WhenI
gott
her
etherewassomesortofanambulance,Iwal
kedi
nsi
deinahurrybecauseIwasworr
ied.

Me:
"Whathappened"

Theyal
ltur
ntol
ookatme,
Ther
ear
etwoguy
sandonewomenwear
ingwhi
tecl
othes

Me:
"Can'
ty'
al
ltal
know?
aremybabi
esokey
?"

Thewomencameandst
oodi
nfr
ontofme

Her
:"
MissCel
e,
Wewer
egi
venor
der
stocomef
etchy
ou"

Me:
"Fet
chmet
ogowher
e?"

Her
:"
Ment
ali
nst
it
uti
on,
wegotat
ipof
fthatt
her
ewer
esi
gnsofpsy
chopat
hwi
thy
ou,
takeher
"

Me:"Whatno.
.pl
easeI
'm notcr
azy.
MaNandi
pleaset
ellt
hem I
'
mfi
ne"t
heyhel
dbothmyarmsI
keptfi
ghti
ngandpushedthem t
hewomencameandi nj
ect
edmethat
'swhenIf
eltdr
owsyandi
t
waslight
sout.

Ibl
i
nkaf
ewt
imesIr
eal
i
sedI
'
minast
ranger
oom,
whi
ter
oom wi
thwhi
tecl
othes.

OhnoIrememberbeingdr
aggedout
,I
tiswit
hnodoubtt
het
her
apistwhotol
dthem I
'
m cr
azy,
I
goovertot
hedoorandbangedi
tshout
ing.
Anur
secameandopenedthencl
osedasIwasto
getout

Her
:"
Pleasesi
tdown"

Idi
dast
old,
j
ustsosheseesI
'
mfi
neandI
'
m notwhatpeopl
ehaddescr
ibed.

Her
:"
Ibel
i
evey
ou"

Il
ookedather
,per
hapsi
t'
ssomeki
ndofat
ri
ckt
oseei
fI'
mreal
l
ypsy
choornot

Me:
"Youdo?
"

Her
:"
Yes.
.Thenewdoct
orbr
ibedt
het
her
api
st
Me:
"Youknowt
hathow?
"

Her:
"Heretake(Gav
emepi ll
s)Ieavesdr
oppedonthei
rconv
ersati
on,
Ireal
l
ydon'
tgethi
m he'
sa
bi
t..
.Idon'
tknowhowt oexplainitbuty
ou'
llseef
oryour
sel
fjustwat
choutbecausenoone
tr
ustshim here.
Andonelastthing"

Me:
"What
?"

Her:
"Youdi dn'
thearthisfrom me"shewalkedout,
okeywhywouldthedoctorgiveoutorder
sfor
met obeadmi tted,perhapsit
'ssomeoneIknowandI '
vewrongedwithouthavingany
knowledge.Whyar ethesebadt hi
ngshappeningtomewhycan'tIhaveanor mal l
i
feli
keother
people?Suchabi gturninmyl i
fe,
Ithoughtt
hiswasoverbutI
'
m backt osquareone

NKOSI

Imessedupanddi dn'tbeli
eveMbal iwhenshesai dshesawsomeone, t
heonl yt hingIwas
thi
nkingaboutwasmei nsi
deher.Shengedi dsaysomet hi
ngl i
ket hiswoul dhappen, Lastnight
hetoldmemanyt hingssomeIcan' trecall.Hesaidmyancest orsar egroomi ngMbal ibuthowis
thatmakingsomeonegot hr
oughhur tful
t hingsgroomi ngthem? myancest orsar epsychosjust
l
ikethesedoctorsthatadmi tt
edMbal i.
Thesaddestt hingist heset hingsthatkeephappeni ngto
herwon'tenduntilItameherandmakehermyqueen. Heal sosaidImustwat choutf orBhamba
becausehetransformsi ntoanythi
ngt hathel ikestoturnintoev enar at,
I
'm sur eit'
sthosebig
onesf r
om Al
exIhear dtheyareli
kethesi zeofmyDi ck.Hesai dIwon' tbeabl etoknoworseei f
i
t'shi
m butIwillgetanawkwar dauraifhei snear

I
'
m goi
ngt
otheMent
ali
nst
it
uti
ont
oseeher
,Ihopei
t'
svi
sit
inghour
s.

Igett
hereandtheysaythedoctorsai
dshecan'thavevi
sit
ors,becauseshe'
ll
hurtt
hem.I
demandedtoseethisdoctorwit
himmediateeff
ect.
Theyledmet ohisoffi
cewit
hthei
rpalms
sweat
ingandtheylookedscaredseei
ngthatIwasnowf uri
ous.

Idi
dn'
tev
ensi
tdown,
hecamei
nandl
ookedshockedt
oseemei
nhi
sof
fi
ce

Me:
"Doct
orWamar
ete(
Test
icl
es)
whydi
dyouadmi
tmywi
fe?
"

Hi
m:cl
ear
edhi
sthr
oatandsatdown"
Yourwi
fe?
"

Me:"Showmeat heor
em t
hatshowsMbaliisi
ndeedi
nsane,
showme!
"It
ri
edtostaycal
m butI
couldn't
,andt
her
ewasthi
s..
Ican'
tfi
gur
eitoutaur
aIf
elti
nthesamer
oom ashim,coul
ditbe
thatit
'sBhamba?i
sheBhamba?fuckno

Me:
"Whoar
eyou?
"
Him:Smili
ng"
Yourwor
stni
ghtmare.
.HahaI
'
m ki
ddi
ngI
'
mjustadoct
or.
Your'
WIFE'
wasadmi
tt
ed
becauseshetol
dourt
her
apistshesawamen!
"

Me:
"Soy
outel
li
ngme,
IfIseesomeonebehi
ndy
ounowandy
oudon'
tseehi
myou'
dal
soadmi
t
me?
"whatcr
azi
nessi
sthis

Hi
m:"
Exact
ly"

Me:l
aughi
ngindi
sbeli
efIcan' tdothi
s,
IhavetogetMbalioutofher
eonewayoranother"Shar
p
what
evergameyouplaying,knowthatI'
l
lbether
etojustsaycheckmat
e"Iwal
kedoutofthe
r
oom ashisf
aci
alexpressionchanged.

Iwill
getherout,Myancestorsit
'sei
therwebur nt
hem weedortheyar
ecrazyI'
m surethi
sis
partoftheirhor
ri
blepl
an.Butinall
ofthiswhyhaveMbal i
sancest
orsf
orsakenher?
whycan't
theyfi
ghtmyancest or
sforher ?
thi
sismessedup. NowI'm onmywaytoDiamondSwi ssgoi
ng
tobuyadi amondr i
ngIcan'tl
ethersufferany
more.Ir
efuse.

Theysaybef
orel
i
ght
nesscomesdar
knessorsomet
hingl
i
ket
hatal
ongt
hosel
i
nes.

#Lov
eMandi
sa

I
NSERT59

•
°

•
°

•
°

MANGALI
SO

Ij
ustgotoffthephonewit
hmysour ce,hetol
dmethemostshocki
ngnewssoMbalihasa
chi
ld.
Notjustanychi
ldbutachil
dthatlooksli
kemeandshehidherf
rom me.
Suchnonsensi
cal
behavi
or,
I
'm gett
ingmychil
dfrom her
,howcanshehidet
hisf
rom menxa.

"
Whati
sit
"mymot
hersay
sfr
om t
hedoorhol
dingababy

Me:
"Can'
tshewal
konherown?
"

Her
:laughi
ng"
Hahashe'
smyeggsono.
Whyar
eyouupsett
alkt
oMommy
"

Me:
"Ihav
eachi
l
d"

Her
:l
ooksatmef
orawhi
l
ethenchuckl
es"
Imagi
nar
ychi
l
d?"
Me:
"Soy
oual
sot
hinkI
'
m cr
azy
?"

Her
:"
Noy
ou'
reokey
..
Ngwanaokaet
lepapa(
Wher
eist
hechi
l
d)"

Me:
"Wit
hhermother
,shehidmychil
dawayf
rom mef
or6y
ear
s,Imi
ssedouton6y
ear
s
mom"shef
uckedwit
ht hewrongguy.

Her
:"
Whoi
sthemot
her
?"

Me:
"Mbal
ithe-

Her
:"
Theoney
our
apedandabused"

Iwasnowbr
eat
hingf
ast
er

Me:
"Whyi
sev
ery
onesay
ingt
hat
,Idi
dn'
trapeherdar
nit
"

Her:
shewasnowwor r
ied"
NonoIdi
dn'
tmeanitt
hatwaysweet
hear
t.
Okeyl
i
steny
oumust
under
standwhyshekeptt
hebabyf
rom y
ou"

Me:
Ican'
tbel
i
evet
his"
You'
resi
dingwi
thher
?"

Her:
"I
'm nottaki
nganysi
desI'
mj ustsayi
ngitasitis,
Youwerenotokeybackt
henandIst
il
l
t
hinkyouar en'
t"
shemumbledthelastpartandIdidn'
tqui
tehearher

Me:
"What
?"

Her:
"Justfi
ndherandt alkl
ikeadult
sbef
oreyoutakeact
ion"
shest
oodupandleft
.my
neshe'
s
r
ightbutthatgi
rldoesn'twanttotal
ktome,wel
lshe'
ll
haveto.
She'
sgotnochoi
ce.

ZAKES

Il
ookatherf acebeatenupt
oapulpbutst
il
lbreat
hing.We'
vebeenwaiti
ngforKGandfi
nal
l
yshe
arr
ivedbust
ingdoorsshouti
ngt
heNonkoroyi
'
sname" Fai
thfai
th"
argIwasaboutt
opukewhen
shecamebymeaski ngwhatdi
dIdotoher

KG:
"Unt
iehernow"
sheshout
ed

Me:
"Why
?"

KG:
"Whydi
dyout
ieherZakes"

Me:
"Askher
!"
Shewentt
oherandbenddown

Kg:"
Babywakeup. .
Whyi sn'
tshewakingupwhatdidyoudot oher
"shet
ookouthergunand
poi
ntedi tatme,
myguy stookoutthei
rgunspoi
nti
ngather.AndIl
aughednotbecauseIgott
he
ful
lforcenhaIcantakeheroutbymy sel
f,
I'
mlaughi
ngatthefactt
hatshehasthegutsof
poi
ntingagunatmewher eelsesheknowsmeIdon'tplay
.

Me:"Gent
lemanputy ourgunsdown,ThisisKgafriendofmi ne.KgIdon'twantustof i
ght
becauseofapussy,astinkingoneatthatmatt
er.
Wi thonesniffI'
m sur
ey ougetdizzyandfal
lon
her(
theguyslaugh)
mypoi nther
eisshecall
edmet heotherdayandscreamedont hephone
whenIgotthereshewast iedupsoIMrherountiedherandsheknockedmeup. NexttingI
knowIwakeupchai ned"

KG:
"Whywoul
dshedot
hat
?she'
snotcr
azy
"

Me:Laughi
ng"
That'
swhaty
outhi
nk,
for
tunat
elymyr
ingwast
her
etosav
etheday
..
Doy
ouknow
herpur
poseofcapt
uri
ngme?"

Kg:
"What
?"

Me:"
Ilov
edyouZakesandiwantedtospendtherestofmyli
fewi
thy
ou,
Idon'
tcar
eaboutKgI
l
oveyouitwasal
waysyou"
Iimit
atedhervoi
ce"Sheactual
l
ysaidmor
ebutIsummari
zedfor
you"

Kg:
"Butshenev
ert
oldmeshel
i
kesy
ou"

Me:"
Let
'
scutt
hecr
ap,
whatdowedot
oherbecausewecan'
tl
ethergoshet
hreat
enedt
orepor
t
us"

Kg:
"Shewon'
tdot
hat
"

Me:
"Ican'
tl
etherl
i
ve"

Kg:
"Youwi
l
l"

Me:
"Kgdon'
tdot
hist
oyour
sel
f,
youknowI
'
llki
l
lherj
ustgi
vemet
hebl
essi
ngst
odoso"

Kg:"
No,Mamel
amhoZakaIdon' tcarewhet
hery
ou'
reof
fhi
ghst
atusandy
ou'
remybossI
'
ll
knockoffy
ourheadwi
thoutt
hinkingtwi
ce"

Me:Ikeptquietandwal
kedtowardsherandst
oodInf
rontofhergun"
BAMMM"
Ismi
l
edand
l
aughed" Thatwassupposedtobeyoufir
ingt
hegun"

Kg:
"Younotki
l
li
ngher
,i
fyoudoI
'
m comi
ngaf
tery
ou"

Me:
"Youdon'
twannadot
hat
"

Kg:
shescr
eamedi
nfr
ust
rat
ionandpul
l
edt
het
ri
gger
"Bamm"
IlookedatmyselfandIwasn'tshot,
wel ookedatNonkoroyi
(Fai
th)andshewasdeadshotfrom
thehead.Yepnoonesur v
ivesthatone.whatIli
keisIdi
dn'tdoitthel
overdi
dit
,sheshookher
headr unni
ngtowardshergir
lf
riendcry
ing

Kg:
"Youdi
dthi
s"

Me:
"Ar
hweal
lsawwhopul
l
edt
het
ri
gger
,don'
ttr
ytoputabl
ameonme"

Kg:
"You.
..
.NoIki
l
ledher
"shekeptr
epeati
ngthosewordsasifitwasherf
ir
stt
imeshoot
ing
someone.
Wecov er
edherbodyandgulpedt
hewhi skeyshecamebackwith.

Me:
"I
'm sor
ry"

Kg:
"Fucky
ou"

OkayIt
ri
ed

MBALI

Nkosicametotalktomeandar rangedthatwegetmarr
iedandheal
soexpl
ainedthereason
why.
Iagreedt
ot heideabecauseIdon'twanttost
ayher
ef ort
her
estofmyl
ife.Thedoctor
cameinaswewer etal
ki
nginthev i
sit
orsroom

Dr
:"
Whati
sgoi
ngonher
e,whol
ety
out
womeet
"

Nkosi
:
"I'
mtheKi
ngSoIdoasIpl
easeasIf
undt
hishospi
tal
"

Dr
:"
Nobut
-

Nkosi
:
"Nobut
s..
Ohanddi
schar
gemywi
feshe'
smuchbet
ternow"

Dr
:"
She'
snoty
our-

If
lashedt
hedi
amondr
ingi
nhi
sface

Me:
shi
ver
ing

Nkosi
:
"Ar
eyouokey
?"

Me:
"They
..
.t
heyi
nject
edmewi
thsomet
hing"

Nkosi
:
"Shi
t"
het
ookmet
ohi
sar
msandr
anof
fwi
thme

Dr
:"
Thi
sisnotov
er"
Iheardhim butIdon'
tthi
nkNkosidid.
Iwasnowshiver
ingl
i
keI'
m hi
ghondrugs.Igotdi
scharged
ontheking'
sor der
sandweleftforhome.Iwasl
ayedtobedasIwasshaki
ngfrom themedicine
theygaveme.

I
NTHEMORNI
NG

Ist
aredatthecei
li
ngwithoutbli
nki
ng,for
tunat
elyIwasbreat
hing.
Theycamet ocheckonme
butseeingt
hatIwasli
kethattheylef
tmeandNkosi camebackwi thShenge.
Icoul
dn'tt
alknor
l
ookf r
om si
detoside,
perhapsit'
stheeff
ectsofthesyr
ingetheygaveme,mymout hwassoggy
wetasitwaswideopen.

Shenge:"
She'
llbef
ine"
heblewt
hei
ncense(
impepho)onmyf
aceandi
coughedhechant
edal
l
theancestor
sofDlamini

"Dlami ni,
Mzizi
,JamakaSj adu,
FakadeNi naZizi eli
mny amangenkomozal o,
boSi bal
'
khul u"
Nkosi
begant omov ehi sheadbackwar dsandf orwar d"Siy
ani bi
zamakhosi angasekhosithi
Sibhekel eni
umnt anawenuuMakot i
wenu, Nihlambululekonkeokubi okusekekwamv elela
nimamkel eemagcekeni akoDlamini,
Fakade(Wecal lupont hegr
eatancestors,
lookaf t
ery our
child,yourbri
deandcl eanseal
ltheev i
lthi
ngst hathadhappenedt oherandwel comeheri nto
thel andofTheDl amini'
s)Iwokeupi nst
antlybr eathi
ngheav i
l
ywipi
ngmywetmout h,Ican't
believeIwasdi sabledjustnowandwhydi dn'thecal luponmyancest ors?

Me:
"Whydi
dn'
tyoucal
luponmyancest
ors?
"

Shenge:
"Becauseyouweren'
ti
ntr
oducedt
othem,
Sot
heydon'
tknowy
oubutt
hat
'
llbef
ixed
whenwegot opaydowr
y(Lobol
a)fory
ou"

Ohsoallt
hist
imemyancest
orsnev
err
ecogni
sedme,
Iwasj
ustCel
ebynamewownowonderI
hadsuchbadl
uck.

Nkosi
cameandhuggedme

Shenge:
"Youmustgetmar
ri
edsoon,
Bef
oreBhambaget
sfur
iousandat
tacksy
ou"

Nkosi
:
"Di
dn'
tyouj
ustpl
eadwi
tht
heancest
orst
hatt
heycl
eanseal
lthebadt
hings"

Shenge:
"Nott
hatar
etohappen,
butt
hey
'l
lpr
otecthernowdon'
twor
ry"

Iknowi
t'
sshor
t.
.I'
l
lpostl
ater
.

I
NSERT60

•
°
•
°

•
°

MBALI

Isatinmyr oom withsi

sters,
paci
ngupanddownwai ti
ngf ortheDl
amini'
st opitch.
Butt
here
wasno" Sy
akhulekaekhaya"Iwasnowr eall
ywor r
ied.
We'reinKZNwher ethewhol eCel
eclanis
basedInev erknewaboutthissi
deofthef amilyonlynowt hatDowr
ynegot iat
ionsweretaking
place.MeandGogohadmadeamendsIwon' tsaywecool butwegetti
ngthere,shewaslike
"YouseeIbr oughtyouahusband,buty
ouwer ebusyny wenyweGogondi kucaphukeleandy ou
nol ongermyfami l
y"ar
gshesoldmet oBukhosi notNkosi she'smi
xingthings.

Bay
anda:
"Wi
l
lyoust
oppaci
ngar
ound"

Me:
"I
'm sor
ryI
'
mjustwor
ri
edwhati
fsomet
hing-

"
Syakhul
ekaekhay
a"

asmil
ecreepeduponmyf
ace,
theyar
eher
efi
nal
l
y.i
peepedont
hewi
ndowandt
her
etheywer
e
say
ingourcl
annames.

Ayanda:
"Si
tdownwil
lyou,
Yhowher
eisThami
onl
yhecant
alksensei
ntoy
ou"
rol
l
edher
ey
es,Thamibustt
hedooropen

Thami :
"Theyarehere.
.Chommi eyourhusbandisChil
ls,ItellyouevenKendri
ckhasnothi
ngon
hi
m. Wheredidy ougethim Ial
soneedaNkosi inmylifepl ushelooksli
kehe'sgotadi
ckf or
days(Helaughed)you'
llbedickmatizedmyfr
iend,
I'
m sur ethesethingsyou'
vebeendat
inghad
ViennasforadickarghIhat eJust
in"Thegi
rl
slaughedt oo. .
.t
herehegoesblabber
ingt
hingswe
don'tKnow

Me'"
You'r
enotsupposedtobehere,
andy
out
wowhat
'sf
unnywhatdoy
ouknowabout
di
cks?huh?"
theywentdeadqui
et

Thami:
"Ar
harhmarachommi etheyseem l
i
ketheyknowalotyenaAyandal
ooksl
i
kei
t'
sbeeni
n
andoutofhermout
h,ehknowtheshyonesarethenaught
iestihhi
i
"

Bay
andacr
ackedupl
aughi
ng

Me:
"Iaskedy
ouwhatar
eyoudoi
ngher
e?"

Thami:
"RememberI
'm hal
fgir
landhal
fmansowi
thmyhal
fgi
rlsel
fI'
l
lbegoi
ngwi
thy
ouwhen
theywantt
ochoosethebri
de"

Me:
laughi
ng"
Excusemey
ou'
l
lwearadoek?
"

Thami:
"Yesper
hapstheywoul
dseeamakot ii
nme,GoodnessKant
iwhenar
etheylett
ingt
hem
i
n"hepushedmef r
om thewi
ndowandpeepedthenjumpedupanddown"Theygotinohmy
Godshhhh(Bl
owinghi
mselfwit
hhi
shand)Ineedtol
ookgood,wher
eismymake-up"
Me:
"ButThami
youdon'
twearmakeup,
andnoy
ounotgoi
ngwi
thmet
otheel
der
s"

Thami
:
"But
-

Me:
"Hay
iThami
thi
sisaspeci
aloccasi
on"

Thami:
"I
yhoomarr
iagehasal
readychangedyouekesana"
clappedhi
shands"
I'
m goi
ngt
othe
ki
tchentohel
pGogo,she'
sbett
ercompanythenyouguyshayi"
helef
t

Ay
anda:
Chuckl
i
ng"
Ili
kehi
m somuch,
event
houghheannoy
sme"

Bay
anda:
"Toobadhe'
sgay
,phel
athi
sguyi
shot
"

Me:
"WhenImethi
m,Iwasr
eadyt
osl
eepwi
thhi
m butguysur
pri
sedme"

Weal
ll
aughed

"Shhhh"t
hatwasOurAuntZi nzipeepingi
nourdoor"
Thul
aniakushadwaninaakumel
eengabe
niyasi
nekaghaa(Shutupyou'r
enott heonesget
ti
ngmarr
ied,y
'al
lnotsupposedtobe
l
aughing)wi
ththatsaidsheclosedthedoorandwegiggl
ed.

Myphonebeeped,Itookitandvi
ewedthemessage"Aft
erthenegoti
ati
ons,
canyousneakout
andseeme"ishecrazyGogowoul dki
l
lme, anot
heronecamet hr
ough"Wereal
l
yneedt otal
k
l
ikei
t'
sseri
ous"OkeynowIgott ohearthi
sIagreed.
il
eftmyphoneast heel
dersaskedforus
wewentintheloungeareawithourbl
anketsandheadsbowed.

Uncl
eJal
i
:"Akeni
khombeeni
zengay
elay
'khay
a"(
Poi
ntt
heoney
oucameher
efor
)

Nkosi'
snegoti
ator
:"
Nangu(Thereshei
s)hewaspoi
nti
ngatme,
thankgoodness.
Iwonderwhat
would'
vehappenedifhepoint
edthewrongper
son.

Uncl
eJal
i
:"Nt
ombazane(
Mygi
rl
)"

Me:
"Baba(
Fat
her
)"

Uncl
eJal
i
:"Uy
abazi
labant
u?(
Doy
ouknowt
hem?
)"

Me:
Ikeptqui
etf
orawhi
l
eandanswer
ed"
Yebongy
abazi
(YesIknowt
hem)

Uncl
eJal
i
:"K'
l
ungi
l
eseni
ngakhul
uleka(
It
'sf
inenowy
ouar
eexcused)
"

Wel ef
tgoingtoourr oom andst ayedt herefor15mi nutes,
thenwehear douraunt '
s
ululati
ng.Whichisagr eatsignandshowst hatthenegotiati
onswentwel l,alt
houghIhear duncl
e
Luckycausedascenewi t
hanuncout hbehav i
ordemandi ngt hathewant sallthecowst ocome
tohi m.delusi
onalhei salwaysdr unkandt al
ksalot.
Iaskedt ogot othetoil
etandt heytoldmeI
shoul dusetheonet hat'sinsi
dear gAuntZondi weisamoodspoi ler
.Ihadnochoi cebutt oj
ump
offthewi ndowfortunatelyitwasn'ttoohigh,Iv i
rt
uall
ygotbust edbutrant othecornerandt her
e
wasat uckshopthereIcoul dseeNkosi standingthere.
Iwalkedabi tfaster
,Igottohim andhe
offeredahug, wehuggedandhebabyki ssedmewhi chleftmeshockedbecauseIt houghtwe
ar
edoi
ngt
hisf
ort
he"
Might
yAncest
ors"al
thoughIl
i
kehi
m.

Hi
m:"
Hey
"hewassmi
l
ing,
agenui
neoneatt
hat

Me:
"Hey
..
Whatwassour
gent
?"

Hi
m:"
Not
hing"

Me:di
dhejustsaynot
hing,
Iranandcl
i
mbedof
fthewi
ndowf
orhi
m andhesay
s
not
hing?
"What?"

Hi
m: l
aughi
ng"What
?Ij
ustwantedtoseeyouchi
ll
,andyoul
ookwearyIdon'
tl
iket
hat
.YouShoul
d
r
est"
hebrushedmyshoul
der,
Ifoundmyselfsmi
l
ing.Hecar
esaboutme?

Me:
"Ihav
etogetbackbef
oreAuntZondi
weandZi
nzi
sendt
hewhol
ecommuni
tyt
olookf
or
me"

Hi
m:"
Thoset
woar
etwi
nsf
rom hel
l
"

Me:
"Heyt
hosear
emyaunt
s"

hi
m:"
Youj
ustmett
hem"

Me:
"Yhabutt
heymyaunt
'sy
oudon'
tgett
osaysucht
hingsaboutt
hem"

Hi
m:"
Theyar
eboodl
yhagypoepoeshaha"
laughi
ng

Me:
"Nkosi
!!
!"

Hi
m:"
I'
m ki
ddi
ngr
elaxj
eez
,youknowIr
especty
ourf
ami
l
y,Ij
ustwant
edt
ost
eal
aki
ss"

Me:
"It
houghtwewer
edoi
ngt
hist
opl
easet
heancest
ors"

Hi
m:"
Notme,
I
'm doi
ngt
hisbecauseIf
eel
it'
sther
ightt
hing"

me:"
Ow"
wellt
hatcaughtmebysur
pri
se,
I
'm ani
diotIknowhehast
oldmeadozent
imest
hathe
l
ovesmebutIst
il
ldoubthi
m.

Hi
m:"
Yes,
taket
his"
hegav
emeGr
andpapi
l
ls

Me:
"AndIshoul
ddowhatwi
tht
hese?
"

Him:"
It
'syourwayofget
ti
ngbackhome!
ory
ouwannast
aywi
thDaddy
?"hewaswi
ggl
i
nghi
s
bushyeyebrows

Me:
"Noar
g,l
etmego"

Heheldmywaistandki
ssedmebiti
ngmylowerl
i
pseduct
ivel
y,
Ifel
tmynunuswi
tchcl
enchi
ng
andyear
ningf
ormore,
Ipull
edoutandbr
eat
hedoutl
oud
Hi
m:"
Seewhaty
ou'
vedone"
hesai
dthatl
ooki
ngathi
str
ouser
s,Igi
ggl
edabi
t.

Me:
"Ihav
etogo"
heki
ssedmycheekIr
ant
othehouseasf
astasIcan.

ZAKES

Wehav eamer chandi

secomi nginourwar ehousetoday
.IdrovethereAndparkedoutside.
The
l
adieswhousual l
ypackwer eal
readytherereadytopack.Thetruckcameinandof f-
loadedthe
drugstheyspli
tt
edthepackagest ot
hegi r
ls.I
'
vebeenwai t
ingforKGt oarr
ivebutshehasn't
comey etIguessshe'
sstil
lgri
evingt
hepassi ngofhergirl
fri
end.Iwasabouttomakeacal lto
mywi f
et otel
lhertonotcooktoday,
I'
mt akingheroutwhenIhear dsir
ens,Iwasn'
tgoingtorun
I'
m notacowar d

"
Freezenobodymov
e"gunswer
epoi
ntedatus

Twopol
i
ceof
fi
cer
scamet
owar
dsmeandcuf
fedme

"MrZunguyou'
reunderar
restformanagi
ngadrugbusi
ness,
Youhavetherightt
oremainsi
l
ent
whatyousaywil
lbeusedagainstyouint
hecourtofl
aw.Andal
socall
y ourlawy
erify
oudon't
haveoneitwi
ll
beappoint
edf oryou"

WiththatsaidIkeptmycool andwel ef
ttothecarsandIsawKgst andi
ngther
ewi t
hapol i
ce
menshaki nghands,Theyshovemei nthecaranddroveoff
.Soshesoldmet othevult
ures
becauseshekill
edhergirl
fri
end.Whatkindoffucker
yist
hat,She'
sgoingtopayforrui
ningmy
reput
ationandsetti
ngmeupl i
kethat.

I
NTHEMEANTI
MEKGANDTHEPOLI
CEMAN

Kg:
"Youguar
ant
eet
hathewon'
tcomeout
?"

P/
M:"
Def
ini
tel
ysur
e,wehav
eev
idence.
We'
vebeent
ryi
ngt
ogethi
m buthewasal
way
ssl
i
per
y"

Kg:
"I
'm gl
adIhel
ped"

P/
M:"
Mhm butt
hisdoesn'
tmeany
ouof
fthehook,
Ihav
etoi
nter
rogat
eyou.
Youwor
kedf
orhi
m"

Kg:
"YhabutIsawrightt
hroughhi
m,heismonst
erandhefor
cedmetoworkf
orhi
m si
ncehe
pay
edformyf eesbefor
eandhethreat
enedt
okil
lmygir
lf
ri
endandhedi
d"

P/
M:"
Didn'
tyousayy
ounev
erwentt
oschool
?"

Kg:
"Yest
hat
'swhatImeant
..
Umham Igoi
ngwi
thy
ou?
"
P/
M:"
Yes.
.Andy
ou'
l
lhav
etot
ell
meev
ery
thi
ngi
ncl
udi
ngt
hatheki
l
ledy
ourgi
rl
fr
iend"

Kg:
"Nopr
obl
em wi
thme"

Theygoti
nthecaranddr
oveof
f

MANGALI
SO

I'
m nowonmywayt oSwati
ni mysourcet
oldmemybabyi satschool.
SoIarri
vedearl
yand
bookedintoahot elandt
ookahotshowerandwor esomet hi
ngcomf ort
ing.
Andheadedtot he
schoolIparkedbythegate,
Itookoutmyphoneandv i
ewedt hepict
ureclosel
y.
ilookedoverto
thegat
east hechil
drenwer
ecomi ngoutIspot
tedher
,Igotoutofthecarandwentt oher

Me:
"Hey
"Iwav
ed

Her:
"MyMot hert
oldmetonevertal
ktostr
anger
s,buty
ouseem l
i
keani
cest
ranger
"shesmi
l
ed
showingonedimple,
myhear
tskippedwit
hjoy.

Me:
"I
'm ani
cest
ranger
,hahawhat
'
syourname"

Her
:"
Joy
,what
'sy
ourname?
"

Me:
"Mangal
i
so,
woul
dyoul
i
ket
oknowmor
eaboutme?
"

Her
:"My
betomorr
owmyrideisher
e,LANITHECARI
SHERE"
Sheshout
edt
owar
dst
hebl
ack
t
int
edcar"
Byeuncl
eMangi"

Me:
"Seey
out
omor
row"

Per
hapsIshoul
dn'
thav
etol
dhermyname,
mybeshe'
l
lment
ioni
ttohermom,
argIdon'
tcar
e

°
°°

I
NSERT61

•
°

•
°

•
°

MBALI

Wedi
dthet
radi
ti
onal
weddi
ngandgoti
ntr
oducedt
otheDl
ami
niancest
ors,
i
twasabeaut
if
ul
event.
Ilaughedsohar dasNkosi wasdoingt hetraditi
onal dance, HecanbutIdi dn'tpictur ehim
dancinglikethatwiththest i
ck. SoTraditi
onal weddingcheck, nowi t'
sti
mef orthewhi teweddi ng
everygirl
sdr eam.Nkosi hadmadei tclearthathedoesn' tl
ikewhi teweddingsbutwhoam I
kiddi
ngIconv i
ncedhim andmadesur ehepay sf orit
,Ialway sdr eamtwalkingdownt heai sl
ein
mywhi t
eweddi nggownl ookingl i
keagoddessper hapsaf ewmanf ai
ntanddr oolpshh. .We're
backinSwat i
nitwoweeksl ateraftert
heweddi ng.Joyhasbeent el
li
ngmeaboutherf r
iendbutI
neverpayat tenti
on,
allthet i
me" MangithisMangi t
hat "i
yhooki ds,TodaymeandThami along
withmysi stersandNkosi '
ssisterswegoi ngt olookf oraweddi ngdr ess,
andv enue.I
twasmor e
l
ike"Thami sWeddi ng"
becausehewast heonechoosi ngev erythingbutImustadmi thehas
goodt aste.
Ihadt ofi
tint hedr essithugmywai stt i
ghtnott oot i
ghtbutperfectly
,andt heshoes
aretodief or.
Iwalkedtot heopenr oom andt heyscr eamed.

Me:
"Dudesshutup"
Isai
dlaughi
ng

Thami
:
"OHHHHHMYGOOOODSHbabe!
!!
Babenoway
sisi
tmeoram Iseei
nganangel
?"

Me:
"You'
venev
erseenanAngel
Thami
"r
oll
i
ngmyey
es,
he'
stoodr
amat
ic

Sy
amt
handa:
"I
t'
str
ue,
you'
reat
ruev
ersi
onofanAngel
"shewi
pedat
ear

Me:
"St
opcr
yingy
ou'
l
lmakemecr
y"

Si
mthandi
l
e:"
Honest
lyy
ouguy
sknowI
'
m nott
heemot
ional
type,
butt
his"
shewi
pedat
eart
oo

ShopAssi
stant
:"
Youl
i
kei
t?"

Thami
:
"Sur
eshedoes"

OhwowMbal
ii
snowThami

Bay
anda:
"Can'
tshespeakf
orher
sel
f?"

Thami:
"I
yhoowenaBay
andaandSimthandi
lesameWhatsAppgroup.
Youtwof
inger
ish
your
sel
vesnomancouldst
andfort
hisrubbi
sh,nev
er"
hecl
appedhishands

Me:
"It
hinkIl
i
kei
t"
Isai
dswi
rl
ingar
oundsmi
l
ing"
Alot
"

ShopAssist
ant
:"
Okayl
etmest
orei
tinasaf
epl
acef
ory
oubef
ore,
twobr
idesf
ightov
erone
dresshaha"

Thami:
"WuuuhThami-
vol
cano,
Tor
nado,
Eart
hquakecal
luponever
yst
ormi
'
m al
way
sin
moti
on,Makaf
ikesi
zomboni
sa(
Shemustcomewe'll
showher)"

Me:
"Thami
no"

Bay
anda:
"He'
sri
ght
,we'
dfeet
pophershe'
dreschedul
eherweddi
ng"
Theyal
ll
aughed

Simt
handi
le:
"Ihearyouguystal
ki
ngaboutst
ormsandal
lthat
.ButI
'
m hungr
ywheni
sthecake
andfoodt
asting?"
shegroaned
Me:"Letmet akeof
fthedress"
Ilef
tthem andtookoffthedress,
theshopassi
stantkepti
t
seal
ed.Wewentoutt othecakeshopandt ast
edthef ood,
al
ongwi ththef
oodandv enue
ever
y t
hingwasperfectI
'm ahappybri
de.
Forthefir
sttimeinforeverI
'
m happynohiccups,
wel
l
hopefull
ytherewon'
tbeanyar gh.
..

Byt
het
imewegothomemyf
eet
swer
ebur
ning,
Igoti
nmybedandr
est
ed.

Joycomesi
nmyr
oom r
unni
ng

Joy
:"Mommy
"

Me:
"Mhhhm"

Joy
:"CanIbor
rowy
ourphoneIwantt
ocal
lmyf
ri
end"

Me:
"Yourf
ri
endhasaphoneKant
iisn'
they
ourage"

Joy
:"Mhm wai
tti
l
lyouseehi
m hi
hi"
giggl
ed

Me:"
Ohokey,
Imustmeethim"Ihandedhert
hephoneshewentoutdial
l
ingt
he
number
.GoodnessIhopeshedoesn'
thaveaboy
fri
endal
ready
,she'
snotatt
hatst
agey
et.
She
comesbackgri
nning

Joy
:"Ii
nvi
tedMangi
toy
ourweddi
ng,
i
sthatokey
?"

Me:
"Nopr
obl
em"

Joy
:"Okey
,sl
eept
ight
"

Me:
"Yout
oosweet
hear
t"

Iwasaboutt
osl
eepwhenAphonecal
lDi
stur
bedme,
Ianswer
ed

Me:
"Hel
l
o"Isai
dinasnobbi
shv
oice

Guy
:"HeyJoyy
ouf
orgott
otel
lmet
heweddi
ngdat
e!"

Isuddenl
yfr
oze,
andkeptqui
etthi
siswithnodoubtMangal
i
so,
IKnowhisvoi
cebutwhydi
dhe
mentionJoy
,coul
ditbeMangiherfr
iendisMangal
iso?
ohGoodnessI
'
m sosl
ow

Me:
"Whatdoyouwantfr
om mybaby ?
youwantt
oki
dnaphernowhuh?
li
key
oudi
dtome?
"my
t
emperat
urehadr
isenup,he'
sshi
ti
ngwit
hme.

Hi
m:"
Ohhei
shMbal
i
"

Me:"
Mangal
isoplease,
stayawayfrom her
.Iwon'
ttell
herhowshewasmadeandhowyou
t
reat
edme.Justpleasepleasedon'
thurtmybaby"Ibeggedcr
ying,
tear
sar
eal
way
snearby
.

Hi
m:"
Canwemeetup,
I
'mi
nSwat
ini
"
Me:
"Why
"sni
ff
ing

Hi
m:"Iwantustotal
kabouther
,I
'
m notangryy
oukeptherawayfrom meIunderst
and.
Mbal
iI
wantyouseethechangei
nme.i'
vechangedsomuchIdon'thav
et heper
sonal
it
iesany
more
pl
ease"

Me:
Whent heyadmi
ttheyhadchanged,
i
tmeans'
I
'm nev
erchangi
ngI
'
llcont
inuedoi
ngwhatIdo
most
'"Fi
ne,l
et'
smeetat**
***
*"

Hi
m:"
Th-

Icutt
hecal
lbef
orehetal
kedmore,
Idon'
tknowhowt ofeel
aboutt
his.
Ican'
tgett
otel
lJoyt
hat
herMangii
sHerfat
her
,noscr
atchf
ather
.Sper
m donor
.

AndIwon'
ttel
lherunt
ilshe'
s15orabov
ewhenshe'
l
lunder
standt
hingsper
fect
ly.

Ir
estmyheadont
hepi
l
lowandI
magi
nemei
nmyweddi
ngdr
essandsmi
l
ed,
Idr
if
tedof
ftoLal
a
l
and.

I
NTHEI
NVESTI
GATI
ONROOM

KGbrushesbot
hhandsandsi
ghsmil
ing"
Thisi
sforyouf
ait
h"shet
alkedal
one,
thepol
i
ceof
fi
cer
cameinwitht
wocupsofcoff
eeandsatdowngiv
ingkgher
s.

Of
fi
cerNgweny
a(Of
fi
cer
N):
"Your
eadyt
otal
k"

Kgnodded"
Wil
lanodbehear
dint
her
ecor
ding?
"

Kg:
"Ar
gYesI
'
mready
"

Of
fi
cer
N:"
Good.
.Nowt
ell
mewhaty
ouknowaboutMrZungu"

KG:
"He'
sadr
ugl
ord,
andal
awy
erbutbei
ngal
awy
eri
sjustacov
er-
up"

Of
fi
cer
N:"
Youwor
kedf
orhi
m?"

KG:"
Yeshegavemenochoi
cei
twasei
therheki
l
lsmysi
bli
ngsandMot
herorIj
oinhi
m and
ever
ythi
ngwi
ll
beal
ri
ght
"

Of
fi
cer
N:"
Seemsl
i
key
ouchangey
ourst
ori
esMi
ssKwena"

Kg:
"Hahayoursur
nameandmi
near
eli
ter
all
ythesamet
heecr
ocodi
l
esj
ustt
hatmi
nei
sin
Tswana"
Offi
cer
N:"
Ibarel
ycareaboutt hat,
yousaidyester
dayhet hreatenedtokil
lyourgrandmaandthat
hewaspay i
ngforyourfeesbutt hentheotherdayyousaidy ounev erwenttoschoolandnever
hadafamilysohetooky ouin,nowhet hr
eatenedyourverysamef amil
ythatyousaidnever
exi
stedMissKwenadoy ouknowt hatmi
sleadi
nganofficerisaser i
ousoffense?Icoul
dli
ter
all
y
sendyoutojai
lj
ustfordeceivingme! "

Kg:
"Nosi
rpl
ease"

Of
fi
cer
:"
Thanshoul
dthi
sbet
hel
astt
imey
oul
yi
ng"

Kg:
"Okeyhere'
sthetr
uthyesIwor
kedf
orhi
m Iwashi
sITguy
,Iwasact
ual
l
yhi
sfr
iend.
Wewer
e
wor
kingtogetheri
never
ythi
ng"

Of
fi
cer
N:"
Thesuppl
i
ersdoy
ouKnowt
hem andt
hel
abs?
"

Kg:
"No"

Of
fi
cer
N:"
What
?I'
m notaf
ool
yousai
dyou'
recl
osef
ri
ends"

Kg:
"YesbutIdon'
tknowev
erydet
ail
"

Offi
cerN:
"Thanyoubl
oodyusel
esst
ome,NKADIME"anot
herof
fi
cercame"Takehert
othecel
l
,
she'
llmeetotheri
nmat
eswhenthej
udgehasdeci
dedwhattodowithher
"

Kg:
"Buty
oupr
omi
sed,
you-

Of
fi
cer
N:"
AndIknowy
ouki
l
ledy
ourgi
rl
fr
iend"

Kgwentqui
etandl
eftwi
tht
hepol
i
ceof
fi
cer
.

ZAKES

Iwast
oldI'
m neededi
ntheinv
est
igat
ionr
oom,
butIt
oldt
hem notwi
thoutmyl
awy
er,
yesus
l
awyer
salsohavelawy
ers.

Mylawyerar
ri
vedandsatdownwi
thmeandt
heOf
fi
cert
hatwast
alki
ngt
oKgcamei
nandsat
downtoo.

Off
icer
N:"
TellmeMrLawyerhowdoyout
hink,he'
l
lpayyouwhenallhi
saccount
sar
efr
eezed"
I
seehe'
stryi
ngtomani
pul
atemylawy
erni
cet r
y,becausehe'
sundermylawfi
rm

Lwazi
(Lawy
er)
:"
Wel
lIcansayy
ouneednott
owor
ryaboutt
hatMrNgweny
"hesmi
l
ed

Of
fi
cer
N:"
Mhm Isee,
ver
ywel
lthan.
Let
'
scutt
othechase,
Thedr
ugswher
edi
dtheycomef
rom"
Me:
"Thosewer
en'
tmydr ugs,
Kgorder
edt
hem butIt
oldherI
'
m donewi
thdr
ugsbecause
mar
riednowandIdon'
twanttoputmywif
eindanger"

Of
fi
cer
N:"
Ohsonowi
t'
sKg-

Lwazi(
Lawy er)
:"
SirNgwenyacanyouaskspeci
fi
cquest i
ons,
mycli
enti
sreall
ynoti
ntoi
mmat
ure
conversat
ions"Il
ookedathim andchuckl
edhelongsaidhenev
erli
kedoff
icerNgweny
a
becausehe'stoonoseyandoncer ui
nedoneofhiscases.

Of
fi
cer
N:"
Fine,
Tel
lust
henwher
ear
ethel
absandsuppl
i
ers"

Me:"IknownosuchMrNgwenya,
AsIsaidKghadall
ther
opesshewasi
nchar
ge.
Ilef
tthi
s
t
hingswhenIwas19y ear
sinmyhighschool
year
s"

Of
fi
cer
N:"
Ohsoy
ouwer
edoi
ngdr
ugsi
nhi
ghschool
"

Lwazi:
"Si
rNgweny aifyoudon'thaveanyquest
ions,
caretofr
eeusandi ftherearenocharges
l
etmycl i
entgo.Becauseaccordingtowhathetol
dmeKgmadet heorderandhedi dn'
tknow
thatt
herewasanor dercomi ngin.
Hewasinthewar ehousebecausehewant editcl
eanasthere
wouldbeapot enti
albuyercomingtoviewthewarehousebutwhenhegott her
ehef oundhal
f
nakedgir
lsthatworkforKG,whatisitt
hatyouwantt ohearMrNgweny a?"

Of
fi
cer
N:si
ghed"
Soy
out
ell
i
ngmeKgi
sherownboss?
"

Me:
"Exact
ly"

Off
icerN:"
Thi
sissoconfusi
ng"
hecuppedhi
sfaceandcl
enchedhi
sjawsandsi
ghedoutl
oud
"
We' l
lkeepyouher
etil
ltomorr
ow,
wejustwantt
ocleart
heair
"

Lwazi
:
"ThankMrSi
rNgwenyf
ory
ourt
ime"

Of
fi
cer
N:"
Ver
ywel
l
"hewal
kedoutmeandLwazi
stay
edbehi
nd

Lwazi
:
"Thatwas-

Iputmyhandi
nhismouthtoshuthi
m up,andl
ookedbeneat
hthet
abl
ether
ewasabug
devi
ce,
Hahahethi
nkshe'
ssmart,
wellnotmorethanme.

Me:
"Ij
ustwantt
ogetbackt
omywi
fe,
Idon'
tl
ikeal
lthesef
alseaccusat
ions"

Lwazi
:
"I'
l
lgety
ououtsi
rIpr
omi
se,
andwewi
l
lsuet
hem f
orf
alsel
yaccusi
ngy
ouofmanagi
ng
dr
ugs"

Me:"
Thankyou"
apoli
cecameandt ookmet omycel l
,
wellifIgetoutandKgst
aysI'
ll
makesur e
shefeel
smywrathfr
om inside,
shewon'thavepeace.i
don'twantherdeadIj
ustwanthert
of eel
somepainf
oralongter
m, Shesignedthecontr
actyester
daywhenshesetmeup, nowther
e'sno
goi
ngback.

•
•

GOODMORNI
NG

I
NSERT62

•
°

•
°

•
°

NKOSI

Mybr otherandfr
iendsorganisedmeaBachel orpart
y,It
oldt
hem itwasn'
tnecessar
ybutthey
persi
sted."
Nomor ebootycallsforyou"t
hatwasNt si
ka,y
enaheseemsf i
nebuty oucant
ellhe'
s
notentirel
yokeywiththi
s.Butinall
he'shappyforussohesay s.

Weatt
heShi
sany
amaeat
ingt
hewor
sandpap.

Me:"
Idon'tl
iket
hatZakeswon'
tbeatt
heweddi
ng!
"Ir
eal
l
ydon'
t,
i
tfeel
sli
kewecel
ebr
ati
nghi
m
bei
nginjail
.

Ntsi
ka:"
Relaxhe'
scomi
ngoutt
oday
..
Ireal
l
ycan'
tbel
i
eveKgbet
ray
edusl
i
ket
hat
"heshookhi
s
headindisappr
oval

Menzi
:
"It
hinkshemustpayfort
his,
foral
lweknowwecoul
d'
vebeent
her
eal
ongwi
thZakesand
we'
dbeinjai
laswespeak"

Me:
"Hhmm"
Ikeptqui
etshoul
dshesuf
ferImeanshebr
oughtt
hisuponher
sel
f

Nt
sika:
"Ihopey
ounott
hinki
ngany
thi
ngst
upi
d"

Menzi
:
"Youcant
hinkany
thi
ngSt
upi
dev
enst
upi
deri
t'
sfi
neI
'
m gamewi
thi
t!
"

Nt
sika:
"Duder
eal
l
y?y
ouencour
agi
nghi
m"

Menzi:
"Goodthi
ngKgodenkaghor eonalemaret
eaker
e(Kgt
hinksshe'
sgotbal
l
sright
)sowe
mustherthewaysheprefersfi
ght
ing"het
ookouthi
sgunandcockedit
,af
ewcustomersmoved
f
rom ourtabl
ebumpingintothewait
ers.

Me:
"Putt
hataway
,i
fyouwantt
ofi
nishy
ourpap"

Menzi
:
"Wecango,
i
tlackssal
tandPeanutbut
terany
way
"hest
oodup

Nt
sika:
"Whoeat
ssuchshi
t,
si
tdownmanandputt
hatgunaway
"

Me:
laughi
ng"
Peanutbut
termi
xedwi
thpap,
i
'dv
omi
tthr
ought
hewhol
e365day
sofmyl
i
fe"
Menzi:
"365days?WenaNkosi
youknownot
hingIgr
ewupwi
thGogoshet
eachedmet
hese
t
hings,
andit
'snicest
aff
"

Nt
sika:
"ShesmokedweedIdon'
tbl
amehert
eachi
ng"

Menzi
:
"You'
ref
orwar
dnow"

Me:
Laughi
ng"
Guy
sI'
m get
ti
ngmar
ri
ed"

Theyl
ookedatmet
hanl
aughed

Nt
sika:
"Andy
oul
aughi
ng"
shookhi
shead

Me:"
It
'sj
ustt
hat
,Ineverpi
ctur
edmeget
ti
ngmar
ri
ed"
Isai
dlosti
nmyt
hought
s"Buther
eIam"
I
si
ppedonmywhi skey

Menzi
:
"Nomor
egoi
ngoutatni
ghtwi
tht
heguy
s"

Nt
sika:
"Nomor
ehav
ingat
hree-
some"

Menzi
:
"Nomorefr
eedom,i
t'
dalway
sbel i
ke'Babe-
wer
hchangedi
enappydakongwaneng'
or
'
Wakeupngwanawaala'
"theywer
elaughingthi
swhol
eti
me.

Me:
"I
t'
snotf
unny
,Mom i
sther
efort
heset
hings"

Ntsi
ka:
laughi
ng"
Mom isgett
ingold,
andIwon'
tal
lowyoutot
urnheri
ntonannynev
er.
You'
l
l
wakeupinthemiddl
eofthenightandshushy
ourownbabyah"

Menzi:
"'
Kekopel
amadikebatl
aghodiramari
riame( CanIhav
esomemoneyIwantt
odomy
hai
r)
"hewasimit
ati
ngMbal
i'
svoiceandhewasf ai
l
ingshedoesn'
tsoundl
i
ket
hat
.

Me:"Mbal
iwouldneveraskfort
hings,
she'
sindependentandy
ouknowthat.
..Unl
i
keLisawho
asksformoneyever
y dayj
ustsoshecouldgooutandspenditonherf
ri
endsorotherman"

hest
oppedl
aughi
ng

Menzi
:
"Mcm y
ouhadt
orui
nmymood"

Nt
sika:
"Ist
il
ldon'
tgethowZakesl
ety
oul
i
veaf
terf
ucki
nghi
sfi
ance"

Me:"
HelovedLif
a,v
elehewaspl
anni
ngt
oleav
eLisa.
Lisakhany
aisasl
utandagold-
diggershe
j
usthappentoknowhowtohandl
eamanwel l
,t
hesooneryoureal
i
set
hatthebet
ter
."

Menzi
:
"I'
m pl
anni
ngt
o,AndIhav
eacr
ushony
ourWi
fessi
ster
"

Nt
sika:
"Whi
chone?
"

Me:
"Ial
readyknow.
..
Ayandar
ight
?"

Menzi
:smi
rked"
Hahashe'
s.
..
(si
ghed)she'
sjustper
fect
"
Nt
sika:
"Tooper
fectf
ory
ou"

Menzi
:
"Jeal
ousNt
anganeman,
ent
lekwhenar
eweseei
ngy
ourchi
ck?
"

Nt
sikasuckonhi
sbot
tl
eofbeerandkeptqui
et

Me:"Shewouldembarr
aseyouright"hechokedonhisbeerl
ooki
ngatme,
Ishr
ugged"
What
?I
happentoreadmindsbecaref
ul ofwhatyouthi
nk"

Theyar
eidi
ots

MBALI

Imetwit
hMangal isotodayandImadei tcl
earIdon'
twanthi
m nearJoyorel
seI
'l
ltellherhe
rapedmeandshewasconcei v
ed.Hestoodupandl ef
tinadul
lmood,di
dIdosomet hi
ngwr ong?
denyi
nghim achanceofbeingaf at
heram Icruel
?Ist
andupandpayandleavet
her estaur
anta
messagegotinfrom Thami"Meetusatthe****cl
ubnow"

What?
isheinsaneIhaveachi
ldforheav
en'
ssake,
butl
etmegoandseewhathe'
sonaboutI
dr
ovetothesaidcl
ub,t
hebouncerl
ookedatmeandsmiled"
Geti
nMem"Igoti
nandf
rownedat
hi
m,whywashesoki nd.

AnywayIwalkedthr
oughthepassageandopenedt hedooritwasdarkandmostdefi
nit
ely
empty.
itookoutmyphonetocallThamiforleadingmeast r
ay,what'
sthemeani
ngofthi
snxa.It
ri
ngsonceandtheli
ghtsareon"SURPRISE!!
!"Idr
oppedthecall andl
ookedatt
hem i
ndisbeli
ef
theypl
annedapartforme"Bachel
oret
teparty"Il
aughedshakingmyhead

Thami
:
"Sur
pri
sesweet
hear
t"
hehuggedme,
Ipokedhi
m

Me:
"Youguy
sdi
dn'
tev
ent
ell
met
odr
esswel
l
"

Simthandi
l
e:"
Hewasaboutt
otel
lyouev
ery
thi
ngbutwehadt
oputat
apeov
erhi
smout
hfor
peaceandquiet
"

Theyallpushesmet owardachairthat'
snearapole,
Theygaveme5shot sItoldthem Idi
dn'
t
wantthem butIeventuall
ygul
pedthem downandbi tapieceoflemonandscr eamedt hey
cheer
edf orme.Amancamei nbustingdoorswealltur
nedtolookathim,anddr ool
edhe
weari
ngapol iceoutf
itanditf
ithi
m perfect
lyi
tshowedhismuscl es,
hecamet owardsme
str
ipi
ngof fhi
sunifor
m nowonl yl
eftwit
hanunder wear

Guy:
"Where'
stheBri
de"
hespokeinasexyaccenti
fther
e'ssuch,
Theyal
lpoi
ntedatme.
hewas
nowbehindme,Il
ookedatThef
ri
endsandshrugged.
Guy:
"Youareunderarr
est
,f
orgetti
ngmar r
iedatanearlyage" wi
ththatsaidhecuf
fedmeand
cameInfr
ontofme,tookmet ohi
shandsupt othepole,Istoodtherefr
ozen.Hest
art
edt
otouch
meallovermybodyandkissedme, Thegi
rlswerecheeringforhim.Hetracedhi
shandi
nsi
de
myskirtt
hat'
swhenIwasbr oughtbacktoreal
i
tyImov edawayf r
om him

Me:
"Uncuf
fmenow"

Bay
anda:
"Butwhyt
hisi
syourpar
tyy
yy"
sher
aisedagl
assup,
shewast
otal
l
ydr
unk.

Me:
"Uncuf
fmenow"
Idemanded

Guy
:"Tal
ktoher
"

Thami
:
"Mbal
ithepar
tyj
ustst
ar-

Me:
"ISAI
DUNCUFFME"
Ital
kedsl
owl
ybutIwasshout
ing.

Theguyuncuf
fedme,
Itookmybagandl
eft
.Iwon'
tl
etast
rangert
ouchmel
i
ket
hatnev
er

MEANWHI
LEATNKOSI
'
sBACHELORPARTY

Hetookoffthecondom notr
eal
i
singt
her
ewasat
inyhol
e,
andr
appedi
twi
that
issuet
hant
hrew
i
tinthedustbin.

Hel ef
tafewnot esonthebedwher
ethegi
rli
ssl
eepi
ng,
andl
eftfort
hehotel
.Wherehi
ssuit
s
andev er
ythingisat
.Hewentt
oshowerwhenhewasdonehi
sfri
endsweresleepi
ngonthefl
oor
drunkasev er.

I
NTHEMORNI
NG

Theyhav
ewokenupwi
thbangi
ngheads,
dri
nki
ngcof
fee.

Menzi
:
"Dudewher
edi
dyougol
astni
ght
,t
hepar
tywasl
i
t,andt
hegi
rl
smhm"

Nt
sika:
"Isawhi
m goi
ngupst
air
swi
thasexyboot
yhaha"

Nkosi
:
"Mbal
icannev
erknowaboutt
hatokey
,l
ikeev
ert
hisi
soursecr
et"

Menzi
:
"Yhay
ha,
NOTEVENI
NHELL.
.haha(
Laughi
ng)
Imi
ssZakesy
ouguy
sar
ebor
ingme"

Nkosi
:"
Dudesy est
erday
,iwastakingari
deonamustang,noscr
atcht
hat
..
itwasr
idi
ngme.
Ha
haI'
veneverbeensowildbef
ore"hecov
eredhi
sfacegr
inning

Menzi
:
"Let
'shopeMbal
icanr
idel
i
keaMaser
ati
,
OrFer
rar
ibecausemyf
ri
endi
sshecan'
tdot
hat
t
hany
ou'
l
lbel
i
keusmaki
ngboot
ycal
l
sal
lthet
ime"

Nt
sika:
"Notal
lofus"

Menzi
:
"Yousol
oyal
tot
hatbi
tchy
ouf
ucki
nmy
bey
ouf
ucki
nmysi
ster
,t
ell
uswhoshei
s"

Nt
sika:
"Igr
aduat
edi
nuni
ver
sit
yofNONE-
YA"

Menzi
:
"Inev
erhear
doft
hatUni
ver
sit
y"

Nt
sika:
"NoneofYabusi
ness"

Me:
"Ishoul
d'
vet
ookhernumber
s"

Menzi
:
"Ooohgoodnesswenev
ergonnaheart
heendoft
hisar
ewe"

Nt
sika:
"Ishoul
dri
dehert
oo"

Me:
"Idon'
tcar
eabouther
,i
t'
sjustt
hatshe'
sgoodatwhatshedoes"

Nt
sika:
"Ij
usthope.
..
"het
urnedandl
ookedathi
m

Nkosi
:
"What
?"

Menzi
:"
Youwon'
tbechangi
ngdi
aper
sfr
om achi
l
dofwedl
ock"
hesi
ppedonhi
scof
fee
Nar
rowinghi
sey
es.

Nkosi
:
"Weusedpr
otect
ion"

Nt
sika&Nkosi
:
"Mhhm"

Nkosi
:
"AyNi
naboSi
sDol
l
y"

TheyLaughed

THEDAYOFTHEWEDDI
NG

.
..
..
.

I
NSERT63

•
°

[
I'
M ANGRY,
IWROTETHEINSERTANDCOPI
EDTHEFIRSTPARTWHENIWANTTOPASTEAND
CONTINUEWHEREILEFTOFF,
I
TSAYSAUTO-
FILLNXASOIHADTOSTARTAFRESH]
•
°

•
°

THEWEDDI
NGDAY

[
NARRATI
ON]

Mbaliwokeupi ntheweehours,
shebel
ievesthatifyouwanttolookbeaut
if
uly
oumustwakeup
ear
lyandcleanup."I
'm mai
ntai
ningmybeautysleep"honey
sthere'
snosuchthi
ngi
fyouugl
y,
you
ugl
ydealwithitandstopbeingl
azy.
Wakeupandt akecareofyoursel
f.

Anywayshesoakedher selfinabathingtubf i
l
ledwithLavenderessence,
theweddingi
sat
10am. Tohert
hat'sfartool ongshejustwantt ogetthisoveranddonewith,
Nkositext
edher
sayingtheymustmeeti nt hebasement "Somet hi
ngbadisgoingtohappenatmyweddi ng"
she
thoughttohersel
f,becausei ti
sbeli
ev edthatifthebr
ideisseenbythegroom beforet
he
weddingitisabadomen. Butshewentt ot hebasementandf oundNkosiwithShenge,
she
l
ookedatt hem holdi
ngabat hi
ngdish.

Her
:"
Andt
han?
"

Shenge:"
Icamet odowhatIshoul d'vedonethedayy ouwer egetti
ngmar r
iedthetraditi
onal
way"hepl acedt hebathingdi shdownandpour edwaterthanopenedasmal lbott
lethathad
bl
ackliquidgul pedi ti
nthebat hi
ngdishmixi
ngi twit
hwat er"Stepinwit
hy ourfeet
spl easeMy
queen"Shel ookedatNkosi f
orappr oval
andhenodded, shesteppedinwithbot hherfeets
Shengetookar azerandcutt wotimesinherleftwri
st,
shewi ncedinpai
n.Thesmal lamountof
bl
ooddr oppedont hedish,heappliedthesamebl ackli
quidonherwr i
ststoppingthebl oodfr
om
comingout ."
Getoutnow, Nkosi i
t'
sYourTurn"Nkosi di
dt hesamet hi
ngandgotout" Nowy ou
areoff
iciall
yone"

Her
:"
Doest
hishav
eanysi
deef
fect
s?"

Shenge:
"Justwai
tandsee,
Icannott
ell
youi
t'
sagai
nstmycust
om bel
i
efs"

Theyspl
it
ted,
Mbal
iwentt
oherroom andgotdr
essedi
nherweddi
nggownt
henwor
ear
obeon-
topofi
t.
JoyandLani
cameinherbedroom

Joy
:"WowMommycanIal
soweart
hat
?"

Her
:"
Onl
ywheny
ouol
d"

Lani
:
"Yourscari
sgoneMama"

Shewentt
othemirr
orandindeedthescarthatwasneartheearwasgone,
shelookedather
wri
sti
twasli
keShengedi
dn'tcutherwri
statall
.Thamicameinalongwi
ththeothergi
rl
s

Thami
:
"Youl
ookl
i
keFl
amesmt
shana,
Whi
chf
rogdi
dyouki
ssbecausey
oul
ookl
i
key
ou'
re-

Lani
:
"New,
shel
ooksl
i
keanewt
oy.
.Ci
nder
ell
a"
Thami
:
"OhGodaboTakal
ani
isamustgo,
I
samustby
eby
e,i
samustt
swa"

Joy
:"Whenar
eyouget
ti
ngmar
ri
ed,
busychasi
nguswenaMal
um-
AuntThami
"

Thami
chasedt
hem out
,t
heygi
ggl
edr
unni
ngof
f

Bay
anda:
"Youbeaut
if
ulSi
si"

Her
:"
Thanky
ouguy
s"

Ay
anda:
"I
ndeedy
oul
ookl
i
keCi
nder
ell
a"

Si
mthandi
l
e:"
Snow-
whi
te"

Thami
:
"Sof
ia"

Sy
amt
handa:
"Ar
iel
"

Bay
anda:
"Sunl
i
ght
,Omo,
shoul
dIcont
inue?
"sher
oll
edherey
es

Thami
:
"Wewer
enami
ngheraf
terpr
incesses"

Bayanda:
"Melodr
amati
c,t
hat
'
sy'al
lnames.
She'
shumanabeaut
if
uloneandt
hosepri
ncesses
don'
tlookl
ikeheratal
l
.MydearSi
stery
oulookst
unni
ng,
l
etmecallt
hemakeupar
ti
st"shewent
outandcall
edher

Si
mthandi
l
e:"
Andt
hanwhat
'
sherpr
obl
em"

Ay
anda:
"I
t'
shar
dtosaygoodby
etooursi
ster
"

Thami
:
"You'
readul
ts"

Si
mthandi
l
e:"
NcourIgety
oul
adi
es"

Her
:"
I'
m get
ti
ngmar
ri
ednotmov
ingov
erseas"

Themakeupar
ti
stcameanddidhermagicandal
sodi
dthehai
r.Shewor
ehersi
l
vershoesand
st
ooduptookofft
herobeandst
oodInf
rontoft
hemir
rorsmi
li
ng.

Thami
:cr
ying"
Thi
sisamazi
ng"

Her:
"St
opory ou'
l
lmakemecr y"
shel augheditoffl
ookinguptostopthetearsfrom r
uini
ngt
he
makeup.QueenNandicameinandwi shedherGoodl uck,
Theywalkedtowardsthecarsandgot
i
nthandroveofftot
heweddingv enue.Shewai t
edinthecarwit
hJoyandLani t
alki
ngnone
st
op.ThamiOpenedthedoorshegotouthol dingherbouquetofYell
owf l
owers.

I
NSI
DETHEPI
CKEDVENUE

Nkosi
standsatthepul
pitwi
ththepast
orpr
epar
inghi
swor
ds,
Ntsi
kai
sst
andi
ngbesi
des
Nkosi
,
alongwit
hMenzi andZakes.
Zakes:
"Yousur
eyouwantt
odot
his?
thi
sisal
i
fet
imecont
ract
"

Nkosi
:Chuckl
i
ng"
I'
m pr
ett
ymuchsur
e"

Menzi
:
"Youguy
shaveyourgunsri
ght
,j
usti
ncasesomeonestandsupstoppi
ngt
heweddi
ng"
the
guy
schuckl
edthant
hesongstar
tedt
heyturnedt
hei
ratt
ent
iontothedoor.

¶Wazeway
'dl
ali
ngom'
emnandi
loDj
kwat
himangi
zul
eij
ubal
alomhl
abawoh¶

Thamialongwi t
hthegi
rl
scamedanci ngtheirsteps,
Av oshonyanawit
halit
tlebi
toft
hecat
danceyouknowt hecatdance?
theoney oust uckyourtongueandyouknowwhat
never
mind.TheysatdownbutAy anda,
BayandaandSy amthandawentandstoodwher
eMbali
wil
lbestanding.

Joy,
LaniandEnhl
ecamei
nwi
tht
hei
rat
ti
resev
ery
onemadeancoursoundast
heyt
hrew
fl
owers

¶If
oundl
ovei
nyou,
andI
'
vel
ear
ntt
olov
emet
oo

NeverhaveIfel
tthatIcoul
dbet
heoney
ouseek,
i
t'
sli
keourhear
tshav
eint
ert
winedi
ntot
he
per
fectharmony.

ThisiswhyIloveyou,ohthi
swhyIlov eyoubecauseyouloveme, youlov
eme¶Mbal iwas
foll
owingthem ast
hesongpl ayed,
shelookedevery
oneinther oom.Shesawaf ewflashesfrom
sidetosideshesmiledandlookedforwardcaref
ulnottomissast epasshewal ksupfront
.She
stoodbeforeNkosi
,Andshesawat earescapehi
sey ehequicklywipeditandsmil
ed.

Past
or:
"Icanseeourgr
oom her
eisget
ti
ngemot
ional
"t
heaudi
encechuckl
ed

Menzi
whi
sper
edt
oZakes:
"Thi
spast
ori
sfor
war
dwhydi
dhe-

Zakes:
"Shh"

Pastor
:"
Wear eher
etoday,becauseofthem Ibel
ievetheywoul
dn'tbehereift
heydi
dn'
tlov
e
eachother
.I
tisni
cetoseet hatt
herear
epeopl eouttherewhosti
l
l r
espectourol
dcust
omsand
deci
detoabidebythem,t
hisisablessi
ngbeforeGodAmen"

Audi
ence:
"Amen"

Pastor
:"
Idon'tknowwhetherthi
sisther
ightt
imeornot,
ory
ouhear
dthisbefor
eornotbutl
et
mesayi tany
way .
Wearescaredofcommitment,
Marr
iagei
snochi
ld'
splayespeci
all
yon
youngst
ersli
ket hesebef
oreusiti
stoohardfort
hem t
ohandl
e.

Butthefactt
hatt
heyaret
akingachance,
tryi
ngt
omakei twor
kshowsthattheyupfor
grabs.
Justanadv
icedon'
tl
istent
oyourfr
iendsi
ftheyar
enotmarr
ieddon'
tl
istent
ot hem"

Menzi
:
"Ahhewar
engpast
orNou"

Audi
ence:
laughi
ng
Pastor:
giggl
ing"
HahaIseeI'm ont osomethi
ng.
.I
fyouareamarri
edman/ womendon'tl
isten
toyourfri
ends,
Alsowatchoveryourfri
endsdon'
tbri
ngt
hem toocl
oset oy
ouorelsethey'
ll
snatchyourpart
nerri
ghtbef
orey oureyes.
Peopl
earecr
uelt
hey'
dlaughwithyoubutknowing
verywellt
heybetray
ingyouAndlaughingatyouwhenyounotwit
ht hem"

ZakeslookedatMenzibecausehedi
dthesamet
hingast
hepast
orsay
s,Menzi
twi
stedhi
sli
ps
l
ookingatthepast
or.

Past
or:
"Asy
oual
lcanseeweatchur
chr
ight
?"

Audi
ence:
"Amen"

Pastor:
"Butnotal
lofuswi
shthem good,
someofyouar
eli
ke'Nxatheyarenotev
enagood
couple'
or'Argcanthi
sweddi
ngbeov ery
et'
yety
oucall
your
selfabeli
everi
nThemight
yGod!
"

Audi
ence:
"Mhhm mhmm mhmm"
shookt
hei
rheadsaf
ewl
ookeddowncl
ear
ingt
hei
rthr
oat
s

Past
or:
"Letmenotwast
eanyt
imeIseet
hegr
oom i
slosi
ngpat
ience.
.Doy
ouNKOSI
YEZWE
MESSIAHDLAMINI"

Ntsi
kaandt
heguy
shel
dthei
rlaugh,
ast
hepast
orsai
dhi
sot
hernamet
hatt
heynev
erknew
about
.

Nkosi:
t ur
nedandgav
ethem at
hreat
eni
ngey
eandhef
acedt
hepast
or"
I'
dli
ket
osayaf
ew
words"hewhisper
edt
othepast
or

Past
or:
"Seemsl
i
keIwasf
orwar
d,Gr
oom want
stosayhi
sownv
ows"

Nkosi
:
clear
edhi
sthr
oatandl
ookedatMbal
i"Hey
"

Cr
owd:
chuckl
i
ng

Nkosi:
Breathedi
nandout"Iuhm,Ijustwantedtosayt hanky ou.
Thanky ouformaki
ngthi
s
decisi
ontomar r
yme,Thankyouforbeingmywi fe,Thanky ouforcomingthroughmyli
fe.
AndI
l
ov eyou,
I'
veneverf
eltl
iket
hisbeforeI'
veneverbeenner vouswhent al
kingtosomeone,y
ou
makemewantt oworshipt
hegroundy ouwalkoni tshaha,it
'sunbel
ievabl
eev er
ymomentthat
yousmi l
emywor ri
esfadeaway"hewipeshistears,Ntsi
kawassmi l
i
ngal lt
histi
mehappyas
ever.

Nkosi
:sni
ff
ing"
Youseey
ou'
ret
urni
ngmei
ntoasof
ty"

Cr
owd:
Smi
l
ingandgi
ggl
i
ng

Behi
ndThami

Gi
rl
1:"
Theyjustmetyest
erday
,nowtheyli
ke'
Nyenyuforny
omi
ngt
omyny
afar
gMbal
i
waphapha,
andItel
lyoushekil
ledThandost
ru-
bob"

Gi
rl
2:"
Yout
hinkso?
ahhIj
ustdon'
tl
iket
hem I
'
m her
efort
hef
reef
ood,
mybenay
olef
reef
oodi
s
l
i
ket
heonest
heyeatdur
ingt
hef
uner
al"

Gi
rl
1:"
Dust
yast
hegr
ound"

Gi
rl
2:"
Iyhhobazosi
dli
saudot
i(
Theygoi
ngt
omakeuseatdi
rt
)

Gi
rl
1:"
Uthol
eukut
huGi
rlcan'
tev
enmov
einbed(
you'
l
lfi
ndoutt
hatshedoesn'
thav
ethesex
moves)

Gi
rl
2:"
Shedoesn'
tseem l
i
keshedoesv
ele"

Gi
rl
1:"
She'
l
lal
way
sbeachi
cken,
thenwear
ri
veust
he'
Womenon-
top'
andt
akeherman"

Gi
rl2:
theyhi
ghf
ived

Thami:
"Youtwoarenuisanci
cal
lybui
l
dingupangerinme! Youwon'tgetevenat i
nyri
ceora
dri
nkfr
om thi
sweddingifyoudogetitknowthatIpoisonedi
tjustl
ikeyourvernomoususel
ess
wordsofhatr
ed"
heturnedtolookatthefr
ont
,t
heladieskeptthei
rmout hshut.
ItwasnowMbali
s
tur
ntospeak

Her:
"Idi
dn'tpr
epareaspeech,butI
'
llt
ryt
oputitonacontr
ay..
NkosiIl
oveyou,
forthefi
rstti
mein
for
everIcansayIloveaperson.WhenIl
ookbackattheyearsI
'v
espentwithpeoplewhonev er
l
ovedme, Ial
wayswishedIspentthoseyear
swithy
ou,I
'drat
herhav
ebadt i
meswi thyouthan
goodtimeswithsomeoneelse,Ipr
omiseI'
ll
lov
eandtakegoodcareofyou"

Past
or:
"Someonequot
edf
rom asongIsee"

Cr
owd:
laughi
ng

Past
or:
"Nowthequest
ioni
sDoy
ouNkosi
yezweMessi
ahDl
ami
nit
akeMbal
iChar
lot
teCel
eto
beyourwif
e?"

Nkosi
:
"YesIdo"
Heputar
ingonherf
inger

Thepast
oraskedt
hesamequest
iont
oMbal
i

Her
:"
YesIdo"

Past
or:
"woul
dther
ebeany
onewhowoul
dnotl
i
ket
heset
wot
ogetmar
ri
edt
oday
"

I
twentqui
et,
Menzi
,
ZakesandNt
sikawer
ereadyt
otakeoutt
hei
rguns

Past
or:
"For
everhol
dyourpeace,
Inowpr
onouncey
ouhusbandandwi
fey
oumayki
sst
hebr
ide"

Nkosi
heldherwai
sthecamecl
oser
,andt
heyki
ssedt
ender
lymor
eli
kehungr
ylyf
orNkosi
ashe
wasaboutt
or i
pherdr
essof
f

Past
or:
"Wohwohwohhaha"

Nkosi
letgoofMbal
i
,shel
ookeddownshy
Cr
owd:
clappi
nghands"
Wuuuhhhh"
somewer
ewhi
stl
i
ng

ATTHEDI
NNERTABLES

Nkosi
:
"Canwegetoutofher
e,Ir
eal
l
yneedaf
ix"

Her
:"
Huh?
"

Nkosi
:
"You.
.Ineedy
ou"
poi
ntedathi
ser
ect
eddi
ck

Her
:laughi
ng"
Hol
dst
il
l,
thepr
ogr
am i
sn'
tov
er.
Andst
opt
alki
ngnast
y"

Nkosi
:
"Fuckwhat
'shappeni
ngt
ome,
IswearI
'
llt
eari
tupwhenweal
one"

Mbal
il
ookedathi
mindi
sbel
i
ef

Her
:"
Eaty
ourf
ood"

Nkosi
:l
aughi
ng"
Fine"

I
NSERT64

•
°

•
°

•
°

Theweddingwasfinal
lyover
,Ayandacatchedthebouquetoffl
owersandt
heguysl
aughedat
Menziandhewaslike"I'
l
lmarryhervele"
,Thamiwaswatchingthoset
wogir
lswhowere
gossi
pingaboutMbali
atacloser age

Bay
anda:
"Kant
iar
en'
tyougaywena?
whyar
eyoul
ooki
ngatt
hosegi
rl
s?"

Thami:
"Nhemanyouweren'
tther
e,y
oudidn'
thearwhatt
heywer
esay
ingabouty
oursi
ster
"he
tol
dthem ev
ery
thi
ngBay
andaandSi mt
handil
ewenttothem.

Ay
anda:
"Guy
sno"
shewast
ryi
ngt
ost
opt
hem

Sy
amt
handa:
"Ei
shwhydi
dyout
ell
them mar
a"

Thami
:
"Letmef
oll
owt
hem"
Theywentont
othegi
rl
s

Bayanda:
"Lookaty
outwogood-
for
-not
hingpieceofcowdung,
eat
ingt
hef
oodt
hatwasbought
andpaidbythever
ysamepeopl
eyouwer ebadmout hi
ngehh"
Gi
rl
1:"
Woehwar
engghape?
"

Simthandi
l
e:"
Ohhyou'r
enoteveniny
ourlandAhhe,
wel
lausi
you'
rei
nmyl
andandI
'
llbeaty
our
fat
poppotbel
lyIswearyou'
l
lhaveafl
atstomach"

Thami
:
"Di
dyouguy
sgetf
ull
Icanor
gani
seanot
herpl
ate"

Thet
wogi
rl
slookedateachot
hert
hanatt
hepl
atest
hatt
heycl
eaned

Thami
:
"Thef
oodwasdel
i
ciouswasn'
ti
t"
hesmi
l
edf
li
cki
nghi
sey
ebr
ows

Gi
rl
2:"
Whatdi
dyouputher
e"shest
art
edt
ouchi
ngherst
omacht
hatwasgr
owl
i
ng"
AhhIf
eel
sick"

Bay
anda:
"That
'swhaty
ougetf
ort
alki
ngbadt
hingsaboutoursi
ster
"

Theyranupt
ot hetoil
ets,
butt
her
ewasal
i
ne-
upt
oent
er.
Theyf
art
edandwentt
othebushes,
Ever
yonewaslaughing

Ay
anda:
laughi
ng"
Youguy
sar
en'
tFai
ratal
l
"

Si
mthandi
l
e:"
Isi
tfai
rfort
hem t
otal
kshi
tabouty
oursi
ster
"

Thami:
"Ihadt
okeepmypromiseevent
houghi
twasn'
tPoi
sont
hatki
l
lsbuti
t'
ssomet
hingt
hat
sentt
hem tomakesomeerr
ands"

Theyal
ll
aughed

Them:
"Cheer
s"t
heyl
i
ftedupt
hei
rgl
asses.

THEGUYS

Theywer
eseat
edbyt
hecor
nerdr
inki
ngt
hei
rbeer
s

Menzi
:
"Wher
eisy
ouwi
feman?
"

Nkosi
:
"Shesai
d,
shewant
stosaygoodby
etoev
ery
one"

Zakes:
"Mar
ay'
al
lar
ecomi
ngback"

Nkosi
:
"Dr
amanj
erei
"

Menzi
:
"Soy
ouget
ti
ngdownwi
thi
ttoday
"

Nkosi
:
"Ahhewaphaphanousan"
Nt
sika:
"ShehasoneBeaut
if
ulbody
"

I
twentqui
et,
Menzi
clear
edhi
sthr
oatl
ooki
ngatZakes

Zakes:
"Nt
sika-

Nkosi
:
"Nol
ethi
m speak!
"

Nt
sika:
"Iwasj
ustsay
ing"

Nkosi
:"Iknowy ouhadat hi
ngwi
thher,
buty
ounevermadeitwit
hhersoIdon'
texpecty
outo
t
alkli
ket hatabouther
.She'
smywifeandIwanty
outorespectt
hat
,i
fyou'
renothappyj
ustkeep
i
tshut"

Mbal
i
:cameandst
oodbehi
ndt
hem"
I'
m done,
wecango"
shesmi
l
ed,
Nkosi
tur
ned

Nkosi
:
"Wai
tint
hecar
,Ist
il
lhav
etosor
toutsomet
hing"

Mbal
i
:fr
owned"
Oh-
kay
..
Byeguy
s"

Guy
s:"
Byeeeee"

Theywat
chedherwal
k

Nt
sika:
"LookI
'
m sor
ry,
Idi
dn'
tmeant
oagi
tat
eyou"

Nkosi:
l
etoutasi
gh"
Okay
..
Justkeepy
ouropi
nionst
oyour
sel
f,
nowl
etmego"
Theyal
lbr
o
hugged

Nkosi
:
"Shar
pGent
s"

Them:
"By
eeeee"

Nkosi
:
"Thatsoundssogayr
ightnow"

Theychuckl
ed.

Thecardr
oveof
ftot
he5st
arhot
el,
whi
chonl
yther
ichcanIaf
for
d

Mbal
i
:"Youdi
dn'
thav
etobookusi
ntoaf
ancyhot
elt
hat
'sj
ustwast
ingmoney
"

Nkosi:
"Iwantedtospoil
you,
andbesi
desthi
sispartonehoneymoonphase.
.I
'v
egotpl
entymor
e
ofsurpri
ses"
shesmi l
edwalki
nguptothe6t
hfloor
,Hesearchedf
orthekeysandf
oundthem
thanopenedt hedoor

[
CONTI
NUATI
ON-
TLOFTLOFWI
LLBEPOSTEDI
NTHEGROUP]

•
•

I
NJAI
L

KGwassent
encedf
or5y
ear
sforsmuggl
i
ngdr
ugsand10y
ear
sfort
hemur
derofFai
th.

Shewasmovedtothebi
gpri
son,
Shewasnowwear
ingtheOrangeuni
for
m wal
kingli
kea
guy,
Theyt
ookhert
ocell
number13andcl
osedt
hej
aildoor
s,shest
oodbythedoorbangi
ng

KG:
"Pl
easeopenup,
Iwassupposedt
ohav
emyowncel
l
,Hey
"

Inmate1:
"Eyeyeyoboni
ukut
hisi
zamaukucompensat
erl
a(Can'
tyouseewet
ryi
ngt
o
concentr
ateher
e?)"

Inmate2:
"Ncauf
reshowami
Gent
s,andubukekaey
iTy
peYami
(Thi
snewgi
rli
smi
neguy
s,and
shelooksli
kemytype)
"

I
nmat
e3:
"Hahaay
iTel
l
sthatf
rom Uncl
eG,
whatwer
eyousayUncl
eS?
"

Theyl
ookedatt
hewomenwhohadherheaddownasshewasbusywi
thherkni
fe

I
nmat
e1:
"Uncl
eS.
.Rebual
e-

Uncl
eS:
"Ehhhshhhhncncnc.
.Can'
tyouseeI
'
m hav
ingamomenther
e?"

KGswall
owedhar
dasshesawt
hewomenwi
thscar
sal
lov
erherf
ace,
andherpi
eceoft
he
ear
lobewasmi
ssi
ng.

Uncl
eS:
Laughi
ngdev
iousl
y"Hahaha.
..
.Wel
lwel
li
fiti
sn'
tThemi
ght
yKg"

KG:
"St
oney
ou'
real
i
ve"

Uncl
eS:
"AndI
'
minl
ovehahaha"

Sor
ryi
fit
'sshor
t,
mybat
ter
yisl
ownow

I
NSERT65

•
°

•
°

•
°

MBALI
Ourhoney moonphaselast
edf or1mont h.Wehadagr eatti
mewet r
avell
edtoDubai thatplace
i
samustl iv
eatasThami wouldputit.
I'dlovetolivet
herebutwegotr esponsibi
l
iti
eslikebeing
akingandQueen. Wedidn'
trestatallmyhoney potsurei
sbur ni
ngevennow, Iwouldbe
pregnantifIwasabl
etobareki dsbutI'm suddenlyabarr
en.Isti
l
lhaven'
ttoldhimy et
,Ithi
nkit
willbeabigprobl
em.I
'v
eseent hi
sinmov i
esthehusbandt akesasecondwi feorgetssurrogate
tomot herhischi
l
dhonestl
yt hat'
sbul
l shitfor
givemeGod, I
'dneveral
lowsucht ohappennot
withNkosi.

Hi
m:"
YheaIcan'
twai
ttoo.
.Wi
l
lyoubet
her
e?.
..
hahasur
ethi
ngt
han.
..
Alr
ight
!"

Heendedthecal
l"Mhhhm"si
ghedloud,
wel
lIdi
dn'thearwhatt
heywer
etal
ki
ngaboutbutI
'
m
sur
eit
'sawomen.Whoi si
tthathecan'
twai
ttosee?arewegoingt
ohavepr
obl
emssoearlyi
n
ourmarr
iage?

Hi
m:"
Youokey
?"

Me:
"Huhy
heaI
'
mfi
ne,
Didn'
tyousayy
oucanr
eadmi
nds?
"

Him:"Notyour
s,Idon'
tknowwhybutIcan'tr
eadyours.
Andmyspir
it
ualguideisnowheretobe
seenIlongheardfrom hi
m"heshookhishead,
Idon'
tgetwher
espi
rit
ualguidesgeti
nthis
conversat
ion,
Minehasbeenquiett
oo.Str
ange

Me:
"Sowhoar
eyoumi
ssi
ng?
"

Heconcent
rat
edont
her
oad,
andkeptonst
eal
i
nggl
ancesatme

Hi
m:"
Huh?
"

Me:
"Ont
hephone,
yousai
dyoucan'
twai
ttoseet
hem whowasi
t?"

Hi
m:"
Simt
handi
l
e..
youknowhowf
ussyshei
shaha"

Thathahameanscany
ouj
ustbuyt
hest
oryandshutup.

Me:"
Okay
,canwepassbyt
heshopsIwantt
obuyaf
ewt
hings"
hedr
ovet
othepar
king-
lot
,Igot
out

Hi
m:"
I'
ll
wai
tint
hecar
"

Me:
"OkeyIwon'
tbel
ong"

Hi
m:"
BuymeMj
ojobur
ger
"

Me:
"What
?"

Hi
m:"
Buymest
eer
sbur
ger
"

Me:
"Al
ri
ght
"

•
•

I
NTHECAR

Nkosiwasbusyty
pingandsmi
li
ngonhisphone,
thansomeoneknockedonthewi
ndowhe
l
ookedtoseewhoi twast
hanl
oweredt
hewindowt oseet
hewomenwhoi swear
ingr
ags
l
ookingl
ikeahobbo

Hi
m:"
Yes"

Women:
"Nkosi
yezwe?
"

Hi
m:l
ookedar
oundf
rowni
ng"
Andy
ouar
e"

Women:
"OhThankGodI
'
vebeenl
ooki
ngf
ory
oul
i
steni
-

Mbal
i
:"What
'shappeni
ngher
e?"

Hi
m:"
Idon'
tknow,
Ithi
nkshewant
edt
osaysomet
hing"

Women:
"I
..(
LookedatMbal
i
)Nev
ermi
nd"
shewal
kedoutoft
hepar
kingl
otopeni
ngt
hebi
ns
t
ryi
ngt
ofindfood.

Mbal
i
:"It
hinkshe.
..
Hey
"

Shecal
l
edoutf
orher,
shecamebackeat
ingachi
ckenbone.
Herf
acewascov
eredbyt
hewi
g
andi
tseemedl
ikei
twasdippedi
ntot
hemud"Getinthecar
"

Hi
m:"
What
?li
sten-

Her
:"
I'
mtr
yingt
ohel
pawomenher
e,she'
shar
mlessandaqueeni
saqueenbyi
tsnat
ion"

Hi
m:"
Kant
inotbyki
ng?
She'
l
ldi
rt
ymycar
"

Her
:cl
ucked"
NcncncSi
singena"
shegoti
nscar
ed

Women:
"Wher
ear
eyout
aki
ngme?
"

Him:
"Youshould'
veaskedthatbef
orey
ougoti
n"t
hev
oiv
esoundedf
ami
l
iart
oNkosi
buthe
coul
dn'
tputthefacetoit

Her:
"Behav
ebabe.
.Her
etakethi
s"Shegaveherthepaperbagf
rom st
eer
s,t
hewoment
orei
t
apar
tandatet
heburgerhungr
il
y,eat
ingever
ythi
ngatonce

Her
:"
What
'sy
ourname?
"

Women:
"Zet
hu"

Her:
"Okay
"theydr
oveof
fsil
enti
nthecar
,onl
yZet
hueat
ingt
hef
ood.
Shewhi
sper
edt
oNkosi
"Ar
e
youmadbecauseIgaveyourbur
gert
oher?"
Nkosi
noddedli
keasmallbaby
,wi
thhi
sli
psturneddown.Mbali
chuckl
ed"
Whatababy
"theygot
t
othepal
ace,
thesecur
it
yopenedupfort
hem.Theysteppedoutoft
hecar

Hi
m:"
Honey
,bef
orey
ougeti
nsi
det
hehouseIwantt
oshowy
ousomet
hing"

Her
:"
ButbabeIhav
etomakeherf
eel
athome"

Hi
m:"
Nonot
hatcanwai
t,
fol
l
owme"

Shefol
l
owedasheopenedthegaragedoor
s,aWhi
teG-wagonwaspar
kedi
nsi
dewi
thar
ed
ri
bbon"Sur
pri
se"
shecov
eredhermouthandmovedaroundthecar

Her
:"
BabeNo"

Hi
m:"
Yes"

Her
:"
OHMYGOOOOOOOOD"
Shescr eamedj
umpingupanddown,
wentont
ohugherHusband
"
Thanky
out
hanky
ousomuch"
kissedNkosial
loverhi
sface

Hi
m:"
Alr
ightenoughhaha,
youadognowy
oul
i
ckf
aces"

Shepunchedhi
m pl
ayf
ull
y

Awomencameoutoft
hehousewi
tht
hecarkey
s

Hi
m:"
Heyy our
eal
lycame,Thankyouforpersonal
l
ybri
ngi
ngit
..
Babethi
sisSandrat
hewomenI
wast
alki
ngwit
hinthecarandy ougotj
ealousHer:
HahanoIwasn'
t.
.Heythanky
ou"

Sandr
a:"
Noprobl
em l
ovelyt
ofinall
ymeetyou.
.Yourhusbandhasbeenonmyneckf
ort
ool
ong
nowbeggingmetoorgani
sethiscar.
It
'sar
arekind"

Her
:Lookedati
t"Ican'
tbel
ievei
t'
smine"
shewentonandopenedi
tthant
urnedt
heengi
neon
"
Babewer hIl
oveyou"sheshout
edfr
om thecar

Hi
m:"
Ilov
eyout
oo"

Her
:"
I'
ll
thanky
oul
ater
"

Hi
m:"
Nowy
out
alki
ng"

Theyl
aughedal
ongwi
thSandr
a

ATTHETABLESAREAI NJAI
L,KGsatdowneat
ingherf
oodt
hatdi
sgust
edher
.St
onesatI
nfr
ont
ofherwi
thherpuppet
sinmat
es
Stone:
"Ent
lekni
myekel
anj
ani
adl
eigawul
olet
hul
omsedzana(
Howdoy
oul
ett
hisgi
rleatour
food?)
"

I
nmat
e1(
Sgwi
nyakonke)
:"
She'
saf
reshUncl
eS,
l
eftherenj
oyherf
ood"

St
one:
"Mhm y
our
ight
"

Kg:
"Li
stenSt
one,
I
'm sor
rymanIdi
dn'
t
-..
.l
ookwecanf
ixt
hisj
ustnamey
ourpr
ice"

Stone:"
Ah(
Lookedatherandlaughed).
Ahahahahay ii
i
ihhihi
hi"
shewipedafal
li
ngtearand
becameserious"Soy
outakemydaught erandtur
nherint
oaprosti
tut
ethancomehereand
apologi
ze?
DoIl ookl
ikeGod?
DoIl ookli
keIfor
givesi
nshuh?"

I
nmat
e2(
Zembe)
:"
Eishsan"

Sgwi
nyakonke:
"She'
samustdi
e,
diecher
ryuncl
eS"

Stone:
"Nottoosoon..
I'
m sti
ll
wait
ingf
oracal
l"
shet
ookhertr
ayoffoodandlef
tKgeat
ing
alone,
shelostherappet
it
e.Andhadamelt
downsobbi
ngbutwipedhert
earsst
andi
ngupgoi
ng
torequestforatoi
let

Warder
:"
Wehav eti
met
oeat
,donumber1and2..
youdon'
tj
ustr
equesty
eyekebat
lat
oil
etny
aa
aghobereki
jwal
omo(Noi
tdoesn'
tworkl
i
kethather
e)

Kg:
"Keaghopel
atl
emme(
I'
m beggi
ngy
ou)
"

Warder:
"No,
Gobackt
oyourt
abl
eSboshwa"
shewentt
ohert
abl
eandsatdown,
Agi
rlpr
obabl
y
ol
derthanKgcameandsatwi
thher

Gi
rl
:"
Eit
a(Hey
)"

KGkeptqui
et

Gi
rl
:"
Minabang'
bi
zauJakal
ase,
wenaubani
(Theycal
lmeJakal
aseandy
ouar
e?)
"

Kg:
"Whatdoy
ouwant
?"

Jakal
ase:
"AwoI
'
mjustt
ryi
ngt
omakeFr
iendshi
p-Fr
iendshi
pyabo"

Kg:
"Idon'
tneedy
ourf
ri
endshi
p"

Jakal
ase:"
Hahaf rom whereI
'
m standi
ngyoudo,youneedsomeonewho'l
lbeaty
ourcorner
becauseBraStonedoesn'tmessaroundwit
hkids"shestoodupandt
hrewaci
garet
teather"
I
cal
lthatDe-st
ress"
shelef
tKgseatedwait
ingtobet oi
lett
ime.

•
ATZAKES

Li
fawi
pest
hedi
shesangr
il
y

Zakes:
"Ar
eyoul
i
steni
ngt
ome?
"

Li
fa:
"ZakesIj
ustdon'tgethowyougotther
e,whyyouweret
her
eandithappensyou'
renot
i
nvol
v edi
ndrugs"shelef
tthedi
shesandfocusedonZakeswhowentqui
et"Notel
lmeZakes
don'
tkeepquiet
"

Zakes:
"I
'm sor
ryl
ove,
Iwasatt
hewr
ongpl
aceatt
hewr
ongt
ime"

Li
fa:
"Tel
lmet
het
rut
hZakes"

Zakes:
"That
'st
het
rut
hbaby
"

Li
fa:
shookherhead"
Ihat
etheper
sony
ou'
vebecome,
apat
hol
ogi
cal
li
ar"

Zakes:
"DARNI
TDOYOUHAVETOQUESTI ONEVERYTHINGIDOWOMEN..
IJUSTWANT
CHILDRENFROM YOUBUTITSEEMSLIKEITSHARDFORYOUHUH"Heroar
edloudscar
ing
Li
fa,
shecomposedher
sel
fandr
anupthestai
rscr
ying

Zakes:
"OhnoI'
m sor
ry"
hewentupwi
thher,
shecl
osedthedoori
nhi
sface"I
'mr
eal
lysorr
yI'
m
j
uststr
essedsomuch,Il
eti
tgett
omepleaseopenupsowecouldt
alk"
ther
ewassil
ent"
Babe"

Shesatonthebedsobbing,l
ooki
ngatt
hedocumentst
hatpr
ovedshecan'
thav
ekidsherwomb
i
snottooaccommodating,i
fshewer
etohaveone.
Thechi
ldwoul
dn'
tmakeital
ive

ATTHEBAR

Nkosi
takesabi
teofhi
sbur
geranddr
inkshi
sbeer

Nkosi
:
"Ihadt
otast
ethesebur
ger
s"

Nt
sika:
"Byt
het
imey
our
each40,
you'
l
lhav
eal
ongpot
bel
l
y"

Menzi:
"MrDlami
ni(
Chuckl
ed)
whyar
ey'
al
lDl
a-Mi
nibuty
'al
leatev
enatni
ght
..
yoursur
namei
s
Eat
-atMiddaypl
easest
andbyit
"

Theyl
ookedathi
m wi
thabor
edl
ookt
hant
urnedt
oZakeswhowasl
osti
nhi
sthought
s

Nt
sika:
"Youokaybr
a"

Zakes:
"Huh"
drankhi
sbeerandsi
ghed"
We'
vebeent
ryi
ngf
orachi
l
dbutnot
hing"
Nkosi
:
"Di
dyouguy
scheck?
"

Zakes:
"Onl
yIdi
d,
andI
'
mfer
ti
le.
.Idon'
tknowabouther
"

Nkosi
:"
YouShoul
dtakeherwi
thy
ou,you'
l
lfi
ndoutt
hatmybeshe'
staki
ngapil
landnott
ell
i
ng
you,
i
fthat
'ssot
hanshe'
swrongf
orkeepi
ngyouint
hedar
ktimeisnotbyoursi
dewegreyi
ng
now"

Menzi
:"
Yheaevenmypri
vatehai
risgreyi
ng,Theti
mei
srunni
ngmar
athonnowker
ecast
or
semest
erismanagi
ngourSouthAfr
icanclock"

Nt
sika:
"Cast
orSemeny
anotSemest
er"

Menzi
:
"Samedi
ff
erence,
Letmemakesomef
ri
endsy
'al
lar
ebor
ing"
hest
oodupgoi
ngt
othe
ot
hert
ables

Nt
sika:
"Thef
ri
endswekeep"

Nkosi
:
"I'
dsayhe'
sgaybutseei
ngt
hathe'
sChowi
ngl
i
keusnhemant
heguyhasal
oosescr
ew"

Nt
sika:
"Ihopewedon'
tbet
rayeachot
hernowguy
s"

Zakes:
"I
'm notonet
otur
nli
keKg"

Nkosi
:
"I'
m notweak"

Nt
sika:
"Goodbecausewecan'
thav
ethesamet
hinghappenagai
n"

Menzi
cameback

Menzi:
"AhGentswhyar
en'
twewatchi
ngsoccervel
e?ehhChi
efsscor
ed3andPi
rat
es2l
ast
Sat
urdayifIhadmadeabetIwoul
d'
vemademi l
l
ions"

Nt
sika:
"Betwi
thwho"

Menzi
:
"Wi
thy
ouguy
s"

Theyl
aughed

Nkosi
:
"For
geti
t,
youacr
ooky
oudon'
tknowt
het
eam y
ousuppor
t"

Zakes:
"Whenchi
efsl
osesy
ou'
reapi
rat
esf
an,
whenPi
rat
esLosesy
ou'
reachi
efsf
an"

Nt
sika:
"Andl
et'
snotf
orgett
haty
oudon'
tpayupwheny
oul
ose,
youj
ustst
ayangr
yatus"

Menzi
:
"AhhLi
fei
snotf
air
,youdon'
texpectmet
obef
air
"

Theyl
aughedor
der
ingmor
ebeer
s,unt
ili
twast
imet
ogohome

•
•

ZakesandNt
sikapar
kedt
hei
rcari
nthegar
age,
thangoti
nsi
de

Nt
sika:
Yawni
ng"
Letmegor
est
,I
'
mti
red"

Nkosi:
"sharp"
hewenttothekit
chentodri
nkMilkbutfoundZethui
ntheki
tcheneat
inga
sandwich,hel
ookedattheti
mei twas23:
20"
Isn'
titpastbedti
me?"
shetur
nedtohim andNkosi
al
mostl osthi
sbalanceseei
ngthefaceonaclearvi
ew" Li
zzy
?".