Co-

wif
e
#1

Iwalkedoutoft hebui l
dingreadi
ngmyl et
ters
again, t
heurgetoraisemyhandsandy ellcrept
uponmebuti keptcalm asanothersmartly
dressedempl oyeewal kedpassedme.Ay ear
contractforsomeonewhoj ustgraduat
edwas
anaccompl i
shment.Icouldalmostseemy self
mov ingoutofmypar entshome.Myphone
vibr
at edasiwalkedoutoft hegatewav i
ngat
thesecur i
tyguard.
..
.

Me:
Hel
l
o?
Mama:
(anxi
ousl
y)And?
Me: (
smiled)I
twentwell
,I
'm submi
tt
ingmy
papersatthebanksothatIcanopenabank
accountbutI'
m br
oke.Gaker i
anaI
'm wal
ki
ng
al
ongt heroadtothebank,ionlyhadcoi
nsfor
gett
ingoverhere.
..
(si
ghed)Itr
iedtocall
Papa
butdidn'
tpickmycall
s.
Mama: Abalengsai
dhewill
findyoumoneyf or
tr
ansport
,lennaketaal
ekangwanaka, I
'm
expect
ingaf r
iendt
opaymot shel
onextweek.
Youfoundaj obsoyoudon'
tneedt obegthat
manany more.
Me:(si
ghed)Iknow, i
justt
houghtaft
er
abandoningusforsolonghemi ghtf
eelgui
lt
y
andhelpmeoutj ustt
hisonce.Theysayfat
hers
l
ikehim surf
acewhenonei sgrownup.
Mama: I
fhecoul
dn'
tpayforyourschoolfeesi
n
Seni
orschool
hecan'
tgiveyoutranspor
tmoney
now..
.(t
ookadeepbreat
h)pleaseacceptour
si
tuat
ion.
Me:(
sighed)Ar
onaalsopromisedmeP150
whenshegetsherst
udentall
owancenextweek.
Mama:
(smi
l
ed)Yousee,
thi
ngswi
l
lwor
kout
j
ustf
inemygi
rl
,Iser
veal
i
vingGod.
Me:
(smi
l
ed)Ist
il
lcan'
tbel
i
eveI
'
llbewor
king.
..
Me:
(smi
l
ed)Godhear
dourpr
ayer
sbaby
.By
e

Ihungupandopenedmyumbr el
la.After
walki
ngashor tdist
anceasil
ver4X4Toy ota
Hil
uxdoubl ecabpul l
edoverinf r
ontofme.
Therewer eloadsofhaybundlesatt heback
andialreadyknewi twasanol dman.Those
werethet ypesialwaysat
tractedev enwheni
wasat eenager .

Iwalkedpassedhi m asheroll
eddownt he
windowandsmi l
edatme.Icoul dn'
tseemuch
ofhisfacet hr
oughtheblackbaseballcaphe
waswear ingbuthehadshor ttri
mmedbear d
abov ehi
slipsgoingdownhischi nandal ong
hisjawgoinguphi scap,heclearl
ywasn' twhat
iexpected.
Dr
iver
:(smi
l
ed)Hey
..
.Cani
giv
eyouar
ide?
Me:
ThanksbutI
'
mjustgoi
ngar
oundt
hecor
ner
Dri
ver:(
smiledl
ookingathi
smirrorforthe
t
raff
ic)Comeon...Maunishot.
..Andi canhear
youbreathi
ngfr
om here.
..
.Geti
n...
Me:
(smi
l
edshy
ly)I
'
mfi
ne.
..
Driv
er:(
smiled)Alr
ight.
..
nteba..
.(l
aughed)kant
e
keengot shabagont eba?( pul
l
edthepeakof
hiscaptothebackr eveal
inghisface)ifyou
seemear ounddon'tbeaf raidt
osayhi,ke
bit
swaBakang, autwa?
Me:
Ok.
..
.
Bakang:(
smil
edst
ari
ngatme)Thi
sisthepar
t
whereyoutel
lmeyournameaswel
l.
..
Me:
(laughed)oh.
..
.mynamei
sNal
edi
Bakang:
(smi
l
ed)Ni
cemeet
ingy
ouNal
edi
,shap
aker
e?
Me:
(smi
l
ed)Shap

Hej oinedtheroadasistar
edatthepileofhay
attheback, ihadnoideawhyi r
efusedbecause
iwant edto,myhandswer eshaki
ngandIwas
excitedthatforonceiwasn'
tstoppedbyanold
man. ..
..
myphoner ang.
..

Me:
Hel
l
o?
Maduo:
(si
ghedr
oll
i
ngherey
es)Fi
nal
l
y..
.wher
e
ar
eyou?
Me:(l
aughed)
I'
m wal
ki
ngal
ongt
her
oadt
othe
bank.
..
Maduo:
(fr
owned)Wal
ki
ng?Whyar
ewal
ki
ng?
Me:
Idon'
thav
emoney
..
.
Maduo:Aomma, whydon'tyougetari
de?Can
wenotbetooslowthisyear
?Banyanaba
t
swelet
sepleasegakebatebonya,
stopanycar
thatcomesal
ongandj
umpin,
iftheywantyour
numbergivet
hem mi
nesi
nceyounotreadyto
enjoyli
fe.
Me:I'
m al
readyhal
fway
,any
waywher
eis
Renei
lwe?
Maduo: It
alkedtoherear
li
er,shemi ssedwork.
..
herboyfri
endisdoingi
tagainwaitsennai f
eel
l
ikeifaguyt akesmeforgruntedI'
dleave.I
can'
tstandthewayt hi
sguyt r
eatsNeinei
Me: That
'swhyIdon' twantrelat
ionshi
ps,t
hey
allseem t
oostressfulevenmar r
iages,
infact
thoseareworse, Ij
ustdon'tseemy sel
fdeali
ng
withamanl i
ket hat.
Maduo:
Solist
ent
othi
schomza,I'
m pi
cking
youupl
ater
,wear
egoingt
ocelebr
atethatnew
j
ob.
Me:
(laughed)Cel
ebr
atewi
thwhat
?I'
m br
oke
Maduo:
ThankGody
ouhav
eme.
..Ihav
eapl
an.
Me:(laughed)Idon'
tli
ket
hesoundofthat,
it
bett
ernotbeani ghtcl
uborsomet
hing,you
knowi hatethecrowd.
Maduo:
Gir
lhav
eiev
ert
akeny
out
oacl
ub?
Me:(laughed)YesandnnaleReneil
wehadto
beresponsibl
eforever
yonebecauseyouwer
e
al
ldrunk,nothankyou.
Maduo:
Itol
dyouthatist
oppeddr
inki
ng,
I'
ma
newper
sonnow.seeyoulat
er.
Me:
Bye

Ihungupandshookmyheadsmi
l
ing.
..
.

AtAbal
eng'
shouse.
..

Lat
ert
hataft
ernoonhedust
edhisshoesand
wal
kedint
hroughthemaindoor
,meanwhil
ehis
gi
rlf
riendquicklyputherphoneinsi
lentmode
andsl i
ditunderthepil
lowashewal kedint
he
bedroom andl eanedoverki
ssingher.
..

Abal
eng:
Heybabe.
..
Her
:Hey.
..Um.
..(
swall
owed)whatar
eyou
doi
nghomesoearly
?
Abal
eng:
Ihav
eaheadache.
Her:
Okay..
.(gotup)
um..
.Letmemake
somethi
ngforyoutoeat
..
.
Abaleng:(
obser
vedherasshecar
ri
edher
phonealong)Whyareyoual
wayshidi
ngy
our
phone?
Her
:I'
m nothi
dingi
t.
..
Abal
eng:
(wal
kedov
er)Et
iseee.
..
Her
:Whydoy
ouwanti
t?
Abal
eng:
Kar
eti
sa.
..(
shewal
kedawayandhe
f
oll
owedher
)I'
m notgonnaaskyouagai
n,
(
angri
l
y)Obatagontenaaker
e?
Her:I
'mtal
kingtomysist
eraboutourf
ami
l
y
t
hings,i
t'
sjustgi
rl
yst
uff.
Abaleng:(
twistedherarm andgoti
t)I
'l
lbet
he
j
udgeoft hat
...(hepr
essedthephone)What'
s
yourpassword?
Her
:(t
ear
ful
l
y)I
'
m notgi
vi
ngy
oumypasswor
d
Abaleng:(
glari
ngather)Don'
ttemptme...(
he
l
eanedov erandkissedherhol
dingherneck
soft
ly)Tsenyapasswordbabe,iwoul
dn'twant
tohurtyou..
.

Sheputthepasswordandmov edbackashe
readthemessages,
shestoodagainstt
hewall
rubbi
nghertear
swaiti
ngforhi
m, hetur
nedhi
s
eyesandhandedherthephone.
Abal
eng:
Gety
ourcl
othesandl
eav
emyhouse.
Her:(
cryi
ng)Wewer ejustt
aki
ng,
ihav
enever
evenseenhim ner
ebuakaFacebookhel
a.I
'
m
sorr
y..
.Ican'
tl
ivewit
houtyou.
Abaleng:(star
ingather)Getout ,
waait
seakere
goregasel anthaodir
aj aana?Idon'twantt
o
beatyouandi t'snott
hatkepal elwakegobetsa
ngwany ana,nkagobetsaandl ockyouinhere
unti
lyouhav ehealedbutI '
ll
decidenotto
becausey ou'r
enotwor t
hi tsogoMer cy.
Mer
cy:
Soy
ou'
regi
vi
nguponust
hateasy
?
Abal
eng:
Whyar
eyoust
il
lst
andi
ngher
e?

Hesatont hecouchrubbinghisheadashi s
heartt
huddedagainsthischest,
hel ookedat
thekit
chendoorseveralti
mesbutr efusedto
fol
lowthroughwithi
t,
minuteslatershewal ked
passedhim hol
dingherbagandcl osedt he
doorbehindher
.Her ubbedhisey esandl ai
don
hi
sbackf orawhi
l
ethenhet
ookouthi
s
phone.
..
.

AtRenei
l
we'
shouse.
..
.

Lat
erthataf
ternooniknockedonherdoorand
sheopened,f
rom herreddi
sheyesicoul
dtell
shehadbeencr yi
ng.

Renei
l
we:(
slowlyrubbedhert
ear
s)Iknowwhat
youar
egoi
ngt osaybutyoudon'
tunderst
and.
Me:(shookmyheadandsat )Pl
easemakeme
underst
and.
..(
shesatandinoti
cedbr
uiseson
herneck)Whathappened?
Renei
lwe:Hewasdr unkandit
ri
edt
alki
ngto
hi
m aboutthatgi
rl
,hegotangr
yandwestar
ted
fi
ghti
ng.
Me:
Youmeanhest
art
edbeat
ingy
ou?You
havetol
eavethi
sman...Idon'
tunder st
andthi
s
l
ove.Amancannev erbeatyouli
ket hisi
fhe
l
ovesyouNey.Mogapiisgoingtoofarnow, i
t'
s
enought
hatheischeati
ngbutbeatingy ou?
Renei
lwe:Gaokakewat hal
ogany
aNal
edi
,
you'
renotinar
elat
ionship.
Me:Therehast
obesomet
hingbet
tert
hant
his
outt
here.
Reneil
we:Thegr
assisn'tal
waysgr
eeneronthe
othersi
deandever
yrelati
onshi
pgoesthr
ough
hell
,Ihavet
obestr
ong.
Me:Whyshouldy oubethestr
ongone?Mogapi
waaitsegoreoil
wakebojalwwhyshouldhe
dri
nkandcomeher e?Andwhyshouldyouopen
thedoorforhi
m?
Renei
l
we:
Youwoul
dn'
tunder
stand.
.
Me:(si
ghed)Fine,
whyaren'
tyour
eady?Didn'
t
yougetmymessage?Maduoi scomingtopick
meup,idon'tknowwhatshehasinmindbuti
wanty
outocomewi
thme.Youneedt
ogetout
oft
hehouse.
..
Rei
nei
lwe:Looki
ngl
i
ket
his?No.
..I
'
mfi
ne,
i
wantt
olaydown.
Me:You'renotlayi
ngdownandl eavi
ngmet o
gowithdrunkards,theywill
bedancingand
soci
ali
singwhil
ei lookweirdbymy sel
f,i
need
anot
herwei r
do...
.(Igotupandpul l
edherup)
Getup..
..Let
'sgowagot hapa.

Shef ol
l
owedmet othebathr
oom wher eifi
ll
ed
thetubforher,sheslowl
ytookdownherr obe
careful
enoughnott orubherbr
uises.
..Myskin
crawledasistaredatthedarkr
eddishlashes
onherback...
.

Me:(
coveredmymouth)OhmyGod,
whatwas
hewhi
ppingyouwi
th?
Renei
l
we:(st
eppedi
nthet
ubandsl
owl
ysat
down)Hi
sbelt.
..
Me: (
mov edcl
oser
)Ammel ebant
elekgagol
a
l
etalojaananewena?Thi
sisn'
tabel
t.
..Arey
ou
sure?
Renei
l
we:
It'
sabel
t,l
etenghagodi
mogabol
ao.
..
Me:Inev
erknewabel tcoulddot
his,
Reneiy
ou
hav
etoreportt
his.
..Didyouseey
ourback?You
l
ookli
keJesus.
..Li
teral
ly
Renei
lwe:
Reporthi
m andwhat
?Idon'
thav
ea
j
ob,howwill
Ipaymyr ent
?
Me:Youcoul
dsel
lsomet
hingorhav
ea
busi
ness-
Reneil
we: Itr
iedallt
hatandpeopledon'tpay
me, st
ocksamakeupset engmo, peopl
epr ef
er
tobuyfrom shopsbesidesev ery
oneissell
ing
products.
..I'
m notabusinessperson.
..
Mogapi
i
spay i
ngmyr ent
,hegi
vesmehi sATM card..
.
Hisangeri stheonlyminorprobl
em butI'
m sure
hewi
l
lgr
owup.
Me: (t
earful
l
y)Soyou'r
enotgoingtor
epor
thim
again?(shekeptqui
etanditookoutmyphone)
I'
m call
ingmybrothermaybehe-
Renei
l
we:Pleasedon'
tdot
hat
..
.I'
l
ldeal
wit
hit
bymysel
f.
Me:(sighedandputmyphonebacki nthe
pocket)Reneil
wei don'twanttoseey oudi
eor
havesomeki ndofadi sabil
i
tyatthehandsofa
man.That '
sallicansayt oyou..
.(
therewas
shortmomentofsi lence)Doy ouhavecott
on
wool sothatIcanwasht hosecut sandappl
y
somet hi
ngony ourback?
Renei
l
we:
Int
hebedr
oom.
.Topdr
awer
..

Iwalkedint
hebedroom andgotthethi
ngsi
neededthenipausedl
ookingathisbel
tlay
ing
onthemessedupbed, i
thadnomet alri
ngandI
coul
dn'ti
maginetheamountofpainshewent
t
hrough.
..

Out
sidet
hehouse.
..
..

Awhi l
elat
erDi
tsameparkedt
hecarandrana
l
ipsti
ckonherl
ipsasMaduosteppedout
pull
i
ngdownhershortt
ightdr
ess.
.

Maduo:
It'
ssoqui
et.
..
Dit
same:Theybetterbereadyandwelldr
essed,
Idon'
tevenknowwhywehav et
ogoasagr oup
okareremagwane.Nal edii
sprobabl
ygoingto
comelooki
nglikeBigmamakanaMadeawi th
oneofherbi
gdr esses.
Maduo:(
pausedandstar
edather
di
sappoi
ntedl
y)Real
l
y?
Dit
same: (
closedherl
ipst
ickandzi
ppedher
purse)whatever
..
.Thi
sisav er
yser
iouspar
ty,
i
don'
twanttolookli
keal
owl
i
f-(
qui
ckl
ysmi
l
ed)
Heylov
ies.
..
..Bochoma.
.

Weapproachedthecarsmil
ingandgoti
nthen
sher
eversedanddroveoff
..
.

Maduo:
HeyNey
..
.Howar
eyouf
eel
i
ng?
Ney
:(smi
l
ed)I
'
mfi
ne.
..
Dit
same:(smil
ed)Heylovi
es,
youl
ook
beaut
if
ul.
..Ar
ewer eady?
Me:
Wher
ear
ewegoi
ngagai
n?
Maduo:
Somewher
einMaun.
..
Ditsame:(laughed)Myf r
iendgotinvit
edt oher
fr
iend'spartyandshei nv
itedme, apparentl
ythe
guywonat enderf
orroadconst r
ucti
onsoact
cl
assybecauseobv iousl
yhi sf
ri
endsar eofthe
samest andar d.Wearegoi ngt
omeetMaun' s
highroll
ers.
Me:
(laughed)I
'
m notgoodwi
thcr
owdedpl
aces
Reneil
we:(rubbedthefoundati
ononmyj aw)
You'r
efinejustrel
ax.
..(
forgotandl
eanedback
thenshefli
nched)Ouch...

Att
hepar
ty.
..
.

Minut
eslaterweallsteppedoutofthecar,
my
shoegotstuckandi al
mostt r
ippedbutMaduo
andReneiheldmebot hway s,Dit
sameglar
edat
meandledusi n.
..
.

Maduo:(
whisper
ed)Ihav
eal
way
swant
edt
o
seet
hisyar
d..
.
Renei
l
we:
Met
oo.
..
Me:
Why
?
Maduo:
Justt
oseehowt
her
oyal
chi
l
drenl
i
ve,
t
hishousekey
angwanawagakgosi
.
Me:
Kgosi
yaBat
awana?
Maduo:
Yesdummyhei
.
..
Me:
Ehe,
Idon'
tknowMaun'
sfamouspeopl
e.

Asweappr oachedt
hecrowditr
ippedont
he
l
awnpat hwaypavement
,thegi
rl
sheldme
agai
n..
..

Dit
same:(annoyed)Owet ser
urikej
one
bokimaki
maj obokana,youhavetol
osesome
weight
.Onedayy ou'
llf
alli
nfr
ontofever
yone
andembarrassus..
.
Maduo:whosay
sithasany
thi
ngt
odowi
thher
wei
ght?
Dit
same:I
tdoes,canwest opsugarcoating
thi
ngs,
sheisf
atandit'
snotattract
ive.You
knowyouwanttosayit
,justbecausey oudon'
t
doesn'
tmeany
ouar
eanangel
.
Renei
lwe:
Ditsameakoobui
sesent
ey o
mongwe,kooreoikut
waobuwasentehel
ao
raayomongweoreomokimaki
ma.
Dit
same: Thereisnot hingwr ongwi thwhati
said,i
fyouaref atyou'refat..Bei ngfatmakes
youlookold.Size36i sn'tajokef orherage,she
hasskinhangingoutl ikeshej usthadababy
I'
m surepeoplear ewonder ingwhywear e
party
ingwithourmot herkai bilegaai tsego
aparajaana,y
ouknowy ou'
ret hinkingabouti
t.
Maduo:Nny
aammast
opi
ncl
udi
ngusi
nyour
ev
ilt
hought
s
Dit
same: GapeIt
'smycarthatwillneedfi
xi
ng
becauseNaledioehetsadishocko,ify
ou'
re
goingtobefatatleastownacarandst op
l
ettingyourwei
ghtbringot
hersdown.
Me:Ihear
dy ou.
..(
tearful
ly
)Iheardyou,y
ou
don'
thavetosayallthat,
I'
llgetat
axihomei
f
i
t'
sli
ket
hat
.Idon'
tknowwhyi
cameher
e
any
way.
Maduo:(
sighed)Nal
edidon'
tmindher
,let
's
cel
ebr
ateyourjobandhavefun.

Myt hroatdriedupaswewal kedthr

oughthe
crowdandheadedt othecouchesbythe
screenwall.
..WesatdownasDi tsame'sf
ri
end
walkedov erinherel
egantdressholdi
ngaglass
ofwine, t
heyexchangedcheekkisses.
..

Her
:(smi
l
ed)Heyl
adi
es.
..Tsi
tsi
youdidn'
ttel
l
meyouwoul
dbri
ngsomanypeople.
..
Dit
same: (
roll
edhereyes)Ii
nvi
tedMaduoand
sheinv
itedthem so.
..
.
Her:
(smiled)Noit'
scool
,I'
l
ltal
ktomyf ri
end
andorganiseyouguyssomedrinks.
..(
tous)
Ladi
esthef i
rst3gl
assesarefr
ee..
.What'
syour
poi
son?
Di
tsame:
Doy
out
heyhav
eexot
icdr
inks?
Her:
(smil
ed)Don'
twor
rybooi
goty
ou,
iknow
whatyouwant.
.
Maduo:Bri
ngmeAmar ul
a,um.
..Youknowwhat
makeitJackDani
ell
e'
s
Her:
(laughedshaki
ngherbum hol
dingher
gl
asshigh)Uyeeeh.
..
.Lona?
Me:
Um.
..
.Anyj
uicei
sfi
ne.
Renei
l
we:
Sameasher
s..
.
Her:(
frowned)U-kay.
..Al
ri
ghty.
..I
'
llbebackand
l
adiespleasemingle.
..Feelathome,don'
tbe
shy
...
.

Asitur
nedaroundmyey esfel
lontheguyimet
ear
li
er,
Irecogni
sedhisbeardandsmi l
eashe
l
aughedchatti
ngwit
hot herguysholdi
nga
gl
assofwine.Mmmh. ..Helookedmuchbetter
wi
thoutacap.

Renei
l
we:(smi
ledandelbowedme)Stap..
..Oh
myGod,hewil
lnoti
ceyougoggl
ingathim...
Maduo: (
turnedandsmi ledlooki
ngathim)
Hahahawow. .
..
thebannalongsleevet-
shi
rt
sdi
tshwanelabanna,hanneelekannankabo
bannabot hemoBot swanabaapar ali
kethi
s
guy..
.Keratajangmonnay oerengaapere
simpleaboar walalechesalelewhi
te.
..
(pouti
ng)Nxaawwww. .
..
Dit
same:
(tur
nedandsmil
ed)KeBakang?Hee
kanaompatagor
elonaa.
..
Me:
Doy
oual
lknowhi
m?
Maduo:
Whodoesn'
tknowhi
m?
Renei
lwe:
(laughed)Cl
ear
lyNal
edi
doesn'
tknow
hi
m...
Me:
Hewant
edt
ogi
vemear
idet
hismor
ning
onmywayf rom workandi stupi
dlyref
used.
..
Ibi
l
elenkgakol
otse,nekelebetsel
einalagagwe
mmeneal empoleletse,heevenaskedmet o
sayhiwhenIseehim. .
.

Aladywal kedoverwi
that r
ayandhandedus
ourdrinksthenshewalkedint
othecrowdas
ever
y onescreamedatthenewhittheDJwas
pl
aying...

Dit
same:(l
aughedmockingl
y)Wai
t,Sowarehe
wantedt
ogiveyouaride?Hahahastopi
t.
..
Lesagoi
patelamothomma. .
.
Renei
lwe:(annoyed)Whati
ssohar
dtobel
i
eve
aboutherstory
?
Maduo:(
sipped)Guy
sdon'
tst
artagai
n..
.
Di
tsamestop..
.
Di
tsame:
(laughed)
Noser
iousl
y.
..Howmanyof
youactuall
ybel
ieveBakangwantedtogi
veher
ar i
de?Showhands..
..(
Reneil
i
ftedherhand)
evenshedoesn'tbel
iev
eherownst or
yshe
didn'
trai
seherhand
Maduo:
(stoodupandsippedherdr
ink)Thi
sis
st
upi
d,I
'm goi
ngtodance..
.
Dit
same: (
sippedherwi
neandgr
abbedher
wri
st)No,wait.
..Ar
eBakangwammata,doyou
bel
ieveher?
Me:Inev
ersai
dhewant
edme,
heof
fer
edmea
r
ide.
Ditsame: (
laughed)Youwantmet obel
iev
ethat
theeprincewant edtogivey
ouar i
de?Haha.
..
Really
?Youofal lpeopl
e?Usheem..
.
Me:
(toRenei
)Ishepar
toft
hel
oyal
fami
l
y?
Renei
l
we:
Hei
sthechi
ef'
sson.
..
Me:Idi
dn'
tknowthat
,inev
erpayat
tent
iont
o
r
oyalwhatwhat
..
.
Dit
same:(l
aughed)Kooreset
seoiponaole
fut
urequeenyaBatawanawenamoghirl
..
.
Heedu.
..Bar
eBakangoneampat a
Me:(
angri
ly
)Kant
ekeri
leBakangwaampata?
Gosi
ameheneverof
fer
edmear ide,
wenev
er
metbef
ore.
..
.
Ditsame:(l
aughed)Eebuannet ehelaot ogel
e
goy aka,Bakangcan'twantyou.
..Thereare
mor ewomenf orhimtochoosefrom andit
can'tbeyou,idon'tknowify
ouhav eseenhi s
mot her,
sheishalfyoursi
zeandy ouknowwhat
theysayaboutboy sandtheirmothers.
..Mmmh?
Maduo:Di
tsamet
hat
'senough,
canwej
oint
he
par
ty?Nnakebat
agobina.
..
Reneil
we:KantemmeNal edior
il
eBakangwa
mmat anebatho?Gapewhywoul dn'
thewant
her?Andnoonehasev erseenBakang'
s
gi
rl
fri
end,hemightevenbegayforhimtobe
notmarri
edathisagebecauseweallknow
banabadi
kgosi
bany
alaear
ly.
Dit
same: Nyaannagakemogot sedintsiij
ust
don'
twantherl y
ingtoussay i
ngBakangof f
ered
heraride,eokaegana.Katswaresaitse
gi
rlf
ri
endy agagwemmeweseehi m smili
ng
andfli
rti
ngwithwomen, heisnotgayandhe
di
dn'toffery
ouar i
de.
Me:
(si
ghed)Iwantt
ogohome.
..I
'
m bor
ed
Maduo:Best
ieyouknowi lov
ey oubutican'
t
l
eave,imeantheysai
dfreedrinks.
..Meani
ngi
cantast
eallki
ndsofwines.
Di
tsame:Nekesar
eot samaemma. .
.(wal
king
awayli
ft
inghergl
assscreami
ngalongwiththe
cr
owd)Cheerstofreaki
ngweekend.
..
Cr
owd:
(scr
eami
ng)
I'
ll
dri
nkt
othaty
eahy
eah.
..
..

Ever
yonej
oinedherandsangli
ft
ingt
hei
rgl
ass,
Bakangl
aughedfaci
ngourdir
ecti
onand
pausedstar
ingatmethenhetur
nedawayand
conti
nuedchatt
ingwi
thhisf
ri
ends.
..
.

Renei
lwe: (
mov edtothechai
rclosert
omi ne)
wecanl eavetogether,
nnaDit
samewant ena
(si
pped)let'
sfini
shourdri
nksand-ohmyGod
heiscomi ng.
..(Itr
iedtot
urnbutsheheldmy
headandwhi spered)don'
tl
ook!Hewi l
lknow
wearetalkingabouthim.

Iqui
etlysippedmydr i
nkwit
hastrawasmy
heartpounded,herubbedupagai
nstmeashe
satsli
dinghisglassonthet
abl
e..
.

Bakang:
Nal
edi
,ri
ght
?
Me:
(smi
l
ed)
Yes.
..
Bakang:Soyour
efusedt
ogetari
defr
om me
butyoucancometomyhouse?Shoul
dIt
hrow
y
ouout
?
Me: (
smiled)Ihavecomet
oseekf
orgi
veness
yourroy
al hi
ghness.
Bakang:
(laughed)Oat
senwawai
tse.
..(
stood
upandtookmyhand)comehere,l
etmeshow
yousomet hi
ng.
..
Me:
(gav
eNeymypur
se)Hol
dthi
s..
.

Ihel
dmyl ongdressf
oll
owinghimi nsidethe
houseasheheldmyhandf ir
ml y
,Renei l
we
smil
edandstuckhertongueoutt r
iumphing,i
smil
edsecret
lyandgotri
doft hesmi l
eashe
tur
nedlooki
ngatme...

Bakang:
am i
wal
ki
ngt
oof
ast
?
Me:
No,
it'
sfi
ne.
..
Bakang:
Arey
ouwear
ingheel
s?
Me:
No,
flatshoes.
..

Hepausedatthestoopandsquat
tedbef
oreme
hol
dingmyfeet.
..
.

Bakang:Taket
hem of
f.
..

Hetookof fbothofmyshoest henheheldmy

handandl edmei nthehousethroughthe
passage..
.Ilookedattheframedpict
uresofhis
l
argef amil
yandhischildhoodbl
ackandwhi t
e
pi
ctures..
.

Me:
Whosehousei
sthi
s?
Bakang:
It'
smi
ne,
why
?
Me:I
t'
stoobi
gforoneper
son,
Wher
eisy
our
wi
fe?
Bakang:
I'
m notmar
ri
ed.
..
Me:
YouknowwhatImean
Bakang:
Oht
hat
..
Me:
So.
.Wher
eisshe?
Bakang:
I'
m hol
dingherhand.
.
Me:
(sar
cast
ical
l
y)Ver
yfunny
..
.
Bakang:
Canwet
alkabouti
tanot
hert
ime?
Me:
No
Bakang:
(hesmil
edlooki
ngatme)Iwasn'
t
real
l
yaskingy
ou..
.

Wewal kedt
hroughtheki tchendoori nt
ot he
backyardwheretherewasasmal lpool.
..Helet
goofmyhandandpul ledouthi st-
shirt
.He
thr
ewitonthewhi t
ebenchest ogetherwithmy
shoesandtookouthi sjeansremainingwi tha
pai
rofboxershortsthenhedi ppedhi sfeetin
t
hepool
whi
l
eist
aredathi
m..
.

Bakang:
Youcant
akeof
fyourdr
ess
Me:
(fr
owned)What
?no.
..
Bakang:
Iwon'
trapey
ou.
..Wear
ejustr
elaxi
ng.
Me:
(satont
hebench)No,
I'
mfi
ne.
..
Bakang:Atl
eastjustputyourf
eeti
nthepool
,i
don'
tli
kenoiseyoujustsavedfr
om mycousi
ns.

Iwalkedoverandpul
ledmydressupt
henisat
nexttohi
m, hetur
nedandunzi
ppedmydressat
theback.
..

Me:
(pushedhi
shandsuncomf
ort
abl
y)St
op.
..
Bakang:Youcanrel
ax,
I'
m notgonnado
anythi
ngtoyou,i
twoul
dbeallovert
henews.
..
Itl
ookstooti
ghthapel
e.
Me:(iputmyhandsbehi
ndmybackdroppi
ng
thezi
pper)Don'
tbet
ootouchy
..
.sowherei
s
she?
Bakang:(
laughedki
cki
ngt
hewat
er)Younev
er
for
getisee
Me:
(laughed)Noi
don'
t
Bakang:
I'
m noti
nar
elat
ionshi
p.
Me:Isee.
..(
thel
owerpar
tofmydr
essf
ell
int
he
poolandidr
iedi
t)Oh.
..
Bakang: (
laughed)That'
swhyi sai
dtakei
toff
..
.
(Iwasn'tgoingtolethi
m seemyf ol
dsandwhat
not)Youcanputonmyt -
shi
rtorgetatowel
overthereifyoudon'twantmet oseeyou
naked.
Me:
I'
mfi
ne.
..
Bakang:
Sowhoi
sNal
edi
?
Me:Nal
edi
isasecondborn,Ihaveabigbr
other
cal
l
edAbal
engandalit
tl
esister,
hernameis
Arona.Iwasrai
sedbyasi
nglepar
entt
hough
sheismarri
ed,Myfat
herl
eftwhenwer
eyoung.
Bakang:
Whatdoy
oudo?
Me:(t
hankGodi foundajob,i
twouldbe
embarr
assingtosaynothi
ng)Iam anITof
fi
cer
,
whataboutyou?
Bakang:Iam anaudi
tor..
.What'
syourt
wo
worstfear
sinarelat
ionship?
Me: I
'
dsay ,meetingavi
olentmanwhoalso
cheatsandt henhavi
ngchil
drenwi
than
i
mmat ur
emanwhoendsupabandoni nghi
s
ownchi l
dren.
Bakang:Howdoy
ouknowmycousi
n?Doy
ou
part
yalot?
Me:Notr
eal
l
y,i
don'
tev
enknowwhosepar
ty
t
hisi
s.
Bakang:
Mycousinwonatenderwi
ththe
gover
nment
,heisbl
owingthemoneybefor
e
t
hej
obev
enst
art
s,y
out
hofBot
swana.
..
Me:(l
aughed)Oh,
idi
dn'
tknowthat
.iwas
for
cedtocomeheret
o"cel
ebrat
e"myjob,
ijust
gothi
redtoday
.
Bakang: (smi l
ed)Uhreall
y?Thi
scall
sfora
celebrati
on...(Hewalkedovertohi
spant sand
madeacal l)Hey..
..Wil
lyoubri
ngmeabot tl
e
of.
..(stari
ngatme)Uhj ui
ceandmydr ink?.
..
.
I'
m sitti
ngbyt hepool.Yeah,t
hanks.
..
.Sure.

Heputt
hephonedownandwalkedover
,i
ki
ckedt
hewaterashej
oinedme..
..

Bakang:I
'
m goi
ngtot
hefarmtomor
row,
Ihave
beenaskedtodr
opof
fthathayy
ousawint
he
car.
..Wi
lly
oucomewit
hme?
Me:
Um.
..
.Idon'
tknow.
..
Bakang:
(laughed)Don'
tyout
rustme?
Me:
(laughed)Idon'
tknow.
..Ij
ust
..
.howf
ari
sit
?
Bakang:
It'
sat
hreehourdr
ive.
..
Me:
It'
sjustt
odr
opt
hem of
fandcomeback?
Bakang:Yeah,Ihavetobebackandpreparefor
Gaborone.Itr
avelalotbet
weenGaboroneand
Maun.Iwor kwithalotofpr
ivat
ecompanies
andNGOs.
Me:
Isee.
..

Aladywal
kedov
erhol
dingat
rayandputi
tnext
t
ous...

Bakang:
Thanks.
..
Her
:Any
thi
ngel
se?
Bakang:No,wegood.Ot
swal
eaut
wa.
..Don'
t
l
etanyonethissi
de.
Her
:(wal
ki
ngaway
)Okay
..
..
Hepouredmyjui
ceinagl
assandhandeditto
methenhecl
ickedhi
sbot
tl
eonmygl ass.
..
.

Bakang:
Congr
atul
ati
onsony
ournewj
ob.
..
Me:
Thanky
ou.
..
Bakang:
Yousti
l
lhav
en'
tanswer
edme.
..Wi
l
l
youcomewit
hme?
Me:(Icov
eredmymout
handsneezed)Yeah.
..
I
'l
lcome..
.
Bakang:(
gotoutofthepoolandpickedhis
j
acket)Otshabaser
ame...Let
'sgoov ert
here.
.

Heheldmyhandandhel pedupthenheputa
bigtowel
aroundme, Ihavetoadmitiwas
fal
li
ngwaydeeperthani wassupposedtoand
i
tscaredthehel
loutofme. .
.
Bakang:
(hel
dmyhandf
ir
mly
)Whyar
eyou
qui
et?
Me: (
smiled)Nothi
ng..
.Um y
ounev
ert
oldme
yourfear
si narel
ati
onshi
p.
Bakang:
(laughed)Idon'
thav
efear
s,i
hav
e
rul
es.
Me:
Whatdoy
oumean?
Bakang:I'
mjoking,it
hinktheonlyfearihav
eis
notbei
ngabletoi mpregnateawoman, t
hat
wouldcrushmyl i
ttl
eego...Idon'
tknowhowI
wouldsurvi
vethatbecauseIbel i
evein
bl
oodli
nes.
Me:Roy al
peopl
ebel
i
evei
nthatki
ndof
nonsense.
Bakang:
(laughed)butidon'
thaveinter
esti
n
bei
ngachi eforanyt
hingrel
atedtothat
,idi
dn'
t
gotoschool t
orulepeopl
ebesidesthatmy
fat
herisjustanacti
ngchiefandihaveatot
all
y
dif
ferentdr
eam fr
om allt
hesetradi
ti
onal
thi
ngs
(hetookpil
lowsoffthehammock)Laydown. .
.
Me:(l
ooki
ngatt
her
opes)BakangI
'
mver
y
heav
y,won'
ti
t-
Bakang:
Akoor
obal
e..
.Oabuaaker
e?

Il
aidont
hehammockf aci
ngt
heful
lmoonand
st
arsont
hesky,helai
dnextt
omeandpull
ed
myheadoverhi
schestswi
ngi
ngus.
..

I
nthef
ronty
ard.
..
.

LateronRenei
l
weplay
edwithherstr
awlooki
ng
atevery
onedanci
nghavi
ngagoodt i
me,her
phonerangandshest
eppedoutsi
de.
..
Renei
l
we:
Hel
l
o?
Mogapi
:(angr
il
y)Wher
ear
eyou?
Renei
l
we:
I'
m outwi
thNal
edi
.
Mogapi
:Letmet
alkt
oher
Renei
l
we:
Shei
sbusy
Mogapi
:Soi
t'
sli
ket
hat
,Whoar
eyour
eal
l
ywi
th?
Renei
l
we:
Mogapi
isai
dI'
m wi
thNal
edi
and
Maduo
Mogapi
:Pr
ovei
t,l
etmet
alkt
oanyoft
hem
Renei
l
we:
Theyar
edanci
ng.
..
Mogapi
:I'
m goi
ngtodeal
wit
hyou,
yout
hinkI
'
m
pl
ayi
ngwithyou?

Shehungupandwalkedi
ntot
hecr
owd,Maduo
hel
dherhandssi
ngi
ngalongwi
tht
hel
oud
music.
..
.
Maduo:
Hoool
dmyhaaaand.
…babey
oucan
hol
dmyha-
Renei
l
we:(
screami
ngabov
ethel
oudmusi
c)
Comeher
e..
.
Maduo:(mi
ssedastepandalmostfel
l
,Renei
hel
dher)Gir
lil
ovet
hissong.
..Il
oveAkon,hei
s
socut
e..
..
.
Renei
l
we:You'
redr
unkMaduo.
..(
pull
edupher
chi
n)Ihav
etogoMogapii
sangry.
..
Maduo:(
cry
ing)Ij
ustlov
eAkon..
.(ki
ssed
Renei
l
weont hecheekandhuggedher)Thi
s
songmakesmesad. .
.
Renei
l
we:(hel
pedhersit
)St
ayher
e,I
'
m goi
ngt
o
fi
ndDit
sam-Hey.
..
.Di
tsame?!
Di
tsame:
(wal
kedov
er)What
?
Reneil
we:Canyoudropmehome?Maduohad
enoughaswell
,idon'
twantt
oleav
eherbehi
nd
l
ikethi
s.
Di
tsame:
Otaat
shel
apet
rol
?
Renei
l
we:
IthoughtMaduof
uel
edup
Ditsame: f
orcomi ngher e,bat
hongkol oigae
tsamaekammu, whydopeopl ewhodon' thave
carsal waysassumeP30i senough?Whydon' t
youaskNal editofuelupakereshei ssleeping
withBakang?Koor eletsamay anna,lepal ama
nnaf rom t
her elentseel
amonna?Bakangwas
l
ooki ngatmeear l
ierbutthatdidn'
tbothery ou-
wher eisourgi r
lcode-
Renei
l
we: Gosi
amemma.
..Goshap.
..
I'
l
lsee
whattodo..
.
Maduo: (l
aughed)Aef ot
shekman, Rekal apa
kegolopelaCor r
oll
aeelelaamaotwanagae
tur
nerkwa. .
..(Di
tsamewal kedawaywhi l
e
Maduoi ncreasedhervoi
ce)War eBakangne
agobatamony ana?Comebackher e..
..Ihear
d
royal
boy spreferassandy ou'
reassless
sweetheart.
..Hewantsasswaut wa
mony
ana?
gaoswabe,
tsamaamol
oi!
Reneil
we: (
stari
ngher)Kanteneesegorewa
l
elawena?( unzippedapurse)Yagoil
abir
i
tota.
..
zipt
hatbigmout hbeforeyougetus
kickedout.IhopeNaledil
eftherphonesothati
cancallherbrother
Maduo:Idon'twantt
ogo,i
t'
snicehere..
.
(si
ppedwineandshookherheadbli
nking)Let
'
s
godance.
...
Renei
lwe:Si
tdownMaduo, t
ogakegongat
aka
phonee(di
aledAbal
eng)I
t'
sringi
ng.
..
Abal
eng:
Hey
..
.
Renei
:Hi
,thi
sisRenei
lwe.Nekekopagor
eote
goret
sayakoMatapaneng,t
hegir
lwhogaveus
ari
dechangedandwedon'thavemoney.
Abal
eng:(gotup)Al
ri
ght
,Sdudhaokae?(they
bot
hlaughed)Leskabel
esietsennakeboj
alwa.
Renei
:(l
aughed)shedi
dn'
tdr
ink.
Abal
eng:
I'
ll
bet
her
einami
nut
e..
.

I
nthebacky
ard.
..

Swingi
ngont hehammockhelpedmer el
axand
bei
ngthatclosetohi
m wasli
keheavent ome,
hesmelledgoodandienj
oyedthevibrati
onof
hi
schestashespokewi t
hadeepv oice..
..

Bakang:
Whydon'
tyoukeepl
onghai
r?
Me:Iwasn'
twor
king,
mor
ir
iwaat
urasoi
hadt
o
cuti
t.
Bakang:Mont
hendodi
resomet
hingl
i
ttl
e
l
onger..
.
Me:Idon'
tl
ikel
onghai
rst
yles,
itget
sme
sweat
y-
Bakang:
Buti
li
kesomet
hingl
ong.
..
Abal
engwalkedov
erastheladywhoser
vedus
ear
li
erf
oll
owedhim hol
dingatr
ay.
..

Her:
Mothowamodi
moonei
sal
l
owedt
his
si
de..
.

Il
eapedupfrom Bakang'schestwhi
l
ehesl
owl
y
satupst
ari
ngatAbal eng.
…

Bakang:
(lower
edhi
svoi
ce)Whoi
sthat
?
Me:It
'smybrot
her
..
.(
whi
sper
ed)Don'
tsay
any
thing.
..

Igotupandwal
kedov
er.
..

Abal
eng:
(st
ari
ngatme)Ar
eyouokay
?
Me:
Yeah,
I'
mfi
ne.
Abaleng:(
handedmemyphone)Nev erl
eave
yourphonebehindwheny ou'
rehangi
ngaround
peopleli
kethi
s.Idon'
ttr
ustanyoftheseguys.
Whenar eyougoinghome?
Me:
Inashor
twhi
l
e..
.
Abaleng:Reneil
weandMaduoaskedmet otake
them home, ontel
etsei
fyouneedar
ide.And
becareful
,thesepeoplet
hinkt
heyar
eabov e
thel
aw.
Me:
okay
..
.

Hewal
kedawayt
heni
wentbackt
oBakang.

AtMaduo'
shouse.
..
.

Mi
nut
esl
aterAbal
engl
aidheront
hebedand
stoodback,Reneit
ookhershoesoffand
coveredherup,henot
icedabitofbl
oodonher
back.
..

Abal
eng:
Whathappenedt
oyourback?
Renei
:(t
urnedandswit
chedofft
hel
i
ght
s)
Nothi
ng,iscr
atchedmysel
f.
..

Hekeptqui
etasshelockedthedoorandgoti
n
t
hecarthenhedrov
eout ,herphoner
ang.
..

Renei
:Hello.
..
.I'
m coming.
..
..
.Isai
dI'
m
coming.
..
.(shehungupandhecal ledagai
n)
hel
lo?.
..
.I'
m coming..
.shei
snothere..
.
Abal
eng:
Hangupt
hephone.
Renei
:(t
oMogapi
)It
'sNal
edi
'
sbr
other
.
Abal
eng:
Hangupt
hephone!
Shehungupandsi
ghed.
..

Renei
:Sor
ry.
..
Abal
eng:Ar eal
mandoesn'tputscar
sonhis
womanbecausehet akespr
idei
nherbeing
smooth,
trustme.Thisguyi
sapieceofshi
t.
Renei
:Hesai
dhei
sgoi
ngt
odeal
wit
hme.
..
Abaleng:I
fy ouneedaplacetosleepI'
l
ltakethe
couchbuty ouhavetoreporthi
mf ir
stt
hingin
themor ni
ng, t
hatmakeupdidn'
tcoveranythi
ng
koorehelagobosigo.Willy
oureporthi
m?
Renei
:Yeah.
..

Athome.
..
.

Thenextmor
ningi
str
etchedmybacky
awni
ng
andopenedthewi
ndows, mymot herwas
al
readysweepi
ngtheyard.Iputonmy
phataphat
aandwalkedovertoher.
..
.

Me:
Goodmor
ning.
..
Mama:Goodmor ni
ng,youneverwakeupt
his
l
ate,
whathappenedlastni
ght
?
Me: (smiled)Not
hing.
..Iwaschatt
ingal
lni
ght
withaf r
iend.Heisthechief
'ssonandheasked
met oaccompanyhi mt ohisfat
her'
sfar
mtoday,
isaidyes. .
Mama: (pausedandst rai
ghteneduplooki
ngat
me)Idon'ttrustri
chpeoplemygi rl
,i
fhedoes
somethi
ngt oy ouleil
egonekoonoonewi l
ldo
anyt
hingtohi m becausethesepeoplehav
ea
wayofget t
ingawaywi t
heverythi
ng.
Me:
Itwon'
ttakel
ong.
..
Mama:
Kant
erebuakamor
akakanapol
asi
?
Me:
Idon'
tknow,
ist
her
eadi
ff
erence?
Mama: Kanadipol
asi
t sabathobadikgakal
a
Nalediwaaitsetot
angwanaka?Oncey ouarein
you'l
lbeathismercy(Ikeptquiet
)Howlong
havey ouknownhim?
Me:
Wemety
est
erday
Mama: Manyy earsago,therewasay oung
womant hatthel atekgosiwant edtomar ry
backwhenhewasj ustay oungmanbutshe
disappear edandwasnev erf oundunt i
lnow,
rumour ssayshehadcheat edonhi m andhe
kil
ledheri ntheirfarm,hi
sf atherwhowasa
kgosi atthatti
memadeal ltheevidence
disappearandsenthi ssont oschool i
nSout h
Africa,whenhecamebackhemar r
iedanot her
woman.Thaty oungwomanwasnev erfound
untiltoday..
.
Me:
Itsoundsli
keafol
ktal
emama,whydidn'
t
t
hepoli
ceinv
esti
gat
e?Thesear
ejustt
hings
peopl
esayaboutr oy
alfamili
es,remember
peopl
ebeli
evedIanKhamacoul dturni ntoali
on
whenhewasi nthebush, i
t'
sjuststories.
Nowadaysbeingfrom aroyalfamilyisl i
ke
nothi
ng,
they'
renotspecialoranything, maybe
theywer
elikethatmanyy ear
sagobut
nowadaystheynot.
Mama: Ijustdon'
ttr
ustrichpeopleespeci
all
y
theirsons,theygeti
ntot r
oubleandtheirf
ather
s
shieldthem.Youdon' thaveaf at
her,i
f
somet hinghappenstoy outhereI'
ll
justcr
y
my selftosleep.
Me:
Bakangi
snotl
i
ket
hat
..
.
Mama: Isti
l
ldon'tunderstand,Whywoul
dhe
chooseyououtofal lt
hewomeni nMaun?I
'm
surether
earegirl
shegr ewupwi thandwentto
schoolswit
h,whydidn'thet aket
hem?Gape
enegaanagirlf
ri
endalekana?( st
ari
ngatme
worri
ed)Doy oureal
lytrusthim?
Me:Idon'tknowhi
mthatwel
lbutihav
eagood
f
eel
ingabouthim mama.Nnakebatago
t
samaal eene..
.
Mama:
(rel
uct
ant
ly)Okay
.Youcango.
..
Me:
(smi
l
ed)Thanky
ou.
..
Mama: (
sadly)Justbecaref
ulandal
ways
rememberthatifyou'
reinanareawher
eyou
don'
thavecontrolyousubmitt
osurvi
ve.

Ididn'
tcar
eaboutherl
astwordsiwasjust
excit
edshegavemeherblessi
ng,Ispentthe
wholemor ni
ngdoi
ngmylaundryt
heni tooka
l
ongbat hshavi
nganyhai
ronmybody .

Lateroni putonmybestcl ot
hesandsatin
fr
ontoft hemirr
orstari
ngatmy sel
f,i
coul
dn't
stopblushingorpract
isi
ngmybestsmi l
es..
.My
phoner angandijumped...
Me:
Hey
Renei
l
we:
Hi.
..
Me:(
sighed)Ohitsj
ustyou.
..
howdi
dyousl
eep?
Mogapigagotshwenya?
Renei
l
we:
No,
I'
mfi
ne.
Me:Bakangaskedmet
oaccompanyhi
mtohi
s
f
ather
'sfar
m.
Renei
l
we:Ij
oobecaref
ulmma,
gatwethese
peopl
ecandoanyt
hingtoy
ouonceyou'
ret
her
e.
Me:
(rol
l
edmyey
es)Noty
out
oo.
Renei
:(l
aughed)Akeregatwel
esi
kal
abogosi
le
nal
ediphi
rit
sediboit
shegangr
etaar
eng.
..
Me:
(laughed)kemaakahel
adi
l
otseo.
Renei:
(laughed)Akere.
.Anywayenj
oyyour
sel
f
mylove, kegoratel
aBakangandhebet
ternot
beplayi
ngy oukabannabatri
cky
.
Me:
Yeah,
bye.
..Ochekel
etagwal
eel
e.
Renei
:(l
aughed)I
'
llcheckonherl
ater
..
.By
e

Hour spassedwhileiwaitedandhedi dn'

tcall
to
atleastpostpone,notev
enanSMSbuti didn'
t
wantt ocallhi
m andlookdesperate.Ifi
nal
ly
decidedtotakeoffmycl othes.
..

Mama:
(wal
kedi
n)Uhu,
ithoughty
oul
ongl
eft
.
Me:(
unhookedmybr
a)Looksli
kehechanged
hi
smind.
..(
myphonerangandij
umped)Hell
o?
Bakang:Hey,I
'
m sorryi
washel
dupsomewher
e,
I'
m onmyway .Pleaset
ell
meyouhav
en'
t
changedyourmind
Me:Buti
t'
slat
enow,
it'
sli
ke3pm r
agoboa
nakomang?
Bakang:Wewil
lbebacki
nti
me,don'
tworr
y
aboutit
.Wher
edidyousayi
tur
nagain?
Me:
Tur
nyaVDC.
..
Bakang:
Alr
ight
,I'
l
lbet
her
einami
nut
e..
.

Ihungupandputonmycl ot
hes,mi
nuteslat
eri
peakedoutsi
deandsawhiscaratt
hegate,I
gotmyhandbagandhuggedmymot herasshe
stoodbythedoorf
ramefeel
ingwei
rd..
.

Mama:
Pleaset
akecar
e..
.
Me:
(wal
ki
ngout
)Iwi
l
l.
..

Iapproachedthecarasherol l
eddownthe
windowandl eanedoveropeningthedoorf
or
me, Ij
umpedi nandclosedthedoorthenhe
rol
ledupthewi ndowsanddr oveoff
..
.

Bakang:
Hey
..
.
Me:
Hi.
.
Bakang:
I'
mreall
ysor
ryf
orbei
ngl
ate,
Igothel
d
upsomewhere
Me:Nextt
imejustcal
lme,
ispentt
hewhol
e
daydr
essedup.
Bakang:
Iunder
stand,
I'
m sor
ry
Me:
It'
sokay
..
.
Bakang:Therearedr
inksi
nthecooleraaaand.
..
..
(r
eachedinthebackandputagiftboxonmy
l
ap)That'sfory
ou..
.
Me:
(smi
l
edandshooki
t)Wow.
..Whati
sit
?
Bakang:(l
aughedandputi
tinthebackseat
)
You'
llopenitwhenwegetther
e..
.
Me:(l
aughed)Uhnnakebat
agobonagor
eke
eng.
..
Bakang:
(smil
ed)No..
.Justhav
eadr
inko
togel
egoit
homodisapelo.
Ihaddri
nkaft
erdri
nkaswedrov
eforhours
l
ist
eningtomusi
candchat
ti
ngunti
lif
ell
asl
eep..
..

Lateronthecarhi
tabumpandigotup
yawning,
i r
oll
eddownthewi
ndowlooki
ngat
thethi
ckbushes..
.

Bakang:
Hey
..
.
Me:
Wher
ear
ewe?
Bakang:
wear
eal
mosther
e..
.

Hesl
oweddowni nfr
ontofthetall
estgat
ei had
ev
erseen,hesteppedoutandunlockedthree
bi
gsi
lverhighsecuri
typadl
ocks.
..Onthegate
wasabigboardwr i
tt
enPRIVATEPROPERTY,
NOTRESPASSI NGALLOWED.ENTERATYOUR
OWNRISK.
…Ilookedbot
hway
sandt
hef
ence
wasendl
ess.
..
.

Bakang:(ki
ckedt
heothergatewhi
l
epushi
ng
another
)Babecanyoudrive?
Me:
Yeahbuti
don'
thav
eal
i
cence
Bakang:
Jumpov
eranddr
ivet
hrough.
..

Imovedov
eranddrovethroughthesandyroad
al
mostget
ti
ngstuck,helockedal
lthepadl
ocks
andj
umpedinthepassengerseat.
..
.

Bakang:Let'
sgo,therei
sanot
heroneashor
t
di
stancefrom her
e...
Me:
Whati
sthi
spl
ace?
Bakang:
(laughed)I
t'
saf
arm.
..
Me:
Whatki
ndofaf
arm?t
hef
encedoesn'
t
end.
..Youpeopl
etookt
heent
ir
eland.Le
maburu?
Bakang:
(laughed)Heheiya.
..Don'
tbetoosl
ow,
i
fwegetst uckinthesandyou'r
ediggi
ngotaa
baka.
.

Ii
ncreasedmyspeedandsl owedatanot her
gat
et henhesteppedoutandunlockedit,t
his
onehadt wopadlocks.Idr
ovethroughand
Aft
erlockinghecamet othedr
iverssi
de...

Bakang:
(laughed)
Mov
eov
erdi
hel
etse
Me:(moved)Ehennakar
esant
sewagol
otol
l
a
gapekopele.
..
Bakang:
(laughed)t
hat
'snotf
unny
..
.

Wedroveal
ongthefenceforaqui
tesometi
me
di
rect
lyf
aci
ngthesoftor
angesunwhichwas
nowsubmergi
ng,
ipul
leddowntheshadeand
l
ookedatmyphone,
therewasn'
tasi
nglebarof
net
work.
..

Me:
Gagonanet
wor
kkwano?
Bakang:
No,
ther
eisanet
wor
kspotwayback.
..
Me:
Iwant
edt
otal
ktomymot
her
.
Bakang:
Gagonanet
wor
kkwano.

Iputmyphonebackinthepurseandputmy
amsonthedoorstar
ingattheendlessf
ence.
..

Me:
It'
sget
ti
ngdar
k..
.Howf
arar
ewe?
Bakang:Wear
eal
mostt
her
ebutr
eboaka
Sunday.
..
Me:
(tur
nedt
ohi
m)What
?
Bakang:
(si
ppedwi
neandkepthi
sey
esont
he
r
oad)Yeah.
..
..
..
..
..
..
..
[
09/
24,
19:
04]Ron:
Co-
wif
e
#2

Athome.
..
.

Shewait
edbyt hesofasunti
l11pm,she
coul
dn'
tbri
ngher sel
ftosl
eepthenshedial
ed
thenumberagainhopingt
ogot hr
ough.
..

Voice:
Wel cometotheOr
angenet
wor
k,t
he
subscri
beryouhave-
Her:
(shookherheadandcutt
hecal
l
)God
pl
ease.
..

Sheheardpl
asti
csoutsi
deandleapedup,she
movedthecurt
ainsandlookedout
side.
..I
twas
j
ustt
heneighbour
'sdog.Sheputonhershoes
andwentt
oknockonhernei ghbour
'sdoor
.

Nei
ghbour
:(walkedout
sidewr
appinghersel
f
wit
hatowel)UhuMaA, keengotaantshosa
j
aanawena?
MaA:(si
ghed)Ihav
eal
i
ttl
esi
tuat
ion,
idon'
t
knowwhattodo.
Nei
ghbour
:(satont
hest
oop)Ee?
MaA: (satnextt
oher)Naledil
eftwi
thkgosi
's
son,hetookhertohi
sfather'
sfarm andshe
wassupposedt obebackbutnowherphonei s
off
.
Nei
ghbour
:Di
dyout
ryt
ocal
lthey
oungman?
MaA: Idon'tknowhisnumber .Akakekabo
baahabor okokesaitsekongwanakeal eng
teng.
..
itri
edtosleepbuti can'
t,ikeep
wonderingwhatifI'
m sleepingheresnor
ing
whil
emydaught eri
sbeingbrut
ali
sed.Idon't
tr
ustri
chpeopl eespeci
all
ybecausewear ejust
nobodies,
richpeopleal
way sdoterr
ibl
ethings
topoorpeopl eknowi
ngwecan'tfightbackand
ourcasesgr owcoldinpol
icestat
ions.
Neighbour:
Kanaobuamahokowai t
se,doy ou
remembert hestor
yaboutapr i
ncewhoki l
leda
gir
lbecauseshedisrespect
edhim?Kgosi wa
nakoeogat weoneabi pampakamabel eand
senthissontoschool i
nsouthAfr
ica,whenhe
camebackhegotanot herwomanandmov ed
onjustli
kethat.
..
MaA: Haobonakesarobal
ekesonestor
yseo,
Whatifthi
sboywantstodosomethi
ngshe
doesn'
tl
ikeandhegetsoff
ended?
Nei
ghbour
:Sowhatdowedo?
MaA: Iwast hinki
ngofgoingtohisfamilybuti
don'
tknowi fitwil
lbeappropr
iat
e,itwil
lbev er
y
di
srespect
ful t
owaket heenti
reroyalhouseat
t
hist
ime,
whatshoul
dIdo?
Nei
ghbour
:Nnyaai t
'snotdisr
espect
ful
,hi
sson
t
ookyourdaughterandyouwantherback.Let
meputonmycl othesretsamae.
MaA:(
dial
edherson)Letmecal
lAbal
eng
at
egor
eisa.
..
..
.

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AtAbal
eng'
shouse.
..
..

Hewal
kedov
erwi
thabowl
ofi
cecr
eam and
handedRenei
l
wet henhesatbehi
ndherand
openedtheoi
ntment.
..

Abal
eng:
(unhookedherbr
a)Keagot
shasa.
..
Renei:Okay
..
.(atetheice-
cream st
ari
ngatthe
screen)becareful
.
..(
fl
inched)ouch.
..Don'
t
presstoohard..
.
Abal
eng:(l
aughed)NayIhav
en'
tev
ent
ouched
you.
..Rel
ax.
..

Hegent l
ymassagedherbackwi ththeointment
ashi spantsbegunj er
king,hecoul dseeabi tof
herbr eastf
rom behindjustunderherar mpi t
..
.
Her ubbedherslowl ygoingclosert oherbreast
andcuppedi t.
.Shel etgoofherbr aashe
touchedbot hofherbr east
sf rom behindand
kissedherneck...Sheslowl yplacedthebowl on
thetableashegent lytwistedherni ppl
es,he
turnedherheadandki ssedhert henhisphone,
hepausedandgr
abbedi
tsi
tt
ingback.
..

Abal
eng:
(cl
ear
edhi
sthr
oat
)Hel
l
o?
Mama:
Boy
boygakeagot
sosangwanaka?
Abaleng:No.
..
(t
ookadeepbreat
h)Iwas
watchingTV,i
sever
ythi
ngokay?
Mama: Ineedyoutodri
vemeov ertot
her oyal
house,
Nal edi
lef
twit
htheirsonpromisingshe
wouldbebacksoonbutasy oucanseei t
'sv
ery
l
ateandherphoneisoff.Ican'tsl
eep.
Abaleng:I
'm onmyway.(Hehungupand
tur
nedt oher)di
dyout
alkNaledi
?
Renei:ShesaidBakangaskedhertogotothe
far
m wi t
hhim.Thatwasthelastti
meIspoketo
her,shewassupposedtosendmepi ctur
esof
herselfi
nthefar
m andwhatnotbutshehasn't
.
I
ssheokay ?
Abal
eng:
Ihopeso.
..
(st
oodupandr
eposi
ti
oned
hisboner)Aparar
etsamae..
.(t
hrewoverhi
st-
shirt
)aparathi
st-
shi
rt,
itwon'
trubagai
nstyour
skin.
.
Renei
:ButIcamewi
thadr
essonl
y.
..
Abal
eng:
I'
ll
findy
ousomet
hingt
owear
,apar
a

Sheputitonashewalkedbackwit
hapai rof
bl
ackladiessweat
pant
sandthrewthem over
..
.

Renei
:(st
ari
ngatt
hem)Whosear
ethey
?
Abal
eng:
Canwej
ustgo?
Renei:
I'
m notwear
ingy
ourexgi
rl
fr
iend'
s
pants.
..
whosearet
hey?
Abaleng:Theyarenother
s,t
heybel
ongto
Arona.Babecomeon. .
.mymotheri
sfr
eaki
ng
out.
..Let
'sgo..
Shesl
idinandputonhissleepershoesashe
tookt
hekey sout
sidet
helock,shewalkedout
andhelockedthedoor
..
..
..

Renei
:Oops,
Ifor
gotmyi
ce-
cream.
..
Abal
eng:
Geti
nthecar
,I'
l
lbr
ingi
t.
..

Hewalkedbackinandrefil
l
edherbowl wit
h
morei
cecr eam,t
hrewintwostrawberr
iesand
afewgrapesthenhelockedthedoorandgotin
t
hecar..
..

Abaleng:(
putthebowl onherlap)Remindme
togetyouat oot
hbrushleFaceclothatthe
fi
ll
i
ngst at
iongaret
swakwa. ..
Renei
:Okay
..
.(i
ncr
easedt
hemusi
cvol
ume)I
l
ovethi
ssong.
..
Abal
eng:
(smi
l
eddr
ivi
ngout
)Si
ngi
tforme.
..
Renei
:Idon'
tknowhowt
osi
ng.
.
Abaleng:
(laughed)Waaka, i
usedtoheary ou
twosingi
ngi nNaledi
'sroom..
.Man,y
ourv oice
wassosexyandi lov
edy ournav
yblueslacksa
Tsodil
oCJSS, Youwer esosexy.
..
Renei:
(slappedhimlaughing)You'resucha
perv
ertlusti
ngforaJuniorschool student
,your
l
it
tl
esister'
schil
dhoodfriendforthatmat t
er.
You'
resick!
Abal
eng:
(laughed)Doy
ourememberthet
imei
al
mostwalkedinonyouint
hebat
hroom?
Renei
:(laughed)Yesandy
oupani
cked
apol
ogising.
..
Abaleng:Idi
dn'
tsl
eepafterseei
ngy ourt
its,
I
hadwetdr eamsaboutyou.Icamet hi
scloseto
actual
lymakingmovesony oubuttheni
thoughtnomanshei smyl i
tt
lesi
ster'
sfr
iend.
Renei
:(l
aughed)Uhbathong,
youshoul
dhav
e
sai
dsomet hi
ng,neket
il
egogodumela.
..
Abal
eng:
(smi
l
ed)Real
l
y?
Renei:(
blushed)Youdi dn'
tthinkilikedv isit
ing
Naledij
ustforf ri
endshipdidy ou?Ir emember
thatti
meot swaUBot etseNal edi
t -shi
rty aAl l
KasileAmaki pkipaboont homogel apel oo
nneelayagagoobonakephaphal et se,heeka
l
alakeaper et -
shir
tyaAmaki pkip.
..keenkga. .
.
keesunasuna. ..(t
heybot hlaughedl oudly)Ka
modimo!Iwascr azyabouty ou.Wheni helped
Naleditodol aundryionlywashedy ourcl othes
andironedy ours.
..
Abal
eng:(
laughed)
Wow, r
eal
l
y?Ineverthought
you'
dfeel
thatwayaboutme,al
waysthought
youseeabrotheri
nme..
.Odirt
yminded..
Renei
:(l
aughed)i
waschi
l
dish.
..
Abal
eng:(
lookedather )Don'
tgobacktothi
s
guy,i
don'
twantt oseey ouli
ket
hisagai
n.Move
backhome,ifit
'saboutyounotworki
ng.Your
motherwouldn'
tli
keseeingyouli
kethi
s,Does
sheknowaboutt
his?
Renei
:No
Abaleng:Mov ebackhome, onceyoufindajob
you'l
l moveout.That'swhatparentsarefor,i
woul dn'
tmindifyoumov einwit
hmebecause
kennakel e1buti don'tknowhowt hiswill
affectyouandNal edi.
…I'
mf inewit
hany t
hing
thoughI '
dli
ketost aywithyou.
Renei:I
'l
lmovebackhome, i
ficomehere
Naledimaysuspectsomethi
ngandican'
tlose
her
, sheist
heonlyfr
iendi
hav e.
..
Abal
eng:
Iunder
stand.
..

Heparkedatt hegate,beforehecouldstepout
toopenthegat ehi
smot herandtheirnei
ghbour
walkedout
.Renei l
wequi cklyhoppedinthe
backseatrespectf
ullyl
eav i
ngthefrontseatfor
hismother
...
.
Renei
l
we: (
whisper
ed)I
t'
sver
ylat
eragor
aya
mamaagor er
ekebatanghal
ewenabosi
go
bobokana?
Abal
eng:Shi
t.
..Ididn'
tthinkaboutt
hat,I
'
llt
ell
heri
justpi
ckedy ouaty ourhouseorsomethi
ng.
Renei
l
we:
Eej
ustsayy
oupassedbyt
ocol
l
ect
me.

Hismot heropenedt hebackdoorandgot

surpri
sedlookingatRenei whohadshame
wri
ttenalloverher,shealsonot
icedshewas
wearinghist-shi
rt
..
.

Renei
:(ashamed)Dumel
ang.
.
Her
:(readbet
weent
hel
i
nes)
Hel
l
omygi
rl
,got
o
t
hefront.
Renei
:kesi
amekomor
ago,
alennekopel
e.
Her:Nogosi
tint
hefrontmyMaonei
.Kebata
gonnalemangwanaagokomorago,
wereyou
si
tt
ingint
hebackthewholet
ime?
Renei
:(av
oidi
ngherey
es)Ny
a-mma
Her
:Theni
t'
syourseat
,go.
..

Abalengshamefull
ystaredoutsi
dethecaras
thel
adiesgotin,Reneicl
osedthedoor
uncomfortabl
ytaki
ngthef r
ontseat
.Abaleng
droveoffasawkwar dsil
encetookover
..
.

Neighbour
:MaAwhatexact
lyar
ewegoi
ngt
o
saytothem?
Her
:Idon'
treal
l
yknow.
..
Abaleng:It
hinkweshouldgotopol
i
cer ather
thanknockingonpeopl
e'sdoor
satthi
st i
me,
whatiftheyhavedogs?
Her
:You'
repr
obabl
yri
ghtbuti
twi
l
llookl
i
kewe
ar
eaccusi
nghi
m ofki
dnappi
ng.
Abal
eng:Wejustwantt
omakesur
ethatshei
s
fi
ne,
ther
eisnothi
ngwrongwi
tht
hat.
…
Nei
ghbour:
Hei
sri
ght
..
..
.

Af ewmi nuteslaterheparkedatthepol
ice
stati
on,Reneiremainedinthecarasthe
parentswalkedaway ,Abal
enghandedhert he
keysandgl ancedathismot herasshewalked
awayt henhel eanedinandkissedher
..
.

Renei
:Doy
out
hinkshenot
icedany
thi
ng?
Abaleng: (
smiledandki ssedheragai n)of
course,you'r
ewear ingmyt -shi
rtandt hereisa
bowl ofIcecream ont hedashboar d.Mymot her
i
sthequi ckestmot hery ou'
l
l ev
ercomeacr oss
butshewon' tsayany thingtoyouorany one,
wagoi ti
dimall
ahela.
Renei:(
frowned)NowI '
m goi
ngtof
eelwei
rd
wheni vi
sitNal
edi,
kanakennahelakwakoore
tabentsearemony anayootswapi
saAbal
eng
helagagonasepeha.
Abal
eng:(l
aughedandkissedher
)Youhavean
over
act
iveimaginat
ion.
..
lockt
hedoor
s..
.

Hecl
osedt
hedoorandr
anaf
terhi
spar
ent
s..
..
.

Att
hef
arm.
..
.

Itwasalmostmi dni
ghtandi twaspi tchblack,
i
couldhearthecattl
eandhor sesadi stance
from wherewewer estandingasIhel dabi g
heavytorchli
ghti
ngforBakangwhi lehefill
ed
thegeneratorwit
hpetr
ol,thesol arpanelpower
hadfini
shedwhi l
ewewer ecl eaningthehouse
andcooking...
It
urnedl
i
ght
ingt
hebi
gredt
ract
orandgoton
i
t.
..
.

Bakang:
(pausedpour
ing)Babei
can'
tsee.
.
Me:(t
urnedandli
tforhim asitookaseaton
t
hetract
or)Thi
sthingissohigh..
.Canyoudri
ve
atr
actor?
Bakang:
(pour
ingt
hepet
rol
)Oskawakoo.
..
Me:Iwon'
tfal
l
...(pr
essi
ngit
'sbut
tonsl
i
ght
ing
ar
ound)Socany oudri
veit
?
Bakang:Yeah.
..Iwor
kwi
ththeher
dboy
s.Lai
ta
kwano,kanteobuakadi
ata?
Me:(il
itforhi
m whil
est andi
ngontheseat
l
ookingaround)workingwithherdboys?Wow
ok.
.Ithoughtyoustayedindoorswatchi
ng
car
toonseat i
ngcheese..
.
Bakang:
(lookedatmeandl
aughed)Babekana
ot
aawa,
wai
tse?Getdown.
..

Heclosedthepetrolcontai
nerandpulled
whateverhewaspul l
ingsev er
alti
mest hent
he
generat
orstart
edrunning,theli
ghtscameon
andhewal kedoverasi str
uggledtogetdown,
hehelpedmedownandputhi shandsont he
tr
actorcl
osingmei nbetween...

Bakang:
(st
ari
ngi
nmyey
es)Thanks.
..
Me:
(smi
l
ed)Forwhat
?
Bakang:(smil
edrubbi
ngmychi
nlooki
ngatmy
l
ips)Foragreei
ngtospendt
heweekendwi
th
me
Me:
(shy
ly)Youki
dnappedme.
..
Bakang:(
heslowlyranhisknuckleonmycheek
st
aringatmylips)Yeahbutthanksfornot
cr
yingabouti
tandi promise,
fir
stthi
ngint
he
mor
ningwegoi
ngt
ocal
lyourmum.
..

Helickedhisli
psandswal l
owed, i
swall
owed
l
ookingathislipsashebreatheddownonmy
facethenhemov edbackandlif
tedthepet
rol
container
..
..

Bakang:
Let
'sgo.
..

Iwasdesper
ateforhi
sli
psandi
couldn'
t
underst
andwhyhewastaki
ngsolongtoki
ss
me...

Bakang:
(tur
nedaround)i
wantyout
owal
kin
fr
ontofme,ther
earesnakesar
oun-
Me:(
panickedandr
antot
hef
ront
)Snakes?
Whatki
ndofsnakes?
Bakang:(
laughed)I
'
m ki
ddi
ng.
..Gi
vemet
he
tor
ch..

Hegotthet orchandswitcheditoffaswe
appr
oachedt hecottage,
itwasneat l
ybui
ltwi
th
l
argethi
ckpol esandbeautiful
windowsexact
ly
l
ikethecottagesinmov i
es..
.Hehel dmyhand
aswewal kedupt hestai
rcase.
...

Bakang:
Wagot
hapapel
eaker
e?
Me:
Ist
hewat
erwar
m?
Bakang:Yeah,
iwarmedi
tbef
oret
hesol
ar
panelwentout.
..
Me:ButIdidn'
tcomewithany
thi
ngsese
t
hapang,notevenpant
ies
Bakang:El
egoreoi
sakaepantymasi
go?You'
l
l
washitandhangi
tint
hebathr
oom,you'
l
lseei
t
i
nthemor ni
ng.
Me:(
shookmyhead)Youhadi
tal
lpl
annedout
,
di
dn'
tyou?
Bakang:
(smi
l
ed)honest
ly?y
eah.
..Idi
d..
.
Me:
Mxm.
..Ki
dnapper
!

Att
heRoy
alhouse.
..

Justaft
ermi dnightthedoorbellbuzzed,
Bakang'
sol dersisterwhowasbr eastf
eeding
hernewbor nwentt othedoorandmov edt he
coverl
ookingt hrought hegl
ass.
.Shenoticed
thr
eepoliceofficersandt wowomen. .
.

Her
:Hel
l
o?
Constable:
Iam const
abl
ePul
ane,
maywet
alk
youtoy ouforaminut
e?
Sheunlockedandopenedt
hedoort
yingher
robe.
..

Her:
Dumel
eng.
..Mynamei
sResego,
cani
hel
p
you?
Const
abl
e:I
sthechi
efhome?
Her
:Yes,
what
'sgoi
ngon?Whathappened?
Constable:Thesewomenar el
ooki
ngforthei
r
daughter,apparent
lyBakangaskedhertogo
wit
hhi mt othefarm butshehasn'
tret
urned
andherpar entsareworri
edbecauseherphone
i
sn'tgoingthrough.
Resego:Therei
snonet workcov erageatt
he
far
m andMi dowoul dn'
tdoanythingtoher
,
may behedidn'
tfi
nishwhateverhewast odo
wit
ht heher
dboy sanddecidedt ospendanight
.
MaA:Ist
her
eawayi
cant
alkt
othem j
ustt
obe
sur
e?
Resego:Noma' am,
unl
esstheygotothe
networkspotandmakeacallbuti
t'
sway
outsi
dethefarm.

Thechi
efwalkedov
erbutt
oni
nghi
sshi
rtashi
s
wif
efol
lowedhimtyi
ngherpi
nkr
obewi
tha
fr
own..
.

Chi
ef:
Whati
sgoi
ngon?
Resego:
(tur
nedhol
dingthedoor
)GatweMidoo
i
lekangwanyanakofarmongandherpar
ents
arel
ooki
ngforher
..
.
Chi
ef:(
steppedoutandshookev
ery
one'
shand)
Hel
lo?
Const
abl
e:(
smi
l
ed)Dumel
angkgosi
.
..
MaA:
(shookhi
shand)Kgosi
.
..
Queen:
(fol
dedherar
msst
andi
ngatt
hedoor
)
GatweMidoori
leng?
Chi
ef:
Pleasecomei
n..
.
Resego:(
openedthedoorwi der
)Oh,Sorr
yfor
keepi
ngyoustanding,wherearemymanners..
.
Koorekehakgamadi t
swekeMi dogoreoka
tsaamothoasalaetsakolapeng.Pl
easehavea
seat.
..

Theyal
lwal
kedi
nthehouseandt
ookseat
s..
.

Constable:Eekgosiremomot hal
eng, t
hese
womenar elooki
ngfort heirdaught
er ,
apparentl
yy oursontookhert ot
hef arm and
hernumberi snotav ai
l
abl e.Herparentsare
worri
edabouther ,shewassupposedt obe
backbutshehasn' tsaidany thi
ng.Noneof
them knowwher ethef armi -
Queen:(f
oldedherarmsandleanedback
crossi
ngherlegs)El
egorer
ebuakangwana
yookae?Issheunder16?
Constabl
e:Nny
aammashei
snotat
eenager
..
.
Sheis-
Queen:Soler
et soset
samosadihel
ayoo
kgonanggoitseeladi
tshwet
so?Wasshetaken
for
ceful
ly
?
Const
abl
e:Nobut
-
Queen:Butwhat?Youdisturbedoursl
eep
becauseoftwoadultswhoknewwhatt hey
weredoing?Youoff
icershav eti
metowast e
wait
se,youwastedthegov ernment
'sresources
comingherewheny oucouldbechasingaf t
er
thi
eves?
Chi
ef:(
glar
edathiswif
eandshegott
he
messageatonce)Iam sor
rymmagwe-
?
MaA:
MmagweNal
edi
.
..
Chief:
MmagweNal ediI
'
m sorryt
hatmysonput
youintheposi
ti
onofhavingtoberunning
aroundatmidni
ghtl
iket
his,i
understandyour
worri
es.Heknewtherewasnonetwor kdown
ther
eheshoul dhav etakenhert oanet wor k
spotforhert oletyoushewasspendi ngani ght
butigiveyoumywor d, y
ouhav enothingt o
worryabout.Hewoul dn'tharm her,i
fy ou
excusemef ornowandgot obed, imy selfwil
l
dri
veallofust ot hefarmf ir
stthi
ngi nthe
morning.Wedon' thavet odragthepol iceint
o
thi
sbecausewedon' tknowwher ethese
chil
drenaregoi ngwi ththisrunni
ngar ound.
Whoknowswhatwewi l
lbenegotiati
ngas
famil
iesyearsf rom now, wewoul dn'twantt o
bediscussinggoodt hingswi t
hgrudges.
MaA: (
sighedinr
eli
ef)kealebogakgosi
,
mahokoagagoankgomodi tse.
..
I'
l
lgoandwai
t
f
orthemor ni
ngtocome, t
hepol i
cewon'
tbe
i
nvol
vedagain.
Queen:Bakangneedstostoppickingwhatev
er
hefindsbythestr
eet,
all
thesewasn' t
necessary.I
'
m suret
heneighboursarenow
wonderingwhatisgoi
ngonseeingpol i
cecars
i
noury
ardatt
hist
ime.
MaA: Iexpect
edyoutounder
standsinceyou
havedaughter
s,woul
dn'
tyoubewor r
iedifone
ofyourdaught
erswasn'
tcommunicatingwit
h
youwhenshei si
nanunfamil
i
arplace?
Queen: Youknowshel eftwithhim, Whycan' t
youbel i
evehewoul dn'tdoany thingtoher?I
wantt oseethi
sgirl,shemustbet hepretti
est
l
ittl
egirli
nthewor l
df oryout othinkmysoncan
rapeheranddoal lsor t
soft hingst oher.Gare
tsenakwaphakel aBakangobul elangwanay oo
wagago, at
samael eruribecausei don'
twant
toseepol i
cecarsinmyy ardagai n.Iam
offendedthatl
ebileditsengwanakemapodi si
l
ikehei sarapi
st.
Chief
:(t
oher
)Pl
easegot
obed.
.I'
l
ldeal
wit
h
thi
s.
Queen:
( st
oodupandwalkedawaywi
thher
ar
mscr ossed)Kanannagakeut
wasecur
it
y
seretsosakar eyou'retalki
ngaboutser i
ous
mat t
ers,leeney obarengMi doI'm goi
ngt otell
himt ostayawayf rom herandy oubettert ell
yourdaught ertostayawayf rom myson, period!
Shedi sgustmebef orei evenseeher
face..
..Gaobonaor etelakamapodi sikabo12
j
aananextt hi
ngwewi l
l bereadinganar ti
clein
newspaper saboutheki dnappedagi rland
rapedheri nt hefarm, t
hisist hekindof
nonsensej ournal
istswant .Wear enotl eav i
ng
thepol i
cebehi nd,retsamay alebonesot hat
theycanbeourwi tnessesj ustasy oubr ought
them her e.Iwantt ochaset hatgi
rlri
ghti nfront
ofthem sot hattheycanseewedon' twant
her..
..

Shewentupst
air
sunt
yingherr
obe.
..

Kgosi
:(si
ghed)I
'
m sor
ryaboutt
hat
,wewi
l
ltal
k
i
nt hemorning.
..Resegopl
easegett
hei
r
contact
s..
.

Thetwoexchangedtheircontact
sthenal
l
shookhandsandtheyleft.
..

Att
hef
arm.
..
..

Meanwhi l
eil
aidonmyt ummywi t
hatowel
on
mybut tpl
ayi
nggamesonmyphoneandeat ing
Simbachips,Hewalkedindr
yinghi
msel
fwit
ha
towelandlai
dhiswetcoldbodyonmyback
kissi
ngmyneck...

Bakang:
ThoughtI
'
llf
indy
ouasl
eep.
..
Me:
(st
ari
ngatscr
een)Iwaswai
ti
ngf
ory
ou.
..
Hepl acedmyphoneont heoldheadboar
dthen
heturnedmear oundandstaredi
nmyf ace
l
ay i
ngont opofme,ismiledl
ookingupathi
s
face,iinst
ant
lyknewIl
ov edhim.
..

Hehel dmycheekandl eanedov erki

ssi
ng
me..
.thenhegotdownhol dingmybr eastand
swir
leditwit
hhistonguet henhekissedme
agai
nr ubbi
ngmycl i
ts.
..Hel i
ft
edhimselfup
pul
li
ngdownhi sshortsanddr oppedhispipeon
me..
.

Bakang:Shi
t,i
forgottobuycondoms,
doy
ou
havecondomsi nyourpurse?
Me:
No,
whywoul
diwal
kar
oundwi
thcondoms?
Bakang:
(swal
l
owed)Shi
t.
..

Hel
ookedatmeandi
lookedbackathi
m,Iwas
wetandi couldf eel
hisbonerr i
ghtonmybel l
y.
..
Hardandr eady..Hisheartwast huddi
ngandi
couldfeeleverybeatonmybr east.
..
.Heleaned
overandkissedmet henhehel dhispipeand
bl
ockedmyent rance..
.Iclosedmyey esand
heldmybr eathashest retchedhisway
i
n..
...
..
..
..
..
..
..
..
.
[
09/
24,
19:
04]Ron:
Co-
wif
e
#3

Att
hef
arm.
.

Thenextmor ningi sl
owl ygotoffthebed
stretchi
ngmyback, myt hi
ghsandneckwer e
painfulbutmostofal l
mypi nkpearlwassore
andwheni walkedmi l
dabdomi nalpai
nsstr
uck
me. .
.Isatont het abl
ef orami nuteandsi
ghed
rubbingmynecki twasasi fiwasi na
mar athontheni ghtbefore.
..
Iwr
appedmy sel
fwithatowelandstood
out
sideont
hestair
waylookingaround.
..He
wasnowaytobef ound.

Iwal kedbacki nsi deandpr eparedbr eakfast,

aftereatingi cleanedt hehouseandf oundhis
wal l
etandphone, isatont hebedt akingoutal l
hiscar ds.Iador edhi sI Dphot o,hewasway
olderthanmet houghhel ookedv eryy oung,i
guessi texpl ainedhi ssexual experience.He
hadabout5car dsf r
om di ffer
entbanks,
medi calinsur ancecar d, twonewAcker man's
andJetcar ds, qui teal otofcar dsithought ,
theni putev er ythingbacki nthewal letandgot
hisphone.Iqui cklygl ancedatt hedoorandi
cli
ckedoni tbuti twaspasswor dpr otected.I
heardahor seappr oachi ngandqui cklyput
them backt heni wal kedoutwi thmi ne.
Istoodbyt hestairwayadmi r
inghi
m asher ode
thehor seover.
..Ismiledandst ol
eaf ew
picturesofhim onahor sethenIputi
tbacki n
mypocket .Hegotdownt akingoffhi
scap..I
wal kedoverashet iedthehor seonal og,
he
pulledmecl oserandpl antedakissonmy
foreheadthenoneonmyl i
psandat i
ghthug...

Bakang:
Hey
..
.mor
ning.
..
Me:
(bl
ushed)mor
ning.
..

Hespankedhi shor
se'sthi
ghandwhistl
ed
probablythanki
ngi
tfortheri
dethenhegrabbed
myhandandl edmeinthehouse.Iadmir
edhim
fr
om thebackasi f
ollowedhiminthehouse.I
l
ov editwhenheheldmyhandl eadi
ngme
around..
..
Bakang:
(puthi
scaponthetabl
e)whatar
eyou
cooki
ng?Itsmel
lsgood.
..
Me:
You'
rel
uckyi
t'
sst
il
lwar
m..
.

Iputhi
sbr
eakf
asti
nacleanwhiteplat
eand
madeteat
heniser
vedhim ashetookaseat
.

Bakang:
(pushedt
hecupback)Idon'
tdr
inkt
ea.
..
Me:Oh.
..
(t
ookitandpourediti
nthesi
nk)I
di
dn'
tknowthat.
..Woul
dy ouli
kemil
koradri
nk?
Bakang:
(eat
ing)I
'
lldr
inkwat
er.
..
Me: (
pul
ledt
hechai
randsatdown)Um...I
'
m
j
ustcuri
ous,
whendidyoulastbr
eakupwit
h
yourex?
Bakang:
(lookedatme)Idon'
tknow,
ithi
nkl
ast
year
,why?
Me:
Justcur
ious
Bakang:Don'tbet
oocuri
ousitcomesacr
oss
asinsecur
it
iesandidon'
tl
ikethat
.
Me:Yeah,sorry
..
.(anawkwardmomentpassed)
Youdidn'
tuseacondom andI'm notusi
ng
cont
racept
ives.What'
sgoingtohappen?
Bakang:Iwon'tdenymybloodi
fthat
'swhatyou
areaski
ng,iknowy ouar
epregnant
,I'
l
ldothe
ri
ghtthi
ng.
Me:Iknowbutwecoul
dbuyemer
gencypi
l
ls
si
ncewejustmet
.
Bakang:
(st
ari
ngatme)Ol
ekagor
eng?
Me:
I'
mjustsay
ing.
..
Bakang:(t
hrewt hespoonintheplat
eandstood
up)Ihavetogot othekraal
.(tookoutP100
fr
om hiswalletandplacedi
tont hetabl
e)I
fyou
needpil
lsthereyougo...
Me:
Bakang?
Bakang:(si
ghedandturnedaroundfacingme)
Whatisit
?Whatel sedoy ouwant?It
'snot
enoughforabort
ion?.
..
.(
tookoutanothernot
e
andthrewitonthetabl
e)Isthatenough?
(angr
il
y)whatdoy ouwant ?
Me: (
swal l
owed)You'
rescari
ngme. .
.(he
cl
enchedhi sjawsandsi
ghedcalmingdown)I
won'ttakethosepi
ll
sifyoudon'
twantmet o.
I'
m sorry.Whyareyoubeingi
mpatientwithme?
(t
earfull
ycrossedmyarms)Ifeel
lessl ov
ed
ri
ghtnow.
Bakang:(hesi
ghedandwal kedov erthenhe
pull
edmeov erandcl osedmeonhi schest)I'
m
sorr
y..
.(si
ghed)I'
m sorry,
i hadawonder ful
experi
encewithyouandt hel astthingIwantto
doishurtyourfeel
ings,il
ov ey ou.
..I'
m sorr
y.It
won'thappenagain..
.Doy ouf orgi
veme?
Me:
(smi
l
ed)Yes.
Bakang:
(smi
l
ed)Thanks.
.Putont
hatj
umpsui
t,
hav
eyouev
erbeenonahor
sebef
ore?
Me:
(laughedexci
tedl
y)No.
..
Bakang:
Todayi
syourf
ir
stday
..
.Gety
our
phonewearegoi
ngtomakesomecal
ls.
..

Igotdressedasheputt hemoneybacki nhi

s
wall
etandnot i
cedhiscardsweren'
tarr
anged
asbefore,hecheckedhisenti
rewall
etfor
anythi
ngincri
minati
ngandt hr
ewitonthebed
thenhegrabbedhisphoneandwal kedout..
..

Minuteslat
eriwal
kedoutfoldi
ngthesl
eevesof
thebluejumpsui
t,heti
ght
enedthesaddl
eand
helpedmegetup, If
eltal
i
ttl
edizzyl
ooki
ng
downf r
om ahorse..
..

Bakang:(
smi
l
ed)Ar
eyour
eady
?It
'saboutt
o
move..
.
Me:(
smil
edf
ear
ful
l
y)Ihopei
don'
tfal
l
..
.t
hisi
s
sohi
gh
Bakang:
Youwon'
t,
justr
elax

Hegent
lysmackedit
'sfreshshi
nythi
ghthenit
movedasheheldtheropeswalki
ngalong.
..

Bakang:
(tookoffhi
scapandgav
eittome)
Remindmet ogetyouahatt
henextt
imewe
comehere..
.
Me:(l
aughedenj
oyi
ngther
ide)Wowthi
sisn'
t
sobadexceptmythi
ghsar
epainf
ul.
.
Bakang:(l
aughed)Ol
etseoi
raengmasi
gor
ona
rerobet
se?
Me:(l
aughed)Don'
tev
engot
her
e,y
ou'
resucha
bear
!
Bakang:(ser
iousface)Babetel
lmesomet hi
ng.
..
Doy ouconsidert
hisaseriousr
elat
ionshi
p?
Me:
Yes,
why
?
Bakang:Il
oveyouandIwouldli
ketoget
seri
ouswithyou.Thatmeansi
don'
twantto
seeyouwi t
hanothermanandiwantyoutoact
ri
ghtforus.
Me:iwouldn'
tcheatony
ou,
whatdoy
oumean
byactr
ight?
Bakang: Imety ouaparty,t
hat '
snotmyi deaof
agoodpl acet omeetawomani wanttospend
therestofmyl ifewithbutthat'snotthepoint
,
thepointi sthatIdon'twanty ouinplacesli
ke
thatanymor e.Idon'
twanty ougoi ngtoclubs,
barsandt hesekindsofpar t
ieswher ewomen
getpickedupl ikeprost
it
utes.Ifyoudot hat
thenwear egoi ngtohaveapr obl
em meand
you.
Me:Youdon'thavet
oworryaboutthat
,it
'snot
myli
fest
yle.You'
l
lgett
oknowmeaswespend
t
imetogether,
gakemotholedipar
ty.
Bakang:
Ili
ket
hat
..
.
Me:(smi
led)BabecanIaskyousomet
hing?(
he
l
ookedatme)Doy outhi
nkyou'
reamoody
per
son?
Bakang:
(laughed)Whywoul
dyousayt
hat
?
Me:
(laughed)Justanswermeandbehonest
t
oo.
..
Bakang:
(smi
l
ed)Idon'
tthi
nkso.
Me:
(laughed)Okaybear
Bakang:(smi
led)Andyouneedt ostop
searchi
ngme, i
fI'
m hi
dingsomethingfr
om you
youwon'tfi
ndoutunlessitel
lyou,
I'mthatgood.
Justsayi
ng..
.
Me:
(jawsdr
opped)whatar
eyout
ryi
ngt
osay
?
Bakang: (l
aughed)Babelisten,iknowwomen
getsatisfi
edfrom fi
ndi
ngnot hingafter
searchingaguybutt hetruthissomemenar e
morei ntel
li
gentthanothers.Hav en'
tyouev
er
heardofahappi lymar ri
edcouplewher ebythe
husbanddiesandt henchi l
drenthathehadwi th
thesidechickstartshowi ngupt oattendhis
funeral
?Meani ngtheguyl ovedandtookcar eof
hisresponsibi
li
ti
es, notevenoncemi st r
eated
hiswifeenoughf orhert obesuspi ci
ousunt i
lhe
died.Wouldn'tyougetahear tat
tackf r
om that?
Me: (l
aughed)Iwoul
ddigyouupandkilly
ou
again,bur
ny ouandstomponyourashes,t
he
bathongbannalesethogo.
..
.Nnar
raoskantir
a
yal
o...Nkaswakestress.
..
Bakang:(
laughed)
.I'
mj ustsay
ing..
.Searchi
ng
won'tdoyounogoodi ftheguyisdeterminedto
hi
desomet hi
ngandy oumustt rusteachother
.
Me: Canwechanget hetopi
c?y ou'r
escar i
ng
me...
nnar r
ai bel
ieveint
ruelove.Ibeli
ev eina
manl ovi
ngmeandmeonl y,iwanty outohav e
chi
ldrenonlywithmeandhav eey esonlyforme.
Onnef ai
thful
andl ovi
ng,myfathernev erloved
mesoIwoul dbehur ti
fyoumi str
eatedme.
Bakang:
Iknowwhat
'
sgoodf
ory
ou,
trustme.
..

Hest oppedt hehorseandj umpedonitsitt

ingin
fr
ontofme, Iwrappedmyhandsar oundhis
waistashebumpedhi sf eetonthehorse'
s
stomach, i
tincreasedthespeedandi heldhim
ti
ghter.
..

Hour
slat
er.
..
..
.

Kgosi parkedi nfrontofthehouseandstepped

out,hiswifef oll
owedhi m asMaAandher
neighbourgotoutoft hecarlookingar
ound,
theywer en'tovert het
wogat estheypassed
through..
.

Kgosi
:(knocked)Mi
do?
!
Hewal
kedi
nandlookedt
hepl
atesont
het
abl
e
t
henhewal
kedout.
..

Kgosi:Theywerehere, t
hereisfoodont he
tabl
e..
.(l
ookingaround)Mot hal
awapi t
sikeo.
Hemusthav egonet hissidetocheckont he
animals,wehavecattle,sheep,
goat sandpi gs
evenhorses.Thereisnot ell
i
ngwhi chsidehe
wentsoy ouhav etowaitherewhi l
ei gotalkto
theherdboys,theystayont heothercornerof
theplot.
MaA:
wewi
l
lwai
tkgosi
gagonamol
ato.
..

Kgositookof fhi
sshoesandwor etheboots
thenhewal kedontheculti
vatedsoi
l,hi
swif
e
gavethem chairsandtheyall
satdownwi t
hout
sayi
ngasi nglewordtooneanot her
..
.
Att
henet
wor
kspot
..
..

Iwassit
ti
ngonahorsedi
ali
ngasBakangst
ood
adist
ancefr
om mepeei
ngonatreetr
unk.
..

Renei
:Hel
l
o?
Me:(smi
l
ed)Hey..
.Di
dyouseemypi
cs?isent
you20pi
ctur
es.
..Oht
hispl
acei
sgr
eat.
..
Renei:
Mony anammagoogol ati
l
e,shewas
worri
edandt ookt hepol
icetotheroyal
house..
.apparent l
ythequeenwasn'thappythat
yourmot hercalledthepoli
ceonBakangand
sai
dshewant edyougoneandf arawayf r
om
herso-
Me:
Wai
t,what
?You'
ret
alki
ngt
oof
ast
..
..Pol
i
ce?
Renei:
Aswespeakt
hey
'r
eont
hei
rwayt
her
eto
getyou..
.
Me:
Whywoul
dmamacal
lthepol
i
ce?It
oldher
whereIwasgoing.It'
snotl ikeIwaskidnapped.
(saddened)I
'
mf i
nished...Hisfamil
yisgoingto
hateme. .
.Mamaov erreactedshecouldhaveat
l
eastwai t
edanight.
..Koorewabonneakant se
sonestorysangwany anay ogotwengo
bolai
lwekengwanawakgosi .
Renei
:Ihopethi
sdoesn'
taf
fecty
outwo.
..
(smil
ed)Anyway.
..Howi
sthepri
nce?
Me: (
blushedlooki
ngathim ashesatonthelog
adistancefr
om me)Hei sgreat
,Renei
lweilove
hi
m.
Renei:
(smi
led)Ihaveneverhear
dyousayi
ng
youloveaman,ithoughtyousai
dyoudon'
t
needaman.
Me:Noi needthi
sonet
obreat
he.Ican'
tev
en
expl
aini
t,il
ovethi
sman.
Renei
:Di
dyouguy
s-y
ouknow?
Me:
Yesanditwasweir
d,pai
nful
andsweetat
t
hesameti
me..
.Idon'
tknowwhatwas
happeni
ngt
omybody
..
.
Renei
:I'
m happyf
ory
oumyl
ove
Me:Okayl ovel
etmegomay bet
heyarri
ved.
(
stari
ngatBakangashedustedhispant
s)Ifeel
l
ikecryi
ngt hemma,Bakangompolai
sabiti
.
.Is
t
hischil
dishnewena?
Renei
:(l
aughed)Heet
leke!Ogoj
elemosi
mane
waMot awanahaobonaobuanonsense
j
aana.
..
Me:(
laughed)
Koor
esetsei
bil
ekeiponakel
e
MaTawanakeimil
eTawananyana.
..
.
Renei
:(l
aughedl
oudl
y)Gi
rl
s!Wenamma
Bakang
Me:(
laughed)That
a..
.Gol
ebegaelemot
howa
dimmudinyanamemmakemor at
ahel
a.Hei
s
sosweet,I
'
m hooked.
Renei
:You'
readdi
ctedwenagi
rl
.
Me:
(laughed)Shapmmakedi
i
lemot
ho.
Renei
:Condomspl
ease,
bye
Me:
Um.
..Yesofcour
se.By
e
Renei
:By
e..
.

Att
hef
arm.
..
.

Awhil
elaterKgosiwalkedoverwi t
haher dboy
whowascar ryi
ngacontainerofsourmilkanda
bagofbutter
nuts.
..
.Thequeenl ookedatthem
andshookherheadi ndisbel
i
ef.
...

Her
dboy
:(putt
hem down)Dumel
ang.
..
MaAandt
henei
ghbour
:Dumel
ang.
.
Queen:
Hel
l
oPont
si.
..
Kgosi
:Thanksmyboy
,youcango.
.
Pontsi
:LetMidoknowt
hati
managedt
ofi
xthe
sheepfence
Kgosi
:I'
l
llethi
m know.
..

Theher
dboywalkedawayasKgosi
handedMa
Athemil
kandbutter
nut
s..
.

Kgosi
:Inourcul
tureavi
sit
orisal
way
sgi
ven
somethi
ngwhent heyl
eave.
..
.
MaA:
Thanky
ousomuch,
thanky
ou.
..
Kgosi
:Theherdboyssai
dBakangandNaledi
musthavegonetothenet
workspottomake
somecall
s,hetookoneoft
hehorses.
MaA:Iunderst
and.
..(
sighed)Nowi f
eelgui
lt
y
f
ormakingyoudri
veallthewayfornothi
ng
Queen:Youshoul
dfeel
gui
lt
ybecauseyou
wastedourf
uelandembar
rassedusfor
not
hing.
..
MaA:
I'
m sor
ryf
oral
lthet
roubl
e
Queen:
Apologi
esarenotnecessary
,justwai
t
fory
ourdaught
erandcoll
ecther.
Kgosi
:(star
ingather
)mi
ndy
ourwor
ds,
pl
ease.
...

Meanwhi l
eweappr oachedinahorse,ever
yone
tur
nedandl ookedatus..
.Itwasthemost
embarrassingmomentofmyl i
fe,
iprayedfor
theear
tht ocrackandswallowmei nst
antl
y.
Bakanghoppeddownandhel pedmedownas
myhear tpounded.
.

Me:
(whi
sper
ed)Myhandsar
eshaki
ng.
..
..
Bakang:(
laughedandf
ixedmycap)y
ou'
resuch
achil
d..
..

Hel
etgooftheleashandhel
dmyhandwalking
t
owardsourpar
ents,i
secr
etl
ytr
iedpul
l
ingout
ofhisgripbuthewashol di
ngmywr i
stt ooti
ght,
i
nmybooksi twasthemostdisrespectfult
hing.
.
Icouldn'
tfaceanyofthem asheletgoofmy
handandl eanedovershaki
ngmymot her'
s
hand...

Bakang:
Dumel
ang.
..
.
Mama:
Hel
l
o..
.

Hewentontogreetourneighbourasishyl
y
greet
edhi
sfat
her,hesmiledlooki
ngatmeand
wentdownmybodywi thadmi r
ati
onthenhe
l
ookedathi
ssonandshookhi sheadwitha
hi
ddensmil
e,Bakangsmiledbackandsat
down..
.

Chi
ef:
Howar
emydaught
er?
Me:
I'
mfi
ne.
..
Chi
ef:Aongwetsiyameabol edir
ajangj
aanong
l
etsamaalesalael
akol apeng?Kana
mosadimogol
ool etseasarobal
a.
Me: (
shy
ly)Bakangdi
dn'
ttel
lmet
hatwewoul
d
spendanight.

Il
eanedovergreet
inghi
smotherwhoshookmy
handfaci
ngtheotherwaywi
thastr
aightf
ace.
..
.

Me:
(smi
l
ed)Dumel
ang.
..
Queen:
Dumel
amma.
..

Isatdown.
..

Kgosi
:Mi
do?
Bakang:
Raa?
Kgosi
:Abooeber
ekaj
angj
aanong?Nal
edi
'
s
mot
herwaswor
ri
edsi
ckabouther
..
.
Bakang:(
keptquietf
orami nut
e)Wear r
ived
l
ateandidecideditwastoodarktodri
veback
back,wejustar
ri
vedfrom makingcal
l
s..
.
Kgosi
:Eebual
emmagweNal
edi
key
oo.
..
Bakang:(l
ookedather )I'
m sor
ryf
orall
the
tr
oubleicaused,Iplannedasurpr
iseweekend
getawayandfiguredwewoul dmakecallsi
nthe
mor ni
ng.I
'
m sorry..
.
Mama: I
t'
sokaymyson,iam j
ustgl
adshei
s
f
ine.I
fsheisokayI
'
m happy.
Queen:(
sighed)Okay
,canshenowgether
t
hingssowecango?Ihav eameeti
ngwith
motshel
oladies.
Bakang:
Wear
egoi
ngbackonSunday
..
.
Queen:Hermotheri
sher etocoll
ecther
,wehad
pol
icecar
sathomel ookingforherli
keyou
ki
dnappedher
,wedon' tneedthi
skindofdrama.
Bakang:
Ididkidnapher
,iki
dnappedherand
shewasrightt
obewor r
iedbutnowsheknows
wearefi
ne.
Kgosi:Bakangi
tshouldn'
tbeuptoy oual
one,
youdecidedyouwantedtospendaweekend
withherandbroughtherher
easaitsegoreo
tet
serurinowyou'r
edecidi
ngaloneagainthat
sheisnotgoingback,whycan'
tyouask?
Nicel
y..
..
Bakang:
(facedme)Wi
l
lyoust
ayunt
ilt
omor
row?

Mymot her '

sfacewasatpeaceandi knewshe
hadnopr oblem, t
hekingwasappr oving..
..
.Isti
ll
couldn'tgetov erthefactthathecalledme
ngwet si,
Icouldn'twaittobeonmyownsot hat
Icanscr eam buthi smot her'
sfacewasscar y,
shedidn'tl i
kemeandshewasn' thidingit.
.I
didn'
tknowwhatmyr esponsewoul dmeant o
her,shecl earl
ydidn'twantmei nhery ar
d.
Bakangdesper
atel
yst
aredatmewai
ti
ngf
oran
answer.
..

Me:
(looki
ngdown)Wewi
l
lgot
omor
row.
..
Kgosi
:Ift
hat
'sokaywi
thy
ourmot
her
..
.
Mama: Ijustwant
edtomakesur
ethatsheis
fi
ne,wethershecomeswi
thmenoworl at
eris
uptoher.
Bakang:
Thanky
ou.
..
Kgosi
:(l
ookedathi
sti
me)Okay .
..(
stood)We
havet
ogo...Mi
doputthoset
hingsinthecar
..

EveryonestoodandgotinthecarasBakang
l
oadedt hemi l
kandbutter
nuts,Iwenttomy
mot her
'ssideandhuggedher,shesmiled
rubbingmycheekandgoti nthecar.Iknewshe
hadal ottosaybutasalwayssheputmy
happinessfir
st.
..
.
Thechiefwalkedar oundthecarandst oodnext
tohissontalkingt ohim, i
couldn'
theart hem
butBakangbi thislowerl i
psmi l
i
ngr ubbinghis
moustacheashi sf athersaidsomet hi
ng
smil
ing,hepathi m ont heshoulderandgoti n
thecar.Bakangcl osedt hetr
unkandt appedt he
car.
..
.Hedr oveof fasBakangwal kedcloserto
meandputhi sarm ar oundme. .
.

Me:
Yourmot
herdoesn'
tl
oveme.
..
..
.
Bakang:(huggedmeandsi ghed)Shedoesn'
t
l
oveev er
yone..
.(pull
edmychi nupandkissed
me)Ilovey ou.
..(
laughed)gatweobopegile
j
aakamohumagadi ..
.
Me:(l
aughed)Iknewyouwerebot
htalking
aboutme,ican'
tbel
iev
ethechi
efsai
dt hat
..
..
Bakang:(l
aughed)Youdon'
twanttoknowthe
othert
hinghesaid,hei
shil
ari
ous.
..
.Come
i
nsi
dekanay
ounev
eropenedy
ourgi
ft
..
.
Me:
(smi
l
ed)Ial
mostf
orgot
..
..

Wewalkedinthehouseandsatonthebed,
he
r
eachedunderthebedandputtheboxonmy
l
ap.
.Ismil
edandt or
ethecover
...
.

Me:
(Jawsdr
opped)What
?..
..
..
..
..
.

5MONTHSLATER.
..
..
..
..
..
..
..
..

Pl
easeLi
ket
hei
nser
t.Muchl
ove
[
09/
24,
19:
05]Ron:
Co-
wif
e
#4

AtMaduo'
shouse.
..
.
Sheheardtheannoy ingnoiseofcarwheels
turni
ngandmov edt hecurtai
ns.Dit
samelocked
hercarandwal kedov eri
nherredhighheel
s..
.
"kanakeiphi
the? "Maduot houghtasshelooked
aroundthehouse.Shequi ckl
yreducedthe
volumeandqui etlysatont hecouch..
.

Meanwhil
eout
sideDi
tsameknockedont
he
door
..
..

Di
tsame:
Duos?!Dux
?..
..(
peakedont
he
wi
ndows)Hel
lo?

Maduoheldherbr eat
hcrossi
ngherfingersfor
hertol
eave,therewassil
enceforawhi l
ethen
shehear
dt hecardoorclosi
ng.Shesighedi n
rel
i
efandtipi
et oedtothedoortoconfi
rmi fshe
wasl
eavi
ngbutherphoner
angl
oudl
y.She
j
umpedandcover
edhermouth.
..

Di
tsame:
Duos?

Maduoopenedt
hedoory
awni
ngst
ret
chi
ngher
ar
ms..
..

Maduo:
Heychoma,
heymmaont
sosi
tse.
..
Dit
same:Hey(wal
kedi
nandsatont hecouch)
t
hemmabor r
owmeP200i wastr
yingtobuya
fewthi
ngstofi
xmycarbutI
'mrunningl
ow.
Maduo:Wenawhensomeonebor rowsyou
moneyyouneverret
urni
t,Naledi
longborrowed
youP450buty
ounev err
eturneditfr
om ther
e
yougi
veherat
tit
udewhensheasks.
Dit
same:Ar
gh..
.Iwasgoi
ngtopayheraker
e
butnowsheisdat
ingBK,
shedoesn'
tneed
moneyandshei
swor
kingt
ooso.
..Any
wayot
a
mpha?
Maduo:
I'
m br
oker
ightnow
Di
tsame:Themmapl
easeI
'
m beggi
ngy
ou.
..At
l
eastP100
Maduo:
Fine.
..I
'
llgi
veyoubutyoumustr
etur
nit
,
whenar
ey ougoingt
oretur
nit
?
Dit
same:Nex
tweek.
..Kant
eBakangokae
nowaday
s?
Maduo:
Oteng,
why
?
Di
tsame:Ishest
il
lwi
thNal
edi
?Gabaut
wal
e
malat
sia
Maduo: Bakangwor ksbetweenGaboroneand
Maun,hehasbeenspendi ngalotoft
imein
Gaboronegat wetheyarebalanci
ngsome
booksforNGOskanagat wenggonemoonna
gankekeut wagoreNal ediar
engbecausehis
j
obiscompl icat
ed.
Dit
same: Ehe.
..Whenarewegoingouttoget
her
nebathong?imi ssNal
edi
..
.Renei
lweeneokae?
Karebanyanabanshapakacoldshoulder
nowadays..
.
Maduo:
Renei
l
weot
eng
Dit
same:Gat
eshel
eftMogapi
,whoi
sshe
dati
ng?
Maduo: (
stoodup)Idon'tknowmma...She
spendsti
mewi thAbalengbutidon'
tthi
nkshe
candatehim,shepracti
call
ygrewupwith
Naledi
tabobat hol
a.
Di
tsame:
KanaAbalengnki
leampat
a..
.Hest
il
l
smil
eswhenheseesme...
Maduo:
(si
ghed)I
'
m sot
ir
ed.
..
If
eel
sosl
eepy
..
.Iwasonni
ghtdut
y.
Dit
same: (
herphonerecei
vedamessagethen
shesmiled)Hehehe.
..
.Chos!I
'm get
ti
nga
Peruv
ianweav efr
om thi
slady
,sheadver
ti
sed
herweav esonFacebook, Sheissell
ingf rom
Gabor oneandshesay sshecansendi tto
Maun. ..Kemol ebil
edit
sebet se..
.Oitsegor eke
dueladeposi tbutassoonasshesendst he
weav eI '
m chewi ngthi
ssi mcardanddel eting
thisFacebookaccount ,gakerianaI'
mt alkingto
herwit haf akeaccount.Ket il
egomogamol ela
bohema. .
.Shesoundssosl owandst upid.Ke
i
tsegor etaboasi anel
akoFi ghtCrimet opost
pictur
eskant ekefakepi ct
ures..
.Hahahaket aa
berekelamony anamot engj aanapil
isiwena
i
ket ehela.
Maduo:(t
ookthephone)Letmeseeher.
..(
read
hermessages)Aomma, shesoundssot
rusti
ng.
Don'
tdothistoher
..
.
Ditsame:Sheisstupid,
infactI
'm or
deri
ng2
t
y pesel
edi bundletse4,I
'
llt
ell
herI'
m order
ing
forafri
end.Ot aagamogamol ese.
..
Maduo:I
joo.
..(
checkedtheti
me)gir
lyouhave
t
ogo,ihavetosleep.
..Iwaswor
kingall
night
.
(
gav
eherP100)Ret
urnmymoney
..
Dit
same:(gotitandwalkedoutpr
essi
ngher
phone)Thankshoney.
..Loveyou,
bytheway,
Gir
ly'
sbabyshowerist
onightl
eskalebal
a,ar
e
yougame?
Maduo:Iwantt
obutidon'
thav
emoney
,idon'
t
l
ikegoi
ngoutkel
ebroke.
Di
tsame:
I'
llbuyyoudr
inks,askNal
edi
andNey
t
ocome,it
'sbeenawhile.
..
Maduo:
I'
ll
tal
ktot
hem.
..
Di
tsame:
Byehoney
..
.

Maduocl osedt hedoorandl eanedagainstthe

doorsighinginr el
ief,shelookedthroughthe
curt
ainsasshedr ov eawayt henshesatont he
couchfeelinggui l
ty..
.Shecoul dn'
tunderst
and
whyshef eltthatway ..."
Didisaytoomuch? "
shethoughtr egretful
ly..
.
AtWor
k..
..

Iclear
edmydeskandswi t
chedof fthe
comput erget
ti
ngreadytoleavetheniawav eof
dizzi
nessblewmedown, i
heldont hedeskand
satdownf oraminute,
ithadbeenhappeni ng
foracoupleofweeksbuti hadn'
ttoldanyone
yet.

Af ewmi nuteslateri gotmyhandbagand

wal kedoutsmi l
ingatot herwor ker
s,asi walked
downt hestairsanot herwav ecameandi sat
down, thistimemyst omachwast urningandi
coul dfeelfoodcomi ngupmyt hroat,icovered
mymout handhur r
iedbehindt hebuildingand
threwup.It ookoutabot tl
eofwat erand
cleanedmymout htheni dial
edmybr other.
..
Abal
eng:
Sdudah.
..
Me:(l
aughed)Gakebate.
..Mxm...Therracome
getmeatwor k,
I'
m sicki
feeldi
zzy,idon'
twant
tocol
l
apseinat axi
.
Abaleng:Workhar
dsot hatthosepeopl
ecan
hir
ey ouper
manentlyt
heny oubuyy our
sel
fa
car,nnakenalemosadiyokemochai si
sang
kana
Me:(
laughed)Heeedu.
..Whenam i
goi
ngt
osee
t
hiswoman?
Abal
eng:
(laughed)I
'
m ki
ddi
ng,
I'
ll
bet
her
e.
Me:
Thanks,
I'
ll
bewal
ki
ngbyt
her
oad.
..

Ihungupandslowl
ywalkedbyt
her
oad,
my
phonerecei
vedamessage.
..
.

Bakang:
Heybabe,
howar
eyouf
eel
i
ng?
Ideci
dedt
ocall
buthedi
dn'
tpi
ckandsenta
messagei
nst
ead..
..

Bakang:I
nameeti
ng,j
ustthi
nki
ngabouty
ou.
Howi smyboyt
reat
ingyou?
Me:Ifeel
sickal
lthet
ime,
ner
rawhenar
eyou
comingtoMaun?
Bakang:
I'
ll
makeapl
an,
isev
ery
thi
ngokay
?
Me:YesbutImissy
ou,it
'sbeenweeks,canyou
atl
eastcomeforaweekend?Ifeel
solonely
wit
houtyou.
Bakang:Iknowbabebuty ouknowi havet o
workforusandt hebaby,
Idon'twantyou
needi
ngany t
hingwhenthebabycomes.
Audit
ingisalotofwork,
myey esarestrained
asiti
s..
.wearewor ki
ngonadeadline.I
'
llcome
nextweek..(
seen)Nextweekkeet amyl ove
aut
wa?
..
.(i
didn'
trepl
y)babe?
..
.Wi
fey
?
Me:(r
epli
ed)Ket
aar
eng.
..Ican'
ttaket
his
any
mor e.
Bakang:Nobabehaokakewabuaj al
o,it
old
youhowt hi
sworks.Whycan' tyouunder
stand?
WhatshouldIdono?Kanay aanongIwon'tbe
comfort
ableher
eknowi ngyou'recr
y i
ngover
ther
e.Canyoubepatientjustthi
sweek?
Me:
Whyar
en'
tyouanswer
ingy
ourphone?
Bakang:
Okayl
etmecal
lyoubacki
nami
nut
e..
.

Abal
engpul
ledov
erandi
goti
n,myphoner
ang
asipul
l
edthebel
t.
..
.

Me:
Hel
l
o?
Bakang:
Wifeyweeiwantyoutounder
stand
somethi
ng,i
fI'
m cur
rent
lywor
kingont
hebooks
i
nGabst henikeepspendi
ngmoneyonf l
i
ghts
backdnff ourth,i
twon'tbegoodf oryouort he
baby,youhav ebeenhir
edt emporari
l
yi fthey
don'thi
rey ouper manentl
yi mustbeabl eto
supportyouandt hebabysoi can'
taffordt o
disappoi
ntmycl i
entsnotwheni havemor e
responsi
bilit
ies.Wathaloganyababe?
Me:
(si
ghed)Yeah,
iguessi
justwanty
ou.
..
Bakang: Imissyout oo,tr
ustmeI '
mv er
ylonel
y
withoutyou.Assoonast hebabyi sbor
ny out
o
startvi
siti
ngsothaty oucanhav eanideaof
howI '
ml ivi
ng,may bethatwil
lgiveyoupeace.
..
..
Nextweekkeet aandI '
llmakeitupforall
the
weekswehav en'tbeentogether.
Me:
(goti
nthecar
)Okay
..
..
Bakang:
(sof
tl
y)Keagor
ataNal
edi
..
.
Me:(
smil
ed)Il
oveyout
oo,
I'
m onmywayhome.
Abal
engi
sdroppi
ngmeoff
..
.
Bakang:Oncet
hebabyi
sbornyoushoul
dgeta
l
icenceandusemycarwhenI'
minGaborone,
whatdoy
out
hink?Pl
ust
hebabywi
l
lneedi
t.
Me:
Yeah,
it'
sagoodi
dea.
Bakang:
Hav
eyout
oldany
oneaboutt
hebaby
yet
?
Me:
No
Bakang:Don'
ttellyourmum j
usty
et.
..Buymea
l
itt
leti
met osortoutsomethi
ngwit
hmy
fat
her.
..
I'
l
lbedoneher einaweek.
Me:
Okay
.
Bakang:
Alr
ight
,letmet
alkt
oyourbr
other
..
Me:
(gav
ehi
mthephone)I
t'
sBakang.
..
Abal
eng:
(pushedt
hephone)I
'
m dr
ivi
ng.
..
Me:
Hesay
s-
Bakang:Ihear
dhim,putmeonloudspeaker(
i
pressedl
oudspeaker
)Abal
eng?
Abal
eng:
Whatdoy
ouwant
?
Bakang:
(smi
l
edknowi
ngwhathewasaboutt
o
saywouldpisshi
m of
f)Ont
hokomel
l
emosadi
hoolai
taka
Abal
eng:Oskampit
sal
ait
akagakemonkanewa
gago(annoy
ed)Nal
edi
isaidI
'
m dri
vi
ng.
..
Bakang:(
laughed)Thewayyouhateme, i
swearifiknockherupyou'
l
lgetaheartat
tack.
Dri
vecareful
lybro,
you'
redr
ivi
ngthequeen.
Abal
eng:
I'
m noty
our"
bro"
Bakang:
(laughed)Il
ovey
oubabe
Me:
(laughed)Il
ovey
out
oo.
..

Ihungupandputmyphonebackinmyhand
bag.Idon'
tknowwhyBakangli
kedtopr
essmy
brot
her'
sbuttonsbuti
somehowfoundi
tfunny
.

Abaleng:(
lookedatmystomach)Ihopeyou'
re
notpregnant,whyar
eyousickal
ltheti
me?
Me:
I'
m notpr
egnant
..
.
Abaleng:Ihopeso.
..Iwouldn'twantt
obet i
ed
tothatfamil
y.Youmustl ookforanormalman
whosepar ent
swill
appr eci
ateyouandrespect
yourmot her
.Yobar engBakangeneont waela
l
abohel o
Me:(l
aughed)Hel
ovesy
ou,
whyar
eyouso
bi
tt
er?
Abal
eng:
Hismot
herannoy
sme.
Me:
(si
ghed)I
'
m notpr
egnant
..
..

AtResego'
shouse.
..
..

Shelai
dherbabyi nthecribandsl
owlycl
osed
thedoor,herphoneranginthebedr
oom and
shehurr
iedov erbef
oreitcoul
dwakethebaby.
..
Resego:
Hel
l
o?
Bakang:Hey.
..
themmant irel
afavour.
..
canyou
buysomethi
ngf orNaledi
anddr opitather
houselat
erbeforeshegoestobed?
Resego:Wenaokatswaoimisi
tsengwana,is
shepregnant
?Thisist
het
hir
dtimeI'm buy
ing
funnythi
ngsforher
.
Bakang:
Yeahshei
spr
egnant
..
..
Resego:(
laughed)Wow..
.Congratul
ati
ons.
..
Mamai sgoingtohaveaheartatt
ack.
Bakang:
(laughed)Ot
aabaka.
..
Resego:
Hav
eyout
oldDad?
Bakang:
No,
noty
et.
..
.It
hinkheneedst
ime.
..
Resego:
That'
str
ue.
..Youdi
sappoi
ntedhi
m,he
l
ovesNaledi
butmaybethi
swill
putyoubacki
n
hi
sbooks.
Bakang:
Noheissti
ll
angr
ywi
thme, any
wayI'
l
l
sendyouthel
i
st,
themmadel
iveri
tontime
beforeshesleeps.Shewasn'thappyearl
ier
whenwespoke, idon'
twanthertogot obed
sad,iwaslookingattheamountofwor kleft
herekeipotsagoreaketeI'
l
lfini
shwhenIget
backorwhat ,afri
endofminei sdr
ivi
ngov er
thereka6pm i wanttogetaridefr
om him.
Resego:Aerradri
vingatni
ghtisnotsaf
e, y
ou'l
l
seeNaledinextweekwheny ouaredonethat
si
de..
.sendt heli
st.
.
Bakang:
Alr
ight
,By
e..
.

Shehungup.
..

AtRenei
'
smot
her
's.
..
.

Lat
ert
hatafter
noonsheopenedthedoorf or
Maduothentheyheadedtoherr
oom. .
..Maduo
sawalovecardonthetabl
eandpickeditup.
..
Maduo:
Mogapi
bet
ternotbe-
Renei
lwe:(snat
chedit)I
t'
snothi
m, gankeke
boel
adi exnna.
..I
'm donewi
ththatlunat
ic.
Maduo:
Okay
..
.So.
..Whosei
sthat
?
Renei
:(puti
tundert
hepi
l
low)I
t'
sfr
om af
ri
end
Maduo:
Abal
eng?
Renei
:No,
whywoul
dyout
hinki
t'
sfr
om hi
m?
Maduo:Idon'
tknowbecausehepi
cksy
ouand
dr
opsyouf r
om work.
..
Renei
:Bar
ework.
..St
all
sadi
hai
rpi
ecet
sa
machi
nakesonework?
Maduo: Yesi
t'
syourjob,don'
tbeembarr
assed
andthat'
snotthepoint
,heisalway
saround
you.
..buyi
ngyoulunch..
..
Renei
:YouknowAbal
engisli
keabr
othert
ome,
heunderst
andsmysi
tuat
ion.
Maduo:
(lai
donthebed)i
fyousayso..
.The
mmalet'
sgotoget
herkobabyshowengyaga
Gi
rl
y.Pl
easedon'
tsayno.
..
Renei
:Wenay ou'
real
waysgoi
ngout ,
every
weekendy ougetdrunk,
maybey oushoul
dfind
aboyfr
iendandspendt heweekendwithhi
mi f
youcan'tstayhomealonedur
ingtheweekend.
Maduo:Haomma, j
ustalit
tl
erequestmakes
yougi
vemesuchal onglect
ure?Pleasecome
wit
hme...Ineedaf
ri
endincasei dri
nkalit
tl
e
t
oomuch, themmaplease..
.
Renei
:Ican't
,Ihaveplanst
onight,
I'
m going
overt
oa" f
riend'
s"housetowatchmov iesgape
nnadipart
ydi ambora.Ipr
efertostayhome..
.
Youknowt hat
Maduo: (
sighed)OhGod,whatam igoi
ngto
do.
..Ineedtopartybuti
don'twanttogoal
one
wit
hDi t
same, shei
sunpredi
ctabl
e
Renei
:Heekant
eibi
l
eor
ayaonal
emi
sshi
gh
cl
ass,
not
hanky
ou.
Maduo:(
laughed)Dit
samemi
ssesyouguy
s,
whyareyoutreat
ingherl
i
ket
hat
..
.
Renei
:(l
aughed)Thatwi
tch.
..
.

Atmyhouse.
..

Aphonecal
lwokeme.
..

Me:
Hel
l
o?
Mama:
arey
ousl
eepi
ng?
Me:
(gotupandr
ubbedmyey
es)Idozedof
f.
..
Mama: Nalediakoosekawat ogel
a
moshimany anay oagoit
hwadisathengwanaka,
youshoul
dwor kharderatyourj
obsothatt
hey
canhir
eyouper manentl
y.Youcan'
taff
ordt
ogo
formater
nityleavewheny ouareatemp,
whoeverwi
ll
beony ourpostwi
l
ldoherbestt
o
i
mpressthecompanyandgethir
ed.
Me:
I'
m notpr
egnantMama
Mama: Wheny ou'r
edatingsomeonel i
kehim
you'resupposedtohav eajob,losi
ngyourjobis
thelastthi
ngy ouneed.Hisparentswil
lbe
sayingyou'rehisburdenandyou'll
star
tlooki
ng
funnystayinghomedoi ngnothingwhil
ehe
meet ssmar tcl
eanwomenatt heoffi
ce
everyday.
Me:
Iunder
stand
Mama: Osekawaithaganel
l
agot shol
ela
moshimanyanayongwanapele,
i j
ustwantedt
o
checkonyoubecauseyousaidyouweren't
feel
ingwel
lthi
smorning.
Me:(
ther
ewasaknockatthedoor)I
'mfi
ne
now,
ithi
nki
twasj
ustfoodpoisoni
ng.
Mama:
Okay
,by
e..
Ihungupandopenedthedoor
,Resegowal
ked
i
nholdi
ngaplast
ic.
..

Resego:
(smi
l
ed)Hi
..
.
Me:
Hi
Resego:
(gavemethepl
ast
ic)Bakangasked
met odr
opthisof
f.
.
Me:
Thanks.
..Pl
easehav
easeat
..
.

Shesatdown,iputt
heplast
icont
hecount
er
andj
oinedheronthecouch.
..

Resego:
Howar
eyouf
eel
i
ng?
Me:
I'
mfi
ne.
..
Resego:
Ift
hemor ni
ngsi
cknessi
stroubl
i
ngy
ou
youcanbuytabl
etst
hatr
educeal
lthose
si
gns.
..
.Ihadasi
mil
arpr
obl
em
Me:
(shy
ly)Howdoy
ouknowI
'
m pr
egnant
?
Resego:Hetoldme..
.Congrat
ulati
ons.(
leaned
overandtouchedt
hehalfheartneckl
ace
ar
oundmyneck)Whendi dBakanggivey outhi
s?
Me:
(smi
l
edblushi
ngandt
ouchedi
t)Hegav
eit
t
omeatthef
arm..
.
Resego:
(laughed)Ohthatti
mey amapodisi
..
.i
rememberthat.
..(
star
edatmef oramoment
andgotsad)Your eal
l
ylovehim don'
tyou?
Me:
(laughed)Yes.
..
Resego:
Hel ovesyoutoo.
...Henev ercameto
Maunasof tenashedoessi ncehemety ou,we
sawhimlikeonceamont horoncei ntwo
monthsbutnowadayshet ravelsli
kenever
befor
e.(
sighed)Anywayletmegoback, il
eft
mybabywi thmymot her
,wheni gethomeshe
wil
lbesayingall
sort
soft hings.
Me:(
laughed)Shemustbedi
ff
icul
ttodeal
wi
th.
..
Resego:
Oal
api
samma.
..

Iwal
kedhert
othecar
..
.

Resego:
Arey
ouhappywi
thBakang?
Me:Yesthoughi
don'
tl
iket
hathei
snev
er
ar
ound.
Resego:
(laughed)Yeah,
sowhatdoy
oudo
whenheismoody ?
Me:Isuspect
edhewast
hatt
ypebuti
hav
en'
t
seenmuchofit
Resego:(
laughed)Bakangokgonagot sogaa
ngandi
lekanaat enegi
l
egosar esepebutrona
set
seremoi tse,gaantsejal
owejustl
eavehim
al
oneuntilhecomesar ound.
Me:
Iyoothanksf
ort
ell
i
ngme,
Idi
dn'
tknow
t
hat
..
.I'
l
lremembert
hat.
..
Resego:(l
aughed)Don'
ttel
lhi
misai
dhei
s
moody ,
keaseba.
Me:
(laughed)Myl
i
psar
eseal
ed.
..
Resego:Byeandtakecareofmynephewkana
keniece?I
twil
lbeniceifi
t'
sagi
rl
..
.
Me:
Why
?
Resego:
(swal
l
owed)Um.
..Il
ovegi
rl
s..
.
Me:
(smi
l
ed)Met
oo,
bye
Resego:
Bye.
..

Shegotinthecaranddroveof,iwavedather
wit
hahugesmi leonmyf ace,t
hereisnothing
sweet
erthanbeinglov
edbyy oursist
erinlaw.
Maduowav edatherasshedroveoutoft he
gat
e..
..
Maduo:(
smil
ed)Heedu.
..
.Looksli
keyouhav
e
beenwel
comedint
otheroyalhouse.
..
Me:
(laughed)Themmawena.
..
Maduo:
Shedr
ivesani
cecar
..
.
Me:
That
'smysi
sterf
ory
ou.
..
Maduo:Hahaha.
..(
wewalkedinsi
de)Themma
pl
easecomewi t
hmet oGir
ly'
sbabyshower?
Pl
easedon'
tsayno,you'
remylasthope.
..
Me:I'
mt ooti
redmmaandi wanttowat
chmy
ser
ies.
..Whydon'
tyouaskRenei
lwe?
Maduo:Shewantedtogobutshehadplans,t
he
mmapl ease.Wewon'
ttakel
ong.
..I
'
m begging
you.
..
Me: (
sighed)ButIcan'
tbeoutunt
ilbomi
dni
ght
,
ineedmysl eep.
Maduo:(
jumped)Yes..
.Thankyouthankyou.
..
Jeanswi
llbef
ine,
it'
sjustababyshower.
..
.We
wi
l
lbebackbef
ore10pm.
..
ipr
omi
se.
..

Idraggedmyfeettothebathr
oom andgot
ready,afewminut
esl at
erwewal
kedoutand
madeourwayt oat axist
op.
..

Me:
Idon'
tev
enhav
eagi
ft
Maduo:Don'
tworr
y,t
hatcanbefi
xed.Wear
e
goi
ngtowrit
e"Wit
hlovefr
om Nal
ediand
Maduo"onthegi
ft
.
Me:
Okay
..
.

Att
hebabyshower
..
.

Hoursintot
hebabyshoweriwasexhaust
ed
andsleepy,
themusi
cwast ool
oudandi was
bor
edasMaduoandherf ri
endsenj
oyed
t
hemsel
ves.
.

Maduo:(
walkedoverhol
dingaglass)Hey.
..
Comejoi
nust hemma, (
laughed)Shei
stel
li
ng
ushowthebabycameabout ..
.
Me:
Nnakeaot
sel
a,i
wantt
ogoback.
..
Gi
rl
y:(
wal
kedov
er)HeyNal
edi
,thanksf
ort
he
gi
ft
Me:
You'
rewel
come.
..Nnakeaot
sel
a,i
t'
slat
e..
.
Maduo:
Pleasewai
tforme,
justanhour
..
.
Dit
same:
(walkedover)HeyNaledi
,Gody
ou
gai
nedweight
..
.Areyoupregnant?
Maduo:
Tsi
tsi
notnow,
goback.
..
Dit
same:I'
mj ustasking,
sheisboredwi
th
ever
ythi
ng..
.Earl
iershealmostthr
ewuptryi
ng
toeatChakal
aka...
Me:
Dit
samei
don'
twantt
otal
ktoy
ou.
..Maduo
I
'
m sl
eepy
,let
'sgo.
.
Gir
ly:
Aommakanatherealpart
yjustbegun,
youcanusemybedi
fyou'
retir
ed.
Maduo:Thanky
oucouzi
e,
..
.Let
'
sgoi
nsi
de,
I'
ll
wakeyouwhenwearedone.
Me:(igotmybot
tl
eofwat erandpur
se)Maduo
you'
retoomuchwait
se.
..Uh..
.

Hercousinwalkedusinherroom thenshetook
offhercushi
onsandteddi
es, i
sstont hebed
andplacedmywat erandthepurseont hehead
boardthenitookoffmyshoesast hegirl
s
stoodatthedoor.
..

Dit
same:Kareyourpurseissofatatt
hist
ime
ofthemonth,i
tlookssofull
kootengoabecha
Bakang
Maduo:
shutupwena.OshapoNal
edi
?
Me:
(lay
ingdown)y
es,
closet
hedoor
Maduo:
Thanks,
iowey
ou.
..

Shecl
osedt
hedoorandi
inst
ant
lyf
ell
asl
eep.
..

Meanwhi l
ethegirl
sscreamedj oini
ngt he
dancingcrewinthetent.Hourslaterthepar
ty
gotmor eseri
ousasmor eofGirl
y'sfri
endsfr
om
theclubarri
ved.Di
tsamewal kedt othehouse
taki
ngoutsomet hi
ngf r
om herpur se,Maduo
ranov ert
oheralmostmi ssi
ngast ep.
..

Maduo:(l
aughedloudly
)Heychoma.
..
I'
m goi
ng
wi
ththatguy,whereismyphone?
Dit
same: (
roll
edhereyes)Just6bot
tl
esyou'r
e
deadli
kethis?Haibo.
..
yourphonei
sinthecar,
I
'm coming,ineedtopee..
.
Maduo:
(wal
kedawayst
agger
ing)Al
ri
ght
..
.
Damnil
ovethatsong..
..
(scr
eamedj
oini
ngt
he
cr
ew)Uuuuuuuuuuu.
..
..
..
..

Shelookedaroundandwal
kedt
othe
bedr
oom. .
..
..

Atmyhouse.
..
.

I
ntheear l
yhoursofthemorning,
Bakang's
f
ri
enddr oppedhim att
hegateanddroveoff,
he
r
acedfrom thegatetothedoorasrai
ndrops
wethi
mt henheknockedonthedoor.
..
.

Bakang:(knocki
ng)Babe?.
..(
therewasno
response,heknockedevenharder)Wi
feycome
ondon'tsleepli
keadeadperson...
Herubbedhiswetfaceandleanedoverpeaki
ng
t
hroughthekeyhol
e,thekey
swer en'
ti
nthenhe
t
ookouthisphone..
..

AtGi
rl
y'
shouse.
..
..
.

Myphonev
ibr
atedont
heheadboar
dandi
got
up.
..

Me:
(sl
eepy
)Hel
l
o?
Bakang:
Okae?
Me:
(swal
l
owed)I
'
m homesl
eepi
ng.
..Why
?
Bakang:
Mpul
eleee.
..
Me:
(gotup)Ar
eyouser
ious?
Bakang:I
'
m getti
ngcol
d,bul
apul
ayasany
a
gakeaaparaj
ersey.
Ihungupandgotup,Gi
rl
ywaslayi
ngnextt
o
me,ishookhert
aki
ngmypurse..
..

Me:
Gir
ly.
..
pleasedr
opmeathome
Gi
rl
y:(
pushedmyhanddeepi
nhersl
eep)
Mmmm. .
.

Iputonmyshoesandwal kedthrought heli

ving
room wher
ehercousinswer esleepi
ngont he
couch.Myhear
twaspoundi ngandi couldn't
thi
nkofagoodexcuse...Idial
edAbal eng'
s
numberbuthedidn'
tanswer ..
.

Ihurri
edtothet
axistopandgotl
uckyasataxi
stoppedforme,ij
umpedi nandr
ubbedthe
rai
ndropsoffmyface..
..

Me:
Kekopaspeci
al.
..
.
Taxi
:Sur
e,kae?
Me:(openedmypur se)Ko-(
All
mymoneywas
goneandi di
dn'
tevenhav ecoi
ns)
Theyst
olemy
money..
..I
'l
lgi
veyout hemoneyathome,i
sthat
okay?
Taxi
:No,
whatifyoudon'
thav
emoneyt
her
e?
gaonaATM car
d?
Me:OhthankGod,
yesl
et'
spassbyt
he
machi
ne..
..

Atmyhouse.
..
.

Almostanhourl at
ert
herainwasgett
ing
strongerashest oodinf
rontoft
hecast l
e,he
tookouthisphoneandcal l
edforthethousand
ti
mes, asher ubbedhisf
acehesawat axi
stoppingatthegat et
henheputhisphoneback
i
nt hepocket...
.
Myhear tpoundedasi hur
ri
edoverand
unlockedthehousethenwewalkedin,het
ook
offhiswett-shi
rtst
ari
ngatme..
.

Bakang:
Ithoughty
ousai
dyouwer
esl
eepi
ng
Me:
(swal
l
owed)Iwasatmymot
her
'shouse.
.
Bakang:
(st
ari
ngatme)Icall
edy ourmot
her
..
.
LeRenei
lweandyourbr
othertoo..
.
Me:(shookmyheaddefeat
ed)Iwentt
oababy
showerwithMaduo.
..
..
…………
[
09/
24,
19:
05]Ron:
Co-
wif
e
#5

Atmyhouse.
..
.

Hest
aredatmef
orov
er5mi
nut
est
henhe
noddedbit
inghi
slowerl
i
pandt
hrewhi
swett
-
shi
rtonthetabl
e..
.

Bakang:
(calml
y)ABabyshowert
hatendsthe
nextmorni
ngat7am..
.okay
,ni
ce.
..Ihopey
ou
enj
oyedit.
Me:
Ican-

Her emovedhisbel
tandtookoffhiswet
trousersthenhewenttothebathroom, Isaton
thecoucht ry
ingtomakear ecol
lect
ionofwhat
happenedt heprevi
ousnight
.Minuteslaterhe
wal kedoverinhi
sboxersdryi
nghimselfwi t
ha
towel .
..

Me:
Canwet
alk?
Bakang:
Whatel
sei
sther
etot
alkabout
?
Me:
Ilef
twi
thMaduoandwhenIgott
her
eiwas
sl
eepy,isl
epti
nhercousin'
sroom andthey
didn'
twakeme.Wheny oucall
edipanicked
becauseidi
dn'
texpectyouinMaunandy ou
saidyoudon'
tl
ikepart
iessoili
ed.
Bakang:Naledi
ifyouwanttobeapar tyanimal
thencutl
ooseandenj oyyoursel
f.(st
aringat
me)ButIam notaboutt oplayhideandseek
withyou,
I'
m notgoingtobepar tofit(hethrew
thetowelonmyf ace)I'
mtoool dforthatshit.
..

Itookdownt hetowelandwat chedhim walki

ng
tothebedr oom whereheputonf r
eshclothes
andpackedt hewetonesinhisempt ylaptop
backpackt henhesatont hecoucht yi
nghis
shoelaces.Ididn'
tknowwhatt osay,
myt hroat
hurtbutididn'twanttocry.
..

Me:
I'
m sor
ryf
orl
yi
ngt
oyou.
.
Heignoredmeandst ooduppressi
nghisphone
butitwouldn'
ttur
nonthenheopeneditand
waterdroplet
sfel
lonthet
abl
e,heshookhis
headandputi ti
nthebag.

Bakang:Youdidn'
thav
etomakemewai
tforan
hourint
herain..
.
Me:
I'
m sor
ry.
..
Bakang:I'
ll
neversur pr
iseanyoneagain,not
aft
erthisshit
.Ileftworkforyou,becauseyou
l
iedtomesay i
ngy ou'r
elonelyandyoumi ssme,
itr
avell
edallnighttobewi t
hy ouandy ouli
eto
me, makemewai tforyouinthecold..
..
.
Me:
(cr
ying)I
'
m sor
ry.
..
Bakang:
Stopwi
thy
ourf
aket
ear
s,i
t'
snot
worki
ng.
..

Hegr
abbedhi
sbagandopenedt
hedoor
,itwas
sti
l
lrai
ningandt
her
ewaswaterever
ywher
e.He
putthebagdownandt
urnedar
ound.
..

Bakang:
Giv
emey
ourphone.
.

Iwalkedoverandhandedi tover
,hedialedhis
fri
endandwal kedtothekit
chen.
..Igrabbedthe
broom andpretendedtobesweepi ngclosert
o
thekit
chenwhi l
eeavesdroppi
ng..
..
.

Voi
ce:
Yeah
Bakang:
(leanedagai
nstthecount
erand
cr
ossedhislegs)Ogorogil
e?
Voi
ce:
Yeahandy
ou'
redi
stur
bing.
..
Bakang:
(laughed)Gaohemahemay
aanane
monnakegoneomohol ogang?
Voi
ce:
(laughed)I
t'
sbeenawhi
l
e,y
oucan'
t
blameme.
..Kei
thet
seeshri
nki
l
eeboi
l
eel
e
kana,
kaemamolagore.
..
Bakang:
(laughed)Hehehe..
.Canyout akemet
o
thebusrank?iwantthe7:30bus,
I'm going
back.
Voice:Aomonnay ou'
l
l str
ainyourback,8
hourstrav
ell
ingthewhol enightandthen
another8hour sgoingback?whathappened?
mosadi othathetselai
taka?
Bakang:
(si
ghed)UhI
t'
sal
ongst
ory
,wi
l
lyou
manage?
Voice:Notalkt
ome..
.Whathappened?Gapee
chail
e,thebushasal
readyl
eft
..
.
Bakang:Idon'
twanttotal
kabouti
t,t
akemeto
myhouset hen.I
'l
lgetmycaranddr
ivebackt
o
Gaborone.
..
.will
youmanageornot?
Voi
ce:
(shookhi
shead)I
'
llbet
her
e..
.
Hehungupandwentt hroughmypi ctures,
call
registerandmessagest henhewal kedoutand
threwi tont hecouch.Hel eanedbyt hedoor
andputhi shandsi nthepocket sstaringatthe
rai
n. .
..
i coul
dt el
lhewasangr yandIwasaf raid
tosayany thingbutididn'twanthimt ogo.I
wal kedbehi ndhim andwr appedmyar ms
aroundhi swaistlayi
ngmyheadonhi sback
crying..Heswal l
owedandr emainedst i
llwit
h
hishandsi npockets..
..

Me: (
snif
fed)Pleasedon'tgo.
..I
'm sorry
..
.I'
l
l
neverli
etoy ouagain.Idon'
tevenknowwhyi
agreedbecausei didn'
twanttogol etal
one
spendani ghtoutthere.
Bakang:NalediIfmyexpect ati
onsony ouare
toohighyoudon' thav
etobewi thme,Iwoul dn'
t
wanttobewi thy ouwheny ouwi shyoucouldbe
outtherepart
ying.Nextyeary ou'
llbel
eaving
meint hehousewi thourchildoilepar
ting..
.
Me:(cr
ying)That'snotwhoi am,pl
easedon't
gobackt oGaborone.Imissedyou.
..Thebaby
missedyou..
.(cryi
ng)Pleasehol
dme. .
.idon'
t
wantyout ogo..Oskaatsamaa..
.

Heswal l
owedandt urnedar oundhuggi ngme, i
huggedhi mt ightlycr yi
ngandheki ssedmy
forehead.Heputhi shandonmyneckand
pulledmeupf orast rongki ss....OhGodi
mi ssedhim...Justhi sbr eat hwasenought o
turnmeon.Hel if
tedmyt -shi r
tandr oughly
rubbedmybr east,hepul leddownt hebr aand
tookoutmybr eastt henhel eanedov ersucking
myt i
tsandki ssedme.Hepul ledoutt heentiret
-shirtandthrewi tawayt henhepul l
edme
closerandputonear m behi ndme, bef or
ei
knewmybr af el
lthenhehel dmybr east sand
l
eanedsucki ngmysensi tivet its..
.t
heywer etoo
sensi t
ivei
thur tabi tbuti twaswhathewant ed
todoandi tmadehi mf eel goodsoi accept edit
andl
ovedit
,soonenoughthepai
nwassweet
...
Heki
ssedmeandgr abbedmyneckst
ari
ngin
myeyes.
..
.

Bakang:You'
renotj
ustagirl
fr
iend,you'
repar
t
ofroyal
tyandyoubett
eractli
keit.
..Doyou
underst
andme?
Me:
(nodded)Yes.
.
Bakang:(
het i
ght
enedhisgr
ipj
ustenought
hen
hewhisperedinmyear)Doyouknowwho
headsthi
slit
tl
efamil
y?
Me:
(st
ari
ngi
nhi
sfi
erceey
es)Youdo.
..
Bakang:
Goodsowheni don'
tl
ikesomet
hing
youdon'
tdoi
t,under
stand?
Me:
Yes.
..(
irubbedhi
sboner
)Iunder
stand.
..

Isl
owl
ygotonmykneesandunhookedhi
sbel
t
ashegl
aredatme.
..Ihadwai
tedf
ori
tfor
weeksi wasn' tgoingtoletitgo.Myhor mones
hadt orturedmeenough. ..
..
Iunzi ppedhi sjeans
andpul ledt hem down...Therei twas. ..Laying
faceup, hardandr eadywi t
habi tofhi scum
stainonhi sblackbrief
s.Ipulledt hem down
theni tf
el lout,Ir
ubbedi tsl
owl yashest aredat
me, t
heni leanedov erandt astedi t.
..It'
shead
wassof tandsmoot hasi playedmyt ongue
aroundi t..
.hef acedupandr oaredf eel i
ngev ery
throbofmyt ongue..
.hegrabbedmybr aidsand
pulledmecl oserasi gaggedoni t.Hecl early
want edmor eofmymout handi didn'thold
back. .
.Ilethim controlmyheadashemov edit
i
nandout ..
..

Bakang:
*"£#'
shhh.
..
.Can'
tbel
i
evei
want
edt
o
go.
..
..

Hel
ookeddownandcar
essedmycheek,
gent
ly
brushingmybrai
dsbackasi ti
ght
enedmygr ip.
..
Hegr abbedmyhai randpul
ledmeupt henhe
l
eanedov erandkissedmybr east
sagainthen
backt omymout h..
.Hepull
eddownmy
stret
chypantsandr ubbedmypunanibreathi
ng
downmyneck.Hi sfri
endbl
ewt hehor
nout si
de
thenhepaused..
..

Bakang:
(wal
kedbackwardsstar
ingatme
pul
li
nguphispant
s)Stayther
e,don'
tmove.
..

Iremai nedst i
l
lasher anoutsideshirt
lessinthe
rai
n,Ibi tmyl i
pproudly.
..Yes,hewasn' tgoing
nowher e.Hehurri
edbacki nsideandclosedt he
doort henhegr abbedmyneckwi t
hawethand
andki ssedmewi thwateryli
psaswat er
dropletsf el
lonmyf acef r
om hishead....God,I
l
ov edt hatman. .
.Hisauthori
tati
verough
touchesweakenedmeandputmei nmypl ace.
Hesqueezedmyr oundbot t
om andspankedme
sohar difr
ownedt henheki ssedmeagai n
holdingmyneck. ..Het urnedmear oundl i
kea
teacheraboutt ogi v east udentawhi p..
.He
l
eanedov ertouchi ngandi nspectingbot hofmy
buttlikehewaschecki ngifanybodyhad
touchedwhat '
shi s,hespr eadthem apar tand
l
ett hem shaket henhebi thisl
owerl ipand
turnedmear oundf oranot herkiss..
.Thi sone
wasabi tgentl
e, Imusthav ebeenget t
ingmy
rewar dforkeepingi tsealed..
.Hel edmet othe
couchandspr eadmyl egsthenhest r
oked
himsel fandleanedov erkissi
ngmesqueezi ng
himsel fi
nsidemeatt hesamet ime. .
...
..
.

Aftersuchalongsweetpuni shmentil
aid
exhaustedl
yonthebedasheopenedt he
windowsofourbedr oom,ther ai
nhadstopped
butthebreezewasrefreshing..
.Hewalkedback
tobedcompl et
elynude,hispipesmackedhis
thi
ghssi
det
osi
deashewal
kedov
erandl
aid
nextt
ome..
.

Bakang:
Tsogaonwedr
ink.
..
.
Me:(
wit
hmyey escl
osed)Wait
..
.(heav
edasi gh)
Il
i
kethebr
eezegett
ingi
nthr
ought hewindow..
..

Hepinnedhiselbowonthepil
lowandfacedme
t
houghtfull
ythenhegentl
ytr
acedmycheek
wi
thhisknucklegoingdownmychinand
l
eanedov erki
ssingme.

Bakang:
( hi
ssmil
efaded)Ther
eissomet
hingi
havetotell
you.
..
Me:
Keeng?
Bakang:
(spr
eadhi
sfi
nger
s)Hol
dmyhand.
..
Iputmyhandonhi sthenheclaspedmyhand
andleanedoverki
ssi
ngme, ami nutepassed
whil
ehewasst ari
ngatmet r
yingtof i
ndbetter
words..
.myheartpoundedasi desperat
ely
star
edinhiseyes.

Bakang:
The.
..
..
..
..
..

Likethi
sposti
fyousuppor
ttheideaofabonus
i
nsertbefor
e11pm.Wear ecelebr
ating150K
Likesonthepagef
amily
,keepgrowingand
keepLiki
ng,muchl
ove.

[
09/
24,
19:
05]Ron:
Co-
wif
e
#6
Atmyhouse.
…

Iputmyhandonhi sthenheclaspedmyhand
andleanedoverki
ssi
ngme, ami nutepassed
whil
ehewasst ari
ngatmet r
yingtof i
ndbetter
words..
.myheartpoundedasi desperat
ely
star
edinhiseyes.

Bakang:
Ther
eisawomani
usedt
osl
eepwi
th
i
nGaborone-
Me:
(hear
tski
pped)OhGod.
..
Bakang:
Shei
spr
egnant
..
.
Me:
Howf
aral
ongi
sshe?
Bakang:
Shei
s8mont
hspr
egnant
..
.

It
ookaminutet
odi
gesti
t,i
didn'
tev
enknow
whatt
osaytohi
m.Ir
emovedmyhandfrom hi
s
andsatuppul
l
ingat
owel
tomychest
..
.

Me:
Arey
oust
il
lwi
thher
?
Bakang:BabeI'
m notwit
hher,shejustt
oldme
sheispregnantsoI
'l
lbesupport
ingmybaby
that
'si
t.
Me:Sothat
'swhyy
ouhadt
hose2car
ds,
they
ar
ehers.
..
?
Bakang:They
'r
enother
stheyar
eformy
daughter
.
Me:
Ohsoy
ouhav
eadaught
er?
Bakang:No,t
hescansaysit'
sagirl
.
..i
don'
t
haveanyotherchil
dbesi
destheonesI'
m
expect
ingwiththetwoofyou.
Me: (istoodupandpacedaroundrubbi
ngmy
forehead)Ican'tbel
iev
eyoudidt
histome,
wheny ousleptwit
hmey ouknewshewas
pregnant .
..Shewas3monthspregnant
,3
mont
hs!
Bakang:Iknewshewaspr
egnantbutshe
wasn'tmygirl
fr
iend.
Me: Despi
teknowingallt
heseyougotangry
wheni mentionedemergencypi
ll
s..
.ican'
t
bel
ieveyou'r
emaki ngmeaboy f
ri
endsnatcher
Bakang:(st
oodupandhel dmyar msst aringat
me)Hey -
heyi donotgetsnatched,I
'm not
somekindofpr oper
ty.
..I
'm notwit
hher ,we
brokeup.Lookatme. .
.(il
ookedinhisey es)I
'm
notwit
hher .
..
ilovey
ou, t
rustme.
Me:
Why
?
Bakang:
Whywhat
?
Me:
Whyar
en'
tyouwi
thher
?
Bakang:I
tdi
dn'
tworkout
,shet
houghti
wast
oo
contr
oll
i
ng.Shel
eftme.
..
Me:
HowdoIknowy
ou'
ret
ell
i
ngt
het
rut
h?
Bakang:
Babet
hat
'
sthet
rut
h..
..I
'
mtheonewho
deci
dedtotel
lyou,gi
vemealit
tl
ecredi
tforthat
andyouneedtositdownbef
oreyougetdizz
y .
Me:
(Isatont
hebed)What
'shername?
Bakang:
(satnextt
ome)Whydoy
ouwanther
name?
Me:Ij
ustwantt
oknow,
wher
edoesshecome
f
rom?
Bakang:HernameisDudu,
Duduet
sang.Shei
s
fr
om aroundher
e..
.
Me:
Doy
oul
oveher
?
Bakang:
No.
..
Me:Whydoesshestayi
nGabor
onei
fshe
comesf
rom Maun?
Bakang:
Shei
sjobhunt
ing.
.
Me:Howisshemaint
aini
ngher
sel
finGabor
one
i
fsheisunempl
oyed?
Bakang:
Babei
don'
tknow,
shei
snotmy
gir
lf
ri
end,howam isupposedt
oknow?Wehad
sexsever
alti
mes,nothi
ngmore.
Me:Soy ouhadsexwi t
hthi
sstr
angert
hatyou
don'
tknowhowshemakesal i
vingi
nthecit
y?
Youhadunprotectedsexwi
thherandsti
l
ldon'
t
knowifsheisprosti
tut
e?
Bakang:
ShedidArchi
tect
urebutshecoul
dn'
t
fi
ndajobsosheimportsandsell
shai
rand
makeup..
..
somet
hingl
ikethat
.
Me:Yanongnegol
ethat
aenggobuwagone
moo?Sowheny ouhadsexwi
thherwer
eyou
buy
ingit
?
Bakang:
No,
wedat
edf
oracoupl
eofmont
hs.
Me:Ican'
tbel
i
evethi
s.Babeify
ou'r
est
il
l
sl
eepi
ngwiththi
swomanl etmeknow.
Bakang:
(sl
owl
y)I
-am-
not
-sl
eepi
ng-
wit
h-her
Me:
Doessheknowaboutme?
Bakang:
Ist
hisgoi
ngt
oend?
Me:
Whyar
eyouget
ti
ngagi
tat
ed?
Bakang:
Iam notgetti
ngagitat
ed, youasked
meenoughquestions.Myexi spregnant,i
thas
nothi
ngtodowithmypr esentli
fe.Ilov
ey ou.
..
Me:
Soshedoesn'
tknowaboutme?
Bakang:Sheknowsi
hav
eagi
rl
fr
iend,
arey
ou
happy?
Me:
No,
I'
m st
il
lnotsat
isf
iedwi
thy
ouranswer
s.
Bakang:
Whatel
sedoy
ouwantt
oknow?
Me:Uhhhhhh.
..(
cov
eredmyf
acecr
ying)Oh
God.
..
.
Bakang:(
hel
dmyhand)I
'
m sor
ryf
ornott
ell
i
ng
youthi
s.
Me:(r
ubbedmyeyes)Idi
dn'
twantababy
...I
f
eltt
hatsomet
hingwasn'
tri
ghtbuty
ouplayed
me,di
dyouevenfor
getcondoms?
Bakang:
Real
l
y?
Me:You'r
eir
responsible,icoul
dhavebeenHIV
posi
tiv
eandy oudidn'tthi
nktwiceaboutt
hat
..
.
Whichmakesmewonderhowmanywomen
youdragtoyourfather'
sfarmforsome50
shades
Bakang: Howmanymendoy ousl eepwi thon
yourfirstdat e?Ittakest wot otangodon' t
blamet hisonme, youwant editjustasmuch
asi di
d, ididn'tr
apey ou.Webot hknewwe
wer emaki ngababy (istaredathi m andshook
myheadi ndi sbeli
eft henhehel dmyhandand
sighed)Babel ook...Webot hmademi stakes.
..
ThankGodt herewasn' tHI Vorany t
hingl i
ke
thatbutwemadeal ifetoget her,wehav eto
makesur ehe/ shel i
v est hebestki ndofl ife
thereis.Ther eisnousef orust oargueabout
whatshoul dhav ehappened, it
'stool ate.YesI
fuckedup, i shouldn'thav eknockedy ouup
knowingshewaspr egnantbuti thappened, so
wehav etomov eon.
Me:(
sighed)Yougotherbabyshoppi
ngcar
ds,
wher
ear eminethen?
Bakang:Shegott
heAcker
man'
sone,
you'
l
luse
theJetcard.
Me:Sonnangwanakekeeneapar
angdi
l
eft
over
s?
Bakang:Youcanfil
loutthedetail
sinanyshop
ofyourchoi
ceandletmeknowt henI'l
lmake
paymentonthat,
pleasedon'tmaket hi
s
si
tuati
onanydif
fi
cultthaniti
s.I'
m alr
eady
tr
yingtobal
anceallt
hese..
.Myf atheri
sangry
atmeaboutthisbecausehedi dn'
tknowabout
herunti
l3monthsbackwhenherpar ents
contact
edhim.
Me:Sot hat
'swhyi hadtowai tbef
orei
announcemypr egnancy ,
sothatyourf
athercan
dealwit
hherfami l
y?(itookoffmynecklace)
whereistheotherhalfofthi
shear t
?
Bakang:
(laughedandst
oodup)OhmyGod,
are
y
ouser
iousl
ydoi
ngt
his?
Me:Don'
tl
aughi
t'
snotf
unny
,wher
eist
heot
her
hal
f?
Bakang:
(hel
dhiswaistfaci
ngt
hetheotherway
)
Ihadint
hecar,idon'
tknowwherei
tis.
..
(l
ookedatme)Ilosti
t.
..
Me:GivemeDuduet sang'
snumbersot hatIcan
askher,maybeshefounditi
ny ourhouse,you
knowthehousey oustayati
nGabor one.Soare
youneighbour
sthereorwhat?.
..(
ithrewiton
thebed)WHEREI STHEOTHERHALF?
Bakang: Isaidilostit..
.(angri
ly)Anddon't
scream atme.Igav eyout hi
sasagi ftbecause
ivalueourr elat
ionship,iloveyouandwhen
you'regonepar tofmei sgone, whenwear e
togetherI'm compl etethat'
swhatt hi
sisabout.
Stopl et
ti
ngy ouri maginationruinwhatwehav e,
Shoul dmyl i
fest opbecausemyexi spregnant?
Iam notl ett
ingy outalktoherbecauseshei s
anexandi don'
twantdrama.Ifshet
ri
est
otal
k
toyoudon'tt
alkherbecausei
won'tbe
responsi
blef
orwhateveryout
wosayordoto
oneanother.
Me: You'r
elyi
ngtome..
.(t
ear
ful
l
ystari
ngathi
m)
Idon'twanttobewithy
ouanymore.Thi
s
rel
ationshi
pisover
..
.
Bakang:Kantekebuil
eengsesemol at
o?Iknew
ishoul
dhav ekeptmymout hshut
,ther
eisli
ke
thetr
uthshallsety
oufree.
Me:You'r
enotgoingt
ogui
l
ttrapme, t
samay
a
Bakang.Tsamay
akogoDuduetsang.
..
Bakang:
Naledithemmakeagor at
adon'tdo
thi
s,soyou'
regoingtol
eavemebecauseisl
ept
wit
hsomeonemont hsbef
oremeet
ingyou?
Me:I'
ml eavingy oubecauseyourst
oryi
snot
convi
ncing,i
thasl oopholesbi
ggert
hanmy
head.
..I'
m notst upi
d.Igaveyoumybodyand
youmi susedit.Justl
eave.
Bakang:
Whataboutt
hebaby
?
Me:Whatabouti
t?I
'
lll
ety
ouknowwhenshei
s
bor
n.
Bakang:
Whyar
eyousoangr
yaboutmypast
..
.
Me:Youdon'
tgeti
t.
..Idon'
tthi
nky
ou'
l
lgeti
t.
Justl
eav
e.

Iwrappedmy selfwithatowel andhandedhim

hi
sbagt heniopenedt hedoor ,heslowlyst
ood
up,putonhisclothesandwal kedout ,
hestood
atthedoorandt urnedaroundt ofacemebuti
sl
ammedt hedoorandl ockeditthensliddown
cry
ing.
..
.

Bakang:
Naledi
?Cany
ouopent
hedoorsot
hat
wecantalk?
Nal
edi
:(sni
ff
ed)TsamaaBakang.
..
Bakang:
TakeDudu'
snumberandt
alkt
oher
,
askherifI
'm sti
ll
wit
hher..
.Bul
akemolelet
se
ri
ghtnow,I'
ll
putmysi mcardi
nyourphoneand
cal
lher.Bul
a...
Nal
edi
:Justgo.
..
Bakang:
Okay
,ify
ouchangey
ourmi
ndcal
lme.
Naledi:
Iwon'
tcally
ou,you'r
enotthefi
rstman
tobreakmyheartandwalkoutofmyl i
fe,my
fat
herdidandI'
m sti
ll
standi
ng.Iwasfi
ne
beforeimetyouandI'
llbefi
neaft
er.
..
Bakang:Ohgr
eatnowI'
m payi
ngf oryour
fat
her'
smist
akes,howsweet.
..
(si
ghed)Babe
themmabula..
.Canihugyou?
Nal
edi
:Tsamaa
Bakang:
Cani saygoodby
et ot
hebaby?Ij
ust
wanttotouchyourbumpthenI'
l
lgo.
Nal
edi
:Justgo.
..
.
Bakang:Soy
ou'
regoi
ngtol
etyourfeel
i
ngsget
betweenmeandourchi
l
d?Idi
dn'tsayiwant
y
oui
justwantt
otouchherbef
orei
go.
..

Ikeptquiet
,hesatont
hestoopforalmostan
hourthenhewalkedaway
,Imov edthecurtai
ns
andstaredathi
m ashewalkedaway .
..
..
..

AtMaduo'
shouse.
..
..

ABenzst oppedatthegatethenshestepped
outandwal kedi
nthehousel i
mping.Shethr
ew
herthingsonthecouchandsatdownt henshe
coveredherfaceandscreamedloudly.
..
..

Maduo:
OhGod.
..
..
.OhmyGod,
OhmyGod.
..
..
..
.

Shetookof
fherj
eansandfi
ll
edthetubthen
shesati
nsi
defor30minut
es,shest
eppedout
anddi
aledRenei
l
we.
..

Renei
l
we:
Hel
l
o?
Maduo:
(cr
ying)
..
.
Renei
l
we:
Maduo?Whyar
eyoucr
ying?
Maduo:
Pleasecomeov
er.
..
Reneil
we:I
'm busyMaduowhati
sit
?ar
eyou
drunkagai
n?
Maduo:(
sni
ffed)um.
..(
thought
ful
l
y)Yes.
..I
'
m
dr
unk,by
e..
.

Shehungupanddi
aledanot
hernumber
..
.

Atmyhouse.
..

Isatont
hebedcr
yingdel
eti
ngev
erypi
ctur
eof
Bakangi
yphonet
heni
trang.
..

Me:
Hel
l
o?
Maduo:
(cr
ying)Nal
edi
-
Me: (pausedcr ying)Listenherey oudr unkar
d,i
am sickandt iredoft akingcareofy ouli
ke
you'r
eal itt
legirl
.Iam donebei ngy ourfri
endif
thi
sist hekindofl ifeihav etoli
v ejusttobe
yourf r
iend.Iam notl earningany thi
ngf r
om you,
ibenefitnothingf r
om bei ngyourf ri
endy ou'
rea
drawback.Youknownot hingaboutl if
eexcept
goingoutandpar t
y i
ngev eryweekend.Iam not
youandi fyoucan' tacceptmeasabor i
ng
fri
endwhodoesn' tgooutdon' tchangeme.The
onlytimey oucal lmei swheny ouneedasober
persont oescor tyout ooneofy ourdrinki
ng
sprees, I
'
m donebei ngy ourguard.

Ihungupandswi
tchedof
fmyphone.
..
.
AtAbal
eng'
shouse.
..
..

LateronBakangpar
kedbehi
ndhi
scarand
knockedonthedoor,
Abal
engopenedt
hedoor
shi
rtl
ess.
..

Bakang:
Hi.
.
Abal
eng:
(sur
pri
sedhel
ookedar
ound)Hel
l
o
Bakang:
Canwet
alk?
Abal
eng:
Wher
eisNal
edi
?
Bakang:
Atherhouse.
..
Abal
eng:
Giv
emeami
nut
e..
.

Abal
engwalkedbackinthehouseandgot
dr
essedthenhewalkedovertoBakangwho
wasleani
ngagai
nsthiscar.
..Theybot
hleaned
agai
nstt
hecarandbot
hcr
ossedt
hei
rar
ms.
..
.

Abal
eng:
What
'sgoi
ngon?
Bakang:
I'
m goi
ngtot el
lyouaver
ycompli
cat
ed
stor
yandIhopeyou'l
lhelpmeattheendofi
t.I
f
youcan'
tI'
l
lunder
stand.
Abakeng:
Whati
sit
?
Bakang:Iknowy oudon'tli
kemebecauseoft he
i
mpr essi
onev er
yonehasaboutr oyaltyand
maybeev enbecauseofwhomymot her.No
onereall
yknowst herealmebecausei get
defi
nedbymypar ent
sbutbeliev
emewhenI
sayiloveyourli
tt
lesi
ster.Idi
dn'
tev enknowi
l
ovedhert hi
smuchbuti do,t
hat'
swhyIam h-

Hi
snewphonerangthenhet
ooki
toutand
st
aredatt
hescr
een.
..
Bakang:Ihav
etot
aket
his,
itmi
ghtbean
emergency.
Abal
eng:
Sur
e
Bakang:
(st
eppedasi
deandpi
cked)Hey
Dudu:
(cr
ying)I
'
m onmywayt
othehospi
tal
Bakang:
Why
?Isn'
ti
ttooear
lyf
ort
hat
?
Dudu:(
cry
ing)Iti
s,i
don'
tknowwhyI
'
minpai
n,i
don'
twanttolosemybaby.
.
Bakang:
(swal
l
owed)I
sther
eanybl
ood?
Dudu:
Nobuti
thur
ts,
ithur
tsal
ot.
..
Bakang:I'
m comi
ng.
..I
'
llbet
her
eint
heev
eni
ng,
bestrong.
Dudu:
(cr
ying)Bakang,
I'
m scar
ed.
..
.
Bakang:
Bona, ketaagol
let
saautwa?Letme
bookaticketorsomethi
ng.
..I
'
llcal
lyou.
Dudu:
(cr
ying)i
can'
tl
ose-
Bakang:
Wear
enotgoi
ngt
oloseher
,Okay
?
Justbel
i
evet
hat
,I'
m comi
ngov
ert
her
e..
..

Hehungupandwal
kedov
ert
oAbal
eng.
..

Bakang: Thi
sisanemer gency
,ihavetogoand.
..
(sighed)For
getwhati wasabouttosay,
thi
s
trueloveshi
tdoesn'texi
stanyway,i
don'
tknow
whati wasthinki
ng.Sorr
y
Abakeng:
O-kay
..
.

Hegotinthecaranddr
oveofft
henAbaleng
walkedbackint
hehouseandcl
osedthe
door………(9t
)
[
09/
24,
19:
05]Ron:
Co-
wif
e
#7

Atmyhouse.
..
.
Laterthatafter
noonilookedatmysel
font he
mirrortomakesur emyey esweren'
treddi
sh,i
wasokay ..
..Iopenedthedoorformybrother
thenhewal kedinwithReneil
we..
.

Me:
(smi
l
ed)Uhuj
aanongy
oomosel
akae?
Abaleng:(l
aughed)Byt
hestr
eet,yout
wobett
er
st
artthinki
ngaboutbuyi
ngcars.
..
iwon'
tbe
gi
vingfreeridesany
more.
Me:
(laughed)I
'
m buy
ingmi
nenexty
ear
,mar
k
mywords.
Renei
l
we:
Nnai
n2y
ear
s..
..ByGod'
sgr
ace.
Abal
eng:
Canwet
alkout
side?
Me:
Yeah,
nopr
obl
em.
..Keet
aNei
nei

If
oll
owedmybr
othert
othecar
,iwascur
ious
toknowwhathewantedt
otal
ktomeabout
,he
seemsabitt
ense.
..
.

Abal
eng:
Bakangcamet
oseemeear
li
er
Me:
(si
ghed)Whatdi
dhewant
?
Abal
eng:Whatdi
dyoudot
ohi
m?Neat
homol
a
pel
obli
nd
Me: Mxm..
.Bakangisunbel
iev
abl
e,doyou
knowthathehasagi r
lf
ri
end?apr
egnant
gir
lf
ri
endsoilefthi
m.Idon'
twanttoendupl
i
ke
mamanna.Ihav eseenenoughdr
amawi t
hmy
fat
her.
Abaleng:Ifeell
ikehewantedtotellme
somet hi
nggenui nebuthegoti
nterr
uptedbyan
emer gencycall
.Het ol
dmehelov edyouandhe
soundedr eal
..Whatdidhesayaboutthe
pregnantgirl
?
Me:
Hesai
dshei
shi
sex
Abaleng:Buti
t'
spossibl
e,al
otofpeoplebreak
updur i
ngpregnancy
.Whatifhei
stell
ingthe
tr
uth?
Me:Hei slyi
ng,iknowhist y
pet henextthinghe
wil
lbet r
eati
ngmel ikeMogapi t
reatedNey.I'
m
notdoingthat,
ilovedhim kanaAbal eng,igave
hi
m mybodyandsoul ,gothei di
dn'thold
anyt
hingback.Hegotmepr egnantknowinghe
wasex pect
inganotherchi
ldwi thher .
Abaleng:Soiwasr ight?You'repregnant.
..
(shookhishead)I'm disappoi
ntediny ou.
..I
t
wasj ustt
oosoonaker eobonagor enowy ou
musti ncl
udeyourchild'sbestint
erestswhen
youmakedeci sions?Chi l
drenalways
compl i
catet
hings..
Me:Minewon'
tcompl
i
cat
eany
thi
ng,
1chi
l
dis
easyt
omanage
Abal
eng:It
'
snotal
wayst
hateasyandifit
'sa
boyyou'
regoi
ngbeinamorecompli
cated
si
tuati
onthanev erbecauset hesepeopletake
pri
deinhavingboy s.Tot hem boysarevery
i
mpor t
ant.
..Hemi ghtev enf i
ghtyouincourt
andwincust odyoft hechil
d,nowaday st
helaw
haschanged.Itnol ongerfavourswomenj ust
becausetheyarewomen, youcanloseyour
chi
ldandbeav isi
ti
ngpar ent.
Me: (sighed)I
'l
lcrossthatbridgewhenIget
there,I'
m angryathim,ont ennemogomaswe
andhei ssti
ll
sleepingwit
hhi ssocall
edex.
(tearf
ully)Heisstil
lsl
eepingwi t
hherbecause
shest aysinGabor onewithhim.Hecheatedon
me. .
.
Abal
eng:
Doy
oust
il
ll
ovehi
m?
Me: Il
ovehi
m,Idon'
tthi
nkI'
l
llov
eany onebut
I
'm notgoi
ngtobeasidechi
ck.Iam bett
erthan
t
hat, i
can'
tbet
heotherwoman.
Abal
eng:
Takey
ourti
me..
.Ithi
nkyou'
retoo
angr
ytobel
ogi
cal
.Nextweekabooll
etsa
Bakangandhearhi m out,
understandhisstory
befor
ey oujumpi ntoanyconclusions.Hesaid
somethinginter
esti
ngearli
er,
goreheget s
j
udgedwi thwithhisfamil
ybackgroundandhe
i
sright,
Ireall
ydon'tknowBakang.Ij ustknow
heisapr i
nceandt hatr
ichpeoplear e
manipulat
e,that'
swhatIconcludedabouthi m.
Me:
Bakangomaaka
Abaleng:(
laughed)okay .
..Don'tmakeany
decisi
onswheny ouar eangr y,
gonej aanajust
crythennextweekcal lhim andsitdown, be
calm andaskhim anythingy ouwantt oknow
thenmakeadeci sion.Obonadeci si
oneoe
dir
angolecalmi salway sthebest.Canwe
agreeonthat?
Me:No,I
'mfi
newi thouthi
m,thi
siswhyi
didn'
t
wantaboyf
ri
end.Gakebat estr
ess,
hemade
measidechick.
..
..
Att
heLet
shol
athebehospi
tal
.
…

Maduowal kedoutofthehospi t
alput
ti
ngher
poli
cereportandpil
lsinhebagt hensheput
headsetsinherearsandl i
stenedtomusi c
walki
ngt othetaxi
stop..
..Ditsamecalled.
..

Maduo:
Hel
l
o?
Di
tsame:
Heyl
ovel
ove
Maduo:
HiDi
tsame, whenineededmytranspor
t
moneyt
hemostkei thet
segosenasepebutmy
pur
sewasi
ny ourcar.
Di
tsame:
Arey
ouaccusi
ngme?
Maduo:Il
ef twiththatguybutwhenwegott o
hi
shousehewant edt ohaveunprotect
edsex
wit
hme, irefusedandheki ckedmeoutat2am
i
nt hemorning.Iwaitedbythetaxistoponl
yto
fi
ndoutIdon' thav
emoneyt henihadtowalkby
theroadka2phakel a.
..Fourguyspickedmeup
byforce..
.(pausedandswal lowedtearful
ly)i
wasscar ed,ithoughttheywouldtaket ur
nson
meunt il
mor ningbutiescapedandr anaway .
Dit
same: Idon'tknowwher ey ourmoneywent,
atleastyoudidn'tgetraped.4guy smma?That
woul dhavebeenr eal
lybad...Sorr
y.Anyway
Celinaishavi
ngapar t
ytonight,poolpar
ty
choma. .
.Freebeer,imagine!
Maduo:Nnaket ogetsebojal
wa,Idon'twantto
att
endpart
ies.Ineedtimealonetot hi
nkabout
mylif
e,maybef i
ndast abl
erelat
ionshi
pand
thi
nkaboutkids.
Dit
same:(l
aughed)Kar
ebagotshosi
tset
ota
bannabao.
..Aomma, f
reebeer
!Let'
sgo.
..
Maduo: No,andkopagoreoskant eletsagapeif
youwantt otal
kaboutalcoholorpartiesI
'm
alsonotsureyou'
reagoodf ri
endifmymoney
candisappeari
ny our
,gapegasel anthamadi a
ny
elel
ainy
ourpr
esence.By
e
Di
tsame:
Iyoo

Shehungupandgoti nat axi

...Thenshe
del
etedhernumberandev er
yoneshecalled
duri
nghert i
meofneedbutgotr ej
ect
ed.She
putherheadsetsandli
stenedt oher
motivat
ionalaudi
os.
..
.

Att
hehospi
tal
.
...

Bakangwal kedinst aringatt hebabyand

smiledt ouchi nghert inyf i
ngers.
..
Dudusmi led
emot ionallylookingatt hepr i
cel
essexpression
onhi sface.Shest i
llcouldn'tfi
ndtheri
ghtway
torect i
fyhermi stakes, shegotnervousev ery
ti
meshet houghtaboutsay inganythi
ng.
..
Bakang:
Shelooksbeauti
ful
..
.ican'
tbel
i
evei
madeaperson,thi
sisver
yawkwar d.
Dudu:
(smi
l
ed)Youdi
d..
.
Bakang:
Whenar
etheydi
schar
gingy
ou?
Dudu:Ithinkt
omor r
ow...
Theywantust
omake
suresheisperfect
lyfi
nebecauseshei
sa
premature.
Bakang:(satdown)That
'swhatthedoct
orsai
d
butatleastherwei
ghtisnotbad,2.
5kgis
okay.
..
.Hav eyouspokentoyourmom?
Dudu:Yes.
Bakang:(si
ghedandcheckedhisphonef ort
he
3rdti
me)Okay .
..
letmeknowi fyoudeci
dedon
yourtrav
eli
ngdaysot hatIcanarr
angeaone
wayticketf
oryou.(hecheckedhisphoneagain)
Nxeh..
.
Dudu:
Arey
ouokay
?
Bakang:
Yeah.
..
I'
m good
Dudu:
(smi
led)Mmm. ..Iknowt
hatf
ace,
i
t
houghtwearefr
iends.
Bakang:
It'
snot
hing.
..
.Nal
edi
dumpedme.
..
Dudu:(
almostsmi
ledbuthel
dhersmi
l
eback)
Oh,t
hatissosad.
..
why?
Bakang:
Itol
dheraboutyou,shegotangryand
dumpedme.Ijustdi
dn'
tthi
nkitwasabi gdeal
.
Dudu:Whatar
eherr
easonsf
ordumpi
ngy
ou
exact
ly?
Bakang: Shedoesn' tbel
i
evethatI'
mt ell
ingthe
truthgorey oulef tmegapeot enegetsegor ei
gotherpr egnant ,obuadi l
ohela.Kgangy ateng
ent sentsestressmogomaswe, ididn'
texpect
hert oreactli
ket hat.Sheli
edtomeabout
somet hingelseandi for
gaveherbuti got
dumpedf ortell
ingt hetr
uth.Keipotsagor ele
nnanekephaphi sit
swekeeng.Ishoul dn'thave
toldher...
Dudu:
Don'
tregr
etdoi
nggood,
yesy
ouwer
e
wrongtokeepitasecretal
l alongbutit'
snot
l
ikeyoucheatedonherandy ouhaven'tdat
ed
forl
ong,youwouldn'
tj
usttell herev
erythi
ng
aboutyourl
if
ein1day .I
'm proudofy oufor
tel
li
ngthetr
uth.
..
.Maybeshewasn' tmeantto
betheone.
Bakang:Itbothersmethatshedoesn'
tbeli
eve
met houghwheni st
art
edtheconver
sati
onto
begi
nwi th,Ievenaskedhertol
etmecallyou
sothaticanconf i
rmitbutsheref
used.O
si
ame. .
.
Dudu:(l
aughed)Heewareng?Bakangtherr
a
don'ti
nvol
vemei nyourdramawena,doyou
wanthertobeatme?Eh- ehrr
agakebatego
betswakebanyanabagago. .
..
Bakang:
Nommegaannay
alo.
Dudu:(
laughed)Mol
eseRr
agwengwanaker
e
godi
sengwana
Bakang:
(laughed)Wenagaoser
ious,
waar
ial
o
fr
om ther
egar
eomanawanthalawena.
..
.But
seri
ousl
ycanyout
ell
hert
hetr
uth?
Dudu:
No,
whati
fshei
nsul
tsme?
Bakang:
Shewon't,
ipromiseyou..
.(
star
ingat
her)I
'
m beggi
ngyou..
.Justtel
lherthet
ruth,
youdon'
thavetosaymuch.
Dudu:
Bakangt
her
radon'
tmakemedot
his.
..
Bakang:
I'
m beggingyou,
ihav
enev
eraskedy
ou
forafav
our.Please.
..
Dudu:
(shecoul
dneversaynot
ohim ev
enif
shewantedt
o)Okay
...
..Gi
vemehernum-
Bakang:
(hethankf
ull
yki
ssedhercheekandshe
l
aughed)Thanks.
..
.Ioweyoubi
gtime..
..
Thanksalot
,you'
reasavi
our
Dudu:(
fakedasmil
epr
essi
ngherphone)So
whatdoisaytoher
?
Bakang:
Idon'
tknowj
ustt
ell
hert
het
rut
h..
.
Dudu:
Okay
Shedi
aledthenumberbuti
twentst
rai
ghtt
o
voi
cemail
..
.

Dudu:
Voi
cemai
l
Bakang:(
hisdaughtersneezedthenhet
urned
toher)Tr
ycall
ingherlater
..
..
..
Dudu:
(smi
l
edlooki
ngatherdaught
er)doy
ou
wantt
ohol
dher?
Bakang:Sheistooti
ny,i
don'
twantt
obr
eakher
.
I
'l
lholdhernextweek.
..
Dudu:
(laughed)Aoshem beastbat
hongkant
e
oboij
aana?
Bakang:(l
aughed)Idon'
twantt
odr
opmy
daughter
..
.
Dudu:Leanoversot
hatIcangetapi
ctur
eof
youtwoforhermemorybook.
Heleanedoverki
ssinghi
sdaughterandeven
t
ouchedhertinynoseasDudulaughedthenshe
l
eanedoverandtookpict
uresofthethr
eeof
t
hem.

Bakang:(
checkedhi
stime)Iwantt
ogotot
he
offi
ceandfi
nishof
ftheworkihadl
eft
yester
day
..
.
Dudu:
Aennapel
eobonengwanasheh.
.
Bakang:(l
ookedather)Uhmothoyowaotsel
a
yo.
..(
stoodup)Onteletsegaobui
l
eleNal
edi
autwa?
Dudu:
Yeah.
.

Hehel
dherhandstar
ingatherasshet
ri
edt
o
hi
deherf
eel
ings.
..
Bakang:
Arey
ouokay
?
Dudu:
(smi
l
ed)Yeah,
I'
mfi
ne.
..
Bakang:
(br
ushedhermesseduphai
r)Cal
lmei
f
youneedanyt
hing.
..
Dudu:Al
ri
ght,bye(Heleanedoverandki
ssed
hi
sdaughter)Sheisgett
ingki
ssesalr
eady?
("
joki
ngl
y")whataboutme?Thaolelekeyaeng?
Bakang:(l
aughedwal
ki
ngoutbackwar
ds)You'
ll
getoneifyoutal
ktoNal
edi
..
.(j
oki
ngl
y)Along
j
uicyone..
.Bye
Dudu:
(laughed)By
e..
.

Hewal
kedout
..
..

Atmyhouse.
..

Lat
ert
hatev
eni
ngi
lai
dont
hecouchand
swit
chedonmyphone, ihadovermi ssedcal
ls
fr
om Bakangbuti
gnoredthem andcal l
edthe
unknownnumber.Isi
ppedjui
cer educingt
hetv
vol
ume..
.

Voi
ce:
Hel
l
o?
Me:
Hi,
Imi
ssedacal
lfr
om t
hisnumber
Dudu:(
shecheckedherscr
eenthenherhear
t
ski
pped)Oh,
mynamei sDuduent
sang.
.
Me:(Iswall
owedt
hejui
ceandcoughed)Okay
..
.
Duduetsangkemang?
Dudu:Um...Iwastal
kingt oBakangearl
ierand
hementionedthatiwast hereasonforyour
breakupbutwehav en'tbeentogetherf
orthe
past7mont hsorso..
Me:
Oh.
..
okay
.It
houghthewasl
yi
ngt
ome
Dudu:
(tear
ful
l
yhol
dinghert
ear
sback)No,
he
wasn'
t-
bye
Me:
(shehungup)by
e..
.

Ihungupandsighed,
thatwastheweir
destcal
l
ieverr
ecei
ved,
myhear twasst
ill
poundi
ng..
..

Att
hehospi
tal
.
...

Meanwhi l
eshehungandcov er
edhermout hi
n
di
sbeliefasherf
ri
endwalkedin,Shelookedat
herfr
iendandbursti
ntotear
s.Theconf used
fr
iendhuggedherrubbi
ngherback...
..
..
..

Her
:Dudummagori
l
eng?(
looki
ngatt
hebaby
)
I
sthebabyokay
?
Dudu:(shakyv
oice)Shei
sfi
ne.
..Ij
ustspoket
o
Naledi
Her
:(shewi
pedDudu'
stear
s)Whatdi
dshe
want
?Youshoul
dhavehungupt
hephonei
f
shewasi
nsul
ti
ngyou.
Dudu:No,heaskedmetotel
lhert
hatweare
nott
ogetheranymor
e,i
guessshedidn'
tbel
i
eve
hi
m.
Her:Dudummawhywoul dyouagr eeto
somethingy ou'r
enotcomf ortablewi t
h?You're
nottogethereebuty oudon'thav etotel
lher
,if
Naledii
si nsecureaboutthei
rr elati
onshi
pit'
s
notyourpr obl
em.Di dyoutalkt ohim aboutthe
twoofy ou?
Dudu:
No,
nnaket
shabagobat
amonna
Her: You'
renotproposinghi
m.Gasegommat a
mar atomothoy onent seel
ewagago. ..y
ou're
j
ustapol ogi
singforhowy oubadlytr
eatedhim
duri
ngpr egnancy.Youcanev enexplai
nkabo, i
t
happensf orawomant ohatehermandur ing
pregnancy..
..Tel
lhim hegaveupt oosoonl e
gorehemov edont oosoon.Keraahelagore
howdidy ougof r
om putti
ngyourfamily
toget
hertohandingitovertoNaledi
?You'l
l
neverseehim againaf
terthi
s,y
ou'retoosl
ow
Dudu..
.
Dudu: I
fheismine,hewi l
lcomear ound.
(r
ubbinghereyes)Mol eseeneNal ediamotsee,
kesiamekele1l engwanake.I'l
ldomy
businessesandmov eon.Ibil
ekeyaMaun, I
'
ll
sel
l moreweavestherebeforeicomeback
here..
.Godwill
seemet hr
ough.
Her:Mmemmaoesent sekagobualeNaledi
,
I'
m worriedthaty
ouneversaynotoBakang,
ever
ythinghesay skey
essiryessi
rasifheput
aspellony ou.
Dudu:
Justl
eavei
t,Godwil
lfi
ghtf
orme.Idon'
t
havet
obeghim,i
fhelov
esmehewi l
ltel
lme.
Her
:Iguessy
ou'
rer
ight
..
..

AtBakang'
sof
fi
ce.
..
Hel
eanedbackfr
om thecomputerandrubbed
t
hestr
ainof
fhiseyesthenhi
sphonerang..
..

Bakang:
Hel
l
o?
Dudu:
(lowv
oice)It
oldher
..
.
Bakang:(
pickedsomet
hingf
rom herv
oice)
Okay,ar
eyouokay ?
Dudu:
(swal
l
owed)I
'
mfi
ne.
..
Bakang:
Sor
ryaut
wa.
..
Dudu:
I'
mfi
ne.
.
Bakang:
You'
renot
.
Dudu:
I'
mfi
ne,
Bye
Bakang:Wait.
..
..
.(t
herewasashor
tawkwar
d
si
lence)Thanksfortel
li
ngher
.
Dudu:
Any
thi
ngf
ory
ou.
..
Bakang:
I'
m sor
ry.
..Idi
dn'
tkno-
Dudu:
(rubbedhert
ear
s)I
'
mfi
neBakang,
take
keamusengwana.
Bakang:Okay,
thanksformakingmeafi
rstt
ime
dad.
..
I'
ll
nevergetthatf
rom anyone.
Dudu:
(smi
l
ed)y
ou'
rewel
come.
..By
e
Bakang:
Bye.
.

Hehungupandputhi
sphoneonthedeskt
hen
her
ubbedhi
sfaceandheavedahugesi
gh.
..
..
..
..

AMONTHLATER.
..
..
..
..
..
[
09/
24,
19:
06]Ron:
Co-
wif
e
#8

AtDudu'
smot
her
's.
..
Theking' scardrovethrought herustedgat e
andpar kedundert hetree,theQueenr ol
l
ed
downt hewi ndowandscannedt hewhol ey ar
d
withaf rownabov ehernose. ..Therewereonl y
twobachel orpadsi nthey ardandf encewasn't
goodt houghi twasstillst
andi ngj
ustnott he
standardhissonshoul dbeassoci ati
ngwi th.
..
.

Queen:Iswearthi
sboyhasdesti
tut
ionfeti
shor
heisrunni
ngachar i
tyor
gani
sat
ionweknow
not
hingabout.Wheredidigowrongrai
singthi
s
hi
m?
Ki
ng:
(si
ghed)Sweet
hear
tpl
ease,
notnow.
..
Aunti
e:Peloejaser at
i,i
li
kethathedoesn'
t
l
ookatawoman' sbackgroundwhenhe
chooses,hejustgoesforagoodwoman
regar
dlessofwher eshecomesf rom.For
get
thebackground..
Uncl
e:(l
aughed)Tr
ustmehelooksattheback-
-
-
ground,Spott
hedif
fer
encei
ntheseyoung
women.
King:
(laughedwiththeuncl
e)Theyhav
esi
mil
ar
back-
--
gr ounds.I
'
m proudofmyboy.
Queen: (
cluel
ess)You'
repr
oudofhi
m because
helet'
swomenusehi mtoli
veagoodl
ife?They
obviousl
ywantmoneyf rom hi
m.
Ki
ng:
Nev
ermi
nd.
..Pl
easel
et'
sgo.
..

Meanwhi leDudu' smot hercl

ear edthefl
oorand
broughtthechai rs,theRoyalfami l
yknocked
andwal kedin...Bakang'sauntsatont hefloor
admiringthebabyasshewasl ayingnextto
Dudu..thekingandhi sbrot
hersatdown
handingov erthegr oceri
es.Dudu'smot hertook
them tothekitchenast hequeensatdown
l
ookingatt hebaby ...
Theyexchangedgr
eet
ingsandupdatest
henthe
babywashandedovertotheki
ng.
..Hesmil
ed
l
ookingather.
..
.

Kgosi
:Hel
l
o..
..Pr
incess.
..
Queen:(
looki
ngfrom adi
stance)Thi
sbaby
doesn'
tl
ooklikeapremat
urebaby
Dudu'
smot
her
:Howdopr
emat
urebabi
esl
ook
mmakgosi
?
Queen: Sheist
oobi gforaprematurebaby,i
thoughtshewassupposedt ost
ayinthe
hospitali
naglassf orweeksunt
ilamont hhas
elapsed.IwonderifBakangcountedthe
mont hsproper
ly.
..
Aunt
ie:
MmagweResebat
ho.
..
Dudu'
smot her
:Duduetsangeneyo..(
point
ing
ather
)thi
sbiggir
llay
inghere.
..Shewasbor nat
8monthsandshewei ghed2.8ibi
lePri
ncessis
t
ooli
ght.
..Duduwei
ghed2. 8asapremature.
I
t'
snoteverypr
ematurebabythatneedsa
v
enti
l
ator.
..Wecal
lthem vent
il
ator
snotglasses.
Queen:
Theni
twoul
dn'
tbeapr
emat
ure
Dudu'smot her:Prematuremeanst hebabyis
bornbeforetimenotnecessar il
ythati
t'
snot
full
ydeveloped.Therearebabieswhoar ebor n
weighing4.5doy oumeant otell
met hey
gainedthatweightonlyont helastmonth?It
obv i
ousl
ymeanst hebabywasgr owi
ngwel lon
thelasttr
imester..
.(of
fended)Ifyou'
retr
yingto
saythisisnotyourson'schildthenI'
m
disappoi
ntediny ou-
Dudu:
(whi
sper
ed)Mama-
Dudu'smot her:Nnyaangwanaka,i don'
tl
ike
thi
swoman' satti
tudetowar
dst hi
s
baby..
.Dudu'sfatherwasanurse,ifhewasher e
hewoul dexplaintoyouthatnotallprematur
e
babiesarebornweak.Youhav en'
tseenherina
monthandyoualr
eadyknoweverythi
ngabout
her
?(tookadeepbreat
h)For
givememyki ng,
i
donotmeantosounddisr
espectf
ul monngame
-
Kgosi
:(sighed)Iunder
stand.
…pleasedon'
t
apol
ogise..
.Iam sorr
yfortheremarksmywif
e
j
ustmade.I '
m sureshemeantnohar m..
..

Dududi sappointedl
ydr unkhersof tpor ri
dgeas
thefami lyconti
nuedmaki ngsmall t
alksabout
general thi
ngs,shedidn'texpectthatki ndof
react
ionf r
om Bakang'smot heront heirfir
st
encount er..
.Shecouldn'tevenunder standwhy
shedi dn'tli
keherormay beitwasbecauseof
herwei ght..
..
shehadal way sbeencaut ious
aboutt hat..
.Shelookedatherpor ridgei nabig
bowl andputi tdowngi ltstr
icken.
..
...
.

Awhi
l
elat
ert
heRoy
alf
ami
l
ywi
shedt
hem wel
l
anddr
oveof
fint
hei
rshi
nycar
..
..

Queen:(si
ghed)Bakangisgoingt
ogi v
emea
heartat
tack,
gaketlhal
oganyegorekagorenga
rat
analebommehel ababakana.It
'sli
kehe
can'
tseehisagemat es.
..
Aunti
e:ButDuduet
sanglooksveryy oung,
her
bodyischubbybutshei
sobv i
ouslyway
youngert
hanBakangleeneNaledi kemmel e
hela,
kebanabathoba.
Queen:
Hehast
okeepsear
chi
ng,
gaadi
rel
eha
el
esepe..
.
Uncle:Inthemeant imewemustt i
ehistubeso
hedoesn' tscattertheroyalseedsi nevery
gardenhepassesby ..
.r
oyal bl
ooddoesn't
scatterli
kethis.Webecomeacl oseneat
family.
..Evenify ougoout sideMaunoy a
mahel ongamangwey ou'
llneverseeaPr i
nce'
s
chil
drenscat t
eredal loverthevil
lage.
..Kemoil
a,
i
tnev erhappenskaSet
swanaeveni
nAf
ri
caas
whole.Heshouldstopher
e..
..Ot
aar
esut
isa
sechaba.
King:Ispoketohim aboutthat
,heassur
edme
i
twasami stakehewillnev
errepeat
.Ke
mmol elet
segorepeoy abogosigaegasi
wemo
tshi
mongnngwel enngwekat sel
aekebonang
adirakateng...
.

Meanwhil
eDudu'smot hernoticedshewas
cry
ingunderhersheets,shesatnexttoherand
pul
ledoutthesheets.
..
.

Her
:What
'swr
ong?
Dudu:(cr
ying)Mamakanagaout wamogatse
kgosiari
anabagolat
hisaBakangngwana
gotwegasewagagwe, Ican'
tfi
ndaj oband
sel
li
ngweav eswon'
tsupportPr
incessthewayi
want.
..
Her :Ifheabandonshert hereisnothingyoucan
doandi don'
tsupportforci
ngamant olovehis
childbyr eporti
nghimf orchi
ldmai nt
enance, i
f
Bakangst art
sshowi ngdoubtslethim beand
raiset hi
schild.Baagolamobanababa
l
athi l
wengkebor rabo,someoft hem become
mi nister
sandPhDhol dersevenwi t
houtfathers.
Iraisedy oualoneafteryourfatherdi
ed,didyou
starv e?
Dudu:
No
Her:Good, idon'
twanty oucry i
ngf ort
hisman
l
ikethis.Ithastost op,otaabopamaDudu
kegot holaoakant seBakang.( stood)I'
m going
topreparebathingwat erf
ory ou..
.Wheny ou
fi
nishy oumustpumpt hebabysomemi lkand
godoy ourhair
,I'
l
l remainwithher .Idon'twant
mor ev i
sit
orsseeingy ouwithy ourhairli
ke
that.
..
they'l
lst
artthinkingyou'reolderthan
Bakang.Di sti
chdi aletaakere?
Dudu:
Yesi
cansi
tjustf
inel
ehaket
shaba.
.
Her:
(laughed)I
t'
sal
way
sscar
ytol
ear
nsi
tt
ing
agai
n

Assoonashermot herlef
tshet ookouther
phoneandst aredathispi ctureswi t
ht heir
daughter..
..Hehadgoodl ooki ngbear dandhi s
l
ipslookedl i
ket heywer edr awnper fectl
ywi t
ha
pencil
buthehadal it
tlescarabov ehislip.He
hadtoldherhef ellf
rom at reeatt hefarm when
hewasal i
ttl
eboy .
.Hisnosewast ooshor tbut
shesmi ledbecauseev ery
t hingabouthi m was
perf
ectinherey es.
...
shedi aledhisnumberbut
hedidn'tpick,shesighedandl ai
ddown. ..

AtBakang'
shouse.
..
.

Meanwhil
ehi
sfri
endwatchedhi
m asheputt
he
phonedownwit
houtpi
ckingi
t.
..
Bakang:
What
?
Temo:
Whoi
sit
?
Bakang:
It'
sDudu.
..(
sighed)
Temo:
BKkanaDuduwagor
ata,
wai
tse?
Bakang: I'
mt ryi
ngtowor kthi
ngswi t
hNal edi
..
.
WithDuduIknowI '
llgetdumpedi fibreakacup
orifisneezet ooloud, orifmycolognedi sgust
her,myr elati
onshipwithDuduwaschi ldish
towardst heend.Shewasbor edwithme, neke
moi pateletsahelawhenshewaspr egnant ,i
tri
edtost ickaroundev enaf t
ershedumpedme,
iwast herel i
kewewer etogetherbutoncei met
Nalediist oppedfoll
owi ngher.Shedidn'tcare
allal
ongunt i
laft
erdeliveri
ngthebaby ,
somet i
mesi doubtifit
'sreall
ymychi l
dbecause
shedidn'twantmenearherwhenshewas
pregnant.
Temo:
(si
ghed)Yeahneh.
..I
t'
sat
oughonebuti
j
ustdon'
tseeDuducheati
nglehantsegot
we
womenkeepsecret
s,Duducan'tcheat
.
Bakang:Idon'
tknowI'mjustsay
ing,that'
swhat
Ifeel
,ihonest
lydon'
tknowwhatt othinkbut
partofmeknowsshei sagoodgi r
lmmehel ai
wantNaledimore..
.
Temo: Ehe,nnaakereIdon'
tknowNaledithat
much,Imeany ouknockedheruptheminute
yousawher ,youhaven'
tful
lyi
ntr
oducedherto
yoursquadsogot hataformetosaymuch
abouther..
.
Bakang:(l
eanedbackoncouch)I '
ll
introduce
hertothecommuni ty,skawar asant seke
baakanyadil
olait
aka.Ididn'tstartour
rel
ati
onshi
ponagoodnot eket seny ekanopae
bogalemogomaswei bilekeant homol apelo
gakehetsakaene.Thi ngsstartedv eryshaky,
nowwehav etr
ustissuessoI '
mf i
xingt hat
..
.
Temo:
Alr
ight
,Ihopeshei
smor
ewomant
han
Dudu.Dudulai
takakemosadi somet
imesi
wonderwhatreall
yhappenedtoherwhenshe
waspregnantbuthey.
..Peopl
echange
Bakang:
Shechanged.
..Al
ot.
..
.

Att
hesal
on.
..
.

Lateri
nt heaf
ter
noonIwalkedinasal
ontal
ki
ng
tomyphone, myhair
dressersmil
edandputa
towelaroundmywaist.
..

Me:
Wher
ear
eyou?
Renei
:InSparbuy
ingadr
ink,
hei
Me:
IsAbal
enggone?
Renei
:Noheoffer
edtopayforourthi
ngssowe
ar
ewalkingar
oundtheshop,whatshoul
di
bri
ngyou?
Me:AdrinkandFr enchfr
ies.(anothercal
lcame
i
nandi glancedatthescreen)oh..Bigbearis
cal
l
ing.
..
Renei
:(l
aughed)Uhu.
..Ongal
ologi
l
eibi
l
e?
Me:(
laughed)Hedoesn'tknowthatismile
whenhecalls.
..Ihavet
omakehi m sweattoget
myforgi
venessaf t
eral
lthel
iesbuthewill
al
waysbeBi gBear..
.
Renei
:(l
aughed)For
giv
eBi
gBearpl
ease.
..I
t'
s
beenamont h.
..
Me:(
laughed)Uhbat
ho,
it'
snowami
ssedcal
l
,
by
e
Renei
:By
e..
..

Ihungupandwai
tedforhi
scal
l
,ami
nut
e
passedt
henhecal
led.
..

Me:
Hel
l
o?
Bakang:
Canitakemysonout
?Justmeand
hi
m...
.Youcanwatch
Me:
(laughed)I
'
minasal
ondoi
ngmyhai
r.
..
Bakang:
Isi
tal
onghai
rst
yle?
Me:(
laughed)No,I'
m broke.It
oldy
out
hose
weav
esar eexpensi
ve..
.
Bakang:
I'
ll
payf
ori
t.
..
.
Me:
(laughed)Okay
,done.Thanky
ou.
..
Bakang:
I'
ll
passby
,any
thi
ngi
shoul
dbr
ingy
ou?
Me:
Sur
pri
seme.
..

Ihungupandcont inuedpressi
ngmyphoneas
thehairdr
esserundidmyhair.Someonewalked
i
nt hroughthedoorandsatnexttomeasi was
distr
actedbymyphone. .
.

Her
:(t
oev
ery
one)Dumel
ang.
.
Al
l
:Dumel
ang.
..
Me:
(snappedoutofmydi
str
act
ionandt
urned
t
oher)I
jaa.
..Dumel
ang
Her
:(l
aughedsear
chi
ngi
nherbag)Facebook.
..

Irecognisedherf r
om herFacebookpi ct
ures,
her
skinwasnat ural
lyflawlessi couldn'
tbel
ievei
alwayst houghtthepictureswer ewashedor
somet hing.idi
dn'tevenknowwhyi was
stal
kingheraccount ,shegotherphoneoutand
fi
nall
yf acedme, herreactionconf i
rmeditwas
her.Shepausedl ostofwor ds..
.

Dudu:
(smi
l
ed)Hi
..
.
Me:
(smi
l
edback)Hi
..
.

Iawkwar
dlyfacedthemirr
orandshecont
inued
tal
ki
ngtotheotherhai
rdr
esser
..
..
Dudu:
Ineedal
ady
'scut
Hai
rdr
esser
:(shockedl
ooki
ngatherl
onghai
r)
What?
Myhair
dresser:
(laugheddoi
ngmyhai
r)Shei
s
pr
obabl
yjoking.
..
Dudu:(
pressedherphone)Pl
easecuti
t.
..Idon'
t
needanymore..
.
Customer
:Memmagaonngat
hel
ewena?gape
gaonamachepe
Dudu:
(laughed)Thanks

Itwasawkwar dsit
tingnexttoher,icouldtel
l
shewasn'tcomf or
tabletoo.Minuteslater
Bakangwalkedinhol di
ngabot tl
eofj ui
ce,we
tur
nedandf acedhimt henhepani ckedbutkept
acalmface.Idon'tknowwhyi prayedforhim
tokissmeinf r
ontofher ,i
guessi wantedtobe
assur
edthatIwasmoreimport
antt
hanherbut
hesli
dthedri
nkonthecount
erandpul
leda
chai
rsit
ti
ngnextt
ome...

Bakang:
Hey
Me:
Hi.
..
.
Bakang:
(leanedbackandf
acedher
)Hi
Dudu:
Hi.
..

Abar berbrushedthemachi neandheldher

headget ti
ngreadytocuther ,
sheglancedat
him hopingtogetar eacti
onfrom hi
m, ial
so
tur
nedobser vinghisreact
ion.
...
..
.
[
09/
24,
19:
06]Ron:
Co-
wif
e
#9

Att
hesal
on.
..
.
Hestaredatthemachineasi tpeeledoffher
hai
rsli
cebyslice.Lar
gepiecesfellonthef l
oor
asshequietl
ypressedherphone...Icouldtel
l
hefel
tguil
tywhichIdidn'
tunderstand.Iopened
mydrinkandsippedasBakangst oodupt aki
ng
outhi
swal l
et.
..

Bakang:Shoul
digi
vey
oucashory
ou'
l
l
wit
hdraw?
Me:Giv
emet
hecar
d,i
hav
en'
tboughtt
he
weave.
Bakang:
(handedi
toverandputhi
swal
letback
i
nthepocket)Cal
lmewheny ouar
edone..
Me:
Okay
..
.

Dudukeptherey
esonthephoneandtooka
deepbr
eathashewalkedout
,shel
ookedat
hi
m ashewal
kedoutgl
anci
ngather
..
..

Hai
rdr
esser
:Whatar
eyoudoi
ngaf
terr
elaxi
ng?
Me:
Doy
ouhav
eweav
es?
Hai
rdr
esser
:(poi
nted)Weonl
yhav
ethose.
..
Me:
NoIdon'
twantasy
nthet
ichai
r.
..

Shelist
enedtotheconv er
sat
ionandthought
twiceaboutmarketi
ngherweav es,
shewould
probabl
ypocket1.6Kormor eandsheneeded
themoneybadly.Businesshadstoppednow
thatshewasconfined..
.

Hai
rdr
esser:Youcantr
yNi
geri
anhai
rshops
t
hissi
debutt hedi
sadv
ant
agewit
hthosei
sthat
t
heysell
fakes.
Dudu:
Isel
li
mpor
tedweav
es.
..
Me:
Doy
ouhav
epi
ctur
es?
Dudu:(
handedherphone)Thosear
ethe
pi
ctur
esoftheonesihaveathome.

Igotherphonej ustsoi don'

tappearbi tt
erbuti
wasn'tgoingt obuyf rom herbecausei twas
j
usttoowei r
dbuy ingf r
om her.Ilookedatt he
pi
cturesandr ealiseditwasact uall
ythebest
qual
ityintown, iknewi twouldpr obabl
yt ake
mewal kingf r
om shopt oshopt ofindsuchhai r
ormay beIwoul dn'tfindital
l.
..
..
oneWeav ei n
part
icul
art ookmybr eathaway .
..
.

Me:
Iwantt
hatone,
doy
ouhav
ethem wi
thy
ou?
Dudu:
Theyar
eathome,I'
l
lhav
etogocol
lect
t
hem whenIf
ini
shher
e.Howmanybundl
es?
Hair
dresser
:You'
l
l need2ort
hreebundl
esi
f
youwantittobefull
er
Me:
Thr
eebundl
esi
tis.
..
..
.
Dudu:
Didy
ouseet
hepr
ice?
Hairdresser
:(l
aughed)Sheisn'tpayinggawa
bonakant e.
..Somepeoplearel ucky.You
peopl eneedtotel
luswherey ouf i
ndguy swho
canpayf oryourhairwi
thoutacompl ai
nt.
..
le
dir
aj angnebatho?
Me:
Ithi
nki
t'
sjustl
uck.
.

Iwasn'
tcomfort
abl
ebecauseidi
dn'
twantto
makeitseem l
i
keiwasrubbi
ngitonherf
ace..
..
.

AtSpar
..
..

Dit
samewalkedoutwithhercousi
nand
spott
edBakangwalki
ngover.
..
Di
tsame:
Bakangkey
ool
e..
.
Her:Couziethemmai wantt
oseemysel
funder
thi
sman, kooreevenifheusesmeforani
ght
andwalksawayI '
l
l f
eelli
keIwonl
ott
o.
Di
tsame:
shhh.
..

Theysmil
edathi
mliket
heyknewhim andeven
huggedhi
m,hehuggedt
hem backsmili
ng.
..

Di
tsame:
Hey
..
..Thi
sismycousi
nMel
l
ow
Mel
l
ow:
Hi
Bakang:
(conf
used)Hi
Mel
l
ow,
(toDi
tsame)
haveweevermet?
Dit
same:Iam Naledi
'
sfr
iend.
..Di
tsame.We
usedpar
tyalottoget
her
..
Bakang:
(stoppedsmi
li
ng)Oh.
..Ar
eyout
heone
whosefri
endswithMaduo?
Ditsame:Yes.
..Yest
hat
'sme.
..Wear
ebest
fr
iends.
..
Bakang:Don'
tevetletmeseeyouwit
hNaledi
.If
iseeyouwithherkebetsawenaandyouwon't
repor
tmeev enifyoubadl
ywantto.

Hepassedthroughthem andwalkedi
nthen
t
heyproceededspeechl
essly.
..
.

Att
hesal
on.
..

Lateronthebar
bertookthet
oweloffher
shoulder
sthenshestoodupdust
inghersel
f,
herphonerang.
..

Dudu:Hell
o?.
..
.(fr
owned)Whyisshecryi
ng?..
..
Iy
ooi t
houghtitwasenough,
I'
ll
bethere.
..
I'
m
almostdone.
..
heeoalel
agorebathong.Bye.
.
Shepai
dthehai
rdr
esserandhur
ri
edov
er.
..

Dudu:
I'
ll
bri
ngt
heweav
es
Me:I'
ll
col
lectthem i
fthebabyi
scr
ying.Ke
hedi
tsegodiramorir
i.
.
Dudu:Thanks,canwehur
ry?
Idon'
twanthert
o
cr
yfortoolong..
Me:(t
ookof
fmyt
owel
)LetmeseeifBakang
canborr
owmehi
scar
,taxi
yagor
edi
a.

Idi
aledBakang'
snumberandwal
kedout
..
.

Bakang:
Hey
,done?
Me:War edone?Ihaven'
tstar
ted,
ionl
y
r
etouchedmyhai r
..
.Ihavetogocoll
ecta
Weavefrom-Duduetsang.
..
canyouborr
owme
t
hecar
?
Bakang:
okay
..
.I'
l
lbet
her
einami
nut
e.

Weawkwar dl
ywaitedi
nf rontofthesal
onthen
hepar
kedinfrontofusandst eppedout,Dudu
qui
ckl
ylookeddownpr essingherphoneashe
gav
emet hekeys..
.

Bakang:
I'
ll
wai
tint
heI
nter
netcaf
é..
.
Me:
Okay
..
..

Hewal kedawayt henwegoti nthecarand

droveoff,wewer equietandist
ill
didn'
t
understandwhatt hehelli
wasdoi ngbuyi
ng
fr
om her .
..Shespottedthetr
aff
iccopsand
pull
edherseatbel t.
..
.
Dudu:
Puty
ourbel
ton,
mapodi
sikopel
e..
Me:
(hear
tski
pped)Idon'
thav
eal
i
cense.
..
Dudu:
What
?
Me:
Whatshoul
dIdo?Doy
ouhav
eli
cence?
Dudu:
Yes.
..
Me:I'
m st
oppi
ngbehi
ndthi
sChoppi
est
ruck,
gaketswaaboot
senakaha
Dudu:
No,whatifwegetcaught
?Idon'
thav
e
moneytopayf
ines
Me:
Please.
..

Shekeptquiet
,thetr
af f
icslowedt henist
opped
andranaround,sherant othedri
v er'
ssi
deand
weclosedthedoors...
Isighedinreli
efasthe
tr
uckproceeded..
.Theof fi
cerscheckedher
l
icenceandletusthrough...
Me:(l
aughedlooki
ngback)Thatwascl
ose
nekekeagotsaakae5Kbatho?
Dudu:(l
aughedlooki
ngatthemirror
)Iwas
hol
dingmybr eat
hthinki
ngtheysawus
swapping.
..
.

Afewmi nutesl
atershedrov ethr
ought hegate
andpar kedunderthetree,herbabywascr yi
ng
hyst
ericall
y,shehurr
iedinsideasi wai
tedinthe
car.
..
.

Af
terwait
ingforover20minutesigotoutand
wentt
othehouse.Iwalkedinsideasshewas
br
east
feedingherbabysi
tt
ingont hecouch.
..

Dudu:
Mamant
elabekey
adi
piece.
..

Hermot
herwal
kedov
erwi
thabi
gbagof
weavesandspil
l
edt
hem onthef
loort
heni
knel
tdownlooki
ngf
ormine.
..
.

Dudu:Howmuchdi
dshechar
gey
ouf
or
i
nstal
l
ing?
Me:
P140
Dudu:Icandoitwithwit
hP100,youcancheck
outmycli
ent'
spict
uresonmyphone.Ican
comeoveranddoi taty
ourhouseifyou'
renot
comfor
tabl
ehere.Ineedthemoney..
.Don'tsay
no.
……(9t)
[
09/
24,
19:
06]Ron:
Co-
wif
e
#10

AtDudu'
smot
her
's.
..
.

Me:
Okay
..
.
Dudu:
Thanks.
..

Iputmybundl esasideandtookalookatmore
weaves,shequietl
ygotlostadmir
ingher
daughterasshefellasl
eepwithherni
ppl
ein
hermout h.
..
..
.

Me:Yourmotheri
sf l
exibl
e,Idon'
tthi
nkmy
motherwi
ll
letpeopl
ei nthehousewhenmy
sonisj
ustamont hold.
Dudu:Shei
snotdeepintotheset
hings.
..
(r
educedhervoi
ce)Oclei
magor utega.
..(
we
l
aughed)Soit
'saboy?
Me:
Yes.
..
Dudu:
congr
atul
ati
ons.
..
.I
'
mjeal
ous.
..
Me:
(laughed)Thanks.
..
Minut
eslat
erhermot
herwal
kedinsmell
i
ng
del
ici
ousspi
cesandl
eanedoverget
ti
ngthe
baby.
..

Her:Letmegethersothatyoucanf
ini
sh
at
tendingy
ourcustomer.
..
Dudu:
(putherbr
eastbacki
nherbr
a)Thanks.
..
Her
:(pausedlooki
ngatt hecar
)Bakang
bor
rowedy ouhiscarkanagaseyone?
Dudu:(l
ookedatme)Keyone.
..Hewant
edme
fi
nishherqui
ckl
yanddr
opherof f
.
Her
:Nnyaammet
heoi
teki
l
egompi
enomogwe
wame.
..

Shewalkedaway ,
iunder
stoodherly
ing.I
wouldprobablyhi
dewhoshewasi fshecame
tomymot her'
shousebecauseIwouldn'
tbe
abl
etoexplainwhyiwouldbewithher.
Dudu:Ihopet
hat
'sokay
,idi
dn'
twantt
ohav
eto
exp-
Me:I
t'
sokay.Shedoesn'
tneedt
oknow,
justdo
myhairandI
'l
lbeoutofher
e.

Duduputonherbr
eastpadsandheadedt
othe
bat
hroom..
.

Dudu:
I'
m goi
ngt
owashmyhands.
..
Me:
Okay
..
.

Minuteslatershewalkedoutwithaclean
spongemat t
ressandputthem underthet
ree,
shespreadt woblanketsandatowel t
henshe
broughtchairsandherpinkmake-up
bri
efcase..
..
.
Dudu:
(shovedapill
owbehi
ndmyback)I
br
oughtyouapill
ow,MybackwasweakwhenI
waspregnant
..
.
Me:
Youknowit
,myl
egswi
l
lbef
ull
byt
het
ime
wef
ini
shher
e.

Shebeguncombingmyhairgentl
yst
andi
ng
behindmeasiwentthoughtheweav
estyl
es
thenshequi
ckl
ygrabbedherphonef
rom my
hand..
..

Dudu:
Letmeseei
fIhav
eanynewhai
rst
yles.
..

Shescrol
leddownherpi
ctur
esforalongt i
me
anddelet
edacoupleofi
ncri
minati
ngpictures
thenshehandedmethephone.Ibrusheditoff
andconti
nuedgoi
ngthoughtheweav efol
der
thenishowedhertheoneiwanted.Shegotthe
phoneandplayedherpl
ayli
st,
sheputitonthe
mattr
essaswequi et
lyl
ist
enedtomusic..
.

Me:
Ilov
ethi
ssong.
.
Dudu:
Youshoul
dheari
tonahomet
heat
re,
it
canmakeyoucr
y..
.
Me:Isthemusiconthememorycar
d?Ihavea
car
dr eader
,weshoul
dplayi
tint
hecar
..
.i
thasa
goodmusi csy
stem..
.
Dudu:(gavemethememorycard)Here.
..(i
sl
owlygotup)Youknowwhatjustsit
..
.
(l
aughed)Ikeepf
orget
ti
ngt
haty ou'
repregnant
..
.
Me:(
laughed)Ont
shwer
elat
eeaker
ewar
eo
j
eal
ous..
.
Dudu:
(laughed)koor
eket i
legogogagamat
sa
gor
eolaleoemekadi nao.
.
Me:(l
aughed)Nkagol
atel
a,mor
ir
iobot
hoko
kana
Dudu:
Thisotherl
adyoncet
ightenedmyhair
aut
wa..
.Ididn'
tsl
eepthewholenight
,iwasj
ust
si
tt
ingbecauseIcoul
dn'
tputmyheaddown.
Me:I
'
mt oosensit
ive,
that
'swhyi
li
kehai
rst
yles
t
hatl
astlonger
..
.

Sheplayedthemusicandt ur
nedupt hevolume
thensheopenedthefrontdoorandcont i
nued
doingmyhair.Thesmallweirdesttal
ksgotless
weirdwit
hthemusicplaying.
...
irecei
veda
messagef r
om Bakangthenshehandedmemy
phone..
.

Bakang:
BabeIhav
ebeensitt
ingi
nthecaf
éfor
al
mostanhourmeri
rieboket
eorwhat?
Me:
Shei
sdoi
ngmyhai
r,gohome.Sor
ryi
f
orgott
otel
lyou.
Bakang:Tshamekasent e,
wher eareyou?I
hopethepolicedi
dn'tgetthecar.Ther
earea
l
otofroadblocksaround.
Me:
Isai
dshei
sdoi
ngmyhai
r.
Bakang:
Showme
Me:
Yout
hinkI
'
mly
ing?
Bakang:
Yes
Me:
Andi
fI'
m not
?whatdoi
get
?
Bakang:
Footmassage
Me:Ideser
vet
hat
,yougotmepr
egnant
.Tr
y
agai
n
Bakang:
Asur
pri
segi
ft
Me:
Goodboy
,I'
m sendi
ngapi
ctur
e..
.
Bakang:
(sar
cast
ical
l
y)Ican'
twai
t
Me:
LOL
Iswitchedof fthescreenofmysmar tphoneto
seeherr eflect
ionont hedar kscreenandmake
sureshewasn' tl
ookingatt hephone, shewas
busydoi ngmyhai r.Iswitchedi tonand
si
lencedt hecamer atheni slightl
ymov edthe
phoneasi ficoul
dn'tseepr operly,she
cl
uelesslycont i
nueddoi ngmyhai rand
capturedacl earpict
ur eofbot hourf acestheni
sentittohi m.

Bakang: WTF?
???
??
Me: Gobuymygi
ftBearandi
tbet
terbe
heav
y
Bakang:
Ist
hisaprank?Thisi
swr
ong,
I'
m not
feel
i
ngcomfort
abl
eov erher
e.
Me: why?Yout
hinky
ourl
i
eswi
l
lcat
chup
wi
thy
ou?
Bakang:
YES!
Me:Awwi sn'
tthi
scut
e,i
bil
eomai
tseooi
tsego
admit
tergoreomaaka.
Bakang:
Me:
Bakang:
Yesma'
am

Iputmyphonedownandconti
nuedr
eadi
ngher
make-upcat
aloguef
oror
der
s..
..
.

Att
heI
nter
netCaf
é..
..

Meanwhileheputhisphonedowni ndi sbeli

ef
andenteredonGoogle,"
Ideasforbestgi f
tsfor
apregnantgir
lf
ri
end,
"heclickedont hearti
cle
andreaditnoddingt
oRnBmusi cplayi
ngv iathe
headphones.Ali
nkbelowthear t
icl
ecaughthi s
att
ent i
on,"Under standingapr egnantgirl
fr
iend
better"heclickedoni tandleanedbackr eading,
amongstt hepoi ntshecl i
ckedonANTENATAL
DEPRESSI ONSYMPTOMSl i
nk...Hereadthe
art
iclenoddi ngtomusi c..
.1.Lossofinter
estin
sex,2.Isol
atingy ourselffr
om f ri
endsandf amil
y
and3. notbei nginterestedinthingssheusedt o
beinterestedi n.
..
Thesy mptomswentonand
onthenhel eanedbackdumbf ounded.
..

ItwasallDuduonherf i
rstt
ri
mester,
the
symptomsgotwor sewiththesecondtri
mest
er
whenhef inall
ydecidedhehadenoughofher
drama..
..Het ookofftheheadphonesand
dial
edhisf r
iend.
..

Temo:
Yeah?
Bakang:
Wher
eisy
ourgi
rl
?Letmet
alkt
oher
Temo:
Oisakaemosadi
wame?
Bakang:
Kapelatherr
a,iwantt
oaskher
somethi
ng.I
fsheisatworkfor
war
dmeher
number.
Temo:
Hol
dforher
..
.

Heputthephoneonherearandcont i
nued
ki
ssingherneckassheproper
lyhel
dand
spankedhimtryi
ngtoconcent
rat
e..
.

Her
:Hel
l
o?
Bakang:Iwasr eadi
ngaboutAntenatal
depressi
on,ist
hisar eal
thi
ngkanakedi l
otsa
Googlehela.DoesithappeninBotswana?
Her(laughed)Err
aithappensalot,gasegore
keatshega.Kekgathiwakegorewar eakedil
o
tsaGoogl ehel
a.Doyout hi
nkNalediissuf
fer
ing
from antenat
aldepr
ession?
Bakang:
No,
sowar
eit
'sar
eal
thi
ng?Osur
e?
Her :Yes,i
thappensal ot.Insomepeopl ei t
becomessev er etoanext entthattheyneed
medi calassi
st ancet heonlyproblem i
st hat
peopl esuff
eringf r
om t hi
sarenotconsi dered
sick,theynevergethel pbecausepeopl ej ust
thinktheyhav east i
nki ngatt
it
udeorhav e
changedi bil
ekaSet swanai t
helagotweo
i
di si
wabat hokanagot wempay aagoil
a, t
hings
l
iket hat.
Bakang: Ehe...Ionlyknewaboutmoodswi ngs
whenawomani spr egnantt
her estidi
dn't
knowandi doubtal otofguysknowaboutt his,
ijustbumpedi ntoitkeleonl
ine.Duduwas
showi ngthesi gnsi r
eadhere,shedidn'twant
mecompl et
ely.Shepushedmeawayand
rejectedme, ampol elahelagoreenegaampat e
ket swemogoenebutnowaday ssheisli
ket he
Dudui know, al
lthoset hi
ngsaregoneandi feel
l
ikekegoneal emoganggor eoneasadi r
e
sent e.
Her:
Ithappens,shei
sluckyshedoesn'
thav
e
post
nataldepr
essio-
Temo: BKit'
senough,ineedherat
tent
ionher
e..
.
Ifyouwantpr of
essi
onalhel
pyouzamel ame
air
timet or
efundmet heti
memywi fespends
explai
ningthi
ngstoyou.
Her
:(l
aughed)St
opi
t.
..
Bakang:(
sighed)Watsenwamonamot
hoy
oo
kepubli
cservant.
..
Temo: (tookt hephoneandl aughed)Omo
ntšwengl ait
aka..
.wabonat ota?You'r
eina
dog..
.Itoldy ouyourrelationshipwithNaledi
wasgoi ngt oofast,hannookgobi l
ehelayaaka
banabamal wapaamangwey ouwouldn'
tbein
thi
ssituationbecausennakeai t
seoreor at
a
Dudunowy ouhav eNal ediandanot herbabyon
theway .
Bakang:
(si
ghed)Whataf
ri
endy
ou'
re,
don'
tev
er
cal
lmona
Temo:
(laughed)har
dyboy
..
..
.

Hehungupandpaidf
ort
heI
nter
nett
imet
hen
hewal
kedout.
..
..

AtDudu'
smot
her
's.
..

Anhourlatershedroppedtheextensi
oncord
throught
hewi ndowandwal kedoutwit
h
anothermakeupbag, shepull
edthecordand
pluggedtheir
on..
.

Me:
Ngng.
..
Kebel
ael
aket
aannamont
egol
oha
Dudu:
(laughed)Don'
tgety
ourhopesup.
..

Sheironedmyhai
randspray
edmewithsheen
thenshewipedmyfor
eheadwit
hfr
eshsmelli
ng
babywipesandli
ft
edamir
rorst
andinginfront
ofme,You'dsweari
twasmyrealhai
r.
..Iwas
thespi
tt
ingimageofaHol
l
ywoodmov iestar..
.

Me:
(laughed)Kant
ekebot
okany
anaj
aana?
Dudu:(
looki
ngatme)You'r
everybeaut
if
ul.
..
Youcanmakebeautyproduct
sadvert
s
Me: (
laughed)Lesagompaasur e.
..(
itouched
mysof thair
)Wow. .
.whydon' tyouopena
sal
on?Thi sisperf
ect.
..Ican'
tpayP100f orthi
s.
Themmaoi t
semor i
rinowondery ourhairwas
solong.
Dudu:Thanks.
..(
laughed)Yourmake-
upgame
i
slowt hough,
youreyebrowslookver
yfunny
koor
eokwal ahela?
Me:(
laughed)Don'tl
aughatme,
diot
sekegone
kedi
simololang.
Dudu:
(putt
hemi
rr
ordown)Letmeshowy
ou
somet
hing.
.

Shewi pedmyent i
refacewi t
hbabywi pesand
satinf rontofmepul l
inghermakeupbag
closer.
..Despi teourawkwar dsi t
uat
ionabout
Bakang, Ifel
tdr awnt oher..
.Itwaslikeoneof
thosemoment swher eyoumeetaf ell
ow
woman, youbot hchatandf indouty ou
somehowmat chandexchangenumber sthen
continuewi t
ht hefriendshi
p.Ilikedherandi
couldt ellshelikedmet houghwehadBakang
standingi nthewayofourf ri
endship.Shewas
doingev eryt
hingt okeepmear oundal i
ttl
e
l
ongerandi feltathome. ..

Dudu:(grabbedt
hefoundat
ion)Complexi
ony
a
ronaisthesameakere?Kegot shasa
foundati
on..
Me:
Ithi
nkso.
..
(r
eadt
heFoundat
ion)Yeah,
I
usenumber3aswel
l
.

Shet henopenedanewpackofshav ingbl ades

andt ri
mmedmyey ebr owsleani ngclosert omy
face,itwast heclosesti hadbeent oherandi t
couldn'tgetanywei rderinmyuncont rollable
mind....Isecretl
ylookedatherbabyl ipsand
thoughtt omy self,
"Koor eBakangoneamo
sunagoneha? "itr
iedt ogetr i
dofmycr azy
thought sbutitgotwor se,iwonder edhowshe
servedhi mi nbedandhowher esponded. .
..
Theymadeababy ,itmusthav ebeenpr ettywil
d
l
ikehedi dwhenhegotmepr egnant.Ihadno
i
deawhatshewast hinki
ngbutwemadeey e
contactasshel eanedback. ..Sheputherhand
onhermout hcontrolli
ngherl aughter...

Dudu:
(st
oppedl
aughi
ng)I
'
m sor
ry.
..
Me:
(smi
l
edcur
iousl
y)What
?
Dudu:Nothi
ng, i
wasj ustt
hinki
ngaboutt
hings.
..
I
t'
scrazy,
I'm sorr
y..
.(si
ghed)Okay.
..I
'
m done..
.

Shegavemethemirr
or,
Shehadgi
venmea
si
mpleper
fectl
ook.
..

Dudu:
So?
Me: Whydidyoul
eavehi
m?(
hersmi
l
efaded)
I
'm sor
ry,
nevermind
Dudu:No,it
'sokay.
..It
hinkiwassuffer
ingf
rom
ant
enataldepressi
on.Ij
ustdidn'
tl
ikehi
m, i
di
dn'twanthim andheannoyedme.
Me:
(st
ari
ngather
)Whataboutnow?
Dudu: (
closedhermake- upbag)I'mtryi
ngtoget
alongwithy ouformydaught er
'ssake.Ineed
himt osuppor therandmay beifwegetalong
you'dencour agehimt okeepsupport
ingher
becauseI '
m notget t
inganywherewit
hhis
mot
her
.
Me:Shehatesyoutoo?ThankGod,
ithought
you'
reherf
avouri
te
Dudu:
Shet
hinksI
'
mtoopoor
Me:
(laughed)andt
oof
at?
Dudu:
Andt
oor
egul
ar.
..Iwearsi
ze36,
I
'm not
fat
Me:Mysentiment
sexact
ly.
..(ther
ewasan
awkwardmoment)Youdidn'tanswerme.
..
Whataboutnow?
Dudu:
(av
oidedmyeyesandpickedherbags)I
havet
ogoattendt
hebaby.
..
Me:If
orgott
owithdrawthemoney .
..Idon'
t
knowi
fit'
sbestwegot oget
herorishould
l
eavet
hecardbehindandcollecti
ttomor r
ow.
.
Dudu:You'l
lgiv
emet hemoneytomorrow,t
otal
ke1.7K.Ineediti
nthemorni
ng.Ihav
et obuya
fewthingsformysel
f.
Me:(
handedhert
hecard)You'
l
lwi
thdr
awthe
money,
Iwakeupver
ylateduri
ngt
heweekend.
..
Dudu:
Okay
,I'
l
lcal
lyout
omor
rowmor
ning.
Me:
Bye.
..
Dudu:Thanksforagr
eei
ngtoletmedoy our
hai
r,Imade1.7in4hours,
it'
salotofofmoney
.
Me:Womensuppor
ti
ngoneanother
.
Hasht
ag_
empowermentwhatwhat.
..
Dudu: (
laughed)Emma...Women
empower mentwhatwhat.
..Feel
freetocal
lme
atnightmmagakegogagamadi t
ser ent
she,
togagot wekegobolaet
seBakang.
Me:
Ithappenskana
Dudu: Butwomenar emoreintel
li
gentthanmen
kooreweal waysthi
nkwithouremot ions.I
fwe
couldbel ogi
cal
wewoul dhavemor epower
overmen.Mat hatawedon'tsupportone
anotherandwear ever
yjealous.Garenamowa
waboj
ammogo.
..
Me:
That
'st
rue.
.Any
wayby
e..

Ir
eversedthecarasshewal
kedbyt
hecart
o
goclosethegate.
..

Me:
What
'sy
ourdaught
er'
sname?
Dudu:
Pri
ncess.
.
Me:Tel
lhert
hanky
ouf
ornotcr
yingwhi
l
eyou
hel
pedme..
Dudu:
I'
ll
letherknowmamasai
dthanky
ou.
.
Me:Princessonki
tshi
tsepel
o,nowI
'
m
count
ingdown..
Dudu:
3mont
hsl
eft
..
.Omonohel
a..
.
Me:
(st
oppedthecar
)Ist
il
lwonderi
fI'
l
lar
ri
veat
9mont
hs,Iwi
shicouldj
usthol
dhim
Dudu:
(laughed)Iknowt
hef
eel
i
ng.
..
Westoppedatt
hegat
eunabletost
opt
alki
ng
unt
ilt
hebabyst
art
edcry
ing.
..

Me:
Mot
set
singwanawal
ela.
..
Dudu:(hur
ri
edback)By
e,or
atadi
kgango
nt
ii
le.
..

Welaughedassheclosedt
hegateandr
ant
o
thehouse,irol
l
edupthewi
ndowsanddr
ove
off
..
..
..
..
..
..
..
..
[
09/
24,
19:
13]Ron:
Co-
wif
e
#11

AtDudu'
smot
her
s..
..

Shehur
ri
edi
nthehouseandl
aidonhersi
de
taki
ngoutherbreastashermot herfi
nished
prepar
inghersoftpor
ridge.Shewatchedas
DudupulledherhandbagandputanATM car d
i
nherpur se.

Her
:Whoi
sthewomany
ouwer
ewi
th?
Dudu:
Shei
sjustacust
omer
..
Her
:Andy
ougav
eherBakang'
scar
?
Dudu:
Oh..Um.
..She.
..Shei
sanol
dfr
iendofhi
s
aswell
.
Her:DuduI 'm notanoldwoman, i
fI'
m get
ti
ng
tooinvolvediny ourli
feyoucaneasi
lyl
etme
knowi nsteadofl yi
ngtome.Icanseethatyou
arehidingsomet hi
ng..
.
Dudu:
SheisBakang'
sgir
lf
ri
end.Wemetatt
he
sal
onandstar
tedtal
ki
ng.
Her:Idon'
tunder
stand.
..Whyar
eyout
wo
act
ingfri
endl
y?what'st
hatyouwer
eputt
ingi
n
y
ourbag?
Dudu:I
t'
sherbankcard,
hiscar
d..
.Hegavei
tto
herandshetoldmetogetmypaymentfr
om
themachine.
Her:
Ist
il
ldon'
tunder
stand,
whyi
sshebei
ng
ni
cetoyou?
Dudu:Wearejustt
ryi
ngt
ogetal
ongf
orour
chi
ldr
en'
ssake.
Her
:Ther
eissomet
hingy
ou'
renott
ell
i
ngme.
..
Lel
ekagodir
aeng?
Dudu:Nothi
ng,
shoul
dwehat
eeachot
herj
ust
becauseofaman?
Her:Beingfri
endsi
sn'
tnor
mal
eit
her
.Di
dn'
tthi
s
gi
rlstealBakangfr
om y
ou?
Dudu:No,shedidn'tknowanythingaboutme.I
am t
hereasonshei spartofmyl if
e.Atl
east
sheisareasonableperson,wewoul dbe
fi
ght
ingifi
twasoneoft heset
y pesofwomen.
Her
:Youcan'
ttr
ustawomanwhol
ovesy
our
man.
Dudu: Heisnotminer ightnow, Il
efthim andhe
mov edonbuti wanthim backandhecomes
wit
ht hebaggaget hebaggagei mustaccept
becausei causeditall
.Thisthingwor ked
beforeitwasabolished,beforewest arted
havingfather
lessbabiesandadul tswhogr ow
upwi t
hbitter
nessf r
om wat chi
ngt hei
rf at
hers
carefortheotherfamilywhiletheir
swasl eft
suffer
ing.
.
Her:
Ooohkeabona,Soy
ou'
rebot
hgoi
ngt
o
sl
eepwit
hhim?
Dudu:
Inev
ersai
dthat
..
.

Hermotherr
emai
nedspeechl
essst
ari
ngat
her
..
..
.
Atmyhouse.
..
.

Lateroniwal
kedi
nandpl
acedmyhandbagon
thetabl
ethemademywaytothebedr
oom
excit
edl
y..
.

Ipausedatthedoorandsmi l
ed,hewasn'
tthere
butmygiftwas..
..
..
islowl
ywalkedoverandsat
onthebed.Hewal kedinasiwasopeningitand
l
eanedbyt hedoorframelooki
ngatme...

Itor
etheboxwi t
hamonkeysmi leonmyf ace,
i
twasaSonyv ideocamer a..
.Iswit
chediton
andfli
ppedthescr eenpoi nti
ngitathim.Itwas
abril
l
ianti
dea,comet othi
nkofitihadn't
boughtacamer af orourson.Izoomedathi s
faceashesmi ledhol dingashot-gl
ass,igotup
andranintohisarms, heputhisarmsaround
meandki ssedme. ..Iaccidental
l
ytippedhi s
glasswit
hmyelbowasi movedback,
thewhol
e
room smell
edspi
ri
ts.
..
Hisey
eswerereddi
sh
andsleepy.
..
.

Me:
Howmanyhav
eyouhad?
Bakang:
It'
sjustoneshot
..
.Doy
oul
i
key
ourgi
ft
?
Me:
Yes.
..Ar
eyouokay
?

Hel ookedatmyhai randsmi l

edt ouchingit
softl
y ,Heheldmyneckandpul l
edmecl oserfor
akiss, Icoul
dn'tbreathethr
oughhi salcoholi
c
breathbuti couldn'
tpushhim back, hedi dn'
t
l
iket obepushed.It il
tedmyheadandcaught
mybr eathbuthehel dmychi nandpul l
edmet o
hislipsthenheFr enchkissed...
idon'tt
hinki
hadseenhi mthatdr unkbefore..
.

Bakang:
Youl
ookgor
geous.
..Thi
sisbeaut
if
ul.
..
Sheshoul
dkeepdoi
ngy
ourhai
r.
..
Me:
Thanks.
..
.

Hegott hecameraandkissedmeasi
staggeredbackandsatonthebed, heputi
ton
theheadboar dandki
ssedmepul l
ingmydr ess
upandcar essi
ngmyt hi
ghs..
.Iwasexhausted
from sit
ti
ngonachairfor5hoursandmyl egs
weref ul
l.
..

Me:
(pushedhi
m)BabeI
'
mti
red.
..

Heglaredatmyhandsonhi schestandi
qui
cklycorr
ectedmy selfl
etti
nggoofhischest,
heleanedoverandkissedmeasi hel
plessl
y
l
aidunderhismer cy.
..
thewholeroom sti
ll
smelledofspi
rit
sashepul ledoutmypant i
es
ki
ssingmyneck. .
..
Ididn'
tknowhowi wasgoi ng
tostophim wi
thouti
rr
it
atinghi
m, i
softl
y
touchedhi
schinandstaredathisreddi
sh
eyes..
.

Me:(sof
tl
y)BabeI
'
mti
red.
..Ihadav
eryl
ong
day
..

Hel
ookedinmyeyesandl
eanedoverki
ssi
ng
methenhegotof
fmeandsatontheedgeof
t
hebed..
..

Bakang:
(rubbedhi
sface)Di
dyoueatany
thi
ng?
Me:
No,
ihadadr
ink.
..
Bakang:
(st
oodupandpackedhi
sboner
)What
doyouwanttoeat
?
Me:
(looki
ngathi
m)Babear
eyouokay
?
Bakang:
Yeah,
why
?
Me:Whyarey
oudr i
nking?Andt hi
slooksli
kea
ver
ystr
ongdr
ink.I
'm pregnant
,youshouldn'
t
dri
nkar
oundme...
Bakang:
I'
m sor
ry,i
twon'
thappenagain.
..(
took
myhand)Comeher e,
Iwanttoprepareyou
somethi
ngtoeatbutIwantyout
ost andnextt
o
me..
.

If
oll
owedhi
mtot
heki
tchen.
..

Me:Whydon'
tyousi
tdown?I
'
llmakemy
sel
f
somet
hingt
oeat.
.
Bakang:
Arey
ousur
e?
Me:
Yeah.
..Pl
easesi
tdown.
..

Hesatonthecouchthenibr
oughthim aglass
ofwater
,MyphonerangandIpickedi
tstanding
nextt
ohim..
..
Me:
Hel
l
o?
Renei
:Heypr
egos
Me:
(laughed)It
oldy
out
ost
opcal
l
ingmet
hat
..
.
Renei
:Wher
eareyou?Iwantt
oseey
ou,
ther
eis
somethi
ngihav
etotel
lyou
Me:I
'
m homebutnowi
snotagoodt
ime,
I'
m
wi
thBakang.
Bakang:
Lethercome,
I'
ll
gohomeandsl
eep.
Me:
Ohhei
saboutt
oleav
esoy
oucancome.
..
..
.
Renei
:Al
ri
ght
,by
e..
..

Hegott
hecarkey
sandki
ssedme.
..

Bakang:
Ilov
eyou.
..
Me:
Ilov
eyout
oo.
..
Hewal
kedoutt
heni
headedt
otheki
tchen.
..
..
.

AtDudu'
smot
her
's.
..
..

Laterthateveni
ngDudu'
smot herwasbat
hing
thebabyasDudur eadamagazi nel
yi
ngont he
mat t
ress.Herphoner
ang..
..
..
.

Dudu:
Hel
l
o?
Bakang:
I'
m out
side,
takwano.
..
Dudu:(
peakedthr
ought
hewi
ndowandsawhi
s
l
ight
s)Okay.
..

Shehungupandputherphoneundert
hepi
l
low
thensheputonhershoes.
..
Dudu:MamaRragweMemeokont
e..
.key
a
hagoenekeaboa
Her:
Ihopeyouwon'tdoany
thi
ngwi
thhi
m,
you'
rest
il
lnotwel
l
...
Dudu:
Aomama, youknowIwoul dn'
tdot
hat
.
Gapemycheckupisnextweek.
.
Her
:I'
mjustsay
ing.
..
..
.
Dudu:
iwoul
dn'
t.

I
nBakang'
scar
..
..
.

Heleanedbackstar
ingatherasshewal
ked
over
,Herhipshadli
ftedhergownbot
hsi
des..
..
.
shegotinsi
deandclosedthedoor
.

Dudu:
Hi.
..
Hedidn'
trespond,inst
eadher ev
ersedt
hecar
anddrov
eout .
..Shelookedar
oundandsawa
hal
fbott
leofliquorontheholder.
..
.

Dudu:
(sof
tl
y)Wher
ear
eyout
aki
ngme?
Bakang:
It'
sasur
pri
se.
..
Dudu:Idi
dn'
ttakemyphoneandi
didn'
tpump
mil
kforthebaby.
Bakang:
Iknow.
..

Shekeptqui
et,
minut
eslat
erheparkedi
nfront
ofhi
shouseandopenedthedoorf
orher.
..

Bakang:
Let
'sgo.
..
.

Shegotoutt
henhecl
osedthedoorandhel
d
herhandast
heyappr
oachedthedoor
.She
didn'
tknowwhattoexpectandItwasclearhe
washomeal oneastheli
ghtswereof
f.He
openedthedoorandswitchedt
heli
ghtsonas
theybothwalkedi
n.

Hetookoffhi
sjacketandhuggedhert
henhe
l
eanedoverki
ssingher.
..
..
..
..
..
(9t
)

[
09/
24,
19:
13]Ron:
Co-
wif
e
#12

AtBakang'
shouse.
..

Shemov
edbackandal
mostmi
ssedast
ep.
..

Dudu:
Takemeback.
..
Bakang:
I'
m sor
ry.
..
Dudu:
(tear
ful
l
y)Pl
easet
akemeback.
..
Bakang:(
walkedoverasshemov edback)Babe
l
ist
en..
..
.iwon'
tberough,
iknowy ou'
renot
complet
elyfi
ne.I
'
llbecar
eful
..
..

Shequi
ckl
yopenedthedoorandwal
kedout
,he
fol
l
owedhert
ot hegat
e..
..

Bakang:
Oyakae
Dudu: Kolapeng,Il
eftt
hebabyandI'
m sti
l
lver
y
sick.Justbecauseiwasgiv
enpermissi
ontogo
tothesalondoesn'tmeanI'
m noton
confinement.Kereil
emamaker ekeemahante
keaboaandt henyoudri
veoffwit
hme?
Bakang:
(wal
ki
ngbehindher
)Thisisveryst
upi
d,
canwegobacktothehouseandtalk?
Dudu:
I'
m notget
ti
ngi
nthehousesot
haty
ou
canrapemeandtearmysti
tches.I
'
llwal
khome
i
fyoucan'
ttakemeback.
..(
turnedand
scr
eamed)THEBABYI SCRYING!
Bakang:(grabbedherarm anddraggedher
back)don'tscream atme.
..It
oldyouihate
that
..
.
Dudu:
You'
rehur
ti
ngmyar
m..
.
Bakang:(hetur
nedherar
oundandfacedher)
I
'm notgoingtorapey
ou,i
fyoudon'
twanttodo
thi
sfine.
Dudu:
Whyarey
oudr
unk?Thi
sisnoty
ou.
..
Whati
sgoi
ngon?
Bakang:
Justgeti
nthecar
..
.

Shegoti nthecar,
heclosedthehouseand
droveout..
..
ther
ewassi l
enceonthewayasshe
observedhimf r
ustr
atedl
yrubbi
nghisneckand
st
r uggl
ingtoconcentr
ateonthetr
affi
c..
..
Dudu:
Babewhatisgoi
ngon?You'
react
ing
cr
azy,pl
easet
alkt
ome...
Bakang: (si
ghed)Youwer esuff
eringf r
om some
kindofdepr essi
onwheny ouwer epr egnant.
..I
forgotthetermt heyusedont hear ti
cleiread.
Soi twasn'tyourfaul
t,ishouldhav ebeenal itt
le
patientordidmor eresearchabouti tor
somet hing.
..
Dudu:
Sot
hat
'swhatt
hisi
sabout
?
Bakang:
I'
m sorryiwasn'
tthereforyou,I
'm
sorr
yimovedont ooquickl
y..Ishoul
d-nowi
don'
twanttoletyougo.
Dudu: Youdidn'tknowBakang, youcan'tblame
yourselfforsomet hingyoudidn'tknow,ialso
didn'tknow..
.Wedi dnothi
ngwr ongbutthereis
Naledi andherbabyi nt
hepicture.Idon'
twant
tomakehergot houghwhatIwentt hrough,I
can'tgobehi ndherbackandsl eepwithyou
regardl
essofhowmuchi loveyou.Soit'
snot
j
ustaboutmebei ngsick,evenifourdaughter
was2y earsoldist
il
lwoul dn'
tsleepwit
hy ou
withoutaapr operagreementandcl ear
understanding.
Bakang:
Whatdoy
oumean?
Dudu:
Behonestwit
hme, doyoul
oveNal
edi
?I
won'
tjudgey
ou,behonest
..
.
Bakang: Il
ov eher,
Ilov
eheralotandican'
t
l
eav eher,that'
swhatmakesthiswhol
et hi
ng
complicated.I'
ll
havetobeali
arandacheatthe
restofmyl if
e.
Dudu: Youdon' thavetoi fyouthi
nkoutsi
det he
box.IlikeNaledi andshei seasytogetalong
with.Ihavenopr oblem accepti
ngyouback
togetherwithherandhersonasl ongasy ou
makecer t
ainthingscleartoussowedon' tf
ight
overy ou.I
'm surey ouunder st
andme...
Bakang:
Igety
ou.
..
.
Dudu:Justbehonestwithus,makei tcl
eargore
whoiswhoandI '
llbefi
ne.Idon'tknowabout
herbutI
'l
lbefi
ne,I
'll
respectherandourson...

Heturnedandl ookedather ,shehadt ur

nedhi m
onwithherwor dsandthetoneshewasusi ng,
i
twast heleastheexpect edthoughi twashi s
deepestdesir
e.Shehadj ustmadehi sl i
fe
easi
erandher espectedherfort hat
,het ouched
herchinandcar essedhersmoot hthighswi t
h
onehandashedr ovewit
htheot her
.Nowhe
real
l
ywant edher ..
.Hewant edt omakel ovet o
herwithgrati
tudebutheunder stooditwoul dbe
monthsbef or
eshewasr eady .
..

Bakang:Ir
especty
ou.
..Youhav
emyr
espect
..
.I
l
ovey ou
Dudu:
Ilov
ey outoo.
..
(smil
ed)I
'
llf
orgi
veyouf
or
whatyouj
ustdidbutnextt
imeI'
mt el
l
ingmy
gi
rlandwedeal
wit
hyou.
Bakang: (laughed)I '
l
lneverdoagain.
..I'
llwai
t
fort
her ightt i
me, iwasstressedandhor nyi
j
ustwant edtohav esexandsleepbut...Anyway
youhelpedmet hinksoI'
m good.It'
sgoodt o
haveat hought fulwomanbymysi de...Cani
showy ousomet hi
ng?
Dudu:
Yes.
..
Bakang:
(gav
eherhi
sphone)Cl
i
ckoni
t.
..

Shecl
ickedonhi
sphone,
herJawsdr
oppedas
shel
ookedather
sel
fandNaledi
onhi
sscreen.
..

Dudu:(
laughed)Whati
sthi
s?Di
dshet
aket
his
pi
ctur
e?
Bakang:
Yeah,
youwer
ebot
hreal
l
ybeaut
if
ul.
..
Dudu:(l
aughed)Nal
edi
kesetsenwany
anale
ene,howcanshetakeapi
ctureofmewit
houta
war
ning.
..
Bakang:
Ilov
eit
..
.
Dudu:
It'
snotabadpi
ctur
e..
.(l
aughed)Gaa
ut
weNaledi,
wehadagoodt i
meear l
ier
..
.
Bakang:
Andi
almostspoi
l
tit
..
Dudu:
Youdi
dn'
t,
Idi
dn'
tsni
tch
Bakang:
True.
..

Heparkedatt hegat
eandswitchedoft he
engi
ne,theybothheavedahugesighlookingat
oneanotherthenheleanedov
erandki ssedher
soft
ly.
..

Bakang:
Goodni
ght
..
.
Dudu:Goodnight
..
.(st
eppedoutandcl
osedt
he
door
)Drivesafel
y.
..
Bakang:
(looki
ngatherbehi
nd)Thatass.
..That
asswi
fey
..
.
Dudu:
(laughedandcl
osedthegat
e)You'
l
l
t
ouchitafter4mont
hs..
.by
e

Hesmiledlooki
ngatherasshewal
kedaway
,
hestar
tedtheengineandwait
edf
orhert
oget
i
nsidethehousethenhedrov
ehomefora
peacef
ulsleep.

Atmyhouse.
..
..

Iswit
chedofftheli
ghtstogot obedtheni saw
carl
ightsbri
ghteni
ngthehouse, i
walkedov er
andmov edthecurtai
ns.Itwasmybr other
'scar,
Reneil
westeppedoutchat t
ingwithhi
m,
somethingwasn'tr
ightaboutthem.They
seemedt oalwaysbeinthesamepl aceatthe
samet i
me...
..
.
Iswit
chedont
hel
i
ght
sandopenedt
hedoorf
or
them..
.

Me:
Yout
ooksol
ong,
iwasaboutt
osl
eep.
..
Renei
:Sor
ry,
Abal
engdel
ayedme.
..
Abaleng:(
handedmeasnack)Ibr
oughty
ou
thi
s,iknowit
'syourf
avour
it
e..
.
Me:
(smi
l
edbr
ief
ly)Thanks.
..

Iknewsomethi
ngwasup,Iopenedmychi
ps
andsatont
hecouchastheysatontheot
her
couchl
ooki
ngatme..
.

Renei
:Howar
eyou?
Me:
Stopst
all
i
ng.
..
Abal
eng:
(wal
kedt
otheki
tchen)Cani
hav
e
somewat
er?
Me:
Yeah.
..

Hewal
kedi
ntheki
tchen.
..
.

Renei:
Ihavebeentr
yingtofi
ndt
her
ightt
imet
o
tel
lyouthatwear
edat i
ng.
..
Me:Cl
earl
yyouweren'
ttr
yinghardenough,
how
l
onghaveyoutwobeendat i
ng?
Renei
:6mont
hs.
.
Me:6mont hsRenei
wet al
keveryday,i
tel
lyou
mysecret
sandy oujustwat
chedmel i
keafool
nnakegoipol
elel
awenaodi di
metse.
Renei
:Iwasembar
rassedandi
thoughty
ou
mighthav
eaprobl
em wit
hit
Me:WhywouldIhav
eapr
obl
em wi
thi
t?Hei
s
mybrot
hernotmyex
Renei:
Idon'tknowwhati wasthi
nking.
.(smi
l
ed
andshowedmeherengagementr i
ng)Heasked
met omarryhim ear
li
erandisaidyes..
.
Me: (
str
aightf
ace)Ididn'
tevengettoshar
ethe
detai
lsofyouremotionsj
ustbefor
ethatdi
nner
,
great
.Congratul
ati
onsMr sAbal
engThapelo
Renei
:(si
gheddisappoi
ntedl
y)AommaNal
edi
notev
enaf akesmi-

Il
aughedandwal
kedov
erhuggingher
,she
st
oodupandwehuggedti
ghtl
y.
...

Me:(smi
led)That
'swhaty
ougetf
orkeepi
ng
secr
etsf
rom me..
.
Renei
:Youscar
edme.
..
Me:(laughedandlookedatherri
ng)It
's
beautif
ul.
.I'
m sadwedidn'
tsharethe
exci
tementofanewr omance.
.Godknowsi
hat
edMogapi,hemademehat
eal
lmenwi
th
hi
sviol
ence.
Renei
:Heisnotevenwor
thmyt
ime,
idon'
t
thi
nkabouthi
m..
.
Me:(l
aughedandloweredmyvoice)Ihat
ethati
can'
tevenaskaboutyoursexl
i
fe..
.Mxm
Renei
:(l
aughed)Iknow..
.Yest
erdayitwasso
wil
dandgoodi almostcal
ledyouandsaid
pl
easethankyourmotherformey ourbr
otheri
s
adragon.
..Gr
rrr
rr
Me:
(laughed)That
'sdi
sgust
ingst
opi
t.
..Jesus
Renei
:(t
urnedherey
es)Awhei
ssogood.
..
Me:(
slappedhershoul
der
)Seri
ousl
yst
op,
it'
sa
t
otal
diff
erentv
iewonmysi de.
..

Hewalkedbackinthel
i
vingr
oom andwe
st
oppedgiggl
ing.
..
Abal
eng:
Didi
misssomet
hing?
Me:Ican'tbeliev
ey oulookedatmyfri
endli
ke
t
hat,you'r
et hewor stbr
otherev
er.
..Whendi
d
youstartfantasi
singabouther?
Abaleng:Tobehonest..
.Whenyouwereboth
doingfor
m 2, shewashotwithf
unnypuber
ty
pi
mpl esonherf or
ehead.Iwasl
ikey
eahsheis
growingalr
ight.
..
Me:
(Renei
andi
laughedl
oudl
y)Abal
engbat
ho!
Renei
:(l
aughed)Hei
ssi
ck.
..
Abal
eng:
(laughed)Justbei
nghonest
..
.
Me: (smi
led)I'
m sohappyf ory
outwo, Renei
at
l
eastwi t
hthisoney ou'
resureyouwon'tbe
beatenorcheated.
..(iputmyarm aroundhis
waistandrestedmyheadonhi schest)Heis
thesweetestguyiknow, ifhewasn'
tmybr ot
her
Iwoul dmarryhi
m.
Abal
eng:
(puthi
sar
m ar
oundme)Sdudah
same.
..Thanks
Renei:
(pushedmeof
f)Okay
,goawayt
hat
'
smy
chestnow..
…
Me:
(laughed)Soi
t'
sli
ket
hat
?
Renei:
(sheputhi
sarm aroundherandsmi l
ed
putt
ingherheadonhischest)Yes.
..Iwat
ched
youenjoythi
sguyforyear
s,ti
met obackup..
Abakeng:
(smi
l
edandki
ssedheronthecheek)
Sorr
ySdudahl
ooksl
i
keI'
mtaken.
..
Me:Mxm t
swamontungy
ame. .
.Comi
nghere
t
oint
ent
ional
l
ymakemeat hi
rdwheel
..
.Suka

Weal
ll
aughedasRenei
andi
huggedagai
n..
.

Me:
I'
m happyf
ory
ou.
..
Renei
:Thanks.
..
Abal
eng:
I'
ll
bei
nthecar
,goodni
ghtSduu
Me:
gakebat
ekanaAbal
eng.
..I
ja

Hewal
kedout
..
.

Me:Imi
ssy out
hemma, whencanwehave
t
imetotal
k?Thereissomuchiwantt
oshar
e
wi
thsomeoneItrust
..
.
Renei
:Let
'
ssi
tdown.
..Whati
sit
?
Me:ImetDudut
oday,shesol
dmeherweav
e
andevendi
dmyhair
..
.
Renei
:That
'
swei
rd,
and?
Me:Sheisnicert
hanithought,
Ialwaysthought
shewouldbeadr amat
icbabymamawhof i
ghts
meandi nsul
tsmeforhavingherbabydaddy
butsur
prisi
ngl
ysheissweetandmat ure.
Renei
:Okayand?
Me:
Ithi
nkshewant
sBakang
Renei:
Shebet
tergetr
idoft
hosefeel
i
ngsf
ast
,
sherej
ect
edhim andhemovedon.
Me: Thefunnythi
ngisthatIf
eelsorr
yforher,
Shesay sshemusthav ebeensuff
eri
ngfrom
antenat
al depr
essi
on.Itookmytimeandr ead
aboutit
...
Renei:Naledidon'
t.
..Don'
teventhinkabout
l
eav i
ngBakangsi mplybecauseyouf eelsor
ry
forhisbabymama, youhaveachildtothink
about..
.Youl ov
ehimt oo,don'
tyou?Andhe
chosey ou..
.
Me:Ilov
eBakang,heownsmyhear
t,bodyand
soul
buti j
ustf
eel
badforher
..
.
Renei:Iunderstand,ifeel
forhert
oobuti
t'
sa
cruel
wor ld.Wecan' tsaveever
yonei
nneed.
..
it
's
theci
rcleoflife.Bakangareng?
Me:Ithi
nkhei
ssl
owlygett
ingdepr
essedas
wel
l
, hewasdr
unkear
li
er.
.
Renei
:Doeshel
oveher
?
Me:Hewasr eadytohav
eaf amilywithherunt
il
sheactedup.
..Lov
eisobviousl
ytherebecause
heisnottheonewholef
t,shedid..
.
Renei
:Hewi l
lgetoverher
..
.j
ustst
ayawayf r
om
Dudu,i
t'
screepyenoughthatshedidyourhai
r.I
can'
tbethatcloset
omyboy fri
end'
sex.It
's
unnat
ural
Me:(smi
led)Yeahi
t'
scr
eepy
,I'
l
lst
ayawayf
rom
her
.Done..
..
Renei
:Ihopeyoumeanit
,wenakanay
oudon'
t
knowhowt osayno.
..
Me:Imeani
tthi
sti
mear
ound,
I'
ll
stayaway
f
rom her
.
Renei
:Good.
..(
shehuggedme)Okay
,
goodni
ght
Me:
Goodni
ght
..
.

Shewal
kedt
othecarandi
lockedt
hedoor
,
swi
tchedof
fthel
i
ght
sandgoti
nbed.

Itor
sedandtur
nedf orov
er30minut
est henI
gotmyphone,inoti
cedshewasonli
ne,Iquickl
y
checkedi
fBakangwasonl i
neaswel
l,i
thad
been3hourssincehewasonli
ne.

Me:
Hi
Dudu:
Hi,
wowt
hanksf
orsay
inghi
Me:
Whyar
eyouupsol
ate?
Dudu:Iwaschangi
ngthebaby'ssheet
s,t
hey
arealotofworkwhentheycan'
teventur
n
themselv
es,y
ouhavetot ur
nthem
Me:
Ican'
twai
ttohav
emi
ne
Dudu:Don'twor
ry,
hewi
llcome..
.Iwishiwasn'
t
i
nconfinementwewoul
dgof orPizza,
ify
ou
don'
tmi nd.
Me:Idon'
tmind.
..Funnythi
ngiswheny ouget
out
,I'
l
lbeget
tingin,i
twil
lbeav er
ylongti
me
bef
oreweall
spendt i
met oget
herwiththeki
ds.
Dudu:Wewi l
l f
indawayar oundit
.Mymot heri
s
nottootr
aditi
onal soassoonasthedoctor
saysI'
m goodnextweek, I
'l
lbefr
eetostart
helpi
ngaroundt hehousewithsmall
choresbut
thebabywillgooutwhenshei s3months.
Me:I'
l
lbei
nthehousebythen.Whenar
eyou
goi
ngbacktoGabor
one?
Dudu:
Iwanttomovebackhereandopena
sal
onorsomethi
ng,
renti
sexpensi
vein
Gabor
one.
Me: Pl
easedon'
ttakemyman
Dudu: canweshar
e?
Me:
LOLno
Dudu:I
t'
sjustapi
eceofmeatbathoao,t
hisi
s
t
helogi
cwewer etal
ki
ngaboutearl
ier
.You
woul dn'thandlehi
ssexdr ivealone,that'
swhy
mar ri
edmencheat .
.Ev entuall
ythewi f
egets
ti
red...
wor king,
thekids,homechor est henbo
gotwegi vehimthebestsex?Noway ..
.Would
your atherhecheatswi thoneoft hesebadwi th
ast i
nkyat ti
tudegir
lsorsweetangel icmoa?
Don'tfor getwehavesomuchi ncommon, we
canconspi r
eandkillhisev i
lmotherkahear t
attack.
Me:LOLDuduthemmaomol wetsi
wa
thal
oganyo,
wherehaveyoubeenallmylif
e?
KanaI'
mlaughi
ngoutloudreadingyour
message.Youneedtobeadmi t
tedint
oarehab
Dudu: Hahahaker aakagakengat heBakang
gopegat wemat hatakeeng?kanabasadi i
thela
relweladil
odisel
ehel a.Monnagaahel e.Let'
s
shareandseei fitcanwor k,wealreadyknow
fi
ghtingneverwor ks.Tshelarebabonabal wa
baroganai bi
l
eusi ngchildr
ent of
ightthei
r
battl
es.
Me:Mpolai
sadi
tshegoI'
ml aughi
ngbymy sel
f.
Youshoul
dbeaninsurancesalesrepobuadil
o
monyanakewena.
Dudu:
Ijool
etmebehav
emma.I
'
mtal
ki
ngt
oo
much
Me:May beit
'snotabadideaifwedi
scussi
t
f
ir
sttogetherbefor
eweinvolv
ehim.
Dudu:
Okay,
goray
agoretat
arebuai
nthe
morni
ngwheni
bri
ngthecard.
Me:Alri
ght.
.I
'
m sti
lll
aughi
ngatgakengat
he
Bakang.
..Lolyou'
recr
azy
Dudu:Hahahanny
aammaBakanggaahele,r
a
nnahelal
emonnawarona,
ifany
onehasa
probl
em t
heycangoj
umpoveracli
ffanddi
e.
Me:LOLtel
lthatt
othequeenofMaun,mosadi
yowaret
waelawaitse.Or
ekal
akasekal
esa
mabudul
a
Dudu:
Gobat
anakonngweer
ear
eko-
koat
Bakang'
shouseaboahi
thel
arekhi
alet
sekoo
kabanabarona
Me:
Hahahaokawapi
ikasekot
a
Dudu:HahahaNaledi
mmaket
sosi
tsengwana
bylaughi
ngsoloud.
Me:
Goshapeegoodni
ght
Dudu:
Goodni
ght
.

Iputmyphonedownlaughi
ngoutloud,
asilai
d
downt hatni
ghti
gav
eitathoughtandmadeup
mymi nd.

Atmyhouse.
..
.

Thenextmor ningigotupearli
ert
hanusual
,I
wassti
llt
hinkingaboutmyconv er
sati
onwit
h
her
..
.Aft
erbreakf astIcl
eanedmyhouseand
tookabat
h,i
didn'
twanthert
othi
nki
wasa
pig.
..

Sheknockedandiopenedt
hedoorf
orher,she
walkedi
nsmili
ngshyl
yandicl
osedthedoor.
Wehuggedeachotherandsi
ghedsi
tti
ngdown...

Dudu:(gavemethecard)Hereyougo..
.
(openedthepl
asti
c)Idi
dn'tknowwhattobuy
forussincei
t'
sverycol
d..Igotal
argePizza.
..

Sheopenedtheboxandi t'
sdeli
ciousaroma
smokedrighti
ntomyt ast
ebuds, shepickeda
sli
ceastheextracheesestr
etchedallt
heway
tohermouth,Ipickedmylargesli
ceandt ooka
bit
e..
..

Me:
Mmmh.
..Thi
sissogoodandi
t'
sst
il
l
war
m..
.
Dudu:
Tel
lmeabouti
t.
..

Shefini
shedchewingandwi pedhermouth,
I
wipedmy sel
fandsighed.
..
theplanwasin
motionandtherewasnot urni
ngback.

Dudu:
(si
ghed)So?
Me:
Kekwadi
l
edi
do'
sanddon'
ts
Dudu:(l
aughedandreachedi
nherbag)Ar
eyou
apsychi
corwhat ?

Weexchangedthepagesandr
eadasweat
e
Pi
zza.
..
..
..
..
..
..
.
[
09/
24,
19:
13]Ron:
Co-
wif
e
#13
Atmyhouse.
..

Inherl
istshehadprett
ymuchwrotewhati
wrotewhichgavemet hecomf
ortknowi
ngthat
shewasr eal
lyser
ious.
..

Dudu:Ilikepointnumber1, beingbestfri
ends.
Thisi
st heonl ywaywecanpul lt
hisoff
becausei fyouhav eyourownf ri
endsandi have
myownf r
iendst henwhoknowswhatt heycan
sayaboutmet oy ouorabouty outome.So
yeah,I
'm wi thyouher e..
.Weshoul di
ntroduce
eachothert oev eryoneasf ri
endsandreall
y
makeanef f
ort.
.Nott hatweabandont hem but
putmor eener gyi nt
ot hi
s..
Me:Gapei thi
nkthatwaywecanbecl oseand
havethatbond..
.(l
aughed)Thatbondof
missi
ngy ouifyounothomekei pot
segoreuh
heyDuduot alengampol ai
sabodutu.
Dudu:(l
aughed)Il
i
kethesoundofthatand
you'
reeasytogetal
ongwith,
ihopeyou'r
enot
pret
endi
ngmony anakweena
Me:(l
aughed)I
'
m notpretending,thi
sismele
wenaihopeyou'
renotpretending.Il
ikedhow
yout
alkedtomeatthesal onkanahanner el
e
babangwenkaboreil
ana
Dudu:Hahahatrue.
.(t
ookoffhershoesl
eaned
back)Anywaypoint2,pr
otecti
ngour
rel
ati
onshi
p,youknowpeopl egoi
ngtoconvi
nce
usthatwearecrazyri
ght?
Me:Iknow,t
heywil
lbejudgi
ng.
..Sayi
ngohhe
l
ovesthi
smor eort
hisisonei
smor ebeaut
if
ul
t
hanthisoneblabl
a..
.
Dudu:Sodowet el
lpeopl
eopenl
yhel
agor
e
Bakangisourmanor?
Me: (
laughed)Fornowwecankeepitdi
screet
becausewej ustst
art
ed,
let
'ssaywearefr
iends
nnalewenaandBakangl oveshi
schi
ldr
en,
bababel
ael
angbat
aabaka
Dudu:Yeah,il
i
ket hat..
.(smil
ednaughti
l
y )what
aboutsex?That'
sgoi ngt obeourdownfall
ifwe
don'
tapproachitwithwi sdom
Me:
Whatabouti
t?
Dudu:Fi
rstl
et'
ssee.
..Doy
ouknowwhathe
l
ikes?
Me:Iknowhei
sli
kescont
rol
andhei
srough,
is
her
oughwithy
ou?
Dudu:Very,
sometimesI'dfeel
li
ket
rash
especi
all
ywhenhehadabaddaydi bukadi
gannegobalancerthenheblowsof
fsome
steam,hecanbeabeast .
..
.
Me:
Andt
hechoki
ng.
..
Dudu:(smil
ed)
Urhshem Il
ovei
twhenhedoes
t
hat..
.i
thel
agol
emonategorekant
ewhat'
sup
wit
hthat?
Me:
(laughed)Idon'
tknowmmabuti
knowi
l
oveitwhenhei
sincontr
ol,
ienj
oymaki
nghi
m
happyandgi
vi
nghimthatpower
..
.
Dudu:HahahaImetmymat ch,
i hav
ebeen
feel
ingguil
tyker
eDuduthewagammay ou'
rea
l
itt
leslut
,howcanyouenjoybeingtreat
edli
ke
t
hat?
Me: Hahahaobonannai don'
tthi
nkIwouldbe
conformabletotel
lany
oneaboutwhatBakang
l
ikesbecausesomepeoplehaveat ot
all
y
dif
ferentvi
ewaboutsexandthewayi seesex
i
st ot
allydi
ff
erent.
..
Dudu:Tellingwhi chpeoplenow?Naledidon'
t
advert
iseourman, someoft hesewomendon't
knowjerkaboutt hi
spleasure,
noteveryman
candisht hiskindofloveporti
ontoawoman.
Mostoft hem ar escaredtopushawoman
downf orabl owj obmmebaebat a,
nnyaamma
don'tt
ellany oneabouthissex.Notevenyour
bestfr
iend.
Me:Ofcour
se.
..SokanaBakangmi
ghtwanta
t
hreesome,
whatdowedo?
Dudu:Idon'tknowabouty oubutI'
m
submissiv
e, anyt
hingBakangwantsido.
..My
rewardishearinghim cum,il
i
keitwhenhe
roar
s..
.Shem papi bat
ho
Me:(l
aughed)Ican'
tbeli
evei
thoughty
ou'r
ea
qui
etperson,(
claponce)Ompeil
ehaatshe
gompieno..
.
Dudu:Eh-
ehkeagal
apal
aronagol
oha.
..
Warengtot
a
Me:Okay,
iguesswewi
l
lleav
ether
estt
ohi
s
pr
efer
encethen
Dudu:
Doy
ouwat
chpor
n?
Me:
Notr
eal
l
y
Dudu:Youshouldwatchpornever
yoncei
na
whil
e,i
twil
lteachyouhowtopleaseaman..
.
Notthesl
utt
yonest sabof
uckmehewehewe
no.
..
imeanmessageroom v
ideossothaty
ou
canl
ear
nhowtot ouchamant her
ightway
Me:(
laughed)Maybey
oushoul
djustt
eachme
Hao.
..Bakangwi
ll
beourobj
ect
..
.
Dudu:(
laughed)wewi
llsee.
..
(si
gned)
Jeal
ousy
..
.
Howdowedeal wi
thi
t?Areyouajeal
ous
per
son?
Me:
Yes,
whati
fhehasaf
avour
it
e?
Dudu:
Wel l
Idon'tcar
eifI'
m notthef
avour
it
e
maybeit
'sbecauseI'
mt heoldest
Me:Weshoul
daskhi
mtot
reatust
hesame.
..
I'
d
breal
l
yhur
t
Dudu:
Yeah,
wewi
l
llethi
m know
Me:(si
ghed)Chil
dren,
banakanabaalothany
a
gor
ewhenanot heroneli
kesf
ight
ing.
..
Dudu:(
laughed)t
heyoungestchi
l
disal
way
s
thepr
oblem,mosimanyanawagawagobetsa
ngwanake
Me:
Nkamocl
apamar
agony
anaa
Dudu:(
laughed)Aomma,
Ibel
i
evei
nti
meout
,
you'
l
lki
llmyboy .
Me:Nnaketi
legomoshapakat
hupany
ana,
boy
sarever
ynaught
y
Dudu:Hahaanywaythat
'sfory
earsfrom now,
l
et'
stal
kaboutnow.Ar r
angement,kant
ei si
t
bestweall
stayinonehouseoryouhavey our
ownhouseandi havemyownhouse?
Me:Separat
ehousesekar
egot shwanaleanal
e
si
dechick,i
tmeanskamaiti
soy omongwewi l
l
bealone.Ar
ennenghel
arotheandthat'
sthe
onl
ywaywewi l
lbereal
lycl
ose.
..
Dudu:
ThankGod, it
houghty
ou'l
lsayotherwi
se
gapemmabei ngsepar
atedwil
lmakethings
awkwardeachti
mewemeet .
Me:(si
ghed)Argument
s,Howar
ewegoi
ngt
o
deal
withthose?
Dudu:
Fir
stlet'
sagr
eethatwearewomenand
i
t'
sinournatur
etoquarr
elaker
e?
Me:
Yessohowdowedeal
wit
hthat
?
Dudu: Gagonagongal aorkeepingsomet hingi
n
yourhear twheny ouknowy ou'
renothappy ,we
mustt alk.That'
stheonlyweapon...
Communi cati
ng,ronaibi
lewewi l
lhavetobe
closertogetherthanwear etohim becausetot
a
wer unthehouse, hewi l
lobvi
ouslyspendmor e
ti
meout .
Me:
Yeah.
..Il
i
ket
hat
..
.
Dudu:
Whatabouthi
ssl
eepi
ngar
rangement
s?
Me: Ithi
nkweshoul dgetat hreebedhouse, you
canhav ey ourownr oom andi canhav emine
thenanotherf orthechi
ldren...Hewi l
ljump
betweent heroomsorsomet hing..
.1day
each.…Mondayy ourbedTuesdaymi ne,et
c
Dudu:YesbutnnawhenI'
m onmyperi
odIdon'
t
wanthim onmybed,i
thel
akefeel
er
uncomf
ort
abl
e..
.You'
l
lhav
ehi
m
Me: (
laughed)Lennait
hel
akeseconformabl
e
toshareabedwhenI '
m onmyperiod,hav
ingto
checkifyoustai
nedthesheet
sUrh
Dudu:Mmm. .
.Andthen-
(wehear
dacarpar
king
out
side)Di
dyouhearthat
?
Me:
(paused)Yeah.
..Letmecheck.
..

Iwalkedbarefoott
othewindowandsaw
Bakangsteppingoutofthecarfi
xi
nghi
swhi
te
vestandputhiscarkeysinhisbl
ack
sweatpant
s...

Me:
(whi
sper
ed)I
t'
sBakang.
Dudu:
(hear
tski
pped)what
?
Me:
Yes,
whatdowedo?
Dudu:
Comesi
tdown.
..
Isatdown, myheartwaspoundingandIcould
tell
Duduwasscar edtoo,al
lofourconf
idence
haddisappearedwithi
nthebli
nkofaneye..
…we
evenforgothowwegoti tal
lfi
guredoutand
planned.
..

Heknockedont
hedoorandwebot
hlookedat
oneanot
her.
.

Dudu:
(whi
sper
ed)Gaobue?
Me:
(cl
ear
edmyt
hroat
)It
'snotl
ocked.
.

Hepushedt hedoorandwal kedi n,

hewas
defi
nitel
yst
rai
ghtoutoftheshowerandhi s
presencewasont heai
r.
..hepausedst ari
ngat
bothofusandclosedthedoort henhewal ked
overandgotourpapers,hebr ushedthrough
t
hem andhandedt
hem backt
henhepassedt
o
t
heki
tchen.
..
.

Idi
dn'
tknowwhathewast hi
nki
ngbutIwas
embarr
assedanduncomfort
abl
e,webot h
l
ookedateachother
..
.Al
lofourconf
idenceand
chi
tt
ychatt
yaminuteagowasgone...
..
.

Dudu:
(lower
edherv
oice)May
bei
shoul
dgo.
..
Me:
(cl
osedourpi
zzabox)Yeah,
I'
ll
cal
lyou.
..

Rel
axed,
hewal kedoutoft
hekit
chenand
l
eanedbythedoorstari
ngatushol
dingagl
ass
ofcol
dwater.
..

Bakang:
Ist
hisaj
oke?
Wekeptquietandlookedatoneanother,
iwas
hopi
ngDuduwoul dsaysomethingsi
nceshe
wasleadi
ngtheconversat
ioninconf
idencebut
no,t
hegir
lwasshakingmor ethanme...

Me:
No,
it'
snotaj
oke.
.
Dudu:
ithough-

Hewalkedoveraswest oodinthemiddleofthe
l
iv
ingroom andputhi
sar msaroundeachofour
waistt
henheleanedoverkissi
ngme, hetur
ned
hi
sneckovertoherandkissedher.
.……………….
[
09/
24,
19:
13]Ron:
Co-
wif
e
#14

Atmyhouse.
..
Itwasawkwar dineverywaybutbeingonhi s
rightshoul
derwasenoughf orme,icouldtell
Duduwascomf ort
ableonhislef
ttoo..
.heletgo
ofusandsatont hetableaswesatont he
couchnexttoeachot herf
acinghim..
..

Hel ookedatusthenheleanedov
errest
inghi
s
elbowsonhi st
highsandbowedhishead
rubbinghisf
acewi t
hbothhands,
heprobabl
y
didn'tknowwhattosay.
..

Dudu: Wear egivi

ngyouaf ami
l
y ,
twokids,a
cleanhouse, goodcookedmeals,cl
eanclot
hes,
respect,f
ait
hf ul
nessandgoodsex.Whatare
youbr i
ngingtothetable?
Bakang:(
sighed)I
'l
lpr
ovi
def orbothofyouand
ourchi
ldr
en,I'
llmakesur
ethebi ll
sarepaidand
I
'l
ltr
eatyouequall
y.Oncethi
sl eaksoutI'
l
l
prot
ectyoufrom t
hesociet
ybecauset hey'
re
goingt ocomewi t
hgunsf orusbuty ouknow
womenal way sgetbl
amedmor einasi tuat
ion
so..they'l
lmakef unofyouandmocky ou,make
yout hi
nkt hatyouarebeingdesper at
ebutI'll
be
theretopr ovethem wrong.Andi hopenoneof
youwi llchangehermindaboutt his..
Me:
Whataboutf
ait
hful
ness?
Dudu:
Thanky
ou
Bakang:(l
aughed)Ican'
tcheatwi ththet woof
youinthehouse.It'
snotjustaboutmebei ng
sati
sfi
edbutforthesimpler easonofbei ng
thankf
ulthatyoucompromi sedal otforme,
Youcouldhav ewalkedawayandbewi thaguy
youdon'tsharebutyou'
rewi thmesof orthat
youdeserverespectandloyaltyfr
om me.I fi
makeami st
akeandmay beacondom br eaks
outther
ey oubothgetwhat everI'
m bringing
homesor eall
yIhav et
her esponsibi
li
tyofour
healt
hy.
Me:
(smi
l
ed)Okay
Dudu:
It'
ssoundsgood.
..
Bakang:Iwon'tsayanyt
hingaboutyout
wo
bei
ngunf ai
thful
becauseidoubtanyofyou
wouldconsidersuchasuici
dalmove.Whenar
e
wemov i
ngi n?
Me: I
'dpreferifwecanmakeiti
nfivemonths
from nowbecausei don'
tknowhowt ocar
efor
anewbor n,I
'dli
ketobehomeforagood
amountoft imef ormymothert
oteachmea
fewthings.
Dudu:
IguessI
'l
lremai
nathomeint
he
meanti
mesothatwecanmoveinal
latt
he
sameti
me.
Me:
Yeah.
..
Bakang:Ineedabudgetjustt
ohaveanideaof
howmuchi sneeded,t
hebudgetyathefi
rst
monthofmov ingandthesampleofour
monthlybudget.
..
Dudu:
Wewi
l
lwr
it
eitdown.
..
Bakang:
So.
..I
'
mfr
eet
o..
.(smi
l
ed)hopbet
ween
youtwo?
Me:
whatdoy
oumean?
Dudu:Hemeanscanhestar
tgoingbackand
for
thbet
weenus?Ordowewai ttomoveint
he
samehouseandstar
tthewhol
et hi
ng.
..
Me:
Ohi
guessI
'
mfi
newi
thany
thi
ng
Dudu:Butican'
tgi
vey
ousexf
orthenextt
hree
months,ihavet
oheal
compl
etel
y
Me:I
nt hr
eemonthsI'
ll
beget
ti
ngi
nthehouse
soatyou'
llt
akeover
Dudu:
Yeah
Bakang:
(laughed)Ohshit
..
..(
hestoodupand
l
ookedout si
dethewindowsmi l
i
ng)Ihopethi
s
i
snotadr eam..(t
urnedar
oundandwal kedov
er)
Sowhatelseisleft
?
Me:
Idon'
tknow.
..
Bakang:(
lookedathist
ime)Duduhowlong
haveyoubeenhere?.Thebabyi
sprobabl
y
cry
ing
Dudu:Yeah.
..Ishoul
dgo.
..
.(
tome)Cani
uset
he
t
oil
et?
Me:
Yes.
..Thi
sway
..
.

Shewenttothet
oil
ett
henBakangl
eanedov
er
andki
ssedrubbi
ngmybump...

Bakang:I
'
m sorr
yaboutlastnight
..
.Ishoul
dn'
t
havebeendri
nki
ngaroundy ou.
Me:
It'
sokay
..
.Don'
twor
ryabouti
t
Bakang:
Ilov
eyou
Me:
Iloveyout
oo.
..(
iputhi
shandonmy
t
ummy )t
hebabyi
skicki
ng.
.
Hesmi ledf
eel
i
ngthebaby'
skickst
henhe
kissedmeasDuduwalkedoverandpi
ckedher
things.
..
.

Dudu:
I'
m done,
cany
oudr
opmehome?
Bakang:
Sur
e..
..
Dudu:
Nal
edi
ntagol
l
etsaaut
wa
Me:
Mmh.
..Shap

Shewal kedoutthenhekissedmeandf ol
lowed
herout.Afterafewmi nut
esIgotupand
watchedt hem hol
dinghandstot
hecar...
.my
phonerangandi walkedt
othebedroom
pi
cking..
.

Me:
Hel
l
o?
Renei
:Hi
..
.Justchecki
ngony
ou,
howar
eyou?
Me:
I'
m good,
howar
eyoumony
adi
?
Renei
:(l
aughed)Mymot herjusttol
dmethat
oneofAbaleng'
suncl
eswasathome. .
.God
mmaexci t
ementyateng..
..Ekaregokadi
rwaga
hel
akapela
Me:
(laughed)I
'
mreal
l
yhappyf
ory
ou.
..
Renei
:You'
reinagoodmoodt
oday
,what
'
sup?
Kanaketsonedihor
mones
Me:
(laughed)CanIt
ell
youasecr
et?
Renei
:Yes.
..Il
ovesecr
etsanddat
a..
.
Me:DuduandiagreedtoshareBakangfor
peacesake,
sheloveshi
m,i l
ovehim andhe
canhandlet
wowomen, heisfinanci
alst
able
andyouknow..
.Heisroyal
tysowhynot .
..And-
Renei
:Whatdoy
oumeanshar
ehi
m?Pol
ygamy
kanaeng?
Me:Yes.
..Wediscusseditandit
hinki
twil
l
wor
k.Ihavebeenwor ri
edabouthi
m bei
ngtoo
sexual
lyact
ivebecauseobatetsesexruriandi
thi
nkDudubeingtherewil
lhelpmeal ot,
ican
restwhenhewithherandshewi l
lhel
pme
aroundthehouseaswell
.
Renei
:Wai
t,y
ou'
repl
anni
ngt
omov
eint
oget
her
?
Me:Yes.
..Butwedon'
twantt
ot el
lany
one,
it
wi
ll
beasecr etr
ennahel
arothe.
Renei:AommaNal edi
,ar
en'
tyout heonewho
waspr eachi
ngt omeaboutnotstandingfor
nonsensef r
om aman?Akeremal obahel aha
youwer epreachingt
omeor eimustwal kaway
from Mogapi?WhyshouldyouletBakang
abusey ouli
kethis?Whendi
dy oulosey oursel
f
-est
eem?Pl e-
Me:Bakangisnotabusi
ngus, heisnotMogapi,
hedoesn'
tbeatwomen, whenheget sangryhe
l
eavessodon'tt
rytomakey oursel
ffeelbet
ter
bycompari
ngBakangt oMogapi .
Renei
:I'
m notcompar
ingt
hem,
whatmakesy
ou
thi
nki woul dfeel betterfrom compar ingt hose
two?Nnaket husawena, whyar eyouget t
ing
angry?Di di getangr yaty ouwheny out oldme
toleaveMogapi ?Lesagoi tshotamma, idon't
knowhowdesper atey oucanbef ory out oplay
secondbest ..
.Shar ingaman?Real ly?O
i
thobogileeng?Doy our eal l
ythinksol owof
yoursel
f?Yout hinkBakangi stheonlymani n
Maun?I st hisabouty ourwei ght?Gape
Polygamyi sil
legal inBot swanasot hisguyi s
goingtousey ouandgomar ryamor edi gnif
ied
womanwhoknowsherwor th.
..
.Hecan' tmar ry
twowi vest hat'swhyi t'
sillegaltosleepwi th
anotherwoman' sman, t
hat '
swhyawi f
ecan
sueanywomanwhot ouchesherhusbandand
thecour trulesi nherf avour ..
.
Me: (
tear
ful
ly
)YouknowwhatRenei just
becauseyou'
regett
ingmarr
ieddoesn'tmean
ever
yonewant st
ogetmarri
ed.Congratulat
ions
onyourweddingbutdon'
tatanypointfeell
ike
you'
rebet terthanmej ustbecausey ou'
re
gett
ingmar r
ied.Iwantt obehappy ,iwantmy
chil
dt obear oundhisf ather
,ifi
t'
sil
legalt
hen
wewi llplayhousether estofourli
v es,
not
everyoneget smar r
ied.Heel ekadignit
ykeha
basadi gabasheerekebal ekaebaba
nyetsweng? whatdidt heybenefi
tfrom hati
ng
thei
rboy fri
end'sgi
rlfr
iends?
Renei
:Naledi
havey oul
osty
ourmindr
ightnow?
Whatareyougoingtodowhenhewantsa
thr
eesome?Didn'
tyousayBakangi
sabitcrazy
,
whatifhewantsit
?
Me: Wewi l
lgiveittohim,whati
stheprobl
em?
Bannabat holabar obal
abasadibabangwe
thentheycomeandsl eepwitht
hei
rwomen,
what'sthedif
ference?Atleasti
am 100%sure
heissaf eandknowwi t
hwhom.
Renei:Kant
eBakangol epatel
etsagodir
ajaana
Naledikanajang?Iknowhei sfr
om apowerful
andrichfamilybutyoucan'
tlethi
m abuseyou
l
ikethi
s..
.t
hisiscrazyateveryl
evel,
youcan't
shareaman.Duduet sangwagot hal
eget
sa,he
l
eftherandev eni
fhest il
ll
ovesherhewas
goingt
ocheatandnotr eal
lyl
eaveyou,f
orher
thi
sisawi nbecausesheget sBakangbackbut
wenay ou'
rethestupidoneforlet
ti
ngherin
Me: Don'tcal l
mest upid, I
fhewasgoi ngt o
cheattheni guessI '
dr atherknowwi thwhom
andhowsaf ei am.Forsl eepingwi thmyman
Duduwi llgett odohal ft hechor es, shewi l
lhel
p
medohi slaundr y,cookf orhim andmakesur e
hei ssati
sfied.Idon' tknowwhyy ou'rejudgi
ng
mebecauseMogapi wascheat i
ng, oneosa
batemmehewas.Whet herwel ikei tornot
thereisalway sawomany ourmani ssleepi
ng
withI'
dr atherknowherst at
usandher
i
ntentionsesenggober ekamonnakel e1side
chickeber ekagont shiwadi outl ego
bechetswa, ifshei sgoi ngt oenjoyhi m she
betterputinhal fthewor k.Yal eny alonkaseiti
e
kayonekagorebasadikabont
sigabaanyal
wa
mmebar ebaholysoIcan'
twastemylif
einthe
hopeofgett
ingmarr
ied.
Renei
:Thi
sisnotmyf ri
endtal
ki
ng,Bakangdi
d
somethi
ngtoyou..
.Malobayouencouragedme
tol
eaveanabusiv
er el
ati
onshi
pisnotthesame
oneI'
mtalki
ngtohere.
Me: Reneiweeyouhaveyourbeli
efsandihav
e
mine,ifIfeel
li
keshari
ngBakangmakesme
happy,behappyforme.Don'tj
udgeme...I
neverjudgedyoubefor
e.
Renei:Ij
ustfeell
ikeyou'r
edesper at
et obepart
oftheroyalfamil
yory oujustwantt obe
Bakang'ssexslave,heisgoingt ousebot hof
youandt hengomar ryani nnocentvir
gin.Men
alwaysdot hat
..
.
Me: That
'sariskI
'm wi
l
li
ngt otakeandifyou
thi
nkjustbecauseyou'
regetti
ngmar r
iedyou'
l
l
alwaysbeyourhusband'soneandonlythen
kudosmyf r
iend.Enj oymarriage..
.Thel asttime
Icheckeddiv orcerateswerehi ghkei potsa
gorewherear ethesehusbandsheadedi fthere
i
sn'tanywomansl eepingwithanot herwoman' s
mankakehaekar ennal eDudur edirabothodi.
Hanner elwakegonenkabogol emonat eakere?
nyalwammaandbey ourhusband'soneand
only,hewil
lhav eonl yeyesfory ou,youwi l
l l
ive
happilyev
eraf ter.
..Hewon' tcheat.Nakesi ame
l
eDudu.By e

Ihungupandsi
ghed.
..
..

AtDudu'
home.
..
.

Bakangpar
kedt
hecarandki
ssedher
..
.

Bakang:
(smi
l
ed)Inev
erknewy
out
wocanbe
thi
scr
azy,
isti
l
l f
eell
i
keI
'
m dr
eami
ng.
..Ther
eis
nowaythi
sisreal
Dudu:
Justdon'
thav
efav
our
it
esorcheat
..
.
Bakang:
Iwoul
dn'
t
...

Hel
eanedov
erandki
ssedher
..
.

Bakang:
Lov
eyou.
..
Dudu:
Lov
emor
e..
.

Shesteppedoutoft
hecart
henher
ever
sedand
drov
eof f
.

Shewalkedinandfoundhermothersi
tt
ingon
thebedholdi
ngherbabygent
lyswingi
ngheras
shelai
dasleepwit
hadummyi nhermout h.
..
Her
:Wher
rhav
eyoubeen?
Dudu:Mamai
sai
diwasr
etur
ningNal
edi
'
scar
d
aker
e?
Her:
Andyoutakesolong?Ist
hatwhyy
ouwer
e
bumpingy
ourbreast
sallni
ght
?
Dudu:Idi
dn'
twantMemet
ocr
yincasei
got
del
ayed.
Her:
Kooreolopel
aengsesekanamogoNaledi
ngwanaka?EneBakang?Whati
swr
ongwit
h
you?
Dudu: Mamai thoughtyouwoul dunderstand,
pol
y gamymi ghtbeil
legalbutit'
snotan
abomi nati
on,i
tusedtohappen. .
.Justbecause
ki
ll
ingwi l
danimalsisil
legaldoesn'tmean
peopleinthefarmsdon' tdoit
,theyeatmeat
andal l
..
.Whyar eyoumaki ngitseem l
ikeI'
m
doi
ngsomet hi
ngthathasnev erbeendone
before?
Her
:Ist
hisaboutwant
ingt
obepar
toft
her
oyal
family?Ist
hiswhyyouarel
ett
ingthi
sboyuse
youlikethi
s?Helefty
ouandnowy ou'r
e
crawlingbackt
ohimt obehi
sgirl
fri
end'
sli
tt
le
helper.Hewon'tmarr
yyou
Dudu: Doesthatmeanev ery
onewhoi snot
shari
ngi smarri
ed?Notshar i
ngdoesn't
guaranteemar r
iageorhappiness,t
heysti
ll
cry
ingbecauset heirboy
fri
endssleepwithother
women.Am i wrongforbei
ngni cetoaperson
mymani shavingsexwith?
Her:Iwil
lnottolerat
ethi
sDudu, noti
nmy
house.Idi
dn'traiseadesperat
ewoman, you
wanttoembar rassmehaobonaor i
ana,
what
doyout hi
nkpeopl ewil
lthi
nkofme?
Dudu:(
tearf
ull
y)Mamai fyoucan'
tacceptmy
choi
cesthenit
'sf
ine,I
'
llfi
ndaplacetostay
.
Gaysalwaysgetrej
ect
ed,whoam i t
oexpect
under
standi
ngkapolygamy .
..
Her
:Youneedpr
ayer
s,t
hisi
sanev
ilspi
ri
t,t
his
i
snotbi
bli
cal
andGodwi
l
lpuni
shy
ou.
..
Dudu: (cryi
ng)Godwi llnotpuni
shme, st
op
cursingme. ..Iwil
lnotbepunished,weareal
l
sinners,whyshoul dIbepunishedforbei
ngnice
toanot herwoman?I '
l
lleaveyourhousei
fI'
m
suchadi sappoint
ment .
Her:Eetsamaya,obatagontshut
isabat
ho?
Whatdoi tel
lpeopl
eatchurch?You'
re
possessedbyanevilspi
ri
t,y
ouneedprayer
s..
.

Shet
ookherphoneandst
ormedoutcr
ying.
..
.

AtAbal
eng'
shouse.
..
.

ThenextdayReneit
urnedandputherheadon
hi
schestashecaressedhert
highsoft
ly.
..
.
Renei
:Babecani
tel
lyousomet
hing
confi
dent
ial
?
Abal
eng:
Yeah,
whati
sit
?
Renei:It
hinkBakangi sforcingNal ediandDudu
toacceptoneanot heranddat ehim.Hei s
control
li
ngher ,Naledidoesn' tl
ikeabusi vemen,
that'
swhyshet ooksol ongt odat ebecause
oneabor wakedi r
elati
onshipnowshei sall
aboutbowi ngtoBakang' swi shes.Idon' tknow
i
fhehasdonet hiswiththem andshei safrai
d
totel
l meorwhatbutshesai dsomet hingabout
athreesome.Hewant stomov et hem i nhouse
andjustuset hem l i
keslaves.Iknewr oyal
peoplehav eslavesbuti didn'tthinkBakang
couldmaket hesewomenhi ssl av es.Nal edihas
changed,ompal etsekooresant seke
hakgamet semoel enggorekepal elwakego
baasephirisat eng...
Abal
eng:
Arey
ouser
ious?Pl
easey
ou'
rej
oki
ng.
..
Renei:Iwoul dneverjokeaboutsomet hingli
ke
thi
s..
.heisfor ci
ngthem tobehi ssexslaves.
Nowi understandwhyhedoesn' tdat
ewomen
hiscl
ass, heal way
sgoesf orthelowestcl
ass
sothathecancont rolthem...
Abal
eng:Hemightdothatwi
thot
her
sbuti
t
won'
thappenwit
hNaledi-

Hi
sphoner
ang.
..
.

Abal
eng:
Hel
l
o?
Mama:HiAbi
,cany
oucomeov erhere?Your
uncl
esj
ustar
ri
vedf
rom Renei
l
we'sfamil
y..
.
Abal
eng:
I'
ll
bet
her
e..
.

Hehungupandputonhi
scl
othes.
..
.
Abal
eng: IknewBakangwast oogoodt obe
tr
ue..
..Butifhet hi
nksbeingroy al
tyissome
ki
ndofapr iv
il
egehehasanot herthingcoming,
nnagakenasepegor egat wemot hokengwana
wakgosi .Noonei sabov ethelaw, maybethey
wereabov ethelawbacki n1966butnot
anymor e,otwaelabanababat homogomaswe,
mogongwekel enyatso.
..Keagomol at
ela,
wagompol el
asent e

Atmymot
her
'shouse.
..
..

At axidroppedmeatt hegat
eandiwal
kedinas
myphoner ang,i
couldn'
twaitt
oenj
oythedut
y
ofpr epari
ngteafort
hef ami
l
ymeeti
ngsofmy
brother'
swedding..
.

Me:
Hel
l
o?
Ar
ona:
Heyy
ou.
..
Me:Nemmawhenisthesemesterbreak?You
hav
etocomehelpmeprepar
eteaforthe
meeti
ngskel
api
l
ehel
atsatsil
ant
ha..
Arona:
(laughed)Nodar l
i
ng, I
'
m acitygi
rl
..
.
Lehasemest erbreaksetsenaI'
l
lremainhere
andenjoymy self
.
Me:
OtaaI
makanaAr
ona
Arona: (
laughed)Lelet
hemmannake
professor,iputacondom onaguythenitur
n
thedickar oundchecki
ngifi
tispr
operl
y
covered,kgonagor ehaguyetswel
etseabo
kereemapel ekebonegoreacondom entse
sente
Me:(l
aughed)Butwhywoul
dyouchecki
fthe
condom i
sther
e?
Arona:Ihav
ehadsexwi t
haf ewguy saround
hereandheymmany ana,iswearithoughtthe
condom wil
lfal
lout
.Ithi
nkI'
llj
uststaysingl
e
andwaitf
oranyofmyhomeboy
s..
.Ican'
ttake
thi
sst
arvat
ion
Me:(l
aughed)Osepokomony
ana,
obony
e
messagewame?
Arona:
Isawitnnammai don'
tseeanyt
hing
wrongwit
hit,
ifi
tmakesyouhappythendoit.
Dudusoundsli
keamatur
ewoman, ican'
twait
tomeether
Me:(smi
l
ed)Iknewy
ouwoul
dunder
stand,
t
hanks
Arona:Butdon'
ttel
lMamaaboutt his,
youknow
herandherstandar
dsgotshwanal eene
Abaleng,hecanbesocontr
oll
ing.Remember
heoncechasedawaymyboy f
riendbecauseo
l
engisit
seborokgwearwel
eleny ena?
Me:
(laughed)Ir
emembert
hat
..
.Kehao
t
hut
hugetsegore
Arona:
Heymmaneosabonemot
enggapel
o
yame,haar
eNal
edi
gaarat
anemmewenawaa
r
atanahei
..
.Kehaket
etsegor
e
Me:(
laughed)Aemmagoshapkegor
ogi
l
e,
t
akesimolol
egodir
elabagol
otee
Ar
ona:
Okay
,shap

Ihungupandgr eet
edmyunclesandaunti
es,i
t
hadbeenawhi l
esinceIhadseenmostofthem
andihadthatshynessyougetwhenyougreet
peopl
eyoumetwheny ouwereyoung.
..

Me:
Dumel
ang
Aunt
ie:
Lel
ebat
hoomosadi
jaanong.
..Ony
alwa
l
eng?
Me:
(swal
l
owed)hamodi
moar
ati
l
e..
.
Uncle:ThePri
nceisgoingtomar ryher,il
i
ked
thatboy'
shumbl eper
sonali
tyinourmeet i
ng
maloba,heacceptedresponsibi
li
tyforhi
s
acti
onslikearealmanandi lovehowhi sfat
her
i
salwaysencouragi
nghi
mtodor
ight
.Hei
s
comingupproperl
y.
..
.
Mama: Hiswif
eisanotherstor
y,t
heonly
reasonthemeeti
ngwasqui ckandpeacefulis
becausetheki
ngdecidedtoleaveherbehind,
nkaboledulemommi ti
ningolemokgot she
mohumagadi walona.
Me:
I'
m goi
ngt
omaket
eai
ntheki
tchen.
..

Igotintheki t
chenandpl ayedmusi cwit
hmy
phoneast hemeet ingwentonandonout side.
Lateroni servedthem withteaasAbalengand
oursenioruncl estoodasidediscussi
ngmoney
i
ssues...Unclewal kedbackandsatasi served
him wit
ht ea,Abalengwalkedint hehouseand
remainedi nthereforali
ttl
ewhi l
e..
..

Minutesl
ateri
wal
kedi
nthekit
chenhol
dinga
t
ray,Abal
engandmymotherwerest
andi
ngin
themiddl
eoft
hekit
chenasshelookedat
Abal
engincompl
eteshockanddisbel
i
ef.
..
.

Myheartski
pped,icouldsenseitwasaboutme
buti
didn'
twanttobelieveReneiwoul
dtellon
meknowingthetypeoff amil
yIcomefrom...
..
.

Mama:
Nal
edi
ist
her
esomet
hingy
ouwantt
o
t
ell
me?
Abal
eng:
Whydidn'
tyout
ell
meBakangwas
tr
eat
ingyoul
i
kethi
s?
Me:Treat
ingmel
i
kewhat
?Don'
twantt
otal
k
abouti
t
Mama: Abal
engpleaseexcuseus..(hewal
ked
outthenmymot herangr
il
ystaredatme)You
wil
lnotembarr
assmeort hisfamilyli
ket
his,
haveyounoshame?
Me:
Shamef
orwhatmama?I
t'
smydeci
sion.
..
I
t'
swhatmakesmehappy
Mama: Naledi Iwil
lnottol
eratethatkindof
behaviourinmyhouse, gakenangwanay oo
i
taolangkat selaentsengjalo,i
t'
senought hat
hismot herthinksy ou'
redesperateandbelow
herson'sst andardbutt oproveherrighti
sjust
wrong.Whyar eyousodesper ate?Whatmakes
youthinky oucan' tfi
ndamant hatwill
appreciatey ouandy oualone?
Me:It
'smydeci
sion,i
tsmyl
i
femamaandi
deci
dehowiwantt ol
ive
Mama: Ifyouhaveital
lsofigur
edoutthen
maybey oudon'tneedmear oundyou,
ot ai
paa
bot
setsehaelegor egakemmago. .
.Otil
ego
nnalehetwa,y
ou'll
nevergetmarri
ed.
Me:Justbecauseyou'r
emymot herdoesn't
meanyouar ealwaysri
ght
,ihavetomakemy
owndecisi
ons.Ifget
ti
ngmar r
iedandhavinga
manallyour
selfmakesonesohappyhow
comey ouarenothappy?Papawal kedaway
from usandhadanotherwoman, het ookcare
ofherchil
drenandnevercaredforyours..
..How
comey ouarenothappyifmarri
agei salways
theanswer?You'r
emar r
iedbutsad..
...

Shesl
appedmeacr ossthefaceandiremai
ned
st
il
lastear
sfi
l
ledmyey es,sheswall
owed
gl
ari
ngatmeast earsfi
l
ledhereyes.
..
.

Mama: Icannotbel
ieveyoujustt
alkedtome
l
ikethat
.Tur nar
oundandwal koutofthisy
ar d
andneverlookbackwankut waNal edi
?Go..
..I
didn'
tbr
eakmybackt orai
seaweakwoman
l
ikeyou..
.Goandnev ercomebackher eagain.
Gaonamai tseomogomasweNal edi.
..
.

Isl
owl
yputthetrayonkitchenuni
tandwal
ked
outwi
pingmytears.
..
..
..
..
...
..
[
09/
24,
19:
14]Ron:
Co-
wif
e
#15

AtBakang'
sfat
her
s..
..
..

Theoldmanwasst andi
ngbehi ndthehouse
shavi
nghi sgrayhairwithamachi ne..
.He
l
eanedov erthemi r
rorandshav edhis
moustacheasBakangj umpedov erhi
s
mother'sgardenfenceandcar efull
ywal ked
al
ongt helit
tl
epathwayav oi
dingt hefresh
fl
owers...
.

Hisfat
her:(
laughed)Youneverl
ear
n..
.Whyare
youjumpingoverthatsi
de?coul
dn'
tyouwalk
t
hroughthebackdoorobat agogatadit
huny
a
t
samosadi wameaker e?
Bakang:
(laughedanddust
edhi
sshoeswal
ki
ng
upt
he4st
air
cases)Shewon'
tnot
iceany
thi
ng.
..
Hi
m:(
satont
hechai
r)Tsaa.
..

Bakangtookof fhi
swhitet-
shi
rtandremained
withhi
sv estthenhegotthebrushandcleaned
themachine,hebrushedhisdad'shai
rand
caref
ull
ygav ehim acl
eancut.
..

Bakang:
Dadcani
asky
ousomet
hing?
Hi
m:Yeah
Bakang:Hav
eyouevert
houghtabouthav
ing
morethanonewoman?
Hi
m:I
t'
sev
eryman'
sfant
asy
..
.
Bakang:
Iknowbuti
meanhav
eyouev
er
consi
deredi
t?
Him:Yourmot
herisal
otofwork,ofcour
sei
havel
ookedatot
hersweetgent
lelov
ing
womenar oundmeandt houghtt
hiswomancan
makegoodwi f
eforme,shewouldpr
obabl
ybe
morelovi
ngt othepeopl
ebutihavet
oli
veby
example.
..Imusthaveonewife.
Bakang:Thewomany ouusedtovisi
taft
er
pi
ckingmef r
om school
wheni wasdoingfor
m
1kemang?Theonewhost ayedatthehospi
tal
st
affhouses,shewasanurseri
ght?
Hi
m: Mmhyouhav
eaver
ygoodmemor y
,i
t
houghty
ouweret
ooy
oungtonot
iceanyt
hing.
Bakang:(
brushedhishai
randcont
inued
tr
imming)Whoi sshe?
Hi
m: Shewasyourmother'
shelper
,wekeptour
r
elat
ionshi
pver
ydiscr
eet.
..Shewasasweet
l
ady.
Bakang:
Okaej
aana?
Hi
m:KogaMangwat
okakwa
Bakang:
Shewasappeal
i
ng.
..Ir
ememberher
bodyst
ruct
ure
Hi
m: (
laughed)Shewas.
..Shel
ookedl
i
ke
Nal
edi
Bakang:
(laughed)Ar
eyoust
il
lseei
ngeach
other
?
Him: Iwouldn'tcal
l i
tseeingeachot her,shei
sa
mar r
iedwomanandshehaschi ldren..
.Weare
mor eofdiscreetfri
ends..Everyoncei nawhile
wegr eeteachot herbutit'
snothingser i
ous.
Beingmar ri
eddoesn' tmeany ouaut omat i
cal
ly
stophav i
ngfeelings,ofcourseyou' l
ll
ustat
otherwomenbuty oumustal way sremembert o
respectyourwi fefeel
ings,whyar eyouasking?
Bakang:
Iwantt ohavetwowives,notawif
e
andsmallhouse,iwantthewholethi
ng.
.
Him: Wel
lIt
'snothi
ngnew, weusedtohav ei
t
thoughit
'sver
yrarebutidoubtyou'
ll
find
womenwhowi ll
agreetoitunl
essyougot o
SouthAfri
ca,t
heystil
lhaveit
.Yourunclehas
t
hreewi
vesi
nKZNwai
tseaker
e?
Bakang:Yesiknow.
...
Nal
ediandDududon'
t
mindit.Wehavealr
eadytal
ki
ngabouti
t.
Hi
m:(
lookedathi
m smi
l
ing)Getser
ious!
Bakang:
(laughed)Keser
ious

Hestoodupandhuggedhi
mlaughi
ngl
oudl
y
pat
ti
nghisback.
..

Hi
m:I
'
mver
ypr
oudofy
ou.
..
Bakang:
(si
ghedinrel
ief
)Thanks,
Idi
dn'
tthi
nk
you'
dbeposit
iveabouti
t
Him: Posi
ti
ve?BoyI'
m exci
tedforyou.
..Ver
y
proud.Uhthat'
smyboycomeher e.
..
.(he
huggedhim againandproudlysmackedhim on
thecheek)Goodboy .
..
Bakang:
I'
mjustwor
ri
edt
hati
mightnotl
ove
t
hem thesameandi
..
.Idon'
tknowhowt
o
j
ungl
et wowomenwit
houtmakingt
heot
her
f
eeli
nglef
tout
.
Hi m: (si
ghed)Wel lthet r
uthisthereisal way sa
favour it
e, oneoft hem wi l
lbethesweet est,one
wi l
lbeagoodcook, theot herwi l
lbelazy .
..They
aredi fferentbuty oubal anceitandt rynott o
showi t.Whoev ery oul ov ethemosti spr obabl y
goingt obet hespoi ltbr atbecausey ou'llf
indi t
har dt obehar donherandshewi l
lknowt oo,
shewi lltakeadv ant ageoft hat.It
'snatural but
youmustcont rolit..I'
lltalktoyouruncl e,hei s
i
nt ot hat,hewi lltutory ou.Buti havtowar my ou
poly gamyi sli
keadr ug, yougetaddi ctedtot he
powery ouhav eov ert hesewomenandwant
mor epower ,akerewheny oust ar
tdrinking2
cansmakey oudi zzy ..ast imegoesony ouf eel
not hingunl essy ouhav e4canst hensi xpack
soonandsof orth...Kgant eleonwacasey othe
(theybot hlaughed)cont r
olyourur getoget
anotheraf
terhavi
ng2.Don'tbeli
keoneof
theseguys,t
heylett
headdicti
oncontr
olt
hem,
havesympathyforyourgi
rl
s.
Bakang:Idon'
twantmor
ethan2,
Ijustwant
NalediandDudu.
..
Hi
m:Whoi
sthef
avour
it
e?
Bakang:
(laughed)Can'
ttel
lyou.
..
Him:(
laughed)Ial
readyknow.
..Sheismy
fav
ouri
tetoo.Heri
nnocenceisappeali
ng,
shei
s
nai
ve.
..I
t'
sadorabl
e
Bakang:I
'
m pl
anningtomoveinwit
hthem i
n6
monthsbutiwantthewhol
ethingt
obea
secr
et.
.
Him:Iwon'
ttel
lyourmot
her
,shewoul
dhav
ea
hear
tatt
ack.
..
Bakang:
(br
ushedhi
shai
r)I
'
m done.
..
..

Hemov
edback,
theol
dmanwal
kedt
othe
mir
rorandbr
ushedhi
shai
rdownwi
thhi
s
pal
m...
.

Hi
m:Ni
ce.
..
..
Bakang:Iwantthehousebytheriv
er..
.Idon'
t
wanttorent,
I'
mt r
yingtochannelmymoney
i
ntoinvest
mentsot hatIcanaff
ordthem al
l.
Him: Noyoucan'
thavethathouseunlessyou
mar r
iedtothem,
Ilongtoldyouthati
t'
sthe
houseI'm goi
ngt
ogi v
ey ouasyourwedding
present.
Bakang:Papaaker
eican'
tmar
ryt
hem.
.Why
notgiv
eittomenow?
Him:NoIt hi
nki
t'
spossi
blet
omarrybot
hof
them i
nSouthAfr
ica.Wewil
lasky
ouruncl
e
aboutit
..
.
Bakang:Idon'
twantt
omarr
ythem t
hissoon,i
wantthem tost
aywit
honeanot
herforafew
yearsandift hi
ngsgowellI'
l
lmarr
ythem.I
'm
doingthisforthefi
rstt
imetoosoiwantto
makesur ei doitr
ightwit
hwomenwho
understandit.
Hi
m:Findthem ahousemyboy
,thatonei
sfor
wi
vesnotgir
lf
ri
ends.
Bakang:(
sighed)Al
ri
ght
..
.(checkedhi
sti
me)I
havetogo,I'
m goi
ngtowatchthegamewi t
h
theguys.
..
Him: Okay ,
.
..(smil
ed)I'
mr eal
l
ypr oudofy ou.
..
Treaty ourwomenwi t
hrespect,don'
tcheaton
them, Ronar eiphi
thabecauseofl i
mitati
ons
wenaof reesoy ouhavetobet hankfuland
maket hem happy .
Bakang:(
smi
l
ed)I
'
m pl
anni
ngt
ospoi
lthem
rot
ten.
..
Hi
m:(
pathi
m ont
heshoul
der
)That
'
smyboy
..
.
Hewalkedthr
ought
hebackdoori
ntot
hehouse
andpassedbyhi
smotherwat
chi
ngTV..
.

Her:Whendi
dyougether
e?Idi
dn'
tseeyou
passhereMi
dodi
dy oust
eponmyflowers?
Bakang:
Kehi
ti
legonehamme
Her
:Ifmyf
lower
shav
ebeendamagedy
ou'
l
lfi
x
t
hem...
Bakang:
(wal
ki
ngout
)Lov
eyouMa.
..

Herandownt
hest
air
sanddisar
medhiscar
al
arm,hej
umpedi
nandrev
ersedout
..
..
..
.

AtAbal
eng'
shouse.
..
.

Isteppedoutofthet
axiandwal
kedt
owardsmy
brother
'shouseandbangedont
hedoor
..
.
Renei
:I'
m comi
ng!

Iwait
edaf ewsecondsandbangedont hedoor
agai
nwi ththepal
m ofmyhand,itfel
tli
keshe
wastakinghourstoopenthedoor.Sheopened
thedoorandstuckherheadout.
..
.

Me:
Real
l
y?Yout
oldmybr
otherandmymot
her
?
Renei
:Iwast
ryi
ngt
ohel
pyouandi
didn'
ttel
l
your
-
Me: Olopelagorati
wakadi phiri
tsameRenelwe?
You'r
ethewor stfr
iendaper soncanhave.
You'r
easnake, iwasgoingt otell
myparentsat
theri
ghttimeusingt her
ightwordswenao
phadimogahelany wenyweosai t
segorego
dir
agalaeng?Didi goaroundt el
li
ngever
yone
yoursecrets?(
pointedather)Oskalebal
agorei
knowallyourdeepestsecret
seventhenasty
onesthatcangivemybr ot
hersecondthought
s
aboutmarryi
ngy ou.Skabatagotshamekel
a
mogonnamma.
Renei
l
we:
I'
m sor
ry.
..
Me: Sorry?Doy ouknowt hatmymot herchased
meaway ,sorrygaanagompaabot setse...
you
i
ntent i
onall
yputmei naposi ti
onwher eIhadt o
arguewi thmymot herandy ouknowour
parentsdon'twantt obet oldt hetruthgao
ganyetsakoor eoy akisamot hoyomot onakana
gaonamai t
seo,Renei ont ennemmai fthisis
howt hingsaregoi ngtobet henkel ebogela
fri
endshipy agago.Mysecr et sshouldn'thave
reachedAbal eng,youknowheal way s
overreactstoevery t
hing,gompi enoy aanahe
thi
nksI '
m beingabusedandi twill
bedi ffi
cultto
convincehim other wi
se.Hewasst arti
ngt oli
ke
BakangnowI 'm backt osquar e1.Omol oi mma,
seosedi ril
engkebol oi
Renei
lwe:
(cr
ying)I
'
m sor
ry.
..I
'
llt
alkt
ohi
m
agai
n.
Me: Not hankyou,youdidenoughdamage
alr
eady.Kant ekesonesedi ngwetsi
di i
lwang
mogokana, youdon'thavesixmonthsinour
familyandalreadyyouturnedusagainstone
another.Mxm. .
.Somuchf oradaughterinl
aw..
..

Iwal
kedaway
..
..

AtDudu'
smot
her
's.
..

Latert
hataft
ernoonshepackedherbagsand
satdowndressingherdaught
erashermother
stoodbythedoorlooki
ngather.
..
.

Her
:Kooreopokapokegaj
aanakangwanao
l
ebi
lekae?
Dudu:
I'
m goi
ngt
oBakang'
shouse
Her:Youcan'tgot oaboy f
riend'shousewi t
ha
newbor nbaby .
..
bay adibekeonnehaat she.Hi
s
parent
swon' tall
owi t.Gonal elemei l
ay a
botset
se,BakangkengwanawaSet swanaand
somef amil
iesdon' tall
owt heirsonsaround
nursi
ngmot hersforacer t
ainamountoft i
me
becausethoset heywer etreatedsomehowata
youngage.Gar eitsegor eBakangot husi
tswe
kadihedit
har eibi
leelebabogosi jaana.
Dudu:Thoset hi
ngsareanci
entmama,peopl
e
don'
tdot hatanymoreandyouchasedmeaway.
Youdon'twantmet oliv
emyl i
fet
hewayIwant.
Her:Ehemma,tsamay
a..
.Tsel
atshweu.
..Ha
l
ehatshel
egosotaoboe,y
ou'l
lfi
ndmehereif
I
'm sti
l
lal
iv
e.

Shef
ini
sheddressi
ngherdaught
eranddi
aled
hi
snumber.
..
.
AtBakang'
shouse.
..

Bakangandhisbuddiesswitchedofft
heTV
chatt
ingl
oudlyandmadet heirwaytotheback
yard,
thei
rteam hadwonandt hemoodwas
high.
..
.

Theothertwoguysdivedint
othepool asTemo
broughtmorebeerbott
lesfr
om thefr
idge..
..
Bakangansweredhisphonestandi
ngbyt he
whitescr
eenwall.
..
..

Bakang:
hel
l
o?
Dudu:
(sni
ff
ed)Hi
Bakang:
Heybabe,
what
'
sup?
Dudu:
Mymot
herchasedmeawaywi
tht
he
baby,wehadanargumentandshesai
dimust
l
eave.Canyoucomegetme?
Bakang:
Didy
out
alkt
oNal
edi
?
Dudu:
Noty
et
Bakang:Ican'
tl
ety oui
nthehousei fshdoesn'
t
al
lowme, rememberwesupposedt oagreeon
ever
ythi
ng.Ican'tmakethatdecisiononmy
ownandweagr eedtomov eintogetherinafew
monthswhenSt arisal
soav ai
lable.
Dudu:
I'
m st
randed.
.
Bakang:Ial
way st
houghtyourmot
heri
s
reasonabl
e,whywouldshethrowy
ououtwi
tha
baby?It'
sunl
ikeher
Dudu:
Sheknowsaboutpol
ygamy
Bakang:Ohshit
...ButIcanpayf orr
entifyou
fi
ndahouse,thati candowi t
houtneedinga
permissi
onf
rom Nal edibecauseI'
ll
bedoingit
formydaughter.Batantuaboompol el
aautwa?
Dudu:
I'
ll
tal
ktoNal
edi
andgetbackt
oyou.
Bakang:
Alr
ight
,lov
eyou
Dudu:
Lov
eyout
oo.
..

Hehungupandwal kedtowar
dsthepool
where
hi
sf r
iendsandcousinwhereraci
ngi
nthe
water.
..Heputhisphonedownandtookoffhi
s
cl
othest henhedi
vedinandrubbedt
hewater
onhisf ace.
..
..

Temo:
Thebannalet'
splansomet
hingt
hese
comi
nghol
idays.
..
agetaway
Bakang:
Justt
heguy
sorwi
tht
hel
adi
es?
Temo:
Wit
hthel
adi
es,
whatdoy
out
hink?
Bakang:
It'
snotagoodt
imef
orme
Trevor
:Ohkanawenaoimi
tsegapeobeil
e
botset
si,
whoist
heeoneandwhoisthesi
de
chi
ckbet
weent
hem?
Bakang:
(laughed)Fuckof
fTr
evor
..
.
Temo:(
laughed)Hei
staki
ngt
hem bot
h,t
hey
agr
eedandplannedi
tal
l.
..
.
Bakang:(
splashedhi
m wit
hwater
)Thatwas
supposedtoremainbet
weenyouandmey ou
shi
thead!
Tuel
o:(
satont
heedgeandopenedabottl
eof
beer
)Wait
?Agr
eed?Howdoesitwork.
..
?
Temo: I'
mt el
l
ingyoumani
fthesearethe
advantagesthatcomeswi
throyal
tyiwantt
obe
adopted..
.Twowomen?Shiii
t.
..Bont
šabaaja
themona
Bakang:
(laughed)Guy
shei
sbl
uff
ing,
youknow
Dudulef
tme
Tuel
o:(
laughed)Way
akal
ait
aka.
..
Bakang:(
laughed)Tabekeakel
aengnebanna?
Temoi sl
ying.
..
Trevor
:BKthemonnaomaaka, buahela.
..They
bothwantyou,t
hatweknow.
..Didtheyactual
ly
agreeto-
youknow?
Bakang:(
laughedandhoppedoutofthepool
)
Maybetheydidmay betheydi
dn'
t.
..Wewil
lfi
nd
outifwepostponethi
sgetawayt
o6mont hs
fr
om now.Rightnowisnotagoodt i
meforme..
.
Trevor
: Becausetheotheri
spregnantandt he
otheri
sonconf inement,sotel
lmet hi
s..
.Iknow
yourgreat-gr
andfat
hershadmor ethanonewi fe,
doessomeonecheat ?
Bakang:
(laughed)Dude,iwasn'
tther
e,idon't
knowbuti knowiwon'tcheatonmygi r
ls.
..
Tuel
o:(
clappedhands)Sot
heydi
dagr
ee.
..
Brav
o!
Bakang:
(laughedopeni
ngabottl
e)Theydi
dn'
t,
I
meanthypotheti
cal
l
y!Hypot
het
icall
y.
..
.
Trevor
:(l
aughed)Hy
pot
het
ical
l
ymydi
ckwaa
yakaBakang..
.
Abalengangri
lywalkedov erandpushed
Bakangont hechest.
..Hest aggeredbackand
droppedhisbottl
e,
Itshat
teredont hepool
pavementast heguysturnedar ound
confused.
..
..

Abaleng:Stayawayf
rom mysist
er,
doy ou
understandme?Stayawayfr
om her.
..
.
Bakang:
(cl
enchedhi
sjawsst
ari
ngathi
m)Don'
t
touchmeagain.
..
Abal
eng:( pushedhim again)Orwhat ?Or
what?.
..
.(pushedhi m agai
n)Gof i
ndanother
womant ousef oryoursi
ckf et
ish,you'
renot
usi
ngNal edi.You'r
esickerthanIthought.
..
You'
reaspoi ltbrat
.
Bakang:
(looki
ngathi
m)Getof
fmyf
ace.
.
Sutel
l
akoo
Tr
evor
:Guy
sknocki
tof
f.
.
Temo: (
sippedbeersi
tt
ingonthechai
r)Ba
togel
emt hakaotal
elaBakang.
..
Tr
evor
:Theyhav
etost
op.
.
Tuel
o:Bal
ese.
..

Abal
enggotonhisf
aceandconti
nuedtel
l
ing
hi
m off
,Bakangwal
kedawayrubbi
ngthewater
of
fhishai
r.
.

Bakang:
Abal
engakebat
egobual
ewenasepe,
neoseogamonnaoantumel
a.
Abal
eng:(
pushedhimfrom theback)Karest
ay
awayfr
om Naledi
,
I'
m notaskingyou.Otsaa
gor
eketshamekalewena?

Bakangsnappedandt
urnedar
oundpushi
ng
hi
mi nthepool,Abal
enggrabbedholdofhis
boxersastheybothfel
li
nt hepool
.Big
spl
asheswett hepavementastheysunk,
Bakangdraggedhimt othebott
om ofthepool
ashedr ownedspit
ti
ngbubblesstr
uggli
ngand
ki
ckingaround.

Tr
ev or:
(st
andi
ngontheedgestar
ingatt
he
water)Guyshei
sdrowni
nghim
Temo:
(si
ppedt
hebeer
)Sowhat
?
Tuel
o:(
satont
hechai
r)Bal
ese.
..

Minut
eslat
erBakangemergedandgotanother
br
eathwhil
epressi
nghim downthenhepushed
hi
mt othebot
tonofthepoolagai
n..
..
..
..
.

Tr
evor
:Aet
hebanna,
canwest
opt
his?
Tuel
o:Rel
ax.
..
..
..
..
[
09/
24,
19:
14]Ron:
#16
Co-
wif
e

AtBakang'
shouse.
..

Trevorst
aredatt
hewaterf
orqui
tesometime
thenheputhisbot
tl
edownanddivedi
n..
.

Tuel
o:TFi
swr
ongwi
tht
hisguy
?
Temo:
Trev
ori
sweak,
aker
ewai
tse.
..

Heswam underwat erandgr

abbedAbal
engby
theshi
rtthenheswam andblewthewat
eras
heemer gedhol
dinghim..

Tr
evor
:Takehi
m out
..
TemoandTuelograbbedhim andlai
dhi
m ot he
pavementasBakanghoppedoutandgrabbeda
beerbythet
abl
e..
.Trevorknel
tnextt
ohim and
perf
ormedCPR..
.

Tuel
o:(checkedhi
spul
se)Guy
s..
..
.(swal
l
owed)
Guysican'tf
eelhi
spul
se.
..
Temo:(
puthi
sfi
nger
sonhi
sneck)Ican'
tfeel
any
thi
ngtoo
Trevor
:(pushedt
hem)Don'
ttouchhi
m..
.Mov
e
back..
.

Theymov edbackstaringatTrevorashe
pumpedhi schestandgavehi m mouthto
mouth.
..
.Bakangwal kedov erandstoodover
Trev
orstaringatAbaleng.
..Hethoughthe
wouldpunishhimjustenoughbutnowhe
wonder
edi
fhet
ooki
ttoof
ar.
..

Bakang:
Isheokay
?
Tr
evor
:(pumpi
ng)Idon'
tknow.
..
.

Bakangsquatt
ednextt ohim holdingthebott
le
andheldhiswri
stcheckinghispul se,Abal
eng
caughthisbr
eathandspatwat ert henthey
mov edbackwipi
ngt hei
rfaces.
..Hecoughed
andkneltdownthrowingupnot hingbutwater.
Trevorhel
pedhim getupandhandedhi ma
towel.
..

Tr
evor
:Ar
eyouokay
?
Bakang:
Hei
sfi
ne.
..Lethi
m go
Abal
eng:
(st
ari
ngathi
m)Thi
sisnotov
er.
.
Bakang:
Ofcour
sei
t'
snot
,notunt
ily
ou
underst
andthatshei
smi neandt
her
eis
nothi
ngy oucandoaboutit
.
Trevor:BKstopit.
..Guyscomeon...Nal
edi
doesn'tneedthiskindofdrama.Sheis
pregnant.Um...(
tohim)What '
syourname
again?
Abal
eng:
Abal
eng
Trevor
:Sur
eAbskopaov ael
ait
akaletaabua
nextti
megoleshapnotl
i
kethi
s,let
'sbeadul
ts.
.
Abal
eng:
Thanks,
shap
Tr
evor
:Sur
e

Abalengwalkedawayaswatersquashedoutof
hi
sshoeswi thever
ystephetook,
Bakang
shookhisheadandf ol
l
owedhimtot hecar
..
.

Bakang:Getbackinthehousekegoneeledry
cl
othes,
y oucan'
tgetint
hecarallwetl
ikethat
..
Abal
eng:
(unl
ockedt
hecar
)St
ayawayf
rom me
Bakang:
Sui
tyour
sel
f.
.

Hewal
kedawaydr
inki
nghisbeer
,Abal
enggot
i
nhi
scaranddr
oveoff.
..
.

Atmyhouse.
..
.

Iwalkedoutofthebathroom wrappingmy sel

f
wit
hat owelandsatont hebed,i f
eltgui
l
ty
aboutthewayitalkedtomymot herevenRenei,
i
twasoneoft hosemoment swher eyoujust
getcarri
edawayandf oundy our
selfsayi
ng
thi
ngsy ouwi
shy ouhadn'tsaid.

Il
ovedBakangandifhavi
ngt
wowomenmade
hi
m happyiwashappytodoitf
orhi
m buti
di
dn'tunder
standwhyany
onehadaprobl
em
wi
thi
t.
..Myphonerang.
..Ir
ubbedmyey
esand
t
ookadeepbreat
htheni pi
cked.
..
.

Me:
Hel
l
o?
Dudu:
(lowv
oice)Hi
..
.
Me:
Hey
Dudu: Ihadanargumentwi t
hmymot her,we
exchangedwor ds.
..Shedoesn'tunder
stand
whatI'mt r
yingtodoandi havetomov eout.I
don'twanttosleepheretonight
..
Me:Youcan'
tmov
etoBakang'
shousewi
thout
me
Dudu:Iknow,ispoketohi
m.Iwast hi
nki
ngi
coul
dcomeov erthereunt
ili
findahouse.
..I
t
wouldprobabl
ytakeaweekort wo.Whatdo
youthi
nk?
Me:Butmi
neisj
ustabachel
orpad,
ther
eis
onl
yonebedr
oom,Maybeweshouldgotohi
s
houseandst aytoget
herwhil
eyoutofinda
house.Hei mmel ennakanakenalesi
tuat
ion,
Mamasai dshewon'thel
pmeoncet hebabyis
here,shebasical
lydi
sownedmebutI '
dli
keto
apologisewhensheiscalm maybeaft
erafew
days.
Dudu:Yeahbutifsheissti
llangr
yicanhel
py ou,
mymot heral
readytaughtmeaf ewthi
ngs.The
restwewil
lGooglethem...
Me:Letmetal
ktoBakangkey
egot
say
akol
oi
andthencomegety
ouguys
Dudu:
Bye.
..

AtBakang'
shouse.
..

Lateroniwal
kedoverasBakangandhis
fri
endswereput
ti
ngonthei
rshir
tsstandi
ngby
thecarchat
ti
ng.
…
Me:
Hel
l
o
Bakang:
(puthi
sar
m ar
oundmeandki
ssedme)
Heybabe..
.
Temo:
Hi
Tr
evor
:Youl
ookv
erybeaut
if
ul,
nicehai
r.
.
Me:
Thanks
Tuel
o:Ngng.
..Bakangwaut
wa?
Bakang:
Obat
arel
wa.
..
Me:
(lower
edmyv
oice)Babecanwet
alk?

Hehel dmyhandandledmeinthehouse,he
closedthedoorandhel
dmyneckkissi
ngme
thenheputhishandinmypant
iesandfl
icked
mybean. .
.

Me:
Weneedt
-(
heki
ssedme)weneedt
otal
k..
.
Bakang:
(li
ckedhi
sf i
ngerandputi
nmypanti
es
agai
nthi
st i
mesli
dingiti
nsideme)Wai
tokay
..
..
Shh

Hepushedmypant
iesdownandrubbedme
moreasheki
ssedmet henhepul
leddownhis
boxer
sandsl
i
dhimselfbetweent
hethighs.
..
.

Me:
Babepl
ease.
..
.Thedoori
snotl
ocked.
..
Bakang:
Kedi
radi
ropehel
a..
.Rel
ax

Hekissedmeandbegunrammingmyt
highs
get
ti
ngharderwi
thever
ythr
ust
..
.

Me:Babeweneedt otal
k,Wecandot his
t
onight.
..I
'
llbeally
ours,ipromise,I
'
lldo
whateveryouwant..
.(hesloweddownget ti
ng
t
empt ed)Anythi
ngyouwant ..
.Justli
stentome
becauser
ightnowi
needy
ourat
tent
ion.

Hepul l
eduphisboxersandgav emeasof
tki
ss
thenwesatdownandi expl
ainedt
hewhol
e
arrangementt
ohim...
.

Bakang:
(handedmet hecarkeys)Al
ri
ght,I'
l
lbe
al
onewheny ougethome, I
'
llgetr
idofthese
guys
Me:
(ki
ssedhi
m)t
hanks.
..

Iwalkedoutoft
hehouseandi
ntohi
scart
heni
drov
eof f
..
..

AtDudu'
smot
her
s..
..
..
.

Lat
eri
ntheaf
ter
nooni
drov
ethr
ought
hegat
e
andparkedinfrontofthehouse,Duduwalked
outwi
thPr i
ncessinherbigpinkcarseatt
hen
shest
rappedheri ntheback.
..

Me:
Hey
..Ar
eyouokay
?
Dudu:
(sni
ff
ed)I
'
mfi
ne.
..
Me:
Isitokayifi
helpy
oucar
rybagsorshoul
dI
r
emaininthecar?
Dudu:
Hel
pme.
.

Iwal
kedi
nthehouseandgreetedhermot
her
whowassit
ti
ngonthecouch..
.

Me:
Dumel
ang.
.
Her
:Hel
l
o

Igr
abbedherbi
gbaganddr
aggedi
ttot
hecar
assheloadedmor ebags,i
twasawkwar dandi
couldpi
ckthenegati
veenergybetweenthetwo
ofthem butatl
easthermotherseemedmor e
cal
mt hanmymot her.Iwentbackinforanot
her
bagasshewasput ti
ngmor einthecar.
..

Her:
Wheny outhetwoarehav
ingf
ight
sdon'
t
i
nvolv
einnocentchi
l
dren.
Me:(
awkwar
dly
)Emma.
..
(wal
ki
ngout
)Go
si
ame..
Her
:By
e

Iloadeditandjumpedbehi
ndthewheel
,she
wentbacki nsi
detosayhergoodby
esandgoti
n
thecarthenwedr oveof
f.
..

Me:
Arey
ouokay
?
Dudu:
YeahI
'
mfi
ne.
..
Me:Wewillhav
etopassmyhousesot
hatIcan
getmycl
othesandot
hert
hings.
Dudu:
Nopr
obl
em.
..
Me:Don'
twor
ryabouty
ourmot
her
,thi
swi
l
l
pass
Dudu:
Ihopeso
Me:I'
l
ltal
ktomineaft
erafewdaysnnamama
wabetsagaatshwanelewagago,shecantake
of
fhershoeandsmacky ouwi
thitntseol
e
motona.
Dudu:
(laughed)Shesoundsscar
y..
Me:(laughed)Kaphaki
siwacl
apaemol
elo
phakelammadi l
otsagobalabal
a..
.
Dudu:
(laughed)Shame.
..Sor
ry
Me:
(laughed)I
'
mfi
nenow.
..
.

AtBakang'
shouse.
..
..
Hewaslay
ingonthecouchwatchi
ngNatGeo
wil
dasacarpul
ledout
side,
hereducedt
he
vol
umeandopenedthedoor.
..
..

Dudust eppedoutwi ththebabyi nhercarseat

andwal kedinsi
de,Bakangmetheratt hedoor
andgreetedherwi thaki ssthenhegotthebaby
andturnedbacki nside.
..
mi nutesl
aterhe
walkedbackt othecar .
..

Bakang:Justgety
ourhandbags,
I'
ll
bri
ng
ever
ythi
ng..
.

Wewal kedinthehouse,hehadputthebabyon
thecouchwher eshewaspeaceful
lysl
eeping,
shewaspr et
tyinherbri
ghtcl
othesandyell
ow
hair
band..
.
Dudu:Whi
chroom am i
taki
ng,
mast
err
oom or
small
one.
..
?
Me:I'
m notsur
e..
.(Bakangpassedbyhol
ding
bags)howdoweal locat
eoursel
ves?
Bakang:Idon'
tknownnagakenar
oom.
..I
t'
sup
tobothofyou
Dudu:
I'
ll
gett
hesmal
lone.
..
Me:Ithi
nkyoushouldgett
hebi
gone, The
baby
'scotandcarr
ier
stakeupalotofspace.
..
Dudu:
Okay
,thanks

Bakangf i
nishedunloadi
ngt
hebagsandsaton
thecouchwi ththebabywat
chi
nghispr
ogram
whilewecleanedandpackedtherooms
together
..
.
Me:Bat
hongt
hisbabycotmakesmewantmy
baby
Dudu:
(laughed)Buty
ou'
recl
ose.
..
Me:
Gat
wel
aborr
oom i
sthewor
stt
hing?
Dudu:(l
aughed)Ot aboorogaBakang,pray
ing
andpromisi
ngGodt haty
ou'
llneverspr
eadyour
l
egsforamanagai n..
.Waatshamekawena.
Skabonababal athel
amodi toi
letj
aanaba
gor
ogakabot hata.
Me:
You'
rescar
ingme.
.
Dudu:Themagical
parti
sthatoncethebaby
popsoutthepai
nisgone,complet
ely
..
.Ke
i
potsagoremodimoodiri
lejanggonehoo
Me:Ican'
twai
t.
.Sodoeshav
ingachi
l
dwi
tha
manmakey oul
ovehi
m more?
Dudu:Itdoes,
formel
egal
e..
.Icanjustsmil
e
l
ookingatmybabyandgowowBakango
nt
eretsengwanaomonte.
..You'
regoingtol
ove
Bakangmor eoncet
hebabyishereot aabona
gapeekareonnamat ur
enyana,
whenaman
doescert
ainthi
ngsyoucaneasil
yignorethem
comparedtogaosenangwana.
Me:
Okay
..
.

Wefini
shedf i
xi
ngherr
oom andheadedtomine
whereitookoutmybeddi
ngandwewor kedon
i
tchatt
ing..
.

Dudu:
DidBakangeatany
thi
ng?
Me:Idoubthehadany
thi
ngpr
oper
,hemustbe
hungr
y.
Dudu:I
'l
lmakedi
nnerassoonaswear
edone
her
e..
.
Me:YoucangorightaheadandstartI
'
llgetthe
t
ubreadyforhi
m assoonasI '
m donehere..
.
Nnakethapi
lekogamekgant el
e
Dudu:Ler
onarethapi
l
ejustbef
orecomi
ng
her
e..
.Kamosogaatheogel
eakere?
Me:I
fhedoeshewil
lbeweari
ngcasual
clot
hes,
gaar
atef
ormalkaweekend
Dudu:
Iknow,iusedtofor
cehimt
owearformal
weart
ochurchit
helaesegor
ewaarat
atota.
..
Takeyegoapaamma
Me:
Shap.
.

Shepassedbyt heli
vi
ngr oom whereBakang
wasr elaxingont hecouchwi ththebabylaying
peacef ull
yonhi schestashehel dtheremot e
watchingt v..
.Shewal kedoverandkissedhi m
onthel ips,heheldherneckandpul ledherov er
foranot herkissthenshewal kedtothekitchen
andst artedcooking..
..

Meanwhi
l
eIf
ini
shedmyr
oom andgott
het
ub
r
eadytheniwal
kedoverandsatnextt
ohim, he
l
ookedcutewi
ththebabyonhischest
..
..
..
..

Me:(
Itouchedhi
sbear
d)Agot
hapa,
met
sia
r
eady.
..
Bakang:
Thanks.
..Thi
sgi
rli
sal
way
ssl
eepi
ng
Me:Sheislayi
ngondaddy
'schest
,sheshoul
d
f
all
asleep.
..

Helai
dherint
hecr
ibandheadedt
othe
bat
hroom whi
l
eij
oinedDudui
ntheki
tchen.
..
.

Me:
OhmyGod,
thi
ssmel
l
ssogood.
..
Dudu:(shegott
hesoupwithaspoonand
broughttomymouth)tastet
hesal
t,nnakana
kebadmogol okengl
etswai
Me:
(ibl
ewt
hesoupt
ocool
itandt
ast
ed)Mme
esi
ame.
..Il
i
kei
t
Dudu:
Oil
egot
hapa?
Me:(taki
ngoutt
hepl
ates)Mmh.
.Memel
eene
orobetse.
..
Dudu:Okay
..
.Skaemal
ebakawenaot
ogaor
e
wela
Me:
(laughed)I
'
m good,
I'
ll
gowhenIf
eel
dizzy
..
.

Wel aterplacedthef oodonthetableandhad

di
nnert henwel aterwatchedtvlayingoneach
otherofhi sshoulders,t
hefi
rstnightwasgreat.
..
Justlayingonhissi defaci
ngDuduwascr azy
enough....Sweetmadness...

Thebabyst
artedcompl
aini
ngt
henDuduki
ssed
hi
m andwalkedaway.
..
.
Dudu:
Goodni
ght
Me:
Goodni
ght
Bakang:
Lov
eyou
Dudu:
Lov
eyoumor
e..
.

Shewalkedawayandclosedthedoort
henhe
i
ncreasedthev
olumeandkissedmeputti
nghi
s
handinmypanties.
..

Me:(
whi
speredpul
l
ingoutmypant
ies)What
ar
eyoudoi
ng?
Bakang:
Don'
tpush.
..
..

Iletgothenhepull
edoutmypantiesand
kissedme,hegrabbedt
hem andledmet omy
room whereheclosedt
hedoorandkissedme,
hel ai
dmedownandl ai
dbehindmel i
ft
ingmy
buttt
henhesl i
dinasImoanedsoft
ly,
he
cover
edmymout handbeganthr
ust
ing
gentl
y.
..
..
..
..
.(9t
)

Li
kef
oraweekendbonus.Muchl
ove

[
09/
24,
19:
14]Ron:
Co-
wif
e
#17

AtDudu'
sroom.
..
.

Meanwhi leasshewasl ayi

ngonhersi de
breastf
eedingherbabyshet houghtsheheard
noises,shefr
ownedl i
steni
ngcareful
ly.
..The
noisesgotmor eaudibl
e,sheswallowed
tearf
ull
yandl ookedatherdaughterasshe
i
nnocent
lysl
ept.Shepull
edouthernippleand
cover
edherdaughterwit
hasheetthenshe
tur
nedar
oundfacedt hewal
ltr
yingtosleep.
..
.

Thesoftnoisesgoti ntenseandshecoul dhear

hi
m grunti
ng, sherubbedt het earsoffherey es
asherbeangotmor esensi ti
ve, shecrossedher
l
egsandsi ghed...Minutesl atert her
ewer e
gi
gglesandf ootstepst othebat hroom...The
smelloff
oam bat hreachedherasdi dthe
gi
gglesandhi sdeepv oiceashechat t
edand
l
aughed..
.

Awhi lelaterthetelev
isi
onwentonandshe
couldtellsomet hi
ngwasbei ngfr
iedinthe
kit
chen. .
.Sheturnedaroundandfacedher
daught erholdingherhandandkissedherti
ny
fi
ngerst henshel eanedoverandkissedher
forehead...
Dudu:Pri
ncessi l
ovey ou.
..Iwil
ldoanythi
ngfor
youmyangel ,y
ou'regoingt obedaddy'
sgirl
.
Godisgoingtogivemest rengt
htogiveyoua
stabl
efamily
..
.Hewi llgi
vemet hestrengt
hto
acceptt
hingsican'tchangeandl i
vewithwhatI
canget.
..
..

Shetalkedtoherdaught
erunti
lshef
orgotwhat
haddistur
bedfrom sl
eepi
ngthenshedozed
off
..
..
..

AtDi
amondLuxur
ies.
..
.

Thenextmor ni
ngt
hestuffquantum st
oppedi
n
theparkingl
ot,
Maduoandhercol l
eagues
steppedoutandmadetheirwayinthe
recepti
onasshequi
etl
ywal kedbehi
nd
ev
ery
onewi
thheadset
sinherear
sasusual
.
...

Themanagerwalkeddownstai
rsplay
ingwitha
penandpl
ayful
lyslappedt
heheadsetsoffher
ear
s,shet
urnedaroundandsmiledbri
efl
y..
..

Manager
:Headset
siny
ourear
sal
lthet
ime.
..
Maduo:
(smi
l
ed)Goodmor
ningsi
r
Manager
:Themmanneot
samay
ajaakamot
ho
at
shela.
..
Maduo:
(laughed)Keat
shel
aMrT
Manager
:(laughed)Okar
eont
šany
anae
kol
obi
le.
..

Hewal kedawaythenshelaughedandtookher
seatbehindther
ecepti
ondeskasAbalengand
hiscol
leagueswalkedi
n..
..
Maduo:Wel
comet
oDi
amondLuxer
iesmayi
be
ofhel
p?
Abal
eng:
Ididn'
trecogni
sey
ou,
youl
ostso
muchweight
.wareng?
Maduo:
Gaker
esepe,
nkagot
husa?
Abal
eng:
Wear eher
etoat
tendawor
kshop,
wher
eisithel
d?
Maduo:Um...Ourconf
erencer
oom i
sthi
ssi
de,
j
ustgostr
aight.
..
Abal
eng:
Thanks

Hiscoll
eagueswalkedinf r
ontofhi m ashe
checkedhiswatchthenhebumpedi ntothe
managerandsmi l
edr ecognisinghim,the
managersmi l
edbackr ecognisinghim andthey
shookhands..
..
Manager
:Abal
engr
ight
?
Abal
eng:
(smi
l
ed)That
'sme.
..Idi
dn'
tgety
our
name
Manager
:It
'sTr
evor
,howar
eyou?
Abal
eng:I
'
m good.
..
li
stent
hanksf
orwhaty
ou
di
d,youdi
dn'
thavetodoit
..
.
Tr
evor
:Any
time,
justt
rynott
ocr
ossBakang.
Abaleng:Hecanonl ybeatmeunderwat er
becausei di
dn'tgr owupar oundpools,
otherwi
seI '
m pray i
ngforanotherencounter
.He
won'tusemysi sterl
ikethat,i
fhecan'tbe
fai
thfult
ohert henheshoul dl
eaveheralone.
Sheistooy oungt obedoi ngthatpolygamy
nonsense,thatt hi
ngisfordesperatewomen.
Trevor
:Isti
l
ldon'
tunder st
andhowt hesel
adies
camet othi
sdeci
sion,Idon'tknowNaledit
hat
muchbutsheisyoungandbeaut i
ful
,Idi
dn'
t
thi
nkshewouldsettl
ef orthat.
.
Abal
eng:Shedoesn'
tknowwhatshei
sdoi
ng.
..
Thi
sisherfi
rstr
elat
ionshi
p..
.
Trevor
:Real
ly?That
'si
nter
esti
ng.
..Shepr
obabl
y
thi
nksherfi
rstboyf
ri
endisgoi
ngtobeher
husband.
Abal
eng:
(si
ghedandshookhi
shand)Any
way
ni
cemeeti
ngyouTrev
or.
..
Trevor
:Nicemeet i
ngy
outoo.
..(
walkedashort
di
stanceandt ur
nedar
ound)CanIhaveyour
number?Wecoul dwatchagameor
something.
..Whatdoyoudo?
Abal
eng:(gavehi
m hi
sbusi
nesscar
d)Iam an
el
ect
ri
cian..
Tr
evor
:(t
ooki
tandgav
ehi
m hi
s)Her
eyougo.
..
Weshoul
dtal
k
Abal
eng:
Alr
ight

Theywal
kedt
hei
rsepar
ateway
sput
ti
ngeach
ot
her
'scar
dsi
nthepocket
s..
..
.

AtBakang'
sof
fi
ce.
..
.

Heslidbackhischairandgr
abbedaf i
let
henhe
pushedhimselftothecomputeragai
nand
openedthefi
le..
.hi
sphonerang..
.

Bakang:
Hel
l
o?
Voice:
Goodmorni
ngMrTawana..
.t
hisLi
l
li
an
fr
om MongaandBrot
her
sproper
ti
es.
Bakang:
Goodmor
ning.
..
Voice:
Wej ustr
ecei
vedyourl
ett
erandI'
m
abouttosendyoutheemailr
esponse
Bakang:
Justgi
vemet
hef
eedback,
youcal
l
ed.
..
Voice:Wecurrent
lydon'
thaveanythree
bedroom houses,
theyhavebeensoldandt
he
rent
alsar
eal
loccupi
ed.Icall
edourot
her
busi
nesspar
tner
stheydon'thav
e
Bakang:Al
ri
ght
,nopr
obl
em.Doy
ouhav
ea
bachel
orpad?
Voice:Yes,wehaveaboutthr
eebuttheywi
ll
be
avail
ablemonthend,I'
l
lsendthei
rpi
ctur
es
i
mmedi at
elyaf
tert
hiscal
l
Bakang:
Awesome,I'
ll
chooseandpassbyaft
er
l
unchforthel
easeagreementandpay
ment.
Voi
ce:
thanky
ou.

Hehungupandcont
inuedworki
ng,somethi
ng
cr
ossedhi
smindandhesmi l
edthenhe
gr
abbedhi
sphoneandleanedbacktext
ing.
..

Bakang:"
Oskatseny
at hat
a"whosay
sshi
tli
ke
thi
sduri
ngsex?You'r
eat ot
alt
urnof
fNal
edi
.A
complet
ev i
l
lagegi
rl
.
Helaughedandturnedbacktothecomputer
ty
pingthenherecei
vedanothercal
landpi
cked
smili
ngknowingwhattheresponsewoul
dbe...

Bakang:
(leani
ngbacksmi
l
ing)Yes.
..
?
Dudu:
(smi
l
ed)Hey
..
.
Bakang:
Oh,
hey
..
.Howar
ebabe?
Dudu:I
'
m good,youlef
tyoursnackboxont
he
di
ningt
abl
e,didn'
tyouseeit
?
Bakang:
Isawt
hatbutIdi
dn'
tthi
nki
twasmi
ne,
cr
azy
Dudu:
(laughed)Ver
ycr
azy
,whowoul
ditbef
or?
Bakang:Ihav
en'tcarr
iedalunchboxtowor
k
eversi
ncewepar ted,
myassistantbuy
sme
breakf
astlel
unchatSpar..
Dudu:
Wel
l
,that
'
saboutt
ochange.
..
youneed
heal
thymeal
s.Bannababaj
angtakeawayke
makgwathe,
monnay oonal
engmosadioja
homeprepar
edmeals.
Bakang:
I'
mfal
l
ingf
ory
ou.
..
Dudu:
(laughed)Il
ovey
out
oo
Bakang:
Nal
edi
osant
sear
obet
se?
Dudu:
Yesandi
t'
sal
most10,
i
ssheokay
?
Bakang:Sheisfine,don'
twakeherup...
go
weekendakere.Shei sal
wayssleepi
ngit'
s
probabl
yaboyhor monethi
ng.
..Ihearwomen
carr
yingboystendt obemoresensiti
ve.
Dudu:
Ehe.
..
Bakang:
(si
ghed)Howi
smypr
incess?
Dudu:Shei
shere,
ijustfi
nisheddoi
ngyour
l
aundryandcl
eani
ngt hehouse.Koor
entseo
apar
aengBakang?allyourclot
hesweredi
rt
y.
Bakang:Thecl
eani
ngl
adycall
edinsi
ck,
she
wasgoingtocl
eananddolaundr
yonTuesday
.
Dudu:
Eheokay
..
.
Bakang:
Imadearrangementswit
htheproper
ty
company,It
hinky
ou'l
lgetahousemonthend.
I'
l
lsendyouthepi
ctur
es.
Dudu:
Okay
,I'
l
lcal
lyoul
ater
..
.
Bakang:
Bye
Dudu:
Bye

Hehungupandcont
inuedwor
king.
..
.

AtBakang'
shouse.
..

Latert
hatmor ningigotupandmademywayt o
thekit
chen..
.Ipausedatthedoor..
.Itwas
spotl
essandt hetotalopposi
teofhowwel ef
tit
anightbefor
ewhenwecookedat1am
watchingmov i
es,itsmell
edfresh.
Itookoutt hepanandf riedmyselfaf ewt hings
forbreakfastthenmadeanext r
abur gerwi tha
glassofmi lkont heside.Asigrabbedmyt rayi
caughtsightofsomet hingoutsi
det heki t
chen
window, Ipausedandmov edthecur tai
nsasi de
therewasal ongqueueofBakang' slaundr yon
theli
ne...
..wellarrangedf r
om hist-
shi r
ts,shirt
s,
formalpant s,casualandboxershor ts,allhis
socksandt hesneaker switht
heirshoesl aces
hangingont heli
ne...
.myJawsdr opped, Christ.
..
.

Dudu:
(wal
kedi
n)Goodmor
ning.
.
Me:
(tur
ned)Mor
ning.
.
Dudu:
Yourbr
eakf
asti
sthemi
crowav
e..
.
Me: Oh.
..I
..
.Di
dn'
tthi
nkyoucookedbecauseall
thepotswerecl
ean,imademyselfbr
eakfast
alr
eady.
..
Dudu:
It'
sokay
..
.

Iwalkedoutt
henshegotthepanandspoonsi
wasusingandcl
eanedthem t
henwipedthe
counter
.

Isatont hecouchandstar
tedeati
ng,the
telev
isi
onandf ur
nit
urehadbeenpoli
shedand
thetil
ewasshi ni
ng,ev
eryt
hingwasjusttoo
cleanitevenmademeuncomf or
tabl
e...
..

Dudu:(
satnextt
ome)Howdi
dyousl
eepl
ast
ni
ght?
Me:Isleptgood,
Whatabouty
ou?Wher
eis
Pr
incess?
Dudu:
Shewentt
osl
eepagai
n..
.
Me:
Whatt
imedoy
ouwakeup?
Dudu:
6
Me:Iy
oonnaket sogaka11hagol eweekend
j
aana,totai
bil
eketsosi
waket al
abutBakang
usual
l
ymakesmebr eakf
astbefor
eleav
ingso
gakehetsagojakearobal
agape.
Dudu:
Bakangoi
tsegoapaa?
Me:Yes.
..(l
aughed)Malobakehaat agi
l
we
whenigothomehewant edtocookbutiasked
hi
mt osi
t,Ididn'
twantburnedfood.Hewas
wast
ed..
.
Dudu: Mmegot aarenneotsogaearl
i
erthan
that,
11isjusttoolat
eforhomechores.
..
and
youleftt
hekitchenel
eamessl astni
ght
,why
didn'
tyouclean?
Me:Itwasl
i
ke1am,
iknewIwoul
dcl
eanwheni
getup
Dudu:
Ka12?
Me:
YesI
tdoesn'
tmat
terwhatt
imei
getup,
i
knewIwoul
dcl
ean
Dudu:
SoBakanggaatheogel
agankeo
mmakany
etsaphakel
a?
Me: I
t'saweekendandev enifitwasn'this
cl
othesar eusual
lyir
onedandi nthewar dr
obe,
hecandr esshimself
.Whyshoul dIbet here?
Ourusual ar
rangementgakeletsekwanoke
goreBakangget supearl
y,takesabat hand
dressesupt henhemakesbr eakfastandeatif
hewi shesheleavesmineont heheadboar d.
Dudu:
Elegor
ewenaober
ekaeng?
Me:Shehnaar
ereaomanaDudu?Idon'
t
under
stand
Dudu:
I'
m notgoi
ngt
odoal
lthechor
esal
one
Me: Wenaokubugelaengkagoregagona
mol aoor
engntuecliniwamakuku?Nnamma
gakenagokgona,keraahaelegorenextweek
ot aar
ekedi
rewasheneekanakana,therei
sa
reasonhehasaweekl ycl
eaner
.
Dudu:Wit
h2womeni nthehouseheshoul
d
cont
inuehav
ingacl
eaner?
Me: Eeakerekehoogoclini
wamakuku,nna
nkasekgonemot howaModi mo.
..
Bakango
ntadit
sentenkasekubugegape.
..
Dudu:Andy
ouwer
escr
eami
ngt
ool
oudl
ast
ni
ght.
..
Me:Screaming?Youmakei
tsoundI
'
m abi
tch,
i
don'
tscream
Dudu:Wellyouwer
emoaningtooloud,
you'r
e
notsupposedtol
etmehearthat
.Kemot set
si.
..
.
Me:Great,nowi can'
tenjoysexbecausey ou'
re
nothavi
ngsex ..
.(st
ooduphol dingmyt r
ay)O
bueleBakangaboutt hat
, hecontrol
smy
vol
umeandi wasn'tscr
eami ng.Idon'
tscream,
gakepornstarnna.
Dudu:
(fol
l
owedme)whyar
eyouwal
ki
ngaway
?
Me:
Becausei
justgotupandy
ou'
real
readyon
myl
astner
veDudu

Iwalkedi
nmyr oom andcl
osedthedoortheni
satonthebedandatemybr eakf
astpr
essing
myphone..
..

Bakang:"
Oskatseny
at hat
a"whosay
sshi
tli
ke
thi
sduri
ngsex?You'r
eat ot
alt
urnof
fNal
edi
.A
complet
ev i
l
lagegi
rl
Me:
Lol
Idi
dn'
tsayt
hat
Bakang:
Goodmor
ning,
howar
eyou?
Me:
I'
m good.
..You?
Bakang:
Great
.
Me:Duduisonmycaseaboutget
ti
nguplate
andidon'
tl
iket
hatbecauseI
'
m pr
egnantand
shei
snot.
Bakang:
I'
ll
tal
ktoher
,don'
twor
ryabouti
t
Me:Shej
ustspoi
ltmybreakf
ast,
sheevensays
iwasscr
eamingduri
ngsexasifI'
m apor
nstar
.
Bakang:Takebueleene,
hav
eyourbr
eakf
ast
.
I
'l
lseeyouatlunch.
Me:
Ilov
eyou
Bakang:
Ilov
eyout
oo,
don'
tst
ressokay
?
Me:
Okay
..
.

AtBakang'
sof
fi
ce.
..
..

Hel
eanedbacksi
ghi
nganddi
aledhernumber
..
.

Dudu:
Hey
..
Bakang:
Dudugakebat
edr
amamont
ung,
gatwegoir
agal
aeng?
Dudu:
(laughedi
ndi
sbel
i
ef)Shet
oldy
ou?
Bakang:
Idon'
twantdramainthehouse,gi
ve
hersomespace.
.Shei
spregnant.
..Youofal
l
peopl
eshoul
dunderst
andthat
.
Dudu:
I'
m sor
ry.
..
Bakang:Trynottoapologi
seagain,
andt hesex
complainti
ssomet hi
ngwehav enocontrolover
,
weal l
knewt hi
smighthappen.It
'satwo
bedroom house,
waytoosmal l
sonot hi
ngwi l
l
gounnot i
cedorunheard.I
t'
ssomethingy ou
gonnahav etogetusedto.
Dudu:
You'r
erightbabe,I
'
m sor
ry.
..Idon'
tknow
whatiwasthi
nking.I
'
llt
alkt
oher
Bakang:Ihopeyouar
enotgoi
ngt oarguewi
th
her,
idon'twantt
omediat
ecat
fights
Dudu:Therewon'tbecatfi
ght
s,getbackt
o
work,
I'
lldeal
withit.Il
oveyou
Bakang:
Ilov
eyout
oo.
..
Hehungandsi
ghed.
..

Atmyr
oom.
..

Minut
eslat
erDuduknockedandwal
kedi
nasi
waspressi
ngmyphone..

Dudu:
(smi
l
ed)Hey
..
.Canwet
alk?
Me:
(putt
hepl
ateont
heheadboar
d)Yeah.
.
Dudu:(
satonthebed)I '
m sor
ryforoverr
eacti
ng,
you'
repr
egnant.
..Ishoul
dunderstand.Peace?
Me:
(smi
l
ed)y
es,
don'
twor
ryabouti
t.
..
Dudu:Let'
str
ytofoll
owouragreement,Ifeel
l
ikeyouinvol
vedBakangtooearl
y.
..
hedidn't
soundhappybutithoughtwewerejusttal
king.
Me:
Ifel
tli
key
ouwer
eat
tacki
ngme.
Dudu:
I'
m sor
ry.
.
Me:
It'
sokay
..
Dudu:
(spr
eadherar
ms)si
ster
s?
Me:
(huggedher
)Si
ster
s

Wehuggedf
orawhilet
henshegrabbedt
he
t
rayandwal
kedoutcl
osi
ngthedoor.
.

Bakang:
(text
)Youcancomekeepmecompany
i
ntheoffi
ce,i
t'
saweekend.I
'
m al
one.
Me:
I'
m comi
ng.
.

Igotr
eadyandwal
kedtotheki
tchenwhere
Duduwasgett
ingr
eadytocooklunch.
..

Me:
I'
m comi
ng.
..
Dudu:
Okay
.
Iwal
kedoutandcl
osedt
hedoor
..
..
..
..
..
..
..
[
09/
24,
19:
15]Ron:
Co-
wif
e
#18

AtBakang'
shouse.
..
.

Dududr oppedaf ewsaltgrainsinthewaterand

sti
rredthewat erwit
hherhandt henshesatin
thebat handsighedinrel
iefclosinghereyesas
shesoakedherpunani i
nthel ukewarm water
..
..
.
Hermot hercal
ledandsheopenedherey es
reachingf ori
tabovethesink..
.

Dudu:
Hel
l
o?
Her
:Hi
baby
,howar
eyou?
Dudu:
(smi
l
edconsol
edbyt
het
oneofherv
oice)
I
'
mfi
ne.
..
Her
:Howi
sthebaby
?
Dudu:
Shei
sokay
..
.
Her:
Imissyoutwo,iwasusedtohaving
someonetotal
ktonowI'm al
lal
one.Didyou
bat
h?
Dudu:
Yes
Her
:Di
dNal
edi
hel
pyouwi
thsomet
hingt
oeat
?
Dudu:Yes,shemademesoftporr
idgef
orme.I
wasjusteati
ngwhenyoucal
led
Her:
Sowhowashest
hebaby
'st
hingsbet
ween
youtwo?
Dudu:
Shedoesmostoft
hewor
k
Her:
Whatdoy oumeanmostoft hework?
You'
renotsupposedtoworkDudu,neesegor
e
l
arelagobaanamatsetsekakoone?
Dudu:
Shedoesal
otMama,
imeantt
hat
..
.
Unl
ikewi
thyouwhenidi
dn'tdoanyt
hingher
ei
si
tupandfol
dthebaby'
ssheetsandI'
mthe
onebat
hingt
hebaby.
Her:Okay,bat
hingthebabyisnotapr obl
em i
wasgoi ngtol
etyoustartbathi
ngthebabyina
fewweeksany way.Don'
tforgetyour
appointmentwit
hthemidwi f
e,i
t'
sv er
y
i
mpor tant
.
Dudu:
OhmyGod, ial
mostf
orgot
..Kant
ego
di
rwaenggonekwa?
Her:They'
regoingtocheckifyou'
reokaydown
ther
e,weatheryouhealedprobabl
yandthings
l
ikethat,
you'l
lalsogettochoosewhichmethod
ofcontr
acepti
ony ou'
llbeusi
ng.
Dudu:Okay
,iwon'tf
orget
..
.soi
ftheygi
veme
pr
eventi
ondoesthatmeanonecanhav esex
af
tersi
xweeks?
Her:Accor
dingtothem yesbutofcour
sey our
bodywouldn'tber
eall
yready.
..I
nourcult
ure
t
heshortestti
mei sthreemonthsbecausea
womanhoodmustgobackt oitsstat
e,giv
eit
t
imetoshr i
nk..Andihopeyou'r
edoingthe
vagi
nal
exer ci
sesitoldyouabout.
Dudu:
I'
m doi
ngt
hem.
..
Her :Eedot hem asmanyt i
mesasy oucan,
you'llbev erytightwheny oumeetBakangandi
knowi twi l
lbet emptingnowt haty ouar e
stayingt ogetherbutdon' tmaket hemi stakeof
l
ettinghi m betweeny ourl egst ooear l
y,men
cansenset heset hi
ngs, hewi l
ltell
t he
diff
er enceandt hat'
swhenhewi lll
osei nter
est
i
ny ourwomanhoodf orev er.
..Ot aabonaar at
a
thatagol alakogoNal edi haokabewamo
l
ekedi sasant sei seoboel ekommel ewagago
wagal e,ifyoudon' tbeliev emeont hisone
you'llremembermewheni t'
stool at ebecause
may beNal edilist
enst ot het i
pshermot her
givesheraboutt hesesensi t
iveissues.
Dudu:
I'
ll
nev
erl
ethi
mtouchmeunt
ilt
hree
monthsawel
a,I
'
m count
ingusi
ngPr
incess
bi
rt
hday.
Her:Don'
tyouwantt ocomebackhome?( she
keptqui
et)Ihavehadt i
met oret
hinkthisandi
thi
nkioverreact
ed.Ishouldhavejustadvised
youaboutthedanger sofshar
ingamant hen
l
eavethefinaldeci
siontoyou.
Dudu:
(cry
ing)Ilovehi
m Mama, i
feell
ikei
fi
l
eavehewillbondwithNaledi
more,healr
eady
l
ovesheralot,whatwil
libe?
Her:Butifhelovesherthatmuchi sitworthit
mygi r
l?(shecontinuedcry i
ng)Takolapeng
ret
egobuwa. ..Iunderstandifyoulovehi
m, i
havelovedamanbef orei knowexactl
ywhat
youmean.Youknowi wasawr eckwheny our
fat
herdied,i
fitwasn'tfory ouiwouldhave
commi tt
edsuicide.
Dudu:Iwanttobeal
onewi
thhim whenshe
goesbackforbot
set
si,
hemightt
hinkst
rai
ght
wi
thj
ustt
het
woofus.
Her
:Won'
tshebest
ayi
ngt
her
e?
Dudu: Shesai dsomet hingli
keshewant sto
apologi set ohermot hersoshecanhel pher
witht hebaby ,t
hewayshet al
ksabouther
mot hershesoundsl ikeani cewoman, shewil
l
forgiveherandwel comeherhomef oratleast
threemont hsifnotmor edependingonhow
theydot hings.That '
st heonlyti
meI 'll
havemy
familyunderoner oofwi thouther,i
t'
sr eal
l
y
i
mpor tant...Andt hat'swhenhewi lltouchme
forthef irsttimet oo, iwantt omakei treal
ly
special forhi m andr emi ndhim ofus, I'
m
excitedaboutt hat .
...
ihav en'
tbeenundert he
samebl anketwi t
hhi m si nceiwast hree
mont hspr egnant.I t'
sal mostay ear
...
Her:(sighed)Okay .
..Idon'
tagreewithyour
decisionsbutI'l
lacceptthem becausether
eis
nothingi cando..
.You'reanadultanywaysoI
hopey ou'
llbehappydur i
ngthatti
me.Keep
appl
yi
ngt hatoilt
oreducestr
etchmarksand
don'
teverforgettowearyourtummybelt
,you
shoul
dtakeawayhi sbreathwhenheseesyou
agai
n..
.
Dudu:
(laughedr
ubbi
ngt
ear
sof
fherey
es)I
pr
ayido..
Her
:Youwi l
l
,you'
rebeaut
if
uli
nand
out
side.
..
anymanwillbel
uckytohav
eyou.
Dudu:
Thanksmama
Her
:By
e

Shehungandsi
ghedsmi
l
ing.
..

Att
hemal
l
...
.

Laterthatafter
noonwewalkedoutoft
he
restaurantasBakanghel
dmyhand…
Me:Canwepassbyt
hatshop?Iwantt
oshow
yousomet
hing.
..
.
Bakang:
(checkedhi
sti
me)Okay
.

Wewal kedi
nthebabyshopandwal kedpassed
dif
ferentbabycot
s..
.Therei
twas, bigand
spaciouswithmattr
essinsi
de.
..bluewithboy
cartoonsandamosquitonet..
..Ismil
edand
caresseditsl
owly
..
..

Bakang:
It'
sbeaut
if
ul.
..

Hewal kedbehindmeandputhi
sarmsar ound
mer ubbingmybumpthenheleanedoverand
sl
owl yki
ssedmyneckashisbeardti
ckl
edmea
bi
t,iti
lt
edmyheadshy l
yasashopassistant
walkedov er
..
.
Bakang:
Doy
ouwanti
t?
Me:
Yes.
..I
t'
sbeaut
if
ul
Bakang:
(ki
ssedmycheek)You'
reget
ti
ngi
t.
..
Shopassi
stant
:Hel
l
o,mayi
hel
pyou?
Bakang:
Weneedt
hiscot
..
Shopassi
stant
:Comet
hissi
de.
..

Wef ol
l
owedherandacarseatcaughtmy
at
tenti
on.
..

Me:
Iwantacarseataswel
l
..
Bakang:
Babear
eshoppi
ngnow?
Me:(whi
ning)Butwear
eher
eal
ready
,comeon.
.
Pl
eeeeease.
..
Bakang:
Tel
lhert
obr
ingi
t
Me:
(hel
dhi
shand)You'
resuchacar
ebear

Ipi
ckedafewt hi
ngswalki
ngaroundwi t
hthe
shopassi
stantashest
oodatt heti
llt
akingout
hi
swallet
,hehandedoverhiscardandtookout
hi
sphonet y
pingamessage...
.

Bakang:
BabeI
'
m hungr
y..
.
Dudu:Ipr
epar
edthebestmeal
everbuti
won'
t
t
ellyouwhati
tis.
Bakang:I
sitf
ri
edchi
ckenwit
hthatf
unnyspi
ce
mixtur
ethi
ngyouusedtodo?
Dudu:
Nott
ell
i
ngy
ou
Bakang:
Won'
tbr
ingy
ouapr
esenti
fyoudon'
t
tel
lme
Dudu:
Nope,
sti
l
lnott
ell
i
ngy
ou
Bakang:
please
Dudu:
Andy
ou'
reget
ti
ngt
hist
oni
ghtaswel
l
..

Shesentaclip,heclickedont hevideo,agir
l
wasgivi
ngabl owj ob..Shemoanedt ooloud,
Bakanglookedaroundhi mthenher educedthe
vol
umeandwat chedi ti
nsilence..
.He
swall
owedwat chingt heguy'sdickbeing
sucked.
..Thegirl
lif
tedt hedickandputhi sbal
ls
i
nhermout h..
.

Bakang:
(swal
l
owed)Shi
t.
..

Hel
ookedaroundanddi
aledhernumber
mov
ingtothebackoft
heshop..
.

Dudu:
Hel
l
o?
Bakang:
(laughed)Duduwee?
Dudu:
(smi
l
ed)Rr
a?
Bakang:
oir
aeng?
Dudu:
(laughed)Gaker
eng?
Bakang:kanaontshwar
isi
tsenopamo
shopongwaitse?
Dudu:
(laughed)Showme.
..

Hehungupandl ookedaroundthenhetooka
pi
ctureofthetentonhispantsandsenther.
.
Shereceiv
edthepi ct
ureandlaughedlay
ing
nextt
ot hebabythenshecalledhim..
.

Bakang:
Wabonagor
eodi
radi
l
odi
sel
e?
Dudu:
Aoshem sor
rypapaaut
wa?Ify
oucome
homeear
lyI
'
llt
akecareoft
hat.
..
Bakang:
I'
m comi
ng.Il
ovey
ou
Dudu:
Ilov
eyout
oo.
.
Hehungupandwalkedar
oundt
heshopwi
th
hi
shandsint
hepocketsf
orawhi
let
henhe
appr
oachedt
het
il
l.
...

Me:
Hey
,wehav
ebeenwai
ti
ng.
..
Bakang:
(enter
edhispi
n)Sorr
y..(
kissedmy
neckandputhisar
m aroundmywai st)How
muchisallt
hese?
Me:Idon'
tknow,i
wasn'
tl
ooki
ngatt
hepr
ices.
.
I
sthereali
mit?
Bakang:
Noi
tsokay
..
..
.

AtAbal
eng'
shouse.
..
.

Renei
lwewalkedinashewastaki
ngoffhi
s
cl
othes.
..
.henot
icedhermoodwasdownas
shesl
owl
yputherhandbagont
hebedand
thr
ewher
sel
fonthebed..
..

Abal
eng:
Youokay
?
Reneil
we:ImissNaledi
,If
eelsoguilt
ythatI
causedalotofdrama.I
'mtheevildaughteri
n
l
aw, ican'
tbel
iev
eyourmothersentherpacking.
Abal
eng:Youknowmymotherl
ikes
over
react
ing,
shewi
l
lbef
ineaft
eraf ewweeks
Renei
lwe:ButIwishIcoul
dbetheref
orNaledi
,i
don'
tthi
nkshari
ngamanwi l
lbeeasy
,she
mightneedafri
end.
Abaleng:
Gi v
ehert
oughl
ove,
l
ethergetbur
ned
fi
rst
,she'
llcomear
ound.
Reneilwe:No,ican'
tdothat.
..Shewastheref
or
mewhenIneededhert hemostandshei s
pregnant,herhormonesareprobabl
ydr
ivingher
cr
azy .(si
ghed)ImissMaduoaswel l
,imissmy
f
ri
ends..
.Wearenotusedtohav
ingsomany
monthspassbywit
houtseei
ngeachot
her
.
Abaleng:Isawhertoday
,shelostal otof
weightandshewasn'thersel
f,akereoratago
phaphaat shegel
akogodimo, todayshewas
reserv
ed
Renei
:Ao?
Abaleng:Yeah,
shedidn'
tseem okay
,gakeit
se
l
egaleakerebasadi
leratagoipopamisal
erele
nnaslendermaybeshejustdeci
dedtoshed
thatfi
neass
Renei
:Fi
neass?
Abal
eng:
Youknowwhati
mean
Renei:Pl
easedon'
tcompli
mentmyfri
ends,
exceptNaledi
becauseshei
syoursi
ster
Abal
eng:
(laughed)Ar
eyouj
eal
ous?That
'
s
cut
e..
.
Renei
:I'
m notj
eal
ous
Abal
eng:
Ial
sowantanot
hergi
rl
fr
iend
Renei:
(laughed)Don'
ttr
ythatonme,
I'
ll
poi
son
yourgir
lfr
iendij
aa
Abal
eng:(
laughed)You'
resel
fi
sh.
..Car
ingi
s
shar
ing
Renei
:(wal
kedawaypressi
ngherphone)Idon'
t
car
ethat'
sthet
hing.
.

Shedial
edMaduo'
snumberandl
aidont
he
couch.
..
.

Maduo:
Hel
l
o?
Renei
:Hey
..
.Howar
eyou?
Maduo:
I'
mfi
ne,
howar
eyou?
Renei
:Good.
.Whencanwemeetnemma?I
missyou
Maduo:
Arey
oucomi
ngwi
thNal
edi
?
Renei
:Ihav
en'
tcal
l
edhery
et,
ist
her
eapr
obl
em?
Maduo:Naledisay
sI'
m usi
ngheranddrawi
ng
herbacki
nlife,
shesai
dalotsoI'
mtryi
ngto
avoi
dherandl i
vemyli
fe.
Renei
:Whatwer
eyout
wot
alki
ngabout
?
Maduo:
It'
sal
ongst
ory
..
.
Renei
:Whydon'ty
ouv
isi
tmesowecant
alk?Or
shoul
dIvi
sity
ou?
Maduo:I
'm knocki
ngof
fat5,
I'
ll
cal
lyouwhenI
gethome.
Renei
:Seey
oul
ater
Maduo:
Bye

Shehungup, Abal
engbentoverandkissedher
thenhesli
dov ert
hecouchandlaidontopof
herunzi
ppinghispant
s..
..
.
AtBakang'
shouse.
..
.

Laterthatafternoonhepar kedthecarand
steppedoutasi wascoll
ecti
ngmyt hi
ngsf rom
thebackseat ,hisphonereceivedamessage
andi l
ookedatt hescreen,i
twasf rom Dudu.He
walkedint hehousecar ryi
ngthebaby 'sthings
theniclickedonhi sphonehopi nghedi dn't
haveapasswor d,t
hemessageopenedt heni
l
ookedar oundandr eadtheirconversati
ons...

Me:
(si
ghed)Mxm.
..

Igotoutofthecarandwalkedinonhi
m ki
ssi
ng
herstandi
ngnexttothebabycot.
..
.

Me:
Ithoughty
ou'
l
lputi
tinmyr
oom.
..
Bakang:
I'
m goi
ngt
o..
.
Dudu:
HiNal
edi
,ther
eisf
oodi
ntheov
en
Me:
Weat
eatt
her
est
aur
ant
..
.
Dudu:
Babei
thoughty
ousai
dyouwer
ehungr
y
Bakang:
Yeah,
I'
m hungr
y..
.War
mthem upke
et
a
Dudu:(
walkingaway)Kanannakei
tseosa
kgor
edij
ot sadi
rest
aurant
..
.

Bakangfol
lowedmet othebedroom andput
thecoti
nthebedroom,hebr oughtmoreofthe
baby'
sthi
ngsandtheroom hadnospacel eft.
..I
satonthebedforafewmi nutesandwalked
out,
hewassi t
ti
ngatthedini
ngt abl
eshari
ng
hisf
oodwithher.
..
.

Me:Duduineedt
hebi
ggerbedr
oom,
thatonei
s
al
mostful
l
.
Dudu:
Lennai
needi
t,t
her
easony
ougav
eitt
o
mei
sbecausey
ousawi
tfi
ttousei
t.
..
Me:
Butnowi
needi
t
Dudu:Yourbabyisn'
ther
e,youcanpil
ethem up
butmineareinusebecausePri
ncessisusi
ng
them.
.
Bakang:(
tome)Sheisri
ghtbabey oudon't
needitasmuchasshedoes.I'
l
lpilethose
thi
ngsandcreat
espacewhenI'm doneeating.

Isi
ghedandsatont hecouchchangi
ngthe
channel
s,theycontinuedeat
ingandchatt
ing
wit
hlowv oices,shegiggl
edashelaughed
l
eaningback...

Bakang:(
smil
edatherandt
hrewt
hef
orki
nthe
pl
ate)Duduwee?
Dudu:(
giggl
edandsai
dsomet
hingi
naudi
ble)
Hahaha
Bakang:
(gent
lypi
nchedhercheek)Oat
senwa.
..

Irol
l
edmyeyesandconti
nuedwat
chi
ngtv,as
soonashewasdone,Shegott
hepl
ateand
wenttot
heki
tchen.
..
.

Bakang:(
lookedar ound)Wowt hehouseisver
y
cl
ean..
.Babepl easedon'tst
art,
wenakanay ou
neverst
opcl eaning.You'
renotsupposedto
overwor
ky ourself.
.
Dudu:(washi
ngthepl
ate)Ican'
tst
ayi
ndi
rt
,kea
pal
elwa.Ntai
kgogahel
a...
Bakang:
Weneedamaid,
kanaibi
l
eomot
set
si.
Mustrebat
emothoagot
huse
Dudu:
No,
I'
mfi
ne.
..
.
Bakang:Iknowyou,oncey oust
artcl
eani
ngyou
don'
tstop,youhav
eunt i
ltomorr
owt ofi
nda
maid,i
fyoudon'tI
'
llfi
ndonemy self
..
.(
smil
ed)A
sexyone.
..Wi
thabi
gassandbi
gboops.
..

Theylaughedlookingatmeexpecti
ngmet o
fi
nditfunnyandj oi
ninlaughi
ng,
igr
innedand
tur
nedt otheTV.Thehousewassomehow
bori
ngandi couldn'tt
akemuchmoreoftheir
bori
ngjokes..
..
.

Me:(gotthecarkeys)I
'
m goi
ngt
omymot
her
's
house,ihavet
otalktoher
Bakang:(
laughi
ngwi
thher
)Al
ri
ght
,dr
ive
saf
ely.
..
.

Iwalkedoutandsati nthecarforaf ewmi

nutes
tryi
ngnottocry,Idi
dn'tknowwhatshewas
planningbutiknewshewaspl anning
somet hi
ngandi twaswor ki
ng,
it'
slikehej
ust
forgotaboutmet heminutehegothome.I
si
ghedanddr
oveof
f.
..

Meanwhi l
eBakangstoodbythewindow
watchingthecart
henhesmiledandwalked
overtoDuduwhowasdoi ngthedishes,
he
ki
ssedherneckandunzippedhispants.
..

Bakang:
Whyar
eyoudoi
ngt
hist
ome?
Dudu:
(smi
l
ed)Doi
ngwhat
?
Bakang:
You'
real
licoul
dthi
nkabout
..
..

Het urnedherar
oundandki ssedher
,she
caressedhischestandsl
owl ygotonherknees
taki
ngouthi sbl
ackpipe.
..
.

I
nBakang'
scar
..
..
Meanwhi l
easi j
oinedtheroad,ir
emember ed
herseductiv
emessages, myey estearedupand
icouldbarel
yseet heroad,ibl
i
nkedand
droppedthetear
st heni madeaU-turn..
..

Iparkedt
hecaradi st
ancefrom thehouseso
theywouldn'
thearmet henIhurr
iedinsi
de,i
walkedbehindhi
m ashehel dherheadgrunti
ng
enjoyi
nghermouth,Igrabbedhisarm and
pull
edhim back.
..

Bakang:
(qui
ckl
ypul
l
eduphi
spant
s)Shi
t.
..
Dudu:(st
il
lonherknees)Whatdoy
ouwant
Naledi
?Youhady ourchancei
t'
smytur
n..
.
Me: Thereareno,turns.I
'
m donewitht
his.
..
Thisjokeisover.
..
.packyourt
hingsandgoback.
Ican'tdothi
s..
..
Dudu:
(st
oodupr
ubbi
nghermout
h)I
tdoesn'
t
workli
kethat.
.Leav
eifyoucan'tt
akethis,
I'
m
notl
eaving.Youhadyourchanceyest
erday,he
i
smi netoday.
..
Bakang:(l
eanedagai nstt
hecount errecover
ing
fr
om hisintensemoment )Shiii
t!(grabbedahalf
glassofwat eranddrunkallofit)Nal ediy
ou
don'tj
ustreversethi
ngs,youcan' tjustchange
yourmind...
wei nv
estedourf eeli
ngsi ntothi
s
i
dea...
..
Me:Whatar eyousaying?Lookatmeandt el
l
me...
.Iwantheroutofher e,thiswasouridea
andy ouwer enotpartofit
.Idon'twantherin
ourrelat
ionshi
p,thi
sjokeisov er.
..
.You'
l
lhaveto
chooseify ouhaveapr obl
em wi t
hwhati sai
d.

Heturnedaroundandf acedus,Duduleaned
agai
nstthestovestar
ingathim, i
fol
dedmy
armswaiti
ngf orhi
sanswer .
..
..
[
09/
24,
19:
15]Ron:
Co-
wif
e
#19

AtBakang'
shouse.
..
.

Bakang:Whyareyoubothl
ooki
ngatme?I
'
m
notchoosi
nganyt
hing.
..

Hezi
ppedhi
spant
sandpul
l
edouthi
sT-shi
rt
wal
ki
ngoutt
henwefol
l
owedhi
m...
..
..
.

Me:
Youcan'
thav
eitbot
hway
s..
.
Bakang:(t
urnedar
ound)Don'
tevent
rytof
li
p
thescri
pt.
..I
'
m notget
ti
nginv
olv
edinyour
nonsense.
Me:
Whatnonsense?
Bakang:(
angr
il
y)I
'
m notchoosi
ng
anyt
hing,
Okay
?anddon'tev
ergi
vemean
al
ter
nat
ive,
ever
.
Me:Youhav etomakeupyourmind,ican'
tdo
t
his.
..
.I'
m doingdoi
ngt
hisanymore.
Bakang:
Yesyoucanandy ouwil
l,
Idi
dn'
tcome
upwitht
hisbul
lshity
oudi
d,yougotmyhopes
andyou'
renotcrushi
ngt
hem.
Dudu:
Buti
fshecan'
t-
Bakang:I
'
m notnegot iat
ingwi t
hanyofy ou.
..
Comet othi
nkofi t
, i
feelviolatedandused. .
.
Youbothsatandhadadi scussionaboutt his
wholethi
ng,neveratpointdi dy ouinvolveme
andnowt hatyourplanisf ai
lingI'
m supposed
tocomefort herescue?Hel lno, I
'
m not
choosi
ngany thi
ngandy ou' r
ebot hgoingt ostay
i
nhishouseandpl aybyy ourhouser ules..
.
Me:
I'
m notst
ayi
ngher
e
Bakang:
Doyoureal
l
ywantt
ogodownt
hat
rout
ewithme?
Dudu: (
sof
tl
y )Canyoutwopleasegoarguei
n
yourroom,thebabyissleepi
ngandineedto
rest
.

Shegoti nherroom andcl osedthedoor,

Bakanggr abbedmyar m anddraggedmei nmy
room thenhecl osedthedoorandsatmeont he
bed..
.Tearsf i
ll
edmyey esandcoveredmyf ace
cryi
ng,hest oodbyt hewindowholdinghi
s
waistwithhist-shi
rthangingonhisshoulder.
..
.

Bakang:St
opcrying..
..(ist
oppedcryi
ngbutthe
sni
ffi
ngcouldn'
tstop)You'renotaboutt
omake
met hebadguyher e,youcameupwi tht
hisshi
t
youhavetokeepi tgoing.
Me:Ify
oucan'
tchoose,I
'
llchoosef
ory
ou.I
'
m
notgoi
ngt
oshareyou..
.
Bakang:
(turnedaroundandfacedme)You'
re
bei
ngchil
dishrightnow,wespentani
ght
t
ogetherandnowthatihav
etobewi
thDudu
y
ou'r
et hr
owingat
antrum?
Me: (
rubbedmyey es)Ididn'
tknowi twouldhurt
thi
smuch, ican'tdot hi
s..
.Ididn'
tevenknow
youwer egoingtospendani ghti
nherr oom
becauseshei snursing,sheshouldn'tbehavi
ng
sexforChristsake
Bakang: Thereisabi gdif
fer
encebet weenher
gi
vingmeaheadandmepenet rati
ngher.
..We
weren'thav i
ngsex ,
butjustbecausewear enot
havingsexdoesn' tmeani can'
tspendt i
mewi t
h
her,I'
l
lstil
lsleepinherr oom.Ifwear enot
havingsexwe' l
lfi
ndawayar oundi t
..
.Wewill
makei twor ksomehow, God!Nal edi
..
..Whyare
weev endi scussingt hi
s?
Me: Justtel
lhertoleave.
..Idon'
twanther
anymor e.Nnatotanekesai t
segoregotaanna
thatayaana,thi
ngsseemedeasi erwhenwe
discussedthem.Nal edii
snowact i
ngli
kesheis
mymot her,
tell
i
ngmewheni shoul
ddochores
ar
oundt
hehouse..
.sheisact
ingli
ket
heperf
ect
wi
femaki
ngmel ooklazyinf
rontofy
ou.
..
Bakang: (
sighedandwal kedov er)Babe. .
.
(squattedi nfrontofmeandr ubbedmybump
l
ookingatme)Li st en...(si
ghed)Youmi ghtnot
underst andthisbutt rytounder standi t.Since
thedayi wasbor norshoul dIsayf orasl ongas
Icanr emember .
..Myl aundr yandl unchwas
donebyamai d,i hav enev ert astedmymot her'
s
meals.Mymot herdi dn'tdomuchar oundt he
house, wehadamai dbuti hav enev ernotonce
heardmyf at
herdegr adeherf orthat .That '
s
whyi nev erexpectmygi rl
friendt odol aundr y,
breakherbackcl eani nganddoi ngal l t
hese
work, ihav enopr obl em get tingt hatf rom a
maid, that'sal
l iknewmywhol eli
feandi hav e
nopr oblem wi thit .Al lIneedf rom awomani s
herlove, respectandl oy al
ty.I figotagi rl
f r
iend
thatcooksl i
keDudut hat '
scool I'
mf inebuti t
doesn'tmakemel ov ehermor eorl ess, idon't
careaboutt hat.That '
showIgr ewup, stop
tr
yingt ocompet ewi t
hher ,
Dudui sneatf reak,
shehast owelsthatar enotusedbecauset hey
arefordecor ati
on, shehasal lsortsofr ules
aboutt hehouse, that'
sherandI '
mf inewi ththat
butyou?You' r
edifferent.
..You'resimpl e...You
washt hedi shestwi ceinadayandt hat'
s
normal tomebutDududoesn' twantt of ind
anythingdi r
tyinthesi nk,
it'
sal i
ttletoomuch
butthat '
sher..
.Ithoughty ouguy swer ef ri
ends,
what '
sgoi ngon?Wher ei
sallthesecomi ng
fr
om?
Me:I'
m notreadytoseeyoulovingheror
hav
ingsexwi t
hher,I
'm sor
ry.Idon'
tthi
nkican
dothi
s..
..
tel
lhertogo
Bakang:
Gowher
eexact
ly?Shecan'
tl
eav
e..
.
Me:Fine,(gr
abbedmybag)I'
l
lgobacktomy
houseifshedoesn'
thaveel
sewheret
ogo,i
t'
s
over
.(stoodup)Youcanbewithher
Bakang:(
stoodupandgr
abbedmywr
ist
)Si
t
down..
..
Me:(t
urnedar
ound)I
'm goi
ngt
omyhouse,I'
m
goi
ngtoworktomorr
ow.Idon'
tneedt
hiski
nd
ofdr
ama.
Bakang:
(angr
il
y)Isai
dsi
tdown!
Me:
NO

Iwalkedawayandopenedthedoort
henhe
sl
ammedt hedoorandt ur
nedmearound
grabbi
ngmynecktight
ly.
..
.

Bakang:Oskal ekagonthokelamai tseoNaledi

autwa..
?Youdon' twanttoseet hatsideof
me...
.(
staringinmyeyesf ur
ious)don' tmake
medot his...(
irai
sedmyey ebrowswi thadar
e
l
ook)Don' tgivemethatlook..
.Ot ogaot habi
wa
kedit
hoo...
Igotthechi
ll
sjustl
ooki
nginhiseyesand
quickl
ychangedmyatti
tude,
heletgoofme
thenIsatonthebed.

Bakang:(openedt
hedoorandl ookedatme)
Andi changedmymind,you'l
lseey ourmother
tomorrownotnowlooki
ngt hewayy oudo.Go
takeshowerandgetsomesl eep..
..I'
ll
checkon
youatnightwhenIgotothet oi
letorsomething.
Me:
(sl
owl
ytookof
fmydr
ess)Okay
..
.
Bakang:
Okaywhat
?
Me:
Okaybabe,
I'
ll
takeashower

Helookedatmeonel
astt
imeandcl
osedt
he
door.
..
AtDudu'
sroom.
..

Heopenedthedoorandst
aredatherasshe
wassi
tti
ngonthebedwait
ingforhi
m...

Bakang:Idon'
tknowwhatyout
woar efi
ght
ing
aboutbutineedthedr
amatostop,
it'
s
annoyi
ngandi tput
smeinanawkwardposi
tion.
Dudu:
I'
m sor
ry.
..
Bakang:
Got
akeabat
hwi
thher
Dudu:
(fr
owned)What
?
Bakang:Gotakeashowerwit
hher,y
oubot
h
can'
thandl
ey ourar
gumentsoiusemy
way..
.t
akeyourclot
hesof
f.
Dudu:
Bakang?
Bakang:
Doi
t.
..Apol
a..
.
Sheslowl ytookoffherclot
hesandwrapped
herselfwi thatowelthenshemadeherwayt o
thebat hroom. .
.Meanwhi l
eIworeashowercap
andgoti ntheshower ,
Duduopenedthedoor
andwal kedin,ipausedlooki
ngatherandmet
hisface. .
.

Bakang:
Tsenamot
eng.
..
..
..
.

Shehunghert owel andj oi

nedmei ntheshower
asi l
ookedather ,
het ookof fhispantsand
hungt hem t
henhewal kedov erlookedatthe
bathroom space.
..
Itwasenough, hegoti
nand
tur
nedt hetapstandingbet weenus. .
.……(
9t)
[
09/
24,
19:
15]Ron:
Co-
wif
e
#20and#21

AtBakang'
shouse.
..
Weal lqui
etl
ytookashowert henIgrabbedt he
towelandsteppedoutdr yi
ngmy sel
f,Icouldtel
l
Duduwasi ntent
ionall
ydelayi
ngsot hatshecan
remainwithhim andi gaveherthesat i
sfacti
on.
Iwalkedoutandcl osedthedoor...
.

Onceinmyr oom Iswi t

chedof ftheli
ghtsand
l
aiddown...Therewasanawkwar dsil
ence,t
he
waterhadstoppedr unningandnoneoft hem
wastalki
ng..
.Iknewshewaspr obabl
ysucking
hi
sdick..
.Itossedandt urnedforquit
esome
ti
met heniheardhim gruntingassheincreased
hermoaningpr obablyboostinghispl
easure.
..

Minut
eslatert
heystar
tedtal
ki
ng,shegi
ggled
ashelaughed,t
ear
swett hepi
ll
owasi l
aidon
myside.
Isomehowdosedof fsomewher
einbet
ween
mysorrows.
..
..
..
..
..

AtMaduo'
shouse.
..

Onthesameev eni
ngAbalengdropped
Reneil
weatt
hegat eanddroveoff
,sheknocked
andwalkedi
nasMaduowasl yi
ngont hecouch
watchi
ngamov ie,
theysmil
edatoneanother
andhuggedthentheysatdown.
...

Renei
lwe:Youl
ostal
otofwei
ght
,what
happened?
Maduo:Uhnothingreal
l
y..IguessIwasf
at
becauseofdr
inking
Renei
lwe:No,
beergi
veswomenabi
gasaggy
bel
lybuty
ouwerejustf
ine.
..
..
.
Maduo:
(laughed)Youhav
enev
ert
ast
edbeeri
n
y
ourl
i
fe,
whatdoy
ouknow?
Reneil
we:(l
aughed)Iknowy ou.
..
(looki
nginher
eyes)andsomethingiswrong,icantell
..
..
Maduo:
(si
ghed)Pr
omisemey ouwon'
ttel
l
any
one.
..I
t'
sver
yconf
ident
ial
Renei
l
we:
Iwon'
ttel
lany
one,
ipr
omi
se.Tr
ust
me
Maduo: Doy ouremembert hedayIcal l
edyou
andy ousaidyouwon'tmakei t
?IaskedNaledi
becausei r
eall
yneededsomeonewi t
hme, i
knowi getimpulsi
veonceI '
m drunkandi
tr
ustedherbecausesheal way slookedaft
erme
whenIwasdr unkbutimadeami st
akethi
s
ti
mear ound,shewaspr egnantandal ways
sl
eepysowhenwegott hereshewant edto
sl
eepandDi tsame'scousingav eheraroom,
aft
eraf ewdr i
nksifor
gottowakeherandl ef
t
wit
hsomeguy .WhenIgottohi shousehe
wantedt osl
eepwi t
hmewi thoutacondom and
ir
efusedt henhekickedmeoutat2inthe
morning.Itri
edcall
ingkesenaai
rt
imetheni
wait
edf orataxikanteDi
tsameoutsul
emadi
ame
Renei
l
we:
Dit
samekanawaut
swagor
e..
.Mx
m
Maduo: ihadt owal kbecausei di
dn'tfeel safe
standingt her e,fourguy spickedmeup, they
wereni ceandal l
,theypr omisedtotakeme
homebutt heot heronesai dhehadt oget
somet hingathome.Theyaskedmei fitwas
okayandi didn'thav emuchofachoi ce..
.We
gotther eandt hehousewashuge, i
twasabi g
house...Theyof feredmeadr i
nkandi waitedby
thecouch, theot hert wost ar
tedtouchi ng
me. .
.t
hat '
swheni r
ealisedwhatwasr eally
happeni ng...Theot hertwowal kedov erand
slowlytookof fmyshoes. .
.Eachoft hem, my
heartwaspoundi ng..
..(Reneil
wegott eary)the
othertwot ouchedmybr east
s..
.
Renei
l
we:
(rubbi
nghert
ear
s)Di
dn'
tyousayno?
Maduo: (
tear ful
ly)Idi d.
..Iwascr yingandi tri
ed
kickingbutt heyt oldmet hatal ltheywant ed
wasmypussy ,theirwor dnotmi ne.Theysai di f
iwant edabeat ingi shoulddi stur bthem or
resist,theyev ent oldmet heywoul dputt heir
handsi nsidemei fi want edi tthehar dwaysoi
submi ttedandt heyt ookt urnsonmet hewhol e
night..
.( t
ear full
y)Theyal lejaculatedinsi deme
andi wasf l
owi ng, iwasdi sgust edwi thmy self
..
.
Thenextmor ningt heydr oppedmeatt hegat e
anddr oveof fl i
kei twasnot hing.Theyt oldmei f
irepor tedt hem t heywoul dcomef orme
becausei showedt hem wher eist ayandt hey
knewme.Igothomeandt r
iedt ocal lyouguy s
but...
Renei
l
we:Iremembert
hatday,
youwer
ecr
ying
andit
houghtyouwer
edrunk
Maduo:
That'
sthesamedayNal edit
oldmet hat
shei
sdonebabysi
tt
ingme,thatIwasusingher
andt
hatIwasn'
tauseful
fri
end,shewasr i
ght.
..
Ihavenoproblem wit
hher,
ijustdeci
dedto
del
etehercontactsandst
ayoutofherli
fe
becauseI
'm uselesst
oher.
Reneilwe:Thisiswhathappened...Di
tsame
alsostolehermoneyandshegothomel ate,
sheov erslept
..
.BKwasv er
yangr ywithher
thinki
ngshei soneofthesepartygirl
s..
.She
musthav ebeenfr
ustr
atedaboutt hat
.
Maduo:(
sighed)Iunder
standandi
t'
sal
lmy
f
aul
t..
.
Renei
l
we:Buti
fyoudi
dn'
treporttheni
tmeans
youdi
dn'
tgett
reat
ed,
whatiftheygaveyouHI
V?
Maduo: Itol
dthepol i
ceadiffer
entst oryand
gottreatment,I
'mf i
ne..
.Thefir
stf ewweeks
weret r
aumat i
c,icouldseethei
rf aceswheni
tri
edtosleepbuti havebeendoi ngf i
ne
recentl
y..
.Icangot osleepl
ikeev eryone.
Renei
l
we:
I'
m sosor
ryaboutwhathappened.
..
Maduo:
(tear
ful
l
y)I
'
llbef
ine.
..Atl
eastI
'
m
negat
ive
Renei
l
we:
I'
m sor
ryi
wasn'
tther
e..
.

Theyhuggedf
orawhi
l
e..
..

Maduo:(smi l
edandr ubbedhert ears)Nowi
wanttoseeNal edi,
iunderstandwhyshewas
angr
y..
.Shel ovesBakangandi canimagine
howshef eltl
ookingli
keapar tyanimal when
shei
snot .
..Shemusthav ebeendi sappoi
nted
Reneil
we:Shewasbuthef
orgav
eher
,(si
ghed)
Thereisanewdevel
opment
..
.
Maduo:
What
?
Reneil
we:NalediissharingBakangwithsome
womancal ledDudu,shei splay
ingNaledi
and
sheisfal
li
ngf orhert
ricks,sheconvi
nced
Naledit
hatmat urewomendon' tfi
ghtforaman,
theyshare
Maduo:
What
?
Renei
l
we:
Shesweett
alkedheri
ntoi
t
Maduo:ButNaledialwayssaidshewon'
tl
eta
manwalkalloverher,shewasast r
ongwoman,
whathappened?Isithispocket
?
Reneil
we:Any
wayi tol
dherbrotherandyou
knowhowhei s,hegotangr
yandnowNal edi
is
angrywit
hmef orshar
inghersecret
.(smil
ed)
bythewayI'
m getti
ngmarri
ed..
.
Maduo: (Smiledandgr abbedherhand)Ididn'
t
seethi
s, youwi t
chwhydi dn'tyoutell
me!
Wow. .
..Congr at
ulati
ons,canipleasebethe
bestl
adypl ease,please,I
'm begging.
..
Renei
lwe:
(laughed)Okay
,youcanbet
hebest
l
ady..
..
Maduo:weshoul
dgooutt
omor
rowandmeet
Nal
edi.
..
..
Theyhuggedexci
tedl
y.
..

AtBakang'
shouse.
..

Thenextmor ningi gotupearlyasusual and

tookabat h,ev eryonewasasl eepandi wasat
peacef oramoment ,igotr
eadyf orworkand
madebr eakf ast .
..
Bakangwal kedbehi ndmeasi
wasser v i
nghi splateandDudu' s,hegav emea
softkissont henextandsof t
lycaressedmy
butt,
igotgoosebumpsj ustfr
om hi stouches
thenhet ur nedmear oundandki ssedme, He
hadjustbr ushedhi st eethandicoul dsmellt
he
pasteinhi sbr eath,iwasangr ywithhim butmy
bodydi sappoi ntedme. ..
.

Bakang:
Goodmor
ning.
..
.
Me:
mor
ning.
..
It
urnedar
oundandcont
inueddi
shi
ng.
..
..

Bakang:
Arey
oust
il
langr
yatme?
Me:
Iwantt
omov
eout
..
.
Bakang:You'
renotmov
ingout
,it
houghti
made
i
tclearl
astni
ght.

Icov
eredt
hei
rfoodandwal
kedout
..
.

Me:
I'
m goi
ngt
owor
k,by
e
Bakang:
Cani
hav
eaki
ss?
Me:
No,
I'
ll
pass
Bakang:
(gr
abbedmyar
m)Iwasn'
taski
ngy
ou.
..

It
urnedar
oundandki
ssedhi
m,het
ouchedmy
neckandki
ssedsomemor
ehol
dingmecl
oser
..
.

Bakang:
Ilov
eyou
Me:
Ilov
eyout
oo.
..
Bakang:
Getmycar
,I'
l
laskTr
evort
opi
ckme
Me:
(wal
ki
ngaway
)I'
l
luseat
axi
.
..
Bakang:(
smi
l
e)Youl
ooksocut
ewheny
ou'
re
angry
..
.
Me:
Mxm
Bakang:Gi
vethetaxidr
iverati
pbecausey
ou'
ll
beusingpubl
ict
ransportfort
helastt
imet
oday.
Royalhei
rsdon'
tri
depublictr
ansport
..
.

Icl
osedt
hedoorandwal
kedaway
..
..

AtNando'
s.
..
.
Latert
hataf
ter
noonRenei
lweandMaduot
ook
thei
rseat
sandmadedrinkor
ders.
..

Renei
:(t
ookoutherphone)Sowhoi
sgoi
ngt
o
cal
lher
?Sheissti
llmadatme..
Maduo:
(di
aled)I
'
llcallher
,sheneverhol
dsa
gr
udgeunl
essthi
spr egnancyisworki
ngonher
.

Atmyof
fi
ce.
..
..

Itookaf ewspoonsoffoodwhil
ewat chinga
mov i
eint hecomputer
,ihadl
ongknockedof f
butistuckaroundtheoffi
cewat
chingmov i
es
onli
nebecauset hehousewasbori
ng...
..my
phoner ang..
.
Me:
Hel
l
o?
Maduo:
Hi
Me:
(smi
l
ed)Hi
,l
ongt
ime.
..Howar
eyou?
Maduo:
I'
m good,
howar
eyou?
Me:
I'
m okayi
guess.
.
Maduo:
I'
m havi
ngameal
atNando'
s,cany
ou
j
oinme?Mytreat
Me:
I'
ll
bet
her
einaf
ewmi
nut
es.
..
..

Ihungupandwal kedoutoftheoffi
ce.
.Asi
walkeddownt hestai
rsIwonderedwhenlasti
hadfeltt
hebabykicking,
itwasunusualf
orhim
nottomov e.
..
ormay beheplay
edwheni wasn'
t
aware.

AtBakang'
shouse.
..
.
Dudugothomeandf oundherbr
eakfast,
she
pausedlooki
ngatit
,shethought
ful
lystaredat
thefoodforsometimeandempt i
edthepl atei
n
thebin.Shewashedtheplat
eandputitint he
unit
..
.

Shethencleanedthehouseandsatont he
couch,shecouldn'
ttakebeingt
heonlyone
taki
ngcareofthehouset hengotup.
..

Dudu:
(knocki
ngont
hedoor
)Nal
edi
?Nal
edi
?

Ther
ewasnoresponse,
shedi
aledhi
snumber
andsatont
hecouch.
..
.

Bakang:
Hel
l
o?
Dudu:
Hi,
canwet
alk?
Bakang:
Yeah,
sur
e
Dudu: Idon'
twantt oseem li
keI '
m sni
tchingbut
reall
ythetimeNaledi getsupisconcerning,she
i
sst i
llsl
eepingatthisti
me.Shewasst il
l
sleepi
ngwheni l
eftforthecli
nic,af
tertheclini
c
ipassedbymot her'shousebutshei sst i
lli
nher
room-
Bakang:
Shei
satwor
k,shel
eftbef
orey
ougot
up.
Dudu:
Oh-
Bakang:
Didy
out
ryf
indi
ngamai
d?
Dudu:
Noty
et
Bakang:ThereasonIwanty outof i
ndamai dis
becauseNaledii
sworki
ng,sheleav eshomeat
6am andcomeshomeat5pm. ..
.Whenshe
getshomeshewoul dbeex hausted,shewon' t
workashardasy oudobecausey oudonot hing
al
lday.Shemost l
yusesweekendst orestthat'
s
whyshegetsupl at
eonweekends, don'texpect
hert
oworkli
keyoudo,
herweekdaysar
e
busy
,fi
ndamaid.
..i
'
mtry
ingt
oav oi
dconfl
i
cts.
Dudu:Idonothi
ngal
lday
?homechor
esar
eas
exhaust
ingas-
Bakang: Youknowwhati mean,shedoesn't
havethecomf or
ty ouhav e,
understandher
sit
uati
onandshei spr egnant,
shehasev ery
ri
ghttobel azy.Howcomei understandandI'
m
aman?Dudukanaunt ily
ouhav espenthours
sit
ti
ngont hechai rstari
ngatthecomput erall
dayyou'llt
hi nkit
'snot hi
ng,iknockof f
exhausted, Naledileeneshewi l
lbeexhausted
l
ikemesof indamai dt ohelpyouar oundthe
house.
Dudu:
(si
ghed)Okay
,I'
l
ldot
hat
.
Bakang:
Hey .
..
nnakesi
mol
olagobor
egakedi
repor
tever
yhour.
Dudu:
Whydoy
ougetangr
ywheni
tal
kabout
her
?
Bakang: Dudumay beweshoul ddropt hiswhole
thi
ngt hen,youcameupwi t
hi t
.May beit'
st i
mei
acceptt hatthingsneverworkedoutbet weenus
andnowI 'm withanotherwoman, whoi needto
appreciate,clearl
ythi
spolygamyt hi
ngi sn't
working, i
t'
sbeen2day syetitfeel
slike2
years.
..
Dudu:
I'
m sor
r-
Bakang:
Idon'
tfeelthi
sanymor
e,maybey
ou
shoul
dgobackhome, nothi
ngI
sworki
ngout
thewayweexpected.
Dudu:Don'
tmakedeci
sionswheny
ouar
eangr
y,
I
'm sor
r-

Hehungupandleanedbacksi
ghi
ng
f
rust
rat
edl
y.
..
..
.

AtNando'
s.
..
..
Minut
esl
ateri
smiledasi
appr
oachedmy
f
ri
endsandsatdown..
.

Me:
(smi
l
ed)Hi
Maduo:(huggedme)Hey
..
..(
laughed)Thi
sis
f
unny,y
ourbumpi ssobi
g..
.It
'sbeenawhile.
..
Me:Iknow,iwantedtocal
lyoubutiwasafr
aid
youmightnotanswerbecauseIwasver
yrude
l
astti
me.
Maduo:Youhadev er
yreason.
..I
fihadan
al
cohol
icfr
iendwhousedmeasherbody guar
d
Iwoul
dloseittoo.
..
Me:
Thanksf
orunder
standi
ng.
..
.
Maduo: (si
ghed)Nowt hatt
heconfli
cthasbeen
sorted,
canwet alkaboutyoutwo?(welooked
atoneanot herandlookedaway )Youhavebeen
fr
iendssincechildhoodpleasetel
lmey ou'
re
notgoi
ngt
oletsomet
hingt
hissmal
lbr
eaky
our
bond.
..
Me: Ican'
ttr
ustherwi t
hasecret,don'tt
rusther
withanysecretsyou'
llregr
eti
t.
...Il
oveherbut
Renei'
sweaknessi sthatshecan'tkeepher
fr
iendssecrets.I
fyoudon'tbel
ievemey ou'l
l
gi
v emeahandoneday .
Renei
l
we:
I'
m sor
ryNal
edi
.
..I
'
m sor
ry.
..
Maduo:Pleaseforgi
veher,
forme..
.Thereis
somethingiwanttotel
lyoubutnotunt
ilyou
twosortyoursel
ves
Me:(si
ghed)Imi
ssheranyway,i
guessi
canl
et
i
tpassbutnextt
imeI'
l
lkil
lher
Renei
:(huggedme)Thanky
ou,
ther
ewon'
tbe
nextt
ime...
.

Il
eanedbackandl
i
stenedt
oMaduowhile
car
essi
ngmybumpt ry
ingt
ofeel
thebaby'
s
mov
ement
..
..

Maduo:Iwantt
otel
lyouwhathappenedt
hat
day
,Aft
er-
Me:Guy
ssinceyest
erdayihav
en'
tfel
tthebaby
ki
cki
ng,
isn'
tababysupposedtopl
ayeveryday
?
Maduo:
Idon'
tknow
Renei
:Heshoul
dpl
ay,
whati
fsomet
hingi
s
wrong?
Maduo:
Arey
oui
nanypai
n?
Me:Nokeipot
sagorekeengadidi
metsehel
a,
i
tworri
esme.Cont
inuemaybehewil
lplay
l
ater
..
.
Maduo:
Any
wayso-

Myphoner
ang.
..
Me:
Hel
l
o?
Bakang:Hi
,I
'm sor
ryf
orbeingrudel
astni
ght
,i
don'
tknowwhati wasthi
nking.
..
Me:
It'
sokay
..
.
Bakang:
Iam soscaredyou'
regoi
ngtol
eav
e
mebuti can'
tl
oseyou.Don'
tmoveout
Me:
Ican'
tdot
hisany
mor
e.
Bakang:Ther
eissomet
hingi
wantt
oshow
you.
..Wherearey
ou?
Me:
Nando'
s.
..
Bakang:I
'
llpi
ckyoui
nashor
twhi
l
e,I
'
m5
minutesaway.
Me:
Okay
..

Ihungupsmi
l
ingandputt
hephonedown.
..
.

Maduo:
(smi
l
ed)And?
Me:
Orat
adi
kgang
Renei
:(l
aughed)Shar
e..
Me:(
blushed)Ithi
nkheissl
owl
ychangi
nghi
s
mi
ndaboutpol y
gamy .
..

Theyleanedoverandhuggedme..t
hewai
tress
tookourorder
sthenwer el
axedhavi
ngdr
inks.
..
.

Me:
Whatdi
dyouwantt
otel
lme?
Maduo:Itcanwait
..
.Soguyslet
'st
alkabouta
babyshower,Iwantt
oorgani
seababyshower
fory
ou,noalcohol
..
.Doihaveyourper
mission?
Me:(
smi
l
ed)Yes.
..(
myphoner
angandi
picked)
Hel
l
o?
Bakang:
Comeout
side,
lookf
oranwhi
teBMW.
..
Me:
(fr
owned)Okay
..
.
Minut eslat
erthegi
rl
sandiwalkedoutoft
he
restaurantandspot
tedthewhit
eBMW, he
steppedoutandi walkedi
nhisarms,he
huggedmeandhandedmet hekeys.
..
.

Bakang:
You'
redr
ivi
ng.
..I
'
m exhaust
ed.
Me:
I'
m pr
egnant
..
.
Bakang:
Breakt
hel
awj
ustt
hisonce.
..
Renei
:Seey
out
omor
row.
..
Bakang: Youdon' thavetogo, getin.
..
.I'
l
lbe
ri
ghtbehi ndy ou.
.(openedt hedoorforRenei)
Getin..
.(shegoti nthenheopenedf orMaduo)
Comeon. ..(shegotinthenhecl osed)Alr
ight
..
.
(walkedtomysi deandki ssedme)Dr ive
safely.
..
.I'
llseeyouathome.
Me:
(awkwar
dly
)o-
okay
..
.

Idr
oveoutoft
hepar
kingl
otandj
oinedt
he
mai
nroad.
..
.

Maduo:
Whati
sthepr
inceupt
o?
Renei
:(l
ookedar
ound)Whosecari
sit
?
Me:
Mustbeoneofhi
sfr
iend'
s.
..

Renei
'
sphoner
ang.
..
.

Renei
:Hel
l
o?
Bakang:
Hey
,putmeonl
oudspeaker
..
Renei
:Okay
..
.
Bakang:
(onl
oudspeaker
)Heybabehow'
sthe
car
?
Me:
It'
sokay
,why
?
Bakang:Idon'
tl
iket
hatyouuseat axi
ever
yday
wheny ougotowork,y
ou'r
ecarr
yingthehei
r
andheshouldn'
tusepubl
ictranspor
t.Unti
lhei
s
18year
soldandabletodriv
ehi msel
fy ou'
l
lbe
dri
vi
nghim wit
hthatca-
Me:(
screamedhol
dingt
hest
eer
ingwheel
)
Whaaaaaaaat
?!
Maduo:(
snappedf
inger
s)Chooos,
ntannake
bonal
if
t
Renei:(
laughed)Wow,
soacarcanbeagi
ftj
ust
l
ikethat.
.
Me:(exci
tedly)Wheny
ouar
ecar
ryi
nga
hei
r.
..
hell
y eah!!
!

Weallscreamedloudl
yheev
enhung
up.
..
..
..
..
..
..
..
..
..
.(9t
)

[
09/
24,
21:
40]Ron:
Co-
wif
e
#22

AtBakang'
shouse.
..
.

Idrovethr
oughthegateasthel
adiesandi
tal
kedloudl
y,i
ftherewasanydoubtinmet hat
hedidn'
tlovemei twaswi
pedoutbyt hecar
andnoi wasn'
tleavi
ngmyman...

Maduo:(
roll
eddownt
hewi
ndow)OhGod.
..I
l
iket
hishouse.
..
Me:
Bigasi
tisi
tonl
yhas2bedr
ooms
Ney
:Sohowdoy
ouguy
ssl
eep?
Me:Igottheot
herroom andDudugott
he
ot
her.
..Hejumpsbetweenthetwo
Maduo:Onalesebet
ewaitseNaledi
,howdo
yousl
eepknowingheisr
idingDudunextdoor
?
Me:Ialmostdi
edofheartat
tackl
astni
ghtbuti
sur
viv
ed..
.I'
m okaynow.
Ney:Sheisgoi
ngt
orepl
acey
ouoncey
ougof
or
bot
setsi
Me:
Shewon'
t,
ihav
etheboy
.
Maduo:Thi
sisjustt
oocreepyforme.Ican't
shareaman,wheniseeagirlwit
hamani have
acrushonial
readyfeel
li
keslappi
ngher.
..
Me:That
'swhyy ou'
ret
hest ubbor
none
amongstus,
it'
snotcute.Ladiest
alk,
theydon'
t
fi
ght
Maduo:
(shookherhead)God!

Meanwhil
eDudumov edt
hecur
tai
nsaswe
cl
osedthecardoor
s..

Me:
(joki
ngl
y)Pl
easebeni
cet
omydi
ckbuddy
Maduo:
(laughed)Okay
Renei
:Mxm Duokantewaat
shega?Thi
sisn'
t
funny
,Nal
edit
akesthi
ngssi
mple.
..
Me:(
laughed)i
justgotacar
,don'
tspoi
lmy
mood..
.

Wewal kedinthehouseasDuduwassitt
ingon
thecouchbreastf
eedi
ngherbabywatchi
ngtv,
thel
adiessatdownasi passedt
othe
bedroom..
.

Me:
HiDudu
Dudu:
Hey
..
.
Me:That'
sRenei
l
weandMaduo,
they
'r
emy
f
ri
ends,guyst
hat'
sNal
edi
.
.

Ihur
ri
edi
nandchangedmycl
othes.
..
.
I
nthel
i
vingr
oom.
..
.

Renei
:Hi
Dudu:
Hel
l
o
Maduo:
Hi
Dudu:
Hi.
.

Theylookedatherli
tt
lebabyandl
ookedatone
another
,itdi
dn'
tfeelri
ghtbei
ngi
nthepresence
ofsuchat i
nybaby..
.

Maduo:
Howol
disshe?
Dudu:
6weeks

Theyal
lkeptqui
etassheputherbr
eastbacki
n
herbraandwal
kedout
,Sheknockedonmy
doorandgoti
n..
.

Dudu:
Hi
Me:
Hey
Dudu:(loweredherv oi
ce)Youcoul dhaveat
l
eastwar nedmey ou'
rebr i
ngingfriendsover,
youknowwehav eanewbor ninthehouse.I
knowi can'tbeonconf inementher ebutwe
couldatleastrespectthechildren.Iwouldn'
t
bringf
riendsov eri
fPri
ncei s6weeksol djust
becausekeai t
sehel agor engwanagaa
tshwanelagodi kaganyetswakebat ho.
.
Me:Idi
dn'
tthi
nkabouti
tfrom t
hatangl
e,we
wi
ll
leave.
..Wewi
llgotothepool.
Dudu:No,
it'
sokay
.Itwi
l
lbel
i
keI
'
m chasi
ng
t
hem away
Me:
iwasn'
tpl
anni
ngt
ost
ayi
ndoor
swi
tht
hem,
that
'swhyI
'
mtaki
ngt
het
owel
s,wear
egoi
ngt
o
swim..
.
Dudu:Oh,
okay
..
.ButIalsot
houghtthi
s
pol
ygamywasasecret,
obarei
leorekemang?
Me:Don'
twor
ryaboutt
hem,
theycankeepa
secr
et
Dudu:You'
rebr
eaki
ngev
eryagr
eementwehad
Naledi
.
.
Me:Thesearetheonlyfr
iendsIhaveandtrust
metheywon'ttel
lanyoneaboutus.(smil
edand
showedherthekeys)Anyway..
..
..Bakanggota
carf
orthebaby..
..
Dudu:
(saddened)That
'sy
ourcar
?
Me:
(smi
l
ed)Yeah,
it'
saBMW.
..
Dudu:
Howcomehedi
dn'
tbuyPr
incessacar
?
Me:
(st
oppedsmi
l
ing)Idon'
tknow.
.
Dudu:(
tear
ful
l
y)Congr
atul
ati
onsbutI
'
mjeal
ous,
andI'
m hur
-
Atearroll
eddownt hensheturnedandwal ked
i
nherr oom,iswal
lowedgiltst
rickenand
fol
lowedherinherroom,Iwaitedasshel ai
d
herbabydownandsatont hebedr ubbi
ngher
eyes.
..
.

Me:
Idon'tknowwhyhedi
dn'
tbuyf
orPr
incess,
Hej
ustgavemeacar..
.
Dudu: I
'm notblami
ngy oubut
...
(sni
ff
ed)I
obviouslyalsoneedacarbutany wayi
t'
sokay,
I
'l
luset axi
s.It'
sfi
ne,f
orgeti
t.
..I
'mjustbei
ng
j
ealous...
Me:
May
behehassomet
hingi
nmi
nd.
..
Dudu:(st
oodbythewindowl ooki
ngati
t)It'
s
beaut
iful
butI'
m nothappy
, I
'
mj eal
ous.
..
.Iwoul
d
belyi
ngifisai
dI'
m happyforyou.
Me:
It'
sokay
,iunder
stand.
..
(anawkwar
d
momentpassed)I'
m sor
ryt
hathedi
dn'
tget
yourdaught
eracar
Dudu:(f
orcedasmi l
ethroughhert
ears)It
's
okay,
heisr oy
alt
y..
.Boysareimpor
tantthan
gi
rlsr
ight
Me:
Idon'
tthi
nkso,
agi
rlchi
l
disj
ustas
i
mport
ant
.
Dudu:Justnott
oroyal
people.
..Hewant
s
someonet ocar
ryhi
sbloodl
i
ne...
.
Me:Bakangdoesn'tcareaboutthoset hi
ngs,he
want
sadi ff
erentkindofl
ifestyl
eandhesay s
hedi
dn'tgeteducatedtorulepeople,hetol
dme
sohi
msel f
.That'
swhyhedoesn' tgetinv
olved
i
nanythingthathappensi
nhi sfather'
soffi
ce.
Dudu:
Ify
ousayso.
..
Me:
Wear
egoi
ngt
oswi
m..
.
Dudu:
Okay
..
Iwal
kedoutandt
hrewt
owel
satt
hel
adi
es.
..

Me:Gothroughthatpassage,
I'
ll
findyoubythe
pool
..
.I'
m get
ti
ngsomet hingt
oeat ,
I'
m st
arv
ing.

Theywal kedawayt heni grabbedt hel

astpear
i
nt hefri
dgeandt ookabi te,isteppedont hebin
fl
ipperandthrewt heplasti
ci nthebin,isaw
foodinsi
deandl ift
edthepl asti
ct obesure,it
wast hebreakfastimadei nt hemor ni
ng.…

Iknockedonherdoor
..
.

Me:Ij
ustsawmyf
oodi
nthebi
n,whydi
dyou
t
hrowitaway?
Dudu:Wewer ef
ight
ingyesterdayandy ou
weren'
thappywi
thme, gaketswacliniki
ngi
passedbymymot her'
shouse, wetalkedabout
alotoft hingsandi endedupt ell
inghery ou
wer en'
thappyt hatBakangwasshar ingt hebed
withmet houghwear enothav ingsex, shet ol
d
meal otofstoriesaboutwomeni npoly gamous
mar ri
agesandhowt heypoi soneachot her .
Wheni gothomei foundf oodbuty ounev er
cooksoi wonder edwhyy oumadef oodf orme
al
l ofsudden, especial
lyaf t
erourar gumentl ast
ni
ght .Iknowi twasawr ongt houghtbuti t
crossedmymi ndandi justwant edtobesaf e.
..
Me:Soy outhoughti
canpoi
sonyourfood?
Real
ly
?Andi mustbest
upi
dforeat
ingthefood
youprepar
e.
Dudu:Nowt hatI'mt hinki
ngaboutitireali
seit
waswr ongbuty oucan' tbl
ameme, youjustgot
angrybecauseBakanggav emeat t
enti
onof
whichyouwer en'tbeingfairbecauseweagr eed
ondays,itwasmyday .Youalreadygothis
att
enti
onbygoi ngshoppi ngonmydaywi thout
tel
l
ingme, youwer en'tfai
r.
...
Me:ButIst
il
lcan'
tbel
i
evey
out
houghti
woul
d
poi
sonyou.
..
Dudu: Butwai t
segoreont si
edit
semaabane
akere?Hewassupposedt ocomehomeon
ti
meandgi vemeat tenti
onbutyougothi
mt o
takey oushoppingandweendedupbat hing
together,
whi chisnotfai
rbecauseyoubathed
withhim alonethenightbefore.
Me:(
sighed)Buttothinki
canpoisonyou?
Hav
ey outhoughtaboutpoisonme?Shoul
dI
wat
chwhati eataroundhere?
Dudu:Icannev
erdothattoy
ou,whywouldi
do
t
hatknowingiwoul
dbet hef
ir
stsuspect
?
Me: Sonnakesemata, i
woul dn'
tthi
nkt
hey
wouldsuspectipoi
sonedy ou?Keengnnao
akanyagorenkagopoisoner?
Dudu:Sor
ry,
iguessnekedi
rwakegore
maabaneoletsoomanaleBakang.
Me:
Kemat
hat
a..
..
Icl
osedt
hedoorandwal
kedaway
..
..
.

AtTuel
o'
shouse.
..

Bakangwalkedi
nandj oi
nedhisfri
endsonthe
couchastheywatchedthesport
shighl
ight
s..
.

Tuel
o:It
houghty
ouwer
ecomi
ngwi
thTr
evor
Bakang:
Hei
swi
thhi
sgi
rl
fr
iend
Temo:
Didy
oumanaget
oconv
inceNal
edi
?
Bakang:
Yeah,
wear
egood.
..
Temo:Duduisgoi
ngtobehurt
,youcan'
tbuy
Nal
edikol
oiorei
t'
sfort
hebabywhenshelong
hadt
hebabyandexpecthert
obef i
ne.
Bakang:
Idon'
thav
emoneytobuytwocar
sat
thesameti
me,moneyi
sn'
teasy
..
.
Tuel
o:Buti
t'
sabi
tunf
air
,Shemi
ghtt
hinki
t'
s
aboutt
heki
ds
Bakang:I
'
llgetheracarbuti
tcan'
tbesoon,
I'
ll
payi
ngforNaledi'
scar
Temo:Tal
ktoTrevorsohecangethisbrot
her
togi
veyouacarininstal
l
ments,t
hisi
snotfai
r
toDudu,
thi
swomangav eyouachil
d,t
hathas
tomeansomethi
ngev enit'
snotaboy
Bakang:It
'
snotaboutbeingaboy ,Nal
edii
s
thr
owingtantr
umsandI '
mt r
yingtomakeher
happy.Shetol
dmeshei sleavingandidi
dn'
t
wanthertoleave.
.Ihadt
odosomet hi
ng
Temo:JustgetDuduacar
..
.Cal
lTr
evor
..
.
Unl
essobonagol ef
air
Bakang:Duduisunderst
andi
ng,shewi
l
l
underst
and.
..I
'
llgetheracari
n6months
Tuelo:Mmegagof air
,kanathosegirl
sar
eli
ke
yourkids,t
heyar
eliketwins.
..Youhavet
otreat
them equall
yot
herwiseyou'l
lalway
shaveto
deal wit
hjealousyandjealousyisar ecipefor
disaster,
theywillki
l
leachot her..I
'mtelli
ngyou,
iheardsomuchaboutwomenpoi soningeach
otherbecauseofaguy .Balancey ourshitor
dropt heotheroneifyoucan' thandlethetwoof
them.
Temo:ButDuduwoul
dn'
tdot
hatt
oanot
her
per
son
Tuel
o:I
'
mjustsay
ing
Bakang:
(leanedbackdi
ali
ng)Igety
ourpoi
nt.
..
Tr
evor
:Heyman,
what
'
sup?
Bakang:Cool
,themonnampuel
elebr
ay agago
anneelekol
oifori
nst
all
ment
s,i
needurgent
ly.
Tr
evor
:Why
?What
'swr
ongwi
thy
ourcar
?
Bakang:
Ineedi
tforDudu
Tr
evor
:WhataboutNal
edi
?
Bakang:
Sheal
readygotone.
Tr
evor
:Oh,soshei
scompl
etel
yfi
newi
tht
his
whol
ethi
ng?
Bakang:
Yeah,
why
?
Trev
or:Justaski
ng,
letmet
alkt
ohi
m andget
backtoyou.
Tuel
o:(
loudl
y)Okaenemonna?Takwano
Trevor
:(l
aughed)Ket hat
het
sel
ait
iaka,
she
needsallmyattent
ion..
.
Temo:
Whendowegett
oseet
hisgi
rlkant
e?
Tr
evor
:Rel
ax.
..
.
Tuelo:(l
aughed)Ist
hisoneoldert
hanyouagai
n?
Whyar eyouhidingher?Wenamonnamo
bagolong,otaatshwaramolatobawil
ekehear
t
att
ack...
Tr
evor
:(l
aughed)Fucky
ou

Theyl
aughedandhehungup,
minut
esl
aterhe
cal
l
edback.
..
.

Bakang:
Yeah?
Trevor
:Heagreed,heisaboutt
ocl
ose,
hesays
i
fit'
sthatur
gentyoucanpassbyandgetone
thendopaperworktomorrow.
Bakang:
Fant
ast
ic,
I'
lldot
hatnow.Thankst
he
monnaonalemosola
Tr
evor
:(l
aughed)Shap

AtBakang'
shouse.
..
.

Meanwhi lei putmyphonesonchairandtook

offthetowel i
hadwrappedmyselfwit
h,ifel
t
my sel
fget t
ingwetasi wal
kedtowardsthe
pool..
.Itouchedmypant i
esandlookedatmy
hand...
.
Me:
(hear
tski
pped)OhmyGod?

Theyt
urnedar
oundl
ooki
ngatme.
..
.

Renei
:What
?
Maduo:
Ist
hatbl
ood?
Me:
Guy
sI'
m bl
eedi
ng,
ist
hisnor
mal
?

Theyquicklygotoutofthepool
andwal
ked
over
,theyleanedoverlooki
ngatmeasbl
ood
fl
oweddownmyt hi
gh.
...

Maduo:
Arey
oui
npai
n?
Me:
No.
..
Renei
:(wr
appedmewi
that
owel
)Let
'
sgo.
..
.
Geti
nthecar
..
..
.Wehav
etohur
ry

Iwasconfusedbutpartofmebel i
evedthebaby
wasokaybecauseiwasn'tinpain,wewal kedi
n
thehousewhereIgotdressedast hel
adies
searchedf
ormymedi calcard.
..Duduwalked
i
n...

Dudu:Iheardy
ouguyst
alki
ngpassi
ngbythe
passage,i
ssheokay
?Nalediar
eyouokay
?
Me:
I'
m bl
eedi
ng,
idon'
tknowwhy
DudubHav
eyoucal
l
edBakang?
Me:
I'
ll
tel
lhi
m wheni
geti
nthecar
Maduo:
Igott
hecar
d,l
et'
sgo.
..

Weal
lhur
ri
edout
..
..
Dudu:
(worr
iedl
y)Pl
easecal
lmeaf
terseei
ng
t
hedoctor
..
.

Igotintheback,Maduogotinthedr
iver'
ssi
de
asReneilwesatnextt
ome, Iwasbeginni
ngto
feel
mi l
dpainsonmyabdomen. ..

Renei
l
we:
Arey
ouokay
?
Me:Justal
it
tl
epai
n,Maduopl
easehur
ry
up.
..
.………………
[
09/
24,
21:
40]Ron:
Co-
wif
e
#23

Att
hecardeal
ershi
p..
..
..

Bakang,Tuel
oandTemowal
kedar
oundl
ooki
ng
atthecars.
..
.
Temo:
Whataboutt
hisone?
Tuel
o:Abl
ackcar
?Noway
..
.womenl
ove
col
ours
Bakang:
Idon'
tthi
nkshe'
dgof
orabi
gengi
ne,
somethi
ngsmallwi
ll
do..
.

Hi
sphoner
ang.
..

Bakang:
Hel
l
o?
Reneil
we:(pani
cked)Bakang,weareonourway
tothehospit
alr
ightnow,Naledi
isbleedi
ng
real
lybad.
..
Bakang:
What
?Whathappenedt
oher
?
Renei
l
we:
Not
hing,
wej
ustsawbl
oodf
lowi
ng.
Bakang:
Gotoapr
ivat
e?Ihav
einsur
ance.
..
.How
farar
eyou?
Renei
l
we:
Wewi
l
lmakeaUt
urnnow.
..
Bakang:
Cani
tal
ktoher
?
Renei
l
we:
Shei
sinpai
n,shecan'
ttal
k.
Bakang:
Shi
t.
..
.I
'
llcal
lyouback.

Hehungupandhur
ri
edt
ohi
scarashi
sfr
iends
f
oll
owedhi
m...

Tuel
o:what
'sgoi
ngon?Gat
weng?
Bakang:
Nal
edi
isbl
eedi
ng.
..
Temo:
Whyareall
yourki
dsdel
i
ver
edbef
ore
ti
menemonna?
Bakang: Atthi
spointaprematur
ebabywi l
lbe
thegreatestgi
ft,
that'
sthebesticangetoutof
thi
ssituati
on..
..
..
..

Att
hehospi
tal
.
...
..
Ilaidont hebedasthepaingotwor se,t
he
nur sepushedmeinI CU.
..Itookshor tsi
lent
pray erf
ormysonandmymot herwasal licoul
d
thinkabout,shewasapr ayerwor r
ierandi
believedinherpr
ayers.
..
..
..

Me:Neygi
vememyphone,iwa-
urr
hhhhh.
..
.(a
shar
ppai
nstr
uckme)Iwantt
ocall
mymot her.
..
Ney
:I'
l
lcal
lher
,laydown.
..
.Justl
i
edown.
..
Maduo:(
tot
henur
se)What
'swr
ongwi
thher
?Is
sheokay
?
Nur
se:Shegoi
ngtoseeadoctor
..
..
(poi
ntedat
t
hechair
s)Pl
easewaitov
ert
here.
..
..

Shepushedmei
nsi
deandcl
osedt
hem
out
side.
..
.
Insi
deadoct orwasput ti
ngonhi sgloves,he
putthestethoscopeinhisear sandcheckedme
asigrunted,Ihadnev erfel
tsuchpaininmy
l
ife.
Thewor stperi
odpai nsonecoul dget,he
i
nstruct
edmet ospreadmyl egsthenhe
i
nsertedhisfinger
si nmemaki ngthepaineven
worseasi gruntedloudly.
..
.

Doct
or:
I'
ll
bedonei
nami
nut
emyf
ri
end.
..

Hepulledouthi
sbloodyf
inger
sandchanged
glov
est henhepushedmybedclosert
othe
scan..
..
.

Doct
or:
Didshet
akey
ourbl
oodsampl
es?
Me:
(gr
inni
ng)Yes.
..
Doctor:(
squeezedt
hecoldgel
onmyabdomen)
I
'm checki
ngsomething-
-
Hest ar
edatthescreenashepressedthe
scanneronmyabdomenmov i
ngitar
ound, i
couldn'
tseemuchont hebl
ackandwhite
screenbuticoul
dtellhewasn'
thappywi t
h
whathewasseei ng..
.Bakangpushedthedoor
andwal kedi
n,hi
sattenti
onimmediatel
ywent
tothescreenashesatdownhol di
ngmyhand. .
..

Bakang:
What
'sgoi
ngon?
Doctor
:(adjust
edhisgl
assesst
aringatthe
scr
een)Itlooksli
keourl
it
tl
eboyisn'tmovi
ng.
..
Bakang:
Whatdoy
oumean?Whatdoest
hat
mean?
Doct
or:
Hei
snotal
i
ve,
ther
eisnohear
tbeatand
-

Idi
dn'
twantt
obel
i
evehi
m,i
hel
dmybumpand
r
ubbedmyt
ear
s..
..

Me:Whati
fhei
sjustsl
eepi
ng?
Doctor:Theheartneverstopsbeati
ngeven
wheny ouaresleeping,
t heonlyt
imeitst
opsis
wheny ouarenomor e.
..Thi
sbabyisnotaliv
e
andi havetoinducebir
thsot hatwecanclean
youruterus.

Bakangl
etgoofmyhandandleanedover
hi
dinghi
sface,
Ist
il
ldi
dn'
twanttobel
ievei
t.
..
.

Me:(tear
ful
ly
)Hecan'tbegone.
..Iboughthi
s
t
hings,hehascl
othesandevery
thing.
..Hehas
t
ocomehome. .
..

Bakangst
oodupandwal
kedout
..
..
..
.
I
nthewai
ti
ngr
oom.
..
.

Theguy sandladiessil
ent
lywaitedbythe
chairs,Bakangwal kedoutandpassedt hem
withoutawor d, Theguysfol
lowedhi mtothe
men'sbat hroom.Hegoti nthetoil
etandclosed
thedoort henhesatdownbi t
ti
nghi sl
owerlip
tearf
ully.
..
.Her ubbedhisheadtryinghardnot
tocry ,
Tueloopenedt hedoorast heystood
stari
ngathi m..
.

Tuel
o:Oshapo?
Bakang:
(swal
l
owedt
ear
ful
l
y)Hedi
dn'
tmakei
t.
..
Il
ostmyson.
Temo:
Sor
ry.
..
Bakang:
Iwassocl
ose.
..
Tuelogavehi
m ahandandpul
ledhi
m upthen
theyhuggedhi
m ashecl
osedhisey
esti
ghtly
..
..

Temo:Youcanal
way
str
yagai
n..
.Ther
eis
al
waysnextt
ime
Tuel
o:Hei
sri
ght
..
..
..

Hewashedhisf
aceandsatdownforawhi
l
eas
t
heguyspat
ient
lywai
tedf
orhim.
..
.

Tuel
o:whatcausedi
t?
Bakang:
Idon'
tknow,
Ihopei
t'
snotst
ress.
..I
t
wouldmeaniki
ll
edmyownson.
Temo: somemi scar
ri
agesjusthappen.
..I
t
doesn'thavet
obeany one'
sfault
..
.Don'
tblame
yourself
..
..
Tuel
o:Ther
ehast
obeacauset
houghr
ight
?..
.
Sot
hati
tcanbeav
oidednextt
ime.
Bakang:(sni
ff
edrubbinghi
snoseandstoodup
pul
li
ngdownhi st-
shirt
)Letmegetbackinsi
de
andfindoutmore..
..
.
Tuel
o:Best
rongf
orher
,you'
reherst
rengt
h
Temo:Ify
oubr eakdown,shewi l
lfeel
li
keshe
l
etyoudownont opofherloss.Behershoul
der
tocr
yon(squeezedhisshoulder)Takeitl
i
kea
man..
.
Bakang:
(cl
enchedhi
sJawsandnodded)Yeah.
..

Theyallwal
kedoutoft hebathroom and
passedbythewai ti
ngroom,thisti
met hel
adi
es
gotaverygoodl ookathisf
aceandhi seyes
werereddi
sh..
..hepassedinsideandtheguys
satwit
hsadf aces..
..

Maduo:
Whathappened?
Tuel
o:Thebabydi
dn'
tmakei
t.
..
Renei
l
we:
What
?Ar
eyousur
e?
Temo:
Yeah.
..
Maduo:(
tear
ful
ly)Nal
edii
sgoingt
odi
e..
.She
wasexci
tedaboutthi
sbaby.
Renei
l
we: Thi
sisbad..
.(st
oodup)Letmecal
l
hermotheragai
n..
..

Shedial
edhernumberandsteppedoutas
Tuel
oleanedbackonthechairl
ooki
ngat
Maduo..
..
.

Tuelo:
(gaveherhishand)MynameisTuel
oby
theway..
.Sor
ryididn'
tint
roducemy
sel
fearl
i
er,
iguessIwasstil
lshocked.
Maduo:
(shookhi
shand)Maduo.
..
Tuel
o:Ni
cemeet
ingy
ou.
..
Maduo:
Nicemeet
ingy
out
oo
Tuel
o:Whatdoy
oudo?
Maduo:
Iam ar
ecept
ioni
st.
.
Tuel
o:Wher
e?
Maduo:
AtDi
amondLuxur
ies
Tuel
o:I
sthepaygood?
Maduo:
Itpay
sthebi
l
ls
Tuel
o:That
'st
hemosti
mpor
tantt
hing
Maduo:
Yeah.
..
Tuel
o:Cani
hav
eyournumber
?
Maduo:
No
Tuel
o:(
laughed)Damn,
sost
rai
ght
for
war
d.Why
not?
Maduo:
Idon'
twantaboy
fri
end.
Tuel
o:Buti
didn'
tsayi
wantyou,
whydo
womenalwaysassumewhenamanwantsy
our
numberisbecausewagobata?Guysal
ways
exchangenumbersaft
ertal
ki
ngbutwedon'
t
assumeit'
sbecauseofsomeoddfuckedup
reason.
Maduo:
Iknowmen
Tuelo:Welli
am Tuel
o,I
'
m notmen.You
shouldn'
tgener
ali
seus.
..
..
Maduo:
(smi
l
ed)sor
ry.
..
Tuel
o:Nopr
obl
em.
.SocanIhav
eyournumber
?
Maduo:
It'
sst
il
lno.
Tuel
o:(
smi
l
ed)Cl
ear
..
.

Abal
engwal
kedi
n,Renei
rani
ntohi
sar
ms.
..
.

Renei
:Gat
wet
hebabyi
sdead.
..
Abal
eng:
Whathappened?Whatcausedt
his?
Renei
:Idon'
tknow.
..
Abal
eng:
HiMaduo
Maduo:
Hi.
..
.

I
nthedel
i
ver
yroom.
..
..

Hoursintothedeliver
yr oom,thepil
lswere
workingatfull
force..
..Therewassomuchpai n
i
tfeltli
kemypel vi
cboneswer ebreaki
ng,Tears
fi
l
ledmyey eswhenIr emember edthatal
lthat
painwasf ornothi
ngbutpar tofmebel i
evedifi
prayedmyboywoul dcr yoncehewasbor n..
..

Me:(grunted)Mama. .
..
pleaseprayformy
baby.
..
.(tearf
ull
y)I
'm sorryforever
ythi
ngi sai
d
toyou,pleasefor
giveme. .
.Goddon'tpunishme
wit
hmyson.IswearI '
llneverdonowr ong...
Arr
rrr
rh!.
...
Theur get
opushcameagai nandi pushedas
thedoctorhur
riedov erandgotreadytocol
lect
him,Bakangwal kedi nandheldmyhandasi
screamedpushi ng...
.Thedoctorgrabbedhi
m
andlift
edhim upf acingme, hewast i
nyandhis
fi
ngerswerepink....Ibursti
ntot
ear sl
ooki
ngat
him...
.

Me:
(cr
ying)Letmehol
dhi
m..
.
Doct
or:
Hei
snotal
i
ve
Me:
Please.
..
.
Bakang:
(tear
ful
l
y)Don'
thol
dhi
m,don'
t
Me:(r
ubbing)Monneel
e,keagokopa.
..Nneel
a
ngwanake..
..

Hehandedhim overandi hel

dhim onmychest
cry
inglouder
,Bakangfaceddownandwal ked
outsi
derubbi
nghiseyes..
.Iki
ssedhim onthe
f
oreheadandcl
osedmyey
es.
..

Me:Godpl ease,hedidn'
tdoanythi
ngtoy ou.He
i
sinnocent..
.LethimliveandI
'l
lgivemylifeto
Chri
st,
pleaseforgivemysins.
..Lethi
ml i
ve..
.
Justmakehi m breat
h..
.Makehim sneeze..
..

Thedoctoremot ionall
ywai t
edasi prayed
cryi
ng,Myl i
tt
leboy '
sey eswereclosedandhe
wassleepingpeacef ul
ly..
.Thedoctorwalked
overandgothi mf r
om myar msasi screamed
evenlouderhopingt owakehi m butIcouldt
ell
hewasn'tcomi ngback, Bakangwalkedbackin
andhuggedmeasi criedloudl
y..
..

Me:(scr
eami
ng)Noo.
..
.Hedi
dn'
tdoany
thi
ngt
o
any
body,whyi
sGoddoingt
hist
ome?
Bakang:
(tear
ful
l
y)I
'
m sor
ry.
..
.I'
m sor
ry.
..
Hehuggedmet i
ghtl
yasi cried,
thedoctor
changedhi
sglovesandsatdownwor ki
ng
betweenmylegsasicontinuedcryi
ng..
..
..
.

I
nmywar
d..
..

Lateroniopenedmyey esandf oundmy selfat

theward,isl
owlysatuplookingatmypi nk
cannulaandlookedaroundther oom...Idi
dn't
knowhowl ongi hadbeenout..
..Itouchedmy
bell
yanditwasf l
at.
..
.Anursewal kedi n.
..
.

Nur
se:Wel
comebackNal
edi
,howar
eyou
f
eel
ing?
Me:
I'
mfi
ne.
..Whathappened?
Nurse:
Youwer eint
heat
re,
yourut
eruswas
cl
eaned..
.don'
tyour
ememberwhathappened
ear
li
er?
Me:
Ido,
iguessi
washopi
ngi
twasadr
eam.
Nur
se:
I'
m sor
ry.
..

Shewalkedoutandilai
donmysi
deholdi
ngmy
emptybell
y,Bakangwal
kedi
nandl
eanedover
ki
ssi
ngme. .
..

Bakang:
Hey
..
.
Me:Pleasedon'
ttal
ktome,you'
rethereasonI
l
ostthisbaby
.Itol
dyouiwantedtoleavebut
youf
or cedmetostay.
Bakang:
Whatar
eyout
alki
ngabout
?
Me: WhenIgothomei r
eali
sedDududidn'
teat
thebreakfasti
made,wheniaskedhershesai
d
shethoughtIwoul
dpoisonherandnowI '
m
herewithoutmyson.
Bakang:Babepleasedon'tdothis.
..Turn
aroundandfaceme. .
.Ifiknewany thi
nglike
thiswoul
dhappeni wouldn'thavetoldyouto
stay.Hewasmysont oo.
..Ilovedhim dearl
y,he
wasmyev eryt
hing.
Me:
Pleasegetout
,it
'sov
erbet
weenus.
..

Hebithi
slowerli
pandwalkedaroundt
hebed
thenhesquat
tedfaci
ngme, het
ri
edtohol
dmy
handbutimoveditback.
..

Me: Go,idon'
twanttoseeyouagain.
..Weare
over.Tel
lDuduthatshewon.I'
l
lsendmy
brot
herandhi sfi
ancéet
ocoll
ecttherestofmy
thi
ngsf r
om yourhouse.
Bakang:Nal
edi pleasedon'tsaythat
,iloveyou.
..
I
'm sor
ry.I
'
llcorrectmy sel
f,I
'l
lst
opev ery
thi
ng
badanddor ightbyy ou.
Me:Pleaseleavebefor
eipressthatbut
ton.
..
Youcant akeyourcart
oo,givei
ttoDudu.I
don'
twanti t
.
Bakang:Il
oveyou,I
'm sor
ryi
wasn'
tperf
ectbut
iknowicanmakey ouhappyify
ougiv
emea
chance,
justone.
..
Me:Pl
easegetout
..
.GETOUT!GETOUT!
GOOOO!

Hestoodupandslowlywalkedoutsi
der ubbi
ng
hiseyes,
assoonasheclosedthedoori
cover
edmy sel
fwi
ththesheetscry
ing..
..Ihear
d
thedooropeni
ngagai
n..
..

Me:(
wit
hmyheadunder
neat
h)Bakangpl
ease
goaway
..
..Leav
e..
.
Mama:
(touchedmyheadgent
ly)Lel
e?
Itur
nedar
oundandhuggedherasshespr ead
herarmsf
orme, icr
iedev
enl ouderwi
thmy
headonherchestassherubbedmyey es
si
tti
ngonthebed..
..
..

Me:(cr
ying)I
'
m sor
ryforev
ery
thingisai
dtoyou,
i
fthi
swasmypuni shmentkebakil
emama...
Mama: (t
earf
ull
y)I
twasn'tyourpuni
shment,
somet hi
ngshappenforareason..
.OurGodisa
for
giv
ingGod,thi
sisnotapunishment.Hush
mygirl
.…
Me:
Isawhi
m,i
hel
dhi
minmyar
ms.
..
.
Mama:
I'
m sor
rynnana.
..
.I'
m sor
ry.
..

AtBakang'
shouse.
..
..

Lat
erthateveni
nghesteppedoutofthecarand
l
eanedagainstdoorget
ti
nghisthought
s
togetherthenhewalkedi
nthehouseand
closedt hedoor
.Duduwassitt
ingonthecouch
breastfeedi
ngherbabywatchi
ngtv.
..
.

Dudu:I
sNalediokay
?Noonei sanswer
ingt
hei
r
phone,
itr
iedcall
i
ngforhour
s..
..
Bakang:
Shelostt
hebaby(st
ari
ngather
)Why
di
dy out
hrowawayNaledi
'
sfood?
Dudu:
Ithought
-
Bakang:Thatshewouldpoisonyou?Sowhat
ki
ndofpi l
lsdidyouuseonher?Abort
ionpi
l
ls?
..
.
Doy oureall
yknowwhoi am orwhatI
'm
capableofneDudu?
Dudu:
(tear
ful
l
y)Bakangy
ouknowme-
Bakang:
(angr
il
y)IDON'
TKNOW WHOTHE
HELLYOUARE!WHATDI DYOUDO?

Thebabygotst
art
ledandbeguncr
ying,
Dudu
putheronherchestshushi
ngher
..
.

Dudu:(hear
tpoundi
ng)Ot shosangwana.
..
ican
neverdothatt
oanotherperson,y
oushould
knowme.
Bakang:
Goputhert
obed,
NOW!
!

Shehurri
edtot hebedr
oom andputherdown
thensheclosedthedoorandwalkedtowar
ds
Bakang.
..
..
...
..
..
..
.(9t
)
[
09/
24,
21:
40]Ron:
Co-
wif
e
#25

Atmymot
her
'shouse.
..
.

Lat
erthataf
ternoonat
axidr
oppedmeatthe
gat
e,mymot herwassi
tti
ngi
nfrontoft
he
housemakingoneofherrugswit
hwool
,i
exhaust
edl
ysatonthechairandt
ookof
fmy
shoesmassagi
ngmyf eet
...
..

Me:Godthi
sshoesar
ebur
ningme,
ket
aat
swa
di
khonse
Mama:(l
aughedcutt
ingwool
)Andy
ou'
l
lnev
er
f
indahusbandwit
hthose
Me:
(laughed)Akebat
ehusbandnna
Mama:Didy
ougof
ory
ourcheckupi
nthe
mor
ning?
Me:Yes,themidwi
fesai
dI'
m superf
ine.
..
(l
ookingattheBMW)Bakangdidn'
tcoll
ecthi
s
car?
Mama:
Nobodycame
Me:KanaBakangrefusestogethi
scar,if
eel
l
ikehewantsmet obet i
edtohi
m orfeel
li
keI
owehim somet
hing,itol
dhimtimeandagainto
gethi
scarbuthewon'
t.
..
.
Mama: Whydon'
tyoul
eav
ehi
m al
one?hehasa
poi
nt.I
twasagif
t
Me:Yes, f
ort
hebabybutnowt her
eisnobaby
,
heshouldgiveittohispr
eciouswif
e
Duduetsang,
i heardsheevenstay
swithhi
s
par
ents.
Mama:
Theyst
aywi
thher
?
Me:
Yes,
imagi
net
hat
Mama: Younggirl
snowadayshavenopri
deat
all
,youknowinourday sboysf
oll
owedus.
..Not
theotherwayaround,awomanmustbe
fol
lowedesenggol at
aabowagonnakogabo
monnaekar ebi
l
eony et
swe.Gori
anaotswa
peloakere?
Me:No,i don'
twanttostaywi
thhi
sparents,
i
di
dn'tev
enwantt omov einwi
thhi
mint hefi
rst
pl
ace.Ihadmyhouseandhehadhi s,
Duduentsanginf
luencedmetomoveinwith
t
hem al
landi
don'tbl
ameherbecausei
twas
mychoi
cebut.
..
(si
ghed)Any
way.
..
Mama: Andi hopey ouleanedsomet hi
ngfrom
allt
hat,therearewomenwhoar emeantt obe
secondbestandt heyhav enopr oblem bei
ngit,
theygeti npolygamousmar ri
agesknowi ngvery
wellthatmyhusband' sfavouri
tewifeissoand
soandt heyaretotall
yokay ,
ifyoucan'tcontr
ol
yourjealousyyou'r
emeantt obewi thaman
thatl
ov esy ouandonl yyou.Therear egood
menoutt here,j
ustdon'tlookatthef ancy
l
ifest
y l
eort hebackgr ound.Loveisn'tmoney.
Me:Nnakebakil
e,ist
il
lfeel
li
kehadili
stened
t
oy ouiwouldst
il
lhav
emybabybuti t'
sfine,
ke
i
khanset
sekele1goreit
'salessoni
mustcar ry
mywholeli
fe.
Mama: Mothogoikagaenengwanaka,
wear e
notper
fectbutI
'
m happyyouhavecorr
ected
your
sel
fanddon'tbeinarushtofi
ndahusband
andgetmarri
ed.
..Onlyt
imewil
ltel
lwhere
y
ou'
reheaded.
..
Me: I
'l
lbepatientgapelennat otaI'
m not
i
nterestedinar el
ati
onship.Iwanttobesi ngl
e
unti
lmay benexty earbutbeforethatIhaveto
gi
vehi m hi
scaronewayort heother.
..
(t
hought f
ull
ysmi l
ed)Iknowwhatt odo...
.Ihave
aplan..
.
Mama:
Whatpl
an?
Me:(st
oodup)Iknowexactl
ywhattodo..
..
(
walkedtothehouse)Mamasincekehodil
ele
midwif
earekesiamenkatsamaakontung
yameakere?
Mama:
Eet
samaai
bil
eomphel
etsadi
j
o
Me:
(tur
nedar
oundandl
aughedl
ooki
ngather
)
Aomma
Mama:Nny aat
samaamma,hanegokgonagal
a
nkabei
bil
eophekagonej
aana
Me:
(laughedandwal
kedi
nsi
de)I
'
m notgoi
ng
any
wher
e..
..

It
ookoffmyfor
malcl
othesandsatont
hebed
di
ali
ngMaduo'
snumber.
..

Maduo:
Hey
Me:
Heyy
ou,
whatt
imedoy
ouknockof
f?
Maduo:
Inandhourorso,
why
?
Me:
Isy
ourbossi
ntheof
fi
ce?
Maduo:
Yes,
why
?
Me:
Iwantt
oseehi
m.
Maduo:
Okaybuthei
snothi
ri
ng
Me:
No,
it'
sper
sonal
Maduo:
(gi
ggl
ed)Okay
Me:
(laughed)Don'
tbel
i
ket
hat
..
.Mxm.
..
Maduo:
Arey
oucomi
ngnow?
Me: No,i
havetoeatandhel
pmymot herby
cleani
ngthehouse,
that'
swhenI
'
llpassby ,
i
thinkmaybei
nahour .
Maduo:
Makei
tfastot
ogaachai
sa.
Me:
Okay
,shapo

Ihungupanddi
aledBakang.
..
..
..
.

Bakang:
Heybabe.
..
Me:Pleasedon'
tcal
lmet
hat
,Whenar
eyou
get
ti
ngy ourcar
?
Bakang:
It'
snotmycar
,itwasf
ory
ou.
Me:
Idon'
twanti
t.
Bakang: Lennagakeebat
e,obat
agoreke
ereng?Oki l
ewamponakekgweetsakol
oie
nyenyanenna?WhencanIseeyou?Iwantt
o
tal
ktoy ou.
Me:
Wedon'
thav
eany
thi
ngt
odi
scuss.
Bakang:
Whydoy ouwantmet
obegy
ou?I
sn'
t
i
tenoughthati
lovey
ou?
Me: No,i
t'
snotenough.Gobewit
hDuduand
yourdaughter
,cl
earl
yiwasathi
rdwheel.O
t
saagor ekesemataBakang,
beggingmeon
t
hesi demmeobei l
emosadikogalona?
Bakang: (angri
ly)Iam notwi thher,howmany
ti
mesdoi havet osayt his?(sighedandcalmed
downr ubbi nghisf orehead)Babel ist
en.
..I
understandwhyy ouar eangrywi thme,iam
angrywi t
hmy selfbecausei feell
ikeiwasn't
carefulenoughbutwecan' tletourson'sdeath
comebet weenus.I '
m notwi thDudu, my
parentstookherbecausewehadaf i
ght,i
don't
knowwhyshei sst il
ltherebuti swearihaven't
beenseei ngher .Wedon' ttal
kmeandher ..
.
Me:
Ilosti
nter
esti
nthi
sthr
eesome
Bakang:
Kant
eor
aat
hreesomey
aengkagor
e
gaker
atanel
eDudu?
Me:Oganegotsal
akol
oi y
agagojal
oI'
ll
givei
t
toyouonewayort
heotherandpl
easestop
cal
l
ingme.I'
m movi
ngonwi t
hmylif
e.
Bakang:Movi
ngonor ay
aeng?Wear
e
techni
cal
lyst
il
ltoget
her.
Me:Movi
ngonmeansmovi
ngonandI
'm not
wi
thyou,
webrokeupamont
handahal
fago..
Bakang:Nalediweehaokabewanchi
ta.
..Hao
kabalekel
a..
..Justt
ry.
..
Koot
engot
saagorekea
tshameka.

Ihunguponhi
m andsi
ghed.
..
..

AtBakang'
sof
fi
ce.
..
.

Meanwhi
l
eher
ubbedhi
sfor
ehead
f
rust
rat
edl
y.
..
.

Bakang:
(si
ghed)Babel
i
sten-

Heheardthenotif
icati
onbeepsoft he
di
sconnectedl
ineandl ookedatt hephonet hen
heputhisphonedownandl oosenedhistie.
..he
st
aredatthecomput erlookingattheamountof
workl
eft,i
twasexhaust ingthenheswi tched
of
fthecomput erandleft..
..

Atkgosi
'
shouse.
..

Duduwassi
tti
ngonthecouchholdi
ngherbaby ,
Dorcaswal
kedoverandhandedherthefood
t
henshegothersandjoi
nedherastheyate.
..
..
Dor
cas:
Hav
eyout
alkedt
oMi
do?
Dudu:Notreal
l
y,hismothersai
dimustgi
ve
hi
mt i
met ocalm down
Dorcas:Eheandhowf
arar
etheywi
tht
he
housetheypromi
sedy
ou?
Dudu:
Theyhaven'
tsai
dany
thi
ngsi
ncet
heday
wetal
kedabouti
t.
Dor cas:
Doyoureal
lybel
ievetheywillbuyy
oua
housewheny ouarenoteventheirson's
gir
lfri
end?NnaMidokemmodi t
sereememo
khichini
ngori
leenegaaratanelewena
Dudu:Theywi
l
lbuyi
taker
eidi
dn'
taskt
hem f
or
ahouse
Dorcas:
Whydoy out
hinktheysaidall
that?
..
..
..
Promisi
ngahouseandt akingcareofyouwhen
theynevershowedanyint
er esti
nyoubefor
e-
Dudu:
( i
rr
it
ated)Idon'
tknow.
..Doy
ouhav
e
somethi
ngy ouwanttosay?
Dorcas:No,
nevermind.
..(
anawkwar
dmoment
passed)Doyouhaveparents?
Dudu:
Ihav
eamot
her
,why
?
Dor
cas:
Arengkaseemose?
Dudu:
Ihav
en'
ttol
dherany
thi
ngy
et
Dorcas:
Sheisgoi
ngtobeverydi
sappoint
ed
andembarr
assedbef
oretheeyesofthesoci
ety
gonnaekareoiny
adi
sit
se.
Dudu:
Gakeai
nyadi
sa,
iwasi
nvi
ted.
..
.
Dorcas:nny aannaker aahelangwanaka, whi
le
you'r
ehereot hery oungwomenar efi
ndi
ng
way stoprov i
defort hemselves, t
heyare
buil
dingaf utureandaddi ngv alueto
themselvesaswomenbutst ayingherewon't
makeMi dol ovey oumor e.Thingshav e
changednowaday s,amani sn'tasourceof
i
ncome. .
...
you'l
l l
osey ourvaluebecausey ou'
re
beingdesper at
e.
Dudu:(off
ended)I
'm notdesperat
e, pl
easedon't
cal
lmet hat,i
don'
tknowwhyy ou'r
ewor ri
edor
al
way str
yingtogetri
dofmeasi fthisi
sy our
house.I'
m sti
l
lnursi
ngababyt hatisbarel
y4
mont-
Dorcas:Idon' tknowwhyy ou'r
eof f
endedby
whati saidt oyou...I
'mt el
li
ngy out het r
uth
becausei l
ikethewomany ou'reandi wantyou
tobeli
ev einy ourselfandaddv aluet oyourli
fe,
monnagaai kanngweespeci al
lybabogosi ba,
kebaitsesent eba.Bat shelabotshel ojwadi
mov i
e.Tr ustmewhat ev erwomanBakang
bri
ngsher eandmar ri
eswi ll
replacey oujustlike
that
,thesepeopl eareokaywi t
hy oubeingher e
becauset heydi dn'
twanty outor epor tt
hei
r-
Dudu:
(st
oodup)Thanky
ouf
ort
hef
ood.I
'
llbe
goi
ngtomyroom..
.

Shewal
kedoutasBakang'
smot
herwal
kedi
n..
..
.
Her:
(wal
ki
ngbehi
ndher
)Ot
hot
sengwet
si
yame?
Dudu:
(smi
l
ed)Emma.
..

Shewalkedintheroom andlai
dherdaught
er
downashi smothersatnexttohert
aki
ngdown
herhandbag.
..
.

Her:Yourf
atherandihadadi scussi
onabout
t
hathouse..
.(si
gheddisappointedl
y)l
echono
l
e..
..Housepri
ceshaveterri
blygoneup..
.
Dudu:
(smi
l
edshy
ly)Iknow.
..
Her:Sowewer ethi
nki
ngper
hapswecoul dr
ent
youabachelorpadwanamaoemeemehoo,
akere?Gapelewenaonnelepr
ivacyere
Bakangat i
l
elekgonegobuasentelesar
e
tshabe.
Dudu:
Emma,
it'
sagoodi
dea.
..
Her:(
tookoutaleaseagr
eement)Ial
ready
t
alkedtosomeoneaboutahouse,wewi l
lpay
t
hreemonthsahead...
.Rechonnengwanaka,
wearesosobr oke.
..
.
Dudu:(
smil
edandgotthel
easeagreement
)
Thankyou,
it'
stoomuchal
ready
..
.
Her
:Hav
eyout
alkedt
oyourmot
her
?
Dudu:
Ihaven'
t,
idi
dn'tknowhowt
ost
artor
howtoexpl
ainwhyistayher
e
Her:
It'
sokay ,
youdon'
thavetoexpl
ainnowthat
wegoty ouahouse.Onceyouhavemov edi
n
youcanexplainhowdeal
ingwit
hNalediwas
t
oomuchf oryou.
Dudu:
(smi
l
ed)Yes,
I'
ll
dot
hat
..
.
Her:
(playedwiththebaby)Pri
ncess?Thi
sgi
rl
andsleeping?
..Hae..
.SheremindsmeofMido,
hecouldsleepallday.
Dudu:
(laughed)Shei
sherf
ather
'sdaught
er.
..
Her
:(l
aughed)That
a..
.

Theybot
hlaughedasshewal
kedaway
..
..
..

AtDi
amondLuxur
ies.
..
..
.

Ismi
ledappr
oachi
ngt
her
ecept
ionandhugged
Maduo..
.

Maduo:(smi
l
edlooki
ngatmef rom headtotoe)
Wow...
.Youl
ookboyishl
ysexykat-
shirt
nyana
l
ejean.
..
.monyanakwa!
Me:
Wenakana,
wher
eisTr
evor
'sof
fi
ce?
Maduo:Goupst
air
s,i
t'
sthefi
rstof
fi
ceont
he
l
eft
,it
'swr
it
tenGener
almanager
Me:
Okay
Iwal
kedupst
airsandpausedoncether
e
cat
chi
ngmybr eat
htheniknocked.
..

Tr
evor
:Comei
n..
.

Ipushedt
hedoorandwalkedi
nasthet
urned
hi
sheadlooki
ngatme,heinst
ant
lysmi
l
ed
makingmesmileshy
ly.
..

Tr
evor:
Hey
..
.Whatani
cesurpr
ise,
towhatdoi
owethi
smuchappr
eci
atedv
isi
t?
Me:
(satdownandsi
ghed)Hi
..
.
Tr
evor
:(l
aughed)Dist
air
stse30ny
anahel
a
di
gohemisahemisaj
aana?
Me:
(laughed)Myt
highsev
enhur
t.
..
Tr
evor
:Weshoul
dwor
koutt
oget
herdur
ingt
he
weekends.
..
Me:(l
aughed)I
'
mt oolazykekaaswa.
..
.Anyway
icametogiveyouBakang'
scarkeys,
ihave
beenaski
nghimtogetitbutotsenahaleha.
Trev
or:(
smil
edti
lti
nghi
sheadst
ari
ngatme)
WhyshouldIhel
pyou?Youal
waysactl
i
keyou
don'
tnoti
ceme
Me:Whatwasi
supposedt
odot
oshowt
hatI
not
icedy
ou?
Tr
evor
:Theleastyoucoulddowastolookme
i
ntheeyeswheny outal
kedtome.
..
.(star
ingat
me)Tr
yitnow...
.

Isi
ghedandl ookedathim ashest aredbackat
me...You'
dswearsomeonepul l
edt hecorners
ofhiseyes,t
heywer ecurv
eyi naKor eanway ,
helaughedandhi seyesshrunk,if
oundmy sel
f
l
aughing..
..
..
..
..
..
Tr
evor
:(smi
l
ed)What
?
Me:
Not
hing,
olecr
ossl
aleKor
eanewena?
Trevor
:(l
aughed)Alri
ght,getoutofmyoff
ice,
youoverstay
edy ourvi
sit
...(
gotthekey
s)I
'l
l
givehi
mt hekeys..
..
Me:
(laughed)Thanks.
..
Trevor
:Heisdepr
essedaboutt
hiswhol
ethi
ng,
i
thi
nkhereal
lyl
ovesyou.Doyoulov
ehim?
Me:
Hewi
l
lbef
ine,
hehasDudu.
Tr
evor
:Don'
tyoul
ovehi
m?
Me: Notenoughtobewi thhim,ijustdon'
twant
tobeputi nasi
tuati
onwher eIfeelsecondbest
.
Ican'tbewit
hamant hatcan'
tlovemeandme
alone,it
ri
edpolygamybuti tdidn'tworkout
i
nst eadil
ostababy .NowIwantnot hingl
ess
thanagoodf amily
..
..daddy,mommyandt he
kidsinahousewi t
hadogoracat .
..
nobaby
mamas!
Tr
evor
:(l
aughed)t
hewhol
epackage?
Me:
(laughed)Yes.
..
Trevor
:Butmostofy ouwomensayt hat'
swhat
youwanty ety oufallfortheopposi t
e,thesehot-
headedguy swi t
hmoneyi swhaty oufind
appeali
ngbecauset otamostoft hetimer ona
barenanglet oroeoy ahappyf amilywedon' t
comef r
om richesandoi thel
arenal el
e
dikgwethomobot shelong.Wewor khar dtobe
wherewear ewi thouti nheri
tanceorourpar ent
s
makingconnect ions.
Me:
Buti
t'
snotaboutmoney
..
..
Trev
or:Trustme, womenlovemoneymor ethan
anyt
hinginthewor l
d.That'
swhyt heycanstay
i
nabusiverelationshipsj
ustbecausetheguyis
l
oaded.Kanal ehaokamor atamosadi okgona
gogotogelaagor at
analemonnamogol owa
mopalamentej ustformoneyf ort
hesakeof
money
.
Me:(l
aughed)Notallofusar
eli
kethat,Ibel
iev
e
i
ntruelov
e.Calli
tstupi
dbutIact
uall
ybeliev
e
t
hatI'
ll
haveaf amil
yoneday,ahusband,our
t
hreechil
drenandtwodogs.
Tr
evor
:(l
aughed)Wow,
that
'squi
tedet
ail
ed
Me:
(laughed)Iswear
,you'
l
lsee.
..
I'
l
lachi
evei
t.
Trev
or:Tel
lyouwhat,cutapictur
ethathasyour
i
dealdream f
amil
yandpast eitonthefr
idge,
you'
llr
ememberthatdream everymorni
ng
wheny ouwalki
nthekitchen.
..
Me:
(smi
l
ed)Inev
ert
houghtoft
hat
..
.

Bakangknockedandst uckhisheadi n,
he
l
ookedatmeandTr ev
ort henhewal kedinand
cl
osedt hedoor
..
..Heleanedov erandkissed
met henhepull
edthechai randsatdownf aci
ng
Trevor.
..
.
Bakang:
(st
ari
ngathi
m)What
'
sgoi
ngon?
Trev
or:
(cl
ear
edhi
sthr
oat)Heyman.
..Shej
ust
cametogi
vemeyourkey
s-
Bakang:(
shrunkhi
sst
ari
ngathi
m)Tr
evorar
e
youtry
ingtodoubl
ecr
ossme?
Tr
evor
:YouknowIwoul
dnev
erdot
hat
-
Bakang:
(pushedhi
sent
ir
epaperf
il
etohi
sface)
Thenwhatisthi
s?

Trevorl
eapedupthenBakanggotonhi
sface,
i
gotupandheldBakang'
sarm pul
li
nghi
m
back..
..

Me:St
opit
,hedi
dn'tknowi
wascomi
ng.
..
.Can
wego?Let
'sgo.
..
Bakang:
(looki
ngatme)Sot
hisi
smov
ingon?
(t
urnedtohim)Youknowbett
erthanthat
..
..I
madey ouandicanbreaky
ou.Icantakeaway
al
lthese.
..
Tr
evor
:(st
ari
ngathi
m)Ihav
en'
ttouchedher
..
Bakang:
Good,
keepi
tthatway
..
..
Tr
evor
:Okay
,Cl
ear
..
.I'
l
lkeepi
tthatway
.

Hegrabbedmywr istandledmeout ,ipushed

myhairbackaswequi ckl
ygotdownt hest air
s
headi
ngforthedoortheni tur
nedandlooked
up,Tr
evorwasleaningont hestai
rbarlooking
atustaki
ngoffhi
st i
e..
..
.

Bakangdr
aggedmet ot
heparki
ngl
otand
bangedmeagainstt
hecar
..
..

Bakang:
Arey
ousl
eepi
ngwi
thmyf
ri
end?
Me: (
angr
il
y)WampolaaBakang.
..(
puthi
skeys
ontopofthecar
)Her
eareyourkeys,I
'
llt
akea
taxi
Bakang:
(pul
l
edmeback)Geti
nthecar
,st
op
bei
ngdramati
c..
.
Me:
Idon'
twantt
ogeti
nthecar
Bakang:(
angri
l
y)Idon'
tcarewhatyouwant ,get
i
nthecar,kant
ekeengor atagorapelwayaana?
Otsaagorekekapalel
wakegogot senyamo
kol
oinggakebata?
Me:Gakebat
egot
senamokol
oingobat
agor
e
ker
eng?
Bakang:(
openedthedoor)I
'm gi
vi
ngyouupt
o
thr
eetogetinthecarbef
oreimakeyougeti
n..
..
1..
.2.
..

Twoempl oy
eespassedbyandlookedatus
thenIsi
ghedtear
ful
l
yandgotinthecarto
avoi
dtheembar
rassment,hecl
osedthedoor
andgoti
nthedr
iver'
ssi
dethenherev
ersedand
drov
eoutcl
osi
ngt hewi
ndows..
..
.

Bakang:
Nal
edi
arey
out
ryi
ngt
opl
ayme?
Me:I'
m notpl
ayi
ngy
ouandy
ou'
renotmy
boy
fri
end.
Bakang:Keepthatatt
it
udeup,ketaabonagor
e
garetsenakontungot aat
swelel
aompuisa
makgakga..
..Keeptal
king.

Ikeptquietashedr oveoverthebr idge,minutes

l
aterhesloweddownatt heredl ightstheni
l
ookedout sidetemptedtogetout ,helookedat
meandf acedt heroadtheniqui cklyfi
ddledthe
doortr
yingtoopenbuti twasl ocked, itr
iedto
rol
ldownt hewi ndowsbuttheywer elockedas
well
..
..
Bakang:(cal
myt
urnedt
hemusicon)Puton
yourseatbel
tot
ogaonkgol
ega..
..

Thegreenli
ghtswi
tchedont
henhedr
ove
thr
ough..
..
..
..
..
..
.

Al
way
sremembert
oLi
ket
hei
nser
t.Muchl
ove
[
09/
24,
21:
40]Ron:
Co-
wif
e
#24

AtBakang'
shouse.
..
.

Dudu:
Idi
dn'
tpoi
sonNal
edi
Bakang:(walkedover)Keepl yi
ngandseewhat
happens,
I'
llslapyou,doy outhi
nkI'm pl
ayi
ng
wit
hy ou?Doi l
ookI'
mj oking?(shekeptqui
et)
Whatdidyoudo?(tear
srol
l
eddownhercheeks)
KetagobetsakanaDuduet
sang,
waai
tse?O
tsaagor
ekeashenama?
Dudu:
Idi
dn'
tdoany
thi
ngt
ohe-

Hesmackedheracr osst hefacet henshef ell

ont hecouch, hegrabbedt hecushi onand
placedi tonherf acepr essingitdownasshe
kickedst ruggli
ngt obreathe..
.Heexer tedall his
bodywei ghtonherf aceasshehel pl
essly
struggledscr atchi
nghi sarmsandki cking.
..her
l
imbssl owlygotweakandshest opped
struggli
ngt henhegotof fherandt hr
ewaway
thecushi onst ari
ngather ,hecheckedherpul se
andt ookof fhist -
shir
tthenwal kedt othe
windowhol dinghist -
shirt,
hemov edthe
curtainslookingout si
deandl ockedthedoor .
..

Hemadehi
swayt
othebedr
oom andsl
owl
y
openedthedoor,hewalkedtowardsthebaby'
s
cotandcheckedonher,shewaspeacef ul
ly
sl
eepinginhercri
bthenhefixedhersheetand
walkedoutclosi
ngthedoor.

Heopenedthepantryandgrabbedoneoft he
oldwinebot
tl
esthenhefil
ledtheglassand
draggedhi
sfeettot
helivi
ngroom, hesatnext
toherandcheckedherpul
seagaint henquickl
y
tookouthi
sphoneandcalledhisfather
..
.

Hi
m:Hel
l
o?
Bakang:(
frust
ratedl
yrol
l
edt
hewi
negl
asson
hi
sforehead).
..
.
Hi
m:Mi
do?
Bakang:
Dadcany
oucomet
omyhouse?
Hi
m:Why
?
Bakang:
(swal
l
owed)It
hinki
kil
l
ed
Duduet
sang.
..
Hi
m:What
?
Hi
smot
her
:(i
nthebackgr
ound)Whati
sit
?
Hi
m:Het
hinksheki
l
ledhi
sgi
rl
fr
iend
Hi
smot
her
:Let
'sgo,
wher
eishe?
Hi
m:Wear
ecomi
ng,
hav
eyout
oldany
one?
Bakang:
No
Him:Lockthedooranddon'
tcall
anyone,
ihope
you'
renotdri
nki
ngbecausethi
sneedsasober
mind.
Bakang:
Pleasehur
ry,
I'
mfr
eaki
ngout
..
..
Hi
m:Whatexact
lydi
dyoudot
oher
?Di
dyou
st
abher
?
Bakang:
Ismot
her
edher
Hi
smot
her
:MyGod
Him:DoCPRunti
ligetthere,
don'
tst
opunt
ili
gett
here.Doy
ouunderstandme?
Bakang:
Hur
ryup!I
'
mfr
eaki
ngout
.

Hehangupandcheckedherpul seagai
nt hen
heputtheglassonthetabl
eanddraggedher
onthecarpet.Heperf
ormedmouthtomout h
onherthenhecheckedherpulseandthought
hefel
tsomet hi
ngbuthewasshakingsomuch
hewasn'tsureitwasherpul
seorhim
shaki
ng..
..
..
.

Minuteslaterhispar
entsknockedont hedoor,
heopenedandt heywalkedi
nt henhelockedit
again.
..Hisfatherj
oinedhi
m ont hecarpetas
theytookturns..
..

Queen:(angr
il
y)Ican'
tbeli
eveyoudidthi
sMido,
doyouknowhowmucht hi
sisgoingtocostus?
Theproblem wi
thyouisthatyouneveract
uall
y
payfort
hesebr i
bes-
Ki
ng:
(snapped)Notnowpl
ease

Thebabycri
edinthebedr
oom thensheputher
phonedownandhur r
iedi
n,meanwhil
eDudu
gaspedandcoughed.
..

Ki
ng:
(si
ghedi
nrel
i
ef)ThankGod
Bakang:
(heav
edasi
gh)shi
t.
..

Dudul
ookedatBakangfear
ful
l
yandcovered
hermout
hcryi
ng,t
hekinghuggedherasshe
cri
edl
oudl
y.
..

Ki
ng:
I'
m sor
ry.
..
.

Bakanggotupandgr
abbedhiswine,
hestood
bythewindowandst
aredout
sideashismother
walkedinhol
dingthebaby.Duduslowlygotup
thenhismotherhandedherthebaby,shecri
ed
holdi
ngherbabytight
ly,
thequeenhuggedthem
bothasDuducont i
nuedcryi
ng,st
il
lshaken.
..
.

Queen:
You'
ref
ine.
..You'
l
lbeokay
..
.

ThekinglookedatBakangashesi ppedwi
ne
andangri
lyslappedthegl
assoffhishand.
..
.t
he
redwinespil
ledonhischestandbrokeonthe
ti
lest
aini
nghi swhit
esneakers.
..

Ki
ng:
Obonagor
eampor
eonkgol
ega?
Bakang:(
rubbedhi
sf ai
ntsi
xpack)Sheput
somethi
nginNaledi
'sfoodandnowi l
ostmy
sonbecauseofher,
asksheherwhatshedid.
..
King:
Idon'
tcarewhatshedid!Doy
our
eal
i
se
howmucht hi
scanaffectme?
Bakang: Ohyeaht hat'
sri
ght,I
'mt hePrinceand
ngwanawakgosi gaat shwanelagodi r
adi
phoso, I
'
m soov erthatstage.
..
thisismyl i
fe,
my
mi st
akesandmychoi ces,don'
tmaket hem
yoursjustbecausey ouwantmet obeaki ng,I
didn'
tgot oschool t
obeaki ng,ruleyourpeople
alone.I
'm notpartofthat,t
hereisnothingfancy
aboutit.
King:(t
ookav erydeepbr eath)Putony ourt-
shir
t,youlookl i
keat hugat t
ackingthemot her
ofyourchildwi thyourdaught erl
ayi
ngi nthe
nextroom, (
angr i
ly
)Lookatt his
woman. ..
(pointedather )Lookather , doyou
seetheamountoff eary oujustputinher ?
That'
st hewomanwhogav ey ouadaught erand
youjusttri
edt okillher,shejustgotupf r
om the
deadandt hat '
sthesi ckresponsey ougi ve?
Thatfeariswhaty oushoul dbedeal ingwi t
h..
..
Bakang:
(heputonhist
-shir
t)Sheki
ll
edmyson,
whydoy ouexpectmet
of eelsor
ryf
orher
?
Dudu: (cry ing)Bat hongnnagakeadi rasepe
Naledi ,i don' tev enknowwhatpeopl euset o
poisonot her s,ihav enev erdoneabor ti
on
beforei don' tknowany thing.Theonl ythingI'
m
guil
tyofl ov i
ngy ou,lovingy ouandaccept i
ng
thaty oul ov esomeoneel se.( t
earsrolli
ngdown
hercheeks)Idi dn' tdoany thingtoheri swear
withmydaught er,mayGodt akemydaught ers
l
iferightnowi fI '
ml ying.MayGodt akeaway
everythi ngf rom mei fI'
ml ying,mayGodsenda
l
ighteni ngt ost rikemeatt hismomenti fI'm
l
y i
ng....Bakangi lovey ousomuchi didn'tmind
seeingy ouget t
inghappi nessf r
om anot her
woman, al l i
want edwast obenextt oyouand
takecar eofy ou, t
hat '
sal liwant ed.Icould
neverdot hatt oy ourchi ldbecausei loveyou,i
didn'
tpoi sonNal edi iswear .
Bakang:
I'
m notf
all
i
ngf
ort
hat
,getoutofmy
house
Queen:
(looki
ngatDuduasshecr
ied)Mi
doshe
di
dn'
tdoi
t,i
cant
ell
shedi
dn'
tdoi
t.
..
Bakang:
(openedt
hedoor
)Getout
..
..
Ki
ng:Kant
ekeengosabat
egout
wangwanay
o
wabatho?
Bakang:Iwantheroutofmyhouse,sheis
conni
vingandicanseerightt
hroughher
.
King:Ayekae?Di
dn'ty
ousayshehad
di
f f
erenceswi
thhermother
?Ayekaeka
ngwana?
Bakang:Shecanleavemydaught
er,t
hat'
swho
I
'mresponsibl
efor.Shei
snotmyresponsi
bil
i
ty.
Queen:(sighed)Dudugi vemet hebabyandgo
getyourbagsr eyel
apengngwanaka, nnaMido
gaadirajaanaompet sapelomogomaswe.Di
Miscarr
iaget sedikanatsethar
ot sabasi
mane
Godshoul dhav eletj
ustoneboyl iv
ebecause
thi
sonei sclear l
ynotresponsi
blenorishean
hei
r.
Duduhandedoverthebaby,
minut
esl
atershe
walkedoutwi
thherbags.
..
.

Kgosi
:Tsaadibeket
seomogoDuduodi
tseny
e
mokoloi
ng..
.

Hegott hebagsandl oadedt hem ashisparents

fol
lowedhi m,Dudusi l
entlywal kedbehindthem
withherar msfolded,shelookedathi m ashe
l
oadedt hebags,shecoul dfeel t
heloveshehad
forhi
mf rom wi
thinevenaf terwhathehad
done..
.hewasst il
lfur
iousbutal it
tl
eremorse
wouldmakeherf eelbetter,hewasn'tgivi
ngany
ofthatandnothi sparentswoul dconvi
ncehim
other
wi se.Heclosedt hetrunkandwal ked
away..
..
Queen:
Tsenamokoloingretsamae,
osekawa
motsenyamothogongyoo..Abesetsogi
l
e.

Shegotinthecarandsatnextt
oherbabyt
hen
hi
sfatherdrov
eout..
..
.

Att
heKi
ng'
shouse.
..
..
..

Minuteslat
ertheypar
kedt
hecar
,theQueen
carr
iedthebabyasDuduuncomf
ortabl
ywalked
besi
desher .
..

Queen:
Dor
cas?
Dorcas:
(wal
kedoutoft
heki
tchenwi
pingher
hands)Maa?
Queen:
Pleasebr
ingmebagsi
nthecar
Dor
cas:
Emma.
..
.
Shequickl
ywalkedout,
thequeenopenedthe
guestroom andputt
hebaby'
scarr
ieronthe
bed..
..

Queen:Dorcuswill
cleanthi
sroom f
oryou,i
t'
s
cl
ean..
.It
'
sj ustt
odustitsoPri
ncessdoesn'
t
getf
luorbedbugs. .
Dudu:
Emma
Queen:
(looki
ngather
)Ibel
i
evey
ou.
..
Dudu:
Why
?
Queen: Youdon'thavethegutstodoit,
personall
yidon'tthi
nky oucanhandl
emyson
becausey ouseem tobet oosoft
.Bakang
doesn'tneedthatkindofawomanbuti fyou
l
ovehi m whoam i tojudge.

Theki
ngknockedont
hedoor
,thel
adi
est
urned
andlookedathi
m ashewal
kedi
nandsaton
thestool
..
..

King:
Duduwhati
sgoi
ngtohappen?Imean
aboutwhatMi
doj
ustdi
d..
.
Dudu:
Ihav
en'
tthoughtabouti
t
King:Wil
lyoupl
easef orgi
vehim?Iapol ogi
seon
hisbehal
f,wecan'taff
ordtohav ethisouton
themedia..
.Youknowj ournal
ist
sar ealways
l
ookingforsomethingli
ket hi
storuinroyal
famil
iesandsel
ltheirpapers.
Dudu:
Iknow.
..
Queen:I
'm sur
ey outwocanworkt
hisout,see
acounsel
lororjustgi
vehi
mt i
metodigestthe
badnewsaboutNal edi
,otaasi
amaabolebua
di
lotsal
ona.Kanagasegonengwetsiyame?
Dudu:
Kegone
Ki
ng:
Justgi
vehi
mti
me,
hewi
l
lcomear
ound
andy ouknowasecr etisforone,ifyoutell
anyonei twil
lgoout .
..Royalfamil
ieshavedeep
secretsandy ou'r
epar tofusnow, ifyoucan' t
keept hi
sonel i
ttl
esecr etwouldyouconsi der
yourselfaqueenofBat awana?(sheshookher
head)Ey esareony ouast hepr i
nce'sgir
lf
riend,
prot
ecthi minpubl i
canddeal wi
thhisprobl ems
pri
vately.Wear eheret ohel
py ouandt hi
ngswi l
l
workoutj ustfi
ne.
Dudu:
Iunder
stand
Queen: Iunderst
andy ou'
renotworkingso,y
our
fatherandi wi
llputourheadstogetherandfi
nd
youapl acetostay,yourownhouse. .
.Not
renti
ngbuty ourveryown,you'
refami l
ynowand
ofcoursewewantt omakesur eour
grandchil
drenhav eagoodhome.
Dudu:
(smi
l
ed)Thanky
ou.
..
.
King:
(stood)Thankf
orunder
standi
ngmy
daughter.
..
Queen:Dor caswill
bri
ngfood,pleasefeelf
ree
t
oeatwhat everyouwantandlaydown, o
motsetsi.
..Ifyouneedanyt
hingtellmeortell
Dorcas,shehasbeenourhousehel perf
or
years,
shechangedMi do'
sdiapers
Dudu:
(laughed)Emma
Queen:(
laughed)Shei
shi
ssecondmot
her
..
.
Feelf
reewithher.
..

AtTr
evor
'shouse.
..
.

Bakangknocked,Tr
evoropenedthedoor
shi
rtl
essthenBakangwalkedin.
..

Tr
evor
:Many
ou'
reamess,
arey
ouokay
?
Bakang:(Satdownandlai
dback)myl
if
eis
messedup. .
.Idon'
tknowwhattodo,
Naledi
doesn'
ttalktomeandsheblamesmef orour
son'
sdeat
h.Idon'
tevenknowi
fshewi
l
lletme
seehi
m bef
orehisburi
al.
Trevor:
Shehasapoint,y
oushouldhavebeen
fai
thfult
oherorr
efusedthatof
feri
fyoureal
l
y
l
ov edher
Bakang:(
tearf
ull
y)Ishoul
dhaveandrightnowi
j
ustwanttoloveherbutoagana..
.(r
ubbedhis
eyes)I
'mjustweak..
..(
swall
owed)Shemakes
meweak, ketsenwakestress
Trevor:(pathim ontheshoulder)Givehertime
toheal,whenshehasaccept edherl ossmakea
mov e,thisti
megi veityoural
l.I
fyout reata
womanr ightshewon' tst
ressyoubutgi veher
ti
me. .
..
don'tfuckaroundwhi l
ewaitingf ora
chancewi t
hherbecausei fshelovesy oushe
will
bewat chi
ngy ou,youmustbewor thgivi
ng
achance.
Bakang:
Yeahy
ou'
rer
ight
..
..
Tr
evor
:(st
oodupandsmackedhi
m ont
heback)
Getup,l
et'
sgoplaypoolatSedi
ehot
el,
that
shoul
deasethepain.
..
.
Bakang:
Yeah.
..
..
.
Tr
evor:Sost
il
lbor
nsal
sogetbur
iedl
i
ke
ev
eryone?
Bakang:
Yes,
theyt
oldmei
hav
etobuyacof
fi
n..
Trevor:Uhsor
rylai
ti
aka,iknowy ouwer
e
excit
edaboutthi
sbaby .
..Ican'
ti
magineyour
disappoint
ment.
Bakang:Iwi
shwecoul
dtr
yagai
nbutNal
edi
a
di
rajaanagakei
tse
Tr
evor
:Shewi
l
lbef
ine,
giv
ehert
ime.
..

Att
heKi
ng'
shouse.
..

Resegoknockedt
henDuduresponded,
she
st
uckherheadinsandsmi
ledlooki
ngatthe
baby
..
..

Rese:
HeyPr
incess.
..Awwwshei
ssogr
own
Dudu:
Thanks.
..
Rese:(
li
ftedherandki ssedher)Wow. .
.Di
nko
tsagaMidoket seo..
..(
tickl
edthebabywithher
nose)Di
nkot sagaMi doket seo.
..Ki
tseo.
..
.(t
o
Dudu)Sheisgr owingsoqui ck
Dudu:
Thanks
Rese:
Ihear
dwhathappened,
arey
ouokay
?
Dudu:
YeahI
'
mfi
ne
Rese:
Sowhatr
eal
l
yhappenedbet
weeny
ou
andNaledi
?
Dudu: Wehadanargumentandithi
nkmy
mistakewastothi
nkshecanpoisonme
becausenowBKt hi
nksipoi
sonedher.
Rese:
Baagot
hol
ela,
Mamahadt
hree
Miscarriagesandal lthr
eewer eboys,shewas
around6and7mont hseacht ime,Mi docame
l
astandl i
vedbyami racle,hewasbor nmama
ale7mont hspr egnantandhewasi nan
i
ncubat orfor2weeks, wewer eallscar ed
thi
nkinghewon' tmakei tbuthedi d.
Miscarriageshappenal ot,whenshet oldmei t
wasaboyi feltsorryforherbuti didn'twantt o
scareherbyt ell
inghert hatronawemi scarry
boys.Iknowpeopl edon' tbel
ieveinwi tchcraft
butijustthinki thast odowi thmyf ather .
.onea
tshwareletsebogosi goremot ogolowagagwe
agolemmej aanongomonohel agagobui wa
kagoneel acousi nyar onabogosi .
Dudu:ThankGodonemor epersonbel
ievesme,
it
hinkevery
oneisgoingt
obelievei
diditbut
don'ty
outhinki
thastodowithgenes?Idon'
t
bel
ieveinmagicgongwekedigene
Rese:
Gakei
tsemma.
..I
'
m notsur
e
Att
hehome.
..
..
..

Thenextaft
ernoonIsteppedoutofthecarand
sl
owlywalkedinthehouseasmymot her
suppor
tedme, t
hereweremat t
ressesint
he
l
ivi
ngroom andmymom di r
ect
edmet omine
whereil
aiddown...
.

Minuteslat
ermysonswhi teli
tt
lecof
fi
npassed
tothebedroom,justknowinghewashomebut
notbreathi
ngbroughttear
stomyey esandi
cri
edev enmore..
.

Mama: Di
dimalaNaledi
,inashor
twhilewewil
l
begoingtot hegraveyar
d,wearewaiti
ngfor
theroyalf
ami l
y,assoonastheygetherewe
wil
ll
eav e.
..
Bakang'sfat
hersai
dthey'
reonthei
r
wayher e.
Minuteslat
erBakangandhi sparentsarriv
ed,
hekeptlookingatmebuti didn'
twantt omake
eyecontactwithhi
m.Afterashor tprayerweall
gotinthecarsanddrov
et othegr aveyard.
..
..
..
..
..

6WEEKSLATER.
..
..
..
..
..
..
..
..
[
09/
24,
21:
41]Ron:
Co-
wif
e
#26

AtBakang'
shouse.
..
.

Hestoppedthecarandgotoutasiremai
ned
seat
ed,heopenedmydoorandst ar
edatme..
.

Bakang:
Let
'sgo.
..
.
Me:
Whydon'
twet
alki
nthecar
?
Bakang: Nalediwantapisawaitse?I
'mtir
edof
beggingy ou..
.Otogaor egakeasiama.Can't
youjustbesubmi ssi
veforonceinyourli
fe?
Nnakanakekgonagogobet sakentsekego
rat
a.I'
llbeaty ousobady ou'l
lwonderi
fIreal
ly
l
ovey ou,justtodisci
pli
ney oubecauseontsaa
j
aakasemat a.

Iremovedtheseatbel
tandfol
lowedhiminside
thehouse,hecl
osedthedoorandtookoffhis
j
acketlooki
ngatmewhi l
eisatonthecouch.
Hesatnexttomeandhel dmyhandsstaringat
me...

Bakang:I'm sorr
yforevery
thi
ngwehav ebeen
goingthrough,iunderst
andy ourangerbuti l
ost
asont oo,I'
m hurti
ngaswel l
.Imi ghtnotbe
cryi
ngbutt hatdoesn'
tmeani don'tcar
e.It
'smy
faultt
hatallthesehappened,ishouldhave
pr otectedy oubuti didn't,Naledi ihaven'tdone
muchbadmoel enggor eyoucandumpmef or
this, wedat edf oraf ewmont hs...Youcan' t
j
udgemewi t
hsuchashor tperiodoft ime.Hadi
del i
beratelyhur tyouIwoul dunder standbutt hi
s
whol ethi
ngi sourf ault,bothofusbecausewe
allowedDudut ogetbet weenus.Shedi dn't
hav et obewi thus, shet hrewmehi ntsandi
didn' tr
ejecther ,shesol dyouaper f
ectdr eam
ofahappypol ygamousf amil
yandy ouboughti t
.
Canwenowl ookbackandsayt hatwasone
hel lofalesson?Canwemov eonnow?Canwe
star tover?( i
gotr eadyt ospeakt henheputhi s
fingeronmyl ips)Thi nkabouti tf ir
st..
.Don' t
l
ist entor espond. ..Li
st ent ounder stand...Thi
nk
-about -everything-i
-said.

Il
ookedi
nhi
sey
esashedesper
atel
yst
aredat
me..
.
Me:Idon'
tthi
nkyoucangivemewhatiwant
,i
don'
twanttobewit
hy ou.I
'
m sor
ry.
..
Bakang:(
letgoofmyhandsandr
ubbedhi
s
headfaci
ngdown)Why?
Me: Becausey ouloveDuduetsangandi don'
t
wanttolivetherestofmyl i
fewonder i
ngif
you'r
esleepi
ngwi thherwheny ougot osee
yourdaughter.Iknowshewon' tresi
styouandi
alsoknowy oust i
l
l l
oveher
..
.Youdi dn'
tmind
spendinganightwi t
hherwhilei wasinthenext
room.
Bakang:Ican'tbel
ieveyou'r
eusingthatagainst
me,y ouagreedtothatnonsenseandnowI '
m
gett
ingjudgedforagreeingwit
hy ou?..
.(angri
ly
)
Whocameupwi ththeideaofj
umpi ngbetween
therooms?
Me:
Idon'
tcar
e,y
oushoul
dhav
eref
used
Bakang:Whydidn'
tyouref
use?Doesthatmean
youlovemeless?Lessenoughtoshar
eme
wi
thanot
herwoman?
Me: Idon'tknowwhati wasthinkingbutiknow
whatI'mt hinki
ngnow, i
waspr egnantand
desperate..
.Youl i
edtomeaboutherandi
thoughti wouldlosey ouifi
didn'tagr
eeto
sharewi t
hherbecauseshehady ourchil
dand
youdat edherforal ongtime.
Bakang:Wecangobackandf or
thaboutthis
wewon' tagr
ee,canwetal
kaboutthefut
ure?I
wanty ouandidon'
twantDudu.
..Iwantt
obe
wit
hy ou,doyouwantmeornot?
Me:
Not
..
.
Bakang:
(si
gheddef
eat
ed)Okay
Me:
Andi
wanty
out
otakey
ourcart
oo.
.
Bakang:(cl
enchedhi
sjawstearf
ull
y)
Okay.
..(
li
ckedhisdr
yli
pstearf
ull
y)I
sther
e
anyt
hingelse?
Me:
No
Hestoodupandsi
ghedl
ooki
ngatme, i
coul
d
t
ellhewashur
ti
ngandhopel
essbuti
hadtodo
whatihadt
odo..
.

Bakang:Arey
eke- (
hisvoi
cet
rail
edof
fandhe
cl
earedhisvoice)Arey
ekegoisekol
apeng.
..
Me:
Thanks

Wegoti nthecaranddr ovehome, wedi

dn'tsay
mucht ooneanotherunt i
lheparkedatt
hegat e,
heturnedandlookedatmeasi removedthe
seatbeltt
henhegr abbedmywr istandst
ared
i
nmyey es,hi
seyeswer ereddi
shandhel ooked
l
ikehewasaboutt oexpl odei
ntears.

Bakang:Il
oveyou..
.(bl
i
nkedandheavedasigh
torel
ax)Idon'
tknowwhattosaytoyougoreo
dumelegoregakebat eDuduet
sang,iwas
self
ishf
oragreeingbutil
oveyo-(
heletgoof
myhandcov eredhiseyesastear
sfellonhi
s
tear
s)Goshapo, tsamaa.
..
.

Istoodatt hedoort earful

lyl ookingathim ashe
puthisforeheadont hest eeringwheel ,iwanted
tohughi m andt ellhimi l
ov edhi m butIdidn'
t
wantt ocompet ewi thDuduet sang,shewas
mor ehardwor ki
ngt hani was, shewast he
perfectwifeforhi m.Icl osedt hedoorand
walkedint hegat e.…afterwal kingafewst epsi
tur
nedar oundandl ookedathi m, hewasst il
l
watchingme. ..Ipausedl ooki ngathimt henhe
gavemeat humbsup, iwav edathi m andhe
rev
er sedthecar .
...
....

Ir
ubbedmyey esasi appr
oachedthehouse,
my
motherandourrel
ati
veswereprepar
ingfort
he
l
astmeet
ingsbefor
emybrot
her
'sweddi
ng.I
gr
eet
edthem al
landwal
kedi
nthehouse.
..

Mama:(
walkedi
n)Pl
easemaket
eaf
or
ev
ery
one.
..
Me:
(laughedt
aki
ngof
fmyclot
hes)Iwasgoi
ng
t
odoi tmama.
..I
t'
smydut
y
Mama:
(smi
l
ed)Thanksmygi
rl
..
..
.

AtTuel
o'
shouse.
..
.

Het ookoutt hegifthehadwr appedwithapi

nk
coverandpl aceditont het
ablethenheheldhi
s
waistlookingaroundt hehouse,ever
ythi
nghad
tobeper fectforher..
.Hecheckedhistime
againandsatont hecouch,shewas2hour s
l
ate...Hedialedhernumber .
..
..
Her
:Hel
l
o?
Tuel
o:Babeit
'sbeen2hour
snow,
didn'
tyou
sayyou'
reonyourway?
Her:
(sighed)Aish.
..I'
m ki
ndofbusywith
something.I
'l
lseey ounextweekkebusytot
a.
Tuelo:
Sowhydi dn'
tyoutel
lmethi
sy est
erday
gakegokopagoreotekwano?Andy ouhadto
makemewai tfor2hourstoletmeknowy ou'
re
busy?
Her:Idi
dn'
twanttodisappoi
nty
ou,
you
soundedali
tt
ledesperat
e-
Tuel
o:Isoundeddesper
ate?
Her
:Idi
dn'
tmeani
tli
ket
ha-
Mal
evoi
ce:
(int
hebackgr
ound)Obual
emang?
Her
:It
'sj
us-

Shehungupt
henhesi
ghedr
ubbi
nghi
sey
esi
n
di
sbel
i
ef.
..
.

Tuel
o:(
laughed)Wow.
..
.

Hedelet
edhermessagesandhercontact
,ther
e
wasaknockatthedoorthenheopened,
Bakangwal
kedinandsatonthecouch..
.

Tuel
o:Whathappened?
Bakang:(si
ghedtearf
ully)Idon'
tthi
nkNal edi
wampat a..
.Ihavetr
iedev ery
thi
ng,itr
iedtobe
pati
ent,i
tri
edtousef orcebutshestil
lsay st
he
samet hi
ng.(r
ubbedt hetearsoffhi
sey es
hidi
nghisface)Idon'
tknowwhatI '
m goingto
do..
.ir
eall
yloveher.
Tuel
o: Ronalai
ti
akahabanyanabare
perf
ormel arel
ebahel
a,someofthesethi
ngs
youjustlaught
hem of
fandleaveitl
iket
hat.
Bakang:
Ican'
tl
eav
eitl
i
ket
hat
..Il
oveher
Tuelo:Iheary ouandi under st
andy oubutt here
i
snopoi ntcryingforawomanwhodoesn' tcar e,
may beisbecausewomennev errejectyou
that'
swhyi thurt
s, iremembermyf i
rstreject ion
l
ennai criedbutast imegoesonoat wael agor r
monnaoaganwai t'
spar tofbeingaman, not
everywomany ouwantwi l
lwantyout hat'swhy
youhav et oappreciat egodumel wahel aka
bogone.( grabbedt hegi f tbox)Igotthist hing
forNomsabutshedi dn'tcomeandy ouknowi
havebeenbeggi ngherf orawhi l
e,shehasbeen
avoidi
ngmeandi knewshewascheat i
ng
thoughnnekesabot sebecausegakenapr oof.I
j
ustspoket oherandsomeguyspokei nt he
background, ketshegi l
ehel aabokemot ogel aa
ntsejal
obecausennagakebonemosol awago
betsamot hoasagobat e.I '
m notgoingt o
harassherorany thing, ketswahel amogoene.
Bakang:
Nnammegankakekal
esaNal
edi
,she
doesn'tknowwhatshewant
s.Imadethesame
mistakewalki
ngawayfr
om Dudu,
I'
m notdoi
ng
i
tagainwi t
hNaledi
.
Tuelo:Butgivehersomespaceeej usttoseeif
she'
llchangehermi nd,don'tbei nherf ace
becauselewenay ou'
resensiti
v e,this
miscarri
agebr okeyoudownt r
ustmenna
keagobonagor esantseonal estress, when
twost r
essedpeopl eargueitbecomesabi g
fi
ghtandt heonewi thamuscl ewi lldomor e
damagesogi veyourselft
ime, givehert i
met o
mour n,l
etaf ewmont hspasst henmakeaf ew
gentlemov es,notusi
ngf or
ce...
Bakang:(
nodded)Okaythatsoundsbet
tert
han
gi
vingup.
..
waaitsegoreTrevorobat
aNaledi?
Tuel
o:What
?Tr
evwoul
dnev
erdot
hat
..
..
Bakang:
Oammat
a
Tuel
o:Why?Becauseoft
hefunny
compli
cat
ionshegiv
es?Trev
orisaj
oker
,he
al
wayshassomet
hingni
cet
osayabout
ev
ery
one.
Bakang:No,i
t'
smoret han.
..Icanf
eeli
t,t
odayi
foundheri
nhisof
ficeandhewasn' t
comfort
able,
hepanicked..
.Hedidn'
tevenknow
whattosay.
Tuel
o:Hi
sof
fi
ce?Whatwasshedoi
ngt
her
e?
Bakang:
Appar
ent
lyshecamet
ogi
vehi
mthe
BMW keys
Tuel
o:Whywouldheagree?Heknowswear e
notsupposedt
ogeti
takeremal
obaor e
bol
elet
segoreshei
str
yingtogi
veitback.
Bakang: That'
smypoint,whydidn'
thesayno.
..
Trevorshouldn'
tplaymebecauseI'l
lbever
y
cruel
,ifhewant st
oseehowcr uelicanbehe
shouldthinkaboutNaledii
nthatki
ndofway.
Tuel
o:No,guysgaennay
alogaenneshapo.
Didyout
alktohim?
Bakang:
Iwar
nedhi
m andI
'
m notgoi
ngt
owar
n
hi
m agai
n.
Tuelo:
(di
aledhisnumber)No,
wehav
etosol
ve
thi
sbefor
ei tget
soutofhand.
..
Tr
evor
:Hel
l
o?
Tuel
o:Hey,
cany
oupassbymyhousesowe
cantal
k?
Trevor
: Ican'
t,
I'
m atmymother'
spl
ace,I
'
m
helpi
ngherwi t
hsomethi
ng,
I'l
lseeyou
tomorrow.
Tuel
o:I
'
llcomeov
ert
her
e,i
twon'
ttakel
ong.
Tr
evor
:Al
ri
ght
Tuel
o:Shapo(
hehungup)
Hesoundsgui
l
ty.
.
Let
'sgo.
Bakang:
Temookaekant
e?
Tuelo:It
hinkhi
sgir
lf
ri
endi
spregnantor
something,mal
obaheboughtt
wopr egnancy
testki
tsbutneasabat
egobuasepekakgang
y
ateng.
Bakang:
(laughed)Shei
sal
i
ttl
efatt
oo,
ojel
e
sengwelait
aame
Tuelo:Weshoul
dpassbyhispl
ace(
laughed)I
needtobeseri
ousaboutf
indi
ngagi
rlf
ri
end,la
ntshi
akatemabanna

Theygoti
nthecaranddr
oveof
f.
..
.

AtTr
evor
'smom'
s.
..
..
.

Trevoropenedhiscarasloudmusicplayed,
he
grabbedhisbluej
umpsuitstai
nedwithpaint
andputitonashi smotherwalkedov
er .
..
.

Her:It
houghtthi
sweekendy
ou'
l
lrest
,wher
eis
yourbi
gbrother?
Trevor
:Heisbusy,
heisprepar
ingtogot
o
Johannesburgt
ocoll
ectmorecars,
hegotal
ot
oforder
sthismonth.
Her
:Butpai
nti
ngt
hisbi
ghouseal
onei
sgoi
ng
t
ostrai
nyou
Trevor
:(l
aughed)Paint
ingi
sn'tashar dasi
t
seems,Danieldi
dtheoutsi
deI '
m doingthe
i
nside,wecan'thi
reapaint
erbecausewear e
savi
ngcasht ogetyounewf urni
tur
e.
Her:
Idon'twantyouboystospendt
oomuch
onme,that'
swhyy oudon'
thavegi
rl
fr
iends.
..I
wantgr
andchil
drenbefor
eIdie
Trevor:
(laughedsti
rr
ingt
hepai
nt)Banabaa
tura,
gobat arehedi
tsekawenapele
Her:Idon'tli
kethatmypovertyi
smaki ngyou
twodelayy ourli
vessoyoucanchangemyl i
fe
fi
rst
,seeingy outwowit
hy ourwivesand
chil
drenwi l
lbeenoughforme, i
don'tcare
aboutallthese
Trevor:Butwecan'tbedr
ivi
ngnicecar
swhile
you'r
est ayi
nginatworoomedhouseusinga
pit
latr
inetoil
etwhenyousentustouni
versi
ti
es,
i
twoul dn'tmakesense
Her:Mmekanagakenagolal
alebony
ebasadi
kanagor
ayagoregalebeche
Tr
evor
:(l
aughed)Hahahauwi
i
i.
..
Her:(
laughed)Nawaat shegaTher
eva.
..Monna
yoosathubegeleekgar
ebeoganwakebasadi,
monnawat engakakewammonaanal ekal
a.
Tr
evor
:(l
aughed)Hehehebar
ekal
a..
.Hae.
..
Her:ist
ayalone,i
needgrandchi
ldr
enplayi
ng
aroundher
el ennaerekadikher
rsmasegot al
e
banababanal edingwet
sirej
enubij
ararot
he.
Trevor
:(laughed)I'
llmakeyouonegr andchi
ld
nextyearbuty ou'
ll
bebaby si
tt
ingwithouta
complaintandy ou'
lll
ovethemot heraker
?
Her
:Asl
ongasshei
srespect
ful
I'
ll
lov
eher
(l
aughedwalki
ngaway )
andI'l
lbaby
sitt
hatbaby
wit
ha' whi
teheart
'l
ehalekantogel
aleene
kgweditsepedikesi
ame...
.

Helaughedandwal kedinsidewit
hthebucket
ofpaintandbegunt opai
nting,
minutesl
ater
Bakangandhisf r
iendsparkednextt
ohiscar
andwal kedi
n..
..

Tuel
o:(
looki
ngaround)Kant
eoi
tsegopent
a
bosmartyaananemonna?
Tr
evor
:(l
ookedar
ound)It
ry.
..
Temo:
(shoul
derbumped)Hey
Tr
evor
:what
'sup?

Anawkwardsi
l
encepassedastheguy
sst
ood
i
nthemiddl
eofthebedr
oom..
.
Tuel
o:Ket
saagor
ewaai
tsegor
eret
etseaker
e?
Tr
evor
:(l
ookedatBK)Yeah.
..
Tuel
o:Butjustf
ort
hesakeofknowi
ng,
doy
ou
wantNaledi
?
Trev
or:(
helookedatal
lofthem ast
heyst
ared
backathi
m)No, idon'
t.
..
Bakang:
Whydi
dyouagr
eet
otaket
hecarkey
s
fr
om her
?
Tr evor:
Idon'tthinkt her
eisusei nrefusingto
geti tevent
uallyshewi l
lparkitonthesi deof
ther oadandl eav eitgaasaebat ebutshecame
tomeandi di
dn' tthinki
twasf ai
rtorefuse,she
nev erdidanythingt omei hadnor easonto
treatherbad.
Bakang:(
wal kedov
er)Idon'
tbeli
eveanyofthat
bul
lshi
t.(
lookedatful
lbucketofpai
nt)I
'
llki
ck
thi
sbucketifyoudon'
tgetseri
ous..
.Ketae
t
shol
etsakegoet
shel
ayot
he.
..
Tuel
o:(blockedhi
m wi
thhisarm)Cooli
t,were
arenotheretofi
ght(
toTrevor
)sothat
'
sal l
that
happened?
Tr
evor
:Yeah
Tuel
o: Youdi
dn'
tmakeanymov
esonheror
anyt
hing?
Tr
evor
:Nothi
nghappened,
whatdoy
ouwant
metosay
?
Temo: Guysi beli
evehim,BKt hisis
crazy..
.Trevorwoul dneverdot hat
.Let '
snotlet
thi
scomebet weenus, weareadul ts..Tr
eyused
hisjudgementt omakeadeci sion,i wouldhave
defini
telyrefusedbutweal lknowheal ways
doessomet hingdiffer
entfr
om whatweal l
agreeon.Ther eisnothi
ngsur pri
singabout
that..
.Thisischildi
sh.
Tuel
o:Ial
sobeli
evehi
m, Bakangkanaonalel
e
st
ressandify
ouleti
tinsomuchi twil
lmake
youthinkev
eryonei
sbetr
ayi
ngyou.Tr
evor
soundsconvinci
ng,
imeanmaybehefeltsor
ry
forherbutt
owanther?Comeon..
.
Bakang:(
star
ingathim)Myhear
ttell
smeyou
wantherbutI'
ll
leti
tgo,may
beit
'sinmyhead
soI'
m sorr
y..
.
Temo:
Sayi
tli
key
oumeani
t
Bakang:Imeanit,I
'
m sorr
y..
..(
shoul
der
bumped)I'
m sorry
,ihavebeenunderalotof
str
ess.
..I
'm sor
ry
Tr
evor
:It
'
sokay
,for
geti
t.
..

Theyallsi
ghed, Trev
or '
sphoner anginhisback
pocketandhel ookedatt hescreen,speakof
thedevi
l..
.Hefrozest ari
ngati tforami nut
e
thenhereject
edt hecall andputt hephoneback
i
nt hepocket.
..
..BKst aredathim andhest ared
backathim...
.
Temo: (
sighed)Al
ri
ght,nowthatt
hishasbeen
sett
ledcanwego?( checkedhist
ime)I'
m
expecti
ngso-
Tr
evor
:(smi
l
ed)Congr
atul
ati
ons,
that
'
sgr
eat
Tuel
o:(
smiledandsqueezedhi
sshoul
der
)
Congr
atul
ati
onsman,iknewit.
..
Bakang:(smil
ed)Congrat
ulat
ions,
don'
tst
ress
heroryou'l
ll
osehim..
Temo: Thanksguy
s,socanwego?I
'
llhel
pyou
outnextweekendthemonnaTr
ey
Tr
evor
:Sur
e,nopr
obl
em.
..
Tuel
o:(
smackedhi
m ont
heback)Shapoaker
e?
Tr
evor
:Sur
e
Tuel
o:Tagochekakamosor
ehel
elet
sa,
how
manyroomshav ey
oudone?
Tr
evor
:Idi
dtheki
tchen,
bat
hroom andt
he
t
oil
et.
..
Tuel
o:Ther
eisst
il
lal
ot,
wewi
l
ldoi
t.
..
Tr
evor
:Shapo.
..

Theyal
lwalkedoutandgotint
hecar,Trevor
st
oodbyt hewindowwatchi
ngthem dr
ive
away.
..
..
.

Atmymot
her
'shouse.
..
.

Iwashedthecupseveryonehadusedasmy
motherbidourr
elat
ivesgoodbye,shewal
kedi
n
andgrabbedherOrosinthefr
idge..
..

Mama:
Abal
engandRenei
final
l
ysett
hedat
e..
.
Me:
The25t
h?
Mama:
Howdoy
ouknow?
Me:
(laughed)Renei
tol
dme.
..Ican'
twai
t.
..
Mama: Gasekookekwanogony
adi
sakanake
poko.
..
.
Me: (
laughed)Taberebi
naxhondosisole
sekhumbaloountil
sunri
se.
..
.I
'
lldanceunti
li
breakaleg..
.

Shelaughedandj
oinedotherl
adiesoutsi
de,
i
hadneverseenmymot hersoexcit
ed.
..My
phonerang.
..

Me:
Hel
l
o?
Tr
evor
:Hey
..
Me:Hi,
iwantedt
osayI
'
m sor
ryforget
ti
ngy
ou
i
nvol
vedint
hisdr
amabycomingtoyo-
Tr
evor
:Ar
eyoubusy
?
Me:
(fr
owned)Not
-r
eal
l
y,why
?
Trev
or:
Ineedhel
pwit
hsomet
hingt
hat
'
sify
ou
don'
tmindget
ti
ngdi
rt
y..
.
Me:
(laughed)Whatki
ndofdi
rt
?
Tr
evor
:(l
aughed)Mmaweedoy
oumi
ndget
ti
ng
di
rt
yornot?
Me:(l
aughed)Iguessi
owey
ouf
orget
ti
ngy
ou
har
assed.
..
.
Trevor
:Good,
arey
ouaty
ourmom'
sory
our
house?
Me:
Mymot
her
's,
doy
ouknowi
t?
Trevor
:YeahBakangoncecamet
her
erel
emo
koloi
ng.
Me:
Alr
ight
,by
e
Tr
evor
:Oapar
ejeanl
emachesaaut
wa?
Me:
Okay
.By
e

Ihungupwi
thasmi
l
ebi
ti
ngmyt
ongueand
qui
cklyf
ini
shedcl
eani
ngt
heki
tchentheni
took
abathandworkedonmymakeup..
..

Minut
eslaterhepagedme,t
hankGodmy
motherandaunti
eswerenowinsidethehouse.
Isai
dmygoodby esandhurr
iedout.
..

Hesmi
l
edasi
goti
nthecart
henher
ever
sed.
..
.

Tr
evor
:Hi
Me:
Hi.
..
Tr
evor
:Youl
ookbeaut
if
ul
Me:
Thanks.
..I
'
m sor
ryaboutear
li
e-
Trevor:Don'
tworryaboutit
,icanhandlehi
m.
(handedmeaj ui
ce)Here.
..
.Ididn'
tknowwhat
tobringforyou.
Me:
It'
sper
fect
,thanks.
..
.
AtTr
evor
'smot
her
's.
..
..
.

Minuteslaterhedrov ethroughthegate,
thei
r
yardwasbi gbutonl yhadanol dunpaint
ed2
roomedhouse, apitl
atr
ineatthecornerand
anotherbignewl ybuil
t2bedr oomedhouse..
.
Thef encewasnewandt heoldonewasst i
ll
l
ay i
ngont hefreshlydugsoi l
..
.

Heparkedi
nf r
ontofthenewhouseand
openedal
lthecardoors,
het ur
nedupthe
musicandgotoutasmal lcool
erbox
...
.

Tr
evor
:Let
'sgo.
..
.

Wewalkedinsi
detheemptyhouseandhe
pl
acedthecool
erboxonthewhitepl
ast
ic
chai
r.
..
.

Trev
or:
(taki
ngoffhist
-shi
rt)Thi
siswherei
gr
ewup...(t
hrewthet-
shir
tover)Putt
hisone
soyoudon'tmessupyourt-shi
rt.
..
Me:
(put
ti
ngi
ton)Whosehousei
sthi
s?
Tr
evor
:It
'
smymot
her
's
Me:I
t'
sbeauti
ful
..
.(l
aughed)Whowouldhav
e
t
houghtmonnaomosweuj aakawenaogol
etse
mo2r umsi
ng,kemathata
Tr
evor:(l
aughedputti
ngonhi sover
all
s)my
br
otherandi sl
eptinthesitt
ingroom...Otaa
mmonanakonngwe, hisnamei sDaniel.I
twasa
bi
ttough,mybr ot
herot sent
semot akasewith
hi
sfir
stsalar
y
Me:
Hesoundsgr
eat
..
..
Trevor:
Heis.
..(
hel
dmyhand)comeher
e..
..
Thisiswhaty
oudo...(
gav
emeahandbrush)
Myroll
ercan'
treachthi
sti
nyspacessowena
youpai
ntwiththi
slit
tl
ebrush.
Me:
(smi
l
ed)Okay
..
..

Icouldtast
ehisbr
eathasheheldmyhand
showingmehowt opaint
,hetaughtmelooki
ng
str
aightinmyeyesandismil
edgetti
nghis
i
nstructi
ons.
..
.

Tr
evor
:Oat
shwar
aaker
e?
Me:
Yeah.
.

Hegrabbedhi
srol
lerandbegunpaint
ingasi
pai
ntedfr
om myli
ttl
econtai
ner
..
..

Me:
Cani
asky
ousomet
hing?
Tr
evor
:Yeahsur
e
Me:Whatdi
dBakangmeanwhenhesai
dhe
madeyouandhecanbr
eakyou?
Trevor:(
tur
nedandlookedatme)mymot her
wast hei
rsecondmaid,shemostl
yworked
outsi
dewhi l
eDorcas,
iknowifyouknowher
Me:
Ihear
dabouther
Trevor:Yeahsomymot herwor kedout si
de, she
sweptt hey ar d,washedt heirdogs, etcshe
basical
lydi dal lt
hedut i
esout sidet hehouse. .
BKwasn' tallowedt opl aywi thki dsf rom the
neighbour hoodexceptot herr i
chki dsofcour se
somymot herwoul dcomewi t hmeandi woul d
helpherar ound, whenev ershef elti wast i
red
shewoul dt ell met ositdownt hat'swhenwe
woul dplayt ogether ,
that '
showwegott oknow
eachot her.Oncemybr otherst artedwor kinghe
tol
dmymot hertost opwor kingasamai d, he
supportedherandhel pedmef ini
shschool but
aftergraduat ioni couldn'tfi
ndaj ob, myl ate
fatherhadl eftuseachapl otsoi borrowed
moneyfrom Bakangandbuiltt
hatB&B,
Di
amondLuxur i
es..
..WeagreedthatIwould
st
artpayi
ngnextyearbecausethebusiness
j
uststar
ted.
Me:Wow.
..Sohecansuey
ouandt
akei
tal
l
away
?
Trevor
:Yeahbutaf t
erwhathappenedt oday,i
wishicouldgetal oanf r
om thebankandpay
hi
m buti can'tbecausei gotal
oantobui ldt
his
house.
..SoI'llbewalkingoneggshell
sf orat
l
east2y earsormor ebecausesmal lpay ments
won'twork,ifhegetsangr yhecanjustsueme.
Tomakemat ter
swor seitwasaverbalcontract
so..
.
Me:
Idon'
tknowwhatt
osay
..
.
Tr
evor
:(smi
l
ed)Don'
tsayany
thi
ng.
..
Me:Sower
eal
l
yhav
etost
ayawayf
rom each
ot
her
Tr
evor
:Yeahweshoul
d(wal
kedov
er)Youhav
e
al
i
ttl
epai
ntony
ourchi
n..
.

Hegent l
yrubbedmychi nstaringatme, icould
smel lhisbreat
handf orsomer easonicouldn'
t
breathef r
eelywit
hhi m standingsocl osetome.
Hel eanedov erandkissedmeasi cl
osedmy
eyesr ecei
vinghissoftli
ps. .
.Wehear d
footstepsandmov edawayf rom oneanotheras
hismot herwalkedi nholdingabowl .
..

Her:
Ij
oo..
.sor
rybongwakakelet
senel
etsehel
a,
Nakaregongweonosi.
..Ibr
oughtyou
somethi
ngtoeat
Trevor
:(r
ubbedhi
sli
psandcl
ear
edhi
sthr
oat
)
thankyou.
..

Ishameful
l
yfacedt
hewallr
ubbi
ngmymouth
asTrev
orputdownhisbr
ushandgott
hebowl
..
.
Her
:(t
ome)Ot
aaj
adi
nawamme?
Me:
(swal
l
owed)Emma.
..
Her
:I'
l
lbr
inganot
herbowl
.
..
Me:
Thanky
ou.
..

Shewal
kedout
sideandwest
aredatone
anot
her
,hel
aughedatmeasiwasshaki
ng.
..

Trev
or:
(laughed)Rel
ax,
youl
ookl
i
key
ouhav
e
seenaghost..
..
Me:
(laughed)Don'
tl
aughi
t'
snotf
unny
..
.…

Hegotaspoonf
ulofthedel
i
ciousl
ysmel
l
ing
beansandf
edme...
.
Me:(chewedsmil
i
ng)Mmhh.
..Theyhav
e
ngondiv
iaker
e?
Tr
evor
:(smi
l
ed)Wowsoy
ouknowi
t?
Me: (gott
hespoonandateagai
n)Ar
eyou
kiddi
ng?mymot herusedt
ocookbeanswi
th
this.
..Thi
sisl
i
kedejavu
Tr
evor:(
laughedandki
ssedmyf or
ehead)I
di
dn'
tthi
nky ou'
dli
keit
..
..(
puthi
sarm ar
ound
me)Let'
sgoeatinthecar.
..
.

Wesatinthecar,
hismot herhandedusanother
bowlandwalkedaway, weadjust
edourcar
seat
sandeatwhileli
steni
ngtomusi c.
..
..
..
..

[
09/
24,
21:
41]Ron:
Co-
wif
e
#27
AtTr
evor
'shouse.
..
.

Lat
erattwi
li
ghtwewalkedi
nhi
shouseashe
cl
osedthedoorandl
edmet ot
hebat
hroom.
..
.

Trevor
:(swi
tchedont
hel
ight
s)Youcanbat
h
fi
rstwhil
eimakeussomethi
ngtoeat
..
.
Me:(f
oll
owinghim)Ihopeit
'snotsomethi
ng
heav
y,I'
m st
il
lful
l.Yourmot
herisanexcel
lent
cook
Trevor
:(t
urnedthet
apsandgrabbedthefoam
bathbott
le)Sheisv
erygoodwit
htradi
ti
onal
food.
Me:
Idon'
tknowmuchaboutt
hose
Tr
evor
:She'l
ltutoryouandmay beoneday
whenyou'
reMr sBrowny oucancookforme
Me:
(laughed)I
'
dli
ket
hat
..
..
Trevor:
(openedhisshelves)Idoubtihavea
newwashi ngrag.
..Ohit'
shere..
.(t
hrewitinthe
water)Youcanusemyr obeoroneoft hebig
towelsintheshel
f..
..
.(l
ookedaround)Arrrr
h..
.
Whatelsedoy ouneed?
Me:
(smi
l
ed)It
hinkI
'
m set
..
.

Hewal kedoverandputhisarmsar oundmy

waistt
henhet i
lt
edhisheadandki ssedme,he
sweptmyl i
pswi t
hhisthumbandki ssedmeon
myf or
eheadthenhewal kedpassedmeand
cl
osedt hedoor.
..

AtBakang'
spar
ent
s'…….
.

Heparkedundert
heblueshadenextt
ohis
mother'
scart
henheleanedbackandsighed.
..
Hehadsethimselfagoalofnothar
assi
ngher
foratl
eastaweek,maybeshewouldmisshi
m
andbegladtorecei
veacallf
rom hi
m.

Hest
eppedoutandcl
osedt
hedoorwal
ki
ng
t
owardst
hehouse.
..
.

Meanwhi l
eDudumovedthecurtai
nsandsaw
him,sheheavedasi
ghandfixedhersel
fbef
ore
themirrort
henshewal
kedoutcarryi
ngher
daughter.
..

Bakangwal
kedinandt ur
nedtot
hekitchen
whereheopenedthefri
dgeasDorcaswas
cooki
ngbythestove.
..

Bakang:
Wher
eismywi
ne?
Dor
cas:
Iputi
tint
hebi
n,i
tol
dyout
hesedr
inks
makest
hef
ri
dgesmel
l
..
.
Bakang:(
turnedl
ookingather
)Buti
twaswi
ne,
winedoesn'
tsmellbadanditwasn'
tev
enan
openbottl
e.
Dor
cas:
Ican'
tdi
ff
erent
iat
ethem
Bakang:WenaMama..
.(wal
kedov
erandl
i
fted
thel
id)Whatar
eyoucooki
ng?
Dor
cas:(
smackedhi
shand)It
oldy
ounott
odo
t
hat.
..
Bakang:
(Gr
abbedachil
li
espi
ce)Nt
shol
ela
namannagakebat
erice.
..
Dorcas:
No,
youhav
etowai
tjustl
i
keev
ery
one
el
se..
.
Bakang:
(hel
eanedagai
nstthecount
erf
oldi
ng
hi
sarms)Ketshwer
weket al
ammekepal el
wa
kegoja
Dor
cas:
Why
?
Bakang:
Iwi
shIcoul
dbewi
thNal
edi
..Inev
er
knewiwasweakuntilshestar
tedt
ell
i
ngme
shedoesn'
twantme.Ikeepwonderi
ngwhyshe
doesn'
twantme,i
fiknewi coul
dfi
xit
Dor
cas:
May
bei
t'
sbecausey
ouar
eal
i
ttl
erude
Bakang: Butthat
'sthething,
ihavenev erbeen
rudetoherandshepi ssedmeof fseveralt
imes
buti j
ustcan'tberudetoher.Ican'
tbring
my sel
ftoev enslaphernomat terwhat..
.Ican'
t
hurther
Dorcas:Sheneedst i
me, t
hisgi
rldoesn'tknow
youlikeido. ..(
dishedforhim)Ifshedi dshe
wouldgi v
ey ouachancebuti t
hinkmor epeople
wil
ljudgey ouwi t
hy ourbackgr
ound.Theysee
ngwanawakgosi notBakang..
.t
heyseear ich
manandnotani ntel
li
gentmanwhoi swher ehe
i
sbecauseofhi seducationandnoti nheri
tance,
youhav en'
tspentanyofy ouri
nheri
tance, y
ou
don'tthr
owwi l
dpar t
iesl
ikemostoft heser ich
people,asf arasIknowy oualwaysdat ed1gi rl
atat i
me.( grabbedpl ast
icplat
eandf annedhis
foodcoolingit)Youhav eloanedeachand
everyoneofyourf r
iendsmoneyandnoneof
them haspaidy oubackbuty ou'r
esti
ll
fri
ends
withthem.Theonl yf l
awi knowy ouhaveto
dealwithisbeingtoocont rol
ling.
…youcan't
controlever
ything.
.(handedhimf ood)Here,
fi
nishit.
.
Bakang:
(hol
dingapl
ate)I
'
m notcont
rol
l
ing,
whatdoyoumean?
Dorcas:Whatst ressesyoumostaboutt hisgi
rl
i
st haty
oucan' tcont r
olher..
.That'
swhathur ts
themost ,shel ovesy ou.
..Thatiknowbutshei s
toochil
dishandy ouhatethat,youwishy ou
coulddi
sci pl
ineherbuty oudon'twanttohur t
herbecausey oul oveher,you'
realsotooscared
i
fy ouunleashy ourselfy
ou'll
chaiseherawayso
you'r
efrustratedbecausef oronceinyourlif
e
youhavet obegsomeone. ..
Bakang:
That'
snottr uebutf
ornowlet
'ssayi
t
i
s..
.Hypothet
ical
l
y..
..Ift
hatwastr
uewhat
wouldbethebestwaytogethert
ounderst
and
howi f
eelaboutherandwhatmydreamsare
abouther
?
Dor
cas:( l
aughedlookingathim)Star
teating,I
'
ll
t
ell
y ou.
..(hestart
edeatingasshewipedt he
t
able)Ber espect
fultoherandherwishes,be
t
houghtful andbetruetoher,
that
'sall
ittakes
t
owi nawoman' sheart.
Bakang:
(si
ghed)Okay
..
.(wal
ki
ngout
)Isany
one
ar
ound?
Dor
cas:
Duduot
eng.
..

Hewal kedtowardstheloungeareawhereDudu
wassitti
ngplayi
ngwi t
ht hei
rbaby,hehanded
hertheplat
eandl i
ft
edhi sdaughtersmil
i
ngat
her.
..
.

Bakang:
Heyl
adyl
ady
..
.(ki
ssedher
)Hey
sweethear
t..
.(hesatdownandlaidheronhi
s
chestputt
inghisl
egsonthetable)Howisshe?
Dudu:(eat
inghi
sfood)Shei
sfi
ne,
wear
e
movingouttomorr
ow...
Bakang:
Toy
ourmot
her
'shouse?
Dudu:
No,
tomyhouse.
..
Bakang:
Oh,
you'
rest
il
lsel
l
ingy
ourst
uff
?
Dudu:No,yourpar
entsoff
eredtopayf
ort
he
rentt
hreemonthsinadvance.
Bakang:
Oh,
howmuchi
sthehousepermont
h?
Dudu: I
t'
s1.5,I
'l
lst
artsel
li
nganddoinghair
onceIgett her
e,i
t'
sjustonehouseintheyar
d
soI'
llbef r
eetorunwhateverbusi
nessesiwant
ther
e,I'
llevenbuyaTuckshopandbuyst ock.
..
o
tantal
etsa?
Bakang:
Howmuchdoy
ouneed?
Dudu:
I'
m notsur
e,idon'
tknowhowmucha
t
uckshopisandbesidesihav
etobuy
hai
rpi
ecesfr
om Sout
hAfri
ca,
at uckshopisj
ust
agoalaft
ersav
ingpr
ofi
tfr
om sell
inghair
.
Bakang:(pl
ayi
ngwithhi
sdaughter'
sfi
nger
s)
Dir
alisty
ateng,I
'l
lworksomethi
ngout.I
s
Pri
ncessgoingtoatt
endschool?
Dudu:
Yesbutnott
hismont
h,nextmont
h.
Bakang:Okay,Leeneomodir
elebudgeti
n
advance.Idon'
twantt
ohavetoborrowmoney
onthelastminute.
Dudu:I
'
lldothat.
..(
star
ingathi
m)Thanky
ou
fory
ourhelp.
..
Bakang:(
star
ingather)Yeah.
..(
hefel
tgui
l
ty
l
ookingatherface)I
'
m sorryabout
..
.
Dudu:Youhadeveryr
easont
odoubtme,
Ist
il
l
can'
tprov
eididn'
tdoit
Bakang:
(st
ari
ngather
)Di
dyou?
Dudu:(shookherhead)No,idi
dn't
..
.Youwer
e
exci
tedabouthim,iwouldneverhurty
ou.
Bakang:
Okay
..
.
Dudu:Don'tyouthinki
tmightbethesame
probl
em yourmot herwentt
hroughbeforeshe
hadyou?Resegot oldmeshehadt hree
miscarr
iagesbef
or eyouandthatyouwerea
prematurebaby.
..
Bakang: Idon'tknowhowt hatwouldaf fect
Naledi butmiscarri
ageshappenso. ..(si
ghed)
I
'm sor r
yforthewayi react edtowardsy ou,i
t
wasex tr
emeand( rubbinghi sdaughter'
sback
gentlyasshedozedof f)Idoubtmydaught er
wouldbehappyi fshehear di tr
eat
edy oul i
ke
that,especial
lyinherpr esence.Iknowi havea
l
ott odeal withbutI'm wor kingonbeingt hi
s
reasonableguywhoi sagooddad.Thi si smy
fi
rstbabysodon' thav ehighexpectationsbutI'
l
l
trymybestt odor i
ghtbyher .
Dudu:(
smil
ed)You'
redoinggr
eatsofar
..
.
(st
oodup)t
aomor obatsesheissl
eepi
ng..
..
Hesl owlygotupandf oll
owedhertot he
bedroom, sheclear
edt hecri
bthenhesl owly
l
aidherdownandpul ledoverhersheets, he
droppedhermosqui tonetandzippedi tthenhe
turnedaround,Duduputherar msaroundhi s
neckandki ssedhim ashestoodunr esponsive,
hehel dherwaistandgentlymovedherback. .
.

Dudu:
What
'swr
ong?
Bakang:Ican'
tbewit
hyouDudu,I
'mj
ust
hel
pingyoubecauseyou'
rest
ayi
ngwi
thmy
daughter
..
.
Dudu:(t
earful
l
y)Il
oveyouBakang,whycan'
t
youseethat?Whatshoul
dIdotoprovemylove
fory
ou?( r
ubbedatear
)I'
l
ldoanythi
ngyouwant,
whatisit
?
Bakang:(
walkedaway
)Idon'
tl
ovey
out
hat
much..
.I'
m sorr
y
Dudu:
(pushedt
hedoorcl
osed)Whatchanged?
Bakang:
Ihav
eagi
rl
fr
iendDudu,
Okay
?That
'
sit
.
Dudu:
Didn'
tshel
eav
eyou?
Bakang:Wear
egoingt
hrougharoughpat
ch,
it
doesn'
tmeanihav
etosleepar
ound..
.
Dudu:
Soi
shoul
dfi
ndaboy
fri
end?
Bakang:I
fyouwantbutheshouldst
ayaway
fr
om mydaughterbecauseidon'
twanttohav
e
todealwi
thhim mi
streat
ingmydaughter
.
Dudu: Iwasj ustasking,idon'
twantany one
besidesy ouandi fyouchangey ourmi ndjust
comebacksowecanr aiseourdaughter
together.Ifyouneedsomeonet otalktoori f
you'r
el onelyandneedcompanyf eelfreeto
comet omyhouse, I
'l
l t
akecareofyouandi
won'tasky ouanyquest i
ons..
.Idon'
tcar eif
you'r
ewi thherorany oneaslongasy ougive
meal i
ttl
eofy ourti
me.
Bakang:
Taket
swe.
..

Shemov edovert
henheopenedt
hedoorand
walkedout.
..
.

AtTr
evor
'shouse.
..
..
.

Latert
hateveni
ngTrevorsatnextt omeont he
couchandsqueezedthebodycr eam onhi s
palmsthenherubbedhishandst ogetherand
gentl
yappli
edonmyl eg.
..Hemov edbackand
putbothofmylegsbetweenhisaswef aced
eachother
..
..

Me:(
pushedt
her
obebet
weenmyl
egs)Oska
mponel
a..
.
Tr
evor
:(l
aughed)Pl
ent
yoft
imef
ort
hat
..
..
Me:
(laughed)Ihav
etogohome,
it'
slat
e..
.
Trev
or:Spendani
ght
..
.Pl
ease,
iwon'
ttouch
you,nosex.
..
Me:
Ican'
t.
..
.
Tr
evor:
Whynot
?It
'snotl
i
key
ou'
ret
eenager
..
..
Pl
ease.
..
Me:
Fine,
butyouhav
etodr
opmeof
fear
lyi
n
t
hemorni
ng..
.
Tr
evor
:Def
ini
tel
y.
..
Me:(gotup)Letmecal
lmymot
herandl
ether
knowi won'
tcomehome.
Tr
evor
:Al
ri
ght
..
.

Idi
aledhernumberandwal
kedi
ntheki
tchen.
..
.

Mama:
Hel
l
o?
Me:
Hi,
mamakel
etsekwano,
I'
ll
comei
nthe
mor
ning.
Mama:
Okay
,kwanokekae?
Me:
Ataf
ri
end'
shouse
Mama:
EneBakang?
Me:
(laughed)No,
justaf
ri
end.
Mama: You'reheali
ngLeledon'tmaket he
mist
akeofsl eepingwithanyonesosoon.Your
bodyisn'tdif
fer
entfrom anursi
ngmot her,
the
onl
ydifferenceisthatyou'
renotnur
singany one
butyou'r
egoi ngtoneedt ocl
oseyourlegsuntil
youhaveheal edcompletely
.
Me:(l
aughed)Mamabatho,I'
m notdoing
anyt
hing.
..I
'
mjustsl
eepi
ngov erbecausego
monatekwano,wearewatchi
ngmov i
esand
chat
ti
ng.
Mama:Somyi
nst
inct
sar
ecor
rect
,it
'samal
e
f
ri
end?
Me:
(si
ghed)Mamat
hemma,
skannaobot
sa
that
akanaketshabagogobol
ell
amaakamme
gapegakecomfort
abl
e
Mama: Bakangissti
ll
hopefulaboutyoutwo,
giv
ey our
selfti
mebeforeyoujumpi ntoanother
rel
ationship.Hemightnotrespondwellt
ot hi
s,
you'r
egoi ngtoofast
,youdon'tdumpanot her
manaf ewweeksear l
ierandreplacehi
mt hat
quick.
Me:I'
mjusthangi
ngoutwit
hthi
sfri
end,i
t'
s
beenawhil
esinceil
aughedandhadfun.
Mama: Theproblem isthatBakanghasn't
acceptedy ourbreakup, t
hishowpassion
kil
li
ngshappen.You' retheonewhot oldmet hat
Bakangcancr y
,lit
eral
lycryi
ngintearsthat
'
sa
signofaweakmanandt heyneverrespondwell
torejecti
on.
Me:Aomamaj aanongketaaemisagotshel
a
kagoreBakangkeseteteandisn'
tusedto
peopl
esayingnot ohi
m?Heshoul dhave
thoughtaboutt
hisbef
orehel
iedtomeabout
getti
ngsomeonepregnant
,heisnoti
nnocent
.
Mama:
Iheary
ou,
takecar
eofy
our
sel
f.
Me:
Iwi
l
l,by
e

Ihungupandjoi
nedTrevoront
hecouch,
my
phonerangasisatdown.
..
..

Me:
Hel
l
o?
Dudu:Hi
,Iknowy
ouhatemeandi
under
stand
butcanwemeetandt
alk?
Me:
It'
slat
egobosi
go
Dudu:
Iknow,imeantomorrow.
..Any
time
tomor
row.Ij
ustwanttomakeyouunderst
and
somethi
ng,i
didn'
tpoi
sonyou.
Me:ButI
'
llnev
erknowf
orsur
esot
her
eisno
poi
nti
nusmeet i
ng.
Dudu:Bakang'
smotherhadthreemi scar
riages
befor
eshehadhim andhewasapr emat ure
baby,maybether
eisamedical expl
anati
onf or
yourmiscar
ri
ageormaybeitjusthappened
becauseyouwerestr
essedpriortothat.
Me: (
sighed)Okayi t
houghtaboutittooandi
neverreal
lybelievedyoudi dit
,anyt
hingelse?
Areyout r
yingtoshowof fthefactt
hathis
motherlovesy ou,thatyou'r
epartofthefamily
andbeingt ol
df amilysecrets?
Dudu:
Nobuti
didn'
tpoi
sony
ou.
Me:Iknowy oudidn'
tpoi
sonme.Ibeli
evey ou
butI
'mjustnotreadytof
aceyou.I
'mtryi
ngt o
moveonwi t
hmyl i
fesoyoucanhavehim all
to
your
self
.
Dudu:
Okay
..
.
Me:
Howi
sPr
incess?
Dudu:Shei
sfi
ne,
hergr
andpar
entsgotusa
housesowearemovi
ngoutsoonandBkis
worki
ngonget ti
ngmemoneysot hatIcanstart
mybusiness,
sowear edoinggreat..
.andheis
wi
thusalmostev erydaysoheisr eallyt
ryi
ng
hi
sbesttobet hereforhi
sfamil
y .(Iswall
owed
pr
essingmylipstogether
)hell
o?
Me: Yeah,um.
..Goodforyou,I
'mreal
lyhappy
foryoutwo..
.(t
earf
ull
y)andithi
nkit'
sbestyou
stopcall
ingme.(r
ubbedtearsfal
li
ngoneachof
mycheeks)Pleasedelet
emynumberanddon' t
call
meagai n.
Dudu:
Iunder
stand,
bye

Trevorgott
hecell
phoneandhungupasi
fr
ownedandcov er
edmyf acecr
ying,
hemov
ed
overandhuggedmet i
ghtl
y.
..
.

Tr
evor
:I'
m sor
ry.
..
.
Me:
(cr
ying)Iwi
shi
nev
ermethi
m..
.If
eel
used.
Trevor:I
'm sorry
, you'
llbefi
ne...
.Onestepata
ti
me. .
.(mov edbackandf acedmehol dingeach
ofmycheeks)I '
m her eforyou,iknowithurt
s
buttomor r
owwi ll
beokay, adayafteryou'
l
l
bett
erandev entuall
yy ouwill
bej oy
fulagai
n..
.
Me:
(sni
ff
ed)Okay
..
.
Trevor
:(st
aringatme)Il oveyou,Okay?I'
m
gonnagiveyouallthet i
mey ouneedt ogetover
thi
sandheal physi
callybutbeforethatwehave
towatchamov i
e,ireall
yloveStevenSegali
don'
twanty oucryi
ngnextt ome. .
.
Me:
(webot
hlaughed)Okay
..
.Iwon'
tcr
y
Trev
or:
(smil
edandbabykissedme)Becausei
f
youdoI'
ll
chaseyouout
side
Me:(l
aughed)I
'
llbehav
emy
sel
fsi
r,my
apol
ogies.
..
Trev
or:(
laughedandrubbedmyey es)Goodgir
l,
nowgetussomedr inks.
..
.I
'
m putt
ingyour
phoneonsilentmodeandputti
ngitfacedown.
Noonei
sst
ressi
ngy
ouagai
n.

Il
aughedandheadedt
othekit
chenwi
tha
smil
eonmyf aceashepr
essedmyphoneand
puti
tdown.

Igavehi
m aglassandlaidinfrontofhim
putt
ingmineonthetable.
..Heincreasedthe
vol
umeandt angledourfi
ngerstogetheraswe
si
ghedandwat chedtheacti
onmov i
e..
.

Hisscreenwashugeandhi
shometheat
re'
s
woofermadetheceil
i
ngvi
brat
ewhenthe
bombswentof f
..
.

Me:(f
rownedstari
ngatthescr
een)OhGodhe
goi
ngtodie,
thereisabombunderneat
h.
Tr
evor
:(l
aughedandki
ssedmyhand)I
t'
sjusta
tr
ackerthebabeobony
ekaebomoeent
seng
gonejaana?
Me:
(laughedandhi
thi
m ont
hechest
)Mxm.
..
.

AtBakang'
shouse.
..
..

Lat
eronBakangswi t chedthel i
ghtsonand
wal
kedinthenhel ockedt hedoorandt ookoff
hi
sjacket
,hethrewi tont hecouchandmade
hi
swayt othebathroom swi tchingthel
ight
son
ashepassedtheswi tches.

Hepeedi nthet oi
letsi
ghingrel
ievedthenhe
staredatt hemi rr
or,heopenedt heshel
fand
staredatt hepinkt oot
hbrush,f
acewashand
otherfacialproduct st
henheshookhi sdickand
zippedhispant s,hewal kedouttaki
ngout
takinghisphoneoutandmadeacal l
.There
wasnoanswer
..
.

Hesi ghedandconvi
ncedhimsel
fhewoul dn'
t
getdesper at
ebuthedeci
dedtocallonemore
ti
me, therewasnoanswer.Hesatont hebed
andst aredathi
sphonethenhesearchedhis
contactsanddial
edNaledi
'smom...
.

Her
:Hel
l
o?
Bakang:
Dumel
ang,
lebual
eBakang.
Her
:Dumel
angwanaka,
oat
soga?
Bakang:Emma,nekekopagobual
eNal
edi
,she
i
sn'tanswer
ingherphone.
Her
:Shei
snothome.
Bakang:
Didshesaywhenshewoul
dbeback?I
real
l
yneedtotal
ktoher
.
Her
:Idon'
tknow,
trycal
l
ingher
.
Bakang:
Emma,
tanki
Her
:By
e

Hehungupandl ai
donhisbackfaci
ngupwards
thenhetookoffhi
sshoesremai
ningwi
thwhite
socksandsli
donthebed..
.Hedial
edRenei
'
s
number.
...

Renei
:Hel
l
o?
Bakang:
Hey
,cani
tal
ktoNal
edi
?
Renei
:I'
m notwi
thher
.
Bakang:
Alr
ight
,by
e

Hehungupanddi
aledMaduo.
..
.

Maduo:
Hel
l
o?
Bakang:
Hi,
cani
tal
ktoNal
edi
?
Maduo:
(thought
ful
l
y)Hel
l
o-hel
l
o?-hel
l
o?
Bakang:
Icanheary
ou,
cani
tal
ktoNal
edi
?
Maduo:(
slappedherphone)Phoneebat
ho.
..
.
Hel
lo?

Shehungupandqui
ckl
ydi
aledherf
ri
end'
s
number.
..
.

Maduo:(anxi
ously
)Pleasepi
ckup.
..
.Pl
ease
pi
ckup..
..(i
trangunanswer
ed)Hai
shbatho
Nal
edi.
..
.

MeanwhileBakangsi ghedandputhisar
ms
behindhi
sheadf acingupwardslay
ingacross
thebed,hethoughtfull
ygothi
sphoneand
call
edTrevorbutrangunansweredaswell..
.
Hesatupandt
ri
edagai
n..
..

Tr
evor
:Hel
l
o?
Bakang:
Heywhat
'
sup?
Tr
evor
:Notmuch,
what
'
sup?
Bakang:
I'
m bor
ed,
cani
comeov
er?
Tr
evor
:Noman,
I'
m atDani
el'
shouse.
Bakang:
Alr
ight
,shap
Tr
evor
:Sur
e

AtTr
evor
'shouse.
..
.

Hehungupandputhi
sphonenextt
omi
ne.
..
.

Me:
Whoi
sthat
?
Tr
evor
:It
'
sBakang,
hewant
edt
ocomeov
er.
..
Me:
Mxm.
…
Tr
evor
:Tol
dhi
miwasn'
thome.
..
Me:
Oketsav
olumehoor
ra.
..
.Sowhat
'
sthat
?
(
poi
nti
ngatt
hescr
een)t
hat
..
Trevor
:It
'
sadev
icet
hatcr
ackst
hesecur
it
y
code..
.

Wecont
inuedwat
chi
ngt
hemov
ie.
..
..

AtBakang'
shouse.
..
.

Heputonhissweaterandpull
edthehoodie
overhi
sheadthenhegotinthecaranddrove
out.
..
..

Mi
nut
esl
aterhedeemedhi
sli
ght
sashe
approachedTrev
or'
shouse,hi
scarwaspar
king
i
nf r
ontofhishouseandtheli
ght
swereon.

Hesteppedoutofthecarandapproachedt
he
doorthenherai
sedhisknuckl
estoknockon
thedoorbuthepausedthought
ful
lyandwentt
o
thewindow.
..

Thethickcurt
ainshadbeenpul
ledapar
texcept
fort
hewhi tel
ightmiddl
ecur
tai
nhecouldsee
ri
ghtthrough.
..

Hetookadeepbreat
hstari
nginsi
de,shewas
l
ayi
ngonhischestandhewasholdingherhand
astheywat
chedthemovie.Heswall
owedhard
andsatonthest
oop..
.

Het
ookouthi
sphoneandsenthi
sfr
ienda
message.
..
.

Bakang:
I'
m set
ti
ngTr
evor
'shouseonf
ir
e.
Tuel
o:WTF?Don'
tj
okel
i
ket
hat
,ar
eyouhi
gh?
Bakang: Hei
swat chi
ngamov iewithNaledi
,
ri
ghtnowandshei swear
inghisrobe.They
probablyhadsex.Howcanhedot hi
stome, he
i
smychi l
dhoodfri
end,wepracti
call
ygrewup
together.
Tuel
o:Doesheknowy
ou'
ret
her
e?
Bakang:
No,
I'
m si
tt
ingont
hest
oop
Tuelo:Getoutoft herebeforey oudosomet hing
you'l
lregret
..
.Isai dleav eheraloneforawhi l
e.
Ifyouloveherst andupandwal kaway ,we
agreedy ouwon'tcont actherforatleastaweek.
Ifyouloveherwal kawayanddon' tsayany t
hing
toTrev or
.I'
m gi
v ingy ou5mi nutestoleavethen
I'
m calli
ngyou,ifIcal lnowhewi ll
heary our
phone,
getup.

Heshookhi sheadandst oodup, hewalked

awayput t
inghi sphoneinthepocketand
rever
sed.Hej oinedthemai nroadwi t
hout
l
ookingbehi ndhim andonlyhear dtheloud
noiseofthehoot erthenhet urned,
bri
ghtli
ght
s
bli
ndedhim ashebl ockedwi t
hhis
arm...
..
..
..
..
..
...
..
..
.(9t
)
[
09/
24,
21:
41]Ron:
Co-
wif
e
#28

Byt
hesi
deoft
her
oad.
..
..

Hej oi
nedtheroadwithoutlooki
ngbehindhim
andonlyheardtheloudnoiseoft hehooter
,he
turnedandthebri
ghtlight
sblindedhim ashe
blockedwithhi
sarm...
Thedriveroftheoncomi ngcarsteppedont he
breaksscratchi
nghistyresashecr ushedon
Bakang'
sf enderanddoor .
..
.gl
assesflewont he
airasbothdr i
ver
sbraisedthemselves.Car s
comingf r
om bothsidesstoppedout sidethe
roadandt hedriv
ersrantowardstheacci dent.
..
..

Meanwhileever
yoneinthenei
ghbour
hood
steppedout
sidethehousesandrant
owards
thescene.
..
..
.

AtTr
evor
'shouse.
..
..
.

Trev
orreducedt
hev
olumet
henwel
i
stened
agai
n..
..

Tr
evor
:Itmustbeacaracci
dent
..
..
Me:
Yout
hink?
Tr
evor
:Yeah.
..
..Let
'sgochecki
tout
..
..
.

Igotupandputonmyjeans,Trevorwalked
backwit
hhist-
shi
rtandboxershorts.
..
.

Trevor:(
thr
ewt hem over
)Putont
his,
wewon'
t
takelong,otaabayarobehagodi
mo...

Itookt
hem of
fandworehiscl
othesthenhe
heldmyhandaswewalkedint
ot hemilddark.
...
Wecouldseeli
ght
sfr
om thegateandassoon
asweheardsir
enwai
li
ngwest artedj
ogging..
..
.

Att
hescene.
..
..
.

Meanwhi
l
eabout4menpushedbackt
he
Nissanwithabentbonnetandtr
iedtoopenthe
doorforBakangbutthedoorwasstuck,
anothermanbright
enedhisli
ght
sandt ur
ned
thecarli
ghti
ngforever
yone.
..
.

Man:
(looki
ngi
nsi
de)Ar
eyouokay
?
Bakang:(r
ubbedhisbloodyl
i
ppushi
ngthe
door)Bul
anglebat
i.
..Mylegi
sst
uck.
..
Man2:Wearetry
ingt
ogety
ouout
..
..Med
r
escueisontheway.
..
.

Brokenpiecesofglasswerestuckonhi shead
andarm andhewasbl eedi
ngfrom hisnose,t
he
otherdr
iverjoinedt
hemenast heypull
edthe
doorandhel pedBakangout..
.

Thepol
i
ceandthemedr escuecarparkedthen
thet
eam r
ushedoutwi
ththeirbagsputti
ngon
gl
oves..
.Threeatt
endedBakangastheot
her
onewalkedov ert
othedr
iverwhohadacuton
hi
sforehead..
..
…

Meanwhil
ewear ri
vedatt
hesceneandpassed
thr
oughthecrowd,Myeyesl
andedonBakang'
s
numberplat
e..
..

Me:
It'
sBakang.
..
..
Tr
evor
:St
ay,
back.
..
.I'
l
ltakeal
ook.
..
Me:(pushedt
hough)No,
iwantt
oseei
fhei
s
okay
...
.

Myhear tpoundedaswepassedthroughthe
crowdtot heambulancebutt
heycl
osedthe
doorsandquicklyjumpedint
hecarbefor
ewe
couldseemuch. .
..
Tr
evor
:(hel
dmyhand)Let
'
sgo.
..

Wejoggedbacktot
hehouse,
myj oi
ntswere
weakandicoul
dhearmyheartbeat
ing.
..
.

Tr
evor
:It
hinkhewascomi
ngov
erher
e..
..
Me:Whatdoyouthi
nkhecoul
dhav
edonehad
hef
oundustoget
her?
Tr
evor
:Itwoul
dhav
ebeenugl
y,bel
i
eveme.
..
.

Att
hehospi
tal
.
...

Hourslatert
henursefi
nisheddressing
Bakang'sarmthenhereachedf orhi
sphonei n
thebackpocketasshecl eanedhisbloodyl
eg,
hisphonescreenwasbrokenbuti twasstil
l
working,hedi
aledhi
sfather..
.
Hi
m:Hel
l
o?
Bakang:
Hel
l
o,Um i
hadanacci
dent
-
Hi
m:Ar
eyouokay
?Howbadi
sit
?
Bakang:
Afewbrui
sesandscr
atchesbutt
he
cari
sbad,i
thi
nktheengi
nemightneedalotof
work-
Him:You'r
etel
l
ingmeabouttheengi
newhen
I
'm aski
ngyouabouty
ourhealt
h?
Hi
smot
her
:(i
nthebackgr
ound)Wher
eishe?
Bakang: I
'
m att
hehospi
talbutdon'tcome,
I'
m
fi
ne.Ijustwant
edt
ot el
lyouincasesomeone
tel
l
sy outheysawmycaratt hescene..
.
Dor
cas:
Isheokay
?
Dudu:
Whathappened?
Bakang:(
frowned)Di
dyouputmeon
l
oudspeaker?
Hi
m:Idi
dn'
twantt
ohav
etoexpl
aini
tagai
n.
Bakang:I'
mf ine,
i t
hinkthey
'l
ll
etmeouti nthe
morning.(Tuelo'
scallcamethrough)Ihave
anothercall
,bye(hungupandpi ckedhi
s)Hell
o?
Tuel
o:It
ri
edcal
l
ingyou,
whyosaar
abemogal
a?
Youfr
eakedmeout.
..
.
Bakang:
Ihadanacci
dent
,I'
m att
hehospi
tal
.
..
Tuel
o:Hee?Pr
ivat
ekanaLet
shol
athebe?
Bakang:
Del
ta.
..
Tuel
o:I
'
m comi
ng.
..
.

Hehungupandsi ghedasthenur
sei
nject
ed
hi
m...Thedoctorwal
kedinandst
uckhisXray
ontheboard.
..

Doct
or:MrTee,igoty
ourXr
ayr
esul
tsand
you'
reper
fect
..
.
Bakang:
(looki
ngati
t)ThankGod
Doct
or:
Howar
eyouf
eel
i
ngsof
ar?
Bakang:
Thepai
nst
opped
Doctor:You'
reonpainki
ll
ers,andi beli
eveyou'
re
fi
nebutwewi l
lkeepyouov er
nightjusttomake
suretherewon'tbeanyswel l
i
ngt hatmight
needourat t
enti
on.
Bakang:
Alr
ight
..
.
Doctor:I
'm wait
ingforyourbloodresultsand
thenwewi l
l begood.Havey ouexperiencedany
dizzi
ness?(checkedhiseyes)
Bakang:
I'
mf i
ne,
ijustf
eel
numbonmyl
egbuti
canmoveit.
..
Doct
or:
It'
sthemedi
cat
ioni
gav
eyouear
li
er.
..
Bakang:
(hi
sphoner
ang)Cani
answert
his?
Doct
or:
Yespl
ease.
..
.
Thedoct
orwal
kedoutandhepi
cked.
..
.

Bakang:
Hel
l
o?
Dudu:
Hi,
arey
ouokay
?
Bakang:
Yeah,
I'
mfi
ne.
..
Dudu:Ibor
rowedy
ourf
ather
'scar
,I'
m comi
ng
over
Bakang:
DuduI
'
mfi
ne,
don'
tl
eav
eourdaught
er
al
one
Dudu:
Itookhert
oDor
cas'
shouse.
..
Bakang:ButI
'
mfi
ne,
it'
slat
eandi
t'
snot
necessar
y.
Dudu:
Ial
readyl
eftwher
ear
eyou
Bakang:
(si
ghed)HaeDudu.
..
.
Dudu:
Okae?
Bakang:
Del
ta
Dudu:
Bye.
..

Hehungup,
thenur
sehandedhi
m onecr
utch.
..
.

Nur
se:
Usethi
stosuppor
tyour
sel
frey
eko
r
umongyagago.
..

I
nTr
evor
'scar
..
..

WedroveoutofLet
shol
athebehospi
tal
as
Tr
evormadeacall.
..

Tuel
o:Hel
l
o?
Trev
or:BKhasbeeni
nvol
vedi
nanacci
dent
,
haveyouhear
d?
Tuel
o:So?
Trev
or:I'
m dr
ivi
ngt
oDel
ta,
doy
ouknowhi
s
room number?
Tuel
o:Room 6
Tr
evor
:Al
ri
ght

Hehungupandsi
gheddr
ivi
ng.
..

Trev
or:Idon'
tl
ikeTuel
o'
stone,
heknows
something
Me:
Knowswhat
?
Tr
evor:
Ithi
nkBKwascomi
ngt
oconf
ir
mif
i
ndeediwasn'
thome.
..
Me:Butatleast
,they
'r
ejustsuspi
cious.Idon'
t
getwhyihavetohideli
keI'
m cheati
ngon
someone.
Trevor
:Babeheismyfri
end,Ihav
etobecar
eful
aboutthi
s.I
t'
snotj
ustaboutyouandhi
m.
Me:Urh.
..(
pressi
ngmyphone)Ihav
eal otof
mi
ssed-hetri
edcall
i
ngmehoursago..
.(idi
aled
Maduo)
Maduo:
Hell
o?Kegoneoar
abangBakangwas
l
ooki
ngfory
ou.
Me:Hehasbeeninanacci
dent
,we'
reonour
waytot
hehospit
al
Maduo:
We?
Me:
Trev
orandi
.
Maduo:TrevorTr
evormyboss?Tr
evorBr
own
Bakang'
sfri
end?
Me:
Yes,
iknowwhaty
ou'
l
ls-
Maduo: AreyouinsaneNaledi?Sleepi
ngwith
bestfri
ends?Whathappenswhenhef i
ndsout?
Thismustbeaj okeorsomet hing..
.Ar
ey ou
tal
kingaboutTrevortheeTrevor?
Me:
(si
ghed)I
'
llupdat
eyouwhenIgett
her
e,by
e
Maduo:
Bakangwagogoshi
megel
agonekoo,
j
aanongoy
akae?
Me:
Iwantt
oseei
fhei
sfi
ne.
Maduo:Canyoupleasepassbymyhouseand
getmesothatIcanpickthepiecesofy
our
bodywhenheisdonekill
i
ngy ou?
Me:
I'
ll
tal
ktoTr
evor
Maduo:(
laughedi
ndi
sbel
i
ef)I
'
llt
alkt
oTr
evor
,
wai
tsekana..
..
Me:
Cany
oust
opj
udgi
ngme?
Maduo: I
'
m notjudgi
ng,I
'm shocked..
.Trevoris
practi
cal
l
yBakang'sbrot
her,hecomest ohi s
offi
cemor et
hananyofhisf r
iendswon'tyou
feelbadwhentheyfi
ght?Peoplewi l
lcal
l y
ou
names..
Me:Ial
readyf
eel
bad( l
ookedatTr
evor
)Wewi
l
l
t
alkwhenwemeet .
..
Maduo:
Bye.
..
Att
hehospi
tal
.
...

Temosighedi
ndisbel
iefhol
dinghiswaistas
Tuel
owassitt
ingonthechai
rnexttoBakang's
bedwhil
ehelaidonhi
sbackwi thhisar
m over
hi
sface.
..
.

Bakang:Inev ert
houghtTrevorcoul
ddothatt
o
me,heknowshowi feelabouther
.Heknows
wehav eissuesandst i
ll
hegoesbehindmy
backandsl eepswithher.
Temo:
ButNal
edi
isbei
ngat
ramp
Bakang:
Aeno,
Don'
tgot
her
e
Tuel
o:Heisright,it
'snotabouther
..
.Shesaidi
t
wasoverthatlet'
sheroffthehookbutTrevori
s
bei
ngalit
tlebitch.Obatagokgalemelwa
Temo:Meani
ng?Iam notget
ti
ngi
ntr
oubl
e,my
gi
rl
fr
iendi
spregnant
..
.
Bakang:(
sighedandcoveredhi
sface)I
'
m so
str
essed,
myhear tispoundi
ng.
..
.Heisprobabl
y
havi
ngsexwi thheraswespeak.
..

Meanwhil
eMaduoandi wait
edasTrev orspoke
tooneofthenur
sesandwalkedoverthenhe
hel
dmyhandandl edustothepat
ientrooms,
herememberedandletgoofmyhandashe
openedt
hedoor.

Walkedinaswef
oll
owedhim, Tuelostar
edat
Maduoandshekeptastrai
ghtface..
.Bakang
l
ookedatmeandclenchedhisJawsf aci
ngthe
ot
herside.
..

Tr
evor
:Hi
guy
s..
.

Theyqui
etl
yst
aredathi
m ashest
oodnextt
o
Bakang'
sbed.
..
ther
oom wasqui
teandi
twas
al
lawkward.
..
.

Tr
evor
:Ar
eyouokay
?
Bakang:
Yeah,
I'
m good.
Tr
evor
:Whathappened?
Bakang:(
stari
ngathi
m)Ar
esleepi
ngwith
Naledi
?Don'tl
iet
omebecauseI'
ll
breakyour
neck..
Trev
or:(
stari
ngathi
m)Yeah,
thoughwehav
en'
t
doneanythi
ngyet
.
Bakang:(si
ghednoddinghishead)Youhav
emy
blessi
ng.Iguessyou'
rethebestman.
Congratul
ati
ons..
.Getherandgetoutofmy
room.
Tr
evor
:Idi
dn'
tpl
ant
hi-
Bakang:(
laughedtear
ful
)Dude,
don'
tfeel
bad.
Whyar ey
ouf eel
ingbad?Youdi
dn'
tbr
eakany
l
awandy oucankeept hatloantoo,recor
dme
forevidenceoruseev eryonehereasy our
witnesses.Don'
tpaymeadi me...Sheisone
hellofaspendery ou'
l
l needit,t
rustme.
Tsamaagakebat egobuasepel ewena. .
..
Don'
t
respondt ome,justgo.

Trevorsi
ghedandwal kedout
side.
..
.It
urnedt
o
fol
lowhim out
side.
..

Bakang:
Nal
edi
?
Me:
(tur
nedar
ound)mmh?
Bakang:(
star
ingatme)Fucky
ou.
..Thatwas
toolowevenforyou.

Iwalkedbackandsl
appedhi
m acr
osst
he
face.
..
..
Me: (
tearful
ly
)Fucky
out oo,Gi
vi
ngDudumoney
forbusinesswhil
epr
etendingt
obehurt
.I'
m
donewi thyou.
Bakang: I'
m donewit
hyoutoo,
uglylazyass
bitch.
..Getoutofherewi
thyourfatass,Tr
evor
onlywant syoubecauseihadyoufir
st.
..
what
makesy outhi
nkilov
edyouany way?You'r
etoo
plainforme.Whatmakesy outhinkyou'
rehal
f
thewomanDudui s?
Tuel
o:Guy
swear
est
andi
ngr
ighther
e..
.Thi
sis
cr
azy
Maduo:
Nal
edi
didi
mal
a,ar
eye.
..
Me:No,
lethi
m saywhathewant
stosay
..
.Is
t
hatwhyyou'
rewit
hher?
Tuel
o:Let
'sgi
vet
hem ami
nut
e..
.

Tuel
ogr
abbedMaduo'
shandandwalkedoutas
shemov
edherhandawaythenTemojoi
ned
t
hem andcl
osedt
hedoor
..
..
.

Me:
Ist
hatwhyy
ou'
rewi
thher
Bakang: Thatandmor e.
..Whathav eyoudone
formebesi desspendingmymoney ?Youcan't
fuckingdol aundry,
youcan' tevendoy ourbed
wheny ougetupi nthemor ning,youcan'tdo
thedi shesandy oucookshi t,i
fit
'snotburned
i
t'stastelesssowhatdi dyougi vemebesi des
yourpussy ,youcan'tevenkeepababyf or9
mont hs....Andnowy ou'
resleepingwithmy
fri
end?You' renothi
ngbutl azybitch,t
hat'
swhat
you'r
e.

Itearful
lygrabbedthecr
utchleaningagainst
hisbedandsmackedhi sarm ashebl ocked
thenhet wisteditandpr
essedmeont hebed,I
scratchedhisfaceandspatonhi mt henhe
mov edback.Ipunchedhim ont hefacethenhe
sl
appedmeont hecheek,
Ifel
lonthebedt
hen
hegrabbedmyneckchoki
ngme...

Bakang:(
star
ingatme)Nal
ediot
aany el
a
autwa?OnewagobataengkogaTrev
or ?

Iscratchedandpushedhisfacebackbuthe
pressedmyneckhar dermakingmeweaker
theni punchedhisi
njur
edarm,heletgoofme
andlickedhisli
pstearf
ull
y.
..
.

Bakang:(breat
hingheav
ilyr
ubbinghi
snose)
Getout..
.I'
m donewithyou,Duduwasmuch
bett
erthant hi
s
Me:
AndTr
evori
sbett
erthany
ouinbed,
heis
mor
emanthany
ou..
.You'r
eachi
l
dcompared
t
ohim.
Hebi thi
slipandslappedmeacr osstheface,
myent ir
efacegothotl i
keiwassetonf i
reandi
foundmy selfonthefloort
heni pickedthe
crutchandhithisarm asheblockedpr otect
ing
hisface..
.Iwhippedhim sever
alt i
mesashe
turnedfaci
ngt hecornergi
vi
ngmehi sback..
..

Bakang:
Stopit
,stop.
..
yourhur
tingme..
..
Nal
edi
weegakebategogobetsakanawaitse(
he
tur
nedaroundandgrabbeditf
rom myhand)
STOPIT..
.Getout
...
.

Maduoopenedthedoorandstuckherheadin,
herey
esfell
onthefl
oor.
..Thebedhadmov ed
andsheet
swerelyi
ngont hef
loor
..
.

Maduo:
Nal
edi
arey
ouokay
?
Me:
(br
eat
hingheav
il
y)I
'
mfi
ne.
..
Bakang:(
hel
dhi
sbl
eedi
ngar
mti
ght
ly)Get
out.
..
..

Wewalkedoutandi
bumpedonDuduasshe
wal
kedin.
..
..

Me:
Want
hul
amma.
..
Maduo:
(lookedatme)Whati
swr
ongwi
thy
ou?
Bakang:
(pr
essi
ngt
heal
arm)Cal
lthenur
se,
she
brokemyarm..
.

Itur
nedaroundasDuduranpassedus,i
walked
backinsi
deasBakangsatonthebed
unwrappi
ngthebl
oodybandageoffhi
sbleedi
ng
arm..
..

Me:
(wal
ki
ngov
er)Mmekebone
Bakang:(angr
il
y )Gett
hefuckout
,tsamaakogo
TrevorNaledi
..
.gakebuesepelewena.
Tsamaa...

Wewal
kedoutandpassedt
heguy
sasi
wiped
myt
ear
s..
..

Maduo: Whathappened?(
icover
edmyface
cry
inglouder
)Naledi
?Talktome,what
happened?
Me:
Iwasangr
y,i
just
..
..Ican'
tbel
i
evei
did
t
hat
..
..
Maduo:Oneommetsakaeng?Hi
sar
mis
bl
eedi
ngreal
l
ybad.
..
Me:
(putmyhandonmychestandcr
ied)Iused
t
hecrut
ches.
..
Maduo:
Heemony
anakedi
tshi
pioai
tseaker
e?
Me:
Idi
dn'
tknow.
..
.
WeapproachedTrev
or'
scart
henhegotoutand
metushalfway.
..
.

Trevor:Canwet al
k?Idon'tthi
nkt hi
sisagood
i
dea...Bakangismychildhoodf r
iendandi don'
t
wantt obetr
ayhiml i
kethat.Evenourparents
won'tblessthi
s,hi
sparentsseemeaspar tof
thefamilyandtheysti
ll
v i
sitmymot her,
wear e
practi
call
yfamil
-
Maduo:
Err
aogout
ule,
by

Maduogr abbedmyhandanddraggedme
acrossthestr
eetaswewalkedt
othetaxi
stop..
..

Maduo:Gompienoobaby
sit
ti
wakemang?
(
leanedoverl
ooki
ngatme)Hee?Obaby
sit
iwa
kemang?Akerewaregakenamosol a?(poi
nted
atme)Obake..
.Hetaretsamaemma. .stop
cry
ing,
peopl
earelooki
ngatus..
..
..

Istoppedcryi
ngbutt
hesni
ff
ingwasl
i
keaf
it
thatwouldn'
tgoaway.
..

Maduo:Wai
ther
e..
..Keet
a...Gat
wemosimane
yomokhut
shwaney ol
eobidiwamang?WaVrr
r
phaa.
..
Me:
Tuel
o..
.

Shewal kedinsi
deandwavedatTueloashe
wast al
kingtoTemo,helookedaroundt
omake
sur
eMaduowasact uall
ytal
kingtohimthenhe
walkedov erpul
li
nghi
sjeansup..
..
..

Tuel
o:Hi
..
.
Maduo:
Rekopagoi
siwakol
apeng.
..
Tuel
o:Sur
e..
.Let
'sgo.
..

Hesi
gnal
edTemoandwal
kedout
..
..
..
..
..
..

Al
way
sremembert
oLi
ket
hei
nser
t,Muchl
ove.
.

Co-
wif
e
#29

Athome.
..
.

Tuel
opar
kedthecarandpull
edt
hehandbrake
l
ooki
ngatusonthemirr
orthenwebothgotout
andwal
kedtothegat
e,hedeemedtheli
ghts.
..
.
Maduo:
Wewi
l
ltal
k
Me:
Okay
Maduo:
Arey
ouokay
?Di
dn'
tBakangbeaty
ou?
Me: Ihaveaheadache, heslappedmeand
chokedmebutI '
mf i
ne,ifoughtback.Ican't
bel
ievehesai dkepalel
wakegoi mangwana9
mont hs,I
'
llneverfor
giv
ehi mf ort
hat,keikut
wa
kemoi lai
bil
e.Themor eIt hi
nkaboutitke
mmaki sit
sehael eTrevoreneompal etse.
Maduo:Keemisi
tsemothokokol
oing.Wewil
l
t
alkaboutt
hisov
erthephonewhenIgethome,
(
huggedme)Goodnight
..
.
Me:Goodni
ghtandt
hanksf
orcomingwit
hme,i
don'
tknowwhatiwoul
dhavedonewit
houty
ou.
Maduo:
(laughed)seey
ou'
renot
hingwi
thout
me.
..
Me:
(laughed)Shap
Maduo:
Shap,
tsamaaket
aat
swal
agat
e..
..
Sheclosedthegateandgoti
nthefr
ontseat
,
Tuel
ost ar
tedthecaranddr
oveoutwit
hout
sayi
ngany t
hing.

Hedr
ovef
orawhil
eandstoppedatt
hemai
n
r
oadl
ooki
ngbot
hsides.
..

Tuel
o:Sowher
edoi
go?
Maduo:
(poi
nted)Thi
sway
..
.Thanksf
orhel
ping
us.
Tuel
o:You'
rewel
come.
..

Hedrovef
orawhi
l
eandt
hought
ful
l
ymadea
t
urn.
..
.

Maduo:
Whatar
eyoudoi
ng?
Tuel
o:I'
m buyi
ngusdri
nks,sorr
yfornotaski
ng
fi
rst
..
.Therei
sabott
lestor
et hi
sside.
..
.
Maduo:
(rel
uct
ant
ly)Okay
..
.

Hedr ov eforqui
teadist ance,
flashesofhow
thatnightbegunstartedasMaduol ookedat
thedar knessoutsi
de,sheswal lowedand
l
ookedathi m ashedr oveandwonder edifhe
couldreallydothattoherbutt hent hoseguys
seemednor malatfi
rst,theywer ekinduntilt
hey
gotint hehousewher eshewashel pless.She
l
ookedout sidet
hecar ..
..I
twasdar kandqui et.
..
.

Maduo:Idon'
twantadr
ink,
cany
ougobackt
o
t
heroad?
Tuel
o:Wear
eal
mostt
her
e,i
twon'
ttakel
ong.
..
.

Herhear
tpoundedasshel
ookedout
side
ai
mingtothr
owher
sel
fout
sidet
hecari
fshe
hadto.
..
.

Maduo:
Stopt
hecar
,iwantt
ogetout
..
.
Tuel
o:(
laughed)Ni
ceone.
..
Maduo:(tear
ful
l
y)STOPTHECAR...
.(she
openedthedoorasthecarwasmovi
ng)iwant
togetout,st
opthecar
..
..

Confusedheimmedi at
elypul
ledovert
henshe
steppedoutofthecarandtookoutherphone
walkingaway,
Hest eppedoutofthecarand
foll
owedher.
..
..

Tuel
o:Whati
sthi
s?Whatar
eyoudoi
ng?
Maduo:(putherphoneontheear)St
ayaway
fr
om me, wher
earey out
akingme?Yout hi
nki
don'
tknowwhaty ou'r
etr
yingtodo?I
'm cal
li
ng
myf
ri
endt
opi
c-

Hesnat
chedt
hephonef
rom her
..
..

Tuelo: (
hungup)Whati sthis?Wear ebuy i
ng
dri
nks. .
.Drinksnotbeer ,I'
m nott r
y i
ngt oget
youdr unk..
.(pointed)Thebot t
lestorei sover
there..Thosel i
ghts.
..(gaveherhi scarkey s)I
'
m
nott r
y i
ngtot akeadv antageofy ou, thatwould
becr azy..
.Mybestf r
iendi sdatingy ourbest
fri
endwher ewoul dIhideaf terdoingt hattoyou?
(gavehert hephone)Ihav emywal l
et ,l
etme
getmyphonet heny oucandr i
vey our sel
fhome.
I
'llwalktothebar ,it
'sjustov erthere...Temo
willpickmeup. .
.Isthatgood?
Maduo:
(st
ari
ngathi
m)Yes
Tuel
o:Okay
,I'
l
lgetmyphone.
..
(l
ooki
ngather
)
Goodni
ght
Maduo:
Goodni
ght
..
.

Hewentbackandgothisphonethenhewal
ked
al
ongtheroadmakingaphonecall
,Maduogot
i
nthecaranddrov
eback..
..

Asshedr
ovealongt
her
oadshet
houghtabout
i
tandsi
ghed.
..
.

Maduo:(t
earf
ull
y)Godpleaseprotectme,i
don'
twanttogothroughthisagai
n..
.(shemade
aU-t
urn)Ihopeidon'
tregrett
his.
..
.

Minuteslat
ersheheav
edasighasshe
approachedhi
m andpull
edover
,hehungup
andleanedover.
..
Tuel
o:(
smi
l
ed)Kekopaspeci
alket
shwer
eP20
Maduo:
(remov
edt
heseatbel
t)I
'
m sor
r-
Tuel
o:(
goti
nandclosedthedoor
)No,
it'
s
okay
..
.Youdr
ive.
.Let
'sgo

Shedroveint
hebott
lestor
eparki
nglott
henhe
rani
nsideandwal
kedoutwith2cansofdri
nks.
Hegotinandshedroveout.
..
.

Tuel
o:(
puthersonthehol
der
)See.
..
..I
t'
sacan,
idi
dn'
tputdr
agsinsi
de
Maduo:
(laughed)St
opi
t,i
sai
diwassor
ry
Tuelo:Howcomey oudon'ttr
ustme?Wehave
seeneachothersever
alti
mes.Doi l
ookt
hat
uglyforyout
othinkI'
m apredat
or?
Maduo: Wel
lnowadaysr
api
stsarecl
ean
off
icer
swithnicecar
sandbi
ghouses,it
'snot
l
ikebackthenwhenpeopl
egotrapedinthe
bushori
npassages
Tuelo:
That'st
ruebutweareal
mostfriends,
our
bestfr
iendsaredati
ngt
houghtheybehaveli
ke
acoupleofteenager
s.
Maduo:(l
aughed)Teenagersisan
under
stat
ement,they
'r
eliketoddl
ers.
..
Tuelo:
Howl
onghav
eyoubeenf
ri
endswi
th
Naledi
?
Maduo: Sincestandard1,wewer einthesame
cl
ass.Shewasbul li
edf orbeingoverweightand
iwasbul l
i
edf orbeingunder weightsowe
star
tedhangingt ogetherquietinalit
tlecorner
unti
ltoday.
Tuelo: (
laughed)
)Butyou'
renotunderwei
ght
,i
don'tgetwhywomenhav eaproblem wit
h
weight.Whenamanl ovesyouhelovesyou
whet heryou'r
ethi
ckorthi
n
Maduo:(
sighed)Otherwomenaretheprobl
em,
i
fyou'
ret
hiny ou'
resi
ck,i
fyou'
ret
hickyou'
refat
nnagar
eit
sej
aanong.
Tuelo:That'
strue,kanalemakeupt ot
annake
fi
lagoreanat uralwomanisbeautiful
but
womenspendsomuchmoneyt r
yingto
beauti
fythemsel v
esonlytolookli
kesomethi
ng
else,t
heyputonbl ackli
pst
ick,imean..
.Howdo
youexpectmet okissyouwheny ouhavebl
ack
l
ipsti
ck?
Maduo:
(laughed)Leav
eusal
one,
it'
scal
l
ed
f
ashi
on
Tuelo:
I'
mt ootouchyitwoul
dpuni
shmeori
wouldendupacci dent
all
yeat
ingt
hatbl
ack
thi
ngkeitebet
se.

Shepar
kedinfr
ontofherhouseandswi t
ched
offt
heengi
netaki
ngthebeltof
f,theybot
h
st
eppedoutashewalkedhertothedoor.
..
Maduo:
(unl
ockedt
hedoor
)Thanksf
ort
her
ide
Tuel
o:Any
time.
.Lockt
hedoor
Maduo:
(smi
l
ed)
Goodni
ght
Tuel
o:(
smil
edst
ari
nginhereyes)Sowhatdoes
aguyhavet
odotogetyournumber?
Maduo:(
laughed)Idon'
twantaboyfri
end,
I'
m
notr
eadytodoanyoft hoset
hingscoupl
esdo
Tuel
o:Ij
ustwanttobey
ourf
ri
end,
ist
hatt
oo
muchtoaskfor?
Maduo:
Iguessnot
..I
t'
s73-
Tuel
o:(
tookouthi
sphone)Hol
don.
..

Hetookhernumbert
henshecl
osedt
hedoor
,
hegoti
nthecaranddrov
eoff
.

Att
hehospi
tal
.
...
ThenursewalkedoutthenBakangsatonthe
bedgri
nningcaref
ulenoughnottohurthi
s
fr
eshl
ydressedarm,Dudusatont hechai
rand
si
ghedlookingathi
m...

Dudu:
Whathappened?
Bakang:(gl
ari
ngather
)Whydidyoutell
Naledi
thatipr
omisedyoumoneyforyourbusi
ness?
Dudu:
Wewer
ejustt
alki
ngandi
tcameup.
Bakang:
Thenwhydoi
feel
li
key
ou'
re
manipul
ati
ngme?
Dudu:
I'
m notmani
pul
ati
ngy
ou,
EneNal
edi
ar
eng?
Bakang:I
tdoesn'tmat t
erwhatshesai
d,why
didyouhavetotell
hert hat
?youcan'
ttell
me
youdidn'
tknowhowi twouldl
ooktoher.You'
re
stay
ingwithmypar entsandnowI'mfunding
yourbusi
ness?
Dudu:
I'
m sor
ry.
.
Bakang:Youlikecausi
ngdamaget henyousay
sorr
y,itr
ustedyouandi toldyouthatwewere
goi
ngt hrougharoughpat ch,
youdidn'
thaveto
dothat.Youknewwhati twoul ddo
Dudu:
I'
m sor
ry
Bakang: From nowonwar dsI'
m notgoi ngto
giveyouanymoneybesi dessupporti
ngmy
chil
dandIhopey oumov eoutofmypar ents
houset omor r
owfir
stthinginthemor ning.I
don'twantt obeputinaposi t
ionwher eI'l
l
arguewi thyouandendupdoi ngthi
ngsi
shouldn'tdo.Iwanttoav oi
dhav i
ngaltercati
ons
withyouf orourdaughter'
ssake.
Dudu:(
sighed)Ifthat
'sthecaset henI
under
stand,i
t'sfi
ne.I'
llseehowt osur
viv
e.
(st
oodup)Af t
erev er
ythingyoumademego
thr
oughthisishowy ouendt hings?
Bakang:
DuduI
'
m nothav
inganot
herar
gument
withyoui j
usthadanepisodewit
hNalediand
I'
m st
ill
inpain.Idi
dn'
tcally
ouhere,
don'ttr
yto
makemel ookbad.Iwastalki
ngt
omypar ents
andyoui nvi
tedyour
sel
f.
Dudu:You'
recur
singy
our
sel
f,y
ou'
l
lnev
erf
ind
peace
Bakang:WhatshouldIdotohavepeace?Be
wit
hy ou?Dudujustgo,i
alr
eadyhavea
headache.
Dudu:You'
llneverf
indawomanthatl
ovesyou
t
hewayi do, t
rustmeonthi
s.Onedayyou'
l
l
regr
etthi
s..
.
Bakang:
Ineedt
orest
,cany
oul
eav
e?

Shegl
aredathi
m andwal
kedout
..
..

Shedial
edherfri
end'
snumberasshepassed
thr
oughtherecept
ion.
..
Her
:Hel
l
o?
Dudu: (
tearful
l
y)Ifeell
ikeIhavebeggedBakang
enough, Youwon'tbeli
eveI'
m atthehospit
al
ri
ghtnowwor ri
edabouthim andhedoesn't
care.Gagonasel osesetsenyangstr
essjaaka
gonnani cemothoeneasabonebomol emojo
olenggobodi ra.
Her:Buthemadei tclearhedoesn'twanty ou,
nnat otakef i
lagorey ou'r
ejustbeingoneof
thosebabymamast hatstopl i
vi
ngbecause
babydaddyi sgone.Iknowt heysaychildren
changepeopl ebutwenammaochenj it
set hata,
doy ouev endoany t
hingbesi desbeingther ef
or
Bakangwhenandi fhewant s?Kanakeset seke
tshabagobuagonnaekar ekej eal
ousor
somet hing.Youcan' tstopli
v i
ngbecauseof
yourbabydaddy ,nnat otagakedumel egor ego
kgaoganal ebabydaddygot hatajaakaodi ra.
Therear ewomenwhoar emar ri
edwi t
hchi l
dren
andyoudon'tev
enhav et
obeinar el
ati
onship,
youcanjustdoany
thingl
ikeoneofyour
busi
nessestogetyourmindoffwhat
everthat'
s
happeni
ng.
Dudu:(st
andingatt
hedoor
)Ihearyoubutkana
nakotsedingweyouhavet
ofi
ghtforyour
rel
ati
onshi
p.
Her
:Andwheny
oul
osey
ouacceptdef
eatand
moveon.
Dudu:
Gonewaabuwa
Her:KanahaMmagoakaut wagoregot il
ejang
goreoyegonnakooshewi llcr
y,l
etaloneknow
thatyouchosetobewithBakang'
spar ent
sat
yourlowestpoi
nti
nsteadofherhouse.Batho
baratagoseba,gaanagotseegasente
Dudu:
Gone.
..
Her
:Kamosommaohudugekooanddon'
t
bot
herBakang
Dudu:
Ipl
annedt
o,nekent
sekel
emo
mogopol
ongwateng.
Her:Ketagol
l
etsakamosooskamphadi
excuse,
whenIcall
iwantt
ohearyouor
eoko
gagago.
Dudu:
(laughed)Ee,
goodni
ght
Her
:Goodni
ght
..
.

Shehungupandwal kedoutmakingherwayt
o
theparki
ngl
ot,amanwal ki
ngbehindher
disar
medhiscaral
armt henshel
ookedback.
..

Man:
(laughed)Sor
ry,
didi
star
tl
eyou?
Dudu:
(laughed)Al
i
ttl
ebi
t.
..
Man:I
'
m sor
ry,
It'
sver
ydar
k..
.Geti
nyourcar
t
hen
Dudu:
Thanks
Shegoti
nhercarashegotinhissmil
i
ngather
thenhet
hrewapinkt
owelinthebackseat
..
..

Man:
Mynamei
sTi
mmy
Dudu:
Dudu
Ti
mmy
:Cani
hav
eyournumber
?

Shethoughtaboutitl
ooki
ngathim andsighed,
i
twaswor thatry.
..I
tmighthav
ebeent he
di
str
acti
onsheneededt ogetoverBakang..
..
.

Dudu:
Rai
sebot
hofy
ourhands,
tshubal
ebone.
.
Ti
mmy
:(l
aughedwi
thhi
shandsdown)Why
?
Dudu:
YouknowwhatI
'
mlooki
ngf
or?
Timmy:(
laughed)Sosomeonehast
oqual
i
fyt
o
gety
ournumber ?
Dudu:Tshol
etsa,
iwantt
oseebot
hofyour
hands.
..Whyareyoust
all
i
ng?maybey
ou'r
e
removi
ngit.
..
Ti
mmy :(
rai
sedhishands)I'
m notst
all
i
ng,
ijust
fi
ndi
tfunny
..
.It
'sthefi
rstt
imeawomanmakes
medothattogethernumber
Dudu:
Okay
..Dr
opt
hem,
youcanhav
eit
..
.

Her
eachedf
orhi
sphoneandgothernumber
..
..

Dudu:
Whoset
het
owel
for
?
Timmy:Formyli
tt
lesi
ster
,ibr
oughthert
othe
deli
ver
yroom.
…um goodni
ght
Dudu:
(smi
l
ed)Goodni
ght
..
.

Theydrov
eoutofthepar
kingl
otandwentt
hei
r
separ
ateway
s..
..
..
.
AtDor
cas'
sser
vant
'squar
ter
s..
..
.

ThenextmorningshebathedPr
incessandsat
onthesof
adr essi
ngher,
Duduknockedand
wal
kedin.
..
.

Dudu:
Goodmor ni
ng..
.Didn'
tshet
roubl
eyou
l
astni
ghtwant
ingbreastmil
k?
Dor cas:Idon'
tthinkshehasapr obl
em wi
th
formul a.Shewasj ustapr
incess,mybabyi
sn'
t
troublesome...(
ti
ckledheronthechestasshe
giggled)not r
ouble..
.Notroubl
e..
.
Dudu:Ihavetogogetatr
ucktocol
l
ectafew
thi
ngsfrom mymother
'sandmovethem t
omy
house.
Dor
cas:
Youcanleaveherbehi
ndifit'
sal
otof
wor
koryoucangoleaveherwit
hy ourmot
her
whi
l
eyoumov
e
Dudu:I'
l
ldothat,i
t'
sbeenawhilesinceshehas
seenher.
..(
looki
ngatDorcasasshedr essed
Pri
ncesslovi
ngly
)Doy ouhavechi
ldrenofy our
own?
Dor
cas:
No,
why
?
Dudu:(
smil
ed)Nothing,
you'
reasweetper
son,
i
l
ikehowyouint
eractwit
hBakang.
Dorcas: Ienjoyedbei nghisnanny,hi
smot her
i
sn't.
..
.Nott hatI'm speakingbadaboutherbut
sheisn'tahandsonki ndofawoman, i
hadt o
doev erythi
ngf orhimf rom anearl
yagesohei s
l
ikemysonnow.Ther ewasat i
mehet houghti
washi smot her.
..Heonl yunder
stoodwhenhe
wasabout7y ears,itri
edtoquitmyjobwhen
hewas12y earsol dbuthebeggedme, he
personallybeggedmenott ogoandhewasj ust
12y ears,ifoundi thardtogo,hisfat
her
doubledmysal ar yandi st
ayedbutnowIt hi
nk
i
t'
st i
mef ormet ogo,I'
m notget
ti
ngany
younger.Ir
aisedhim andheisagrownman.
You'l
lvi
sitmeatmyhousewi thmy
granddaughtert
houghi i
rri
tat
eyou
Dudu:
(laughed)Youdon'
ti
rr
it
ateme,
you'
re
t
oughonmet hat'
sal
l.
.
Dor
cas:
(laughed)I
'
llgoeasyony
out
hen.
..
Dudu:I'
m goingtopackmybags,I
'l
lcol
lect
her
..
..Bakang'smothersai
dyoushoul
ddr i
ve
mehome.
Dor
cas:
Nopr
obl
em.
..
.

Shewal
kedout
..
.

AtDudu'
shouse.
..
.

Lat
ert
hataf
ter
noonshepai
dthedr
iverand
zi
ppedherpur
se,t
heguy
sjumpedi
nthet
ruck
andwavedather
..
..

Dudu:
Thanksf
ory
ourhel
p..
.
Dr
iver
:You'
rewel
come.
..

Hegotinthecaranddroveofft
henshewal
ked
backinthehouseandsighedl
ooki
ngatt
he
fur
nit
ureall
over.

Shel ockedthedoorandbegunpushi ngthe

furni
turearoundsettingherhousethenshe
pluggedherhomet heatreandinsert
edthe
memor ycard..
.Shesmi l
edasthemusi cplayed
thenshei ncreasedthevolumecont i
nued
cleaninghummi ngt
ot hemusic..
..

Al
most2hour
saf
tercompl
eti
nghercl
eani
ng
shegotinthet
ubandlai
ddownasthewarm
waterr
eli
evedher
..
..
shet
ookoutherphoneand
cal
ledhermother
..
..

Her
:Hel
l
o?
Dudu:
I'
mjustchecki
ngonPr
inci
e
Her:
Shei sf
ine,
shei
sasl
eepnow.
..Ar
eyoust
il
l
cl
eaning?
Dudu:
I'
m done,
I'
m nowt
aki
ngabat
h..
.
Her:I'
mv er
ypr oudofyoumygi rl,
themost
bravethingawomancandoi st owalkaway
fr
om at oxicrelati
onshi
p.Inev erthoughtal
l
al
ongy ouwer esavingtorenty oursel
fahouse
andthatpol ygamyar r
angementwasn' tgoi
ngto
work.
Dudu:
(tear
ful
l
y)Thanky
ou
Her:If
eel l
i
kethey oungwomani rai
sedi
sback,
iknowy ou'
llst
artsel
li
ngyourt
hingsagai
nand
you'
l
ldoeverythi
nginy ourpowertosucceed.
Godiswat
chi ngyouandi fhedoesn'
tgiveyoua
j
obasanar chit
ectthenhewi l
lbl
essyour
busi
nessi
deas.I'm proudofyou.
Dudu:
(rubbedhert
ear
s)Thanky
ou,
bye
Her
:By
e

Sherubbedhert
earsgoi
ngt
hroughherphone
andstar
edatBakangandPr
inci
e'
spict
ures.
..
.

Tearsr
oll
eddownasshestruggl
edt
ocont
rol
heremoti
ons.
..Herphoner
ang..
.

Dudu:
(sni
ff
ed)Hel
l
o?
Ti
mmy
:Hey
,uhot
shwer
wekef
lu?
Dudu:
(sni
ff
ed)Whoi
sthi
s?
Ti
mmy
:It
'
sTi
mmy
..
.Ar
eyoucr
ying?
Dudu:
Thisi
sn'
tagoodt
ime,
I'
ll
tal
ktoy
ou
t
omorrow.
Ti
mmy :Doy
ouexpectmet
ojustsayokay
?Can
wetal
k?Wherear
eyou?
Dudu:
Idon'
twantt
otal
kabouti
t
Timmy :Whyar
ey ouembar r
assed?Iam a
str
anger,i
wouldn'tjudgeyou..
.Someti
mes
tal
kingi
sthesolution.Okae?Givemet he
dir
ecti
onsandI'
llbet her
e..
..
..

Shereluct
antl
ytol
dhim andhungupastear
s
fel
luncontr
oll
abl
y,shel
eanedoverandwashed
herfacecryi
ng.
..

Minut
eslatersheputonherclothesandfound
comforti
naNando' sful
lchi
ckenandchipsshe
hadbroughtwithher,
aft
erherfeastshe
chewedtheboneheadsspi t
ti
ngont hepaper
bagwhi
l
ewat
chi
ngTV.

Herphoner
ang.
..
..

Dudu:
Hel
l
o?
Ti
mmy
:I'
m dr
ivi
ngt
hrought
hegat
e
Dudu:
(rubbedhermout
h)Okay
..

Shecl
eanedt
hetabl
eandhadaful
lgl
assof
dri
nkt
hensheopenedf
orhi
m..
..
.

Timmy :(
smil
ed)Hi .
..(
li
ft
edapaperbag)i
broughtsomethi
ngf orustoeat
,ihav
en'thad
anythi
ngtoeatsincemor ni
ng.
Dudu:
(smi
l
ed)Nopr
obl
em.
..
Theysatonthecouchandawkwar
dlyl
ookedat
oneanother
..
..

Timmy:(t
ouchedherhand)Youl
ookbet
tert
han
yousoundedovert
hephone..
.
Dudu:
Ifeel
ali
tt
lebet
ter
..
.
Ti
mmy :(
movedcl
oserandhel
dherhand)So
what
'sgoi
ngon?
Dudu: Nothing,it'
sjustnonsense. .
.Ihav ea
threemont hsol ddaught erandherf atherbroke
upwi t
hme, it
ri
edev erythi
ngt ofi
ghtf ormy
relati
onshi p..
.(tear
fully
)Gat wegar elweledi
relati
onshi pandwegi v
eupeasi lybuti l
ower ed
myst andar dsforthatman, idi
dtheunt hinkable
forhi m.(rubbedhert ears)Lastnightonkami l
e
kedr iveratni ghttomakesur ehewasf ineand
hedi dn'tappr eciat
eit..
.Hisexgi r
lfr
iend
har assedhi m butatt heendoft hedayi got
blamedf ori t
.Koorekei potsagor eabannaba
i
tsebothokoj
wagotshol
angwanamobaka
t
sayangmmagwengwanaj aakaekar
eshei
s
j
ustl
ikeanyotherwoman.
Timmy :
Notal lofus, Someofusknowt he
hardshipswomengot hrough.
..(rubbedher
armst henhercheeks)Hei snott heonlymani n
Bot swana, retengl erona.Ihav ealsobeen
throughhel l i
nrelationshipsandI '
ml ookingfor
someonel ikey ou..
.Somet i
mesi ttakest wo
brokenpeopl etobui ldanempi re.Don'tlose
hopemysi ster.
..You'rebeauti
ful andyougot
thebodi es, omont le..
.Don'tbeaf rai
dtol etgo
andl eti
n, somet i
meschangei simpor tant.
..
Dudu:
Iknowt
hatbutI
'
m st
il
li
nlov
ewi
thhi
m-
Timmy :(stari
ngather )Areyousur eaboutthat?
Howsur earey ou?Somet i
mest ogetov er
anotherper sony oumustjustmov eonandy ou
neverknowwhatGodwi l
lbri
ngy ourway ,
when
Godcl osesanot herdoorheopensanot her...
Koorehel abasadi leboi
,letshabagorebat ho
bataar
eker at
anelebat
hobabantsibut
gongwethepersonyou'
rer
eject
ingeley
our
soulmate.
.
Dudu:
I'
mjust
-

Heleanedov
erandkissedherasshe
r
eluct
antl
yki
ssedback..
..

Timmy:(st
ari
ngather)Somet i
mesy oujust
havet
ogowi tht
heflow..
.Flow...Be
spont
aneousandseewher eittakesyou..
..

Hekissedherandmovedcloserunzippinghis
pant
s,heputherhandonhisChi l
l
ieRussi an
weaponandgotbetweenherthighskissingher
asshelai
donherback..
..
..
..
.
Co-
wif
e
#30

Atmymot
her
'shouse.
..
.

Izippedmybagandt hrewi
tinAbal
eng'scar
theni wal
kedovertomymotherwhowas
wat er
ingherpl
antswit
hahosepi
pe.
...

Me:
I'
m goi
ng.
..
Mama:
Oh,
okay
..
.
Me:
Mamaam i
lazy
?
Mama:
Whyar
eyouaski
ng?
Me:
Justt
ell
me.
..
Mama:Well
..
.Iwoul
dn'tsayl
azybuty
ou'
renot
ahar
dworkerei
ther
..
.
Me:
Greatev
enmymot
hert
hinksI
'
mlazy
..
.
Mama:
You'
reav
erage.
..
Me:
Howi
smycooki
ng?
Mama:
Disast
erngwanaka
Me:
(si
ghed)Andwhenwer
eyougoi
ngt
otel
l
me?
Mama: Ithoughtyouknew,whenlastdi
dyou
cook?Nev er
..
.Evenatyourhouse,y
oueatfast
food.Youwon'tknowhowt ocookifyoueat
takeaways.Whyareyouaskingallt
hese?
Me:Not
hing.
..I
'
mjustwonderi
ngifI
'
llmakea
goodwi
fewheni f
indahusband.
Mama: (
smi
led)Beagoodwomanandagood
husbandwi
l
lcome, Bakangcal
ledlastni
ght
i
bil
eamporekelebalaonkgakolot
se.
Me:
Ispoket
ohi
m
Mama:
And?
Me:Wef i
nall
ycametoanunder
standi
ngand
weareover.Hewon'
tbecal
li
ngmeandi won'
t
becal
li
nghim.
Mama:I
'm gl
adt
oheart
hat
.Sot
hisnewf
ri
end
youwer
ewi t
-
Me:I
tdi
dn'
tworkout
..
.(si
ghed)Ev
ery
thi
ngi
s
j
ustamessbutI
'mfi
ne.
Mama: Don'
tbetoodesperate.
..Goodthings
cometothosewhowai t
..
.Findahobbyor
somethi
ngtokeepyoubusyaf terwork.You
havebeenthr
oughalotthepastf ewmont hs.
..
Me:(
smil
ed)I
'l
ldothat.
..Letmegoanddr
opof
f
mybagsbef
oreAbalengneedsthecar
Mama:
Bye

Igoti
nt hecaranddrovet
omyhouse,ihadn'
t
for
gottenanythi
ngBakangsai
dtomeani ght
befor
eandi tatemethatt
herewasachanceit
wasal
ltr
ue.
..I
tbother
edmebutwhoev erwas
goi
ngtobemyhusbandwoul dneverbeli
evei
wasanyoft
hethingsBakangsai
daboutme, i
t
wasavow.

AtDudu'
shouse.
..
..

Timmysl owl
ygotoffherandsatonthecouch
assheclosedherl
egssitti
ngup,t
hewav eof
confusi
onhadsubsidedandshestart
ed
thi
nkingashepull
eduphisjeans.
..
..

Dudu:(
putt
ingonherpant
ies)Wehav
etogof
or
anHIVtest
...
Ti
mmy
:Why
?Don'
tyouev
ert
esty
our
sel
f?
Dudu:
Idi
d,pr
egnantwomengett
est
ed-
Timmy :
(ty
inghisshoes)Soy
ou'
resuggest
ing
thatI
'
m posit
ive?
Dudu:No, iwasjustsay
ingbecausewej
usthad
unprotect
edsexandwedon' tknoweach
other'
sstatues.
Timmy :
I'
m negat
ive.
..(ki
ssedher
)Canwet
alk
aboutsomethi
ngposi t
ivebef
oreigo?
Dudu:
You'
rel
eav
ingsosoon?
Timmy :
Yeah,(
lookedathiswat
ch)Ihavet
o
coll
ectmysist
eratthehospi
tal
inabout15
minutes
Dudu:
Ohokay
..
..
..Iguesswewi
l
ltal
klat
er.
..
Ti
mmy
:(ki
ssedher
)I
'l
lcal
lyou
Dudu:
Bye.
..

Hegr abbedhiscarkeysandwalkedoutthen
shewat chedhimthroughthewindowashe
droveaway .Shesatonthecouchandlooked
around..
.
Somet hingdidn'
tfeelri
ght,
shestar
edatt he
takeaway shebroughtandl ai
ddownlikealost
puppy...Coul
dshehav esol
dherbodyf or
takeaway s?Shedialedhisnumber.
..

Ti
mmy
:Hel
l
o?
Dudu:
Hicanwet
alk?
Ti
mmy
:Yeah
Dudu:Idon'
tmeannow,
lat
er.Wi
l
lyoucome
over
?
Ti
mmy
:Gakesur
ewai
tse,
oneor
eng?
Dudu:
Urh-
Timmy :
I'
ll
cal
lyouback,
I'
m aboutt
oentert
he
hospi
tal
.Don'
tcal
lmeunlessical
lyou.

Shehungupindi
sbeli
ef,
ever
ythi
nghad
happenedsoqui
ckandshecouldn'
tbel
i
evei
t.
Herf
ri
end'
sphonecal
li
nter
rupt
edher
t
hought
s..
.

Dudu:
Hel
l
o?
Her
:Hey
..
.(smi
l
ing)So.
..Ar
eyouaty
ourhouse?
Dudu:
Yeah.
..(
clear
edhert
hroat
)yeah
Her
:Ar
eyouokay
?
Dudu:I
t'
sal
it
tl
edust
yinher
e,cani
cal
lyou
backwhenI
'
m done?
Her
:Showbabes,
arey
ousur
eyouar
eokay
?
Dudu:I
'm good..
.Wait
,um.
..canabr
east
feedi
ng
motherfal
lpregnant
?
Her:No,
idon'
tthi
nkso.Youcan'tf
all
pregnant
whil
eyou'r
est
il
lbreast
feedi
ng.
..
.Wait
..
.Did
Bakang-
Dudu:No,
comeonI'
mj ustaski
ngbecauseI
rememberdur
ingmycheckuptheladyasked
mewhichprevent
ionmethodiwantedt
ouseso
iwaswonderi
ngwhyshewoul daskmethat
knowi
ngthatIwasbreast
feedi
ng.
Her:Heilegal
emmat akesekakareNokese
surebuti hav
eneverhear
dofanyonewhofel
l
pregnantwhenherbabywas3mont hs.
..
Dudu:
Yeahgone.
..By
e
Her
:By
e

Shehungupandtookabat
hagai
nthenshe
wentt
othetaxi
stop.
..
.

Att
hemal
l
...

Lateroniparkedthecarandwal kedinPep
pressi
ngmyphone, icameacr ossan
advert
isementaboutpuppiesanddi al
edthe
number .
..
..
Voi
ce:
Hel
l
o?
Me:Hi,i
justsawy
ouradonFacebookabout
puppi
es,doyoust
il
lhav
ethem?
Voi
ce:
Ther
eisonl
yonel
eft
Me:
Pleasekeepi
tforme,
howmuchi
sit
?
Voi
ce:
It'
s1.
2K
Me:I'
m sor
rywhat
?Wearetal
ki
ngabouta
puppyri
ght
?Dint
šany
ana?
Voice:
(laughed)I
t'
saJackRussel l
themma
gaseTswanabr eed,hanneeleTswanabr
eed
nkabokereP7hel agorekerekedri
nk
Me:Aetherr
annaser i
ouspl
ease,
ilov
ethose
puppi
esbutI
'm notr
ich
Voice:Dir
aP900ee,kanat
heyhav
ebeen
vaccinat
edanddismartbl
i
ndobonyel
ewena.
Me:
Eer
raket
aar
eng
Voice:I
fyoucomenowI '
l
lmakei
t850j
ust
becauseyou'
recompl
aini
ng.
Me:Thanky
ou,
I'
ll
cal
lfordi
rect
ionsi
naf
ew
mi
nutes.
Voi
ce:
Bye

Ihungupandwal
kedt
owar
dst
heATM
machine.
..
.

I
nLi
quor
ama.
..
..

Meanwhil
eDudusi
ghedandputabott
leof
Amarulaont
hecount
ert
henshehandedthe
cashi
ermoney.

Minut
eslatershewalkedouthol
dingabl
ack
pl
asti
c,shelookedatitagai
ntomakesur
ethe
bottl
ewasn'tv
isi
ble.
..I
twasherf
ir
stti
me
buyingal
coholanditprov
edtobethehar
dest
tasksheeverhadto..
.

Shetur
nedtot
heATM machi
neandqueued
behi
ndDit
same..
.

Dudu:
Dumel
ang.
..
Di
tsame:
(tur
ned)Dumel
ang

Herhear
tski
pped.
..I
twast
hehai
rpi
ecel
ady
.

Dudu:
Tsenamot
hoodul
e

Shewalkedtothemachineandpr
essedwit
h
shakyhandsthensheanxi
ousl
ywaitedast
he
machinecountedhermoneyandf
inall
ygav
e
outher1k,
shesnat
cheditandhur
riedout
passi
ngbyDuduwithhi
ghspeed..
..

CluelessDudubrusheditof
fandwalkedoverto
themachi netaki
ngoutherpur
sethenshesaw
Ditsame'sATM cardandremovedit
,shehurr
ied
behindher..
.

Dudu:
Sor
ryhoo.
..
.

Dit
sameincreasedherpacehol
dingher
handbagt
ightl
yunderherarm..
..
.

Dudu:
Sor
ry.
..Mal
omekopal
enkemi
set
semme
yoo

Theol
dmant
ri
edt
ocal
lherbutshepr
etended
shecoul
dn'
thearany
oneandpacedawayas
Dudufol
l
owedher.

Meanwhi
l
eit
urnedandbumpedi
ntoDi
tsame.
..

Me:
Uhu,
oyakaeokgamphaj
aana?
Dit
same: (l
ookedbehindher)Themmabor r
ow
meP300sot hatIcanpaythewomani got
hai
rpiecesfr
om, waFacebooky ol
e..(
looked
behindher)Sheiscoming,t
hemmankadi me
thi
st i
meI'l
lret
urnit
Me:Dihai
rpi
ecedihe?(Laughed)Di
dn'
tMaduo
sayyouwereusi
ngaf akeaccount?
Dit
same: Ushueheekana..
..
nekel
ebet
se.
..Mxm
keipol
aisi
tsemabelo.Jaanongel
egoret
aboa
ba-
Dudu:(
arri
vedandhandedhert
hecar
d)You
for
gotyourcar
dbythemachine
Di
tsame:
(si
ghedi
nrel
i
ef)Thanky
ou.
..
Dudu:
You'
rewel
come.
..(
lookedatme)Hi
Me:
Hi.
..

Shet
urnedar
oundwal
kedaway
..
..

Me:Duduwee?Ogakol
ogel
wat
hetimeyout ol
d
meaboutawomanwhousedafakeaccountto
gety
ourweaveswor
th2.
4K?
Dudu:
(tur
ned)Ee
Me:(poi
ntedatherwi
thmythumb)Shei
sthe
one,
that
'swhyneaasia.
..
Di
tsame:
(jawsdr
opped)Ur
h-ur
hNal edit
heo
mowaomaswe. .
.(
toher
)Sheisly
ing..
..
Dudu:
Nny
aammant
uel
aibi
l
ekebat
agor
eka
st
ock
Me:
Mor
eeagoduel
a,shehasacar
d.Let
'
sal
l
got
othemachi
ne,
Ial
sowantmyP400
Di
tsame:
Idon'
thav
emoney
,I'
l
lpay
-
Dudu:
No,
paymebef
orei
cal
lthepol
i
ce
Me:Mmelennant
uela..I
'
m goi
ngt
obuya
puppyi
hav
etobuyitfood
Dudu: Wenawant šwany
anaobot oka,I
'm not
wor ki
ng.
..
thoseweavesaremysour ceof
i
ncome. .
.Mmay outook2.4Kfrom me,gaona
pelo..
.Wear et
ryi
ngtomakeal ivi
ngbutpeople
l
ikey oumakeithardbyscammi ngus.Please
ntuelabef
orerethaamanaplease
Me: Let
'sal
lgot othemachinemony anaa
tsenyepinretseemaximum amounti bi
lego
mont hend.(grabbedherarm)Let'
snotcausea
scene..
.wecanbeadul tsabouti
t
Dudu: (
heldherotherarm aswewalkedwit
h
Dit
samei nthemi ddle)I
fyoupaymeatleast1K
I
'l
lli
sten,anyt
hinglessthanthatI
'
m goi
ngtothe
pol
ice,poli
ceehel aha..
..
..
.
Weescort
edhert
ot hemachi neandqueued
behi
ndtwopeopl
e..
..
..
..
..
..
..
.(9t)

Co-
wif
e
#31

Att
heATM machi
ne.
..

Duduetsanggot2Kf r
om t
hemachi net
henwe
walkedoutasDitsameputhercardint
hepurse,
Isawaf ewnotesinsi
deasshezippedandgot
i
t..
..

Me:
Remembery
ouowemeP400,
tisaket
see
P400wame
Dudu:(sheleanedoverl
ooki
nginsidet
hepur
se
asicountedthenotes)Mphabalanceya
200,
atalekana?
Me:
(gav
eherP200)Ee

Igav
eherthepur
set
hensheputi
tinherbag
gl
ari
ngatme..
.

Me:Thanks,atl
eastwedon'
toweeachot
her
any
thi
ng.(walki
ngawayputt
ingt
hemoneyin
mypocket)Byeladi
es.
..
.

Iwal
kedawayasDuduputhermoneyi
nher
pur
se.
..
.

Di
tsame:
(si
ghed)I
'
m sor
ryf
orst
eal
i
ngy
our
weaves,i
wasjustbei
nganoppor
tuni
st
becauseihadasi
tuat
ion.
Dudu:Whatyoudidisunforgi
vabl
e,ir
emember
tell
i
ngthati
waspr egnantbutasawomanyou
didn'
tcar
eaboutthat,al
lyouwantedwast
o
l
ookpr et
tyf
orfr
ee
Di
tsame:Gapehannekeitsi
l
egoreomothowa
Maunnkabokesadir
ajalonnaneket
saagor
e
ol
egabor
onehelakoo,I
'
m sorry
.
Dudu:
Igotmymoneysoi
guessi
t'
sfi
ne.
Dit
same:(
gott
hebot
tl
e)I
sthatAmar
ula?do
youdri
nk?
Dudu:
Wel
l
-
Ditsame:Giv
emey ournumbermaybewecan
gooutsomet ime,
keitsedi
khonat
saMaun
tsothenkagosoma..
.
Dudu:
Ify
ou'
rebeingnicetomesot
hatIcan
gi
veyouweavesoncredityo-
Dit
same:Waii
nnagakekoo.
..
kei
that
elamenat
e
hel
abutanywa-
Dudu:
Idon'
tdowi
l
dpar
ti
es
Dit
same:Ledi babyshowerkediwi
ldpar
ti
es?
Bogoodgirl
thel aasokol
a,sol
edibri
dal
showergaodie?
Dudu:
You'
ret
hiefi
don'
ttr
usty
ou
Ditsame: That'
swhyker ebogoodgi r
llaa
sokol a..
.Hav en'
ty ouev erdoneany t
hinginyour
l
ifey ou'reembar rassedabout ?Lehaekat swa
elesephi risagagol emodi mol ele2?Behonest
withy ourself.
..(
shet houghtabouti t
)Idon'tcar
e
howmanywomenpr et
endandpr eachhigh
mor alsev erywomanhassomet hingtheyonce
didthatt hey'renotpr oudof,justbecausenna
kekapi lwedoesn' tmeanI '
mt hewor l
dmostev il
womanandi wasn' teventryi
ngt ostealf
rom
you, thereisanexpl anat i
onfort hatthoughy ou
won' tbelieveme
Dudu:Etseeeemmemmagakegot shepet
ota,
wewer etal
ki
ngni
celyt
henyouswi
tchedof
f
yourphoneanddi
sappear
ed.
Ditsame: Mmei bi
lekananakoy at engi wasn't
tryi
ngt ostealfrom you, ihave2account s,
the
real oneandt hefakeone, thefakeonekeeke
rekisangdi secondhandkay onel egopost erin
groupsj aanabecausebat hobar ataditabat sa
batho, i
fyoupostor et ail
oregosegel epat t
er n
tabebar eoany alwasonnakedi rafake
accountf orsuch,eney atswalagot wei must
sendmyI Dst heytookal ongtimet orespond
theni gotpissedanddel etedit.Jaanongkana
dikolotowadi it
sesincei wasbr okei thoughtI '
d
pushaf ewt hi
ngsbef orecont actingyou.
Dudu:
Omaaka
Di
tsame:(l
aughed)I
'm notl
yi
ngandyoumust
becaref
ulwit
hNaledi
,issheyourf
ri
end?
Dudu:
No,
shei
smybabydaddy
'sgi
rl
fr
iend.I
don'
tevenknowwhyshewasbei ngni
cet
ome
maabanelet
seankgakgagal
ela
Dit
same:
(smi
led)Getout
terhere?You'
ret
he
onewhowascowifi
ngwit
hNal edi
?
Dudu:
Hee.
..Wenaodi
utwakamang?
Dit
same:Reneil
wetoldme, oneofherf
ri
ends.
..
Chosgir
lgi
rl
..
..Sowhathappened?Iheardyou
poi
sonedherwenagirl.
..Wait
sekegorata
marat
ohaelegor ekewena.
Dudu:
It'
sal
ongst
orybutwebr
okeup.
Di
tsame:
Andy
oul
etherhav
ehi
m?Thateasy
?
Dudu:Well
theyal
sobrokeupbuti
don'tt
hinki
t
wil
lbeforl
ong,i
tseemshesti
ll
wantsher
Dit
same: Andy ou'
regoi
ngt oleti
thappen?
(t
ookoutherphone)Mphanambar awenaomo
bonyeng..
.Naledii
sfull
ofherselfandi canhel
p
yougetBakangbacki fyouwant ,keit
sedi
cousi
nt sagaBakangretightnnal ebone.(
she
spel
l
edt
henumber
)I'
l
lcal
lyout
omor
row.
..
Dudu:
Howwi
l
lyouhel
pme?
Di
tsame:
You'
l
lsee,
tshepannahel
a.
Dudu:
Whyar
eyouhel
pingme?
Ditsame: Ihaveascoretosett
lewit
hNaledi
andMaduo, theygoaroundtel
li
ngpeopleI'
ma
thieft
arnishingmyreputat
ionnowwhenmoney
disappearsev er
yonel
ooksatme.Renei tol
dme
Maduowasgangbangedt oo,j
ustwaitwena
tl
he...
..Justwait.
Dudu:
Okay
,iguessI
'
llhearf
rom y
out
hen
Di
tsame:
Okay
,by
elov
ie.
..
.

Di
tsamewal
kedawaysmil
ingandrol
l
edher
ey
esonceshef
acedthef
ront.
..
..
..

AtDi
amondLuxur
ies.
..
..
Ayoungschoolboyapproachedtherecepti
on
hol
dingaboxofassort
edchocolatesanda
not
easMaduogotherhandbagget t
ingready
tol
eave.
..
.

Maduo:
Guy
sI'
m goi
ng,
myshi
ftl
ongended
Cowor
ker
:Al
ri
ght
,seey
out
omor
row.
..
Boy
:Dumel
ang,
Iwassentt
ogi
vet
hist
oMaduo
Coworker:
(smi
l
edandgoti
t)Wow.
..
Chocol
ates
Maduo:(
snatchedtheboxandthenote)The
l
astti
mei checkedther
ewasonlyoneMaduoin
t
hispl
ace,Nnanawhogav eyouthi
s?
Boy:
Hedidn'
ttel
lmehi
sname,hegavemeP10
andsai
dimustcomehereandgi
vethi
sto
Maduo.
Maduo:
Thanky
ou
Theli
ttl
eboywalkedoutthenMaduoopened
theenvel
opeashercowor kerswal
kedov
erand
watchedoverhershoul
ders..
.

Maduo:(
openedt
helett
erandblushedhidi
ngi
t)
Canyouall
goaway..
.(l
aughed)Therei
s
not
hingt
oseehere.
..
Cowor
ker
1:Bul
arebal
erej
edi
chocol
atemma
Cowor ker2:(l
aughed)Ican'tbel
i
eveionce
thoughtMaduowasal esbianbecauseshe
didn'
thav eboyfr
iend
Maduo:
Shh.
..
..

{
{Dear
:Pot
ent
ial

Goodaf
ter
noon,
Icoul
dhav
esentamessage
butnahi want
edyoutohol
dmymessageand
smelli
tifyouwant
..
.I'
m ol
dschool
li
ket
hat
.

Ienjoy edyourcompanyandwoul dliket ospend

mor et i
mewi thy ouasaFRI ENDbecause
appar entl
yy oudon' twantaboy f
ri
end.Ibought
youchocol at esbecausemostwomenl ove
chocol atebutnextt i
meIdon' twantt omake
assumpt i
ons, iwantt oknowwhatMaduol i
kes
andwhatshedoesn' tli
ke, herf ears,str
ength,
fai
luresandgoal stoo..
..EVERYTHI NG....
Iwant
toknowev ery thingabouty oubecausei wantto
qualifyforthepostofaboy fri
endshoul dthat
postbeav ail
abl eany t
ime.Don' thesitatetotell
meaboutt hequal if
icat
ionsoft hehusband
positiontoo, Iam anambi tiousy oungmanand
onceaboy friendi promi sey ouI '
llworkhar dto
qualifyforthepostofahusband.Ihopemy
applicati
onwi llbeconsider ed.Findat tacheda
boxofchocol ates.
..chowont hatwhi le
consi
der
ingmef
ort
heabov
ement
ionedpost
s.

Your
ssi
ncer
ely

Tuel
oEnay
ang}
}

Shesmiledbl
ushi
ngandputt
hecardonher
chestt
hensheheavedabi
gsigh.
..
.

Cowor
ker
:Wow.
..
Maduo:(f
annedherfacetear
ful
ly)Guy
si don'
t
wanttocry
,I'
m soeasytoimpresswhat'
s
wrongwit
hme. .
.
Coworker
2:Bul
aboxmma. .
..Di
chocol
atet
sa
P320ketsedir
il
engnel
ona?Bular
eutwe..
.
Maduo:(
laughedandwalkedoutwi
thherbox)
Seeyout
omor row.
..I
'
m goingt
odanceforthi
s
box,
cuddlewithitandcryalloveri
tbeforeI
ki
ssitandopenitslowly,t
hesechocolateswil
l
l
astamont hbecauseI'
llonlyeatoneperday..
.
AndwhenIf i
nishthem kebusabox...
..
.
Cowor
ker
b(l
aughed)Wi
thar
esponse?
Maduo: (
laughed)Thata..
.I'
l
lrespondwi t
h
ei
theryouwer egrettoinf
ormy ouory our
appl
icati
onwassuccessf ul,wewillseeifhe
qual
ifi
esornot .
.it
'suptohim...Byeeeeeeeee
guys
Cowor
ker
s:(
laughed)By
e..
..
..

Atmyhouse.
..

Abalengparkedthecarthenigotoutwit
hadog
cage,Renei
lwefoll
owedmei nsideasiputi
t
downandt ookitout.
..
Me:
(smi
l
ed)Heydoggi
edoggi
e
Renei
l
we:
Idon'
tl
ikepet
s,y
agor
otel
amont
ung
Me:I
'm goingtobuyitadoghouse.
..Awooden
andi
twillsleepout
side,
thehousecost
sabout
P400
Renei
l
we:You'
l
lspendt
hatmuchonadog,
ntša
hel
ayant
ša?
Me:
It'
snotj
ustadog,
it'
saJackRussel
l
..
.
Renei
l
we:
Itl
ooksl
i
keanyot
herdogt
ome
Me: (pattingit)You'renotadogl ov er,
you
wouldn' tunder stand.(putt
ingadogcol lar
aroundi t'
sneck)Thi slit
tl
eguyismy
compani on,myf ri
endandguar d..
..Whenar e
wegoi ngf ordressf i
tt
ing?Idon'tthinkthatlady
will
finishourdr essesont ime,wemustj ustbuy
Renei
lwe:Mycousi
nssaidsoaswel l
,I
'l
lcal
l
youonceIhavetal
kedt
ot het
ail
or.
..Howare
youdoing?
Me:
I'
mfi
ne.
.
Renei
:Di
dyout
alkt
oBakang?Hecal
l
edmel
ast
ni
ght.
Me:KanteBakangeneor
il
engsohecall
ed
ever
yone,i
wonderhowhegotever
yone'
s
number
Renei
:Idi
dn'
tsayany
thi
ng,
itol
dhi
m wewer
en'
t
toget
her
.
Me: Yeahbuti
t'
sannoy
ing,
itf
eel
sli
kehei
s
st
alkingme..
.
Renei
:Sodi
dyout
alk?
Me:Yeah,wetal
kedabouti
tli
keadul
tsand
madeagreements.I
t'
sset
tl
ed
Renei
:Okay
,I'
l
lcal
lyou
Me:
Okay
..
.By
e

Shewal
kedout
sideandi
wav
edatAbal
engas
hereversedthecaranddr
oveoff,
isatonthe
couchlookingatmypuppyasitsl
eptonthe
fl
oorlookingatme..
..

Me: (
snappedmyf
inger
s)Scooby
..
.Nxhoo.
..
nxhoo..
..

Minuteslat
ert
her
ewasaknockt heniwalked
tothedoorandopened.
..
.Bakangst
aredback
atme...
.

Bakang:
Ther
eissomet
hingi
needt
otel
lyou.
..
Me:
Leav
e..
.
Bakang:
It'
saser
iousmat
ter
..
.

Ipushedthedoort
henhebl
ockedi
tandwal
ked
i
nside.
..
..
..
Co-
wif
e
#32

Atmyhouse.
..
.

Me:
Pleasel
eav
e..
.
Bakang:(
star
ingatme)Idon'
twantt
ofi
ght
anymore.
..
Me: Ther
eisnot
hingtof
ightabout
.Nowi
know
exactl
ywhatyouthi
nkofme
Bakang:
Iwasangr
y..
..Youcheat
edonme
Me:
Sot
hatexcuseswhaty
ousai
d?
Bakang:No,i
tdoesn'tandI'
m sorr
y..
.That'
s
whyI'
m here.Forgi
veme, l
et'
sstar
tov er
.Iknow
whereiwentwr ongandyouknowwher eyou
wentwrong.Iwasn'twit
hDudui onlywantedto
hel
pherformychi l
d'ssakebutshetook
advantageofmeandev ent ol
dyouthi
ssothat
youcanbeangr yatme.Ibr okeupwi t
hherthe
minuteyouhadami scarri
age,wehadabig
fi
ghtandshepassedout .That'
swhymy
parent
st ookher,
theydidn'twantmetoget
arr
ested,thatwasalsoawr ongthi
ngt odobut
I'
m sorry
, I
'
m sorr
yittooksol ongt
omake
thi
ngsclearwithher.Forgi
veme
Me:
Ican'
tfor
giv
eyou.Ideser
vebet
ter
Bakang:NalediIl
oveyou..
.You'
renotperf
ect
butil
ovey ouli
kethat
,it
'swhatmakesy ou
di
ffer
entandi washopingyoucouldlov
eme
wit
hmyf laws.
Me:
Ican'
t.
..Sor
ry
Bakang:
Alr
ight
..Cani
hav
esexwi
thy
ouf
ort
he
l
astti
me?
Me:No,I
'm nott
hatcheap.Ther
ewasatime
whenIsawy ouasGod,iwouldsubmi
ttoyour
ev
erycommandbuty ouplayedwit
hyour
chance.Youcoul
dhavehadal
lofmebutyou
deci
dedlyingwasbet
tert
hant
ell
ingt
hetr
uth.
Bakang:Sotel
lmet hen..
.Let'
sassumei t
old
youthetrut
h,whatdiff
erencewouldithav
e
made?Mydaught erwoul dst
il
lbehere,what
dif
fer
encewouldithavemade?
Me:
Iwouldhav
efel
tappreci
atedand
i
mport
ant
..
.y
ou'
remissi
ngthepoint
.
Bakang:Igott
hepointnowyou'
remi
ssi
ngt
he
poi
nt,i
t'
sthepastgetoveri
t.
Me:
Getout
..
.
Bakang:
Cany
ouatl
eastt
hinkabouti
t?
Me:
No
Bakang:
(wal
kedout
)Mxm.
..Tsek.
..
..
.
Me:
Lewena.
.

Hewal
kedbacki
nsi
det
heni
rant
otheki
tchen
andl
ockedt
hedoor
..
.

Bakang:Nextt
imegaonkarabi
saket
amol
a
nt
šanyanaekasethako.
..

Ikeptqui
etashewait
edf ormetor
espondbuti
keptshut,
idi
dn'
twanttolosemypuppy.
..He
tur
nedaroundandwalkedoutt
henihear
dhis
carspeedi
ngaway.
..
..
..

AtDudu'
shouse.
..
.

Shesatonthecouchandpour edt
hedrinkin
gl
assthensheslowlysi
pped,shefr
ownedand
hur
ri
edtothesinkwhereshespatinthesink,i
t
wasbit
tert
hanitlookedontheadvert
..
.
Shesi
ghedt
hought
ful
lythenhegr
abbeda
bot
tl
eofmil
kanddil
uted.
..
.Shesi
ppedabi
t.
..
..
.
I
twassweetandcr
eamy .
..
..

Sheleanedbackandi
ncreasedthevol
ume
putt
ingherf
ootonthetabl
et henshet
ookout
herphoneanddial
edhermot her
..
.

Her
:Hel
l
o?
Dudu:Hi,
Mama..
.I'
mv er
ystressedandiwas
wonderi
ngify
oucouldwatchPrincessf
ort
he
ni
ght.
..
.
Her
:Youdon'
thav
etoaskmygi
rl
Dudu:
(sni
ff
edr
ubbi
ngherey
es)Il
ovey
ou
Her
:Dudu?
Dudu:
(cr
ying)Maa?
Her
:You'
reast
rongwomanandy
ouwi
l
lget
ov
ert
his.
Dudu:
Okay
Her:Cal
l mewheny ou'
vecalmeddownsothat
wecant alkabouti
torwouldyoul
iket
otal
kto
youraunt?
Dudu:
No,
ithi
nkj
ustani
ghtal
onewi
l
ldo.
..
.
Her
:I'
l
llookaf
terPr
incessf
orasl
ongasIhav
e
t
o.
Dudu:
Bye.
..

Shehungupandmadeanot
hermi
xtur
e..
..
..
.

AtMaduo'
shouse.
..
..

Latert
hataf
ter
noonshel
aidont
hebedand
openedtheboxdi
ali
nghi
snumber.
..
.
Tuel
o:Hel
l
o?
Maduo:
Hi,
Thanksf
ort
hechocol
ate
Tuel
o:You'
rewel
come.
..
Maduo:HowdoessomeonesanespendP320
onsweets?You'
reaspenderbutI
'
m asav
er,
we
ar
etotal
l
ydiff
erent
.
Tuelo:Well
,thechocol
atedi
dn'
tcostP320,igot
thatsti
ckersomewhereandpastedther
e.I
t
wasr eal
lyP20
Maduo:
(laughed)Andy
ou'
real
airt
oo
Tuel
o:(l
aughed)You'
reput
ti
ngmei
nacor
ner
,
soit
'sP320sowhat ?
Maduo:Nothing.
..JustMessi
ngwit
hyou.
AnywayI'
l
lrespondoncet heboxi
semptyand
I
'l
lbeeat
ingoneperday ..
.
Tuel
o:Okay,
thereisavacat
ioni
plannedwit
h
myfri
endsatleastI
'l
lbeabl
etoaskforyour
company.
Maduo:
Wewi
l
lseei
fI'
l
lcome.
..
Tuel
o:(
smi
l
ed)Wewi
l
lsee.
..
Maduo:
(smi
l
ed)By
e..
.

Shehungupandl
aidonherbackenj
oyi
ngmor
e
chocol
ates.
..

Atmyhouse.
..
..

Meanwhi l
ei l
aidont hecouchandqui etl
ystared
atmypuppyasi tsleptonthef loor,
i wasn'
t
my selfandi regrett
ednotlisteningtohim,
may behehadapoi nt.Thistimei didn'
twantt o
consul tanyoneaboutwhati shoulddo. .
.He
seemedr emor sefulandihadt akenmypai non
himt hepr evi
ousni ght.
.Therewasn' tanger
...
..
AtDudu'
shouse.
..
..

Lat
erthateveni
ngtherewasaknockonthe
door,
shegotherglassandst
aggeredt
othe
doorwheresheopened..
..

Dudu:
(stut
ter
ed)Ho-howdoyouknowwhereI
st
ay?(bl
i
nkedslowl
y)Ohyourmothert
oldy
o-

Bakangst aredatherandclenchedhisjaws
regr
ettably,hequi
etl
ywalkedinandcl osedt
he
doorthenhegott heglassfrom herandputit
onthet able.
..
.

Bakang:
Duduwhati
sthi
s?Youdon'
tdr
ink
Dudu:I
'm doi
ngnewt hi
ngs..
.Thi
sist
henew
me,theoldmei sbr
oken.Iam tr
asht
hat
'
swhat
Iam..
.Justapieceofmeatanymancanuse
andgolov
et her
ightwoman.I
'
mjustabr
idge.
..
Walkal
loverme..
..

Heshookhi
sheadandwentt ot
hebathr
oom,
t
hewaterwascoldbuthef
il
ledt
hetubanyway
t
henhewalkedbackandgr
abbedherarm..
..
.

Bakang:
Comeher
e
Dudu:(
cry
ing)Whatareyoudoi
nginmyhouse?
Youwanttosleepwithmeaswell
andgolove
yourpr
eci
ousgirl
fr
iend?
Bakang:
Shutup,
you'
renotmaki
nganysense.
..
Comehere

Theywalkedinthet
oil
etthenhegrabbedthe
backofherneckandputtwofinger
sdownher
thr
oat
,sheslappedhishandsgaggingand
thr
ewupashepushedherneckdownf aci
ng
thetoi
l
et.
..
.Shethrewupinthetoi
lett
henhe
tur
nedheraroundagainandputhi
sf i
ngers
downherthroat
,shethrewupcryi
ng..
..
..

Dudu:
(coughedv
omi
ti
ng)You'
rehur
ti
ngme.
..
.
Bakang:
(pul
l
edherup)Getup.
..
.

Hepokedheragainandshet hr
ewupthel
astof
herstomachcontent
sthenhepull
edupher
dressandremovedherbra.
..
.

Dudu:
(cr
ying)You'
l
lnev
erf
indsomeonewho
l
ovesyouli
keido..
.
Bakang:
Shutup
Dudu:Youtookawaymydr eams...Youwer e
myev er
ythi
ng.Ilovedyou..
.Idi
dn'tevenfeel
anyt
hinghavingsexwi thTi
mmy ..
.Nothing.
..
.
Noemot i
onal connect
ionwhatsoever.
..I
fthat'
s
t
hekindofl
i
feI
'
m goi
ngt
oli
vet
hennot
hanks.
..
.
I
'
llpass
Bakang:
(paused)Yousl
eptwi
thwho?
Dudu:Timmyorwhat everhi
snamei
s..
.
(l
aughed)Iam cheap.
..Al
lmenseeabri
dge.
..
Bakang:
(hel
pedhergeti
nthet
ub)Geti
nsi
deke
gothapi
se.
..

Shesatdownt henhesatont heedgeoft hetub

spl
ashingwateroverherasshet al
kednonstop,
hereyesweresleepyandhecouldbar el
y
under
standthewor dsthatwerecomingoutof
hermouth.
..

Bakang:
Didy
ouusepr
otect
ionwi
tht
hisguy
?
Dudu: Hejustj
umpedbet weenmyl egs..
.You
brokemeBakang, you'l
lneverunderst
andhowi
feelbecauseyoudon'tl
oveany one.Theonly
per
sony
oul
ovei
syour
sel
f.

BakangrubbedthebarsoaponaSpongeand
bathedherasshespokeaimlessl
y,hehelped
heroutandwrappedherwithatowelthenthey
wenttothecouchwhereshelaiddown...

Hestoodupandgotheragl assofwaterfr
om
thefr
idge,whenhewalkedbackshewas
alr
eadysnoring.
.Heputtheglassdownandsat
nexttoherrubbi
nghisfacefr
ustrat
edl
y.

Heturnedandlookedatherasshewas
sl
eepingthenhegentl
ycaressedherchubby
cheeks,hegott
hebodycream andappliedi
tal
l
overherbody.

Mi
nut
esl
aterhesear
chedherbagsand
dr
essedhert
henhecombedherhai
r.
..
.

Atmyhouse.
..
..

Idi
aledhi
snumberpaci
ngar
oundt
hehouse.
..
.

Bakang:
Hel
l
o?
Me:Hi,
ithoughtaboutwhaty
ousai
dand.
..
Wouldyouli
ketomeetup?
Bakang:
(lookedather
)why?
Me:
Tot
alk
Bakang:Duduisnotf
eel
i
ngwel
l
,ihav
etot
ake
hertothehospi
tal
.
Me:
Oh-
Bakang: Buty
oucancomewi t
hmei
fyoudon'
t
mind..
..Iwouldappr
eci
atei
t.
Me:
Idon'
tmi
nd.
Bakang:
I'
ll
picky
oui
naf
ewmi
nut
es
Me:
Bye

Hehungupandputhi
sphoneinthepocket
t
henhewokeherupandstagger
edtothecar
wi
thher
..
..

Bakang:Dudu?Openy oureyes.
..Otsenamo
kol
oing.
..(
pressedhercheeks)Heee..
..Dudu
Dudu:
(ey
escl
osed)Mmh?
Bakang:
(heputherinandf
ixedherhai
r)Babe.
..
?
MmagwePr inci
e?Canyouopenyoureyesand
tal
ktome..
..Dudu?
Dudu:
(sheopenedherey
eswi
thast
ruggl
e)
Mmh?
Bakang:
(heki
ssedheront
hel
i
ps)Rey
ako
spat
elaautwa?(caressi
nghercheeks)You
havetogetaPep...whoevert
hatguyishemi ght
bepositi
ve.
..Andthenyouneedapi l
lforhi
s
di
rt.
..Dudu?

Shepassedoutagai
n,heclosedherdoorand
col
lect
edherthi
ngsfr
om thehouse,l
ockedup
anddroveout
...
..

Atmyhouse.
..
.

Minutesl
aterheparkedatt
hegatetheni
hurr
iedover,
hesteppedoutandsatintheback
wit
hherresti
ngherheadonhischest..
.

Bakang:
Cany
oudr
ive?
Me:
(looki
ngather
)Yeah
Igoti
nanddr
oveout
..
.

Onthewayi keptglanci
ngathim onthemir
ror
asheaff
ectionat
elylookedatherandfi
xedher
weaveasitkeptfal
lingonherface.
..

Me:
Issheokay
?
Bakang:
Yeah,someonet
ookadv
ant
ageofher
andsheisdr
unk..
Me: (
lookedather
)OhmyGod, iwaswit
hherin
themor ni
ng.Shewashol
dingabott
lei
nablack
plast
ic.
..
Bakang:Shemustofboughtal
cohol
to.
..
(si
ghed)Godhel
pme. .
.
Me:
It'
snoty
ourf
aul
t.
..Orher
s..
.
Bakang:
Tel
lthatt
omyhear
t.
..
.
Minut
eslat
erwearri
vedatt
hehospit
al,
theyput
heronthewheel
chai
randpushedheri
nside.

Bakanghel
dmyhandaswef ol
l
owedt henur
se
i
ntheemergencyr
oom wher
eshetookher
bl
oodsamplesaswestoodbythebed..
..

Nurse:(
walkedoutwithhercar
dandbl
ood
samples)Thedoctorwil
lbewit
hyoui
nashor
t
ti
me...
Bakang:
Thanks.
..

Duduturnedherheadgr
unt
ing,Bakangwal
ked
overandsatonthebedhol
dingherhand.
..
.

Bakang:
(hol
dingherchi
n)Hey
..
.Ar
eyouokay
?
Openy
ourey
es.
..Dudu?

Herheadhelplessl
yfelloverthenheputitback
andfi
xedherpi l
low,helookedatmet henhe
l
eanedov erandbabyki ssedher.
...Myskinned
crawl
edasi lookedathi mthenhewal kedov er
andkissedme, iputmyhandsar oundhisneck
andkissedhim back..
.

Doctor
:(wal
kedi
nandsmi
l
edatus)Oops.
..
Sorr
y
Bakang:(
stoppedt
heki
ssandsmi
l
ed)No,
it'
s
okay.
..
.

Heputont
hegl
ovesandat
tendedDudu.
..
..
..
..
..
(
9t)
Co-
wif
e
#33
Att
hehospi
tal
.
.

Ileanedoverandgotcol dwaterfr
om thewater
dispenserwit
hadi sposabl
ecupt hi
nkingabout
thekisshegav eherearl
ier
,thoughitgotmy
skincrawli
ngforasecondi wasn'tsurpr
ised
norwasi hurt
..

Idrunkandappr
oachedhi
m handi
nghim halfa
glass,
hemademesi tonhi
slapwhil
ehedr unk
thewater.
..

Bakang:
Thanks
Me:
You'
rewel
come.
..
Bakang:Ar
eyouokay
?Wecangohomei
f
you'
reti
red
Me:
No,
I'
m good.
..Canwet
alk?
Bakang:
(smi
l
ed)Thi
sisn'
tgood.
..
Me:
Tel
lmet
het
rut
h..
.Doy
oul
oveDudu?
Bakang: Iloveherbuti lovey oumor e.Icar e
aboutherbecausewehav eadaught er,Ifeel
responsi bleforthesi t
uat ionshei sinnow.If eel
l
ikeit'smyf ault
,shedoesn' twantt ol etgoof
thi
sr elationshipandi under standhersi t
uation.
Ifeelbadf orendingt hingst hewayi did,no
mot herdeser vest hi
s, ifitwasokaywi t
hy oui
woul ddat ebot hofy oubecauset helastt hi
ngI
needi sf orhert ocommi tsuicidebecauseof
me, ourdaught erwoul dnev erfor gi
veme.I
knowi tsoundsdi srespect f
ul t
osayt hisbuti
wishy oucoul datleastl etmebewi thherand
breakt hingswi thhersl owl yifi can'thav eboth
ofyou. ..
.Justgi vemet imet obr eakthingswi th
herpr oper l
yorhav eherl eavemei napeacef ul
manner .
Me:
Idon'
ttr
usty
ou,
whati
fyoul
eav
eme?
Bakang:Iwon'
tbabebutyouhaveeveryright
nottotr
ustme,I'
l
lgai
ny ourt
rust
,you'
l
l see
Me:Ihopeidon'tregr
etitbecauseIdon'twant
t
obeagi r
lf
ri
endf orever
,Iwantar el
ati
onshi
p
t
hathasafuture,iwanttobeser i
ousaboutmy
l
if
e.
Bakang:
Iknow,ij
ustneedal
it
tl
etime.
..
wewi
l
l
getmarr
iedonewayortheot
her.
..
.

Hepulledmeoverforaki ss,
imi ssedhim.
..I
missedhissmell
alloverme, ineededhis
handsandweightal
l overmebutwer eatt
he
hospit
al.
..
.

Nur
se:
(cl
ear
edhert
hroat
)kgm.
..
.
Bakang:
Hi
Nur
se:
Thedoct
orwant
stot
alkt
oyou
Bakang:
Sur
e..
.

Igotof
fhi
m andsatont
hebenchashest
ood
up..
.

Bakang:
Let
'sgo.
..
Me:
May
bei
t'
spr
ivat
e..
.
Bakang:(smil
ed)Babeidon'
twantyoutobeat
mef ort
hingsididn'
tdo,
myarmi ssti
l
lver
y
pai
nfulgakeahola..
.
Me:
(laughed)Isai
diwassor
ryf
orhi
tt
ingy
ou
Bakang:(
laughed)ButIdeservedit
,hanneosa
mpetsankabokeut ulebothoko,haosenago
tsamayaithoughtaboutthe9mont hsthi
ngy
andregr
ettedsayingitbutikeptsayingatl
east
shebeatme. .
..
.
Me:I
fyouev
erputy
ourhandsonmeagai
nI'
l
l
doworse
Bakang:Youst
art
edt
hewhol
ethi
ng,
whatar
e
youtal
ki
ngabout?
Me:
(thought
ful
l
y)Ohy
eah,
wel
ldon'
tpr
ovoke
meagain.
Bakang:
(laughed)Beti
fisai
dthati
woul
dbe
anabusi
veboy fr
iend
Me:Ther
ear
ethi
ngsy
ounev
ersayasaman,
if
you'
rear
eal
man
Bakang:
(laughed)Okay
..
.

Wewalkedinandsatont
hechair
s,Duduwas
si
tt
ingonthebedwit
hadriponherar
m...

Doct
or:
(looki
ngatme)I
sshe-
Dudu:
Shei
sokay
..
.
Doctor
:Shet
est
ednegati
vesowearegoi
ngto
putheronmedi
cat
ionr
ightaway
,Igav
eheran
emer gencypil
l
.Itshouldtakecareofanyfunny
businessdownt herebutDuduneedst oseeour
socialworkerbecauseshehast heobvious
signsofdepression,ifwedon'tactonti
me
thingsmightgetwor sesowear ekeepingher
foranightbecauseoursoci al
wor keri
sn'
ti
n
today.
Dudu:
Icancomebackt
omor
row-
Bakang:
Shewil
lspendanight
,you'
renotgoi
ng
nearmydaught
erli
kethat
..
.
Dudu:
It'
sbeenhour
s,I
'
mfi
ne
Bakang:Don'tt
alkoverme,I
'mt r
yingtohel p
you.Doyouhav eanyideawhatcoul dhav e
happenedhadi notdeci
dedtocomeseemy
daughter
?Youcoul dhavebeenpr egnantwitha
str
anger'
sbabyandHI Vposit
ive,doest hat
meanany thi
ngtoyou?
Dudu:
(si
ghed)Iwastr
yingtoreducethecost
s
ofmespendi
nganightinthehospit
alwhenI'
m
notsi
ck
Bakang:
That
'swhati
nsur
ancei
sfor
..
Dudu:
OkayI
'
llspendani
ght
..
..
.
Doct
or:
Iguessi
t'
ssett
ledt
hen.
..(
stoodup)I
'
ll
gi
veyouguysaminut
e..
.

Hewal kedoutt
henBakangwalkedovert
oher
bedholdingmyhandandstoodbehindme
putt
inghisarmsar
oundmywai stasshelooked
atus..
..

Bakang:
Wehav
etogo.
.
Dudu:
(looki
ngatme)Thanks
Me:
You'
rewel
come.
..
Dudu:
Cani
seey
ou.
.Inpr
ivat
e?
Bakang:
(ki
ssedmyneck)
Noat
tacki
ngpat
ient
s
i
nthehospi
tal
Me:
(laughed)Gakebat
e
Dudu:
(laughed)I
bil
ekeat
shoga.
..

Hewalkedoutsi
deandclosedthedoorthen
Dudustoodupandhuggedmewi t
honear m,i
huggedherbackthenshesatdown..
..

Dudu:
Thanksforal
l
owingallt
his,
youdi
dn'
t
havet
o.Ir
eal
lyappreci
atei
t.
..
Me:
You'
rewel
come.
..
Dudu:
Whydi
dyout
ell
meaboutDi
tsame?
Me:Idon'tknowitjustf
eltl
iket
heri
ghtthi
ngto
happen.
..
You'renotworkingandshest
oletoo
muchf r
om you.
Dudu:Il
iedtoyouaboutBakangandmebei
ng
superfi
ne,hegavememoneyj ustt
ohel
pme,
ther
ewasnot hi
ngbetween.
..
Me:
Het
oldme
Dudu: (tearf
ullystari
ngatme)Il oveBakang
Naledi...Thi
si shardf ormetot ell
yousimpl y
becausey ou'r
eawoman.ButI '
llembarrass
my selfandj ustpourmyhear touttoyou...Ilov
e
him, i
fitwaspossi bleiwouldasky outoleav e
him buti understandy oulovehimt oo.Gakeke
i
tsegor enkagot halosetsaj
angwi thout
soundi ngdesper ate..
.Ican'
tevenbel i
eveI '
m
sayingt his.
Me:Iunderst
andwhaty
ouar esay
ing.
..Don'
t
expl
aini
t,i
t'
shardt
oexplai
n..
.
Dudu:
Canwegi
vei
tanot
hert
ry?
Me:Yesbuty
oukeepy
ourhouseandI
'
llkeep
mi
ne.
Dudu:Whataboutjeal
ousy?You'
reagr
eei
ng
nowbutiknowwhenmyt urncomesyou'
l
l
changey
ourmi nd
Me:
(laughed)I
'
llcont
rol
mysel
fthi
sti
me,
iwas
pr
egnantso.
..
Dudu: Iunderstand.
..Butt
her
ewi l
lal
waysbe
thatjealousy
,i t
hinkit
snormalsonotouchi
ng
orkissinginfrontofoneanother
.
Me:(si
ghed)Yesandthi
sti
meit
'sreal
l
ya
secr
et,
Iwon'ttel
lev
enmybestf
riend.
Dudu:
Sameher
e..
.
Me:Andyoubett
ernottr
ykil
li
ngyour
sel
f,I
'
m
notr
eadytobeamot her
,youknowI'
m
l
azy.
..
Pri
ncessokabopamaket al
a
Dudu:(l
aughed)Iwon'
ttr
yanyoftheseagai
n.
I
'm done.(
wesighed)t
hankyou.
..
Me:
Forwhat
?
Dudu:
Forgi
vi
ngt
hisanot
hert
ry.
..
Me:
(smi
l
ed)Let
'sseei
fitwi
l
lwor
k
Dudu:Ar
eyouandMaduobestf
ri
endswi
th
Di
tsame?
Me:Notr
eall
y,sheusedt
obeMaduo'sfr
iend
andwewouldhangtoget
herbutwest
opped
hangi
ngwit
hher.
Dudu:
WhataboutRenei
?
Me:
Not
heyar
enott
hatcl
ose
Dudu:Gaosenagot samay
ashetol
dmeshe
hadascoretosett
lewithy
ouandthatRenei
l
we
tol
dherthatMaduowasgangbanged..
.
Me:
(jawsdr
opped)Shesai
dwhataboutgang?
Dudu:
Itsoundsl
i
keshei
splanni
ngt
o
embarr
assMaduoorsomet
hing
Me:Renei
l
wehasabi
gmout
h,pl
easedon'
ttel
l
any
oneaboutt
hat
.
Dudu:Iwon'
t,I
'mjustt
ell
i
ngy oubecauseIthi
nk
tel
l
ingRenei
lweyoursecretsi
sabadi deasi
nce
shecantel
ltheli
kesofDitsame.
Me:They
'r
enotevencl
osekoorei
ril
eDitsame
ar
edumelaRenei
abemony anaatharol
ogaka
di
phi
ri
.
Dudu:Butdon'
taskherandgetmei
nbet
ween
ever
ythi
ng.
Me:
Iwon'
t.Thanksf
ort
ell
i
ngme.
..Ihav
etogo.
.
Dudu:
Bye.
.So

Wehuggedandsi
ghedst
il
lhuggedupthenwe
l
etgoandawkwar
dlysmi
ledatoneanother
..
..

Dudu:
Thathai
rneedsanot
herhai
rdo.
.
Me:Impr
essthesoci
alworkersothatshecan
r
eleasey
ouoyegontsenyamor i
rimma, monna
otogaatsamayaaberesalareshename
Dudu:(
laughed)Gonemmeoabua, mustr
e
i
tsose.
..Oraagorerekapal
elwakegobaa
monnahaat sher
ele2?
Me:
(laughed)t
aber
eseser
ious,
wenat
swamo
spatela.OnweARVeof ait
hful
l
yidon'twant
anyst ori
esmothowamodi mo.Mabakaame
agodumel adi
lodisel
etsekebohealthyaana
mot engbecausei knowforsur
ehemi ghtcheat
,
i
tmi ghtaswell bewithsomeoneiknowale
carefulkastat
ussagagwe.
Dudu: Atleastyouunder
stand,Itr
iedtoexpl
ain
thattomyf r
iendbuti
yosheexplainedhowlow
mysel f-
esteem wasandhowdesper at
eiwas.
You'dswearweki l
l
edaper son,t
hejudgement
washush
Me:Lennai wasj
udgedmmekanannakea
makala,
thesamepeoplet hinki
ngwear estupi
d
aret
hesamepeoplewhohadaf fai
rswi t
h
marri
edmenandsomear ebei ngcheatedon,
noneofthem i
sper
fect.Tjeydatedanot her
man'swomanatsomepoi ntandsomeoft hem
banakediemomooi tsenghel agorey ourman
hadachildwit
hsoandso, l
ennahaat shele
buaomoi nt
shwar
ela,i
sn'titthesamet hing?
boneibi
lekanait
helabatshogil
ethinki
ngt
he
manwi l
lgoforev
eratleastr
onaweknowhei s
comingbackandwear enotfighti
ngor
anyt
hing.St
atuslesoneresurekasone.
Dudu:
Thiscanonl
ywor
ki fwekeepi
tto
our
sel
ves,l
astt
imewebrokeourownrul
es.
..
Me:Mmehonest l
yI'
mt heonewhost
arted
wenagoney ouwereokay,
youonl
ystar
ted
acti
ngupwhenIwasmessi ngupso.
..
.I'
ll
trymy
bestthi
sti
me.
Dudu:Pl
easedot hat
,nnatot
agakegoile,il
ike
youand.
..(
laughed)t
hisi
sembarr
assing..
..Buti
thi
nkwecanbehappyandmakehi m happy.
Anywaythi
sisgetti
ngweirdweshouldstop
tal
ki
ng
Me:
(laughed)Ihav
etogo.
Dudu:
Bye,
oapeel
emonnawamemma
Me:Ehehdir
aotswemospat
elakewena
madi
pit
sa,
tannaagoj
akogowenaatakogo
nnaakgot
segat
wekeapay
adi
gau.
Dudu:Ot
shameket
serur
i,kaweekendot
ekego
rut
etopr
epar
ehisfav
ouri
temeals.
Me:
Aboont
seny
aweav
emahal
aaker
e?
Dudu:
(laughed)Eewhywoul
dichar
gey
ou.
.
Me:
Okay
,seey
ouonweekend.
Dudu:
Bye.
.

I
nthepar
kingl
ot.
..
..

Iapproachedhi ssi
ster
'scarashewassi t
ti
ng
i
nsidewithanewspaperov erhi
sface,
Igotin
andtooki toffhisf
acetheni l
eanedoverand
ki
ssedhi m...
.

Bakang:
Whati
sthatf
or?
Me:
(smi
l
ed)Forbei
ngy
ou.
..
.Il
ovey
ou.
.
Bakang:
(fr
owned)But
?
Me: I
fy ou'
regoi
ngtocheatonmewheny ou
haveanot herwomanthenI'm goi
ngkil
lyouon
yoursleep..
.Andimeanit,IcandoitwhenI'm
angry(kissedhi
ssoftl
ipsashest ar
edatme)I
l
ovey ou.
Bakang:
Cani r
ever
sethi
swholet
hinganddr
op
Dudu?Cheat
ingsoundssaf
ert
hanthi
s
Me:
(laughed)No
Bakang:
Great
,nowI'
l
lhavet
odumpal
lmyside
chi
ckssoidon'
tsl
eepwit
honeey
eopen.
..
Me:
(laughed)Kegonehel
a..
.

Hedr
oveoutandputhi
shandundermyski
rtas
hedr
ovet
hecar.
..
.

Bakang:
Imi
ssedy
ou.
.
Me:
(sl
owl
yunzi
ppedhi
sjeans)Imi
ssedy
ou
t
oo.
.

Heremovedhisbel
tandl
eapeduppushing
downhispant
sthenhepull
edmeover,Ihel
d
hi
sdickandwarmedhim up.
..
.

Bakang:
(moaned)Mmh.
..Wow.
..
.

Heheldt
hesteer
ingwheelwit
hbot
hhandsand
st
eppedontheaccel
erat
or.
..

AtBakang'
shouse.
..
.

Minutesl
aterhei
mpati
entlywait
edasthegate
sl
idslowl
ythenhedroveinandparkedi
nfront
ofthehouse,Hel
if
tedhisjeansandst
epped
outofthecart
henhecametomysideand
Frenchki
ssedmepull
i
ngoutmypanti
es.
..

Me:
(pant
ing)Idi
dn'
tsl
eepwi
thTr
evor
Bakang:
(ki
ssi
ngmyneck)Iknow.
..
Me:
Howdoy
ouknow?
Bakang:Igavehim avi
sitimmediatel
yafter
gett
ingdischar
gedfrom thehospi
tal.
..
..
Me:
He-

Het ookmeoutoft hecarandleanedme

againstthecarki
ssingmeashi sj
eansf
ellon
hisankles..
.Hesl
idhishandundermydress
andcar essedme,myclit
sspasmedashe
rubbedhi shar
dboneronme...

Me:
BabeIhopey
oudi
dn'
thur
thi
m.
Bakang:(sar
casti
cal
ly)Whywouldihur
thim?
Hei smybestfri
endandit'
stot
all
yokayforhi
m
tobealloveryou.I
t'
sanormalthi
ng,i
thappens
everyti
me.Canwenott al
kaboutthi
syou'r
e
pissi
ngmeof f.
..
..
Me:
Sor
ry.
..
Bakang:(
star
ingatme)Youknowyoushouldn'
t
havebeenoutther
einthef
ir
stpl
ace,
right
?
Me:Yes.
..Iknowbabe..(car
essedhi
schest
apol
oget
icall
y)Iknow.
...

Hekissedmeandstrokedhimsel
fst
ari
ngatme
thenheturnedmear
oundpushingmyfaceon
thecarthenhesl
i
dinasi f
rownedhol
dingt
he
carti
ghtl
y..
..
.

Me:
(moani
ng)Ohh.
..
..
..
..Canwegeti
nsi
de?
Bakang:
No,
thescr
eenwal
li
senough.
..
..
Hehel
dmydressintoaknotabov
emyback
andst
art
edt
hrust
ing..
..
..
.
Co-
wif
e
#34

Atmyhouse.
..

Lat
eroniwal
kedbacknakedeat
inganappl
e
andsatonhi
stummy.il
eanedoverandki
ssed
hi
m ashehel
dmywai st
..
.

Me:
Sot
ell
mehowy
ouar
egoi
ngt
odoi
t?
Bakang:
Whatdoy
oumean?
Me:
Letherdowneasi
l
y..
.
Bakang:Idon'
tknow,
I'
ll
figur
esomet
hingout
.
Sheneedst i
me..
.
Me:
Alr
ight
..
.

Il
aidnexttohi
m,hegent
lycar
essedmybut
t
andkissedmyfor
ehead.
..

Bakang:
I'
m goi
ngt
oGabst
omor
row.
..
Me:
Tomor
row?Wej
ustgotbackt
oget
her
..
.
Bakang:IknowmylovebutIal
sohav
etowor
k.
Myclient
sarecomplai
ning
Me:
Cani
comewi
thy
ou?
Bakang:
I'
ll
bewor
kingt
heent
ir
eti
mewhi
l
eI'
m
ther
e.
Me:I'
l
lwaitf
oryoui
ny ourhouse,howl
ongwil
l
youbegone?Mybrotheri
sgetti
ngmarri
edyou
meany ouwon'
tbeatthewedding?
Bakang:
Idon'tt
hinkAbal
engwil
lbehappyt
o
seemet her
ebutI'
m pl
anningt
ogoforyou.
Me:
War
eoboal
eng?
Bakang:
I'
ll
begonef
or4day
s
Me:Mmekanankatsaamalat
sibecauseIst
il
l
havemyl
eaveday
s,I'
l
lpat
ient
lywaitf
oryouat
homeunt
ily
ou'
redoneint
heoffi
ce.
Bakang:
ThenI '
l
lbeunderpressur
etof
ini
shoff
,
I
'l
lbeback.Scoobywil
lkeepyoucompany.
..
Me:
It'
sadog.
..
Bakang:(
laughed)It
houghty
ousai
d..(
imi
tat
ing
myv oi
ce)
"It'
snotjustadogi
t'
saJackRussel
l"
.
Me:
(laughed)What
ever
Bakang:
(ki
ssedmyt
ummy
)Myboywi
l
lkeep
youbusy.
..
Me: I
'
m gett
ingmor
ningaft
erstomor
rowandas
soonasIgetmyperi
odI'm goi
ngtogett
he
i
njecti
on.
Bakang:
Whywoul
dyoudot
hat
?
Me:I
'
m notreadyf
oranot
herbaby,
it'
stoosoon
andI
'
m notsurewher
ewe'regoi
ng.
Bakang:
Arey
ouser
ious?Sor
aat
shameka?
Me:Yes,Iwoul
dn'
twantourbabytobecaught
upint
hissit
uat
ionthewayPri
ncessisr
ight
now.
Bakang:
Thenwhyam i
hav
ingsexwi
thy
ou?
Me:HeeBakang,
areyoual
i
ondoy
ouonl
yhav
e
sext
omakeababy ?
Bakang:I'
m ser
iousNal
edi
..
.It
houghtwear
e
tr
yingforaboy.
Me: Wehav eneverdiscussedthatandI
'm not
ready.I'
l
lhaveababywhenI '
m surewherethi
s
i
sgoi ng,fornowI'
mj ustwatchi
ngwherewear e
headed.I'l
lconsi
derhavingababyonceDudui s
outofourl i
ves.
Bakang:
Iwantababy
..
.
Me:
Babey
ouhav
ePr
incess,
shei
sst
il
lababy
i
t'
snotl
i
keshei
stoool
d.
Bakang:Sowear
enotgoi
ngt
ohav
eachi
l
d
becauseihav
eachi
l
d?
Me:Wewill
,eventual
lybutnotsosoon,Iwant
toenj
oyuskanawehav en'
treal
lydat
edBeardo
youknowthat
?(touchedhischin)iwantt
o
enj
oymyyouthbef or
ei canbeamot her
.
Bakang:
(si
ghed)You'
reri
ght
..
.Tell
youwhat.
..
(smil
edandki
ssedme)Talktoyourbossand
l
etmeknowsot hatIcanbuyyourti
cket
s.
Me:(smil
ed)Ti
cket
s?Li
kef
li
ghtt
icket
s?For
f
lyi
ng..
.?
Bakang:
(laughed)Yes
Me:(smiledemot ional
l
y )Babepleasedon'
tjoke
l
ikethat.
..I'
m goingtotellev
eryonethatI
'
llbe
f
lyi
ngf orthefir
sttime.
..Don'tmakemeal iar
Bakang:
(laughed)Youhav
enev
erbeenont
he
ai
r?
Me:
No
Bakang:(
laughed)Wel
ll
et'
scal
litav
acat
ion
butyou'
renotall
owedtodi
stur
bmewhenI '
m
worki
ng.
Me:
(huggedhi
m)Iwon'
t,
I'
ll
behav
e..
.Il
ovey
ou
Bakang:
Ilov
eyout
oo.
..

Hel
aidonhist
ummyandf
acedmeasi
lai
don
myback.
..

Bakang:
Kegobol
elel
esengwe?
Me:
Yeah
Bakang:Ihav
enev
erbeenslappedbyawoman
befor
e,evenmymothernev
erlai
dherhandon
me.
Me:(smiledandcov
eredmyfacewithboth
hands)Iknowwherethi
sisgoi
ng.
..Isai
diwas
sor
ry
Bakang: (pul
ledmyhandsof fmyf aceand
smiled)That '
snotwher eI'
m going..
.Ikeep
thi
nkingy oumi ghthavebeenr eall
yhur tfory ou
todot hatbecausey ouhav eneverputy ourfoot
downt hewayy oudid.I'
m sorryforevery t
hingi
saidtoy ou,iwasbitterandi wantedtot ransf er
mypai nt oyou.Thef actt
hatIment ionedal l
thosethingsdoesn'tmeany ouilovey oul ess.
I'
mv erysor r
y..
.
Me:
(si
ghed)
KissmeandI
'
llf
orgi
vey
ou.
..

Hesmi
l
edandki
ssedme.
..
.

AtTuel
o'
shouse.
..
.

Hest
eppedoutoft
heshowerdr
yinghimself
wi
thatowel
andwalkednakedt
ot hecouch
wherehesatdownchangedt hechannel
s,t
here
wasn'
tanyt
hingint
erest
ing.Heopenedhis
l
aptopandcli
ckedonhiscrimedocumentari
es
t
henheleanedbackandwat ched.
..

Thir
tyminut
esintot
heepisodehesmil
edata
romanti
csceneandpauseditbef
orei
tgot
brut
al.
..

Hesmi
l
edanddi
aledMaduo'
snumber
..
..

AtMaduo'
shouse.
..
.

Meanwhi
leshefi
nishedi
roni
ngherclot
hesfor
t
henextdayatworkandhungthem onthe
i
roni
ngboard,
herphonerang.
..
Shesmiledbi
ti
ngherl
owerl
i
pandl
aidont
he
couch.
..

Maduo:
Hel
l
o?
Tuel
o:Hi
,iacci
dental
lydi
aledy
ournumber
,i
di
dn'
tmeant ocal
lyou.
Maduo:
(laughed)I
sthatso?Howar
eyou?
Tuel
o:I
'
m good.
..Howar
eyou?
Maduo:
I'
m okayi
guess.
..
Tuel
o:Iwasjustt
hinki
ngabouty
ou,
idi
dn'
t
haveanyt
hingimport
antt
osay.
Maduo:I'
m gl
adyoucall
ed.
..Sowher
eisyour
gi
rl
fr
iend?Younevert
oldmeabouther.
Tuelo:Exgir
lf
ri
end..
.Itdi
dn'
twor
kout
..
.She
cheated,whataboutyou?
Maduo:It
'shardtofi
ndast abl
eman,
ijumped
f
rom r
elati
onshiptor
elat
ionshi
pandfi
nal
ly
decidedtotakeabreakfr
om men.
.Ihav
ebeen
singl
ef orawhil
e.Whatdoyouwanti
na
relat
ionshi
p?
Tuelo: Iwantali
fepart
ner,someonewhowi l
l
under standmeandi canunderstandher ,
someonewhowi l
lfi
ghtforourrelat
ionship
hol
dingmyhand.Someonewhowi l
lbearmy
chi
ldrenonceIhav emar ri
edher.Idon'twant
chi
ldrenbef or
egetti
ngmar ri
ed.Ihadar ough
upbringingsoiwantnothingbutthebestf ormy
chi
ldren.
Maduo:That'
sinter
esti
ng,Ihadi
trought
oo
t
hat'
swhyi sti
ll
don'thaveachil
datmyage,I
'm
t
ooscaredi won'
tbeabletogivemychil
dthe
r
ightki
ndoflif
e.
Tuel
o:Atl
easty
ouunder
standt
hatl
i
ttl
efear
..
.
Gaeshapo.
Maduo:
Yeah,
Sohowmanyki
dsdoy
ouwant
?
Tuel
o:It
hink2boy
swi
l
ldoandmay
beagi
rli
f
t
her
eisanot
herov
aryl
eft
Maduo:
(laughed)Whati
sitwi
thmenandboy
s?
Tel
lme
Tuel
o:Wear etooscar
ed,it'
sjustthefearof
howdoi corr
ectl
yrel
atetomydaught er,shei
s
agir
l.
..
.butaboy?well
..
.It
'seasy,heisyour
buddy
Maduo:
Buti
t'
snotdi
ff
erent
Tuel
o:Iknow,i
t'
snotdif
ferent
.Ihav eseenguy
s
whoonlyhavedaught
ersrelat
et othem j
ust
fi
nebutiguesskementali
tyhela,gapeobuwa
engtot
a?Lonabasadil
er atabanyana
Maduo:(
laughed)GoneobuannetebutIwoul
d
st
il
lbeequall
yhappyifi
t'
saboy.
Tuelo:
What
'syourdr
eam,rel
ati
onshi
pwi
se.
.O
el
etsagoi
ponaodiraeng?
Maduo:Iwoul
dliketotr
avelt
hiscountr
y,idon'
t
knowBotswana.Iwanttovi
sitt
heplaces
tour
istscr
ossoceansf
orandi
lov
etaki
ng
pict
ures.
Tuelo:(
laughed)Myfri
endsandiplanned
vacati
on,iwantyoutocomebutify ou'
resti
ll
notcomf ort
ablei
t'
sokay,wewil
ltr
av el
alone.
Maduo:
Iwoul
dn'
tmi
ndanyoft
hose.
Tuel
o:Al
ri
ght
,letmenotkeepy
ouupunt
ill
ate.
Maduo:
Thanksf
orcal
l
ing.
Tuel
o:Goodni
ght
..

Hehungupandcont
inuedwat
chi
nghi
s
docci
es.
.…

AtTr
evor
'shouse.
..

Heswit
chedoffthet
vandlai
dinbed,
hetossed
andt
urnedunt
ilhegotupagai
nandwatchedtv
thoughi
twasn'
ti
nter
est
ing.Hedi
aledTemo'
s
number.
..

Temo:
Hel
l
o?
Tr
evor
:Yeah,
orobet
se?
Temo:
No,
war
eng?
Trevor
:Canyoutal
ktoBakangf
orme,
re
kopanerebuekgangehel
e?
Temo: Idon'tthinkthingswil
l ev
erbet hesame
again,Idi
dn'tevent hinkhewoul dleaveyou
untouchedsoi t
hinkr econci
l
iati
oni sj
ust
pushingit,
Bakanggaakakeagoi t
shwarelaleha
rekabecha.Youknowhenev erforgav
eSt ev
en
andi understand,thereareli
nesy oudon'tcr
oss
asaf ri
endnomat terhowmuchy ouare
tempted.Iwoul dn'tforgi
veyouei t
her.
Tr
evor
:Iunder
stand,
goshapo.
..
..
Att
hehospi
tal
.
...
.

Thenextmorni
ngDuduspental
mostanhouri
n
thecounsel
l
or'
sof
fi
ce.
..

Her :
It ot al
lyunderstandt hatbutdoy ouknow
thatjustbecausey ouhav eachi l
dwi thaman
doesn' tmeany ou'llendupmar r
yinghi m?( Dudu
rubbedherey essni ff
ing)doy ouknowt hat
everywomanorshoul dIsayev eryonewhoi s
goingt hroughabr eakupal way st hi
nksi t
'sthe
end...Askany onewhodi dn'tmar ryt
heirfirst
l
ov e,theywi l
ltel
ly out heycr i
edwhensoandso
l
eftthem. .
.Inall
theseoccasi onst heythoughti t
wast heendbutt heyst i
llfoundhappi nessaf t
er
andset tleddown. .
.Theyl ookbackandwonder
whatt heywer esmoki ngcr y
ingf orsomeone
l
iket hat .Learntobepat i
ent..
..Stressmakes
youbel ieveeverythingmusthappenr ightnow. .
.
Kooreobat al overightnow, obat any aloright
nowespeci allybecausesoci etypr essuri
ses
woment obemar riedbefore30y earsoldbuti
wanty outounder st andthatittakest i
met o
buil
dsomet hingbeaut i
fulandI tstart
swi t
h
acceptingthingsy oucan'tchange.I faman
doesn'tlov
ey outheni tmightbet imet oleav e,
rat
hery ouspend2y earssingleandf indagood
mant hanspendt her estofyourl i
femi serable
kanajang?
Dudu:
You'
l
lnev
erunder
stand.
Her:
Makemeunder
stand,
that
'
swhywear
e
her
e..
.
Dudu:IloveBakang, ionl
ylovehim...Andidon'
t
knowwhati swr ongwi t
hmebuti have
unbeli
evablefantasi
esabouthim.Youwi l
l
probabl
ythinkI'
m af r
eak..Iam embar r
assedto
evenadmi ti
t.
.
Her
:Any
thi
ngy
out
ell
mewi
l
lremai
n
conf
ident
ial
,youcant
rustme.
..
Dudu:
It'
sar
eal
l
ysi
ckt
hing
Her
:Sur
pri
seme.
..
Dudu: Ifantasiseabouthim hav i
ngsexwi th
anotherwomanwhi l
eiwatchhim. .
.Ialso
fantasiseabouthav i
ngsexwi t
hhi m and
anotherwoman. ..f
orthatmomenti j
ustpicture
my selfandanot herwomandoi ngallsort
sof
thi
ngs.Thi ngsl i
kesharinghismanhoodasi f
i
t'salol l
i
pop, himtakingitoutofherandput t
ing
i
tinsideme, goingbackandf ourthaswebot h
moanhel pl
essl y
Her:(si
ghedandt ookoffherspecsrubbi
ngher
eyes)Okaythisisbyfarthemostshocking
thi
ngi haveeverheard.
..
.(shookherhead)I
'm
j
ustacounsel l
ormay beyouneeda
psychologi
st.
Dudu:
(laughed)Real
l
y?
Her
:(l
aughed)I
'
m ki
ddi
ng.
..
.Butwow.
..Thi
sis
soweird,
thi
sexplai
nswhyyoudon'
tmind
shar
inghim wi
thher.Doy
ouevergetj
eal
ous?
Dudu: Notr eall
y,Het urnsmeonwhenhe
kissesbot hofus. .
.onet i
mei heardthem having
sexandi washor ny ,
i j
ustwantedt ogetinthere
andgiv eittohim. .(t
hecounsel l
orlookedather
speechlessly)Ifeel l
ikeI'
mr eal
lysickbecausei
don'thateher ,il
ov eherbutofcour seIpretend
tobenor mal whenIt alktoherabouthim, I
'
m
notjealousandi woul dn'
tmindbeingherf r
iend.
Her
:Don'
tyouwi
sht
obemar
ri
ed?
Dudu: Idobutit'
snotapr ior
it
ymay beit'
s
becauseofal otdivorceshappening,i
feelli
ke
marri
edpeopl earen'tashappyast heypretend
tobewhent heyareinfrontoftheunmarried
people.AslongasI '
m happyI '
mf i
ne.
Her:
Tell
memor
eaboutt
hesedar
kfant
asi
es
youhav
e..
Dudu:
Ijustwi
shIcoul
dseehi
m hav
ingsex
wit
hanotherwomanj usttoseehowhedoesi
t
wit
hotherpeople.
..
..
healsohasdar
kfant
asi
es,
heneverreal
lyt
oldmebutt hewayhehassex
i
sdiff
erent.
..
Her
:How?
Dudu:Heenjoysmaki ngy ouuncomfortable
duri
ngsex,gaatsidi
di andheisunpredictabl
e.
Heishidi
ngthefactthatheenj oyssadism
behi
ndhim chokingawomanwhenhesl eeps
wit
hher..
.Heisasadi st,yeahthat
'stheright
wordtouse.
Her
:(si
ghedi
ndi
sbel
i
ef)Thi
sisdeep.
..
Dudu:Doy out
hinkt
her
eisanywomanwho
feel
sthewayido?Imeanwitht
hesame
fant
asies?
Her:(t
otal
l
yblank)Kejemil
eti
ng..
.Gakena
kgang..
.It
hinkI
'l
lhavetoconsul
tmyment or
,is
thatokaywit
hyou?
Dudu:
Yes.
..
Her:I
'
lltal
ktoher,
shehasover20years
exper
ienceandsheisapsychol
ogi
st,shemi
ght
beveryhelpf
ul.
Dudu:
(smi
l
ed)
Okay
..
..
.

Atmyof
fi
ce.
..
.

Lat
ert
hatmor
ningil
eftt
heof
ficeandj
umped
i
nmycar,myphoner
angasirever
sedthecar
..
.

Me:
Hel
l
o?
Maduo:Iknockedoffearl
y,Ij
ustgothome,
skagompatakot i
rongakereneorewampata
Me:
Yeah,
I'
ll
bet
her
e.I
sRenei
alr
eadyt
her
e?
Maduo:
Noty
et,
keengnewenaont
shosa?
Me:
It'
snot
hing,
seey
ouwhenIgett
her
e..
.
Ihungupanddr
oveof
f.
..

Att
hehospi
tal
.
...

Awhil
elat
erDudugoti
nthecar
,Bakangl
eaned
ov
erastheymethal
fwayandki
ssed.
..

Bakang:
Hi.
..
Dudu:
Wher
eisNal
edi
?
Bakang:
Atwor
k,why
?
Dudu:
Not
hing,
ithoughty
ou'
dcomewi
thher
Bakang:
(rev
ersed)Howar
eyouf
eel
i
ng?
Dudu:Bett
er,mycounsel
l
orr
efer
redmetoa
psychol
ogist
.Shewil
lcal
lmewit
hthet
ime.
Bakang:That
'sgood..
.Howwasi
t?Ihav
enev
er
beencounsel
ledbefore
Dudu:I
t'
sjustl
i
ket al
kingtoafri
endexcepty ou
don'
tgetj
udged,label
ledoranything.
..Andy ou
don'
thavetoworryaboutwhatt heywi l
lthi
nkof
youify
outoldthem yourdeepestrevelati
ons.
Bakang:Creepy,i
wouldn'
tdothat.
..Igoty
ou
food,f
igur
edy oumightbehungry
.
Dudu:
(opened)Veggi
es?Sal
ads?What
'st
his?
Bakang:That'
sforNal
edi
shei
sonadi
et,
check
theotherpl
asti
c
Dudu:
Ohi
foundi
t.
.
Bakang:
I'
m goi
ngt
oGabska2pm
Dudu:
Whenar
eyoucomi
ngback?
Bakang:
4-5day
sfr
om now
Dudu:(si
ghed)It
houghtI
'
llspendt
imewi
tht
his
weekend.
Bakang:
Wewi l
lspendt
imetogetherwheni
comeback.
..Focusonyourmeds.
Dudu:
Okay
..
.

Minuteslaterhepar
kedatherhouseandthey
st
eppedout ,
sheunl
ockedthedoorandthey
walkedin..
.

Heputhi shandsint
hepocketsassheputher
handbagdownandputherar msar oundhi
s
neckkissinghim,
hekissedherbackandheld
hercl
oserbyt hewai
st..
.

Dudu:
Thanksf
orcar
ing.
.
Bakang:
(smi
led)Any
time.
..(
star
ingi
nherey
es)
Ketsamayal
eNaledi
Dudu:
Oh
Bakang:
Yeah
Dudu:
Enj
oyy
our
sel
ves
Bakang:
Arey
ouhur
t?
Dudu:
Ali
tt
lebi
t.
..
Bakang:
Sor
ry

Hel
eanedov
erandki
ssedher
..
.

Bakang:I
'
llbr
ingyousomethi
ngyou'l
lli
keand
I
'l
lcal
lyouevery2hourswhenI'
m attheoff
ice.
Dudu:
(smi
l
ed)That
'sal
lineed.
..
Bakang:
(checkedhi
sti
me)Ihav
etogo.
..
Dudu:
Bye,
trav
elsaf
ely
Bakang:
Iwi
l
l.
..
.

Shesmi
l
edandwav
edathi
m ashedr
oveout
..
..

AtMaduo'
shouse.
..
..
Lat
ert
hataft
ernoonIpar
kedt
hecarandhurri
ed
i
n,MaduoandReneil
wewerefr
yingsomet
hing
spi
cyi
nthekit
chen..
..

Me:
Mmhhhh.
..I
sthatf
ri
edf
ish.
..Wow
Renei
:(smi
l
ed)Yeslov
eandy
ou'
rer
ightont
ime,
I
'mjustwar
mingit
Maduo:
(looki
ngatme)Wowy
oul
ookgor
geous,
what
'st
heoccasi
on?
Me:
I'
m goi
ngt
oGabor
onewi
thBakang.
Maduo:
Backt
oget
heragai
n?
Renei:
Ihopetherei
snopol
ygamy,Thatt
hisis
di
rtyandforpeopl
ewit
hlowsel
f-
esteem i
ssues
Me:(star
ingather)Peoplesl
eptwit
hmar r
ied
men,isn'
titthesamething?Kamonnay oo
ny
etsengi bi
l
eosur egoreeneojabolot
okogo
wi
feybutpeopl est
il
lsl
eepwi t
hthem t
hent ur
n
aroundandsaypol ygamyisforpeopl
ewithlow
self
-esteem issues.Kelowself
-est
eem hel
a
gaodumel agosheer amonnagaoj el
amosadi
yomongwemonnagonekeeng?conf i
dence?
Becausei tsoundst hesametomei bi
lemaking
anotherwomancr yaboutherhusbandis
cursi
ngy ourself,
that'
swhypeopleendupwi th
abusiveboy f
riends.

Ther
ewassil
enceasReneil
ookedatme,i
di
dn'
tev
enreali
seIwastal
ki
ngforsolong.
..

Maduo: Well.
..Idi
dn'tsleepwithamar r
iedman
nordidIsleepwi t
hany one'sboy f
ri
endsoihav
e
thefr
eedom t osayi hatepolygamyandI '
l
l
neveragreetoshar emyboy f
riend.
Me:Okay,under
standabl
eandI'm notshari
ng
Bakang.Anywaythat
'snotwhyIaskedy outo
meet.Renei
lweyou'r
enotbeingagoodf ri
end
tous.
..Thefactt
hatoresiamet
seisnotenough
i
fyou'
regoingtogoar oundspr
eadi
ngour
embarrassi
ngsecret
s.
Maduo:
Whatar
eyout
alki
ngabout
?
Me:Shet
oldDit
sameaboutt
hatgangr
apeand
Di
tsamei
sspreadi
ngi
tinMaun.
Renei
l
we:
Aobat
ho,
idi
dn'
tputi
tli
ket
hat
..
.
Me: Howdidy ouputi
t?Youweren'
tsupposed
t
oputi toutthere,i
twassupposedtostayin
yourheartforever
.
Maduo:
(tear
ful
l
y)Renei
l
we?
Me:
(Bakangpaged)Guysihav
etogo,
Bakang
i
swait
ingatt
heairpor
t.
..

IhuggedMaduoasshequi
etl
yrubbedher
tear
s..
..
Me:I'
l
l cal
lyouMaduo.( walkedaway)Bye
Renei
lwe..
..(paused)Duoscany oudropmeat
theai
rportandr et
urnthecarhome?
Maduo:
Yeah.
..
.

Maduoglar
edatherandshookherhead
wal
kingout
..
..

Att
heai
rpor
t.
..
..
..

Minutesl
atersheparkedthecarthenist
epped
outasthewindblewmyweav e,i
pushedit
asi
deandt ookoffmyshadesasBakang
walkedovertothecar.
..

Helookedlikeagentlemani
nhiswhit
eshir
t
andblackjacket.
..Heact
ual
l
ylookedbet
teri
n
for
mal wear..
..
Bakang:You'
rel
ate,
Ithoughty
ouchangedy
our
mind..
.
Me:
Noway
..
.(wav
edatMaduo)By
e

Shewav edatBakangashegr
eet
edhert
hen
shedroveoff.Hehel
dmyhandandl
edmein
theai
rport
..
.

Bakang:
Arey
our
eady
?
Me:
(smi
l
ed)Yeah.
..

Wejoinedthechecki
nqueuehol
ding
hands…..
..
..(
9t)

Alway
sremembertoLikethei
nser
tsevent
he
oneswit
hlessdr
ama/acti
on.Muchlov
e
Co-
wif
e
#35

AtMaduo'
shouse.
..

Maduowalkedinandj
oinedRenei
l
weont
he
couchwhereshewaswatchi
ngtv.
..
.

Renei
l
we:
Canwet
alk?
Maduo:Whatdoyouwantt otalkabout
?You
al
readyr
uinedmyreputat
ion,
y ouknowDit
same
kemadikganggadil
ale
Reneil
we: Iacci
dent al
l
yment i
oneditwhenImet
herankopamadi soilostmyt emperandtol
d
heroff.Iwasemot i
onal becauseIcouldtel
lshe
didn'
tunderstandhowhert heftaf
fect
edtoyou
twothatnight,itoldhert hatifIwasherIwould
l
ivewiththegui l
tknowi ngt hatafri
endmight
hav ebeenr apedbecauseofmet henshesai d
"ohy oumeant hosef ourguy s?Comeon, i
t's
notabi gdeal ."sincei di dn'ttellherany thing
aboutt heguy si assumedy out oldhersi nce
yout woar ecl ose, igotangr ygor eshet hinks
rapei snotabi gdeal ,agangr apef ort hat
mat tersoi reallyst ar
tedt el
li
ngherof fgor e
gaanapel o, howcanshet alkabouti tli
kei t
's
nothing, shekeptqui etandt hensai duhuso
shel i
edt omesay i
ngshewasal mostr aped
wheni ndeedshenwasr aped, bytheni twast oo
l
at eforme.Ibeggedhernott osayany thingt o
any one.I'm sor ryf orget tingt ooinv olvedand
messi ngupbuti cannev erintentionallydot hat
toy ou.Iknowt hiswi llspoi lourr elati
onshi p,i
meanNal edi doesn' ttrustmeany mor ebecause
itoldherbr otherherconf ident i
al i
nformat ion
andnowy ou.
Maduo:
Huhit
'sokay
,iunder
standnow...
Any
onecoul
dhavesaidi
tinthatscenar
io.
Reneil
we:Idon'
twantt oloseyouguys,
I'
m
abouttogetmarriedandi needyoubymyside.
Youhav eal
waysbeent hereformewheni was
confusedandselfdist
rusti
ng,If
inal
l
ymadeit
andi wantt
ocelebratewithyoutwo.
Maduo: I
'
llexpl
aini
ttoNal edi
,keat l
haloganya
j
aanong,youmadeami stakey ouwer en'
t
gossi
ping.Youwerelookingoutf orme, lennaI
wouldbeof f
endedifsomeonesai dthatkesa
i
tsetheothersideofthestory.
Renei
l
we:
(tear
ful
l
y)For
giv
emepl
ease.
..
Maduo:(
huggedher)Stopfeeli
ngbad.
..
.Now
you'
remaki
ngmef eelbad..
.Youmadet hi
s
mist
akebecausey
oucar ed.
...
..

Att
hepsy
chol
ogi
st.
..
.

Lat
ert
hataf
ter
noont
hepsy
chol
ogi
stwat
ched
Duduassheexpl
ainedhersel
fagainandl
eaned
backput
ti
ngherhandstogether
..
.

Her: I
t'
snot hingnewt omeandnoi don'tt hi
nk
you'reafreak, you'reper f
ectlyfi
ne, al otof
womenhav edifferentdar kfantasiesbutonl y
10per centoft hem wi l
ladmitort ellthenext
person.Onl y6per centwi l
lactuall
ymaket hat
fantasyar ealit
y,ther estwillkeepi tunder
controlbecauset heyar eafraidoft he
outcomesorbei ngj udgedbyt henextper son.
ThisisinAf ri
cabecausei ncount ri
esl ike
Amer icawomenar efreetoexpr esst hemsel ves
sexuallywithoutsomuchhushj udgement ,t
hey
havear easy oucanv i
sitt
ol i
vey ourf antasyand
thengobackt oy ourlifebutAf r
icaisamuch
toughercrowd.I '
llgiveacommonexampl e...
.i
n
publicallwomenwi llbashawomanwhoi s
havinganaf f
airwi thamar r
iedmanbutt urn
aroundandhav eanaf fai
rwithanot hermar r
ied
mani nsecr et.Ifeveryonewassoperfect
famil
ieswoul dn'tbreakbecausedi
vorceemen
aren'
tdivorcingt obegay ,manyofthem are
divor
cingfort heot herwomanandohi t
helael
e
goretheyhav echildrenwit
hinthei
rhomes.Not
everyoneisasper fectaswet hi
nksodon'tbe
hardony our self.
Dudu: (
sighedinrel
ief
)ThankGod, i
thought
you'
llsayI'm madbecausethatcounsel
lorwas
real
l
yf reakedout.
Her:
Butihav
et oaskt
his,
haveyouev
erf
eltl
i
ke
t
hisbef
oreBakangmetNaledi
?
Dudu:
No
Her:
Areyousur
ethi
sisreal
l
yyourf
ant
asyor
youthi
nki
t'
swhatBakangwant
s?
Dudu:
It'
smi
ne.
.
Her
:Thenhowcomey
ounev
erf
eltt
hatway
bef
ore?
Dudu: Idon' tknowbuti l
i
kedNal edithemi nutei
sawher ,wet al
kedandshei sani ceperson.
Shenev ertriedtof i
ghtmef orBakangl ikemost
womenwoul ddoandI 'mr eall
ypr oudofher .
Shehasherf l
awsandwear guedbef orebut
funnyenoughwecanmakeupeasi ly,shecan
benicet omeev eni fsheishur t.Theot hertime
itol
dheri waswi thBakangandwer ef i
ne,i
couldtel lshewascr yingbutshest il
l
maintainedaci vilconv er
sation.Thenextday
shesawawomanwhooncest olefrom meand
shehel pedme, it
hinkshel i
kesmet oo.
Her
:(si
ghed)Woul
dyouki
ssNal
edi
?
Dudu:
Ifhewant
sandi
fshedoesn'
tmi
nd,
yes.
..
Her:Howdoy
out
hinkshewi
l
lreacti
fyou
ki
ssedher
?
Dudu:(
laughed)Notgood.
..Shewil
lbe
di
sgusted,shewil
lpr
obabl
yhat emebutif
Bakangtol
dhertoletmedoi t,
shemightagr
ee.
Shel
oveshi
mli
keIdo.
Her
:Doy
out
hinky
ou'
rebi
sexual
?
Dudu: Idon'tknow,ihavenev erfel
tabouta
womant hewayIf eelaboutNal ediandireal
l
y
appreciatedherbeingnicetomewheni hurt
her.Sheal wayssmi l
esandf acesaway
awkwar dlywheni stareather.
Her
:Thatsoundsv
erybi
sexual
.
..
Dudu:
Ift
hat
'swhaty
ouwantt
ocal
li
t
Her
:Whatdoy
oudoal
lday
?
Dudu:
Itakecar
eoft
hebaby
Her
:You'
renotwor
king?
Dudu:
No
Her:Whatdidyoudobef
oreyougotpr
egnantor
gotbacktoget
herwit
hBakang?
Dudu:Ii
mportedhai
randhai
rproduct
sfrom
sout
hAfricaandsol
dtopeopl
ebothbulkand
i
ndi
vi
dual
s.
Her
:Whydi
dyoust
op?
Dudu:
Bakangwast aki
ngcar
eofev
ery
thi
ngand
iwasti
redofhust
li
ng
Her:
Whatar eyougoingtodotomakemoney ?
Don'
tyouthinkyou'
llneedmoneytopayrent
,
buygrocer
iesandtakecareofyour
sel
f?
Dudu:
Ido.
.
Her
:Howmuchofy
ourst
ockdoy
ouhav
enow?
Dudu:
Ithi
nkhal
f,Nal
edi
helpedmegetmoney
fr
om t
heladywhohadtr
iedtoscam me.
Her:Ournextappointmenti
snextweekbut
whenwecomebacki wantyout oshowme
howmanyweav esy ousol
dorhowmany
customersyouhelped.Yourtuskthi
sweekisto
revi
veyourbusiness.Doyouthinkyoucando
that
?
Dudu:
I'
m goodatsel
l
ing,
I'
ll
doi
t.
Her:
Whenl astdi
dyouappl
yforaj
obofy
our
qual
if
icat
ions?
Dudu:
Idon'
t,
theynev
ercal
lmef
ori
nter
views.
Her:That'syoursecondt uskf ortheweek, I
wanty out oupdat eyourCVandmakecopi esof
yourID,iwanty outosear chal lt
hecompani es
hir
ingarchitectsandsav etheiraddr esses.
Calcul
atehowmuchi twillcosttosendeach
andev er
ycompanyy ourappl ication.Bri
ngmea
softcopyofy ourcoverlettersot hatIcangeta
fr
iendtor eviewi t
,I'
l
lusemyof fi
cepr int
erto
pri
ntallthecopi esyouneedf ort hose
appli
cati
onsandy ou'
llsendt hem.
Dudu:
Iwon'
tgethi
red,
itr
ied
Her:Aft
erapply
ingforyourquali
fi
edpost,
we
wil
lstartf
ocusi
ngonot herli
tt
lepost
sthatdon'
t
necessari
l
yneedy ourdegree.
Dudu:
Okay
..
.
Her
:Soy
ouhav
etwot
usks,
ify
ouf
oll
owmy
i
nstructi
onsyou'l
lbesurpri
sedhowmuch
thi
ngswi l
lchange.Idon'tl
i
kecli
entswhotake
myt usksseri
ouslybecauseitmakesmelook
bad.Goandf ocusont hesetwoandwewilltal
k
moreaboutNal ediandBakangnextweek.
Dudu:I
'
lldot
hem,
ihav
enopr
obl
em f
oll
owi
ng
i
nstr
ucti
ons.
…

AtGabor
one.
..
.

Lat
eratt
wil
ightwewal
kedi
nar
est
aur
antand
hadourmeals.
..

Bakang:(checkedhisphone)Don'
tfor
gett
o
orderanothertakeawaywhenweleavesowe
caneatbef or
ebedt ime.
..
Me:
I'
ll
cook
Bakang:
wewi
l
lbest
ayi
ngi
naguesthouse.
..
Me:It
houghtwewil
lbestay
ingaty
ourhouse,
di
dn'
tyousayyouhaveahouse?
Bakang:I
'm sharing,y
oudidn'
tthi
nkI'
dhav
ea
houseall
tomy selfwhenist
ayinMaunmostof
themonthdidy ou?Myr oommat esay
shehasa
visi
tor
.
Me:
Younev
ersai
dany
thi
ngaboutshar
ing
Bakang:
Wewi
l
luseguesthouse.
..
Me: Canweatl
eastpassbysot
hatIcansee
yourroom?
Bakang:(
sighedandsi
ppedadri
nk)Seewhyi
di
dn'twantyoutocomeinthef
ir
stpl
ace?
Me:
Why
?
Bakang:Becausey
ouquestionever
ythi
ngi t
ell
you,i
t'
sabitaexhaust
ing.Don'
tdothat.
..
Me:
Sor
ry.
..
Iputmyf
orkdownandl
eanedback.
..

Bakang:Fi
nishyourf
oodsowecango.
..(
stood)
ShouldIor
derthesamethi
ng?
Me:
BBQ

Hewal kedtothecountertheniemptiedmy
pl
ateont henexttabl
easpeopl ewhower e
si
tt
ingnexttousleft,
ilickedthespoonashe
walkedbackandsatdown. .
..
.

Bakang:
Ist
her
eany
thi
ngy
ouwantt
obuy
befor
ewego?
Me:
(smi
l
ed)Any
thi
ng?
Bakang:(
count
edfiv
eP200not
esandputt
hem
i
nfrontofme)Yeah.
.
Me:
Thanks.
..Iwantt
ogetcl
othesandshoes.
..
.
Bakang:Don'
ttaket
oolong,Ihavetocol
l
ect
off
icekeysfr
om acoll
eague,i
t'
slat
e..

Minutesl
aterwewalkedoutoft
herestaurant
asheheldmyhandwhi leiwashol
dingour
takeaways.
..Hewastenseanddi
dn'
thav e
mucht osaytheent
ir
etime..
.

Me:
Letmecheckshoesi
nher
e
Bakang:
( gott
hetakeaways)I
'
llwai
tint
hecar
,
makeitfastihav
et ogo.
..
..

Iwalkedi
nandboughtaf ewthi
ngsincl
udi
ng
l
ingeri
eandbum shor
ts,minut
eslat
eriwalked
outwithapl
ast
icanddial
edmymot her.
..

Mama:
Hel
l
o?
Me:
(smi
l
ed)Hi
..
.
Mama:
Yourpuppywon'
teatpor
ri
dge
Me:Aomamagi
vei
tmi
l
kaker
eiboughtabox
ofmil
k?
Mama:AuLeleoraagor
ekelekanaketshel
ele
nt
swanyanamashimosxoxoroosesekana?
Me:
Keay
one
Mama:Et
ogel
ehai
tewaket
alasent
eet
aaj
a
mot
ogo.
Me:Ahmamammay
ou'
l
lki
l
lmydog,
itwi
l
llose
wei
ght
Mama:Esiame,
et aajahagonnat
hat
a.Kee
gol
eget
sehoosetharee
Me:Itmustst
ayint
hatt
hingmoekareng
skot
elemoo,hai
shwenammaosot aScooby
Mama:
Esi
ame,
howar
eyou?
Me:
I'
mfi
ne,
Wej
usthadameal
andhegav
eme
moneyf
orshoppi
ng,
nowwear
egoi
nghome.
Mama: ObatelegeP200momabelengmma,
whenyouv i
sitamaninaplacewherey
oudon'
t
haveaccommodat i
onyoualway
skeepside
money.
Me:(l
aughed)Ij
amamaenekana,
I'
ll
cal
lyou
l
aterkecheckerScub
Mama:
Byeby
e

IhungupandwalkedtothecarwhereBakang
wasonthephonehavingwhatappearedtobea
seri
ousconv
ersati
on,
hehungupasi goti
nthe
si
ghedandstart
edthecar.
..

Bakang:
Puty
ourseatbel
ton.
..

Iputmyplast
icsi
nt hebackandpul
ledthebel
t
ashedrov
eoutoft hemallparki
ngl
ot.
..His
phoner
angandheanswer
ed.
..

Bakang:(
frust
rat
edl
y)I
'
m dr
ivi
ng.
..I
'
m dr
ivi
ng.
I
'l
lcal
lyouback.

Hehungupandputt
hephonedown.
..

Me:
Arey
ouokay
?
Bakang:(
sighed)Yeah,
thi
sjobcanbev
ery
fr
ustr
ati
ng.

Minut
eslaterhepar
kedinfr
ontoftherooms
andpagedsomeone, t
heapart
mentsassist
ant
ranoverwi
thakeyandhandedi tov
ertohim,i
gotmyplasti
csandwalkedinashebroughtmy
bag.
.
Isl
owlyputt heplast
icdownlooki
ngatthe
beauti
fulhouse.
.Thel i
vingr
oom wasbigwit
ha
l
itt
leki
tchenont hecornerandadoortothe
bathr
oom andbedr oom. .
.Heswit
chedonthetv
andturnedmear oundf oral
ongkiss.
..

Bakang:
Keet
a,keagot
saakeyy
aof
fi
ce.
.
Me:
(smi
l
ed)By
e
Bakang:
Ilov
eyou.
.
Me:
Ilov
eyout
oo.
.

Hewal kedoutt
heni
lockedthedoorand
exci
tedlyfi
tt
edmycl
othes.
……….

Co-
wif
e
#36

AtDudu'
shouse.
..

Shesatonthebedtaki
ngabit
eoutofthe
drumsti
ckasshecli
ckedonherdocuments,
sheputthedrumst
icki
nthepl
ateandrubbed
herhands.
..

Dudu:Okaybabe. .
.Let'
sdothisneh...(
cl osed
hereyesandputherhandst ogether)Hol yspiri
t
ical
lupony outoannointmewi ththehi gher
power..
..
.Godpleasegivemet hi
sonei begy ou.
I
'm sendi
ng62appl icat
ionl
etter
sjustletone
outoftherestbesuccessful
.Inthenameoft he
fat
her,t
hesonandt heHolyspir
it
,Amen.

Shel
eanedbackandupdat
edherCVt
oget
her
withthecov
erlet
ters,minut
eslatershewal ked
totheli
vi
ngroom stret
chingherbackpr essing
herphoneadvert
isi
ngherweav es..
.herphone
rang.

Dudu:
Hel
l
o?
Femal
evoi
ce:
Whoi
sthi
s?
Dudu:
Nel
ebat
agobuwal
emang?
Voice:
Ifoundyournumberi
nmyhusband'
s
phone,whoareyou?
Dudu:
(heartpounding)What
'sy
ourhusband'
s
name?Thisisbusinessnumber
Voi
ce:
Arey
ouapr
ost
it
ute?
Dudu:
Aret
her
epr
ost
it
utesi
nBot
swana?
Voi
ce:
Yaanonghaor
ebusi
nessor
ayaeng?
Dudu:Weareapawnshop, maybehecal
l
ed
i
nquir
ingaboutsomet
hingorsel
li
ngus
somet
hing.
Voi
ce:Oh-
Gosi
ameee,
mmegay
ast
ori
wasoi
wonder
edwhoyouwer
e.
Dudu:NnyaammakemogalawakoDudupawn
Shop.Thanksf
orcal
l
ing,
wouldy
oul
iket
ovisi
t
ourshopandtakeal
ookat-
Voi
ce:
Idon'
tbuydi
secondhandby
e..
.

Shehungupt henshesighed
rel
iev
ed...
.Pri
ncesscri
edinhercri
b,shewalked
overandlift
edhergivi
ngherakissont he
cheek..
..

Dudu:
Heybaby..
.Arey
ouhungr
y?Let
'
sgo
makeyourbot
tl
e..
.

Herf
ri
endcal
l
ed.
..
Dudu:
Heyy
ou
Her
:Hey
..Howdi
dthecounsel
l
inggo?
Dudu:Bett
er,
shegotmet of
ocusonafew
t
hings,kennahopef
ulny
anammanyana.
Her
:Il
i
ket hat.
.Heemmakanai
sawWendyat
t
hemallearl
ier
Dudu:
(hear
tski
pped)Ar
eyousur
eitwasher
?
Her:
Yeah,
iwonderi
fshecameforsomeki
nd
ofbr
eakorshei
sdonewit
hschool.
Dudu:(swall
owed)Okay-
letmemakeabot
tl
e
forPr
incess,wewil
lchat
.
Her
:Okay
,don'
tst
ressy
our
sel
f.
Dudu:
I'
m not
..
.By
e

Shehungupandmadeherdaught
er'
sbot
tl
e..
..
.
AtMaduo'
shouse.
..

Herphoner
angasshewaspr
epar
ingher
supper
..
.

Maduo:
Hi
Tuel
o:Heywhatar
eyoudoi
ng?
Maduo:
Maki
ngsuppert
henI
'
llbewat
chi
ngTV
Tuel
o:Keitsapagoapaathemmant shol
ela,
I'
m
ali
tt
lehungrysal
ekejel
ekalunch.
Maduo:
Taoj
eee
Tuel
o:Keser
ious
Maduo:
Lenna
Tuel
o:I
'
llbet
her
ein15mi
nut
es
Maduo:Okay,don'
tl
ett
hem getcol
d.Iwon'
t
war
mt hem again
Tuel
o:I
'
m al
readyhal
fway
Maduo:
(laughed)by
e

Shehungupandr ushedtothebat
hroom where
shetookaquickshower,br
ushedherteet
hand
gaveherhousethelastt
ouchesbef
oreclear
ing
herglasst
able.

Sheputt hetwowhitepl
atesont hetable,
their
forkandknifeontheser
v i
ett
es,andthegl asses
ofdrinkswithi
cecubes,sheheardVr rphaa
parkingoutsi
deandpouredthedr i
nkinbot h
glasses.
..

Sheexcit
edl
yrantothebathr
oom andbr ought
onelar
gecolor
ful
scentedcandl
e,li
titand
pl
aceditonthemiddleoft
hetableasitemitted
i
t'
ssweetmoodset t
ingscent
..
..
Heknockedt henshet ooktwodeepbreaths
andopenedt hedoorf orhim,hewalkedi
nand
theyhugged.Mmh. ..Hesmel l
edfr
esh,str
aight
outoftheshower .
..Man. .
.Shecl
osedthe
door.
..
.

Tuel
o:Hey
Maduo:
Hi,
hav
easeat
..
.

Helookedatherpinkpongpongrag,i
twas
purepinkwit
houtasingl
estaint
henhesl
idout
hi
sNi kepusher
sandwal kedonherr
agwit
hhis
socks..
.

Herhousecleanandt
hetabl
ewasper f
ectl
yset
,
hesatdownandswallowedl
ookingatthe
mouthwater
ingfoodi
nthepl
ates..
.
Maduo:
(leanedov
erandhandedhi
mthepl
ate
wi
thbot
hhands)Hereyougo..
Tuel
o:Thanks.
..

Shesatdownandgother
sandt
hef
east
begun.
..

Tuel
o:Ar
eyouachef
?
Maduo:(l
aughed)No,
ili
kecooki
ngf
unny
t
hingsandtry
ingnewreci
pes
Tuelo:
Thi
sisdel
i
cious.
..You'
reanexcel
l
ent
cook.
Maduo:
Thanks.
..

Theyf
ini
shedeat
ingt
hensheclear
edthet
abl
e
andbr
oughthi
m awetki
tchenclot
h,hewi
ped
hi
shandsandhandedi
tbackst
ari
nginherey
es,
shesmil
edshy
lyandgott
heremote.
..
.

Maduo:
Whatdoy
oul
i
kewat
chi
ng?
Tuel
o:Cr
imedocci
esorSpor
ts
Maduo:
Nyaaesengmmeche,
bogol
ocr
ime
Tuel
o:(
laughed)Butwecanwat
chany
thi
ngy
ou
want
,I'
m upforanythi
ng.
..
Maduo:Good,
let
'swatchAfri
canAmerican
r
omance..
.Ohnot hi
soneisabouttoendbutat
l
eastt
henextoneisnice,
ili
keObsessed
Tuel
o:Youwat
chedi
tbef
ore?
Maduo:
Yes,
overa100t
imesbuti
tnev
erget
s
ol
d.
Tuel
o:Sitdownwewi l
lchatunt
ilt
hisoneends.
Theonlymov ieiwatchoverandoverandstil
l
managet olaughisLit
tl
eman, whi
techicksand
Grownup2. .
Maduo:
(laughedandsatdown)Il
ovet
hose
movi
estherra.
..

Heputhisar m aroundthecouchast hey

conti
nuedchat t
ingandslowl ydr
oppeditdown
hershoulderuntilshewasonhi schest.
.The
mov i
estartedthenheincreasedthevolume
andplacedhert hi
ghonhi slapastheyboth
facedthescreencosyont hecouch...

Att
heapar
tment
..
..
..
.

Laterthatnightididsquatexer
ciseswatchi
ng
onTVt r
yingtodistractmysel
ffr
om all
the
worriesi hadbutitwashardtoconcentrat
e,I
fi
nall
yst oppedandwentf orashower..
.

Iputonmynewl
i
nger
ieandcheckedt
het
ime
again,i
twasnow11:35pm andi wasgett
ing
sleepy
.Idi
dn'
twanttocall
him becausehewas
tensewhenhelef
tbutIcouldn'
thel
pitanymore.

Idi
aledhi
snumberanditr
angansweredf
or
about7ti
mes,onthe8t
hti
meheswi t
cheditof
f
anditwasli
keaknif
ecutt
hroughmyhear
t..
.

It
ri
edoverandoverbutitwasn'
tav
ail
abl
e,I
di
aledDudu'
snumber..
.

Dudu:
(sl
eepy
)Hel
l
o?
Me:
Hi,
sor
ryt
owakey
ou.
.
Dudu:
(rubbedherey
es)I
sther
eapr
obl
em?
Me:
NemmaBakangonnakaemoGabor
one?
Dudu:
AtVi
l
lage,
why
?
Me:
Housenumberkemang?Hel
ongl
eftand
nowheswi
tchedof
fhi
sphone.
Dudu:
Don'
tgot
her
e,j
ustst
aywher
every
ou'
re,
okae?
Me:
Insomeguesthouse
Dudu: Justwaitforhim,thesecur i
tyisti
ght
there.You'l
lneedar emotecont rolatthegate
otherwisenoonewi llhereyouknocki ng
becauset hereisnor i
ngeratthegat e.Gapehe
neverallowedmei nhi shouset hat
'swhyi had
myownhousemmer ennar othemoGabor one.
Me:
That
'snonsense,
why
?
Dudu:
Nal
edi
wee?Don'
tgot
her
e..
.
Me:
Whynot
?
Dudu:(
sighed)Don'
tbetoocuri
ous,
robal
aand
st
aywher ehetel
lsyout
ostay.Dowhathe
wants.
Me:Thanksf
ornot
hing,Ican'
tbel
iev
eoganake
pl
otnumberyammapl otnumber.Oneday
y
ou'
llneedmyhel
pandI'
ll
respondli
kethat
.
(
sheblurt
edi
tout
)Thankyou,Goodni
ght
Dudu:
Bye

Ihungup, searchedforcabcontact
sand
enquir
edaboutt heirchar
ges,i
twsmor et
hani
thought.Icountedallt
hemoneyi hadonme
anditwasenough.

Minut
eslat
erigoti
nthecabandhandedhi
m
t
heplotnumber.
..

Cabdr
iver
:(gav
ebackt
henot
e)Al
ri
ght
..

Iheavedasighandlookedatt
hebrightcolorf
ul
ci
tyli
ghtsasthecabpassed,i
dial
edAr ona's
number..
.
Ar
ona:
(noi
sybackgr
ound)Hel
l
o?
Me:Heyyou.
..
I'
minGabswit
hBakangbuthe
wi
ll
bewor ki
ngdur
ingt
heday,cani
comeover
t
omorrow?
Ar
ona:I
'mi
nJobur
g..
.Wear
ri
vedyesti
es,
why
di
dn'
tyout
ell
me?Iwoul
dhavel
eftyouakey
Me:Noihaveaccommodat
ion,
ijustwant
edt
o
seeyouhaobat
ho
Arona:
I'
m wit
himport
antpeopl
emma,
wewi
l
l
tal
ktomorr
ow.Saveai
rti
me
Me:
Bye.
.

Thecabstoppedthenheroll
eddownt he
window,il
ookeddownthest r
eetanditwas
complet
escreenwallsi
debysi de.
.Ist
epped
outandtr
iedpeaki
nginsi
debutt herewasn'
t
evenali
tt
leholeandiknockedont hegate.
..
Cabdr
iver
:(l
aughed)Ot
swakaekogae?
Me:
Maun,
why
?
Cabdriv
er:Kebonaokokony
ahagati
ng,t
hese
housesarelar
genoonewil
lheary
oufr
om her
e,
whynotcall
?
Me:
Thephonei
sof
f.
Cabdr i
ver
:Butnoonewil
lhearyou,
inst
ead
you'l
lbeupset
ti
ngthedogsinthe
neighbour
hood.
Me:
Cany
out
akemeback?
Cabdr
iver
:YeahkaP50
Me:I
'
llhav
eonl
yP20l
eftaf
terpay
ingf
ort
he
f
ir
stt
rip
Cabdr
iver
:Let
'sgo.
..

Icoul
dn'
tbel
i
evei
wassocl
osey
etsof
araway
,
Itri
edhisphoneagai
nanditwasn'
tav
ail
abl
e
thenigotinandweleft
..
.

Minuteslat
ert hecabdroppedmeof fandlef
t,i
hadlostall
myener gyandmyheartwas
choki
ngme, Icouldfeel
hewaswi t
hanot her
womanandi thurtworsethanany
thingihad
everfel
t.

Igotinbedandtr
iedt
osleepbuti
coul
dn'
t,
i
tossedandtur
nedunt
il
..
.

AtMaduo'
shouse.
..

Tuelo'
salar
m buzzedont hetabl
e,t
heduohad
snuggledonthecouchwher etheyf
ellasl
eep
theprevi
ousnight.
..Tuel
oreachedforhis
phoneandst oppedthealar
m...
Tuel
o:(
gent
lypat
tedher
)Babe.
..Maduo?
Maduo:
(yawned)Mmh?
Tuel
o:I
t'
smor
ning,
ihav
etogot
owor
k,I
'
llbe
l
ate
Maduo:
You'
regoi
ngt
owor
ktoday
?
Tuel
o:Idoshi
ft
s
Maduo:
Ohy
eah,
ofcour
se.
..

Shegotoffhi
mthenhegotupandst
ret
ched
hi
sback..
.

Tuel
o:Comeandl
ockt
hedoor

Heputonhisshoest henshewalkedhim out,

t
heyhuggedstandingnexttothecar,
hest ar
ed
i
nhereyesandlips,shestar
edbackathimt hen
hel
eanedov
er-

Maduo:
Um.
..By
e
Tuel
o:(
rubbedhi
smust
ache)By
e

Hegoti
nhi
scaranddr
oveof
f.
..
.

Att
heApar
tment
..
.

Thenextmor ni
ngi onlybrushedmyt eethand
foundthenearestclothesandleft
,Idial
ed
Dudu'snumberwal kingalongtheroadtothe
stop.
..
.

Dudu:
Hel
l
o?
Me:Sorr
yforbother
ingy
ouagai
n,wher
eis
Bakang'
soff
ice?
Dudu:
Sohesl
eptout
?
Me:Yes,t
heof
fi
cepl
ease.
.(sher
eluct
ant
lysai
d
i
t)Thanks
Dudu:
Hannekel
ewenankabokennahel
a.
Somethi
ngsar
enotwor
thit.
Me:(
alandl
i
necallcamet
hrough)Kel
andl
i
ne,
l
etmeanswergongwekeene.
Dudu:
Bye
Me:
(pi
cked)Hel
l
o?
Bakang:
Heybabe,um..
.Sor
ryaboutlast
,my
phonebatt
erydi
edandihadlef
tthecharger
.
Me:
Bakangol
etsekae?
Bakang:Idozedoffonthebedandbyt het
imei
gotupitwaslatesoidecidedt
osl eep,
kegone
ketsenyaphoneonachar gerr
ightnow.
Me:(
tear
ful
l
y)Idon'
tbel
i
evey
ou,
whyar
eyou
l
yi
ng?
Bakang:Babeiknowhowt hisl
ooksbuti
t'
snot
whatyouthink,
justr
elax,
I'
ll
bether
eat
l
unchti
me.
Me:CanIcometoyouroff
ice?I
'
llbeont
he
comput
erandiwon'
tdist
urbyou.
Bakang:
No,Ineedt
otalconcent
rat
ionwhenI'
m
i
ntheoffi
ce,
watchtvorgoshopping,keet
a.
Me:Kant
enerr
agodir
agal
aeng?Whydoi
feel
l
ikesi
ncewear
ri
vedhi
syouchanged?
Bakang: Hai
shbabecanwenotdot hi
s?Ihav e
worktodo, t
hisiswhatImean.Ifwecan' tstop
accusingeachotherovert
hephonehowwoul d
youcont r
oli
twheny ouarehere?I'
m on
deadli
nesandi needtocompletethis,ican'
tbe
dist
ractedbecauseifimakeami stake
someonemi ghtgetfir
edbecauseofmyer rors.
Me:
Bye
Bakang:
Wat
cht
vbabe,
luncht
imekeet
a.
Me:
(sni
ff
ed)By
e

Ihungupandwai
tedf
oracombi
..
..

AtBakang'
sof
fi
ce.
..
.

Awhi l
elat
eri approachedhisof f
iceflatand
l
ookedup, isi
ghedandt ookthest ai
rspassi ng
othercompanyof fi
cesandr eachedTawana
andAssociates,Iwalkedov ert
ot hemi ni
recept
ionbutnoonewaswast here,ilookedat
thedoorsandwal kedal ongthepassagewher e
ispott
edhisnameont hedoorB. Tawana- CEO..
.

Therewassoftmusiccomingfrom theparti
all
y
openeddoorandIwalkedover,
i pushedthe
doorsl
owlyandwalkedinashewasst andi
ng
byhisbookshel
fsearchi
ngreadingbookt i
tl
es..
.
Bakang:(
sti
l
llooki
ngatt
hebooks)Thatwas
qui
ck..
.
Me:
Hi.
.

Het
urnedar
oundandst
aredatme.
..

Bakang:
(swal
l
owed)Whatar
eyoudoi
ngher
e?

Ilookedatt hehandbagandapi nkiPadont he

tableandl ookedbackathim...Beforei could
sayany thingthedooropenedandshewal kedin
holdingdr i
nksandcupcakes, shepl acedthem
ont hetableandf l
i
ppedherweav ebackst aring
atme. ..
.Iranoutofwords,shewasact ual
ly
beaut i
fulandhadbabyneckf olds,they ell
ow
chokerar oundherneckmat chedwi thher
yell
owsummerj umpsui
t.
..Iknewi sawher
somewher
ebuti
wasn'
tsur
e..
..

Her
:What
'sgoi
ngon?
Bakang:
It'
snot
hing,
I'
ll
takecar
eofi
t
Me:
Bakangwhoi
sthi
s?
Bakang:
(wal
kedov
er)Let
'sgo.
..
Her:(qui
cklyblockedhiswayandcl
osedthe
door)Uh-uh..
.What '
sgoingon?(
poi
ntedatme
wit
hhert humb)what 'sthi
s?
Bakang:
(swal
l
owedst
ari
ngather
)Shei
sa
fr
iend
Her
:(angr
il
y)Oasi
mol
olaaker
e?
Bakang:
Wendycomeon-
Wendy:No,whatisthi
s?Idon'thavemor et
han
3daysinthecountr
yandalready-(
sighed
shaki
ngherhead)Ican'
tbeli
evethis.
Me:
(st
ari
ngathi
m)I
'
m af
ri
end?
Wendy: (
tur
nedtome)Yes, hesai
dy ou'
rea
fr
iend,doyouhaveaproblem withit
?(t
ohi m)I
meanr eal
ly
?Lookather.
..Thisiswhaty ou
cheatonmewi th?Thi
sisthedirtyousleepwit
h?
Bakang:
(satont
het
abl
erubbi
nghi
sey
es)
Wendystop.
..
Wendy
:(t
urnedt
ome)Whoar
eyou?
Me:
Mynamei
sNal
edi
-
Wendy
:Obat
aengmogoBakang?
Me:
Hei
smyboy
fri
e-
Wendy :Doyouseri
ouslybel
ievehel
ovesy ou?I
meanr eal
ly
..?(
rai
sedhereyebrowsandturned
aroundfol
dingherarmsshakingherhead)You
havesomuchconf idencei
ny our
sel
f.
Me:
Don'
ttal
ktomel
i
ket
hat
,Idi
dn'
t-
Wendy:Youdi
dn'
tknowwhatexactl
y ?What
di
dn'
tyouknow?Iknowy ourty
pes.
..
icansee
gol
ddiggi
ngri
ghti
ny oureyesandihopeyou
havealitt
lechangef rom whathealreadygave
yousot hatyoucangetaf aci
altr
eatmentand
getri
doft hisdisgusti
ngspotsony ourface
becausey ou'r
enol ongergett
ingadimeofhi s
money .
Bakang:
(hel
dherar
m)Wendyst
op-
Wendy:Don'
ttouchmeBakang,odi
rabobel
ete
gotswahooobuelel
aleswel
elagago?Don'
t
touchme..
.
Bakang:
I'
m sorr
y..
.Idi
dn'tev
endoany
thi
ng
wit
hher,not
hinghappened!
Wendy:
Kanteenengwany
anaeneyogasewa
l
astt
imereomanakaenemoSky pe?I
r
ememberhershewasthi
sfat
Bakang:
Gaseene.Nal
edi
tsamay
a..
.
Wendy:
Sheisnotgoi
ngany
wher
e,I
'
m st
il
l
t
alki
ngtoher
Bakang:
(bl
ockedherway
)Nal
edi
pleasego.
..
.
Iremember edher,
shewast heMP' sdaughter
,
atearr andownmycheekandi turnedaround
towalkoutbutshegrabbedmyweav efrom
behindandpulledmeback,ifel
lonmyback
andshest ompedonmyf oreheadasBakang
rest
rainedandpushedherback..
..

Bakang:Wendy
..
.St
opi
t.
..
..
kant
ekeengosa
ut
wey aana
Wendy
:(angr
il
y)Letgoofme.
..Nt
ogel
a..
.
Bakang:
(blocki
ngheri
nacor
ner
)Nal
edi
emao
tsamae.
..
..
.

Ipi
ckedmyphonef rom thefloorandwal
ked
outrubbi
ngmybumpyf oreheadastear
sfel
l
uncontr
oll
abl
y.
..
..
..
.(9t
)
Co-
wif
e
#37

AtBakang'
sof
fi
ce.
..
.

Wendy :
(pushedhi
m andcov
eredherf
ace
cr
ying)Leavemealone.
..
Bakang:(
walkedoverandhuggedherbyforce)
I
'm sor
ry.
..
.Nothi
nghappened,wejustmet.
..
.
Wendy
:(r
ubbedhereyesandmov
edback)St
op
l
yi
ngtome,I'
m notst
upid.
..
Bakang:Nothi
nghappened!Whatdoy
ouwant
met osay?
Wendy:(
angr i
ly
)Thi siswhyiwant edyout
ouse
acondom lastnightandy outhoughti
was
bei
ngunreasonable, whatist
his?Doyoueven
knowyourHI VstatusneBakang?
Bakang:Idi
dn'thaveunpr
otectedsexwi
th
anyone,
howr ecklessdoyouthinkiam?
Wendy :(
stari
ngathim)Really?Bakangmaybe
weshoul dstopwhateverthi
sisbecauseiwon't
standhereandwatchy ouplaywithmy
emotions,gaoser
ious.I'
m notgoingtofor
giv
e
youforthis.
Bakang:(
gotonhiskneesandheldherhands)
Okay.
..
.Okay.
..Ihadunprot
ectedwi
thtwo
women, j
ustt
wosi nceourar
gument-
Wendy
:(gr
abbedherbag)By
e-

Hegotupandpushedt
hedoorbl
ocki
ngher
way
..
.

Bakang:Theyarebothnegat
ive,
I'
m sorr
y..
..I
'
m
sorr
y,iwasdepressed.
…youdidall
theseyou
can'
tenti
rel
yblameme. .
.
Wendy:
Idi
dall
these?How?Didishov
eyour
di
ckint
hei
rshi
t,Bakangmov
e..
.
Bakang: Yousai dyoudi dn'twanttocomeback
toBot swanawheny ouf inishschool,yousaid
you'dfindaj obtheresoi cameupwi t
hpl anB,i
can'tdoal ongdi st
ancer elati
onship,ipati
entl
y
waitedf ory outof i
nishschool thi
nkingwe
woul dfinallystartbuil
dingaf amilybuty ou
didn'twantt hat..
..
Wendy:
PlanB?Soshewasn'
tj
ustani
ght
st
and.
..
youlov
eher
?
Bakang:
(hol
dingherwai
st)Babe-
Wendy:
(pushedhim back)Don'
ttouchme, t
ell
me!I
sshewast heoney ouwantedtosettl
e
wi
thhadinotcomeback?does- t
hat-mean-
you-
l
ove-
her?Yesorno
Bakang:Ali
tt
lebit
..
..
.Butil
ovey oumore.She
wouldn'
thavemademehappyt hewayy oudo
butIhadnochoice,yousai
dyouwer en'
t
comingback,whatdidyouexpectmet odo?
Wendy
:Gi
vemeheraddr
ess,
iwantt
oseeher
andmakethingscleart
oher.Andwhoisthe
otherwomany ouhadunpr
otectedsexwi
th?
Bakang:
Dudu
Wendy
:Theoneyouwer
emessi
ngwi
tht
hel
ast
t
imeIwasher
e?
Bakang:
Yeah
Wendy
:Bakangshoul
digai
n10kg?
Bakang:
No,
ofcour
senot
-
Wendy
:Isi
tjustacoi
nci
dencet
hatbot
hthese
womenarefat?
Bakang:Theyar
enotev
enf
at,
whydoy
ouhav
e
toputitl
iket
hat
?
Wendy:Fit
,thi
ck,
ful
lwhat
everwordyouwantt
o
use,
ker i
l
enneelamainaangwanyanawagago,
iwanttomakesuresheunderst
andswhoiam,
whatyou'
retomeandsheshoulddo.
Bakang:Nal
edigaadi
ngal
o,shewon'tt
alkt
o
meaf t
erthi
s.Shei
sgone,molese.
..
.
Wendy
:Gawadi
rangwanal
eene?
Bakang:
Noofcour
senot
Wendy
:Andt
heot
herone?
Bakang:
(swal
l
owed)Whatabouther
?
Wendy :(
clappi
ngrhy
thmi
call
y)Di
d-y
ou-
get
-her
-
pregnant?Whyareyoupr
etendi
ngtobe
confused?
Bakang:Idi
dn'
t.
..
..Idi
dn'
t.
..(si
ghed)Babei
real
l
ythoughtwewoul df
or getaboutt
hepast
andmov eon.
Wendy:Idon'
tbel
ieveyou.
..Iwanttomeetbot
h
oft
hesewomenbecauset helastthi
ngIneed
kegoreerekel
ekoMaungaot akwanoaboke
i
potsagoreawaratanakanajang.
Bakang:
Theyar
ebot
hfr
om Maun
Wendy:Di
dyoucomewi
tht
hisgi
rlknowi
ng
you'
recomi
ngtome?
Bakang:
Shecamet
obuysomet
hing
Wendy:Bakangy ouhav etwooptions,it
'sei
ther
youconfesseverythi
ngy oudidandletmedeal
wit
hitthebestwayi canorwegooursepar ate
ways.Iam notgoingt ocompetefory our
att
enti
onwithanot herwoman, i
t'
seitheryou
l
ovemeandactl ikei toryoumov ealongand
l
etanothermandoi tforyou.
Bakang:
(angr
il
y)Whydoy
ouhav
etot
hreat
en
me?
Wendy :Threateny ou?Niggayounut t
edintwo
women. ..Ishoulddowor sethanthreaten
you...
2opt i
ons,whi chonedoy ouchoose?(he
quietl
ystaredathert hensheshookherhead
andgr abbedherI Padbutheblockedherway )
Whi chonedoy ouchoose?
Bakang:
Thef
ir
stone.
..

Sheputherhandbagdownandf
oldedherar
ms
st
ari
ngathim..
..
Bakang: Wheny oust art
edt alkingabout
wor kingov ert her eilosthopef orthi
swhol e
thing,i wasdi sappoi ntedbecausei thoughtwe
bot hwant edt ogetmar ri
edandhav ekidsbut
youhadot herdr eamsabouty ourcareerov er
there.Igotdepr essedabouti t,myf amily
not i
cedev ent heguy snoticedi waslosingmy
mi nd,whenev ery onekeptaski ngmeabouty ou
Ijustt oldthem webr okeup.Idat edDudu
shor t
lyaf t
ert hatar gument ,
i wascar efulnott o
hav eunpr ot ectedsexwi thherbecausei knewi
stil
llov edy oubutwheny our efusedt ocomef or
Chr i
stmasIf i
gur edy oufoundsomeoneand
startedbei ngcar eless,shef ellpregnant..
.
Wendy:Soyouhaveachi
ld?Doyourpar
ent
s
know?Theydi
dn'tev
enaskaboutme?
Bakang:Itol
dthem webrokeupwaybefore
theyheardaboutDudu,i
twaseasyt
obelieve
akereyoudidn'
twanttocomeonChrist
mas, i
t
rul
ybel
i
evedy
ouf
oundsomeonei
nSy
dney
.
Wendy:Itoldyouwhyidi
dn'
tcome,Ihadf
ound
atemporaryjobandiwant
editt
oaddacredi
t
t
omyCV.I twasagoodcompany.
Bakang:Worki
ngwit
hastudentVISA?Ididn'
t
studyover
seasbuti
hav
et r
avel
ledaround,don'
t
tr
yt of
oolme.
Wendy :I
fy oudi dn'tbeli
evemewhydi dn'
tyou
askme?Igott her efer
encefr om t
hem andt hey
wantedtohi remei mmediatelyaftercompleti
ng
myst udi
es, theygav emeav erygoodof f
er
that
'swhyi couldn'tresi
stitbecauseIwoul dn't
gethalfthatpayi nBot swanabuti changedmy
mindt hi
nkingwecoul dbuil
daf ut
urekante
wenawar atana.( hekeptqui et)Uhcont i
nue.
..
.
Bakang:Duduhadsomeki ndofdepressi
on
duri
ngherpr egnancyandididn'
tknowany t
hing
aboutpregnancyanddepressionwhatnotsoi
brokethi
ngswi thheranddatedNalediri
ght
af
tert
hat
Wendy
:Doesshehav
eababyt
oo?
Bakang:
Shehadami
scar
ri
age
Wendy :Wowy ouwer eonababymaki ng
spree.
..
.Oboat aBakangandy ou'
renotafrai
d
ofSTDs, atleastidon'tf
eelgui
lt
ygogoapesa
condom ev eryti
mewehav esex,otaatshelaka
condom unt i
loi t
hutagoitot
a.
Bakang: Idon'
tgetwhyy ou'
reblamingmefor
everyt
hing,thi
sishalfy
ourf aul
t,y
oucausedal
l
thesebyput ti
ngyourcareerbefor
eus,idi
dn'
t
evenknowi fyoul
ovedmeornot
Wendy :
Iwasast udent,
itwouldbest upi
dfor
met ogoallt
hewayj usttofailandyesihadt
o
putmycareerfi
rstbecausey ou'r
enotevenmy
husband,t
herei
sabi gdiff
erencebetweenthe
twoBakang.
Bakang:
Iconf
essed,
doy
ouf
orgi
veme?
Wendy:I
'
llt
hinkaboutitbuti
nthemeantimei
wantt
ohaveaconv ersati
onwiththi
sNaledi
gir
l
andmakethingscl
earforher,wherei
sthebaby
mama?
Bakang:
InMaun
Wendy:I'
l
lseeherwheni
gethome..
.Andthese
bet
terbetheonl
ywomeny oubeenwi
th.Koore
bat
hokoMaunbagomponabohemakeshi aka
l
ebelet
e..
.Mxm
Bakang:(
laughed)Nekebelet
akasephi
rimme
kana,noonesawmewi t
hthem.Inever
att
endedanythingwi
theit
heroft
hem.
Wendy
:Don'
tmaket
hisaj
oke,
I'
mreal
l
yhur
t.
..

Hesl
owl
ywal
kedov
erandki
ssedher
..
.

Bakang:
Thanky
ou.
..
.Youwon'
tregr
ett
his.
.
Wendy
:(t
ear
ful
l
y)butI
'
m hur
t.
..
.I'
mreal
l
yhur
t.
..
Bakang:
IknowandI'
m sor
ry,
thi
sisn'
texact
ly
howIwantedourf
ir
stdaytobe,
I'
llmakeitt
o
you.

Hekissedherasshebr okedownint ear

sand
sl
owlyunzi ppedherjumpsuit,
hershoulder
str
ingfelldownt henhepull
eddownherbr aand
l
eanedov ertonguinghernippl
ethenheki ssed
herunzippinghispants,heputherhandinhis
boxers.
..

Wendy
:St
op.
..
Bakang:
(paused)What
?
Wendy:Wear
enotdoi
ngany
thi
ngwi
thout
condoms.
Bakang:
Ithoughty
ouf
orgav
eme
Wendy:
Idid,
ifor
gavey
oubuti don'
ttrustyou
andunt
ilt
henyou'
ll
bewrappi
ngitbeforeyou
puti
tinsi
deme.
Bakang:
Waal
api
saWendy
,aboot
sil
e..
.

Hezi
ppedhispant
sandwentf
ort
hedr
inkon
t
hetabl
e..
.

Att
heapar
tment
..
..
.

Istoodbefor ethemi rrorcry i

ngcov eri
ngmy
bruiseswit
ht heFoundat i
onandf i
xedmy
weav etheni st
ar edatmyf ace, iknewIwasn'
t
themostbeaut ifulpersoni nt hewor l
dbuti
wonder edjusthowbadi l
ooked, icoul
dnever
trustmyey es..
.Ofcour sei thoughtiwasokay,i
wassur eev enpeopl ei thoughtwer eugly
thoughttheywer ebeaut if
ul.Icouldhavebeen
wr ongaboutbei ngav eragewheni nfactiwas
belowav er
age....
Aft
erpacki
ngmyt
hingsi
dial
edmybr
other
's
number.
..

Abal
eng:
Hel
l
o?
Me:
(Justhi
svoi
cet
ri
gger
edanot
hercr
y).
..
..
Abal
eng:
Lel
egor
il
eng?
Me:
keut
ulebot
hoko
Abal
eng:
(pull
edov
erandst
oppedt
hecar
)
What'
swrong?
Me:
Ify
ouwer
en'
tmybr
otherwoul
dyoul
ove
me?
Abal
eng:
Arey
oubackt
oget
herwi
thBakang
agai
n?
Me:
No,
I'
mjustwonder
ingi
fI'
l
lev
erf
indl
ove.
Abal
eng:I
fyouwer en'
tmysist
eri
wouldmarr
y
youatf
ir
stsightbecausey
ou'r
ebeaut
if
ul,
y
ou'r
et r
usti
ng,
you'
ref
orgi
vi
ngandy
ou'
re
i
ntel
l
igent.
Me:Ineedtranspor
tmoney,
I'
m st
ucki
n
Gaborone.Pl
easedon'
taskmehoworwheni
gothere.
Abaleng: I
'
lldepositt
hemoneyinyourinafew
hours,pleaseseemewheny ougetback.Ifeel
l
ikeithasbeenal ongtimesi
ncewetalked.I
don'tknowy ourstressesany
moreandi t
bothersme.
Me: (
rubbingmyt ears)Theweddi
ng
preparat
ionsareenought of
rust
rat
eyou,
I'
m
fi
ne..
.Andt hanksforthemoney.
Abal
eng:
Ilov
eyou
Me:
(smi
l
ed)Il
ovey
out
oo

Ihungupanddi
aledDudu.
..
Dudu:
Hel
l
o?
Me:You'
reasnake,
theonl
ythi
ngl
efti
sfory
ou
t
ogoliveinahol
eandhisswheny
ouseeus.
WhoisWendy?
Dudu:
Whathappened?
Me:
Whoi
sWendy
?
Dudu:
It'
sBakang'
sexgi
rl
fr
iend,
whathappened?
Me:Don'
tl
iet
ome, shei
snothi
sexandt
hat
'
s
whyyoudi
dn'
twantmether
e.
Dudu: (
angrily
)I'mtir
edofy ouraccusati
ons
evenwhenI '
m beinghelpful,Bakangtoldmehe
l
eftthatwomanbecauseshewasst ayi
ng
abroadandheneededsomeonewhowas
aroundtobui l
daf amily,mydaught erwasn'ta
mistakelikeyoursonwas, weact ual
lyplanned
her.Theonl yreasonIdidn'twanty outogo
thereisbecausei couldseet heredflags.Iput
2and2t ogetherabokebonagor egorayagore
Bakangoet seWendykoobutknowi ngher
att
it
udeidi
dn'twantyout
odeal
wit
hher
.I'
m
sorr
yfort
ryi
ngtohelp.
Me: Butyoushoul
dhavetoldmeyour
suspici
onsifatal
lyou'
ret
ryi
ngt
ohelp
Dudu:Andifittur
nedouthewaswi tha
dif
fer
entwomanaboker eng?Bakangat ego
mpetsagapegot weiwantedtohurtyou?No.I
knowy oudon'ttr
ustmesoi can'
tsharemy
suspi
cionswithyou.
Me:Ahmmenkaboobui
l
egor
ianake
har
asi
tswekemot
ho.
Dudu:Agoaker
eoitei
l
eBakangmal
obawhy
di
dn'ty
oubeather
?
Me:Itwasn'
twort
hitandsheistheMP's
daught
eridon'
twanttogeti
ntroubl
e.
Dudu:
Arey
ouokayt
hough?
Me:i
haveaheadache,sheki
ckedmeonthe
f
acebutImanagedtocovermybrui
seswi
th
thefoundat
ion.I
'
m wait
ingf
ormybrot
hert
o
sendmemoneyt henI
'
m coming.
Dudu:Ihav
emoneyinmyaccount
,ican
t
ransf
eritr
ightnowi
fyou'
rei
nanemergency
.
Me: Thanks,
senderP300hankatsenamo
basengy aMaunhelatabokesi
ame, nnakewa
l
ejebejebeoil
eSAnkabokesielakogoene.
Dudu:Okay,
letmedothatj
ustnow.Jaanong
Bakangkehaarenghangwanyanaasotaka
wena?
Me: Bakangwasn' tther
e,i
twassomeone
el
se...
..
bodipajoithelaabodi
ramogor onaare
l
aolanebosey o,
kehakgamet se.Kehai
bil
e
got
weI '
mj ustafri
endandnot hi
nghappened
bet
weenus, kooremysoni snothingt
ohim..
.
Nothing..
.
Dudu:I
yoo,
palamabaseoboweee.Koor egago
nt
sejaanamothoatshabel
ekgakala..
.Leha
mashiagaPri
nci
eakahelankaseletse.
Kootengmmakgosi
wagoduduet
samor
utegi
a
tsi
l
e.
Me: I
yakemat hat
aandi havenointent
ionof
t
ell
inganyone,kooreyagonnawet oldyouand
youdidn'
tl
isten.I
'
llonl
ytel
lMamal eMaduot he
r
estibil
entsebaitserekgaogany
e, Bye
Dudu:
Bye

Ihungupandgotmybagonmywayout ,
asi
steppedoutdi
ali
ngMaduo'snumberaredJeep
parkedri
ghti
nf r
ontofmyroom,bot
hdoors
openedandtheysteppedoutast
hewindblew
thei
rweaves..
..
.

Shetiedherhai
rint
oaponytai
lwithari
bbonas
shewalkedoverandputhercarkeysi
nthe
pocket.
Wendy
:Oskalot
ela,
iwantt
otal
ktoy
ou.Bul
a
r
ennehaat
sherebue.
Me:I'
m goingout
,buwaseobat
anggosebuwa
goneha..
Wendy
:Deari
don'thaveal
lday,opent
hedoor
,
mymanpaidfori
tanyway.
…..
..
..
.
Co-
wif
e
#38

Att
heapar
tment
..
.

Herf
ri
end:
Shemmat
hebul
a..
.

Icouldtel
lfr
om theirt
onestheycameprepared
butiwasn'temotional
lyr
eadytoengageina
fi
ght,iwasweak.Iunlockedthedoorand
walkedbackin.Theyfoll
owedmei nandlooked
aroundfrowning,Wendysatnexttomeont
he
couchasherf ri
endhelpedher
selfwi
tht
he
fr
idgefood..
..
.

Wendy
:Howl
onghav
eyoubeenseei
ngBakang?
Me:
about9mont
hsi
thi
nk
Wendy
:Andy oudidn'
tknowhehadagi
rl
fr
iend
ory
oujustdi
dn'tcar
e?
Me:Idi
dn'
tknowhehadagi
rlf
ri
end,
henev
er
t
oldmeanythi
ngabouty
ou.
Wendy:Mypict
uresar
eallov
erhishouse,
my
cl
othesar
ethereel
egoreneotsaagorekesul
e?
Me: Ihaveneverbeent
ohi
shousemo
Gabor one,
imethiminMaunandyourpi
ctur
es
aren'
tinhishouseekoMaun,
heonlyhashis
familyther
e.
Wendy:
Sogaobewamoguesthousengoneo
t
sayagoreng?Ngwany
anat
hel
esago
ntshamiki
sakanteotsaagoreketi
lego
tshamekalewena?Howcany oubewithaman
for9mont hsandnotknowhewasdoi ng
something?Lesagonkaket
sa, y
ou'
relyi
ng.
..
Me: whatdoy ouwantf r
om me?IleftBakang,
I'
l
l nev
ertalktohim agai
n.Idon'
tthi
nkallthi
sis
necessary.Heisyours,ir
espectt
hatandI '
ll
stayawayf rom hi
m.
Wendy :Goodnowweunder standeachot her
becausey ousee...I'
m notaf r
aidt obeaty ouup,
yesI '
m classybuti fyouwantt ot akeittothe
streetsI'
llbetheret ooandwhat ev eridot oyou
youwon' tdoany t
hingabouti tbecauseMauni s
myf ather '
shouse. .
.You'reoneoft het oysiplay
aroundwi t
handi candisposey ouj ustli
kethis
(snappedherf inger s)
.Idon'tknowhowy ou
methi m butIcanseey ougrewupi nthecat t
le
postr unningaftergoatsandcol lecting
fi
rewoodt ocook, icant el
lallthesef rom the
scarsony ourlegs.Youpr obabl yclimbedt rees
tocatchchi ckensforlunchsoi canunder st
and
yourexci t
ementwhenaPr i
nceappr oachedy ou.
Youpr obablysubmi tt
edt ohi sdemandsandhe
rewardedy ouwi thli
ttl
egi f
tsandmoney ,big
moneyt oyoupeanut st ohim.Letmeexpl ai
n
somet hingtoy ou,youwer enot hingbutasex
objectforhisdesi r
es,that'
swhyhechosey ou
becauseheknowswomenwhocomef r
om
povertywi l
ltakeanyt reatmentf orgif
tsand
money .Kindofl i
kepr osti
tutes..
.You'rea
prosti
tuteNal edigakegosebekeaagobol ela.
(shepul l
edt heheartnecklaceof fmyneck)
Mxm. ..Iboughthi mthi snecklace,ihavethe
otherhal f
.

Irubbedmyneckandl ookedatmyhand,the
wayi thurtwhenshepul
ledtheneckl
acei
thoughtitcutme..
.
Wendy :
(crossedherl egs)Thequeenwasn' t
homeandt heking'sneedshadt obemetsot he
sl
avesservedt heirpurpose,i
thappensinthe
Royalhouses..
.Slav esservethemasterbutI'
m
back.Gakej el
eswel agago,doyouunderstand
me?
Me:
(swal
l
owed)Yeah.
..

Myey espri
ckedandIcouldfeel
them gett
ing
warm astearsf
il
ledmyeyes,idi
dn'twantto
br
eakdownbef oreherbuticoul
dhardly
br
eathe..
..

Wendy:Gi
vemey
ourphone,
I'
m del
eti
ngal
lhi
s
pi
ctur
es.

Ihandedhermyphonet
henshedelet
edal
lthe
pict
ureshewasi
n,hi
smessagesandcont
act.
..
Wendy
:Whosecof
fi
nist
his?
Me:
Myson'
s
Wendy:Don'
ttheybur
ntheset
hingsatt
he
hospi
tal
?
Me:
(rubbedmyt
ear
)Itwasababy
Wendy:(l
ooki
ngathispi
ctur
e)Thisi
screepy
whotakesapict
ureofadeadbaby.AnywayI'
m
del
eti
ngthesepi
ctur
estoobecauseitwashi
s
sper
m-
Me:Don'
tdel
etemyson'
spi
ctur
es,
theyhav
e
not
hingt
odowi t
hthi
s.
Wendy:I
t'
sBakang'ssoI'
m del
eti
ngi
t,mov
eon
wit
hyourli
fe,whydoyouwanttohol
donto
somet
hingy oucan'
thav
e?

Herfi
nger
smovedaroundthescr
eenasshe
del
etedmysonspi
ctur
es,i
grabbedt
hephone
f
rom herbutshepushedmebackandsl
apped
mewiththephone..
.

Wendy
:Don'
ttouchmewi
thy
ourf
il
thyhands

Herfri
endwalkedoversl
owl ypeel
ingtheappl
e
withakni
festari
ngatmeandi satdown
l
ookingatherasshecontinueddeleti
ng.I
tfel
t
l
ikeshewast aki
ngpartofmeandi coul
dn'
t
stopthet
ears..
.

Me: (
rubbedmyeyes)Themmakeagokopase
suthedinepet
sagangwaneke,
di7hela
j
alo..
.I
'
m beggi
ngyou,st
op.Iwon'
tevertal
kto
Bakang...
Wendy:I
'
m deleti
ngev er
ythi
ngt
hatli
nksyouto
myman, t
hispregnancykeyoneyagaBakang
aker
e?
Me:Youdelet
edhi
spi
ctur
es,
whyar
eyou
del
eti
ngmine?
Wendy :Becauseyouwerepregnantwit
hhis
baby..
.f
indamanandgetpr egnantyou'
llkeep
thosepictur
esesengtsampay agaBakang.
Herf r
iend:(eat
inglef
tovers)Shecansti
ll
recoverthepictur
es,therearesof
twaresthat
dot hat.Chewthememor ycard

Shetookoutt
hememor
ycar
dandt
hrewt
he
phoneonmylap.
..

Me:(cr
ying)Themmapl
easekeagokopa
nneel
acardy ame
Wendy :
.(br
okei tinhalfandthr
ewitonmyface)
Bakangoboat a, gakeakanyagorehesl
eptyoui
feell
ikepuki
ng, hewon' tbeget
ti
ngablowj
ob
from megakej el eswe.
Me:(
iclosedmyphoneandputi
tini
t'
spouch)
Canigo?BusyaMaunyantshi
a.
Wendy:Yeahgoandthanksf
orthechat
,itwent
bett
ert
hanIthought
.Youhaveali
tt
lecl
ass
aft
eral
l
.

Iwalkedoutcry
ing,
li
ter
all
ycryi
ngoutloudli
kea
chi
ld,Iwentt
hroughmygaller
yhopingtoseeat
l
eastonepictur
eofmysonbutal l
mypi ct
ures
weregone.

Tear sblur
redmyv i
sionasi walkedalongt he
roadandIsatdowncr ying...Idi
dn'tcareif
anyonesawmeandIcoul dn'tcontai
ni t.Ali
tt
le
girl
,roughly8y ear
sol dpassednextt ome
holdingaki t
e,Icouldn'tstopcr yi
ngev enasshe
staredatmesadl y
,Shet urnedandwal kedback
tome. ..
Her
:(br
ushi
ngmyhai rwi
thherl
i
ttl
ehand)
Mmamaneol l
elang?

Irubbedmyt ear
sbutitwasn'
thel
ping,mytears
werestil
lfl
owingandnowmynosehadbl ocked,
ihadtobreaththr
oughthemouthasi gaspeda
fewbreaths.
..

Her:(
shesatnexttomeandr ubbedmytear
s
wit
htheouterpartofherf
ist
)Bagotseet
se
sengwe?
Me:(cal
mly
)Someonedel
etedmychi
l
d's
pi
ctures
Her
:Buty
ou'
l
ltakeot
herpi
ctur
es
Me:
Thechi
l
disl
ate
Her:
Sorr
ybutmaybeyou'l
lhaveanot
herbaby
onedayorGodwil
lgi
veyout wi
nsandthenyou
won'
tbesadanymorebecauseyouwil
ltakea
l
otofpi
ctur
es.
Me:
(laughedt
ear
ful
l
y)Thanky
ou.
.

Isuddenlyreali
sedIwascryi
nginf
rontofan8
yearoldgir
l andrubbedmytear
ssnif
fi
ngupmy
blockednoset henigotupsmil
i
ngandhugged
her..
.

Me:
Thanksnana
Her:(
handedmeagum)mmh.
.If
ini
shedt
he
sweets
Me:
(smi
l
ed)Thanky
ou

Shewal kedawayast hewindblewherkite,

i
unwrappedthegum andchewedt aki
ngabout4
stepsthenilookedbackbutshewasn' tt
here,
i
l
ookedatt heclose-byhousesbutallt
hedoors
wereclosed,may besheranbehindthehouses
orsomet hi
ngbutshewasthedi
str
act
ioni
needed.Itookoutmymirr
orandst
art
ed
powderingmyf aceasi
walkedt
othestop.
..

AtMauncounci
l
..
..

Laterthataf ternoonNor t
hWestDi st
ri
ctleader
's
meet i
nggotdi smi ssed,
member sofdiff
erent
poli
ti
cal partiesandot herimpor t
antmember s
ofthesoci etywal kedoutchat ti
ng..
.Kgosi
walkedoutt alkingwithothereldersastheMP
caughtupt ot hem andshookhands. ..They
steppedasi deexchangi nggr eeti
ngs..
.

MP:
Kgosi
..
Kgosi
:Nt
ate.
..Howar
eyou?
MP:I'
m good..
.I'
m good,
Iwant
edtocall
you
yest
erdaybutisomehowgotdel
ayedunti
li
t
wasl ate.Mywifeisthrowi
ngasur pr
ise
welcomehomepar t
yforWendyandshe
want edt oi
nvi
teyourfamil
y,Idon'
tknowy our
boy'
snumberwewant edtoinvi
tehim butwe
couldn'taskherforhisnumbershemi ght
suspectsomet hi
ng.It'
snothi
ngbig,j
usta2
hourcel ebr
ati
on
Kgosi:Idon'
tunder
stand,
didn'
ttheset
wobr
eak
uplastyear?
MP:
Theybr
okeup?
Kgosi:That
'swhathetol
dme, hesai
dshe
wasn'tevencomingback,
iheardsheiswor
king
i
nSy dney.
MP: Shewasconsi
deri
ngtostayther
ebutshe
changedhermindmonthsago,wenev ergo
deepaboutherpr
ivat
eli
febutshewoul dhave
ment i
onedi
ttome.
Kgosi
:Maybet
heygotbacktoget
heraf
tert
hat
ar
gumentandhefor
gottotel
lme
MP:(l
aughed)Ihopehedidn'tbri
nganot
hergi
rl
home,t
heseboy scan'
tbetrusted.
..
Kgosi
:(l
aughed)Idon'
tknowany
oneexcept
Wendy
MP:(laughedandshookhands)Ili
kethat
..
.I
l
ikeit
,nothi
nggivesmemor epeacethan
knowingmydaught eri
swit
hay oungmanf rom
agoodbackgroundr ai
sedt
ober esponsi
ble
andbeagoodl eader.
Kgosi
:(smi
l
ed)Thanky
ou
MP:
Hav
eagooddaychi
ef
Kgosi
:Yout
oo.
..By
e

Heexchangedgreet
ingswi
thot
hersand
headedt
ot hecardi
ali
nghi
sson'
snumber.
..
.

Bakang:
Hel
l
o?
Kgosi
:Whydi
dn'ty
outel
lmey ou'
rest
il
lseei
ng
Wendy?Yout
oldusshelef
tyou,whywouldyou
l
ietome?
Bakang:Ididn'tl
ie,Shesaidshewasst ayi
ngin
Sydneysoi lookedf orawomani nBotswana,
Howwasi supposedt othi
nkshewasser i
ous
aboutuswhenshechoset ostayoceansaway
fr
om me, schoolingwasunder st
andablebut
worki
ngt herewasasi gnshewasn'tseri
ous.
Shemademedoal lthese,
evenwhenshet ol
d
meshet houghtaboutusandhaddeci dedto
comebackIdi dn'
tbel i
evehert
hat'
swhyi
conti
nuedwi thNaledi.
Kgosi:
Buty ou'
replayingadangerousgameand
ihatethatitisstar
tingtoinvol
veme, Wendy's
parent
si nv
itedust ohersurpri
separ t
y.Nowi
mustjumpar oundgi r
lsplay
ingthegoodfather
i
nlaw, kantewhatiswr ongwit
hNal edi
?
Bakang:
It'
scompl
i
cat
ed
Kgosi
:How?
Bakang:
IwantWendy
Kgosi:
(shookhishead)WaalapisaMidowaitse,
thesooneryousett
ledownthebet t
er,
thenext
thi
ngyou'l
lbeimpregnat
ingal
lthreeofthem.
Bakang:
Wendycausedal
lthese
Kgosi
:OgorosePrincessbefor
eyoubri
ngthat
Wendyofyourshere.I'
m goi
nghome.Ketswa
hakhansel
engkelapil
e..
.
Bakang:
Bye
Kgosi
:By
e

Hehungupanddr
oveof
f.
..

AtBakang'
shouse.
..

Meanwhi
l
eBakanghungat
owel
abov
ehi
s
shoul
derandwal
kedtowar
dst
hepool
dial
i
ng
hi
sfri
end'
snumber.
..

Tuel
o:Yeah
Bakang:Themonnankel
akont
ungwagopega
di
nepetsagaWendy
Tuelo:
(laughed)Di
dn'
tshesayherl
i
fei
sin
Sydney?
Bakang:Wehav ebeent alkingforawhil
eand
shehasbeent alki
ngaboutaf amil
y,bui
l
ding
andwhat notbutididn'
tthinkshewasser i
ous,
i
wentalongwi t
hitkanteoser ious
Tuel
o:Ar
eyouser
ious?Soshei
sinBW al
ready
?
Bakang:
Themonna
Tuel
o:(
laughed)Shi
t!AndNal
edi
?
Bakang:
Youwon'tbeli
evewhathappened,i
beenoutofthi
sgamef ort
oolongmoel eng
goreketshwer
wewithi
n24hours.Nal
edi
showedupatmyoff
iceandWendywasboi
l
ing
ial
mostshi
tmypants.
..
urgh.
..
Tuel
o:(
laughed)HeheheI
'
llgohangt
hem,
wher
ear ethey
?
Bakang:Mot
hatbi
gwoodent
ool
boxi
nthe
garage
Tuelo:Al
ri
ghtbuthowisNaledi
?Kanaj aanong
yourprobl
emsmi ghtaf
fectmekakwano
Maduomi ghtthi
nkI'
m play
ingheraswel l
.I
can'
tlosethi
sonei hav
eagoodf eel
ingabout
her
Bakang: Partofmewant stocall
hert omake
sureshei sfinebutit
hinkIhavedoneenough
damage, iknowshei shurt
ingwher ev
ersheis
andi hopesheheal s,
Ireal
lywantedtomake
thi
ngswor kt hi
stimearoundandi lov
edher.i
real
lydidn'tt
hinkWendywasser iousaboutus.
Tuel
o:ButNal
edi
lov
esy
ou
Bakang:
Iknowbuti
t'
sWendy
..
..Youknowhow
If
eel
abouther
Tuelo:
(si
ghed)Keat lhaloganyal
ait
iaka.
..I
knowwhatshemeanst oy oubutNaledimust
becrushedbythi
s, atleastDuduknewWendy
mightpopupaftercompl eti
ngherstudi
esbut
Nalediwasi
ndar knessal esurekawena.Gawa
dir
angwanasent emest aa
Bakang:
Iknowbutt
herei
snothi
ngIcando
now,Omochekethr
oughMaduoandupdat
eme.
Tuel
o:Al
ri
ghtshapo
Bakang:
Sur
e

Att
hebusr
ank.
..

Iappr
oachedt
hebust
alki
ngt
othephone.
..

Maduo:
Iwi
shIwast
her
e,ot
oget
semony
ana
yoo.
..Iwouldhavebeatherevenherfat
her
wouldn'
trecogni
seher.I
'm di
sappoi
ntediny
ou,
howcany ouletsomeonewalkalloveryoul
ike
that
?
Me: (r
ubbedmyey es)Youwoul dn'tunderstand,
i
t'snotjustaboutf ighti
ng..
.Ihavenost r
ength,
thiswholethingl eftmenumb.Il ov eBakang
andi thoughtcomi ngher ewouldbr ingus
closerbuthel ovesanot herwoman, awoman
whoj ustpoppedoutofnowher e.Hel ovesher..
.
Hesai diwasaf riend..Hewasgent leonher
andhehasn' tbot her edcall
ingmesi ncethen.
Heev engav et hegi rlmyaddress...
Maduo: Candyy ooogot seel
akot asemmeke
mmei l
ebambar a..
.ShestaysinMaunaker e,
I'
m
sureoneoft hegoodday swewi l
lmeet,f
esti
ve
seasonisjustar oundthecornerandMaunwi ll
beburningwi t
hf unevents,i
knowshewi ll
att
endoneoft hem, I
'l
lgoghettoonher.How
dareshedeletesy ourbaby'
sphot o,whydi
dn't
shedeleteBakang'ssper
m onlyandleaveyour
Ov ar
ykakey ooareosut hadi
spermt saga
Bakang.Nxlaesesket et
sewaitse.
..
.Keeng
nneasaphot oshopempay agaBakangal esa
dinepetsagago?Nxlaa
Me:
Idon'
tknowwhatt
othi
nkany
mor
e..
Maduo:Justgeti
nthebus,
Bakangl
eenewa
bor
aplease
Me:Hehasn'
tcal
l
edtoev
enaskifI
'
mfi
neorat
l
eastl
i
etomesay i
nghei
ssor
ry.
Maduo:
Lethi
m be,
mol
eseosi
ame.
Me:MmekahaneBakangant hapelakateng?
Thi
smanbeggedmel i
keiwast helastwoman
oneart
h,heboughtmeacar.Iunder st
andhe
comesfrom moneybutdomenj ustbuyany one
acar?Wasallt
hatanactknowinghewi ll
leave
meatsomepoi nt
?
Maduo:Guy
sli
kehimli
vei
nthemoment
,if
you'
ret
heoner
ightt
her
ehewill
actl
i
kei
tbut
whenyourti
meisuphetakesittothenext
womangapeBakangjustwantedtousey ou,
he
wantedasonev
enthecartotaor i
l
eit'
sforhis
son.
Me: Ishoul
dhav eknownsomethingli
kethi
s
wouldhappen, Duduleenesheshoweduplike
thi
skesai t
sesepe.Bakangisheart
lessl
i
kemy
fat
her..
.Whenhesai dI'
mjustafri
endkeutwa
kegopol aPapa.
Maduo:Nodon'tment
iont
hatman,
idon'
tl
ike
hear
ingaboutt
hethi
ngshedid.
Me: (t
earfull
y)I
tal
mostfeltli
ket hesame
feel
ingwhenmyf at
hersawusatt hemal l
buyi
ngMai zemealandasmal lbottl
eof
cookingoilreil
ekadinaokommol ongmo
tsat
singlegoneeneapusherabi gtroll
eywi th
hisgirl
fr
iendanddaughter..
.hej ustpretended
hedidn'tseeus.Mymot herheldmecl oser
tel
li
ngmet ostaycl
osebuti thoughtshedi dn'
t
understandpapasoi walkedupt ohim kereke
buwal eene, hejustsai d" gohomeI 'l
lcomesee
yout here"abuawi thaser i
ousf ace, hedi dn'
t
evengi vemeP10f oradr inkbuthecoul dsee
myshoeswer etornandt hati wassweat i
ngas
resultofwal kingsuchal ongdi stancef rom
homet ot heshop, hi
sdaught erwaswear i
ng
newcol ourfulclotheswi thni cehai rspeaki ng
thisniceEngl ishy adi Engl i
shmedi um, i envi
ed
thatgirlkanaokaej aana. .
.todaywhenIl ooked
atWendykeut wakei tseel akot asehaakanako
enePapaai ngnor a.Conf idencey ame
evapor atedkel ebileWendy ..
.keiny aditsewi t
h
everything,shespokeEngl ishlikeshewasan
Amer icanandIcoul dn'tev endef endmy self,
i
wasst utt
ering.Ijustwant edhert oleav eme
alone...(
rubbedmyey es)Bakangbr okemy
heart..
.Idon' tthinkI'l
leverbet hesameagai n.
Maduo:
Justcomehomemyl ove,youhavea
j
obandyoudon'tneedhi
mtobehappyandt his
t
imedon'
tret
urnthecar,
youdeser
veitbecause
hi
sgi
rl
fr
iendbeatyou.Candyyooeneke
mmei
letrepekamodimo, haahet
akannaot
a
ut
wakakaf or
ecl
apahela.Justwait
..
.
Me: Ihavenev erbeenembar r
assedl i
kethis
before,waitseifyoueverseemet alki
ngt o
Bakangj ustborrowagunandshootme, Ke
tabokel oi
lwe.I'm donewit
hrelat
ionships.I
'm
done...
Maduo:
Mxm hei
saj
erk
Me: Kesiil
wekebusy a7kedi il
weket r
af f
icand
nowt hisonegatweyoubookaseatsoi have
beensi t
ti
nghereli
keaf oolkant
ebathobabuka
diseatthroughthephone,bareit
'sf
ullbutI'l
l
standunt i
lsomeonegetsoutprobablyko
Mahal apye.I
t'
sthel
astbusgakenachoi ce
Maduo:Wait
seBakangogosoti
l
et sal
aame,uh.
..
Justst
and,I
'
m suresomeonewi
llgetoffi
nthe
nextst
op,2hour
sisnotbad.
Me:
Bye
Maduo:
Bye.
.

Ihungupandputt hephoneinmyhandbagbag
theni hel
dthebaralmostfall
i
ngasthebus
slowlydroveoutoftherank.I
twasafew
mi nut
esafter8andev er
yonehadhungtheir
j
acket sbehi
ndtheirseat
s,afewwomeni nthe
fronthadsofttr
avell
ingbl
anketsandneck
pill
owsont hei
rlaps.

Iwaswear i
ngnot hi
ngbutav estwi
thabout10
hoursaheadofmei nt hedarkcoldbutthe
ai
rconaboveconsol edme...Itwasmyl ast
hope.Thedr i
verswitchedofftheli
ght
sand
i
ncreasedthespeedaswegotoutoft hecit
y
centr
etraf
fic.
..

Afewhourslat
erthebusst
oppedandtwo
peopl
egotout,i
final
l
ygotachancet
obendmy
kneesandrestmyback, i
twassl owlygett
ing
coldandpeoplereachedforthei
rjacket
sbuti
l
eanedbythewi ndowholdingmyhandbag
rubbi
ngmyar ms...

Ashour spassedt hebusgotcol derandcol der

,
onewi ndowbehi ndmewasn' tclosingproperly
andt hefreezingcol
dwentst r
aightf ormeas
theladybehi ndmehadcompl et
elycov ered
herselfwithawar m bl
anketsoundasl eep.Ihad
hugegoosebumpsandmybodywasf reezi
ng..
.
Icouldhearpeopl esnori
ngaroundmebuti
couldn'tsl
eep, i
twastoocold.

Around3am thebusstoppedandaf ewpeopl

e
gotinthebus,ayoungladysatnextt
ome
holdi
ngherfl
uffywarm blanket
.

Me:
Hi.
.
Her
:(put
ti
ngheadset
sinherear
s)Hi

Shefacedtheotherwayandcover
edhersel
f
wit
htheblanketasthebusl
eft
..
.Itookoutmy
phoneandsentmybr ot
heramessage.

Me: Abi keasitwagoremobaseng, keti

leka
vesthelapleaset el
lReneit
omakemeav er
y
hott eawheny oucomet ocoll
ectmeatt hebus
ranki nthemor ni
ng,Bri
ngmeabi gblanketas
well.I'
m dying.Myfinger
sarepainf
ulevenasi
typet hi
smessage.

Hi
sphonecal
lcamet
hrough.
..

Me:
(shi
ver
ing)Hel
l
o?
Abaleng:
(yawni
ngsi
tt
ingup)what
'
sthename
ofthebus?
Me:
Idi
dn'
tcheckt
hename
Abal
eng:Givemet hei
rcontact
,itshoul
dbeon
ther
ecei
pt.
..Befastbecausethebusmi ghtget
i
nano-networkzone.

Iquicklyreadhimt henumbert henhehungup

beforeIcouldsayany thing.Iputmyphone
downandl eanedagainstt hewindow,minutes
l
aterthebusl ightsswitchedonandt he
conduct ormov edaroundhol di
nghisjacket
...
Hel ookedatmeandst opped. .
.

Conduct
or:
KeNal
edi
?
Me:
Yes
Conduct
or:Brazenomongwent
seal
edi
tsear
e
orent
ajacketyamekegoeneel
e
Me:Thanks(Igott
hejacketandputi
ton
pul
l
ingthehoodieovermyhead)howmuchi
s
hepay
ingy
ou?
Conduct
or:
Heoff
eredP200butker
il
eP100i
s
okay,
weareal
mostinMaun.
Me:
Thanks
Conduct
or:
Keaut
iyagago?
Me:
(laughed)Nohei
smybi
gbr
other
Conductor:Hahawagofenabl
i
ndhebegged
methinkingI'
dref
use.
Me:
(smi
l
ed)Thanks

Hewal
kedawayandthel
ight
sswit
chedoff,
i
t
ookoutmyphoneandsentamessage.
..

Me:
Gott
hej
acket
,lov
eyou
Not
if
icat
ion:
Messagenotsent
..
.
Therewasnonetwor kcover
age,isi
ghed
rel
i
evedandleanedbackwi t
hasmi l
eclosi
ng
myey esassl
eepfinall
ybegansneakingupon
me...
..
..
..

Al
waysremembert
opr
essLi
keandcomment
,
muchl
ov e.
Co-
wif
e
#39

Atmymot
her
'shouse.
..
.

((
(((
(((
(((Nal
edi
'scoff
insl
owl
ywentdownnext
tohert hethr
eenewbornbaby'
scof
fi
nsasthe
crowdsangsof tl
y.
..
..

Cr
owd:
(sl
owl
y)Boi
tshwaaaar
elooj
wa
moooodi
moj
oneeee,
keabobat
aaaa-

Heartwr enchingcr ieswai l

edf r
om bot hsidesof
thecrowdasMaduocr i
edhy sterical
lystandi
ng
nexttoherboy fri
end, Abaleng'stearsroll
ed
downasRenei cov eredherf acecr yi
ng..
.Arona
huggedhermot hercr yi
ngast heysatundert he
gazebowat chingasmenf il
l
edNal edi
's
graveyardwi thshov elswhi l
ewomenpushed
thesoilovert henewbor nswi t
ht heir
hands)))))
))))
)))Shef ell
offthebedandgotup
swit
chingt hel i
ghtson, herey eswer etearyand
herheartwaspoundi ngl i
kenev erbefore..
..
.

Shetookaf ewbr eathsandknel

tdownput t
ing
herelbowsont hebedt hensheclosedhereyes
andpr ay
ed, sheprayedsohardshebegun
cry
ing.Afterheramenshegotherphoneand
di
aledherdaught ersnumberbutitwasn'
t
av
ail
abl
e..
..

Sheknewshewaswi thBakangbut
reconsideredcal
l
inghi
m,thelastt
imeshe
showedconcer nshewassaidtohave
overreacted.
..

Sheswit
chedof ft
hel i
ght
sandlai
ddownbut
shecoul
dn'tevencloseherey
es,shedi
aledher
daught
erinlaw..
..

Renei
:(sl
eepy
)Hel
l
o?
Her:Renei
lwe,
hi.
..Sor
rytowakeyoubuthav
e
youtal
kedtoNaledi?Hernumberi
sn'
t
avai
l
able..
.
Renei
:Shei
str
avel
l
ing,
shei
sonherwayback.
Her
:Wi
thBakang?
Renei:No,
alone.
..Wearegoi
ngtocol
l
ectherat
(l
ookedatthescreen)i
n2hourst
hebuswil
lbe
here.
Her:
Tellhert
ocal
lmei
mmedi
atel
y,i
wantt
o
seeher
.
Renei
:Emma,
I'
ll
dot
hat
.
Her
:By
e

Shehungupandstaredinthedar
knessafr
aid
togobacktosl
eepthinki
ngthedream mi
ght
cont
inuewher
eitl
eftoff.
..
..
..

Att
hebusr
ank.
..
..

Around6am someonepokedmesev er
alt
imes
andi f
inall
yopenedmyey esandclosedmy
mouthr ubbingmyey es.
..Itwasagoodsleep.
..
Wasmymout hreal
l
yopen?Ij usthopedthe
conduct
ordi
dn'
tseet
hat
..
..

Conduct
or:
Wear
eher
e..
..
Me:
(il
ookedar
oundandt
hebusempt
y)Wher
e
i
sever
yone?
Conductor
:Theyl
eft
,idi
dn'
tevenknowther
e
wassomeonei nt
hebus.It
houghtyoul
eftwit
h
myjacket.
Me: (
stoodup)Iwasasl eep,harekegoneke
utwangboroko.Ididn'
tsleepalltheway
becauseIwascold...(
gav ehim hisj
acket
)
Thanksalot.
..(
lookedout si
deandsawAbal eng
withRenei
)Mybr otheri
sov erthere,
youcango
getyourmoney.
Conduct
or:
Alr
ight
..
.

Igotmybagandsteppedoutoft
hebus,
Abalengputhi
swal
leti
nthebackpocketand
wr
appedmewi
thabl
anket
..
.

Abaleng:
(laughed)Sdudahsame.
..
(pokedmy
for
ehead)Let aaswakegor at
amesepele.
..O
bake
Me:(l
aughedandrubbedmyrunni
ngnose)
Gakebate.
..(
myvoicetr
ail
edof
f)I
twasvery
col
d
Abaleng:(
stoppedsmil
ing)Yourvoi
ceisgone,
youmusthav ebeenreall
ycold.Whatr
eall
y
happened?
Me:
(si
ghed)I
t'
sal
ongst
ory
..
.
Abal
eng:
Let
'sgo.
..

Hetookmybagandwetur
nedar
oundwal
ki
ng
t
owardsReneiwhosmi
l
edatmeaswehugged
t
henshehandedmeawarmtea.
..
Renei
:Coff
eej
ustf
ormysi
ster
..
.Wi
thext
ra
cr
eam...
Me:
(smi
l
ed)Thanks.
..

Weal
lgoti
nthecaranddr
oveof
f.
..

Renei:
Yourmom sai
dyoumustcal
lher
,she
soundedworr
ied.
Me:
Thanks.
..

Idi
aledhernumber
..
..

Mama:
Hel
l
o?
Me:
Himama
Mama: (
sighedi
nrel
ief)ThankGodyou'
refine,
kegoloret
setoroetshosanggorengwanaka
makukujaana,i
twasreall
yhorr
ibl
e
Me:
(pani
cked)whatwashappeni
ng?
Mama: (pickedmyf ear)Butidon'tthinkit
meantany thing,Iprayedaboutit.It'
sprobabl
y
becauseIwasl ayi
ngonmybackf aceup,
usual
lywhenIwassl eepfaceupi get
ni
ghtmar es,don'tworryaboutit.What
happened?Whyar eyoubacksoqui ckly?
Me: Wehadanar gumentandi deci
dedtoleav
e,
I'
l
ltel
lyouaboutintheaft
ernoon.Iwanttogo
andsleep,
ididn'
tsleepal
lnightiwascol
d.
Mama: Yesgoandr est
,wewillt
alkl
ater.Naledi
kooreoikaelet
segoyaker
ekenglengngwanaka?
(il
aughed)It'
sveryi
mport
anttobecloserto
Godwheny ouareawoman,thi
swor l
disf ul
lof
evi
lngwanaka.
Me:
I'
ll
got
ochur
ch
Mama:SundayI
'
mt aki
ngyoutochurch.You'
re
ol
denoughtopr
ayforyour
sel
fNaledi,
you'r
ea
womannow.Ipray
edforyouwheny ouwerea
babynowyou'
reanadul t
,youhavey
ourown
si
nsandchall
engesyoumustputbeforeGod
andseekhi
sprotect
ion.Sundaywearegoi
ngto
chur
ch.
Me:
Yes,
wewi
l
lgot
oget
her
..
..By
e
Mama:
Bye.
..

Ihungup,af
ewmi nut
eslaterAbal
engwaitedat
thegat
easReneil
weunlockedthesli
dinggat
e
andpushedi
t.
..
.

Abal
eng:Nal
edikoorehowmuchr
entar
eyou
payi
ngfort
hishouse?
Me:
It'
s2.
2
Abaleng:Thati
stoomuch, y
ou'reget
ting3.
8
permonth, whynotr
entacheaperhouse?The
reasonit
'ssoexpensi
veisbecauseithasa
screenwallandyou'
renotstay
ingwiththe
l
andl
ord.Kanai
tmeansy
ou'
renotsav
ingaker
e?
Me:I'
m payi
ngt
hef ur
nit
ureshop,I
'
llbepayi
ng
P600permonthfor36mont hssofarIpai
d8
months.
..
Abaleng: Youbet t
erhopet heyr enewy our
contract,thi
shousei swayt ooexpensi vefor
oneper son,youdon' thaveachi ldyoucanj ust
rent1andhal f,wadi bona.
..thesehousest hat
haveashowerwi t
ht hetoil
etandal i
ttl
ekit
chen,
theycostaboutP700y ouwoul dhav esaved
1.5Kpermont hwhi chis13.5kt hatyoualready
spentint hepast8mont hs..
.Yousuckwheni t
comest omanagi ngmoney ,
Idon'tthinkyou
l
ookatt hepricesorcompar e,youneedt obe
carefulaboutt hat
.
Me:Yeah,
I'
ll
lookf oracheaphouseand
someti
mesi getscaredstay
ingher
eall
alone.
That
'swhyigotScooby
Abal
eng:
EneScoobykeut
ulegot
weoganadi
j
o
tsaSetswanaosenkat i
nst uffy
adintšaand
milk,don'
tgeti
tusedtothat ,
makesur ei
t
knowsadogeat sleft
overs,ti
nstuffi
sjusta
bonus.Youcan'tbespendingP300onadog,
that'
sabsurdandreckl
essspendi ng
Me:
(laughed)You'
rer
ight
..
.

Isteppedoutofthecarandbidthem goodby
e
ast heydrov
eof f
.Iwal
kedinandthrewmybag
ont hecouchlocki
ngthedoortheniwent
str
ai ghtt
obed.

AtBakang'
shouse.
..

Lateronthatsunnymor ni
ngBakangwassun
baskingnexttothepool i
nhischeckboxer
shortswit
hawhi tetoweloverhisfaceashe
l
aidont hewhiteplast
icpoolchair
..
.
Wendywal kedoverbar
efootholdi
nga
sunscreenswingi
nghersize28f i
gur
einher
bri
ghtbiki
niandsatonhistummy ,hepul
ledout
thetowelandheldhersl
im waistasshel
eaned
overki
ssinghim..
.

Wendy
:Imi
sseddoi
ngt
hiswi
thy
ou.
..

Bakangpulledherdownf oramor eint

imate
ki
ssandsatuphol di
ngher,Shesqueezedt he
sunscreenonherpalmsandappl iedonhis
chestashel ookedatherbabyface,heleaned
overandkissingheragai
n...

Bakang:
Thanksf
orcomi
ngback.
.
Wendy
:Don'
thur
tme.
..
Bakang:
Iwon'
t.
..(
grabbedt
hesunscr
een)Tur
n
ar
ound.
..Andy
ouowemeanapol
ogy
Wendy
:(l
aughed)Forwhat
?
Bakang:
(rubbi
nghershoul
der
s)Foraccusi
ng
meofbeingHIVposit
ive
Wendy :Well
you'
renotgett
inganybecausehad
younotcheatedwewouldn'thavegonefor
thosetest
sinthefi
rstpl
ace,myfingeri
ssti
l
l
painf
ul
Bakang:Butl
et'
sbehonest
,youcont
ri
but
edt
o
al
lthese.
..
Wendy:That
'st
rue..
.I'
mreal
l
ysorr
yt hatIki
nd
ofmessedourplanswhenIgott
here.
Bakang:I
t'sokay,
atleastwewil
lpickupwher
e
weleftoffandI'
m notlet
ti
ngyouthist
ime
ar
ound...
Wendy:
(closedherey
esashemassagedher
)
I
'
m notgoinganywherebabe.
..Mydr
eamsar
e
i
nMaun...
Heappl i
edthesunbl ockonherbackandsl owly
pul l
edthewhi t
ebikinitopstr
ingsonherback...
Itfelldownt henheappl i
edtheoilonhert i
ny
i
nt actbreastswi t
hbr ownpoi nt
ynipples.
..He
squeezedherni pplesandgotani nstantboner
assher espondedwi t
hasof tmourn,heleaned
ov erandkissedherneckf rom thebackasshe
closedherey es.

Hepul l
edherdownl yi
ngherheadonhi sl ap
andputhi shandi nherbi
kini
bottom gent l
y
playi
ngwi thhershavedwetfolds..
.Hepul led
thebi ki
ni st
ri
ngsoneachsi deofherwai stand
pull
edi toutleavinghernude.Hegotupand
kneltbef oreherholdi
ngeachofherl egsst ari
ng
atherki ttyandkissedherasshemoaned. .
..He
gentlytonguedherwor ki
nghistonguear ound
herpnani asshemoanedsof tlytur
ningherey es
holdinghi shead...
.
Wendy
:(sof
tl
y)Mmh.
..
.Mmh.
..

Hestoppedt onguingthehoney potandcr awled

overkissi
ngherwi thherjuices,sherubbedthe
pi
peashel ayonherlit
t l
ebodyt henhepul l
ed
downhi sshortsdroppingitassher eachedfor
i
tandr ubbedit.
..Hegotupandst oodbythe
bedassheknel tdownandst ar
tedwithhissack
holdi
nguphi spipe..
.

Bakang:
(cl
osedhi
seyesasshet ant
ali
sedhi
m)
UhmyGod, shei
sback.
..Shi
t.
..

Hegr oanedar chi

nghi
sbacky earni
ngformore
thenhel i
ft
edherupandwal kedt othewooden
outdoortablebythepoolwherehel ai
dher
downandspr eadherl
egsstrokinghimsel
f
stari
ngatherkit
tycheeksastheyencl
osedthe
honeypot..
.hedirect
edhispi
pebetweenthe
foldsandsli
dinassheclosedhereyeshol
ding
hertinnyt
idi
es.
..
.

Wendy
:(f
rowned)Mmmh.
..
Bakang:(pushedherhandawayfr
om hert
itand
gentl
ysqueezethebuttonshi
msel
f)Ohh
yeah.
..
..

Evenaf t
erani ghtbeforet heystill
couldn't
contr
ol t
hemsel ves,itwasl iketheywer e
meetingforthef i
rsttimeandev erymor nshe
l
etout ,
itbroughthim cl oserandcl osertocl oud
nineandonceshewast here,herf aceugli
fied
andhel ovedthel ook,itsenthim st rai
ghtinto
thecloudast heybot hmoanedbyt hepool..
..
Heslowl
ypul
ledoutast hejui
cesdroppedfrom
thepi
pe,
thehoneypotspil
ledthewhit
ejuices
downandhepushedt hepipebacki
n...

Bakang:
(laughedandki
ssedher
)Hey
..
Wendy:(
laughedput
ti
ngherar
msar
oundhi
m)
Hey.
..
.

Likeababyheyankedherupandrantowards
thepoolcar
ryi
ngherasshescreamed,hediv
ed
i
nsideholdi
ngandsplashedt
hewater.
..
.

Wendy:
(laughedrubbi
ngthewat
erof
fherf
ace)
Pl
easedon'tdothatagai
n..
.
Bakang:
(emergedoutandkissedherasthey
st
oodbyt hecor
nerofthepool)Il
oveyou..
Wendy
:Il
ovey
out
oo
Bakang:(
spl
ashedherwit
hwat erandhopped
out)Wehaveaf l
i
ghttoMaun, don'
tfor
get.
..
(dr
yinghi
mselfwi
thatowel)Let'
sgo..
.

Shehoppedoutandhecoveredherwit
hat owel
andki
ssedher.
.Hecarr
iedherinsi
deasthey
l
aughed.
..
..
..

AtDudu'
shouse.
..

Lateronsheknel tont hef l

oorwithher
businessbookandcount edherremaini
ng
weav est henshewr ot
et hem down,she
submi tt
edanor derformor estockand
compl etedthemoneyt r
ansfertoherregul
ar
supplier
...Pri
ncesscri
edi nthebedroom and
shehur ri
edov er.
..
Dudu:(
li
ftedoutofhercr
ib)Heyy ou..
.you
shoul
dlearntocal
lmewi thoutcr
y i
ngyou
know.
..

Shewal kedtothekitchencarry
ingherand
madeherbot tleasPr i
nciemadebabysounds
suckli
ngherfists.
..Thebigcanoff ormula
fi
nishedbeforeshecoul dcompletethelast
thr
eescoops, shecheckedf oranothercanand
remember edshehadonl yboughtone.Pr i
ncess
anxiouslycomplai
ned...

Dudu:
(gent
lyshookher
)Shhh.
..
.

Shegotherbagandcount edthemoneyshe
had,i
twasn'tenoughevenforali
tt
lecan.She
rememberedthetransact
ionshej
ustmadeand
hopeditpendedsomehow. .
.
Dudu:
(pr
essi
ngherphone)Pl
ease.
..
.Pl
ease.
..
.
Not
if
icat
ion:
Transferamount
:P3500t
o
Mhl
angasuccessful,
newbal:
P0.60

ShesighedandputherphonedownasPrincess
beguncryi
ng,shepi
ckedherphoneagai
nand
di
aledhermother.
..

Her
:Hel
l
o?
Dudu:
Mashi angwanaahedi
lebutidon'
thav
e
money,don'
tyouhavesomet
hing?
Her:Waii
gakenalehael
ethebe,y
ouknowhow
brokeiam dur
ingt
hist
imeofthemonth,
keeng
osabolel
elerr
agwe?
Dudu:
I'
l
ldot
hat
..
.By
e
Her
:By
e
Shehungupandaskedf rom herf
ri
endbutshe
wasbr oket
oo,shedial
edhi
snumberpacing
aroundthehouseshushi
ngthebaby..
..

AtMaunI
nter
nat
ional
Air
por
t.
..

Bakangheldherhandandl
edheroutpul
l
ing
herl
uggage,hi
sphonerangi
nthebackpocket
andshereachedfori
t.
..

Wendy
:(smi
l
ed)Cani
answeri
t?
Bakang:
(smi
l
ed)Kant
ekeengor
ataphone
yame?Kemang?
Wendy
:Dudu
Bakang:
(letgoofherhandandt
ri
edt
ogeti
t)
Ti
sakwano. .
.
Wendy :
(dodgedandwalkedinfr
ontofhim
backwardsasherhai
rgotblownonherface,
shesmiledandpul
ledi
taside)I
'
m pi
ckingit
..
.
(pi
cked)Hel
lo?
Dudu:
(pani
cked)Hi
Wendy
:Yes?
Dudu:
PleaseletBakangknowthatt
hebaby'
s
for
mulaisfi
nishedandthePamperswi
ll
tooin
afewdays.
Wendy
:(bl
ockedt
hespeaker
)Babehowmuch
di
dyougiv
ehermonthend?
Bakang:
2K,
why
?
Wendy:Wegav
ey ouenough,
youmustl
ear
nto
managemoney.
Dudu:Iwasmovingtoanewhouse,i
pai
dal ot
ofthi
ngsandboughtot
hert
hingsi
nthehouse.
Wendy:That'
syourmi
stake,Thatmoneyisfor
ourdaught
erandnothouseholdexpenses,
you
havetopayy ourownbi l
l
s, heebany
ana!Iwoul
d
understandifyouweresay i
ngthemoneyisn'
t
enought ocoverthebaby'
sexpensesbutyou'
re
usi
ngi ttosupportyour
selftoo?Wenaobereka
engelegor e?
Dudu:Canit
alkt
oBakang?Haor
eourdaught
er
orayawenalemang?
Wendy :NnaleBakang,that
'smybaby..
.I'
llbe
wit
hhert omorr
ow, t
odaywear eexhausted.
Kamosoommaakany e,wewil
ldropbyto
col
lectherandspendt i
mewi t
hherforaf ew
hours.
Dudu:You'
renotcomi
ngany
wher
enearmy
daught
er
Wendy:(l
aughed)Amme?Osur e?Unlessobat
a
gomolathi
sarragwekanagat
wel edir
ajal
oke
bi
tt
ernessyagorehechoseabetterwoman.
Dudu:
Cani
pleaset
alkt
ohi
m?
Wendy
:By
e..
..
ShehungupasBakanggott
hecarkey
sf r
om
thesecur
it
yguar
dandunl
ockedt
hecar..
..

Bakang:
Whatdi
dshesay
?
Wendy:Shewantsmoremoney,youshoul
d
haveacert
ainamountyougi
veherandnotjust
popmoneyev er
yti
meshewants.
Bakang:
Shewant
smoneyf
orwhat
?
Wendy
:Shesay
sthef
ormul
aisf
ini
shed.
Bakang:
Thismonthwasabitt
oughf orher
,she
wasmov i
ngandsheisnotwor
king.Ihaveto
hel
pherout.
Wendy :
Bakangifyou'
regoingtosuppor tyour
babymamaanddoherhai r,payherrentandall
thatl
etmeknow.It ol
dyouI '
m nothav i
nga
babymamadr amanna, yougav ehermoney
sheshouldhaveboughtthebaby '
sthings.Ha
el
egorebannabothebaneel
adibabymama
madil
ikeyoudothenmaybeyoushoul
dletme
know.
Bakang:
Justgeti
nthecar
..
.

Theygoti
nthecaranddr
oveout
..
.

Bakang:
List
en,
iunder
standwhaty
ouar
e
sayi
ngbut-
Wendy
:Butwhatbabe?
Bakang:
Babedon'
ti
nter
ruptmewhenI
'
m
tal
ki
ng
Wendy
:Sor
ry
Bakang:Iwantt
obuythemi
lki
nst
eadofgi
vi
ng
herthemoneysincey
ouhav
eaprobl
em wi
th
megi vi
nghermoney.
Wendy
:Okayt
hat
'sbet
terbuti
thi
nky
oushoul
d
takeherfrom Duduetsangandhandhert
oyour
mot herorDorcusbecauseIdon'
tthi
nkI'
m
goingtogetalongwithher.
Bakang:
I'
ll
dot
hat
,itsoundsbet
ter
..
.

Atmyhouse.
..
..
.

TherewasaknockonmydoorandIcoul dhear
thebabycry
ing,
iwalkedt
othedoorrubbi
ng
eyesandopenedthedoor
,Duduwalkedin
shushi
ngthebaby.
..
.

Dudu:
Yourphonei
sof
f.
..
Me:
Itmustbethebat
tery.
..
.(l
ookedatt
hebaby
)
Omori
lengwenaalel
ajaana?
Dudu:Themil
kisfi
nished,
themmankadime
chenchiy
abasebogolokereket
inennye.I
'm
notthety
pethatal
waysaskformoneyaft
er
borr
owingsomeonekoor
ehel
aihav
ea
si
tuati
on.
Me:(checki
ngmybag)Iunder
stand.
..(
she
cr
iedhyster
ical
l
y)Gasegor
eremosielejui
ce?
Dudu:
Sher
efused,
ial
readyt
ri
edathome.
..
Me:Mybr othergavememoneyearlythis
morning.(
gav eherP200)Her
e,i
tshouldbe
enough
Dudu:
Thanks.
..
(hur
ri
edout
)By
eletmehur
ry
Me:
Bye

Iclosedthedoorasshewal kedoutwitht
he
babycriedhyster
ical
lyandcoughing,
imov ed
thecurtai
nslooki
ngatherasshepacedoutt he
gateandclosedit.Iwasstuckbetweenstayi
ng
awayf r
om herandhel pi
ngthatbaby.
..

Ipi
ckedmycarkey
sandi
drov
eout
,Isl
owed
downnextt
ohert
henshegoti
ntheback.
..

Dudu:
Thanks.
..
Me:Yeah.
..(
thecr
yinggotwor
se)Hei
oal
ela
gor
e
Dudu:Idon'
tlikelet
ti
nghercr yl
ikethi
s,i
read
somewheret hatbabiesaren'
tsupposedtocr
y
forsuchalongt i
mei tcanaff
ectthem.
Me:(
iover
tookafewcars)Let
'shopegagona
l
aenekoShopri
te,
didy
oubr i
ngherbott
le?
Dudu:
Yesandt
hewat
er,
dimohandbagng.
..

Afewminut
eslaterIpar
kedi
nfr
ontofShopr
it
e
andst
eppedout.
..

Me:
Ker
ekeeng?
Dudu:
(shushi
ngt
hebaby
)Nan1.
..
Ihur
ri
edi
nsi
de.
..
..

Meanwhilethebabycri
edhy st
ericall
yinthecar
aspeoplestar
edatDuduwhent heypassedby .
UnawareBakangparkedacarspotawayf r
om
ourcarandtheybothsteppedout ,heheld
Wendy'shandandwalkedt owardst heshop..
.

Theybothturnedl
ooki
ngatt
hecr
yingbaby
,he
recogni
sedthecar
..
..

Iwalkedoutsi
dehol
dingati
nandopenedit
approachi
ngthedoorasDudutookoutthe
bott
le.
..
ihel
dthebabyasshecountedthe
scoopsandshookthebott
le.

Bakangwal
kedov
erhol
dingWendy
'shand.
..
.
Bakang:
Hey
..
.

Webot hturnedlooki
ngatt hem andthen
conti
nuedwi thourbusi
ness, igaveherthebaby
andsheputheronherl apshut t
ingherwit
ha
bottl
e..
.Fi
nall
ytherewassi lenceasshekicked
arounddri
nkingthemi l
k..
..

Bakang:
(hol
dingWendy
'shand)Canwet
alk?
Me:(goti
nthecarandslammedthedoor
angr
il
y)Dudugonalelemongweyoobatanggo
buwaleene?YoucanstepoutI
'
m goinghome.
Dudu:No,I'
m gooddear
..
.icameformil
kandI
goti
t.Let
'sgo,Ihav
eaclienttoat
tendi
nan
hour
.

Ist
art
edt
hecarandr
ever
sedal
mostr
oll
i
ngmy
tyr
esoverthei
rtoesasheprot
ect
ivel
ymoved
backWendybackhol di
ngherwai
sttheni
joi
ned
theroadanddroveoff.
..
.

Me:
(angr
il
y)Cany
oubel
i
evet
hisman?
Dudu:
"Canwetal
k?"(
laughedi
ndi
sbel
i
ef)
Wow..
..
.……………….
.

Timeschedul
eisbackto11am and11pm
weekday
s.AlwaysremembertoLikeanddr
op
acomment,muchlove.
.
Co-
wif
e
#40

AtDudu'
shouse.
..
.

Ipar
kedi
nfr
ontofherhouse,
shest
epped
downandcl
osedt
hedoor
..
.

Dudu:
Thanksf
ory
ourhel
p..
.
Me:
Any
time.
.
Dudu:(t
ouchedmyforehead)Thebr
uisesar
e
vi
sibl
e,i
t'
sgoingt
oleavealit
tl
escar
Me:I'
m wonderi
ngwhatexcusesIhavetogiv
e
fort
hat,
ithoughtt
hatFoundat
ioncov
ereditup
butgaabonala
Dudu:
(laughed)Ican'
tbeli
eveif
eltsor
ryf
or
thi
sbi
tchwheny oubeathim att
hehospit
al,
ifi
knewnkabokegot husi
tse.
..Agothomogapelo
gamemogokana
Me:(
laughed)Kehaol
esureosianaf
our
-f
ort
yle
mogatsoommi let
sabonnesehoo
Dudu:
(laughed)Nekel
opel
aler
ato.
..
Me:(l
aughed)Wenaol
opet
set
hat
amongat
o,
hai
khona!
Dudu:(laughed)Hei mma, youdon'tknow
anythi
ng...Icouldseehisparentswereplaying
memmedi lotsagamangwanaagohel ajaaka
mmagweBakangar engwetsiyame,aka!keha
i
bilekelebalagor eBakangompedi tse,dicl
apa
tsaholakamot sotso,
waitseretaaswakego
rat
any alo
Me:(l
aughed)Hei .
..
..Hahahahi
sf athercal
led
mengwet siatthefarm..
.Heel
agawabona
wena,kehaekar enkapalamaditankakakuwa
gor
ebagaet shokgosi y
aBatawanay ar
eke
ngwet
si,I'
mt el
li
ngy ouitwasli
kei wont he
l
ott
ery.
Dudu:
(laughed)TheRoyalf
amilypl
ayedme
aut
warightonmyf aceandicouldseei
tmme
keswelabongwetsi
Me:(l
aughed)Haeolopetsel
erat
omonyanake
wena,nnakebotokanekekgonagongal
awena
neoleworse.
Dudu:(l
aughed)Ret shwanahel
aaker
ewenane
orekwakadi presentgoreonne(wel
aughed),
sotel
lmeI fheapologiseswoul
dyoutakehi
m
back?
Me:No,Wendyi
sthelastthingi
needi
nmyl
i
fe
wenai
bil
enekekegodhalela-
Dudu:(
laughed)You'
resuchawitch.
..And
whenmyt urncamey ouchangedyourmind?
Pol
ygamyi snotyourthi
ng
Me: (l
aughed)Pol ygamyi snotmyt hing, nna
totai j
ustwant edtohav ehim alltomy self
,I'
m
sorry.IwonderhowKi ngMswat i'
swi vesar e
copingt hi
sisnotf ortheweakl ikeme. ..my
heartwasbr eaking,Icouldn'tsl
eep...It hi
nk
that'
st heti
mesomet hingmi ghthav ehappened
tothebaby ,ihonestlybeli
evesobecausei had
mildchestpai nsthati i
gnoredandt hent he
babydi dn'
tmov ebutithoughtitwasn' t
anythingseri
ous.
Dudu:
Ireal
l
yfel
tbadf
ory
ou.
.Sor
ry
Me:
It'
spar
tofl
i
fe.Any
wayl
etmegohome.
..
Dudu:
Okay
,thanksonceagai
n
Me:
You'
rewel
come

Ir
ever
sedt
hecaranddr
oveout
..
..
..

AtKgosi
'
shouse.
..
..

Bakangparkedt
hecarandnot
icedshewasn'
t
happyaboutsomet
hing.
..

Bakang:
What
?
Wendy
:Not
hing.
..
Bakang:
Ithoughty
ouov
ergr
ewt
hishabi
tyago
ngal
a
Wendy
:Whatdi
dyouwantt
otal
ktot
hem about
?
Bakang:
Aboutmydaught
er
Wendy :I
'
m notst upidBakang, t
hosegirlsar
e
thestupi
dones...Keboneokabaaket sang,
esengnna..
...
mov ingaroundlike1960co- wives,
i
t'sevenunnaturalthattheyfi
ndnot hi
ngwr ong
withthei
rfr
iendshipbutI '
m notstupidli
kethem,
i
fy ouwanttolietomey ou'l
lhavetodobet ter
that.
Bakang:
(leanedback)Ar
eyoui
nsecur
e?
Wendy
:Excuseme?
Bakang:
Idon'
tgetwhyy
ou'
rewor
kedupabout
thi
s
Wendy :I
'm notworkedup,moveyourdaughter
f
rom thereifyouwantust ohav
epeace.Pay
whatevercowst heyneedandgetheroutthere,
yourparentscanraiseher
.
Bakang:
Iagr
eedwi
tht
hatear
li
erosant
seo
ngaletseengjaanong?Di dn'tisayI '
l
ldoit?(she
l
ookedout sidethecarf ol
dingherar ms)Babe? .
..
Wifey?(heleanedov erandpul ledhercloserfor
akiss)Iloveyouandi don'twantt hi
slit
tl
epout
ony ourface..
.(ki
ssedher )Getr i
dofi t
..
.(he
smiledandt i
ckledherasshesmi l
ed)Ther ewe
go..
.Yeah
Wendy:(
laughed)Stop.
..
.(sheki
ssedhim)Il
ove
youandican'twei
ghttobeMr sBakang
Tawana,
i can'
twaittobeamot herofBat
awana.
Bakang:(l
eanedoverandki
ssedher
)It
'sj
usta
matterofti
me..
..

MmaKgosi '
scarpar
kednexttohi
scar,
he
stoppedki
ssi
ngherastheyt
urnedl
ooki
ngat
her.

Herfacel
i
tupwi t
hasmi l
easshegotoutoft
he
carandwalkedover
..
..
.
Her
:(smi
l
edsur
pri
sed)I
sthi
sWendy
?
Wendy
:(wal
kedov
ersmi
l
ing)Emmakenna
Her:
Haobathonngel
ingel
i
!Iseet
hesnowwas
tr
eat
ingyouwel
l.
..
.(t
heyhuggedl
aughi
ng)How
areyou?
Wendy
:I'
mfi
ne.
..

Meanwhi l
eDorcasmovedt
hecurtai
nsl
ooki
ng
atthem andt
urnedar
oundalmostbumpi
ngint
o
kgosi.
..

Dor
cas:
Sor
ry.
..
Kgosi
:(mov
edthecurt
ainsl
ooki
ngoutsi
deand
si
ghed)Doyout
hinkhemadetheri
ghtchoi
ce?
Dorcas:
Idon'tknowhowmostoftheki
ngs
choosethei
rwives,
boysmar
rythei
rmother
s..
.
Didy oumaket her i
ghtchoi ce?( hekeptqui et
stari
ngather )heisami niyou...Iguesst he
quest i
onisarey ouhappymyki ng?I fyou' re
theny oucanhav epeace, they oungPr incei s
foll
owingy ourfootst
epssomuchi don'tt hi
nk
heory ouseei t
.Shei sbeaut if
ul, educat ed,with
amodel l
i
ngbodyandagoodf ami l
ybackgr ound,
whatel sedoesheneed?Ohper hapsamai dto
dowhatt hewifecan'tdo..
..bether ef orhim and
l
ifthisspiri
twhenhebr eaksdown?
Dor
cas:
Midoi
sagr
ownman.
Dor cas:That'
swhyI'm quit
ti
ng, Midoogodil
e
totagagonasekesedi rangha, hewasmyonl y
reason, I
'm get
ti
ngtooold,idon'twanttodie
alone.Ket hokamonnamogol onyanawamele
nna. .
.(heswall
owedsadl ystari
ngather )
Perhapsy ourwifeshouldhireay oungermai
d,
thisismyl astmonth.
Kgosi:Idon'
tknowwhattosay.
..Thingswil
l
neverbethesamewithoutyouhere.I'
m goi
ng
toeatdi
ff
erentf
oods,
per
hapsdr
essdi
ff
erent
ly
andfeel
solone-

Mi dowal
kedinandhisfatherreachedf
orthe
glasswateronthecounter
,helookedatbothof
them andopenedthefri
dge..
.

Mi
do:
Hel
l
o
Dor
cas:
Hel
l
oson,
hav
eyouhadany
thi
ngt
oeat
?
Mido:
NobutI
'
lleatl
ater
,I'
mtaki
ngWendyt
o
t
heparty
..
.
Dorcas:Mont
hendI
'
llbel
eav
ingt
hispl
ace
Mido..
.
Mi
do:
(lookedatbot
hoft
hem)Why
?
Dor
cas:.I'
mt oooldtobeamaidmyboy ,
ineed
tor
estnowandf i
ndanoldmanofmyown. .(
he
not
icedthepalelookonhisf
ather
'sf
aceeven
ashetri
edt ohideit
)You'
ret
heonlyr
easonI
wasworki
ngherebecauseigr
ewclosert
oy ou,
webondedbutnowy ou'
ret
ooold,
youdon't
ev
enstayher
eanymor e.
Mi
do:
(si
ghed)I
syourhousef
ini
shed?
Dorcas:Yes,t
her
ewasat
enanti
nitbuti
gav
e
hernoti
celastmont
h.

Mmakgosi
andWendywal
kedi
nlaughi
ng.
..

Mmakgosi
:Dor
cascany
ougetWendyadr
ink?
Dor
cas:
Yesma'
am.
..
.
Wendy
:(t
oKgosi
)Dumel
ang
Kgosi
:Hel
l
o..
.

Dor
caspour
edheraFant
aor
angeandhanded
her
..
..
Wendy:(l
ooki
ngati
t)Idon'
tdr
inkcar
bonat
ed
dr
inks.
..

Dorcaspausedwonder
ingwhatt
hatmeant
,she
hadnoideawhatthewordmeant.
..

Wendy
:Idon'
tl
ikeFi
zzy
..
.

Kgosilookedathissonbutheav oidedhis
fat
her'
sst ar
ethenKgosiquiet
lywal kedout
fol
lowingmmaKgosi ,Bakangleanedagai nst
thecounterasWendymov edclosertohim
holdi
nghisarm...

Hewat
chedasDor
caspour
edt hedr
inkbacki
n
t
hebot
tl
eandwashedt
heglass..
.
Mi
do:
Letmedoi
t.
..
Dor
cas:
(fi
xedhi
sgol
ft-
shi
rtcol
l
ar)Thanky
ou
myboy.
.

Shewalkedoutt
henBakangpour
edheraj
uice
andhandedhert
heglass.
..
.

Bakang:
Nexttimewhenanadultgivesyou
somethi
ngtakeitandatl
eastsi
p,behavel
ikea
Motswana.
..
.you'
renotal
l
ergi
ctoFizzy
Wendy:Idon'
tl
ikeFi
zzy
,wasIsupposedt
ojust
t
akeit
?
Bakang:
You'
remi
ssi
ngt
hepoi
nt,
Let
'
sgo.
..
Wendy
:kant
ewhydoy ouguyshav
esuchanol
d
mai
d?Shehasbeenheresi
ncefor
ever
Bakang:(si
ghedexhaustedl
y)Babedon'tdo
that
..
..
just.
..I
'
m kindoff
rust
ratedr
ightnow,
don'
tbenegat iv
e.
Wendy
:Sor
ry.
..
.
Bakang:
Wai
tint
hecar
,I'
l
lbet
her
einasec.
..

ShewalkedoutthenBakangwalkedtotheback
yar
dwher ehi
sfatherwaspoli
shi
nghisshoes,
Bakangsatonthestai
rcaseandtookoutan
engagementri
ng..
..

Bakang:(openedt
heboxandt i
lt
edi
t)I
'
m going
toproposeatthepar
ty.
..
.Iwantt
omarryher
.
Kgosi
:(pol
i
shi
nghi
sshoes)congr
atul
ati
ons.
..
Bakang:
That
'sal
l
?
Kgosi
:Whatcani
say
?
Bakang:(
heclosedi
tandputi
tinhi
spocket
)
Underthi
s--
-st
rai
ght
alkeri
sav
erysweetl
ovi
ng
woman.
Kgosi
:Youdon'
thav
etoconv
inceme,
ifshe
makesy ouhappygof orit.Doesshemakey ou
happy?Doessher especty ou?Canshehol d
yourhandev enwheny ougetar restedfor
somethi ng?Canshest il
lbewi thyoui fyoulose
every
thingy ouhav enow?Cansher emindy ou
topaychi ldsuppor tt
ochi l
dr enthataren'thers?
Isshey ourst r
ength?Ifther ecomesasi tuati
on
whereshecan' tgiveyousexwoul dshest i
llbe
i
mpor tanttoy ou?I sshecapabl eofl ovi
ngy ouif
youhadanacci dentandgotcr i
ppled?Ifthe
answer stoal lt
hesequest ionsisy esthen
marryher ..
.
Bakang:
(si
ghed)Whyar
eyoudoi
ngt
hat
?
Kgosi
:Doi
ngwhat
?
Bakang:
Don'
tyoul
i
keWendy
?
Kgosi
:Idon'thaveapr obl
em wi
thher
,ihav
ea
pr
oblem withheratt
it
udeandi hat
ewhatshe
di
dtoDor casoutthere?
Bakang:
Arey
ousl
eepi
ngwi
thDor
cas?
Kgosi:(
off
ended)Don'teverdisr
espectmeli
ke
thatagai
n.(grabbedhi
sshoesandst oodup)
TellMandy'
spar ent
sicouldn'
tmakeit,I
'
m
goingtochurch..
..
Bakang:
It'
sWendy
Kgosi
:Mi
ndy
Bakang:
Wendy
Kgosi
:Ci
ndy
Bakang:
(laughed)I
'
m st
il
lmar
ryi
ngher
Kgosi:(
rubbedMido'sheadwalki
ngpassedhim)
Ibeli
eveyoubecausethat'
sexactl
ywhatIsai
d
toyourgrandf
ather40yearsagowhenhe
askedmet hesamequest i
ons.
..Isai
dI'
m st
il
l
marryi
ngher

Hewalkedi
nsi
dethehouseasBakang
r
emainedseat
edonthestai
rcase,hetookout
t
heri
ngagainandst
aredatitthi
nkingabout
whathi
sfat
herhadsai
d..
..

MeanwhileWendyapproachedbehindhim and
herjawsdroppedasshestaredthediamond
ri
nghewashol di
ng,heheardherfootst
epsand
quickl
ycl
oseditshovi
ngiti
nhi spocket
..
.

Wendy:Hi
,themai
dsai
dyoumi
ghtbear
ound
her
e..
.
Bakang:
(gotupandheldherhandasthey
walkedi
nsi
de)Yeah.
..Sor
ryitooksol
ong..
..
Wendy:(respect
full
y)nopr
oblem,don'tworr
y
abouti
t.
..Iwasn'tevenwor
ried,
ijustwantedto
checkony ou.

Theygoti
nthecaranddr
oveof
f.
..
.
AtMaduo'
shouse.
..
.

Laterthateveni
ngMaduot ur
nedaround
hol
di ngherpursel
ookingatherselfonthe
mirrorasherpinkeveningdressfl
oweddown
herbodyf r
om thecleavagehuggingherwaist
downherl it
tl
ehipsspil
lingonthetil
e..
..
..

shedi
aledherfri
end'
snumberandf
ixedher
hai
rwhileati
t.
..

Nal
edi
:Hel
l
o?
Maduo:Gi
rli
fyoucoul
dseemenow...Heedu!
Ketagobol
aisacompet
it
ionket
sent
sedihips
Nal
edi
:(l
aughed)Wenagi
rl
?
Maduo:
Ify outhi
nkyoutheonlywit
hhipsyou
goty
ourselfaprobl
em.Thisdressi
sholdi
ng
metherightwaykeagobolaisaTuel
onopa
gor
e,hi
sbonerwi
l
lbepoi
nti
ngatev
ery
onet
he
whol
enight
..
.
Naledi:
(laughed)TsenaDuos!Hahahat
akea
fewpicturesrebone,ihavenev
erbeentoa
classyeveningdinner
..
.Iwantt
oseehowit'
s
done.
Maduo: Youknowmeandpi ctures,i
already
toldTuel
ogorepapiil
ovetakingpictur
esand
asmyboy f
ri
endyou'
renotall
owedt orefuseto
takepict
uresofmeinfactyoumustl earnhow
totakegoodpict
ures.
Me:(l
aughed)Iwanttoseeyout
wot
oget
her
,i
knowTuelokestout
unyana
Maduo:(l
aughed)Heisnaughtyandhewon't
eventel
lmewher ehei
stakingme,canyou
beli
evei
t?
Me:
Ilov
esur
pri
ses,
goandenj
oy
Maduo:
Bye
Shehungupandpower edhersel
f,Vr
rrphaa
rol
ledout
sidethenshel
ockedthehouseand
walkedoverasheswall
owedandsmi led
l
ookingatherassheli
ft
edherdresswalking
oversmil
i
ng...
.

Tuelo:Ul
alala.
..Myf
avouri
tet
hing.
..
.My
Heineken.
...MyVodka.
..
.MyChelsea..
.My
chi
efs..
.MyRomanRei gns
Maduo:(l
aughed)Idon'
tknowanyoft
het
hings
youl
ist
ed..
..
Tuel
o:Youl
ookbeaut
if
ul.
..CanItakeapi
ctur
e
ofusandmakei
tmypr of
ilepi
cture?
Maduo:What?Whyareyouaski
ngme?Just
takepi
ctur
esofme,t
hat'
sli
kemeaski
ngyouifi
shoul
dgiveyouabl
owjob
Tuel
o:(
laughed)Yeahdon'
taskme,
blowme
any
timey
ouwant
..
.

Shegotinandclosedthedoorthenhel eaned
overandcaptur
edthei
rpictur
e,heturnedthe
phonearoundandtookaf ewpictur
esofheras
thepull
edtheseatbel
tandputt hephone
down..
..

Tuel
o:(
star
tedt
hecaranddr
oveout
)Shal
lwe?
Maduo:
Yes.
..
Tuel
o:Iapol
ogisei
nadvancej
usti
ncasey
ou
don'
tl
ikewher
ewear egoi
ng.
Maduo:
(smi
l
ed)I
'
m sur
eI'
l
lli
kei
t.
..
Tuel
o:Ihopeso.
..

AtMaunLodge.
..
..
..
Minuteslat
erhepar
kednextt
oawholelotof
othercarsandwal
kedtowar
dstheconf
erence
room...
.

Maduo:
Wowt
her
ear
esomanycar
s,whati
sit
Tuelo:Iam hereonl
ybecauseBakangneededa
fri
endbyhi ssi
de..
.Youknowfri
endssti
ck
togetherr
ight?
Maduo:
Yeahi
know,
whati
shecel
ebr
ati
ng?A
pr
omoti
on?
Tuel
o:(
laughed)Hei
saCEOt
her
eisnot
hing
hi
ghert
hant hat
..
.
Maduo:(smackedhim wi
thapurse)Youknow
whatimean,cel
ebrat
ingacont
ractortender
whatev
er..
.
Tuel
o:You'
l
lsee.
..

Hehel
dherhandast
heywal
kedupst
air
sand
turnedinthelargeroom wi thaclassydecor
,
Everyoneclappedt hei
rhandsasBakanggotup
andputt heringonherf ingerasshesmi l
ed
emot i
onall
y,theyhuggedandki ssedas
everyoneclappedhands.Aj ournal
istwal
ked
aroundthem t aki
ngpictures..
..

Maduopulledawayf r
om hi
shandbef or
ethey
coul
dreachthemi ddl
eoftheroom andwalked
out,
heturnedaroundandfoll
owedheroutside.
.

Shet
ookof
fherheel
sandr
andownst
air
s..
..

Tuel
o:Babe?
Maduo: Idon'twantt
osayanythi
ngtoyou
becausei mightsaysomet
hingI'
l
lregr
et,
leav
e
meal one.
Tuel
o:(
randownt
hest
air
sandgr
abbedher
ar
mtur
ningherar
ound)Li
sten.
..
Maduo: (
angril
ypokedhi m onthechest )No,
youlisten.
...I
'
m notgoi ngtocelebrat
emy
fri
end'smi ser
yandI '
m cer t
ainl
ynotcheeringfor
thatskinnywi t
ch.Ifyouwantt osupporty our
buddyt hengobacki nt hereandactlikethe
bestmanbutI 'm goi
nghomet osleep.Ican't
beli
evey ougotmeal ldressedforthi
sjoke.I
tol
dy oui don'tl
ikeri
chpeopl einthefir
stplace
andtheny oubringmeher et othei
rparti
es?
Tuelo:Whyareyouf i
ghti
ngNaledi'
sbattl
eswith
ourrel
ati
onship?Thisisaboutusnother..
..
.It
's
aboutyousuppor t
ingme.I'
m hereforafri
end..
.
Pleasecomewi thme.Idon'twanttodance
withanyotherwomani ntherebutyou,pl
ease..
.
Maduo: I
fthi
sisaboutust hensuppor tme
babe..Walkoutofherewithme...I'
ml eav i
ngfor
afri
endjustasyou'r
eheref orafri
end, your
fr
iendisn'
tmoreimportantthanmi ne..
.Cany ou
supportme?(hestaredather)Ididn'tthinkso..
.
ByebyeTuel
o..
..Andcongr
atul
ati
onst
oyour
fr
iend.
Tuel
o:Doi
haveyourper
missi
ont
odancewi
th
wit
hanywomanaroundher
e?
Maduo:
Thi
swasj
ustt
oowhi
tef
ormeany
way
..
.
Tuel
o:No?Yes?(
helookedbackandt
henat
Maduoasshewalkedtowar
dsthegat
e)Shi
t!

Hehadtomakeachoiceandhewalked
t
owardshi
scardi
all
i
nghisfri
end'
snumber
..
..

Bakang:
Yeah.
.?
Tuel
o:Ican'
tbehere,Maduoi
sthrowing
tant
rumssheisprobabl
yonherperi
odsor
somethi
ng
Bakang:Youcan'
tsaythat
..
.YouknowI'
mj ust
al
onehere,ther
estisherf
ami l
y,whoam i
goi
ngt ochatwi
th?Boelamot eng.
..
Tuel
o: (
unl
ockedthecarandgoti
n)Itoldyoui
haveagoodfeeli
ngaboutthi
sone,ican'
tl
ose
her.
..
Bakang:
Thisi
sn'
tabouther
,it
'saboutus.
..You
andme...
Tuel
o:Ther
eisnomewi
thouther
..
.
Bakang:Wow, r
eall
y?Areyouser
ious?Youdo
real
i
sethatWendyandMaduowi l
lneverl
ike
eachotherri
ght?Doesthatmeanwear edone
orwhat?Whyar eyoulet
ti
nghercontr
olyou?
Areyougoingtoletawomancont r
olyou?
Tuel
o:Say
stheguywhocoul
dn'
tbuyhis
daught
erf
ormul
abecausehi
sgi
rl
fri
enddidn'
t
wanthi
mt o.
Bakang:
Bonat
samaaee.
..
Tuel
o:Congr
atul
ati
o-

Hehunguponhi
m,Tuel
oputt
hephonedown
anddroveout
.Minut
esl
aterhesloweddownby
theroadandr
oll
eddownthewindowlooki
ngat
her.
..

Tuel
o:BabeI
'
m sorr
y,canwestar
tover?
..
...
Assumewedidn'
tcomehere.
..Wejustl
eftyour
house.
..

Shel
ookedathi
m andshookherheadget
ti
ng
i
nthecarandcl
osedthedoort
henhesped
awayr
oll
ingupt
hewindows..

Maduo:
Wher
ear
eyout
aki
ngme?
Tuel
o:AtCapel
l
o..
..
Maduo:
(leanedbacksmi
l
ing)Goodboy
..
.
Tuelo:(r
ubbedherthi
ghsmili
ng)Itol
dyouI'
ma
fastlear
ner,
I'
m notaboutt
ogetfir
ed.Iwanta
promot i
on.
..
.
Maduo:
(laughed)Il
ovey
ou.
..
Tuel
o:(
hel
dherhand)Il
ovey
oumor
e..
..

Shet ookoutherphoneandt ookapictur

eof
theirhandst hensheleanedoverandkissed
him ont hecheek,hepulledheroverandFrench
kissedhert henheleanedbackandst eppedon
theaccel er
ator.
..
.

THREEWEEKSLATER.
..
..
..
..
..
..
..(
9t)

Co-
wif
e
#41

AtBakang'
sof
fi
ce.
..
.
Hel
eanedagainsthi
sdeskf
oldi
nghi
sar
ms
wai
ti
ngforher
...

Insidetheoff
icetoi
letWendypeedont
he
cont ai
nerandsqueezedafewdropsonthet
est
stick..
..

Bakang:
And?
Wendy
:I'
m wai
ti
ng.
..
Bakang:
Comewai
touther
e..
.I'
m cur
ious.
..

Shepull
edherpantiesandwal kedouthol
ding
thest
ick,Bakangl
eanedov erandlookedatit
asonef ai
ntli
neappeared.
..

Shepl
acedthest
ickont hedeskandfol
dedher
armsl
ooki
ngatit
, Bakangstoodbehi
ndher
hol
dingwai
stki
ssi
ngherneck.
..

Thesecondli
nebegunshowi ngandshe
j
umpedasbot hli
nesgotclearer,hepunched
theai
randpickedherupki
ssi ngher.Heputher
onthetabl
eandkissedhersof t
ly.
..
..

Bakang:
(smi
l
ed)Thanky
ouf
ort
his.
..
.
Wendy:
Ilov
ey ou..
.(r
ubbedhert
ummy
)Il
ove
yout
oodarl
ing..
.
Bakang:
Hisnamei
sPr
ince.
..
Wendy :
Pri
ncebet
terhel
pmepasst
he
i
nter
view..
.
Bakang:Ial
mostf
orgotaboutt
hat
..
.Whenar
e
yougoing?
Wendy:Adayaft
ert
omor
row.
..
whathappensi
fI
gethi
red?Wi
ll
youmovet
oGaboronewithme?
Bakang:Yeah,
ofcour
se.
..(smiled)Iguessi
havetotel
lmyparent
stospeedupt hebogadi
negoti
ati
onsbefor
eyoustartshowing.
Wendy
:Yespleasedothat
,idon'
twantt
olook
t
oofat
..
.t
hosepict
ureswil
ll
astmywholeli
fe.
Bakang:Wewil
ldothat
..
.(r
ubbedherbell
y)I
hopeit
'saboy
,thatwoul
dbethegreatestt
hing
ever
..
.
Wendy:(
laughed)Idon'
tcar
ewhati
tisasl
ong
i
t'
syourbabyI'
m happy.
.

Heki
ssedher
..
..

AtDudu'
shouse.
..
.

Shecombedandoil
edhercli
ent'
shai
rasthey
sati
nherl
argeli
vi
ngroom bythecor
nernextt
o
anopenwindow.
..
.
Client:
Howmuchdidyousayi
twil
lcosti
fyou
alsoteachmehowtoappl
ymake-up?Iwoul
d
l
iket oknowhowt
ofixmyeyebr
ows
Dudu:
Eyebr
owt
utor
ial
isP60
Cl
i
ent
:Hai
shkechonnej
aana.
..
Dudu: Butawomanmustknowhowt odoher
eyebrows,Ihaveseenwomenl ooki
ngv er
y
funnybecauset heythoughttheydidtheir
eyebrowsright.
..Ift
heydon'tmakef unny
curvestheywal karoundwithawhi t
econceal
er
aroundtheey ebrowpencil
..
.
Cli
ent:(
laughed)Areyouapr ophet
?That'
sme.
..
Ij
ustwritealineandwheni tryt
ousethat
conceal
eri l
ookveryfunny.
..Mycoworker
s
eventol
dmet ostopusingeyebrowpenci
l
Dudu:
(laughed)Makei
tP50
Cl
i
ent
:Ionl
yhav
eP30
Dudu:
AommaP30?
Cl
i
ent
:Eet
hat
'sal
lihav
e
Dudu:(
Pri
ncessbeguncr
yingi
nthebedr
oom)
I
'l
lbeback.
..
.

Shehur
ri
edtothebedr
oom andtiedPri
ncess
behi
ndherbackwit
hatowelthenshequickl
y
madeherabottl
eandreal
i
sedthelastt
inwas
down.

Shewalkedoutandlai
dherl
it
tl
emattress,
she
gaveherabottl
eandsuppor
teditwi
ththe
towelunder
..
.

Dudu: (begunir
oningthecl
ient
'
shair)Okaydear
,
you'l
lgivemet heP30butdon'ttel
lany onei
gavey ouat ut
ori
al f
orP30becauseot her
cli
entsmi ghtst
artaskingf
orsuchprices.
Cl
i
ent
:Thanks,
iwon'
t.
..

Shefi
nishedbl
endi
ngherhai
randgav
ehera
tut
ori
al.
..

Minut
eslat
ert
hecl
i
entwal
kedoutcal
l
ingher
f
ri
end..
.

Cli
ent:(
lookedbackandl ower edherv oiceas
shewal kedoutt hegate)Chomadon' tgot here
baatura,Comet othisone.i j
ustdidmyhai r
cheapl
yandev engotaney ebrowt ut
orialfor
P30,shei sanur si
ngmot hersowhat everprice
yousayshewi l
l t
akeit..
..
...
hahahaeei guess
thebabyi sfat
her l
ess.what everpr
icey ouof f
er
shewilltakeit
..
...Ee..
..
..
.Iboughtherweav ey a
P200forP100i bil
ekekol otil
eigaveherP70
andthensheconnect edf orP60butheror i
ginal
pri
cewas150. …t hata,pi
tsi eolekadisale,I'
l
l
gi
vey
ouhernumber
.….
hahaha.
..
bye

Meanwhil
eDudubat hedherdaught
erwitht
he
l
astsli
m barofsoapandwalkedoutofthe
bat
hroom wrappi
ngherwithatowel.
..

Shesatont hecouchandappliedthel astbaby

l
otiononher .
..Sheputherpi
nkieinthebot t
le
andtookoutt helastl
oti
onbutitsti
l
l wasn't
enough,shecutt hebott
lewi
thaknifeand
appli
edonthebaby .

Aft
erdressi
ngherupshel ai
dherdownand
count
edhermoney ,
Shedidn'
tevenknowwhat
tobuywiththeli
tt
leshehadbecauseever
ythi
ng
wasfini
shed..
.

Shedi
aledBakang'
snumber
..
..
Bakang:
Hel
l
o?
Dudu:Whenar
ey ousendi
ngt
hebaby
'smoney
?
Ever
ythi
ngi
sfi
nished
Bakang:I
'
llsendi
tnextweek,
ihav
eaf
ew
thi
ngsineedtotakecar
eof
Dudu:
Kanamashi
ahedi
l
e
Bakang: Whydon'tyoubuyhermi lkneDudu?
Thisisourchil
d,us...Together.
..What'
syour
contri
buti
on?Soi fI'
m hav i
ngf i
nanci
al
probl
emst hechil
ddi es?Whatabouty ou?I
gavey ou2Klastmont hotherpeoplesuppor
t
chil
drenwithwayl esst hanthatbutthemother
s
arenotcomplaini
ng.
Dudu:whoisn'
tcompl
aini
ng?Howdoy
ouknow?
Bakangtherr
a-
Bakang:I
'
llsendyoumoneynextweek,Wendy
oyaint
erv
iewi nGabor
oneandI'
m notsur
ehow
muchshewi
l
lneed,
what
everi
slef
tI'
l
lsendi
t.
Dudu:
Whati
fshespendsev
ery
thi
ng?
Bakang:I'
llseewhatt odo,mmekanaonal e
madiifyoucanbuyai r
timetocallmeforsucha
l
ongt i
me, youcanbuyacanofNanwi t
hthe
moneyy ouspentonai r
timetocall
me.Gapei
haveotherr esponsi
bil
it
ies,
I'
m gett
ingmarri
ed,
thatr
equiresmoney ..
.I'
m expect
ingasonand
hewillneedmoney .
..
Dudu:(
tearf
ull
y)Whendi
dyoustar
tbeingl
i
ke
t
his?BakangyouknowI'
m notwor
king
Bakang: Dudufindaj ob, Wendyal readyhad
threeint
erviews,sher ejected2of fersandgoi
ng
fortheotherone, wenat i
rooet hokakae?
Wendyhasbeeni nBot swanaf orl
essthana
mont handt wocompani eswanther .Therear
e
plentyofjobs,you'r
enotl ookingforajob
becausey ouknowI '
l
lgi vey oumoney
Dudu:
(r
ubbedhert
ear
s)Bakangkekopagor
eo
sapotengwanawagago, i
don' tknowwhy
Wendyget ssomanyof fer
sbutsomeofus
can'
tfindjobswi t
hourdegr ees.May bei
t'
s
becauseev er
y oneknowsherf at her.
..
Idon'
t
haveconnectionsi canonlyent eracompany
thr
ought hefrontdoor .(
cryi
ng)Andst op
mentioni
ngWendyev eryti
mei tellaboutyour
chi
ld
Bakang:
(si
ghed)Duduwee
Dudu:Can'
tyouatl
eastbuy2bi
gcansandone
l
argepackofPampersbogol
o?
Bakang:Bor
rowmoneysomewher
e,I
'
llr
efund
younextweek.
Dudu:Ar
ey ousur
e?I'
m goi
ngtobor
rowf
rot
he
motshel
oladi
es,t
heyhavei
nter
est
Bakang:
Yeah.
.(Wendywal
kedi
n)I
'
llcal
lyou
backbye
Hehungupthenshesi
ghedwonder
ingwher
e
shewoul
dborrowmoney.
..
..

AtOkav
angophar
macy
..
.

Abalengwalkedi
nputt
inghi
scarkeysinthe
pocketsandsmil
edatthephar
macist
..
..

Abaleng:Hi
..Um...I'
m notsur
ewhatIwanthere
butineedsomet hingtoeasemorni
ngsickness,
ireadsomethinglikethatonmyphone,
doy ou
haveit?
Pharmacist
:Um..
.Wedo,ther
eisapackfor
P120,P180andP250thei
rstr
engt
hgoeswith
thepri
ces..
.(smi
l
ed)Ar
eyouexpecti
ng?
Abal
eng:(smil
ed)Yes,
Weare5mont hsbut
si
ncelastmonthshehasbeenreal
l
ysick,shei
s
pi
ckyandev er
ythi
ngsmel
lsbadtoher.I
'
m not
evenal
lowedtowearper
fume.
..(t
heybot
h
l
aughed)Imagi
nethat
.Gi
vemet heoneyaP250
Pharmaci
st:
Mywifedi
dn'
tli
ket
hesmellofany
deodor
antaswel
l
,thet
hingswegot
hroughfor
sex
Abaleng:
(laughed)I
'
m nev
erhav
ingsexaf
ter
thi
s..
.
Pharmacist
:Itgetseasi
erwi
ththesecondbor
n
though,
thir
dbor nisj
ustawalkov
er.
.
Abal
eng:
(gott
hepi
l
lsandpai
d)I
fyousayso.
..
Phar
maci
st:
Isshewor
king?Shemi
ghtnee-
Abal
eng:
No,
shewi
l
lbeast
ayathomemom
Phar
maci
st:
Alr
ight
,thanks.
..Hav
eagoodday
Abal
eng:
Yout
oo.
..

Hewal
kedout
..
..
.
AtAbal
eng'
shouse.
..
.

Reneil
wefr
iedt hechickenwit
haf rownonher
faceandquicklywalkedoutsi
de,shelai
donthe
hammockbyt hetr
eehol di
ngherphone
dri
nki
ngjui
ce....
.

Hermothercal
l
edasshewasgoi
ngt
hrought
he
weddi
ngdecorpict
ures.
..
.

Renei
l
we:
Hel
l
o?
Her
:Hi
,howar
eyouf
eel
i
ngt
oday
?
Renei:
It'
sst
il
l t
hesamet hing,Ev
erythingmakes
met hr
owup, evencookingisatort
ur enowbuti
can'
tskipadaywi t
houtcooking,Abaleng
doesn'
tli
kerestaur
antfood.
Her
:Itwi
llwearof
f,probabl
ynextmont
h,4
monthsand5mont hsareusual
lyt
hemost
di
ff
icultt
imesofpr egnancybecausethe
morningsicknessisst r
ongestbutyou'l
lbefine
i
naf ewmont hs.Any waywefini
shedpreparing,
we'
rehav i
ngt helastmeet i
ngtodayandt henwe
wi
llbeleftwiththebi gday.
.
Renei
lwe:
(smil
ed)Ican'
twai
t.
..I
'
m exci
tedand
scar
edatthesametime..
.
Her
:I'
mjusthappyyou'
remar
ryi
ngaboyi
wat
chedgrowing,
heisagoodone.
..
Renei
l
we:
(laughed)Osur
e?
Her
:(l
aughed)Kesur
ekamysoni
nlaw.
.
Renei
l
we:
Bye
Her
:By
e

Shehungupandcont i
nuedgoingthroughthe
decor.Abal
eng'
scarrol
ledoverandparked
underthetr
eenextt
oher .Hesteppedout
holdi
ngapharmacyplasti
candkissedher.
..
Abal
eng:
Hey
..
.Howar
eyouf
eel
i
ng?
Renei:
Betteri
guess,
ifeel
bet
terwhenI
'
m
outsi
de..
.
Abaleng:(
satnexttoherandpoppedoutt
wo
pi
ll
s)Ididabitofresear
chwhileiwasatt
he
off
ice,(
handedherthepil
ls)i
thinkt
hiswi
l
l
hel
p...
Renei
:(swal
l
owedthem wi
thadr
inkandgott
he
box)Whataret
hey
?B12..Fol
i
cacid-
Abaleng:Ithi
nkithaseveryt
hingyouneed
ther
e...(
rubbedhertummy )Hell
otherel
ady,
howar eyoudoing?(stoodup)I'
m hungry
..
.
Renei
:(gotupqui
ckl
y)OhmyGodIwasf
ryi
ng
chi
cken
Abaleng:(
blockedher)Heeoiraeng,
oska
sianakangwanakewena. .
.You'
renotsupposed
tojustl
eapup...I
'
llchecki
t.
.
Renei
:Run,
idon'
twantt
obur
n..

Hef
ri
edthechi
ckenandservedtheirpl
ates,put
t
hesour
cesandwalkedoutwit
ht heirf
ood..
...
..
.

AtDi
amondLuxur
ies.
..

Maduoandiweresi
tt
ingundert
hegazeboand
hav
ingl
unch.
..
..

Maduo:Butshei
spregnant
,itshoul
dn'
ttake
l
ongotherwi
seshewil
lbeexhaustedandbored.
Me:(l
aughed)Noonewil
lbeboredbythei
r
bri
dalshowerbel
iev
eme.
..Let
'
sj ustpl
ant
his,
shewillenj
oyi
t.
..
Maduo:
(laughed)Shoul
diaddDi
tsameont
he
l
ist
?
Me:
(laughed)don'
tst
art
..
.Ij
a
Maduo:
Cani
asky
ousomet
hing?
Me:
(looki
ngather
)What
?
Maduo:
Doesn'
tBakang'
sengagementbot
her
you?
Me:(st
oppedsmi
li
ng)Ilovehim,ofcour
sei t
bot
hersmebutihaveacceptedhisdeci
sion.I
al
somadeadecisi
onthatIdon'tneedhi
mi n
myli
fe.
Maduo:(
sighed)You'
llbefi
ne,y
ou'
retakingt
his
muchbett
erthanithoughtyouwoul
d...
Me:
ButI'
ml at
eonmyper
iod,
Iwassupposed
t
ogeti
tlastweek.
Maduo:
Didy
ouhav
eunpr
otect
edsex?
Me:
Yes
Maduo:Andwhydi
dn'
tyougett
hemorni
ng
af
terpi
l
lknowi
ngtheki
ndofamanBakangis?
Me:Iforgot
,alothappenedafterthatandi was
di
str
acted,ionl
yremember edwhenImi ssed
myperiodlastweekbutmay beI'mjustlate,
maybeI'l
lgetit
,I'
m pr
ayingigetit
...
Maduo:Whydon'
tyoubuyapr
egnancyt
estand
besur
e?
Me:I
'drat
herpr
ayf
ormyper
iod,
whati
fI'
m
pr
egnant?
Maduo:Thesooneryouknowthebett
er.
..
(cl
osedhernot
ebookandgotherhandbag)
Let'
sgobuyatesti
ngsti
ck
Me:
No,
I'
ll
getmyper
iod
Maduo:(l
ookedathert
ime)Nal
edi
luncht
imey
a
chaa,
let
'sgo.
.Whyareyouscar
edtotest
?
Me:
Ifi
waspr
egnantdon'
tyout
hinkI
'
dknow?
Maduo:Whomi
ssesherper
iodbyov
eraweek?
Let
'sgo.
..
.
Me:
(si
ghedandgotmybag)Idon'
tev
enknow
whyIf
orgott
obuyt
hepi
l
linGabor
one.
Maduo:
Arey
emma.
..
.

Wegotinthecaranddrov
etothemall
where
weboughtthest
ickandheadedt
othepay
t
oil
ets.

Ipeedont hest
ickandhandedi
ttoherhi
ding
myf ace.
..
.

Me:
(ey
escl
osed)Whatdi
ditsay
?
Maduo:
Wai
t.
..
Me:
(af
ter3mi
nut
es)And?
Maduo:
Notpr
egnant
..
.

Ij
umpedandhuggedherasshest
oodst
il
l.
..
Maduo:
Justki
ddi
ng,
congr
atul
ati
ons.
..
Me:(st
oppedsmi
l
ingandl
ookedati
t)Whatam
igoi
ngtodo?
Maduo:
(si
ghed)Idon'
tknow.
..
Me:
Doy
out
hinkhewi
l
lsuppor
tthebaby
?
Maduo:Idon'
tknow.
..Butidoubti
t.
..Let
'
sgot
o
t
hecar,
t i
meisalmostup..
.

Ithr
ewt
hest
icki
nthebi
naswewal
kedt
othe
car.

Minutesl
ateri
droppedMaduoatwor
kand
headedtotheoff
ice.

Idi
aledhi
snumberasi
wal
kedupst
air
s..
.
Bakang:
Hel
l
o?
Me:
Hi,
canwemeetandt
alk?
Bakang:
Aboutwhat
?
Me:
I'
mlat
eonmyper
iod(
hekeptqui
et)hel
l
o?
Bakang:Ican'
thav
eanotherbaby
,I'
m al
ready
expect
ingababywithWendy
Me:
Whatar
eyousay
ing?
Bakang:
I'
ll
sendy
out
hemoneyt
ogetr
idofi
t.
Me:
Idon'
twantt
oabor
tmybaby
Bakang:
It'
snotev
enababy
,it
'sj
ustacl
ot.
Me:
Ican'
t.
..
Bakang:
(angri
l
y)Idon'
twantt
oanotherbaby,i
f
youwantababyasksomeonetoimpregnate
youbutyou'
renott
rappi
ngmewit
hababy .
Me:
Trappi
ngy
ou?
Bakang:
Getr
idofi
t.
.
Me:(t
ear
ful
l
y)Ial
readyl
ostachi
l
d,I
'
m not
abor
ti
ngmybaby.
Bakang: Don'
ti haveasay ?Idon' twantt ohav e
achi l
dwi t
hyouandy ou'renotspoili
ngmy
weddi ngorrel
at i
onshipwi thWendy .I'm ser
ious
aboutt hi
sNaledi,don'tf
or cemedot hi
ngsI
woul dn'
tnormallydo.Idon' twanttohav e
anotherbaby ,
I'
m gettingmar ried.Wher eare
you?I '
llt
akeyout oapr i
vat edoctor,heisa
fr
iendofmi ne.Hecancl eany ouupi nanhour ,
i
t'
sj ustamont holdsoi t'
sacl ot
Me:
(cr
ying)Bakang.
..
Bakang:
Wher
ear
eyou?
Me:
Sendt
hemoney
,I'
l
lbuyt
hepi
l
ls
Bakang:
No
Me:
I'
m notabor
ti
ng
Bakang:I
'm comi
ngtoyourof
fi
ce,iknowwhere
youstay
.Youcan'thi
defr
om me..
.Don'tmake
medot
hisbabeokay
?

Ihungupandwal kedi
ntheoff
icer
ubbingmy
tear
s,asIswit
chedonthecomputeri
heard
foot
stepsandrubbedmyeyes.
..

Cowor
ker
:(openedandst
uckherheadi
n)Hey
Me:
Hi
Cowor
ker
:Thebosswant
stoseey
ou
Me:
Alr
ight
,I'
l
lbet
her
e..
..

Ifi
xedmysel
fandheadedtotheboss'
soff
ice.
hesatdownholdi
ngafil
eandclosedi
tasi
sat.
..
.

Me:
Goodaf
ter
noonsi
r
Boss:
Goodaf
ter
noon.
..Wewer
erev
iewi
ngour
employeecontract
sandi knowwehad
promisedtorenewourcont r
actwithyoubut
unfor
tunatel
ythecompanyi srunni
ngatal oss
sowehav edecidedtol
etgoofaf ew
employees,wewon'tberenewingy ourcontr
act
.
Me:
(swal
l
owed)Oh.
..
Boss:Ij
ustwant
edtoletyouknowwel
li
nti
me
sothatyoucanst
artsear
chingf
oraj
ob.
Me:
Thanky
ou.
Boss:
That
'sal
l
.Youmaygo.
.
Me:
(swal
l
owed)Mayi
hav
eadayof
f?I
'
m not
f
eel
i
ngwell
Boss:
(remorsef
ull
y)Yes,
youst
il
lhav
eal
ot
l
eavedaysanyway.
Me:
(tear
y)Thanky
ou.
..

Iwalkedoutandheadedtot
hetoi
let
swher
ei
satdowncrying,
Bakangcal
l
ed.
..
.
Me:
Hel
l
o?
Bakang:
I'
mint
hepar
kingl
ot
Me:
(cr
ying)Leav
emeal
one!
Bakang:
Don'tl
etmedragy
oudown,
I'
ll
doi
tif
youwant.
..
.Don'
tst
art
.
Me:
I'
m notpr
egnant
..
.
Bakang:
(st
eppedoutoft
hecar
)I'
m comi
ng
up.
..

Ihungthephoneandrubbedmyf acewalki
ng
outofthetoi
l
etthenisneakedbehi
ndthe
buil
dingandusedthesmallgat
etoleav
e...
.

Att
het
axi
stop.
..
.

Iwav
edf
orat
axi
butt
heykeptpassi
ngast
hey
weref
ull
,minut
eslaterBakangpul
l
edov
erand
st
eppedoutofthecar..
..
..

Me:(
walki
ngaway
)Bakangkekopagor
eot
swe
mogonna
Bakang:
(angr
il
y)Nal
edi
skabat
agont
ena.
..
Tsenamokoloing

Hegrabbedmyar
m anddraggedmetothecar
t
henheslammedthedoorandjoi
nedt
heroad
wi
thspeed..
..

Me:
( openedt
hedoorasthecarwasmov
ing)
I
'mthrowingmysel
fout
..

Hesmackedmeont hefacewit
ht hebackof
hi
shandandicov
eredmyf acefeeli
ngdizzy,
myheadspi
nedasileanedbackcr y
ingblood
r
unni
ngdownmynose.
..
.

Bakang:I
'
m donebeggi
ngy
ou.
..
okay
?Puty
our
seatbel
ton.
..
..

Iwipedmynoseandputt
heseatbel
tonashe
drovethecar
..
..
..
..
..
Co-
wif
e
#42

Att
heGy
naecol
ogi
st.
..
.

Heparkedt
hecarandl
ookedatmeasi
rubbed
t
hebloodwit
hmyhands..
.

Bakang:(
thr
ewmeat
issue)Sut
hamokol
aooo
i
raboata.
.
Iblewmynosefi
ll
ingt
het i
ssuewi thbloodand
wipedmysel
fashestaredatme, evenasi
l
ookedathimicouldt
ellhedidn'
tcar eandnot
asingl
etr
aceofremorsewast here..
.

Bakang: Ialreadyspoket othi

sguysot hi
sis
howi tgoes, wear ewalkinginandifhetr
iesto
questiony ou, youranswer sbett
ermatchmi ne
orelsey ou'l
l underst
andme.Wehadanaf f
air
andt hi
si showt hismistakehappened,I'
m
gett
ingmar ri
edandi don'twantWendyt oknow
aboutt hi
s.Youal sohav eaboy f
ri
endandy ou
don'
twanthi mt oknowaboutt his.I
sthatclear
?
Me:
Yes.
..
Bakang:Naledi
ntebamomat hong...(il
ooked
athim)Ift
hisguypicksany t
hingfrom yourtone,
youratt
it
udeoranythingelse.
..(shookhishead
star
ingatme)Iswear .
..I
'
llsmothery ou.I'
m not
afr
aidtodoi
taskDuduot
aagobol
elel
a.Doy
ou
underst
andme?
Me:
Yes.
..
Bakang:(
hehel dmyneckandsl owlypulledme
cl
oserforakiss)Il
ovey ou..
.(atearrandown
mycheckandhewi peditwithhisthumb)I '
m
sorr
ythatIhavetodot his,Wendyisalready
havi
ngahar dti
meaccept i
ngPrincess,ican'
t
bri
nganotherbaby.
Me:
(swal
l
owedt
ear
ful
l
y)Whoar
eyou?
Bakang:(
babyki
ssedme)Iam Wendy
's
husband

Hesteppedoutofthecarandcl osedthedoor
thenifol
l
owedhi minsi
de.Therecepti
onist
dir
ectedusintheri
ghtroom, Bakangpushed
thedoorandthedoctorsmiledatusshaking
handswithBakang.
..
..
Doct
or:
BKmyman
Bakang:
(bumpedshoul
der
s)Jay
,war
eng?
Jack:Aenoshap.
..(
tur
nedt
omesmi
l
ing)Hey
,I
am Jack
Me:
Hi,
Nal
edi
Bakang:
Howl
ongi
sthi
sgoi
ngt
otake?
Jack:
40mi
nut
est
ops,
thi
sis4weeksaker
e?
Me:
Yes.
.
Jack: (
putonthegloves)Al
ri
ght,Nal
edit
ake
offyourclot
hesandlayonthebed.Bakangyou
canwai tint
hewait
ingroom.GettheWiFi
passwor dfr
om t
herecepti
onist
Bakang:
Alr
ight
..
.

Hewalkedovertomeandki
ssedmethenhe
wal
kedout,Jackcl
osedt
hedoorandwal
ked
ov
ertomehol
dingat
rayofhi
stool
sasi
lai
don
myback.
..

Jack: Osureke4weeksakere?Ever
yst
ageof
thepregnancyhasther
ightpr
ocedur
eand
safestprocedur
e.
Me:
It'
s4weeks.
..I
'
m sur
e

Heappliedali
ttl
egel
aroundmypunani
and
l
if
tedabi gsy
ringewi
thalongpi
peasmyhear
t
pounded..
.

Me:
Doy
ouhav
echi
l
dren?
Jack:
Yes.
..Why
?
Me:
Doy
oucondoneabor
ti
on?
Jack:
(pausedandl
ookedatme)Ar
eyou
under
coverorwhat
?
Me:
Youdi
dn'
tanswerme
Jack:
Idon'tcondonei
tbuti
don'tj
udgethose
whodoit.Areyouhavi
ngsecondthought
s?
Me:Ineverwant
edtodot hi
sinthefi
rstpl
ace,
heisfor
cingmetobutipromiseyouifyou
don'
tdoit,hewi
l
lneverknowy ouneverdi
dit.
Jack:
Wai
t,hei
sfor
cingy
ou?
Me:
Yes,
pleasel
etmego.
..
Jack:Abor t
ionisill
egalt
hat'
swhyI '
mrecording
somet hi
ngdi f
ferentsotheinsur
ancecanpay
me.Ionl ydidthisbecauseithoughti
tswhat
youbot hwant ed,iwasdoingyoutwoaf avour,
i
fy oudon'twantt otheniwon't.
.(t
ookoffhis
gloves)I'
ll
tell
himI '
m notgoingtodoit.
Me: (pull
edhi m back)Wait,
you'
renot
understandingme. .
.Ineedyourhelp,
ify
ou
ref
uset henhewi llgetsomeoneelsetodoi
tor
hemi ghtjustkeepabusi ngmeforkeepi
ngthe
babyandi don'
twantmychi ldtoseethi
s
rej
ect
ionhehasonher / hi
m.Ineedy out
otel
l
himthatyoudidit
,thatwayhewi ll
goonwith
hisl
if
eandi cangoonwi t
hmi ne.I
'
m beggi
ng
youplease,y
ou'r
eaf ather
...Howmanychil
dren
doyouhav e?
Jack:
4
Me:
I'
m beggi
ng,
onepar
entt
oanot
her
..
.
Jack:(puthi
sglov
eson)alr
ight
..
.(looked
around)Getapadfrom t
hatpackov erthere,
l
eav ethepeel
sonthebedforevidence...

Hesteppedouttakingouthisgl ov esandcalled
Bakang,myheartwaspoundi ng...Idi
dn'
tknow
i
fiwasscar edhewi l
lfi
ndouti l
i
edorwasi t
j
usttheadrenal
ineofgettingawaywi th
somethi
ngbuti wasshaki ngasBakangl ooked
atmepulli
ngupmypant ies,ithrewt hepad
peel
sinthebinashest aredatme, Thedoctor
handedhim mypill
sandwal kedoutt he
medi
cat
ioni
nsur
ancecar
d..
.

Bakang:
Arey
ouokay
?(i
keptqui
et)I
'
m sor
ry.
..
.
Doctor:
(walkedinandgav ehimthecar d)
Pleasemakesur eshegetssomer est
s
otherwi
seev er
ythi
ngwentwel l
.Hav eherdri
nk
thoseanti
bioti
csunti
ltheyarefi
nished.
Bakang:
Thanks.
..

Mi
nut
esl
aterwewal
kedout
..
..
..
..

AtAbal
eng'
shouse.
..
.

Laterthataf
ter
noonRenei f
ini
shedpackingand
zippedherbagsthenAbalengloadedthem i
n
thecarandwaitedforherasshelockedthe
houseandgoti nthecar
..
.
Abal
eng:
(laughed)Sothenextt
imei
seey
ou
you'
l
lbeMr sAbaleng?
Renei
:(l
aughed)That
a,t
abekesakgomegeke
i
gwaakamonwanawar i
ngkeparaladi
tse
menwanaibil
e..
.
Abal
eng:
(laughed)
sobabe,
howi
sLel
e?
Renei
:Whatdomean?
Abaleng:
Howi sshecopi
ngwi t
hBakang'
s
engagement
?Ev er
yoneistal
ki
ngaboutthei
r
engagement
,itmustbeveryhardf
orher.
Renei:Nal
edi
doesn'
ttel
lmeherdeepest
secret
sanymore,
sheonlytel
l
smesi mple
thi
ngsshedoesn'
tmindeveryoneknowi
ng.
Abal
eng:
Howso?
Renei
:Eversi
nceitoldyouaboutthepol
ygamy
secr
etshenevertr
ustedme, youweren'
t
supposedtoover
reactl
ikethatnowshedoesn'
t
tr
ustmebecauseshef
eel
sli
kei
can'tkeep
anyt
hingbet
weenmeandherwi
thoutpassi
ngi
t
toyou.
Abal
eng:Iunderst
andgonenakoyat
engi
over
react
edtota,imadematt
erswor
se.
..
Renei
:Yeah.
..
Abal
eng:
Ispoi
l
edt
her
elat
ionshi
phuh?
Renei:
(laughed)Don'tblamey our
sel
f,she
doesn'
that emeorany thing,
wear est
ill
fri
ends
butidon'tgettohearherdeepestsecrets.
..
Abaleng:Nextti
mewheny outel
lmesomethi
ng
i
twillremainbetweenus,I
'll
nevermakeyoua
l
iaragain.(
heldherhand)Ihopeshewil
ltr
ust
youagainoneday .
..
Renei
:Ihopesot
oo.
..
.

Att
heMP'
shouse.
..
..
Wendywal
kedinhermot
her
'sr
oom asshewas
combi
ngherhai
r.
..
.

Wendy
:Heyma
Her
:Hi
MrsBakang
Wendy
:(smi
ledandsatdowncr
ossi
ngherl
egs)
Il
ovet
hesoundofthat
..
.
Her:
Ihear
dBakanghasadaught
er,
howcome
younev
ertol
dme?
Wendy :Hi
smot hersaysit
'snotevenhischi
l
d,
thechil
dlooksnothingl
ikehim.Thegirl
probabl
yliedt
ogetmoneyf rom hi
m.
Apparentl
yshewasbor npr ematur
ebutwent
homesamedayl i
kealltheotherfi
tbabi
es.
Her:
It'
shischi
l
d,monnakanaoi tatolangwana
haabonamosadiyomongwe, i
fshewasn' thi
s
hewouldn'
thavesuppor
tedherallalongand
youhavetobeagoodstepmot hertoher .
Wendy :Babymamasar ebit
terandI '
m notev en
goingtowast emyt i
meonanot herwoman' s
chi
ld.Icall
edherbabymydaught erbecausei
fel
tshewasmi netooandshegotof fended,i
sai
dBakangwoul drestandgett hel i
ttl
eaday
aft
erwear ri
v edinMaunbutguesswhatshe
sai
di won'tgoany wherenearherdaught erso
kemokgaol et sethapo.Iwantt oshowhert hat
bei
ngababymamai sn'tanyt
hingand
makgakgaammangwanaal atsangwanaka
tal
a.I'
ll
showhert hatnotcooper atingwi t
hy our
babydaddy '
sgi rl
fr
iendorwi feinmycasei s
sui
cidal.I
'm keepingal lofBakang' sbankcar ds
andI'm notl
et ti
ngany thingoutunt ilt
hat
womanunder standst hatBakangi smyman.
Her:
Theproblem wit
hyouWendygao
kgal
emelwe,youknowev er
ythi
ngandyouhave
ananswerforever
ythi
ng.Youcan'tt
akepr
idei
n
makingBakangabandonhischil
d.
Wendy
:Mamai
wassweetbutshet
houghtshe
hadtheupperhandsoi showedherwhoi s
bossbesidesBakangmai nt
ainst hebabyf or2K
that
'ssomeone' ssal ary,
thiswomanneedst o
workforherselfBakangi sn'
therempl oyee.She
i
sn'tgett
ingany thi
ngf rom him unt i
lsheget sa
j
obandonceshest art
swor kingI'll
giveher
P500,ifshehasapr obl
em shecangot ocour t.
ShesaidIshoul dn'tbecl osetoherdaught erso
myman' smoneyi sn'tgoingcl osertoher
daughter,mothogaankgaonkgal editsa
gagweBakangl esephachesagagwekebame.
Her:Youshoul dbehaveli
keaMotswana
woman, don'tembarrassthefami
l
ybeforethe
royal
s.Ithoughtyou'
llbealit
tl
eni
cerwheny ou
getback,itwouldn'
tkil
lyoutobenicet
oother
people.
Wendy :Youwil
lsaythatbecauseyouhav en'
t
dealtwit
honeoft hesebabymamas, imean
sheisgiven2Kthenshesay sthemi l
kis
fi
nishedbecausesheboughtherselfhousehol
d
i
nsteadofbuyi
ngthebaby'
sthings.I'
l
l
str
aight
enher,
sheisj
ustbeinglazy.Sant
hashe
i
sn'tworki
ngbutst
aysinabighousekoot eng
gatweBakangaeduele,monnawamegaseene
kotamasiel
a.
Her:(
gaveherar
ibbon)Ti
emyhai
rhamma,
Bakangwagobonapono
Wendy
:(l
aughed)Mamabat
ho
Her
:(l
aughed)Youcant
alk.
..

Atmyhouse.
..
.

Lat
eronheparkedt
hecarandl
eanedov
er
l
ookingatme.
..
.

Bakang:
Arey
ouokay
?
Me:
Ihopey
ou'
l
lbehappywi
thWendy
,il
oved
youBakang.Ihav enev erlov edany onethewayi
l
ov edy ou,nowI 'ml ookingaty ouwi t
hhat e...
Youchangedt heper soni am today,ifi
nally
under standwhatpeopl emeanwhent heysay
someonei sabi tterbabyMamabecauset hat'
s
thetittl
eI'mtaki ngwi t
hmet odayandI '
llremai n
abi t
terbabymamaunt il t
hedayi seeyou
suffering.You'llneverfindawomanwhol ov es
yout hewayi did,ilower edmyst andardsf or
yourhappi ness.Wheni wasgr owingupi knewi
didn'twantamanl ikeyoubecausey ou'r
emy
fatherbuti madet hemi stakeofl etti
ngy ouf ool
meandnowi hav et odeal wit
hitthebestwayi
can.You' ll
nev erbehappy ...
Bakang:(
smiled)Soyou'
regoi
ngtocur
seme
becauseidon'twantt
obewithyou?
Me: No,ihaveacceptedthatiam noty our
defi
niti
onofawi f
eorl i
fepartnerI
'
mj ustsad
thatyouhavenor espectforhumanlife,youar
e
ananimal..
.Youmakebabi esandkil
lthem,
yourchi
ld'
scr
ydoesn'tbot
heryou.
.Aslongas
Wendyishappyyou'
rehappy,t
hat'
sthesadpar
t.
That'
sthecur
se.(
steppedoutandslammedthe
door)Bye

Iunlockedthedoorandwal
kedi
nthenhe
walkedin..
.

Bakang:
Whyar
eyoucur
singme?
Me:I'
m notcursingyou,you'recursingyoursel
f.
..
You'
reunbeli
evable,sothatdayy out ookme
fr
om Maunal lt
hewayt oGabor oneknowi ng
ver
ywellyouhadawomani nyourhouse?You
mustthi
nkI '
mv erystupi
dandt ost andthere
andli
esayingI'
mj ustaf r
iendaf t
erev er
ythi
ng
youmademegot hr
ough?
Bakang:Inev
erwantedyoutogointhefi
rst
pl
ace,youforcedmetotakeyoubynaggi
ngme
aboutit
,whatdidyouwantmetodo?
Me:(angr
il
y)Iwantedy outobeamanandbe
honestwi
thmesot hatIcanfi
ndmysel
far
eal
manwhowi llappr
eciatemeforwhoIam.
Bakang:
Areal
man?SoI
'
m notaman?
Me:Gaomonnawasepe, You'
reali
ttl
eboywho
doesn'
tknowhowt ohandlehi
sbusiness.
You'
renothi
ng.
..You'
renotareal
man
Bakang:
I'
m notamanNal
edi
?
Me:
Getoutofmyhouse.
..

Hepushedthedoorandgrabbedmebymy
t
hroatpushi
ngmeont hecouch.
..

Me:
Wampol
aaBakang,
tswamont
ungy
ame
Bakang:(
unhookedhisbel
tst
ari
ngatme)So
I
'm notaman?Cani showyouI'
m aman?
Igotuptr
yingtorunbuthepull
edmedown
wit
hmyhai r,
Isli
ppedandfel
lonmybuttashe
unzi
ppedhisjeansandtookouthi
sdi
ck.
..
..

Bakang:
Youdon'
tthi
nki
am amanr
ight
?
Me:
(hol
dinghi
sar
m abov
emyhead)Bakang
wampol
aasenkgogekamor
ir
i.
.

Itri
edtogetupbuthepinnedmedownand
stoodinfr
ontofmetry
ingtoshov ehi
sdicki
n
mymout hbutIcl
osedmymout hpushi
nghim
back,hesl
appedmesohar ditechoed.
..

Bakang:Openyourmouth,obatagolel
aaker
e?
Kareopenyourmouth.
..(sl
appedhar
der)Kar
e
bul
amol omo..
.

Ir
efusedt
oopenandhekeptsl
appi
ngme
harderunt
ilmyenti
refacewashotandit
chi
ng,i
fi
nall
ygaveinandopenedmymout ht
henhe
shovedhisdickdownmyt hr
oatchoki
ngme,i
pushedhim backstr
uggli
ngslappi
nghi
s
thi
ghs..
.

Bakang: (
slappedmeagai n)Wampol aaka
menomonnaoi raeng...
.Otogaoswaba
Naledi.
..(i
openedmymout hwi deandhesli
d
downmyt hroat)Whoi sthemannow?Whohas
hi
sdi ckdowny ourthroat?(hesl i
doutand
pul
ledmeupbymyhai rasi coughedcatchi
ng
mybr eath)Sayitagai
n, oneor eng?
Me:(t
ear
ful
l
yrubbi
ngmymout
h)Bakangy
ou'
re
hur
ti
ngme..
.
Bakang:
Buwagape,
neor
eng?Huh?
Me:Ntogel
a..
..
lesagonkgogakemor
ir
iwa
mpolaa
Bakang:
Doy
ouknowwhyI
'
m doi
ngt
hist
oyou?
(hepushedmedownandshov editdownmy
thr
oat)becauseIam amanandyoucan'
tdo
anythi
ngaboutit
...Don'
tev
ercal
lmealit
tl
e
boy.
..

Hepul l
edmeov erhisdi
ckslidingitdownmy
throat,
ipushedhi m backbuthewoul dn'tmove,
ithrewupandpukedr i
ppeddownbuthewasn' t
l
et t
ingmego. ..Ifeltmyli
mbsget t
ingcoldand
weakt henhepul l
edout,icoughedandcr i
ed
outloudleaningov ermyar m buthegr abbed
myhai rpul
lingmyf aceupandshov editinmy
mout hagain,asal t
ycream fi
lledmymout hasi
frowned..
..

Bakang:
(gr
ant
ed)Ohh.
.*"
^#*
%

Icoul
dn'
tbreat
handev
eryt
imeit
ri
edbreathi
ng
Iswal
lowedsomeofhi
scum t
henhepull
edout
st
ari
ngatme,il
eanedoverandspatonthe
fl
oorashemovedbackputt
inghi
sdickbacki
n
hi
spantsandzi
pped.
..
.

Bakang:Thinkaboutmydickdownyourthr
oat
ever
ytimey outhi
nkaboutsayi
ngthattome..
.
Justbecauseichoosenottobeyourman
doesn'
tmeanI '
m not.Iam aman,j
ustnoty
ours.

Heslammedt
hedooranddroveof
f,Il
ookedat
hi
ssemenonthef
loorandcov
eredmyf ace
cr
ying.

Isl
owl ywalkedtothebat hr
oom andshowered,
nomat terhowmuchi brushedmyt eet
hi
coul
dn'tgetridofthetastehelef
tinmymout h.
MinutesafterIwalkedoutandpackedal l
my
cl
othesandbeddi ngtheni wentbackforthe
car.
Atmymot
her
'shouse.
..
.

Laterthatev
eningi
drovethroughthegateand
steppedoutwithmybag,iopenedthedoorand
walkedinasmymot herwassi t
ti
ngonthesofa
watchingthenews,t
earsf
ill
edmyey esasshe
l
ookedatmeandputdownhercupoft ea..
.

Mama:
Nal
edi
?

Idroppedt hebagsandsatont
hefloori
nfront
ofherput t
ingmyheadonherlap,
sheputher
armsar oundmer ubbi
ngmyeyesasIcried
l
oudly..
..
..
..

5MONTHSLATER.
..
..
..
.…(
9t)
Co-
wif
e
#43

AtRenei
l
we'
smoms.
..

Iparkedthecar,mymot her
,auntandour
neighbourallst
eppedoutandcoll
ectedt
he
foodfrom theboot.
..
.

Mama: Nextmonthy
ouhavetost
opdriv
ing
Lel
e,nnakeasi
simogat
ota,
mpaet onat
ona.
Aunti
e:It
'sext
remelybigbuttheni
fshest
ops
dri
vi
ngwhowi lldr
iveher?Gagonakago
i
tepel
etsa..
.
Me:Idon'
thav
eachoi
cemama.
..Godwi
l
l
pr
otectmybaby.
Weknockedandhermot heropenedt
hedoor
foruswit
hasmi l
e,Shecol l
ectedt
heplast
ics
andexchangedgreet
ingswi t
hmyparents.
..

Ismi
l
edlooki
ngatmymynephewf
ort
hef
ir
st
ti
measReneil
aidnextt
oher
..
.

Me:
Wowhel
ookssocut
einr
eal
li
fe.
..
.
Renei
:Thanks

Hermot
herhandedt
hebabyt
omymot
her
..
.

Mama: Thisisabeautif
ulfeel
ing,i
tfeelsl
ikeI
'm
holdi
ngmyv eryown,takesmebackt owheni
washoldingyourfat
hermanyy ear
sago.Loago?
(ki
ssedhim ontheforehead)Yourfathercan'
t
stoptal
ki
ngabouty ou..
.
Renei'
smot her
: (
laughed)Abalengisannoy ing,
heisalwaysaskingf orhispict
ures.
.Justthis
morninghecalledthewi feandaskedhowt he
sonwasdoi ngandshet oldhimi wasbathing
thebaby,heimmedi atel
yaskedforthepi
ctur es
ofhissonwhi l
ebat hing(wealll
aughed)I'
m
nowaphot ographer
Me:Ihav
eal otofpict
urest sagaLoago,heis
al
wayssendingmepi cturesgotwennakathe
bonakethudil
elekau.
..Nnahaker ekeleba
l
ekaulat
engkeswakat shego..
..
..

AtAbal
eng'
sof
fi
ce.
..
.

Hi
sphoner
ang.
..
.

Abal
eng:
Hel
l
o?
Voi
ce:
Thi
sNancyf
rom OKf
urni
tur
es
Abal
eng:
Ohhi
,l
ist
eni
wasgoi
ngt
ocal
lyou
Nancy
:It
'
sbeent
hreemont
hsMrThapel
o
Abaleng:Iknow,I'
m havingf
inancialdi
ff
icult
ies
iexplai
nedthistwomont hsbacktoanot herguy
whocal l
edme.Ij ustgotmarri
ed,I'
m sti
llpaying
thebankandi hav eanewbor n,I
'
m adjusting
i
ntot hewholefami l
ythi
ng.I
'
llpayy ou
Nancy:Ican'
treachNaledi
,sheisn'
tanswering
ourphonecalls,
maybeweshoul djustcoll
ect
thefur
nit
urenowwhi l
eit'
sstil
lnewsot hatwe
canresel
litandpaythedebtsheowes.
Abal
eng:
No,
I'
ll
bri
ngt
hemoneydur
ing
l
uncht
ime
Nancy
:Ify
oudon'
tshowup,
I'
ll
cal
lagai
nMrT
Abal
eng:
I'
ll
bet
her
e..
.

Hehungupandsi
ghedf
rust
rat
edl
ythenhe
di
aledhi
swi
fe'
snumber
..
.
Renei
:Hel
l
o?
Abal
eng:
Heyl
ove,
canwet
alk?
Renei
:(st
oodupandwal
kedt
othebat
hroom)
Yes
Abal
eng:Okfurni
turecal
l
edmeandiwantt
o
gi
vethem P600,can'
tyouski
pdoi
ngy
ourhai
r?
Renei: No,ican't.I'
m goingf ormycheckupv ery
soon, Ican'
tf acet hepublicwiththestyl
ei had
whenIwaspr egnant ,i
t'
sol dandtorn.Gagot we
kemot set
si yoosot egang, whycan'tNaledil
et
them takethef urnit
ure?Wecan' taffor
dt o
suppor therbabe, weareal r
eadyindebts
recoveringfrom t heweddi ngexpensesandnow
wehav eababy ,wecan' tsupportNalediand
alsopayherdebt s.You'r
egi vi
ngherP600, you
can'tpayanot herP600agai n.
Abal
eng:(si
ghed)Iknowbabebutshei
smy
l
it
tl
esist
erandshehasasi t
uat
ion,y
ouknow
Renei
:Fine,
payherfur
nit
ureI'
l
lwearadoekt
o
thecl
i
nic.Iguessi
shouldfor
getaboutt
he
honey
moonwewer esupposedtosavef
or
Abal
eng:
Honey
Renei
:(t
earf
ully
)Payherfurni
tur
eAbi,iguess
assoonasi getoutofconf
inementI
'
llhaveto
st
artl
ookingforajobtomaintai
nmyself,
Abal
eng:
Babewediscussedthi
sandagreed
you'
l
lbeahousewi
fe,whyareyouchangi
ng?
Renei:Ican' tbeahousewi feifthemoneyi sn'
t
enough, ionl yagr eednott owor kingbecause
youcoul dpayf orev er
ythingandt hemoney
wasenoughf orus, nowt haty ouwantt ospend
over1KonNal edi imustf indaj ob.Ihaveno
probl
em wi tht he2. 5Kwegi vey ourmotherper
month, thatonei samustandshedeser vesit
butNaledi '
sf ur ni
ture?Inaf ewmont hsshewill
bedeli
v ering, arey ougoi ngt ocov eral
lherbaby
expensest oo?Wher edoest hatleaveus?That'
s
whyker
eassoonasigetoutI
'
mlooki
ngfora
j
obandfindi
ngy
oursonadaycar
ecentr
e
Abaleng:Loagoi
stooyoungfort
hat
,I'
l
ltal
kto
Nalediandyou'
ll
doyourhai
r.
Renei
:Ihopet
hisdoesn'
tmakemeabadwi
fe
Abaleng: Noofcour
senot,youhav ebeen
understandingandwearestil
lindebts.Cany
ou
pl
easest opt al
ki
ngaboutf
indingajob?We
agreedy ou'
dbeastayathomemom
Renei
:Idon'
tmi
ndt
hatasl
ongasy
oucan
aff
ordi
t.
Abal
eng:
Alr
ight
,lov
eyou
Renei
:Lov
eyoumor
e

Hehungupandcont
inuedwor
king.
..
..

AtDudu'
smot
her
..
..
.
Pri
ncesswokeupandslowlycrawledtothe
edgeofthebedwheresheletherl
egdownand
l
etgoasshef el
ldownthenshecrawledoutsi
de
wherehergr
andmotherwassweepi ngtheyar
d.

Shesati nfrontofthehousetaki
ngahandf
ulof
soileat
ingitthenshecr awl
edovert
oher
grandmot hercryi
ng..
..

Granny
:(l
if
tedherdust
inghermout
h)kgwa.
..
Heybatho!

Sheservedabowl ofsof
tporridgeandaddeda
bi
tofsugarleavi
nganotherforlatert
henshe
st
irredandbegunfeedi
ngher ,
Pr i
ncesst
ookthe
fi
rstspoonandspatthesecondonecr yi
ng..
…
Byt
her
oad.
..
..

Meanwhi l
eDuduandanot hercrewofIpelegeng
workerswerecleani
ngt heroad, Duduwipedthe
sweatonherf or
eheadandcont i
nuedcutting
thegrasswit
hasl asherasot herworker
s
workedchatt
ing..
..

Anothermanwal
kedov
erandsl
ashedcl
osert
o
her
..
..

Hi
m:Doy
ouev
ert
alk?
Dudu:
(smil
edabit
)wheni
hav
esomet
hing
i
mportantt
osay
..
.
Hi
m: Mynamei sKabo..
..
(shekeptquiet
)Today
i
t'
sveryhot
..(
shekeptquietcutt
ingthegrass)
wel
l.
..Ni
cetal
kingtoyou..
.
Absent-
mindedshecont
inuedslashi
ng,her
mothercal
ledandsheansweredwalkingaway
fr
om thecrowd.
..
.

Dudu:
Hel
l
o?
Her:Hi
,Pr
incessi
sr ef
usingtoeatsoftpor
ri
dge
wit
houtmil
k,thesugarisalsof
ini
shing.
Dudu:(
sighed)I
'l
laskanyofmycustomer
sifi
candotheirhai
rforhal
fpr
ice,
theoneswho
tookmyweav esoncredi
tareref
usi
ngtopay.
Her:
It'
sjustunti
ligetmypenti
onnextweekmy
gi
rl
,don'tst
ressyoursel
f.Ngwanaenentseoa
gol
agawaemagol ogoleoneakerekeyoo
i
thut
agoemay o.
Dudu:
(smi
l
ed)Yes.
.Shei
sgr
owi
ng.
.
Her
:Letmebat
hher
Dudu:
Bye
Shehungupanddi al
edBakangbutitr
ang
unanswer
edthenshebor r
owedthephonefr
om
oneofhercoworkersandcal
led.
..
.

Bakang:
Hel
l
o?
Dudu:
Hi,
wil
lyoumanaget
ogi
vehersomet
hing
t
hismont
h?
Bakang:
I'
minCapet
ownf
ormyhoney
moon
Dudu:Buty
oucansendt
hemoneywhi
l
eyou
ar
ethere
Bakang:Idon'
thavemoney ,Tr
avel
li
ngis
expensi
vekanabat hobabasaberekengit
hel
a
l
et saagoregoberekagorayagoremot hoo
tsamayaar wel
emadi kadipat
a,gakenamadi
Dudu.I'
m notgett
ingpaidanyt
hing
Dudu:Pai
dbywhoneBakang?Or aaoduel
wa
kemangelewenaoduel angbat
ho,Whatdo
youthi
nkyourdaught
erhasbeeneati
ngthe
past4mont
hs?
Bakang:Idon'tevenknowift
hat'
smydaught er
,
foraprematurebabyshewast oofatandeven
nowi seenothinginhert
hatsayssheismine.
Dudu:Howwoul dyouknowhowshel
ooksy
ou
haven'
tseenherin5months
Bakang:Stophar
assingmewi t
hphonecal l
s,
I
'm amar r
iedman,respectmywi fe.Tot
a
mosadi wameDuduet sang,t
hisiswhypeople
l
ikeyougetsued.Keepdoi ngthi
sandI '
l
ltel
lher
,
wewi l
lseewhereyou'llgett
hemoneyt opay
her.
Dudu:Rr
agakegokopemar
atokar
emphemadi
ngwana.

Thephonecal
lgotdisconnect
edduet
o
i
nsuff
ici
entai
rt
ime..ShehadusedP13butonl
y
hadP3airt
imeinherphone..
.
Dudu:
Ifor
goti
wasn'
tusi
ngmyphone,
cani
sendt
heP3andpayyout
omor
row
Cowor
ker
:No,
probl
em.
.Ar
eyouokay
?
Dudu:
Yes.
.
Shehungthesl
asheronhershoul
derand
walkedawayf
rom ever
yonethenshesatont
he
middleoft
hegrassandcover
edherface
cr
ying..
.

Dudu:(cr
ying)Godwhyareyoudoi
ngthi
stome,
why?Ifieversi
nnedagai
nstyoupl
easef
orgiv
e
me..
.Don'tletmydaught
ersuff
erl
i
kethi
s..
.

TheI pel
egengcarbl
ewt hehornandtheyall
screamedi ncel
ebr
ation,t
heyall
jumpedinthe
carasshewal kedoverrubbi
nghereyes,she
dustedherbl
ueoveral
lsandj umpedi
ntheback
ofthecarhol
dingherslasherasKaboqui
etl
y
observedher
..
..

Mi nutesl
aterthecardroppedthem offatVDC
wher etheyhandedov erthei
rtool
sandqueued
forfood.Dudut ookoutherlunchboxandgot
herf ood,i
nsteadofjoi
ningothersunderthe
treessheputherf oodinthebagandwal ked
out .

Ontheway
,shewentt
hroughcont
actl
i
stand
t
ypedamessage.
..
.

Dudu:
Hi,cal
lmei
fyouwisht
odoy
ourhai
r,any
amounty
ouhavei
sfine.
Not
if
icat
ion:
Messagenotsent
Therewasn'
tenoughair
ti
me, shel
oggedi
nto
Facebookandpostedpi
cturesofal
lher
househol
dsatcheaperpri
ces.Acal
lgoti
n
i
mmedi at
ely.
..

Dudu:
Hel
l
o?
Voi
ce:Hi
,ijustsawyouradver
t,i
sthatar
eal
pi
ctur
eofthebedy ou'
resel
l
ingoryou
downl
oadedonl i
ne?
Dudu:
Youcancomeandseei
t,i
t'
stheone
Voi
ce:
Whyar
eyousel
l
ingi
tforP350?
Dudu:
Ineedt
obuymi
l
kformydaught
er,
how
muchdoyouhav
e?
Voi
ce:
P250
Dudu:
(shookherheadt
ear
ful
l
y)Okay
,youcan
comeandtakeit
.
Voi
ce:
I'
ll
cal
lfordi
rect
ions
Dudu:
Cani
askf
oraf
avour
?
Voi
ce:
Yes
Dudu:Cany
oubr
ingmeacanofNan2i
nst
ead
ofP250?
Voi
ce:
Yes
Dudu:
thanky
ou.
..
.

AtDudu'
smot
her
's.
..
.

Minutesl atersheappr oachedthehouseand

smiledlooki ngatPr i
ncessasshest oodup
suppor t
ingher selfwit
ht hedoorfr
ameandl et
go..
.Shewant edtocelebrateherdaughter
standingonherownbutsheal sodidn'
twantto
start
leher ..
.Princesssawhermot herwalki
ng
overandspr eadherar mst aki
ngthreesteps
thenshef el
l..
.
Dudu:(scr
eamedandr anover
)Woooooooow.
..
.
Mamangwanakewaat samaathi
searl
y.
..
(ki
ssedheronthecheek)Goodgi
rl
..
..Wow!
Hermot
her
:Ngwanagaat
hat
angwanaka.
..

Shewalkedinthehouseandt ookoutherl
unch
box,shefedherdaughterandhandedher
motherthelef
tover
s..
.

Her
:No,
Jangwanaka,
ihadsof
tpor
ri
dge.
.

Duduateandhadwater
,avandrovethr
ough
thegat
eandshewalkedouthol
dingher
daught
er.
.

Thewomanhandedheracanoffor
mulaastwo
menwalkedt
othehouset
ocoll
ectthebed.
..
.
Dudu:
Thanky
ou
Woman:
(gui
l
tst
ri
cken)You'
rewel
come

Themenpassedbef orethem andl

oadedthe
whit
egoodl ooki
ngbedasDudul ookedati
t,t
he
womanl ookedatPr
incessasshesuckedher
fi
ngers.
.

Woman:
Howmuchdi
dyoubuyt
hisbed?
Dudu:
2.8i
nGabor
one
Woman:(handedherP800)I
t'
stoonewf
ora
canoff
ormula..
.

Dudut
earful
l
ycov er
edhermout
hlooki
ngather
,
t
earsr
oll
eddownhercheeksandshehugged
t
hewomant ight
ly.
..
.
Dudu:
(rubbedherey
es)Thanky
ou.
..

Atmymot
her
'shouse.
..

Latert
hataft
ernoonIpar
kedthecar
,mymother
andourneighbourst
eppedout,
ical
l
edbackthe
missedcal
lsIfound.
..

Voi
ce:
OKf
urni
tur
es,
hel
l
o?
Me:
Hi,
It'
sNal
edi
Thapel
o,i
missedy
ourcal
l
s
Voice:
Ohispoketoyourbr
other
, t
otanneele
gorewewanttocoll
ectt
hefurni
turebuthe
askedust
oexcusehim-
Me: Pl
easecomeandcoll
ectthem, Iwon'tbe
abletopayyou.I
'
m notworki
ng,ican'tpayyou.
It
'snothi
sdebt
Voice:
I'
ll
tal
ktomysuper
visorandgetbackt
o
you.
Me:
Thanky
ou

Iwalkedbacki nthehouseandsatdownst aring

attheper fectfamilypictureofahusband, wi f
e,
thr
eechi l
dr enandt wodogst hati hadpast ed
onthewal labovet hebed, itwasn' tmotivating
anymor e.
..Justadepr essingpi ctureistaredat
everymor ningt oremindmy selfofmyf ail
ur es.I
ri
ppedi tofftheal landthrewi tawayt heni
l
eanedov ersighingheav il
yt hinki
ngaboutt he
babythingsi hadboughtf ormyson, ihadgi ven
awaysoonaf t
erhisbur i
albuti neededt hem
badly.
..Myphoner ang..
.

Me:
Hel
l
o?
Maduo:
Hi.
.Justchecki
ngony
ou
Me:
Hey
Maduo:
Whenar
eyougoi
ngf
ory
ourscan?
Me:Theysai
dmaybewhenI'
m ar
ound7or8
months,
youknowhowgover
nmenthospi
tal
s
ar
e
Maduo:Wel
l
...(
smil
ed)Tuel
oandIhavealit
tl
e
pr
esentf
oryou,wearepayi
ngf
oryourscan.
..
Me:
(smi
l
ed)Real
l
y?
Maduo:Yes,
prepar
eyour
selfVr
rphaayatsena
i
n2mi nut
esyouknowTuelodoesn'
tdr
ivehe
f
li
es
Me:
(laughed)Emma.
..By
e..
…

Iat
emyl
eft
over
sandpr
epar
edmy
sel
f.

Minut
esl
aterTuel
oparkedout
side,t
hey
st
eppedoutandgreet
edmymot herasshe
gav
ethem chai
rs.

Afterexchangi
nggreet
ingsMaduowal
kedin
thehousel eav
ingTuel
owitht
heoldl
ady.
..
.

Tuel
o:You'
remaki
ngbeaut
if
ulcar
pet
s..
.
Her:Thanky
ou,I'
m nowdoingitf
aster
,Iwantt
o
sel
lasmuchasIcansot hatIcanhelpNal
edi
buythebaby'
sthi
ngs.
Tuel
o:(t
ookouthi
swalletandhandedherP400)
Idon'
tknowhowthatcanhelpbutthat
'
salli
have
Her
:(ki
ssedhishands)Godbl
essy
ou,i
t'
smor
e
t
hanenough.
..Thankyouver
ymuch.
Tuel
o:I
t'
sthel
eastIcando.
.
Her
:Howi
syourf
ri
end?
Tuel
o:Wehar
dlyt
alk,
hiswi
fei
sn'
tasoci
al
person.They
'r
ealwayst
rav
ell
ing,t
helastt
imei
heardtheyweregoi
ngtoVict
ori
afall
s.
Her
:Okay
..
.

I
nsi
det
hehouse.
..
..

Meanwhi
leigr
abbedmyhandbaggetti
ngr
eady
t
oleavet
henMaduowalkedi
nside.
..
.

Maduo:(gr
innedlooki
ngatme)Lor
dJesus!
Yourbumpi shuge.
..Youl
ookl
ikeacow
Me:
Cow?
Maduo:
(laughed)Yes
Me:(gavehermybag)Car r
ythi
sandst
op
i
nsult
ingme,I'
m goingtodealwi
thy
ougao
senagoimav r
rrphanyana,i
ket
ehel
awena.
.
Westeppedout
sidechatt
ing,
Tuel
oturnedand
l
ookedus,hi
seyeswidenedashelookedatmy
bump..
.

Tuel
o:(
shocked)Wow.
..
Me:
What
?
Tuel
o:Not
hing,
sor
ry.
..

Wegoti
nthecaranddr
oveof
f.

Att
heGy
naecol
ogi
st.
..
..

Mi nutesl aterheparkedthecar,si
tt
ingatthe
backl isteningtothem teasingoneanotherand
playfullyhitti
ngoneanot herwasenv i
abl
e,he
swi t
chedt heengineoffandsqueezedher
thigh.…
Tuel
o:(pinchedherchi
n)Arey
e..
.Nextyearkea
gokgaola,taboofolagonehaotimpet
se
Maduo:
(laughed)Nnaket
ought
her
ra,
gaa
ber
ekwa
Tuel
o:Kegobet
sanokatsepedi
hel
a..
.y
ou'
l
lsee,
otsaagoreNal
edi
nealeeasy
Me:
(laughed)Akoommot
se.
.Ij
a

Weal lst
eppedoutandwal kedinsi
deasheheld
herhandandsecretl
yti
ckledher ,
shesl
apped
hi
shandandkeptaser iousf aceaswe
approachedther
ecepti
on...
..
..

Tuel
oremai nedi
nther
ecept
ionreadi
ng
newspapersasMaduoandi wal
kedin,t
he
doct
orgreetedusanddi
rect
edmeont hebed.
.
Ipul
ledmydressupandlai
ddown,heputon
theglov
esandappl
iedgelonmyabdomen..
..
..

Doct
or:
Youl
ookf
ami
l
iar
,hav
eweev
ermet
?
Me:
(smi
l
ed)Yes,
iwasher
e5mont
hsagowi
th-
Doctor
:BKi r
emember
..
.(l
ookedatmyhuge
bump)looksli
kewemadetheri
ghtdeci
sion
aft
eral
l.
..
Me:
Yes,
wedi
d..
.
Doct
or:
Myl
i
psar
est
il
lseal
ed.
..
Me:
Thanky
ou.
..
.

Hemov
edt
hescannerst
ari
ngatt
hescr
een.
..

Doct
or:
(fr
owned)Hol
yshi
t.
.
Me: (
rai
sedmyheadstar
ingatt
hescr
een)What
?
Ican'
tseeany
thi
ng.
..
Maduo:
(leapedupandwal
kedov
er)What
?
Doctor:You'
reonefer
ti
lehumanbei
ng.
..You'
re
car
ryingtri
plet
s..
.
Maduo: (
scr
eamedj
umpi
ng)Yeees.
..Wow.
..
Yes!Yes!
Doct
or:
(lookedcl
osermov
ingt
hescanner
ar
oundmyabdomen)Twoboy sandonegi
rl.
..
Maduo:(cl
appedhands)Yes.
..Wow.
..Thi
sis
beaut
if
ul.
..
Me:(shocked)Whatam igoingtodowiththr
ee
babi
es?Iam unemployed,ihavenothi
ngtomy
nameandmychi ldr
enarefatherl
ess,why
woul
dGodpuni shmelikethis?
Maduo:
Babesdon'
ttal
kli
ket
hat
..
.You'
l
lfi
nda
way,
mother
salway
sf i
ndaway.
Me:(cr
ying)Whatway?Iwouldsel
lmyf urni
tur
e
butf
urni
tureshopi
sgetti
ngthem,ispentallmy
moneypay i
ngusel
essrentandIspentall
the
moneyihadoncl
othes,usel
esscl
othest
hatI
can'
tgi
vetomybabies.
Maduo:
Youcansel
lthecar
Me: It'
sinhisnameandt hatmeansit'sWendy '
s
car,assoonassheknowst hissheiscomi ng
forit
.Ihav enothi
ng, mybrotherhasaf amily
andmymot hersell
scarpetsforali
ving,how
am i goingtofeedthreebabieskelemo
botsetsing.Thesalaryisavedwon'tbeenough
toev enbuyt hem cl
othesandf eedmewhi leI'
m
onconf inement.
Maduo:(huggedme)Mother
sal
way
sfi
nda
way.
..You'
llf
indaway
..
..
……
Co-
wif
e
44

AtAbal
eng'
sof
fi
ce.
..
Tuel
oandMaduodroppedmeof
fatmy
brot
her
swor
kplaceandsl
owl
ydrov
eof
f.
..

Maduo:
(putonhersungl
asses)Wewi
l
ltal
k
l
ater
Me: Yes,andguys.
..Thanksal ot.
..Iappr
eciat
e
i
t,thi
sismor eimportantthanyoucani magine.
..
JustbecauseiknowI 'm expecti
ngt hr
eeI'
l
l
preparebett
erthanwhenIassumedi t
'sj
ust
one.
Maduo:
You'
rewel
come.
.
Tuel
o:Takecar
e..
.
Me:Tuel
other
rakeagokopadon'
ttel
lBakang
aboutmyki
ds,
theywoul
dbeindanger.
Tuelo:Iwoul
dn'
tdot
hatandidon'tt
alkt
o
BakangasmuchasIusedto,wedr i
ft
edapart
becausewediff
erwi
thopi
nions.Don'
tworr
y
aboutit.
.
Me:
Thanks.
.

It
urnedandwal
kedi
nthebui
l
ding.

I
nAbal
eng'
sof
fi
ce.
..
.

Iknockedandwal
kedinashewastypi
ngt
hen
heturnedandsmi
ledasiwal
kedi
n..
..

Abal
eng:
Sdudah.
..Heeekar
eokat
huny
a..
.
Me: (laughedsit
tingdown)Youreal
lyhavet
o
stopcal l
ingmet hat,i
don'
tcall
youtal
ly.
.
(placedt hescanphotoonthetabl
e)Maduoand
Tueloj usttookmef orascan
Abal
eng:
(looki
ngati
t)i
can'
tseeany
thi
ng
Me:(poi
nted)That
'st
heheadher
e,her
eand
her
e..
Abal
eng:(car
eful
l
ylookedati
tandl
ookedat
me)Tri
plets?
Me:
(si
ghed)Yeah
Abaleng:
(fr
ust
ratedly
)Howt
hehel
lam i
goi
ng
tosupportf
ourbabies?
Me:Abi
stopit
,it
'smybabi
esnoty
ours.You
onl
yhaveonebabyandawifet
osupport
.
Abaleng:You'
renotwor
king,
it'
smy
responsi
bil
it
y
Me:No,it'
snot.
..I'
l
lseewhatt odo.St op
makingmypr oblemsy ourprobl
ems, Iwould
feel
real
lybadifmysi t
uationaffect
edy our
marri
age.Youjustgotmar ri
edandy ou're
obvi
ouslyi
ndebt s,youdon' tneedmypr oblems
tomakemat t
erswor se.
Abaleng:
Renei
isunder
standi
ng,
shedoesn'
t
mind.
Me:
Abi
Iam awoman,
I'
mtel
l
ingy
oui
t'
snot
good.Iunderstandwhyy ouhel pingmebutt ry
tounderstandthatI'm al
sohel pingy oubecause
I'
m putti
ngmy selfinRenei'sshoes.Bakang' s
mistakesshouldn'tmakeRenei suff
er,shegota
goodmanandshedeser vesagoodl i
feforthat
,
nnasemat ai mustf acemymi stakesbecausei
deci
dedt odatear ichbadboywhi l
eRenei
choseagoodman, itshouldbeal esson.
(si
ghed)Any wayi call
edthef urnitureshopand
tol
dt hem togettheirfur
nitur
e, theysaidt hey
wouldcallmeback.
Abaleng:Ihav etopaythatdebtuntily
ouf inish
i
totherwiset heseguyswi l
lsummonsy ouy ears
l
ater,you'
llbesurpri
sedt oseethesheriffat
yourdoorev enaftergi
vingthem thefurnit
ure,
beli
eveme.I '
llpaythatP600, I
'
m goingtoget
moneyf rom thecashloan
Me: Notacashloan,I'
m notputt
ingyouin
debtsmorethany ou'
reandI'
m certai
nlynot
goingtobeoneoft hosesist
ersthatf
eel
enti
tl
edtothei
rbrother
'smoney,I
'
llf
indaway .
I'
l
ltal
ktothem sothatIcanatl
eastpaythem
P300permont h.Obeil
ebotset
sigakebate
gogoimetsa.
Abaleng:(sighedl
eani
ngbackholdi
ngthe
pict
ure)IhateBakang,
ekareaitsegor
eo
tshol
ont siaboatsamayaaimisaalat
ha.
Me:Eneoitsegoreobol ai
l
eakere,i
don'
tli
ke
t
alki
ngabouthim becauseitbl
ocksmefrom
t
hinki
ngaboutway stomakemoney .
Abaleng:Don'
twor
ryaboutt
his,
I'
ll
takecar
eof
thechil
dren.
Me: Wit
hwhat?You'r
eindebts.I'
mj ustshari
ng
goodnewswi thy
ou,notthatyoushouldwor ry.
Isavedmoneymy2mont hssalaryandt he
packagetheygav
eme. .Don'
twor r
yaboutme,
j
ustcelebr
atehavi
nganieceandt wonephews.
Abaleng:(
smi
ledthought
full
y)I
twil
lbegr
eat
though,i
hopetheywil
lbeident
ical
buti
fthey
pl
aymeI
'
llwhi
pthem wi
thabel
t
Me:(
laughed)Ican'
twaitt
otel
lMama,
shewi
l
l
besoexcit
edaboutit.
..

AtMaduo'
shouse.
..

Latert
hataf t
ernoonMaduocollectedt
heir
di
shesandheadedt ot
hekitchenwhereshe
washedt hem, Tuel
owalkedbehindherandhel
d
herwaistkissi
ngherneck..
.

Hisbonerpokedherbuttasshequietl
ydidthe
di
shes,heslowlypull
edupherst
retchydress
andturnedheraroundki
ssi
ngher,herheart
poundedassheswal l
owedandmov edback..
.

Tuel
o:Whenar
ewedoi
ngi
t?
Maduo:
I'
m notr
eady
..
.
Tuel
o:Whendoy
out
hinky
ouwi
l
lber
eady
?
Maduo:
Ineedt
ime.
..
Tuel
o:(
annoy
ed)Ti
met
odowhatexact
ly?Ar
e
youavi
rgi
n?
Maduo:
Idi
dn'
tsayI
'
m av
irgi
n
Tuel
o:Thenwhat
?Ar
eyouat
ransgender
?
Maduo: (
off
endedsheturnedaroundand
cont
inuedwiththedi
shes)I'
m notready
..
.
Tuelo:MaduoI '
mtoool df
orfacelove,
ineed
sex.Ihaven'
thadsexi nal
mostay ear,
trustme
that
'sali
feti
mef oraman.Idon'tknowhowy ou
doitbutIcan'twaitanymore.
Maduo:
Whatdoy
oumeanbyt
hat
?
Tuel
o:(
tur
nedaroundandwalkedout
)know
what
?I'
llj
ustgobefor
eIsaysomethi
ngstupi
d
Maduo:
(fol
l
owedhi
m)Justsayi
t.
..Doy
ou
wantt
ocheat
?
Tuel
o:(
gothi
skey
sandwal
kedout
)By
e
Maduo:
(fol
l
owi
nghi
m)Justsayi
t.
..Youwant
t
ocheat?
Tuelo:(tur
nedar oundandf acedher )Idon't
cheatbuti alsowon' tletanotherwomanpl ay
me, iknowi tstar
tswi thsexst ar
vation.Itst
art
s
wit
hexcusessoi fyoudon' tf
eel t
hisany more
j
ustletmegosot hatIcanf i
ndaser ious
woman.Idon' thav eti
met owast e.Iwantaki d,
al
lmyf ri
endshav echi l
drenbutI'm celebrat
ing
6mont hswithagi rlf
ri
endi haven'
thadsexwi th,
i
st hi
ssomeki ndofaj okeorwhat ?..
..Bye

Hegoti
nt hecaranddr ov
eoff,
Maduogoti
n
t
hehouseandcl osedthedoorl
eani
ngagai
nst
t
hedoorthoughtful
ly
..
..
..
Atmymot
her
'shouse.
..
.

Lat
eronIgotmyfoodandsatnextt
omy
motherasshewasdoi
nghercarpet
s.…

Her:
.Yourl
egsar
eswol
l
en,
hav
eyoubeen
st
andingagai
n
Me:Ithinkit
'sthedri
vi
ngthatcausesi
tbutI'
m
notsure..
.OhIalmostfor
got,you'
regoi
ngtobe
agrannytotripl
es,atwoboysandonegirl
..
Her
:(hear
tski
pped)MyGod
Me:
What
?
Her :I
'
mj ustgoingtotellyouthoughitmight
stressyou.Theni ghtyouwer etravel
l
ingov er
heref r
oGabor onewhenIsai di hada
ni
ght mare..
.Inmydr eam wewer eatthe
graveyardburyingyout oget
herwi t
hthreelitt
le
whi t
ecoffi
ns,itscaredmet odeat handi never
forgoti
t.Nowyou'
rescari
ngmei fy
ou'
rei
ndeed
carryi
ngthr
eechil
dren,
youreal
l
yneedtobe
prayerf
ulNal
edi
.
Me:Mamaar eyouser
iousaboutt
hedream or
youjustwantt
oscar
emesot hatIcanpray
more?
Mama:whywoul
dIl
iet
oyoungwanaka?Why
woul
dicr
eat
esuchabaddr
eam..
..
Me:I
t'
snotthatIdon'
tbeli
eveyou.
..God
woul
dn'
tpunishmel i
kethat
,hewouldn'
t.
..
Woul
dhe?
Mama: Goodpeoplesuff
eredintheBibl
e,
suff
eri
ngisn'
talwaysapunishment.Be
prayer
ful
..
.Bei
ngagoodmot heri
sputti
ngyour
chil
dbeforeGodandaskingGodt oprot
ectyour
chil
dforyoubecauseyou'
reonlyhuman.
Me:I'
l
lpr
ayabouti
t,i
t'
sabaddr
eam.Iwoul
dn'
t
sur
viv
ethedeat
hofanyofmybabi
es.
.
Mama:
I'
m pr
oudt
haty
ouhav
ebeengoi
ngt
o
chur
chbutIwantt
oseeyour
eal
l
ybel
ievei
n
God,kebel
ael
aoisamel
ehel
akoker
ekeng.Do
youeverpr
ayal
one?
Me:
Notr
eal
l
y,i
alway
sfor
gett
opr
ay.
Mama: (
sighed)Whent het
imecomesy ou'
l
l
pray,noonewi l
lremindyou.
..Whatdi
dthe
furni
tur
epeopl esay?
Me: Theyhav en'
tcall
edbutAbalengsay simust
j
ustpayi toffsoIdecidedit'
sbestireducemy
i
nstall
ment stoP300.Hewasgoi ngtopayitbut
iref
used.Hei salreadygi
vingmeP600t oget
anothermont hlyP600will
beunr easonabl
e
especial
l
ybecausehei spayingoffaloanand
hasbabyexpenses.
Mama: I
'
m pl
anningtohav ehimreducethe
moneyheisgivi
ngme, Ididn'
tli
keRenei
lwe'
s
hai
rthi
smorning.Idon'
tknowi fi
t'
sbecause
sheisi
nconfi
nementort hey'
rerunni
ngoutof
money.
Me:It hinktheymightbehav ingmoney
problemsbecausehesai dhewoul dgetmoney
from thecashloan, t
otopituphi spri
dewon't
allowhimt oletReneiwork.Hei nsi
stonher
bei ngahousewife,Iwonderwhatmakeshi m
thinkhecansuppor tever
y onewi t
hhisent
ir
e
salary.
Mama: Ibl
amey ourf
atherf
orabandoninghi
s
responsibi
l
iti
esbecausenowAbalengis
sacri
fi
cinghisfamil
ymoneyf ort
hingshe
doesn'thaveto.
Me: Butit'
sBakangwhoi st oblamehere,thi
sis
Bakang'sresponsi bi
l
itybutsinceheopt edouti
blamemy selffornotseeingthroughhim andi
don'twantpeopl earoundmet osufferbecause
ofmymi stakes.Youal l
toldmet hathewasbad
formebuti ref
usedandmadechi l
drenwithhim,
iblamemy self
.
Mama:(y
awning)Ineedt
ogetsomesleep,
t
hesecar
pet
swi l
lkil
lme.
..
I'
m notr
est
ing
any
mor
e.
Me:
Tomor
rowy
oumustt
akeabr
eak.
..
Mama:
Let
'spr
aybef
oreIgot
obed

Wekneltdownandshel
edthepr
ayer,weboth
sai
damenandshewenttobed,minut
eslat
eri
swi
tchedofft
heli
ght
sandwenttobed.

AtDudu'
smot
her
s..
.

Dudufinishedbathingherdaughterandl ai
dher
downt henshest oodther
esilentl
yst ar
ingat
herasshesl eptpeaceful
.Sheknel tdownand
putherhandonherheadandcl osedherey es
pray
ing..
.

Dudu:
Lor
dJesust
hisi
smybl
essi
ngandIwi
l
l
foreverbet hankfult oy ouf orgivingmet hisgift,
Iwillnotr egrethav ingherbecausesomanyar e
cryingf orthiswonder ful giftI'm privil
egedt o
hav e.Fathergi vemet hest rengtht odoi tonmy
own, WhenI '
m breaki ngdownl i
ftme.Iam sad
thatot herwomenar er aisingt heirchildrenwi t
h
theirfather sbuti knowy ouputmei nthis
sit
uat i
onbecausey ouknowI '
m st rongert han
them.I '
ml earni
ngandI 'l
l beanexper tatbei ng
asi nglemot her
, untilthenst r
engthenmef at her,
mot ivatemeandl if
tmeupabov eal lgiv
emea
forgivinghear t,
hel pmef or giveBakangsot hatI
canmov eonwi t
hmyl ife.Idon' twantmy
husbandt osuf ferforBakang' smi stakes.Int he
nameoft hef at
her ,thesonandt heHol yspi rit
.
Amen

Shetookof
fherclothesandswit
chedofft
he
l
ight
sthenshelai
ddownst ari
nginthedar
k.I
t
washerdai
lyrout
inetorefl
ectf
orabout30
mi
nut
esbef
oregoi
ngt
obed.

Herusual lyquestion..
.WHATCANIDOTO
MAKEMOREMONEY?Shet houghtbackt o
AbalengandRenei '
sweddi ngdecor ,
"itwas
beautifulandt heamountt heypaidwas
ri
diculous, t
hatladymusthav emadeal otof
moneyj ustrenti
ngt hattentandt hedecors.
Imagineabusi nesswher ey ourstockisnever
fi
nished.Rent alsareprobabl ythesafest
businessi dea"shet houghtandgotup, she
switchedt helightsonandgr abbedher
businessi deabook. .
.

Dudu:(
wri
ti
ngdown)Dee'
sClassi
cDecor.
..
(smi
ledpi
ctur
ingi
t)Wowsoundssobeauti
ful
.
..

Sheli
stedtheequi
pmentandlookedupthe
pri
cesonli
ne,t
hetotal
wasinsanel
yhighbut
shewasn'
taboutt
ogiveup,"
youhav etospend
moneytomakemoney ,
"shethoughtasshe
ci
rcl
edthetot
alamountbi
ti
ngherlowerlip.
..
..
Sheswit
chedofft
heli
ghtsandwentt obed.

I
nSout
hAf
ri
ca.
..
.

Ar oundmidnightBakang'sphonev i
bratedon
theheadboar dashel ai
dbehindWendywhi t
h
hisar m ar
oundher .
..Hereachedforitand
frownedast helighthurthi
sey es.
.

Unsavednumber :
Congratul
ati
ons, Nal
edii
s
car
ryi
ngtri
plet
s,2boy sand1girl.Ihopeone
dayyouwon'tregretdoi
ngthi
sy ourownblood.
Bakang:
Whoi
sthi
s?
Unsavednumber:
Yourguardianangel.Bkyour
chi
ldr
enaresuf
feri
ng.Pr
incessisveryskinny
.
Bakang:
Fuckof
f.

Heblockedthenumberanddelet
edthe
messagesthenheputthephonedownand
cl
osedhiseyes.

Wendy
:(hal
fasl
eep)Whoi
sitbabe?
Bakang:Orangepr
omot
ions.
.(ki
ssedherneck)
Goodnight
Wendy
:Goodni
ght
..
.…

2MONTHSLATER.
..
..
..(
9t)

Al
way
sremembert
oLi
ket
hei
nser
t.Muchl
ove
Co-
wif
e
#45
Att
hepsy
chol
ogi
st.
..

Duduknockedandwalkedin,
thepsy
chol
ogi
st
smil
edsurpri
sedandputherhandst
oget
her
l
ooki
ngatherasshesatdown. .
..

Her
:It
'sbeenawhi
leandy
oul
ookgr
eat
,wher
e
i
sthebigtummy?
Dudu:
(laughed)Heiethubegi
l
emma,
kant
e
di
mpakedi lotsakgor
ohey
Her:
(laughed)mokhambaoeneel
ewabot
set
si
hel
a..
.Howar eyou?
Dudu:I'
mf i
ne,ij
ustcamet oletyouknowthat
I'
l
lbewor ki
nginasafari
,outofallthe120
appli
cat
ionstheonlysuccessful
onei sf
rom a
safar
i.
Her
:That
'st
hewor
stj
obanymot
hercanget
,i
heary
ougof
ort
hreet
osi
xmont
hsi
nthebush.
Dudu:Yesbutt hemoneyi sworth,I
'
m goingto
saveitandst ar
tadecorbusinessformy
daughter.It
'
sourcompanynnal ePri
ncessso
wehav et omakesacri
fices,
shehast olet
mommygof ormonthsandi havetobest r
ong
j
usttor eachthatgoal
.
Her:(smiled)I'
m soproudofyou,youknowasa
motivatorwheny ouseesomeonewhowas
oncesol owbei ngsohighlymoti
vateditget
s
youradrenalinepumping,I'
mreall
yproudofyou.
Don'tmakemecr y..
..(
rubbedhertear
s)Idon't
cryi
nf r
ontofmycl i
ents
Dudu: (l
aughed)Af terworkingthejobspeople
considertobet helowestj obs,ihavereal
ised
thatsomet i
mest heonlythingstandingusand
successi sus,ourfeartof ail
orourpr i
de
stoppingusf r
om wor ki
ngpoorj obsthatcan
opendoor stobi ggerdreams.
Her:
(rubbedherey
eswi
that
issue)Whoar
e
you?
Dudu: (l
aughed)Thi sisme, iwasahust ler
beforei lostmy self
...Istoppeddr eami ngand
sawmy sel fasBakang' swi f
et hat'
showIgot
here,that '
showi becameabeggarbuti was
neverliket his.Mymot herrai
sedmet obea
provider,Ilostdi r
ect i
onandhav ehadmont hs
torecov er,I'mf i
nallyov erBakangandt hehope
thathewi l
l helpmesonowI '
mf ather
ingand
mot heringt ooandI '
lldoi tj
ustfine.
Her:cani hugy ou?Wenev erhugmycl i
entsbut
you'r
enotacl i
entanymorey ou'
remotiv
ating
me...Myhusbandi scheati
ng,hedoesn'tbri
ng
anymoneyhomeandI '
m supporti
ngthe
chil
drenonmyown.Ihav e5childrenwait
seke
tshotsehelaokar engandnowi t'
shard,i
thoughtbeingmar ri
edi wassafefrom you
know. .
.Beingabandonedwi thchil
drenwaitse
keemehel ajaanakabanabal e5,bajaokar edi
al
i
enandcl
othes?
Dudu: (
laughed)Clot
hesar eexpensiveiknow
i
bilebale5,i
tmeansschool shoessaP100f or
youit'
sP500j ustshoes,nouni f
orm nothi
ng..
.
Butidon'tthi
nky oushoulddwel lmuchont he
numberofchi l
dren,t
heyar ehereandy oucan't
takethem back.Sodeal withthathungerand
thei
rneeds
Her: i
t'
shard,I
'm notbeingpaidmuchandst i
ll
theyar etoomany ,kanamonthendi t
helake
phaphal et
sehela.Iwantedtostartselli
ngafew
thi
ngsf orextr
acashbutI '
m nev erlef
twith
anything,sal
aryehel al
onetsatsileetseneng
kay one.
Dudu:Youmustspendmoneyt omakemoney ,
Youcan'tmakemoneywi t
houtspendingmoney
neverunlessyoucomedi an(theylaughed)Si
t
yourchi
ldrendownandt ellthem thatyouhave
tomakesacr i
ficesandtheywon' thaveenough
foracoupleofmont hs.NnaPr incesske
mmolelet
se,
iknowsheisababybutl
astni
ghti
t
oldheriwasgoingtomakeabet
terl
i
feforher
.
Gagonagoreretaar
eng.
Her:
(huggedher)Thankyou..
ican'
tbel
iev
ei
br
okedownbef oreacli
ent,
it'
sunprof
essi
onal
Dudu:(
smiled)y
ou'
reonlyhuman,you'r
ea
mother
.Wesomet i
mesneedmot iv
ation..
.
Anywayihavetogo,I
'
llbefl
yi
ngthi
saf ter
noon.
Her
: Goodluckandum.
.Doy
oust
il
lhav
ethose
f
antasies?
Dudu:Wel l
nowt herei
sn'tBakanginthefant
asy,
heisout.Heistheonlythingican'tst
andthere
whenIclosemyey esbutI'
m alsoprayi
ngto
stopseeingherl
ikethat,i
t'
sstupidandcrazy,
i
tr
ustGodt ogetridofthatmadness.
Her
:(si
ghed)saf
ejour
ney
Dudu:
Thanks.
..
AtAbal
eng'
shouse.
..
.

Hewalkedincarr
yinghi
ssonasRenei
fol
l
owed
hi
mlookingaroundthehouse.
..
.

Renei
:Hel
l
ohouse,
I'
m baaack.
..
Abal
eng:
wit
hthehei
r!
Renei
:(l
aughed)Yes.
..
.

Het
urnedar
oundandki
ssedRenei
.
..

Abaleng:
Thanks,nowi f
eell
ikeIam ar eal
famil
yman, i
knowwewer emarri
edbutt hefact
thati
twasjustyouandmeki ndofmademe
feell
ikej
ustaboyfr
iendbutthi
s?(rubbinghis
sonsback)Thismakesmef eell
ikear ealman,
ahusbandandaf ather
,iam complete.Thank
y
ou
Renei
:(smi
l
ed)You'
rewel
come,
imi
ssedt
his
pl
ace
Abaleng:It r
iedtocleanupwher eIcouldand
babei knowmoneyhasn' tbeeneasybutI
promisey ou, wewillrecoverfrom thi
s.Iwas
tal
kingtoaf ri
endatwor kandhet oldmet hat
mostmar ri
edcouplesar ebr okemont hs
foll
owingt heirweddingbecauset heyar e
recoveri
ngsot hi
sist emporary.
Renei
:Don'tbehardonyour
sel
f,t
hemoneyi
s
okayandifitget
shardi
canalwaysf
indaj
ob.
Abal
eng:
Ther
ewegoagai
nwi
tht
hatwor
d.
Renei:
(smi
l
edandki
ssedhi
m)I
'
m sor
ry.
..I
'
m
sorr
y..
.

Shewalkedtothebedr
oom ashesatont
he
couchplay
ingwit
hhisson.
..
..
Atmymot
her
'shouse.
..
.

Lateront hatsunnymor ningIdraggedthe

mat t
ressbyt hesi deofthehouseandspr eada
bl
ankett heni t
hr ewapi l
lowandsl owlylai
d
downbr eathi ngheav i
l
y,atthi
spoi ntmyonly
prayerwast hedel iver
yroom becausei could
hardlytoany thing, somethingaseasyast o
breathewasast ruggle,mywei ghthaddoubled
andmybl oodpr essurewasbei ngmoni t
oredon
weeklybasi s...

Mymot herwalkedoutofthehousesmel
li
ng
fr
eshholdingherhandbagandputmybreakf
ast
ontheplasti
cchair
..
..

Me:
Iyoomamast
andt
hissi
de,
per
fumegae
nt
seesent
e
Mama: Sorr
y..Her
eisyourbreakfast
,I'
m goi
ng
tocol
lectmypensionpl
easecal l
mei fyoufeel
anypainoranythi
ngoutoftheordinar
y.
Me:(l
aughed)Mamabatho,ther
eis3f
ull
weeks
l
eftt
otheDuedate,
I'
ll
bef i
ne.
Mama: Oncey ou'r
e8mont hsyoumustbe
readybecausengwanawaboaset sealeready
.
Tripl
etsareatr i
skdur i
ngbirt
handt heyalways
needmedi calassistancesoy oucannotaf f
ord
todeli
veront hewayorathomebecauseoneof
them orallofthem mi ghtnotmakei toryou
canalsodiedur ingdeliver
y.Thatdream sti
l
l
hauntsme, iam af r
aidI'
lll
ooseyouanyt ime.
Me:Okay
,I'
l
l cal
lyoubutIbel
i
eveI'
ll
befi
ne.I
t
rusty
ourprayers,
you'
remyprayerwar
ri
or.
Mama:(walki
ngaway
)Mosadiwai
thapel
ela
gaar
apelel
wekemmagwe..
..
Shewal kedawayandi satupeati
ngmy
breakfast,
Softporr
idgewi t
hsourmi l
k,whenI
turnedisawDuduwal kingthr
oughthegate,she
smi l
edfrom adist
anceasusual andsatdown
l
ooki ngatme...

Dudu:
Hi,
youl
ookl
i
key
ou'
reaboutt
opop
Me:
(laughed)Tel
lmeabouti
t.
..
Dudu:(si
ghed)Anywayicametoaskf ora
fav
our,I'
m goi
ngtothebush,I
'l
lbegonefor
thr
eemont hsormoreI'
m notsureaboutt
he
dates.
Me:
Saf
ari
jobsar
en'
tforwomen
Dudu: Iknowbutidon'thaveachoice,Anywayi
needy outokeeppickingmymot herand
pri
ncesswhenev ertheyhaveemergencies.I
f
sheneedst oberushedt othehospit
albethere
forher.Myfamil
yisn'texactl
yli
keother
famil
ies,wearescatteredandnotlovi
ngsoi f
mymotherissickpleasehel
pherout.Dropher
aboxofj
uice,buythem whatevert
heyneedand
wri
tei
tdown.I'
llr
efundy ouwhenIgetback.
Me:Abouttr
anspor
tati
onyoudon'
thavetoask,
i
t'
sthei
rcarofcour
seI'l
lhel
pherout
.Didyou
gi
vehermynumber ?
Dudu:
Yes,
thanky
ousomuch
Me:You'
rewelcome...I
'l
lkeepcheckingonher
l
ehaketogakennamot setsi
.Youlook
gor
geous,ihopeI
'l
lthisgoodaftergaini
ngso
muchweight.
Dudu:(l
aughed)Don'tworr
y,y
ou'l
lloset
hat
babyfat
..
.(
laughed)Isti
l
lcan'
tbel
ieveBakango
l
athi
lebanajustli
kethat
Me:Andthewayhegotangr ywheni mentioned
amorningafterpil
l kareekarekamopat el
etsa,
it
oldhim Iwasn'treadybutkehaai tatsaka
bogal
ehooabeahel elaankurukakat ri
pya
Gabor
onegompi enor amoshimi sagaare
bapi
sal
eWendy
.
Dudu:(
laughed)Ibecamebi
tterandevenlost
mybitt
ernesskemonohela,hankasimolol
a
busi
nessyame?Tabokelebonebany ana
ba(t
humbsup)
Me:Idon'
tknowwhatI'
m goi
ngt
odo,Ican'
t
t
hinkofanybusi
nesskoor
ekeagot
hokomela
j
angbanabale3Dudu?
Dudu:Idon'
tknow, i
fther
eisn'tajobyouhav e
totr
ysomet hi
ng,youcan'tj
ustsithomel egal
e
wheny ouseethehungeront hei
rfaces,baleba
sesaneyou'
llt
hinkofsomething.Ithi
nky our
thi
ngsareeasierbecauseyouhav eabrother
Me: Butmybr otherisbrokeandhehasaf amil
y,
idon'twanttobeoneoft hosefamilymember s
thatmakeot herfamilymember slookbadf or
affordi
nggoodt hingsforthei
rchi
ldren,iwant
tobei ndependentandsupportmy selfkesa
kolekelwekemasi ka.
Dudu:
Keepthi
nki
ngofsomethi
ng,t
hinkbef
ore
goi
ngtobed,i
heargoodi
deascomeatnight
.
Me:
I'
ll
dot
hat
Dudu:Canihugy
oubefor
eIgo..
.(hel
dmyhand
andpull
edmeup)You'
resoheavybatho

Wel aughedandhugged,il
etgobutshesti
ll
huggedmeandi awkwar
dlyhuggedheragain,
it
feltl
ikeoneofthosewei
rdgoodbyehugss,she
sighedandletgothenwesmiledl
ookingatone
another.
..

Me:
Thi
sisver
yawkwardyoubet
ternotdi
eout
t
her
eosenagont
aetsangwanawagago.
Dudu:(l
aughed)Themmai fi
diedon'
tabandon
mydaughter,I
'l
lwakeupandhauntyoui
fyou
don'
ttakecareofher
.
Me:
Stopi
t,don'
tj
okel
i
ket
hat
..
..
Dudu:
(hephoner
ang)Ihav
etogo.
.By
e
Me:
Letmedr
opy
ouof
f
Dudu:
Youcan'
tgetbehi
ndt
hewheel
wit
hsuch
ahugetummy
Me:I'
mfine,
ialway
sgot
othecl
i
nicwi
tht
he
car
.Let'
sgo..
.
Dudu: OkayIguessthi
scanbehelpful
,I
'l
leven
collectmybagsfrom homeandmay betake
Princesswit
hme?( smiledwi
thpuppyeyes)
Please?
Me:
Finebutonl
yifshest
il
lhashercarseat
.
Dudu:
Shedoes.
..

AtMaunI
nter
nat
ional
Air
por
t.
..

Iparkedbesi
desgate,Dudusteppedoutand
pull
edherbag,agroupofothercoworker
swere
standi
ngafewfeetawayholdi
ngt hei
rbags.
Shewentov ert
ohersupervi
sorandchecked-i
n
thenshelef
therbagwit
honeoft hecoworkers
andwalkedbacktothecar
..
..
..
.

Sheli
ft
edPrincessf
rom herseatandhugged
heremoti
onall
y..
.

Dudu:(t
earful
l
y)Ican'
tbel
i
ev eI
'
mleavi
ngher
behi
nd,ther
eisnonetworkther
e.I
fshei
ssick
I
'l
lneverknow..
.
Me:Grandmothersaret
hebestbabysit
ter
s,i
f
t
heyraisedustheycanrai
seourchi
ldr
en.
Dudu:
(ki
ssedher
)Babydon'tgetsi
ckokay
?I'm
goi
ngtomakemoney,I
'm notabandoni
ngyou.I
l
oveyou.
..
Super
visor
:Al
ri
ght
,let
'sgo.
..
Every
onegott hei
rbagsandfol
l
owedheri nsi
de,
DuduhandedmePr i
ncessasshestar
tedcryi
ng,
shekissedherandgotherbagthensheran
i
nsidefoll
owinghercrew.

IshushedPrincessbutshewouldn'
tkeepqui
et,
Ilockedthecarandwalkedovertothe
tuckshopbyther oadwher
eigotherfresh
chips..
.

Me:
(handedherone)Her
e..
.

Shekeptqui
etandat
easi
wal
kedt
othecar
..
.

Man:(cr
ossingther
oad)Youshoul
dn'
tbe
car
ryi
ngthatbabywit
htheweighty
ou'
re
car
ryi
ng,rr
aabookae?
Me:
(laughed)Ot
hudi
l
weket
erena
Man:
(laughed)Amae.
..

Icr
ossedt her
oadandapproachedthecar
,
BakangandWendywal kedoutofthegat
e
hol
dinghands,hi
seyeswidenedashelookedat
myhuget ummythenhepassedby .

Bakang:
Hi
Me:
Hi

TheywalkedawayasWendysai dsomethingto
him,heseemedtoberesist
ing,
iputherinher
seatandgoti
nthecarthenWendyappear edon
mydr i
ver
'ssi
de.

Wendy
:Pl
easegetoutofmycar
Me:
Thi
sismycar
Wendy: Doyouhav
eitspapers?Don'
t
embarrassyour
sel
f,t
herearepoli
ceoff
icer
sin
theai
rport.

Istuckmyheadoutandl ookedatBakang, he
avoidedey econtactashewasl eani
ngagai nst
theircarfoldi
nghisarmst heni st
eppedoutand
packedmypaper sintomyhandbag, Igotthe
baby 'scarseatandputitont hegroundtheni
carriedheronmyl eftwaistsupporti
ngherwi t
h
myar m andhandedWendyt hecarkey s.

Shelockedt hecarandwal kedov ertohi mt hen

theydroveaway ,Icouldfeelmyhear tchoking
mebuti wasn'tgoingtocryholdingababy .I
tookoutmyphonet ocal
l mybr otherasashar p
painstruckmebel owt heabdomen.Ihungmy
handbagont heothershoulderandcont i
nued
walki
ngbutt hepai ngotintense.Iturnedtot he
ATM machi
nesecur
it
yguar
dwhowasl
i
steni
ng
tomusi
c..
..

Her
:Ar
eyouokay
?
Me:Kebel
ael
akel
emodi thabi
ng.
.Nt
shwar
ela
ngwanaj
aanakel
etse.
..
.
Her
:(gotup)Pl
easesi
tdown.
..

Isatdownanddi aledAbal engbuthewasn'

t
picki
ng,mypaingotmor eandmor eseri
ous,t
he
securit
yladypi
ckedPr incessandstoodbythe
roadwav ingf
ortaxis.Idial
edTrevorandhe
picked.
..

Tr
evor
:Hel
l
o?
Me:I'
m abouttodel
iv
erinf
rontoft
heai
rpor
t,
pl
easehurry.
..
.Pl
easedon'
tsayno.
.
Hehungup, ididn'
tknowi fhewascomi ngor
notsoiconti
nuedt ry
ingmybr ot
her
.Minutes
l
aterhepull
edov erwithawomani nthefr
ont
seat,
igoti
nt hebackandt hesecur
it
ylady
handedmePr incess,Trev
or '
scompanion
changedhermi ndandgoti nthebacktohold
Pri
ncess.
..
..
..

Her
:Babepl
easehur
ryup.
..

Hest
eppedoni
tandj
oinedt
her
oad.
..
..
..
..
..
..

Co-
wif
e
#46
AtLet
shol
athebehospi
tal
.
...

Thenursepushedmybedi nthedel
iv
eryroom,
Mybonespul ledapar
tasIcl
osedmyey es
pushi
ngt hebaby,i
twasthemostpai
nful
exper
ience.…

Me:
( grunt
ed)Pl
easeoper
ateme.
..
.Wher
eis
t
heinjecti
on?
Midwif
e:(checkedmyBP)You'
redoi
nggr
eat
nnaka,
areye?Pushergape

Ipushedonceandmypunanit
oreapartasthe
headsli
dout,f
eeli
ngmyfl
eshtear
ingwas
enoughandiclosedmyl
egs,t
hemi dwi
fegent
ly
tappedmyknees...

Mi
dwi
fe:
Kanaodi
yamosi
many
anaobat
ago
t
swaandy ou'
ll
damagehi
sbr
aincel
l
s,doy
ou
wantar
etardedbaby
?

Thewor dr
etar
dwasenoughmot i
vat
ion,i
spreadmylegsandpushedhi
m outasthe
midwifegr
abbedhi
m...
.

Midwif
e:(
clampedhi
scor
dandwi
pedhi
m)
Hell
oboy.
..

Hi
scrytr
igger
edmymot her
lyemoti
onsandi
cr
iedt
earsofjoyassheputat agar
oundhi
s
wri
stwri
ti
ngtr
iplet1.
..

Asshewaswr
it
ingi
gott
heur
get
opush.
..
.

Me:
(gr
ant
ed)ur
rrr
r.
..
.Theot
heronei
scomi
ng.
..
Shehur
ri
edover
,ipushedoutagai
nandshe
cl
ampedherasshecri
ed..
.

Mi
dwif
e:(
smil
edwipingher
)Hel
l
obabygi
rl
..
.
Wel
cometoear
th.
..

Icover
edmyf aceandcri
ed,iknewwhatthe
scansaidbuticoul
dn'
tbel
iev
ei twasact
ual
ly
happeni
ng..
.

Themidwifeputherdownandi
ndicat
edtr
ipl
et
2,sheputheri
nherbedandwalkedover
..
.

Wewai t
edforabout4mi nuteswit
houtanyt
hing
happeni
ng,mybumpwasst i
ll
hugebutther
e
wasnomov ement..
.ShecheckedmyBPagai n
andthebaby'
sheartbeat
...
Mi
dwi
fe:
Arey
ouokay
?
Me:
No,
whyi
sn'
tther
emov
ement
?
Midwi
fe:Buthei
sfi
ne,
tryt
orel
ax.
..Don'
trush
hi
m...
..

Shepat
ient
lywai
tedr
eadyt
orecei
vehi
m..
..
..
.

Att
hehospi
tal
par
kingl
ot.
..
.

Tr
evor'
scompani onopenedthedoorputt
ing
Pr
incessonherlapandplayedwi t
hheras
Tr
evorleanedbackdial
ingAbaleng'
snumber..
..

Abal
eng:
Hel
l
o
Tr
evor:Mani havebeentr
yingyournumberfor
awhil
e,yoursist
erisi
nthedeli
veryroom.Ij
ust
dr
oppedhernow.
Abaleng:
Nowondersheisn'
tpi
cking,
thanks,
I'
ll
tel
lmymot her
.Sheal
sofoundmissedcall
sand
askedmewher eNal
ediwas.
..
Tr
evor
:Al
ri
ghtby
e..

Hehungupandanot
hercal
lcamet
hrough.
..
.

Tr
evor
:Hel
l
o?
Tuel
o:Yeah?
Trev
or:Ket
isi
tsebanabalai
tiy
agagomo
spat
elamonna,Kanteor
aagoreBKoshapo
upst
air
s?
Tuel
o:Nal
edi
isi
nlabor
?
Trevor:HeletWendytakethecarfrom Naledi
,
besidesthatNaledii
sheavi
lypr
egnantshewas
withhisdaughterandhejustl
eftheratthemall.
Tuel
o:Nnat
hemonnakei
thobogi
l
ekaBK
Trev
or:I
fthesearet
heki
ndsofmenwomen
fi
ndsexythenI'
drat
herr
emai
nwifel
ess.
..
.
Tuelo: Bakanghadev erythi
ngheneededand
want edhiswhol el
ifesohedoesn' tunder st
and
thepai nofneedi ngaf atherorgr owi ngup
seeingy ourmot herst r
ugglet oputf oodont he
table,henev ersufferedthat'swhyi twillbehar d
forhimt oi maginewhathi schildrenar egoi ng
through.Ronai t
'seasy,weknowdur ingWi nter
ourt oeswer ef r
eezingbecausewedi dn'thav e
sockssoi fthemot hersay sy oursonneedst hi
s
andt hatyouknowwhatwi ll
happeni fyoudon' t
bri
ngt hoset hings.
Trev
or:Nnat
hemonnaiwast
easedf
orbei
nga
poorwhit
eboy,
remember
?
Tuel
o:(
laughed)Ir
emembernnegot
weo
l
ekgoal
eleshetang
Tr
evor
:Noneofmychi
l
drenwi
l
lbecal
l
ed
namesliket
hat
,Bakangmonnawatsenwa
wait
se,koor
egaathal
amosadiot
halale
ngwanaaboagodirangwanay
omoshal e
rel
ati
onshi
pencha.
Tuel
o:(
gotaknockatthedoorandopenedt
he
door
)Thisguyi
sbadnews
Maduo:(swall
owedtear
ful
l
y)Ther
eis
somethi
ngi needt
otell
you
Tuel
o:Tr
evousMaduoi
sher
e,wewi
l
ltal
k..
.
Tr
evor
:Sur
e

Hehungupt
henMaduowal
kedi
nfol
dingher
ar
mswithasadf
ace.
..

Maduo:Ineedtotel
lyousomet
hing,Idon'
t
wantt
olosey ou.
..I
t'
snott
hati
don'tloveyo-
Tuel
o:Nal
edi
isi
nlabour
Maduo:(
jumpedsmi
l
ing)Whaaaat
?Wher
e?
When?
Tuel
o:(l
aughed)You'
resuchacharact
er,howi
s
i
tpossi
bletoswitchy
ourfeel
ingsl
i
ket hat?
Weren'
tyouabouttocryj
ustnow?
Maduo: (j
umpedandki ssedhim)Pleasetake
met her
e...
.Let'
sgo...
Wowkanagot aatweke
moilabutlet'
sgo,shewillchasemeifit'
s
wrong..
..(
remov edthehousekeysfrom the
i
nnerlockandputt hem ontheouterlock)l
et'
s
go..
..
Tuel
o:(
laughed)Don'
tlockt
hedoor
,my
brot
her
sarecomi ng.
..
Maduo:(dr
aggedhi
m)Let'
sgotherr
abefor
e
herpar
entscomeyouknowel
dersandt
aboos.
..

Theygoti
nthecaranddr
oveof
f.
..
..
.
I
nthedel
i
ver
yroom.
..
..
.

TheMidwif
echeckedmyBPandcheckedt
he
baby
'shear
tbeat

Mi
dwi
fe:
Sti
l
lnot
hing.
..

Icl
osedmyey esandgav einast heurget
oook
over,
themidwif
egr abbedhim andclampedhi
s
cordbuthewasn'tcryi
ng.
..
..

Mi
dwi
fe:
(wai
ti
ngf
orhi
scr
y)Comeonmr
..
.

Sheturnedhim upsidedownandsl appedhis

buttbuthewasj usthelpl
ess,shelaidhim down
andpressedanemer gencybutton.Anurseand
anotherdoct
orwal kedinandt heytri
edto
r
esusci
tat
ehi
m butt
her
ewasst
il
lsi
l
ence.
..

Me: Godpleasedon'tdothistome, pl
easelet
himl i
veandI'
llr
epent.Godplease,ifyou'
reout
thereshowme, givemeasi gn..
.showmey our
l
ov e.Youowemef orlet
ti
ngmyf at
herabandon
me, youowemef orcall
i
ngPrincetoosoon.

Hest ar
tedcry
ingbutweakly
,iwatchedi
nterr
or
astheyconnectedhi
mt othetubesandtook
him away.
..
.Theothernur
sehandedmet he
remaini
ngtwo...
.

Me:
Isheokay
?
Nurse:
I'
m surehewillbefi
ne,
they'
ret
aki
nghim
t
ot hei
ncubator
..
.Breastf
eedthosewho,
the
midwif
ewillbeback.
..
...
Ibreast
fedthem,minut
esl
atersheret
urned
andcont i
nuedwor
kingonmet aki
ngoutthe
aft
erbir
th..
.

Midwife:
Hei sf
inebuthei
sintheincubat
or,he
weighed2.2kg.
..
don'
tworr
y,hewil
lbefinevery
soon..
.

Shelaterbroughtt
hepaperwor
kandbegunher
recor
ds...

Midwi
fe:
(fi
ll
i
nginthef
irstcar
d)What
'st
he
nameofthethef
ir
sttr
iplet
?
Me:
Atsi
l
eThapel
o
Midwi
fe:Heweighed2.6kg.
..i
t'
sagoodweight
conci
deri
ngthesi
tuat
ion(f
il
ledthesecondcar
d)
thegi
rl
'sname?
Me:
MasegoThapel
o
Midwife:
Sheweighed2.5kg(
pul
l
edt
hel
ast
card)Andthel
astborn?
Me:
AmeThapel
o
Mi
dwi
fe:
Atsi
l
eMasegoAme.
..Wow
Me:(
smil
ed)Myblessi
ngsarehere.
..Icoul
dn'
t
askf
oranyt
hingmorethant
his.
Mi
dwi
fe:
(smi
l
ed)Congr
atul
ati
ons.
.

Mymotherwalkedi
nholdi
ngt
hebaby
'sbagand
puti
tonthet
ablest
ari
ngatmeemoti
onall
y.
..
.

Mama:
I'
mver
ypr
oudofy
ou.
..
Me:
Thanks
Mama:
Amewi
l
lbef
ine,
I'
ll
prayf
orhi
m
Me:
(smi
l
ed)Ipr
ayedf
orhi
m..
..
..
..
.
Mama:IhavetotakePri
ncesst
oher
gr
andmother
's,
I'
llbeback.
..
Me:
Okay

AtBakang'
shouse.
..

Lat
erthataf
ternoonhesatontheedgeofthe
bedasWendywasl y
ingonthebedtaki
ngout
anoint
mentfrom herbag.
..
.

Wendy
:Cany
our
ubt
hisonme?
Bakang:
Youdidn'
thav
etogett
hecar
,it
'snot
l
ikeyouneedi
t.
Wendy
:It
'
sourcarandwhenwer
eyougoi
ngt
o
t
ell
meabouti
t?
Bakang:I
twasn'tmi
ne,
itwasagif
tandIf
orgot
tochangethenamesonceshehadit
.
Wendy
:Toobadt
hen
Bakang:
Wehav
etogi
vei
tback
Wendy: What'
syoursishalfmi
ne,i
fy ouwantto
giv
ehery ourhal
fthenlet
'ssel
li
tandspl i
tthe
money.Whatam i sayi
ng?Noway ,you'r
enot
suppor
tingyourexwithourmoney.Wear e
expect
ingourbaby
Bakang:(wal
kedoutofthebedroom)Whenar e
youvisi
ti
ngyourmother
?I'm suff
ocat
ing,
ineed
togooutandcutloose.
Wendy:Cutl
ooseBakang?Yougetmepregnant
andcutl
oose?Whatagoodf at
hery
ou'
re.

Heopenedt hefr
idgeandpull
edJackDaniel
's
thenhewalkedoutsi
detakingasip,shewal
ked
behindhi
m ashewassi tt
ingonthestoopand
l
eanedoverkissi
nghimt henshegothisbot
tl
e
andslowl
yspill
editontheground..
..

Bakang:
Doy
ouknowhowmucht
hatcost
?
Wendy:I
'
m notmarri
edtoanal
cohol
i
c..
.(ki
ssed
hi
sneck).
..Il
ovey
ou..
.

Shesli
dherhandi
nhispant
sasherelaxed
thenheunzi
ppedhi
sjeansf
orher
..
..

Att
hehospi
tal
.
...
.

TueloandMaduowai
tedbyt
hewai
ti
ngr
oom
forqui
tesometi
me.
..

Tuel
o:(si
ghed)BabeChel
seaispl
ayingi
n30
minut
es,ithoughty
ousai
ditwon'
ttakel
ong.
Maduo:
Just10mor
emi
nut
es
Tuel
o:(
gav
ehert
hecarkeys)Nnaketsaat
axi
mothowamodi
mo,ican'
tmissthi
sgame.
Maduo:
I'
ll
makei
tupt
oyou.
..
Tuel
o:(
putherhandonhi
sboner
)Ican'
twai
t.
..
Maduo:
(laughed)St
op,
wear
eatt
hehospi
tal
.
..

Heki
ssedherandr
ushedout
..

Meanwhi l
eisl
owlywalkedoutofthewar
dand
approachedherasshelaughedandcl
apped
handsforme...
.

Maduo: Mannana..
.Mannana.
..
..
.Monyanao
t
shotsegore,
kooreyouhav
ethreechi
l
drenat
yourage?
Me: Andwheny ou'
re35maki ngbot
tl
esI
'
llbe
asleepwhilemychil
drenaremakingme
breakfast
,cont
inuemakingfunofme
Maduo:
Iwantt
oseet
hebabi
es
Me:
Ame,
thel
astbor
nisi
nthei
ncubat
orand
wewon'
tl
eav
ethehospi
tal
unt
ilhei
sfi
ne.
Maduo:
Shems
Me:
Buthei
sdoi
ngf
ine.
Maduo:Congr
atul
ati
ons,
ohedi
tsemma.Ist
il
l
don'
tababybankanebamebaantshi
a

AtTuel
o'
shouse.
..
.

Hewal kedi
nt ot
hehouseandj oi
nedhistwo
brot
hersont hecouch,t
heyshoulderbumped
andfistbumped..
.Theyboughtabi gbucketof
KFCandt hreebott
lesof2ldr
inks..
.

Tuelo:
Laajathebannabucket
?gol
okoPol
i
ce
col
legegoajewahee?
Youngestbr
other
:(l
aughed)Raphael
bought
thi
s..
.
Raphael
:(l
aughed)Dudey
ourhousei
ssocl
ean
Tuelo:(
laughed)Maduoi saneatfr
eak,she
scoldsmef orstai
ningthetoi
l
etwit
hpee, I
alwayshavetoai mr i
ghtorwi
petheseat
Raphael
:(l
aughed)Buti
li
keher
,shei
sdoi
ng
good.
..
.Herfaceisfami
li
ar
Youngestbr
other
:(l
aughed)skai
pat
elangwana
rr
a
Tuel
o:(
laughed)Oat
senway
o
Raphael
:(l
aughed)I
'
mtel
l
ingy
oui
sawher
somewhere..
.

Maduoopenedt hedoorandwal kedin,assoon

asshel ai
deyesont hetwobrother
sshef roze,
sheremember edev er
ythi
ngdownt othelast
detai
l.
..
.shewasf acetofacewithher
perpetr
ators.
..herheartpoundedsomuchshe
thoughtitwouldfalloutasTuelowalkedov er.
..
Tuel
o:(smiledandhel dherwaist)Babe,thisis
mylit
tl
ebrot herRaphaelandoury oungest
brot
herShawn. ..Guysthi
sismywi f
eMaduo, i
don'
tknowwhi choneofy ouwill
bet hebest
manbutI '
m br i
ngingheri
ntothef amil
y.Itold
uncl
ethisaf ewday sago..
.
Shaun:(smil
edwithoutrecognisi
ngher )Hi,
nice
tofi
nall
yseey oui
nper son,ihaveseeny our
pict
uresonhisaccount.Ihavenev erseenhim
soexcitedaboutl
ovebef or
e....
Raphael:
(smil
edatherf
amil
iarf
acebutnot
surefr
om where)Hi
,wehav
ehear dsomuch
aboutyou..
.

Sheswal
l
owedst
ari
ngatt
hem.
..
.(
9t)
.
Co-
wif
e
#47
AtTuel
o'
shouse.
..

Maduo:
(fakedasmi
l
e)Hel
l
oguy
s,ni
cet
omeet
you
Shawn:
Sowef i
nall
yhav easi
steri
nthef
ami
l
y,
mrmakeitof
fi
cial
already
Tuel
o:(
laughed)I
'
m pl
anni
ngt
o..
.

Theyallsatdownwat chi
ngsoccerasTuelolai
d
ont hecouchputt
inghisheadonherlap,she
caressedhisheadslowlyasever
yonestaredat
thescreen.

Shesecretl
ylookedatShawnrecognisinghi
s
di
sti
ncti
vesmal lhands,t
heywerethecoldest
handsthatnightbecausehewasholdingacold
bott
leofbeermostoft heti
me..
.
Meanwhi l
eRaphaelstol
eglimpsesofhisbig
brot
her'
skill
,henoti
cedshewasn'twearinga
braunderhertop,hecouldalmostseehertit
s
andtheywer eadmirabl
e..
.Ther
ewas
somethingaboutherhecouldn'
tpinpoi
nt .
..
..

Theirteam scor
edandt heycel
ebr
atedtal
king
l
oudlyasmostcl osesibli
ngswoul
d,Maduo
grabbedthechickenbucketandwenttothe
ki
tchenwher eshecleanedandmadet ea.
..

Maduo:(
walkedbacki
n)I'
m maki
ngt
ea,
is
t
hereanyonewhodoesn'
twant
?
Tuel
o:Iwanti
tbabe
Shawn:
Met
oo,
thanks
Raphael
:(st
ari
ngi
nherey
es)Met
oo.
..
Shepr eparedt eaandhandedTuel ohiswi t
ht he
ri
ghtamountofi ngredients,Shawngotacup
from thetableandputi ngr edi
entsthenhesat
backandsi pped, Raphael waitedasMaduosat
thenshel ookedatt het ableandnoticedhe
hadn'tgottenhi s,shepushedt hetableoverto
him andhandedhi mt hecupwhi chhegot
rubbinghisf i
nger sonher sstari
nginherey es,a
coldchillr
andownherspi neasshequi ckly
l
ookedatTuel obutheandShawnwer e
watchingt hegamet al
kingaboutt hatbeautif
ul
goal.Sheignor edhi m andcont i
nuedhavingher
tea.

Minutesl
atershegotthecupsandwenttothe
kit
chenastherefereebl
ewthewhist
leendi
ng
thegame,Shawnf oll
owedheri
nthekit
chen..
.

Shawn:
kekopaki
tchencl
othsot
hati
canhel
p
wi
pet
het
abl
e..
.(
shehandedi
ttohi
m)t
hanks

Hewal
kedoutandcleanedthet
abl
ethenhe
t
hrewt
heclot
hinthesink.
..
.

Shawn:Letmedothedi
shes,
youmadeust
ea
someonehastocl
eanup.
Maduo:
Thanks

Shej
oi nedTuel oonthecouchashekissedher
andplayedwi thherfi
nger
swat chi
ngthe
hi
ghl
ight s.Raphaelwassti
llst
ari
ngather
maki
ngheruncomf or
tabl
e..
.

Maduo:
I'
m sl
eepy
,cany
out
akemehome?
Tuel
o:You'
renotsl
eepi
ngover?Don'
tworr
y
aboutt
hesetwomonkeystheycanshar
eabed
i
ntheot
herr
oom.
Maduo:
Wecangosl
eepatmyhouse
Tuel
o:Okay

Raphaelwal
kedt
otheki
tchenandopenedthe
fri
dgeasShawnwasdoi
ngt hedi
shescl
eaning
theki
tchen.
..
.

Raphael
:Doy
our
emembert
hisgi
rl
?
Shawn:
No,
whatdoy
oumean?
Raphael
:It
'
sthedrunkgi
rlwepickedbyt
he
roadat2am wear
ingaminiski
rt
..
.
Shawn:No,i
t'
snother.Maduodoesn'
tdri
nk,
shedoesn'
tpar
tykanannaketholakebuwale
Tuel
o,Maduoisnotapartygi
rl
.
Raphael:I
'
mt el
li
ngy ouit
'sher
,ir
ememberher
ti
nybreastsandthatfacetoo
Shawn:j
ustbecauseshei
sshor
tandski
nny
l
ikeher
?
Raphael:Youwoul dn'trecogniseherbecause
youwer eflatoutdrunk,y oupassedoutaf t
er
thefi
rstround,lephakel awhenwedr oppedher
offyouwer en'
tthereandy oudidn'tseeher
house.I'
llgetTuelotoshowmeherhouse
somehow, I
'mtell
ingy oui t
'
sher,thisbit
ch
wantstopl ayTuelo,
Shawn: (hi
sskincrawled)That'
syourbrother'
s
gir
lfr
iendcanyouchillwiththatword?It'
snot
her.Irememberhowt hatgi r
lwasdressedand
thatshewasdr unktoobutMaduo?Real l
y?
Maduodoesn' tdri
nk,Tueloompol elet
segor e
thi
st i
meobony emosadi yooiket
il
engosay eng
maitisonggapeasanwe. .
Raphael
:I'
m goi
ngt
oaskheroneday
Shawn:
Leaveheral
one,doyouknowwhat
Tuel
owil
ldotoyouifhefi
ndsoutyouhar
assed
her
?
Raphael :I
'
m helpi
nghim,thi
sgi
rli
soneofthe
bartypesofgirl
s,shewasonherwayfrom
prosti
tuti
ng,wherewasshecomingfr
om witha
miniskir
tsmell
ingalcohol
at2am?
Shawn: Okay,assumi ngit'
sherandshedoesn' t
rememberust hesamewayi don' tremember
her,isn'
titbestwel eav eitatthat ?Imean
may beaf terthatstupi dthingwedi dshe
stoppeddr i
nkingandpar tying.Lethermov eon,
i
tt ookmemont hstogetov ert hef actthatIl
et
youguy sinfl
uencemet opar ticipateinoneof
yourgr oupsexs, i
ttraumat isedmeespeci all
y
herbeggi ngandt hewayy ouguy swer erough
onhert oapoi ntwher eshepassedout .Ifit
's
herleav eheral one.
Raphael
:Sheisn'tt
hegoodgi rl
shepr
esented
toTuel
o,thesegirl
saretri
ckyrememberwhat
Nomsadidt ohim unt
ilhelostwei
ght
..
.sheis
taki
ngadvantageofhim.YouknowTuel o
al
waysget
splayedbythesechickst
oapoint
wher
ehegetssuici
dal
,heisstupidi
nlov
e.
Shawn:(sighed)Ireall
ywishyouhadn'
ttol
dme
thi
s,ir
especthershei smybigbrother'
s
gir
lf
ri
end.That'sallsheistomeandI '
dli
keto
remainthatforev
er.
Raphael:
Welltoobad,yousl
eptwi
thher
,you
mighthavedoneitoncebutyoudi
d,y
ou
part
ici
patedandejacul
atedi
nhert
oo,weall
did
soyou'r
enotinnocent.
Shawn:Ididn'
tsl
eepwit
hher
.(gl
ancedatt
he
door
)seriousl
ystopi
t
Raphael:I
fTuel ogetsanothersi
deoft hestor
y
hewilldef
init
elykil
lyoutoogagonai wasdr unk
andnnai diditonce,sameasi fshereportsus.
..
Wear eallgett
ingdismissedfrom Poli
ce
coll
egeandgoi ngstrai
ghttojail
,gagonabonna
j
udgekemoj elega1, r
oundele1ker apele
yone.
Shawn:(
swal
lowedhishear
tpoundi
ng)Raph
whatdoyouwantkantemmegone?Obat a
goreker
eng?
Raphael:
Wehav et
ot ellhi
m beforeshetell
s
him,youknowhowhewi llr
eactifshetel
lshim
exact
lywhathappened, bloodisthickert
han
water
, wecan'tl
ethergetbet weenus.Thero
andhisbrotherwon'tl
oset hatmuchf rom t
hese,
ronaweloseabr other,ourbigbrotherwhodid
alotf
orust obeher e,wenakanagaoakany e.
Shawn:Justl
eaveheralone,maybeshedoesn't
rememberorshedecidedtoleti
tgo,ihonest
ly
don'
trememberherbutifit
'sherwetreat
edher
real
l
ybadandshedeser vestobelef
talone,
don'
tremindhe-

Tuel
owalkedi
nthekit
chenandShawnkept
qui
etdoi
ngthedi
shes.
..Tuelopicked
somethi
ngawkwar
dint hei
rsil
ence..
.
Tuel
o:What
?
Shawn:(cl
eanedt
hesi
nkandhungt
hecl
oth)
I
'm goi
ngtobed
Tuel
o:(
blockedhi
sway
)No,
what
'
sup?
Raphael
:IknowMaduo
Shawn:
Raphael
stopt
his.
..
Tuel
o:Howdoy
ouknowher
?
Shawn:
Raphael
don'
tdot
his,
you'
renotsur
e.
Raphael:Lastyearonourwayf rom theclub
withTheroandhi sbr ot
her,wesawMaduoby
thesideoftheroad, shestoppedt hecarand
ranov er
,shewasi nami ni
ski
rt,
y oucould
almostseeherbut tcheeksandherbel l
ybutton,
shewassmel l
i
ngal cohol t
oo,shecouldbarely
tal
k..
.
Tuel
o:Maduodoesn'
tdr
inkalcohol
,sheal
so
doesn'
tpar
ty.Onnamolapenggaseene
Shawn:
You'
repr
obabl
ymi
staki
ngherf
ort
hat
gi
rl
Raphael
:Itwasher
Tuel
o:Whathappenednext
?
Raphael
:WewenttoTher
o'shousewherewe
chi
ll
edbythesof
a,t
heystar
tedtouchi
ngher
andijoi
nedi
n,wehadsexwithher
Tuel
o:LeweaShawn?
Shawn:Ther otoldmet ohavesexwit
hher,t
hey
sai
difididn'ti
twouldbeeasyf ormetotel
l
peopl
ebuti fI'
m partofiti
wouldn'
tobvi
ousl
y
sendmy sel
ft ojai
l.
Tuel
o:Soy
ousl
eptwi
thhert
oo?
Shawn: I'
m notsur
eifit'
sherornot,nnatot
a
neketagilweiwasdr unkasaskunk, i
passed
outont hecouchafterthat
.Idon'
tremember
herface.
Raphael
:Itwasn'
trapeTuel
o,wepai
dheraf
ter
andwedr
oppedherhome,
don'
tyout
hinkshe
woul
dhav
erepor
tedus?
Tuel
o:Maduowoul dneverdothat,it
hinkshei
s
avir
ginandi havestoppedpressur
isi
ngher
aboutsex.Shemi ghtbeembar r
assedtoadmit
sheisav i
rgi
n,peopl
enowaday sthi
nkbeinga
vi
rgi
nisstupidit
y.
Shawn:(si
ghed)Iguessthatconcl
udest
his
then,
it'
sacaseofmi st
akenidenti
ty.
Raphael :Doesshehav eascaronhert ummy ?
Kindofl i
keabi gscrat
ch?( Tuelokeptquiet)I
sawt hatscarwhenwewer ehav i
ngsex,sheis
notwhoy out hi
nksheis.Weal l
gavehermoney
afterthat,Shawnwassl eeping,hefel
lasleep
aftersexingherbutwewentonandont he
whol enightuntil
inthemor ning.
Tuel
o:(
swal
l
owed)Thanksf
ort
ell
i
ngme.
..
Raphael
:Sur
e..
Theyallwalkedoutoft
hekitchen,
Shawn
pickedhi
ssweat erf
rom t
hecouchand
remorseful
l
yst ar
edather.
..

Shawn:
Goodni
ght
Maduo:
Goodni
ght

Hefol
lowedRaphael
tot
hei
rroom wher
ehe
cl
osedthedoorandt
ookof
fhist
-shi
rt
..
..

Shawn:
Didy
our
eal
l
ypayheraf
ter
?
Raphael
:Yes,
wedi
d
Shawn:
Whywoul dsheacceptpay
mentwhen
shewasresi
sti
ngatfi
rst
?
Raphael
:Idon'
tknowI'
m notaprost
it
ute,
idon'
t
knowhowt heydothei
rbusi
ness.
Shawn:
Itwoul
dn'
thur
ttoj
ustl
eav
eitl
i
ket
hat
,
shelookedalit
tlewil
dbutshecer
tai
nlydi
dn'
t
behaveli
keapr ost
it
ute,
shewascryi
ngand
chokingtheent
ireti
me.
Raphael:That
'swhatawomani
ssupposedt
o
gothroughinagangbang.
Shawn:
Mxm.
…

Hegoti
nbed.
..
.

Meanwhil
eTuelowalkedbackintheli
vi
ngroom
andsatnextt
oher,shelookedathi
m and
pi
ckednegati
veenergy.
..

Maduo:
Arey
ouokay
?
Tuel
o:Yeah,
(st
oodup)l
et'
sgot
oyourhouse.
..

Hegott
hekey
s,sheswi
tchedof
fthel
i
ght
sand
f
oll
owedhi
m out
side.
..
..
.

AtMaduo'
shouse.
..
.

Minutesl
aterhepar
kedinfr
ontofherhouse
andleani
ngbackstar
ingather
..
..

Tuel
o:Hav
eyouev
ermetmybr
other
sbef
ore?

Herheartpoundedashest
aredr
ighti
nher
eyes.
..

Maduo:
Whyar
eyouaski
ng?
Tuel
o:Doyoudr
inkalcoholMaduo?Iknowyou
don'
tdri
nknowbutbeforedi
dyou?Ormay be
youdoiti
nmyabsence,whichoneisit
?
Maduo:
Ist
oppeddr
inki
ngbef
orei
mety
ou,
why
ar
easki
ngmeal
lthese?
Tuel
o:Soy
ousl
eptwi
thmybr
other
sformoney
?
Maduo:
(tear
ful
l
y)Theyr
apedme.
..
Tuel
o:Real
l
y?Di
dtheybr
eaki
ntoy
ourhouse?
Maduo: (cr
ying)Iwaswal
kingbythesideoft
he
road,i
twasl ateyesandi
wasn'tdressed
properl
ybutt heyhadnor
ightt
orapemeal l
night
.
Tuelo:
(shookhishead)Ij
ustfeel l
i
keIdon't
knowy ouanymore,younevertoldmey ouwer e
adrunkardbefor
e,younevertoldmeany thi
ng
aboutgoingtocl
ubsorthatyoudr essedli
kea
l
itt
letr
amp.(angri
ly
)HowcomeI '
m onlyhear
ing
aboutthi
s?
Maduo:(
crying)That
'sapartofmyl
i
feI'
m not
pr
oudof,Iburiedmypastandmatur
ed.I
st
oppeddrinki
ngandpartyi
ng.
Tuel
o:Sohowdoy
ouknowt
heyr
apedy
oui
f
y
ouwer
edr
unk?
Maduo: Iwasn'
ttoodr unk,Ial
soknowShawn
di
dn'twanttodoi tbuttheyforcedhi
m say
ing
hewasgoi ngtoreport,askhim.Ifhei
san
honestpersonhewi l
ltelly
ouwhathappened.
Tuelo:
Raphaelsay
sShaunwasdrunkandhe
passedout.Maduobehonestwi
thme,i
fyou
wereaprosti
tut
e-
Maduo:
Apr
ost
it
ute?Tuel
owhatdoy
out
hinkof
me?
Tuel
o:Ihonestl
ydon'tknowy ouany
more,you
havetwopersonal
it
iesandy ouhidt
heother
fr
om me.Goi nsi
de,iwanttogogetsomesl eep.
Maduo:
Ithoughtwewi
l
lspendani
ghther
r.
Tuelo:Idon'
twantto,idon'
tknowyouanymore.
Idon'tknowwhatwomenwantany more,
Ihave
beennot hi
ngbutsupporti
vetoyouandnow
you'r
ehidingthi
ngsfrom me,i
fyouwere
prosti
tuteIwoul
dn'thavehadaprobl
em wit
hit
,
igrewupf r
om apoorbackground,iknow
thi
ngswomengot hrought
ohav esomet hingt
o
eatorbuyapackofpadsbutl yi
ngtomeand
giv
ingmeahol ypi
ctur
eofyoursel
f?(si
ghed)
Justgetout..
.Idon'
twantt
osaysomet hingi
shouldn'
t,
justgetoutofmycar.

Shest
eppedoutandcl
osedt
hedoor
..
.

Tuel
o:Geti
nsi
de,
iwantt
ogo.
Maduo:
(tear
ful
l
y)I
sitov
er?
Tuelo:Ithinkit
'sbestwest ayawayf rom each
other,Clearl
yidon'tknowy ouandi toldy oui
don'tplaythesegames, you'renotseriousandi
feelbetrayedri
ghtnow.It oldyouev eryt
hing
aboutmyl i
feevenbef oreImety oubutupt o
nowy oumademebel ievey ou'reagoodgi r
land
nowt hatI'mthinki
ngabouti t,i
remember
Bakangsay i
ngsomet hingl i
kehedi dn'tl
ikeyou
becauseomosenyet
sangwany
ananowi
underst
andwhathemeant
.Lot
elai
wantt
ogo.
..

Shequiet
lygoti
nthehouseandl
ockedt
hedoor
thenhedroveout
..
..
..
..
..
..
.

I
nsi
det
hehouse.
..
.

Maduosatonthecouchandcri
eddi
ali
nghi
s
numberbuthedi
dn'
tanswer.

Maduo:
(cr
ying)Pl
easepi
ckup.
..Ican'
tl
osey
ou.

Hedidn'
tanswert
henshet
ypedhi
ma
message.
..
.

Maduo:
Tuel
opl
easei
wasn'
tapr
ost
it
ute,
I'
m
guil
tyofwear i
ngshortthi
ngs,bei
ngdr unkand
beingatthewr ongplaceatthewrongt i
mebuti
didn'
tgivethem permissi
ontodowhatt heydi
d.
IfShawni sanhonestpersonhewi l
ltell
t he
trut
h,iknowhewasdr unkbutI'
m surehe
remember ssomet hi
ngpleaseaskhim.I '
m
sorryfornottel
li
ngyouaboutmypast .I
'm
sorry.
.

Shesentthemessageandwaitedforar
epl
y,
almostanhourpassedbutt
herewasnorepl
y
thenshetypedanot
hermessage.

Maduo:(t
ypedcryi
ng)Tueloil
oveyouandy ou
gavemesomet hi
ngi nev
erhadbefore,
you
l
ovedmeandI 'minlovewit
hyou.Ican'
tlose
you.Pl
easerepl
yme.

Ther
ewasnor
esponsef
oral
most2hour
sand
shet
ypedanot
hermessage.

Maduo:
Ilov
edy
ou,
ihopey
ouf
indhappi
ness.

Shesmashedherphonedowncr yi
ngl ooking
around,shesear chedherki tchenuni tf orarope
butshecoul dn'
tf i
ndany .Shest oodi nthe
middleoftheki t
chenl ookingar oundt henshe
pull
edoutthecooki nggascy l
inderandt urned
thebutt
onl ett
ingoutt hegas, shel ockedt he
kit
chendoorandt hrewt hekey soutt hewi ndow
thenhegott hemat chesf r
om t hedr awer sand
waitedforthegast of i
lltheroom. .
..
.

AtTuel
o'
shouse.
..

I
twasnowmidnight,het
ossedandtur
nedfora
whi
l
ethenhesearchedforhi
sphoneundert
he
pil
low.Itwasn'
tther
e,hegotupandwalkedt o
theli
vingroom wherehefoundalotofmissed
call
sandmessages, hereadthemessagesand
repli
edher

Tuelo:(wal
kingtothebedroom)Hey ,neke
togetsephoneintheli
vi
ngr oom kgantelegar
e
tswa.whenIgotbacki justwentstrai
ghtto
bed,t
hiswholethingi
sst r
essingme, idon'
t
understandwhyy ouar
enothonestwi t hme.
Cani comeov er
?

Shedidn'
trespondthenhedi
aledhernumber,i
t
wasn'
tavail
able.hegothi
scarkeysanddrov
e
out
..

Minut
eslat
erhedrovet
hrought
hegat eanda
bi
gexplosi
onli
thi
swayashef l
inched,he
qui
ckl
ysteppedoutoft
hecarandr ant
owards
t
hefi
reasnei
ghbour
sranov
erwi
thbucket
sof
wat
er.
..
…

Tuel
o:(
scr
eamed)Maduo?
!

Theneighbourssuspi
ciousl
ylookedathi
m as
somecalledthepoli
ceandthef i
re
depar
tment..
..
..
..
..
.

Al
waysremembert
oli
keanddr
opacomment
.
Muchl
ov e
Co-
wif
e
#48

AtMaduo'
shouse.
..
.

Thef
ir
edepar
tmentputoutt
hef
ir
e,Tuel
o
squattedput
ti
nghishandst oget
heranxiousl
y
l
ookingatthem astheywalkedoutoft hehouse
carr
yingherbodyonstret
cher,hequickly
walkedoverandmov edthemov edthesheet,
theotherpar
amedicpushedhi m of
f.
...
.

Paramedic:
Morenaboel
akomor
agor
e
theoget
segoloha.
..
Tuel
o:I
sshebr
eat
hing?

Hefrozeindi
sbeli
efasherbodywasputi nthe
backoftheambulance,theycl
osedthedoors
anddroveoff
.Twoof f
icerscomplet
ed
questi
oni
ngneighboursandwalkedtoTueloas
hetookouthisphoneshaking.
..
.

Off
icer:Hi
,cani
tal
ktoy
ou?Ar
eyout
hev
ict
im'
s
boyfr
iend?
Tuel
o:(
hungup)Yes
Off
icer
:You'
rethef
ir
stper
sont
obef
oundher
e,
whathappened?
Tuel
o:Ij
ustpul
ledov
erandtherewasabig
expl
osi
on,shewasn'
tanswer
ingherphone.
Of
fi
cer
:Di
dyouhav
eaf
ight
?
Tuel
o:Yesbutnotl
i
ket
hat,shethoughtibr
oke
upwit
hher,wehadamisunderst
anding
Of
fi
cer
:Tel
lmeabouti
t.
..
Tuelo:Wel l
mybr others..
.(si
ghed)mybr others
accusedherofsomet hingshedi dn'tdoandshe
thoughti wasangrywi thher,well i
tsoundslike
shet houghtidumpedherbuti didn't
,ij
ustwent
tobedbecausei wasal sostressedwheni got
upi droveoverhere..
.(hesquat tedagainashi s
heartpoundedi ndisbeli
ef)Ican'tbeliev
ethis
j
usthappened. .
.Thishast obeadr eam..
.
Of
fi
cer
:Let
'sgot
othest
ati
onandt
alkmor
e
aboutthisar
gumentyouhadwit
hy ourgi
rl
fr
iend
befor
ey ouweref
oundidl
ingar
oundahousei n
fl
amesnotev ent
ryi
ngtoputoutthefi
re.
Tuel
o:Arey
ousuggest
ingt
hati
bur
nedt
he
house?
Of
fi
cer
:Di
dyou?
Tuel
o:Ofcour
senot
,il
oveher
Of
fi
cer
:Isn'
tl
ovet
hecauseofpassi
onki
l
li
ngs?
Tuel
o:Whyar
eyouaccusi
ngme?
Off
icer
:Iam aski
ngy
ouaquestion,l
et'
sgoov
er
t
othecarandt al
kmoreaboutt
his.
..
.

Hegoti
nthecart
ext
inghisbr
othersand
f
ri
endsasthepol
i
cedroveoff
..
..
..

AtLet
shol
athebehospi
tal
..
..
.
Earl
ythatmor ni
ngi
wal
kedtowar
dstheward
aft
erfeedingAme,t
wonur
seswalkedbehi
nd
mechat t
ing..
.

Nurse:Idon'
tknowbutapparentl
ytheguy
bur
nedheri nthehouse,t
heneighbour
sfound
hi
mt hereandhepr et
endedt
obehel pi
ng.
Nurse2:
Menareunbel
iev
ablewai
tse,
ibetshe
wantedtobr
eakt
hingsoff
Nur
se:
Butt
obur
nheri
nsi
det
hehousei
sjust
t
oomuch
Nur
se2:
Issheal
i
ve?
Nurse:Idon'
tknowbuti
hear
dtheguyi
sunder
ar
rest.
..
Me:(tur
nedar
ound)I
sthi
sast
oryt
hat
happenedi
nMaun?
Nur
se:
Yes,i
t'
stheothergi
rlwhoworkedfor
Di
amondLuxur
ies,
Maduoshei sver
ytalkat
ive
andfr
iendl
ywitht
hecust
omer
sify
ouhav
eev
er
beent
ot hatpl
ace
Me:
Maduowasbur
ned?Bywho?
Nurse:Gat
wet
heguyi
sherboy
fri
end.
..Idon'
t
know..
..

Theypassedourward,iwal
kedinandsaton
thebedtr
yingMaduo'snumberbutshedi
dn'
t
answerTueloal
sodidn'
tanswer
.

AtDudu'
smot
her
s..
.

Kgosi'scarparked,heandDor casst
eppedout
holdi
ngpl asti
cs,Dudu'smothergavethem
chairsandt heysatdown..
.Shehanded
Pri
ncessov ert
oDor caswhosmi l
edholdi
ng
her..
..
Dor
cas:
Hel
l
obeaut
if
ul.
..Howar
eyou?
Kgosi
:Iapol
ogi
sef
ort
aki
ngsol
ongt
ovi
sit
Dudu'
smother
:It
houghtyoualsoabandoned
hersi
ncey
oursonsaysit
'snothi
schil
d.
Kgosi
:Don'
tev
enl
i
stent
othatl
unat
ic
Dorcas:
Tot aDuduwassupposedt ot el
l us
Bakangwasn'tsupport
inghi schil
dsot hatwe
cancomeupwi t
habet tersolut
ion.Idon' tl
i
ke
howshel ooksnow,shel ostalotofwei ght
Kgosi
:Atleastnowweknowt her eisneedfor
ustosupporther,
iwil
lper
sonallydeposit
moneyforheronmont hl
ybasis.Bakango
i
polai
l
e,hisinher
it
ancewil
lsuppor thi
schil
dren.
Dudu'smother
:Thatsoundsf
inet
oo,
we
underst
andheusamar ri
edmanbuthemust
supporthi
schi
ld.
Kgosi
:I'
l
lsuppor
tPr
incess,Bakanghakekabaa
mogoenegaanagosapot angwana.Hi
s
daughterhasbeensuff
eringall
thisti
mewhile
hewasenj oyi
nghimselfoutt
here..
.iwasgoi
ng
togiv
ehi m hi
shousebutitwil
lsupporthi
s
chi
ldren,I
'
m putt
ingatenantinthere
Dorcas:Gapemot hokeyoogaatshol
ewa
tshel
a,I
'my ettobel
iev
ethetr
ipl
etsst
orywhenI
seethosechildr
en.Maybethi
smessagefrom
thi
smy ster
iousnumberisagame
Kgosi
:Idon'
tbel
i
evei
t'
sagame,
ioncesawher
pr
egnant
Dudu'smot
her:Yesit
'sBakang'
sbabies,i
hear
d
sheandDudutalki
ngaboutit,
theysaid
somethi
ngli
kehetoldhertoabortandshe
didn'
t
Kgosi
:Soi
t'
str
ue,
they
'r
ehi
s?
Dudu'
smot
her
:Wel
lI'
m notsur
e
Dorcas:They'
rehi
s,(
checkedherti
me)Andwe
real
lyneedtoleav
eforthehospi
talbef
orei
t'
s
t
imeup. .
.
AtBakang'
shouse.
..
..

Themai dknockedont
hei
rbedroom,
he
respondedandshewal
kedin.
..

Maid:
Thebreakf
asthasl
ongbeenr
eady
..
.
Shoul
dicov
eritup?
Bakang:
Um y
eah,I
'l
leatatmymother'
shouse,
maybeWendywil
leatwhenshegetsup..
.

HereadTuel
o'
smessageandqui
ckl
yputonhi
s
shi
rt
..
..

Bakang:Wendy
?Wendy?I
'm goingt
othepol
i
ce
st
ation,
Tuel
ohasbeenar
rested.
Wendy
:(sl
eepy
)Wehav
eadoct
or'
s
appoi
ntmentt
oday
Bakang:
Justgoal
one
Wendy
:Al
one?
Bakang:(
walki
ngout)Yesal
oneWendy ,
you
won'tdi
eify
oudon'twalkar
oundhol
dingmy
pi
nkie.
Wendy
:(satup)I
sthatmey
ouwer
etal
ki
ngt
o?
Bakang:Andt ell
yourmaidnottoservemeher
food,shecooksshit.Youbett
erlearnhowto
cookanddoot hert
hingsar
oundt hehouse,
i
didn'
tmarrythemai d.
..

Hesl
ammedt
hedoorandwal
kedout
..
.

Att
hehospi
tal
.
...
..

Lat
ert
hatmor
ningi
wassi
tt
ingont
hebed
sear
chi
ngf oroneofMaduo'scousi
nsonmy
cont
actl
istsoi coul
dconf
ir
m whatihear
d..
.

Nurse:
(stoodatt
hedoor)Um..
..Nal
edi
?You
hav
eav isit
ori
nthewai
ti
ngroom
Me:
Thanky
ou.
..

Islowlygotof
fthebedandapproachedthe
waiti
ngroom,KgosiandDor
caswer esit
ting
thereholdi
nganewbabybag..

Me:
(st
andi
ng)Hel
l
o?
Kgosi
:Hel
l
omydaught
er
Dor
cas:
Hel
l
ohowar
eyou?
Me:
I'
mfi
ne
Kgosi:Ar
en'
tyousi
tt
ing?Wewoul
dli
ket
otal
k
toyou
Me:
Idon'
thav
eenought
ime,
tal
kaboutwhat
?
Kgosi:Weknowaboutthechil
dren,
I'
dli
keto
seethem andhel
psupportt
hem.Iunderst
and-
Me: Withallduerespectkgosimychi ldrenare
notBakang'schildren,idon'
tknowwhokeeps
tel
li
ngpeopl ethatheist hefat
herbuthei sn't
.I
haven'tevenwr i
tt
enhi snameont hei
rbirth
certi
fi
catesbecauset hey'r
enothischi l
dren.I
don'tneedyourhelpormoney ,icansuppor tmy
chil
drenthesamewayIsuppor tedmy
pregnancyalone.
Kgosi: I
fthesechil
drenareBakang'
schil
dren
andy ou'r
eintenti
onall
ykeepi
ngthem away
fr
om t heirr
ight
fulpl
aceyou'l
lnotli
kethe
outcomeofy ouracti
ons.
Me:(star
ingathi
m)Ihav eheardsomany
stor
iesaboutroy
alpeopleandIdon'
tcarewhat
you'
recapableof,
thesearemychil
dren.Idon'
t
havechil
drenwit
hBakang, st
ayawayfrom me
orI'
llt
akeal
l t
henecessaryact i
onst oinsure
youunderst
andhowser iousi am aboutt his.
Stayawayfrom meandmychi l
dren,Idon't
thi
nkmyboy fri
endthefatherofthesechi ldren
will
li
keheari
ngaboutthesef unnyt hreat
s.

Itur
nedaroundandwal
kedaway
.Myphone
rangasiwalkedi
nthewar
d.

Me:
Hel
l
o?
Renei
l
we:(cr
ying)Maduoi
sdead,GatweTuelo
omotshubet
semont ungl
astni
ght.
..
..
..
..
..
..
..
..
.
(9t
)
Co-
wif
e
#49

Att
hehospi
tal
.
...
.
Me:
Whatdoy
oumean?Cal
m down.
..
Reneil
we:I
'
m atthei
rhome,
they
'r
eraki
ng
prepar
ingf
oratent.
..
Me:
(swal
l
owed)St
opl
yi
ngRenei
,don'
tj
okel
i
ke
t
hat
..
Renei
l
we:HoldforAbi
,hebr
oughtmeher
eas
soonasIhear
d.
Abal
eng:
Hel
l
o?
Me:
Isi
ttr
ue?
Abaleng:
(sadly
)Yes,herf
amilyi
screat
ing
spaceforabrowntentandhermotherj
ust
arr
ivedfr
om thecat
tl
epost..
.Lel
eiknowhow
mucht hi
shurts
Me: Abi
pleasestoppl
ayingl
ikethi
s,whyare
youtwopl ay
ingthi
ski
ndofagame?Ihope
Maduodi dn'
tputyouuptothis,
iknowsheli
kes
play
inggamesl i
kethi
s(hekeptquietandhi
s
si
l
encebegunt
ocr
eepme)Abi
?
Abal
eng:
I'
m sor
ry
Me:
Idon'
tbel
i
evey
ou.
..
.

Ihungupandl ai
ddownl ooki
ngatmychildr
en,i
didn'
tfeelshewasdead. .
.EvenasReneicri
edi
couldn'
tfeelanythi
ng.IknewIwouldsomething
i
facl osefri
endofmi nehaddiedsosudden.

I
nsi
dei
nter
rogat
ionr
oom number2.
..
.

Tuelostoodupandwal kedaroundthedark
room str
etchinghisl
egsashisstomach
rumbled,hehadbeensi t
ti
ngi
nt hedarkroom
sinceanightbeforebuthewasn'tworr
iedabout
himself
,hejustwantedtogot othehospi
tal
,the
detect
ivewalkedinholdi
nghi
snot ebookand
satdown, Tuelosatdownandsighed
exhaust
edl
y.

Tuel
o:Whenar eyoul
ett
ingmeout?Ihavetobe
atwork,I
'
m exhaust
edandI'
m hungr
y..
.Iwant
tocheckonMaduoatthehospit
al
Detect
ive:
Maduoisdead..
..Monnawee?You
needtobeser
ious.
..Rethwaahet
segoloha
Tuel
o:Itoldyouididn'
tdoany thi
ngtoher,
as
soonasi drovet
hrought hegatethehouse
wentoutinf l
ames.Ialr
eadygav eyoumyphone
soyoucanseeourconv ersat
ion,shepr
obabl
y
di
dthisbecauseshet houghtIbrokeupwithher
Detecti
ve:Li
stenmani underst
andi fyoukil
led
her.
..
kemonnal ennadi l
otsekeadi
thal
oganya..
.Youi nv est
edyourf eel
i
ngsi nt
ot hi
s
gir
l,y
ougav ehery ourheartandmoneyonl yto
fi
ndoutshepl ay edy ou.Shedidn'tl
ovey ouand
shewasj ustaftery ourmoney ,sheevenslept
withyourbrothersf ormoneysoofcour sey ou
fel
tbet
rayedandbel i
ttl
ed.Youwer eangry.
..
.
youburnedherandt henr epl
iedhermessages
tomakey oursel
flookinnocent.Ifyouwere
homehowcomey oudi dn'tr
eplyherunti
learl
y
i
nthemor ning5mi nutesbef or
et hefi
re?
Tuel
o:Iwentst
rai
ghtbedwhenIcameback.
..
Detect
ive:
Didy
ourbr
other
sheary
oucome
back?
Tuel
o:Idon'tknow.
..Thehousewassi
l
ent
,they
weresl
eeping..
..
Detecti
ve:KanaI'
m goingtokeepy ouhereunti
l
ourinvest
igati
onisdone,you'
regoingtohelpus
i
nvestigat
et hi
sthi
nguntil
it'
sdoneot her
wise
you'
llbegoingtojai
lthi
safternoon.
Tuel
o:(
sighed)Cani
talkt
oMaduo?Ij
ustwant
tomakesuresheisf
ine.
.
Det
ecti
ve:Di
dn'
tyouseetheamountoffi
re
comingoutoft
hathouse?St
artt
alki
ng.
..
Tuelo:Idon'
tknowwhatyouwantfrom me,i
tol
dy oueveryt
hingi
needtoknow.IfI
'
m under
arr
estatleastl
etmeknowwhati havebeen
arr
estedfor.
Detect
ive:You'
reasuspectandwear
est
il
l
conducti
ngourinvest
igat
ion.
..

I
nsi
deI
nter
rogat
ionr
oom 4.
..

Meanwhil
eRaphaelf
oldedhisarmsandl
eaned
backst
ari
ngatthedetect
ive.
..
.

Det
ect
ive:
Howmuchdi
dyoupayher
?
Raphael :
Weeachgav eherP100,mylit
tl
e
brotherwassleepi
ngsoi gav
eherP200
thankingheronhisbehal
f,wedidn'
tpaywe
weret hanki
ngher.
Det
ect
ive:
Wesentt
hepol
i
cet
ocol
l
ectTher
o
andhisbrother
,wi
llthei
rstor
yofpaidsex
matchyours?BecauseMaduo' smessagessay
yourapedher,i
tdoesn'tmatt
erifshei
sdead,i
f
yourapedheryou'
llbeprosecuted.
Raphael:
Wet hankedherforhert
ime, i
fshe
didn'
tenj
oyitshewouldhavereportedus.Ifwe
rapedhershehadplentyofti
metor eport
.We
weren'
teveninMaunt henextday,whatwas
sheafrai
dof?
Detecti
ve:Andeveni
fyoudidn'
trapeher
prosti
tut
ionisi
l
legal
inBot
swanawaai t
se
Raphael?
Raphael :Therewasnopr ostitut
iondetecti
v e,i
keept el
li
ngy outhatwet hankedherf orher
ti
me, wedidn'
tpayheri nfanti twasreall
yf ora
taxi
.Ther eisabigdif
fer encebet weent hose
wor ds.Ifgivi
ngawomanmoneybecausey ou
appr eci
atehermeanspr ostituti
onthenev en
wivesar eprosti
tut
es,thei rhusbandsdot hei r
hairandbuyt hem gif
ts, wouldy ouarrestthem
det
ect
ive?
Det
ect
ive:
Whatar
eyoust
udy
ingatBot
swana
Pol
i
cecoll
ege?
Raphael
:(smi
l
ed)Why
?
Detect
ive:Youseem t
othinkyou'
rever
ysmart,
youhadt i
met othi
nkaboutthi
scasefrom 1t
o
100.
Raphael:I
'mjusttell
i
ngy outhetr
uth..
.That'
s
all
.
..I
fi r
apedhery ou'
dhav etoproveididandi
f
youwantt opintheprostit
uti
ononmest ill
you'
l
l
havetoprovei boughtsexofwhichIdidn't
.
Justbecauseshegotcaughtl yi
ngdoesn't
meanI '
ml yi
ng,sheistheonewhol iedtoher
boyfr
iend,it
oldmybr otherthet
ruth.
Det
ecti
ve:Hemusthav ebeenr
eall
y
di
sappoi
nted,hewantedtomarr
yherwhi
ch
meansher eal
lyl
ovedher
Raphael
:Hewasobv
iousl
ydi
sappoi
nted
Det
ect
ive:
Enought
oki
l
lheri
naf
itofr
age?
Raphael
:Mybr
otheri
snotaki
l
ler
..
.

I
nsi
dei
nter
rogat
ionr
oom 5.
…

Shawnrubbedhisheadf
rust
rat
edl
yandl
ooked
atthedet
ecti
ve.
..
.

Shawn:
(swal
l
owed)Soshei
sdead?
Detecti
ve:(soft
ly)Yes,thedoct orcer t
if
iedher
deadear l
ythismor ni
ng,...(
pushedTuel o'
s
phone)Readt hismessage. ..(
her eadMaduo' s
message)Thosewer eherl astwor ds,"
ifShawn
i
sanhonestper sonhewi lltel
lyout hestory,
"
youwer eherlasthope.I fthisyoungwoman
wasr apedandhumi l
iat
edt oanext entofbeing
cal
ledapr osti
tute,i
fallthesei sfalsewillyou
l
ivewi t
hitShawn?
Shawn:(t
ear
ful
l
y)Idon'tknowi
ftheypai
dher
,i
fel
lasl
eepandidon'
tremembermuch
Detecti
ve:
Didshesaynowheny
oual
lhadsex
wit
hj er
?
Shawn:(
rubbedhi
stearyeyes)Idon'
t
remember,Shewastear
ful
.
Det
ect
ive:
Didshesayno?
Shawn:Wedidn'
trapeherbutshei
snota
prost
it
ute,
wherei
sTuelo?
Detect i
ve:Tuelowillbeinpolicecustodyunt i
l
wear edonewi ththeinvesti
gati
on, youtoo
mightbekepti njailunt
ilyoustarttal
king,you're
acopy ouknowhowi tgoes?Beingi napol ice
collegemustgi v
ey ouanideaofwhatt hel awi a
allaboutandi mustsayI '
mv erydisappointed
thatpolicecollegeundergraduatesar einvolved
i
nsuchahi deoussituati
on.
Shawn:(puthisheadont
het
abl
e)It
oldy
ou
ever
ythi
ngi know
Detect
ive:
Sohowangr
ywasTuel owhenhe
foundoutyout
woandhisgi
rl
fr
iendhadsex?
Shawn:
Hewasdi
sappoi
nted,
hewasn'
tangr
y.
Detect
ive:
Andhelef
twit
hher.
..Di
dhecome
backafterdr
oppi
ngoffMaduo?
Shawn:Idi
dn'
thearhi
m comeback,
ionl
yhear
d
them l
eavi
ng
Detecti
ve:sohenev
ercamebacktothehouse
af
terleavi
ngwithMaduo?Shawn:
Idon'
tknow..
.
Detecti
ve:Yourbrot
herisgoingt ojai
land
you'r
egoingwithhimifyou'renotser i
ous.
..
(l
oudly)Tuel
oleftwit
hthisgirl,
hadan
argumentwithheratherhouseabouty outwo
andendedupbur ningherinside.Isn'
tit
?
Shawn:
Idon'
tknow
Detect
ive:
BotswanaPoli
ceof f
erspr
otect
ionto
anyonewhohelpsinthesolvi
ngofacrime,i
f
youhelpus.You'
resafe.
..Di
dheburnherinsi
de?
(
hekeptqui
et)Di
dhe?
Shawn:
No
Detecti
ve:Doy outhinkRaphaelwil
lrej
ectt
his
off
er ?I
t'
sjustoneof ferbutt
her
eistwoofy ou,
asforTuelorehedi t
sekaenewagol al
ako
pri
sons,that'
shisnewhomeunt i
lthi
scaseis
sol
v edanditmi ghtt
akequi t
ealongt i
me.
Shawn:
Tuel
odi
dn'
tki
l
lher
..
.
Det
ect
ive:
(st
oodup)Al
ri
ght
..
.

Hewal
kedoutasShawn'
sheartpounded
swi
mmingi
nal i
tt
ledi
l
emma...
.

Att
hepol
i
cest
ati
on.
..
.

Bakangsteppedoutofthecarandwal
ked
i
nsidethestat
ionasTrevorr
anup.him..
.
Tr
evor
:Hey
Bakang:
Heysap,
whathappened?
Trevor
:Justgott
hemessageandr
ushedov
er
ther
e..
.

Theyapproachedthedeskandspokebrief
lyto
theof
ficerwhodir
ectedthem t
otheotherroom.
Adetecti
vewalkedoverandshookhandswi th
them.
..
.

Bakang:
what
'sgoi
ngon?
Detecti
ve:Thereisnothi
ngwear ewi
ll
ingt
o
sharewithyouatt hepoint
,wearest
il
ldoi
ng
ourinvest
igat
ions.Tueloorethusamo
dit
hothomisong.
Bakang:Whatabouthi
sbr
other
s?Whenar
e
theyget
ti
ngrel
eased?
Det
ect
ive:
May bethi
safter
noon,I
'm notsur
e.
Wearesti
lldoi
ngourinv
esti
gati
ons.
Bakang:
(tookouthi
sphone)Mayi
haveyour
numberandkeepenqui
ri
ngaboutt
hecase,i
am
BakangTawanabytheway..
.
Detective:Idon'tgivemypersonal numberto
cli
ents,calltheof f
icei
fyouhav eanyqueri
es
andpl easeMrTawanai hopethisisn'
tgoi
ngto
thedirectionithinkyouwanttot ake.Ir
espect
yoursur namebutnoonei sabov ethelawat
l
eastonme.
Bakang:
Clear
Det
ect
ive:
Thanky
ou.
..

Hewal
kedaway
..
..
..
.

AtMaAbal
eng'
shouse.
..
.
Shehunghercar petont
heli
neandbr ushedit
makingthewool ssmoot
her,acardroveinand
amanst eppedout ,
shel
ookedattheneat
for
mallydressedmanasheappr oached.
..
.

Man:
Dumel
ang
Her
:(shookhands)Dumel
ang
Man: Mynamei sPet
er,
iam kgosi'
smessenger
andi havebeensenttosummony ouand
perhapsy ourf
amilyt
otheroyalhouse.Kgosi
wouldliketotal
ktoyouaboutyourdaughter'
s
behaviourtowardshi
m.
Her
:Whatbehav
iour
?Idon'
tunder
stand
Man: Shemi sbehav
edi nf
rontofthechi
efand
hedidn'tli
kethatal
l,hewouldl
iketoseeyou
concerningthat.
Her
:Whenwast
his?
Man:
Att
hehospi
tal
,thi
smor
ning
Her:Thechi
efwentt
oseemydaught
eratt
he
hospit
al?Why?
Man:
Ma'am I'
mjustamessenger
,pl
easebeat
t
heRoyalhouseat3pm.
Her
:Er
raI
'
llbet
her
e
Man:
Thanky
ou

Hegotintheroyalcaranddr
oveoff
,MaAbi
tookoutherphoneandsatonthestoopdi
ali
ng
herbrot
her.
..
.

Hi
m:Hel
l
o?
Her
:Hi
,wehav
easi
tuat
ionher
e
Hi
m:Ee?
Her:Likei
toldyouthatt
hechief
'ssonhad
orderedNaledi
toabortt
hepregnancy,
she
somehowbeggedt hedoctorandmanagedto
keept
hepregnancy,shedeli
ver
edt
ri
plet
sand
nowihearkgosiwentther
e..
.
Hi
m:Uhukgosi
att
hehospi
tal
?
Her
:Lennakemaket
se
Hi
m: Wedidn'
tcal
lthem f
orthepregnancy,
whatwashedoingther
einthefi
rstplace?
Her: Ev enifwehadcal ledthem, itissti
l
lnoway
ofdoi ngt hings.Wedon' tdothat,howcanhe
got ot hehospi talt
oseet henewbor nska
setswanahel asaronahewassupposedt owai
t
beforej ustpoppi ngup.Ker aagor eabokgosi
baredi relasentenkgonne?Bal atil
engwanake
i
bilebamor aetsegoreabeahel eleaba
thoket semai tseogompi enojaanagat werea
batiwaka3pm.
Hi
m:Why
?
Her:Ihav
en'taskedNaledi
whatexactl
yshe
sai
dbutthemessengersaidthechiefwasn'
t
happywithNaledi'
sbehavi
ourt
owardshim.
What'sthewor
stt
hatcanhappent
oNal
edi
for
di
srespecti
ngt
hechi
ef?
Hi
m:Shecanbewhi
pped
Her
:Womengetwhi
pped?It
houghtt
hatwas
onl
yfory
oungmen?
Him:Shecanbewhi pped, youknowi fyour
daughteri sgivingy ouhar dt imey oucanr epor t
tothechi efandhewi llorderforhertobe
whippedi nsteadofdoi ngj ailti
me.Ithappens,
younggi rl
swhoi nsul tadultsgetawhi ppi
ngj ust
l
ikeyoungmen, i
t'
sj ustthatmostwomennev er
i
nsultadul tsthat'
swhyi trarel
yhappens.You
shouldtalkt oNal edi andhearwhatexact l
yshe
sai
d,I'l
lthinkofagoodapol ogy ,I
'
llbegonher
behalfbutshemustnev ertalkbackatt hechief ,
orevenBakangbecausehecanst il
lmakesur e
sheget spuni shment .
Her
:Aobathongwanakeot
aakgonagol
opel
a
l
eBakanghel
awaBakang?
Him: Eeakereshechoset ohav echi
ldrenwi th
theroyals,i
fshemakest hem herenemi est hey
canmakeherl i
feal iv
inghel lespeci
allythe
chiefhimself
.Shebet terbeonherbehav iour
everytimeshet alkstot hem,haobuwal ekgosi
gaophant shehelaekar eokomant waneng,
bonebar ehaithelaresogor adi at
aaber ei ti
ra?
Bathobabogosi baat otiwa.Notmanypeopl e
knowhowi nfl
uent i
altheycanbeony ourlif
e
untili
thappens.
Her
:Thesepeopl
ecannotj
ustshowupbecause
t
heyheardwehaveboys,i
am asangr
yas
Nal
edi
.
Him: Butwecan' tshyawayf rom thefactt
hat
i
t'stheirchildr
en, t
heyaregoingt omakesur e
theyuset heTawanasur nameasev eryonein
theroy alfamil
y,ifsheknewbet tershewoul d
havej ustdonet heabor t
ionandcutt i
eswiththe
royals,thesepeopl earestubbornandt ake
otherpeopl eli
ght l
y.I
fthisboydoesn'twanthis
chil
drenhispar
entscansti
llmakey
ourl
iv
es
diff
icul
tsimpl
ybecausetheywantt
hechi
ldr
en
themselves.
Her:I
'l
lgoandaskt hemagist
rat
ei fthat
'sokay
becauseBakangdidn'twantt
hesechi l
dren,
we
di
dn'tevenputhi
mi nbirt
hcert
if
icates.
Him: That'sil
legaltoo,Naledibrokethelawand
shecangot oj ai
l j
ustforfai
li
ngt oputdown
BakangTawanaast hefatherofthosechildr
en,
don'
tgot herebecausey ou'regoingtoget
yourselfi
nt rouble.I'
l
lcallNalediandtal
kt oher
,
idon'twantheratt heroyalhouseokat ogaare
dubeladilo,I'
lll
etthem knowshej ustdeli
ver
ed
andapol ogiseonherbehal f
.
Her
:Okay
..By
e
Hi
m:By
e

AtKgosi
'
shouse.
..
..
TheTawanamenandwomenwer esi
tt
ing
underthebl
uecarshadehav i
ngt eawith
sconesasthenewmai dservedthem and
walkedaway,Bakangdrovethr
ought hesli
ding
gateandparkednextt
ot hei
rcars.

Bakang:
(mut
ter
edl
ooki
ngatt
hel
argef
ami
l
y)
shi
t!

Hesteppedoutandwal kedtowardstheel
ders,
hedi
dn'tknowhi sf
atherhadcall
edthefamil
y
meet
ingnowhef or
gottenwhathewasgoi ngto
sayi
ndef ence.

Hegr
eet
edt
hem al
landsatont
hechai
r.
..
.

Kgosi
:Hol
ogaset
il
oonnemopav
ement
engha
omonnawasepe.
..

Hequiet
lygotdownandsatonthepav
ement
wi
thhisheaddownashisuncl
esandaunt
ies
gl
aredathi
m...

Kgosi:iam notsayingany t
hingt othi
sboy ,y
ou
canalltalkt
ohim buti havenot hingt
osayt o
him becausewhathei sdoi ngisembar r
assing.
I'
m surepeoplearewonder ingwhatki ndofa
personi am.Buwangl eMi do,I'
m notsaying
anythi
ngt ohi
m koor ehaanal eWendybat hola
bakanamemont ungoi phedit
se.
Uncl
e:Whenl
astdi
dyousendy
ourdaught
er
money?
Bakang:
Ihavebeenhavi
ngfi
nanci
aldi
ff
icul
ti
es.
I
'm br
oke,i
justgotmar
ri
ed
Kgosi
:Youwentf
ora6mont
hshoney
moon
t
rav
ell
ingaroundAf
ri
ca,
whatdoy
oumean
y
ou'r
ebroke?
Uncle:WhataboutNal edi'
stri
plet
s?Tell
us
aboutthatandpl easebehonest,wearenot
heretojudgey ou,weareheretofixour
mistakesandf acethepubli
cwithan
appropri
ateresponse.(hekeptquiet
)Mido?
Bakang:Itol
dhert oabortitbecauseidi
dn't
wanttohav echi
ldrenallover,mywifewas
pregnantalr
eady.Itookhert othepr
ivat
e
hospit
alandhadherabor ti
t.AsfarasIknow
theyarenotmine.
Kgosi
:Ar
eyousur
ethey
'r
enoty
our
s?
Bakang:Idon'
tknow,I
'
m notsur
eift
heyar
e
mine.Onlysheknows.
Kgosi
:I'
l
lpayf
orDNAt
est
ing,
it'
s3.
5ri
ght
?
Uncle:You'
renotpayi
ngf ori
t,Midohastobe
accountabl
eforhisact
ions,doesn'thewantt
o
knowifthey'
rehisornot?Ifiknockedupa
womanandgav eherthr
eebabiesatonceI'd
defi
nit
elybeexcit
edandwanttoknowi fthey
aremineinhiscase,keengBakangasena
sepe?
Bakang:
They'
renotmi
ne,iwasther
eshedid
theabor
ti
onandweneverhadsexaftert
hat
.
Uncle:Ar
eyousur
ey ou'
renotj
ustsay
ing
becauseofWendy?
Kgosi:
Pleasedon'tment
iont
hatwomani t'
s
enoughthatshei
susingmyname, don'
tinvol
ve
herwhenI'mtal
kingaboutmydescendents
Uncl
e:OsuregasebagagoMi
do?Haoi
tat
ole
banaaker
e?
Bakang:
Kesur
e
Uncl
e:Ibel
i
evehi
m
Kgosi
:Neverbel
i
eveamanthatthi
nksheisin
l
ove,t
rustme.Gaarat
awaaitseBakanggor
e
kebagagwemmehel aasabategotseny
a
mosadi
nyanay
owagagwest
ress.
Bakang:
Papacanwenotinv
olv
eWendyi
nthi
s?
Thi
shasnothi
ngtodowit
hherl.
Kgosi
:Doy ouknowhowmuchy ouchanged
si
ncesheshowedup?Wedon' tevental
k
anymore,
sheclosesyouint
hehouse24/ 7gar
e
goboneonnahel amolegwagenglagaMandy.
Bakang:
(si
ghed)Mayi
goi
fyou'
real
ldonewi
th
me?
Kgosi:
(boi
l
ing)Thi
siswhyi
don'twantt
otal
k
tohim,i
fheconti
nueswi
tht
hisatt
it
udeI'
l
lhur
t
him
Bakang:
(angr
il
y)Kant
egat
weker
eng?Whyl
e
omanyaWendy ?
Kgosi
:(angril
y)Becausey
ou'r
eacoward,
you'
re
notaman. .
..Whoisthewifebet
weeny
ouand
Mandy?
Uncl
e:DoesMandyknowt
haty
ouar
enot
suppor
ti
ngy
ourdaught
er?
Bakang:
HernameisWendy,Papai
fyoukeep
cal
li
nghert
hatev
eryonewi
l
lsoonbeli
eveit
's
hername.
Uncl
e:Ehe,
ee.
..Wendyoai
tse?
Bakang:Thi
shasnothingt
odowithher
,why
ar
ey oublamingherf
ormyprobl
ems?
Kgosi:Becauseahusband' spr obl
em i
salsothe
wife'
sproblem, you'
reone..
..Yourdaught
eris
herdaughter,howdoesshepayf ora5star
hoteli
nSout hAfricaandfailtobuymilkf
or
yourdaughter?Whatki ndofawi f
edoesthat
?
KooreboMi dolenyalabontejwamosadi gale
l
ebelel
egor eammemot hokemosadi ?
Bakang:(st
oodup)Gasennamonnawant ha
gonyalakenyalel
agoratamosadiesegoreke
madij
ejebabangwerenyalel
agokgabakabone.
Icangetamai dtodowhatshecan'tdo,i
thas
alwaysbeendonebefor
eIdon'tunderst
and
howthatissuddenl
yanissuewhenigr
ewup
seei
ngthathappeni
ngri
ghtundermynose.

Hewal
kedaway
..
..

Kgosi
:Bakang!
?Kesant
sekebuwal
ewena.
..
Bakang:(tur
nedback)Onkomany et
saWendy
andI'
mr eadyforthat
.Ithoughtlebuwaka
banabagaNal ediandthey'
renotmi ne,leene
Duduwai tsegorePri
ncessisnotmi ne.Idon't
getwhyy ou'
refor
cingmet oacceptchildren
that
'aren'
tmine.Thechildihavekewaga
Mendy.

Hegoti
nhi
scaranddr
oveout
..
..

Uncl
e:Hesaysthechi
l
drenar
en'
thi
s,whyar
e
webother
ingpeopl
e?
Kgosi
:(sighed)I'
mt hrowi nginthetowel,l
ego
buwaMi doompui saekar egakerragwe.He
sayst
hey '
rehisthenf i
ne, wewi l
lsortoutour
i
ssueswi thNaledi
'spar entsandgoour
separ
ateway s.Kel eki
le..
..

Att
hehospi
tal
.
...
.

Lat
erthataft
ernoonir
eceiv
edanumberf
rom
Maduo'scousinanddi
aledit
..
..

Maduo'
smot
her
:(l
owv
oice)Hel
l
o?
Me:Hell
o?It'
sNaledi
..
..(shestar
tedcr
yingandi
keptqui
et)Hel
lo?(t
earfull
y)I
sMaduookay ?
Maduo'
saunt
ie:(
int
hebackground)MaDo
buwalemangyoogoledi
saj
aana?Baaphone
theori
bame-
Myhear
tski
ppedandIhungup.
..
.

Nur
se:
Youhav
eav
isi
tor
..

Islowl
ygotoffthebedandapproachedthe
waiti
ngroom, Bakangwasfaci
ngdownhol di
ng
hiscarkeys,
hel ookedupatmeasi sl
owlygot
i
nt henhestoodupandwal keduptomyf ace.
..

Bakang:Naledi
aker
ekegobol
elet
segor
egake
batengwana?
Me:
Whatdoy
ouwant
?
Bakang:(angri
ly)Whyareyoutel
lingmypar ents
thatigotyoupregnant?I
fyoudeci dedtokeep
yourpregnancythenitwi
llbeyoursalone.Don't
goaroundt el
li
ngpeopleigotyoupr egnant,i
didn'
twantababywi thyou,Ihaveawi fethatI
l
ov eandrespect.Haobonanneker eredire
abor t
ionisbecausei knewi wasn'treadyf ora
classroom ofchil
dren.Ihadasayi nallthis,y
ou
hadnor i
ghttoforcemet obeaf ather.I'
m
alreadytakingherofachi l
dI'm notsur eismine,
asf arasIknowwedi dt heaborti
onandnow
youwantt opinyourfatherl
esschildrenonme
becausey ou'renotwor ki
ng?
Me: (star
ingathim)Ididn'ttellanyonethatmy
chi
ldrenar eyourchil
dren,tell
y ourparentst
o
l
eavemeal one.My .Unclejustcalledme
scoldingmef ortal
kingbackaty ourfather
becausehecl aimedmyt r
ipletswer eyours.
Bakang:Idon'twanttohav ethi
sconver
sati
on
withyouagain,Ify
ou'r
ebor edhavemorebabies
andleavemeal one.Idon'tl
ikether
umoursi
keephearing,keri
leodireaborti
onoganne,
youknewwhaty ouweredoi ng,
don'
tinvol
veme
orelseyou'l
ll
oseitall
..
Me:(
myskincrawled)Loseital
l?Buti
saidi
di
dn'
tsayany
thingtoanyone,anywayI
'm sor
ry
fordisr
espect
ingyou.I
'
m sorr
y,i
twon'thappen
again.(
star
ingathim)Canyoufor
giv
eme?
Bakang:(
star
ingatme)Justst
ayawayf
rom me,
I
'mtryi
ngtohavepeacewithmywif
e.
Me:Iunder
stand,Sor
ry.
..Hav
eyout
alkedt
o
Tuel
o?Maduoi s-
Bakang:
(wal
kedaway
)Goshapo.
..
.

Irubbedmyarmsstar
ingathi
m ashewal
ked
awayt heni
remember
edMaduoandslowl
ysat
down....
.

AWEEKLATER.
..
.
Co-
wif
e
#50

AtMaunpr
ison.
..
.
Tuelosatbehi
ndthewallsunbasking,Maduo
wast obeburi
edthenextmor ningandhest i
ll
couldn'
tbel
iev
eshewasgone, hecouldn'tf
eel
herabsenceandhebeli
evedhi sgir
lwas
probablyl
yi
ngonahospitalbedi nacrit
ical
conditi
on.
..
.

Hepickedastickandfrust
ratedl
ywrote
Maduo'snameont hesand...anot
herpri
soner
wal
kedov erandblockedhissunstandi
ngnext
t
ohim. .
.

Hi
m:Vat
sy
Tuel
o:(
lookedupathi
m)Ai
ta.
.
Him:Let
'sgochi
llov
erther
e,al
i
ttl
eguyl
i
key
ou
shoul
dn'
tbesit
ti
ngalone.
..
Tuel
o:(
lookedupathi
m agai
n)Don'
tcal
lme
l
i
ttl
eguy
..
.
Hi
m: Whyar
eyouget
ti
ngdef
ensi
ve,
doi
i
nti
midat
eyou?
Tuelo:(st
oodupandf
acedhi
m)Doy
ouhav
ea
problem wit
hme?
Hi
m: (l
ooki
ngdownathim)No.
..(
smi l
edand
t
ouchedhishead)Icomei
npeace.
..Icome
wi
thlove
Tuel
o:(
pushedhi
shead)Takey
ourheadsof
f
me
Hi
m:Rel
ax.
..
Tuel
o:(st
ari
ngathi
m)I
'
llcuty
ourbal
l
siny
our
sl
eep,don'
ttr
yme.

Anotherpr
isonerwat
chingt
hem f
rom a
di
stancewalkedover
..
..
Hi
m:I
sev
ery
thi
ngal
ri
ght
?
Tuel
o:Yeah.
..Wear
efi
ne,
Scarf
aceher
ewas
j
ustl
eaving
Him:(st
ari
ngatScarf
ace)What
'sy
ourprobl
em
nemonna?Kantekeengonnakagotshwenya
babangwe?
Scarf
ace:
I'
mjustmaki
ngaconv
ersat
ionwi
th
hi
m
Him:Heobvi
ousl
ydoesn'tl
i
kei
t,go.
.Unl
ess
youwantt
ohaveaproblem
wi
thmenow
Scarface: (
rai
sedhishandssurr
endering)
Alr
ight.
..Iwasjusttr
yingtobenice.
.(walked
backwar ds)al
lisgood
Hi
m:(
glar
ingathi
m)Tsamay
a..
.
Scarf
ace:
Gakel
wel
ewena
Hi
m:Lennagakel
wel
ewena,
kar
etsama.
.
Het
urnedar
oundandwal
kedaway
..
..

Tuel
o:(
star
ingathi
m)I
'
m notgay
..
.
Hi
m:Whosai
dyou'
regay
?
Tuelo:
I'
mj ustputt
ingitoutther
eincaseyou
thi
nkI'
llt
hanky ouwithsomef unnyact
ions(
sat
downandsi ghed)Ijustneedalit
tl
epeace,i
havealotonmymi nd..
.
Him:(
satnextt
ohi
m andsi
ghed)What
'sgoi
ng
on?
Tuelo:(
swal l
owed)Mygi rl
fri
endcommi t
ted
sui
cidelastweekandmybr othertoldmeshe
wasbeingbur i
edtomorrowmor ning.Iwishi
couldbethereandseehermay beIwoul d
bel
ieveshei sactual
lydead.Abi gpar tofme
doesn'
tbelievesheisgone, shej ustsnapped
andkil
ledher sel
f.
..
.(swall
owed)Nowt hatI
hav ehadt i
met othinkabouti t,mybr others
rapedher .
..Thef ir
stt imei gav eherar i
de, she
freakedoutmogomakat sangbuti didn'tthink
muchofi tandt henshet ookf orevert ohav e
sexwi thme, iknewshel ovedme.I thad
nothi ngtodowi thlov e, shej ustdidn' tknow
howt ostar thav ingsexaf terwhatshewent
through, noneofmybr ot her sistelli
ngmet he
truth.Theonei tr
ustkeepssay i
nghewas
asleepanddr unk. .
.Ij ustwantt ohol dmygi r
l'
s
handandt ellherI '
m sor ryfornotbel i
evingher ,
thatI '
m sor ryf orwal kingaway ,fornotbel i
ev i
ng
herandf ornotpi ckingt hatshewasl i
v i
ngwi t
h
thepai nofr apeal lthist ime. ..
.(tearfully
)Il ove
her, shemakesmehappyandi stronglybel ieve
shei si nthehospi tal,ibel i
ev eshei salive...
.we
haddr eams, shecan' tj ustl eav ebef orei mar r
y
herandhav echi l
drenwi thher , wedi dn'tev en
hav eourf irstr ealfi
ght .Wedi dn'ttravel..
.Ineed
togetoutoft hisplace, nnagakei tsegor eke
beet swenggoneha, iwantt ogohol dherhand,
t
hey
'r
elyi
ng,shei
sn'
tdead.Theyj
ustwant
ed
metoconf
essthi
nki
ngsheisdead.
Him:(
lookedaroundandreducedhi
svoi
ce)You
canbetherei
fyouwant ,
sometimeswehaveto
makediff
icul
tdecisi
ons.
Tuel
o:Whatdoy
oumean?
Hi
m:(l
ookedaroundandbowedhishead
l
ower
inghisv
oice)Wecanwalkoutofhere
t
oni
ghtorear
lyinthemor
ning.
..
Tuel
o:I
'm notbr
eaki
ngoutofpr
ison,
idi
dn'
t
evendoanythi
ng.
..
Him:Wel li
twasasuggest i
on..
.Thet ruthi s
you'
llneverstopseeingheri nyourdr eamsi f
youdon'tseehercof fi
n.Iknowt hatpai n,it
nevergoesaway ..I
tstay swithi
ny ou.( staringat
him)Losingawomany ouloveisv er
ypai nful,
if
youthinkyou'rei
npai ny ou'
rewrong...Wai tuntil
ti
megoesbyandy our eali
senowomancan
repl
aceher .
..
Tuel
o:Whyar
eyouher
e?
Him: Robbery, possessi onofaf i
rearm and
assaulti
ngapol iceof ficer.
..(
shookhi shand)
mynamei sTumel o...Iwasi nherewi t
hRodney
andMandl a,theygotr eleasedlastmont hfor
goodbehav iour .Itseemsi won'
tber eleased
anyti
mesoonbecausei wastheringl eader...I
needt ogetoutandseesomeone, shet helight
ofmyl if
eandi haven' tseenher4y ear s,iwant
totouchherandki ssher ,maybeexpl ai ntoher
whyI '
m here...May beshewi l
lunder stand...
i
don'tknow,i can' tstaybehi ndthesewal l
s
anymor e.
Tuel
o:Theyt hi
nkiburnedmygi
rl
fr
iendi
nthe
house.
..Thesepeople.
Tumel
o:Soar
eweget
ti
ngoutornot
?
Tuel
o:Idon'
tknowany
thi
ngaboutbr
eaki
ngout
ofpr
ison
Tumel
o:I
'
llshowy
ou,
ify
ou'
reaf
astl
ear
nerwe
canbreakoutt
onight.Yourbodywil
lbean
advant
age,i
t'
sall
weneedt ogetout
.Ihave
tool
sihavebeensteali
ngfrom t
heworkshop.
Tuel
o:Al
ri
ght
..
.

Atmymot
her
'shouse.
..
..
..

Mymot hergavemeabowelofsof
tpor
ri
dge
andsatnexttomymatt
ress.
..
.

Me:
Idon'
tfeel
li
keeat
ing.
..
Mama:
Nal
edi
fini
sht
hatpor
ri
dge.
..Youneedt
o
eat
Me: (t
earf
ull
y)Ican'
t,
.
..Iwi
shIwasn'ti
n
sti
tchessothatIcoul
dgot oMaduo'sburi
al.
..I
wantt oseeherwithmyowney esbutican'
t.I
don'tgetwhyshehadt odothi
swheni j
ust
del
ivered.
Mama: Peopl
ewhocommi tsuici
deneversay
goodby
eandy oucannevertel
lwhooutofy our
l
ovedoneswillendupki
l
li
ngt hemsel
ves.
Me:
Maduowast
oost
rongt
oki
l
lher
sel
f
Mama:
Yout
hinkTuel
odi
ditt
oo
Me: No,Wecan'ttr
ustpeoplebutTuelocan
neverdothat.Helovedhertoomuchandi f
eel
sorr
yforhim bei
nginpr i
sonforsomethinghe
di
dn'tdo,healsocan'tat
tendherbur
ialsimply
becausetheythi
nkheki l
ledher
..
.

AtTuel
o'
shouse.
..
..

Lat
erthatev
eni
ngShawnsatont
hebeddi
ali
ng
Bakang'
snumber.
..

Bakang:
Hel
l
o?
Shawn:
Hi,
can,
wet
alk?I
'
m caughtupi
nabi
g
di
lemma
Bakang:I'
l
lcal
lyouback,mywif
eisi
nlabour
.
WhenI '
m donehereI
'
llcal
lyour
ebuwa
Shawn:
Sur
e

Att
hehospi
tal
.
…

Bakanghungupthephoneandleanedover
ki
ssingWendyasshefrownedgrunt
ing.
..

Bakang:
Isi
tpai
nful
?
Wendy:(
Breat
hingexer
cises)Yes..
..Oh
God.
..
babecal
lthemidwife.
..Urr
h!
Bakang:
(rubbi
ngherar
m)Justbr
eat
h..
.

Herwat
erbr
okeandwett
hesheet
s,Baki
ng
pressedt
healarm andhel
dherhandasshe
tookafewbreaths.
..Themidwi
fewal
kedinand
putonhergl
ov es.
..
.

Mi
dwi
fe:(
smil
ed)Icanseehi
sheadal
ready
..
Wow.
.Pushsweet
heart
..
.

Wendyclosedhereyesholdi
ngBakang'
shand
ti
ghtl
yandpushed,themidwif
eli
ft
edtheli
tt
le
gi
rlandsmiledwi
pingherasshecri
ed..
.

Midwi
fe:(l
aughedwi
pingher
)Andi
t'
sagi
rl
,
t
echnologyfai
l
sagai
n...
.
Wendy:(
cover
edherf
acecr
ying)OhGod,
I'
ma
mother
..
..
Midwif
e: (
smiled)whatani
cehai
ryougother
e
younglady.
..Mm. .
.Gotomommy .
..
.
Bakangqui
etl
ylookedatt
hebabyasthe
midwif
ewipedherandhandedhert
o
Wendy……….

Atmymot
her
'shouse.
..
.

Meanwhi l
emymot
herswi
tchedof
ftheli
ght
s
andlai
ddownonhermatt
ressj
ustnextt
o
mine..
..

Mama: You'
ll
hav
etosl
eepwi
thAmet
oni
ght
,he
l
ikescr
ying
Me:(smi
l
ed)Otshabatala..
..
..(
thought
ful
ly
)
Mamawhatam igoingtodo?Ir eall
ywishI
coul
dgotoMaduo'sfuneralt
omor row.
..
Mama:
You'
rei
nst
it
ches.
..
Myphoner
angandi
picked.
.

Me:
Hel
l
o?
Tuelo:(l
owv oice)Naledi?Pleasehel
pme. .
.I
havebeeni nj
ur ed,
ican'ttel
lanyoneaboutthi
s.
I
'm bleedi
ngr eall
ybad.
Me:
(iknewi
twasdar
kbutil
ookedatmy
mot
herandswal
l
owed)Whathappened?
Tuel
o:I
..
.I.
..Justbr
-
Voi
ce:Hel
lo?Hi.
..Weareint
hepark,
hei
s
bl
eedi
ngreall
ybad,canyouhel
p.
Me:
Whoar
eyou?
Voi
ce:Mynamei
sTumel
o
Me:Howmanyofy
ou-
(l
ookedatmymot
her
)
Youknow
Tumel
o:Justt
het
woofus
Me:
(lookedatmymot
her
)I'
l
lsendy
oua
message,
bye.

Ihungupandt
ypedalengt
hymessaget
heni
del
etedi
tandl
aiddown.
..
..
..
..
..
..(
9t)

Al
way
sremembert
oli
ke,
muchl
ove.

Co-
wif
e
#51

AtTuel
o'
shouse.
..
.

I
twasal mostmidnightanddarkasacave,
Trevor
'scarpar
kedinf r
ontofTuel
o'
shouse
thenTumelohelpedhimt ot
hedoorasthey
foll
owedTrevor
...
.
Tr
evor
:It
'
slocked.
..
Tuel
o:(gri
nni
nghol
dinghi
sbleedi
ngar
m)My
brot
hermusthavehandedt
hekeystomy
mother.
.
Tr
evor
:I'
l
lgogett
hem
Tumel
o:Wecan'
tl
etev
ery
oneknowwear
eher
e
Tr
evor
:Doy
ouhav
eabet
tersol
uti
on?
Tumel
o:Wehav
etobr
eaki
n,i
cangetusi
n
Tr
evor
:Whatar
eyoui
njai
lfor
?
Tumel
o:Robber
yandpossessi
on
Trevor
:Possessi
on?Drugs?(
lookedatTuel
o)I
s
thi
stheli
feyouwant?Drugs?
Tumelo:
Possessi
onofanunr
egi
ster
ed
fi
rear
m..
..WTF!
Trevor
:What
'st
hedi
ff
erence?I
t'
sthesame
thi
ng..
.
Tumel
o:Wel
l
...I
t'
snot
..
.
Trev or
:(toTuelo)Whydi dy oubreakout ?You'
re
notgui l
ty,soonorl atertheywill
knowand
releasey oubutnowy ou'
remakingmat t
ers
wor se,kanakospanengbadumel agor eyou'r
e
i
nnocentbecauset heyknowav ict
im'spar t
ner
i
sal way sthefi
r stsuspectbutnowy ou're
playingMi chelScorefieldwithcri
minals?You'll
l
oosey ourjobkanaTuel o?
Tuel
o:Ij
ustwantedtoatt
endMaduo'sf
uner
al,
i
don'
tthi
nktheyaret
ell
i
ngt het
rut
h.
Trevor
:Therewon' tbebodyviewi
ng,shewas
burnedremember ?Therewasnouseof
breaki
ngout .
..(
lookedatTumelo)andnowyou
havear obberatyourdoorst
ep.
Tumel o:
Dude, ican'
trobyouorhim...Thereis
nothi
ngher eformet orob.Idon'
trobblack
people,you'
realltoopoorforme.Istealt
hings
thatareworthgoingtojail
for.
..
.Idon'tpi
ck
pocket
s..
..
Trevor:Gr
eat
,justgreat
..
..I
tget
sbetter
..
.hei
s
actual
lymaki
ngal iv
ingoutofrobbi
ngrich
people.
Tuel
o:I
'l
lbestay
inghereunti
lmorni
ngthenI
'
ll
seewheretogobefor
et hepol
icest
art
sear
chi
ngforme...
Trevor
:Whatabouthi
m?Wear
enothav
inga
robbe-
Tumel o:Ihaveplacestobe,youwon'tfi
ndme
wheny ougetback,andnexttimeifyouwantto
helpjusthelpwithoutcomplai
ning.Don'
tjudge
everypr i
soner
,yourfri
endisagoodexampl e..
.
Trev
or:Ni
ce,
soy
ou'
rei
nnocentt
oo?Youdi
dn'
t
robany
one?
Tumelo:Iact
ual
lyorgani
sedther obberyf rom A
toZ,oneofmyguy smadeawr ongdeci sion
andwegotcaught.Ideserv
et obei njai
l andI'l
l
gladl
ydomyt i
mebecausei t
'swor thevery
mi
nutei
njai
l butmyf
atherl
yinst
inct
sar
efai
l
ing
meandthat
'swhyI'
m breaki
ngout.
Tr
evor
:Bul
ant
uee.
..
.
Tumel
o:Br
ingmet
hescr
ewdr
iver
..
.

Trevorbr
oughtthescr
ewdr i
ver
,Tumel
oput
Tuel
o'sarm ar
oundTrevor
'sneckandwal
kedt
o
thedoor.
..
..

Trevor
:(whi
sper
ed)Ican'
tbel
i
evey
oubr
oughta
thi
efhere
Tuel
o:(whisperedback)Hei sactual
lynotbad,
whenigotst uckonthef encehedidn'
tleaveme
behi
ndbuthewasal readyout,i
nsteadhecame
backandwast edanhourt ryi
ngtogetmeout
wit
houtteari
ngmyf lesh...
Tr
evor
:Andhespeaksf
luentEngl
i
shf
orat
hief
Tuel
o:Hehasbachel
or'
sdegr
eei
nInf
ormat
ion
andTechnol
ogy
.
Tr
evor
:Whatdi
dhest
eal
?
Tuel
o:Her
efusedt
otel
lme.
..

Tumel
okickedthedoorandt hr
ewthe
scr
ewdri
verinsi
de,
Trevorlai
dTuel
odownas
Tumel
owal kedtot
hekitchenandcameback
wit
hwater.
..
.

Tumelo:Br
ingmeat owel
..
.Andanycl
eancl
oth
icanusetocoverhi
m up.

Trevorwal kedbackwiththetowelandaf
ew
otherthings,hequi
etlywatchedashewashed
Tuelo'sinj
uredarm andcov er
edhi
m up
perfectl
y..
..
Tr
evor
:Youdi
dfi
rstai
dtoo?
Tumelo:(
stoodupanddust edhishands)When
you'
reinacertai
nfi
eldcer
tainskil
lsar
evit
al.
..
(t
ookouthisjumpsuit
)Cani havesomethi
ngto
wear?Ineedtogoseemygi r
lbeforet
hepoli
ce
gohome.

I
nWendy
'sr
oom.
..
.

Bakangqui etl
ywat
chedasWendydressedt
hei
r
daughterwi t
hasmile,
shewasl
ighti
n
complexion..
.wayt
oolight
.…

Bakang:
Issheanal
bino?
Wendy:(
lookedathi
m)Real
l
y?Al
lbabi
esl
ook
l
iket
his
Bakang:
Princesswasn'
tthi
sli
ght
,thi
sli
tt
legi
rl
l
ookspale
Wendy:Thi
slit
tl
egir
lhasanameandwhyar
e
youusi
ngPrincesst
oexpl
aint
his?
Bakang:BecauseDudui swayli
ghtert
hanyou,
surel
ywecan'tmakeababyl ight
erthan
Pri
ncess..
..
ser
iousl
y,shoul
dn'
tweaskt henurse
aboutit
?
Wendy
:Bakangwhatar
eyout
ryi
ngt
osay
?
Bakang:
Andherhairi
sjustt
oostrai
ght
,
shoul
dn'
titbecur
lyorsomethi
ng?
Wendy
:Ar
eyout
ryi
ngt
osayshei
snoty
our
s?
Bakang:No,ofcour
senotbutshelookskinda
weirdandsheistoobi
g,whatki
ndofbaby
weighs4.8kgwhenshewasdeliv
eredbefor e
herduedate?Mykidsareal
waysunderwei ght
somehow. .
Wendy
:Whi
chki
ds?
Bakang:
(si
ghed)Nev
ermind.
..I
'
m aguy
,what
doIknowaboutbabi
esanyway
Wendy
:(l
aughed)Exact
ly.
..
Bakang:
(ki
ssedher
)Il
ovey
ou.
..
Wendy
:Il
ovey
out
oo
Bakang:Ihavetogo,I
'l
lseeyouinthemorni
ng.
.
(hetouchedthebaby'
sfatcheekandsmil
ed)
seey outomorr
ow..
.

Hewal kedoutoft heroom,Wendyl ookedatthe

babyt houghtfull
yandt ookoutherphone,she
typed" howt odiff
erenti
atebl
acknewbor ns
fr
om col ourednewbor ns"shecli
ckedon
pictur
esandl ookedatherbaby'sfacethenshe
shruggedhershoul der
sandwentt obed.

I
nBakang'
scar
..
.

Het
houghtf
ull
ydr
ovethr
oughthenightt
henhe
r
ememberedShawnanddial
edhisnumber.
..
.
Shawn:
Hel
l
o?
Bakang:
Hey
,ij
ustl
eftt
hehospi
tal
,whencan
wemeet?
Shawn:
Nevermind,it
alkedtosomeone.I
'
m on
mywaytoschool,
I'
ll
bear r
ivi
ngint
hemorning.
Bakang:Kant
elarengnebanna,
lar
eMaduo
agreedandyoupaidher
?
Shawn:Shedi
dn'tagree,
shewascr
yingand
beggi
ngthem t
ost op.
..
Bakangb(gl
ancedatt
hescreenandpr
essed
recor
d)Hee?Phoneyacut
ter
Shawn: Kareshedi dn'
tagr ee,shewascr yi
ng
andbeggingt hem tostop, theyevenslapped
herwhenshet ri
edt ofi
ghtbackt henshegav e
i
n,therewasf ourofus. ..
iwasn'ttaki
ngpartat
thestartt
hough, theyforcedmet ohavesex
withheraftertaki
ngt urnsonher .Itr
iedto
ref
usebuttheythreat
enedmecal li
ngmea
sni
tchsoIjoinedthem.Ipassedoutafter
havi
ngsexwi thhersoidon'tknowaboutthe
payi
ngpartbutRaphaelway akabecausewe
wereallbr
oke,thecarwasmov i
ngaroundonE
andwehadbor r
owedmoneyf r
om oneof
Thero'
sfri
endsforfuel
.
Bakang:
Sowhathappenedi
nthemor
ning?
Shawn:Idon'
tknow,
whenIgotupt
heywer
eal
l
gone.
Bakang:Sowhydidn'ty
outell
thepol
ice?Kana
Tuel
owi l
lroti
njai
lfort
his,
wouldyouforgi
ve
your
self
?
Shawn:Idon'
tknowhowt oconf
esswit
hout
sendi
ngmy selft
ojai
l,
Idon'
twantt
ogot oj
ail
,i
wanttograduateandworkt
henhaveafamil
y.
Bakang:
Soy
ou'
drat
hersendy
ourbr
othert
ojai
l
?
Shawn:
It'
snotl
i
ket
hat
..
Bakang:Goshapomest
aa,l
et'
shopet
hepol
i
ce
wil
linv
esti
gat
eandrel
easehi
m...
Shawn:
Shapo.
.

Hehungupandsav
edt
hef
il
e..
.

AtTuel
o'
shouse.
..
.

MeanwhileTumel
oputonTuel o'scapandhad
adrinkasTrev
orswitchedt hecomputeron,He
passedbyandpausedl ookingatthescreen
thenhewalkedoverandst oodbehindTrevor.
..
.

Tr
evor
:Tuel
owhat
'
syopasswor
d?
Tumel
o:(
star
ingatt
heDP)whoi
sthat
?
Tr
evor
:Whi
choneMaduo?
Tumel
o:(
poi
nted)Thi
sone.
.
Tr
evor
:It
'
sNal
edi
,Maduo'
sfr
iend
Tumelo:(
toTuel
o)I
sshet
heonewecal
l
ed
ear
li
er?
Tuel
o:Yeah,
why
?
Tumel
o:Shei
sbeaut
if
ul.
..Iwanther
.
Tr
evor
:(l
aughed)Iadmi
rey
ourconf
idence.
..
Tuel
o:(
laughed)Shei
snoty
ourt
ype
Tumel
o:What
'shert
ype?
Trev
or:Well.
..(
lookedathi
m)You'r
enotbad
butidon'
tthi
nky oucanaffor
dherbesi
des
you'
reacri
mi nal,
shewon'tgi
veyouasecond
l
ook..
Tumelo:
(pausedandl
ookedatthepi
ctur
e
agai
n)Heish.
..Omont
ewaitse.
..
Tuel
o: Tsamayamest aa,skatsenyaNal
edi
di
ngalo,I'
dneverfor
givemy selfi
fyouhar
assed
her,
shei snur
singtr
iplet
sonherown.She
doesn'
tneeddr ama.
Tumel
o:(
star
ingathi
m)Wammat
a?
Tuel
o:Noofcour
senot
Tumel
o:(
wal
ki
ngout
)Goodni
ght
..
.

Hewal
kedoutandcl
osedt
hedoor
..
..
.

Somewher
einMaun.
..

Tumel
owalkedthr
oughthegat
e,adogbar
ked
andhequi
etl
ysnappedhi
sfi
ngers.
..

Tumelo:(snappedhisf
inger
sandwhi
stl
ed)
Mickey.
..
.Nxoo...
.Nxoo

Hesquat t
edandrubbedi
t'
sf urasitwi
ggl
edits
tai
lexci
tedly
,thel
i
ghtswentont henhehi
d
behindt
hehedgesandwat chedforawhil
e..
.
Hismothermov edt
hecur t
ainsbutshehadlost
somuchwei ghthealmostdidn'
trecogni
seher,
hewalkedoverandsoftl
yknockedont hedoor.
Shelookedathimthroughthecurtai
nsand
cover
edhermout htearf
ull
y.
..

Sheopenedandshookherheadst
ari
ngathi
m,
heshameful
l
ylookeddownashismother
huggedhi
m cry
ing.
..
.

Her:
Tumelowhyareyoudoi
ngthi
stome?Why
ar
ey ouher
e?Youonl
yhave4year
slef
t,why
ar
ey oudoi
ngthi
s?
Tumel
o:Cani
seeApr
il
?
Her:You'
regoingtostr
essherevenmore..
.I'
m
beggingy
oumyboy ,gobacktopri
son,I
'
m sure
i
fyouhandy oursel
fovert
othem, t
hey'
l
l
consi
derf
orgi
vingy
ou.(
rubbedherey
es)Don'
t
dothi
stoher.
..
Tumel
o:(
swal
l
owed)Ij
ustwantt
oseeher
..
.
Her: No,ifyouseehery ouwon' tl
etgoofher
andshewon' twanty out oleav e.Tur naround
andgoback, youhav est ressedmeenough.
Youembar rassedt hisfami lyenough. .
..Your
namewi l
l beont her adiof i
rstthingi nthe
mor ningandy ourf acewi l
lbeonBTV. ..Please
don'tdot hist ome.YouknowI '
m dy ing,ifyou
areclevery ou'llservey ourt i
mesot hatbyt he
ti
met hi
ssi cknesst akesmey ou'dbeoutwi t
h
yourdaught er.Iknowev eryt
hingy oudi dwas
forherbutt hisisjusttaki ng10st eps
backwar ds.
Tumel
o:Iwon'
twakeher
,I'
l
ljustl
ookather
..
.

Hesnif
fedandwalkedinmaki
nghiswaytohis
daught
er'
sroom,
hesl owl
yopenedthedoorand
l
ookedatherf ace..
..Hi
sey esgotf i
ll
edwi t
h
tearsandhesquat t
edrubbinghi shands
together.
..Shelookedexact lyli
kehermot her.
Hegat heredhisstrengthandgotupt henhe
walkedov erandhel dherlit
tlehand..
.Shehada
crayondrawi ngont hewall,hesmi l
edlookingat
thedrawingofanangel withwi ngsont hesky
j
ustabov ehergr andmot her,herfat
herand
herself
..
.

Heslowl
ytooki
toffthewallandfoldedi
t
put
ti
ngiti
nhispocketthenhekissedherand
wal
kedout.

Heappr
oachedtheli
vi
ngr oom ashi
smother
washol
dingtheBi
blesi
lentl
ycryi
ng,
helooked
ar
oundthei
rtor
nhouseandsatnexttoher.
..

Tumel
o:I
'
m goi
ngback.
..
Her
:Kneel
down,
iwantt
opr
ayf
ory
ou.
..

Het ookof
fhiscapandslowlyknel
tdown
beforeher
,sheputt
hebibleabovehisheadand
begunprayi
ngemotional
l
y .
..
…

AtMaduo'
smot
her
's.
..
.

Earl
i
erthatmorningTuelopull
edoverhi
s
hoodieandpassedthroughthecr
owd...

MC:(hol
dingthef
uner
alpr
ogram)Asisai
dwe
won'
tbehav i
ngabodyvi
ewingbat
sadi
,wewi
l
l-

Heignor
edt hespeakerandpickedherpr
ogram
onthechairnextt
ohim, hetur
nedaroundand
st
aredatitforamoment ,hi
stearfel
lonher
f
oreheadandwett
hepapert
henhewal
kedout
.

Atmymot
her
'shouse.
..
..

Meanwhil
emymothershookmyshoul
derandi
gotup,
shewasal
ldressedf
ort
hefuner
al.
..

Mama:
I'
m goi
ngt
oMaduo'
sbur
ial
.
..
Me:
Ont
elepr
ogr
am y
aphi
tho
Mama:
Okay
,by
e

Shewal kedoutbuticoul
dn'tf
all
asleepafter,i
sti
ll
couldn'tbel
iev
eshewasgone.I tdi
dn'tfeel
realandi knewiwouldneverr
eall
ybeli
eveshe
wasgoneasl ongasiwasn'tt
heretowitness
herburi
al.
Almostanhourlat
ert
her
ewasaknockonthe
door,mysti
tcheswer
est
il
lver
ynewandicoul
d
hardl
ywalk,
i sl
owl
ymademywaytothedoor
andopened..
..

Aunfami
li
arf
acewasst andi
ngatt
hedoorwi
th
hi
shandsint
hepockets,hequi
ckl
ytookt
hem
outandt
ookoffhi
scap...

Hi
m:(
smi
l
ed)
Me:
Hi
Him: Wow..
.Youact
ual
l
ylookv
erybeaut
if
uli
n
person.
..
Me:
(bl
ushed)Hav
eweev
ermet
?
Hi
m:(smil
edstar
ingi
nmyeyes)No.
..(
lookedat
megoingdownmybody)Okay.
..
Me:
(smi
l
edshy
ly)Thi
siscr
eepy
,whoar
eyou?
Hi
m:Iam anescapedpr
isoner
..
.Wespokeov
er
t
hephonelastni
ght
Me:
Tumel
ori
ght
?IsTuel
ookay
?
Tumel
o:Hei
sfi
ne
Me:
Howdoy
ouknowwher
eIst
ay?
Tumelo:(smiled)Ij
ustcametosayhi
,I
'm goi
ng
backtoprison.Ichangedmymindaboutl
ivi
ng
ontherun.I'
m goingtoserv
emysentenceunti
l
thel
astday .
Me:
Whatdi
dyoudo?
Tumelo:Ibr
okeintoahighl
ysecur
edbuil
ding
andstol
esomet hi
ngveryval
uabl
e,t
hreedays
l
aterweallgotcaught
.
Me:
(smi
l
ed)Soy
ou'
reat
hiefTumel
o?
Tumelo:(t
hecornerofhi
sli
psl
ift
edashe
smil
edlookingatme)Iguessy
oucouldsay
that
..
.Yeah..
.
Me:
Wel
l
,ican'
tst
andf
orl
ong,
idel
i
ver
ed
t
ri
plet
saweekago
Tumel
o:Tuel
osai
dsomet
hingl
i
ket
hat
,mayi
seet
hem?
Me:
(looki
ngathi
m)Yeah.
..

Hefoll
owedmei nsideandstoodatthe
bedr
oom doorstari
ngatthem, hesmil
edand
l
aughedadmirably
..
.

Tumel
o:Oat
shol
angwanakewena,
tir
ii
?
Me:
(laughed)Gakebat
e..
.
Tumel
o:(l
aughed)Hagongwekemagodunyana
hel
agonehawaitse?I
'm sur
emymotherdi
dn't
knowI
'dgotoprisonwhenIwast
hisage.
Me:(
laughed)Nt
swelakakgor
o
monnaamodimo..
..
Tumel
o:(
laughed)I
'
mjustsay
ing.
..
any
wayi
hav
etogo,
I'
m surethepoli
cearel
ooki
ngf
or
me.Hav
eyouli
stenedtothenews?
Me:
Noty
et.
.
Tumel
o:(
sighed)Comel
ockt
hedoor
,I'
m goi
ng.

Ifol
l
owedhimtothedoorashest eppeddown
andtur
nedar
oundl ooki
nginmyey es,
idon'
t
knowwhyicoul
dn'tstopsmil
ingl
i
kear etar
d
whenwhenhelookedatme. .
.

Tumel o: (
smil
ed)You'r
et ootrust
ingandit
'snot
cute,I
'm anescapedpr i
sonerandy ou'
rel
etti
ng
mei nthehousewheni t
'sjustyou,whati
fi
rapedy ou?(istoppedsmi l
i
ngandswal l
owed)
Don'tev erdothatagai
n..
.
Me:
Idi
dn'
t-
Tumel
o:Ihav
etogo.
..CanIhugy
ou?
Me:
No
Tumel
o:(
laughed)Sonowy
ou'
reaf
rai
dofme?
Me:
(si
ghed)Okay
,youcanhugme.
..

Hest eppedont hest oopandhuggedmet i

ghtly
,
hisbodywasf i
rm andabi tcol
dbutdefinit
ely
wor thhuggi ng,heletgoofmeandl ookedi nmy
eyest henhehel dmyneckandl eanedov er
kissingme, iwantedt opullbackbuthisbreath
pulledmecl oser,iknewhewasbadi nevery
waypossi blebuti sti
llal
l
owedhi mt okissme
ashewant ed,hest oppedandst ar
edinmyey es
rubbingmyl ipswithhisthumb. .
.

Tumelo:
MynameisTumel
oSi
banda,
visi
tme
assoonasy
oucan.
..
Me:
(smi
l
ed)Okay
..
.

Hel
eanedov
erandbabyki
ssedmet
henhe
turnedaroundandwal
kedaway,isi
ghed
touchingmylipsl
ooki
ngathi
m ashewalked
outthegatetheniwal
kedbacki
nandclosed
thedoor..
.

Me:(
smi
l
edbl
ushi
ng)Whatdi
dij
ustdo.
..
..
..
..
(
9t)
Co-
wif
e
#52

AtMaunpr
ison.
..
.

Wardenpi
ckedtheri
ngingphoneandsatdown
hol
dingacupoftea.
..
.

War
den:
Hel
l
o?
Voi
ce:
Hii
t'
smeagai
n,i
justwant
edt
oconf
ir
m
t
henamesoft
heescapedpr
isoner
sagai
n..
.
War
den:
Tumel
oSi
bandaandTuel
oJames
Voi
ce:
Thanky
ou.
..

Hehungupandanot
herof
fi
cerst
uckhi
shead
i
n..
.

Hi
m:Si
rwehav
easi
tuat
ion
War
den:
what
?
Hi
m:Tuel
ojustwal
kedi
nthr
ought
hegat
e..
.
War
den:
(fr
ownedhol
dinghi
stea)What
?
Hi
m:y
ep
War
den:
Whatdoeshewant
?
Hi
m:Hei
ssor
ryher
an.
..
Warden:
No,t
her
emustbesomethi
nghewas
outt
odo.Hewaspr
obabl
ytemperi
ngwi
tht
he
evi
dencetoredi
rectt
heinvest
igati
ons.(
stood
up)Tel
lthem t
ostri
phim andbringhimin.
..
.

AtMaunpol
i
cest
ati
on.
..
..

Meanwhil
ethedetect
iveli
stenedt
othe
r
ecordi
ngandsighedleani
ngbackonhischai
r
l
ooki
ngathim..
..

Detecti
ve:Itsoundsconvinci
ngexceptTuel
o
escapedf r
om prison,
foraninnocentper
sonhe
sureisrunningawayal otormay bet
hisi
shis
voi
cet r
yingtoframehisbr ot
hers?
Bakang:WhywouldIl i
etoyou?Ital
kedto
Shawn,ify
ouinter
viewhimy ou'
ll
recognisehis
voi
ceandy oucanev enusethi
sonhim, hewi l
l
knowhehasbeencaughtandhewi llt
ellthe
tr
uth,Kant
ekeengl econcl
udil
egoreTuel o
ki
ll
edthisgi
rl
?Youdon'tevenhaveenough
evi
dencetoholdhi
minpr i
son,nowyouwantt
o
addbreaki
ngoutofpr
isonont hemurder
char
ges?
Detect
ive:
You'r
etal
kingtot hewrongperson,i
am inv
esti
gati
ngandt henI'
llpr
esentthe
evi
dencewhichwill
eithersendhimt ojai
lor
rel
easehim
Bakang:Butyou'
renotdoi
nganything,
hehas
beeninpri
sonforaweek,whenar eyou
pl
anningtorel
easehim?Hehasaj ob,arey
ou
goingtocompensatehimforl
ostwages?
Det
ect
ive:
Thei
nvest
igat
ionsar
est
il
longoi
ng.
Bakang:(
tookhi
sphone)Obonaansar
anyana
yalonayadit
hot
homisosant
sedit
swelet
se
kot
engkey oneeit
hut
iwanghel
akopoli
ce
col
lege.

Hewal
kedoutdi
ali
nganumberonhi
sphone.
..
.
Voi
ce:
Hel
l
o?
Bakang:Hi,
cani passbyy ouroffi
ce?Ineed
yourprof
essionalassi
stance.Iknowididn'
t
makeanappoi ntmentbuti needalawyerASAP
Voi
ce:
Um.
..
nopr
obl
em MrTawana.
Bakang:
Thanks.
..

Hehungupandgoti
nhi
scar
..
..

I
nPr
ison.
..
.
Meanwhil
ethepri
sonersfor
medast r
aightl
ine
i
ntheyardaswardensapproached,onetall
gi
ganti
cwardenwalkedinfr
ontofthem holding
afi
lecal
li
ngoutnames...
.

War
den:
Eri
cMaphosa?
Hi
m:Pr
esent
War
den:
Tshepi
soSal
eshando?
Hi
m:Pr
esent
War
den:
Tumel
oSi
banda?
War
den2:
Thatonei
sgoneake-
Tumel
o:(
wal
ki
ngov
er)Pr
esent
..
.

Ever
yonetur
nedandlookedathim ashef
ixed
thesl
eevesofhi
sorangejumpsui
t.
..

Warden:
Turnaroundandputy
ourar
mswher
ei
canseethem.
..

Tumeloslowl
yraisedhishandsandturned
around,
thewardensearchedhim al
loverast
he
otherpr
essedhisradi
owalkingaway..
..
Warden:(
holdi
ngt
her
adi
ocl
osert
ohi
smout
h)
Gat
e,roger
..
.
Voi
ce:
(ther
ewasanannoy
ingsound)Roger
..
..
Warden:Ourrobberjustshowedupintheyar
d,
kot
engot senetsehaneat swel
ateng,
wait
se
mothakayo..
.roger
Voi
ce:
(laughed)Di
dyoust
ri
phi
m?Roger
War
den:
Aswespeak,
roger
Voi
ce:Mot i
sengkwano..
.Mathakaababat
a
sol
idar
yconfinement,
nebai
lekaesent
ehelaha
nkabotsa?Roger.
..
War den:(
laughed)Nebaimel
wakesakapapa.
..
(l
ookingatTumel o)Thegol
denboyoiket
il
e
hel
a. .
.Gaanasepeekaregatweneail
eko
toi
leteng.
..
Roger
Voi
ce:(
laughed)Mt
hakay ookanaobodipa
mogomaswe, moti
sengkwanor eutwegor
e
ar
eotswakae.Gaarataakaikepel
ahelaar
e
nearobetseker
onar
epal
etswengkegommat
a.
Roger.
..
War den:(l
aughed)Ithinksot oobecausewe
didn'tseehim geti
n, atleastTueloresurehe
brokeoutbutSi bandami ghtjustdenyi
tbefor
e
themagi st
rate.Rodger .
..
Voi
ce:
Bri
nghi
min.
..
.Roger
War
den:
wear
ecomi
ng,
Roger

Hewalkedoverwher
eTumel
owasbei
ng
st
ri
pped..
..

War
den2:
Wher
ehav
eyoubeen?
Tumel
o:(
rel
axedwi
thhi
sar
msup)Undert
he
bedi
nmycell.
..
Warden2:
Stoppl
ayi
nggamesTumel
o,t
hisi
sa
ser
iousmatt
er
War
den:
Chi
efwant
stoseehi
m

Theycuffedhim andpushedhi
mtot
he
off
ice.
..
..
..
..
..
..
.

Atmymot
her
'shouse.
..
..

Laterthatmor
ningReneiknockedandwal
kedi
n
dressedinbl
ack,shesatnexttomeand
handedmet hefuneral
program..
.

Renei
:(si
ghed)Youshoul
dhav
eseenMaduo'
s
mother
, t
hatwomanbrokemyhear
t.
..
.
Me:(l
ookingatherpicture)Iwonderwhy
Maduowoul dkil
lherself
,sheissostrong.She
i
sthelastpersoniexpect edt
hisfr
om. …wena
nki
lekaakanyagorey oumi ghtki
lly
our sel
f
backthenwheny ouwer edatingMogapi .
Renei
:Amme?
Me:Youweredepr
essedbutMaduowasj
ust
fi
ne,
evenourl
astconver
sat
iondi
dn'
ti
ndi
cat
e
shewoul
dburnhersel
f.
Renei
:Rape,
depressi
onandr
eject
ional
way
s
l
eadstothi
ngsl
ik--

Wepausedt al
kingwhenweheardnews
headl
inesaboutpri
soner
sescapi
ngfr
om Maun
pri
son..
.

Renei
:Oket
sav
olume.
..
.

Ii
ncr
easedt
hev
olumeaswequi
etl
yli
stened.
..

Voi
ce:2pri
soner
sescapedf
rom Maunpr
ison
l
astni
ght,
TueloJamesandTumeloSi
banda
arebel i
evedtohav eusedt het oolstheyst ole
from t heprisonwor kshopt oescape.Pet er
Mahomeexpl ainedi nani nter
v iewwi thRadi o
Bot swanat hatt heot herpr i
sonerTumel o
Sibanda, al
soknownasThegol denboyi s
consi deredv erydanger ous, Tumel oSi banda
wasi ncarceratedf ortheof fenceofar med
robber y,possessi onofanunr egister
edf i
rear
m
andassaul ti
ngapol i
ceof fi
cer,Tuel oishel ping
thepol i
ceint hei nv esti
gat i
onoft hesuspi ci
ous
deat hofhi sgi r
lfriendwhi chhappenedl ast
week.Thepubl ici sadv isedt obecar efuland
cont actMaunpol icest ati
onor999i ftheyknow
any thingaboutt hewher eabout soft hese
prisoner s.

Iswi
tchedof
fther
adi
oandsi
ghed.
..
.

Renei
:Tuel
odi
dit
,whyi
shebr
eaki
ngoutof
pr
ison?
Me:
Iwaswi
thhi
mthi
smor
ning?
Renei
:Tuel
o?
Me:
Sibanda.
..
Renei
:Thedanger
ouspr
isoner
?Idon'
t
under
stand
Me:Hekissedme. .
.(Si
ghedtur
ningmyey es)
Heissuchagoodki sserandhi
sbodyfeltso
goodonmi ne,
ijustwantedtohughi
mf orever
Renei
:Kant
ewar
eng?Thi
srobberwasher
e?
Me: Yes.
..(smiled)Hesmi l
essocute,You
shouldhearhi sv oi
ce..
.Hehasabi tofan
accenttoo...Kehar i
anat hemmaaboant shuna
wit
houtawar ningandwhenhebr eathedi
nmy
nostri
lsi
joooo....Mma. .
..OhGod..
..
Renei:
Naledi
?Snapoutofit
?Didyouj
usthear
thenews?Heisdanger
ous,heiscr
iminal
,he
actual
l
yputaguntoanotherper
son'
shead
robbi
ngthem andheassaul
tedapol
i
ceof
fi
cer
,
doesn'
tthatbot
heryou?
Me: Andhechoseme. .
.whoam i t
ostandona
dangerousman' smission?Hecanhav emei f
hewant s.
..Youwoul dn'tunderst
andunti
lyou
haveseenhi m,I'
mtelli
ngy ouhecangetany
womant odropherpant i
esforhim.…hehas
thi
s..
..Thispowerwithi
nhi m,thekindofman
thatcangety outodoany thi
nghewant s,he
hasthatspecialmagicwaabona?
Renei
:Nal
edi
arey
oul
i
steni
ngt
oyour
sel
fri
ght
now?Wherei
she?
Me: (smiled)That'
sthesexi estpart,hewent
backt ojail
..
.Hewasl ike...(imitat
inghisvoi
ce
deepeningmyv oice)"Ijustcamet osayhi,
I'
m
goingbackt opr i
son.Ichangedmymi ndabout
l
ivi
ngont herun.I'
m goingt oser v
emy
sentenceunt i
lthelastday ."(laughed)Likewhat
thehell?You'reoutandy ouj ustdecidenahI'
m
goingback?Hei ssosexy ,ican'twaittosee
hi
m..
.(Renei
star
edatmespeechl
essl
y)What
?
Renei
:(putherhandonmyf
orehead)Ar
eyou
okay?
Me:
(laughed)I
'
mfi
ne.
..
Renei
:Heisat
hief
,ar
eyout
hatdesper
ate?A
pri
soner
?
Me:(sighed)don'tj
udgemychoi
ce,i
likehim
thewayhei s,idon'
tknowwhyheisthere,
i
can'
tjudgehim.
Renei
:Robber
y,di
dn'
tyouheart
her
adi
o?
Me: Thereistwosi destoev eryst
oryandev en
i
fhewasbad, it
'shi spast.Imademi stakestoo
butnoonei sremi ndingmeofmymi stakes.Let
him beandi hopey ouwon' tgoaroundt ell
i
ng
peopleTumel owasher e.Wenakanaot enghao
teng,iknowAbal engwi llbethefi
rstoneon
yourtell
ingli
st.
Renei
:Iwon'
ttel
lhi
m butI
'
m di
sappoi
ntedat
y
ourchoi
ce.
.Apr
isoner
?
Me:May behewil
lbebett
erthanmyex,who
knows(iheardmymotherwalki
ngintheli
vi
ng
room)shh..
.Don'
tsayanyt
hingabouti
t.
..
.

Att
heMP'
shouse.
..
..

Wendyl
aidont
hebedashermot
herl
ookedat
t
hebaby.
..

Her
:Shei
sbeaut
if
ul.
..
.
Wendy:Ineedalawy er
,iwantdi
vor
ce.
.(
dial
ing
onherphone)I
'm goingtostayi
nGaborone
unt
ilt
hedivor
ceisfinal
...
Her:
Why
?Howam i
goi
ngt
ohel
pyou?
Wendy:Youcancomef
oramont
hort
wobut
I
'
ml eav
ingMauntomor
row.
..
Her:Youhavesti
tches,don'
tbefool
edbyt he
i
njecti
ontheygaveyou,onceitwearsofft
he
painwil
lbeunbearabl
e.Youcan'tgothatqui
ck
Wendy
:I'
m goi
ngMama
Her:Why ?(l
ooki
ngatt
hebaby'shai
r)Nasel
o
selekurukur
u?hamori
riwatengekareo
rel
axit
sejaana?
Wendy
:Aomama, newbor
nsal
ll
ookt
hesame,
shewi
llbedar
kasti
megoeson.
Her
:Nnakaremori
ri
,wewil
lseei
fshewi
l
lget
dar
kerbutt
hehai
risj
ustt
oosil
ky.
..
Wendy :Sheisjustdif
ferent..
.(putthephoneon
herear)Hell
o?Hi .
.Themmabuymeat i
cketto
Gaborone..
..
..Ee..
..No,nor et
urnt i
cket.Ee.
..
.
Andbookmeaguesthousepel ewhilewef i
nd
acleanerforthehouse....Okay,bye..
.

Shehungupandl
ookedar
ound.
..
.
Wendy:Pleasehel
pmepack,iwi
shIwas
heal
thyenoughtodoev
eryt
hingbymysel
f.
..
..

AtBakang'
sof
fi
ce.
..
.

Latert
hataf
ter
noonBakang,st
apledafew
pagesandfi
ledthem,
hisphonerecei
veda
messagethenheopenedit
..
..

Wendy
:Iwantadi
vor
ce

Hef
rownedanddi
aledhernumber
..
..

Wendy
:Hel
l
o?
Bakang:
Ijustgoty
ourmessage,
war
eng?
Wendy
:Kebatadi
vor
ce,theywil
lpr
obabl
yser
ve
youwi
thdi
vor
cepapersnextweek.
Bakang:
Babe,
what
'
sgoi
ngon?
Wendy
:Iwantt
ogobackt
oAust
ral
i
a.
Bakang:You'
renotl
eav
ingt
hecount
rywi
thmy
daughter
Wendy :Sheisnoty our
s,I'
m sorr
y..
..Shei
s
Portuguese.(hekeptquiet
)I'
m sorry,I
t
happenedt helastfewweeksbef or
eIcame
here,idi
dn'tt
hinki waspregnantbecauseiwas
onmysaf eperiod.
Bakang:
Howdoy
ouknowshei
snotmi
ne?
Maybe-
Wendy:Gasewagago...I
'm sorr
y.I
'm wait
ing
formylawyert
ofinal
i
set hist
henI'
m going
back.I
'
llbesel
l
ingeveryt
hingofmineanduse
themoneytomov ebackt oSydney
Bakang:
Whatdoy
oumean?
Wendy
:Myshar
eoft
hedi
vor
ce
Bakang: (
angri
l
y)Whatshare?Youcamewi t
h
nothingtothi
smarr
iage.
..You'
renotget
ti
ng
anything.
Wendy :Wemarri
edincommuni tyofproper
ty,
everyt
hingy
ouowni shalfmi ne.Ify
ouhav e
anythi
ngtosayyou'l
ltal
ktomyl awyer
otherwi
seI'
l
lfi
leforarestr
ainingorderagai
nst
you.Bye.

Shehungupt henheslowl
yputthephonedown
andrubbedhisface,
hestoodupandt ookof
f
hi
sti
est ar
ingoutsi
dethewindow.
..
..
..
..

3MONTHSLATER.
..
..
..
..
..
.
Co-
wif
e
#53
Atcl
i
nic.
..

Reneilweparkedt hecarandsteppedoutto
helpme, Atsi
lewasonLoago' sbluebaby
carseatwhileMasegowasl yi
ngontheseat
withal i
tt
leblanketsupport
ingherontheside,
Amesni ffedlyi
ngonmyar msandabubbl e
blewoutofhi snose, i
wipedhim andstepped
out..
..

Renei
:(get
ti
ngAtsi
l
e)Ameotshwer
wekef
lu
gape?Youshoul
dkeephi
m warm
Me:
Idokeephi
m warm,
ifi
twasl
i
ket
hatal
lof
t
hem woul
dbesi
ck.
..
Renei
:(l
ooki
ngatMasego)Howar
eyougoi
ng
tocar
rytheot
herone?
Me:
(bentmyar
m)Putherher
e..
.
SheputMasegoonmyotherar
mtheniwalked
i
nthecli
nicasshefol
l
owedmecar
ryi
ngAtsil
e
andthebabybag.
..

Amalenur
serecogni
sedmeandwal kedover.
HegotMasegoandfol
lowedmet ot
hequeue
wher
eisatdownthenheputheronmyl ap.
..

Nur
se:
(smi
l
ed)Kewenawadi
tri
plet
saker
e?
Me:
(smi
l
ed)Yes.
..
Nur
se:Ir
emembery
ou,baagosokodi
sa.
..
Mosadi
mogol
ookae?
Me:
(laughed)Shei
sdoi
ngsomet
hing.
..
Renei
:(satnextt
ome)Hel
l
o
Nur
se:
Hi.
..

Hewal
kedi
nsi
deasev
ery
onest
aredatme,
i
sti
l
lwasn'tsur
ewhet hertheywerelookingat
mebecausei hadtri
pletsorbecauset hey
couldt
ell
i wasstr
uggling.Mychil
dren'
s
bl
anketsweren'
treal
lythemostat t
ractive
bl
ankets.
..
.

Renei
:(whi
sper
ed)Whendot
heyst
ophel
ping
youwit
hformul
a?
Me:
Whent
heyt
urnsi
xmont
hs
Renei
:Let
'
spr
aybyt
heny
ouwoul
dhav
efound
ajob
Me:Ihopeso,imeanthef
ormul
aI'
m get
ti
ng
i
sn'
tevenenough,At
sil
edri
nksal
otofmil
k,i
swearheisanali
en
Renei
:(l
aughed)That
'swhyhei
ssoheav
y
Me:AndMasegol eenegaanwemashiwaa
t
habantsha,
Amei stheonl
yoneihav
etofor
ce
t
ofini
shabot t
le.Iwanttobuyhi
m
mul
ti
vi
tami
ns,
hiswei
ghti
sgoi
ngdown.
Renei
:Ithi
nkweshouldtakehimt oapri
vat
e
hospi
tal
usingLoago'
smedi cali
nsur
ance,I
'
m
suret
hepaediat
ri
cianwon'tmind.
Me:Thanks,thatwi
l
lreall
ybehelpfulset
se
kesaitsej
aanongkagoremocl i
nikingba
nnetsegomoneelaparacetamolhela.
…
Renei
:Kant
eDuduout
wal
egakae?
Me: Sheissti
l
l atthesafar
i,Iwanttogocheck
onPr i
ncesssincekedulemobot setsi
ng,her
grandmothervisit
edlastmont hwithhertosee
thechil
dren.(
smi l
ed)Shewassuchagi r
l,she
washappyt oseet hebabies.
Renei
:Shemustbesogr
ownupnow
Me:Sheisgrown.
..(si
ghed)Mymom agreedto
babysi
twhenshecomesback, i
toldherI'
m
goi
ngtolookforajobbutI'
mreall
ygoingto
pri
sontocheckonTumel o.
Renei :Whycan' tyouf i
ndadecentchur chgoing
mant hathasagoodpay i
ngj obsot hathecan
helpy out akecar eoft hechi l
dren?Tumel ois
useless, hei sinprisonandr i
ghtnowy ouneed
asuppor tiveman.Youcan' tl i
veonhandout sby
thegov er nmentandf ami l
ymember s..
.These
kidswi ll
gr owandneedmor egapeAbal eng
mi ghtnotaf fordtohelpy ouasmuchaswear e
helpingy ounow.Loagogoest oschool now
andal thoughi thasn'tbeenf inali
sedAbi mi
ght
got oschool i
nChi naacoupl eofmont hsf r
om
now, hewi l
l onlybeget ti
nghal fhissalaryunti
l
hef i
nishesschool soi don'tthinkitwil
lbe
enoughf orLoago, me, yourmot her,
youand
yourchi l
dr en.
Me:(
sighed)I
'
llf
indaj obReneilwe,iunder
stand
mychil
drenareaffecti
ngy ourbudgetbutthisi
s
t
emporary,t
heyaret hreemonthsoldkedul e
mobotsetsi
ngandal readysearchi
ngf orajob.
Mychoiceofamani sn'ti
nfl
uencedbymy
needs, ij
ustwantamant hatcanmakeme
happy ,I'
m will
ingt owaitforTumel ot ogetout
ofprisonandev eni fhecan'taf fordt ohel pme
suppor tthechildrenifhel ovesmeI 'l
lbef i
ne,i
don'tneedamant otakecar eofme, I'
llf
igure
somet hingout .I'
mt ir
edoff ollowi ngmat eri
als
andmoney ,i
justwantamant hatl ovesme,
eveni fhehasoneey e,eveni fhei sdeaf ,evenif
heisi npr i
son..
..Reallyij
ustwantamanwho
canlov emeev eni fheisn'tperfect .I'
m happy
thatyouwer eluckyenought omar ryagood
manbutnotal lofuswi ll
bet hatl ucky ,gongwe
l
eny alogakenagoebonabuti fi canf indaman
thatwi l
llovemeI '
llbeokay ,don'tj udgeme.
Renei:Ijustdon'twantyoutohav eaMogapi in
yourlif
e,Tumel osoundsreall
ybad, heis
cri
mi nal
...Hehasal r
eadybeenint henews, do
youhonest lybeli
evether
eisal ovi
ngper son
behindal lt
hesebadt hi
ngshedi d?Amanwho
robspeopl eholdingagun?Doesn' tthatscare
y
ou?
Me:
Ifhemi
str
eat
smeI
'
lll
eav
ehi
m.
Renei:
(sighed)Whateveryousay..
.Anywayi
haveclothesinthecarthatdon'
tl
ookgoodon
Loago,they'
renewheonl yfi
ttedt
hem ansbuti
di
dn'tl
ikehowt heylooked,maybetheywil
lfi
t
Atsi
leandAme
Me:LeeneMasegowadiaparahel
atsa
basi
mane,mycousi
nbroughtmehersons
romper
sandtheyl
ookedgoodonher.
Renei:
Iwoul
dn'tputagi
rli
nboy
scl
othes,
they
won'tl
ookgood.
Me:
Nnagakenachoi
ceaker
e..
.

Anot
hermot
herwal
kedoutt
henwegoti
n.

Minutesl
aterwewalkedoutandheadedtothe
car,
isati
nthebackgivi
ngAmemedi cat
ionas
Renei
putAt
sil
eint
hecarseat
..
.

Me:
(gaveherthei
rmedi
cal
car
ds)Gocoll
ect
t
hefor
mula,I
'l
lcomehel
pinaminut
e..
.
Renei
:Uh.
..Youwantpeopl
etot
hinkI
'
m HI
V
posi
ti
ve?
Me:You'r
eholdingthr
eecards,they'
l
lknow
you'
renotposit
ive,
thegovernmenthelpswhen
yougavebir
thtomor ethantwins,i
t'
snotj
ust
posi
ti
vepeople.
Renei :
Iknowthatbutotherpeopledon'
tknow
that,ever
yoneknowst heonlychi
ldrenwhoget
freeformulafr
om cl
inicsarechil
drenwhose
mot hersareHIVposit
ive.
Me: SoI'l
lbecarr
yingal
lthecansal
onehelaka
goreot shababatho?Thesepeopl
eknowme,
everyonehereknowsmeast hegi
rlwhohad
tr
ipl
es.
Renei
:.(
sati
nthecar
)I'
l
lremai
nwit
hthe
chi
ldr
en..
.Agofol
aophakeret
samae.

Isi
ghedandhandedherAme, sheadj
ustedher
seatandbegunplay
ingwithhim.Icol
lectt
he
heavycansoffor
mulaandgott hebabythen
shedroveoutoft
heclini
c..
..
..

AtMaunmagi
str
atecour
t.
..
.

Meanwhi l
eBakang, Trevor,
TemoandTuel o's
familymember swer esit
ti
ngquietl
yli
steni
ngto
thecour tproceedingsasTuelosatonhi schai
r
chainedonhi swrist
sandankles..
.Hehadl ost
somuchwei ghttheycouldseehischeekbones,
hiseyeswer esunkenandhel ookedlikehewas
suff
er i
ngf r
om someki ndofadisease..
.
Magi st
rate:(
concludedherverdict
)Andthe
evidencepresentedbeforemei sn'
tenoughto
provebey ondreasonabl
edoubtt hathe
commi ttedthi
scr i
me..
.(hitt
hemal l
et)Case
di
smi ssed.

Hismot her
'st
earrol
leddownandshewi pedit
ashisaunthuggedher,hiscousinsandf ri
ends
smil
edandqui etl
yhuggedast hemagi st
rate
shuff
ledherpapersandlevel
edt hem ont he
tabl
ethenshel i
ft
edherbiggownandst epped
down...

Minut
eslatert
hewardenunlockedthechai
ns
onhiswrist
sandanklesthenheslowlyr
ubbed
hi
swr i
stsandwalkedoutholdi
nghispaper
s
wit
houtat r
aceofemotions,
hisfr
iendsr
anover
andgavehim agrouphug.
Bakang:
Wel
comeback.
..
Temo:
You'
ref
inal
l
yfr
eeboy
Tuel
o:(
smi
l
ed)Thanks.
..
.
Cousi
n:Boywepr
ayedandf
ast
edf
ory
ou.
..
Tr
evor
:It
'
sdone,
youcanst
arty
ourl
i
feagai
n..
.

Hismotherwalkedov
erfi
xingherdoek,the
guysmov edbackasshehuggedhim crying,
he
sni
ff
edandhuggedhertearful
l
y..
.He
swal
lowedhardandrubbedhiseyestr
yinghard
nott
ocry.

Tuel
o:Wher
eisShawnandRaphael
?
Hi
smother
:(sni
ff
ed)Idon'
tknow,
I'
mj ustgl
ad
t
hisi
sover
..
.Godansweredmyprayer
s...

Tr
evorsadl
yst
aredatTuel
o'
sthi
nar
msashe
huggedhi
smot
her
..
.

Tr
evor
:Lai
tameobopamewai
tse
Bakang:
Atl
easthei
sout
..
.Hecanst
artov
er
Temo:Marathesepeopl
ebasutil
eTuelo,i
sn'
t
ther
esomethinghecando?Sueforlostwages
orsomethi
ng?I'
m sur
ehelosthi
sjob.Inever
knewthepoli
cecandest
royyourl
ifeli
kethi
s.
Bakang:Maybehecansuebutl
awyer
sare
expensi
ve,
I'
m al
readypay
ingt
hisl
awyer
.
Trevor:Ithinkweshoul
dcont
ribut
esomethi
ng
andt akeachance,somepeopleactual
l
ywin
againstthedepart
mentsandthecourtcanr
ule
i
ny ourfav our.
Bakang:
Contri
but
ingi
sagoodi dea.
..
(l
ooki
ngat
hi
m ashefakedasmiletal
ki
ngtohismother)
Andhelooksli
keheneedscounsell
i
ng
Temo:
Myt
hought
sexact
ly,
gapeekar
eoa
l
wal
ayaanong
Bakang:Kestr ess,
heobv i
ouslyi
sn'
teati
ng,
i
magi nemour ningthedeathofyourl
ovedone
andalsobeingaccusedofki l
li
ngher,Tuel
o
kananear ataMaduomogomaswebuthe
didn'
tevenattendherburial
..
.Ican'
ti
maginehi
s
pain.
Temo:
Pol
i
ceempal
etsegompi
eno.
..
.

Bakang'sphoner
angt
henhewal
kedawayf
rom
hi
sfriends.
..

Bakang:
Hel
l
o?
Wendy:IneedyoutosignKathl
een'
spaper
sso
t
hatIcanleavethecount
ry,
whyar eyou
i
gnori
ngmycal l
s?
Bakang:
I'
m notsi
gni
nganyt
hing,
ifyouwant
met osi
gnsomethi
ngwalkoutwit
hnothi
ng.
You'
renotget
ti
ngany
thi
ngf
rom me.
Wendy:I'
m goi
ngtocourt,i
knowtheycanhel
p
me,I
'm goingt
oleavethecount
rywit
hor
wi
thoutyourpermi
ssion.
Bakang:
Goodl
uck.
Wendy
:Whyar
eyoudoi
ngt
his?
Bakang: Wehav en'tbeent ogetherforl ong,why
doy ouwanthal fofmyt hings?Doy out hinkI'
m
stupid?Iknowy ouwon' tcrossthebor derwi t
h
"mydaught er"wi thoutmyper missionandi twill
takef or
everfort hecour ttodeal withy ourDNA
nonsenset opr ov eI'm notherfathersot hatI
canbet akenof ft hecer ti
fi
catesoy oumi ghtas
wellforgetaboutSy dneyf oratleastay earor
two,i al
soknowourcour tsareswampedwi th
casesandt heywi llkeeppost poningy ourst upid
caseunt i
lyougr owgr ayhai r
.Don'tcal lme
againunlessy ouwantt otalkaboutl eavingmy
companyandhousesal one.
Wendy :Mmekanaifi
can'tl
eav
ethecount
ry,
herfatherwi
l
lcomehere.Wewil
lseewhothe
i
diotis.
Bakang:
Idi
ot?
Wendy :Yeahidiot,Hewi l
lcomeher eandwe
willpar
adet hest r
eetsofMaunt oshow
everyonehowst upidyou'
re.Iknowy ouhav en'
t
toldanyoneaboutt hisbecauseoaswababutI '
l
l
embar r
assify outhisyoucancont rolmelike
thoseidiot
sboDudu.Don' tsignthepapers, go
siame...
.I'
l
ltel
l herDadt ocomeher e.

Shehungupthenhesi
ghedf
rustrat
edl
y
cl
enchi
nghi
sjawsasTemowal kedover
..
..

Temo:
Arey
ouokay
?
Bakang:
(fakedasmi
l
e)Yeahy
eah,
I'
m good.
..
Temo:
Arey
ousur
e?
Bakang:
Yeah,
why
?
Temo: Youhav
ebeenact
ingwei
rdlatel
y,i
thoughtsomet
hingi
sbot
heri
ngyou..
.
Tr
evor
:(j
oinedthem)BKkanteWendyotaMaun
l
eng?Kanai hav
en'
tseenyourdaught
er
Temo: Ihav
en'tseenheraswel
l,
Wendyogo
bol
aisabodutu,you'
reevenl
osi
ngmeatmonna
Bakang:
(laughed)Yeahneh
Tr
evor:Whatdi
dyousayshei
sdoi
ngi
n
Gabor
one?
Bakang:Shewor
ksf
orBankofBot
swana,
isee
them whenev
eri
gotoGabor
one.
Temo: (
showedthem hi
spict
ure)Nnal
ait
akake
thudi
l
eMi ssBot
swana..
.Bonahela
Trev
or:
(laughed)yourdaught
eri
sbeauti
ful
,l
e
nwaenggot sholababashaposo?BKtakeke
bonewagago. .
..
Bakang:
Iacci
dent
all
yfor
mat
tedmymemor
y
cardandlostall
mypict
ures,
I'
ll
showy
ou
tomorrowafterr
ecov
eri
ngthem
Trevor:HaveyouseenPri
ncess?Igav
eherand
hergrandmotheraridet
othemalldaysago,
thatli
tt
legi
rlhasyourey
esandnoselait
aka,
ke
wenahel agohetsa.
Temo:Ial
sosawheracoupleofweeksago,
ener
raot shwanal
ewenamestaa,
therei
sno
DNAtesti
ngneededther
e.
Bakang:
(thought
ful
l
y)Yeahneh.
..

AtMaunpr
ison.
..
..

Lateroniwait
edbythechai r
sasTumelo
walkedoveri
nhisorangejumpsuit
accompaniedbyawar den..
.Hesmi
ledbit
inghi
s
l
owerl i
pandsatdownl ooki
ngatme...
Tumel
o:Hey
..
.
Me:
Hi,
Tumel
o:Howar
eyou?Howar
etheki
ds?
Me:
I'
m good,
theyar
egood.
..
Tumelo:
Youl
ookr
eal
l
ygood,
don'
tcheaton
me..
.
Me:
(laughedbl
ushi
ng)Okay
..
.
Tumelo:(
anawkwar
dmomentpassedashe
smil
edlooki
ngatme)Ar
eyoushy
?
Me:
(smi
l
ed)No
Tumel
o:Buwal
ennaee, (
looki
ngatmyhai
r)
whydi
dyoucutyourhai
r?
Me: Ican'taff
ordi t,
mor i
riwaatura..
.(hequietl
y
staredatmemaki ngmeshy )Um..…Istart
ed
l
ooki ngforajobl astweek, I
'
m notchoosi ngas
l
ongasi t'sajobI '
lltakei
t.Thekidsar egrowing
reall
yfastandt heyeatal ottoo.Mybr other
mi ghtgot oschool inChinaandhewon' tbe
abletohelpme, hehasbeenmyonl y
supporti
ngsy stem soi reall
yneedaj ob.My
needsarestar t
ingt oaf fectmyf r i
endships,
you
knowpeopl ealway sreachapoi ntwher ethey
areti
redofhel ping.I'm ev enthi
nki ngabout
fi
li
ngforchildmai nt enancesot hatBakangcan
helpmebutI 'm alsoscar edfort heirl
i
ves
becauseheoncet hreatenedt hem whenhe
thoughtitol
dpeopl ehei sthefat her
Tumel o:(l
eanedback)Don'tforcehimto
suppor tt
hem asabate,haolemonnahel ao
i
ponaopal amamosadi osadi r
isecondom waa
i
tsegor eodiril
engwanaandy oumustt ake
responsibi
li
ty.I
fhedoesn'twantt odon'
tforce
him.Ifitwasupt omeal l
mot herswouldstop
foll
owingandbeggingment osupporttheir
chil
drenbecauseit'
snotliketheydidn'
tknow
theywer emakingbabies.
Me:(
sighed)Gothat
a,t
hef
ormul
atheygetf
or
f
reef
inisheswi
thi
n2weeks
Tumel
o:I
'
llhel
pyout
akecar
eoft
hem.
..
Me:
How?You'
rei
npr
ison.
..
Tumel
o:Fat
her
'sal
way
sfi
ndawayskawar
a..
.
Me: (
laughed)Youjustr
emi
ndedmeofmylat
e
fr
iendMaduo, sheusedtot
ell
meI'
l
lfi
ndaway
every
timei wonder
edhowIwouldt
akecar
eof
mychi l
dren.
Tumel
o:Youj
ustr
emi
ndedme,
howdi
dTuel
o
go?
Me:Ispoketooneofhisf
ri
endsandhesai
dthe
casewasdismissed.
Tumelo:(smil
ed)That '
smyboy .
..(
laughed)He
mustber el
ieved,otshabaprisonmogomaswe,
hewasdepr essedtheent i
retimeand
mathakanyanabanebamot senyadingaloner
e
recr
osaner ur
i hel
annal ebone.
Me:
Wenaot
swal
eng?
Tumel
o:(
sighed)i
n4y
ear
s,t
heycoul
dn'
tpr
ove
ibrokeoutofpri
sonsomysent encesti
l
l st
ands
at4y ear
sthoughimightgetoutearl
i
erifi
behave.
Me:
Ther
rabehav
erwenaot
swe
Tumel
o:(
smi
l
edl
ooki
ngatme)I
'
llbehav
e..
Me:Tel
lmeabouty
our
sel
f,y
ounev
ert
alkabout
your
sel
f.
Tumel o: (
sighed)Iwor kedforFNBandmov ed
toBar cl
ay sbankt henf i
nal
lyStandar dchar ted
wher eIwascheat edf r
om myr ightful
promot ionsimpl ybecauseIwasbl acki guess
therewasal otoff avouri
ti
sm downt here.I
couldn'tstopcompl ai
ningsosomeonef ramed
meandIgotf ir
ed.Myf i
ancéwaspr egnantat
thetimeandt hiswasaf ewmont hsaf teri had
toldhert oquitherj obbecausei knewi coul d
affordtosuppor tbot hherandt hebaby , things
gothar derbecausewebot hwer en'twor ki ng..
..
Findingaj obprov edtobehar dert hanIt hought
,thebabywasdel iveredandi sti
llhadnothi
ng,
myf ianceestarved,kepal elwakegor eka
mabel elesukuriandpeopl emadef unofher,i
tri
edt omybestbuti twasnev erenough.
(swallowed)shef eltr eall
yst upi
df orquit
ti
ng
herjobandev er
yonemockedherf ordoing
whati toldhertodo, shebeggedherbosst o
hireheragainbutt heyr ef
used. .
..i
guessshe
couldn'thandletheembar rassmentand
pressuref r
om peopl e...Thataf ter
noonheraunt
foundherhangi ngont herafters,ourdaughter
hadbeencr yi
ngallday ..
.
Me:
I'
m sor
ry.
..
Tumel o: (
swal lowed)Itwasthehar destthi
ngi
everhadt odeal withbutIsti
llhadt of
eedmy
daught er,shewasj ustababyandmy
gi
rlf
ri
end' sf ami l
yisn'
texactl
yloving,t
hey
handedmet hebabyandi tookhert omy
mother 'shouse.Imadeaper sonaldecisi
onto
doev erythinginmypowert omakesur emy
daught
erl
iv
esagoodli
fe,
shewon'
tev
ert
ast
e
pover
tyasl
ongasil
i
ve.
Me:
(smi
l
ed)Isee.
..
Tumelo:(puthi
shandonthet abl
e)Takemy
handandourkidswon'tst
arve,youwon'tneed
anyt
hing.(st
ari
ngatme)I'
ll
lov eyouandprotect
you.
..
takemyhand...
.

Iputmyhandonhisandhesqueezedi
tthenhe
l
eanedoverandki
ssedme..
..

War
den:
Stuxeh-
eht
hemonna.
..
not
ouchi
ng.
..

Hecontinuedki
ssi
ngmeandfi
nal
lyl
eaned
backl
ickinghi
sli
psst
ari
ngatmehol
dingmy
hand.
..
.
AtTuel
o'
shouse.
..

Latert
hataf
ternoonTueloslowlyopenedthe
doorandwalkedinthehouse,itwasquietanda
bi
tcoldashetookof fhi
sjacketandsatont he
couch.
..

Maduo:
Hi.
.

Heturnedar
oundandfacedtheki
tchendoor,
shewasinherpi
nkli
ngeriel
eani
ngagainstt
he
doorfr
amethenheslowlyst
oodupandwal ked
over
..

Maduo:
(smi
l
ed)Whyar
eyousosad?
Tuel
o:(swal
l
owedt ear
ful
ly
)Youscar
edthehel
l
outofme,whathappened?Comehere.
..
.
Het
ri
edt
ohugherbutshemov
edback.
..

Maduo:
Wai
t.
..Ther
eissomeoneatt
hedoor
..
.

Het ur
nedar oundandl i
stened,
someone
knockedt henhewal kedoverandopenedthe
door.Trevor,Bakang,Temoandhi s2cousi
ns
fl
oodedi nthenhel ookedback,Maduowasstil
l
standi
ngatt hekitchendoorinherli
nger
ie.
..

Tuel
o:(
toher
)Gogetdr
essed.
..

Theyal
lstoppedt
alki
ngandst
aredat
hi
m...
..
..
..
..
.(9t
)

Al
way
sremembert
opr
essLi
ke,
muchl
ove
Co-
wif
e
#54

AtTuel
o'
shouse.
..

Bakang:
Obual
emang?
Tuelo:KeraaMaduo. ..
.(lookingatthekit
chen
door)Got othebedroom, I
'
llbethereina
minute..
..
.Hee?( hel
istened)Okay ,
takeit
..
.
(l
ookedathisf r
iendslaughedf aci
ngt heki
tchen
door)themmabusagowngose
kaenyana..
.(
smiled)Bet t
er.
..Keataaut wa

Theirhairstoodastheyall
sil
entl
ystaredathim,
Trevorlookedaroundhisheartpoundi
ngas
Tuelosmi l
edandsatont hecouch,theylooked
aroundwi t
houtawor d,t
hehousewassuddenl y
cr
eepy .
..
Temo:
Tux?Obual
emang?
Tr
evor
:(st
oodup)Nnabor
rakeat
samaa
Bakang:
No,
wai
t.
..(
tohi
m)Tuxobuwal
emang?
Tuel
o:LeMaduo,
Gal
emmone?
Temo:
No,
wher
eisshe?
Tuel
o:(
laughed)Yal
lthi
nkI
'
m cr
azy
?
Bakang:
No,
ofcour
senot
,wher
eisMaduo?
Tuel
o:(
stoodup)Letmegocal
lher
..
.

Hewal
kedtothebedr
oom,
Trevorunbut
toned
hi
sshi
rtandt
ookadeepbr
eath.
..
.

Trevor
:Thisi
sthecr
eepi
estshi
tIhav
eev
er
seen,iwantt
ogo
Bakang:
(angr
il
y)Kant
ekeengol
elegat
apa
j
aana?Howcany ouwalkawayf
rom asi
tuat
ion
l
i
kethis?Can'
tyouseeheisl
osi
ngit
?
Trevor:Whati
fheisn'
tlosi
ngit
?Whatifher
spir
iti
saroundhere?Ialr
eadyfeel
acoldchi
ll
sway i
ngaroundherel
ikewind
Temo:(
laughed)Thi
sguyt
hough,
koor
ewenao
mokae?
Cousin:(swallowed)Nnal ennatotagake
comf or
table,i
tfeelscreepy.Youcan'tser
iousl
y
expectust obecal m aroundsomeonewhoi s
tal
kingandl aughingwithadeadper son.
Bakang:Nooneisl
eavi
ngokay
,wear
esi
tt
ing
hereunt
ilhecomesbackwi
thher
?
Tr
evor
:(st
ood)I
'
m notwai
ti
ngf
oraghost
Bakang:
(st
ari
ngathi
m)You'
rest
ayi
ng.
..
Cousi
n:Nnaguy
skat
samaa

Tr
evorwal
kedt
owar
dst
hedoort
henBakang
passedhi
m andlockedthedoorput
ti
ngthe
keysinhi
spocket,
theybothstar
edateach
other
'sey
es.
..

Bakang:(
pushedhi
m onthechest
)Nna
haatshemr,
gaoyegope.
..
Temo:
Guy
scome-

Tuelolaughedinthepassageandtheyal
lkept
quietanxi
ouslyl
ookingatthepassage
expecti
ng..
.Well.
..Notr
eall
ysurewhatto
expect.

Hegotintheli
vi
ngroom smil
ingwithhisar
m
ar
oundani nv
isi
bleper
son,t
heirheart
spounded
astheyst
aredathim..
.

Tuel
o:(
smi
l
edatt
hem)Doy
oubel
i
evemenow?
Tr
evor
:(qui
ckl
yputhi
shandinBakang'
spocket
)
Al
ri
ght
,I'
m get
ti
ngoutofher
e..
.
Bakang:(pushedhim)Don'
ttouchme,when
youkissedNaledineosasi
ey aanongoy
akae?
Cousin:
(wentt
othedoor
)Guy
spl
easeopen
thedoor.
..

Tuelostaredatthem confusedlyandwalked
overti
ppingoffagl assofthetable,i
tshut
ter
ed
onthefloorandt heothercousinmeltedonthe
couchlayinghisheadonTemo' slap,Hepushed
hi
m offandst oodup.

Trevorputhi
shandi nBakang'
spocketandhe
pushedhim off
,theyhustl
edoneanotherand
fel
lontheglasstable.
..

Cousi
n:(
goi
ngt
oki
tchen)Gagonal
ebat
ila
backdoor
?Nnakat
samaa
Tuel
o:(
looki
ngathi
m)Maduoot
agobul
elao
gonemoo

Thecousi
nqui
ckl
ytur
nedar
oundandst
ood
behi
ndTemoashepull
edBakangof
fTr
evor
..
.

Temo: (
screamed)BKst op!Opent
hedoor,
they'
ref
reakingout,cousi
nyagaTueloo
coll
apsi
tseont hecouch..
.Bul
abatswe
Bakang:
Gagonay
oot
swang
Cousin:
Aet
hebannat
shamekangsent
e,bul
a
mestaa
Temo:Opent hedoor,youandi wi
ll
remainwith
Tuel
oreutwagor eareng, Trev
orisfreaki
ngout
makingmattersworse,letthem out
...Nnel
akey
l
ait
eaka.
..(
openedhi shand)Ti sa
Bakanghandedhimthekeysstari
ngatTrev
or
asheslowlygotupfr
om thefl
oor,Temo
openedthedoorfort
hem andTrevorqui
ckl
y
walkedout.
..

Bakang:(t
ot hecousi
n)Tsaant
sal
aowena,
o
bataatsosiwakemang?

Tuelo'
scousintur
nedbackandshookt
heot
her
cousin'
sshoulder
,heev
entual
l
ygotupandt
hey
walkedout.
..

Bakang:Tel
lhi
smotherwhat'
shappeni
ng.
..
(wal
kedbackandsatonthecouch)Mxm
babangwekebannahelakagorebanal
e
motsoko..
.
Temo:(l
aughedlooki
ngatTrev
ordriv
ingout
thenhecl
osedthedoor)Mtr
evist
o!Lait
ee
banna.
..Hahaha
Tuel
o:(
conf
used)What
'sgoi
ngon?
Bakang:(
rubbedhisf
aceandl
ookedupathi
m)
You'
retheonlyonewhoseesMaduo
Tuel
o:(
poi
nted)Butshei
sst
andi
ngr
ightt
her
e!
Temo:
Shei
snot
Tuel
o:(
angr
il
y)Shei
sri
ghtt
her
e
Bakang:(
stoodupfi
xinghi
sjeans)Alr
ightTuel
o
enoughofthi
snonsense,Maduoisdead,
remember?Yousawt hehousegoingupin
fl
ames,sheisdead.
..
Tuelo:
Shesurvi
ved,
shegotoutthr
oughthe
window.Sheafr
aidt
ofaceever
yonebecauseof
whatmybr ot
hersdi
dtoher
..
.
Bakang: Sheisdead,y
ourmindi
splay
ingt
ri
cks
ony ou.Shewasf ri
edupwhenthepar
amedics
tookherout ,
ther
ewasn'tabodyvi
ewi
ngather
funeral
.
Tuelo:
(pushedhim onthechest
)Whyar ey
ou
makingmeal iar
?AkereMaduokey o,
whycan'
t
youtal
ktoher.?(t
urnedtotheki
tchendoor
)Tel
l
them
Bakang:(
tookouthisphoneandst
eppedout
)
Thi
sisfuckedup,keepaneyeonhim.
Temo:
Sur
e

Bakangcl
osedt
hedoorbehi
ndhi
m asTemo
satdown.
..

Temo:
Nnahaat
sheee.
..

Tuel
osatdownandsmi
l
edt
othei
nvi
sibl
e
Maduo.
..

Temo:
Whathav
eyouhadseenmor
ning?I
'
m
hungr
y,ar
en'
tyouhungr
y?
Tuel
o:Yeah,
I'
m hungr
y..
.(t
urnedtoher)Woul
d
youl
ikesomethi
ngtoeat?.
.(st
ood)Alr
ight
Temo:
Doesshewantt
oeat
?
Tuel
o:Noshei
sgood.
.
Temo:
(wal
kedt
otheki
tchen)Reet
aDuos

Theygoti
nthekit
chen,
Tuelogott
hepanand
begunwashi
ngiti
nthesink.
..

Tuel
o:(
smil
edtoher)Hey
,youdi
dn'thav
eto
come,wewil
lbedoneinaminut
e..
.

Temoqui etl
yobserv
edhi m ashehappily
chattedwit
hher,heclenchedhisteet
hand
searchedthefri
dgeforabot t
leofbeerbut
ther
ewasn' tany,
heopenedt hepantryand
cameacrossthebottl
eofredwine.Hef
il
ledthe
glassandt
ookbi gsi
pstoeaseupashisfri
end
conti
nuedchatt
ingbyhimsel
f.
..

Bakangwalkedbackinandrubbernecked
grabbi
ngtheglassfr
om hi
sfri
endandt ooka
hugesipaswell.
..
.

Temo:
And?
Bakang:Ical
ledhismother
,theyarecomingbut
sheaskedust ostayi
ncaset heyneedhel
p
taki
nghimt othehospi
tal
.
Temo:
Alr
ight
..
.
Bakang:
(Tuel
olaughedl
oudl
y)Thi
siscr
azy
..
.
Temo:
(star
ingatTuel
o)AndI
t'
ssl
owl
yfr
eaki
ng
meout,
heistrul
yseei
ngher
Bakang:
Heislosi
ngt
ouchwi
threal
i
ty,i
just
hopehedoesn'
tgomad.(
swal
lowedsadly
)
Maduoshoul dhavenev erdi
ed,butt
heni
understandhersi
tuat
ion.Noonewasgoi ngto
beli
eveherbecauseshedi dn'
trepor
t.Sheloved
Tuelo,kanathi
scheekchangedcompl etely
.She
probablyhadherl
ifeplannedwithhi
m
Temo:Shemusthavebeencrushedwhenshe
foundoutaboutt
hebr
other
s
Bakang:Ifwomencanki l
lthemsel vesforthi
ngs
l
ikethi
st henI'
m aluckybast ard,thethi
ngsi did
toDuduandNal edi
arewor se.Ipr omisedthem
heavenandl ef
tthem forabit ch,nxl
a!She
mademeabandonmyownchi ldr
entot ake
careofherdirt
,nowshewant shalfofmyhar d
earnedmoney .Whatthehel lam i goi
ngt ooffer
mychi l
dren?
Temo:(
swal
l
owedthewinestar
ingathi
m)
Whatt
hehel
lar
eyoutal
kingabout?
Bakang:(
sighed)Wendyonti
ri
leseso,ibetmy
fat
herisgoingtobehappywhenhef i
ndsout
aboutt
his.
Temo: Areyougoingtot
ell
meory ouj
ust
prefert
ov entwi
thoutar
esponsef
rom t
he
l
istener
?

Hesi
ghedandt
oldhi
mthewhol
est
ory
..
..

Atmymot
her
'shouse.
..
.

Igrabbedabucketofl
aundryandhungt
he
chil
dren'
scl
othesontheli
ne,myphoner
angon
thebackpocketthenipi
cked.
..

Me:
Hel
l
o?
Voi
ce:Hi,i
sthi
sNaledi
?You'r
espeaki
ngtoKen
MrSibandaaskedmetogiveyousomethi
ng.
Me:
(fr
owned)What
?
Ken:Ar
ey ouhome?I'
mlookingatyourhouse
onthecomputerusi
ngGooglemaps, I
sitt
he
onewithatwobedroom housepai
ntedwith
peachandabigdiamondmashf ence?
Me:
Modemo.
..Eer
rakey
one
Ken:Al
ri
ght,I'
l
lbef
oll
owingthedi
rect
ionsunt
ilI
gett
here.Ihopemycomputerdoesn'
tgooffi
t
hasabout19%batt
ery.Bye
Me:
Bye

Ihungandfi
nishedhangi
ngtheclothes,
i was
curi
ousaboutthegi
ftandknowinghishistor
yi
knewitwasn'
tgoodbutisti
llwantedtosee
whatitwas.

MinuteslateraJeepparkedatt
hegat eandi
hurr
iedov er,
thewindowswereall
tintedblack
andi coul
dn'tseethedri
ver
,myhear tpounded
abitasi openedthedoorandgotin,itwascol
d
i
nsideandt hedriv
erwasanunfami l
i
ar
overweightfi
gurewithdar
kshades,therewere
aboutthreecomput er
sonthebackseatand
someki ndofscannersorsomethi
ng, he
reachedinthebackandgotanATM car df
rom
theblackbag...

Him:(handedi
ttome)Thepi
nnumberi
s1819
butyoucanchangei
ttoanumbery
ouwon'
t
for
get.
Me:
Thanky
ou.
.
Him: Don'
tmakethemist
akeofl
ett
ingi
tbei
ng
takenbythemachine,
ift
hepi
nfai
lsonce
cancelthepr
ocessandgo.
Me:(readi
ngt
heout
side)Whoi
sMoni
que
Jenson?
Hi
m: Si
banda'
sbankaccount
swereall
frozen
whentheygotar
rest
ed,t
hat'
shi
sali
as.
Me:
(si
ghed)Wow.
..
Hi
m:Keepi
tsaf
e.
Me:
Howmuchi
sinher
e?
Hi
m:Don'
texceedt
hel
i
mitof300perday
.
Me:
What
'st
hel
i
mit
?Iwoul
dn'
twantt
o-
Hi
m:Thel
i
miti
sP300perday
Me:Andifi
take300ev
ery
day
?Whatwi
l
l
happen?
Him:Not hingwil
lhappenbutmakesur ey ou
don'
tloset hi
scard,i
fthereareanyproblemsat
themachi necanceltheprocessandleavewith
thecard.Youdon'tswipewi t
hit,
itj
usttakes
moneyoutoft hemachine,FNBmachi nesonly
.
Me:
Okay
.Iunder
stand.
Hi
m:By
e

Ist
eppedoutandcl
osedt
hedoort
henhedr
ove
off.Ithoughtf
ull
ywatchedast heJeep
disappeared.OhTumel o.
..Ij
ustwantedhim out
,
iknewhewasbadbutev eryt
hinghedidmade
mef al
ldeeperanddeeper..
.Ismiledand
wal kedbackintheyardholdi
ngt hecard.
..
.

AtDudu'
smot
her
's.
..
.

TheSafar
icardrov
et hroughthegateand
par
kedunderthetree,Dudusteppeddownand
unl
oadedherbigbagschat t
ingtothedri
ver
..
..

Dr
iver
:Iwi
shi
wasy
ou.
..
Dudu:
(laughed)Hei
sh.
..
Dr
iver
:Goshapoaker
e?
Dudu:
Shapo,
hee.
..
Dr
iver
:Don'
tfor
gett
ogochanget
het
ipst
oday
,
I'
m notsurei
ftheyopenonweekends.Whi
ch
curr
enciesdoyouhave?
Dudu:Ihav
eAmer
icandol
l
arsandaf
ewUK
pounds
Dri
ver:(l
aughed)Engl
ishpeopl
eandthe
Amer i
cansgiveti
psli
keitsamust,
ilov
e
ser
vingthosepeople.
Dudu:(
laughed)Heyy oudon'tknowany t
hing,
whenI'
m servingAmer i
cansandt heEngl
ish
peopl
ey ooo!Ketolaabeketolakei t
segore
gi
vingat i
pisinthei
rblood.
Dr
iver
:(l
aughed)By
e..
..

Hedr ov
eof fasDudu'
smot herst
eppedoutof
thehousehol dingPri
ncess'
shand,Duduran
towar dsthehouseandlift
edherdaughter
kissingherandhuggingheremot i
onal
lybut
Princessuncomf or
tabl
ystaredather.
..
Dudu:
UhMamangwanakeont
ebet
se?
Her
:shewi
ll
rememberyouaft
erafewhours.
..
(
unzi
ppedt
hebags)What'
sinher
-(
gasped)
Mmmmm. .
.

Sherakedthrought
heti
nstufflooki
ngatbeef,
fi
sh,beansandpeachsli
cesthenshezipped
theheavycanvasbaganddraggedittothe
house..
..

Her
: Bekeny
anaeenalebotshel
ony
anamhh.
..
Mothookaei kany
aokatshela
Dudu:(l
aughed)Soy
ou'
ret
aki
ngt
heonewi
th
foodonly
?
Her
:Eeaukei
ti
elai
i
?
Dudu:
(laughed)Hehehet
ser
ere.
..
Theyall walkedi
nt hehouse, hermot her
i
mmedi atel
ygrabbedat inopeneranddeal t
withthepeachsl i
cesst r
aightfrom thecan,she
putitasideandgott hebeansandt hef i
shthen
sheopenedt hej
uiceanddr unkt hewhol ebox
thenshesi ghedleaningbackont hecouch..
.

Her:
Osebol
oki
l
engwanaka,
mowanowi
i
le
nxwi
..
.
Dudu:
(laughedf
eedi
ngherdaught
er)Let
aa
swaket al
a
Her
:Yourl
ookv
eryni
ce.
..
Dudu:(st
oodupandt ur
nedar
ound)Weusedto
exerci
se,
igotri
dofthehangi
ngtummyI'
mjust
fl
at.
.(smil
ed)Whit
eoldmenweredrool
i
ngover
thi
s
Her
:(l
aughed)Tsenawena
Dudu:
(laughed)UhMamaokat
shegaj
aana
Her:
Justtel
lmewhathappeneddownt
her
e,do
Ihaveasoninl
aw?
Dudu: (l
aughed)No, i
t'
sjustoldwhi t
eguy s
there,idi
dn'
tli
ket heyoungbl ackment here..
.I
guessmyki ndofguywi l
lrevealhi
msel f
soon.(toPri
ncess)Babyf i
nisheatingwehav e
toshopping,I'
mt aki
ngy oufrom headt otoe,
wenaMamay ou'
llgobyy ourself
,todayit
'sjust
Princess'
sday.
Her:
Pleasedon'
tfi
nishthemoneybef
orey
ou
buyyourbusi
nessequipment
Dudu:(l
aughed)Ladyi am amoneymaker ,my
pocketi
sheavy.I'
l
l onlybespendingtheti
psi
gotnotmysalary,salaryeemesent ehaal
e..
.Ja
hel
aowet sedibet
e, hodisamatsadiago
babysi
tt
er,di
dNaledi helpyouguys?
Her:Yes,
sheusedtogi
veusP100'
sbutshe
sai
dshewashav i
ngmoneyprobl
emstoo.Oh
shegav ebir
ththedayyoulef
t,i
mmediatel
y.
..
Apparentl
yBakang'swifet
ookthecarandshe
gotinlabour.Hermotheri
stheonewho
broughtPri
ncesshome
Dudu:HeeNalediobonyepono,
Wendyt
hinks
sheisthepr
esidenteh?
Her
:Shehadt
ri
plet
s,2boy
s1gi
rl
Dudu:
(jumpedsmi
l
ingl
i
keamonkey
)Ao!
Her
:(l
aughed)Kamodi
mo,
othusi
wabanake
gov
ernment
Dudu:That'
ssadbutwow..
..(
smil
ed)Tri
plet
s?
That
'sablessi
ng.
..Wow,I
'
m goingtoseethem
Her:
(laughed)Thegi
rll
ooksjustl
ikePr
incess
whenshewasherage, they
'r
eidenti
cal
Dudu:(
laughed)Moloiyobar
engStarokopi
l
e
ngwanake,mxm...Letmebat
hCicyandgosee
thet
ri
plets.
.
AtMaunPr
ison.
..

Tumelowaslayi
ngonhisbunkwi
thhi
sarm on
hi
sforehead,
anewy oungwar
denwal
kedin
andshookhisshoul
der.
..

War
den:
Tumel
o?Tumel
o?
Tumel
o:(
hal
fasl
eep)Mh-
mh
War
den:
(shookhi
m)Tumel
o?
Tumel
o:(
hal
fasl
eep)Waany
ela.
..

Hetur
nedaroundandfacedthewal
lsl
eepi
ng,
t
heconfusedyoungmanstoodther
eforafew
minut
estryi
ngtofi
gur
eoutwhattosaynext.
..

War
den:
Tumel
o?Thechi
efwant
stoseey
ou.
..
Hedi
dn'
trespondt
henhewal
kedoutt
othe
ot
her
s..
..

War
den:
Uhmot
howal
onaoganagot
soga
Ser
geant
:Ago.
..

Hewalkedinandhi
tthedoorl
oudl
y,Tumel
o
t
urnedaroundandgl
aredathi
m..
..

Sergeant:
TheAssi
stantsuper
int
endentwant
s
toseey ou
Tumelo:(
pinnedhi
sel
bowont
hebedl
ayi
ngon
hi
sside)Why ?
Ser
geant
:Idon'
tknow,
let
'sgo.Idon'
thav
eal
l
day
.
Tumel
o: I
'
m sl
eepi
ng.
..(
lai
ddown)Nextt
imeif
youhi
tthosebar
smakingsuchnoi
seyou'
ll
r
egr
eti
t.
..
Ser
geant
:Si
banda?Iwasn'
taski
ngy
ou,
doy
ou
wantust
odragyououtofhere?
Tumel
o:Kar
eker
obet
se,
obat
agor
eker
eng?
Sergeant :
Thisi
swhyot hersareoutbuty ou'
re
sti
llhere(Tumelothoughtabouti twithhiseyes
cl
osed)Bodi pagabobuset sesepel ait
aka,nna
shiftyamegaehel aI'
m goingbackt omywi f
e
andchi ldr
enbutyou'
llstil
lbehere.Idon'tknow
i
fy ouhav eki
dsbutify ouhav eagirl
fri
end
anot hermanwillr
eplacey ouverysoony agore
otswabababot haleabobemohedi tse.Bodi
pa
gaboduel e
Tumelo:(
gotupandgr
abbedhi
sor
anget
-shi
rt
)
Areekoo.
..

Hefoll
owedt hewardensputt
ingonhist-shi
rt
.
Afewmi nuteslat
erhewalkedintheoff
iceand
satdown,thechiefst
aredathim andsi
ppedhis
coffeethenheslowlyputthecupdownand
stoodup, heputhishandsinthepocket
sand
stoodbyt hewindowlookingoutsi
dethr
ough
thefolds.
...

AS:Wejustrecei
vedaf
axofourear
lyr
elease
l
istandyou'
reini
t
Tumel
o:(
frownedsur
pri
sed)Real
l
y?
AS:
Itst
il
lbeat
sme
Tumel
o:HowmanyTumel
oSi
bandasdoy
ou
hav
earoundher
e?
AS:
Ver
yfunny
..
.
Tumel
o:(
smi
l
ed)Sowhendoy
oui
getout
?
AS:
In3mont
hs
Tumelo:(
laughed)Ohshi
t,
thatsoon?ar
eyou
ser
ious?
AS:
Ibel
i
evet
hisl
i
stwasdonebef
orey
ou
escapedand-
Tumelo:Ididn'
tescape,
Kantekeengler
ei
escaped?Whywoul dIescapeandcomeback?
Superi
ntendentdoyoureal
lybel
iev
ethat
?
AS:(
sighed)They
'r
ereleasi
ngyouonparol
e,i
hopeyouknowwhatt hatmeans.Youcango
Tumel
o:(
stood)Thanky
ou.
..

Hewal
kedoutoft
heof
fi
cesmi
l
ing.
..
.

Atmymot
her
'shouse.
..
.

Iprepar
ingmysel
fandwal
kedinthel
i
vingr
oom
wheremymot herwashol
dingAmepati
ent
ly
feedi
nghim..
.

Me:
I'
m goi
ng
Mama:Wher
edi
dyousayy
ougott
hemoney
agai
n?
Me:
Ibor
rowed,
I'
m goi
ngt
obuyt
oil
etr
ies.
Mama: St
opborrowi
ngmoneyfrom peopl
e,
you'
remakingt
hingshar
dforAbal
eng.
Me: (sighed)Thegoodnewsi siwon'tbeasking
formor emoneyf r
om Abi,
I'
m ev enapplying
throught hepostoffi
ce.MondayI '
m goingto
pri
ntmor eappli
cati
onlet
ters.I'
m alsoplanni
ng
tosav ef orali
tt
lebusi
nessi haveinmind.I'm
sti
llbrainstor
mingaboutit
Mama:
Ohgood
Me:
Bye,
iwon'
tbel
ong.
..

Iwal
kedout
..
.

AtShopr
it
e..
..
..
Lateroni st
eppedoutoft hetaxiandpaidt
heni
walkedtowar dstheshop,Bakang'scarpar
ked
ri
ghtinfrontme, DudusteppedoutthenBakang
gotoutandt ookPr i
ncessfr
om the
backseat..
..
…(9t)
Co-
wif
e
#55

AtShopr
it
e..
..
..

Lateroni st
eppedoutofthetaxiandpaidt
heni
walkedtowar dst
heshop,Bakang'scarpar
ked
ri
ghtinfrontme,DudusteppedoutthenBakang
gotoutandt ookPri
ncessfr
om thebackseat.

Dudusmi l
edasi appr
oached,
iwasn'
tsur
ehow
t
or eactsoif
lashedherwit
hamildsmil
eand
shehurr
iedover
,sheembracedmeasBakang
l
ockedthecarandwalkedoverwi
thPr
incess
onhischest
.

Dudu:
Hi
Me:
Hey
Dudu:Iwasonmywayt oyourhousebuti
wantedtobuythekidssomethingspeci
al.
..You
knowtheoldtr
adit
ion-y
oucan'tseeanewbaby
empty-
handed.
Bakang:
(lookedi
nmyey
es)Hey
..
.
Me:
Hi
Dudu:
(gotPr
incess)Thanksf
ort
her
ide
Bakang:
Any
time,
I'
ll
wai
ther
e..
Dudu:
Ohnor ekagodi
aandshei
sher
esoi
t
hinkI
'm good.
Bakang:
(lookedatherandt
henme)Woul
dn'
t
y
ouguy
sneedar
ide?
Dudu:
Um.
..Wel
l
...Youcanwai
tfor
-
Me:
(st
ari
ngathi
m)No,
thanks.I
'
m good.By
e

Iwalkedi
ntheshopandDuduf ol
lowedmeas
Bakangwatcheduswalkingi
nprobably
counti
nghisl
oss.Heleanedagai
nstthecarand
fol
dedhisarmswait
ing..
.

Meanwhil
einsi
detheshop,ipushedthesmal
l
t
roll
eyandthr
ewint her
edbasketasDudu
l
if
tedPri
ncessput
tingheronherwaist.
..
.

Dudu:
Arry
ouokay
?
Me:
Nev
erbeenbet
ter
Dudu:
I'
m notsl
eepi
ngwi
thhi
m
Me:
Dudui
t'
syourbodyandi
t'
shi
sdi
-(
paused
l
ooki
ngatPri
ncess)y ouknowi couldn'
tcar
e
l
esswhatyoudowi t
hhim butaft
erwhathe
madeyougothr oughyoustil
lwalkaroundwit
h
hi
mlikeheneverdidanythi
ngt oyou?Isyour
memoryreal
l
yt hatbad?
Dudu: IknowwhatBKdi dt omeandi hav en't
forgettenbuthei ssti
llthef atherofmychi ld,it
willbest upidtohat ehim.Hi sdaught erwi lllove
him, t
heyal way sgooutt heret osear chf ort hei
r
fathersev enwhenwet ellthem wer aisedt hem
alone.IknowBakangol athilengwanakebut
whenev erhedeci destoshowupi won' tst op
himf rom seeinghi sdaught er,i
fhedeci dest o
bringP600af t
erski pping3mont hswi thout
givingherany thingI'l
ltaket hatmoneyy ou
knowwhy ?Becausei t'
shi sdaught er,I
'm way
passedt hatanger ,
I'
m nol ongerabi tterbaby
mama.I fpeoplear egoi ngt olabel mest upid
fornotusi ngmydaught ertopuni sht hisman
thensobei tbutt hetimei hadi nthebushwas
enoughf ormetothinkaboutmyl i
fe.I
'm nev
er
gonnasleepwithBakangl ehankathamelwa
j
angbecauseher eallyhurtmebuti won'
tlet
thatstophisr
elat
ionshipwithhisdaught
er,i
fhe
i
sgoi ngtoabandonhi sdaughteri
twil
lbe
becauseofhim notbecauseDudust oppedhim
whenhesuddenl yreformed.
Me: Heisobviouslyusi
nghertogett
oy ou,I'
m
nothavingthatnonsensewithmychi
ldren,thi
s
mant ri
edtokillmychildr
en,
helef
tmeont he
roadsidekeleinlabourandranof
fwit
hhi s
needlepoleli
kewi f
e.
Dudu:(
heldmyar m andt urnedmear ound)Boo
andigetthat,Bakanghur ty ouandhewas
morebrut
al toy ourkidsthanhewast omy
daught
ersoi understandwhyy ou'r
eangry,wi
th
mehewast herebef oreWendycameal ongbut
youseeyourboy saregoingt osearchfor
Bakangoneday ,18y ear
sfrom nowt heywil
l
wanttoseet hisbastard.Ihopey ou'
llbe
pr
epar
edt
ofort
hat
,you'
rewayt
ooangr
y..
.
Me: (tearfull
y)Youwoul dn'tunderstand, he
didn'tforcey outoabor t,hehi tmesohar di
bled.Hedi dn'twantmyki ds,hestilldoesn't
wantmyki ds.Heknowst heyar ehisbutdoes
hepopupmoney ?No, heknowsj obsar ehar d
tofindbuthedoesn' tcar e, i
hav ethreechi l
dren
Dudu, three!Iam mybr other sburdenandI '
m
beingt ooneedyf orfr
iends, ifeelwor t
hless
ri
ghtnowbecausehedeci dedt obailoutofhi s
responsibi l
it
iesasaf ather .(r
ubbedmyt ears)
hedest roy edmyl if
e

Shehuggedmet i
ghtl
yaswest oodbehi
ndthe
l
aundrysect
ion,
irubbedmyeyesbehindher
backandshemov edbackwi
pingmyey eswit
h
herot
herhand,il
ookedatPr
incesswhowas
sadl
ylooki
ngatme...
.
Me:(
smiledtear
ful
l
y)I'
mfi
nePr
incess,
ther
eis
somet
hinginmyey e
Dudu: (l
aughedandl ookedather )Aunt i
ei s
fine.
..(l
ookingatme)Icr iedatt hebush, ke
i
pot sadipotso,gor eotherwomenmar ryt heir
babydaddi esbutI 'm herebutt heni thought ,
thiscouldbegood.What ev ermanI '
llhav ei nmy
l
ifewi l
lbetwicet hemanBakangi s,becausehe
wi l
lbeamant hatcanl ov eanot herman' schi ld
anddoi tbet t
erthant hebi ologi
cal f
at her .I'
ll
respectthatmanwi t
hallmyhear t,Asmuchas
Iam wi l
li
ngt osuppor tBakangandPr incess' s
relati
onshi
pIam wi ll
ingtol oveandr espectmy
mansomuchBakangwi l
l seewhathel ost .I'
m
donebei ngbitter
, kehodile...
.Iwast al kingt o
himi nthecar ,
abuwakahaWendyasamo
tsayangsent ekteng
Me:(
frownedput
ti
ngt
hingsi
nthet
rol
l
ey)What
di
dshedo?
Dudu:
Appar
ent
lyshewasal
readypr
egnantand
thebabycamecoloured,sheisdiv
orcinghi
m
andshewantshalfofeveryt
hing.His
busi
nesses,
hishousesandcar .
Me:(l
aughedl
oudl
y)Hahahasent
hee.
..
.Kar
ma
ekubuget
semonnawagagoautwa?
Dudu:(l
aughed)Monnawagagoobonye
maragoaseboko,keraammagaabuwao
phaphal
alaaboaphaphal
alamogat
so,
shems
Me:
(laughed)Jaanongar
eomoor
eng?
Dudu:
Gasegor
eketol
eker
ennokoomonna
wameompoetse?
Me:
(laughed)Boy
s!
Dudu:
Ievenplay
edDrPhi
l
nyanahoot
ell
i
nghi
m
hewil
lgetov
erit
Me:Hewouldn'
ttel
lmesuchnonsense,
Okasekeal
ekel
emogonna, t
abeantholel
a.
Dudu:(l
aughed)Hesayshedoesn'
tknowhow
t
of aceyouandexpl
aintoyouhowbadhefeel
s
aboutthewayhet reatedyou,evenaskedmet o
helphi
m apologiseforthechil
dren'
ssakeandi
tol
dnahboy ,
nott hi
st i
me.Wesatdownf or
yourassevenplanningt obecowivesforyou
andyouactedlikeat eenager
,faceheryoursel
f.
Me:
Andwhatdi
dhesay
?
Dudu:
Waiiarehei
Naledii
scrazy,youknow
howshei
s...Bl
ahblahj
ustst
utter
ingnonsense
Me:Mxm,heshoul
dn'
ttr
yitonme.Heshoul
d
j
ustst
ayawayfr
om meandmychildr
en.
Dudu: I
'mj ustt akinghim ashei s,i
fhegi vesme
aride.
..Cool ,ifhegi v
eshi sdaught ermoney ..
.
Cool,i
fhedoesn' tgiv
eherany t
hing..
.Idon'task,
gakenast ress.I '
m aboutt ostartmybusi ness
assoonasIhav eestabli
shedsomet hingI'l
lbe
l
ookingf ordi ck,agoodhar doneandI 'll
deal
wit
ht hatmant hewhol enight,nextmor ningI'm
openingt hedoorf orhimt oleave.I'
m suret hat
sexwoul dl astmeanot heryearorunt i
l if
indme
agoodhubby
.
Me:(l
aughed)Goodf ory
ou,youshouldhelpme
wit
hbusinessideas.
…ihavealotofideasbuti
getembarrassedsometi
mes,iwonderwhat
peopl
ewillthi
nkseei
ngmesel l
ingfunnythi
ngs.
Dudu: It
'snormaltof eelthatwaywheny ou
start
,heekanai hav eadegr eetheNaledi,I
wentt hroughthatbef oreiwenttoIpel
egengele
gorei tr
iedeveryt
hing, appli
edforever
ythinggo
pala,got hal
oganyanna.I fwest i
cktogether
retaswabel aoneachot her
Me:
( l
aughed)Yespl
ease,
tut
orme.
..Ment
or
meintoi
t.
Dudu:HowhasMaunbeen?I
tfeel
sli
kei
hav
e
beengonef
orev
er
Me:
(si
ghed)Maduocommi
tt
edsui
cide.
..
Dudu:
(lookedatme)No.
..
.I'
m sosor
ry,
why
?
Me:
Remembert
hatt
hingDi
tsamet
alkedabout
?
Theguy swer eTuel o'sbr othersandt hey
claimeditwasn' trape, paintedherbadandi
guessTuel owaski ndofangr yabouti tsince
shekepti tasecr et,hehear di tfrom t he
brotherssomyguessi s,shet houghthewas
donewi thherandbur nedher selfint hehouse.I
feelli
kesuchabadf riend, Maduowasal ways
thereforusasf riendsbutweal way sf ai
l
edher.
Mal at
siakemomi sagor ekanaJaanongRenei
i
smysi sterinl
aw, wer elatedi f
ferentlyand
thingshav echangedhel agakesur esent e
abouther .Weusedt obecl osert hani waseven
toMaduobutev ersinceshest arteddat i
ngmy
brotherthingstookanot hert urn.
Dudu: Haimmasor r
ykaMaduo. ..Renei t
otai
don'tknowwhatt osay ,ifsheisy oursi
sterin
l
awet hat
aakeregapey ou'reyourbr ot
hers
burdensomay bet hat'
swhy ,moneyi stheroot
ofev i
l
.Gainfi
nancialindependenceandseei f
thi
ngswi l
lchange,gol echonomal at
siamot ho
okagoboragael
emorwal
owal
onaespeci
all
y
el
emonkanewagago.
Me:That'
str
ueandiunder
standher
f
rust
rat
ions,
idon'
tbl
ameherkeblamerene
monnatonayobar
engBakang,mxm.
Dudu:
(laughed)For
giv
ehi
m..
.Mot
hoy
oke
monnawar ona
Me:
Monnawagagokenonsense,
ihav
eaman.
Dudu:Mot
hoyoobatangmonnakenna,nopse
keerwel
engha,kemmalawagorobalenneul
a
ngwanawamothohankalekapa
Me:(l
aughed)Hahahawenagir
l,haewena
Duduyouchatt
ingneverst
opswithyou.Let
's
gopay,mykidsmissme.
Dudu:Weshoul
dbuythem cl
othesthi
ssi
de,i
haveafewti
psIgotf
rom hel
pingcust
omersat
work.
Me:
Thanksal
otmma,
Wint
eri
scomi
ng,
i
wasn'
tsur
ehowi
wasgoi
ngt
osur
viv
e.
Dudu:Don'
twor
ryabouti
t,Pr
incessl
eene
needsafewcl
othes.
..
.

Wepaidforthethi
ngsi gotandwal kedout
,
Bakangwasstil
lsi
tti
ngint hecarplayi
nggames
i
nhisphone.Wegl ancedathim andpassedto
Pepwhereilef
tthi
ngsi ntheshelvesand
fol
l
owedDudui ntheshop.

Wepickedafewcheapbutbeaut
ifulcl
othesf
or
t
hechil
drenandheadedt
othetil
l
...

Me:
Sowhati
shewai
ti
ngf
or?
Dudu:(
laughed)Idon'
tknow,may
beMandyi
s
buyi
ngsomet hi
nginShopri
te.
Me:(
laughed)Heiswait
ingforPr
incess,
aker
e
war
ey oudon'twantt
ostandontheirway.
Dudu:MmekanaevenifI'
m civ
ilwi
thhim,
he
won'
tgetany
thi
ngfrom me.I'
m surehewi
ll
mist
akemybehavi
ourforlovebutkemono
hel
a..
.

Wepai dforthechildren'scl
othesandwal
ked
outholdi
ngpl asti
csandpassedbyhi scar,
he
steppedoutandf ollowedusaswewai tedby
theroadwaitingforcar stopasssowecan
crosstheroad...

Bakang:Whydon'tyouleavesomepl
ast
icsi
n
thecar?Theyseem heavy
Dudu:
Wear
egoi
ngt
oat
axi
Bakang:
Icandr
opy
ouhome.
Dudu:IknowbutI'
m withNal
ediandshewant
s
ataxi
,idon'
tmindar i
de,i
twoul
dhelpmesave
P20butI'm wi
thherso..
.
Helookedatmeandi gl
aredathimr eadyto
snap,hesenseditandswall
owedl ookingatme,
thetr
affi
creducedandwecr ossedthe
road.
..
..
..
..
..
..
..

AtLet
shol
athebehospi
tal
.
...

LateronTuelowasasleepont hebedashi s
mot herst
aredathim,hersonhadl ostweight
andshecoul dseehisskel
etonjustunderhis
ski
n.You'dswearhewassuf feri
ngf r
om a
seri
ousdisease,sheswall
owedt earful
l
yand
satnexttohisbedthensheclosedherey es
andsi l
ent
lypray
ed.

Shawnst
oodatthedoorforamomentl
ooking
athi
smotherandt
henhisbrot
her
,shel
i
ftedher
f
aceandl
ookedathi
mthenhewal
kedi
n..
.

Shawn:
Hel
l
o
Her
:Hel
l
o
Shawn:
Ihur
ri
edasmuchasIcan.
..I
sheokay
?
Her:Theyi
nject
edhim wit
hsomet
hing,if
orgot
thenametheyused.Hehasbeenrefer
redto
SabranaPsychi
atr
ichospi
tal
.
Shawn:
(sl
owlysatandsi
ghed)Whatdoeshe
do?Odir
ajanghel
a?
Her:Hei st al
ki
ngtoMaduo, apparentl
yMaduo
waswai t
ingforhim whenhegotbackf rom
pri
son, evenwhenwewer einthehospitalhe
wasst i
lltalki
ngandlaughingwithher.(t
earf
ull
y)
Iknowhei sjustst
ressedbutyouknow
Afri
cans, theyaregoodtosayher eall
ykil
led
herthat'swhyhei sgoingmad.Idon'tknow
whaty ouboy sdidtothisgir
lbutlookatyour
br
other
..
.Lookatwhaty
oudi
dShawn
Shawn:Idon'
trememberwhathappened
Mama, i
knowshewasn'thappybutt
hat'
sal
l
...
Andit
'sdone,
wehavetomov eonnow.We
havet
ohelphim moveon..
.
Her :Raphael willgety oui ntrouble,trustme.
Onedayy ouwi l
lremembermei fdon'tchange
yourway sandi fy our eal
lytoopar tinthisgang
rapet heny ouneedt okneel downandaskf or
forgivenessbecauseGodwi llwhipy ousohar d
you'llwishy ouwer edead.Hei sal ov i
ngGod
buthei salsoaj ealousGod, youdon' tgett o
treathisdaught ert hewayy oudi dandgetaway
wi t
hit.You' l
lremembert hesewor dsify oudon't
taket her i
ghtstep. .
..
..Irecogni sedy ourv oice
andi fthepol i
cedon' tt hi
nki t'
sy ouont hat
phoner ecordingthenGodi sintentionallylett
ing
i
thappensohecandeal wit
hy oupr operly.You
can'tgetawaywi t
ht reatingawomanl i
ket hat,i
t
doesn' twor kli
ket hatmyboy .Itaughtt het hr
ee
ofy outorespectwomenandt reatthem li
ke
theywer emebutonl yTuel
ohear dandact ed
l
ikei t
,Godwi l
lrewar
dhim wit
hagoodl if
e, a
goodwi feandhappiness.Hewillpullt
hrough,
I
'llprayf
orhim.Godhel pyouShawn, Godhel p
you.

Heswal l
owedandsighedl ooki
ngatTuelo's
faceashesleptwi
thhistwof r
ontteethv
isi
ble,
hepushedhisli
pstogetherclosinghismouth
andfixedhi
ssheet
scar efull
y.
..
...
.

Atmymot
her
'shouse.
..

Whenwear rivedhomemymot herwasbat hing

thekids,isatnexttoherandfi
tt
edt hem,Dudu
remainedst andi
ngsmili
ngfrom eartoanother
speechless...
Dudu:Wai
tset
hisi
sjustamazi
ngmyf
ri
end,
t
hree?
Me:
(laughed)I
ja
Dudu:Gi
rlkanayou'
redone,
2boy
s1gi
rl
?Al
l
youhavetodoisrai
sethem
Me:
(laughed)Ineedaj
oborbusi
ness
Dudu:(
coveredhermouthandshookmy
mother
'shand)I'
m sor
ryMaAbiI
'mjust
sur
pri
sed,dumelang
Mama:
(laughed)Hel
l
o,howar
eyou?
Dudu:
I'
mfi
ne
Mama: (l
ookedatPr i
ncess)Hell
ot i
nynose,nko
ebatho!Nkaremar obaadipeba,osent sebo
monnao,howar eyou?(Princesssmi l
edather)
I
'l
lgodoot hert
hingsNaledi y
ou'l
ldressthem
Me:
Emma.
..
Shegotthebathandwal kedout,Dudusatnext
tomeanddr essedAtsil
ewhi l
ePrincessqui
etl
y
play
edwiththechil
dren'
sf i
ngerssmili
ngat
them..
.

AtDor
cas'
shouse.
..

Shecoll
ect
edKgosi'
spl
ateandhandedhi
ma
wetki
tchencl
oth,
hewipedhimsel
fandgavei
t
back.
.

Kgosi
:Thanks

Minutesl
aterDor
caswal
kedbackandsatnext
t
ohi m..
.
Dor
cas:
Howi
sMi
do?
Kgosi:Idon'
tknow,Ihav
ehadenoughof
di
srespectfr
om thi
sboy.
Dorcas:Youshoul
dbepatientwi
thhi
m,heisa
miniyouexcepthetal
ksbackandheisal
it
tle
st
ubbornbuthewi l
lgett
here.
Kgosi
:Resegoi
sn'
tl
iket
his
Dor
cas:
Resegoi
sawoman
Kgosi
:Beingamanisn'
tanexcuset
odoasy
ou
pl
ease,Bakangmustknowt
hat.
Dor
cas:That'
str
ue..
.Whatidon'
tunderst
andi
s
whyhi
swi f
edecidedtost
ayinGaborone
Kgosi
:Andshedoesn'
twantust
oseeour
gr
anddaught
er

Meanwhi
leBakangparkedout
sideandknocked
wal
kingi
n,KgosiandDorcasmovedfarapar
t
ashewalkedi
n..
.
Dor
cas:
Akonnookokony
atheMi
do,
hao!
Bakang:(st
ari
ngathisf
ather
)Isawmyfather
's
caroutsi
deandf i
gur
editwoul
dn'
tbeany
thing
needi
ngpr i
vacy
Kgosi
:Thereisn'
tanypri
vacyneededbutasa
Motswanachildyououghttoknockbefor
eyou
ent
erthengreetpeopl
e,t
hosearethebasics
Bakang:
(walkedtot
hekit
chen)Mamaoapei
l
e
eng?Ketshwereketal
a
Dor
cas:
Didn'
tyourmot
hercook?
Bakang:
(at
efr
om thepot
s)Thi
sist
ool
i
ttl
e..
.
Whydon'ty
oucookalotoff
ood?
Dor
cas:
Yourf
atherat
ethem?
Bakang:
(st
aringathisfather)Youknow,nex
t
ti
mewheni mar ry,
I'
m getti
ngtheopposi
teof
whatImarr
iedt hefi
rstt
ime.Iwouldn'
thandl
e
eati
ngatmaid'shousewhenI '
myourage
Dorcas:
(laughed)Di
rangl
etswemont
ung
yameborra,abetogaleomana
Kgosi
:Idon'
thavet
heener
gyt
otal
ktohi
m,
(st
ood)I
'mleavi
ng
Bakang:(wal
kedoverwit
hameatpott hathad
Phalet
šhe)Iwasn'
theretost
ay,I
'l
lret
urnthe
pot.
..I
'
m goingtocheckonafri
endatthe
hospit
al.
Dor
cas:
Midobusapi
tsay
amepl
ease
Bakang:
Etaaboat
hedi
mamza.
..

Hewalkedoutandcl
osedthedoor.Hi
swheel
s
tur
nedasherever
sedoutanddial
edDudu'
s
number.
..
.

Dudu:
Hel
l
o?
Bakang:
Hi,
wher
ear
eyou?
Dudu:Obolet
saeng?(hegottongue-t
ied)Abo
si
moloaakereBakang?Abokeikgolegil
ebeing
ci
vi
lwithy
ounowy outhi
nki
t'
sani nvi
tati
on?
Bakang:
(smi
l
ed)MmagweShoshohagoi
rwe
yal
othemma
Dudu:AeBakang,orr
ewalel
wapahelayoo
nyet
seng,i
don'twantt
obesued.Youknowthe
casewil
lbebetweenmeandyourwif
e.
Bakang:Akooi ketepelemmagweShosho,
bonaI'm goi
ngtocheckonTuel o,wasthi
nki
ng
wecoul dgotogetherifyoudon'
tmind,
hewas
admittedhoursagobecauseofsomet ypeof
depressi
on.
Dudu:Ohy eahkanahelosthi
sgi
rl
fr
iend,nxeh
wait
si haveneverseenamanasgoodas
Tuelo,
Nalediwasjustt
ell
ingmehi
sst or
y.It
's
real
l
ysad.
Bakang:
Wil
lyoucome?
Dudu:
(thought
ful
l
y)Um.
..
Yeah,
I
'dl
i
ket
osee
hi
m.
Bakang:
Wher
ear
eyou?
Dudu:
InBosej
a,ket
swakogoNal
edi
.
Bakang:I
sthatwhyyouar
esobitt
er?Kana
Naledionki
l
agore,hamponaekar
eokakgwa.
Dudu:
Oneobatagommolael
abanaaker
eo
t
hapel
wakekukuyagaWendy
.
Bakang:
(laughed)Keet
a
Dudu:
Shapo..
.butwehav
etodr
opCecyat
homefir
st.
Bakang:
Nopr
obl
em

Att
hehospi
tal
.
...

Almostanhourl
aterBakangandDuduwalked
i
nTuelo'
sroom,hewassi tt
ingont
hebed
readi
nganewspaper.
..
Bakang:(
shoulderbumped)Heyman,
what
'
sup?
Howar eyou?
Tuel
o:I
'
m good.
..
Dudu:
(smi
l
ed)Hi
Tuel
o:Hi
..
.
Dudu:
Ihear
dwhathappened,
I'
m sor
ry.
Tuel
o:(
sighed)Yeah.
..
Dudu:Havey
ouhadany
thi
ngt
oeat
?Ibr
ought
youthi
s..
.

Shehandedhi
m aj
uiceandhesl
owl
ydr
unki
t.
..

Dudu:
Didy
oubat
h?
Tuel
o:No
Dudu:
Letmechecki
ftheyhav
ewar
m wat
er.
..
Shewal
kedi
ntheshower
..
.

Bakang:
(st
ari
ngathi
m)Howi
sMaduo?
Tuel
o:Idon'
twantt
otal
kabouti
t.
..
Bakang:
Irespectt
hat
..
.

Duduwal
kedbackandlookedi
nhi
sshelf
,she
t
ookouthi
sbathi
ngsetandthr
ewhim at
owel.
..

Dudu:
Arey
ewagot
hapa.
.
Bakang:
Moneel
eot
aiki
sa,
youdon'
tneedt
o
escor
thim.
Dudu:
Don'
tbel
i
ket
hat
..
.Tuksar
eye.
..

Het
ookof
fhi
st-
shi
rtandt
hrewi
tont
hebed.
..
Dudu:
(goti
t)I
'
llwashitwheny
ouf
ini
shaboke
epegakahasoitcandry
.
Tuel
o:Thanks.
..
Dudu:You'
rewel
comedar
li
ng,
don'
tment
ioni
t.
Agothapa.
..
.

Hewal kedi
ntheshowert
henDuducl
eanedhi
s
tabl
eandf i
xedhi
sbedasBakanggl
aredat
him..
.

Bakang:
Youdon'
thav
etodoal
lthat
..
.You'
rea
vi
sit
or
Dudu:Iknowbuttheguyjustl
ostt
heloveofhi
s
l
if
e,heislostandact
ingcrazy
,hedeser
vesa
l
it
tl
ehelp.Don'ty
outhink?
Bakang:
(wit
haf r
ownonhi
sfor
ehead)Just
don'
tbetooniceokay
?
Dudu: (
GrabbedTuel
o'
scup)What ever
,don'
tbe
j
ealousI'm noty
ourgi
rl
fr
iendandy ou'
rea
marri
edman.Okaboul el
aor weleri
ng?Nele
nt
sej angbannababanyetseng
Bakang:Gakeboulel
ebuty
oudon'
thav
etobe
thi
snice,hecanbathhi
mself
.
Dudu:
Hei
ssi
ckf
orChr
istsake!
Bakang:(angr
il
y)Oskant
haaChr
istsake
Duduetsang
Dudu: Oskankgal
egelaBakang,
osekawa
l
ekela,gakesesosagaleautwa?Ompui seka
maitseokanagaot samayaotsamae,I
'
m
vi
sit
ingasi ckper
sonandi musthel
pwher ev
erI
can.
Bakang:(
cal
mly)Butseri
ouslyDuduthemma
sedir
ejal
o,you'
regi
vinghim mixedsi
gnal
s,t
his
guyismyfri
end.Don'
tdothattous..
Dudu:Don'tbesensi
ti
ve,okay
?itdoesn'tsui
t
you.
..
.(
laughedandpinchedhischeek)You'r
e
socutewhenyouar
ejeal
ous,
Wendyshoul
d
cheatonyousomemore
Bakang:(
fakedasmiledandpushedherhand)
Don'tj
okeli
kethat
..
.
Dudu:
(laughed)Skawara,gakenagoj
adi
tsal
a
t
sagagoaut warragweshoshonas?

Tuel
owalkedbackinthenDuduhandedhi
ma
bott
leofl
oti
on,
hesatont hebedandappl
i
ed
l
oti
ononhisarms..
..

Bakang:
(st
ood)Wearegoi
ngboy
,ant
agol
l
etsa
befor
eoyaSabr
ana.
Tuel
o:Sur
e..
.

Theybot
hwal
kedout
..
.
Dudu:
Ifor
gotmyphone.
..

Shewal
kedbackinandtypedhernumberon
Tuel
o'
sphonethenshepagedhersel
f.
..

Dudu:
Takecar
e,I
'
llkeepchecki
ngony
ou
Tuel
o:(
star
ingi
nhercar
ingey
es)Thanksal
ot.
.
Dudu:
Anyt
ime.
..(
gavehi
m hi
sfood)Oj
ether
ra
wena,y
oul
ostweight
Tuel
o:(
smi
l
ed)Yeah
Dudu:
Bye.
..

Shehuggedhi
m andwal
kedout
..
..
..

AFEW MONTHSLATER.
..
..
..
..
St
arti
ngt omor
rowthe11am i
nser
twil
lbe
movedt o7pm whi
let
helasti
nser
toftheday
st
il
lstandsat11pm,muchlov
e..

Co-
wif
e
#56

AtDudu'
shouse.
..

Shesteppedoutofher1andhal
ftal
ki
ngt
othe
phone.
..

Dudu:
Yes.
..Ohi
canseey
ounow.
..Yes.
..

Shehungupandopenedthegat
e,av androv
e
thr
oughthegat
eandparkedi
nfrontofthe
house, twoguy sst
eppedoutandof fl
oadedher
tents,chair
sandot herdecoequipment.Her
daught erwalkedoutsuckingaloll
i
pop,she
l
iftedherandwal kedaroundinspecti
ngher
orders...

Del
i
veryman:(
tohisguys)Pl
easeopenal
lof
t
hem andt
ickontheli
st
Dudu:
Yespl
ease,
iwantt
osl
eepknowi
ngt
hey
ar
ealli
nher
e..
.
Del
i
ver
yman:
Wet
akepr
idei
nthat
..
.
Dudu:I
sthi
stheboxwi
thmyhai
rpr
oduct
sand
weaves?
Del
i
veryman:
Yesma'
am,
pleasecheckt
hem as
wel
l.
..

Shecheckedeveryt
hingandsi
gnedt
henthey
drov
eout,sheclosedthegat
easherphone
r
ang.

Dudu:
Hel
l
o?
Tuel
o:Hey
..
Dudu:
(smi
l
edsur
pri
sed)OhmyGod,
hi.
..
Tuel
o:(
smi
l
ed)Yousoundsur
pri
sed
Dudu:(l
aughed)Idi
dn'
texpecty
out
ocal
l
,how
ar
ey ou?
Tuel
o:I'
m good,Istoppedt
akingthemedicat
ion
l
astweekandi fipasstheassessmentnext
weektheywil
lreleaseme.
Dudu:
Wow.
..
Tuel
o:Yeah,
ial
sogotmyphonet odayandmy
doct
orall
owedmet ogothr
oughmypi ct
ures
andtel
lhi
m moreaboutmyli
feforthepast6
months.
Dudu:
And?
Tuel
o: (
sighed)Idi
d..
.It
'salwayshar
dto
i
magi newhatmyownbr othersdi
dtoMaduo
butihaveacceptedit
,Iforgi
vethem t
houghi
wantnothingtodowi t
ht hem.
Dudu:
Iunder
stand.
..Doy
oumi
ssMaduo?
Tuelo:(smiled)Yeahbuti nadiff
erentway ,I
kindofunder standshei sgonethoughidon't
havepr oofthatshei sreal
lygoneiunderstand.I
don'twantt othinktoomuchaboutherbecause
i
tstill
stressesmeandmydoct orsaysifIfocus
toomuchabouti ti
mi ghtsli
pbackandst art
hall
ucinati
ons.
Dudu:(l
aughed)I
tmustbefunnywheny
ou
hal
luci
nate,
I'
m sorr
yforl
aughi
ng
Tuel
o:(
laughed)Ket
agobet
saDudu
Dudu:(
laughed)Icanj
usti
magineyout
alki
ng
toherl
ike,"
OhMaduobaby ,
mysweetti
ny
chocol
ate.
.Mm. .
."t
henyoustar
thumpi
ngthe
air
Tuelo:(
laughed)Duduwee?Ot
il
egol
elao
ntshwari
sanopamaan
Dudu: (
moani
ng)Andshewi ll
bel
ikeMmm. .
..
OhTux. .
.Ohmyv r
rpha.
..MyGTI.
..Pl
ease
acceler
atemyroughri
der.
..Ohmakeme
scream
Tuel
o:(
laughed)HahahaThat'
swhaty
ou'
l
lbe
sayi
ngnextweek..
.Justwai
t
Dudu:
(laughed)Hahannakeat
shamekar
rai
j
a
Tuel
o:(
laughed)Howi
sourl
i
ttl
egi
rl
?
Dudu:
Shei
sher
e..
.
Tuel
o:moneelephonekanaobeemo
l
oudspeaker
eng.
..
Dudu:
(pressedthephoneandputonPr
incess'
s
ear
)Talkto-
kereomang?
Tuel
o:(
laughed)KePapamonnaobat
aar
eng?
Tuel
o?
Dudu:
(laughed)Sor
ryee.
..
Tuel
o:Pr
inci
e?
Pr
incess:(
lookedatt
hephonehopi
ngt
osee
wherethevoicewascomi
ngfrom)mmh?
Tuel
o:I
t'
sDaddybabyaut
wa?
Pr
incess:
(touchi
ngt
hescr
een)Papa?
Tuel
o:YeskePapa.
.
Dudu:Sowheny ougetdi
schar
gedwhat
happens?Theybri
ngyoutoMaun?
Tuelo:I
'
llbecomingbackbymysel
fit
hinkbut
Bakangof f
eredt
ocoll
ectme,hei
sonhisway
here.
Dudu:Doesheknowwehav
ebeenchat
ti
ng
dai
ly?
Tuelo:No,I'
minal it
tl
edil
emma.Hei sr
eal
ly
supporti
ve,gonejaanahedrov
eallthewayto
seeme, hechecksonmemor ethananyway.I
feel
likeI'
m betr
ayinghim.
Dudu:
Butwear
enotdat
ingany
mor
e,don'
tfeel
bad.
Tuelo:No,
it'
snotthat..
.It
'saguycode.Wear e
fr
iendsandgirl
fr
iendsandexsar eof fli
mitsand
babymamasar eanot herstoryespecial
ly
becausehewant syou,het el
l
smeabouti tbut.
..
Dudu:(
sighed)Igety
ou,I
'm sur
ehewi
l
l
under
standwhenwet el
lhi
m.
Tuel
o:Bakangi
sbi
pol
ar
Dudu:
(laughed)Ot
aai
siwaSabr
ana
Tuelo:(
laughed)Iwouldn'
twanthimtohang
himself
,nowaday sI
'm sensi
ti
vet
oother
people'
sfeeli
ngsthat
'swhatscaresmeabout
thi
swhol ethi
ng.
Dudu:
Mmh.
..
Tuel
o:Ican'
twai
ttoseey outhough.
..Hahahai
t
wil
lbeawkwardatfi
rstbutI'
m dyi
ngtoholdyou.
Dudu:(
smi
l
ed)I
'
m dy
ingt
obei
nyourar
msas
well
.
Tuel
o:Howi
sNal
edi
?
Dudu:
Shei
sfi
ne,
whyar
eyouaski
ngabouther
?
Tuelo:
Ihear
dyou'
ref
ri
ends,
BKt
oldme.
..
are
Stuxokae?
Dudu:
Whoi
sSt
ux?
Tuel
o:Mthakayomongwewewer
efr
iendsi
n
j
ail
,gaautwegore.
..
Dudu:Soheisdati
ngNaledi
?Shekeepssayi
ng
shehasamant houghshedoesn'
twantto
shar
emor eabearayalegol
egwa?Wait
seke
mathata,
whatdidhedo?
Tuelo:(l
aughed)Robbery,t
houghhedi dmor e
thanjustrobberykoor
edisot satengtheydidn't
knowexact l
ywhyhewasent eringthebuil
ding,
robberywasj ustt
odist
ractthem from t
hereal
deal.
Dudu:
Uhu,
whatdi
dhest
eal
?
Tuel
o:(
laughed)Idon'
tknow,
hei
ssecr
eti
ve
andpl
easedon'
tshar
ethi
swit
hanyone.Hei
s
mybuddy,het
ookcareofmei
npri
son.
Dudu:
Ijoo.
..Ehe
Tuel
o:Al
ri
ght
,I'
l
lcal
lyouback.
..Ihav
eav
isi
tor
Dudu:
Bye
Tuel
o:By
e

AtMaunpr
ison.
..
.

Meanwhi l
eIsmiledlooki
ngatTumel oashe
walkedoverinhisorangejumpsuit,hehadtied
theupperpartofthejumpsuitaroundhiswaist
ashisti
ghtoranget-shi
rtr
evealedhi sbody
str
uctur
eleavinghisir
resi
sti
blearmsf or
admirat
ion.

Ther
ewasahugev
eingoi
ngdownhi
sbi
cep
andsev eralot hersonhisouterhands.He
walkedl ikehewasl i
steni
ngt omusi candijust
l
ov edhowl oset hepantswer eandhowt he
armsoft hej umpsui twavedar oundashe
walked.Ist ar edathi spackagear eaoutof
curiosit
yandf oundmy selfwonder i
ngjusthow
hedoesi t,Iknewev erymanhashi swayof
wiggl i
ngt hewai standiwascur iousabouthis
appr oach.

Heappearedtobeinagoodmood, hi
scute
smil
ewasn'thar
dt onoti
ceashepul l
edthe
chai
rbackandturneditar
oundthenhesat
downputti
ngbothofhisarmsont hechairback
andstar
ingatmewi t
hasmi l
e..
..

Tumel
o:(
touchedmychi
n)War
engst
handwa
sami
?
Me:
(smi
l
edbl
ushi
ng)
Skhona
Hesmi l
edbiti
nghislowerli
pandhel dmyneck
l
eaningoverforakiss,i
closedmyey es
recei
vedhisaggressi
vekissashet i
l
tedhi
s
headasideandkissedmemor e.
..

War
den:
Sibandawee?
Tumel
o:(
babyki
ssedmeandl
ookedathi
m)
Akooi
ketemest
ah..
.
Warden:You'
renotsupposedt
otouchher
,you
knowthat
Tumelo:Whatdif
fer
encedoesitmake?I
'
llbe
outsoon,chil
lwi
tht
hat.Magol
egwaamangwe
keal
ekwa. .
.
Me:(si
ghedandhel
dhi
shand)I
'
mri
ghther
e
pl
ease.
.
Tumel
o: (
sighedandsmi
l
edl
ooki
ngatme)
Sor
ry.
..Hey
Me:(smil
ed)Hi
,whatdoy
oumeanbyy
ou'
l
lbe
outsoon?
Tumel
o:Imi
ghtgetoutnextweek
Me:
Nextweek?
Tumelo:Yeah,i
behav edforthepastt
hree
monthsasy ourequestedsoi mi
ghtbeout,they
hav
en'tsai
dany t
hingbuti haveagoodfeel
ing.
Me:Ihopeyougetoutsoon.
..I
'
mlonel
y.
..
.Idon'
t
getwhyyoumademer entsuchabi
ghouse,
nnakeaboi
harra.
Tumel
o:(
smi
l
ed)At
wobedi
sabi
ghouse?
Me:
Wheni
t'
sjustmeandt
heki
dsy
es
Tumelo:
(laughed)I
'l
lbeoutsoon,expectme
anyt
ime.
..I'
l
lcomel i
keat hi
efi
nthenight
(pul
l
edmecl oserandkissedme)Yousof i
ne.
..
Me:
(pushedhi
shands)Got
il
weoskant
shwar
a..
.
Tumel
o:Agr.
..Corr
upti
onekanaabobabat
ago
nnast
ri
ctonkissesandhugs.
..
Me:
(st
ari
ngathi
m)Doy
oudr
ink?
Tumel
o:Why
?
Me:
Justcur
ious
Tumel
o:Occasi
onal
l
y,Howar
etheki
ds?Howi
s
Ame?
Me:Theyaregood,
hei
sdoi
ngwel
l
,hegai
neda
l
otweight
.
Tumel o:(
smil
ed)That'
smyboy,I
'm comi
ngre
ti
l
egoj aphal
etsher
othe,
oseny
akadi Yoghur
t,
Sibandaseatpapa.
Me:(
laughed)Behav
eandwal
koutofher
e,I
'
m
l
onel
y..
.
Tumel
o:(
smi
l
ed)Cl
osey
ourey
es.
.
Me:
Why
?
Tumel
o:Justdoit.
..
(Icl
osedmyey
es)Doy
ou
bel
i
eveinmiracl
es?
Me:
(gi
ggl
ed)Tumi
stopi
t,what
'
sgoi
ngon?
Tumel
o:Makeawish,t
ell
Godwheny
ouneed
meoutoft
hispl
ace.
..

Ismiledwithmyeyesclosedandwishedhe
couldwalkoutt
hatver
ysameday ,heleaned
overandkissedme..
.

Tumelo:Openy oureyes( i
lookedathimthen
hesmiledsoftl
yandki ssedmeagai n)Wewil
l
seehowi tt
urnsout..
.

AtSabr
anapsy
chi
atr
ichospi
tal
..
..

BakangandTuel
osl
owl
ywal
kedov
ert
othe
benches.
..
.

Bakang:
Ijustwant
edt
ocheckony
ou,
ihav
ea
f
li
ghtat2pm
Tuel
o:Thanks
Bakang:
(lookedathi
m)Cani
asky
ou
somethi
ng?
Tuel
o:Sur
e
Bakang:Youhav eal way sbeent hemostf ai
r
fri
endoutofmyf riendsandy ouact ual
lycar
ed
aboutme, andIknowy ou'l
lpr obablygiveme
thebestanswersoher eitgoes.Webot hknow
thosetr
iplet
saremi neandi doadmi tt
hatI
havemadebaddeci sionsinmyl i
febutsince
mychildrenaren'
tev ent alkingPr incess
i
ncluded,doy outhinki t
'stool at
ef ormet ostep
upandt akeresponsi bil
it
yf ormychi ldr
en?
Tuel
o:No.
Bakang:
You'
renotgoi
ngt
osaymor
e?
Tuel
o:Well
..
.Justappr
oachNalediandtellher
thet
rut
h,admityourwrongsandletherknow
whaty
ouwan-

Tuelo'sphonerang,Bakangl
ookedatthe
screenandr ecogni
sedDudu'spict
urewi
th"
BAE
cal
ling"onthescreen,heswall
owedasTuel
o
rej
ectedthecall.
..

Bakang:
Sooj
olal
eDudu?
Tuel
o:(
swal
l
owedr
emor
sef
ull
y)BKi
t'
snot
-

Bakangquiet
lyst
oodupandwal
kedouttaki
ng
hi
scarkeysout.Hegoti
nther
ental
carand
droveout
..
.

Atmyhouse.
..

Lat
ert
hatev
eni
ngi
putt
heki
dst
obedand
cleanedthel
i
vingroom ifanytoy
slayi
ng
aroundthenigrabbedsomesnacksandlaidon
thecouchwatchingamov ie.
..Myphoner
ang..
..

Me:
Hel
l
o?
Renei:
Hey,
justchecki
ngonyou,mal
atsi
agao
nchekeNal
edi.Di
di dosomet
hingwr
ong?
Me:
Urh.
.
Renei
:Ifi
wrongedy
ouj
ustl
etmeknow
Me:
It'
scompl
i
cat
ed
Renei
: I
fwehav ei
ssuesanddon' ttal
kabout
them ourf
riendshi
pwi l
lsuffer
.Idon'tli
kethat,
gonejaanai hadtohearfrom yourbrotherthat
youmov edf r
om mama' shouse.Mygi r
lf
ri
end
wouldhavet ol
dmeandev enaskedmet ohelp
herpackthehouse, ihearyouwal karoundwith
Dudu,didsher epl
aceme?
Me:
It'
snotl
i
ket
hat
,(si
ghed)okay
,her
eist
he
t
hing-
(t
her
ewasaknock)Someonei
sknocki
ng,
t
akebuleI
'
llcal
lyouba-

Ihungupandopenedthedoor,
Tumel opul
l
ed
downhishoodi
ewalki
nginandclosedthedoor
thenij
umpedint
ohisarms,heclosedmein
swingi
ngmeonceandputmedownt henhe
l
eanedoverki
ssi
ngme. .
.

Heslowlylai
dmeont hecarpetki
ssingme
unzi
ppinghisjeansr
emov i
nghisbelt
,igrasped
l
ookingupashepul l
edouthiswhitevestand
l
eanedov erki
ssingme.
..Ther
ewasanot her
knockatthedoorandhepaused...

Tumel
o:Whoi
sthat
?
Me:(
caughtmybr
eat
h)Idon'
tknow.
..(
gotup)
l
etme-
Tumelo:
(babyki
ssedme)I
t'
sal
ri
ght
,I'
l
lchecki
t
out
..
.

Hegotupandopenedt
hedoorzi
ppi
nghi
s
pant
s,Bakangswal
l
owedst
ari
ngupathi
m..
.

Tumel
o:(
frowni
ng)Yeah?
Bakang:Um.
..(
clear
edhi
sthr
oat
)Cani
tal
kto
Naledi
?
Tumel
o:(
star
ingathi
m)El
egor
ewenaomang?
Bakang:
I'
ll
comebackanot
hert
imei
fshei
s
busy-
Tumelo:Emapel
e,waakae?(
BKtur
nedf
aci
ng
hi
m)War eomangnemonna?Tsenamo
ntung.
..
Bakang:
No,
I'
m cool
.Ket
aabuwal
eene
kamoso.
Tumel
o:Iwasn'
taski
ngy
ou,
tsenar
ebuwe.
..
.

Bakanguncomfort
abl
ywal kedin,isl
owl
ypull
ed
downmygowncompl etel
ysurpri
sedandsaton
thecouchasTumeloclosedthedoorand
reachedf
orhi
st-shi
rt
...
.

Tumel
o:Theycal
lmeTumel
oSi
banda,
war
eo
mang?
Bakang:
BakangTawan-
Tumelo:(angr i
l
ystar
ingathi
m)Areyouf
ucki
ng
shi
tti
ngme, whatthefuckar
eyoudoi
ngi
nmy
house?.
..
...
..(9t)
..
Co-
wif
e
#57

AtOurhouse.
..
.
Icouldseetheintimidati
onandf r
ustrati
oni n
hiseyesashef acedTumel o,inevernoticed
howshor thewasunt i
lTumelowalkedov erto
him,myhear twaspoundi ngl
ikenev erbef or
e
andi r
eall
ydidn'tknowmuchaboutTumel oand
histempersbuti knewhecoul dbringitifneed
beingbecausehesur vivedpr
isonfory earsand
walkedoutwi t
houtasi ngl
ebitoftrauma. ..

Bakang: (
swall
owed)Ididn'tknowitwasyour
houseandI '
m sorr
yforjustshowingupli
kethi
s,
ididn'
tthi
nkitthr
ough.Iwant edt
ot al
kabout
thechil
dren.
Tumel o:Whi chchil
dren?Didn'tyoutellhert
o
abort
?Di dn'tyoubeatherunt ilshebled?Didn'
t
youleav eherstrandedwithy ourpregnancy?
Didn'
ty ouleavehert odel
ivery ourchil
drenon
thesideoft heroad?
Bakang:
(lookedatme)Yougoti
nlabouri
nthat
day?
Me:
Yes
Tumelo: (
Bakang'sfacesaddened)Don'tt
alkt
o
her,t
alktome...Faceme, t
hat'
swhoy ou'
re
tal
ki
ngt o.Idi
dn'tgetyouranswer,oneoreng?
Bakang:Idi
dn'ttr
eatherri
ghtandIknowt here
i
snothingIcandonowt ochangeitbuti
t
happenedandi haveseenmyer r
ors,I
'm wil
li
ng
tocorr
ectmy sel
f.Iwanttotakeparti
ntheir
l
ives.
Tumel o:Bycomi
ngt omyhouseatthi
stimeof
thenight?Doyoureall
ythi
nkI
'
mt hatst
upid?Do
ilookthatdumb?
Bakang:(
lookedatme)Nal
edi
canyouexcuse
usforami nut
e?(f
acedhi
m)Orcanwegetout
andtal
krele2?
Tumel
o:Let
'sgo.
..
Bakangquicklyopenedthedoorandwal
kedout
asTumel ofoll
owedhim, i
wenttothewi
ndow
andmov edthecurtai
nsjustabitt
oseet
hem
thoughIcouldn'
thearanythi
ng.
..

Bakangleanedagai
nstthecarasTumelo
i
nvadedhisspacestandingr
ighti
nfr
ontofhi
m
st
aringdowninhiseyes..
.

Tumel
o:I
'
mli
steni
ng.
..
Bakang:(gl
ancedatthedoorandl ower edhis
voi
ce)Iunderstandkegodiret
sephosomor ena
andigetwhyy ouareangryaboutmebei ng
here,
iwouldbet oosoI'm sor
ry, f
orgivemebut
onethingyoucanbesur eofist hati wasn't
heretohitonheroranythi
ngal ongt hoselines,i
wantedtotalkaboutthechil
dren.I t
's
somethingthathasbeeninmymi ndf orquite
somet i
mebutbecauseNal edi kemot hoy oo
buwanggapeal edi
ngaloicouldn' tfindther i
ght
words, isortofhadat al
kwi t
haf riendearlier
andi justarri
vedsoi shotstr
aighther ewiththe
confidencei hadbutkeagot hal ogany awaa
bona?i t'
snotlikeI'
m chall
engingy ouort r
y i
ng
todisrespecty ou.(
Tumelost aredathi m)can
wesol vethisissueli
kemen, that '
sal lI
'm asking
for
.Idoubty ouwouldwantt of ightinf r
ontof
heraswel l
..
.
Tumel o:(
hecool
edasl
ist
enedtohisplea)
Don'tevercometomyhouseatthi
stimeor
evencomenearherint
hatkindofmanner,She
i
smi nenow, doy
ouunder
standthat
?
Bakang:
Iunder
standt
hat
-
Tumelo:(sl
owlyheati
ng)Nokebat agoreo
thal
oganyegoregakerekewameker aajang
becausennalait
akagakemot holegobuwa, i
won'texpl
aint
histoyouagain.I
fyou'regoingt
o
maket hi
sagamey oumightnotl
ikehowI '
ll
r
espond.
Bakang: (
swal l
owed)Ker i
lekeagot hal
oganya,
l
ennagasegor eker atagobuwat hat'
swhy
nekebat areebuwar el
e2r edulehagoene
becausedi l
ot sedingweokgonagodi thal
osa
botokamant oman, gagot hokahalegor eo
tenegehelay aakaekar eomphi thetsekerobal
a
Naledi.
..Gawamphi thelakerobetseleene,
waabona?Andi di
dn'tcomeher ewi ththose
kindofintenti
onsbuti underst
andy ourconcer
n
that'
swhyker ei nt
shwar el
e.Kanagakebuwe
sentemor ena?
Tumel o:Ijustdon'ttrustanymanar oundmy
girl
andunl ikemostguy shakegohi t
hel
ale
mosadi wamekeagony edi
sabecausei am man
andi knowev enifawomant el
lsmeshei s
takenitwoul dn'tstopmef rom pursui
ngher,
youandi bothknowev enawomanwi t
haring
onherf ingerget spursuedandt hat'
ski
ndof
disrespecti
ngt heguy ,i
thasnot hi
ngtodowi t
h
her.Whoknows, Youcouldhav
ebeencoming
heretheminutemyf r
iendmovedherher
ewith
theful
lknowledgethatshewasshar
ingwit
h
me.
Bakang:
Thi
sist
hef
ir
stt
imeI
'
m comi
ngher
e..
.
Tumelo:
Thenhowdoyouknowwher
eshe
st
ays?Doyouthi
nkI
'
m st
upid?
Bakang: I
'
mi ngoodt ermswi t
hDuduandshei s
fr
iendswi thher ,idroppedheratthegatethe
otherti
mebuti hav eneverbeeninsi
de,you'
re
notunderst andingmypoi nt,
nnagakebat e
Naledi.
..(
raisedhi shand)Iam amar r
iedman,
tr
yt ounder standt hat.
..
.(Tumeloranoutof
words)Nt halogany amor ena
Tumel o:
(sighed)Justst ayawayfrom herandif
youreall
ywantt ohav ear el
ati
onshipwiththese
chi
ldren,youdon'tjustshowup, youdoitthe
ri
ghtway ,gapeot haloganyegorethey'
remy
chi
ldren,itakecareoft hem.Gaoitsegore
budgetyabonekebokaekakgwedi ,i
do..
.I
tookcareofthem f
rom behindthebar ssoska
akanyagoreyoucaninti
midatemehel a
becausetheyareyour
sbiologicall
y,Iknowthe
damnl awinandout,ir
eadev erylawbookf or
thelast4yearswheniwasi nprison.Theywere
mydai l
ydoseso-
Bakang:Andihavenoproblem wit
hthat
, nna
kanagakegane,ojampahelammegakegane.I
knowtheyareyoursandI'
m nottryi
ngto
repl
aceyou,ij
ustwanttobevisit
edeveryonce
i
nawhi l
ebutretaebuwa,notlikethi
sbecause
you'
reobvi
ouslynotr
eadytotalkabouti
t.
Tumelo: (
sighed)
Li st
enireal
lywishwecould
tal
kforlongbuti justgotout
, i
needtoempt y
myv esselsso..
.OnceNal ediandihavetal
ked
shewillcontactyou,shewill
callyounotyou
cal
li
ngher
Bakang:
(si
ghed)That'
sgoodwi t
hme.Thanks.
..
(t
ookouthi
shandf orahandshake)Ni
cet
alki
ng
toy
ou,
ibeli
evethi
swon'
thappenagai
n.ket
saa
gor
eewetse.
..
Tumel o:
(lookedathi
shandandr emainedwit
h
hisarmsf ol
dedstari
ngathi
m)Ungaphi nda
futhi
ngikuqumaamasende...
.(Bakanglooked
athim cl
uelessl
y)Hamba..
..

Hetookouthi
scarkey
sandunl
ockedt
hecar
t
henhegotinanddrov
eoff
.

Meanwhil
ei l
etgooft
hecurtai
nsandsatonthe
couchwai
tingformyt
urn,
Ihadnoi deawhat
ki
ndofamanhewasandi tscar
edthehel
lout
ofme..
.

Hewalkedbackinandclosedthedoorasi
l
ookedathi
sf acef
earf
ullyt
ryi
ngtoreadhi
s
mind.
..
Tumel
o:Ar
eyouokay
?
Me:
Yeah.
..

Hesatnexttomeont hecouchandl
eanedover
ki
ssingme,ther
ewassomet hi
nguni
queinhis
breat
handittur
nedmeonashepr essedme
downandgotont opofmeputti
nghishand
undermygownt henhepull
eddownmy
panti
es.
..

Me:
Whatdi
dhesay
?
Tumel
o:Don'
twor
ryabouti
t
Me:
(heki
ssedmyneck)Idi
dn'
tcal
lhi
m
Tumel
o:(
pausedandl
ookedatme)Iknow.
..
Me:
Soy
ou'
renotangr
ywi
thme?
Tumel
o:No,
(touchedmychi
nandbabyki
ssed
me)Ican'
tbeangr
yaty
oust
handwasami
..
.

Ijustlovedt hewayhecal ledme, itwasn' tmuch

aboutt hewor dsbutt heaccent ,hisdeepr ocky
voiceandt hewayhel ookedatmyl ipsjust
beforeki ssingme, icl
osedmyey esand
receivedhi swei ghtashel aidonmeki ssingme,
heunhookedhi sbeltandunzi ppedhi sjeans
pulli
ngt hem down. .
.Ibitmyl owerl ipstaringat
thebul geonhi sbriefsasi tstretchedt hem up,
hepul ledmyf aceupandki ssedme, isl
owl yput
myhandi nhisbr i
efsandt ouchedt hehead
goingdown. ..Hepausedki ssingmeandl ooked
atmyhandst roki
nghi mt henhel ookedi nmy
eyesagai n,hiseyeswer efill
edwi tht hir
st.

Hereachedformyf ol
dsandcar
essedthem
gent
lythenhepressedhi
stwofi
ngersinside,
i
hel
plessl
yletgoofhisdi
ckandgrabbedthe
sheet
ssli
ghtl
yopeningmymoutht henhe
l
eanedoverandkissedme,hesl
owl ypull
edout
andheldhi
sdickstroki
nghi
msel
fget ti
ngready
toimpal
eme...
.hesmackedmyent ranceand
l
ift
edhisbodytosli
dedownbutblockedhim...

Me:
(whi
sper
ed)Apar
acondom.
..
.
Tumel
o:(
frowned)What
?
Me:
Apar
acondom
Tumelo:No,iheardy outhefi
rstt
ime,ar
ey ou
seri
ous?Idon'thaveacondom wi t
hme, babe
comeon...
(desperatelyst
ari
ngatme)Iwantt o
feely
ourfl
apsar oundmydi ckandfeely
our
wall
s,iwantthewhol efri
cti
ononme.
Me:
Wehav
en'
ttest
ed
Tumel
o:I
'
m negati
vebutIcanwaitabor
etest
er
i
nthemorni
ng,i
don'twantacondom.
Me:
it'
snotj
ustaboutt
hat
Tumel
o:Thenwhat
?
Me:I
'm notoncont
racept
ivesandIdon'
twant
anot
herbaby.
Tumel
o:I
'
llwi
thdr
aw
Me:
I'
m notcomf
ort
abl
ewi
thi
t.
..
Tumelo:Wewi llgettheemer gencypil
ls.
..Babe
themmaskai r
ay alokeagokopa, iwaslooking
for
wardt othi
s..
.It'
sbeeny earssinceIhavehad
thi
s..
.iwanttofeelallofy
ou( t
ouchedmycheek
andstaredatme) Please.
..
Me:Ican'tdealwi
thanot
herfat
her
lessbaby,
I
t
houghty oucamewi t
hcondoms,y
ouhadt i
me
t
ocuty ourhair
,shav
eandputonniceclot
hes..
.
Tumelo:Nal
edi
kanannagakebat
egodi
ri
sa
condom mogowena
Me:
Nnakeaebat
a
Tumelo:Can'
twetesti
nthemor
ningt
hen?I
'
m
wil
l
ingtowait.
..
Me: No, I
'
m nothav i
ngunpr otect
edsexunless
I'
m oncont racepti
ves.Theywon'tgi v
e
contracepti
vesunt i
lsomeonei sont hei
r
peri
odsunl essy ou'
rewil
li
ngt owait3weeksf or
myper iod,j
ustgobuycondoms.Ihav ebeen
play
edbef oregakebat engwanay oosenang
rr
agwe, imadet het hatmistaketwiceandI'
m
notmaki ngitagain.
Tumelo:Keengoakany agorenkal
atha
ngwana?I'
mt aki
ngcareofmydaughterandI
'
m
theonl
yparent,whywouldIdenymychil
d?
Me:Youal
lsayt
hatandchangeoncet
hebaby
i
shere

Hesl
owlygotupandputonhi
scl
othesst
ari
ng
atme.
..

Tumel
o:Idon'
twantt
orapey
ousogood
ni
ght
..
..
Hewal
kedoutandsl
ammedt
hedoor
..
..
.

AtTemo'
shouse.
..
.

Lat
erTemost eppedoutofthehouseput
ti
ngon
hi
st-shir
tandshoulderbumpedwi t
hhisfr
iend,
Bakangleanedagainstthecarhol
dingabott
le
ofsti
llwater
..
.

Temo:
Goty
ourmessage,
Osur
e?
Bakang:
(tear
ful
l
y)Yeah
Temo: Tuelocanneverdothat
,malobahel
aha
nerebuwakaTr evor
,mathakaelegorekeeng
bagodirajaananebanna?
Bakang:(l
aughedshaki
nghi
shead)Andto
thi
nkthesearethesameguysi
helpedbewho
theyare,bal ebetsewher etheycomef rom and
howt heygotwher etheyar e.Trevorkemo
neetssstartupcapi t
al,Tuelokemokwal etse
chequeforhi scarandt hesuckernev erpai dme
acentbutnev erhadiev ertroubl
edhi m about
i
t,theyborrowmoneyf rom meandnev err etur
n
i
tandnowt heydot hi
s.Tr evoribi
l
ekammona
butTuelo?
Temo: (
sighed)Ist
il
lcan'
tbel
i
evethi
s,gase
goresantseatsenwanyana?Maybehethinks
sheisMaduo
Bakang:Ijustl
efthi
ml i
kethat,iwon'tf
ight
them.Ket i
legomotogelahelajaakaTrevorand
iwon'tevenaskformymoney .Ideserveitf
or
beingtoostupidbel
iev
ingi
nt hisfr
iendships
andboundar i
es.
Temo:Tueloisnotbeingf air
,howareyoutwo
goingt
orelat
emogoPr i
ncess?Kantecan'
tthey
fi
ndwomeny ouhaven'tsleptwit
h,whymust
theybedesperat
eenought opickyourgi
rl
s?It
's
j
ustbull
shit
,ift
heypullt
hisonmybaby's
motherI'
l
lcutthei
rball
s.Badit
hal
a..
.Nxl
a..
.So
yaanongwareNaledieneoril
eng?
Bakang:
Shei sdat
ingaj
ail
bir
d,hei
sjustway
tooaggr
essiveandhewantedtoat
tackme,i
hadtocalm hi
m down.
Temo:(l
aughed)i
didn'
tmeantolaughbutar
e
youseri
ous?Areyousurei
twasn'tt
heother
wayaround?
Bakang:No,
andIdon'tt
hinkkeMotswana.He
l
ookslikeaf
orei
gnergatweSibanda
Temo:Si
bandakeskaey
aanong?Mzi
mbabwe
kanaMsat
aafr
ika?
Bakang:
Idon'tknowbutenekeeneTumel o..
.
(r
ubbedhisfaceandsighedfrust
rat
edl
y)ur
hhhh
Idon'
tevenknowwhyI 'mli
vinganymor
e,
nothi
ngisworkingoutwell
forme.
Temo:
Don'
ttal
kli
ket
hat
Bakang:(si
ghed)Kenalest
ressseseboket
e
l
ait
akagakebat egogoaket
sa,Ihavea
headache.
Temo:
Youwoul
dn'
tdoany
thi
ngext
remeaker
e?
Bakang:No,i
justwanttogotobed.(
hisphone
rangthenheswit
cheditof
f)
Temo:
Whoi
scal
l
ing?
Bakang:Tuel
oleDudu,baant
api
sa.Idon'
t
knowwhyt heyar
ecall
i
ngmebecausegakeaba
rayasepe.
Temo:Letgui
ltconsumethem,Gobathand
sl
eep,
wewi l
ltal
kinthemorni
ngaker
e?
Bakang:
Sur
e

Hetookouthi
skeysandunl
ockedt
hecar
st
ari
ngatTemo..
.
Bakang:
Shapo
Temo:
Agor
obal
alai
takar
etaabuwaphakel
a
Bakang:
sur
e

Hegotinthecaranddr
ov eof
fasTuel
o
watchedhi
mt henhewalkedbacki
nsi
deand
cl
osedthedoor.

AtKgosi
'
shouse.
..
.

Lateronatmi dni
ghtKgosi andmmaKgosi
weresleepingwitht hei
rbacksf aci
ngeach
other,MmaKgosi 'sphonelitthedarkroom asi
t
rangsilent
lybuttheycouldn'thearit
,af
ter
severalcall
sKgosi'sphonewoket hem,he
slowlyreachedforit..
.
Kgosi
:(yawni
ng)Hell
o?.
..(
hiseyeswidenedand
hesatup)What?Areyousureit
'shi
m?
Mmakgosi :(
gotuplooki
ngathi
m)What
happened?
..
..
..
..
..
..
.

.
Co-
wif
e
#58

AtKgosi
'
shouse.
..
.

Lateronatmi dni
ghtKgosi andmmaKgosi
weresleepingwitht hei
rbacksf aci
ngeach
other,MmaKgosi 'sphonelitthedarkroom asi
t
rangsilent
lybuttheycouldn'thearit
,af
ter
severalcall
sKgosi'sphonewoket hem,he
slowlyreachedforit..
.
Kgosi
:(yawni
ng)Hell
o?.
..(
hiseyeswidenedand
hesatup)What?Areyousureit
'shi
m?
Mmakgosi :(
gotupl
ooki
ngathi
m)What
happened?
Kgosi:Thankyou,
pleasedon'
tmakeany
recor
ds,I'
llbet
her
einami nut
e..
.By
e

Hehungupandswi
tchedont
hel
i
ght
s..
.

MmaKgosi
:Whathappened?
Kgosi:(putt
ingonhisshir
t)Bakangsl
eptbehind
thewheel andalmosthitanot
hercar,
takeyour
ATM car d,wemightneedtomakesome
transacti
ons
Mmakgosi
:Wher
eisy
ourcar
d?
Kgosi
:If
orgoti
tatt
heof
fi
ce
Mmakgosi
:Ormay
bey
ougav
eitt
oDor
cas?
Kgosi
:Oursonisi
ntr
oubl
e,i
sthatwhaty
ou
wantt
odiscuss?
Mmakgosi:Andhehasbeenget ti
ngi nalotof
t
roubl
elat
ely
,it
'sexhaust
ing.Real
ly,It
hought
whenhegrowsupwewi l
lstopbri
bingpeople.

Kgosi
keptquietandhur
ri
edt
othecarasshe
fol
l
owedhim andtheydr
oveout
..
..
.

Minutesl at
erKgosi par
kedbehindthepolice
hi
ghwaypat rolcarandsteppedout
, Bakang
wassi t
tinginsi
dewi thhi
sheaddown, t
he
off
icerlefthiscoll
eaguesandapproachedt he
chi
ef..
..

Of
fi
cer
:Kgosi
..
.
Kgosi
:Hel
l
o,whathappened?
Of f
icer
:Hewasspeedi ngandwecheckedhis
alcohollev
el,
it'
swayov ert
heli
mitandishould
takehiscarbuti r
emember edmyencounter
withhim afewy earsago.
..
Kgosi
:Whi
chone?
Of
fi
cer
:Whenhewas19,
thecl
ubi
nci
dentwi
th-
Kgosi:
Ohy es,yes.
..
.Ofcour
se,i
t'
syou.
..
(count
ednotes)Thanksoffi
cer
,hi
smotherwi
l
l
dri
vehiscar,l
etmegethim.
Offi
cer:
I'
llhel
phi
m geti
nthecar
,okgaogi
kego
kgaoga..
.
Kgosi:
Hehasbeengoi
ngthroughsomethi
nghe
di
dn'twantt
odi
scuss,
itmusthavetakeni
tst
oll
onhim.….

Theofficerhel
pedBakanggetinthecarthen
hi
smot herf ol
l
owedt hem i
nhiscar.Thetr
aff
ic
off
icerhidtheothernotesandwalkedoverto
theother
swheret
heydi
vi
dedt
her
emai
ning
notesequal
l
y..
.

MeanwhileKgosi
glancedhi
ssonand
cont
inueddri
vi
ng..
..

Kgosi
:Whathappened?
Bakang:
(st
utt
eri
ng)Ionl
yhad3shot
s..
.
Kgosi:
Imean, whyareyoudri
nki
ng?Your eal
l
y
needtost
arttalki
ngaboutyourf
eeli
ngs,i
t
doesn'
tmakey oulessofamanot her
wiseyou'
ll
enduphangingy our
sel
f.
Bakang: (si
ghed)WheredoIstart
,mywi fehad
aPor tuguesebabybutthat
'snottheproblem,i
t
real
lydidn'thur
tmeasmuchbecauseIguessi
wasj usttooexcit
edaboutherarr
ivaland
thoughti wasinlove,
whathurt
sthemosti s
thatshemademeabandonmyownchi l
dren
andIwasdumbenought odoi tnowmy
chil
drenareothermen' sstepchildr
en.Inever
thoughtI'
dbeoneoft heseguy swhodon' thave
arelati
onshi
pwi t
ht heirchi
ldren.
..
Naledihates
me, shefeel
ssickjustlookingatmeandDudu
decidedtodatemypsy choticfri
endwhot alks
tothedead.
Kgosi:(si
ghed)It ol
dy ou,didn'tit
ellyou?(he
keptquiet)nowaday swomendon' tl
ety ear
s
passhopi ngyou'dgrowup, theycrytodayand
mov eont omorrow, nextweeky ourchil
dcalls
anothermandaddyt hef ol
lowi ngyearsheishis
wife,t
hingsaren'tthatslowany more.
Bakang:Nal
ediisdati
ngacr i
minalandhe
thr
eatenedme.Hegoti nmyf aceandmumbled
l
anguagesIdidn'
tevenunderstand,hepr
obabl
y
i
nsult
edmewi ththatshithespoke.
Kgosi
:Nowthat
'swhereboundar
iescomein,
he
shoul
dknowwhoy ou'
reandheshouldremai
n
onhisl
ane.Whywouldyoubeint
imidat
edbya
commoner
?
Bakang:
Iwasn'
ti
nti
midat
ed
Kgosi:Yousoundv erymuchi nti
mi dated,Isthat
whyy ou'r
edr i
nki
ng?Boyy ouhav er oyalblood
fl
owingi nyourvei
nsandt hatmeanspower ,
don'
tabusei tbutdon'tl
etitmeannot hingtoo,
nooneshoul dhav et
heconf i
dencet othreaten
youtoy ourface,i
thoughty ou'resmar terthan
that
?Wher ei smyboy ?Wher ei sthePr ince?
Whatdi dMandydot oy outhatmadey ouso
weak?Wher eismyboy ?Wher eismygoget ter
?

Bakangthought
full
ylookedout
sideashi
s
fat
herconti
nuedtalki
ng..
..
.

Atourhouse.
..
.

Meanwhi
l
eIpeedandf
lashedt
het
oil
ett
heni
mademywayt othebedroom whereIswi tched
offtheli
ghtsandl ai
ddown,forthefi
rsttimei n
alongt i
mei missedMaduo,i coul
dbet ell
ing
herhowhor nyiwasandshewoul dlaughatme.
Icouldn'
tbeli
eveTumel owal
kedawayf rom sex
afterspendi
ngy earsbehi
ndbarsjustbecause
hedi dn'
twanttouseacondom. .
..

Itossedandturnedforhoursconsider
ingt
ocal
l
Reneiandtalkabouthim butiknewshewas
probabl
ylayi
ngonmybr other
'schest.
..My
phoneinter
ruptedmyt hought
s...
.

Me:
Hel
l
o?
Tumel
o:St
handwasam

Ismil
edblushi
ngandt
urnedaroundly
ingmy
headonthepil
low,
hesoundedrel
axedhewas
pr
obabl
yinbedandsl
eepyt
oo.
..

Me:
Hi
Tumel
o:(
smi
l
ed)War
eng?
Me:
Aker
esepe
Tumel
o:It
hinkwej
usthadourf
ir
stf
ight
Me:(smil
ed)Ithi
nksotoo.
..Ican'
tbel
ieveyou
showedmet hatbeaut
if
ult
hinginyourboxers
andwalkedaway,whyareyoudoingthistome?
Tumel
o:(
laughed)Sor
ry
Me:
I'
m madaty
ou
Tumel o:(
smiled)sameher e.
..Iact
uall
y
touchedapussy ,kanait
'sbeenawhi lewait
se
tota?Thelastfewday sbefor
ei gotrel
eased
youwer ealli
couldthinkabout.
Me:
Thenwhycan'
tweuseacondom?
Tumel
o:Ihav
enot
hingagai
nstcondomsbuti
j
ustdon'twantthatkindofbarri
erbetweenme
andyou,iwanttoconnectwi t
hy ouandfeel
yourheart
beatwithmydi ck.I
fihavetowait
weeksforitt
henI '
ll
waitforyouthoughI'
m
dyi
ngtoseef eelyou.
Me:(si
ghed)Iunder
standyou.
..Sowher
eare
you?Ihopeyouarenotatsomegirl
'
shouse.
Tumel o:I'
m atmymot her'
slyi
ngont hecouch
wear i
ngmydaught er'sblanket,idon'tcheatand
iexpectt hesamethingf rom you,icandeal
withal otofthi
ngsrationall
ybutcheat ing?I
don'tknowhowt ohandl ethatli
keanadul t.
Me:(l
aughed)Nooneisevergoodathandl
i
ng
t
hingsli
kethatandi
nevercheat
.
Tumelo:I
'
m meeti
ngKentomorr
owtoseemy
newoffi
cespaceandt
akealookatmynew
equi
pment.
Me: You'
regoi
ngt
ohav
eanof
fi
ce?Doi
ngwhat
exactl
y?
Tumelo:(l
aughed)Ihavefourchi
ldr
ento
support
,youdidn'
tthi
nkI'
ddot hatbyj
ust
si
tti
ngont hecouchdidyou?
Me:
(smi
l
ed)No,
sowhatdoy
oudo?
Tumelo:Wewi l
ltal
kabouti
tast
imegoeson,
gotosleep.
..
Me:
Oh
Tumel
o:I
'
llcal
lyoui
nthemor
ning.
Goodni
ght.
.
Me:
Goodni
ght

Ihungupandwentt
obed.
..
..

AtMr
sSi
banda'
shouse.
..
.

Thenextmorni
ngshewokeupt oloudNiger
ian
hi
tsandwalkedtotheki
tchenty
inghergown,
Tumelowaswhistl
i
ngstandingbythest
ove
f
ryi
ngeggs.
..
..

Her:AobathoTumi
ther
rawar
ethodi
a,ngwana
orobetsekana
Tumel
o:(
smi
led)Goodmorni
ngbeaut
if
ul.
..
go
backt
obedI
'
m bringi
ngy
oubreakf
asti
nbed.
Her:
Ket
agokopel
akopr
isongaper
esal
erer
e
hu
Tumel
o:(
laughed)Whatt
imedoesApr
ilwake
up?
Her
:ver
ylat
e
Tumelo:Ar
ight
,I'
l
lgetherr
eadyf
orschool
and
dropherof
f.
Her
:It
'sahol
i
day
,shei
sn'
tgoi
ngt
oschool
Tumel
o:Gr
eat
,I'
l
lspendt
hewhol
edaywi
thher
Her
:Buttakehert
othesal
onfi
rst
,iundi
dher
hai
ryest
erday
..
.Oryoucandr
opheroffatt
he
l
adywhodoesherhai r,
sheisver
ygoodwit
h
thechil
dren.Shenev
ercri
eswhenshedoesher
hair.
Tumel
o:Nopr
obl
em,
you'
l
lgi
vemehernumber
Her:Ee,i
t'
sinmyphone.
..
..Atleastt
odayI'
l
l
havetimetogocheckoutmygar den(wal
ked
outthenshewal
kedback)..
..Howi sNal
edi?
Tumel
o:(
tookoutt
hepl
ates)Shei
sfi
ne
Her:I
tdoesn'
tl
ookli
keit
,whydi
dyoucome
backsolat
elastni
ght
?
Tumel
o:I
t'
scompl
i
cat
ed
Her
:Di
dyouhar
assher
?
Tumelo:
(laughedandt
urnedar
oundf
aci
ngher
)
I
sthathowy ouseemenow?
Her
:You'
ret
hief
,not
hingsur
pri
sesmeany more,
myTumelocoul
dhavediedbehi
ndthosepri
son
bar
syear
sago.
Tumel
o:Pr
isondi
dn'
tchangeany
thi
ngabout
me,
I'
m st
il
lthesame.
Her
:Sowhydi
dyoucomeback?
Tumelo:Wehadamisunderst
andi
ng,
idecided
towalkawaybef
oreicoul
ddosomething
stupi
d.
Her
:Thear
gumentwast
hatser
ious?
Tumel
o:(laughedandlookedtheotherway)It
wasn'
tanar gumentassuch.
..Iwanted
somethi
ngt hewayshedidn'
twantitandididn'
t
wantt
of orcehersoil
eft.
Her:(shecaughti
t)Oh.
..Oh.
..For
geti
ever
asked..
Tumel
o:(
laughedtaki
ngouthiswal
let
)Hereis
myATM card,t
hishouseneedsr
enovati
on.
Her
:Tumi
nopl
ease,
nott
hisagai
n..
.
Tumelo:
Myaccountswer
efrozen,
theycoul
dn'
t
fi
ndanyt
hingwrongwi
thmymoneyandgav e
meaccesstothem.I
t'
scl
eanmoney .
..
All
the
moneyIgotf r
om t heybreaki nwasr ecover
ed
bythepoli
ce,taket hecard.Iwoul dn'
tgiveyou
stol
enmoney ,irespectyou...(sherel
uctant
ly
tookit
)Iwouldnev ergiveyoust ol
enmoney .
(puthi
swalletbacki nthepocketandhanded
herbreakf
asttray)Herey ougo. ..
.
Her
:Thanky
ou.
.

Shewalkedoutt
henhewal kedpassedherand
sl
owlyopenedhisdaughter'
sdoor.Hesatdown
andpul
ledoutherblanketsmili
ng.
..

Tumel
o:(
heshookhershoul
der
)Apr
il
?Apr
il
Apr
il
:(shepushedhi
shandhal
fasl
eep)Mmh-
mmh
Tumelo:(
laughed)Al
ri
ght
,I'
m goi
ngtot
hemal
l
,
I
'm goi
ngtobuymy sel
fsomedoll
s..
.
Shet
urnedar
oundr ubbi
ngherey
eslookingat
hi
m,herJawsdroppedasshesmiledsurpr
ised,
shel
eapedupandjumpedinhisarms..
..

Tumel
o:Heybaby
..
.Howar
eyou?

Shehel
dhi
mti
ght
lyandbeguncr
ying.
..

Tumel
o:(
lookedather
)Apr
ilar
eyoucr
ying?

Shelookedtheotherwayembarrassedand
rubbedhereyes,hehuggedheragainasherbi
g
hairgotonhisface,
hepinnedi
tdownand
stoodupcarryi
ngheronhischestashewalked
out..
.

Tumel
o:Ar
eyour
eadyf
orschool
?
Apri
l:(
sni
ff
ed)Idon'
twanttogotoschool
.
..I
wanttobewit
hy ou,
areyougoi
ngbackto
pr
ison?
Tumelo:
( l
aughed)I'
m ki
dding,
grandmasays
i
t'
saholidayandy ou'
renotgoi
ngtoschool
.
..I
missedyousomuch

Heplacedheronthekit
chencount
erand
t
ouchedherhairsmil
i
ng...

Tumel
o:Youevenhav
elonghair
..
.(shesmil
ed
andhel
aughed)Andyoul
ostyourfrontt
oot
h?
Apri
l:
(laughedandtouchedtheot
herone)And
thi
sonei saboutt
ofallout
Tumel
o:(
laughed)Thatmeansy
oucan'
teat
meat
Apr
il
:(l
aughed)Ieatmeat
..
.
Hegotthetr
ayandgrabbedherput
ti
ngheron
hi
schestashewalkedtothel
ivi
ngroom wher
e
heputherdownandhandedhertheplat
e..
.

Tumelo:Fi
nisheat
ingt
henwear egoi
ngtosee
myoffice,
you'r
eal
sogoingtoseemyfri
end,i
f
youl
ikehershecanbey ourmom t
oo
Apr
il
:Issheni
ce?
Tumel
o:Shei
sver
yni
ce,
shehast
hreebabi
es-
Apri
l:(
graspedsmi
li
ng)Babi
esl
i
keLi
l
li
an'
sli
tt
le
si
sterwhosucksherfi
nger
s?
Tumel
o:Iguessso.
..
Apri
l
:Iwantt
oseet
hebabi
esf
ir
st,
cani
seet
he
babi
es?
Tumel
o:I
fyouf
ini
shy
ourf
ood,
yes.
..
.

Shecont
inuedeat
ingashepul
l
edhi
slapt
opout
oft
hebagandgotonl
i
ne.
..
..
.

AtDudu'
house.
..
.

Lat
erthatmor
ningshesatbehi
ndherhouse
andmadeherlacewigswhil
esunbasking..
..
Pri
ncesswal
kedoverwit
haheav ywetdiaper.
..

Dudu:
(smi
l
ed)Goodmor
ning.
..
.

Sheputherwigonthechai
randli
ft
edher
walki
ngbackinthehouset
ocleanherupt
hen
herphonerang.
..
.

Dudu:
Hel
l
o?
Voice:
Hi,gatweket
isengwanaat
egol
oga,
are
youavail
able?
Dudu:Um.
..Yes,
isi
tanewcust
omerori
ts
someoneiknow?
Voi
ce:HernameisApri
l,
appar
ent
lyy
oudi
dher
hai
rint
hepastidon'
tknow
Dudu:Apri
lwagammaSi
bandat
hel
adywho
at
tendsIPCC?
Voi
ce:
Yeah,
that
'sher
Dudu:
(laughed)Keamotshwar
a,waboat
il
ego
nt
hodi
aabal abala,
eemoti
se
Voi
ce:
Wher
ear
eyou?
Dudu:
I'
ll
sendy
out
hedi
rect
ions.
Voi
ce:
Bye

Shehungupandsenthim amessagethenshe
cl
eanedherdaughter
.Mi
nutesl
atershewal
ked
outandputheronthebl
ankett
henshe
conti
nuedmakingherwi
g..
.
Laterasil
verHummerdr ov
et hroughthegate,
sheturnedherheadandstaredatitasit
approachedandparkedafewf eetawayfrom
her.Thedooropenedthenhest eppedout,i
f
everther
ewast hewayaman' sbodyshoul d
l
ookhewasagoodexampl e.
..

Hesl i
ppedthecarkey sinhisbl
ackjeansback
pocketandopenedt hebackdoorthenhe
l
eanedi n,hi
st-shir
tli
ftedj
ustabitexposinghi
s
beltandshortsthenhemov edbackcarryi
nghis
daughter,heclosedthedoorandwal kedover.
Shedidn'tneedt obetold,
shecouldtellhewas
thefather.
..
..
.

Sheswal
lowedandputherwigdownthenshe
l
ookedather
sel
ftomakesureshewasn'tdi
rt
y,
hesmil
edandputhi
sdaughterdown.
..
Hi
m:Hi
Dudu:
Hi.
.Sowhati
sshedoi
ng?
Hi
m:Idon'
tknowjustmakeherpr
ett
y,how
muchi
sgoingtocost?
Dudu:I
'
lldosof
tdr
eadsonher
..
.Itwi
l
lcost
P100,
didyoubuyanyhai
r?
Hi
m:Idi
dn'tbuyany
thi
ng,
(tookouthi
swall
et)I
woul
dn'
tknowwhattobuy,can'
tyoubuyi
t?
Dudu:
Ihav
eafewpacksi
nst
ock,
I
'l
luset
hat(
to
her
)HiApr
il
Apr
il
:Hel
l
o?
Dudu:
Thepacki
sP50
Hi
m:(
gav
eherP200)Al
ri
ght
..
.Doesi
ttakel
ong?
Dudu:
2hour
s
Him:Al
ri
ght
,I'
l
lwaiti
nthecar
...(
snappedhi
s
f
inger
satPri
ncessasshewalkedover)Hel
l
o!
Apri
l:
(li
ft
edherbi
ti
ngherl
owerl
i
p)Hernameis
Pri
ncessandshebit
es,
shebi
tmyfi
ngerl
ast
ti
me
Him:(l
aughedandrubbedPr
incess'
shead)
Doesn'
tshedist
urbyou?
Dudu:
(swal
lowedst
ari
ngathi
schest
)No,
she
i
speacef
ul.
..
Him:
Alr
ightI
'
llwai
tint
hecar
,I'
l
lbet
ypi
ng
somedocuments
Dudu:
(looki
ngathi
sli
ps)Nopr
obl
em.
..

Shewatchedhim ashewalkedbackt ot
hecar
andsatinsi
de,headj
ust
edhi sseatandputhi
s
headphonesonthenhebegant ypi
nghis
documentli
steni
ngtomusic..
..
.

Meanwhil
eshesighedandbegundoi
nghi
s
daught
er'
shai
r.
..
Dudu:
April
whereismommy?Ialway
sseey
ou
wit
hyourgrandma,mamaokae?
Apri
l:Gr
andmasay sshei
swiththeAngelsi
n
theskyandthatonedaywhenwealldiewewil
l
meetherthereandli
vei
nparadi
setogether
.
Dudu:
Ist
haty
ourf
ather
?
Apr
il
:(pl
ayi
ngwi
thPr
incess)Yes
Dudu:
What
'shi
sname?
Apr
il
:Daddy
Dudu:
Yes,
iknowhei
sdaddybutwhat
'
shi
s
name?
Apr
il
:Ical
lhi
m Daddy
Dudu:
Wher
edoeshest
ay?
Apr
il
:InPr
ison,
buthei
snotgoi
ngther
eany
more,
hestayswit
hmeandgrandma.
Dudu:
Whatdi
dhedot
ogeti
npr
ison?
April
:Hisfr
iendst
oleandl
i
edt
othepol
i
ceand
theycaughtDad.
Dudu:
Isee,doesDaddyhaveagi
rl
fr
iend?Do
youeverseehi
m wi
thafri
endwhoisawoman?
Apri
l:
No,hi
sfri
endi
sKennedyandhebuy
sus
foodwhendaddyi
satpr
ison.
Dudu:
Isee.
..

Al
most3hourslat
ersheknockedonhis
wi
ndow,hetookofft
heheadphonesand
st
eppedout
.

Heclosedt
hedoorl ooki
ngathisdaught
er,a
smil
ebeganashel ookedatherthenheli
ft
ed
herupandkissedheronthecheek..
.

Him:Lookaty
ou!Wow..
.Youlookbeaut
if
ul,
excepty
oudon'thav
eatoot
h(theyal
ll
aughed
andheputherdown)Geti
nthecar

Shegoti nthecarandpul
l
edheraseatbelt
thenhecl osedt
hedoorandsmil
edpinchi
ng
Princess'
schin.
..

Hi
m: Thanksforbor
rowi
ngusy ourmommy
l
it
tl
elady,youcanhavehernow
Dudu:
(smi
l
edbl
ushi
ng)Any
time.
..
Hi
m:(
openedt
hedoor
)By
e
Dudu:(hear
tpounding)Wait
..
.(hepaused
l
ookingatherthenshegatheredal
lofher
conf
idenceandsighed)Canyoukissme? .
..
..
..
..
.
Co-
wif
e
#59

AtDudu'
shouse.
..
.
Heslowl
ysmiledl
ookingatherandfinal
l
y
l
aughed,shel
aughedcov eri
ngherf
acewithher
handtot
all
yembarrassed..
..

Tumelo:I
'
m gay
..
.Idoguy
sonl
y.I
'
m not
at
tract
edtowomen.
Dudu:(
laughed)I
'
m sor
ry,
Ican'
tbel
i
evei
just
sai
dthat.
Tumel
o:(
laughed)Don'
twor
ryabouti
t
Dudu:
IswearI
'
m nott
hatki
ndofawoman.
.
Tumel
o:I
t'
scool
,i
thappenshey
Dudu:(
swall
owedembarrassed)Ican'
tbel
iev
ei
sai
dthat,
iam soembar
rassedrightnow..
.
Tumelo:(l
aughed)Heycomeon, don'
tbe
embarrassed.
..
ifi
tmakesyoufeelbet
teriwon'
t
tel
lanyoneaboutit
,howisthat
?
Dudu:Bet
ter(
hecont
inuedl
aughingandshe
j
oinedinl
aughi
ng)Whyareyoulaughi
ngatme?
Tumel
o:(
laughed)I
'
m notl
aughi
ng
Dudu:
(laughed)St
opl
aughi
ng,
You'
re
embarr
assingme
Tumelo:(l
aughed)Isweary
ouhav
etowor
kon
yourpunchl
ines.
..
Dudu:(l
aughed)Idi
dn'
tplani
t,i
tjustcameout
becauseyouwereleav
ingandiwasshaking.
..
Tumel
o:(l
aughed)Noman,
yousuckatt
hisbut
youar
efunny,gaout
we
Dudu:
(laughed)Cany
ouj
ustst
opl
aughi
ng.
..
Tumelo:(gotinandclosedthedoort
henhe
rol
leddownt hewindow)You'reaver
ybeautif
ul
womanandI fiwasn'
tgayiwoulddefi
nit
elyki
ss
you..
.You'r
ev er
ybeautif
ul
Dudu:
(smi
l
ed)Thanks.
..
funnyenoughy
oudon'
t
l
ookgay
Tumelo:Iam t
hemanoft hewhole
arr
angement-
thingy
..
.Thee-youknowhowi
t
goes
Dudu:
(laughed)Monnawat
eng,
igeti
t
Tumel
o:(
smi
l
ed)Yes,
that
..
.Takecar
e..
.
Dudu:
Bye

Herev
ersedanddr
oveoutasshewal
kedback
i
nthehouse.
..
.

AtKen'
sof
fi
ce.
..
.

Minut
eslaterTumelopul
ledi
ntot
heparki
ngl
ot
asApri
lsangplayi
ngwithhert
eddy.
..
.

Apr
il
:(shaki
ngherhead)Despaaaaaci
to
Thi
sishowwedoi
tdowni
nPuer
toRi
co
Ij
ustwannaheary
ouscr
eami
ngay
,bendi
to!
Icanmov
efor
evercandoest
écont
igo
Pasi
topasi
to,
sav
esav
eci
to.
..Poki
topoki
to
Tumel
o:(
laughedandl
ookedather
)whatar
e
yousi
ngi
ng?
Apri
l:(
laughedshy
ly)Li
l
li
anwaspl
ayi
ngi
ton
herphone..
.
Tumel
o:(
laughed)Youshouldtel
lhertosendi
t
tomesoIcanlist
entoit
..
.Itsoundsfunny.

Heparkedthecarandst
eppedoutt
henhehel
d
hi
sdaughter'
shandandwalkedt
owardshi
s
fr
iend.
..

Ken:
What
'sup?
Tumelo:Cool
(thr
ewhi
mt hekeysandhe
caughtt
hem)Thehai
rtooklongert
hani
t
hought
.
Ken:
Don'
tworryabouti
t,i
didn'
tneedt
hecar
.
Didy
ouaccessthesyst
em?
Tumelo:Yeahbutiwantt
oobserv
ethe
tr
ansacti
onsforacoupl
eofweeksbef
oredoi
ng
anyt
hing.
Ken:
(gavehi
mt hekey
s)Thi
sisf
ory
ourof
fi
ce,
i
di
dthebesticoul
d,
Tumel
o:Sure,
I'
ll
takeitf
rom her
e..
.dr
opt
hose
comput
ersatmymot her'
shouse.
Ken:
(smil
ed)IhavehadenoughofMr
s
Si
banda'
spreachi
ng
Tumel
o:(
laughed)y
ouneedt
hehol
yspi
ri
tbr
uh.
.
Ken:(l
aughed)Seeyou,bythewaythekeysf
or
theJeepareattheoff
ice,
ehaparki
nglot.
Tumel
o:Di
dyouser
vicei
t?
Ken:Ioccasi
onal
l
yusedi
t,i
twasn'
tpar
kingt
he
ent
ir
et i
me.
Tumel
o:Al
ri
ght
,thanks

Heturnedandwalkedawayhol
dinghi
s
daughter
'shand.
..
.

Tumel
o:Whatdoy
ouwantt
obuy
?
Apr
il
:Iwantabigbigt
eddybear
..
.Abi
ggerand
bi
ggestoneev
er..
.
Tumel
o:Let
'sseei
fwecanf
indi
tar
oundher
e..
.

Theywal
kedi
ntoashop.
..
..

AtDudu'
shouse.
..
.

Shelai
dont hebedwhil
eherdaught
erwas
pl
ayingnexttoher
,shewassti
llembar
rassed
aboutwhathappenedandshefoundhersel
f
wi
shi
ngshecoul
dundoi
t.
..

Shereachedf
orherphoneandf
oundacoupl
e
oft
extmessages.

Tuel
o:Hi,i
tri
edcal
l
ing,
whyar
en'
tyou
answer
ing?
Tuel
o:(5minutesaf
tert
he1stone)Pl
ease
answerthephone.
Tuel
o: (10minutesafter)Cal
ledBKandhe
di
dn'tanswer ,
isther
esomet hingIshoul
dknow?
Idon'tunder
standwhyi mustcall
youforhour
s
wit
houtget t
ingananswer .
Tuel
o:(12minut
esaf
ter
)Iguessonecan'
tbe
l
uckytwice,
bye
Tuel
o:(16minutesaf
ter
)Pleasedon'
thurtme,I
l
oveyouandy ou'r
emyonlysourceof
happi
ness.Yougivemehope, i
fyouhav
eey es
forot
herpeoplel
etmeknowbeforeIfal
lway
deeper
.Pleaseanswert
hephone,
allsor
tsof
thi
ngsarecomingtomymind.

Shedi
aledhi
snumberandl
aidonherback.
..

Tuel
o:Hel
l
o?
Dudu:Hi,
sorry.
..Iwasattendi
ngaclient.I
twas
achil
dsoi tt
ookl onger
.I'
m notgoi
ngt ocheat
onyou,stopaccusingmeofdoi ngthingsi
di
dn'tdo.
Tuel
o:Sorr
y,iwasalit
tl
est
ressedbecause
Bakangi
sn'tanswer
ingmycall
s,it
hought
you'
rewit
hhim.
Dudu:
Idon'twantBakang,
hei
snot
hingmor
e
t
hanPrincess'
sfat
her.
Tuel
o:I
'
m sor
ry
Dudu:
(si
ghed)Any
wayhowi
sthesi
tuat
ionat
wor
k?
Tuel
o:Theyl
etmegosoI'
ll
besear
chi
ngf
ora
j
obassoonasIgetout
..
Dudu:Ar
eyour
ent
ingt
hathousekanakey
a
gago?
Tuel
o:I
t'
smi
ne
Dudu:
Kol
oieduet
swe?
Tuelo:Yes,cashbutIhadali
tt
lel
oanitooklast
yearsoI'm pl
anningtosel
lmycarandpaythat
l
oant henlookforajobwhil
eI'
m debtf
ree.
Dudu:(si
ghed)Okay.
..Sohowarey
ougoi
ngt
o
sur
viv
e?Jobsar ehar
dt ofi
nd.
Tuel
o:It
hinkmay bewecoul dmoveintogether
i
fyoudon'tmindandt henicanputatenantat
myhouse,itwil
lprobablygi
vemeabout1.5K
permonth.
Dudu:
Isee.
..Wel
ll
et'
shopeyouf
indajobsoon,
l
if
eishar
d.Suppor
ti
ngPri
ncessi
salr
eadyhard
ij
ustwanttobelov
edandpamper
edf
ora
minut
etoforgetmymi
seri
es.
Tuel
o: Don'
tworrybabe,
it'
sjustaphase.
..
Rel
ationshi
psgot hr
oughchall
engesbutifwe
pul
lthroughthi
soneandi fi
ndaj obwewi l
l
makei t
.
Dudu:Okay
,myai
rt
imei
sfi
nishi
ng,
wewi
l
ltal
k
l
ater
.
Tuel
o:Il
ovey
ou
Dudu:
Ilov
eyout
oo

Shehungupandl
aidonherbackwonder
ing.
..
.

AtTumel
o'
sOf
fi
ce.
..
.

Lat
erthataf
ter
noonApri
lst
oodbyt
hewi
ndow
andpull
edthefol
ds.
..
Apr
il
:(smi
l
ed)Dadi
sawt
hesecur
tai
nsi
na
movi
e
Tumel
o:(
swi
tchi
ngt
hecomput
eron)Okay
..
.

Hesatont
hechai
randl
eanedbackdi
ali
nghi
s
f
ri
end.
..
.

Tuel
o:Comr
ade?
Tumelo:
Fucky oumonna,howcomey ounever
answeryourphone?Ihav
ebeentr
yingtocal
l
yousi
ncei gotout
.
Tuel
o:(
laughed)Ihav
ebeenadmit
tedi
n
Sabr
anapsychiat
ri
chospi
tal
,di
dn'
tNal
edi
tel
l
you?
Tumelo:Wehav en'
thadachancetot
alkabout
alotoft
hings,
elegorewatlhany
acomrade?
Tuel
o:(l
aughed)Kol
ojwanaenngweet
hagi
l
we
mestaah
Tumel
o:(t
heybot
hlaughedl
oudl
y)Beser
ious
themonna
Tuel
o:IwasdepressedbutI
'
m good,
imi
ghtget
outnextweek.
Tumel
o:Getoutoft
hatpl
acewenaor
atabo
weakmonna
Tuel
o:Fot
sheki
lov
edMaduo
Tumel
o:Il
ovedApr
il
'
smot
herbuti
didn'
tgo
mad
Tuel
o:Howdoi
know?
Tumel
o:(
laughed)Mar
etel
ait
aka
Tuel
o:(l
aughed)Skanclei
melamonna,r
ebuwa
kabo4t o5yearsago,gongwekil
ewapeka2
minut
es,magil
eguardalebareoki
lewathasel
a
dir
oommat estsagago
Tumel
o:(
laughed)Magi
l
eguar
daoat
hol
a..
.But
onaser
iousnot
etswalai
taka,
ketsaagor
eo
amoget
seseemoyaanongakere?
Tuel
o:(si
ghed)Yeah,I
'm good.Iknowshei
s
gone,
isti
llmissherbutifoundsomeone
Tumel
o:Thatqui
ck?Niggawhatpor
ti
onareyou
usi
ngomphekesi el
eNaledi
ontimabol
oto?
Tuelo:(
laughed)Yeah,hernamei sDudu,sheis
actual
l
yNal edisf
ri
end,Idon'tev
enknowi fit
's
okaytocallthem f
ri
endsbecauseshei s
Bakang'sex
Tumelo:Ihavehear
dofDudu(laughed)Hehe
Tuxwee?Oj elat
salayagago?Themonnai f
youtr
yitonmeI '
llf
uckyouupsobadI 'l
lgoto
j
ail
.
Tuel
o:(
laughed)I
ket
epel
emest
aah
Tumelo:
Aeno,l
etmemakesomethi
ngclear
l
ait
aka,y
oudon'
tdothatt
ome.
..Mygir
lisof
f
l
imit
sgothel
ediex
Tuel
o:Iwoul
dn'
tdot
hatt
oyou
Tumel
o:I
'
m ser
ious
Tuel
o:Obonannagobuwannet ehelaionl
ydi
d
i
tbecausesheappr oachedmennahelaonmy
owniwouldn'thavedoneitev
enifif
elt
somethi
ngf orher
.Sheshowedmel ovewheni
wasatmyl owestpoint.
Tumel o: Nnawamey oudon' tfeelshi
tf orher,
if
i
tcomesupy out elly ourhear ttogetridof
thosef eeli
ngsfast .Loy alt
ymeanssomet hi
ng
tome, ifsomet hinghappenst omei shoul d
countony outohel p, YouseehowKennedywas
abletosuppor tmymot heranddaught eras
soonashegotr eleased?Kebat ahelaj al
o,you
shouldseeKen' swi fe,shei sfreakinghotbut
l
ehakekat agiwaIcan' tsayordoany t
hingwi t
h
her,shei soffl
imi t
s.Ir espectherandi mindthe
thi
ngsi saywhenshei sar ound, habasadi bal
e
tengrebanababamai tseobl i
nd
Tuel
o:(
laughed)Igett
hat
,tot
aI'
m nott
hatki
nd
ofaguy.
Tumelo:Iwaswithyourboyyesterday
,hej ust
showeduponNal edi
sdoorandi waspissed
buthewasjustcool,hei
sactuall
ynotasbad
youpeoplepor
trayhi
mt obe.Ithoughtlare
gaanabotho
Tuelo:
BKgaanabot hol ai
takakoor
ehelagor
aa
wagot shababecausewenaonal enamanyana,
hannekesemospat el
ankabor eelwel
ee
seri
ousf orDudu.
Tumelo:
Buthewascalm,wetal
kedandcame
toanunder
standi
ng.Hei
sareasonabl
eguy
..
.
Tuel
o:(l
aughed)I
'
llbel
i
eveyouthoughican'
t
pi
ctur
eitbuteneoshapoBK,hehelpedmeout
morethanIcancount.
Tumel
o:Soar
engkaDuduwat
eng?
Tuelo:Wehav
en'
ttalked,
heisn'
tanswer
ingmy
cal
ls,hef
oundoutyester
day
Tumelo:Butyouwereunfai
ronhim,kana
fri
endshi
pev ai
l
eclar
rthoughfr
om whatyou
tol
dmet hisguyhadyourback,
issheworthi
t?
Tuel
o:Shei
sagoodgi
rl
,it
rusther
.
Tumelo:(sighed)Buttofalli
nlovewithyour
boy'sbabymamai sanotherstory
,nnankamo
tseel
ahelakaf or
cecausewear enotfri
ends,
anywayi wasj ustchecki
ngony ou,I
'
mi nthe
offi
cetryi
ngt ogetsomet hi
ngofftheground.
Tuel
o:Hi
remet
hemonnakej
obl
ess
Tumel
o:Wewi
l
ltal
kwheny
ougetout
.
Tuel
o:Sur
e

Hehungupandlookedathi
sdaught
ercl
i
mbi
ng
upt
hewindow.
..

Tumelo:
Maoratwaweehol
ogakoootaawa.
..
(st
oodup)Let
'sgoseet
hebabi
es.
..
Shejumpeddownandfel
l
,hehel
pedherupand
fol
l
owedheroutl
ocki
ngthedoor
..
..
.

AtAbal
eng'
sof
fi
ce.
..

Heleanedbackandtor
etheenvel
opethenhe
readthel
ett
erandsmil
ed..
.Acoworker
stor
medinholdi
ngherlet
ter
..
..

Her
:MrTI'
m al
sogoingt
oChina.
..
.Ican'
t
bel
i
evet
heyaresendi
ngmetoo
Abi
:(smil
edandgotherl
ett
er)
Congrat
ulat
ions.
..

Hestoodupandwalkedar
oundthet
abl
etohug
her
,sheputherar
msaroundhi
sneckandl
if
ted
herlegsfor
cinghi
mt ohol
dherwaist
...Renei
walkedinandstoppedatt
hedoorholdingher
son'shand.
..

Renei
:Hi
..

Theybot
hletgoofoneanot
her
,shepull
ed
downherski
rt
,gr
abbedherl
ett
erthenwalked
out.
..
.

Her
:sor
ry.
..

Reneil
wetur
nedandlookedatherasshe
walkedawaythenshel
ookedinhisf
ace.
..He
swall
owedandpickedhi
sson..
.

Abi
:(l
eanedov
erandki
ssedher
)Heybabe.
..
Renei
:You'
renotgoi
ngt
oChi
nai
fshei
s
comingwit
hyou
Abi
:It
'scompanypol
i
cy
Renei
:Shewant
syouandy
ouknowi
t
Abi
:(si
ghed)You'
rei
magi
ningi
t,t
her
eis
not
hingli
kethat
..
.

Hegrabbedhiswaterbottl
eanddrunkthenhe
puthi
ssononhi schairandtookof
fhisti
eas
Reneist
aredathim..
.

Abi
:Don'
tl
ookatmel
i
ket
hat
..
.
Renei
: Andyouknowy ouhaveacrushonher
,if
yougowi thhery
ou'
llbetear
ingthi
sfamil
y
apart
.It'
suptoyou,
I'
llwaitf
oryourfi
nal
deci
sion.Bye
Shetur
nedaroundandwal
kedawaythenhe
heav
edasighandsatonthedeskr
eleasi
ngt
he
l
astbutt
onofhisshi
rt
..
.

Atourhouse.
..
..

Laterthatev
eningaft
erbathi
ngwiththekidsi
putthem eachinthei
rwalker
sandpickedt he
toyslyi
ngaroundastheywatchedcartoonson
TV..Myphoner angandiansweredwal ki
ngto
thekit
chen..
.

Me:
Hel
l
o?
Mama: Hi
,iwasataweddingmeetingwit
hyour
uncl
eandhesaidther
ewer ejobsi
nthe
newspaper
,haveyouseenthem?
Me:
I'
ll
findi
ttomor
rowandt
akeal
ookatt
hem
Mama:
Whenar
eyouchecki
ngonme?Imi
ss
t
heki
dsal
ready
Me:
(laughed)Wewi
l
lcomet
her
etomor
row.
..
Mama:Lel
ewhenam i
meet
ingt
hismy
ster
ious
manyou'
redat
ing?
Me:
(laughed)I
'
m notdat
ingany
one
Mama:Ifit
'sBakangyoucanj
ustt
ellmei won'
t
j
udgeyouandi t
'sokayt
hathei
stakingcareof
hi
schi
l
dr en,hei
ssupposedtodothat.
Me:(l
aughed)MamaBakangisamarri
edman,
i
t'
sjustsomeguy.
..Hi
snameisTumelo,I
'
llt
ell
youmoretomorr
owwhenIv i
sit
..Hei
sa
gent
leman.
Mama: Sohei
stheonet
aki
ngcar
eoft
he
chi
l
dren?
Me:
Yes
Mama:
That
'si
mpr
essi
ve,
whatdoeshedo?
Me:
Hei
sacomput
erengi
neer
Mama: Bi
gwor
dsconfuseme, I
'
m sur
prisedyou
di
dn'
ttell
meabouthi
m, anypar
ti
cul
arreason?
Me:
(laughed)wewi
l
ltal
ktomor
row
Mama:(l
aughed)I
'
llwai
t,par
donmei
fIaska
l
otofquest
ions
Me:(
laughed)Youal
way
saskal
otofquest
ions.
By
e
Mama:
Bye

Ihungupandputt hephonedown, Despaci t

o
playedinthehomet heatre.Il
ovedthebeatand
theaccentofthesinger,Ialwaysli
stenedtoiti
n
fullbl
ast.
.Ihur
ri
edov erandi ncr
easedt he
volumeast hekidslookedatmebi ti
ngt hei
r
toothers.
..
.

Isangalongmovi
ngmyhi
psandsnappi
ngmy
fi
ngersasift
heywer
emyaudi
ence,
Tumelo
openedt
hedoorandsmi ledlookingatme,i
tur
nedaroundandsmiledlookingatApri
las
sheshyl
ymi medthesong..
.

Idancedoverandheldbot
hofherhands
si
ngingassheshylysangal
ong.
..
.

Me:
Despaci
i
ii
ii
to
Thi
sishowwedoi
tdowni
nPuer
toRi
co
Ij
ustwannaheary
ouscr
eami
ng,
Ay,
Bendi
to!
Icanmov
efor
evercuandoest
écont
igo

Apr
il
:(noddi
ngherheadshy
ly)
Pasi
topasi
to,
suav
esuav
eci
to

Tumelol
if
tedt
heki
dsgr
eet
ingthem asi
dancedt
othemusi
cwit
hApri
l,
shelaughedand
warmeduptomeasshef
reel
ysangal
ong
danci
ng.
..

Thesongendedandi r
educedthevol
ume
breat
hingheavi
ly
,Apr
ill
aughedatmeasif
ell
onthecouch..
.

Me:
Comeher
e,doy
ouknowmyname?
Apr
il
:Nal
edi
Tumel
o:Buty
oucancal
lhermamai
fyoul
i
ke
her
Apr
il
:(l
aughed)Il
ikeher
..
.(
smil
edl
ooki
ngat
Masego)Canitouchthebaby
?
Me:
Yesbaby
,goon.
..

Sheli
ft
edMasegoandal
mostsl
i
ppedbut
gai
nedherbal
ance.
..
Apr
il
:I'
m sor
ry.
..
Me:
(laughed)I
t'
sokay
..
.
Apr
il
:(l
ookedattheboy
sandsmil
ed)Therear
e
somanybabies,
wheredidy
ougetthem al
l
?
Tumelo:
(laughed)Bol
elel
angwanakegor
eo
phaki
l
ekaebanababakana
Me:
(laughed)Igott
hem f
rom t
hehospi
tal
.
..

Tumel
olockedthemaindoorandhel
dmyhand
l
eadi
ngmet othebedr
oom...
.

Tumel
o:Apr
ilwat
chTVwi
tht
heki
dsokay
?
Apri
l
:(smi
l
edexcitedlyandpull
edt
heirwal
ker
s
ar
oundher)SayApril
..
.You,t
hetal
lonesay
Apri
l
...
Heclosedt hebedr
oom doorandturnedme
aroundforakiss,i
putmyar msaroundhisneck
ashepul l
edmyv estupandcaressedmybr east
,
west agger
edandf el
lonthebedashet ookout
aboxofcondom andputi tonthebed,heletgo
ofmeandpul l
edoutt-
shir
tasipull
eddownhi s
pantsandswal l
owedlooki
ngathisbulge.
..

Hel eanedov erandki ssedmet henhet or ethe

boxandhandedmet hecondom pushingdown
hi
sboxer s,itoret hecondom andhel dhi s
weapont heni forceddownt hecondom, he
mov edmygent lehandsandr oughlyr
olledit
downt henhepushedmedownandhol dinghis
di
ck, heleanedov erkissi
ngmeandf i
ll
edmy
hole,ipausedki ssingandf r
ownedopeni ngmy
eyeswi deashepushedi tdeeper.
..Imov edmy
handsandhequi cklyputhishandsonmi ne
holdingmet ightlypressingthem onthe
bed...
..
..
..
..
..
..
...
..(9t).
Co-
wif
e
#60

Atourhouse.
..

Asiwassleepingipi
ckedt
hesmel l
ofchicken
bymynose, i
openedmyey estoTumelo
ki
ssi
ngmesof tly,
hesmil
edstari
ngatme
hol
dingaplat
e...
.

Tumel
o:Hey
Me:
(bl
ushed)Hey
..
.
Tumel
o:Ar
eyouokay
?
Me:
(laughed)YesI
'
mfi
ne
Tumel
o:(l
aughed)It
houghty
ou'
redead,
you
j
ustwentoutl
ikeabulb
Me:
(laughed)Idozedof
f
Hestucktheforkonadr umstickandbroughti
t
cl
osertomymout hthenitookabiteatthe
cr
ispygoldenfr
iedchicken,t
hesaltandspices
werejustatt
her i
ghtamount .
.

Me:(gr
abbedi
tfr
om thefor
kandsatup)Di
d
youguysgooutwhi
l
ei wassleepi
ng?
Tumelo:(l
aughed)Wecooked. .
.Icooked,t
hose
fourwerefol
lowingmearoundl i
kefl
ies
foll
owingawoundedanimal,thosewalkersar
e
real
lyusef
ul,
y ou'
dsweartheyarewalking.
Me:(
laughed)That
'swhyt
heyar
ecal
l
ed
wal
kers
Tumelo:(putt
heplat
eontheheadboard)I
thi
nkweneedt obuyafewthings,
babeagona
dij
ointhepantr
y,howhav
ey oubeensurvi
vi
ng?
Me:
Ther
eisf
ood
Tumel
o:That
'snotf
ood,
whatdot
heki
dseat
?
Me:
They
'r
est
il
lonmi
l
kandsof
tpor
ri
dge
Tumel
o:Nnakebaneet
sedi
chi
cken
Me:
(gr
aspedst
ari
ngathi
m)What
??
Tumelo:
(sear
chi
ngthewar
drobe)Bai
kgor
a
melomogonekwa..
.

Igotupandsli
ppedinmygownt heniwalkedi
n
theli
vi
ngroom,Atsi
lewasholdi
ngthe
drumsti
ckdesper
atel
ysucki
ngonit,Masego
too.
..

Apr i
landAmewer enowheretobef oundwhenI
turnedaroundshewal kedoutoft het
oil
et
holdinghimfrom behindsqueezinghis
stomachashehel dthedrumsti
ckbonesucking
hislipswit
hoilar
oundhi smout handcheeks.
..
.
Apri
l
: (
breat
hingheavil
y)Iwentt
opeewit
hthi
s
one,heisnotheavy.
..Il
if
thi
m easi
l
y..
.

Ispeechl
essl
ywatchedassheputhimi
nthe
walkeral
mostdroppi
nghim,i
quickl
ygr
abbed
him andhel
pedherputhi
minside.
..

Me:Sowheredi
dyouputhi
m wheny
ouwer
e
st
il
lpeei
ng?
Apri
l:Hekeptcr
awli
ngoutsoiputhi
mi nthe
tubandhejustst
oodint
hereunti
lif
ini
shed
Me:
(laughedandcl
appedonce)wai
tseke
mat
hata
April
:Thet
all
onei sreal
l
yheavy,
ifel
ldown
tr
yingtopi
ckhim buthedidn'
tcr
y
Me:
Don'
tl
if
tthatone,
hei
sheav
y
Apri
l:
(laughedandshowedmeherar
m)And
thegi
rltri
edtobit
emewhenitur
nedher
drumsti
ckboneupsidedown,shei
ssof
unny
...
i
di
dn'tf
eelanyt
hing.Wil
lyoubor
rowmet
hist
iny
one?I'
l
lbri
nghim backtomorr
ow
Me:
(laughedandr
aisedmyv
oice)Babe?
?
Tumel
o:(
from t
hebedr
oom)Yeah?
Me: Apr
ilisbor
rowi
ngAme?Gat wecani bor
row
thi
sone...(webot
hlaughedthenileanedover
toher)Youcansleepoverandplaywiththem
all
night
Apr
il
:(j
umpedexci
tedl
y)Yes,
yes.
..
.

Iwal
kedt
othebedroom wher
eTumel
owas
put
ti
ngonhi
sclot
hes..
.

Tumel o:Iwanttosel
lmyJeep, i
doubtt
he
chil
dren'scarseat
swillal
lfi
tint
her
e,wenao
dir
il
est orywait
sekoorewemustbuyacombi
Me:
(laughed)Tumi
ther
rast
opsay
ingt
hatl
i
ke
i
t'
sabadt
hing
Tumel o:Aewat sholangwanakewena, i
thoughtabouti tlastnightaf
terourargument
anddeci dedy ourresponseaboutunpr otected
sexisr easonable,kanahaor at
al emor ning
afterpil
lekany erologahelaebonadi ov arytsa
gagot heny oudr opmequadr uplets,
whatt he
hellwil
l idowithsomanybabi es?Keshapo, a
condom wi lldofornow.
Me:(l
aughed)Oskarekacombiot
ant
shut
isa
bat
ho,idon'
tdatecombidri
ver
s
Tumelo:Saysawomanwhopopsbabi esli
ke
thatt
ennismachine,kegor ekel
acombi i
nfact
I'
m buyi
ngami ni
busj ustincaseyousuckedmy
spermsthroughthecondom, okot
siwena.You
canevengetpregnantf r
om akiss.
..
Me:
(laughedandwal
kedout
)Icanevenfeel
t
hebabykicki
ngaswespeakhahaha.
..
.
Iwenttotheki
tchenandstar
tedcl
eani
ngup,he
wasanexcell
entcookbutverymessy,
ever
ythi
ngwasl y
ingonthecount
erandthe
st
ovehadcookingoilal
lover
..
.

Apr
ilr
anintheki
tchenandopenedt
hebot
tl
e
war
mer .
..

Apr
il
:Thet
all
onei
shungr
y

Sheranoutwi t
hthemil
kbeforeIcouldrespond,
Icl
osedt hewarmerandcont
inuedcleaning.As
l
itt
leasshewasshewast hehelpineeded, the
daughterinev
erhad.

Tumelowal kedbehi
ndmeandhel
dmywai st
thenheleanedoverandki
ssedmyneck,he
grabbedmyj awsandtur
nedmyneckkissi
ng
me,itur
nedaroundandputmywetfoamy
handsuphisshoul
dersandr
ecei
vedhiski
ssas
herubbedhi
mselfagai
nstmypubi
carea..

Tumelo:(
sighedandhuggedme)Nagakea
utwal
ehaelesepe,kesper
mi lekapel
a,I
'm not
count
ingit
,itwasadessert
...Thecour
semeal
mustbeser vedr
ele2mont ung
Me:
(laughed)Soy
oucanki
l
lme?Noway
..
.
Tumel
o: (
kissedme)I'
m goi
ngt
otakecar
eofa
fewt
hings,keetaut
wa?
Me:Okay.
..(
fi
xedhiscol
lar
)kar
eobot okany
ana
haocut
ti
lemorir
iandyourbear
d,don'
tcheaton
me
Tumel
o:(
laughed)Icanneverappr
oachany
woman,I
'
m contentwit
hy ou
Me:(
laughed)Andi
ftheyappr
oachyou?Gat
we
menneverrej
ectwomen,youal
lj
ustsayyes
t
akeme
Tumel
o:(l
aughed)Inevergetappr
oachedby
women,womennev erdothat
Me:
Ifawomanappr
oachedy
ouwoul
dyout
ell
me?
Tumel
o:Whywoul
dIdothat
?It
'sl
ame,
woul
d
yout
ell
meifaguywant
edyou
Me:(
laughed)Iguessnot
,unlessit
'snecessar
y
l
ikei
fit
'syourfr
iendandheispersi
stent
Tumelo:(smi
ledandl eanedoverkissi
ngme)
That'
smygi r
l,i
lovethat..
.(ki
ssedmeagai n)I
havetogo,shouldIt
aket hecaroruseat axi?
Maybey ouguysmightneedt ogobuy
somethingApri
lgasey ookasalanglebana.She
i
ssocl umsy
Me: Um,
Idon'
tthi
nkI'
l
lneedi
tcauseiwantto
cl
eananddolaundr
ybutyoucanleav
eitj
ustin
case.
Tumel
o:Al
ri
ght
,shapo

Heopenedt
hef
ri
dgeandpausedl
ooki
ng
i
nsi
de..
..

Tumelo:Washetamma, l
ehaeledr
inke1..
.nna
kanakeaja,
ijustgotoutofpr
ison,
i di
dn'
thave
all
thesei
nthere
Me:
Youknowi forgotaboutt
hat
,I'
l
lbuyf
oodi
n
t
heaft
ernoon,
isthatokay?
Tumelo:(t
ookouthiswal l
etandturnedaround
giv
ingmehi sbackthenhegav emeanATM
card)Usethi
sone,don'tuseMoni queJenson'
s
cardanymoreitwasawi ndowt r
ansacti
ngcard
fr
om mybankaccount .
Me:Al
ri
ght
..
.Um.
..I
'
mjustcur
ious,
howmuch
doy
ouhave?
Tumel
o:(
smi
l
edandki
ssedme)Justspendi
t
careful
ly,Idon'
thav eamoneyt reeandIdon'
t
comef rom ar i
chfami l
y,i
fIgiv
ey oumoneyi
expectyout omul t
iplyi
t,I
'
m brokeandIalways
havedet ecti
vesonmyt al
esomakesur eyou
don'tgetstrandedifsomethinghappenstome.
Me:You'
rescar
ri
ngme,whatdoy
oumeani
f
somethi
nghappenst
oyou?
Tumel o:(l
aughed)Lookaty oupani cki
ng,i
meani fmyaccount sgetfrozen.CIDhav ehad
myaccount sfrozentwice,theyinvesti
gateme
thenunfreezethem whent heyar edonewi t
h
thei
rinvesti
gati
ons.Duringthattimel i
fe
becomesdi ffi
cul
t,t
heycanf r
eezet hem f
or6to
12mont hssoy oucan'tdependonme, Iam
unrel
iable.

Hewalkedi
nthel
i
vingr
oom andpi
ckedhi
s
key
s..
.
Tumel
o:(
wal
ki
ngout
)BabyI
'
m comi
ng.
..
April
:(busywiththechil
dren)Let'
srace.
..Come
here,I'
m putt
ingyouonal ine.
..(
pushedAmet o
thefront)No,I'
l
lputtheli
ttl
eonei nthef
ront.
…

Shetookt
heirdrumsti
cksandknel
tashor
t
di
stancef
rom them..
.

Apri
l:
(smil
edwavi
ngthem)Comeandt ake
them..
.Comeon.
..I
'
m eati
ngyourchi
cken.
..

Atsil
eandMasegopaddledoverAmeremained
seatedpl
ayingwi
tht
hebuttonsonhi
swalker.
Therewasaknockonthedoorandshepaused
l
isteni
ng.
..

Shetr
iedt
orememberthename,butithad
di
sappear
edonherandtheknockconti
nued.
..
.
Apr
il
:Mama?Ther
eissomeoneatt
hedoor
..
.

Itwast hatdaythatlear
nedhowni cei
twasto
becalledmamabyast epchild,
itmel
tedmy
heartandi di
dn'trespondjustsoshecoul
d
scream again,i
thadt he"ngwetsiy
ame"eff
ect
onmet henifi
nallywalkedoutandopenedthe
door..
.

Me:
(smi
l
ed)Renei
hi.
..

Shet earful
lywalkedbutqui
cklychangedher
faci
al expressi
onwhenshesawApr il
,shehid
herfaceandheadedt otheki
tchenwher ei
foll
owedherandhuggedherasshesi l
entl
y
cri
ed....
Me:
Whathappened?
Renei:Abii
scheati
ng,ican'
ttaket
hisany
more.
Ican'thur
tagai
n..
.Fir
stitwasMogapiandnow
Abaleng?Whatam idoingwrong?
Me:Fi
rstofal
lmybr otherdoesn'
tcheat,I
'm
sur
etherei
sanexpl anati
onforthi
s.Besides
l
ovi
ngy ouandallt
hereisanotherreasonwhy
hewouldnevercheatony ou.
Renei:(
rubbedhereyes)Likewhat?What
reasonwouldhehave?Iwal kedinonhim
hugginganotheremployee,shesaidsomething
l
ikegoingtoChina,i
fhegoes. .
.(si
ghed)Ican't
dealwiththi
s..
.
Me:
I'
ll
tal
ktohi
m
Renei:Tal
ktohi
m now,
Lel
emmai
can'
ttake
thi
s..
.
Me:(
gotmyphone)Ij
ustwantt
oaskhim
what
'sgoi
ngbutI
'
llt
alkt
ohimindet
ail
lat
er.
..
Renei
:puthi
m onl
oudspeaker
Me:No,hewil
lknowandhewouldnevert
rust
me.Justgosi
tonthecouch,
I'
ll
cal
lyouaft
er
t
alki
ngtohim.

Shewalkedoutandsatonthecouchlooki
ngat
Apri
lassheplayedwi
ththechi
ldr
enont he
car
pet.
..Iwai
tedashi
sphonerang..
.

Abi
:Hel
l
o?
Me:
Hi,
doy
ouknowwhyI
'
m cal
l
ing?
Abi
:(si
ghed)KanaReneiotenegamahal
ahela,
not
hingishappeni
ngbetweenmeandthisl
ady.
Wehuggedandt hat
'si
t.
..
Me:Ifshecanpicksomethi
ngthenther
eis
somethingAbi
,behonestwit
hyoursel
fand
don'
tbePapa,thisi
showweendedupgr owi
ng
poor
.
Abi
:(of
fended)Iam notmyf
ather
Me:But.You'
rehi
mify
ou'
regoi
ngt
ocheaton
Renei
Abi:It
'snotthatI'm cheat
ing,
thi
sladywaa
mpat aandI '
m notsur ehowtoputherdown
withoutlookinglikeanass.Sheisalway
s
excit
edandscr eamingthenI'
mf or
cedtoki
nd
ofrespondt hatway .
Me:Can'
tsheseey
ou'
reamar
ri
edmankanao
r
olari
ng?
Abi:(
sighed)Shekeepscomingonmebuti
understandwhyRenei i
sangry
,igeti
tanddon't
tel
lherwhati j
usttol
dyouaboutthatgi
rl
wantingme, I
'
llt
alktoherandtel
lhermywife
wasn'thappyaboutwhatshesawi ntheoff
ice
andthatsheshouldkeepherdist
ance.
Me:Don'tsaythattoher,i
twi
llmakeRenei l
ook
l
ikeaninsecurewifej
ust.
..
(si
ghedthoughtf
ull
y)
Justt
ellherthatyouthi
nksheisgett
ingtoo
personalandy ou'dprefert
opr of
essi
onal
becausey ou'r
eamar ri
edmanwhor espect
shis
vows,anythingalongt hoseli
nesbutavoid
portr
ayingRenei asinsecurebecausemmey oo
okaipokaai thaaareobot okamogoRenei .
Abi:Ididn'tthinkofitthatway .
..I
'
llt
alktoher
then,themmar aaRenei aintshwarel
e..
.Il
ove
herandi don'twantt oleavegosemonat e,i
f
somet hingret samaer ot heifthebudgetall
ows,
wecanl ookati trel
emmogobecauset he
companyi spay ingmyaccommodat i
onand
buyingmebasi cgroceries,shecouldbuythings
forpeopl einBot swanagonekoChi naandship
them foraf eet omakeext racash
Me:(smi
l
ed)Wow...You'
resucharomanti
cbr
o,
shemsonkgopodi
tseTumeloibi
l
ehaha..
Abi
:Tumel
okemang?
Me:
Um.
..Any
wayby
e,wewi
l
ltal
k,by
e
Iqui
ckl
yhungupandwal
kedt
othel
i
ving
room.
..
.

AtKgosi
'
shouse.
..
.

Latert
hataft
ernoonBakangwalkeddownt
he
backdoorandsatonthestai
rsholdi
ngagl
ass
ofwine.
..
.

Hequi etl
ylookedathi smot her'
sgreengarden
colourfulwit
hf lowerst henhewal kedtothe
storer
oom andopenedt hedoor ,hemov edthe
spiderwebsont hedoorandwal kedin,hetri
ed
toswi t
cht helightsonbutt hebulbhadl ong
died..
.Hel ookedar oundt hedust yroom, hi
sold
chil
dhoodbi keswer epiledupont opofone
another,hef oundhi msel fremember inghis
chil
dhoodwi thTrevor.Itwast hehappiestti
mes
oftheirli
ves, r
aisi
ngbi cycl esbyt hesideofthe
r
oad..
.Thethoughtofhim wi
thhi
sexdr
iedhi
s
t
hroatandheclosedthedoor.

Hewalkedbackandsatont hestai
rsst
ar i
ngat
thegol
dwineinthegl
ass,hi
ssisterwalked
downthestai
rsandsatnexttohim,sheputher
arm ar
oundhi
m andkissedhim onthecheek..
.

Resego:Idon'
tcar
eifnoonel ovesy
ou,il
ove
youandi knowDadlovesy ou,
mom lov
esyou
aswellandsodoesDor cas.
Bakang: Unfor
tunat
elyI'
mt oool
dfort
hatkind
ofl
ove, Ihavehurtpeopl
eandnowf amil
yisalli
have,idon'tevenhavefri
ends.
Resego:Youcanalwaysst
artf
rom t
he
begi
nning,l
ookforagoodwomanandstay
l
oyaltoher.
Bakang:
(si
ghed)Yeah.
..Andi
wantt
omov
eout
ofMaun, seeingNal
ediwit
hherboy f
ri
endor
Duduwi thmybestfri
endwill
makemehang
my sel
fandi don'
twanttobethenightmar e
exboyfr
iendwhoi sahappi
nessblocker.Go
botokahelaketswamogobonegor ebai tumel
e
l
ebone.
Resego:
Whataboutt
heki
dsnnaka?Yourbl
ood
i
simportant
.
Bakang: Duduisflexible, I
'
llkeepaski ngfor
Pri
ncesst ov i
sitmebutsi tuationekogoNal edi
i
sabi tcompli
cated, herboy fri
endi stoo
aggressive.Gakecomf or t
ablebei ngaroundhim
soi thinki
t'
sbesti justlethi m hav ethem,iwas
nevert her
eany waysoi twoul dn'
tmakeany
dif
ference.Hei smor eofaf athert haniam and
i
fit'
swhati sbestf orthem t henl etitbe,i
fhe
fai
lsorwal ksawayI 'l
lbet heret ost epupbut
gonej aanaidon'thav et hestrengt htogoup
againsthim.
Resego:
Ao,
elegor
ewamot
shaba?
Bakang:
(si
ghed)gasegor
ekeamot
shaba
Resego:Butatleastoff
erNal
edichi
l
d
maintenance,
akerethatonecomesthr
oughthe
phonethatwayy ouwon'tmeett
hisguysi
nce
you'
renotcomf ort
ablemeeti
nghim.
Bakang:Kanahesaidshewouldcal
lmeabout
theki
dsandshenev erdi
d,i
fical
lhernow
gonnaekarekebataNaledi
now
Resego:
I'
ll
tal
ktoNaledi
abouti
t,howmuchdo
youwanttosendpermonth?
Bakang:
2Ksincekesesur
egor
ebat
hokaeng
buti
fshewantsmoreicanwor
kont
hat.
Resego:(l
ooki
ngathi
m ashel
ookedatt
he
ground)Okayket
aabuwaleenepapaautwa?
Bakang:
Thanks
Resego:
Howf
arwi
tht
hedi
vor
ce?
Bakang:It
oldWendyt
ogetwhat
evershewant
s
andleav
emewhatsheseesfi
ts,
itol
dmy
l
awy erthatI
'
m notcont
esti
ngany
mor e.I
'm
ti
red,ineedWendyoutofmyli
fe,
I'
m goingto
si
gnherdaughter'
strav
ell
i
ngpapers.
Resego:
I'
m sor
ryaboutwhaty
ouar
egoi
ng
thr
ough.
..
Bakang:I
t'
sokay .
..I
'
m goingtoGabor
onethi
s
aft
ernoontherearepaper
si hav
etosign,
iwi
sh
IcouldgowithPri
ncess..
.
Resego: AskDudut ol etyougowi t
hher,i
t'snot
goodt obeal oneli
ket hiskganteleotelwake
di
kakany otsagoipolaa, atl
eastseeingher
pl
ayingar oundyouwi llremindy ouwhyy oust i
l
l
needtol i
ve.Andgoi ngt oseeWendyt osign
overthingsisgoingt ostressyout samayal e
Pri
ncess...
Bakang:
I'
ll
askDudu.
..
Resego:
I'
m goi
ngt
ogett
het
ubr
eadyf
ory
ou.
..
Shewalkedbacki
nsi
deandpr
epar
edhi
ma
bat
h..
..
..
.

AtDudu'
shouse.
..
.

Shawnst
eppedoutofTuel
o'scarandlockedit
asDuduwal
kedoverhol
dingherdaughter.
..
.

Dudu:
Hi.
..
Shawn:Hey.
..Someonewil
lcomeseet
hecar
,
I
'm goi
ngbacktoschool
.
Dudu:
(gott
hekey
s)Okay
,Tuel
otol
dme.
.
Shawn:
Bye.
..

Hewal
kedawayt
henDudur
ecei
vedacal
l
...
Dudu:
Hel
l
o?
Cli
ent:HiDudu,
myf i
ancéeandilookedatyour
decoandwewoul dli
ketopaythedepositand
fi
nishaft
ertheweddi
ng,ist
hatokay?
Dudu:
(smil
ed)Yesdearnopr
obl
em,
wheni
s
t
heweddingagai
n
Cli
ent:Int
hreemont hs,
I'
ll
sendyouthedetai
l
s.
Wej ustwanttopayaheadoftimeincasewe
getunexpectedexpensesaborehedi
tsekabo
decoandal lt
hat.
Dudu: Gagonalehaelebot
hatamothowame,
j
ustsendt hemoneyandcomecol lectt
he
receiptt
henI '
l
laddyourweddi
ngdatetomy
calendar.You'
rebookingt
entya200peopl
e
akere?
Cl
i
ent
:Eemmat
hat
'st
heone.
Dudu:Okaydearsowhenyouhireourcompany
t
odoy ourdecowedoy ourbr
idalshowerdeco
forf
reeasanappreci
ati
onpackage.
Cli
ent
:OhmyGodr eal
l
y?Wow, I
'
lll
etmyf
ri
ends
knowthyar
etheonesorgani
singthat
.
Dudu:
Okay
Cl
i
ent
:Letmesendt
hemoney
.

Shehungupandst
uckhert
ongueoutshaki
ng
herhead.
..

Dudu:
(si
ngi
ng)St
rengthofawoman..
..
Mmmmm. ..
.Mmnha...St
rengt
hofawoman.
..
.

Shewalkedi
nsideanddial
edt
henumbershe
savedf
rom Facebook.
..

Voi
ce:
MrMov
emayi
hel
pyou?
Dudu:
Hi,i
cameacrossyouradv
ertaboutyour
vansf
orhi
re,
isi
tpossi
bletomeetwithyouand
discussthi
sfurther?Ihaveabusinessyadeco
buti don'
thaveacarwhi chmeansI '
ll
needyour
cartot r
ansportmychairsandtentsever
ytimei
servi
cemycl ients
Voice:Noprobl
em,weal
waysdeal
wit
h
companiesli
keyour
s,wehav
easpeci
alpl
an
foryouguys.
Dudu:
Greati
lov
ethat
Voice:Ourguysev
enhel
pyouguyspackbi
g
heavythi
ngsandpit
cht
hetent
sforal
itt
lef
ee
Dudu:Wow, t
hatj
ustmademythingseasi
er,
nowI'l
lonl
ybelooki
ngtohi
redecorat
orshel
a.
Thanks
Voi
ce:
Bye

Shehungupandwenttotakeabat
hwhi
l
e
Pri
ncesswat
chedcar
toons.
Meanwhi leBakangpar kednextt
oTuel o'
scar
andst eppedout,hetookadeepbr eathlooki
ng
ati
tt henheknocked, Duduopenedt he
wrappingherselfwit
hat owel
,hi
sheart
shreddedashemov edback.Shecl osedthe
doorandst eppedout..
.

Dudu:
Hi
Bakang:Hi,I
'm goingtoGaboronetosignaf
ew
thi
ngswi t
hWendyandI '
ll
belonelyinatmy
house,iwantPrincesstokeepmecompany ,I
couldusethetimet ogettoknowherandwalk
aroundthemall buyi
ngherclothesor
something..
.
Dudu:
Goi
ngf
orhowl
ong?
Bakang:
I'
ll
becomi
ngbackt
omor
rowaf
ter
noon
Dudu:Pr
incesscr
iesatni
ght
,youwon'
thandl
e
herandshepeesonthebed.
Bakang:Sheismydaughter
,that
'
swhatIwant
todealwit
handunderst
andwhosheis,I
'l
ldeal
wit
hthecryingwhenshedoes.
Dudu:Gapelennaijustgotback,
Imissedheri
f
youwereaskingf
oraf ewhoursI'
dunderst
and
butGaboroneisj
usttoofar.
Bakang:
Mmekanakeaboakamoso
Dudu:
Otamot
say
anextt
ime.
..
Bakang:
Okay
,goshapo.
.
Dudu:
(hewal
kedaway
)I'
m sor
ryaboutTue-
Bakang:(
fakedasmile)It
'sokay
,fol
l
owyour
heart
..
.Andgoodluck,ihopehemakesy
ou
happy.
Dudu:
Thanks.
..

Hegoti
nthecaranddr
oveout
..
..
Atmymot
her
'shouse.
..
.

Lat
erthataf
ter
noonipar
kedundert
hetr
ee,
Apr
ilst
eppeddown,i
handedherAme..
..

Me:
Got
othehouse,
I'
m comi
ng.
..

Shewal
kedawayasi
tookoutMasego,
my
phoner
ang.
..
.

Me:
(paused)Hel
l
o?
Resego:
Hi,
it'
sResego.Canwemeetandt
alk?
Me:
Tal
kaboutwhat
?
Resego:
Bakangobat
agosapot
abana
Me:Gakenabanal eBakang,di
dn'thet
ell
youhe
abor
tedhischil
dren?,st
ayawayfrom meand
mychil
dren.Idon'twanttot
alktoyouoranyof
yourfami
lymembers,
togaler
egakenamai
tseo.
Tswangmogonnakabongwanakeandt el
l
Bakangtostayawayf
rom me,kei
sekemo
thabi
sedit
hong.

Ihungupandcarr
iedmychil
dreninsi
dethe
houseasApr
ilr
anov ert
ogetthediaperbag
fr
om myshoul
der.
..

AtMaunI
nter
nat
ional
Air
por
t.
..

LateronBakangwalkedi
nthebui
l
ding
answeri
nghisphone..
.

Bakang:
Hel
l
o?
Resego:
Ispoket
oNal
edi
Bakang:
(smi
l
ed)And?
Resego:
Shesaidy oumustst
ayawayf
rom her
chi
ldr
en,I
'm sor
ry.
Bakang:(
sadly)I
t'
sokay
..
.Iunder
stand,
i
expect
edit.I
'
mf i
ne.
Resego:
Itr
ied-
Bakang:
(fakedasmi
l
e)I
t'
sokay
,thanks
anyway
Resego:
Bye
Bakang:
Bye

Hehungupandjoi
nedthequeue.Minut
eslater
t
heyboar
dedAirBotswanaandtookoff
..
..
..
.