Fal

lenAngel
#1

AtSwanengHi llSeni orSecondar ySchool, Serowe,

Bantul ookedar oundseat edinherclasswi thher
classmat esast heyal lwr oteaMat hsquizwi ththeir
teacherst andingi nf r
ontoft hem.Mostst udent s
hadal readysubmi ttedt hei rqui
zbooks, onlyher
andt wobackbencher s.Sher e-r
eadt hequest i
onon
thechal kboard, herhear tpoundingasshet riedto
figur
eouthowshecoul dsol veit
.Sheswal l
owed
thenst art
edwor kingoutt heequation,her
calculatoronhersi de.Shehadonl y15mi nutest o
fini
shup, shel ookedar oundt henlookeddownat
herbookwor kingoutt heanswer .Theothert wo
student ssubmi tted,thet eacherimpat i
entl
ylooked
ather.
“
Bant
u!Thet
imei
sup!
”
Herhandstar
tedshaki
ngasshetri
edtowri
te
qui
ckly.Thet
eacherwal
kedoverandl
ooked,she
pausedthenl
aughed.
“
Whatareyouwr
it
ing?Okwal
aeng?(
Whatar
eyou
wri
ti
ng?
)”
Bantul
ookedather
.Theteacherst
oppedl
aughi
ng
thengr
abbedherbookangri
ly.
“Whatist
his?Kenggomo?Whati
sthi
s?Bat
hong
bonang!(
Everyonel
ook!
)”
Sheshowedt
heent
ir
ecl
asst
hebook.
“Justsee.Idon’ tevenknowt hemi ni
strymakeus
takedumbpeopl elikeyou.Koor eot senekaback
doorbecauset here’snof orm 5studentwhodoes
notknowhowt ocal culatethesesi mplethi
ngs, even
astandard1candoi t.Idon’tevenknowwhyyou
arehere!Whyar eyouher esemat lakewena.O
semat l
a!Osemat la!( Youareani diot!
)Nobr ains,an
emptyvessel .Youcan’ tevenr eadorunderst and.
Youshoul dhavest ayedhomebecauseyouar ejust
wastingourt i
meher e.Kooreot etsidij
ohela!
Semat l
a,ot onki!(Youar eher eforfoodonly!I di
ot!
Youar eadonkey! )”Sher epeatedlyhitBant
u’ shead
withherfistast hecl asslaughed.
Tear
sfi
ll
edBant
u’seyes,
shel
ookeddownhol
ding
hert
ear
swhi
leherf
ri
endwat
chedsadl
y.
Thepull
edherupwi
thhershi
rtandpushedhert
o
theboar
d.
“Workoutthatequati
oni
nfrontofever
yone!Let
them seet
heidiotyouar
e.Yourheadisful
lof
nothi
ngbutwat er
!Water
!Dothatequati
on!
”
Bantuturnedtothechal kboar
dshaking.Sheslowly
bendedandpi ckedthewhi techal
k.Herhandshook
somuchshecoul dn’tevenwr i
tepr
operl
y.The
teacherpickedhertaperedsti
ckandr ai
sedithar
d
thenwhippedBant uacrossherbum har d.
“
Fool
i
sh!
”
Bantujumpedscreamingast
hepainrushed
thr
oughoutherbody.Yamasagotup,
tearsi
nher
eyes.
“Whyareyoubeatingheri
nsteadofteachi
ngher
?
Shedoesn’
tknow, l
ennaIdon’tknow.Youare
abusi
ngher.Iam goingt
oreportyou.”
Theteacherl
ookedatYamasa.“
Abuse?Doyou
knowabusewena?Goandr epor
tme!Getoutofmy
cl
ass!
”
Yamasapi ckedherbagthenherfriendsbag.She
tookBantu’shandandwalkedoutwi thher.They
walkedoutthroughtheschoolgatejustasthesir
en
rangaler
ti
ngt hest
udentsthatschoolwasout .
Bantul
ookeddownemot i
onal
lyt
ryi
ngtoholdher
tear
sbuttheyst
il
lfel
l.Yamasahuggedhersni
ffi
ng.
“
She’
salonel
yoldhag,t
hat’
swhyshe’
sbi
tterl
ike
t
hat
.Thati
mproperf
ract
ionbodymakesi
tall
wor
se.
”
Bantuchuckl
edcryi
ng.“
Iam sor
ryyouwer
eki
cked
outofcl
assbecauseofme.
”
“
It
’sok.GapetodayIwantt
ogostrai
ghthomemma.
Mybrotherhasprobabl
yar
ri
vedf
rom Gaborone.
”
Bant
ulookedatherwi
pingawayhert
ear
s.“
UB
st
udent
shaveclosed?
”
Yamasasmi
ledexci
tedl
ynoddi
ng.“
Yes.AndIhad
askedhi
mtobuymesomecl ot
hes.
”
Bant
usmil
edget
ti
ngexci
ted.“
That’
sni
ce.Kego
bol
edi
se?(
Shoul
dIescor
tyou?)”
Yamasanoddedunabl
etostopsmil
ing.“
Ng,
let
’s
wal
kfast
er.Idi
dn’
tsl
eeplastni
ght
.”
Bantuheldherbagpr operl
yastheywalkedheaded
toYamasa’shouse.Bant u’
sheartst
art
edpounding
astheywalkedthroughYamasa’sgate,shelooked
atherdustyshoes.
Theywal kedpastr
ragweYamasa’scar,
Yanasa
openedt hedoorwalki
ngin.Bant
uqui
cklytookout
asmal lclot
hshekeptinherbagandwipedher
shoes.Shespatsali
vaonherhandsappliedtoher
dryl
egsl ikeshewouldwit
hVaseli
ne.
Yamasascreamedi nsi
dethehousefol
lowedbya
hi
ghpitchedlaugh.Bant
upatt
edhershortafr
othen
fi
xedherdressjustasYamasawalkedoutwithher
brot
herwhil
ehol di
nghernewdress.
Bantulookedathim, herl
it
tl
ehear
tpoundingmore
thanitusual
lydid.Thatwastheef
fectLefaal
ways
hadonher .Rightfr
om whenshewasf orm 1and
nowatf orm 5thatl
itt
lecr
ushwasstil
lther
e.
Hewastal
lbutnott
otall
,j
usttal
lert
hanherand
l
ight
eri
ncomplexi
onthanher.Hi
sgoodlooks
al
waysmadeithardf
orhert
olookathim butt
hen
hi
svoi
ceandthatsmil
eofhi
scouldjustsendhert
o
anear
lygr
ave.
Lef
asmi
led.“
Bunny,
oteng?
”
Bantushyl
ylaughed,onlyhi
m calledherBunny.He
hadcall
edherthatfr
om whenshewasst il
lyoung
anditseemedwithhim, t
henicknamehadr epl
aced
hername.Eventhoughhewasadi st
anceaway
fr
om him,shecouldsti
llsmel
lhisper f
ume.
Shespokeshyl
ylooki
ngdown.“
Eer
ra.
”
Yamasashowedherf
ri
endt
hedr
ess.“
Lookatmy
dress.
.”
Bant
usmi
ledt
urni
ngt
oherf
ri
end.“
It
’sbeaut
if
ul…I
l
ikei
t.
”
Yamasagiggl
edhappi
ly.“
Letmechangeandt
ake
youhal
fwayhome.”
Yamasatookherdressandhur
ri
edi
nsi
det
hehouse.
Lef
alookedather
.
“
Ifor
gott
ogetyousomet
hingt
oo.
”
Bant
ushookherheadf
iddl
ingherf
inger
s.“
It
’sok.
Kesi
ame.(
Iam f
ine.
)”
Lefawalkedbackinthehouseandcameback
secondslat
erholdi
ngat-shi
rt
.
“Youcanhavet
his.Iwor
eitoncebuti
t’
sgoodas
new.”
Hehandeditt
oherashi
sphoner
angt
henhe
pi
ckedwalki
ngaway.
Bantusmil
edasar ushofexcit
ementwentthr
ough
outhervei
ns.Shebroughtt
het -
shi
rtt
ohernose
andsnif
fedinhal
inghi
sscent.Yamasawalkedout
.
“
Wecango.Who’
sthatf
or?
”
Bant
usmi
led.“
Lef
a.Hegavei
ttome.
”
Yamasasmil
ed.“
It’
sreal
lyni
ce.Let
’sgo.Mamai
s
onherwayback.
”
Thegir
lswal
kedoutgi
ggl
ing.Af
terwal
kingf
ora
shor
twhim,Yamasast
opped.
“Letmegobackf
ri
end.It
hinkmamai
sal
ready
home.”
Bant
unodded.“
Ok.Bye.
”
Yanasat urnedandr ushedbackhome.Bant u
broughtLef a’
st-shirttohernoseandsmi led
gi
ggling.Itsmeltl i
kehi m.Shewal kedfasterand
fi
nall
ywal kedthr oughhergat e.Bantu’
sf ather
l
ookedatherst andingbyhi soldcart r
yingt ofi
xit
.
Hesmi
ledhappi
lyasshehuggedhi
m.
“
Papa.
.”
“
Howwasschoolt
oday?
”
Shesmi
led.“
Itwasf
ine.Di
dyoucook?
”
“If
oundsomeonewhowant
stobuyfr
om ourcar
.I
spentt
hewholedayt
ryi
ngt
ofi
xit
.”
“
Whyar
eyousel
li
ngyourcar
?”
“Iwanttorai
semoneyforyou.Whenyougot
o
univer
sit
yyouaregoi
ngtoneedsomemoney.”
“TheonlymoneyIwil
lneedisfort
ranspor
ttogot o
Gaboroneandforf
ood.Accommodat i
onissorted
outbytheschool
.Youdon’thavet
osellyourcarfor
i
t.”
“
Idon’
twantyout
ostruggle.Goandt
akemoneyon
t
hetabl
ethengobuyelect
rici
ty.
”
Bantuwalkedi
nthehouse,
shewalkedtoherroom
andquickl
ychangedint
oadressandfl
ipfl
ops.She
tooktheP20onthetabl
eandwalkedout.
Shewalkedoutthr
oughthegate.Herfat
hersi
ghed
thent
ookouthissmallphoneandpresseda
number.
“
Hel
lo?
”
“Peggy,whenar
eyougoi
ngt
ocomeandseeyour
daughter?
”
“Heelarr
a,Iam nowmar r
iedandIt oldyouthatmy
husbanddoesnotwantt ohearanyt hi
ngaboutt hat
chil
d.ShouldIstopmylif
ebef or
eoft hatgi
rl
?Iam
happy,stopcall
ingme.Myhusbanddoesnotl ikeit
.
IfyoucallmeagainIam goingtoreportyoufor
stal
kingme.Idon’thaveachil
dwi t
hyou.Idon’ t
evenwantt oseeher.Pl
easeleavemeal one!”
“Bantuneedsamotheri
nherli
fe.Sheisgrowi
ng.I
am notaskingyout
ostopyourli
feforher
,al
lIam
askingyouistobehermot
her.
”
“Thenfi
ndawomanwhocanbehermot
her
becausethatgi
rli
snotmychi
ld.
”
Shehungupbeforehecouldsayanythi
ng.He
l
ookedathisphonethenswal
lowedthepainand
l
ookedatthecar.

*
**

Atthet
uckshop,Bantuwai
tedfort
hel
adybuyi
ngto
movethensteppedonthebri
cksandl
ookedatt
he
shopkeeperi
nside.
“
HiBant
u..
”
Bantusmil
ed.“
Momo,kekopamot l
akasewasP20.
(CanIhaveP20wor
thel
ectr
ici
ty?
”
“
Ok,
met
ernumber
.”
Acarparkedbehi ndthem playing2Pac’sDear
mamal oudly.Bantufrownedt urni
ng,shelookedat
thecl
earlymodifi
edbl ackandr edBMW.Thedr i
ver
openedthedoorandst eppedoutofhisM5put t
ing
onhisblackbaseballcapwhi lesingi
ngalongwi t
h
2pack.
‘
Ihungar
oundwi
tht
het
hugs
Andevent
hought
heysol
ddr
ugs
Theyshowedayoungbr
otherl
ove
Imovedoutandst
art
edr
eal
lyhangi
n’
Ineededmoneyofmyown,
soIst
art
edsl
angi
n’
Iai
n’tgui
lt
y,‘
causeevent
houghIsel
lrocks
I
tfeel
sgoodput
ti
n’moneyi
nyourmai
lbox’

Bantu’sskippedasshel ookedatt hetattoosonhis

ri
ghtar m.Itwasjustnotsimpletat t
oosbutt hey
wereal otthati
tlookedlikeasleevet houghhewas
wearingawhi tet-
shirtt
hatheldtightl
yont ohi
s
muscl es.
Helookedli
keacr
iminalsomucht
hati
tact
ual
ly
scaredher
.Shet
urnedtoMomowhowasalso
star
ing.
“
Fat
herGod!
”
Bant
ulookedather
.“Letmegobef
oreIgetst
olen.
”
Momohandedhert
herecei
ptwit
htheel
ectr
ici
ty.
Shet
urnedt
owalkawaybutrat
herbumpedint
o
hi
m.
Herhear
tski
ppedasshequi
ckl
yst
eppedback.
“
Iam sor
ry.
”
Hesteppedbackst
ari
ngatherwi
thascar
ylook.
“Wat
chwher eyouar
egoi
ng.”
Bantuhel
dtherecei
ptshaki
ng.Hel
ookedl
ikehe
coul
dtakeoutagunandshoothert
odeath.“Iam
sorr
y.”
Helookedatherface.Bant uquickl
ywalkedaway.
Sheturnedawhi l
elaterandfoundhi mlooki
ngat
herwhilesmokingstandingbyhi scar
.Shestepped
onastonealmostf al
lingthenturnedandhurri
ed
home.Herfatherlookedather.
“
Youar
ebackal
ready?
”
“
PapaIsawt
hisscar
ymanI
jo!
”
Herfat
herl
aughed.“
Wher
e?Di
dyout
ellhi
m your
f
athercanf
ight
?”
Bant
ujoi
nedl
aughi
ng.“
Heel
apapa,
thatmanwi
l
l
ki
llusbothandputusinhi
sboot.Hei
st al
landbuf
f,
heprobablygymsdeadbodi
es.Ojanj
aras!
”
Herfatherl
aughedmoreatthedescri
ptiont
hen
walkedinsi
dethehousewit
hherstil
llaughi
ng.
.
.
.
Menti
onyourfr
iends,
share,
don’
tletanyonegetl
eft
outasthet
rai
ntakesoff
Fal
lenAngel
#2

AtYamasa’
shouse,Yamasaspoket
oherphoneat
t
hebackofthehouse.
“
Wil
lyoucomeandseemet
oni
ght
?”
Shet ookadeepbr eat
hlist
eningtoherBi
ology
teachertal
king.“Whataboutyourwif
e?Shealmost
caughtust helastt
ime.Iam scared.
”
“
She’snotaround.Shewentt
oattendhersist
er’
s
weddingi
nKanye.There’
snoonear ound.Come.I
missyou.Iboughtyousomet
hing.”
Yamasasmi
led.“
What
?”
“Youwil
lseewhenyoucome.Iwi
llwai
tforyouat
allt
hebackroad.
”
“
Ok.
”
Hehungup.Sheturnedtowal
kint
hehouset
hen
bumpedi
ntoherbrother
.
Herhear
tski
ppedasshescr eamedst
art
led.Lef
a
l
ookedathersuspi
ciousl
y.
“
Andt
hen?
”
Yamasal
aughed.“
Youscar
edme.
”
“
Whower
eyout
alki
ngt
o?”
“Pal
esa.Agi
rli
nourclass.Shewast el
li
ngmewhat
happenedi
nclassaf
tertheteacherki
ckedmeout
.”
“
Whydi
dsheki
ckyouout
?”
“Sheli
kesharassi
ngBant
uincl
ass.Shewashitt
ing
herbecauseBantuwasnotwr
it
ingasfastasshe
wantedandshekeptcal
li
nghernamessoIstood
upformyfri
endthenshekickedbot
husoutof
cl
ass.”
“
Ok,
keepi
tup.
”
Yamasasmi
led.“
Iwi
ll
.Iam sot
ir
ed.Iam goi
ngt
o
sl
eep.
”
Shewalkedpasthi
m asLef
a’sphoner
ang.He
l
aughedpicki
ng.
“
Hel
lo?
”
“
Sur
eboy,
areyouhome?
”
“Yes.Yourbrot
herdr oppedmeof
f.Whatdoesyour
brotherdoforali
ving?”
Tshepol
aughed.“
Why?
”
“
Justcur
iosi
ty.
”
“Hecouldn’
tfi
ndaj obaft
ervarsi
tysoheopeneda
cargar
agewher ehef i
xescar
sandnowhe’ s
openedmotordealeronthesidetoo.Heact
uall
y
wantstobuytrucks,t
heprobl
em ismoney.”
“
Sohowdi
dheaf
for
dthatcarhe’
sdr
ivi
ng?
”
“Hemakesmoneyf rom sel
li
ngcars.Oneofthecars
hehadboughtforselli
ngwastheM5.Hej ustkeptit
forhi
mself
.Keditattoohel
a,he’
snotacriminal.I
knowwegr ewupatanor phanagebuthe’
snota
cri
minal
.”
Lef
alaughed.“Iwasjustcuri
ous.Iam notsayi
ng
he’
sacriminalthoughhelooksscary.
”
Tshepol aughedt oo.“
Mmekanahe’ st
hecoolest
guyever .Afterhewasr eleasedfr
om t
heorphanage,
hest ar
tedvar si
tythenthat’swhenhetookmesoI
staywithhi m.Itwashar dbuthedi di
t.I
t’
sjust
tatt
ooshel a.”
Lef
alookedatt
hegateopeni
ngthenlookedat
Bantuwalki
ngt
hrought
hegatepushinga
wheelbar
rowwi
thtwo20li
tt
erbot
tles.
“
Tshepo,
wewi
llt
alk.
”
“
Sur
e.”
“
Thankyourbr
otherf
ormeagai
n.”
“
Cool
.”
Lef
ahungupt
henst
oodi
nfr
ontoft
hehousej
ust
asBantuappr
oached.Shel
ookeddownsl
ight
ly
smil
ing.
“
Dumel
ang…”
Lefasmiled.I
twouldmakesensewhyat eacher
wouldpickuponher ,
shewassoqui etf
rom al
lthe
yearshehadknownher ,shehardlyspoke.Her
voicest
il
lwast i
ny,ifnotlooki
ng,someonewoul d
thi
nkachi l
distal
king.
“
Hi,
lookatme.Am Iscar
yBunny?
”
Sher
aisedherheadsl
ight
lyandl
ookedathi
m.
“
Isever
ythi
ngok?
”
“Ourwat
erhadlowpressureearli
eronandnowit
’s
notcomi
ngoutatall
.Myf atheraskedmetocome
andaskforwat
erfr
om yourmot herifi
t’
sok.
”
Shelookedsoi
nnocentheevenf
eltgui
lt
yforhi
s
thought
s.
“
It
’sok.Let
’sgot
othegat
e.”
Het
ookthewheel
barr
owandpushedi
ttot
hegat
e
whi
leshewal
kedbesi
deshi
m.
Hest
art
edf
il
li
ngt
hebot
tl
eswi
thwat
er.

From i
nsidet
hehouse,mmagweLef
awatchedfrom
herwindowsmil
ing.Shecl
osedt
hecur
tai
nand
l
ookedatherhusbandwhowastuni
ngtheradi
o.
“Iwi
shLefacanmar ryBant
uwaitsemogat
saka.
Thatgi
rli
swellbehavedandbeauti
ful
.”
Herhusbandlookedather
.“Iagr
ee.Nott
hose
Gaboronegi
rl
s.”
MmagweLefasatdownthentookoutherGer
man
pr
intdr
essandst
art
edir
oningit
.
“Af
tergett
ingaj
obheshoul dstartsavi
ngf or
magadi.Heshouldmarryherbeforeit’
stoolate.I
wil
lfor
everbegratef
uli
fGodmakeshermy
daughteri
n-l
aw.
”Shesmi l
edimagi ni
ngi t
.
Herhusbandl
aughed.“
Youhavel
ovedt
hisgi
rlf
rom
whenshewasstil
lachi
ld.
”
MmagweLef alaughedt
oo.“
Ilongtol
dherf
ather
thatBant
uismydaughteri
n-l
aw.Ineedt
otalkto
Lefaaboutt
his.
”

Out
side,
Lef
afi
nishedf
il
li
ngupt
hebot
tl
eswi
th
wat
er.
“
Wai
ther
e.Iam comi
ng.
”
Lefahur r
iedinsi
dethehouse.Bant
ut ookadeep
breathrubbingherarmsast hecol
dbr eeze
thrashedherskin.Shewatchedhim ashewal ked
outmi nuteslat
er.Heunl
ockedhisfather’
sIsuzu
doublecabandj umpedi
nhol di
ngashoppi ngbag.
Bant
uwat chedashereversedandstoppednearher
.
Hesteppedoutthenputthebott
lesofwateri
nsi
de.
“
Come.
.“
Bantu’
sheartstart
edraci
ng,t
ookherhand,shiver
s
randownherspi neashetouchedherhand.Her
kneescoul
dj ustgi
veinandlandherri
ghttothe
f
loor
.Heopenedt
hepassengerdoorf
orher
.
“
Geti
n…”
Bantuswal
lowedt
hengotinandpull
edherdress
downcover
inghert
highs.Lef
acl
osedthedoorthen
walkedt
oherwheel
barrowandputi
tinthecartoo.
Lef
ajumpedinthenreversedoutthr
oughtheopen
gat
e.Bant
u’sheartpoundedsomuchi tf
eltl
ikeshe
wasaboutt
ohaveahear tat
tack.
Lef
alookedather
.“Ar
eyouok?
”
Shenodded.Hesmi l
edthenstart
edplayi
ngsome
music.Hetookadiff
erentdi
rect
ionthant
hat
anyonewouldtakegoingtoherhouse.
Bant
usil
ent
lysatbesi
deshi
m ashedrove.He
par
kedatNandosawhilel
aterandl
ookedather
.
“
Iam comi
ng.Justami
nut
e.”
Hesteppedoutandr ushedi
nsi
de.Hewalkedback
minut
eslaterhol
dingaNandospaperbag.Hegoti
n
t
hecaranddr oveoffnowheadedhome.
Hepar
kedundert
hebi
gtr
eenearherhouse.
“
Thankyou.
”
“
Wai
t…don’
tgoyet
.Igotyouf
ood.
”
Hehandedhert
heNandospaperbag,
thesmel
lof
gr
il
ledchi
ckenmaki
nghersal
ivat
e.
“
It
’sf
orme?
”
“
Yes.
”
Bant
usmil
edopeni
ngt
hepaper
bag.Shesmi
led
l
ooki
ngi
nside.
“
Thankyou.
”
“
Idi
dn’tf
orgetget
ti
ngyouanythi
ng.
”Hereachedat
t
hebackseatandhandedhert
heshoppi
ngbag.
“Buti
fIgaveyouthisi
nfrontofYaya,shewould
havebeenjeal
ous.Youlookbeauti
fulbytheway.I
l
oveyourshorthai
r.Whydidyoucut ?Ial
soloved
yourl
onghair.
”
Bant
u’shandsshookasshehel
dtheshoppi
ngbag.
“
I…myhairwasanunnecessar
yexpense.Idi
dn’
t
wantt
okeepst
ressi
ngpapa.”
“
Ohok.Iam goi
ngt
ost
artsendi
ngyousome
moneyever ymont h.Itwil
lbeforyourtoi
let
ry.Grow
outyourhair.Iwil
lmai nt
aini
t.WhereIwasdoi ng
myinternshi
p, t
heylikedmesoIam goi ngtost ar
t
worki
ngt her
eassoonasIgr aduate.”
“
Iam happyf
oryou.Butyoudon’
thavet
osendme
money.I
-“
Lefatil
tedherchinandkissedher
.Bant
ufrozewi
th
shockandconf usion.Lef
amovedbacksli
ghtl
yand
smiled.
“
Breat
he.I
t’
sok.Howol
dar
eyou?
”
“
17.18i
nDecember
.”
Hesmi
led.“
Ok…haveyoueverbeenki
ssedbef
ore?
”
Shet
ri
edt
olookdownshyl
ybuthecuppedherf
ace.
“
Haveyou?
”
“
NgNg.
.”
Lefakissedheragain,hi
slipsmovedagainsthers
gentl
y.Bantu’
shear tpounded,
hekissedhermor e.
Bantuslowlyclosedhereyesandfoll
owedsui t
,her
l
ipsmovi ngont hei
rown.
Lefa’
spantstight
enedashekissedherevenmor
e.
Hisdickgotsohardasshekissedback,her
breat
hingsti
llcominghur
ri
ed.
Heturnedt
hekissint
oaf
renchki
ss.Hi
shand
movingtohert
high.
Bantu’
snippl
eshar
denedasherkukut
hrobbed.
Lef
apulledawayandswal
lowed.
“Let
’sgo.Yourf
atheri
saboutt
ocomel
ooki
ngf
or
you.
”
Bant
uopenedthedoor
,herli
psfeel
ingnumb.She
st
eppedoutoft
hecarhol
dingherfoodandclot
hes.
Lefatookoutt
hewheelbarr
owandputthet
wo
bott
lesinsi
deandpushedthewheel
barr
owthr
ough
thei
rgate.Hest
oppedatthever
anda.
“
Youwi
llmanagef
rom her
eaker
e?”
Bantunodded.Helookedatherf
acet
hendr
oppeda
babykissonherl
ips.
“
Shar
p.”
Hetur
nedandwal
kedoutcl
osi
ngt
hegat
ebehi
nd
her
.
Bant
uwal
kedi
nsi
det
hehouse,
herf
athert
urnedt
o
her
.
“
Iwasaboutt
ofol
lowyou.
”
“
Sor
ry.Thewat
erwasheavy.
”
“
Itol
dyounott
otakebot
hbot
tl
es.What
’st
hat
?”
Shelookedatherfat
her
.“Yamasawasgoingto
bri
ngfoodformet omor
row.Herol
derbr
othergot
hercl
othes.Shegavemesome.”
Herf
athersmi
led.“
That
’sni
ce.Wher
eist
hewat
er?
”
“
Out
side.
”
BantuputtheNandospaper bagi
ntheirf
ri
dgewhil
e
herfat
hergotthewater.Shewalkedtoherroom
andclosedthedoorthentouchedherli
psunablet
o
bel
ievehehadj ustki
ssedher.
Sheopenedtheshoppingbagandtookouta
beaut
if
ulbl
ackdress.Shequickl
ytookof
fthedress
shewaswear i
ngthenputonthenewone.She
smil
edthentookoutthefl
atsandal
sandputthem
on.
Shet
ookoutt
hechocol
atei
nsi
deandsmi
ledl
ikea
cr
azyper
son.
Bant
uthr
ewher
selfont
hebedandputapill
owon
herf
acet
henl
etoutamuff
ledscr
eam happi
ly.

*
**

Lat erthatevening,Yamasawal kedtowardsher

teacher ’
shousehol dingBantu’sEnglishbook.He
flashedhi storchadistancefrom her.Shehurri
ed
overt henwal kedinsidethehousewi thhim.
.
.
.
[
06/
22,
08:
11] :Fal
lenAngel
#3

YamasalookedatherBiol
ogyteacherashecl
osed
thedoorandlockedi
t.Hesmil
ed.
“
Ithoughtyouwoul
dcomeear
li
er.
”
“
Mybrot
herwasst
il
lawake.Hewoul
dhavehear
d
me.
”
“
Ok.Imi
ssedyou.
”
Yamasasmi
ledput
ti
ngt
hebookdown.“
Iam now
scar
ed.
”
Heputhishandsonherwai st
.“Youhavenoreason
tobe.She’
snotaround.Shewon’tbecomingti
ll
nextweek.Hersi
steri
sgett
ingmar r
ied.
”
Hel eanedoverandki ssedher.Yamasast oodon
hert oeskissinghim back.Heunzi ppedhershort
dressandl etitpoolt
ot hef
loorthenpi ckedherup.
Hewal kedwi t
hhert ohismaritalbedwher ehelai
d
herdownget t
ingont opofherbr eat
hingheavil
y.
Hetookof
fherpant
ythenunzi
ppedhi
spants.He
st
rokedhi
sdi
copeningherl
egsand#removed.
.

Yamasalookedathi
m ashegotoffher
.Shewasn’
t
sur
eift
hat’showsexwassupposedtobebutwi
th
hi
mi twasal
wayst
hesame.Hel
aidbesi
desher
pant
ing.
“
Whatdi
dyoubuyme?
”
Hesighedsitt
inguprightt
hengotoffthebed.He
openedthewar dr
obeandt ookoutaplast
ic.He
walkedovertoherandhandedi tover
.Yamasa
l
ookedinsidetheplasti
cthentookoutapantyanda
bra.Shelookedathim.
“
Yougotmeapant
yandabr
a?”
“Youalwayswearmi
smatchingset
s.Il
ikemat
chi
ng
sets.Theyt
urnmeon.Ever
yt i
meyoucometosee
me, pl
easeweart
hat
.”
Yamasasi
ghed.“
That
’sal
l?
”
“
Yes.Igaveyoua80%onyourt
est
.”
Yamasasmi
led.“
Ok.Mysubscr
ipt
ionhasended.
”
Hereachedf
orhi
sphoneandt
ransf
err
edP60t
oher
phone.
Yamasasmi
led.“
Thankyou.
”
Hegotont
hebedandgotbackont
opofher
.
Yamasal
aiddownasheki
ssedher
.

*
**

Thef
oll
owingmorni
ng,
Bant
uopenedherwi
ndow
andl
ookedatYamasawhowasst
andi
ngby.
“
Iwokeupl
ate.Escor
tmehome.
”
Bant
ufr
owned.“
Otswakae?(
Wher
ear
eyou
comi
ngfrom?
)”
“
Iwentt
oseesomeone.Escor
tmehome.
”
Bantutookadeepbr
eathclosi
ngherwindow.She
walkedoutoft
hehousethenlookatYamasa’
sshir
t
dress.
“
Wher
eyouwi
thMr
.Modi
ri
?”
“
Hisnamei
sBer
nar
d.”
“
Hei
smar
ri
ed.It
houghtyoubr
okei
tof
f.
”
“
Her
efused.
”
Theywal
kedoutoft
hegat
e.“
Soyouar
est
il
l
sl
eepi
ngwi
thyourt
eacher
?”
Yamasar
oll
edhereyes.“
Hei
sjustl
ikeanyot
her
manBant
u.”
“
Hehasawi
fe.
”
“Iam notwreckinghermarr
iage.Sheshould
actual
lythankmef orbr
ingi
ngsparkinhermar r
iage
becausesur el
yherhusbandisnotget
tingsati
sfi
ed
withher.
”
“Heisusingyou.Iam surehiswifei
sjustfine.Why
wouldhegooutofhi swayt osleepwithschoolkids?
Becauseyouareeasyt arget
s.Ihopeyoudon’ tget
beatenoneday.Iact
ual l
yhopeyouar eusinga
condom.”
Yamasar ol
ledhereyesevenmorebored.They
approachedYamasa’ sgat
eandhermotherwas
al
readyoutside.Thegir
lswal
kedthr
oughthegate.
MmagweLef alookedatYamasa.
“
Whatt
imedi
dyoul
eavet
hehouse?
”
Yamasasmil
edi
nnocent
ly.“
Real
lyear
ly.Icoul
dn’
t
sl
eepsoIwentt
oBantu’
shouse.
”
Hermot
hersi
ghed.“
Ist
hatt
rueBant
u?”
Bant
usmi
led.“
Eemma.
”
“Ok.Iwaswor ri
ed.Pl
easenexttimeinform us
beforeyouleave.Wewer eworr
ied.Bantu,breakf
ast
i
sal mostready,comeinsidemygirl
.”
“
Ihavetogobackhome.Papaneededmet
ohel
p
mewithsomet
hing,
butthankyou.
”
“
Areyousur
emygi
rl
?”
“
Eemma.Ishoul
dgetgoi
ng.ByeYaya.
”
Bant
uwavedt
henwal
kedoutoft
heyar
d.

*
**

AtBantu’
shouselat
ert
hatmorning,Bantufi
nished
cl
eaningthehousewhi
leherf
athersti
llf
ixedthe
caroutsi
de.
Lefaparkedhisfat
her
’scaratthegatethenstepped
outofthecarandwalkedthroughthegate.Rragwe
Banturaisedhi
sheadandlookedathi m smil
ing.
“
Lef
a…i
sthatyou?
”
Lef
asmi
led.“
Eer
ra.I
t’
sme.
”
RragweBant
ulaughed.“
Youar
esobi
g.Howar
e
you?”
“
Iam f
ine.Howar
eyou?
”
“St
il
lbr
eat
hing.Wet
hankGod.I
t’
ssogoodt
osee
you.
”
“Mamasentmeovert ocomeandpi
ckBant
u.She
sai
dsomet hi
ngabouttaki
ngt
hegi
rl
stoayout
h
ser
viceatchurch.
”
“
Oh,that
’sf
ine.Howi
sshe?Ihavenotseenheri
na
whi
le.
”
“
Shei
sfi
ne.
”
Rr
agweBant
ulookedatt
hemai
ndoor
.“Bant
u!”
Bant
uwalkedoutt
henpausedst
ari
ngatLef
awho
smil
ed.
“
Hi.
.”
Herf
atherl
ookedather
.“MmagweLef awant
sto
t
akeyouandYayatoachurchser
vice.Youcango
andchange.Lef
awi
llwai
tforyou.
”
Bantut urnedandwalkedbackinsidethehouse
whil
eLef acont
inuedchat
tingwithherfat
her.A
whil
el atershewalkedoutwearingthenewdr ess
andflatsandals.Hershorthai
roil
edandt horoughl
y
combed.
Lef
alookedatheral
sonoti
cingherglossyl
ipsand
aBibl
einherhands.Herf
athersmil
ed.
“
Yesl
ookbeaut
if
ul.
”
Bant
usmi
led.“
Thankyou.
”
Lefapeel
edhereyesof
fherandl
ookedather
fat
her.
“Ok,t
hankyou.Letmetakeherhomebef
oremama
sendsasearchpart
y.”
“
Ok.
”
Lefatookherhandandl edhertothecar.Bantugot
i
nt henLefawalkedroundandjumpedi n.He
start
edtheengineanddr ovest
arr
ingatthebible.
Hesmi l
edal
onedri
ving.Bant
ulookedathi
m
sl
ight
lyconf
used.
“
Arewenotmeet
ingever
yoneatyourhouse?
”
Lef
alookedather
.“No.Youl
ookbeaut
if
ul.
”
Lefadrovef
orawhi l
ethentookatur
n.Bantu
watchedashedrovetil
lpar
kedatwhatseemedlike
alodge.Hegotoutandwalkedroundthecarand
openedthedoorforher
.
“
Let
’sgo.
”
Bant
ust eppedoutholdi
ngherbi
ble.Lef
atooki
t
fr
om herthenputitbackint
hecar.Hetookher
handledherinsi
de.
Bantu’
spalmsgotsweaty.Lef
aspoketoalady
hol
dingherhandandwalkedtooneofthechal
ets
wit
hherthatl
ookedoverthegreener
y.
Lefaledheroutt
hroughthebackdoorwhereal
it
tl
e
picni
csetupwaslaiddownnearthepool.
Bant
ulookedathi
m conf
used.
“It
houghtwewoul dspendtheaft
ernoonhere.”He
l
ookedathersl i
ghtl
ypart
edli
psandkissedher
soft
ly.Hehadwai t
edyearsandnowjuststari
ngat
herfeltsur
real
.
Bantu’
sheartpoundedasLef
aputhishandsonher
waistandki
ssedhermore,morel
ikecl
aimingher
mouth.
Her
eleasedherl
ipsandsmi
led.“
Let
’ssi
t.
”
Hekneltdownandhelpedhertakeof
fhershoes.
Bantusteppedonthef
leeceonthegr
eenlawnand
satdownbesideshim.
Bant
uwat chedashepour edherj
uicesmil
ing,i
t
l
ookedlikesomethingshewouldonlyseei
nt he
movies.Shepinchedhersel
fmakingsurei
twasr eal
andhappening.Shewaswi t
hLefa..
Lefat
urnedcat
chi
ngherst
ari
ng.Hesmi
ledmaki
ng
herbl
ush.
“
Take…”
“
Thankyou.
”
Shebroughtt
oherli
psandt
ookasipoftheorange
j
uicewhil
ehepouredhi
msel
faglassanddished
donesnacksfort
hem.
“
Whenar
eyoust
art
ingyourf
inalExams?
”
“
Nextweek.
”
“
Areyour
eady?Ihear
dteacher
spi
ckuponyou“
“Iam ready.IknowIam notdumb, slowbutnot
dumb.Ij usttakelongtounder
stand.Idon’
tfai
l
becauseIdon’ tknowtheanswerbutbecauseI
don’tgetenought ime.
”
“Sodi
dyour egi
sterundert
hest
udent
swhoneed
speci
alat
tenti
on?”
Shenodded.
“
Ok,
andwhatdoyouwantt
ost
udyf
rom t
her
e?”
Bant
usmi l
edtal
king.Lefalookedatthesmil
eon
herf
aceassherelaxedtalkingaboutwhatshe
wantedt
obe.Hiseyesshi ft
edt oherl
ipsasthey
moved.Shepausedt al
kingforasecondand
gi
ggledt
hencontinuedtalki
ng.
“
Hopef
ull
yIpass.
”
Lefamovedcloserti
lt
ingherchi
nandki ssedher
.
Sheclosedhereyeskissi
nghim back,
herheart
al
readyshaki
nginherr i
bcage.
Sheputt
heglassdownasheki
ssedhermor e.His
ki
ssesal
waysseemedtodounexpl
ainabl
ethingsto
herbody.
Hegentl
ylai
dherdownget
tingont
opofher
,thei
r
mouthsexpl
ori
ngoneanot
her.
Herkukuthrobbedasherpantiesgotmoist.Lef
a
pushedherlegsopengetti
ngbetweenthem pulli
ng
herdressback.Herpantygotevenmoist
, she
pushedhischestbreat
hingheavil
y.
“
Wai
t.It
hinkmyper
iodi
sher
e.”
“
Yourper
iod?
”
“
Ng.Ifeelf
unny.Mypant
iesar
eget
ti
ngwet
.Ineed
t
ocheck…”
Lef
alookedathersmi
li
ng,
unabl
etohel
pithe
l
aughed.
.
.
.
[
06/
22,
08:
11] :Fal
lenAngel
#4
Lef
asmi
ledt
henki
ssedt
hecor
nerofherl
ips.
“
It
’snotyourper
iod.Youcanr
elax.
”
“
I-
“
“
Hey,
it’
snotyourper i
od.I
t’
sjustyourbodyr
eact
ing
t
obei
ngt ouched.Letmeshowyou…”
LefaFrenchkissedherthenmovedhi sli
pstoher
neckandgent l
ysuckedonherski n.Bantucl
osed
hereyesshiveri
ng.Hisunzippedherdressandtook
offherdress.
Bant
uputherhandonherbr
east
.“Lef
a-“
“
Iwon’
tdoanyt
hingt
oyou.Ihavemycl
otheson.
.
i
t’
sok.
”
“
Idon’
twantachi
ld.
”
Lefatookherhandsoffherchestandcuppedher
breastwhi
lesucki
ngont heother.Bant
uputher
handonhisshoulder
.Herpant i
esgotevenwett
er.
Lef
amovedhi sl
ipsgoingfurt
herdowntoherbel
ly
but
ton.Bant
utri
edclosingherlegsashewent
fur
therdownbutLef
apushedherthi
ghsopent
hen
pushedthebr
idgeofherpant
iest
heside.
Heleanedoversl
idi
nghi
stonguebet
weenher
pussyli
ps.
“
Lef
a!”
Lefaleanedovermuf f
ingher .Bantugaspedand
heldherbr eat
hatt hepleasureofhismout hri
ght
there.Lefacontinuedmuf fi
ngher ,
Bantumovedher
waistast hepleasureincreased.Herti
escurl
edas
shet hrewherheadback.
Lefapushedherthi
ghsopenandrai
sedhishead
thenhekissedherl
ett
inghert
ast
ehersel
f,hi
sdi
ck
j
erkedhardinhispant
s.
Het ookitoutandslidi
tonherwetsli
trubbi
ngover
heralreadysensit
ivecl
it
.Thewarmthdrovehim
crazyashemovedhi shardnessupanddownher
sl
itasshel etoutabreat
hlessmoan.
Lefaputherthi
ghstogetherandpushedherknees
toherchestwit
hhisdicbetweenherpussylips.He
pushedthroughherthi
ghsslidi
ngovertohercli
t.
Bantulookedathim br
eathi
ngheavil
y,thepl
easure
makingherclosehereyes.Herbodyfroze
sti
ff
eningthenshespasmedvi br
ati
ng.Lefafucked
herthi
ghsf i
ght
ingtheedgetopushthroughher
entr
ance.
Hegruntedmovi
ngfast
ert
henletgoofhert
highs
andstr
okedhi
mself
.Hegroanedoff
loadi
ngonher
fl
atst
omach.
Het ooksomeser vi
ett
esandwipedhert
henfixed
herpantysnappingitbackwher
eitbel
onged.He
packedhisdicinhispantsandki
ssedherwhileshe
breathedheavi
lysti
ll
.
“
Areyouok?
”
“
Ng…”
“
Itakei
tyouhavenevert
ouchedyour
sel
f…”
“
Idon’
tdot
hat
.”
Hehel
pedherputonherdr
ess.“
Keepi
tli
ket
hat
.”
“
Idon’
twantachi
ld.Iwantt
ogot
ouni
ver
sit
y.”
“
Ial
sodon’twantachi
ldnow.Youdon’
thavet
o
wor
ryaboutthat
.”
“
Wher
eisyourr
eal
gir
lf
ri
end?
”
Lefasmi
led.“
WellIhavebeenwait
ingforhert
o
growabi
tbutIthinkshe’
sreadynow.”
Bant
u’shear
tsank.“
Wher
eisshe?
”
“
Ithi
nkIam st
ari
ngathernow.
”
Bant
uswal
lowed.“
Me?
”
“Yes.It
hinkIhavewaitedlongenoughforyou.IfI
madeamovebackt hen,Iwouldhavescaredyou
offsoIhadtowai ti
toutandbepatient
.Thereisno
oneelse…justyou…Iwantt otr
ythi
sout.”
“
Me?
”
Hepinchedhercheek.“
Yeahyou.I
t’
sal
waysbeen
you.
”
“
Soal
lal
ongyouwer
ejustsi
ngl
e?”
Lefal
aughed.“No.Butnot
hingwaseverseri
ous.I
haveimaginedhavi
ngyouasmi nemorethanyou
canimagine.”
“
Ithought
…you.
.”Shesmi
ledshyl
y.Lef
asmi
led.
“
Youar
emysi
ster
’sf
ri
end.Idi
dn’
twantt
oshowi
t
andl
ookli
keaperver
t.Andyourdadl
ooksl
ikehe
woul
dkil
lforyou.
”
Shesmi
led.“
Ithoughti
twasonl
yme.
”
“
No.It
’snot
.Iwatchedyougrowandf
elli
nlove
wit
hyouandwatchedyougrowsomemore.Wewil
l
f
indawaytomakeitwork…”
Heki
ssedheragai
nthenst
art
edf
eedi
ngher
.

*
**

AtYamasa’shouse,Yamasalookedt
hroughher
bookssear
chingforBant
u’sEngli
shbook.
Shelookedaroundunabl
etofi
ndit.Sheopenedher
schoolbagtolookt
henpausedrecall
ingt
aki
ngbit
outofherbag..
Herheartstar
tedpoundi
ngassher
ecal
ledt
aki
ngi
t
wit
hlastnight.
Shequickl
yreachedf
orherphoneanddi
dmul
ti
ple
cal
lbackstohim.
Hecal
ledherbagmi
nut
esl
ater
.
“
Yamasa,
whatdi
dIsayabout
-“
“Thebook!ThebookIhadyest
erday.If
orgoti
tat
yourhouse.Bant
u’sbook.
”
“
Thebook?
”
“
IhadabookIwant
edt
ouseasacoverup.My
f
ri
end’
sbook.
”
“
What
?”
“
Ifor
gott
otakei
twi
thwhenIl
eft
.”
“DamnitYamasa!Whatdi
dIsayaboutsuch
nonsense?”
“
Ifor
got
.It
’sont
hedi
ningt
abl
e.”
“
Themai
dishome.Letmecal
lher
.”

*
**

AtMr.Modir
i’
shouse,t
hemaidt
ookapict
ureoft
he
bookandthebrashehadf
oundonthebedr
oom
f
loor
.
Shesentthepict
urestoherbossandputt
hebook
andbrainaplasti
c.Sheshovediti
ntheki
tchen
uni
tsandsighedhappil
y.
Herphoner
ang,
shel
ookedatherboss’
shusband
cal
li
ng.
“
Hel
lo?
”
“Joyce,t
her
e’sabookathome.Oneofmyst
udent
’s
book.”
“
Ihaven’
tseenanyt
hingyet
.”
“
Ok,
it’
spr
obabl
yther
e.Whenyouf
indi
t,keepi
tfor
me.
”
“
Yessi
r.
”
Hehungupt
henshepi
ckedherboss’
scal
l.

*
**

Lat
ert
hatday,
Lef
apar
kedhi
scaratt
hemal
l.He
l
eanedoverandki
ssedBant
u.
“
Iam comi
ng.
”
Hesteppedoutofthecar
.Bantutouchedherli
ps,a
smil
estart
edfrom t
hecornerofherli
ps.Shetur
ned
herheadasacarparkedbesidestheIsuzu.
Herhear tskippedabi tashereyeslandedont he
modi f
iedBMW.Thedooropenedt henthedr i
ver
steppedt alki
ngont hephone.Thistimehehada
l
eatherj acketon,Bantulockedherdoor .Heturned
andalsol ooked,heslightl
ysmi l
edthenwal kedin
themal llocki
nghiscarst i
llt
alki
ngont hephone.
Bantubreathedoutwit
hrel
ief
.Shesmi l
edasLefa
walkedbackt ohert
henjumpedint
hecar .He
l
ookedatt hecarbesi
deshimthenreversedand
droveof
f.

Lef
aparkedthecarbythegateatBant
u’shouse.
Bantul
ookedathim andsmil
ed.
“
Thankyouf
ort
aki
ngmeoutt
oday.
”
Hesmi
led.“
Areyougoi
ngt
ochur
cht
omor
row?
”
“
Yes.
”
“
Ok,
thenIwi
llseeyouaf
terchur
ch.
”
“
Ok.
”
Hi
sphonest
art
edringi
ng, her
eachedfori
tand
dr
oppedt
hecal
lthenkissedhersoft
ly.
“
Bye.
”
Bant usteppedoutofthecarblushi
ngandwal kedi
n
throught hegatecl
osingitbehi
ndher.Shewalked
i
nsi dethehouseandl ookedatherfat
herwhowas
sleepingont hecouch,t
her emot
eonhi schest.
Shewalkedpasthi
m headedtoherroom.Sheput
herhandoverhermouthgiggl
ing.

*
**

Yamasapi
ckedherphonei
nherr
oom.
“
Didyouf
indi
t?”
“
No.I
t’
snoti
nthehouse.It
hinkyouj
ustt
akeni
t.
”
“I
twasont hetabl
e.Iputi
tthere.It
’sBant
u’sbook.
It
’sanEngli
shbookwi t
haver yneathandwrit
ing.I
didn’
ttakei
t.Youneedtofi
ndi tbefor
eyourwife
comesback. ”
Ther
ewasapauset
henhecur
sed.
“
Fuck!She’
sher
e.”
“
Didn’
tyousayshe’
sonl
ycomi
ngbacknextweek?
”
“
Shesai
dshewasonl
ycomi
ngbackt
hen.
”
Yamasaputherhandoverherchest
.“Fi
ndt
hebook.
Ial
sofor
gotmybr a.
”
.
.
.
[
06/
22,
08:
11] :Fal
lenAngel
#5
Thef oll
owingmor
ningBant
uputononeofher
dressesandherpumpsthentookherbibl
e.She
walkedoutofthehousel
eavi
ngherfatherst
il
l
sl
eepi ng.
Yamasawhohadbeenwai
ti
ngont
hever
anda
st
oodup.
“
Areyoudone?
”
“
Yes.Let
’sgo.
”
Thegir
lswalkedoutt
hrought
hegate.Bant
ulooked
atherf
riendwhoseemeddist
ract
ed.
“
Otshogi
le?
”
Yamasat
urnedt
oher
.“Huh?
”
“
Aboutt
heexams.Ar
eyouscar
ed?
”
“
No.
”
Bantusmil
ed.“
Iam.Idi
dn’
tsl
eepl
astni
ght
readi
ng.
”
“
Theywi
llnevermakeuswr
it
ethi
ngst
oohar
d.”
“
Iwantt
obepr
epar
edi
rr
egar
dless.
”
“
Ng,
aker
ewenaosl
owl
ear
ner
.”
“
Areyouok?
”
Yamasalookedather
.“Bant
uyouwoul
dneverdat
e
mybrot
herakere?”
“
What
?”
“Youwouldnevergetinar
elati
onshi
pwithmy
brot
heraker
e?Fami l
yisof
flimit
sakere?
”
“
Whati
sgoi
ngon?
”
“Nothi
ng.Iwasjustasking.Youdat
ingmybr ot
her
wouldmeanourf ri
endshipisnowli
mited.Butt
henI
am surethatwoul
dn’thappenbecausefri
endsdon’
t
datethei
rfri
endsfamil
y.”
Bant
ulookedather
.“Di
dweagr
eet
othatatsome
poi
nt?”
“
No.Butit
’swel
lknowninformati
onbetween
f
ri
ends.I
magineifIhadt
ost ar
tsleepi
ngwit
hyour
f
ather
.Thatwoul
dn’tbeanicethi
ng.”
“Iwouldn’
tmi
ndi
fIhadabr
othert
henyoudat
e
him.”
“Iwould.That ’
swhyIbel ievet hatfamilyisoffl
imit
s.
Imaginej usthowt hatwoul dcompr omiseour
fri
endshi p.Mybr otheri smyf ami l
y,imagineifhe
start
scheat ingthenIam puti nat ightposit
ion.Ga
gonami ddleground.Iwi l
lloseoneofyoubecause
atsomepoi ntIam goi ngt ohavet ochoosemysi de.
Imaginenotbei ngabl etot ellmeyourmani s
hurti
ngyoubecauset hatmani smybr other.I
twil
l
compr omi seourr elati
onshi p,Iwon’ tevenbef r
eeto
tel
lyouanyt hi
ngbecausewhati fi
noneofyour
pil
lowt alksyouacci dentall
yment ionit
.”
“Iwasn’
tlooki
ngatitl
ikethat
.Buthel
awhati
fyour
soulmateismyfather
? ”
Theybot
hlaughed.Yamasahel
dBantu’
shand.“
I
l
oveyou.Iwouldchoosef
ri
endshi
p.”
Bant
usmi
ledwal
kingwi
thher
.
Yamasalookedather
.“Soyouwoul
dn’
tdat
emy
brot
heraker
e?”
Bant
unodded.“
Iwoul
dn’
t.
”
Yamasasi
ghedt
hensmi
led.“
NowIcanbr
eat
he!
”
Yamasa’sphonestar
tedr
ingi
ng,
shel
ookedatt
he
cal
lert
henpicked.
“
Hel
lo?
”
“
Didyoul
eaveyourbr
ainmyhouseonpur
pose?To
r
uinmymarri
age?”
Yamasast
oppedwal
kingandl
ower
edhervoi
ce.
“
No.If
orgot
.”
“
Howdoyouf
orgetsucht
hings?
”
“
BecauseIl
efti
nahur
ry.Di
dyouf
indt
hem?
”
“
Mywi
fedi
d.”
Yamasaf
eltheri
ntest
inespai
nful
lyt
wist
.
“
Ifitwasbookonlyitwasgoingtobeokbutal so
t
hebr a!Imadeahugemi st
akewithyou.Thewor st
mistakeofmylif
e.Imaylosemyj obifsherepor
ts
met otheschool
.Icangotojai
lfordefi
lement!I
s
t
hiswhatyouwant ed?Huh?Isit
?”
Tear
sfi
ll
edhereyes.“
Iam scar
ed.
”
“Youshoul
dbe.Ineverwanttoseeyouanywher
e
closet
omeeveragain!Del
etemynumberand
neverevercal
lme.Sat
an!
”
Hehungupangri
ly.Yamasarubbedateart
hathad
r
oll
eddown.Bant
ul ookatherworr
iedl
y.
“
What
’shappeni
ng?
”
“
Hebr
okeupwi
thme.
”
“
Youshouldhavebeendat
ingateachert
obegi
n
wit
hYaya.Hewaswayoldertoo.
”
“
Youdon’
tchoosewhom t
olove.I
tjusthappens.
”
“Youal
wayslikedt
hismanf rom f
orm 4,
youshoul
d
havecontr
oll
edyoursel
fthen.Atl
easthi
swif
e
doesn’
tknow.”
Yamasanoddedsni
ffi
ngt
henst
art
edwal
king
si
lent
lyt
hinki
ngoft
hebook.

*
**

AtBant
u’shouse,
acardrovei
nthroughthegat
e
t
hentwoladiesst
eppedoutwhi
leoneti
edherhair
.
“
Shest
aysher
e?”
Mr.Modir
i’
swifenoddedthenwalkedtothedoor
andbangeditl
ikeshewantedtobreaki
t.She
bangedi
tagaingett
ingevenangr
ier.
RragweBantuopenedt
hedoorandl
ookedatt
he
t
wol adi
es.
“
Iam l
ooki
ngf
orBant
uJosephs.
”
“
Andwhatdoyouwantf
rom Bant
u?”
“
Issheher
e?I
fshei
s,t
ellhert
ocomeout
.”
“Bantuusmydaught er,shewil
lnotcomeoutoft hi
s
housetil
lyoutellwhatyouwantfrom her.Orshoul
d
Icallt
hepoli
ce?BecauseIcanal r
eadyt el
lyouhave
comewi t
hviolentbehavior
.”
“Yourdaughterhasbeensleepi
ngwithmyhusband,
he’sateacher,Mr.Modi
ri
.Itseemsshe’sbeen
sleepi
ngwithhimf orawhi
lenow.Notsol ongago,I
almostcaughtthem.Sheforgotherl
unchboxinmy
house…onmyki t
chencountersanditwasobvious
theyhadsexi nmyhouse.Ithoughtshewouldthen
stopbutshecontinuedandshe’sbeencomingto
myhouseconti
nuously,usingmybedr oom,mybed.
Todayshe’
slef
tabr aandahook, Iam suretotel
l
methatIam afool
..From hereIam goingtoschool
.
Iam goi
ngtoopenacasewi t
htheschool.”
RragweBantulookedatt
hebook.“
Mydaughter
wouldneversl
eepwithmarr
iedmen.Bant
uisnot
t
hatkindofchi
ld.Mydaughteri
swell
behaved.
”
“Pl
easet
ellyourdaught
ert
ocomeoutorelseIam
goi
ngtotheschool.Wecantal
kaboutt
hiswoman
towoman,itdoesn’
thavet
ogetfar
.”
“Gotot heschool.Ifthatmant eachesher,hemi ght
havetakenherbooki nclass.Bantudoesnoteven
ownabr a,mydaught erisfl
atchest ed.Pl
easegot o
theschool .Mydaught erandIwi l
lfoll
owyout here.
Don’tforgettothepol i
cebecauseyourhusbandi sa
pedophi l
ewhot akesadvant agesofyounggi r
ls.
Thatisst atut
oryrape!”
Mr.Modi r
i’
swifelookedathimthenwalkedbackto
hercar.Shebri
eflyspoketoherfr
iendt
hent heygot
i
nthecaranddr oveof f
.RragweBantut
ur nedand
walkedbackinsidethehouse.
*
**

Latert
hatday,
Bantuwal
kedt
hrought
hegate
hummi ngtoachur
chsongwhi
leherf
atherf
ixed
thecar.
“
Papa…”
Herf
athersmi
led.“
Bant
u…comeher
emygi
rl
.”
Bant
uwal
kedcl
oser
.“Rr
a?”
“
DoyouknowMr
.Modi
ri
?”
“
Yes.He’
smybi
ologyt
eacher
.”
“
Hiswi
fewashereinthemorni
ng.Shesaysshe
f
oundyourbookandabrai
nherhome.”
Bantufrowned.“
Mybook?Whichbook?Ineverf
ace
Mr .Modir
imybook.I
t’
sinsi
de.AndIdon’
thaveany
bra.”
“Shesaysyouhavebeensl
eepingwi
thherhusband.
She’sl
eftandwentt
oschoolt
oopenacase.Iknow
thi
ngshavebeenhardsi
nceIlostmyj
ob.Iwil
lnot
bemadifyouf el
tyouneedtosl
eepwit
hat eacher
togetmoney.Iwil
lnotbemad,youcantel
lmet he
tr
uthsoIknowhowt odefendyou.
”
Tearsf
il
ledhereyes.“Iam notsl
eepingwithhim.I
haveneverhadsexinmyl ifepapa.Ihavenever
beentohishouse.Iswear.
”
Herf
athernodded.“
Ibeli
eveyou.Goandchange.
Wearegoingtotheschool.
”

*
**

AtYamasa’shouse,
Yamasawal kedinsidet
he
house,herpar
ent
slookedatherasiftheyhadbeen
wait
ingforher
.
Hermotherst
oodt hent
ookouttheboxofcondoms
shekepthi
ddeninherroom andthelet
tershehad
givenhi
m bef
oretheystar
tedsl
eepingtogether
.
“
Yamasa,
whati
sthi
s?”
Shest
agger
edbackasherhear
tski
ppedabi
t.
“
Iam t
alki
ngt
oyouYamasa!
”
Sheswal
lowedpani
cki
ng.
“
Yamasa!
”
“
It
s..i
t’
snotmi
ne.I
t’
sBant
u’s!
”
Hermot
herf
rowned.“
Bant
u?”
“
Sheaskedmet okeepi
tforherbecauseshedi
dn’
t
wantherf
athert
ofi
ndout.”
.
.
.
[
06/
22,
08:
12] :Fal
lenAngel
#6

MmagweYamasal
ookedathershaki
ngwi
thanger
.
“
Sot
hishandwr
it
ingkeagaBant
u?”
Yamasal
ookedatt
hel
ett
ershaki
ng.Tear
sfi
ll
edher
eyes.
“
I…sheaskedmet
owr
it
eitf
orher
.”
MmagweYamasar aisedherhandandslappedher
acrosst
hef
acesohar dthatYamasast
aggered
backasawaveofdizzinesshi
ther
.
Hermotherpi
ckedt
heboxofcondomsandt
hrewi
t
ather
.
“
Who’
sthi
ngsar
ethose?
!”
Yamasalookedathermot
herbreat
hingoutf
ir
eand
tur
nedt
henr anoutoft
hehouse.
“
Yamasa!
”
Sheranoutthr
ought hegat
eandtookashortcutt
o
Bantu’
shouse.Shejumpedthr
oughthefencefrom
thebackandknockedonBantu’
swindow.
Bantuopenedt
hecur
tai
nandl
ookedatYamasa
cr
ying.
“
Mamaknows.
”
“Shhh…papawenttorragweKi
t o.Heiscoming
back.Mr.Modi
ri
’swif
ewasher e.Shesaidshe
foundmybookinherhousetoget herwi
thmybra.
”
“
Ihadwentwi
thyourbooki
ncasemamacaught
me.
”
“
Soyousl
eepwi
thmar
ri
edmenwi
thmybooks?
”
“
Icoul
dnottakemybook,Iwoul
dhavet
oldmama
t
hatIwentbor
rowyourbook.
”
“Coul
dn’tyoutakeanyotherbook,
ketlagothuba
kafei
si,
kengobuamaakakana?( Iwi
llpunchyou,
whyareusi ngmei nyourl
ies?
)Youtakemy
soft
nessforgrunted.
”
“
MamaknowsIhavenoot
herf
ri
end.
”
“
Yonef
ri
endyasl
owl
ear
ner
?”
Tear
srandownhercheeks.
“
Imi
ghtbesl
owbutIam notst
upi
d.”
“
Iam sor
ry.Pl
easehel
pme.
”
“Iam goi
ngt
oschool
.Mr
s.Modi
riwentt
oopena
case.
”
“Go.Thepri
ncipalli
kesyou.Sheknowsyou.Ther
e’s
nowayshe’dbel i
evethatyouwouldsl
eepwithMr.
Modiri
.Gapetheycandoavi rgi
nit
ytest
.Ei
therway
yourfat
herisanali
bi.Youwerewit
hhim.Pleasego.
Ebil
eyoucansayhe’ sbeenhi
tti
ngonyou.Kana
l
astyeartherewasar umort
hathewassleeping
wit
hanot herst
udent
.”
“
Iam notgoi
ngtol
ie.Iam notsl
eepi
ngwi
thhi
m so
t
her
e’snoreasont
olie.
”
Yamasasni
ff
ed.“
Iam soscar
ed.
”
Bant
ulookedatherswol
lencheekwi
thahand
i
mprint
edonit.
“
Comei
n.”
Yamasawal kedt
othedoorandwal kedi nsidethe
house.ShesatonBant u’
sbedandst aredather
pict
ureswit
hherfather.Hereyesf
ellont heflat
sandalsonthefl
oorthenbendedpickingt hem.
“Wait
sethisl
ooksli
ket
heshoesLefagotme.Isaw
them i
nashoppingbagthatwasi
nhisroom.He
hasn’
tgivent
hem tomeyet.”
Bant
usmi l
ed.“
Mydadgott
hem f
orme.Theywer
e
onspeci
al.
”
Yamasasmi
ledandputt
hem down.“
Theyar
eni
ce.
Ican’
twai
tforustot
win.Mat
teroff
act
,Ican’
twai
t
toseemysel
fkelekoGabor
one.”
“Metoo.Iwanttocomequi
ckl
yfr
om schoolsoI
cangoandplaitmmagweMichel
le’
shai
r.
”
Thegirl
shear
dfootst
eps.Bantuwal
kedoutofher
room andl
ookedatherf
ather.
“
Arewegoi
ngnow?
”
Henodded.“Yes.Butitlooksl
ikei
t’
sgoi
ngtorain.
Wear et
aki
ngt hecar.Iam sur
ewewi l
lbef
ine.The
schooli
scl
ose. ”
Hetookhi
ssmallphoneandthecarkeys.Bant
u
f
oll
owedhim out
side,
heski
ll
ful
lyopenedthedoor
f
orher.
Bant
usmi
led.“
Thankyou.
”
Helaughed.“Don’
tgett
oohappy.Iam openi
ng
becauseitneedsacert
ainski
llt
oopen.
”
Heclosedthedoorandwalkedroundtohisside
andgotin.Hepushedthekeyinandturnedita
coupl
eoft i
mesti
lli
tstar
tedmakingaloudsound
asifi
twereabigtruck.
Bantusmiledreal
izi
ngshehadbeenhol dingher
breat
h.Herfatherchangedgearsandl i
ft
edt he
handbreak.Thecarslowlymovedf orward,he
droveoutofthegateandturnedtakingadirect
ion
headedtoschoolwhi l
esoftshowersofrainfel
l.

*
**

AtYamasa’ shouse,mmagweYamasacall
edher
daughteragainbutherphonewasnowof
f.Her
husbandlookedather.
“It
oldyouthatweneedtotal
ktohercalml y.
Yamasai sal
mostdonewithschool.Soonenough
shewillbegoi
ngtoGaboroneforschool.Youdon’
t
beabletocontr
olher
.”
MmagweYamasatur
ned.“
Soyouwantmet
ojust
wat
chmydaught
ersl
eeparound?
”
“Whet
heryouli
keornot ,she’
sgoingt
odoit.You
shoul
dhavehandledthisbett
er.I
fyouapproached
herwi
thlessvi
olence,
shewoul dhavebeenopento
youandshewoul
dn’
thaver
anof
f.
”
“
Iknowwher
eshei
s.I
fIwantt
ogoandgether
,I
wil
l.
”
“Shei sanadult.Youst artedhavingsexat15.Your
parentswher estri
ct,mor et hanyoucaneverbebut
nothingstoppedyou.YouhadLef aat17.Nothing
stoppedus.Mogat saka, allIam t
ryi
ngtosayist hat
,
Yayai sagirlchil
d.Youknowhowi ti
s.Approachis
verypower f
ulweapon.I nst eadofmakingherfeel
asifwear eherenemi es, sheshouldfeell
ikewear e
onhersi de.
”
“Don’
tworr
y.Iwil
lbeatheri
ntoli
ne.Iwil
lnotr
aise
mydaughterli
keIam whit
eperson.She’sgoi
ngto
comebackhomeonewayort heother
.Shewill
answerf
orit.
”
“Yetyouaretheadvocat
eofwanti
ngLef
atodat
e
Bantu.Bant
uandYamasaar ethesame.
”
“BecauseBantui
swel
lbehaved.Shewoul
dn’
tbe
sleepi
ngaround.
”
“
Soyouthi
nkLef
aisnotl
ooki
ngatBant
uinsexual
ways?Kemat
hat
a.”
Hestoodupandwal kedoutjustasLef
adrovein
fr
om thefarm.Hesmiledst
andingundert
heshade
asitr
ained.Lef
apar
kedbesideshim andstepped
outofthecar.
“
Youdel
iver
edever
ythi
ng?
”
“
Yes.
”
“
Wheni
syourbr
othercomi
ngbackhome?
”
Lefasmil
ed.“Hesayshewi
llcomewhenhecomes
backfr
om histr
ip.
”
“Tel
lhi
m Ihavef
orgi
vehi
mf orsel
li
ngmycows.
Mmekebat amadiame.Keskwata,Iknowsol
dier
s
getpai
denough.
”
Lef
alaughed.“
Heknows.Hewi
llcome.
”
“Iam gi
vinghi
m ayeart
oouttogethermymoney.I
wantanewcar .I
fhecan’
tthentel
lhim Ihave
disownedhim.
”
“
Iwi
llt
ellhi
m.”
“
Howi
sitgoi
ngwi
thBant
u?She’
sani
cegi
rl
.”
Lef
asmi
led.“
Shei
s.”
“Sheist
hetypeyoumar
ry.Thet
ypet
hatcancar
ry
yoursur
name.”
“
Iknow.
”
“Good.It’
salwaysni cewhent heyaresti
llyounglike
thi
s.Yougr oom herint owhatyouwant.Yout each
herwhatyouwant .Herf at
herisagreatman.He
rai
sedabeaut i
fulwellbehavedchil
dallalone.That
gir
lishistreasure.Hel i
vesforher
.Youshoul dtreat
herri
ght.Iam happyyouar esoongoingt ostart
working.Moneyi sver yimport
anti
nar elati
onship.”
Lef
anodded.“
Iknow.Iam gl
adt
oo.
”
“
Good.
”
Hewalkedbacki
nsi
dethehouse.Lef
alookedathi
s
phoneri
ngi
ngthencutt
hecal
lfoll
owinghi
sfather
i
nsidet
hehouse.

*
**

Atschool
,thePr
inci
pall
ookedatrr
agweBantu
apol
ogeti
call
yasMr.Modir
iwalkedoutwi
thhi
s
wi
feaf
tert
hemeet
ing.
“Iam sosorr
ytohavedraggedyouherel
iket
hison
aSunday.Wai t
sethi
steacheri
saprobl
em.He’sa
predatort
oourstudent
sandIam happyweare
suspendinghi
m.Hopefull
yweneverhavehim
back.”
Rr
agweBant
unodded.“
Met
oo.
”
Thepr inci
palsmil
edatBantu.“Iam sorr
ymygi rl
,
don’ttakewhathappenedtodayseriously.I
t’
s
nothing.Iknowyouaregoingtopasst hoseexams.
Ihavemyeyesonyou.Takeyourt imei ntheexam
room.Don’ tpani
c.Youar
egoi ngtouniversi
tywit
h
greatmar ks.
”
Bant
usmi
led.“
Eemma.
”
“
Good.That
’sal
l.
”
Bantust
oodupandwal
kedoutwi
thherf
atherasi
t
rai
nedheavi
ly.
Theybothrantothecar
,herf
atherqui
cklyopeni
ng
thedoorforher
.Shequi
cklyj
umpedi ngett
ing
drenched.
Heranroundthecarandgoti
n.Hestar
tedt
hecar
anddroveoutoft
heschoolpr
emises.
“
Iam happyever
ythi
nggotcl
ear
ed.
”
Bant
usmi
led.“
Met
oo.
”
RragweBant udrovethem homeandsmil
edproud
ofthecar.Bantusteppedoutandwal
kedinsi
dethe
house.Shewentt oherroom andf
oundYamasa
playi
nggamesonherphone.Shequi ckl
yputdown
thephone.
“
Howdi
ditgo?
”
“Noonebeli
evedhert
houghMr
.Modi
rigot
suspended.
”
“
ThankGod!
”
“
Yourmot
heri
sst
il
lgoi
ngt
obeatyou.
”
Yamasasmi led.“
Icantakethat
.Matt
eroff
act,I
shouldgonowsoIgetdr enchedandgetsi
ck.She
wil
lfeelsor
ryforme.”
Yamasaqui
ckl
yputonhershoes.
“
Staywi
thmyphone.Iwi
llt
akei
ttomor
row.
”
Bantuwat
chedherasshehur ri
edoutthenoutt
he
phoneaway.Shetookoffhershoest
hensatonher
st
udytabl
egetti
ngreadytorevi
se.

*
**

Lat
erthateveni
ng,
Bantuopenedherwindowas
someoneknockedsof
tl
y.Shepausedthensmil
ed
l
ookingatLefa.
“
Hey…”
Bant
usmi
led.“
Hi.
”
“
Ihear
dwhathappenedt
oday.
”
“
Iam notsl
eepi
ngwi
th-
“
“
Iknow.I
sYamasasl
eepi
ngwi
thhi
m?”
“
No.No…”
Hesi
ghed.“
Ok.Imi
ssedyou.Comecl
oser
.”
Bant
uwentclosert
henheleanedoverandkissed
hert
hrought
heburglarbar
s.Herf
ather
’sl
ight
swi
tchedon.Lef
apul
ledawaywi
thasmi
le.
“
Iloveyou.
”
Hequickl
ydisappear
edint
hedarkness.Bant
u
qui
ckl
yclosedthewindowandgotbackinbed.She
cl
osedhereyesasherdooropened.
Herf
atherl
ookedatherthenswitchedofft
helight
andcl
osedthedoorwalkingbacktohisbedroom.

MONTHSLATER…
.
.
.
[
06/
22,
08:
12] :Fal
lenAngel
#7

Mont
hsLat
er…

Bant
uwal
kedoutoft
hesuper
mar
ketatt
hemal
l
hol
dingtwopl
asti
cbagsofgr
ocer
y.Shepassedthe
cabdri
versmaki
ngherwaypastt
hefi
ll
ingst
ati
on.
Acardrovebehindher,shemovedtot hesidetol
et
i
tpassthenturned.Sheswallowedstaringatt
he
BMW asitslowlydrovepastherwhil
et hedri
ver
spokeonhisphone.
Heturnedtoherside,
Bant uquickl
ylookedaway,
herheartvi
brati
ngagainstherchest.Hedrovepast
herthenstoppedandreversed.
Bantuhel
dherplasti
csprobablyget
ti
ngreadyt
o
runoff
.Herol
leddownt herestofhi
swindowdown.
Bantuqui
ckl
ywal kedaway.
“
Hey!Ei
ta!
”
Herheartpoundedsofastasshet ruedwalking
fast
er.Hesteppedontheacceleratoranddrove
pastherthentur
nedthecarblockingher.
Herarmpi
tsgotsweaty,
herheartbeat
ingwaytoo
fast
.Shel
ookedatthefi
ll
ingst
ationtr
yingt
oseeif
anyonewaswatchi
ng.
Hel
ookedathert
err
if
iedf
aceandst
eppedoutof
hi
scar
.
“
Areyouok?
”
Sheheldherpl
asti
csshaki
ngasshestr
uggl
edt
o
breat
he.Sweatr
oll
eddownherfaceasshe
st
aggeredback.
Shegaspedfi
ght
ingtobreat
he.Hel ookedather
worr
iedl
yasshedroppedtheplast
icsgaspingasif
shewerestr
uggl
ingtobr
eathe.
“
Areyouok?
”
Bant
ulookedathim wheezi
ng,
herchestt
ighteni
ng.
Hegotcl
oser,
af l
ashofpanicr
efl
ect
inginhiseyes.
“
Hey….
”
Tearsrol
leddownhereyes,
themoreshef
oughtt
o
breat
he,t
hemor ei
tbecamepainf
ul.
“
What
’sgoi
ngon?Doyougaveast
hma?
”
Shenoddedwheezi
ngevenmor
e.
“
Wher
eisyourspr
ay?
”
Shesl
owl
yli
ft
edherhandandpoi
nted.
“FuckPule!Shi
t..ahhh…shoul
dItakeyoutothe
hospit
al?Ishoul
dt akeyout
othehospi
talr
ight?
”
Hepi ckedherupt henputheri natthefr
ontseat.
Bantupani ckedmor ecoughing.Shethoughtofher
fat
her …thismanwaspr obablygoingtosel
lheroff
tothehi ghestbi
dder.She’dneverseeherfather
again.Orhe’ dpr
obablyrapeherandki l
lher.
Pulepickedherplasticsandputthem attheback
thendroveof f
.Hel ookedatherstruggli
ngto
breat
he, i
tlookedpainfulj
ustwat
chi ng.Shel
ooked
athim cryi
ng
“
Fuck!Don’
tdi
eonme.Igaveenoughshi
ttodeal
wit
h.”
Hesteppedontheacceler
atorovert
aki
ngcarsashe
spedheadedt
ot hehospit
al.Hetookashar
pt ur
n
whereahospi
talsi
gnwas.
Minut
eslat
erhedrovethr
oughthehospit
algat
eto
theemer
gencyentr
ance.Heparkedthecarandran
overt
ohersidet
henpickedherup.
“
Hey…wear
eatt
hehospi
tal
.It
’sok.Youar
egoi
ng
t
obeok.
”
Bant
ugr
abbedhi
st-
shi
rtandhur
ri
edi
nsi
dewi
thher
.
Anurser
ushedovert
oat
tendt
oher
.Pul
eputher
ont
hepli
nth.
“She’
shavi
nganast
hmat
icat
tack.
.Pl
easehel
p
her.
”
Thenursepushedthepl
int
hawayasanot hernur
se
j
oinedher.Pul
etookadeepbreat
hthenlaughed
al
onewonder i
ngwhatoneart
hhadjusthappened.
Hi
sphoneranginhispockett
henhetur
nedand
wal
kedouttowherehehadparkedhi
scar.
“
Sur
e?”
“
Pul
e,kant
eokae?
”
“
Itol
dyouIam comi
ng.
”
“Youshoul
dhavebeenhereanhourback.Youneed
toseethest
uffbef
orewesendi
toff.Thetr
ucksare
goingi
ntwohours.
”
“
Iknow.Isai
dIam comi
ng.
”
“
Wher
ear
eyou?
”
“
Kar
ekeet
a!Wast
her
eanyt
hingel
se?
”
Thecal
lersi
ghed.“
That
’sal
l.
”
“
Stopcal
li
ngasi
fIam yourgi
rl
fr
iend.
”
“
Ok.Sor
ry.
”
Pul
ehungupandmadeacal
l
.
“
Hel
lo?
”
“Iam around.Iam gi
vingyoutwent
yminutest
oput
toget
hermymoneyorel seotsil
egonyel
a.O
ntwaelamasepa.”
“
P-“
“
Isi
lkbur
ryyourent
ir
efami
lywhi
leyou
“
Igotyourmoney.Al
lofi
t.KeP50k.
”
“
Good.Iam comi
ng.
”
Pulehungupget t
inginhiscarthenparkedatthe
frontent
rancelikeeveryoneel
se.Hewal kedbackin
thehospitalandlookedattherecepti
onist
.She
l
ookedathi m droppingherpent henqui
cklypi
cked
i
tup.
“Ij
ustbr
oughtsomeonein.Shewashavi
ngan
asthmat
icat
tack.Wher
edoIwait?”
Shepoi
ntedatt
hebenches.“
Ther
e.Uh…what
’sher
name?”
Pul
elookedatt
henur
set
hathadt
akenher
.
“
That
’st
henur
se.
”
Therecept
ioni
stst
oodupandhur
ri
edovert
othe
nur
se.
“
Mma,
thi
sguysayshebr
oughtsomeonei
n.”
Thenurselookedandnodded.“
Yes.Somegirl
..
wait
seGodot ar
edir
elamathat
a.Ift
hatgi
rli
shis
gi
rl
fri
end,ngwanawabathoomat hat
eng.”
Therecept
ioni
stlaughed.“
Eneomont
legor
e.Kana
guysbadot at
toodoitforme.
”
“Thi
sonei sthetypeyouthinktwi
cebeforeyousay
anythi
ngtohi m shem.Thatgir
lwasputonthe
oxygenmask.Shewashavi ngapanicatt
ack.But
she’
sfine.Hecangoandseeher .She’
satthe
secondwar d.
”
Ther
ecei
pti
oni
stl
aughedandwal
kedbackt
oPul
e.
“
She’
sbet
ter
.Youcangoandseeheratt
hewar
d.”
Shequi
ckl
ydirectedhi
mthenPul
ewal
kedwher
e
he’
dbeendi
rected.
Hepassedotherpati
entswalki
ngovert
oher.He
l
ookedatherface,anoxygenmaskoverhernose
wit
hhereyesclosed.
Bant
uslowlyt
urnedopeni
nghereyes.Hereyes
l
ockedwit
hPule’s.
Shegr
abbedt
hesheet
spani
cki
ng.
Pul
eheldherhand.“Hey…i
t’
sok.Cal
m down.You
ar
eatthehospit
al.
”
Shelookedar
ound,
steam f
il
li
ngt
hemask.Hi
s
voi
cewasdeepandhusky.
“Youarenotdyi
ng.Atl
eastnotl
iket
his.Andnot
now.”
Shel
ookedathi
m.Hesmi
led.
“
Ok,
badj
oke.But
..youar
eok.
”
Shel
ookedathi
m shaki
ng.Pul
epul
leddownher
maskgent
ly.
“
Idon’
tknowwhat
’sgoi
ngonbut
…youar
eok.
”
“
Iwantt
ogohome.
.”
Thef
earinhereyesconf
usedhi
mtheni
tqui
ckl
y
madesense.
“Ok.Butfir
st…r
elax.Youareok.Iam notgoi
ngto
doanyt hi
ngtoyou.IfIwant
edto,Iwouldhavel
ong
doneit.Youcancalm down.”
Oneoft
heel
der
lyl
adi
esi
nthewar
dlooked.
“
Ngwanake.
.mpemet
siameho.
”
Pul
etur
nedandsmi
ledr
espect
ful
ly.“
Met
si?
”
“
Ehe.
.”
Pulewal
kedoverandpour
edacupofwat ert
hen
handedi
ttoherandhel
pedherdr
ink.Shesmil
ed.
“
Thankyoumyboy.
”
“
Eemma.
”
Hehel
pedherl
iedownandsi
ghed.
“Iam sor
ryaboutearl
ieron.Ihadj
ustwant
edt o
giveyouahand.Ihaveseenyoubef or
e…twice.
Don’tyouthi
nkbynowyouwoul dbedeadifI
wantedtokil
lyou?”
Hepushedhertot
hepil
lowandfl
ashedasmileon
hi
sface.“
WarengBant
u?Yournameiscute.
”
Bantul
ookedathim wonderi
nghowheknewher
name.Herfaci
alexpr
essionwassocut
ehe
chuckl
ed.
“
Hisphonest
art
edr
ingi
ng.Hepi
nchedhercheek.
“Iam goi
ngtogiveyouami nut
etosor
tyour
selfout
t
henIwi l
lcal
lthenurseandgetyoudi
schar
ged.”
Hepinchedhercheekandsmi l
ed.
“
Trynott
opani
ctodeat
h.”
Het
urnedpi
cki
ng.
“
Yeah.
.?”
Bantuwat chedhi m walkadistancefr
om her .He
tur
nedt alkingonthephonest ari
ngathert hough
shecoul dn’thearwhathesaying…Thei reyes
remainedl ockedtogetherf
ewmi nut
es.
Hesmiledst
il
ltal
kingt
henl
aughedmakingher
wonder.Hefi
nall
yhungandwalkedbacktohi
m.
“
Yougood?
”
Shebl
inkedsi
lent
lywat
chi
nghi
m.
“Ihavet
ogo.Iam cal
li
ngthenur
se.Youar
efi
ne
now.Iwil
ldr
opyouoff.”
.
.
.
[
06/
22,
08:
12] :Fal
lenAngel
#8

Bantugott
hemedi
cati
onshehadbeenprescri
bed
bythephar
macycount
eratt
hehospi
talwhil
ePule
st
oodby.
Shetur
nedt
ohi
m.“
Icanwal
khomef
rom her
e.I
t’
s
notf
ar.
”
“
Iwi
lldr
opyouof
f.I
t’
sok.
”
“
Idon’
t
“
Idon’
tri
dei
nst
ranger
’scar
s.”
Pul
esmi
led.“
Am Ist
il
last
ranger
?Consi
der
ingt
he
f
actt
hatIj
ustsavedyourl
if
e.”
“
Iwi
llwal
k.”
Hi
sphoner
ang,
hel
ookedather
.
“
Let
’sgo.Iam i
nar
ush.
”
Bantulookedathim,itdidn’
tseem li
kehewas
askinganymoreratherjusttel
li
ngher.Sheslowl
y
fol
lowedbehindhim.I fshewentmi ssi
ng,i
thadto
beeasiertohaveherf ound.Thelastpl
aceshehad
beenseenatwasatt hehospital
.Withhim.
Heopenedthedoorforher
.Bant
ugotinand
wat
chedhim cl
osethedoorandwalkroundthecar.
Hegotinandstar
tedtheengi
nethendroveoutof
t
hehospit
al.
“
Wher
edoIgo?
”
“
Tur
nri
ght
.”
Hetookaturnconnecti
nghisphonetohiscarthen
hestar
tedplayi
nghismusic.Heincr
easedthe
vol
umeslightl
ysingi
ngalong.
‘
Y’ai
n’tgot
tadowngr
adeyoucangetwhatIget
Mychi
ckcoul
dhavewhatshewant
Andgoi
nanyst
oref
oranybagshewant
And,
no,
sheai
n’tneverhadamanl
iket
hat
Tobuyyouanyt
hingyourhear
tdesi
rel
iket
hat
Yeah,
Iwantyo’
body,
needyo’
body
Longasyougotmeyouwon’
tneednobody
Youwanti
tIgoti
t,gogeti
t,I
’
llbuyi
t
Tel
l‘
em ot
herbr
okeni
ggasbequi
et

St
acksondeck
Pat
roneoni
ce
Andwecanpopbot
tl
esal
lni
ght
And,
baby,
youcanhavewhat
everyoul
ike(
Youl
ike)
Isai
dyoucanhavewhat
everyoul
ike(
Youl
ike)
Yeah’
Shest
oleagl
anceathim,het
urnedt
henshel
ooked
awaymaki
nghim smi
le.
Shedir
ect
edhim whi
lehedrove.Mi
nut
eslat
erhe
par
kedbythegat
eandlookedatherwi
thasmil
e.
“
Didyoudi
e?”
“
Thankyou.
”
“
Iwi
llhel
pyouwi
thyourgr
ocer
ies.
”
Hest
eppedoutandt
ookoutherpl
ast
ics.
“
Shoul
dIwal
kyoui
n?”
“
No.Ist
aywi
thmyf
ather
.”
“
Ok.Ni
cemeet
ingyouBant
u.”
Hehandedhert
hepl
ast
icst
hent
ookouthi
swal
let
andt
ookoutsomemoney.
“Themil
kfel
loutoft
hepl
ast
ic.Ther
e…youcanget
some.”
Bant
ulookedi
nsi
deherpl
ast
ics.
“
Themi
lki
sP20.NotP200.
”
Pul
erol
ledt
hemoneyandpushedi
tthr
oughher
af
ro.
“
Keepthechange.Iam sor
ryf
orscar
ingyoul
ike
t
hat
.”
Hesteppedbackandgotinhi
scar .Bantubreat
hed
outwatchi
nghiscardri
veof
fthent ooktheP200
notei
nherhair
.Shefrownedreal
izingtheywere
twoP200notes.Sheputawaythemoney.
Bantuwalkedtothedoorandwal
kedinsidet
he
house.Herfat
herwalkedfr
om hi
sbedroom.
“Weneedt
ogetgoi
ng.Yourbusi
sleavi
ngi
nan
hour
.”
“
Ifor
gott
hemi
lk.
”
“
It
’sf
ine.
”
Bant
uputtheplast
icsi
nthekit
chenthenwalkedt
o
herr
oom andputonherjeansandat-shi
rt
.Sheout
onhershoesanddraggedherbagout.
Herfathertookherbagsandputt
hem i
nthecar
outside.Bant
uwalkedoutoft
hehouseandlocked
behindher.
Shewal
kedt
othegat
eandopenedi
twi
deasher
fat
herstar
tedthecar.Heslowl
ydroveoutoft
he
gate.Bant
uclosedthegateandgotint
hecar
smili
ngexcit
edly.
Herfatherchangedt
hegearsanddrovetothebus
rank.Heparkedthecarandemoti
onall
ylookedat
her.
“Iam soproudofyou.Iknowyouar egoingtocome
backwi t
hyourdegree.Stayf
ocused.Justli
keyou
didwithyourfor
m 5.Youshamedt heenemy.Iam
suretheydidn’
texpectyoutocomeoutwi t
hallB’
s.”
Bant
usmi
led.“
Theydi
dn’
t.
”
“
Shamet
hem agai
n.Taket
hismoney…”
Herfat
hertookoutt
hemoneyf
rom hi
spocketand
handeditt
oher.
“Thi
sistohel
pyou.Don’
tbeaf
rai
dtocal
lmef
ir
anyt
hing.
”
Hehuggedhert
ightl
yandbli
nkedawayhistear
s.
Bant
usnif
fedholdi
nghim.Herfat
hermovedback.
“
Begood.
”
“
Thankyou.
”
Hesteppedoutofthecarandt
ookoutherbag.
TheywalkedtothebuswhereYamasawasalready
wait
ing.Thegi
rl
shuggedgiggl
ing.
Rr
agweBant
usmi
led.“
Okgi
rl
s.Bye.
”
Bantuwavedatherfat
herashewalkedbacktohi
s
car.Thebusconduct
ortookBant
u’sbagasthegi
rl
s
gotinthebus.
Awhi l
elatert
hebusslowlymovedfrom t
herank.
Bantulookedoutt
hroughthewindow,exci
tement
shooti
ngthroughhervei
ns.
Yamasahandedherf r
iendtheot
herear
phones.
Bantuputheearphonethr
oughhereart
henleaned
backli
steni
ng.

I
nGaborone,
thebusdr ovethr
oughtherank.Bantu
l
ookedatt
hefleetofcombiesandcabseverywhere
wit
hpeopl
eeverywheretoo.Amanr ushedbesides
t
hebus.
“
YaMolepol
oleyar
aamaya!Mol
eps!Ar
etsamaye!
Mol
eps!
”
Thebusst
opped.Yamasasmi
led.
“
Gabsci
ty!
”
Theysteppedoutofthebusandgotthei
rbags.
Yamasascr eamedrunni
ngovertowhereLefawas
wait
ing.Lef
ahuggedherlaughi
ng.Bantudragged
thei
rbagsoversmil
ing.
Lef
alookedathert
hensmi
led.
“
Hey…”
Hehuggedher,Bantublushedi
nhali
nghiscologne.
Hekissedherneckandletgobefor
ehissist
er
coul
dnoticeanyt
hing.Yamasasmiled.
“
Wear
eher
e.”
Let
’sgo.Thecari
spar
kedt
hatsi
de.
”
Hetookthebagsf
rom Bant
u.Yamasacl
asped
handwit
hBantuhappi
lyastheywal
kedt
otheShel
l
Fi
ll
ingst
ati
onwherehehadparkedhi
scar.
Lef
aunl
ockedt
hecompanycarandputt
hebagsi
n
thebootwhil
eYamasagoti natthefrontseat
.
Bantugotinbehindthedr
iver
’sseatandsmi l
edsti
ll
l
ookingaround.Lefagoti
nthecaranddr oveoff
.
HelookedatBant uthroughtherear
viewmir
ror,her
afr
owasbi ggerthanthelastti
mehehadseeni t.
Shelookedprett
ier.Sheturnedherheadandlocked
eyeswithhim.
Asmi
lecover
edherf
acet
henshel
ookeddown.

AtLef
a’shouse,
Lef
aledt
hegi
rl
sinsi
de.
“Ok,
Ist
ayinabachel
orpad.Youguyswi
llusemy
bedr
oom,di
dyougetyourrooms?”
“
Notyet
.”
“Chancesarethatyoumaynotgetr oomsmeaning
you’dhavetolookforaccommodationsomewhere
closetoschool.Iwi
lldropyouguysoffatUB
tomorrowonmywayt owork.
”
Yamasanoddedl
ooki
ngar
oundwi
thasmi
le.Lef
a
l
ookedatBant
u.
“
Come…Iwi
llshowyouwher
eyouar
esl
eepi
ng.
”
Hepulledtheirbagstohisbedroom.Bantufol
lowed
him whil
eYamasat ookpi ct
ures.Lef
aputawaythe
bagsthenquicklykissedher.Hepull
edawayas
Yamasawal kedinside.Bantutookadeepbreath
l
icki
ngherl i
ps.
“Youaresl
eepi
nginhere.Thetoi
letandbat
hroom
aredownthepassage.Iwil
lgi
veyouspace.”
Lef
awalkedoutthenYamasascreamedjumpi
ngup
anddownhappil
ywhileBant
ulaughed.
.
.
.
[
06/
22,
08:
12] :Fal
lenAngel
#9

Lat
ert
hateveni
ng,
Yamasayawnedi
nthesi
tt
ing
r
oom whil
etheyal
lwatchedt
hei
rthi
rdmovi
e.She
l
ookedatBantuwho’
seyeswereontheTV.
“
Iam f
eel
ingsl
eepy.Let
’sgoandsl
eep.
”
“
Iwi
llaf
tert
hemovi
ehasended.
”
“Whatti
mearewegoingt
oUBt
omor
row?I
sn’
tit
ear
lyinthemor
ning?
”
“
Iwi
llbef
ine.Ol
api
le?(
Areyout
ir
ed?
)”
Yamasanoddedt henl
ookedatt
heTVsl
owl
yfal
l
ing
asl
eep.Lef
alookedather.
“
Yaya,
goandsl
eep.
”
Sheopenedhereyest
hensi
ghed.“Bant
ulet
’sgo.
Hesaysweshouldgoandsl
eep.”
Lefafr
owned.“Idi
dn’
tsayt
hat
.Goandsl
eep.You
arefal
li
ngasl
eepther
e.”
“
Iwi
llgowi
thBant
u.”
“
DoesBunnywantt
osl
eep?
”
Bant
ushookherhead.“
Iam good.Iwantt
ofi
nish
themovi
e.”
Yamasal
ookedatherf
ri
end.“
Iwi
llgowhenBant
u
goes.
”
Lefast
oodup.Hewal kedfr
om thekit
chenminut
es
l
aterholdi
ngtwoglassesofj
uice.Hehandedoneto
Bantuthentheot
hertohissi
ster.
Yamasasmil
edandgul
pedi
tal
ldownwhi
leBant
u
si
ppedher
s.
Shelookedatt
heTVwai t
ingforhersl
eeptogo
awaybutshefeltevenmoresl
eepy,sosl
eepyher
vi
siongotbl
urr
ed.
Sherubbedhereyesandlookedatt heTV.Minut
es
l
atersheleanedonBant
uasl eep.Lefagotupand
pi
ckedherup.Hewalkedwi t
hhert othebedroom
andlai
dherdown.
Hewalkedbackandsatdownbesi
desBant
uwi
tha
si
gh.
“Idon’
tthi
nkweshouldkeephi
dingl
iket
his.She’
s
soongoingtoknow.
”
Bant
ulookedathi
m.“Idon’
twantt
ofight
.She
madeitcl
eart
hatIshoul
dnotgeti
ntoarel
ati
onshi
p
wi
thyou.Whatdi
dyougi
veher
?”
“Somethingt
ohelphersleep.Shewon’twakeupt i
ll
tomorrowmor ni
ng.Youcan’tchoosewhom you
l
ovebabe.Gapehel athi
shidingthinggochil
dish
hela.Yayawi
llcomearoundonewayort heother
.”
“
Wagongal
a.(
She’
sgoi
ngt
ogetangr
y.)
””
“Shewil
lbefine.Yourl
if
eshouldn’
tstopbecause
youarescaredtopissoffYamasa.Youguyshave
beenfr
iendssinceday1andf r
iendsfi
ghtallt
he
ti
me.”
Hepul l
edhercl
oserandkissedher
.Bantukissed
him back,
eyesclosed.Lef
alai
dherdownont he
couchandgotont opofher.Thedr
essshehad
changedintof
ellbackexposi
ngherthi
ghs.
Hepar t
edherlegsgetti
ngin-between,hi
sdick
gett
inghard.Het ookof
fherdr essandsqueezed
hersmallbreasts.Hi
smout hmoveddownt oher
ni
pple.Bantuclosedhereyesmoani ngsoft
ly.
Hesuckedherothernippl
eandwentdowntoher
stomachthenfur
therdown.Hepull
edoutherpant
y
andlookedatherfr
eshlyshavedp*
ssy.Hepart
ed
herp*ssyli
psandlookedatherpi
nki
shf
lesh.He
coul
dbar el
yseeherhole.
Hecoul
donlyimagi
nepushingt
hroughthat
,hi
s
di
ckgotevenhar
dstret
chi
nghispants.
Bantuclosedhereyesasheleanedoversucki
ng
her.Shemoanedsof t
lygyr
ati
ngherwaist.Lef
a
rai
sedhisheadandt ookof
fhist-
shi
rt.
Heki
ssedheragai
nstasBant
uranherf
inger
son
hi
sbareski
n.
Hetookherhandandmadehert ouchhisdi
c.Bantu
squeezedhim gentl
ythathegr
unted.Lef
aunzipped
hispantsandletitout
.
Bantusl
owlystr
okedhim asheki
ssedherneck.He
thr
usti
ntoherhandgrunt
ing.
Hepausedthenopenedherl
egsmor
eandr
ubbed
hi
mselfonherwetness.
Bant
umoanedsof tl
y,Lefagroanedandpushedt
he
ti
patherent
rance.Bantufl
inchedmoving.
“
Lef
a…Iam notr
eady.
”
Heki
ssedherl
ips.“
Babe.
.”
“
Iwantt
ogetmar
ri
edf
ir
st.
”
Lef
asi
ghed.“
Soyouwantt
owai
tti
llt
hen?
”
“
Ifyoul
oveme,
itshoul
dn’
tbet
oomuch.
”
“
Itwon’
tbetoomuchi
fwear
eget
ti
ngmar
ri
ed
t
omorrow,
arewe?”
Shel
ookedathi
m.“
No.ButIam notr
eadyyet
.”
“
Iam notvi
rgi
ntoo.Ihaveneedsbabe.
.”
“
Wecandoanyt
hingel
se.
”
“What
’st
hat?Youwon’
tevensuckmesowhatel
se
arewedoi
ng?”
“
Icanusemyhand.“
Lef
aki
ssedhersof
tl
y.“
Please…Iwi
llbegent
le…”
“
Lef
ano.
.”
“
Iwi
lldoanyt
hing…pl
ease…Il
oveyou.
”
“Il
oveyoutoo.ButIam notyetr
eady.Ihave
dreamsandgoals.Can’
tyoujustwait
…?”
“Ican’
t.I
t’
sbeenmonths.Howi
sthi
srel
ati
onshi
p
supposedtosurvi
ve?
”
Shelookedathi
mtear
ful
.“Youwantt
obr
eakup
wit
hme? ”
Annoyedanddisappoi
nted,
Lef
agotof
fherand
pi
ckedthecarkeys.
“
Wakae?(
Wher
ear
eyougoi
ng?
)”
Hewalkedout
sidet
hencameback.HeputaCel
l
Ci
typl
asti
cbaginfr
ontofher
.
“
Igott
hatforyou.Iam goi
ngt
otakeadr
ive,
Idon’
t
wantt
orapeyou.”
Hewal
kedoutthendroveout.Bant
usl
owlyreached
f
ort
heplast
icandtookoutthephonebox.
Atearfel
lontheboxassheopeneditandtookout
thebrandnewSamsung.Sheheldherfi
rstphone
evergett
ingevenmor
eemotional
.

Thef
oll
owingmorni
ng,Yamasawokeuptothe
smel
lofsomet
hingbei
ngfri
ed.Shet
ouchedher
headandslowlygotoffbed.Sheyawnedlooking
aroundthenwalkedout.Shewenttot
hekitchen
wherethedel
ici
oussmel lwascomingfr
om.
“
Uhu…waapaya?(
Youar
eal
readycooki
ng?
)”
Bant
ulookedathersmi
li
ng.“
Ng…i
t’
sal
mostr
eady.
”
“
Wher
eisLef
a?”
“
Idon’
tknow.WhenIwokeuphewasn’
ther
e.”
“
Yoursi
deoft
hebedl
ookedunt
ouched.
”
“
Ifi
xedi
t.
”
Acardr ovethr
oughoutsidefol
lowedbyadoor
closi
ng.Lefawalkedi
nsidethehouse.Hel
ookedat
thegir
ls.
“
Hi.Iam goi
ngt
ochange.Ar
eyouguysr
eady?
”
Yamasashookherhead.“
No.Iam goi
ngt
obat
h
now.
”
Lef
alookedatBant
u.“
You?
”
“
Iam r
eady.
”
“
Ok.Goandbat
hYamasa.
”
Yamasawal
kedt
othebat
hroom.Bant
udi
shedf
ir
hi
m.
“
Wher
edi
dyousl
eep?
”
“
Atmyf
ri
end’
shouse.Tshepo.
”
Shesmi
led.“
Thankyouf
ort
hephone.I
t’
sbeaut
if
ul.
Il
ovei
t.
”
“
Yahsur
e.”
Hewalkedt
ohi
sbedr
oom.Mi
nut
esl
aterhewal
ked
outi
nasuit
.
“
Idi
shedf
oryou.
”
Hesatont
heki
tchenst
oolandst
art
edeat
ing
pr
essi
nghi
sphone.
“
Areyoust
il
langr
y?”
Hel
ookedather
.“Iwasneverangr
y.”
Bantumovedcloserandst
oodonhertieski
ssing
hi
m.Lefaputhishandonherwai
stkissingherback
unablet
oresi
stherli
ps.
Shegent
lypul
l
edaway.“
Iam sor
ry.
”
Lef
alookedatheri
nnocentf
aceandki
ssedt
he
cor
nerofherl
ips.
“Youhavenothi
ngt
obesorryf
or.I
t’
sok.Youl
ook
nice.Il
oveyoui
ndr
esses.
”
Shebl
ushed.“
Thanks.
”
Thebathroom dooropened.Bant
umovedfr
om hi
m
anddishedforhersel
fasYamasawalkedt
othe
bedr
oom t ochange.
Lef
af i
nishedeat
ingt
henYamasaj
oinedt
hem.
Bantusmi l
ed.
“
Shoul
dIdi
shf
oryou?
”
“
No.Keshar
p.”
Lef
agotup.“
Let
’sgo.
”

Att
heUniversi
tyofBot
swana,
Lef
apar
kedatt
he
par
kingl
ot.
“Youaregoingt
othatbuilding.Youwil
lgetyour
studentcar
dsandeverythingelseyouneed.Cal
l
mewhenyouneedanyt hing.”
Thegi
rl
ssteppedoutofthecart
henhedr
oveof
f.
YamasalookedatBant
u.
“Sowhathappenedyest
erdayaf
terIsl
ept
?Ihope
youhavenotfor
gott
enthepromiseyoumadeaker
e
Bant
u?”
.
.
.
[
06/
22,
08:
13] :Fal
lenAngel
#10

Bant
usi
ghedl
ooki
ngatherf
ri
end.
“Yamasaifyouhadaprobl
em withmesleepi
ngat
Lefa’
shousewhydidn’
tyoujustsayso?
”
“
Ididn’
tsaythat
,Iam j
ustaski
ngaker
eoram I
wrongtoask?”
“Si
ncewear r
ivedyouhavebeenguardi
ngmel
ikeI
am pr
isoneraboutt
ostealyourbr
other
.”
“
Ihavenotbeendoi
ngt
hat
.”
“
Thenl
etmebr
eat
he.Iam notdat
ingyourbr
other
.”
“IknowLefal
ikesyout
hat
’swhyIaski
ng.Di
dhe
sayanyt
hing?
”
“
No.Hedi
dn’
tsayanyt
hing.
”
Yamasasmi
led.“
Ok.Howdi
dthemovi
eend?
”
“
Idi
dn’
tfi
nishi
t.Isl
eptt
ooshor
tl
yaf
ter
.”
“
Ok.
”
Bant
ust ar
tedwal
king.Shet
ookadeepbr eat
h
hol
dinghersli
ngbagheadedwher eLef
ahad
poi
nted.Yamasafoll
owedpressi
ngherphone.
Theyj
oinedalongqueuewiththeotherstudent
s,
morethanthi
rt
yminuteswentbyast hequeue
sl
owlymoved,thegi
rli
nfrontofthem t
urned.
“
Hi,
Iam goi
ngt
othet
oil
et.Iam comi
ng.
”
Yamasasmi l
ed.“
Wai
tsel
enna.CanIcomewi
thyou.
Iam pr
essed.”
Thegi
rll
aughed.“
Let
’sgo.
”
Yamasawal
kedawaywi
tht
hegi
rll
eavi
ngBant
uon
thel
ine.
Thegi
rlsmil
ed.“
Mynamei
sNat
asha.Youcancal
l
meNate.”
“
Yamasa.Youcancal
lmeYaya.
”
“
Nooneevercal
lsyouMasa?
”
“
Her
eandt
her
ebutmost
lykeYaya.
”
“
Ili
keMasa.Iwi
llcal
lyouMasa.Fi
rstyear
?”
Yayasmi
led.“
Yes.
”
“
Nice.Whatar
eyoust
udyi
ng?
”
“Soci
alWor
k.Iwantedtostudylawl
ikemybr
other
butIdi
dn’
tqual
if
yfortherequi
rements.
”
“
Iam st
udyi
ngMar
ket
ing.Wast
hatgi
rlyourf
ri
end?
”
“Yes,
Bantu.She’
sgoingt
obest
udyi
ngMedi
cal
Laborat
orySci
ence.
”
“That
’sni
ce.Iam sot
ir
ed.Ihavebeenont
hat
queueforages.
”
Theywalkedi
nsi
det
hetoi
let
sasNat
etookoutan
i
Phone.Yamasawat
chedasshepi
cked.
“Babe.
.Iam st
il
lont
hequeue…yeah.
.ok,
seeyou.
”
Shehungupandsmi l
ed.
“That
’smyboyfriend.Wai
tsegobat
aal
coholhel
a
aft
erallt
hatqueueing.
”
Yamasalaughed.“
Bant
uandIar
ehopi
ngt
oget
roomsatthecampus.
”
“Allr
oomsmusthavebeent akenbynow.UBo
dingal
o.Iwon’
tbestayingincampus.Iam goingt
o
rentahousecloseby.Anicet ownhouse.Iam
movingfrom t
heapartmentIam stayi
ngat .
”
“
Isn’
titt
ooexpensi
ve?
”
“
Iti
sbutIwon’
tbepayi
ng.Wher
ear
eyouf
rom?
”
“
Ser
owe.
”
“AhhIsee.NnammaIgr ewupinGabs.You
shouldn’
tsl
eepont hi
scityMasa.Whypayr ent
whensomeoneel secan?Imean, what’
sthe
purposeofthatthingbet
weenyourl egsifi
t’
snott
o
ensureyouliveagoodl i
fe?Whereisyour
boyf
ri
end?
”
“
Idon’
thaveanynow.
”
“Weneedtogetaman.Amanwhowi l
ltakecareof
you.Comewithmewhenmyboyf r
iendcomest o
pickme.Iwi
llhookyouupwithari
chman.Bant i
cancomewi t
htoo.Omontlenyanaleene.Allyou
girl
sneedi
sal i
tt
let
ouchup.”
Yamasal
aughed.“
Bant
uwon’
tagr
ee.
”
“Why?Youshoul dn’tbefri
endswit
hpeoplewho
stopprogress.It
ookt woyearsbr
eakaft
erhigh
schoolsot hatwhenIf i
nal
lymakemywayt oUB, I
am ready.Don’tworry.Aft
ert
hiswearegoingtomy
house,wear egoingtodollupandlookf
lawless
thensnatchsouls.”
Theybot
hlaughed.

*
**

Bant
umovedwi t
hqueuewai
ti
ngforYamasabut
shehadbeengonef
ortool
ong.Bant
uworri
edl
y
l
ookedaroundt
hensi
ghedasYamasawal
kedback.
Shesmil
ed.
“Bant
u,t
hisi
sNatasha,
butwecancal
lherNat
e.
Nate,
thi
sisBant
u.Myfriend.
”
Nat
esmi
led.“
Hiboo.
”
Bant
usmi
ledback.“
Hi.
”
“
Nat
e’sboyf
ri
endi
sgoi
ngt
opi
ckusaf
tert
his.
”
“
Oh?ButLef
asai
dweshoul
dcal
lhi
m.”
“
Wewi
llmeethi
m athome.
”
Yamasat
urnedt
oNat et
henst
art
edchat
ti
ng
l
aughi
ngasthequeuemoved.

Overanhourlat
er,t
hegir
lswal
kedtotheUBgat e.
Bantuputherdocument
sinherbag.Natecal
ledher
boyf
riend,
Bantupull
edYamasa’
shand.
“
Yaya,
Idon’
tthi
nkweshoul
dgowi
thher
.Canyou
j
ustcal
lLef
a?Whati
fhecomesl
ooki
ngf
orus?
”
“Ahhmma, whymustyoubeapart
ypooperyaana?
AkereIwi
llj
ustt
ellhi
m wef
oundourwayhome? ”
“Idon’
tthi
nkweshoul
dgowi
thher
.Wedon’
teven
knowher .
”
“She’saniceperson.She’
sbeeninGaboronel
onger
thanus,shecanshowusar ound.Icanal
so
convincehertoletusshareherhousewit
hher
sincewedi dn’
tgetroomsoncampus. ”
“
Yaya,
wej
ustmether
.Idon’
ttr
usther
.”
“Iam goingwit
hher.Youwantt
obor emeahh.Thi
s
i
snothi ghschoolBant
u,st
opbeingslowin
ever
ythingmma.NnaIwantt ohavefun.”
Nat
ewal
kedovert
othem.“
He’
sher
e.Let
’sgo.
”
Bantuslowl
yfol
lowedbehindthem.Natewal
ked
overtoawhiteWil
dTrack.Nat
egotinatthef
ront
andkissedt
hemani nthecar.
“Babe,
thesear
emyf ri
ends,
MasaandBanti.Can
youdropusoffathomesowefreshenup?
”
“
Yeah.
”
YamasapulledBant
u’shandandgoti
nthecarwit
h
her.Nat
e’sboyf
ri
enddroveof
fasBantu’
sheart
pounded.

*
**

AtLefa’
sworkpl
ace,Lefacall
edYamasal ookingat
thet
imebutherphonejustrangunanswered.He
gotupandwalkoutlocki
ngbehindhim call
ingher
agai
nbutherphonecontinuedtor
ingunanswer ed.
Hegotint
hecaranddr ovewonderingwhyhedidn’
t
gi
veBantuthephonewiththesim car
d.Hefr
owned
asaHondaFitonthelanebesideshimtur
nedinto
hi
slanewit
hnowar ni
ng.
“
Fuck!
”
Lefaquickl
ysteppedonthebreaksbumpingint
oit
fr
om behind.Heangri
lysteppedouti
fthecaras
othercarssl
oweddown.
“Oirang?Wat
senwa?(
Whatar
eyoudoi
ng?Ar
eyou
crazy?)
”
TheHondaFitdr
iversteppedoutofhercar
.She
l
ookedathi
sangryf acethenl
ookedathiscar
.
“
Iam sor
ry.Iam sosor
ry.
”
“
Youwer eonyourphone,
whot
aughtyout
odr
ive
l
iket
his?Watsenwa?”
Sheswall
owedstaringatt
heC200, hisangr
yface
madeherkneesweak.“Iam sosorry.Iwas…Iam
l
ateforaj
obinter
view.Iam sor
ry.Iam sosorr
y.”
Thecombidri
verrol
leddownhi
swi
ndow.“
Lewena
sist
er,
okgwetsayang?Osekawamoomanya
that
alewenamister
.”
Lefalookedathi
m.“Thispersonisnotsupposedt
o
bedrivi
ng.She’
sdangeroustosociet
y.Bathobadi
l
icensetsabackdoorbalapi
sa.”
Thecombidr
iverl
augheddr
ivi
ngof
f.Lef
alookedat
her
.
“
Wher
edi
dyougetyourl
icense?
”
“Iam sor
ry.Canwenotcallt
hepol
ice?Icanwork
onhavingyourcarf
ixed.MynameisAlone.Lone…“
Hel
ookedathert
ear
fulf
aceandsi
ghedl
ooki
ngat
thedamageonthecar
s.Hi
snotsomucht
hough
hersl
ookedbad.
“
Iam goi
ngt
oneedP1000t
ohavet
hisdentf
ixed.
”
“
Ok.I
…Icanbor
rowsome.
”
“
Givemeyournumbersoyoucant
ellmehowyou
wil
lfi
xthi
smess.
”
Lefatookhernumber.Lonel
ookedathercar,atear
rol
leddown.Shequicklywi
peditoffnotwanti
ngto
breakdowni nthemiddl
eoftheroad.Lef
alookedat
asshef oughtnott
ocry.
Hegoti
nthecarandr
ever
sedt
henj
oinedt
henext
l
aneanddroveof
f.
LonegotinherHondaFi
tandqui
ckl
ypickedacal
l
fr
om thecompanyshoul
dwasgoingtodoher
i
nter
view.
“
Hel
lo?
”
“Goodday,wejustwantedtotel
lyouweal
readygot
someoneforthejobsodon’tbot
hercomi
ngforthe
i
ntervi
ew.Thankyou,bye.
”
Lonecl
osedhereyesdr
oppi
ngt
hephonet
henout
herhandsonherfacecr
yingf
eel
ingemot
ional
ly
andphysical
lyt
ir
ed.

*
**

AtNate’
shouse,
BantulookedatYamasaasshe
outononeofNate’
sdresses.Nat
ehandedhera
dresst
oo.
“Youcant
akeof
fthatchur
chdr
essandputont
his
one.
”
“
Iam f
inebutt
hanks.
”
“Youcannotcomewithuslooki
ngli
keourmother
Banti.Youneedt
ofi
tinorelsewearegoi
ngtohave
toleaveyou.
”
Yamasal
ookedatBant
u.“
Bant
uit
’sj
ustadr
ess.
”
“
Iam f
ine.Idon’
twantt
oputont
hatdr
ess.
”
Yamasarol
ledhereyes.“
Doyoual
wayshavet
obe
bor
ing?
”
“
Pleasecal
lLef
asot
hatIcangohome.
”
“Gohomewher e?Youar enotgoingt obewit
hmy
brot
heri nmyabsenceBantusoei t
heryouare
comi ngwit
horyoufindyoursel
fapl acetogo.The
choiceisyour
s.Iam doneprayi
ngyou.I t’
snow
ti
ri
ng. ”
.
.
.
[
06/
22,
08:
13] :Fal
lenAngel
#11

Bant
ulookedatYamasa.
“Thisisnotyou.Youneedt ostopthis.Youjustmet
her.Idon’tthi
nkyoushouldbegoi nganywher e
dressedl i
kethat
.I’
dratherbebori
ngt hanlookli
kea
prostit
ute.Idon’
tknowwhat ’
sgottenintoyoubut
thi
si snotmyf ri
end.Thisisnott
heYayaIknow.
Youl ooklikeyouareabouttogetpimpedof f.
Pleaselet’
sgohome. ”
Yamasalookeddownathershor
tdr
esst
henl
ooked
atBant
u.
“
Ijustwantust
ohavesomel
it
tl
efun.
”
“Andwewil
l.Nott
oday.Takeof
fthatdr
ess.Let
’s
gohome.
”
Nat
ewalkedfr
om herbedr
oom.Yamasat
ookof
f
t
hedressandputonhercl
othes.
“Somethingjustcameup.Bant
uandIhavet
ogo.
Butthanks.”
“Di
dsheconvinceyouot
her
wise?Thisi
snot
SeroweMasa.Thisi
sGabsandtrustme,youwi
ll
notsur
vivewi
thbackwar
dmentali
ty.
”
Bantupi
ckedYamasa’sbagthendr
aggedherout.
Theywalkedout
sidet
hegate.Yamasatookouther
ri
ngi
ngphone.
“
It
’sLef
a.”Shepi
cked.“
Hel
lo?
”
“
Areyouguysdone?
”
“Yes.Butwehadl
eftt
oseesomehouse.Wedidn’
t
fi
ndaccommodati
ononcampussosomegirlsaid
sheknowsanemptyhouse.
“Don’tyout
hinkyoushoul
dhavewai
tedf
ormeor
call
edme? ”
“Iam sor
ry.Wet
houghtwewoul
dbebackatUB
befor
eyoucome.”
“
Nnel
aBant
ufounu.
”
YamasahandedBant
uthephone.
“
Hel
lo?
”
“Hey,It
houghtyouguyswoul
dcal
lme,
what
happened?”
“
Iam sor
ry.Youcancomeandpi
ckusup.
”
Lef
asi
ghed.“
Wher
ear
eyou?
”

Lef
apull
edovernextt
owhereYamasaandBantu
werest
andi
ng.Theybothgoti
natt
hebackseat
.
Lef
alookedatt
hem.
“
Soyouf
oundt
hehouse?
”
Yamasashookherhead.“
No.I
twast
ooexpensi
ve.
”
“
Bant
u,comeandsi
tatt
hef
ront
.”
Sher
aisedhereyes.“
Rra?
”
“
Comeandsi
tatt
hef
ront
.”
“
Iam f
ineher
e.”
“
Isai
dcomeandsi
tatt
hef
ront
.”
Bant
utookadeepbreat
handsteppedoutoft
hecar
.
Shesatatt
hefr
ontseatandl
ookedathi
m.Lefa
l
ookedatYamasa.
“Iwil
lhelpyoubot hfindaccommodat ion.Yamasa,
thi
sisBant u,mygi r
lf
riend.Iknowyout woar e
fri
ends,yourf r
iendshipwon’ tbeaf f
ectedbyt hisbut
Ithi
nkit’
stimeever yoneknows.Bant uandIhave
beeninar elati
onshi pformont hsnow, shedi dn’
t
wantyouknowi ngbecauseyoumadeherpr omise
nottodateme.Idon’ tknowyourr easonsbut
whatevertheyar e,
Idon’ tcare.Youneedt oadjust
tothi
s.Youar enotgoi ngt omakemygi rl
fri
endf eel
guil
tyoranyt hing,arewecl ear?”
“
Whywoul
dyoudat
emyonl
yfr
iend?
”
“BecauseIloveher
.Ithinkthat
’sal
l.
”Hel
ookedat
Bantu.“Igotyouasim card.
”
Sheslowl
yt ooki
tandl
ookeddownunsur
eofwhat
toevensay.Hedrovet
ohishouset
henparkedt
he
car.
“Geti
nsidebabe.”Hehandedherthecarkeys.
Bantusteppedoutofthecarandwalkedtothe
house.Lefalookedathi
ssist
er.
“Pleasedon’tstartafightwit
hBantuoversome
stupidpromise.Iwant edher,Iwasnotgoi
ngto
stoptil
lIhadher .Iloveher.Shemakesmehappy.
Pleasedon’truinmyr el
ati
onshi
pforme.Don’t
blameherf orthis.Idon’twanttof
ightwi
thyou.”
Yamasasi
lent
lyst
eppedoutoft
hecarandwal
ked
tot
hehouseashedroveoff
.
Bantul
ookedather
.“Iam sor
ry.Iwantedtot
ellyou
butIwasscar
ed.Idi
dn’thowtotellyou.
”
“LastyearwhenIaskedyou,
wher
eyoual
ready
dati
nghi m?”
“
Yes.Il
ovehi
m.YayaIam sor
ry.
”
“Ifyouweresorryyouwouldhaveendedit.Youare
notsorry.DowhatyouwantBant u.Whenthings
turnsour,don’
tcometome.Andasmuchasyou
aremyf ri
end,Lefai
smyfami l
y.Hewillal
ways
comef i
rsttome.ButIam sureyouknowt hi
s.”
Yamasasatdownt
henswi
tchedont
heTVput
ti
ng
herf
eetonthet
abl
e.
Bantuwalkedtothebedroom andt ookouthernew
phonefrom herbag.Sheinsert
edthenewsi m car
d
andfol
lowedinstruct
ionstoregi
sterit
.
Mi
nut
esl
atershesmi
leddi
ali
ngherf
ather
.

*
**

InSerowe,
r r
agweBantupickedt
hecal
lseat
ed
outsi
deholdinganewspaper.
“
Hel
lo?
”
“
Papa…?Hel
lo?
”
Hequi
ckl
yputhi
snewspaperdown.“
Bant
u,how
ar
eyou?
”
“
Iam f
ine.Howar
eyou?
”
“
Iam f
ine.Imi
ssyousomuch.
”
Shel
aughed.“
Met
oo.
”
“
Didyougetaccommodat
ionatt
heschool
?”
“No.Lefahaspr
omi
sedt
ohelpmef i
ndapl
acet
o
stay.Somewher
ecl
oset
otheschool
.”
“
That
’sgood.I
fyouneedmor
emoneyt
ellme.
”
“
Ehhpapa,
Ihopeyouar
enotst
ressi
ngyour
sel
f.
”
“No.Amancameher et oday.Aver ygoodyoung
man, hesayst hathesawyoudut yplasti
cbags
yesterdayatt hemall andhelpedyoubutyou
droppedanear r
ingi
nhi scar.It
’soneoft hered
onesIboughtyou.Hecamet odropitoff.Sucha
goodper son.Heevenhel pedmef ixt
hecarsoIcan
selli
tbutt hewayi t’
swor kingperfect
lynow, Idon’
t
wantt oletitgo.Hei saver ygoodper son,mayGod
blesshim.Hi snamei sPule.”
Ther
ewassi
lenceatt
heot
herendoft
hecal
l.“
Hel
lo?
Bant
u?”
“
Papa.
.”
“Iwassayinghisnamei
sPul
e.Hedr
ivesa…bl
ack
BMW Ithink.Youknowhi
m?”
“
Isawhi
m onl
yyest
erday.
”
“
Hei
sver
yrespect
ful
,ver
yhel
pful
.”
“Hei
sast r
angerpapa.Youneverknowwhatpeopl
e
aret
hinki
ng.”
Rr
agweBantulaughed.“
Whatcanhepossi
blydot
o
me?Ihavenot
hingmygi r
l.
”
“
Youhaveal
ot.
”
“
Hei
sani
ceper
son.
”
“
Hel
ooksscar
y.Hel
ooksl
ikeacr
imi
nal
.”
“
Who’
snumberi
sthi
s?”
“Youcancal
lmeont
hisnumber
.Iboughtasmal
l
phone.
”
“Ohok.That
’sgood.Thi
shousef
eel
slonel
ywi
thout
you.
”
“
Imi
ssyout
oo.
”
Hesmi
ledast
heychat
tedl
aughi
ng.

*
**

Lat
erthateveni
ng,Lef
apar
kedt
hecarandwal
ked
i
nsidethehouse.
HelookedatBant
udoingthedisheswhil
eYamasa
watchedTV.Heouthisl
aptopbagdownand
walkedtot
hekit
chenwherehewr appedhisar
ms
ar
oundBantuandkissedherneck.
Bant
usmi
led.“
Lef
a…Yayai
swat
chi
ng.
”
Het
urnedherar
oundandki
ssedher
.
“
Icandowi
thcomi
nghomet
oyouever
yday.
”
Shesmiled.“
Shoul
dIheatyourf
oodwhi
leyou
change?
”
Lefasmi
ledt
henki
ssedheragai
n.“
Yes.Thank
you.”
Hetookoutachocolatef
rom hi
spocketand
handedi
ttoherbeforewalki
ngaway.Bantusmi
led
openingherchocolatet
hensilent
lyate.Lefawalked
backfrom t
hebedr oom nowinsweat pantsandat -
shir
t.Yamasagotupandwal kedtothebedr oom.
BantubroughtLefa’spl
ate.Hepull
edhersoshe
seatsbesi
deshim.
“
Didyout
wof
ight
?”
“No.
.she’
sjustupset
.Idon’
tbl
ameher
.Ishoul
d
havetol
dher.
”
“Shewi
llcomear
ound.Don’
twor
ryabouti
t.Di
dyou
eat?
”
“
Yes.Ear
li
eron.
”
Lefastar
tedeat
ingf
eedi
nghert
oowhi
leshe
giggl
edinhisar
ms.
.
.
.
[
06/
22,
08:
13] :Fal
lenAngel
#12
Thr
eeMont
hsLat
er…

InGabor
oneatUB, Bant
usubmittedherassi
gnment
att
hecomputerlab.Shesmil
edreli
evedthengotup
wit
hherbel
ongingsandwalkedawayassomeone
qui
cklyr
epl
acedheront hechai
r.
Herphonevi
brat
edfrom herpocketasshewalked
outoft
heschoolpr
emi ses.Shet
ookitoutand
smil
edopeni
ngherallowancemessage.
Shest
oppedacabt
hengoti
n.
“
Hi,
kekopaspeci
al.
”
“
Eemma,
wher
eto?
”

*
**

AtLefa’
sworkplace,
Bantuwalkedthroughthe
sl
idi
ngdoorsthensmiledatt
hereceipti
oni
st.
“
Hi.Iam her
etoseeMr
.Kenosi
.”
“Heissti
lli
nameet
ing,
doyouhavean
appoint
ment?”
“
No.Iwi
llwai
t.
”
“
Ok,
youcansi
tovert
her
e.”
Bantusmi l
edthenwalkedovertot
hewai ti
ngarea
andsatdown.Shet ookoutherphoneandst ar
ted
scroll
ingdownonFacebook.Banturaisedherhead
j
ustasanot herl
adywalkedininaformalwearand
heels.
Bantuwatchedherasshelaughedwiththe
recept
ioni
stpushi
ngherlongweavebehindherear
.
Shelookedsobeauti
ful
…andf l
awless.
Shewalkedtowardsthest
airsgoi
ngt otheof f
ice
hol
dingafastfoodpaperbag.Bantuwat ched
admiri
ngl
yasshewal kedintheheelsasi ft
hey
werefl
ipfl
ops.

*
**

AtLef
a’sof
fi
ce,
Loneknockedont
hedoorand
openedital
readywalki
ngin.Lef
at urnedtoher
tal
kingonthephone.Shesmiledraisingherhands
showinghimthefood.
Hesmi l
edbacksti
llt
alki
ngont hephone.Lone
walkedtohi
ssmallcardboardsandtookouttwo
pl
ates.Shetookoffherwatchandr i
nsedtheplat
es
beforedi
shi
ngupforthebothoft hem ashe
wrappeduphiscal
l.
Het
urnedt
oher
.“Hey…”
Lonesmi
led.“
Hi…l
unch?
”
Lefal
aughed.“Thankyou.Iwasn’
tevent
hinki
ng
aboutl
unch.”
Hestoodupandsmi
ledst
ari
ngather
.“Gover
nment
wor
ker,war
eng?”
Lonesmi l
ed.“Wait
seIcanneverthankyouenough
forhooki
ngmewi t
hthejob.I
fyoudidn’
tcal
lwhen
youdid,Iwasgoingtokil
lmyself
.KanaIhad
alr
eadywr i
tt
enmysui ci
delet
tergolemaswe.”
“
Iam gl
adIdi
d.Gapehel
aIwant
edyout
opayme
myP1k.
”
Lonel
aughed.“
Ij
a!”
“
Youl
ookbeaut
if
ul.
”
Shesmil
ed.“Thankyou.Ij
ustdi
dmyhai
r.Todayi
s
myhalfday.
”
“
Youl
ookr
eal
lybeaut
if
ul.
”
Theywalkedt
othecouchi
nhi
sof
fi
cecar
ryi
ngt
hei
r
pl
ates.
“
Howisitgoi
ngwit
hthatcaset
hat
’smaki
ngi
thar
d
f
oryout
osleep?
”
“Iam goingtot
alkt
ooneofourwi tnessestoday.I
haven’tl
ostacasesinceIst
art
edandIwantt o
maintainit
.Mybossseesalotofpot ent
iali
nme
andmaybeonedayIwi l
lmakepar t
ner.Butbesides
that
,thecli
enti
smyf ri
end’
sbrother.
”
“
Isee.Youar
egoi
ngt
obef
ine.
”
“
Ihopeso.Andyoursuper
visor
?”
Lonel
aughedeati
ng.“
Ithinkshe’
sstarti
ngt
olike
me.Ial
waysouytti
mest wotheeffor
t.Imanagedto
getmycarfi
xed.
”
“Soonenoughyouwi
llgetyour
sel
fsomet
hingeven
nicer
.”
“
Kebat
aCX5.
”
Theyconti
nuedchatti
ngwhileeati
ng.Overanhour
l
ater,
theystoodup.Lonequickl
ycleanedhispl
ates
bythesinkandputthem wherefoundthem.
“
Okf
ri
end,
thanksf
ort
hel
unch.
”
Lonesmil
ed.“
Youarewel
come.Areyoudoi
ng
somethi
ngtomor
row?Iam movi
ngtoanewhouse.
Icanuseahand.
”
“
Whatt
ime?
”
“
Sayi
nthemor
ning?
”
“
Ok.
”
Lonelookedathi
minhissuit
,helookedsogood
andclean,hi
snewhai
rcutscul
pturedhisf
ace
perf
ectl
y.
Lefastar
edatherl
ips,hisheartstar
tingtor ace.He
crushedanyot
herthoughtandgent lykissedher .
Loneputherhandonhi sbicepkissi
nghi m back.
Herhandmovedt othebackofhi sneck, eyes
cl
osed.
Lef
abr
oket
heki
ssandmovedbacksmi
li
ng.
“
Bye.
”
Lonesmi
ledbackt
henwal
kedout
.

*
**

Bantuwatchedasthebeauti
full
adywalkedout
thendi
aledLefa,
ithadbeenanhouralr
eady,she
wassurehewasdonewi t
hhismeeti
ng.
Hi
sphoner
angt
wicet
henhepi
cked.
“
Heybabe…”
“Hi
.Iam downst
air
shere.Ihavebeenwai
ti
ngt
o
seeyou,
areyousti
llbusy?
”
“
No.Mymeet
ingj
ustended.Comet
hrough.
”
“
Ok.
”
Bant
ust
oodupandwal
kedt
other
ecept
ion.
“
Ihavespokent
ohi
m.Hesai
dIshoul
dcome
t
hrough.
”
“
Ok.
”
Shequickl
ytookt
hestai
rsupthenopenedhi
sdoor
wal
kingin.Lef
asmil
edlooki
ngather.
“
Heybabe…”
Bant
usmiledput
ti
ngherbagdown.“
Hi…t
hatsui
t
l
ooksgoodonyou.”
“
Thanks.
”
Hestoodupandhuggedherti
ghtl
yinhal
ingher
sweetfl
oweryf
ragr
ance.Hesatdownandpulled
heronhisl
ap.
“
Imi
ssedyou.
”
Shesmi l
edtouchi
nghisbeard.“Metoo.Maybe
todayIcansleepoveratyourhouse.
”
“
Iwoul dl
ovethat
.ButIdi
dn’
twanttoendupforci
ng
myselfontoyou.Thenosexrul
eiskil
li
ngmesoI ’
d
r
atherbealoneonmybedsoIdon’tthi
nkaboutit
.”
Shelookedathi
mf eel
inggui
lt
y.“
Ok.Iwi
llcome
overandcookforus.Wecanwatchamovi et
hen
youwi
lldr
opmeof
f.
”
“
Thatcanwor
k.”
Heopenedadrawerandhandedhert
hehousekeys.
Bant
upickedt
hewatchonhistabl
e.
“
Who’
swat
chi
sthi
s?”
“
Acl
ient
’s.Shef
orgoti
t.
”
“
Oh…”
Hi
sphoner
ang,
heki
ssedher
.
“Ihavet
otaket
hat
.Thankyouf
orcomi
ngby.Iwi
ll
seeyouathome?”
“
Yes.Il
oveyou.
”
“
Iloveyout
oo.
”
Shest
oodupandwal
kedoutandhepi
ckedt
hecal
l.

*
**

Yamasawalkeddownthestr
eetheadedtoher
housef
rom UBwhil
eli
steni
ngtomusi ct
hroughher
ear
phones.
Awhit
eGold7sloweddownbesi
desher
,thedr
iver
l
ookedatherandsmi
led.
“Hi,
oirangmolet
sat
sing?Tsenakegodr
ope.
(Whatareyoudoi
ngunderthi
ssun?Geti
n,ketme
dropyouoff.
)”
Shet
ookof
fherear
phones.“
Iam f
ine.
”
“
What
’syourname?
”
“
Masa.
”
“
Masawee,
thammatsenakegodr
ope.I
t’
stoohot
f
oryout
obewalki
ngl
iket
his.
”
Shebitherl
owerl
ipandj
umpedi
nthecar
.The
dri
versmil
ed.
“
Iam Kagobyt
heway.Thi
sismyI
D..
”
Heshowedi
ttoher
.Yamasasmi
led.
“
Ok.
”
“I
fIdoanyt
hingt
oyou,
youwi
llshowt
hepol
ice
aker
e?”
“
Yes.
”
Hedr
oveof
f.“
Wher
edoyoust
ay?
”
“
Aft
ert
hepr
imar
yschool
.”
“
Ok.Youar
eaUBst
udent
?”
“
Yes.
”
Kagopassedt
heschool
.Yamasasmi
led.
“
Thesecondhouseonyourl
eft
.”
Kagost
oppedt
hecarandl
ookedather
.
“
Thankyouf
orr
idi
ngi
nmycar
.Iappr
eci
atei
t.
”
Yamasalaughed.“
Youarewelcome.
”Shelookedat
ther
ingmarkonhisfi
nger.“
Whereisyourwi
fe?”
“
Waai
…itendedi
ntear
sandadi
vor
ce.
”
“
Iam sor
ry.
”
“
It
’sok.Isawi
tcomi
ng.
”
“
Bye.
”
Shesteppedoutofthecarwit
hherbagt henwaved
athi
m beforewalki
ngthr
oughthegate.Shehurri
ed
toherroom att
hebackcall
ingBant
u.
“
Hel
lo?
”
“
Hi,
areyouhome?
”
“
Notnow.Iwi
llbebackr
eal
lyl
ate.Whati
sit
?”
“IthoughtIcoul
dcomeover.Anyways,
gosharp.
Pleaseremindmybrot
herforthemoneyIasked
for.”
“
Ok.
”
Yamasahungupwalki
ngi
nsi
deherr
oom,
hermi
nd
st
il
lst
uckonKago.

*
**

AtLefa’shouse,Bant
ufini
shedprepar
ingdinner
thenputeveryt
hingonthetabl
e.Sheli
tthescented
candlesshehadboughtandswi t
chedoffthemain
l
ights.
Hewassupposedtoar
ri
veanyminute.Bant
u
fr
ownedasthi
rtymi
nut
eswentbythenshetookher
phoneandcal
ledhi
m.
*
**

Lef
awalkedi
nsideLone’
shouse.Hel
ookedar ound
att
heboxesshehadpackedthatwer
ealloverher
si
tt
ingr
oom.
“
Whatt
imear
eyoumovi
ng?
”
“Iwashopingatnine.Idon’
twanttoworkthewhol
e
daysoi t
’sbet
terIf
ini
shupeverythi
nginthe
morning.”
“
Ok.Iwil
lbeher
earoundthatt
ime.Herei
syour
wat
ch.Youalmostgotmeintr
ouble.
”
Lonesmi
led.“
Iam sor
ry.If
orgoti
t.Shedi
dn’
tyel
l
?”
“No.She’snotayel
li
ngperson.Itol
dheri
t’
sa
cli
ent
’s.Iam i
nahealthyr
elat
ionshi
p.”
Lonelaughed.“
Soyoudon’
tgett
ouseyourl
ying
ski
ll
swi t
hher?”
“
Idon’
t.Kesweetkonyane.
”
Shel
aughed.“
SweetKonyanewhoki
sseshi
s
f
ri
ends?
”
Lefasmi
led.“
Whoki
ssedwho?Osekawabat
ago
nkgol
egamma! ”
Loneputdownherwatchandst
oodbef
orehi
min
herpyj
amas.Shesmil
edmovingcl
oser
.
“Idon’
tknowwhatIam t alki
ngabout .
”Shestoodon
hertoesandki ssedhi m.Lef aputhishandsonher
waistast hekissgotintense, shesqueezedher
thi
ghst ogether.Shetouchedhi sdi
ckmakinghim
gruntthentookof fhisbeltandpul l
eddownt hezi
p.
Heslidherhandi nsi
deandt ouchedhisdicstr
oki
ng
him withjustthatperfectpressure.
Hehel
plessl
ygr
unt
ed.“
Fuck.
”
Shel
etgo.“
Iam sor
ry.
”
Lefalaughed,
hiseyeshal fcl
osed.“Don’tpl
ayli
ke
that.KanaIam notget
t i
nganyt hi
ng.Mrs.Lefai
sa
vir
gin,gat
wekeemet i
llmar r
iage.
”
Lonethrewherheadbackl
aughing.“
Areyou
seri
ous?Howlonghasitbeen?
”
“
It
’sbeenmont
hs.
”
“Kananopayabol
aya.(
Hor
ninesski
ll
s.)Doesshe
knowthat?
”
Shelookedathisfacet
henathi
shar
dweapon.She
gent
lystrokedhi
m.
“
Doessheknowt
hatt
hisi
showamani
staken?
”
Shewentdownonherkneesandopenedhermout h
thenst
art
edsuckingtheti
pasi fitwerealoli
pop.
Herwarm mout
hmadehi m groan.Hecouldn’t
rememberwhenhel astf
eltl
ikethat.Shestart
ed
real
lymovi
ngfi
ll
inghermout hwi thhi
sdic.
Lefaheldherhairpushi
ngi tof
fherfaceandmoved
hiswaistf
uckinghermout h.Hereyeswidenedas
hefuckedhermor egrunti
ng.
Lonegotevenwetterl
ist
eni
ngt ot
hesoundshe
keptmaking.Ther
ewasnot hi
ngsweet
erthan
heari
ngthosesoundsfrom aman.
Heslidoutt
henshegaspedbr eathi
ngbefor
ehe
pushedbacki nhermouthandfuckedherharder
.
Hegavehert hefi
nalt
hrustshoot
inghi
sloadatthe
backofherthroat.
Heslowlysli
dout,
Loneswall
owedeveryt
hingthen
gotupli
ckingherl
ipswhil
eherpussyt
hrobbedso
muchitwasevenpai nf
ul.
“
Gohome.I
t’
slat
e.Thankyouf
orbr
ingi
ngmemy
wat
ch.
”
Henoddedthenpackedhisdiclooki
ngconf
used.
Lonesmil
edopeningthedoorforhim.
“
Ninet
omor
row?
”
“
Yes.
”
Hesl owlywal
kedout.Sheclosedherdoort
hen
walkedtoherbedroom whereshetookoff
everythi
ngandlai
ddown, herhandbetweenher
p*ssy.
Shecl
osedhereyeslet
ti
ngherimagi
nat
ionrunwi
ld.
Shemoanedimagini
ngthatdi
cinsi
deher.
Herdooropenedasshegotcloser
.Lefalookedat
herthent
ookouthisdi
cgett
ingont hebedand
#removed.
.
Hedr
il
ledhermor
ethenst
il
leddeepi
nsi
deher
pumpinghiscum i
nsi
deherasshespasmed
under
neathhim.
Hesl
owl
ysl
idoutashi
m cum t
rai
led.

*
**

Bantuswitchedofft
hecandlesandswi t
chedonthe
l
ight
sovert wohourslat
er.SheswitchedontheTV
andstart
edwat chi
ngamovi e.I
tendedanother
hourlat
erasshef el
lasl
eepont hecouch.

*
**

AtLone’
shouse,Lonemoanedkneel
ingonthebed
wit
hherchestdownandherp*ssyexposedwhi
le
Lef
afuckedherhardfr
om behi
nd.
.
.
.
[
06/
22,
08:
13] :Fal
lenAngel
#13

Bantuwokeupt oacardoorcl
osi
ngoutside.She
sl
owlygotoffthecouchj
ustasLefaopenedthe
doorwal
kingin.
Bant
ulookathi
mreal
izi
ngi
twasal
readymor
ning.
“
Iwai
ted.
”
Hewal
kedoverandki
ssedhersmel
li
ngf
resh.
“
Hey…”
“
Wher
edi
dyousl
eep?
”
“Att
hepoli
cestat
ion.Tshepocamebyt
ogetme
outear
lymorni
ng.”
Bant
ufr
owned.“
Att
hepol
icest
ati
on?
”
“Iknockedoffl
atesoIwasspeedinghome.They
arrest
edmeaf t
erref
usi
ngtotestmef oral
cohol
.
TheyjustassumedIhadbeendrinki
ng.”
“
Iam sor
ry.Iwaswor
ri
ed.
”
“Iam sorr
yImisseddinner
.Iknowyouprobably
wait
ed.Iam goingtomakeast at
ementj
ustnow.
Theyaregoingtoexpl
ainwhyIslepti
nacell.I
wasn’tevendr
inki
ng.”
“
Maybei
t’
sbecausei
twasl
ate.
”
“
Sucht
hingscancostmemyj
ob.
”
“
Iam sor
ry.
”
“Theywouldn’
tevenl
etmemakeacal
l.Youl
ook
beauti
ful
.”
Bant
usmi
led.“
Shoul
dIheatupyourf
ood?
”
“Notnow.Letmechanget
hengoandmakea
stat
ement.WhenIcomebackt
hough.
”
“
Ok.Iam gl
adyouar
eok.
”
Lefasmil
edthenki
ssedher
.“Youwer
eal
lIcoul
d
thi
nkabout.
”
Hewrappedhi
sar msaroundherandhuggedher
ki
ssi
ngherneck.Thefemalefr
agranceonhi
m
madehermoveclosersnif
fi
nghim more.
“
Yousmelll
ike… youar
esmel
li
ngofawoman’
s
f
ragr
ance.
”
“
DilotsagaTshepo.Heuseshi
sgi
rl
fr
iendsbat
hing
t
hings.Evenhi
sloti
on.
”
Bant
ulaughed.“
LeaveTshepoal
one.
”
Lef
asmi
led.“
Iloveyou.
”
“
Iloveyout
oo.
”
Hel ethergoandwalkedt
ohisbedroom.Bant
u
fi
xedt hecushi
onsonthecouchandjoi
nedhimin
thebedr oom.Heputonapairofj
eansandawhit
e
golft-shi
rt.
Shesatont
hebedasheputonhi
sshoes.
“Yayaaskedmetor
emi
ndyouoft
hemoneyshe
hadaskedfor
.”
Lef
areachedf
orhi
swal
letandt
ookouthi
sbank
car
d.
“Take.ShewantedP400.Cashandgi
vehert
hen
getyoursel
fsomethi
ng.
”
“
Somet
hing?Anyt
hing?
”
Lef
aappl
iedhi
scol
ognet
henki
ssedher
.“Yes.
”
Bant
usmi
led.“
Thankyou.
”
“Iwi
llseeyou.Letmedealwi
tht
hepol
ice.Il
ove
you.
”
“
Iloveyout
oo.
”
Hegrabbedhi
sphoneandcarkeyst
henwalkedout
.
Bant
uhappil
ygotupandwalkedtot
hebat
hroom.

*
**

AtLone’
shouse,Lefapar
kedt
hecarandwal
ked
i
nsideherhouse.Shesmil
edt
api
ngabox.
“
Hey…”
Lefasmil
edlooki
ngatheri
nherbum shi
rt
sanda
spaghet
tit
opthatshowedherni
ppl
es.
“
Hi.
”
“
IhopeIdi
dn’
tgetyoui
ntr
oubl
e.”
“
No.Iam i
naheal
thyr
elat
ionshi
pwi
thsomeone
whol
ovesandr
espect
sme.
”
Lonel
aughed.“
Youshoul
dtr
eatherr
ight
.”
Hesmil
edmovingcl
osertohert
henkissedher
.
Loneki
ssedhi
m,herhandonhischest
.
“
Thankyouf
oragr
eei
ngt
ohel
pme.
”
Lef
aki
ssedhercheek.“
Youar
ewel
comef
ri
end.
”
Theybothlaughed.Thet r
ucksoondri
vethrough,
LonewatchedasLef ahelpedmoveherfurnit
ure
i
ntothetr
uck.Hischar act
erwasjustwhatshe
neededandtherewasnowayshewasgoi ngtolet
hi
m sli
pthroughherfingers.

*
**

Yamasal ai
donherstomachpagingthrougha
magazine.Shepausedcomingacrossawor dgame
thent
ookherpenandst ar
tedci
rcli
ngthewor ds.
Aknockonherdoormadeherraiseherhead.The
knockper
sist
ed.Shegotof
fthebedandwal kedt
o
t
hewi
ndow.
Shefrownedlooki
ngatKago.Sheunl
ockedher
doorandlookedathi
m.Kagosmi l
ed.
“
Hi.
.”
“
Hel
lo.
”
“Iansor
ryforcomi
ngunannouncedbutkeneke
kopasuki
ri
.”
Her
aisedt
hemughewashol
ding.Yamasal
aughed.
“Therr
agoaway.I j
a,myl andlor
disnosy.Koteng
she’sstar
ingatusthroughthecornerofher
window.Shel ongmadei tcl
earshedoesn’twant
funnybusinessinheryard.”
“
Iam j
ustaski
ngf
orsugar
.Keheket
swi
.Kebat
a
t
ea.
”
Shelookedathiscaratt
hegatethenathi
m.“Iam
onlystudentmothowasmodimo.Iknowyouhavea
wif
e,thatstor
yyadivor
ceisacheapli
ne.Idon’
t
haveanymoney.Idon’twantt
ogetsued.”
Kagolaughedt
hensmi
led.“
Ok…mynameisKago
Lebang.Iwasmar
ri
edt
oKel l
yMol
oko.Wedi
vor
ced
l
astyear,Icanbr i
ngyouourdivorcepapers.We
haveonechi l
d,she’stwothi
syear.Ihaven’
tseen
hersincethedivorcebecausewantedtodoDNA
test
s.Ihavebeenpr ett
ymuchsi ngl
efrom ther
e
on.”
Yamasaf
oldedherar
ms.“
Whatdoyouwantf
rom
me?”
Kagosmil
ed.“
Thr
eet easpoonsofsugar
.Al
socanI
beyourf
ri
end?Gothata,mothoabatlet
sal
a.”
Yamasalaughedt hent
ookhismug.Shewalked
backinherroom andfi
ll
edhiscupwit
hsugar.She
walkedoutandhandedittohim.
“
Ther
e.”
“
Thankyouchomi
e.”
Het ur
nedar oundandwal kedtohi scarwhil
eshe
watched.Hewavedatherget tinginhiscarand
droveoff.Yamasasmi ledandwal kedbacki
nher
house.Shel aidonthebedr eachingforherphone
again,asmileslowlycoveredherf acethenshe
l
aughedal lalone.
*
**

AtLone’
snewhouse,
Lefa’
sphonevi
brat
edover
andoveragai
nwhi
lehehel
pedhersetupherhouse.
“
Yourphone…”
“
Yeah.Iknow.I
t’
sthebankal
ert
s.”
“
Bankal
ert
s?”
“
Ng,
Bant
uisdoi
ngsomeshoppi
ng.
”
I
tvi
brat
edagai
n.Loner
eachedf
ori
tandl
ookedat
t
hemessagefr
om FNB.
FNB P1499.00reser
vedforpurchase@ Legi
tfrom
cur
rentaccount
..
295263usingcard..
5789Avail
P12862.

Shef
rowned.“
She’
sjustspendi
ng?
”
“
SheneveraskssoIl
etherspoi
lher
sel
f.
”
Mi
nut
eswentbyt
henanot
heral
ert
.Lovegasped.
“Shejustswi
ped4k!She’
smis-
usi
ngyourmoney.
Kantehowoldisthi
sgirl
?”
Lefatookherphoneandki ssedher .“Iam sureit’
s
i
mpor tant
.Iloveitwhenshe’ shappy.She’ sactuall
y
sweetandt hebestt hi
ngthat’severhappenedt o
me.Iloveher ,Ihavelovedthisgirlforthelongest
ti
me.She’sanangel .Iwoul dn’
ttradeherf or
anythi
ng.She’sper f
ectandhonest l
yIknowshe’ s
worththewai t
.Iam savingt obuyapl otandbuild
thenmar r
yher .She’
st hetypethatdeser vesar i
ng
onherf i
nger.”
Lonemovedback.“
Oh…”
“
Wher
edoyouwantt
hiscouch?
”
Shepoi
ntedbor
ed.

*
**

Atthemall,
Bantulookedathersel
font hemir
rorat
thesal
onwi t
hherlongboxbraids.Withherbaby
hair
slai
d,shelookeddif
fer
ent.Shelaughed.
“
Ilovei
t.
”
Thehairdressersmi
ledbehi
ndher
.“Youl
ook
beaut
if
ul.”
“
Thankyou.
”
Bant
uopenedherpur
sethenpai
dherandwalked
out
.Shehel
dhershoppi
ngbagsheadedoutofthe
mall
.
Acarhooterbehi
ndherst
art
li
ngher
.Shet
urned
thenfr
owned.Pul
erol
leddownhi
swindowdri
ving
over.
“
WhydoIkeepseei
ngyouever
ywher
e?”
Bant
ulookedaround.“Ar
eyoustal
kingme?Ist
his
i
showyoudoi tti
llyouevent
ual
lyki
dnappeopl
e?”
Pul
echuckl
ed.“
Nah.
.it
’st
oosl
oppy.Iusual
lyj
ust
doi
tatni
ght.
”
Shelookedatt
hesecur
it
yguar
daf
ewmet
ersf
rom
them.
“St
ayawayfr
om me!Iam goi
ngtorepor
tyout
othe
pol
icef
orst
alki
ngmyfamilyandI
.”
Pul
esmi
ledt
henl
aughed.“
Wantal
if
t?”
“
Ifanyt
hinghappenst
ome,
youar
egoi
ngt
ojai
l.
”
Helookedatherface,shewasnotli
ghtin
complexi
on,abitdark.Shewasbeauti
fulbuti
na
uni
queway.Shehadbi gbeaut
if
uleyes.
Hesmil
edmakinghercr
escentshapedeyebrows
i
ncli
nemore.Pul
est
eppedoutofhiscar.Bantu
st
eppedback.
Heopenedt
hepassengerdoor
.“Geti
n.Iwi
lldr
op
youof
f.
”
.
.
.
[
06/
22,
08:
14] :Fal
lenAngel
#14

Bant
utookadeepbr
eat
h.
“
Pleasest
ayawayf
rom me.Idon’
twantt
oinvol
ve
t
hepol
ice.
”
Pul
esmil
ed.“Wearegoingtocauset
raf
fi
c.Let’
sgo.
Youcancal
lthepol
iceaft
eryougeti
nthecar.
”
Bant
uturnedandstar
tedwalki
ng.Hegrabbedher
handasshewalkedpasthi
m andpull
edhercloser
.
“I
fIwant
edtodosomething,Iwouldhavelong
donei
tbynow.Trustme.Getinthecar.Iwil
ldr
op
youof
fwhereveryouar
egoing.”
“
Idon’
twantt
ogoanywher
ewi
thyou.
”
Pulepickedherupmaki
ngherscream t
henputher
i
nt hecar.Hethr
ewhershoppingbagsatt
he
backseatandpull
edaseat
beltonher.
Helookedintohereyes,pani
candf earr
efl
ect
ing.
Hemovedcl osertoherandtil
tedherchi
nbreathi
ng
onherface.
“
Cal
m downBant
u…br
eat
he.I
t’
sok.
”
Herhear
tpounded,hemovedbackandcl
osedher
door
.Thesecuri
tyguar
dwalkedover
.
“
Chi
ef,
isever
ythi
ngok?
”
“
Yes.
”
“
Keboneokar
elal
wa.
(It
houghtIsawyout
wo
f
ight
ing.
)
Pul
elaughed.“
Waai
,reshar
phel
a.(
Wear
eok.
)
Ri
ghtbabe?”
Bant
ulookedathi
mthent
hesecur
it
yguar
d.
“
Ongadi
le.(
She’
supset
.)
Thesecur
it
yguar
dsmi
led.“
Ohok.Iwasj
ust
maki
ngsure.”
Pulegoti
nthecaranddr
oveof
f.Hel
ookedather
thenbackatt
heroad.
“
Yourdadi
sacoolguy.Hel
ikesme.
”
“Whywon’
tyoul
eavemeal
one?Whyar
eyou
har
assi
ngme?Youmakemeuncomfor
tabl
e.”
“Il
ikeyourhai
r.I
tlooksni
ce.Youl
ookpr
ett
y.I
sit
pai
nful?”
Shelookedathim ashestoppedatt
her
edt
raf
fi
c
l
ight
.Het ouchedherbr
aidssmili
ng.
“
Youl
ookr
eal
lyni
ce.I
sitpai
nful
?”
“
Abi
t.
”
“
Rer
ekePanado?(
Shoul
dwebuyyouPanado?
)”
“
Whywon’
tyoul
eavemeal
one?
”
“
Youwantt
owal
kint
hisheat
?”
“
Iwasgoi
ngt
ogetacombi
.”
“
Whatdoyout
hinkIwi
lldot
oyou?
”
“
Kidnapandr
apemet
hensel
lmeorki
llme.
”
Hel
aughed.“
Whyhaven’
tIdonei
tbynow?
”
“
Idon’
tknow.Youar
ewai
ti
ngf
ort
heper
fect
t
imi
ng.”
Hel
aughedevenmor
ethendr
oveof
f.
“
Youneedt
orel
ax.Iwon’
tdoanyt
hingt
oyou.
Wher
earewegoi
ng?”

AtBant
u’sst
reet
,Bant
ulookedatt
hef
ir
sthouse.
“
Ist
ayt
her
e.”
Pul
elookedthensloweddown.“
Onewayorthe
ot
her,Iwi
llf
indoutwhereyoust
ay.Youmi
ghtas
wel
lbehonest.”
“
Ist
ayt
her
e.”
Hest
oppedt
hecaratandsmi
led.
“
Iam notst
alki
ngyou.Youar
ejustever
ywher
eIam.
I
t’
sacoinci
dence.
”
“
Pleasest
ayawayf
rom me.
”
“
Iwon’
tmakepr
omi
sesIwon’
tkeep.
”
Shesteppedoutoft
hecarandtookhershoppi
ng
bags.Pul
eroll
eddownthewindowsallt
heway
downandsmi l
ed.
“
Iloveyoureyes.
”
Sheturnedt
ohi m andfoundhi m smi l
ing, he
i
ncreasedhi
svolumeanddr oveoff .Asmi leslowl
y
l
ift
edthecornerofherlips.Shet houghtofi tthen
pausedsmil
ingandwal keddownt hest reettoher
house.Sheopenedt hegateandwal kedt hroughthe
gategoingt
otheser vantsquartersatt heback.
Thelandl
adyf
rom t
hemai
nhousewal
kedoutand
smil
ed.
“
Hey!
”
Bant
usmi
led.“
Hi…”
“Ineedtomyhai
rtoget
herwi
tht
hegi
rl
s.Canyou
doittoday?
”
“
Yes.Letmet
akeaqui
ckshowerandcome.
”
“
Ok,
thanks.Il
oveyourbr
aids.Youl
ookbeaut
if
ul.
”
Bant
usmi
led.“
Thankyou.
”
“
Ok,
Iwi
llgoandgetr
eady.
”
“
Ok.
”
Bantuwalkedtoherinroom theunlockedand
walkedin.Shet
ookoutt hecarpetshehadbought
andputonherwhi t
etil
esthensmi ledgladsheeven
gotthenewbedset.
Shequi cklychangedherbeddi
ngt
hent ookoutthe
newglassesandpl at
esshehadboughtsurpr
ised
theydidn’tbreakwhenPulethr
eweverythi
ngathis
backseat.
Shetookoutherphonetaki
ngoutthenewclot
hes
shegotandherfaci
alproduct
sthencal
ledLef
a
smil
ingtr
yingouthernewheels.
Herl
egsshookasshet
ri
edst
andi
ngup.

*
**

AtLone’shouse,Lef
afixedhi
mselfwhil
eshe
breathedheavi
lysi
tt
ingonthebedwithanachi
ng
vagina.
Het
ookadeepbr
eat
handpi
ckedBant
u’scal
l.
“
Heybabe.
.”
“
Hi.Iwenthome.Wi
llyoucomeover
?”
“
Yes.Shoul
dIcomenow?Il
eftt
hepol
icest
ati
on.
”
“Iboughtmysel
fal aptopbutcouldn’
ttakeit
becauseIwasalreadyhol di
ngalotofthings.Can’t
youcomeandt aket herecei
ptthengoandcol lecti
t?
IhopeIdidn’
tspendt oomuch.”
“
It
’sok.I
t’
sjustmoney.Icancomeandt
aket
he
r
ecei
pt,
ojel
e?(
Didyoueat
?)”
Shelaughed.“WaitseIcoul
dn’teventhi
nkoff ood.I
col
lectedYaya’smoney.IswipedP500.Youcan
comebyandt akeitt
oothengiveittoher.Igother
someni ceshoes,youcanalsotakethoseand
del
iverthem.”
“
Ok.Iam comi
ng.Whatdoyouwantt
oeat
?”
“
Anythi
ngi
sfi
ne.Iam aboutt
odommagwe
Mal
ebogo’
shai
r.
”
“
Ok.Iam comi
ng.Il
oveyou.
”
“
Iloveyout
oo.
”
Hehungupandcal ledDebonai
rsput
tingonhi
s
shoes.Lonewatchedhi
m asheorderedanext
ra
l
argesizepizzaandadri
nk.Hehungupandsmi l
ed.
“
Ihavet
ogo.
”
Lonesmi
led.“
Aren’
tyouget
ti
ngmef
oodt
oo?
”
Hel
aughedthentookoutt
wot
went
ypul
anot
es
f
rom hi
spocket
.
“
Waai
,Ionl
yhavet
his.Iam sur
eyoucanget
somet
hing.Thanks.
”
Heputonherbedandkissedhercheekbefor
e
wal
kingout
.Lonetookadeepbreathstar
ingatt
he
t
wotwentypulanotesonthebed.
Shepi
ckedherphoneandcal
ledaf
ri
end.
“
Lol
o…”
“
WaitsemmaLef aloveshisgir
lf
ri
end.Ihavemade
myselfacer
ti
fi
edsidechick.Andthepainf
ulparti
s
t
hatIhadstart
edtofallf
orhim.Ifeelsost
upid.
”
“Why?YouandLef aar eformi ngabond.I fhe
wasn’ thavingsexwi t
hanyonei tmeansi t’
sonl y
you.I t’
sjustamat teroft i
met il
lheact uall
yf all
sfor
you.He’ sjustfeelinggui ltysohe’ sprobablysai dbo
Ilovemygi rl
fri
endhewehewewhatwhat ,butifhe
reallylovedher,hewoul dn’thavef uckedyout he
whol enight.Ifhedi d, hewoul dhavehi ti
toncet hen
ranbackhome, het ookt her iskt osleepover .And
trustmehe’ sst i
llgoi ngtocomeback.Wenaj ust
relax.Don’tputyour selfinacompet it
ionwi t
hhi s
girlf
riend.Lethim bel ievehi sbreadi sbut t
eredbot h
sides.He’ sgoingt ot ryandj igglebet weent wo
women…lethim doasheplease.It
’sonl
yamat t
er
oft
ime.Wenadoyourthing.Don’tbedependedon
hi
m.Getyoursel
fnicet
hings,dr
esssmar t
.”
“
Iwantababy.
”
Thef
ri
endl
aughed.“
Ithi
nkyoushoul
dwai
tabi
t.
”
“YouknowI ’
vebeenwantingababyf orawhi
lenow.
Totawhetherhestaysornot,
Ijustwantababy.I
am soongoingtobeinmyt hi
rti
es.”
“27isnotcl
osetobei
ngi
nyourt
hir
ti
es.Inever
asked,howoldi
she?”
Loneopenedhermout
hthenlaughedt
hought
ful
ly.
“He’
sabigguy.He’
salawyer
.”
“
Ok…anywaysIhavet
ogo.Iwi
llcal
lyou.
”
“
Okt
sal
a.”
Thefriendhungupt henLonegotup.Shereached
forherphoneandwentonFacebook.Shesear ched
forBantu.Sheopenedt hef
ir
staccountandopened
theprofil
epict
ure.
Itobvi
ousl
yhadt
obethi
sone.Lonesmiled…ok,not
somuchofacompeti
ti
on.Shesmil
ed,defi
nit
elynot
whatshehadexpect
ed.Shej
ustneededt
opl
ayher
car
dsright
.
Shesentherafri
endrequestt
henwal
kedt
oher
bat
hroom t
ofreshenup.
.
.
.
[
06/
22,
08:
14] :Fal
lenAngel
#15

Lefadrovet
hroughatBant u’
shouse,shel
ookedat
him ashesl
owl ydrovepastherwhil
eshedid
mmagweMal enogo’shai
r.Herol
leddownhis
windowandwi nkedather.
Bantusmi l
edt henconti
nuedwit
hmmagwe
Malebogo’scar r
ot.Sheopenedanot
herl
ineand
st
artedplai
ting.
Lef
aparkedthecarandwal
kedinsi
dethehouse
hol
dingt
heirpi
zzaandherl
apt
op.Helookedatthe
rugonherfloort
hent henewbedding.Hetookof
f
hisshoesandwal kedini
nhal
ingherflower
y
fragr
ancei
nt heroom.
Lef
atookoutthelapt
opfrom t
heboxandstarted
set
ti
ngitupforhersoshehecanuseiteasi
ly.Over
anhourlat
ershewalkedi
nsidether
oom.
Lefasmi
ledlooki
ngatherbrai
ds,babygir
llooked
dif
fer
ent
..pr
etti
er.Hepul
ledhercl
oserandkissed
her.
“
Ilovet
hebr
aids.
”
Shesmi
led.“
Thankyou.Iam sohungr
y.”
“
Ker
eki
lepi
zzaandcoke.
”
“
Thankyou.
”
Shewashedherhandsashel ookedatherpet ite
body.Shehadpot ent
ialofhavinghipst houghnow
shewasstil
lstr
aightfigur
ed,wi t
hhersmal lbr
easts,
youwouldhardlygiveherasecondgl ance.She
tur
nedtohim andsmi ledtaki
ngabi teoft hepizza.
“
What
?”
“
Whatt
imear
eyouf
ini
shi
ng?
”
“Iam nowdoingMal ebogo’
shair
.From t
hereit
’s
heryoungersi
ster
’s.Butthei
rsarej
ustcornr
ows.I
willbedonei
nanhour .
”
“
Ok.Thel
apt
opi
sact
ual
lyni
ce.Goodchoi
ce.
”
Shesmi
led.“
Thankyouf
orl
ett
ingmehavei
t.
”
Lef
apushedherbrai
dsbacksmil
ing.“
It
’sok.Iam
goi
ngtologi
ntoourNet
fl
ixsowecanwat ch
somet
hingwhenyouaredone.
”
“
Ok.Iwi
llt
ryt
ofi
nishf
ast
er.
”
Shepour edhersel
fcokethent ookasipt
aki
ngher
phonef rom t
hecharger
.SheopenedherFacebook
andopenedt heFacebookfriendrequest
notif
icat
ion.Sheaccept
edt henputdownherphone
fi
nishingherdri
nk.
“Iam coming.Canyoudropofft
hatmoneyt
oYaya.
PleaseputanextraP100.Shewant
edafananda
newst ovesometimeback.”
“
Ok.
”
Shewal
kedoutandwentbacktothemai
nhouseas
hewal
kedoutwit
hhiscarkeys.
*
**

AtYamasa’
shouse,Yamasawatchedasher
brot
herpar
kedi
nfrontofherr
oom.Shesmil
ed
hopi
ngtoseeBantu.
“
Wher
eisBant
u?”
“
Doinghair
.Gatwekegonnel
eP600.It
houghtyou
wantedP400.
”
Yamasasmi
led.“
Ineedt
obuyanewst
ove.
”
Lefahandedherthemoneyandwalkedi
nsi
deher
houselooki
ngaround.Yamasal
aughed.
“
Whatar
eyoul
ooki
ngf
or?
”
“
Sepe.(
Not
hing.
)”
“
Sti
llt
reat
ingmyf
ri
endr
ight
?”
“
Stayoutofmyr
elat
ionshi
p.”
“
YoushouldknowIam onlyent
ert
ainingthi
s
r
elat
ionshi
pbecauseBant
uactual
lylovesyou.I
f
youhur
ther
,ragol
wa.(
Wewi
llf
ight
.)
”
Lef
alaughed.“
Iam goi
ng.Ar
eyougoodt
hough?
”
“
Yes.
”
“
Okshar
p.”
Lef
awalkedoutanddroveoff
.Yamasahappi
lyput
awayt
hemoneyandt extedBant
u.
Yamasa:Gott
hemoney,
thanks.Movi
esl
ater
?
Bantu:Hewasgoingtogiveitt
oyouei
therway I
am notsur
eifyourbr
otherissl
eepi
ngover.
Yamasa: mxm,
Ibar
elyseeyou.
Bant
u:Let
’sgot
othatchur
cht
omor
row.
Yamasa:Ok,
youwi
llcomebypi
cki
ngmeup.
Bant
u:Ok.Hal
fseven.
Yamasa:ok,
lolIhavej
uicet
otel
lyou
Bant
u:heel
a what
?
Yamasa:Gobat
acal
l
Bant
u: Youhavest
art
ed.Letmef
ini
sh
Mal
ebogo’
shai
r,Iwi
llbet
her
etomor
rowatseven.
Yamasa: ok.

Yamasaputdownherphoneandf annedhersel
f
wit
hherhand.Mi nut
eslat
ershewal
kedoutofher
house.Shelockedbehi
ndherandwalkedt
ot hebus
st
ophol di
ngherhandbag.
Shest
oppedacombiheadedt
oRai
lPar
kMal
l.

*
**

I
nSerowe,r
ragweBantuwal
kedoutoftheSecur
it
y
Companyaft
erhi
sint
ervi
ewsti
llhol
dingt
womor e
CV’
shewasgoingtodropof
f.
Hewalkedbacktohiscarandgotin,oneofhi
s
nei
ghborwalkedoversmil
inghol
dingafewplast
ics.
“
RragweBant
u!”
Her
oll
eddownhi
swi
ndowandl
ookedather
.
Mer
apel
osmil
ed.
“
IthoughtIj
ustsawyou.Howar
eyou?
”
Hesmi
led.“
Iam f
ine.Idi
dn’
tseeyou.
”
Shesmi l
ed“
Iwasabi
tfar
.Ihavenotseenyoui
na
whil
e.”
“Iam barel
yathome.Iam j
ustappl
yingf
orj
obs
around.”
“Oh..i
fyouaregoi
nghome,
Iwasaski
ngi
fyoucan
dropmeof f
.”
Helookedathi
sCV’
sthenather
.“Yes.Youcanget
i
n.”
Hesteppedoutofthecarandopenedthedoorfor
hersmil
ing.Shelookedathi
m wit
hagiggleandgot
i
n.Shequicklypatt
edherhairashewalkedr
ound
thecarandgotin.
Hewast
hemostquietmanshehadeverseen.He
st
art
edt
hecaranddroveof
f.
“
Howi
sBant
u?”
“
Bant
uisdoi
ngwel
latUB.
”
“
That
’sgood.Ki
ds.
.theygr
owsof
ast
.”
Hel
augheddr
iving.“
Ist
il
lcan’
tbel
ievemyl
it
tl
egi
rl
i
snowabiggirl
.”
Theycont
inuedchatt
ingaboutr
egularthingstil
lthe
conver
sat
iondieddown.RragweBant uclearedhis
thr
oatasheparkedathergateminuteslater
.
Merapel
osmi l
ed.“Thankyousomuch.Ifyouever
needanythi
ng,don’thesi
tat
easki
ng.I
tmustbe
hardwit
hBantunotar ound.
”
Henodded.“
Iwi
ll
.Thankyou.
”
Shesteppedoutofthecarandwaved.Hewaved
backanddroveoffsmil
ingalone.

*
**

I
nGaborone,Bant
ufini
shedplait
ing.Mmagwe
Mal
ebogolookedatherdaughter
sandsmi l
ed
i
mpressed.
“
ThankyouBant
u.”
ShehandedBant
uhermoney.Bant
usmi
led.“
Thank
you.
”
Bant
u’sphonerangasshewalkedt
oherroom.She
l
ookedattheunsavednumberandpi
cked.
“
Hel
lo?
”
“
Hi,
uhi
sthi
sBant
u?”
“
Yes.
”
“Mynamei sAlone.Ij
ustsawyournumberon
Facebook.Youplai
t?”
“
Yes.
”
“
Iwoul
dli
ket
odomyhai r.Carootyapuf
fkebokae?
(
Howmuchistheponyt
ailcar
rot?)
“
TheshortoneisP80.Medi
um l
engt
hisP110.The
l
ongone.isP140.
”
“
Ok.Iwantt
hel
ongone.Howi
syourt
omor
row?
”
“
Iam f
reei
ntheaf
ter
noon.
”
“
Per
fect
.2p.
m?”
“
Yes.
”
“
Ok,
senddi
rect
ionst
oyourhouse.Iwi
llcome
t
her
e.”
“
Ok.
”
Thecli
enthungup.Bantuimmediat
elysenthert
he
di
rect
ionsandwalkedinsi
dethehousewhereLefa
waslyingonthebedwaiti
ngforher
.
Sheputthr
eesli
cesoft
hepizzai
napl at
eandgot
onthebed.Lef
apull
edhercl
osersqueezi
ngher
guavasi
zedbreast
.
Hi
sphonerang,hel
ookedatt
hecal
lerandpi
cked
ki
ssi
ngBantu’
sneck.
“
Hel
lo?
”
“
Hey,youf
orgotyourcapover
.Passbycol
lect
ingi
t
l
ater
.”
“Toni
ghtIwi
llbewi
thmyper
sonl
ait
aka.Iwi
llt
ry
andcoll
ecti
ttomor
row.
”
Lonel
aughed.“
Youar
ewi
thher
?”
“
Wewi
llt
alk,
sur
elai
taka.
”
Hehungupandputawayhisphonecl
icki
ngona
movi
e.Bant
ulookedathi
m.
“
Youwantt
ogo?
”
“
No.TodayIam al
lyour
s.”
Shesmi
led.“
Ok.
”
Heki
ssedherl
ipst
hent
urnedhi
sat
tent
iont
othe
movi
e.
.
.
.
[
06/
22,
08:
14] :Fal
lenAngel
#16

Thef ol
lowi
ngday,Bant
uwalkedwit
hYamasaf r
om
churchholdi
ngherbibl
e.Yamasasmil
edt
ell
ingher
aboutKago.
“
NnaIthoughthewasoneofthosemar
ri
edmen
whousethesameli
eathousandti
mes.
”
“Ihopeyoudoubl
echeck.Heret
heyar
eser
ious
aboutsui
nghomewr ecker
s.”
“
Hesai
dhewi
llshowmehi
sdi
vor
cedocument
s.”
Bant
u’sphoner
ang.Shequi
ckl
ytooki
toutand
pi
cked.
“
Hel
lo?
”
“
Hi,
it’
sAl
one.CanIcomeear
li
er?
”
“
Eemma.
”
“
Howi
snow?
”
“
Nowi
sst
il
lfi
ne.Di
dyoubuyt
hebr
aid?
”
“
Yes.Iwi
llbet
her
eint
went
ymi
nut
esorso.
”
“
Ok,
bye.
”
Shehungt
henBant
uputawayherphone.
“
Mycl
ienti
sont
heway.Letmehur
ryhome.
”
“
Ok.Iwi
llcomeoverl
ater
.”
“
Ok.
”
Bantuquickl
ywalkedhomeasYamasat ookaturn
toherhouse.Sheopenedthegat
eatherhousejust
asaHondaFi tparkedbyt
hegate.
Af
ami
li
arl
adyst
eppedout
,Bant
ulookedather
wonder
ingwher
eshehadseenher
.
Lonesmi
led.“
Bant
u?”
“
Yes.Youcancome.
”
Lonetookherbrai
dsandfol
lowedBant
utoher
room.Bant
ut ookoutachai
r.
“
Youcansi
ther
e.”
Lonesatdownstari
ngatthedarkskinnedgi
rl
.
Bantuwalkedi
nsideherr
oom thentookhercomb
andwalkedout.
“
Youcanshowmewhatyouwant
.”
LoneunlockedherphoneandshowedBantua
complexstyl
e.Bantuzoomedi
nt hepi
ctur
ethen
smil
ed.
“
Ok.
”
Bant
ucombedLone’slonghairt
henstart
edmaki
ng
herl
inesbef
oreshegotthebr
aidandprepar
edi
t.
“
Youl
ookyoung.Ar
eyouatuni
ver
sit
y?”
“
Yes.
”
“
Nice.UB?
”
“
Eemma.
”
“
Thi
sar
eai
scl
oset
oUB,
doyouwal
ktoschool
?”
“
Somet
imesIdo.
”
Lonelaughed.“Remindsmeofmyvar si
tydays.I
usedtowalkeveryday.Idon’
tknowwhentheywill
real
izetheal
lowanceisnotenoughorisi
tenough
now? ”
Bantust
art
edplai
ti
ngher
.“No.It
’sneverenough
that
’swhyIdohai
rwheneverIcantohelparound.
”
“Thishouseisni
ce,i
tlookspricey,
howdoyou
affordi
toryouhaveaboyf r
iendwhohelps?
”
Bantulaughed.“
It
’sact
ual
lycheap.Myal
lowance
coversfori
t.
”
“
Soyouar
enotdat
ing?
”
“Iam buthedoesn’
tpaymyr ent.Idon’
twanta
sit
uati
onwherewhent hi
ngsgetr ockyIst
artt
o
wonderhowIwi l
lpaymyr ent.
”
“
Youar
esmar
t.Il
ovei
t.Sowher
eisyour
boyf
ri
end?
”
“
He’
sar
ound.
”
“Hemustbebl
essedt
ohaveabl
ackbeaut
yli
ke
you.
”
Bant
usmil
ed.“
Iam t
hel
uckyone.Hei
sagr
eat
per
son.
”
“
Yourvoi
cei
ssot
inywai
tse.
”
Bantulaughed.“
Itannoysme.Ifeelt
hat
’swhy
peopledon’tt
akemeser i
ousl
y.”
Lonelaughed.“
Your
emi
ndmesomuchofmy
si
ster
.”
Bant
usmi l
edwor
kingf
ast
.Lonepr
essedherphone
andcal
ledLef
a.
Hepi
ckedaf
terawhi
le.
“
Hey.
.
“
Hey,
canyouhel
pmesetupmyTV?
”
“
Today?
”
“
Whenyouar
efr
ee.Ist
il
lhaveyourcap.Iwi
llpay
you.
”
Lef
alaughed.“
Paymehow?
”
Lonesmiled.“
Inanywayyouwant
.Igott
hisnew
l
inger
iesetIalsowant
edtot
ryout
.”
“
Iam notsur
ewhatmygi
rl
fr
iend’
spl
ansar
e
t
oni
ght.”
“Comeandgetsomebef
oreyouhar
asst
hepoor
chil
d.”
“
Itwi
llhavet
obequi
ckt
hough.
”
“
Per
fect
.Seeyoul
ater
.”
“
Bye.
”
Shehungupsmi l
ing.“Myboyf
riendbat
hong.So
whatdoesyourboyfri
enddo?”
“
Hei
sal
awyer
.”
“
Real
ly?Mi
net
oo.Wear
eexpect
ingababy.
”
“
Congr
atul
ati
ons.
”
Twohourslat
ershefi
nishedt
helastbr
aidthen
wal
kedi
nsidethehouseandboil
edwaterinakett
le.
Shegotatowelthenpour
edtheboil
ingwat
erina
bowlandwalkedoutsi
dewhereLonewaslooki
ngat
her
selfonherphone.
“
Younai
ledt
hest
yle!
”
Bant
usmi
led.“
Youl
ikei
t?”
“Il
oveit.From nowon,youaremyper son.You
havefoundyour sel
fasist
erwai
tse.Thisis
beaut
iful.
”
Bantudi
ppedtheendsinthehotwateranddr
ied
them wi
thatowelasLonetookher
selfasel
fi
e
makingsur
eBantushowed.
Shesentt
hepi
ctur
etoherf
ri
end.
Lone:That
’st
hecompet
it
ion.
Fr
iend: Li
es!
Lone:
. Iam st
il
lshocked.
Fri
end: ahhbat
hong,
mmeshe’
snott
hatbad.
Justbl
ack
Lone:Idon’
tknowwhathesees.Ont
opoft
hat
she’
sbuiltl
ikeapl
ank.
Fr
iend:Youar
egoi
ngt
ohel
l
Lone:Iwasabitworr
iedbutift
hat’
swhatIam up
agai
nst,keshar
p.Iam keepi
ngthebaby.
Fri
end:Amanwillsur
pri
seyouandchooseher
.
She’
sprobabl
yhumblebecausesheknowsshenot
uptohisl
evel
.
Lone:Lennai
fIwer
eherIwoul
dbehumbl
e.
Fri
end:Remember,pl
ayi
tcool
.Ebi
leyoushoul
d
hel
phiml oveher
.
Lone:Shewon’
tseei
tcomingshem,shei
sagood
personmmetheworl
dneverpromi
sedtobef
air
Fri
end:She’
sagoodhai
rdr
esser
.Sheshoul
ddomy
hai
rtoo.
Lone:Iwi
llt
ellher
.
Fr
iend:Iwantt
hatot
herst
yle.Iam payi
ngherP100
Lone:Lol
,ok.Iam payi
ngherful
lamountsoI
befr
iendher.Sheseemsnaïve.
Fr
iend: t
senawenagi
rl
.
Bant
ufi
nisheddoi
ngLone’
sbabyhai
rsasLone
t
ypedonherphone.Bant
ust
eppedback.
“
Iam done.
”
Lonest
oodupandt
ookoutP140f
rom herbag.
“
Ther
e.Thankyoul
ove.Iwi
lladver
ti
seyou.
”
Bant
ugott
hemoney.“
Thankyou.
”
“
Youar
ewel
come.Bye.
”
Lonewalkedtohercar
.Bant
upickedthebr
aid
aroundherhouseasLonedr
oveoff.
Shefinal
lywalkedi
nsi
deherhousewit
hherchai
r
thengotherbooksandst
art
edstudyi
ng.

Hoursl
ater,
Bantuclosedherwindowsasitgotdar
k.
Herphonerangassheopenedherl apt
optowatch
amovie.Shepickedtheunsavednumber.
“
Hel
lo?
”
“
Takwano.Iam out
side.
”
Bantufrownedswallowing.Shequickl
yhungup.
Herphoner angagain.Sheslowlyopenedher
curt
ainjustsli
ght
lytolookatthegatebutshe
coul
dn’tseeproperl
y.
Hecutthecallandcal
ledagai
n.Bant
ucl
osedt
he
curt
ainandl
ockedherdoor.Sheswit
chof
fher
phoneandsighed.
Ami nut
elat
erbri
ghtli
ghtsref
lect
edthr
oughher
curt
ainasacardroveoverandparkedi
nfrontof
herhouse.Acardoorclosedt
hensomeone
knockedonherdoor.
Bant
umovedhercur
tai
nandl
ooked.Hesmi
ledand
waved.
Sheopenedt
hewi
ndow.“
Whatar
eyoudoi
ngher
e?”
Pul
esmi
led.“
Icamet
oseeyou.
”
“
Didn’
tIt
ellyout
ost
ayawayf
rom me?
”
“Iwas.Butt
henIbumpedi
ntoyouraccounton
Facebook.
”
“
Sowhat
?”
“
IthoughtIwoul
dcomeandseeyou.
”
“Idon’
tneedyoucomi ngt
ogreetme.Ihavea
boyfri
end.Pleasest
ophar
assi
ngme.Iam goingt
o
callt
hepolice.
”
“
Takwano.I
twon’
ttakel
ong.
”
“
Myboyf
ri
endi
scomi
ng.Pl
easel
eave.
”
“
Comeout
sidesoIgo.
”
Sheunl
ockedherdoorandangr i
lyl
ookedathi
m.
Hewasn’tsurewhatthatfacewassupposedtodo,
maybescarehim butherathersmil
ed.Ther
ewas
j
ustsomethingabouther…
“Youforgott
his.”Hetookoutascar
fthathad
droppedfrom hershoppi
ngbagstheprevi
ousday.
“Iam tr
aveli
ngoutofcount
rysoIt
houghtIwoul
d
dropitoffbefor
eIl
eave.
”
“
Thankyou.
”
Hecl
osedthedist
ancebet
weent
hem andputi
t
ar
oundherneck.
“
Ther
e….
”
Bant
ulookedathi
m hol
dingherbr
eat
h,hewasso
cl
ose…abr ai
dfel
lonherface,
hetuckedi
tbehind
herearasherbl
oodrushedthr
oughhervei
ns,her
heartr
aci
ng.
“
Breat
he…i
t’
sok.
”
Bant
urel
easedherbr
eat
h.Pul
esmi
led.
“
Ther
e’ssomet
hingaboutyou…whati
sit
?”
Hetouchedherchi
nasshebr
eathedheavi
ly,
her
chestmovi
ngupanddownfast.
“
Ihaveaboyf
ri
end.
”
Pul
esmi
led.“
Ineverasked.
”
“
Youneedt
ost
ayawayf
rom me.
”
Het
il
tedherchi
nandl
ookedi
nhereyes.
“
Whatdoyouseewhenyoul
ookatme?
”
“
Whydoyouhavet
att
oos?
”
“
Iwi
llt
ellyouoneday.
”
“
Myboyf
ri
endi
sont
heway.Pl
easegoaway.
”
“
Ok.
”
Pul
emovedcl
osert
rappi
ngheragai
nstt
hedoor
.
Hisli
psbrushedagainsther
s,Bant
ushi
ver
edatt
he
darkthatf
eltl
ikeanelect
ri
cshock.
Hepart
edherl
ipswit
hhisleani
ngoverandsl
owly
ki
ssedher
.Ashiverr
andownherspineasever
y
hai
ratt
hebackofherneckstoodup.
Hekissedheralitt
lemor e,herbodysl
owlyget
ti
ng
weaker.Herkneesshookt hreateni
ngtol
andheron
t
hegr ound.Suddenlyeverythi
ngaroundhermoved
i
nslowmot i
on.
Heki
ssedhermoretur
ningi
tint
oafrenchkiss.He
l
etgoandsmil
edasherhandsshook.Itf
eltshe
wasaboutt
ofai
nt.
Hesmi
ledmor
e.“
Bye.
”
Hetur
nedandwalkedtohiscarthenrever
sedout
.
Bant
uheldontothewallwal
kinginthehouse,
her
l
egsfeel
ingj
ell
yli
ke.
Shesatdownf orminutesstar
ingatnot
hing.A
whilelatershegotunderherduvetsandclosedher
eyes.Overt wohourslaterLef
aparkedthecar
outsideandwal kedi
nsidethehouse.Heundr essed
thenjoinedherinbedkissingherneck.
“
Hey…”
Bantukepthereyesclosedfacingtheother
dir
ecti
on.Lef
asighedexhaust edsmelli
ngfreshand
cl
osedhiseyesfalli
ngasleep.Bantutouchedher
l
ipssti
lll
osti
nat ranceofthoughts.

EI
GHTMONTHSLATER
.
.
.
[
06/
22,
08:
14] :Fal
lenAngel
#17

Ei
ghtMont
hsLat
er…

AtYamasa’shouse,Kagopar
kedatt
hegateand
pressedthehoot
er.Yamasawal
kedoutoft
hetwo
andhalfshewasshar i
ngi
nshor
tsandavestthen
wal
kedovert
ohi
scar
.
Hesmi
ledasshegotcloser
.Yamasagoti
nthecar
t
henKagoleanedoverandki
ssedher
.
“
Igotyoul
unch.
”
“
Thankyou.Iwasaboutt
ogoandbuyf
atcakes.
”
“Youshoul
dhavecall
ed.AnywaysIam goi
ngto
att
endmybr ot
her’
sweddingt
omorrow,Iwas
wonderi
ngifyoucancomewithme.”
Yamasasmi
led.“
I’
dlovet
hat
.”
“Thankyou.Iwi
llewal
letyoumoneyor
ekemosi
si
andshoes.”
“
Ok.
”
Kagokissedherthenshegotherl
unchandstepped
outofhiscar
.Shesmi l
edwalki
ngbacktoherroom
thencal
ledBantu.
“
Hel
lo?
”
“
Hey,l
et’
sgooutf
orshoppi
ng,Kagohasaskedme
t
oescorthi
mtoaweddingkamoso.
”
“
Iam st
il
latt
hel
ibr
ary.Let
’smeett
her
e.”
“
Ok.
”
Anewalletrepor
tedminuteslat
er.Yamasasmi l
ed
openi
ngt heP1000ewallet.Shequickl
ychanged
andwalkedoutholdi
nganumbr ell
a.

*
**

AttheAirportJunct i
onMal l
,Bantust eppedoutof
thecombiandpai d.Thecombidr iverlookedather
facelosi
ngf ocust hensnappedoutofi tasanother
combihoot edbehi ndhim.Hequickl yhandedher
thechangenot i
cinghewasn’ ttheonl yonest ari
ng.
Bantuclosedt hecombidoorandwal kedt othemal
l
holdingherbagi nadr esswithherbi gaf r
ocombed
outbeautif
ully.Shewal kedpastthepar ki
ngthen
pausedlookingatLef a’snewcar.Shet ookouther
phonesmi l
ingandcal l
edhim walkingi nsidethe
mal l
.
“
Babe…”
“
Hey,
wher
ear
eyou?Ij
ustsawt
hecaratAi
rpor
t
Junct
ion.Wher
ear
eyou?
”
“
UhIhadtomeetacl
ientf
orl
unchbutIam al
ready
l
eavi
ng.
”
“
Ok,
wher
ear
eyou?
”
Shewal
kedinsi
deAcker
mansimmedi
atel
yspot
ti
ng
hi
m.Bantusmil
edwalki
ngover
.
“
Hey!
”
Het
urned,
hishear
tal
mostf
all
ingout
.Hesmi
led.
“
Heybabe.
”
Bantuhuggedhim.“
Whatar eyoudoinginher
e?”
Shelookedatt
hebabyclothesinhi
shands.“O
rekel
amang?(Whoar eyoubuyingf
or ?
)”
Lef
alookedatt
hecl
othesi
nhi
shandst
hensmi
led.
“Acoll
eagueishavi
ngababysoIthoughtI
’
dget
hersomethi
ng.Ever
yonei
sgett
inghersomethi
ng.
”
“
Oh..
”Bantul
ookedatt
hecl
othesandsmi
led.
“
Theseareni
ce.
”
“
Ijustr
andoml
ypi
ckedaf
ewt
hings.
”
“Theyarealot
.Youcanjustgetthese.
”Bant
u
pickedaromperandapairofsocks.
“Thi
sisfi
ne.Thoseotheryoudon’
tneed.Aker
eyou
arenotherbabydaddy.
”
Helaughedki
ssi
ngher.Unawar
e,Lonewal
kedover
hol
dingsomeli
tt
lebooti
es.
“
Babe,
lookatwhatIgot
-“
Bant
utur
ned,
Lonesmi
led.
“
Ohhey!Howar
eyou?
”
Bant
ulookedatLef
athenatLone.Lonesmi
led.
“
Uhu,
wher
e’smyman?Il
efthi
m chat
ti
ngt
oyou.
”
Lefaputhi
sarm aroundBantu.“
Hewal
kedout
picki
ngacall
.He’snotbackyet.
”
Lonesi
ghed.“
Ok.HeyBant
u..
”
Bant
ul aughedatt
hewayherhear
twasr
aci
ng.“
I
am f
ine.Wow…youl ook…”
Lonesmi
ledrubbingherbump.“
Big.Iknow.She’
s
al
mosthere.Ican’
twait
.”
BantulookedatLef
a.“
BabethisisAlone,oneofmy
cl
ient
s.Lone,thi
sismyboyf
riend,Lefa.Hermanis
al
soal awyer.
”
Lonesmi
led.“
Wemetmi nutesbackbutnice
meeti
ngyou.Wai
tseyouareallBantutal
ksabout.
NowIseewhy.Bantu,
wewi llt
alk.Letmelookf
or
thi
sman.”
“
Ok,
bye.
”
Lonet
urnedandwal
kedaway.Bant
usmi
led.
“
Let
’sgoandpay.
”
Hewalkedwit
hhertotheti
llandpaidt
hent hey
wal
kedout.Sheescor
tedhi
m got heparki
ngl ot
.
Lef
aki
ssedher.
“
Iwi
llseeyoul
ater
.*
Bant
unodded.“
Yes.
”
“
Iloveyou.
”
“
Iloveyout
oo.
”
Hegoti
nthecaranddroveoff.Bant
uwal
kedback
i
nthemallcal
li
ngherf
riend.
“
Hel
lo?
”
“
Iam her
e.Wher
ear
eyou?
”
“
Edgar
s.”
“
Iam comi
ng.
”

*
**

Lef
awatchedasLonehurr
iedt
othecarandgoti
n.
Hedroveof
fthenl
ookedather
.
“
Idi
dn’
tknowBant
uist
heonet
hatdoesyourhai
r.
”
“Afri
endint
roducedus.Idi
dn’
twantyoupani
cki
ng
overthei
ssue.”
“Pani
cki
ngoverthei
ssue?That’
smygi
rl
fr
iend,
why
shoul
dyoubefri
endmygirl
fr
iend?”
“Idi
dn’tbefr
iendher.Youareblowingt hi
soutof
proport
ion.She’
sjustthepersonwhodoesmyhai r
,
that’
sall
.It
’snotli
keIam goingtotellheranything.
She’swayyoungert hanme.SheandIwi llneverbe
thosekindoffri
endswhogooutt ogether.
”
“
Idon’
tli
ket
his.Doyouseewhatal
mosthappened
t
other
e?”
“
Iam sor
ry.Idi
dn’
tknowi
twasgoi
ngt
obean
i
ssue.
”
“Idon’
twantyoubef
ri
endingmygir
lfr
iend.Youar
e
notgoingt
odoyourhairwit
hheragain.
”
Lonesi
ghedr
ubbi
ngherbump.Hel
ookedather
.
“Youwil
lhavetobuytheclothesal
one.Ican’
tri
sk
somethi
ngliket
hathappeningagai
n.”
“
Ok.Iam sor
ry.
”
Heparkedatherhouseandputhi
shandsonhi
s
head.
“Youneedt ounderstandmysi tuati
on.Thisis
somet hi
ngthatyouknow.Comewhatmay, Bantu
willal
wayscomef irsttome.Youneedt orespect
thatandalsorespecther.Ineverplannedforthis
childwit
hyou.Mat t
eroff act
,thispregnancyshould
haveneverhappenedj ustthatIam notgoingto
abandonmychi ld.
”
“
Youdon’
thavet
oexpl
ainyour
sel
ftome.I
t’
sok.
”
Shekissedhim.“Iloveyou.Ialsoreal
lyli
keBantu.
She’sanawesomeper son.Youareluckyyougot
herbabe.She’samazing.Iloveeveryt
hingabout
her.Ebil
eIcanseeyouar etakingcareofher,she’
s
gainedweight,
Icanseesomehi psandass.Ilove
thataboutyou.Ilovehowyoul oveher,i
t’
samaj or
turnon.Idon’
twantyout ochangebecauseIknow
youhaveenought ogi
vebot hofus.Youcanhandle
yourladi
es.Don’tdoubtthat.
”
Lefasmi l
edstari
ngather
.“Iwi
llf
indadaysowet
ry
again.Iam sorr
yforr
aisi
ngmyvoi ceatyou.
”
Shekissedhi
m.“I
t’
sok.Youwerefr
ustr
ated.Get
hersomethi
ngsoshedoesn’
tover
thi
nktoday’s
event
s.What’
sshedoi
ngatthemall?
”
“
Ithi
nkshe’
swi
thmysi
ster
.”
“Ewal
lethersomemoney.Mat teroffactyoushoul
d
havegivenherthecard.MotsenyetseP200for
l
unch.Thent exthersomet
hingnice…”
“
Letmedoel
eP1000.
”
“
Oh..Isn’
tthatallyouhavei
nyouraccount.Ial
so
want
edelectri
cit
y.Iwasgoingt
obuyatt hemall.
”
“
Ihaveanext
raP100.
”
Hepressedherphoneandboughthersome.He
f
orwardedthemessagetoher
.
“
Byebabydaddy.Il
oveyou.
”
“
Met
oo.
”
Lonesteppedoutofthecarandwalkedtoher
apart
ment.Sheunlockedherdoorandwalked
i
nsidethehouse.Shetookoutherphoneand
l
ookedatP50el ect
ri
cityhehadgott
enher.Tear
s
fi
ll
edhereyes,shebitherl
owerli
ptryi
ngtoholdit
i
nbutt ear
sfl
oodedhercheeks.
.
.
.
[
06/
22,
08:
14] :Fal
lenAngel
#18

AtAi
rpor
tJunct
ionMall
,Bant
usmil
edasYamasa
t
ri
edsomenicespar
kli
ngheels.
“
Thosear
eni
ce.
”
Yamasasmi
led.“
Iam get
ti
ngt
hem.
”
Bantutookouthervibr
ati
ngphoneandlookedat
theewall
etfr
om Lefa.Shesmil
edcal
li
nghim and
walkedoutoftheshop.
“
Hel
lo?
”
“
Hey,
what
’st
hemoneyf
or?
”
“
Getyour
sel
fsomet
hing.
”
“Youdidn’
thaveto.Iknowyouonat
ightbudget
becauseoftheloanyoutook.
”
“Ihaven’
tdoneanyt
hingf
oryoui
nawhi
lenow.Get
yoursel
fsomethi
ng.
”
“
Thankyou.Il
oveyou.
”
“
Iloveyout
oo.Letmepi
ckani
ncomi
ngcal
l.
”
“
Ok.
”
Hehungup,Bant
usmil
edlooki
ngatYamasawho
waswalki
ngoutoft
heshopholdi
ngtwopl
ast
ics.
“
Wear
edone?
”
Yamasanodded.“
Yes.Ican’
twai
tfort
omor
row.
”
“
Youar
egoi
ngt
olookbeaut
if
ul.
”
“
Iwi
llsendyoupi
ctur
es.
”
Theywal
kedt
othebusst
opandgoti
nacombi
.

*
**

AtBantu’shouse,
Bantuunl
ockedherdoorand
walkedinsi
dethehouseexhaust
ed.Shereached
herTVremot eandswit
chedontheTVtakingoff
hershoes.
Sheturnedassomeoneknockedonherdoor
.She
wal
kedoverandopened.Adeliver
yguysmil
ed
hol
dingar edboxandf
reshredroses.
“
Ms.Bant
uJosephs?
”
Bant
usi
ghedknowi
ngl
y.“
Yes.
”
“
Youcansi
gnher
e.”
Shesi
ghedt
hent
ookt
heboxandf
lower
s.Shet
ook
adeepbr eat
hinhal
ingt
heroses.Shewalkedtoher
vasewher el
astmonth’
sroseswhere.Shetook
them outandrepl
acedt
hem.
Sheopenedtheboxandl ookedatthemouth
water
ingvel
vetcake.Shetookthenotei
nsi
dejust
asamemor ycardchipfell
.Shepickedi
tupand
openthenot
e.
‘
Playi
t.
”
Shecuriouslyopenedherlapt
opandpushedthe
memor ycardchipin.Shetappedonthesonginsi
de
thenJaRul eandAshanti
’s'Mesmeri
ze'hi
tst
arted
playi
ng.
Involunt
ary,
alaughescapedt hr
oughherlips
foll
owedbyawaveofgui l
t.Shethoughtf
ull
ylooked
atthecakewonderingifshehadanyt hi
ngtofeel
guil
tyabout.Att
heendhewaswast i
nghisown
ti
mebecauseshewashappywi thLefaandnothing
wasgoi ngtochangethat.
Shetookaf or
kandstart
edeatingthesof
tdel
ici
ous
cake.Shemovedherbodyf r
om sidetosi
deas
Ashantisangthenshesangalongwhilet
hecake
di
dthi
ngst
ohermout
h.

‘
Lovewhenyout
ouchme,
baby
Al
lovermybody,
baby
Il
ovewhenyouki
ssme,
baby
Al
lovermybody,
baby
Il
ovewhenyout
ouchme,
baby
Al
lovermybody,
baby
Il
ovewhenyouki
ssme,
baby
Al
lovermybody,
baby’

Shepausedandfoundhersel
fsmil
ingatt
helyr
ics.
Shetookanot
herpieceoft
hecakeandlaughed
si
ngi
ng.

*
**
Lat
erthatday,
Lefaparkedhiscarathi
shouseand
pi
ckedacallwalki
nginsidehi
shouse.
“
Hel
lo?
”
“
Hey,
Iam al
mosti
nGabor
one.
”
“Ok.Ij
ustgothome.Iam changi
ngt
henIwi
ll
come.”
“Ok.Ther
ragetmeahotdogwhenyougett
her
e.I
am dohungry.Ot
senyechi
lisauce.
”
Lef
asmi
led.“
Wear
enotatuni
ver
sit
yanymor
e.”
Shelaughed.“
Babyt her
rawenaIhaven’tbeenin
Gabsinalmostayearnow.Imi ssever
ything.Iam
hopi
ngIgetat r
ansfertoMari
naHospital.Iam ti
red
ofShakawe.Iam t
ir
edofbeingf arf
rom you.”
“
Met
oo.Letmechange.
”
“
Ok.
”
Lefawalkedt ohisbedroom thentookaqui ck
showert henchanged.Hegr abbedabl ackbinand
puteverythi
ngBant ualwaysleftathi
shousei nthe
plast
ic.Hetiedthebinandl ookedaround
wonder i
ngwher ecouldthrowit.Hewal kedoutsi
de
andthr
ewitathi
sbackyardthenlockedt
hedoor
s
andgotinhi
scarchangingBantu’
snumberfr
om
‘
Babe’t
o‘MmaKenosi '
.

Atbusr ank,
Lefasmil
edasMai nagotofft
hebus.
Hisheartski
ppedashel ookedatherinahuggi ng
dressthathuggedherperfectcur
ves.Shelooked
l
ighteri
ncompl exi
onandevenmor ebeaut
iful
.
Shesmil
edgett
ingherbag.Lef
awalkedoverand
huggedher
.Shegiggl
edwrappingherar
msar ound
her.
Lef
aki
ssedher
.“Hey…”
Mai
nasmi
led.“
Imi
ssedyou.
”
“
Met
oo.Youl
ookbeaut
if
ul.
”
Hetookherbagandwalkedwit
hitt
othecar
.Mai
na
l
ookedattheAudiA6happil
y.
“
It
’sbeaut
if
ul.
”
Heputherbagi nthebootasMai nagotinthecar.
Shetookherhotdogont hedashboar dandstar
ted
eati
ng.Hegotinthecarthenstartedtheengineand
droveoff.Mai
nali
ckedherlipsput t
ingherf
eeton
thedashboardwhileadj
usti
ngherseatsoshecoul d
becomf ort
abl
e.

AtLefa’
shouse,
LefaputMaina’sbaginthe
bedroom.Hi
sphonest ar
tedr
inging.Het
ookitout
as‘MmaKenosi’cal
led.
“
Hel
lo?
”
“
Heypast
aorr
ice?
”
Mai
nal
ookedathi
m ashehel
dthephonet
ohi
sear
.
“
Anyt
hingi
sfi
ne.
”
“
Ok.Whatt
imear
eyoucomi
ng?
”
Lefapickedt
her
emot
eandswit
chedont
heTV
knowingshewaswat
chi
nghi
m.
“
Iam notsur
e.”
“
Butyouar
ecomi
ngr
ight
?”
“
Yes.
”
“
Ok.Il
oveyou.
”
Lef
aleanedoverandki
ssedhert
henwal
kedout
l
oweri
nghisvoice.
“IloveyoutoobutIam goi
ngtowatchafootbal
l
mat chbeforeIcome.KeagochekaTshepo.
Liverpoolyatsameka.
”
“
Ok.I
t’
sfi
ne.
”
Mai
nawal
kedoutandl
ookedathi
m suspi
ciousl
y.
“
Bye.
”
Hehungup.Mai
naf
oldedherar
ms.
“
Whower
eyout
alki
ngt
o?”
“
Mymot
her
,why?
”
“
Whycoul
dn’
tyout
alkt
oheri
nfr
ontofmet
hen?
”
“
What
?”
Mai
nal
ookedathi
m.“
Whycoul
dn’
tyout
alkt
oher
i
nfrontofme?Youusedt
otal
ktoheri
nfr
ontofme
bef
ore.
”
“
What
’sgoi
ngon?
”
Shelookedathi
m andsighedwonderi
ngifshewas
j
ustimagini
ngit
.Shesmi l
edthenshookherhead
andwalkedbackinthehousehereyeswanderi
ng
around.
.
.
.
[
06/
22,
08:
14] :Fal
lenAngel
#19

Intheeveni
ng,LonelookedattheTVdist
ract
ed.
Herbabymoved, shesmi l
edandputherhandon
herbell
y.Shethoughtf
ull
yreachedf
orherphone
andbitherlowerl
ipdial
inghim.
Hisphoner
angf
orawhi
let
henhepi
ckedbr
eat
hing
heavi
ly.
“
Yeah?
”
“
Uh.
.Ij
ust
..whatar
eyoudoi
ng?
”
“
MoTshepol
a,Iam busyntwana.Kamosoaker
e?Ke
t
lal
ebadihi
ghli
ght
shela.”
“
Oh.UhIwascr
avi
ngsomespi
cybi
lt
ong.
”
“
Wai
i,
youcandr
inkt
hosebeer
s.Kebusy.
”
“
Ok.
”
“
Sur
elai
taka.
”
Hehungup.LonestaredattheTVthenr
eachedf
or
herphoneandstar
tedtypi
ngalongmessagebut
tt
henthoughtot
her
wiseanddelet
edthewhol
e
message.
Sherubbedhereyesasherhear tachedsomuch
shefel
ttear
sf i
llhereyes.Shegotupandwal
kedto
herbedr
oom wher eshel ai
ddownandwetthe
pil
lowwithhertears.

*
**
AtLefa’
shouse,Mainalookedathi
sphoneashe
walkedtothebat
hroom.Shepickedherpant
yand
wipedhissementhenreachedforhi
sphone.
Sheswi
pedt
hescreenthensighed,
ofcausehe
woul
dputapassword.Shetypedhisol
dpasswor
d.
Thet
oil
etfl
ushed,Mai
naputt
hephonewher
eit
wasandlookedathi
m.
“
Ilastsawyoutwomonthsback.It
houghtyou
wouldhavel
oadsofcum wai
ti
ng.”
“
Iser
vicemysel
ftogetr
idoft
heur
ge.
”
“Ok,bor
rowmeyourphonesoIcanmakeaphone
call
.”
“
Don’
tyouhaveai
rt
ime?
”
“
No.Iwi
llbequi
ck.
”
“
Letmet
ransf
erai
rt
imet
oyout
hen.
”
“
Babe,
nkadi
mef
ounu.
”
Lefal
ookedatherbor
ed.“
What
’sgoi
ngonwi
th
you?”
“
Whatdoyoumean?
”
“Eversi
nceyouhavebeenher eokareyouare
questi
oningever
ythi
ng,whatareyouthi
nki
ng?That
Iam cheati
ngonyou? ”
“
Areyou?I
twon’
tbet
hef
ir
stt
ime.
”
“Whyar eyousti
llwi
thmei fyouhaven’tforgi
ven
mef ormypastmi st
akes?Iam notgoingt owalkon
eggshell
swithyouMai na.I
fyouarelookingfora
reasontodumpme, j
ustdoit.Ebi
lennawasmbor a.
Myphonecan’ tevenri
nganymor ebecause
everyonewho’scall
i
ngmei sasuspect .”
Mai
nal
ookedathi
mthenl
eanedbackont
hewal
l.
“
Iam sor
ry.
”
“Ihavebeenf ai
thf
ultoyouf orafullyearthatyou
l
ivedi nShakawe.Iam notevencompl ai
ningthough
thedistanceleyonedrainsme.Youchoset ogot o
Shakawe, stopmakingitseem asifIsentyouof fso
Icancheatonyou.HaveIevergi venyouar eason
tothinkIam unfai
thful
?Iam goingt owatcht he
mat chwithTshepo.Ican’tdealwit
hyour ightnow.”
Mai
nagotof
fbed.“
Whyar
eyouget
ti
ngsoangr
y?”
“Becauseyoudon’tt
rustme.Ihavebeendoing
nothi
ngbuttryi
ngtobegoodt oyou.Can’
tyoujust
appreci
atemyeffort
swithouthavi
ngtoremindme
ofmypastmi st
akes?”
“Iam sor
ry.Pl
easedon’
tgo.Iam j
ust…Iguessthe
dist
anceisgett
ingt
omet oo.Iam sor
ry.Ij
ust
…I
l
oveyou.”
“Il
oveyout
oo.Ther
e’snooneelsebutyou.Don’
t
youthi
nkwearepastthest
ageofaccusati
ons?”
Mai
nanodded.“
Youar
eri
ght
.Wear
e.Iam sor
ry.
”
Lef
aki
ssedher
.“Il
oveyou.Youar
etheonl
yone.
”
Shehuggedhi mthenclosedhereyest
akingadeep
breath.Hi
sphonestar
tedr i
ngi
ng.Shetur
nedand
reachedfori
t.
“
Yourmom.
”
Het
ooki
tandanswer
edasshegotbackonbed.
“
Hel
lo?
”
“Hey.Aren’tyoudone?Can’
tyoucomeandwat
ch
here?Iwillwatchwit
hyou.”
“
Ok.
”
Hehungup.“Kemama.ShesaysYayacal
ledher,
she’
snotfeel
ingwel
l.Ihavet
odr
opherof
fatthe
hospi
tal
.”
“
What
’swr
ong?
”
“
Herper
iod.Sheget
sinsomuchpai
n.”
“
Icancomewi
thyou.
”
“Itwon’
ttakel
ong.Doyouwantt
or emai
nwithmy
phone?Orcallmymothert
odoublechecki
fIam
tell
ingt
hetrut
h.”
“Iknowyouaret
ell
ingt
hetrut
h.Iwasj
ustaski
ngi
n
caseyouneedcompany.”
“
Letmeat
tendt
omysi
ster
.Iam comi
ng.
”
Hewal kedbackinthebathr
oom andtookaquick
showerproperlywashinghi
sdic.Hewalkedoutand
quickl
yputonsomecl othesthengr
abbedhiscar
keysandwal kedout.
“
Iam comi
ng.Il
oveyou.
”
Hewal
kedout
.Mai
nawai
tedt
il
lhi
scardr
oveof
f
thengotoffbedandstar
tedt
urni
ngeverything
upsidedownlooki
ngforsomethi
ng.
.anything.

*
**

AtBantu’
shouse,Lef
awal kedinimmediatel
y
i
nhali
ngtherosescent.Helookedatthefl
owersat
t
hecornerofherroom thenlookedather
.
“
Whoboughtyout
hosef
lower
s?”
“
Huh?
”
“
Thef
lower
s.”
Bantul
ookatt
hem asi
fshedi
dn’
tknowt
heywer
e
ther
e.
“
Oh…Iboughtt
hem.
”
Lefaki
ssed,herni
ghtdresslookedsogoodonher
,
hisdi
cksti
rr
ed.Het ouchedhereversosof
thai
r
andtookadeepbreath.
“
Whatdi
dyoubuy?
”
“
Nothing.Iwil
lfi
ndadayt henIgoandbuy.Lonei
s
acl
ientorit
’sherhusband?”
“
Who’
sthat
?”
“
Thel
adyatAcker
mans.
”
“
Idon’
tknowher
.”
“Ther
eisat
imeIoncecamet
oyourwor
kpl
aceand
sawher.
”
“
Real
ly?
”
“
Yes.Herboyf
ri
endi
sal
awyert
oo.Maybeyouwor
k
wit
hhim.”
“
Idon’
t.Maybeshe’
saclient
,justnotmi
ne.I
twas
t
hefi
rstt
imeseeingher
.”
“
Oh.
”
Lefasqueezedherbreast.Hetookof
ftheni
ght
dressandkissedherneck.Hepickedherupand
l
aidherdownont hebedt aki
ngoffherpant
y.He
suckedhernippl
esmovi nghisfi
nger
sbetweenher
pussyli
ps.
Hi
sphonest
art
edr
ingi
ngi
nhi
spocket
.Bant
u
l
ookedathi
m.
“
Phone.
”
Lef
atookitoutt
hinki
ngofi
gnor
ingi
tbutt
hent
his
wasMaina.
“
Cli
ent
.Letmeanswer
.”
Hegotoffherandwalkedout.Bant
uputonher
clot
hesthenheat
edhisfood.Lefawal
kedbacki
n
thehouse.Shehandedhim hi
splat
e.
“
Ther
e.”
Lefal
ookedatherput
ti
ngthepl
atedown.“
Whatwi
ll
i
ttakeforyout
oseethatIr
eal
lyl
oveyou?”
“
What
?”
“
Ist
her
esomet
hingmi
ssi
ngi
nourr
elat
ionshi
p?”
“
No.
”
“If
eell
iket
her
e’ssomethingIam notdoi
ngr
ightf
or
you.Ormaybeyoujustdon’
ttrustme?”
“
Ido.What
’swr
ongs?
”
“
Whenwi
llyout
rustmeenought
oreal
lyl
etmei
n.I
havebeenpat ientenough.Lennakelapil
ebecause
IfeelIam givi
ngandnotget tinganyt
hinginret
urn.
It
’snotevenr ati
onaltotel
lmeyouwantmet owait
ti
llmarriagebecauserightnowyouar esti
llaschool
student.Doyout hi
nkit’sfai
r?”
“
Iloveyou.Iam j
ustnotr
eady.
”
“Thenmaybeweshoul dcalli
tquit
s.Iloveyout
oo
butIdon’tt
hinkl
ovealoneisenough.Ihavetri
ed,
I
can’tanymoresoit
’sbet
terweendi t
.”
“
Pleasedon’
tsayt
hat
.”
“Iwanttofeelyou.Iwantyou.I
t’
snotli
keyouar
e
bri
ngingmucht othetabl
e,maybeifyoumetme
half
way,thingswouldbewaybet t
er.
”
Tear
sfi
ll
edhereyes.“
Ijustneedt
ime.
”
“
Ok.Thenlet
’scal
litqui
ts.That
’si
t.Iam goi
ng.I
t
hinki
t’
sbestImoveon.”
“
Pleasedon’
tsayt
hat
.Il
oveyou.
”
“
Thenl
etmei
n.”
Heputhi
shandsonherwaistandkissedher
.Tear
s
r
andownBantu’
scheeksashel ai
dherdownand
undressedher.Hegoti
n-bet
weenherl
egsandt
ook
outhisdick,
hisli
psonhers.
Lefaranhi
sdickupanddownhersl
it
hthenpushed
atherti
nyhol
e.
“
Lef
a…wai
t…”
Heki
ssedherpushi
ng.Bant
upushedhi
schest
.
“
Lef
a,st
op!Ican’
t.Pl
easest
op.Iam notr
eady.
”
Hepushedherhandsont
opofherheadand
#r
emoved.
.
.
.
[
06/
22,
08:
14] :Fal
lenAngel
#20

Bantupassedthemainhousethi
nki
ngofknocki
ng
onthedoor,shetur
nedtoherr
oom andwatchedas
Lef
astaggeredout.I
twoul
dtakemmagwe
Mal
ebogol
ongt
oopent
hedoor
.
Sheranoutinthestreetandquickl
yputonher
ni
ghtdress.Shebreathedheavi
lyrunni
ng.Hersol
e
st
eppedr i
ghti
ntoat horn,
Bantuputherhandover
mouthsonott oscream asthepainmadeherenti
re
bodyshiver
.
Shecl
osedhereyesl
ett
ingoutamuf
fl
edscr
eam.
“
Bant
u!”
Bantuturnedheari
nghisvoicethenl ookedatt he
tr
enchonsi deoftheroadandt hesmal lbr i
dge.She
bendedandpul l
edoutthethorn,shegr oanedi n
painandquickl
yjumpedi nthetrenchf all
ing.She
quickl
ywentunderthebridgeandsatdown.She
putherphoneonsi l
entandheldi tt
ightly,herheart
pounding.
Minuteslateracarpassedbyslowly,shehel
dher
breathti
lli
tpassed.Sheunlockedherphone
shakingandputt hebri
ghtnessonzero.She
scrol
ledthroughhercontactstr
yingt
of i
nd
someonet ohelpherbuttherewasnoone.She
thoughtofLonebutmaybeshewasbusywi t
hher
boyfr
iendandherpr
egnantst
atewoul
dn’
tmake
thi
ngsanyeasier
.
ThenYamasa…t hi
swasherbrot
her.Shewould
obviousl
ysi
dewithhim.Tear
sfi
ll
edhereyesand
droppedonthescreen.
Hest ar
tedcall
ing,shewatcheditti
lli
tst
oppedas
painchokedher .Awhil
elater,
anunsavednumber
star
tedcall
ing.Shelookedatitknowingitwashi
m,
maybebor r
owedsomeoneel se’sphone.
I
tst
oppedthenstar
tedagai
n,shepi
ckedand
r
emainedqui
et.
“
Iam dr
ivi
ngover
.Iwantt
oseeyou.
”
Shepausedt
henhel
dherphonepr
oper
lysni
ff
ing.
“
Hel
lo?
”
“
Isai
dIam dr
ivi
ngover
.Iwantt
oseeyou.
”
“
Iam nothome.Goback.
”
“
Areyouok?
”
“Canyoust
opmaki ngmyl i
fedi
ffi
cul
tbecauseyou
can.I
t’
sunnecessary.Whyareyoudoingt
his?Why
can’tyoujustl
ist
en? ”Shepausedtalki
ngasher
phonest ar
tedshaking.Apainfulbl
ocksatonher
thr
oat ,
shebitherlowerlipt
ryi
ngt okeepi
ttoget
her
butthemor eshetried,t
hemor eitbecameway
harder.
Sheputherhandonhermout
hcr
ying.
“
Bant
u?What
’sgoi
ngon?
”
Painsl
it
heredar
oundhermakingherheartache
evenmoreasshethoughtofheri
nnocencetaken
j
ustli
kethat.
“
Hey…tal
ktome.Thatcan’
tbememaki
ngyoucr
y
l
iket
hat
.”
Sheopenedhermout
htot
alkbutr
athercr
iedeven
more.
“He…he…I..he..Isai
dno.Hedi
dn’
tli
sten…hej
ust
..
Ididn’
twantto.Isaidst
op.
”
“
Wher
ear
eyou?Icancomeandgetyou.
.”

*
**
Puleputonhiscapandqui
ckl
ywal
kedoutofhi
s
housethengotinhi
scarpr
essi
ngt
hegateremot
e.
“Bant
u,wher
eareyou?Iam onmywaynow.Iwi
ll
betherei
n…tenminut
es.
”
Shecriedmoremakinghim shake.Hestar
tedthe
carandrever
sedoutthenpressedthegateremote
dri
vingoff
.
“
Tal
ktome.Iam comi
ng.Wher
ear
eyou?
”
“
Undert
hebr
idgeont
her
oad.
”
“
Ok.Iam comi
ng.
”
Shedr
oppedthecall
.Hest
eppedont
heaccel
erat
or
anddr
oveoffspeedi
ng.

*
**

Lef
alookedatYamasa.
“
Cal
lheragai
n.”
Yamasal
ookedathi
m.“
Whatdi
dyoudot
oher
?”
“
Not
hing.Whywoul
dIdoanyt
hingt
oher
?”
Yamasacall
edheragai
n.Herphonej
ustr
angt
il
lit
st
opped.Shetypedamessage.
Yamasa:Bant
u,ar
eyouok?Iam wor
ri
ed.Pi
ckmy
cal
ls.
Shesentt
hemessageandcal
ledheragai
n.
“Shei
snotpicking.She’
s…maybeshe’
sdoi
nghai
r
somewhereclosebyatherhouset
hat’
swhyshe’
s
notpi
cki
ng.”
Lef
anoddedthenwalkedoutofherhousewor
ri
edl
y.
Yamasawalkedbehi
ndhim.
“
Goandwai
tforher
.Shewi
llbeback.
”
“
Okt
hanks.
”
Hegoti
nhi
scaranddr
oveof
ftr
yingt
ocal
lagai
n.

*
**
Puleparkedthecarneart hebr
idgei
nherstreet
thensteppedoutoft hecarcal
li
ngher.Herphone
rangunanswer ed.Hejumpedinthetr
enchand
l
ookedathert erri
fi
edface.
“Hey.
.it
’sok.I
t’
sme.
.Iam notgoi
ngt
ohur
tyou.
Let’
sgo.”
Hepulledherfrom under
neat
hthebridgeand
pi
ckedherupt hengotoutofthetr
enchcarryi
ngher
.
Hewal kedroundthecarandputheronthefront
passengerseat.
Hewalkedroundhi scarthenjumpedi n.Pul
e
l
ookedathertear
f uleyes.Sher ubbedoffat
eart
hat
hadrol
leddownasanot herrol
leddown.Shesnif
fed
asmoretearsrol
leddown.
Hepul
ledhercl
oserandhuggedher
.
“
Hewi
llpayf
ori
tdear
ly.
”
Shegr abbedhist-
shir
tcryi
ng.Shecr i
edsomucht i
ll
shewasj ustgaspingforair
,herbodyquiveri
ng.
Puleadjustedhisseattur
ningoffthecarli
ghtsand
engine.Hepulledheronhislapthenheldherlikehe
wouldhol dababy.
Bantur
estedherheadonhischestsi
lent
lycr
ying
whil
eholdi
nghimtight
ly.
Her ubbedherback,shesl
owl ygotqui
et,
her
breathi
nggetti
nglessheavy.Almostanhourl
ater
,
Pulepulledhercl
oserrewrappinghi
sarmsaround
her.
“
Bant
u..
?”
“
Ng…”
“
Weshoul
dgot
othepol
icest
ati
on.
”
Sheshookherheadandwhi
sper
ed.“
Hospi
tal
…I
wantt
oseeadoct or
.”
“
Ok.
”
Headj
ust
edhisseatabitmoresohecoul
dsi
tup
t
henst
art
edtheengine.Shet
ri
edmoving.
“
It
’sok.
”
Sheputherheadonhi
schestt
henhedr
oveof
f.

*
**
Lef
apar kedthecaratherhouseandwalkedi
nsi
de.
Helookedar oundt
heroom wonderi
ngwhatwas
goi
ngthr oughhermind.Orifshewasok.
Lef
atookouthi
sphoneandcal
ledhi
sfat
her
.
“
Lef
a..i
t’
slat
e.Iam sl
eepi
ng.
”
“
Iwantt
opaybr
idepr
icef
orBant
u.”
“
Isn’
tshej
ust19?
”
“Sheisgoi
ngfortwenty.Maybewecandothe
whit
eweddingaftershe’
sdonewit
hschool
.Right
nowcan’tIj
ustpaymagadi?”
“Iwi
llt
alkt
oyouruncl
ethencomebackt
oyou.But
doyouhaveenoughmoney?”
“
Yes.
”
“Ok.Letmetal
ktoyouruncl
efi
rst
.Buti
fso…when
didyouwantthi
sdone?”
“
Assoonaspossi
ble.
”
“
Ok.Iwi
llcal
lyou.
”
.
.
.
[
06/
22,
08:
15] :Fal
lenAngel
#21

PuleparkedataPri
vateCli
nicthenopenedt
hedoor
andcar r
iedheri
nsi
de.Hewal kedovert
othe
recept
ionwherealadysattal
kingonthephone.
Shel
ookedatPul
ethenthewomanhehadi
nhi
s
ar
msputti
ngthephonedown.
“
OkaeBar
ona?
”
“
He’
sinhi
sof
fi
ce.
”
“Canyout
ellhi
m Iam her
e.Ineedhi
mtoexami
ne
her.
”
ShelookedatBant uthenstoodupandwalkedto
thedoctor
’soffi
ce.Shecamebackmi nutesl
ater
withadoctor.BaronalookedatPul
ethenBantu.
“
Thi
sway.
”
Pulefol
lowedhimtooneoft heroomsthenput
Bantudown.Bantufixedherni
ghtdressand
properl
ylookedatt
hedoctor.
“
Pleaseexami
neher .
”HetouchedBant
u’shand.
“
Lethimtakealook.Iwi
llwai
toutsi
deok?”
Bant
unoddedt
henhewal
kedout
.Bar
onaf
oll
owed
hi
m out
.
“
What
’sgoi
ngon?
”
“
Someonef
orcedhi
msel
fonher
.”
“
Who’
sshe?
”
“
Noneofyourbusi
ness.Begent
lewi
thher
.”
Baronasmi
led.“
Shel
ooksyoung,
youngert
hanyou
usuall
ygof
or.”
“
She’
sspeci
al.At
tendt
oher
.”
Baronachuckledt
henwal
kedinsi
dether
oom.
Bantulookedathi
mtear
ful
lyasheputonhi
s
gl
oves.
“
What
’syourname?
”
“
Bant
u.”
“Iwanttohel
pyou.Youaregoi
ngtohel
pmehelp
you.Whathappened?Youdon’
thavet
ogoi
nto
detai
l.
”
“He…”Shetookadeepbr eat
hastear
sfil
ledher
eyes.Sheswal
lowed.“Iam vi
rgi
n.Pl
easecheckifI
sti
llam.Hepushedreall
yhard.I
twaspainful
.”
“
Ok.Youcanputont
hison.
”
Hehandedherahospit
algownthendroppedthe
cur
tai
ndivi
dingt
heroom.Bantutookoffherdr
ess
andputonthegown.
“
Iam done.
”
Bar
onamovedt
hecur
tai
nandl
ookedather
.
“
Youcanl
iedown.Iam goi
ngt
ohavet
olook.
”
Shenoddedthenli
eddown.Baronaopenedherlegs
asBantucl
osedhereyest
ryi
ngt ozoneout.Bar
ona
i
nser
tedafinger
.Bant
ufli
nchedmovingback.
“Relaxforme…Ij
ustwantt
ochecki
fyourhymeni
s
sti
llint
act.
”
Shetookadeepbr eat
hthenhepushedal ubr
icat
ed
fi
ngerinfoll
owedbyanotherone.Shef r
owned
uncomfortabl
ythenhepushedt hem f
urtheri
nher.
Shefli
nchedandclosedherlegs.
Bar
onat
ookof
fhi
sgl
ovesandputonanewset
“
Open.
.”
Shesl
owlyopenedthenhecont
inuedwi
ththe
exami
nati
on.Minut
eslat
erhecl
osedherlegsand
l
ookedather.
“
Am Ist
il
lavi
rgi
n?Hedi
dn’
tputt
hewhol
ethi
ngi
n.”
“Therearef ol
dsofskin,andbef oreyouevengett o
theactualvagina,t
here’st hevulva,avest i
bule,
whichcanbeupt oalmostani nchdeeporso, and
thenthehymenealopeni ngwhi chleadst othe
vagina.Justtheti
pIt akei nthiscasei sli
kelyto
onlyhavebeensi tt
inginorpushi ngintothevul va,
butitprobablyfel
tli
kebei ngi nsideHewoul dn’t
haven’tevenpassedt hehymen.I ft
het i
pwer eto
onlypasst hehymenyouwoul dhaver eal
lyfeltit
.
Thevul vaalsohasmuscl esthatcanbet i
ght,andi s
tenderandcanhur tandevenbl eed.”
“
SoIam avi
rgi
n?”
“Thehymeni sstil
lintact.Youar eavirgin.There’
s
j
usti r
rit
ati
ongoi ngon.Iam goi ngtorunsomet ests
andgi veyouar epor tsot hatyouusei tatthepolice.
Thisisasaf eplace.Ther ei sapolicyyadoct orto
pati
entconf i
dential
ity.YesPul eisaf r
iendbut
protecti
ngyoui smyf ir
stpr i
ori
ty.Icanhel pyou.”
“No.It
’snothi
m.It
’smyboyfr
iend.Hejust
…Iam
notreport
inghi
m.Hejustl
ostcontr
ol.
”
“
Aboyf
ri
endcanal
sor
apeyou.
”
“Lef
aisnotarapist
.He’
snotli
kethat
.Hehasnever
donethatbef
ore.He’
snotarapi
st.
”
“Iwi
llgi
veyout
hereportnonet
heless.Whenyou
deci
detoopenacase,youwill
.”
Bantulai
ddownt r
yingtokeephertear
sfr
om f
all
ing.
Baronawalkedout.Pul
elookedathim.
“
What
’sgoi
ngon?
”
“Boyf
riend.Shewon’topenacase.Shesayshe’ s
notarapist.Justt
hathelostcontr
ol.Iwi
llmakea
repor
tnonet hel
essfort
hefuture.
”
“
Letmet
alkt
oher
.”
“
Youcan’
tfor
ceher
.”
“I
fshe’
snotopeni
ngacaseit’
sfi
nemmemot haka
watengwagonyelabl
ind.(
Thoughhe’sgoi
ngt o
payfori
t.
)He’sgoi
ngt
owi shsheopenedacase.”
“
Hedi
dn’
tdomuch.She’
sst
il
lint
act
.”
“
Int
act
?”
“Yeah.Tsayangwanaomor ekel
edij
o.Otswerwe
ketala.Lewenaogonnagobonagor egotswer
we
ketala.(Pl
easetaket
hischi
ldandbuyherfood.
She’shungry.Youcanseethatshe’
shungry.
)”
Pul
eignoredhimthenwalkedinsi
det
heroom.She
sni
ff
edwi pi
nghetearswitht
hebackofherhand.
Shelookedathi
mt ear
ful
ly.
Pul
erubbedat
earof
fhercheek.
“
Hey.
.”
Shel
ookedasmor
etear
sfel
l.Pul
ecuppedherf
ace.
“
Youar everybeauti
ful
…doyouknowthat?Just
t
iny.Butbeauti
ful
.Didyoul
iket
hecake?Ihadit
bakedonl
yforyou.
”
“
Ihat
edi
t.
”
“
Butyouat
eit
.”
“
BecauseIdon’
tli
ket
hrowi
ngf
oodaway.
”
Pul
elaughed.“Oraokgori
lel
eyoneboxtot
a.(
You
meanafterl
icki
ngeventheboxi
tsel
f.
)”
Shei
nvol
unt
arysmi
led.“
Idi
dn’
tdot
hat
.”
“
DidyouevenknowVel
vetcake?Kanagongweo
meoberekagomakal
ahela.Dil
otsaSer
owe.”
Shel
aughed.“
Youar
ehar
assi
ngme.
”
Pulesmil
ed.“
Igotyou..autwa?( Doyouhearme?
)
Whathappenedtodaywillneverhappenagai
n
becauseIwon’
tleti
t.Iwanttokissyou.”
“
Idon’
twantt
ocheat
.”
“
Good.BecauseIal
sodon’
tli
keshar
ing.
”
Heleanedoverandki ssedher.Bant
ugaspedashis
l
ipstouchedhers.Herheartracedasheslowl
y
fr
enchkissedher,herpalmsitchedwhi
leherbody
sl
owlydissol
vinginhisarms.
Thedooropened, Pulemovedawayl eavi
ngherl
ips
sli
ghtl
yopent hentookouthisr
ingi
ngphoneand
walkedoutpicking.Bant
uslowl
ylaiddownand
rubbedthegoosebumpsonherski n.

*
**

AtLefa’
shouse,Lef
aparkedhiscarandwalked
i
nsidethehouse.Mainal
ookedathim,thepl
asti
c
wit
hBant u’
scl
othesonthetabl
e.
“
Who’
sbel
ongi
ngsar
etheseLef
a?”
“ThoseareYamasa’sthingsthatshelonglef
t.Iam
notinthemoodf ornonsense.Iam str
essed
enoughasitis.Iam notgoi
ngt oenter
tai
nyour
nonsense.
”
“Whyareyoulyi
ng?Behonesthel aLefa,behonest
sothatwecanpl anapr operwayforward.You
knowyouar el
ying.Thesecl ot
hesarenotyour
si
ster’
s.Whatwoul dyoukeepyoursi st
er’
sclot
hes
outsi
de?Iknowt here’
ssomeoneel se.Youdon’t
havet
oli
etome.Justbehonest
.Keagokopa.
”
“
Iam goi
ngt
osl
eep.
”
“Youar enotgoi ngtosleepwhenIam t alki
ngtoyou.
Obat agont enaLefa.Iam givingyouachancet o
behonestbecauseIknowyou.I t
’sl
iesthatannoy
me, youknowmebynow.Osekawabat ago
ntester.It’
stheconfidenceofsl eepi
ngar oundwith
anugl yunci rcumci
seddi cthatmakesyout hi
nkyou
canl i
et ome.Iknowt hisbelongt ot
henewwhor e
youar ef ucking.Who’sbelongingsar et
hese?
Helookedatherangr
yfaceknowi
ngi
tcoul
dtur
n
sout
h.
“Thosear
eYamasa’
scl
othes.Idon’
tknowwhat
elseyouwantmet
osay.
”
“Lefaplease…Idon’twanttosl
eepangrytoni
ght
.I
j
ustcameback.Imi ssedyousomuch.Iloveyou.
Sopl easejustt
ellme…who’sbelongi
ngsare
these?”
“Doyouwantmet olie?ThoseareYamasa’s
clot
hes.Itookt
hem outbecauseIknewyouwoul
d
dothis.Yamasasl
eepsheremostoft het
ime
becauseoftheWiFi
.Mysi st
erisnotwel
l.Iam
al
readystr
essedbecausethedoctorsar
esaying
shemightneedasurgery.Canyoustopallthi
s?I
haveenoughgoingonalready.
”
Shelookedathi
stearfuleyes.Hewalkedtothe
bedr
oom.Lefaworriedlydial
edheragainbutthi
s
ti
meherphonewasof f.Herubbedhi
seyesunsur e
ofwhattothi
nkanymor e.
.
.
.
[
06/
22,
08:
15] :Fal
lenAngel
#22

Bant
uslowlygotoffbedaft
erBaronawasdone,
Pul
ehelpedherputonhisjackett
hatr
eachedher
midthi
ghsandzippeditup.
Hel
ookedathershoel
essf
eett
henpi
ckedherup.
“
Icanwal
k.”
“
Youdon’
thaveshoeson.Iwi
llcar
ryyou.
”
Hewal
kedoutwi
thher
.Therecept
ioni
stwatched
wi
thasourf
aceasPul
ewalkedpastherwit
houta
wor
d.
Heputherint
hecarpul
ledtheseatbel
toverher
.
Shewatchedhi
m cl
osethedoorforherthengoti
n
thecar
.
“
Hadyoueat
en?
”
“
Ng.
.”
HedroveoffasBant
uwonder
edi
fhewasst
il
lat
herhouse.
“
Youcandr
opmeof
fataf
ri
end’
shouse.
”
“
Youar
ecomi
ngwi
thme.I
t’
slat
e.”
“Iam notcomf
ort
abl
ewi
tht
hat
.Idon’
tevenknow
you.
”
Pul
eturnedtoherwi
thasmi
le.“
Yetyouar
e
comfor
tabl
eenoughtoki
ssme.”
Hervoi
cegotlower.“
Idi
dn’
tki
ssyou.Youki
ssed
me.Iam notcomfort
abl
ewit
hanythi
ng.
”
“
Youcoul
dsaynoandIwoul
dst
op.
”
Hest oppedthecarandkissedherunexpect
edl
y.
Hiskisseswerediffer
entandshewasn’tsur
ewhy
theyalwaysrenderedherweak.Herli
psmoved
againsthist
henhechuckl edmovingbackand
steppingontheaccelerat
or.
Shelookedoutt
hrought
hewi
ndowinsil
ence.He
drovethr
oughhisgat
eawhi
lel
atert
henparkedas
thegatecl
osed.
“Idon’twanttoworr
yaboutyoursafetytoni
ghtso
ratherIhaveundert
hesamer oof.Iwon’
tdo
anythingtoyou.Iam notgoi
ngtohurtyou.”
Hesteppedoutofthecarandpickedherup.He
wal
kedt othedoorwit
hherandopenedwal ki
ngin.
Pul
eputherdownont hecouch.Shel
ookedaround,
i
twasver ycleanandever
ythi
ngseemedinplace.
“
Doyouwantanyt
hing?Icanor
deryousomet
hing
t
oeat
.”
“
Iam nothungr
y.Iam f
ine.Thankyou.Ij
ustwant
t
osl
eep.”
“
Iwi
llt
akeyout
othebedr
oom.
”
“
Buther
eisf
ine.
”
Hethrewherovert
heshoul
derandwal
kedt
othe
bedr
oom wherehelai
dherdownbed.
“
That’
sthebat
hroom.Youcanputonsomet
hing
f
rom t
hewardr
obe.”
“
Thankyou.
”
“
Cal
lmei
fyouneedanyt
hing.
”
“
Ok.
”
Pulewalkedout .Bantutookadeepbreat
hthen
unzippedhisjacketandt ooki
toff
.Sheli
mpedto
thebathroom andt ookoffherni
ghtdr
ess.
Awhi l
elatershewalkedoutwithatowelwr apped
aroundherbody.Sheopenedt heduvetsandl ai
d
downst ar
ingattheceil
ing.Mi
nuteslatersheturned
tohersideandtookadeepbr eatht
ryingtosleep.
Shetur
nedagai
nandsi
ghedcl
osi
ngeyest
ryi
ngt
o
sl
eep.
*
**

Thef ol
lowingmorni
ngLonefi
nishedmaki
ngher
breakfastearl
ymorni
ngthencall
edLef
a.
“
Hel
lo?
”
“
Hi.Imadebr
eakf
ast
.Passby.
”
“
Ican’
t.Iam busy.
”
“
Busywi
thwhat
?”
“
Canwet
alkl
ater
?”
“
IsBant
uatyourhouse?
”
“
No.Butdon’
tcome.Iam busy.Iwi
llseeyoul
ater
.”
Hehungup.Lonel ookedatherbr
eakf
astthen
nicel
ypackediti
naTupper waret
henwalkedoutof
thehousegoingtohercar.

*
**

AtLef
a’shouse,
Loneopenedt
hegat
ethendr
ovei
n
andparkednextt
ohis.Shetookadeepbreat
h
steppi
ngoutofhercart
henwalkedtothedoorand
knocked.Shesl
owlyopenedthedoorandwalkedi
n.
Aladywalkedf
rom t
heki
tchenwear
ingt
inyshor
ts
andacroptop.
Lonef
rowned.“
Whoar
eyou?
”
“
Whowhat ?Ishouldbeaskingyout
hatquest
ion
madam becauseyouaretheonewho’sl
ether
selfi
n
myhouse.Whoar eyou?”
Loneputt
heTupper
war
edownandl
aughed.
“Wher
eisLef
a?”
“
Whoar
eyou?
”
“
Iam Lef
a’sgi
rl
fr
iendasyoucansee.
”
“
Wai
tseLef
a…Lef
a!”
Lefawal
kedfrom t
hebedroom t
henpausedst
ari
ng
atLone,
hishear
tskippi
ng.
Lonewal
kedover
.“Babewho’
sthi
s?”
Mainal
aughed.“
War ebaby?Baby?Lef
a,Iam about
t
olosei
t.Who’sthi
sfatpumpkin?Andwhatare
yourwhor
esdoi
ngi
nmyhouse?Lef
a!”
“
Don’
tcal
lmeawhor
e.Youdon’
tknowme.
”
“Youarewhorebecauset
hismani smyman.Iwil
l
callyouwhat
everIwantt
ocallyou.Ebi
leot
sil
eka
diTupperwar
e…inmyhouse?Myhouse! ”
Lefalookedatbot
hofthem thenwal
kedbackt
othe
bedroom.Mainawentafterhim.
“
Sonowyourwhor
esevensl
eepi
nthehouse?
”
Lefagrabbedhi
slapt
opbagwithhisf
il
eshenhi
s
phoneseemingl
yunbother
ed.Lonewalkedi
n
sni
ffi
ng.
“
Lef
awhat
’sgoi
ngon?
”
“Maina,t
hisisAl
one.Soont
obemybabymama.
Alone,t
hisisMai
na.Mygirl
fr
iend.Shest
aysi
n
Shakawe.”
Loneli
pst
rembl
edasshel
ookedathi
m.“
And
Bantu?
”
Mai
naf
oldedherar
ms.“
Ebi
let
her
e’sanot
herone.
”
“
Ther
ewoul
dnothavebeenanyoft
hem i
fyou
stayedclosertome.Iam humant oo,whatdidyou
expect?ThatIwouldjustbewai t
ingf oryouthe
entir
et i
me?Bant ui
smygi rl
fri
endal so,soontobe
wife.Ifanyonewantstoleave,t
hedoori sopen.You
arenotbei ngfor
cedtostay.”
Hewalkedoutandgoti
nhiscart
hendroveoff
cal
li
ngBantuagai
nbuthernumberwassti
llnot
goi
ngthrough.
Mai
nal
ookedatLone’
sbump.
“Lef
aismymansweet y.Wamemonnakel ebel
ete,I
knowhi m.It’
shi sst yle,thatbumpofyour sdoesn’t
scaremeatal l.If eelsor ryforyoubecauset hat
chil
disgoingt obeyourchi ldonl y.NnamamaI
don’tt
akelightlytol itt
legar bagehemakesout
ther
e.Youwi llbegoodt of i
ndt hatbesidest hat
chil
dyouar ecar ing, hehast woifnott hr
eeot her.
Youbet t
erprepar et obeasi nglemot her.Youbet ter
workhardtot akecar eofyourl i
ttlenonsense
becauseLef awon’ tbedoi ngt hat.Don’tforgettotel
l
theotheroneandIhopeIneverseeyouher eever
againbecausenextt i
me. .youwi llr
egretitbabygi r
l.
Outwego! ”
LonelookatMainathent
urnedandwal
kedout
.She
droveoutcal
li
nghim.
“
Yes?
”
Lonet
ookadeepbreat
h,t
ear
sfi
ll
inghereyes.
“What
’sgoi
ngon?
”
“Whatwer
eyoudoi
ngatmyhouse?Di
dn’
tIt
ellyou
nott
ocome?”
“
Lef
a…”
“I
fyouli
stenedyouwouldn’
tbecr
yingri
ghtnow.I
am notgoingtodealwi
thpai
nyouint
enti
onal
ly
causedyoursel
f.
”
“
Youar
ehur
ti
ngme.
”
“Youar
ehurt
ingyoursel
f.Wecanal
waysendi
t,I
don’
tcar
e.Whateverworksf
oryou.
”
Lonesl
oweddowncr yi
ng.“
Youneversai
dther
e’s
someoneel
seexpectfr
om Bant
u.”
“Wellt
herei
s.Dealwit
hitorleave.Idon’
tevenowe
youanythi
ng.Ineverwant
edanyt hi
ngmor ethan
sexwithyou.Tobehonestitshouldhaveonlybeen
MainaandBantu.Youwereneverpar tofi
t.You
t
hrewyoursel
fatme.It
oldyout
oabor
tandyou
r
efused.St
opmakingyourpr
obl
emsmyprobl
ems.
”
Hedroppedthecall
.Lonestoppedt
hecarandput
herhandsonherfacecryi
ng.

*
**

AtPule’
shouse,Bantuopenedhereyestomusic
pl
ayinginthehouselatert
hatmorni
ng.Shelooked
att
hensunshi ni
ngthroughthewi
ndowt hensat
upr
ightyawning.
Shepausedr eal i
zingshewasnowwear i
ngan
oversizedt-shirti
nsteadoft hetowelshehadsl ept
with.Shegotof fbed,thet-shir
tdroppingtoher
knees.Shewal kedoutbar efootedandl ooked
aroundt hehousewhi lemusi cplayed.Shetooka
deepi nhal
ingt hesmel loffood.Shepausedhear ing
himt alkoutsidet henwalkedt othedoorand
openedi t.
Shel
ookedathi
m seat
edont
opofhi
scarsmoki
ng
whiletal
kingonthephone.Puleturnedandlooked
ather.Hesmi l
edt henhoppeddownandwal ked
overthrowinghiscigar
ett
eont heground.He
steppeditthenproceededovertoher.
Bantul
ookedathimthenhistatt
oos.Shetooka
deepashewr appedhi
sarm aroundherwaist.He
ki
ssedherneckmakingherbreathhi
ked,hisphone
onhisear
.
“
Iwil
lcheckt
hestuffwhenIgett
here.I
tbett
erbe
r
ealandhebett
erhavemymoneyi nful
l…”
Hi
sdeepvoi
cemadehershi
veri
nhi
sarms.Hi
shot
br
eat
honherneckmadeherhol
dontohi
m.
Hemovedhi sli
pstoher
eandkissedherl
ist
ening
towhatotherper
sonwassayi
ngt henwhi
spered
agai
nstherli
ps.
“
Youl
ookgood,
yourf
oodi
sint
hemi
crowave.
”
Heletgoandwalkedtohiscar
.Bant uswall
owed
thent
urnedandwalkedinthehouse.Therewasjust
somethi
ngabouthimthatmadei thardf
orherto
thi
nkorfunct
ionwhenhewascl osetoher.
ShethoughtofLef
a,obvi
ousl
ythi
smadeher
cheater
.Aft
erever
ythi
nghehaddonef orher,he
didn’
tdeser
vehercheati
ngontopofeveryt
hing
el
se.
Pul
ehuggedherf
rom behi
nd.“
Sleepi
ngbeaut
y..
”
Bant
utur
nedandmovedbacksl
ippi
ngf
rom hi
s
ar
ms.
“Ineedt
ogohome.Youcan’
tkeeponki
ssi
ngme.I
am inarel
ati
onshi
p.”
“
Wit
har
api
st?
”
“Hei
snotliket
hat.He’sneverdonet
hatbef
ore.He
l
ostcontr
ol.Hehasbeengoodt omeallt
hiswhil
e.
Yest
erdaywon’tcancelt
hatout.
”
“
Nogooddonecanj
ust
if
yrape.What
’shi
snameby
t
heway?
”
“
Lef
a.Pl
easet
akemehome.
”
“
Hissur
name?
”
“Ke-Matshaba.Whatar
eyoudoi
ngwi
thhi
s
surname?”
“
Not
hing.Icookedf
oryou.Pl
easeeat
.”
Hepi
ckedherandputheront
hekitchencount
ers
t
hengotherpl
atef
rom t
hemicrowaveoven.
Thegateopened.Pul
eputthepl
atedown.“My
brot
heri
shere.Letmeatt
endtohim.Iam comi
ng.
”
Thedooropenedt
henTshepowalkedin.Pul
e
fr
ownedannoyedmovi
ngfrom Bantu.
“
Soyouj
ustwal
kinwi
thoutknocki
ng?
”
Tshepol
aughed.Bant
utur
nedandf
rozeasTshepo
l
ookedatheri
nshock.
Helookedathi
solderbr
other
.“Whatar
eyoudoi
ng
wi
thLefa’
sgirl
?”
.
.
.
[
06/
22,
08:
15] :Fal
lenAngel
#23
Pulel
ookedathim wit
haf r
own,Bantugotofft
he
count
er,herhear
traci
ng.Pulel
ookedather.
“Soit
’sLef
ahel
awasLef
a.Doesn’
tPul
ehavea
gir
lf
ri
end?”
Tsheposi
ghed.“
That
’st
hegi
rl
fr
iend.
”
“Thisisnott
hegirl
fr
iend.Kerayangwanyanayole
wagagweyomosweuebi lealemaswenyana.(
I
meant hatgi
rlofhi
swho’ sli
ghtski
nnedandabit
ugly.)
”
“She’
snoti
nthepi
ctur
e.Bant
u,whatar
eyoudoi
ng
here?
”
“
I-
“
“
Got
othebedr
oom.Iwi
llt
alkt
ohi
m.”
“
I-
“
“
Isai
dtot
hebedr
oom.Iwi
llt
alkt
ohi
m.”
Sheswal l
owedthenwalkedtothebedroom.She
tookoffhist
-shi
rtandputonhernightdress
worri
edly.
Sheputherhandonchestt
ryi
ngt
ocal
m down.
*

Tshepol
ookedathi
sol
derbr
other
.
“
Iam goi
ngwi
thher
.That
’sLef
a’sgi
rl
fr
iend.
”
“
IknowLef
ahasanot
hergi
rl
fr
iend.Iam notst
upi
d.”
“That’
snonofyourbusi
ness.Hel ovesBant
u.You
can’t
…youneedtoleaveheralone.Lefai
shandli
ng
yourcase.Whati
fhesabotagesyou? ”
“Idon’tneedLefatodoshi tforme.Goodthingi
t’
s
him, youaregoingtowar nhimformebecausenext
ti
meIwon’ tbesonice.Ifeverhetr
ieswhathetri
ed
l
astni ght,
wagol elabli
nd.Iam notjoki
ng.I
fhe
can’tloveherproperl
yheshoul dl
eaveher.”
“
Ok.Tel
lBant
utocomeout
.Iam goi
ngwi
thher
.”
“
Youarenot
.Iwil
ltakeher
.Osekawabat
ago
mpapel
a.Whatdoyouwant?”
“Doesithavet
obeher ?I
tcanbeanyone,
justnot
her.Lef
aismyf r
iendandIcan’
thavemybrother
f
ucki
ngher
.Hel
ovesher
.Canyoul
eaveheral
one?
”
“
Whatdi
dyouwant
?”
“Bantuistooinnocentforyourshi
t.Justbesi
des
thatshe’sLefa’
sgirl
,she’
stooinnocentforyou.
Girl
sli
keherdon’ tdopeopleli
keyou.Shedeserves
waybet tert
hanyou.Youknowi t
.She’swaytoo
goodf oryou.”
Tshepot
urnedandwalkedtohiscarVit
sand
j
umpedinjustashi
sphoner ang.HelookedatLef
a
cal
li
ngandhesit
ant
lypicked.
“
Mist
er…”
“
Lai
takaIam sost
ressed,
kepal
elwakegoakanya.
”
“
What
’swr
ong?
”
“KanaBantuhasbeenst arvi
ngme.If eell
ikeifshe
wasn’tIwouldn’tevenhavear easontocheat
becauseIlovehermor et hananythi
ng.IfLone
didn’
tcomet hrough,i
twasgoi ngtobesomeone
elseorIwouldhavef or
cedmysel fontoher .
”
“
Whathappened?Di
dLonegi
vebi
rt
h?”
“
No.Mai
naot
sil
e.(
Mai
nai
sher
e.)It
hinkyest
erday
Ijustreali
zedt hatr elationshi
pyamel eeneke
mat l
akalahela.( Ithinkyest erdayIj
ustr eali
zedthat
myr elati
onshipwi t
hheri sj
ustpurenonsense. )I
j
ustdon’ tfeelhowIf eel whenIam withBant u.I
thenwentovert oBant u’shouseandlostcont rol
.
Sher anoffwhi chIam gl adshedidori twouldhave
beenamess.It riedl ookingforherafterandeven
call
edbutnot hing.Ifshe’ sokIcan’
thelpbut
wonderwhatshe’ st hinking.Ievenfeelsick.”
Tshepoleanedback.“
Iam sur
eshe’
sfi
ne.She’
s
probabl
yjusti
nshock.Sheknowsyoul
oveher.
”
“Idon’
twanttokeepcheat
ing,
Ifeeli
t’
scost
ingme.
Ijustwantheral
one.
”
“Shelovesyou.Shewillcomeback.Don’tst
ress
yoursel
ftoomuch.You’ veal
wayscontr
olled
yoursel
fallal
ong.Let
’smeetup.”
“IwokeupandputonasuitsoIleavet
hehouse.Go
Satur
daybutIhavewentout
.Lonecametothe
house.
”
“
DidMai
naseeher
?*
“
Yes.Il
eftt
hem t
oget
her
.Icoul
dn’
thandl
eit
.”
“
Youl
eftLonewi
thChuckNor
ri
s?”
“Idon’
tcareaboutthosetwo.Iam t
hinki
ngof
payingmagadibogolo.Thewhiteweddingwi
ll
comeaf t
ervarsi
ty.
”
“
Doyout
hinkt
hat
’sagoodi
dea?
”
“Iam worr
iedt hatallmypati
encewouldhavewent
downt hedrainwhenIl oseher.Iwantt
ofi
lea
missi
ngper sonr eport
.”
“Whereareyou?Obuiswakestress.Bant
uissti
ll
youngformarri
age.Youneedtoplayyourcar
ds
ri
ght.Ther
earevult
uresoutt
here.Whereareyou,
keeta.”

*
**

Bant
ulookedatPul
e.
“
Ishegoi
ngt
otel
lhi
m?”
“No.Ispoket
ohi
m.Whendi
dyoust
artdat
ingt
his
guy?”
“
WhenIf
ir
stmetyou.
”
“
Soyouknowyouar
ethesi
dechi
ck?
”
Shel
ookedathi
m conf
used.“
What
?”
Pul
esatdownont
hebed.
“
Comeher
e…”
Bant
ulookedathi
m conf
used.
Pul
esmi
led.“
Come.
.”
“
Ineedt
ogohome.
”
“
Iknow.Come…”
Sheslowl
ywalkedover
.Hepul
ledhercl
oserand
putheronhi
slap.
“Ihavenor easontol i
etoyou,Lef
ahasagi r
lf
ri
end,
Iguessapar tfrom youandtheyhavebeenfucki
ng
from varsit
y.Ihaveknownt hi
sguyf orawhi
lenow.
Idon’tthinkhebrokewi t
hher.Bel
ievemeornotbut
youar enott heonl
yone.”
Shel
ookedathi
m.“
Lef
adoesn’
tcheat
.”
“
Icanf
indoutf
oryoui
fyouwant
.Youhavenot
hing
t
oloseanyways.
”
“Il
ovehi m.Pleasestopthis.Idon’
tknowwhyyou
aredoingorsayi ngthi
s.Iam notleavi
nghimfor
you.Pleasetakemehome.Thankyouf orhel
ping
meyest erdaybutIwouldhaveneverl etyoui
fI
wasn’tdesperate.Iwouldneverevenchooseyou
eit
herway.Yout er
ri
fyme.”
Pul
esmi
ledt
henki
ssedherneck.“
Youar
esweet
.”
“
Iwantt
ogohome.
”
“
Kissmef
ir
st.
”
Bantustoodupannoyedthentookherphoneto
swit
chiton.Shefrownedreal
izi
ngi
twasof fduet
o
thedeadbatt
ery.
Puleshrugged.“
Thechoi
ceisyour
s.Idon’
tmind
havingyouhere.Oryouwantt
ogoinanight
dress?”
Shelookedathi
m evenmoreannoyed.Hercut
e
facemadehim smil
einvol
unt
ary.
“
Iam goi
ngt
osmoke.
”
Hest
oodup.
“
Bor
rowmeachar
ger
.”
“
Idon’tuseAndr
oid.Respectme,
kemohumi.”He
l
aughedstari
ngatherasshegotangr
iert
henshe
wal
kedoverandbabykissedhim.
Pul
ewrappedhisar
msaroundherwai
stpul
li
ng
bet
weenherlegspr
oper
lyki
ssi
ngher.

*
**

AtLone’
shouse,Lonesniffedcr
yingthencall
ed
hi
m again.Hecuthercall
.Lonescrol
ledthr
ough
hercont
actsthentappedBantu’
snumber .
Shetookherphoneof
fherearwonder
ingwhyi
t
wasn’tgoi
ngthr
oughthenst
art
edtypi
ngamessage.
Lone:HiBantu,Ij
ustwant edtotel
lyouthatLef
ais
playi
ngyou.He’sbeensleepingwi t
hmef orawhile
nowandwear eexpect
ingourbaby.Whenyoumet
usatAckermans,wewer edoingthebabyshopping.
Iam sorr
yfordroppi
ngt hisonyou.Iwil
lsendyou
ourpict
uresoverWhatsapp.
Shesentthemessagethem openedherWhat
sApp
andsentBantut
hepict
urestheyhadtakenat
Kasaneduri
ngthei
rboatcrui
se.
.
.
Qui
ckpart
ici
pat
ionensur
est
hatt
henextbonus
comesqui
cker
[
06/
22,
08:
15] :Fal
lenAngel
#24

Puledr
ovethroughBantu’
sopengat
eandpar
kedi
n
fr
ontofherhouse.Bant
utookadeepbr
eat
h.
“
Thankyou.
”
Pul
elookedather.“
Anyt
ime.Feelf
reet
ocal
lwhen
youneedanyt
hing.”
“
Bye.
”
Shetr
iedopeni
ngthedoorbuti
twasl
ocked.She
tur
nedtohim,Pul
elaughed.
“
Don’
tbesoangr
y.Iam nott
heenemy.Tr
ustme.
”
Hel eanedoverandki ssedhercheekt henunl ocked
thedoor .Shegotoutoft hecarandwal kedt othe
door .Pulereversedanddr oveof f
.Bantuturned
watchi ngtheBMW dr iveout
, sheturnedtoherdoor
andbendedt akingthekeyf rom underneaththemat .
Shewal kedinsi
det hehouseandpl uggedherphone
tothechar ger.Shel ookedaroundhercl eanhouse,
thesi delamphadbeenr epl
acedandever ything
l
ookedi norder.
Shepausedreal
izi
ngshewasst il
lwearinghi
s
hoodiet
hatsmeltofhim.Sheslowlysatonthebed,
hereyesmovingtothefl
owers.Shetookadeep
breat
handlai
ddowncur li
ngherbodyi ntoabal
l.

*
**

Laterthatmorni
ng,Kagosmil
edasYamasagoti n
hi
scari nherdressandheel
s.Hermakeuplooked
sof l
awless,
sheevenlookedmorebeaut
if
ulthan
usual.
“
Youl
ookbeaut
if
ul.
”
“
Thankyou.
”
“Theyhavejustlef
tthechur
ch.Wewi
llmeet
everyoneatthevenue.
”
“
Who’
sweddi
ngi
sitagai
n?”
“
Mybr
other
’s.
”
Yamasasmiledashekissedherthensheputon
herseat
bel
tashedroveoffheadedtothevenue.
Atthewedding,Kagoparkedhiscarwit
ht heother
fl
eetofcar
s,Yamasal ookedatthedoublecabsand
t
henicercarsparked.TheysteppedoutofKago’s
Golft
henwal kedthr
oughthegatetothebigtentin
t
hemi ddl
eoft heyard.
Kagolookedatt
heguest
s.“
Idon’
tthi
nkt
heyhave
ar
rivedfr
om t
hechur
ch.”
“
Oh.
.”
Theysatdownonar oundtable.Yamasasmil
edat
thebeauti
ful
lydecor
atedtent.Itdi
dn’
tevenf
eell
ike
theywereinatent.
Minutesl
aterul
ulati
onsst
art
edascar shoot
ed
outsi
de.Yamasat ur
nedandlookedthr
oughthe
openi
ngoft het
entwatchi
ngasbi gcarsdr
oveover
.
Kagoputhisarm ar
oundher .Ever
yoneel
segotin
thetentf
oll
owedbyt hebridesmaidsand
groomsmendancingt hei
rwayi nsidet
hetent
.The
bri
desmaidsinpi
nkishf l
areddresseswit
hthe
groomsmeni nbl
ackandwhi tesui
ts.
Yamasasmiledwat
chi
ng,
thebr
ideandgr
oom l
ast
onthel
ine.
Themar ri
edladiesululat
edwear i
ngtheirGerman
pri
ntdresseswithditsàleonthei
rshoulders.The
bri
dedancedi nherlongwhi tegown,herhairand
make-upmadei thardf orhertoseeany
i
mperfections.
Yamasasmi l
edastheyfi
nisheddanci
ngt
hent
ook
thei
rseat
s.ShelookedatKago.
“
Whyar
eyounotpar
toft
hem?
”
“
Iam t
oool
dforsuch.
”
Oneoft
hegr
oomsmenwal
kedover
,Yamasa
watchedthehandsomel i
ghtskinnedmanwalkover
,
shecouldn’
trememberwhenl astshehadseen
suchagoodl ookingman.Clean…smart.Hi
shai
rcut
evenmadehi m sexier
.
Ashegotcloser
,Yamasacoul
deasi
lyseeabi
tof
resembl
ancetoKago.
Hesmil
ed.“
Hey,
youmadei
t.Idi
dn’
tthi
nkyou
woul
dcome.”
Kagosmi
led.“
Hei
smybr
other
.”
“
Yeahbutit
’snotever
ydayanyonewoul
dcomet
o
wit
nesshi
sexgetmar ri
ed.
”
Yamasal
ookedatKagoconf
used.Themansmi
led.
“Oh.
.sorryfort
hebadmanner s.Iam Khut
si.You
arebeaut
if
ul,what
’syourname?”
Kagoki
ssedYamasa’scheek.“
Hernamei
sYamasa.
She’
smygirl
fr
iend.
”
Khut
sismil
edalmostl
aughi
ng.“
Beaut
if
ul.Ni
ce
meet
ingyou.”
Hestr
etchedhi
shand.Yamasashookit
.Khut
si
smi
ledthentur
nedandwalkedt
oanothert
abl
e.
“
Wear
eat
tendi
ngyourex’
sweddi
ng?
”
“
Let
’sgo.Come.
”
Het
ookherhandandwal
kedoutwi
thhert
othecar
.
Het
ookadeepbreat
h.
“Mypar entsdiedwhenIwasyoung.Myuncl e
rai
sedmeashi ssonbuthel athi ngs..t hingswer e
neverthesame, nott hatIexpect edi ttobet he
samebutanyonecoul dseeIwasnothi schi l
d.I
metmyexf ouryear sback.ThenIi nt roducedhert o
myf ami l
ymont hsl aterbecauseIwant edt omar ry
her.That’swhenmyuncl e’
ssonst artedanaf f
air
withher.Ifoundoutt hedaywegotmar riedthat
theywer ehavinganaf fairandhehadal ready
convincedhert oleaveme.Ihadt obegher
because…”Het ookadeepbr eath.“ Becausepeopl e
hadgat hered.Andever yoneknew.Af tert he
weddingIaskedt heel derstohel pmebutIwas
call
edoutt obeweak.It houghti fIdi dever ything
forhershewoul dlovemebutt heaf fai rcontinued
toapoi ntwher etheyst oppedt ryingt ohi dei t
.He’s
mar r
yinghert odayandshewon’ tletmeseemy
chil
d.IfIdidn’tcome. .youcanal readyguesshowi t
wasgoi
ngt
obe.
”
Yamasalookedathi
m ashetri
edtobest
rongt
he
shecoul
dtelli
twasbreaki
nghim.
“
Whydi
dn’
tyout
ell
me?
”
“It
houghIwoul dbepr et
endit’
sok.I
fyouwantany
ofmyrelat
ives,feel
free.Justl
etmeknow.Theyar
e
ri
ch.I
t’
sunder st
andable.”
“Il
oveyou.Youdon’thavet odoubtthe.Il
oveyou.
AndIonlywantyou.Idon’tthinkyoushouldattend
thewedding.I
tdoesn’tmatterwhatpeoplesay.You
don’towethem anyt
hing.Let’
sgohome. ”
Hewrappedhi
sarmsaroundherandher
.Yamasa
ki
ssedhi
m backandsmil
ed.
“
Let
’sgo.
”

*
**

AtBantu’
shouse,Bantuwokeuplat
ert
hatdaytoa
knock.Sheyawnedthenwalkedt
othedoorand
opened.Lef
alookedather
.
“
Hi.
”
Bant
utookadeepbr
eat
h.“
Hi.
”
“Iam sor
ry.Iam sor
ry.Idon’tknowwhatgotover
me.Ifuckedup.Iam sorry.Iloveyousomuchand
Idon’
twantt ol
oseyou.Nott osomet hi
ngl
iket
hat.
”
“
Youal
mostr
apedme.Isai
dno.
”
“Imessedup.Iknow.Pleaseforgi
veme.Iloveyou.
Iwasjustf
rustr
atedbutthatdoesn’
tjust
if
yit.Iam
sorr
y.Iwasworriedaboutyou.”
“
Iam notr
eadyforsex.
.ifyoucan’
tunder
standt
hat
t
henmaybeit’
sbestwebr eakup.
”
“Iunderstand.Iunderst
and.YouknowIdo.Iam
sorry.Pl
easef orgi
veme.Please…”Hewentdown
onhi sknees.“Please…”
Shesi
ghed.“
Getup.
”
Hegotupthenwalkedinsi
dethehousewithher.
Bant
uwalkedovertoherphoneandswi t
chediton
ashesatonherbedli
keawetl ostcat
.
Shewal kedt oherfr i
dgehol dingherphoneand
pouredher selfaglassofj uice.Shel ookedashi s
tonsofmessagesr eported.Hei gnoredthem then
repli
edt oYamasa.Sheopenedamessagef r
om
Lone.Sher e-readthemessageconf used.Herhear t
racedherherbodysol dier
sdr oppedt hei
rguns
makingherweak.What sappmessagesr eport
ed.
Shel ookedatLone’ snameandt appedi tthen
openedt hepictures.Theyal ldownl oaded.
Herphonesl
ippedfr
om herfi
nger
sasshegasped.
Lef
alookedatherandpi
ckedthephone.Helooked
atwhatshewaslooki
ngat,hi
skneesgett
ingcold.
Hehel
dthephoneunabl
etot
hink.Bant
ulookedat
hi
m.
“
Lef
a…Lone…”
Hel
ookedatherandswal
lowed.“
I…i
t’
s…”
“
What
?”
Helookedatt
hepict
ures.“
Thi
sisnotme.I
t’
sphot
o
shoppedobvi
ousl
ybecauseIdon’
tknowher
.”
Shebl
inkedweakl
y.“
Huh?
”
“Thi
sisnotme.Babe…youknowmybodyst r
uctur
e.
That’
sedited.Idon’
tknowthi
swoman.It’
sa
Photoshop.It
’snotme.That’
snotme.Iswear.
”
.
.
.
Anot
herbonusisont
hestandby,l
et'
sli
keand
commentquickl
ysowehaveitat2030hrsont
he
dot
.
[
06/
22,
08:
15] :Fal
lenAngel
#25

Bant
ulookedathi
m.
“
Phot
oshop?
”
“
Yes.Idon’
tevenknowt
hatwoman.
”
“
Thatdoesn’
tlookphot
oshopped.
”
“
Bunny.
.whyandwhenwoul
dIhavecheat
ed?
”
“
Thatdoesn’
tlookphot
oshopped.I
tlooksl
ikeyou.
”
“Areyouseri
ousl
ybel i
evi
ngawomanyoudon’ t
evenknow.Idon’tknowthislady.Babe…whenhave
Ievermadeyoufeellessloved?Youcangot hrough
myphone.CallTshepobecausei fIam notatworkI
am withhi
m oryou.”
Shelookedatt
hepictur
ethenathi
m,t
ear
sfi
ll
ing
hereyes.“
Iam notst
upid!
”
“Andnoonei ssayingyouar e.Youarenotstupi
d
butobvi ouslysomet hingi
swr ongwi t
hthi
swoman.
Maybeshe’ sobsessed.Imean, l
et’
sstar
thelaatthe
coincidencet hatherboyfri
endorhusbandwoul d
alsobeal awyer.Doesn’tthatsoundsuspici
ousto
you?AndhowcomeshewasatAcker manswhenI
wast here.Idon’tthinkitwasacoi nci
dence.She’
sa
stalker.Someonet ryingtocomebet weenus.That’s
notme. ”
“
Iam cal
li
ngher
.”
“Whyareyougivi
nghert
hatpower?Youaski
ngwil
l
givehert
heimpressi
ont
hatshehasachi
evedwhat
shewanted.Somethi
ngi
snotokwithher
.”
Tear
srol
leddown.“
Thi
sisyou.Thatscaronyour
l
eg…”
“
Ihavenor
easont
oli
e.Il
oveyou.
”
“
Iwantt
ocal
lher
.Al
lthesepi
ctur
es…”
“Soyouwi llbel
ieveastr
angeroverme?Youdon’t
evenknowt hi
swomanenought o…whyar eyou
givinghersomuchpoweroverourr el
ati
onshi
p.I
willdoanythingbutcheat
…Iloveyou.
”
“
Iwanttotal
ktoher
.Ifshe’
slyi
ng,
Iwi
llknowt
hen.
I
tlookst
ooreal
.”
“
Ofcausei
twoul
dlookt
oor
eal
.”
Shetookherphoneandt appedLone’
snumber.I
t
rangtwi
cethenshepickedwhi l
eLefasweat
ed.
“
Hel
lo?
”
“
Isawt
hepi
ctur
es.Howdoyouknowhi
m?”
“Imethi m monthsbackwhenIwasonmywayt o
anintervi
ew.IcrushedintoaBenzhewasusi ng
then.Ihadt opay1ktofixit.Af
tert
hatIwasso
depressed,IwasjoblessandIhaddebt s.Hecall
ed
met woweeksl aterandtoldmehesawmypostko
Mot swanawomanabouthowIwassui cidal
.He
thenhookedmeupwi thmycur rentjob.From there
onwewer efri
ends.From thereonwej ustbecame
close.Iwouldvisi
tkot i
rong.We’dhavel unchand
sof ort
htil
larelat
ionshipstart
ed.Iam 8mont hs
pregnant.Ihavebeenknowi ngaboutyoubutt hen
there’
sanotherwomani ntheequat i
on.Keene
Mai na.She’
sathishouser ightnow.Icanf or
war d
youourconver sati
onsf r
om Facebookt hen
What sapp.”
Bant
uleanedagai
nstt
hewal
lweakl
y.
“
Iam sor
ry.Ij
ustt
houghtyouhadt
oknow.
”
“
Hesaysyouar
elyi
ng.
”
“Ihavevi
deosIcansendyou.He’
s…he’
slyi
ngt
o
you.Heknowsme.Sinceyoucan’
thavesexwi
th
him,hedoesitwi
thme.”
Bant
uhungup,shockandconfusi
onmaki
ngher
di
zzy,t
ear
smakinghereyesi
tch.
“
Canyouhearherl
ies?
”
Het
ri
edt
otouchher
.Shepushedhi
m.
“
Getout
.”
“
Babe,
areyoubel
ievi
ngast
rangeroverme?
”
Lonesentt
onsofmessages.Sheopenedthe
vi
deos.Lef
asnat
chedthephonefrom her
.
“
Whyar
eyoul
ett
ingherl
iet
oyoul
iket
hat
?”
“
Givememyphone.
”
“
Iam notgoi
ngt
oletapsychopat
hrui
nus.
”
“
Givememyphone!
”
“
Can’
tyouseewhatshe’
sdoi
ng?Why-
“
“
Givememyphone!
”
Lefat
hrewitagainstt
hewal
l.Shel
ookedather
phonethenathim.
“
Whydi
dyoubr
eakmyphone?
”
“
Iam notgoi
ngt
oletyoul
ist
ent
oherl
ies.
”
“
Herl
ies?DoIl
ookt
hatst
upi
dtoyou?
”
“
Youl
ookst
upi
dbel
i
evi
ngherbul
lshi
t.
”
“
Getout
!”
“
Iam notgoi
ngt
il
lwef
ixt
hings.
”
“
Iwantyout
oleave.Idon’
twantyou.Getout
!”
“
Bant
u-“
“
Getout
!”
“Iam notgoi nganywhere.Il
oveyou.Iam not
l
osingyout oaliar
.Iam not…Iloveyou.Iwantto
marryyou.Ihavespokent omyuncl esalr
eady.I
wantt omar ryyou.That
’showser i
ousIam about
us.Iam notl osi
ngyoutol i
es.Youknowmebabe…”
Tearsfil
ledhereyes.“Whatt i
mewoul dIhave
cheated?Ihavebeensavi ngforus.Everythi
ngI
do…Idof orus.Whywoul dIwantt osabotage
myselfli
ket hat?”
Tearsrol
leddownt oherneck,
sheputherhead
overhermouthshakingaspainchokedher.She
l
ookedathi m gaspi
ngasthestruggl
etobr
eathe
star
ted.
“
Babe…”
Sheputherhandoverherchest
,asharppai
n
makinghereyeswiden.Shest
aggeredt
othe
wardrobef
all
ingt
hencr awl
edwhizzi
ng.
Sheopenedthewardr
obe,herhandspull
ingout
thi
ngsasshelookedf
orherinhal
er.Moretear
s
rol
leddownasthepai
ngotevenintense.
Shegotweakerasherwhi
zzesgoti
ntense.She
l
ookedathi
m.
Lef
api
ckedheruppani
cki
ng.“
Babe…”
Shegrabbedt
-shi
rtst
ruggl
ing.Shet
ouchedher
chestf
eeli
ngasifshewasdying.
“
Ipar
kedout
side.Letmegett
hecar
.”
Lefaranout.Bantugotof
fbedanddraggedher
bodyt oherphone.Sheswipedt
hecrackedscr
een
cutti
ngherfingert
henwenttohercontact
sand
tappedhisnumber .
“
Missmeal
ready?
”
Shewhi
zzl
edchocki
ng.
“
Bant
u?What
’sgoi
ngon?
”
Shelaidonthefl
oorgaspi
ng.Lef
arushedinaft
er
parki
ngthecarnearthedoor
.Hepickedherupand
putheratthebackseat
.
MmagweMal
ebogoandwat
chedasheputheri
n
t
hecar
.
“
Jesus!What
’sgoi
ngon?
”
Heputheri
nthecar
.
“
Shehasast
hma.Iam t
aki
nghert
othehospi
tal
.”
“Ok,
ther
e’sonebehi
ndthatschool
.Iam comi
ng.
Letmelockup.Gogogo!”
Lef
agoti
nthecaranddr
oveof
f.

Att
hehospi
tal
,Lef
apar
kedthecart
henpickedher
upandr
ushedinsi
deal
mostfal
li
ngdroppi
ngher.
“
Hel
p!”
Thenur
ser
ushedover
.“Whathappened?
”
“
Shehasast
hma.
”
Bant
uweakl
yst
ruggl
ed.
“
Bri
ngher
.”
Lefahurr
iedbehi
ndherthenputheronthehospi
tal
bed.Bantusl
owlyst
ruggli
ng,herhanddroppi
ng.
Thenursel
ookedatherpani
cki
ngt
henpr
essedt
he
emer
gencybutt
on.
“
Pleasewai
tout
side.
”
TwomorenursesrushedinasLef
awalkedout.He
l
ookedatt
hedoorshaking.Hi
sphonerangstart
li
ng
hi
m.HetookoutthephoneandpickedLone’
scare.
“Otsi
legonyel
awena.Iam goi
ngt
oki
llyouwhenI
getmyhandsonyou.”
“
Shedeser
vest
oknow.
”
“Iam goingtoki
llyou.Youthi
nkthisi
sagame.I
am goingtomurderyou.Forgetaboutgivi
ngbi
rt
h
tothatchil
d.Youarefoolofshi
t,nxl
a!”
Lonehungup.Het
ri
edt
ocal
lheragai
nbutshecut
hi
scall
.

*
Puleparkedout
sidethehospit
alandsteppedoutif
hiscar
.MmagweMal ebogorushedbehindhim as
hewalkedinsi
dethehospit
al.Pulel
ookedoverat
Lefawhowaspaci ng.Hewalkedovertohim.
“
Whathappenedt
oher
?”
Lef
alookedathi
m conf
used.“
UhP-
“
“Whathappened?Iam givi
ngyoutensecondst
o
givemeastraightst
oryorIam goi
ngtopunchso
hard,
youwillendupincoma.”
“
Ther
eisnoneedt
ofi
ght
,thi
s-“
Pul
elookedatMmagweMal ebogoshut
ti
ngherup
i
nst
antly.Pul
elookedatLef
a.
“Yourt
ensecondsst
artnow,st
utt
erandIwillf
uck
youupsobadyouwillwishyouwereneverborn.
”
.
.
Let’
shaveanot
herat2200hr
s.Anot
herbonuson
standby.
[
06/
22,
08:
15] :Fal
lenAngel
#26

Att
hehospit
alLefalookedatl
ostbutf
rom t
he
l
ooksofithedidn’
tlookli
kehewasjoki
ng.
“
Who?
”
“
WhathappenedtoBant
u,ot
samael
agont
ena.
(
Youareaboutt
opissmeoff
.)
Lef
alookedathi
m wonder
ingi
fhewasr
elat
edt
o
her
.
“
I…she.
.shej
ustst
art
edst
ruggl
ing.It
hink-
“
Puleangr
il
ypunchedhim.Lefastagger
edbackas
hisjawwentnumb.Hi
swhol elef
tsideoft
heface
shookasifi
twasgett
ingdisl
ocated.
“
Thatshoul
dhel
pyou.Whathappenedt
oher
?”
Thenursesscr
eamedrushingover
.Bl
ooddropped
fr
om Lefa’
snoseanddroppedonthef
loor
.
“
Anot
herchance.Let
’sheari
t.
”
Lef
aswall
owed.“I
…we…wehadadi sagr
eement
.
Shest
art
edcryi
ngthent
heat
tackhappened.
”
“
Whatwast
hedi
sagr
eementabout
?”
“
She…shewasaccusi
ngmeofcheat
ing.
”
“
Soyouarenotcheat
ing?I
fIdi
gupIam notgoi
ng
t
ofi
ndanythi
ng?”
“
Iloveher
.”
“Heywenayourshi
t!Kar
eifIdi
gupIwon’
tfi
nd
anyt
hing?
”
Lef
aswallowed.“
Theydi
dn’
tmeananyt
hing.Ar
e
youhercousi
n.”
“Soyouli
edt
oheri
ntent
ional
lymaki
nghersound
stupi
d?”
“
Idi
dn’
tknowyouwer
erel
atedt
oher
.”
Pulelookedathi
m angri
lyandpunchedhi
m har
der
knockinghimtotheground.
“Thatwasforal
mostr
api
ngher
.Tr
yitagai
n,ot
a
nyelaLef
a.”
Thenurseshel
pedLefayouasshestagger
eddi
zzy
feel
ingasofhi
sfacehadbeenre-
arr
anged.
Thenur
sewal
kedovert
henpausedl
ooki
ngatLef
a.
Pul
elookedather
.
“
Areyout
heoneat
tendi
ngt
oher
?”
“
Thatmanbr
oughther
.”
“
Issheok?
”
“
Yes.She’
sfi
nenow.
”
“
Wher
eisshe?Takemet
oher
.”
Shelookedathi
mthenturnedandwalkedt
o
Bantu’
sroom.Hefol
lowedbehindherandwal
ked
i
nsidetheroom.
Bant
uturnedwithanoxygenmaskonhermout h
andnose.Shelookedathi
m hol
dingbackhert
ears.
Hewalkedoverandhuggedher.
“
Hey…”
Shecl
osedhereyestryi
ngnottocr
ybuttear
srol
led
downi
nvolunt
ary.Sheletoutamuf
fledcr
y.
Heheldhert
ight
ly.Shemovedt
heoxygenmask
cr
ying.
Pul
erubbedherback.Sheputbacktheoxygen
maskandbreat
hedintoit
.Pul
ewi pedawayher
t
ear
s.
“
It
’sok.Hedoesn’
tdeser
veyou.
”
Lefawalkedi
n.Helookedathert
henthewayPul
e
washoldinghi
mtryingtomakeSenseofwhatwas
happeni
ng.
Pul
elookedathi
m.“
Saagokeng?Lenyat
sokanake
gotwael
aheela?
”
“
Ijustwantt
otal
ktoher
.That
’sal
l.Bant
u…”
Bant
uhel
dPul
e’
shandsni
ff
ing.Pul
elookedather
.
“
Out
.Iam notgoi
ngt
otel
lyouagai
n.”
Lef
alookedatBant
utear
ful
ly.Shecoul
dn’
teven
l
ookathim.
“
Bant
u…”
Lefal
ookedathi
m.Lefasl
owlywalkedout
.Het
ook
outhi
sphoneandcal
ledTshepo.
“
Lai
taka…”
“
Areyour
elat
edt
oBant
uinanyway?
”
“
No.Why?
”
“Bant
uhadanasthmati
cat
tackand…wear
eatt
he
hospi
tal
.Pul
eisher
e.”
“
What
?”
“
DidyouknowBant
ubef
oremeet
ingherwi
thme?
”
“
No.Idon’
tknowhowPul
eknowsher
.”
“
Iam…doyout
hinkhe’
ssl
eepi
ngwi
thher
?”
“What?Bantuwoul
dn’
tcheat.Letmetal
ktoPul
e.I
am surei
t’
sanenti
remisunderst
andi
ng.”
“
Hewashol di
ngher
…he…shewon’
ttal
ktomebut
wil
lrat
herr
emainwi
thhi
m.”
“It
hinkit
’sj
ustami
sunder
standi
ng.Youknow
Pule’
stype.
”
“
Cal
lhi
m.”
Hehungupandwal
koutt
othepar
kingl
ot,
hishand
onhi
sjaw.

*
**
Bant
usnif
fed.Pul
eti
lt
edherchi
nandpul
leddown
themask.
“
Tal
ktome.Whatdi
dhedo?
”
“
He…ther
eissomeonet
oelse.She’
spr
egnant
.He
i
ssaysi
t’
snothi
m.Hebrokemyphone.”
“He’
sful
lofnonsense.Youdeser
vewaybet
ter
.He’
s
nott
hatforyou.
”
“
Myhear
thur
ts.
”
“
It
’sok.I
twi
llgetbet
ter
.”
“
Itr
eal
lyhur
ts.
”
Sheoutherhandsonherfacecr
ying.Shehad
neverhavepai
nfeelphysi
cal
.
Pul
ehuggedherandsqueezedherinhi
smear ms.
Shestoppedawhi
lel
aterandst
artedsni
ff
ing
hol
dingontohi
m.
Hewi
pedawayhert
ear
sandsmi
led.
“
Youdeser
veagoodman.Nott
hatj
unk.
”
Hewi
pedanot
hert
ear
.“Igotyou.
”
Thenursewal
kedi
nt hencheckedher.Pul
eouther
maskbackonhernoseandsmi ledt
ouchingher
hai
r.Thenur
sewalkedoutminutesl
ater.
“
Iam sl
eepi
ngher
e.Theyar
egoi
ngt
oexami
neme.
”
“
Iwi
llst
aywi
thyou.Il
eftmyphonei
nthecar
.Let
megeti
t.
”
Sheheldonsti
ll
.Pulesmi
led.“
Ifyoudon’
tletgoI
am def
ini
tel
yki
ssingyouolemami nayana.”
Bant
uwi
pedhernose.Hesmi
ledandwal
kedout
.

*
**

AtYamasa’shouse,
Yamasacl osedhereyes
spasmingunder
neathKago.Heki ssedhert
hengot
offherandt
ookoffthef
ullcondom.
Hel
aiddownbesi
desher
.“Youar
esobeaut
if
ul.
”
Shesmi
led.“
Thankyou.
”
Kago’
sphoner
ang.Hel
ookedatt
hescr
eenand
ki
ssedher
.
“
Myuncl
e..obvi
ousl
yaski
ngwhyIl
eft
.”
“
Ignor
ehi
m.Hedoesn’
thavet
orui
nyourday.
”
Hesi
ghedandpul
ledhercl
oser
.Yamasat
ouched
hi
schest
.
“Don’
tyouthi
nkyoushouldtakehert
ocour
t?Bet
50-50cust
odyofyourchi
ld?
”
“
Inmostcasesmenl
oset
hebat
tl
eei
therway.
”
“Youwoul
dn’
tknowt
il
lyout
ry.Tr
yandseehowi
t
goes.
”
Kagot
ouchedhercheek.“
Ok.
”
Yamasamovedclosert
ohi
m.“
Iam sor
ryf
orwhat
youwentt
hrough.
”
Kagoputhi
sar
m ar
oundher
.“Thankyou.
”
Yamasa’sphonerang.Shet
urnedandanswer
edan
unsavednumber.
“
Hel
lo?
”
“
Hi,
isi
tYamasa?
”
“
Yes.
”
“Ok.Ij
ustwant
edtoaskhowyouaref
eel
ing.I
heardyouarei
nhospi
talaboutt
odoasurger
y.”
“
What
?Who’
sthi
s?”
“
Ohsor
ry.I
t’
sLef
a’sgi
rl
fr
iend.Mai
na.
”
“
Uhu…whatgi
rl
fr
iend?
”
“
Hisgi
rl
fr
iend.Mai
na.
”
“
Gir
lf
ri
endf
rom wher
e?”
“
Love,
areyouatt
hehospi
tal
?”
“
Isai
dgirl
fr
iendf
rom wher
e?Lef
ahasagi
rl
fr
iend.
I
t’
snotyou.Whoareyou?”
Mainalaughedt
henhungup.Yamasaf
rowned
confused.

*
**

Att
hehospit
al,out
side,
Pulewalkedoutandopen
hi
scardoorthentookhisphone.
Lef
awal
kedovert
ohi
m.
“Idon’tknowordon’ tcareabouthowyouknow
BantubutwhatIknowi sthatyouar egoingt oleave
mygi rl
fri
endal oneorIam goi ngtothepoliceandI
am goingt otellt
hem ever ythi
ng.Itwon’ttakeBant u
l
ongt oknowever ythingbutBant uwon’ tbeani ssue
becausef rom thereyouwi l
lbegoingtopr isonf or
therestofyourl i
fe.Bant uismygi rl
fri
end,either
respectthatwhi l
efreeoryouwi llr
espectthatf rom
theprisonbar s.Yourchoi ce.”
“
Areyout
hreat
eni
ngme?
”
“No.Iam j
usttel
li
ngyouwhatcanhappen.AndI
am notj
oking.
”
Pul
etookhi
sgunandcockedi
t.
“Ormaybewecanj
ustendt
hisbul
lshi
tnow.What
doyouthi
nk?
”
.
.
Goodni
ght
.
[
06/
22,
08:
16] :Fal
lenAngel
#27

Lef
alookedathi
mthenl
ookedatt
hegun.
“
Youwi
llgot
ojai
l.
”
“Yeah…andyouwi llbedead.Atthi
spoi ntImightas
wellthentakemyselft
ot hepol
icestat
ion.AllIwil
l
havet odoismakesur eyouactual
lydie.”
Lef
asi
ghed.“
Bant
uismygi
rl
fr
iend.Il
oveher
.”
“Shedoesn’tneedmet oleaveyou.Shewi l
lleaveon
herown.YouandIwi l
lhaveapr oblem i
fyoumake
hercryanditseemsyouwantt obedoi ngmuchof
that
.Nextti
meIam br eakingyourneck.Today
bett
erbethef i
rstandlastyouthreatenme,t
hinkfor
yourfamil
y.”
Pul
egotinhiscarandparkedhiscarproperl
ythen
wal
kedinsi
dethebuil
ding.Lef
aweakl ywalkedto
hi
scarandgotin.Hesatinhiscarforawhi l
e
wai
ti
ngtoseehim walkoutbuthourswentby.
Hestartedthecaranddroveoffheadedtoher
house.Lefawalkedinsi
dethenpickedherbr
oken
phonefrom t
heground.Heunlockedherscreen
caref
ulnottocuthimsel
fthenwentonher
WhatsApp.Herscreenshooksomuchasi nks
mixedtoget
herinsi
de.Hesatdownt r
yingtoread
hermessagesbutitseemeditwasallaboutschool
.
Lefagotupandsweptt
hef
loor
sthengotonhi
scar
thendroveof
f.
Hecamebackwhi l
elaterwit
hacompl etel
ynew
phonethensatont
hebedput ti
nghersim car
dand
memorycardinhernewphone.Heseti tupforher
thenl
aidonherbedbreathi
nginherscent.

*
**

Laterthateveni
ngLonepacedupanddownher
houset hensatdown,herhandoverherbump.She
wasn’tevensureifshewasstil
lsaf
ebecausehe
hadn’tsoundedli
kehewasj oki
ng.Orhadshetaken
i
tfar?
Shel
ookedatherphonet
hinki
ng.Shegotupand
walkedtoherbedr
oom andstar
tedpacki
ngher
bel
ongingsandeveryt
hingel
seshehadboughtfor
herbaby.
Shewalkedoutofherhouseandputever
ythi
ngin
theboott
hendroveoutaft
erlocki
ngal
lherdoor
s.

*
**

Mai
nal
ookedattheti
mewonderi
ngwher
ehewas.
Mai
napi
ckedherfr
iend’
scal
l.
“
Fri
end…”
“
Isheback?
”
“No.Iam st
il
lwai
ti
ng.TodayIam goingtoshow
him asi
deofmeheseemst ohavef orgot
ten.
”
“
Thewayt
hismandoesn’
trespectyou…I
jo.
.”
“
Iwi
llputhi
minl
ine.Hej
ustneedt
obeputi
nli
ne.
”
“Butwheni
t’
sli
ket
hisshoul
dn’
tyouj
ustwal
k
away?”
“Why?Becausehesl eptwi thanotherwoman?Men
aremeantt osleeparoundWendy.I t’
sinthei
r
natur e.Evenifyoudoever ythingforhim,hewi l
lst
il
l
cheat .That’
sjustwhot heyar e.Iwil
lgivehim sex
ever ynightbutifhewant stocheat ,hewil
lcheat.
Not hingwi l
lstophi
m.Youj ustneedt oacceptthat
realit
y.Onceyouacceptt hat,youavoidheart
attack.”
“Soyouar
efi
newi
thhi
m cheat
ingandhavi
ngki
ds
ever
ywher
e?”
“No.Buteit
herwayhewi llcheat.NnaWendyIknow
myman.Ist arteddati
ngthisguyawhi leback.No
onecant el
lmeanyt hi
ngaboutLef a.IknowLef a
l
ikethebackofmyhand.AndIl ovehi m.Iwasn’t
aroundsoIknewhewasf uckingaround.NowIam
backandIam goi ngtoputhimi nline.Iwon’tbe
l
ikethoseotherwomenwhol eavethenyouf i
ndt hat
hehaschangedandnowhei sever ythingyou
wantedwi t
hanotherwoman.Al lofasuddenyou
arebit
terbecauseitpai
nsyou.Iam goi ngtostay.”
“
Andt
hebabi
es?
”
“Whatbabies?Themomentyouseeyourself
openi
ngyourl egsf
ormymanthenlethimfuckyou
wit
houtacondom becausehedoesn’
tli
kecondoms,
youaresigninguptobeasi
ngl
emot her
.”
Wendyl
aughed.“
Bat
hongI
na!
”
“Iam tel
li
ngyou.Youwouldhaveappli
edtobea
singl
emom becauset heonlyki
dsLefawil
lbe
presenttoar
eourkids.Thosewhoresdon’
tscare
me.Letthem givebi
rt
h,akerekedii
ncubat
ors?”
Wendylaughedevenmore.“
Ij
omma, l
etmestar
t
cooki
ng.I
twashecticatt
hehospi
talt
oday.
”
“
Okl
ove.
”
WendyhungupthenMainal
ookedattheti
mead
t
ri
edcal
li
nghim agai
nbuthedi
dn’tpi
ck.

*
**

Atthehospi
tal
,lat
erthateveni
ngafterPulehad
beenaskedtoleave,
anur sewalkedinsi
deBantu’
s
room.
Shewalkedoverandf
ixedBant
u’ssheet
swaki
ng
herup.Shesmil
ed.
“
Hi,
someonewant
stot
alkt
oyou.
”
Thenursesphoner
angt
henshepi
ckedandhanded
i
ttoBantu.
“
Hel
lo?
”
“
Hey…”
Bant
utookadeepbr
eat
h.
“
Pleasedon’
thangup.
”
“
WhatdoyouwantLef
a?”
“Iam sor ry.Iam sor rythatsomet imesIf ai
lt obe
themanyoudeser ve.Iknow.Iam sor ry…Il oveyou.
Ireplacedyourphone.Ij ustwi shyouknewhow
muchIl oveyou.OrmaybeIj ustnevershowedyou
enough.ButIl oveyoumor ethananyt hing.Ihave
l
ovedyouf orthelongestt i
menow.AndIam so
scaredIam aboutt oloseyou.Al r
eadyt here’sa
thi
rdpar tyint herelationship.Idon’tevenknowhow
youknow Pul e…he’ sTshepo’ sbrotheraswel l
as
mycl ient.Iknowyoual readybelievethatLone
womansoIam notgoi ngtodefendmysel f
anymorebecausesomeonei sclearl
yframingme
butIam sor
ry.Iam sorryfori
tall.Ihopeyouknow
theki
ndofpersonPul eis.
”
“
Whatper
son?
”
“Thekindofper sonheis.Notal lthatgli
tt
ersisgold.
Puledoesn’ tl
eadanhonestl i
fe.He’ sathug,he
doesfrom sel l
ingdrugsandweaponsandmor e.
Maybeevenhumant raf
fi
ckingwhi chIsuspectfrom
hisshadydeal ings.Hehasconnect i
onstocorrupt
poli
ti
cians.He’st heworstthingt hatcanhappent o
anyone, hejustpointedagunatme.I fyoudon’ t
beli
eveme, Icansendyouf ilesoft hecurrentcaseI
am wor kingon.”
Bant
utookadeepbr
eat
h.Lef
asi
ghed.
“Iam j
ustt
ryi
ngtolookoutf
oryou.He’
snotthe
kindofcompanyyouwanttobekeepi
ngaround
you.”
“Ok.Ialsodon’twanttokeepyourki
ndofcompany
closetome.Yout hinkIam afool
,maybei
fyou
wer ehonestenoughtoownupt oyouract
ionsbut
your eall
ythi nkIam t hatstupid.Iam br eaki
ngup
withyou.Leavemyhouseandst ayawayf rom me.
Thankyouf oral lyouhavedonef orme, onedayI
willpaybackever ycent.Iactuall
yt houghtyou
l
ovedmebutmaybeyouar ejustaftermyvi rgi
nity
thoughwhatr eal l
ypi ssesmeof fist hefactthatyou
cani nsul
tmyi ntelli
gencelikethis.Ineverwantt o
seeyoui nmyhouseeveragai n,i
fyout r
yitIam
goingt oopenar apecase.Iwentt othehospi t
al
andhadadoct orexami neme.Andgowor konyour
l
ies,youl ookst upidhal fofthetime.Al so,goand
cir
cumci se, yourdi cklooksdisgustingt oevenput
i
nt hemout h.”
Shehungupandgavet
henursebackherphone
thenl
aiddownt
aki
ngadeepbreat
h.
.
.
.
Let
'ssqueezet
hesecondonebef
oreIgetbusy,
qui
cklyl
ikeandcommentsowehaveitat0900hrs.
[
06/
22,
08:
16] :Fal
lenAngel
#28

Thefoll
owingmor ni
ng,
Bantusignedherdi
scharge
for
mst henwalkedoutofthehospi
tal
.Shecrossed
theroadandsighedwalki
nghomehol di
ngthe
medicati
onshehadgottenatthehospit
ali
ncludi
ng
anewi nhal
er.
Shetookadeepbreathst
ari
ngatPul
e’
scardr
ivi
ng
headedtot
hehospital
.Hesl
oweddownthent
ooka
U-t
urn.
Her
oll
eddownhi
swi
ndow.“
Geti
n.”
“
Iwantt
owal
k.”
“
Please.
”
Shet ookadeepbreat
hashepushedthedooropen
forher.Bant
ugotinandcl
osedthedoor
.Puledrove
offheadedtoherhousewhi
leshesatsi
lent
ly
seatednexttohi
m.
Hepar
kedatherhousemi
nut
esl
aterandt
urnedt
o
her
.
“
Howar
eyouf
eel
ing?
”
“
Fine.
”
Hel
ookedatherpuf
fyeyes.“
Iam sor
ry.
”
“
It
’sf
ine.
”
Puletouchedherchi
n.“
Itwil
lgetbett
er.Myf i
rst
heart
breakhitmesohard,Iwasonly15.Ididn’teat
thewholetwodays.ShedumpedmeonWednesday,
shewasdoi ngfor
m 3.I
twasr i
ceandchickenday.I
didn’
teatit
.Gotwekebrokeassnigga.
”
Bantulaughedmakinghim smi
le.“I
twasnotfunny
then.Icr
iedandwroteheralet
ter,
shemarkedit
andgavemeaD. ”
Bantulaughedevenmore.Pul
echuckl
ed.“
Itwi
llget
bet
ter.Hedoesn’tl
oveyouenough.
”
“
Thankyou.
”
“
Youar
eal
wayswel
come.
”
“
Lef
aisyourl
awyer
?”
“
Yeah.Buti
t’
sok.
”
“
Whatdoyoudof
oral
ivi
ng?
”
Pul
esmi
led.“
Irunapubandgr
il
linMogodi
tshane,
atni
ghtIt
urnitint
oabar.Iam al
soamechani
c,
Itr
y
andsel
lsmallcarpar
tst
ohelparound.
”
“
Whatdi
dyoudot
hatneedsLef
atodef
endyou?
”
“Thepoli
cesuspectdrugsarebei
ngsoldatt
hepub
andgri
llbuti
t’
sjustawayt otr
yandslowmedown.
Idon’
thaveapr et
typastsoIam al
waysasuspect
.”
“
Youst
udi
edmechani
cEngi
neer
ing?
”
Puleadjustedhisseatlooki
ngather.“No.Iam pi
lot
.
Ithoughtthatwast hebestthi
ngtostudy.Isaw
myselfkeber ekakoAirBotswanabut
unemploymentwi llmakeyout hi
nkoutofthebox.”
“
Ok.
”
“Idon’tknowwhatyoumi ghthavehear dbutIam
notper f
ect.Iam faroffbeinganywher ecloseto
good.Ihavedonet hi
ngs, proudofthem ornot,i
t
doesn’tmat t
erbecauseIhadt osurvi
ve.Tshepo
wasmyr esponsibil
it
y.Hest il
lisandnoteveryone
willhaveiteasy.Someofushavet oforce
success.”
“
Wher
ear
eyourpar
ent
s?”
“Igr
ewupi nanorphanage.Tshepowasbrought
whenIwasst i
llsmal
l.TheydidDNAtest
sandt ur
ns
outthesamepeoplewhomadememadehi m.”
“
Iam sor
ry.
”
Pulesmi
led.“
Therei
snothingtobesor
ryabout
..
thi
sisl
if
e.Abatt
leofsur
vival.
”
“
Soyoudon’
tsel
ldr
ugs?
”
Hepinchedhercheek.“
Asknoquest
ionsandhear
nol
ies.”
“
Ok.
”
Agolfpar
kedbehindPul
e.Helookedather.Bant
u
t
urnedandlookedatYamasasteppedoutofthecar
.
“
That
’smyf
ri
end.Thankyou.
”
“
Anyti
me.Doyouhaveaphone?Ift
hatonei
snot
wor
kinganymor
e,Icanbor
rowyouone.
”
“No.I
t’
sfine.Butt
hanks.Ihavesomemoneysaved
up.Iwil
lbuyone.”
“
Ok.
”
“
Bye.
”
Hesmi l
edstar
ti
nghiscar.Bantuthedoor
wonderingi
fhewasn’tgoi
ngt ostopherli
kehe
usuall
ydidt
okissher.Sheclosedthedoorthenhe
rever
sedwit
houtasinglewordanddr oveoff
.
Yamasal
ookedather
.“Who’
sthat
?”
“
Noone.Hej
ustgavemeal
if
t.
”
“
Oh…Iwaswor
ri
edf
orasecondt
her
e.”
“
Why?
”
“
Wher
eisLef
a?”
Bantutur
nedandwalkedtoherdoor.Shet
ri
ed
openingt
hedoorbutitwasl
ocked.Shewalkedt
o
mmagweMal ebogo’
shouseandknocked.
Sheopenedt
hensmil
ed.“OhheyBantu.Iwas
aboutt
ocomeatthehospi
talandseeyou.
”
“
Iam f
inenow.
”
“
That
’sgood.Youneedtobecar
efulmygi
rl.Ot
her
mendon’
ttakeli
ght
lyt
obeingmadefool
s.”
“
Iam nott
heonecheat
ing.
”
“
Ok.Thent
hat
’sgood.
”
“
CanIpl
easet
hespar
ekeyst
omyhouse.
”
“
Yes.
”
MmagweMal
ebogowal
kedint
hehouseand
wal
kedmi
nut
eslat
erwi
tht
hekeys.Bant
usmil
ed.
“
Thankyou.
”
Shewalkedbackt oherroom thenunlockedand
wal
kedi n,
Yamasabehi ndher.Shelookedatt he
newphoneont hebedi ncl
udingwhatl ookedlikea
l
ett
er.Shetookitandtoreiti
ntopiecest henthrewit
i
nthedustbin.Shetookouthersim car dand
memor ycardfr
om thephoneandhandedi tt
o
Yamasa.
“
Pleasegi
vet
hatt
oyourbr
other
.”
Yamasal
ookedatherconf
used.“
What
’sgoi
ngon?
”
“
Lef
aandIhavebr
okenup.
”
“
Why?
”
“
Hehasbeencheati
ngandhasmadeanot
her
womanpr
egnant.
”
“
Hewhat
?”
“Ther
eisnoneedfort
hat
.Youlongt
oldmewher
e
youstandwheni
tcametoLefaandI
.”
“
Bant
u…Isai
dthatoutofanger
.Idi
dn’
tmeani
t.
What
’swr
ong?”
“Hewascheati
ng.Hegotanot
herwomanpregnant
.
Rememberthatonewhodri
vesaHondaFi
t?”
“
ThepregnantoneIhel
pedyouwi
thherbr
aidst
hat
t
ime?
”
“Yes.Iwonderiftheywerel
aughingatmebehi nd
myback. ”Bantusmiledt
ear
ful
ly.“Justtheot
her
dayheal mostrapedme.Hesaidbecausehe’sbeen
pati
enthe…”Shebi therl
owerl
ipcr yi
ng.Yamasa
huggedher .Bant
ucr i
edsomucht hatYamasa’s
tear
sf i
ll
edherowneyes.
“I
t’
sokBantu.Youwil
lbefi
ne.Iam sor
ry.Iam so
sorr
y.Whydidn’
tyoutel
lme?”
“
He’
syourbr
other
.I-
“
“
Sowhatifhei
s?Heneverdeser
vedyouri
ghtf
rom
t
hest
artYouwil
lmeetsomeonebet
ter
.”
Yamasapul
ledhert
othebedt
hensmi
led.“
We
shoul
dwatchamovie.For
getLef
a.He’
snott
hat
i
mportant
.Youhaveme.”
Yamasapr
essedherphoneandcal
ledKago.
“Heybabe,
canyougetBant
uandIsomet
hingt
o
eat?
”
“
Yes.Now?
”
“
Yes.
”
“
Ok.Gi
vemet
hir
tymi
nut
es.
”
“
Thanks.Il
oveyou.
”
“
Iloveyout
oo.
”
Yamasaputdownherphonet
hent
ookt
hel
apt
op.
“
Heela,l
etmet el
lyouwhathappenedatt
he
weddingyest
erday.
”
Bant
usmi
ledst
ari
ngathert
alk.

*
**

AtLef
a’shouse,
Lef
adr
ovei
ntr
yingt
ocal
lLonebut
hernumberwasst i
l
lnotgoi
ngthr
ough.Hewalked
i
nsidethehouse.Mainawal
kedfr
om thebedr
oom
andlookedathim.
“
Wher
edi
dyousl
eep?
”
Lefasighed.“
Ican’
tdothi
srel
ati
onshi
panymore.I
don’tl
oveyouanymore.If
eelsuf
focat
edandIneed
abreather.
”
Mainalaughed.“
Soyouthi
nkyoucanjustcome
backandbreakupwithme?Whatareyou
smoking?”
“
Iam notdoi
ngt
hiswi
thyouanymor
e.”
“Youar enotbreakingupwithmeLefa.Iam hereto
stay.Youbetterfi
ndotherwaystol
ovemebecause
Iam her et
osay.We’ drat
herusemyl ovebecause
youar enotbreakingupwithme.Areyouhungr y?I
cooked.”
“
Mai
na,
Idon’
twantt
okeeponhur
ti
ngyou.
”
“Iam notgoi
nganywher
ePapi
.Iam her
etostay.I
f
yout hi
nkyouar
egoingt
odumbmef orthenewgirl
,
forgeti
t.
”
Shewalkedt
otheki
tchenl
eavi
nghi
m st
andi
ng
ther
e.

*
**

Lat
ert
hatevening,
BantuwavedasKagodroveoff
wit
hYamasa.Hersmiledi
sappear
edasLefadrove
i
n.Hesteppedoutoft
hecarholdi
ngabigbouquet
ofwhi
teroses.
“
Hey…canwet
alk?
”
“
Wehavenot
hingt
otal
kabout
.Pl
easel
eave.
”
“
Igotyouf
lower
s.”
“
Idon’
tli
kewhi
ter
oses.
”
“
Oh…”
“
Pleasedon’
tmaket
hingshar
der
.”
“Iam sorr
y.Fortheli
es.Imetherthenandwehad
sexoncebutitseemsshewant edar el
ati
onshi
p.
WhenIt ol
dherIhadagi rl
fr
iend,shesaidshe
doesn’tmindshari
ng.Sheneverdr ankthe
emer gencypi l
lssoshecoul dusethepregnancyto
blackmai lmei nt
oget t
ingintoarelat
ionshipwit
h
her .Ihaveneversl eptwi t
hherf r
om thereon.Iam
sor ryforlying.Ipanicked.Iloveyou.Idon’twantt
o
l
oseyou. ”Tear sfil
ledhiseyes.“Iam losi
ngmy
mi nd.Iwi lldoanything.Pleaseforgi
veme.I
messedupbabe…IknowbutyouknowIl oveyou.
”
At earr ol
leddown.“ Il
oveyousomuch.Gi veme
onel astchancesoImakei tri
ght.
”
.
.
.
[
06/
22,
08:
16] :Fal
lenAngel
#29

Bant
ulookedathi
m si
lent
lyt
henf
oldedherar
ms.
“Thepict
uresshesent…shewaspr
egnant
.Di
dshe
blackmai
lyouint
oit?”
“
She…”
“Didshebl
ackmailyouint
otaki
ngyoutowherever
youtwohadwent ?ThevideoIwaspl
aying…you
twowereinaplane.Didshefor
ceyouintot
hat
too?”
“
Babe-
“
“Justbehonest
.Don’
tyout
hinki
t’
sjustt
ool
atet
o
keeplyi
ng?”
Lef
alookedather.“
Iam scar
edi
fIt
ellyout
henI
am goi
ngtoloseyoufor
ever.
”
“
Andt
hel
ieswi
llkeepme?
”
“
Dowehavet
ogoi
ntodet
ail
?”
“
Iwantt
oknowt
het
rut
h.Whendi
ditst
art
?”
“
Youwon’
tleaveme?
”
“
Behonest
.”
“I
twasn’tanythi
ngser
ious.I
twasjustsex.The
pregnancywasami st
ake.Iwant
edhert oabor
tbut
sherefused.
”
“
Ok.Ifi
twasonlysexthenwhywher
eyoutravel
i
ng
wit
hher?Younevert
ookmeanywhere.Ori
t’
sonly
f
orpeopl
eyousl
eepwi
th?
”
“Ineverpai
dfort
hosetr
ips.I
twasalwaysherideas.
Iguessshethoughtwewouldtur
nintosomething.
”
“
Sowhenyoucheatyoudon’tusecondoms?Al lt
he
t
imeyoucamesmel li
ngli
keawomant hem you
woul
dsayyouhadt akenabat
hatTshepo’shouse.
I
twasalwaysherakere?”
Het
ear
ful
lyl
ookedather
.“Imessedup.
”
“
Theot
herone…wher
e’sshe?
”
“I
t’
sonl
yher
.Idon’
tknowwher
eshegott
heot
her
one.
”
“Don’
tyouthi
nkyoushoul
dbeget
ti
ngpr
epar
edf
or
yournewfamil
y?”
“Il
ovedyou.Iloveyousomuch.Imessedup, butit
wasnotbecauseIdi dn’
tloveyou.Itwasnever
aboutlove.Iwantt
of i
xit.Pl
easetellmewhattodo
becauseIdon’twanttoloseyou.Iwi l
ldoanyt
hing.
”
Bant
ushookherheadt
ryi
ngt
obl
inkawayhert
ear
s.
“
Yout
ookadvant
ageofmyl
ove.Youdon’
tloveme.
”
Helookeddownbit
inghisl
ipthenrubbedhist
ears.
“Il
oveyousomuch.Pleasedon’tsaythat
.Il
ove
youmor et
hananyt
hing.
”
“Youar eal iar
.Idon’tevenknowi fthat
’sthewhole
truth.Foral lweknowmaybet hiswasapr oper
relati
onshi p.Ifitwasn’tyouwoul dhavenotbeen
goingont r
ipswi t
hherandget ti
ngherpr egnant.I
wantt of inishmydegr ee.Iam notl i
keotherpeople.
Iam abi tslowsoIneedt ofocusandr eall
ywor k
har dtopass.Ican’ tbedealingwi thyourli
esand
unf ai
thfulnesswhi leatit.Idon’twantthis
relati
onshi panymor e.
”
“
Babe-
“
“
Pleasel
eave.
”
“
Iwi
lldoanyt
hing.Pl
ease.
”
“
Ther
eisnot
hingyoucando.
”
“
Isi
tbecauseofPul
e?”
“
Idon’
tevenknowPul
e.I
t’
syou.
”
“
Youar
enotgoi
ngt
oleavemef
orhi
m.”
“
Iam l
eavi
ngyoubecauseyoucan’
tloveme.
Pl
easel
eave.
”
“Heisjustgoi
ngtouseyouanddi scardyou.You
arenotPule’
stype.Hedatesbeauti
full
ightski
nned
l
adies,worki
ngclasswit
hbeautif
ulbodies.”
“
Ok.Youcanl
eave.
”
“He’
snevergoi ngtoloveyou.Tohim youarejust
aneasyt arget
.Hehasnor easontostaywi t
hyou
aft
erfuckingyou.Youwi l
lnevergetanyoneseri
ous.
Youarenott hatgi
ftedonthelooksdepartment.
Youaretoodar kandt hi
n.Ontopofthatyouare
j
ustavar sit
ystudent.
”
“
Leave.
”
“Ihaveonl
ymadeonemi st
ake.Ihavebeent
aki
ng
careofyoual
lal
ong.Younevercomplai
ned.
”
“
Doyouwantyourmoney?
”
“I
fIwast otakemymoney, Iwouldcl
eart
hishouse.
Ifeelsor
ryforyou,yout hi
nkbecausePul
eis
aroundyoucanj ustthrowawaywhatwehavebui l
t.
Hedoesn’tdougl ygi
rlsnormall
y.”
Bant
ulookedathi
m,hervoi
ceshaki
ng.“
Pleasego
away.
”
“Youlooklikeaman, ifi
twer en’
tfordr
essesand
skir
ts,noonewoul dactuall
yknowyouar eawoman.
He’sgoingt ouseyouanddi scardyou.Histypewi
ll
comeandt akehim andyouwon’ tevenstanda
chancebecauseyouar eugly.Ebil
enotevenyour
p*ssywillkeephim becausehewoul dhaveseen
waybet t
eroutthere.”
“
Ok.
”
Onsecondnote,maybeIactual
lydowantmy
moneybecauseyouareveryungratef
ul.Giveme
mylapt
op.Youboughtitwit
hmymoney.Iwi l
l
comebackforthebedtomorrow.Iam reversi
ngt
he
ewal
let
.”
Tearsrol
ledrol
leddownhereyes.Hewalkedi
nand
tookthel
aptopt aki
ngt
hechargerwi
th.
“Iwi
llgi
veyouthenightt
othi
ngst
hrough.When
youaredone,youcancomeandpicki
tupatmy
house.”
Shewatchedhi
m walkoutwi
tht
helapt
op.Shetook
adeepbreat
htr
yingnottocr
ybuthi
swordsplayed
att
hebackofherheadmaki
ngpai
nstrangl
eher.
Sheslowlysatdownont
hebedwi
pingateart
hat
hadroll
eddown.
Lef
adr oveoff
.Bantusni
ff
edcryi
ngforminutes.A
whil
elatershestoodupandpackedherbel
ongings
i
nherbag.Shet ookaboxandputherkit
chenst uf
f
i
nsideandpackedeveryt
hingel
se.

*
**

Thefol
lowingmorni
ng,
Bantuwalkedinsi
dethe
householdi
nghernewsmallphone.Shesatdown
onthebedandmadeacall.
Awomanpi
cked.
“
Hel
lo?
”
“
Dumel
ang,
it’
sBantu.Wespokeear
li
eron.Ihave
t
her
entmoney.I
sitokifImovet
oday?”
“
Yes.Iwi
llmeetyouatthehouse.Youarestudent
r
ight
?Thebachelorpadisonl
yforstudent
s.”
“
EemmaIam.Iwi
llbr
ingmydocument
s.”
“
Per
fect
.Let
’smeett
her
einanhour
?”
“
Yes.Thankyou.
”
“
Youar
ewel
come.
”
Thelandlor
dhungup.Bantuwal kedt
ommagwe
Malebogo’shouseandknocked.Shewal
kedout
andlookedather.
“
Ifoundahouse.Iam sor
ryIam movi
ngoutl
ike
t
hisbutIdon’
tfeel
saf
eanymore.”
Shesmi
led.“
Iunderst
and.WithRragweMalebogo
onhi
str
ips…itmakesitdi
ff
icult
.Iam sor
ry.
”
Bant
unodded.“
It
’sal
ri
ght
.Thankyouf
orl
ett
ingme
st
ayher
e.”
“
Youarewel
come.ButIwi
llal
wayscal
lyout
odo
myhai
r.
”
“Eemma.Iam l
eavi
ngthefurni
tur
einsi
de.Lef
awi
ll
comeandcoll
ecthi
sthings.
”
“
Ok.
”
Shet
urnedandwal
kedbackt
oherr
oom cal
li
ng
Lef
a.
“
Hi.
”
“
Hey…uh-
“
“
Iam movingout.Ihavelef
tever
ythi
ngIbought
wit
hyourmoney.It’
sinthehouse.Mmagwe
Malebogowi
lll
etyouintotakeyourbel
ongi
ngs.
”
“
WhatIsai
dyest
erday-
“
“Ibel
ievether
eisnothi
ngtyi
ngyout
ome.St ay
awayf rom me.Idon’
twantt
oopenarapecase.”
Shehungupandbl ockedhi
m asPuledrovei
n
l
isteningtoAlwaysOnTime.Hesteppedoutoft
he
carsmi l
ingandwalkedovert
oher.Bant
uheldher
breath.
“
Hey…wher
eisever
ythi
ng?
”
Shet urnedtaki
ngadeepbr eat
handwal kedt
oher
bags.Pul etookthebagsf r
om herandloaded
everythingincl
udingtheboxesinthecar.She
walkedt oMmagweMal ebogo’
shouseandgaveher
thekeyst hengotinthecar .
“
Thankyou.
”
Hesmi
led.“
Anyt
ime.
”
Heincreasedthevolumedri
vingout
.Bant ul
ooked
outthr
ought hewindowwonderingwhathad
changedwi t
hhim ormaybeitwasherlooksl
ike
Lefahadsaid.Orherdarkski
n.
Shetouchedf
aceandsi
ghedsadl
y.Pul
elookedat
her
.
“
Wher
ear
ewegoi
ng?
”
Shet
urnedt
ohi
m.“
Oh.
.sor
ry.
”
“
Areyouok?
”
Shenodded.“
Yes.
”
“
Ok…youcandi
rectme.
”

Atthenewhouse,
Pulewal
kedar
oundherbachel
or
padthenl
ookedather
.
“
It
’sni
ce.
”
“
Yes.Thankyou.
”
Hegotcl
osert
oherandhel
dherhands.“
Tal
ktome.
What
’swrong?
”
Tear
sfi
ll
edhereyes.“
Iam j
ust
…adj
ust
ing.
”
Hehuggedher.Bant
uwr appedherar
msar
ound
hi
m andtookadeepbreath.

*
**

Lefasatinhiscarstari
ngattheratpoisonhehad
bought.Heleanedbackandcl osedhiseyesfeel
ing
asifhi
sentireworldhadfal
lenapartandhewasn’ t
evensurehowt ofixthi
ngsgoingforward.
Hereachedfort
hepoi
sonandputiti
nhi
smouth.
Maybethiswoul
dshowherjusthowmuchhel
oved
her
.

TWOYEARSLATER…
.
.
.
[
06/
22,
08:
16] :Fal
lenAngel
#30

TwoYear
sLat
er…

Bantuheldanumbr el
laoverherheadwal
kinghome
carr
yingherbag.Acarsloweddownbesidesher
thenthedri
verrol
leddownhiswindow.
Anel
der
lymansmi
ledather
.
“
Hibaby.
.wakae?(
Wher
ear
eyougoi
ng?
)”
Bant
ulookedathi
m.“Keal
apengmal
ome.(
Iam
goi
nghomeuncle.
)”
Helaughed.“
Tsenakegoi
se.(
Geti
n.Iwi
lldr
opyou
of
f.
)”
“
Iam f
ine,
thankyou.
”
“
Ahhcomeonsweet
hear
t.
”
“
Keshar
p.Thanks.
”
Bantucrossedtheroadandsi
ghedwalki
ng.He
droveawayt henBantut
ookoutherr
ingi
ngphone
fr
om herhandbag.
“
Yaya…”
“
Hey,
haveyoul
eft
?”
“
No.Notyet.Iam goi
nghomet
otakemyt
hings
t
henIwil
lcome.”
“
Ok.Iam soner
vous.
”
“
Why?
”
Yamasagi ggl
ed.“
Iam j
ustnervous.KanaKago’
s
famil
yhasbeenmakingthingscompl i
cat
edforhi
m.
Youcant el
lgoret
heyj
ustdon’twanttoseehim
happy.”
“
Iam sor
ry.
”
“
WaitseIcant
ell
thatmymani
sst
ressed.He’
sso
wor
ri
ed.”
“
Ever
ythi
ngwi
llgowel
l.Hi
sbr
other
s?”
“
Imakesur
eIavoi
dthosepeopl
eatal
lcost
s.Idon’
t
wanttomakeKagooverthi
nkthings.Isti
lldon’
t
under
standhowyourownbr ot
hercant akeyour
wif
eandmakeherhis.”
“
Otherpeopl
ear
ejustl
iket
hat
.”
“Myhai
risdone.Mamai
scomi
ngwi
thmyweddi
ng
gown.
”
“
Ist
hebumpshowi
ng?
”
“
No.Ihaven’
ttol
dhi
m yet
.Iwantt
otel
lhi
m
t
oni
ght.
”
“
Iam sohappyf
oryoumyf
ri
end.
”
“Iam sohappyt
oo.Iwoul
dhaveneverimagi
ned
thi
s…Iam abouttobeawif
e…amom. .itf
eel
sli
kea
dream.AndKagoisamazi
ng.He’
sperfect
.”
“
Iam happyf
oryou.
”
“
Doquickl
yandcome.Iam sur
roundedbyol
d
l
adi
es.
”
“
Ok.
”
Bantuhungupwal ki
ngthr
oughthegate.Shet
ook
outherhousekeysthenunl
ockedherdoorand
walkedinsi
deherbachelorpad.Shetookof
fher
shoespassingherminisit
ti
ngroom goingt
oher
bedroom.
Shetookaqui ckshowertofr
eshenupthenputher
j
eansandat -shir
t.Herphonerang,
shelookedat
thecal
lerandsmi l
edsit
ti
ngdowni nfr
ontofthe
mirr
orpicki
ng.
“
Hel
lo?
”
“
Iam out
side.Takwano.
”
Shesmi l
edt
henquickl
ywalkedout
.Pulesmi
led
standi
ngbyhiscart
alki
ngonthephone,hel
ooked
atherasshestoodbythedoor
.
“Wewil
ltal
kinper
son.
”Hehungupandwal
ked
over
.
Bant
uwat chedhim walkover
,themorehegot
cl
osershefeltl
ikepreyandhe..t
hepredat
or.He
smil
edthenputhi shandsonhiswaist
.
“
Hey…”
Shebl
ushedl
ooki
ngathi
m.“
Hi.
”
Het
ouchedherchi
n.“
Youl
ookbeaut
if
ul.Wher
ear
e
wegoi
ng?
”
“
Yayai
sget
ti
ngmar
ri
ed.
”
“
Damnhowl
onghaveIbeengone?
”
Bant
ulaughed.“
Nottoolong.He’
stheonewho
want
editdonequickl
y.”
“
Youl
ookbeaut
if
ul.
”
Shesmil
edshyl
y.“
Thankyou.Ineedt
ofi
nish
packi
ngsoIgo.
”
“
Wher
eisi
thappeni
ng,
Iwi
lldr
opyouof
f.
”
“Oh…it
’shereinGabsbutshe’
sal
onesur
roundi
ng
bytheolderl
adies.
”
Bantuturned.Pul
ewalkedbehi
ndher .Hel
ookedat
herbeautif
ull
ydecor
atedhouse.Bantuwal
kedto
herbedroom andchangedhert-
shir
tthent
ook
anotherone.
Puleknockedt henslowl
yopenedthedoorasBant
u
putonhert-shirt
.Shelookedathi
m,hernippl
es
i
mpr i
ntedont het-shi
rt
.
Hewat
chedasshebendedandf
oldedt
heendson
herj
eanst
henputonhershoes.Shesmi
led.
“Iam done.
”Shegotherbagandwal
kedover
.“We
cango.”
Puletookherbagfrom herthenwalkedout.Bantu
l
ockedt hedoorasPuleputherbagi ntheboot.He
openedt hedoorf
orher,shewalkedoverandgotin.
Pulej umpedi nanddr oveoutofheryard.He
stoppedt hensteppedoutt ogoandcl osethegate.
Hisphonest art
edringingfr
om hisseat.She
curi
ousl ylookedoverwant i
ngt oseewhowas
call
ingbutt hescreenwasf acingdown.Shet ooka
deepbr eathashegotbacki nthecarthenpicked
hisringingphone.
“
Iwi
llcal
lyouback.
”
Hehungupandputthephonedowndri
vingoff.
Pul
edrovet
hrought
hefil
li
ngst
ati
onthenlookedat
her
.
“
Doyouwantanyt
hing?
”
“
No.Iam f
ine.
”
Hest
eppedoutoft
hecarast
heat
tendantwal
ked
over.Theyspokel aughi
ng.Bantufoundherself
smili
ngst ari
ngathim ashelaughed.Hewal ked
i
nsidet hefil
li
ngstati
onstor
ethenwal kedout
minutesl at
erholdi
ngaplasti
c.Awomanwhohad
j
ustpar kedsteppedoutofhercarandwal kedover
tohim pushingherlongweaveback.Shesai d
somet hingmakinghim smil
e.
Bant
uwatchedastheyspokef
orawhil
ethenhe
fi
nal
lywal
kedoverandgotint
hecar
.
“
Take.
”
Shet
ookt
hepl
ast
ic.“
Thanks.
”
Hetookoutmult
ipl
eP200notesandhandedthe
at
tendantt
hendroveof
f.Shequi
etl
ydirect
edhi
mto
whereYamasawas.Heparkedatthegate.
Bant
uopenedt
hedoor
.“Thankyou.
”
Shesteppedoutoft
hecarandcl
osedt
hedoort
hen
tr
iedopeningt
heboot.
Pul
est
eppedoutandwal
kedover
.
*
Areyouok?
”
“
Yes.
”
Pulel
ookedatherf
ace.“Iam notgoi
ngt
otr
yand
guesswhat’
swrongwithyouwhenyoucantal
k.I
am notGod.
”
“
Iam f
ine.
”
“
Youar
enotget
ti
ngyourbagt
il
lyout
alk.
”
Shelookedathim,asmuchasshehadt
ri
ednott
o
l
etitbotherherbut
…
“
Am It
oodar
kforyou?
”
“
What
?”
“
Am It
oodar
kforyou?
”
Hechuckl
ed.“
Wher
e’st
hiscomi
ngf
rom?
”
“Atfi
rstyouwer ereall
yint
omebutt henitgradual
ly
stoppedandbecamer andom.Ijustwonder
somet i
mes…whenyouar ewit
hmei sitbecause
youarej ustboredorwhat?BecauseIknowIdon’ t
havethegr eatestl
ooksandalsoIam verydarkand
youpr ef
erlightski
nnedladi
eswithnicebodies.I
knowIam notal lt
hatbut…Ij
ustwanttoknowwhy
youstopped. ”
“
Whydoyout
hinkyoudon’
thavet
hegr
eat
est
l
ooks?
”
“
Iknow.Icanseemysel
font
hemi
rr
or.
”
Hetil
tedherchi n.“Youar ebeautif
ul.Youarevery
beauti
ful,
youhavet hisroundishkindofovalface…
andyouhavet hemostbeaut i
fuleyesIhaveever
seen.Somet imesIf eell
ikeyoucanseer i
ght
thr
oughme.Yourl ipsaref ul
landbeaut i
ful
..nott
o
mentionjuicy.Icouldkissyoual lday.Yourhair
l
ooksl i
keacr own.Andi t’ssolongbutIf i
guredit
’s
becauseyouar ehairybutinasexyway. ”
Shesmi ledlookingdown.Het il
tedherchi n
wrappinghisot herarm aroundhersl im waist.“You
haveabeaut ifulbodythatissti
lldeveloping.Look
atyou…younowf il
lsi
ze32pant s,youhaveni ce
beautif
ulhipsandni ceroundassbutIam notgoi ng
totalkaboutyourbody.Youhavet hegreatestl ooks,
youar enotthatdark.Yourcompl exi
oni sthatof
coffeewithli
ttlemil
k.Perfectandst rong.Godt ook
histimewi t
hyoubecauseyouar esobeaut i
ful,I
don’tknowhowyoudon’ tseeit
.Youar ear are
gem. ”
Shelookedathi
m, t
ear
sfi
ll
inghereyes.Her
ubbed
herl
ipswithhi
sthumb.
“Youar etoogoodf ormebabe…wayt oogood.I
knowIwi l
lbet oomucht ohandl ef oryou.Ihave
donet hings,myl ifeisnotst raight .Ilivebyt he
swor d.Youdeser veagoodwor kingcl assmanwho
wear ssuitsandl ivesast raightl i
fe.Youdeser ve
thatkindofper fectl i
fewher eyoudon’ thavet o
wor ryaboutanyt hingbutj usthappi ness.Wi thme
youar enotget ti
ngt hat.Nott hatIcan’ tloveyoubut
myki ndofl oveisnott het ypeyouwant ,trustme.I
havewayt oomanyskel etonsi nmycl oset .Iam
definit
elygoingt ohel l.SoIst oppedbecauseI
reali
zedIdon’ twantt oputyout hr ought hatandI ’d
ratherbei nthebackgr oundevent houghIknowI
l
oveyou. ”
Hel eanedoverandki
ssedher
.Bant
uclosedher
eyesr ecei
vingt
hegent
leki
ss,
herhandsonhis
biceps.Hemovedbackandsmi l
ed.
“Youdeser
vebett
er.
”Hetookoutherbagfr
om t
he
bootandhandeditt
oher.“
Buti
fthat’
swhatyou
want,t
hechoicei
syour
s.Iam t
ravel
ingt
oCape
Towntomor r
ow.Meetmeatt heai
rpor
tat1700hrs.
Iwil
lgetyouaplaneticket
.Ifyoucome,youare
comingknowingthatIam notanywherecloset
o
bei
ngholy.”
Hedroppedababyki
ssonherl
ipst
hengoti
nhi
s
caranddroveof
f.
Lefawhohadbeenwatchi
ngf r
om insi
dethehouse
walkedoutj
ustasBant
uturned.Shetookadeep
breat
hlooki
ngathi
m.
Hesmi
ledappr
oachi
ngherpret
endingasi
f
wat
chi
ngPuleki
ssherhadn’
thurt
.“Hey…”
Bant
ulookedathi
m,aft
ert
heat
tempt
edsui
cideact
hehadpull
edonever
yone,
shebyal
lmeans
avoi
dedhim.
“
Hi.
”
Helookedatherandsmiledt
ryi
ngtohol
dback
tear
s.Shelookedbeaut
if
ul…i
tseemedshegoteven
bett
erwit
ht heyear
s.
“
Hel
lo.
”
Hecl
ear
edhi
sthr
oat
.“Idi
dn’
tthi
nkIwasgoi
ngt
o
seeyout
oday.
”
“
Oh…”
“
Howar
eyou?
”
“
Iam f
ine.
”
Acarparkedout
sidethegat
ethenMainast
epped
outpushi
ngherbigbump.Bantul
ookedathert
hen
si
ghed.
Lefaswal
lowed.“
Ihavebeenusi
ngacondom butI
thi
nkshedidsomethi
ngtoit
.”
“
Congr
atul
wti
one.
”
Heli
ckeddryl
ips.“
Youlookbeaut
if
ul.Il
ikewhat
youdi
dwithyourhair
.”
“
Bye.
”
Hehel
dherhand.“
Bant
u-“
“Letgo.Leavemeal one.Iam notdoi
ngthi
swith
you.Stophar assi
ngme.Idon’ twanttoref
rai
n
revoki
ngt herestr
ainingorder
.Getyourhandsoff
mepl ease.”
Mai
naappr
oached.“
Andt
hen?
”
Bantuwalkedawaysilentl
y.Shewalkedi
nsidethe
houseandgreetedtheeldersheadedtot
her oom
whereYamasawas.Shewal kedin.Yamasalooked
atherandsmiled.
“
Hey…”
Bant
uwal kedoverandhuggedher
.“Hey…your
aunt
’shouseisnice.
”
Thedooropenedt
henMainawal
kedin.Shelooked
atBantut
henatYamasa.“
Yamasa,
youar ebeing
cal
led.
”
Yamasagotupthenwal
kedoutwi
thMai
nabut
secondsl
aterMai
nawal
kedbacki
n.
“
Whatwer
eyout
alki
ngaboutwi
thmyman?
”
“
Not
hing.
”
“Ir
espectthef actt
hatyouareYamasa’ sfri
endbut
i
feveryout hinkyouwi l
lgobehi
ndever yone’
sback
andstartsleepingwit
hLefa,youwillknowmef or
whoIreallyam.Tr yit
.Thisi
saf r
iendlywarning.”
MmagweLef
awal
kedi
nthenpausedl
ooki
ngat
Mai
na.
“Uhu.Leteng?Let
sil
eleng?It
houghtyouwentt
o
yourmother.”
Mai
nasmi
led.“
Idi
dbutIcamef
ort
heweddi
ng.
”
“Ege.
.Mmet hatyouarehere,
youcangoandhel
p
around.Pi
ckli
tt
eraroundtheyar
d.”
“
Bant
ucanhel
pme.
”
“Bant
u?No.Bantuisasgoodasawif
ehere.Ke
bestgi
rl.
”Shetur
nedtoBant
uandsmiledhappi
ly.
“Ngwetsiyame…(Mydaught
eri
n-l
aw.
.)
Mainawat
chedasmmagweLef
ahuggedBant
u
t
ightl
y.
.
.
.
[
06/
22,
08:
16] :Fal
lenAngel
#31

Lat
ert
hateveni
ng,
Bant
upausedscr
oll
ingon
Facebookcomi ngacrossLone’
suploadedpictur
es
withherandherdaught er
.Shezoomedi nthe
pict
ure,shecouldseeLefaonher.Shelookedat
Lonethenr eact
edwithaheartonthepictur
eand
conti
nuedscr ol
li
ngdownFacebook.
Herphoner
angt
henshepi
ckedt
heunsaved
number.
“
Hel
lo?
”
“
Hi.
”
“
Lef
a-“
“
Canwet
alk?
”
“
Ihavenot
hingt
otal
ktoyouabout
.”
“
IswearIam notgoi
ngtoharassyou.Ij
ustwantt
o
t
alk.Pl
ease,
Iam beggi
ngyou.”
“
Youwantyourgi
rl
fr
iendt
ohar
assme?
”
“Shei
snothere.I
twon’tt
akeal
ong.Ij
ust
…pl
ease.
Keagokopa.Iam par
kedoutsi
de.
*
ShelookedatYamasawhohaddozedofft
hen
si
ghedhangingup.Shewal
kedoutoft
hehouse
andwal
kedt
othegat
ewher
ehehadpar
ked.
Shegoti
nthecarandl
ookedathi
m.
“
What
?”
“Iam nothar
assingyou.Ij
ustneverr
eall
y
apol
ogizedforeveryt
hingt
hathappened.
”
“
Itdoesn’
tmat
ter
.”
“
Itdoes.I
t’
sther
easonyouhat
eme.
”
“Idon’
that
eyou.Ijustwi
shIneversai dyes
becauseIdon’
tthi
nkyoueverlovedme.YouknewI
l
ikedyouandyoutookadvantageoft hat
.Maybei
t
madeyouhappyt ohavesomeonel oveyoumore
thanyoudid.
”
“Itwasneverl i
kethat
.Ilovedyou.Isti
lldo.Ij
ust
fail
edt okeepagoodt hi
nggoi ng.I
twasnever
aboutl ovebecauseIknowIl oveyoumor ethan
anything.IfIcoul
dtakebackt hehandsoft i
me…I
woul d.
”
“Youcan’t.Youl
ied,cheat
edandwentont
o
i
mpr egnatetheotherwoman.Youhur
tmeandIwi
ll
nevertakeyouback.”
“
Iunder
stand.Ij
ustwant
edt
oapol
ogi
ze.
”
“
It
’sf
ine.
”
“Soyouar esti
lldat
ingPule?Doyouknowhe’ s
beinginvest
igatedf
ortranspor
ti
ngill
egalweapons
anddrugs?Thepol icewerequest
ioni
nghim
yester
day.”
“
Ok.Thankyou.
”
“Hei snotgoodf oryou.Iam notsayi
ngtakeme
back.Iam notpai nt
inghim badtomakemel ook
betterbuthe’snotgoodf oryou.Heisnotthe
personyout hinkheis.”
“
Heneversai
dorpr
etendedt
obewhathe’
snot
.”
Lefatri
edtouchingherbutshemovedback.“ Iam
gladwehadt hisconver
sati
on.Theairhasbeen
clear
ed.Idon’that
eyou.Iwillnotwastemyt i
me
l
ikethat.Iwantnothi
ngtodowi thyou.It
’san
unfort
unatethatYayaismyf ri
endandshe’s
connectedtoyoubutpleasestayawayf rom me.I
wantyouf arfr
om me.”
Henodded.“
Ok.But
…canIsendyousomet
hing
aboutPul
e.I
tfi
ne…Iwil
lst
ayawayfr
om youbut
pl
ease…youneedtoknowtheper
sonheis.
”
“
Thi
sbet
terbet
hel
astt
imeyoucal
lme.
”
Shesteppedoutofthecarandquickl
ytot
hehouse.
Hetookadeepbr eat
hofwat chi
ngherwal
ktothe
doort
henhewal kedinsi
dethehouse.
Hesentthedocumentt
ohernumberandst
art
ed
hi
scarthendroveof
f.

*
**

Thefol
lowingmorning,Yamasasmi l
edasher
motherzi
ppedhergown.Shel ookedathersel
fon
themir
rorandsmiledtearf
ull
ystari
ngathersel
fin
thel
ongdress.
Shelookedupt
ryi
ngt
obl
inkawayhert
ear
sbutone
rol
leddown.
Hermot
hersmi
led.“
Youl
ookbeaut
if
ulYaya.
”
Yamasasmi
led.“
Thankyou.
”
Hermotherpi
nnedt
hevei
linherheadt
hencover
ed
herf
ace.
“Ineverli
kedhim atfi
rstbuthe’sagoodman.You
areblessed.Otherpeoplewon’tbesolucky.We
shouldgetgoing.”
Thedoorsl
owlyopenedt
henBant uwalkedi
nher
bl
ueGermanybodyhuggingdressthatwassli
ght
ly
di
ff
erentf
rom whatt
heotherbri
desmaidswere
weari
ng.
Yayasmi
led.“
Youl
ookbeaut
if
ul.Thedr
essi
sfi
ne?
”
Bant
unodded.“
It
’sabi
tti
ghtbuti
t’
sfi
ne.
”
Shepi
ckedYaya’
sfl
ower
sandhandedt
hem t
oher
.
“
Youar
ever
ybeaut
if
ul.
”
Yamasasmi
led.“
Thankyou.
”
MmagweLef awalkedoutgivi
ngt
hegi
rl
ssome
space.Yayal
ookedathersel
font
hemir
rort
hen
tur
nedtoBantu.
“
Isawt
hatguywadit
att
oodr
opyouof
fyest
erday.
”
“
Pul
e?”
“
Idon’
tli
kehi
m.”
“
Youdon’
tevenknowhi
m.”
“Idon’thavet
oknowhi mtoknowhe’ sbadnews.I
don’tknowhowyoui gnoresuchredfl
ags.Thi
sis
howyouendupwi t
hser i
alki
ll
ersBantu.
”
“
Pul
eisact
ual
lyagoodguy.
”
“Good?Thatone?Hel ooks….Isthattheki
ndofman
youwanti nyourl i
feisBantu?Youwi l
lneverget
whereIam i fyoudon’tstayawayf r
om histype.
There’
snot hinggoodaboutt hatguyexpectthefact
thathelooksl i
keasat ani
stkaditatt
oo.Ora
cri
minal.Idon’tthi
nkitwasr i
ghtforyoutobr i
ng
suchamanoverher e.”
“Youdon’
tknowPule.St
optal
kingabouthim asi
f
youknowhim.Youknownothing.Don’
tjudgehim.
NooneeverjudgedKago.
”
“
Whywouldanyonej
udgeKago?Kagoi
saper
fect
man.He’
sagoodman.”
“
Pul
eisgoodt
omet
oo.
”
“
Youar
egoi
ngt
oregr
ett
hiswhenhesel
lsyouof
f
t
othehighestbi
dderaf
terr
api
ngyoumul
ti
ple
t
imes.
”
“Youar enotgoingtotal
kabouthimlikethat.I
fyou
havenot hingtosayabouthim,keepquiet
.Iwould
choosehi m overyourbr
otheranyday.He’sway
betterthanhim.Havingtat
toosdoesn’tmakeyoua
satanist.I
fyouliket
hem li
keKago,veryold,
good
foryou.Pul ei
smi netoworryabout
.”
“
Howcanyoubet
hissl
owBant
u?Can’
tyousee?
”
“YesIcan’
tsee.Samewayyoucoul dn’tseej
ust
howmuchol derKagoisandt
hef actthatyoulook
l
ikehischi
ldinst
eadofhiswi
fe.Let’
sgo.Everyone
i
swai t
ing.
”
Bant
uwal
kedout
,herheel
sechoi
ngont
het
il
ed
fl
oor
.

*
**

Att
hechurch,Kagosmil
edtear
ful
lywat
chi
ngas
Yamasa’
sfathersl
owl
ywithYamasatowar
dshi
m.
Hi
suncl
ewat chedthebeaut
if
ulyoungwoman
sl
owl
yapproachhisnephew,shewassobeaut
if
ul,
wayt
oobeautifulf
orhi
m.
Hiseyeswenttoherbodyasherhipsmovedf rom
si
detoside.Yamasa’
sfatherhandedheroverand
smil
edwalkingovert
ohisseatasKagoheld
Yamasa’shands.
Mainawatchedbeast
heRever
endst
art
edt
alki
ng.
ShelookedatLef
a.
“
Whenar
eyougoi
ngt
omar
ryme?
”
Helookedathert
aki
nghi
seyesof
fBant
u.“
Why
wouldI?”
“
BecauseIwantt
ogetmar
ri
edoneday.Don’
tyou
wantt
ogetmarri
ed?
”
“
Ido.
”
Shesmi
led.“
When?
”
“
WhenIam r
eady.
”
“
Wheni
sthat
?Idon’
twantt
owai
tfor
ever
.”
“
Iwi
llgetmar
ri
edwhenIam r
eady.Buti
twon’
tbe
t
oyou.Idon’
tloveyou.
”
“
Ist
hisal
lbecauseBant
u?”
“Il
ongstoppedl
ovi
ngyoubeforeBant
uwasmi ne.
ButassoonasIgetherback,
Iam marryi
ngher
.”
Shel
ookedathi
sst
raightf
acethatj
ustdi
dn’
tcar
e.
Shest
oodupandwalkedout.
Mai
natookadeepbreat
hfeigni
ngtobestrongbut
t
ear
sroll
eddown.Shewalkedtohercarandgotin
t
henputherhandst
oget
hercryi
ng.
“
Godpl
ease.
.”

*
**

Lat
ert
hatday,Bant
uwalkedovertoYamasaatt
he
weddi
ngvenuecarr
yingherbag.
“
Iam goi
ng.
”
“
Butwear
enotdone.
”
“
Mostofever
ythi
nghasbeendone.Ineedt
ogo.I
am goi
ngsomewher
e.”
“
Andthi
splaceyouar
egoi
ngi
smor
eimpor
tant
t
hanme?”
“
Congr
atul
ati
ons.
”
Shewal
kedouttowher
ethecabshehadcal
ledwas
wai
ti
ng.Shegoti
nsi
de.
“Dumelang.Ineedyoutot
akemehomet
henatt
he
air
por
t.Ihaveanhour.”
“
Ok.
”

AtBantu’
shouse,Bantuhurr
iedi
nsi
dealready
unzi
ppingherdress.Sher
ushedtothebathroom
andtookashowert henwal
kedout,
hertowel
wrappedaroundherbody.
Shefrozest
ari
ngatMai
nawhowasseat
edonher
bed.
“
Whatar
eyoudoi
ngher
e?I
nmybedr
oom?
”
Mai
nastoodup.“It
houghtwecoul
dreal
lyt
alk.
Wi
thoutdi
stur
bance.
”
“Idon’thavetimef
oryournonsense.Idon’ tknow
whol etyouinmyhousebuti tyout hinkyouar e
goingt oharassmeoranything,Iam goi ngtobeat
yousohar dyouwillgi
vebirt
hi nstantl
y.Ihavebeen
sil
entwhi l
eyouharassedmeandi nsultedme, I
havewat chedyoudoeverythingtopr ovokeme,
todayisyourdaybecauseIam goi ngtor et
ali
ate.
”
Mainaopenedherhandbagt hensprayedPepper
sprayri
ghtint
oBant u’seyes.Bantuscreamedas
hereyesburnt.Mainar ushedtothesi
tti
ngroom
andtookher500mlbot tl
eofacidandrushedover
tothebedroom openingt hel
id.
.
.
.
[
06/
22,
08:
17] :Fal
lenAngel
#32
Aft
erheari
ngascream,thetaxidr
iverbudgedint
he
bedroom t
henpushedMainawhowasopeni nga
bott
lewhil
eBantucont
inuedtoscream.
Maina’
sheartpoundedast
hemansnat
chedt
he
bot
tlef
rom her.
“
Whati
sthi
s?Oi
rang?Iam cal
li
ngt
hepol
ice.
”
“
Myeyesar
ebur
ning!
”
Hel
ookedoveratBant
uthenatMai
na.
“
Mysi
ster
,Iam cal
l
ingt
hepol
ice.
”
Mainsl
ookedathi
m.“She’stheonewhoat t
acked
me.Iwasonlyact
ingoutofsel
fdefense.
”
“Youwillt
ellt
hepolicethat
.Ebil
ethi
ssmell
sli
ke
acid.I
tmeansyouwant edtopourherwi
thaci
d.I
am call
ingthepol
ice.”
Hepickedt
hel
idandcl
osedt
hebot
tl
ethenwal
ked
overt
oBant
u.
“Myeyesarebur
ning.Ican’
tsee.Myeyesar
e
bur
ning.Hel
pme.”
Mai
nal
ookedathi
mthenwal
kedout
.Shepi
cked
herhandbagandr
anoutoft
heyar
dshaki
ngherbi
g
bel
ly.
Thecabdri
veropenedherwar
drobet
hentookout
hermorni
nggownandputitonherbef
oretaki
ng
hert
ohiscar.
HelookedatMainar unni
ngdownt heroadthenput
Bantuatthebackseat.Herushedbacktoherdoor
thenlockedanddrovetothehospit
al.

*
**

Att
hehospi
tal
,thedoct
orl
ookedatBant
u.
“
Howar
eyouf
eel
ingnow?
”
Shel
ookedhi
m.“
It
’snotbur
ningal
otanymor
e.”
“
Giveitaf
ewmor
emi
nut
esandyoushoul
dbe
f
ine.
”
“Ineedtogo.Someonei swait
ingf
ormeatt
he
air
port.Iam t
ravel
ing.Ineedt
ogo.
”
“
Ok.Letmebr
ingyousomewi
per
sthenyoucan
go.
”
“
Thankyou.
”
Bantucoughedt
hennodded.Thedoct
orwal
kedout
thenthebabydr
iverwal
kedi
n.
“
Mysi
ster
…”
“
Hi.Weneedt
ogo.Howmanymi
nut
esdoIhave
l
eft
?”
“
Helookedathi
swat
ch.“
15mi
nut
es.Icant
akeyou
t
her
e.”
“
Idon’
thavecl
otheson.Mypasspor
tisathome.
”
Tear
sfi
ll
edhereyes.
“Someplanesgetdel
ayed.Maybeyoucanst
il
lgo.
Let’
sgo.
”
Tear
sroll
eddownasshegotof
fbedjustast
he
doct
orwalkedi
n.Shetookt
hewi
per
sandhur r
ied
outwit
hthecabdri
ver
.
“Borr
owmeyourphonesoIcal
lthepersonIam
goingwit
h.Hei
sgoi
ngtothi
nkIdon’twanttogo
withhim.
”
“
Idon’
thaveai
rt
ime.Iam sor
ry.
”
“
Ok.Dr
ivef
ast
er.
”

AtBantu’
shouse,
Bantuhur
ri
edinsi
deandpi
cked
herphoneonthebed.I
twasnow17:03.
Sheunlockedherscr
eenanddi
aledhisnumber .
Sheputthephonethephoneonherear,herheart
raci
ng.
“
Hey…”
“Hi
…hi..IwascomingbutLefa’
sexatt
ackedme
andsprayedmewi t
hpepperspray.Myeyeswere
bur
ning,thecabIhadcall
edt
ookmet othehospi
tal
.
Iwanttocome.Iam nowathome.Iwantt ocome,I
l
oveyou.Haveyoul ef
t?”
“
No.Ar
eyouok?
”
“Myeyesar
ejusti
rr
it
ated.Butt
hat
’sal
l.Iam f
ine.
Am It
oolat
e?”
Hechuckl
ed.“
No.Youcanneverbet
ool
ate.Iam
comi
ng.”
Shehungupandopenedt hewindowstogetri
dof
thesmoke.Shet ookouthertraveli
ngbagand
quickl
ypackedi tjustincasebeforechangi
ngi
ntoa
fl
oraldress.Shewal kedoutholdingmoneyand
paidthetaxidri
ver.
“
Thankyou.
”
Helookedatherreddi
sheyes.“Keepsafemysi
ster.
Isawthatl
adycomeandshesai dshe’
syoursi
ster
.
Shewasgoi ngtoburnyou.Thatbot
tl
eshehadwas
ful
lwit
hacid.”
“Shei
smyexboyfri
end’
snewgirl
fr
iend.Idon’
t
knowwhatshewantsfr
om me.
”
“
Iam sor
ry.
”
“
It
’sok.Thankyou.
”
Her
eversedanddr
oveof
fasshewentbacki
nsi
de
t
hehouse.
Minut
eslateracardr
oveinoutsi
de.Shewalkedout
andwatchedhim wal
kover.Hetookoffhi
scap
l
ooki
ngathereyescuppi
ngherf
ace.
“
Whathappened?
”
“It
’sLefa’sex.Shet hi
nksIam stil
laft
erhi
m.Iwent
totakeabat h, whenIcamebackshewasonmy
bed.Shet oldt hecabdrivert
hatshe’smysist
er
thenspr ayedPepperspr ayonmyeyes.Thedoctor
saidIwi l
lbef i
ne.Iwantt oopenacaseatthepoli
ce.
Ifthecabdr iverdidn’
tcomei nsi
dethehouseshe
wasgoi ngt obur nmewi thacid.
”
“
Iam sor
ry.Iwi
llt
akeyouther
e.Iknowsomeoneat
t
hepoli
cewhowi l
lmakethearr
estqui
cker
.”
“
Areyoust
il
lgoi
ng?
”
“
Yes.Iam l
eavi
ngi
nanhour
.”
“
Iwantt
ocomewi
th.
”
Hishandsmovedt oherwaistthenhepushedherin
thehouseki
ssingherthenpickedherupandplaced
heronherli
tt
leki
tchencountergett
ingbet
weenher
l
egs.
Bant
usl
owlyputherhandatthebackofhisneck
ki
ssi
nghi
m back.Hesqueezedherli
tt
leper
ky
breast
st hatcoul
deasil
yfil
lhi
spalm asheli
ps
movedt oherneck.Sheclosedhereyesbr
eathi
ng
heavil
y,herpussythr
obbing.
Het
ouchedherthi
ghspushinghi
shandsf
urt
herup
t
henhetouchedherwetpanti
es.
“
Pul
e…Ineedt
otel
lyousomet
hing.
”
Heki
ssedherl
ipssof
tl
ythenl
ookedather
.
“
Yeah.
.”
“
I…Ihaveneverhadsexbef
ore.
”
“
Ok.”Hesmi
led.“
Butyouknowi
t’
sgoi
ngt
ohappen
r
ight
?”
“
Yes.
”
Heki
ssedher
.“Wher
eisyourbag?
”
“
Inmybedr
oom.
”
“Wewillpassbythepol
icest
ati
onfi
rst
.Shewi
ll
stayi
nt hecel
lst
il
lwecomeback.”

*
**
Atpoli
ce,Mai
nawalkedinsi
dewithLefa.Bantu
l
ookedatherwithasigh.Nowthatshewasr eal
ly
l
ookingather,
Lonehadbeenwaybeaut if
ul.Toa
cer
tainext
entsheal
sohadclass.
Shewasn’tsur
ewhereLef
ahadpi ckedherupbut
thent
hiswasLefa,
shecouldn’
tbesurpri
sed.
Pul
ewalkedi
nput
ti
ngawayhi
sphonet
henl
ooked
atMai
na.
Mainalookedawayhol
dingLef
a’shand.Thepoli
ce
of
fi
cerlookedatPul
eandnoddedbeforetur
ningto
Maina.
“
Dumelang.Iam sur
eyouknowwhyyouar
eher
e
r
ight
?”
“
Sheattackedme.Iwasonl
ydef
endi
ngmysel
f.She
wassayingshewantst
obeatme.
”
“
Whol
etyoui
nherhouse?
”
“Thedoorwasunl
ocked.Ij
ustwant
edt
otal
kto
her.
”
“
Soyout
respassed?
”
“
Idi
dn’
tbr
eaki
n.Ther
esomeoneout
side.Aman.
”
“Thecabdr
iverwhom yout
oldyouwer
eBant
u’s
sist
er?
”
“Idi
dn’
tsayt
hat.Isai
dIam herbestf
ri
end’
s
brot
her
’sgi
rl
fr
iend.
”
“Thecabdr iversaidyouwant edtoburnherwi t
h
acid.He’ sawi tness.Youspr ayedPeppersprayon
heraft ertr
espassi ngthenaf t
erthatyouwant edto
burnherwi t
haci d.Ont opoft hatyoucomeher e
withlies.Wear earresti
ngyoubecauseMsJosephs
haspr essedchar gesandal soputar est
rai
ning
orderonyourboyf ri
endandyou.Comet hisway.
Yout hinkyout woownt hi
swor ld.
”
Lef
alookedatPulet
henlookedawaytryi
ngnotto
watcht
hewomanhel ovedinanotherman’sar
ms.
Pai
nchokedhim ashewalkedaway.

*
**

Att
heSi
rSer
etseI
nter
nat
ionalAi
rpor
t,Pul
ehel
d
Bant
u’shandastheywalkedinsi
de.Bant
uwat
ched
asafamil
ywalkedpastherlaughi
ng.
Shet
urnedherhead,
herhear
traci
ng.
“
Mama!Mama!
”
Thefamil
ytur
nedl ooki
ngback,
includi
ngt
he
mother
.Bantulookedathermotherandsmil
ed.
“
Mama…”
Thewomanfrowned.Bantul
etgoofLefa’
shand
thenr
ushedoverandhuggedherhappi
ly.
ThewomanpushedBant
uback.“
Uh…whoar
eyou?
DoIknowyou?
”
Bant
ulookedathert
hememor
iesofherst
il
lfr
esh.
“
Mamai
t’
sme.I
t’
sBant
u.”
Shefr
ownedevenmor
elooki
ngdi
sgust
ed.“
Excuse
me,who?
”
.
.
.
[
06/
22,
08:
17] :Fal
lenAngel
#33

AtSSKI nter
nati
onalAi
rport
,Bantusmiledstari
ngat
her.Shelookeddif
fer
ent,wayli
ghteri
ncompl exion
thanshelastrememberedbutstil
lbeauti
ful
.
Shetur
nedtoherchi
ldr
enwhol
ookedf
air
ly
conf
usedthenl
aughed.
“IguessIl
ookl
ikesomeone.Uh…l
et’
stot
hecar
guys.”
Herhusbandl
ookedatherthenturnedwit
hhiskids
andwalkedaway.Bantu’
smotherlookedatBant
u
thent
ookadeepbr eat
h.Tear
sfil
ledhereyes.
“That’
smynewf amil
y.Myki
dsdonotknowIhave
anotherchi
ldapar
tfr
om t
hem.That
’smyhusband
who…whatdoyouwant ?”
Bantulookedather.“
I…”Tear
sf i
ll
edhereyes.“
Igot
exci
ted.Ilastsawyoulongback.Youlookreal
ly
beauti
ful
.”
Shel
ookedather
.“Youar
egr
own.
”
“
Imi
ssedyou.
”
Shetookadeepbreath.“
Bant
u…please…youhave
tounder
standIcan’
tbeyourmot
her.”
“
Why?
”
“
BecauseIhaveaf
ami
ly.
”
“
Butyouusedt
ocomet
oseemeevenyouwer
e
mar
ri
ed.”
“ThenIstoppedaker e?Ichosemyhappiness.My
famil
y.Iam sorry.Justerasemymemor y.Itol
d
yourfathert
his.Ican’tmotheryouoranythi
ng.You
aregoingtohavet oacceptthat.Er
asemef rom
yourheart.
.andyourbr ai
n.Myki dsfr
om my
marri
agear emyonl ychildr
en.Stopconfusi
ngmy
famil
y.”
Atearr
oll
eddownBant
u’scheek,
shewi
pedi
tof
f
andsmil
ed.
“
Iam sor
ry.I
..i
twon’
thappenagai
n.”
“You…arebeaut
if
ul.Ver
ybeaut
if
ul.You…Ihavet
o
go.Bye.
”
Shetur
nedandwal
kedaway.Pul
ehuggedherf
rom
behi
nd.
“
Hey…”
Bantubl
inkedawayhert earsasshewatchedwalk
outanddisappearoutofsight
.Sherubbedhereyes.
Pul
eki
ssedherneckt
hent
urnedherar
ound.
“
Wast
hatyourr
eal
mot
her
?”
Shenodded.“ Yes.But
…shej ustgavebirthtome
thenwentaway.Iusedt oseehergrowingupt hen
afterawhileIneverdi
d.Shegotr emarri
edandher
newf amilydidn’
twantanychildrenfr
om herpast
rel
ationshi
ps.Paparaisedmeal one.Ihaven’
tseen
herinmor ethantenyears.Ij
ustgotexcited.
”
“
Whatdi
dshesay?
”
“
ThatIshoul
dn’
trui
nhernewf
ami
ly.
”
“
Iam sor
ry.Yourf
atherr
aisedyouwel
lal
one.
”
“
Hei
samazi
ng.Ican’
twai
tti
llIgr
aduat
e.”
“Hei
sgoingt
obeproud.Don’
tthi
nkabouther
.
She’
snotwor
thyourt
ears.
”
Pul
epul
ledhercl
oserandki
ssedher
.
Feeli
nglikeeveryonewaswat chi
ngherbei
ng
ki
ssedbyaman, sheshyl
ylookeddown.Pule
chuckledthentookherhandleadinghert
othe
checkingindesk.
*
**

Lef
adr oveinhi
syardabutdr
unk.Hecheckedhi
s
WhatsapptoseeifBant
uhadopenedthefi
lebut
shehadn’tyet
.
Hest eppedoutofhi
scarjustashisnei
ghbor’s
fi
fteenyearol
ddaughterwalkedoutofthehouse
carryi
ngaplasti
cofdir
ty.Shewavedathimt hen
proceededtothedust
binnearthehouse.Helooked
atherwonderingwhereshegotthebodyofa25
yearoldwoman.
Shewassothi
ckandlusci
ous,coul
dbebeaut
if
ulor
not
…hewalkedovert
othefence.
“
Hi…Lubaaker
e?”
Lubasmi
led.“
Eer
ra.
”
“
Howar
eyou?
”
“
Iam f
inet
hankyou.
”
“
That
’sgood.Focusi
ngonschoolr
ight
?”
Shesmi
ledi
nnocent
ly.“
Yes.
”
“
Per
fect
.Wher
eismamaanddaddy?
”
“
Theywentt
ochur
ch.
”
“
Soyouar
eal
one?
”
“
Yes.Il
ockt
hedoor
.”
“
Good.Ihopeyoudon’
topenf
oranyboysr
ight
?”
Shel
aughed.“
No.
”
“
Whatt
imear
etheycomi
ngback?
”
“
Keal
lni
ght
.”
“Youcancomeoverandchi
llt
hisside.Goandlock
t
hedoors.Youwi
llbesaf
ethisside.Doyouhave
Netf
li
xathome?”
“
No.
”
“Comeandwat
chNet
fl
ix.Goandl
ock.Iwi
llhel
p
youjump.
”
Lubawalkedbacktothehousethenlockedthe
door
sandwal kedovert
othefence.Het hr
ewthe
emptybottl
eofbeerdownthenhelpedherjump
over
.Heledhertothehouseclosedthedoorbehi
nd
hi
m.
“
Ther
e’st
heTV.Youcanwat
ch.
”
“
Thankyou.
”
Sheinnocent
lysatdownandt ooktheremotewhi l
e
hewalkedtohisbedroom.Minuteslat
erhewal ked
overweari
ngsweatpantsonlythenpouredhimself
aglassofwineandjoinedherwhil
eshescrolled
tr
yingtofi
ndsomethingtowatch.
Sheputonacart
oonandstar
tedwatchi
ng.Lef
a
l
ookedather
,shewasn’
tsobeaut
if
ulbutshehad
thebody.
“
Doyoudr
inkal
cohol
?”
“
No.
”
“
Youhavenevert
ast
ed?
”
“
No.
”
“
Doyouwantt
otast
e?”
Shel
aughed.
Hesmi
led.“
Comeher
e.”
Shegotupandwal
kedover
.Hehandedhert
he
gl
ass.“
Takeasi
pbutdon’
tswal
lowok?”
“
Mamasai
d-“
“Mamai
snother
e.Andmamadoesn’
thavet
oknow
ok?”
Shesl
owl
ynoddedherhear
traci
ngt
henshet
ooka
si
p.
“
Don’
tswal
lowi
t.
”
Shenodded.Hepulledheronhislapthenpull
edher
cl
oserandkissedher,herhugebuttr
ightonhisdi
c.
Shelookeddownunsur eofwhatwasgoi ngon.
Lef
asmi led.
“
Takeanot
hersi
p.”
“
I-
“
“Shh…justt
akeanot
hersi
p.Youar
enot
swall
owing.
”
Sheswal
lowedandt
ookasi
p.Heki
ssedheragai
n
taki
ngitfr
om hermouth.Shefel
thi
sdi
cgr
ow
anotherherbut
tthenl
eaped.
Lefapull
edher.“Hey…don’tbescared.I
tdoesn’
t
bit
e.Trustme.Itdoesthatbecauseyouarevery
beauti
ful
.Sitl
ikethi
s.”
Hemadeherstr
addlehi
m.Luba’shear
tpoundedso
muchashetouchedherbi
gbuttpul
li
nghercloser
t
ohim,herdr
essridi
ngup.
Lefalookedatherpant
iescover
inghert
hickp*ssy
thoughherp*ssyli
pswereimprint
edri
ghtonthe
panty.
“Iam goi
ngt
omakeyouf
eel
good.I
t’
sok.Iwon’
t
hurtyou.
”
Lef
akissedheragainsqueezi
ngherbi
gbreast.He
pul
leddownt hedr
essandcuppedherbreast
,fresh
andfi
rm.Clearl
yuntouched.
Heleanedoverandsucked.Hetookoffherdr
ess,
Lubaputherhandoverherbreast
.Lef
alookedat
her.
“
Aft
ert
hisIwi
llgi
veyouP500.Letmesee.
”
Shet houghtofP500thenl
ookedathi
m breathi
ng
heavily.Lef
apushedherhandsof
fandfondledher
breast.
Hel
aiddownandpul
ledherr
ightonhi
ser
ect
ion.
“
Gri
ndyourwai
stoni
t.
”
Sheslowlymovedherwai
st,
Lef
aheldherwaist
andguidedher
,hi
sdicget
ti
ngevenharder
.She
sl
owlygotwetasshemovedonit.I
tfel
tni
ce.
Lefal
ookedather.“
Closeyoureyes.Don’
topen
them.I
fyoudon’t
,Iwil
lgiveyouP600.”
Shenoddedt
hencl
osedhereyes.
Lefat
ookouthi
sharddicthenpul
ledherpant
yto
thesi
deandpul
ledheroverit
.
“
Dol
ikeyouwer
edoi
ng.
”
“
Idon’
twantt
otakeof
fmy-
“
“Iwi
llyouP1000.Doi
t.Youareagoodgi
rl
.Iwi
ll
buyyouanewphone.Doi t
.”
Sheslowl
ymoved,t
hemor
eshelovedthemoreshe
gotevenwet
ter
.Lef
agr
unt
edst
aringatthi
ckp*ssy
l
ipsmovi
ngoverhi
sdic.Shewassowarm andwet.
Hehel
dherwaistt
hem fl
ippedt
hem ont
hecouch
Sheopenedhereyes.
“
Whi
chphonedoyouwant
?”
“
Ani
phone.
”
“Ok.Iwil
lgetitf
oryou.Iwantyoutocloseyoueyes.
Don’topenthem.Ifsomethi
ngispainf
ul,youpi
nch
me.Noscr eamingright
?”
Shenodded.
“
Good.Iam goi
ngt
ogetyouani
phonet
omor
row.
”
Hemassagedhercl
itwi
thhi
sdi
ck.Shesl
owl
y
r
elaxed.
“
Luba…Iam goi
ngt
oti
eyourmout
hok?Nott
oo
much.
”
Hereachedfort
hetabl
eclot
handtiedhermout
h.
Sheremainedst
il
l,
hereyescl
osed.
Heopenedherlegsandpull
edherpant
iestothebe
si
deagainand#removed.(
Post
edatthegroup)
(ht
tps:
//www.
facebook.
com/
groups/
80954959666
3175/
?ref
=shar
e)
*
**

Laterthatni
ght,Yamasawalkedfr
om thebat hr
oom
aftertaki
ngalongshower.Shesatont hebed
takingherphone.Shecal
ledBantuthenstarted
typingamessagewhent hecalldi
dn’tgothrough.
Yamasa:Iam ver yhurtt
hatyoul eftinthemi ddleof
myweddi ngthoughyouwer emybestgi rl
.Pelo
yameebot lokogobuannet e.Idi
dn’tli
kehowyou
spokeaboutmymanei t
her.Hei snotthatol d,
he’s
myper fectagemat e..okareyouwer ejealousinthe
morningt hent r
iedtopullmedownandmakeme
doubtmysel f
.Iam verydisappoint
edi nyou.Idi dn’
t
knowl ookingaf t
eryouwassuchabadt hi
ng.
Shesentt
hemessageandrai
sedherheadasKago
wal
kedin.Hesmi
ledwalki
ngovert
henkissedher
.
“
Wif
ey…”
Yamasasmi
ledhappi
ly.“
Husband.
”
“
Iloveyou.
”
“
Youar
edr
unk.
”
Kagolaughedtakingoffhi
sclothes.Someone
knockedgentl
yont hei
rbedroom doorthenhi
sbest
fr
iendwalkedin.Yamasasmi l
ed.
“
Hi.
”
Thebestf
ri
endsmiledt
henhuggedYamasa.“
The
gi
rlwhogotthel
astname.
”
Yamasasmil
edhappi
ly.Thef
ri
endhandedher
Kago’
sphone.
“
Hedr
oppedt
his.
”
“
Oh.
.thankyou.
”
“
Youar
ewel
come.
Yamasaputthephonedownandst
oodup.“
Letme
taket
owelsoIwipehi
m.”
Thebestfr
iendnodded.Yamasawalkedtothe
bat
hroom t
henthebestfri
endlookedatKago
smil
ing.
Kagol
aughed.“
Iam mar
ri
ed!
”
Hel
ookedatt
hebat
hroom doort
henl
eanedover
andkissedhim.Hepull
edawayasYamasaclosed
thetapinthebathr
oom.Shewal
kedovert
henthe
bestfr
iendsmiled.
“
Takecar
eofmyf
ri
end.Shar
pKG.
”
Hewal
kedt
henYamasahel
pedhim undr
ess.She
wi
pedhi
m.Kagosi
ghedf
all
ingasl
eep
.
.
.
[
06/
22,
08:
17] :Fal
lenAngel
#34

InCapetown,Puleopenedt hehoteldoorwiththe
card.Bant
uwal kedintheirsui
te.Bantutookadeep
breathst
ari
ngatt heli
vingroom thentheopen
sli
dingdoorsthatledtothebedroom.Pul eputthei
r
bagsdownandl ookedather.
“
Iam comi
ng.Iam goi
ngt
osor
toutsomet
hing.
”
Shel
ookedathi
m.“
Wher
e?”
Pul
eki
ssedher
.“Downst
air
s.Keet
a.Iwi
llor
derus
somet
hingt
oeat.
”
“
Howl
ongar
eyougoi
ngt
otake?
”
Pulesmil
ed.“Don’
tcount
.Iam comi
ng.Youcan
takeabathortakepi
ctur
esorsomet
hing.Iam
coming.
”
Hewal kedletgoandwal kedout.Bantul
ooked
aroundthehot elroom t
henopenedherbagand
tookoutherpyj amas.Shewalkedtothebathr
oom
thenlookedatt hebigbeaut
if
ulbathtubi
nthe
middle,t
heot hersidewastheshower.
Shefil
ledthebatht
ubwithwaterandaddedt hebath
salt
ssmi li
ng.Shesangalonet
akingoffherclot
hes
thenwr appedawhitet
owelaroundherbody.She
ti
edanot hert
oweltoherheadstari
ngatthemi r
ror
.
“Youmakewannacal
lyoui
nthemi
ddl
eoft
he
night
..
”
Shehummedwheredi
dn’
tknowanddroppedt
he
towelt
hengoti
nsi
det
hewarm wat
er.
Awhi
lel
atershewal
kedoutoft
hebat
hroom
wearingt hehotelgown.Shel aughedstaringat
herselfont hemirror.Shelookedatt henicelyout
magazi nesont hegl asstableintheroom.She
walkedoverandt ookonet henwalkedtot hesli
ding
doorthatl edherout si
de.Shel ookedatthepool
thenrai sedhereyesandl ookedatbeach, the
moonl ightmakingt hewat erlookli
keitwas
gli
tt
ering.
Shesmi ledt henwal kedbackintheroom cl
osing
thesli
dingdoor s.Thedooropenedt henPul
e
walkedin, behindhimt hehotelst
uffpushedat r
oll
y
offoodinsi dethenwal kedout.Pul
esmi l
edstari
ng
atherint henhuggedher .
“
Ican’
tbel
ieveyouar
eher
ewi
thme.
”
Bant
usmi
ledi
nhi
sar
ms.Hel
etgoandki
ssedher
.
“
Iam goi
ngt
otakeasmoke.Youcaneat
.”
Helookedatt hegownt hensmiledwalki
ngtot he
pooloutside.Bantuopenedthekidsandlookedat
themout hwat er
ingfood.Shepouredhersel
fjuice
alr
eadyeat i
ng.
Pul
ewal
kedbackmi
nut
esl
aterchewi
ngami
ntgum.
Helookedathercl
ear
edpl
ateasshef
ini
shedher
j
uice.
“
Doyouwantmor
e?”
Shelookedatherpl
ateandshookherhead.“
Iam
fi
ne.Thankyou.I
twasnice.
”
Het ookof
fhist
-shi
rt
.Bantul
ookedathi
mt henthe
tat
toosonhisbr
east.Shel
ookedathi
ssli
ghtly
defi
nedabsthenhischest
.
“
Iam goi
ngt
otakeashower
.”
“
Ok.
”
Helookedatherthenpul
ledherupfr
om whereshe
wassitt
ing.Shecl
osedhereyesashekissedher
,
hishandsuntyi
ngthegown.Shesli
ghtl
ymovedher
l
ips.
“
Ihaven’
tdr
essedyet
.”
“
Ok.
”
Puleopenhergownandlookedathernakedness.
Hiseyesmovingfr
om hersmallbr
east
sdownt o
herfl
atst
omach,sunkenbel
lybutt
onthenfurt
her
down.
Sheswal l
owedlookingdownshyashereall
y
l
ookedather .Pul
etookthegownoffandl
etitpool
toherfeetthenwrappedhi
saroundhersl
im wai
st
kissi
ngher.
Hishandswentdownt oherroundbut tand
squeezedassheheldhisbiceps.Hepi ckedherup
andlaidherdownonthebedget ti
ngont opofher
,
hissl
ipsonherneck.Hishandscar essedeverypart
ofherbody.
Banturanherhandsdownhi sback.Hesqueezed
herbreastt
henhi shandfurt
herdownandsl i
dhis
fi
ngersbetweenherwetsl i
pperyfol
ds.Hekissed
hermassagingherclitassheletoutasoftmoan
underhim,hisdickgotevenharderasifi
twould
bursthi
spant s.
“
Stopmei
fyouwantmet
ost
op.
”
Shequicklynodded, hi
sl i
psmovedovertoneck
weakeningherf ur
therashecont i
nuedr
ubbingher
cli
t.Sheheldhimt i
ghtlymoaning,hi
smouthmoved
tohernipples.Bantuthrewherbackget
ti
ngeven
mor ewett
er .
Pul eunzippedhispantsandi toutandcurvedhis
backr ubbinghimselfonherwetsl i
pperyli
ps.Bantu
tri
edlookingattheheavydi conherbutPul e
pushedherdownki ssingher.Thewayi tkept
touchingherbellywor r
iedherthoughthefeeli
ngof
i
tr ubbingonherf el
ttoogood.
Pulegrunt
edcursi
ngunderneathhisbreath
l
ist
eningtohersoftmoans.Hefrenchkissed
huggingherl
egcreati
ngmor espaceforhimsel
f
bet
weenherlegs.
Hegroanedandwhi
sper
edi
nherear
.“St
opme
babe…”
Shemoanedsof
tl
yashemovedmor eontopofher
.
Hesli
ddowntohert
inyhol
ethenpausedand
ki
ssedher
.
“
Iloveyou.Il
oveyousomuch.
”
Shelookedinhiseyesreal
izi
ngjusthowmuch
fur
therdeepinloveshewaswi t
hhi m.
.shecoul
dn’
t
evenunderst
andhowshehadgot tenther
e.He
hadn’tmuch…justheari
nghim saythosewords
wasenoughf orher.
“
Thendon’
tst
op.
”
Helookedatherpul l
inghercl
oserkissi
ngher
.He
sl
idhisarm underneathherwaistandsli
dupand
downherwet ness.
“
Ther
eisnogoi
ngbackaf
tert
his.
”
“
Idon’
twantt
ogoback…”
Heki
ssedheragai
nand#r
emoved.
.
.
.
[
06/
22,
08:
17] :Fal
lenAngel
#35

Int
heearl
ymor ni
ng,Pul
esli
doutleavi
ngtr
ailofhi
s
cum wi
thBant
ukneelingonthebed.Shesl
owlylai
d
downonherstomachwhileherpussypul
sated
bur
ningwit
hherlowerabdomenaching.
Heki
ssedherneckasshecl
osedhereyes.Hegot
upandwal kedtothebat
hroom.Mi nut
eslat
erhe
walkedoutandlookedathersleepi
ng.Hecovered
herwithaduvetknowingstar
ingathernakedness
wouldjusthavehi
m backont opofher.
Pul
el ookedatt heti
met henqui
ckl
ydressedup.He
ki
ssedherl ipsthenlookedatherf
acewhileshe
sl
ept.Hesmi l
edalonethenwalkedoutl
eavingher
st
il
lsleeping.

Hourslat
er,
Bantufi
nal
lywokeupandt urned
openi
nghereyes.Herpussyl
ipsrubbedagainst
eachthenshefr
ownedatthepainopeningherlegs.
Shel ookedaroundt heroom reali
zingshewas
alone.Sheslowlygotof fbedt henlookedatthe
sheetsstainedwithabitofbl ood.Shet ookadeep
breathandpul l
edthesheet sof ft
hebedand
coveredt hebedwithaduvet .Shesl owlywalkedt
o
thebat hr
oom walkingfunny.
Shefil
ledthebatht
ubwit
hwatert
hengoti
nsoaki
ng
herpussy.Shetookadeepbr
eathandcl
osedher
eyes.
Almostanhourl
aterBantuwalkedoutoft
he
bathroom,at
owelaroundherbody.Sheopenedher
bagandputonanotherdressthentur
nedasPule
walkedbacki
n.
Hesmi
led.“
Hey…”
Hewrappedhi
sar
msar
oundherandki
ssedher
neck.
“
Imi
ssedyou.
”
“
It
spai
nful
.”
Puleki
ssedher
.“Itwi
llgetbett
er.Mat
teroff
act
,you
knowwhatgetsitbet
terfast
er?”
“
Leavi
ngi
tal
one?
”
Pul
elaughed.“
No.Doi
ngi
tmor
e.Thepai
nwi
llgo
away.
”
“
Myvagi
nai
str
yingt
obr
eat
he.
”
Heki
ssedher
,hi
shandgoi
ngunderherdr
esst
hen
hetouchedherbutt
.“Iwantt
otakeyouout
.Il
ove
yourdress.Nopant
ies?”
“
It
’spai
nful
.”
“
Ok.Wher
ear
eyourshoes?
”
Shewat
chedhim ashehel
pedherputonhershoes.
Pul
echangedhi
st -
shi
rt
.
“
Let
’sgo.
”
“
It
’spai
nfult
owal
kpr
oper
ly.Peopl
ear
egoi
ngt
o
l
ookatme.”
“
Iwi
llcar
ryyou.
”
Hepickedherup,
shewr
appedherar
msar
oundhi
s
neckholdi
ngon.
“
Areyoul
eavi
ngyourphone?
”
“Thepict
urequal
it
yisdust
y.I
tdoesn’
ttake
pict
ures.
”
“
Ehe,
kanayouuseAndr
oid.Ican’
trel
ate.
”
Bant
ulaughedashewal
kedoutoft
hei
rsui
te.
“
Leavemeal
one.Icant
akeyourcal
lswi
tht
hat
phone.
”
“I
maginegotwethat
’sPul
e’
sgi
rl
fr
iendwaAndr
oid
yaIt
el.Nkascr
eamergore.
”
Theyl
aughed.Bant
usmi
led.“
Idon’
tkheeee!
”
“
Dinepet
sat
engekar
eket
sa1920.
”
Heputheri
nthecart
henki
ssedher
.“Il
oveyou.
”
Bant
ubl
ushedl
ist
eni
ngt
ohi
sdeepvoi
ce.“
Ilove
yout
oo.
”
Heclosedthedoorandwalkr
oundthecart
hengot
i
n.Bantusatwit
hhersidesonott
ohurther
sel
f
evenmore.
Pul
elookedatherst
art
ingt
heengi
ne.“
Sor
ry.
”
Shel
ookedatt
hesmi
rkonhi
sface.“
Mxm.
”
“Obataker
engbabe?(
Whatdoyouwantmetosay
babe?
)Iam sor
ry.
”Helaughedt
hendr
oveof
f.

*
**
InBot
swana,Kagowokeupt
ohi
sbestf
ri
endt
aki
ng
outcl
othesf
orhim.
“
Youar
eawake?
”
Thebestf
ri
endt
urnedt
ohi
m.
Kagosi
ghed.“
Wher
eisYaya?
”
“Alr
eadyleftt
ogot oheraunt’
shouse.Wagor osi
wa.
(Sheisbeingbroughttohernewfamil
y.)Wear e
goingtoMochudi .Youruncl
ehasbeencall
ing.”
“
Letmecal
lher
.”
“
Shel
ookedbeaut
if
ulyest
erday.
”
Kagosmi
led.“
Shedi
d.She’
spr
egnant
.”
Thebestf
ri
endsmi
l
edexci
tedl
ythenhuggedhi
m
ti
ght
ly.
“
Final
ly!
”
Kagol
aughed.“
Yeah.
”
“
Sowhat
’sgoi
ngt
ohappennow?
”
Kagokissedhim.“
Wecanj
ustcont
inuehowwe
weredoingit
.”
“
Imeanmemovi
ngi
n.Howdowegoonabout
t
hat
?”
“Itwon’
tbeinthemai nhouse.Idon’
twanther
feeli
nguncomfortabl
eoryouget t
ing
uncomfortabl
e.”
“
That
’sok.Asl
ongasIam wi
thyou.
”
HekissedKagomoretouchinghisdi
ckthenslowly
wentdownoniskneestakingitout
.Heopenedhi s
mouthandstar
tedsucki
ngi t
.Kagogruntedcl
osing
hi
seyes.

*
**

Thatsamemorni
ng,
Lubal
aidonherst
omacht
hat
samemorni
ng.Hermot
herwalkedi
nherr
oom.
“
Luba…”
Shewalkedtot
hebedandr
ubbedherback.“
Luba…
whati
sit?”
Lubaopenedhert
ear
fuleyes.Hermot
herl
ookedat
herwor
ri
edl
y.
“
Luba…gor
il
eng?
”
“
Myst
omach…”
“Youeperi
od?Don’tcr
y.Letmegetyoupainki
ll
ers.
Youshouldhavetoldmeinst
eadofsleepi
nghere
cryi
ng.Iam comi
ng.”
Shewalkedout.Lubaputherhandsonherface
cryi
ng.Shesni
ffedashermotherwalkedbacki
n
holdi
ngaglassofwaterandpainki
ll
ers.
“
Ther
e.Si
t.
”
Sheslowl
yturnedandsat
.Shedrankt
hepai
nki
ll
ers
astearsr
oll
eddownhercheeks.
“
Don’
tcr
y.Thepai
nwi
llgoawayj
ustnow.
”
Herfat
herwalkedin.Hepausedst
ari
ngathi
s
daught
er’
stears.
“
Lul
u…”
“
It
’sj
ustherper
iod.
”
Herfat
herwalkedoverandwi
pedhisdaught
er’
s
t
earsthenhuggedherasthemotherwal
kedout
wi
tht
hegl
ass.
Luba’
sli
psshookthenshebrokedowncryi
ng.Her
fat
herfr
ownedgett
ingevenmoreworr
iedasshe
cri
edsomuch, i
tdi
dn’
tseem l
ikei
twasherperi
od
makinghercr
ysomuch.
“
Lul
u,gor
il
eng?
”
“I
…I .
.“Shet
ri
edt
alki
ngi
nthemi
dstofhercr
iesbut
nothi
ngwasmaki
ngsense.
Hermotherwal
kedi
nandl
ooked.Thef
athert
urned
t
oher.
“
Iwi
llsor
titout
.”
Shewalkedoutl eavi
ngthem al
oneknowingLuba
wouldrathert
ellherdadthanher.Shewalkedt
oher
ki
tchenthenlookatherneighbor’
sbedroom.
Thewindowsopenedt
henhemovedhi
seyes
l
ooki
ngoverather.
Shet ookadeepbreat
hashewi nkedatherthen
disappearedi
nhishouse.Shetookadeepbr eat
h
wonder i
ngwherehisgori
ll
ababymamawassoshe
couldgetastolemoment.Shecouldn’
teven
under
standwhathesawi
nthatwoman.

Meanwhi
leLuba’
stearsdieddown.Herf
ather
wi
pedherfaceandlookedather.
“
Tal
ktodaddy.Whati
sit
?”
Lubalookedathimtoopenhermout hbutthen
Lefa’
sthreat
srangatthebackofherhead.She
swall
owedt ear
ful
ly.
“
I…I
..
”
“
Whati
sit
?Youcant
ellmeanyt
hing.
”
Atearr
oll
eddownLuba’
scheekt
henshel
ooki
ng
downsnif
fi
ng.
“
Luba?
”
Lubal
ookedathi
m.“
Yest
erdaywhenyoul
eft
,I.
.-
“
“
Youwhat
?It
’sok.Youcant
alkt
ome.
”
Luba’
shear
tpoundedasshel
ookedatherf
ather
.
.
.
.
[
06/
22,
08:
17] :Fal
lenAngel
#36

Lubavoi
ceshookasshet
ri
edt
alki
ng.
“
Yest
erdaywhenyou-
“
Someoneknockedont
hedoorf
oll
owedbyLef
a’s
voi
ce.
“
Dumel
ang!
”
RragweLubaki
ssedhisdaughter
’sf
orehead.“
Iam
coming.Youar
egoingtotel
ldaddywhathappened.
Iwil
ldealwi
thi
tok?”
Herushedoutandl
ookedatLef
athensmi
led.“
My
boy.
.”
“Dumel
ang…Lubaspoketomemabaneabout
sweepi
ngmyyardforP300.Aver
ygood
negot
iat
or.
”
RragweLubal aughed.“Isti
llgetchargedt
ogett
he
thi
ngsIsti
llgetasaf at
her.Ker agoremycar
doesn’
tgetwashedf orfree.
”
Legalaughedthenhandedhi m P500.“
Iputanext
ra
P200.Canshecar r
yeverythingtothebi
nwhen
she’
sdone, i
ncl
udingthethingsatthebackyar
d.”
“
Ohok.
”
“
Ok,
bye.
”
Hetur
nedandwalkedaway.RragweLubawalked
backi
nthehousethenhi
swifelookedathi
m.
“
Andt
hen?
”
“KeLef
a.HesaysLubat
oldhi
m shecoul
dcl
eanhi
s
yardf
orP300.
”
“
Oh.
.”
Hesmi
led.“
Shei
ssmar
t.
”
“
Didshewhyshe’
scr
ying?
”
“
NgNg,
letmegoandt
alkt
oher
.”
HewalkedbacktoLuba’
sroom.“
Thi
smoneycame
f
oryou.From Lef
a.”
Lubalookedatt
heP500.Herfathersatdown.“
For
theyard.He’
ssuchgoodperson.Yousayyouwant
tostudylaw,
he’
salawyer.Hecanshowyouaf ew
thi
ngs.Youcantal
ktomenow. ”
“
Iam f
ine.Ihear
doneofthegir
lst
alkaboutme
whent
heypassedourhouse.Theywerecall
ingme
f
at.
”
Herfathersighed.“Youknowyouar enotfatri
ght
?
Youar ehealthy.Youarefit
.Youshouldn’
tlet
anyonemakeyouf eel
badaboutit
.Ifanyoneis
bull
yingyouatschool ,tel
lme.Iwi
llspeaktoyour
pri
ncipalaboutit.
”
“
Ok.
”
Hehuggedherti
ghtl
y.“Don’
tcrysomuch.Iam
goi
ngtogetyoufood.Justr
elax,
Iam comi
ng.”
Hewal kedout.Lubatearf
ull
ylookedatthemoney
notwant i
ngitanymore.Shegotoffherbedthen
walkedtohermot her
’sbedroom whereshegotthe
restofhermother’
spill
s.Shewalkedtothe
bathr
oom anddrankthem al
lswal
lowi
ngt
hem wi
th
thebathr
oom water
.
Shewalkedt
othebat
hroom andl
aiddowncl
osi
ng
hereyes.

*
**

Atthepolicestati
on,
Mainasati
nthecell
sstar
ing
i
ntonothing.Herbabymovedthensheoutherhand
overherbelly.Theot
herl
adyint
hecellwit
hher
l
ookedover .
“
Howf
arar
eyou?
”
“
8mont
hs.
”
“
Wow…whatgenderi
sit
?”
Mai
nasmi
led.“
Agi
rl
.”
“
Whatdi
dyoudo?
”
Mainasi
ghed.“Idi
dsomet
hingst
upi
d.Il
etj
eal
ous
getcont
rolofme.”
Theotherl adysighed.“Ij
ustgotar restedfor
beati
ngmyman’ sside.Kooreatt hemomental lI
wantedwast ofixherbutnowt hatIam t hi
nking
aboutit,t
heyar eprobablytogetherrightnow.Iam
thefool.Ihavebeenwi thhimf orthreeyear sand
he’salwayscheat i
ng.Thistimei twast helaststr
oll
.
Kooreheupgr adedtomyf amily.Mysi ster
…”
“Iam sor
rybutdoyout
hinkaf
tert
hreeyear
sgi
ving
upisthesolut
ion?
”
“
Ihavet
ri
edbei
ngpat
ientbutIcan’
tanymor
e.”
“Idon’
tthinkyoushoul dgiveuponyourman.He
probablysleptwithherbecauseofl ust.I
t’
snotlive.
It
’sneverlove.Menar ecur i
ousbeings.Hepr obably
l
ovesyou.Youneedt obepat i
ent.NnaIwon’ tl
et
anotherwomant akeoverwhatIwor kedhardfor.
Gapehel ait’
stoolatetosayIcanl eave.Wehave
beentogetherformanyyear s.Yes,hefucksuplike
anyothermanbuthel ovesme. ”
“Ahhtot
annaIcan’
tanymore.Iam l
osi
ngmysel
f.
.I
don’
tevenknowwhoIam anymore.Ican’
t.
”
“
Youar
egoi
ngt
ocr
ywhenhest
art
slovi
nganot
her
woman.Imagi
net
hatwomanbei
ngyoursi
stert
hen
yougett
owatcht
hem.St
ickwi
thyourman.
”

*
**

Yamasaupl oadedherpicturesonFacebooklat
er
thatdayaft
erher‘Kgoroso'.Shesmokeschanging
hersurnameonFacebook.Shesmi l
edr eadi
ngthe
comment sont hepi
cturesthenrepl
iedtosome.
Kagowal
kedi
nthebedr
oom andl
ookedatherwi
th
asmil
e.
“
Hey…”
Shel
ookedathi
m.“
Hey.
”
Kagowal
kedoverandt
ouchedherst
omach.
“
Ijustwant
edt
orunsomet
hingt
hroughyou.
”
“
Ok.
”
“
Ispoket
oTer
ryyest
erdayandhel
osthi
sjob.
”
“
What
?”
“Yeah.Got hat
asohe’sgoingtostartl
ookingfor
anotherjob.Hewasaskingifhecouldmovei nto
thecottageinthemeant
imesi ncehewon’ tbe
affor
dingrentwhere’
she’scurrent
lyst
aying.”
“
Hei
syourf
ri
end.Iam sur
eit
’sok.
”
“
It
’sok?
”
“
Yes.
”
Kagosmi
led.“
Ok.Iwi
llt
ellhi
m.Thankyou.
”
Yamasasmil
ed.“
Sowher
ear
egoi
ngf
orour
honeymoon?
”
“
WellIwast
hinki
ngmaybewegot oNami
bia.Got
o
t
hebeachandjustenj
oyour
sel
ves.
”
Yamasasmi
ledt
henki
ssedhi
m.“
Iwoul
dlovet
hat
.I
l
oveyou.
”
“
Iloveyout
oo.Thankyouf
orbei
ngmywi
fe.
”
Yamasasmi
led.Kago’
sphoner
ang.
“
Hey,
shesai
dyes.
”
Ter
ryl
aughed.“
Tel
lherIwi
llseehert
omor
row.Bye,
Il
oveyou.
”
Ter
ryhungup.Kagosmi
led.“
Hesai
dthankyou.
”
“KanaBantul
eftbef
oret
heweddi
ngended
yester
day.
”
“
Why?
”
“BecauseItoldhert ost ayawayf r
om t
hatguywadi
tat
too.Iwasj ustlookingoutf orher.Sheinsult
ed
meaf tert
hat.It’
slikeshe’sj ealousofmewhenI
wasj ustt
ryi
ngt olookaf t
erher .NowIgetwhatbo
auntymeantwhent heysai dIam shouldsurround
mysel fwi
thothermar ri
edladi es.
”
“
Iagr
ee.Idon’
tthi
nkBant
uandyouwi
llst
il
lrel
ate
t
hesameway.”
“
Iam j
ustdi
sappoi
ntedshewoul
dleavebef
oret
he
weddi
ngcoul
dend.”
“Thencutheroff
.Youshouldn’thavesuchpeopl
e
aroundyou.Yourpeaceshouldcomef i
rst
.”

*
**
InCapetown, Bantuwalkedinsidethehot elroom
thenPulef oll
owedinholdinghershoppi ngbags.
Bantuwal kedintothemi rr
orandlookedather sel
f
alr
eadywear i
ngoneoft hedresses,shel ookedat
herhairt
hathadbeenpl ait
edbeautiful
ly.She
smiledstaringathersel
f,Pulehuggedherf rom
behindandki ssedherneckr ubbi
nghi msel fonher
butt
.
“
Youl
ookbeaut
if
ul.
”
Bant
usmil
ed.“Thankyoufort
aki
ngmeshoppi
ngm
Il
oveal
lmyclothes.Andmynewphone.
”
“
Iam comi
ng,
Iam goi
ngdownst
air
s.Keet
a.”
“
Ok,
canImakeacal
lwi
thyourphone?
”
“
Yes.
”
Heunl
ockedi
tandhandedt
oher
.“Iwi
llbequi
ck.
Fi
veminut
es.
”
Hehurr
iedout
.Bant
udial
edYamasa’
snumbert
hen
putt
hephoneonherear.
“
Hel
lo?
”
“
Hey,
it’
sme.
”
“
Bant
u?”
“Yes,
guesswher eIam?Pul et ookmet oCapet own.
Wef l
ewyest erday.Wai t
semmaIam soi nlove
witht
hisman.Wej ustcamebackf rom adayout .
Wewentf orahel i
copterr i
det henhet ookme
shopping.Ont eketsiiPhone.Wai t
semmaIdot
knowwhyIwai t
edsol ongt ohavehi mloveme.I
havenevermetanyonewhomakesmef eelhow
Pulemakesmef eel.Iam evenscar edoflosinghim.
Hedoesn’ thavet odomuch.He’ s…nkar enkalela.I
l
ovehim somuchi t’
swei rd.Ihavenever
exper
iencedanyt hingl i
ket his.
”
“
Soyouwentt
oCapet
ownwi
that
hug?
”
“
Huh?
”
“Ij
ustspoketoLefaandhet oldmeal laboutthat
guy.Abouthowhewaschar gedwi t
hmur derthen
thecasewasdr oppedaft
erhebr i
bedpeopl e.He
sell
scocainetoboSouthAfrica,
andnott hatit’
s
enough,keenewasdimoneyhei ststhathavebeen
goingon.Howdoyougot oCapet ownwi t
hsucha
person?Iam donewithyouBantu.Koor eyouar e
stupi
dit’
ssad.Howdoyoufal
linl
ovewithsucha
man?Idon’tevenknowhowyoujustl
eft
,youare
desperat
eit
’sreal
lysad.
”
“Tellyourbr ot
herhe’ssopat heti
c.Iwi l
lnevertake
him backnomat terwhatsohecanst optryi
ng.
Eveni fPuledoesordi dthoset hings,whyar eyou
soconcer ned?Oi tir
il
ejudgeJudymmeyouar ethe
samegi rlwhooncedi danabor tion,noonej udged
youf orthat.Youdidabor t
ionst wice,Iam sureyour
kidsbaopel ahosanawai t
ingforyout ogotohell.
Youdat edt eachersandgotusedf ormaP5.Si t
yourassdownbef oreyouthinkyoucanbeGodt o
me.Iwi llf
looryou, ontwaelamasepa.Nxl a!
”
.
.
.
[
06/
22,
08:
18] :Fal
lenAngel
#37

Yamasal
aughed.
“Fl
oor ?Wareflooreng?Al lthatisbetterthandati
ng
awel lknowncr i
mi nalknowingly,andallforwhat?
Formoney?Okar eor atamadit hatakanakebone
boslowness, howdoyouj usttakeoffgoingto
Capet ownwithsuchamur derer.Youarean
embar rassment,Ifeelsorryforyourf at
her.Aft
er
everythinghedidtor aiseyou,youj ustdecidet
o
datesuchaman. ”
“Obat agoregakemot hoosiamengYamasa, Iam
notgoingtokeepquietwhenyouinsultmeor
beli
ttl
eme.Don’tputmyf at
herint
othis,obatago
ntena.Inevermenti
onhowi tmustfeelbeingyour
mot herandhaveyourchil
dchaseafteroldmen. ”
“KanammeIam nowmar r
iedsoIcansayi twor ked
i
nmyf avor.Idon’
tknowwhatyouar eexpect i
ng
from t
hatcr i
minal
.Maybej oininghimi njai
lwhen
hegetsar rest
ed.Idon’tevenknowwhyyoucal led
met otellmesuchnonsense, spendingcriminal
moneyhasneverbeenanyt hingt orejoi
ceabout .
Maybei t
’sbecauseyougr ewupi nsomuchpover ty
thatyout hi
nkmoneyi sever ything.Mymot herisso
proudofmesweet ie,
can’tsayt hesameabout
yours.Kot engshepr obablysawi ttooear l
y, l
ennaI
woul dneverst aytoraiseadumbchi l
dlikeyouwho
will
inglyjumpsi nrelat
ionshipswithdr ugdeal er
s
andmur derers.Youareveryst upidifyout hink
whatyouhavewi ththatcri
mi nali
sl ovemmeIam
notsur pri
sedt hatyouwoul dthinkli
ket hatBant u.
It
’sthel i
verformet hatyoucanact uall
ybol dlyand
confidentlysayyouar einlovewi thamanl ikethat.
Claponce! ”
Bant
uopenedhermout
htosaysomet
hingbut
not
hingcameout
.
Yamasawenton.“ Yourhappi nesswi t
hamur derer
makesmequest i
onever ythingaboutyou.NowI
wonderi fLef
areall
ydi danyt hingt oyouoryou
werealreadybusywi ththi
smur dererbecauseLef a
tol
dmet hatt
hisguywashi scl ient,youar ej
ust
fakelyi
ngt hi
ng,i
tdidn’tstartnow, justthatI
thoughtyouwouldgr owoutofi t.Youhave
embar r
assedmet ot hecor e,mot hoakal ekagogo
defenderbutyoualwaysf indwayst omakemeeat
mywor ds.NowIam st art
ingt ot hinkyouwer e
neverwithLefabecauseyoul ovedhi m butrather
becauseofwhathewasdoi ngforyou.Imean,i
t
doesn’tbot heryouthatmuchtoli
einbedwi t
ha
cri
mi nalformoney.Youneedpr ayers,war
eof l
oor
eril
engsel okewena?Inevergotusedbyt heway
butmaybeyouar eabouttounderst
andthewordas
thatcriminalusesyourblackass,gongwekeself
esteem issuest hatmakeyougetexcit
edthat
someonel ookedyourway.”
Bantuhungupasani nwardt
earroll
eddown.She
tookadeeplookingathisphone.Anothert
earfell
onhisscreen.Thedooropenedthenshequi ckl
y
wipedhertearsandforcedasmile.Shetur
nedand
handedhim hisphone.
“
Thankyou.
”
Hetookhi
sphoneandki
ssedher
.“Whodi
dyou
cal
l?
”
“
Afr
iend.Yaya.
”
Hel
ookedi
nhereyes.“
Areyouok?
”
Shenodded.“
Ng…”
“
Hey…”
Shebli
nkedputti
ngherheadonhischest
.He
wrappedhisarmsaroundher
.Hertear
sroll
eddown
wett
inghist-
shir
t.
“
Babe…”
Shepressedherl
ipstryi
ngtoholdhersel
f.Pul
e
sl
ight
lymovedandl ookedathertear
s.
“
Whathappened?
”
Sheshookherhead.“
Iam f
ine.
”
Hepi
ckedherupandsatdownput
ti
ngheronhi
s
l
ap.
“
Hey…t
alkt
ome.
”
Shebl
inkedast
ear
srol
leddown.“
Iam sor
ry.
”
“
Hey…don’
tbe.Yourhai
rlooksbeaut
if
ul.
”
Shesni
ff
edsmi
li
ng.“
Ili
kei
ttoo.
”
Heleanedoverandkissedher
.Shest
ret
chedher
handandtouchedhisbeardki
ssi
nghim back.
Hepausedt
henbabyki
ssedher
.“Tal
ktome.
”
“
Iam f
ine.Ij
usthadasmal
lar
gumentwi
thYamasa
buti
t’
sfi
ne.
”
“
Ok.
”
“
Wher
edi
dyougoi
nthemor
ning?
”
“
Ihadt
oseeaf
ri
end.
”
“Themurderyouwerechar
gedwi
th,
whywer
ethe
chargesdr
opped?”
Pulelookedather
.“Becauset
heyweref
alse
al
legati
ons.Wheredidyougetthat
?”
“
Don’
tyout
hinki
twasnecessar
yforyout
otel
l
me?
”
“
No.Itwasnotnecessar
ybecausei
twasnever
t
rue.
”
“
Howdi
dyourdr
ugcaseend?
”
“
Theydi
dn’
tfi
ndanyt
hing.
”
“Ihear
dthatt
heyonceinvest
igat
edyouf
or
export
ingdr
ugshere.
”
“
Youhear
dfr
om who?
”
“
Doyousel
ldr
ugs?
”
“
Whatwer
eyout
hinki
ngt
odoi
fIdo?
”
“
Doyou?
”
“
Yeah,Isel
ldrugsBant
uandki
llpeopl
ewhi
leati
t.
Whatelsedi
dyouhear?”
Shel
ookedathi
m.Pul
epul
ledhercl
oser
.
“Ifyouaregoi ngtol etpeoplei nfluenceyou,Iwil
l
takeyouhomet onight.Ifyouar egoi ngtochoose
beingwi thmet henyouar egoi ngt ohaveyourown
brain.Ownupt oyourownt hinking.Anyonecansay
anyt hi
ng…tellyouanyt hi
ng, i
fyouar egoi
ngt o
believeeverybul l
shityouhearoutt her
ethenleti
t
i
nf l
uenceyou, Imi ghtaswel ldropyouof fatthe
airportri
ghtnowandhaveyoubackt oGabs
becausebel i
eveme, youareyetgoi ngtohear
mor e.”
“
Iwasj
ustaski
ng.
”
“I
fIdidn’tt
ellyou,knowyouar enotsupposedto
knowabouti t.Iam notinnocentandIam notgoi
ng
totellyoueveryshitIdo,Idon’twantyoubei
ngpart
ofit.Whyareyoust il
ltal
kingtoLefa?”
“
What
?”
“
Hei
stheonewhot
oldyout
hatr
ight
?”
“
No.I
twasYamasabut
-“
“Iwantawomanwhounder st andsher sel
fBant u.
Youar egr ownenought ounder standt hat.You
shouldknowwhatyouwant .Itoldyouwhatyou
wer esigningyour sel fupf or.Noonel i
edt oyou.I
don’twantt of eelasi fIam i nar elationshi pwit
h
twopeopl e,
onebei ngyout hent heot heroneyour
fri
end.I fyoucan’ tdealwi t
hi t
, saysonowsowe
don’tfightinthef utur ebabe. ”Heki ssedher .“
Idon’t
wantt obegoi ngaft erboLef ai nthef uturebecause
mygi rldoesn’tunder standwhatshewant s,bythen
Idefinitel
ywon’ tbesmi l
ing.Youbei ngal loverthe
placeandent ertai
ningyourex’ siswhatwi l
l
i
nf l
uencecheat i
ngandIwi l
lkillyoui fyoupl ayme.
Sot hisisyourchancet ochoosewhatyouwant .
Shoul dItakeyouhome? ”
“
Areyoubr
ingi
ngbackmyvi
rgi
nit
y?”
“
Youwantyourvi
rgi
nit
yback?
”
“
Iwoul
dwanti
tbacki
fIam goi
ng.Icameher
ewi
th
i
taker e?Don’ttalktomeasi fIam confused,Iwas
j
ustaski ngandIj ustneededasimpleyesorno
from you.Don’tthreat
enme, youwillgotojai
lfor
that.Icameher ewi t
hyoubecauseIl oveyou.Don’t
evertalktomel ikethateveragai
nunlessyouar e
readyt ogivemebackmyvi rgi
nit
y.Ididn’
tli
keyour
tonet oo.
”
Hebi
thi
slowerl
ipsmi
li
ng.“
Iam sor
ry.
”
“
Iam t
ir
ed.Iwantt
osl
eep.
”
Shegotof fhi
m andwal kedtothebat
hroom.She
tookoffherdressandputashowercapi nherhead
thenwentundert heshower.Musicst
artedplayi
ng,
shesighedasMi chealBolt
on’ssongplayedinthe
enti
resuit
e.
SecondslaterPul
ehuggedfrom behi
nd.“Iam sor
ry
forhowIspoket oyou.
”Heturnedheraroundand
kissedher
.Bantuputherhandoverhischestasher
mor e.
Hepickedherup,
shewr
appedherl
egsar
oundhi
s
wai
st.
“
Wef
orgott
obuyemer
gencypi
ll
s.Iam notr
eady
f
orachi
ldyet
.”
“
Icansuppor
tmychi
ld.
”
Shelookedathi
m.“
Ok.ButIam notr
eadyf
ora
chi
ldyet.
”
“
Wearegoi
ngbackt
omor
row.Wewi
llgetyousome
i
nGabs.
”
“
Ok.
”
Pul
ekissedherandl
oweredherdownonhi
s
er
ecti
onasgaspedscrat
chi
nghim.

*
**

I
nGaborone,Yamasahel
dherphonet
oherear
t
alki
ngt
or r
agweBantu.
“Itr
iedt
alkingtoherbutshewasrudetome.He
waschargedwi thmurderawhil
ebackgapet he
poli
cebelieveshegetshismoneyfr
om sell
ing
drugsandr obbi
ngbanks.Iam worr
iedabouther.
”
Rr
agweBant
utookadeepbr
eat
h.“
Thankyouf
or
tel
li
ngmemychild.It
hinkIshoul
dcomet
her
esoI
canunder
standwhati
sgoingon.”
“Iagr
ee.She’
sgoi
ngoutofl
i
ne.Thi
smani
snot
goodman.”

TWODAYSLATER…
.
.
.
[
06/
22,
08:
18] :Fal
lenAngel
#38

TwoDaysLat
er…

AtAirportJunct
ionMall
,Bantuwalkedoutofthe
Pharmacyhol di
ngalit
tl
epaperbagfrom t
he
pharmacyandwal kedtoentr
ancewher ePul
ehad
parked.Hepushedthedooropenf orhert
henshe
goti
n.
Shedr
ankt
heemer
gencypi
ll
ashedr
oveof
f.
“
Whenar
eyougoi
ngt
oschoolagai
n?”
Bantupickedhermi l
kshakeandtookasi pthrough
thestr
oll
.“Wear estart
ingtomor
rowbuti t’
sthefir
st
weeksoIwi llbesorti
ngoutmycl assesbutthefir
st
yearsarestart
ing,
it’
sgoingtobecr owded.Iam
goingtotryanddoi tonli
ne,i
fIf
ailthenIwil
lhave
togotoschool .
”
Hesloweddownatt hetraff
icl
ight
.“Ithought
maybeyoucant agalong,Iam goi
ngt oJwaneng
t
omor r
owtocheckont hepubandgr i
llIopened
t
here.Iam t
ryi
ngtohaveashowt here.”
Bant
usmi
led.“
Andwhenwi
llwebecomi
ngback?
”
“
Thef
oll
owi
ngmor
ning.
”
“
Icancomewi
th.
”
Hesmi
led.“
Per
fect
.”
“
T
“
Sot
hepubandgr
il
lsci
rcul
ateenoughmoneyt
o
keepyougoi
ng?
”
“Yes.That’
swheremostofmoneycomesf rom,
especial
lyt
henightcl
ub.Sucht ypeofbusi
nesses
needsdevotionanddisci
pli
ne.Iam thi
nki
ngtoopen
anotheri
nMauni fthi
sonei nJwanengdoeswel l
.”
Puledrovethr
oughheryardawhil
elaterand
steppedoutofthecarwi
thher
.Hecarriedher
shoppingbagsinsi
dewhil
esheledtheway.
Hepl acedthem onherbed.Heputhishandsonher
waistandki ssedher
.Bantu’sphonerangfr
om her
pocket,shet ooki
toutandlookedatherfat
her
cal
ling.
“
Kepapa.
”
“
Ok.Letmedoaf
ewt
hings.Iwi
llbebackl
ater
.I
l
oveyou.
”
Bant
usmi
led.“
Iloveyout
oo.
”
Heki
ssedhercheekandwal
kedoutasshepi
cked
t
hecal
l.
“
Hel
lo?
”
“
Bant
u,wher
ear
eyou?
”
“
Athome.
”
“Icametoyourhouseyest
erdaybutt
her
ewasno
oneoryouhavemoved? ”
“
No.I
…Iwentt
ovi
sitaf
ri
end.
”
“
Who?Yamasa?IspoketoYamasa.Shecal
ledme
wor
ri
edaboutyou.Sowho’
sthi
sfr
iend?”
Bant
uswal
lowed.“
Youdon’
tknowher
.”
“Nowyouevenknowhowt ol
ie?Iheardaboutyou
goingtoSouthAfr
icawit
hacriminal
.Amur derer
,is
thatwhatyouhavebecomeBantu?Younowj ust
ruboffwit
hmen.Menwhododr ugstoo?”
“Heisnotamur derer.Heissomeonewho’ s
successget squestionedbecausenooneexpect s
peoplelikehimtopr osper.PapaIwouldneverget
i
nr el
ati
onshi pswit
hdr uguser sormurderers.Itr
ied
tel
li
ngYamasat hatjustbecausehedoesn’ tlook
l
ikeanor di
naryguy,itdoesn’tmakehim bad.I
knowIj udgedPulet hesamewaybef or
eIknewhi m
buthe’sagr eatman.AndIl ovehi
m somuch. ”
“
Oh.
.kePul
e?Wher
eyounott
heonewhosai
d-“
Bant
ulaughed.“
Ijudgedhi
mtooear
ly.
”
“Aver
ygoodman.Justt
hatl
if
eisneverf
air
.He’
s
act
ual
lyanor
phan.
”
“Yes.Heisnotabadper
son.Ilovehi
m.Hemakes
mesohappypapa.Idon’tknowhowt oexpl
ainit
butIlovehi
m.Yamasadoesnotwantt ounderst
and
that
.”
“Somet i
mesthepersonyoulovei
sthemost
disl
iked.HeisagoodguybutIam goingtohavea
formalconversat
ionwi
thhim nowthatyouar
e
dati
nghi m.
”
Bant
ulaughed.“
Imi
ssedyou.
”
“
Metoo.Byt
heway,t
her
e’ssomet
hingIneededt
o
t
alkt
oyouabout
.”
“
What
?”
Hesighed.“YouknowwithyourabsenceIgeta
l
it
tl
elonely.Ial
waysmissyousomuchandi t
’s
al
wayshar dhavingyounott
here.
”
“
Ial
waysmi
ssyout
oopapa.
”
“
Iloveyousomuchmygi
rl
.Youar
ethecent
erof
mylif
e.Godbl essedmesi
ghwi
thyouandnot
hing
wi
lleverchanget hat
.”
“
Iloveyout
oo.
”
“Imadeaf riendaroundand…”Hel aughed.“
Aver y
goodfriendwhokeepsmecompanyandhel psme
around.She’sverynicebeandlovely.Sheal
so
l
ovesyou.Ihavebeent hi
nkingthatatmyagei t
wouldbeni cetohaveaclosef r
iendbymysi de.
Shewi l
lcompl et
eourfamily.
”
Bant
ulaughed.
”Waj
olapapa?(
Youar
edat
ing?
)
“
She’
sjustani
cef
ri
end.
”
Bant
ulaughedmor
e.“
Mer
apel
o?”
Hel
aughedembar
rassed.“
Youknow?
”
“
Isuspect
edi
t.Il
ikeher
.”
“
Youdo?
”
“
Ver
y.She’
sbeaut
if
ult
oo.
”
“Yes.Iam happyyoul
ikeher
.Iwasthi
nki
ngmaybe
wecanhaveherhomewi t
hus.Ihaveali
tt
lemoney
savedup…maybeIcanpaymagadi .”
Bant
usmi
led.“
Thatwi
llbeni
ce.
”
“
Thankyou.
”
Shel
aughed.“
Soar
eyougoi
ngt
ocomeagai
n?”
“No..butIwanttoseePule.Ineedtotal
ktot
hat
boysot hatwhenhedoessomet hi
ngtoyout
henI
sirhim out
,hedoesn’
tgetsurpri
sed.”
“
Ok.Iwi
llt
ellhi
m.”
“
Ial
wayst
houghti
twoul
dbeLef
a.”
“
No.I
twi
llneverbeLef
a.”
“
Younevert
oldmewhathappened.
”
“
It
’snotnecessar
ybuti
twi
llneverbehi
m.”
“
It
’sok.
”
“
Ist
hatal
lYamasasai
d?”
“Shewasj ustwor r
iedaboutyou.It
’sclearshe
doesn’tl
ikehimf oryou.Shehasherconcer ns
whichIbelievearecomi ngfrom agoodpl ace.Buti
t
wouldbeni ceifyoukeptYamasaasyourf ri
end
andoutofyourr elati
onship.Sometimeswedon’ t
real
lyseetheinfluenceotherpeoplehaveonust i
ll
shefi
ndour
selvesacti
ngont
othei
rwor
ds.Thr
ee
hasal
waysbeenacr owd.
”

*
**

AtLuba’
shouse,Lubasatinfrontoft
heTV
watchi
ngcar
toonswhilel
yingdownont hecouch.
Shestar
edattheTVhardlywat chi
ngbutj
ust
wonderi
ngwhyshewasn’ tdead..
Shehadj ustwokenupthef ol
lowingmor ni
ng
exhausted.Aknockonthedoorst art
ledher
snappingheroutofherthoughts.Shestoodupand
walkedtothedoorthenlooked,herheartrai
sing.
.
.
.
Fal
lenAngel
#39
Herhandsshookasshel
ookedathi
m.
Lef
alookedather
.“Hi
.”
Lubalookedatt
helockedbur
glarbarpr
otect
ingher
fr
om him andmovedback.
“
Igotyouaphone.
”
“
Idon’
twanti
t.
”
“
Luba-
“
“
Youneedt
ogo.
”
“
Iam sor
ryaboutwhathappened.Canyouunl
ock
t
hebarsowecant al
k?”
“No.Youar
ear
api
standIdon’
twantt
otal
kto
you.
”
“Iwoul dhavebeenar apisti
fIbr okei nt
oyour
houseandhadsexwi t
hyouwi thoutyourconcer n.
Youcameovert omyhouseandwi ll
inglydid
everything.Noonerapedyou.I twaspai nful
becauseyouhadneverdonet hatbef ore.I
tbeing
painfuldoesn’
tmakei trapebecauseyouenj oyedit
attheend.Youenj oyedt henextr oundevenbet ter
.
That’snothowr apeshoul dfeelli
ke.”
Lubal
ookedathi
m.“
Idi
dn’
twantt
ohavesex.
”
“Ihavethevideo.Icanshowi ttoyou.Look, you
havetost opactingli
keachi ld.Iknowyouar e
youngbutyouar emat ur
ear en’tyoubabe?I t
happened.Ther e’snogoingback.I fyoukeep
sayingIrapedyouIwi l
ltakethevi deotothepoli
ce
toprovemysel f.Getthatthi
nkingoutofyourhead.
Youar eaverybeaut i
fulgirl
.Uncl eLefareall
yli
kes
youandIcant akecareofyou.Thi nkaboutit.
”
Hewal kedbacktohishouse.Lubaclosedt
hedoor
thenwalkedtothecouchwher eshesatdownas
herbraintr
iedt
ograspallthathadsaid.

*
**

AtLef
a’shouse,
Lef
api
ckedhi
sri
ngi
ngphone.
“
Lef
aKenosispeaki
ng.
.”
“
Hi,
it’
sMai
na.
”
“
Whati
sit
?”
“Thewaythebabyi
smovingsomuchIfeell
ikeI
am goingt
ogivebi
rt
hinher
e.Howfarar
eyouwith
gett
ingmeout?”
“Youintenti
onal
lysprayedherwi
thPepperspray,
unlessshedecidestoforgi
veyou,youaregoingto
j
ail.Iam notgoi
ngtowast emytimedefendingyou
becauseIdon’tevenknowwhyyouf el
titwas
necessarytogoafterBantu.
”
“
Ijustwant
edt
otal
ktoher
.”
“Tal
ktoheraboutwhat?Youannoyme,i
fyougive
bir
thinther
eIwil
ljustt
akemydaughter
.
SometimesIdon’
tunderstandwhyyoubehavet
he
wayyoudo. ”
“Lef
acanyoupleasehelpme.Il
oveyou.Iam not
eati
ngwel
linhere.Pl
easehel
pme.”
“Therei
snothi
ngIcandof oryou.Youaretheone
whowentt oBantu’
shouse.Youneedtohumbl e
yoursel
fandactual
lyaskf
orforgi
veness.Cryi
fyou
haveto.Shar
p.”
Hehungupwal
kingi
nsidehi
shouse.Heunlocked
hi
dphoneandl
ookedatBant
u’snewFacebook
pr
ofi
lepi
ctur
e.Heswal
lowedstari
ngatherasshe
l
aidonawhitet
hrowongreengrasssmil
ing.
Hehadn’tseenhert
hatbeauti
fulever
.Hezoomed
i
nthepictureandbl
inkedzoomingout.

*
**

YamasalookedatBant
u’sWhat
sAppst
atuses.Al
ot
oft
hem ofhersel
f.
Shet hought
ful
lycal
ledherBotswananumber.I
t
rangf orawhil
ethenitst
opped.Yamasasatupri
ght
calli
ngheragainbutthi
stimethecal
ldi
dn’
tgo
through.
ShewentonWhatsAppandsawthatshewas
act
ual
lyonl
inet
hensentheramessage.
Yamasa:Hi
,Iam t
ryi
ngt
ocal
l.Ar
eyouback?
Shewai t
edforaresponsebutitseemedi
twasnot
coming.Shesighedthencal
ledwi t
hWhat
sAppbut
i
tjustrangwit
hnoanswer .
Thegat
eslidopenthenacardr ovein.Yamasagot
upfr
om thecouchandwal kedout si
dewhereTer
ry
wasparki
nghisPoloVivo.Hest eppedoutand
smil
edatYamasa.
“
Hey…”
Yamasasmil
ed.“Hi
.Thereisparki
ngatt
hecottage.
Hubbypar
kshiscarther
e.Iam sorr
yaboutyour
j
ob.”
Ter
rysmi
led.“
Thankyouf
oraccommodat
ingme.
”
“
It
’sok.
”
Ter
rygotbacki
nhi
scarr
ecei
vingacal
lfr
om Kago.
“
Heybabe.
”
“
Areyouhome?
”
“
Yes.
”
“
Ok.Ial
mostt
her
e.Seeyounow.Il
oveyou.
”
“
Iloveyout
oo.
”
Ter
rywavedatYamasat
hendr
ovet
otheback.
Yamasawal
kedbacki
nthehouseandcheckedi
f
Bant
uhadrepli
edyetbutt
her
ewasnot
hingt
hough
shewasonl
ine.
Yamasachuckl
edandst
art
edt
ypi
nganot
her
message.
Yamasa:Soyouarei
gnori
ngmenow?Youar
eso
chi
ldi
shBant
u.Icanseeyouar
eonl
ine.
Shesentt hemessaget hentypinganot
her.Itti
cked
once.Yamasawentt oherotherWhatsAppt hen
openedherot herchatwithBantuandshewas
act
uallystil
lonli
ne.Yamasacl i
ckedhertongue
putt
ingherphonedownt henstartedwatchi
ngTV
nowbor ed.
Shethought
ful
l
ypi
ckedherphoneagai
nandcal
led
rr
agweBantu.
“
Hel
lo?
”
“
Hel
lo,
uhdi
dyout
alkt
oher
?It
hinkshe’
sback.
”
“Ididmychil
d.Idi
dn’
tknowyouwereactual
ly
tal
kingaboutPul
e.He’
sareal
lyni
ceguy.Ihave
knownhi mforawhil
enow.AndBant
uloveshim.I
willnotst
andint
hewayofmydaughter’
s
happiness,
ifhe’
snotri
ghtforhershesti
llj
ustl
ear
n
thehardway.Butthankyouforrai
singyour
concernswithmemychi l
d.Bye.”
Yamasaf
rownedst
ari
ngatherphone.Kagodr
ove
i
nthenwal
kedint
hehouse.
Hebendedki
ssi
ngYamasa.“
Heybabe…”
“
Hi.
”
“
What
’swr
ong?
”
“
Canyoubel
ieverr
agweBantuwon’tseet
hatthe
manhi
sdaughteri
sseei
ngisnotgoodforher
.”
“Butbabewhydon’tyouj
ustleavei
tal
one.She
obviousl
ywon’
tli
stentoyou.
”
“Hei
sgoingt
ohurther.Heisnotagoodperson.I
t’
s
goi
ngtoendi
ntears.Ican’
tbel
ieveshebl
ocked
me.”
Kagotouchedherst
omach.“
Canwel eaveherand
actual
lyf
ocusonourpr
egnancy?Justcutherof
f.
Letherbe.”
Yamasasi
ghedt
hensmi
led.“
Youar
eri
ght
.”
“
LetmeseeTer
ry.
”
Hewal
kedt
othecot
tageassher
elaxedi
nfr
ontof
t
heTV.

*
**

Laterthatday,atBant
u’shouse,Bantufi
nished
packingallherclot
hesinherwardrobeincludi
ng
hershoes.Shewal kedtothekit
chenandst arted
cooking.Overanhourlatersheswitchedoffthe
stovethenpickedherri
ngingphone.
“
Hel
lo?
”
“Hi.It’
sMaina.Iam sor
ryforat
tacki
ngyou.Il
et
jealousycontr
olme..Lef
akeepsbr i
ngi
ngyouupin
ourr el
ati
onshi
p.Iam sorr
y.Ihadnor i
ghtt
oatt
ack
you. ”
“
Iam notdroppi
ngt
hecharges.Youar
estil
lgoi
ng
t
ojai
l.Youwantedt
oburnmewi thaci
d.Ihopej
ail
t
imehelpsyoubeabet
terperson.
”
Acardr
ovei
nout
side.Bant
ulookedt
hrought
he
windowandsmi l
edwat chi
ngPulesteppedoutof
hiscarhol
dingaplasti
cbag.Shedroppedthecal
l
thentur
nedashewal kedin.
Pul
eputt hepl
asti
conthecounterandhuggedher
.
Hekissedherneckasshewrappedherarms
ar
oundhim.
“
Hey.
.”
Bant
uclosedherl
ist
eningtohi
sdeepvoi
ce.He
movedherheadandkissedher
.
“
Smel
lsni
cei
nher
e.”
“
Icooked.Letmedi
shf
orus.
”
Hisphoner
ang.Het
ooki
toutt
henpi
ckedwal
king
outsi
de.
Bantuopenedtheplasti
chehadbr oughtthen
smiledbl
ushing.Shelookedathi
mt hroughthe
window,helookedatherthenwinkedturningaway.
Ahugesmi l
ecover
edherent
ir
eface.Shedi
shed
f
orthem andtookt
hepl
atest
ohersitt
ingr
oom.
Pulewalkedi
nthehousemi
nut
esl
atersmel
li
ng
minty.
*
**

Laterthateveni
ng,Kagowalkedoutofthemai
n
housegoi ngtothecott
agewhereTerr
ywaswaiti
ng
forhim.
Hewalkedi
nandgotwel
comedbyahotki
ssi
nthe
dar
k.

FI
VEMONTHSLATER…
.
.
.
Li
keandcommentqui
ckl
ysowehaveourmor
ning
bonusear
li
er.
[
06/
22,
08:
18] :Fal
lenAngel
#40
Fi
veMont
hsLat
er…

Atthedrivi
ngschool ,Bantuslowlydrovet he
manualcarhol di
ngt hesteeri
ngwi t
hbot hhands.
Shedrivebackt othedrivi
ngschoolwi ththedrivi
ng
schoolteacherwhilehewat chedinsilent.She
parkedunderneaththeat reeatthedrivingschool
andsighed.
Helookedathersmi
li
ngt
oo.“
Youar
ereadyf
ort
he
r
ealthi
ng.”
Bant
usmi
led.“
Iam?
”
“I
fIwer
efr
om tr
ansportthenr
ightnowyouwoul
d
beget
ti
ngyourl
icense.
”
Shel
aughed.“
Thankyousomuch.
”
Bant
ust
eppedoutoft
hecarsmi
li
nghappi
ly.
“
Thankyou.Seeyout
omor
row.
”
Hewavedatherasshewalkedaway.Herphone
r
angasshehurri
edtothebusstop.
“
Hel
lo?
”
“
HiBant
u,keDi
ane.Iam atschool
,wher
ear
eyou?
”
“
Wai
tformeatt
heLi
brar
y.Iam comi
ng.
”
Shestoppedt hecombit
henjumpedinhangi ngup.
Shesatdowni nt
hecombiopeningherFacebook.
Yamasa’sbabyshowerpictur
espoppedupatt he
top.Shelookedattheni
cesetupandlikedthe
pict
uresbeforemovingonscrol
li
ng.
Awhil
elatershesteppedoutofthecombij
ustas
KagodroppedoffYamasabyt hesameusstop.
Yamasal ookedatBantuwhoal sot ur
nedlocking
eyeswithher.Yamasa’seyeswentdownBant u’s
body,i
t’
sl i
keshekeptgainingwei ght
.Herhips
wherefull
erthansheknewt hem andtheylookedso
defi
nedintothoseti
ghtjeans.Herbut thadgotten
thi
ckeraswel l
.
Bant
unot
icedherr
eal
lyst
ari
ng.“
Hi.
”
Yamasali
ftedherbeaut
if
ulmater
nit
ydr
esswhi
le
hol
dingherhandbagandlapt
opbagwit
htheot
her
hand.
“
Hi.Youhavegai
nedsomuchwei
ght
.Whatar
eyou
eat
ing?
”
Bantusmil
ed.Ther
ewasj ustsomethingdif
fer
ent
abouther
,aglowandi ti
smadeherr eall
ybeauti
ful
.
“Kepeaceandhappiness.I
twil
lsur
pr i
seyou.Bye.”
Shewalkedawayput ti
ngonherear phones.Wit
h
herbi
gaf r
o,shelookedli
keshecoul dfeatur
eona
magazine.Yamasasighedwat chingherwalkaway.
Apartofherwant edtocal
lherbacksot heycoul
d
tal
kbutherpridewasnevergoi ngtolether.
Bant
umadeherwayt
othel
ibr
arypi
cki
ngPul
e’
scal
l.
“
Hibabe.
”
“Hey,
Iam onmywaybackf r
om Maun.Iwoul
d
havearr
ivedl
aterdur
ingt
heday.
”
Bantusmi
ledhappi
ly.“
Ok.Myl
astl
essonendska
four
.”
“
Iwi
llpi
ckyouup.
”
“
Ok.Il
oveyou.
”
Shesmi
ledmor
e.“
Iloveyout
oo.
”
Shehungupent
eri
ngt
hel
ibr
ary.
*
**

AtLefa’
shouse,Mai
nachangedherdaughter
’s
pamperthenlai
dherdown.Lef
ahadleftt
hreedays
back,
hegadsaidhehadawor ktr
ipbutsomething
i
nherknewi twasn’
t.
Itneverwas.Tearsfi
ll
edhereyesasshestar
edat
herdaughter.Shewasn’tsur
ehowshewasgoi ng
tomanagehi m becauseever
ydayhejustmanaged
tosomehowhur ther
.
Ofcausel
eavi
ngwasn’
tanopt
ion,
theyal
readyhad
achil
d.
Atearrol
leddownhercheekfol
lowedbyanother
.
Sheputherhandsonherfaceandcriedsi
lent
lyf
or
awhile.
Minut
eslatershewi
pedherf
aceandt
ookadeep
br
eathcall
inghim.
“
Iam busy,
whati
sit
?”
“
Yousai
ditwasat
wodayt
ri
p.Whenar
eyou
comi
ngback?
”
“
Canyoust opcal
li
ngmeever
ysecondMaina.You
wil
lseemewhenIcomeback.Youaret
ir
ing.Can’
tI
j
ustbreat
he?”
“
Iwasj
ustaski
ng.
”
“
Aski
ngwhat
?Don’
tyougett
ir
ed?
”
Mainaopenedhermouthtor
espondt
henawoman
spokeatt
hebackground.
“
Doyouwanteggs?
”
Thef
ami
li
arvoi
cemadeherf
rown.Shel
aughed.
“Soyouwentbacktoher?What’
shernameagain?
Alone?Koor
eyoujustl
iker
ecycl
ingdon’
tyou?
”
“
Don’
tcal
lme.
”
“
Youcan’
tevencheatonmewi
thpeopl
eofcl
ass.
”.
“Youcannevercompar etoLone,eveninyour
dreams.Idon’tknowwhathappenedt oyoubutyou
don’tevenbathanymore.Youhaveasmel lwhi
chI
don’tunder
standwhereitcomesfrom.Itsmell
s
disgusti
ngandit’
salwaysaroundyou.Ican’
teven
sharethebedwithyoubecauseyoursmel l
s
suff
ocateme.Yourhai rl
ookslikeyouwant edto
audi
tiontobeaNi ger
ianmovi emaid.Don’ttal
k
aboutclassYouar et
hel astpersont
othinkyou
cantalkaboutcl
ass.”
Hehungup, Mainatookadeepbreathtr
yingnotto
gethiswordsgettoherbutthemoreshethoughtof
i
t,t
hemor eherthr
oatti
ghtenedwit
hpainchoking
her.

*
**

I
nMaun, LonelookedatLef
aashewal
kedover
f
rom herdaughter
’sbedr
oom.
“
Whenar
eyougoi
ng?Iwantt
ogoout
.”
Lef
alookedather
.“Ist
il
lwantt
ofi
xthi
ngs.
”
“It
oldyouLef
a,Ihavemovedon.Idon’
twantyou
anymore.
”
“Imessedupwi
thyou.Inowr
eal
izei
tandIwant
you.
”
“
Thatshi
plongsank.
”
“Iwantust
oraiseourdaught
ert
oget
her
.Bea
properf
amil
y.”
“Wecansti
llr
aiseourdaught
ert
oget
herbutwe
don’
thavet
obet ogether
.”
“
Iloveyou.
”
“
Youdon’t
.Youwant edt
okil
lmef orBantu.You
l
oveBantujustt
hatyoucan’
thaveher.Iam not
f
all
ingf
orthatagai
n.”
“
Canyouj
ustgi
vemeachancet
opr
ovemysel
f?”
“No.Gobackt oMai
na.Andyouneedtoleave.My
boyfr
iendisonhisway.Yousawyourdaughter
.I
madeyoubr eakf
ast,
nowyoucangobackt o
whereveryouarest
aying.
”
“
Iam notgi
vinguponus.Il
oveyou.Iwantyou.
”
“I
fIwereyouIwouldst
opt
ryi
ng.YouandIar
e
nevergoi
ngtohappen.
”
Sheopenedthedoorforhim.Hesl
owlywalkedout
.
Lonesmiledasherboyf
riend’
sBMW drovei
n
thr
oughtheopengate.
Lefal
ookedatthef
amil
iarcar
,hi
smout hdr
oppi
ng
open.Heswall
owedandlookedatLone.
“
Thatguyi
syourboyf
ri
end?
”
“
Yes.
”
Lefal
ookedattheboyf
riendstepoutoft
hecar.He
fr
ownedlooki
ngathim surpr
isedaswell
.Lone
l
ookedatthetwoman.
“
Youknowhi
m?”
Lef
asl
owl
ynoddedf
eel
inghi
skneesweaken.
.
.
.
[
06/
22,
08:
19] :Fal
lenAngel
#41

I
nMaun,Lefalookedathisolderbrot
her,
hisheart
r
aci
ng.Akanyangwal kedoverputt
ingtwoandtwo
t
oget
herandfrom thewayhi syoungerbr
otherwas
l
ooki
ngathi
m,hej
ustknew.
Hesi
ghed.“
Lef
a…”
Lef
aswal
lowedsadl
y.“
Youar
edat
ingmybaby
mama?”
Lonel
ookedatAkanyang.“
Youknoweachot
her
?”
“
Yes.Hei
smyyoungerbr
other
.”
Lonest
eppedbackf
eel
ingasi
fshehadbeen
sl
appedacr
ossthef
ace.
“
Idi
dn’
tknow…”
Lef
al ookedatLonet
henathi
sbr
other
.“It
oldyouI
wantedtofixthi
ngswit
hher
.”
“Idi
dn’
tknowLefa.Ther
e’snowayIwoul
dhave
known.Youneverevent
oldmehername.”
“
Sowhatnow?
”
Akanyangl
ookedatLone.“
Geti
nsi
debabe.
”
Lonesl
owl
ygoti
nthehouse.Lef
alookedathi
s
brot
her
.
“
Areyougoi
ngt
obr
eakupwi
thher
?”
“
Iwoul
dhaveneverdat
edheri
fIknew.
”
“Ok.Ibel
ieveyou.Butar
eyoubr
eaki
ngupwi
th
her?”
“
Kebat
agonyal
a.(
Iwantt
omar
ryher
.)
“
Obatagonyal
ababymamayame?(
Youwantt
o
mar
rymybabymama?)”
“Ther
e’snot
hingIcandonow.Iknowallthi
slooks
acert
ainwayt oyoubutobat
akerengLefa?Itol
d
youIwasgettingreadyt
omarrysomeone.That
someoneisher .
”
“Youcan’tmarr
ythewomanwhoIl ove.Mybaby
mama.Al onei
soffli
mit
s.Igett
hatyoudidn’
tknow
atfi
rstbutnowyouknow.”
“Youar ebeingchi
ldi
shrightnow.Youfail
edtol
ove
herrightwhenyouhadt hechance.Ifoundher
brokenwi t
haf at
herl
esschild.Forhert
oevenagree
onyouseei ngSummeri twasme. ”
“
Iam bei
ngchi
ldi
shf
orwant
ingyout
obr
eakup
wit
hmybabymama?”
“
Iam notabandoni
ngmywoman.Wej
usthavet
o
f
indawayt
omovef
orwar
d.”
“
Soal
lthi
sisr
ightt
oyou?
”
“
No.ButAlonei
smywoman.Youar egoi
ngtof
ind
wayst
odealwit
hitbecauseIam notbr
eaki
ngup
wit
hher.
”
“Youarenotgoi
ngt
omar
rymybabymawhi
leIam
ali
veAkanyang.
”
Akanyangsighedst
ari
ngathi
m.Ofcauseheknew
i
twaspr obabl
yhardonhi
m.
“Iam sorryit
’sl
iket
his.I
fIknewthenIwouldnot
haveevenl ookedherway.Iam sorr
y.Iknowthi
sis
hardrightnow.Iunderst
andwhyIwoul dbutIcan’
t
breakupwi thherbecauseofthat
.Iloveher
.”
“Youarenotgoi
ngt
obewit
hmybabymama
Akanyang.Nott
hewomanIam t
ryi
ngt
ogetback
with.
”
Lonewalkedoutmi
nut
eslat
eri
nasummerf lar
ed
dressandheel
swhi
lecar
ryi
ngherdaught
er.
“
Wear
eready.
”
Lef
awat
chedasLonewal
kedt
oAkanyang’
scar
andputhi
sdaught
eronthebabyseatattheback
bef
oreget
ti
nginatt
hefr
ontpassengerseat.
Akanyanglookedathim.“
Ithinkyouneedt i
meto
adjustt
othis.Ri
ghtnowIcan’texpectyouto
underst
andwhyIwon’ tbr
eakupwi thher.Iam
taki
ngmyf amilyout
.Wewi l
ltal
k.”
Akanyangwal
kedtohi
scaranddr
oveof
fwhi
le
Lef
astaredbi
tt
erl
y.

*
**

Lonetookadeepbreat
hlooki
ngoutoft
hewi
ndow.
Akanyangl
ookedather.
“
Idi
dn’
tknow.
”
“
Didyouhavet
obehi
sbr
other
?”
“Iam sor
ry.Iwish…Iloveyou.Iknowt hi
sis
disappoi
nti
ng.Iam alsodisappoi
ntedbutwear e
j
ustgoingtohavet ofindawayt odealwithi
tand
movef or
ward.Iloveyou.Iwanttomar ryyou.At
thesamet i
meIwoul dunder st
andifyouwantto
endt
hings.
”
Tear
sf i
ll
edLone’
seyesasshel
ookedoutt
hrough
thewindow.

*
**

Latert
hatdayj ustaft
erfi
ve,Bantuwal kedoutof
theli
brar
ycar r
yingabookwi t
hherslingbagover
hershoulder
.Shet iedherbraidsinahighponytail
andmadeherwayt owardstheschoolgat e.She
l
ookedatt heti
meandcal l
edhi m st
eppingoutof
theschoolpremises.
“
Angel
…”
Bant
ublushed.“
Hi,
ket
samaye?(
Shoul
dIgo?
)Ican
meetyouathome.”
“
Youl
ookbeaut
if
ul.
”
“
Rra?
”
“
Youl
ookbeaut
if
ul.
”
Shesmi
ledr
aisi
ngherheadandl
ockedeyeswi
th
him seat
edinhiscar.Hesteppedoutandopened
thedoorforherwhil
eotherstudentswatched.
Bantuwalkedoversmili
ng,hesmi l
edstari
ngather
bri
ghtsmile.
“
Hi.
”
Shebl
ushed.“
Hi.
.”
Shegoti
nthecar.Heclosedt
hedoort
henwal
ked
roundhi
scarandjumpedin.
Yamasawhohadbeenwal ki
ngoutoft
heschool
watchedasBantu’
sboyfr
iendhandedheracanof
coke.Bant
ulaughedsi
ppingashedroveoff
.
Shesighedwai
ti
ngf
orKago.Shel
ookedatt
het
ime
andcall
edhim.
“
Hel
lo?
”
“
Hi.Wher
ear
eyou?
”
“
Ihavear
ri
ved.
”
HeparkedhisGol
f.Shewal
kedoverandopenedt
he
doorf
orhersel
fandgoti
n.
“
Hi.
”
Yamasaputherhandoverherbell
yashedr
ove.
Minut
esl
aterheparkedatt
heirhouse.
“Iwi
llseeyoulat
er.Ter
ryandIar
egoi
ngt
owat
cha
gameatt hebar.
”
“
Ok.
”
Shesteppedoutoft
hecarandwalkedi
nsidet
he
house.Sheputdownherbagsandsatdownfeel
ing
avoidinherhear
t.

*
**

AtBantu’
shouse,Pulewalkedinthehousecarryi
ng
Bantu,
hisli
psonhers.Heputherdownont he
couchtaki
ngoffherclot
hes.Sheclosedhereyes
ashekissedherneckgetti
ngbetweenherlegs.
Shehel
pedhimtakeof
fhi
st-
shi
rtt
henheputher
handoverhi
ser
ecti
on.
Bant
uunzippedhispantsandtookitout
.She
swal
lowedstroki
nghim ashegroaned.
Hepull
edherclosersucki
ngherni
pples.Bant
u
cl
osedhereyes,hertoescur
li
ngasherp*ssy
pool
ed.
Herai
sedhisheadandki
ssedherbr
eat
hingheavi
ly
whi
le#removed.

Latert
hatevening,Bant uopenedhereyesi nPul e’
s
armsascum l eakedf rom herusedp* ssy.Shet ook
adeepbr eat
hf eel
ingt hehunger.Shesl owlysli
pped
outofhisarmsandwal kedtothesitt
ingroom as
herswoll
enp* ssylipsr ubbedagainsteachot her.
Shepickedhist -
shirtandputitont henproceeded
tothekit
chen.Sheopenedherf r
idge,tookoutmeat
thenstar
tedcooking.
Shequickl
yfi
nishedupanddi
shedfort
hem i
none
pl
atethenwalkedpastt
hesi
tt
ingr
oom goi
ngtoher
bedr
oom.
Sheputt
hef
ooddownandpi
ckedherphonet
o
checkhermessages.
ShefrownedattheFNBmessagethathadbeen
sentafewhoursbackandopenedit
.
FNB P10000.00paidt
oSavingsPocket
..
295263@
Cel
lphoneBanki
ng.Ref
.Pul
e.
Herhear
tski
ppedasshel
ookedatt
hezer
os.She
shookhi
m.
“
Pul
e…babe…”
Puleslowlywokeupstil
lexhaustedfr
om t hel
ong
dri
ve.Shelookedathishalfcl
osedeyest hen
si
ghedknowi ngshewouldn’twintheargument,
eversincetheCapet
ownt r
ip,hewasalways
sendinghermoney.
“
Icooked.
”
Shebl
inkedsmi
li
ng.“
Youcooked?
”
“
Ng.Wakeup.
”
Hesatupr
ightpull
ingont
opofhi
m put
ti
nghi
shand
i
nsi
dethet-shi
rt
.
“
Imi
ssedyou.
”
Shelookedathimf eel
ingasifheownedherent i
re
worl
d,itwasjustinthewayshef el
twhenevershe
waswi t
hhim.Not hi
ngcouldevertopthefeel
ing.
Shecuppedhisf aceandkissedhim asshe
squeezedherbreast.“
Isawt hemoney.Youdidn’t
havetobutthankyou.”
“
Iloveyout
oo.
”
Shesmi l
edthenreachedfort
heplat
eoffoodand
fedbothofthem whil
etheychatt
edl
aughing.A
whil
elaterPuleputawaytheplat
eki
ssi
ngher .He
l
aiddownwi thherontop.
Bant
u’shear
tskippedashemovedherwai
stontop
ofhi
m alr
eadyknowingwhathewant
edthem t
odo.
“
Pul
e..youknowIdon’
tknowhowt
o-“
“
Iwi
llt
eachyou.Rel
axandki
ssme.
”
Sheleanedoverandkissedwhil
ehumpingonhi
m.
Hisdicerect
edunderneathher
.Heli
ft
edherupa
l
it
tlebitt
hen#removed.

*
**
AtLefa’shouse,Mainatriedcall
inghim againbut
herphonewoul dn’
tgot hrough.Shelookedather
daughterpeaceful
lysl
eepi ng,
maybegr ievewould
bri
ngthem togetheragain.Hewoul dcomebackt o
bewithherobviously,helovedhisdaught er
.
Mai
natookadeepbreat
htaki
ngherpi
ll
owast
ear
s
r
andownhercheeks.
Shel
ookedatherdaught
ert
henpr
essedt
hepi
ll
ow
onher
.
.
.
.
[
06/
22,
08:
19] :Fal
lenAngel
#42

Mainapressedt
hepil
lowoverherdaughterfora
coupl
eofseconds,
getheartpounding.Herheart
poundedsomuchthenshequi ckl
yremovedt he
pil
lowoverher.Shelookedatherdaught
er,
reali
zat
ionofheractionssi
nki
ngin.Shequi
ckl
y
pickedherdaughtershaki
ng.
“Baby…”Sheshookherbutt her
ewasnomovement .
Sheputherdownanddi dCPR, sheleanedover
openingherli
ttl
emout hthendidmout htomouth.
Shepr essedherchestagainbefor
eleaningover
putt
inghermout honherdaught er
’sli
tt
lemouth.
Thebabykickedherlegthencoughedvomit
ingin
hermouth.Mainapulledbackherheadl
aughingi
n
rel
ieft
henspatoutthevomi t
.
Shewi pedhermouth,tear
srol
li
ngdownher
cheeks.Thebabycoughedsomemor ethenst
art
ed
cryi
ng.Mainapickedherupandtookoutherbreast
unabletobeli
eveshehadalmostkil
ledherown
chil
d.
Shelookedatherphonewantingtocal
lhi
m but
knowinghim,hewouldjusthurtherwi
thwor
ds.
Shelai
ddownonthebedsni
ff
inghol
dingher
daught
er’
ssmal
lhand.
*
**

Thefol
lowi
ngmorni
ng,Bantuwokeupyawni
ng
whil
eherphoner
ang.Shereachedf
ori
tandpicked.
“
Hel
lo?
”
“HiBantu,whatt
imeareyoucomingtoschool,
thammaIhaven’tsubmitt
edassi
gnmentyaZondo,I
am justconf
used.Idon’
tknowwhatIam supposed
towr i
te.
”
“
Iam onlycomi nginatt en.Ihaveonel
esson
t
houghIwon’ tbeabl etostaybehindaf
terthat
l
esson.Ihavepl ans.Letmehel pyoubefor
emy
l
esson.”
“
Ok.Thankyousomuch.
”
“
Youar
ewel
come.
”
Bant
uhungupandscrol
ledt
hroughhermessages.
Sheopenedamessagef
rom anunsavednumber.
Number :Hi.Ij
ustwantedtosayyoulooked
beauti
fultoday,youl
ookhappyandIam happyf or
you.IsawyouwhenIl ef
tschool
,yourboyf
riend
hadcomet opickyouupandsur pri
singl
yyounow
hadbraids,
Iguessyouplai
t edduri
ngtheday.It
wassobeaut i
fulandyouseemedr eall
yhappy.I
missyoubyt heway..f
eel
swei rdnothavi
ngyou
around.Howdidwegether e?
Banture-r
eadthemessagethenlef
titandr
eadher
othermessagesandrepl
ied.Shepausedsmel
li
ng
somethingbei
ngcooked.
Sheputdownherphoneandst eppeddownthebed.
Sheputonhist-
shi
rtandwalkedtotheki
tchen
wher
ePul ewastal
kingont
hephonewhi lefr
ying
somethi
ng.
“Tshepo,youcan’twor
kfor3k,gomokeexpl oi
tat
ion.
Idon’tknowwhoevenear nsthatamountforthat
posit
ion.Itdoesn’
tmakesense.Nowonderyour
rel
ati
onshi pl
eyonewon’tsur
vive.3kcan’
tdo
nothi
ngf oryou.”
Hel ist
enedwhi l
eshestaredathi
sbroadback.Pule
turnedandl ookedather.Bant
usmil
edashe
wal kedoverandhuggedherwhi l
eli
steni
ngtohis
brothertal
king.
Hekissedher,shetouchedhi
sbar
echestrecei
ving
theki
ss.Pul
epi ckedherupwit
honearm andput
heronherkit
chencount er
sandst
art
eddishi
ngfor
her.
“Thencomeback.Youcanmanaget heclub.Iwi
ll
payyoutwi
cethatamount.Iwi
llt
ri
pleit
.”
Bantuwatchedashecarri
edontalkingt
ohis
brot
hermakinghercoff
ee.Hefi
nallyhungup
minutesl
aterandhandedheraplate.
“
Hey…”
Bant
usmi
ledl
ooki
ngatherpl
ate.“
Hi.Thankyou.
”
“
Howar
eyouf
eel
ing?
”
Shesmi
ledshyl
y.“
Keshar
p.”
Hechuckl
ed.“
Whatt
imear
eyourl
essonsendi
ng
t
oday?”
“11.IhaveonelessonbutIhavet
oleaveear
li
ersoI
gotot hedr
ivi
ngschoolfi
rst
.”
“
Ispoket
ohi
m yest
erday.Hesaysyouar
eready.
”
Shesmi
led.Pul
etouchedherbr
aids.“
Iam pr
oudof
you.
”
“
Thankyou.
”
“
Soyoucandot
her
ealt
estnextweek?
”
Shenoddedst
ari
ngathi
m.“
Yes.
”
“Ok.Iwantustogoawayfortheweekend.Iwi
ll
comeandpi ckyouupatschool
.”
Bant
usmi
led.“
Wher
e?”
Hekissedher.“
Youwil
lseei
twhenwegetthere.
Maybeyoucanpackaf ewcl
othesbef
oreyougo
andyourpassport
.”
Shenoddedexci
tedl
y.“
Ok.
”
Pule’
sphonerang,
hel
ookedatt
hecal
ler
,heki
ssed
hercheek.“
Eat.
”
Hewal
kedoutpi
cki
ng.
Shegotoffthecounterandat
eherbr eakf
astthen
di
dthedishes.Shelookedathim st
il
ltal
kingonhis
phonewhil
esmoki ngthenwalkedtoherbedroom
whereshetookoutsomecl ot
hespacking.
*
**

Yamasafi
nishedherassi
gnmentonherlaptopand
submi
tt
editonli
neseat
edonthedini
ngtable.
Kagowalkedf r
om t
hebedr
oom al
readydr
essedf
or
work.Hekissedher
.
“
Iam done.
”
Ter
rywalkedi
nthehousehol
dingal
unchbox.He
smil
edatYamasa.
“
HiYaya.
”
Yamasasmi
led.“
Ter
ry.
”
“Imademyselft
ocarr
ytowor
ktoday.Andal
it
tl
e
extr
aforyouKago.
”
HehandedKagot
hel
unchbox.Kagosmi
led.“
Thank
you.
”
Ter
rywalkedt
othekit
chenandopenedthefri
dge.
Hepouredsomeorangejui
cei
ntoaglassthengave
Kago.
“
Fort
hehangover
.”
Kagogul
pedi
tal
ldownt
henputt
hegl
assdownas
Ter
rywal
kedout
Yamasast
oodup.“
Wheni
sTer
rymovi
ngoutsi
nce
hegotaj
ob.”
“
Youwantt
oki
ckhi
m out
?”
“
Aker
ehef
oundaj
ob?
”
“
Yes.Buthe’
sst
il
ltr
yingt
ogetusedt
othej
ob.
”
“
Getusedhowwhenhegothi
msel
fanewcar
?”
“
Doyouwanthi
mtopayr
ent
?”
“No.It
hnkheshoul
dlookf
orhi
sown
accommodati
on.
”
“
Whathappened?Whathast
ri
gger
edal
lthi
s?”
“Nothingbutweaccommodat edhim becausehe
hadlosthi sjob.Nowhehasaj ob.Ifeelli
keyouar e
alwayswi thhim.Youar ebar
elywithme, i
fyouar e,
he’sthere.Hewal ksinandoutofmyhouseasi fhe
ownst hehouse.Hef r
eelywal
ksinmybedr oom.He
doesashewant s.It
hinkheshouldmoveout .Iam
notenjoyingmymar ri
agethewayIshoul d.Ifeelwe
areallmar ri
edtoyouandyourf avori
teishim.”
“
Don’
tyout
hinkyouar
ejustover
react
ing?
”
“Youthi
nkit’
sfi
neforhimt
obecomi ngtoour
bedroom andourhousewi
thoutknocking?
”
“
Ter
ryandIhaveal
waysbeenl
iket
hat
.”
“
Butnowyouar
emar
ri
edaker
e?”
“Yes.Buthe’
sst
il
lmyfri
end.Iam notki
cki
nghim
out.Whenhe’sr
eadyhewil
lmoveout .Andi
t’
snot
l
ikewewer edoi
nganyt
hingonthetimeshecame
i
nourbedr oom.
”
“
Toyoui
t’
snor
mal
?”
“
Yes.Wher
eist
hisj
eal
ousycomi
ngf
rom?
”
“
Iam notjeal
ousofanythi
ng.Iam j
ustnotenj
oying
mymarriagebecauseyourfr
iendi
salwaysther
e.”
“
That
’sj
eal
ousy.
”
“
Wher
eyoudoi
ngt
hesamewi
thyourexwi
fe?
”
“
What
?”
Shelookedathi
m.“
Ist
hishowi
twaswi
thyourex
wif
e?”
“
Whatar
eyout
ryi
ngt
osay?
”
“ThatIam notenjoyi
ngourmarri
age.It’
sli
keIam
aloneinthi
sandyou’dratherpr
eferyourfr
iend.If
thisishowitwaswi t
hyourexwifethenmaybeI
j
udgedhert oosoon.Iam notenj
oyingmymar ri
age.
Wedon’ tevenhavesexanymore.IfTerr
ywon’ tgo,I
willgo.
”
“
Gowher
e?”
“Iwil
lstaywi t
hmybr otherwhi leIlookf or
accommodat i
onbecausei t
’sclearthatyoust r
uggl
e
withmar ri
age.Whyi syourf ri
endsoi nvolvedinour
mar r
iage.Thishouseishi s.Lastweekhecamei n
hereandcookedt houghIhadal r
eadycooked.You
didn’
teveneatmyf ood.Koor ewheni tcomest o
Terryokar eyoustopseei nganyt hi
ngel se.NnaI
can’t
..I’
dratherwegetdi vorcedbecauseyouar e
behavinglikeTerr
yisthel oveofyourl i
fe.KooreI
don’tevenunderstandsuchki ndofaf r
iendshi
p.I
haveneverseeni tbefore.”
“I
fyouwantadi
vorcewhydon’
tyoujustsayso?If
youaret
imi
ngtogetmythi
ngsthenyouar ei
nfora
sur
pri
sebecausewear
emar
ri
edouti
fcommuni
ty
ofpr
oper
ty.
”
Het ookhiscarkeysandwalkedout.Yamasa
slowlysatdown,tear
sfi
ll
inghereyes.Shebli
nked
thenat earr
andownhercheek, herhear
tachi
ng.
.
.
.
[
06/
22,
08:
19] :Fal
lenAngel
#43

AtUBaft
erherl
astl
esson,
Bant
uwal
kedoutofher
cl
asspr
essi
ngherphone.
“
Hi…”
Bant
urai
sedherheadandl
ookedatYamasawho
wasget
ti
ngupfrom t
hechai
rwhereshewassi
tt
ing.
“
Hi.
”
Yamasasmi
led.“
I…Ibumpedi
ntooneofyour
cl
assmat
es.Shet
oldmeyouguyswer
eher
e.”
“
Oh.
”
Yamasaswal l
owedt henstar
edatherfri
end.Tear
s
fi
ll
edhereyes,sheputherheadoverhermout h
cryi
ng.Bantul
ookedar oundthenpul
ledhertothe
corneroft
heclassthem huggedher.
Yamasawrappedherar
msaroundBant
ucr
ying,
her
cr
iesmaki
ngBantutear
ful
.
“
Yaya…”
Yamasacr
iedf
orawhi
let
henf
inal
lyst
opped.She
sni
ff
ed.
Bant
uwi
pedawayhert
ear
s.“
What
’swr
ong?
”
“I.
.Kago…hehasaf ri
end.Terry.BantuIam not
enjoyingmymar ri
age.Ter r
yisalwaysaroundmy
husband.Hemovedi nwi t
husbecausehehadl ost
hisjob.Heisstayi
ngatt hecottagebuthe’
sdo
i
nvol vedi
nmymar ri
age.Hewal ksinandoutofmy
houseashepl eases.Kagoi salwayswithhim.I
don’tgetachancewi t
hmyman.Thent odayIraised
theissuewithKago.It’
slikewheni tcomestoTer r
y
hewon’thearorl
ist
entoanyt
hing.Heevent ol
dme
i
fIam planni
ngtodivor
cehim Iam notget
ti
ng
anyt
hing.”
“
Ijustdon’
tunder
standTer
ry.Ogay?
”
“
No.He’
snot
.”
“Don’tyout hinklewenayouar eoverreacting.You
havet hi
sbehavi orofjudgingpeople.Ifthingsdon’t
goyourwayyout hrowaf eet.It’
sli
keyouexpect
thi
ngst omoveaccor dingtoyourspeed.You
alwaysvictimi zeyour sel
fandseeyour selfasthe
holyone.Idon’ tthi
nkTer r
yist hati
nvolvedi nyour
mar r
iage,thepr oblem isthatyoupr obablywant
Kago’sattentional ltoyourselfandfeellikeTerryi
s
yourcompet i
on.IknowKagol ovesyoubutmaybe
he’sjustti
redofhear ingcompl aint
sever yday.
Somet imesmaybewej ustwantt obreatheandj ust
behappywi thoutsomeonesquashi ngour
happiness.”
Yamasal
ookedathert
ear
ful
ly.
“
Iwasonl
ylooki
ngoutf
oryou.Icar
eaboutyou.
”
“
Youcar
eaboutmeenought
obr
ingmymot
heri
nto
theconversati
onandt el
lmeyoudon’ tblameherfor
l
eavingmebecauseIam st upid?I
treal
lydoesn’
t
matterbecauseIam f i
newithoutyouandyour
drama.Butmaybeyoushoul dgohomeandt hi
nkof
youracti
ons.Idon’tevenwantt oimagi
nehowyou
probabl
ybr oughtuptheissue.Yourapproachcould
havebeent heproblem.”
“Iam sorr
yforbri
ngingupyourparent
s.Iwasjust
upsetbecauseit
’sli
keyoudidn’
twanttoseethat
thisguy.
.that
…”Yamasat ookadeepbreathand
sighed.
Bant
u’sphoner
ang.Shel
ookedatYamasa.
“Mymani swaiti
ngforme.Ihavetogo.Iam sor ry
youfeelasi
fyouar enotget
ti
ngenoughat tenti
on.
Maybeyoucant alktooneofyourauntsaboutthe
i
ssue.Iam notyetatyourl
evelsoIcan’tr
eallytel
l
youanythi
ng.”
Tearsrol
leddownYamasa’
scheeks.“
Imi
ssyou.I
feell
onel
y.”
“
Iam sor
ry,
youwi
llmakenewf
ri
ends.
”
Bant
uwal
kedaway.Yamasal
ookedati
nthebody
huggingblackdresst
hentear
full
ywalkedslowl
y
behindhercaryi
ngherbagwhileherswoll
enlegs
ached.

*
**

Mainawalkedoutofthebedr
oom weari
ngher
for
malwhitedressandherheelst
hatsameday.
Hermakeupper f
ect
lydonewithherhai
rcombed
out.
Thenannyshehadj
usthi
redl
ookedatherwhi
le
hol
dingt
hebaby.
“Iam goingout
.Iwi
llbebacki
nanhourorso.
Therearecameraswatchi
ng.Herf
atheri
sa
l
awyer .
”
“
Yesmadam.
”
“
Good.“
Shepickedherhandbagandwal kedout.She
watchedasLefa’sAudidrovei
n.Hepar kedthecar
andsteppedout.Shewalkedpasthim holdi
ngher
br
eathheadedt
othegat
e.Lef
atur
nedt
oherand
l
ookedather
Mai
naconfi
dentl
ywalkedt
othecab.Lef
awal
kedi
n
t
hehousecal
li
ngher.
“
Wher
ear
eyougoi
ng?
”
“
Toseeaf
ewf
ri
ends.
”
“
Afewf
ri
endsl
eavi
ngt
hebabywi
thwho?
”
“
Wit
hthenannyandyou.
”
“Youarenotleavi
ngt
hebabywiththenannysoyou
cangooutdressedli
keaprost
it
utewhilesmel
li
ng
funny.Whatdoyouwantpeopl
etot hi
nkwhenthey
thi
nkofme? ”
“
Lef
a,l
eavemeal
one.
”
“Isai
dcomebackbef or
eont ena.Ifyoudon’tcome
backnevercomebackt omyhouseeveragai n.You
arenotgoi ngtowonderar oundsmel l
ingli
kea
sewagesot hatpeoplecanlaughatme.Toeven
wearmi niskir
tsandshor t
sthinki
ngyoul ook
beauti
ful.Youl ookl
ikeaclown.Ifyoudon’ tcome
backthendon’ tevercomebackagai n.Nxla!”
Hehungupandwal
kedi
nsi
det
hehouse.

*
**

I
nthecab,
Mai
nal
ookedatt
hecabdr
ivert
ear
ful
ly.
“Iam sor
ry.Pl
easetakemeback.Myboyf
ri
end
sayshewi l
lgooutwithme.
”
“
Iam goi
ngt
ochar
geyouf
ort
hatmysi
ster
.”
“
Ok.
”
ThecabdriverdidaU- t
urnt
hendroveherback
home.Shepai dhim andwalkedbacki
nsidet
he
house.Shelookedatthenannyholdi
ngthebaby.
“
Isever
ythi
ngok?
”
“
Yesmadam.
”
Lef
awal
kedf
rom t
hebedr
oom t
henl
ookedather
.
“
Wher
ewer
eyougoi
ng?
”
“
UhAunt
y,youcangogot
hebaby’
sbedr
oom.
”
Shedr
ll
dupandwal
kedout
.Mai
naputdownher
handbag.
“
Wher
ewer
eyou?
”
“
Howi
sthatyourbusi
ness?
”
“
Howi
smegoi
ngoutyourbusi
ness?
”
“
Youdon’
twor
k.Youdon’
tpayf
oranyt
hing.
”
“Youareal
osepantyLef
a.Alosepanty.Iwoul
dn’
t
haveasmelli
fyouusedacondom whencheati
ng.I
don’
tevenknowhowyougottobeal awyerwit
hthe
wayyoubehave.
”
“Ibehavet
hewayIbehavebecauseIdon’
tlove
you.”
“Ist
oodbyyouwhenyouhadnot hi
ngLef a.When
youwer enot
hing,Iwast her
e.Iheldyourhand
whenyouwer egivingup.Youhavehur tme,
embar r
assedme, humil
iateme.Ther e’
snot hi
ngyou
candot omewhi chisnew.Iam notgoi ng
anywhere.Il
oveyou.Ihavel ovedyouf orthe
l
ongestt i
me.Youar egoingtogivemydaught erthe
famil
yshedeserves.Idon’tcareifIhavet osellmy
soulforit
.
*
**

Att
heschool’sparki
nglot,Bant
usmi l
edwatchi
ng
asPuledrovethr
oughandst oppedthecarbearher
.
Heleanedoveropeningforherthenshegoti
n.
Bant
usmi
ledr
ecei
vingaki
ss.“
Hi.
”
Pulesmiled.“
Hey.Sor
ryIam l
ate.Igothel
dupi
n
tr
affi
c.”
“
It
’sok.Idi
dn’
twai
tfort
ool
ong.
”
Hedr
oveoutoftheschoolpremisesreachi
ngfor
t
hemil
kshakehe’dgot
tenforherthengaveitt
oher.
Bant
usmi
ledt
aki
ngi
t.“
Thankyou.
”
“
Youar
ewel
come.
”
Bant
urel
axedashedrovet
otheai
rpor
twhi
le
si
ppi
nghermil
kshake.

*
Attheai
rpor
t,Bant
uwalkedinsidehol
dingPule’
s
hand.Unawareandunablet
or ecogni
zeBantu,
KagoandTerrywalkedbehi
ndt hem.
Ter
rysmi
led.“
Haveyout
oldher
?”
“
Ifor
got.Iwi
llsendamessage.Iam noti
nthe
moodtoday.
”
“Tel
lher
.Idon’
twantt
oloset
hebabyduet
o
str
ess.
”
“
Yamasai
sti
ri
ng.
”
“Alr
eadyyout wohadanar gumenti nt
hemorning.
Talktoher,t
ellheryouar etravel
ingwi
thworkandit
wasal astminutething.Ireall
ywantthi
sbaby.It
wouldn’tmakesenset ohavemar ri
edheri
fwelose
thebaby.”
Kagosighedt
hencal
ledher
.Herphoner
angf
ora
whil
e.
“
Hel
lo?
”
“
HI.Ar
eyouhomeal
ready?
”
“Iam wait
ingf
oryoukoUB,i
t’
sbeent
hir
tymi
nut
es.
Iam ti
red.Wherear
eyou?
”
“Shit!Iam onmywayt otheair
portwithmyboss.
Wear egoingt oZimbabweforapr oj
ectwewantt
o
secur e.Lastmi nut
ethi
ng.Idi
dn’tevenknowIwas
traveli
ngt i
llanhourback.
”
“
Youar
egoi
ng?
”
“Yes.It
oldTerr
ytofindhi
msel fsomewher
eto
sleepti
llIcomebacksoatleastyouwil
lbefr
eeal
l
alone.
”
“Can’
tIcome?Theweekendi
sher
e.Idon’
twantt
o
bealone.
”
“
Theplanel
eavesintenminut
esorso.Iwi
llseeyou
whenIcomeback.Look,
Iam sor
ry.
”
“
Kago-
“
“
Okshar
p.”
Hehungandswitchedoffhi
sphone.Helooked
ar
oundthenki
ssedTer r
yqui
ckl
y.Terryl
aughed
bl
ushi
ngthenKagor ai
sedhi
sheadsmi l
ingand
l
ockedeyeswi
thBant uwhowaswat chi
nginshock.
.
.
.
[
06/
22,
08:
19] :Fal
lenAngel
#44

AtSSKInter
nati
onalAir
por
t,Bant
uwatchwi
thher
mouthdroppedopen.SheshookPul
e’
shand.
“
Didyouseet
hat
?”
Pul
etur
nedandl
ookedconf
used.“
Seewhat
?”
“Theywereki
ssing.Isawt
hem ki
ssi
ng.He’
s
Yamasa’shusband.Hewaski
ssinghisf
ri
end.
”
Kagoswall
owedl
ett
inggoofTer
ry’
shand.Pul
e
l
ookedthem.
“
He’
sgay?
”
“I
…Yayat ol
dmet hatthef
ri
endissoinvolvedinher
marri
age.Shesaidherhusbandwon’tli
stento
anyt
hingagainstTer
rytoapointheevenment i
oned
di
vor
ceaf
tershecompl
ained.Iam cal
li
ngher
.”
Kagoqui
ckl
ywalkedoutwit
hTerr
yasi
fnoonehad
seent
hem.Pul
elookedather.
“
Telli
ngherwon’tmakeherbel i
eveyou,keept
hati
n
mind.It
’sdi
ff
icul
tforanyonetobeli
evetheper
son
t
heyloveisgay.Hemi ghttur
nthisaroundonyou.
”
“Idon’
tcar
eifshebel
ievesmeornot
.Iam t
ell
ing
her.
”
Bant
utookoutherphoneandunbl
ockedher
numberbef
orecal
li
ngher.
I
trangt
wicet
henshepi
cked.“
Hel
lo?
”
“
Hi.Ar
eyouhome?
”
“
Uhal
most
..
Iam i
nthecab.
”
“
Wher
eisKago?
”
“
Hejustf
lewt
oZi
mbabwe.Hehadasuddenwor
k
t
ri
p.”
“
Ijustsawhi
m att
heai
rpor
t.
”
“Yes.Hesai
dhi
spl
anei
sleavi
ngnow.Wher
ear
e
yougoing?”
“
Hewaswi
thTer
ry.Isawt
hem ki
ssi
ng.
”
“
Huh?
”
“
Isawt
hem ki
ssi
ng.Hewaski
ssi
nghi
sfr
iend.
”
“
What
?”
“Hewaskissi
nghisfri
end.Theywerekissi
ngin
publ
icatt
heairpor
t.Iam notsurewhat
’sgoingon
YayabutIdon’
tthi
nkthismani sst
rai
ght.”
“
Idon’
tthi
nkIunder
standwhatyouar
esayi
ng.
”
“
Theyj
ustl
eft
.Hel
eftt
heai
rpor
t.
”
Yamasahungup.Pul
elookedather
.Bant
u
shr
uggedwit
hasighnowbot her
ed.

*
**

Yamasadi
aledKagobr
eat
hingheavi
ly.
“
Thenumberyou-
“
Shecutt
hecal
l,herheartpoundi
ngsomuch.
Minut
eslat
ert
hecabdr oppedherof
fatt
hegate.
Shehandedhim hismoneyandpr essedthegat
e
remot
eandwal kedthrough.Sheunlockedt
hedoor
andwalkedi
ncal l
inghim.
Herkneesweakenedthenshesatdownshaki
ng.
Minut
eslatert
hegateopened.Yamasast
oodup
andwalkedoutsi
de.Shewatchedhi
m ashedrove
thr
oughthegate.
Hest
eppedoutandwal
kedoverl
aughi
ng.
“
Hey…If
orgotmypasspor
t.Canyoui
magi
ne?
”
“
Wher
eisTer
ry?
”
“Idon’
tknow.Il
astsawhi
mint
hemor
ning.What
happened?”
Shebreat
hedheavi
lyl
ooki
ngathi
m.“
Bant
usaw
you.
”
“
Sawme?
”
“
Yes.Att
heai
rpor
t.Wi
thTer
ry.
”
“
Ter
ry?No.I
twasmyboss.Mr
.Di
thi
bal
o.”
“ShesawTer
ry.Andsawyout
woki
ssi
ngatt
he
air
port
.”
Kagol
ookedatherf
orawhi
let
henl
aughed.
“
Goodonebaby.
”
“Iam notj
oki
ng.Shesawyout
woki
ssi
ngatt
he
air
portbef
oreyoulef
t.
”
“
Areyouseri
ous?Ar
eyouaccusi
ngmeofki
ddi
ng
myfr
iend?He’
saman.”
“
Yes.He’
saman.Andshesawyouki
sshi
m.”
“Areyoul
ist
eningtoyour
self
?Doeswhatyouar
e
sayingmakesense?DoIlookgayt
oyou?”
“
Bant
uhasnor
easont
oli
e.”
Thesamef r
iendwhoyoudon’
ttal
ktoanymore
becauseyoutol
dhert
hatherboyf
ri
endisnotgood
forher
?”
“
Shesawyou!Bant
uisnot
ali
ar.
”
“Idon’
tevenknowwhereTer r
yis.Iam notgay.I
f
shehadseenmewi thanotherwomani twould
makesense.Ican’
tbel
ieveyouar eaccusi
ngmeof
beinggay!Thenwhydi
dImar r
yyou?”
“
Youar
etoocl
oset
oTer
ry!
”
“Becausehe’ stheonl ypersonwhohasbeenwi t
h
me.Wehavebeenf ri
endssi ncepri
mar y.Mmagwe
Terryfedmeont henightsIgotnot hingathome.
Het ookcar eofme.Ter r
yismybr other.Theonl y
onewhounder standswher eIam comi ngf r
om and
going.Iam sor rythatkickinghim outwhenhi s
mot hertookmei nfeelswr ong.Shet ookcar eof
me…i tdoesn’tcostmeanyt hingtotakecar eof
Terry.He’snotevengay.Hehasagi rlf
riendin
Kanye.Ibethewentt here.Idon’tki
ssmen.Iam a
man.I fyouwantt oleavemeYayayoucan.You
don’thavet oinsultmeormakeupst ories.Igeti
t.I
knewt hishappi nesswast oogoodt obet r
ue.”He
sighed.“Ithoughtwecoul dnowgot oget herbut.
.”
Yamasasnif
fedtearf
ull
y.“
Iam sor
ry.Idon’
tthi
nk
shesawproper
ly.”
“
Orshej
ustwant
syoumi
ser
abl
e.”
Yamasasighed.“
Iknowshewasst
il
langr
yabout
thel
astt
imewespoke.”
“Obvi
ousl
yshe’sst
il
langryorj
ustaf
tert
odestr
oy
yourl
if
e.Idon’
tunder
standwhyanyonewouldli
e
aboutsuchat
hing.
”
“
Iam sor
ry.Ij
ust
….Ter
ryi
sjustt
ooinvol
ved.It
hink
t
hat
’swhyitwaseasyt
obeli
eveher
.”
“
Iwi
llt
ellhi
mtomoveout
.”
“
That
’snotwhatImeant
.”
“It
hinkit’
sforthebest.Terr
yandIareli
ket
wins.I
wil
ltal
kt ohim.Iam sorryabouthowthi
s
conversati
onendedint hemorning.
”
Yamasar
ubbedhertear
s.Kagohuggedher
.She
sni
ff
edwrappi
ngherarmsaroundher.
“
Shoul
dwego?Wewi
llbel
eavi
ngat8t
hough.
”
Shesmi
led.“
Ok.
”
Yamasawal
kedi
nsi
det
hehouset
ext
ingBant
u.
Yamasa:Hi.Ij
ustspoketohubby.Idon’tthinkyou
sawright
.Heclearedtheconversat
ion.Terr
yisnot
eveninGabs.He’sinKanyewithhisgirl
fr
iend.Can
wecleart
histensi
onbetweenus, Imissyou.
Shesentt
hemessageheadedt
oherbedr
oom.
*
**

Laterthateveni
ngatal uxuri
ousr esortlocat
edon
thebanksoft heZambezi RiverinVictoriaFal
ls,
the
4×4LandCr ui
serthatafri
endofhi shaddr opped
offforhim atVict
ori
aFallsairportparkedbythe
resort
.Bantusmi l
edlookingatt helodge.
“
It
’sbeaut
if
ul.
”
Pul
esmil
edbackki
ssi
ngher
.“Wai
tti
llyousee
i
nsi
de.
”
Hesteppedoutofthecarandwalkedroundt
oher
doorthenopenedforher
.Hehelpedheroutt
hen
tookt
heirbagsandheldherhandwiththeot
her
hand.
Ar
esor
tst
affwal
kedoversmi
li
ng.
“
Goodeveni
ng,Mr.andMr
s.Mot
samaiso.Myname
i
sLesl
ieMafar
o.Youmaycomethr
ough.”
Hetooktheirbagsandledthem t
ot hethei
rsui
teat
thepri
vateVil
la.Bantusmil
edwal ki
nginsi
dethei
r
suit
e.Scent
edcandl eshadbeenlaidonthefl
oor
wit
hr edrosesspreadoutt
oo.OneHear
tbySmokey
Robinsonplayedastheywalkedi
n.
Itl
ookedmorel i
keascenefrom t
hemovies.Bantu
smiledemoti
onally.Ther
edroseswenttothebed.
Ontheothersidewasat abl
ewiththei
rdi
nner.She
tur
nedtohim.
“
It
’sbeaut
if
ul.
”
Lesl
iemadehiswayoutasPul
epulledBant
uinhi
s
armsstar
ingather
.Heki
ssedhersoft
ly.
“
Iloveyou.Il
ovemor
ethananyt
hing.
”
Shesmil
edt
ear
ful
ly.“
Iloveyoutoo.Thankyouf
or
bri
ngi
ngmeher
e.Itbeauti
ful
.”
Pulekissedhermoreunzi
ppingherdr
ess.Heleti
t
pooltothegroundandpushedheragai
nstthewall
cuppi
ngherbr east
.
Bantuhel
pedhimtakeoffhi
sT-shi
rt.Hepickedher
upthenunzi
ppedhispantst
akingouthisharddic.
Bantucl
osedhereyesashepushedt hr
oughher
swoll
enpussyl
ipsblocki
ngherpathwaythen…
.
Justaftermidni
ght,Bantulaidi
nhisarmsf eel
ing
verysleepyaft
ertheyhadeat enthei
rsupperwhile
myl i
vebyLionelRichieplayedsoftl
yint
he
background.Sher anherhandsont hetatt
ooonhi s
breastasPulekissedherf or
ehead.
“
Doyoueverwantt
olookf
oryourpar
ent
s?”
“No.Theydidn’
tcar
ethen.Not
hingwi
llmaket
hem
carenow.”
“
Whati
fyousl
eepwi
thyoursi
bli
ngs?
”
Pul
echuckl
ed.“
Itwoul
dn’
tbemyfaul
t.Ij
ustknow
shedi
dn’
twantmesoshethrewmeaway.”
“
Butdon’
tyoueverwonder
?”
Hecaressedherf
acethenkissedher.“
No.Iusedt
o
whenIwasyoung…Ij ustknowshewasyoung.I
t
hinkhernameisPinkyorsomethingalongt
hose
l
ined.If
orgot
.ButIdon’tr
eall
ycar
e.”
Bant
uyawnedfal
li
ngasleepf
eel
inggassyt
henher
st
omachvi
brat
ed.“Ng?”
Hesmi
ledki
ddi
ngher
.“Sl
eep.
”
Sher
elaxedi
nhi
sar
msasher
ubbedherback.
.
l
et'
scommentandlikequi
cklyt
ohavet hesecond
bonusevenqui
cker
.Thebreadwinner
shavedone
what'
sneeded.
.
[
06/
22,
08:
20] :Fal
lenAngel
#45

Thef
ollowingmor
ningi
nJohannesbur
g,Kagosat
i
nthetoil
etwit
hhi
sphonewhil
eYamasasl ept
.
“
Sowhatnow?Iam i
nZi
m wai
ti
ngf
oryouatt
he
l
odge.
”
Kagosighedfrustrated.“Ican’
tbri
ngherther
e.She
wasalreadycompl ainingaboutyou.WhatBantu
tol
dherisstil
linhermi nd.Shehadal
readyhint
ed
shedoesn’tunderstandt henatur
eofour
rel
ati
onship.
”
“
Makeupsomet
hingt
hent
akeherhome.
”
“
Ter
ryshe’
sal
readysuspi
cious.Ican’
thaveher
t
hinki
ngIam gayorsomet hi
ng.Everyoneiswait
ing
f
oritt
ohappen.Afteryest
erdayIhavebeen
t
hinki
ngalotaboutthi
s.Ican’thaveanot
her
womandivorcemebecauseoft hesameissue.
”
“Soyou’dr
athersacr
if
icemyhappi nessthanhave
ourdearYamasasuspectus.Ar eyouforgett
ing
whyyoumar ri
edherinthefir
stplace.She’ssti
ll
goingtodi
eaftershegivesbi
rthsowhat ever
happensnowdoesn’tmat t
er.
”
“
Ter
ry-
“
“Al
readymyhappinessiscompr
omised.Can’
tI
gavethi
sonethi
ngwi t
houtYamasa?”
“
Babepl
ease.
”
“
Yamasai
snotGod.Shewi
llbef
ineal
one.
”
“Weren’
tyout
heonewhosai
dweneedt
hebaby
al
ive?”
Ter
rysi
ghed.“
Sowecancel
?”
“Soonshewon’
tbei
ntheequati
on.Wewi
llenj
oy
ourspaceal
onewi
thnodi
sturbance.
”
KagopausedasYamasa’
sal
armr
ang.Hehungup
thenf
lushedandwal
kedout
.Heputhi
sphone
awayandj oi
nedi
nbed.
Yamasast
oppedt
healar
m andyawned.Kago
smil
edl
ooki
ngather
.
“
Hey.
.”
Shesmi
led.“
Hi.Whatt
imei
sourf
li
ghtt
o
Zi
mbabwe?”
Kagokissedher
.“Mybossjustsentamessage
sayi
nghe’sfi
nealone.Iwast
hinki
ngmaybewecan
j
uststi
ckaroundhereandenjoyourt
ime.
”
Yamasanodded.“
I’
dli
ket
hat
.”
“
Ok.Letmeor
derussomet
hingt
oeat
.”
Hegotup.Yamasayawnedt aki
ngherphone.She
t
ookapictur
eofhersel
finunderthewhi
tesheets
t
henpostedonFacebookwithacapti
onsaying
‘
Qual
it
ytimewit
hdearhusband’.

*
**
I
nGaborone,
Lef
aspoket
ohi
sfat
hert
hatsame
mor
ning.
“
Itri
edtospeakt
oAkabuthedoesn’
twantt
o
l
ist
en.”
RragweLef asi ghed.“Iunderstandwhatyou’ r
e
saying.Itwoul dhur tyouifyourbr othermar ri
ed
yourbabymamabutyoual soneedt ounder stand
yourbr otherLef a.Youleftt
hiswomanand
abandonedher .Shemovedwi t
hherl if
e,Akanyang
foundherbr oken, pi
ckedupt hepi eces.Hehel ped
herheal .Hehasbeenwi thherf oralongwhi lenow.
Heact uallywant stomarryher .Youj ustcan’t
expecthi mt odr opherallbecauseshe’ syourbaby
mama.That ’st hewomanhel oves.It’
san
unfortunatet hatthiswomani syourmamabuti t’
s
l
ife.Ithinkyoushoul dthankGodt hatit’
sactually
yourbr othersoyouknowyourdaught erwil
lbe
takencar eof .”
“
Soyouar
ejustgoi
ngt
oleti
thappen?
”
“Ihavenochoi
ce.Akanyangal
readyf
eel
slikehe’
s
nottreat
edt
hesamebecausehedoesn’tsharea
mot herwithyouandYaya.Iam notgoi ngt oask
himt odumphi sgirl
fr
iend.Wear egoi ngt omar r
y
thatgirl
.Youar egoingt ohavet or espectheras
yourbr ot
her’swife.Ijustdon’tunder standwhat
happenedwi t
hyou.Youhadast abl er elati
onshi
p
withBant u.Youruinedt hat.Justdealwi ththe
consequencesofyouract i
onswi thoutdr aggi
ng
everyonei nt
oit.Bye.”
Hi
sfatherhungup.Lef
asteppedoutofhi
scar
f
eel
ingli
kehewassuf f
ocati
ng.
Mainawalkedoutoft
hehousecar
ryi
ngher
daught
erandherhandbag.
“
Iam t
aki
nghert
othehospi
tal
.”
“
Idon’
thavef
uel
.”
Shet
ookadeepbr
eat
h.“
Ok.Iwi
llwal
k.”
“
Ok.
”
Shelookedathimt earf
ull
ythenwalkedtothegat
e
car
ryingherdaughter.Undertheal
readyhotsun,
shewalkedfasterheadedtothehospital
.
Lef
adi
aledLone.Herphoner
angf
orawhi
let
hen
shepi
cked.
“
Hel
lo?
”
“
Soyoudeci
dedt
ogoaf
termybr
other
?”
“Ididn’tknowhewasyourbr other.Youtwodon’t
evenshar ethesamesur name.Pleasenevercallme
unlessi thasanythi
ngt odowithSummer .Ican’
t
evenbel ieveyouaskedAkat odumpmebecause
youi mpr egnatedme.Youar everyfool
ishand
chil
dish.Ican’twaitforAkaandIt ogetmar ri
eddoI
canl ovehi mtothefull
estwhil
eyouwat ch.
”
Shehungup.Lef
asatont
hever
andaf
eel
ingweak.

*
**

InZimbabwe, Bantuwalkedtotheirpoolt
hat
overl
ookedt heser eneviewoftheZambezir i
veri
n
herwhitebikini.Shetiedherbrai
dsi nabun.Pule
walkedoutinshor t
sthenwr appedhisarmsaround
herfrom behindunt ucki
ngherbi ki
nipant
yfrom
betweenherbut t
.
Shesmil
edasheki
ssedherneck.Heputhi
shand
i
nherpanty.
“
Let
’sswi
m.”
Shehel
dhisvei
nedhand.“
Iam notagood
swi
mmer .
”
Hetur
nedherar
oundandki
ssed.“
Iwi
llt
eachyou.
Come.”
Hegotinthepoolwithher
,hishandsonherwai
st
keepi
nghersteady.Thewatermadehergaspas
Pulemovedfurtheri
nsi
de.Sheheldontohi
m
ti
ghtl
y.
“
Rel
ax…Iam notgoi
ngt
oletyougo.
”
Shetookadeepbreat
handslowl
yrel
axedfl
oat
ing
whil
eheheldher.Heswam wi
thhert
othe
swi
mmi ngpool
’swall
s.
Heunti
edherbi
kinif
rom theside.Bant
uwr
apped
herar
msaroundhim al
readylaughing.
“
Ist
hathowpeopl
ear
etaughthowt
oswi
m?”
Hesmil
ed.“Il
iket
ohavemypaymentbef
oreIget
t
hejobdone.”
Shel
aughed.“
Andi
fthej
obdoesn’
tgetdone?
”
“
Feelfreetotakebackthepayment
.Levir
gini
tyoka
etsaya.Iam notdi
ffi
cul
t.
”Hesqueezedherbutt
.
“
Youhavegai nedweight.
”
“
Iwassowor
ri
ed.It
houghtIwaspr
egnant
.”
Hel
ookedather
.“Youar
enot
?”
“
No.Itcamebackwi
thonel
ine.Iwassoscar
ed
t
hinki
ngIam.”
“
Why?
”
“
Idon’tt
hinkIam r
eadyt
obeamom.Iwantt oget
marri
edandhaveastabl
ejobbef
oreIcanbea
mother.
”
“Butevenifyouwer etogetpregnant,Iwoul dn’t
abandonmychi ld.Oryou.Att heendIwoul dmar ry
you.Andtakecar eofyoubecauseyouar emi ne.I
wouldsti
lll
oveyoul ikeIloveyou.Youwi llsti
llbe
mygi r
lbaby.Ababywoul djustbeabl essing…oneI
wouldbegr at
efulforbecauseIwoul dhavehadone
withsomeoneIl ove.Iknowhowi tf
eelsgr owingup
withnoparents.Iwouldn’thavethesame
happeni
ngt
omychi
ld.
”
Hemovedcl
osercur
vinghi
sback,
hisl
ipsonher
s
and…

*
**

InGaborone,Mainawalkedbackhomeexhaust ed
whil
ecarryi
ngherdaught er
.Ataxistoppedbesi
des
herthenthedri
verlookedatherrol
li
ngdownhi s
window.
“
Mysi
ster
,wakae?
”
“
Idon’
thavemoney.
”
“I
t’
sok.It
’shotandyouar
ewi
thababy.Iwi
lldr
op
youoff
.”
Mai
nagoti
nthet
axi
.“Thankyou.
”
Thetaxidri
verl
ookedathert
ear
yeyesasshe
rubbedoffanot
hertear
.
“
Wher
ear
eyougoi
ng?
”
“
Downt
hest
reet
.Thel
asthouse.
”
Hedroveof
fwhileshesni
ffed.Helookedather
wat
chinghercr
yingthenl
arkedthecaratthegate.
“
Her
e?”
“
Yes.Thankyou.
”
“Pl
easedon’
tcryli
kethi
s.Youar
ebeaut
if
ul.You
shoul
dn’
tbecryingli
ket
hat.
”
Shelookedbur st
ingintoaloudcryst
artl
ingher
baby.Thedriversteppedoutofthecarandwalked
tothebackseat.
“
Mysi
ster
…”
“AllIhavedonewaslovehim..If
orgavei
tal
l.I
thoughthewouldchange.Ithoughthewould
change.Iam HIVposit
iveandIhavesyphil
is.
”
Hesadl
ylookedatherget
ti
ngi
nthecarandhugged
her
.
“HI
Vi snottheendoftheworld.Iam alsoHIV
posi
tiveandIam al
ive.Peni
cil
li
nwillsolvesyphi
li
s.
Iam sorr
ythatsometimeswet endtolovethe
wrongpeoplebutdon’tl
ethi
mt akeever yt
hingfr
om
you.Youhaveal ott
olivefor.Yourdaughter
…
yoursel
f.Onedayyouwi l
llookbackandr emember
thi
sdayt henlaugh.Lif
ehasnomanualmysi st
er.
Wemovef orward.”

*
**

From herwindow,LubawatchedasMai nastepped

outofthetaxihol
dingherdaughter
.Somethingin
herstomachmoved.Shet ookadeepbr eat
hsaton
herbedtryi
ngt oholdhert
earsbuttheysti
llr
oll
ed
downhercheeks.
Hereachedf ort
heDomestosshehadpouredi
na
cupanddr ank.Thewashi
ngpowderhadn’
tworked.
Thi
shadt o.

4MONTHSLATER…
.
.
.
[
06/
22,
08:
20] :Fal
lenAngel
#46

FourMont
hsLat
er

AtKago’
shouse, Yamasahel
dherbooksthat
eveni
ngreadingwhil
eherbabysl
eptpeacef
ull
yon
herbl
ankieonthecouch.Shesi
ppedherjui
ce,her
eyesonhertextbook.
Thebabymovedsl i
ght
lymakingsli
ghtsounds.
Yamasaputdownherbookandopenedher
daughterabi
t.Shel
ookedatherthensmiledt
aking
herphone.
Shet
ookapict
ureandsenti
ttoBant
uon
What
sApp.
Yamasa:Havechi
ldr
en!
!!
Bant
uopenedt
hepi
ctur
est
henst
art
edt
ypi
ng.
Bant
u:Iam t
hinki
ngi
fst
oppi
ngpi
ll
s.Kanamyman
(
whom youhat
e)hasbeenhi
nti
nghewant
sababy.
Yamasa: uhu?Youar
eavi
rgi
neni
mor
e?”
Bantu: yeahbutyouwouldknownt
hati
fyou
weren’
tsomuchofajudgeJudy
Yamasa:Heel
a!Oki
lewanar
eady?
Bant
usentami r
rorsel
fi
eofhersel
fwithPulei
na
hot
elinDubai
.Yamasalookedathisbarebackand
si
ghed.
Bant
u:I
twasf
ort
her
ightmant
ome.
Yamasa:Howwasi
t?
Bant
u:Pai
nfulandsweet
.
Yamasa:Soyouwantababyt
oo?
Bant
u:Idon’
tmindgivi
nghi
m one.Totawit
hthe
wayhe’sal
waysonmewhenhe’ saround,
Iam
sur
pri
sedIam notpr
egnant
.
Yamasa:I
shegoi
ngt
omar
ryyou?
Bantu:Idon’
tknowbutahhnnammathewayIlove
thi
smanIdon’ tkheeni
more Ijustl
ovehi
mt he
restwil
lcomeafter
.Thewayhel
ovesmakesit
easierf ormet odi
vedeeperi nlovewi t
hhim.
Ther e’
snot hinghecan’tdof orme.Hesayshei s
goingt ogetmeacaraf terseeingthissemest
er’
s
results.WhenIgof orinternshipi
nt womonths,I
willbedr ivi
ngmyowncar .
Yamasar
eadt
hemessage.
Yamasa:Whi
chcar
?
Bantu:Iam notgoi
ngt
obepi
cky.What
everheget
s
i
sfine.
Yamasa:Isawhim dr
ophim of
finadoubl
ecabt
he
ot
herday.Anot
hercarofhi
s?
Bantu:Yeah.I
twasoneoft
hecar
sheboughtf
or
sel
li
ng.
Yamasa:Ohok.WaitseIwishIcoul
dgetacartoo.
Kagowon’tevengethi
mselfanewcar.TheGolfi
s
begi
nni
ngt oannoyme.Ijustneedacart
ohelpme
movearound.
Bant
u:Iam sur
ehewi
llgetyouone.
Yamasa:Ifhehadmoneyfal
li
ngonhi
mli
kemana
fr
om heavenli
keyour
s,hewould.
Bantu:Mymanwor kshar
dforhi
smoney.He’s
hustl
er,heknowshowtomakemoney.Ever
ycent
spentishardear
ned.
Yamasa:Noonespendshar dearnedmoneyl i
ke
that.Imeanvacat i
ontripseveryweek, your
shoppi ngspr ees,
youmovedi ntoabiggerhouse
andIt ouchedyourphonel astweek.Isawt he12k
hehadsentyou.Nonor malwoul ddothat.Eveni f
hehadbusi nessesallover..youjustgota55i nch
TV.Justl astweeki twast hosecouchesf rom home
corpt sa23kt henthedoubl edoordispensar yfr
idge
yaSamsung.Iam notj udgingbutallIam sayingi s
thatKagol ivesonsalary.
Bantu:Kagochoset oli
veonsal
ary.That’
shis
choice.Pul
eisnotasal ar
ysomeone.Hedoesn’t
dependonj ustsal
ary.He’
sahustl
erandi sal
ways
aft
ernewwayst omakemor emoneyt hat
’swhyhe
canaf f
ordspoil
ingme.He’sagogetter.
Yamasa:Youar
eri
ght
.Mmeatl
easti
sgone
Bantu:asl
ongasyouar
ehappy l
etmer
ead.Wi
ll
tal
k.
Sheimmediatelywentoffl
ine.Yamasaputdownher
phoneandstartedreadi
ng.Wi t
hKagoonhi s
busi
nesstri
p,thehousegotevenmor equiet.She
yawnedexhaustedthenpickedherdaughterand
wenttoherroom whereshel ai
dherdown.
Shewalkedbacktothesit
ti
ngroom andbended
picki
ngherphone.Shepausedhear
ingasound
comingfrom t
hekit
chen.Shesl
owlywalkedover
andcheckedbuttherewasnoone.Sherefi
ll
edher
glassofj
uicecal
li
ngKago.
“
Hel
lo?
”
“
Hibabe.
.”
“
Hey,
youar
est
il
lawake?
”
“
Yes.Iwasr
eadi
ng.Iam goi
ngt
osl
eepnow.
”
“
Howi
smydaught
er?
”
Shesmi
ledsi
ppi
ngherj
uice.“
Fine.She’
squi
et.
”
Kagochuckl
ed.“
Likeherf
ather
.”
Yamasalaughedwal
kingt
oherbedr
oom.“
Yes.I
missyou.
”
“
Iam comi
ngt
omor
row.
”
“Ok.Babe…doyout hi
nkwearest
abl
etogetmea
smallcar.Somet
hingtohel
pmemovearound?
”
“
Yes.AVi
tsmaybe?
”
“
OraMazda3.
”
Kagol
aughed.“
Ist
hatasmal
lcar
?”
“
Wel
l…”
“
Ok.Iam sur
ewecanpushf
oraMazda3.
”
“
Real
ly?
”
“
Yes.
”
Shescr
eamed.“
Thankyou!
”
Kagol
aughed.“
Don’
twakeupt
hebaby.
”
Shegi
ggl
ed.“
Thankyoubabe.
”
“
It
’sok.It
hinkIwi
llbecomi
ngi
ntomor
rowear
ly
morni
ng.”
“
Ok.
”
Shewal
kedi
nsi
deherbedr
oom whi
let
heyspoke.
*
**

Ter
rycal
ledKagot
henhepi
cked.
“
Hel
lo?
”
“
Iam i
ntheyar
d.”
“Idon’
tthi
nkweshoul
dki
llher
.Thebabyst
il
lneeds
her.
”
“
Needsherf
orwhat
?”
“
Ter
ry-
“
“Kagothi
swasthepl
an.Eithert
hatoryoudi
vor
ce
herandmakeusoffi
cial
.Thishi
dinggamewon’t
workwithme.
”
“
Ter
ry-
“
“Iam goi
ngaheadwiththepl
an.Stayt
here.Wewi
ll
mournherandmoveon.Thi sbabywil
lhaveme.I
am j
ustwait
ingforhert
osleep.
”
Hecutt
hecal
landputont
hegl
oves.
*
**

AtLuba’shouse,justaft
erelevenatnight
,Lubabit
herlowerslowlywalki
ngoutofherr oom.The
contract
ionscameonagai n.Shegr i
tt
edherteeth
holdi
ngont othewal l
saspai nsli
cedheroverand
overagain.Shesil
entlywhizzledi
npainstandi
ngin
thei
rlivi
ngroom.
Secondslatert
hepainsli
ghtl
ysubsided.Shesl
owl
y
walkedtothedoorinhermorninggownt hensl
owl
y
unl
ockedthedoor.Shesteppedout,thecoldwi
nd
makinghershiver
.Sheclosedthedoorandwalked
outoftheyardint
hedarkness.
Shewalkeddownthestreett
ommagweTshi amo’s
house.Shepull
edtheweekfencefrom thebackof
thehouseandjumpedover.Thecontracepti
onpain
cameagainastheurgetopushcameevenst ronger
.
Shebitherl
owerli
pwalkingtothepitl
atri
nethat
mmagweTshi amodidn’
tuseanymor e.
Shet
ookof
fhergownandsquat
tednakedgr
oani
ng
i
npai
n.
Shecl
osedhereyesshaki
ngt
henpushed.Thepai
n
hadherwant
ingtocl
oseherl
egs.
Tearsrol
leddownhercheekst
hensheputt
he
cornerofthemor
ninggownandscreamedpushi
ng.
Thebaby’ sheadsl owlyst
retchedherasshe
pushed.Shet ookadeepbr eathandpushedmore,
thebabysl owl ysl
idoutandf el
lonthegown
togetherwitht heamniot
icsac.Shet ookoutt
he
scissorfrom thegownspocketandcutt he
umbi l
icalcord.
Thecoldwindgrazedhi
sbum t
henhest
art
ed
cr
yingcoveredi
nblood.
Lubaslowlypi
ckedhi
m up,herhandsshaki
ng.Her
tear
sfellonhi
m ashecri
ed.Sheputhim onher
chestshushi
nghiminthedark,
herwarm body
warminghis.
Shethoughtofherparent
s,thebabywoul
dhave
them di
sowningher.Shesil
entl
ycri
edhol
dingt
he
baby.
Shethoughtofjustgoi
ngwithhim.Theywould
havenochoicebuttoacceptherbutthenot
herki
ds
wouldlaughatherandcallhernames.
Shelookedathi
m wonder
inghehadn’
tjustdi
edi
n
herstomach.
Minuteswentbyasshehel
dhersoni
nherar
ms
cr
ying.
Hissilencecalmedherdown.Shesl owlytookoff
theli
df rom mmagweTshi amo’spitlatr
ine.The
smellalmostmadehervomi t
.Shet ookadeep
breaththinki
ng.Herheartpoundedasshehel dhim
shaking.Hest ar
tedcryi
ngagain,Lubashushedhi m
thenthrewhi minsi
de.Shecl osedthepitlatr
ineas
hecriedt henshepickedhergownandwal kedout
putti
ngi ton.
.
.
Let
'squi
cklypar
ti
cipat
esowehavet
hemorni
ng
i
nsertonti
me.Morebonusesar
ewai
ting
[
06/
22,
08:
20] :Fal
lenAngel
#47

Shesl owlytookof ftheli

df r
om mmagweTshi amo’
s
pitlat
rine.Thesmel l
almostmadehervomi t.She
tookadeepbr eathHerhear tpoundedasshehel d
him shaking.Hest artedcryi
ngagai n,
Lubashushed
himt hent hr
ewhi mi nsi
de.Shecl osedthepit
l
at r
ineashecr iedt henshepi ckedhergownand
walkedoutput tingiton.
Shehurr
iedbackhomelookingaroundwonderingi
f
someonehadseen.Sheslowlyopenedthedoorat
homeandwal kedi
nsi
dethehouse.Shelockedand
walkedt
othebathr
oom.Sheputt hestai
nedgown
i
nthewashingmachineandwentundert heshower.
Mi
nut
esl
atershewal
kedbumpi
ngi
ntohermot
her
.
“
Whyar
eyoubat
hing?
”
“
Myper
iodcame.Ist
ainedmysel
f.
”
“
Oh.
.doyouwantpai
nki
ll
ers?
”
Sheshookherhead.“
Iam f
ine.
”
“
Remembert
hef
ir
stt
imeyougotyourper
iod?
”Her
mot
herl
aughed.“
Youwer
esoscar
ed.
”
Lubanodded.Hermot
hersmi
led.
“YourPEteachercal
ledmeyester
day.Hesaysyou
arenotpart
ici
pati
nginthecl
assacti
vit
ies.
”
“Thest
udentswi
lllaughatmebecauseIam f
atand
Ihavest
ret
chmar ks.”
“Theyl
aughatyoubecauset
heywisht
heywer
eli
ke
you.Maybeweshouldtr
ansf
eryou.
”
“
Iwantt
ogoandst
aywi
thaunt
yinKasane.
”
MmagweLubaf
rowned.“
Why?
”
“
Noonewi
llknowmet
her
e.”
“
Luba-
“
“
CanIgoandst
ayt
her
ewi
thher
?”
MmagweLubal
ookedatheri
nsur
pri
se.
“
Luba,
isever
ythi
ngok?
”
Tear
sfi
ll
edLuba’
seyes.“
Idon’
twantt
obebul
li
ed
anymor
e.Iwantt
omovewi t
haunt
y.”
“
Wecanal
waysmoveyouf
rom yourcur
rentschool
t
oanot
herone.Youdon’
thavet
omove.
”
“ButIwanttomove.Idon’
twantt
ost ayher
e
anymore.Iwantt
ostaywithaunt
y.”
Herl
ookedatherl
ongface.Shecoul
dn’tr
emember
t
helastt
imeshehadseenherdaughtersmil
eor
l
augh.Orevenwat
chTV.
“Luba…whathappened?If eell
ikesomethi
ng
happenedandyouwon’ tt
ellme.Pl
easetellme.I
willnott
ellanyone.Iwon’
ttel
ldaddyifyouare
scared.Youcant al
ktome.”
“
Not
hinghappened.
”
“
Somet
hingi
snotr
ight
.”
“
Iam f
ine.Iam sl
eepy.Iam goi
ngt
osl
eep.
”
Shewalkedt oherroom andclosedthedoor
.
MmagweLubasadl yl
eanedagainstthewal
l.She
tur
nedandwal kedbacktoherbedroom f
eel
ingli
ke
shewasf ai
lure.

*
Inherbedr
oom,Lubalaidonherbedcryi
ngonher
pil
lowasthebaby’scr
iesr
anginherhead.She
cri
edsomucht i
llshecoul
dn’
tanymorethenfi
nal
ly
fel
lasl
eep.

*
**

AtYamasa’shouse, Yamasat
urnedinhersleep
feel
ingli
kesomet hi
ngheavywasonher.Shet urned
againthenopenedhereyesbreat
hingheavi
ly.She
tookadeepbr eat
hswi t
chi
ngonhersidelampt hen
steppeddownt hebedandwalkedtoherbaby’s
bedroom.
Shelookedatherdaughterpeaceful
lysl
eepi
ngt
hen
wentbacktoherbedroom.Shel aiddownand
cl
osedhereyes.Slowlyshefellasl
eeprel
axi
ngher
body.
Inthekit
chen,Ter
rysl
owl
yopenedoneofthe
drawersandtookoutt
hebigkni
fe.Hemadehis
waytothebedroom andslowl
yopenedthedoor
.He
l
ookedathersl
eepi ng,
suff
ocati
nghert
henhanging
herwastheperfectwaytogetawaywit
hitbutt
hen
shecoul
dfight
.
Hesl
owl
yopenedt
hedoorandovert
oher
Feel
ingsomepr esencei
nt hebedr
oom,Yamasa
openedhereyes.Terryr
aisedthekni
feandst
abbed
herchest
.
Yamasascr
eamedloudl
yatthepai
n.Ter
rypul
led
outt
hekni
feasbl
oodspurtoutandst
abbedher
agai
n.
Yamasaki ckedhim wit
hherl egs,theknif
eonher
chest.Terr
ypunchedherhar dt hatblood
i
mmedi at
elyfi
ll
edhermout h.Hepunchedagai n
andagai nthenputhishandsonherneckst r
angl
ing
her.
Hereyeswi denedasshefoughtt
opullhi
shands
offher.Shestret
chedherhandandscrat
chedhis
face.Shereachedforhi
seyespushi
ngherfinger
s
i
nside.
Ter
ryl
etgoofherneckandpunchedhar
dert
han
ever
.Shesankherf
inger
sint
ohissocket
.He
j
umpedbackgroani
ng.Shegotofft
hebedlooki
ng
athi
m cover
edinbl
ood.
Terr
ypickedthelampshethr
ownathim andhi
ther
headwithit
.Yamasastagger
edscreami
ngthenhe
hi
theragainthatthi
sti
meshefel
l.
“
Lit
tl
ebi
tch!
”
Hepulledherhai
randpunchedherface.Yamasa
pul
ledhishandandbithi
sfinger
.Terr
ysmashed
herheadonthefloor
.
Yamasatri
edpunchi
nghim backsti
llscr
eaming.
Ter
rypul
ledoutt
heknif
eandst abbedherstomach.
Yamasascreamedpai n.Heangr
il
ylookedather
andpul
ledi
toutt henconti
nuedst
abbingher
mult
ipl
eti
mest i
llther
ewasnomovement .
Hestoppedstar
ingatt
hebloodal
loverhi
m andthe
fl
oorandherbed.Heslowl
ystoodupbreat
hing
heavi
lyst
ari
ngatthemess.
Herubbedhi
seyesf
eel
ingasi
fitwasaboutt
ofal
l
of
f.
Thebabystart
edcr yi
ngthroughthemoni t
orthenbe
steppeddownlookingather.Heopenedt he
wardrobeandunlockedKago’ssafethentookout
themoneyinsi
de.Hewal kedtositt
ingroom
wonder i
ngwhathecouldtaketomakei tlookli
kea
breakin.

Meanwhi leinthebedroom,Yamasaslowlydragged
herbodyt oherphonebr eat
hingheavi
lyl
eavi
nga
tr
ailofblood.Shelookedatherphoneandslowly
unlockeditanddialedBantu.
“
Hel
lo?
”
“
Ter
ry….Hel
p..he.
.hest
abbedme.Hel
p.”
Shebr
eathedheavi
lyt
henherbreathi
ngsl
owl
ydi
ed
downti
llshej
ustl
aidl
if
elessonthefl
oor
.
.
.
.
[
06/
22,
08:
20] :Fal
lenAngel
#48

Thatsameeveni ng,Bantu’scabstoppedat
Yamasa’shousej ustbehindthepoli
cevan.The
othersi
dewast hesecuritysystem andthe
ambulance.Bantusteppedoutoft hecanand
hurri
edinsi
de.
Herheartski
ppedastheparamedi
cspushedout
Yamasaonast ret
cher,
herbodycoveredwit
hso
bl
oodthatsomewasdr oppi
ngont hepavement
.
Thepoli
cepushedherback.
“
Pleasest
epbackandl
ett
hem dot
hei
rjob.
”
Herhear
tracedasshel
ookedatYamasa.“
Yaya!
Yaya!
”
Shehurr
iedbehi
ndt
hem cal
li
ngher
.Theyputher
i
nsidet
hentheambul
ancedroveof
fwit
hthei
rsir
en
goi
ngoff.
Herkneesweakenedasasharppai
ninherl
ower
abdomenstr
uckhermakingbend,t
ear
sinhereyes.
Yamasa’
sneighborwalkedovertohercl
ear
ly
tr
aumati
zed.“
Hi.Areyouthefri
end?”
“
Eemma.
”
“Waitsekemat hata.Iheardscreams, l
oudscr eams.
Ithoughttheyweref i
ghtingsoIcalledthepolice
andcameover .If
oundawhi t
eCompr essordrivi
ng
off.WhenIwal kedinsidethehouse, t
herewas
bloodallover
.Hehadputherbodyi napl ast
ic.I
hadt otakeherout.Shewasal ivethen.”
Bantuputherhandoverhermout
h.Apol
iceof
fi
cer
walkedout
side.
“
Ther
eisnobaby.
”
Bant
ulookedathi
m.“
Herbabywasherewit
hher
whenshetext
edmealmostt
wohoursback.
”
“
Ther
eisnobaby.
”
“
Het
ookherbaby.Het
ookher
!”
Herstomachachedevenmor
easshet
ri
edt
o
cont
inuetal
king.
“Wewil
lputupr
oadbl
ocks.Wear
egoi
ngt
ocat
ch
him.
”
Bantur
ushedt
othecab.“
Theambul
ance.Pl
ease
fol
lowt
heambulance.
”
Thecabdriverstar
tedthecaranddr
ove.Bantu
fannedher
self,t
hebloodyimageofYamasastuck
i
nherhead.Hert earsr
oll
eddownasallsort
sof
thought
sfi
lledherhead.
Thecabdr i
verdroveevenfast
erfol
lowingt
he
speedingambulance.Bantuputherhandonher
achingstomachwonder i
ngwhyshehadeat ent
he
l
eftoverfood.
Atthehospi
tal
,Banturushedinhol
dingherphone
andspoketotherecepti
onist
.
“Dumelang,myfri
endwasbr
oughthere.She’
sbeen
stabbed.Shecamewit
hanambulance.”
“Thedoctorsar
ebusywithher
.Youcanwaitforher
ther
e.Letthedoct
orsdealwi
ththemat
ter
.Um from
herfamil
y,doyouknowanyonewecancall?
”
“
Yes.Yes!
”Tear
srol
leddownhercheeks.“
Her
brot
herst
aysi
nGabs.Hi
snamei
sLef
a…Lef
a
Kenosi
.”
“
Ok,
mayIhavehi
snumbersowecancal
lhi
m.”
Bantunoddedthengavehert henumberbefor
e
movingtothebenches.Shesl owl
ysatdown,her
phonerang.ShetookitoutandpickedPul
e’
scall.
“
Angel
..
”
Sheputherhandoverhermout
hcr
ying.
“
Babe.
.what
’sgoi
ngon?
”
“Yamasa…Terryst
abbedher
.Weareatthehospi
tal
.
Therewasblood…ther
ewasalotofbl
ood.He
att
ackedandstol
ethebaby.
”
“
She’
sgoi
ngt
obeok.Don’
tcr
y.”
“Ihadspokent
oherear
li
eron.Hest
abbedher
…”
Shecri
edevenmore.
“
Iam sor
ryangel
..Iam sor
ry.Iam comi
ng.Keet
a.”
Hehungup.Bant
uputherhandsonherf
ace
sobbi
ng.
Andwhi
lel
aterLef
ahur
ri
edi
n.Hi
seyesf
ellon
Bant
u,her
ushedovert
oher
.
“
Hey…whathappened?
”
Bantul
ookedathim cr yi
ng.“Shecall
edmeandsai d
Terr
ystabbedher..Ithencall
edthepoli
cebut
someonehadal r
eadycal l
edthem.WhenIgot
ther
e…shehadsomuchbl oodonherLefa.Shehad
somuchbl oodandt hebabyi sgone.Hetookher
.I
am soscared.
”
Heputhi
shandsonhi
sheadst
eppi
ngback.
.
“
Hasanyonesai
danyt
hing?
”
“
Thedoct
orsar
est
il
lbusywi
thher
.”
“
Fuck!
”
Shelookedathim cr
ying.Hewalkedovert
oherand
huggedher.Bantuwrappedherarmsaroundhi
m
cryi
nginhisarms.
Lef
ahel
dhert
ight
lybl
inki
ngawayhi
stear
s.

*
**
Thatsameevening,
Mai
nal
aidonthebedal
one.
Somehowasmuchasshedidn’
twanttocar
e,she
st
il
lthoughtofi
t.
Shesatupr
ightonthebedwonder i
ngi
fthelady
whohadcalledt
ell
inghim abouthi
ssi
sterwasjust
anot
herofhissi
dechicks.
Shegotofft
hebedt henpacedaroundlooki
ngat
theti
me.Shetookhisphoneandcal l
edhim buti
t
j
ustranunanswered.Shetookadeepbr eat
hthen
changedi
ntoajeanandat -shi
rtbef
oremakinga
call
.

*
**

InJwaneng,
Kago’shear
tracedashetr
iedcal
li
ng
Yamasaforthetent
hti
mebutherphonewasstil
l
notgoi
ngthrough.
Hewipedt
hesweatof
fhi
sfor
eheadt
hensatdown
cal
li
ngTer
ry.
“
Hel
lo?
”
“
Wher
ear
eyou?
”
“
Iam onmywayt othesouthAf
ri
canbor
der
.We
wil
lmeett
hatsi
de.Itookt
hebaby.
”
“
Whatdi
dyoudot
oher
?”
“
Iwentaheadwi
thwhatwepl
anned.
”
“
Itol
dyounott
o.”
“Kago,Iam noti
nt hemoodf orbackandf ort
hwi t
h
you.Akerewenayouar eweakyoucan’ tdo
anythi
ng.Ifyouhadputt hepil
linherfoodordrink
thenshewoul dhavediedalesspainfuldeath.You
justhadtomakei tdi
ff
icultf
orus.”
“Idi
dn’
tmakeanyt
hingdi
ff
icul
tforus.Idi
dn’
twant
herhur
t.
”
“
Why?Youloveher?Huh?Youl
oveher
?You
mar
ri
edherforababyand-
“
“
Iloveher
!YesIl
oveher
.Il
oveher
.”
“
Youwhat
?”
“
Iloveher
.”
“
Whatar
eyousmoki
ng?
”
“Nothing.Il
oveher
.Il
oveherandIwanther.Iwant
toraisemydaughterwithher
.Youarenotgoi
ng
anywher ewit
hmychild.Youaregoi
ngtobri
ngher
back.”
“
Thi
schi
ldi
sour
s.”
“Iam cal
li
ngt
hepol
iceandIam goi
ngt
otel
lthem I
haveasuspecti
nmind.
”
“
Iwi
llt
ellever
yoneever
ythi
ngt
hen.
”
“Andwhowil
lbel
ieveyou?Iwil
ljustt
ellt
hem you
arej
ustt
hatonej
ealousfr
iend.
”
“
Ihavepi
ctur
es!
”
“
Whenl
astdi
dyouseet
hosepi
ctur
es?
”
“
You-
“
Kagohungupandcal
ledt
hepol
icesweat
ing.

*
**

Att
hehospi
tali
nGabor
one,
Bant
ufoughtwi
thher
hi
ccupsseatedonthebenchwi
thLef
a,withher
headonhischest
,herst
omachachegett
ingworse.
Lefarubbedhershoul
derwait
ing.Hetookadeep
breat
h,hecouldn’
trememberthelastt
imehefel
t
thewayhef el
twit
hherinhisarms.
Herbodywassowarm andherskinwassoft.She
smeltgood,
sogoodhekeptoninhal
ingherscent
.
Bant usi
ghedt henpausedf eel
ingeyesonher .She
turnedthenqui ckl
ystoodupasPul ewalkedover ,
herheartskippedasshel ookedathim.Hewasn’ t
l
ooki ngatherthewayheusual l
ydid,achil
lran
downherspi neashert hroatpatchedgett
ingdr y.
Lefastoodupandl ookedathim.Het ookadeep
stari
ngatPul e’
spissedface,sopissedthatLefa
swal l
owedhar dwonder i
ngwhatwasgoi ngt hrough
hishead.
Pul
elookedatLef
athenatBant
u.“
Isshedead?
”
Bantushookherhead,herhandsshaki
ng.Hisvoi
ce
soundedlowandthetonemadeherachi ng
stomachacheevenmor e.“
N-no.She…thedoctor
s
arewit
hher.”
“
Ok,
thenwhat
’shappeni
ng?
”
“
Not
hing.Hej
ustcame…I
..not
hing.
”
“
Not
hing?
”
Lef
alookedathim.
.“Not
hingi
shappeni
ng.I
twas
j
ustafri
endl
y-“
“
Otanyel
a.”
Lef
akeptqui
et.Bant
utear
ful
lyl
ookedatPul
e.
“
It
’snotwhatyouthi
nk.I.
.hejustcame.I…it
’snot
whatyout
hinkiti
s.Iswear.Hejustcame.”
“
Ican’
thearshi
tyouar
esayi
ng.Yousoundal
lover
t
heplace.
”
Shelookedathimthent ear
sfil
ledhereyes,
thepain
i
ncreasi
ngevenmor e.“Iam notcheati
ng.Hejust
came.Iswear.Iam notcheati
ng.”
Helookedather.Shebitherl
ipasherpai
ngoteven
i
ntense,shebendedgrunti
ng.I
thurtsomuchshe
l
eanedagainstthewal
lstil
lbendi
ng.
Mainawal
kedhol
dinghersleepi
ngdaughterand
l
ookedatt
hem.Lefalookedatherbutshewas
st
ari
ngBant
uwhowasgr
unt
ingi
npai
n.
Pul
elookedatherr
eal
izi
ngshewasn’
tfaki
ngt
hat
,
hewalkedover
.
Hi
svoi
cesof
tened.“
Whati
sit
?”
Shegr
abbedhi
st-
shi
rt
.“Myst
omach…ahhhhh!
”
Shelookeddownathersel
faspeer
andownher
l
egsandr ol
ledonthef
loor
.Thepai
nincr
eased,
she
gri
tt
edherteethgr
oani
ng.
“
Pul
e..myst
omach…i
jooo!
”
Mai
nahandedLefat
hebaby.“
She’
sinl
abor
.Her
wat
erj
ustbroke.
”
Shewal
kedovert
oBant
u.“
Hey…”
Sheslowl
ysli
dtothef
loori
npai
nthenst
art
ed
pul
li
ngherpanti
es.
“Bantu…l
ist
en,
youar
enotgi
vingbi
rt
hher
e.St
and
up.”
“
Iam notpr
egnant
.Somet
hing…Iwantt
opoop.
”
“
Babe-
“
Shegrunt
edpushi
ngi
nsomuchpai
n,shecoul
d
har
dlythi
nk.
Mai
nal
ookedatherst
omachwi
thconf
usi
ont
hen.
.
“
God…”Sherai
sedherhead.“
Hel
p!Awomani
sin
l
abor
!Hel
p!”
Adoctorwhowaspassingbywal kedovert
henthey
hel
pedherstand.Bant
ulookedatPuleopeni
ngher
l
egsandpushedmor ewithherpanti
esatherknees.
Somethingslowlybl ockedhervaginalhole.She
cl
osedhereyessqueezi ngMaina’shandand
pushedmor escr eaming.Otherpati
ent stur
ned
l
ooking.Shepushedmor et
hensomet hingsli
dout
,
shesighedwi t
hr eli
efbreat
hingheavily.Maina
bendedcatchingt hebabythatwasf alli
ngoffher
panti
es.Pulelookedatt hebabyinsomuchshock,
hismindfreezing.
Maina’
shandsshookt
hensheslappedhi
ssmall
but
t.Hesl
ight
lymovedlet
ti
ngboutaweaklowcr
y.
Bantulookedattheti
nybabyinherarmsin
confusi
on.ShelookedatPulet
henclosedhereyes
col
lapsinghi
sarm whileLef
astar
ed.
“
She’
snotavi
rgi
nanymor
e?”
.
.
.
[
06/
22,
08:
20] :Fal
lenAngel
#49

Lefasatbyt
hebenchonthewai
ti
ngonareast
ari
ng
atnothi
ngoveranwhi
lesi
nceBant
uhadbeen
takenaway.
Mai
nal
ookedathi
ssadf
ace.“
Lef
a…”
Hesl
owl
ylookedather
.“Yeah?
”
“
Iam sorryaboutYaya.Iam sureshe’sgoi
ngtobe
f
ine.Someti
messt abwoundsneverr eal
lygo
f
urtherdown.Herbleedi
ngal otdoesn’
tmeanshe
wil
ldie.
”
Heswal
lowedandnodded.Mai
nasi
ghed.
“
Your
eal
lyl
oveherdon’
tyou?ImeanBant
u.You
l
oveher
.”
“
Yeah.
”
“Iam sor
ry.Inevercouldhaveguessedyouwould
l
oveherlikethi
sf oryear
seventhoughyoulost
her.
”
“IwishIhadbeenbett
er.IwishIhadbeengoodt
o
her.Maybethatboycouldhavebeenours.
”
Mai
nal
ookedatherdaught
erandhel
dherhand.
“
Thenwhywer
eyounotbet
tert
oher
?”
“I
…Iwasi mpati
ent.Bant uli
vesbypr i
nci
pals.She
al
wayssai dwewoul dhavet osexaftermarriage.I
…
Ithoughtbecausenat urall
yshe’saquietpersonI
wouldjustdoasIpl ease.Ineveractuall
ythought
shewoul dleaveme.Ij ustthoughtshewouldbe
madbutshewoul dn’tleavebecauseofever ythi
ngI
wasdoi ngforherandal sobecausesheknewI
l
ovedher .
”
“
Hashemar
ri
edher
?”
Hesl
owlyshookhi
sheadsadl
y.“
No.Andshegave
hi
m achi
ld…ason.
”
“Maybe…maybeshej ustneverreal
lylovedyoul i
ke
sheloveshim. ”Mai nasmi l
ed.“LoveiscrazyLefa.
Youwi l
llovesomeonesomuchyouwi lll
ose
yoursel
f.Iam sur ethat’showshef eel
swi thhim.
Didyouseehowhel ookedatherwhenshewasi n
pain.Li
kehewoul dt akeawayt hepainfrom herif
hecould…l i
keshewashi severythi
ng.It’
snever
hardtosee.It’
st hepani cinhiseyes,i
t’scuteto
watch.Howhecr adledherinhisarmsaf tershe
coll
apsed.That ’
sl ove…asscar yashel ooks,tal
l
andshit…het urnedi ntoasmal lboyinsecondsf or
her.That’
slove.”
“
Iloveher
.”
“Ibeli
eveyou.Butthewayyoushowedherwas
wrong.WhenIcamei nIcoul dt ellsomet hingwas
upint hewayhewasl ookingatyou, he’spr obabl
y
goingt ofuckyouupf orwhat everitis.See…men
l
ikehim don’tli
kepeoplelikeyouar oundt heir
women.Idon’ tknowt hatguybutIknowI ’
d
probablylovehimtoo.Hehast hatthing…”She
smiled.“That…mysterioushotel ementt ohi m.He’s
probablythetypethatdon’ttalkal ot.Heseemsl i
ke
apropermanwhoyoucanact ual
lyopenyourl egs
forandl ethimleaveababyi nside.Didyouseehow
hewal ks…i t
’sli
kethisworl
di shis.Idon’tblameher
forfall
inginlovewi t
hhim.Orf orlet
tinghim haveor
andl eaveababyi nsideher.Andhe’ spacked.Hi s
zip…Iwonderhepr obablyfucksher .She’ssosof t
,
hepr obablydoesashepl easesont opofher .Ican
onlyimagi nethekindoforgasmshedi shes.Some
l
adiesar eluckyshem. ”
Lef
alookedatheri
nsil
encethenlookedatt
hewal
l.
Mainaki
ssedherdaught
erandleanedback.

*
**

I
nBantu’sr
oom, Pul
egent
lycar
essedBant
u’sf
ace.
Sheopenedhereyeswaki
ngup.
Hesmi
led.“
Hey.
.”
Bant
ubli
nkedl
ooki
ngar
ound.Pul
epushedherhead
down.
“
Rel
ax…”
Shel
ookedathi
shappyf
ace.“
Whathappened?I
sawathi
ngcover
edinbl
ood.Whatwasi
t?”
Hesmi l
edt ouchinghercheek.“Thedoct
orsai
dyou
hadcrypti
cpr egnancy.Atypeofpregnancywhere
youdon’thavet heusualpregnancysymptoms.The
babywasi nvisi
bleandhidden.That’
swhywedi dn’
t
know.
”
Bant
ushookherhead.“
No.Ihadmyper
iods.
”
“Iknow.Butt
hedoct orsaidsuchpregnanci
es
happentoacertai
nper centageofwomen.”He
smiled.“
Ist
il
lcan’
tbelieveIam afather
…it’
sso
suddenbuthe’shere..
”
Hepull
edt
hetr
oll
eywit
hthebabythencar
eful
ly
l
if
tedhi
sti
nysoncover
edwit
haf l
eece.
“
He’
ssmal
l.Buthe’
sfi
ne.
”
Hehandedhimtoher.Bant
ulookedathi
m,so
smal
landpinki
sh.Sheshookherhead.
“
No…”
“
Iknowit’
sscar
ybutIam r
ighther
e.Wewi
lldot
his
t
ogether
.”
Tear
srol
leddownhercheeks.“
No…”
Pulet
ookthesleepi
ngbabyfr
om herandpl
aced
backonthetr
olleyt
henhel
dherhand.
“
Babe-
“
“No.No!That
’s…thisisnothappeni
ng.Iwasnot
pregnant
.Ist
oppedt hecontr
acepti
onjustl
astweek
becauseyoucoul
dn’ tst
optal
kingaboutwanti
nga
chil
d.Iwasnotpregnant.IwouldhaveknownifI
were.”
“
Iknowbuti
t’
snott
heusualpr
egnancy.
”
Shelookedathi
m cr
ying.“
No.Iwasnot
…Iwasnot
pregnant
.”
Thedoct
orwal
kedi
nandsmil
ed.“
Goodeveni
ng.
.
mommy.Howar ewef
eel
ing?
”
Bant
ulookedather,hert
ear
sfal
li
ngont
hepi
ll
ow.
Thedoct
orsmiled.
“Hey…whatyoujusthadiswhatIcal
lamiracle
baby.Ami r
acl
e…he…hewashi ddensomewher e
i
nside.Wecalli
tacrypt
icpr
egnancy.Thi
sisa
pregnancyinwhichawomanisunawar ethatshe
i
sexpect i
ngababyunt ilhalf
wayt hroughi t,oreven
upunt ill
abororbi r
th,l
ikeyou.Somet imest hisis
call
edast ealt
hordeniedpr egnancy.Ther eare
severalpossi bl
ecausesofacr ypticpregnancy.A
womanmi ghtnothavet ypicalpregnancy
sympt oms, orshemi ghtgetaf alsenegat ive
pregnancyt estresult
.It’
snor mal…j ustr
ar e.Iknow
youar econf used.
.bothofyou.ButIbel ieve
everythinghappensf orar easonandyourl i
ttl
e
blessi
ngmayhavecameunexpect edbuthe’ sa
blessi
ngnonet hel
ess.Andmommyi sdoingwel l.
Andsoi sherbaby.Haveyouguyst houghtofa
nameyet ?”
Pul
elookedatBant
u.“
No.Notyet
.Babe…?
”
Shel
ookedathi
m wi
thnor
esponse.
“
Wecancal
lhi
m Mot
heo.Ourf
oundat
ion.
”
Thedoctorsmi
led.“
Perf
ect.Thenur
sewi
llcome
andtakedownthedetai
ls.
”
Shewalkedout
.PulekissedBantu’
shand.“ Iam
ri
ghther
e.Iam r
ightherewithyou.Iam notleavi
ng
yoursi
de…Iwil
lberightherewithyou.
”
Shetear
ful
lyl
ookedathi
m.“
Notl
iket
his…Idi
dn’
t
wantababyli
kethi
s.”
Hekissedher
.“Iknow.Iknow…neit
herdi
dI .Idi
dn’
t
wanthimli
kethisbuthe’
shere.Wecan’
ttakehim
backwherehecamef rom.”
“
Idon’
twanthi
m.”
“
Babe-
“
“Idon’
twanthi
m.Idon’
twanthi
m.Youcankeep
himifyouwanthi
m.Idon’
twanthi
m.”
.
.
.
[
06/
22,
08:
21] :Fal
lenAngel
#50

Pul
esmi
ledst
ari
ngather
.
“I
t’
sok.Don’
tcry.”Heleanedoverandki
ssedher
.
Shesnif
fed,
tearsrunni
ngdownhercheeks.
“Youknowhe’snotgoi
nganywhereri
ght?Iknow
youareinshock.Soam I
.Buthe’
snotgoi
ng
anywhere.He’
sourson.
”
“
Idon’
twanthi
m.”
Motheomovedsli
ghtl
yandst ar
tedcryi
ng.Bantu
tur
nedawayfr
om himignoringhishoar
secries.
Pulewal
kedoverandpickedhim.
Hecriedmore,t
henursewal
kedi
nandsmi
led
wal
kingovertohim.
“
Ithi
nkhe’
shungr
y.Letherf
eedhi
m.”
Pul
ewal
kedovert
oher
.“Angel
…”
Sheremai
nedst
il
l.Thenur
set
ookhi
mthenl
ooked
atBant
u.
“I
fyoudon’tfeedhi
m hewon’
tstopcryi
ng.Si
tup
ri
ght.Youarenotgoi
ngtost
arvethi
sbabywhen
youhavemi l
kinyourbr
east
.”
Pul
e’
sphoneranginhi
spocket
,het
ookoutand
wal
kedoutpi
cking.
Thenur
sehel
pedBantusi
tthenhandedhert
he
babywhowasst
il
lcr
ying.
“
Youneedt
ofeedhi
m.”
“
Mybr
east
sar
esmal
l
.”
“
It
sok.Ther
eismi
lk.Let
’ssee…”
At eardroppedonMot heo’
sforeheadasBantu
sniffed.Shepull
eddownt hehospit
algown.The
nursel ookedatherbr
eastthensqueezed.Bant
u
fl
inched.
“
Lethim suckthenipple.Yourbodywil
lknowit
’s
t
ime.Themi l
kisthere.Ifi
t’
snotenoughthenyou
wil
lhavetheformulatoassistyou.
”
Bantubroughthi
m cl
oser
.Feel
ingsomet
hingonhi
s
mouth,Motheoopenedhi
smout handst
arted
sucki
ng.
Bant
ufr
ownedatthepai
npulli
ngaway.Heopened
hi
smouthandst
artedcr
ying.
“Youaregoingtohavetobest r
ongandf eedhim.
He’shungry.Younevergottobondwithhim when
youcarri
edhim..nowthisisyourchance.Lethi
m
suck.
”
Bant
upul
ledhi
m cl
osert
henhest
art
edsucki
ng.
Shewhimperedinpain.Pul
ewalkedbackinand
smil
edwatchingherbreast
feedhim.Heopenedhi
s
cameraandtookafewpi ct
ures.
Helookedatherface,nowt
hathereall
yobser
ved
hershehadreal
lygainedwei
ght.Herubbedof
fher
tear
s.
“
Youst
il
llookbeaut
if
ul.
”
Shesni
ff
edtear
ful.Motheof
ellasl
eepawhi
lelat
er.
Thenur
setookhim andputhi
m backonhi
stroll
ey.
“Youcanr
estnow.Hewil
lsoonwakeupagai
n.Do
youwanthi
m onthebed?
”
“
No.
”
“Ok.Visit
inghourlongpassed.Wewerebeing
understandingbecauseofhowthi
sallhappened
butsheneedst or
estandyouneedtogo.Youhave
fi
vemi nutes.”
Shewal
kedout
.Pul
ehel
dherhand.“
Iloveyou.
”
Shenoddedsil
ent
ly.Hekissedhert
hensmi l
ed.“
I
willbeher
eint
hemor ni
ng.ShouldIcal
lyourdad
foryou?”
“
Iwi
llcal
lhi
m.”
“
Ok.Il
oveyou.
”
Hekissedherf
oreheadt
henwalkedovert
ohi
sson.
Helookedathi
mf orawhil
ebef
orefi
nall
ywal
king
out
.
Hegoti
nhi
scart
aki
ngadeepbr
eat
hthencal
leda
number
.
“
Hel
lo?
”
“
Papa,
kePul
e.”
“Pul
e,whathappenedt
oyourphone?It
ri
edcall
ing
youyest
erdaymyboybutthi
sphonewassaying
thi
ngs.
”
Pul
elaughed.“
Itwasof
f.Howar
eyou?
”
“
Iam fine.Thebui l
derscamewi t
htherestoft
he
mater
ialyesterday.Thankyoumyboy.Youhaveno
r
easont obuildmet hisbeaut
if
ulhouseorbuyme
t
hecaryouboughtme. ”
“YoutookcareofmybrotherandIwhenitwashard
attheorphanage.Your
aisedme.Youdeservei
t.
”
Theol
dmansi
ghed.“
Howi
sTshepo?
”
“He’
sfi
ne.Ther
eissomet
hingIwant
edt
otal
kto
youabout
.”
“
Isever
ythi
ngok?
”
“Yes.Imetawoman.Hernamei
sBant
u.Ihave
beenwithherf
orawhil
enowandshej
ustgave
bir
thtoday.
”
“
Shegavebi
rt
h?”
“Yes.Wedidn’
tknowshewaspregnant
.Thedoctor
saidthebabywashidi
ng.I
sther
eanywaypossible
thatIdori
ghtbyher
? ”
“Yes.Yes.Welli
fweknewwhenshewaspr egnant
wecoul dhavelongwenttoherf
amilyanddidthe
ri
ghtthingbutit
’sst
il
lok.I
tcanst
il
lhappen.What
didyouwantt odothough?”
“Itwouldhavebeenagr eatideatopaybr i
depri
ce
toobutIdon’twanttoover whelm herormakeher
feelli
keshe’sunderpr
essur e.She’sst
il
lat
universi
ty.Kebatagor
eahet sepeleandalsogr
ow
abi t
.Butfornowwecanj ustpaydamages. ”
“Butyoushouldknowifyouareonlypayi
ngfor
damages,theyaregoi
ngtochargeyou.Theymay
demand6cowsormor e.Int
hefuturewhenyou
fi
nall
ydecideshe’
sreadytobeyourwife,
theywil
l
chargeyouagain.
”
“That’
sfi
ne.Rightnowwehavenotr eachedthe
pointofmarri
age.WhenImar r
yherIwantt oenjoy
herasmywi fe.Idon’
twanttostar
tbyteachingher
howt obemywi fe.LeeneIwanthertoenjoyjust
beingmygirlwithnori
ngonherf i
nger.
”
“
Ok,
Ihearyou.Soyouhavet
hemoney?
”
“
Yes.
”
“Perf
ect.
.l
etmet
alktoafewpeopl
ethenwecan
sendsomeoneover.Otswakae?(
Wherei
sshe
from?)”
“
Ser
owe.
”
“
Ehe,
kemamongwat
o?”
Pul
esmi
led.“
Yes.
”
“
Omont
e?(
Isshebeaut
if
ul?
)”
“
Ver
y.She’
s…she’
sver
ybeaut
if
ul.Andqui
etbutnot
t
ooqui
etwhenpi
ssed.Obogal
enyana.Il
oveher
.”
“Wher
eisthatot
heronet
hatl
ookedl
ikeawhi
te
per
son?”
“
Itended.
”
“
Ok.Letmet
alkt
omybr
other
s.”
“
Thankyou.
”
Pul
ehungupanddr
oveof
f.

*
**

Lef
ast
oodupast
hedoct
orwal
kedovert
ohi
m.
“
Howi
smysi
ster
?”
“
Whoar
eyout
oher
?”
“
Iam herbr
other
.Issheok?
”
“
Pleasel
et’
stal
kinmyof
fi
ce.
”
Mainawatchedashewalkedawaywi t
hthedoctor
.
Shetookadeepholdi
ngherdaughtert
henlookedat
thenursewhowasstandi
ngadistantfr
om her
.She
smil
edremember i
ngthedayswher
eshewasstil
l
worki
ng.Shesighedwonderi
ngi
fsheappl
iedwould
shegethi
red.
.shewasgoodatherjob.
Andmaybet henshewoul dfi
nishherhouse.And
fi
nall
ygether sel
fthatdream carshewanted.She
thoughtoftappingint
ohersavi ngsbut
…thatwas
onlyforwhensher eall
yneededt hemoney.Now
wasnott hetime.
ShehadseenapostonFacebookthatMar
inawas
hi
ri
ng.Shecoul
dtr
yherluckther
e.Maybeaft
ert
hat
moveout.Fi
ndaoneroom.

*
**

Thedoct
orl
ookedatLef
aandsi
ghed.
“Yoursist
ersuffer
edmultipl
echestandabdomen
stabwounds.Wi ththest
abwoundst othechest
,
twower enotthatdeepdowemanagedt ost
op
bleedi
ngimmedi atel
ybutwiththethi
rdonewehad
toperf
or m adi
agnosticl
aparoscopyinor
dertosee
whet hert hediaphr agm hadbeenpenet ratedornot .
Thel apar oscopyshowedadef ectinthediaphragm.
Wet her eforepr oceededt ocloset hediaphragmat i
c
perforation.Weal sor eali
zedshehadbl oodclotson
theant eriorsurfaceoft hestomachwi t
honeoft he
fourstabst otheabdomen.Weal soobser vedblood
clot
sont heleftlateralsegmentoft heliverwiththe
otherst ab.Wehadt ocar ryoutanopenl aparot
omy.
Uponexpl or
ati
on, wef oundthreelacerati
onsont he
surfaceoft heliver-“
“
Myguy, Iam onlyalawyer.Idon’
tunder
standa
wordyouar esayi
ng.Ift
here’
saneasierwaytot el
l
mewhat ’
sgoingwithusingbigmedicalt
erms,I
wouldappreci
ateit
.Issheok?What ’
shappening?”
“She’sstable.Butthenext24hoursar
ecruci
al.We
stoppedt hebleedi
ngandmanagedt orepai
rwhat
wecoul dbutt hatdoesn’
tmeanshe’sfi
ne.I
tonly
meansf ornowshei sbutanyt
hingcanchange.
She’sincomar i
ghtnow.”
“
Ok.Soshehad7st
abwoundsi
ntot
al?
”
“
Yes.Seemst
heper
soni
sanamat
eurbutyouneed
t
othankGodf
ort
hat
.”
Hesighedwi
thr
eli
ef.“
Ok.Thankyou.CanIsee
her
?”
“
Yesyoucan.Butnotf
ort
ool
ong.
”

AtYamasa’
sroom,
Lefalookedathi
ssi
ster
connect
edt
omachines.
Helookedatherswol
lenfaceandcutl
ip.Her
brui
sedhandsmadehi m si
gh,
knowingYamasa,
sheprobabl
yputupaf i
ght.
Thedoctorlookedather.“Wedi dt
estsf
orthebl
ood
i
nhernails.Everyt
hingwillbesentoutt
othepol
ice.
Whoeverdidthiswillbecaught.WehavehisDNA
wit
hus.”
“Thankyou.CanIal
sohaveacopyoft
her
esul
ts.I
am goingtobeherl
awyer
.”
“
Ok.
”
Het
ouchedherhandast
hedoct
orwal
kedoutt
hen
smi
led.
“Hey…youar
egoingtobeok.Youar
ebr
ave…br
ave
peopl
eli
keyounevergi
veup.
”
Hetookouthisphoneandt
ookpi
ctur
esthen
si
ghed.Hisphonerang,
het
ookoutandwalkedout
pi
cking.
“
Yeah?
”
“Hell
o.It
’sKago.Howisshe?Ij
ustspoket
omy
neighborandshesaysYayawastakentot
he
doctor.
”
“Shei
sstabl
e.Doyouknowanyonewhocoul
dhave
donet
his?”
“Yes.Isuspectmyf ri
end.Wehavebeenf ri
ends
sincewewer ekidsandwhenIgotmar ri
edhel ost
hisjob.YayaandIt ookhiminbutwet henasked
himt omoveoutaf terhegotajob.Yayawasn’t
happywi thhi
m beingaroundusal lt
hetime.He
wasnothappy.Isuspecthi m.Hewascl aimingme
getti
ngmar ri
edmademechange.Ihavei nformed
thepolice.
”
“
Whi
chf
ri
end?Thet
allski
nnyone?
”
“Yes.Ter
ry.I
tmustbehi
m.Ther
e’snoanyoneel
seI
cansuspect.Het
ookmydaught
ertoo.
”
“
Andwher
edoyout
hinkhewent
?”
“
ToSout
hAf
ri
ca.
”
“
Andhowdoyouknowt
hat
?”
“BecausehisfatherissouthAfri
can.Hehasfamil
y
ther
e.Hereitwashi smot herandherfami
ly.Af
ter
shepassedon, hisfathertookhi
mt oSA.Hecame
backafteruni
versit
y.”
“
Wher
ear
eyou?
”
“
Iam onmywayt
oGabor
one.Iam comi
ng.
”
“
Ok.Let’
smeetwhenyouar
ri
ve.Hewon’
tgetaway
wit
hit
.”
Lefaputawayhi
sphonestoppi
ngthenur
seal
ready
taki
ngoutmoneyfr
om hi
spocket.

*
**
InBantu’sroom,Lefawal kedinandlookedather
sleepi
ng.Hewal kedovert othebabyandl ookedat
him wit
haf rown.Hismi ndcouldn’
tjustgraspthat
shehadact uall
ywaitedtodumphi mt oonl yopen
herlegsforacriminal.Ormaybehehadf orced
himselfonher.
HeturnedtoBant uthenlookedather .Het ouched
herhairadmiri
ngherf aci
alfeatures.Shelookeddo
peacefulsl
eeping.Hereyescl osed,herli
psslightl
y
part
ed.Herfacel ookedsli
ghtlyplumpt houghi t
madeherevenmor ebeauti
fulormaybei twast he
eff
ectsofthepr egnancy.
Shesmeltofhersel
fandnowmi xedwitht
hesmell
ofmil
k.Heleanedoverandgentl
ykissedherl
ips.
Shemovedinhersl eept
henhepaused.He
wonderedhowhi sbabywit
hherwouldlookli
ke…
maybeheorshewoul dl
ookli
keher…haveher
cal
mness.Hersof t
ness.
Hel
eanedoverandki
ssedheragai
nimagi
ninghow
i
twoul
dfeelbei
ngontopofher…hedeser
vedit
.He
defi
nit
elydeserveditandhewasgoi ngtogetit
.
Onewayort heot her.Ormaybehewoul dgether
pregnantbutwithoutherknowing.Ther
ewasno
wayPul ewouldbelieveshedidn’
tcheat
.Itwould
endthem.
Hejustneededapl
anbecausehewasgoi
ngt
oget
hi
sgirlbackcomer
aincomethunder
.
Thebabymadesof tsounds.Hel
ookedathi
m and
walkedovert
houghtful
ly.
.
.
.
.
[
06/
22,
08:
21] :Fal
lenAngel
#51

I
nt heear
lyhour
soft hemorni
ng,
Terrywalkedin
thebushwit
hotherboarderj
umpershol
ding
Yamasa’sbabyfol
lowingtwomenwhoknewt he
way.
Hetookadeepbr eathholdingthebabyinhisar
ms
astheywalkedinthelonggr ass.Hel
ookedat
anotherwomancar r
yingabi gbagontopofher
headthenlookedforward,hisownheartpoundi
ng.
Theycrossedafenceandcont i
nuedwalki
ngfora
whil
e.Thement urnedtothem.
“Cont
inuewalki
ng.Ther
e’sasevensit
terwait
ingfor
youahead.Getinsi
de.I
twil
ldr
opyouof fatZeerust
.
That’
sfort
hosewhowantt ogo.It
’sanextr
aP500
fort
hat.
”
Ever
yonegasped.Thel
adycar
ryi
ngt
hebi
gbag
l
ookedatt
hemen.
“
Butweal
readypai
dyou.
”
“Looklady,
wesaidf orthosewhoaregoi
ng.Ifyou
don’thavethatmoneywear egoi
ngtoreturnyouat
theBotswanaside.Yout hi
nkweareheretoplay
withyou?Dowel ooklikecomedi
anstoyou? ”
“
Idon’
thaveanymoneyl
eft
.”
“
Thenyouar
egoi
ngback.
”
Ter
ryt
ookoutP500f
rom hi
swal
letandgavei
tto
oneoft
hementogetherwi
tht
hreeotherl
adi
es
l
eavi
ngthel
adywit
ht hebi
gbagalone.
“
Walkst
rai
ghtt
il
lyour
eacht
her
oad.That
’swher
e
t
hecari
s.”
Terryl
ookedatthewomanasshestart
edcryi
ng
thenwalkedaheadhol
dingt
hebabyinhisar
ms.

*
**

Afewhoursl
aterthatsamemor
ning,
Lef
ali
stened
t
othepol
iceoff
icertal
king.
“Soi
not herwor
dsyoucoul
dn’
tfi
ndhi
m
yest
erday?”
“
Wear
edoi
ngal
lwecanmor
ena.
”
“Notenough.Chancesoffi
ndi
ngthatbabyhas
decreased.Hehasprobabl
ycr
ossedtheboarderby
now.”
“I
fhewast ocr
osst
heboar
der
,wewouldhave
caughthi
m.Youneedt
ounder
stand-
“
“Soyouhonestlythi
nktheonlywaypeopl ecross
theboarderi
sthroughtheboarder?Kantewhydo
yougetpaid?Youdon’tdeservetogetpaidbecause
youdon’tdonothingot
herthaneatingmagwi nyale
menoto!Iam goingtocomef oryouforl
aziness.Le
tsi
legoswaba!”
Hewalkedoutpissedandgotinhiscar
.Kago
pul
ledovernextt
ohim andsteppedoutwal
kingt
o
hi
scar.
“
Hasshebeenf
ound?
”
“No.Bathobagabadi
resepe.Iknowaguy…aPI
.
He’sgood.”
“
Ok.Howmuchi
sitsoImakepayment
.”
Lef
alookedathim unabl
etoi
gnorehi
sinst
inct
.
Somethi
ngjustdi
dn’tmakesense.
“
Whendi
dyougot
oJwaneng?
”
“
Fourdaysback.Ihadawor
kshopt
her
e.”
“
Andwher
edoesyourf
ri
endst
ay?
”
“
KoPhakal
ane.
”
“
Wher
edoeshewor
k?”
“
Hei
sacl
erkkoFNB.
”
“
Andwhenl
astdi
dyout
alkt
ohi
m?”
“
Daysback.
”
“
Wher
eishi
sgi
rl
fr
iend?
”
“
KoKanye.
”
“
Andyoul
astspoket
ohi
m yest
erday?
”
“
Yesi
nthe-no.Imeandaysback.
”
Lefalookedathi
mt henchuckled.“
Youcanfool
anyone.Notme.Youbet t
erhaveyourshitst
rai
ght
becauseIam goingtocomef orthebot
hofyou.”
Hest ar
tedthecaranddroveof
f.Kagot
ookadeep
breathshakingt
henstagger
edbackgohiscar
feel
inghisarmpit
sgetsweaty.

*
**

Thatsamemor
ning,
Bant
usl
owl
ywokeandl
ooked
atthewhit
ewallsdeepinthoughts.Tearsslowly
fel
lonthepil
lowasshecont inuedst
aring.Her
phonevibrat
edbesidesherthenshereachedf ori
t
andpickedherfat
her’scal
l.
“
Bant
u…”
Bant
upr
essedherl
i
pst
oget
her
.
“
Bant
u…whati
sit
?”
Shecl
osedhereyescr
ying.
“
Bant
u..i
sever
ythi
ngok?Shoul
dIcomet
oyou?
”
Shecri
edevenmor
e,hermuf
fl
edcr
ybr
eaki
nghi
s
hear
t.
“
Bant
u..
”
Hekeptqui
etwhi
leshecr
ied.
“
Doyouwantmet
ocome?Icancomenow.
”
“
Ther
eisbaby.
”
“
Baby?
”
Shebi
therlowerl
ipt
ryi
ngt
ost
opcryi
ngbuther
fat
her
’svoi
cewasenought
omakeherevenmore
emot
ional
.
“
Bant
u..whatbaby?
”
“
I…thedoct
orsaysIwaspr
egnant
.ButIswearI
washavi
ngmyper i
od.
”
Ther
ewassi
lence.
“Hesaidit
’scr
ypt
icpregnancy.Igavebi
rt
h
yest
erday.Idi
dn’
tknow.”
“
Youhaveachi
ld?
”
“
Idi
dn’
tknow.
”
“
Youwer
epr
egnant
?”
“
Idi
dn’
tknow.
”
“
Whoi
sit
?”
“
Pul
ebutIwasoncont
racept
ion-
“
“
Wer
eyouusi
ngcondoms?
”
“
NoI
-“
“Aalongasyouar eopeningyourl
egswit
hout
prot
ecti
onababywi l
lhappenBant
u!What
happenedtofi
nishingschool
?Togetti
ngajobfi
rst
?
Whathappenedt
ogett
ingmarri
edfir
st?Thi
sishow
yout
henabandonyourchi
ldr
en!Ishegoingto
marr
yyou?”
“
Papa-
“
RragweBant
uyel
ledangr
il
y.“
Ishegoi
ngt
omar
ry
you?”
“
Idon’
tknow.
”
“Youdon’
tknow?Youdon’tknow?Iam comi
ng
ther
e.Youaregoi
ngtoexplai
ntomewhatyoudon’
t
know.”
“
I…”
Shecutthecall
,heroverhermouth.Shelookedto
hersi
dethenpausedcr yi
ngnoti
cingtheempt y
tr
oll
ey.Shegotoffthebedandpulledherdri
pwi t
h.
Thenursewalkedinholdi
ngaplateofporri
dge.
Bant
ulookedather
.“Wher
eist
hebaby?
”
“
Huh?
”
“
Myson!Wher
eismyson?
”
Thenur
sel
ookedatt
het
rol
ley.“
Wher
eishe?
”
Bant
u’shear
tpounded.Thenur
seputt
hepl
ate
down.
“
Letmechecki
foneoft
henur
sest
ookhi
m.”
Shehurri
edout.Bant
ufol
lowedaf
terherpushing
herdri
p.Minut
eswentbyasthenursetr
iedlocat
ing
thebaby.
Thenur
selookedatandshookherhead.“
Noone
cametoyourroom.
”
Bantul
ookedatherandshookherhead.“
Myson..
hewasinthetrol
ley.If
edhi
m andsl
ept.
.hewas
ther
ewhenIslept.Wherei
smyson?”
Thenur
selookedathernowpani
cki
ngst
ari
ngi
nto
hert
ear
fuleyes.
“
Cal
m down.Iam sur
ehe’
sar
oundsomewher
e…”
“
Iwantmyson….Iwantmyson.
”
.
.
.
[
06/
22,
08:
21] :Fal
lenAngel
#52

Att
hehospi
tal
,Bant
ulookedatt
henur
seshaki
ng.
“
Please…wher
eismyson?
”
“Wearegoingtofi
ndhim.Iam sur
ehe’s
somewhere.He’sher
e.Gotoyourroom.OnceIfi
nd
him,
Iwillbr
inghimtoyou.Gotoyourroom.Iam
coming.
”
“
Iwantmyson.
”
“Iam br
ingi
nghi
m.Ithinkhe’
swentforacheckup.
Gotoyourroom.Iam coming.Letmel
ook.
”
Shepull
edBant
ubackt
oherr
oom.“
Iam comi
ng.I
wil
lbr
inghi
m.”
Thenursehurr
iedout.Bant
uwal kedovertothe
tr
oll
eywherehehadbeenbutt herewasn’tanyone.
Tearsf
il
ledhereyesasshelookedaroundt heroom.
Thedooropened,shequickl
yturned.Pul
ewalkedi
n
hol
dingshoppingbagsthensmi l
edwalki
ngoverto
heranddroppedakissonherlips.
“Hey.
.Igotsomeclothesf
orhim.
.Ihopeitfi
tshi
m.
Wecangett her
estonceyougetdischar
ged.Ial
so
gotyousomeclothes.Wherei
she?Thedoctortook
himforacheckup?”
Shebl
inkedt
henshr
ugged.“
Ithi
nkso.
”
“
Theyt
ookhi
m?”
“
Thenur
sesai
dshe’
sgoi
ngt
ogethi
m.”
“Ok.Howwashe?It hinkmaybewecangetabi gger
house.Onethat
’schil
dfri
endl
y.Oryoucanmovei n
atmyhouse.Iknowyouar eagainstcohabit
ingbut
i
nt hemeantimemaybewecanst aytoget
hersoI
am alsohandson.Icanworkonhi sroom between
nowandwhenhecomeshome.Di dyoutal
kt oyour
fat
her?”
Shenoddedhardlyl
ist
eni
ngtoawordhewas
sayi
ng.Shelookedatt
hedoorwai
ti
ngfort
henur
se.
Helookedather.
“
Areyouok?
”
“
Iwantmyson.
”
Hesmi
led.Hear
ingheract
ual
lyr
efert
ohi
m ashi
s
sonwar
medhi
m up.Heki
ssedher
.
“Iam suretheyar
ebr
ingi
nghi
m.Si
t…youar
e
sweating.
”
Heputthebagsdownandgent
lypi
ckedherupand
putheront
hebed.
“WhenIwasatt heor phanage,thingswerehar d
especiall
yafterTshepocame.Theor phanage
gardenerusedt ot akeusi nathishouseandf eed
us.Hebasi call
yrai sedusevent houghhecoul dn’
t
haveusl egall
y.Hewasaf at
herfiguretous..a
parent.SoIregar dhi m asmyf ather.Ispoketohim
aboutpayingdamagesf orMotheo.Iknowi t’
sabit
unusualbutbesi desTshepo, he’
st heonlyfamilyI
got.
”
Shel
ookedathi
mthenatt
hedoor
.
Thenursewalkedinwithtwosecuri
tyguar
dsanda
doct
or.Bant
ul ookedather.Bant
ugotofft
hebed.
“
Wher
eishe?
”
“Wecoul
dn’
tfi
ndhim.Wecheckedt heCCtV
camer
asbuttheyar
eallnotwor
king.Theywer
e
supposedtoberepai
reddoneti
mebackbutt
he
secur
ityguar
dsdidn’
tseeanyt
hing.
”
Pul
elookedatherconf
used.“
What
’sgoi
ngon?
”
Bant
uputherhandoverhermouthcr
ying.“
Hewas
her
ewhenIslept
.Hewasher e.
”
“
Bant
u,what
’sgoi
ngon?
”
Bant
ulookedathi
mt earf
ull
y.“
Thebaby…whenI
wokeuphewasn’there.Hewasther
ewhenIslept
.”
“
Comeagai
n?”
Sheputherhandoverhermout
hcryi
ng.“
Hewas
herewhenIslept
.He…whenIwokeuphewasn’
t.I
thoughtanur
seordoctort
ookhi
m.”
Thet
wosecur
it
yguar
dsl
ookedatBant
u.
“Mysister
,noonepassedhol
dingt
hebaby.We
didn’
tseeanyt
hing.Ar
eyousurehewasherewhen
youslept?
”
Pul
elaughed.“
Areyout
alki
ngaboutmyson?
”
“
Hewasher
ebef
oreIsl
eptPul
e.Hewasher
e.”
“
Sowher
eishenow?
”
“
Idon’
tknow.Idon’
tknow.
”
Pul
etur
nedt
othenur
seandt
hesecur
it
yguar
ds.
.
“
Lar
engwanawameokae?
”
Thenurseshookherhead.“
Ijustcameint
he
morni
ngtogiveherporr
idgebutthebabywasnot
her
e.”
“Iwi
llfuckupt
heenti
rehospi
talofyout
hinkyou
canplaywithme,
lar
engwanawameokae? ”
“
Weneedt ocallt
hepol
ice.Andnot
if
y
Management.
.”
“
Youbetterbecausei
fyoudon’
tgi
vememychi
ldI
wil
lbur
nt hi
splacewi
thever
yonei
nsi
de.
”
Bantuputherhandoverhermout
hcr
ying.Pul
e
tur
nedtoher.
“
Bant
u…wher
eist
hebaby?
”
Sheshookherhead.“
Idon’
tknow…Idon’
tknow.
.I
swear
.Hewasher e-
“
“Angel
…canwenotdothi
s..comeon.Wherei
she?
Iam notgoi
ngt
ofor
cehim onyou.Ir
eadabout
crypt
icpregnancy.Iknowyouar estil
ltr
yingt o
comei ntotermswi t
heveryt
hing.Iunderstand.
Wherei she?Iam notgoingtobemad.Justt ellme
wherehei s,Iwil
lgethi
m.Andgetyouhel p.Tellme
wherehei s.It
’sok.Iwi
llnotbemad.Iswearonour
l
ove.”
Shebrokedowncryi
ng.“
Idon’tknow.Idi
dn’
ttake
hi
m anywhere.Hewashere.
”
“
Sowher
eishe?
”
“Isweart
oGodIdon’ tknow.Idon’
tknow…pl ease
beli
eveme.Idi
dn’tdoanythi
ng.Iwouldneverhurt
him.Iswear
…Ididn’tdoanythi
ng.Babeplease
beli
eveme.Idi
dn’tdoanythi
ng.”
“Youexpectmet
obel
ievehewal
kedoutonhi
s
own?”
“
Someonet
ookhi
m.I
twasn’
tme.
”
“Youdidn’
twanthim yester
dayt
hentodayhejust
disappear
s,youser
iouslywantmetobeli
eveyou
Bantu?Wher ei
smyson? ”
Thesecur
it
yguar
dwal
kedover
.“Iknowyouar
e
upsetbutki
dsgetst
olen-
“
“Heywena,t
sek!Youfai
ledt
odoyourj
ob!How
doesachil
dgomi ssi
ngwhenyouaret
here?
”
Thesecurit
yguar
dlookedathi
m andst
epped
fear
ful
ly.
“Getout
!Obat
ang?Shoul
dn’
tyoubel
ooki
ngf
ormy
chil
d?”
Hewal
kedout
.Pul
etur
nedt
oBant
u.
“I
fyoudon’tt
ellmewher
emysoni s,
otsilegol
ela.
Justhour
sbackyouwererej
ect
inghim andhour
s
l
aterhe’
snowher et
obefound?
”
“
Pul
e-“
“Wipeawayt hosetear
sbeforeIgiveyouapr oper
reasontocry.OkaeMot heo?Youandt hishospit
al
aregoingtotellmewheremysoni sbecauseI
sweartoyouBant u,Iwil
lki
llyouwithmybear
hands.”
Shewentdownonherknees.“
Youhavet
obel
ieve
me.Pl
ease…”
“
Bant
u..
”
“Idon’
tknow.IswearIdon’
tknow…Iwoul
dnever
hurthi
m.WhenIwokeuphewasgone. ”
Puleangri
lypul
ledherupwit
hthehospi
talgown
andreapedoffthedri
pfr
om herar
m anddragged
hertotheburgl
ar-
lesswi
ndowthenpushedhalfher
bodyout.
“
Iwil
lgl
adl
ygotoj
ailf
ort
hisonedoyouhearme?
Wher
eismyson?”
Bantugrabbedhist-
shi
rt,
herhear
tpoundi
ng.She
l
ookedont hegroundonthethi
rdfl
ooroft
he
hospit
al.Shef
earful
lyl
ookedatPule.
“
Pul
e!”
“Wher
eishe?Sayyoudon’tknowagai
nandt
oday
youwil
lmeetyourancest
ors.
”
“Pul
e…babe…I
…st
op.Pl
easest
op.Isweart
oGodI
don’
tknow.
”
Hepushedherof
f.Bantuscr
eamedf al
li
ng,her
handsgr
abbi
ngtheair.Hecaughtherl
egand
l
ookedather
.Shescreamedhysteri
cal
ly.
“
Iwi
llt
akeyout
her
e!Iam sor
ry!Iam sor
ry.Iwi
ll
t
akeyouwhereheis!Iwi
llt
akeyou.Iwi
llt
akeyou
t
here!Pul
epl
ease!
”
Hegr
abbedbothherlegsandpull
edherbacki
nthe
r
oom.Shelookedathim br
eat
hingheavi
ly,
pee
r
unni
ngdownherlegsasheartpoundedsomuch.
“
Nowyouar
etal
king.Wher
eishe?
”
Shelookedathi
m shaki
ng.“
Iwi
llt
akeyou.Iwi
ll
takeyouwhereheis.
”
.
.
.
Let
'squi
cklypart
ici
patesowesqueezet
hel
ast
bonusbeforeoureveni
nginser
t
[
06/
22,
08:
21] :Fal
lenAngel
#53

Hel
ookedather
.
“
Wher
eishe?
”
Shelookedathim shaki
ng,
tearsr
unni
ngdownher
cheeks.“
Iwil
ltakeyouther
e.”
“
Let
’sgot
her
e.Let
’sgo.
”
Shewal kedoutst eppingont hefl
oorwithherwert
baref eet.Theotherpat i
entslookedatherassheis
walkedout .Somehowshehopedf orthem t
obump
i
ntot hesecur it
yguar dsorevent henurseorbet
ter
yetthepol icebutt her
ewasnoone.Heunl ockedhis
carandopenedt hedoorf orher.Sheslowl
ygotin.
Hecl osedt hedoort henwal kedroundandjumped
i
n.
Pul
est
art
edhi
scaranddr
oveof
f.
“
Wher
ear
ewegoi
ng?
”
“
Gost
rai
ght
.”
Hesteppedontheaccel
erat
or.Shehel
dont
othe
seatasthecarsped.
“
Got
otheA1r
oad.
”
Hel
ookedatpi
ssedthenmadehi
swayt
otheA1.
Hedr
oveforawhil
e.
“
Tur
nher
e.”
Hetookashar
pturni
ntoagr
avelr
oadt
henbe
dr
oveforawhil
e.
“
Youcanst
op.
”
Hesteppedont hebreaksandstoppedthecarthen
tookthegunfrom underneat
htheseat.Shestepped
outofthecarthenwalkedintot
hebush, hermind
unabletothi
nk.Shewal kedf
orawhilemor eand
fi
nall
ystopped.
Shet urnedandl ookedathi m.“ Doyour emember
whenyouf irstsawme?Ir ememberwhenIf ir
stsaw
you.Itwasatt hetuckshopathome.Youwer e
l
isteningt o2pac.Ican’ tgetoverhowyoul ookedso
scaryt ome.Thet attoosandever yt
hingaboutyou
scaredme.WhenIgotIhomet hatdayIt oldmydad
Ihadmett hisdanger ousman.ThenImetyouagai n
atthemal l
.Theni nGabor one.Ireal
lythoughtyou
wer estalkingme.ThenwhenLef atri
edt orapeme. .
youcal led.Isweari tfeltl
ikeyouknewIneededyou
then.Af terthatyouki ssedme.Youmademef eel
thi
ngsIneverf eltbefore.Ifellf
oryou.Youmade
mel oveyou.Idon’ tknowhowyoudi ditbabe.At
somepoi ntyouwer eonl ythi
ngIcoul dthinkof.
Remembert hatnightinCapet own.I fanyonehad
toldmei twouldbeyoubef oret hat,Iwouldhave
l
aughed.Buti twasyou.Ist oppedmypi ll
slast
week.Youhavet alki
ngaboutf ami l
y.Iwantedt o
giveyouachi ld.ThenIgavebi rthtoone.Ididn’t
expecthi m.Isti
llcan’
tbelieveIdi d.Iwasscar ed
andconf usedlastnight.IknowwhatIsai d…Iknow
buti fyoureal
lythinkIwoul dhur tthatbabythenkil
l
me. ”Shesatdown.“ I
fyout hi
nkIhavei ti
nmet o
hur thim,pl
easeki l
lme.Iwantyout okil
lmei fyou
thinkIwoul dhurthim Pule.”
Shelookedathi m cr
ying.“Puleyouknowme…you
knowmePul e.YouknowIdi dnot hi
ngt ohim.You
knowIdi dn’
tdoanyt hingPul e.Ididn’tdoanything.
Hewast herewhenIsl ept.Ididn’twakeupatni ght.
WhenIwokeuphewasnott her e.Idon’tknow
wherehei s.Ididnothingtoyourson.Iwoul dnever
hurtyourpride.That’snotme, Iam t hatgir
lyousay
youlove,youknowmebet t
er.”
Helookedatherasshecriedt
hencockedhi sgun.
Bantuputherhandoverhermout
hcrying,thiswas
themanshehadf al
lenfor
.Themanshel ovedwi t
h
allherbeing.Themanwhohadmadehert he
happiest.Themanwhocoul dgetontopofherand
takeherst r
aightt
oheavenwit
hthemagicbetween
hislegs.Themanshehadl etdothi
ngsshecould
neverletanyonedo.
War mf r
esht earsr
oll
eddowngoi ngtoherneck.
Shethoughtofherf ather
.Herdeathwouldkil
lhim.
I
twoul ddest royhi
m.He’dprobablyneverr
ecover
from i
t.Ifonl
yshehadasi bl
ing.Onehewouldbe
remainwi th.
Hewal
kedcl
oserst
ari
ngather
.
“Canyoumakesur
emyf
atherf
indsmybody…
please.
”
Hepul
ledthet
ri
ggerandshotmi
ssi
ngher
pur
posel
ytowithani
nchandshott
hetr
eeinst
ead.
Hecursedandwal
kedbacktothecar
.Bant
uput
herfi
nger
sonhermouthfi
ghti
ngnottoscr
eam as
herearsr
ang.
Heputhi
shandsinhisheadfrustr
ated.Shelooked
ar
ound,r
unningof
fwast heworstideaever
.He
woul
dobviousl
ycatchher.
Sheslowlywal
kedovergohi
m, herkneesweak.
Shetouchedhi
sbackcryi
ngthenhuggedhimf r
om
behi
nd.
“I
t’
snotmebabe.Isweari
t’
snotme.Pleasebel
ieve
me…Iwouldneverhur
thim ort
akehi
m awayfrom
you.I
t’
snotme.
”

*
**

Lefapar
kedhiscaratbusrankthengotinabus
headedtoShakawe.Helookedaroundthenwal
ked
overtoawomancar r
yingababyinherarms.
“
Didyouseet
hemoney?
”
Shenodded.“
Yes.
”
“Good.Takecar
eofhi
m.Iwi
llsendyoumoney
everymonth.
”
“
Ok.
”
Heleanedoverandki
ssedherthenhandedhert
hei
r
documents.Shesl
owlyopenedthewardr
obeand
t
hebaby’
sfakebi
rt
hcer
ti
fi
cat
e.Hesmi
led.
“
Ical
lyou.
”
Hekissedherli
psagainandgotofft
hebusgoi
ngto
hiscar
.Hethoughtofcalli
ngBant
ubuti
twastoo
earl
y.Hegotinhiscarthendr
oveoff
.

*
**

I
nSerowe,Rr
agweBant
upackedhi
sbagwhi
le
Mer
apelowatched.
“IknowBant uisnotmychi l
dbutcanIpl easesay
somet hing.Asmuchasshei syourlitt
ledaught er,
yourl i
tt
ledaughterisagr ownwoman.Iknowyou
l
oveherbutt hebabyi salreadyhere.Whet heryou
scream ornot .Whet heryougetmadorcr y.Youar e
agr andfather.Crypt
icpregnancyisreal.She’ s
probablyconf usedtoo.She’stryi
ngt ounder stand.
Sheneedsoursuppor t.Yoursupport.Yourlove.
Don’ tt
urnawayf rom herwhensheneedsyout he
most .She’syourdaught er.
”
.
.
.
[
06/
22,
08:
22] :Fal
lenAngel
#54

Puledrovebackt
oGabor oneintot
alsil
ence.Hest
il
l
hadn’tsai
dawordyetandhedi dn’
tlookli
kehe
would.Shesil
ent
lywipedawayhert ear
sashe
drovebackint
othehospital
.
Shest
eppedhopingt
heyhadf
oundhi
mthenal
lthi
s
messcanjustcomet
obeanend.
Shewalkedthehospi
talandl
ookedatt
hepol
ice
thent
henurse.
“
Didyouf
indhi
m?”
“
No.Wher
edi
dyougo?
”
“
Iwant
edt
olookf
orhi
m.Sohe’
snother
e?”
“
No.Butt
hepol
icear
egoi
nggof
indhi
m.”
Bant
ulookedather
.“No.Youneedt
ogi
vememy
son.
”
Thepol
icel
ookedather
.“Youar
ethemot
her
?”
“
Yes.
”
“Soyouneverwokeupevenoncet
ocheckonyour
baby,yournewbor
nbaby?”
“It
houghthewouldcrythenIwoul
dwakeup.But
hedidn’
tcry.Henevercr
ied.
”
“Butwear et
akingyout ot
hepoli
cestati
onsoyou
cantelluswhatreall
yhappenedtothebaby
becauseIdon’tbel
ieveachildwoul
djustdi
sappear
withthehismotherintheroom.Somethi
ngdoesn’t
makesense.”
Shelookedatthepol
iceof
fi
cer
stearf
ull
y,hervoi
ce
shaki
ng.“Idon’
tknow.Iwassl
eepi
ng.”
“Ok.Youarecomingwithust othepoli
cest
ation.
Someoneknowssomet hing.Wehearyoudidn’t
wantthi
sbabyyesterdayt hent
odayhehas
mysteri
ousl
ydisappeared.Thatdoesn’
tmake
sense.
”
“
IswearIdi
dnotdoanyt
hing.Idi
dn’
tdoanyt
hing.
”
“
Wewi
llt
alkatt
hepol
icest
ati
on.
”

*
**

Lefawalkedinhi
shouseintheaft
ernoont
alki
ngt
o
hisphone.Hepausedst
aringatPul
ewhowas
seatedonhiscouchsmoking.
“
Whatdoyouwant
?”
Pul
esmi l
edthenstoodup.Het hr
ewthecigar
ett
e
budonLefa’sfl
oorsandsteppedonitasMaina
walkedbackwithaglassofjui
ceforPul
e.
Pul
elookedatherandsmi
led.“
Thankyou.Youar
e
sweet
.”
Mai
nablushedandt
urnedwalki
ngaway.Pul
eput
t
hejui
cedownandlookedatLef
a.
“Yourdaught
erisher
e.Maybeyoudon’tr
eall
ycare
aboutyourbabymamabutyourkidisher
e.Idon’
t
wanttocauseamessi nherpr
esencesolet
’sbe
ni
ceshal
lwe?Wher
eismyson?
”
Lef
alookedathi
m wi
thaconf
usedl
ook.
“
What
?”
“Idon’
twantt
ohurtt
hoseyoulovebecauseIwi
l
ldo
i
ttil
lyouar
ethel
astmanstanding.Wherei
smy
son?”
“
Idon’
tknow.Whatson?
”
Pulel
ookedathi
mthenlaughed.“
Youwanttodo
thi
sthehar
dwayakere?Ift
hat’
sthewayyouwant
ok.
”
“Idon’
tknowwhatyouaretal
kingabout.Am I
supposedtoknowwhereyoursonis?”
Pulepunchedhi m unexpectedl
ysohardthatLefa
fel
l.Pulepull
edhim upandpunchedhi m again.
Lefabr eat
hedheavil
yfeelingasshewasbeingwi t
h
somet hingmetal
li
c.Hel ookedatPul
e’
sangr y.
“Iam notf
ight
ingyou.Iam notf
ight
ingyou.Idon’
t
knowanythingyou-
“
Pul
epull
edhim upanddraggedhi
mt ohi
s
bat
hroom t
hathadal
readybeenfi
ll
edwit
hcol
d
wat
er.
Pul
epull
edhisheadanddippedhiminsi
de.Lefa
ki
ckedtr
yingt
opullhi
sheadoutbutPulepressed
hi
m downwatchi
nghim ki
ckhislegsfi
ght
ing.
Pulepul
ledhi
m andsmashedLef
a’sf
acewi
thhi
s
boot.
“Ok…thatshouldhelpyouremember.Yesterday,
youobviouslyremainedbehi
ndforyourdyingsist
er.
Imustsay, Idon’
tknowhowyoudi dbutI
i
mpr essed.Noonesawanyt hi
ng.”
Lefacoughed.“
Idon’
tknowwhatyouar
etal
king
about.Aft
ermysist
erIt
ookmybabymamaand
daughterhome.
”
Pulepul l
edhimintothewateragainthisti
me
pushinghi minforlongerwhi
lehefoughtthough
wit
hhi sheadi nthewaterheseemedt onothaveall
hi
sstr ength.Lef
aswal l
owedthewat erwhil
esome
wentint hroughhisnose.Watersuff
ocatedhim
makingweakbyt hesecondwhi l
ehet ri
edtopullhi
s
headout .
Pul
epul
ledhi
m outj
usti
nti
me.Lef
alai
dont
he
f
loorgaspi
ngcoughi
ng.Pul
est
eppedonhi
sneck
wit
hhisshoe.
“
Readyt
otal
k?”
Lefalookedathi m unabletobr eathe.Hepushedof f
Pule’
st henstartedcryi
ng.“ IswearIdon’ tknow.I
don’tknow.Idon’ tevenknowwher eBant uwas.I
knewshewasar oundbutIt houghtyouwer et here
wit
hhersoIdi dn’tevenbot hertryi
ngt ol
ocat eher.I
swear..bel i
evemeornot .Ididn’tdoanyt hi
ng.I
knowi t
’seasyt osuspectmebutmysi st
erj usthad
herbabyst olen.Iam tr
yingbyal lmeanst of i
ndher,
Iwouldnevert akeBant u’
sbaby.Il oveher,Iwould
neverhur therli
kethat.
”
Pul
et ookoutanothercigarett
elaughi
ng.“Youknow
Iam goingtoki
llyouright?OrmaybeIshoul dstar
t
wit
hyourl i
tt
leminifamilysoyouseehowser i
ousI
am.Yout hi
nkIam heref orjokesri
ght?”
Mainaknockedonthebat
hroom door
.Pul
eopened
byandlookedathert
henthebaby.
“
Wear
egoi
ngout
.Isever
ythi
ngok?
”
Pul
esmi
led.“
Comei
n.Maybeyouwantt
otal
kto
yourman.
”
Mainasl
owlywal
kedinandl
ookedatLefawhowas
t
ryi
ngtoseatup,
bloodcomi
ngoutofhisnose.
Pul
etookt
hebabyf
rom her
.Lef
alookedathi
m.
“Iknowyouhat
emef orever
ythi
ngIdi
dt oBantu.I
knowandunderst
andwhyyouwoul dsuspectme
and-“
Pul
edroppedthebabyinthebat
htubful
lofcol
d
wat
er.Mainascr
eamedt henPul
etookhisgunand
poi
ntedi
ttoherface.
“Iwi
llbl
owyourbrai
ns.Tellhi
mt otel
lmewher
emy
sonis.Yout
hinkIam her
et oplay?
”
Lefa’
spoundedsomuchashelookedathi
sbaby
str
uggli
ngwhil
eMainascr
eamedcryi
ng.
“
Hey!Iwil
lsi
lenceyouwi
thabul
let
.Lef
a,wher
eis
myson.”
Lefast
oodupandt ri
edtogotothebat
htub,
Pul
e
cockedhisgunthenpoi
ntedatt
hebabywhowas
str
uggli
ngdrowningi
nthewater
.
“
Star
ttal
king.Youhavef
iveseconds.
”
Lef
adr
oppedt
ohi
skneesandcr
ied.
“IsweartoGodIdon’tknow.Pleaseki
llmei nst
ead
becauseIdon’tknowwhatyouwantmet otellyou.I
don’tknow.Idon’
tknow.Please…Idon’tknow..I
swearIdon’tknow.”
“
2..1.
.”
Lefal
ookedathi
m cr
ying.Thenlookedathi
s
daught
erwhonowwasn’ tmoving.
Mainacr
iedsomuchl ooki
ngathi
m.Lefal
ookedat
hi
sdaughterthenatPul
ewhowasgetti
ngreadyt
o
pul
lthet
rigger.
“
InShakawe!He’
sonhi
swayt
oShakawe!
”
Pul
epul
ledoutt
hebabyandt
hrewheratMai
na.
“Makeami st
akeandcal
lthepol
ice.Theywi
llf
ind
youburni
nginthi
shouse.YouknowIam not
joki
ng.
”
Mainahur
ri
edoutwi
thherunconsci
ousbaby.Pul
e
l
ookedathim.
“Iknewitwasyou.Youar
egoi
ngtocal
lwhoever
he’swit
h…thenyouaregoi
ngt
otel
lhert
odoaU-
t
urnandbeherei
ntwohoursthemost.Ifnot
…your
f
amil
ywillbur
yyou,
andthosetwo.Yourchoi
ce.
”
Pul
e’
sphoner
ang.Hepi
ckedt
heunsavednumber
.
“
Yeah?
”
Bantu’svoiceshookasshespoke.“
Thepoli
cetook
me.Theyt hinkIhadsomethingt
odowithMotheo’
s
disappearance.Iam t
ryi
ngtocal
lmyfat
herbuthis
phonei snotgoingthr
ough.Canyoupl
easecal
lhim
forme, pl
ease..
”
“Iwi
llt
alkt
osomeonethereandhaveyourel
eased
andtakent
othehospi
tal
.Iwil
lmeetyouther
e.”
“
Ok.
”
Pulehel
dhisphoner
eal
izi
ngj
usthowmuchhehad
fuckedup.
“
Ibel
ieveyou.Iam sor
ry.Il
oveyou.
”
Bantucr
iedt
hrought
hephonewhi
leLef
a’shands
shookashemadeacall
.
.
.
.
[
06/
22,
08:
22] :Fal
lenAngel
#55

TwoHour
sAndThi
rt
yMi
nut
esLat
er

Lefal
ookedatMai
nahasbreast
fedt
heirdaughter
,
shehadlongst
oppedcr
yingandwasjuststar
ingat
thebaby.
Pul
elookedathi
swat
chi
mpat
ient
lyt
henst
oodup.
“
Iam t
ir
ed.Wher
e’sshe?
”
Lef
api
ckedhi
sphoneandcal
lher
.
“
Wher
ear
eyou?
”
“
Iam i
nat
axi
.Iam al
mostt
her
e.”
“
Ok.
”
Hehungup.“
She’
scomi
ng.She’
sinat
axi
.”
Minutespassedt
hentherewasaknockonthedoor
.
Lefastoodupandopened.Awomanwalkedin
hol
dingMotheo.Shef
rozest
ari
ngatt
heman
hol
dingagun.
Pulest
oodupthent
ookhisson,hi
shear
traci
ng.He
tookadeepbr
eatht
henchuckl
ed.
“Sowhatwasyourpl
an?Howwast
hisgoi
ngt
opl
ay
out?
”
Thel
adyl
ookedatLef
aconf
used.“
Rra?
”
Mai
nalookedather
,itwast
herecept
ioni
stf
rom t
he
l
awfi
rm.Shesighedthenst
oodup.
“CanIpleasego?Iam notgoi
ngtotel
lanyonewhat
happenedtoday.Ij
ustwanttogo.
”
Hel
ookedathert
ear
fuleyes.“
Ok.Youcango.
”
Mainawalkedtot
hebedroom t
henwalkedback
hol
dingabigbag.Shebendedandputherdaught
er
onherbackthenwrappedherwit
hatowel.
ShelookedatLefa.“Iwil
lcomebackf ort
her estof
mycl ot
hes.Iam done.Pleasestayawayfrom my
daughterandI.Ineverknewaboveeverythingelse
youwer ethi
smonst er
.Iblamemyselfforignori
ng
theredflagsbutgoodthingthatnowIseeyouf or
whotrul
yare.Idon’
tevenknowwhatkindofl
ove
youhaveforher,
thekindt
hatal
lowsyoutohurther
themost.
”
Shepi
ckedherbagandwal
kedout
.Theot
herl
ady
l
ookedatLef
a.
“
Shoul
dIgo?
”
Pul
elookedather
.“Gowher
e?”
“
I-
“
“
Sitdownwi
thhi
m.Let
sil
egonyel
agompi
eno.
”
“
Itwasn’
tme.I
twas-
“
“
Sitwi
thhi
m.”
Pul
e’
sphoner
ang.
“
Sur
e?”
“
Ket
sene?
”
“
Yes.
”
Thedooropenedthenamanwalkedin.Hel
ooked
atMotheoonPule’
schestandsmil
ed.
“
Ithoughtyouwer
elyi
ng.
”
Pul
elaughed.“
Imadeachi
ld!
”
Theybot
hlaughed.
“
Makesur
eit
’sacleanjob.Lemegoandwor
shi
p
mywomanbefor
eant ogel
a.”
Pul
ewal
kedoutandwalkeddowntheroadholdi
ng
hi
ssont
owher ehehadlef
thiscar
.Hegotinand
dr
oveof
fhol
dinghim wi
thhisot
herhand.
Motheomoanedsof t
lythenputhi
sli
tt
lef
istonhis
mouth.Pul
esmiledandshift
edhiseyest
ot heroad.
Hesloweddownl ookingMainawhowaswal ki
ng
downtheroad.
Hest
oppedandr
oll
eddownhi
swi
ndow.
“
Kegodr
ope?(
Shoul
dIdr
opyouof
f?)
”
Shetur
nedtohi
mthenputherbagdownandwi
ped
awayhert
ears.
“
No.Iam f
ine.
”
“
Youar
est
ruggl
ing.Putt
hebagatt
hebootandget
i
n.”
Mai
nasni
ff
edt
henpi
ckedherbagandputi
tint
he
boot.Shewal
kedoverandgotinatt
hef
rontseat
taki
ngherdaught
eroffherback.
Pulej
oinedtheroadanddroveof
f.Maina’
s
daught
erstaredatMotheothenl
ookedather
mothersuckinghert
humb.
“
Wakae?
”
“
Tot
hebank.Iwanttodrawoutmysavingsf
rom
myf
ixedaccountsoIcangetahouset
orent
.”
“
Howmuchdoyouneedt
orentahouse?
”
“
Rra?
”
“
Howmuchdoyouneed?
”
“
Just5k.
”
Hedrovetoamallthenst
oppedthecar
.Heopened
hi
scenterconsol
eandtookarol
lofmoneyt
hen
handeditt
oher.
“Iam sor
ryf
orwhathappenedtoyourdaught
er.Get
bett
ermeninthef
uture.Andgetahouse.”
Mai
nal
ookedatt
her
ollofmoney,
herhear
traci
ng.
“
Allofi
t?”
“
Yeah.Youcangetyourbag.Ihavet
ogo.
”
Shequickl
ysteppedoutofthecarwi
thherdaughter
thent
ookherbagf r
om thebootandwatchedthe
BMW driveof
f.
Shelookedatt
hemoneyt
hendr
aggedherbag
i
nsidethemall
.
Atthemal l
’stoil
ets,sheputherbabyont hebag
thentookof fther ubberbandhol dingthemoney
together.Shel ookedatt hemulti
pleP200not es
thenbi therlowerl i
pcount i
nginsidethetoi
let
cubicle.Shecount edl astP200maki ng10ki nt
otal
.
Mainalaughed.Nomanhadevergi venhermor e
thanathousandbeforeandthereshewaswi th10k
i
nherhandsf rom acompletestr
anger .Ofcausehe
hadgivenherascareinthatbathroom butcould
sheblamehim?Hewant edhissont oo.
Shesmi
ledt
henshovedt
hemoneyi
nherbr
a.
“
OkI
na…ok.
”
Shet
ookoutherphonesear
chi
ngf
orr
oomst
orent
.
*
**

Atthehospital
,PulewalkedinsideBantu’sr
oom
andf oundherseatedonthef l
oor,herbackagai
nst
thewal l
.Sheraisedherheadashewal kedi
nthen
screamedget t
ingup.
“
Youf
oundhi
m?!
”
“
Yeah.
”
Bantul
ookedathimthensteppedbackputt
ingher
handoverhermouthcryi
ng.Sheslowl
ykneltonthe
fl
oorcr
ying.St
art
led,
Motheostart
edcryi
ngt oo.
Pul
eputhiminsi
det
het
rol
leyandpi
ckedBant
uup
asshecr
ied.
“
Iam sor
rybabe.
.”
Heputheront
hebedr
ubbi
ngherback.
“
Iam sor
ry.
”
Shecriedevenmoreinhisar
ms.Pul
etookadeep
breat
hholdinghert
ight
ly.
“
Iam sosor
ry…”
“
Itwasn’
tme.
”
“
Itwasn’
t.I
twasn’
tyou.Iam sor
ry.
”
Hehuggedherforawhil
eMot heocr
iedtoo.Pul
e
pul
ledhi
str
oll
eyandpickedhim upwit
ht heot
her
hand.Hebr
eathedheavi
ly,
hiscri
esdyi
ngdown.
Awhi
lel
ater
,Bant
ufi
nal
lykeptqui
t.Pul
eki
ssedher
.
“
Pleasef
eedhi
m.It
hinkhe’
shungr
y.”
Bantulookedathi
m panti
ng.Pulewipedawayher
tear
sthenhandedMot heotoher.Shelookedather
sonthentookoutherbreastandbroughthim cl
oser
.
Hei
mmedi
atel
yst
art
edsucki
ngf
orhi
sdearl
if
e.
Pul
elookedatherpuf
fyeyes.
“
Iam sorr
y.Icoul
dn’
tthi
nkst
rai
ght
.Iwasnotgoi
ng
t
oki
llyou.”
At
eardr
oppedonMotheo’
scheek.Bant
ugent
ly
wi
pedi
tofft
aki
ngadeepbreat
h.
“
Babe….
”
Heti
ltedherchi
nandlookedi
nhereyes.“
IknowI
scar
edyou.Iam sor
ry.It
ooki
tfar
.ItwasLefa.I
guessIgaveinwhathewant edtoachievebuthe’
s
nevergoingtobeapr obl
em everagain.Iam sor
ryI
scaredyouli
kethat.Iwasmor ethanjustwrong.
Pleasefi
nditinyourheartt
of or
giveme. ”
Shebl
inkedt
henat
earr
oll
eddown.
Pulewipeditof
f.“
Pleasedon’
tleaveme.What
happenedtodaywil
lneverhappenagai
n.Il
ove
you.”
Moretearsfi
ll
edhereyesasemotionschockedher
makingithar
df orhert
obreat
he.
“
IloveyouAngel
…”
Heleanedoverandgentl
ykissedher
.Bant
ucl
osed
hereyeski
ssinghi
m back,f
reshwarmtear
s
runni
ngdownhercheeks.
.
.
[
06/
22,
08:
22] :Fal
lenAngel
#56
Pulepul
ledawayt henshel
ookeddownlookingat
herson.Shewi pedhert
ear
swiththebackofher
handsniff
ing.Thenursewal
kedinthenpaused
star
ingatthebaby.
“
Wher
ewashe?
”
“
Afr
iendhadt
akenhi
mtoanot
herdoct
or.
”
“
Why?That
’snotal
lowed.Letmei
nfor
mthepol
ice.
”
“That’
snotall
owedwhenyouall
owedittohappen
i
nt hefi
rstpl
ace?Iam movi
nghertosaferhospi
tal
becausegohakemant wanehel
a.Letshamekela
mobat hong.
”
Thenur
seswal
lowed.“
We-
“
“
Getust
hedi
schar
gef
orms.
”
Shet
urnedandwal kedoutt
hent
ookadeepbr
eat
h.
Acol
leaguecaughtuptoher.
“
Isshest
il
lcr
ying?
”
“No.Hef
oundthebaby.Hesaysafr
iendhadtaken
him.Wai
tset
hatmanscarestheshi
toutofme.”
“
Mmeeneomont
le.
”
“NgNg,whenhewasquest ioni
ngherear
li
eron,I
fel
tli
keshit
ti
ngmysel f
.Kanahehadsaidhe’dbur
n
downt hehospi
talwit
heveryoneinsi
dei
fwe
couldn’
tgi
vehim hisson.
”
“
Nyaamma, evenifi
tweremeandmychi
ldgoes
missi
ng,
Iwouldlosei
t.
”
“I
jomma.Letmeinf
ormthepoli
cethatt
hechi
ld
hasbeenf
oundandthehospi
talmanagement
.”
“
Ok.
”
Theothernur
seturnedandwalkedpastBant
u’s
room st
eal
ingaglanceatPul
e.

Insidetheroom,Bant
uheldhersongoherchest
afterfeedi
nghim.Pul
elookedather
.
“
Shoul
dIgetyousomet
hingt
oeat
?”
Sheshookherhead.
“
Ongadi
le?(
Areyouupset
?)”
Bant
ushookherhead.Het
urnedherheadsoshe
l
ooksathi
m.
“
Iam sor
ry.
”
“
Ok.
”
“
Whatshoul
dIor
deryou?Youhaven’
teat
en.
”
“Anyt
hing.Idon’
tfeel
hungr
y.Whatdi
dyoudot
o
Lefa?
”
“
Not
hingyoushoul
dwor
ryabout
.”
“
Didyouki
llhi
m?”
Hest
aredathersi
lent
lyt
henshookhi
shead.“
No.
”
“
Thenwhydi
dn’
tyout
ellt
henur
set
het
rut
h?”
“Becausethepoli
cewon’
tdomuchtohi
m.Gape
he’sagoodliar
.Iwant
edtodealwi
thhi
m
personal
ly.
”
Someoneknockedgent
lyont
hedoort
hent
he
doct
orwal
kedin.
Helookedatthem thenthebaby.“Iam sosor
ryfor
whathappenedtoday.Iam gladthefri
endhas
br
oughthim back.Iam goingtoquickl
ycheckboth
ofthem befor
ereleasi
ngthem thoughift
heyare
bothoktherewon’tbeanyneedt ogotoanother
hospit
al,Iwil
lbesendingthem home.”
Bantut
ookadeepbr
eat
hashet ookt
hebabyf
rom
herandl
aidhi
m ont
het
rol
ley.

*
**

Mainal ookedatheroner oom thenlai

dher
daughteront hemat tr
essshehadbought .She
ref
reshedheremai l
stochecki fPr
incessMarina
Hospitalhadr espondedyet.Shesighednotseei
ng
anythi
ngt henl ai
ddown.
Shefoundher sel
fthi
nkingofPule.Shesmi l
ed
thi
nkingofwhenshehadopenedt hedoorf orhim.
Thatsmile…himinLef a’
shouse.Andt hatzip.She
l
aughedt ur
ningtohersideimagininghowi twould
feelt
ohavemanl i
kethat.
Shesi
ghedthi
nkingofhowhehadl
ookedatBant
u
att
hehospi
talwonderi
nghowshef
elthavi
nghi
m
asherman.
Hewasn’ tperfect
,shel ongnoticedt
hatyesterday,
heobviouslyhadahott emperandt hat’
swhyhe
wouldsettl
ef oracal m soull
ikeBantu.Thoughmen
l
ikehim weret hetypetogetanyonehewant ed,he
waspr obablycheatingonherbuthi stypethat
wouldn’tl
ettheirmai nfindout.
God…howshewoul
ddi
eforamanl
ikehi
m.
Shecl
osedhereyesl
ett
ingheri
maginat
ionrunwild.
Shecaughther
sel
fbl
ushingal
lal
onethenlaughed.

*
**

Laterthatday,
Pul
eparkedatBant
u’shouse.He
steppedoutandopenedthedoorf
orherandhelped
hergetoutofthecarhol
dingt
hebaby.
Hewalkedt
othedoorandunl
ockedi
tforher
.She
wal
kedinsi
deandwalkedt
oherbedr
oom whil
ehe
wal
kedbacktothecar
.
Shel
aidhi
m ont
hebedt
hencr
awl
edont
hebed
nextt
ohim.Bant
utookadeepbreat
hcl
osi
ngher
eyesbef
orehecoul
dwalkback.
Hefinal
lywal
kedinandlookedathersleepi
ng.He
putdowntheshoppingbagsandcoveredbothof
them wi
thablanket
.
Pul
etookadeepbr
eathst
ari
ngathi
sminif
amil
y.
Hewalkedt
otheki
tchent
henst
art
edcooki
ng
sl
owly.

Overtwohourslat
er,Bantu’
sphonerangwaking
herup.Shequickl
yreachedfori
tandpicked.
“
Hel
lo?
”
“
Wear
eout
side.Open.
”
Shequicklygotof
fbedthenswitchedontheli
ghts
real
izi
ngithadgott
endark.Shelookedatthest
icky
noteonthedoorandtookitstar
ingatPule’
sugly
handwrit
ing.
‘
HeyAngel
Ij
ustleft,yourdadi
sonhi sway,Idon’
twanthimto
fi
ndmei nsideandgetangri
ert
hinki
ngweare
cohabit
ing.Andyeah, he’
snothappy.Hecal
ledme
butIhaveassur edhi
m Iam goingtopaydamages.
Iam sorr
yforwhathappenedtoday.Il
osti
t.I
shouldn’
thavedonewhatIdid,i
t’
sjustt
hatitwas
hardtobeli
evewhenyouhadn’twantedhimt he
previ
ousdaybutthatdoesn’
texcusemyactions.
Iam sorr
y,Iwi
shIcantakeital
lbackbutIcan’
t,
all
Icandoisworkonmyt emperandpromisetobe
bett
erforyouandourson.
Il
oveyousomuch, itactuall
yscar esandIdon’ t
wanttoloseyou.Nott othisandnotl i
kethis.Iwant
ustoraisehimtogether,Iwanthi mtohaveaf amil
y.
Iam wil
lingtodoanythingtogi vehimthat.Please
don’
tletthismakeyoudoubtt heloveIhavef oryou.
Iwasnevergoingtoki l
lyou,ifIdidthenIwoul d
havekil
ledmyselftoo.
Icooked,yourfoodisi
nthemicr
owave.Pl
easeeat
.
Iam parkedcloseby.I
fyouwantmetocometoyou,
youcancal
landIwi
llbet
her
e.’

Sheputawaythenotethenwal
kedt
ot hedoorand
opened.Herf
atherwal
kedinwi
thMerapel
obehind
hi
m.Mer apel
ohuggedher.
Bant
uclosedhereyeswrappi
ngherarmsaround
her
.Merapel
oheldherforawhil
ethenmovedback
smil
ing.
“
Hinewmama.
”
Bant
utear
ful
lysmi
led.
“
Wher
eishe?
”
“
Int
hebedr
oom.
”
“
CanIgoandseehi
m?”
BantunoddedthenMer apel
owal
kedawaygi
ving
fat
heranddaughterspace.
RragweBant
ulookedathisdaughter
.Hecoul
dtel
l
shehadbeencryi
ngalot.Hereyeswerer
eddi
sh
andswoll
en.
Bant
u’sl
ipsshookasshet
ri
edt
otal
k.
“Iam sorr
y.Iknowyouar edi
sappoint
ed.Iwi
shit
wasdi f
fer
ent.Iletyoudown.Iam sorr
ypapa…Iam
sorr
y.”
Hel
ookedathersadl
ythenhuggedher
.
“
It
’sok.I
thashappened.Wej
usthavet
oadj
ust
.”
Theyhel
deachotherf
orawhile.Mer
apel
owal
ked
backsl
owlyhol
dingMotheo.
RragweBant
ulookedoverthensmil
edlett
ingBant
u
goandgotcl
oser.Hetookhimfrom Merapel
o
smili
ng.
“
Hei
ssosmal
l.Bant
uwasbi
g.”
Mer
apel
olaughed.“
Hewi
llgr
ow.
”
Rr
agweBantusatdownl
ooki
ngathi
m wi
thasmi
le.
Merapel
osmi
led.
“
He’
shandsome.What
’shi
sname?
”
“
Hisf
athernamedhi
m Mot
heo.
”
“That
’snice.I
fyoudon’
tmind,Icanhelpyouwit
h
thebaby.IknowIhaveneverhadachildofmyown
butIhavetakencar
eofalotofbabies.Youcan
comehome,Ihearyouar
efi
nishi
ngexamsthis
week.WecangobacktoSer
owet oget
herkegobe
bot
setsi
.”
“
Ok.Iwouldl
ovet
hat
.Mylastexam i
stomor
row
mor
ning.Wecangoaf
tert
hat.
"
Mer
apel
osmi
led.“
Ok.
”
RragweBant
ulookedather
.“Bant
u,t
hisbabyl
ooks
l
ikeyouwhenyouwereyoung.”
Bant
usmi
led.Herf
atherl
ookedatt
hebabysmi
li
ng.

*
**

Latert
hatdayintheevening,Mainasatinherroom
nowsomehowwor r
ied.Shetookherphoneand
tr
iedcall
ingLef
aagai nbuthisnumberwasst il
lnot
goingthr
ough.Shesi ghedturni
ngthenclosedher
eyestr
yingtosleep.

*
**
Justaft
er12midnight
,Bantu'
sphonewaki
ngherup.
Shereachedf
oritandlookedatPul
ecal
li
ng.
“
Rra?
”
“
Areyouok?
”
“
Yes.
”
“
Thammaosekawant
hal
a.(
Pleasedon’
tbr
eakup
wit
hme.
)”
“Iam goi
ngt
oSer
owewi
thpapakamosof
or
botset
si.
”
“
Areyoubr
eaki
ngwi
thme?
”
“
Iam sl
eepi
ng.
”
“
CanIseeyou?
”
“
ButIam sl
eepi
ng.
”
“
Iam out
side.Iwon’
ttakel
ong.
”
“
Iam sl
eepi
ng.
”
“
Babepl
ease…Iam byt
hegat
e.”
Shesi
ghedt
henhungup.Shet
ookadeepbr
eat
h
andwal
kedout.Sheunlockedt
hedoorandwalked
tot
hegate.Shegoti
nthecar.Hel
ookedather
.
“
Hi.
”
“
Hi.
”
“
Howi
sthebaby?
”
“
Hei
sfi
ne.
”
“
CanIseeyouguysbef
oreyougot
omor
row?
”
“
Yes.
”
“
Iloveyou.
”
“
Ist
hatwhyyouwant
edt
oseeme?
”
“
Imi
ssedyou.Igotyouami
lkshake.
”
Hehandedi tt
oher .Bantutooki
tandopenedt
he
door.Pulepul
ledherbackandkissedhert
hen
whisperedagainstherl
ips.
“
Iloveyou.Pl
easedon’
tleaveme.
”
Shetookadeepbr
eathknowinghewouldn’
tlether
goti
llhehear
dwhathewantedtohear
.
“
Iloveyout
oo.
”
Helethergo.Shest
eppedoutofthecarandwal
ked
backtothehousehol
dinghermil
kshake.
Hesi
ghedt
hendr
oveof
f.

*
**

Thef ol
lowingdayi ntheearl
ymor ningbyPrincess
MarinaHospi talbusstop,ataxist
oppedlookingat
thehospi t
al’
sgat et
oseeiftherewasanyt hi
ng.He
hootedt hensteppedlooki
ng.
Hetur
nedwalki
ngbackt ohiscarthenpaused
st
ari
ngatapersonlyi
ngont hesideoftheroad.He
sl
owlywal
kedoverandl ookedatthemancover ed
i
nbloodandbadlybeaten.
Hi
shear
tski
pped.“
Thusang!(
Hel
p!)
”
.
.
.
[
06/
22,
08:
22] :Fal
lenAngel
#57

AtPrincessMari
naHospit
al,
thetaxidri
verhel
ped
carr
yt hemaninsi
dethehospi
talwit
ht wocombi
dri
vers.Theyst
agger
edwithhiminside.
“
Bat
hongt
husang!
”
Anursewal
kedoverslowl
y.“Ihopeyoudidn’
tbri
ng
usadeadpersonhere.Wedon’tdealwi
thdead
peopl
eher
e,kepoli
cecase!
”
Thetaxidr
iverl
ookedather.“
Howarewesupposed
toknowifhe’sdeadoral
ive?Gar
edinneser
ona!
”
“
Thenyoushoul
dhavecal
ledt
hepol
ice.
”
Anotherpat
ientt
ookoutherphoneandst
art
ed
t
akingthevideo.
“Gobatarebat sadivi
deotoshowthenat
ionhow
theytr
eatpati
entswhentheycomehere.I
maginei
f
he’snotdead,he’
sgoingtodi
ewhil
esheharasses
us.”
“Idon’
tcar
eifyoutakemeavideoornot
.Attheend
ofthedayyoushouldhavecal
ledt
hepol
icenot
br
ingadeadbodyher
e.Thi
sper
soni
sdead.Evena
bl
indper
soncansee.
”
Theothercombidr
iverwhoranf
urt
heri
nsi
det
he
hospi
talr
ushedbackwithadoct
or.
“Ther
eistheman.Wef
oundhi
mlyi
ngont
hesi
de
oftheroad.
”
Her ushedoverast wodif
ferentnur
sesr anover
pushingabed.Thedoct orputongl ovesthenthey
al
lcar r
iedhim putt
inghi
m ont hebedwhi l
etherude
nursest eppedbacknowsilent.
Thedoct
orl
ookedatt
hreemen.
“
Thankyousomuchf
orbr
ingi
nghi
m.”
Theypushedthebedaway.Thedr
iver
slookedat
ther
udenurse.
“
Ihopet
heyf
ir
eyouwena!Nxl
a!”
Shet
urnedandwal
kedaway.

*
**
Afewhour slat
er,
Bant
uwalkedoutofthehouse
af
terbreastf
eedi
nghersonthenl
ookedaroundt
he
st
reethopinghewasn’
tanywherecl
oseby.
Shehurri
edt ot
hebusst opwhereshefounda
combiwaiti
ngandj umpedin.Shelookedatt
he
ti
meandsi ghedknowingshe’dhaveacoupleof
minutesatthel
ibr
arythenhurryt
ot heexami
nat
ion
hall
.
AtUB, Bantusteppedoutoft hecombiwi thother
studentsthenpaidandhur ri
edtothel i
brary.Her
phoner angassheappr oachedthelibrary.She
l
ookedathi m call
ingt
hinkingofjustignoringitbut
knowingPul e,
hewouldn’tstopcalli
ng.
Shepi
ckedandputt
hephoneonherear
.
“
Hel
lo?
”
“
Hey,
whatt
imear
eyouguysl
eavi
ng?
”
“
Int
heaf
ter
noon.Ri
ghtnowIam atschool
.”
“
Whatt
imear
eyouf
ini
shi
ngt
heexams?
”
“
Int
heaf
ter
noon.
”
“
Ok,
whatt
ime?
”
“
At1.
”
“
Ok.Iwi
llpi
ckyouup.
”
“
Iwantt
ogoandseeYayaf
ir
st.
”
“
Iwi
llt
akeyou.
”
“
I…ok.Iam get
ti
ngi
nthel
ibr
ary.Bye.
”
Shehungandwalkedinside.Mi
nut
esl
aterhesenta
message.Sheopenedit
.
Pul
e:Il
oveyou.
Shestar
edatitforawhi
let
henputherphoneaway
taki
ngoutherbooks.

Threehour sl
ater
,Bant
uwal kedoutoftheexam
room.Shel ookedatt
hetime,itwasjustaf
ter
twelve.Shehurri
edtotheschoolgat
eandl ooked
aroundt hengoti
nacombit hatwouldpassatthe
hospitalYamasawasat ,
herphoneof f
.
Shetookadeepnotwanti
ngtothi
nkoftheexam or
anyt
hingel
se.Thedr
iverl
ookedather
.
“
Hi.
”
Bant
utur
nedandl
ookedathi
m.Hesmi
led.
“
Areyouok?
”
Shenodded.Helaughed.“Gongweodepr
essed.
Youlookli
keyouarecarryi
ngthewhol
eworldon
yourshoul
der
s.”
Bant
usmil
ednowact uall
yreal
izi
ngshewasseat
ed
att
hefr
ontseat
.“Iam fi
ne.”
Hesmi l
edandcontinueddr
ivi
ng.Shestoppedhi
ma
whil
elaterandst
eppedoutgivi
nghimthemoney.
Shecrossedtheroadwalki
ngtothehospit
al.

*
**

AtPrincessMarinaHospit
al,
thetaxidr
iverwhohad
fi
rstnoti
cedtheman’sbodyont hesideoftheroad
walkedtotherecept
ion.
“Dumel
ang,Ibr
oughtamanear
li
eron.Hewas
badl
ybeat
en.”
“
Oh,
yes.Uh,
whoar
eyout
ohi
m?”
“
Justt
hemanwhof
oundhi
m..
allIwantt
oknowi
s
i
fhe’
sali
ve?
”
“
Yes.Ihear
dhei
sal
ive.
”
Thet
axidr
iversi
ghedwi
thr
eli
ef.“
Thankyou.
”
“Al
lthankst
oyouwhobr
oughthi
m.Hi
sfami
lyhas
beencall
ed.
”
“
Godi
sgood.Thankmysi
ster
.”
Hewal
kedoutsmi
li
ng.

*
**

AtYamasa’shospit
al,Bantuslowl
yopenedthedoor
andwalkedin.ShelookedatYamasa’smother
cryi
ngholdi
ngherdaught er
’shandwit
hher
husbandbesidesher.
Bant
usteppedbackt
owal
koutbutYamasa’
sfat
her
l
ookedather.
“
Oh…Bant
u.Don’
tgo.I
t’
sok.
”
Bant
uwal
kedi
nandsadl
ylookedatt
hem.
“
Dumel
ang.
”
“
Howar
eyoumychi
ld?
”
“
Iam f
ine.Howi
sshe?
”
“
Thedoct
orisposi
ti
ve.Sheshal
lbewel
l
.Itmi
ght
t
akeawhil
ebutshewillbef
ine.
”
MmagweLef
awi
pedawayhert
ear
swi
that
issue.
“
Godwant
stot
akeal
lmyki
dsf
rom me.
”
“
YamasaandLef
awi
llbef
ine.
”
Bant
ufr
owned.“
Whathappenedt
oLef
a?”
“Wej ustgotacallfr
om pr i
ncessMarinaHospi
tal.
Hewasf oundont hesideoftheroadbadlybeaten.
Theydon’ tt
hinkhewi l
leverwalk.Thethi
evesbeat
him somucht hedoctorsaidsomethi
ngabouthi m
beingparalyzedfrom waistdown.Theybeli
evehe
mayneverwal kagainbutIam hopefulhewil
lbe
f
ineandsowi
llYamasa.
”
Bant
utookadeepbr
eat
hfeel
ingsl
ight
lydi
zzy.
“
Iam sor
ry.
”
“Wewi l
lbefi
nemychil
d.Wewi
llbef
ine.Andour
grandchi
ldwil
lbef
ound.
”
Bant
uswall
owedthenheldYamasa’shand.Her
par
entswal
kedoutgi
vingherspace.
Bant
utouchedherf
ace.
“Igavebirthtoason.Idi dn’tevenknowIwas
pregnant.Iam goingtoSer owewi thPapa. ”Bantu
tookadeepbr eat
h.“Ithi
nkyouwer er i
ghtabout
Pule.Iknewhewasn’ tperfect…justthatInever
thoughtIwoul deverbeonhi sreceivi
ngendl ike
that.Iam scaredofwhathemi ghtdotome, Iam
mor escaredbecauseIknowIl ovehim butIdon’t
wantt obewi thamanwhowi l
lonedayki l
lme.Iam
goingt oapplyfori
nternshipsomewher efar.
”
ShesighedandkissedYamasa’shand.Mi
nutes
l
atershewalkedoutandlookedatYamasa’
s
parent
s.
“
Thankyouf
orl
ett
ingmeseeher
.”
MmagweLef
asmi
ledsl
ight
ly.“
It
’sokmygi
rl
.”
“
Ihavet
ogo.
”
“
Ok.
”
Shetur
nedandwalkedoutoft
hehospi
tal
.She
fr
ozestar
ingatPul
e’
scarri
ghtbyt
heentr
ance.
Hesteppedoutofhiscarandopenedthedoorf
or
her
.Sheslowlywalkedoverandgoti
n.
Hecl
osedt
hedoor,wal
kedtohi
sdoorandgoti
n.
Hest
art
edthecaranddr
oveoff
.
“
Youf
ini
shedear
li
er?
”
“
Yes.
”
“
Whydi
dn’
tyoucal
l?
”
“
Idon’
thaveai
rt
imeandmyphonei
sof
f.Bat
ter
y.”
Hel
ookedatherst
oppi
ngatt
her
edt
raf
fi
cli
ght
.
“Don’
tyouwantust
obuyMot
heomor
ethi
ngs
befor
eyougo?”
“
Whatyouboughti
senough.Youwi
llbuymor
e
af
terIam donewi
tht
heconf
inement
.”
Thet
raff
icl
ightt
urnedgr
eenthenhedr
oveof
fand
st
oppedatt
henextbusstop.
“I
stheresomethi
ngIcandotomakeal
lthi
sbet
ter
?
Icanfeelyoupul
li
ngawayfr
om meandIdon’
t
knowhowt ostopit
.”
“
Iam not
.Iam j
ustwor
ri
edaboutMot
heo.
”
Pul
ehel
dherhandandl
ookedi
nhereyes.
“
Iwi
lldoanyt
hing.
”
“Ineedspace.If eelsuffocated.Iam t
ryingt oadj ust
toMot heobei ngapar tofmyl if
eandal sogeti nt
o
termswi ththefactt hatImayonedaybeki l
ledby
you.Ij ustneedspace.I fyouar enotcalli
ngmeyou
aref oll
owi ngme.Idon’ tevenknowwhatyouwant
from me, i
fIhaddi edwhowoul dyoubechasi ng?I
needspace, youar esuffocatingme,Ican’ tbreathe
becauseyouar eever ywher e.Letmedealwi thyour
sonbuti fyoual sof eelhe’snotsafewithme, you
aref reetot akehi m.What everthatwon’tlandme
somewher edeadorbadl ybeat enandpar alyzed
wor ksf orme. ”
“Iwasnevergoingtoki
llyou.Ijustwant
edtoscar
e
you.Idon’tbl
ameyouforf eel
ingthewayyouare
feel
ing.Iwil
lgi
veyouspace. ”
“Thankyou.Myf
atheri
swai
ti
ng.Pl
easet
akeme
home.”
Pul
ejoi
nedtheroadanddr
ovet
oherhouse.He
par
kedbythegate.
“
CanIseehi
m bef
oreyougo?
”
“
Iwi
llbr
inghi
m.”
Shesteppedoutofthecarandwalkedtothehouse.
RragweBantulookedatherandsmiled.
“
Youar
eback?
”
“
Yes.UhPul
ewant
edt
oseeMot
heobef
orewego.
”
“
Ok.
”
Bantuwalkedt
othebedr
oom t
henlookedat
Merapel
owhowaschangingMotheo’sdi
aper
.She
smil
ed.
“
Hi…youcamebackf
ast
.”
“
Eemma.Hi
sfat
heri
sout
side.Hewant
stosee
hi
m.”
Merapel
ogavehert
hebaby.Bantuwalkedoutwi
th
hi
m andgoti
nthecar.Shehandedhi
m over.
Pul
esmil
edlookingathi
sboy.Mot
heoputhi
sfi
st
onhismout
h,hiseyescl
osed.
Pul
elookedather
.“Thankyouf
orhi
m.”
Bantunoddedinsi
lence.Mi
nut
esLat
erPul
egave
herbackthebaby.
Bant
uhel
dhi
m pr
oper
ly.“
Bye.
”
“
CanIpl
easeki
ssyou?
”
Shelookedathi
m,hepull
edhercl
oserandki
ssed
her
.Bantupull
edaway.
“
Bye.
”
Shesteppedoutoft
hecarandwal
kedgot
hehouse
whil
ehesatinhiscar
.
Herf
athert
urnedt
oher
.“Ar
eyoudone?
”
“
Yes.Wecango.
”
*
**

AtPri
ncessMarinaHospi
tal
,Lefaslowl
ywokeup
l
atert
hatdayl
yingonahospitalbed.
Thenur
sewhohadbeenf
ixi
nghi
m pausedt
hen
smil
ed.
“
Hi.Youar
eawake.
”
Lef
alookedatherandt
ri
edt
alki
ngbutever
ythi
ng
wassopainf
ul.
“
Justr
elax…i
t’
sok.Iwi
llcal
lthedoct
orf
oryou.
”
Shewal
kedoutandcamebackwi
thanwhi
tedoct
or.
Shesmi
led.
“Mr .Kenosi.Goodt ohaveyouback.Iam Dr .
Geor ge.Iam goingt oneedyout ojustrel
axandI
willdoallthetalking.Youwer efoundont hesideof
ther oadbadlybeat en.Assoonasyoucant al
k,you
willbeablet ocommuni catetot
hepol i
cewhat
happened.Unf ort
unat el
yyourspinalcordwast hen
theni nj
uredwhi chr endersyoufrom t
hepossibili
ty
ofeverwal king.”
Lefalookedather.Shecarri
edont al
kingexpl
aini
ng
thoughhenowcoul dhardlyhearawor dshewas
sayingexpectf
rom thefactthathewouldpossibl
y
neverwalkagain.

THREEMONTHSLATER.
.
.
.
.
[
06/
22,
08:
22] :Fal
lenAngel
#58

Thr
eeMont
hsLat
er…

AtKago’
shousei
nthemor
ning,
Yamasal
ookedat
t
hePIashespoke.
“
Ihavel
ookedever
ywher
e,he’
snott
her
e.”
Tear
sfi
ll
edYamasa’
seyes.“
Eveni
nSA?
”
“Ican’
tsearcht
hewholecount
ry,onl
ypl
acesyou
suspectedhemighthavewent
.”
Kagoswal
lowed.“
Iwi
llpayyoumor
e.”
“
Ok.
.thenIwi
llcont
inuesear
chi
ng.
”
Hewalkedout
.KagohuggedYamasaasshecr
ied.
Shepushedhi
m off
.
“
Youbr
oughtt
hismani
ntoourl
ives!
”
“
Babe,
Iknow-
“
“Youdon’tknowanyt
hing!Youdon’tknowanyt
hing.
Ihateyousomuch!Iwantadi vor
ce.”
“
BabeIknowyouar eupset
.Ibl
amemyselftoo.I
j
ustnevert
houghtTer
rywouldeverdosomethi
ng
l
iket
his.
”
“Bant
uwastel
li
ngthet r
uththatt
ime.Youand
Terr
y….Youwerealwayswithhim.Sometimesyou
woulddoseof
fwithhim att
hecottage…”
“
Comeon-
“
“
That’
swhyyourexdivor
cedyouri
ght?I
tis…you
wer
egivi
ngyourfr
iendyourwhol
eatt
ent
ion.She
foundcomf or
tinyourbr
other
’sarms.Shef el
lin
l
ovewit hhi
m andleft
.Shewouldn’
tletyouseeher
daughtersheknewyouandTer r
ywoul dstealhi
m..
l
ikeyoustolemydaughter.
”
“I
tsnotl
ikethat
.Iexpl
ainedt
oyouwhyTer
ryandI
arecl
ose-“
“Youarel
ying!Youarel
ying!That
’swhyyouwanted
todomei ntheass.Youhavebeendoingnot
hing
butlyi
ngallal
ong.
”
Kagost
oodupshaki
ng.“
Babe-
“
“
Youknowwher
emydaught
eri
s.”
“
IswearIdon’
t.IswearIdon’
t.
”
“
Youdo.Youarekeepi
ngmychil
dsot
hatyoucan
r
aisehi
m wi
thyourboyf
ri
end.
”
“
Iloveyou.Il
oveyou.
”
“Youdon’
t.Youhadf
oundyournextvi
cti
m.Youar
e
goingt
ogivememydaughterKago.”
Kagot
ear
ful
lyl
ookedather
.
“
Youhaveever
yri
ghtt
obesuspi
cious.I
-“
“Youwantedmedeadsot hatyoucant akemy
daught
er.Youaregoi
ngtogivememydaught er!I
am goi
ngtotel
lthepol
iceeveryt
hing.
”
Hetr
iedtotouchher
.Sheangri
lypushedhim of
f
andslowl
ywalkedouthol
dingherhandbag.
Shewalkeddownthestr
eett
henstoppedfai
li
ngt
o
goon.Sheputherhandsonherf
acecrying.

*
**

Thatsamemor ning,
mmagweLubasl oweddown
passingoneofthehousesi
nherstreet,shelooked
atthepeopl
eintheyardcur
iousl
ywonder i
ngwhat
happenedtotheoldwomanwhost ayedt here.
Sherol
leddownherwindowast
woschoolki
ds
wal
kedoutofthegat
e.
“
Hel
lo,
what
’sgoi
ngon?
”
“
Ther
e’sadeadbabyi
nthepi
tlat
ri
ne.
”
“
Awhat
?”
“
Adeadbaby.
”
MmagweLubal ookedovert
hendroveoffshaking
herheadi
ndisbel
ief
.Shecall
edhersi
sterjoi
ning
themainr
oad.
“
Hel
lo?
”
“
Hi.Hasshel
eftf
orschoolyet
?”
“
Ijustdr
oppedherof
f.
”
“
Howi
sshe?
”
“
She’
sbet
ter
.Shenowt
alksandl
aughs.
”
“
Ok.Thankyouf
ort
aki
ngher
.”
“
It
’sok.
”
“
Ijustpassedahousewher
eachil
dwast
hrowni
n
t
hepitlat
rinenearwher
ewest
ay.
”
“
Oh.
.”
“Yes.Thebabyisal
readydead.Wai
tsepeopl
ear
e
heartl
essoutt
here.
”
“
Ng…Ihavet
ogo.Iam wal
kingi
nkot
ir
ong.
”
“
Ok.Bye.
”
MmagweLubahungupandadj
ust
edherseat
dr
ivi
ngt
oschool
.

*
**

Mer apel
oslowlydrovelooki
ngatthehousest hen
si
ghedf indi
ngthehouseshewasl ooki
ngfor.She
st
eppedoutoft hecarandpressedtheint
ercom.
Thegat esli
dopen.Shegotbacki nthecarand
droveinsidethegateasPulewalkedoutofhis
houseput ti
ngonhiscap.
Hestar
edatt
hecar
,sheparkednextt
ohi
sandgot
out
.Hesmil
edpol
it
elyal
it
tl
eshockedtoseeher
.
“
Dumel
ang.
.”
Merapel
osmi
led.“
Goodmor
ning,
Iam sor
ryf
or
comingi
nsoearl
y.”
“
It
’sok.Thedayl
ongl
ongbegun.
”
“
Uhcanwet
alk?
”
“
Yes.Wecangoi
nthehouse.
”
“
No.Her
eisf
ine.I
t’
snotal
ongst
ory.
”
“
Isever
ythi
ngok?
”
“Everyt
hingisfi
ne.Ihavebeensentheret
oyou.I
havebr oughtMotheowith.Bant
ulef
tyest
erday
goingforherint
ernshi
pandshewant edyoutohave
Mot heotil
lshecomesback.”
Hef
rowned.“
Ma?
”
“Bantuleftf
orheri
nternshi
pyest er
day.She
couldn’tt
akethebabywi t
hbecauseshewoul dn’t
havet oanyonetohelpher.SosheaskedIbr i
ng
himt oyou.Shesaidshewi l
ltakehim onceshe
comesback. ”
Pul
et ookouthi
sphonefr
om hi
spocketandcal
led
her
.Itrangforawhi
leandfi
nal
lyanswer
ed.
“
Hi.
”
Pul
ewal
kedawayf
rom Mer
apel
o.“
What
’sgoi
ng
on?
”
“
Iwentformyinter
nship.It
houghti
twouldbef
air
t
oletyouhavehiminst
eadofhimr emai
ningwi
th
myparent
swhileIam gone.”
“
Whyam Ihear
ingaboutt
hisi
nter
nshi
ptoday?
”
“
Theyonl
yrespondedaf
ewdaysago.
”
“
Andyoudi
dn’
tbot
hert
otel
lmet
hen?
”
“
Ifor
got
.Aker
enowyouknow.
”
“
Whatam Isupposedt
odowi
thhi
m?”
“
Takecareofhi
mti
llIcomeback.Iam notgoi
ng
f
orever
.”
“
Wher
edi
dyougo?
”
“Aft
eryoualmostt r
iedtoki
llmeIt
hinkit
’sbestyou
don’tknow.GapeIt ol
dyouIneedspace.Ifyou
can’
tt akehi
m, shecangobackwit
hhimt henyou
wil
lseehi mthere.
”
“
Howl
ongar
eyougoi
ngt
opuni
shmef
or?
”
“Noonei
spuni
shingyou.Ij
ustt
houghtyouwoul
d
l
ovehavi
nghi
m around.Fi
ndananny.Iwon’
tbe
abl
etogi
vehi
mt heatt
enti
onneedsi
fItakehi
m
wit
h.”
“
Wher
edi
dyougo?
”
“
Iwi
llt
ellyou,
justnotnow.
”
“
Babepl
easedon’
tdot
his.
”
“
Iam notdoi
nganyt
hing.
”
“Angel
…wher edidyougo?Youwantmetofindout
onmyownt hensayIam fol
lowi
ngyouar
ound.Can
youjustt
ellme.Please…”

*
**

InKasane,
Bantul
ookedaroundt
hef
ull
yfur
nished
apar
tmentsshehadrent
ed.
“
Canyougi
vemespace?
”
“Andhowl ongist hi
ssupposedt
ogoonf or
?Ifyou
won’ttel
lmet henIam goingtof
indoutonmyown.
Keet ako.Iam ti
redofthi
sgame.Osimolago
ntena.Wewi l
ltal
ki nper
son.”
Hehungup.Shelookedatherphoneandt
ooka
deepbr
eat
hstandingint
helivi
ngroom.
Shecal
ledYamasasmi
li
ng.
“
Bunny…”
Bant
ulaughed.“
Hi.Whatdi
dthePIsay?
”
“Not
hing.Ican’
thel
pbutt
hinkmydaught
eri
sdead
Bant
u.”
“
Don’
tthi
nkl
iket
hat
.”
“Pel
oyameebotl
okoBantu.Ishouldhavej
ustdi
ed.
Iwantt
odieBant
u.”Shestar
tedcryi
ng.
“
Don’
ttal
kli
ket
hat
.”
“
Ijustwantmydaught
er.
”
“
Don’
tcr
y.”
Yamasasni
ff
ed.“
Howi
sKasane?
”
Bantusmil
ed.“I
t’
sfine..Iwi
llst
artt
omor
row.The
bachel
orpadisnice.”
“
Iam happyf
oryou.
”
“
Thankyou.Iam sur
eyouwi
llf
indher
.”
“
Ng.
..
”
“
Ok.Bye.
”
“
Shar
p.”
Bant
uhungupandwal
kedar
oundherhouse
happi
ly.Shet
ookherphoneandpi
ckedMer
apel
o’s
cal
l.
“Hi,
het ookthebaby.Ithinkyoutwoshoul dtal
kli
ke
adults.I
fyoudon’twanthi m anymore,youshould
j
ustt el
lhim,thatwayyouwon’ towehim any
explanati
on.Buthelovesyou.Idon’tknowwhat
happenedbet weenyout wobutasf arasIsee,he’s
agoodman.Thi sisyourfami l
yBantu.Don’tl
ose
himt osil
lyi
ssues.Issuesthatcanbesol ved.
”
“Iam notl
eavinghi
m.Ijustwanthimtolear
nnotto
dowhathedi d.Il
ovehim somuch.Iam notl
eavi
ng
mymanbutl ennaIdon’twanttobeina
rel
ati
onshi
pwher eIfearmyperson.WhenIam
convi
ncedhe’slearnt
,Iwi
llf
ull
ytakehi
m back.
”
“Ihopeyoudon’tregr
ett
his.
.menar
ebui
lt
dif
ferent
lyf
rom us.”

*
**

I
nGabor
one,
Yamasasatbyt
hebusst
opst
ari
ng
i
ntonot
hing.Herphonerangst
artl
ingher.She
l
ookedattheunsavednumberthenpicked.
“
Hel
lo?
”
“
Hi.I
t’
sPul
e,canwet
alk?I
nper
sonpr
efer
abl
y.
Wher
eareyout?
”

Atthebusst
op,
Yamasast
oodupasPul
epar
ked
nextt
oher.
“
Geti
n.”
Shegoti
nthecart
henl
ookedathi
m.
.
.
.
[
06/
22,
08:
23] :Fal
lenAngel
#59
Pulelookedatherswoll
enfaceandr
eddi
sheyes
thathaddarkcir
clesunder
neath.
“
Hi.
”
Sheputherhandsonherl
ap.“
Dumel
ang.
”
“
Ineedyourhel
pwi
thsomet
hing.“
Shesil
entl
ylookedathim.Shehadneverseenhim
upclosel
ikethatbef
ore.Shel
ookedatthetat
toos
onhisarmsgoingupt ohisbi
cepswi
thoneslight
ly
ri
dingonhisneck.
“
IknowyouknowwhereBant
u’sint
ernshi
pis,
his
muchdoyouwantf
oryoutotel
lme.”
“
I…Ican’
ttel
lyout
hat
.”
“
Howi
s5k?Iwon’
ttel
lheryout
oldme.
”
Yamasal
ookedathimthenMotheost
art
edcr
ying
fr
om t
hebackseat
.Pul
eturned.
“
Heybuddy….”Heputhi
sdummybacki
nhi
s
mout
h.Hespatitt
hencr
iedmor
e.
Puler
eachedovert
akinghim offhi
sseat
.Pule
fr
ownedatthesmellcomingfrom hi
spants.Pul
e
tookadeepbreat
h,Yamasal
ookedatt
hel
ookon
hisface,
theconf
usi
on.
“
Ineedt
obat
hhi
m.Let
’st
alk.Howmuchdoyou
want
?”
“Youdon’tneedt
obat
hhi
m.Justchanget
he
diaper
.”
Hel
ookedather
.“Ihaveneverdonei
tbef
ore.
”
“
Doyouhavet
hepamper
s?”
“
No.Theyar
eathome.
“Iwil
ltel
lyouwher
eBantuisonlyi
fyouagreeto
helpmef i
ndmydaughterl
ikeyoufoundyourson
whenhewentmi ssi
ng.
”
“Aski
ngyoui
smet
aki
ngt
heeasi
ermet
hodt
ofi
nd
her.
”
“Thenuseyourothermethodstofi
ndher.I
t’
s
eit
herayouagreetohel
pmef i
ndmydaughterandI
tel
lyouwheresheis.Iwi
llgiveyout
hehouse
addressandwhereshewi l
lbeworki
ng.Takeitor
l
eavei t
.”
“
Ok.Youcanst
epoutoft
hecar
.”
“
She’
satKasane.
”
Pulel
ookedathert
henshel
ookedatt
hecr
ying
baby.
“
Iam goi
ngtotel
lBantut
hatIsawyousmoki
ngi
n
t
hecarwit
hthebaby.”
Pul
elaughed.“
Ok.
”
“
Andt
hatyouhi
tonme.
”
“
SheknowsIdon’
tcheat
.”
“Shealsoknewyou’
dneverhur
theryetyout
ri
edt
o
kil
lher
.”
Pul
elaughedmor
eandputMot
heoonhi
schest
.
“
Whatar
eyousmoki
ng?
”
Tearsf
il
ledhereyes.“
Pleasehel
pme.Keagokopa.
.
Helpme.”
“
Whatmakesyout
hinkIwi
ll
hel
pyouaf
teryou
t
hreat
enedme?
”
Yamasalookedatherthenbrokedowncr ying.
.“I
j
ustwantmydaught er
…t hat
’sallIwant.Iam sorr
y
fort
hreat
eni
ngyou.Pleasehelpme. ”Sheputher
handst
oget
hercr
ying.
Pul
esi
ghedunabl
etohel
pbutt
hinkhewasgoi
ng
tor
egr
eti
t.
“Ok.Hol
dhim soIdr
ive.Youar
egoingt
ochange
hisdi
aper.Meanwhi
leyoucantel
lmewher
emygi r
l
i
s.”
YamasatookMotheoandwipedhertear
sholdi
ng
himinherar
ms.Motheomovedclosersear
ching
fort
henippl
ewi
thhismouthopen.
Yamasasmi
led.“
Wher
eishi
smi
lk?
”
“
Athome,
hewassl
eepi
ngwhenwel
eft
.”
“
Hear
ri
vedt
oday?
”
“
Yes.
”
“
Youneedt
ohi
reaqual
if
iednannyt
ohel
pyou.
”
Puleignor
edherdri
vingsi
lent
ly.Hedr ovethr
ough
hisgateovert
wentyminut
eslater.Pulewalked
roundthecarandopenedthedoorf orher.
Yamasalookedathi
m surpr
isedt
hensteppedout
.
Shef
oll
owedhi mtothehouseandwalkedinbehi
nd
hi
m.
Shetookadeepbreathlookingar
oundhishouse.
Mostthi
ngswereeithergreyorwhit
e.Shel
ookedat
hi
shugeTVt hatcoveredmostpartof
“
Youcanseat
.Iwi
llbr
inghi
sthi
ngs.
”
Hewal
kedt
othebedr
oom andwal
kedbackwi
th
Mot
heo’
sbag.
Yamasaputhi
m downthenhest ar
tedcr
ying.She
qui
ckl
ychangedhi
sdiaperski
ll
full
y.
“
Youcanmakehi
smi
lk.
”
“
Iam notsur
ehowt
o.”
Yamasahandedhimthebaby.Shetookoutthe
for
mulaf
rom thebagandwalkedtotheki
tchen
whil
ehetr
iedtogethi
mtokeepqui et
.
Pul
etookhisphoneandplayedavi
deof r
om
YouTube.Heshowedhi
m.Mot heopausedcryi
ng
st
ari
ng.Hereachedf
orthephoneopeninghi
s
mouth.
Yamasafi
nal
lywal
kedbackwithhi
sbot
tl
e.She
l
ookedatMot
heoleaki
ngthephone.
“
Hei
seat
ingdi
rt
.”
“
Hel
ikest
hedi
rt
.”
Shesatdownnextt
ohi
m andt
ookhi
mthenst
art
ed
feedi
nghi
m.
Shesmi
ledwat
chi
nghi
m sucki
ng.
“
Sowhenwi
llyoust
artl
ooki
ngf
ormydaught
er?
”
“
Iwi
llcal
lsomeonet
ohel
p.”
“
Ithi
nkKagoknowswher
ehei
s.”
“
Yourgayhusband?
”
Yamasanodded.“Heisdenyi
ngi
tbutIknowBant
u
wastel
li
ngthetr
uth.Ij
ust…”
“
Theywereki
ssi
ng.Youwer
ebei
ngused.Youwant
t
otal
ktohim?”
“Ihavet
otri
ed.NowitthatLefaisparal
yzed,
he’
s
nothimsel
fso…”Shepausedt al
kingandtooka
deepbreat
h,t
earsfi
ll
inghereyes.
“
Iwi
llhavesomeonet
alkt
ohi
m andt
akei
tfr
om
t
her
e.”
Atearr
oll
eddownhercheek.“
Thankyou.Thank
yousomuch.”
“
Iam goi
ngt
oKasane,
Iwi
llcal
lyout
omor
row.
”
“Bantuisst
il
lupsetoverwhathappened.She’
snot
goingtofor
giveyoujustl
iket
hat.
”
“
Iknow.
”
“Osekawatsamayal
engwana.Ababywi
lll
imi
t
anyacti
on.
”
Pul
elookedatherandl
aughed.
“
Leavehi
m wit
hsomeoneyout
rust.Whenyouget
t
heregagobatl
elent
sel
edeal
erlengwana.”
“Ihavenoonet
oleavehi
m wi
th.Idon’
thavea
nanny.”
“Icanr
emainwi t
hhim.Ifyourper
sont
alkst
oKago
now.Iwil
lbabysithi
m.”
“
Andwhyshoul
dIt
rustyou?
”
“I
fanythi
nghappenst omychi l
dinyourpresence,I
wil
lkil
lyou.Andburryyou.Matteroff
act,
Iam
goingtoleaveyouhere.Iwi
llhavesomeoneguar d
you.
”
“
Wil
lyourguyt
alkt
oKagot
oday?
”
“
Yes.
”
“
Now?
”
“
Today.
”
“
Iam notbabysi
tt
ingt
il
lyout
alkt
ohi
m.”
“
Iam nott
heonewho’
schi
ldi
smi
ssi
ng.
”
Shel
ookedathi
m ashemadeacal
l.
“
Hel
lo?Ist
hecarready?OkoKasane…ok,
t
omorr
owmor ni
ngthen.Shar
p.”
Hehungup.Yamasal
ookedathi
m cur
iousl
y.
“
Whi
chcardi
dyougether
?”
“
Wor
ryaboutyourmi
ssi
ngchi
ld.
”
ShekeptquietandlookedatMot
heowhowas
sl
owlyfal
li
ngasl eep.
Pulewenttohisbedroom andwal
kedouthol
dinga
overni
ghtbag.HelookedatYamasa.
“
Ifanyt
hinghappenst
ohi
m,hangyour
sel
f,youwi
ll
bemakingthi
ngseasi
erf
oryou.Ever
ythi
ngofhi
sis
her
e.Iwil
lbebackint
wodays.”
“
Ok.
”
Pulepi
ckedhi
m upandkissedhi
scheek.Mot
heo
yawnedandcl
osedhiseyes.Pul
ehandedhi
m back.
“
Ever
ythi
ngi
sint
hehouse.
”
“Iam notgoi
ngtogoout
.He’
ssaf
ewi
thme.He’
s
Bantu’
sdaughter
.”
“YetLef
aisyourbr
other
.Iwi
lldowor
seonyoui
f
youtryi
t.”
Hewalkedoutwhi
leshel
ookedatt
hebabyt
ryi
ngt
o
f
igur
eoutwhathemeant.

*
**

HourslaterinKasane,Bant ucl
osedthewindows
j
ustaf t
erdawnandwal kedt ot
hebedroom wher
e
shetookoutherbl uesuit.Sheir
onedthepantsand
theblazerthenchoseoneofherbestwhi t
eshirt
s.
Herphonerang,shelookedatanunsavednumber
cal
li
ngthenpicked.
“
Hel
lo?
”
“
Hi,
it’
sAce.
”
“
Who?
”
“
Wear
efr
iendsonFacebook.AceMor
afe.
”
“
Oh…t
hememeguy?
”
Acel
aughed.“
NgNgBant
u.Youcan’
tsayt
hat
.”
Bant
ulaughedt
oo.“
Youpostmemesever
yday.
”
“
Iknow.I
t’
sbecauseIhavenot
hingt
odoaker
e?”
“
Howdi
dyougetmynumber
?”
“Ihavehadi tforawhilenow.TodayIf i
nall
ygotthe
confidencetocall
.Ijustwantedtosayyouar every
beautiful,
Ihavebeenf ol
lowi
ngyouf orawhi l
enow
andift herei
sachance, I
’dli
ketotakeyououtf or
dinnerormaybel unch.Whateverwor ksforyou.
”
Bant
usmi
led.“
Idon’
tst
ayi
nGabor
one.
”
“
Wher
edoyoust
ay?
”
“
KasanebutIhaveaboyf
ri
end.
”
“Idon’
tencouragecheat
ingbutyouar enotmar r
ied.
Youdon’tknow, maybeIam yoursoulmate.Look,I
haveaprojectgonekoKasanenextmont h.Maybe
whenIcomeyoucanshowmear ound.”
Someoneknockedonherdoor
.Shewal
kedover
tal
king.
“
He’
snotyourusualguy.Odi
ngal
o.Andhehasa
t
emper
.”
Sheopenedt
hedoorasAcespoke.
“AndIr
espectyourr
elat
ionshi
p.I
twi
llbei
nnocent
,I
promi
se.
”
Bant
uhungupasPul elookedinhereyes.Shet
ook
adeepbreat
ht r
yingt
ocalm downbuthewasher e…
onherdoorstep.
“
Hi,
canIcomei
n?”

*
**
InGaborone,YamasaheldMotheoonherchesti
n
Pule’
shousewhi l
etr
yingtomakehim mi
lkwit
hthe
otherhand…
Motheocri
edsomuchmor egett
ingi
mpatient
.
Yamasalookedathi
mthenatthemilkshewas
makingknowingi
twoul
dtakelong.
Sheslowlywal
kedt
ot hecouchandsatdownthen
tookourherbi
gswol
lenbreastf
ullwi
thmil
k.
Sheswall
owedandputherni
pplei
nhi
smout
h.
Motheocal
meddownsucking.
.
.
Let
'squi
cklypar
ti
cipat
efort
hesecondbonust
o
comequicker
[
06/
22,
08:
23] :Fal
lenAngel
#60

InKasane,
Bantust
oodbyt
hedoorst
ari
ngathimin
shock.Pul
eputhi
shandsi
nherwai
standpushed
herbacki
nthehouset
hencl
osedt
hedoorwi
thhi
s
foot
.
Bantusteppedbackinhertightsandavest.Pule
l
ookedatt hebabyfathipsandasspackedi nthe
ti
ghts.Hetookadeepbr eat
hst ar
ingathercamel
toeshowingthroughthosetight
s,hi
sdicjer
kingin
hispants.
Thel asthehadf uckedwast heweekbef or
ehisboy
wasbor nandhecoul dimaginehowi twouldfeel
sinki
ngi ntoher.Hermoansofdi scomfort,
her
tryi
ngt orunawayf rom itwhenhepushedf ur
ther,
thatfaceshemadeandt hoseli
tt
lesofthandson
hischestt hatal
wayst r
iedtoli
mithim.
Bant
ulookedathim ashest
aredatherwonder
ing
whathewasthinki
ng.Herai
sedhisheadand
l
ookedatherf
ace.
“
Youl
ookbeaut
if
ul.
”
Shest
aredathi
minsi
lence.Heputhi
sbagdown
l
ooki
ngaround.
“
Ful
lyf
urni
shed?
”
“
Yes.
”
“
Nice.Whendi
dyoumove?
”
“
Yest
erday.
”
“
Andwhydi
dn’
tyout
ellme?
”
“
Igotoccupi
ed.
”
“
Occupi
edwi
thwhat
?”
“
Wit
htr
yingt
omove.
”
Helookedather.“
Ist
hisal
lbecauseofwhat
happened?Oryouhaveanewmot ivenow?”
“
Idon’
tknowwhatyouar
etal
kingabout
.”
“Youknowexact l
ywhatIam t aki
ngabout.Iam not
God, Iam notgoingtoguesswor kwhat’
sgoi ngon
withyou.Ihavebeent ryingtoshowyouhowsor r
yI
am, onedayyouar eactual
lyokthent
henextyou
aremovi ngwithouttel
li
ngme. ”
“
Ijustgotbusy.
”
“
Toobusytotel
lmeyouaremoving?Iam t
ir
edof
t
hisBant
u.I
fyouaredumpingmesayso.Ifthi
s
whol
ethi
ngyouaredoingi
ssupposedtosendmea
message, Iam defini
telynotget ti
ngthemessage.If
anything,dumpme.Iam j ustwaiti
ngforyoutotel
l
met omoveon.Iam notgoi ngtoprayyourass
forever.Thisishowcheat i
ngst ar
tsandIam not
goingt obeonyourr eceivingendbecauseIcan
promi seyounow, Iwillblowof fyourbrai
nsthenkil
l
mysel f.Sojustsetmef reei fyoudon’tt
hinkweare
wor t
hsavi ng.Youarest i
llyoung,maybeyoust i
ll
wantt oexplore.
”
Bantulookedathim knowinghewasjustsayingto
gettoher.Sheknewexact lywhathewanted,afeel
offamily,
havinghissongr owupunderoner oof
wit
hbot hparents.Shelookedathi
shair
cut,baby
daddylookedsohandsomeandsmel tsogood.
Motheowasgr owingandhewasst ar
tingtot
ake
aft
erhisfather’
sfeaturesandsheknewhehad
beentheper f
ectchoice.Shelookedinhisimpatient
eyesthatkeptmovi ngdownt oherhips.Shelooked
athisdickgetti
nghar dtr
appedinthosepants.
“
Ineedabr
eak.Iam st
il
lscar
ed.
”
“
It
’sei
theryouar
edumpi
ngmeorwear
efi
xing
t
hingsBant
u.Ther
e’snoi
n-bet
ween.
”
“
Ithi
nkweshoul
dpartwayst
henbecauseIdon’
t
wantt
oli
vei
nfearofyoul
osi
ngitandki
ll
ingme.
”
“Howdi dyouexpectmet oreactthatday?Youhad
rej
ectedhimthepr evi
ousnightand…IknowIt ookit
far
.Idid,Iwaswr ong.Ihavenodefensebabebut
youknowIl oveyou.Iwasnotgoi ngtokillyou.It
’s
hardtobeli
eveyesbutIwasnotgoi ngtoki l
lyou.I
l
oveyouwayt oomuchf orthat.Ij
ustwant edto
scareyoubecauseIwasn’ tsurewhattobel i
eve.I
messedupbi gtimebutIcanbebet t
er.IknowIam
ali
ttl
eroughont heedgesbutIcanbebet ter.
”
“Itol
dyoumult
ipl
eti
mesthatIdi
dn’
tdoi
tandyou
didn’
twantt
obeli
eveme.
”
“Iam sor
ry.Iam notgoingtojusti
fymyact i
ons
becauseIdon’thaveanydef ense.Iam sorr
yf ormy
acti
onsthatday.Ifthi
swholet i
mewasmeantt o
teachmet osomet hi
ng,Ihavelearntbabe.Please
l
etmebebet t
er.Whatdoyouwantmet odo? ”
“
Youscar
eme.Idon’twanttobei
narel
ati
onship
wit
hamanIf
ear.Idon’twantt
oli
vei
nfear
.Ijust
wantust ocoparent
.Youobvi ouslyhaveanger
i
ssuesandahott emper.Idon’tknowwhyt hey
nevertaughtyouhowt odealwi t
hyourangeratthe
orphanage.”
Helookedatherforawhil
einsi
lence.“
Iloveyou.
Isn’
tthissomethi
ngwecanfi
x?Idon’twanttolose
youlikethi
s.”
“Yousai
dIshoul
dtel
lyouifyouneedtomoveon.
YoucanbecauseIam def
ini
tel
ynott
hegir
lfor
you.
”
Shel ookedinhiseyesashisheartbroke,
notthat
sheenj oyeditbuthehadtounderstandwhathis
actionscouldcosthim andwhatbetterwaytolear
n
thanexper i
ence.Shewasmoldinghi mforthe
future.
“
Sot
hat
’si
t?”
“
Yes.Canwej
ustcopar
enthel
a?”
“
Ok.ButIam notgoi
ngwi
thoutf
ucki
ngyou.
”
Pul
ewalkedovert
oher,
Bantusteppedback
want
ingtomaint
aint
hespacebetweenthem.
Pulesmil
edbackhert
oagainstthewall
.“Youar
e
notgoi
ngtohaveanywher
et orunto.
”
“
Iam nothavingsexwi t
hyou.Ishoul
dwai tsi
x
mont
hst i
llIhavesex.Thebabyissti
llyoung.
”
“
Sowhat
?Iam notwai
ti
ngsi
xmont
hst
ofuckyou.
”
“
Wej
ustbr
oke,
canwej
ust
-“
“
Iam goi
ngtof uckyouhardtoni
ghtt
hencont
inue
t
omorrowti
llIam sati
sfi
ed.
”
Puleputhishandsonherwai standpul l
edheri nhi
s
arms.Bantutookadeepcompl et
elybur iedinthose
arms.Sheclosedhereyesunabl etost opherbody
from r
eacti
ngtohistouch,hermindsl owl ymushed
asshesqueezedherbodysl ightl
ylett
ingherf eel
thosemuscles.Sheslowlyweakenedf eel i
ng
hersel
flosi
ngherbattl
ewhi l
eshebr eat hedinhis
scent.
Puleslowlyloosenedthegri
ponher ,hi
sli
psonher
neck.Bantuheldhisbicepsrecei
vingthewetneck
ki
ssest hatalwaysgottoher.
Shebr
eat
hedheavi
ly,
herpant
iesget
ti
ngmoi
st,
Pul
emovedhi
sli
pst
oher
sandbr
ushedhi
sonher
s.
Hegentlyandslowlyki
ssedhermovingthi
shands
i
nsidehervestandcaressedherst
omachthen
gentl
yherbreastt
hattemporar
il
ywereinMotheo’
s
possessi
on.
Bantureachedforhisbroadchestaskissedher
more,hisdickget
tingevenhardertent
inghispant
s.
Heslidhishandinsideherti
ghtsandtouchedher
warm andshavedp* ssy,hi
sfinger
ssli
pping
bet
weenherwetl ips.
Bant
umoanedweakl y.Pul
epi
ckedherupand
pl
acedheronthecouchthenpul
ledoutt
heti
ght
s
l
eavi
nghernaked.
Hegotont opofherhol dingof
fmostofhi swei ght
fr
om herbody, hisli
psfi
ndinghers.Bantutouched
herchestthenhersmal lhandswentdownt ot he
hem ofhist-shi
rt.Pul
epausedthenpul l
editoffand
ki
ssedhersl idi
nghisarm under
neathherleg
exposi
ngherp* ssy.
Shegaspedl
ist
eningt
ohiszi
p,herpussyt
hrobbi
ng.
Shecl
osedhereyesashepart
edherp*ssyli
pswith
hi
sdi
c.
Shemoanedsof
tl
yunder
neat
hhi
m.
“
Canweuseacondom?Iam notonbi
rt
hcont
rol
.”
“
Iwi
llpul
lout
.”
“
Pul
e-“
Pulekissedherpull
inghercloserandgentl
y
presseddownst r
etchingher.Herhear
tstar
ted
poundingashecont inuedpushing.
“
Pul
e…ah.
.”
Hesl
idi
nwithagr
untinhereart
henl
ookedather
f
aceashe-#r
emoved.
.
Trappedunderhi
schest
,Bantu‘sbodysti
ff
enedas
Pulecont
inuedpushi
nginfucki
ngher.Tear
sran
downhercheeksasthepleasur
etookoverher
knowingshewasatapointifheaskedhertoj
oin
satani
sm,shewouldagr
ee.
Shescr
atchedhi
sbackandcl osedhereyes,
anot
herwaveoforgasm hi
tt
ingherharderthant
he
f
ir
st.
Shewrappedherl
egsar
oundhi
swai
st,
hert
oes
cur
li
ngassheconvul
sed.
Hefuckedherhar
dergr
oani
ng.Hehel
dherti
ght
ly,
hisdi
cktwi
tchi
ngthenhefi
ll
edherwi
thwar
m
seeds.
.
.
.
Fal
lenAngel
#61

Puleslowlysl
idoutandpushedbackhissemen
backinsideherl
ett
ingt
hem dothei
rjob.
Hekissedherenjoyi
ngjustthefeelofherwarm
p*ssyandthesnugfeeli
ng.Itwasdef i
nit
elywort
h
thewait
.Heslidoutminuteslat
erandl ai
dnextto
herpull
inghercl
oserandlookedatherf ace.
Thet
hickcor
nrowsshehadonexposedherent
ir
e
f
ace.Hecar
essedhercheek
“
Isawyourr
esul
ts.Youdi
dsowel
l
.”
Bant
ulookedathi
m exhaust
edt
hensmi
led.“
Thank
you.
”
“Iam goi
ngtoPar
isinacoupleofmonths.I
twon’t
beli
kemyusualtr
ips.Iam goi
ngtobestayi
ngthere
foracoupleof
…weeks.Maybeamont hortwo.
Maybeyoucancomewi t
hme..butt
hat’
sift
hings
goaccordingt
opl
an.”
“
Whatt
hings?Whatwi
llyoubedoi
ngt
her
e?”
Puleki
ssedher
.“I
twouldbeniceifwegotoget
her.
Thatwaywecancelebr
ateyourresul
tst
heproper
way.”
Shelookedathi
m.“
Whot
oldyouwher
eIwas?
Merapelo?
”
“
No.It
oldyouIwoul
dfi
ndyou.
”
“
Whodi
dyoul
eavet
hebabywi
th?
”
“Wi
thanannyandsomeonel
ooki
ngovert
hem.For
saf
ety.
”
“
Whatnanny?
”
“
Igothert
hroughanagent
.”
“Whatki
ndofapersonisshe?Somepeoplear
enot
goodwithki
ds.Andyoudon’tknowhert
hatwel
lyet
.
Whatif
-“
“Ihavesomeonewatchi
ngt
hem.Shewoul
dn’
ttr
yit
.
Andshe’sanicel
ady.”
“
Howol
disshe?
”
“
25,
orsomewher
ether
e.Idon’
tknow.
”
Bant
ulookedathi
m.“
Kest
ayi
n?”
“Yes.Soshehelpsmeevenatnight
.OrondaysI
am notaround.Ineedhert
obehandson.
”
“
Doyouhaveherpi
ctur
e?Iwantt
oseeher
.”
“Idon’
thaveherpi
ctur
e.What
’supwi
thal
lthese
acti
ons?”
“
Iwantt
oknowt
hewomanwhowi
llt
aki
ngcar
eof
myson.
”
“
IsawherandIl
ikeher
.”
“
Youl
ikeher
?”
Hepinchedhercheek.“
Stopt
wist
ingmywor ds
babe.YouknowwhatImean.Thisjeal
ousywon’t
workinthel
ongrunsinceyouandIhavebroken
up.”
“
Whatj
eal
ous?
”
“Thisterri
tor
ialbehavior
.Itwon’
twor k.WhenIleave,
youwi llnowbej ustababymama, notmygi r
l.Iam
goingt ogetagi r
lf
ri
end,hopeful
lyamor emat ure
one, onethatunderstandsmeandonet hatis
patientwithmebecauseIknowIcomewi t
h
baggage.IknowImessedupwi t
hyoubutIwi l
lbe
betterwiththenextwomanIf i
nd.”
“
Goodl
uck.
”
Hesmi
led.“
Thanks.
”
“Hopeful
lyi
t’
snott
henanny.Watchi
nghert
aki
ng
careofoursoncangeti
nyourhead.
”
“She’
snotbad.Andshe’sbeaut
if
ulandkind.Alit
tl
e
fei
stybutgent
le.Shehasabeauti
fulbodytoo.
ThoughIwasnott hi
nki
ngofherli
kethat.
”
Bant
ut ookadeepbr
eath.Puleki
ssedhercar
essi
ng
hert
high.Hi
smovingtoherinnert
highs.
“
Iwon’
tgof
orhert
houghi
t’
sgoi
ngt
obesomeone.
”
Heturnedheraroundsoshewasl yi
ngonher
stomach,herthi
ghspr essedtogether.
.Hesl i
dhi s
harddicbetweenherthighssl i
dingoverher
wetness.Hekissedherneckandpushedt hrough
si
nkingint
oherwar mt ightness.Hegruntedatt he
extr
apressureofhavinghert highscl
osedt hather
pussyclampedhi sdi
cmor e.
Pul
eslowl
yslidoutandsankbacki
ngrunt
ing.She
moanedsoft
lyenj
oyingt
hegentlet
appi
ng.
Pul
eki
ssedherneckt
hensangsof
tl
yinherear
whi
let
aki
ngherri
ghtt
ocloudni
ne.

‘
Myl
ove,
justt
hinki
ngaboutyoubaby
Justbl
owsmymi
nd
Myl
ove,
justt
hinki
ngaboutyoubaby
Justbl
owsmymi
ndal
lthet
ime
Li
fewi
thmeIknowf
orsur
eitai
n’tbeeneasy
Butyoust
ayedwi
thmeanyway
Andevent
houghyouai
n’tgonnal
oset
oomuchby
l
eavi
ng
I
’
m sogl
adyoust
ayed’

*
**

InGaborone,Yamasal aidMot heodownfeel

inga
l
itt
leguil
tyforbreastfeedinghim.Shewalkedoutof
hisbeauti
full
ydecor atedroom andwalkedtoPule’
s
bedroom andtookt hebl anketsonhisbedandhis
pil
lowthenwal kedbackt othesit
ti
ngroom wher
e
shelaidonthebed.
Shelai
ddownandl ookedattheTV.Herphoner
ang,
shequickl
yreachedf
oritandlookedatKago
cal
li
ng.
“
Hel
lo?
”
“
Hey,
wher
ear
eyou?Iam get
ti
ngwor
ri
ed.
”
“
Iam notcomi
ngback.
”
“
Babepl
ease…“
“Iwantadivorce.Ifyoudon’
tgi
vemebackmysonI
am goingt
ot ellt
hewholebewor l
dyouar
egay.
”
“
Iknowyouhat
emebutIam wor
ri
edaboutyou.
”
Yamasahungupt
henpi
ckedhermot
her
’scal
l.
“Mama…”
“Yaya,
howdi
dthemeet
ingwi
tht
hei
nvest
igat
or
go?”
“
Hehasn’
tfoundanyt
hingyet
.”
Hermot
hersi
ghed.“
Ok.
”
“Ispoketosomeonewhocanhel
pme.Iam
posit
ive.
”
“
Howmuchar eyoupayi
nghi
m?Wecanhel
pyou
wit
hthecost
s.”
“
It
’sok.Iwi
llmanagebutIneedmor
eIwi
llt
ellyou.
”
“
Ok.Howar
eyou?
”
“
Iwi
llbef
ine.Howi
sLef
a?”
“He’
sdepr essed.Thesi t
uat
ionist
akingsomuch
fr
om him..andnowwi t
hAkanyanggetti
ngmarried
tohi
sbabymama, it
’shardonmyson.Yourf ather
wil
lnothearanyt hingbuti t
’sj
ustwrongfor
Akanyangt omar ryhi syoungbrot
her’
sbabymama
butIcan’tsayanyt hingakerennaIam nothis
mother.Heneverl ikedme.Anyways, wewillt
alk.”
“
Okmama.
”
Shehungupandputawayherphoneandl
ookedat
theTV.

*
**

Kagopacedinhi
shousewor r
iedl
ythatsame
eveni
ngthencal
ledheragai
n.Shecutthecall
.He
sl
owlysatdownandputhishandsonhi shead
wonderi
ngwhereTerryhadwent.
Thedooropened,
Kagol
ookedoverandfrownedas
amanwal kedi
n.Hesmi
ledlooki
ngatKago
dr
essedi
nal
lbl
ack.
“
Eit
a…”
“Whoar
eyou?Whatar
eyoudoi
nginmyhouse?
Thegat
eisl
ocked,
howdi
dyougeti
n?”
Themansmi
ledt
henanot
hermanwal
kedi
nbehi
nd
hi
m.
“
Spi
johel
pedmei
n.Hi
.”
Spij
olookedatPuleashetri
edwal
kingovert
o
presstheemergencybut
tonon.
“Don’tr
uint
hefunsoearl
y.I
maginenowhavingto
kil
lyouoverasmalli
ssuet
hatwejustwanttotal
k
about.Don’
tworr
y.Nooneisget
ti
nghurt.Aker
e
Skara?”
Skaranoddedtaki
ngouttwoguns.“Wejustwantt
o
tal
k.Sorr
yfornotknocki
ngmaralewenayour
securi
tyi
sweak.Somet i
mesyoujusthaveto
chall
engepeople.
”
Kagol
ookedatt
hem,
hishear
traci
ng.
“Wejustwantt
oknowwherethebabyissoweget
her
.That’
sall
.Easyaker
e?Let
’st
alk.Si
tdown.
”
Kago’
sheartpoundedmoreknowingYamasahad
obvi
ouslyhi
redthem andt
heydidn’
tlookl
iket
hey
werether
etoplay.Heswall
owed.
“
Ido-
“
“Ei
sh!Wabonat hatphraseiswhatwillmakeme
angry.AndIwillkil
lyouifyoumakemeangr y.You
areluckyisSkaraandIwhocamebecauseP- man
wouldhavehadyoubl eedi
ngbynow.Let ’stal
k.
Wher e’
sthegir
l?Ihearyouar ealsogay.Idon’t
mindasst oommeyouwoul dn’
twantmet eari
ng
you.Solet’
stalk.Angermakesmehor ny.
”
Kagolookedatt
hem nowsweating.Spi
jounzipped
hi
spantsandtookouthisbi
gdick.Kago’sheart
poundedsomuchasi fhecoul
djusthaveahear t
att
ack.
“
Iswear
..Idon’
t-
“
“
Skara.
.hedoesn’
twantt
otal
k.Maybewecanst
art
wit
hthi
s.”
Kagot r
iedst
andi nguptorunbutSkarar
anover
andcaughthi m punchi
nghim sohardhefel
l.Skar
a
pressedhim downasSpi j
ostr
okedhimselfstar
ing
atKago’
sni
cebut
t.
“Ebil
emaragonyanaatengamant
leyang.Iam
goingtof
uckyoutil
lyoutal
k.”
Hepul l
eddownhi spantsasKagoscr eamed
fi
ghting.Skarahithi
m wi t
hthegunonhi shead
makinghi m dizzywhil
eSpi j
oopenedhi sassand
#removed.( Thescenemaybedi st
urbingtosome,
readersdescripti
onadviced.)

*
**

Thef oll
owingmor ning,Bantuwokeupexpect i
ngto
feelarmsar oundher .Shelookedaroundthen
sighed.Shef oundher sel
fsmili
ng,maybethewhole
thingofhiml earni
ngwasj ustnotgoingtowork.He
hadcl earl
yprovedthat .
.
Shegotoffthebedandputonhersi
lkymor
ning
gownbeforewalki
ngout.
Shewalkedtotheki
tchenexpecti
ngtoseehi
m but
hewasn’tt
here.Mat
teroffacthewasn’
tanywher
e
i
nthehouse.
Shesmil
edstar
ingatthebouquetofr
edr
oseson
hersmal
lcof
feetabl
e.
Shet
ookt
henot
einsi
deal
readybl
ushi
ng.
‘
Angel
Itooksomet imet othinkaboutyourconcerns
regardi
ngourr el
ationship,asmuchast hefactt
hat
wear egoingtoletlovesost ronggoli
kethishurt
s
me, Ial
sothinkifyouf eelyouarenotsafewithme
thenthere’
snor easont okeepf i
ght
ingforus.
Imessedup,
Iwi
lll
ear
nfr
om i
t.
Iwil
ltakecareofMotheot i
llyoucomeback.
Hopefull
yyoufindyourperfectman.Wewi l
ltal
k.I
gotyoumor ni
ngAfters.Theyareinyourbedroom.
Love,
Pul
e.
Yoursmal
lgi
fti
sout
side.Iam pr
oudofyoubaby.
’

Bant
ustoppedsmili
ngandwal kedout
sideholdi
ng
herf
lower
s.Shetearf
ull
ylookedathergif
tthen
tear
sroll
eddown.Shewalkedbackinthehouse
andgrabbedherphone.Shecal
ledhi
m.
“
Thenumber
-“
Sheputdownt
hef
lower
sandcont
inuedt
ryi
ngt
o
cal
lhi
m.
Shecal
ledYamasai
nst
ead.
“
Hel
lo?
”
“Hey,kanammaPul
ecame.Idon’
tevenknowhow
hefoundme.”
“
Butyouknowyourper
soni
sdanger
ousaker
e?”
“AhhmmannaIam gi vingin.Hehadmer i
ght
wherehewant edladynight,myp* ssyispainful
,he
wasati tthewholenight,Iwokeupmi ssinghim but
enehel eft.Andhegotmeacar .It’
sout si
de.He
wast al
kingaboutmovi ngonyest erday.Idon’twant
tolosehim.If eel
allt
hisstupid.Iam claiminghim
back.”
“Doyouthi
nkgi vi
ngi
nsoquicklyi
sagoodidea?
Legal
eIdon’tknowsi
nceIfai
ledmyown
rel
ati
onshi
p.Dowhatyoufeelisri
ghtt
houghmnaI
wouldn’ttakehim backsoeasi l
ybecausehewi ll
star
tthinkingIam awal kover.Moneyandsexdon’ t
makear el
ationship.Nextti
meitwillbesomething
el
se,hewi llbuyyouanexpensi vegiftbecauseyou
gavehimt heimpressionthati
ttakesagifttomake
youforgivehi m.”
.
.
.
[
06/
22,
08:
24] :Fal
lenAngel
#62

Yamasasighedthencont
inuedt
alki
ng.“
Anyway,
I
am notanexpect
.Youcandowhatyouf eeli
s
ri
ght.
”
“Hehashisf l
aws.He’ salwayshadthem butIt
hink
Merapelowasr ight.Menar enotwiredli
keus.And
enehe’ssorry.Befor ethati
ncident
,Pul
ehasnever
mademef eelunsaf e.Idon’twantt
olosehimtoa
mist
ake.”
“
Youcal
lhi
m al
mostki
ll
ingyouami
stake?
”
“I
thastakenmet imetoadjustt ocomei nt
oterms
wit
hthefactthatInowIhaveason.Achi l
d.Ididn’
t
pl
anmyl if
elikethi
sYayaandt hedayhewasbor nI
wasinsomuchshock.Ir ejectedhi m.Thefoll
owing
morni
ng,Mot heoisgone.Eveni fIwereinhisshoes,
Iwoul
dhavesuspect edhim.Andi fhewantedtokil
l
me,hewoul dhaveshotme. ”
“Sowhatmakesyout hinknextti
mehewon’ t
actuall
ykillyou?Orhewon’ tandnnaIam just
beingcrazy.Ij ustcan’tbeli
eveKagowashavi ngan
aff
airwithanot hermanbehi ndmyback.AndI
i
gnor edallther edflags.Puleal
mostkil
li
ngyoui sa
redflagbuti fyouf eelyouwanttotakehim back
becauseogor eketsikoloi
,goahead.
”
“Evenifthathadn’
thappened,hewasstillgoi
ngto
buymeacar .Youaremakingitsoundli
kehe
boughtitbecauseoftheinci
dent.I
fitwerethecase
hewoul dhaveboughtitwhenIt ol
dhim Ineeded
somespace.Hewai t
edformyr esult
sanddi dashe
promised.”
“
Whi
chcardi
dhebuy?
”
“
It
’saPol
oVi
vo.
”
“
Uhu…aPol
oVi
vo?
”
“
Yes.I
t’
sbeaut
if
ul.
”
“
YonePol
oVi
vo?
”
“
It
swhi
te.
”
“It
houghtheboughtyouser
iousthi
ngsl
ikeaBenz
SUVorsomethingbigandbeauti
ful
.”
“
It
’sbeaut
if
ul.Il
ovei
t.
”
“
Ithoughtyousai
dheownsbusi
nesses.
”
“He’
snotobli
gedtobuymeanyt
hing.Myfather
doesn’
tevenusesuchacar
.Gapehejustpaid35k
forMotheo.
”
“Heshoul
dhavej
ustlef
tthewhol
ethi
ngi
fhewas
planni
ngt
obuyaPolo.”
“
Yaya,
ther
e’snot
hingwr
ongwi
thaPol
o.”
“That
’sadog’
scar.Ifhedi
dn’thavemoneythenhe
shoul
dhavejustl
eftit
.Thatcarisababy’
scar.
Whobuyssuchf ortheirgir
lf
ri
endsinthi
st i
meand
age?EvenaGol fwoul dhavebeenabet teropti
on.
Youcan’ttellmeamanwhocanaf f
ordthekindof
BMW hedr ivescan’taffor
dapr opercar
.Whodr ives
aanentireBavarian!Ahhkga! ”
“Idon’
thaveacarandIdef
ini
telycan’
taffor
done
soIam grat
efulf
orthi
sonehe’sbought.Iam not
enti
tl
edtohismoney.”
“Youarenotbutifhecangiveyou10ktowaste
thenhecandefini
tel
yaffor
dgetti
ngyouanicecar
.
Butifyoul
ikei
t,it
’sok.
”
Motheost
art
edcryi
ng.Yamasawal
kedtot
he
bedr
oom andqui
ckl
yshushedhi
m pi
ckuphi
m up
“
Who’
schi
ldi
sthat
?Hesoundsl
ikemyson.
”
“NgNg,
somel
adyaskedmet
ohol
dherbabyf
or
her
.”
“I
shenotmyson?KanaPul
elef
tthebabywi
tha
nannyhedoesn’
tknow.
”
“
No.I
t’
snot
.”
Shewal
kedt
othesi
tt
ingr
oom j
ustast
hegat
e
opened.
“
Ihavet
ogo.She’
sback.Wewi
llt
alk.
”
“
Ok.Letmepr
epar
emysel
fsoIgot
owor
k.”
“
Ok.
”
YamasahungupasPul
ewalkedi
nthehouse.He
smil
edtaki
nghi
ssonfr
om her
.
“
Heybuddy…”
Yamasal
ookedathi
m.“
Didyourguyt
alkt
ohi
m?”
“Yeah.Healsodoesn’
tknowbutIwi
lll
ookatt
he
placeshesaidhesuspect
s.”
Yamasanoddeddi
sappoi
nted.“
Ok.Thankyou.
”
Pul
elookedather
.“Iam sor
ry.Ican’
timagi
nehow
youarecopyi
ng.
”
Yamasanodded.“
Thankyouf
ort
ryi
ng.
”
“Yeah.Iwi
llasksomeonet
odr
opyouof
fatyour
house.”
“
Ok.
”
Shewat
chedhi
m wal
ktohi
sbedr
oom car
ryi
ng
Mot
heo.Yamasaputonhershoes,Pulewal
kedout
mi
nutesl
aternowwear
ingsweatpantsandat-
shi
rt
.
“
He’
sout
side.Hewi
lldr
opyouof
f.
”
Yamasatookadeepbr
eat
hlooki
ngati
tthenl
ooked
awayinshock.
“
Ok.Bye.
”
Shewalkedouthol
dingherphone,
hermi
ndl
osti
n
wonder
.

*
**

InKasane, Bant
uwal kedoutofherhouseinher
bluesuitandheels.Shelockedthedoorthen
unlockedthecar.Shesmi l
edgetti
nginsi
de,she
tookadeepbr eathinhal
ingthel
eather.
Shet urnedt
hekeyandscreamedalone.Sheslowly
reversedoutthenst
eppedoutandclosedhergat
e.
Shegotbacki nhercaranddroveof
fputti
ngonher
seatbelt.
Herphoner
angsecondsl
ater
,shesmi
ledhappi
ly
pi
cki
ng.
“
Hi.
.”
“
Whathappenedtohel
lo?Idon’
tevenr
emember
whenyoul
astpickedt
hephonewithahi.
”
Sherol
ledhereyessmi
li
ng.“
Thankyou.I
t’
s
beaut
if
ul.Il
oveit
.”
“
What
’sbeaut
if
ul?
”
Shegi
ggl
ed.“
Thecar
.Il
ovei
t.I
t’
sver
ybeaut
if
ul.
”
“
Iam happyi
fyouar
e.”
Bant
usmi
led.“
Soyouj
ustl
eft
?”
“Iam notgoingt of
orceyout obewi
thmebabe.I f
youcan’ tf
orgivemeforwhathappened,it
’sok,I
won’tforceyout ounder
standhowsorryIam.
Forci
ngyout obewithmei showyouwillhurtme.I
f
wear emeantt obewewi llf
indourwaybackt o
eachot her
.”
“
Soyouar
enotgoi
ngt
okeepf
ight
ingf
orus?
”
“
Fighthowwhenyoucan’
tfor
giveme?Af
tert
his
youwil
lbesayi
ngIam suffocati
ngyou.I
under
standyouneedabreak,let
’st
akeabreak.
”
“Youalmostki
ll
edme.Youhadmehangi ngfrom
thewindowonthet hi
rdf
loor
.Thenalmostshotme.
Whyar eyoumakingmesoundlikeIam unf
orgi
ving?
Iam t
hevicti
m here.”
“Iam notgetti
ngint
oanar gumentwit
hyouBant u.
Didn’
tIjustagreeonthebreakyouwant ed?Matt
er
offact,obatarekgaoganaakere?Iwil
lgiveyou
j
ustthat.Let’
sendit.It
oldyouyester
day.Youare
nowj ustmybabymama.Not hi
ngmor e.
”
“
Soyouwantt
oleavemewi
thachi
ld?
”
“
Kanteompatangbabe?(
Whatexact
lydoyouwant
f
rom mebabe?)
”
Tearsfil
ledhereyes.“
Youwrongedme, gapeyou
arenotgoingtofuckmetheentir
enightli
kea
prosti
tut
esoyoucansayt henonsenseyouare
sayingPule.
”
“Didn’
tyousayyoudon’
tfeelsaf
ewi
thmel
ast
night?
”
“I
fyoucheatonmeIam goi
ngt
obr
eakupwi
th
you!
”
Pul
elaughed.“
Eemma.
”
Shesni
ff
edbl
inki
ngawayhert
ear
sdr
ivi
ngsl
owl
y.
“
Wal
elababe?
”
“
WasIwr
ongt
obeupset
?”
“
No…youwer enot.Youhadandst il
lhaveever
y
r
ighttobeupset.IloveyouBantu.IknowIwas
wrong.Butcanwef ixitbabe?Andmovef or
ward?
”
Shesni
ff
edr
oll
ingdownt
hewi
ndow.
“
Iloveyoumama.
”
“I
tsgoingtotaket
imef
ormet
ofeelt
otal
lyf
ree
aroundyou.”
“
Ok.Idi
dthat
.Iwi
lldealwi
thi
t.
”
“
Iwi
llneverf
orgi
veyoui
fyoucheatonme.
”
“
Keut
uleMr
s.Mot
samai
so.
”
Bant
usmi
ledbl
ushi
ng.“
Iloveyou.
”
“
Iloveyoumor
e.Isawyoudon’
thavegr
ocer
y.Iwi
ll
sendyousomet
hingsoyoucangetf
ood.
”
“
Thankyou.Ar
eyouhome?
”
“
Yes.
”
“
How’
sthebaby?
”
“
He’
shappy.
”
“
Ihopehedoesn’
tfor
getme.
”
“
Wewi
llvi
sitever
yweekend.
”
“
I’
dlovet
hat
.”
Bantunoti
cedapoli
cecarbehi
ndher
.“Iam
hangingup.Thepol
icear
ebehi
ndme.”
“
Ok.Letmesendyout
hemoney.Il
oveyou.
”
“
Iloveyout
oo.
”
Shehungupr oll
ingupherwindows,asmil
eonher
face.Thepol
icecarpassedasherphonevi
brat
ed.
Shesloweddownattheredtr
aff
icl
ightandopened
theFNBmessage.Shelookedatt
he8kpaidinto
heraccountandsmi
led.
Herphoner
angasshet
ookat
urn,
shet
ooki
tand
pi
cked.
“
8ki
sal
otf
orsmal
lgr
ocer
iesbutt
hankyoubabe.
”
“
Uhu,
yout
ookhi
m back?
”
Bant
ufr
ownedl
ooki
ngatt
hecal
lerI
D.
“
Oh,
sor
ry,
Ithoughti
twasPul
e.”
“Youtookhim backsof asthuh?I t’
sapr oblem.I
hopeyoudon’ tregreti
tinthef utureBant u.Ihope
youdon’ttur
ni ntoapolicecasei nt hefuture
becauseIcanseeyouar egoingt here.Thisman
wil
lkil
lyou,Ipromiseyou.Youwi l
lremembermy
wordsinthefut ur
e.Youdon’ tdief r
om nat ural
causes…youar egoi ngtobeki ll
ed.”
“Ok.It hinkIhaveal lowedyout ohaveal ottosay
aboutmyr el
ationshipbuti t
’senoughnow.I
under standyourconcer ns,Iappreciat
et hem butI
thi
nkyoucant akeast epbacknow.Papawasr i
ght
,
threeisal waysacr owd.Letmedealwi thmy
rel
at i
onshi pthebestwayIseef i
t.Iam sor r
yfor
i
nvol vingyoui nmyi ssuesinthef i
rstplacebutIam
woul dappr eciateitifmyr el
ati
onshipwasof fthe
topicswedi scuss.”
“
It
’sgoi
ngt
oendintears.Ipr
omiseyou.It
’sgoi
ng
t
oendinbi
tt
ert
ears.Ij
usthopeyouwillbeali
ve.
”
.
.
.
[
06/
22,
08:
24] :Fal
lenAngel
#63

“
It
’sfi
ne.I
fitendsintears,
sobei t
.Your
sendedi
n
t
ears,
youarealive.Soit
’sfi
ne.Bye.”
Shehungupandt urnedintot heparkinglotatthe
hospi
tal.Shet ookadeepst eppi ngoutofhercar .
Shelockedi tandwal kedinsideholdingher
handbag, herheelsechoingont hepavement .She
caughtar efl
ecti
onofher selfont heslidi
ngdoor s
thensmi l
edwal ki
ngi n.

*
**
I
nSer
owe,
Mer
apel
olookedatRr
agweBant
u.
“It
hinkBant ugoingwithoutt el
li
ngPul ewasnota
goodi dea.Iknowyouwoul dsuppor tyourdaught
er
i
never ythi
ngshedoesbecauseyoul oveherbut
Puleisagoodman.Iknowandcanseehel oves
her.Somet i
mesi t
’sonlyri
ghtt ositherdownand
advicehersoshedoesn’ tcr yinthefuture.
”Shesat
besideshimi nthesit
ti
ngr oom andhel dhi
shand.
“Youhaveyour selfagoodsoni n-l
aw.Hel oves
Bantu.Loveshi sson.Thet hreemont hsshewasi n
confinement,hedidmor ethanaf at
hercando.She
wil
lregretlosi
nghi minthef uture.
”
RragweBant uputdownhi scupofcof fee.“
Ican’t
tel
lBantuwhattodoandwhatnott odo.I
understandwhatyouar esayingbutshe’sold
enought omakeherowndeci sionsanddealwi th
theconsequencesofheract i
ons.Iwillnotsi
dewi t
h
PulebecauseIreall
ydon’tknowt hedetail
sofher
rel
ati
onshipbutsheknowsbet weenwhat ’
sright
andwr ong.Whatevershechooses, Iwil
lsupport
.If
shecriesinthef
uture,Iwil
lbet her
etowi peaway
hertears.I
fshewillr
egret,
Iwi l
lbetheretoguide
herandsuppor
ther
.”
Mer
apel
onodded.“
Ok.
”
RragweBant usmi l
edt henheldherhands.“ Iam
happyyouar emi ne.Godhasbl essedme.I nt he
pastIalwaysf earedmeet i
ngawomanwho
wouldn’tunderstandt hatIam bothaf atheranda
mothert omydaught er.Godhasbl essedmewi tha
l
ovingwomanl i
keyouwhoal socar esaboutmy
chil
d.Iknowsomet imesImaycomeof ftoo
att
achedt omychi l
dbuti t’
sjustthatBant uhas
beenthecent erofmyl if
e.Shestillis.She’smyonl y
daughter..
myonl ychi l
d..mypr i
de.Myt reasure.I
l
ovehersomuch. ”
Merapel
ochuckl
ed.“Don’
texpl
ainyour
sel
f.Iknow.
That’
swhyIfel
linl
ovewithyou.
”
Hesmi ledthenkissedher.Merapeloclosedher
eyeskissinghim back.Heslowlylai
dherdownon
thecouchandgotont opofherget t
ingbetweenher
l
egsand. .

*
**
Yamasawalkedi
nthehouseandl
ookedar
ound
real
izi
ngshewasal
one.
Shewalkedtothebat
hroom whereshetooka
showerandwalkedoutwit
hat owelar
oundher
body.Shesatdownandlookedatherrefl
ect
ionon
themirr
or.
Shehadlostsomuchwei
ght
.Kagomovedand
l
ookedather.
Herphoner
angt
henshepi
cked.
“
WhatdoyouwantKago?
”
“
Hi,
areyouhome?
”
“
Yes.
”
“I
…Ter ryandI …Itoldyouhowwemet .Thatwas
notalie.Iknowyouf eelbetrayedandcheat edbutI
actual
lymar r
iedyoubecauseIl ovedyou.Ijust
couldn’
tleaveTerrybecauseasmuchasIal so
l
ovedhi m,itfel
twr ongleavinghi m af
tereveryt
hing
wehadbeent hrough.Idon’ tblameyouf orwant i
ng
adivorce,I
’ddivorcemet ooifIwer ei
nyourshoes.
Ireall
ywishIknewwher eTerr
ytookourdaught er
.
ButIreal
lydon’t
.IswearIdon’t
.Idon’tknowwhat
willmakeyoubelieveme.Ihopeshe’sfound.Ihave
spokentomyl awyersoyougeteverything.Il
ove
you.”
“
Idon’
t.Ihat
eyousomuch.
”
“
Ok.
”
Yamasahungup.Shegotont hebedandl ai
ddown
cl
osinghereyes.Shet r
iedtothi
nkofwhather
daughtermightnowlookl i
kebutallshecouldthi
nk
wasthatnight… shet
ur nedthentookherphone
andpostedanotherpictureofherdaughteron
Facebook.

*
**

Justout
sideGabor
one,Kagosteppedoutofhi
scar
l
eavingt
helett
erhehadwrit
teninsi
de.
Hewalkedtothenearbyt
reehol
dingarope.He
l
ookedaroundthetr
eetil
lhel
ocatedastr
ong
enoughbr
uncht
hencl
imbedt
het
ree.
Het i
edtheropet
othebrunchthentohisneckand
slowlyl
oweredhi
mselfdown,hishandsholdi
ngon
tothebrunch.
Hesighedthenletgoofthebrunchthattherope
aroundhi
sneckwast heonl
yt hi
ngholdi
nghim.He
ki
ckedhislegsstruggl
ingastheropecuthisair
way
complet
ely.
Shockandpainmadehi
seyespopashet
ri
edt
o
pul
ltherope.
Hest
ruggledforawhil
etryi
ngfindwaystosave
hi
mself
,regretmaki
nghistear
sr ol
ldown.
Hefi
nall
yst
oppedst
ruggl
ing,
hisbodydangl
ingas
hesoi
ledhi
mself
.
.
.
.
[
06/
22,
08:
25] :Fal
lenAngel
#64
Laterthatday,Bantuwalkedinthesupermarket
afterknockingoff.Shepushedat r
oll
eyaroundthe
shopput ti
ngthingsinatrol
ley.Shefi
ll
edthetrol
ley
thenpushedi ttotheti
ll
.
Shet ookoutherbankcardandswi ped.The
securityguardhel
pedpushhertroll
eygot he
parkingl ot
.Sheopenedherbootandpacked
everythinginsi
dethenhandedhim aP50not e.
“
Thankyoumal
ome.
”
Thesecur
it
yguar
dsmi
ledgr
atef
ull
y.“
Thankyouso
much.”
Bant
usmiledjustasanothercarbesi
desher.She
cl
osedherboot,Al
onesteppedoutoftheothercar
.
ShelookedatBant uforawhi l
einshock.Shehad
gai
nedwei ghtandlooked..notli
kesheusedto
defi
nit
ely.Thi
sBant ulookedmor eevol
vedthanthe
Bantusheknew.Shehadhear daboutther
ich
boyfr
iendshewassupposedl ydati
ng,obvi
ouslygi
rl
wasget t
ingspoil
ed.
“
Bant
u!”
Bant
ulookedathert
henl
aughed.“
Uhu,
Lef
a’sbaby
mama!”
Lonel
aughed.“
Mxm,
whatar
eyout
ryi
ngt
osay?
”
Bant
ulaughed.“
Hi.
”
“
Wow!Youl
ook…beaut
if
ul.
”
Bant
usmi
led.“
Thanks.Iam bat
hingt
hesedays.
”
Lonelaughedmor e.“
Youlooksobeaut
if
ul.Ial
most
di
dn’trecogni
zeyou.Wait
sethenewmanIhear d
aboutisdoingthethi
ngs.
”
Bant
uopenedthecardoorl
aughi
ng.“
Peopl
eli
e.I
t’
s
goodtoseeyou.
”
“
Weshoul
ddol
unchsomet
ime.
”
“NgNg,kanawenayouareali
tt
lepsychot
ic.Il
ike
keepi
ngpeopl
eli
keyoufarawayfr
om me.”
Lonel
aughed.“Mxm,Iwasinfl
uencedwithl
ove
backt
hen.Iam act
ual
lyget
tingmarri
ed.Iam sur
e
youhavehear
d.”
“
Congr
atul
ati
ons.
”
“
Thanks.Youst
ayher
enow?
”
“
No.
”
“
Itwasni
ceseei
ngyou.Youl
ookbeaut
if
ul.Wait
se
i
t’
sli
keyouar
ejustanewper
sonalt
ogether
.”
“
Thanks.Bye!
”
Shegotinhercaranddr oveoff.Lonel
ookedatthe
tai
lli
ght
sasshedr oveoff.Lonelaughedal
onethen
l
ockedhercarandwal kedinsidetheshop.
MeanwhileBant
udrovest r
aighthome.Sheputher
t
hingsinthehousethentookoffherheel
s.She
walkedbaref
ootedt
ot hebedroom pi
cki
ngacall
.
“
Hey.
.”
Bant
utookof
fherj
acketl
ist
eni
ngt
ohersoncr
ying.
“
Pul
e…what
’swr
ong?
”
“
Hewon’
tst
opcr
ying.
”
“
Didyouf
eedhi
m?”
“
Yes.
”
“
Didyoucheckt
hedi
aper
?”
“
Ijustchangedi
t.
”
“
Whati
shewear
ing.Maybehe’
sfeel
ingt
oohot
..“
“
He’
swear
ingl
osecl
othes.
”
“Puthi
m onyourchest
.Li
edownandputhim on
yourchest
.Heshouldbel
yingwi
thhi
sstomach.”
Ther
ewasmovement
.
“
Ok…Iam l
yingdown.
”
“Rubhisbackgent
ly.Heli
kesit
.Hewi
llst
oponhi
s
own.Letmesingtohim whil
eyoudot
hat.”
“
Ok.
”
Bant
ustart
edsingi
ngwalki
ngtoherbedr
oom
wher
eshesatont hebedsingi
ng.Mot
heocalmed
downti
llhewassil
entwhil
eshesangalovesong.

*
**

I
nGaboronePul
elookedathi
ssleepi
nginsonwhil
e
Bant
usang.Hebroughtt
hephonetohisearand
l
ist
enedyawni
ng.
“
Ishesl
eepi
ng?
”
“
Yes.Thankyou.
”
“
Somet
imeshecanj
ustf
eel
irr
it
ated.
”
“
Thankyoubabe.
”
Shesi
ghed.“
Howwashe?
”
“
Wewer
efi
net
il
lnow.
”
“
Iam sor
ry.
”
“I
t’
sok.Icanhandl
eit
.Ij
ustneedt
ime.Ar
eyou
home?”
“
Yes.
.j
ustar
ri
ved.
”
“
Howwasi
t?”
“
Ok.I
twasok.
”
Heli
stenasshest
art
edtel
li
ngheral
laboutherday.
Sheyawnedminut
eslat
erandcont
inuedtal
king.
“
ThenIknockedof
f.
”
“
Thatwasani
nter
est
ingday.
”
Shegi
ggl
edexhaust
edt
henyawned.“
Ng.
.”
“
Didyoudr
inkt
heemer
gencypi
ll
s?”
“
Ng?
”
“
Didyoudr
inkt
hem?
”
“
Yes.
”
Hesi
ghedwi
thr
eli
ef.“
Ok.Il
oveyou.Sl
eep.
”
“
Ilovemycar
.”
“
Iknewyouwer
ewi
thmef
ormoney.
”
Shel
aughedsof
tl
y.“
Youdi
dn’
tknow?
”
“
Youhavepr
ovedmer
ight
.”
Shel
aughedt
hensi
ghed.“
Pleasedon’
thur
tme.
”
“
Iwon’
t.Il
oveyou.
”
Helist
enedtoherbr
eat
hingwhi
lehi
ssonsl
ept
peaceful
lyonhi
schest
.
“
Babe?
”
Therewassil
ence.Helai
dMotheonextt
ohi
m and
coveredwi
thaduvetthenhungup.
Hi
sphoner
ang,
hepi
ckedwi
thaf
rown.
“
Yeah?
”
“Hi
.Iam sorr
yf orcal
li
ng.Ij
ustwant
edt
oaski
fyou
havest
artedlooking.
”
“
Iwi
llcal
lyouwhenIf
indher
.Justwai
tformycal
l.
”
“
Ok.Ij
ust
…ok.
”
“
Iam notGod.Iam notgoi
ngt
oper
for
m mi
racl
es.I
wil
lcal
lyou.
”
“
Okt
hankyou.How’
sMot
heo?
”
“
He’
sfi
ne.
.bye.
”
Hehungupt
hent
hought
ful
lydel
etedhernumber
.

*
**

Thefol
lowingmorni
ng,justaft
erafive,
aRange
RoverpassedKago’
scaront hesideoftheroad,t
he
dri
vert
houghtf
ull
ylookedthroughtherearvi
ew
mirr
or.
.hehadpassedthesamecaront heexact
posi
ti
oni
twast
hepr
evi
ousni
ght
.
Hedr oveforawhi let
hendi daU-t
urnunabl
eto
shakeoffthef eel
ingthatsomethi
ngwaswr ong.
Thedr i
versteppedoutofhi scari
nhissui
tthen
walkedovert otheGolf.
.
Hecheckedthecart
henopenedt
hedoorr
eal
izi
ngi
t
wasnotlocked.
Helookedinsi
dethenslowlypickedt hepieceof
paperonthesideoftheroad.Hequi cklyscannedi
t
wit
hhiseyesreali
zingi
twasasui ci
del et
ter.
“
Fuck!
”
Heputitbackt henl
ookedaroundbef
orehiseyes
fel
lonthedangl i
ngl
egsofman.Hehur r
iedover
andsadlylookedatthedeadbodynowwonder i
ng
whyhej ustneverst
oppedyester
day.
Het
ookouthisphonewal
kingt
ohi
scar
.Hedi
aled
t
hepol
icest
andingbyhi
scar.
Awhi lel
aterthepol
icecarpull
edover.Twopoli
ce
off
icerssteppedoutandlookedathim bef
ore
shakinghandswi t
hthedriver
.
“
Thankyouf
orcal
li
ngus.
”
“Yeah.Ipassedhiscarherel
astnight
.Itwasinthe
exactsameposi ti
on.TodaywhenIwaspassingby,
Isawi tagai
n.That’swhenIdeci
dedtocheck.The
carisnotlocked.Therei
sasuici
delett
erinhi
scar.
He’sthere.
”
Hepoint
edatthetr
ee.Thepol
icewal
kedoverand
l
ookedatthebodybefor
eonecli
mbedthetr
eeand
cutt
herope.
Hisbodyfel
lwit
hat hudontheground.TheRange
Roverdri
verl
ookedover.Hetookouthisbusi
ness
cardandhandeditt
ot hepol
ice.
“
Ihavet
ogo.I
fyouhaveanyquest
ionscal
lme.
”
“
Thankyousi
r.
”
Hewalkedtohi
scarandj
umpedi
nthendr
oveof
f
f
eel
ingabitdi
stur
bed.
Hethoughtful
l
ypickedhisphoneandlookedata
cert
ainnumberinhisphone.Helaughedfoundi
ng
himselfact
ual
lynervousbut
…
Het
appedi
tandcal
ledher
.Shepi
ckedaf
tera
coupl
eofr
ings.
“
Hel
lo?
”
“
Hi.It
’sAce.Sor
ryt
owakeyouupsoear
lyi
nthe
morni
ng.”
Ther
ewasabi
tofsi
lence.
“
Thememeguy.
”
Bant
uchuckl
ed.“
Hi.
.”
Hesmi
led.“
Sor
ryt
owakeyouupsoear
ly.
”
“Uh…it
’sok.Mmeyoucan’
tjustcalll
iket
his.I
fmy
boyf
ri
endwasaroundhewouldn’thaveli
kedit.
”
“
Goodt
hinghe’
snotar
oundaker
e?”
“Iam happyinmyrel
ati
onship.Wehaveason.And
Iam contentwi
thwhatIhave.”
Helaughed.“
Ididn’
tsayanythi
ng.Ebi
leIam happy
youarehappy.Kanathesedaysmjolooretswere
kadiwashen.”
Shesof
tl
ylaughedt
oo.“
Youshoul
dst
opcal
li
ng.
”
“
Iwi
ll
…onceIseeyoui
nper
son.Gongweomaswe
mma.Kanal
edi
ri
sadii
phone.
”
“
Whynot
?Aker
ewabecha?
”
Hecrackedupl
aughi
ng.“
Wai
tseokar
ecompet
ione
t
ough.”
Shegiggled.“
Heownsagun.Andcanki
llyou.You
real
lyneedtostopcal
li
ngme.
”
“AndwhosaysIdon’ town.Butdon’
tworry,
Iam not
aft
eryoulikethat.Ij
usthappentobefr
iendly.Gase
sepehela.ButjustsoIknow,obechakabokae
monthly?”
Bantul
aughed.“
10-12k.ThenIgetever
ythi
ngIcan
possi
blyneedsoIdon’tgett
ousethatmoney.Wa
becha.
”
“Ok.Sotomatchcompet
it
ion,
kegor
emothoa
romele15khel
a?Sal
aryyameyot
he?Nyaa
bathong!
”
Hesmil
edl
isteni
ngtoherlaugh.“Wenashar
e
memesmof acebookong.Leaveal
lthi
s.Iwi
llr
eact
t
oyourmemes. ”
“
Kegonehel
a.Butl
etmeseewhatIcansendyou.I
t
hinkIhaveP50waschenchimal
obahal
e.”
Bant
ulaughed.“
ByeAce.
”
“
ByeB…”
Shechuckl
edthenhungup.Hesmil
edalonet
hen
pi
ckedanincomingcal
lfr
om awel
lknown
pol
it
ici
an.
“
Iam onmyway.
”
“
Didyougett
hedet
ail
soft
heguy?
”
“Yes.He’
snothi
ng.Hedoesn’tneedus,maSSGcan
handlei
torevensoldi
ers.Di
lotsedi
ngwekego
wasternakoyarona.”
“Thecallcamef
rom above.Youwer
especi
fi
cal
ly
askedfor.”
“
Ekaet
ender
ayame?
”
“
EketepeleMister.Thesecur
it
ycompanyi
sdoi
ng
wel
lakere.Look-“
“Otanyel
agaot
samekel
amogonna.Ekaet
ender
a
yame?”
“
It
’sbei
ngpr
ocessed.100mi
ll
ioni
sal
ot.I
ttakes
t
ime.Kanasucht
hingst
obewel
l
-“
“Iwil
lfuckyouup.Sor
toutmyshit.Lebat
ago
ntena.Iam i
nagoodmoodt oday.
”
“
Ok.
”
Thecall
erhungupasthedr
iverst
eppedont
he
accel
erat
orspeedi
ngaway.
.
.

Goodmor
ning
[
06/
22,
08:
25] :Fal
lenAngel
#65

Hourslat
erthatsamemor ni
ng,Yamasatookadeep
breat
hdroppingthecal
lfr
om thepol
iceunsur
eif
shewassupposedt ocryorwhat.
Shelookedatri
ngf
inger,shehadlongtakeni
toff
.
Tear
sr ol
leddowni
nvoluntar
y.Shewipedthem of
f,
hedi
dn’
tdeser
vehert
ear
sbutt
heyst
il
lrol
leddown.
Shesnif
fedthenputherhandsonherfacecr
ying.
Herheartachedsomuchasshecr i
ed.Shecr
iedfor
minut
est henfi
nal
lyst
oppedsnif
fi
ng.
Shestoodupandputonadr esst
ryi
ngtot
hinkof
whattodofir
st.I
dent
if
yingt
hebodywasobviousl
y
thef
ir
ststepbefor
eshecall
edanyone.
Shemumbledt
oherselfdressi
ngthenwal
kedout
oft
hehousest
il
ltal
kingtohersel
f.

*
**

InKasane,Bant
uti
edherhai
rint
oatightbunaft
er
doi
nghermakeupt henwal
kedoutofherhouse
smartl
ydressedwi
thherwhit
ecoati
nherhands.
Shegotinhercarandputever
ythi
ngdownthen
connect
edherphonetothecar’
sBluet
oot
h.
Shesmiledplayi
ngsomeTami
athenr
ever
sedand
droveof
fsingingal
ong.
“Ther
e’snoonel
ikeyouuuu…”Shehummed
str
appingher
sel
fwit
htheseatbel
t.
Shejoi
nedtheroadandstoppedt hecarasdonkeys
cr
ossedtheroad.Ot
hercarsstoppedwai t
ingtoo.
Bant
ulookedatherphone’
sscr eenf l
ashingthen
pi
ngedindi
cati
ngamessagecomi ngthrough.
Sheopeneditandfr
ownedatt
heP50ewal
lett
hat
hadbeensenttoher.
Herphoner
angsecondsl
atercut
ti
nghersong.
“
Hel
lo?
”
“
Youwi
llgetyour
sel
flunchaker
e?”
Shel
aughed.“
Youar
eaj
oke.Bye!
”
Acejoi
nedherl
aughi
ng.“
Iam apr
omi
sekeeper
fr
iend.
”
“
Bye.
”
Shehungupshaki
ngherheadthencont
inued
si
ngi
ngalonesl
owlydr
ivi
ngoffaft
ert
hedonkeys
hadpassed.
*
**

I
nSerowe,Lef
a’sphysi
cianf
ini
shedupt
hesessi
on
wit
hhim.Shesmiled.
“
Youar
edoi
ngver
ywel
l.
”
Lef
apull
edhimselfonhiswheel
chairgr
unt
ingi
n
pai
n.Thephysi
cianpackedhert
hings.
“
Youar
egoi
ngt
owal
k..
Icanpr
omi
seyout
hat
.”
Lef
asmi
led.“
Thanks.
”
Shesmi
ledst
ari
ngathi
m.“
Youar
ewel
come.How
ar
eyou?
”
“Keshar
p.Atl
eastbecausenowIgett
oseeyou
ever
yday.
”
Stel
lal
aughed.“
Youhavestar
ted.ButImean…wi
th
yourbr
otherandtheweddi
ngapproachi
ng.
”
“He’
sgoingtomar ryherwhetherIam happyorsad.
Especi
all
ywi t
hmenotwal king,there’
snot
hingIcan
dobutjustwatch.Thesearetheconsequencesof
myactions.Ididn’
ttr
eatLoneright.WhenImether
sheknewIwasi nar el
ati
onshipwit
hsomeoneel se.
Sheacceptedt
hatandweagr eedwe’djustbe
fucki
ngti
llt
hechil
dhappenedbutIst i
lldidn’
ttr
eat
herri
ght
.Idon’
tblameherf ormovingon..and
maybeit’
smypuni shmentforhurt
ingher.”
“
It
’sl
if
e.YouknowwhatIl
iket
oaboutyou?
”
“
What
?Mydi
ck?
”
Stel
lal
aughed.“No..
buthowyouacknowledgeyour
wrongs.Alotofpeoplewi
llst
il
lbedoi
ngt hebl
ame
game.Iam happyyouseewher eyoufuckedup…
nowyoujusthavetoacceptwhatyoucan’ t
change.
”
“
Yeah.
”
Shepi
ckedherbagandsmi
led.
“
Seeyout
omor
row.
”
Lef
asmi
ledt
oo.“
Bye.
”
Shewalkedoutt
henrragweLef
aLefawal
kedi
nat
thecot
tagehol
dingacupofcof
fee.
“
She’
sani
cegi
rl
.”
Lef
asmi
led.“
Youhavebeensayi
ngt
hatever
yday.
”
RragweLefal
aughed.“She’
sthet
ypeyoushoul
dbe
goingf
or.Howwasittoday?”
“
She’
sposi
ti
vesoonIwi
llbewal
king.
”
“Metoo.Imadeyoucoff
ee.
”Hehandedhert
hecup
andsmiled.“
Iwant
edtotal
ktoyouabout
somethi
ng.”
“
What
?”
“Yourbrotheraskedi fIcantalktoyouonhi sbehalf
.
He’sawar et hathi
sweddi ngmustbehur ti
ngyou
becauseoft hewomanhe’ smar r
ying.Hewi shesit
wer edif
ferentbutheknowst hereisnobet ter
candidatetol oveSunshinethewayheal readydoes
becauseevenwi thoutLoneint hepictur
e,hewoul d
sti
llbeaf athertoyourdaught eri
fneededbe.He
wasaski ngi fyoucouldbehisbestman.Andi fyou
can’t,
hewi llunderst
and.”
Lef
aputhi scoff
eedown.“ I
t’
sjusthar
dseei
ngher
moveonwi thhim mmei t
’snotanissueofme
l
ovingher.Evenifshet
ookmeback, i
twoul
djust
betosett
le…itwouldn’
tbelovebecauseInever
l
ovedthatwoman.Ist i
lldon’
t.Idon’tt
hinkIeverwi
ll
.
Shewasj ustaconveni
ence.IwantAkat oenj
oyhis
daywithouthiswi
febeingremi ndedofwhatIput
herthr
ought oosoIthi
nkIwi l
ltakeastepbackon
thi
sone.ButIam happyf orhim.She’sagood
woman. ”
Rr
agweLef
anodded.“
Iunder
stand.Thankyou.
”

*
**

Yamasatookadeepbr eathasthepol
iceunzi
pped
thebodybag.Shelookedathisfacet
henstepped
backnoddi
ng,herheartraci
ng.
Thepol
icecl
osedhi
m up.
“
Iam sosor
ry.
”
“
Thankyou.
”
“
Youcancomet
hisway.
”
Shefol
lowedafterhi
m buthermindalr
eadyabsent
.
Shegotthekeystohiscarandeveryt
hingel
sethey
hadfoundinhiscari
naclearplast
icbag.She
walkedout
sidethenunl
ockedthecar.
Shegotinandt ookadeeperbreat
htr
yingtowrap
hermindaroundeveryt
hing.Shefi
nal
lypickedher
phoneandcalledhermother.
“
Yaya…”
“
Kagohunghi
msel
f.He’
sdead.
”
“
What
?”
“
Yes.WhatdoIdof
ir
st?
”

*
**

Lat
erthatday,Pul
ewalkedinsidet
hehousewitha
l
ady.Shelookedathi
m holdingherbagt
ight
ly.
“
SoIhearyouar
egoodwi
thbabi
es?
”
Shenodded.“
Eer
ra.
”
Pukelookather.“
Her
eit
’sonlymysonandI.My
gi
rl
fri
endwillpr
obabl
ybevisi
ti
ngbutyouwi
llsee
mor eofherinafewmont hs.Rightnowi t
’sonly
MotheoandI .He’sonl ythreemont hs.Youarehere
forhim onl
y.Youdon’ tcl
ean,there’
ssomeonewho
alr
eadydoest hat
.Al lyouhavet odoi stakecareof
myson.Ihavei nstalledcamer asallroundthe
house,ifIcat
chyoumi st
reati
nghi m oranyt
hing,
wear egoingtohaveapr oblem.Iam sur ewedon’t
wantproblemsaker e? ”
Shequi
ckl
ynodded.“
Eer
ra.
”
“Youwillsl
eepinhi
sroom soyoucanat
tendt
ohi
m
quickl
yatnight
.Sal
aryke3.5k.
”
Shenoddedthinki
ngofthe800shewasgetti
ng
pai
datherpreviousj
ob.Shewoulddef
ini
tel
ybe
abl
etorewri
teherfor
m 5now.Okcalm down
Sasa…
“
Wear
einagr
eement
?”
“
Yessi
r.
”
“Ok,
orobetsi(he’
sasl
eep)ri
ghtnowsoyoucango
andputyourthingsi
nthatot
herroom.
”
“
Eer
ra.
”
Pul
ewal
kedoutcal
li
ngBant
u.
“
Hey.
.”
Pul
esmi l
edheari
nghervoi
cewhil
etakingouthi
s
ci
garet
te.“
Itr
iedcal
li
ngyouint
hemor ning,
your
numberwasbusy.”
“
Iam sor
ry.I
twasYaya.
”
“
Ok,
howi
sitgoi
ngt
oday?
”
“Bet
ter.Keagorekamagwinya(
Iam buyi
ngf
at
cakes)withanot
heri
nter
n.”
“
Shoul
dIor
gani
zeyoubr
eakf
astandl
unch?
”
“
No..i
t’
sok.There’
sal
adywhocooksnear
by.But
t
hankyoubaby.”
“
Imi
ssyoual
ready.Whatar
eyouwear
ingt
oday?
”.
Shegiggled.“
Iam weari
ngadr
ess.Thewhi
teoneI
boughtinDurbanthatt
ime.
”
“
Theshor
tone?
”
“
It
’snotshor
t.
.Iam wear
ingawhi
tecoatont
op
t
oo.”
“
Takebone.(
Letmesee.
)”
Shegi
ggledthenhungup.Mi
nut
esLatershesent
hi
m apict
ure.Hesmil
edandcal
ledherbackbuther
numberwasnowbusy.

*
**

I
nKasane,
Bant
uhel
dherphonet
oherear
.
“
Didyoubuymagwi
nya?
”
Shel
aughed.“
Ther
ramymani
str
yingt
ocal
lback.
”
Acechuckl
ed.“Hecanwai
t.Iwantt
ocomeandsee
younextweekend.
”
“Iam goi
ngtoafuner
al.
.myfr
iendl
ostherhusband
soIam goingt
oMochudi.”
“
Youar
efl
ying?
”
“
Yes.
”
“
Per
fect
.Iwi
llseeyout
hen.Bye.
”
Hehungup.Bant
uqui
ckl
ycal
ledbackPul
e.
“
Hibabe,
sor
ry,
acal
lfr
om wor
kcamet
hrough.
“
Ohok.Youl
ookbeaut
if
ul.
”
Shesmil
edthenwal
kedoutoft
hehospi
talj
oini
ng
theot
heri
nter
n.
“Thankyou.BythewayYayalostherhusbandsoI
am comingther
eonSaturday.
”
“Ok.Iwil
lsor
toutyourpl
anet
icket
s.What
happenedtohim?”
“
Hehunghi
msel
f.
”
“
Cowar
d.”
“
Ng…Iam wi
thsomeonenow.Iwi
llcal
lyoul
ater
.I
l
oveyou.
”
“
Iloveyout
oo.
”
Shedr
oppedt
hecal
lthent
heot
heri
nter
nlaughed.
“
Mjol
oomonat
ebat
hong.(
Dat
ingi
sni
ce.
)”
Bantulaughedtheyst
art
edchat
ti
ngaboutt
he
hospit
alwalki
ngovertothel
adywhosol
d
magwi nya.
AWEEKLATER…
.
.
.
[
06/
22,
08:
25] :Fal
lenAngel
#66

AWeekLat
er

Bantustoodnextt
oYamasaasKago’ scoffi
ngot
l
owereddownhi sgrave.Bant
ul ookedatYamasa’
s
emotionl
essfaceandmovedcl oserholdi
ngher
hand.
ShelookedoveratYamasa’sin-
laws,somecr yi
ng
andsomej uststari
ng.I
tdi
dn’
tevenf eell
ikea
funeral
.Relat
ivessangsof
tl
ytil
lthecoffi
nwas
furt
herinsi
de.
Bant
u’sphonevibr
atedri
ngi
ng.Shetookitoutand
l
ookedatPulecall
ingt
henslowl
ymovedf rom t
he
cr
owdt ost
andunderat r
eefarf
rom ever
yoneelse.
“
Babe…”
“
Ist
hef
uner
alst
il
lon?
”
“
Yes.
”
“
Youwer
enotl
ate?
”
“Iwasbutnoonenoticed.Wearenowburr
yinghi
m.
From herewear
egoinghome.Iguessther
e’sgoi
ng
tobeameet i
ngnyana.Thelawyeri
sgoi
ngtoread
thewill
.”
“
Ok,Iam dr
ivi
ngf
rom Jwaneng,
Iwi
llcol
lectyou
f
rom t
her
e.”
“
Ok,
andgetmesomet
hingt
oeat
.Iam hungr
y.”
“
Ok.Il
oveyou.
”
“
Iloveyout
oo.
”
Bantudroppedt
hecallandstar
tedwalki
ngbackto
Yamasabutherphoner angagai
n.Shelookedat
theunsavednumberandpicked.
“
Hel
lo?
”
“
Hey,
haveyouar
ri
vedi
nGabs?
”
“
Yes.Myboyfr
iendi
scomi
ngt
opi
ckmeupf
rom
t
hefuner
al.
”
Acel
aughed.“
Goodf
orhi
m.Wher
ear
eyou?
”
“
Aceweeh,
obat
areswa?
(youwantust
odi
e?”
“No.Nooneisdying.Whereareyou?Ijustwantt
o
seeyouthenIgo.Itwon’
ttakelong.Ihavet
ogo
somewhereforapeacejobafterthat
.”
“
He’
sal
readyonhi
sway.
”
“
Wher
ear
eyou?
”
“Iam onl
ytel
li
ngyoubecauseIam cur
ioust
ose
you.
”

Bant
ulookedatt
heti
mest andi
ngnexttoYamasa
asKago’
sgravegotf
il
ledup.Herphonevi
brat
ed
t
henshesi
lent
lysl
ippedoutoft
hecr
owd.
“
Hel
lo?
”
“
Iam her
e.Iam par
kedbehi
ndar
edMazda.
”
Shelookedar
oundthenl
ookedatt
heredMazda
andwalkedoverj
ustasaRangeRoverpar
ked
behi
ndit.
Shefrownedtryi
ngt
olookforanyot
hercar
.Her
phonerangthenshepi
cked.
“
Wher
eexact
lyar
eyou?
”
“
Ist
hatyou?
”
Shelookedar
oundconfused.Amansteppedoutof
theRangeRovert
hensmi l
edatherwavi
ng.Bant
u
wavedbackandconti
nuedlooki
ng.
“
Wherear
eyou?Ihopeyouar
enotpl
ayi
ngwi
th
me.
”
“Ok,
Ihaveal i
ttl
econf essi
ontomake,Isor
tofdon’
t
usemyr ealpi
cturesonFacebook.Iusemybrother
’
andhisname.Idon’ twantpeoplecal
li
ngmethe
memeguyi nperson,Iam alr
eadyafunper
sonto
bearoundbutwi thmyj obitwil
lbeof
f.
”TheRange
Rovermanstoodbehi
ndherthenhungup.“
My
nameisact
uall
yAlpha.Acei
smyyoungerbrot
her
.”
Bant
utur
nedthenherj
awdr
oppedasshest
aredat
hi
m.Hesmil
ed.
“Youlookmorebeaut
if
ulinperson.i
Phonei
snot
doingajust
icej
obtoyourbeauty.
”
Bant
ulookedupathi
m.Hesmi
ledmaki
ngher
l
aughinshock.
“
What
?”
Al
phashowedherapi
ctur
efr
om hi
sphone.
“
That
’sAce.Mybr
other
.Iam Al
pha.
”
Shelookedupathi
mi nmoreshockandsurpri
se,
notwhatshehadexpect
ed.Hetookoffhi
sblack
l
eathergloves.
“
Iam sor
ryf
ort
hatl
it
tl
eli
e.Youar
ever
ybeaut
if
ul.
”
Shesmiledunabl
etohel
pitbutthi
nkhelookedl
ike
Ghostfr
om powerormaybeitwasthehair
cutor
…
shetookastepback.
“
Youhavet
ogo.Myboyf
ri
endi
sal
mosther
e.”
“
Whenar
eyougoi
ngbackt
oKasane?
”
“
Tomor
row.
”
Al
phasmi l
ed.“
Let
’sdodi
nnerkamoso.Iwi
llbei
n
Kasane.
”
“
Ican’
t.I
…Ace.
.Al
pha,
I-“
“Hey…it
’sok.Wearegoingasfr
iends…”Hesmi l
ed
cutel
ymakingherbl
inkthenhegotinhiscarand
rever
sedbefor
edri
vingoff.
Herphoner
angasshest
oodst
il
lont
hesame
posi
ti
on.

*
Alphasmiledasshepi
ckedandspokesof
tl
y,her
voicesoundedsof
teri
npersont
hough.
“
Hel
lo?
”
“Youarereal
lybeaut
if
ul.Iseewhyabechakama
10k.Idon’
tblamehim.”
“
Yourbr
otheri
snotonFacebook?
”
“
Hei
s.Butonmi
net
hesur
namei
sfakeso…”
“
Ok.
”
“
Sot
omor
rowaker
e?”
“
No.
”
“
Per
fect
.Iwi
llseeyout
hen.Yourhai
risgor
geous.
”
Hehungupasamodi
fi
edBMW dr
ovepasthi
m.He
cal
ledanumber
.
“
Mist
er…”
“
Iam comi
ngnow.
”
“
Didyouseeher
?Omont
e?(
Isshept
ett
y?)
”
Alphasmi l
ed.“She’smoret hanbeauti
ful
.It
’st
hat
t
ypet hatthemor eyoulookather,themoreyou
real
izejustbeauti
fulsheis.She…ke10out10. ”
Theot
herper
sonl
aughed.“
Andshe’
ssi
ngl
e?”
“
No.ButIam goi
ngt
otakeher
.She’
snotmar
ri
ed.
”

*
**
Atthefuner
al,Pul
eparkedthecarandl ookedatt
he
peopl
edispersi
ng.From adistant,hel
ookedathi
s
gi
rlasshehuggedYamasat henshookhandswi t
h
acoupleofpeopleinablackdr ess.Hel
ookedather
bodyinthebodyhuggingdress.
Hetookouthisphoneandcal
ledher
,st
ari
ngather
.
Shetookoutherphoneandpi
cked.
“
Hey…”
“
Iam her
e.”
Shetur
nedl
ooki
ngt
il
lhereyesf
ellonhi
scar
.She
smil
ed.
“
Iam comi
ng.
”
Puledroppedthecallthenwatchedasshewalked
over,
herhaircurl
ed.Hest ar
tedthecaranddrove
overmeetingherhalfway.Heleanedoverand
openedthedoorforher .
Shegotinthecaral
readyblushi
ng.Pulel
eaned
overandki
ssedher.Sheclosedhereyeskissi
ng
hi
m back.Pulemovedback.
“
Imi
ssedyou.
”
Shesmi
led.“
Met
oo.
”
Puler
eachedforagoodpaperbagandhandedi
tto
herdr
ivi
ngoff
.
“
Howwast
hef
uner
al?
”
Bant
uopenedt
hepaperbagandst
art
edeat
ing.
“Fi
ne.Ij
ustdon’
ttr
ustKago’
sfami
ly.Theyl
ook
dodgy.
”
“
Whatwasi
nhi
ssui
cidall
ett
er?
”
“Thatheblamedhimsel
fforhi
sdaughter
’smissi
ng.
Andt hef
actthathewassorr
yandotherthi
ngsthat
arenotimport
ant.”
Shet
ookof
fhershoesandst
ret
chedhert
oes.
“
Whatwer
eyoudoi
ngi
nJwaneng?
”
“Checki
nguponbusi
ness.”Hel
ookedatherand
smiledmaki
nghersmi
letoo.
“
What
?”
“
Not
hing.Youar
ebeaut
if
ul.Il
ikeyourcur
ls.
”
“
Idi
ditl
iket
heYouTubevi
deo,
itwassupposedt
o
l
ookf
armuchbet
tert
hant
his.
”
“Itst
il
llooksni
ce.
”Hehel
dherhandleaningovert
o
dropaqui ckki
ssonherl
ipsbef
orel
ookingatthe
road.

*
AtPule’shouse,Bantuwalkedinwhil
ePule
remainedoutsidetal
kingonhisphone.Bant
u
l
ookedathersonl yingonal i
ttl
ematt
ressonthe
fl
oor.Shepickedhim upsmi l
ing.
Motheoopenedhi
seyesandlookedather
,be
bl
inkedasshesmil
ed.Bant
ukissedhi
sneck.
“
Heysweet
ie.
.heybaby…mi
ssme?
”
Thenannywal
kedfrom t
heki
tcheni
nal
ongdr
ess
hol
dingt
hebot
tleofhi
sformula.
“
Dumel
ang…”
Bant
ulookedather
.“Hi
.Youar
ethenanny?
”
Pul
ewalkedi
nsi
det
hehouseandwal
kedovert
o
Bant
u.
“
She’
sthenanny.UhSasa,
thi
sismygi
rl
fr
iend.
MmagweMot heo.
”
Sasasmi
led.“
Dumel
ang.
”
Bant
usmi
ledback.
.“Hi
.Ni
cet
omeetyou.
”
“
Eemma.
”
Bant
ustooduphol di
nghersonandwalkedt
o
Pul
e’
sbedr oom.Shelookedaround,
Pul
ewalkedi
n.
Bant
uturnedandlookedathim.
Pul
ewal
kedoverandki
ssedher
.
“
Shecanknockof
fnow.
”
Pulenoddedunzi
ppingherdressfr
om thesi
de.He
tookhissonandwalkedout,Bant
uwalkedtothe
wardrobeandopenedlooki
nginsi
de.
Pulewalkedbackint
henhuggedherfr
om behi
nd
kissi
ngherneck.Hepul
leddownherdresst
hen
turnedherar
oundandkissedhert
aki
ngoffherbr
a.
Hepickedherupandl
aidheronbedget
ti
ngont op
ofher.Heunzi
ppedhi
spantspushi
ngherpant
yt o
thesi
deand…
.

Lat
erthatday,
BantuwatchedasPul echangedhi
s
cl
otheswhil
eshelaidunderthecoverswatchi
ng
hi
m.Hewal kedoverandkissedher.
“Letmesor
toutsomet
hing.Iwi
llbeback.
.Il
ove
you.”
Shet
ouchedhisbear
dandpul
li
nghi
m cl
oser
ki
ssi
nghim more.
“
Iloveyout
oo.
”
Hesmi ledandwalkedout,secondslaterhedr
ove
off.Bantusi
ghedrelaxi
ng,
hermi ndslippi
ngto
Alpha.Sheturnedherheadandl ookedatthe
pictur
ef r
ameofPuleandher .Shesmi l
edtaki
ngi
t
thenputitback.
Herphonerang.Shegotof
fbedandpi
ckedher
handbagtaki
ngitout
.
“
Yaya…”
“
Hel
eftever
ythi
ngt
ome.
”
“
Ever
ythi
ng?
”
“
Yes.Iam goi
nghomenow.
.Iam t
ir
ed.
”
“
Iwi
shIcancomebutIonl
yhavet
odaywi
th
Mot
heoandPul
e.”
“I
t’
sok.Mamasaidyouareglowing.Shewas
aski
ngifyouar
epregnantagai
n.”
Bant
ulaughed.“No…Iam not
.Motheoi
sst
il
lyoung.
GapethenextoneIwil
lbemarri
ed.
”
“
Towho?EnePul
e?”
“
Yamasa,Iam nott
alki
ngaboutmyr
elat
ionshi
p
wit
hyou.
”
“
Iwasj
ustaski
ng.Shar
pmma.
”
Shehungupandscr oll
edonFacebook.Shepaused
comi ngacrossat r
endingpostmadebyaMi ni
ng
companyi nJwanengaboutst olendi
amonds.She
readt hepressrel
easepost ,t
hediamondshadbeen
stolenlastnight
.Shesighedt hengotoffbedas
semenr andownheri nnerthi
ghs.Bantuquickl
y
freshenedupbef or
eput ti
ngoneofPul e’
soversi
zed
t-
shi r
t.
ShewalkedtoMotheo’
sr oom andlookedatthe
decor
atedroom i
mpressed.Shelookedatherson
sl
eepi
ng,shesmiledandwalkedtot heki
tchen.
Overanhourl
aterPulewalkedinthehouseas
Bantuf
ini
shedcooking.Hekissedher.
“
Hey.
.”
“
Hi.Letmedi
shf
oryou.
”
Hehoppedont
heki
tchencount
ers.“
Ok.
”
“
Babedi
dyouhearaboutt
hest
olendi
amonds?
”
“
Yeah…”
“Ican’
tbel
ieveit
’sevenpossi
blet
ost
ealt
hem and
notgetcaught.
”
“I
fyoursecurit
yisweak,thingscanal
waysbe
stolen.Bynowthediamondshaveobviousl
ybeen
sold.It’
stool
ateforanyt
hing.”
Bant
utur
nedandl
ookedathi
m.“
Yout
hink?
”
Hepull
edhercloserandt
ouchedherchi
n.“
They
wi
lldi
gupmor e.”
Mot
heost
art
edcr
ying.Hehoppeddownandwal
ked
outwhi
leshest
aredathi
m suspi
ciousl
y.
.
.
.
Fal
lenAngel
#67

Thef
oll
owingmorni
ng,Lefast
ret
chedhislegsall
al
oneonthebedwait
ingforYamasatopickhiscall
.
“
Hel
lo?
”
“
Hi.Ihear
dhel
eftever
ythi
ngt
oyou.
”
“Iwi
shheleftmeinfor
mationonwher
emy
daught
eri
s..Idon’
tcareaboutt
hemoney.Ij
ust
wantmydaughter.
”
“Iam sor
ryYayabutIt
hinkyouaregoinggohavet
o
star
tcomingint
otermswiththef
actthatyoumay
neverfi
ndher.
”
“
Don’
tsayt
hat
.”
“Iknowi t’
spainf
ulbutit
’ssomet
hingyouneedt
o
startaccepti
ng.Chancesofyouneverfi
ndi
ngher
arepr et
tyhigh.
”
“
Iam notgi
vingup.
”
“
Andthat’
sok.Ij
ustdon’
twantyout
oloseyour
sel
f
i
nthi
s.”
Shest
art
edcr
ying.“
Iwantmychi
ld.
”
“
Iknow.
.Iknow.
”
Shecr
iedevenmor
ewhi
lehesadl
yli
stened.
“
Iam sor
ry.
”
“
Ijustwantmydaught
er.
”
“
Iknow.Whati
shi
sfami
lysayi
ng?
”
“
Theydon’
tcar
e.Someoft
hem di
dn’
tcome.
.”
Thedooropenedt
henSt
ell
awal
kedi
n.
“
Iwi
llcal
lyouupl
ater
.”
Yayasnif
fedt
henhehungup.St
ell
aunpackedher
thi
ngs.
“
Hi.
”
Shel
ookedathi
m andsmi
led.“
Hey.Wecanst
art
.”
“
Ok.
”

*
**

Thatsamemor ni
ng,Bant
usatont hebed
breast
feedi
ngMotheowhil
ePulemadeher
breakf
ast.Hewal
kedinthebedroom hol
dingat
ray
offoodthenheputi
tonherside.
Shesmiled.“Thankyou.
.babedon’
tyouthi
nkwhen
theycat
cht hepersonwho’
sbeencommi t
ti
ngal
l
thesecr
imest heyarej
ustgoi
ngtoki
llhi
m? ”
PuletookMotheofr
om herandlaidhi
m down.“
I
don’tknow.That
’si
fhe’scaught
.Whyarewe
tal
kingaboutthi
sperson?
”
“Ij
ust…j
ustcuri
ous.Obviouslyfrom her
ehewi ll
thi
nkheknowseverythi
ngt henrelaxesandstopped
bei
ngcaref
ul.Aft
erthatheget skil
ledorar
rested
l
eavingmyhisfamil
yheal lalone.”
Pul
elookedathert
henl
aughed.“
Butbabehowam
Isupposedtoanswerthat
?Ist
her
esomet
hingyou
wantustotalkabout
?”
“
NoPul
e.Ij
ustdon’
twantt
obecomeasi
ngl
e
mot
her
.”
“Soyouthi
nk…”Helaughed.“No.Whywoul
dIst
eal
diamonds?Busi
nessisactual
lydoi
ngwel
l.
”
“
Youarealwaysansweri
ngphonecal
lsawayf
rom
me.
.oryouarecheat
ingandIam-
“
“Ianswermycal l
sawayf rom youbecauseIdon’t
wantyout opartofbusinessandhaveyouwor ri
ed
l
ikethis.I
fIneedyout oknowanything,youwil
l
knowabouti t
.WhatIdon’ twantt
obedoi ngis
tryi
ngtoprovemyi nnocencetoyoubabe. ”
Hetouchedhercheek.“
ButIwoul
dnevercheaton
you.Il
oveyouandIam happywit
hyouandourboy.
Iwouldnevert
radethi
s…whatwehavefor
anythi
ng.
”
Shel
ookedi
nhi
seyes.“
Soi
twasn’
tyou.
”
Hel
aughed.“
Ithoughtwemovedonf
rom t
hat
.
No.
.i
twasn’
t.
”
Sherel
axed.“Ok.Iwantt
obuyapl ot
.Isawoneya
100kinSerowe.Ihavebeensavi
ngthemoneyyou
gi
veme.”
“
Howmuchhaveyousavedupnow?
”
“
86k.
”
Hesmi led.“Iwi
llgi
veyoutheremainingmoneyto
make100kt henyoucangettheplot.It
’spr
ett
y
reasonable.Thereareal
soreasonableplot
sin
Gabs.”
“Theyar
ever
yexpensi
ve.Not
hingi
slesst
han300k
andsomearesosmall
.”
Heki
ssedher
.“Iwi
llf
indsomet
hingf
oryou.
”
Shesmi
led.“
Thankyou.
”
Hemovedcl
oserhuggi
ngherl
egopeni
ngherup.

*
**

Lat
erthatdayjustaf
terei
ghtatni
ght,
Bantuwal ked
i
nsideherhouseinKasane.Shetookoffhershoes
pi
cki
ngacal
l.
“
Hel
lo?
”
“
Iam i
nKasane.Ihavej
ustar
ri
ved.
”
“
Alpha,
Iam i
nar
elat
ionshi
pand-
“
“Aftert
oday,Iwon’tbotheryou.Icamehereforyou.
Please…it’
sjustfood.Freefood.Youhavenothi
ng
tolose.CanIpleasecomeandpi ckyouup?Wher e
doyoust ay?”

Intenminutes,
awhiteJeepdrovet
hroughheryar
d
thenAcesteppedoutwhil
eshestoodbythedoorin
herpyj
amas.Hewal kedoverandsmil
ed.
“
Nicepl
ace.
”
“
Whatdoyouwantf
rom me?
”
“Let’
sgooutf
ordi
nner
.Af
tert
hatIwon’
tbea
bother.
”
“
Idon’
tthi
nkmyboyf
ri
endwoul
d–“
“He’
snothereaker
e?Let’
snotincl
udehi mint
his.
Hedoesn’
thavetoknowever
ythingyoudo.Iwil
l
haveyoubackhereint
wohours.Please…”
Shelookedi
nhiseyeswanti
ngtosayno.Knowi
ng
Pul
e,hewouldn’
tunder
standiff
oundout
.
“Don’
toverthi
nkit.He’snothere.Iact
ual
lyrespect
yourrel
ati
onship.IjustwanttotakemyFacebook
fri
endoutfordinner.Andit
’snotfarfr
om here.”
Shelookedi
nhi
seyest
hensi
ghed.“
Letme
change.
”
Henodded.Shewal kedbackinthehouseand
walkedoutminuteslat
erinatracksuit
.Shelocked
herdoorandfoll
owedhi mtothecar .Heopenedthe
doorforherandhelpedherinsi
debef orewal
king
roundthecarandjumpingin.
Hestar
tedthecaranddroveonwit
ht heheateron
bl
owingwarminthecar.Hedroveforawhileand
fi
nal
lypar
kedthecarattheChobeRiverLodge.She
l
ookedathim.
“
Idon’
t-
“
“
It
’snotwhatyouar
ethi
nki
ng.Rel
ax.
”
Hesteppedoutoft
hecarandopenedt
hedoorf
or
her
.
Amanwal
kedovert
ohi
m.
“
Alpha…Mr
s.Al
pha.
”
Alphatookherhandthentheywal kedbehindt he
mant othedork.Bant
u’sheartstart
edpoundi ngas
shethoughtofthepossibi
li
tyofgettingki
ll
edt hen
herbodygetti
ngharvestedforrit
uals.Shedidn’t
evenknowt hi
smanandGodknewwhathecoul d
dotoher..
orrapeherinthemi ddleofnowher e.
Theyappr
oachedtheboat
s,shel
ookedatAl
pha
shaki
ngwit
hfear.
“
Ihaveachi
ld…Idon’
twantt
odi
e..
”
Al
phapickedherupandgotintheyachtwi
thher
.
Hewrappedhisarmsaroundher.
“Iam notgoi
ngtohur
tyou.Ij
ustt
houghtyouwoul
d
enjoyapicni
c.”
Heturnedheraroundsoshecanseet
hebeaut
if
ul
setupintheyacht.
“
Come…”
Hetookherhandf
urt
heri
nsi
de.Bant
usmi
led
l
ooking.
.
.
.
[
06/
22,
08:
25] :Fal
lenAngel
#68

Lat
erthateveni
ng,
Alphapar
kedt
hecaratBant
u’s
housethensmil
ed.
“
Thankyouf
oragr
eei
ng.
”
Bant
usmi
led.“
Itwasni
ce,
thankyou.
”
Hesteppedoutandopenedt
hedoorf
orher
.Al
pha
hel
pedheroutthensmil
edst
ari
ngather
.
“
Youhavenot
hingt
ofeelgui
lt
yabout
.Youdi
d
not
hingwr
ong.Thi
swasnotcheat
ing.
”
Bantul
ookedathi
mthensmi
led.“
Youhavet
ost
op
cal
li
ngme.”
Hesmi
ledt
henwal
kedhert
hedoor
.
“
Shar
paker
e?”
“
Bye.
”
Bantuunlockedherdoorandwalkedi n.Shetooka
deepbreathstandi
ngagainsti
twaiti
ngt ohearhis
cardri
veoffbuttherewasjustsi
lence.
Sheputherphonewhichhadlongdiedduetolow
bat
ter
ydownandsl owlypul
ledthecurt
aint
othe
si
de.
Shetookadeepbreat
hwat
chi
nghi
m geti
nthecar
thendroveof
fatl
ast.
Sheclosedthecurt
ainandsi ghed.Shequicklyt
ook
herphonethenputitonthechar gerwonderingi
f
Pulehadcall
ed…obviously.Sheswi t
cheditona
coupl
eofmi nut
eslaterandlookedatt het
ime.It
wasalreadyaft
erel
even.
Bant
usatdowncal
li
nghi
m.
“
Bant
u…”
“
Heybaby…”
“
What
’sgoi
ngont
her
e?”
“Ifel
lasl
eepassoonasIarr
ived.Thephonelong
diedketsenakoMaun.Iam sorr
y,Ij
ustwokeup“
“
Iwaswor
ri
ed.Ihavebeent
ryi
ngt
ocal
lyou.
”
“
Iam sor
ry.Iwasj
ustt
ir
ed.Iam sor
ry.
”
“
It
’sok.Youar
ri
vedsaf
ely?
”
“
Yes.Imi
ssyoual
ready.
”
“
Met
oo.Soyouwer
esl
eepi
ngal
lal
ong?
”
“
Yes.Idi
dn’
tsl
eepmuchl
astni
ght
.”
Hel
aughed.“
Consequencesofst
ayi
ngf
ar.
”
Bant
uslowlycal
meddown.“
Youar
eabusi
ngmy
vagi
na.How’sMotheo?
”
“
Thevagi
nali
kest
heabuse.He’sfi
ne.Ipi
ckedup
t
henannyonwayfr
om t
heairport
.”
“Babe,butdoyouthi
nkit
’snecessar
yforhert
o
sleepwithMotheoatni
ght?Ortobether
eatnight
.
KanaMot heoi
sstillachi
ld.Soonenoughhewon’ t
eventel
lthedi
ffer
encebet weenmeandt henanny.
Whycan’tyoujustsleepwithhiminyourroom t
hen
dealwit
hhim atnight…ondaysyouar enothome,
thenshecancome.Iam j ustnotcomfor
tablewi
th
thesetup.Unl
essmaybeIwasar oundandIalso
stayedwit
hyou.”
“I
sthisaboutMot
heo?YouknowIam notgoi
ngt
o
cheatwit
hthenannyaker
e?”
“
Iknow.I
t’
saboutMot heo.
.i
fyoudon’
tseeanyt
hing
wrongwi
thit
,it
’sf
ine.
.”
“Ok.Igetyourreasoningbutsomet imesIwor klate
andIdon’thaveasetschedul et hatIleavet he
houseat7andcomebackat6.Somet i
mesIl eave
earlyi
nthemor ningorcomebackl ate..Ineedher
toalwaysbeavai l
able.Icansl eepwi t
hhi mi nmy
room.ButIneedherar oundeitherwayj ustincase,
unlessli
keyousai dyouwer ear oundandal so
stayedwithme.Wewoul dn’
thavet okeepherat
nightbecauseyouwi llbethere.Canwej usttol
erat
e
thissetupti
llyouaredonet hatsi de?Pl ease..alot
i
sgoi ngtochangewhenyoucomeback. ”
“
Ok.
”
Bantulookedathervi
brat
ingphonethenopened
themessagethathadjustcomethrough.Hereyes
widenedwithshock.
“Uhbabe, papajustsentmeamessage.Hewas
tr
yingtocall.CanIpleasecal
lhi
m backt
henIwi
ll
callyou.
”
“
Ok.
”
Bant
uhungupandcal
ledAl
pha.I
trangt
wicet
hen
hepi
cked.
“
Hey…”
“
What
…what
’st
his?
”
“
Atokenofappr
eci
ati
on.
”
“Ican’
ttaket
hismoney.Youj
ustdon’
twakeupand
sendpeopleyoudon’
tknow15k.”
“
No.Youdon’t.ButIknowyouenought
oknowsof
t
l
if
eisyourt
hing.”
Shef
rownedt
henl
aughed.“
What
?Youar
ecr
azy!
”
Hel
aughed.“
Didyouevenchecki
fit
’sr
eal
?”
Bant
upausedt
henl
ookedatt
hemessage.
“
Ifiti
s,Ican’tt
akeit
.We…youshoul
dn’
tbedoi
ng
t
his.Alphatherei
ssomeone.
”
“Iknowthereissomeone.Iam aware.Soar eyou.
Whathedoesn’ tknowdoesnothavetokillhim.I
wanttogettoknowyou..youhavenot hi
ngt olosei
f
hedoesn’tknowanythi
ng.It
’snotl
ikewear e
fucki
ngakere?”
“
Ilovehi
m.”
“Andthat
’salr
ight.Iwi
llr
espectt
hat
.Youdon’
thave
toworryaboutmest andi
ngbetweenthel
oveyou
shar
ewi t
hhim. ”
“Idon’
tbecauseIwi
llnotal
lowyou.Iam del
eti
ng
yournumberandblocki
ngyou.Thiscan’
tgoon.
Youshouldn’
thavecomeallthewayhereforthat
.
Bye.”
Shehungupthenbl
ockedhi
snumber.Shetooka
deepbreat
handcal
l
edPulebackbr
ushingofft
he
guil
tyf
eeli
ng.
*
**

Thatsameevening,Yamasasatinherbedr
oom
goi
ngt hr
oughherdaughter
’spi
cturesi
nsil
ence.
ShetouchedherstomachwonderingwhyGodhad
bl
essedherwithachildonl
ytotakeherawayfrom
her.
Sheblinkedawayhert ears.Maybeshejustneeded
tohaveanot herchil
difshewasn’ tget
ti
ngher
daughterback.Shesni ffedrubbi
ngoffhertear
s
thenthoughtfull
ylookedatPul e’
snumber
wonder i
ngifitwast oosoont oaskifhewas
makingpr ogress.
.
Herphoner
angst
art
li
ngher
.
“
Hel
lo?
”
“
Hi.Am Ispeaki
ngt
oYamasa?
”
“
Yes,
who’
sthi
s.”
“Whodoesn’ tmat
ter.Look,Ihearyourdaught
eris
missingandyouar esti
lll
ookingforher.How’
sthe
searchgoing?”
“
Whoar
eyou?
”
“
HowaboutIt
ellyouIcangetyouyourdaught
er.I
n
t
wodays.
”
“
Youcan?
”
“Yes.ButIneedaf avorinreturn.Ther
e’sthis
personwehavebeent ryi
ngt ogetforyearsnow.
He’spret
tysmar tandsleekbutwehearhe’ sina
rel
ati
onshipwithyourbestf ri
endnow.Youhel pus
catchhimthroughhi sgir
lfr
iend,yourf
riendandi n
ret
urnIgetyouyourdaught erbackandar ewar dof
1mi l
li
on.Thinkaboutit.”
“
Pul
e?”
“I
fyouhelpuscat chhim, youwillgetyourdaughter
back.Iam goi
ngtof indherandkeepher .Assoon
aswecat chhi
m, youwi llhaveyourdaught erback
i
nlessthanthir
tymi nutes.”
.
.
.
[
06/
22,
08:
25] :Fal
lenAngel
#69

Thef ol
lowi
ngmor ni
ng,Yamasasatonherver
anda
readingthr
oughreportoft
hest
olendi
amonds.She
sighedthencal
ledBantu.
“
Yaya…”
“
Hi.Di
dyouar
ri
vesaf
ely?
”
“
Yes.Thanks.Iam onmywayt
owor
kri
ghtnow.
”
“
Howi
sthenanny?
”
“
Oshar
phel
a.She’
sfi
ne.
”
“
Aren’
tyouwor
ri
edPul
ewi
llf
allf
orher
?”
“Iam choosi
ngtot
rusthi
mt hesamewayhet rust
s
me.IfIkeepthi
nki
nghemi ghtcheat
,Iam goi
ngto
getsi
ck.”
“
NnammaIwoul
dal
readybesi
ck.
”
“
Howar
eyout
oday?
”
“
Iam f
ine.Iam goi
ngt
ogot
othepol
icet
oseei
f
t
heyhavemadepr
ogr
essyet
.”
“
Ok.
”
“Di
dyouseet
hatdi
amondswer
est
oleni
n
Jwaneng?
”
“
Yeah.
.Idi
d.I
t’
sapr
obl
em.
”
“Kanagatwetheystol
eacoupl eoft
hem i
ncludi
ng
oneofthebiggestofthem att
hemine.Al
lofthem
arewort
h100ofmi l
li
ons.”
“
Isaw.
”
“Whoeveri
tis…he’sgoi
ngtogetcaught.He
probabl
ysol
dt hem f
ormoret
hant hat
.Wait
se
peoplear
edangerousoutt
here.
”
“
Ineverknewadi
amondcoul
deverbest
oleni
na
mine.
”
“Met oo.
.Ial
waysthoughtthei
rsecur
it
ywoul dbe
ext
rat i
ght.Anyways,IsawPule’
sJwanengPuband
Gri
llonFacebook.Wai t
seyourmanisfocused
mma.IknowIdon’ tl
ikehi
m buthe’
sfocused.”
“Andit’
sdoi
ngsowel
l.Tshepoi
srunni
ngbot
h
places.
”
“Hemustbemakingal
otofmoney..
Ijusthopethis
diamondt
hef
tthi
ngdoesn’
taf
fectt
hebusi ness.
”
“
Idoubt
.Peopl
ewi
llst
il
ldr
inkal
coholeveni
fthe
wor
ldwasendi
ng.
”
Yamasalower
edhervoice.“Don’
tyout
hinkthati
t’
s
ki
ndofsuspi
cioust
hatdiamondswentmi ssi
ng
aft
erPul
eopenedhisbarthere?”
“
Whatdoyoumean?
”
“YourmanisnotallinnocentBantu.He’sinvol
vedin
shadydeal
ings.I
fhecandomoneyhei sts,what
canstophi
mf rom robbingthemine.ButIhavet o
givei
ttohi
m.He’ssmar t.Howdidheevendoi t
?”
“Puledi
dn’
tdoanythi
ng.Whywouldhest
eal
diamonds?Hi
sbusinessesar
edoingsowel
l
.Can
youstopmakingsuchall
egat
ions?
”
“Iam j
ustsayi
ng,i
fit
’shi
m chancesofyougoi
ngt
o
j
ailar
ehigh.Theyaregoi
ngt oar
restyouasan
accompli
ce..
Ihopeyouarereadyforthat
.”
“Iunder
standyoudisli
kemymanbutaccusi
nghi
m
ofsteal
ingisnotnecessar
y.”
“Iam not.Iwasjustsayi
ng.Anyways, Iam t
hinki
ng
ofsell
ingthehouse.Ican’tkeepst
ayinghere.This
placehast heworstmemor i
esever.
”
“
Iunderstand.Iwouldpr
obablydothesame.We
wil
ltal
k.Iam walki
nginthehospi
tal
.”
“
Ok.
”
Yamasahungupt
henpi
ckedani
ncomi
ngcal
l.
“
Idon’
tthi
nksheknowsanyt
hing.
”
“Shedoes.Youjustneedabetterangle.Don’
tworry
aboutit
.Wewi l
lhel
pyou.Wehavest artedl
ooki
ng
foryourdaught
er.Wewillhaveherinourcareti
ll
wehavecaughtPul e.
”
Yamasast
oodup.“
Andi
fshedoesn’
ttal
k?”
“
Don’
twor r
y.Wearegoi
ngtogetabet
terappr
oach.
Wearegoingt
ogethim.Wehaveasoli
dplan.
Wenajustber
eadytoact
.”
“
Ok.
”
“Youknowthedealaker
e.Nooneshoul
dknowal
l
aboutt
his.
”
“
Ok.
”
“
Ifyout
ellanyone.For
getyourdaught
er.
”

*
**

Somewher
eout
sideGabor
one,Pul
est
eppedoutof
hi
scart
henbumpedshoul
derswit
haman.
“
Theyhavet
hei
reyesonyou.
”
“
Iknow.
”
“I
t’
sdi
ffer
entthistimearoundPule.Theyareaf
ter
youwit
heverything.Theyaregoi
ngt oatt
ackfr
om
anunexpect
edangl e.”
“
Icover
edmyt
racks.
”
Themanl ookedathimt hensighed.“Theyhave
secr
etagent sonyou.Thosepeoplear enotscar
ed
topl
aydirty.Theyobvi
ouslyknowbynowt hatyou
haveaweakspotandt hat’
syourgirlandyourson.
Anythi
ngcanhappen. ”
“
Not
hingi
sgoi
ngt
ohappen.St
opwor
ryi
ngabout
me.Letthem haveGodonmeforal
lIcare.Look,
cont
inuebeingmyeyesandear
sinthere.
”
“
Sur
e.”
Pulewalkedbacktohi
scaranddroveof
f.Het
ook
outthebannerphoneandcal
ledanumber.
“
Pul
e…”
“
What
’sgoi
ngon?
”
“
Thedi
amondsar
emaki
ngt
hem t
alk.
”
“
Whatam Ihear
ingaboutsecr
etagent
s?”
“Theyareplanningt ogetyou.Theyjustdon’
tknow
howbecauset here’snotr
ace.Theyhavegottenone
ofthebestguysonyourt ail
.Obogalesoyouneed
tobecareful.Andhedoesn’ tmiss.Theymaycome
thr
oughyourgi r
lf
riend.
”
“I
fanyonecomescl osetoherlagonyela.Idon’
t
makeempt ypromises.Whenhegetsme, he
shouldn’
tmissbecauseifIgethi
mfirstitwil
lbe
hist
ory.”
Hehungupt
hent
ookoutt
hesi
m car
d.
*
**

Onlunchhour,Bant
uwal kedoutoft
hehospit
aland
walkedovert
ohercar.Shegotinandstar
tedthe
engineasherphonerang.
Shelookedattheunsavednumbercal
li
ng.Shet
ook
adeepbr eat
handpicked.
“
Hel
lo?
”
“
Pleasedon’
thangup.
”
Bant
utookadeepbr
eat
h.“
Alpha-
“
“
Icanseeyoubl
ockedme.
”
“
Iam i
nar
elat
ionshi
p.”
“
Iam notsayi
ngbr
eakupwi
thhi
m..l
et’
sgooutf
or
l
unch.
.”
“
Alphapl
ease.
”
“
Asf
ri
ends.Iam st
il
lar
ound.Justl
unch.
”
“
Andwhatar
eyouget
ti
ngi
nret
urn?
”
“
Not
hing.Pl
easel
et’
sdol
unch.
”
“
Iam al
readygoi
ngt
ogetmyl
unch.
”
“
Thenl
etmecomeandpi
ckyouup.
”
“
Alpha-
“
“Whatdoyouhavet ol ose?Youhavenothingto
l
ose.It’
sallinnocent.Maybewecangof ora
heli
copterri
deaf t
erthat.SeeChobe.Iwillr
etur
n
youtowor kafterthat.Allt
hatasfr
iends.Idon’
t
wantanythinginreturn.Yourmandoesn’ thaveto
knowandyoudon’ thavet obreakupwithhim.It
’s
alli
nnocent.
”
Shel
eanedbacki
nhercarconf
li
cted.
“
Iam comi
ng.
.gi
vemet
hemi
nut
es.
”

AlphaparkedtheJeepnexttoherPoloVivo.Bant
u
l
ookedathi mthensteppedoutofhercarholdi
ng
herphone.Alphasteppedoutofhi
scarthen
openedt
hedoorf
orher
.
Shegoti
nthenAl
phaj
umpedbacki
nanddr
oveof
f.

*
**

AttheDir
ect
orat
eofI
ntell
igenceandSecur
it
yHead
Off
ice,
theafewDISof
ficersandtopspi
essati
nan
of
fi
ce.
TheDi rectorGener alspoke.“Thisisnolongerj usta
poli
cecase, it’
samaj orcase.Pulehasbeendoi ng
ashepl eases, mosi manyanaoebi leoset seabona
gorel efatshel elagagwe.( thi
sboyal r
eadyt hinks
thecount ryishi s.)Themoneyhei sts,
thesel l
ingof
weapons, drugsandal otmore.Nowhe’ sstolent he
count ry’streasur e.Diamondswor th600mi lli
oni n
tot
al.Wear egoi ngf orhim witheveryt
hing.Wear e
goingt ol ethi mt hinkhe’sgottenawaywi thi t
.Let
himr elax.Pul eisachi ld.Lethimthinkthecount r
y
i
shi s.Wewi llattackwhenhel eastexpectit.We
alr
eadyhaveapl aninmot i
on.Hewon’ tseei t
comi ng. ”
*
**

Pulet
ri
edcal
li
ngBant
uf ort
hefif
thti
mebuther
phonewasof
f.Hecal
ledanothernumber
.
“
P-Mi
nd!
”
“Iam cal
li
ngi nmyfavor.Somet
hingisgoingon
withmygi r
l,Idon’
tunderst
andbutIcansense
somethingisoff.OkoKasaneakere?(Youarei
n
Kasaner i
ght?)”
“
Yeah.
”
“Takealookforme.
.hernamei sBantu.Dark,shor
t
beauti
ful
.Shehasabigafro.Atthehospit
al.
”
“
Ok.
”
“
Thanks.
”
Pulehungupandcal
ledheragai
nget
ti
ngal
it
tl
e
suspi
cious.
.
.
.
[
06/
22,
08:
25] :Fal
lenAngel
#70

Attheairporti
nKasane, Bantulaughedasthe
hel
icopterlanded.Al
phal ookedathersmil
ingthen
spokethrought heheadphones.
“
Howwasi
t?”
Shesmi
led.“
Itwasbeaut
if
ul.Thankyou.
”
Alphahel
pedherdownt heheli
copt
erthentookher
handandl edhertothecar.Shegoti
nunableto
stopsmil
ing.Alphastar
tedthecaranddroveoff
.
“
Wewillpassbyt
her
est
aur
antcol
lect
ingyour
f
ood.
”
“
Ok.
”
Alphadroveovertother
estaurantwher
ethey
coll
ectedBantu’
sfoodanddrovet ot
hehospi
tal
.He
parkedthecaratthepar
kinglotandsmil
ed.
“
Thatwasni
ce.
”
Shesmil
edback.“
Yes.Thankyou.Al
sof
ort
he
food.
”
“
Youar
emor
ethanwel
comeBant
u.”
“
Bye.
”
Hesmi l
edasshest eppedoutoft
hecarandhurri
ed
i
nsidethehospi
talasAlphadroveof
fsmil
ing.The
ot
herinter
nwalkedt oher.
“
Hey…amanwasher
elooki
ngf
oryou.
”
Bant
ufr
owned.“
Aman?
”
“
Yes.Buthel
eft
.”
“
Whatman?Whatdi
dhel
ookl
ike?
”
“
Thi
nandt
allwi
thdr
eadl
ocks.
”
Bant
u’skneessl
owl
yweakenedasshewal
ked.She
swal
lowedthensmi
led.“
Didhesayhi
sname?”
“
No.Justt
hathewasl
ooki
ngf
oryou.
”
“
Ok…uhIf
orgotsomet
hingi
nmycar
.”
Shet
urnedandwal
kedout
sidet
ohercar
.Shegoti
n
andswitchedonherphone.Sheswal
lowedwai
ti
ng
toseeifPulehadsentanymessagebutt
her
ewas
nothi
ng.
Someoneknockedonherwindow.Shelookedat
themanwit
hdr eadl
ocksandrol
leddownher
window.
“
Dumel
ang…”
“Lookmysister
,Idon’tnor
mallydot hi
sbut…Iwas
senttoseewhat’
sgoi ngonwithyou.Ifyoucan’
tbe
fai
thf
ulthenwhydoyougeti nr el
ati
onshipswi
th
peoplewhocankillyouforcheati
ng?Kanake
l
enyatso?”
Bant
u’shear
tski
pped.“
What
?Iwhoar
eyou?
”
“Youshouldknowbynowt hekindofpersonyour
mani s.I
fyoudon’twanthim anymore,
don’tyou
thi
nkyoushouldjustbreakupwi t
hhim?Because
obviousl
yfai
thf
ulnessisnotforyou.
”
“
Pul
esentyou?
”
“
Heknowsyouar
eupt
osomet
hing.Andhe’
sri
ght
.”
“
No.I
…Iam notcheat
ing.Iknowi
tlooksl
ikeIam
butIam not
.He’
sonl
yaf
ri
end.
”
“Ifyoucheatonhim, he’
sgoingtokil
lyou.Ther
eare
peopleyoupl aywit
handt her
earethoseyoudon’t
.
Youar esti
llyoungtodiebecauseyoucouldn’
tbe
fait
hful
.”
“IswearIam notcheat
ing.Iwoul
dnevercheaton
him.Didyoutell
him?”
“
Iam goi
ngt
ofr
om her
e.He’
swai
ti
ngf
ormycal
l.
”
“Noplease…Hewon’ tunderst
and.IknowIlookli
ke
IwascheatingbutIswearIwasnot .Iwi
llendthe
fr
iendshi
p.Pleasedon’tt
ellhi
m.”
“
Ial
readygotpai
dtodot
hej
ob.
”
Shesteppedoutofthecar.“
Iwil
lendthefr
iendshi
p
Iswear.Pl
easedon’tt
ellhi
m.Iam beggi
ngyou.I
wasnotcheati
ng.”
“Sortyoursel
fout.Hedoesn’
tneedmet ofi
ndout
thatyouar echeat
ingorwhat
everthatyouwere
doing.Ijustt
houghtIwouldt
alktoyoufir
stmy
sist
erbecauseIpr omi
seyou,he’
sthelastper
son
youwantt ocheaton.”
“
Thankyou.
”
Hewal kedawayandgoti nhi
scar.Bantul
eaned
agai
nsthercar,f
earweakeningher.Herphonerang
fr
om thecar.Shelookedathi
m call
ingandquickl
y
pi
ckedal mostdr
oppingthephone.
“
Babe.
.”
“
What
’sgoi
ngon?
”
“
Wit
h?”
“
Whywasyourphoneof
f?”
“Mysupervi
sorwasher
ewithme.Ihadtoswitchi
t
off
.Idon’
twanttol
ookli
keIam notser
ious.
”
“
Youwer
eatt
hehospi
tal
?”
“
Yes.
”
“
Areyousur
e?”
Bantuswal
lowed.“
Yes.Why?I
sther
esomet
hing
wrong?”
“
Idon’
tknowAngel
…ist
her
e?”
“
No.Yousound…Idon’
tknow.Di
dIdosomet
hing?
”
Ther
ewassilencet
henbechuckl
ed.“
NgNg,
you
di
dn’
tkanayang?”
“
Youar
escar
ingme.
”
“
How?
”
Sheputherhandoverherchest
.
“
Iwasj
ustconcer
ned.Iwor
ryaboutyou.Idon’
t
meant
oscareyou.
”
Sheclosedhereyesandgoti
nhercar
,herhear
t
st
il
lpounding.
“
Ok…”
“
Howi
syourdaysof
ar?
”
Sheputherheadont
hedashboar
d.“
It
sfi
ne.
”
“
Ther
e’sani
ncomi
ngcal
l.
.Iwi
llcal
lyouback.
”
Hehungup.Bantuputherhandsonherf
ace
r
eal
izi
ngjusthowscaredshewas.

*
**
Pul
epi
ckedacal
l.
“
Didyouf
indanyt
hing?
”
“
No.Shewasatt
hehospi
tal
.”
“
Myguy,
youknowIhat
eli
esaker
e?”
“ComeonP…youknowIdon’
tli
e.HowlonghaveI
beent
aki
ngcar
eofbusi
nessforyou?
”
“Iknow.Ij
ustt
houghtI
’
dremi
ndyou.Ihat
eli
es.
Theyangerme.”
“
Shewasatt
hehospi
tal
.”
“
Cool
thanks.
”
Pul
ehungupandcal
ledherback.
“
Hel
lo?
”
“
Whatdi
dyoueat
?”
“Ihaven’
teat
enyet
.”Hervoi
cebr
oket
henshe
start
edcryi
ng.
“
Whyar
ewecr
ying?
”
“
Iam scar
ed.Di
dIdosomet
hing?Want
shosa.
”
“
Youdi
dn’
tdoanyt
hing.Iwasj
ustwor
ri
ed.Your
phonewasoffforanhour
…Iwasj ustworr
ied.Iam
sorr
yforscar
ingyou.
.Iam sor
ry….Don’
tcry.Iwas
j
ustworri
ed.That
’sal
l.
”
“
Ok.
”
“
Iloveyou.
”
“
Iloveyout
oo.
”
“
Goandeat
.Ineedt
otakeani
ncomi
ngcal
l.
”
Hehungupandpi
ckedacal
l.
“
P,ar
eyoust
il
lcomi
ng?
”
“
No.Ineedtosor
toutsomet
hingt
oni
ght
.Let
’st
alk
t
omorrow.
”
“
Ok.Shar
p.”
Pulewal
kedoutofhi
soffi
ceatt
hemot orshopand
madehiswaytothepar
kingl
otbooki
nghisfli
ght
ti
cket
s.

*
**
Laterthatday,
Lefar
eadthrought hereportoft
he
missingdiamonds,i
tdi
dn’tmakesenset hat
di
amondswoul dj
ustgomi ssingoutofnowher e
andt her
ewouldn’
tbeanyt racetoshowexact l
y
whathappened.
Lef
athought
ful
lycal
ledTshepo.
“
Hel
lo?
”
“
Lai
taka,
Ijustcameacr
osst
hedi
amondcase.
”
Tshepol aughed.“
Peopl
ehavegutsoutthere.
Breakingintoamineisnotsomet
hingthathappens
everyday.”
“I
t’
snot.Andthi
sisnotgoi
ngtobetakenl
ying
down.Thosediamondsarewor
thsomuch,kanake
madiasechaba.”
“
Iknow.
”
“
Ihopeyouwer
enotpar
tofi
t.
”
“
Whatdoyoumean?
”
“Doyouthi
nkit
’sj
ustacoi
ncidencet
hatyour
brot
herwouldj
ustopenabarinJwanengthen
monthslat
erdi
amondsgetstol
en?Alr
eadyhe’sa
suspect.Theymightnothaveanythingnowbut
Tshepo,there’
sal
wayst hatt
inydetailhef
orgot
about.Theyaregoingtolockhim upwhent heyget
thei
rhandsonhi m.”
“Iknowyoudon’ tli
kehim becauseofthewhole
i
ssuewi t
hBantubuthewasn’ tevenJwanengwhen
everyt
hinghappened.Hewaswi thmeatthepub
andgr i
lli
nGabs.Wewer eactual
lyworki
ngona
newbusi nessplan.Iknowit’
seasiert
osuspecthim
butit’
snothim.Thisj obwasdonewi t
hthepeople
i
nsidethemi ne.Theyar et
heoneswhounder stand
howt hesecuri
tyinsideworks.Howareyourlegs?”
“
Doi
ngbet
ter
.”
“
That
’sgood.Ican’
twai
tti
llyouar
ewal
king.
”
Lef
achuckl
ed.“
Soonl
ait
aka,
soon!
”

*
**

InKasane,
Bantuparkedhercaratherhouseaf
ter
dawn.Shetookherbelongi
ngsthenwalkedtot
he
door.Sheunl
ockeditt
henwalkedin.Shet
ookof
f
hershoesswit
chingonthel
ight.
Shewalkedt
othekitchenbar
efoot
ed.Sheputher
fastf
oodontheki
tchencounter
s.
Someoneknockedonthedoor.Shewal
kedover
andopenedhercur
tai
nlooki
ng.
Herheartski
ppedasshelookedatPuleonthedoor.
Heknockedagainasherphonestart
edringi
ng.She
pi
cked,herhear
traci
ng.
“
Hel
lo?
”
“
Hey,
openf
orme.Iam out
side.
”
“
Youar
eher
e?”
“
Yeahopen.
”
“
Why?Wewer
etoget
heryest
erday.
”
“
Opent
hedoor
.”
“
Whathappened?
”
“
Wit
hwhat
?Opent
hedoor
,Iam col
d.”
“
Nnakeat
shaba.
”
“Whatar
eyouscaredofbabe?Iam her
etoseeyou.
Ij
ustmissedyou.
”
“
Iam scar
ed.
”
“
Babe…pl easeopenforme.It’
scol
doutsi
de.I
missedyou.It
’sonl
yme..pleaseopen.
”
Shehungupthentextedherfat
herashor
tqui
ckl
y
messagebef
oreunlockingt
hedoor.
Pul
eputhishandsonhi
swaistwal
kingi
nand
cl
osedthedoorwit
hhi
sleg.Heki
ssedherl
ipst
hen
smil
ed.
“
Hi.
”
Shelookedi nhiseyeswonder i
ngi fheknew
anythi
ng.Pul elookedatthefearinhereyesthenhe
guil
ti
lyheldherhands, t
heinnocencei nhiseyes
i
mmedi atelygetti
ngridofanyt houghtshehadbeen
havi
ngasmor eguil
tyweighedhim down.
“Babe…i
t’
sok.Ij
ustmi
ssedyou.Ij
ustwant
edt
o
seeyou.
”
Sheputherhandonhermouthandbursti
ntoacry,
fearmaki
ngherchokewhi
lecryi
ng.Pul
ewrapped
hisarmsar
oundherandhel
dheri
nhi
sar
ms
l
isteni
ngt
ohercr
y.
Hercr
ypiecedt
hroughhishear
t,hepi
ckedherup
andsatdownhol
dingherli
keababy.
Shecalmeddownminutesl
aterbr
eat
hingonhi
s
neck.Pul
ewipedawayhert
earsandki
ssedher
.
“
It
’sok.Iam sor
ryf
orscar
ingyou.
”
Shenoddedl
ooki
ngathi
m.Heki
ssedheragai
n.
“
Iwi
llr
unusabat
h.”
Hest oodupandputherdownt henwal kedtoher
bathroom.Shetookadeepbr eathandqui ckl
ytook
herphoneandbl ockedAl pha’sot hernumberand
del
etedit.ShedeletedtheFNBmessage.She
walkedtoherbedr oom thenputi teverythi
ngonthe
bedandundr essedr emainingnude.Shet i
edher
hai
rthenwal kedtot hebathroom.
Bant
uwrappedherarmsaroundhimfr
om behi
nd.
Pul
etur
nedandkissedher.Hepi
ckedherupand
hel
dheragai
nstt
hewall.
Heunzi
ppedhi
spant
sandt
ooki
tout
.Shet
ooka
deepbr
eaththenheloweredherdownoni
tfi
ll
ing
herupt
il
lshecouldn’
tbreat
he.Hehel
dherwaist
and…
.
Aft
ert
hesteamysession,Bantusati
nthebatht
ub
i
nPule’
sarms.Shetouchedascaronhi swri
stthat
wascover
edsli
ght
lywi t
hat at
too.
“
Whathappenedher
e?”
Pulekissedherli
ps.“
Igoti
tatschool
.MyMaths
teacherhadissueswit
hme.Hehi tmewit
hastick
becauseIwast ryi
ngtomakealivi
ngincl
ass.
”
Bant
usmi
led.“
Whatl
ivi
ng?
”
“
Iusedtosellsweet
s.AndIwoul dneverl
ethim
t
akethem f
rom mesohe’ dbeatmeinstead.Hehad
i
ssueswit
hme. .he’
ssti
llateachert
il
lnow.”
Bant
ulaughed.“
Youwer
enaught
y.”
“Idi
dwhatIhadt odotosurvi
ve.Andthen…I
rememberTsheponeededaschoolj er
sey.He’
dcry
foroneeveryday.Theywereotherki
dswi t
hjer
seys
attheorphanage,hedidn’
tgetany.SoIneededthe
moneyt
ogeti
tforhi
m.”
Bant
ucaressedhi
sar
mthenpausedcomi
ngacr
oss
anot
herscar.
“
Andt
hisone?
”
Pul
elooked.“
Igott
hatatt
heor
phanageIt
hink.
”
Shesmi
led.“
Whatdi
dyoudo?
”
Hesmi ledbackl ookinginhereyes.“Ourcaret
aker
attheor phanagelikedbeati
ngus.She’dbeatusf or
completelynor eason.Shewoul dwanttobeat
Tshepot oosoIwoul dtakeTshepo’sbeati
ng,that
wast i
llwest ar
tedf ucki
ng.”
Bant
u’smout
hdr
oppedopen.“
What
?Howol
dwer
e
you?
”
“
Iwas12.I
twassur
vivaloft
hef
it
test
.”
“
Shewasr
api
ngyou?
”
“Idon’
tseeitasrape.Ther
eareothert
hingsthat
canber ape,t
hatwasjustati
ckett
obetterl
ivi
ng
condit
ions.It
hinkthi
sisenoughbathi
ngforthe
day.”
Theygotoutoft
hebat
htub.Hedr
iedherand
walkedoutwi
thher
.
MinutesLatershegotundercover
sasPul
e
swit
chedof ftheli
ght
s.Hegotinbedwi
thherand
hel
dhert i
ghtly.
“Iam sorryIhavei nstall
edt hi
sfeari
nyou.Iam
sorryyouhavet ol i
vei nfearbutwhenIsai ditwon’t
happenagai n,Imeanti t
.IknowIcanbet oomuch
somet i
mes, pleasebepat i
entwithme..IswearIam
workingoni t.Ifyouwi shIwoul ddothings
dif
ferentl
y,don’ tbescar edt otel
lme.Ifyoudon’ t
l
ikesomet hing, feelfr
eet ovoiceitout.Iwantt obe
bett
erf oryouandourson.Youhavet ur nedintomy
enti
rewor ldandIdon’ twantt oloseyout othings
wecoul dhavej ustdiscussed.”
Bant
umovedherheadandki
ssedhi
m.“
Iloveyou.
”
“
Iloveyout
oo.Il
oveyousomuch.
”
Bant
usmi l
edki
ssi
nghischestandsighedhappi
l
y
wonderi
ngwhathadevengott
enintohertobe
ent
ert
aini
ngamereFacebookfri
end.
*
**

Al
phaspokeont
hephonei
nhi
shot
elr
oom.
“She’
s…hehasahol donher .Ijustneedalit
tl
e
moret ime.She’sgoingtogivein.Wej ustneed
somet hingt
oshakeupt herelati
onship.Canthat
murdercasebeopenedagai n?Thepl anwouldbe
topainthim asthewor stt
hingt hatcaneverhappen
toanyone.Af t
erthatitwil
leasiertogetthrough
her.
”
“
Ok.Andt
hef
ri
end?
”
“
Shewi
llbeusef
uli
nthenearf
utur
e.”

SI
XMONTHSLATER…
.
.
.
[
06/
22,
08:
26] :Fal
lenAngel
#71

Si
xMont
hsLat
er…

InKasane,
Bantuwalkedoutoft hehospi
talholding
herwhit
ecoatini
naf l
areddr essandheels.She
madeherwayt ohersmallcarthenjumpedi n.One
ofthedoct
orsunl
ockedhiscarnextt oBantu’sthen
knockedonherwindowsmi l
ing.
“
Hi,
Ihear
dtodayi
syourl
astday.
”
Bantusmil
edroll
ingdownherwi
ndow.“
Itwas.Kea
tsamaya.(
Iam going.
)
“
Whenar
eyoucomi
ngback?
”
Shelaughed.“
Waai
,Idon’
tknowi
fIwi
llevencome
back.
”
“Youwer
eamazi
ngher
e.Af
tergr
aduat
ion,
appl
y.
Youwil
lgett
hej
ob.
”
Bantulaughedst
art
inghercar
.“Iwi
llkeept
hati
n
mind.”
Shestart
edhercaranddroveoffl
ooki
ngatt heti
me.
Shedroveherhousethenpackedherbagsinher
carj
ustastheagentparkedbesi
desher.Bantu
handedthehousekeys.
“
Thankyousomuch.Her
ear
ethekeys.
”
Theagentsmiled.“
Ishouldbethanki
ngyou.We
rar
elygetpeoplewholeavepr
opertyast
heyfound
i
t.”
“
Ihavet
ogonow.
”
“
Youar
edr
ivi
ng?
”
Bant
unodded.“
Yes.
”
“
Goodl
uck.
”
Bantul
aughedthengotinhercar
.Sher
ever
sedout
thendr
oveoffpi
ckingYaya’
scall
.
“
Hel
lo?
”
“
Iboughtacar
!”
Bant
usmi
ledhappi
ly.“
Youdi
d?”
“Idi
d.Kago’
si nsur
ancemoneyf i
nall
ypai
doff.Nna
kereki
lekol
oi.IboughtaJeep.Ican’
twai
tforyou
t
oseei
t.
”
“
Iam sohappyforyou.Iknowyouhavebeen
want
ingacarforawhilenow.”
“Ihave.WaitseIam sohappyf
ort
hismoney.I
boughtitcash.Nocredi
t.
”
Bant
ilaughed.“
Iam sohappyf
oryou.
”
“
Whatt
imewi
llyoubeher
e?”
“
Lat
ert
oni
ght
.Maybear
ound8.
”
“
Whydi
dn’
tPul
egetyouapl
anet
icket
?”
“Hetravell
edoutofcountrylastweek.Hethi
nksI
am comi ngintwodays,he’scomingbacktomorrow
sohewasgoi ngtosor
tmyt hi
ngsthen.Iwantt
o
sur
prisehim.Iwanthimt of i
ndmeathomekemo
emetsi.
”
“
Whati
fyouf
indawomani
nthehouse?
”
“
Thenannyi
shomewi
thmyson.
.”
Yamasasi
ghed.“
Ok.ThenmaybeIcant
akeyoufor
adri
vewhenyouarr
ivet
oni
ght.I
nmynewcar!”
Bant
ulaughed.“
Ok.
”
“
Wher
edi
dhet
ravelt
o?Whydi
dn’
tyougot
oo?
”
“WearegoingtoParisassoonasIwr
apupmyf i
nal
exams.”Bantusmi
ledexcit
edl
y.“
Wewillbet
her
e
foracoupleofmonths.
”
“
Mot
heo?
”
“
He’
scomingwithus.Pulesaidwewil
lbet
her
efor
awhi
lel
ongert
hanhei ni
ti
all
ythought
.”
“
Doeshehaveabusi
nesst
her
e?”
“Hehasinvestment
st her
e.Wai
tseIam soexci
ted.
Ebi
leIhavetryi
ngtolearnsomeFrench.
”
Yamasalaughed.“
Bonj
ourmma,
anyways,
Iwi
llsee
youwhenyougethere.
”
“
Ok.Shar
p.”
Yamasahungup.Bantutur
neduphermusi
c
st
eppi
ngontheacceler
ator
.

*
**
InGaborone,Lef
aparkedhiscaratthemal
lthen
slowl
ysteppedout.Hetookhiscrut
chesandlocked
hiscarandslowlywal
kedinsi
dethesmall.
Hewalkedinsi
deaphar macyt
ogethi
smedi cati
on.
Hestoppedstar
ingatMainahol
dingt
heirdaughter
hand.Shegothermedicat
iont
othenpickedherup
andturned.
ShelookedatLef
ainshockandsur
pri
set
oact
ual
ly
seehim onhi
stwolegs.
“
Hi.
.”
Mai
nagl
aredathi
m.“
Stayawayf
rom me.
”
Shewalkedoutinherwhi
tedressandheels.He
swal
l
owedt urni
ngandwatchedherdisappearf
rom
hi
ssight.
Hetookadeepbreaththenwalkedtot
hefrontdesk.
Minut
eslat
erheslowlywalkedoutandgotbackin
hi
scar.
Hetookhi
sphoneandscroll
edtohernumber.He
st
aredati
tforawhil
ethenputdownhisphone
downknowingeveni
fhehadt oappr
oachherabout
t
hei
rdaught
er,
itwasnotgoi
ngt
obeeasy.

*
**

Mainadr
ovetothepr
eschoolwher
eshedr
opped
of
fherdaught
er.
“
Byebaby…”
Herdaught
ersmi
ledi
nhert
eacher
’sar
ms.“
Bye
bye.
”
Mai
nahandedthemedi
cat
iont
othet
eacher
.“Thi
s
i
shermedi
cati
on.”
“
Ok.Wewi
llgi
vet
hem t
oher
.Seeyoul
ater
.”
Mainat
urnedandwalkedt
ohercar.Shegoti
nand
dr
oveoffwonder
inghowhewaswal ki
ngwhenthe
l
astshehadhear
d,hewasparal
yzed.
Shelookedatherphone,hewasgoingtocall
,
knowinghim,heobvi
ouslywasgoingtocalland
shewasj ustwai
ti
ngforhim.
Shecal
ledherf
ri
enddr
ivi
ngbackt
oPr
incess
Mar
inaHospi
tal
.
“
Ina…”
“
IsawLef
a.He’
snowwal
king.
”
“
Isawhi
mlastweek.
”
“
Youdi
d?”
“
YesbutIdi
dn’
twantt
orui
nyourmood.
”
“Youshoul
dhavej
ustt
oldme.Iknowhe’sgoi
ngt
o
callmewanti
ngmeback.Kemoemetsigore.
”
“
Ihopeyoudon’tt
akehim backl
ewenaI
na.That
mandoesn’
tdeserveyou.
”
“He’sneverget
ti
ngmeback.ButIknowLefa,
he’
s
goingtocallwant
ingust
otal
k.Iam wai
ti
ngfort
hat
cal
l.Ihavebeenwaiti
ng.
”
“
Don’
tki
llhi
m.”
Mai
nal
aughed.“
Hewi
llki
llhi
msel
f.
”

*
**
Lat
erthateveni
ng,Bantuyawneddri
vingjustaft
er
ni
nethentookagul pofherener
geti
cdrink,her
wholebodyaching.Herbuttwasnowt i
redofsit
ti
ng.
Sheyawnedagainfal
li
ngasleept
hensl owlyveer
ed
offr
oad.Shesnappedhereyesopenbr i
ngingthe
carbacki
nroadandroll
eddownal lherwindows.
Shel
ookedatt
heGabor
onesignageshowi
ngher
shewaslef
twi
thonl
y10km t
oarri
ve.
Shesatupri
ghtturni
ngupaf astdancesong.She
smiledawhil
elaterdri
vinginGaborone.Shedr ove
toPule’
shouseandsmi ledhappilypressi
ngt he
gat
er emot
e.Thegat esli
dopent henshedr ove
i
nsideandparkedhercar .
Bantusteppedoutoft
hecarwithherhandbagmor
e
thanexhaustedandwalkedt
othedoorand
unlockedit
.
Shewalkedinj
ustast
henannywal
kedfrom
Motheo’
sroom i
nhermor
ninggown.Shesmil
ed.
“
MmagweMot
heo.
”
Bant
usmi
ledback.“
Hi.
”
“Idi
dn’
tknowyouwer
ecomi
ng.Idi
dn’
tleaveyou
anyfood.
”
“I
t’
sok.Idon’
tevenwantt
oeat
.Ij
ustwantt
o
showerandsl
eep.”
“
Ohok.
”
Bantu’
sphoner
ang.Shel
ookedatYamasacal
li
ng
thenpi
cked.
“
Yaya…”
“
Haveyouar
ri
ved?
”
“Yes.Iam soti
red.Canwedot
hedr
ivet
omor
row?I
am sotir
ed.”
“Wewillj
ustgobyNandos.Ior
deredmydi
nner,I
havetogoandcollect
.Letmepi
ckyouup,
coll
ect
thenIwil
lret
urnyou.”
“
Iam sot
ir
ed.Icanbar
elyf
eelmybody.
”
“
Iam comi
ng.Gi
vemet
enmi
nut
es.Youhavet
osee
mycar.
”
Bant
uhungupandwalktoherdon’
sbedr
oom.She
l
ookedathi
m sl
eepi
ngt
hensmi l
ed.Hel
ooked
exactl
yli
kehi
sfat
her
,itwasasi
fPul
ehadmade
him al
lal
one.
Bantuwal
kedoutandtookashowerbefore
changi
ngi
ntoasimpledressandf
li
pflops.
SheopenedthegateasYamasacal
ledt
henher
JeepWrangl
erdrovein.
Bantusmi
ledasYamasast
eppedoutofhercar
danci
ngtoaSouthAf
ri
cansong.
Shesangal
ongdanci
ngmor
e.
“
Akul
aleki
AsambeniAkul
alekiAsambeni
…”
Bant
ulaughed.“
Youar
egoi
ngt
owakemyson.
”
Yamadahuggedher
.Bantul
aughedt
hensmi
led
l
ooki
ngatthebi
gredcar.
“
It
’sbeaut
if
ulYaya.
”
“
WhenIsawitIknew…Ij
ustknew.I
twasl
oveat
f
ir
stsi
ght
.”
Bant
uhuggedher
.“Iam sohappyf
oryouf
ri
end.
”
“
Let
’sgo.
”
Bant
uwal
kedbacki
nherhouseandl
ookedatSasa.
“
Hey,myf r
iendgotacar
.Shewant
smet
ofeeli
t.I
wil
lbebackinthi
rt
yminutes.
”
“
Ok.
”
Bantuwalkedt
otheJeepandj
umpedi
n.Yamasa
droveof
fhappi
ly.
Bant
ulookar
oundt
hecarexci
tedl
y.“
Thi
scari
sthe
one.
”
“
Aker
e?”
“
Yes.
”
“
Let
’spassbyabar
,Ineedt
ogetal
cohol
.”
“
Ihopeyouar
egoi
ngt
odr
inkathomeYaya.
”
“
Yes.
”
Yamasapi
ckedherr
ingi
ngphoner
educi
ngt
he
vol
ume.
“
Hel
lo…yes…yes.Ok.
”
Shehungupandr
oll
edhereyes.“
It
’smama.
.oh…
take.
”
YamasagaveBantuthealr
eadyopenedcanofcoke.
Bant
utookitandst
arteddri
nki
ngasYamasadrove
tot
hebar.
Shepar
kedt
hecar
.“Geti
nwi
thme.
”
Bantusighedthensteppedoutofthecarfi
nishi
ng
hercoke.Theywalkedinsi
de,Yayalookedatthe
bart
enderthenatBantu.
“
Whatshoul
dIgetyou?
”
“
Not
hingi
sfi
ne.
”
Theybot
hlaughed.
“
Hey…”
Bant
utur
nedatt
hevoi
cet
hensmi
led.
“
Alpha.
.”
Al
phasmi
ledst
ari
ngather
.“Hi
.”
Bant
ulookedatYamasawhowasst
ari
ngl
ooki
ng
l
ost.
“UhYaya,thi
sisAlpha.AFacebookfr
iend.Alpha
thi
sismyf ri
end,
Yaya.Asoont obegraduatein
Socialwor
kwho’salreadyworki
ng.
”
Yamasasmi
ledl
aughed.“
It
’sni
cet
omeetyou.
”
Al
phanoddedt
hent
urnedhi
sat
tent
iont
oBant
u.
“
Ombl
oket
sing?(
Whydi
dyoubl
ockme?
)”
Bant
usmiled.“
Iwantedtorespectmyr
elat
ionshi
p.I
st
il
lwantt
o.Yayaissingl
e.”
Al
phal
aughed.“
Ij
a…whatcanIgetyou?
”
Bant
ushookherhead.“
Wewer
eleavi
ng.
”
Yamasal
ookedather
.“Butwecanst
ayf
ora
minut
eort
wo.”
Alphasmil
edholdi
nghi
sbeeri
nhi
shand.“
Whatar
e
yougir
lsdri
nki
ng?”
Yayaquickl
yspoke.“
Savanna.Bant
uli
kesVi
rgi
n
Moji
to.
”
Alphat
urnedtothebart
ender
.Bant
upul
led
Yamasacloser
.
“
Wehavet
ogo.Ican’
tbeseenwi
tht
hisman.
”
“
Whowi
llseeyou?
”
“
Yamasa,
Ihavet
ogo.KanaPul
ehasf
ri
ends
ever
ywhere.Idon’
twanttobeinaposi
ti
onwher
eI
havetobeexplai
ningmysel
f.
”
“
Ok.Onedr
inkt
henwego.
”
Al
phagott
hei
rdr
inks.
“
Ladi
es…”
Yamasat
urnedsmi
li
ngandgotherSavannahwhi
le
Bant
ugothers.
“
Thankyou.
”
Alphasmi
ledthenwalkedoutpicki
ngacal l.
Yamasapull
edBant utoatabl
eatthecor ner.They
satdowndri
nking.Bantuqui
ckl
yf i
nishedherdr i
nk.
“
Yayaf
ini
sh.
”
Yayagul
pedtherestofi
tdown.“
Letmegot
othe
bathr
oom.Getuswaterthenwego.
”
“
Ok.
”
Yayastoodupanddi sappearedint
hecrowd.Bant
u
st
oodupt henpausedf eel
ingsli
ght
lydi
zzy.She
walkedtothebar
tender.
“
CanIhavet
wogl
assesofwat
er.Tapwat
er.
”
“
Ok.
”
Thebartendernoddedandgothert
hewater
.Bant
u
quickl
ydrankhers.Shet
ri
edtomovebutt
he
groundfel
tli
keitwasspi
nning.
Shetookadeepbr eat
h,herhear
tbeatgoi
ngfast
er.
ShegotYamasa’sglassofwaterandtri
edtowalk
i
mmedi at
elyl
osingbalance.Al
phacaughtherfr
om
behi
ndandwr appedhisarmsaroundher.
“
Hey…ar
eyouok?
”
“
Yes.Ineedt
ogoout
side.
”
“
Ok.Letmehel
pyou.
”
Hepickedherupandwal
kout
sidewi
thher
.Heput
herdown.
“
Howi
sthat
?”
Bantul
ookedaroundt
hem r
ubbedhereyesunabl
e
toseeproper
ly.
“
Ithinkthealcoholwas…”Sheswayedalmost
f
all
ingunabletounder st
andwhatwashappeni
ng
wit
hherbody.Shef el
tsohotshej
ustwant
edto
t
akeof fever
ything.
“
Inee…I…”Shetookadeepbreat
hfeel
ingasi
fshe
wasrunni
ngoutofbr
eath.“
Ineedtogohome.”
“
Shoul
dIdr
opyouof
f?”
“
Yaya…”
Shetri
edt owalktoYamasacarbutt heground
spunmor e.Alphaheldherasshestagger
ed.Bantu
gaspedfeeli
ngher selfsl
owlyl
oseconsci
ous.She
shookherheadt ryingtokeepawake.
“
Cal
l…”
ShelookedatAl
phaandcl
osedhereyes,
herbody
becomingmoreheavyi
nhi
sarms.
Hepi
ckedherupandwalkedwi
thhert
ohi
scarand
dr
oveoffr
ecei
vingacal
l.
“
It
’sdone.Iam goi
ngt
omyhouse.
”
“
Ihopei
t’
snotgoi
ngt
olookl
iker
ape.
”
“She’
sgoi
ngtowakeupinanhour
.Iwi
llgi
veher
t
heotherdr
ug.Shewil
lbeawaket
hen,
justhi
gh.
Andshe’
sgoingtobet
alki
ng.
”
“
Okshar
p.Wewi
llt
alki
nthemor
ning.
”
Al
phahungupdr
ivi
ngt
ohi
shousewi
thBant
uat
t
hebackseat
.
.
.
.
Goodmor ni
ng, Idozedoff.Thisweekisdefini
tel
y
showingmef l
ames.Pl easef or
giveme.It'
s
accessi
ondayt odaymeani ngi t
'sahol
idayandI
wil
lonlypostbonusesandt heseonesareonyou.
Quickl
yparti
cipateontheinser t
stounl
ockt henext
i
nsert.
[
06/
22,
08:
26] :Fal
lenAngel
#72

Yamasadr ovet
oherhouse,herhandsshookas
shetri
edtocalm down.Sheparkedthecarather
housethenputherhandsonherf ace,
tear
sfil
li
ng
hereyes.
Shecal
ledt
henumbert
hatusual
lycal
ledher
.
“
Yeah?
”
“
Whatar
eyougoi
ngt
odot
oher
?”
“
Don’
twor
ryaboutt
hat
.Goodj
ob.
”
“
WhendoIgetmydaught
er?
”
“
Aft
erwemakeanar
rest
.”
At
earr
oll
eddown.“
Pleasedon’
thur
ther
.”
“Am Isendingaproblem her
e?Ifyoufuckthisup,
youwillneverseeyourdaughtereveragai
nnorwill
anyoneeverseeyouagai n.Youwillwaitf
ormycall
fort
henextmove.Fornowyougett okeepthecar
.”
Hehungup.Yamasast eppedoutofthecar
,mow
t
hatshethoughtofit
,shehadneveraskedwhythey
wouldwantBantu.Ormaybetheywouldtor
tur
eher
t
il
lshespoke.
Shewalkedinsi
dethehouseandthoughtf
ull
ytr
ued
cal
li
ngherbutthedrugi
nt hecokehadprobabl
y
knockedherout
.Thephoner angunanswer
edfora
whil
e.
“
Uhhel
lo?
”
Yamasat
ookadeepbr
eat
h.
“Help?I
t’
sSasa.MmagweMot
heol
eftt
hephone
hereathome.
”
“
UhSasai
sBant
unothome?
”
“
No.Si
nceshel
eftwi
thyou.
”
Shesatdownbi
ti
ngherlowerli
p.“Shel
eftwi
tha
cert
ainman,
afr
iendofhers.Maybeshe’
ssti
llon
theway.
”
“
Ok.
”
“
Pleaset
ellhert
ocal
lmeback.
”
“
Ok.
”
Yamasahungupandputherhandoverhermout
h.

*
**

AtAlpha’shouse,Al
phaspl
ashedBantuwithcol
d
water.Bantugaspedwaki
ngup.Alphal
ookedather
asshel ai
donhisbed.Shegroaned,
hereyes
cl
osi
ng.
“
Hey…Bant
u…”
“
Pul
e…”
Heki
ssedherl
ips.“
Hey…”
Sheweakl ygr
unted,herbodyfail
ingt
orespond.He
reachedforasyri
ngeandi nj
ectedherwi
thadr ug.
Shegr unt
edtr
yingtomovebutherbodyf eltsoti
red.
“
Babe…”
Sheslightl
ymovedherf
inger
sthenopenedher
eyes.Alphasmi
led.
“
Ther
ewego.Tal
ktomebabe.
.”
“
Pul
e…”
“
Wher
e’she?
”
“
I.
.he.
..
”
“
Wher
e’sPul
e?”
Sheweaklyclosedhereyes.Al
phatookadeep
breat
hthentookoffal
lherclot
hesleavi
nghernude
onhisbed.Shehadstretchmarksonherhipsgoi
ng
t
oherbut
t.
Helookedatherbodyfr
om hersmallbreastsgoing
downherstomachthenhershavedp*ssy.Al pha
openedherl
egsthem setupthecameraint he
perf
ectposi
ti
onthatwouldshowherclearly.
Awaveguil
tyhithi
m,hewasaboutt orapea
womanbutthenitwasnecessary.I
twasbetter
thanal
othehaddonebefore.Farbett
er.Anditwas
bett
ert
hankil
li
nghertogett
oPul e.
Heundressedawayfrom t
hecamerat
henwent
overherbody,
hisdi
ckalr
eadyhar
d.
Atl
easthecouldl
ivehi
sfantasyoffucki
nga
womanwithoutbeingl
imi
tedorstoppedatany
poi
nt.
Hekissedherl ips.Bantugroanedinsomuch
exhausti
on,itfeltasifmult
iplebri
cksonher .Al
pha
droppedkissesdownt oherneckt henpasther
breastgoingfurthertoherbellybutt
onasBant ufel
l
unconsciousagai n.
Hefurt
herdownandopenedherl
egst
henl
ookedat
herp*
ssyli
psclosi
ngever
ythi
ngi
n.
Hel
eanedoverandranhi
stonguebetweenpar
ti
ng
t
hem andsl
owlyandgent
lysuckedher.
Hemovedhismouthonherasi
fhewer epai
dto.
Hepushedafi
ngeri
nsi
dewhil
esti
lll
icki
ngand
ki
ssi
nghercl
it
.
Heli
ft
edhi
shead,
hishar
ddi
char
dandoozi
ngwi
th
pr
ecum.
Hepull
edhercloserwi
thherwaistandr anhi
s
weaponupanddownherwet nessbreathingheavi
ly.
Hesmearedhisprecum onhert
henl ookedather
t
inyhol
e..
Hetookadeepbreat
handpushedhimsel
fthr
ough
wat
chingherl
it
tl
ep*ssyst
ret
chedopenforhi
m.
Hepausedt
hent
ookt
hecamer
aandgotbackon
her
.
Hehel dthecamerafil
minghi
mselffor
cefull
y
pushingin.Hesli
dhisenti
remeatinsi
deher
grunti
ngatthefeel
ing.Hepushedtherestofhis
dickinsi
deherandalmostdroppedthecamer a
shiveri
ng.
“
Fuck…”
Herp*ssyfeltsogoodhewasn’
tsur
ehowlonghe
wouldlastbutthenhehadt
hewholeni
ghtt
odo
ever
ythinghewant ed.
Hegentl
ystart
ingthr
usti
ngintogrunt
ingwit
hevery
thr
ustasherp*ssysuckedhim backwheneverhe
sli
dout.
Hemovedhi swaistsl
idi
nginandoutofher ,her
p*ssycoat
inghi
m wi t
hherjuices.Itwasf
unnyhow
thehumanbodyfunctioned,plusthesexpi
llwas
makingthi
ngseveneasierforhim.
Hecl osedhiseyesforasecondj ustenjoyi
ngthe
feeli
ngherp* ssywasgivinghim..Hesqueezedher
breastwithhisotherhandsti
llpushingintoher
pleasuri
nghimselfwhileshelaidtherenow
unconsciousagain.
Heopenedherl
egsevenmor
ebr
ingi
ngt
hecamer
a
cl
oser
.
Hegruntedfucki
nghermor e,nowgoingali
ttl
e
fast
er.Heplacedthecameradownsohecoul dli
ft
herwaistup.Hedril
ledherdi
ggingdeeperi
ntoher
wi
thever
ythr
ust
.
Heleanedkissi
ngherl
ipst
hengenherneck
sucki
ngtoleaveabrui
sebehi
nd.
“
Ahhhf
*ck!
”
Hepushedherlegst
oherchestgoi
ngevenf
ast
er.
Hi
sveinspoppedoutassweatfor
medonhis
f
orehead.
Hesli
doutt
odelayhi
scum sonott
oenditf
ast
er
t
henpushedbackwit
hagrunt
,heri
nsi
des
massagi
nghim.
Hemovedhi swaistnowproper
lyf
ucki
ngher ,he
droppedonelegonandputoneofhisshoulder
openingherupmor e.Hi
sdicsl
ammedinsideher
overandoveragain,hi
sbodysl
appi
ngagainsthers
whileherbr
eastbouncedupanddown.
Hi
sbuttcl
enchedwi
theacht
hrust
,thebedshaki
ng
wi
tht
heamountofmovementgoingon.
Al
phagr
oaned,almostscr
eamingashisdi
ckjer
ked
i
nsi
deherpumpingouthissemeninsi
deher.
Hi
sbodyvi
brat
edashecl
osedhi
seyesf
eel
ingasi
f
hewasbei
ngel
ect
ri
fi
edwi
thpl
easur
e.
Hestil
leddeepi
nsideherlett
ingital
loutthen
fi
nall
ysli
doutbreathi
ngheavily.Hepickedthe
camerashowinghi scum tr
aili
ngoutthenhe
pusheditbacki
nsideher.
Al
phagotdownthebedandoutt
hecamer
awher
e
i
twas,
hissemiharddi
chit
ti
nghi
sthi
ghs.
Hewipedherwithherpant
ythenl
aiddownandout
herunconsci
ousbodyontopofhi
s.
Hestrokedhisdicksl
idbackinherwetness.He
heldherwaistl
if
tingherupsli
ght
lyandstarted
fucki
ngherfrom underneat
htaki
nghimselfstr
aight
toheaven.

*
**

Thefoll
owi
ngmorning,Pul
esmiledpar
kinghi
scar
nextt
oBantu’
scar.Heexci
tedl
ygotoutofthecar
thengothi
sbagfr
om thebootandwalktothedoor
.
Hesl
owl
yopenedi
tandwal
kedi
n.Sasawhowas
maki
ngbr
eakf
astt
urnedandl
ookedathi
m.
Pul
elookedover
.“Hi
.”
“
Goodmor
ning.
”
Puletot
hebedr
oom expecti
ngtofi
ndherinbedbut
ther
ewasnoone,j
ustherbagsont hefl
oor.Heput
hisbagont
hebedandwal kedoutofthebedroom
“
Wher
eisBant
u?”
“Shearr
ivedlastnightt
henherfr
iendcametoshow
herthenewcar .MmagweMot heosaidherfr
iend
wantedhertofeelhercarandthatshewoul
dbe
backinthir
tymi nut
es.Shei
snotbackyet.
”
Pul
efr
owned.“
Who?Yamasa?Thel
ightone?
”
“
Yes.
”
Pul
etookouthi
sphoneandcal
ledherbuther
numberwasnotavai
labl
e.
“Herphonei
sher
e.Iputi
tont
hechar
geraf
twri
t
swit
chedoff
.”
Pul
elookedatherphonethent
ookitswi
tchi
ngiton.
Heunlockedherscr
eenthenwentt
ohercontact
s.
Shet
appedYamasa’
snumberandcal
ledher
.
“Bantu!OhthankGod!Iwassowor
ri
ed.Iwas
call
ingthewholeni
ght.
”
“
It
’sPul
e.Wher
eisBant
u?”
“
Isn’
tshehome?
”
“
Whywoul
dIbeaski
ngi
fshewer
ehome?
”
“
I…Sheleftwit
hamanyest erday.Shesai
dhe’
sa
f
ri
end.Alpha.Theyj
ustl
efttogether
.”
“
War
eng?
”
“Yesterdaywewenttotestdrivemynewcar .We
passedbyabart ogetdoneal coholsowecelebrat
e
that’
swher ewemetaman, sheintr
oducedhim ada
fri
end.HeboughtusdrinksthenIsentyouthe
bathroom.WhenIcamebackshehadl ef
twithhim..
Ithoughthewastaki
ngherhome. ”
.
.
.
Let
’squi
ckl
ypar
ti
cipat
etounl
ockanot
heri
nser
tby
1930hr
s.
[
06/
22,
08:
26] :Fal
lenAngel
#73

AtAl
pha’
shousethatsamemor ni
ng,Bant
u
gr
oanedasavoi
cecont i
nuousl
ycall
edhername.
“
Bant
u!”
Bant
usl
owlyopenedherheavyeyel
ids.Shebl
inked
asAl
phalookedather
.
Hesmi
led.“
Hey…”
Bant
ur ubbedhereyesf
eel
ingasifshehadbeenhit
byatrain.Al
phaheldacupofcof
feeinhishands.
“
Imadeyoucof
fee.
”
Bant
uswallowedwetti
ngherdryt
hroatand
fr
ownedattheaft
ertast
einhermouth.Shebl
inked
agai
ntr
yingtofi
gureoutwhatwasgoingon.
ShelookedatAl
phaconf
used.Hesmil
edand
ki
ssedherli
ps.Bant
umovedherhead.
“
What
…?”
Alphasmil
ed.“
Youneedtowakeup.Yousai
d
somethi
ngaboutyoursonbei
ngal
onewit
hthe
nanny.
”
Bantumovedherheadandpausedatt
heshar
p
headache.
“
Awww…”
“
Areyouok?
”
Sheslowl
ytr
yingsi
tt
ingupr
ight
,thepai
nbet
ween
herl
egsmakingherfr
own.
“
Babe.
.ar
eyouok?
”
Bant
utouchedherheadconf
used.“
What
’sgoi
ng?
”
Theduvetf
ellexposi
ngherbr
east
.Shelookedat
whatl
ookedlikeherpant
yandherdr
essont he
fl
oor
.
Shelookedathi
m,herheartskippi
ng.Shegotoff
bedalmostfal
li
ngdi
zzy,herlegsweak.Alphaput
hi
shandsonherwaist.
“
Hey…ar
eyougood?
”
Bantupushedhim of
freali
zingshewasnaked.She
l
ookedbet weenherl
egsassomet hi
ngrandownher
i
nnerthighs.Shet
ouchedherachingpussy
touchi
ngt hesl
imywetness.
ShelookedatAl
phatryi
ngtoputt
hepieces
toget
herbutnot
hingwascomingbacktoher.
.
Shetr
iedt
orememberwi
thherachi
nghead.Al
pha
l
ookedather
.
“
Babe-
“
“
Don’
ttouchme!Whatam Idoi
ngher
e?”
“
Whatdoyoumean?
”
Bant
ubendedpicki
ngherdr
ess.“
Whatam Idoi
ng
her
e?!Whatdi
dyoudotome? ”
“
Whatar
eyout
alki
ngabout
?”
“
Whatdi
dyoudot
ome?Howdi
dIgether
e?”
Hefr
owned.“
Webumpedatt
hebarwhenyouwer
e
wi
thyourf
ri
end.
”
Bantuputherdr
essonherchest
…Yamasa!The
car
…t he…dri
nk…water
..
Tear
sf i
ll
edhereyesasshet ri
edtor
emember
ever
ythi
ngafterthatbutshecoul
dn’
tthi
nkof
anyt
hing…nothingcamet omind.
“
Idon’
tremember
…howdi
dIgether
e?”
“Youcamewithme.Yousai
dyouwereboredat
homesowecameoverf oramovi
ethenonethi
ng
l
edtoanother
.”
Bantushookherhead,
tear
srol
li
ngdownher
cheeks.“
No…”
“
Babe-
“
“
No!Youar
elyi
ng!No…”
“Lastni
ghtassamazi
ng.Iknewyouwoul
dwakeup
andchangeyourmindbut-
“
“No!Idon’
trememberi
t.Whatar
eyout
alki
ngabout
?
Iwouldneversl
eepwit
hyou!Whywoul
dIsleep
wit
hyou? ”
“It
ookavideo.I
ncasesomethi
ngl
iket
hiswoul
d
happen.Idi
dn’
trapeyoubabe.
”
“
Stopcal
li
ngmebabe!St
opi
t!
”
Alphal
ookedatherseekinghurt
.Hetookouthis
phoneandplayedavideo.Bant
ulookedatthecl
ose
cl
earvi
deoofhim sli
dinginandouti
fher,t
hescar
onherthi
ghclearl
yshowing.
Shegaspedput
ti
ngherhandoverhermout
h.“
No…”
“Youwerenotthatdrunk.Ididn’
tr apeyou.We
madelovelastni
ght.Ijusttookthevi deofor
memor i
esbecauseIhadaf eel
ingwhat ’
shappeni
ng
nowwoul dhappen.Look,Iknowyouar econf
used
ri
ghtnowbutlastnightwasmor et hanjustamazi
ng
andIknowyouf eelsomet hi
ngf orme. ”
“If
eelnothi
ngf oryou!Ilovemyman.Il ovehim
morethananyt hi
ng.Idon’tfeelanyt
hingf oryou.I
wil
lneverfeelanythi
ngf oryou.Idon’tknowwhat
happenedlastnightbutitmeantnot hing!Nothi
ng!
Doyouhearme? !Nothing?”
Shequickl
yputonherdress,
herhandsshaki
ngas
tear
srandownhercheeks.
Al
phatri
edtouchi
ngher
,Bant
upushedhi
m of
fwi
th
al
lherst
rengt
h.
Shepi
ckedherpant
yandqui
ckl
yputi
ton,
her
pussybur
ning.
“
Ineedtogohome.Pulei scomi
ngt oday.Hecan’t
f
indmenothome.Iwant edtosur
prisehim.He…
We…”Bantuputherhandsonherfacecr ying
f
eeli
ngasifsomethi
nghadbeenst olenfrom her
.
“
Bant
u-“
“
Ineedt
ogohome.
”
“
Ok.
”
Shepickedhershoesandwalkedoutwi
thhim.She
goti
nhi scar
,herheadachi
ngasshetri
edrecal
li
ng
whathadhappened.
“
Wear
egoi
ngt
obl
ock10.
”
“
Ok.
”
Al
phadr
ovet
oBl
ock10.
“
Stopher
e!”
“
Youst
ayher
e?”
“
No.St
opher
e!St
opt
hecar
!”
Al
phast
oppedt
henBant
ust
eppedoutoft
hecar
.
Al
phal
ookedather
.
“
Bant
u-“
“
Nevert
alkt
omeeveragai
n!St
ayawayf
rom me!
”
Sheputonhershoesandhur ri
edhomel eavi
nghim
sti
llparkedonthesamepositi
on.Herfeetmoved
fasterthenshestar
tedrunni
ng,herbr
aintryi
ngto
recallwhathappened.
Sheranforawhilet
illshearri
vedandlooked
thr
oughthegateholest oseeifhewastherebuthi
s
carwasn’
t.Sherangt heint
ercom.
“
Who’
sther
e?”
“
Sasa!Open!Opent
hegat
e!”
ThegateopenedthenBanturanthr
ough.She
walkedi
nsi
det hehouse.Sasal
ookedatherhol
ding
Motheo.
“
Hi…i
sPul
eback?
”
“Yes.Butheleft
.Wit
hyourphone.Idi
dn’tknow
whattotellhi
m.Itol
dhi
m youwentwi t
hyourf r
iend
andnevercanebackbuthecall
edher.”
“
Bor
rowmeyourphone.
”
Sasahandedi
toverunl
ockedthenBant
udi
aled
Yamasawalki
ngtothebedroom.
Shest
oodinthemi
ddl
eoftheroom st
ari
ngathi
s
bagwhil
eYamasa’
sphonerang.
“
Hel
lo?
”
“
Yaya,
isPul
ether
e?”
“
What
?No.Iam nothome.
”
“
Whatdi
dyout
ellhi
m?”
“
Thatyoulef
twi
thamakefri
end.Iwasscar
edand
wor
ri
ed..
Iwastr
yingt
ocal
lallni
ght
.”
“
Ithi
nkIgotr
aped.
”
“
What
?”
“
Ithi
nkIgotr
aped.Whydi
dyoul
ethi
mtakeme?
”
“Idi
dnot
.Youlef
twi
thhim.Iwentt
ot hebat
hroom
andwhenIcamebackIhear
dyouleftwit
hhim.”
“Idon’
trememberanyt
hingYaya.
.”Hervoiceshook
asshespoke.“
Idon’tr
ememberanything.Iwoke
upnakedonhisbed.Mybodyhurtsandhet
ooka
vi
deo.Idon’
trememberanyofi
t.
”
“
What
?”
“Iremembernothi
ng.It
’sli
kethere’
s…li
kemylif
e
stoppedlastni
ght
.Idon’tt
hinktherewasacondom.
Icanfeelhissemeninme.”
“
Bant
u!”
“
Ithi
nkher
apedme.
”
“
Tel
lPul
e.”
“
Thevideo…i
t’
s…hewon’tbel
ievei
twasrape.He
won’
tbeli
evei
t.Hewi
llki
llme.Hewil
lki
llme.He
won’
tbeli
eveme.”
“
Bant
u…”
“Hewontbel
ieveme.Ther
e’savi
deo.Hewon’
t
bel
ieveme.
”
“Wasitreal
lyrape?Younotr emember i
ngi tdoesn’t
makeitrapeBant u.Youwer enott
hatdr unk.Ialso
hadadrink,therewasnot hi
nginthedrink…l…l ook,
youmessedup. .
youdon’thavetocallcheatingrape
becauseyour egreti
t.I
fhereall
yrapedyout hengo
tothehospital
.Lett
hem checkf
orforced
penetrat
ion.Al
socheckforanydrugsinyour
system.”
“Irememberf eeli
ngdi zzyYamasa.WhenIwentt o
getuswat er.Iwasf eeli
ng…dizzy.ThenIr emember
goingoutside.Hewast here.Idon’
tr emember
anythi
ngf r
om t her
e.Iwoul dnevercal lcheati
ng
rape.I
fIcheat edthenwhywoul dIt ellyou.Idon’
t
rememberanyt hi
ngYamasa!Idon’ tremember
anythi
ng.Whyam Inotr emember i
nganyt hi
ng?”
“
Ok,sayhedid,youwentt
ohishousewil
li
ngl
y.I
t’
s
adi
ffi
cul
tone.Doyouwanttorepor
t?”
“
Youdon’
tbeli
eveme….Pulei
snotgoi
ngt
obel
ieve
me.
.nooneisgoingt
obeli
eveme.
”
“
Becausei tsoundslikeal i
eBantu.Howdoyounot
r
ememberwhatot herpeopl esawyoudoing?You
l
eftwit
hhim.Wasconsci ousenoughtohavehi
m
t
akevideost henfr
om t hereyouclai
m amnesi
a.
Who’sgoingt obel
ievet hat
?”
“
Ihavet
ogo.
”
“
Bunny.
.”
Bant uhungupandpacedi nthebedroom, t
ear s
roll
ingdowntoherneck.Shet ookoffhercl othes
andshovedundert hebedt henwenti nsidet he
ensui t
eandbrushedhert eet
hont hesi nk.She
statedatherref
lectionthenlookedatherneck
staringatt
hehickey.Bant uturnedfrom t hesink
andopenedt hetapi ntheshower ,shel ookedatt he
wat er…noonewasgoi ngt obeli
eveher .Shequi ckl
y
wentunderandt hor oughlybathedscrubbi ngher
skinhar dt
henwal kedoutawhi l
elater.Shesati n
frontofthemirr
orandgr abbedherfoundat i
onst i
ck.
Bantucover
edthehi
ckeywit
ht hefoundati
onj ust
asPule’
scardrovei
n.Shefr
ozestandingup, her
hear
tpoundingsomuchasifitcouldescapeand
runoff
.Shetri
edtot
hinkofali
etocoveritallup.
Pul
ewalkedsecondsl
ater
.Hel
ookedather
dr
oppi
nghiscall
.
“
Hi.
”
“
Hi…hey…”
Shewal
kedandhuggedhi
mti
ght
ly.
“
Wher
edi
dyousl
eep?
”
Bantutookastepback.“
Ibumpedint
omymother
’s
husband’sson.Canyoui
maginebabe?Het
ookme
homet omama. .
”
“
Yamasasai
dyoui
twasaf
ri
end.
”
“Ican’
tsaywhoher eall
yi sbecausesheonly
knowst hatmamar anof fabandoningme.She
doesn’tknowsher emar r
iedandhas…anewf amil
y.
Alphaismyst epfather’
sson.Het ookmehome
yester
day.Buthadt ointroducemeasaf ri
endso
thatmama’ sotherki
dswoul dn’
tknow.”Tearsfi
ll
ed
hereyesandr oll
eddown.“ ShewasnothappybutI
sawher ..t
hankGodherhusbandwasnothome.I t
fel
tniceseeingher.Isleptatherhouse.”
Pul
est
aredatherandnodded.“
Imi
ssedyou.
”
“Metoo.It
houghtIwoul
dsur
pri
seyou.”Bant
u’s
voi
ceshooksomuchasshefoughtnottobursti
nto
aloudcry.
Puleti
lt
edherchin.“Iwishyouwoul
dst
opt
ryi
ngt
o
gethertoacceptyou.”
“
Iwi
ll
.OnedayIwi
ll
.”
Hewipedawayhert
earst
hatwoul
dn’
tst
opr
oll
ing
down.“Wher
edoesyourmot
herst
ay?
”
Bant
ulookedathi
m cr
ying.“
Iam pr
egnant
.”
.
.
Let
'st
ryandsqueezei
nanot
herbonus.
[
06/
22,
08:
26] :Fal
lenAngel
#74

Pul
elookedather
.
“
What
?”
“
Iam pr
egnant
.”
“
How?
”
Bant
ulookedathi
m.“
Whatdoyoumean?
”
“
Imean…It
houghtyouwer
eonbi
rt
hcont
rol
.”
Shesatdown.“
Iwas..Idon’
tknowhowi
thappened.
Maybeit
’stoomuchsex.”
“
Isn’
tMot
heot
ooyoung?
”
“
Shoul
dIabor
t?”
Hesatnextt
oher.“
No.No…”Hesmiledandki
ssed
her
.“Maybeit
’sagi
rl
..Wewi
llbef
ine.”
Hepul l
edherinhi sarms.Bant
ucl osedhereyes.
Puletookadeepbr eat
hthensmil
ed.Def ini
tel
ynot
howhewant edthesecondborn,heact uall
ywanted
hertoenjoytheirsecondonepreferabl
ywi thari
ng
onherf i
ngerandhi snameattheendofher sbut
sti
ll.
.i
twasst i
llfi
ne.Nowallbeneededwast o
changeacoupl eoft hi
ngsinhi
spl ans.
Heki
ssedherneck.“
Howf
arar
eyou?
”
“
Amont
h…”
Hesmi
led.“
Atl
eastt
hist
imeweknow.
”
“
Ng…”
Hemovedherheadandki ssedher
.Bant
umoved
herhead.“
Iam notf
eel
ingtoowell
.Iwantt
oseea
doctor
.”
“
Whatar
eyouf
eel
ing?
”
“
Ifeelnauseas.AndIhaveaheadache.
”
“
Don’
tyout
hinki
t’
sthepr
egnancy?
”
“
Maybe.Ist
il
lwantt
oseet
hedoct
or.
.”
“
Iwi
llt
akeyou.
”
Shenoddedt henstoodupandopenedherbags.He
watchedherasshet ri
edl
ooki
ngforsomethi
ngto
wear.Hisphonevibrat
edri
ngi
ng.
“Yah?
”Hestoodupandwal
kedout
.Bant
uqui
ckl
y
outonhert
racksui
t.
Pul
ewal
kedbacki
nandl
ookedather
.
“
Shoul
dwego?
”
Shenoddedt
henhet
ookherhandandl
edherout
.

*
**

Yamasacal
ledAl
phaangr
il
y.
“
Didn’
tIt
ellyounott
ocal
lme?
”
“
Your
apedher
?!”
“
Rapedwho?Doyouknowwhoyouar
etal
kingt
o?”
“
Whydi
dyour apeher
?Ist
hatal
lyouwant
ed?To
r
apemyfr
iend?”
“Becar ef
ul,Iam sur
eyourparentsdon’
twanta
funeralatthemoment .Iwasgoingtosendyou
pict
uresofyourdaught erbutIt
hinkyouareal
oose
screw.”
“
Youf
oundher
?”
“
Wel
ongf
oundher
.”
Shescreamed.“
Youf
oundher
?!HasTer
rybeen
ar
rest
ed? ”
“Wewi llmakeanar r
estaft
erPule.Thenyouwi l
lget
yourdaught erthen.Butfornowi fyouar enot
careful,youwil
lneverlivetoseeher .Youare
questioningthewr ongpeople.Thisispartofthe
plan.Allofit
.Youshoul dbehappyshe’ snotdead.”
“
Whydi
dyour
apeher
?”
“
Youwillunder
standi
nthef
utur
e.Andnoonewas
r
aped.
”
Hehungup.Yamasal
ookedatherphonewant
ing
tocal
lhi
m backt
ogetapi
ctur
ebutsheknewhe
coul
dref
use.
Shesmi
ledhappi
ly.

*
**

Atthehospital
,Bant
uwalkedi
nsidethedoct
or’
s
off
iceleavi
ngPulestandi
ngout
side.Thedoct
ors
doctorsmil
edather.
“
Hel
lo.Youcant
akeaseat
.”
Bant
usatdown.“Iwantgocheckforanydr
ugsi
n
mysyst
em.Ithi
nkIgotrapedlastni
ght.
”
Thedoct
orl
eanedover
.“Youwer
eraped?
”
Shet ookadeepbr eath.“
He…Iwasatabarwi tha
fri
endwhenheboughtbeadr i
nk.Acocktail
..t
hat
’s
allIdrankthenIwokeupi nhisbed.Idon’t
rememberanyt hing.Thelastt
hingIrememberis
beingdizzy.From ther
eIremembernot hi
ng.”
“
Ok.Uh,
Icandoat
hor
oughcheck.
”
“Ibathed.Canwejustdothetoxi
ntestandputme
ontreatmentforanydi
seases.Hedidn’
tusea
condom. ”
“
Ok.Buti
fther
e’sdr
ugsi
nyoursyst
em,
it’
senough
t
oopenacase.”
“
Let
’sf
ort
het
est
.”

Outsi
dePulepressedhisphonewaiti
ng.Minut
es
wentbythenthi
rtyminutesl
aterhecall
edher.
“
Iam al
mostdone.
”
“
Ok.
.i
sever
ythi
ngok?
”
“
Yes.Iam al
mostdone.
”
Shehungup.Anot
herthi
rt
ymi
nut
eswentbyt
hen
shef
inal
lywal
kedout.
“
Whatdi
dthedoct
orsay?
”
“
Iwi
llbef
ine.
”
“
Letmeseeyourcar
d.”
“Whyar
eyoualwaysquest
ioningever
ythi
ng?Can’
t
youj
usttakemywordfori
t?”
Pul
elookedather
.“Ok.Ar
eyouok?
”
“
Iam f
ine.
”
Shewalkedtothecar
,Pul
eopenedthedoorforher
thenwalkedr
oundthecarandgoti
nthendrove
backhome.
Sasalookedatthem ast
heywal
kedi
n.Bant
u
smil
edtakingherson.
Motheolookedatherandlaidhi
sheadonherchest
.
Shewalkedtothebedroom andsatdown.Fora
whil
eshejustsatholdi
ngont oherson.Pul
e
wal
kedinandl ookedather.
Hesatbesi
desherandhel
dherhand.“
What
’s
goi
ngon?”
Bant
ulookedathi
m andsi
ghed.“
Imi
ssyou.
”
“
Iam r
ighther
e.”
“
No.
.Imi
ssyoubef
oreMot
heo’
sdi
sappear
ance.I
misst
hatPul
e.Iam notsur
eifIst
il
lhavehi
m,do
I
?”
Pul
etookMotheowhohadfal
lenasl
eepandl
aid
hi
m downthenputBant
uonhislap.
“
Iam r
ighther
e…Iam her
e.”
“No…Iwasn’ tscaredoftheot
herPul
e.Icoul
dtel
l
him anyt
hingwi t
houtfear.
”
Pulewr appedhi sar msar oundher .“Iam st i
llhim.I
toldyouIwoul dneverputyout hrought hatagai n.I
hatet hatyouf eelIquesti
onyouonever ything, I
justwantt obet hereforyou.Iwi shyouwoul dl et
me, youshutmeoutmostoft het ime.Maybe
becauseyout hinkIwon’ tstandwi thyouorbel ieve
you…pl easedon’ tletoncei ncidentt hatIknowI
reall
ymessedupchangeyouorus.Iam notgoi ng
tohur tyou.Ij ustwantt obet her eforyou.Me
askingdoesn’ tmeanIdon’ tbelieveyou.Ri ghtnowI
cant ellsomet hingi swrong, Iam nowevenscar ed
toaskbecauseIdon’ twantyout ot akeitthewr ong
wayandt hinkit’
sbecauseIdon’ tbelieveyouor
becauseIam quest i
oningever ything..pleaset ell
mewhatIshoul
ddo…shoul
dweseesomeonet
o
hel
pus?
”
“
Lastni
ghtwhenIwentt
othebarwi
thYamasa,
she
-
“
Hi
sphonerang.Het
ookitoutandcutt
hecal
l.She
l
ookedathi
m ashi
sphonerangagain.
“
Answeri
t.Iwi
llgoandputMot
heoi
nherbed.
”
Pul
eki
ssedherandwal
kedoutpi
cki
nghi
scal
l.
Bant
u’sphoner anginherpocket .Shequi
cklytook
i
toutast hecallcutt
henaWhat sAppmessage
camethroughanunsavednumber .Sheopenedit
anddownl oadedthevideosenttoher.Sheplayedit
andquicklystopped,
herheartracing.
Shepi
ckedt
hecal
lashecal
ledagai
n.
“
Hel
lo?
”
“
Canwet
alk-
“
“Del
etethatvideo!Del
eteever
yvideoyoutook!Why
wouldyout akeavideo?Whatareyoutryi
ngto
achi
eve?”
“
Bant
u-“
“Delet
eit
!Pleasedel
etei
t.Youdon’
thavetodothi
s.
Yougotwhatyouwant ed.Whyareyoutr
yingt
o
tr
yingmyl i
feontopofit
?”
“Iwi
lldelet
eit
.Ij
ustwant
edyoutoseet
hati
twas
notrape.Buti
ncaseyoudeci
det
oopenacase,I
wil
lhavet opr
esentt
hevi
deotot
hem.”
“
Stopcal
li
ngme!
”
ShehungupanddeletedtheWhat
sAppchataf
ter
bl
ocki
nghimthendeletedhi
snumberagai
naft
er
bl
ocki
nghim.Shetookadeepbreat
handrubbed
offat
ear
.
Pul
ewal
kedbacki
nthebedr
oom andhuggedher
.
“
Youwer
etel
li
ngmesomet
hing.
”
Shet
ookadeepbr
eat
hwr
appi
ngherar
msar
ound
hi
m.
“
It
’snot
hing.
”
Pul
eki
ssedherf
orehead.
*
**

Al
phasmil
edwatchi
ngt
her
e-edi
tedvi
deot
hen
l
ookedatt
hei
rITgur
u.
“
Thi
slooksl
iket
her
ealdeal
.”
TheITgurulaughed.“
Showanyonet
hatvi
deo,
they
wil
lbel
ieveyou.”
Al
phawatchedwithhi
scol
league,
itl
ookedl
ikea
pr
opersextape.
“
He’
sgoi
ngt
olosei
twhenheseesi
t.
”
“
Hewon’
tknowwhathi
thi
m.”
Thecoll
eaguel
ookatAl
phasmi
li
ng.“
Howi
sshe
though?
”
Helaughed.“
Icanunder
standwhyhe’scrazyabout
her
.Icanonlyimagi
nehowi twouldbei
fshe’s
act
uall
yawakeandparti
cipati
ng.
”
Theybot
hlaughedandr
e-wat
chedt
hevi
deo.
.
.
MONTHSLATER…

Remai
ningbonusesf
rom l
astni
ghtar
eonst
andby.
[
06/
22,
08:
26] :Fal
lenAngel
#75

Mont
hsLat
er…

Atthehospi
tal
,Bant
ustar
edatt
hescr
eenast
he
doctordi
dthedidt
hescan.
Shesmi
led.“
Andwear
egoodandheal
thy.
”
Bant
utookadeepbr
eat
h.“
Shehasn’
tbeen
movi
ng.”
“Shewillmove.She’
sabigbabywi
thaver
yst
rong
heartbeat.Noneedtoworr
y.”
Bant
ugotof
fbedandputonhermat er
nit
ydr
ess.
Thedoct
orl
ookedatherasshesatdown.
“
Yourbl
oodpr
essur
eishi
gh.
”
Bantusighed.“
It
’smygraduat
iont
oday.It
hinkI
havejustbeenworr
ied.
”
“
Yourst
ressst
ressest
hebabytoo.
.It
hinkt
hat
’s
whyshehasn’
tbeenmovi
ng.”
Bant
uputherhandoverherbi
gbump.“
Ok.
”
“
Iwi
llgi
veyousomesuppl
ement
s.”
“
Ok.
”
“
Howar
eyouf
eel
ingt
hough?
”
“
Icannoweatbutonl
yfr
uit
s.”
“
Ok.That
’sgood.
”
Shecontinuedtalki
ngtoBantuwri
ti
ngonhercard.
Awhi l
elaterBantustoodupandwalkedoutoft
he
doctor
sof fi
ce.Shedraggedher
sel
ftotheBMW and
tookadeepbr eathgett
ingi
n.
Shestartedtheengineanddroveof
fheadedtoher
house.Shepar kedthecarnextt
oherf
ather
’sand
walkedinsidethehouse.
Bant
usmi
ledst
ari
ngatherf
atherpl
ayi
ngwi
th
Mot
heo.
Mot
heot
urnedt
oherandsmi
leddr
oppi
nghi
stoy.
“
Mama!
”
Bantulaughedbendingandpickedhi
m up.
Merapelowalkedfrom t
heguestroom al
readyi
n
herfor
maldr ess.
“
Whatdi
dthedoct
orsay?
”
“
She’
sfi
ne.Justl
azy.
”
Merapel
osmi l
ed.“
See?Youwer
ejustst
ressi
ng
overnot
hing.
”
Bant
ulaughednoddi
ng.“
Iwasscar
ed.
”
“
Yourmakeupar
ti
stcal
led.She’
sal
mosther
e.”
“
Ok.Iwi
llgoandputonmydr
ess.
”
BantuputMot heodownandwal kedtoherbedr
oom
whil
eherfatherstar
ed.Shecl
osedt hedoorand
tookadeepbr eat
h.Herphonerangastookoffher
shoesthensmi l
edsit
ti
ng.
“
Babe…”
“
Hey,
whatdi
dthedoct
orsay?I
ssheok?
”
Bant
usmi
led.“
Yes.Shei
sfi
ne.
”
“
Ok,
areyoudoneal
ready?
”
“
No.Ij
ustgothome.
”
“
Iam aboutt
ocrosst
heborder.Iwi
llbether
ein
l
esst
hant hi
rt
yminut
es.Iwi
lldri
vewithyou.
”
“
Ok.
”
“
Iloveyou.
”
“
Iloveyout
oo.
”
Hehungupt hensheundressedandtookouther
dressandputiton.Shesmiledcl
osi
ngthesi
de
thenpickedYamasa’scal
l.
“
Hel
lo?
”
“
Hey,
Iam l
eavi
ngt
hehousenow.
”
“
Ok.Iam goi
ngt
owai
tforPul
e.Ever
yoneel
sei
s
r
eady.
”
“
Didyouaskf
ort
heDNAt
est
s?”
“
Yamasat
hisi
sPul
e’
sbaby.Iwasal
readypr
egnant
bef
oreIcamebackf
rom myi
nter
nshi
p.”
“Ij
ustthoughtyouwouldwantmakesurebef
ore
yougivebirt
htoachil
dwho’snothi
s.”
“
Thisi
sPule’
sdaughter.Iwasamonthpregnant
whenIcameback.Iam tryi
ngt
omoveonwi thmy
l
if
e.Canyounotremindmeofthatni
ght?
”
“I
jo,
ifyousayso.Iam onl
ytryi
ngt
ohel
pyou
anywaysIwil
lseeyouthen.”
“
Ok.
”
Bantuhungupjustasthemake-
upart
istgentl
y
knockedthenwal
kedin.Bant
usmil
edexcitedl
y.

I
nthesi
tt
ingr
oom,
Mer
apel
ofi
xedherhusband’
sti
e.
“
Youl
ookhandsome.
”
Rr
agweBant
usmi
ledshyl
y.“
Thankyou.
”
“
Whenwi
llwet
ellBant
ushe’
sgoi
ngt
ohavea
si
bli
ng?
”
Rr
agweBantusmi l
ed.“
Iwil
ltel
lheraft
erher
weddi
ng.
.ift
hingsgowellwi
thPule.”
Mer
apel
osmi
led.“
What
’shi
spl
an?
”
“Hewant stoaskhert oday.Now…t heni fshesays
yes,otaduelamagadit hatotherweek.The
weddingwi l
lbeaftertwoweeks.Hesaysasmal l
gatheri
ngnowt hent hebigcer emonywi l
lbeafter
shegivesbirt
h.Ireallyl
ikethatboy.He’ svery
responsibl
e.Idon’
tlikehowhei mpr egnatedher
twicemmeaf t
erhespoket omeabouthi splans,I
am convincedhewast herightfulchoice.He’
s
mat ur
e.Iprayshesaysyes. ”
“
Ili
kehi
mtoo.
”
Rr
agweBantutur
nedandpickedupMot
heowho
wast
ryi
ngtogetonthecouch.
“
Thewayt
hisboyl
ooksl
ikehi
sfat
heri
sscar
y.”
Merapel
olaughedfi
xingherdr
ess.Pulepar
kedhis
doubl
ecabawhi l
elaterandst
eppedoutofthecar
.
Hewalkedinsi
dethehouseandsmi l
ed.
“
Dumel
ang.
.”
RragweBant
usmi
led.“
Myboy,
it’
sgoodt
osee
you.”
Merapel
olookedathi m ashewal kedi
nat -shi
rtand
j
eans.Hetookoffhiscapexposi nghisfreshhaircut
thensmil
edcutely,
Mot heoraisedhisarmshappi ly
star
ingathi
sfather.Puletookhim smil
ing.
“
Yout
oo.Howar
eyou?
”
RragweBantusmiledfi
xinghissui
te.“Asaman
whoraisedhi
sdaughteralone,Iam pr
oud.Ihope
yourpocketi
sready.
”
Pul
elaughedt
henl
ookedoveratMer
apel
o.“
Mme…”
“
Pul
e,howar
eyou?
”
“
Iam f
ine.Howar
eyou?
”
“
Iam f
ine.
”
Pul
ehandedrr
agweBant
uhi
sson.“
Youar
egoi
ng
nowaker
e?”
“
Yes.
”
Mer
apel
opi
ckedherpur
set
henwal
kedoutwi
th
rr
agweBant
uwhilePul
ewalkedtot
hebedr
oom.He
openedt
hedoorandwal
kedin.
Bantulookedathimthr
oughthemir
ror
,asmil
e
coveri
ngherface.Ther
ewasthiswayshel
ookedat
himthatalwaysmadehim smil
e.
“
Youl
ookbeaut
if
ul…”
Themakeupar
ti
stl
ookedathi
m andsmi
led.
“Hel
lo.
.”
Pul
enoddedacknowledgi
nghert
henwal
kedover
andki
ssedBant
u’sneck.
“
Hi.
”
“
Thatwasqui
ck.
”
Hewat chedthemakeupart
istsl
eekedherhai rand
star
tedstyl
ingit
.Hesatonthebedwat chingtil
lshe
wasdone.Themakeupar ti
stpackedherthingsand
walkedout.Bantust
oodupinherroyalbluelong
eveninggownthathuggedherbump.
Pul
elookedatherandsmi
ledpul
li
nghercl
oserso
shewouldst
andbetweenhisl
egs.
Heki
ssedherbump.“
Youl
ookbeaut
if
ul.
”
Bantubl
ushed.“Youneedt
odr
ess.
.Iam goi
ngt
o
eat
.Iam hungry.
”
Pulestoodupandki ssedher,hishandsgoi
ngdown
tohernowthickbum.Shel ookedti
mestwoher
usualbodybutsti
llbeauti
ful.
Bantupull
edawayknowi ngwhereitwouldendthen
walkedoutbaref
ooted.Pul
ef r
eshenedupquickl
y
thenputonhissuit
.Hewal kedoutandfoundher
putt
ingonherblockheels.
“
Iam done.
”
Shestoodupandf ixedhisbowt
iebefor
ethey
walkedout.TheygotintheBMW thensheadjust
ed
thepassengerseatholdi
ngherhandbag.Pul
edrove
outoftheyard.
“
Canwepassbyget
ti
ngsomet
hingatt
hest
adi
um
i
nTl
okweng.
”
“
Ok.
”
Banturelaxedashedrovet
othestadi
um.Pul
e
parkedthecarthenst
eppedoutandopenedt
he
doorforher.
“
Comewi
thme.
”
Hehel
pedheroutandwal
kedwi
thherr
ightt
othe
empt
ystadi
um.
Hestoppedthencr
ouchedandt
ookof
fhershoes
soshecouldwalkproper
ly.
“
Thankyou.Whatar
ewedoi
ngher
e?”
“
Youwi
llsee.
”
Bant
uheldhi
shandast heywal
kedonthelawn.
Shel
ookedathugeboxinthemiddl
eofthestadi
um
ti
edwit
habigredri
bbon.
Shesl
oweddown.“
What
’shappeni
ng?
”
Theyappr
oachedt
hebigbox,
Bantul
ookedathim
conf
usedthenPul
ehel
dherhandsandkissedt
hem.
“Iknowourshi phasn’
tbeensai l
ingasper f
ectl
yasI
wouldwantt obutIam mor et hanhappyt hatyou
arestillherewi thme,ri
ghtbysi de.Idon’tknowhow
Godcoul dbr i
ngyout omebuti fIneverthanked
himf oranyt hing,f
oryouIwi llspendther estofmy
l
ifethanki nghi m.Youareper fectbabe,Icannever
havei tanyot herwayot herthant hisway.Youhave
acceptedmewi t
hmyf l
awsandbur dens.
”Hest ood
behindherandki ssedthebackofherneckand
pressedabuttoni nhispocket
.Theboxf ellopen,
eachsidelandingont helawn,afloodofred
ball
oonsflewupt ot heskyexposingtheredCX5
writ
ten‘WILLYOUMARYME? ’ri
ghtonthe
windshiel
d.
Hermout hdroppedopen,herkneesweakening.She
turnedincomplet
eshockandf oundhim downon
hiskneeholdi
ngt hedi
amondr i
ngasGl ennJones,
We’ veOnl
yJustBegunplayedloudlyasiftheywere
ataconcert.

‘
We’
veonl
yjustbegun,
ther
omancei
snotover
Got
tal
ot,
alotofl
ovet
ogi
ve
We’
veonl
yjustbegun,
ther
omancei
snotover
Igotsomuchl
ovet
ogi
ve

Ir
ememberohsowel
l
WhenIf
ir
sthel
dyourhandandwest
art
edt
odance
Ihadt
hisawesomecr
ushonyou
Hopi
ngdeepdowni
nsi
det
hatyouwant
edmet
oo
Andnowwe’
reher
etoget
her
Pr
epar
ingour
sel
vesf
ort
hef
utur
e,yeah
‘
Causet
her
e’ssomucht
hatwecando
Ohgi
rl
,l
etmeshowyou’

Shel
ookedathi
m,hereyeswi
deopen.
“
Mar
ymeAngel
…”
.
.
.
[
06/
22,
08:
26] :Fal
lenAngel
#76

Al
lsort
sofemoti
onswentthroughherheadasshe
l
ookedathi
m,hereyesspar
klingwi
thtear
s.She
l
ookedatthegli
tt
eri
ngdiamondri
ngthenl
ookedi
n
hi
sfear
fuleyes.Atearr
oll
eddownasherbaby
moved.
Sheputherhandoverhermout
hthennodded,
anot
hertearwet
ti
nghercheek.
Pul
elookedathershaki
ng.“
Yes?
”
Bantunoddedcryi
ng.Pul
est
oodupandhuggedher
thoughwit
hthebumpbetweent
hem.Bant
uheldon
tohissui
toveremoti
onal
.
Puleclosedhiseyes,hi
sheartpoundi
ngthenhe
sl
idther i
ngonherf i
nger.Heki
ssedherhandthen
herli
psasf i
reworkswentuptotheskyindif
ferent
col
ors.
Bantulookedupi
namazement,t
heringri
ghtonher
fi
nger.Shetur
nedtot
hecarandslowlywal
kedover
.
“
It
’smi
ne?
”
“
ThePol
oVi
voi
snol
ongerser
vingt
hepur
pose.
”
Shet ouchedt
hecarthenl
ookedathim,herli
ps
quiveri
ngasshetr
iednott
ocry.“Idon’
tdeserveal
l
thi
s.”
Pul
eputhi
shandsonherwaist
.“Youdeser
vei
t.
Andmoreofi
t.Youdeser
vei
tallbabe.
”
“
Idon’
t…“
Heki
ssedher
.“Bel
ieveme…youdeser
vei
tal
l.
”
Heopenedthedoorf orherandhel pedheri
nsi
de.
Warmfreshtearsrandownhercheeksasshe
t
ouchedthesteeri
ngwheel ,hereyesfal
li
ngonher
r
ing.
Shel
ookedathi
m.“
It
’sbeaut
if
ul.Il
ovei
t.Il
oveyou
somuch.”
“Il
oveyoumor e.Ithi
nkweshouldgonow.”Pule
carri
edheroutofthecarandwalkedwit
hherback
totheBMW.Heputheri nsideandhur
ri
edbackfor
herheel
s.Pulelookedatamanwhowasst andi
ng
bytheter
raceandgavehim athumbsup.
Bantulookedatherri
ngandsni
ffedwipi
ngaway
hertearsasPulegoti
nthecar
.“Let’
sgofort
he
graduati
on.”
Shesmi
ledt
ear
ful
ly.“
Ithi
nkIr
uinedmymakeup“
“
No.
.Ihadaskedhert
odowat
erpr
oofwhatwhat
.
Youst
il
llookbeaut
if
ul.
”
Bantulookedathersel
fonthemir
ror,
shet ooka
ti
ssueandwi pedawayt het
ear
sthenlookedather
sti
llper
fectmakeup.Pulest
art
edthecaranddrove
off
.

*
**

AttheUBNat i
onalStadi
um,Yamasalookedar ound
weari
nghergr aduat
iongownontopofhershor t
bodycondress.Sheeyeswanderedallovert
ryingt
o
spotBant
ubutshecoul dn’
tseeheranywhere.
Shet
ookoutherphoneandcal
ledher
.
“
Hel
lo?
”
“
Hi,
wher
ear
eyouseat
ed?
”
“Ijustar
ri
ved.Iam goi
ngtoseatwi
tht
heot
her
studentsinmyfacult
y.”
“
Iam l
ooki
ngoveratt
hem butIcan’
tseeyou.
”
“
Iam wal
kingi
nsi
de.
”
“
Ok.
”
Shehungupandl ookedtil
lshespottedBantu
walki
ngoverwear i
ngherbl ackgraduati
ongown.
Shesatdownwi thacl assmatelaughingat
something.Bant
ut urnedherhead,Yamasar ai
sed
herhandandwaved.Bant usmiledwavingbackas
theceremonystartedwithacoupleofspeeches
thenthestudent
sst art
edgetti
ngcalledout
.
Yamasat ookmult
ipl
epi
ctur
esofher
selft
henwent
overtoFacebookt
opostacoupl
ebutthencame
acrossBantu’
spost.
YamasalookedatBantu’
smani cur
edhandwitha
ri
ngonherfinger
.Herheartski
ppedasshereadthe
capt
ion.
‘
Can’tbel
ieveit’
salmost4yearssinceImetyou,
backthenIwoul dhaveneverthoughtIwouldever
tal
ktoyou, norbeyourfri
endorgirl
fri
end.Thetwo
yearsyouwer emyf r
iendandmypi ll
arofstr
ength
waswhenIf el
linl
ovewithyou.Itj
usthappened
andyousuddenl ytur
nedintomysmi l
eanddreams.
Youdraggedt hetwoyearswit
houtt el
li
ngmehow
youf elt
,atsomepointIt
houghtyoudidn’
tfeelt
he
same.Sayi ngyestouswast hebestdeci
sionIhave
evermadebecausei nyouIhadabestf ri
endwho
alsohappenedt obethesamepersont oownmy
heart.AndIdon’tr
egretsayi
ngyestoyout hi
s
mor ningbecauseIknowIwouldchooseyouno
mat t
erwhat .
’
Yamasaqui
ckl
ysentheramessage.
Yamasa:Youar
eengaged?
Shewai
tedf
orar
epl
y.
Bant
u:Yes.
Yamasa:Doyout
hinki
t’
sagoodi
dea?
Bantu:Il
ovehim.Iam happy.Don’
tst
artwi
thyour
negati
vit
y,l
etmecelebrat
emyengagementin
peace.
Yamasarai
sedherheadandlookedBantubutshe
wasn’
tevenl
ookinganymorerat
hershewas
l
aughi
ngwithherclassmat
estaki
ngpict
ures.

*
**
From t
heter
racewher
etheparent
ssat,
Lefa
swall
owedstari
ngatt
hepost
,apainf
ulblocksit
ti
ng
onhisthr
oatmakingi
thar
dforhimtobreathe.
Hehadaccept edhermovingonbutnowshewas
get
ti
ngmar r
iedandal socarryi
ngthesecondchi
ld.
Hebli
nkedstar i
ngathisphone,asmuchashet r
ied
nott
ocare,heknewhest i
lll
ovedhersomuchand
al
lhewishedwast otakebackt hehandsofti
me.
Actri
ght
.Bet hemanheknewshedeser ved.
Hesnif
fedastear
sfil
ledhereyes,
thepai
nso
unbear
ablei
tfel
tphysical
.
Herubbedhiseyessti
llstar
ingatherri
ngj
ustas
hernamegotcall
edout .Heraisedhi
sheadand
watchedherfr
om adistantasshestoodupsmil
ing
andwalki
ngtothefront.

Fr
om t
hecr
owd,
rragweBant
uyel
ledhappi
lyt
aki
ng
avideoashisdaught
ergreet
edthePresi
dentatt
he
podium smi
li
ng.Shepausedforapi
cturewit
hthe
presi
dentsmil
ing.
“
That
’smydaught
er!She’
smydaught
er!
”
Bant
ulookedathi
m andwavedhappi
lyst
ari
ngat
hi
m.Tearsfi
ll
edhi
seyes.
“
That
’sdaddy’
sgi
rl
!Mychi
ld!
”
Sheblewhim aki
ssandst
eppeddownthepodium.
RragweBantusatdownr
ubbi
ngoffatearand
smiledpr
oudl
y.

Lefast ar
edather ,thi
swast hesameBant uwho
usedt ohaveacr ushonhim.Theonewhocoul dn’
t
evenl ookathimf ortoolongbecauseofshyness.
Hehadal waysi maginedmar r
yingheronedayand
havingchi l
drenwi t
hher.Atearf el
lonhi sscreenas
chestpainscont inuedmakingitdiffi
cultforhimt o
breathe.Hel ookeddownt henst ar
tedtypinghera
messagewi
tht
henewnumber
.
Lefa:Hi,congr at
ulationsonyourdegr ee,it
’sLefa.
Youl ookbeaut if
ultoday.Iwi shthingswere
diff
erent.Iwi shhadact edrightforyou.IfIcouldgo
back, Iwouldhavel ongdonei t.GodknowsIwi l
ldo
anythingt ohaveyoubackbecauseIl oveyoumor e
thananyt hing.Iwillneverforgivemyselfforlosi
ng.
Ihadi talli
nyou, Iwi shIcanj usthaveonel ast
chancet opr ovemysel ftoyou.
Hesentt
hemessageyouhert
hesecondsl
atershe
r
epl
ied.
Bant
u:St
ayawayf
rom me,
Sat
an!
.
.
.
[
06/
22,
08:
26] :Fal
lenAngel
#77

Lat
ert
hatdayaf
tert
hegr
aduat
ion,
Yamasawal
ked
i
nsidethehousewithherparents.Hermot
her
l
ookedatthepict
uresofYamasa’ sdaught
er
t
hroughoutthehousethenlookedatYamasa.
“
Iam sopr
oudofyou.
”
Yamasasmi
led.“
Thankyoumama.
”
“
Bant
uispr
egnantkanaIdi
dn’
tseepr
oper
ly?
”
“
Shei
s.Andnowengaged.
”
“
Tot
hatmanwhol
ooksl
ikehemur
der
speopl
e?”
“
Yes.Iwi
shshehadchosenbet
ter
.”
Herfat
herwalkedinsi
dethehouse.“
Youmar r
ieda
gayman.AtleastBantuknowswhattoexpect
.
RragweBant
usai dhe’
sagoodman. ”
Yamasal
ookedatherf
ather
.“He’
sgoi
ngt
ojai
l
soon.
”
“Bant
uisyourf r
iend.Iam notsureift
hat
’showyou
shoul
dbet al
kingaboutherboyf r
iendwhoclear
ly
l
ovesher.RragweBant uli
keshim. ”
Yamasa’
smotherl
ookedatherhusband.“
Ever
yone
l
ovesmoney.
”
“Hedoesn’
tneedthatboy’smoney.Allheneedsis
hisdaught
ertobelovedandcherished.Lovehasno
rul
es.Youlovewhom youlove,
itjusthappensand
i
fBantuishappy,l
etherbe.Don’tbethatkindof
personYamasa.Bantustoodwit
hyouwhenyou
l
ostyourdaughter
.”
Yamasasighedandwalkedawaycal
li
ngBantubut
thephonej
ustrangunanswer
ed.Shecal
ledher
agai
n.
“
Hel
lo?
”
“
Hi.Soyouar
ereal
lymar
ryi
ng-
“
“
Iam busynow.
.wewi
llt
alkt
omor
row.
”
“
Aren’
tyouwor
ri
edt
hat
-“
“
Bye.
”
“Bantu,youcan’tsayyeswhenyouknowthebaby
youar ecarr
yingmi ghtbeanot
herman’
schil
dand
that
…hel l
o?”Shelookedatherphonet
hem st
art
ed
typi
ngamessage.
Yamasa:Whywoul
dyousayyeswhenyouknow
thatt
hebabymi
ghtnotbehi
s.Kanayoucan’
tour
tomeBant u.Deepdownyouknowyouwer enot
pregnantwhenyoucamef rom Kasane.You
cheatedandnowyou’rekeepi
ngt hatpr
egnancy.I
hopeyouknowwhatyouar egett
ingyourselfi
nto.
Shesentherthemessageandt
ookof
fhershoes.
Herphonestart
edr
inging.
“
Hel
lo?
”
“
Wheni
ssheget
ti
ngmar
ri
ed?
”
“
Iam notsur
e.”
“
Ok.Fi
ndoutf
orme.
”
“
Why?
”
“
Wear eaboutt
omakeanar r
estandyouareabout
t
ogetyourdaught
erback.Fi
ndoutwhenthe
weddi
ngis.”
“
Ok.CanIgetapi
ctur
eofmydaught
er?
”
“
Ican’
tdothatbutIcanpromi
seyou,
youar
egoi
ng
t
ogetyourdaughterback.
”
“
Ok.
”
Hehungup.Yamasat
ookadeepbr
eat
hthensent
Bant
uanot
hermessage.
Yamasa:ButIam happyf oryou.Iknowyoul ove
him.Andalsohel ovesyou.Ij
ustworry,
that’
sall.I
knowi tf
eel
slikenegati
vit
ybutIgetsowor r
ied.I
don’twantanythi
nghappeningtoyou.Idon’twant
toloseyoutoo.

*
**

AtBant
u’shousel
atert
hateveni
ng,fat
herhel
ped
putMot
heoinbedthenlookedatBantu.
“
Ok…wecanf
inal
lysl
eepnow.
”
“
Thankyou.
”
“Youarewelcome.Congrat
ulati
onsongetti
ngyour
degree.Iam moret
hanjustproudofyou.Youhave
mademet hehappi
estmanonear t
h.”
Bant
usmi l
ed.RragweBant
uhuggedherasBant
u
smil
ed.Herfat
hermovedback.
“
Andcongr
atul
ati
onsont
heengagement
.”
Bantusmi
ledl
ooki
ngatherr
ing.“
Idi
dn’
texpect
thi
s.”
“
Iknow.Iam happyyousai
dyes.Ir
eal
lyl
ikehi
m.”
“
Ilovehi
m.”
Herf
athersmiled.“Goandsl
eep.Youhavebeen
st
andi
ngt heentir
eday.”
“
Pulewantedt
oshowmesomet hi
ng.He’sout
side
wai
ti
ngforme.Iwi
llt
akeanext
rasetofkeys.
”
“
Youwantt
osl
eepathi
shouse?
”
Bant
upickedupthehousekeys.“
Wealr
eadyhave
twochi
ldr
en.I
t’
stoolat
etoasksuchquest
ions.
Goodni
ghtpapa.”
Shewalkedoutandwalkedtothegatewhil
eher
fat
herst
oodbyt hedoorwatchi
ng.Pulest
eppedout
andopenedthedoorforher
.
Shesmil
edgett
ingi
nthecar.Pul
ewavedathi
m
smil
ingt
hengotint
hecaranddroveof
f.

*
**
AtPule’
shouse,Bantuwalkedinsi
dethehouseand
smil
edatthecandlesandredrosesonthefloor
whil
esoftmusicplayedi
nt hebackgr
ound.She
l
aughed.
“
Itwasl
iket
hiswhenyoutookmet ot
hatl
odget
hat
wasatt
heri
verbanki
nVicFall
s.”
Pul
esmi
ledt
aki
ngof
fhermor
ninggownki
ssi
ngher
.
“
IthoughtIwoul
dbr
ingVi
cFal
lst
oyou.
”
Shelaughedthenlookedatt
heflower
sleadi
ngt
o
thebedroom.Shefoll
owedthem andl
ookedatt
he
bed.Shesmiledturni
ngtoPule.
“
Thi
sbeaut
if
ulbabe.Thankyou.
”
Puleputhi
shandsonherwai stasGeral
dLeVert
’s
I’
dGiveAnythingpl
ayed.Bant
usmiledmovingher
bodyfrom si
detosidewit
hhim whi
lesingi
ngal
ong.
“I’
dgiveanyt
hingandanyt
hingt
of al
linl
ove,j
ust
thi
sonet i
meI’dli
ketof
indwhatI
’vebeendreaming
of..
”
Pul
elookedatf
aceasshesangsmi
li
ngt
henki
ssed
her
.Sheputherhandsonhisbicepsr
ecei
vingt
he
ki
ss.Pul
etookofft
henightdr
essandtouchedher
bar
eskin.
Pul
eplacedheront
hebedanddroppedkisses
downherbigbumpti
llhi
sheadwasbetweenher
l
egs.
Sheclosedhereyesashert oescurl
edwhilePule
movedhi smouthonher .Shegrabbedthebed
coversmoaning,herbodystif
fened,hermoans
gett
inglouder
.
Shethr ewherheadbackspasming.Puletur
nedher
aroundsoshewoul dbendonherkneesandpul l
ed
hercloserwithherwai
standpushedinsideher
groaning.Bantucl
osedhereyesashef i
ll
edherup,
thepleasuremakingherpushherchestdownso
yougeti tal
l.
“
Awww…”
Heheldherwai stt
hrusti
ngintoher,
Bantumoaned
movi
ngagai nsthim,eachthrustf
il
li
ngherupi
nthe
mostpleasurableway.
Pul
egr
oanedwat
chi
nghi
msel
fsi
nki
nsi
deher
warm sweethoneypot
,herent
ir
ep*
ssycl
ampi
ng
hi
m.
Hecurvedhisbackdiggi
ngdeeperi
ntoher.Bant
u
pul
ledthepil
lowandhuggeditashetappeda
sweetnervei
nsideher.
Hecont i
nuousl
ytappedi
t,goi
ngfast
erdri
ll
ingher
,
huggedthepill
oweventi
ghter
,herbodyburni
ngas
herorgasm hi
ther.
Shemoaned, hi
snameonherl i
psasherpussy
twi
tched.Hecarr
iedonthrusti
ngint
oherasshe
convul
sed,herp*ssynar
rowingonhim.
Pulegrunt
edfucki
ngherharderl
osi
ngcont
rol
,he
poundedintoherf
il
li
ngherupwithhi
swarmthick
semen.
Hef r
ozeinsi
deherthenfi
nall
ysli
doutasshelai
d
onherbackexhausted.Shesmil
edlooki
ngathim
thenlai
dbesidesherki
ssingher
.
Shet
ouchedhi
schestsl
eepy.
“Kebat
agoduelamagadinextweekend.
(Iwantt
o
paybri
depr
icenextweek.
)”
Shebl
inkedl
ooki
ngathi
m.“
Isn’
titt
oosoon?
”
“
No.
”
“
Papa-
“
“HeknowswhatIwantt odo.Wear egoingt
oParis
nextmont h.Youaregoingther
easMr s.Pul
e.Iam
goingt opaymagadinextweekend, thenget
mar ri
edinthefol
lowi
ngt woweeks.Kamosoke
batar epegamainakomol aodi
.Ithoughtwe’dhave
apr operweddingwhichyousti
llplananddoas
muchasyouwantaf tershe’
sborn.”
Shel
ookedathi
mthensmi
led.“
Papaagr
eed?
”
“
Yes.
”
“
Ok.
”
“Youwillcommuni
cat
ewitht
hedesi
gneront
he
dressesyouwantt
omorr
ow.”
Bantunoddedthenputherheadonhischest
happil
y.Shel
ookedatri
ngandkissedhistat
tooed
chest
.
DAYSLATER…
.
.
(Theexplicitwil
lbeedi t
edouttoavoi
dMar konour
case,Li
ngi weBur uuru’
saccounthasbeenblocked,
ti
lli
t’
sfixed, wewillhavetheremovedscenes
i
ncludedi nt hechapterandremovedaft
erlosthace
read.Thankyou)
[
06/
22,
08:
26] :Fal
lenAngel
#78

DaysLat
er…

InSer owelateintheevening, Bant

ustoodbythe
wi ndowwat chingsomeoft hefamilymember
s
whi chhadal r
eadyarri
vedi ncludi
ngherfat
her
’s
strictbr
other.Shecouldhearhi sloudscar
yvoice
from thebedr oom,shesmi ledandmovedaway
from thewindowasMer apel owalkedint
he
bedr
oom.
“
Hi…”
Bant
usmi
led.“
Iam get
ti
ngmar
ri
ed.
”
Shesmiledt
henwal
kedoverandhel
dBant
u’s
hands.“
Yesyouar
e.”
Bantusmi
ledt
earful
ly.“
IhopemalomePhi
neas
doesn’
tmaket
hingsunnecessar
il
ydif
fi
cul
tfor
Pule.
”
“Iam sur
ePuleisreadyfori
t.Theyar
egoi
ngtogr
il
l
himforher.
.”Merapel
orubbedBantu’
sbump.
Bant
usmi
led.“
Hedi
dn’
tpl
anher
.”
“
Wel
lshe’
saboutt
ojoi
nus.Si
tdown.
”
Bant
usatdownt henMerapel
oclosedherwi
ndow
andthecur
tai
n.ShesatnextBantuandsmil
ed.
“
Youaresobeaut
if
ul.Dar
kandbeaut
if
ul.He’
slucky
t
ohaveyou.
”
Bant
usmil
ed.“SometimesIgetscar
ed.IknowIam
nott
hemostbeauti
fulwomanonear t
h..
”
Mer
apel
olookedather
.“Youar
ethemostbeaut
if
ul
womanIhaveeverseen.Youreyes…ar ebi
gand
beauti
ful.Okaremor ubisi(Li
keanowl )but
beauti
ful.Theystandout .Youhaveanovalshaped
ki
ndoff ace.Beautifulskin.Beingdarkdoesn’t
makeyounotbeaut iful.Youar emorethanjust
beauti
ful.Yoursoulisbeaut i
fult
oo.Ihaveseenit
.
Youhaveabeaut if
ulhear t.Ihopeyouneverlet
anyonetaket hatawayf r
om you.”
“Yourhear
tisbeaut
if
ult
oo.Iwi
shyoul
ongmetmy
dad.”
Mer
apel
olaughed.“
Met
oo.Ar
eyour
eadyf
or
t
omorr
ow?”
“
Yes.
”
“Aft
ermagadiwewi l
lgetgoi
ngt
ot heMol
aodi.I
can’
tbel
ievePulemanagedtogetyoutwobooked
sosoon.Suchthingstaket
woweeks.”
“
Hehashi
sways.
”
Someonesoftl
yknockedont
hedoor.Bant
ulooked
asSasawalkedinhol
dingMot
heo.
“
He’
ssl
eepi
ng.
”
“Youcanputhim onthebed.ThankyouSasa.Iwi
ll
sortoutyourpaymentf
orovert
imetomorr
ow.”
“
RragweMot
heoal
readypai
dme.I
t’
sok.
”
Bant
usmi
led.“
Ok.Thankyou.
”
Sasawal
kedout
.Mer
apel
olookedatBant
u.
“Youneedtosleep.Tomorr
owi sgoingt
obealong
day.Weneedyoul ooki
ngbeautif
ulandfl
awl
ess.
TheMot samai
so’sneedtounderstandt
hatt
heyare
notjustpi
cki
nganor di
nar
yflower.”
Bant
ulaughed.“
Ok.
”
Merapelostoodupandwal kedout.Bantugotinbed
andlookedathersonsleeping.Hehadaf resh
hair
cutjustli
kehi
sfather
.Justlooki
ngathi m made
hersmile,hewassohandsomeandl ookedlikean
exactcopyofhisfat
her.
Eventhewayhelaughed.Bant
u’sphonerang.She
l
ookedattheunsavednumbercall
ingandleti
tri
ng
unanswer
ed.
Thenumbercal
ledagai
n.Shepi
ckr
eadyt
ohangup.
“
Hel
lo?
”
“Don’thangup…please.Look,
Iknowyouare
pregnant.Ij
ustwantedtoknowifheorshei
s
mine.”
“
Itol
dyout
ost
ayawayf
rom me!
”
“Weneedtot
alk.Iam hear
ingyouar
egett
ing
marr
iedt
omorrow.Iwanttotal
ktoyoubef
orethat
.
Canwetal
k?”
“Wehavenothi
ngt
otal
kaboutAl
pha.Thi
sbabyi
s
notyour
s.”
“Iwantt
obesure.Ineedt
otel
lyousomet
hing.I
needtotal
ktoyou.
”
“
Leavemeal
one!
”
Shehungupshaki
ngandbl
ockedhi
m bef
orehe
coul
dcal
lagai
n.
Adi
ff
erentnumbert
ext
edher
.
Number:It
’sei
therItal
ktoyouortoyourt obe
husband.Thechoiceisyour
s.Iwillj
ustsendhi
m
thevi
deoIsenttoyouoverWhat sapp.
Bant
u’sheartpoundedassheopenedher
WhatsAppthenlookedatmoret
hantwenty
messagesf
rom 20di
ff
erentnumber
s.
Shesatupr
ightandopenedt
hefi
rstone.She
downl
oadedthevideoandpl
ayedit
.
Hermouthdroppedopenasshel ookedathersel
f
bei
ngfucked.Shequickl
ystoppedthevideoand
openedt
heot hermessagesbutitwasthesame
vi
deo.
Herphoner
angt
henshepi
ckedshaki
ngget
ti
ngof
f
t
hebed.
“
Whati
sthi
s?It
houghtyoudel
etedt
hevi
deo!
”
“It
houghtofi
tbutt
hengoodthingIdidn’
t.Iwi
llj
ust
sendthatt
ohim.Orbet
teryet
,havehim watchit
wit
heveryoneel
seonFacebook.Yourchoice.
”
“
Whyar
eyoudoi
ngt
his?
”
“
Isai
dIneedt
otal
ktoyouBant
u.”
“
Aboutwhat
?Whatdoyouwantf
rom me?
”
“
Doyouwanthi
m get
ti
ngt
hat
?”
“
Ther
eisar
epor
t.
.Iwi
llopenar
apecase!
”
“
AndIwi
llj
ustpubl
isht
hewhol
evi
deoandshow
everyonetheli
aryouare.
.Idon’twanttodothat
Bantu.Idon’twantt
odoanythingthat’
sgoingto
hurtyou.Iknowyoudon’twantanythingtodowith
me, butIneedtotal
ktoyou.I
t’
si mportant
.”
“
Ifyoudon’twantt
odoanythingthat
’sgoingtohur
t
methenstayawayf r
om me!Leavemeal one.St
op
makingmyl i
fedi
ff
icul
t.
”
“Iam goi
ngt oletyouthi
nkaboutit
.Iwil
lcallyou
earl
ymor ning.Remember ,
thechoi
ceisyour s,
he
fi
ndsoutt hatyoucheatedwit
heveryoneelseon
Facebookorwet al
k.”
Hehungup.Bant
ulookatherphoneshaki
ng.

*
**

I
nGaborone,Yamasasati
nhersitt
ingr
oom tryi
ng
t
ogetholdofAlpha,
shesatupr
ightashisphone
r
ang.
“
What
?”
“
Hi.Whatt
imeam Iget
ti
ngmydaught
ert
omor
row?
”
“
Youwi
llgetacal
lfr
om t
hepol
icest
ati
on.
”
“
Ok.Whatt
imear
eyouar
rest
inghi
m?”
“
Int
hemor
ning.
”
“
Ok.Yousai
dnoonei sgoingtoment
ionmyname
r
ight
?Bant
uissti
llmyfri
end.Shewouldnever
f
orgi
vemefort
his.”
“
Yournamewon’
tgetment
ioned.
”
“
Okt
hankyou.
”
“Iam goingtothrowawaythissi
m car
d.Tomor
row
youwi l
lbetalki
ngtothepol
ice.
”
“
Ok.
”
“I
fyouevermenti
onusworki
ngtoget
her,
youwi
ll
besigni
ngyourowndeat
hcerti
fi
cat
e.”
“
Iwon’
t.Iwon’
t.
”
“
Per
fect
.”
Hehungup.Yamasat ookadeepbr
eathandsmil
ed
al
mostrel
ieved.Shecoul
donlyi
maginej
usthow
gr
ownherdaught erwas.
Herphoner
angagai
n.
“
Hel
lo?
”
“
Hi,
it’
sPul
e.”
Herhear
tski
pped.
“Ihavegotaleadonyourdaughter
’sl
ocat i
on.Iam
havingsomeonegoovertheretoni
ght.That’
sthe
l
astplaceTer
r ywasseenwit
hachi l
dl astni
ght.
”
“
Youwhat
?”
“
Ihaveagoodf
eel
ing.Ij
ustwant
edt
oupdat
eyou.
”
“
He’
s…wher
e?”
“
InZi
mbabwe.Her
anof
ftoZi
mbabwe.
”
“Zi
mbabwe?It hought
…Ithoughthewasin
Botswana.Thepoli
cesai
dtheyfoundhi
m.”
“
Theyfoundhim where?Ter
ryi
sinZi
m.Neart
he
Mozambiqueborder
.”
Yamasahungupandqui
ckl
ycal
ledAl
phaback.
“
Youneedt
ost
opcal
li
ngme.
”
“
Mydaught
er…she’
sher
einBot
swanar
ight
?You
sai
dyoucaughtTer
ry.Thathe’
sinpol
icecust
ody.
”
“
Yes.
”
“
Canyousendmeapi
ctur
e…pl
ease.
”
“
Apict
uref
orwhatwhenyouar
eget
ti
ngher
t
omorr
ow?”
“MyPIhasfoundsomethi
nginZi
mbabwe.They
foundTer
ry.Whi
chTerrydoyouhavebecauset
he
onewithmydaughteri
sinZi
mbabwe.”
“Iam notr
esponsi
blef
orknowi
ngwhi
chTer
ryt
hey
caught.
”
“
Youdon’
thavemydaught
erdoyou?
”
“
Ithi
nkyouar
eloosescr
ew.
”
“
Youneverl
ookedf
orher
.Youj
ustwant
edt
ouse
me.
.”
“
Aren’
tyoudr
ivi
ngaJeep?
”
Tear
sfi
ll
edhereyes.“
Youl
iedt
ome!
”
“
Whatar
eyougoi
ngt
odoaboutt
hat
?”
“
Iam goi
ngt
otel
lBant
uthewhol
etr
uth!
”
“Goahead.Anythi
ngcanhappent oyoubetween
nowandt omorr
ow. .
Thehousemaycat chfi
re…you
maykil
lyoursel
forgetinacaraccidentorgotoj
ail
.
Ithi
nksuici
deisfarmuchbeli
evable.Imean…you
l
ostyourdaughter.Youar
edepressed.”
“Youusedme.Iam goi
ngt
otel
lBant
uever
ythi
ng.
Everyt
hing.
”
“
Andwhathappensaf
tert
hat
?”
“Iam t
ell
ingeveryonewhatyoudi d.Ihaveour
chart
s.Iam goingtotellJournali
sts.Youraped
Bantu.Ihaveourcall
sr ecorded,lucki
lyenoughmy
phonerecordseveryt
hing.Event his.Youaregoing
downyousi ckbastard!Pulewillactual
lybeli
eve
Bantuafterhear
ingthecalls.”
“
Andyout
hinkyouwi
llwal
koutoft
hisal
ive?
”
“Andyouthinkthegover nmentwil
lwantanythi
ngto
dowi t
hyouafterthis?Youareverystupi
d.Youwill
nevercat
chPul e.Youwantt ousehisangert
oyour
ownadvantage?Youar enosecretspyyoustupi
d
spinel
esssonofab* t
ch!”
“
Pul
eisgoi
ngt
oki
llyou.Tr
adecar
eful
ly.
”
Alphahungup.Yamasabli
nkedast
ear
sfi
ll
edher
eyesthenshecal
ledbackPul
e.
“Iam sorr
y…uhso…It
houghtyouwer
enotl
ooki
ng
anymor e.
”
“
Igaveyoumywor
d.”
Tear
srol
leddown.“
Ithoughtyouwer
enotl
ooki
ng.
”
“
Iwi
llhavesomeoneupdat
eyout
omor
row
mor
ning.
”
Hehungup.Yamasast oodup,herhandoverher
mouth.Shepacedupanddownt hentri
edcall
ing
Bant
ugr abbi
ngtheJeepkeys.
“
Thenumberyouhave-
“
ShejumpedintheJeepandrever
sedoutt hendrove
off
.Shetookadeepbreat
hdrivi
ng,tearsfi
ll
ingher
eyes.Shesni
ff
edthencal
ledherbrother.
“
Yaya…”
“Ineedtot el
lyousomethi
ng.Ididsomethi
ng
horri
ble.Iam comingtoyourhouse.Imessedup.I
thoughtIwasgoi ngtogetmydaughterback.
”
“
Whatdi
dyoudo?
”
Yamasast eppedonthebreakstosl
owdown
approachingtheredt
raf
fi
clight
.Thecarwenteven
fast
er.Shesteppedonthebreaksbutnot
hingwas
happening.
“
Lef
a..t
hebr
eaks!Thecari
snotst
oppi
ng!
”
“
Huh?
”
“
ThecarLef
a!Thebr
eaksar
enotwor
king!
”
TheJeepwentevenfast
erdri
vingt
hroughar
ed
tr
aff
icl
ight
,thespeedpi
cki
ng.
“Somethi
ngi
swr
ongwi
tht
hecarLef
a!I
t’
snot
stoppi
ng!
”
“
Rel
easet
heaccel
erat
or!
”
“IhaveIt
’sgoi ngfasteronit’
sown!Iwast al
kingto
aDI Soff
icer.Theysai dtheywantedtocatchPule
throughmeandi nr etur
nIwouldgetmydaught er
back.Theysai dtheyal r
eadyfoundherandwe’ r
e
goingtogiveherbackwhenPul ewasarrest
ed.
Theywer elying.Itoldhim Iwasgoingt
oexpose
him.”
“
FuckYamasa!
”
Yamasal ookedatthetr
uckcarryi
ngcarsahead
stucki
nt heeveningt
raff
ic.Shetr
iedtoswaythe
carbutthesteeri
ngwheelwasnowj ammed.
“
Lef
a!I
twon’
ttur
n!Lef
ahel
pme!Lef
a!”
Shescreamedast
heJeepwentst
rai
ghtt
owar
ds
thebi
gtruck.
.
.
.
[
06/
22,
08:
27] :Fal
lenAngel
#79

Lef
ahear
tpoundedashehel
dhi
sphonet
ohi
sear
.
“
Hel
lo?Yaya?Yaya!
”
Helookedathisphoneandputi
tbackonhi
sear
gr
abbinghiscarkeys.
“
Yamasa!
”
Ther
ewasnowjustsi
lence.Lef
adroppedt
hecal
l
andhur
ri
edoutl
ocki
ngbehi ndhi
m.
Hegotinhiscaranddr
oveof
fheadedinthesame
di
rect
ionshewouldusecomi
ngtohishouse.
Lef
api
ckedTshepo’
scal
lover
taki
ngacombi
.
“
Iam doi
ngsomet
hing,
let
’st
alkl
ater
.”
“
What
’sgoi
ngon?
”
“Yayaj
ustgotint
oacaracci
dent.Weweretal
king
onthephonejustnow.Somet
hinghappened.
”
“
Shi
t!
”
“
Wewi
llt
alk.
”
Lefahungupdr i
ving.Hesl owedseeingthetr
aff
ic
fr
om theothersi
det henlookedatthetruck
tr
ansporti
ngcarsandt heJeepr i
ghtbehindit
.He
stoppedhiscaronthesi deoftheroadandranover
totheothersi
deoft heroad.
Hel ookedatt
heparamedi csget t
ingherfr
om the
carandputheront hestretcher.TheJeepwasn’t
thatdamaged,helookedatt hebumpert hathad
comei ntopl
ayforherthenl ookedatthe
par
amedi
csast
heyputheront
hest
ret
cher
.
“
Issheok?Yamasa!
”
Theyputherintheambul
ance,
oneoft
he
paramedi
cslookedathi
m.
“Sheisokt ousbutfol
lowustothehospit
alsothe
doctordoesafulleval
uat
ionbutthatbumperwas
herGodt oday.
”
Lefalookedathercart
henopenedt hedoorjustas
thepoli
cearri
ved.Hequickl
yreachedbetweent he
carseatsandtookherphone.
LefaranovertohiscarthentookaU-tur
nbyt he
tr
affi
cli
ghtandf ol
lowedbehindtheambulance
whichwast aki
nghertot henear
esthospi
tal
.

*
**

Hourslat
er,Bant
u’sphonerangwaki
ngherupear l
y
i
nthemor ni
ng.Shesatupri
ghtandreachedforher
phone.Sheignor
edtheunsavednumberthen
l
ookedbesidesherbutMotheowasnotthere.
Shelookedatthet
imer
eal
izi
ngi
twasj
ustaf
terf
our
thencal
ledSasa.
“
Hel
lo?
”
“
Sasa,
wher
edi
dyousl
eep?
”
“
Att
hebackr
oom.
”
“
ButIt
oldyouthatyoucoul
dsleepher
ewi
thme.
Whatt
imedidyoutakeMotheo?”
“
Ma?
”
“
Youcanbr
ingMot
heobackt
omyr
oom.
”
“
Idi
dn’
ttakeMot
heo.
”
“
Oh…ok.
”
Shehungupandcal
ledMer
apel
oyawni
ng.
“
Bant
u…”
“
Mama,
isMot
heowi
thyou?
”
“
No.He’
sinyourr
oom wi
thyou.
”
Bant
ufr
ownedget
ti
ngof
fthebed.“
He’
snother
e.”
“
Letmewakeup.Idi
dn’
ttakehi
m.”
Shehungup.Theunsavednumbersentamessage.
Number
:Yoursoni
shandsome.
Bant
u’sheartski
pped.Shequi
ckl
ycall
edt
he
number,chi
ll
srunni
ngdownherspine.
“
Ithoughtyou’
dnevercal
l.
”
“
Alphapl
easest
op.Wher
eismyson?
”
“
Her ewit
hme.Iam out
sidewi
thhi
m.Comelet
’s
t
alk.Idon’
twantt
obethebadguyher
e.Ij
ustwant
t
ot al
ktoyou.
”
Bantuhurr
iedout.Sheunl ockedthemaindoor
passi
ngrelat
iveswhower esleepi
nginthel
ivi
ng
room.Shewal kedoutsidepassingmorerel
ati
ves
whower eseatedoutside.
Hefl
ashedhisli
ghtsoncethenshehur
ri
edoverand
goti
nthecar.Al
phasmi l
edholdi
ngMotheowho
wassleepi
nginhisar
ms.
Hehandedhi
m overt
henst
art
edt
hecaranddr
ive
of
f.
Bant
ulookedathi
m.“
Wher
ear
eyout
aki
ngme?
”
“Tothehot
elIam stayi
ngat.Iwanttoshowyou
somethi
ng.Iam notgoingtohurtyou.Iam goi
ngt
o
ret
urnyoutoyourwedding.Idon’twanttohurt
you.”
“Whycan’tyouj
ustst
ayawayf
rom me?Ioweyou
not
hing!
”
“
Iknow.
”
Hedr
ovef
orawhi
let
henpar
kedt
hecaratt
hehot
el.
“
Look,youwanttohearthis.I
t’
saboutPule.
Whetheryoumarryhimfrom hereornot
,it
’snonof
mybusiness.Butyoushouldknowthis.
”
Shel
ookedathi
m conf
used.
“
Come…”
Hesteppedoutofthecarandopenedf
orher.Bant
u
swall
owedsteppi
ngoutofthecarandfol
lowedhim
i
nsidetohi
sroom onthethir
dfl
oor.
Bant
uhel
dherphonei
nherhandwhi
lecar
ryi
ngher
son.
Al
phal
ookedather
.“Seat
.”
“
Idon’
twantt
oseat
.”
“
Ok.Puthi
m downandl
ookt
hrought
hisf
il
e.”
Bantulookedathimthenputhersonont hebed
andtookthefil
e.Pict
uresfel
lthenshebended
picki
ngthem up.Shelookedatthepoli
cefi
les,
all
forPule.
“Hedeni edeverkil
linganyonebuthe’ski
ll
edal otof
people,i
ncludingthosewhoj ustgetcaughtont he
crossfi
re.Li
ket hesecuri
typersonal
sthattransport
moneywhogetki l
ledduri
ngheistsandsof ort
h.”
Bant
uslowl
ysatdownr
eadi
ngt
hroughever
yfi
le.
.
Al
phasi
ghed.
“Thatwasawi t
nessi noneoft hecasest hatcould
havesenthimt ojail
.Shemyst eriouslydiedbutthe
l
astpersonshehadspokent owasPul e.You
shouldknowbynowt hathe’sbadbutyouj ustdon’
t
knowhal fofi
t.He’sasuspecti nt hehuman
traf
fi
ckingcasethat’
sbei nginvest i
gat
ed.Andhe’ s
notjustasuspectbutt hereisevidencelinkinghi
m
toit
.”Alphahandedheraf il
e.
“
Mor
ethan16gi
rl
shavewentmi
ssi
ngandhe’
s
connectedt oal lofit
.Hesel lsdrugs, cocai
ne.We
havecaughtsomeonhi m andhedeni editsayingit
wasplant ed.Hegotawaywi thitbutwhywoul d
anyonepl antcocai neinhi shouse?Hi scocaineis
tr
ansportedt hrought hecar shebuysandsel l
sout
ofcountry.Ri ghtnowaswespeak, oneofhi s
tr
uckswascaughtatt hebor dercomi ngin
Botswanaandeachcarhasast ackofcocai ne.We
arekeepingi tunderwr apssot hatthedr i
ver’
slif
eis
notthr
eat ened.Hest olediamondsi nJwaneng.He
openedt hatpubandgr il
ltobecl osertothemi ne
andstoleover600mi ll
ion.Thegover nmentisaf t
er
him,he’
sgoi ngdown.Iam notmaki nganyoft his
up.Thiswasf rom thepr esident’
sof fi
ce.It
’sa
confi
dent i
alletterbutread…”
Bant
utookitandreadthrough,
herheartpoundi
ng
att
heli
stedcri
minalacti
vit
iest
hatwereli
nkedto
hi
m.
“Icanmakeanythi
ngup, butnotthat
…youarealso
suspectasyoucanreadthere.Youstandachance
ofgoingdownwithhim asanaccompl i
ceandyou
canfaceupto10yearsinpr i
son.Idon’
twantyou
goingdownwi thhi
m becausehe’
sgoingdown.
Rightnowwear ejustwait
ingf
oraconfessi
onfrom
thedriveratt
heboarder
.Oneoftheguysbamoney
heisthavebeencaughtandhe’
stolduseveryt
hing.
”
Alphahandedheranot herfi
leofmur der.“That’
s
Keletso.OneofPule’sexgir
lfri
endwhowaski ll
ed
koTlokweng.Shehadf oundoutwhathewasdoi ng
andmadeadeal withthepolice..Shewasf ound
deadi nabushkoTl okweng,shotf i
vetimesandt he
l
astper sonshewasseenwi t
hwasPul e.Thiswas
thelastcallshemade…i twast ohissi
ster.”
Alphaplayedtherecorderinhi
shandst
hena
femalevoicestar
tedtalki
ng.
“Koketso…Pul eisnotwhoIt houghthewas.If ound
gunsinhi sbootandcocai ne.Ithinkhekil
led
Bakang.Hef oundmessagest saBakanginmy
phoneandwasangr y.It
oldhimt hatBakang
wouldn’tleavemeal onethenBakangwentmi ssi
ng.
Iinvol
vedt hepol i
cebecauseIdon’ twantmychild
bornintosuchasetup.Ican’ tbeli
eveIevengot
pregnant.ButIt hi
nkheknowsIspoket othepolice.
Iam scaredKoket so….Ithi
nkhe’ sgoingtohurtme
andt
hebaby.
.”
Therecordi
ngstoppedasBant
ureadtheKel
etso’
s
casefi
le.Pi
ctur
esofhowshewasf oundmadeher
i
ntest
inestwist
.
“Ifyout hi
nkIam lyi
ng,youcangot othepoli
ce
stati
ont hatwasdealingwit
hthecase.Youcancal l
anyone.Goonsoci almedi
a,thesist
erpostedthi
s
recording…ifyounevercameacr ossthe
#JusticeforKel
etsothengoonFacebookand
searchf orit
.”
Bant
uhandsshookassher
eadt
hrough.
“Hekil
ledherbutdeni
edit
.Hehasaverygood
l
awyerbut…he’snottheki
ndofmanyouwould
wanttomar r
y.Healmostthrewyouof
fthewi
ndow
didn’
the?Hecouldhavekill
edyou.
”
Bant
ulookedathi
m.“
Whoar
eyou?
”
“
Iam secur
it
yagent
.”
“Di
dyoubecomemyFacebookf r
iendsothatyou
cangetcl
osetometogetthr
oughtoPule?Allthat
youweredoi
ng…youwantedtogetPulethr
ough
me.Ri
ght
?”
Alphat ookadeepbr eath.“Yes.Atf i
rstitwasthat
,I
wasj ustdoingmyj obbutIcar eaboutyou.Iknow
i
t’shardt obelieve.Imor ethanj ustcar eaboutyou.
That ’
swhyIwant edt otalktoyou.Idon’ twantyou
goingdownwi tht hisguy.Thenextcasei sthe
caretakerattheor phanage.Foundi napoolof
bloodatt heorphanage.Theor phanage
Managementsai dt herewasar eportshewas
rapingthel i
tt
leboyst here…t heot herkidssawher
takePul etheni ghtshewaski l
led..hewas14.The
nextdayshewasf ounddead.Shehadbeen
stabbedwi thast ewdr i
ver.Itstartedt hen.Youare
mar ryi
ngamonst er.He’snothuman. ”
Tear
sfi
ll
edhereyesassher
eadt
hrought
hef
il
e.
“
Iam t
ryi
ngt
ohel
pyou.
”

*
**

AtBant
u’sf
ather
’shouse,
RragweBant
uhel
dhi
s
phonewai
ti
ngf
orPul
etoanswer
.
“
Hel
lo?
”
“Pule, pl
easebr ingbackmydaught er.Youjustcan’t
taket hem l
iket hat,nottoday.Todaysheshoul d
withussowepr epareher.Gonanayourf ami l
yis
almosther e,sheshoul dbeher ewithMotheo.I
thoughtyouknewt hisandunder stoodcult
ur e.You
don’tbehavel ikethis.Iknowt odayyouar e
mar ryingherbutyouar esupposedt owaitforust o
handherover .Br i
ngmydaught erandmygr andson.
Now! ”
“Idi
dn’
ttakeBant
u.Ijustarr
ivedi
nSerowenow.I
am atal
odge.Idi
dn’ttakeher.What
’sgoi
ngon?”

Atthelodge,
Puledroppedhi
sbagont
hebed
t
alkingonthephone.
“
Whati
sgoi
ngon?
”
“
Oh…It
houghti
twasyouwhot
ookher
.It
hinkshe
wenttodohermakeuporhair
.Ijustassumedshe
wouldtel
lusbef
oregoi
ngthat’
swhyIt houghti
t
wasyou..
letmecal
lheragai
n.”
Hehungup.Pulequi
ckl
ycal
ledherbutherphone
r
angunanswered.
Hetookadeepthentri
edagain.Heopenedt
heapp
t
hatall
owedhimt oseehermovementsand
l
ocati
onthenwalkedoutreal
i
zingshewascloseby.

*
**

Att
hehot
el,
Alphahel
dherhands.
“
He’
sgoi
ngt
ohur
tyou.
”
Tear
sfi
ll
edhereyes.“
Youaretr
yingtoframehi
m.
Hewasneverfoundguil
tyi
nanyofthis.
”
“Youknow…deepdownyouknowhedi dit
.Iam not
tryi
ngt
oconvi
nceyouot her
wiseBant u.Ij
ust
…look,
l
istent
ome…youar egoingtojai
lifyoustaywit
h
him.He’
sgoi
ngtojail
.”
Bantul
ookedatherson.Alphahandedherhi s
phoneandplayedavideoofmancover edi
nmasks
weari
ngallbl
ackstoppedthecashintr
ansitcar.A
mansteppedoutoftheothercarandshotatthe
dri
verwi
thouthesi
tati
on.Bant
uswallowed,thatwas
herman.Shecouldidenti
fyhi
m anywhere.
Al
phal
ookedather
.“That
’shi
m…r
ight
?”
Tear
srol
leddown.“
No.
”

*
**

Atthehotelr
ecept
ion,
Pul
ehandedt
her
ecept
ioni
st
athousand.
“
Wher
edi
dshego?
”
Heshowedherapi
ctur
e.Ther
ecept
ioni
stl
ooked
ar
ound.
“
Room 10.Shecamewi
thaman.
”
Pul
enodded.“
Getyour
sel
fadr
ink.
”
Hewal
kedt
othest
air
s.
*
**

InAlpha’
sroom,
Alphacuppedherf
ace.“
Youf
ont
havetoli
eanymore.
”
“
Idon’
tknow.Iwantt
ogohome.
”
“
Hey…Iam t
ryi
ngt
ohel
pyou.
”
“
Ineedt
ogo.
”
“
Youdon’
thavet
omar
ryhi
m.”
Thedooropenedt
henPul
ewal
kedi
n.
.
.
.
[
06/
22,
08:
27] :Fal
lenAngel
#80

Thedooropenedt
henPul
ewal
kedi
n.Bant
utur
ned
andquickl
ymovedfrom Al
pha,
herheartski
ppi
ng.
Bant
u’skneesweakenasshestagger
edback,her
pal
msbecomi ngsweat
y.
Al
phal
ookedathi
m ashecl
osedt
hedoor
.
“
What
’sgoi
ngonbeher
e?”
Bant
ulookedathi
m openi
nghermouth.“I
..He’s…”
Sheswall
owedfai
li
ngtoputwordst
ogether,her
hear
tpoundi
ngsomuchherchestevenhur t
.
“
Goiragal
angbabe?Andwho’
sthi
s?Andwhati
s
mysondoinghere?
”
Hi
scal
mnessmadei
tdi
ff
icul
tforhert
obr
eat
he.
“
I-
“
“Tsek!Who’
stal
kingt
oyou?Otanyelaomsono! ”
HelookedatBantuwhowasshakingwi
thfear.
“Babe,who’
sthi
sandwhat’
sgoingonhere?”
“He…hewasshowi ngt
his.
.”Shepoi
ntedatthef
il
es
onthefl
oor
.“WhenIwokeupi nthemorning,
Motheowasnottheret
henIgotamessagesaying
mysonishandsome.WhenIcal l
edthenumber,
he
sai
dhehadtoshowmesomet hingandsaidhewas
par
kedoutside.WhenIgott
othecartot
ake
Motheohedr ovewi
thme.HesaidIhadt
osee
somethi
ng.”
Pulebendedandpickedoneoft
hef
il
es.Hel
aughed
thenl
ookedatAlpha.
“
Whoar
eyou?DI
S?”
“
Youar
egoi
ngdown.
”
“
Soleir
ang?Youki
dnapmyf
ami
lynow?Lant
wael
a
l
ona.
”
“
Shehadt
oknowt
het
rut
handIdi
dthehonor
s.”
Pul
elookedatBant
uandki
ssedher
.
“TakeMotheoandwai tf
ormei nthecar
.Iwil
l
explai
neveryt
hingtoyou.Iam sorr
yyouhavetoget
draggedl
ikethi
s.”
Shenoddedtr
yingt
oholdbackhertear
s.“
Let
’sgo
toget
her
.Pl
easelet
’sgot
ogether
.”
“Youdon’thavet
ogoanywher ewit
hhi m Bantu.
Thisguyisdangerous.Doyouevenl ovehim kana
kefear?Iknowwegott oget
herinKasaneaf t
erhe
tri
edki
lli
ngyou.Iknowyouf eelsomething,you
don’thavet omarr
yhi m becauseyoufearhim.Iam
ri
ghther ebabe…eveni fthebabyyouarecarryi
ngis
notmi ne,Iwil
lst
il
lloveyou.He’sgoingtojai
lfora
verylongt i
me.”
Bant
u’shear
tdr
opped,
shel
ookedatAl
phai
nshock.
Pul
elookedather
.“Got
othecar
,Iwi
lldealwi
th
hi
m.”
“
BantuIknowyouweregenuinel
yhappywit
hme.
Whenlastwhereyout
hathappy.Iknowt
hatni
ght
wasmagicalf
orbothofus.
”
Pulet
urnedt
ohi
m wi
thaf
rown.Bant
ushookher
head.
“
Idon’
tknowwhathe’
stal
kingabout
.Pl
easest
op!
”
Alphasmi l
edthenturnedontheTV.Thepi
ctur
es
fr
om Kasanest art
eddoingasli
deshowontheTV
screen.Thedinnertheyhadi
ntheyachtt
henthe
heli
copterri
de.
Bantufel
therbodygetcoldasshewat
ched.The
nextsl
idewasthevideo.
Bant
ust
agger
edbackf
eel
ingasi
fshewasaboutt
o
haver unningstomach.Thenoisefrom t
hevideo
start
li
ngMot heo.Bantuwat
chedasAl phagrunted
fi
ll
ingherupt houghthemoanssoundedsl i
ghtl
y
weird.Hesl i
doutl eavi
ngatr
ailofhiswhit
ish
semenf l
owingoutofherp*ssy.
“
Thebabyshe’
scar
ryi
ngmi
ghtbemi
ne.
”
Angri
ly,
Pul
espear
edAlphamaki
ngt
hem bot
hland
onthefl
oorwi
thaloudt
hud.
Pul
epunchedhi
m hard,hi
sangertaki
ngcontr
ol.
Al
phapushedhi
m offandqui
cklystoodup.
“Shedoesn’
tloveyou.She’swithyoubecauseshe
fear
syou.That’snotlove.She’
smarryi
ngyou
becauseshe’
sscar edofyou,shedoesn’
tloveyou.
”
Puleswunghisfistpunchinghisjaw.Alpha
punchedhim backelevat
ingPul e’
sangersomuch
hiseyesdar
kenedasangerr ushedthr
oughhis
veins.
Alphastagger
edbackasanotherpowerf
ulpunch
l
andedonhi slowerj
awthenanotheronhiseye.
Anothercame,hemoveddodgingandpunchedhim
back.
Pul
e’
spunchescameevenst rongert
hatAl pha
cr
ushedintothehotelsTVstanddroppingtheTV.
Bant
uwat ched,herhandoverhermout h.Motheo
sl
owlysatuprightcr
yingfr
om thenoise.
Pulepull
edAlphaandslammedhi m agai
nstthe
wallandpunchedhim sohardthatbl
ooddropped
fr
om hisnoi
se.AlphapushedPuleoffandpunched
hi
m backknowi nghehadunderesti
matedhim.He
pi
ckedtheTVandcr usheditonPule’
shead.
Bant
uscr
eamed.“
Stop!
”
Al
phadroppedtheTVandpunchedhim asbl
ood
dr
ippedf
rom Pule’
sheadt
henhetookouthisgun.
“
Youdon’
twantt
oendl
iket
his.
”
Pul
elookedathi
m andlaughed.“
Soyouar
enow
goi
ngtofightwi
thguns?”
Al
phawipedt
hebl
oodf
rom hi
snose.“
Idon’
twant
t
ofight
.”
“
Andyetyoucansl
eepwi
thmywoman?
”
“
Shewasnotr
aped.
.shewi
ll
i
ngl
y-“
“
Youar
elyi
ng!Idi
dnot
!”
Pulekickedthengunfrom Alpha’shandandlanded
anotherpunchonhi sfacet
hat,Alphastagger
ed
backfeelingli
kehisj
awhadbeendi sl
ocatedfr
om
hi
sf ace.Pulepunchedhim againevenharder
.
Alphacoughedandspatoutt
hreef
rontt
eet
h
feel
ingasifPul
ewashitt
ingwit
hahammer.
Pul
ethrewanotherpunchandthi
sti
meAl phafel
l.
Pul
ekickedhi
m betweenhisl
egs.Alphagrunt
ed
cur
li
nghisbody,thepai
nsti
ff
eninghisbody.
Pulecrushedhi sf
acewithhisshoesomucht hat
Alphafelthi
searlosehearing.Pul
erepeat
edl
y
ki
ckedhi mthenhepulleduphi sheavybodyand
punchedhi m backtot
hefloor.
“
Stop!Pul
eyouar
egoi
ngt
oki
llhi
m!St
op!
”
Pul
eturnedt
oher.Bant
uputherhandsonher
mouthshaki
ngherhead.
“Hedruggedme.Her apedme.IswearIwasnot
consci
ous.I…hegavemeadr i
nkand…whenIwoke
uphe…Iwoul dnevercheatonyou.
”
Theangeri
nhi
seyessl
owl
ydi
ssol
vedget
ti
ng
repl
acedwithhurt
.Shel
ookedatt
hepai
ninhi
s
eyes,herowntear
srol
li
ngdown.
“Hedruggedme…her apedme.Idon’
tremember
anyt
hingfrom t
henight
.Thel
astthi
ngIremember
wasfeeli
ngdizzy.
”
“
Justhowst
upi
ddoyout
hinkIam?
”
“
Idon’
tthi
nkyouar
est
upi
d.Idon’
t…her
apedme.
”
“
Wasi
taf
terorbef
oreyourl
it
tl
efuni
nKasane?
”
Hervoi
ceshookasshetri
edtal
king.“
Istoppedthe
f
ri
endshipwi
thhi
mt hen…inKasane.Itwasbefore.
”
“
Sot
hisst
art
edi
nKasane?
”
“
Nothingst
art
edt
her
ePul e.Iwasnotcheat
ing.I
t
wasjust…wewer
efr
iends.Iwasn’
tcheati
ng.”
“Youwerenotcheating?Goingonyacht sandf l
ying
aroundtoget
herthennowt hatthere’sasextape
youwantt ocal
litr
ape?Nowi t’srapebecauseI
foundout.Youaregoingtotellmet hetr
uth!
”
Al
phagr
unt
edget
ti
ngup.Her
eachedf
orhi
sgunon
t
hefl
oor
.
Bant
uscr
eamed.“
Pul
e!”
PuleturnedasAlphapull
edthetri
ggerbutnot
hing
happened.Alphaquickl
ytr
iedcockingt
hegun,Pule
snatchedthegunfrom hi
m andkickedhisst
omach.
Al
phagr
unt
ed.“
Theyar
ecomi
ng!
”
Pul
eangr
il
ydr
aggedhi
mtot
hebal
cony.
“
Yeah…t
heywi
llf
indyouwai
ti
ngf
ort
hem!
”
“Shedoesn’tloveyou.
.eveni
fyoufi
ghtme…she
enjoyedeverylastmomentofourni
ghttoget
her
.”
Pul
elookedathimthenpushedhim offt
hebalcony
andwatchedhimfal
ltotheground.Bant
u
scr
eamedherkneesfinal
lygi
vinginasshedropped
onherknees.
.
.
.

Let
squickl
ypar
ti
cipat
eandhavet
hesecondoneat
0930.
[
06/
22,
08:
27] :Fal
lenAngel
#81

Pul
ewatchedhim ashelandedonthepavement,
bl
oodspatt
ingoutofhi
shead.Het ur
nedand
wal
kedbackinthehouseandlookedatBantu.
“
Youst
il
lwantt
oli
etome?
”
Bant
ulookedathi
m,hermout
hopenbutnowor
d
coul
dcomeout.
“Youaregoi
ngt
ost
artf
rom t
hebegi
nni
ng.Let
’s
heari
t.
”
“
Pul
e…”
“Isai
dIwoul dneverthr
eatenyourli
feli
keIdidlast
ti
me.Imeanti twhenIsaidI ’
dneverdoitagai
n.
TodayIam justgoingtokil
lyou.Trylyi
ngtomeor
l
eavinganythingoutBantu.”Pul
epickedAlpha’
s
gun.“Wealldieinthi
sroom today.”
Bant
ulookedathi
m shaki
ng.“
I…hecal
ledmewhen
Iwentt
oKasane.HesaidhewasaFacebookf
ri
end.
Thensai
dhewant
edt
oseemebutIr
efused.
”
“
Then?
”
“
Hei
nsi
sted.Andand.
.”
“
Andwhat
?Youar
ewast
ingt
ime!
”
Tear
srol
leddownhercheeks.“
That
’swhenhe
cametoKasane.
”
“
Howdi
dheknowyouwer
einKasane?
”
“He.
.I …whenhewasaski ngt oseeme, Ihadtold
him Iwasdoingmyi nternshipkoKasane.Hecame
andt ookmetotheyacht .Itwasi nnocent.Nothi
ng
happened.Thenhet ookmef orthehelicopterri
de
butnot hi
nghappenedt ofrom there.Iblockedhim
andmovedon. ”
“ThedayIcametoKasaneaf
teryourphonehad
beenoff
,itwast
hatday?”
Shenoddedcr
ying.
“
Don’
tcr
y.Youarewast
ingyourtear
s.Stopcr
ying,
obat
agombora.Whathappenedaft
erthat
?”
“
Not
hingt
il
lImethi
m att
hebarwi
thYamasat
hat
night.Heboughtusdr i
nksandt helastt
hingI
rememberwasf eeli
ngdizzy.WhenIwokeupt he
foll
owingmorning,Iwasi nhisbed.IswearIdon’
t
rememberanythi ngPule.
”
“Yousti
llwantt
oli
eaker
e?Youar
ever
ygoodatl
ies
aren’
tyou?”
“It
’sthetr
uth.It’
sthetr
uthPul
e.Fr om thereIwent
tothehospitalandsawadoct or
.I twast he
foll
owingday.Wecangoandt alkt oher.Itol
dher
whathadhappenedandaskedf orat oxictestbuti
t
wasnotdet ected.Butshesai
dther ehadbeen
somet hi
ngandshesuspect edar apedr ug.
”
“
Ifherapedyou,
whydi dn’
tyouopenacase?Ortel
l
me?Ifyouwererapedyoucouldhavet
oldme.”
“Iwasscar
ed.Iwasscaredyouwer
enotgoi
ngt
o
beli
eveme.It
oldYaya.
”
“Doesitmakesenset
oyou?Ever
ythi
ngyouj
ust
said?Doyoubeli
evei
t?”
“
It
’st
het
rut
h.Isweari
t’
sthet
rut
h.”
“
Obat
agot
shamekel
amogonnaBant
u.Youar
e
goingtotellmetheenti
ret
ruthtoday.Igaveyou
everyt
hing,andIgaveyouachancet oendit.You
ref
used, whydidyouref
useifyouhadyour
att
entiononsomeonenew?WasIhol dingyou
hostage?”
“
No.No.BabeIswearIam notl
ying.Pl
ease!
”
Pul
ewalkedoverandpul
ledherupwi
thherhai
r.
Shescr
eamedgetti
ngup.
“
Pul
emyhai
r!
”
Pulel
etgoandgaveheral
ight
ningsl
apacr
osst
he
facet
hatshef
ell
.
“
Iam gi
vingyouonel
astchancet
otal
k.”
Bantucr
iedoutl
oud.“
That
’st
het
rut
h…t
hat
’st
he
tr
uth!
”
Hepul
ledwit
hherlegandsl
appedheragai
n,she
wi
ncedcryi
ngthenhel
dhishands.
“IknowIshoul
dhavet oldyou.WhenIreali
zedI
shouldhave…itwasalreadytoolat
eand…and…I
j
ustthoughtIwouldputitbehindme.Forgeti
t
happened.”
Pul
epushedherhandsof
fandpul
ledherup.
“
Doesn’tl
yinggetti
ri
ng?Iknowt
hetruth,
theonl
y
t
hingyoucandoi stel
lmewhathappened!”
“
Hewasl
ying!
”
“
Sot
hesext
apei
sal
soal
ie?
”
“
Idon’
tremember
-“
Pulegaveherabackslapthatshesawstar
salmost
fal
li
ngbuthecaughther.Puleputhi
shandsonher
neckstr
angli
ngher.
Bantu’
seyeswidenedasshetr
iedpushi
nghim
back.Shetr
iedpul
li
ngoffhi
shandsastear
sroll
ed
downhercheeks.
Heletgoasshesl
owl
yst
oppedf
ight
ing,
Bant
u
gaspedcoughi
ng.
“
Areyougoi
ngt
otal
k?”
“
Pul
e…”
“
Youar
emaki
ngnoi
se.
”
Shehel
dhi
shands.“
Pul
e…”
“Iwi
lll
etyougoifyoutel
lmethetr
uth.Iwi
lll
etyou
gobabe…Iwilll
etyougo.Ipr
omise.
”
“
Youwantt
obeatme…”
“Iam notgoi
ngtobeatyou.Iam not.
”Hecupped
herface.“
Iam not
.Ij
ustwantthetruth.Iwantt
o
knowwher eIwentwrong.That
’sall
.”
Pol
icesirensmadehert
urn.Pul
ewalkedt
othedoor
andlockeditt
henhel
doutthegun.
“
Tal
ktome.
”
“
He…we…i
twas…”
“
Idon’
twantt
ohur
tyou.
”
Shelookedathim shaki
ng.“Ithappenedonce.Onl
y
once.ThenIbrokeitoff
.Ithappenedonce.WhenI
camebacktoGabs. ”
Hepoi ntedthegunather.Sheoutherhands
togethercryi
ng.“Pul
eIam pregnant…please…
It…happenedonce.Wewer ejustfr
iendsthenwe
hadsexandIbr okei
toff
.”
“
Who’
sbabyi
sthat
?”
“
Your
s.Iwasal
readypr
egnantf
rom Kasane.
”
“Sohowshoul
dIknowyouwer
enotal
ready
sleepi
ngwi
thhi
m?”
“
Iwasnot
.Pul
eIwasnot
.”
“
Ifyoucoul
dfuckhimr i
ghtundermynose,
what
wouldst
opyoufrom doingi
twhenIwasfaraway?
”
“Iwasnot.Iwasnot
.Ithappenedoncebabe…i
t
happenedonce.
”
“Youcoul
dhavel
eft
.Whatwasdi
fferent
?Whatwas
hedoingt
hatwasdi
ffer
ent
?Wasitthesex?
”
“No…no…no…Iloveyou.Il
oveyouPule.BabeI
don’
tknowwhatyouwantmet osay.
”
“
Thet
rut
h!Iwantyout
osayt
het
rut
h!”
“
Itwasami
stake.I
twasami
stake.
”
Pul
elaughedi
nshockt
henr
ubbedhi
stear
yeyes.
“
Iloveyou…Il
ovedyou.Idi
d…”
Bant
ucr
iedl
ooki
ngathi
m.“
Iloveyout
ooPul
e..
”
“
No…Iact
ual
lyt
houghtyouwer
etheone.Wher
edi
d
Igowr
ongAngel
?Tel
lme…”
“
Nowher
e.Il
oveyou.
”
Motheowhohadbeencr yi
ngfinal
lymanagedtoget
offt
hebedthenhecrawledovertohi
sfatherand
huggedhi
slegcryi
ng.”
“Whatdi
dhegi
veyouthatwasdif
fer
ent
?So
dif
fer
entt
oapoi
ntyouwouldfi
lm hi
mfucki
ngyou.
”
“
Iam sor
ry.
.”
Hepoi
ntedt
hengunather
.
“
Pul
e…Pul
e!Pul
epl
ease.
.”
“
IfIam notgoi
ngt
ohaveyou,
noonewi
ll
.”
“Il
oveyou.Iknowyoudon’ tbel
ievemenow…I
knowbutIloveyou.Iwasnothavi nganaffai
r.I
wantyoutoknowIwasnot .Iwasnot….Imessed
upbyall
owinghimi nmyl i
fe.Ihadjustmovedto
Kasaneandstil
lunsur
eaboutus.ButIst oppedi t
.
ThenwhenIcameback. .Yamasat ookmet ofeel
hercar
.Thelastthi
ngIrememberwasbei ngdizzy.
WhenIwokeupIwasi nhisbed.Idon’tevenknow
howithappenedandtil
ltodayIremembernot hing
fr
om thatni
ght.Iwasnothavi
nganaf
fai
r.Thi
s
baby…she’syours.
”
“
IfIwon’
thaveyou,
noonewi
llBant
u.”
“
Pul
e!”
Hepul
ledt
het
riggershoot
ingherwi
thAl
pha’
sgun
whi
chhadasi
lence.
Someonebangedt
hedoorvi
olent
ly.“
Pul
e!I
t’
sover
!
Comeout!
”
“Pul
e!I
t’
seit
heryouopent
hedoororwebr
eaki
t!
Youchoosehowyouwantit
!”
Pulel
ookedatBantulyi
ngont hef
loorasblood
begunpool
ingaroundher.TheDISoffi
cer
sst ar
ted
pushi
ngthedoortobreakit
.
.
.
.
[
06/
22,
08:
27] :Fal
lenAngel
#82
InSerowe,Pulelookedathissoncr
yingthenlooked
overatBantuwhowasl yi
ngli
fel
essonthefloor,
his
heartraci
ng.Hewal kedovert
oherandkneltbefore
her,
instantr
egretsinki
ngin.
Motheot
urnedtohim andcr
awledovercr
ying.Pul
e
t
ouchedherfaceandpull
edherinhi
sarms.
“
Babe.
.”
Theof f
icer
soutsi
decontinuedpushi ngthedoor
wit
hsomuchvi ol
enceti
llitbrokeopening.They
walkedinholdi
nggunsandl ookedatPulewhowas
cr
adlingBantuinhisar
ms, t
her oom upsi
dedown.
Pulelookedatthem t
henlookedatBant
utr
yingt
o
feelf
orherpulsebuthishandshooksomuchhe
couldhardl
yfeelanyt
hing.
“
Ithi
nkyou’
dli
ket
ocomewi
thusf
orquest
ioni
ng.
”
Puleputhi
sheadonBant
u’sshoul
derhol
dingher
ti
ghtl
y.
TheDISoff
icer
spull
edhimfrom her
.Motheo
l
ookedathi
smot hercr
yingj
ustasthepol
ice
wal
kedi
n.

*
Downst
air
sbytheparkinglot
,theambulance
par
kedasthepol
icecoveredAlpha’
sdeadbody
wit
hasheetwhil
eotherpeoplewatchedtaki
ng
vi
deosf
orsoci
almedia.

*
**

AtRragweBant u’shouse,Merapel
osatinBant u’s
room t
ryingtocallheragai
n.Thephonecont inued
ri
ngingwi t
hnoanswer .Shetookadeepbr eaththen
l
ookedoutt hroughthewindow,thenegot
iations
weresti
llongoing.
Shecl
osedt
hecur
tai
nandsentBant
uamessage.
Merapel
o:Bantu,youneedt ocomeback.Soonthe
negot
iat
ionswillgetconcl
uded.Youneedtocome
backanddress.
Shesentt
hemessagethentookadeepbr
eat
h
st
andingi
nthemiddl
eoftheroom.

*
**

InGaborone,
Lef
awal kedi
nhissi
ster’
sroom and
l
ookedather.Heheldherhandst
aringatthe
bandageonherfor
ehead.
“
Yaya…”
Yamasagroanedmoving.Sheopenedhereyesand
l
ookedatherbrot
her
.
“
Hey…”
Shet
ookadeepbr
eat
hlooki
ngatt
hehospi
talwal
ls.
“
Bant
u…”
“
Rel
ax.I
t’
sok.
”
Tear
sfi
ll
edhereyes.“
Alphawasl
ying.Hewasnot
l
ooki
ngformydaughter.
”
“
Whathappened?
”
Shel ookedathi m andsni f
fed.“Hesai dIwouldget
mydaught erbacki fIhelpedt hem gett oPule
throughBant u.ButBant udidn’tknowanyt hing, Pul
e
doesn’ttellheranything.Initi
all
ythepl anwasf or
himt ogeti narelationshipwi t
hBant uf or
i
nf or
mat ionbutsher efused.Thent hat’
swhenhe
plannedt okidnapher .Ij
ustthoughtt heyare
kidnapinghersot hatPul ewoul dturnhimselfinor
somet hingbuther apedheri nstead.Hedr ugged
andr apedher .Theyar egoingtor el
easethevi deo
today.Ineedt otellBant u.”
“
Youf
il
medhi
msel
frapi
ngher
?”
“
Yes.I
tlooksr
eal
…youcanhar
dlyt
elli
t’
srape.
”
“
Andwhathappensaf
terPul
eseedt
hevi
deo?
”
“Theyknowhe’ seit
hergoingtohur tBantuorAlpha,
theyjustwanttoarresthi
m sot hatwhenhe’sinjail
theycangat herevi
dencefrom hispeople.They
alr
eadyhavesomet hi
ngbutit’
snotenought ol
ock
him upforever.
”
“Andthenaft
ert
hatyouwer
esupposedt
ogetyour
daughter
?”
“
Yesbuthel
ied.
”
“Theywerenevergoingtogetyouyourdaughter
Yaya.Youknowal otsoinotherwords,
youarea
l
oosescrew.Youdyi ngwasalwayspartoft
heplan.
Ican’
tbeli
eveyoudidt hi
stoBantu…youwould
havesoldherforyourdaught
erifyoucoul
d.”
“
Iwasdesper
ate.
”
“
Bant
uisnevergoi
ngt
ofor
giveyouf
ort
his.
”
Yamasal
ookedathi
m cr
ying.
“
Shewi
llneverf
orgi
veyouf
ort
his.
”
“
Iwasdesper
ate.Ij
ustwant
edmydaught
er.
”
Lef
aputhi
shandsonhi
sheadmovi
ngback.
“Youwer eapawni nthiswholet hing.Theyar e
probablygoingtokil
lBantuifPul edoesn’tt hen
framehimf orherdeath.Whyel sewoul dt heyshow
him suchavi deoonhisweddingday?Hi sreaction
i
snotguar anteed.Therei
sal othe’ sbeingf ramed
for.Someoft hecri
mest ohisname…hedi dn’tdo
them.Notthathe’sinnocentbutsomehedi dn’t
.
Theynowknowhel ovesher.He’smar ryingher
thenallofasuddenfindsoutt hatshewascheating.
Bantuturnsoutdead…who’ sthefir
stsuspect
.They
wanthimi nforsomething.Theyhavebeenwant ing
himforsol ong,
oncehe’ si
nj ail
,i
twillbeeasi
ert
o
l
ookf orwhattheyarelookingf or
.”
“
Idon’
twantBant
utodi
e.Ineedt
otel
lher
.”
Lefatookoutherphonefr
om hispocketand
handedi tt
oher.Shequi
ckl
ydialedBantu’
snumber
andcalledher
.
Thephoner angunansweredt
il
lthecal
lcut
.She
cal
ledheragainbutthephoneconti
nuousl
yrang
unanswered.
Lef
asi ghed.“
Youcan’
tsendamessage.You
wouldn’tknowwhohasherphone.Iwi
llgot
o
Ser
ower i
ghtnow.
”
Yamasanodded.“
Whati
ftheycomet
ofi
nishme
off
?”
“
Thesecur
it
yisout
side.
”
Lefawalkedoutt
aki
ngouthi
sphone.Hegoti
nhi
s
carcal
li
ngTshepo.
“
Hel
lo?
”
“
Wher
ear
eyou?
”
“
Ser
owe.
”
“
Areyouwi
thPul
e?”
“
No.
.”
“
Wher
e’she?
”
“
Get
ti
ngr
eadyatal
odge.Why?
”
“
Iam comi
ngt
her
e.Iwi
llt
ellyouever
ythi
ngt
hen.
”
“
Lait
akaIhopeyouar
enotcomi
ngt
ocausea
mess.”
“
No.Iwi
llt
alkt
oyouwhenIgett
her
e.”

*
**

RragweBantuwalkedinsi
dethehousecal
li
ngPul
e
aft
erthenegot
iat
ionsbuthisphonewasnowjust
ri
nging.
Mer
apel
owal
kedoutofBant
u’sr
oom.
“
Didever
ythi
nggowel
l?
”
“
Yes.Bant
uneedst
ocomehome.
”
Hecall
edhernumberasot
herr
elat
ivesstar
ed.
RragweBantuwal
kedtohi
sbedr
oom list
eni
ngto
herphoner
ing.
Amal
evoi
ceanswer
ed.“
Hel
lo?
”
Rr
agweBant
ufr
owned.“
Hel
lo?Who’
sthi
s?”
“Youarespeaki
ngt
oSer
geantOt
husi
tse,
whoam I
speaki
ngwith?”
“Rr
agweBant
u.Mr
.Josephs.Wher
e’smy
daught
er?
”
“Weweregoi
ngtotryandtrackyoudown.
Somethi
nghappenedtoyourdaught
erthi
s
morni
ng.”
“
Whathappenedt
omydaught
er?
”
.
.
.
[
06/
22,
08:
27] :Fal
lenAngel
#83

Att
hehospit
al,
rragweBant
uhurri
edi
nsi
de
br
eathi
ngheavi
lywhil
eMerapel
opacedbehi
ndhi
m.
Hewalkedt
otherecept
ion.“
Dumelang,
my
daught
erwasbr
oughthere.Bant
u.Bant
uJosephs.
Theysai
dshewasshot.”
“
Ohyes.Youjustmi
ssedher
.Shehasbeen
t
ransf
err
edtoGabor
one.”
“
Shehasbeent
ransf
err
ed?Howbadi
sshe?
”
Merapelotouchedhi
sar
m.“Youshoul
dgoto
Gaborone.Iwil
lgoandt
akeMotheofr
om t
hepol
ice.
GotoGabor one.”
RragweBant
ut ur
nedtot
henur
se.“
Whi
chhospi
tal
hasshebeentakent
o?”
“ShehasbeentakentoBokamosowher
eat
eam of
surgeonswi
llbewait
ingf
orher.
”
Rr
agweBant
unoddedt
henhur
ri
edoutwi
th
Mer
apel
o.
“
GotoGabor
one!Thecl
othesIhadpackedf
oryour
t
ri
parei
ntheboot
.GotoGaborone.
”
Hegotinhiscaranddroveoff.Tear
sblurredhi
s
eyesthenherubbedthem of
fwi t
hhisotherhand
dri
vingheadedtoGaborone.

*
**

Hourslat
er,Lefapar
kedhiscarbesi
desTshepoata
hot
elinSerowe.Tshepogotinthecaral
readyi
nhis
sui
twhiletal
kingonthephone.
“Theytookhimin.TheDI Sandthepoli
cewhocame
withSSG’sandsoldi
er s.ThevideoisonFacebook.
It
’sli
ketheywerearrestingsomeonewhohas
bombedwi thwholewor ld….Ok..t
hanks.
”
Tshepohungupwhi
leLef
adr
oveof
f.
“
Whathappened?
”
Tsheposhr
ugged.“
Idon’
tknow.Thel
astt
imeI
spoketohim waslastni
ght.Hewasst i
lli
n
Gaborone.Hearri
vedtodaymorning.Everyt
hing
wassupposedt ogosmoot hl
y.NextIhearhe’s
beenarrest
ed.”
“
Whatdi
dhedo?
”
“Hewasatahotelandappar
ent
lythesayhekil
leda
secr
etspybypushinghi
mf r
om t
hebalconyand
shotBant
u.”
Lef
atur
nedt
ohi
m.“
Andwhat
?”
“ShotBantu.Bantuwast akent ot hehospi t
al.He’
d
neverhurther.Ift
hereisanyt hinghel ovesit’
sher.I
haveseenPul egetinrelat
ionshi ps, seri
ousones
butitwasneverl i
kethi
sone. .hewant edt hem to
movet oParis.Saidt
hatBot swasmaki ngithardfor
himt oenj
oyhi sfamil
y.Hewant edt oBant utobe
happywi t
houtanyconst antst oriesabouthi m
str
essingher.He’dneverhur ther .”
“
Sowhat
?Thesecr
etspyshother
?”
“Hi
sgunwastheonlygunatt
hecr
imescene.He
obvi
ousl
ydi
ditt
o-“
“Fr
amehi m.Di
dtheysaywhyanyoft
his
happened?”
“
Gatweshewashavi
nganaffai
rwi
tht
heguy.He
f
oundhert
her
ewithMotheo.
”
“
Bant
u?”
“
Yes.
”
Lefasi
ghed.“Ormaybehedidshoother
.Hefound
outaboutit
,shothert
henki
ll
edthesecr
etspy.I
t’
s
possi
bletothi
nkanythi
ngcoul
dhavehappened.”
“
Pul
ewoul
dneverhur
tBant
u.”
“Andhewi llanyonet hatmesseswi thBant u.He
l
ovedher ,yousai dit.Hewoul ddoanythingf orher.
He’dkillforher .He’dkillwhoevermessedwi t
hher .
Heal mostki l
ledme.Nott hatIam sayingthis
becauseoft hatbuthowwoul dyouexpl ai
nt he
otherguy’ sdeat h?Pul eprobabl yf
oundout .Bant u
wasf oundatt heguyshot elroom.Pulear ri
vesi n
themor ning.Wedon’ tknowwhenBant uwentt here
ortheposi tionshewasf oundi n.Wit
hMot heot here.
Hepr obabl yfoughtof fthesecr etspyfi
rst.Kill
ed
him.Thr owi nghi m offthebalconyislessmessi er.
Andmaybei t’sal
someantt oscar eBantuorhi m
fall
ingoffthebalconywasami stake.Maybet he
guyf oughtback,thefightl
ostcont rolandonedi ed.
Thoughei therway,chancesofhi m dyingaf t
er
fuckingBant uwerealreadyprettyhigh.Andmaybe
that’swhenPul etur
nedt oBant u.Angrilyshother.
Orwhat everyouwantt obel
ieve.Butatt hisstage,
whoevert hatwaspar tofwhat everthathappened,
chancesoft hem beingblamedandki l
ledareprett
y
high.”
“Pul
edi
dn’tshoother
.Hi
slawyeri
sont
heway.
She’
sgood.”
Lefanodded.Hisphonerangthenhepicked
Yamasa’scallpar
kingt
hecaratthepoli
cestat
ion.
Tshepoquicklyst
eppedoutandhurr
iedin.
“
Yaya…”
“
Bantu’
sphonei
snowof
f.Haveyouar
ri
vedatt
he
weddi
ng.”
“
No.Notyet
.”
“
MaybeIshoul
djustsendamessage.
”
“
No.
.don’
tdoanyt
hing.
”
“
Why?
”
“
Pul
ewi
llki
llyou.Bant
uwasshot
.”
“
Alphashother
!”
“Iam notsureanymore.Butyousayi nganyt
hing
canendwi thyoudeadf orrealthi
sti
me.Youar e
surroundedbydanger.Youneedt ol
aylowfora
while.Weneedtofindyouapl acewhereyoucan
staytil
lthi
ngshaveleveled.
”
“
Issheok?
”
“
Iam notsur
e.Shewast
akent
othehospi
tal
.”
“
Idi
dthi
s..i
t’
sal
lme.I
t’
sal
lme.Idi
dthi
s.”

*
**

Insidethepol
icest
ati
on,Pul
esatint
he
i
nt err
ogati
onroom i
nsil
ence.TheDI
Soff
icerl
ooked
athi m.
“WearetakingyoutoGaborone.I
fyouwon’tt
alk
here,
thenmaybeyouwi l
ltal
kthere.Youar
egoing
toj
ail
.Ifshediest
henjustknow,yournewli
fei
s
abouttostarti
npri
son.
”
Pul
elookedathi
m cal
mly.“
Ok.
”
“
Ok?Ok?Doyout
hinkt
hisi
sagame?
”
“
Obat
aker
eng?Shoul
dIcr
y?”
“
Youki
llpeopl
eincol
dbl
ood.
”
“
Oh?Ido?
”
“
Youar
egoi
ngt
opayever
ythi
ng.
”
“Andyouaret el
li
ngmebecause?Youl ookstupi
d
tr
yingtoscareme.Youshouldreal
lyprayIget
l
ockedupf orgoodbecausei
fIdon’t…”Puleshook
hisheadandleanedbackonhischair.
“
Youwantt
oseej
usthowcr
uel
wear
e?”
“Showmeornot
,youar
egoi
ngt
oseehowcr
uelI
am goi
ngt
oget.
”
TheDISoffi
certur
nedhisbackonPul
ethenturned
aroundpunchi
nghisal
readyswoll
enf
ace.Pule
gruntedt
asti
ngbl
oodi
nhi
smout
hthenl
aughed
spit
ti
ngitout
.
“Conti
nueharassi
ngme.Givemyl awyert heperf
ect
case.Iam goi
ngtotellt
hejudgethatgener al
dir
ectorwaslonahasavendet t
aagai nstme
becauseIfuckedhiswif
e.Tellhi
m myl awyerwil
l
showt hevi
deoasevidenceincour t
.Thevi deoshe
took.
”
TheDI
Soff
icerwalkedout
.Pul
ewi
pedhi
smout
h
wit
hhi
schainedhands.
Af
emal
epol
iceof
fi
cerwal
kedi
n.
“
Come,
youar
ebei
ngt
ranspor
ted.
”
Pul
elookedather.“
Youaret
oopret
tytobecomea
pol
iceof
ficer
.Thenutst
heypayyousati
sfyyou?
”
Shesmi
ledl
ooki
ngathi
shandsomef
ace.“
Yes.
”
“
That
’ssl
ie.Youar
etoobeaut
if
ulf
orpeanut
s.”
“
Let
’sgo.
”
“
Ismywi
fedead?
”
“
No.Shewast
akent
othehospi
tal
.Let
’sgo.
”
Pulestoodupandwalkedoutwit
hhi
m,hi
shands
chainedtoget
herwi
thhisl
egs.

*
**

I
nGaboronel
atert
hatday,
rragweBantuwalked
i
nsi
deBokamosoPr i
vat
eHospitalandwal
kedover
t
other
ecepti
on.
“Dumelang.Ineedyourhel
p..mydaught
er,Bant
u
Josephswasbr oughther
efrom Ser
owe.Theysai
d
shewasshot .
”
“
Oh,yes.Uhthedoct
orsj
ustf
ini
shedthesurger
y.I
t
hinkt
heyaregoingt
owanttotal
ktoyou.”

Att
hedoct or
’sof
fi
ce,rr
agweBantuwalkedi
nsi
de
anoff
ice.Thedoctorl
ookedathi
m andsmil
ed.
“
Mr.Josephs?
”
“
Yes.Uh…mydaught
er…i
ssheok?
”
“
Pleasesi
t.
”
Hesl
owl
ysatdown.Thedoct
orl
ookedathi
m.
“Yourdaught erwasbr oughti nwi thasever e
gunshotsoundt oherl eftsideoft hechest .Wedi da
surger yandf oundt hatt hebul l
ethadembedded
throught heendocar dium i ntothedeepmyocar dium,
andr etri
evalwoul dhavel ikelynecessi t
ate
cardiopul monar ybypasswi thext ensivecar di
ac
dissection.Thedeci sionwasmadet oleavet he
bulletinpl ace,anduhwer epairedt he…t he
vent r
iculotomyandt hencl osedt hechest .We
managedt ost opanybl eedingbuti fthebul l
et
movesf rom cur rentposi ti
on, shewi l
lsuffer
extensivebl oodl oseand…possi blydiebef orewe
candoanyt hingsot hat ’
swhywemadet he
decisiont oper form anemer gencyC- sect i
onoft he
baby.She’ s.
..Hebabygi rlisinai ncubat orandshe’ s
doingwel lforapr emat ure.Chancesofyour
daught ermaki ngitoutal ivear esl i
m…andnowwi l
l
bet het i
met oseeher .”
RragweBant
usni
ff
edr
ubbi
ngof
fat
earof
fhi
s
cheek.
“
Iam sor
ry.
”
“
She…she’
stheonl
yone…Ihave.
”
“
Iam sosor
ry.
”
Heputhi
shandoverhiseyes.Thedoct
orst
oodup
andt
ouchedhi
sshoulder
.
“
Iam sor
ry.Iwi
llt
akeyout
oher
.”

AtBantu’sr
oom, rragweBant uwalkedinandlooked
athisdaughter
.Shehadt ubeinhermouththat
l
ookedlikeitwashel pi
nghertobr eat
he.The
machineconnectedt oherbodybeeped.Hewal ked
overandlookedather .Tearsfi
ll
edhiseyesand
droppedashel ookeddown.
“Godifyoutakeherf
rom me…youwouldhave
kil
ledme….youwouldhaveki
ll
edme.
.”
Hehel
dherhandcr
ying.

Awhilel
aterhewal
kedoutthensatont
hef
loor
,hi
s
kneesweakandcal
ledhermother.
“
Hel
lo?
”
“Bant
uwasshot
.Wear
einGabor
one.Thedoct
ors
areworr
ied.
”
“Whyar eyoutell
ingme?Whet hershelivesornotit
won’tmakeadi ffer
encetome.Youwantt otel
lme
she’sdyinghutneverbother
edtot el
lmeabouther
gett
ingmar r
ied.Justdealwit
hitthesamewayyou
wouldhavedeal twit
hherweddingt oday.Idon’
t
careaboutBantu.Ifshediesbett
ersot hatyoustop
botheri
ngmeabouther .
”
.
.
.
[
06/
22,
08:
27] :Fal
lenAngel
#84

Atthehospi
tal
,rr
agweBantuopenedhi
smout
hto
saysomethi
ng.Helaughedi
nstead.
“
Whydoyouhat
eher
?She’
syourchi
ld!
”
“
Idon’
that
eher.Ij
ustdon’
tcar
e.Iam wi
thmy
f
amil
y.Whatdoyouwantmet osay?
”
“Yourdaughtermaydie.Idon’
tknowwhatIdidt
o
youPeggy.Pleasetel
lmewhatIdi dtoyouf
oryou
tohateherli
kethi
s.Pleasetel
lme.”
“Youar et
heonemaki ngt hiswholethi
ngdiffi
cul
t.I
don’tevenknowwhy.Obat aatt
enti
on,butIam not
goingtogiveittoyou.Canyouj ustrai
seyour
daughterwithouthavi
ngt oinvolveme.Younever
seemecal li
ngyouhar assingyou.Talktoyournew
wife.
”
“
Ther
eisagr anddaughter
.Shewaspr egnant.
Mot
heohasasi sternow.Iam scaredImightl
ose
mychi
ld.Ihavetakenresponsi
bil
it
yofherforyear
s
now…can’tyoujustshar
emypain?Thisisyour
chi
ld.Thatr
ingonyourfi
ngerwi
llneverchanget
hat
yougavebirt
htothischi
ld.
”
“
Stopcal
li
ngme.
”
Shehungup.Hel
ookedathi
sphonet
hencal
led
Merapel
o.
“
Hel
lo?Howi
sshe?
”
“She…shewasshott oherchest.Thedoct
orsaid
somethingaboutt
hebulletbei
nginherheartand
thatt
heycouldn’
ttakei
tout.Butifi
tmovesshe
maydi e.
”
“
Iwi
llcomet
omor
row.
”
“
Thedoct
orsai
dtheyhadt
oper
for
m asur
ger
yto
t
akeoutt
hebaby.
”
“
OhGod.
.”
“
DidyougetMot
heo?
”
“Yes.He’
sherewithme.Thepoli
cearesayi
ngPule
shotherbecauseshewascheati
ngwithanot
her
man.ThecarIsawi nt
hemorning…itwasprobabl
y
theman’s.
”
“
Bant
uwoul
dnevercheat
.”
“TheysaidPul
eal
soki
ll
edt
hemanBant
uwas
seeing.
”
“
Idon’
tbel
ievei
t.Iwantt
oseehi
m.Idon’
tbel
ieve
i
t.
”
“
Bant
uwasshot
!”
“Iam goi
ngtowaitandseePule.Somethi
ng
happenedtomydaughterthi
smor ni
ng.Someone
shotherbutIwil
lonl
ybeli
eveitwasPuleaft
erIsee
him.Iwanttolookhi
mintheeyes.”
“
Iwi
llbet
her
eint
hemor
ning.
”
“
Ok.
”
“
Goandseet
hebaby.
”
“
Ok.
”
“
Iloveyou.
”
Rr
agweBant
uhungupandweekl
yst
oodup.

*
AttheNeonatalward,
rragweBantulookedathi
s
granddaught
erinsi
detheincubat
orandsmiled
touchi
ngit.
Shelookedsot i
ny,t
iniert
hanMot heo.Hetooka
deepbreathstar
ingatherhair
inessknowingshe
gott
hatfrom hermot her.
Hesatdownst
ari
ngathersmi
li
ng.

*
**

HourslaterLef
aparkedhiscaratBokamoso
hospit
al.Hetookadeepbr eat
handsteppedoutof
thecarpicki
nghisr
ingingphone.
“
Hel
lo?
”
“
Hi,
it’
sMai
na.
”
“
Hi.
”
“
Ithoughyouwouldcal
landmakear
rangement
s
f
oryourdaught
er.
”
“
Whatar
rangement
s?”
“Toseeyourdaughter
.Youhaveabandonedyour
daught
ercompletel
y.I
t ’
sli
keyoudon’thaveachi
ld
wit
hmekanayoudon’ twanther
.Pleasetel
lmesoI
know.”
“Iam makingar r
angementswithmyfamilytocl
aim
herri
ghtful
ly.Idon’
twanttoabandonmydaught er
butIalsoknowwedi dn’
tendonagoodnot e.I
didn’
tknowhowt oapproachyoubecauseIknow
youareangr y.
”
“Canyoupl easecomeandseeyourchil
dandalso
helpsupporther.Iknowhowweendedbutshe’s
sti
llyourdaughter
.Sheneedsyou.She’
sgr
owing.”
“Ok.Icancomet
oyourhouset
omor
rowi
fthat
’s
ok.”
“
Tomor
rowi
sok.
.int
hemor
ning.
”
“
Ok.
.Iam sor
ry.Ishoul
dhavecal
led.
”
“
Youshoul
dhave.Bye.
”
Shehungup.Hetookadeepbr
eathandwal
ked
i
nsidet
hehospi
tal
.Hebri
efl
yspoketot
henurse
bef
oresl
ippi
ngt
oherr
oom.
Lefat
ookadeepbreat
hwalki
ngin.Helookedather
l
yingonthebedandswal
lowedwalki
ngover.
Hehel
dherhandandsmi
ledf
eel
ingi
t’
ssof
tness.
“
Hi…”
Thehear
tmonitorbeepedst
eadi
ly.Heki
ssedher
handl
ookingather.
“Youst i
lll
ookbeaut i
fulevenlikethi
s…youar e
goingt obef i
ne.Youar eactuall
ystrongerthanyou
thought.”Hel ookedatherandsmi l
ed.“Youar e
getti
ngmor ebeautif
ulasyougr ow.Iwasl ooki
ngat
youtheot herday…youar eli
kef i
newi nebabe.I
wishIcanf ixt hi
ngsand…IknowIam t oohopeful
butIwi shIcangetyoubackj ustonel astchance.I
l
oveyousomuchBant u.Iloveyoumor ethan
anything.”
Hesatdownholdi
ngherhandt
henputhi
sheadon
hert
highhol
dingherhand.

*
**
Thef oll
owingmorning,Pul
e’slawyerwalkedi
nside
theinterr
ogati
onroom andlookedathim.She
sighed,her7inchplatf
orm heelsechoi
ngasher
hipsswayedf rom si
detosidetrappedinherpenci
l
skirt
.
“
Doyoueverst
ayawayf
rom t
roubl
e?”
“
Yeah.
”
Shesatdownandleanedback.“
Murderand
att
emptedmurderi
nonemor ni
ng.Youhavebeen
busyaker
e?”
“
Howi
sBant
u?”
“Imadeaf ewcalls.She’
sstable…butcr
iti
cal.
.
seemst hebull
ethitherhear
t.Theyarescaredto
movei tbecausei
tmaycausemor edamaget han
planned.”
“Dowehavetomoveher
?Toabet
terhospi
tal
?Or
cal
linsomeone?
”
“
Itr
ustthedoct
orst
here.Theyar
edoingthebest
t
heycan.Theycan’
tperf
ormthesur
gery
now..
maybei
nafewweeks.Shewi
llbef
ine.Shei
s
goi
ngtobeok.
”
“
Iwantt
oseeher
.Toni
ght
.”
“
Andthat’
stheprobl
em Pul
e…youcan’
t…yourcase
i
sser
ious.Thesepeopl
e…-“
“
Iam goi
ngt
oseehert
oni
ght
.”
“
Youst
il
lloveher
?Af
terever
ythi
ng?
”
“
What
’st
hewayf
orwar
d?”
“Rightnowwewai tforBantutowakeup. .her
testi
monyistheonlyt hi
ngthatcansaveyouf rom
thisone…ormaket hingseasier.I
fshet esti
fiesin
yourfavor
.Butifshedoesn’t,Idon’tknow.I fshe
dies…thenwehaveabi gproblem.”
“
Shecan’
tdi
e…”
“Congrat
ulat
ionsbyt
heway…onyoursecond
producti
on..
agir
l.
”
Pul
esmi
led.“
Shegavebi
rt
h?”
“Yes.Theyopenedherupandtookherout
.They
areontothelasthei
styoudi
d.Theyhaveakey
witnessandal
sothecocai
neis…that
’sanother
caseandIheartheyhavesomethi
ngonthe
diamondcase.Therest
…wecangetawaybutt he
diamonds….ThediamondsPule…andBantuwillbe
theendofyou.”
“
Iwantt
oseeher
.”
“
Can’tyouhearwhatIam sayi
ng?Yout
hinkt
hey
wil
leasi
lyt
akethei
reyesoffyou?”
“Wenaworryaboutmycasesandl eaveBantutome.
Theyhavenothi
ngonmewi t
hthecocainething.
Justhear
say.Yamoneyhei stsyonecanbesor ted.
Gapehelawhosawme?Thedi amondst heycan
l
ookanddowhat everbuttheywon’ tf
indanythi
ng.
CanyoutalktothatdoctorinSouthAf ri
ca?Hewi l
l
l
ookatBantu’scase.Iwilltal
ktoyou.Youcango. ”
“Gakeber
ekawenahel
aPul
e.Ir
unabusi
ness.I
haveot
hercl
ient
s.”
“
Youl
ooksexy.
”
Shelookedathi
m andcl
ickedhi
stongue.“
Dontget
caughtsowecangetoutonbail
.”
Hegaveherthumbsupsmil
ing.Sher
oll
edhereyes
annoyedandwalkedout
.
.
.

Let
shavet
henextonebef
ore10p.
m
[
06/
22,
08:
28] :Fal
lenAngel
#85

Thatsamemorni
ng,
Yamasacal
ledLef
aint
he
hospi
talr
oom.
“
Yaya…”
“
Areyoucomi
ngt
ogetme?
”
“
Ihavet
ogoandseeMai
nat
henIwi
llcome.
”
“
Ok.
”
“
Stopmaki
ngcal
lswi
tht
hatphone.Swi
tchi
tof
f.
”
Hehungup.Yamasal ookedatBantu’
snumbert hen
swallowedlookingattheonePulehadcall
edher
with.Sheswitchedoffherphoneandlai
dont he
bedwai t
ingthoughshecouldnotshakeoffthe
feeli
ngthatsomeonecoul dtr
yandkil
lheragain.
Sher
ubbedhereyeshol
dingherphonet
ight
ly.

*
**

AtMaina’
shouse,
Mai
naopenedt
hedoorand
l
ookedatLef
a.
“
Hi…”
Helookedatherandnoddedt
houghshel
ookedl
ike
shewasabouttogosomewhere.
“
Comei
n.”
Lef
awal
kedi
nherbachel
orpad.“
Nicehouse.
”
“
Yeaht
hanks.
”
“
Thi
sisni
ce.Ar
eyougoi
ngsomewher
e?”
“
Myboyf
ri
endi
scomi
ngt
opi
ckusup.
”
“
Oh…Icoul
dhavecomel
ater
.”
“
Wear
enotcomi
ngbackt
oday.
”
“
Ok.
”
Shewal
kedtoherbedroom i
nherheel
sandcame
backwi
thherdaught
er.
Levalookedatherwhil
eshesuckedhert
humb
holdi
ngont ohermother.
“She’
sfor
gott
enyou.That’
swhathappenswhen
youabandonyourchi
ldr
en.”
“Iknow..
maybeIcant ryandseeherever
yweekend
ti
llyouarecomfor
tablewithhercomi
ngovert
omy
house.Whateverworksforyou.”
Mai
nal
ookedathi
m andnodded.“
Ok.
”
Lefal
ookedathisdaught
er,
shehadgrownso
much.Thelastt
imehehadseenhershewas
drowni
nginthebatht
ub.
“
Shel
ooksbeaut
if
ul.
”
“
Thankyou.Ihopeyouknowt
hisi
sonl
yaco-
par
ent
ingr
elat
ionshi
p.Iwi
llnevert
akeyouback.
Gapei
fyouthi
nkyouaregoingtobedramati
cand-“
“IknowandIam notgoi ngtobotheryou,tr
ustme.
YouandIdi dn’twork.Iknowwest il
lwon’tsoyou
don’thavetowor ryaboutthat
.Iam goingto
respectyourrelat
ionshipwit
hhim.Trustme.No
drama.LennaIam t i
redofendl
essdr ama.”
Mainasmi
ledknowi
nghewasj
ustsayi
ngi
t.“
Ihope
so.
”
“CanIincl
udemyl awyerinouragreements?Le
yonemadiamai nt
enance,Iwanthimtobethere.
Myf amil
ywillcomeandpaydamages.Maybenext
weekendIcancomewhenyouar enotrushi
ng
somewher e.
”
“
Ok.
”
“
Bye.
”
Hetur
nedandwal kedout.Mainaslowl
ysatdown
morethanjustdi
sappoi
ntedbutthenLefawas
pr
obablyfaki
ngthatbehavi
or.
*
**

Laterthatday,Merapel
osteppedoutofthebus
holdingMotheowhowassayi ngwhatheonlycoul
d
hear.RragweBant uwalkedovert
oherandt ook
Mot heoandt hebagshewascar r
yingf
rom her.
Mer
apel
ohuggedhi
m.“
Howi
sshet
oday?
”
“
Sti
llst
abl
e.”
“
ThankGod.
”
Theywalkedtothecarandgoti
n.Mer
apel
ohel
d
MotheoasrragweBantudroveof
f.
“
Ical
ledBant
u’smot
heryest
erday.It
houghtshe
woul
dcomeandseeher…”
Mer
apel
olookathi
m..“
Whatdi
dshesay?
”
“Shesaidshedoesn’
tcar
ewhet
herherown
daughterl
ivesordi
es.
”
“
Iam sor
ry.
”
“Iam notsur
pri
sed,
justhurt
.IwishBant
u’smot
her
hadbeensomeoneel se.IhopeBantumakesi
t,I
wouldn’
twantherchil
drengr
owi
ngupwi
thouta
motherl
ikeshedid.
”
“Shewi
llmakei
t.Shewi
llbef
ine.Whati
sthepol
ice
sayi
ng?
”
“It
oldthem Ihavenothi
ngt ot
ellt
hem.Theycal l
ed
me.Iwi l
lgoforquesti
oningnextweek.ThisweekI
am deali
ngwithmydaught er’
sshooti
ng..Idon’
t
wanttoleaveherside.Whenshewakesup, Iwant
hertofi
ndmeonhersi de.”
Merapelohel
dMotheoonherchestasr
ragwe
Bantudrovet
othehospi
tal
.Heparkedt
hecaratt
he
hospit
al.
“Youcancome.Iam sur
eMotheowoul
dlovet
osee
herandhi
syoungersist
er.
”

*
**

Thateveni
ng,
Lefaparkedhi
scaratabedand
breakf
astt
henlookedatYamasa.
“
Youar
egoi
ngt
ost
ayher
eti
llt
omor
row.Thenyou
wil
lgot
oShakawe.Youwi
llst
ayt
her
eti
llt
hest
orm
i
sover.
”
“
Ok.Howi
sBant
u?”
“
Shewi
llbef
ine.
”
“
Ok.AndPul
e?”
“Youneedt
ostayawayf r
om hi
m.Wedon’ tknow
whathemaydo..wedon’twantt
otakethatri
sk.I
don’
twantanyt
hinghappeni
ngtoyou.
”
Shenodded.“
Ifeel
gui
lt
y.Ibet
rayedmyonl
y
fr
iend.
”
“
Rightnowi
snott
het
imet
osaf
ebl
ame.Let
’sgo.
”
Lefaledhert
otheroom shewouldbeusi
ngthen
gotbackinhiscarandstayedi
nsi
deforawhil
e
l
ookingaround.
Hef
inal
lydr
oveof
fleavi
ngher
.

*
**
Hourslat
erthateveni
ng,
justaf
termidni
ght,
Bant
u’s
heartmonit
orbeepedwhil
ethechesttubehel
ped
herbreat
h.
Puleslowl
ywalkedinsi
detheroom andl
ookedat
herlyi
ngonthebed.Helookedatherandpushed
herhairof
fherface.
Helookedatherforawhi
le,
justl
ooki
ngather
madehisheartache.
“
Whathappenedangel
?”
Helookedather
,hi
sheartaching,somuchhesat
downandputhishandsonhisf ace.Hewasn’teven
sur
eifthebabywashis.I
tcouldbeanot herman’s
chi
ld,onet
hathadbeenproducedt hr
oughcheating.
Thefactt
hatshecheatedandkeptt
her
esul
tsof
hercheat
inghur
thim more.
Asoundcamef r
om her.Hequi
ckl
ylookedoverand
l
ookedather.Shesl i
ght
lymovedherfi
ngers.The
heartmoni
torstart
edbeepingt
oget
herwithanother
beepingmachine.
Shesl
owl
yopenedhereyessl
ight
lyandmovedher
f
inger
sinhi
shand.
“
Babe…Angel
!”
Sheweaklybl i
nked.Themachi nebeepedeven
fast
er.Helookedathert henpressedthe
emergencybut t
onbeforeslippi
ngoutoftheroom.
Secondslaternursesrushedinwithadoctor.
Theyl
ookedatherhear
tmoni
tor
,herhear
trat
e
goi
ngfast
.
“
She’
shavi
ngacar
diacar
rest
!”
Theheartmoni
torshowedherhear
trat
edroppi
ng
ti
lli
twasafl
atl
ine,anur
sestar
tedwit
htheCPR.
“Wearegoingtoshockher
.Weneedt
he
def
ibr
il
lat
or.”
Theyquickl
yprepar
edherbef
orethedoctor
slammedherchestwit
hthedefi
bri
ll
atort
orest
ore
thehear
tbeat.
Theyl
ookedatherdesper
atel
y.
“
1..2Agai
n!”
Hedi
ditagai
n.Bant
u’sbody’
svi
brat
edatt
heshock
thenthehear
tmonitorshowedarest
oreoft
he
heart
beatasitst
art
edbeating.

AWEEKLATER…
.
.
.
[
06/
22,
08:
28] :Fal
lenAngel
#86

AWeekLat
er…

AtBokamosoPri
vateHospi
tal
,rr
agweBantuputt
he
fl
owershehadboughtbesi
desBantu’
sbedandsat
downholdi
ngherhand.
Hetookouthi
sphoneandplayedaradi
ostat
ion
andrel
axedbesi
desher
.Bantu’
sfi
ngermovedin
hi
shand.Helookedcar
eful
lywonder
ingi
fhehad
i
magi
nedi
tbutshemovedagai
n.
Hequickl
ypressedthebutt
ont heyhadshowedhim.
Hepressedi
tmul t
iplet
imes,secondsl
ateradoct
or
wal
kedinwit
hanur se.
“
Herhand…herf
inger
s.Theymoved!Twi
ce!
”
Thedoctorwalkedoveranddi
daquick
examinat
ionsasBantumadetinysounds,
herhead
movingsli
ghtl
y.
“
Isshewaki
ngup?
”
“Seemsli
kei
t.Uh,
youcanwai
tout
sidesowecan
att
endtoher
.”
RragweBantuwalkedoutjustast
womor enurses
rushedi
n.Hepacedoutsidewonderi
ngwhatwas
t
akingtool
ong,hi
sheartpoundinguncont
rol
labl
y.
Hefannedhimselfwithhi
shandsasminut
eswent
by.Thir
tyminut
eslaterheknockedont
hedoor
unabletost
aysti
llanymore.
Thedooropenedtheanur
seopenedfol
lowedby
hi
sdaughter
’sbedbei
ngpushedout.
“
What
’shappeni
ng.I
ssheok?
”
“
She’
sok.Wej
ustneedt
odomor
etest
s.”
Rr
agweBantul
ookedatBant
u’seyesassheweakl
y
bl
inkednowwi
thanoxygenmaskonherface.
“
Bantu.
.Papai
shere.Youar
enotal
one.Iam her
e.I
wil
lbewai
ti
ngforyou.
”
Theypushedheraway.Hetookadeepbreat
hand
walkedbacki
nherroom andtookhi
sphone
st
oppingther
adio.

Overanhourlat
er,rr
agweBant
uwalkedinsidethe
room hi
sdaughterhadbeenmovedt
o.Hel ookedat
heronthebedwi t
hanoxygenmasksti
llonherf ace.
Thebeepi
ngmachi
newasst
il
lther
e.Het
ouched
herhand.
“
Bant
u…”
Shebr
eat
hedi
ntothemaskthatmustcover
edi
t.
Shesl
owl
yopenedhereyesweakl
y.
“Bant
u…ohJesusthankyou!Youareawake!They
didn’
tthi
nkyouwoul
dmakei tt
hisf
ar…youare
here!
”
Hesqueezedherhandastear
sfi
ll
edhi
seyes.He
puthi
shandsonhisfacewipi
ngawayhist
earsand
huggedher.
“
Godt
hankyou!Thankyou!
”
Bantuslowlymovedt
heoxygenmaskasherown
tearsf
ellfr
om t
hecor
nerofhereyesanddr
opped
tothepil
low.
“
Papa…”
Hel
ookedatherandhuggedhermor
ecr
ying.
“
Iwasscar
ed.GodIwasscar
ed.
”
Shecl
osedhereyesunabl
etost
opherowntears.
Sheputt
heoxygenmaskbackandputherhandon
hi
sback.
RragweBant
umovedback,
hesmi
led,
tear
sinhi
s
eyes.
“
Youar
eher
e..
”
Shesl
ight
lynodded.Hewi
pedawayhert
ear
sthen
hi
s.
“
Ineverl
eftyoursi
de.
”
Bantulookeddownt
oseeherbumpbuti
twasn’
t
ther
e.Shemovedhermask.
“
Mybaby…”
“Shei
sfine.She’
sfi
ne.She’
sinanincubator
.But
she’
sfi
ne.Thedoctorsai
dsheisgoingjustf
ine.
”
“
Mot
heo…?
”
“Mot
heoi
sfi
ne.He’
swi
thMer
apel
oinSer
owe.They
hadt
ogoback.
”
“
Wher
e’sPul
e?”
Noti
cingshewasst r
uggl
ingt
obreat
he,r
ragwe
Bant
uputt heoxygenmaskbackonhernose.
“He…thepoli
cet
ookhi
min.Hewasdeni
edbai
l
yest
erday.
”
Bantulookedatherf
ather
,mor
etear
sfi
ll
ingher
eyes.Helookedather
.
“
Ihaven’
tseenhi
m.Ihaven’
tspokent
ohi
m.Iwas
wait
ingf oryoutotellmei
fwhattheyaresayi
ngis
tr
ue.Didhedot hi
s?Theyaresayingheshotyou
andkil
ledt heotherman.Thepoli
ceissayi
nghe’s
notsayinganything.Youcantel
lmet het
rut
h.Iam
ri
ghthereBant u.”
Bant
uputherhandoverfacecryi
ng.Herfat
her
sadl
ylookedatherasshest
ruggl
edtocry.
“
Hedi
dthi
s?”
Shel
ookedathim andshookherhead.Rr
agwe
Bant
uheldherhand.
“Youcantel
lmethetrut
hBant
u..i
fhedi
dthenhe’
s
goingt
orotinpr
ison.
”
Shepul
ledof
fhermask.“
No…”
“
No?
”
Tear
sfel
lassheshookherhead.“
Hedi
dn’
t.
”
“
Whathappened?
”
Sheputt heoxygenmaskbackonherf aceandhel
d
hishand.RragweBantulookedatherevenmore
confused.
“
Whathappenedt
hen?
”
Sheslowlycl
osedhereyes.Hel
ookedatherasshe
sl
owlyletgoofhi
shand.
“
Bant
u…”
Hel
ookedatherandsi
ghed.

*
**

Att
hepol
icest
ati
on,
Pul
e’
slawyerl
ookedathi
m.
“It
houghttheywoulddenyyoubai
l.I
t’
salr
ight
,Iam
happytheyareact
uall
ymakingthi
ngseasierf
or
us.
”
Pul
enodded.“
Ifyousayso.
”
“
Bant
uisgoi
ngt
obeok.Havef
ait
h.”
Shestoodupandwal
kedaway.Theyledhi
m back
tohi
scellwher
ehesatdownallal
one.Het
ookout
aphoneandcall
edanumber.
“
Hel
lo?
”
“
Howi
sshe?
”
“She’
swokenupbutst
il
lcan’
tbr
eat
heonherown
perf
ectl
y.”
Pul
ecl
osedhi
seyes.“
Fuck!ThankGod!
”
“Butthebull
eti
sst i
l
lther
e.She’
sgoingtobekept
aroundforobservat
iontoseewhathappensandi
f
theyshouldperf
orm asurger
ynoworl at
er.
”
“
Ok.Thanks.
”
“
Bye.
”
Hehungupandcal
ledanot
hernumber
.
“
P-Man!
”
“
Yeah?
”
“
Wehavecl
eanedt
hepl
aceup.
”
“Good.Ineedt
ogetthest
uffbackf
rom t
hepol
ice.I
can’
taffor
dtolosesomuchmoney.”
“
Ihavespokent
omyi
nsi
deman.
”
“
Ihopef
oryoursakehe’
slegi
t.
”
Pul
ehungupandputawayhi
sphonesi
tt
ingal
one
i
nthej
ailcel
l.

*
**

Laterthatday,
Lefasl owlywalkedinsi
deBantu’s
room atthehospitalthensmiledlooki
ngather.He
walkedoverandl ookedather ,t
henewr oom had
betterl
ight
ingthant heprevi
ous.
Hetouchedhercoldhand,sheopenedhereyesand
l
ookedathim.Lefasmiled.
“
Hi…Iam sohappyt
oseeyouawake.
”
Shel
ookedatt
hedoort
henathi
m.
“
Iknewyouwoul
dbeal
ri
ght
.”
Shepul
leddownt
hemask.
.“Youneedt
ogo.
”
“
Ok.Ij
ustwant
edt
oseeyou.
”
“
Pul
ewi
ll
…youneedt
ogo.
”
“
Hei
sst
il
linpr
ison.
”
Tear
sfi
ll
edhereyes.“
Youneedt
ogo…pl
ease.
”
“Lif
edoesn’ thavetobel i
kethis.Youcan’ tli
vein
fearlikethiswonderingifhewi l
lfinishyouoff.You
cant ellt
hepol i
cethetruthandst andachanceof
neverl i
vinginfeareveragain.Attempt edmur deri
s
aser i
ouscaseandsoi smur der
.Hecan’ tdo
anythingt oyoufrom thepri
soncel l
s.Thinkforyour
chil
dr en,Iam sureyoudon’twantt hem tol
ive
withoutyou. ”
.
.
.
[
06/
22,
08:
28] :Fal
lenAngel
#87

Bant
upushedhi
shandof
f.
“
Youneedt
ogo.
”
“Youdeser
vebett
erthansomeonewhocant ake
awayyourli
fei
nthenameofl ove.Someonewho
doesn’
tval
ueyourli
fe.Youdeservebet
tert
hanthat
,
youknowi t
.There’
snolovel
i
kethi
sBunny.You
couldhavedied…yourki
dswoul
dhavelostyou
for
ever.
”
Tear
sfi
ll
edhereyes.“
Go.
”
Sheputt
heoxygenmaskbackonherf
ace.Lef
a
smil
ed.
“
Ihopeyouf
eelbet
tersoon.
”
Heturnedandwalkedout
.Thedooropened
secondslat
ert
henthenursewal
kedinpushi
ngt
he
i
ncubator.
“Thi
sisonl
yforami
nut
e.Weneedt
otakeher
back.
”
Bantulookedatherasshepushedhercloser.She
touchedthegl
asslooki
ngatherdaughteronly
wearingapamper.Shewassosmal l
,shet ookoff
themask.
“
She’
sti
ny.
”
Thenur
sesmiled.“
Yes.Butpr
ett
yst
rong.Shej
ust
cameali
tt
leearl
ier
.”
Bant
uemot
ional
lysmi
ledl
ooki
ngather
.“Shei
s
beaut
if
ul.
”
“
Ver
y.”
“
CanIhol
dher
?”
“
Foraf
ewseconds.
”
Thenurseunbut
tonedBantu’
shospit
algownand
pusheditdownt
oherchest.Shetookoutthebaby
andputheronhermother’
schest
.
Bantuclosedhereyeshol
dingherdaughtert
oher
chest.Thenurseputt
heoxygenmaskbackonher
face.Bantut
ookadeepbreathandsmi l
edpulli
ng
downt hemask.
“
Icanf
eelherhear
t.
”
Thenursesmi
led.“
It
’spr
ett
yst
rong.Letmeputher
back.
”
Bantusl
owl
ygaveherback.Thenur
seoutt
hebaby
backint
hei
ncubat
or.
“
Nowsl
eep.
”
Hepushedt
hebabyout
.Bant
uputonhermask
t
henfi
xedherdr
esssl
owlyi
gnor
ingt
hebandages
j
ustunder
neat
hherbr
east
.
Therewasagent
leknockont
hedoort
hent
he
pol
icewal
kedinwit
hadoctor
.
Thedoctorsmi
ledatBantu.
.“Hi
.Thepoli
cewant
ed
toaskafewquesti
ons.Iam goi
ngtobeheret
he
enti
ret
imemakingsureyouarealr
ight
.”
Bant
ulookedatonemani nthepol
iceunif
orm,t
he
ot
heronewasi nj
ustcl
othesandtheotheronewas
anSSGofficer
.
Theonei
npl
aincl
othessmi
ledather
.
“HiBantu.Mynamei sDet ect
iveBalopi
.Iam her
eto
takeyourstatement.IthoughtIwoul dbr
ing
companysot ohelpprotectyoubeforePuledoes
anythingtoyou,somethingt odist
urbthi
s.Iam
sorryaboutwhathappenedt oyou.Butwet hank
Godt hatyouarealive.
”
Bant
ulookedatt
hem i
nsi
lence.
“Wejustwantyoutotelluswhathappenedinroom
10.There’
salotofspeculati
ongoi
ngonbutyouar e
theonl
yonewhocant elluswhathappened.Pul
e
sai
dhepushedAl phabymi st
akeinafi
ghtthen
shotyouinthespurofthemoment.Hesaiditwas
nothisi
ntenti
onsto.Soyoucanjustt
elluswhat
happened.”
Bant ul ookedatt hem shakingt henpull
eddownt he
oxygenmask.“ Al phakidnappedmyson.That
mor ning.Iwokeupandmysonwasgone.That ’s
whenIr eceivedamessagef rom anumbersaying
mysoni shandsome. ”Sheputt hemaskbackon
andbr eathedi nt oitastheyl ookedather.She
pulledi tdownagai n.“Icall
edt henumberandi twas
him.Hehadbeenhar assingmef ormonthsnow.He
saidhewaspar kedout si
deandhadmyson.Iwent
tohi scart henhedr oveoffwi thmesayinghehad
toshowmesomet hi
ng.Heshowedmepol i
cecase
fi
lest hatcl aimedPul ehadcommi t
tedcert
ain
crimes.Fr om ther ehewant edmet oendmy
relati
onshi p.Ir efusedandt hat’
swhenPul ecame.”
Bantusnif
fedput
ti
ngt
heoxygenmaskbackonas
tear
srol
leddown.
Thedetect
ivenodded.“
It
’sok.Thenwhat
happened?”
Bantupul leddownt heoxygenmask.“ ThenAlpha
start
edt ell
ingPulethatIdidn’tl
ovehim.Pul eandI
wereaboutt ogobutAl phakeptonpr ovokingPule
andt hat’
showt hefi
ghtstarted.Al
phapi ckedthe
TVandhi tPul ewi
thitthenpickedhisgun.Hesai d
thatit’
seitherPuleconfessesorheshoot sme.Pule
tri
edget ti
ngt hegunfrom him butheshotme.The
l
astthingIr ememberwasAl phat r
yingtor unofft
o
thebalcony. ”
Thedetect
ivel
ookedatBant
u.“
Andwher
edoest
his
feat
ureint
hestory?
”
Thedet
ect
iveshowedhert
hevi
deof
rom hi
sphone.
“
Ist
hisyou?Whendi
dPul
eseet
his?
”
“
Hedi
dnot
.”
“
Sohedoesn’
tknowyouwer
echeat
ing?
”
“
Iwasnotcheat
ing.
”
“
Andt
his?Whendi
dheseei
t?”
Heshowedhert
hepi
ctur
es.
“
Bef
oret
hef
ight
.”
“I
sthatwhatbroughtuponthefi
ght?Weknowhe
sawthevideo.Al
pha’sphonehadthevi
deo.
.Pule
obvi
ouslysawitandlosti
t.Lyi
ngisacr
ime,you
knowthatri
ght?”
“
Am Iunderar
rest
?DoIneedal
awyer
?”
“
Whydoyouthinkyouneedal
awyer
?Youar
ejust
t
ell
ingt
het
rut
hakere?”
“
Ineedt
otal
ktomyl
awyer
.”
“
Ok.Haveityourwaybutj
ustknowbyt ell
ingusthe
t
ruth,
weguaranteeyoumaxi
mum protecti
on.Ifyou
l
ie,
youaresett
ingyour
sel
fyouforf
ail
ur e.
”
Bant
uputbackt
heoxygenmask.Thedoct
orl
ooked
att
hem.
“
Ithi
nkwear
edoneher
e.”
“Wewil
lbebacktomorrowMsJosephs.Hopef
ull
y
youwouldhavespokentoyourl
awyer
.”
Theyal
lwalkedout.Bant
ulookedatt
hedoct
or
taki
ngof
ftheoxygenmask.
“
CanIpl
easesendsomeoneamessage?
”
“
Yeah.
.”
Hehandedhert
hephone,Bantutookadeepbreat
h
andcomposedamessage.Shesentitt
oLefa
sur
pri
sedshest
il
lrememberedit
.
Lefaqui
ckl
yresponded.Shecopi
edt
henumber
Lefahadsentt
henclearedt
hetwomessagesand
text
edTshepo.
Bantu:HiTshepo,it
’sBantu.Ifyouar etal
kingto
yourbrot
herpleasetellhi
m Ineedal awyer.The
poli
ceareharassingme.Al so,Itoldthepolice
Alphashotme.Don’ tr
espondher e,i
t’
snotmy
phone.
Shesentt
hemessaget
hendel
etedi
tandhandedi
t
back.
“
Thankyou.
”
Thedoct
orsmi
led.“
Youar
ewel
comeBant
u.”
Hewal
kedoutassheputbackt
heoxygenmask.

*
**
Att
hepol
icest
ati
on,Pul
e’sphonevibr
atedwaking
hi
m upf
rom t
hecell
.Hetookitoutandpickedacall
.
“
Hel
lo?
”
“
It
’sTshepo.Bantut
extedme.Shesaysthepoli
ce
i
sharassi
ngherandsheneedsal awyer
.Shetold
t
hepoli
cethatAlphashother
.”
“
Shedi
d?”
“
Yes.
”
“
Ok.Iwi
llgetheral
awyer
.Shar
p.”
Pul
ehungupandt
ext
edsomeoneel
se.

DAYSLATER.
…
.
.
.
Goodmorni
ng,t
hisi
slastni
ght
'si
nser
t,mor
ning
i
nser
tcomingup
[
06/
22,
08:
28] :Fal
lenAngel
#88

DaysLat
er…

Att
hehospit
al,Bant
u’sl
awyerl
ookedathi
swat
ch
t
henlookedather.
“Theyarealmosther e.Remember ,theyaregoingto
sayanythingtothreatenyou,tomakeyouf eell
ike
youareindangerort hatyoumaygot oj
ail
,nothing
l
ikethatwillhappen.Theywillcomeupwi t
hany
str
ategytheycangetbutnot hinglinksyout oanyof
Pule’
sbusiness.Youknownot hingandyouhave
nothi
ngt ohide.Ift
heyaskwhatyouar enot
comfortableanswering,youdon’tanswer.Youar e
commi t
tinganycr i
mebydoi ngt hat.
”
“
Ok.
”
TherewasaknockthentwoDI Sof
fi
cerswal
kedin.
Bantu’sl
awyerl
ookedatherandgaveheranod
beforewalki
ngout
.
TheDISoff
icer
ssmi
ledt
henonegr
abbedachai
r
andsatdown.
“
Omont l
eyanglewena,howdoyougeti
nvol
ved
wit
hthel
ikesofPul
e?”
Bant
ustar
edatt
hem i
nsi
lence,
herhear
traci
ng.He
smil
ed.
“Wearenotheretoscareyouoranyt hing.Iam the
oneaski
ngquest i
onsandt hesetwoar ehereto
makesurethatwhenIgetbackgot heof f
iceand
answerquest
ionsIam asked, Idon’
tleaveanything
outsowewi l
lpret
endliketheyarenother e.I
t’
sjust
thetwoofus.Let’
sjusttal
k.Likefri
endswoul d.I
am goi
ngtoaskyouaf ewquest i
onsandal lIam
goingt
oaskisforyout obehonest .RightBantu?”
Bant
unodded.Hesmiled.“
Per
fect
.Mynameis
MogomotsiSut
hang.Wheredi
dyoumeetPul
e?”
Bantutookadeepbr eat
h.“
Ifir
stmethi
m koSer
owe
nearthetuckshopathome.”
“
Youcanexpl
aini
ndet
ail
.”
“
Wemeti
nSer
owe.Ihadbeensentt
obuy
el
ect
ri
cit
ybymyf
ather
.Hewasatt
het
uckshop.
”
“
Canyoudat
ebackt
otheexactdat
eandt
ime?
”
“
Idon’
treal
lyrememberbuti
twasbef
oreIst
art
ed
wit
hmyf i
nals.
”
“
Soi
nOct
ober
?”
“
Yes.
”
“
Ok,
then?
”
“Ibumpedi
ntohim somet
imebef
oregoi
ngt
o
varsi
tyi
nSeroweatthemall
.”
“
Somet
imebef
orevar
sit
y,canyout
ellt
hemont
h?”
“
Ithi
nki
twasi
nAugust
.”
“Ok.I
twasthesamemont
hthet
wocashint r
ansit
carswer
erobbedof5.
4mil
li
onr
ight
?Iam sureyou
remembert
hat.
”
“
No.Idon’
tknowt
hat
.”
“
That
’sok.Then?
”
“
ThenImethi
minGaborone.Webecamefr
iends
f
ormoret
hantwoyear
sthenwestart
eddat
ing.”
“Sointhetwoyearsyouwer edating,
ifIcanask,
whatwast henat
ureofyourf r
iendshi
p?Wasi tone
youwer esl
eepi
ngtogetherorfli
rt
ingorjustpur
e
fri
ends.Li
keyouandYamasa. ”
“
Wewer
ejustf
ri
ends.He…j
ustf
ri
ends.
”
“
Fri
endst
hatt
ravel
ledt
oget
her
?”
“
Itwasal
wayswi
thi
nthecount
ry.
”
“Doyourememberyourt
ri
ptoCent
ralKal
ahar
i
deser
t?Iam sur
eyoudo.
”
“
Yes.
”
“
Youwer
est
il
lfr
iendst
hen?
”
“
Yes.
”
“
Didanyt
hingunusualhappent
her
e?”
“
No.
”
“
Youwer
einsepar
ater
ooms?
”
“
No.Wewer
einoner
oom.Hesl
eptont
hecouch.
”
“
Sot
heni
ghtyouar
ri
ved,
whatt
imedi
dyousl
eep?
”
“
Idon’
trecal
lbuti
twasl
ate.
”
“
Andhewaswi
thyout
heent
ir
eti
me?
”
“
Ithi
nkso.
”
“
Ther
eisnopoi
ntheeverl
eftyou?
”
“
Idon’
trecal
l.
”
“ComeonBantu..Iam sur
eyouremember
somet
hing.Don’
tyourememberseei
ngthi
sman?
”
Theyshowedherapi
ctur
eofanArabi
cman.“
Iam
sureyour
emembersomeoneli
kehim.
”
Bantulookedatt
hepi
ctur
ethenshookherhead.
“No.Idon’t
.”
“
Areyousur
e?Becausesai
dyoumethi
sfr
iendon
t
hist
ri
p.”
Herhear
tracedt
hensheshookherhead.“
Idon’
t.
”
“Ok.MaybePulet houghtyoudi
dwhenyoudi dn’t
.It
happens,gapeit
’snotlikeyouwil
lremember
everyone.Wewillhavetoaskhim agai
n.Youdidn’
t
meethi mri
ght?
”
“
I…Idon’
tremember
.”
“
Ok.Butyoudef
ini
tel
yremembert
hatyouandOur
wenttothedesertwi
thaFor
dRangerThunderr
ight
?
Asil
verone.Plat
enumberB657BH.Doyou
r
emembert hat?”
“
Itwasadoubl
ecab.
”
“
Butt
henyoucamebackwi
thaLandRover
,ri
ght
?”
“
Yes.
”
“
Andyoucamet
hroughJwaneng,
right
?”
“
Yes.
”
“WherePulemett
hismanatthel
odgeyoutwower
e
stayi
ngat.Al
soafri
endofPul
e’
s.Rememberhi
m?”
Heshowedherapi
ctur
e.Bant
ulookedathi
m.
“
Idon’
t-
“
“
Hel
eftyoui
nthel
odgesomet
imet
hatni
ght
.”
“
Itwasonl
ybr
ief
lyIt
hink.Thenhecameback.
”
“
Wit
hthi
sman?
”
“
Idon’
tknow.Idi
dn’
tsee.
”
“Butt
hismansai
dhemetyou.Sai
dPul
eint
roduced
youashiswoman.”
“
Hedi
dbuti
twasbef
orewewentt
othel
odge.
”
TheDI
Sof f
icersmil
ed.“Ok.DoyouknowthatPul
e
sol
d4revol
versthateveni
ngandcocaine?
”
“
No.
”
“
Real
ly?
”
“Idon’tknow.Iam sur
eyoual sodon’tr
emember
thestopyoumadeatt heai
rportwherehedropped
offabl ackbag.Kanashoul
dwer efertotheai
rpor
t
camer as?”
“
Iremembert
hat
.Idon’
tknowwhatwasi
nthebag.
”
“Doyour
eal
izethatyouar
eanaccomplicetot
he
cri
mecommitt
edwhenyouwereont hattr
ipwit
h
him.”
“
Idi
dn’
tcommi
tanycr
ime.
”
“Youdid.Youjustdidn’
tknow.TheAr abianman
youmetbuyi ngcocainefr
om him.Youwer eacover
upshow.Youwer ebeingusedtocovertr acks.I
mean,whywoul danyonesuspecthim whenal lhe
didwast akeyououtforatri
p?Afteryouguys
star
teddat i
ng,doyouremembert hetri
pt oSA?Iam
sureyoudi d.Alltheli
tt
leact
iviti
esyoudi d,t
hey
wer etocoverupacr i
me.Butthist i
mei twas
humant r
affi
cki
ng.Ont hatplane, t
her ewer e16girls
bringt ransport
edt oSouthAfrica,alloft hem
betweent heageof12t o15year s.Hel ef tyouatthe
hot elatdonepoi ntandmetaman.AnAr abianman.
Hewaspai daf ortuneofmoneyf ort hem.Youwer e
ther eforshow’ssake.Het ookyouf orshoppi ng,
spentt hewhol edaywi thyouthenyout wocame
back.Youneverknewwhatbusi nesseshewas
doingt here.”
Bant
uswal
lowed.
“Whatyouneverr eali
zedwasnot hinghedi df
oryou
wasj ustdonebecausehel ovedyou.Itwasalways
tocoveracr i
me.Hi sunexpectedtri
psallover
.Your
rel
ationshipwascoverup.Ever yt
hingwast ocover
forsomet hing.Tocoverhistracks.Becauseifyour
rel
ationshipwast rueyouwoul dhaveknownabout
hisdaught erwithanotherwoman.Maya, she’
sin
Paris.Hisbabymama.Theyhavef ouryearol
d
together.
”
Thedet
ect
ivehandedherapi
ctur
e.Shel
ookedat
t
hedaught
ert
hatl
ookedl
ikeherson.
.
“
Iam sur
eyouwoul
dknowt
hat
,don’
tyout
hink?
”
“
Pul
ehasnoot
herchi
ldr
en.
”
Mogomot
sishowedt
her
estoft
hepi
ctur
es.
“
There…sodoyouwantt ocarr
yonpr
otect
ingsuch
aman…al mostki
ll
edyou,andont
ophappenstobe
ali
arwit
hachild.
”
Mogomot
sipushedoverapi
ctur
eofPul
eandl
ady
overt
ohi
m.
“Highschoolsweethear
ts.Shegr
aduat
edatUB
thensoonaftergotajobasanaccountantata
magazineinPariswheresheworks.Henevertol
d
youthat..di
dhe? ”
“
Youar
elyi
ng!
”
“
Am I
?Bel
ievei
tornot
.Butt
her
eissomeoneel
se.
”
Bant
ulookedatthepict
ures,herhandsshookas
shesepar
atedthem l
ooking.Tear
sf i
ll
edhereyesas
shel
ookedatthechil
d.
“
LookBant
u,youcanei
thert
ellt
het
rut
h,save
yourselff
rom bei ngdraggedtocour tandhavi ng
yournamedr aggedi nmudf orsomeonewho
possiblydoesn’tevenloveyouort akechancesand
facethestorm becausei t’
scomi ng.Thechoi ceis
yours.Defendacheat ingmanorchooseyour self
andyourchi l
dren.Youdon’ thavet ogodownwi th
him.Youdon’ thavet osufferforsomeonewho
wouldneverdot hesamef oryou.Youcansaywhat
youwantt osaybutwebot hknowheshotyou.He
didn’
tevenhesi tatet
opauseandl ist
ent oyourside
ofyourstory.Iknowyouwer eraped.Apar tofmei s
actuall
ygladAlphai sdead, hedeservedmor ebut
whatkindofamanwhocl aimst oloveyouwoul d
dosuch?That ’snotlove.Doyouwantt osufferfor
that?
”
.
.
.
[
06/
22,
08:
28] :Fal
lenAngel
#89
Bant
utookadeepbr
eat
handputt
hepi
ctur
esdown.
“Idon’
tknowanythi
ng.Henevert
oldmeanythi
ng.
Heanswer edcal
lsf
arfr
om me.Iknownot
hing.
”
Mogomot sinodded.“Ok.Itmakessensebutyou
wouldhaveseent hingshappening.Li
kehim
meeti
ngtheAr abianakere..ofcauseyouwould
havenotknownhowt heyknoweachot herbutyou
wouldhavejustseenhi m akere?”
Tearsfl
oodedhereyes.“
Idi
dn’trememberhi m.We
wenttothedesert
,Ist
ayedatSafaricampthere.
.he
neveri
ntroducedmetoanyone.Idon’tknow
anythi
ng.”
“
Ok.TheSout
hAf
ri
cat
ri
p?Youneversawanyone?
”
“No.Heleftmei
nther
oom aloneacoupl
eoft
imes
butIneversawhi
m wi
thanyone.”
“Wehavetr
ackeddownyourbankstat
ement
sand
sawyoualwaysrecei
vedl
argesumsofmoneyf
rom
ti
metoti
meagain.”
“
Hesai
dhel
ikedspoi
li
ngme.
”
“
Andyouneveraskedwher
ethemoneywasf
rom?
”
“
Iassumedi
twasf
rom hi
sbusi
nesses.
”
“
Thebar
s?”
“
Yes.Andt
hemot
orshop.
”
“Ok.Ibel
ieveyou.Doyourememberthemorni
nghe
almostki
lledyouaft
eryoursonwentmissi
ng?
’
Bantunodded,hereyesonthepi
ctur
eoft he
gi
rlf
ri
end.Shehadneverseensomeonet hat
beauti
ful
,sobeauti
fulshel
ookedunreal
.
“
Whathappened?
”
“Het houghtIhadsomet hi
ngt odowithi
t.Idon’
t
blamehi m becausethepreviousdayIhadbeen
rejecti
nghimt henthenextthinghe’
sgone.”
“
Anddohet
ri
edt
othr
owyouof
fthebal
cony?
”
“
Hewasangr
y.”
“Soangr
ythathecoul
dhaveki
ll
edyounomat
ter
howmanyt i
mesyoutri
edpl
eadi
ngyour
i
nnocence.
”
“
Itwashar
dtobeli
evemebecause…”Bantupaused
t
alki
ngt
henpushedawayt
hepicturesandrubbed
hereyes.
“
Iam sor
rythatyouhadtofi
ndoutlikethi
s.The
mor
ningofyourshooti
ng,whathappened?”
“Al phawasaFacebookf r
iend.He. .hecal l
edme
whenIf irstwentt oKasane.Fr om t herehet ried
for mingaf riendshi pwithme.Hecamet oKasane
andi nsistedhet akesmeoutf ordi nner.Itwasona
yacht .Heunder stoodt hatIhadsomeonei nmyl i
fe.
Thef ollowi ngdayhet ookmef orahel icopt erri
de,
thatwasaf tersendi ngme15k.Hesai dhewas
tryingt ocompet ewi t
hPul e.Icutt ieswi thhi mf r
om
ther e.ThenwhenIcamebackt oGabor one, my
friendt ookmet oal ocalbar ,shehadj ustbought
hernowcar .Webumpedi ntoAl pha, heboughtus
drinks.Af terdr inkingIstar t
edf eelingdi zzyandhe
wast her e.WhenIwokeupIwasi nhi sbed.That ’
s
whenheshowedmet hevideo. .t
heoneheshowed
mehadnosounds.Iknewher apedmebutIknew
noonewoul dbel ievemebecauset oever yoneit
seemedIl eftwi thhi m.Iputt hei ncidentbehi ndme
thent heni ghtbef oremyweddi nghest arted
thr eateningmesayi nghewant st otalktome.He
saidhe’dshowPulethevideo.Thefol
lowing
mor ni
ng,mysonwasmi ssing.That’
swhenhesent
meamessageandIknewhet ookhi
m.Hesai dhe
wasont hecar.Iwentt
hereandgoti nthenhe
droveoffsayi
nghehadt oshowmesomet hi
ng.
”
“
Wher
ewasPul
e?”
“Hewassupposedtobear
ri
vingi
nSer
owebecause
hesl
epti
nGabor one.
”
“
Ok,
thenwhathappened?
”
“Thenwhenwegott herehehadfi
les…lotsofthem.
Pule’
sfi
les.Andheshowedmeal etterf
rom the
presi
dentthatsai
dPulehadtobearrest
ed.And
that’
swhenPul ewal
kedin.
”
“
Howdi
dyouknowyouwer
ether
e?”
“Idon’
tknow..It
hinkAlphat
oldhi
m..
hewant
edt
o
destr
oymyr elat
ionshi
p.”
“
Ok.Whathappenednext
?”
“Puleknewthatt
hepol i
cewoul
ddoanythi
ngto
catchhim soheaskedmet ogoandwai
tinthecar
sohecandealwi t
hit.That
’swhenAl
phastart
ed
accusingPul
eofthecri
mes.HealsotoldPul ethat
wehadanaf fai
rcont
inuedsayi
ngIdidn’tl
ovePul e.
PulewantedtobewalkawaybutAlphapr ovoked
him andthat
’swhent
heystart
edfi
ghting.”
“
Whost
art
edt
hef
ight
?”
“
Iam notsur
e.Al
lIr
ememberwast
hem f
ight
ing.
”
“
Ok.Car
ryon.
”
“Al
phathenhitPulewitht
heTVandpi ckedhisgun
sayi
ngthatPulehadtoadmithi
scrimessoIcan
l
eavehim.WhenPul edidn’
t,
heangri
lypointedat
me,Puletr
iedgett
ingthegunfr
om himt henAlpha
shotme.Thelastthi
ngIrememberwashi mt r
ying
toescape.
”
“
SoPul
edi
dn’
tshootyou?
”
“
No.
”
“Thebrui
sesthatwer
eonyourf
ace,
what
happened?”
“
Idon’
tknow.
”
“I
tlookedl
ikesomeonesl
appedyou.Then
st
rangledyou.
”
“
Idon’
trememberanyoft
hat
.”
“
Doyousuf
ferf
rom amnesi
a?”
“
Idon’
tknow.
”
“
Soyouar
egoi
ngt
okeepl
yingf
orhi
m?”
“
Idon’
tknowwhatyouwantmet
osay.
”
“
Iwantyout
otel
lmet r
uth.Pul
ewon’
tdoanyt
hing
t
oyou.Wewil
lpr
otectyou.”
Atearr
oll
eddownBant
u’scheekasshel
ookedat
hi
sdaughter
.
“
Hedi
dn’
tshootme.
”
“
Ok.Itseemsyouwantt
odot
hist
hehar
dway
r
ight
?”
Shepressedt
heemergencybut
toninherhand.The
dooropenedt
hem t
helawyerwalkedi
n.
“
Gent
lemen.
”
TheDI
Sof
fi
cerst
oodup.“
Havei
tyourwayBant
u.”
Theyallwal
kedouttaki
ngt
hepi
ctur
eswit
h.Bant
u
wipedawayhertear
s.Shesl
owl
ygotof
fbedand
pul
ledt
hedr
ipwi
thheroutoft
her
oom.
“
Iam goi
ngt
oseemydaught
er.
”
“
Whatdi
dtheyask?
”
“
Aboutwhatwedi
scussed.Ist
uckt
othest
ory.
”
“
Per
fect
.”
BantuslowlywalkedtotheNeonat
alwardand
l
ookedatherdaught ersi
tt
ingdown.Thetouched
theglassandlookedatherdaught
er.
Tearsfi
ll
edhereyes,sherubbedhereyesand
snif
fed,
herheartachi
ng.Shet r
iedtoholditi
nbut
themoreshethoughtofit
, t
hemor eithurt
.
Sheputherhandoverhermout
hrel
easi
nga
muff
ledcry.

*
**

I
npr
ison,
Pul
esatdownandl
ookedathi
slawyer
.
“
Shest
uckt
othest
ory.
”
Pul
enodded.“
Ok.
”
“She’
sboldert
hanIt
hought
.Imean…shecoul
d
cheatonyou.”
Pul
elookedather
.“Ot
alel
a.”
Shel aughed.“Theyaregoi ngtost
artyourt
ri
alsoon.
Theyar egoingtopi nusdownt ot
hatguy’
smur der
.
Ifyougetawaywi t
hi t
,itwill
bewithaslaponthe
wristbutIjustdon’tunderstandwhyyoupushed
him overthebalcony.”
“
Iwant
edhi
mtodi
einpai
n.”
“
Andt
heonewhoact
ual
lycheat
edonyou.
”
Pul
est
oodup.“
Mindyourownbusi
ness.
”
Shel
aughedwat
chi
nghi
m wal
kawayi
nhi
sor
ange
j
umpsuit
.

I
nsi
de,Pul
egothisphonesit
ti
ngonthebedand
l
ookathernumber.Hetookadeepbr
eathand
t
appedi
t.Hi
shear
tracedashel
ist
enedt
oitr
ing.
Shefinal
lypi
cked,hervoicesoftandcalm,asusual
.
Justhowhelovedl i
steni
ngtohert al
kwhileshel
aid
onhischestrunni
ngherl i
tt
lehandsalloverhim.
Thoser
andom ki
ssesonhi
sneckthent
hesmi
le
she’
dgi
vefol
lowedbyherbl
ushi
ng.
“
Hel
lo?
”
Het
ookadeepbr
eat
h.“
Hey…”

Atthehospit
al,Bant
u’sheartski
ppedasshehel d
thephonetoherearstoppingonhertracksonher
waybackt oherroom,tear
sbl ur
redhervisi
onas
emotionschockedher.Sheleanedagainstthewall
andcried.
Shedroppedt
hecal
lgaspi
ngf
oroxygencr
yingon
thef
loor.
“
Godpl
easehel
pmeunl
ovet
hisman…pl
easehel
p
me…”
.
.
.
Let'
squi
cklypart
ici
pat
eonthei
nser
t,t
he
breadwi
nnershavedonei
t
[
06/
22,
08:
28] :Fal
lenAngel
#90

Lat
erthatday,r
ragweBantuwal
kedwit
hMot heoi
n
Bant
u’shospit
alroom.Bant
urai
sedherheadand
l
ookedoversmi l
ing.
Mot
heoexci
tedl
ycl
apped.“
Mama!
”
Bantul
aughedasherf
atherputhi
m ontopofher
.
Motheohuggedher
.Bantusmil
edkissi
nghi
scheck.
“Hi
…”
Shekissedhisneckmakinghimlaughthrowing
backhishead.Herfat
herlookedatherswoll
eneyes.
“
Areyouok?
”
Bant
unodded.“
Yes.
”
“
Whywer
eyoucr
ying?
”
“
Iwasnot
.”
“
Am Iascar
yfat
her
?”
Bant
ulaughed.“
Youar
etheni
cestf
ather
.”
“
Thenwhydon’
tyout
alkt
ome?
”
“Iwantt
omoveaway.Fr
om Gabs.Iwasthi
nki
ng
maybeIcoul
dgobacktoKasaneormaybeIshoul
d
gotoMaun.”
“
Why?
”
“I
fPul
eget
srel
easedt
henhecanst
aybehi
ndl
e
bana.
”
“
Why?
”
Bantulookedatherfather.“
Iam notrightgi
rlf
or
hi
m.Idon’ tt
hinkourrelat
ionshi
pwilleverwork.We
wil
lneverrecoverf
rom this.
”
“
Didyoucheat
?”
“
Ili
edt
ohi
m.”
“
Iwi
shyoucant
ellmeever
ythi
ng.
”
“There’snothi
ngtotel
l.Ili
edtohim.Thingswent
outofcont r
ol.Hedeservesbett
er.Iknowyou
want edmet ohavechildr
enmar r
ied.Iam sor
ryI
disappoint
edyou.”
“I
twasmywi shforyout ogetmarri
edandhave
ki
dssot hatyourkidswon’thavethesamefat
eyou
hadgrowingup.Butt hatdoesn’
tmeanIdon’t
under
standt hatl
if
edoesn’talwaysgoourway.You
l
earnfrom youractionsmychildsoyoumakebetter
choi
cesinthef ut
ure.”
Bantunoddedandki
ssedMotheo.“
IfPul
eget
s
ar
rested,
Iwil
lbemovingwi
ththeki
ds.”
“
Ok.Iwi
llsuppor
tyoui
nwhat
everdeci
sionyou
t
ake.
”
“
Mama…dada.
.”
Bantul
ookedatMot
heoandsmi
ledpi
nchi
nghi
s
cheek.
“
Hey…”
“
Dada!
”
Bantuunlockedherphoneandshowedhi
ma
pi
ctureofhisfather
.Motheopi
ckedt
hephone
get
tingdi
stracted.
Herphonerang,
shelookedathisnumbercal
li
ng
t
hentookadeepbreathandpickedput
ti
ngiton
Motheo’
sear.
“Dada…”Motheoscreamedheari
ngthisvoi
ceand
star
tedsayi
nginaudibl
ethi
ngs.Bant
ulookedathi
s
happyface.
“
Mama…mama…”
Motheotri
edt
akingthephone.Bantuhungupand
gaveitt
ohimthenturnedt
oherf at
her.
“
Whowashet
alki
ngt
o?”
“
Arecor
dingPul
emadef
orhi
m.”
“
Ok.Howar
eyouf
eel
ing?
”
“
Iam f
ine.Thedoctorsai
dtheywon’
tbeabl
eto
t
akeoutthebul
letnow.”
“
Iwi
sht
heycanj
ustr
emovei
tsoowedon’
twor
ry.
”
“
Imi
ghtnotmakei
t.I
t’
sbet
tert
oleavei
tfornow.
”
RragweBantusatdownthenwat
chedBant
u
conver
singwit
hherson.

*
**

Hourslat
eraft
erknocki
ngoff
,Lefawalkedt
ohis
carwit
haf ewfi
lesandgoti
npickingYamasa’
scal
l.
“
Yaya…”
“
Hi.Howi
sBant
u?”
“
Bet
ter
.Iam goi
ngt
oseehert
oday.
”
“Pl
easetellhersomethi
ng…aboutme.ThatIwishI
wasthere.Idon’twanthert
hinki
ngIdon’
tcar
e
abouther.
”
“
Iwi
ll
.”
“
Wheni
sital
lendi
ng?
”
“
Iam sur
e.Buti
t’
snotyetsaf
e.”
“
Iwi
shIcoul
djustt
ellever
yonet
het
rut
h.”
“
Met
oo.Iwi
llcal
lyoul
ater
.”
Hehungupanddr
oveof
fcal
li
ngMai
na.
“
Hel
lo?
”
“Hi
,Ijustwant
edtoconfi
rmthatIwi
llbecomi
ngat
yourhouseinthemorni
ng.”
“Ok.
.Iwast
hinki
ngmaybewecandoapi
cni
catt
he
backofmyyard.
”
“
What
evershel
ikes.
”
“Ok.Soar
eyoui
narel
ati
onship?Ij
ustwantt
o
knowthewomanmydaughterwil
lhavear
ound.
”
“
No.
.Iam si
ngl
eatt
hemoment
.”
“Oh…youshoul
dst
ayl
iket
hat
.Rel
ati
onshi
pdr
ive
youcr
azy.
”
Lef
alaughed.“
Seeyout
omor
row.
”
Hehungupanddroveof
fheadedt
othehospi
tal
wher
eBantuwas.

*
Att
hehospi
tal
,Lef
aknockedonBantu’
sdoorthen
wal
kedi
n.Shepausedwalki
ngfr
om herbat
hroom.
“
Lef
a..
”
Hewal
kedi
nhol
dingf
lower
s.“
Hi.Igotyout
hese.
”
Shelookedatthem thenathi
m.“It
’snotgoingt o
happen.Whateveryouarehoppi
ngf or.Idon’tl
ove
youanymoreLef a.Youshoul
dstoptrying.Idon’t
thi
nkIeverl
ovedyou. ”
“
Iam nother
etobegyoutotakemeback.
.Ij
ust
want
edtoseeyouandcheckuponyou.”
“
Ok.
.thankyoubutyouneedt
ogo.
”
Heputthef
lowersonherbedandt
urnedt
oher
.
“Yamasast
il
lcan’
ttal
k.”
“
Ihopesheget
sbet
tersoon.
”
Lefatr
iedtouchingher.“Lef
aleave.Iam t
ir
edof
thi
s.Pleasestop.Idon’twanttoexchangewords
wit
hyou.Youmustbehappyt hatthi
sishappeni
ng
butyouandIwi llneverhappen.”
“Iam nothappyt oseeyouhur ting.Ilongaccepted
thefactt
hatyouwer ehappierwi t
hhim.If ai
ledto
makeyouhappywhenyouwer ewi t
hme.Iam not
evengoingtoaskyoubackbecausei t’
smadness
butthatdoesn’tmeanIshoul dn’tcareaboutyou.I
careaboutyou, yoursafet
y…yourhappi ness.Il
ove
yousomucht hatIwillneverstopcar ingnomatter
what“
“Takeyourl oveandbur ryi
tfaraway.Idon’twant
yout ocare.Ijustwantpeace.Iwantyout oleave
meal one.Youar emaki ngmyl i
feunnecessaril
y
dif
ficul
t.Idon’tneedyoucar i
ngaboutanything.I
needyout onevercomecl osetome.Nomat ter
whatyoudo, Iwillneverl
oveyou.”
“
IknowIhur
tyoubutIknowIam bet
tert
hanPul
e-“
“Bet
terthanwho?Nevercompar eyoursel
ftoPule
everagain.Youarenotevenquartert
hemanhei s.
Youwi l
lprobabl
ymeetinhellbutnevercompare
yoursel
ftohim.Respectyoursel
f.
”
“
I’
dnevershootyou.
”
“
Yes.Butyoucant
ryr
api
ngme.Youwoul
dsl
eep
wit
hentir
eworldbr
oadcast
ingyourdi
ctoever
yone
yousee.Andyouarepat
heti
ctoo.Getout
!”
“
Iwasn’
ttr
yingt
o-“
“Getout
!Youar
ebet
tert
hanwho?Wenaf
ather
nati
on?Out!
”
Helookedatherthenwal kedout.Shebl
inkedthen
sl
owlysatdownt akingherphoneandopenedher
Facebook.Shefr
ownedr ealizi
ngPulewastrending.
ShepausedpassingapostmadebyaFacebook
fr
iendwithPul
e’
spi ctur
eat t
ached.
‘
Stayawayf
rom danger
ousman!
Meanwhi
leDanger
ousman:
Iam i
nlovewiththi
smanJesus!Kooreonalethat
thi
ng!That gapeomont
legore,howdoes
anyonecheatonthat?
’
Bant
uopenedthecomment sandreadthrough.She
si
ghedthensear
chedforhousest
or entup
Nort
her
npartsofBot
swana.
Bant
u’sphoner
ang.Shelookedattheunsaved
numbercal
li
ngandleti
tri
ngtil
litst
opped.A
messagecamet
hrough.
Number
:Hi
.KeTshepo.
Herphoner
angagai
n.
“
Hel
lo?
”
“
Bant
u…”
Al
pha’
svoi
cemadeherscr
eam dr
oppi
ngt
hephone.
.
.
.
[
06/
22,
08:
29] :Fal
lenAngel
#91

Bantudroppedthecal
l,
herhear
traci
ng.Shequi
ckl
y
cal
ledthelawyer.
“
Bant
u…”
“
Ijustr
ecei
vedacal
l.I
twasAl
pha.
”
“
Alphai
sdead.
”
“
Isweari
twashi
m.”
“
Whatdi
dhesay?
”
“
Not
hing,
justBant
u.”
“Ok.AkereItoldyout
hesepeopl ewilltr
ybyal l
meanst odriveyoucrazy.I
tjustshowst heyhand
nothi
ng.It’
sf i
ne,
wear eopeningahar assmentcase
kamoso.Wenadon’ tpanic,t
hatwasobvi ouslya
recor
dingbecauseAlphagotbur iedyesterday.
”
Bant
urubbedherf
orehead.“
Ok.
”
Shehungupandputherhandsonherf
ace.

*
**
THREEWEEKSLATER…

Atthehi
ghcour t
,Pul
eparkedhiscaratthepar ki
ng
l
otthensteppedoutinasuit
.Hi
slawyerpar ked
nextt
ohim andsteppedoutwit
hherthings.She
l
ookedathim.Forsomeonewhowasbai ledjusta
weekback,helookedli
kehewasneverinpr ison.
“
Hi.
”
“
Hi.
”
“Sothecourtisgoingt otryandmaket hi
sgoby
quickl
y.Theyhavei nternat
ionalvi
sit
orsinafew
weeksandt heydon’ twantyoubeingt hetopi
c.Thi
s
won’ttakel
ong,theyar egoingtotryandmaket he
tri
alwayshorter
.Theyar econfi
dentbecausethey
thi
nktheyhaveasol idcase.”
“
Theyar
eal
waysconf
ident
.”
“
Let
sgo.
”
Pul
ewalkedinsi
det
hecour
troom wi
thher
.He
l
ookedaround.
Fr
om theotherbench,
Mr .Mot
samai
sosatwi
thhi
s
br
otherbot
hi nsui
tswatchi
ng.
Hisbrot
herl
ookedathim.“Ican’
tbel
ieveyougave
ournametothisboy.He’
sdonenothi
ngbutdragit
i
nt hemudsincehegotit
.”
“Pulei
smyson.Hewilluset
hatnamebecauseit
’s
alsohi
s.He’
stheoneGodblessedmewit
h.Him
andTshepoandIwil
lstandwit
hhim.Hedi
dn’t
shoott
hatgi
rl
.”
“WewentgoSerowetocomebackwi
thourheads
bet
weenourheads.
”
“Thesamewayyousuppor tyourkids,Iwilldothe
samewi thPuleandTshepo.IfIfoundt hem or
actuall
ytookthem whentheywer esti
llyoung,I
knowt heywouldhaveturnedoutwaybet t
er.You
judgePulebuthe’sbeenthroughsomuch, walka
mi l
einhisshoesthencomebackandt el
lmeyou
don’tunderst
and.He’
stroubled.
”
Hesmi
ledasPulesmil
edathi
mt henhewaved.
Pul
ewavedbackhappi
lyt
hensatdown.
Thecour
tsoonstart
edaf
tert
hej
udgewal
kedi
nand
i
ntr
oducedthecase.
Thepr osecut
orstoodupt henl
ookedatthej udge
fortheopeningargument.Pulelookedbackast he
prosecutorstar
tedtal
kingbutshewasn’tthere.
Hesighedknowinghecouldn’
tevenbl
ameher.He
t
urnedbacktotheprosecut
orashesaidhi
sname.
“
Yourhonor
,thi
smanhashadt
hepol
icei
nvest
igat
e
himf orcr i
minalact iviti
esl i
ke, mur der ,moneyhei sts,
mi ner obber ywher edi amondswentmi ssing, drug
deal i
ng, thesellofi ll
icitweapons, humant raf
ficking,
bankr obber yandr epl acingmoneyst olenwi t
h
count erfeitmoney.He’ sbeenaccusedofi mpor t
ing
andexpor t
ingdr ugsandweapons, assaul t,
kidnapi ngandgenderbasedvi olence.Hehas, i
nt he
pastgot t
enawaywi thcr i
mesl inkedt ohi m and
somet hekeywi tnesseswoul dgomi ssing.Notonl y
hashedr aggedt hecount r
y’snamebuthehas
const antlypul l
edt henat i
ondownmaki ngaonce
knownt obepeacef ulcount ryonet hatpeopl enow
thinktwi cebef orecomi ng.Hehast ur nedt he
count ryintoar edzonewi thhi sactions.Thest olen
diamondsl i
nkedt ohi m wer e,inest imat ionwor t
h
over600mi lli
onpul a.Thi smoneywast ohel p
developt hecount ryandbui ldmor eschool s.Mr .
Pul eMot samai sohasnotonl ycausedt hecount r
ya
greatl osebuthasal socostourchi l
dr ent herightt o
educat ionasschool sr emai nnotenoughf orevery
child.Mr .Pul eMot samai sohasbeenl i
nkedi n
variouscasht r
ansi trobber iest hathasl eftalot
deadandsomei njured. ”Hecar ri
edont alking
givi
nghisopeningst at
ement.Puleleanedback
l
isteni
ngwhilejournali
sttookvideosandpict
ures.
Hecarriedontalki
ngf orawhilethenfi
nall
yturned
backtot hej
udge.
“Andt her
efor
e,wehavecal l
edoutwi
t nessesto
helpassistusprovewhythecountr
ywoul dbesafe
withhim behi
ndbar s.We’
dliket
ocallinourfi
rst
witnessyourhourhonor.”
“
Goahead.
”
Thepr
osecut
orcal
ledoutt
hef
ir
stwi
tness.

*
**

InLefa’
soffi
ce,Pul
ewat
chedonhi
slapt
opt hel
ive
broadcastoft
hecasewhi
lecomment
sflooded.
Helookedatt
hefi
rstwit
ness,t
hetruckdr
iver
t
ransport
ingt
hecarsPuleboughti
nSouthAfri
ca.
Hest
art
edt
alki
ngaf
terbei
ngswor
nin.
“
Mynamei
sEdwar
dTau.Iam adr
iveratPul
e
Mot orCent er.It’sbeenf i
veyear ssinceIst arted
wor kingf orMr .Mot samai so.Pul eMot orCent erisa
companyt hatbuysandsel lcar s.Atf irstweusedt o
sellsecondhandcar sbutnowwesel lnewones.I
am nott heonl ydr i
ver,wehavet hreemor ewho
bringt hecar sint hecount ry.Fort helongestt i
meI
j
ustknewIam dr i
vert i
llonet i
meonmywayback
from Sout hAf rica,Ifoundoutt hatint hecar st here
aredr ugst hatwewi l
lbet ranspor tinginsi det he
count ry.Iwaswi thmyot hercol l
eagueandwewer e
goingoverar oadbl ock.Hequi cklytoldmeaswe
appr oachedt heSout hAf ri
canbor der.From t hereI
woul dbet her ewhendr ugsgetpackedi nt hecar s
maki ngsur ewepackedi nwayst hatthepol ice
woul dneverf i
ndout .Usual l
ywepl acedt hedr ugsi n
thet i
res.Noonewoul dcheckt hose.Mr .
Mot samai sowoul dsendpeopl et omeetusatt he
boar derandt hedr ugswi l
lbet akenbef oret hecar s
reacht hemot orcent er.That ’
showdr ugsar e
broughti nt hecount rymost ly.Ihadwant edt oqui t
assoonasIknewt hemot orcent erwasj ustacover
upandt hatwewer er unni ngadr ugdeal ing
companybutMr .PuleMot samai sot hreat enedme
usi
ngmychi ld.HesaidifIl
efthewouldmakesureI
neverseemydaught eragai
nsoIhavebeenscared
toleave.Il
ivemyl i
feinfeareveryt
imebecauseI
don’twantmydaught erdyi
ng.”
“Howmuchcocai
nei
susual
lyt
ranspor
tedi
nthe
count
ry?
”
“
Itcangoupt o90kgtransport
edi
nthecount
ry.Per
t
ri
p.It
’spackedinthecarti
res.
”
“Andthi
shasbeenhappeni
ngforthelastyear
syou
star
tedwor
kingf
orPuleMotorCenter
?”
“
Yes.Mr.PuleMot
samai sonowtr
ustsmeenough
t
osendt her
eal
one.Ihaveoneofourcal
ls
r
ecordi
ngs.”
“
Your
,we’
dli
keper
missi
ont
opl
ayt
hecal
l.
”
“
Grant
ed.
”
Thecal
lst
art
edpl
ayi
ng.
“Eddie,Ineedyoutogot oSAandgetacoupl eof
things.Therear
efivecardyouaregett
ingandmy
stuff.Makesureit
’sproperl
ypacked,
Idon’twant
anythinggetlef
tbehind.Iwil
lmakepaymentas
soonasyouar
ri
ve.Gett
het
ruckatt
hegar
ageo
tsamaye.
”
“
Ok.
”
Ther ecor
dingst
opped.Thewi
tnesscar
ri
edon
tal
king.
“ThatwasMr.Pul
eMot samai
soont
hel astt
ri
pto
SA.Ispoketohi
m onceinSout
hAfr
ica.The
recor
dingi
salsother
e.”
Thecal
lgotpl
ayedagai
n.
“
Pul
e,t
heyhavepacked50kgcocai
ne.
”
“Ok.Youcancomeback..Iwi
llhavesomethi
ng
meetyouatthebor
derthenyoutakethecarstot
he
center
.”
“
Yesboss.
”
Therecor
dingended.Thepr
osecut
orl
ookedatt
he
wit
ness.
“
Sot
hatwasyourconver
sat
ionwi
thhi
m?”
“
Yes.
”
“
Nof
urt
herquest
ionsf
ort
hewi
tness.
”
Hesatdown.Lefal
eanedbackasPule’slawyer
st
oodupforcrossexaminat
ion.Shef
ixedher
bl
azert
henlookedatthewit
ness.
“Mr
.Tau,yousayyouhavebeenwor
kingf
orMr
.
Pul
eforf
iveyear
sright
?”
“
Yes.
”
“Andinthi
sfi
veyear
syouwer
etr
anspor
ti
ng
drugs?
”
“
Yes.
”
“Butt
hemot
orcent
erofonl
yopenedf
ouryear
s
back.
”
“WhenIfi
rstst
arteditwasn’
t.Wewer
esel
li
ng
secondhandcars.”
“
Isee,asIunderstandit
,youwereincontactwit
h
t
hepolicebefor
eyouwer ecaughtwit
ht hedrugsat
t
heborder,r
ight
?Thepol i
celongcontactedyou
monthsbeforeri
ght?”
“
No.
”
“Soyouwer
enoti
ncont
actwi
tht
hepol
iceMr
.
Tau?”
“
No.
”
“Butweren’
tyoutheonewhosai dIquotewhen
askedbyajournali
staboutthi
s‘Thepol
icehave
beenknowing.Iwaswor ki
ngwiththepoli
ce.’
What
didthatmean?Yousaidittothejour
nal
istatthe
border.
”
“
I…Iwasi
ncont
actwi
tht
heDI
Sbut
-“
“Soyouareadmi
tt
ingt
othel
astoper
ati
onbr
inga
plannedone?
”
“
Yes,
Imeanno.No.No.
.Iam-
“
“
Yousoundconf
used.Yesorno?
”
“
No.
”
“
Butyoujustadmitt
edtohavebeenpl
anni
ngwi
th
t
heDIS,ordidn’
tyou?”
“
Iwassayi
ng-
“
“
Thatt
hear
restmadewaspl
anned?
”
“
Yes.
”
.
.
.
Fal
lenAngel
#92

Shel
ookedathi
m.“
Yess?
”
“
Ker
anoyourhonor
..
no.
”
“Youjustswor
et otel
lnot
hingbutthet
rut
hhere.
Didtheyinf
orm youthatl
yingonthest
andisa
cri
meandyoumaygot ojail
fori
t?”
“
Ok.Thear
restwaspl
annedbuti
twasonl
ythat
.”
“
Soyourwer
elyi
ng?
”
Hi
shandsshook.Helookedather
.“I
…t hear
rest
waspl
annedbutthedrugsIwasbri
ngingwerean
or
derf
rom Pul
e.”
“Reall
y?Youhavebeenincont
actwiththeDI
S
off
icerswoul
dn’tyousayt
hatever
ythi
ngyoujust
saidwasplanned?”
“
No.
.i
twast
het
rut
h.”
“ButMr.Pul
enevermadet
hosecal
lspr
esent
edt
o
you.Sowheredi
dyougett
hem?”
“
Hedi
dandi
twas-
“
“
TheDI
Spl
annedt
hosecal
ls,
didn’
tthey?
”
“
Obj
ect
ionyourhonor
-“
“Howmuchmoneywer eyouoff
eredontopofyour
socall
edfreedom?Ordidtheyt
hreat
enyouwith
yourdaughter
-“
“
Noonet
hreat
enedme.
”
“
Butyouj
ustsai
dMr
.Mot
samai
sot
hreat
enedyou.
”
“
TheDI
Sdi
dn’
tthr
eat
enme.
”
“
Theyj
ustof
fer
edyoumoney?
”
“
Yes,
no.
.no.I
-“
“Obj
ecti
onyourhonor,
thedef
enseisconf
usi
ngthe
wit
nessandnotgivi
nghim achancet
oanswert
he
quest
ions.
”
“
Sust
ained.
”
Pule’
slawyersmi
led.“
Iapol
ogizeyourhonor
.Mr
.
Tau,howmuchwer eyouoff
ered?”
“
Idi
dn’
tgetmoney.
”
“
Butyouj
ustsai
dyoudi
d,wer
eyoul
ying?
”
Edwar
dswal
lowed,
hishear
tpoundi
ngsomuch.
“
Answerthequest
ionMr
.Edwar
dTau.Wer
eyou
l
ying?Shoul
dweassumeyouar
eali
ar?
”
“I
…Iam notl
ying.Thedr
ugswer
ebr
oughti
nthe
count
ry.
”
“Howmuchwereyouoff
ered?Ami l
li
on?Your
honor
,wehaveavi
deoofMr .EdwardTauwit
ha
DISof
ficer
.Canwepl
easeplayitf
orthecour
t?”
“
Yes.
”
Thevi deogotplayed.Edwardwat chedashegotan
envelopeofmoneyt hentooitoutandcount
edit
standingbesidesthetruck.
”
“I
sn’
tthatyoubei
ngcapt
uredbyt
hecamer
as
pl
acedont het
ruck.
”
“
Theygavememoneybuti
twassot
hatIdon’
tback
out
.Nott
oli
e.”
“Andthecall
s?Thatneverhappened?Wheredi
d
yougetthem?Youdoknowf oral
lthel
iest
old,
you
aregoingtobehel
daccountable?”
“Obj
ecti
onyourhonor
,thedef
ensei
sthr
eat
eni
ng
ourwit
ness.
”
“
Sust
ained.
”
“
Youhavebeenlyi
ngMr .Edwar
d.Youwereoffered
moneytohel
pthem getMr.Pul
eMotsamaiso.Isn’
t
t
hattr
ue?”
“
Ijustwantmydaught
ersaf
e.That
’sal
lIwant
ed.
”
“
Nof
urt
herquest
ionsyourhonor
.”
Shesatdown.
Theprosecut
orst
oodupandcal
lthei
rsecond
wit
ness.
OneofPul e’
smoneyhei
stguycamethrough.Pul
e
foldedhisar
mswatchi
ngthenthepr
osecutor
started.
“
Tel
lthecour
tyournameandhowyouknowMr
.
Pul
eMot
samai
so.
”
“Mynamei sKabelo.Buttheycal
lmeSki
jo.Iknow
P-man…ImeanPul efr
om theti
mehewasst i
ll
stayi
nginMogoditshaneandwewerewor ki
ng
toget
heratafi
ll
ingstati
on.”
“
Soyouhaveknownhi
mforyear
s?”
“
Yes.
”
“Tel
lthecourthowyouguysst
art
edpi
ck
pocketi
ng?”
“Weusedt ostealcl
othesandsellthem.Ifyouwash
yourcl
othesandhangt hem out
side,P-ManandI
wouldstealt
hem thenwesel lkomar ket.
”
“
Whi
chot
hert
hingsdi
dyoust
eal
?”
“West ol
ephonest oo.Butwest oppedafterwegot
caughtthentheybeatusatt heKgot l
a.Rona..our
fr
iend.Hispropernamei sBaronat henwentt o
Amer i
catoschool .Hewouldsendusmoney.We
start
edsell
ingdrinksandchipswi t
hmagwi nya.
Thenwest artedsell
inghai
rrelaxers.We’
dput
l
ot i
oninhairrel
axercontai
nersandsel l
.”
“
Sohowdi dyoust
artdoingproperr
obber
iest
hat
l
aterbecamemoneyheists?
”
“Ahhnnat obehonestt heDI Sgaveme25ksot hatI
sayt hat.Theyal sogaveSkar at osaywest ole
diamondsatt hemi ne.EvenEddi e..wewer e
togetherbutEddi e’
sbabymamaozaki lemadi .
SkaraandIboughtaVr rrPhaawi ththemoney.I
don’tknowanyt hingaboutr obberies.Ormoney
heists.Theyal sosai dIshoul dsayi twasPul eona
videoyouar egoi nggopl ayforme.Idon’ twantto
got ojailforl
ying, Iam sor ryMr.LawyerandMr .
Judge.I t’
sreallyhar doutt hereandGoddeci dedto
blessus.P- Mandoesn’ twanttohi reusathis
company, aft
erhest artedfocusingonbusi ness,he
stoppedbei ngat ruef r
iendsoSkar aandImake
woodenf urnit
ure.Wear everycheap.Ourbusi ness
i
scal ledK&Kf urni t
ures.Anyot herquestionMr .
Lawyer ?”
“
HowdidPulest
arthi
sbusi
ness?Wher
edi
dheget
t
hef
unds?”
“Weworkedatagamereserveandweregame
gui
des.We’dgetmoneytherebutt
henPulemeta
sugarmamawaUSA.Hest artedar elationshi
pwi th
herthenhetoldherhehadcancersoheneeded
money.Shegavehi m moneyt hinki
ngshe’ spaying
hospit
albi
ll
sandt hat’swhenbeboughtt wosecond
handcarsandsol dthem.Heusedt of i
xcar stoo..
Thenheboughtamobi l
efoottruckf rom themoney
madef r
om thecar shesold.Itwasol dand, he
paint
editandsoldhot dogsfrom itnearabar .His
sugarmamacont i
nuedsendi ngmoneyf orchemo
thenheboughtanot hercar.Afterthatshedi ed.
Thenhe’dsellandbuycar swhi lerunningt he
hotdogbusiness.SkaraandIt ooki tafterhest ar
ted
thepubandgr il
l.
”
Theprosecut
orswal
loweddef
eat
ed.“
Nof
urt
her
quest
ionsmyLord.
”
Hesatdown.Lef
alaughed,
hehadn’
tseent
hatone
comi
ng.
Pul
e’
slawyerst
oodup.“
Soyouwer
ebr
ibedt
oli
e?”
“
Yes.Theyar
egoi
ngt
ogi
veusl
ight
ningsl
apsaf
ter
t
his“
“
Howmuchwer
eyougi
venagai
n?”
“
Twent
yfi
vet
hau!
”
“
Andyout
ooki
t?”
“Yes.WeneededmoneyandGodpr ovided.Skarais
outsi
dewai ti
ngforhisturn.Gat
weweshoul dt el
l
thecourtthathesell
sdr ugstoArabiansandt hathe
wast r
affi
ckingchi
ldren.
”
“
Nof
urt
herquest
ionsyourhonor
.”
Shesatdown.Thej
udgel
ookedatt
hecour
troom.
“
Cour
tadj
our
ned.Wecont
inueat1400hr
s.”
Hestoodupandwalkedoutt
heneveryoneel
se
st
oodupandwalkedout.Lef
areadthecomments
onthevi
deo.
Comment
:Ski
jobat
hong!
Comment
: Ski
jo
Comment
:Lennakebat
a25k,
bakaemaDI
S?
Comment
:Suchembar
rassmentf
ort
heDI
S!Whata
wow!
Comment
:Tswar
angSki
jo!
Comment
:Bakgol
egaSki
jo
Comment
:BW kamonat
e
Comment :thesepeoplewerenotprepared.How
cananyonehel ataketheaccusedlongt ermf r
iend
sohecant esti
fyagainsthi
m?Thesepeopl e
obviouslysirit
ogetherandmakemor ethant hat.
Thej okeisont hem.Thisispureembar rassment
andgoesongoshowt hatgarebathobasepehel a
asacount r
y.Soembar r
assed.Theyclearlyhave
nothingonhi m.
Comment :Waitsethi
scount r
yisaj oke.Sofarthe
twowi t
nessesbr oughtwereuseless.Wast eoftime
hela.Theyhavenot hi
ng, okaretheybr i
bed
everyonet otakethestand.Thisissad.Heget s
awaywi thit…again!
Comment
:Whataj
oke!
Comment:Theyshoul
dfocusonthemurder
committ
edinSerowebecausei
t’
sobvi
oustheyar
e
notgoi
ngtocatchhi
m whenitcomest
oother
thi
ngs.
Comment
:WaaiPul
ewi
llal
waysbeast
epahead
f
rom t
heseguys.
Comment
:Ski
jot
heboy!
Comment:Thi
sissadbathong.Thi
smanhas
commit
tedalotofcr
imesandcontinuesget
ti
ng
awaywit
hit.
Repl
y:Hedeser
vestobeinjai
lbutseeinghow
t
hesepeopl
eareall
over
,itwon’thappen.
Thecomment
swentonpoppi
ngont
hescr
een.Lef
a
l
aughedcl
osi
nghi
slapt
op.
.
.
.
[
06/
22,
08:
29] :Fal
lenAngel
#93

Mainashookherheadreadi
ngt hecomment sabout
Pul
e’scasesi
tti
nginhercar.Shelookedatthe
pi
cturest
hathadbeentakenout si
decourt
.
Shehadneverseenasuitl
ooksogoodonanyone
thewayitl
ookedgoodonhim, wit
hhissunglasses
onhealmostlookedl
ikehecouldgetfeat
uredi
na
magazi
ne.
Shelaughedalonerecal
li
ngthat10khehasgi
ven
her,
howeasyi thadbeenforhimtojustgi
vei
tand
notexpectanyt
hinginret
urn.
Shezoomedi nt
hepict
urelookingathisfresh
hair
cut.Shepausedatanotherpict
ure,hereyes
movingtohiszi
p.Shecouldhardlyseeanyt hi
ng
thoughsheknew.
Somehowshedi dn’
tunderst
andhowBant ucoul
d
cheatonsuchaman.Hewast hetypeyou’
dnever
dream ofhurt
ing.Shehadseenwhathecoul ddo
whenangr yandcouldonlyimaginewhathad
happenedinroom 10.
Shesavedafewpi
ctur
esandcarr
iedonscr
oll
ing
pausi
ngatt
hepost
sf r
om t
heladi
es.
Shel
aughedatone.
‘
WhenwesayIndondamustwemeanPul
e.Per
iod,
esengwenawaj
eanyeonewagoaparaAi
rfor
ce
yalevovo.Suchmendeservepeaceandl
ovi
ng.Ba
deservagapebaaff
ordaesengwenaMoses.Nna
keabataJehova!
’
Shemovedonscroll
ing.Shecuriousl
ysear
ched
hi
m onFacebookknowinghisaccountwas
obvi
ousl
yfl
oodingwithfri
endrequests.
Shel
ikedhi
sprofi
lepi
ctur
ethenwentbackt
oher
ti
mel
ineandcarr
iedonscrol
li
ng.

*
**

I
nSerowe,Merapel
ocal
ledBant
uwat
chi
ngas
Mot
heohitherTV.
“
Mot
heo!
”
Heturnedt
oherandsmi
ledsi
tt
ingont
hef
loor
.He
cr
awledovert
oher.
“
Hel
lo?
”
“
HiBant
u.Howar
eyou?
”
“
Iam f
ine.
”
“
Iwaswat
chi
ngt
hebr
oadcastonFacebook.
”
“
Oh.
.”
“Ididn’
tseeyoui
ncour
t.Di
dn’
tyouget
discharged?
”
“Wamewasnotcryi
ngproper
ly,
it’
sli
keshecoul
dn’
t
breat
hesoIwentt
othehospi
tal
.”
“
Howi
sshe?
”
“
Itwasmucus.Thedoct
orassi
sted.
”
“
Areyougoi
ngtogoandsuppor
thi
m?Atti
mesl
i
ke
t
hist
hat’
swhenyouneedt
ostandwit
hhi
m.”
“Pul
eandIarebreaki
ngup.It
’snotwor
king.Al
ot
hashappenedandit’
sbet
terwegoourseparat
e
ways.”
“
Idon’
tunder
stand.
”
“
Papawi
llexpl
aint
oyou.
”
“
Soyoucheat
edl
iket
heysai
donFacebook?
”
“
Ihavenevercheat
edonPule.Il
ovehim.Butthi
s
r
elat
ionshi
pistoot
oxi
c.Iam notwhatheneeds.
”
“Butyouguyswerefi
netil
ltheser umors.Youwer
e
gett
ingmarri
ed.AndIwasl i
steningtothecour
t
case.Iseet
heywereframinghim.Unl essyou
cheated…whyareyoureal
lywal kingaway?”
“Il
iedtohim aboutsomething.Nowitlooksli
keI
cheated.Hedoesn’tbel
ievemenowsohet hi
nksI
cheated.Iam notgoi
ngt ogetbackwithhim
becauseIknowhe’ salwaysgoingtothinkIwas
cheati
ngevenwhenIwasnot .
”
“Ok.Butdon’
tyout
hinki
t’
ssomet
hingt
hatcanbe
solved?
”
“
No.Wear epastt
hat
.Iam accept
ingmyl
oss.He
wil
lfi
ndsomethi
ngbett
er.
”
RragweBant
uwal
kedi
nsi
det
hehouseandl
ooked
ather.
“
Wewi
llt
alk.
”
“
Eemma.Bye.
”
Shehungupandlookedathi
m.“Whydidn’
tyout
ell
methatBant
uisbreaki
ngupwit
hPule?
”
“
BecauseIwasst
il
lnotsur
eyet
.”
“If
eellikewhenitcomestoyourdaught eryou
excludeme.Whi chisfi
neifyoudon’tthi
nkIshoul d
bepar tofitmmeyou’dneedt otel
lmesot hatlenna
Istopst i
ckingmynoseinthingsthathavenothing
todowi thmeandf ocusonmyunbor nchil
d.”
“
Iam sor
ry.Iwantyoui
nvol
ved.
”
Shepi
ckedupMot heo.“
Itdoesn’
tseem l
ikei
t.But
i
t’
sok.
.Iunder
stand.”
Shewal
kedt
ot hebedr
oom leavi
nghi
m st
andi
ngi
n
themi
ddl
eoftheroom al
one.

*
**

At1400hr
s…

Ever
yonewalkedbackincourtandsatdown.The
j
udgewalkedinthenheeveryonestoodupand
fi
nal
lysatoncet
hejudgewasseat ed.
“
Goodaf
ter
noon.Thecour
tcasecont
inues.We
havehadt hemediastepoutbecauseofmi sl
eadi
ng
i
nf or
mationbeingspread.Onl
yapprovedmedia
housesar ei
nsideandthiscaseshallnol
ongerbe
broadcastedonli
ne.Thankyou.Prosecut
ormay
takethestand.
”
Thepr
osecut
orstoodup.“Thankyouyourhonor
.
We’dl
iket
opresentournextwit
ness.
”
Thedoorsopenedt henBant uwalkedinablack
bodyhuggingdr essandheels.Pule’
sheartski
pped
abeat,hewat chedherasshewal kedtothestand,
herhipswider.Thepregnancyhadl ef
therwithan
unexplai
nableglow,shelookedsobeautiful
.
Shegotswornint
hensatdownthoughkeepi
ngher
eyesfr
om hi
m.Her ubbedhi
shandstoget
her
watchi
ngher.
“
Ms.Josephs,
youmaytellt
hecourtyour
r
elat
ionshi
pwi
thMr.Pul
eMot samai
so.”
Shetookadeepbr
eat
h,herownhandsshaki
ngon
herl
ap.
“
Heismyboyf
ri
end.Andwehavet
wochi
ldr
en
t
oget
her
.”
“
Whendi
dyoust
artyourr
elat
ionshi
pwi
thhi
m?”
“
Uhar
oundt
woyear
sback.
”
“
Andwhenyoust ar
teddat
inghi
m,whatwasyour
r
elat
ionshi
pli
ke?
”
“
Itwasf
ine.I
..washappy.HemademehappyandI
l
ovedhi
m.”
“Di
danythi
ngunusualhappen?Di
dyounot
ice
anyt
hingodd?
”
“
Wewer
ehappy.
”
“Didyouknowaboutanycr
imi
nalact
ivi
ti
esl
inkedt
o
him?”
“
ThenIdi
dn’tknowanythingbutPul
ehadt
oldme
t
hathewasn’tasper
fectastheycame.
”
“
Andwhatdi
dyoumakeoft
hat
?”
“
Thathehadhi
sownf
laws.
”
“I
ntheexpensi
vet
ripshet
ookyouto,
younever
sawanythi
ngoutoftheor
dinar
y?”
“
No.
”
“
Onyourtr
ipt
otheKal
ahar
ideser
t,youneversaw
t
hisman?
”
Shel
ookedatt
hepi
ctur
e.“
No.Idi
dnot
.”
“
Andt
hisone?
”Theyshowedheranot
her
.
“
No.Idi
dnot
.”
“
Soheneverl
etyouseeanyt
hing?
”
“
No.
”
“
Andf
rom hi
scal
ls?
”
“Heal
waysanswer
edbusi
nesscal
lsout
sideorj
ust
awayfr
om me.”
“
Woul
dyousayhewassecr
eti
ve?
”
“
Onhi
sbusi
ness,
yes.
”
“
Onthedayyougavebi
rt
htoyourson,Mot
heo
Mot
samaiso,
doyourememberthat
?”
“
Yes.
”
“
Thefol
lowi
ngdayarepor
twasmadethatyourson
whowasadayoldhadwentmissi
ng,
right
?”
“
Yes.
”
“
WhatwasPul
e’
sreact
ion?
”
“Hewasangr y.HethoughtIhadsomet hi
ngtodo
withi
t.Idi
dn’tknowIwasexpect i
ngti
llIgavebir
th.
Itwashardformet ocomei nt
otermswi t
hitthen
soIhadwant ednothi
ngt odowithhi
m.Whenhe
foundoutMot heohethoughtIhadsomet hi
ngtodo
withi
tsohewasupset .
”
“
Whatexact
lyhappenedwhenheconf
ront
edyou?
”
Shetookadeepbr
eath.“
He…wewer eatGPH.He
pushedmetothewindowthr
eat
eni
nghe’dpushme
down.”
“
Thenwhathappenedaf
tert
hat
?”
“
Wef
oundt
hebaby.
”
“
Andyouf
orgavehi
m?”
“
Yes.
”
“
Andf
rom t
her
ethi
ngswer
ejustnor
mal
?”
Shet
ookadeepbr
eat
h.“
No.Inowf
ear
edhi
m.”
“Mr.AlphaSegol
o,Iunder
standwasaf
ri
endof
yours?
”
“
Yes.
”
“
Andyouhadasexualr
elat
ionshi
pwi
thhi
m?”
“No.Hef ir
stcall
edmesayi nghewasaFacebook
fri
end.Wewentoutasf r
iendsbethenaf t
er
real
izinghewasahazar dinmyr el
ati
onshi p,I
endedt hefri
endship.Mont hsl
ateIbumpedi nto
withaf ri
endatal ocalbarwhereheboughtmy
fri
endandIdr inks.Minewasdr ugged.Ilast
rememberbei ngdi zzyandhewast here.Iwokein
hisbedwi thnoideaofwhathadhappenedt he
previousnight.
”
“
Didyouopenacase?
”
“
No.If
ear
ednoonewoul
dbel
ieveme.
”
“
Noonei
ncl
udi
ngPul
e?”
“
Yes.
”
“
Whatdi
dyout
hinkhewoul
difhef
oundout
?”
“Idi
dn’
twantt
olosehim becauseweal
readyhada
sonandIwaspregnant
.Ididn’
twanthi
m broken.
”
“
Didyout
hinkhe’
dhur
tyou?
”
“
Apar
tofme.
.yes.
”
“
Sohowdi
dhef
indout
?”
“Alphawast hreat eni
ngmenomat t
erhowmany
ti
mesIaskedhi mt oleavemeal one.He, the
mor ningbef or
emymagadinegot iati
onscal led
sayinghe’ dtellPul eaboutusi f…ifIdidn’tmeethim.
Irefusedt hent hef ol
lowingmor ning,Ireali
zedmy
sonwasmi ssingandhehadt akenhi m.Hesai dhe
hadhi m outsideatmyf ather’
shousei nSer owe.
WhenIgoti nhi scart ot akemysont hat’
swhenhe
droveheadedt ohi shotelroom andtriedconvinci
ng
met ol eavePul ecl ai
mi nghewasn’ tgoodf orme.
Pulefoundmet here.Alphatoldhim andshowed
him avi deohehadt akendur i
ngther ape.”
“
Howdi
dPul
etakei
t?”
“
Hewasupsetandt
heyst
art
edf
ight
ing.
”
“
Whost
art
edt
hef
ight
?”
“
Idon’
tremember
.”
“
Ok,youcangoonexpl
aini
ngwhathappenedt
hat
mor
ning.
”
“
Alphahi
tPul
ewit
haTVgaini
ngadvant
ageand
t
hat’
swhenhepi
ckedhi
sgun.
”
“
Andshotyou?
”
Tear
sfi
ll
edhereyes.“
No.
”
“
No.Butt
othepol
iceyousai
dyes.
”
“Hedidn’
tshootme.Puleki
ckedthegunfrom hi
m
andstart
edbeati
ngAlpha.Thefi
ghtcar
ri
edonand
that
’swhenPulepushedAlphaofft
hebalcony.”
Theent
ir
ecour
thousegasped.
“
Thenyouwer
elef
twi
thhi
minsi
de?
”
“
Yes.
”
“
Thenwhathappened?
”
“
Hepi
ckedAl
pha’
sgunandshotme.
”
.
.
.
Let'
squickl
yparti
cipat
eandhavemor
ebonuses
thatar
ewaiting
[
06/
22,
08:
29] :Fal
lenAngel
#94

AtthehighCour
t,t
hewholecour
thousewentsi
lent
.
Theprosecut
orcarr
iedon.
“
Hisi
ntent
ionwast
oki
llyou?
”
“
Yes.
”
“
Nof
urt
herquest
ionsyourhonor
.”
Hesatdownwithali
tt
lesmi
leonhi
sfacet
hen
l
ookedoveratPul
ewhoseemedmorethanjust
shocked.
Hi
slawyerl
ookedathi
mthenst
oodup.
“
Ms.Bantu,
beforeyourrel
ati
onshi
pwi t
hPule,
you
wer
einanotherr
elat
ionshi
p,i
sthatri
ght?”
“
Yes.
”
“
Andi
twaswi
thal
awyer
,Lef
a?Am Ir
ight
?”
“
Yes.
”
“
Yourr
elat
ionshi
psoonendedandbyt
henyouhad
st
art
edsomet
hingont
hesi
dewi
thPul
eri
ght
?”
“No.Pul
ewasj
ustbei
ngper
sist
entbutIwasnot
seei
nghim.
”
“
Butyouweredoi
ngot
hert
hingswi
thhi
m.Thi
ngs
l
ikeki
ssi
ng?
”
“
Itwasonce.
”
“Thensoonaf
teryoubr
okeupwi
thyourt
hen
boyfr
iend?
”
“
Het
ri
edt
orapeme.
”
“
Didhedr
ugyou?
”
“
No.
”
“
Andyouneveropenedacase,
why?
”
“
BecauseIendedt
her
elat
ionshi
p.”
“Youseem toalwayshaveanexcusef
or
perpet
rat
ors,don’
tyou?”
“Idon’
t.Ij
ustdi
dn’
tthi
nkitwasnecessar
ybecause
Ihadendedtherel
ati
onship.
”
“
Sof
rom t
her
e,yournextr
elat
ionshi
pwaswi
thPul
e.
AndIgatheryouwereget
ti
ngmoremoneythan
whatyouweregett
ingwit
hLef
a,i
sthatr
ight
?”
“
Ineveraskedf
ori
t.
”
“
Butyouwer
eget
ti
ngmor
e,r
ight
?”
“
Yes.
”
“
Yousaidatthebegi
nni
ngofyourrel
ati
onshi
p,Pul
e
t
oldyouthathewasn’
tper
fect
,am Ir
ight
?”
“
Yes.
”
“Andyouneverhadanissuewithhi
m bef
oreyour
saidi
nci
dentshappened,i
sthatso?
”
“
Yes.
”
“Thedayyougavebi rth,
itwast
hedayyourf
ri
end
wasalmostmur deredandyouwereseenwit
hyour
exatthehospi
tal.Right?”
“
Myf
ri
endi
smyex’
ssi
ster
.”
“
Thefoll
owingday,
yoursonwasf
oundwi
thyourex
i
sn’
tthatt
rue?”
“
Pul
esai
d-“
“
Isn’
tthatr
ight
?”
“I
tis.ButPulet
oldt
hehospi
talandpol
ice
otherwi
se.”
“
Youwerewi thyoursonintheroom.Nomother
woul
dsleeptoapoi ntofhavi
ngherchi
ldt
aken
whi
leshesleeps…unlessitwasaplan.
”
“
Idi
dn’
tknowLef
acoul
d-“
“
Kidnapyourson?Yoursonthatyoudidn’
twant
wastkenbyyourexboyfr
iend.Theonewhom you
l
eftf
orthearicherman.
”
“
Idi
dn’
tdoanyt
hing.WhenIwokeuphewasgone.
”
“
Youyoursel
fsai
dyoudi
dn’
twantyourson.You
r
eject
edhim.
”
“BecauseIwasi
nshock.Iwoul
dnevergi
veupmy
chil
d-“
“Youdidn’twanttoeventouchhi
m.Andi fyourli
fe
wast hr
eatened,whydidn’
tyouopenacase?For
att
empt edmurderorsomet hi
ngunlessyouwer e
guil
tyandknew youwoul dprobablygotojai
lfor
havingyourhandinyourson’sdisappear
ance.
”
“
Ilovedhi
m!”
“
Lovedwho?
”
“
Pul
e.”
“Thepol
iceevenar
rest
edyout
hatdayf
ort
he
cri
me.”
“
Theyj
ustassumed-
“
“Youaretheonl
ypersonwhohadyoursonMs.
Josephs,
wouldyoucalli
tacoinci
dencet
hatyour
exwouldjust
…kidnapyourson?”
Bant
utookadeepbr
eat
h.“
Idon’
tknowwhyhe
woul
ddothat
.”
“
Ithi
nkyouknowexact
lywhyhewoul
ddot
hat
.”
“I
…Idon’
tknowhowhetookhi
m and…”Sher
ubbed
offat
ear
.“Idi
dn’
tdoi
t.
”
“Ithi
nkyouar el
ying.Youhavebeenlyi
ngf orqui
te
awhi le.Likehowyousayyouwer ejustfr
iendswith
Alphayetyouwentonadat ewithhim,twodat es
andr eceivedanamountof15k.Isn’
tthattrue?”
“
Itwasn’
t…Iwasn’
tcheat
ing.
”
“
Thenwhydi
dyout
akehi
smoney?
”
“
Ineveraskedf
ori
t.Idi
dn’
twanti
t.
”
“
Yetyoudi
dn’
tsendi
tback.Di
dyou?
”
“
NobutI
..
-“
“Monthsdownt helineyousleepwithhi
m andcl
aim
rape,
ifitwasrapeyouwoul dhaveopenedacase,
evenifnoonebelievedyou,i
ft r
ulyyouwerer
aped,
whydidn’tyouopenacase? ”
“
I-
“
“Di
dyouliket
herape?Maybeyoul
ikedi
tsomuch
youfoundnoreasontor
epor
t.
”
“
Noonewasgoi
ngt
obel
ieveme.
”
“Becauseyouareli
ar!Youwentoutwit
hyourf
ri
end,
hadamanyoucl ai
mt ohavecutti
eswit
hbuyyou
drinks,
lef
twit
hhim, hadsexwit
hhim,l
ethi
mtakea
videothensuddenl
yyouwer er
aped?”
“
Becausehedi
d.”
“Yourhonor
,canIpl
easepr
esentt
hevi
deot
othe
court
.”
Thej
udgenodded.
Thevi
deogotpl
ayed.Bantuputherhandoverher
mouthast
henoisestar
ted.
.shestoppedt
hevideo
asBant
utr
iedholdi
nghertear
sback.
“
Isn’
tthatyou?
”
Shel
ookeddowncr
ying.
“
Isn’
tthatyouMsJosephs?
!”
“
Idon’
tremembert
hat
.”
“
Doest
hatl
ookl
iker
apet
oyou?
”
“Hedruggedme!Iwenttoseeadoct
orbuti
t
seemedthedrughadalr
eady-“
“Moreli
es.Youwerenotraped..
justcheat
ing.I
n
Room 10inSerowe,yousayPulepushedAl pha,
yourboyfr
ienddownthebalcony,yes?”
Hervoicest
art
edshaki
ngast
earsrandownher
cheeks.“
Hewasnotmyboyfr
iend.Yes.
”
“
Thenheshotyou?
”
“
Yes.
”
“Isn’
tthi
syourthi
rdti
mechangi ngyourst
atement.
Tot hepoli
ceyougaveast at
ementsayingAlpha
hadshotyouandt ri
edescaping.That
’sal
lyou
remember ed.Wasn’
tthatyourstat
ement?”
“
Itwasbutt
het
rut
hist
hatPul
eshotme.
”
“Di
dheoryouarej
ustupsetbecauset
heDISsai
d
Pul
ehadachil
dwithanotherwomaninPar
is?
”
“
Heshotme!
”
“Yourstat
ementhaschangedmorethant
wi ce.You
keptthefactt
hatAl
phashotyouandsuddenly
changedbecauseofPule’
sexwhom youdidn’t
knowabout .
”
“
Iam hur
tbutt
hat
’snotwhy-
“
“Youareanunreliablewitness,ali
ar.Youwentto
seeyourboyfri
endt hatmor ni
ng,thi
ngstur
ned
southwhenPul efoundout .Hegotintoafightwi
th
yourboyfri
endwhot r
iedtoshoothim.Youwer e
shotinst
ead,i
sn’tthatthetruth?
”
“
Iam notl
ying.
”
“
Youhavebeendoi
ngnot
hingbutl
ie.Youf
eel
bet
rayedsoyouf
eel
younowhavet
oli
e.”
“Iam notl
ying.Iswear
.Iwasl
yingt
henbutnowI
am not.
”
“
Howshoul
danyonebel
ieveyou?
”
“
Iwant
edt
opr
otecthi
m.”
“
Prot
ect
ingmesomeonewhoal
mostki
ll
edyou?
”
“
Ilovehi
m.”
“Youdon’t.Youlovethemoney.Youdon’ tlovehim.
Youhavemadeupst oriesbecauseyouar ebit
ter.
Isn’
tthatt
rue?Pul edidn’tshootyou.Yourboyfri
end
did.I
sn’tt
hattrue.Youar eangry.Andhur t
.That’
s
whyyouar el
ying.Yourt est
imonyisalie.Didthe
DISalsopayyout ol
ie?”
“
Obj
ect
ionyourhonor
.”
“
Youwer
elyi
ngwer
en’
tyouMs.Josephs.
”
“
Bel
ievewhatyouwantt
obel
ievebut
-“
“
Howisyourdaught
er?Haveyoucheckedwho’
s
t
hef
ather
?”
“
It
’sPul
e’
schi
ld.
”
“
Howsur
ear
eyou?Di
dyoudoDNAt
est
s?”
“
NoI
-“
“Nofurt
herquest
ionsyourhonor.Getati
ssueMs.
Josephs.Youseem t
ohaveal i
tt
leissuewit
hyour
tear
s.”
Shesatdownast
ear
srandownBant
u’scheeks.
MinutesLat
erBantuwalkedout
.Shetookof
fher
shoesandunlockedherCX5.Amessagecame
thr
oughfrom anumberasshegotinthecar
.
Number
:GoodJob!
.
.
.
[
06/
22,
08:
29] :Fal
lenAngel
#95

Number
:GoodJob!
Bant
uqui
ckl
ytyped.
Bant
u:It
houghtyousai
dyouwoul
dn’
tpl
ayt
he
vi
deo.
Number:Hadtomakei tal
lreal
.Yourr
eact
ionand
ever
yoneelse’
sreact
ionwaswhatIneeded.
Bant
u:Ok.
Shet ookadeepbr eathandputawayt hephone
thoughshewant edt otypemor eabouthowt he
videohadembar rassedher .Sheopenedherbot tl
e
ofwat eranddr ankabi t,t
earsitchi
ngher.She
startedthecaranddr oveoffheadedt oherhouse
wher eshef oundthet ruckmovi ngherthi
ngs
alreadypackingherf urnit
ureinside.Shestepped
outoft hecarandwal kedinsidethehouse.It
almostl ookedempt y.
Sasal
ookedatherhol
dingWamei
nherar
ms.
Bant
usmiled.“
Howisshe?”
“
Shei
sfi
ne.
”
Bant
utookherf
rom Sasaandhel
dherdel
icat
ely.
“
Wear
epassi
ngbySer
owet
aki
ngMot
heo.
”
“
Ok.
”
Bantuwatchedasthemoversfini
shed.Shewalked
tohercarwit
hSasawhol ockedbehindherand
handedthekeystothenei
ghbor.Sasagotinatthe
backseat
.BantuhandedherWamet hengotinthe
caranddroveoff
,thetr
uckbehindher.
Shepassedbyt hemal landcashedt heli
mit
amountf r
om Pule’scardthenwalkedbacktothe
car.Shestoppedt hecaratafi
ll
ingstati
onandfil
led
thetank.ShelookedatSasaatt hebackseatand
playedToniBraxtonrejoi
ningt
her oadanddroveoff.
Bantut
ookadeepbr eat
hdri
vingoutofGabs,t
he
Mazdasai
ledintheroadasshehummedal ong,her
handsonthesteer
ingwheel
.

*
**

Laterthatdayaftert
helastwit
nessfrom t
heState,
thejudgeadjournedthecourt
.Theyallwalkedout.
Pulewal kedtohiscarandjumpedin.Hisl
awyer
walkedover .
“
Tomorr
owt heyarepresent
ingmorewit
nessesbut
t
hei
rmajorwitnesswasBantusoit
’snot
hinghect
ic
t
omorr
ow.”
“
Ok.
”
“Don’tworr
yabouthertest
imony.Wehave
discr
edit
edherasawi t
ness.”
Pul
esi
ghed.“
Shewasn’
tlyi
ng.
”
“Iaskedhernotto.SheknewIwasgoingtogri
llher
.
Iaskedhertodot hatf
oryou.Denyi
ngitwoul
dhave
madei tdi
ff
icul
tforus.Bant
uknew.Shediditf
or
you.”
“
Wast
hevi
deopar
tofi
t?Shewascr
ying.
”
“No.ButIwantedat r
uereact
ionfrom her
.Iknowit
probablyhur
therthatIpl
ayeditbutshegotyouin
thi
smesssoshe’ sthesacri
fi
ciall
amb.Ifshedidn’
t
cheatthenwewoul dnotbehere.”
Pul
est
art
edt
hecar
.Hi
slawyersi
ghed.
“Iknowyouaresti
llhur
tbutIthi
nkyoushoul
ddo
DNAt est
s.I
fthebabyisnotyours,
itwi
llwor
kinour
favor.
”
“
Idon’
twantherbeingdraggedi
nthi
s.Matt
erof
f
act
,IwishIneverdraggedi
ntoi
tint
hefi
rstpl
ace.
”
“
Hert
est
imonyal
onecoul
dsendyout
ojai
l.
”
“Iwasreadyf
orthat
.Youshoul
dhaveranthati
dea
thr
oughmef i
rst
.She’
sMotheo’
smotheratthe
end.”
“
Pule,
thi
sist
hewomanyouyoursel
fal
mostkil
led.
Whatwedonowisbet
tert
hanwhatyoudi
d.”
“Iknow.Andmaybethat
’swhywedidn’
thavet
o
conti
nuedraggi
nghernameindi
rt
.Idon’
tli
kewhat
youdid.
”
Herever
sedanddroveof
f.Thel
awyersi
ghedand
wal
kedtohercar
.

Pulefoundhimselfdri
vingtoherhousel i
kehehad
beendoingsincehisbail.Heslowlydrovepastt
he
gatet
hought heCX5wasnott here.Heparked
underatreeacrossthest r
eett
henl ookedather
number
.
Minut
essl
owlywentbyti
lli
twasanhour
.He
t
appedhernumbercal
li
ngher.
Herphoner
angunanswer
ed.Hecal
ledheragai
n.
“
Hel
lo?
”
Pul
etookadeepbr
eat
h.“
Hi.
”
Ther
ewasapause.
“Iam sorr
yaboutwhathappenedi
ncour
ttoday.I
hadnoi dea.
”
“
It
’sf
ine.Yourl
awyeri
sposi
ti
ve.
”
“
Iam sor
ry.
”
“
It
’sf
ine.
”
“
Uhi
sitoki
fIcanseeMot
heo?
”
“
Ijustl
eftt
own.Butifyouwantyourki
dsIcanhave
t
hem broughtbackt
oyou.”
“
No.That’
s…i
fyouarenotar
oundi
t’
sok.Maybe
whenyoucomeback.
”
“
Iam notcomi
ngback.Iam goi
ngt
oSer
owe.
”
“
CanIcomet
her
e?”
“
Ifyouwantyourchi
ldr
enIcanhavet
hem br
ought
t
oyou.”
“Ij
ustwantt
oseet
hem.Iam nott
aki
ngt
hem f
rom
you.”

*
**

Dr
ivi
ng,
Bant
utookadeepbr
eat
handbl
inked.
“Isai
dIam notcomingbackPule.Obat
lakereng?
”
Shestoppedtal
kingget
ti
ngtear
yashervoicegot
fai
nt.
“
Ok.I
t’
sok.Iam sor
ry.Youar
emovi
ngt
oSer
owe?
”
“
Yes.
”
“Butt
hehouseisnotfi
nished.Icant
alkt
omyguys
andhavethem wr
apitup.”
“
Iwi
llst
aywi
thmyf
ather
.”
“
Ok.Theywi
llbedonei
naf
ewdays.Whenyouar
e
r
eady.
.youandMot
heocanmovet
her
e.”
“
Whyar
eyounotacknowl
edgi
ngyourdaught
er?
”
“
Am Iwr
ongt
oquest
ionher
?”
Tear
sfil
ledhereyesandroll
eddownhercheeks.
Shewipedthem offasSasasadl
yst
aredather.
“
Iwasal
readypr
egnantwhenmovedPul
e.”
“
Ok.
”
“
Shei
syourdaught
er.
”
“Bantuyouwer
enotevenusi
ngcondomswi
tht
his
guy.”
“I
twasr ape.Her
apedmebutIwasal
ready
pregnant.
”
“
Ok.
”
“
Iam notl
ying.
”
“
Youcoul dhaveopenedacaseifi
twer erape.I
wouldhavebeli
evedyouifi
twererape.Butyoutold
meyouwentt oyourmother
’shouse.Yousai dal
l
l
iesyoucouldpossi
blysaythatmorni
ng,ifyou
wererapedthenwewouldhavewentt othebaror
somet hing.Thiswhol ethingwoul dhavel ongbeen
sortedbutyouchoset ol ietome.Youl iedf r
om the
veryf i
rstdayi nKasane.Youwer ereceivi
ngmoney
fr
om t hisguy.Howdoyouj ustgetrapedandkeep
quiet?Youcan’ tblamemef ornotbei ngsur eif
she’smi neornot .Idon’tevenknowwhenyour
affairstart
edorwhyi tevenst ar
t edbecauseIgave
youever yt
hing.Ifitwast hemoneyt henwhydi dn’
t
yousayyouwant edmor e?Youwer eunf ait
hful
,
didn’tevenbot herusingpr otect
iont henyout urn
andcr ybr i
ngingupyourdaught erwonder ingwhyI
don’tacknowl edgeher ?
”
“
Whywon’
tyoubel
ievemef
oroncePul
e.”
“Becauseyouli
edtome.Youl i
edtome..multi
ple
ti
mes.Youcouldhavet oldmet het
rut
h.Youhada
choicetotel
lmethetruth.I
fyouweredruggedthen
wecoul dhavewentbackt othebar
.Thetrut
hwoul d
havecomeout .
”
“
Iwasscar
ed!Iwasscar
edyouwoul
dhur
tme!
”
“
Hur
tyoubecauseyougotr
aped?
”
“
Hewoul
dhaveshownyout
hevi
deoandIwoul
d
havelookedli
keali
ar.That’
swhy.I
fyouwon’
t
acknowledgeher
,it
’sfi
ne.Bye.
”
Shehungupandt
ookadeepbr
eat
hput
ti
ngaway
herphone.
Bantuincr
easedt
hespeedtryi
ngtonotthi
nkabout
i
titbutthepai
nmadeitdi
ff
icultt
obreat
he.
Shepull
edoveront
hesi
deoft
her
oadandl
ooked
atSasa.
“
Iam comi
ng.
”
Shesteppedoutoft
hecarandwalkedtoatr
ee.
Sasawatchedherasshecri
edforminut
esbefor
e
fi
nal
lywalki
ngbacktothecar
.
Bant
ugoti
nthenj
oinedt
her
oadanddr
oveof
f.
.
.
.
Let'
squi
cklypar
ti
cipateonthei
nser
t,t
he
breadwi
nnersar
ealreadybusy .
[
06/
22,
08:
29] :Fal
lenAngel
#96
Laterthateveni
nginMaun, Bant
uslowlydrove
slowlycheckingthehousenumbers.Shefinal
ly
turnedbythegateatthehousethensteppedoutof
thecar.Shequicklyopenedthegat
e,thetr
uckwi t
h
herbelongingsbehindher.
Bantuparkedt
hecarinfrontoft
het wobedr oom
houseandsteppedoutofthecar.Thecoldbr eeze
hi
therskinasshehurri
edtothedoor .Sheunlocked
i
tthenwalkedinthehouse.Shetookaqui cktour
andwalkedbackoutsi
de.
“
Youcant
aket
het
hingsi
nsi
de.
”
Themover snoddedandst
art
edof
fl
oadi
ngher
proper
ty.
Int
hir
tyminut
esever
ythingwasinside.Shelooked
att
hepoorsetupbutfortheni
ghtitwasf i
ne.
“
Thankyousomuch.
”
“
Eemma.
”
Thetruckdr
oveout.Shecl
osedt
hegat
ethen
openedthedoorf
orSasa.
“
Wecangoi
n.”
Shetookherdaughtert
henSasasteppedoutwi
th
Motheowhowassl eepi
ng.Theywalkedinsi
det
he
house.
“
Bri
nghi
mtomyr
oom.Iwi
ll
sleepwi
tht
hem.
”
Bantupl
acedWamei nhercourtbedt
henMot heo
onhissingl
ebedbesi
deshers.Sasayawned
exhaust
ed.
Bant
usmi l
ed.“
Youwil
ltaket
heot
herr
oom.Wewi
ll
fi
xever
ythi
ngtomor
row.”
“
Ok.
”
Sasawalkedtothenextr
oom asBantul
ookedat
herdaughter
.Shesatdownthencal
leddi
aled
Yamasa’snumberbuthernumberwassti
llnot
goi
ngthrough.
SheopenedherWhat sAppbutherlastseenwas
weeksback.Shesentheramessaget henlaidon
herbed.Hereyesfel
lonherengagementr i
ngthen
shetearf
ull
yclosedhereyeswi
shingshecoul dj
ust
for
getital
l.
*
**

InSer
owe,r
ragweBantuj
oinedMer
apel
oinbedand
puthi
sarm overher
.
“Iam sor r
y.Iam sor ryfornoti
ncludingyouinmy
daught er’
slif
eevent houghyouhavebeennot hing
butabl essingtous.Iam sor rythatsometi
mesI
forgetthatIam nol ongeralonebuthaveal i
fe
partner.Iwasalonef orthel
ongesttimeand
somet i
mesIf or
gett hatInowhavesomeonet ohelp
medealwi theverything.Iam goingtochangeand
actright.Iam sorry.Pleaseforgi
vememogat saka.
”
Merapel
osmiledasbr
eathedonherneck.The
wholedayhadbeenspentwit
hhi
m apologizi
ng.
“
Ifor
giveyou.
”
Hetur
nedheraroundandki
ssedher
.Sheouther
handonherchest
.
“
Magadiaduetswi,
doyouthi
nki
t’
sri
ghtt
ojust
i
gnor
ethesi
tuati
onathand?”
“Bantusaysal othappened.Al ott
hatcan’tbe
for
givenorf orgotten.Shewon’tgointodet ai
lbut
shef eelsit’
sonl yrightandsaysevenPul eagr ees.I
can’thel pbutthinkPul eshotmydaught er.Shewi ll
notadmi tt
oi tnowbutIknowsomet hi
nghappened
i
nt hatr oom.Idon’ twanttopushmydaught erinto
someonewhomayendupki ll
ingheroneday.Iwi l
l
neverf orgi
vemysel fift
hathappens.”
“
Ok.Iunder
stand.
”
“Shetookthekids.Sheknowswhatshe’
sdoing.
Shefoundaj obinMaun.Iam goi
ngtolethersai
l
herownboat .Iwil
lbeonthesi
del
ineswait
ingto
supportandhelp.”
Mer
apel
onodded.“
Ok.
”
RragweBantusmi
ledt
henputhi
shandonherhi
p
ki
ssingher
.
Merapelor
elaxedashepul
ledhercl
oserandpul
led
herdresst
akingitout
..

*
**
Thatsameeveni ngPulesatinhiseyesstari
ngata
pictureframeofBant uandMot heosmili
ngatthe
camer a.Hef i
nishedhisseventhbeerandtook
anot herone.Het ookagulptaki
nghisphoneand
callher.
“
Thenumberyouhavedi
aledi
snotavai
labl
eatt
he
moment
-“
Hecutt
hecal
lthenpi
ckedani
ncomi
ngcal
l.
“
Yeah?
”
“Kar
aboist
est
if
yingt
omor
row.Anyt
hingIshoul
d
know?”
“
No.
”
“Whydi dn’
tyout
ell
meaboutKabelot
oday.Ihat
e
surpr
isesincour
t.I
sther
eanyt
hingel
seIshould
know? ”
“
Youknowever
ythi
ngyoushoul
dknow.
”
“
Ihopeso.
.Iwi
llputyoul
astont
hest
andl
ast
.”
“
Whatdoyout
hinkmaysendmet
ojaif
or?
”
“Alpha.Youhadmot i
vet oki
llhi
m.Yout wowere
fi
ghting,oneper
sonwaspusheddownt hebalcony.
Hedi edandyouarealive.ButIam goi
ngtohelp
you.Yousounddr unk.Wear egoinggotocourti
n
themor ning.
”
“
Iwi
llbef
ine.
”
“
Yourspeechsoundssl
urr
ed.Youcan’
tbei
ncour
t
l
iket
hattomor
row.”
“
Isai
dIam f
ine.
”
“
Keetako.Youarenotgoi
ngt
oruint
hiscasef
or
meandrui
nmyr eput
ati
onPul
e.”
Shehungup.Heputhi
sphonedownandf
ini
shed
hi
sbeerbef
oretaki
nganot
herone.
Awhi lel
ater
,acarhootedatthegate.Hewalked
outholdi
nghisbeerwhileopeningthegat
e.She
droveinandparkednexttohiscar.Shest
eppedout
i
nj ustasimpledr
essandf l
ipfl
ops.
“
Whyar
eyoust
il
ldr
inki
ng?
”
Hesmiledstar
ingather
.“Youaret
hef
ir
stlawyerI
haveevercomeacrosswhofoll
owupshercli
ent
s
l
ikeyouorkennahel
a?”
Shewal
kedoverandsnat
chedhi
sal
coholf
rom hi
m.
“
Canyounotj
eopar
dizet
hecasef
orus?
”
Hesmi
led.“
Sor
ry.
”
Shethr
ewawaythecanandsighed.“
Goandsl
eep.
Idon’
twantt
hem havi
nganyt
hingonus.
”
“
Youwantt
ocomei
n?”
“
Ihavet
ogo.
”
Pulelaughed.“
Youar
elyi
ng,
areyout
ell
ingmeyou
j
ustcamet hrowawaymybeert
hencl
aim youwant
tosleep?”
“
Andmakesur
eyousl
eep.
”
Pul
etookast
epf
orwar
dandt
ouchedhi
schi
n.“
You
ar
elyi
ngAsa.
”
Helookedatherdr
esst
henunzi
ppedi
tst
ari
ngat
her
.
“
Youknowwhatyouar
eher
efor
.”
Hepul
ledi
tdownandexposedherbr
east
.Hel
ett
he
dressfal
landpoolatherfeet
.Thecoldbr
eeze
madehershi verasshest
oodoutsideHelookedat
herthenti
lt
edherchinandkissedher.
Sheclosedhereyesashetouchedherwaistashi
s
handswentdownherbutt.Shetouchedhi
m, Pul
e
pushedherhandsoffhi
mt henpushedherbackto
hercar.
Sheleanedagainstt
hewar m bonnetkissi
nghim
back.Hecuppedherbr eastsqueezi
ngherf l
esh
befor
etwist
inghernipples.Hesli
dhishand
betweenherlegsandtouchedherwet ness.
Heunzi
ppedhi
spants,
Asatookadeepbr
eat
h
knowi
ngwhatwascoming.
Pul
elookedather
.“Condom…”
Shequi ckl
ymovedandr eachedforitt
hroughthe
window.Shet orei
twi t
hhert eet
hthentookouthis
harddical mostlosingherbreath.Asastrokedhim
star
ingati t
’serectveinswant i
nggosuckhi m but
thendidn’twantami ssedopportuni
tyofwhatshe
couldget ,
shepushedt hecondom onhi mt i
lli
t
coveredhal fhisdi
ck, t
heringofthecondom
si
nki
ngonhi
sski
n.
Hetur
nedherar
oundsoshecoul
dhaveher
st
omachonthebonnett
hen
#r
emoved.
.
Pulefuckedhermor etappi
ngsomet hingdeepi n
her,t
earsdroppedasshef elti
tcoming.Pul e
conti
nuouslyfuckedher,herbodystif
fenedt hem
shesquirtedasanotherwaveofor gasm hither,
morepower fulandsweeterthantheprevious.
Pulegr oanedlosingcontrolthensl idoutand
pushedt het
ipi nt
oherbuttholeandr eleased
pushingabi tmor einthatsher aisedherhead
quickly..Pul
er emainedsti
llholdinghert ightl
yand
fi
nallysl i
dout.Herbuttholeclosedever ythi
ng
i
nsidet henhemovedf rom hert akingof fthetor
n
condom.
Asahel
dont
ohercarbr
eat
hingheavi
ly.
“
Seeyout
omor
row.Dr
iveoutsoIcl
oset
hegat
e“
Pul
ewal
kedbacki
nthehouseandcl
osedt
hedoor
l
eavingherst andingoutsi
denaked.Hewal kedto
hisbedroom andundr essedthenshowered
washi ngdickthoroughl
y.Hesteppedoutoft he
bathroom andl ookedathisphone.Hepi
ckedi tup
andt houghtful
lycall
edheragainbuti
tsti
lldidn’
tgo
through.
.
.
.

Mor
ning,
sor
ryIdozedof
f.
[
06/
22,
08:
29] :Fal
lenAngel
#97

Thefol
lowingmor ni
nginShakawe,Yamasasaton
herbedreadinganarti
cleaboutt
hecase.Sheread
onthensighedwonderingifi
twaslegalt
oplay
expl
ici
ttapesincourt
.
Herphonest
art
edr
ingi
ng,
shequi
ckl
ypi
ckedLef
a’s
cal
l.
“
Hel
lo?
”
“
Hi.Ihaveaskedsomeonet
obr
ingyourgr
ocer
ies.
”
“
Thankyou.
”
“
Howar
eyou?
”
“Ij
ustreadanar
ti
cleaboutt
hecase.What
happened?”
“Bantuadmitt
edt hatPuleshotherandki l
ledAlpha
butherstat
ementhasbeenchangi ngri
ghtfrom the
beginni
ngsoPul e’slawyerdestroyedheront he
standdiscr
edit
ingherasar el
iablewit
ness.“
“
Soi
twon’
tbeconsi
der
ed?
”
“It
’suptothejudgebutwewi l
lwaitfordefenset o
takethestand.TheSt at
ehasmor ewitnessestoday
thoughIknowBant uwast hei
rkeywi t
ness, wit
hher
testi
monyshr edded,Iam notsurewhatwi llhappen
buthe’sobviouslygoingdownf orAlphadeat h.I
t
mi ghtnotbeasmanyyear sbutenehe’ sgoingto
getlockedup.”
“
Ok.Al
lthi
sisbecauseofme.Idest
royedherl
if
e“
“Orhel
pedherseethemanshe’sinlovewithfor
whohet r
ulyis.
.It
hinkyouhel
pedher.Shewoul d
nothaveeverknownhehasguystokillherifwhat
happeneddidn’
thappen.Nowsheknows. ”
“
Shel
oveshi
m.”
“Shewil
lfi
ndsomeonebett
er.Shedeser
vesbet
ter
..
Iwil
lcal
lyoul
ater
.Iam goi
ngtowork.”
“
Ok.
”
Hehungup.Yamasat houghtf
ull
ydial
edherf r
iend’
s
numberandcal l
edher.Bantu’
sphonerang
unanswered.Shetr
iedagainbutthecallcutbefor
e
i
tcouldri
ng.

*
**

Afewhour
slat
er,i
ncourt,
Karabot
ookt
hest
and
wear
inghi
sbusi
nessT-shi
rt.
Hesmi
ledast
hepr
osecut
orl
ookedathi
m.
“
Iunder
standyouandPul
ehavebeenf
ri
endsf
ora
whi
lenow,
right
?”
“
Wear enotf
ri
endsr
ightnow.
.butweusedt
o
f
ri
ends.”
“
Itakei
tyouwer
eal
sopai
dasum byt
heDI
S?”
“Yes.Theybeatmeyest
erdaysoIl
ie.Lookatmy
eye…Skijor
anaway.ButIrecor
dedthem.Ebil
e
from her
eIam openi
ngacase.”
“Wearegoingtof or
gettheDIStodayandfocuson
ourcase.Multi
plewitnesshaveseenyouatPule’
s
bar,
isthatr
ight?”
“Igot
hereanddrinkalcoholf
orf
ree.
.Ideser
vei
t.I
usedt
opayr entalonewhenhewasnotmaki ng
money.”
“
Soyouar
est
il
lfr
iends?
”
“No.Ij
ustdr
inkal
coholf
orfr
ee.Sameasyoucan
sleepwit
hsomeonebutnotbeinarel
ati
onshi
pwi
th
them.”
“
Inot
herwordsyouarest
il
lingoodt
ermswi
thhi
m
j
ustt
hatyouarenotf
ri
ends?”
“
Yes.
”
“Youwerearr
est
edl astyearfort
hehitandrunt
hat
endedwitht
hevicti
m dead,andaccor di
ngto
sources,
Pul
ebailedyouout ,
isn’
tthatri
ght
?”
“
Ihear
dso.
”
“Youwentt
ocourtandMsAsal epeleSefi
wawas
yourl
awyer
,Pule’
slawyer.Thebillwhichwas
cover
edbyPule,i
sn’tt
hattrue?
”
“
Heof
fer
edt
ohel
p.”
“Andforsomeonewhohashel pedyoual otinl
ife,
wouldn’
tthatmakeiteasyforyoutohelphi m?He
savedyoufrom ali
fesentence.Hasdoneal otfor
you.Youareindebt
edtohi m.Youmi ghtnotbehi s
fri
endbutyouwoulddoanyt hingtohelphim.”
“Iam noti
ndebt
edt
ohi
m.Nooneaskedhi
m go
helpme.”
“
Nof
urt
herquest
ionsyourhonor
.”
Hesatdawn.Asatookadeepbr
eathandbravel
y
st
oodupinshortbl
ockheel
sandlookedatKabel
o.
“
Howmuchwer
eyougi
venbyt
heDI
S?”
“
25k.
”
“
Andt
hatwasi
nret
urnt
odowhat
?”
“
TosayPul
edoesmoneyhei
sts,
andal
sost
ole
f
rom t
hedi
amond.
”
“
Andi
fyoudi
dn’
t?”
“
Theysai
dwe’
dregr
eti
t.
”
“
Andal
readyyouwer
eassaul
ted?
”
“
Yes.
”
“Andallt
hisbecauseyouusedt
obeaf
ri
endof
Pule’
s?”
“
Yes.
”
“
Yourhonor,
canwepleaseplayther
ecor
dingt
hat
Mr.Kabel
ohavef
rom yest
erday.
”
Henodded.Thevideogotpl
ayed.Kabel
owatched
ashegotslappedmult
ipl
eti
mesget t
ingt
hreat
ened.
Asasighed.“Iam sor
ryf
orwhatyouwentthrough
Mr.Kabelo.Youcanopenacaseforassaul
t.No
fur
therquesti
onsyourhonor
.”
Shesatdown.Thecasewentonastheprosecut
or
cal
ledanot
herwit
ness.Thehot
el’
srecept
ioni
st
f
rom Ser
owewal
kedi
nandsatdown.
Asal
ookedatherast
hequest
ioni
ngst
art
ed.
“Sohepai
dyousoyoucant
ellhi
m wher
ehi
s
gir
lf
ri
endhadwent
?”
“
Yes.
”
“
Thenwhathappened?
”
“Fr
om t hereonIheardscr
eamingafewminutes
l
ater.Icall
edthesecuri
tybutt
henthescr
eaming
hadst opped.Fr
om ther
ethat’
swhenthepol
ice
arr
ived.”
“
Didhehaveanyweapononhi
m whenhewal
ked
i
n?”
“
No.
”
“
Didhel
ookangr
ytoyou?
”
“
No.ButIwoul
dn’
tknowbecauseIdon’
tknowhi
m.”
Thequest
ioningwentontil
lthepr
osecut
orsat
down.ThejudgelookedatAsa.
“
Wedon’
thaveanyquest
ionsyourhonor
.”
Theprosecutorbr
oughtheadoft
heforensics.Asa
si
ghedshift
inghersi
tti
ngposi
ti
onli
stening.
“Sof
rom t
heexami
nat
ionyoudi
d,i
tshowedhewas
badl
ybeat
en?”
“
Yes.Buti
tal
soshowshehadal
soputsucha
f
ight
.”
“
Didhehaveanyl
if
ethr
eat
eni
ngi
njur
ies?
”
“No.Justt
hathi
sjawwasdi sl
ocat
edf
rom apunch.
Hisnosewasalsobroken.
”
Asawat chedboredknowingtheyweregr
aspingat
str
aws.Shel ookedatt
het i
methenthepr
osecutor
broughttwomor ewit
nessesbefor
ethecourtfi
nal
ly
gavethedefensethestand.
Shest
oodupf
ixi
ngherbl
azer
.
“It
’snotasecr etthatmycl ienthasbeen
i
nvest i
gatedmor ethanwecancountf orvari
ous
cri
mi nalactivi
ti
esbel i
evedt obelinkedtohi m
thought i
lldate,noneoft heaccusat i
onshavebeen
proven.Bot swanai sabigcount rywhi chleadsusto
wonderi freall
yal lt
hecrimest heycont i
nuelist
ing
wer ecommi t
tedbyonl yper son.Wi thevi dence
beyondr easonabl edoubt ,i
thasbeenpr ovent hat
theDI Shavebeenhar assingandabusi ngmycl ient
sincehehadanaf fairwi ththegener aldi rector’s
wifeaf ewyear sback.Al ltheaccusat ionsand
plot t
ingar esi mpl yi nf l
uencedbyanger ,bitterness
andhur t.Wewi l
lpr esentt hephoner ecor di ngs
capt uredbet weent heGener alDi r
ectorandmy
cli
entaf tertheaf fairwasbr oughtt odayl ightandi n
ther ecor dingst heGener alDi rectorswear st oI
quot emakeyourl ifedi ff
icultt hatyouwi llwi shyou
wer eneverbor nandatt heendIwi l
lbet heonet o
fi
ni shyouof fendquot e.TheDI Shavehar assedmy
cli
ent ’sfami ly, andt i
lllatelyhehi mself.TheDI S
havedonenot hingbutmakemycl ient
’sl ife
mi serabl etoapoi ntofget t
ingi nvolvedi nhi s
per sonall i
feandal mostki l
li
nghi mi nSer owe.They
havebr ibed, threat enedandt orturedthosei nmy
cli
ent ’sci r
clet ogett omycl ient.They, wi th
evidencet hatdi sappear edki lledMsKoket sowho
wasagi rlf
riendofmycl ienti nthepast .I twas
proveni nt hecour tofl awdur ingMs.Koket so’stri
al
thatt heDI Shadbeent hreateni ngherl ifeandwer e
goingt oel i
mi nateher .Thist ri
alismer elyjustone
oftheirat t
empt stosendmycl i
entt ojailfort hi
ngs
hedi dnotdo.Mycl i
entdi dindeedpushMr .Alpha
duringani ntensephysi calf ightbymi stakei nan
att
emptt odef endhi msel fandt hi
sr esultedi nthe
deat hofMr .Alpha.Theseact i
onswer ebyal l
meansnoti ntenti
onalasmycl i
enthadwant edto
walkawayj ustbef oreMr .Al phaspar kedaf i
ght
betweent hem andi twasei t
herhi m orMr .Alpha
fal
lingof fthebal conyt hatmor ning.Weal sowoul d
l
ikef orthecour ttokeepi nmi ndt hattheonl y
weaponi nr oom 10t hatmor ni
ngwasonl yMr .
Alpha’s.Wi tht hatbei ngsai dast hedef ense, wewil
l
callinouronl ywitness, Mr .PuleMot samai so. ”
Pul
estoodupandt
ookt
hest
and.Asat
ookadeep
br
eathandst
art
ed.
“
Mayyoupl easet
ellt
hecourthowyouaffai
rwit
h
Mrs.Ruwangstar
ted,t
heDISGeneralDi
rect
or’
s
wif
eortobeexwife.”
“Imetheri
ntheA1r oadjustaf
terPalapye.Hercar
hadbrokendown.Ihelpedherthenthat’
swhenshe
askedfi
tmynumber .She’dcal
lmef rom t
henand
sheclear
lywantedmorefrom methoughshewas
marri
ed.Shesaidherhusbandhadsugardiabet
es
andcouldn’tper
for
m anymore.Iwasnoti
na
rel
ati
onshipthensowestart
edhavingsex.
”
“Howlongdi
dthi
sgoont
il
lMr
.Ruwangf
ound
out?
”
“
Fort
hreemont
hs.Hecaughtmei
nhi
sbed.
”
“
Iassumehewasupset
?”
“Yes.Ver
y.Hesentpeopletoki
llmebutImanaged
toescapeandtol
dhim Iwouldpubli
shoneofthe
videoshi
swifehadtakenifhekeptont
ryi
ngme.”
“
Whathappenedaf
tert
hat
?”
“Hehaddrugsplantedinthegar
agewhereIfi
xed
carsandthat
’swhenIgotar r
est
edbutIhadanali
bi
soIwaslaterrel
eased.That’
swhenhecall
edme
thr
eateni
ngme. ”
“
Yourhonormaywepl
easepl
ayt
her
ecor
ding,
t
hankyou.
”
Ther
ecor
dingst
art
edpl
ayi
ng.
“
Boyyoudon’
tknowwhoyouhavemessedwi
th,
youhavetouchedtheuntouchabl
e.Youbetternot
sl
eepbecauseIam goingtogetyou.Iwil
lmake
yourli
fedi
ff
icul
tthatyouwillwi
shyouwer enever
bornandattheendIwi l
lbetheonetofi
nishyouoff.
Thishavej
uststart
ed…wat chout!
”
Ther
ecor
dingst
opped.
“Si
ncethent
heyhavebeenaccusi
ngmeof
anyt
hingandever
ythi
ng.
”
“
InSerowet
hatfat
efulmor
ning,
howdi
dyouknow
wher
eMs.Josephswas?”
“Herfathercal
ledmewor ri
edt hinkingIhadtaken
herwithmet hatmorning.That’swhenIf oundout
sheleftwithacert
aincar.SoIt rackedherlocati
on
withthelocati
onappli
cati
oni nmyphoneandf ound
thatshewasatanear byhot elwher eIfoundher.”
“Andthat
’swher
eyouf
oundoutt
hatshewas
cheat
ing?”
“
Yes.
”
“
Howdi
dthef
ightst
art
?”
“
Hepunchedme,
Itr
iedwal
kingawaybecausemy
sonwast
her
ehepunchedmeagai
nandsoIf
ought
back.
”
“
Andpushedhi
m of
fthebal
cony?
”
“Ipushedhim outtothebalconybecausemyson
wasnowcr yi
ngandIf ear
edhewoul dshoothim
l
ikehehadj ustshotBantu.Iwantedt ol
ockhim
outsi
debuthepoi ntedthegunatme.Ipushedhi m
thi
nkinghe’djustf
allonthefloorbuthetippedover
andfelldyi
ng.IfIdi
dn’tpushhim, hewouldhave
shotme. ”
“
Nof
urt
herquest
ionsyourhonor
.”
Thepr
osecut
orst
oodupandl
ookedathi
m.
“
Soyoudoadmi
ttoki
ll
inghi
m?”
“
Yes.Iwasdef
endi
ngmysel
f.
”
“Ormaybeyouwer ejustangryt
hathehadcheated
soyoufi
rstshotyourgirl
fr
iendt
henpushedhim
downthebalcony.
”
“Mysonwast her
e.WhenIwalkedint
heyhadbeen
argui
ng.Shehadbrui
sesonherfacewhichIbel
ieve
washim.IwishIhadprot
ect
edherbetter
.Yesshe
hurtmebutIneverwoul
dhavewantedMotheot
o
wit
nesssuchascene.Hewasangryshewassti
ll
choosi
ngir
regardl
essoft
hei
rrel
ati
onshi
p.”
“
Shetesti
fi
edotherwi
se.Maybebefor
ethatyou
wer
ethreateni
ngtoki
llheri
fshe-
“
“
Obj
ect
ion,
specul
ati
on!
”
“
Sust
ained.
”
“
Idon’tknowwhywoul
dli
echangi
ngherstat
ement
t
houghIknowtheDISwer
eprobabl
yharassi
ngher
l
iket
heywould.
”
“Youwerest
alki
ngher
.Whydi
dwer
eyout
racki
ng
hermovements?”
“Becauset
heDI
Swer
ehar
assi
ngme.I
twasf
or
safet
y.”
“
Youhadamot
ivet
oki
llt
hem bot
h.”
“Iwoul
dn’
tdi
spl
aysuchbehavi
ori
nfr
ontofmy
son.
”
“
Youknowyoushot
-“
“
Obj
ect
ion,
specul
ati
on!
”
Thepr
osecut
orl
ookedathi
m.“Yout
ookthel
aw
ont
oyourownhandsandki
ll
edaman.”
“
Iam sor
ryt
hatIchosenott
odi
e.”
“
Nof
urt
herquest
ionsyourhonor
.”
HesatdownasAsat ookadeepbr
eat
hpr
ayi
ngf
or
afarl
essersent
ence.
Thej
udgel
ookedatAsa.“
Ist
hatal
lMs.Sef
iwa?
”
“
Yes,
yourhonor
.”
“Courtshallr
esumet omor r
owwithcl
osi
ng
stat
ement sthenverdictshal
lbegi
ventwoweeks
from t
here.Courtadjourned!
”

TWOWEEKSLATER.
.
.
.
.
Let
'shaveonebonusbef
oreIgetbusyatwor
k,
qui
cklypar
ti
cipat
esowehaveit.
[
06/
22,
08:
29] :Fal
lenAngel
#98

TwoWeeksLat
er

Mainaparkedhercaratthecourthouset hat
morni
ngi nashortbl
ackbondagedr ess.Shelooked
ather
selfonthemirr
orthenfixedherpi nkli
pstick
andwaitedforawhil
e.Mi nut
eslateracarpar ked
besi
deshimt henPul
esteppedoutwi thTshepo.
Shebitherlowerl
ipr
emember i
ngt hathewasal so
thebr
other.Shesati
nhercart houghtfull
y.
Mainat
ookadeepbr
eat
handst
eppedoutofher
car
.
“
Hi.
.”
Pulet
urnedandlookedatherasshesmi
led
pushi
ngherwellbl
endedandglueddownBrazi
li
an
wig.
“
Hi.
”
Tshepoal
sol
ookedather
.“I
na.
.”
“
Hi.
”
“
Whatar
eyoudoi
ngher
e?”
“
Iam her
etoseeyourbr
other
.”
Tshepolookedatherthenwal
kedaway,
Mai
na
walkedoversmil
ing.
“Ij
ustt
houghtI’
dcomeandshowsupport
.Iwi
ll
neverf
orgethowyouhel
pedmethatt
ime.”
“
Youdi
dn’
thavet
ocomeher
ethough.I
t’
sok.
”
Acarst
oppedt henPul
e’sl
awyersteppedouti
na
bl
acksuite.Shegr
abbedhert
hingsfrom t
hecar
andwalkedover.
“
Shoul
dwe?
”
Pulenodded.“
Yeah.
.”Hel
ookedatMai
na.
“Thanks.
”
Hewal kedawaywi t
hhi
slawyerwhohadn’teven
acknowledgedher.Mai
natookadeepbreath
star
ingatthem wonder
ingwhyshedidn’
twear
somethingfor
mal.Shepull
eddownhershortdress
t
henf
inal
lywal
kedi
nsi
de.

*
**

InGaborone,acabstoppedatLefa’
shouse.
Yamasapai dandquickl
yhurri
edinsi
de.Shewalked
i
nsidethehousewi t
hasighthensatdown.She
openedherrealFacebookaccountandpost
ed
pict
uresofherhouseinaFacebookgroupthatsold
propert
y.
‘
ThreeBedr oom Housef orsal e,bi
gsi tt
ingroom,
ki
tchenwi thf i
tt
edkitchenuni ts.Twobedr ooms
haveensui tes,i
ncludingthemai nbedr oom.
Commonbat hroom andt oil
et.Bedr oom had
Jacuzzi.Allroomshavef it
tedwar dr obes.Abig
garagethatcanf i
ttwocar s,pavementanda
bachelorpadatt heback.Fi ttedwar dr
obeswi t
ha
ki
tchenwi thf i
tt
edkitchenuni ts.Bot hhouseshave
geysers.Inaqui etneighborhood.Enoughspacef or
parki
ngout side.1.7mi l
li
on.Neg. ’
Sheputi
tLef
a’snumber
sthenpost
edKago’
sGol
f
i
nanot
hergr
oup.
Shetookherbagthentookoutherl
apt
opand
st
art
edsendingoutherCV.
Awhi l
elat
ershepickedherphonethenwenton
Facebookchecki
ngiftheverdi
ctt
oPule’
scasehad
beengivenasyetbutther
ewasnot hi
ngasyet.

*
**

I
nCourt,
thej
udgecont
inuedt
alki
ngwhi
leever
yone
l
ist
ened.
“TheSt at
efail
edt obr i
ngenoughevi dencetoback
upt hei
rclai
msonot herchar gesandIam mor e
thandisappoint
edt hatt hepeoplewhoshoul dbe
protecti
ngthi
scount ryar et
hosewhobr i
bing
peopleandwast ingt hecour t
’st
imetherefor
ethe
defendantisfoundi nnocentoncl ai
msofmoney
heist,t
heimporti
ngofdr ugsandforthestol
en
diamondsi nJwaneng. ”
Asasmi
ledknowi
ngt
hatonewasobvi
ous.
“Though, t
hecour tdoesf i
ndthedef endantgui l
tyof
mur derofMr .Alpha.Thecour talsoacknowl edges
thatitwasint heform ofselfdefensebutmur der
didhappen.Thedef endanttookthel awintohis
ownhandsandt herefor
eendedone’ sl
ife.Theot her
chargesshallnotber egardedast hestatebrought
noevi dencewhat soevertobackt hem up.Thi s
courttheref
or esentencesthedef endanttoa
maxi mum off i
veyear sinpri
sonwi t
htwoyear s
suspended.”
Thejudgecarr
iedontal
kingasAsasighed
di
sappoint
edthoughsheknewt heywould
obvi
ouslynotl
ethimjustgetawaywithal
lofi
t.
Shel
ookedatPul
e.“
Wewi
llappeal
.”
“
No.Leavei
tli
ket
his.Iwi
llbehavei
npr
ison.
”
Asasmil
ed.“Pl
easedo.Ir
eal
lyt
houghtt
hey’
d
sent
enceyoutotwo.
”
“Metoobutther
earethi
ngsneedi
ngsort
ingout
.IfI
am i
njai
lthenIhavenowayofdoingt
hem.”
“
Stayawayf
rom t
roubl
e!”
Hesmi
led.“
Yesmam.
”
Hestoodupasthepol i
cewal
kedovert
ohim wi
th
handcuf
fsal
ready.Tshepol
ookedathi
m andgave
hi
m athumbsup.
Theyledhi
mt othepol
icevan.Asastoodupand
walkedout
.Tshepowalkedbesidesher.
“
Sowhathappensnow?
”
“Yourbrot
herdoesnotwantt
oappealsohewi
ll
servesent
ence.
”
“
Ok.
”
Asasmi
led.“
Begood.Don’
tbel
ikehi
m.”
Shegotinhercaranddr
oveoff.Tshepol
ookedat
Mainawhowaswal ki
ngtohercarthengoti
nhis
brot
her
’scal
li
ngLefa.
“
Hel
lo?
”
“Lai
taka,
IjustsawMainahere.Idon’
tknowwhat
shewasdoi ngmmeIam t el
l
ingbefor
eyouaccuse
meofanyt hi
ng.KanaIknowlowkeyyouar est
il
l
upsetaboutBantu.
”
“Iwasupsetatmysel
fbecauseIlostherbutof
causenowIcan’tdi
scussanyt
hingthathastodo
withBant
ulewenabecauseshe’syourbrother
’s
babymama.Asf orMainaIdon’
tcarewhatshe
does.”
“
Let
’sgooutf
ordr
inks.
”
“IhaveacourtcasegompienothenIgavet
ogo
homeandt endtoYaya.She’sback.
”
“Icancomeovert
hen.Usnotbeingabletodi
scuss
Bantudoesn’
tmeanwestopbeingfr
iends.Olai
taka
wena.”
Lefalaughed.“Don’
tyouhaveyourbr
other
’s
businesstorun?”
“Ineedabr eak.Gapehe’
sl efthi
slawyertobe
hoveringover,asmuchast hatladyisbeautif
ulI
can’thelpbutthi
nkoviolent.Isawherhusband
somet i
meback..okareheget scontrol
ledbythe
wifemmewhent heyf
ir
stmetshewasst i
lll
ooki
ng
forajob.”
“That
’swhathappenswhent
heycl
imbt
heladder
.
Akerenowshe’sobvi
ousl
ymaki
ngmorethanhe
makessoi
t’
sal
laboutt
hepocket
.”
“
Ahhnnankaswa!
”
“
Lif
elai
taka,
Iwi
llseeyoul
atert
hen.
”
“
Shar
p.”
Tshepohungupanddr oveof
finhisbrother
’scar
cal
li
nganumberhehadbeengi ven.Itr
ang
unansweredashesloweddownbyt heredtraf
fic
l
ightthenbequi
ckl
ysentamessagebef orecall
ing
agai
n.

*
**

InMaun,Bantuparkedhercaratt
hehospi
taland
steppedoutpi
cki
ngacal l
.
“
Hel
lo?
”
“
Hi…uhkeTshepo.
”
“
Hi.
”
“
Pul
ewasf
oundgui
lt
yofmur
dert
hought
hecour
t
acknowl
edgedi
twasi
nsel
fdef
ense.
”
Bantutookherwhi
tecour
tandputi
tont
opofher
reddress.
“
Oh.
.”
“Hehasbeensent
encedt
ofi
veyear
swi
tht
wo
suspended.
”
“
Ok.
”
“Heaskedmetogiveyouacal
landaskhismuch
youwil
lneedf
orthekidsmont
hly.Tohel
psuppor
t.
”
“Ri
ghtnowIam payi ngSasa3kbutwi t
hanot her
babyandthef actt
hatshe’snowalsogoingtobe
hel
pingmecl eanandmai ntai
nthehouse,she’s
goi
ngtowantmor e.IwanttotakeMotheotoaday
caresothatwhenIam atwor kSasadoesn’thavea
l
ottodealwith.Wameneedsmor eatt
enti
onleene.”
“
Ok.Sohowmuchi
sthedaycar
e?”
“
Ispoketot
hel
adyandshesaysi
t’
sP800per
month.
”
“
Andhowmuchdoyouneed?
”
“
Uh5ki
senough.
”
“
Ok.Iwi
llt
alkt
othel
awyer
.”
“
Ok.ThankyouTshepo”
“
It
’sok.Howareyoufeel
ing.Iheart
heydi
dn’
t
r
emovet hebul
let
.”
“
No.Theysai
ditwon’
tmovesoIshoul
dbegood.
”
“
Okbye.
”
“
Bye.
”
Shehungupt
hengotherbagandwal
kedi
nsi
det
he
hospi
tal
.

*
**

Tshepocal
ledAsast
il
ldr
ivi
ngt
ohi
shouse.
“
Hel
lo?
”
“Ispoket
oBant
u.ShesayssheneedsP5kf
orbot
h
kids.
”
“
Bot
h?”
“Yes.MotheoandWame.Shesaysshewant sto
takeMotheotoschoolandalsohastoincr
easethe
nanny’
ssalaryfr
om 3k.It
hinksheshouldget10k
permonth.Justli
kePulewasgivi
ngher.”
“Tshepot hiswomani syourbr other’
sexgirlf
riend.
Thatsecondchi l
di snotyourbr other
’s.Motheoi s
tooyoungf orschool,heneedst obeathome
playingandsheshoul dlookaGoddamnJob!The
benef i
tsshewasget ti
ngwhenshewaswi thPul e
areover .Theybrokeup.Sosheshoul dcont r
ibute
totheirson’ swelf
are.Iwi llnotevenment ionthe
onewho’ snothis.3kisal otofmoneyf orananny
totakecar eofonechi ld.Ifshewant stoincreasei t
,
i
twi llbefrom herownpocket .From that3k,Pule
willbepayi nghalf.Meani ngkeP1500.Thenf or
mai ntenancewear ewill
ingt ogiveher2k. ”
“Andwhot oldyouthattheyareover?Bant uke
BantuMot samaiso.Sheishi
swi feandshe’ smy
sist
eri
nlaw.Thosechi l
drenareMot samai so’
s.
WhenPul emar r
iedher,hewasmar r
yingwi t
hthat
babytoo.Shewi l
lgetbenefi
tsthatMot heogets
becauseshe’sWameMot samaiso’s.Bantuwi l
lnot
contributetoshi tbecauseshehasahusbandwho
willtakecar eofher .
.shewi l
lgetthat10kpermont h,
whet heryoul ikei tornot.Iwi l
ldeter
mi nei fshe
needsmor eont opofthatbecauseobvi ously
there’sani ssueyar ent.Asf arasIknow, Bantu
doesn’ tpayr ent.Shedi dn’tpayrenther eandwon’ t
bepayi ngr entther e.Dealwi thyourjealousyoutof
theof fi
ce,get t
ingf uckeddoesn’ tmakeyou
presidentinPul e’sli
fe.
.there’sonepr esidentand
that’
sBant u.Dealwi thit.Andsendt hef irst10k
today.Thenextonewi llbemont hend.Doyouhave
anyquest i
ons? ”
“
Youar
enotgoi
ngt
otal
ktomel
ike-
“
“
Iwil
ltal
ktoyouhoweverIwant
,Ipayyou!Send
t
hatmoney.Thanks.
”
Hehungupt
urni
ngbyhi
shouse.

FOURYEARSLATER
.
.
.
Hadahecticdayatwor
k,wassoexhaust
ed
yest
erday,
apologi
es
[
06/
22,
08:
30] :Fal
lenAngel
#99

FourYear
sLat
er…

AtBunnyRi verLodge, Bantuwalkedaroundwith

thei
nteri
ordesi gnerastheyviewedt hel
odge.
Bantuwalkedi nsidethePresi
dentialSui
teand
smil
edwal kingovert othebal
conyt hatl
ookedover
theOkavangor iver.
Theint
eri
ordesi
gnersmi
led.Bant
utur
nedand
l
ookedaroundtheroom.
“
Ilovei
t.
”
“
Iam gl
ad.
”
Bant
ulookedatt
heli
ght
s.“Ial
solovet
hose.Thank
youf
orputti
ngmyideai
ntoreal
it
y.”
“Iam happyyouar
ehappy.Youshoul
dbeabl
eto
star
trunningt
hepl
acenow.”
“
Yes.Wear
eopeni
ngt
hedoor
sinaweek.
”
Bantu’
sphonerangassheiswal
kedf
urt
heri
ntot
he
sui
tegoingt
othemasterbedr
oom.
“
Mama…”
“
HiBant
u.Iwant
edtoaskifyouarest
il
lbr
ingi
ng
t
heki
dsoverwhenschool
sclose?
”
“
Yes.Ineedabr
eak.
”
Mer
apel
olaughed.“
KanaJuni
ormi
ssest
hem.
”
“
Iknow.Howi
she?
”
“He’
sfinemmenoteveryoneunder
standsthathe’
s
auti
sti
c.I
tmakesi
thardforhi
mt omakef r
iendsbut
enehe’sdoi
ngwel
l.
”
“
Ok.Iam att
hel
odge.I
t’
sbeaut
if
ul.
”
“Iscaredt
ogett
oohappy,
wheni
shef
ini
shi
nghi
s
sentence?
”
“Idon’
tknow,
thel
astt
imeIhear
dhehadgot t
enan
extr
ayeargot
wehebeatanot
herpr
isonert
il
lhe
al
mostdi
ed.
”
“
What
?”
“
Yes.Tshepotol
dmethoughIam notsurpr
isedhe
woul
ddot hat
.KanaPul
ehasatemper.”
“
Iam st
il
lsur
pri
sedyout
ookhi
smoneyandused
i
t.
”
“Heleftt
hosecardwi thmesot hatIuseit.The
otherhadovermi l
li
on.GapeIam doi ngitforhis
chil
dren.Thi
slodgewi llbenefithischil
dren.Ebil
eI
wanttobuyanot herplotinGabor onenexttothe
oneIgotlastyear.Iam thinkingofbui l
dinga
preschoolonit
.Thepl otyat engi s150k.Keya
maosadimogol o( i
t’
sownedbyanol dlady)andshe
saysshe’stoooldt obuil
dsoIam get ti
ngi t
.There’
s
500klefti
ntheot heraccountsoIwantt obui l
dwi t
h
thatmoneybeforehe’ sreleased.”
“Bat
hongBant
u,youhavespentsomuchalr
eady!
Howmuchi si
tnow?Incl
udi
ngt hatpl
otf
ort
he
l
odge.”
“
Pulewon’
tevenfeel
thatamount.Hestol
eenough
moneyt
olasthi
m alif
etime.I
t’
sbarel
yover
2mi
ll
ion.
”
“
Andyetyouf
earhi
m?2mi
ll
ioni
sal
ot.Bant
u..
”
“
Eveni
fhekil
lsme,
Iwoul
dhavedonesomet
hing
f
ormysel
f.
”
“
Iwor
ryaboutyou.
”
Bant
usmi
led.“
Iam al
ivenow.
”
“
Kanayourf
atherst
il
lhasn’
tusedmadiamagadi
.”
“
Howmuchi
sit
?”
“
Hepai
d90k.
”
Bantulaughed.“
Tell
himtogi
vemet
hatmoney
becausehe’snotser
ious.
”
Mer
apel
olaughed.“
Leaveyourf
atheral
one.
”
“
Heshoul
dgetanot
hercarwi
tht
hatmoney.
”
“
Tel
lhim.NnaIam ti
redoft
hatbrokent
hingt
hat
wehavetopush.He’
shere,
bye.
”
Mer
apel
ohungup.
Bant
uwalkedaroundt
helodget
otheothersi
de
wher
ethesmallbeaut
yspawas.Shef
inall
ywalked
outpassi
ngtheoutdoorrest
aurantt
henwal
kedto
thebackoft
helodgewher eshehadputagarden
thatwoul
dhostevents.
Shesmiledsteppi
ngont hebeachsandtheyhad
putneartheri
vergi
vingtheplacebeachvi
bes.She
tookoutherphonethentookpictur
esknowing
peopl
ewer egoingtofl
ockassoonast heyopened
i
t.
Shesmi l
edwalkingtohercart
hendroveof
fleavi
ng
theconstr
ucti
onmendoi ngthefi
nalt
ouchupson
theoutdoorr
estaurant
.
Shedroveoffgoingtothechil
dren’
spre-school
.
Bant
udr ovei
nsidetheschoolpremisesthensmiled
asWamequi ckl
yst oodupfrom thebenchwhere
shewasseated.
Bant
ust
eppedoutandwal
kedover
.
“
Heybaby…”
WamesmiledasBantupi
ckedherup.Shestil
l
l
ookedasneatasshewereint
hemor ni
ng,her
uni
for
m st
il
lcl
eanandthetwobunsinherheadst
il
l
i
ntact
.
Bant
usmi
led.“
Hi,
howwasschool
?”
“We…t eachermadeussi
ngt
henwedancedand
played.
”
“
Real
ly?
”
Wamenodded.“
Mot
heoi
spl
ayi
ng.
”
BantuwatchedasMotheocamer unni
ng.She
l
ookedathisdirt
yunif
orm andt
hesandinhishead.
Helookedli
kehedidn’
thaveahome.Shenever
underst
oodjustwhyhecouldneverst
ayclean.No
matterwhat,
healwaysmadesuretogetdirt
y.
“
Whyar
eyoudi
rt
y?”
“
Iwaspl
ayi
ng.AndIwonasweet
.”
Hesmi
ledandhuggedherwi
thhi
sdi
rt
iness.
“Youarelate.Iknowyouarelat
ebecauseAl
ice’
s
mom alreadycamet otakeherandAl
ice’
smom is
neverl
ate.”
“
Iam sor
ry.Takeyourbagsr
etsamaye.
”
Heranovertothebenchandt
ookhi
sandhi s
si
ster
’sbags.Bant
uputWameatthebackseatas
Motheocli
mbedin.Shegoti
nthecaranddr
oveof
f
pi
ckinganincomi
ngcall
.
“
Yaya…”
“
Mmamycarj
usthadabr
eakdown.
”
“
Gape?
”
“AhhmmakanaInevergott
ofixi
t.Theguywat
eng
areenehewant
s15kforaful
lser
vice.
”
“Ei
shbuthe’
sri
ght
.Yourcari
sbi
g.I
tpr
obabl
y
needsalot
.”
“Idon’
thavet
hatki
ndofmoney.Wor
kingt
he
governmenti
sbull
shi
t.
”
“Whydon’
tyousell i
tthough?Thatcar
’s
maint
enanceistoomuch.Youhaveusedmor et
han
100konit
’sservi
cingsinceyouboughtit
.”
“
Anddowhataf
tert
hat
?”
“Getasmal
lcar.ACRVoraGol f
.Somethi
ngyou
canmanage.Obviousl
ythatcariswayoutofyour
budget
.”
“
Soyouwantmet
osel
lmyG-
Wagonebeker
eka
Toyot
a?(
andbuysToyot
a?)
”
“
Orsomet
hingsmal
l
.”
“Somethi
ngsmal
lkeng?Youdon’
tusesomet
hing
small
.”
“
CX5i
smanageabl
e.”
“It
’smanageablebecauseakerewenayouarebusy
kamadiabogodu( youarebusywit
htheftmoney)
Youwon’ tfeeli
tbecauseyoudon’
tworkhardforal
l
themoneyyouhave.Ebi l
eyoucoul
dbuil
dadoubl e
storeyinSerowe,al
lthatwit
hmoneythat
’snot
yours.”
“
Iam t
ryi
ngt
ohel
pyou.
”
“NyaaBantu,somet
imesi
tfeel
sli
keyoucompare
usalot.Kanasomeofusgetwhatweworkfor
.”
“I
twasj ustadviceYamasa, t
akeitorleaveit.
ObviouslyG-Wagoni shardtomai nt
ain.I
t’
sgoi ngto
fi
nishyourmoney, nowwi thfuelpri
cesgoingup,
youaregoi ngtofeeli
t.Butyoucankeepi t.Iam not
compar i
ngyouwi thme. ”
“
Youwantmet
ogetaToyot
asoyout
omake
your
sel
fthebet
terone.
”
“Mxm,youaresmoki
ngebi
lewasnkol
ota.(
Youar
e
owingme.)
”
“
Idon’
thavemoneynow.Iam bor
rowi
ng5kt
oo.
”
“Idon’thavemoney.Br i
ngbackthe20kIbor rowed
youf i
rst.Youar el
ivi
nganexpensivel
if
eyoucl ear
ly
can’tafford.Howcansomeonewhor entsahouse
ya10kmont hl
ykoPhakalanebetheonebor r
owing
moneyf r om us?Byemma, Iam withmykids.”
Bant
uhungupandl
ookedatMot heodrawi
ng
somethi
ngf
orWameatthebackseat.
Damnt hi
sboyl ookedsomuchlikehisfat
heri
t
scaredher.Thatsmil
e..t
hewayhef urr
owedhis
eyebrowswhenconf usedandJesusthetemper
thatcoul
dhita100i nasecond.
Eventhecomplexion.ShelookedatWame, seemed
al
lherkidshadtakentheirfather
’scomplexion.She
drovehomeandpar kedbesi desthePol
oVi voSasa
usedforthechi
ldr
en.
Theywal
kedi
nthehouse.Sasasmi
ledast
heki
ds
r
anovert
oher
.Shel
aughedhuggi
ngt
hem.
“
Imi
ssedyouguys!
”
Bant
uwalkedtoherbedr
oom t
henundr
essed
bef
orepi
ckingacal
l.
“
Hel
lo?
”
“
Heybabe,
Ijustar
ri
vedi
nMaun.
”
Bant
usmil
ed.“
Oh,It
houghtyourcasei
nShakawe
wasgoi
nggotakel
ong?”
“
Yaabutweendedsol vi
ngitatKgot
lasoIt
houghtI
mightaswel
lcomeback.Anyways,Iwasthi
nki
ng
maybewedodi nnert
onight
.Imissyou.
”
“
Imi
ssyout
oo.Di
nneri
sfi
ne.
”
“
Ok, af
tert
henwecangohome,
wat
chamovi
eand
r
elax.”
“
I’
dlovet
hat
.”
“
Whatt
imeshoul
dIpi
ckyouup?
”
“
Uhei
ght
?Ei
ghti
sfi
ne.
”
“
Ok,
Iloveyou.
”
“
Met
oo.
”
Hehungupthensheexci
tedl
ywal
kedt
oher
bat
hroom.

*
**

InGaborone,Mainawalkedi
nsi
deherhousef
rom
hershi
ftcall
ingLefa.
“
Hel
lo?
”
“Hi
,sotomor
rowIwasthi
nkingmaybewecango
outwit
hAmet oLi
on’
sPark.She’
sbeent
alki
ng
aboutgoi
ngt
here.
”
“
Iam notar
ound.
”
“
Oh,
wher
edi
dyougo?
”
“Iam handli
ngacasesomewher
ebutmaybenext
weekendt houghi
twi
llonl
ybemeandher
.Itol
d
youthat-
“
“
Kantedoesn’
tthi
sgirl
fr
iendofyoursunder
stand
t
hatyouhaveachild?Andwhyar eyouevenhidi
ng
herbecausei
fshe’
sgoi
ngtobear
oundmychi
ldI
needtoknowhowsheis.
”
“She’
snotyourbusinessandmewant ingtoset
boundari
eshasnot hi
ngt odowithher.Icantel
l
goreyouexpectmor ethoughIthoughtbynowyou
wouldknowt hatIdon’
tloveyouMai na.YouandI
wil
lnevergetbackwitheachotherbecauseIdon’t
l
oveyou.”
Sheswall
owed.“
Youcan’tt
akemydaught
er
anywher
ewhereIam notar
ound.
”
“
Ok,
thenkeepher
.Ihavet
ogo.Shar
p.”
Hehungup.Mai natookadeepbr eathtr
yingt o
pret
endasifshewasn’thurt.Shepausedbumpi ng
i
ntohisnewpr of
il
epict
ure.Shelookedatt heblack
andwhi t
epict
ureofawoman’ slegs.Sherolledher
eyesthenconti
nuedscrol
li
ng.
Shest
oppedscr
oll
ingcomingacrossanol
dcl
ass
matewho’
smagadihadjustbeenpaid
I
tseemedeveryonesheknewwasnowmar r
ied
wit
hkidswhil
eeveryrel
ati
onshi
pshegotint
ojust
f
ail
ed.Tear
sfil
ledhereyes,
atherageshedi
dn’t
haveaweddingringonherfi
nger.Rel
ati
vesnow
asked,evenhercousi
nsinheragegroupwere
marri
ed.Justher
.
Shestil
lcoul
dn’tunderst
andwhyitwashardfor
Lefatoseeshewast heonlywomanwhocoul dl
ove
him,shehadforgivenhimforever
ythi
ng,
incl
udi
ng
him br
ingi
ngdiseasestoher.
Sher
ubbedhert
ear
sandt
ext
edaf
ri
end.
Maina:HiKef
i,It
houghtaboutt
hatstor
yyout
old
meabout.Iwantmyf amil
yback,whencanwego
andseethemanwhocanhel pme?

*
**

InMaun, Bantufi
nishedhermakeup.Shef ixedher
babyhairsthenbest oodupi nashortsi
lkydress
thatshowedsmoot hl egs.Shesl
ippedhernicel
y
paint
edtoesintohersandalheels.Herphoneas
shepickedherpurse.
Shel
ookedatYamasacal
li
ngandsi
ghed
wonder
ingifshewantedt
or ui
nhermood.Shetook
adeepbreathandpi
ckedjustasherboyf
ri
end
dr
oveinoutside.
“
Hel
lo?
”
“
Heel
a,Pul
ehasbeenr
eleased.
”
“
Huh?
”
“Ij
ustsawmoTheVoi ceNewspaper ,hewas
rel
easedinthemorning.Ijustsentascreenshotof
theart
icl
e,
okarethepolicekeptitunderwraps.I
sentyouascreenshot.
”
Herboyf
riendknocked.“
Ihavet
ogo.Iwi
llcheck
t
hescreenshot.
”
Shehungupandwalkedouthol
dingherhandbag.
Motheol
ookedather
.
“
Wher
ear
eyougoi
ng?
”
“
Iam goi
ngt
oeatwi
thaf
ri
end.Goodni
ght
.Bye
Wawa?”
Wameputfoodinhermouthandwaved.Bantu
wal
kedtothedoorandopenedsmil
ing.Hersmi
le
dr
oppedgett
ingrepl
acedwit
hshockasherheart
ski
pped.
.
.
.
[
06/
22,
08:
30] :Fal
lenAngel
#100

Bant
uleanedagai
nstt
hedoorf
rame,
herknees
weakeni
ng.
“
Angel
…”
Shelookedathimfeeli
ngherbodyhi
tupasher
i
ntesti
nestwi
stedpainful
ly.
Pul
elookedather
,shel
ookedprett
ierandshe
smel
tsoogoodhecouldactual
lysmellherf
rom he
wasstandi
ng.
“
Youl
ookbeaut
if
ul.
”
Bantubl
inkedst
il
linshockt
henhesmi
led.“
I
t
houghtI
’dcomeandseeyouf i
rst
.”
“
Why?
”
“
Imi
ssedyou.Youl
ookgor
geous.
”
Shecouldnoti
cethefr
eshhai
rcutorj
usthowhe
l
ookedjustl
ikethePul
esheknew.Thet-shi
rt
showedthetatt
oosonhisar
ms.
Herbr
aintaki
ngherbackri
ghttothatfi
rstdayshe
sawhi
m.Shebl i
nkedthenaninvol
untarytearr
oll
ed
downhercheek.
Pul
etookast
epf
orwar
dandhel
dhersof
thand.
“
Youdon’
tknowhowmanyt
imesIdr
eamtoft
his
moment
..
”
Anothertearrol
leddownasemot ionsover
whelmed
her
.Pulet ookanotherstepfor
wardandpulledher
i
nhisar ms.Shebi therl
owerlipi
nhali
nghisscent
admor etearsfi
lledhereyes.
Pulewrappedhisarmsaroundherandheldher
ti
ghtl
y.Tearsfel
lwett
inghist-
shi
rt
,conf
usi
onand
shockrenderi
ngherfrom sayi
ngaword.
Sheleanedherweightonhim,herkneesgi
vingi
nto
weakness.Pul
eclosedhiseyes.
“
Iam sor
ry.
”
Bantu’
sboyfri
end’
sRapt uredrovein,Bant
uquickl
y
movedf r
om him,herheartpounding.Heparked
nexttoherCX5.
Puletur
nedandlookedasherboyf
ri
endst
epped
outandwalkedover.
Bantuquickl
ywipedawayhert ear
sthencl
osedher
doorincaseanyt
hinghappened.
Bant
u’sboyfr
iendpul
ledBant
ucl
oser
.“Hey.
.you
l
ookbeauti
ful
.”
Pulewat
chedwi t
hafrown.Bant
u’sboyf
ri
end,
he
tur
nedandlookedathim.
“
Eit
a..
”
Pul
eglar
edathi
mthenlookedatBant
u.Bant
u
movedcl
osert
oherboyfr
iend.
“Thismychil
dren’
sfather.Theonewhowasi
njai
l.
.
Ididn’
tknowhewasr eleased.
”
“
Theonewhoal
mostki
ll
edyou?
”
Pul
elookedathert
ryi
ngt
okeephi
msel
funder
check.
.“Who’
sthi
s?”
“
Hei
smyboyf
ri
end,
Ray.
”
“Boyf
riend?Boyf
ri
endkeduet
simagadi
?(What
boyfr
iendwhenIhavepai
dmagadi?)
”
“
Papahaskeptyourmoneysohecangiveitback.I
wil
ltel
lhim youar
eoutsohemakesar
rangements
f
oryout ogetbackyourmoney.
”
Pul
elaughed.“
Ist
hisi
saj
oke?
”
Rayl
ookedathi
m.“
No.
”
“
Who’
stal
kingt
oyou?
”
“
Nnakebual ewena,wabel
aela?Youar enotgoi
ng
t
oquestionmywomanl i
keshe’syourwoman.You
l
ostherebil
ekemotser
eandIwi llnotal
lowyouto
t
alkt
oherl i
ket
hat
.”
“
Ray…”
“Nobabe,
wearegoingtoputt
hingsi
nordert
oday
andnowbecauseIdon’
twanttobedeal
ingwi
th
suchi
nthefut
ure.
”
Bant
uswal
lowedl
ooki
ngatPul
e.Hel
aughedagai
n
t
henl
ookedatRaycal
mly.
“
Oepei l
esurekamosadiwamekaconf
idenceya
masepa,ot
anyelakana.
”
“Mychil
drenarei
nsi
de.Pl
easest
opi
tPul
eorIwi
ll
cal
lthepoli
ce.
”
“
Let’
sseeyout
ryandIwi
llhappi
lysendyoubackt
o
j
ail
.”
“Sendmetojail
?”Hechuckl
ed.“Ihopeit
’snot
befor
eIsendyout oafarmuchbetterpl
ace.
”Pul
e
tur
nedtoBantu.“Canwetal
k?”
“
Imovedon.
”
“Let
’stal
kMr s.Motsamaiso.Iwantt
odi
scussmy
chil
dren.Let
’ssi
tinthecar.”
Bant
ulookedatRay.
“
Iam sorr
y.Iwi
lloutyouonspeeddi
al…j
ust
i
ncase.
”
“
Ok.
”
Bant
ugotinPul
e’scarwit
hhim.Pul
elookedather
andswal
lowedunsureofwhatt
osayorhowt oask.
Her
ubbedhi
sface.
“
Idi
dn’
tknowyoumovedon.
”
“Ineededt
omoveonwit
hli
fe.Yourmoneyi
sther
e.
Papahasit.Al
lofi
t.
”
“
Idon’
twanti
t.Ij
ust
..
.”
“YouandIwer edonet hemomentyoushotme
almostkil
li
ngme.Youwant edmedeadt hat
morning.Imovedon.Wi t
hamuchbet terman.He
hasast ablej
obandl eadsastrai
ghtli
fe.Hedoesn’t
scareme, he’
scalm andisnotcontrol
ledbyanger.I
don’
thavet okeepthingsfrom hi
m becausehe
makesmef eelsaf
e.Iam happy.”
Hel
ookedatherunabl
etohi
dehi
shur
t.
“
Am It
hatl
ate?
”
“Idon’
tloveyouanymore.Pleaseal
lowmet omove
onsoyouf indmoresui
tablewomanf oryou
becauseit’
snotme.”
Heari
nghersayIdon’
tyouanymorebr
okehi
shear
t
f
urther
.Thepai
nmakinghardforhi
mtothi
nk.
“
IknowImessedup-
“
“Youalmostki
ll
edme.YoushotmeandIknowt he
great
estmist
akeImadewast oevergot othatt
uck-
shopwhenIdid.Ital
lst
artedthere.Ishoul
dhave
l
eftaft
erMotheowasbor n.Ishouldhaveknown
thenyoucankil
lme.”
“
Igothel
p.”
“Idon’tl
oveyouanymor e.Ihavemovedon.Pl ease
don’tharassme.Ormychi l
dren.YouandIar e
nothingbuttheparent
st oourchildr
en.Respectmy
rel
ationshi
p.Andwewi lltal
kaboutthechil
dren,not
now.Theydon’ tknowyousoIneedt otel
lthenfi
rst
.
Pleasereverseout.
”
Shesteppedoutofthecarandwalkedtothedouble
cabandgotinthecarwhilehewatched,hi
sheart
hurt
ingsomuch.Rayst art
edthecarandflashed
sohecandr i
veout.
Hestar
tedt
hecaranddroveoutt
henwat chedthem
l
aughashedroveoffl
eavi
nghiscaronthesideof
t
heroad.Hi
sphonerangthenbepicked.
“
Yeah?
”
“
Didshet
akeyouback?
”
“
No.
.shemovedon.
”
Ski
jor
aisedhi
svoi
ced.
“
Eng?
”
“
Yeah…shesaysshedoesn’
tlovemeanymor
e.”
“Shoul
dwekillhim?Clear
lyhe’st
heproblem.We
cankil
lhi
m.Getr idofhi
mt henyougetyourfami
ly
backP-Man.Somet i
mesGodputpr obl
emsi nour
waysowecant aketheprobl
emsoutofourway.
Let’
sgetr
idofhi m.”
.
.
.
[
06/
22,
08:
30] :Fal
lenAngel
#101

Thateveni
ng,
Bantusatonthedinnert
abl
estar
ing
atRayashespokeabouthercase.Hermind
sl
ippi
ngovertoPul
e.
Shecoul
dn’
tunderst
andhowhecouldpossi
bly
thi
nkhe’
dfi
ndjustwait
ingandt
hatt
hingswould
j
ustgobacktonormal.
“
Babe,
areyoul
ist
eni
ng?
”
Bant
usmi
led.“
Yes.
”
“
Areyouok?
”
“
Yes.
”
“I
si thi
m?Don’tl
ethi
m gett
oyou.Andhe’
snot
goingtodoanythi
ngtoyou.
”
Bant
utookadeepbr
eat
h.“
Yes.
”
“
Doyouwantust owai
tfort
hedeser
t?Wecanhave
i
tathome.Yourmindi
snother
e.”
“
Ok.
”
Raystoodupt henhelpedherupandkissedher
rai
singhishandforthelawyer
.Hesettl
edthebi
ll
t
hent heybothwalkedout.Bantugoti
nthecarahe
walkedroundgetti
ngont hedri
ver’
sseat
.
Raydrovethem overt
ohishouset
henwal
ked
i
nsidethehousewithher
.Shesatdownt
henhe
knel
tbef
oreherandtookoffherheel
sthen
unzi
ppedherdressanduncli
ppedherbra.
Shesighedasheundressedherandlef
therinonl
y
herpanti
es.Rayki
ssedhersqueezi
ngherbreast
.
“IneedyoutoknowthatIwil
lnotlethi
m hurtyouin
anyway.Icanseeyoustil
lfearhim,whathappened
i
nt hepastwon’
thappenagain.Iam ri
ghthere.You
don’thavet
oli
veinfear
.”
Hekissedheragai
nandpull
edoutherpant
ies.
Bantutouchedhi
schestasheki
ssedhermore.She
unbutt
onedhisshi
rtandhel
pedhi
mt akei
toff.
Rayunzippedhispant sandtookouthi
sdic.He
pul
ledherclosersli
dingitbet
weenherpussylips.
Hekissedhertakingoutthecondom fr
om his
pocket
.Heputi tonand#r emoved.
.
Hedril
ledherf
oracouplemoresecondsgoingf
ull
onfuckmode.Hertoesbeguncurl
ingasthe
pl
easurerose.
Raygr
oanedst
il
li
ngdeepi
nherandf
il
ledt
he
condom.
“
Ahhf
uck!Shi
t!
”
Bant
ulookedhi
m.“
Iwascl
ose…”
Hesli
doutandtookofft
heful
lcondom.“Iam sor
ry
babe…that
’swhyIl
ikemycontr
oll
edspeed.You
knowIam-“
“
Iwascl
ose.Ij
ustneededami
nut
e!”
“
Letmehel
p-“
“
Idon’
twantt
obemuf
fed.Ij
ustwantt
obef
ucked
wit
hadic!
”
“Iam sor
ry.Letmegetami
nut
esowecango
agai
n.”
Tear
sfi
ll
edhereyes.“
You…Ineedt
ogohome.
”
“
Bant
u…t
hiscan’
tbeaboutsex.
”
Shegotof
fthecouch,t
earsf
il
li
nghereyes.“
Ijust
want
edtocum!That’sal
l!
”
Shepickedherdr
essandputi
ton.Rayst
oodup
too.
“
Iam sor
ry.Let
’sdoi
tagai
n.”
Shetookadeepbr
eat
h.“
Ineedt
ogohome.Wewi
ll
dotomorr
ow.”
“
Bant
u-“
Shepi
ckedherpant
yandphone.
“
Babe…hey…”
Het ouchedher
.Bant
ulookedathi
m.“Ij
ustdon’
t
feelokknowingPul
eisoutther
e.Myki
ds…Ineedto
gohome. ”
Shepickedhi
scarkeysandwal kedoutunl
ocki
ng
hi
scar.Rayquicklyputonhispant
sandhurri
edout
butshewasalreadydrivi
ngout.
Hewalkedbackint
hehouset
hent
ookhi
sphone
andcal
ledher.
Herphonejustrangunanswer
ed.Hesatdownt
hen
pi
ckedhisbrother’
scal
l.
“
Ray,
doyouhaveyourt
oolbox?
”
“
Yeah.
”
“
Great
..
Ineedone,
Iam comi
ng.I
sBant
uther
e?”
“
Shej
ustl
eft
.Youcancome.
”
“
Whathappened?Herki
ds?
”
“
Idon’
tknow.Icamebef oreshedidbutit’
sbeena
week,
andbesidesherbringhotaheater…shewas
t
ouchi
ngherselfandshewant edi
tfast.
”
Hi
sbr
otherl
aughed.“
Soyoucamebef
oreher
?”
“YesbutIj
ustneededaminutet
ogathermysel
fso
wecangof ort
hesecondroundbutshewaspissed
andshelef
t.Herexisout
.”
“
What
?”
“Yeah.Iguessshewasal readyupsetabout
somet hi
ng,hetriedmebutIdidn’
tlethimthinkhe
canjustdowhat everheli
ked.Enehe’severythi
ng
theysayhei s.Idon’
tevenknowwhatshesawi n
him butlovecanmakeusl ovethestrangest
people.”
“Nowimaginet
hatshe’
shisbabydaddy.He’
s
alwaysgoi
ngtobether
e.”
“
Ihaveal
waysfantasi
zedabouthavi
ngawoman
wit
hki
dsRon..It
oldmyselfIwoul
dloveherki
ds
l
ikeIwoul dl ovemyown.Bet hebestfatherIcanbe.
Totagi vemysel ftothem.IguessBant uisabi t.
.
reservedbecausei nthef ullyearwehavebeen
together,herkidsdon’ tknowme.Nowwi ththisguy
out,andhei sapr oblem, Idon’tthi
nkIwantdr ama
butkebat agonyal a.Woul dIbewr onggoaskf or
thekidst oremai nwit htheirfather
?Idon’tmi nd
them visit
ingasmuchasshewant sbutIjustdon’t
wantunnecessar yf i
ghtsbecausennaI ’dfuckhi s
enti
relifeup. ”
“I
t’
str
ickybutyoucanalwaysask.I
’
ddot hesame,I
haver
eadaboutthisguytoknowhe’sful
lofshi
t.
Butal
so,Ithi
nkyoushoulddi
scussitwit
hBantu.
”
“Idon’twanttocomeacrossasifIdon’
twanther
kids.Honestl
yIdo.Theysoundli
kethesweetest
kidsgapewi t
hmyconditi
on,youknowIdon’tmind.
Throughthem Iam abl
etobeaf at
her.”
“
Iknow.Discussi
twi
thBant
u.Doessheknow
t
hough?”
“No.Butshedoesn’
twantanymorechil
dren.It
old
herIam goodwitht
hatsowearesort
ed.ButIwill
t
ellher
.”
“Thesoonert
hebetter
.Goodshedoesn’
twantmor
e
kidssoyouri
nfer
ti
li
tyshoul
dn’
tbeanissue.
”
“
Yeah.
.”
Theyconti
nuedt
alki
ngashepi
ckedherheelf
rom
thef
loor
.

*
**

Banturol
leddownthewindowsdrivi
ngbacktoher
house.Herphonerang,
shepickeditupt
aki
nga
tur
ninherstreet
“RayIam dr i
ving.Tot
aIam noti nagoodspace
ri
ghtnow.Al lIwantedtoni ghtwasgoodsex…t hat’
s
all
.Somet imesIj ustwantgoodsex…l i
ket oni
ght.I
want edtof orgetandenjoyi t.Youdi dn’tevenletme
cum, Ijustwant edtobef uckedhar dandchocked
andever ything..
Iam t
iredofmi ssionaryt oo.I
want edyout opi nmeont hewal landf uckmet il
lI
can’tfeelmypussy.Iwant edyout ol etmecum
thenf uckmet i
llIam thoroughlyused.Iwantt o
wakeupwi thanachi ngpussy.Iwantt ostruggleto
sittomorrow.Iwantt obef uckedt oastagewher eI
feelitburni
ngwheneveryousl ideinthenyoudon’ t
stop.Fuckmel ikeawhor e.Idon’tmind.Spank
me…abusemyp* ssy.Ijust.
.Iwant edmore.”
“
Icangi
veyout
hat
.”
Bant
ufrownedt
henlookedatherscreen.She
sl
oweddownatherhousethenlookedathiscar
st
il
lpar
kedwhereshelef
tit
.
“
Whatar
eyoust
il
ldoi
ngher
e?”
“
Wai
ti
ngf
oryou.
”
Shehungupandangri
lyst
eppedoutofthecar
.
Pul
egotoutandl
ookedatherangr
yface,soangr
y
i
tscar
edhim.
“Whyareyouwai ti
ngforme?Soyoucanmur der
mykidsandIandcl aim youdi
dn’
t?It ol
dyout o
l
eavedidn’
tI?Doyout hinkyoucanjustcomeback
andfi
ndmewai t
ingforyou?Youwer ethef i
rst
mist
akeIhaveevermadei nmyent i
reli
fe.Iregret
youeverysi
ngleday.Iactual
lywishedtheyhung
yousothatthewor l
dgetsar eli
efbecauseyouare
sounnecessary,nooneshoul dhavepickedyou
fr
om whatevertoil
etyouwerepi ckedfr
om because
cl
earl
ytheshitgotintoyourhead! ”
Pul elookedathert hensmi l
ed.“Nopaebot hoko.
(Beinghor nyi spai
nful.)Yabol aya.(Horni
nesskill
s.)
Andt r
ustme…youj ustneedgooddi candyouwi l
l
bef ine.Iwillact
uall
yt akeyouri nsult
saf t
erthat,
rightnowyouar ehor nyi t
’sangeringyou.Lookat
howyouar eshaking…shoul dIgiveittoyou..Iwi
ll
takeever yinsultaft
ert hatMr s.Motsamai so.
”
“
Ihat
eyou!
”
“Saythewor
dandIwi
llgi
vei
ttoyou.Iam not
sti
ngy.”
.
.
.
[
06/
22,
08:
30] :Fal
lenAngel
#102
Bant
ulookedathi
mthent
ookast
epback.
“Sothi
ngsaresupposedt
obej ustnor
malforyou?
Andyouaresupposedtojustgetwhatyouwant
becausei
t’
sPule.
”
“
No.
”
“Youexpect
edmetojustjumpbecauseyouhave
beenrel
easedf
rom j
ailhuh?Justr
ocki
ngupatmy
house…”
“Ij
ustwantedtoseeyou.Iunder
standyouar
e
upsetAngel-
“
“Youdon’ tunderst
andanythi
ng.Youdon’t
understand.Icouldhavebeendead…youdon’ t
understandnot hi
ng,youwantedmedead.I sthat
theloveyougr ewupwi t
h?Thetypeyouhurtthe
otherpersonandat tempttoki
llt
hem everychance
youget?I sthattheloveyouhaveforTshepo?”
Pul
elookedather
.“Imessed-
“
“No.Youdidn’
tmessup.I
t’
sonl
yamessup
becauseIam st
il
lher
eandyou….Youl
ovet
hisl
it
tl
e
gameyoupl aywher etheot herper sonisin
constantf
ear.
.Ican’tdoit.Ican’ tdot hatanymore.I
don’twanttodothat .
.IwishIcoul dtakebackt he
handsoftimePul e.IwishIcoul d.Yourl i
ttl
e
apologi
esandlit
tlelieswon’ twor kthisti
mear ound
becauseIam donewi t
hyou.I fyoucomebackher e
orcallmeagain,Iwillcal
lthepol iceandf il
ea
harassmentcase.”
“Iam sorryf
orjustcoming.Youareri
ght,
youhave
ever
yot herr
ighttobemadandnotwantanyt hing
todowi thme.Idon’tbl
ameyou.Ideserveevery
l
astofyouranger .CanIpleaseseet
hekids?”
“Mykidsdon’
tknowyou.Idi
dn’
ttel
lthem aboutyou.
Iwi
llhavetot
ellt
hem f
ir
st.
”
“Ok.That’
sfinewithme.Wewi l
lmoveatyour
pace.”Pulesmil
ed.“IsawyourhouseinSerowe.I
t’
s
beautif
ul,
mor ebeauti
fult
hanIi
magineditwould
be.”
“
Thankyou.
”
“
Andt
hel
odget
oo.I
t’
sbeaut
if
ul.
”
Shet
ookadeepbr
eat
h.“
It
’sf
ort
heki
ds.Ij
ust
wantedt
hem t
ohavesomet
hingandnoonewas
usi
ngthemoney.
”
Pulesmi l
ed.“
Iloveit
.Butyouarewelcome.Ili
ke
everyt
hingyoudidwi t
htheplace.I
t’
sgoingtobea
topsell
er.Youjustneedpropermarket
ing.
”
Shenodded.“
Iwast
hinki
ngt
odoal
aunch.
”
“Yeah,youcaneleasortofevent
.Maybet
heday
beforetheof
fi
cialopeni
ng.
”
“Yes.Thelodgeisbeauti
ful
,youdon’thavet
oworry
aboutcustomersfl
ocking.Theri
vergivesi
ta
peacefulf
eeli
ng.Iwonderhowt hevi
ewi satni
ght
.”
Bant
usmi
led.“
It
’sbeaut
if
ul.
”
“
Iam pr
oudofyou.
”
“Thanks.Iboughtapl
oti
nGabsawhi l
ebackand
nowIwantt obuytheonenextt
oitandbui
lda
preschool
.”
“
Youcannevergowr
ongwi
thaschool
.”
“Iam goi
ngt
ouset
her
emai
ningmoneyi
nthe
card.
”
Pul
esmi
led.“
Howcomeyoudon’
that
emymoney?
”
“
Itnevert
ri
edki
ll
ingme.
”
“
Fai
r…youl
ookr
eal
lybeaut
if
ul.
”
Bant
ul ookedathi
mthenmovedback.Pul
elookat
hert
highsexposed.
“Myofferisst
il
lupf
orgrabs.Youcansti
llhat
eme
aft
er.Doingyour
sel
fwon’tf
eelthesame.
”
“
Pleasego.
”
“
Canbeagai
nstthatcar.Youwon’
thavet
odo
muchandi
twil
lallbeforyou.
”
Hereyesinvolunt
arymoveddownhi spant
sasi t
j
erked.Shelookedawaythenopenedhergate.She
gotinthecaranddroveonheryard.Shewalkedto
thegatebaref
ootedthenhehel
pedherclosethe
gateandlookedather.
“
Lookatme…”
Hetouchedhercheeklooki
ngintohereyes,t
he
nei
ghbor’
sli
ghtsenabl
inghimtoseeherpr oper
ly.
Bant
upushedhi shandoffandturnedwalki
ngaway.
Hegotinhiscarandst art
edtheengi
ne.Shetur
ned
asheplayedasongt akingherbackt
othedayLefa
tr
uedrapingher…thecakeandf l
owershehad
gott
enforher.Sheturnedandwalkedtothedoor
.
Sheknockedgently.
Sasaopenedthedoormi
nut
esl
ater
.Bant
usmi
led
andwalkedi
n.
“
Hi.
.”
Sasalookedoutsi
det
henclosedthedoor
.“Thatcar
neverl
eft.Ker
ragweMotheo?Iheardhi
svoice.
”
Bant
unoddedwal
kingt
oherbedr
oom.

*
**

Thefol
lowingmorning,
Yamasascroll
edlooki
ngfor
acheapermechaniconFacebook.Shethought
ful
ly
cal
ledherboyf
ri
end.
“
Babe…”
“
Hi,
mycari
sbr
oken.
”
“
Whathappenedt
oit
?”
“I
tneedsser
vici
ng.Shoul
dIt
akei
tthenyouwi
ll
sett
let
hebil
l?
”
“
Howmuchi
sthebi
ll
?”
“
15k.
”
“
15k?Al
lforser
vici
ng?
”
“
Yes.
”
“IcanbuyaHondaFi
twi
tht
hatcar
,that
’smyent
ir
e
salar
y.”
“
Aker
eyouhavesavi
ngs?
”
“
Iam notpayi
ng15kf
oryout
ofi
xacar
.”
“
Youneverdoanyt
hingf
orme.
”
“Iam notpayi
ng15kf
oryougof
ixacar
.Ihaveki
ds
Yamasa.“
“
Youdon’
tloveme.Canyoujustadmiti
t?DoIhave
t
obegyoutodoeveryt
hing?Youaresosti
ngy.
”
“Iam notst
ingy,
Ijustdon’
thavemoneylying
around,t
hatdoesn’tmeanIdon’
tloveyou.Il
ong
tol
dyout ogetsomet hi
ngthatyoucanmai
ntai
n.
Thatcaristoomuch, Idon’
tevenknowwhyyou
keepit.Youdon’tneedaG-Wagonbabe.Your
salar
ycan’taff
ordyout okeepthi
scar.
”
“I
fyoucan’taff
ordmesayso.Thi srelat
ionshi
pi sa
wasteoftime.Youneverdoanythingniceforme.
Youcompl ai
nforever
ycoin.Iam tir
edofit.Other
menbuypl otsandbui
ldforthei
rgirl
fri
ends.They
getspoi
led.”
“Iam goingtohangupbefor
eyousayhur
tfult
hings.
Wewi llt
alkonceyouhavecal
meddown.Il
ove
you.
”
Hehungupthenshecal
ledBantu.Bant
u’sphone
r
angforawhil
ebefor
eshepicked.
“
Hel
lo?
”
“
Didyour
eadt
hear
ti
cle.Gat
wehe’
sout
.”
“
Yeah.
”
“
Whatar
eyougoi
ngt
odo?
”
“
Not
hing.Ther
e’snot
hingIcando.
”
“
Canyoubor
rowmemoneyf
rom t
hemoneyhel
eft
foryou.Ineedtofixmycar .Akereit
’snotl
ikeit
’s
yourmoneysoi tshouldn’
thurtyou.LeaseBantu.I
willr
eplaceassoonasIgetpai d.Youcanmakei t
20k.Iwillr
etur
nitIpromise.Ijustneedtofixmy
car,Iwi
llneveraskanythi
ngf r
om youeveragain.
Please…Iam beggingyouf ri
end.”
.
.
.
[
06/
22,
08:
30] :Fal
lenAngel
#103

“
Idon’
thavemoneyYamasa.
”
“
Iknowyouhavemoneyt
hatPul
elef
tforyou.
”
“
Puleisoutofjai
l,
Iam surehe’
sgoi
ngtowanthi
s
t
hingsback.Idon’
thavethatki
ndofmoney.
”
“
Thensendi
tbef
orehet
akest
hem.
”
“Iam notdoi
ngthat
.Idon’
thavemoneyt
ogiveyou
andIam notgivi
ngyouPule’
smoneyYamasa.Iam
notgi
vingyouanymoney.Youkeepi
ngt
hatcar
meansyoucanaffor
dit
.”
“
Soyoudon’
twantt
ohel
pme?
”
“Ihaveexpensestoo.Idon’
thave20kj
ustl
ying
around.Idon’
thavemoney.”
“
Whyar
eyoust
ingywi
thmoneyt
hat
’snotyour
s?”
“Whydoyouf eelent
it
ledt
othi
smoney?Iam not
givi
ngyouanyt hingYamasaandthat
’si
t.Iam not
goingtogetintoanargumentwit
hyou,youarenot
goingtorui
nmymoodYamasa.Ihavehadi twit
h
you.Iam ti
red.”
“
Ok,
bor
rowme10kt
hen.
”
“Iam notgi vi
ngyouanyt hing!Idon’tknowwhat
compet iti
onyout hi
nkt hi
sisbutyouar etrappi
ng
yourself.Iam notgivingyouanymoneyandIam
blockingyou.Iam tiredoft hi
sf r
iendship,i
t’
s
bearingnof r
uit
swhat soever .Ihavetriedbutyou
havet urnedintosomet hi
ngel se.Idon’teven
recognizeyouanymor e.”
“
Ial
waysknewyou’
dchangeonceyougetmoney
t
houghIwasal
waysbyyoursi
deback-
…hel
lo?
Hel
lo?
”
Shel
ookedatthephoner
eal
izi
ngshehadhungup.
Shet
ypedalongmessage.
Yamasa:Ial waysknewyou’ dchange.Ihaveal ways
stoodbyyout hr
oughever ythingyett hisi sthe
thanksIget .Whenyouwer ebul l
iedf orbei ngdumb
andst upid,whowast here?Whent hingswer ehard
athome, whowast here?Iam hur tthisist he
personyouhavet ur
nedi nto.Idon’ tknowt hi
sBant u,
Idon’trecogni zeyouanymor e.Iam notaski ngfor
yourmoney, allIneedisabi tfrom Pul e’smoney.
Youhadenought obuil
dahugehouseyetdon’ t
haveanyt hi
ngt oborrowme?Iknowwhi tepeopl e
stayint hathouse.Youar ethewor sthumanbei ng
onear thBant u,maybet hat’swhybadt hingsalways
happent oyou.Youhaveanevi lhear t.
Shesentthemessagebutitbounced.Shetri
ed
cal
li
ngherbutthenumberdidn’tgothr
ough.
Yamasasatdownknowi ngshehadbeenbl ocked,
shebli
nkedtear
sfi
ll
inghereyes.
Shejustcouldn’
tunderst
andwhyBant ucouldn’
t
hel
pheraf t
ereverythi
ng.Sherubbedhereyesand
cont
inuedlookingforacheapermechanic.

*
**

I
nMaun,Bant
uopenedthemaindoort
hatsame
morni
ngandl
ookedatRay.Hesmil
edhol
ding
f
lower
s.
“
Hi.It
houghtI
’
dbr
ingyoubr
eakf
ast
.”
“
Youdi
dn’
thavet
o.”
“Iam sor
ryaboutlastnight.Iam sor
ry,IknowIcan
doitbett
er.Ifeeli
t’
ssomet hingwecant al
kabout
anddealwi t
h.Ihatethatyouhadt osleepangr
ylast
night
.”
“
It
’sf
ine.
”
“I
t’
snotfi
ne.Youwerenothappy.IknowIwould
havemadeupf ori
tbutIunder
stoodyouranger
.I
am sor
ry.
”Hehandedherthewhi t
eroses.
Bantul
ookedatthef
lowersthenl
ookedathi
m.“
I
am sor
ryabouthowIlef
ttoo.”
Heputhi
shandsonherwaistandpul
ledhercl
oser
.
Rayl
eanedoverandki
ssedher.
“
CanIpleasegetachancet
omakei
tupgoyou?I
wantt
omakei tupt
oyou.”
Bant
ulookedathi
m andsmi
l
ed.“
Ok.
”
Raykissedheragainunt
yinghergownt henhe
squeezedherbreast
.Bantuputherhandonher
chestreadyforhimtoj
ustpressheragainstt
he
wallandtakeit.
Raypaused.“
Let
’sgohome.
”
Bant
ulookedathi
m andwhi
sper
ed.“
Doi
ther
e…”
Rayl
aughed.“
Ther
ear
epeopl
e.”
“
Ok.Thenl
et’
sgot
othecar
.Iwantt
ori
deyou.
”
“
Iwanttomakei
tlonger
.”Heki
ssedher
.“Putt
he
f
lower
sinsi
desowego.”
Bant
utouchedhi
sdi
cki
nhi
spant
s.“
Thehousei
s
toof
ar.
”
“
Yourhousei
sher
e.”
“
Mot
heowi
llsoonwakeup.
.”
“
Don’
tyout
hinkyoushoul
dint
roduceusbynow?
”
“Idon’
twanttodragmykidsint
omyr el
ati
onshi
ps.I
don’twantt
okeepint
roduci
ngthem t
odiff
erent
peopleever
yday.
”
“
Buti
t’
sonl
yme.
”
“
Iknowbutwhati
fitdoesn’
twor
kout
?”
“
Whatmakesyouthi
nkwewon’twork?Iwantt
o
mar
ryyou.Iseeaf
utur
ewi
thyou.”
Bant
ulookedathi
m.“
What
?”
“Iwanttomar r
yyou.Youareever
ythi
ngIneedand
more.Idon’
tneedmor eyearst
oknowi t
’syou.I
knewitwasyout hefi
rstdayImetyouatthat
rest
aurant
.Iloveyousomuchbabe.Iwantust o
growoldtogether
.”
Shest
aredspeechl
ess.Rayki
ssedher
.
“Ihavebeent
hinki
ngabouti
t.Iam readyt
osettl
e
downandbewi thyouf
ortherestofourli
ves.I
wantyoubymysi deand…”Raysmi
ledcuppi
ngher
f
ace.“Iwantyou.
”
“
ButIhaveki
ds.
”
“Iknow.Idon’tmi ndyourchil
dren.Itol
dyouIdon’ t
mi ndbabe.WhenIf i
rstmetyouIknewyouhadki ds.
AndIwi l
lmar r
yt hem toobecauseIunderstand
theyarepartofyou.Iknowt hef actt
hatIdon’thave
kidsmayscar eyoubutIknowIcanbeagr eat
fathert
othem.I fyougi vemeachancebabe…Ij ust
needachance.Achancet oshowyouIcanbea
husband.Al i
fepar t
ner…”
Bantul ookedathim.Raywasdi ff
erent.Hewas
calm.Neverr ai
sedhisvoicenomat terwhatand
evenwhenangr y,
hisvoiceremainedthesame.He
actuall
yl ovedher.Intheyeartheyhadbeen
togetherhehadmanagedt oloveandr especther
ri
ghtfully.Hehadmanagedt odealwi t
hher
i
nsecur iti
es,nevercomplainedandremai nedthe
same.
Hedidn’
thaveherhear
tthr
eateni
ngtoj
umpof
fher
bodyorgivehert
hesameeffectasPul
e.
Shesi
ghed.Hewasper
fect
.Theki
ndyou’
dmar
ry.
“
Ispoket
ouncl
eabouti
tandwear
eready.
”
“
Youdon’
tmi
ndmychi
ldr
en?
”
“No…Idon’t
..Ineverdi
d.Il
oveyou.Theyar
eapar
t
ofyou.Sayyesbabe…”
Bant
usmi
led.“
Yes.
’
”
Rayhuggedhert
ight
ly.“
Letmecal
lmyuncle.You
canputt
hefl
owersinthehouset
hem wecango.”
Shesmiledwalki
ngbacki nt
hehouse.Sheputt
he
fl
owersinherbedroom andpi
ckedherr
ingi
ng
phone.
“
Papa.
.”
“
Bant
u,howar
eyou?
”
“Myboyfr
iendaskedmegomar
ryhi
m.Obat
ago
nyal
a.”
“Hewantstomarr
yyou?Mar
ryyouhowwhenyou
areal
readymar
ri
ed?”
.
.
.
[
06/
22,
08:
30] :Fal
lenAngel
#104

“
Howar eyouget
tingmar
ri
edwhenyouareal
ready
marr
ied?TheMotsamai
so’
spai
d90kforyour
magadi.
”
“
Akereyouhavekeptthatmoneypapa?Soj
ustgi
ve
i
tbackbecauseIwanttomoveonwi t
hmyli
fe.
”
“It
’snotaboutj
ustgivi
ngitback.Cul
turall
yo
ngwetsiyabone(youarethei
rdaughterin-l
aw.)And
forustosaywenal ePulearenolongertogether,
wehavet ogatheragai
n.”
“PuleandIbrokeupwhenhetr
iedt
oki
llme.He
actual
lyki
ll
edmepapa,it
’sbyGod’
sgr
acethatIam
ali
ve.”
“
Youcan’
thaveanothermanmar ryyouti
llusand
t
heMotsamaiso’
sconcludet
hings.Iwi
llcallhi
s
fathersowesetadate.Ourfamili
eswillmeet
,he
willbether
eandsowi l
lyou.From t
herethenyour
boyfri
endwi l
lhavet
herightt
omar ryyoubutbefor
e
thatIwouldwanttomeethi mfir
st.
”
“
Can’
twedoi
tnextweekend?
”
“
Wewi llsee.Merapel
otel
lsmeyourl odgeis
f
ini
shed.Ifthati
saskedatthemeet i
ng,pl
easebe
r
eadytoexpl ai
nbecauseIsti
lldon’
tunderstand
whyitwaseasyf oryoutousehismoneyl ikethat
.”
“
Thatl
odgei
sforhi
schi
ldr
en.I
t’
snotmi
neal
one.
”
“Iwil
lcal
lyouwithanupdat
e.Ihopeyouar
enot
pregnantagai
n.”
“
Iam not
.”
RragweBantuhungupandgr
abbedhi
scarkeys
befor
ewalki
ngout.

AtRay’
shouse,
Bant
uwal
kedi
nsi
dehi
shouseand
l
ookathi
m.
“
Wher
e’st
her
ing?Theengagementr
ing.
”
“
Iorder
editonli
ne.Iwasgoi
ngtowaittil
litarr
ived
t
opopt hequest
ionmmeokar eit
’st
akingt oolong.
I
t’
sbeauti
ful
,youaregoingt
oloveit
.”
Bantusmil
edt
henkissedhi
mt ouchi
nghim.Ray’
s
phoneinhi
spocket
,hetooki
toutandlookedatt
he
cal
ler
.
“
Letmepi
ckt
his.
.Iwi
llbequi
ck.
”
“
Kemang?
”
“
Acl
ient
.”
Raywalkedaway.Bantuqui
cklyundressedand
wait
edforhim.Raywalkedbacksecondslaterand
smil
edwr appi
nghisar
msar oundher.Hesqueezed
herr
oundbut tt
hentur
nedheraroundandr ubbed
hi
mselfonherbutt.
Bantubendedandputherheadont
hecouch
exposi
ngherp*ssy.
Raystoodbehi
ndherthentookoutacondom and
rol
ledi
ton.Hepushedhimselfi
n,Bant
uclosedher
eyesandputherchestont hecouchsticki
ngout
herbuttsohecoulddigindeeper.Raypushedital
l
i
nside.Heheldherwaistandstartedt
hrusti
ngint
o
herwithfastst
rokes.
Shecaughther selfwonderi
nghowi twouldactuall
y
feelt
ohavei tdeepinsideher.I
thadbeenawhi l
e,
he’dproper
lycr ackherbutsheyear
nedt hatfeel
ing
ofbeingused…t hor
oughlyusedandLordifthere
wasanyt hi
ngt hatmurdererknewhowt odowas
fuck.
Bant
uclosedhereyessnappi ngoutifi
tandmoved
agai
nsthi
m, herbuttshaki
ngast hei
rbodies
cl
appedagainsteachother.

*
**

Lat
erthatday,
atahotel,Pul
epi
ckedhi
sfat
her
’s
cal
lst
andingbythebalconywhi
lesmoki
ng.
“
Papa…”
“
Pul
e,whyar
eyouatahot
elwhenyouhavea
home?
”
Pulesmi
led.“
Idon’
twantt
ocrowdyourspace.I
knowyouarebusywit
hthatl
ady.
”
“SheknowsIhavetwochildr
en,sons.Youhaveto
comehome.Tomor rowIam goingtothefar
mt o
brandthecows.Iwantyoutocomewi thme.”
“
Don’
tyouhavewor
ker
sfort
hat
?”
“Ther
eare115cowsatthatfar
m.Iwantt
omake
surei
t’
sbei
ngdoneproperl
y.”
“
Ok,
wewi
llgo.
”
“
Ihaveani
ssueher
emyboy.
”
“
Whati
ssue?
”
“
RragweBant
ujustcal
ledme.
”
“
Iknowhe’
sangr
y.”
“Hei
smorethanj ustangry.Hewantsustomeet.
Hesayshi
sdaught erisgetti
ngmarri
edandnow
what
’sdel
ayi
ngt heprocessisyou.Hewant sa
meet
ingsothatthingsareendedupwi t
hboth
f
amil
iespr
esent.Theonl ytothi
ngthatwil
lbe
l
inki
nguswi
llbet
hechi
ldr
en.
”
Hi
shear
tsank.“
Bant
uisget
ti
ngmar
ri
ed?
”
“Yes.AndIdon’tblameher.Shewouldwant
nothi
ngtodowi thyoubecauseyouhur ther.You
wantedtokil
lher.Iam st
il
ldisappoi
ntedthatyou
woulddothattosomeoneyoucl ai
mt olove.
”
Hisvoicegotlowbeashespokesadl y.“Iwasn’t
thi
nkingstr
aight
.Iam notmaki ngexcusesf ormy
acti
ons,Iwaswr ong.Mor ethanjustwr ong.It
’sj
ust
thatIwashurtandangr y.Il
oveBant u.Thesext ape
brokeme.Icouldn’tunseeit.Idi
sappointedmysel f
toobecauseIhadpr omisedmysel fI’
dneverputher
i
nt hatposi
ti
oneveragai n.
”
“
Wewi
llt
alkabouti
tal
ltomor
row.
”
“
Didhesaywhenshe’
sget
ti
ngmar
ri
ed?
”
“
No.
”
“
Ok.
”
“
Wel
eavei
nthemor
ning.
”
“
Ok.
”
Hehungup.Pul ethr
ewawayhisci
garet
teand
cal
ledher.Bantu’
sphoner
angunanswered.He
cal
ledheragainbutshest
il
ldi
dn’
tpi
ck.
Pulewalkedbacki
nsidehishot
elr
oom and
changedhist-
shi
rtbefor
ewalki
ngout
.

*
**

AtBantu’
shouse,Sasasatinthesit
ti
ngroom
pl
ait
ingWamewhi l
eshecolor
edhercolor
ingbook.
ShelookedatMotheowhowassl owlywri
tinghi
s
homewor k.Sasal
ookedover.
“
Mot
heo,
yourl
ett
ersar
efal
li
ng.
”
Mot
heol
ookedathert
henathi
slet
ter
sbendi
ng.
“
Theywantt
ofal
l.Ican’
tcont
rolt
hem.
”
Sasalaughed.“
Youneedtowr
it
eontheli
ne.
.and
fi
xyourb,whatyouwrot
eisad.Wr
it
e.”
Motheosi
ghedandl
ookedathisbookandst
art
ed
wr
it
ing,t
hist
imeont
heline.Sasacar
ri
edon
pl
ait
ingt
hensomeoneknockedont
hedoor
.
Shegotupandopened.Hermout
hdroppedopen
asshelookedathi
m,hesmil
edmaki
ngherlaugh.
“
HiSasa.
.”
ShelookedatPul
eandsmi led.Hest
il
llookedt
he
same,maybeabitmorebuf fert
hanshe
rememberedhim.Butst
il
lthesame…evenhi ssmil
e.
“
Hi.
”
“
Ithoughtyoul
ongl
eft
.”
“
No.
”
“
Youl
ookgood.
”
Sasalookeddownatherwi
dehi
psandsmi
led.“
I
am f
at..
”
“
Youl
ookgood.
.youar
enotf
at,
justf
it
.”
Sasasmi
led.“
Thankyou.
”
“
IsBant
uher
e?”
“
No.
.”
“
Wher
eisshe?
”
“
Shesaysshe’
sonherwayback.
”
Thedooropenedevenmor
ethenMot
heowal
ked
outhol
dinghi
sbook.
“
Ist
hisok?
”
Sasal
ookedandnodded.“
Yes.
”
Pulel
ookedathissonandtookadeepbreath
bl
inki
ng.Motheolookedathi
mthenlookedatSasa.
“
Ist
hat
…”Hewhi
sper
ed.“
Mydad?
”
Sasanodded.Mot
heo’
seyeswi
denedi
nshock.He
l
ookedatPule.
“Iknowyou.
.youar
emydad.Youcamet
oseeme
andWawa? ”
Motheorushedbackinthehouseandcameout
pul
li
ngWame’ shand.“Thi
sismysist
er.Youcame
toseeus?”
Pul
eswal
lowedt
hennodded.“
Yes.
”
Mot
heoj
umped.“
Yes!
”
Pul
ecrouchedandpi
ckedt
hem up.“
Youguysar
e
bi
g!”
Mot
heowr
appedhi
sar
msar
oundhi
m happi
ly.
.
“
Yout
ooksooool
ong!
”
“
Iam sor
rybuddy.Iam her
enow.
”
Motheol
ookedathi
m,t
ear
sfi
ll
inghi
seyes.“
Why
di
dyouleaveus?
”
Sasasmi l
ed.“Hewenttowor
k.It
oldyou.Hewent
tospace.He’sbacknow.”
Mot
heol
ookedathi
m.“
Areyougoi
ngt
ogoagai
n?”
“
No.
.Iam nevergoi
ngt
ogoagai
n.”
Wamesmi
led.“
Areyoumydaddyt
oo?
”
Pulel
ookedatherandsmiled.“
Yes.Iam your
daddytoo.Youar
ebeauti
ful.
”
Wamesmi
led.“
Areyoust
ayi
ngwi
thus?
”
Motheonodded.“YesWawa, he’
sbackfrom space.
”
Helookedathi
sf at
her.“
Youcansleepinourroom
orinMama’sroom.It’
sbig.Andshehasabi gbed.I
drewus,l
etmet akethepict
ureandshowyou.
ComeWawaandshowhi m your
s.”
Pul
ebl
inkedemot
ional
lyandputt
hem bot
hdown.
Theyr
ani
nsi
det
hehouse.
“
Fuck!Thosear
emyki
ds?
”
Sasasmi led.“
Yes.Theyl
ookl i
keyou.Especi
all
y
Mot heo.Eventhewayhetalks.Oratagongala
jaakawena.Andheget sangryprett
yquickl
y…like
you.”
Pulechuckl
edt
hentur
nedputt
ingt
hishandsonhi
s
faceastear
sfi
ll
edhi
seyes.
Rayscarparkedatt
hegate.Pul
erubbedhi
seyes
andwatchedasBantusteppedoutoft
hecarand
walkedt
hroughthegat
e.
Sheangr
il
ywal
kedovert
ohi
m.“
Whatar
eyoudoi
ng
her
e?”
MotheoandWamewalkedouthol
dingpaper
s.They
l
ookedatthei
rmot
her
,Motheosmil
ed.
“
Mamal
ook!Daddyi
sher
e!He’
sher
e!Look!
”
.
.
.
Morebonusesarewai
ting,t
rustt
hebreadwi
nner
sto
havedoneit
.Let
'squi
cklypart
ici
pat
eandgetmore

[
06/
22,
08:
30] :Fal
lenAngel
#105

Bantulookedathersonsmi l
ingashehadnever
beenmor ehappi eri
nhisl
if
e,evenhi
svoice
soundeddifferent.Wamesmiledandhandedher
fat
herthepicture.
Pul
elookedatt
hedr
awi
ngt
henpi
ckedherup.
“
Thi
sisbeaut
if
ul,
youdr
ewt
his?
”
“
Yes.ThenIcol
ored.
”
“
Ilovei
t.
”
Wamesmi l
edhappi
ly.Mot
heohandedhisf
ather
hi
s.Pul
elookedatt
hedrawingandsmi
led.
“
Ilovei
t.Il
ovet
hem.Yout
woar
egoodatt
his.
”
Motheosmi
ledashi
sfat
herpi
ckedhi
m uptoo.
Bantut
ookadeepbr
eathandl
ookedatSasawho
l
ookeddown.
“
Mot
heo.Goi
nsi
de.TakeWame.
”
“
Isdaddygoi
ngt
osl
eepi
nourr
oom?
”
“
Mot
heo,
pleasegoi
nsi
de.Wewi
llt
alk.
”
Pul
elookedathert
henputt
heki
dsdown.Mot
heo
hel
dhishand.
“
Youcansl
eepwi
thWawaandI
..
”
“
Mot
heo!
”
Motheot
ookWame’shandthenwal
kedinsi
det
he
housewi
tht
hem.Sasaclosedt
hedoor
.
Bant
ulookedathi
m.“
Whatar
eyoudoi
ngwi
thmy
ki
ds?”
“Icametoseeyoubut
…theyar
ebi
g.Wamei
s
beauti
ful
.”
“
Whotoldyoutocomehere?It
oldyouIwasgoi
ng
t
ocal
lthepol
icedi
dn’
tI?
”
“
Idi
dn’
tpl
anonseei
ngt
hem.
”
“Thisi
smyhouse.Youjustcan’
tcomehereasyou
pleaseandt
hinkyoucanjustdowhatyouwant
!”
“Iam sor
ry.Iwantedt
otal
ktoyou.Ihearyouar
e
gett
ingmar r
ied.
”
“Soyouarebackatstal
kingme?Somet
hingswi
ll
neverchangewi
llt
hey?”
“
Yourdadcal
ledmyf
ather
.”
“Ok.Sowhatdoyouwant?YouandIareover
.I
haveever
yri
ghttogetmarr
iedagai
n.Il
ovehi
m and
hemakesmehappy.”
“Youwantt
omar
ryamanwhocan’
tmakeyou
cum?”
“Sexisnoteveryt
hing.Iam marryi
ngamanwho
l
ovesmeandr espectsandIlovehimtoo.Hehasa
stabl
ejoband-
“
Yethest
il
lcan’
tfuck.
”
“Atl
eastmyki
dswi
llexper
ienceapr
operf
ami
lyset
up.”
“
Youar
enott
aki
ngmyki
dsanywher
e.”
“Thosechil
drenar
emi ne,
theyhavebeenmi
ne
aloneforf
ouryear
s!”
“
Youar
enotgoi
ngwi
thmyki
ds.
”
Rayappr
oachedt
hem.“
Babei
sever
ythi
ngok?
”
Pul
ecli
ckedhi
stongue.“
Whot
oldyout
ocome
her
e?”
Raychuckl
ed.“
Thi
sismywoman.Idon’
tneedt
o-“
“
Awomanyoucan’
tevenbegi
ntosat
isf
y?”
Bant
utur
nedt
oPul
e.“
Pleasel
eave.
”
“
Wear
est
il
ldi
scussi
ngourchi
ldr
en.
”
“
BantuandIaregett
ingmar
ri
edsoImi
ghtwel
l
l
ist
eninbecause-
“
“
Youar
enotmar
ryi
ngmywoman,
let
’sst
artt
her
e.”
“
Youar
echi
ldi
sh-
“
“Theonlychil
disht
hingher ei
syoursexgame.
Whatkindofamandoesn’ tknowhowtofucka
woman?Gaoomot howasepewena, don’
tthink
youcanr ai
seyourlit
tl
evoiceatme,otanyelaandI
am notplayi
ng,nxl
a!IfIseeyouanywherenearmy
ki
dsket
agosomol
amowayourshi
t!
”
“
Mysexgame? ”Helaughed.“
Doyouwantmet
ogo
i
ntodet
ailexpl
aini
nghowIsat i
sfyher
?”
“Goaheadandt el
lushowt heonlyposi
ti
onyou
knowismi ssi
onar
yandhowyoudon’ tl
ethercum,
l
ikel
astnight.Okarei
t’
stheusualthingyoudo.
Lookathowmywomani salwaysangryallbecause
youdon’tknowhowt ofuckher.
”
RaylookedatBant
uwhot
ookadeepbr
eat
h.“
Pul
e
l
eave!”
“Iam notgoi
nganywher
eti
ll
wear
edone
discussi
ngourki
ds.
”
Pul
eleanedagai
nsthi
scarcal
mly.Rayst
atedat
Bant
u.
“
Youdi
scussedoursexl
if
ewi
thhi
m?”
“
No.He…Iwasdrivi
nghomewhenIthoughtyou
wer
etheonecal
li
ng.Idi
dn’
tknowi
twashim soI
j
ust
…Iam sor
ry.
”
Rayki
ssedher.“
It
’sok.He’
sbeenlooki
ngf
or
somet
hing,
lethi
m saywhatever
.”
“
Iam sor
ry.
”
“I
t’
sok.Obat
adr
ama,
hewon’
tgetsuchf
rom me.O
chi
ldi
sh.
”
“
Letmej
ustt
alkt
ohi
m sohecango.
.”
Rayki
ssedheragai
nandwal
kedt
ohi
scar
.Bant
u
l
ookedatPul
e.
“Whatdoyouwantfrom me?Don’
tyout
hinkyou
havedoneenough?
”
“
Iloveyou.
”
“
Yetyoushotme.
”
“Iwashur t.Ihadjustwatchedmygi r
lfr
iendbei ng
fucked..IknowIcoul dhavehandl editdif
f erently
butIwasangr yandmor ethanj usthurt
.Youhur t
me…t illnowIdon’tevenunder standwhy.Il oved
youmor ethananythingandIst il
ldo.Iregr etmy
acti
ons, Ialmosttookmychi l
dren’smot heraway
from t
hem.Ir egretit
,andIwillbesor r
yt i
llItakemy
l
astbr eathhere.
”
“
Iwi
llneverf
orgi
veyouf
ori
t!Ihat
eyou.Ihat
eyou.
”
“
Iwi
llt
akei
t.Thankyouf
ort
ell
ingt
heki
dsaboutme.
Iwanttospendsometimewitht
hem.Tomorr
owI
am escor
ti
ngmyf at
hertohi
sfar
m.Cantheycome
wit
hme? ”
“Theyj
ustmetyou.Theydon’tevenknowyou.You
arenott
aki
ngthem anywhere.”
“Youcancomewi thifyouthinkIcan’ ttakecar eof
them.I twillonlybeforthirt
ymi nutest henwewi ll
comeback.Iknowyouhat emebutt here’snoneed
toputt heki dsinourf i
ghts.Yougr ewupwi t hyour
father,Iknowyouyear nedf oryourmot her’
sl ove,I
yearnedf orbot h…webot hknowhowi tfeels…
pleasel et’
snotputt hekidsi nit
…cant helastt hing
wef ightaboutbeaboutt hem?Hat emewi t
hal lthe
hatredt herei si
nthewor l
dbutdon’ thatemet oa
pointoff eelingtheneedt ouset hekidsasweapons.
KeagokopaMmaMot samai so.
.”
“
Ihavepl
anst
omor
row.
”
“
Ok.ThenSasacancomewi
tht
hem.I
twon’
tbef
or
l
ong.Pl
ease…”
“
Pleasego.
”
“
Iwi
llcomei
nthemor
ning.Letmesaybyet
o
t
hem.
”
Heopenedthedoorandwal
kedi
nsideherhouse.
Theyt
urnedtohi
m.Pulewal
kedovertothem.
“Ispoket
omamaandtomor
rowwear
egoi
ng
somewheret
oget
her
.”
Mot
heosmi
led.“
Can’
twegot
oday?
”
Pul
elaughed.“
TodayIhavetogoandcl
eanwher
e
wewillbegoi
ng.Wewillgoi
nthemorni
ng.
”
Wamesmi
led.“
Met
oodaddy?
”
“
Yesbaby…yout
oo.
”
“
Youar
esl
eepi
ngi
nmyr
oom t
oni
ght
?”
Pul
etouchedMot heo’
shead.“
Nott
oni
ghtbuddy.I
am t
oobigforyourbed.”
“
Ok.Thenyouar
esl
eepi
ngwi
thmama?
”
Wamesmi l
ed.“
Somet
imeswesl
eepwi
thmamaon
herbed.
”
Motheosmil
ed.“
Mamahasabi
gbed.Wecanal
l
sl
eeponthebed.
”
Hecrouchedbeforethem.“Ok.Butnott
onight
.Iam
goi
ngtocl eanwherewear egoi
ngtomorrowsothat
i
t’
scleanwhenwear r
ive.Youdon’
twanttostayat
adir
typlacedoyou? ”
Mot
heo’
ssmi
ledi
sappear
ed.“
Youar
egoi
ng?
”
“
Justt
oni
ght
.Iwi
llbeher
eint
hemor
ning.
”
“Ok.Canwegowi t
hyou?Wit
hmamaandWawa
andauntySasa?”Mot
heotur
nedandl
ookedat
Sasa“Doyoualsowantt
ogo?”
“
NoMot
heo.
.Iwi
llguar
dthehouse.
”
Motheot
urnedtohi
sfat
her
.“Ok.Justme,
Wawa
andmamat hen.
”
Bant
uwhowaswat
chi
ngsighed.“
Hesaidheis
comi
ngt
omorr
owMotheo.Lethim goandcl
ean.
”
“
Can’
twecl
eanwi
thhi
m?”
“
No.Youneedt
opackyourcl
othes.Hewi
llcome
t
omorr
ow.”
“
Whati
fhedoesn’
tcomeback?
”
“
Iwi
llcomeback,
Ipr
omi
se.
”
Tear
sfi
ll
edhi
seyes.“
Youwon’
t.
”
Pulepul
ledhi
minhisar
mst henhebr
okedown
cryi
ng.Wamesadl
ywatched.Pul
epul
ledherf
ora
hugtoo.
“
Buddy…letmet al
ktomama.Don’
tcry.Buddy.
.
l
ookatyoursi
ster…she’
sgoi
ngtocr
yt oo.
”
Motheosniff
edtryi
ngtokeepquiet
.Pul
est
oodup
andlookedatBantu.Hecl
osedthegapbet
ween
them.Bantutookadeepbreat
handmovedback
“
Wecangot
oni
ght
.”
“
No.
”
“
Youwantt
obet
hebadpar
ent
?”
“
Ihavebeent
heonl
ypar
ent
!”
“
Iwasnotther
ephysi
call
ybuti
t’
snotl
ikeIwasn’
t
mai
ntai
nance.Ontopofthe2.
5mil
li
on.”
“
Hewi
llkeepqui
et.
”
“Pl
ease…ifwegotonight
,Iwil
lhaveyoual
lbacki
n
themorni
ng.Iwi
llgetafewthi
ngsthencomeby
andpickyouupl
ater.How’st
hat?
“
Youar
enott
aki
ngt
hem t
oday.
”
Pulesmil
edandlookedathi
schil
dren.“
Goand
pack.Iam goi
ngtogetmyclot
hestoothenwego.
”
“
Yey!
”
Mot
heorantohi
sroom wi
thWamet
henPul
e
wal
kedout
.Bant
uwentaft
erhi
m.
“
Youar
enotget
ti
ngt
heki
ds!
”
“
Packwar
mthi
ngst
oo.I
tget
schi
ll
yatni
ght
.”
Hegoti
nhiscart
henrever
sedoutanddroveof
f
al
mosthi
tt
ingRay’
scar.Bant
uwalkedtoRay.
“
Letmet
alkt
otheki
ds.Wewi
llt
alk.
”
“
Ok.Whatdi
dhesay?
”
“
Hewant
stot
aket
heki
dsoutt
omor
row.
”
“
Ok.Don’
tyout
hinki
t’
sbesti
fhehast
hem?
”
“
Tomor
row?
”
“Obvi
ousl
yhe’
snotgoingtolett
hem comewit
hyou
whenwegetmarri
ed.Shouldn’
ttheyr
emainwit
h
him?”
“
Youwantmet
oleavemyki
dsbehi
nd?
”
“No.Buthe’ snotgoingtoall
owt hem tocome.I fhe
does, hewi llbenothi
ngbutanunwant edheadache.
Alreadyyoucanseet hatonaleatti
tudeandhe’s
fullofhimsel f.Don’
tyouwantt omai nt
ainour
peace.Wecanhavet hem onweekendsand
holidays.Iam notsayi ngabandont hem…Idon’ t
wantt hismant otakeyoubackt othelevelof
depr essionIf oundyouin.Theycanst aywithhim,
maybeaf t
erheseeshecan’ thandlethem, hewill
bringt hem back.He’sgoingtouset hem togetto
you.I t
’sbettertheyremainwithhimt oavoidthat
kindofdr ama. ”

*
**

I
nGaborone,Lef
aparkedhi
scarathishouset
hen
l
ookedatYamasaseatedonthever
anda.He
wal
kedovercarr
yinghi
sbags.
“
Hey.
.”
Yamasast
oodup.“
Hi.
”
Lef
aunl
ockedthedoorandwal
kedi
n.Yamasawent
i
nbehi
ndhim andsatdown.
“
What
’sup?
”
“
Who’
sthatwomanyouar
eal
wayspost
ing?
”
“
Mywoman.
”
“
Mycarhadabr
eakdown.
”
“
Whydi
dyoubuyt
hatcar
?”
“
BecauseIl
ovei
t.AndIhadt
hemoneyt
o.”
“Yaya,anyonecanbuywhat evercart heywant .You
cangetanevenbet t
ercarthanwhatyouhave.The
problem ismaintainingthatcar.Buyingi scheap…
thecostscomeatmai ntai
ning.St ar
twi t
ht hepet r
ol
youuse…t hem thenor malservi
cingandsof ort
h.
Yoursalaryiswhat ?7k?Orwhat everitis..From
thatamount ,howmuchgoest ot hecar ?Mont hly…
thenthere’sthehouse.Ther eisnor easonf oryout o
staythere.Youdon’ thaveachi ldoracat .Geta
smallerhouse.1. 5orlessforabachel orpad.Geta
smallcar.SellthatG- Wagon.GetaRunX.Less
petr
olbeingused.Taket hemoneyyouf rom sel
li
ng
yourcarandtheremai ni
ngmoneyyouhavel eftand
buyaplotthenstartbuil
ding.What
’stheuseof
dri
vingaG-Wagonandr enti
nginPhakalanewhen
youdon’thaveahouseofyourown? ”
“
Idon’
twantt
osel
lmycar
.”
“I
fIwereyouIwouldselli
tnowwhenIsti
llhave
opti
onsrathert
hanwhenmybacki sagai
nstthe
wallandIhavenootheropt
ionbutt
o.”
“Ij
ustneed10k.Canyoubeli
eveBantuwouldn’
t
borr
owmeyetshehasmi ll
ionsfr
om Pule’smoney.
Shehaschangedandhasgot t
enself
ish.Evenher
houseinSerowemakessomuchmoney. ”
“Atsomepointyoual
sohad1. 5mil
li
on.Youbl
ewi
t
andBantubuil
tahouse.Iam goi
ngtobath.
”
Hewalkedtohi
sbedr
oom.Yamasarol
ledhereyes
andsatdownswit
chi
ngontheTV.

*
Inhi
sbedr
oom,
Lef
aputhi
sbagsdownandcal
leda
number
.
“
Hel
lo?
”
“
Areyouhome?
”
“
Yes.Ij
ustar
ri
vedbuthe’
snotar
ound.
”
“
Ok.Ial
readymi
ssedyou.
”
Alonel
aughed.“
Met
oo.Iwi
sht
hingswer
enotso
compli
cat
ed.”
“
Met
oo.Iam dyi
ngt
ohaveyoui
nmyar
ms24/
7.”
“
Shi
t!He’
sher
e.Wewi
llt
alk.
”
“
Ok.Il
oveyou.
”
“
Iloveyout
oo.
”
Hehungupt
henhesmi
ledt
aki
ngof
fhi
st-
shi
rt
.

*
**

Lat
ert
hatday,
Bant
ulookedatSasa.
“
Whydi
dyout
ellmyki
dsaboutPul
e?”
“Sot hatt
heydon’ tforgetwhot hei
rfat
heri
s.You
wer eupsetthengott oobl i
ndedwi t
hanger
.Idon’t
blameyoubutt hef actremainsthatPul
ewil
l
foreverbetheirfather.I
fyouwantt ofir
eme,it
’s
fi
ne.”
Acardrovei
noutside.Mot
heor
anoutfrom hi
s
r
oom goingout
side.Wamerant
oolaughing.
“
Lookathowhappyt
heyar
e.Iwi
llbr
ingt
hei
rbags.
”
Shewalkedtothei
rroom andgotthei
rbags.She
handedthem t
oBantubeforewalki
ngtoherroom.
Pulewal
kedinsi
dethehouseandl
ookedather
.He
tookt
hei
rbagsfrom her
.
“
Wecango.
”
“I
fyouthinkf
rom heresomet
hingi
sgoi
ngt
o
happen,youarewrong.
”
Pulesmil
ed.“Iwasn’
tthi
nkinganyt
hingwoul
d
happen.ButnowIam…l et’
sgo.”
.
.
.
Let'
shaveanot
herbonusaf
tert
hisone,
our
breadwi
nner
shavenot i
metopl
ay
[
06/
22,
08:
30] :Fal
lenAngel
#106

Bantugotinthecaratthefr
ontseatasPul epacked
thei
rbagsatthebootoftheFort
uner .Bantulooked
atherchi
ldrenastheysmil
edexcitedly.I
twasasi f
theyhadalwaysknownt hi
smant houghi thadbeen
afewhour s.
Pulegotinthecarandfi
xedhisr earvi
ewmi r
ror
thensmi l
edlooki
ngatBantu.Shel ookedout
throughthewindow,hechuckledst ar
ti
ngthecar
anddr oveoff
.
Bantu’
sphonerang,shelookedatRaycal
li
ngt
hen
putthephoneonsil
ent.Pulepl
ayedSondel
aby
Ringoandrol
ledthewindowsabit.
*

Af ewhour slater,Pul
esl oweddowndr i
vingt hrough
thegat eatthefarm.Theher dboysmiledandwaved
athim.Pul estoppedt hecarandt ookoutacoupl e
ofP200f r
om hispocket .Theherdboywal kedover
andl ookedatPul ethent hel
adyatt hefrontseat
sleepingincludingthekidswhower ealsosl eeping
attheback
Hel
ower
edhi
svoi
ce.“
Pul
e…i
t’
sbeenl
ong.
”
“
Sizwe,
howar
eyou?
”
“
Iam f
ine.
”
“
Youcl
eanedupandf
ixedever
ythi
ng?
”
“
Yes.
”
“
Thanks.Thi
sismyf
ami
ly,
that
’smywi
feandki
ds.
”
“
Theyar
ebeaut
if
ul.
”
PulelookedatBant
usl
eepi
ngandsmi
lednoddi
ng.
“Yeah,take.
.”
Hehandedt
hemoney.Si
zwesmi
led.“
Thankyouso
much.
”
“
Shar
p.”
Puledr
oveoffandf
inal
lypar
kedatt
hef
arm house
thenl
ookedatBant
u.
“
Angel
..wear
eher
e.Babe…”Heshookhergent
ly.
“
Babe.
.”
Bant
uopenedhereyesandlookedathim.She
l
ookedar
oundreal
izi
ngitwasdark,shelookatt
he
ti
meonherphone.
“
It
’sabi
tfar
.St
ayi
nthecar
,keet
a.”
Pulesteppedoutofthecarandgotthebagsand
walkedtowardstheweaksolarpowerli
ghtout
side.
Hewal kedinsi
dethehousegladSizwehadalr
eady
l
itt
hecandl esthr
oughoutthehouse.Hepassedhis
fat
her’
sr oom goi
ngtotheroom heusedwit
h
Tshepo.
Hewalkedi
nandputt
hebagsont hebed.He
l
ookedataphot
oofhi
mselfandTshepowhichhad
beenf
ramedonthewal
l.Hepickedt
hecandl
ein
t
her
oom sohecoul
dlookcl
oser
.
Hel ookedathi sdustyfeetonthepi ct
urewithwhat
washi sf avor
it
et-shi
rtbythen.Heputt hecandl
e
withasi ghandwal kedout .Heopenedt he
backdoorandgent l
ypickedupMot heo.Motheo
movedhi sheadwaki ngup.Hel ookedathisfather
thenthedar kness.
“
Wear
eher
e?”
Pul
elaughed.“
Yes.
”
“
Wher
eismama?
”
Pul
etur
nedsohecoul
dsee.Mot
heosmi
led.
“
Wear
esl
eepi
ngher
e?”
“
Yes.
”
Pul
epickedWamewhohadj
ustwokenupwi
thhi
s
ot
herhand.
Bantuwatchedasheputthekidsinsi
det
henl
ooked
attheemptynetwor
kbaronherphone.Hewalked
backandopenedthedoorforher.
“
Come…”
Shest
eppedoutoft
hecar
.“Ineedt
omakeacal
l.
”
“Iwi
llt
akeyouwheret
her
eisNet
wor
kkamoso.
Herethenet
worki
spoor.
”
“Whydidn’
tyout
ell
met
hatbef
orewel
eftsot
hatI
know?”
Pul
esmi
led.“
Iam sor
ry.Let
’sgoi
n.”
Hehel
dherhandandl
edheri
nsi
de.Shel
ookedat
t
hecandl
es.
“Therei
snoel ect
ri
cit
yher
e.Papasayswhenhe
comesher e,
hewant snot
hingt
odowith
technol
ogy.”
Mot
heosmi
led.“
Sot
her
e’snoTV?
”
“No.Iam goi
ngtost
artaf
ir
eout
sidesowecan
brai
iourmeat.
”
“
Wear
ebr
aai
ng?
”
“
Yes.St
ayi
nsi
dewi
thmama.
”
Pul
ewal kedoutsi
dewhileBant
ulookedaround.A
whil
elaterPul
ewal kedi
nsi
de.Theywerenotinthe
si
tt
ingroom.
Hewal
kedtohisol
droom andfoundt
hem si
tt
ing
ont
hesingl
ebedweari
ngjacket
s.
Pul
esmi
led.“
Thef
ir
eisr
eady.Youcancome.
”
Theyfoll
owedhim outsi
dehewherethef
ir
ewas.
Theyallsatonthecampchair
s.Bant
uwatchedas
hechattedwit
ht heki
dsandhandedeachalong
skewerwithmeetkebab.
Hehandedonet
oBant
u.Shet
ooki
t.
“
Thanks.
”
Pul
esmi
led.“
Anyt
ime.
”
“
Daddy,
dowej
usthol
dit
?”
Hemovedf rom hert oatt
endgohiski
dsassheout
herst
ickoverthefi
r e.Bantusmi
ledasWame
l
aughedatsomet hingwi t
hPuleseat
edbet
ween
them.
I
twassoper fect,somuchthattearsfi
ll
edhereyes.
Thi
swast helifesheal
waysimagi nedherchil
dren
wouldhavewhenshewasyoung.Af atheranda
motherunderthesamer oof
.Itwaswhatshehad
wantedforhersel
ftoo…shecouldn’tr
ememberhow
manyni
ghtsshehadknel
tandaskedGodt
obr
ing
hermot
herback.
Motheoburstint
oal oudlaughlist
eningtowhat
Pulewassaying.Shehadneverseent hatki
ndof
happinessi
ntheireyesbefore.Sherubbedoffher
tear
sasPulelookedather .
“
Howi
syourmeatbabe?
”
Bant
ulookedati
t.“
It
’sget
ti
ngbur
ntononesi
de.
Buti
t’
sfi
ne.”
Puleswitchedposi
ti
onsthenpul
ledBantu’
scamp
chaircl
oset ohi
m.Hetookherskewerandbraai
dit
forher.
“
Thetri
cki
stonothol
ditver
ycl
oset
othef
ir
e.Li
ke
t
his…”
“
Daddy,
shoul
dIeatmi
ne?I
sitf
inenow?
”
Pul
elookedawaybr
eaki
ngt
heeyecont
act
.Het
ook
Motheo’
ssti
ckandt
ookasmal
lbi
te.
“
Youcaneatnow.
”
Wamel
ookedathi
m.“
Daddy…”
Pulesmi
ledandt
ookabitethenbr
oket
hel
ong
st
icksoshecanhol
ditcl
oser.
“
Yesbuti
t’
sst
il
lhot
.Becar
eful
,yout
ooMot
heo.
”
Hebraai
dBantu’
smeatf
oracoupl
emor
emi
nut
es
andhandedi
ttoher
.
“
Ther
e..
”
“
Thankyou.
”
“
Daddy.
.”
Bantuatehermeatwat
chi
ngherki
dsuset
he
‘
daddy’asift
heywereget
ti
ngpai
dever
yti
methey
sai
dit.
Hourssl
owl
ywentbyt i
llWamestar
tedf
alli
ng
asl
eeponherchai
r.Pul
estoodupandpicked
Wame.
“
Buddy,
let
’sgoandsl
eep.Uhbabe,
dot
heybat
h
f
ir
st?
”
“
Shewon’
twakeup.Letmej
ustsl
eep.
”
Motheostoodupandwal
kedi
nsi
det
hehousewi
th
hi
sfather
.
Minuteswentbyasshesatdown.Shel ookedatt
he
darknessaroundthem f
eeli
ngasifther
ewas
somet hi
nglurki
ngbehi
nd.Shequicklygotupand
walkedtothedoorbumpi ngi
ntoPule.
“
Areyouok?
”
Shelookedbehindhert
henl
ookedathi
m.“
I…It
hink
Ishoul
dsleeptoo.”
“
It
’sok…t
her
e’snot
hingt
her
e.”
“
Wher
eam Isl
eepi
ng?
”
“
Int
hesi
tt
ingr
oom.Wi
thme.
”
“
Whywi
thyou?
”
“Ther
eisonemat
tr
ess.Andonl
ytwobl
anket
slef
t.
Sowehavetoshar
e…”
“
Whydi
dn’
tyout
ell
met
obr
ingbl
anket
s?”
“
BecauseIknewwe’
dshar
e.”
Thefi
remakingiteasyf
orhi
mt oseeher.Hereyes
gazedi
ntohisandhecouldbar
elyreadwhatshe
wasthi
nkingorwhatshewasseeing.
“
Youar
ebeaut
if
ul.Theki
dsar
ebeaut
if
ul…and
smar t
.Itf
eels…per f
ect.You…usandourki ds.Iwil
l
doanyt hi
ngtohavet hiswithyou.Iwantt ofix
thi
ngs…Idon’ tevenknowwer etostar
t.Idon’
twant
yout ogetmar r
ied.Iwantthis…us…Idon’ tdeserve
you.IknowIdon’ tbutIloveyoumor ethan
anythingBantu.IwishIknewhowt ostopthehurt
thatIcausedyou…Iputyout hroughsomuchyou
havenor easont oeverwantme, Iknow….ButI
woulddoanyt hingsoIcanhaveyouagai n.Pl
ease
don’tmarryhim…”
Bantubli
nkedstari
ngathi
mt earsfi
ll
inghiseyes
thenshewhisperedsof
tl
y,hereyesglist
eri
ng.“I
t’
s
toolat
e.”
“
It
’snevert
ool
ate.
”
Awarmtearr
oll
eddownhercheek.Hewi peditof
f
wi
thhi
sthumb.Hesl owl
yleanedover
,hi
slips
br
ushi
ngoverhers.
Bantuhel
dherbr eat
hfeel
inghersel
flosethefi
ght
i
nher ,
hereyesclosedasPulesoftl
ykissedheras
windblewoverthem.
.
.
.
Forgi
vemef amily,Ihadlosttheenti
redocument
,
j
ustmanagedt or ecoveri
t,almosthadaheart
att
ack.Let
’squickpar t
ici
pate,t
hoseawakesowe
tr
yandhavet hesecondonebef orewesleep.
[
06/
22,
08:
31] :Fal
lenAngel
#107

Bantulookeddownandt
ookadeepbr
eat
hrubbi
ng
hereyes.
“Ican’t.Youcoul dhavekill
edmet hatday.Youcan
stil
ldosoi nt hefutur
e.Iwon’ttakeyouback
becauseIknowyouwi l
lendupki l
li
ngme.Ial so
knowyoubynowPul e.Iknowyouar egoi
ngt osay
anythingandever yt
hingsoIcanbel i
eveyout hen
bet hesameper sonthatendsuphur tingme.Whyi s
i
teasyf oryoutowantt oendmyl i
fe?Idon’twantto
die.Ihaveki dsthatneedme.Ihaveal ott
ol i
vef or
.
Idon’twantt oliveinfear.Iwanttoenjoymyl if
e.
Raymakesi tpossibleforme.Idon’
thavet oworry
abouthisangerbecausehecancont rolit
.He’s
opent ome, he’ski
nd.Idon’
thavetofearhim.He
l
ovesme. .hi
sl ovecomesjustaspureasitshould
be.Irespecthim becausehelovesme.Iwantt o
marryhim.Iam goi ngtomarryhim.He’sworth
marrying.
”
Shewal kedinthehousewi pi
ngawayhertear
st hen
walkedtot heroom whereherki
dswere.Shelooked
atthem sleepi
ngont hesingl
ebedwit
hblankets
overthem.
Shewalkedbacktothesit
tingroom andlookedat
whereshewassleeping,
hehadal readyl
aid
ever
ythi
ngdown.Sheundr essedthensli
dinunder
thebl
anket
s.Shefrownedlisteni
ngtorai
ndr opl
ets
ontheroof
.
Awhi lelat
ershef el
thiseyesonher.Sher
emained
sti
lll
isteni
ngt otherai
nwonder i
ngwherei
thad
comef rom, hereyesclosedthenmi
nutesl
aterhe
j
oinedher .
Mi
nut
espassedt
hem hemovedt
oher
.
“
Angel
…”
Aloudcrashingsoundofthundermadeherqui
ckl
y
coverherheadwiththebl
anketinf
ear.
“
Areyouok?
”
“
Yes.
”
Pulepul
ledhercl
oserandwrappedhi
sarmsar
ound
herhol
dingherfr
om behi
nd.Hewhisper
edi
nher
ear.
“
Youcansl
eep.
”
Bantucl
osedhereyesasheheldherti
ghtly,
her
bodymelti
ngint
ohisbigbodyalmostasifhisar
ms
coul
dswallowher.Sheremainedst
il
linhisarms
l
ist
eningt
ot her
ainout
sideti
l
lsheeventuall
yfel
l
asl
eep.

*
**

Thefol
lowingmorni
ng,Tshepodroveto
MotsamaisoTrans&Logist
icswhil
etal
kingonhi
s
phonewhi
leshowersofrainhithi
swindscreen.He
sl
oweddownatal adycrossedtheroadholdinga
l
it
tl
eumbrell
ahangingup.Thewi ndblowi
ngt he
umbrel
laf
rom herhandsandbacki nt
otheroad.
Tshepowatchedassheturnedrunningbacki
nthe
roadcausi
ngabitoft
raf
ficthenrol
leddownhis
window.
“
Etagodi
rasehemapul
a.”
Shelookedathim andlaughedpicki
ngherumbrel
la
andcrossedtheroad.Shestoodont hebusst
op
hol
dingherumbr el
laashedr oveoff
.
Justseeinghert
heret
ookhim backtohisdays…he
di
daU- turnasanot
herdr
iverangri
lyhooted.
Tshepoignoredhi
m anddrovebackandpar ked
besi
desher .
“Hi
,tsena.Thecombieswon’tcomeasqui
ckl
yand
youaregoingtogetdrenchedwait
ing.
”
“
Iam f
ine.
”
“
Pleasel
etmehel
pyou.
”
Thel
adyl
ookedathi
m,hewasi
nabl
uesui
tandhe
l
ookedli
keabusi
nessman.Event
hewat
chonhi
s
wri
stsai
dalot
.
Shereluctant
lycl
osedherumbr
ell
aandgoti
nhis
warm car.Tsheporol
ledupt
hewindowandj
oined
ther
oadagai n.
“
Wher
ear
eyougoi
ng?
”
“
Bot
swanaAccount
ingCol
lege.
”
“Ok.Iwi
lldr
opyouof
f.Byt
hewayIam Tshepo.
Yourhai
riswet.
”
Shetouchedherhai
r.“
Idi
dn’
texpecti
ttor
ain.
Luba.
”
Tshepoturnedt
oherandsmil
edt
henconti
nued
dri
ving.Hi
sphoner
angthenhepi
ckedansweri
ng.
“
Yeah…”
“
Thet
ruckshavear
ri
vedatt
heboar
der
.”
“
Per
fect
.”
“
Iam goi
ngt
ocl
eart
hem.
”
“
Ok.
”
Tshepopar
kedatBACmi
nut
esl
aterandl
ookedat
her.
“
ByeLuba.
”
Lubasmi
led.“
Thankyou.
”
Shesteppedoutoft
hecar
.Het
urnedt
hewheel
and
droveoffcal
li
ngLef
a.
“
Tshepo…”
“
Areyouback?
”
“
Yeah,
Iar
ri
vedyest
erday.
”
“
Youar
epl
ayi
ngaver
ydanger
ousgamel
ait
aka.
”
“
Akanyangst
art
edt
hisbymar
ryi
ngmybaby
mama.”
“Ihopeyoudon’tregr
eti
t.Thi
sishowpeopl
eki
ll
eachother
.Nothinghurt
sthanregr
etf
rom
someonesocloset oyou.
”
“Akamar r
iedmywoman.Lonei smywomanand
there’
snootherwayaroundit
.IadmitthatImether
atthewrongtimebutt
hatdidn’
tmeanIdi dn’
tlove
her.Il
ovedher.Toacertai
nextentIl
ovedher.IfI
wasn’
twithBant
uthenshewoul
dhavebeent
he
oneIchoose.
”
“
Whenhef
indsouthe’
sgoi
ngt
oki
llyou.
”
“Iwil
lcrosst
hatbr
idgewhenIgett
her
e.Okae
Pule?”
“
Wentt
oseehi
sfami
ly.
”
“
Bant
u?”
“
Yes.
”
“I
sshegoingtot
akehi
m backevenaf
ter
ever
ythi
ng?”
“
Pul
eandBantuaremarri
ed.Theyar
ejustgoi
ngt
o
f
ixt
hingsandmoveon.
”
“
Yetshecoul
dn’
tfor
giveme.
”
“
Youcheat
edher
.Pul
edoesn’
tcheat
.”
“
Mxm,
anywayswecandodr
inkskgant
ele.
”
“
Iam game.Wher
e’sMai
na?
”
“
She’sther
e.Shewon’tletmehavemydaught
er
wit
houtherhover
ingaroundmelikeabadsmel
l
ebi
lennawasmbora.I
tannoysmeeveryti
meI
wanttodosomet
hingformydaught
erorjustt
ake
herout
.NowIhavetogowiththemothert
oo.”
“Idon’tknowhowyoudon’
tseehowmuchshe-
Shit!
”
“
What
?”
TshepotookLuba’
sphonet
hatwasont
he
passengerseat
.
“Igavesomegi
rlali
ft,
sheforgotherphoneinmy
car.
”Thephonestar
tedri
nging.Helookedatthe
unsavednumbercal
li
ng.
“
It
’sr
ingi
ng.
”
“
Maybei
t’
sher
.”
Tshepodr
oppedLef
a’scal
lthenanswer
edLuba’
s
phone.
“
Hel
lo?
”
“
OhThankGod!KeLuba.
.”
“
Ijustsawitnow.Ihaveameeti
ngIam r
ushi
ngt
o
r
ightnow.Iwil
lhavetodr
opitof
faft
ert
hat.
”
“
Ok.Thankyou.Iam sor
ry.
”
“
It
’sok.
”
Hepar
kedathi
sdesi
gnatedpar
kingspotand
wal
kedinsi
det
hebui
ldi
ng.

*
**

Thatsamemor ning,Bantuwokeupt oloudchatt

ing
i
nt hehouse.Shegotupandl ookedoveratthe
kit
chenwherePul ewascookingont hegasstove
whileWamesatont heki t
chencountersand
Mot heomovedaroundt heki
tchentalki
ng.She
fol
dedt hebl
anketsandputonhershoes.
Wameturnedherheadandl
ookedathermot
her
smi
li
ng.
“
Mama!
”
Theytur
nedandl
ookedather.Bant
ul ookedout
side
thr
oughthewi
ndowasitrai
nedstil
l.
“
Howar
ewegoi
ngback?
”
Puledishedfort
heki
dsandputt hei
rpl
atesonthe
sit
ti
ngr oom t
abl
e.HegotWameandpl acedheron
thecouchinherwarm cl
othes.
“
Eat
.”
Puledef
eat
edthemattr
essandpi
ckedi
tup
toget
herwi
tht
heblanket
s.
“I
t’
srai
ning.Wearegoi
ngt
ohavetowaitabitt
hen
go.Ourroadget
smuddyduri
ngr
ainseasons.”
Hewal
kedt
otheot
herr
oom.Bant
ufol
lowedhi
m.
“
Youarenotgoingtofor
cemet ost
ayher
e.Ihavea
manwait
ingforme.Thispat
heti
catt
emptof
want
ingmetost aywon’
twork.
”
Puleopenedthecurt
ain.“
It
’srai
ningheavil
y.Iam
l
ookingoutforyouandourkids.Wewon’ tget
anywhereinthi
srai
n.Iam sureyourpoorsex
perf
ormerofaboyfri
endcanwai t
.”
“Iam goi
ng.Iam notstayi
ngherewithyou.Imade
ami st
akeevenagreeingtocomeherewi thyou.You
nevermissanopportunit
ytotakeadvantagedon’t
you?”
“
Iam dri
vingi
nthi
sweat
hert
ohaveusst
ucki
n
mud.Comeandeat.”
Hewal kedout.Bant
uwentaft
erhim, she
thoughtful
lyl
ookedatt
hefarkeysthenpickedt
hem
up.
“
Iam goi
ng.
”
Motheomovedclosert
ohisdadwhi
leWamesaton
hi
slapeat
ingfr
om hisplat
e.
Pulesmil
ed.“Guysmommyhast
ogo.Wewi
llgo
oncetherai
nhasstopped.
”
“
Tomor
rowi
sschoolPul
e.”
Hel ookedather.“
Iam notgoi
ngtorepeatmyself
.I
willbri
ngthem assoonasithasstoppedrai
ning.
Taket hatr
oad,gostr
aightt
il
lyouareinthemain
road.
Shelookedathi
mt henwalkoutunlocki
ngthecar.
Sheranovertothecaral
mostfall
ing.Sheopened
thecardoorandjumpedinabitdrenched.
Shestar
tedtheengi
neanddroveofff
oll
owi
ngt
he
onl
yroadthatwasther
e.Shetookadeepbr
eat
h
dr
ivi
ngt
her
oadcover
edwi
thwat
er.
Thecarhitsomet hi
ngi nt
hewater,shefrownedand
cont
inueddrivi
ngbutt heroadgotmoresl i
pper
y,
shesteppedont hebreaksandturnedthesteeri
ng
wheelsoshecoul ddriveonthesideoftheroad.
Bantutr
iedmovingforwar
dbutt
hewheelsspun
thoughthecarwouldn’
tmovef
orwar
d.Shestepped
ontheacceler
atormoreasmudandwaterspl
ashed
butthecarwouldn’
tmove.
Bant
utri
edr
ever
singbuti
tseemedt
hecarwas
st
uck.

*
**

Meanwhi l
einMaun, Raysatinhiscarpar
kedat
Bantu’
sgat esti
llwai
ti
ng.Hetri
edcall
ingheragain
wonderingwhatwashappeni ngbuthernumber
wasn’tgoi
ngt hroughandsomehowhecoul dn’t
shakeoffthefeeli
ngthatsomethi
ngwasgoi ngon.
Het
ookadeepbr
eat
hwonder
ingi
fthi
swas
anotherr
elat
ionshi
pfai
li
ngandwit
hthewayhe
l
ovedher,hewasn’tsur
eifhewasgoingt
osur
vive
l
osingher.
.
.
.
[
06/
22,
08:
32] :Fal
lenAngel
#108

Bantutookadeepbr eaththenopenedthecardoor.
Shelookedatthewat eraroundandclosedt
hedoor
wit
hasl i
ghtshiver
.Shet ookherphoneandthere
wasnonet work.
Sheclosedhereyes, herhandsonherf acethen
pressedthehooter.Minut eswentbyasshehoot ed.
Hewaspr obabl
ynotgoi ngt ocomet ofixher.She
tookadeepbr eaththenf oldedherpantsbefor e
openingthedoorast her ainpouredevenmor e.She
gotoffthecarsteppingint hecoldmuddywat er.
Shelockedt hecarandbegunwalki
ngbackasthe
rai
nthrashedher .Sheputherar
msaroundher
sel
f
shi
veri
ngt i
llherbodyjustnumbed.
Shefinal
lyapproached,sheopenedthedoorand
walkedindri
ppingwat er
.Pulet
urnedandlookedat
herasthekidsturnedtoopausingdr
awingont he
magazinesbeforethem.
Mot
heol
ookedather
.“Youar
ewet
.”
Pul
est
oodupandwal
kedovert
oher
.“I
tgotst
uck?
”
Sheremainedi
nqui
et,
herteet
hsl
ammingagai
nst
eachother
.Pul
epi
ckedherupandwal
kwit
hherto
thebat
hroom.
“
Iam comi
ng.
”
Shest oodbyashewal kedoutt hencanebackwi th
atwent yl i
tt
erbucketofhotwat er
.Hepouredi ti
nto
thebat htubthenopenedt hecoldwat ermi
xingit
together.Shewat chedhim prepareherbat
ht henhe
turnedt oherandt ookoffhert-
shirt
.Heunclipped
herbr aanddr oppeditont hefl
oorthenwentdown
andt ookhershoesbef orepulli
ngdownherpant s
togetherwi thherl
acepant y.
Pul
elookedathernakedness, shenowhadst ret
ch
markscrossingoverherstomachandsomeonher
but
t.Herbodyhadbecomemor eshaped.Helooked
i
nhereyest henthenpickedherupandpl acedher
i
nsi
dethewar m wat
er.
“
Youar
egoi
ngt
ocat
chacol
d.”
Shelookedathi m sti
llshi
veri
ng.Pul
egent l
ybathed
herassher elaxedinthewar m wat
er.Overtwenty
minuteslaterPulehelpedheroutanddr i
edherwith
atowel,hiseyesstuckonherbody.Hi smi nd
dri
ft
ingashei maginedkissi
ngherneckwhi l
e
squeezi
ngt hoseboobs, theywerenotthatbigbut
helovedlikethat.
Hemi ssedherheari
nghermoanonhi sear,herl
it
tl
e
handsever ywher
ewhilesuckedherni
ppl
es.That
al
wayst urnedheron,nott
oment i
ontheneck
ki
sses.
Herpubi
chai
rwassoshor thadprobablyshaved
maybeaweakback,hel ookedatheralmostflat
st
omachhiseyesgoingf ur
therdowntohershor t
pubi
chair
.Hi
sbreathingpeakedashei magined
hi
msel fpushi
nginto…herwhi
mpersandher
fl
inches.Herr
esist
ancetodi
candjusthowshe
wouldlookathim under
neat
hher
.
Hisdicjerkedtenti
nghispants.Bant
ulookedathi
m
knowi ngwhatwasgoingt hr
oughi nhi
shead.Bant
u
swallowedt hentookt
hetowelandwr appedit
aroundherbody.
Pul
elookedatherl
ips.Shet
ri
edt
owal
koutbuthe
st
oodont heway.
“
Pul
e…”
Shet ookastepbackashemovedcl oser
.Shestood
againstthewallasheclosedthel
it
tl
egapbetween
them.Hemovedcl oserbr
eathi
ngonherli
ps.
“
Pul
e…pl
ease…”
Pulewrappedherarmsaroundherki
ssingher.
Bantuclosedhereyesassheweakenedinhisarms.
Pulesli
dhishandunderneat
hhertoweland
touchedherpussyli
ps.Bant
uheldhishand
breathi
ngheavi
ly.
Pul
epul
ledt
het
owelanddr
oppedi
tthenhugged,
hi
shandsgoi
ngdownt
oherbut
t.
“
Pul
e…”
Puleki
ssedherneck,Bant
uclosedhereyesasher
pussypooled.Hedr
oppedhisli
pstohernippl
es
andsucked.
Bantuthrewherheadmoaningsoft
ly.Hesucked
theotherni
ppl
ethenwentfurt
herdown.Hel i
ft
ed
herl
egandswepthi st
ongueonherwet ness.
“
Pul
eee…”
Hemovedhismout hsuckingher,hi
stonguer
oll
ing
onhersof
tfl
esh.Bantuclosedhereyesmoaning
moreasherlegsstar
tedshaking.Bant
ugasped
spasmi
ng,herpussythrobbi
ng.
Pulegotupandki ssedherputtingherhandoverhi
s
thi
ckhardnessasshest agger
edal mostfal
li
ng.
Puleoutherlegont hetubandcur vedhisback
holdi
ngherwai st
.Her anhisthicknessonherwet
sli
tasshethrobbedwant i
ngit
.
Hepushedinatherhol
e,hi
sdicstr
etchi
ngher
openi
ngherup.Bantucl
osedhereyesasthet
ip
sl
idi
n.Hecircl
edthet
ipi
n,herwar
mthandwet
ness
maki
nghim shiver
.
Hepushedhi
mselfi
nstret
chi
nghersomuchshe
f
li
nchedput
ti
ngfeetdown.
“
Kissme…i
fyouwantmet
ocont
inue.
”
Shebr
eat
hedheavi
lyi
nhi
sar
ms.
“
Shoul
dIst
op?
”
Bantul
ookedathi
m breat
hingheavi
ly.Pulekissed
thecor
nerofherl
ipsmassagingherbreast.
“
Kissmebabe…”
Bant
umoanedinstead.Pulesli
dthroughpushi
ng
hi
senti
redi
dinsi
det hatshescreamedstandi
ngon
hert
oesashisdi
cksl i
cedherup.
Pulekissedhersli
dhisveinedweaponoutt hen
pushedbacki nagaingrunti
ngli
keahur tbulkinher
ear,hi
sar msaroundher.Hegaveanot herthrust
herpussysost ret
chedithurtwheneverhepushed
i
nbutt hepleasureatt
hesamet imef eel
inginsane
i
twasl ikemagic.
Hesl
idoutandsl
ammedbackdeepi
nher
.
“
Awww…”
Hepi
ckedherupandl
ookedatherpushi
ngdeeper
i
nher
“
OhmyGod…God!
”
Puledril
ledherpussyafewti
mesburryi
nghisdi
cin
hertaki
ngsomuchspace, itf
eltasi
fhewas
pockinghercervi
x,herwhi
tej
uicesal
loverhi
sdi
c.
Hehel dhertightl
ythrustingintoasshemoaned
helpl
esslyinhisar ms,themor ehef uckedher,t
he
mor eitfel
tmor ethanjustgood.I tfeltl
ikeheaven.
Shel ookeddownandwat chedashi st hickvei
ned
dickdisappearedinandoutofher ,
overandover
shelookedathi m andki ssed,herpussyhuggi ng
andsqueezi nghisdic.
Shelookedathim wonderi
nghowshest
il
lloved
him…howcoul ditbethathewast
heonl
yonewho
coul
dmakeherf eelli
kethis?
I
tfel
twayt oogood,wayt
oogoodshecouldjustdi
e.
Pul
epausedandsl i
doutj
ustast
hepleasure
mult
ipl
ied.
Shel
ookedathi
m,herpussypul
sat
ing.
“
Pul
e…”
“Iam yoursi
fyouwantme. ”Heki ssedhert
hen
whispered.“
Butyouarenotgoi ngtouseme..i
t’
s
eit
heryouenditwit
hhim, tellhim youdon’
twantt
o
getmar r
iedandIwil
lbeallyour s….
.”

.
.
.

Pl
easef
orgi
veme.Ij
ustar
ri
vedf
rom wor
k
[
06/
22,
08:
32] :Fal
lenAngel
#109

Bant
ulookedathi
m angr
il
y.
“
Itol
dyouIwasn’
tgoingt
oleavehi
m,sonowyou
wantt
ousesextogettome?”
“Iam notusinganyt
hingt
ogettoyou.Al
lIam
sayi
ngi sthatbr
eakupwithhi
m soyoucanhave
me.Idon’twanttogetused.
”
“Nooneisusingyou!Youaretheonewhodi dthi
s!
Youaregoingtofi
nishwhatyoustar
tedPule!Iwas
fi
nebefor
eyoudidt hi
s!Whydoyoual waysmakeit
amissi
ontomakemyl if
edif
fi
cult
?”
“Iam nothavingsexwi
thawomanwho’
saboutt
o
getmar r
ied.
”
“
Youar enotgoi
ngtoleavemeli
kethi
s,youst
art
ed
t
his.Idi
dn’
taskyouto.Youdi
ditonyourown.”
“
Ok.ButnowIhavet
houghtpr
oper
ly.
”
Tear
sfil
ledhereyesasshel
ookedathi
m.“
Youare
goi
ngtof i
nishof
fwhatyoust
art
ed.Whyar
eyou
doi
ngthistome?”
“
Breakupwi
thhi
mfi
rst
.”
Bantul
ookedathi
sdi
c,herpussyt
hrobbi
ngeven
more.
“Youdi
dn’
tcar
ewhenyoust
art
edt
his.Pl
easedon’
t
dothi
stome.”
“
Icar
enow.
”
Hertearsr
olleddown,shel ookeddowncatchi
ng
thescaroftheoperati
ont heyhaddone.Ever
ythi
ng
hehadeverputhert hroughcameback.“Iam not
breaki
ngupwi thhi
m.I t’
sfine.Wecanstopthi
snow.
Iam notbreaki
ngupwi t
hhi mtosett
lef
oryou.I
l
oveyoubutIam notl eavinghim.”
Bantupickedhert
owelandwalkedoutsniffi
ng.She
l
ookedatherbagt hatshehadlef
tinthefi
rstplace
thentookoutadressshehadpacked.Shewi ped
hersel
fwithati
ssuethenputonapant ybefor
e
goingunderthebl
anketsonthesingl
ebed.

*
**

Lat
erthatday,
TshepoparkedatBotswana
Accounti
ngColl
egewait
ing.Minut
eslater,
Luba
walkedover
.Shewalkedovert
ohiswi ndowsmili
ng.
“
Hi,
Iam sosor
ry.
”
Tsheposmi
led.“
It
’sok.Iswi
tchedi
tof
f.
”
“
Ok.
”
“
Jumpi
nkegoi
se.
”
“Youdon’
thavet
o.Ial
readyi
nconveni
encedyou
enough.
”
“
Geti
n.”
Shelookedathimthenwalkedroundthecarand
j
umpedi n.Tshepohandedherthephonedri
ving
out
.Sheswi t
cheditonandrespondedtoafew
messagesshehad.
“
Iam goingtopassbygr
abbi
ngmyf
ood.Doyou
wantanythi
ng?”
Lubasmi
led.“
Kesi
ame.(
Iam f
ine.
)”
Tshepol
ookedather
.“Chr
ist
mascomesoncea
year
.”
“
Iam f
inebutt
hanks.
”
Tshepostaredather,shewassot hi
ckshefi
ll
edthe
enti
reseat.Helookedatherhandsthenherpr
ett
y
face.Heturneddri
vingtoamallthenpar
kedhiscar
.
“
Doyouwantt
ocomewi
th?
”
“No.Icanactual
lygoandgetinacombit
her
e.You
don’thavet
obedr opmeoff.
”
Tshepost
eppedout
.“Iam comi
ng.
.Iwon’
ttake
l
ong.”
Tshepohurri
edinsidet
hemall.Lubalookedathim
thenthought
ful
lytookoutasti
ckynotefrom her
bagandwr ot
eanot ewhichshestucktothe
steer
ingwheel.
Shest
eppedoutofthecarandhur
riedt
othebus
st
opwhereshequickl
ystoppedacombi.
Tshepowalkedbackgohiscarandjumpedi
n.He
l
ookedatthenoteonhissteer
ingwheel
.
‘
Thankyoumuchf
orever
ythi
ngyoudi
dtoday,
Luba.
’
Tshepolookedatherempt yseatandl
aughed.He
puthisf
oodatt hebackincludi
ngwhathehad
gott
enforherthencall
edher .
“
Hel
lo?
”
“
Hi,
Ihadmoneyi
nmycar
,it
’sal
lmi
ssi
ng.
”
“
What
?”
“Ihad100kthatIwasgoingtodepositi
nmy
account.It
hinkmaybesomeonest ol
eitaf
teryou
j
ustleftmycar…itwasnotlocked.
”
“
I…GodI
…”
“Iam goi
ngtothepoli
cest
ati
on.Theymi
ghtcal
l
youinforquest
ioni
ng.”
“Iam i
nthecombi
.Kef
ologe?Idi
dn’
ttakeanyt
hing
Iswear.
”
“
Fol
oga.(
Getof
f.
)Wher
ear
eyou?
”
“
Themal
l’
str
aff
icl
ight
s.”
“
Getof
font
hebusst
opnext
.”
“
Ok.
”
Tshepodroveoff
,int
wominutesheparked.She
hurr
iedoverandgoti
nthecar
,hereyesreddi
sh.
“
Idi
dn’
ttakeanyt
hing,
I-“
“Ifoundi
t.I
t’
sok.Igotyouf
oodt
oo.Wher
edoyou
stay?”
“
Youf
oundi
t?”
Hesmi
led.“
Yes.
”
Shesi
ghedwi
thr
eli
ef.“
Iwassoscar
ed.
”
“
Wher
edoyoust
ay?
”

AtLuba’
shouse,
Tshepopar
kedi
nfr
ontofherr
oom.
Shesmil
ed.
“
Thankyou.
”
Tshepohandedherapaper
bagoffood.“
Good
ni
ght.Whatti
medoyougot oschool
?”
“
Uhat7,
Ili
ker
eadi
ngatt
hel
i
brar
y.”
“
Ok.Goodni
ght
.”
Shesteppedoutofthecarmaki
ngsur
eshehad
takenever
ythi
ngthenhurri
edof
f.

*
**
Yamasast eppedoutofthecabandwalkedt
hrough
herboyf
riend’sgat
e.Shewalkedtohi
sdoor
passi
nghi scarandpull
eddownthedoorknob
walki
ngin.
Sheputherhandbagdownsmell
ingt
hedel
ici
ous
ar
omai ntheai
r,herst
omachgr
umbled.
“
Babe!
”
Shewal kedt
otheki
tchenandopenedt
helidson
thepot.Shesmil
edt
hent ur
nedashewalkedint
he
kit
chen.
“
Yaya.
.”
Yamasasmi l
ed.“Iam sel
li
ngthecar .Iam sorr
yfor
howIspoketoyou.Youwer er
ight.Iam sell
ingthe
car
.It
’spai
nfulbutIhavenochoi ce.Thisfood
smell
sdivi
ne.”
Tefolookedatherner
vousl
y.“
Thanks.Iam pr
oud
ofyou.”
Shewalkedoverandt
ri
edki
ssi
nghi
m buthemoved
back.
“
Weneedt
otal
k.”
Awomanwal kedfr
om hi
sbedroom wear
ingagown.
Shel
ookedatTefothenatYamasa.
“
What
’sgoi
ngon?
”
“UhYayalatel
ythi
sr el
ationshi
phasn’tbeengoing
well
.Iknowyouknowi ttoo.Theconstantf
ight
s
andyournegati
vit
ygott oomuch.Mostoft hetimeI
fel
tabandoned.It
hinkit’
sbestwepar tways.”
“Youarebreaki
ngupwi t
hmewhenyouhave
alr
eadystart
edcheat
ing?”
“
Iam sor
rybuti
t’
sfort
hebest
.”
“Whydi
dn’
tyoubr
eakupwi
thmef
ir
stt
henmove
on?”
“
Heassumedl
ewenayouknewt
her
elat
ionshi
p
wasover
.”
“
Iam nott
alki
ngt
oyouwena!
”
“
Ausi
,I
-“
Yamasatookthepotwit
hthebr i
efst
ew.“ Iwi
ll
spl
ashthisonyourf
ace,whore!Iwil
lmixyouwi t
h
thi
smeat!Wheredoyougettheconfidenceof
tal
kingt
omewenamat chstick!Iwil
lcrushyou!
Tef
osi
ghed.“
Yaya-
“
“
Isai
dsoyoucouldn’
tbreakupwit
hmef i
rstt
hen
moveonbecauseIwasn’tgoi
ngt
ostopyou.I
woul
dhaveagreedwi
thyou.Iam t
aki
ngthisst
ew.”
Yamasawal
kedoutwi
ththepot.Tef
olookedather
asshewal
kedtot
hegate.Hefol
lowedaft
erher.
“
Iact
ual
lyl
ovedyou.
”
“
Idi
dn’
t.
”
Shecar
ri
edonwal
kingt
othebusst
op.

*
**

Atthefarm,lat
erthateveni
ng,
Pul
epickedBantu
fr
om thesinglebedandputheronthematt
ressin
t
hesitti
ngroom.
Heputhischil
drentobed,
foramomenthej ust
st
aredatthem.Hesmi l
edthenwalkedbackt ot
he
si
tt
ingroom whereBantuwassleeping.Heput
morefi
rewoodinsidet
hefir
eplaceinthehouseand
switchedoffal
lcandl
eswhil
ethef
ir
ebur
ntni
cel
y
keepingthesit
ti
ngroom war
m.
Pul
eundressedandunderbl
anket
sbehi
ndher
.He
ki
ssedherneckunzi
ppi
ngherdress.
“
Babe…”
Hetookoffherdressasshewokeup.Puleki
ssed
herget
ti
ngont opofherpul
li
ngherpant
iestothe
si
de.
Shegaspedsinkinghernailsint
ohisbackashe
fi
ll
edherti
llhi
sballsstoppedhim.Bantulookedat
hi
m unabletobreathe.He-#removed.
.
.
.
[
06/
22,
08:
32] :Fal
lenAngel
#110

Thefol
lowi
ngmor ni
ng,Pulest
oppedthemuddycar
atBant
u’sgat
ethensteppedoutandopenedt
he
gat
e.Hejumpedbackint
hecaranddr
ovei
n
par
kingnextt
ohercar
.
Bantusteppedoutofthecarandbr avelywalkedto
thedoorfeel
ingasifherp*ssywoul djustf
allof
f.
SheknockedasPul egotthekids.
Aminut
elat
er,
Sasaopenedt
hedoor
.Bant
usmi
led.
“
Hi.
.”
“
Ithoughtyouwer
enevercomi
ngback.
”
Bantul
aughed.Pul
ewalkedinsi
decarryingWame
whil
eMotheowalkedbehindhim sl
eepy.Helai
d
downonthecouchfal
li
ngasleep.
“
Mot
heo…i
t’
sti
met
obat
hsoyougot
oschool
.”
SasatookWamefrom Pul
eandwal
kedt
othe
bathr
oom wi
thher
.
Pul
elookedatBant
uandsmiled.“
Thankyouf
or
l
ett
ingmespendtimewi
ththem.”
“
It
’sok.Theyar
ehappyhavi
ngyouar
ound.
”
“
Iam happytobear
oundt
hem.Theyar
ebeaut
if
ul,
t
hankyou.”
“
Ihavetopr
eparetogot
owork.Wewi
llt
alkabout
t
hevisi
ti
ngarr
angement
s.”
“
That
’sokwi
thme.Howi
syourcardoi
ng?
”
Bant
usmil
ed.“
Well
.It
’sst
il
lgood.Themechani
c
al
waysmakessur
eit
’singoodcondit
ion.
”
“
That
’sgood.
”
“
Ihavet
ogoandpr
epar
eforwor
k.Iwi
llcal
lyou.
.”
Pulelookedatherthensmi l
edwal ki
ngout
.She
st
oodbyt hedoorwatchinghim geti
nhiscar
.He
st
arteditthendroveclosert
oherr ol
li
ngdownhis
windowsmi li
ng.
“
Whenar
eyoucl
eani
ngt
hiscar
?”
Bant
usmi
ledback.“
Bye.
”
Sheclosedthedoorandwal kedt oherbedroom.
Shequickl
yundr essedt
hent ookasmal lmirr
or
l
yingonthebedandopenedherl egs.Sheparted
herpussyli
pstryingtoseeifshehadcr ackedbut
shecouldbarel
yseeat hingapar tfr
om herswollen
pinki
shfl
eshandhi sthi
ckcum t hatwasstil
lleaking.
Shel
aiddowncl
osi
ngherl
egsr
ecal
li
ngt
hatgr
owl
whenhecame…t her
ewasalwayssomethingabout
hear
inghim enj
oyhimsel
f…tippi
ngoverandlosi
ng
al
lcontr
ol…andwhensher odehim.
Bantusqueezedherl
egst
oget
her
,shehadpassed
outatsomepointandwokewi
thhi
m st
il
lfucki
ng
her.
Bantugotupandwal
kedt
oherbat
hroom hummi
ng
happil
y.
Shetookalongshowerbef
oresi
tt
ingi
nfr
ontoft
he
mir
rordoi
nghermakeup.
Herphonest
art
edr
ingi
ng.Sher
eachedf
ori
tand
pi
cked.
“
Hel
lo?
”
“Ihavebeentryi
ngtocal
lyoubutyournumberwas
notgoingthr
ough.”
“
Iwasst
il
latt
hef
arm.
”
“
Weren’
tyousupposedt
ocomebackyest
erdayi
n
t
hemorning?
”
“Iwasbuti
twasr
aini
ng.Ther
oadst
her
ear
emuddy
sowehadtowait
.”
“
Didanyt
hinghappen?
”
“Hespentt
imewi
thhi
ski
ds.That
’swhat
happened.
”
“
Imeanbet
weenyout
wo?
”
“
Not
hinghappened.Wher
eist
hiscomi
ngf
rom?
”
“Ij
ustcouldn’
thel
pbutfeelsomethi
ngwasoff.You
nevercal
ledmeoranything.Iwasworr
iedabout
you.”
“Therewasnonet
workatthefar
m.Iwant
edt
ocal
l
butther
ewasnothi
ngIcoulddo.
”
“
Iwantt
oseeyou.
”
“NowIam goi
ngtowork.Lat
er.Iwi
llcomeby.We
needt
otal
k.Ineedt
otellyousomething.
”
“
Ok.Il
oveyou.
”
“
Wewi
llt
alk.
”
Bant
uhungupandf
ini
sheduphermake-
upnow
si
ngi
ng.
*
**

Thatsamemor ni
ng, Yamasawalkedoutofher
houseandgoti nherG- Wagon.Shestartedthe
enginehol di
ngherbreath.Shesmil
edasi tstar
ted
thenr ever
sedoutlookingatthef
uelthatwason
empt y.
Sheslowlydrovet
oaf ill
ingstat
ionthentookout
P100from herpur
sest aringatt
hefuelattendant
walki
ngover.Shelookedar oundnotici
ngpeople
werestar
ingathercar.Shesmi led.
“
P100pet
rol
.”
Henoddedandf
ueledup.Shedr
oveoffassoonas
hewasdonecal
li
ngBantuwitht
heot
hernumber.
“
Hel
lo?
”
“
Hi,
soyoubl
ockedme?
”
“
Mmahowmanynumber
sdoyouhave?
”
Yamasar
oll
edhereyes.“
KanaTef
oischeat
ing.
”
“
Iam sor
ry.
”
“
Icaughthi
m wi
tht
hewoman.
”
“
Ithoughtyoudi
dn’
tlovehi
m.”
“Idi
dn’
t.Iam fine.ButIam j
usthurtt
hathewoul
d
cheatt
henbr eakupwi thmeinfrontofhi
sugl
y
gir
lf
ri
end.Canyoui maginej
usthowuglyshei
s.”
Yamasal aughed.
“Tefol ovedyou.Ireall
ywi shyousawi t.Your
problem i st
hatyout hi
nkt hewor l
dowesyou
somet hingbecauseyoul ostyourdaught er
.You
havet urnedintosomet hingelse.Idon’
teven
under standyouanymor e.Iactual
lydon’twantt
o
associ atemyselfwithyout i
llyougethelp.”
“Andallt
hiscomposit
ionbecauseIaskedforyour
help?Youmustfeelveryr
ight
eouswi t
hallt
hat
moneyr i
ght?Youar
esoj udgmentalBant
u..
”
“
Ihavet
ogo.
.Iam dr
oppi
ngof
fmyki
ds.
”
ShehungupasYamasawentont al
king.Yamasa
l
ookedatherphone,sheputi
tawayknowi ngshe
wasn’tgoi
ngcont
inuebeggi
ngforaonesi ded
fr
iendshi
p.
*
**

AtLefa’
sof
fi
ce,Mai
naknockedont
hedoorand
walkedi
nwhil
eLefawr
appedupacall
.Helookedat
her
.
“
Hi.
”
“Hi
,ther
ecepti
oni
sti
snott
her
esoIl
etmysel
fin…
canwetalk?
”
“
Yes.
”
“
Ifeell
ikeyoudon’
tloveyourdaught
er.
”
“
BecauseIwon’
ttakeyouwi
thwhenIt
akeher
?”
“
She’
sagi
rlchi
ld.
”
“
Sowhat
?Yout
hinkIwi
llr
apeher
?”
“
No.ButIam notcomf
ort
abl
e.”
“OkMaina.From todaygoingforwar
dIdon’
twant
toseeher.Iwil
lsendmaint ai
nancemoneyas
agreedbutIwon’tbeseeingher.Youar
ediff
icul
tto
dealwit
handIam t ir
ed.Iwanttospendt
imewit
h
mydaught erbutIdon’twantyouar
oundunl
essit
’s
real
lynecessary.
”
“
Sonowyouar
eabandoni
ngyourchi
ld?
”
“Iwil
lstar
tseeingherwhenshe’soldenought
obe
withmewi thyouaround.Ihavetocal
lacli
ent
,
closethedoorwhenyoul eave.
”
Hepickedhi
sphone.Mai
nat
ookadeepbr
eat
hand
wal
kedout.
Shewal
kedbacki
nandl
ookedathi
m.
“Whydoyouhat
eme?Pleaset
ellmewhatIdi
dfor
youtohat
emeli
ket
his.
”
Lefasighed.“Idon’
thateyou.Ij
ustwishyou’
dst op
tr
ying.Pleasestoptr
ying.YouandIaredone.Ifyou
stoptryi
ng,yourrel
ati
onshipsar
egoingt owork.
Andyouwon’ tt
ryandmakeourpar enti
ngdif
fi
cult.
”
Shenoddedt
henwal
kedoutbl
inki
ngawayhert
ear
s.

*
**
InMaunatt hehospital
,Bant upar kedherCX5and
steppedouti nhershirtsl
eevedbackt uni
cthat
huggedhercur ves.Shef i
xedherper f
ectl
yironed
crispwhi telongsleevedt-shirtthenherwat ch
bef orereachingforherwhi t
ecoat .Sheputitover
thent ookherhandbagandl ockedhercar .Shecat
wal kedtot hehospital’
sentrance, herheelsclacking
ont hepavement .Pule’
sFor tunerdr ovebyblocking
her .
Herol
leddownhi
swi
ndowandl
ookedatherf
ixi
ng
hi
scap.
“
Youl
ookbeaut
if
ul.Iwantt
oshowyousomet
hing.
”
Hest
eppedoutofhi
scar
.“Comeandgeti
n.”
“Thesexmeantnot
hingbutjustt
hat
.Iwashor
ny
andsowereyou.Iam st
il
lgett
ingmarr
ied.
”
“
Come…andt
hatsexmeant
,don’
tli
etoyour
sel
f.
”
Sherol
ledhereyesandf
oldedherar
ms.“
Ineedt
o
gett
omyof fi
ceanddomyj ob.
”
Hewal
kedoverandouthi
shandsonherwai
st.“
I
wil
lfuckoutt
hatat
ti
tudei
nthi
spar
kingl
otr
ight
now,nothi
ngwil
lst
opme.”
Bantutookadeepbr eathandswal
lowedasti
lt
ed
herchinandkissedher.“Andyoudon’
tst
artwork
ti
llhal
fei
ght.I
t’sonl
yeight.”
Ray’
scardr
oveovert
henhepar
kedandst
epped
out
.
“
What
’sgoi
ngon?
”
Bant
upushedPul eoffandlookedatRaywhowas
gl
ari
ngatPule.Pulesmiledtakingoutaci
gar
ett
e,
heputi
tbet
weenhi slipsandlititt
henbl
ewthe
smokeatRay’sfacethensmi l
ed.
“
Hi.Iam happyt
oseeyou.Ar
eyouhappyt
osee
me?”
“It
hinkyouandIneedt
otal
k…mant
oman…kana
yangMister
?”
.
.
.
[
06/
22,
08:
32] :Fal
lenAngel
#111

Att
hepar
kingl
ot,
Bant
ulookedatPul
ethenatRay.
“There’
snoneedf ort
hat
.Pul
eisl
eavi
ng.Pul
e
pleasego.Iwi
llseeyouatt
hemeeti
ng.
”
Rayl
ookedather
.“Ineedt
otal
ktohi
m.”
“
No.Pul
ekekopaot
samaye.(
Pleasego.
)
Pul
esmiledt
hengoti
nhi
scaranddr
oveof
f.Bant
u
l
ookedatRay.
“
Didn’
tIsaywe’
dtal
klat
er?
”
“
Washehuggi
ngyouorIdi
dn’
tseepr
oper
ly?
”
“Hehuggedmebecauseweareof f
ici
all
ypar
ti
ng
oncethemeet
inghasbeencal
led.Itwasnot
hing.
”
“
Andshoul
dIbeokwi
tht
hat
?”
“
Itwasi
nnocent
.Hehuggedme.
”
“
Babei
sther
esomet
hinggoi
ngon?
”
“
Stopaccusi
ngmeoft
hingsIdon’
tknowabout
.
Youareruini
ngmymor ni
ng.It
oldyouwe’dt
alk
l
aterbecauseIknewyouwil
lst
artwit
hthese
accusat
ion.”
“
Isawyout
wohuggi
ng.I
t’
snotj
ustaccusat
ions.
”
“Isai
ditwasinnocentbutifyoudon’tbel
ieveme
i
t’sfi
ne.Maybeweshoul dj ustendt
hisbecausei
t’
s
point
less.Iam notgoi
ngt odealwit
haccusati
ons.I
am notgoingthroughthatagainsolet
’sj
ustend
up.”
Raytookadeepbr
eat
h.“Isawyoutwohuggi
ng,
I
j
ustwanttoknowwhat
’sgoingon.Whyar
eyou
get
ti
ngangry?”
“Isaidl
et’sbr
eakupifyoudon’tbel
ieveme.Ijust
tol
dyout hatt
hehugwasi nnocentbutakereyou
don’tbel
ieveme..younowlookinsecure,
evenhe
seesit.
”
Raylookedatherandswallowed.“I
fyousayi
twas
i
nnocent,i
t’
sfi
ne.Ijustdi
dn’tl
ikei
t.
”
“
Itwon’
thappenagai
n.Ihavet
ogo.
”
“
Youl
ookbeaut
if
ul.
”
“
Thanks.
”
Raymovedcl
oserandki
ssedher
.
“
Didyouthi
nkaboutwhatIsaid?Imeanlookhow
weareal
readyf
ight
ingbecauseofthi
sguy.”
Bantulookedathim..“Ihavenothingtothinkabout.
Itol
dyou, i
fmykidscan’ tcomet hendon’tbother
payingmagadi.Youcan’ tsayyouwantt omar ryme
thenwantmet oleavemychi l
drenbehindbecause
youareuncomf ort
ablewi t
htheirfat
her.Iam not
l
eavingmychi l
dren.”
“
Idon’
twantyout
oleaveyourchi
ldr
en,Iam j
ust
t
ryi
ngtol
ookoutf
oryourownpeace.”
“
Mychi l
drenar
emypeace.Ilovethem.Ifi
twasn’
t
f
orthem Iwouldhavelongkil
ledmysel
f.Nothi
ng
wil
levermakemel eavethem.WhereIam iswher
e
t
heyar e.”
“
Ok.Thent
heycancome.I
t’
sfi
ne.
”
“
Ihavet
ogo.
”
Shewal
kedpasthim andenter
edthehospi
tal
.Ray
goti
nhi
scarcall
inghisbrot
her.
“
Hel
lo?
”
“Ihaveafeel
ingBant
uandIar
egoi
ngt
obr
eakup
andIam scared.
”
“
Whathappened?
”
“KanaBant uonlyspoket omet odayint hemorni
ng.
Iaskedherwhyshenevercal ledoranyt hi
ngand
shesai dtherewasnonet workandal sosaidthey
couldn’tcomebackyest erdayaspr omisedbecause
ofrain.Ifeell
ikesomet hinghappenedt here,
somet hingisdif
ferentabouthert oo.”
“
Youhavestart
edover
thinki
ng.I
sn’
tthi
stheman
whoshotheral
mostki
ll
ingher?”
“Iti
sbutshe…kanaBant utol
dt hi
sguyaboutwhat
happenedt hatni
ghtandyoushoul dhavehear d
howhespoket omeaboutmysexgamei nfr
ontof
her.Nowshel eftwi
thhim event houghIhadt old
herthattheideawasn’tcomf ort
ablewi t
hme.Fr om
theresheonlycall
smet odayandevenf r
om her
toneIcant el
lsomethi
ngi soff.SoIdr ovetothe
hospit
alandf oundhim huggingher .Shekept
sayingitwasinnocentthelatersaidmaybewe
shoul
dbr
eakup.
”
“
Eish…”
“Am Iovert
hinki
ngthings?IknowImadeupf orthe
sexbutIfeltsodegradedwhenhewast al
kingto
me.Gompi enoIfoundhim huggingmytobewi f
e
andhel i
tuphiscigaret
teandblewthesmokeon
myface.”
“
Thi
sguyi
sapr
obl
em.
”
“Thef i
rstdayIsawhim Icoul
dseehewaspr obl
em
butnowi t
’sl
ikeshe’
sgivi
nghim poweroverme.I
feelli
keIam t heonewho’
snotsupposedt obe
there.
”
“
War
ekeenemang?
”
“
Pul
eMot
samai
so,
mot
hakaol
ewal
egodu.
”
“Ohyes!Ithi
nkyoushoul dsitdownandt alkt
o
Bantuaboutthi
s.Apr operconversat
ion.
.Iknow
youloveherbutifshe’shunguponhert oxicex
whoal mostki
ll
edher ,
leaveherbecauset r
ustme,
ther
e’snothi
ngthathurtsmor ethanfeel
ingli
kean
extr
ainyourownr elat
ionshi
p.”
“
Iam scar
edofwhatshemi
ghtsay.Il
oveherso
much.
”
“Youneedt
ofacei
t.I
fshewant
syou,
thenwewi
ll
dealwi
thPul
e.”

*
**

Puledrovethr
oughhi
sfather
’shouseandpar ked
underthetr
ee.Theol
dmanl ookedoverathim as
hesteppedoutofhi
scarandwal kedovert
owher e
hewasseat edonhi
sverandahholdinganoldradi
o.
Heswal l
owedst ar
ingathim wal k,helookedli
kehis
mother .Alotl
ikehismot her,healsohadher
compl exi
on.Theol dswal l
owedl ookingathis
tat
tooswonder ingjusthoet hingswoul dhavebeen
dif
ferentifhetookr esponsi
bilit
yofhisboysear l
i
er.
Ormaybei twastheshamet hoseki
dshadbeen
broughttoli
fe…al
ltwoofthem.Hecouldneverget
overthefi
rstti
meithappened,howshehadcri
ed.
Shecr i
edti
llhewasdonewi t
hher,shehadputup
suchaf ightfora11yearol dbutthenafterthatf
ir
st
night,itbecameeasi erforhim.Everynighthe’ddo
i
tt i
llshest oppedcrying.Atsomepoi ntshenow
knewt her outine.
Hestil
lcouldn’
tunderstandwhathadgot t
enint
o
hi
m…hi sthroatti
ghtenedmaki nghi
m swallowjust
Pulesatnextgohi m.Tearsfi
ll
edhiseyesasthe
memor i
esfill
edhismindt i
llt
hedayhef oundher
dead.Shehadki l
ledhersel
ftheeveni
ngaf t
er
Tshepo’
sbirth.
Hishandsshookashet r
iedtokeephistearsfrom
rol
li
ngdown.HelookedatPul eknowingifeverhe
foundout
,he’
dkil
lhim withoutasecondthought.
Thatheknewsowell.
.
“
Papawee,
hasBant
u’sf
athercal
ledagai
n?”
Heshookhishead.Heknewhedi
dn’
tdeser
vebr
ing
afat
herbutthi
swashisson.
“
No.Notyet
.”
“Iwanttoapol
ogizeandtr
yandf i
xthingswi
th
Bantu.Iknowherfat
herprobabl
yhatesme.”
“
Yes.Hedoes.DoesBantuwantt
ofi
xthings?Her
f
atheri
snotanissue.Thei
ssuei
sher
.”
”
“
Ijustneedt
imet
opr
ovemysel
ftoher
.”
“Wor konwi nningherback, ifyougetherback, you
willpaymagadiagai n.Youal mostki ll
edherso
payingmagadiagai nshoul dnotbeani ssue.I
blamemysel fforallthis.Ishoul dhavet akenyou
andTshepoi nassoonasIcoul d.Youwoul dhave
turnedoutbet t
er .Maybeyouwoul dn’thaveal lthi
s
angeryouwal kar oundcar rying.Maybeyoucoul d
havel ovedBant ubet t
er …Idon’ tknowwhatki nd
angercoul dhavedr i
venyout oshootawomanyou
claimt olove.I
fshedi ed,whatwoul dyoubedoi ng
now? ”Heputhi sradiodown, tearsitchinghi seyes.
“Whatwoul dyoubedoi ngnowi fshedi ed.Your
i
nt enti
onshadbeent okillher.Idon’teven
under standtheloveyouhavef orher .It’
snott he
l
oveanyonewoul dwant .IwishIhadbeenbet ter.
Maybeyouwoul dhavet urnedoutbet ter.”
Pulel
ookeddown.“ Iwasn’
tthi
nkingt
hatmorni
ng.I
wasjusthurtand…everywordshekeptsayi
ng
soundedli
keal i
e.Iwastooangry…butt
herewas
someone…ashr ink.Iwastalki
ngtoheraboutanger
management.IknowIneedhel p.AndIam goingto
conti
nuewit
ht hesessions.Iwanttogetbett
er.For
herandourkids.Theydeservebet t
ert
hananangr y
manofaf at
her.”
Theol
dmannoddedandr
ubbedhi
seyes.
“
Fixmyr
adi
o.”

*
**

AtBotswanaAccountancyCol
lege,
Tsheposmi led
st
ari
ngatLubawalkingoutthr
ought heschoolgate
wit
hherfri
end.Shehaddoneherhairandshe
l
ookedbeauti
ful
.
Hest
art
edt
hecaranddr
oveovert
othem.
“
Hey…”
Lubal
ookedathi
m sur
pri
sed.“
Hi.
.”
Thef
ri
endsmi
ledt
oo.“
Hel
lo!
”
Tshepol
ookedather
.“Hi
.”Het
urnedt
oLuba.
“
Tsena…Iwi
lldr
opyouof
f.
”
“
Iam f
ine.Myf
ri
endandIwi
llcat
chacombibyt
he
r
oad.
”
Thefri
endl
ookedather
.“I
jo,
Idon’thavecombi
money.Osekawantsenyamoteng.Iwouldl
ovea
l
if
t,t
hankyou.
”
Shewal
kedr
oundt
hecarandj
umpedi
natt
hef
ront
seat
.
Tshepolookedattheforwar
dfri
endthenhel
ooked
atLuba.“Let
’sgo.Iam her
eforyou.
”
Thef
orwar
dfr
iendl
ookedatLuba.“
Luba,
let
’sgo!
”
Tshepol
ookedather.“
Movet
otheback.That
’s
Luba’
sseat
.Sutha.
”
Embarrassed,t
hef
ri
endmovedt
henLubawal
ked
overandgotin.
Tshepodr
oveof
f.“
Wher
eam Idr
oppi
ngyourf
ri
end
off
?”
“
Ist
ayi
nBr
oadhur
st?
”
Tshepost
oppedt
hecaratabusst
op.“
Ok,
youcan
t
akeacombif
rom her
e.”
Thef
riendlookedatLubat
henshetookoutP10
fr
om herbagandhandedittot
hefr
iend.
Thefri
endtookitthenst
eppedoutoft
hecar
annoyed.Tshepodroveoffl
eavi
nghert
her
e.He
smil
edturningtoLuba.
“
Hi.
”
“
Hel
lo.
”
“
Ili
keyourcor
nrows.
”
“
Thankyou.
”
Hedrovet
oherhouseandpar
kedt
hecart
hen
l
ookedather
.
“
Bye…Igotyoupi
zza.
”
Hehandedhert
heboxofpi
zza.
“
Bye.
”
“
Thankyou.
”
Shest
eppedoutoft
hecart
henhedr
oveof
fsmi
l
ing.
*
**

AtRay’
shouse,Bant
upar
kedhercarnextt
ohi
s
t
alki
ngtoMerapel
oonthephone.
“
Sowhatnow?
”
“
Hewi
llgett
hehol
idayswi
tht
heki
ds.
”
“
Didhesayanyt
hing?
”
“Yes.Hewant stofixthings.Ican’
tbewithhim
becauseIwoul dalwaysl i
veinfear.GapeIknowhe
sti
llt
hinksIcheated.Idon’twanthimt ohurtmei
n
anyway, keatshaba.Ilovehim…Pul ecanbe
everyt
hingyouneedi namanbuthecanbe
everyt
hingyoudon’ tneed.”
“Youstil
llovethi
sman.Iwantt otellyoutoholdof
marri
agewi thRay.He’sagoodmanbutdon’ tyou
thi
nkhedeser vesyourf ullat
tenti
onassawi fe?
WithPulebacki nthepicture,I’
dsaywai t
,make
sureyouar ecompl et
elyoverhi m becauseright
nowt hetruthi
sthatyoucangobackt oPuleor
cheatwithhim.Thehear tisastupidor ganBantu.
Youcan’tresi
sthi
m.Butyouknowhe’
str
oubl
e.I
don’
twantyout ofi
ndyour
sel
finamessy
si
tuat
ion.”
Bantusi
ghedl
ist
eni
ng.Minut
esl
atershef
inal
ly
walkedi
nsi
dethehouse.
Raywal
kedf
rom hi
sbedr
oom.
“
Hey…”
Heki
ssedher
.“Hi
.Let
’ssi
t.
”
Bant
usatdownandl
ookedathi
m.
“Iam notcomf ortablewithyourexhuggi ngyouor
gett
inginappropriatelyclosetoyou.Ifeel
undermi nedasyourman.Thi ngshavebeengoing
wellti
llhecame.Iunder standhe’sthefatherof
yourchildrenbutIthinkt hereshoul
dbeboundar ies.
Butthat’sonlyifyouwantus.Doyouwantus? ”
Banyulookedathi m..“Iam nothappywi t
hyoursex.
Iunderst
andyourcondi t
ionbutatthesamet imeI
am notsati
sfiedthewayIwantt obesatisf
ied.I
needyout obemor eact i
vei nbedandjustfuckme.
Iwanttobet horoughlysatisfi
ed.Idon’
tminddoing
t
heextr
eme.Ijustwantyout
odothi
ngst
ome.I
wantusbutIal
sowantgoodsex.
”
“Idi
dn’
treali
zeyouwerenotsati
sfi
edwit
hoursex
butIunderst
andandIwi l
lwor
koni t
.Ist
her
e
somethi
ngel set
hatneedsworki
ngon?Somethi
ngI
canbett
er?”
Sheshookherhead.Raysmi
led.
“
Ok,
thenwecanmovef
orwar
d.”
Shenoddedt
henhehuggedhercl
osi
nghi
seyes
wit
hrel
ief
.

FOURMONTHSLATER
.
.
.
[
06/
22,
08:
32] :Fal
lenAngel
#112
FourMont
hsLat
er…

AtBantu’
shouse,
Bantuparkedhercarandhur r
ied
i
nsidethehousei
nherheels.ShelookedatSasa
whoalreadyhadt
hechil
dren’sbagsready,
i
ncludi
nghers.
Bant
usmi
led.“
Areyouguysr
eady?
”
Sasanodded.“
Yes.
”
“Iknowyouar eworkingoverti
mebutIpromiseyou
Iwillbepayingyouforthat
.Ifanyt
hinghappens,
callme.Itdoesn’
tmat t
erwhattimeiti
s,j
ustcallme
ok?”
“
Yes.
”
Acardr
ovei
nout
side.“
That
’shi
m.Letmegett
he
ki
ds.
”
Bantuwalkedt
othei
rroom andsmi
ledwat
chi
ng
them pl
ayagame.
“
Hi…”
Theyt
urnedt
oher
.Bant
usmi
ledandhuggedt
hem.
Shemovedback.
“Daddyi
shere.Iwi
llseeyouguyswhenyoucome
back.
.Iam goi
ngtomi ssyou.
”
Mot
heosmi
led.“
Whyar
eyounotcomi
ng?
”
“BecauseIhavewor
k.ButIwi
llt
ryandvi
sit
.Let
’s
go.Heishere.”
Theywalkedouttohiscaroutsi
de.Pul
epacked
thei
rbagsinthecarthentur
nedpicki
nguphiskids
happil
y.Bant
usmi l
edwatching.
Heputt
hem int
hecarandhel
pedstr
apthem up
bef
oret
urni
ngtoBant
u.Hewalkedoversmi
li
ng.
“
Hi…”
Bantusmi
ledst
ari
ngathim,
hishai
rcutl
ookedso
fr
esh.Hel
ookedhandsomeasever
.
“
Hey.
”
“
Youl
ookpr
ett
y.”
Bant
ufixedherwhitecoat
.“Thankyou.Yout
oo.
Sasawillmakethi
ngseasierf
oryou.Shewil
lhel
p
youwit
hanyt hi
ngyouneed.Uh…sheknowst he
chil
dren’
sal
ler
giesbutWawaandnut
sdon’
tgo
toget
her.
.pl
ease…”
Shepausedtal
kingashesmi l
edt
henshesmil
ed
embarr
assed.“
Ialreadyt
oldyout
hatdi
dn’
tI?
”
“
Youdi
d.”
“
Iam sor
ry.
”
“
It
’sok.Iwi
llnotgi
veheranyt
hingt
hathasnut
s.
Whatelsemama? ”
Shel
ookedathi
mthenshookherhead.“
Not
hing.
”
“
Iwi
shyouwer
ecomi
ngwi
th.
”
Sheshowedhimther
ingonherf
inger
.“Myf
iance
won’
tli
kethat
.”
“
Sowhat
?”
“
Pul
e…”
“
Wecanal waysbeaf
ami
lyagai
n.Hehasn’
tpai
d
magadihashe?”
Raydrovei
nthr
ought
heopengat
e.Bant
umoved
back.
“
Pleasego.
”
Raypar
kedthecarandwalkedovert
othem.Pul
e
l
ookedatBant
uandsmiled.
“
Iwi
llcal
lyou.
”
Shenoddedandwatchedhi
m wal
kaway.Hegoti
n
hi
scaranddroveof
f.
Raysmi
led.“
Het
ookt
heki
ds?
”
“
Yes.
”
Bantuturnedandwalkedi
nsi
det
hehouse.Ray
walkedinbehindher
.
“
Haveyouspokent
oyourf
ather
?”
Bantut
urnedt
ohi
m.“Yes.Howmuchdoyouhave
savedf
ormagadi
?”
Hesmi
led.“
Idon’
tthi
nkyouneedt
oknowt
hat
.”
“
Ido.KanaPul
ehadpai
d90kt
owar
dsmagadi
.”
“
Iam notPul
e.WhyshouldIpaythatmuchf
or
magadit
henaft
ert
hatalsocatert
oourweddi
ng?
”
“
Pul
ecoul
dpayi
twi
thnoi
ssue.
”
“Looki
ngathowhewasget ti
nghismoney, itmakes
sense.Iam st
illbuildi
ngt hehouse.Thehousewe
aregoingtostayi naftermarri
age.GapeIhave
beensavingforourhoneymoon.Iwant edtotake
yousomepl acef ar.OfcauseIwoul dlovepaying
90kbutIalsowantyout ohaveabeaut i
fulweddi
ng.
What ’
sgoingon?Whyam Ibei ngcompar edtoPule
allofasudden? ”
“Iam notcompari
ngyout oPul
e.Iwasj
ustaski
ng.
Papaisdoingthefi
nishi
ngtouchest
oourhouse
thenyouruncl
escancome. ”
“Ok.I
twaseasyforPul
etopayt hatamount
becauseofhowhegetshismoney.Iworkformy
money.”Rayki
ssedher
.“Imissedyou.”
Het ookof
fhercoatthenherdress,
hisdical
ready
hard.Raykissedhersqueezi
ngherbreast
.Bantu
pushedhimt othecouchandtookitoutget
ti
ngon
top.
Shel
oweredhersel
fdownoni
tandst ar
tedr
idi
ng
hi
m.Raygrunt
edasshemovedf astontopofhi
m.
Hegr
untedsqueezi
ngherwai
st.
“
Fuckbabe!Sl
owdown…shi
t!
”
Shewentevenfasterandmi
nuteslat
erhestar
ted
groani
ng.Shel
ookedathimfakinghermoansand
cl
osedhereyesfakinganor
gasm ashecame.
Shelookedathi
m br
eat
hingheavi
lyandsmi
led
get
ti
ngof fhi
m.
“
Ineedt
ogot
othegym.
”
Shewal kedt
oherbedroom nakedwhil
ehestared
atherroundbut
t.Raysmiledgetti
ngof
fthecouch
andfol
lowedhertoherbedroom.Hecouldonly
i
maginehowi twouldbewhent heywerefi
nal
ly
marri
ed.
Hesli
dhi shandinhispockett
hencameoutwit
h
somer ecei
pts.Hewalkedtoherbi
nandthr
ewthem
i
nsidebutthenhiseyesfel
lonsomethi
ng.He
swall
owedpi cki
ngitup.

*
**

Hour
slat
eri
nGabor
one,
Pul
ewal
kedoutoft
he
ai
rportcar
ryi
ngWamewhi
leMot
heowal
ked
besi
deshim chat
ti
ng.
Heunl
ockedhi
scart
henputWamei
nwhi
leMot
heo
j
umpedinsi
deonhi
sown.
Theairpor
tstaffhel
pingwi
tht
hebagswalkedover
thenPulepackedthem int
hebootwhi
leSasat
ook
thefr
ontseat.
ShewatchedasPulegotinthecar,
hel ookedathi
s
ki
dsthenstar
tedthecaranddroveoff.Shelooked
athi
scleanhandswithhisnai
lscutshort.
Therewasalwayssomet
hingaboutt
hosevei
ned
handsthatal
waysmadeherwonder.Shel
ooked
awaybeforehecoul
dnot
iceshewasstari
ng.
Awhi l
elaterhedrovethroughthegateandparked
i
nfrontofabi gbeauti
fulmansion.Notthehouse
sheremember edbutBant uhadsaidhehadbought
ahouse, Sasalookedatiti
nshockandmesmer i
ze
wonderingjusthowmuchhehadboughti tfor
.
Hest eppedoutofthecarandhelpedhiskidsout.
Sasagotoutl ooki
ng.Pul
egottheirbagsthenthey
walkedinsidethehouse.
Sasalookedbl ownaway, itdefi
nit
elylookedlike
thosehousesonTVj ustt hatthi
sonewasr eal .She
l
ookedatt hebi gsitti
ngr oom whi chhadabi gTV
mount edonwal lt
henf oll
owedhi mt owherehewas
taki
ngt hekids.Heopenedadoort hentheywal ked
i
nsidet hei
rbedr oom withni cepaintedwal l
swi th
thecartoonchar acterstheyl i
ked.Mot heothrew
himselfonhi sownbedwhi l
eWamegotonher s
coveredwithpi nkblanket s.
Heputt
hei
rbagsdown.
“
Iam comi
ng.LetmeshowAunt
ySasaherr
oom.
”
Sasaf
oll
owedhim outt
othenextr
oom.Heopened
i
tandwalkedi
nsi
de.Sasasmil
ed.
“
It
’sbeaut
if
ul.
”
“
Youwillbeclosertothem.Youcansettl
edown
t
henIwi l
lshowyouar oundthoughyouronlydut
y
wil
lbethekids.Ther
ei ssomeonewhoalready
managesthehouse.”
Shel
ookedathi
m.“
Ok.
”
Hewal
kedout
.Sasat
hrewher
sel
font
hebed
gi
ggl
ing.

Latert
hatevening, SasapickedWamewhohad
fall
enasleepandt ookhert otheroom.Shewalked
backjustasPul ewal kedi
nsidethehousest
inkinga
bitoft
heci gar
ette.
Sasabendedandpi
ckedupMotheo.Shel
aidhi
m
downandwalkedbackt
ocleant
heirmessbutPul
e
wasalr
eadydoingi
t.
“
Iwasgoi
ngt
odot
hat
.”
“
It
’sok.
”
“Doyouneedanyt
hingbef
oreIgot
osl
eep?Shoul
d
Imakeyoucoff
ee?”
“
It
’sok.Iwi
llmakei
tmysel
f.
”
Sasasmi
led.“
Letmequi
ckl
ydoi
t.
”
Sasawal
kedtot heki
tchenwhi
leheputawayt
he
chi
ldr
en’
stoys.Shetookadeepbreat
hthen
droppedsomethi
nginhiscoff
ee,
herhear
traci
ng.
Shequickl
ymixeditandwalkedt
ohim.
“
Her
e.”
Puletookitandsmil
ed.“
Thankyou.Iknowyouare
theonewhowast ell
ingt
hekidsaboutme.Ican
neverthankyouenoughfort
hat.
”
“
Iwasj
ustdoi
ngt
her
ightt
hing.
”
“
Sti
ll
..
”
Sasasmil
edbackthenwalkedaway.Shelookedat
thet
imeandundressedt
hengotundertheshower
i
nherroom.
Meanwhil
ePulefi
nishedhiscoff
eewat chi
ng
hi
ghli
ght
sofyesterday’
sfoot
ballmatch.Anhour
l
ater
,hestoodupfeeli
ngalit
tl
efunny.
Sasawalkedf
rom herbedr
oom i
nherni
ght
dress.
Pulel
ookedatherthenshesmi
led.
“Iam sorr
y…It
houghtyouhadf
all
enasl
eepsoI
canswi t
chof
fthel
ight
sandTV.”
Pul
e’seyesfel
lonhert
hickt
highsandwi
dehi
ps.
Hernightdr
esswassoshort
,everyti
meshet
ooka
step,
thedr
essr
odeoverhert
hickt
highsexposi
ng
them mor
e.
Heswal l
owedwat chi
ngherwal kover,hi
sdick
j
erkingandfil
li
nghispants.Heputhi shandinhis
pockettr
yingtohi
dehi serecti
onbutshewal ked
pasthim andknel
tdownr eachingforWame’st oy
thathadfall
enunderthetable.
Hishear tski
ppedashel ookedatherpussylips
closingtogetherandhalfofhert
hickbuttshowing.
Hisdi ckhardenedsomuchhecoul dn’
tevenhideit
.
Sasagotupsmi l
ingt
henpausedst ari
ngatthehuge
thinginhispants…shit!
.
.
.
[
06/
22,
08:
32] :Fal
lenAngel
#113

Shet
ookadeepbr
eat
handbr
avel
ylookedathi
m.
Thelustinhiseyessovisibl
e,hel
ookedatherl
ikea
Lionwouldlookatit’
sprey.Sasat
ookadeepbreath
knowingtamingthismanwasnotgoi ngtobeajoke.
Shedidn’tj
ustwanttobesomeonehe’ dj
ustrel
ease
i
nandl ookelsewhere.
Shesmil
edthenwal
kedover
.“Ar
eyouok?Shoul
dI
getyouwat
er?”
Heclearedhisthr
oatbr eathi
ngheavil
y,hi
seyes
goingdownt oherthighs.Sasatookhishandoutof
hispocketandstoodont i
ppytoesandkissedt
he
cornerofhi
slips,herhandonhi spackage.
Itf
lexedinherhand.Het
ookadeepbreatht
ryi
ngto
controlhi
sthought
sbutt
henshesqueezedhim.
“MmagweMotheosai
dIshoul
dhelpyouin
ever
ywayyoumayneedhel
p.Letmehelpyou.
”
“
Shi
tno…Ihave…-
“
“
Shhh… cal
m down.
”
Shetr
iedunzi
ppi
nghi
spant
s.Pul
epushedof
fher
hand.
“
Please…”
“Iam notgoi
ngtohur
tyou.Youhaven’
tbeen
havi
ngsexhaveyou?”Shetouchedhim agai
n.“
I
j
ustwantt ohel
pyou.
”
Heswal
lowedst
ari
ngather
.“No…Bant
u-“
“
Isnother
e.Andshe’
snotgoi
ngt
otakeyouback.
”
Sasaknel
tdownunzi
ppi
nghi
spants.Shepul
led
downhispant
stheni
tspr
ungouthi
tti
ngher
for
ehead.
Shebli
nkedthenhelpedi
tinherhandstr
oki
ngt
he
vei
nedweapon.Ithadsomanyvei ns…andt
hey
werevi
sibl
e.
Pul
est
eppedbackal
mostchocki
ngonhi
ssal
iva
“
Stop!Pl
easest
op-
fuck!
”
Sasaopenedhermouthandsuckedt
het
hickr
ound
ti
pli
keshewouldsuckalol
ipop.
Sherelaxedhermusclesandt ookmostofitt
il
lithi
t
thebackofherthroat
.Pulegruntedwatchi
ngher
witht
hehi sdici
nhermout h.Shemovedherhead
sucki
nghi m,hert
eethsli
ghtl
ygr aci
nghisski
n.She
heldt
heshaf toft
hedicandst rokedhi
m whil
e
sucki
nghi
m gaggi
ng.
Pulegrabbedherheadgr
oaningandbegunfucki
ng
hermout h,
hidi
cgoingdeeperi
nherhotmouth.
Tearsfi
ll
edhereyesashefuckedhermore,
his
grunt
sget t
ingl
ouder.
Sasapressedherthighstoget
herli
steningtohi
m
enj
oyinghimself
,herp*ssygetti
ngwet .Shecoul
d
hardl
ybreathebutthesoundshekeptmaki ngwere
suchaturnonshedi dn’twantt
ostop.
Hewentf aster,herheadst i
llstr
oking.Hesli
dashe
gotevenharder .Sasamovedcl osersucki
nghi s
bal
lswhilestrokinghisent i
reweapon.Hepul ledher
hai
rpainful
ly.Sasai gnoredt hepainthenputhisdic
backinhermout hlookingupathi m ashegrunted
hel
plessl
ywhi leherf r
eehandsl i
dbetweenherl egs.
Shetouchedherwetp* ssyfli
ckinghercli
twhi l
e
Pukefuckedhermout hl osi
ngcont rol
.
Hegruntedashespurthi
scum insi
dehermouth.
Sasafl
ickedher
selfi
nevenf
asterinswal
lowi
ng
thencl
osedhereyesspasmi
ng.
Shel
ethi
sdi
cdr
opf
rom hermout
hthenhotupand
puti
tbacki
nhi
spant
s.
“
Goodni
ght
.”
Sheturnedandwalkedbacktoherroom.Pule
star
edatherdumbstruckthensl
owlywalkedtohi
s
bedroom andsatdown.Heputhishandsonhis
facewonderi
ngwhathadjusthappened.

Thefol
lowingmorning,
SasahelpedWamedress
thenwalkedoutwit
hhergoingtothesi
tt
ingr
oom.
Sheputhim onthechai
rnexttoMotheowhowas
alr
eadyeati
ng.
Pul ewal
kedf r
om hisroom putt
ingonhiscap,his
eyesfel
lonSasaasshegaveWameherpl at
eina
bodyhuggingdr ess.Helookedatherper
fecthour
glassbody,herwaistwast i
nyfoll
owedbyher
curvesandass.
Hetookadeepbr eat
hconvi
nci
nghimselfwhathad
happenedyest
erdaywasacomplet
emi stake.Sasa
t
urnedandl
ookedathi
m.
Shesmi
ledi
nnocent
ly.“
Goodmor
ning.
”
Mot
heol
ookedathi
sfat
her
.“Daddy!
”
Wamesmi l
edl
ooki
ngathim..Pul
ewal
kedoverand
ki
ssedhi
sdaught
er’
scheek.
“
Heybaby…”
“
Hidaddy.
”
Pulebumpedfi
stwithhi
ssonthensatdown.Sasa
walkedtot
hekit
chenandcamebackwi t
hhisplat
e
ful
lwit
hEngli
shbreakf
astandaglassofor
ange
j
uicebefor
esit
ti
ngdown.
Pule’
seyesfel
lonherface,
shehaddoneabitof
makeup,hetookhi
stimestari
ngather,
shewas
beauti
ful
.Andli
ght
erincomplexi
onthanhe
remembered.
Hesi
ppedherdr
inkwhi
leeat
ing.
Mot
heolookedathi
sfat
her
.“Daddyarewegoi
ngt
o
t
hegame?Yousaidwearegoingtoday.
”
Pul
etur
nedt
ohi
sson.“
Yes,
wear
e.”
“
Yes!
”
Puleatet
urni
nghisattent
iont
ohischil
dren.Sasa
gotupminutesl
aterandtookthei
rpl
atestothe
ki
tchen.
Shesil
ent
lydi
dthedi
shesandt
urnedt
owal
kout
butPul
ewalkedi
n.
“
Iam t
aki
ngt
heki
dsout
.”
“
Eer
ra.
”
Pul
elookedatherf
oracoupleofseconds,
hiseyes
st
il
lmovingdowntoherhips.Thewordshehad
pl
annedonsayingfl
yingoutofhi
shead.
“
Uh…shar
p.”
Heturnedandquicklywal
kedout
.Howwasi tthat
shewasmanagi ngtoactl
ikenot
hinghadhappened
whil
ehehadn’tstoppeddr
eamingabouthert
he
ent
ir
eni ght
.
Hewal
kedoutwi
thhi
ski
dst
hensecondsl
aterhe
dr
oveof
f.
Sasasighedandwal
kedt
othesi
tt
ingr
oom.Shesat
downlookingatt
hebi
gTV.
*
**

I
nMaun,
Bant
usati
nherof
fi
cecal
li
ngSasa.
“
Hel
lo?
”
“
HiSasa,
howi
sit
?”
“RragweMotheostaysi
nabighouse.
.Iwasworri
ed
I’
dhavetocleani
tthenl
ookaft
erthekidsbuthe
saidther
e’samai
d.”
Bant
ulaughed.“
Bet
ter
.Howar
etheki
ds?
”
Sasalaughed.“Waai
ikedaddythi
sanddaddyt hat
mma, ebi
letheydon’
tknowmeanymor ebutit
’sfine
becausennammaket shabaRr
agweMot heo.
”
“Youdon’
thavet
obescar
ed.Hewoul
dneverdo
anyt
hingt
oyou.”
“
Eish…Iguess.
”
“
CanIt
alkt
otheki
ds?
”
“
Theyhavewentout
.Iam athome.
”
“
Ohok.
”
“Yes.Butyoucancal
llat
eron.Iam sur
etheywi
l
lbe
back.”
“
Yeah…Imi
ssyouguys.
”
“
Imi
ssyout
oo.
.Iam notsur
eaboutyourchi
ldr
en.
”
Theybot
hlaughed.
“I
ja!Uh…sohaveyounot
icedanyt
hing?Awoman
orsomethi
ng?”
“Ahhhe’salwaysonhisphoneifhe’
snot
enter
tai
ningtheki
ds.Idon’
tknowanyways.
”
“
Ohok.
.Iwi
llcal
llat
er.
”
“
Ok.
”
BantuhungupandopenedherWhat sapp.She
repl
iedtoafewmessagest henopenedthe
stat
uses.Shesatupr
ightopeningPule’
sanditwas
himselfandtheki
dsi
nt hecar.
Shesmi l
edzoominginthepictur
e,shelookedat
herchil
drent
henathim.Shel ookedathiseyes
smil
ing.Shesavedthepict
urethenleanedbackon
herchai
r.
Bantuthought
ful
lycal
ledMer
apel
oget
ti
ngupf
rom
herchair
.
“
Bant
u..
”
“
Mama.
”
“
Howar
eyou?
”
Bantul
ookedatparki
ngl
ott
hroughherof
fi
ce
windowthensi
ghed.
“
Isi
twr
ongt
ost
il
llovehi
m evenaf
terever
ythi
ng?
”
“
No.I
t’
snot
.Itmeansyouar
ehuman.
”
“IlovePule.SomuchIhat emyselfforit
.Iwish
therewasamanualwher eIcouldlear
nhowt o
unlovepeopl e.”Tearsfil
ledhereyes.“I
t’
snot
nor mallovi
ngsomeonewhohast hepowert oend
youl i
kePul e.Ican’tseem tobeabletoloveanyone
else.EverytimeIam wi thRay,Iam yearningfor
him…f orhistouch, hiski
sses…Iam yearningto
havehi m.Ievendr eam abouti
t,canyoui magine?
Howcanonemanmakemesoweak, Ican’teven
fi
ghtof fhowIf eel
.Iwantt owakeupi nhisarms,I
wantt
ohearhimtel
lmehel
ovesme.Iwantt
ofeel
hi
sbodyaroundmine.
”
“NnaBantuIbel
ievei
nsecondchancesbutatt
he
sameti
mesecondchancesareonlygivenwhenit
’s
wort
hit.I
shewor thi
t?”
“
Ilovehi
m..
”
“Youf earthisman, isthatthekindofl i
feyouwant ?
Al i
fewher ehecanatanydaygetsopi ssedheki l
ls
you.Maybeevent hechi l
drenthenhimsel f.Ordo
youwantt otakeal eapoff ai
thandact ual
lybel i
eve
hegothel p,fixthingsandbeaf ami l
yagai n?I t
’s
yourcal lt
omake, Ican’ttel
lyouwhatt odo.I t’
s
yourchoi cetomakebutbet ruetoyour self.WhenI
fir
stmetyourf ather,
hehadhi sflawsbutwhatI
l
ear ntisthatthisothergenderneedt obet reated
l
ikechi l
drenandt hewayyouwoul dteachMot heo
whyyoudon’ tlikecertai
nbehavi orbecausecer tai
n
behaviorhasconsequencesi showyouwoul d
teachyourman.Al t
houghasmuchasweal lsay
whatwewant…don’ tweal lneedt otake
account abil
it
yofouract i
ons?”
Bant
utookadeepbr
eat
hthenMer
apel
ocont
inued.
“Forexampl e,youliedandwentoutwi t
hanot her
manknowi ngyourmani saj
ealouski nd.Asext ape
comesoutbutofcauseyouwer ebei ngr aped.How
washesupposedt obeli
evet
her apewhenyouhad
l
iedaboutot herthings?Hisangeri saccount abl
e
for,
yes, hetookitfarbutwecan’tr eallyblamehim
forbeingangr y.Asmuchashewaswr ongt oshoot
you,youpl ayedahugepar ti
nt his.Didyouever
apologizeforthat?Foryourl
ies?Washenothur t
too?”
Bant
uswal
lowedl
ist
eni
ng.
“See..
?Arewejustgoingtocallhi
m allsort
sof
namesandi gnoret
hef actt
hathejustdidn’
twake
upanddecidetoshootyou?Ar ewegoi ngtoignor
e
thatinhi
seyeshewascheat edonbyawomanhe
l
oved?Sowear enotgoingtotakeresponsi
bil
it
yfor
that?
”
Bant
usni
ff
ed.
“Forhowlongwil
lyoupl
ayvi
cti
m sweet
y?When
areyougoingt
oholdyour
sel
faccount
ablef
orwhat
happened?Wasn’ thegoodt oyoubeforethat
?
Wasn’theeverythingyouneeded?Yes, hehashi
s
fl
awsbut …aretheyenought oblackli
sthim?Are
theyenoughforyout ogetmar r
iedtoamanyou
don’tl
ovebecausehe’ snevershownyouhi s
fl
aws?”
“
NgNg…”
“
Bet
ruet
oyour
sel
f.
”
Bantutur
nedthenpausedlooki
ngatRaywhowas
standi
ngbyherdoor.Hewalkedinandcl
osedt
he
doorasshestaredwonder
inghowmuchhehad
heard.
“
Hey.
.”
“
Mama,
Iwi
llcal
lyou.
”
“
Ok.
”
Bant
uhungupandt
ookadeepbr
eat
h.“
Hi.
.”
Rayki
ssedher
.“Canwet
alk?
”
Shelookedathi
m.Raytookoutapregnancyt
ext
from al
it
tl
egif
tbaghewasholdi
ng.Heputitonher
tabl
e.
“
Ifoundi
tinyourbi
nyest
erday,
youar
epr
egnant
?”
.
.
.
Let
squi
ckl
ypar
ti
cipat
eandgetourbonuses
[
06/
22,
08:
32] :Fal
lenAngel
#114

Bant
ulookedatt
hepr
egnancyt
estt
henathi
m.
“
Whatwer
eyoudoi
ngi
nmybi
n?”
“
Iwast
hrowi
ngsomet
hingi
nit
.Ar
eyoupr
egnant
?”
Bant
usatdownashel
ookedather
.
“
Areyou?Howf
arar
eyou?
”
“
Pleaseseat
.”
“
Howf
arar
eyou?
”
“
Soyouwon’
tseat
?”
Ray’
shear
tasshel
ookedathi
m.“
Ithoughtyou
sai
dyoudi
dn’
twantmor
eki
ds?
”
“
Iam pr
egnant
.Yes.
”
Rayswall
owedaspai
nmadef
inal
lyseat
.Tear
s
fi
ll
edhereyes.
“
Youar
e?”
“
Yes.Iam.
”
Rayrubbedhi
sfacethenhi
seyes.Pai
nmadei
tso
har
df orhi
mtothi
nk.Bant
uwatchedhim.
“
Ray…”
Hel
ookedather
.“Howf
arar
ewe?
”
Shel
ookedathi
m.“
Iam sor
ry.
”
“
Howf
ar?
”
“
Afewmont
hs.
”
“
Ithoughtt
hecondom was.
..
”
“
Ray…”
“
Orsomet
hinghappened?
”
“
It
’snotyour
s.”
Helookedathert
henat
earr
andown.Shest
oodup.
“Iam sor
ry.
”
“
Whoi
sitf
or?
”
“
I.
.”
“
Whoi
sitf
or?Who?
”
“
It
’sPul
e’
s.”
Rayangr
il
yst
oodup.“
It
’swho’
s?”
“
Pul
e.”
Rayl
aughed.“
Ist
hisaj
oke?
”
“
No.
”
“
Yousl
eptwi
thhi
m?”
Sheswal
lowedl
ooki
ngathi
sangr
yface.“
Iam
sor
ry.
”
“
When?
”
“
Itdoesn’
tmat
ter
.Iam pr
egnant
.”
“I
tmatter
s!Youcheat
edonme…why?WhatwasI
doingwrong?
”
“
Iam sor
ry.
”
“Iwantt
oknowwhy!Why!Ifoundyoubroken!I
foundyoudepr
essedandsuici
dal
!Ipi
ckedupthe
piecesi
nyourl
if
eandlovedyou!Why?”
Tear
sfi
ll
edhereyes.“
Iam sor
ry.
”
“
Why?Whyhi
m?Outofanyoneel
se,
whyhi
m?”
“
Raypl
ease.
.”
“
Why?Iwantt
oknowwhy!
”
“
Iwasn’
tsat
isf
iedwi
thoursex!And-
“
Rayslappedheracrosstheface.Shetouchedher
cheekandtriedtopr
esstheemer gencybutt
onbut
heslappeditfr
om herhands.
“
Oir
ang?
”
Shel
ookedathim shaki
ng.“
Iam goi
ngt
orepor
t
yout
othepoli
ce.”
“Youwer
esuddenl
ynotsati
sfi
edwi
thoursexaf
ter
hewasrel
easedfr
om j
ail
?”
“
Iam notanswer
inganyt
hing,
youar
egoi
ngt
ojai
l.
”
“Al
lofasuddenyoucoul
dopenyourl
egsf
orhi
m
becausehewasout.I
sn’
thet
hesamemanwho
tr
iedtokillyou?Isn’
thet
hesamemanwhoalmost
ki
lledyou?Whatdoyouseei nhi
m?What’
sso
specialabouthim?Whendidyousl
eepwi
thhi
m?”
Shel
ookedathi
m mut
e.
“
Whendi
dyousl
eepwi
thhi
m?”
“
Raypl
easest
op.
”
“
Whendi
dyousl
eepwi
thhi
m?”
“
Att
hef
arm.
”
Helookedatherandbl
inked,
mot
etear
sfi
ll
ingher
eyes.
“
Wasi
tthatni
ght
?”
“
No.Thef
oll
owi
ngday.
”
“
Didyoul
ikei
t?”
“
Idon’
twantt
oanswert
hosequest
ions.
”
“I
fyoudon’t
,Iam goi
ngt
obeatyout
il
lyouvomi
t
outt
hatpregnancy.
”
“Il
ovehim.Iam sor
ry.It
ri
edtostoplovi
nghim butI
couldn’
t.Il
ovehi
m somuch..Iwanthim..Iwantt
o
r
aisemyki
dswi
thhi
m.Iam sor
ry.
”
“
Ifyoust
il
llovedhi
m whydi
dyousayyest
ome?
”
“
IthoughtIwasr
eadyt
omoveon.
.Iam sor
ry.
”
Rayt urnedput
ti
nghishandsonhi
sface.Bant
u
quicklybendedandpickedt
heemer
gencybutt
on
pressingit
.
Rayt
urnedt
oher
.“Il
oveyout
oo.Il
oveyou.
”
“
Iam sor
ry.
”
“Iloveyoubabe..can’twewor konus?Icanbetter
oursex.Am Inotdoi ngwhatyouwant ?Wecan
raisethebabytogether.Heorshewi l
lbeourbaby.I
havenopr oblem wit
ht hebaby.Iwil
llovehi
m and
takecareofhiml i
kemyown. ”Hetouchedher
hands.“Please…”
“Ican’
tpret
endanymore.Iwi
llhur
tyouevenmor
e..
Iam sorr
y.ButIl
ovehi
m.AndIwanthi m.You
deservebet
ter
.Youdeservewaybett
er.
”
“Il
oveyou.Whatam Isupposedt
odowi
thmyl
ove
babe?Whatam Isupposedtodo?”
“
Iam sor
ry.Iam sosor
ry.Pl
easef
orgi
veme.
”
Thedooropenedthensecuri
tywalkedi
n.They
l
ookedatBantu.Shesteppedbacksnif
fi
ngthen
wipedawayhertear
s.
Rayl
ookedather
.“Pl
ease.
.”
“
Iam sor
ry.Thesecur
it
ywi
ll
leadyouout
.”
Raylookedatherandwal
kedout
.Bant
usatdown,
herhandsonherface.
Minutesl
atersher
eachedforherphoneandcal
led
Pulebutt
hel i
newasbusy.
Shetookadeepbr
eat
handqui
ckl
ypackedher
thi
ngs.

AtBantu’
shouse,Bantusubmit
tedherleavefor
m
thenpackedhercl
othesi
nherbag.Sheputi ti
nher
carandlockedal
ldoorsofherhousebeforeget
ti
ng
i
nhi scar
.
Shet
ookaherphoneandst
art
edt
ypi
nghi
ma
message.
Bantu:Hi,youwer er i
ghtyest erdayaboutusbei nga
famil
yagai n.Idon’ tthinkIcangoonl yi
ngtomyself
anymor e.Iloveyou.Il oveyousomuchPul e.No
manmakesmef eel t
hewayyoumakemef eel.I
wantust of i
xt hingsandbot hofuscangof or
couple’
st herapy.Ij ustcan’tkeepl yingtomysel f
anymor e.Ihavebr okenupwi thRay. .healso
deservesbet terthanwhatIwasgi venhi m.Itook
l
eaveatwor k, Iwantt ocomet here,shoul dIcome?
Shesentt
hemessageandtookadeepbr
eat
h
wai
ti
ngforhi
sresponse.

*
**

InGabor
one,Pulewatchedhiski
dsplayi
ngata
gamepark.Motheoclimbedthest
air
sgoingtot
he
l
ongestwatersl
ides.Pul
etookouthi
sphone
get
ti
ngreadytotakeavideo.
Mot
heoscr
eamedl
oudl
ytal
kingt
ohi
m.“
Daddy!
Wat
ch!Daddy!
”
“
Iam wat
chi
ng!
”
Mot heosmil
edthenjumpedonthesli
deasPule
tookavideoti
llhef
lewinsi
dethepoolcausi
ngabi
g
splash.Hel
aughedsavingthevi
deoasMot heo
swam outofthepoolandranover.
“
Daddy!Di
dyousee?
!”
“
Idi
dmyboy,
thatwasagoodone.
”
“
Daddy!
”
Pul
elookedatWameont
hesmal
lsl
ide.
“
LookatmeDaddy!
”
Pul
etookanot
hervi
deo.“
That
’smybaby!
”
Wamel
aughedal
soswi
mmi
ngoutoft
hepool
.
Awhi t
eladyl
ookedathi
m admi
ri
ngl
y.“
Daddyoft
he
yeargoestoyou!
”
Pulel
ookedatherandsmi
led.“
Justdoi
ngwhata
fat
hershoul
ddo.”
“
Ilovei
t,yoursonl
ooksj
ustl
ikeyou.
”
“
Hei
shi
sfat
her
’sson.
”
Thewhi t
eladysmil
edandwaved.Pul
epi
ckeda
towelandcoveredWamewit
hit.
“
Thatwasbeaut
if
ulbaby.
”
Mot heopickedhi
sowncoveredandwipedhimself
wit
hi t.Pul
epostedt
hevideosonhisst
atusthen
openedamessagef rom Bant
ujustasSasa’
s
What sappmessagedroppedatt
hetopofhis
screen.
Sasa:Thatl
ooksl
ikef
un,
can’
tIcome?
Hel
ookedatt
hensmi
ledr
espondi
ng.
Pul
e:Youcancome.
Hesenti
t.Wamel
ookedathi
m.
“
Daddy,
Iwantt
osi
ssy…”
Pul
esli
dhisphoneinhi
spocketasMot
heosat
downdri
nki
nghisjui
ce.
“
Buddy,
Iam comi
ng.Don’
tgoanywher
e.”
Motheonoddedt
henPul
ewal
kedt
oat
reeadi
stant
away.
“
Ok…youcanpee.Iwi
lll
ookaway.
”
Wamet ookof
fthetowelashel
ookedawaythen
pul
leddownherbiki
nipant
yandsquat
tedpeei
ng.
“
Daddy,
Ineedt
owi
pemysel
f.Ineedat
issue.
”
Pul
elookedatherst
il
lsquat
ti
ng.“
Didyoudopoo?
”
“
No.Si
ssy.Ishoul
dwi
pemysel
f.
”
Hesi
ghed.“
Ther
eisnot
issuebaby.Uset
het
owel
.”
Wamel ookedatthetowelthentookitandpoorl
y
wipedherselft
henpulledupherpanty.Pul
epicked
herupandt hetowelthenwalkedbacktowhere
Motheowasst il
ldr
inkinghi
sjuice.Hetookouthis
phoneandmadeacal l.

*
**

I
nMaun,
Bant
uopenedPul
e’
smessaget
hensmi
led.
Pul
e:Youcancome.
Shest
art
edt
heCX5andr
ever
sedoutt
hendr
oveof
f.
Shest
oppedatthef
il
li
ngstati
onandfil
ledhert
ank.
Shesmil
edtaki
ngouthisengagementr
ingthensl
id
i
tonherfi
nger.
Bantudroveoffaf
terpayi
ngsi
ngi
ngalonggoAl
ici
a
Keys,I
fIAin’
tGotYouheadedtoGaborone.
.
.
.
[
06/
22,
08:
33] :Fal
lenAngel
#115

Att
hegamepark,
Ski
jopar
kedhi
scart
henSasa
l
ookedathi
m.
“
Thankyou.
”
Henodded.Shest eppedoutoft hecarwhil
ehe
staredatherFait
hNket sikindofbodyt r
appedin
thatdress.Hereverseddrivingoffcal
li
ngPule.
“
Yah?
”
“
Ijustdr
oppedherof
f.Shi
t!Omont
egor
e,ke
mang?”
Pul
elaughed.“
Asknoquest
ionsandhearnol
ies?
”
“
Ithoughtyouwer
eget
ti
ngBant
uback.
”
“
She’
sget
ti
ngmar
ri
ed.
”
“
Ithoughtwewer
eki
ll
inghi
m.”
“I
twouldn’
tcountki
ll
inghim onl
yforhert
ofi
nd
someoneelse.Il
osther.Shewil
lnevert
akeme
back.
”
“Soyouar
emovi
ngont
oFai
thNket
si?Ngwanaodi
shi
t!
”
Pul
elaughed.“
Letmegoandgether
.”
“
Soyoul
ikeher
?”
“
Oshar
phel
a.Andshe’
sgoodwi
tht
heki
ds.
”
“
Goshar
p!”
Pul
elaughedhangi
ngupasSki
jodr
oveof
f.

*
**
PulewalkedovertoSasaassheputherphoneon
herearcall
inghi
m.
“
Hey.
.”
Shetur
nedt
hensmi
ledhangi
ngup.“
Iwasal
ready
cal
li
ng.
”
“
Yeah,
come.
.”
Shewalkedwit
hhi
mt owher
etheki
dswer
e.She
huggedtheki
dssi
tt
ing.
“
Hi…”
Wamesmil
ed.“
Daddysai
dIshoul
dwi
pemysi
ssy
wi
tht
hetowel
.”
Sasasmil
edlooki
ngatPul
ewhosmi
ledback
sl
ight
lyembarr
assed.
“
Ther
eisnot
issue.
”
“
Youshoul
dhaveaskedmet
opackt
hei
rthi
ngs.
”
“
Iboughtaf
ew.
.If
orgott
het
issues.
”
Sasat
ickl
edWamemaki
ngherl
aught
hrowi
ngher
headback.Mot
heomovedovert
oher
.
“
Doyouwantt
oseemeswi
m?”
“Isawyouondaddy’
sphone.Thatwasbr
il
li
ant
!
Highfi
ve!
”
Pulewatchedassheinteractedwi
tht
hekidsbefor
e
theyranbacktothewatertoshowheragain.Sasa
turnedandfoundhim st
aring.
Shesmi
led.“
Theyl
ookr
eal
lyhappy.
”
“
Yeah.
”
“
Thankyouf
oral
lowi
ngmet
ocome.
”
Pulelookedatherl
i
psasshespoke.Sasapaused
tal
kingreal
izi
nghewasst
ari
ng.
“
Isever
ythi
ngok?
”
“
Wher
edi
dyoul
ear
ntosuckdi
c?”
Shesmi
led.“
Rra?
”
“
Youhear
dme.
”
“
Idon’
tknowwhatyouar
etal
kingabout
?”
“
SoIi
magi
nedyousucki
ngmydi
c?”
“
Idon’
tknow,
maybe.
”
Hechuckl
edmaki
nghersmi
le.“
Iam sor
ry.
”
“
Don’
tbe.
”
Shesmil
edthenmovedovert
ohi
m conf
ident
ly
whil
ehestar
ed.
“
Iam not
.”
Shelookedatt
heki
dsdi
str
act
edt
henmovedcl
oser
andkissedhi
m.
Pulehel
dherchinkissi
ngherbackt
urni
ngi
tint
oa
fr
enchkiss.Sasa’
snippl
eshar
denedasheki
ssed
hermore.
Sheputherhandoverhi
sdi
cknowi
ngt
hei
deahad
beenpl
anted.
Hi
sdi
cgothar
deri
nherpal
mthenshemovedback.
“
Didyoui
magi
nei
t?”
Shesatdownandlookedatt
hekidsashel
ookedat
her
,hi
sheartbeat
ingagai
nsthi
schest
.
*
**

InSerowe,
Merapel
owat
chedasherhusbandt
rued
cal
li
nghisdaught
er.
“
Maybeshe’
sbusy.Tr
ylat
er.
”
RragweBantulookedatherandsighed.“
Iwantt
o
knowifherboyfr
iendst
il
lhasint
entionsof
marryi
ngher.
”
“
Shewi
llt
ellyoui
fhedoes.Fornowl
etherbe.
”
“
Ijustwantt
omeethi
m.”
“
Iknow.Andyouwi
lli
fhe’
stheoneshewant
s.”
“
Uhu,
ist
her
eanyoneel
se?
”
“
Ijustsayi
ng.
”
“
Hesoundsl
ikeagoodguy.
”
“Doyoueverwonderi
f…whati
fshest
il
lloves
Pule?
”
“
Pul
e?Pul
ewhoal
mostki
ll
edher
?”
“
RragweBant
u-“
“
Nothi
m.Mydaught
erwi
llnevergobackt
ohi
m!”
“
Iam j
ustaski
ng.
”
“Bantuwil
lneverbest
upidtot
akethatmurder
er
back.Iknowmydaught er
.Shehaslear
nther
l
esson.”
“
Whati
f.
.”
“AndIwi l
lneveraccepthi
m.Mat t
eroffact,
Inever
wanttoseehi m anywherenearmebecauseIwi l
l
kil
lhim wit
hmyownhands!He’ samonst er
.I
shouldhaveneverencouragedBantu.He’sherfi
rst
mistake.”
“
That
’sherbabydaddy.
”
“
Andthat
’sal
lhewil
leverbe.Idon’tevenknowwhy
t
heyl
ethi
m out.Hedeservest
or otinpri
son!
”
Merapel
osi
ghed.“
Ok,cal
m down.Br
eakf
asti
s
r
eady.Comeandeat.
”

*
**
Latert
hatdayatthemall
,Pul
ewal kedi
nsi
dethe
supermarketwi
thhiski
dsandSasa.Theyfol
lowed
Sasawiththetr
oll
eyasshepickedthei
rgr
ocery.
From t
heent r
ance,Yamasaf r
ozelooki
ngatPul
e.
ShelookedatBantu’schi
ldrenthenthewomanthey
werewith.Thewomant urnedherhead,Yamasa
fr
ownedr eal
izi
ngitwasSasa.
Shewalkedi
nsi
detheshopandfol
lowedthem f
rom
adist
ancest
ari
ngatPulesmi
ledwithSasa.
Yamasashookherheadi
nshockt
henwal
kedout
cal
li
ngBant
u.
“
Hel
lo?
”
“
Hi,
heela,Ij
ustsawSasaandPulet
oget
herwi
th
t
hekids.Mma,what’
sgoingon?
”
“Youhavest art
edYamasa.Sasai
stheret
ohelp
Pulewiththekids,whi
chbythewayisnonofyour
business.Canyounotr ui
nmymood?Mydaywas
goingwellti
llyouhappened.
”
Yamasastoppedwalki
ng.“Iwasjustaski
ng.Why
areyouf
ighti
ng?Iwasjustaski
nghela.”
“St
opaski
ngmet
hingst
hathavenot
hingt
odowi
th
you.
”
“
Iwasj
ustt
ryi
ngt
o…Iam sor
ry.
”
“
Bye.
”
Bantuhungup.Yayatookadeepbreathandwal ked
toherwhit
eAudi.Shegotinandl
ookedather
phonewantingt
ocallBantuandt
ellhershewasn’ t
tr
yingtobenegati
vebuttheni
twouldn’
tmakeany
dif
fer
encenow.Shestart
edhercaranddr ovehome.

*
**

AtPule’
shouse,l
aterthateveni
ng,
Sasarel
axedon
thecouchsi
tt
inginwithbothkidswhi
lePul
esaton
hisowncouchast heywatchedamovie.
Wameyawnedsl eepyandputherheadonSasa’s
breastclosi
nghereyeswhileMotheorubbedhi
s
eyestryi
ngt ogetr
idofthesleepbuthewasso
exhausted,t
hemor ehetri
ed,themorehegotmore
sl
eepy.
Hecomfor
tabl
yleanedhiswei
ghtonSasaand
cl
osedhi
seyesfinal
lygi
vingi
n.
Noti
cinghiski
dsweresleepi
ng,
Pulewalkedover
andpickedMotheot
akinghimtobedthenWame.
Sasawat chedhi
m walkawayt henquickl
ytookout
theli
tt
lepowderfrom herbraanddroppeditinhi
s
dri
nk.Sheshookabi tthensatdownandl ookedat
theTVinnocentl
y.
Heneededali
tt
lemot
ivat
ionandt
her
ewasnot
hing
wrongwit
hthat
.
Pul
ewalkedbackandsatdownfini
shi
ngoffhalf
gl
assofjui
cel
eftandwatchedt
heTVsi l
ent
ly.
Mi
nut
eswentbyt
henSasayawnedget
ti
ngup.
“
Iam goi
ngt
osl
eep.Goodni
ght
.”
“
Ok.
”
“
Doest
hespeakeri
nmyr
oom wor
kbyt
heway?
“
Yes.
”
“
Ok.
”
Pul
ewat
chedasshewal
kedaway,
hermi
xed
si
gnal
sconfusi
nghim.Hesatst
il
lformi
nut
es
bef
orefi
nal
lywalki
ngt
oherroom.
Pul
eknockedonherdoorandwai
ted.
Sasaopenedthedoorandl
ookedathi
m, wat
er
dri
ppi
ngdownherbodywhileshecover
edhersel
f
wit
hasmal lt
owel.
Hel
ookedather
,hi
sdi
cst
ir
ri
ngi
nhi
spant
s.
“
Weneedt
otal
k.”
Sasaopenedthedoormoresohecoul
dwal
kin.
Shelookedathispant
swhil
eMyLovebyLi
onel
Richi
eplayed.
“
Ist
her
esomet
hingwr
ong?
”
“
I.
.”Hi
seyesf
ellt
ohert
highs.
“
Iwasaboutt
odr
ess.
”
“
Ok.Thenyoucandr
essandwewi
llt
alk.
”
Shedroppedthetowelbeforehecouldtur
ntowalk
away.Hisheartski
ppedasshet ur
nedwal ki
ngto
herbagont hefl
oor.Shebendedopeningthezi
pas
hi
sdicfil
ledhispants.Shet
ookadr essandtur
ned
tohi
m.Hisarousalgotsoi
ntensei
twasifhewas
seei
ngvagi
naforthefir
stt
imeinhisl
if
e.Allhe
coul
dthi
nkwasf ucki
ngher…fucki
ngherhard.
Shel
ookedati
tthenwalkedovert
ohi
m.Shest
ood
onhert
oesandkissedhim.
Sheputhisheadonherbigf
ir
m br
east.Pul
e
squeezedherf
leshki
ssi
nghermore.
Hehandsmoveddownherhi pst
oherbuttad
squeezedwithalowgruntassheunzi
ppedhi
s
pantsandtookitout
.
Shestrokedhim ashekissedhert ouchi
ngher ,his
handf i
nall
ygoingdownhersmoot hlyshavedf at
p*ssy.Shemoanedi nhismout hashet ouchedher
wetness.Hemassagedhercl itl
ift
edherl eg.Pule
l
aidSasaont hebedget t
ingont opofherwhi lethey
ki
ssedt ouchi
ngoneanot her
.Histhickweapon
betweenherthickp*ssyli
ps.
Sasamovedherwai stunderneat
hhimthrobbi
ng
whil
ehisdickoozed.Pulemovedhiswaistand
pushedthr
oughhert i
nyhole.
Shet
ookadeepbr
eat
hatt
hepr
essur
e.He
forcef
ull
ypushedmoret
il
lhepoppedi
n.Sasa
closedhereyesf
eel
ingt
heti
pin.
Pulefr
ownedl
ooki
ngather
.“Fuck!Ar
eyoua
vi
rgin?
”
Shenodded.“
Buti
t’
sok.
.Iwantyou…doi
t.
”
Pul
elookedatherinshock.Sasapull
edhimf
ora
ki
ss,Pul
ekissedherbackand#r emoved.

*
**

Bant
usl
oweddowntakingatur
ninPule’
sst
reet
andsmi
ledt
urni
ngbythebl
ackgate.
Sheopenedhercompactandt
ookoutt
hekeyshe
hadgivenhersomet
imebackwhenhehopedshed
takehi
m back.
Shesmiledgladshehadtakenthem.Bantupressed
theremoteanddroveinparki
ngnextgohiscar.She
closedt
hegat et
henreachedforamirr
orandher
l
ittl
emakeupbag.
Shequi
cklydi
daquicklookthentookof
fherdr
ess
andputonherredcoati
nstead.
Bantusteppedoutofthecarputti
ngonherheels
thensprayedabitofherperf
umeknowi ngever
yone
wassleepingsoitwouldgivethem t
imetomakeup.
Shetookadeepbr eathknowinghewasaboutto
destr
oyherpussyandt odayshe’dlethi
m doi
tal
l
wit
hnor esi
stance.Shelockedhercarandwal
ked
tothedoorholdi
ngthekeys.

.
.
[
06/
22,
08:
33] :Fal
lenAngel
#116

Bantuturnedthekeyont hedoorwal ki
ngin.She
l
ookedatt heTVwhi chwasst i
llonandagl asson
thesmalltabl
e.Shet ookadeepbr eathandwalked
pastthebigbeauti
fulkit
chen.Shecoul dal
ready
i
magi
nedhowherki
dsl
ovedt
hehouse.
Maybei twouldbeagoodthi
ngtomovebackt o
Gaboroneaftert
heyfi
xedthi
ngs.Theki
dscould
easi
lyvisi
thim.Shesmil
edproudandlookedatthe
stai
rs.Shewalkedpastt
hem goi
ngdownt he
passage.
Sheopenedt hef i
rstdoorandlookedatt
he
bathroom.Shecl oseditandopenedanotherr
oom.
Shesmi l
edst aringatherchil
drenononebed.She
walkedin,thelightwasof fbytheirsi
del
ampwas
on.Shef i
xedt heirblanket
ssmi l
ing.
Shelookedatt
her oom i
mpressedthenwalkedout
gent
lyclosi
ngthedoor.Shepausedlist
eni
ngtoMy
l
oveinthenextroom.Itwaspr obabl
yhim.She
smil
ed,thi
swast hei
rsong.
Shesmil
edthent
ookadeepbreat
h.“
Getyourman
backBant
uanddealwi
thever
ythi
ngel
selat
er.
”
Shepausedhol di
ngthedoorhandl
eheari
ngsounds
i
nsidet heroom.Morel
ikemoans.Sheputherear
againstthedoorandswall
owedwonderi
ngifhe
hadbr oughtawoman.Obviousl
y…
Shet
ookast
epback,nowherhandsshaki
ng.She
swal
l
owedandsl
owlyopenedthedoor
.
Herheartdr
oppedasshelookedatSasaandPul
e.
Shebli
nkedstar
ing,
herbr
ainunabletocompr
ehend.
Sasatur
nedherheadlocki
ngeyeswi thherjustas
shemoanedevenloudercurl
inghertoes
convul
singwhi
lef
uckedherhar dergr
oaning.
“
Pul
e…”
Puleturnedhisheadandl ookedatheri
nshock
quickl
ypul l
ingoutashiscum dri
ppedwhil
esome
droppedf r
om Sasa’spussy.
Bantubli
nkedconfusedandt urnedwalki
ngaway.
Shestaggered,
herkneesweakt henshehel
dont o
thewall
salmostfall
ing.Shetookof ft
heshoes
befor
eshecouldactuallyfal
l,
herheadspinning.

I
nSasa’sroom,Pul
equickl
ypi
ckeduphispant
sas
Sasal
aidonthebed,Pul
eputonhispant
swhil
e
Sasa'
shear
tracedsomuch.
“
Stayher
e!”
Hewal kedoutputt
ingonhi
st-
shi
rt.I
nthesit
ti
ng
room,hef oundherseat
edatt
hecouchstar
ingint
o
nothi
ng.
“
Hey…”
Sheslowlyt
urnedandl ookedathim.Shebli
nked
st
ari
ngathim ashet r
iedfixi
nghispants,
hiscum
wett
ingthem sl
ight
ly.
Tearsf
il
ledhereyes.“
Theki
ds…you…she’
sthe
nanny.
”
Pulet
ookadeepbreat
h,hi
shear
tpoundi
ngmor
e
thani
thadever
.Hesatdown.
“
Icanexpl
ain.
”
Shel
ookedathi
mthenat
earr
oll
eddown.“
Ok.
”
“
It
’st
hef
ir
stt
imei
t’
shappeni
ng.
”
“
She’
sthenanny!
”
“
Iknow…but
…Iam sor
ry.Iknowhowi
tlooksl
ike.
”
“
That
’st
henanny…”
“Iam sor
rybutIam si
ngleandIhaveneeds.Ij
ust
can’
tkeepwaiti
ngforyou.”
“
Shei
sthenanny!
”
“
Iam sor
ry.
”
“Sheisalsomyf r
iend.
”Anot
hert
earr
oll
eddownas
painblockedhert
hroat.“
Shei
smyonlyfri
end.
”
“
Fuck!
”
Hervoi
ceshook.“
Howcanyousleepwithher
?I
havebeenwi
thherforyear
s…youcan’
t…“
“
Iam sor
ry…I
…”
Bant
uputherhandonherstomachfeel
ingapai
n
asherl
ipst
rembledwhi
let
earsrol
leddown.
“
Soyouwant
edmet
oseei
t?”
“
What
?”
“YouknewIwoul
darr
iveatt
hist
ime.YoukneeI
’
d
behere…youwant
edtoshowme? ”
“
Idon’
tknowwhatyouar
etal
kingabout
.”
“Isentyouamessageandyousai
dyesIcancome.
Thiswhatyouwantedmetosee?Yousl
eepi
ngwit
h
thenanny?”
Pulepausednowr ecal
li
ngshehadsenthima
messageear l
ieron.Her eachedforhi
sphoneon
thetabl
eandopenedhi smessages.Hereadher
messageandl ookedatherr eal
izi
nghehadrepl
ied
onthewr ongchat.
“
I…Iwantedt
orepl
ytosomeoneel
se.Thatwasnot
f
oryou.
”
Shenodded.“
Sothat‘
youcancome'
was
mist
akenl
ysentt
ome? ”
“
Yesbut
…it
’sonl
ysex.She…i
t’
sonl
ysex.
”
“Howisitonl
ysexwhenyouar
efucki
ngherraw?
Therewasnocondom.Whywereyounotusi
nga
condom?”
“I
twasi
nthespuroft
hemoment
.Whydi
dn’
tyou
cal
l?
”
“
Sot
hebl
amei
smi
nenow?
”
“
No…I…am j
ust
…itcoul
dhavebeenanyone.Iwas
j
usthorny.Ididn’tpl
anforitt
obeher .Gapeyou
j
ustcan’texpectmet odropeveryt
hingbecauseyou
havefi
nallydecidedthatyouloveme.”
“GaobuesepePul e.(Youarenotsayi
ngshi t
(Just
yesterdayyouryousai dyouwantedmet ocome
withthekids.I
fyouar eproudofsleepingwitht
he
nanny, i
fyoudon’thaveanyr egr
ets,i
t’
sfinebut
don’ttal
ktomel i
ket hat.
”
“
Iam j
ustsayi
ng.Icoul
dhavemovedon.
”
“
Thenwhywereyousti
llaskingmet otakeyouback.
Obuabomat
lahel
a.(Youar etal
kingnonsense.
)”
Shest
oodup.“
Iam goi
ngt
otal
kgoher
.”
“
She….I
fther
eisanyonet
obl
ame,
it’
sme.
”
Sheignoredhim wal
kingbacktot
heroom.Bantu
openedthedoorandwal kedi
n.Sasal
ookedather
undertheblanket
s.
Bantuclosedthedoorandsatdowncal
mlyl
ooked
ather.Forami nut
eBantur
emainedqui
etwhi
le
Sasajuststar
ed.
“
Sasa.
.”
“
Yes?
”
“
Nemmaobonagosi amehekaorobal
anal
erragwe
Motheo?(Doyouf
indr
ightt
osl
eepwit
hMotheo’s
f
ather?
)”
“
Hei
ssi
ngl
eandsoam I
.”
“
Eveni
fhe’
ssi
ngl
e,hei
smychi
ldr
en’
sfat
her
.”
“
Your
eject
edhi
m andyouar
eget
ti
ngmar
ri
ed.
”
“Sothatgi
vesyout
her
ightt
osl
eepwi
thmybaby
daddy?”
“Ifyouwantmet ofeelgui
lt
y,Iam notgoingto.I
foundhim singl
e.Youaregett
ingmar r
iedsowhat
hedoeswi thhisli
fei
snonofyourbusi ness.Aker
e
your ej
ect
edhi m?Ehe…nnaIt ookhim.”
“
Kesaobaka…”
“Thewor l
ddoesn’trevolvearoundyouBant u.I
foundthismansi ngle,aker
ewenayoudon’ twant
him andratherbewit hRay.NnaItookhim because
he’sactual
lyagoodman.Hedeser vesawoman
whowi lll
ovehim andnotcheatonhi m maki ngsex
tapes.Hedeservesawomanwhowi l
lrespecthim
andt
reathi
mli
keaKi
nghei
s.”
“
Sasayouar
etal
kingt
ome?
”
“Yes,Iam talkingt oyou.Idon’ tf
eelgui l
tyforlet
ti
ng
him makel ovet ome.Omonat egor e,Ialways
suspectedhe’ dbet hetypetoser vei tgoodbutt o
actuall
yexper iencei twasmi nd-blowi ng.Hewas
wor t
hmyvi rginity.I’ddoitagaini fIcoul d.Ilong
start
edf all
ingf orhi m whenyouwer er ej
ectinghim.
Yes…If elli
nl ovebackt hen,watchinghi ml ovehis
kids,t
hewayhedoesever yt
hingact ual l
yturnsme
on.”
“
Ok.Ihearyou.
”
“Youcanf i
remei fyouchoose.Whateverworksfor
you,totaIdon’tcare.Dowhatmakesyouhappybut
nnaIam notgoi ngtoapol
ogizetoyou.Icantel
l
that’
swhatyouwant …youwantmet ofeelgui
lt
y
andcr yapologizingmmeIam notgoi ngtodothat.
Ifyoutrytogetvi ol
entt
ome, ketagonyedisa.(I
willf
uckyouup. )”
Bant
ulookedathert
henr
ubbedhereyesandst
ood
up.
“Don’
twor
ry.Iwon’
tbeget
ti
ngi
ntoaf
ightwi
th
you.”
“
Goodbecauseyouwoul
dn’
twantt
hatt
ohappenl
e
wena.
”
“
Eemma.Ihavehear
d.”
Bant
uwalkedout.Pul
elookedathersi
lent
ly.Bant
u
pi
ckedherheel
sholdi
nginhertear
s.
“Iam happyf oryou.Sasai sagoodgi rl
.Andshe
l
ovesyourki dssoIguessi t’
stwobi rdsonest one.I
hadal sopl annedt oapol ogi zef orallthehurtIput
yout hrough.Iam sor ry.Iam sor ryfor…ever ything.
Inevert ookamomentt othinkaboutwhatIputyou
through.I tmusthavehur twat chingt hatvideoandI
am sor ry.Iam sor ryforbr eakingyourhear tliket hat
.
Iam al sosor ryfornotapol ogizingsoonerbecause
wewer ebot hi nthewr ong.Ipr ayonedayIam abl e
toprovet oyout hatIdi dn’twilli
ngl ysleepwit hhim
butit’
sal right.Iam notgoi ngtof ightyouoverSasa.
Iguesst hatfriendshi
pi soverandmaybeIdeser ve
thi
spai nforal lt
hepai nIputyouryout hrough.God
knowsyouwoul dhavenotwentt ojaili
fitwasn’ t
f
orme.Iam sor ry.”Shepausedandwi pedawayher
t
ears.“Iam happyyouar efi
ndinghappiness.We
wil
ltal
kaboutget ti
nganothernannybecauseSasa
i
snowyourgi r
lf
riend.Bye.
”
Hewat chedasshewalkedunsureofwhattoeven
say.Shestart
edhercaranddroveoffashesat
downput ti
nghishandsi
nhishead.
.
.
.
[
06/
22,
08:
33] :Fal
lenAngel
#117

Bantureversed,t
earsblur
ri
nghervi
sion.Shedrove
offt
ryi
ngt oholditinbutt
hepai
ninherl ower
abdomencont inued.
Shetookadeepbreat
htryingt
ocalm downbutpai
n
bl
ockedherthr
oat
.Shedr oveforawhilet
il
lshe
j
oinedther
oadandstart
eddr i
vingback.
At earr
oll
eddownfol
lowedbytheother
.Shewiped
them wit
hthebackofherhandbutmoretear
sfi
ll
ed
hereyes.
Herhandsshooksomuchi
tasshet
ri
edt
okeepher
composure.
Shepull
edoveront hesi
deoftheroadandst epped
outofhercarf anninghersel
fwithherhand.She
bendedputt
ingherhandsonherkneesaspai n
conti
nuedstranglingher.Sheslowlyknel
tont he
groundandbr okedowncr yi
ng.
Shecriedsomuchti
llshewasgaspi
ngunablet o
breat
he.Shel
ookedupwhizzi
ngandt r
iedget
ting
uptogetherast
hmaticspr
ayfr
om hercompactbut
asharppaini
nherabdomenmadei tdi
ffi
cul
tto.
Acardri
vepastherspeedingbutt
henitstoppeda
di
stantf
rom her
.Thedr i
verr
ever
sed.Alady
st
eppedoutandr ushedover
.
“
Hi.
.ar
eyouok?
”
Bant
ulookedatherwhi
zzi
ng.“
Spr
ay!
Compact…spr
ay!
”
Theladyquickl
yrushedtohercarandopenedthe
compact.Shetooktheasthmasprayandranover
toBantu.
“
Her
e!Kei
reng?
”
Bant
utookthespr
ayandtri
edinhal
ingbutnothi
ng
washappeni
ng.Shepani
ckedunabl
et oi
nhale.
“
Mybaby…Iam pr
egnant
…hel
p..
”
Thewomanl
ookedatBant
uwhowasi
ntear
s.
“
Hel
pme!
”
Thewomanl ookedathershakingthenturnedoff
theCX-5andlockedthedoor
s.Shehel pedBantuup
andtookhertohercarandhelpedinatthe
backseat
.Shejumpedinanddr oveoffheadedto
thehospi
tal
..
.
Shel
ookedatBant
uasshewhi
zzl
edchocki
ng.
“Godhelpthi
swoman.Idon’
tknowherbutpl
ease
don’
tletherdi
eonme.”
Shest
eppedonheraccel
erat
orspeedi
ngaway.
*

Atthehospi
tal
,thewomanr
ani
nsi
det
hehospi
tal
scr
eaming.
“
Thusang!Hel
p!Ineedhel
p!”
Nursesranoverthensheledthem out
sidetoher
car
.Sheopenedherdoor .Thenurseslookedat
Bantuasanothernurseapproachedwithabed.
Theypickedherup.
Thewomanl ookedasshegotwheeledawayeven
thoughshewasn’tmovi
nganymore.Sheranaft
er
them.
“If
oundheronsideoftheroad.Shewasstr
uggli
ng
tobreat
heand..herspr
aydidn’twor
k.Shesai
d
she’
spregnant
.Issheok?”
“
Letushel
pher
.”

*
**
Thefol
lowingmorni
ng,Sasaputonherdr essand
sl
owlywalkedoutofherroom,herpussyachedso
muchpainshecouldhardlywal
kproperly.She
openedthechi
ldr
en’
sdoorandwal kedin.
Shewalkedoutgoingtothekit
chen.Pulewalked
fr
om hi
sr oom.Sasaturnedtohim andputher
handst
oget heri
nnocentl
y.
“
Shoul
dIgo?
”
Pul
esi
ghed.“
No.Theki
dsst
il
lneedyou.
”
“
Iam sor
ry.Iam sosor
ry.Idi
dn’
twanttocauseany
f
ight
sbetweenyouandmmagweMot heo.
”
“I
t’
sok.Therei
snothi
ngtobesor
ryabout
.We
brokeup.Thei
ssueist
hati
twasyou.
”
“
Shei
sgoi
ngt
ofi
reme.
”
“
Iam sor
ry.
”
“
It
sok.Iwi
llst
artl
ooki
ngf
oranot
herj
ob.
”
Hel
ookedather
.“Iwil
lhel
pyou.Don’
twor
ryabout
aj
ob.Howareyoufeeli
ng?”
“
It
’spai
nful
.”
“
Iwi
llgetyoupai
nki
ll
ers.
”
“Ok.Iam sorr
y.IknowIam t heonewhost artedthi
s.
Ireall
ythoughti
twasoverbet weenmmagwe
Mot heoandyou,butsti
llIshoul
dhaver espected
youandher .Youareagoodper son.Ishouldhave
nottakenadvantageofthat.
”
“
Iam f
arf
rom bei
ngagoodper
son.
”
“Youare.IhaveseenyoulovebothMotheoand
Wameandnoonewoul deverknowthatWameis
notyoursyetyouloveherthesame.
”
Pul
efr
owned.“
What
?”
“Youst
il
lloveWameli
kesshe’
syour
sevent
hough
she’
snot.Youareagoodper
son.
”
“
WhatdoyoumeanWamei
snotmi
ne?
”
“Imeanli
keasyourbi
ologi
caldaught
er.She’
sni
t
your
s.”
“
Whot
oldyout
hat
?”
“IheardmmagweMot heosayit.GapehelaWame
doesn’tevenl
ookli
keyou.Shebarel
ylooksli
keher
mot hert
houghther
earedonefeatur
esofher
mother
.Shelooksli
keherr
ealf
ather
.Lookather
nose…it
’sr
ealFather
’s.
”
“
Bant
usai
dWamei
snotmi
ne?
”
“
Yes.It
houghtyouknew.
”
“
I…”
“
Iam sor
ry.Ij
ust
…“
“
WhowasBant
utel
l
ing?
”
“Shewast alkingtoherst
epmot her
.Shewas
actual
lyreadyf oryoutorej
ecther
.Buyyou
acceptedher .GongweyoushouldDNAt est
s.I
mighthavehear dwrong.
”
Pulelookedathert henwal
kedtot hechil
dren’
s
room.Hel ookedatWamesl eeping.Hewal kedout
andgotasmal lpl
asticf
rom hi
sroom.Hewentback
tothechildr
en’sroom andsnappedabi tofWame’s
hairwit
hasci ssors.
Hewalkedbackt
otheki
tchen.“
Iam goi
ngout
.Iwi
ll
bebacklat
er.
”
“Canyoupleaseunlockthebackdoorf
orme,
I
coul
dn’tunl
ockityester
day.
”
Puleputt
heplast
icont
hecount
erandwal
kedt
o
thebackdoor
.
Sasaswal lowedthent ookthesci
ssor
sandcuther
hairabit.ShequicklytookoutWame’sand
replaceditwit
hher s.Sheswall
owedasPulewalked
back.Hegott hetinyplasti
candwalkedout
.Sasa
breathedoutinreli
ef.

*
**

Att
hehospi
tal
,Kagi
sowalkedi
nsi
deBantu’sroom
t
hatsamemorningandsmil
edl
ookingather.
Shet
ouchedherhand.Bant
utur
nedherhead
waki
ngupandlookedather
.
Kagi
sosmil
ed.“
Hi.Iam Kagi
so.Wemetyest
erday
whenyoual
mostgavemeahear tat
tack.
”
Bant
ublinkedthensmi
ledbuthersmi
lequi
ckl
y
di
sappeared.
“
Mybaby…mybaby…i
smybabyok?
”
“
Uh…I
…Idon’
tknow.
”
Thedooropenedt
hent
hedoct
orwal
kedi
nsmi
li
ng.
“
MsJosephs…”
Shel
ookedathi
m.“
Ismybabyok?Iam pr
egnant
.
I
sthebabyok?”
Thedoct
orl
ookedatherandsi
ghed.
.
.
.
[
06/
22,
08:
33] :Fal
lenAngel
#118

Thedoct
orl
ookedather
.
“Relax.Yourbabyisf
inebutyourhi
ghbl
ood
pressurecouldhavehurtheorshe.
”
Bant
utouchedherbel
ly.“
ThankGod…”
“
Youcanl
iedown.
”
Bant
ulai
ddownr
eli
eved.
“
Howar
eyouf
eel
ing?
”
“
Iam f
ine.Thankyou.
.”
“Youwer
efoundonthesideoft
her
oadl
astni
ght
.
Doyourememberanyt
hing?”
Shenodded.Thedoctordi
daquickexami
nat
ion
bef
orewalki
ngoutthenKagisosmil
ed.
“Imanagedgogetyourcar.It
hinkeveryt
hingt
hat
wasinsidei
ssti
lli
nsi
de.Buthereisyourphoneand
yourhandbag.
”
Kagi
soputt
hem ont
hebed.Bant
usmi
led.
“
Thankyousomuchf
orhel
pingme.
”
“Iam gl
adyouar
eok.Herearemybusinesscar
ds.
Youcanalwayscal
lme.Ihavet
ogo.”
Bant
utookt
hebusi
nesscar
dandnodded.“
Ok.
”
Kagisosmil
edthenwalkedout
.Bant
utookher
phoneandunlockedi
tlooki
ngatt
he10mi ssed
cal
lsmissed.
Shecal
ledbackMer
apel
o.
“
Hel
lo?
”
“
Bant
u?Ar
eyouok?
”
“
Eemma.
”
“
Iwaswor
ri
edl
astni
ght
.Di
dyouar
ri
ve?
”
Bant
utookadeepbr
eat
h.“
Yes.ButPul
ehasmoved
on.Wit
hSasa.
”
“
Sasa?Thenanny?
”
Bant
ubli
nkedtr
yingnotgocr
ybutatearrol
led
down.“
Yes.If
oundthem t
oget
herl
astnight
.”
“
Andwhathappened?
”
“Il
eftt
hem.Iam nowlooki
ngforanewnanny
becauseobvi
ousl
y…”Bantupausedasthepai
ngot
toomuch.Shesnif
fed.“
Shecan’tbet
henanny
anymore.
”
“
Ican’
tbel
ievet
hisgi
rl
!”
Anothert
earrol
leddownBantu’scheekt
hem out
herhandoverherfacecr
ying.
“
Myhear
tispai
nful
.”
“
Iam sor
rymygi
rl
.”
“
Pulecoul
dn’
t.
.hedidn’
tcar
ebuti
t’
sfi
ne.I
t’
sfi
ne.
I
t’
sfi
nemama.I t
’sf
ine.
”
“
Iam sor
ry.Iam sosor
ry.
”
“
Theywereli
steningtothesongheusedtol
ist
en
wit
hme.Iconsideredherafri
end.Shewasmore
t
hanjustananny.SheknewhowIf el
t.
”
“
Shoul
dIcome?
”
“
No.Staythere.Iwi
llbef
ine.Ihavesur
vivedal
ot.I
wil
lbefi
ne.”
“
Icancome.
”
“
No.Keal
apeng.
”
“
Iam sor
ry.
”
“
Iwi
llbef
ine.
”
Bant
u’sphonebeeped,
Bant
ulookedherscr
een
seei
nganincomingcal
l.
“
MamaIwi
llcal
lyouback.
”
Bant
udr
oppedhercal
lpi
cki
ngPul
e’
s.
“
Hel
lo?
”
“
Who’
sWame’
sfat
her
?”
“
What
?”
“
Who’
sWame’
sFat
her
?”
“
Whatdoyoumean?
”
“
Whoi
sherf
ather
?”
“
She’
syourdaught
er.
”
“
DidyoudoDNAt
est
s?”
“
That
’syourdaughter
,Idon’
tneedt
odoDNAt
est
s,
t
hati
syourchil
d!”
“
Howsur
ear
eyou?
”
“Obat
agorengPul
e?ThatIam maki
ngyour
aisea
chi
ldt
hati
snotyour
s?”
“
Maybeshe’
syourboyf
ri
end’
s.”
“Obatagontwaelamonnakewena!Yousl eepwit
h
thenannyandnowyout hi
nkyoucanquest i
onmy
daughter
’spat
erni
ty?I
fyoudon’twantmydaughter
atyourhouse,
sayso!Youdon’thavetoi
nsultme!
Youcangivememyki dsbackbecauseletmetell
yousomethi
ngyoudustbinchil
d,wher
etheother
i
s,Ii
swheretheybothare.Wameisyourdaughter
youungr
atefulpi
eceofshit
!”
“
Whyar
eyousodefensi
vei
fshe’
smine?Iam goi
ng
t
odoDNAtest
s.I
fshe’
snotmineot
sil
ebolel
a.”
“Goanddot hetests,oemet
sieng?Whathaveyou
beenwaiti
ngforallthi
sti
me?Whathaveyoubeen
waiti
ngfor?Thatbabyisyours,
Iwouldn’thave
givenhert
oyoui fshewasn’t
.Kengont seelako
taseyana?Afteryoudothetest
s,t
ellmesoIcan
comeandt akemyki ds.
”
Bantuhungupandlookedt
aki
ngadeepbr
eat
h
wipi
ngawayhertear
s.

*
**

AtBotswanaAccountancyColl
ege,Lubawal
kedout
oft
heschoolpremisesputt
ingherbookinherbag.
Herphonerangthenshelookedathermother
cal
li
ngandcutt
hecal
l.
Shesmiledlooki
ngatTshepo’
scarandhur
ri
edover
.
Shegotinthecar.Tsheposmi
leddr
oppi
ngakiss
onherl
ips.
“
Hey.
.”
Shesmi
ledbl
ushi
ng.“
Hi.
”
“
Areyour
eady?
”
“
Yes.Wej
ustneedt
opi
ckmybag.I
t’
sathome.
”
“
Ok.
”
Tshepohandedherami
lkshaket
hendroveoff
headedt
oherhousewheretheypi
ckedherbag.
“Iwantgopassbyatmyfr
iend’
shousecol
lect
ing
somethingt
henwego.”
“
Ok.
”
Tshepobedrovet
oLefa’
shouse.Heparkedand
hurr
iedt
othehousewhil
eshefini
shedoffher
mil
kshake.
Herphoner
angagai
n,shesmi
ledpi
cki
ng.
“
Hif
ri
end…”
“
Hi,
areyoual
readygone?
”
“
Yes.Tshepowasal
readywai
ti
ng.
”
“
Yourscar
yboyf
ri
end?
”
Lubasmiled.“
Heisnotscar
y,justl
ikehi
sthi
ngsa
cert
ainwaythoughwasntshosanyana.”
Thefriendl
aughed.“NnammaIam scar
edofhi
m.I
feell
ikehe’
sthetypetosl
apyou.
”
“Thenyoushouldseehisbrot
her.Hisbrot
heri
s
scari
er.Ial
mostpeedmyselftheothert
imehe
cameovert oTshepo’
shouseandf oundmethere.
Evenhisvoice,
Ialmostshi
tmyself.
”

I
nsi
dethehouse,
Lef
agaveTshepot
hesmal
ltenti
n
abag.
“
Wai
tseIwantt
oseet
hisgi
rl
.”
Tshepolaughed.“Ngng,i
t’
ssti
llnew.Idon’
twantt
o
over
whelm her.Justl
astweek,
Pul eal
mostscar
ed
hertodeath.
”
Lef
asmi
ledst
ari
ngathi
sfr
iend.“
Soi
t’
sof
fi
cial
?”
“Ihavemadei toffi
cialt
houghoshynyanaandabi t
emot i
onal.WhenIf i
rstki
ssedhershecri
edsayi ng
she’spositi
ve.Il
ongsawt hatatherhouse,she
tri
edsayingeverythi
ngt omakemel oseint
erestbut
thatgir
lismywi fe.
”
“
Iam happyf
oryoul
ait
aka.
”
Tshepohur r
iedout
.Lefatri
edt oseeherthr ough
thewindowbuthecoul dhar dl
yseeanythingi nhi
s
carparkedatthegate.Tshepoloadedthet ent
i
nsidethecaranddroveof f.Lefasmi
ledthen
pickedhisphonecall
ingLone.
“
Hel
lo?
”
“
Hey,
haveyouspokent
ohi
m?”
“
Notyet
.Heshoul
dcomi
ngbackf
rom t
het
ri
pina
f
ewdays.”
“
Ok.
”
Lonesi
ghed.“
Ihopehedoesn’
tki
llme.
”
“
Hewon’
t.
.hel
ovesyout
oomuchf
ort
hat
.”
“
Iam soscar
ed.
”
“
Don’
tbe.Wewi
llbef
ine.
”

*
**

AtPule’
shouse,
thatt
hatmorning,Wamewat ched
asSasacurl
edherhairwit
hthecurl
ingir
on.She
si
ghedboredwhil
eMot heowatchedhisf
avorit
e
car
toons.
“
Aunt
y…canweswi
m?”
Sasal
ookedather
.“Nobaby.Lat
er.
”
“
ButIwantt
oswi
m.”
Sasasighedget
ti
ngaannoyed.“
Ok,
goandputon
yourswimmingcost
ume.”
Wamequickl
yrushedout
.Sasasmi
ledpi
cki
ngher
r
ingi
ngphone.
“
Hel
lo?
”
“
Didi
thappen?
”
Sasasmi l
edl
ist
eni
ngtohersi
ster
.“Yes.Wai
tseI
neverknewsexcoul
dbethatni
ce.”
Thesi
sterl
aughed.“
Soyouar
eof
fi
cial
lyr
epl
aci
ng
themadam oft
hehouse?”
“Yes.AndalsoBantui sget
ti
ngmar r
iedsoi
t’
snot
l
ikeIam doinganythingwrongbecausethi
smani s
singl
e.WaitseKesaobakaMot samai
sosoundsjust
ri
ght.Hedidn’tuseacondom.LennaIam goingto
givehim achil
d.Afterhefi
ndsthatWawaisnothis,
hewi l
ldesperat
elyacceptour
s.”
“
Tsenawenagi
rl
!”
Sasalaughed.“
Bantushoul
denjoywhatever
benef
itsshe’
sgett
ingnowbecauseitwon’tl
astf
or
l
ong.”
Wamewal
kedbacki
nherswi
mmi
ngcost
ume.
“
Aunt
y!”
“
Wamego,
Iam comi
ng!
”
Wamewalkedoutthenr
anouttot
hebackyar
d
wher
ethebigpoolwasopen.
Wamesmi leddippi
nghersmallfooti
nsidewhi
le
hol
dingherli
tt
leneckl
ace.Shelookedatthewat
er
al
lal
onewear i
nghergooglesandsmi l
edthen
j
umpedin.Shegaspedswi mmingmovi ngali
tt
le
l
egs.
Shelaughedal oneandpaddledneartheswimmi ng
poolwalls.Wamef rownedreal
izi
ngshedidn’thave
hernecklaceanymor et
henturned.Shelookedat
thewaterreal
izingi
twassinking.Shetookadeep
breat
handwentunderwat ertogetit
.Shefrowned
unabletobreatheasshewentf urt
herdown.
Wamet urnedwonder
ingwher eshehadt oswi
mt o
swal
lowingwater
.Shegaspedatt hepai
naswater
wentthr
oughhernosenowt ryingt oswi
m upbut
sheswallowedmorewatergettingevenmore
conf
usedst r
uggl
ingt
obreathe.
Pani
cking,shepaddl
edherl
it
tl
ef eetl
ikemama
woul
dt eachherbutwat
eroverpoweredherasshe
gott
ir
edswal l
owingmoreandmor ewat erchocki
ng.
.
.
.
[
06/
22,
08:
33] :Fal
lenAngel
#119

Inthehouse,
unawar
e,Sasacar
ri
edont
alki
ngon
herphone.
“
Thenwhatdi
dshesay?
”
“
Shewant
edmetofeel
gui
lt
yaski
ngi
fIf
indi
tri
ght
t
osl
eepwit
hherex.
”
“Mmegonemmadon’ tyoufeelanyguil
ty,
Bantu
hasbeennothi
ngbutgoodt oyou,she’
seven
payi
ngyourvarsi
tyfeesthoughyoukeepfail
ing.
Shehelpedf
ini
shMama’ shouseher eathome.She
hel
pedconnectwater.
”
“
Itwasn’
thermoney.I
fitwer
ehermoneythenI
’
d
f
eelgui
lt
y.ShewasusingPul
e’smoney.
”
“
Eveni
fitwasPul
e’
smoney,
shest
il
lchoset
ohel
p
us.Sheevenpai
dmama’
shospi
talbi
ll
s.”
“Iwon’tfeelguil
t ybecausei twasnothermoney
shewasusi ng.Atl eastifi
twashermoneyt hen
maybeI ’dfeelgui l
tybutIam justappr eciat
ingthe
manwho’ smoneywasused.Bant udidnot hingfor
us,Pule’smoneyi spayingmyf ees.Pule’smoney
helpedf i
nishthehouse, Pul
e’smoneypai dmama’ s
hospitalbil
ls.Bantuhasnot hi
ngt ohername.Her
salaryisonly16kpermont hyetsher evievesmor e
than20kyamai ntainanceforbana.Ont opofthe
moneyyagaPul e.
”
“
Sodoeshel
oveyou?
”
“Who?Pule?Ij
ustneedtime.Iknowi twi
llbeeasier
tot
amehim nowt hatBantuisoutofthepict
ure.
SoonWamewi llbefol
lowing.Idon’
tmindMot heo.
Enehe’
sjustfi
ne.”
“
SoWamei
sreal
lynotPul
e’
sdaught
er?
”
“Chancesarethatshe’
snot.Bant
uwasal r
eady
cheati
ngwhenshecame.Shewasal readypr
egnant
.
Justthatshewouldneveradmiti
tbecauseshe
l
ikesbeingthevict
im.”
“
It
’spr
obl
em.
”
“Ng…butnnaIam goi ngtotreathimr ight
.Menlike
him deser venothi
ngbutr espectandl ove.He
deservesawomanwhowi l
llovehim andshowhi m
thathecanbehappy.Hedoesn’ tneedt obegfor
l
ove.Af t
ert hat,
hewi l
lreali
zet hatBantunever
real
lylovedhi m.Sheneverl ovedt hatmant heway
hedeser vestobel oved.Shewasawaysel fi
shand
nevercar edabouthim. ”
“I
joma,Ihopeyoupl
ayyourcardsrightbecause
youwouldn’
twantt
olosei
tallbecauseofenvy.”
“I
t’
snotenvy.Pul
eknowshowt ol
ovehi
swoman
gapeheloveshard.I
maginehewantedt
otakeher
backeventhoughshecheated.
”
“Ehhbutyoumayfi
ndamanwi
lldoal
lthatf
orher
andnotdoitf
oryou.
”
“
Hewilldoi
toncehefall
sinlovewit
hme.Hey, l
et
meat
tendtotheki
ds.Isuspecthe’
salmostback.
”
“
OkMmaMot
samai
so.
”
Sasahungupl
aughi
ngt
henst
oodupandwal
ked
out
.
Shel
ookedatMot
heo.“
Wher
e’sWawa?
”
“Idon’
tknow,
wit
hyou.Imi
ssmama.Canyoucal
l
her?”
“
Okl
ater
.”
“
Can’
tyoucal
lhernow?Iknowshe’
ssadal
one.
”
“
Daddywi
llcal
lherf
oryou.
”
“
Whynotyou?Ij
ustwantt
osayhi
.”
“
Mot
heo-
“
“
Please.
”
Sasasi
ghedthentookoutherphoneandcall
ed
Bant
ubored.Herphonerangforawhil
ethenshe
pi
cked.
Sasaputt
hephoneonl
oudspeaker
.
“
Sasa…”
Mot
heoj
umpedhappi
ly.“
Mama!
”
“
Hey!
”
“
Imi
ssyou.
”
Bant
ulaughed.“
Imi
ssyout
oobaby.
”
“
Whenar
eyougoi
ngt
ocomeandseeus?
”
“
Iwi
llcome.Howi
sdaddy’
shouse?
”
“I
t’
shugeandbeaut
if
ul.Hehasaplayr
oom andhe
hasahugeTVmama.I t’
ssobi
g!”
“
Iam gl
adyoul
ikei
t.Youar
ebehavi
ngr
ight
?”
“
Yes.Imi
ssyou.
”
“
Imi
ssyout
oosweet
y.Wher
e’sWawa?
”
“
Ithi
nkshe’
spl
ayi
ngwi
thherdol
ls.
”
Sasasighed.“
Iam goi
ngt
ogether
.Iwi
llcal
lyou
back.
”
“
Eemma.
”
Sasahungupt henwal
kedt
othechi
ldren’srooms.
SheopenedthedoorbutWamewasn’tthere.She
walkedout
side.
“
Wawa!
”
Shewentoutt
othebackyar
d.Shel
ookedatWame
i
nthepool.
“
Wame!Youknowyoucan’
tswi
m al
one!
”
Shewal
kedover,
herheartski
ppi
ngasshest
aredat
Wamelyi
ngfacedownfloati
ngontopoft
hewater
.
Shescr
eamedi
nter
ror
.
“
WAME!
!”
Sheranover,herlegsshaki
ngthenjumpedi
nthe
poolful
lydr
essedandswam overt oher
.Shepul
led
heroutandlaidheronthepavementasMotheo
walkedoutcuriousl
y.
Hi
seyesf
ellonWameasSasadi
dCPR.
“
Mot
heo!Takemyphone…cal
ldaddy!
”
Mot
heolookedathi
ssi
sterl
yingl
if
elesswet
.“What
i
shappeni
ng?”
“
Takemyphone!
”
Motheoranoverpassingthephoneshehad
droppedandl
ookatWame.Sasagotupandhur r
ied
toherphoneasMot heokneltbef
orehi
ssi
ster
.She
l
ookedatherbluei
shskin…
“
Wawa.
.”
Het
ouchedherhandandshookher
.“Wawa…”
Sasa’
shandsshookasshecal
ledPul
e.
“
Hel
lo?
”
“
Wamedr owned!Thechi
lddr
owned!She’
snot
movi
ng!She…shehaschangedcol
or.
”
“
What
?”
“
WAMEHASDROWNED!
”
SasalookedoveratMotheoashepressedhi
s
si
ster
’schestasitf
inal
lymadesense.
“
Aunt
y!”
“
Whatdoyoumeanmychi
ldhasdr
owned?
”
“
Weneedhel
p!Comeback!
”
Shedroppedthecallandcall
edt
heambulance
whileMotheocri
edtryi
ngtodomouthtomout hl
ike
theyweretaughtatschool
.Heweakl
ypressedher
chestwi
thbot hhi
shands.
“
Aunt
ycal
lmama!
”
Sasar
anoverandputt
hephonedownandt
ook
overdoi
ngCPR.Sheleanedoverandbl
ewi
n
Wame’smouthtr
yingtoaidher
.
Mot
heol
ookedathercr
yinghyst
eri
cal
ly.

*
**

Atthehospit
al,Bant
utookadeepbreathgatheri
ng
thestr
engththencall
edSasa.Herphonebeeped
sayi
nglinebusyasthedoctorsi
gnedherdischarge
for
ms.
“
Thankyou.
”
Minuteslat
erBant
uwalkedoutstil
ltr
yingt
ocall
Sasa.Thisti
meherphonejustrangupunanswered.
Bantulookedar
oundtheparki
ngandspot t
edher
car.
Shewal
kedoverandunl
ockedi
tthenj
umpedin.
Shet
ookadeepbreat
handcall
edPulei
nst
ead.
Hisphonetoojustr
angunanswer ed.Shest
art
ed
thecaranddroveoffknowinggett
ingMotheoa
phonewouldmaket hingseasi
er.
*
**

AtPul
e’
shouse,Pul
epar kedhiscarbehi
ndt he
ambul
ance,hi
sheartraci
ng.Hehurriedi
nsidegoing
tot
hebackyar
dwher etheparamedicsweretryi
ng
tor
evi
vehisdaught
erasMot heocriedsomuch.
Pul
eranover
.“What
’sgoi
ngon?
”
Sasalookedathi
m shaki
ngwhilecr
ying.“
Ifound
herinthepool
.Shewaslyingf
acedown…she
drowned…”
Mot
heol
ookedathi
m.“
She’
snotmovi
ng!
”
Theparamedi
cl ookedatWamecounti
ngashedid
theCPR.Noti
cingt hepani
c,t
hepar
amedi
csqui
ckly
putheronastretcher.
“
Wear
etaki
nghert
othehospi
tal
.”
Theycarriedhertotheambul ancejustasBantu’
s
redMazdapul l
edover .Bant
ust eppedoutofhercar
confused.ShelookedatMot heocr yi
ng,herhear
t
skippi
ng.Shehurriedover.
“
Mot
heo!
”
Motheoranovert
oherandhuggedhercr ying.
Bantul
ookedatherdaughteronthestr
etcherthen
l
ookedatPuleandSasa,herkneesinst
antlygett
ing
weak.
“Whathappenedt
omydaught
er?What
’s
happeni
ng?”
Sasal
ookedathercr
ying.“
Shedr
owned.
”
Bant
ulookedatherthenwatchedast
he
par
amedicsputherdaught
erintheambul
ance.
“
Whatdoyoumeanshedr
owned?Dr
owned
wher
e?”
“
Int
hepool
.If
oundheri
nthepool
…”
Bant
ulookedather,
herkneesi
nst
ant
lyget
ti
ng
weak.
.
.
.
l
etsqui
ckl
ypar
ti
cipat
eforanot
heroneat2130hr
s.
[
06/
22,
08:
33] :Fal
lenAngel
#120

Bantulookedinsi
detheambul anceastheyouther
daughteri
nsidedoingchestcompr essi
ons.The
ambulancedr i
verpul
ledherbackandcl osedthe
doors.
“
Thesoonerwegett
othehospi
tal
,thebet
ter
!”
Hegotint heambulanceanddroveoff
.Bant ur
anto
hercarwhi l
eMotheoranaft
erherandgoti natthe
back.Bantustar
tedthecaranddroveoffspeedi
ng
behindtheambulancewithPul
e’scarbehindhers.
Sasast oodatthegat
eshaking.Shepaced,tears
roll
ingdownhercheeksthenshewal kedbackinthe
house.Shesatdownt henstoodupunabl et
of i
gure
whathappened.Shecouldsweari twaslessthan
j
ustt womi nut
es.Sheputherhandsonherf ace
cryi
ng.
*
**

Atthehospi
tal
,Bant
uparkedhercarandr
anbehi
nd
herdaught
eronthestr
etcher
.
“
Wawa!Baby!Maamai
sher
e.Wawa!
”
Thenurseshel
dherbackasdaught
ergotoutont
he
bedthem t
heypushedaway.
“That
’smydaught
er!Ineedt
ogowi
thher
.Ineedt
o
gowithher
!”
“
Thedoct
ors-
“
“Ineedtobewit
hher!Pl
easeIam beggi
ngyou.
She’s4.She’
sonly4.Pl
ease…”
“Youar
enotallowedthere.Letthedoct
orsdot
hei
r
j
ob.She’sget
ti
ngthehelpsheneeds.Theyare
goingt
ohelpher.Justcalm down.”
“
Please…”Bant
uwhi
sper
edcr
ying.“
Please.
.”
“Iam nurseBotshelo.Iwil
lbether
ef orheronyour
behal
f.Letmegoi nonyourbehalf.Iknowyouwant
tobewi t
hher.Iunder st
and.Li
stentome…I
underst
and.Iwillgof
oryou.Iwil
lgoforyou.Just
stayhere.Iwi
llgoint
hereforyou.KeeneWame
akere?”
Bantunodded.Sheputherhandoverhermouth
shaki
ng.Thenurseandturnedandrushedof
f.
Motheoheldherleg.
.
Bantuputherhandsinherhead,
herent
ir
ebody
shaki
ng.Puleranover
.
“
Wher
e’sshe?
”
Bantulookedathim unabl
etostophert
ear
s“They
tookher….Shewasbl ue…shewasblue…my
daughterwasblue…shewasbl ue.
”
“
Babe-
“
“Pule…ohhhPul
eshewasblue.Mydaught
erwas
bluePule…shewasn’
tmovi
ng.”
Pul
ehuggedherasMot heohuggedhermot
her
’s
l
egcryi
ngsi
lent
ly.Bant
ucriedl
oudly.
“
Mydaught
er.
.mydaught
er!
”
Shecr
iedsomuch,hehadneverhear
dhercr
yt hat
muchbefor
e,hercr
iespi
ecedt
hroughhi
sheartas
sheshookcr
ying.
Mot
heocr
iedwat
chi
nghi
smot
hercr
y.

Overanhourl ater,Bant
u’sbreathedheavil
yseated
onthefloorwithPul eandMot heo,al
lofthem now
qui
et.Bantu’sheadachedast heimageofher
daughterremainedi nherhead,somuchwhenshe
cl
osedhereyest hat’
sallshesaw.
Sheweakl
ystar
edatnot
hingwhi
leMot
heol
aidon
herl
apasl
eep.
Shetouchedhi
sheadasherbr
eat
hingsl
owl
y
cal
meddown.
“
Iam pr
egnant
…“
Pul
elookedatherbuthereyesr
emai
nedont
he
wal
l.
“Raycan’
thavechil
dren.Isawhismedi
cal
documents.Hecan’
thaveki ds.
.”
Pul
est
aredatheri
nsi
lence.
“Anot
herone….
”Shel
ookedatMot
heo.“
Anot
her
one…”
Sheslowlyturnedt
ohi
m andsmi
ledt
ear
ful
ly.
“Congrat
ulat
ions…”
At earrol
leddownhercheek.“ Iwoulddoeveryt
hing
differ
entl
yifGodgavemeachance.Iwant edt o
takethekidsyester
day.Ishouldhavetakenthem
butIjustthoughtIwouldn’tusethem i
nourissues.
Theyl oveyou…shelovesyousoomuch.You
shouldseehowyoubi ght enherday.Themoment
youcal l
… youshouldseei t…youshouldseeit
Pule.”
“
Iam sor
ryf
orhow-
“
“
Don’
tbe…whyar
eyousorr
y?Don’tapol
ogi
zet
o
me…j
ustpr
aymydaught
erisok.
”
Shelookedawayandcont
inuedr
ubbi
ngMot
heo’
s
head.

*
**
AtPule’
shouse,Sasacleanedt
hehousewai
ti
ng.
Hestil
lhadn’
tcal
ledyetandshewasn’
tsur
ewhat
t
othink.
Shereachedforherphonetocallhi
m butt
hought
other
wise.He’
dprobablycallwhenhehadany
news.Sasasatdownt hi
nking.
Shecoul
dn’thel
pbutthinkmaybeitwasablessi
ng
i
ndisgui
se.Notthatshehadwantedanythi
ngto
happent
oherbutitmadet hi
ngseasier
.
Ormaybeitwasjusthert
ime.Godhadlether
drown…maybeitwasjusthert
ime.Shelookedat
theti
meandsatdownwai t
ing.
Herphonerangthenshel
ookedatBant
u’s
st
epmothercal
li
ng.
“
Hel
lo?
”
“
Sasa,
howar
eyou?
”
“
Iam f
ine.
”
“
Soyounowsl
eepi
ngwi
thr
ragweMot
heo?
”
Shesi
ghed.“
RragweMot
heoi
ssi
ngl
e.”
“Youateungrat
eful
.Af
terever
ythi
ngBant
udidfor
you,t
hisisthet
hanksshegets?Yourmot
hercoul
d
havedied!
”
“Idon’
twantt obedisrespectfulbutPuleisasi ngl
e
man.Yourst epdaughterrejectedhim countless
ti
mesf oranotherman.SoPul eistheonet hat
doesn’
tdeser vet
obel oved?Huh?Shoul dhebeg
yourstepdaughterfortherestofhi sl
ife?
”
“Thatmani soffli
mits.Youweresupposedt o
respecthim asthefatherofBant
u’schil
dren.Iam
verydisappoint
edinyou.Youhavedi sappoint
ed
me.”
“Iam notyourchil
dsoyourdisappoint
menthas
nothi
ngtodowi thme.Bantuletgoofagoodman.I
foundhimf ormyself
.Keepbeingdisappoi
nted
becauseIdon’tcare.
”
“Ihopeyoudon’tr
egr
ett
his.Li
fei
saci
rcl
emygi
rl
.
Lif
eisacircl
e.”
“
Iwi
llmotr
egr
eti
t.Bye.
”
Shehungupandbl
ockedher
.

*
**

Atthehospi
tal
,Bant
uandPulewalkedi
nsi
det
he
doctor
’sof
fi
ce.Bant
ulookedatt
hedoct
or.
“
Howi
sshe?I
ssheok?
”
“
PleaseseatMr
s.Mot
samai
so.
”
Bant
usatdownandt
ear
ful
lyl
ookedathi
m.
“
Issheok?
”
“She…yourdaughter
..wefoundwateri
nherlungs
whichwemanagedt oremovebutitseemedshe
wasinthewaterforI
’dsaymorethan5mi nut
es.
Herbrai
n..
”
Bant
upr
essedherl
i
pst
oget
her
.
“Herbrai
nwasdepr i
vedofoxygenforacoupl
eof
minutesbeforeCPRwasstart
ed.Thoughherbrai
n
cell
shadalreadybegundyi
ng..mostoft
hem
alr
eadybeingdead.”
“
Whatar
eyousayi
ng?
”
“Yourdaughter’sbrainwasaf fectedasitwas
depri
vedofoxygenf ormoret hanf i
veminutes.It
washypoxi awhi chthenturnedt obrai
nanoxi a.
She’scurrent
lyincoma, wear er unni
ngt est
st osee
i
f…ifwehavet hewr ongdiagnosi sbut
…herbr ai
nis
damagedsever elybeyondr epairandthus
consider
ingherbr aindead.”
“
She…she’
sonl
y4…”
“
Iam sor
ryMr
s.Mot
samai
so…”
Bant
uremainedst
il
lformi
nut
est
henst
oodup.She
l
ookedatPule.
“
She’
syour
s…she’
syour
s…”
Sheturnedandwalkedout
,herf
eetleadi
ngherout
tohercar.Shegoti
nanddroveoff
,angerandrage
taki
ngover.
ShepressedthegateremoteatPul
e’
shouseand
drovein.Bant
uclosedthegat
ewalki
ngin.Sasa
walkedfrom t
hekit
chenholdi
ngaglassofjui
ce.
“
Uhu.
.wher
e’sPul
e?”
Bantucl
osedt
hedoor
.“Whatdi
dyoudot
omy
daught
er?”
“Whatdoyoumean?Yourdaught
erdr
ownedonher
own!”
Bantudroppedthecarkeyswal
kingovertoherand
punchedher.Sasastagger
eddr
oppingt hegl
ass
thenBantusmashedherheadagainstthewall
.
.
.
.
[
06/
22,
08:
34] :Fal
lenAngel
#121

Bant
uangri
lyl
ookedatherasSasacl
osedhereyes
fr
om bangont
hewall.
“
Whatdi
dyoudot
omydaught
er?
”
Sasat
ouchedherhead.“
WhenPul
e-“
Bant
uangr
il
ypunchedheragai
n,t
hist
imehi
tt
ing
hereye.SasagrabbedBant
u’shairpull
ingherhard
andpunchedherbacktryi
ngtogainbalance.Bantu
punchedherstomachunabletofeelanypain,she
punchedstomachevenharder.
Sasapul
ledBant
u’shai
ragai
nhopingshe’dstop
butBant
umovedcloserbi
ti
nghernippl
ethrough
hert
op.
Sasascr
eamedscr at
chingBant
u’sf
acebutBant
u
bi
therharder
.Sasascreamedevenlouderi
npul
l
ing
Bant
u’shairmor
e.
Bant
uletgoandpunchedherbr
east
.
“
Whatdi
dyoudot
omychi
ld?
”
“
Idi
dn’
tdoanyt
hing.Shewasonherown!
”
Bantupull
edSasapunchingherharder.Shepi cked
thevasenearherandsmashedi nherheadt hat
Sasastagger
edbackdizzy.Bantuwalkedtot he
kit
chenandcamebackwi thabigownt henhi tSasa
atthebackofherheadwithitt
hatSasaf el
l.Bantu
conti
nuedbashingherheadwiththepain.
“
Youki
ll
edmychi
ld!
”
“
Bant
u!Thusang!
”
Bant
udr
oppedt
hepanl
ooki
ngt
hebl
ood.
“Mydaught
erdi
dnot
hingt
oyou.Idi
dnot
hingt
o
you.
”
Sasal
ookedathercr
ying.“
Iam sor
ry…”
“Youlef
tmydaughterswim al
one.She’
snotthat
good!Youknewthat!Youknewthat!Howcouldyou
l
etherswim al
one?”
Sasalookedatherl
yingont
hef
loor
,herhead
pounding.
“Howcoul
dyou?Aft
ereveryt
hingyouki
ll
edmy
daught
eri
nwater
….Ilookedatyouli
keasist
er…”
“Iam sor
ry…pl
easetakemet othehospi
tal
…Iam i
n
pain…Ican’
tbr
eatheproper
ly.
”
“
Mydaughtertoowasn’
tbreat
hingpr
oper
ly.She
wasn’
tbr
eathi
ngproper
ly!
”
“
Bant
uIam dyi
ng…”
Bant
ulookedatherandwalkedt
othebedrooms
wher
eshecamebackwi thoneofherscaf
fs.She
ti
edSasa’slegswithi
tthenwalkedt
othekit
chen
withaknif
e.Sasalookedatherandtr
iedt
omove
butherheadf el
tsoheavy.
Bantusatonher .“ Nowyouhaveabi gmouth.You
thi
nkyoucant al
kt omehoweveryouwant .Don’tbe
scared.Yourboyfr i
endwillbejoi
ningyousoon.You
andhim won’ tgetawaywi thkil
li
ngmychi l
d.You
wil
lpayf ori
t.Youar egoingt osuff
erli
keshe
suff
eredbefor edied…allalone.
”
Bant
utookthekni
fewhileSasatr
iedscreami
ng,
shecutt
hesidesofSasa’sl
ipswi
deninghermouth.
Sasascr
eamed,nowwi t
hhangingli
ps.
Bantulookedatthebl oodt henpulledoutside.She
l
aidonherpavementbehi ndhercar ,herlegs
behi
ndt hetiret
henwal kedi nherhouseandpi cked
hercarkeys.Shegotbacki nt hecarandst art
edthe
engi
ner eversedsteppingonSaa’ sl egswi t
hhercar.
Sasascr eamedbutnot hi ngcameout .Bantudrove
backwher eshewaspar ked, r
unningt hr
oughher
l
egsagai nthensteppedoutoft hecar .
Shel
ookedatSasawhowasnowunconsci
ousand
draggedherbodytothebackyar
datthepool
l
eavingat r
ailofbl
oodonthepavement
.Shemoved
back,tear
srolli
ngdownhercheeks.
.
Shesatdown, somehowshedi dn’tfeelanybet
ter
.
Herchestti
ghtenedasshel aidont hepavement
cryi
ng.Itj
ustdidn’
tmakesensewhyherdaught er
hadtakenthefall
…shewasj ustwayt ooyoung.
Shewonder edhowi tmusthavef elt
.Shehad
probabl
ybeeni npain.
Awhi l
elaterBantuslowlygotupf rom the
pavementt henshelookedatSasa’ sbody,she
l
ookeddead.Bant upushedheri nt
hewat er.The
waterslowlychangedcol ortur
ningred.Shest ar
ed
wonderingifshehadi teasy.Shewal kedout
l
ookingatt hetr
ailofbloodont hepavement .
Shewalkedt
ohercarandt
ookherphonet
hen
cal
ledYamasa.
“
Bant
u..“
“
Hi.Canyoucomeandcol
lectMot
heof
orme.Iwi
ll
t
akehimlat
er.
”
“
Yes.
.wher
ear
eyou?
”
“
Iam i
nGabor
one.Iwi
llsendyout
hepi
nlocat
ion.
”

*
**

Atthehospit
al,
Pulewalkedoutifhi
sdaught
er’
s
room l
eavi
ngherl i
tt
lebodyconnect
edtomachines
whil
etalki
ngont hephone.
“
Soshoul
dIhaveherf
lownovert
hatsi
de?
”
“Yes.Il
ookatt
her
esul
ts.Iwi
lldomor
etest
sand
see.”
“
Ok.Iam ar
rangi
ngt
hatf
ort
oday.
”
“
Per
fect
.”
Pul
ewal
kedt
othenur
sewhowashol
dingMot
heo.
“
Wehadt
ogi
veherasedat
ive.
”
“
Ok,
thanks.
”
Pukepi
ckedhim upandwal
kedwi t
hhimtot
hecar .
Heputheratt
hebackthenjumpedinhi
scarand
dr
oveheadedhome.Hisphonerangashedrove.
“
Ski
jo…”
“
Eish,
Isawyourmessage.I
ssheok?
”
“Thedoct
orissayi
ngshe’
sbr
aindead.Iwanta
secondopi
nion.
”
“
Howdi
dshedr
own?
”
“Sasaleftheralonei
nthepool
.Iam goi
ngt
oki
llher
.
Iam goingt ocheckt
hecamerasmmeeneIam
goingtokillher
.”
“Ifyoudidn’
tfuckherthenshewoul dsti
llbea
nannyandwoul dnothavefel
tli
kethemadam.You
j
ustr obbedBantuofherdaughter.Youhavehurt
thiswomanmor ethanIcancountlait
akabutthi
s
ti
meyoudi danumberonher .
”
“Iam notevensur
ewhat’
sshe’
sthi
nki
ng.Shedi
dn’
t
seeher.Shejustl
eft
.”
“Thatchil
dshouldmakeit.Gapewhydidyoueven
sleepwithher?Whereyouthathor
nykanayousaw
herbody?Iregretbr
ingi
nghertoyou.Whati
fBantu
goesonaki ll
ingspr
eeandIam oneofthepeopl
e
dying?”
“
Iam goi
ngt
oneedhel
pcl
eani
ngupt
hemess.
”
“
Makei
tlessmessy.
”

*
**

Minut
eslaterPulepar
kedatthegatetr
yingt
oopen
i
tbutitwouldn’
t.Bant
uwalkedoutsi
deasPule
st
eppedoutofthecar.
Pul
elookedather
.“Hi
…”
“
IhaveaskedYamasat
ocoll
ecthi
m.Iwantust
o
t
alkwi
thouthi
m bei
ngt
her
e.”
“
Ok.
.”
“
Oh…t
her
eshei
s!”
Yamasapar
kedhercarandsteppedout
.Pul
etook
Motheowhowasstil
lsl
eepi
ngandputherin
Yamasa’
scar.Yamasal
ookedatBantu.
“
Hi…”
“
Iwi
llcomel
ater
.Thankyou.
”
“
Ok.
”
Yamasagoti nt hecarthenBantupushedt
hegate
openandwal kedtothesmallboxtur
ningi
tbackt
o
automaticthencloseditwit
htheremotewhil
ePul
e
staredatthebloodinshockashewal kedi
n.
“
Whathappened?
”
Pulef
oll
owedthetr
ailt
othebackofthehouse,hi
s
eyesf
all
ingonSasainthewaterneart
hestar
es.
Helookedatthebloodi
nthewatert
henpull
edher
out
.Hisheartski
ppedashelookedathert
henhe
st
eppedback.
“
Fuck!
”
Hewalkedi
nsidethehousewherebloodwasall
overt
hefl
oor.Bantucont
inuedcut
ti
ngherveggi
es.
“
Doyouwantf
ood?
”
Helookedather.Obviouslyshehadbathed
becauseshedidn’
tlooklikeshehadbeenonabody
choppingspr
ee.
“
No…”
“Ok.Soyouwantt
otel
lmewhathappenedwi
thmy
daughter
?”
“
Iwasn’
tar
ound.I
sshedead?
”
“
Doesshel
ookal
ive?
”
Het
ookadeepbr
eat
h.“
Iwi
llhavesomeonecl
ean
t
hemess.
”
“Idon’
tcarewhatyoudo.Youquest
ionmy
daughter
’spat
erni
tythenaf
tert
hatmydaught
er
drowns?”
“
Shesai
dshehear
dyout ellyourmot
hert
hatWawa
i
snotmi
ne.Iwasj
ustasking.”
“
Ehe…soyourgi
rlf
ri
endtel
lsyouthatyourdaught
er
i
sjotyour
sandyourunwit
hit?”
“
Youhaveneversaidanyt
hingaboutherpat
erni
ty,
whatwasIsupposedtodo?”
“
Ifyouhadanydoubt
s,whydi
dyoubondwi
thheri
n
t
hefir
stpl
ace?Si
tdown!”
“
Bant
u-“
Bant
utookouthi
sgunandpoi
ntedi
tathi
m.“
Sit
down.
”
“
Youwantt
oki
llme?
”
“Iam goi
ngtokillyoueit
herway.Att heendIam
goingtoki
llyou.”Shecockedt hegun.“ I
t ’
sei
ther
youormewhowal ksoutal
ivet odayPul e…butIcan
tel
lyouonet hi
ng,youareont her eceivi
ngend.”
.
.
.

Goodmor
ning,
let
'skhont
unyo
[
06/
22,
08:
34] :Fal
lenAngel
#122

Pulelookedather
,theguni
nherhandandt
ear
sin
hereyes.
“Iwouldneverhurther
.IknowIquesti
onedher
pater
nitybutIwouldneverhur
tbecauseIl
oveher
.I
getyouar
eangry,
youhaveever
yri
ghtt
obeandi
f
youwanttobl
ame-“
“
Iblameyou!IblameyouPule!Iblameyou.Shef
elt
t
heneedtohurtmydaughtersot ohaveyou.Who
wasnext
?Mot heo?”
“
Putt
hegundown.Thi
sisnotyoubabe…”
“Thisi
sme.Thi sisme.Yout urnedmei ntot
his
person.Iwasn’tl
ikethi
s.Youhavebr oughtoutthis
me.Bepr oudofyourselfPule.TheonlymistakeI
didwast oloveyou.That’
stheonl ymist
akeI
made…t oloveyou.Todayt hatlovehascostmemy
daughter.Mydaughterwillnotdieinvei
n.Allthi
s…
alli
syou!Youdi dthi
s.”
“Putdownthegunbabe. .Iwil
lcl
eanupt hismess.I
wil
lsortt
hisout .Ihavear r
angedfl
ightsforWame.
Adoctorwillber ecei
vingherinSA.Iam get t
ing
secondopinion.TakeMot heoandgo..Iwil
ljoin
you..
”
“Youar
enotj
oini
ngusbecauseIam notgoi
ngt
o
all
owyou.
”
“
Ok.Whatwor
ksf
oryou.Putt
hegundown.Don’
t
l
etmet ur
nint
owhatyouar
enot
.Theki
dsneedyou.
Iwi
llcl
eanupthemess.
”
Shelookedathim shaki
ngast
ear
srol
leddown.He
tookastepfor
ward.
“Letmegavethegunbabe…it’
sok.Goandattend
toourki
ds.Ihavesort
edoutever
ythi
ng.Even
accommodation.Go…givemethegun.”
“
Don’
tmove.
”
“
Givemet
hegun.
.”
Hemovedagai ngetti
ngcl
oser,Bant
ulookedathi
m
aseveryt
hingjustcameback,
shepulledthet
ri
gger
shoot
ingleg.
“
FUCK!Shi
t!
”
Shepulledthetri
ggershooti
ngagai
n,t
histi
me
ai
mi ngforhischestandtaki
nghimri
ghttothe
ground.Shewalkedovertohim dr
oppi
ngthegun
Bantusighedstari
ngathimt henwalkedoutside.
Shej umpedinthecaropeningthegate.She
reversedoutanddrovebacki nwi
threverse.She
closedthegatethenwalkedbackinthehouseand
pull
edhisbodyoutside.Shepausedbreat
hing
heavil
y.Sheopenedthebootthenbitherl
owerli
p
pull
inghisheavybody.
Minuteslater
,shesatdownexhaustedbefore
f
inallygett
ingupandclosingt
heboot .Shewalked
i
nsidet hehousethentookabucketandwashing
l
iquid.Shecleanedthefl
oorsandpickedhisgun.
Pul
e’sphonestar
tedri
ngi
ngont hefl
oor.She
l
ookedatSkij
ocalli
ngandthought
ful
lypicked.
“
Hel
lo?
”
“
Hel
lo?Who’
sthi
s?”
“
Bant
u..“
“
Oh…MmaMot
samai
so,
howar
eyou?
”
“
Ther
e’s…abodyathome.
”
“
Abody?Iam comi
ng.Wher
e’sP-
Man?
”
“
Idon’
tknow.Buthi
scarout
side.
”
“
Ok.Iam comi
ng.
.don’
tpani
c…i
t’
sok.
”
“
Iam l
eavi
nghi
sphone.Iam goi
ng.
”
“
Ok.
”
Bant
uhungupandhur r
iedout
.Shegoti
nhercar
anddroveof
fthencl
osedthegat
e.

*
**

Latert
hatdayi nShakawe,asmallpl
anetouched
downatShakaweAi r
port.Lubast
eppedoutoft he
pl
anewi t
hTshepo.Tshepogott hei
rbagsandt ook
herhandleadinghertotheopentopJeepwai t
ing.
Het hr
ewtheirbagsatthebackandopenedt he
doorforher.
Lubasmi
ledget
ti
nginthenhewal
kedr
oundand
j
umpedbefor
edrivi
ngoff.
Lubapushedherbrai
dsbackashedr
ovef
orawhi
le
thenpar
kedatalodge.
Shesmi
ledseei
ngt
her
iverf
rom t
hecar
.
“
Thi
spl
acei
sbeaut
if
ul.
”
Tshepoki
ssedher
.“Notl
ikeyou.
”
Lubasmiledshyl
y.Hegotoutandhelpedhert
hen
walkedwithheri
nsi
deholdi
ngthei
rbags.They
walkedpastther
ecept
iongoi
ngupt hestai
rst
o
thei
rsui
te.
Lubasmi
led.“
Thi
sisbeaut
if
ul.
”
“Yeah.ItwasBant
u’si
dea.Shebuil
ttheot
heronein
Maunt henIgaveherherhusband’
smoneyforthi
s
one.”
“
It
’sbeaut
if
ul.Yourbr
otherknows?
”
“Abouttheonei nMaun.Thi
sonehedoesn’tknow.
Bantustil
lwantedtoworkonit.Shesai
dshe
doesn’tl
ikethatout
sidet
her
e’snothi
ngdrawing
peoplein.”
“
Shei
ssmar
t.
”
“
Yeah.
”
Heputthebagsdownandlookedather
.Heki
ssed
her
,hi
shandsonherbutt
.
“
Iam comi
ng.
”
“
Ok.
”
Hewalkedoutleavi
ngheralone.Lubatookpi
ctur
es
t
hensatonthebedwai t
ing.Thelodgewasactual
ly
f
arfr
om everyt
hinganditlookedli
keitwasn’
t
f
unct
ioningyet
.
Tshepowal
kedbackovert
hir
tymi
nut
esl
ater
.
“
Let
’st
akeabat
h.Ourf
oodi
scomi
ng.
”
“
Youcanst
art
.Iwi
llbat
haf
teryou.
”
Tshepopul
ledherfr
om thebed.“
Wear
egoi
ngt
o
bath.Wemeaningus.Toget
her.
”
Lubalookedathi m ashet ookof
fhertopt
hen
uncl
ippedherbr a.Hekissedhertouchi
nghersof
t
ski
nthent ouchedherbr east.
Tshepocr ouchedandpul l
eddownherpants
togetherwithherpanty.Shest
eppedoutofthem,
herhear tr
acingthensheputherheadi
nf r
ont
blockingherp*ssy.
Tshepolookedather
,hisdi
cktentinghispants.
Lubalookeddownfeeli
nghiseyesal loverherbody.
Shehasneverbeennakedli
ket hatforhim.Het ook
offherhands.
“Youarebeaut
if
ul.Doyouknowj
usthowmuch
beaut
if
ulyouare?”
Sheswallowedwonderi
ngi
fherfol
dswil
ltur
nhim
offorhercel
lul
it
eort
hestr
etchmarksal
lover
.
Tshepomovedcl oserandki ssedherl ips.He
droppedki ssestoherneck, herchest, herbreast.
Lubal ookedathim asheki ssedheral lover,her
touchedherwi dehipsandgotupt akingowner shi
p
ofherl i
ps.Sheslowlykissedhi m backbr eat
hing
heavil
y.Tshepol ai
dherdownandopenedherl egs
getti
ngi n-
between,hi
smout honher sandhi s
handsal lover.
Tshepodownandleanedovermuf
fi
ngherget
ti
ng
herwetasshecl
osedhereyesandmoani
ng.
Hemovedhismout
honhert
il
lshest
art
edshaki
ng
spasmi
ng.
Tshepoki
ssedheranddr
oppedhi
sdi
conher
..
Herubbedhercl
itbr
eat
hingheavi
ly.Lubal
ookedat
hi
m..
“
Tshepo…”
“
Iam notput
ti
ngi
tin…”
“
Myst
atus-
“
Hekissedherrubbi
nghimsel
fonherwar
mt h.She
cl
osedhereyesatthethr
obbi
ng,t
hefeel
inghaving
heropenherlegsmore.
Tshepopausedandgotoffbedthenpr
essedher
thi
ghstoget
herandpushedthr
oughtappi
ngher
pussywitht
hetip.
“
Ahf
uck!
”
Hecarriedonfucki
ngthickthi
ghst appingher
alr
eadyt hr
obbi
ngpussy.Thef actt
hatshehad
alr
eadysaidshewasn’tavirginmadei thardtohol
d
himselfashewentharder,herthi
ghscl ampingas
thewar mthwheneverhetappedherdr ovehim
crazy.
Hepushedt hroughherthighsagainandthisti
me
pushingthr
oughherpussyl i
psandinsideher
sweethoneypotgr unt
ingasherpussyhuggedhi m
ti
ghtl
y.Hegr untedandcontinueddri
ll
ingint
oher
wetnessthr
oughhert highsasshemoaned, hi
sdi
ck
str
etchi
ngherpussyl ipsasitsli
dthr
ough.
Itf
eltt
oogood,toogoodherbodyst
art
edshaki
ng,
hertoeyest
urnedashewentonsendinghert
o
heaven.
Shethr
ewherheadbackconvul
sing,
herbi
gbody
bodyshaki
ng.
Tshepowentintwomoret
imest
henst
il
leddeepi
n
herfi
ll
ingherwi
thhi
scum.

*
**

Yamasal ookedatMotheosleepi
ng,hisl
ipsswollen.
Shecouldtellsomethi
nghadbeenof fatthathouse.
Sheslowlysatdownandt r
iedcall
ingBantubuther
phonejustrangwithnoanswer.
Shewalkedoutsideherbeautif
ulbachel
orpad
hol
dingherphonej ustasherneighborwal
kedout
ofhi
shouseunl ockinghisLandRover.
Hel
ookedoveratherandwaved.
Yamasawavedback.
“
Howar
eyou?
”
Yamasasmi
led.“
Iam f
ine.You?
”
“
DidyourTVguycome?
”
“
No.
”
“
Iwi
llcomel
aterandf
ixi
tthen.
”
Shenoddedstaringathi
m.Hesmi l
edandgoti
nhis
car.Yamasaclosedhereyeswal
kingbacki
nher
houseandlaughed.
“
Getoveri
tYaya.
.he’
smar
ri
ed.
”
Shetr
iedcal
li
ngBant
uagai
nbutt
her
ewasno
answer.

*
**

Atasecl
udedpl
aceout
sideGabor
one,Bant
udrove
i
nthefor
estgoi
ngtot
hef ar
mthefar
m shehad
want
edtobuy.
Asexpect
ed,
thegat
ewasst
il
lunl
ocked.Shedr
ove
throughanddr ovepasttheoldhouse.Shepar ked
thecarnearthewel landsteppedout.Shelookedat
theblackcloudinthesky…t herainwouldbewash
awayt hetr
ail.Sheopenedherbootandl ookedat
Pulewhoseemedt obewaki ngupt houghhischest
wascoveredwi t
hblood.Shepulledhim outand
sighed.
“
Youar
egoi
ngt
odi
eher
e.”
Hegr
unt
ed.“
Fuck…”
“Thi
sistheonlywayt ostoplovingyou.I
fmy
daughterdoesn’tmakeit,
atleastyouaredeadt
oo.
Maybeaf t
erthisIshouldmoveonwi thTshepo
becauseit’
sclearIchosethewr ongbrot
her.
”
“
Babe…”Heheldherhandstruggli
ngtobreat
he.“
I
l
oveyou.
.itmeantnot
hing.Iam sorr
y.”
Shepulledhisbodytothepoorl
ydugwel l
.She
l
ookedi nsi
deanditwasn’tasdeepasshewant ed
butthentherewasnowayi fhi
m getti
ngouteit
her
way..Shelookedathimtryi
ngtositupthenpushed
himinside,hi
sbodylandi
ngont hesandwithaloud
thud.Shelookedathimtryi
ngtoseeifhewasal i
ve
butther
ewasnomovement .Shewal
kedbackt
o
hercarandclosedthebootthenj
umpedi
nand
droveasli
ghtraindropsf
ell
..
.
.
.
.
[
06/
22,
08:
34] :Fal
lenAngel
#123

Itr
ainedharderasBantuparkednextt
oYamasa’s
Q5andhur r
iedtotheverandah.Sheknockedont
he
door,Yamasaopened.
“
Hi…”
Bant
usi
ghed.“
Hi.Ni
cecar
.”
Yamasasmi
led.“
Notasni
ceasmyG-
Wagon.
”
Bant
ulaughed.“
Iguess.Buti
t’
sni
ce.
”
“
Youl
ookt
ir
ed.Ar
eyouok?
”
“
Yes.Iam goi
ngt
oSA.OkaeMot
heo?Ourpl
ane
l
eavesi
n45mi
nut
es.
”
“
He’
sbeensl
eepi
ng.Comei
n.”
Bantuwalkedinthehouseandfol
lowedhertothe
bedroom.Shelookedathersonst
illsl
eepi
ngthen
walkedoverandshookhim.
“
Mot
heo…Mot
heo!
”
Mot
heoslowl
ywoket
henl
ookathi
smot
her
.Bant
u
smi
led.
“
Hi…wear
egoi
ng.
”
“
Wawa…”
“Wearegoi
ngt
oWawa.She’sf
ine.Don’
tcr
y…”She
huggedt
henpi
ckedhi
m up.
Yamasal
ookedather
.“I
sever
ythi
ngokBant
u?”
“
Yes.Thankyouf
oryourhel
p.”
Bant
uwalkedoutandhurri
edtothecar
.Shequi
ckl
y
putMot
heoatthebackthenjumpedin.
Herphoner
angbesi
desher,
shepausedl
ooki
ngat
t
heunsavednumbercal
li
ng.
“
Hel
lo?
”
“
Hi.Uhi
t’
sSkar
a.Ski
jo’
sbr
other
.Ar
eyouok?
”
“
Iam f
ine.
”
“It
hinkyoumaywanttolookattheCCTVfootageI
sentyouthr
oughWhatsApp.Iam sor
ryaboutwhat
happened.I
tcoul
dhavebeenprevent
ed.”
Bant
utookadeepbr
eat
h.
“Itseemst henannywasbusybutatt heendofthe
dayPul ecouldhavecont roll
edhimself.Heloves
you, buthedoesn’tknowhowt oloveyour i
ghtand
maybei t
’sbecausehegr ewupi nar ough
environmentbutnonet heless,hedoesn’tdeser
ve
you.He’ sdonenothingbutabuset hel oveyouhave
forhim.”
Bantusi
lent
lyl
i
stenedst
ari
ngoutt
hrought
he
window.
“Noonei sgoi
ngtolookforhisdeadbody.The
poli
ceandeveryoneelsehatehim.Theywouldn’
t
careifhewasfounddeadsomewher eandthat
’s
thetr
uth…buthiski
dsneedhi m.Pleasesparehi
m
forhiskids.Iam beggingyouBant u.Iam not
sayingforgiveorlethi
m of feasily,justsparehisli
fe.
Youcanl eavehim paralyzedorsomet hing,Ican
evenhelpyou.Justdon’ tki
llhim.Iknowyoushot
him..maybewecanst i
llsavehi m.Al sobr i
ngyour
carsowecl eanitup.Iwi l
lcleant hemess, noone
willknowwhathappened. ”
Anothervoi
cespoke.“Bant
uit
’sSpi
jo.Pul
eloves
you.Hereal
lydoes.Iknowyouareangrybut..
-“
“Heytsek!Msonoyourshi
t!Whot
oldyout
otal
k?
Bantu,sorr
y.Uhso-
“
“Iam goi ngtoSout hAf ri
cat omydaughter.Idon’
t
thi
nkIam comi ngback.Iknownoonei sgoingt o
careabouthi m missi ngbecauset heyhavebeen
want i
nggonef orthel ongestti
me.Thewat eris
goingt owashawayever yt
hingandtheywill
probablyj ustassumei twasoneofhi senemiesor
somet hing.Butf eelfreet ogivethatf
ootagetothe
poli
ceandIwi l
ltellthem wher eyoustashdrugsso
weal lgodownandhi sr emainingchi
ldr
enar el
eftto
suffer.Yourchoi ce.”
“Idon’
twanttodothat.Evenifhe’
sdeadIam not
goingtodothat.Hedeservesit
.Al
lIam besaying
i
st hat
…hegr ewupwi t
hnol ove…canheatleast
getitf
rom hi
skids?”
“Iam goi
ng.Wher
eshoul
dIl
eavemycardoyoube
cabcleanit
?”
Skar
asi
ghed.“
Att
heai
rpor
t.
”
Shehungupandr
ever
sedout
.

*
**

InShakawe, LubalaidherheadonTshepo’ schest

whil
et heywatchedTV.Ther ai
nmadei tabitcol
d
butwithfir
ebur ni
nggentlyont hefi
rear eamaking
theroom abitofwar m.Shepul ledt
het hrow
coveri
ngherchest .Tsheporeachedf orhisphone
star
ingatherf al
lasleepthentookapi ctureand
postedheronhi sFacebook.
Hisphonevi
brat
edr
inging,hegent
lyputLuba’
s
headdownandgotoffbed.Hequickl
yputonhis
br
ief
sandwal
kedt
othebal
conypi
cki
ng.
“
Hel
lo?
”
“
KeSkar
a,t
her
ewasal
it
tl
eacci
denther
e.”
Tshepof
rowned.“
Whathappened?
”
“
Yourbr
othersl
eptwi
tht
henanny.
”
“
Sasa?
”
“
Yes.
”
“
Hesl
eptwi
thBant
u’sf
ri
end?
”
“
Yes.
”
“
Why?Whywoul
dhedot
hat
?It
houghthewant
ed
t
ofi
xthi
ngs.
”
“Bant
ucaughtt
hem butshej
ustlef
t.Thi
smor
ning
SasadrownedWame.She’sbr
aindeador
somethi
ng.”
“
Wamei
sbr
aindead?
”
“
Yes.
”
“WhereisBant
u?Doessheknow?Thi
sisgoi
ngt
o
breakher.
”
“Sheknowsand…l etmesayalmostki
ll
edSasaor
kil
ledher.Baronasaysshe’shangi
ngbythet
hread
butchancesofhermaki ngitaresl
imt
houghit
’s
betterwejustletherdi
e.”
“
Bant
uwoul
dneverdot
hat
.”
“Wellshecan,Iguessshe’
shadenoughofPul
e’
s
bul
lshit
.Sheshothim.Anddisposedhi
sbody
somewher e.
”
Tsheposwall
owedt
ryi
ngt
ounder
standwhatSj
ara
wassaying.
“Shedr
ovetowardsdisi
detsaMolepssoweareon
ourwayther
e.Shemighthavedr
oppedhisbody
somewhere.
”
“
Ishedead?
”
“
Idon’
tknow.
”
“
Therei
safar
m bef
oreMol
eps.Shewantedtobuy
i
tsometi
meback.I
t’
sanabandonedf
arm and…
f
uck!
”
“
Dir
ectme.Maybehe’
sst
il
lal
ive.
”
“
Shoul
dwecal
lthepol
ice?
”
“
No!That
’s…look,
wewil
lseeaboutthatoncewe
f
indhi
m butyouknowt
hat’
sthelasthewould
want
.”
“Idon’
tunderst
andwhyhemakesi
tami
ssi
ont
o
alwayshurther
…”
“
Exactlywhyweshoul dn’tcallt
hepoli
ce.Hest
art
ed
t
his.It
’shi
sturn.Thisisthekindofbehavi
orhe
i
ntroducedtoher.Lethim dealwit
hitt
oo.”

*
**

AtLef
a’shouse,Lefatookasipofhisbeersitt
ingin
fr
ontofhi
sTVwhi l
epressinghisphone.An
i
ncomingcallcamet hroughthenhepickedleaning
backonhiscouch.
“
Hel
lo?
”
“
Hi.
”
Lef
aqui
ckl
ysatupr
ightandputhi
sbeerdown.
“
Hey…”
“
It
’sBant
u.”
“
Iknow…hi
.”
“
Iam sor
ry,
IhopeIam notcat
chi
ngyouatt
he
wrongt
ime.
”
“
No.
.never
…ar
eyouok?
”
“
Idi
dsomet
hingt
err
ibl
e.Ineedal
awyer
.”
“
Ok.Iam her
e.”
“
CanIt
rustyou?
”
“
Youcant
rustmewi
thyourl
if
e.”
“
Ithi
nkIhaveki
ll
edt
wopeopl
e.”
“
What
?”
“
AndCCTVcaughtme.
”
“
Whodi
dyouki
ll
?”
Bant
usi
ghedandbr
ief
lynar
rat
edt
hest
oryt
ohi
m.
“It
hinkhe’
sdead,
ifhewasnott
hen,
hepr
obabl
yis
now.”
“
Fuck!
”
“Iam aboutt
ot akeoff.Iam goingtoSA,that
’s
whereWamei sgoi ng.Iam notsureifmydaughter
i
sgoingt omakei t
…IhaveMot heoherewithme.I
alsohavesomemoneyt ost
ar taf
reshinSAor
maybeNami bia.Iam soscar ed.Idon’
twanttogo
tojai
landthenmyki dsgr owupwi thoutme.”
“
Sot
hemai
d…eneshe’
sdead.
”
“
Yes.It
hrewheri
nthepool
.”
“Fuck!Uhwi thPulewecansel fdefense…Idot
know. .something.Butthemai d…andyour
daught er
’si
ncidentbeingmot i
ve…t heymaychar ge
yout ofir
stdegreemur der.Onbot h…butthat’
sonly
i
ftheygett hetapeandi fyouleftanyevidence
behind.Orwecanpl eadguilt
ybutar gueyouacted
outofemot ions.Onbot hcounts.”
“
Iam get
ti
ngi
nthepl
ane.Iwi
llcal
lyou.
”
Shehungup.Lef
alookedathi
sphonest
il
linshock.

*
**
Atthefar
mjustbeforeMolepol
ole,Skar
adr
ove
thr
oughthef
orestthenthr
oughtheopengate.They
passedanol
dunfinishedhousethenhepar
kedthe
car.
Ski
jol
ookedathi
m.“
Let
’sgo.
”
Theybot hsteppedoutint
her ai
nandwentt ot
he
housebutt herewasnothi
ng.Theywal kedf
ora
whilelooki
ngt henSki
jowalkedovertothehol
eat
theotherside.Helookedi
nsidereal
izi
ngitwas
actual
lyawel l
.
Hishear
tski
ppedashi
seyesf
ellonPul
etr
yingt
o
keepafl
oati
nthewat
er.
“
Skar
a!Her
e’sher
e!Br
ingar
ope.
”
Skarawal
kedoverandl
ookedathi
m ashecoughed
i
nside.
“Iam nott
akinghi m out.Lethi m suf
feri
nsi
de.You
areveryungrat
efulandsel fish.Youdon’tdeser
veto
beali
ve,ebi
lennaIwasr eadyt ocomegetr i
dofa
body.Youshoul dhavebeenl icki
ngthegroundshe
walkson,beggingf orforgi
venessbutbecauseyou
thi
nkyouar eal
lt hat,youdecidet obesleepwit
ha
maid…someonet hewomanyoucl aimtolove
regar
dedasaf ri
end.Youar
ef ul
lofshi
t,t
hey
shouldhavelef
tyoudiewherevert
heypickedyou
from.Nxl
a!”
Ski
jolookedathi
sbr
other
.“He’
sdyi
ng.Ot
aomana
l
ater
.”
“Iwil
lpunchyourugl
yface,
Iwi
shsheact
ual
ly
kil
ledyou.
”
Hewal
kedt
othecarl
eavi
ngt
hem t
her
e.
.
.
.
[
06/
22,
08:
34] :Fal
lenAngel
#124

Spij
obithisl
owerlippul
li
ngPulewi
tharope.He
grunt
edasPul egotcl
oserthenher
eachedforhi
s
Pule’
shandthensatdownonmudpul li
nghim out
withal
lhisst
rength.
Spi
jobr
eat
hedheavi
lyl
ooki
ngathi
m.
“War
ehowdi
dBant
uputyourbodyi
nthecar
?Oj
a
eng?
”
Pulelai
donhi sbackfight
ingtokeepbreathi
ng
whileSpij
obreathedheavi
ly.Anot
hercarparked
thenBaronasteppedoutintherai
nandr ushedover
.
TheypickedPuleandcarri
edhi
mt oBarona’scar
.
Baronalookedathimfeel
ingf
orhispulseonhis
neck.HetorePule’
st-
shir
tandlookedatthegun
woundonhi schest.
“
Heneedsasur
ger
y.”
“Wecan’
ttakehimtoaproperhospi
talbecause
pol
icewi
llaskquest
ions.
”
Baronagoti
nhi scarandspedoff
.Spij
ogotinhi
s
brot
her’
scarthenSkaradroveof
ffol
lowingbehi
nd
Barona.
“Iandroppi
ngyouoffatt
heai
rpor
tsoyour
aje
Bantu’
scarforcl
eani
ng.”
“
Ok.Pul
eisal
ive.
”
“
Whoaskedyou?
”
Spi
jokeptqui
etashi
sol
derbr
othergl
aredathi
m.

*
**

I
nSouthAfr
icalaterthateveni
ng,
Bantuwalked
i
nsi
dethehotelsuit
ecar r
yingMotheowhohad
f
all
enasl
eep.
Shel
aidhim ont
hebedandsatdownonthebed.
Shest
aredathim sl
eepi
ng,
tear
sit
chi
nghereyes.
Shereachedforherphoneandconnect
edi
ttothe
hot
el’
sWi Fit
hencall
edherfat
herwit
hWhatsApp
cal
l.
I
frangf
orawhi
lebef
orehef
inal
lypi
cked.
“
Bant
u…”
Hear
inghisvoi
cemadeherdoemot
ional
,shet
ook
adeepbreat
h.
“
Papa…”
“
What
’swr
ong?
”
Bantupr
essedherl
i
pst
oget
hert
henr
ubbedher
eyes.
“
Wamef
elli
nthepool
.”
“
Shef
elli
nthepool
?”
“Yes.Andshe’si
nhospit
al.Shedrowned.The
doctorsar
esayingshemaybebr aindead.
”Bant
u’s
l
ipstrembledasshespokethathervoi
cebecame
shaky.Awar mtearr
andownhercheekmaki ngher
snif
f.
“Themachi
nesmaybet
heonl
ythi
ngkeepi
ngher
ali
ve.
”
“
Bant
u..
”
“Igavethem toPulefort hehol i
days.Theywent
withSasa.She…Wamewasal onewhenshe
drowned.Shewasal onei nt hepool .She’snota
goodswi mmer .She’
s…shel oveswat erbut..
.”
Pain
chockedhermaki ngithar dt ot alk.“
Butshe’ snot
good.IforgottoremindPul e..Ishoul dhave
remindedvhim…Ishoul dhavenotl ethimt akethe
kids.OrIshouldhaver emi ndedMot heo.Heal ways
keepsaneyeonhi ssister…If orgottotellhimtonot
l
ethissisteroutofhi
ssi
ght
…Ishouldhavetol
dhim.
IhadcalledSasamomentsbef
ore.I
fIcall
edabit
earl
iert
hen..-
“
“
It
’snotyourf
aul
t.
”
“I
tisPapa.Ishouldhavebeenabett
erpar ent.My
i
nstinctshoul
dhavetoldmesomething.IfItold
Motheot henhewouldhaveknown…ifIdi dn’
tgive
Pulemychi l
drenhe…theywouldbefine.Iwould
havemydaught er.
”
“
It
’snotyourf
aul
t.I
t’
snot
…”
“PapacanIswitchpositi
onswi
thher?Iwantt
o
switchposi
ti
ons.Itshoul
dbeme…i tshoul
dbeme
papa.Iti
sshouldbeme. ”

*
**

InSerowe,r
ragweBant
uheldhi
sphoneasBantu
cri
ed.Herubbedhi
seyes.“
Iam t
aki
ngoffr
ightnow.
Iam coming.
”
“
Iam i
nSA.Pul
esai
dwe’
dgetasecondopi
nion.I
f
mydaughterdoesn’
tmakei
twhatam Igoi
ngt
odo
Papa?Whatam Igoingt
odo?”
Atearr
oll
eddownhi
sowncheekashel
ist
enedt
o
t
ohercryi
ng.
“
Ican’
tloseher
…Ican’
tlosemydaught
er.Ican’
t…”
“
Bant
u,i
twi
llbewel
l
.”
“Godshouldtakemei nst
ead.She’
sinnocent…she’
s
tooyoung.Ican’
tlosemychild…Icannotlosemy
daughterpapa.
”
Bant
ucr
iedmor
e.
“Youarenotgoingt
oloseher.Youarenotl
osi
ng
anyone.Youarenot
.Iam comingthere.
”
Merapelolookedathimtal
kingont
hephoneand
swallowingal
readytel
li
ngi
twasBantuhewas
tal
kingto.
Hehungupovert
went
ymi
nut
esl
ater.
”I
s
ever
ythi
ngok?
”
“Wawadr
ownedint
hewater
.She’
sinSAwi
th
Bant
u.Wehavet
ogother
e.
“
How?
”
“Bant
usaidshegavePulet
hekids.Theywentwi
th
SasaandnowWamehaddr owned.Itol
dhert
ocut
ti
eswitht
hatcri
minal
.”
“Pul
eisWame’sfather
.Ther
eisnowayhewoul d
havewantedwhat’
shappenedtohappen.Hel
oves
hischi
ldr
en.
”
“
Thatcr
imi
nalcar
ri
esbadai
rwi
thhi
m.Ihat
ehi
m.”
Hestor
medtot
hebedroom.Mer
apel
ohur
ri
ed
behi
ndhimt
othebedr
oom.

*
**

AtBar ona’
sprivat
ecli
nic,
hourslater
,Spi
joand
Skarasatont hefl
oorwhilePulelai
donthebed
withanoxygenmaskoverhi snose.Skar
ashuffl
ed
theplayingcardsandputthem downsot heycoul
d
play.
Pul
emovedsl
ight
lyont
hebed.Spi
jol
ookedover
andqui
ckl
yst
oodup.
Hel
ookedatPul
e.“
P-Man!Hemoved.
”
“
Yes,
he’
sdyi
ng.
”
“
No…he’
swaki
ngup.
.”
Skarast
oodupt
henl
ookedatPul
esl
owl
yopenhi
s
eyes.
Spij
osmi
led.“Otagobol aaBant
u!Omot
shabe!
(Bant
uwi
llki
llyou!Fearher!
)”
Skar alaughed.“
Otagosomol amowawaswa.( She
willsnatchyoursoul
.)She’
sgoingtocomebackfor
round2.Aker eyouhavekil
ledherdaught
er
sleepingwi t
hthenanny.
”
“
Shewaspr
ett
y.”
“
Notprettyanymore.Okaret
heJokernow.And
t
heycutof fherl
egs.Bot
hofthem.Ebi
lennaIsay
l
et’
sjustkil
lher.
”
Spi
joshookhishead.“NgNg…Idon’
twantt
ogot
o
hel
l.Letherki
llher
sel
f.
”
Theyl
ookedatPul
eashebl
inked.
Skar
achuckl
ed.“
She’
scomi
ngbackf
orr
oundt
wo.
.
ot
sil
egonyel
a.”
Spi
jolaughed.“
Nnaebi
lekeamot
shaba.Howdi
d
sheevenputhiminhi
scar?”
Bar
onawal
kedi
n.Hel
ookedatPul
e.
“
Shedidanumberonyoudi dn’
tshe?I
magi ne
t
hinki
ngyouar
etheshitkanteyouai
n’tshi
t.Gao
mothowasepehel
a.”
Theyal
llaughedasPul
ebr
eat
hedt
hrought
hemask.

*
**

Thefoll
owingmor ni
ngBantuhel
dWame’shandat
thehospit
al.Thedooropenedt
hent
hedoctor
walkedin.
Shestoodup.Helookedathert
henMotheo.The
doct
orcrouchedandheldMotheo’
shand.
“
Heybuddy…”
“
Hi.
”
“
Ist
hatyoursi
ster
?”
Mot
heonodded.“
Yes.
”
Hesmiled.“
Guesswhat
?Yoursi
ster
’sr
esul
tscame
backanddoyouwantmetotel
lyousomethi
ng?”
Mot
heonodded.Thedoct
orleanedoverand
whi
sper
edinhisear
.Motheo’
seyeswi dened.
“
Real
ly?
!”
“
Yes!
”
Mot
heol
ookedathi
smot
her
.“Mama,
hesai
d…uh.
.”
Mot
heot
urnedt
othedoct
orwhost
oodupsmi
li
ng.
.
“Iwasjustt
ell
inghi
mt hatshe’
srespondi
ngwellt
o
medicati
onandswelli
nginherbrainhasgonedown.
Herresul
tsareback.
.it
’sbad…butnotasbadaswe
t
hought.”
“
Real
ly?She’
sgoi
ngt
obeok?
”
“
Yes.Buti
twi
llt
aket
ime.
”
“OhmyGod! ”Bantuputherhandsonhercrying.
“OhGodIwassoscar ed!IthoughtIwasl
osingher.
.
IthoughtIwaslosi
ngher…IthoughtIwaslosing
her
.”
Thedoct
orhuggedherasshecr
ied.
“
Shei
sgoi
ngt
obeok.
”
Sheheldhi
mt i
ghtl
ycryi
ngasthemachines
connect
edtoherdaught
erbeepedst
eadil
y.
.
.
.
[
06/
22,
08:
34] :Fal
lenAngel
#125

AWeekLat
er…

AtSirSeretseKhamaInter
nati
onalAi
rpor
t,Bantu
walkedoutoftheair
portholdi
ngMotheo’
shand.
Herfathersmil
edwalki
ngoverf r
om t
heparkinglot
.
Heopenedhi
sarmsandhuggedhert
henpi
cked
Mot
heo.Theywal
kedtot
hecarandgoti
n.Rragwe
Bantul
ookedatMot
heot
henhandedhi
m af
ast
foodpaper
bag.
“
Iboughtyourf
avor
it
e!”
Mot
heosmi
ledopeni
ngi
t.“
ThankyouGr
andpa!
”
Theybumpedfistt
henrragweBant
ustar
tedt
hecar
anddroveof
f.Helookedathi
sdaught
er.
.
“
Howar
eyou?
”
Bant
ul ookathi
m.“
Iam f
ine.
.ifmyki
dsar
efi
ne,
I
am f
ine.”
“
Shewi
llbef
ine.
”
“Thedoctorsai
dshe’
sgoingt
ohavedi
ff
icul
ty
gett
ingbacktonor
mal.”
“
Wear
eal
lher
eforher
.”
Bant
usighed.“Isawaj obadinUK.Theyar
ehi
ri
ng
l
abtechni
cians.Iappl
iedyest
erday.
”
“
Youwantt
omove?
”
“Yes.Ithi
nk…i
t’
s…it’
sf ort
hebest
.Iwasstudying
BusinessAdmini
str
ationinFi
nancef
orthelastfew
years.I
twasdist
antlearni
ngsoIhadbeenthinking
tostartsomet hing.Besi
desthelodge.Ihadbeen
thi
nkingofst arti
ngasor tofi
nsuranceorbr okerage
fi
rm.Ihadbeent hi
nkingofsomet hi
ngmor eofa
fi
nancialservicescompanyt hatwoul dspecial
izein
short-
term andl ong-t
erminsurance,Ithoughtof
maybeheal th,retir
ementandmul ti-
manager
i
nvestment s.Thei deawouldbet otapi nt
o
everyt
hing.Gongwemaybeaddani nvestmentbank
asanot herwingoft hecompany. ”
Herf
athernodded.“
Ili
ket
hat
.Whydon’
tyoudo
t
hat?
”
“
Itwoul
dmeanIwouldremai
ninBot
swanaandI
j
ustwantaf
reshst
art
.”
RragweBant udrovesil
entl
yforawhilethenparked
thecaratthehotelhewasst ayi
ng.Theywalked
i
nside.RragweBant upull
edhisdaughtertot
he
tabl
einthehotelroom whil
eMot heosatonthebed
eati
ng,hi
seyesont heTV.
“
SometimesIfeel
Ineverr
eall
yparent
edwell
.Itr
ied
t
omaket hi
ngssoeasyforyou,Idi
dn’
twantyouto
f
eell
ikeyouwerenotget
ti
ngenoughloveandI
didn’treali
zethatatsomepoi ntIwasl eadingyou
astray.Ialwayst ookcar eofyourpr oblems.You
neverdeal twithanyt hi
nggr owingup.It ri
ed
shieldingyouf orasmuchasIcoul d.Thet ruthi s
thatyoucan’ talwaysr unawayf rom yourpr oblems
Bant u.Youneedt ofacethem headon.Yougoi ngto
UKorel sewhereisnotgoi ngt omaket heissuego
away.Youhaveaver ybril
li
antbusi nessplan.I twil
l
takeyouf ar
.Allyouneedi smoney…i nvestment .
Goandpi tchyouri deatopeopl e.Getthemoney
youneedandst artyourcompany.Youdon’ thaveto
runawaywhent hingsgethar der.Whatdowhi te
peopl esay?Whenl if
egivesyoul emons, make
l
emonj ui
ce.”
Bant
u’sphonerang,
shetookitoutf
rom herpocket
st
andingthenpi
ckedLef
a’scallwal
kingoutofthe
hot
elroom.
“
Hel
lo?
”
“
Hi.Haveyouar
ri
ved?
”
“Yes.ButIdon’
tthi
nkt
heyr
epor
tedanyt
hingyet
.
He’sali
vegape.
”
“
That
’sgoodbutIwasthi
nki
ngwewor konthecase
j
usti
ncase.I
t’
salwaysgoodtobepr
epared.
”
“
Ok.That
’sf
inewi
thme.Byt
heway,
what
’st
hebi
ll
f
oral
lthi
s?”
“
Don’
twor
ry.I
t’
sfr
ee.Youar
eaf
ri
end.
”
“No..Iam notgoingt
otakeadvantageofyour
servi
cesl i
kethat
.SendmethebillsoIset
tl
eit
.
Aft
ert hatwecanscheduleameet i
ng.
”
“
Howi
s..t
oday?Ort
oni
ght
?”
“
Iwi
llbeatt
hehospi
talunl
essi
t’
saqui
ckmeet
ing“
“Yeah.I
tcanbet
hat
.Wecanmeetsomewhereor
youcancomebymyhouseorIcancometoyou.
”
“
Iwi
llcomebyyourhouse.
”
“
Ok.Seeyoul
ater
.”
“
Shar
p.”
Shehungjustasanotheri
ncomingcal
lcame
thr
ough.ShelookedatTshepocal
li
ngandpi
cked.
“
Tshepo.
”
“
Hi…uhhowar
eyou?
”
“
Iam f
ine.
”
“Ij
ustwantedtoaski
fit
’soki
fIpassbyl
ateratt
he
hospi
talseei
ngWawa.”
“
That
’sok.
”
“
Woul
ditbeoki
fPul
esawhert
oo?
”
“
Sohecanf
ini
shmydaught
erof
f?”
“
Hel
ovesher
.”
“
Idon’
twanthi
m anywher
enearmychi
ldr
en.
”
“
Um ok.
”
“
Ist
her
eanyt
hingel
se?
”
“
No.
.that
’sal
l.
”
Shehungupandwal
kedbacki
nherf
ather
’shot
el
room.

*
**
AtPul
e’
shouse,
Tshepol
ookedathi
sbr
other
.
“
Iam sor
ry.
”
Pulenodded.“
She’sangry.GapeIam t
oblamefor
whathappened.Ishoul
dhaveneversleptwi
tht
he
nanny.
”
Tshepol ookedathi m.“ Thatwasmor ethanj usta
nanny.ThatwasBant u’sfriend.Doyouknowt hat
Bant uwaspayi ngSasa’ suni versi
tyfees?She
fi
nishedSasa’ smot her’shouse.WhenSasa’ s
mot hergotsi ck,Bantupai dthosehospi t
alcost s.
Shel ookedatherl i
keasi sterwould.Yesyouwer e
druggedbutyoucoul dhavecont r
oll
edyour self.I
am di sappoi nted…di sappoi ntedbecauseIt hought
thi
swasyourchancet ohaveaf amily.Iknowyou
dream oft hat.Youhadt her i
ghtwoman. .shegave
youki ds.Twobeaut ifulkids.Iactuall
ydi dmor efor
hersot okeepyourpr esencei nherl
ifealive.I
thoughtyou’ dhumbl eyour selfandgetherback
afterjailbecauseIr eallybel i
eveshewasr aped.If
yout ookt imet olistenorevenwat chthatvi deo,
you’dseei tlooksandsoundswei rd.But
i
rregar dless,youal sosl eptwi thAsasoIf iguredit
wasf
airandsquar
e.”
“
Imessedup.Iknow.
”
“Youmor ethanjustmessedup.Youdi deveryt
hing
youcant ojusthur ther
.Idon’tgetthatkindoflove.
NnaIdon’ twanttobel ikeyou.Iwantmywomant o
feelr
espectedbyme.Iwanthert ofeelsafewithme.
Iwantt ohavethatr el
ati
onshipwher ewear eopen
toeachot her
.Wher ewecorrecteachot herand
teachoneanot herwhatwewant .Iwantt ospoilmy
womansomucht hatsheneverlooksel sewhere.I
wantt ogi
vehert heat t
enti
onandl ovingshe
deservesandneeds.Iwoul dhavelovedt olear
n
thatfr
om you.”
Puleswall
owedli
steni
ng.“
ThenIwi
lll
ear
nfr
om you.
Il
ikethatgi
rl
.”
Tsheposmi
led.“
She’
sbeaut
if
ul.
.inandout
.”
“
Letherenj
oyr
elat
ionshi
pbef
oreyougi
veherki
ds.
”
“That’
sthepl
an.Sowhatar
eyougoi
ngt
odowi
th
Bantu?”
“
Rightnowappr
oachi
ngherwoul
dbeset
ti
ng
myselfupf ordeat h,she’
st oopi ssed,Iam notsure
whatshemi ghtdoandf orthef actthatIam theone
who’swrong, Ican’tdoanyt hi
ngi fshedecidesto
act
uallykil
lme.She’ ssti
llpissedandhur t.Iam
goi
ngt olethercal m down.Thi st imeIwillbegti
llI
winmyf ami lyback.Wear eexpect inganother
baby.
”
Tshepol
ookedathi
m,hi
smout
hopen.“
Anot
her
one?”
“
Yes.Thr
eei
snotbad…”
“
Iguess.Butshehat
esyou.
”
“Iam goingtogetherback,
Idon’tcarewhati
t’
s
goingtocostme.MaybeIcant akethem fora
vacati
on..whenWawai sbetter
.That’
sifshe
wouldn’thavemurderedmebyt hen.”

*
**

Atthehospi
tal
,mmagweSasawalkedi
nsi
deher
daught
er’
sroom wi
thSasa’
sbehi
ndher
.
Sasa’
ssist
erputherhandoverhermout
hlooki
ngat
thest
it
chesonthesideofSasa’
smouth.Mmagwe
Sasamovedcloseri
nshockthenpull
eddownthe
sheet
stosee.
“
Modi
mowame!
”
Sasa’
ssist
erlookedatthekneeswhichwere
bandagedwit
hnol egs.Herfacel
ookedso
damageditwashar dtotel
lifi
twasreal
lySasa.
Allt
hebeautywasnowgoneandallt
hatwasl
eft
wasscaryface.Shel
ookedl
i
keshecouldf
eat
urein
horr
ormovies.
MmagweSasashookherhead.“
Thi
sisnotmy
daught
er.
.“
“
Mama-
“
“
Thi
sisnotmydaught
er!
”
MmagweSasawalkedout
.Sasa’
ssi
stercover
ed
herupandwal
kedoutt
oo.

*
**
AtLefa’
shouselatert
hatday,
Lef af
ini
shed
cl
eaningtheent
irehouse.Hewalkedtohiskit
chen
andcheckedonhi spot
scookingthenhurr
iedtohi
s
bat
hroom andtookashowerpr oper
lybat
hing.
Hedressedupthenspr
ayedhi
msel
fwi
thabi
tof
col
ogneandbrushedhi
shead.
Hetookadeepbr eat
hstari
ngathimselfonthe
mirr
or.Hewalkedtothesit
ti
ngroom andconnected
hi
sphonet othespeaker
s.Heplayedsoftmusic
andputdownt hevol
ume.Hel ookedatthet
imeand
fi
xedthecushionsonhiscouch.
Hi
sphoner
ang,
hel
ookedatAl
onecal
li
ngand
pi
cked.
“
Hey,
Iam wi
thacl
ient
.Iwi
llcal
lyouback.
”
Hehungupt henthought
full
yrenamedhernumber
toAka’sWif
e.Helookedatthetimeagainand
walkedtohi
skit
chenmaki ngsurehispotwasn’
t
burni
ngthenconti
nuedwai t
ingpat
ient
ly.
.
.
.
[
06/
22,
08:
34] :Fal
lenAngel
#126

Bantucheckedheremail
schecki
ngforthebi
llbut
ther
ewasnot hi
ng.Shesi
ghedcall
ingLefadr
ivi
ng.
“
Hi…”
“
Hi.Di
dyousendt
hebi
ll
?”
“
No.
.It
houghtwe’
dmeetf
ir
st.
”
“
Iam notsur
eifIwi
llmakei
tbutnonet
hel
esssend
i
t.
”
“Ther
eisnocaseasyetsot
here’
snot
hingmuchI
havedone.I
t’
sdi
ffi
cul
ttobi
ll
you.
”
“Thenlett
hecompanydoi t.Iknowusmeet i
ngi
s
partofconsul
tat
ion.Youchargethatr
ight
?”
“
Yes.
”
“
Cool
..
thenl
etmepayt
hat
.Pl
easeaskyourPA
kanarecepti
oni
stt
osendi
ttomor
rowsoImake
payment.”
“
Ok.
Whatt
imedoyout
hinkyouwi
llmakei
t?”
“RightnowIam atthehospi
tal
.Ineedtoseemy
daughter.Canwejustmeetatyouroff
icetomorr
ow?
RightnowWamei smypr ior
it
y.Let’
smeet
tomorrow.HaveyourPAschedulemei n.Thank
you.”
Shehunguppar
kingatt
hehospi
talt
henwal
ked
i
nside.
InWame’shospit
alroom,Bantuwalkedinhol
dinga
bagandlookedatherdaughter
.Shelookedso
peacef
ulandbeauti
ful.
Bantuopenedt hebagandt ookoutcol
orfulsheet
s
forherdaughter.Sheremovedthehospit
alones
andcoveredherdaught erwitht
heonesshehad
j
ustboughtforher .Shesmiledt
hensatdown
holdi
ngherlit
tlehand.
“HiWawa…it’
smama.Iam her
ewi
thyousweet
y.I
am ri
ghther
e.”
Shesqueezedherhandthentookoutast
orybook
fr
om t
hebagandst art
edreadingl
oudl
y.

*
**

AtLefa’
shouse,Lef
adisappoi
ntedl
ytoswitchedof
f
hisst
ove.Acardrovei
nout si
de,hequi
ckl
yopened
thedoorchecki
ngbuti
twasonl yTshepo.
Tshepowal
kedi
nsi
det
hehouse.“
Sur
e..
”
Helookedaroundsmel
li
ngasweetper
fume.“
Are
youexpect
ingsomeone?”
“
No.
”
“
Lies.Youar
eexpect
ingsomeone.
”
“
Can’
tIj
ustst
ayi
nacl
eanhouse?
”
Tshepol
aughed.“
Youar
eexpect
ingsomeone.
”
“
Whatdoyouwant
?”
“Whoareyouexpecti
ng?Shemustbesospeci
al
yayyouevendressedup.
”
Lefacl
ickedhi
stonguethentookabeerfr
om hi
s
fr
idgeandsatdownstoppingthemusicpl
ayi
ng.
Lef
alookedathi
m.“
Howi
syourbr
other
?”
“
He’
sgood.
”
“
IsBant
ust
il
lget
ti
ngmar
ri
ed.
”
“
Shewas.Iam notsur
eifshest
il
lis.
”
“
Isshef
ixi
ngt
hingswi
thyourbr
othernow?
”
“
Idon’
tknow.
.maybe.
”
Lef
asighed.“
Ok,Isawyourgi
rl
fr
iendbef
oreyou
del
etedherpi
ctur
e.”
“
Yeah,
Ifi
gur
edIdon’
tknowwho’
swat
chi
ng.
”
“
Doyour
eal
lyl
oveher
?”
Tshepogothisownbeerandsatdownr eachi
ngfor
theTV’Sremote.Heswitcheditonandchangedthe
channelt
oaf ootbal
lchannelwhereamat chwas
j
uststart
ing.
“Imorethanjustl
oveher.AndIwantt
okeepher
safe.She’
s…she’scl
earl
ywhatIhavebeenmissi
ng
becauseIhaveneverfel
tthi
swayaboutanyonebut
her
.”
“
Andshe’
sposi
ti
ve?
”
“Herstat
usdoesn’
tmeananythi
ngtomegapeshe’
s
beenfait
hfult
oherpi
ll
ssothevir
uscan’
tbe
detect
ed.”
“
Shecanpassi
ton.Youneverknowsucht
hings.
”
“
NnaIam pr
epar
edf
ori
t.Sowhenwer
eyouwai
ti
ng
f
or?
”
Hetookasipofhisbeer.“
Somewoman.She
cancel
ledl
astminut
e.”
“Iwantt
oseet
hewomanwho’
smadeyoueven
cook.
”
Theybot
hlaughedwat
chi
ngt
hegame.

*
**

Latert
hateveni
ng,Bant
uwalkedoutofthehospi
tal
andgotinherfat
her’
scaranddroveof
ftalki
ngon
thephone.
.
“Yamasai
fyousl
eepwi
thmar
ri
edman,
youget
sued.
”
Yamasalaughed.“
Iam notsayi
ngIwantt
osl
eep
wit
hhim Mmekana. ”
“
Iknow.ButIam j
ustsayi
ng.
”
“
Not
hingi
sgoi
ngt
ohappen.
”
“
Don’
tbeahomewr
ecker
.”
“IsawSasai nthenewspapermabane.Whydi dn’
t
yout el
lPul
ewasr obbed?Waitsepoort
hing.She
willneverr
ecoverfr
om that
.”
“
Shewi
llbef
ine.
”
“Theyshoul
dhavejustki
ll
edheri
nst
eadofl
eaving
herli
kethat
.Kanadoctor
ssayshemayneverbeen
l
ivethatl
ong.”
“
Sheshoul
dli
vel
ong.
”
“
Ahh,
looki
ngl
iket
hat
?”
“
Thepol
ice.Wewi
llt
alk.
”
Bant
uquickl
yhungupasapolicecarst
opped
besi
desheratt
hetr
aff
icl
ight
.
*
**

AtYamasa’shouse,Yamasawalkedtoherdooras
someoneknockedandopened.Shelookedather
nei
ghborandsmiled.
“
Hi.
”
“
Hey…ar
eyoudoi
ngsomet
hing?
”
“
Iwasaboutt
ogoandsl
eep.
”
Hesmi
led.“
Comer
elebemovi
e.Iam bor
edal
one.
”
“Thabo,
youwantyourwi
fet
ocat
chmei
nyour
house?”
Hesmi l
ed.“Shedoesn’
tstayhere.Sheworksin
Austral
iaandther
e’snothi
nglef
tinthatmarr
iage
expectfrom di
vor
cehela.”
“
Waaka.
”
Thabolaughed.“Iam t
ell
ingyou.Whydoyout hi
nkI
am her
eallalone?She’smovedt her
e.Ebi
leshehas
anewman. ”
Yamasal
ookedathi
m.“
Whyar
eyounotdi
vor
cing
then?
”
“Wearemarri
edincommunityofpr
oper
ty.Ist
anda
chancet
olosewhatIworkedhardf
orwhil
eshe..
mylawyeri
stryi
ngtofi
gureoutawaytosavemy
company.
”
“
Iam sor
ry.
”
“
AndIt
ookof
fther
ing.Ast
epf
orwar
d.Let
’sgoand
wat
chamovi
e.”
Yamasasmi
ledt
henf
oll
owedhi
mlocki
ngherdoor
behi
nd.
InThabo’shouse,Yamasal ookedar ound.Itwas
easytotellonl
yamanl ivedthere.Ther ewereno
pict
uresont hewall
s.Therewasnot hi
ngt hatsai
d
anythi
ngaboutawoman.Sher elaxedashegot
them gl
assesofwine.Theysatdownt henhe
star
tedplayingamovie.
“
See…youar
enotdead.
”
Yamasalaughedrelaxi
ngmor e.Themovieplayed
theni
tst
artedget
tingexpl
ici
t.Shelaughed.
“
Ihat
edsuchmovi
esgr
owi
ngup.
”
Thabolaughed.“NnammaIusedtowatchTVfrom
thenei
ghbors.They’
dlett
hei
rki
dswat
ch.Iusedto
watch.
”
“
That
’showpeopl
est
arthavi
ngatayoungage.
”
“
Weneededt
oknow.
”
Thesceneprogressedgett
ingevenmor eint
ense.
Shecaughthersel
fpressi
ngherthighstogether
.
Yamasabreathedheavil
yfini
shi
ngherwi nejustas
thesceneended.Shesighedwithrel
ief
.
Sheputt
hegl
assdown.“
CanIuseyourbat
hroom?
”
Thabost
oodupasshestooduptoo.Hel
ookedat
herl
ipst
henl
eanedoverki
ssi
ngher.
Yamasaclosedherashekissedhermore,herbody
react
ingt
othekissimmediat
ely.Heunti
edher
gownandpushedi tdown.Hecaressedherbodyon
topofherni
ghtdress.
Thabopushedhi
shandinsi
deherdresssl
idi
nsi
de
herpant
iesandt
ouchedherwet
ness.
Hecur
sedagai
nstherl
ips.Shebr
eat
hedheavi
ly
ki
ssi
nghi
m backt
hentouchedhispackage.Het
ook
of
fherdr
essandt
ouchedherbreast
.
Yamasamassagedhi
spackaget
hrobbi
ngf
ordi
c.
Thabot urnedheraroundunzi
ppinghi
spants.He
tookoutt hecondom fr
om hi
spocketandrol
ledi
t
onhisdi cthenpushedherpantytosi
deand
#renoved.

*
**

Atthehospi
tal,
Puleslowl
ysteppedouthi
scarlong
af
terBantudroveoffandl
impedinsi
dethehospit
al.
“
Hi,
Iam her etoseemydaught er
.Wame
Mot
samai so.Iam herf
ather,
PuleMot
samai
so.She
webroughtinfrom SAtoday.
”
“
Yes…butvi
sit
inghouri
sover
..
”
“I
sn’
tsheaminor
?Hermotherjustl
eft
,Iam her
e.
Aker
esheneedsapar
entbecloseby?”
*

Pul
ewal
kedi
nsidehisdaughter
’sroom.Hel
ooked
att
hepi
nkbl
anketsandwalkedcloser
.
Helookedathisdaughterknowi
ngifhedidn’
tsl
eep
wit
hSasa, shewouldhaveneverl
ethisdaught
er
outofhersight
.
Pulet
ouchedhersmallhandstar
ingathersmal
l
bodyconnect
edtomachines.Hekissedher
for
eheadthensatdownnearthebed.
Hourssl
owlywentby,
overtwohourslat
er,
thedoor
openedt
henBantuwalkedi
n.ShelookedatPul
e
whohadfall
enasl
eepholdi
ngWame’ shandandhis
headonthebed.
Shelookedatherdaught
erandf
ixedherupt
hen
shookhim.
Puleopenedhi
seyesandl
ookedather
.Hequi
ckl
y
gotuphurti
nghi
mself
.
“
Ijustcamet
oseeher
.”
Bant
usatdownwher
ehehadbeensi
tt
inghol
dinga
smallbl
anketf
orhersel
f.Shesi
lent
lycoveredher
l
egsthenputherdaughter’
shandunderneathher
bl
anket.
Helookedatherwanti
ngtosaysomet
hingbuthe
di
dn’tknowwhattotel
lher
.
“
Iam sor
ry.
”
Bant
uignor
edhi
mthenputherheaddown.
“IknowIwr ongedyou.Ihavehur tyou,Iam sor
ry.I
am toblamef orallt
his.Youwer eright
,ifIhadonly
control
ledmyself.Iam sorr
yf orquesti
oningher
paterni
tythewayIdi d.Iam sorry.”
Teatsfel
lonthebedasBanturemainedst
il
l.She
rubbedhereyes.Sher
emainedsti
llt
il
lhewalked
out.
Shetookadeepbr eathwipinghertearsthen
walkedt ot
hebenchint heroom andlai
ddownwi t
h
herblanketwhilel
ooki
ngoveratWame.Bant u’s
phoner angassheclosedhereyes.Shel ookedat
theSout hAfr
icannunbercall
ingandpicked.
“
Hel
lo?
”
“
Hi,youar
espeaki
ngtoDr.Jal
i.Ij
ustwant
edt
o
f
indouthi
syourdaught
eri
sdoing.”
“
Shei
sst
il
lfi
ne.
”
TheSout
hAf
ri
candoct
orchuckl
ed.“
Shei
sgoi
ngt
o
befi
ne.
”
“
Thankyou.
”
“
Youarealwayswelcome.Don’
thesi
tat
etocal
lme
i
fanyt
hinghastochange.
”
“
Ok.
”
“
Areyouwi
thhernow?
”
“
Yes.
”
“Ihopeyougett
ingenoughrest
.Theonei
nyour
bell
yalsoneedyourest
ing.
”
Bant
usmi
led.“
Iam t
ryi
ng.
”
“
Wher
eisMot
heo?
”
“
Athot
elwi
thmydadsl
eepi
ng.
”
“
Atl
easthe’
ssl
eepi
ng.
”
“
Good.Iwi
llcal
ltomor
row.
”
“
ThankyouDr
.Jal
i.
”
“
Cal
lmeBandi
le.ByeBant
u.”
Hehungup..Bantuputherheaddownandsi
ghed
sl
owlyf
all
ingasleeponthebench.

THREEMONTHSLATER…
.
.
.
[
06/
22,
08:
35] :Fal
lenAngel
#127

Thr
eeMont
hsLat
er…

I
nMaun, Bantuparkedhercari
nfr
ontofherhouse
i
ntheevening.Shewalkedinsi
det
hehouseand
l
ookedatthenanny.
“
Wher
ear
etheki
ds?
”
“I
nthei
rbedr
oom.Iwasaboutt
ocal
lyou.Wawai
s
st
ruggl
ingt
otal
k.”
Bantuputherbagsdownandwal
kedt
othe
chi
ldren’
sbedroom.
Shel
ookedatMot
heohol
dinghi
ssi
steronhi
slap.
S
“
Whathappened?Wawa…”
Shetri
edtopi
ckherupbutWawacr
iedhol
dingi
nto
Motheo.Bant
uswall
owed.
“
Wawa.
.babycomet
omommy.Come…”
Shecri
edmorehol
dingont
oherbr
other
.Mot
heo
l
ookedather
.
“
Shedoesn’
tremember
.”
Bant
usatdownnextt
othem.“
Wawa…i
t’
smama.
.
l
ook.
”
Bant
utookoutherphoneandplayedheravideoof
bot
hofthem.Wamehel dherbr
otherfear
ful
ly.
Bant
utookadeepbr
eat
handst
oodup.
“
Didsheeat
?”
“
Yesbutshecan’
ttal
k.”
Bantunoddedthenwalkedout.Thenannywalked
overholdi
ngBantu’
sphoneandsadlylookedatthe
tear
sinhereyes.Bant
ut ooki
twalki
ngtoher
bedroom.
“
Hey,
Ijustar
ri
vedi
nGabs.Howar
etheki
ds?
”
Bantupr essedherl ipstogether.Shesni ffed“Wame
i
sst ruggli
ngt otalk.Shedoesn’ trememberme.She
wasf ineearli
eron.Ij ustcamebackf r
om wor kand
she’s.“Shebi therlowerliptryingnott ocr ybut
painmadei tdiff
iculttoevenbr eathe.“IthinkI
shouldtakel eave.Iam pr obablynotgi vi
ngher
enoughat tenti
onPul e.
”
“Thedoctorsaidhergettingbacktonor malwilltake
awhi l
e.Compar edtothepr evi
ousmont h,she’s
doingsomuchbet t
erbabe.Youar edoingmor e
thanjustgreat,
youar ethebestmothert heycould
have.Iam actuall
yblessedt ohavehadki dswith
you..youareamazi ngatthisparent
ingjob.Don’t
beatupyour sel
ftoomuch.Iam comi ngthere.Don’t
cry.Iam coming.Givemeanhourandahal f
.Iam
f
lyi
ng.Iwi
llbet
her
ejustnow.
”
Bant
unoddedr
ubbi
ngat
eart
hathadr
oll
eddown.

*
**

AtmmagweSasa’ shouse,Sasasatinherbedr
oom
hol
dingherphone.Shetext
edhim agai
n.
Sasa:Hi
,youdi
dn’
tfor
getaker
e?
Shesentthemessagebutt
her
ewasnor
esponse.
Shesentanot
herone
Sasa:Pulepl
ease,Ineedt
obuymymedi
cat
ion.My
pi
ll
swi l
lsoonfi
nish.
Tearsfi
ll
edhereyesaslookedathermessagesthat
hadnosi ngl
erepl
y.Sheclosedhereyestr
yingt
o
cal
m downknowi ngcryi
ngwouldjustcause
unnecessarypai
ntoherwounds.
Hersi
sterwal
kedi
n.“
Hi.Mot
ogo.(
Sourpor
ri
dge.
)”
Sasalookedatt
hesourpor
ri
dgeashersi
ster
walkedin.
“Youneedtoeat.Iwi
llgoandcoll
ectmore
painki
ll
ersf
rom t
hehospit
altomorr
ow.”
Thesi st
erlookedatherandsi ghed.“Iknowhis
housewasnotr obbed.Iknowsomet hinghappened
atthathouse.Somet hi
ngt hatcouldhavebeen
avoidedifyoudidn’tsl
eepwi t
ht hatman.The
painfulpar
tisthatyouwi l
lnevergetjusti
ce.Idon’
t
knowhowyoucoul dseeyour sel
finl
ovewi t
haman
whoal mostkill
edhisgirl
fr
iend.He’samonst er.
”
Sasalookedatherphoneonherbedhol
dingher
tear
s.Sherubbedhereyes.
Pul
etext
edback.
Pule:
osimolagombora,
wher e’
syourfami
ly?Iam
notsendi
ngyouanymoney.Ifyoutextmeagain,
wearegoingtohaveapr
oblem.
Sasa’
stearsfel
lonherscreenasherl
ipsshook.
Shelookedathersi
sterwhohuggedhertryi
ngto
hol
dbackherownt ears.“
Don’tcr
y.I
twil
lbewell
.”

*
**
InGaboronethatsameevening,Yayamoaned
soft
lyasThabobr eat
hedheavil
yonmyt opofher
off
loadi
nginsideher.
Heki
ssedher
.“Imi
ssedyou.
”
Shesmiledhappilyi
nhisarms.Thaboslidoutthen
l
aidbesi
desher .Yamasaturnedandlookedathim.
Hewassol ightincompl
exionyou’dswearhewasa
mixedbreedbuthewasj ustyourl
ocalboyfrom
deser
t.
Hesmi
ledchar
mingl
y.“
Howwaswor
k?”
“
Fine.Imissedyout
oo.Nextt
imeweshoul
dgo
t
ogetherwhenyougoforatri
p.”
Hesmi l
ed.“Iwouldl
ovet
hat.Ebil
ewitht
heway
theyarealwayssendi
ngmear ound,
Iwould
appreci
atesomecompany.”
“Ok.Youwil
ltel
lmemaybetwodaysbef
oret
het
ri
p
sothatIcanarr
angeatwor
k.”
Hesmil
edcharmi
nglyandkissedher
.Thabo’
s
phoner
ang.Yamasareachedfori
tandl
ookedat
hi
sbosscal
li
ng.
“
Yourboss.
”
Hesi
ghedannoyed.
“
Answerbabe…maybei
t’
simpor
tant
.”
Helookedatherandsmi
ledkissi
nghernoset
hem
gotoffbedpi
cki
ng.Hewalkedout,hi
sdi
cswingi
ng
si
detoside.Yamasasmi
ledhappily.
Meanwhi
leThabopi
ckedt
hecal
l.
“
Hel
lo…”
“
Heyl
ove,
Iam byt
hegat
e,openf
orme.
”
Thabo’
shear
tski
ppedashi
swi
fespoke.“
What
?”
“
Iam att
hegat
e.Open.
.sur
pri
se!
”
Thaboquickl
ydr
oppedthecal
landr
ushedbackt
o
hi
sbedroom.HelookedatYamasal
yingont
hebed,
hi
sheartraci
ng.
“
Myexi
sher
e.”
Yamasaf
rowned.“
Huh?
”
“
Myexwi
fe.She’
sher
ewi
tht
heki
ds.
”
“
Allt
hewayf
rom Aust
ral
ia?
”
“
Yeah.
”
“Andshedoesn’
tcommuni
cat
ewhenshe’
s
coming?
”
“
Ithi
nki
t’
sbecauseoft
hedi
vor
ce.
”
“Ok.Iwil
ldr
essup.Ist
il
ldon’
tunder
standhowall
alongshewasref
usingtocomebackonlyforhert
o
showupoutoftheblue.
”
“She’
sbroughtt
heki
ds.Idi
dn’
tknowshewas
coming.
”
“
It
’sok.Putonyourcl
othes.Wewi
llhandl
eher
t
ogether
.”
Thabolookedather.“
Letmehandleheral
one.
Rightnowyouknowl egal
lywear
estil
lmarri
ed.I
don’twanthersui
ngyou,she’
ddoanythi
ngtomake
thi
swholethingdi
ffi
cult
.”
“
Sui
ngwhenyouhavef
il
edf
ordi
vor
ce?
”
“Youknowthecourtwon’
tconsidert
hatgapeIdon’
t
wantyournamedraggedinthemud.Letmehandle
her,
andIdon’twantdr
amainf r
ontofthechi
ldr
en.”
“
Isn’
tthatgi
vinghert
oomuchpower
?”
“
Ijustwantapeacef
uldi
vor
ce.
”
“Wasn’tshecheati
ngallal
ong?Look,l
etheri
n.Iam
notscaredofher.Shestar
tedthi
s.Sheneedsto
understandt
hatlewenayoumovedon. ”
Thabo’
sphonest
art
edr
ingi
ng.Hi
shear
tpounded
more.
“
Babe,
tot
aIdon’
twantdr
amai
nfr
ontofmyki
ds.
”
“
Ther
ewon’
tbeanydr
ama.
”
“Therewil
lbe.Iknowher.CanIj
ustpartwit
hher
withoutfi
ght
s?Herfatheri
saminist
er.She’
dfuck
upbot hourl
ives.Pl
ease.
”
Yamasasi
ghed.“
Iwi
llsi
ther
ewhi
leyoudealwi
th
her
.”
“Idon’twanthertoseeyou.Idon’ twanther
knowingaboutyout il
lthedivorceisf
inal
ized.You
shouldunderstandthekindofpowershehol ds.
She’druinyourli
fetoo.Idon’twantanyfunny
businessbeforethi
sdivorce.”
Yamasanodded.“
Ok.
”
“
Canyouwai
t–“
“
Thabo!
”Awomancal
ledf
rom t
hesi
tt
ingr
oom
“
Fuck!
”
Herantot
hedoorandlockedthenqui
ckl
ypi
cked
Yamasacl
othesandshovedthem i
nthewar
drobe.
“
Letmedealwi
thhersoshecanl
eave.
”
Hepushedherinsi
dethewar drobeadhiswif
etri
ed
openi
ngthebedroom door.Thaboclosedt
he
wardr
obeandlockeditthenquickl
yfixedt
hebed.
“
Thabo!
”
Heki ckedYamasa’sshoesunderthebedt hen
thoughtful
lyr
eachedforthem andthrewthem out
throughthewindow.Thabo’sopenedt hewindows
andspr ayedhi
sperfumebeforehurryingi
nside
bathroom andopenedthewaterwhi l
esheangr i
ly
bangedt hedoor.
Hesqueezedshowergeli nhi
spalm andqui
ckl
y
l
atheredhimsel
f.Secondslat
erhehurri
edout
dri
ppingwet,at
owelar oundhi
swaistandopened
thedoor.
.
Hi
swifepushedhi
m outoft
hewayandwal
kedi
n
f
uming.
“Lovi
e,Iknowyouareinhere.Getoutwher
everyou
arehidi
ngbeforeIdragyououtkegonyedi
sa.Get
outwhereveryouarehidi
ng.
”
“
Babe-
“
“Thabo!Thabooo!Tell
yourwhoretocomeoutnow!
Ausi,getoutfr
om yourhi
dingspotbecausei
fIdrag
upyouout ,Iam goi
ngtobeatyouhard.Getout
!”
.
.
.
[
06/
22,
08:
35] :Fal
lenAngel
#128

InWardrobe,
Yamasatookadeepbr
eathsi
tt
ingon
topofThabo’
sshoesnaked.Hi
sexwif
econti
nued
shout
ing.
“
Lebel
ete,
out
!
“
Babe-
“
“Thabo,obat
agontenaaker
e?Kooreyounowbr i
ng
horesinsi
det
hehouse.Youj
ustdon’
tcareaker
e?”
“Kanababether
e’snoone.Whyar
eyoual
ways
suspect
ingme?”
“
Thabodon’
ttal
ktomeasi
fIam chi
ld.
”
Outsi
det hewardrobe,
Thabo’
swifeknel
tdown
checkingunderthebed.Shet
ri
edopeningthe
wardrobebutthedoorswerel
ocked.
“
Givemet
hekeys.
”
“
Idon’
thavet
hem.It
hinkt
hemai
d-“
Shetri
edpulli
ngt
hewardr
obesbutt
heywoul
dn’
t
opened.Thabosi
ghed.
“
Masego,
canyoust
op?
”
“
TakeheroutThabo.
.Iwantt
oseeher
.Iknowshe’
s
i
nhere.
”
Yamasabangedthedoorf
rom t
hewar
drobe.
“Thabo,
letmeout
!”
Hi
swi
fel
ookedathi
m.“
Opent
hewar
drobe.Lether
out
.”
Thabopi
ckedhispant
sandputt
hem on.“
Iam not
openi
ngthatdoor
.”
Hi
swifepickedt
hesi
del
ampandt
hrewi
tathi
m.
Hedodged.
“Iam goi
ngoutgape.Iwi
lldealwi
thyouonceyou
calm down.
”
“
Wantwael
aThabo.Koor
eont
wael
amogo
maswe.
”
Thabograbbedhiscarkeystowalkbuthiswife
pull
edhim backangri
lyandpushedhim backinthe
room.Shelockedthebedroom doorandshovedthe
keyinherbra.
“
Letherout
!”
Yamasabangedt
hedoor
.“Thabo!
”
Thabosatdownunbot her
ed.Hi
swif
etookoutto
thekeyandunlockedthedoor
.Shequi
ckl
ywalked
outandlockedbehindher
.
Shewal
kedtot
heki
tchenandgrabbedt
hegast
ank.
Shepul
ledt
het
ankt
ot her
oom andopenedi
tbythe
door
.
Sheopenedt
het
ank.
“
Iam goi
ngt
obur
ndownt
hishousewi
thyoui
nit
.”
Insi
dethebedroom,Thabofr
ownedsmel
li
ngt
he
gasthenbangedthedoor.
.
“
Babe-
“
“
LetheroutThabo!Letherout
!”
“
Look,
itmeantnot
hing.I
t-
“
“
LetheroutThabo!
”
Yamasabangedt
hedoormor
e.“
Thabo!Ican’
t
breat
he!
”
Hetookadeepbr eatht
henunlockedt
hewardrobe.
Yamasast eppedoutal
readyweari
ngherdr
ess.
Thabolookedather.
“
She’
sful
lofdr
ama-
“
“
Iam out
!”
Thabo’
swi
feunlockedt
hedoor.Yamasafrowned
st
ari
ngatt
alll
adyinherj
eansandat-shi
rt
.
“
Uhu!Who’
sthi
s?Yourmot
her
?”
Thabo’swif
eangril
ywal kedovert oYamasaand
slappedheracr
ossthef ace.Thabopushedher
backasYamasat ouchedherbur ni
ngcheek.
Thabo’swif
egrabbedThabo’ sbal l
sandtwist
ed
thatheimmediat
elyletgoofher .Shewalkedover
toYamasaandsl appedheragai n.
“
Myhouse?
!”
Yamasatri
edslappi
ngherbagbutshehel
dher
handtwi
sti
ngthenpickedherupandt
hrewheron
thef
loor
.
Yamasascr
eamed,herbackhur
ti
ngasThabo
wal
kedoutf
earf
ull
y.
Masegograbbedt
hedoom nextt
othebedand
spr
ayedherwithi
t.
Yamasascreamed,hereyesburni
ng.Masegogot
Thabo’
shairremoverandappl
ieditt
oYamasa’s
headwhil
eYamasascr eamed.
“Lant
waelabanyanabaGabs!Youar
egoi
ngt
ocry,
Isweart
oyou.Nnat hi
smanismymanandIam
tel
li
ngyourightnowgor enot hi
ngofyour swillever
workout.Youcango.Ij ustwant edtoseeyou.
WenaThaboaker eItol
dyouwhatwoul dhappen
nextti
mewhenyoucheat ?Ihopeyoumar kedmy
wordsbabe.It’
slikeyouforgetthatwear emar ri
ed
outofcommuni tyofpropertyandt hatcompany
youthinki
snowyour sisactual
lymi ne.”
Yamasarushedt
othebat
hroom andwashedher
bur
ningeyes.
Thabowal
kedbackandst
oodbyt
hedoor
.“Babe-
“
MasegolookedatYamasa.“Nexttimeyouwil
lnot
sl
eepwithmar r
iedmen..
Iam goingtodealwi
thyou
andwhenIam donewi thyou,t
herewon’tbei
n
anyt
hinglef
t.Iam goi
ngtodestr
oyyou.”
Masegosighedandwal
kedoutgoi
ngtohercar
.
Sheopenedthesmal
lgat
eandwalkedovert
oher
carcal
li
nganumber.
“
Hel
lo?
”
“Hi.Ihaveherpant
y.Canwedoli
kewedi dont hat
otheronebutthist
imeabitmor
eintense.Ial
so
wantyout oworkonmyhusband.Ihaveeverythi
ng
youneed.
”
“
Comet
omor
row.Iwi
llsor
tever
ythi
ngoutf
oryou“
Shehungupanddr
oveof
f.

Yamasawal
kedfr
om thebat
hroom,
hereyesst
il
l
bur
ningt
henl
ookedatThabo.
“
Thabowhat
’sgoi
ngon?
”
“
Idon’
tloveheranymor
e.”
“What’
sgoi
ngon?Thatwomandoesn’
tlookl
ikeshe
staysi
nAustr
ali
a.Buannet
ehel
a.”
“Weareseparated.ShestaysinFranci
stown.Our
marri
agehasn’tbeenworkingoutinawhi l
eandI
am pl
anni
ngonf i
li
ngfordivor
ce.”
Yamasalookedathi
mtear
ful
ly.“
Youcanst
opl
ying.
Ij
ustwanttoknowthet
rut
h.”
“
Itr
ulyl
oveyou.IswearIdo.
.Ij
ust
-“
“
Wher
eismypant
yket
samaye?
”
“
Babe-
“
“
Wher
eismypant
y?”
Thabot
ouchedherhands.“
Iloveyou.
”
Yamasapushedhi
shandsof
fandwal
kedout
.

Atherhouse,shepickedherphonefr
om t
he
chargerandcall
edBantubutshedidn’
tpi
ck.
Yamasar eachedforhereyedr
opsanddroppeda
bithereyestocooldowntheburni
ngwhil
eherhead
ached.
Minut
esLatershel
aughedal
onest
il
linshockt
hen
cl
appedherhandsonce.
“
Wow!
”
Herphonest
art
edringi
ng.Shelookedathi
m cal
li
ng
andignor
edi
tastearsfi
ll
edhereyes.
*
**

InMaun,lat
erthateveni
ng,Puleparkedhiscarnext
toBantu’
scarlookingattheti
me.Itwasaf ew
minutesbef
ore12.Hest eppedoutofhiscar
hol
dingashoppi ngbagandgentlyknockedonthe
door.Theel
derlynannyopened.
“
Goodeveni
ng.
”
Pul
ewal
kedi
n.“
Hi.Ar
etheyal
lsl
eepi
ng?
”
“
Yessi
r.
”
Pulenoddedthenwal
kedovertot
hechi
ldren’
s
room.HelookedatMotheoandWamesleeping
toget
her.
Hecoveredthem nicel
ywitht
hebl anketbef
ore
walki
ngtoBantu’sbedroom.Hegent l
yclosedthe
doorstar
ingathersleepi
ngcradl
ingherbump.Pul e
walkedoverandstaredather
.
Feel
inghi
spr
esence,Bant
uopenedherswol
len
eyeswaki
ngup.Pul
esmi l
ed.
“
Himama.
.”
“
Theki
dshaveal
readysl
ept
.”
“
Theplanegotdel
ayedi
nGabs.Iam sor
ryIam
l
ate.
”
“
It
’sokPul
e.”
Hel
ookedathersadfacet
hatcoul
dn’
thi
dethe
t
ear
sthathadrol
leddownear
li
eron.“
Iam sor
ry.
”
Shestar
edathi
sunshavedf
ace.Hesmi
ledhandi
nh
herashoppi
ngbag.
“
Igotyousomet
hing.
”
Bant
utooki
tandl
ookedi
nsi
de.Shesl
ight
lysmi
led
l
ooki
nginsi
de.
“
Thankyou.
”
Hesmil
edback.“
Youar
ewel
come.CanIt
ouch
her
?”
Shel ookedathi
m andnodded.Pul
etouchedher
bel
ly, t
hebabymovedalmostimmediatel
y.He
smiledasshemovedt henshestopped.Pul
elooked
i
nBant u'
seyes…hebadlyt
okissher…toholdherin
hisarmsandcomf or
ther.Hebadl ywantedherso
mucht hatnothingcouldact uall
ytakeawaythe
urge…babymamaal waysf eltdi
ffer
ent
.Warm. .
sweetandever ythingheneeded.Looki ngi
nher
eyes,hecouldact uall
yseej usthowbadhef ucked
up.
Shebl
inkedst
ari
ngathi
m,het
ooksdeepbr
eat
h..
“
Youl
ookgor
geous.Pregnancyl
ooksgoodonyou.
Myki
dsal
waysgiveyouaglow.”
Sheshr ugged.“Iwanttotiemytubes..Ican’
tkeep
givi
ngbi r
theverychanceIget…”Shesi ghed.“I
neverenjoyanyoft hepregnancies,
Idon’teven
feelbeauti
fulmostofthet i
me,Iam scaredtotell
papat hatIam abouttogivebir
thtoyourchild
again.”
“Heisnotgoi
ngt
oletmeof
feasi
lyt
hist
ime
around.
”
“No.Heisgoi
ngt
omur
deryou.Iwi
llhel
phi
m bur
ry
yourbody.
”
Pul
esmi
led.“
Iknow.Atl
eastwear
etoget
heri
n
hel
l.
”
Shelookedathi
mt henl
aughedi
nvol
unt
ary.“
Iam
notgoingt
ohell
.”
“
Sexbef
oremar
ri
agei
sasi
n.Yourl
isti
squi
te
l
ong.
”
Shesmi l
edashest
aredinherbeaut
if
uleyes.She
hadgainedsomuchweightandshelookedchubby
andcute.God.
.howmuchhej ustwantedherinhi
s
arms.
“
Youdon’
tknowt
hatf
orsur
e.”
“
Youwi
llar
guewi
thMosesandAbr
aham.
”
Shebl
inkedsl
eepy.Pul
elookedatherswol
lenf
eet
.
“
Liedown,
letmemassageyourf
eet
.”
Bantulai
ddown,hereyesheavy.Pul
ereachedfor
herbabyoilandgent
lymassagedherswollenf
eet.
“Whatt
imeareyougoi
ng?Youar
enotsl
eepi
ng
her
e.Ihat
eyou.”
Hesmil
edlookingathershespokewi
thhereyes
cl
osed,
hervoicesoftasever
.
“
Iwantt
otakeyouandt
heki
dsonavacat
ion.I
n
Bor
aBor
a..
”
“
Ng…”
“
Ist
hatayes?
”
Sheremainedqui
et.Helookedathersleepi
ngt
hen
cont
inuedmassagingherfeet
.Heletgoofherfeet
awhilelat
erandcover
edherwi t
hafleece.
Pulelookedatherl
ipsandsoftl
ykissedher
.She
si
ghedi nhersl
eepashepausedt henhekissedher
again,t
histi
mekissingherpr
operl
y.
.
.
.
[
06/
22,
08:
35] :Fal
lenAngel
#129

Thef oll
owingmor ni
ng,Yamasaopenedhereyes
real
izingshehadf al
lenasl
eeponthecouch.She
gotupandr ubbedhereyes.
Shescratchedherit
chi
ngheadandf rowned
touchi
ngsomet hi
ngsli
ck.Shelookedatherhands
thentouchedagai
nandsmel therhand.
Herheartski
ppedasshesmeltt
hehairr
emover.
Sherantoherbathr
oom andl
ookedathersel
fon
themir
ror.
Herhear
tskippedasshel
ookedatthehai
rremover
i
nherhead.Shewentundertheshoweropeni
ngthe
col
dwater.
Shet r
iedtori
nseherhai
rbutinst
ead,herhai
rfell
offinlumps.Yamasalookedatherhandscovered
withhair.
“
Godno…no…”
Shewalkedoutoftheshowerdri
ppi
ngwetand
l
ookedathersel
fonthemirr
or,onl
ythesi
desofher
headhadhairwhil
ethemiddl
ehairwasal
lgone.
Tearsfi
ll
edhereyesandr
oll
eddownasshe
thoughtofhowmuchshehadworkedf
orherhai
r.
Shescreamedcr
ying,
herhear
tbr
eaki
ngeven
fur
ther
.
*
**

AtTshepo’shouset hatsamemor ning,Luba

fi
nishedfr
yingacoupl eofthingsthendishedthem
i
nawhi teplateandputi ti
nthetraytogetherwit
ha
mugofcof fee.Shewal kedtoTshepo’sbedroom
andlookedathi m whil
ehespokeont hephone.
Tshepolookedathert
hickt
highsasshewal
ked
overweari
ngonlyabaggyt-
shirtt
hatal
mostbe
showedhim ever
ythi
ng.
Hetookadeepbr eat
htalki
ngt oashareholder
.
Lubajoi
nedhimi nbedsmi l
ing.Shewatcheditas
hespokewithadeepf i
rm voice,hewassoserious
youcouldhardl
ybeli
efhewast hesamemanwho
coul
dbegoof yandfunny.
Hetouchedhert
highashewr
appedupt
hecal
land
hungup.
“
Youwantt
ogeti
ntopr
oper
ty?
”
Tshepoki
ssedher
.“Notexact
ly.Ther
e’st
hispi
ece
oflandthati
supf orsal
e.Iwantt
oseei fmy
brotherandIcangetourhandsoni tforafut
ure
pl
an.Thankyouf orthebreakf
ast
..
itlooksgood.
”
Lubasmi l
ed.“
Youar
ewel
come.Ihavet
ogohome
today.Ineedt
owashmycl
othes.
”
“Youcangoandcoll
ectthem t
henwasht
hem
here.
”Hehandedherthecarkeys.
Lubasmi
led.“
Iam notacer
ti
fi
eddr
iveryet
.”
Hekissedher
.“Noonei
sgoi
ngt
odoanyt
hingt
o
you.
”
Tshepo’
sphoner
angt
henhepi
ckedhi
sfr
iend’
scal
l.
“
Hel
lo?
”
“
Arewest
il
lgoi
ng?
”
HelookedatLuba.“Ahh…Iam goi
ngt
ohavet
otake
arai
ncheck.Mygi r
lisher
e.”
“
Okshar
p.”
“
Whatt
imei
sthemeet
ing?
”
“I
ntheaft
ernoon.Wear
edr
ivi
ngt
oAl
one’
smot
her
’s
houset
obegher .”
“If
eelsor
ryforAka,there’
snobiggerbetr
ayalthan
t
his.NnaIknowi fIt
ryitwithBant
u,Pulewillki
llme.
Hewon’thesit
ateto,
t hewayhelovesher,he’d
murderme.”
“Akashoul
dhavenevermarr
iedmybabymamabut
l
ennaIfeelgui
lt
yaboutt
hiswholethi
ng.It
ri
ed
tal
kingt
oAloneaboutj
ustst
ayingbutshewant
s
out.
”
“
Andhowwi
llyout
wobet
oget
her
?”
“
Wewi
llf
indawaybuti
twon’
tbenow.
”
“
Doyouevenl
oveher
?”
“Ahshe’
ssbetteropti
onthanMai
nabutt
her
e’st
his
newlawyeratwork.
.afi
rebal
l.
”
Tshepolaughed.“
Yougavest
art
ed.Goshar
p
mister
.”
Tshepohungupwhi
leLubal
ookedathi
m.
“Youknowgrowi
ngupweusedt
ohaveanei
ghbor
call
edLef
a.Idi
dn’
tli
kehi
m.”
Tshepol
aughedt
henst
art
edeat
ing.Lubal
ookedat
hi
m.
“
Ihaveneverseenyourf
ri
end.Letmeseehi
m.”
Tshepohandedhert
hephone.“
Got
oWhat
sapp.
”
Sheunlockedhi
sphoneandopenedhi
sWhat
sapp.
ShetappedonLefa’
sprof
il
epi
ctur
eandswal
lowed
weakly.
“
Ist
hathi
m?”
Shel
ookedathi
m wonder
ingi
fheknewandal
lthi
s
wasagametohim.
Tsheposmi
led.“
Babe…”
Sheputdownhi
sphoneandgotoffbed.“Noi
t’
snot
.
Letmegohomeandcoll
ectmyclothes.
”
“
It
’sok.Iwi
llgowi
thyou.
”
“
No.Iwi
llgoal
one.
”
Tshepoputdownpl
ateasshespokewi
thashar
p
tone.
Hesteppeddownandl
ookedather
.“What
happened?
”
Tear
sfi
ll
edhereyes.“
Whyar
eyouusi
ngme?
”
Helookedatherconf
used.“
Whatar
eyout
alki
ng
about
?”
“
Whyar
eyouusi
ngme?
”
“
Babe..Iam not
.Wher
ear
eyouget
ti
ngthatf
rom.I
l
oveyou.Tal
ktome…what’
sgoi
ngon?”
Shelookedathi
m andputherhandsonherface
cryi
ng.Tshepowrappedhisarmsaroundher
huggingherbi
gbodyt henbi
thisl
owerli
pand
pi
ckedherup.
Hesatdownputti
ngheronhi
slap.“
Talkt
ome.
Howam Iusi
ngyou?WhatdidIdo?DidIsay
somet
hingwrong?”
Shel
ookedathi
m,hel
ookedsoconf
used.
“
Doesyourf
ri
endknowme?
”
“
Heknowsaboutyou.Yes.
”
“
Haveyoushowedhi
m mypi
ctur
es?
”
“No.Buti
fyouwantmet
o,Icandot
hat
.What
’s
goingon?
”
“
Iwantyout
oint
roducemet
oyourf
ri
end.
”
“Ok.He’
sgoi ngtoSerower
ightnowt henOrapa
fr
om there.Hisbrot
her’
smarri
ageisgoingthrough
alotsothefamili
esarenowinvolvedinthematter
.
CanIdoi twhenhecomesback? ”
Shelookedathi
mthennodded.Tsheposmi
ledand
ki
ssedher.
“
Iloveyou.Il
oveyousomuch.
”
Sheshyl
ysmi
led.“
Iloveyout
oo.
”
Tshepopil
ledherlegssoshe’
dstr
addl
ehi
mthenhe
tookouthi
sdicfrom hi
spants.
Lubawentupabi tt
henloweredhersel
fonitand
pushedhim downputt
ingherhandsonhischest
andstar
tedridi
nghi
m whilehegruntedunderneat
h
her.

*
**

AtBantu’shouse,Bant
uwal kedinherchi
ldr
en’
s
room buttheyweresti
llsl
eeping.Shewal
kedtothe
kit
chenandl ookedatt
henanny.
“
Hi,
whatt
imedi
dPul
eleave?
”
“
Iam notsure.It
ri
edwaiti
ngsoIcoul
dlockupbut
t
henslepti
nataroundone.WhenIwokeupat5
t
oday,hewasgone, hel
ockedandthr
ewthekeys
t
hroughthewindow.”
“
Ok.
.”
“
Isever
ythi
ngok?
”
“Yes.Iam goi
ngtodosomeshoppi
ng.Iwi
llal
so
getsomethingforbr
eakf
ast
.Cal
lmewhenthekids
sakeup.”
“
Ok.
”
Bant
uwal
kedoutpi
cki
ngYamasa’
scal
l.
“
Hel
lo?
”
“
Bant
usheputhai
rremoveri
nmyhead.
”
“
Who?
”
“
Thaboisnotdi
vorci
ng,
hiswifedoesn’
tevenstay
i
nAustr
ali
a.He’
sjustacheat
ingbastar
d.Helocked
meint
hewar dr
obewhenshecameandwhenhel et
meout,
shestart
edfi
ghti
ngme.Shehasabodyl i
ke
Bati
sta.Shethrewmeont hefloorandsprayedmy
eyeswithdoom. .nnawhi l
edoom isburni
ngmy
eyes,sheappli
edhai rremovertomyhead.Ij ust
wokeupandmyhai risgone.”
Bant
ulaughed.“Iam notl
aughi
ng,
justi
nshock.
Sendmeapi ct
urefri
end.”
“Ok.Myhearti
sbrokenandIhadtogotoOrapa
andbegAlonetodaybut
…Ican’tgol
iket
his.
”
“
Sendapi
ctur
efr
iend.Maybei
t’
snotbad.
”
“
Iam hangi
ngsoIcansendt
hepi
ctur
e.”
ShehungupandsentBant
uthepi
ctur
ethr
ough
WhatsApp.
Bantuburstoutl
aughi
ngadshest
aredatYamasa
l
ookingli
ketheoldmanfr
om 7del
aan.Yamasa
cal
ledagain.
“
It
’sbad.
”
Bantuputherhandoverhermouth.“
Eish,
sorr
ymy
fr
iend..
justgoandcuti
tal
lthenwearawig.I
t’
sjust
hair
.Itwillgr
owout.
”
“
Itwon’
t.If
eell
ikedyi
ng.Not
hingofmi
neevergoes
wel
l.
”
“
Justwearawi
g.”
“
Iam depr
essed.
”
“
Youwi llbefi
ne.Goandcutthathai
randweara
wig.Ihavetogo,Iwi
llcheckuponyoulat
er.
”
Bant
uhungupt henf
rownedr
ecei
vingamessage
fr
om anunsavednumber
.
Number :Hi
,i
t’
sSasa.Ij ustwantedtoletyouknow
thatIam pr
egnantwithPul e’
sbaby.Sendme3kso
Icandoanabor ti
on,Idon’twantanythingtodo
withyouorhim sobetterIdoanabor t
ion.
.
.
.
Goodmor ni
ng,abeaut
if
ulSundaywithour
breadwinnerswanti
ngtofeedus.Let
’squi
ckl
y
parti
cipat
eandgetourbonuses.
[
06/
22,
08:
35] :Fal
lenAngel
#130
Att
hemal l
,Bantuwalkedaroundt hecl
othi
ngshop
hol
dingabasketpicki
ngclothesforherbaby.She
l
ookedatsomet i
nysockst henpickedthem up.She
smil
edputt
ingthem inthebasketandcontinued
wal
king.
“
Bant
u!”
Bantut
urnedandlookedatAloneal
soholdi
ngher
shoppi
ngbasket.Al
onelookedatBant
u’sbi
gbump
whil
eBantustar
edatherinshock.
“
Hi…”
Bant
usmi
led.“
Hey.Wow,
longt
ime.
”
“
Iknow.Howar
eyou?
”
“
Iam f
ine.Youl
ookni
ce.
”
Al
onetouchedherownbumpsmi
li
ng.“
Thanks,
you
t
oo.”
Bant
unot
icedshedi
dn’
thaveherr
ingonherf
inger
.
“
Weshoul
dgooutf
orl
unchsomet
ime.
”
“
Uhyeah.
”
AlonehandedBant
uherbusi
nesscar
d.“
Youwi
ll
callme.
”
Bantunoddedtakingi
tthenconti
nuedwalki
ng
aroundt
heshop.Shepi ckedmorethi
ngsthen
walkedt
ot heti
llandwalkedoutoft
heshop
bumpingintoRay.
Hesmi
led.“
Hi.
”
“
Hel
lo.
”
Raylookedather
.Shelookedmorepregnantt
han
hehadlastseenher
,shelookedr
eal
lyverychubby.
Helookedatherbumpthenswall
owed.
“
Youl
ook…pr
egnant
.”
“
Yeah…”
“
Andbeaut
if
ul.
”
“
Thanks.
”
“Iheardaboutyourdaught
er.Iam sor
ry.It
ri
edt
o
callbut
..
-“
“
Ichangedmynumber
.”
“
Ifi
gur
ed.Andyoual
somoved.Iwentt
oyour
housebut
…”
Bant
unodded.“
Iam sor
ryf
orhur
ti
ngyou.
”
“Il
ongforgaveyou..Youl
ookver
ybeaut
if
ul.
Pregnancylooksgoodonyou.
”
Bantusmi l
ed.“Youarelyi
ng.Iam sofat.Ihave
gainedmor ethanIhaveevergained.Idon’teven
knowhowbecauseIam const antl
ystressedabout
Wawa. .Ishouldbelosi
ngweight.”
“
Youeatwhenyouar
est
ressed.
”
Shel
aughed.“
Youar
elyi
ng.
”
“Iam t
ell
ingyou.I
t’
ssomet
hingIl
ongnot
icedabout
you.Butyoulookcute.
”
“
Thankyou.Ihavet
ogo.
”
Hel
ookedatherneckr
oll
sthennodded.
Shewalkedt
ohercarandjumpedint
hendrove
homethrowi
ngoutAlone’
sbusi
nesscar
dthen
cal
ledYamasa.
“
Bant
u..
”
“
Ijustsawyoursi
steri
n-l
awher
e.It
houghtshe’
dbe
i
nOr
apa.
”
“
Youj
ustsawheri
nMaun?
”
“Yes.Idon’
tthinkshe’
scomi
ng.She’
sdoi
ng
shoppingforthebaby.
”
“
Ij
o,kemat
hat
a.”
“
Iwonderwho’
sshei
sleavi
ngyourbr
otherf
or.
”
“
Waitsel
ennaIwondermma.If
eelsor
ryf
orAka.He
l
ovesher
.Letmecallhi
m..
”
“
Ok.
”
Bantuparkedhercaratherhousethenwal
ked
i
nsidethehousecarryi
ngherplast
ic.
Mot
heot
urnedt
oherpausi
ngf
eedi
ngWame.
“
Mama!
”
Bant
usmi
ledt
henputt
hepl
ast
icsdown.
“
Higuys!
”
Wamesmiled.“
Mama,Motheosayst
hebabyi
sa
boy.I
t’
sagir
lri
ghtmama?
”
Bant
ulaughedemot
ional
lyandpi
ckedherup.“
It
’sa
secr
et.Youwi
llseewhent
hebabycomes.
”
Thenannywal
kedf
rom t
heki
tchenhol
dingagl
ass
ofwater
..
“
Goodaf
ter
noonMadam.
”
“Rut
h,don’
tcal
lmethat
.”Bant
uputherdaught
er
down.“Howisshe?
”
“
She’
shappy.
”
Bantunoddedandsmil
edtear
full
y.“Yest
erday.
.
shehadforgot
tenme.Butatl
eastshealways
remembersherbrot
her
.Hemakesi teasi
erforher
.”
“
Shei
srecover
ing.
”
Bantunoddedthentur
nedt
othem smi
lingas
Motheoconti
nuedfeedi
ngher
.Bantuwalkedtoher
bedr
oom andsatdownchecki
ngherbloodpressur
e.
Herphonerangasshet
ookadeepbr
eat
hthenshe
pi
ckedPule’
scall
.
“
Hey…howi
sshe?
”
“
She’
sfi
nenow.Sher
emember
s.”
“
Ok.Iam onmywayt
her
e.CanIt
aket
hem t
othe
f
arm?
”
“Ihaveneverst
oppedyouf
rom t
aki
ngyourchi
ldr
en
anywhere.
”
“
Iwantyout
ocomewi
tht
oo.
”
“No.Iwil
lstaybehi
nd.Andtel
lyourgi
rlf
ri
endsto
stopcontacti
ngme.Ihavemyowni ssuesinl
if
e.”
“
Whatgi
rl
fr
iends?
”
“Kesaobakasentmeamessagesayi ngshe’s
pregnantandwantsmoneyf orabort
ion.Idon’t
evenknowwhyIam bei ngcontactedbecauseyou
werefuckingher
,Iwasn’tt
herenorwasIt hought
about.
.”
“Sheisnotmygi r
lf
ri
endandshe’snotpregnant
.I
don’tknowwhyshewoul dcont
actyou.Iam sorr
y.
Itwon’thappenagai
n.Doyouguysneedanyt hi
ng?”
“
No.Wear
efi
ne.
”
“
Ok.Seeyou.
”
Bantuhungupandl
ookedatherbl
oodpr
essur
e
readi
ng.
Shesi
ghedgl
adi
twasn’
tashi
ghasi
twasear
li
er
on.
.

*
**

Sasa’
ssi
sterl
ookedather
.
“
Didsher
espond?
”
Sasashoul
dherhead.MmagweSasaf
oldedher
arms.
“It
houghBantucaredaboutyou.Ican’
tbel
ieve
she’
scomplet
elyabandonedyouwhenyouneed
herthemost
.Youtookcareofherandherchi l
dren.
”
Sasa’
ssi
sterlookedathermother
.“Bant
uhasher
ownli
femamagapewedon’ tknowthereasonwhy
shewoul
dn’tcareanymore.
”
“
Mydaught
erwasgoodt
oher
.”
“AndsowasBantu.Shewasgoodt ous.Tookcare
ofus.Tookcar
eofSasa.Shehasherreasonsfor
notcari
nganymor
e.”ShelookedatSasa.“
Someof
usbi
tthehandt
hatf
eedsus.
”
Sasatear
full
ylookedathersi
steri
npai
nthenshe
l
aiddown,tearsfal
li
ng.MmagweSasawalkedout
ofSasa’
sbedr oom.
“
Iam goi
ngt
ocal
lherandask.
”
Shetookoutherphonef
rom herbr
aandcal
led
Bant
u.
“
Hel
lo?
”
“
Bant
u,howar
eyoumychi
ld?
”
“
Iam f
inemme,
howar
eyou?
”
“I
t’
shard.Si
nceSasawashur
tbyther
obber
s,i
tis
hard.Mychi
ldi
snotthesameanymor
eBantu.
”
“
Iam sor
ry.
”
“Sheisalwaysinpain.Themedicati
onsshehasgot
fi
nish,t
hepainkil
ler
swegetf r
om localcl
ini
cdoes
nothelp.Shecan’teveneatwell
becauseher
woundsar esti
llt
ryi
ngtoheal.
”
“
It
’spr
obl
em.
”
“
Iwaswonder
ingi
fhersi
stershoul
dcomeandhel
p
youwi
thki
ds.I
t’
sdi
ff
icul
ther
ewi
thoutmoney.
”
“No..Ial
readygotsomeone.Idon’tknowifSasa
tol
dyout hatshealmostdr
ownedmydaught eri
n
thepool.Mydaughteralmostdi
ed.Shecan’twalk
nowbecauseofhersoIhadt ogetaprof
essional
nanny.”
“
Oh.
.Idi
dn’
tknow.
”
“
It
’sokmme.
”
“Iam embar
rassedt
odot
his.ButIam askingf
or
somemoneysowecangetacoupl eofthings.
”
“Idon’thavemoneybutyoucan’trentoutt
hathigh
houseandmovet otheback.Thathousecanbe
yoursour ceofmoneybecausennaIhavenot hi
ng
togive.Oryoucant el
lSasatocal
lherboyfr
iendso
hehelpsher .Thankyou,bye.
”
Bant
uhungup.MmagweSasalookedatt
hephone.
Shetur
nedt
oSasa’
sol
dersi
ster
.
“
Whathappenedatt
hathouse?
”
Sasa’
sshrugged.“
Yourdaught
erwon’
ttal
kbut
somethi
nghappened.Sheknowswhathappened.
Bant
uusedt
olovehersomuch.
”
“
Bant
usai
dSasaal
mostdr
ownedherdaught
er.
”
Sasa'
ssi
stercl
appedi
nshock.

InSasa’
sroom,Sasareachedf
irtherazorblade
underherpi
ll
ow.Shesniff
edopeningitthentooka
deepbreat
handslowl
ycutopenhervei nsonher
wri
st.
.
.
.

l
et'
shavethesecondoneexact
lyat1500hr
sont
he
dot
.Quickl
ypart
ici
pat
e
[
06/
22,
08:
35] :Fal
lenAngel
#131
Sasabreat
hedheavi
lyadbloodwetthesheets.She
l
aiddownandclosedhereyeswait
ingforherdeath.
Tear
sfrom t
hecornerofhereyeswonder
ingwhy
sheevert
houghtshecouldhavehim.
I
fonl
y…
Shesl
owlyfel
lasl
eepbr
eat
hingsl
owl
yti
llshe
wasn’
tanymore.

*
**

AtAl
one’
shouse,
Alonecal
ledLef
awal
kingi
nsi
de
t
hehouse.
“
Hel
lo?
”
“
Hey,
Itr
iedcal
li
ngear
li
eron.
”
“
Sor
ry.Iam dr
ivi
ng.
”
“
Ok.Ispoket
othemover
s.Theywi
llcome
t
omorr
owmor ni
ng.
”
“Ok.Butbabedoyouthi
nkdi vor
cingisagr
eati
dea?
Ihavebeenwonderi
nghowwear eevergoingt
oget
backtogether
.Akawon’
tletthathappeni
npeace.
Myf amil
ywon’tl
etmemar ryyou.”
“
Idon’
tcar
e.Ij
ustwantt
obewi
thyou.
”
“
Peopl
ear
egoi
ngt
ocal
lyounames.
”
“
Idon’
tcar
e.Iam pr
epar
edf
ori
t.
”
“
Ok.
”
“
Ilobeyou.Iknowyouareworri
edaboutwhatyour
f
ami l
yisgoingtosaybutasl
ongaswearetogether
i
tshouldn’
tmatter
.”
“
Wewi
llt
alk.Shar
p,Iam pi
cki
ngAka.
”
“
Ok.
”

*
**

Lefahungupashi sbrothergoti
nthecarthenhe
droveofff
oll
owi ngtheirfat
her’
scar.Lef
alookedat
hisbrot
herreal
izinghehadl ostdomuchwei ght
,he
l
ookedsi
ck.
Hi
sli
pswer
escal
ding.
“
Didyoueat
?”
Akanyangl
ookedathi
m andsadl
ysmi
led.“
Yeah.
”
“
Iam sor
ryaboutwhat
’sgoi
ngon.
”
“
Iknowshewon’tl
eavewhoeveriti
s.Iam f
inewi
th
i
taslongasshedoesn’
tleaveme.”
“
Youdeser
vewaybet
ter
.”
“
Iloveher
.”
Akanyangt
ookhi
sphoneandcal
ledher
.
“
Whati
sit
?”
“Mysist
erj
ustsentmeamessage.Shesaysyou
arei
nMaun.”
“
Didsheseemet
her
e?”
“
Sor
ry.Howi
sSummer
?”
“Mydaughteri
sfi
ne.Ihopethisislastt
imeyou
humili
atemeinfr
ontofpeople.From her
esignt
he
divor
cefor
ms.”
“
Idon’
twantadivorce.Youdon’
thavet
oleavehi
m.
Wecansti
llmakeitwork.Il
oveyou.
”
“
Idon’
tloveyoumot
howamodi
mo.
”
Tear
sfi
ll
edAkanyang’
seyes.“
Babepl
ease…”
“
Signt
hedivor
cepaper
s.I
ncl
udi
ngt
hef
ami
lywon’
t
makemeloveyou.
”
“
Lol
o…-
“
Bye.
”
Shehungupbecausehecoul dsayanythi
ngel
se.
Lefasadl
ylookedathi
sbrotherandswall
owed
dri
vingwhil
eAkanyangrubbedhiseyes.

*
**

AtBantu’
shouse,Pul
esteppedoutofhi
scarand
knockedonthedoorbef
orewalki
ngin.
Mot
heot
urnedandl
ookedathi
sfat
her
.
“
Daddy!
”
Pulepi
ckedhi
m upasMot
heor
anover
.“Hey
buddy!
”
“
Imi
ssedyou.
.”
Wametur
nedandlookedathi
m smil
ing.Pul
eput
hi
ssondownthenpi
ckedhisdaught
er.
“
Heypr
incess…”
“
Imi
ssedyout
oodaddy.
”
Pul
esmil
edkissi
nghercheek.“
Imi
ssedyouso
mucht
oo.Il
ikeyouhair
.”
“
Thankyoudaddy.
”
“
Iam t
aki
ngyouguyst
othef
arm.
”
Mot
heosmi
led.“
Wear
egoi
ngt
obr
aaimeat
?”
“
Yes.
”
Bant
uwal
kedfrom herbedr
oom andl
ookedathi
m
ashesmi
ledather
.
“
Hi.
.ar
eyour
eady?
”
Someoneknockedont
hedoor
.Bant
uwal
kedover
andopened.
“
Hi…”
Pul
etur
nedhearingadeepmakevoice.Bant
u
l
ookedatDr.Jal
ithensmi
ledst
ari
ngatthefl
ower
s
hewasholdi
ng.
“
Hi.
.Idi
dn’
tknowyouwer
ecomi
ng.
”
“I
twouldn’
thavebeenasur
pri
sedi
fyouknew.
Theseareyours.
”
Bantutookt
hebi
gbouquetoff
lowerswhi
lePul
e
watchedwit
hafr
own.Thedoctorl
ookedatMot
heo.
“
Dr.Mot
heo!
”
Mot
heosmiledandbumpedfistwi
thhi
m.Wame
smi
ledst
ari
ngathim.Bandi
l
esmi l
edback.
“
HeyWawa…”
“
Hi.
.”
Bant
usmi
led.“
That
’st
hei
rfat
her
.”
Bandi
lesmi
led.“
Dr.Dl
ami
nial
wayst
alksabout
you.
”
“
Thi
swasWawa’
sdoct
or.
”
Bandil
esmi l
edatBant
u.“Sti
lli
s.UhIt
houghtI
wouldtakeyouguysout.Ibookedusf
oracrui
se
ri
de.That’
sifit
’sokwi
thhim.”
BantulookedatPulewhowasst
ari
ngatheras
Bandil
ewal kedoutwi
thMot
heo.
Bantusighed.“
He’
sagoodf ri
endofmi ne.He’
sonl
y
hereforafewdaysbeforeheleaves.Canwego
withhimthenyouwil
ltakethekidstothefar
m
tomorrow.”
PulehandedRut
hWamet
henshewal
kedt
oher
room.
“
Youar
edat
inghi
m?”
“No.He’
safr
iend.Eveni
fIwas,
woul
ditbea
probl
em?”
“Iam tir
edofthisbackandf or
thbabe.Iwantt ofi
x
mywr ongswithyou.Iwantust obeaf amil
yagain.
IknowIam t akingchancesbecauseal othas
happenedbet weenus.IloveyouBant u.Il
oveyou
somuch…Iwantyouback.Iwantmyf amil
y.Iknow
Ihaveal ott
odot ogetusbackont r
ackandIam
will
ingtodoitall.ButInotgoingtoforceyouintoit
.
Ifyouwanthim, it
’sok, Iwon’
tmaket hi
ngsdi ff
icul
t
foryou,Iwon’tevenstopyouf rom movi ngon.ButI
willbedonewi t
hchasi ngyouandwant i
ngus.The
choiceisyoursbutyouar enottakingmyki dst her
e..
Iam givi
ngyout enmi nutestodeci deifyouar e
goingtogivemeachanceornot .I
fnot,Iwillaccept
i
tandyouwi l
lneverhearmebot heryouaboutus. ”
Puleputthechi
ldr
en’
sbagsinhiscart
henwalked
backinthehouseandtookWamef r
om thenanny.
Heputhisdaughteri
nthecart
henlookedat
Motheo.
“
Buddy,
let
’sgo!
”
Motheor
anovertot
hecarandgoti
n..Pul
esati
n
hi
scarwait
ing.
.
.
.
[
06/
22,
08:
35] :Fal
lenAngel
#132
Bant
uwal
kedovert
oBandi
le’
scarandsmi
led.
“
Hi,
sor
ry,
todaywon’
tdo.
”
“
Youandhi
m ar
etoget
her
?”
“
No.ButIdon’
twantt
ogi
veyout
hewr
ong
i
mpressi
on.
”
Bandi
lesmi
ledst
ari
ngather
.“Andwhati
mpr
essi
on
i
sthat
? ”
“
Thatsomet
hingcanhappenbet
weenus.
”
Bandi
lel
eanedbackonhisseat.“
Andwhatwoul
d
st
opitfr
om happeni
ng?Aren’
tyousi
ngl
e?”
“
Ilovemybabydaddy.IfeverIset
tleforyou,i
t
won’tbeforl
ove.Hef
edmesomet hing,Ican’
tst
op
l
ovinghim.”
Hel
aughed.“
Haveyouevert
ri
ed?
”
“
Yes.
”
“
Butyouhavenevert
ri
edme.
”
Bant
usmi
led.“
No.IhaveneverbutIdon’
twantt
o.I
knowwher emyhear tis.Myki dsarehappywhenI
am wit
hhi m.Iam happyt oo.It’
sabummer
becauseiflovehadamanual ,Iwouldfol
lowt
he
stepsofunlovi
nghim.Butt here’snomanualsoit
’s
him…it’
sbeenhi m.It
’ssti
llhim.”
“
Youar
esohonest
,it
’sr
efr
eshi
ng.
”
Shelaughed.“
Bye.Andthankyoufort
hef
lower
s.
Uh…hehasat empersodon’
tengagei
na
conversat
ionwit
hhim.”
“
Not
ed.Youl
ookpr
ett
y.Il
ovet
hatdr
ess.
”
Bantulaughedandwal
kedi
nsi
dethehouseashe
droveoff.Shewal
kedt
oRuth’
sroom.
“Ruth, youcanknockof f.Thankyouf orallyour
help.Iseeyouref fort
stomaket hingseasyf orme.
.I
appr eciat
eit.It
hinkIam goingtoreviewyour
salary,rai
sei tf
rom 3kto5k.Ifyoucont i
nue
wor kingthishardandbei ngsoeff
icient,
Iwi l
l
i
ncr easeitagain.”
Ruthsmiled.“
Thankyousomuchmadam.Thank
you!Thankyouverymuch.
”
“
Youcangof
oryourweekend.
”
Rut
hsmiledthenpi
ckedhersmal
lhandbagand
wal
kedout.
Bant
usatdownputti
ngherf
eetonthecouchtaki
ng
ther
emote.Shepl
ayedamovieandrel
axed.
ThedooropenedthenPul
ewal
kedi
n.Hel
ookedat
herasshewatchedTV.
“
Areyoucomi
ng?
”
Bantulookedattheti
me.“Yourt
enmi
nut
esl
ong
passed.Ithoughtyoul
eft
.”
“
Iwaswai
ti
ngf
oryou.
”
“Waiti
ngformet odowhat?Iam notcomingwit
h
you.Ihavemademychoi cesogo.Ebileyouwere
beginni
ngt obor
eme.Goodt hi
ngyouar egoi
ngto
stopchasingaft
erme.
”
Hel
ookedather
.“Idi
dn’
treal
lymeani
t.
”
“MmekanannaIt ookitseri
ousl
y.Youare
dist
urbi
ngmymovi e.Gotoyourfather
’sf
arm wi
th
yourchil
dren.IfIcould,Iwouldgi
veyouthisone
toogoreot samayesent e.”
“
Babe-
“
“Yourproblem isthatyouthi
nkyoubr eathepur
if
ied
air
,Idon’tevenknowwher eyougotthatideafr
om
becausehel af r
om bir
th,
youwerebreat hi
ngin
rot
tensmel ls.Yougavemeanul ti
mat um.Imade
mychoice.I t’
snotyouIam choosing.Youcango.
LennaIam t iredofthebackandfort
h.”
Hel ookedatherandsmi l
ed.“Iam sorry.Ithought…
Iam sor r
ybabe. ”Hewal kedoverandcr ouched
beforeher .“
Iam sor ryMmaMot samaiso.Iwas
scaredIwasl osi
ngyouagai ntosomeoneel se.It
actuall
yhur tseeingyourreactiontohim Ijust
thought…Iam sor r
y.Pleaselet’
sgot ogether.
Pleasegi vemeachancet ofi
xourf amily.Iam
beggingyoubabe.CanIpl easemakei tr i
ght.Allmy
cardsar eont hetable.”
Shelookedathim.“Iam wat
chi
ngamovi
enow.
Ebi
lewasndisturber
.”
“Iknowyouarehorny.Yougetr
udegaot
swer
we
kenopa.Let
’sgotothefarm.
”
“
Gakeat
swar
akenopayasepe.
.kesi
amehel
a.(
I
am nothor
ny.Iam f
ine.
)”
“
Shoul
dIpr
oveyouwr
ong?
”
“
Youaret
heotswer
engkenopanowyouwant
makemethi
nkl
ikel
ennaket
swerwekenopa.
”
Hegotcl
oserandwhi
sper
edagai
nherl
ips.
“
Mrs.Mot
samai
so…Icanpr
ovei
ttoyou“
Shetookadeepbr
eath,Pul
emovedcloserkissi
ng
her.Bant
ucl
osedhereyesashefr
enchkissedher.
Hepushedherhai
routofherf
aceandcaressedher
cheek.
Hi
shandwenttoherswol
lenbr
eastandgent
ly
massagedt
hem.
Theybr
eat
hedheavil
ytouchingoneanot
her.Pul
e
sl
idhi
shandunderherdressthent
ouchedherwet
pant
y.
Hemovedhi sli
pstoherneck, Bantutouchedthe
backofhi
sheadget ti
ngevenwet ter.Hepushedher
pant
ytothesideandt ouchedwet nesslet
ti
ngouta
l
owstrai
nedgr untashegentlymassagedhercl i
t.
Hegotupfrom herfl
ooropeningherl egsthen
pul
ledoutherpant
y.
Bantulookedathim ashewentbet
weenherl egs
suckingher.Shecl
osedhereyesputt
ingherfooton
hisshouldermoaning.Hesl
idafi
ngerfol
lowedby
anotheroneandtappedherwhil
ekissi
ngherp* ssy,
suckingandsuckli
ng.
Shemoanedl
oudercur
li
nghert
oesasshegot
cl
oser
.Shecl
osedherl
egsandvi
brat
edconvul
sing.
Heopenedherlegsandkissedherl
ipswhi
leher
p*
ssythrobbedfort
herealacti
on.
Pul
esmiled.“Pl
easecomewi t
hmetothefar
m.
Let
’sgoawayf r
om thenoi
seandever
ythi
ngelse.
.
j
ustusandt heki
ds.Nextweekwewil
lgotoBora
Bor
a.”
Shelookedathi
mt hentouchedhisrockhar
ddic.
Sheunzippedhi
spantst r
yingtoseeaboveherbel
ly
thentooki
toutandstrokedit
.
“
Tsenya…(
puti
tin.
)”
“
Sayyes…”
Shemovedherwai
stcl
oser
.Pul
erubbedhi
msel
f
overherandci
rcl
edthethi
ckti
prightather
entr
ance.Hegent
lypushediti
n.
“
Sayyes.
”
Shemovedherwaistpushi
ngonitl
ett
ingitpush
fur
theri
n.Shecl
osedhereyesashestret
chedher.
“
Awww…”
“
Wear
egoi
ng?
”
“
Mhmmm…”
Puleputacushi
onunderneat
hherwaistandsl
id
thr
oughallt
hewayinti
llhewaspluggeddeep
i
nsideher.
Shelookedathimt ear
ful
lymoani
ngatthepl
easure.
Thewayhi sdicf
il
ledherupmadei thar
dtobr
eathe
buti
tfeltsogood
Pulesli
doutandpushedbackin.Bant
ulookedat
hi
m astearsf
ell
.Hegentl
ystr
okedher,t
hepleasur
e
makinghercr
y.
“
Oh…Il
oveyou.
.”
“
Iloveyoumor
ebabe.
”
Pul
ekissedherbumpandbegundr
il
li
ngi
ntoher
,
hi
sdicdiggi
ngdeeper
.
Bant
utouchedherbr
east
smoani
ng.
“
Daddy!
”
Bant
ulookedatPul
easMot
heoscr
eamedout
side.
“
Noo…he’
scomi
ng.
”
Pul
efast
erpoundingi
nto,
herpussysqueezi
nghi
m.
Hegrunt
edfucki
ngherharder
.
“
Daddy!
”
Mot
heo’
svoi
cegotcl
oser
.
“
Buddy…don’
topent
hedoor
…Iam comi
ng.
”
“
Wawawant
stosi
ssy…”
“
Iam comi
ng.
.goandwai
tint
hecar
.Iam comi
ng.
”
Thedoorhandl
emoved.Bant
ulookedatPul
e.
“
Don’
tst
op…don’
tst
op….Awww.
.”
“
Mot
heo,
Isai
dIam comi
ng!
’
Bant
uclosedhereyesandsquashedhisdic
mult
ipl
eti
mesasheror gasm cr
ushedher,
Pule
car
ri
edonf
ucki
nghergr
oani
ng,
hisbal
lst
ight
eni
ng.
Hefr
ozeinherandfi
ll
edherwithhi
sthi
ckseeds.
Shel
aiddownbreat
hingheavi
ly.
Pul
esl
idoutandki
ssedher
.
“
Iam comi
ng.St
ayst
il
l.
”
Hewipedhi
sdicwithherpant
ythenputi
tbackin
hi
spantswal
kingoutsi
detoatt
endtohi
skids.
Minutesl
aterhewalkedbacki
nandwal
kedtoher
bedroom wherehecamebackwit
hherwetwipes
andanotherpanty.
Shelazi
lywatchedhi
m wi
peherandhel
pedheri
nto
anot
herpanty.
Pul
eki
ssedher
.“Il
oveyou.
”
“
Ididn’
tmeanthatIloveyouIsai
d.Kenopahel
a.(
I
wasjusthor
ny.
)Itakeitback.
”
Hel
aughedmaki
nghersmi
le.
“
Thenbr
ingbackmysex.
”
Shetouchedhi
sbeard.“Takei
t.Yougavei
tme,
no
oneaskedyousotakeitbackmogatsaSasa
(
Sasa'
sboyf
ri
end.
)”
Hepickedherup.Bant
uputherar
oundhi
m hol
ding
on.
“
Youar
etheonl
yone.
”
“Waaka,ther
e’soneinuhPari
s.Ineveraskedyou
aboutthatchil
dthatl
ooksl
ikeyou.TheDISshowed
mepicturesthatti
me.”
“Idon’
thavechil
drenout
sidet
hisr
elat
ionshi
p.They
photoshoppedourson.
”
“
Andt
hegi
rl
…issheyourex?
”
“Il
ongbrokeupwi
thher.I
twaswayback.Ihaven’
t
spokentoheri
nmorethantenyear
s.Anyt
hingel
se
Ishoul
dbeanswer
ingto?”
Shequi
etl
ylaidherheadonhischest
.Pul
ewal
ked
wit
hhertothecarandputheratthef
ront
.
“
Idi
dn’
tpackmycl
othes.
”
“
Iwi
llgr
abaf
ewt
hingsf
oryou.
”
Hewalkedbackinthehouse.Bant
ul ookedather
ki
dsandsmiled.Pule’
sphonevibr
atedonhisseat.
Shecuriousl
yreachedoverandlookedatan
unsavednumbercalli
ng.Shepickedthecal
l.
“
Pule,
hi,Igotyournumberf
rom yournaught
y
f
ri
end.It
’sRati
e,wemetatyourbar.”
“HiRat
ie,
it’
sMr
s.Mot
samai
so,
Pul
e’
swi
fe,
howcan
Ihel
pyou?”
Rat
iecoughed.“
Uh.Um Mr
s-“
“Rat
iedon’
tevercallmyhusbandagain.Iwil
lburr
y
youifyoudo.Iwil
lmakeitevenmorepainfuli
fI
seeyouatmybar .Havealovel
yday,keepsafe.”
.
.
.
[
06/
22,
08:
35] :Fal
lenAngel
#133

Pulegotbacki
nthecar,hel
ookedathert
hen
l
eanedoverstr
appingherwi
ththeseat
bel
tki
ssi
ng
heratthesameti
me.
“
Yourphoner
ang.
”
Pul
etur
nedtohi
ski
dsandsmi
led.Wameshyl
y
smi
ledl
ooki
ngathi
m.
“
Yougoodbaby?
”
Shenodded.“
Yes.
”
Pul
etur
nedbackt
oBant
u.“
Wher
eisi
t?”
“I
twasRat i
e,t
heoneyoumetatpt
hebarandshe
gotyournumberf
rom afr
iend.
”
“
Idon’
tknowher
.Doyouwantanyt
hingbef
orewe
l
eave.
”
“Let
’spassbyt
hemal
l.YouandMot
heoneedt
oget
haurcut
s.”
“
Ok.
”
Hestar
tedthecaranddroveout
.Atthemall
,Bant
u
wat
chedhim walkinsi
dethemallhol
dingWame
whi
leMotheowalkedbesideshi
m.
SheopenedherFacebookthenpausedlookingata
fr
iendr
equestf
rom Alone.Shedel
etedtherequest
wonder
ingwhythiswomanwasaf terherli
kethat.
*
**

Alone’sphoneisrangagainasshewor kedawork
document .Shepausedthenlookedathermother
call
ing.Sheignor
edhercallsasshecalli
ngbutthen
pickedannoyed.
“
Hel
lo?
”
“
Wher
ear
eyou?Youati
nlawsar
eal
mostt
her
e.”
“NnaIam donewi
thAkanyang,
Itol
dhi
mthat
,I
don’
tknowwhyhekeepspushing.
”
“Lone,whathappenedtoyou?Thi
smanfinyou
broken.Helovedyou.He’
sbeennothi
ngbutgood
toyou.”
“
Heneedst
omoveon.
”
“Moveonandgowher
ewhenhel
ovesyou?Di
dyou
getmarr
iedt
odi
vor
ce?”
“
Ican’
tkeeppr
etendi
nganymor
e.”
“
Canyouj
ustcome?Pl
easedon’
tembar
rassyour
f
atherl
iket
his.
”
“Iam notcomi
ng.Tel
lthem Isai
dIdon’
twanthi
m
anymore.”
“
Alone-
“
“
MamaIam busywi
thwor
kthi
ngs.Bye.
”
Shehungupthenswi
tchedoffherphoneknowi
ng
theywer
est
il
lgoingt
ocallevenmore.

*
**

Sasa’
ssi
sterwal
kedi
nsi
deSasa’
sroom.
“Sasa,
Iam goi
ngtogetyouyourmedi
cat
ion.Iwi
ll
getyousomeyoghur
ttoo.”
Sasaremai nedsti
llonthebed.Thesist
erknowi ng
shewasasl eepthenwal kedoutcl
osingthedoor
behindher.Shewal kedoutofthehouseholdingher
handbag.Shet houghtofcall
ingBantutoapologize
onbehalfonhersi sterbutt
herewasnopoi ntof
ret
urnespeciall
yafterSasasleptwi
thBantu’s
husband.
Ormaybeshoul
dcoul
dPul
ehi
msel
f,butshedi
dn’
t
wantt
odieasyet.
Shecar
ri
edonwal
kingconf
li
ctedi
nhert
hought
s.

*
**

Lubapour
edhersel
fjui
cei
nagl
asswhi
leonher
phonewit
hheraunt.
“
Luba,
thi
scant
urnonyou.
”
“Itwon’tt
urnonme.Iam goingtogetmyrevenge.I
am goingtomakesur eIhur
thim somuch,f
rom
thereonhewi l
lgocrazyorj
ustmoveaway.I
alwayswonderedwhenIwasgoi ngtogetmyown
j
ust i
ce.Godhasbroughthimtome.
“
Luba-
“
“He’
sgoi
ngtocryf
oral
lthepai
nheputmet
hrough.
Iwasonl
y15.”
“
Ithoughtwegott
hrought
his.
”
“
No.Ijustcoul
dn’
tdoanythi
ngbackt
hen.Ican’
t
wai
ttowatchhim suf
fer
.”
“Idon’
twantyout
oloseTshepowhi
leati
t.He’
sa
goodguy.”
“I
fIlosehimt hensobei tbutIam sti
llgoingto
comef orLefa.Ihavebeenpl anni
ngthisforyears.
Hewi l
lneverhurtchil
dreneveragain.Til
lhegoes
andreportshimself,
Iwillmakesur ehesuf f
ers.
He’smonst erandhedeser vesitandmor e.”
“
Shoul
dIcal
lyourcounsel
orf
oryou?
”
“
Iam per
fect
lyf
inema.Iam mor
ethanj
ustf
ine.
”
“
Iworr
yaboutyou.I
magi
negoi
ngt
ojai
lfora
r
api
st.
”
“Iam notgoingtojai
l.Youdon’
thavet
owor
ry
aboutthat.Iwil
lcal
lyoulat
er.
”
Shehungupandwalkedtothesitt
ingr
oom si
pping
herj
uicet
henwentontheint
ernetandopenedher
sear
chbarreadyt
odoherextraresear
ch.

*
**
Att
hemall,
Pul
ewalkedoutoft
hesuper
mar
ket
hol
dingWame,
Motheoinfr
ontofhi
m.
Aladysmil
edlooki
ngathi
m.“Whentheysaidl
ike
fat
herli
keson,
theymeantyout
wo.Waitseso
handsome.”
Hesmi
led.“
Thanks.
”
Pulewalkedtotheparki
ngandputWameinside.He
puttheextr
adr i
nkshehadboughti
nsi
dethentook
abottl
eofjuice.Hej
umpedinthecarandhanded
Bantuthebottl
e.
“
Haveadr
ink.
”
Shesmi
led.“
Thankyou.
”
“
Playsomemusi
c.”
Bant
uconnect
edherphonetot
hecar
’sBluet
ooth
beandpl
ayedCel
ineDionashedr
oveoffheadedto
thef
arm.
Motheol
ookedathi
smother
.“Youat
eal
ways
pl
ayingt
hissongmama.
”
Bant
ulaughedandst
art
edsi
ngi
ngwi
thWame.

‘
Losti
showI
’
mfeel
ingl
yingi
nyourar
ms
Whent
hewor
ldout
side’
stoomucht
otake
Thatal
lendswhenI
’
m wi
thyou

Event
hought
her
emaybet
imes
I
tseemsI
’
mfaraway
Neverwonderwher
eIam
CauseIam al
waysbyyoursi
de'

Wamesmi ledasBantulookedatherthenthey
cont
inuedsingi
ngtoget
her.Motheojoinedin
smil
ing.

‘
CauseI
’
m yourl
ady
Andyouar
emyman
Wheneveryour
eachf
orme
I
’
lldoal
lthatIcan
We’
reheadi
ngf
orsomet
hing
Somewher
eI’
veneverbeen
Somet
imesIam f
ri
ght
ened
ButI
’
mreadyt
olear
n
Oft
hepowerofl
ove’

Pulel
ookedathi sfamil
yandsmi l
eddrivi
ng.
Nothi
ngcouldact ual
lybeatt
hewayhewasf eel
ing
wit
hherrightbyhi ssi
de.Shelookedathim singing
happi
ly,
herfistbeinghermic.

*
**

AtYamasa’
shouse,
Yamasagrunt
edi
npai
nlayi
ng
onherst
omachinherbedr
oom.
Thepai
nint
ensi
fi
edmaki
ngherhi
ssgr
abbi
ngt
he
pil
lows.Shecoul
dfeel
blooddri
pli
keanopent ape.
Shehadhadheavyperiodsbuti
thadneverbeen
l
ikethat.
Shegotbedsl
owlyandl
aidonthecoldfl
oorcurli
ng
her
sel
fint
oaball
.Thepaingotevenworse,so
muchworsethepai
nfel
tli
keitwasgoingtokil
lher.
Shegrunteddraggingher
selftothesi
tt
ingroom
l
eavingatrai
lofbloodbutwitheverymove,itgot
worseweakeningherfurt
her.Shestoppedmovi ng
breat
hingheavil
y,hert
earsdroppingonthefloor.
.
.
.
.
[
06/
22,
08:
36] :Fal
lenAngel
#134

Lat
erthatdayi
ntheeveni
ng,Bant
utuckedt
heki
ds
i
nbedbef or
eshewalkedoutt
othethat
chshade
bui
ltatt
hebackyar
d.
ShelookedatPul
easheti
ghtenedther
opeholding
thehammockwhilet
hebonfi
reburntst
eadi
lynext
tothehammock.
Pul
elookedather
.“Come…”
Sheslowlywalkedover.Pul
epi
ckedherupandput
heri
nside.Shesmiledasheputthef
luf
fypi
ll
ows
under
neathherhead.
Pul
egotinandjoi
nedast hehammockswungf r
om
si
detosidewhi
le2pacplayedsoftl
yfrom t
he
Bl
uetoot
hspeaker
.Bantuwr appedherarm ar
ound
hi
m assheputherheadonhi schest.
Puler
eachedf
ort
hef
leeceandcover
edbot
hof
them.
“
Whatki
ndofaweddi
ngdoyouwantt
ohave?
”
Babtul ookedathi m andsmi l
ed.“
Wel li
twoul dn’tbe
somet hingbi g.Somethingwithcl
osef ri
endsand
family.Anout doornyanaweddingmaybecl oserto
ariverongr eenl awn.What ’
sreal
lyimportantke
magadi .Thedaywewer esupposedt ogetmar r
iedI
wassoexci ted.Honestlythewholetradit
ional
procedur eiswhatIhaveal waysdr eamtabout .My
i
n-lawscomi ngt oclaim me.Thewhol enyanat hing
thathappensear lymor ningthengot swaho, going
outsideasmonyadikeaper ijaakamosadio
nyetswing.From ther emeet i
ngyou, gett
ingmar ried
komol aodi.Beingof ficial
lyyour s.Tsawhi tegown
i
sabl i
ssyes,butt het radit
ionalpr ocedur eyonei s
whatIl i
vefor.Kgor osoyamonyadi .Being
welcomedi ntoyourhome.Whenyoupr oposed…
everytimeyougotont opofme, Iwoul dl ookatmy
ri
ngandor gasm yat engcan’ tcompar et oanyt hing.
Iknowwi thyal enyaloi twoul devenbemor emi nd-
blowing.Ialwaysseeot herintroducingt heirwives
gotwet hi
sMr s.thatt hat …mywi fe,Iwantt hat.
Whatki ndofaweddi ngdoyouwant ?”
“
Ineverdreamtofmyweddi
ngbecauseIj
ustnever
t
houghtI’
dgetmarri
ed.
”
“
Why?
”
“AtsomepointIwouldwonderhowIwoul dmarr
y
anyonewithnofami l
y…li
kearealfamil
y.Iknow
papahasbeent herebutatsomepointIj
ust
thoughtdi
lotsedingweneedyourbiol
ogicalf
amil
y
soIneverthoughtofgett
ingmarr
ied.Aft
erI
real
izedthatpapamaynotbemybi ologicalfather
,
heisaf ather,
Ifi
guredget
ti
ngmar ri
edwoul dbe
possibl
ebutt henIwasalwaysintroublewitht he
poli
ceandIj ustnevert
houghtanyonewoul dwant
tomar r
ythat.Mostlymyrelat
ionshi
pswoul df ail
becauseoft hat.
”
“I
sthatwhyyourr
elat
ionshi
pwi
tht
hatgi
rlwaPar
is
ended?”
“Yes.Shegotar r
est
edwi t
hme.Thepoliceaccused
herofbeinganaccompl i
ce,Ihadweedonme.She
wasi nacellforaweek.Idon’
tknowwhat
happenedintherebutwhenshegotr el
easedshe
dumpedme. ”
“
Shei
sbeaut
if
ul.
”
Pul
eki
ssedher
.“Thatr
elat
ionshi
pendedf
orgood.
Youar
ebeaut
if
ul.
”
“
Sowhatki
ndofaweddi
ngwoul
dyouwantnow?
”
“Iwantwhatyouwant
.Iwantgopaymagadif
or
her.
”
Het
ouchedherbel
l
y.
“
Papai
sgoi
ngt
obesomad.
”
“Iknow.Butt
hatisthef
irstst
ep.Bet
terIst
art
workingonwinni
nghim backnowsohesof tensup.
Iam goingt
otalktomyfather.
”
“CanitbeafterBor aBora?Papaorekil
epi
tbul
l.I
don’
twantt hingstogetmessyt henIdon’
tgofor
myt r
ip.Iam alreadyexcit
ed.
”
“
Ok.Whathappenedt
oyourr
ing?
”
“
Isol
dit
.”
Pul
elaughed.“
Forhowmuch?
”
“
45k.
”
Hesmi
led.“
Theyr
obbedyou.
”
“Iknow.Ionlyf
oundoutaf
tert
hat’
sit
’sact
ual
ly
cost150k.Idon’
tknowwhyyouwouldpaythat
muchf urri
ngmmeIwentbackt ot
hatguyannela
30kextra.
”
Pulel
aughed.“
Ibel
ieveyouthr
eat
enedhi
m.These
daysl
ennakeagotshaba.”
Bant
ulaughedt
oo.“
Ijustt
oldhi
m aboutyou.And
al
sosai
dyouwi
llki
llhi
m.Andr
obhi
sshop.
”
Theybot
hlaughedast
hehammockswungar
ound.
“
Iam notgoi
ngt
odoanyt
hingt
oyou.
”
“
Isl
eepwi
thoneeyeopen.
”
Bantumovedhishanddownherbumpandsmi
led
asthebabyki
cked.
“
Shenevermovesl
iket
his.Shel
ikesyou.
”
Puleki
ssedher
.“She’sdaddy’
sgi
rl
.Whenar
eyou
taki
ngmater
nit
yleave?”
Bant
utookadeepbreath.“
Nextmonth.Iwantt
o
l
eavemyjobaft
erherifIgeti
nvest
mentsformy
busi
nesspl
an.
”
“
Whatpl
an?
”
Bant
usi
ghedt
hent
ookhi
mthr
oughherbusi
ness
pl
an.
“
Theinvest
mentbankcanapar
toforj
ustanot
her
t
hing.
”
“
Itcanbet
wodiff
erentt
hings.Il
ikebothideas.How
muchwereyouhopingt
ogetf r
om invest
orstokick
st
artt
his?
”
“
Alot
.”
“
Howmuch?
”
Shel
ookedathi
mthenmout
hedt
heamount
.
“
Iknowi
t’
sal
otbut
-“
Pul
esmi l
ed.“Pi
tchthei
deat
ome.Notl
iket
his,
af
teryougivebi
rth.
”
Theycontinuedchat
tingholdi
nghandswhil
ePi
ke
droppedrandom ki
ssesonherl i
psasthef
ir
e
conti
nuedbur ni
ngsteadi
ly.

*
**

Thef oll
owingmor ning, Yamasaslowl yopenedher
eyesr eali
zingshewasl yi
ngont hefloor.Sheslowl
y
gotup, thepainwasn’ tasintensethoughi twassti
ll
there.Shesl owl
ywal kedt oherbathroom, her
pyjamapant ssoakedi nblood.
Shet
ookt
hem of
fandl
ookedatt
hecl
otsofbl
ood
onherpant
y.Shetookadeepbr
eat
handwent
undert
heshower.
Awhil
elatershewalkedoutofherhouseanddr
ove
toapri
vat
ecl i
nical
readycal
li
ngtosetan
appoi
ntment.

Att
hepr
ivat
ecl
ini
c,Yamasafi
nishedexpl
aini
ngt
o
t
hedoct
orhowshewasfeeli
ng.
“Thepai
nwastoomuchlastnight
.Ri
ghtnowt
he
paini
sther
ebutnotasi
ntense.
”
“Ok,youcanputont
hatr
obeandl
ieont
hebed.Put
onthattorobe.
”
“
Ok.
”
Yamasaundr essedthenl
aidonthebedwi
tht
he
robe.Thedoctorputonhergl
oves.
“
Iam goi
ngt odoanul
tr
asoundscant
oseer
ule
whatIam t
hinki
ngi
tcanbe.
”
Yamasanodded.
Thegynaecologistputacoldgelonherbell
ythen
tookaprobe.Shemovedi taroundYamasa’
s
abdominall
ookingatt hescreen.Shef
rowned
l
ookingthensighed.
“Iam goingt odolaparoscopy.It’
smi nipr
ocedur e
soIdoaf ullexaminati
onofwhat ’sgoingon, Iam
goingtohaveasur geonmakeasmal lcuti nyour
abdomen.Thel aparoscopewi l
lbepassedi ntoyour
abdoment oallowtheor gansandt i
ssuesinside
yourabdomenorpel vi
stobeexami ned.Youhave
fi
broidssoIwantt odoaf ul
lexaminati
on.Iseet he
onesout si
deyourwomb, Iwanttochecki fyou
don’thavemor ei
nt helayerofmuscl esur
r ounding
thewomb. ”
Yamasaswal
lowed.“
IfIhave…whatdoest
his
mean?”
“I
tmeansIam goi
ngtoexami
neyou,wearegoi
ng
towor
konat r
eatmentpl
anandyouwil
lbefi
ne.I
t’
s
okYamasa.I
t’
sok.”
Yamasaputherhandoverhermout
hcr
ying.“
Ijust
wantt
hepai
ngost
op.
”
“
That
’swhatIam her
efor
.”

*
**

I
nSer
owe,
mmagweLef
alookedatherhusband.
“Ican’tbel
ievewet
ravel
edal
lthewayt
oOr
apaf
or
nothing.”
“St
ressi
ssl
owlykil
li
ngAka.Iwi
sht
her
ewas
somethi
ngIcoul
ddo.”
“It
oldyouIdi
dn’
tli
ket
hisgi
rl
.Fir
stshemoved
betweenbr
other
sandnowthis…”
“Thewayhecri
edbrokeme.Thewayshespoket
o
usonthephone…she’srudeont
opofi
tandokar
e
she’
sproudofher
self
.”
“Weneedt ogetacounselorforAka.Tomorrowtake
himtot hehospi
talf
ortest
ing.Somethingi
swr ong
withhim.From t
hereconvincehimtojustaccept
divor
ce.Heshouldcomebackhomeandr ecoup.
Heneedsust hemost.IknowIam nothi
s
biol
ogi
calmotherbutIl
ovehim andIdon’
twantt
o
l
osehimt odepressi
onandotherthi
ngswedon’
t
know.”

*
**

Out
sidei
nhi
scar
,Lef
aspoket
oAl
oneont
hephone.
“Whydidn’
tyoucome?Youjustwant
edt
o
embarr
assmybr ot
herf
urt
her?”
“Lefa,youknowhowf amil
yis.Idi
dn’
twanttobe
crucif
iedgapeIam doingt
histohrl
phimreali
zewe
arereallydone.
”
“Byhumil
iati
nghi
m?GapeIdon’
tli
kehowyou
speakt
ohi m.Youar
ebr
eaki
nghim.”
“Ahhbabe,whatshoul
dIdobecauseyourbrot
her
doesn’
twanttocomeintot
ermswiththefactt
hat
nnaIam overhi
m.”
“
Youarebegi
nni
ngt
oturnmeoff
.Ther
e’sabet
ter
wayt
ogoonaboutt
hiswit
hhi
m.Didyoutel
lhi
mt o
t
est
?”
“Yes.Her ef
usedsayi
ngI’
mt heonlyhe’
sbeen
sleepi
ngwi t
h.Idon’
twanttokeeppushing.I
twi
ll
makei tobvioust
hathegotitf
rom me.Idon’
twant
peopletal
kingabouthowIgavehim HIV.”
“
Whydi
dn’
tyouuseacondom wi
thhi
m?”
“Babekekoparesekaralwa.Youar eupseton
behal
fofyourbrot
herIgeti
t.Itmustbehar dfor
youtodealwit
hallt
hisbutpleasedon’tshoutat
me.Thedoctorsai
dweshoul dn’tst
ressourbaby.”
Lefasi
ghed.“Iam sor
ry…i
t’
sjusthar
dseei
nghi
m
breakl
iket
his.”
“
Iknow.I
twi
llbeoversoon.Il
oveyou.
”
“
Met
oo.Letmedosomet
hing.Wewi
llt
alk.
”
“
Ok.
”
Lef
ahungupandputhi
sheadonthest
eer
ing
wheel
,gui
lt
ywei
ghi
ngheavi
lyonhi
m.

TWOWEEKSLATER…
.
.
.
[
06/
22,
08:
36] :Fal
lenAngel
#135

TwoWeeksLat
er

InBoraBor a,j
ustatsunset,Bant
uwalkedoutofthe
overwaterbungalowr esor
tinashor
tseethrough
fl
areddress.Shel ookedatPulewhowaslyi
ngon
thelauncherswithhiskids.
Bant
usmi
led.“
Iam goi
ngt
oswi
m.”
Mot
heot
ookof
fhi
ssungl
asses.“
Met
oo
Mot heofol
lowedaft
erher.Bantuslowl
ywentdown
thestair
sgetti
nginthewater.Motheoj
umpedin
splashi
ngherwi t
hwater.
Bant
uandl
ookedoveratWame.“
Hi…”
Wamei
swaved.Mot
heol
ookedoveratandwaved
t
oo.
“
Mama,
arewegoi
ngt
ost
ayher
efor
ever
?”
Bant
ulaughed.“No.Wear
egoi
ngt
omor
rowMot
heo.
Youknowthis.
”
“
Ohman!Iwi
shwecanst
ayher
efor
ever
!”
Bant
ulaughedandgentlylai
donherbackmovi
ng
herl
egsinthewatertokeepafl
oat
.Motheosmi
led
andfol
lowedsui
tlaughi
ng.
“
Wenarr
aoviol
entl
emet
si.(
Youar
evi
olentwi
th
t
hewat
er.
)”
“Heel
amama!Obuelangset
swana?(
Whyar
eyou
speaki
ngset
swana?
)”
Bant
ulaughedathi
stone.
“
Iam goi
ngt
ospeakmyl
anguager
raet
sho!
”
“Nomom!WespeakEngl ish.Ifyout
alkinset
swana,
Iam notrespondi
ngtoyou.Remobat hongmama!
(weareinghemi dstofpeople.)
”
Bant
ulaughedmor
eandspl
ashedhi
m wi
thwat
er.
Motheol
aughedspl
ashi
ngherbackwhi
leshe
l
aughedswimmingaway
Wamesmi l
edwat
chi
ngt
hem pl
ayi
nthewat
er.Pul
e
l
ookedather.
“
Youwantt
ogoi
nbaby?
”
Sheshookherhead.“
Iwi
lldr
own.
”
“Iwi
llnotl
etyoudrown.Iam r
ighther
e.Iwon’tl
et
anyt
hinghappentoyou.Doyout r
ustdaddy?
”
“
Idon’
twantt
odr
own.
”
“
Iwi
llnotl
etyou.Iwi
llhol
dyout
heent
ir
eti
me.Ok?
”
Shelookedathim andl
ookedoverathermot
her
l
aughingevenlouderpl
ayi
ngwithMotheoint
he
water.
“
Shoul
dwego?
”
Shenoddedholdi
nghimti
ghtl
y.Pul
estoodupand
sl
owlywalkeddownthest
air
swithher
.
Bantupausedandwatchedashegoti
nt hewater
withher
,somethi
ngshehadbeenref
usingsince
theyhadarr
ived.
Pulegotinthewat
er,
shegaspedhol
dinghi
m even
ti
ghtershaki
ngwit
hfear
.
Pul
emovedf
rom t
hest
air
sswi
mmi
nghol
dingher
.
“Wame….Iam notgoi
ngt ol
etyougookbaby?
Daddyi
snotgoingtoletyougo.”
Shebr okedowncr yi
ngasthewatercover
edhert
o
herneck.Shescr eamedcryi
ngsomuchBantu
heartshutt
ered.Pulehel
dherti
ghtl
y.
“Youar
eherewi
thdaddy.
.Iam notlett
ingyougo..
I
am goi
ngt
oholdyouli
kethis.Iam notleavi
ngyou.
”
Pul
ehel
dhert
il
lhercr
iesdi
eddown.
“
See?Iam notl
ett
ingyougo.
”
Shebr
eat
hedheavi
lyhol
dingon.Mot
heoswam
cl
oser
.
“
Wawa.
.look!
”
Motheospl
ashedwithwater
.Shemovedherhead
l
aughingt
hensplashedhi
m backwi
thonehand.
Bantusmil
ed.
“
Let
’spl
aybal
l.
”
Mot
heonodded.“Yes,
mommyandIvsDaddyand
Wawa.Iam get
ti
ngthebal
l.
”
Mot
hroswam backt
othest
air
s.Bant
uswam over
t
oPulet
henki
ssedWame’scheek.
“
Hey.
.”
Wamesmi
led.“
Mama…”
Bant
utouchedherdaught
er’
shai
r.“
Yourhai
rissoo
l
ong.
”
Wamegi
ggl
ed.“
Your
stoo.
”
“
Iloveyou.
”
“
Iloveyout
oomama.
.”
Bant
usmi l
edthenlookedatPul
ewhopul
ledher
cl
oserandkissedher.
Motheoj
umpedbacki
nthewat
erwi
tht
hepl
ast
ic
f
loat
ingbal
l.
“
Ok…her
e.”
Bant
uswam adi
stantf
rom Pul
e,Mot
heoj
oini
ngher
.
Bant
ulaughed.“
Youshoul
dnothavet
hebal
lon
yoursi
deformorethant
hreesecondsandt
hebal
l
shoul
dcrossovert
hatuhhh.
.”
Mot
heoscr
eamed.“
Iknow,
thatshadowdaddy!
”
“
Ok!
”
Bant ulaughedast heystar
tedplaying.Pulehel
d
Wamef rom thebacksoshecoul dseethenplayed
withhi sf r
eehand.Wamemovedherl i
ttl
efeeti
nthe
water ,surprisi
ngl
yi twaseasytopaddl einthe
watert hant owalk.Shepaddl edevenmor e
l
aughi ngasherf athersl
appedt heballbacktoher
mot her.Ithitherheadmaki ngherlaugh.Mot heo
tookt hebal landthrewitback.
Banturubbedherf
orehead.“
Bat
hongt
eam Wamei
s
vi
olent
!’
Mot
heol
aughed.“
Daddywant
stoki
llus!
”
Pul
el aughedt
hrowi
ngt
hebal
lback.“
Ihavet
obe
vi
olenttowin!
”
Bantuthrewtheballback.Wamegaspedcatchi
ngit
thenthr
ewi tback.Bant
ut r
iedt
ohiti
tbackbutshe
missed.Shequicklyswam overtoi
t.
“
One.
.two.
.thr
ee!
”
Wamescreamedatthei
rfi
rstpoi
ntwhi
lePul
e
l
aughedr
ejoi
cing.
Mot
heol
aughed.“
Thi
shasj
ustst
art
ed!
”
Bant
ulaughedt
oo.“
It
’ssoon!
”
Theyconti
nuedlaughingasthesunset
.Wame
movedfrom herfather’
sarmsandswam overtot
he
bal
landthrewitback.Pulesmil
edasshegained
herconf
idenceplayingbyhissi
de.
Motheosl
appedtheballback,
Pulehiti
thar
dert
hat
i
tfl
ewoverthei
rhands.Bantulaughed.
“
Ahhr
rababe!
”
Mot
heol
aughed.“
Wel
ost
?”
Pul
epi
ckedWame.“
Team Wamef
ort
hewi
n.”
Theyswam backt
othebungal
ow.Bant
ulaughed.
“
Ifeelcheat
ed.
”
Wameshookherheadhappi
ly.“
Nomamayoul
ost
!
Fai
randsquar
e!”
Mot
heol
aughedt
hengotWamef
rom herf
ather
.
“
Ifwewerenotl
eavi
ngt
omor
row….Youwer
egoi
ng
t
olose.
”
Motheowalkedt othei
rroom wi t
hher .Bantusmil
ed
andwalkedafterthem.Shehel pedt hem shower
anddressbeforeshewal kedovert othemai n
bedr
oom steppingonthegl assfloorsthatenabl
ed
hert
oseet hebluewaters.
Bantusmi
ledlooki
ngatt
hebat
htubal
readyf
il
led
wit
hwater
, Pul
ealr
eadyi
nsi
de.
“
Comei
nsi
de.
”
Bantuundr
essedt
henslowl
ygoti
nthet
ubandsat
ontopofhi
m smil
ing.
Pul
eki
ssedr
unni
nghi
shandonherback.
“
Areyour
eadyt
ofaceyourf
ather
?”
Bant
ulookedathi
m.“Iam.Iam nott
heonewho
hasali
kel
yhoodofgetti
ngki
ll
ed.”
Pul
elaughed.“
Somuchf
oruni
ty.
”
Bant
ulaughed.“
Ineverpr
omi
sedt
odi
ewi
thyou.
”
“Myuncl
eisgoi
ngtoseehim kamosoandseei
fwe
cangetapr
opermeet
ing.
”
Bantut
urnedandsatbet
weenhi
slegst
henl
aid
backonhisbody.
.
“
Iam scar
ed.Heisgoi
ngt
obedi
sappoi
ntedt
hatI
t
ookyouback.”
“
Iknow.Wewi
lldot
hist
oget
her
.”
Shenoddedhol
dinghi
sar
ms.

*
**

I
nBotswanathefol
lowingmorni
ng,Pul
e’
sunclesat
i
nhi
scarwithhisbrotherandt
hei
rtwowives.
Theyl
ookedatRr
agweBant
u’shouse.Ther
ehadn’
t
beenanymovementyet
.
Hesighed.“
Ifeart
hisman.Lastt
imewer
ewer
e
her
e,hewassoangr y.
”
Hiswi
fesi
ghed.“
IwonderwhyPul
ekeepsgoi
ng
backt
othi
sone.”
Theotherauntsmil
ed.“
Pel
oej
aser
athi
.Let
’sgoi
n
whil
eitisst
il
lear
ly.
”
Theyst
eppedoutofthecarandwal
kedt
othegat
e
j
ustasthedooropened.
Mer apel
opausedstari
ngatPule’
srelat
ivesatthe
gate,herhear
tisski
pping.Sheputbackherlaundry
basketandwalkedover.
“
Dumel
ang.
”
Pule’
sunclestookofft
heirhat
sandcroucheddown
greet
ingher.Merapel
olookedbackatt
hehouse
thenlookedatthem.
“
Wearesorrytocomesoearlyi
nthemor ni
ngbut
wewerehopingtoseeyouandRreJosephbef
ore
t
hedayproceeds.
”
Shel
ookedatthem.“Hei
sawake.Iwi
llgoandt
ell
hi
m.”Sheopenedthegat
e.
“
Youcan.
.comei
n.”
Theywalkedi
n.Merapel
o’sheartpoundedsomuch
asshegotbackinthehouse.Shelookedather
husbandcomingoutofthebedroom.
“
LetmegoandmeetSol
omonbef
orehel
eaves.
”
Shesighed.“Mogatsaka,
ther
earevi
sit
orsout
side.I
am beggingyou,canwepeaceful
…please.
”
“
Whatvi
sit
ors.
”
“TheMot samai
so’
sareher
e.Maybetheywantt
o
discusssomethi
ngaboutt
hechi
ldr
en.”
Rr
agweBant
uwal
kedout
.Hel
ookedatt
hem.
“
Lebat
laeng?(
Whatdoyouwant
?)”
.
.
.
Fal
lenAngel
#136

Theoldunclefearf
ull
ylookedathi
syoungerbr
other
whocl ear
edhi
st hr
oatandt ookof
fhi
shatagai
n
greet
inghim.
“
Dumel
ang…wear
esosor
ryt
o-“
“
Hey!whatdoyouwant
?”
Hecl earedhist
hroat.“Wehaveapr essi
ngmat t
er
thatwewer ehopingt odiscusswithyou.Itwi
llneed
allofust osi
tand..andt al
k.It
’saboutour
grandchildr
en.Wear eher etoaskforadatesowe
canal lcomeandt al
kpr operl
y.”
“
Whycan’
tyouj
ustsayi
tnow?
”
“I
tneedsussitt
ingwit
heveryoneelsearound.
”He
wentonhisknees.Theyal
ljoi
nedhi m.“
Weaskt his
wit
hallduerespect
.Wejustcouldn’
tcomeoutof
nowhereandambushyout hat’
swhywear ehere
aski
ngforadate.”
“
Iam notgoi
ngt
ogat
hermyf
ami
lyf
orusel
ess
mat
ters!
”
“I
t’
sveryseri
ous.I
t’
saser
iousmat
ter
.Wewoul
d
neverwasteyourt
ime.
”
“I
fyoursonthi
nkshe’sgoi
ngtoaskformy
daught
erback,Iwil
lper
sonal
lyki
llhi
m and
ever
yoneelsehere.
”
“
It
snot
hingl
iket
hat
.”
“Ok.Let
’smeether
eintwodays.OnSundayathalf
six.I
fyoucomeasecondlat
e,don’
tbot
hercoming.
Ifyoucomeheretowastemyti
me,Iwil
lkil
lyou.
Mar kmywords!
”
“
Eer
ra.Thankyou.
”
RragweBantuwalkedbackinthehouseclosi
ngthe
doorbehi
ndhi m.Pul
e’suncl
esgotupwiththei
r
wivesandquickl
ywalkedbacktothecar
.Theolder
unclewhi
stl
ed.
“
Ret
sel
egonyel
a.(
Hei
sgoi
ngt
ofuckusup.
)”
Theyoungunclestar
tedthecar.“
Wagor ebolaa.I
am goi
ngtorunifthi
ngst ur
nsouth.Sweetheart
,
youwil
lhavetostayclosertomesot hatwhent he
ti
mecomes, wearenowher etobefound.”
Theolderunclesi
ghed.“
ButPul
eisnotr
eal
lya
Motsamaiso,kant
ewhy-“
“Heis.Ifyoustillbel
ievet
hoseboysar enotours
thensomet hingmustbewr ongwi t
hyou.Those
boysar eKgosi’s.Bothofthem.Heknowst heyare
his.Idon’tknowhowbutt heyarehis.Wecando
DNAt estsjustforitt
obeof fi
cialbutthatwil
lopen
acanofworms,t
hoseboyshaveourbl
oodr
unni
ng
i
nthei
rvei
ns.”

*
**

Lat
ert
hatmorni
ng,Tshepoopenedthedoorf
or
Lef
awhowalkedinholdi
ngaplast
icofmeat.
Theybumpedshoul
der
s.“
Eit
a..
”
“
Sure,Ihavebr
oughtbeef
.At
sil
esayshe’
sonhi
s
way.
”
“
Ok…uh,wai
ther
e,l
etmei
ntr
oduceyout
omy
woman.
”
Lef
afr
owned.“
Didn’
tyousayshe’
snother
e?”
“
Yeah,
she’
saboutt
oleave.
”
“
Idon’
tneedt
omeetever
ywomanyouf
uck.
”
TshepolaughedthenLubawalkedover.Lef
a
swallowed,
hisheartr
aci
ng.Lubawalkedover
st
aringathimthenstoodnextgoTshrpo.
Tshepokissedher
.“Babe,t
hisi
stheeLef
a.Lef
a,
thi
sistheloveofmylif
e.Luba.
”
Lubal
ookedathi
m andsmi
led.“
Nicet
ofi
nal
lymeet
you…Lef
a.”
Lef
anodded.“
Yeah…yout
oo.
”
Lubat
urnedt
oTshepo.“
Iwi
llseeyoul
ater
.”
“
Iloveyou.
”
Lefal
ookedawayast
heyki
ssed.Tshepo’
sphone
rang.
“
It
’smyuncl
e.”
Hewal
kedawaypi
cki
ng.
“
Mal
ome.
.”
Lubal
ookedatLef
a.“
Hi…”
Lef
aswal
lowedagai
n.“
Hi.
”
Shesmi
led.“
Youl
ookgood.
”
Heremaindsil
ent.Shesmil
edthenwalkedcl
oser
gr
abbinghisdic.Lef
ajumpedback,
hisheart
al
mostdropping.
Shel
aughed.“
Uhu…otshogi
le?(
Youar
escar
ed?
)
Whyareyouscar
ed?
”
“
Luba-
“
“
Youar
ecut
e…”
“
Iknowt
hatwehavehi
stor
ybutTshepol
ovesyou.
”
“Sowhat?Ihavebeendyingtomeetyou.Tshepo
doesn’
tdoitl
ikeyoudo.Ihavebeenthi
nkingabout
you.Ican’
twaitt
oletyouhavei
t.Youaretheonly
manwhoIact ual
lyfeel
.Yourui
nedmef orother
man.”
Tshepowal
kedbacki
n.Lubasmi
ledt
aki
nghi
scar
keys.
“Letmegobabe…l
ater
.Ni
cemeet
ingyouLef
a.
Bye!”
Shewal
kedout.Lef
atookadeepbreathasTshepo
wal
kedoutf
oll
owinghertot
hecar.Hiskneeswent
weakt
henhesatdown.
Hisphoner
angst
art
li
nghi
m.Hepi
ckedhi
sfat
her
’s
cal
l.
“
Papa.
.”
“Yourbr
otherhastestedposi
ti
vef
orHI
V.Thatgi
rl
gavemysondi seases.”
“
Howi
she?
”
“
Hewascr
ying.I
t’
spai
nful
.”
“
Hewi
llbef
ine.Heshoul
djustdr
inkARV’
s.”
“
Yeah.Ij
ustt
houghtIshoul
dtel
lyou.
”
“
Ok.Iwi
llf
indt
imeandcomet
her
e.”
“
Okmyboy.
”

*
**

AtYamasa’
shouse,Yamasaenviousl
yscrol
led
thr
oughBant
u’sFacebookpi
ctur
esofhersel
fin
BoraBor
awiththeki
ds.
Yamasapausedatonepictureofaman’shandon
herthi
gh.Shel
ookedathishandandr ol
ledher
eyes.Somuchforal
lthatangershehad.
Yamasaopenedanot
herpi
ctur
e..
shezoomedi
tin
andf r
ownedt
ryi
ngt
olookt
hroughBant
u’sl
ong
dress.
Shelookedpregnant.Yamasaopenedthe
comment sunderthepict
urebutt
herewasnot hi
ng
aboutpregnancy.Sheopenedanotheronethen
wentbackt otheprevi
ousoneandstaredatBantu’
s
chubbi
ness…
Yamasal
aughedandf
oundher
sel
ftypi
nga
comment
.
Yamasa:Pr egnantagain?Waitseonaoimil
emma,
(youarealwayspr egnant)wherear
eyoutaki
ngall
theseki
ds?Chi l
drenwi l
lageyou,youar
etooyoung.
Threekids??Kemat hat
a.

*
**

InMaun, Bant
u’scol
leaguewhohadcomment ed
smiledreadi
ngtherestofthecomment sthen
pausedatapar t
icul
arcomment .Shescreenshotit
thenrepli
edtothecomment .
Repl
y:Andhowi sherpr
egnanci
esyourbusi
ness?
Omoloi!Si
es,gaoswabe?Olemasweyaanahow
doyoujustcommentonsuchexpensi
vepict
ures
l
iket
hiskabomaswebo?
Bant
u’sFacebookf
ri
endal
sor
esponded.
Reply2:Uhu!Mol oi
!Threeki
dsarefi
ne,t
her
e’s
nothi
ngwr ongwi t
hthat.Howmanykidsdoyou
haveyourselfbecauseyoulook50.
Thecommentdisappeared.Bant
u’scol
league
ref
reshedt
hecomment sbutitwasgone.
ShesavedBantu’
spict
urethenwentt
oherpr
ofi
le
andpostedi
ttoget
herwit
hYamasa’scomment.
Shequi
ckl
ytypedacapt
ion.
‘
I
fwi
tchcr
aftwasaper
son! ’

TWODAYSLATER
.
.
Sosor
ryf
ami
ly,
thepi
ll
sIt
ookl
astni
ghtknocked
meout.Thisi
sadoublei
nsert
.Lastni
ghtand
t
oday’
smor ni
ngone.Thebonusesshal
lbepost
ed
i
ntheafter
noon.
[
06/
22,
08:
36] :Fal
lenAngel
#137

TwoDaysLat
er…

AtRragweBantu’shouse,
Bantul
ookedatt
heti
me
si
tti
nginheroldroom t
hatnowbel
ongedtoher
youngerbr
other.
Merapel
owalkedi
nalreadydressedinherGer
man
pri
ntski
rtandwhi
teshir
twit
hat sâlear
oundher
shoul
ders.
“
It
’ssi
x.Ther
e’sacarout
side.
”
Bant
unodded.“
Theyareher
e.Theyhavebeenher
e
si
ncehal
f5.Iam scar
ed.
”
Mer
apel
onodded.“
Iwi
shyout
oldmeear
li
er.
”
“
Iwasscar
ed.
”
“
So…yout
wo?
”
Bant
usatdown.“
Iwantt
ofi
xthi
ngs.Wear
egoi
ng
toworkoni
t.
”
“Ok.Iam happyf
oryou.Theki
dsmustbedo
happy.”
Bant
usmil
ed.“Theyar
e.Pul
eisagr
eatf
ather
..he
makesi
tal
llooksoeasy.
”
“Father
salwaysknowhowtomakei teasy.Iam
gladyouruncl
esareher
e.Theywi
llhelpdiff
use
anger.”
“
Mal
omeThapel
oisgoi
ngt
obeapr
obl
em.
”
Mer
apel
olaughed.“
Ij
a.”
Merapel
olookedatt
het
imehear
ingpeopl
egr
eet
ing
att
hegate.
“
Stayher
eti
llyouar
ecal
led.
”
Bant
unoddedthenopenedthecurt
ainsli
ght
ly
l
ooki
ngattheMotsamaiso’
satthegate.
Shesatdownt
aki
ngadeepbr
eat
hin.
*

Outsi
de,Bantu’
suncl essatbythever
andaon
chair
swiththei
rwi vesseatedonthebl
anket
son
thecoldf
loorsdressedinmat chi
ngski
rt
sand
tsal
es.
Merapel
osatclosertoherhusbandbutont hef
loor
t
oo.TheMot samaiso’
swalkedover,rr
agwePule
wal
kingaheadwi t
hhisolderbr
other.Ever
yoneelse
f
oll
owedbehi ndanditseemedeveryonehadcome.
Themenknel
tgr
eet
ingt
hem.
“
Bagol
o,dumel
ang.
”
RragweBant uremainedsil
ent.Hiseyesscanned
thecrowdt i
llhi
seyesfel
lonPul ewhowasbet ween
hisuncles.Hefrownedangri
ly.Merapelohel
dhis
l
egnot i
cinghewasget ti
ngangry.Her emai
ned
quiet
.
Mal
omeThapel
olookedatt
hem.
“
Youcansi
t.
”
Rr
agwePul
eputhi
shandst
oget
her
.“Real
eboga.
”
Hesatdownonthegroundt
henever
yonef
oll
owed
sui
t.Rr
agweBantul
ookedatPul
e.
“It
oldyourfamil
yIneverwanttoseeyoui nmy
houseafteryoutr
iedtokil
lmydaughter
,notonce
buttwi
ce!Notcountingtheti
meswedon’ tknow.
Todayyouar eherehidi
ngbetweenyouruncles.
Comeandsi theresoIcanseeyoujustproperlyf
or
thedogyouar e!
”
Theyoungeruncl
elookedatPul
eandwhi
sper
ed.
“Go.Butdon’
tgotooclose.
”
Pul
estoodupandsatdownwher
err
agweBant
u
waspoint
ing.
Mal omeThapel oproceededt al
king.“Yougat hered
usal lherebecauseyousaidt herewasapr essing
mat teraboutthechil
drenthatyouwant edto
discuss.Wehavel eftourhomesi nourki dsto
comeher etodayandheari t.Wehopei t’simportant
asyousayi ti
sbecauseweal sohadourpl ansbut
wecancel l
edthem t
ocomeher et odayanddi scuss
this.Wecoul dhavebeensl eepi
ngr ightnowbutwe
areher e.Someofuscoul dhavebeenpr epari
ngt o
gochurchbutweareheresolikeIam sayi
ng,i
t
bett
erbeimport
antbecausegaratl
elagotl
ago
tsamekalel
ona.Ehh,wearenotherebecausewe
wantbutbecausei
t’
simportant…solet
’sheari
t.
”
MalomeThapel osatdownl ookingatt
hem.The
Motsamaiso’solderunclestoodupandputhi
s
handstogetherrespect
full
y.
“Wehearyouandl ikewehadsai d,i
twasver y
i
mpor tantt hatwemeetand. .discusst hei ssuewe
comewi th.Weknowt hatther ei
st ensionbecause
ofwhathappenedbet weenoursonandyour
daught erandweunder standyouranger .But…at
theend, whatwi l
lstil
lboundust ogetherusour
grandchildren.Yougaveust wobeaut i
f ul
grandchildrenthatwewi llforeverappr eciate.And
today,wear eheretodiscusst heyoungestoft he
chil
dren.”Heswal l
owed, hishear tnowr aci
ng.
“Fir
stl
y, wewoul dliketoapol ogizefornotcomi ng
earl
ier.Weshoul dhaveandi fwear egoi ngt oget
chargedf orthat,wearer eadyt opayt heamount .
Oursonr ecentl
ytoldust hat…heandyourdaught er
areexpect i
nganot heradditiontot hetwoki dsthat
ar
eal
readyt
her
e.”
Rr
agweBant
ust
oodup.“
Whataddi
ti
on?
!”
TheMot samaisounclecl
earedhisthr
oat.“Thatis
whatwehadal soaskedandhet hentoldust hat…
thatheandyourdaught er…theyhadmetsomet ime
backt ofigur
eouthowt heywillr
aiset
heirchildr
en
togetherbut…uh..thentheyoungestonethatwe
areexpect i
nghappened.”
RragweBant u’
sheartpoundedsomuchasanger
madehi m shake.Hewalkedint
hehouse.Mer
apel
o
quickl
ystoodupandhur ri
edbehindhi
m.
“
RragweBant
u-“
RragweBant
uangri
lyopenedt
hedoor
.Bant
u
quickl
yst
oodup.
Helookedatheri
nherlongf
lar
eddress.Hel
ooked
atherstomach.Bant
uswall
owed.
“
Iam sor
ry.
”
RragweBant uangr
il
ywalkedoveradslapped
acrossherfacesohardhercheekwentnumbas
herearranglosi
ngheari
ng.
Mer
apel
oscr
eamed.“
Stop!
”
“
Aft
erever
ythi
ng!Ever
ythi
ng!
”
Bant
umovedbacki
nshock,
herhandonhercheek
i
ndisbel
ief
.
“
Howdar
eyou?
”
“
Stop-
“”
Hel
ookedatMer
apel
oangr
il
y.“
Soyouknew?
”
“I
fyouputyourhandsonmeJoseph,Iwi
llr
epor
t
youtot
hepoliceandfi
lef
ordi
vor
ce!”
“Goandfi
lef
ordi
vor
cebecauseIwoul
dn’
twanta
per
sonli
keyouonmyside!
”
“
Thi
sisyourchi
ld!
”
HeturnedtoBant
u.“Youcal
lyour
sel
fmychi
ld?My
chi
ld?Ihavenochil
dli
keyou!
”
“
Iam sor
ry.
.“
Heturnedtowal
kawaybuttur
nedgivingheraback
sl
apthatshefel
lbi
ti
ngherl
ipbymistake,
blood
fi
ll
edhermouth.
“Ishouldhavebeat
enyougrowi
ngupbecauseyou
thi
nkyoucandoasyoupl easebr
ingi
ngmecrimi
nal
chil
dren!”
Heyelledangri
lythenwalkedoutgrabbi
ngthe
knobkerr
iethatbekeptf
ort hi
eveswalki
ngoutsi
de.
MalomeThapel ostoodup.
“
RragweBant
u-“
“Youimpregnat
emydaughteraf
terever
ythi
ngyou
didtoher
!Whodoyout hi
nkyouare!Notinmy
house!Ontwaelamogomasweselokewena! ”
Her
aisedhi
sknobker
ri
ehi
tt
ingPul
ewi
thi
t.
Thewi
vesscr
eamedinshock..Pul
e’
syounguncl
e
st
oodupbutr
ragwePul
epulledhim down.
Tshepo’sheartshut
ter
edashewatchedhisol
der
brot
hergetti
ngbeaten.Al
ltheMot
samaiso’
s
remainedsti
ll
.
RragweBant ucont
inuedbeati
nghim sohardasif
hewer ebeatingathiefwhil
ePuleremainedst
il
l
receivi
ngi
t .Bantur
anout si
de.Shelookedat
everyonejustwatching.
Merapelofr
ozelooki
ngasBantur
ushedovert
oher
f
ather.Shepul
ledhim back.
“
Papast
op!St
op!St
op!St
ophi
m!”
RragweBant
upushedBant
ubackandcont
inued
beati
ngPul
e.Bant
ucri
edmorepul
li
nghi
m.
“St
op!PapaSt
op!St
ophi
m!St
ophi
m!St
ophi
m!
Thusang!
”
Merapelorushedover
.“Joseph!Keagokopa…you
wi
llki
llhim.Stop!
”
Tshepotearf
ull
ywatchedandtr
iedst
andi
ngupbut
anotheruncl
eheldhi
m back.
“
Lethi
mrel
easet
heanger
..
”
“
He’
shur
ti
nghi
m.”
Mal
omeThapel
owal
kedover
..“
It
’senough!
”
RragweBant ulookedathim.“Thi
sboyhasdone
nothi
ngbutdi sr
espectme!Heal mostkil
ledmy
chil
d!Hisaim wast oki
llher
!Hewant edherdead!
He’sneverrespectedfr
om thefi
rstday!Ishould
haveknownwhatadoghei s!Aconnivi
ng
disr
espectf
uldog!Notinmyhouse!Nother e!Not
her
e!”
RragweBantutur
nedkickinghi
mt hatPul
espurt
outbloodl
yingonthegroundseverel
ybeaten.
Rr
agweBant
ulookedatt
heMot
samai
so’
s.
“Youcomet omyhouset odisrespectmypeace
becauseyoucan’tholdyourdogatyourr ubbish
houses!Toyouthisisapl ayground!?Aplaceyou
canjustdoasyoupl ease.Mydaught ert
oyoui sa
toy!Oneyoucanjustmovear oundandshewi lldo.
Huh? ”
Mal
omeThapel
osi
ghed.“
Letuscal
m-“
“Iam notgoingt
ocalm downwhenIam r epeat
edly
disr
espectedbythesecri
minalnonsensefamil
y!”
Heangr
il
ywalkedtothebackoft
hehouseshout
ing.
Mer
apel
o’sheartski
pped.
“
He’
sbr
ingi
ngt
hedog!He’
str
ainedt
oki
ll
.”
Rr
agweBant
ucamebackwi
tht
hedog.
“
Rambo!
”
Thedogr
anovert
othem bar
king.The
Mot samaiso’saunt sst
oodupr unningasthedog
cameoverr unning.Theyoungeruncle’swif
e, t
he
younguncl est oodupast hedogjumpedont he
otheruncleat t
acking.TheJosephsaunt ’
sran
i
nsidethehouse.Theyoungeruncl ekickedthedog
thatitf
ellofflett
inggoofhisbrother.Herantohis
wifeanddr aggedheroutgoi ngtothecar.
RragwePul estoodupandstar
tedpull
inghisson,
Tshepor anoverandhel
pedpullhi
sbrotheras
everyoneelseranout
,eachheadedtothei
rcar.
Sniff
ingthebl
ood,t
hedogcameback,Bantutook
offhershoeandthr
ewitatt
hedogbutitpul
led
Pule’
sleg.
Bantupi
ckedherfat
her’sknobker
ri
eandhi
tthedog
hardini
t’
shead.I
tyelpedthenjumpedonher
taki
ngherdown.
Rr
agweBant
ulookedati
t.“
Rambo!
”Hewhi
stl
ed.
Thedogangr i
lyturnedbackt oPule.I
tangr
il
y
barked,
alli
t’
steethout.Tshepopickedthe
knobkerr
ieandhititharderthati
tflewandfel
la
dist
anceawayyel ping,
vibrati
ng.
Rr
agweBant
ulookedathi
sdogi
nshock.
“
Didyouj
usthi
tmydog?
”
Tshepolookedathim.“Yes!Ihiti
tandIwoul ddoit
againifi
ttr
iesit,
Iwil
lpersonal
lyki
lli
t!Focusyour
energyonyourdaughter,maybeifsheclosedher
l
egsshewoul dn’tbegett
ingpregnant
!Shewasn’ t
raped.Shewill
ingl
ygotfucked!”
“
Tshepo!
”
Tshepol ookedathi sf
ather.“
What ?Isthatnot
true?”Heturnedbackt orragweBant u.“Whether
youl ikei
toryoudon’ t
,yourdaughterloveshim.All
youcandoi sacceptitbecauseattheendyouar e
hur ti
ngyourowndaught er.Looktoday…she’ sher
e
faintedbecauseofyou!Swal l
owt hebitterbi
ll
,
not hi
ngyouwi lldowil
lmaket hem part.Youare
justmakingt heirl
oveevenstronger.
”
Tshepoturnedandhelpeddr
aggedPulewhowas
grunt
inginpaintot
hecar.RragweBant
uwalkedt
o
hi
sdaught erandpi
ckedherup.
Heputheri
nthecaranddr
oveof
fal
mosthi
tt
ing
t
hem wit
hhiscar
.
Merapel
oswall
owedthengoti
nthehousewher
e
shegotthef
ir
stai
dboxthenwalkedoutf
oll
owi
ng
rr
agwePuleandhisbr
other
.
.
.
.
[
06/
22,
08:
36] :Fal
lenAngel
#138

Mer
apel
ogoti
nthecarwi
thr
ragwePul
e.
“Youcandri
vetomyhousesoItendt
ohiswounds.
Unlessyouwantt
otakehi
mtothehospi
tal
.”
Rr
agwePul eshookhi
shead.“He’
snotthathur
t.He
wi
llbef
ine.Wecangot oyourhouse.
”
Hest
art
edt
hecaranddr
oveof
fwhi
leTsheposat
t
hebackwi
thhi
sbrot
her
.
Merapel
odirect
edhimthenheparked.Shest
epped
outandtookthekeysf
rom t
heFir
stAidboxand
unl
ockedthedoor.
Shepushedherol
dparent’
shouse.RragwePul
e
fol
lowedi
nsi
de,Tshepobehi
ndhim helpi
nghi
m
i
nside.
Mer
apel
olookedover
.“Br
inghi
m her
e.”
Tshepowal
kedwi t
hhimt othebedroom andl aid
hi
m down.Merapelowalkedtothekit
chent hent ook
outapot
.Shefil
ledwaterinsi
deandputi tont he
st
ove.
Rr
agwePul
ewal
kedoutt
alki
ngont
hephone.
Merapelopouredt hewarm wateri
nadishand
walkedbackt othebedroom.Shepouredabit
anti
septi
cliquidinsi
dethenreachedf
orasmall
towelasrragweBant uwalkedinsi
de.
“
Ihavet
ogoandmeetwi
tht
her
estoft
hef
ami
ly.
”
“That’
sok.Iwi
llcl
eanhi
m upandgi
vehi
m some
painki
ll
ers.
”
“
Thankyousomuch.Ihopewear
enotcausi
ng
mor
etroubl
e.”
“No..youarenot
.It’
sok.Youbot
hcango.
.Iwi
ll
quicklycl
eanhim up.”
Tsheposmi
led.“
Thankyou.
”
TheywalkedoutasMerapel
oputonhergloves.She
gentl
ycl
eanedhim upwipi
ngthef
lood.Shelooked
atthebl
oodstai
nonhischest.
“Pule…wehavet
otakeof
fyourt
-shi
rtsoIcancl
ean
properl
y.”
Shehel pedhi
m slowlyt
akeitoff
.Merapelolooked
thetatt
oosonhi sarmsthenonhisbreast.
.upclose
theylookedevenmor edefi
ned.Shetookadeep
breathandcleanedthewoundonhi schestashe
fl
inched.
Hereyessl
owlywentdowntohisV-li
ne,wi
thhis
pant
spull
eddownabi t
,shecouldseethedef
ini
ti
on
cl
earl
y.Hereyesmovedfur
therdowntothesl
ightl
y
bul
geonhispants.
Sheclearedherthroatlookingawayt henwi pedhi
s
tatt
ooedarms.Shecover edthesmal lcutsand
woundswi thband-aidbandagest hent ookthe
cream f
orhisbruises.Sher ubbedthecr eam
betweenherhandsandt ouchedhi schestfeeli
ng
hishardmuscles.
Shet
ookadeepbreat
happl
yinggent
ly,
herhands
movi
ngdownhisbumpyabs.
Shehadnevert
ouchedsuchahar
dbeforeyetso
sof
t.Shel
ookedathi
shandsomeface,
hisli
ps…
Shegott
hecr
eam agai
nandr
e-appl
iedonhi
schest
.
“Ihavetomassagei
tin.I
t’
sgoi
ngt
ohur
tabi
t.Iam
sorry.
”
Pul
eremainedsti
ll
,hi
seyesclosed.Mer
apel
o
l
ookedathiszi
pjustwonder
ing…
Shepressedhert
oget
her
,hewaspr
obablythetype
toreal
lyknowhowtoworkhi
swai
st.I
tlooked
fl
exibl
etoo.
He’
dprobabl
yhol
dawomandownandj ustf
oras
hepl
eases.I
twaseasyt
oimagi
nehi
m onBantu.
Bant
uwasl ai
dback…quietandsoft.Hepr
obably
hadhiswaywithnot
hingholdinghi
m back
wheneverhegotont
opofher .Andshewastiny.
Merapelotookadeepbreat
himagi
ningjusthowit
wouldfeelbei
ngunderhim…eveni
fitcouldbefor
onenight.I
twoul
dobviousl
ybeworthit
.
Shest
opped.“
Youcant
urn.Iwi
lldot
heback.
”
Pul
eopenedhereyesandl
ookedather
..hi
slef
teye
wasswoll
en.
“
It
sok.It
hinkIam muchbet
ter
.”
“
Justtur
n.Iwillcl
eanyouup.Bantushoul
dfi
ndyou
l
ooki
ngbetterorshe’
dbesost r
essed.
”
Pulesl
owlytur
ned.Merapel
oqui
ckl
ywor
kedt
ryi
ng
tocont
rolhert
hought
s.
Shef
ini
shedup.
“
That
’sal
l.Youcandr
inkt
hepai
nki
ll
ers.
”
Shehel
pedhim dr
ink.
.Pul
etr
iedget
ti
ngupwit
hhis
achi
ngbody.Hemovedslowl
ythenputonhi
st-
shi
rt
.
Merapel
osmi l
ed.“Youl
ookbet
ter
..Iam sor
ryf
or
whathappened.”
“
Ideser
vedi
t.
”
“Idon’
tbel
ievei
nvi
olence.I
tdoesn’
tresol
ve
anythi
ng.
”
“
Hehasever
yri
ghtt
obeatme.
”
“Notl
ikehedid.Eit
herway,
thebabyi
sst
il
lgoi
ngt
o
comei r
regar
dless.
”
Merapel
o’sphoner
ang.Shewal
kedoutoft
her
oom
pi
ckinghi
m.
“
Hel
lo?
”
“
Soyoul
eftwi
tht
heMot
samai
so’
s?”
“
Yes.Howi
sBant
u?”
“
Why?Whydi
dyougowi
tht
hem?
”
“
IsBant
uok?
”
“
Bant
uisf
ine,
answerme!
”
“Good.Iam goi ngt oyourhouseandIam packi ng
myt hings.Ican’tdot hisanymor e.Iwillneverbe
enoughf oryou.Youdon’ tappreciatemenordoyou
l
oveme.Youspeakt omeanyhowanddot hingson
yourownsomet i
mesasi fwear enotamar r
ied
couple.Maybei t
’sbecauseIt hrewmysel fatyou
thatyouf eelit
’srighttotakeadvant ageofmyl i
fe.
.I
am tir
ed.Iam t ir
edofbei ngunder standing.Idon’t
knowhowl ongIam supposedt obeunder st
anding.
Youar elookingf oryourexinmebutIam nother .
Nowi tmakessensewhyIf oundyoual one,you
werelookingforyourexinever ywomanyoumet .I
can’
tdoitanymor e.Iam notgoi ngtokeepdoing
thi
s.Iwantadi vor
ce.Todayr eallyshowedmet hatI
am nothi
ngi nyourli
fetoapoi ntthatyouwantedto
beatmei nfrontofyourdaught er.
”
RragweBant
usighed.“
Iam conf
used,
whendi
dI
l
ookformyexinyou?”
“Youhavebeenl ooki
ngf orher
..
Iknowifshecomes
backtoyou, youwi l
ltakeherback.
.Isawthelast
messageyousenthermont hsback,notknowing
theotheronesIdon’ tknowabout.Iam ti
red.Ican’
t
keepfighti
ngalonet ryi
ngtomaket hi
swor k.How
shouldanyoner espectmewhenmyownhusband
doesn’t?Ican’
tanymor e.Iam movingout.”

*
**

Att
hecl
ini
c,Bantusl
owlygotoffthebed.Herf
ather
wal
kedbackinherwardandlookedather.
Theysil
entl
ywal
kedtot
hecarandgoti
nwhil
e
Bantucal
ledPul
e.Rr
agweBant
udroveoff
.
Hi
sphoner
angf
orawhi
le.
“
Babe…”
Tear
sfi
ll
edhereyes.“
Areyouok?
”
Heweakl
yresponded.
.“Yes.
”
“
Iam sor
ry.
”
“
Hey…don’
tcr
y.”
“
Iwassoscar
ed.
”
“
Iam f
ine.
”
“
Youdon’
tsoundf
ine.
”
“
Iam f
ine.Ideser
vedi
t.
”
“
No.
.”
“
Idid.Maybeaft
ert
his…wewi
lldi
scussaway
f
orwardcalml
y.”
“
Iloveyou.
”
“
Iloveyout
oo.Il
oveyousomuch.
”
RragweBantulookedatBant
ugetti
ngpi
ssed.She
hungup.Herfatherst
oodthecarandl
ookedather
.
“Howdoyoul
ovesomeonewho’
sdonenot
hingbut
hurtyou?
”
“
Ican’
tunl
ovehi
m,whatam Isupposedt
odo?
”
“
Heal
mostki
ll
edher
.”
“Iwasalsoresponsibl
eforwhathappenedthat
morning.Yeshealmostkill
edmebutIam have
for
givenhim.Iam givi
nghim anot
herchance
becauseIcan’tl
oveanyonebuthim.Iam sorry.I
knowyouar edisappoi
nted.
”
“Iwil
lneveraccepthi
m!Never
!Ifyouchoosehim
thenIwilldi
sownyou.Youwil
lhavetofi
ndyoursel
f
anewf atherbecausei
twon’
tbe!Thechoicei
s
yours.
”
.
.
.
[
06/
22,
08:
36] :Fal
lenAngel
#139

Sasa’ssistersniff
edst ar
ingathersist
er’
scoff
in
sl
owlysi nkint hegrave.Tearsroll
eddownher
cheeksast houghtofhowSasawasal mostdoneat
varsi
ty.Thepl anhadbeent hatshe’
dgetajoband
fi
ndwayst owor katBant u’
shouseonlyduring
weekends.
Shepressedherl
ipst
ogetherthenpinchedhersel
f
agai
ntryi
ngtowakeupf r
om thenightmarethat
di
dn’
tseem towanttoend.
MmagweSasacriedsi
lent
lybesi
desheradhe
chur
chchoi
rsang..
Sasa’
ssi
stermovedfrom thecr
owdthenputher
handonherfacecr
ying.Shesatonther
ockcryi
ng
domuchtil
lshecoul
dn’tanymore.
Shet
ookherphoneandtr
iedcal
li
ngBant
ubuther
numberdi
dn’
tgothr
ough.
Shet
ookadeepbr
eat
handt
ypedamessage.
Seba:Iknowt
her
ewasnor
obber
ythathappened.I
knowt hatwasacoverupst or
y.Iknowt hatyou
wal kedinonSasasl eepingwithyourbabydaddy.I
alsoknowt hatyourdaught erdiedinSasa’ shands
themor ningbeforeanyt hinghappened.Iknowwhat
youdi dt omysi ster.Iknowyouat tackedheri nan
attemptt oki
llher
, Idon’tevenunder standwhy
you’ dleaveherhangi ngbyt hethreadwhenyou
coul dhavej ustendedher .Butyoushoul dbehappy
ri
ghtnowbecauseshe’ sf i
nall
ydead.Ihopeyouat e
ablet olivewithyour selfknowingt hekindofper son
youar e.Amur derer.

Shesentthemessageandj
oinedever
yoneagai
n
sni
ff
ing.

*
**

AtTshepo’shouse,
Lubasatonthecouchtr
yingt
o
callLef
a.Heleti
tri
ngthef
ir
stthenfi
nal
lypi
ckedon
thesecondcall
.
“
Stopcal
li
ng.Pl
ease-
“
“
Calm down.Tshepoisnother
e.CanIcomeover?I
wil
lnottakel
ong.Iwantustotal
kaboutt
hatni
ght.
”
“
Iam sorr
yaboutwhathappenedt
hatnight
.I
wasn’
tthi
nki
ngstr
aightandIwasdrunk.
”
“Iwantust
otal
kabouti
tinperson.Don’
tyout
hink
youowemeanexplanat
ion?”
Lef
asi
ghed.“
Tshepor
eal
lyl
ovesyou.
”
“
AnddoI
.Shoul
dIcome?
”
“
Okbutyoucan’
tst
ayf
ort
ool
ong.
”
“
Under
stood.
”
“
Iwi
llsendmyl
ocat
ionpi
n.”
“
Ok.
”
Lubagotupashesentthepin.Shewalkedt
othe
bedroom andputonasmalldr
essandshortbl
ock
heel
s.Shegothersmall
blackbackpackandwalked
out.
Shegotinthecaranddr
oveoffheadedtohi
s
house.Lubaparkedt
hecaradist
antfr
om hi
sgat
e
t
henwalkedt
herestoft
heway.Shewal
kedt
hrough
t
hegat
et ohi
sdoorandknocked.
Heopenedt
hedoorandl
ookedather
.Lubasmi
led.
“
Hi…”
Lefamovedfr
om thedoorl
ett
ingherin.Shewal
ked
i
nsidet
hehouseandlookedatthepictur
esofhi
s
daught
ersonthewall
.
“
Yourdaught
ers?
”
“
Yeah.
”
Shesmiled.“
Theyarebeaut
if
ul.Bot
hoft
hem.
Especi
all
ythatone.
”
Shepoi
ntedatdar
kone.
“That
’sAme.TheoneIhavewi
thMai
na.Remember
her?”
“
Thel
adyyouusedt
ost
aywi
th?
”
“
Yeah…”
“
She’
sbeaut
if
ul.Dot
heyst
aywi
thyou?
”
“
No.Amest
ayswi
thhermot
heri
nBl
ock7.The
ot
heronest
ayswit
hhermom inMaunbutshe’
s
pl
anni
ngonmovingtoGabs.
”
Lubasmil
ed.“
Andt heonewho’
scomi ng?Theone
who’sbei
ngcarr
iedbyyourbr
other
’ssoontobeex
wif
e.”
Lefalookedather
.Lubasmi l
ed.“Iknow.Ialways
hearyouandTshepot al
king.Hehashis
conversati
onsi
npresenceunlessit’
shisbrother
anditreall
yhasnothi
ngtodowi t
hme. ”
“
Ok.Iam sosor
ry-
“
“
Soyouwon’
tof
fermeanyt
hingt
odr
ink?
”
“
Luba,
Ican’
thaveanyoneseei
ngyouher
e.”
“
Who’sgoingt
oseeme?Icameher
eonf
oot
.Rel
ax.
Whyareyoupani
cki
ng?
”
Hewalkedt
ohiski
tchenandcamebackhol
dinga
gl
assofwater
.
Lubastoodup.“Ifyoudon’
twantmehere,
it’
sfi
ne.I
wil
lgo.Ithoughtwe’dj
ustt
alkbuti
t’
sfi
ne.
”
Lefal
ookedather
.“Idon’
twantt
omesst
hisupf
or
Tshepo.
”
“Nooneismessinganyt
hingLef
a.Wearenotdoi
ng
anythi
ngwrongorarewe?Ifwearet
ellmeke
tsamaye.
”
“Iam sorr
y.IjustwantTshepohappy.Her eal
ly
l
ovesyouup.IknowIhur tyoubackthen.Iam sor
ry.
Iwasdr unkandnott hinki
ngstrai
ght
.Youdi dn’
t
deservewhathappenedt oyou.Iam sor
ry.IwishI
couldtakeitallback.
”
Sheblinked.“
Goandr
epor
tyour
sel
ftot
hepol
ice
then.
”
Helookedather.“
Tshepowillnotlookatyouthe
saneknowingIpassedthr
oughyouf i
rst
.Can’twe
j
ustlett
hepastremaininthepast.Wasn’ttheHIV
enoughkarma?”
“
Ihadachi
ldmont
hsl
ater
.”
Lefalookedatheri
nshock.“
Ithr
ewt
hebabyi
na
pitl
atri
newherehedied.
”
Tearsfi
ll
edhereyes.“
Doyour ememberthebaby
thatwasfoundinthet
oil
et?Thatwasthebaby.
”
Heswal
lowed.“
Whydi
dn’
tyout
ellme?
”
“Soyouthoughtaft
eryourapedmewit
houta
condom Iwassupposedtocometoyouandtel
lyou
thatIwaspregnant
?Andwhatwereyougoingt
odo
i
fItoldyou?”
“
Iwoul
dhavet
akenhi
m?”
“Andwhataftert
hat?Ishoul
dhavejustl
ivedwi
th
thefactt
hatIhaveareminderofmyrape
somewher ei
nlif
e?”
“
Iam sor
ryever
ythi
ngIputyout
hrough.You-
“
“
Howmanyot
hergi
rl
shaveyour
apedaf
terme?
”
“
Itwasonl
yyou.Icamebackt
omysenses.
”
Lubasmi
ledwal
kingovert
ohim.“
SoIam t
heonl
y
womanfi
ttobeawifeyousaw?”
“
Luba-
“
“Iwonderhowitwoul
dfeel
towat
chyourdaught
ers
gothroughthesamethi
ng.
”
“
Iam sor
ry.Iknow-
“
Shet
ouchedhisweapon.Lefapushedof
fherhand
i
npanic.“
Youcan’
tdothat?”
“Why?It
oldyou…your ui
nedmef
orot
hermen.I
onl
ywanttofeeli
t.That’
sal
l.
”
“
Luba-
“
“Youwereobvi
ousl
ynotpani
cki
ngwi
thyour
brot
her
’swif
e,whyme?”
“
Tshepoi
smyboy.Ican’
t-
“
Lubatouchedhisdi
cmassagingitinhi
spant
s.Lef
a
tr
iedpushi
ngheroffbutpushedoffhi
shands
pull
ingdownhispants.
Shesmil
ed.“Youci
rcumcised…it’
sbeauti
ful
.
Imagi
neifyoudi
dn’
thavei tanymoreandwon’tbe
abl
etohavesexorimpregnateanyone…”
“
Luba-
“
Shestr
okedhishardweaponmor e,nowt hatshe
waslooki
ngatit
,itwasj
ustaverage.Ithadn’tfel
t
aver
agethenanditwouldn’
tprobabl
ynotf eel
aver
agetoanyunderagechil
dhe’ddecidet orape.
Shelookedathim wonderi
ngifheremember
ed
everydet
aill
ikeshedid…howherscreamsand
cri
eshadbeent urni
nghim onthatni
ght
.Howhe
j
ustneverst
oppedt
il
lhewassat
isf
ied.
Shelookedathi
m andsmi
ledwat
chi
nghi
m br
eat
he
heavi
ly.
“
Come.
.”
“
Luba-
“
“
ComeandseehowmuchIhavegr
own.
”
“
Ican’
tdot
his.Iam sor
ry.
”
“
ThenIwi
llt
ellTshepoyouar
ethenei
ghborwho
r
apedme.
”
“
Luba-
“
“I
sthatwhatyouwant?Formet otel
lhimthatyou
aret
heonewhost ol
emyi nnocence.Justcome.”
Shepickedherbagwalki
ngtotherooms.She
openedthelastr
oom andwalkedi
nwithhim.
Lubasmi ledpushinghim onthebedandpul
ledout
hispants.Lefabreathedheavi
lyl
ooki
ngather.She
tooksomet hi
ngfrom herbagandgotontopofhim
hidi
ngitbehindher .
Shesathersof
tfl
eshonhi
sdi
ckandmovedher
wai
stwhi
lehegr
unt
ed.
Shehel
duphisdi
candsatdownoni
ttaki
nghi
min
herwar
m wet
ness.
Hegrunt
edal
mostburst
ingthereandt
her
e.He
cl
osedhi
seyeshol
dingherwaist.
“
Fuck!
”
Lubareachedforapil
lowspr
ayi
ngthesprayshe
washoldingandpressedt
hepil
lowonhisface
suff
ocati
nghim.
Hepanickedt
ryi
ngtopushheroffbutshepr
essed
t
hepil
lowmor eput
ti
ngallherst
rengt
honhisface.
Secondslat
erheslowlyweakenedandstopped
fi
ghti
ng.Shetookoffthepi
ll
owandlookedathim
knowinghehadinhaled.
.
Lubagotof
fhimthenl
ookedathimt ear
ful
ly,
all
the
pai
nshehadenduredathishandscomingback.
Sheputonhergl
ovesstar
ingathi
m.
Shegotherropethenti
edhishandreal
lyhar
dthen
ti
edtheropetoheadboard.Sheti
edbot
hhishands
thenhi
slegstyi
nghimt othebed.
Lubasighedstar
ingathi
snakedbodytiedtothe
bed.Shegrabbedherbagandtookouttheknif
e…
themindgamesshehadal lf
lyi
ngoutthroughthe
window.
Shecouldnevergetoverhowhadusedhert il
lhe
couldn’
tanymorethenthreats…thebaby…tears
fi
ll
edhereyesasshel ookedathim.Shetooka
syri
ngefrom herbagandi nj
ectedhi
m wit
ht hefl
uid
i
nside.
Lubapi ckedtheknifeshar
pknif
eandheldhi
sdick
upri
ght .Herheartpoundedsomuch,t
herewasno
wayf orhimt ofeelanypai
norremembermostof
thethingsthathadhappened.Shehel
dtheshar
p
knif
e,herhandsshaki ng.
.
.
.
[
06/
22,
08:
36] :Fal
lenAngel
#140
Lubawal kedoutofLef a’
shouseshaking.She
hurr
iedoutt hroughthegateandrantohercar,her
bigbodyvi brat
ingwithever
ystep.Sheunlockedthe
carfrom adistantaway.
Shest
art
edt
hecaranddr
oveof
fleavi
ngdusti
nthe
ai
r.
Shedr ovef
orawhi l
ethenparkedthecarbesides
theroad.Shetookadeepbr eat
hbutt ear
sfi
ll
edher
eyesasshet ri
edtofi
gureoutwhyi thadbeenso
hardtodoit..stabhi
mt odeath.
.ki
llhim.
.
something.
Sheputherhandsonherfaceandbrokedown
cryi
ng.Herphonerangasshecri
ed.Shelookedat
Tshepocall
ingandtookadeepbreat
hpicki
ng.
“
Heybabe-
“
“Ican’
tdothi
sanymore.Ican’
tdoitanymor
e.Iam
sosorrybuti
t’
stoomuchf orme.
”
“
Babe-
“
Shebi
therl
owerl
ipcryi
ng.“
Ican’
t.Pl
ease.
.Ican’
t.
Fi
ndsomeonebet
ter
…someoneelse.”
“
Luba,
what
’sgoi
ngon?
”
“Iam goingtodropoffyourcarandtakemythings
from yourhouse.Fr
om therenevercal
lmeagain.If
youbot herme,Iwil
lopenacaseyahar assment.
”
Shehungupanddr ovet ohishousewhi l
ehecal led
mult
ipleti
mes.Shepar kedthecarathishouset hen
qui
cklypackedherbelongingsthenwalkedout.She
wal
kedt ohisnei
ghborwher esheleftt
hekeyst hen
wal
kedt othebusstop.
Herphonecont
inuedringi
ng,
shetookitoutand
wait
edfori
ttostopthenfi
nal
lybl
ockedhim.

*
**

I
nSer
owe,
Tshepol
ookedathi
sfat
her
.
“
Papa,
nnaIhavet
ogo.
”
Hel
ookedathi
m.“
Isever
ythi
ngok?
”
“Yes.
.Ineedt
odealwit
hsomethi
ng.Aker
erragwe
Banturef
usedtot
alkt
oussothere’
snoreasonfor
met
oremai
nher
e.”
“Ok.Ther
e’ssomethi
ngIam goi
ngtowantt
otal
kto
youandPul eabout
.Butnott
oday.
”
“
Ok.
”
Tshepowal
kedt
ohi
scart
hendr
oveof
fcal
li
nghi
s
brot
her.
“
Yeah?
”
“
Iam goi
ng.Lubai
sdumpi
ngme.Idon’
tevenknow
why?
”
“
Areyoucheat
ing?
”
“No.Iam notcheating.Ihavebeentreat
ingherri
ght
.
Shewascr yi
ngont hephone.Somethingmusthave
tr
iggeredtheoutburst.If
eelshebott
lesalotso…I
am ont herecei
vingendmostoft hetime.She’
s
broken.”
“
Takei
teasyonher
.”
“Yeah.Iam sorryaboutwhathappened.Iknowyou
l
oveBant uandi twouldhavebeennicetohaveher
fat
her’
sblessingsbutthatdoesn’
tstopli
fefr
om
goingon.Nnai twouldn’
tstopmine.
”
Pulechuckled..“Shelovesherf ather.Iunderst
and
hi
sr eacti
on.IfitwereWameI ’
ddoi tworse.He’s
j
ustifi
ed.Ialmostkill
edhi sdaught er.Noparentis
j
ustgoi ngtolookpastt hat.Iwasn’tmeexpect inga
happyr esponse.Iknewhewasgoi ngtobemad.I
wil
ltryagain.Obviouslynott oday.”
“Yeah,
nott
oday.Todayhewi
llki
llyou.Howi
s
she?”
“
She’sfi
ne.Iam gl
adwedidn’tbri
ngt
heki
dstothi
s.
I
twouldhavejustbeent
raumatizi
ngf
ort
hem t
o
wit
nesswhathappenedtoday.”
“
Yeah.AnywaysIwi
llt
alkt
oyou.
”
“
Yeahshar
p.Humbl
eyour
sel
fwhenyougett
her
e“
Tshepohungupdrivi
ngoffheadedtoGaborone.He
tr
iedcal
li
ngheragainbuti
twouldn’
tgothr
ough.
Hest
eppedont
heaccel
erat
orspeedi
ngof
f.

*
**
AtRr
agweBantu’
shouse,r
ragweBantulookedat
hi
sdaught
eri
nahousef ul
lwit
hrel
ati
ves.
“
Sowhatar
eyoudeci
ding?
”
Bant
ulookedathi
m.“
Ilovehi
m.”
“I
fyouchoosehimthenyouarenolongermychil
d.
Iam tel
li
ngyousoyoumakeani nf
ormeddeci
sion.I
am notgoingt
ohaveadisobedi
entchi
ld!
”
Tear
sfi
ll
edBant
u’seyes.“
Papa.
.”
“
Iam t
ell
ingyounowsothatwhenyouchoosehi
m
t
henyouleavemyhouseandnevercomeback.
”
At
earr
oll
eddown.“
Whataboutt
heki
ds?
”
“
Can’
tyoucopar
ent
?”
“Il
ovehim somuch.PleaseunderstandthatIlove
thi
sman.Iknowyouar est i
llangr
ybuthe’s
changed.Hewenttojailf
orit.He’
schanged.Iwant
torai
semyki dswit
hhim.Iwantmyki dstogrowup
thewayIwi shIgr
ewup…wi thafatherandmot her
.
Iwantarealfamil
y.”
“Arealf
ami
lywit
hamanthatal
mostki
ll
edyou?
Youwantarealf
ami
lywi
thamanthathas
mur deredalot
?Ar ealf
amilywi
thacri
minalwho’s
donenot hi
ngbutt error
izet
henati
on?Acriminal
thatdoesn’tworkforhismoneybutsteal
sother
people’shardearnedmoney?Thatiswhoyouwant
tobuildmeaf ami l
ywi t
h?Huh?”
Bant
ulookedathim asheyel
led.“Ican’
thel
pthatI
l
ovehim.Andhe’schanged.Givehim achance-
“
“Iwil
lnotgi
vehim aanychance.Hedeser
ves
nothi
ng.Idon’
tknowhisyoudon’tseei
t.Whathas
hefedyou?”
Bant
usni
ff
edcr
ying.
“Whatareyouchoosi ng?Ifi
t’
shimthenleavemy
propert
yrightnow.Neversetyourfooti
nmyyar d
again.Youarenotmydaught eranymore.Stayt
here
andneveri nyourl
if
et al
ktome.”
Bant
uputherhandsonherf
acecr
ying.
“
Youar
ewast
ingmyt
ime!
”
“
Ilovehi
m.”
“
Thenleave.Youhavechosenamanoveryour
f
amil
y.Amanwhoi sademon.Gotohi
m.Don’t
comebackcr yi
ngtome, i
fyouaretodieathis
hands,
Iwillnotcometoyourfuner
al.I
fanythi
ng
hastohappent ome,nevercomeback.
”
Malome,Thapelostoodup.“That’
snotthewayt o
sol
vethi
s..she’sourchi
ld.Youjustcan’
tjustt
hrow
awayyourchildli
kethat
.”
Anauntagr
eed.“
Iagr
ee.Bant
ukengwanaand-
“
“Sheisnotmychi l
di fshe’
schoosinghi
m andthat
’s
that
!She’
sawomannowaker e.Shecanmakeher
owndecisions.Bantu,Isai
difyouarechoosi
nghim,
getupandgetout !
”
Bant
ucr
iedmor
eseat
edont
hef
loorwi
thheraunt
s.
“
RragweBant
u,pl
ease,
thi
sis-
“
“
Bant
u!”
Bant
uremai
nedseat
edcr
ying.
“
Ifyoudon’tl
eaveitmeansyouaregoi
ngt odo
whatIam sayi
ng.Youaregoinggocal
lthat
murder
erandt el
lhi
mit’
sover.Cal
lhi
m.”
“
Ilovehi
m.”
Herfatherwal
kedtoherr oom wherehecamewi t
h
herbag.MalomeThapel otruedholdi
nghim buthe
angri
lypushedhim offt
hendr aggedhisdaughter
outsi
deandoutsidethegatewhi l
eshecried.Heout
herbagbesidesher.
“Neverinyourlifecomebackhereagain.Iam not
l
ongeryourf atherandyouarenolongermy
daughter.Youhavechosenthatcri
minalsofrom
hereonhe’ syourfamil
y.”
“
Papapl
ease…”
Hewal kedbackinhi
sgateandwentbacktothe
house.Bantuputherhandsonherf
acesit
ti
ngon
thegroundcryi
ng.
.
.
.
[
06/
22,
08:
36] :Fal
lenAngel
#141
Bantuslowlydraggedherselfupaf
teracoupl
eof
minuteslaterandpickedherbagup.Shesnif
fed
sl
owlywal kingdownt hest
reetgoi
ngtothebus
st
op.
Shesatbythebusstopf
ormi
nut
est
hent
ookout
herphoneandcal
ledPul
e.
“
Heybabe.
.”
“
Wher
ear
eyou?Att
hecl
ini
c?”
“
No.Yourmom hel
pedme.
.Iam atal
odge.
”
“Comeandpi
ckmeup.Iam att
hebusst
opcl
oset
o
home.
”
“
Keet
a.”
Shehungupandwai ted.Herphonest art
edringi
ng,
shelookedatYamasacal li
ngandi gnoredthecall
ti
lli
tstoppedri
nging.Minutesl
ateracarsl owed
downnextt oher,
Pule’syoungunclerolleddown
thewindow.
“
Aret
samayengwet
siyar
ona.
”
Bantustoodupashesteppedoutofthecarand
tookherbag.Heputi
tatthebackseatt
henopened
thedoorforher
.Shegoti
natthefr
ont
.Hecl
osed
herdoorandwalkroundt
hecar.
Hej
umpedi
nthecarpi
cki
ngacal
l.
“Isawher .Iam coming.Idon’tt
hinkyoushould
driveinyourconditi
on.Youar ehurtgapeyoucan’t
seepr operl
ywiththatothereye.
”Hel i
stened
car ef
ull
y.“Yourprobl
em isyoudon’tli
stento
anyone.Youwantt ogetint
oanacci dentthenhave
herf at
herkil
lusall.
”
Helaughedthenhungupdri
ving.Banturel
axed
seatedqui
etl
ybesideshi
m.Hepar kedatalodge
thenshesteppedout.
Pul
ewalkedoutalmostl
impingput
ti
ngonhiscap.
Hewalkedovert
ohernotici
nghowdirt
yherdr
ess
was.
“
Whathappened?
”
Hewrappedhisarmsaroundher.Bant
uheldhi
m
ti
ght
lycr
ying.Pul
ehel
dhertight
erastheyoung
uncl
ewatched.
Pul
eki
ssedherneckl
ist
eni
ngt
ohercr
ysomehow
knowi
ngi
thadsomet
hingt
odowi
thherf
ather
.
“
Babe…”
Hercri
esdieddownawhi l
elaterbutt
heycont
inued
hol
dingeachotherf
orminutesastheyounguncle
walkedi
nsidet
helodge.
Pulepickedherupthenwal
kedwi t
hhertothecar
i
gnoringthepainshewasfeel
ing.Heputinsi
de
thenkissedherrubbi
ngof
fhertears.
“
Tal
ktome.Whathappened?
”
Shelookedathi
m andbl
inkedemot
ional
ly.“
Iam
sor
ry…”
Pul
ekissedherhands.“
Ideser
vedt
hatandmor
e.I
wasreadyfori
t…”
“Il
oveyousomuch.Idon’twanttobewi
thoutyou
becauseIknowIam notgoi
ngtobehappy.Iwant
ustorai
seourchi
ldr
entogether
.”
Atearr
oll
eddownhercheekt
henhegent
lywi
ped
away.
“
Iloveyoumor
e.Il
oveyousomuchmor
e.”
“
Papadi
sownedme.
”
“
Hewhat
?”
“
Itwasei
therusorhi
m.”
Puletookadeepbr
eat
hin.“
He’
sangr
y..Iwi
llt
ry
again.
”
Bant
unoddedt
hensmi
ledt
ear
ful
lyt
aki
nghi
shand.
“It
hinkt
hebabyiscomi ng.She’
sabi tear
ly…I
guessyour
slikecomingbeforeti
me.Iam notsure
whybutshe’scoming.Ifel
therearl
ymor ning.
”
Pul
elookedather
.“Ar
eyouser
ious?
”
Shenodded.“
Yes.Whatar
ewenami
ngher
?”
Pul
eki
ssedher
.“Reat
il
e.”
Bant
usmi
led.“
Let
’sgo.Idon’
twantt
ogi
vebi
rt
h
her
e.”
Pul
estr
appedherwit
ht heseat
beltki
ssi
ngher
.He
cl
osedt
hedoor,Bant
u’sphonevibrat
ed.
ShetookoutherphoneandopenedYamasa’
s
message.
Yamasa:Hi,Iam i
nsomuchpai nrightnow.Iam at
thehospi
talri
ghtnow.Idon’
tknowwhat ’
sgoingon
butIam bl
eedingsomuch.Ifeell
ikedeath.
Bant
utookadeepbr
eat
handr
esponded.
Bant
u:Hi
.Iam sor
ry.Getbet
tersoon.
Yamasa:That
’sal
l?Neemmawhathappenedt
ous?
Bantu:Shoul
dn’
tyoubesavi
ngyourener
gy
becauseyouaresi
ck?
Yamasa:If
eell
ikeourf
ri
endshi
pisonesi
ded.
Bant
u:Youarei
magi
ningt
hings,
gongwei
t’
syour
pai
n.Sl
eep.
SheputawayherphoneasPulei
nthecart
henhe
st
art
edthecaranddroveof
f.

*
**

Yamasagrunt
edinpainonthehospi
talbed.Her
gynecol
ogi
stwal
kedin.Shesi
ghedlookingat
Yamasa.
“
Hi…”
“
Hel
pme.
”
Shesighed.“
Youaregoi
ngt oneedasurger
y.An
abdominalmyomectomybecauseyouhave
multi
plel
argeanddeepfi
broids,
ver
ylar
gefibr
oids.
”
“
Wil
litst
opt
hepai
n?”
“
Yes.
”
“
Doi
t!I
t’
stoopai
nful
.Iwanti
ttost
op.
”
“
Ok.Letmet
alkt
oasur
geon.
”
“
Thankyou.
”
Yamasareachedf
orherphoneandcal
ledher
mother
.
“
Hel
lo?
”
“
Iam i
npain.Myst
omachi
spai
nful
.Thedoct
orsay
i
t’
sFi
broi
ds.”
“
Fibr
oids?
”
“
Theyar
egoi
ngt
odoasur
ger
y,canyoucome?
”
“
Yes.Whydi
dn’
tyout
ellmewhen…Iam comi
ng.
Yourf
atherwi
llr
emai
nwi
thAka.
”
Yamasapr
essedherl
ipst
oget
hertr
yingt
oholdin
butt
hepai
nhadherburst
ingi
ntot
earscr
yingout
l
oud.
“
It
spai
nful
….Iam i
npai
n.”
“
Itwi
llbewel
l.Iam comi
ng.
”

*
**

Latert
hatday,
atLefa’
shouse,Lef
aslowlywokeup
ti
edtothebed,hel
ookedaroundtryi
ngtorecal
l
whathappenedbuthismemorywasdi st
ort
ed.
Hepull
edhishandsbuttheropegoteventi
ghter
.
Heconti
nuedpull
ing,t
heropeti
ghtenedonhisski
n
br
uisi
nghim.Hetookadeepbr eat
hknowingevenif
hescr
eamed,noonewoul dhearhim.Andhismaid
wasonlycomingintomorr
ow.
Hetr
uedpul
li
ngagai
nbutnot
hingwashel
ping.He
si
ghedf
rust
rat
ed.
*
**

Tshepopar
kedhiscaratLuba’
shouset
hen
st
eppedout.Heknockedonherdoor
.
“
Babe!
”
Hetookouthisphoneandcal
ledherwi
ththenew
number.Herphonerangi
nsi
detheoneroom.
“Iknowyouareinther
e.Pleaseopen…Iam beggi
ng
you.Open.
.let
’st
alkaboutthi
s.”
Heknockedagai
n.“
Babe!
”
Lubaremai
nedqui
et.Tshepo’
sknockedmor
ethen
walkedr
oundherr
oom butthewindowswer
e
cl
osed.
“
Luba!
”
Hecont i
nuedknocki
ng.“Ifyoudon’
topent
hisdoor
,
Iam kicki
ngitdown.Luba!Comeonbabe..let
’s
tal
k.”
Insidetheroom Lubaremai
nedquietl
yingonher
bedsni ff
ing.Shepausedcr
yingashestart
ed
kickingthedoor.Shetooki
tadeepbreathsl
owly
sitt
ingupr i
ght.
Heslammedhi sbodyont hedooroverandover.
Sheslowlygotup,herheartpoundi
ng.Tshepo
cont
inued,Lubalookedatthesoundsthedoorwas
making.
Sheslowl
yreachedf
orherphoneast
hedoor
st
art
edcracki
ng.
“
Tshepost
op!
”
“
Opent
hisdoor
!”
“Iam cal
li
ngt
hepoli
ceifyoudon’
tst
op.Youar
e
destr
oyingmyhouse!
”
Hecarr
iedon.Hesl
ammedhisbodyhar
deront
he
door
.Sheswall
owedthent
urnedt
hekeyand
qui
ckl
ymovedaway.
Hekickedi
topeni
ngi
tasshemovedt
othewal
l
t
err
if
ied.
Tshepol
ookedather
.“Youar
enotgoi
ngt
owakeup
anddecidet
obr eakupwi
thmedoyouhearme?I
wantyoutogivemevali
dreasonswhywear
e
breaki
ngup.Talk!
”
Shel
ookedathi
m shaki
ng.Tshepocl
osedt
hedoor
andwal
kedovert
oher.
“
Whathappened?
”
Shet
ear
ful
lyl
ookedathi
m.
“
Whatdi
dIdo?
”
Shel
ookeddowncr
ying.Tshepot
il
tedherchi
n.
“Iam notcheat ingonyou.Iam notlyingtoyou
aboutanyt hing.Ihavebeentransparentandhonest
withyou.Asf arasIam concernedIam tryingtobe
thebestIcanbet oyou.Imaynotbeper fectbutI
am trying.Whatyouar enotgoingtodoi st hi
nkyou
canj ustbreakupwi thmefornor eason.Today
betterbet helastdayyoutal
kbr eakupwi thme.
Herei tdoesn’tworkli
kethi
s.Her ewet al
kandwor k
thi
ngst hrough.Her ewedon’tbottl
eemot ions.Now
youar egoi ngtotal
ktomel i
keyourmanandt ell
mewhat ’swr ong.
”
Shet
ear
ful
lyl
ookedathi
sser
iousf
aceand
swal
l
owed.
.
.
.
[
06/
22,
08:
36] :Fal
lenAngel
#142

“
Tal
ktome.
”
Lubalookedathi
m..“
Can’
tyouj
ustacceptmy
deci
sion?”
“
Iam notgoi
ngtodothat
.Youar
egoi
ngt
otel
lme
whyyouarebreaki
ngupwit
hme.”
“
Idon’
tloveyouanymor
e.”
“
That
’syourr
eason?
”
“
Yes.
”
“Thenwearenotbr
eaki
ngup.Youar
enotchi
ldand
youarenotgoi
ngtopl
aymindgameswit
hme.Iam
gi
vingyouanot
herchancetotel
lmewhat’
sgoi
ng
onordoyouwantust otal
katmyhouse?Wecan
st
il
ldothat
.”
Shel
ookedathi
m.“
Idon’
tloveyouanymor
e.”
Tshepobendedpi ckingherupthenthr
ewheronhis
shoulder
.Shescr eamedhol dingonashewalked
outwithherlockingbehindhim.Heputheronf r
ont
seatandclosedt hedoor sl
ockingthecar
.He
quickl
ywalkedr oundt hecarandjumpedinasshe
openedthedoort oj umpout .
“
Closethatdoor
!Iam notpl
ayi
ngwi
thyou,
tswal
a
l
ebati
.”
Hi
sfir
m shar
pvoicemadehercloset
hedoor
.He
st
art
edthecaranddr
oveoffheadedt
ohishouse.
Hedrovei
nhi
syar
dandpar
kedt
hecar
.Hel
ooked
ather
.
“
Areyour
eadyt
otal
k?”
Sher
emainedquiet
.Tsheposteppedoutofhi
scar
l
ocki
ngherinsi
dethenwalkedinsi
dethehouse
l
eavi
ngherinthecar.
Lubat
ri
edopeni
ngt
hedoorscr
eami
ng.
“
Tshepo!
”
Shetouchedherpocketbutshehadforgot
tenher
phoneatherhouse.Shescreamedlouder.
“
Tshepo!
”

Insi
dethehouse,Tshepowal kedtohisbedroom
whereheshoweredt henwalkedtot heki
tchenand
star
tedcooki
ng.Overt wohourslaterhefi
nall
y
walkedoutsi
deandunl ockedthecar.
Heopenedthedoorandlookedathesleepi
ng.He
pi
ckedherupwakingherupandwal kedint
he
house.
Heputheront
hecouch.“
Tal
ktome.
”
Shelookedathi
m.“
Icoul
dhavesuf
focat
edi
nthe
car
.”
“
No.Youwoul
dhavenot
.Canwenotbechi
ldi
sh?
What
’sgoi
ngon?
”
Lubalookedathim.“
Remembert
hemanwhoIt
old
yourapedme? ”
“
Yes…”
“Imethi
m.”Shetookadeepbr
eat
h.“
Andi
t’
s
someoneyouknow.”
Tshepol
ookedather
.“Ther
api
sti
ssomeoneI
know?”
“
Yes.Yes.
”Shebl
inked.“
It
’ssomeoneyouknow.
”
“
Who?Whoi
sit
?”
“
Itdoesn’
tmat
terwhoi
tis,
what
-“
“
Tel
lmewhoi
sit
?”
Shelookedathim.
.hel
ookedatt
hetear
sinher
eyestr
yingt
of i
gur
eoutwhoitwas.
“
Who?
”
Herli
pst
rembl
edasshet
ri
ednott
ocr
y.Hel
ooked
ather
.
“
Isi
tPul
e?Orsomeonef
rom wor
k?”Tshepopaused
t
henst
oodup.
.“I
t’
sLef
a?”
Lubasni
ff
edwipingawayhertear
s.“I
t’
sLefar
ight
?
Themanwhor apedyou…thefamil
yfri
end…you…
hewasyourneighbor
…you..
”
Tshepost
oodup,
hishandsi
nhi
shead.“
Itwas
hi
m!”
Lubaputherhandoverhermout
hcryi
ng.Tshepo
tookhi
scarkeysandquickl
ywal
kedout.Lubaran
outandhel
dhisarm.
“
He’
snotwor
thi
t.He’
snot.
.”
Tshepopr
essedt
hegat
eremot
ejumpi
ngi
nthecar
.
“
Tshepo…wai
t..he-
“
Tshepostart
edthecaranddr oveoff.Lubar
an
backinthehouseandgrabbedt hecarkeyst
oother
car.Shegoti
nthendroveoff.

*
**

AtLef
a’shouse,
Tshepopar
kedt
hecarandwal
ked
t
othedoor
.Heopenedt
hedoorwal
kingi
n.
“
Lef
a!”
HewalkedtoLefa’
sroom wher
ehef oundhi
m
boundtothebed.Lef
alookedathi
m.
“
Lai
taka-
“
Tshepowalkedoutandcamebackwi
thakni
fecut
theropef
rom hi
sarmsandlegs.
Heangr il
ypull
edhim of
fthebedandpunchedhi m.
Lefafellknowi
ngshehadt oldhim.Tshepopul
led
him upandpunchedhi m again,
eachpunch
knockinghim down.
Lubar
ani
n.“
Tshepo!
”
Tshepokickedhi
m bet
weenhislegs.Lef
agr
unt
ed
curl
inghisbodyi
ntoabal
l.Tshepopull
edhi
m
punchinghim.
“Tshepostop!I
fyoudon’ tst
opt henwearedone!
Youar egoi
ngtokillhim!Don’tbeli
keyourbr
other
.
Youwi l
lgotojai
l!Stop!”
Hel
ookedatherangr
il
y.“
He-
“
“
Lethi
m go!Lethi
m go!Lethi
m go!
”
Tshepokickedhi
sdigmore.Lef
ascreamedput
ti
ng
hi
slegstogether
.Lubapul
ledTshepo.
“
It
’senough.
.pl
ease…i
t’
senough!
”
“
Het
ookawayyouri
nnocence!
”
“Iam notgoi
ngt
ol ethi
mtakefur
therfr
om me.Iam
doingmuchbett
er.Iwil
lnotl
ethi
mt akefur
ther
from me!”
“
Otsi
legonyel
a!”
Hewalkedout
.Lubaf
oll
owedaf
terhi
m.Shehel
d
hi
shand.
“Iwasgoinggohur thim.Ilongpl
annedhowI
wouldhurthim.Icarri
edtheangerinmyheartfor
solong.Iwasgoi ngtohavemyr evengebutt
hat
wouldbeturningmei ntosomethi
ngIam not.Att
he
endI’
dstil
lbel osi
ngmyself.Iwanttomoveon.I
wanttoheal.
.Iwanttobeatpeace. ”
“I
fthatwasyourreasonforwant
ingtobr
eakup
wit
hme, keagana(Iam ref
usi
ng.)Youar
enot
goingtol
eavemef orthat
.Wearegoinggowor
k
thr
oughthi
stogether
.Otsi
legonyel
aLef
a.Let
’sgo
home.Iam behi
ndyou.”
Hehuggedhercomf
ort
ingher
.

*
**

Laterthateveni
ngatGaboronePr i
vateHospital
,
Bant usweatedlyi
ngonthesmal lbedbreat
hing
heavilyexhaust
ed.Themiddlewi f
elookedatthe
babyt ryi
ngtopushthr
ough.Shet ookasmal lkni
fe
thencutBant u’
svagi
nasli
ghtlygoingdownt oher
perineum.
“Rai
seyourheadli
keyouar
eget
ti
ngupandpush.
OneTwot hr
ee!”
Shesl
appedBant
u’si
nnert
high.Bant
urai
sedher
headpushi
ng.
“
Agai
n!Pushhar
der
!”
Bant
ugr
unt
edpushi
nghar
der.
“
Onel
astt
ime!Push!
”
Shegr unt
edpushing.Thebaby’sheadsl owl
ysl i
d
outteari
nghermor e,herwholebodyfoll
owedaf ter
herhead.Themi ddlewifesmil
edcatchingthebaby
coveredinblood.Acoldbreezehitherskinthenshe
star
tedcrying.
Bantulookedupbr
eat
hingheavi
ly,
test
sfi
ll
ingher
eyes.

*
**

Outsideatt
hewaiti
ngar
ea,Pukepacedf
rust
rat
edl
y
thensatdownlooki
ngatthet
imewonderi
ngif
everythi
ngwasok.Hisphonerang.
“
Ski
jo…”
“
Ist
hebabyoutyet
?”
“
Iam notsur
ewhat
’sgoi
ngon.
”
Skar
aspoke.“
Whydi
dn’
tyouent
erwi
thherl
ikei
n
movies?
”
Ski
jol
aughed.“
Gat
wei
t’
str
aumat
izi
ng.
”
“
Sayst
hemanwi
thf
ourbabymamas.
”
Pul
elaughed.“
Didt
heydel
iver
?”
“
Yes.Andtheypai
d.Ihear
dtheyaregoingtobe
t
ranspor
ti
ng4milkamosoinFranci
stown.
”
“
Ski
joweeh!It
oldyouIhaveaf
ami
ly!
”
“
Iknow.Iwasj
ustsayi
ngaker
e.”
“4mi
ll
ioni
snothi
ng.Iam notgoi
ngdownf
orsucha
smal
lamount
.Ihavechi
ldren.
”
“
FNBhasupt
o60mi
ll
ionatt
hei
rheadquar
ter
s.”
Skarat
ookthephone.“Don’
tli
stent
othi
sonehe
doesn’
tgetsat
isf
ied.
”
“Iwanttoleavethegameandf ocusonmyf amil
y.I
havethreekidsandwife.Ineedt oactri
ght.We
haveal otofmoneywecan’ tevenusef r
eely.I
actual
lywanttoopenabi ggermot orcentersoIcan
cleant
hemoney. ”
“That
’sapl an.NnaIwanttomovetoNewZeal and
orAustral
ia.Somewherefar.St
ayatafarmthere
andjustenjoymyl i
fewi
thawhi t
eladynextt
ome. ”
Pul
elaughed.“
TakeSki
jowi
th.
”
“Andhis10chil
dren.Babynumber3isexpect
ing.
Heneedst oj
ustmar r
yalloft
hem t
hentheyst
ay
t
ogether.
”
Ski
joshout
edf
rom t
hebackgr
ound.“
Nomusawa
gana.
”
Anur
sewal
kedovert
ohi
m.“
Ihavet
ogo.
.sur
e!”
Hehungup.Thenur
sesmi
led.
.“Youcancome.
”
Pul
ef ol
lowedhertoBant
u’sroom.Heslowly
walkedinandfoundherl
yingonthebedfeeding
Rea.
Hesmi
ledwal
kingover
.
“
Hey…”
Bant
ulookedathi
m.“
Shecanf
unct
iononherown.
”
Pul
egent
lypickedherupandl
ookedather
.Het
ook
adeepbr
eathandsmi l
ed.
“
She’
sahuman.
”
Bant
ulaughed.“
Coul
dhavebeenacar
rotbaby.
”
Hesatdownhol
dinghi
sdaught
er.

*
**

TshepolookedatLubasl
eepi
ngt
hateveni
ngt
hen
cal
ledLefa.
“
Hel
lo?
”
“
Otsi
legonyel
awena.
”
“IknowwhathappenedinPule’
shouset heday
Wamedr owned.Ihavetheevi
denceandi fanythi
ng
shouldhappent
ome, thepoli
cewillr
eceivei
t.The
DISwillr
ecei
veit
.Let’
sseeifyourbrot
hercan
handlehispr
eci
ousgirl
fri
endbeinginjai
l.
.
.
.
[
06/
22,
08:
36] :Fal
lenAngel
#143
“
Areyout
hreat
eni
ngme?
”
“Takeitanywayyouwant .Iam justt
ell
ingyou
whatisgoi ngtohappeni fanythi
ngshoul dhappen
tome.I t
’snotonlyt hat
,youknowIknowal most
everyshityouhaveeverdone.Nowt hatyouhave
threat
enedmyl i
fe,Iam goingtokeepaf i
lesothat
whent hetimecomes, t
het r
uthlandsint hehands
oftheappr opr
iatepeople.”
“Otsi
legonyel
aLef
a.Iam t
ell
ingyounowsoyou
know.”
Tshepohungup.Lefat
ookadeepbr
eat
hthen
madeanothercal
l.
“
Lef
a..
”
“
Tshepoknows.She’
sfi
nal
lyt
oldhi
mthet
rut
h.”
“
Itwasexpect
ed.Howdi
dhet
akei
t?”
“
He’
spi
ssedbutI
’
m wor
ri
ed,
he’
sthr
eat
eni
ngme.
”
Hisbosssi
ghed.“Iknow.It’
sok.Goodthingyou
l
ongtoldmeaboutt his.Ri
ghtnowther
e’snothing
youcandobuttaket heoff
erIputonyourtable.
Thebrunchi
nLondonneedsyou.Thecompanyi s
wil
li
ngtosponsoryoutostudyatOxfor
d.Youwil
l
l
eadtheUKbr unch.Youdon’thavet
ostayher
e.
Theseguysaredangerous.Youknowthat
.”
Lef
asl
owl
ysatdown.
“Youwi l
lst
il
lgetpaid.Thecompanyi ssponsori
ng
yourstaythere.ThebrunchinUKneedsyou.We
areexpanding.Wewi l
lsortoutyourdocuments.
”
“
Ok.
”
“
Per
fect
.St
ayathomei
nthemeant
ime.
”
“
Ok.
”
Lefahungup.Hetookadeepbreath,
hisphone
rangstar
tl
inghi
m.Hesmiledpi
cking.
“
Hey…”
“Hi,
justr
eadaboutt
hecaseyouwonagai
nstt
he
stat
e,youar
egoingplaces.
”
Lef
alaughed.“
Thanks.
”
St
acyl
aughed.“
Otshegangl
ait
aka?
”
“
Youbar
elycal
lmesi
nceyouf
oundaman.
”
“
Itendedi
ntear
s.”
“
Becauseyour
eject
edme.
”
“Mxm, Irej
ectedyoubecauseIknewdeepdown
youwer esti
llintogames.KanannaLefaIlovehard.
AndIl ovesohar dIgocrazy.Il
iket
oavoidhurt
ing.
Ijustsawyoui nthenewspaper
.Congr
ats.”
“
Thanks.It
ry.
”
“
Youmor
ethanj
ustt
ry.Youar
egoodatt
his.
”
Hesmi
ledshyl
y.“
Thankyou.
”
“
Ok,
shar
p.”
“
Howar
eyou?
”
“
Iam f
ine.
”
“
Areyoust
il
linSer
owe?
”
“Yes.Ihavebeenthi
nki
ngaboutopeni
nganew
branchelsewher
e.Iam st
il
lwor
kingonitt
hough.
”
“That’
sagr eatpl
an.Thewayyouar
efocused,
I
don’tdoubtthat.
”
“
Iam st
il
lwor
kingont
hef
unds.
”
“
Iam movi
ngtoLondon.Gongwei
fyoudi
dn’
trej
ect
meI’
dbegoingwi
thyouthenyou’
dopenabr
anch
t
her
e.”
Stacylaughed.“
Orwewoul dhavelongbr
okeup
becauseyouwoul dhavecheat
ed.”
Lef
alaughed.“
Ilongst
oppedcheat
ing.
”
“
Mycl
ienti
sher
e.Bye.
”
“
CanIcal
linyoul
ater
?”
Shelaughedhangi
ngup.Lefasighedsmi l
ingbut
hi
ssmi l
equickl
ydisappear
edasAl onecall
ed.He
l
etthecallr
ingt
il
litst
oppedthentextedher.
Lef
a:Busy,
tal
klat
er.
Shet
ext
edback.
Alone:Heybabe,Ihavesubmit
tedmyresignat
ion
l
etter
.Amont hlef
tthissi
deandIwil
lbejoini
ngyou,
Iam soexcit
ed.Imissyou.
Helookedatthemessaget
henwentonFacebook
di
str
actinghi
mself
.
*
**

Atthehospi
talt
hef ol
lowingday,Yamasaslowly
wokeupundert hei
nfluenceofheavydrugs.She
sl
owlybli
nked,hereyesfall
ingonhermother.
MmagweLefasmi
ledr
eal
izi
ngshewasawakeand
qui
ckl
yst
oodup.
“
Yaya…”
Yamasaweaklylookedather,
hereyesf
eeli
ng
heavy.Shecl
osedhereyesthensl
owlyopened
them.
“Theoper
ationwasasuccess.Thedoct
orsdi
dit
.
Youaregoingtobef
ine.
”
Tear
sfellf
rom t
hecorner
sofYamasa’seyes
l
andingonherpil
low.Shecl
osedhereyessl
ippi
ng
i
ntounconsci
ousness.
Hermot
hert
ouchedherf
ace.“
Yaya?
”
Sheswall
owedthensl
owl
ysatdownhol
dingher
daught
er’
shand.
Thedooropened,Lef
awalkedi
nholdi
ngfl
ower
s.
MmagweLef astoodupandhuggedhim.
Lef
awr
appedhi
sar
msar
oundher
.
“
Shewi
llbef
ine.
”
“Thedoct
orssai
dtheyhadtoremoveeveryt
hing.
Shecanneverhavechi
ldr
enofherown.”
Lef
afr
owned.“
What
?”
“
Theysai
dtheydi
dn’
treal
izehowi
ntensei
twas.I
t
wast
heonlyway.
”
Lef
aswal
lowed.“
Doessheknow?
”
MmagweLef
ashookherhead.“
No.Notyet
.”
“Shecabhar vesthereggsandhaveachi ldthr
ough
asur rogate.Iam surethat’
spossibl
e.Yes,i
t’
s
painfulthatshewon’ tbeabletocarr
ythebabybut
thereareot heropti
ons.It’
snottheendofthe
wor l
d.”
Lef
alookedathi
ssistert
henputthefl
ower
snextto
her
.Helookedatherpalefaceandhel
dherhand.
MmagweLef
asatdown.“
Ifeell
ikemychi
ldr
enar
e
cur
sed.Iam goi
ngt
oseesomeone.
”
“Ascammer
?Don’
twasteyourmoney.Nooneis
cur
sed.Wear
efi
ne,shi
thappenst
othebestofus.
”
“Whymychil
drenal
one?Lookatyou?Youar
enot
evenmar
ri
ed.”
Lef
asmi
led.“
Mamat
hat
’snotacur
se“
.”
“
DorememberKat
so?WammaKat
so?Hegot
mar
ri
ed.
”
Lef
alaughed.“
Kat
soi
sKat
so.
”
“Yougr ewupwithKatso.Youragematesare
mar r
ied.Whathappenedtothatnicegi
rlwho
helpedyouwalkthetimeyouwer eparal
yzed?”
Lef
asmi
led.“
Stacy?
”
“
Yes.Thel
ightonewi
thani
cebody.
”
“Iwasn’
treadyforthatt
ypeofl
ovet
hen.Iwoul
d
havehurther.Maybenow.”
“Iknowhermother
.Wegot
ochur
cht
oget
her
.
ShouldIt
alkt
oher?”
Lef
asmi
led.“
Ok.
”
“Shoul
dItal
ktoyourfat
hert
oo?Whenshesaysyes
ebeontshamagadi.
”
“Mama,
we’
dneedt
oseei
fwear
ecompat
ibl
eor
not
.”
“Andthatwhyyouar esi
ngle.Imetyourf
atherat
church.Intwoweekshewaspayi ngmagadiand
l
ookt oday?Soifshesaysyes,otl
antshamagadi?”
Lef
alaughed.“
Yes.
”
“
Good.Iam goi
ngt
ocal
lhermot
her
.”

*
**

TshepoparkedatBotswanaAccountancyCol
lege
andlookedatLubathatsamemorning.
“
Youwi
llf
indmewai
ti
ngwhenyouar
edone.
”
Shenodded.Tshepot
il
tedherchi
nandki
ssedher
.
“
Keagor
ata.
”
Sheshyl
ysmi
led.“
Lennakeagor
ata.
”
“
Go.
”
Lubasteppedoutofthecarandwalkedinsi
dethe
schoolpremi
sesholdingherbag.Herski
nny
cl
assmatewhowasal sowalki
nginsi
detheschool
hurr
iedovertoher
.
“Hey…wai t
semmayouar esoluckyt ohaveaman
whodr opsyouof
fatschooleveryday.Wher eist
he
othercar?Whatdoeshedof oraliving?Obereka
kaenemma?Doesn’ thehaveabr othersoyoucan
hookmeup. ”
Lubalaughed.“
Ij
a,di
dyousubmi
tthat
assi
gnment ?
”
“
No,
notyet
.Iam notdone.
”
“
Met oo.Let
’sgoandworkonitnowbef
oret
he
l
essonstart
s.Iwantt
osubmit
.”
“
Ok.War
ewher
edoeshewor
kagai
n?”
“Waaii
,that’
shisboss’
scar.He’
sonlyadr
iver
.That
othercaristhecompanycar.Theonehej
ust
droppedmeof fini
shisboss’scar
.”
“
Hei
sadr
iver
?”
“Yes.Helet
smeuset hecompanycarwhenhi
s
bossisnotaroundmmehe’sjustadr
iver
.Hef
ail
ed
form 3andstar
teddr
ivi
ng.
”
“
Uhu!
”
“
Ebil
ennawasmbor a.Hedoesn’
tevengi
veme
money.
.ongamegapehestaysinaoneroom.O
r
atamorobal
ommedol ol
oanythi
nginret
urn.
”
“
Whydoyoust
ayt
hen?
”
“
AhhIl
ikef
reer
ides.
”
Thefri
endlaughed.Lubachangedt
het
opi
cast
hey
walkedtot
heclass.

*
**

AtGaboronePri
vat
eHospit
al,Bant
uchangedher
daught
er’
spamperandlookedather.Shesmi
led
taki
ngapict
ureandpost
edonherWhat sApp.
Mer
apel
oimmedi
atel
ycal
led.
“
Mama.
.”
“
Himygi
rl
..whendi
dyougi
vebi
rt
h?”
“
Lastni
ght
.”
“
She’
sear
ly.
”
“Iam nowusedtot
hef
actt
hatIgi
vebi
rt
hto
prematur
ekids.
”
Mer
apel
olaughed.“
AreyoubackatKasane?
”
“Pul
eandIhavedeci
dedt
hati
twoul
dbesti
fImove
backtoGabor
one.
”
“
Youar
emovi
ngi
nwi
thhi
m?”
“
No.
”
“
Justbehonestmygi
rl
.Iam notyourf
ather
.”
Bantulaughed.“Theki
dswoul
dlovei
tifwewer
eal
l
underoneroof.”
Merapel
olaughed.“
Ihopeyouar
esavi
ngyourown
moneyont hesi
de.”
“
Iam.
”
“Good.Doyouneedmet
ocomeandhel
pwi
tht
he
baby?”
“No.Idon’twanttocausemorefight
sbetweenyou
andpapa.Iwi l
lmanage.Iknowyouar eangr
yover
whathesai dbuthelovesyou.Youknowhedoes.
Hehashi sowni mperf
ecti
onsbutyouarethebest
thi
ngthat’
severhappenedt ohi
m aft
erme.”
Theybot
hlaughed.
“
Pleasedon’
tleavehi
m.”
“
Iwon’
t.Buthe’
sgoi
ngt
osweat
.”
“
Iagr
ee.
”
“I
fyouneedmet
ocome,
justcal
l.Iam aphonecal
l
away.
”
“
Ok.
”
Shehungup.Bant
usmi
ledpi
cki
ngPul
e’
scal
l.
“
Hey,
Iam att
hemal
l,
whatshoul
dIbr
ingf
oryou?
”
“
Nandos.Ful
lchi
cken.Iam sohungr
y.”
“
Ok.Anyt
hingel
se?
”
“
Havet
heki
dsar
ri
ved?
”
“
Iam goi
ngt
opi
ckt
hem att
heai
rpor
tfr
om her
e“
“
Idon’
twantanyt
hingel
se.Justhur
ry.
”
“
Ok,
Iloveyou.
”
“
Iloveyout
oo.
”

*
**

Atthemal l
, Pulewal kedoutofAirportJunct
ionMall
holdingBant u’sfoodt oget
herwit
hacoupl eof
shoppingbagswi t
haf ewclot
hesforherandt he
baby.Hesl oweddownasaNeonAudiR8dr oveby.
Hel ookedati tadmi r
inglyasthewheelsroll
edon
themal l
’spavement .
Thedriverroll
eddownthewindow.Pul
e’
sjaw
droppedast hedri
verst
oppedthecar
.Shetookof
f
hersunglassessmili
ng.
.
“
Ali
tt
lebi
rdyt
oldmeyouwer
eher
e..hi
.”
Pul
efr
ozestar
ingatherasshesmi
ledpushi
ngher
l
ongcurl
edherback.
.
.
.
[
06/
22,
08:
37] :Fal
lenAngel
#144

I
nSerowe,rr
agweBantuwalkedthr
oughthegateat
Mer
apelo’
shouse.Heknockedandsteppedback.
Mer
apeloopenedthedoorhol
dingabroom.
“
Hi.
”
Shesi
ghed.“
Iwi
llcol
lectmyt
hingst
omor
row
morni
ng.
”
“Idon’tl
oveorwantmyex.Nei theram Ilooki
ngfor
herinyou.Ilongbr okeupwi thPeggy.Atsome
pointaft
ershel eft,
Iprayedshe’dcomebackbutI
gotoverthat.Ilovedheral ongt i
meago.Iknow
somet i
mesIhur tyou,i
thurtsthatyouthinkit’
s
becauseIam l ookingformyexi nyou.Itrytobethe
besthusbandandpar tnerIcanbet oyou.Ihave
neverlookedatyouandt houghtoff i
ndingmyexi n
you.Ifyouhadabi tofPeggyinyou, Iwoul dhave
l
ongl eftyou.Youf oundmesi ngl
ebecauseIdi dall
Icouldtopr otectmyhear tfrom hear tacheandI
hadachi l
d.Ididn’
twantmydaught ertof eelshe
wasshar i
ngmyat t
ention.Yest erdayIwasangr y.I
am disappointedandhur t.Iam hur tthatshe’d
chooseamanwhoal mostki lledher ,IthoughtIhad
rai
sedherwel ltoknow. .”Hesi ghed.“Ihadnever
rai
sedmyhandonher .Irai sedherwi thsomuch
l
ove, It
houghtIwasshowi nghert heki ndoflove
shewoul ddeserve.Iam hur tthatyouknewand
keptitfrom me.Isai dt hingsyest erdaybecauseof
painandanger .Ij
ustt houghtwedi dn’tkeep
secretsfrom eachot her .Ifel tbetrayedandIst i
l
l
do.”
Mer
apel
olookedathi
m.“
Irecent
lyf
oundout
.”
“Andyoudi
dn’
tt hi
nktot
ellme?Ineverkeep
anyt
hingf
rom you.”
“Yourreact
ioniswhatmademenotsayanything.
.I
wantedtowai tf
orhert
otel
lyou.Iwascaught
betweenar ockandahardpl
ace.”
“
Am If
aul
ttobeangr
yanddi
sappoi
nted?
”
Mer
apel
osi
ghed.
.“No.
”
“Iam sorr
yforthethi ngsIsai dinanger .I
twas
wrong.Pleaseforgiveme.Il oveyou.Idon’ teven
thi
nkaboutPeggyanymor e.ItextherbecauseI
wanthertoknowhowourdaught eri sdoing.Isti
ll
carr
yt hehopethatonedayshewi llacknowl edge
herowndaught er.Iappr eciatether oleyoupl ayi
n
mydaught er’
sli
fe,youhavebeenwonder fulbutI
knowBant ucravesf orhermot her’
sl ove.Iwi l
lst
op
tel
li
ngheraboutBant u’swel l
beingi fitdoesn’tmake
youhappy.”
“I
tdoesn’
tmakemehappy.I
tmakesf
eell
ikeyou
arest
il
lhunguponher
.”
“
Ok.
.Iwi
llst
op.
”
Shel
ookedathi
m andsmi
led.
.“Canwet
alkabout
Bant
u?”
“Idon’
twantt
otalkabouther
.Ti
llshel
eaveshi
m,
she’snotmydaught
er!
”

*
**
Overtwohoursl
ater,
Bantutookherphoneand
cal
ledPul
eagain.Thephonerangasshelist
ened.
ThedooropenedthenMotheoranin.
“
Mama!
”
Bantu’
sfrowndi
sappear
ed.Shesmi
ledwatchi
ng
Pul
ewal kedi
nbehi
ndcarryi
ngWamecutt
ingher
cal
l.
“
Hey…”
Mot
heolookedatt
hebabysl
eepingnextt
ohis
mot
her
.Hegaspedstar
ingatherti
nybody.
“
Shei
ssmal
l.
”
Bant
usmi
led.“
Becauseshe’
sst
il
lababy.
”
Pul
ewalkedcloserwit
hWamewhocur
iousl
y
l
ookedatthebaby.Shesmi
led.
“
It
’sourbabymama?
”
“
YesWawa.
.it
’sourbaby.
”
Wamehel dherl
it
tl
esof thand.Mot
heol
ookedathi
s
babysi
stermesmerized.
“
Isshegoi
nghomewi
thus?
”
“
Yes.
”
Pule’
sphoner
angfrom hi
spocket.Het
ookitout
thencutt
hecal
landputhisphoneinhi
spocket
Wamer aisedherhandssoBantucantakeher.
Bantusmi l
edtaki
ngher.Theki
dslookedatt
he
babytouchingherti
nyfi
ngers.
Motheol eanedoverwhisper
ingsomethingtoWame.
Wamel aughedandwhisperedback.Bantusmil
e
watching.Sherai
sedherheadasPul e’
sphonerang
again.Hecutthecallandstart
edtypi
ng.
Pul
esli
dhisphoneinhi
spocketdi
str
acted.He
l
ookedatherandsmil
edget
ti
ngcloser.
“
Howar
eyouf
eel
ing?
”
“
Iam f
ine.You?
”
“
Iam f
ine.
”
“
Wher
eisRut
h?”
“
Out
sidei
nthecar
.”
“
Wher
eismyf
ood?
”
Helookedather
.“Shi
t!If
orgot
.Letmeor
deryou
somethi
ng.”
“
Wer
en’
tyouatt
hemal
lwhenyoucal
ledme?
”
“Iwas.Butt
herewasalongqueue.It
houghtI
’d
passbyfrom t
heair
por
t.If
orgot
.Iam sor
ry.
”
Shenodded.“
Ok.Youcanor
derf
ullchi
cken.
.”
“
Ok.
”
Hepressedhi
sphoneasshetur
nedbackt
othe
chi
ldr
en.Pul
e’
sphonerangagai
n.
“
Iam comi
ng.
”
Hewalkedoutanswer
ing.Bant
ulookedathi
m as
hel
eftthem.Minut
eswentbyasshewai t
ed,about
5minuteslat
erhewal
kedbackin.
“
Youor
der
ed?
”
Helookedathert
hent
ookouthi
sphoneand
qui
cklycal
ledt
henumberor
deri
ngherf
ood.
“
Ther
e.”
Shel
ookedathi
m unabl
etoshakeof
fthat
somet
hingwasoff
.
“
MamacanIhol
dthebaby?
”
Bantul
ookedatMotheo.“
Yes.Butsi
tdown.Let
daddyhel
pyou.Babe..
”
Shel
ookedathi
m ashet
ypedonhi
sphone.
“
Pul
e!”
Hel
ookedather.
“
Sor
ry.Oneofourt
ruckshadanacci
dent
.”
“Mot
heowantst
ohol
dthebaby.Lethi
m si
tdown
andhol
dher
.”
Hewalkedovert
othebaby.Bant
usmi
ledhol
ding
hi
shand.
“
Wher
ear
eyou?
”
“
What
?”
Shesmiledwhi
sper
ingl
ooki
ngi
nhi
seyes.“
Youar
e
nother
e…”
Hesighedthenki
ssedher
.“Iam sor
ry.Iwi
lll
et
Tshepohandlei
t.
”
“
Doyouhavet
ogo?
”
“No.No,Idon’
thavet
obeanywher
ebuther
e.Iam
sorr
y.”
Heki
ssedheragai
n.“
Iam sor
ry.
”
“
Ok.
”
Heputhi
sphonedownandpi
ckedhi
sdaught
er.
Hisscr
eenli
tasheattendedt
otheki
ds.Bantu
pi
ckeditupcur
iousl
yandunlockedt
hescreenand
openedthemessage.
Shel
ookedatt
hewholeconver
sat
ionandscr
oll
ed
l
ooki
ngwherei
tst
art
ed..
Number
:Soyouj
ustl
eft
?
Pul
e:Whatdoyouwantmet
odo?It
oldyou,
I
movedon.
Number:Iknow.Iam notaski
ngyout
oleaveyour
babymama.
Pule:Thenwhatdowant
?Wel
ongendedt
hings
donkeyyearsback.
Number
:Ij
ustcamebackandIt
houghtI
’
dgr
eetol
d
f
ri
ends,
ist
hatwrong?
Pul
e:Iam notyourf
ri
end.
Number :Whenweendedthingsweagreedtobe
fr
iends.Iknowwedidn’
tendonagoodnot e.Iam
sorryforbombar
dingyouli
kethat
.Ij
ustwantedto
sayhi.Andalsoseeyou.
”
Pul
e:Yousawme.Hiback.
Number:Canwemeetandt
alk?Let
’sdodi
nner
…
t
oni
ght.Please.
.
Bant
uputhisphonedownandtookadeep.She
swal
lowed,
herhandsshaki
ng.
Hisphonefl
ashedagain.Hetur
nedandlookedati
t
thenpi
ckedit
.Heputitinhi
spocketandturned
backtotheki
ds..
Visi
ti
nghoursoonended,
Bantuhuggedt
heki
ds
andlookedatPul
eashepickedWame.
Hel
eanedoverandki
ssedher
.“Iwi
llcal
lyoul
ater
.”
“
Ok.Il
oveyouPul
e.”
“
Iloveyout
oo.
”
Shel
ookedatherki
dsandt
ookadeepbr
eat
h.
“
Bye.
”
Hewalkedoutwitht
hekids.Bant
upickedher
phoneandquickl
ydi
aledthenumbershehad
memorized.
Shelookedatitf
orawhi
le,
herhear
traci
ngt
hen
tappedi
tcall
ingher
.
I
trangt
hri
cebef
oreshepi
cked.
“
MayaKat
eng,
hel
lo?
”
Bant
uswal
lowedl
ist
eni
ngt
oaccent
.
“
Hel
lo?Who’
sthi
s?”
Bantuhungup,herhear
traci
ng.Shel
ookedather
phonethenwentonFacebookandsearchedher
.
Shetappedanaccountthenscrolleddownher
ti
meli
neopeningherclearpi
ctures.Shewasso
beaut
ifulandver
yli
ghtincompl exion.Ever
ypi
ctur
e
shepostedgotmorethan2klikesandl oadsof
comment s.
Sheblinked.Hehadnevercheat
edonher .He
wouldn’tputherthr
oughthat
.Hecouldbeanyt hi
ng
butnotacheat er
.Shetookadeepbreat
ht al
king
al
one.
“
Trustyourman…hedoesn’
tcheat
.”
Shesi
ghedt
henleftherpr
ofi
le.Bant
u’sphoner
ang
asMayacal
ledherback.
Bantu’
shear
tstart
edpoundi
ng.Shet
ookadeep
breat
handpicked.
.
“
Hel
lo?
”
“
Hi,
whoi
sthi
s?”
“
Iam sor
ry,
Imi
sdi
aled.
”
“Whydidn’
tyouj
ustsayt
hat
?Youdon’tj
ustcal
l
peopl
eandkeepquiet
.Howoldar
eyou?”
“
Isai
dIam-
“
Shehungupbef
oreBant
ucoul
dfi
nishhersent
ence.
.
.
.
[
06/
22,
08:
37] :Fal
lenAngel
#145
Bant
ulookedatherphonef
orawhi
let
hencal
led
hi
m.
“
Babe-
“
“Pl
easecomeback.Leavet
heki
dswi
thRut
hmo
kol
oing.
”
“
Areyouok?
”
“
Comeback.
”
“
Ok.
”
Shehungupandt ookadeepbr eat
h.Mi
nut
esl at
er
Pulewal
kedin.Bantuputthebabyonhert
rol
ley
nextt
oherthenlookedathim.
Shesl
owlysatupr
ightcar
efulnott
ohurther
sel
f
wit
hherst
it
ches.Sheheldhishandandsmil
ed.
“Idon’
tknowwhatel seIcangiveyoubecauseI
havegivenyoueverythi
ngIcould.Ihavegivenupa
l
otforyouandchoseyour egar
dlessofanythi
ng
becauseIloveyou.
”
“
What
’sgoi
ngonbabe?
”
“Idon’twantyout
ohur tmewhenyoucanl eaveme.
Idon’twantyoubreaki
ngmewhenyoucanal ways
l
eave.Iloveyouenought ol
etyougoifourlove
doesn’tser
vethepurposeanymore.
”
Pul
ecuppedherf
ace.“
Whywoul
dIhur
tyou?
”
Shelookedathi
m andl
ookeddownast
ear
sfi
ll
ed
hereyes.
“
Babe…”
Pulesatnextt
oherandhuggedher.Shehel
dhim
ti
ghtl
ycryi
ngsilent
ly.Her
ubbedherbackt
hen
ki
ssedher.
“
Idon’
twantt
oleaveyou.
”
“Iknowyourexi sback.Ihavej ustgi
venbi r
th,I
don’thavetheener gytofi
ghtforus.Pleasedon’ t
hurtmel i
kethis.Don’thur
tmyki ds.Idon’twantt o
continuehurt
ing.Ifyouwanthert henitsfi
ne, t
ell
met henIstopt r
ying.Iwil
lacceptthatIwasj usta
babymaki ngmachi netoyouandmoveon. ”
Pulerubbedoffhertear
s.“Shei
sbackbutt
hat
doesn’taf
fectus.I
fIwantedher
,Iwoul
dhavel
ong
wentaf t
erher .Herbei ngbackdoesn’ tmeanInow
wanther .Iloveyou.Il oveyoumor ethananything.I
l
ovemyki ds.Il oveyouandourki ds.Iam notgoi ng
todoanyt hingt ojeopardizethat.Ibumpedi ntoher
atthemal l..Idi dn’
texpecttoseeher .Shegr eeted
meandt riedt ost r
ikeaconver sation.Itendedt here.
Thenshet ext edme.Someonegavehermynumber ,
Idon’tknowwhobutIam goi ngt odealwi t
hwhoI
suspect.Her eismyphone. ”Hehandedi tt
oher .“I
am sorryIl ett heconver sat
iondr ag.Ishouldjust
blockherbecauset hi
srighthere…i smyhappi ness.
Iam cont ent .Idon’twantanyt hingel se.
”
Shetear
ful
lyl
ookedathi
m.Heki
ssedher
.“Idon’
t
wanttol
eave.
”
“
Youwer
edi
str
act
ed.
”
“
Yes.AndIam sor
ry.
.”
Hi
sphonest
art
edr
ingi
ng.Shel
ookedathi
m.
“
Isi
ther
?”
Het
ooki
t.“
Yes.
”
Hepi
ckedput
ti
ngi
tonl
oudspeaker
.
“Hi
,ar
ewedoi
ngdi
nner
?Icancomeandpi
ckyou
up.
”
“
No.Iam notdoingdi
nnerwi
thyou.Iam spendi
ng
t
heeveni
ngwi t
hmywoman. ”
“Lol
…whyar eyoubri
ngingherupi nevery
conversati
on?Sincewhendoeshavi ngawoman
stopyouf r
om anythi
ng?Imi ssyou.Let
’sdodi
nner
andcat chup.Doyoustil
lfuckli
keyouusedto?”
“Iam bl
ocki
ngyou.Youaregoi
ngtoof
ar.Ij
ustt
old
youIam spendi
ngtheeveni
ngwit
hmywoman. ”
“Imissyou.Imi
ssyoudestr
oyi
ngitwhi
le
pleasur
ingme.St
opplayi
nghar
dtoget.Yourso
call
edwomandoesn’thavet
oknow.”
“
Yousoundl
ikeapr
ost
it
ute,
stopcal
li
ngme.
”
Hehungupandbl ockedher.“
Iam sor
ryI
enter
tai
nedher.Iam tryi
ngtoworkonget
tingyour
tr
ustback.Idon’
twantt odest
roywhatwehave.I
l
oveyou.”
Shetouchedhisbear
dsni
ff
ing.“
Don’
thur
tme…
pl
easedon’thurtme.
”
Pul
eleanedoverkissi
ngher.Bantucl
osedhereyes
ki
ssi
nghim back.Puleputhishandonherthi
gh
movingi
tup..sheheldhishandandsmiled.
“
Youar
enotsupposedt
odot
hat
.Ihavest
it
ches.
”
Hesmi
ledback.“
Iwasj
ustt
ouchi
ngyourt
high.
.
t
hat
’si
nnocent
.”
Sherel
axedlooki
ngi
nhiseyes.“
Wewon’
tbe
havi
ngsexforawhil
e.”
“
Iwent4year
s.3mont
hsi
snot
hing.Havef
ait
hin
me.
”
Shesmi
led.“
Ok.
”
“Gapewhosai dwewon’tbedoi
ngot
hert
hings.
Thereareotherwayst
opleasur
eour
sel
veswithout
actual
lyfucki
ng.
”
Shechuckl
ed.
.“Ok.
”
Anursewal
kedi
n.Pul
eki
ssedherandwhi
sper
edi
n
herear
.
“
Iwi
llcomel
ater
.”
“
Ok.
”
“
Iloveyou.
”
“
Iloveyout
oo.
”
Hewalkedout.Bant
ul ai
ddownr eassur
edthen
smi
ledalone.Thenurselookedathersmil
e.
“
Omonat
emj
olot
hedat
ing.
”
Bant
ulaughed.

*
**

Pul
ewalkedoutpi
cki
ngacal
lfr
om apr
ivat
e
number
.
“
Yah?
”
“Wasshet her
e?Shecal
ledmemi
nutesbackthen
keptqui
et.Idi
dn’
tknowshewast
hatinsecur
e.”
“
Didn’
tIj
ustt
ellyounott
ocal
lme?
”
“
Canwemeet
?”
“Whatar
eyousmoki
ng?Icanseet
heplasti
c
sur
geri
esyoudi
dhavegot
teni
ntoherhead.Idon’
t
knowwhoyout hinkyouar emmewambor aandby
theway, thosethingsdon’ tlookgoodonyou.You
l
ooklikesomet hi
ngmy4year solddaught erdraws.
Nevert al
kaboutmywi feasi fyouknowherf rom
somewher e,ketagot hubakacl apaanddi ssolve
whateveryoui njectedyour selfwith.Don’tevercall
meort alkaboutmywi f
e,ifyoudowagonyel a
bli
ndIsweart oyou, youwi llneverstepfootint hi
s
country.Thisbetterbeyourl astcallbecausenext
ti
meIwi l
lnotbesoni ce.”
Hehungupwalki
ngtotheparki
nglott
henj
umped
i
nhiscaranddr
oveoffheadedhome.

*
**

Atahot
elinGabor
one,Mayal
ookedatherf
ri
end
whowasholdi
ngaglassofwhi
tewineandl
aughed
i
nshock.
.
“Thewayhe’
stryi
ngt
oconvi
ncehimsel
fthathe’
s
committ
edtothi
swomanisfunny.
”
Thefr
iendl
aughedt
oo.“
Maybehedoes.Younever
know,Imean,
hehaski
dswit
hher.
”
“
Sowhat?Hemayhavemi
ll
ionki
dswi
thher
.It
woul
dn’
tmeanshi
t.
”
“Butwhyareyouaf
terhi
mli
ket
hisMayamma?I
t’
s
beenyear
s.”
“Imadeamistakel
eavi
nghi
m.Il
ovedhi
mjustt
hat
hewasn’
tanidealman.
”
“
Sonowhei
s?”
“Yes.Andhe’sshitri
ch!Davi
ddied.Ithoughthe’
d
l
eaveeverythinginmyname, hedidn’
tandnowI
am backatzer o.Mychil
dneedsaf at
her.Puleis
thefat
her.Ijustneedagreatpl
antogethi m.”
Thef ri
endlookedathim.“ NnammaPul ekeamo
tshaba.Yes,he’sallt
hat,Iknowbuthe’stooscary
forme.Heonceshott hatsamewomanhe’ swith
aftershecheatedorsomet hi
ng.Idon’
tevenknow
howshecoul dtakehim back.Hepostedheronhis
Facebookdayback.Idon’ tknowwhatkindoflove
thatisbutIknowIdon’ twanti t
.”
“Hejustneedar eal womant otamehi m down.A
reall
ady…Iam goi ngt ogethim.Inevercheatedon
him sothat
’sanadvant agetome.Idon'thave
chil
drenIam bringingwi th,
thi
swi l
lbemyf i
rst.
Withmehe’ sgetti
ngt hef ul
lmeal.AndIknowPul e.
He’dnevernotfuckmeoranyt hingwithavagina
betweenit’
slegs.”
.
.
.
[
06/
22,
08:
37] :Fal
lenAngel
#146

“Hejustneedar eal womant otamehi m down.A

reall
ady…Iam goi ngt ogethim.Inevercheatedon
him sothat
’sanadvant agetome.Idon'thave
chil
drenIam bringingwi th,
thi
swi l
lbemyf i
rst.
Withmehe’ sgetti
ngt hef ul
lmeal.AndIknowPul e.
He’dnevernotfuckmeoranyt hingwithavagina
betweenit’
slegs.”
“Andyout hinkhewon’tknowt hat’
sit’
snothisbaby?
Alsoonceyouhaveachi l
d, t
herewon’tbeany
dif
f erencebetweenyouandhi sbabymama.You
willalsobeababymama.I t’
snotlikeheis
desper ateforachildwhenheal readyhaswhat ?
Thr ee.Youar esett
ingyoursel
fforfail
ure.Gi
ving
bir
tht oachi lddoesnotmakeamanl oveyou.IfI
wer eyouI ’
dabor t
.Youcan’tbeababymamaand
compet ewithanotherbabymama. ”
Mayal
ookedathersi
lent
ly.
“Younevercheat edbutheobvi ouslylovest
heone
whocheat edonhi m.Youf ai
ledtost andbyhissi
de
whenheneededyout hemost .She’sbeenwithhi
m
thr
oughhi sjai
ltime.Tot ayouar eset t
ingup
yourselff
orfail
ure.IfIwereyouI ’
dgobackt oPari
s.
Getaj obandst aythere.Youst il
lhavemoney.Go
backandst oprentingexpensi vecard.Pule’
smoney
i
snotguar anteed.Hewi llembar rassyouandmar r
y
her.
”
“NotifIplaymycardsri
ght
.Iam f
ourmonths
pregnant.Thedoct
orsai
dabort
ingisar
isk.
.Imay
l
osemyl i
fe.”
“
Davi
dwasawhi
teman.
”
“
Iam l
ighti
ncompl
exi
on.I
twon’
tshow.
”
“
Youar
egoi
ngt
ogi
vebi
rt
htoacur
lyhai
rbaby.
”
“Hewon’
tknowanythi
ng.Foral
lweknowi
tcoul
d
befr
om mygenes.
”
Thefri
endlookedatherandsi
ghedsippi
ngher
winedefeat
ed.Mayalookedatherbodyont
he
mirr
orthenherface.
“
Canyouimagi
ne?HesaysIam ugl
y.”Shelaughed.
“
He’
stryi
ngtor
unawayfrom me.Iwi
llcat
chhi m.”
Thefr
iendpressedherphonet
henshowedher
Bant
u’spict
ure.
“Youarecompeti
ngwit
hthi
s.Noanybeauty
enhancement…nomakeup.
.nonothi
ng.Justt
his.
.
besi
desthreeki
dsandwhatnot
,competi
ti
onis
thi
s.”
Mayalookedatt
hedar
kski
nnedwoman.“
Isshe
pr
ett
iert
hanme? ”
Thefri
endl
ookedathert
henthoughtoft
hefree
expensi
vewi
neshewasdr i
nki
ng..“
No.Iam sayi
ng
thi
siswhatyouarecompeti
ngwith.Youdon’
tneed
topinpr
egnancyonhim whenyoucanwinhimfair
andsquare.
”
Mayasmil
ed.“
Iwouldabor
t.Ij
ustdon’
twanttodi
e.
SoPul
eiti
s.Eneshe’
snoteventhatpr
ett
y.”
Thefri
endsippedherwine.“Mhmm…whydon’tyou
postyournewpict
uresonFacebook?Isawyoust
il
l
postpict
uresfr
om f
iveyearsago.
”
“
Kanapeoplel
iketal
king.Idon’
twantanyone
t
alki
ngaboutme.”
Thefr
iendlookedatMaya’
sbodythenface.She
smil
edrefi
ll
inghergl
asswit
htheexpensivewine.

*
**

Pul
ewal kedi
nSkij
o’shousethatsameevening.
Ski
joandSkaraturnedt
ohim watchi
ngaf ootbal
l
match.Pulel
ookedatSkij
o.
“Li
etomeandIam goi
ngtoputyoui
nyourTV.You
gaveMayamynumber?”
Ski
jostoodup..“
Shesai
dshehadsomet
hing
i
mportantto-
“
PulethrewapunchbutSki
jododgedandj
umped
overhiscouchheadedt
othedoor.
“
P-man,
li
sten-
“
“
Areyout
ryi
ngt
odest
roymyf
ami
ly?
”
“No.Comeon…no.IlikeBantubutMayacaughtme
bysurpr
ise.Idi
dn’
texpectyouseeher
.”
“
Soyougi
vehermynumberi
nyourshockand
wher
eIam speci
fi
cal
ly?
”
“
Shesai
ditwasur
gent
.”
Skar
agotup.
.“Whatdi
dshewant
?”
“ShewantstomeetupandIdon’tknow,fuck.She.
.
Iwasn’
texpect
ingtoseeher.Imetheratthemall.
Shesaidshewantedtotal
kaboutsomething.I
shoul
dhavenotgotteni
ntohercar.
”
“
Yougoti
nhercar
?”
Pulel
ookedatSki
jowhost
oodbyt
hedoorr
eadyt
o
runof
f.
“Shesai dshewant edust ot alk.Thatwasmyf ir
st
mi stake.Shestartstal
kingabouthowweusedt o
be…andever yt
hingelse.Bant uthencal l
edebeke
tsamaya.Ievenf orgotherf oodi nthatAudi.But
nowshewast extingandt ryingt ocallwhenIwas
withBant u.”Pulesighed.“Bant ucaughton..Isaw
herpi ckmyphone.Sher eadt hemessagesandshe
cried.Idon’twantt ohurtherl ikethat.Ij
ustgother
back.CanIhavemyf r
iendsnotr uinmyr el
ationship?
Thi sisnotaboutBant uandIonl y,t
herearechildren
i
nvol ved!”
Ski
josi
ghed.“
Iwasn’
tint
endi
ng-
“
“Tsekmsono!Don’ tgi
veanyonemynumber !Ota
nyelaSkij
o!Iam notpl ayi
ngwit
hyouoranyone!
Thisismyf amily!Wehaveenoughshi ttodealwit
h.
Myphonei snotjustmyphoneonly.Somet imes
shetouchesi t
,Iwillnotst
opherbecauseshehas
everyri
ghttoit.That’swhyIsai
dIwantoutoft he
game.Iwantt of ocusonmyf amil
y.Iwantt hat
normalcy.Don’tgivepeoplemynumber .Ifyouwant
Maya, t
hegr oundisopenbutIwantt hatwomanf ar
from Bantu.
”
Skar
alookedatSkij
o.“Iwi
lldealwi
thit
.Butwhati
f
Mayatel
lsBantuthatyougotinhercar
?”
“
Iwil
lki
llher
.Mat
teroff
act
,Iwi
llki
llanyonewho
t
ri
esit
..
”
“
Ler
ragwet
ota?(
Evenherf
ather
?)”
Pul
elaughed.“
No..he’
simpor
tant
.Dealwi
tht
his
onebefor
eIdoitmyself
.”
Hewalkedoutwhil
eSkij
ostoodadist
antaway.
Pul
egotinhiscaranddroveof
frecei
vinga
message.
Number:Hi
.Don’
trepl
y..
Ist
oleyournumberfrom
Maya’
sphone.She’
spregnantandistr
yingtopin
t
hepregnancyonyoutorui
nyourrelat
ionshi
p.Just
t
houghtyouhadtoknow.
Puledelet
edthemessaget
hendr
oveof
fheadedt
o
thepri
vatehospi
tal
.

*
**
MmagweLef
alookedatYamasawhowasst
il
l
cr
ying.
“YayaLefasai
dyoucanst
il
lhaveki
dsthr
ougha
surrogat
emychil
d.I
t’
snott
heendoftheworl
d.”
Shetouchedherhand.“
Iam sor
ry.Butt
hepai
nis
gonenow.”
Yamasasniffedont
hehospi
talbed.Hermot
her
rubbedhershoul
der
.
“Thepol
icecal
led.Theyt
hinkt
heyf
oundyour
daught
er’sr
emains.”
Yamasast
oppedcr
ying.“
Mywhat
?”
“
Yes.Theycal
led.
”
“
Mydaught
eri
snotdead.She’
sal
ivesomewher
e.”
“
Yaya-
“
“Sheisnotdead.Mychil
disnotdead!Mydaught
er
i
salivewherevershei
s!Shei
salive!Shei
snot
dead!”
Hermot
herkeptqui
etwat
chi
ngheryel
l.
“
Shei
sal
ive.Iknowshe’
sal
ive.
”
“
Ok.I
t’
sok.
.sl
eep.
”
Yamasasighedandt
urnedt
ohersi
deast
ear
sfi
ll
ed
hereyes.

*
**

Thatsameevening,Lefaworkedonacaseonhis
l
aptop.Hisphonerangdistur
binghi
m.Hereached
fori
tthensmil
edpicking.
“
Hi.
.”
St
acyl
aughed.“
What
’sgoi
ngon?
”
“
Mymot
herl
ikesyou.
”
“
Soyouar ehi
tt
ingonmethr
oughmymom?She’
s
t
oldever
yonealready.
”
Helaughed.“
Let’
sgoonadat
e..l
et’
str
yit
.Youar
e
notl
osinganythi
ng.
”
“Heel
a,mamaareobat
agoduelamagadi
!(Mama
saysyouwantt
opaymagadi
!)
”
Hesmi
led.“
Andwhat
’swr
ongwi
tht
hat
?”
“
Lef
aweeh!It
oldyouaker
e?”
“Ihavegrown.Youwereri
ghtbackthen.Iwould
havehurtyoubutIhavegrown.Getyourpassport
ready.Nnakebatawena.(
Iwantyou.)”
Lef
ahungupandpi
ckedani
ncomi
ngcal
l.
“
Yeah?
”
“
Hibabe,
Ihavebeencal
li
ng.
”
“
Iam busyri
ghtnow.Iam wor
kingonabi
gcase.I
wil
lcal
lyouback.
”
Hehungupwhi
leAl
onest
art
edasent
ence.
.
.
.
[
06/
22,
08:
37] :Fal
lenAngel
#147

Thef
oll
owi
ngmor
ning,
Stacywokeupt
oherphone
r
ingi
ng.
“
Papa…”
“
Whydi
dn’
tyout
ell
uswewer
eexpect
ingvi
sit
ors?
”
“
Rra?
”
“TheKenosisar
ehere.Ihaveseenthei
rsoni
nthe
Newspaper.Whydidn’
tyoutel
lusthatyouwere
seei
ngalawyer?”
Hermotherspokeinthebackground.“Theysai
d
theywant
edadat e.Wegavethem nextweek
becauset
heysaidyouar emovingtoUKwi thhim.I
am sohappy.Ican’
twaittot
ellthechurchladi
es.
”
St
acyf
rowned.“
Mama!
”
“Iam goi
ngt
otalkOrat
il
eaboutyourdress.Passby
soshecantakeyourmeasur
ement s.
”
“
Papa,
kana-
“
“
Iwi
llhavethoseguyspaintthehouse.Idon’
twant
t
hem t
hinki
ngwear edesperate.
”
Hermotheragr
eed.“Yes.Iwil
lcallt
hatSout
h
Afr
icanmantofixt
hef enceatthefrontt
oo.
”
St
acylaughedi
nshockasherpar
ent
sstar
ted
pl
anni
ng.Shehungupandcall
edLef
a.
“
Mrs.Kenosi
.”
“
Whatki
ndofaj
okei
sthi
s?”
“
It
’snot
.It
oldyouaker
e.Seeyounextweek.
”
“
Lef
a-“
Hehungup.Stacydroppedherphonethenputher
handsonherfacelaughi
ng.Herphonerang,
she
pi
ckedhersi
ster’
scall
.
“
Hel
lo?
”
“
Hi,mmathenyoudon’
ttel
lusyouar
eseei
nga
whol
eadvocat
eKenosi
?”
Stacylaughed.“ KanaLefahi tonmeyear sback.
.We
havebeendi st
antfri
ends.Wespokedaysback,
mat t
eroffact ,adayagoandhebr oughti
tup.It
old
hi
mt hereasonwhyIr ej
ectedhimt henhesai
dhe’s
grown.Gonehedi dadmi tthatifIsaidyeshewould
havehur tme.Thenhesayshewant sme..
hehad
hi
smot hertalktomama. .seemst heyknoweach
other.”
“
Heishandsome,acharmer,
am It
heonl
yone
who’
sremindedofTer
renceJwhenIl
ookathi
m?”
Stacyl
aughed.“
Hedoeslookabi
tnyana….ButLefa
bri
ngswit
hbabymamadr ama.Atleastt
heother
babymamai smarr
iedt
ohisbrot
her.”
“
See?Soonebabymama?Gapeakereyouwillbe
movi
ngtoUKwi t
hhi
m.That’
syourman.Iam goi
ng
t
oseeatai
lorf
ormydress.
”
St
acybitherl
owerl
ip.“LetmegoandseeOr
ati
le.
Wait
seIam taki
ngaleapoffai
thwi
ththi
sman.
”
“
Doyouknowwhatyouwant
?”
“
Ihaveani
dea.Bye.
”
Shehungupt
henqui
ckl
ygotof
fbed.

*
**

Al
onesatont
hebedcal
li
ngLef
a.Shesmi
ledashe
pi
cked.
“
Hey…”
“
Hi.
”
“
Isever
ythi
ngok?
”
“Iam st
ressedaboutt
henewcaseIam wor
king
on.”
Shesmil
ed.“Youaret
rendi
ng.Iam dyi
ngt
otel
l
ever
yonethatt
hat
’smyman. ”
Hel
aughed.“
Hol
don.Howar
etheki
ds?
”
“
Theyar
efi
ne.Onl
ymi
ssi
ngyou.
”
“
Imi
sst
hem t
oo.Iwi
shIcoul
dcome.
”
“
It
sok.Iunder
stand.
”
“Iam happyt
ohavesuchanunder
standi
ng
person.
”
Al
onesmi
led.“
Iknowyouar
ewor
kinghar
dforyour
ki
ds.
”
“
Yeah.BythewayImighthaveat
ri
ptoUKi nafew
weeks.Youwoul
dhavenotcomeyetsoIthi
nk
whenIcomebackwecoulduseavacati
on.”
“
I’
dlovet
hat
.”
“
Wher
edoyouwantt
ogo?Thi
nkabouti
t.
”
“
Iwi
ll
.Il
oveyouLef
a.”
“Metoo.Letmegeti
ntheoff
iceandcal
lthecl
ient
.
Kanalyi
ngcli
ent
saretheworst
.”
“
Tel
lmeabouti
t.
”
“
Bye.Gr
eett
heki
dsf
orme.
”
“
Okmyl
ove.
”
Hehungup.Al
onesmi
ledget
ti
ngupsi
ngi
ng.

*
**

Thatsamemor ni
ng,Bant
uslowlywalkedtothecar
wit
hPuleholdi
ngthebaby’sbagandthebaby.
Bantugoti
nthecarandgotthebabyf r
om him.
Pulecl
osedthedoorgent
lythenputhisdaughter
’s
bagattheback.
Hegoti
nthecaranddr
oveof
f.
“
Iwantust
odr
opherof
fathome.Iwantt
oshow
yousomet
hingqui
ckl
ythenwewi
llgohome.
”
“
Ok.
”
Hedr ovehomeandpar kedatthegat e.Bant
u
remainedinthecarashet ookthebabyi nsi
de.
Bantu’sphonerang,shel ookedatMaya’ snumber
thentookadeepbr eathinandpi cked.
“
Hel
lo?
”
“
Youar
etal
kingt
oMaya.Canwemeetandt
alk?
”
“
HiMaya.Nowecan’
t,
howmayIhel
pyou?
”
“
IfIwereyouI
’dstophavingwayt oomanyki
ds.
.it
wil
lbedif
fi
cul
ttosupportthem al
one.
”
“
Excuseme?
”
“
Don’
tgett
oocomf
ort
abl
e.Iam back.
”
Shehungup.Bantul
ookedatherphoneand
l
aughedal
one.SheblockednumberasPulewalked
backi
n.Heleanedoverki
ssi
ngherthendroveoff
.
Puledrovef
orawhi l
ethenparkedathi
smotor
center
.Hesteppedoutandopenedthedoorforher.
Bantugotout.Pul
etookherhandandledherinsi
de.
Themot orcenterworker
sgr eet
edthem.Bantu
smiledashet ookherfur
therinsi
de.Hestoppedas
theyapproachedadoort henlookedatherand
smiledmakingherblush.
“
What
?”
Pul
ecuppedherf
ace.“
Iloveyoureyes.
”
Shesmi
ledl
ooki
ngathi
m.
“I
t’
slikeyoucanseer ightthr
oughme.”Hepushed
herlonghairback.“I
twasyoureyesInoti
cedfi
rst
atthattuck-
shop.Iknewt henther
ewas
somet hi
ng.”
Shesmi
ledmor
enowcur
ious.“
What
’sgoi
ngon?
”
“Iwanttogi
veever
ythi
ng…Iknowyouhavegi
ven
upal ott
obewithme.Youarenotgoi
ngt
oregr
et
that
.”
Hest oodbehi ndherkissi
ngherneckt henopened
thedoorandgent l
ypushedheri nsi
de.Bantu’sjaw
droppedasshel ookedatthefl
oodsofr edroseson
thefloor.Shelif
tedherlongdresswalkinginside
steppingont heroses.Shelookedatthecarint he
middleoft
her oom coveredwithablacksheet
.The
photogr
apherstoodadi stanceawaytaki
ngthe
vi
deo.BantulookedatPul e,t
earsf
il
li
nghereyes.
“
Pul
e…”
“
Iloveyou.
”
Sheturnedbackt ot
heroom astear
srol
leddown.
Sheslowlywalkedtothecarandpull
edthesheet
.
Shel
ookedatt heRangeRoverandputherhands
onherfacecrying.
Pul
ehuggedher
,Bant
ucr
iedonhi
schesthol
ding
hi
m.
Thephot
ogr
aphert
ookadeepbreathwat
chi
ng
get
ti
ngemoti
onalt
oo.Hemovedslowl
y,t
hecamer
a
onthem.
Bant
utur
nedt
othecar
.“I
t’
sbeaut
if
ul.
”
Pul
eslowl
ywentdownonhisknee.Shel
ookedat
hi
m ashetookoutt
her
ing.
“Iam notper
fect
,Iam notgoingtopr
omiseyou
heavenonearth.Iam al
solearni
nghowtodoit
ri
ghtbutIwantittobewithyou.Iwantt
olear
nwit
h
you.Thi
sri
ghther
eismyhappyendi
ng.Mar
ryme
babe…”
Bant
ulipst
rembl
ed.“
Yes…yes.I
t’
s…Il
oveyou.You
don’
tevenhavet
oask.”
Sheknel
twi
thhi
m andhuggedhi
m.“
Itwasal
ways
goi
ngtobeyou.
”
Pul
ewr
appedherar
msar
oundher
.

*
**

Laterthatday,
Merapel
oshowedRragweBantuthe
pict
ureofBantuandPulehuggi
ngintheroom f
ull
withroseswithabrandnewRangeRoverbehi
nd
them.
“
Pul
epr
oposed.
”
Hefrowned.“Hewon’
tmar
ryherwi
thoutmy
per
mi ssi
on.
”
MalomeThapel
owal
kedi
nsi
det
hehouseand
l
ookedathi
m.
“Heisgoi ngt omar ryherbecauseIgavehimt he
permi ssi
ont o!Icameher etotel
lyouthatt
hose
kidsloveeachot her.Theyhavewr ongedeachother
andt heywantt of ixthi
ngs.Iwi l
lnotl
etyouput
Bantuwhatyouwer eputt hr
ough!Thatchi
ldi
s
goingt omar ryhim.Theyar egoingtopaymagadi
andIwi l
lbeBant u’sfather.Iwil
lbl
essthat
mar r
iagemysel f
!Ifyoudon’ twanttobepartofi
t,
suityourselfbuthe’ sgoingt omarryher
.Youwil
l
notdest royherlifeli
ket hat!
”

TWOWEEKSLATER…
.
.
.
[
06/
22,
08:
37] :Fal
lenAngel
#148

TwoWeeksLat
er
Earlymorning,Bant
usatinaroom inheruncles
house.Sheopenedt hecurt
ainsl
ight
lystar
ingatthe
gate.Shelookedattheti
mewor r
iedl
y.Shehadn’t
seenherfatheryet.
Shel
ookedatherphoneandsi
ghedwor
ri
edl
y
st
ari
ngatherdaught
ersl
eepi
ng.

*
**

AtRr agweBantu’shouse,Merapelof
inished
dressingthenputhertsâl
eoverhershoul ders.She
satinthesitt
ingroom wonderingwhererragwe
Bantuhadwent .Shehadwokenupt ohi m gone.
Ini
ti
allyshethoughthewentt ohisol
derbr ot
her’s
housebutaf t
ercalli
ngthem shereal
izedhedi dn’
t
gother e.
Shet
ookoutherphoneandcal
ledhi
m agai
n.
“Thi
sisafr
eeannouncementf
rom Mascom,the
numberyouhavedi
aledi
snotavai
labl
eatthe
moment
.Pl
easet
ryagai
nlat
er,
thankyou.
”
Thecallcut.Sheputherhandsonherf
aceknowi
ng
him notshowingupwouldhurthi
sdaught
ermore
thananythi
ng.
Shet
houghtf
ull
ypickedherphoneandcal
leda
numbershenevert
houghtshe’
devercal
l.
I
trangf
orawhi
lebef
oreshepi
cked.
“
Hel
lo?
”
“
Hi.Youar
espeaki
ngt
oMerapel
o.RragweBant
u’s
wif
e.I
sthi
sPeggy?MmagweBantu?
”
Ther
ewasapause.“
Whatdoyouwant
?”
“Iam notcalli
ngtofight
.Iknowwhathappened
betweenyouandhi m.Howhi sf amil
ydi dn’
twant
youashi swi f
eandhowhehadt ochoosebet ween
youandt hem.Iknowabouthowhel ethisf
ami l
y
abuseandt ortur
eyou.Iknowhowheneverst ood
withyounomat t
erwhat .Iknowhowhi smot her
hatedyou.Iknowi tall
.Iam sor r
yyouhadt ogo
throughthat.Iam sorr
yf oral
lthepai nyouwent
throughinthenameofl ovet i
llyoufinal
lydecided
towalkawaybei
ngf
orcedt
oleaveyourdaught
er
behi
nd.”
Peggysni
ff
ed.“
WhatcanIdof
oryou?
”
“He’
sdoingthesamef orBantu.Sheisi
nlovewitha
man.Theybot hhavehadthei
rf ai
rshar
eofhurt
ing
eachother
.Theywantt ofi
xthingsandgetmarr
ied.
Bantuhasthreekidswit
hhim.”
“Iknow.Motheo,
WameandReat
il
e.Theyar
e
beauti
ful
.”
Mer
apelosmi
led.“
Theyar
e.Shewassayi
ngReaus
t
helast
.”
Peggylaughed.“
That’
swhatIoncesai
d.Ihavef
our
,
fi
veincl
udingher.Whati
shedoing?
”
“Hedi
sownedBantu.Sai
dit’
sei
thershechooses
herf
amil
yorherhusband.Shechosehim.”
“Shedidwell
.Herf
atherwon’
tmar
ryheratt
heend
oftheday.
”
“MalomeThapeloisgoi
ngtol eadt
heproceedi
ngs
forhermagadinegot
iat
ionsthismorni
ng.Idon’
t
knowwhererragweBant uwent.Hi
sphoneisoff.I
t
woul
dbreakheri
fdi
dn’
tat
tend.She’
sloveshi
m so
much.
”
“
Iknow.Whatdoyouwantmet
odo?
”
“Pleasetalktohim.
.hewil
lli
stentoyou.Ifyoucan,
pleasecome.Theyputupt heirnamest woweeks
back.Aftermagaditheyaregoinggot he
commi ssioner’
soff
icetof
inali
zeeverythi
ng.”
“Shedoesn’tneedmewhenyouar ethere.Youar e
enough.IstayedawaybecauseIknewt her ealt
ruth
woul ddestr
oyher .Il
ovemydaught erwith
everythi
nginme. .Imightnotbepr esentinherdaily
l
ifebutIam t here…Iam wat ching.AndIam so
proudofher .Iwasskept icalaboutthisguyatf i
rst
ebileaft
erthewhol eshooti
ngt hi
ngbutIknowhe
l
ovesher .Theywer ebothwr ong.Iwillt
alkto
rragweBant u.Iknowwher ehemi ghtbe. ”
“
Thankyou.
”
“
ByemmagweBant
u.”
Mer
apel
olaughedhangi
ngup.
*
**

InMaun,Alonegoti
nthebuswithherdaught
er
whil
epushingherbump.Theysatdownthensmil
ed
cal
li
ngLefa.
“
Heybabe…”
“
Hi.Ar
eyoubusy?
”
“Notyet.Iam aboutt
oleavet
houghsoImeett
he
cli
entbeforeweheadt ot
hecourt
.”
“
Ok,
myf
inger
sar
ecr
ossed.
”
“
Eish,
Ihopei
tgoeswel
l.
”
“
Imi
ssyou.
”
“
Imi
ssyout
oo.I
fitwasn’
tfort
hiscase…”
“
Iknow.Iunder
stand.
”
“That
’swhyIl
oveyou.MaybeIcancomeandsee
yousometimenextweek.
”
“
Wewoul
dlovet
hat
.”
Someonecal
ledhi
mfr
om t
hebackgr
ound.
“
Ihavet
ogo.Iwi
llcal
lyou.
”
“
Ok.Il
oveyou.
”
“
Met
oo.
”
Hehungupj ustasthebustookofffr
om herrank
headedt oGaborone.Sheleanedbacklooki
ngather
daughterwhowasl ookingoutthr
ought hewindow
exci
tedly.

*
**

I
nGaborone,
Akanyanglookedathi
minhi
ssui
tthat
l
ookedwaybiggert
hanhim.
“
Oreadymi
ster
?”
Lef
asmi
led.“
Yeah.
.Iam r
eady.It
hinkIam.
”
“
Iwoul
dadviseyoubutasyoucanseel
ennamj
olo
ompal
etsi
.”
Lef
aguilt
il
ylookedathim.“MaybeAl onewasn’tthe
oneforyou.Idon’tt
hinksheeverlovedyou.Ithi
nk
youwerear ebound.Youjustneverreal
izedi
t.You
deservewaybett
er.Andyouwil
lfi
ndawomanwho
wil
lloveyou.Shewil
lst
ickwi
thyouandl
oveyou
ri
ght.”
“Maybe.Maybenot.
.t
odayisnotaboutme.Iam
happyforyou.Il
onglovedt
hisoneforyou.
”
Lef
asmi
led.“
She’
sper
fect
.”

*
**

St
acysati
naroom i
nherparent
’shousewhi
let
he
makeupar
ti
stdi
dhermakeup.
Hersi
sterwal
kedi
nandl
ookedathert
aki
nga
pi
ctur
e.
“
Monyadi
!”
St
acysmi
led.“
Iam soner
vous.
”
“
Why?
”
“I
t’
stoosoon.Ican’
thelpbutt
hinkt
her
ear
emor
e
babymamasIdon’ tknowabout.
”
Hersi
sterl
aughed.“
Ababymamashal
lbeababy
mama.”
“
Stel
lamma!
”
“
What?Yout
ookaleapoff
ait
hakere?Youwil
lsee
t
her
estasti
megoes.Don’
tover
thi
nkthi
ngs.
”
“
Iam st
uckwi
tht
hismanoncewedot
his.
”
“Youcanalwaysdi vorce.Youar eover
thinki
ngit.
NnaIthinkthiswillbetheper f
ectli
vestoryyoutel
l
yourkids.I
magi netel
li
ngt hem thatwedidn’
teven
fat
e,hejustknewandmar ri
edme.Theni ghtifour
weddingwel efttoLondon.Iwi shIwereyou.”
“
Ever
ythi
ngi
shappeni
ngwayt
oof
ast
.Keat
shoga.
”
“
It
’snor
malt
obescar
ed.
”
“Iam upandl
eavi
ngwit
hamanIdi dn’
tevendat
e.I
don’
tevenknowhist
ruechar
act
er.
”
“
Youcanal
wayscomeback.
”
Themakeupar
ti
str
ant
hel
ipst
ickonherl
ipst
hen
smil
ed.
“
Wear
edone.
”
Stacygotthemir
ror
.Shegaspedst
ari
ngather
beauti
fulf
ace.
“
Bat
hongi
sthi
sme?
”
Hersist
ertookanot
herpi
ctur
ethenpost
edi
tonher
Facebook.
‘
Mrs.Lef
aKenosii
nthehouse '

*
**

InSerowe,Bant
u’smake-
upar t
istf
ini
shedher
simpl
ebutsubtlemakeupthattooknothi
ngfr
om
hernatur
albeauty.
Shemovedonst yli
ngBantu’snat
uralhai
r.Thedoor
openedthenMerapelowalkedinweari
ngher
Germanprintski
rt
,awhitelongsl
eevedshirtanda
tsâl
eoverhershoulder
s.
“
IsPapaher
e.Di
dhecome?
”
Merapel
osmi l
ed.Thedooropenedt
henr
ragwe
Bantuwalkedi
n.
Shequi
ckl
yst
oodup.“
Papa…”
RragweBantuwalkedoverandhuggedherti
ghtl
y.
Bantucl
osedhereyesnotwanti
ngtocry,herar
ms
ar
oundhim.
Hesi ghed.“Iam nothappywi t
ht hemanyouar e
mar ryi
ng.Iam evenembar rassedt obeher etogive
youawayt ohi m buti
fit’
shi m youwant ,i
t’sfine.I
willnotstopyou.Mydoor swi l
lforeverbeopenand
Iwi l
lrecei
veyoubackwi thopenar ms, whether
ali
veordead.Ihavet ri
edt ogui deyout oapat hI
believeisri
ght .Ihavetri
edt oshi el
dyouf rom
danger .There’sonlymuchIcando.Iam goi ngt o
l
etyoubesoyoucanspr eadyourwi ngsinhopes
thatIneverpi ckyouf r
om t hegr ounddead. ”
Bant
uswall
owedandheldhim event
ight
erfight
ing
nott
ocryandrui
nhermakeupbutatearsti
llrol
l
ed
downasheremoti
onschokedher.
Hesl
owl
yletgoandl
ookedather
.
“
Youl
ookbeaut
if
ul.Asal
ways.
”
Shesmi
ledtear
full
y.Heki
ssedherf
oreheadand
wal
kedout.Merapel
osmil
ed.
“
Theshowcannowgoon.
”
Bant
usmi
led.“
Thankyou.
”
“
Anyt
imemygi
rl
.”
Mer
apelol
ookedatReaandsmi
led.“
Thi
sonewi
ll
l
ookl
ikeyou.
”
Bant
ulaughedsni
ff
ing.“
Ihopeso.
”

Overanhourl
ater
,Bant
ulookedatthet
ime
worr
iedl
ywonderi
ngwhatwast aki
ngsolong.
Shesatdownknowingt heywer
eprobablygr
il
li
ng
him.Rel
iefwashedt
hroughherbodyasaunts
star
tedulul
ati
ngout
side.Sheputherhandsonher
facesmil
ing.
“
OhGod.
.thankyou.
”
Mal
omeThapel
o’swi
feopenedt
hedoorandwal
ked
i
n.
“
Monyadi.Let
’sgetyoudressed.Youri
n-l
awsar
e
wai
ti
ngtoseeyouout si
de.”

*
**

InGaborone,Mayasatinherhotelr
oom fi
nishi
ng
offhermakeup.Sheputonashor tdresst
hen
reachedforherphoneandcall
edSkijo.
“
Hel
lo?
”
“
Hi.I
t’
sMaya.Canwet
alk?
”
“
Yeah.
”
“
Wher
eisyourf
ri
end?
”
“
He’
soutoft
ownat
tendi
ngbusi
ness.
”
Mayasmi l
ed.“
Heblockedme.Iwantedtotal
kto
him aboutsomethi
ngbutIguesshepanicked.Kana
hisbabymamat hr
eatenedt
oleavehi
m or
somet hi
ng.”
“
Whatdi
dyouwantt
otal
ktohi
m about
?”
“Thetr
uthi sthatIsti
lll
oveyourf
ri
end.I
t’
sjustt
hat
cir
cumst anceshaduspar ti
ngwaysbutIhave
alwayslovedhi m.”
“
Wer
en’
tyoumar
ri
edt
oanol
dguyi
nPar
is?
”
“
Ilef
thi
m.He’
sint
hepast
.”
“
Let’
smeetandt
alk.Iwi
llt
alkt
ohi
m onyourbehal
f.
Okae?”
“
AtAvanihot
el.
”
“
Ok,
Iam comi
ng.
”
Ski
johungup.

Skij
opar
kedatthehot
elt
henst
eppedoutofhi
scar
sl
idi
ngtwocondomsinhi
sbackpocket
.
Hewal
kedi
nsi
det
hehot
elcal
li
ngher
.
“
Hi.
.”
“
Iam her
e.”
“
Ok,
Iam wal
kingt
other
ecept
ion.
”
“
Cool
.”
Hehungupandl ookedaround.Awhi t
eladywal ked
towardshi
m wi t
hal ongstr
aightweave.Hel ooked
atherbody,herhipsandherbut tthatwasj ustout
ofpropor
ti
on,herbreastsmadei tallworse.He
l
ookedatthef aceandfrownedlooki ngaway
wait
ing.
Thel
adywal
kedovert
ohi
m.“
Hi.
”
Helookedatt
hest
rangerkeepi
ngast
rai
ghtf
ace.
“Hel
lo.
”
Hel
ookedbehi
ndsear
chi
ngf
orMayat
hatt
he
womantur
nedtoo.
“
Whoar
eyoul
ooki
ngf
or?
”
“
Iam wai
ti
ngf
orsome-shi
t!Maya?
”
Mayal
aughed.
.“Youar
efunny.
”
Hecont
inuedst
ari
ngi
nshock.“
Whathappenedt
o
you?
”
Shel
aughed.“
Youar
est
il
lfunny.
”
“Otshegang?Gagoshenami se,(Whyar eyou
l
aughi ng?
)whatdi dyoudot oyour self?Youl ook
ugly.Noonet oldyout hat?Youwer ebeaut iful,what
didyoudo?Ther e’
snot hi
ngf unnyaboutt his.P-Man
i
sget ti
ngmar ri
edebi l
eIwasher et ofuckyouand
l
eaveyoubutIam goi ngt otellyout hetruth.He’ s
beenoveryou.Hel onggotoveryouwhenyoul eft
.
Hedoesn’ tevenwantyounoworf eelanyt hingf or
you.Weal lknowyouf uckoldmenf ormoney.I
don’tknowi fthiswhatt heypr eferbutyoul ook
scary.Goandl ookatyour selfont hemi r
r orthen
l
ookatt hepi cturesyoust i
llpost.Your uinedyour
i
mage.Ot shegang?Ther e’snothingf unnyabout
howyoul ook. ”
Skij
oturnedandwal kedaway.Mayat ookadeep
breat
handl ookedaroundt oseei
fanyonehad
heardbuttherewasno- one.Shequicklywal
kedto
herroom andclosedthedoorholdinghertears.

*
**
IntheMaun-Gaboronebus,Al
onescrol
ledthrough
herFacebookt
imeli
nethenpausedcomi ngacross
Bantu’
snewprofi
lepict
ure.
Shetappeditandlookedatherseatedbetweenher
marri
edladies,al
loft
hem int
heirskir
tsandtsâl
es.
Shezoomedi nonBant uwhowasseat edin-
betweenlookingdownwi t
hadorkandherown
tsâl
eoverhershoulders.
Shelikedi
tthenscr ol
leddown.Shest opped
comingacrossashar edpostofanot herbride,thi
s
oneinawhi t
edr ess.Alonelookedatthefami l
iar
womanwonder ingwher esheknewherf rom then
tappedtheori
ginalpostandr eadthecaption.
‘
Allowmet oint
roducemysister
,Mr s.Lef
aKenosi
’
,
yes,theoneandonlyMrs.Kenosi.Reanyadi
sa
kolapengbat
hong’
Alonescrol
ledthroughthegirl
’
sprof
il
ecoming
acrossmorepictures.Herkneesweakenedas
somethingsatonhert hr
oatchocki
ngher.
Herhear
tbeatwaytoof
ast
,herchestt
ight
nessshr
dr
oppedthephone.
Theconductorl
ookedatherasshest
ruggl
ed.He
walkedovertoher
.
“
Mysi
ster
…ar
eyouok?
”
Sheputherhandoverherchestunabl
etobr
eat
he.
Theconduct
orworri
edlyl
ookedather.
.
“
Mysi
ster
!”
Alonegrabbedhisshir
t.Theconduct
orhel
pedher
stand,herkneesweakenedasshegavein
coll
apsing.
.
.
.
Goodeveni
ng,t
her
e'snoelect
ri
cit
ywher
eIam so
l
et'
shaveouri
nser
tearl
ierbef
oremyphone
swi
tchesof
f.
[
06/
22,
08:
38] :Fal
lenAngel
#149
Ski
jolookedatthet
imedrivi
ngt
oSerowet
hen
cal
ledhisbrot
herover
taki
ngatr
uck.
“
Sur
e?”
“
Iam onmyway.
”
“Youar
ecomingforf
oodbecauseri
ghtnowwear
e
onourwayt
ot hecommissi
oner
’sof
fice.
”
“Ok,
Iwillmakei
ntimeforthecel
ebr
ati
ont
hen.I
hopetherear
epropergi
rl
sthere.
”
“
Stayawayf
rom r
elat
ives!Wear
efami
ly.
”
Ski
jol
aughed.“
Iknow.Mxm,
IsawMaya.
”
“
Maya?Wher
e?”
“Ibumpedint
oherkoAvani.Ialmostdi
dn’t
recogni
zeher.Mat
teroff
act,Idi
dn’
trecogni
zeher.
Shelooksl
ikeawhiteper
sonand…shedoesn’ tl
ook
l
iketheMayaweseeonFacebook. ”
“
Whatdoyoumean?
”
“It
hinkshedi
dplasti
csur
gery.Herli
psarewayt
oo
bigandshe….Wait
seIam di
sappointed.
”
“
Elegor
ewhenyougaveherP-
Man’
snumberyou
didn’
treal
izet
hat?Didn’
tshecomet
otheshopor
she’schangedover
night
?”
“
ShecamebutIdi
dn’
tseeher
.”
Skar
alaughed.“
War
eyousawherwher
e?”
“
Avani
.”
“
Youwer
egoi
ngt
osmash?
”
“
No.Iwoul
dn’
tdot
hat
.”
“Waaka!Youwer
egoingtosmash!Youthoughtshe
sti
lll
ookedt
hesame.Youexpect
edPuletosmash.
That’
swhyyougaveherhisnumber.
”
“
P-Mankel
ait
aka.
”
“So?Youar ealiarwenaot et
simasepa.ThetimeP-
Manf oundoutgor eyougaveherhisnumber ,you
madei tseem li
keyouhadmether .I
fyouhad
actual
lymether ,youwouldhavenotgivenherhis
number .Oryouwoul dhavesmashedfirst
.Iknow
you.Youal wayswant edher.
”
“Ok,
Idi
dn’tseehert
hen.Shehadcal
ledme.Idi
dn’
t
seeher
.Isawhertoday.
”
“
Issheugl
yor
-“
“She’
s…Ifeelsadforher
.Idon’
tknowwhat
happenedtoherbutshe’
schanged.Somuch.
”
“
She’
sugl
y?”
“Shedoesn’
tlookli
keherself
.It’
s…sadhela
becausewhenyoul ookcloselyyoucanseesheis
wasoncebeaut i
ful
.Isn’
tthereawayt or
eversei
t?”
“
Obot
samang?Idon’
tknow.I
ssheugl
y?”
“Ther
emustbeaway.Shej
ustl
ooks…nother
sel
f.I
am sad.
”
“
Stayawayf
rom Maya!
”
“
Iwasj
ustaski
ng.
”
“Stayawayfrom Maya!Youcan’tsl
eepwi t
hherno
mat t
erwhat.Ther
eareexesweshar e,she’
snot
partofit
.P-
Mansaysshe’ spregnantandshe
wantedtopinitonhim.Heroldmandi ed.I
fyoutr
y
i
t,she’sgoi
ngtosaythatthebabyisyours.”
Ski
josi
ghed.“
Wewi
llt
alk.Letmedr
ive.
”
“
Shar
p.”
Hehungupandcal
ledher
.
“
Hel
lo?
”
“Hi.Iam sorryforhowIspoketoyou.I
t’
sjustt
hatI
didn’texpecttoseeyoul
ikethat
.Whathappened?”
“
Awr
ongdoct
orhappened.
”
“
Areyouhappy?
”
“
Iwasfinebecauser
ightnowIam j
ustswol
len.I
t
wil
lgodownandwon’ tl
ookasbad.
”
“
Ist
her
eawayof
…Idon’
tknow…r
ever
singi
t.
”
“
Iwi
llhavet
odoanot
herpl
ast
icsur
ger
ytof
ixi
t.I
t’
s
t
ooexpensi
ve.
”
“
IfIpayf
ori
t,wi
llyoudoi
t?”
“
Kabel
o-“
“Letmepayforit
.Butyou’
dhavet
ost
ayawayf
rom
Puleinr
etur
n.”
Mayast
art
edcr
ying.“
I.
.-
“
“
Iwillsor
toutyourpl
anet
icket
ssoyougoback.I
wil
lcomet her
einaweek’
stimesowehaveyou
fi
xed.Youwereoncebeaut
if
ul.Youl
ook…not
yoursel
fri
ghtnow.
”
“
Thankyou.Thankyousomuch.
”
“
Iwi
llcal
lyou.
”
Hedr
oppedt
hecal
lspeedi
ngaway.

*
**

InSerowe,Bantusteppedoutofherf at her’
scari n
bluegermanprintdressthatfit
tedthroughher
waistgoi
ngdownherhi psthatstil
lcarriedt hebaby
weightandfl
aredathermi dthi
ghs.Heral ongtrai
l
foll
owedherasshewal ked.Hercousinf ixedt he
trai
lasrr
agweBant uhandedhert heflower s.
“Theyareinsi
de.I
fyouwantt
ochangeyourmi nd,
youcant el
lmenow.Youcansti
llchangeyourmind.
It
’sok.
”
Bant
usmi
led.“
Ilovehi
m.”
Hesi
ghedt
henhel
dhandl
eadi
ngheri
nsi
de.They
l
ookedattheot herrel
ativeswhower eal
ready
seatedandsmiledlockingeyeswi t
hPule,hereyes
gli
tt
eri
ngwithhappiness.Herf at
herhandedher
overwit
habi t
terfacethensatdown.Pul esmiled
l
ookingatherthenbl i
nked.
“
Youl
ookbeaut
if
ul.
”
Sheblushedl
ookingdownast
heMot
samai
so’
s
watchedsmil
ing.
Tshepol
ooki
ngathi
sbr
otherandsmi
ledsqueezi
ng
Luba’
shand.
Theproceedi
ngssoonst art
ed.Tshepowat chedhi
s
brot
herasher eci
tedhisvowsholdingBantu’s
hands,decl
ari
nghi sl
oveforherthenleanedover
whisperi
nginLuba’sear.
“
Wear
eupnext
.”
Shesmi
ledandwhisper
edback.“
Ist
il
lhavet
o
dumpyouagai
n.”
Hechuckl
edkissi
ngherneck.Sheburi
edherf
ace
onhi
schestshylyfeel
ingeyesonher
.
Rr
agweBant
ust
aredathi
sdaught
ersayi
ngher
vows.Thehappinessinhereyesmadehim si
gh.Al
l
hehadeveraskedf rom Godwasforhi
mt omake
hisdaught
erhappy..anditwashappeni
ng,j
ustnot
howhewi shedforittohappen.
Thecommi
ssi
onersmi
led.
“Andt
herefor
e,Ipr
onounceyouasmanandwi
fe.
Youcankissthebr
ide.
”
Pul
esmil
edthenl
eanedoverandbabyki
ssedher
.
Pul
e’
syounguncl
efrowned.
“Oir
angNaare?Gat
wemosune!Gai t
sesekgowa
bagaet
so.Obatat
ransl
etar
a.(
Whatareyoudoi
ng?)
”
Ever
yonebur
stoutl
aughi
ngasBant
ulookeddown
smil
ing.
Theolderuncl
estoodup.“Oi
radil
otseomo
bedroomonggalemonnayaana.(Hepr obabl
ydoes
thesameinthebedroom.)Whotaughtyouthat?
”
Theyounguncl
elaughed.“Nyaa,kesekgowa.Kana
sekgowal
esonebathong.Gatwemosune.Di r
a
j
aakakegoruti
lewenamyboy!( No,i
t’
sjustEngl
ish.
Engli
shi
saproblem.DolikeItaughtyoumyboy.)
Showt
hem howi
t’
sdone.
”
Pulesmi
ledthenfr
enchki
ssedher
.Theaunt
s
l
aughed,Bantuqui
ckl
ypul
ledawayshyl
yand
huggedhim.
Theyounguncl
est
oodup.“
That
’smyboy!
”
Oneoft
heJosephuncl
esst
ooduplaughing.“
O
t
shabamosadimosi
maneo.(He’
sscaredof
women.
)”
“Nyaaisengmyboy.Kesekgowa.Hedi
dn’
t
underst
and.”
Minuteslatert
heyal
lwal
kedoutsi
ngi
ngwhil
e
BantuandPul ehel
dhands.Mal
omeThapel
olooked
athi
sbr other.
“
Gor
il
engokar
eohupi
lel
edombi
emoganong?
”
“
Am Isupposedtobehappyt
hatmydaught
erhas
mar
ri
edacr i
minal?
”
“I
jo,
resut
elekorebi
ne.Youjustchar
ged150k,
you
can’
tbebi
tterbagonnet
siP150k!
MalomeThapel
ojoi
nedever
yonesi
ngi
ngand
danci
ng.
‘
Tshwangt
shwangt
shwang
Lebonengngwanaot
shwanangl
ediNal
edi
’
Theycont
inuedsi
ngi
nggoi
ngt
othecar
s.

*
**

AtLefa’swedding,
Lefa’
sphonevi
bratedi
nhi s
pocket.Heleanedoverandwhi
speredtoStacy.
“
Iam goi
ngt
othebat
hroom.
”
St
acysmi
led.“
Ok.
”
Lef
astoodupandwalkedoutoftheconf
erencehall
andrushedt
othebat
hroomspickingAl
one’scal
l.
“
Hel
lo?
”
“Hel
lo?YouarespeakingLeruowasSeabelobuses.
Wehaveyourgirl
fr
iendhere.Shehadfai
ntedbut
she’
sjustwokenup..She’
s…eish,t
alkt
oher .
”
Hewai
ted.
“
Lef
a..
”
“
Heybabe.
”
“
Who’
s…St
acy?
”
“
Stacy?
”
“Isawpi
ctur
esonFacebook.What
’sgoi
ngon
Lefa?
”
“
Whatpi
ctur
es?
”
“Ofyouget
ti
ngmar
ri
edt
othi
swoman.Lef
a…
Lefa…”
“
Idon’
tknowwhatyouar
etal
kingabout
.”
Shest
art
edcr
ying.

*
**
Onthesideoft
heroadjustaf
terRakops,Al
one
cri
edsomuchthatthebusdri
verlookedatt
he
conduct
orsadl
y.
“
Lef
a…”
“
Idon’
tknowwhatyouar
etal
kingabout
.”
“
Mychest
…mychest
..
”Shegaspedput
ti
ngher
handonherchest
.
“Lef
aIsawyourpi
cturesget
tingmarri
ed.Isawit
.I
sawyourf
amilyonthepict
ures.IsawAka…Lefa.”
“
Soseei
ngmyf
ami
lymeansIam get
ti
ngmar
ri
ed?
”
“
Lef
aIknowt
het
rut
h.”
“
Ifyouhaveal
readyconcl
uded,
whatdoyouwant
f
rom me?”
Al
onegaspedcryi
ngwhil
ethepeopl
einthebus
wat
ched.Summerwalkedoverandhuggedher
mothercr
yingt
oo.

*
**

Attheweddi ng,Yayasatatt hefarbackinal ess

crowdedt abl
e.Shest oodup, t
hepeopleshewas
seati
ngwi thfr
ownedsmel l
ingfunkysmel lcoming
fr
om her.Shequi cklywalkedtothetoil
etshol di
ng
herhandbagt henpul l
eddownherpant yandhel d
herbreathtakingoffherpadwi thbigblackclotsof
bloodthatsmel tl
ikerott
enmeat .Shequickly
wrappedthepadi
nat
issueandt
hrewi
tint
he
dustbi
n.
Yamasat ookoutsomewetwi pesandwi pedhersel
f
butthemor eshewi pedherself,t
hemoreshebl ed.
Shechangedherpadt ookoutherper f
ume.She
sprayedherselfandthetoi
letbeforewalkingout
beadedtohercart ooembar rassedtogobackt o
theconferencehall
.
Tear
sfil
ledhereyes,
shesni
ff
edt
hencal
ledher
doct
or.
“
Yaya…”
“
Aret
her
esul
tsout
?”
“
Wecan’tdet
ectanyt
hing.Theresul
tsshowthat
t
her
e’sabsol
utel
ynothi
ngwr ongwit
hyou.”
“
Thesmel
lisget
ti
ngwor
se.
”
“
Idon’
tknowwhatt
otel
lyou.Iam sor
ry.
”
“
Ican’
tcont
inuel
ivi
ngl
iket
his.
”
“
Iam sor
ry.Ther
e’snot
hingIcando.
”
Shehungupandputherhandsonherf
acecr
ying
r
uini
nghermakeup.Overt
hir
tymi
nut
esshesni
ff
ed
wipi
ngawayhertear
s.
Shetookadeepbreat
hpickedherphoneandwent
onFacebooktosear
chforatradi
ti
onaldoct
or.
Shepursedherl
ipscomingacr
ossapictur
eTshepo
hadpostedofBantuandPul
ehugging,
Puleina
sui
tandBantuinhergermanpri
ntdesi
gndress.
Herheartst
artedr
aci
ngasshereadthe
congr
atulat
orycomment
s.Herhandsshookasshe
readt
hrough.
.
.
.
[
06/
22,
08:
38] :Fal
lenAngel
#150

Shedial
ledBantu’snumberandcal ledher.Bantu’
s
phonestart
edringingtil
litst
opped.Shetookadeep
breat
handst ar
tedt ypi
ngamessagebutemot ions
over
whel
medhert
henshecal
ledagai
n.

*
**

InSerowe,Bantust
eppedoutoft
hecaratt
he
greengar
dens.Herbidemai
dsandgr
oomsmen
standi
ngbyside.
Hercousi
nwalkedovertoherandwhisper
edas
ever
yonesor
tedthemselvesup.Bant
utookher
phoneandst
eppedaside.
“
Yamasa.
”
“
Youar
eget
ti
ngmar
ri
ed?
”
“
Yes.
”
“
Andyoudidn’
tbothert
otel
lme?Jam yourf
ri
end,
whatki
ndofafr
iendareyou?”
“
Ithoughtyouwer
enotwel
l.
”
“
Soyouj
ustdon’
ttel
lmebecauseIam si
ck?
”
“
Yamasamma,
Ithoughtyouhaver
eal
izedt
hatt
his
fr
iendshipisjustnotwor ki
nganymor e.Wet r
iedand
nomat terhowmuchIt ry,t
here’
salways’ t
his
j
ealousnesscomi ngfr
om you.Youcanneverbe
happyformewi thoutbeingnegati
ve.It’
sli
kethere’
s
acompet it
ionam notawar eof.It
’sti
ring.
”
“Jeal
ousycomi
ngfrom me?Toyou?Whatexact
ly
shoul
dIbejeal
ousof?”
“
Youalwayswanttobebett
er,
ifonl
yyouknewI
wantyout
osucceedtoo.
”
“Iam succeedingjustfi
ne.Youar
etheonewho
feel
sunderpr essure.NnammaIwor khar
df ormy
money.Mewor ki
ngharddoesn’
tmakemej eal
ous
ofyou.”
“
Ok.Idon’
tthi
nkt
hisf
ri
endshi
piswor
kingf
orme.
”
Yamasalaughed.“Youarepathet i
c.Soyou
honest
lythinkyourmarri
agetot hi
scri
mi nalwi
ll
work?Nowyout hi
nkyoucandi smisspeoplewho
stoodbyyouwhent hi
smanal mostkil
ledyou?You
aresonaïve,nowonderitwassoeasyf orhimt
o
getyoubackaf t
ertr
yingtoki
llyou!”
“
Okbye.
”
“
Ihopeyougetarrest
edwi t
hthatcriminalofyour
s!
Mejeal
ous?Want waela!Goodthingyoudi dn’
t
i
nvi
temet oyourcri
minalwedding!”
“Soam I!Iwouldn’
twantyouruini
ngmyweddi ng
wit
hyourr ot
tensmel l
!Whodoyout hi
nkyouare?If
IwereyouI ’
djustki
llmysel
fli
keyourstupi
dgay
husband!Ipit
yyou!”
“Pi
tyme? ”Yamasachuckl ed.“Ipi
tyyouausi !You
aretheonewhowasr apedt heenti
renight!He
shouldhaveyoukeptevenl ongerpleasinghimself
m Iam surpri
sedPuleisevenmar rying,gongwehe
needstoseet heenti
refootageofyoubr ingfucked
thewholenight.Ishoul
dhaveputmor edr ugsin
yourdri
nksohecanpr operlydest
royyourbody. ”
“
Youshoul
dhavewhat
?”
“
Youhear
dme!Nxla!Koorei
t’
stheaudaci
tyf
iryou
t
othi
nkIcanbej
ealousofyou!
”
Pul
eki
ssedherneck.Bant
uputherphoneonl
oud.
“Iwil
lneverbej
eal
ousofyou!Esengwenat l
hamma!
Youar enoti
nmylevel
.Iworkforever
ythi
ngIhave
unli
keyouwhodependonst ol
enmoneyf ora
l
ivi
ng.
”
“
Yamasa,
whatdi
dyoudot
ome?
”
“Ihadspokent oAlphaandhesai dhe’dhelpme
fi
ndmydaught eri
fIgothi m you.Itwaseasy
becauseyouar esost upid.Idruggedyourdr i
nkin
thecar .Andyoudr anklikeaf i
sh.Whenwegotat
thebar ,hejustfi
nishedyouof f.Toevent hi
nkyou
werest udyingamedi cinedegr ee,youdi
dn’tnotice
anythingandhehadf unwi t
hyou.Youknowwhat ’
s
funny?I t’
sthefactthatwi l
lneverbeli
evether ape
storybecauseyourl ies.Butgoaheadandget
mar r
iedt oamanwhodoesn’ ttrustandlet’
swher e
i
tendsup. ”
“
Didyouf
indyourdaught
er?
”
“
Itdoesn’
tmat
terwhet
herornotIf
indher
,you-
“
“Ihopeyoufindher.Ihopeyoufi
ndpeaceinyour
l
ife.Ipr
ayIfindthecouragetof
orgi
veyouf or
hurti
ngmewhenal lIeverdi
dwasloveyou.Iam
hurtbutnotsurpri
sed.”
Bantuhungupandsi
ghed.“
Let
’sgo.Peopl
ear
e
wait
ing.
”
Sheputasmil
eandwal
kedbackasPul
elookedat
heri
nsil
ence.
Shesmiledj
oini
ngever
yoneel
seandhandedher
cousi
nthephone.
“
Swi
tchi
tof
f.
”
“
Ok.
”
ApopularSouthAfr
icansongplayed.Pul
e
swal
lowedstandi
ngnexttoher.Theydancedgoi
ng
tot
herecepti
onarea.
Merapel
osmil
edseatedwi
thBant
u’ski
dsast
hey
dancedcomi
ngover.

*
**

Yamasastart
edheranddr ovehome.Tearsbl
urred
hervi
sionassheparkedhercar.Sheputherhands
onherfacecryi
ng.Shedraggedhersel
finher
housethenl
aidonthecouchcr yi
ngontothepi
ll
ow.
Shecri
edtil
lshewasjustgasping.
*
**

Lat
erthatday,t
hebusdroveinsi
deBusRankat
Gabor
one.Alonesteppedoutwithherdaught
er.
Theconductorhandedherherbags.
“
Ther
eyougomysi
ster
.”
“
Thankyou.
”
Al
one’
scousi
nwal
kedover
.“Hi
.”
“
Hi.Pl
easet
akemet
oLef
a’shouse.
”
“
Isawpi
ctur
esonFacebook.It
houghtI
’
dseeyou.
”
“
Whatpi
ctur
es?
”
“OfLefa’
swedding.I
t’
sfunnyhowonebrot
heri
s
gett
ingdivor
cedwhil
etheotheri
sget
ti
ngmarri
ed.
”
Al
oneswal
lowed.“
Dropmeof
fathi
shouse.
”
Theywalkedtot
hecarandgotin.Al
onetooladeep
breathsi
tt
ingwi
thherdaught
erassheregr
ett
ednot
dri
ving.
*

AtLefa’
shouse, Al
one’scousi
npar kedatLef
a’s
house.Acoupleofcarswer epar
kedatt hegate.
Alonest
eppedoutwi thherdaughterandherbag
thenwalkedt
ot hegate.
Shewalkedtothedoorandopenedwalki
ngin.
MmagweLef aturnedandl
ookedathertoget
her
wit
hherhusband.Akawalkedfr
om thekit
chenand
pausedlooki
ngather.
Summersmi
ledl
ooki
ngatherf
ather
.“Daddy!
”
Akasmil
edpi
cki
ngherup.Hesmi
ledl
ooki
ngat
Al
one.
“
Hi.
”
Sheswal
lowed.“
Wher
eisLef
a?”
“
Youmi
ssedt
heweddi
ng.He’
sal
readyl
eft
.”
Hervoi
ceshook.“
Lef
a…He’
slef
t?Wher
edi
dhe
go?”
“
Hewentt
oUKwi
thhi
swi
fe.
”
Alonestagger
edput
ti
ngherhandsonherf
acet
hem
shebrokedowncryi
ng.
Akamovedoverandhuggedher
.“What
’swr
ong
babe?
”
Al
oneontohim cr
yingasherhear
tbr
okei
nto
mi
ll
ionpi
eces.
“
Lef
a…”
Akar
ubbedherbackwhi
leSummersni
ff
edsadl
y.

*
**

Atahot eli
nSerowe,Pul
ewalkedint
hehot
elroom
carr
yingBantu.Shetur
nedherheadandl
ookedat
candlesonthefloor
.Shesmil
ed.
“
Thi
sisbeaut
if
ul.
”
Heplacedherdown.Bantusmil
edasJust
in
Timberl
ake,
mirr
orsplayedsof
tl
yonthe
backgr
ound.
Shepushedhi
m ont
heandsatonhi
slap.
“
Thi
sisni
ce…”
“
Iam sor
ry.
”
Shelookedinhi
seyes.“It
’si
nthepast.Let’
sleavei
t
ther
e.Itoowoul
dn’thavebel
ievedyou.It
’si
nt he
past.Let
’smoveon.”
“
Iloveyou.
”
Shel
eanedoverandki
ssedhi
m,herr
ingr
ubbi
ng
hi
sski
n.

*
**

Att
heORTamboairpor
tinSout
hAfri
ca,
Lef
agoti
n
t
heplanewi
thhi
snewlyweddedwi
fe.
St
acysmi
ledt
henl
ookedatherr
ingandl
ookedat
hi
m.
“
Sot
hisi
t?”
Lef
alookedathert
henki
ssedher
.Mi
nut
esl
ster
theyputontheirseat
bel
tsj
ustbef
oret
heplanet
ook
off.Lef
alookedatherandt
ookherhand.
“
Ther
e’ssomet
hingyouneedt
oknow.
,
”
Lef
at ookadeepbreathholdi
ngherhandwhi l
e
l
ookinginhereyesreadytotel
lherever
ythi
ng.

7YEARSLATER…
.
.
.
[
06/
22,
08:
38] :Fal
lenAngel
#151

SevenYear
sLat
er…

InShakawe,Yamasagoti nherorangeFordRanger
Raptoratherhouse.Shetookherringi
ngphone
andpickedhermot her
’scal
l.
“
Mama…”
“Ther
ei sapastorthati
scomi
ng.Iam goi
ngtot
ake
yourpictur
estheresohecanprayf
oryou.”
Yamasasi
ghed.“
Okmama.
”
“
Whydoyousoundl
iket
hat
?”
“Idon’
tthinkanyonecanhel
pme.Wehavet
ri
ed
everyt
hing.”
“
Wehaven’
ttr
iedeverythi
ng.Til
leveryt
hingthatt
hat
womandi
dtoyoust ops,Iwil
lnotstoptryi
ng.”
“Butmyt hi
ngsaregoingwel l.Iam abouttof i
nish
myhouseandnextmont hIwi l
lfi
nishingoffpaying
thecar’
sloan.Theperiodpainsar etheonly
probl
em andthesmel lbutapar tfr
om that,
that
Zimbabweant r
adit
ionalhealerhelpedme.
Rememberwhathesai d?Hesai dthathe’
sr est
ored
alotandwhat ’
slef
tisnothing.”
“
Hasyourper
iodal
readyst
art
ed?
”
“
No.WhenitdoesIdr
inkt
hatt
hinghegavemeso
t
hatIcancont
rolt
hepai
nandsmell
.”
Hermot
hersi
ghed.“
Iwantyout
ogetmar
ri
ed.
”
“Youknowmyrelat
ionshipsdon’tl
astformoret
han
amont hmama.NnaIhavest oppedtryi
ngbecause
i
thurtsmeever
ytimear elat
ionshi
pjustends
abrupt
ly.
”
“
That
’swhyIam goi
ngt
othatchur
ch.
”
“Youarewasti
ngyourti
me.Myt i
mehasnotcome.I
am st
illi
nmythir
ti
es.Iwil
lgetmarr
iedoneday.I
t
wil
lprobabl
ybetosomeoneyoungerthanme.”
“
Iam st
il
ltaki
ngyourpi
ctur
es.
”
“
Ok.Letmegot
owor
k.”
“
Ok.
”
Yamasahungupandl ookedathernei ghbor’
s
house.Minutesl
aterhernei ghbor’s17yearold
form 5sonwalkedoutcar ryinghisbagwi t
hone
arm whil
efixi
nghiswat ch.Hewal keddownthe
str
eet,f
iveminuteslat
ershest ar
tedhercarand
droveout.Shecaughtupwi thhim ashe
approachedabigtreethenhequi cklyj
umpedi n.
Shedroveof
fmakingsurenoonehadseenthen
smil
edsmell
ingt
hecologneshehadboughthima
weekback.
“
Yousmel
lgood.
”
“
Thankyou.Il
ikei
t.Il
ikeyourhai
rtoday.
”
Yamasabl
ushedthentouchedherhai
r.Shedr
ove
tot
hebushthenparkedhercar
.
Thetalkboysteppedoutoft
hecar,
Yamasaopened
herdoorashewal kedovert
oher
.Hepul
ledherout
andkissedhersqueezi
ngherbut
t.
Heturnedheraroundthenpushedherchesttot
he
carseatunzi
ppinghi
sschoolpants.Hepull
edup
herski
rtandsli
dherpantytothesidest
ari
ngather
pussy.
Hestrokedhi
mselfbefor
epushi
nghi
sdicinsi
de.
Yamasaclosedhereyesashefi
ll
edherupthenhe
#removed.
.
Yamasaclosedhereyesconvul
singashefucked
hermor
egr unt
ing.Hespankedherbut
tharder
l
eavi
nghishandi mpr
int
edgoingevenfast
er.
Hegavehert
hel
astst
rokeandst
il
ledi
nsi
despi
ll
ing
hi
scum i
nsi
deher
.
Heslidoutandf ixedherpant
y.Yamasat ookadeep
breat
hsmi l
ing,fuck!Thatwasnecessary.He
walkedroundbackt othepassengerseatasshe
pull
edherskirtdown.
Theygotbacki
nthecar
.Yamasal
ookedathi
m.
“
Haveyout
oldyourpar
ent
saboutt
heschoolt
ri
p?”
“
Yes.
”
Shesmil
ed.“
Iam happyi
t’
syourbi
rt
hdaynext
week.
”
“
Met
oo.Wear
est
il
lgoi
ngt
oNami
bia?
”
“
Yes.Youar
egoi
ngt
olovei
t.
”
“
Ihaveneverbeeni
napl
ane.
”
“
Youar
egoi
ngt
olovei
t.
”
Shestart
edt hecaranddr
oveoff
.Sheparkeda
di
stancefrom hi
sschoolt
hentookoutaP200and
gaveitt
ohi m.
“
Getyour
sel
fsomet
hingdur
ingl
unch.
”
“
Thankyoubabe.Iwi
llseeyoul
ater
.Il
oveyou.
”
“
Iloveyout
oo.Behave.
”
Hesmi ledki
ssingherandsteppedout.She
remainedinhercarwatchingashej oi
nedhi
sf r
iend
walki
ngi nsi
detheschoolpremises.Shesmil
ed
aloneanddr oveoff
.Nowthathewasaboutt obe
18,she’dcalm down.

*
**

InMaun,AlonewatchedasAkaputonhi suni
for
m.
Itf
ithi
sbuffbodyperfect
ly,
itmadehi
m evenmore
handsome.Heputonhi sbootsthenl
ookedather
.
“
Iam goi
ng.Iwi
llseeyoul
ater
.”
Heleanedoverandki
ssedher.Shefrowned
i
nhali
nghi scol
ognet
henquickl
ystoodupandr
an
t
othet oi
letwher
eshevomit
edcoughi ng.
Shefl
ushedthet
oil
ett
henwashedhermout
h.Aka
l
ookedatherasshewalkedout
.
“
Areyouok?
”
“
Imissedmyper
iodl
astmont
h.Andt
heot
her
month.
”
Hel
ookedather
.“Youar
epr
egnant
?”
Tear
sfi
ll
edhereyes.“
Weshoul
dabor
tthi
sone.
”
“
Aren’
tyouoncont
racept
ives?
”
“
Iam.Idon’
tknowwhathappened.It
hinkIshoul
d
t
iemytubesi
nstead.
”
“
Youwillt
iet
hem af
tert
hisone.Youar
enotki
ll
ing
mychi
ld.”
“Aka,thechi
ldr
enar
etoomany.Ican’
thaveseven
chil
dren!”
“Minewil
lbefi
ve.Idon’
tmi
nd5chil
dren.Gapei
t’
s
notli
keIcan’
ttakecar
eofmychi
ldr
en.Theyareal
l
doi
ngf i
ne.
”
Shesatdowncr
ying.
“Youarenotki
ll
ingmychi
ld.I
fyoudo,
Iam goi
ngt
o
kil
lyou.
”
Hewal
kedoutl
eavi
nghercr
ying.Thet
hree
youngestchil
drenl
ookedathi
m.Hesmi
ledpi
cki
ng
them upalluponebyone.
Thenannywalkedf
rom t
heki
tchenhol
dingpl
ates
ofsof
tporr
idge.
“
Goodmor
ning.
”
Hesmiledputt
ingthel
astonedown.“Hi
.Ili
ked
yourf
oodlastnight
.Gr
eatimprovement
.”
Thenannysmi
led.“
Thankyou.
”
Hi
sphoner
angashegoti
nhi
scar
.
“
Hey…”
“Babe,kel
ebetsi
jacketkol
apeng,
(If
orgotmyj acket
athome)therr
acanyoupassbyandbr i
ngitoverat
work.”
“
Ok.Anyt
hingel
se?Di
dyoueat
?”
“
No.Idi
dn’
tgett
ime.Ihadt
orusht
oameet
ing.
”
“
Ok,
keet
a.Iwi
llgetyousomet
hingt
oeat
.”
“
Ok,
Iloveyou.
”
Hehungupanddr
oveof
fheadedt
othemal
lwher
e
hequickl
ygotbr
eakf
astatWi
mpybef
oredr
ivi
ngt
o
herhouse.
Akadr ovetoMowar eFoundat i
onBank.Hepar ked
i
nf rontofthebigt al
lbui
ldingthensteppedout
holdingthelunchandwal kedinsi
dethebank.He
tookadeepbr eathinwalkingtowardsthebigglass
recepti
ondeskwher ealadyi nabluesuitputdown
thephoneandl ookedathi m.
“
Wel
comet
oMFB,
howcanIhel
pyou?
”
“
Iam her
etoseeKef
il
weMoet
edi
.”
“
Doyouhaveanappoi
ntment
?”
“
Tel
lheri
t’
sAkanyang.
”
Ther ecept
ioni
stpickedupt hecordlessphoneand
madeacal l
.Theelevatordooropenedt hatAka
turned.Hiseyesfellonthewomanst eppingoutina
blackandwhi tesuit
.Herslackshuggedherper fect
fi
gur e,
sheunbut t
onedherbl azerasherlongheels
echoedont hewhi t
eshi nyt
iles.
Shet
urnedl
ooki
ngathi
mthensmi
led.
“
Aka…”
Heopenedhismouthtosaysomethi
ngbutnot
hing
cameout.Sheputonhersungl
assessmi
li
ng.
“
ByeTsi
tsi
!”
“
ByeMr
s.Wal
ker
!”
Shelaughedmaki ngherwaytosli
dingdoors.Whi
le
tucki
nghershortbobbehindherear.Thedoors
openedlet
tingheroutthenshegotinthebl
ackSUV
bytheentrance.
Akaswal
lowedandt
urnedbackt
other
ecept
ioni
sts.
“
That
-“
“I
stheChiefExecut
iveOff
icerofMowar e
Foundat
ionBankandMowar eFinanci
als.Youar
e
welcome.Ms.Moetediiswaiti
ng.Thir
df l
oor.
”
Hetookadeepbr
eat
htur
ninghi
sheadbutt
heSUV
wasgone.
Hewal kedtotheelevatorandpr
essedthree.He
steppedoutmi nut
eslaterandwalkedtoanother
glassdesk.Aladylookedathim.“Seconddoorto
yourright
.She’swaiti
ng.”
Henoddedandwal
kedwher
ehehadbeendi
rect
ed.
Onthedoorwas‘
Chi
efFi
nanci
alOf
fi
cer
-Kef
il
we
Moetedi
.’
Heknockedandwalkedi
n.Kef
ilookedathi
m and
smi
ledgett
ingup.
“
Hey,youcamer
ightont
ime.Iwasj
usti
na
meet
ing“
“
Yourbossusedt
odat
emybr
other
.”
“
Who?
”
“
Bant
u.”
“
Oh,
Mrs.Wal
ker
?Yourbr
other
?”
“
Yes.Thel
awyer
.”
“
When?
”
Hehuggedherinhali
ngherfragr
ance.Kef
il
wet
ook
herj
acketandputitonsmil
ing.
“Whenshewasst illat
eenager
.Thenhecheat
ed
andlosther.That
’showshemether…wellnow
husband.”
“
Hel
ostout
.Thankyoubaby.
”
Helookedatherf
eel
ingabitoutofcl
ass.“
Ithought
yousaidyouwereanassi
stantFi
nanci
alOffi
cer.
”
Kef
il
wesmi
ledpushi
ngherBr
azi
li
anweaveback.
“Iwas.Ijustgotpr
omoted.Iwantedyoutosee.
Seemsever yoneknewIwasaboutt ogetthe
positi
on.Thisbabeismynewof f
ice.Iwantto
scream.”
Shehuggedhi
m happi
lyt
hensmi
led.
“
Didyout
ellheryouwantadi
vor
ce?
”
“
She’
spr
egnant
.It
oldyour
ight
?”
Kefisighedannoyed.“
Don’tyouuseprotect
ion
ner
r a?Whatam Isupposedtodowi thyourmill
ion
ki
ds?Gapehel awhyar eyousti
llsl
eepingwithher?”
“Ihaven’
tsleptwi t
hhersinceIhavebeenwi t
hyou.
She’sprobablyfivemonthspregnant.It
oldyouthat
whenwemett hatIsuspectshe’
spregnant.
”
“
Ahhnnakeat enega.Besi
desget
ti
ngpr
egnant
,
whatdoesshedo?”
“Not
hing.She’sj
ustahousewif
e.Iam goi
ngt
ogi
ve
hert
hedi vor
cepaperst
oday.
”
“
Youbet
terbecausei
fyout hi
nkyoucant
oywi
th
me,
youarewrong.Iwil
lleaveyou.
”
Akaputhi
shandsonherwai
st.
“
Iam sor
ry…Iknowyouar
eannoyed.
”
Hekissedhert
henpickedherupplaci
ngheronher
t
ableandgotinbet
weenhislegs.Shetouchedhis
weaponthenunzi
ppedhispantsandtookitout
.

*
**

Thatsamemor ni
ng,
PulelookedatTshepoashe
nervousl
ylookedathiminasuit.
“Iwonderwhat
’st
aki
ngt
hem sol
ong.Kemagadi
hela.
”
Pulelaughedthenf i
xedhisownsui t
.“Justbe
pati
ent.Suchthingsneedpatience.Bomal omeare
ontopofi t
.Youcanonl yimaginehowIf eltwhenI
paidmagadiforBant u.Kanaherfatherhatesme.I
knowhechar gedt hatmuchthinki
ngIwon’ tbeabl
e
topayit.
”
“
Exact
ly,
Luba’
sfat
herl
ikesme.I
tshoul
dn’
ttake
t
hisl
ong.”
Oneoft
heaunt
swal
kedovert
othem.
“
Theyar
eaboutt
ocal
lyoui
n.”
Tsheposmi
led.“
It
’sdone?
”
Shesmi
led.“
Yes.
”
Pulelookedathertaki
ngoutacigar
ett
e.Shel
ooked
overathimlockingeyeswithhi
m asheblewout
thesmokei ntheairt
henlookedawayandqui
ckl
y
walkedaway,herheartraci
ng.
Tshepol
ookedathi
m.“
Whywast
hat
?”
Pul
eshr
ugged.“
Idon’
tknow.
”
“
Ithoughtyouqui
t.
”
“
Idid.Idon’
tsmokeever
yday,
Ijustf
eeledgy.Don’
t
t
ellt
hattoBantu.
”
OneofLuba’
scousinswal
kedpastt
hem,she
l
ookedoveratPul
eandsmiledl
ooki
ngaway.
*
**

Overanhourlat
er,
Bantusteppedoutoftheai
rpor
t
l
ookingattheti
me.Shetookouthercarkeysand
unl
ockedherconvert
ibl
efrom adi
stantt
hen
j
umpedi n.
Shestar
tedthecarandspedof fheadedhome
whereshequicklychangedint
oherGer manprint
ski
rtandawhi t
elongsleevedshi
rt.Shetuckeditin
andputhertsâl
eoverhershouldersthennicel
ytied
adorktoherhead.
Shepi
ckedacal
ldr
ivi
ngof
f.
“
Hi.
.”
“
Hey,
areyouback?
”
“
Yes.Ihavear
ri
ved.
”
“
Ok,
canwemeetl
ater
?”
“Pulei
sabi tof
fbecauseofmyconst anttr
aveli
ng.I
don’twanthimtobesuspi ci
ous.Kanahenever
stopstothi
nkwhenhest art
ssuspect
inganythi
ng.
Thisti
mehewi llki
llme.Letmegivehim at
tenti
on
t
oni
ght
.”
“Ok.Iunder
stand.Wecanmeett
omor
row?Youwi
ll
callme.”
“
Ok.
”

SheparkedhercarwiththeothercarsatRragwe
Luba’
shouseknowi ngshewasmor ethanjustlat
e.
Bantusteppedoutofthecarcalli
ngPule,hereyes
fel
lonhim ashelaughedwithhisuncles.Shehung
upandtookadeepbr eathwalkingthr
ought hegate.
Pul
etur
nedhisheadandl
ookedatherasshe
wal
kedover
.
Hemovedfrom hi
sunclesmeeti
ngherhal
fway.He
wrappedhi
sarmsaroundherhuggi
ngher.Bant
u
t
ookadeepbreathrel
axing.
“
Iam l
ate.Iam sor
ry.
”
Pul
emovedsl
ight
lyandki
ssedher
.“Youl
ook
beaut
if
ul.
”
Shesmi
ledl
ooki
ngupathi
m.“
Thankyou.Imi
ssed
you.
”
Helookedi
nhereyesasi
fsear
chi
ngf
orsomet
hing.
Bantusmil
ed.
“
IloveyouPul
e.”
Hesmi
ledback.“
Ihat
ewhat
’sgoi
ngon.
”
“
AndIam sor
ry.Iam goi
ngt
odobet
ter
.”
Hepi
nchedhercheek.“
Thankyou.
”
BantuhuggedhimlookingoveratLubawhowas
surr
oundedwithrel
ati
ves.Herphoneranginher
pocket
.Shetookitoutwhil
ePulelooked.Shet
ooka
deepbreat
hlooki
ngatthecaller
,Pulelooki
ngt
oo.
Hef
rownedl
ooki
ngatanumberheknewsowel
l
.
“
Whyi
sSkar
acal
li
ngyou?
”
Shel
ookedathi
mtr
yingt
ocomeupwi
thanexcuse.
.
.
.
[
06/
22,
08:
38] :Fal
lenAngel
#152

“
Idon’
tknow.Letmepi
ck.
”
Bantupi
ckedt
hecal
landputi
tonloudspeaker
tr
yingt
omaint
ainacal
m expr
essi
on.
“
Hel
lo?
”
Skara’
swif
espoke.“Hi
.Ij
uststol
ethephone.Kana
mmaIhadani deabutIdon’
tknowwhatyout hi
nk.
It
’sbeenawhi
lesincewedidagrouptr
ipandnna
mmat heki
dshavewornmeout .Kebatavacati
on
hela.
”
Bantuputt
hephoneonherearr
emovingf
rom t
he
l
oudspeakerasPul
e’
sunclecal
ledhi
m.She
watchedhi
m wal
kaway.
“
He’
sherewi
thme.It
houghtyouwer
egoi
ngt
ospi
ll
t
hesur
pri
se.
”
Shel
aughed.“
ThankGod!Kar
abosaysyoucan’
t
meett
oday?
”
“EishmmaIcan’ t
.Idon’
twanthimt hinki
ngIam
cheating.Icantel
lgorethethoughtisalr
eady
steali
nghishappiness.Totayouguyscandeci de
ont helasttouchups.Whateveryoudecideisgood
withme. ”
“
Ok.Thenwewi
llseeyout
hen.
”
“
Yes,Ili
kethei
deaofagr
oupt
ri
p.Whatwer
eyou
t
hinki
ng?”
“
Tanzani
a.MountKi
li
manj
aro.
”
“
Ili
kei
t.Iwi
llt
alkt
oLuba.
”
“
Thammabual
emosadiwaBar
ona.
”
“
Theybr
okeup.
”
“
Real
ly?
”
Bantulaughed.“
Yes.Gat
weshewasgett
ing
physi
cal.KanathewayBaronai
ssof
tIcanonl
y
i
magi ne.
”
Kaylaughed.“
Shel
ookedvi
olent
.Sodoeshecome
gont
seyalo?”
“Idon’
tknow.Hecangetsomeonet
ocompanyhi
m.
Howl ongwil
litbef
or?
”
“
Aweek.
”
“
Ok.Iwi
llt
alkt
ohubby.
”
“
Ok.Bye.
”
BantulookedatPuleput
ti
ngherphonei
nher
handbag.Awhilelat
erhewal
kedovertoher
.
“
Let
’sgo.
”
“
Idi
dn’
tgr
eetbo-
“
“Youwil
lgr
eett
hem att
heweddi
ng.Let
’sgo.Wher
e
areyoupar
ked?
”
Shewal
kedoutwithhim headedtothepar
kinglot
.
Sheunl
ockedhercarandgotinatthepassenger
seat
.Hejumpedonthedr i
ver’
sseatanddroveoff
.
Hel ookedattheti
medr i
vinghome.Puleparked
nexttoherbiggercarandwalkedinsi
dethehouse
wit
hher .Hetookherhandandl edhertothe
bathroom wherehesatdownandpul l
edhert ohis
l
ap.
Bant
uki
ckedof
fherheel
sandwr
appedherar
ms
ar
oundhi
m smi
li
ng.
“
Imi
ssedyou.
”
“Iknowsomet hi
ngi
sgoingon.Ican’
tputmyf
inger
onit.ButIknowsomet
hingisoff
.”
Shel ookedi nhiseyes.“Yes.Butit’
snotwhatyou
arethinking.Iknowyout hinkIam cheati
ngonyou.
Iam not .IfItel
lyouwhat ’sgoingon,I’
dber uini
ng
everythingandever yone’seffort
.Il
oveyou.Il ove
youonl y.Iknowt hebusinesst ri
psletsonear e
ti
ri
ngbutIam goi ngtowor kondoingbetter.Iknow
Ihavebeensl acki
ng.Iam goi ngtochange.Iam
sorr
y, Ihavebeennegl ectingyoual otlat
elybutI
am goi ngtowor koni t
.”
Helookedi
nhereyesandsmilednowcur
iousl
y.
“I
t’
ssomethi
ngformybir
thday?”
Shel
aughed.“
Whatbi
rt
hday?
”
“
Comeon…t
ellme,
Iwi
llactsur
pri
sed.
”
Bantugotupstandi
ngbetweenherl
egs.Shet
ook
offhert
sâl
ethenunbutt
onedhershi
rt.She
uncl
ippedherbraandtookof
f.Pul
epul
ledher
cl
oserandkissedher
.
Bantuunzi
ppedherskirtandleti
tdroptoherfeet
.
Shepull
eddownhert hongandpushedhi m down
thebedstr
addl
inghim.Shehel pedhimtakeoffhi
s
j
acketandtiet
hem unbuckledhisbeltashi
sdick
j
erked.
Sheunzippedhi spant
sandt ookitout
.Shestroked
i
tashebr eathedheavil
y.Sheleanedoversucking
hi
m, Pul
egr untedasshewor kedhermouthonhi m.
Justwatchi
nghersuckhi m madehi sbal
lsti
ghten.
“
Fuck!Babewai
t-
“
Shestoppedloweredhersel
fdownonit.He
squeezedherbuttasherpussygr
ippedhim.She
l
ookedathi mthenputherhandsonhischest.She
movedherwai str
idi
nghim.Shemoanedmovi ng
herwaistl
ikeshehadreadonFacebook,herbr east
bouncing.
Hegroanedhelpl
esslyunderneathher
.Bant
u
l
ookedathim enj
oyingeverystrokeashi
sdic
t
appedallcor
ners.Herpussycont i
nuedmassagi
ng
andsucki
nghim, hegruntedast
hepleasure
i
ntensi
fi
ed,shefeltsoogoodhecoul
dhar dl
ykeep
hi
mselfundercheck.
“
Fuck!Sl
owdown…”
Sheleanedoverr
otat
ingherwai
stsi
nki
ngdownon
i
t.
.“I
t’sok…cum f
ormebaby…f i
llmeup…”
Pul
efuckedherf
rom under
neat
h,hi
shandsonher
but
t.Shecl
osedhereyesmoani
nginhi
sear.
“
Oh…yesbaby…l
eti
tgo.
.”
Hervoiceandhermoanst hrewhi
m offt
heedge,he
l
ostcontrolf
il
li
ngherupwi t
hhist
hickcum asshe
spasmed.Shelaidherheadonhischestbr
eathi
ng
heavi
ly.
Shekissedhi
sneckashehuggedherst
il
lpl
unged
i
nside.
“
Imi
ssedyou.
”
Shesmi
led.“
Iknow.Met
oo.
”
Pulef
li
ppedthem ki
ssi
ngher.Bant
urubbedhis
shoul
ders,
Pulepushedherl
egstoherchest
pushi
ngdeeperint
oher.
*
**

AtAka’ shouse,Al
onedranktheotherpi
lland
pushedt heotheroneinhervagi
na.Shesighed
pickingherphoneandwentonFacebookwi t
hher
fakeaccount.Sheroll
edhereyeslooki
ngat
picturesofLefaandStacyandthei
rson.
Shescroll
eddownhi spr ofi
leandaweekdi dn’
t
passwithouthim post
ingher .Shejustcouldn’
t
underst
andhowsomeonecoul djustbehappyaf ter
hurti
ngherthewayhedi d.Shecouldn’tunderst
and
whykarmawasn’ tlocati
nghi m af
terhowmuchhe
hurther
.Hedi dn’
tdeservetobehappy.
Herangerrosewit
heverypict
ureshet
ookt
hatshe
foundher
selfwonder
ingjusthowhewoul
dfeeli
f
hehadtowakeupwi thherdead.
Shescrol
leddownandlookedatMai
na’
sdaught
er
wit
hStacyatabeach.
“
Mxm!
”
Herphonerangdistur
binghert
henshepi
ckedher
ol
dcoll
eague’scall
.
“
That
o..
”
“
Hey,kanammaIam from Moware,Iwentt
oappl
y
f
oraloan.
.It
hinkIsawyourhusbandmmaandhe
waswithawoman.”
Al
onesatupr
ight
.“Whi
chwoman?
”
“Iasked,gatwekeeneKefi
lweMoetedi
.She’
s…uh
kel ebet
sibutsheworkst
here.Wai
tsemmamen
willembarrassyou.
”
Al
onebi
therl
owerl
ip.“
Thanksf
ri
end.
”
“
Shar
p.”
Alonehungupandsmi ledthought full
y.Ofcause
sheknewhewascheat ing,itdidn’treall
ybot herher
,
partofherwasj ustwai t
ingforhi mt of i
lefor
divor
ce,shecoul dactuallyseei tcomi ngbut
wouldn’
titbenicesui ngf or100kandget t
ingthat
schoolbusshewant ed.Shesear chedf or‘Kefi
lwe’
onFacebookt hensmi ledopeni ngt hepr ofi
le.She
wasbeaut i
ful
.Ver ybeaut i
ful.She’dlookbeaut if
ul
f
ort
henewspaper
saswel
l.

*
**

InShakawelat
erthatday,Yamasaparkedhercarat
herhouseandsteppedoutasherneighborwalked
tothebi
n.Herneighborsmiled.
“
Yaya…hi
!”
Yamasasmi
led.“
Heydar
li
ng.
”
Hernei
ghborsmi
ledl
ooki
ngatherwetweave.“
I
l
oveyourweavemma.”
“Thanks,Iwil
lpl
ugyou.How’sever
yone.Isaw
Tinayeinthemorni
ng.Wait
sehe’sgogrown.”
Herneighborl
aughed.“He’
seventalkert
hanhi
s
f
atherandhisvoice!Ahhwait
sethesekids.
”
Yamasal
aughed.“
Letmer
estmyl
egs.
”
Thenei
ghborl
aughed.Yamasaunl ockedherdoor
andwal
kedinsideherhouse.Shetookoffherheel
s
andl
ookedattheti
mewonder ingwhatwast aki
ng
hi
m sol
ongt
oar
ri
vehome.
.
.
.
[
06/
22,
08:
38] :Fal
lenAngel
#153

Yamasaundressedthentookashower.Shewalked
tohersi
tt
ingroom hol
dingherphoneandsatdown
picki
ngacall
.
“
Hel
lo?
”
“HiYamasa,i
t’sGwen,t
hegynae.Ihaveadoct
or
fr
iendwho’sintown.
.It
oldhi
m aboutyour
condit
ionandhewantedtoexamineyou.
”
“Iam i
nShakawe,t
here’
snosci entif
icwayof
expl
aini
ngwhat’
shappeningtome.Nomat terhow
manyt i
mesIgetexamined,Ist
illcan’
texplainthe
thi
ngshappeni
ngtome. .i
t’
sAfricanthings.Iget
heavyperi
odsbutIdon’
tknowwher ethisbloodis
comi
ngf
rom.
”
“I
t’
sok.Iunderstand.Ihadj ustexpl
ainedt
ohi m
yourcondit
ionandhowt i
llnowyouar esti
llhavi
ng
yourperi
odsmont hlyevent houghyouhada
subtot
alhyster
ectomydone. ”
“
It
’snotper
iods.Justcl
ots.Badsmel
li
ngclot
s.And
mystomachreall
yhurtswhenit’
shappeni
ng.
”
“Iknowaboutbl
ackmagi cbutIt
oldyou,t
hefirst
yearaft
ert
hesurgery,
bleedi
ngwasnor mal.I
t
stoppedaf
tert
hatthenconti
nuedri
ght?”
“
Yes.
”
“
Rightnowdoyoubl
eedever
ymont
h?”
“
No.Butwheni
thappensi
t’
sint
ense.
”
“I
tmaybecervi
calbl
eedi
ng.Ij
ustwantt
odo
anot
herscr
eeni
ngwithanot
herdoct
or.
”
“Iwasbewi
tched.Youwon’tfi
ndanyt
hing.You
don’
tbeabl
et oexpl
ainanythi
ng.
”
“Look,
he’saroundfort
woweeks.I
fyouchange
yourmind,j
ustcall
me.”
“
Ok.
”
Shehungupthenl ookedatthet imeagain.She
stoodupandopenedhercur tainlookingout
throught
hewindow.Mi nut
esl aterTi
nayewal ked
throught
hegate.Shelookedatt hetimeandmoved
back.

*
**

InGaborone,Bantuslowlyopenedhereyesand
tookadeepbr eat
hsitti
nguprightwhil
eherpussy
l
eaked.Shegotof fbed,herbodyachingthen
walkedt
ot hebathroom whereshefreshenedup
andputonherpyj amas.
Shemadeherwaydownst air
sandpausedlooki
ng
atherki
dshel
pingPuleintheki
tchenwhi
lethey
l
aughedaboutsomething.
Mot
heot
urnedt
hensmi
led.“
Sleepi
ngbeaut
y!”
Bant
ulaughedathi
svoi
cet
hatseemedt
obe
get
ti
ngdeeper.
WameandReat
urned.Rear
ushedoverhuggi
ng
her
.
“
Heybaby…Imi
ssedyou.
”
“
Imi
ssedyout
oo.
.ar
eyougoi
ngagai
n?”
“
No.Iam notgoi
ngt
oanywher
e.Iam st
ayi
ngher
e
wit
hyou.
”
Wamehuggedher
.Mot
heowal
kedovert
ooand
huggedher
.
“
Mot
heor
ra,
areyout
all
ert
hanmenow?
”
Hel
aughedmovi
ngback.“
Notyet
.It
’scomi
ng.
”
Bantuwal
kedovertoPul
esmi l
ing,herswol
len
pussyst
il
lthr
obbi
nginsoughtpain.“Whatareyou
cooki
ng?”
Pulewrappedhisar
msaroundherkissi
ngher.The
kidswalkedtot
hesit
ti
ngroom wi
thsil
lysmi
leson
thei
rfaces.
Pulepickedherupandpl
acedheront
heki
tchen
counters.
“
Yousmel
lni
ceIcanj
ustf
uckyou.
”
Bant
ulaughed.“
Whydon’
tyou?
”
“Iam sendi
ngt
heki
dsawayt
omor
rowkegoj
e
sente.
”
Shesmi
led.“
Yourpoti
sdoi
ngsomet
hing.
”
Heleanedoverandwhisperedsomethi
nginherear
.
Bantublushedl
aughi
nglist
ening.Hemovedbackto
hi
spot.Hisphonestar
tedri
ngingnextt
oher.
“
Yourf
ather
…”
Shepi
ckedj
umpi
ngof
fthecount
ersandputi
ton
hi
sear
.
“
Hel
lo?
”
“
Pul
e,youdi
dn’
tbi
dusf
arewel
lear
li
eron.
”
“It
houghtwewer
edoneandIhadt
otakemywi
fe
home.”
“
Wewer
edone.I
treal
lywentwel
l
.”
“
Itwoul
dn’
thavewentwel
lifi
twasn’
tforyou.
”
Pul
emovedfr
om t
hephonegoingt
othef
ri
dget
hen
Bant
uputt
hephoneonherear
.
“Pul
e,It
houghtI
’dgetachancetotal
ktoyoutoday
butsi
nceyoulef
tsoquickl
yIdidn’
tgetachance.I
havebeenmeaningtotal
ktoyouaboutsomething
butIj
ustneverf
oundthecouraget
o.”
Pulewalkedbacktoherhol
dinggr
eenpeppersand
tomatoes.Bant
umovedwi t
hhisphonesmil
ingas
hisfat
herspoke.
“
Iknowyourmot
her
.”
Bant
ufr
oze,
herhear
tski
ppi
ng.
“Iknewher.Shewasmyst epdaughter.Canwe
meetandt alk.Comewi t
hTshepo.Ineedt otal
kto
youinperson.Iam atyouraunt ’shouse.She’sl
eft
forherchurchthing.If
eelthisistheti
mewet al
k.I
don’twanttodiewi t
houttell
ingyoueverythi
ng.”
Bant
uhungup.Pul
elookedather
.
“
Whatdi
dhesay?
”
Bant
ulookedathim.Fr
om t
heoldmen’
stone,
she
knewitwasnothi
nggoodandknowi
ngPule…she
smil
ed.
“
NgNg…hesayshe’
spr
oudofyouandTshepo.
Andthathe’
shappyyouar
ebot
hmar
ri
ed.Hecan
rel
axnow.”
Sheputhisphonedownandhuggedhi
mfrom
behi
nd.Sheheldhi
mt i
ght
lyashecutt
het
omatoes.

*
**

LubaparkedhercaratTshepo’shouselaterthat
eveni
ngandsteppedout.Shewal kedi
nsidethe
houseandlookedathim seat
edont hediningtabl
e
weari
ngasuitonhisupperbodywi thshorts
under
neath.
Hel ookedoveratherasshewalkedpasthi
m goi
ng
totheirbedr
oom.Awhi l
elatershewal
kedbackin
shortsandavest.
Helookedatherwhileli
steni
ngtotheNigeri
an
businessmantal
king.Lubaturnedthenbended
shakingherbi
gbum.
Tshepoputhi
shandoverhi
smout hwatchi
ngher
buttvi
brat
e.Shet
urnedt
ohim naught
il
yandli
fted
hervestshowinghim herbreast
s.Heswall
owed
abouttochock,hist
entinghisshor
ts.TheNi
ger
ian
manpausedt alki
ng.
“
Areyouokovert
her
e?”
Tshepocl
ear
edhi
sthr
oat
.“Yes.Pl
easecont
inue.
”
Lubalaughedthenwalkedt
othekit
chenand
star
tedcooki
ng.Anhourlat
erTshepowrappedup
hi
smeet i
ngthenstoodup.
“
MmaMot
samai
so…”
Lubasmi
leddi
shi
ngf
orhi
m.“
RreMot
samai
so.
”
Tshepoki
ssedherput
ti
nghishandoverher
st
omach.“Howarewedoingtoday?
”
“Wearehappy.Noonecantel
lIam pr
egnant
becauseofmyfat
ness.Evenatt
heoffi
ce.
”
“
Ilovet
hisf
atness.
”
Shesmi
ledpi
cki
ngherpl
ate.
“
DidBant
ucome?Idi
dn’
tseeher
.”
“ShecamebutPuletookherassoonasshearr
ived,
heissuspi
cious,
kanaBantucan’
tkeepasecr
et
f
rom hi
m.Ihopeshedoesn’
ttel
lhi
m.”
“Evenifshewantedto,
yourbr
otherwon’
tmakeit
easierforher
.Ial
wayswonderhowshehandles
him..”
“Shetamedhi
m down.Sheknowswhi
chbut
tonst
o
press.
”
Tshepokissedherr
ingt
hensmi
led.“
Youl
ooked
beauti
fult
oday.
”
Shebl
ushed.“
Thankyou.Yout
oo.Babeweeh,
did
Bar
onabreakupwit
hthatwomanofhis?
”
“
Theywer
efi
ght
ingatt
hemal
l.
.”
“
Youl
ie!
”
“
Orat
amaaka!(
Youl
ikegossi
p!)
Lubal
aughed.“
Tlher
aat
ellme.Theywer
efi
ght
ing?
”
Theywalkedtothesi
tti
ngroom andsatdown
gossi
pingaboutever
yone.

*
**
Latert
hatevening,Bantuslowlygotoffbedwhile
Pulewasdeadasl eep.Shet appedhisshoul
derto
checkift
hedr ugwasal r
eadywor ki
ng.Sheputona
blacksui
tthentookasmal lbagwher esheputa
coupleofthi
ngsinsidebeforewalkingouthol
ding
hercarkeysandhi sphone.
Shej
umpedi
nhercaranddr
oveof
f.

AtPule’saunt
’shouse,Bantupickedastreetaway
thentookadeepbr eat
handwal kedtherestofthe
wayhoppi ngshewouldn’tendupgetti
ngr obbed
hersel
f.
Shejumpedt hef encet
hr oughthebacktri
ed
openi
ngt hedoor .Shesmi l
edreali
zinghehadn’
t
l
ockedandwal kedinclosingthedoorbehindher
.
Shewalkedt otheguestbedr oom andopenedthe
doorwalkingin.ShelookedatRr agwePule
sl
eepi
ngonthebed.Bant
ucl
osedt
hedoorand
l
ookedathi
m.
“
Dumel
ang…”
Heopenedhiseyeswakingupbr
eat
hingheavi
ly.He
l
ookedatherwit
hsurpr
ise.
“MmagweMot
heo…what
…whatar
eyoudoi
ng
her
e?”
“Pul
edidn’
thearwhatyouar
esayi
ngear
li
eron.I
hadhisphone.
”
“
Idon’
tthi
nk-
‘
”
“Hi
smot herwasyourst
epdaught
er?What
happenedtoher?
”
“
Bant
u-“
“Whathappenedt oher?It’
sbetteryout el
lmef i
rst
soIknowhowt okeephi m undercont r
oloncehe
knows.What everi
tis,he’
sgoingt oloseit.You
knowhi stemper.Justtel
lme.Wewi llf
indabetter
approach.Tellme.Please.
”
Hesatupr
ight
.“Idi
dmanyhor r
ibl
ethi
ngs.Iregr
et
al
loft
hem.Ihavekil
led…Ihavedest
royedl
ivesand
..maybethat
’swhyPul
etur
nedoutl
iket
his…l
ike
me.Hisfat
her.
”
Bant
ulookedathi
m,herhear
traci
ng.“
Whatdoyou
mean?Hisfat
her?
”
“Iwasyoungandst upid.Iwasn’ tt
hinki
ngstrai
ght.
Myt henwi f
ehadadaught er.She…It ook
advantageofher.Iusedt osleepwi thher.Shewas
12.Idon’tknowwhathadgot tenintome..shenever
toldanyone.Shegavebirtht oPul ethenTshepo.
Wi t
hTsheposheki l
ledher selfsoonaf t
er.Ir
egreti
t
ti
llnow.Theguilt
yhasbeeneat ingmeal i
ve.They
needt oknowIam theirrealfat her
.Ihavecancer.I
am goingtodie.Iwanttodi eknowi ngtheyknow
thetruth.
”
“
HernamewasPi
nky?
”
“
No.Peo.HernamewasPeo.
”
Bantustaggeredback…“Hewon’
tbeabl
etotakei
t,
hewillki
llyou.Andever
yoneel
se.Thef
amil
y…he
wil
lkil
lthem.”
“
Notever
yoneknows.Idon’
tmi
nddyi
ng.
”
“Hewillkil
lever
yone…anddest
royever
ythi
ng.I
can’
tletthathappen.
”
“
Heneedst
oknowt
het
rut
h.”
“
No.Hedoesn’
t.Iwi
llnotl
ethi
m know.
”
“
Bant
u-“
“
Youar enotgoi
ngtodestroymyf
ami
ly!Myki
ds
wil
lnotsuff
erbecauseofyou.
”
Shepi
ckedherbagashest
oodup.
“
Youarenotgoi
ngt
ost
opmef
rom t
ell
ingt
he
t
rut
h.”
Bantutur
nedandl
odgedasyr
ingeonhi
sar
m
i
nject
inghim.
Hest
agger
edbackconf
used.“
Whati
sthat
?”
Shelookedathi
mthenhesl
owl
ysatdownf
eel
ing
di
zzy.
“Iam goingtoadmi nist
ercool
anttoyourbody.The
sedativeinyoursystem wil
lmakesureyoudie
asleep.Iknowaunt ywenttoKanyeforchurch.
She’scomi ngbackint wodays.Tomorrowit
’s
Pule’sbir
thdaypar t
y.Noonei sgoingtol ookfor
you.Youwi llbefounddeadher eandnoonewi l
l
knowwhathappenedt oyou.They’dprobablysay
yourcancer .Wewi l
lburr
yyou, Iwil
lcomf ortmy
husbandandwewi llmoveon.Iwillnotletyoubring
outthedevilinhim…notwhenIhavewor kedso
hardburyingit,Iwil
lnotletanyonegetinmy
family’
sway.I fyourbrot
her’str
yit,Iwi
llmakesur e
there’
saf uneraleveryweek.”
.
.
.
[
06/
22,
08:
38] :Fal
lenAngel
#154

Thefoll
owingmorni
ng,Bant
ulookedatPul
e
sl
eeping.Sheki
ssedhi
m.
“
Pul
e…”
Shet
appedhi
sshoul
der
.“Pul
e!”
Shesmiledashewokeupthenki
ssedhi
m.He
wrappedhisar
m ar
oundherpul
li
nghercl
oserand
ki
ssedherneck.
“
Hi.
”
Shegi
ggl
ed.“
Theki
dsar
einwai
ti
ngf
oryou.
”
Hesatupr
ight
.“If
eel
funny.
”
“
Youwi
llf
ine.Comeandf
reshenup.
”
Hegotof fbed,t
hefunnyfeel
ingmakinghi
m
staggerbefor
ehegothisbalance.Bant
utookhi
s
handandl edhimtothebathroom.
Awhi l
elatert
heywal keddownstai
rs.Pul
esmil
ed
ashiskidsstartedsi
nginghappybirt
hdaytohi
m
hol
dingtheirpresent
s.
HepickedReatoget
herwi
thherpr
esent
.“Hey
sweeti
e…thankyou.
”
Reasmiled.“
Iloveyoudaddy.
”Sheki
ssedhi
s
cheekandhuggedhim.
“
Iloveyout
oosweet
ie.Thankyou.
”
Heputherdownt
aki
nghi
spr
esent
.Hel
ookedat
Wame.
“
Pri
ncess…”
Wamesmi
led.“
Iloveyout
oodaddy.
”
Pul
elaughed.“
Ihaven’
tsai
danyt
hingyet
.”
“
Wel
lIknowyoul
oveme.
”
Pul
ehuggedherandgothi
spr
esenti
nabi
gbox.
Bant
ucuri
ousl
ylooked.
“
Kant
ebabear
eyounotopeni
ngt
hepr
esent
s?”
“
Theyar
emi
neal
one.Wai
tforyourbi
rt
hday.
”
Shelaughedandkeptqui
et.Hemovedont
o
Motheo.
“
Buddy.
.”
Motheolaughed.“Nyaakeagana.Allal
ongkebo
sweeti
e…boprincess…nnakeprince.Keept
he
sameenergy,buddycanwaittoday…lennakebat
a
sweettal
k.”
Pul
elaughed.“
Kel
opel
adi
dgi
fthel
a,gasesepe.
”
“
Isai
dkeept
hesameener
gy.
.mygi
fti
sexpensi
ve.
Doyouhowmanyt
imesIhadwashcar
stogett
his
money?
”
Pul
esmi
led.“
Mypr
ince…”
“
Nazo!
”
“
Iloveyouboy,
let
’shavei
t!
”
Pul
ehuggedhi
m andt
ookt
hegi
ftt
henpaused.
“Monnawee,
gomoket edu?Ebi
lee1?(
Ist
hata
bear
d?Andit
’sonl
yone.)”
Motheosteppedbackl
aughing.“
Nyaapapa,ke
kopaotswemogonna!( Pl
easeleavemealone.
)
“
Iam aski
ng.Ket
edu?
”
“
NgNg.
”
Wamel
aughed.“
Hel
ovest
hatt
hingofhi
s.”
Bantul
aughedgoi
ngt
otheki
tchenandcameback
wit
hacake.
Pul
elookedoverandsmi
led.“
Thati
sani
cecake.
”
Bant
usmi
led.“
Happybi
rt
hday.
”
“
Thankyouangel
.”Heki
ssedher
.
“UhWame, gett
heknif
esowecancuti
tthenhave
breakf
astbef
oreIdr
opyouof
fatuncl
eTshepo’
s.”
Theyallsatdownont hedi
nnert
abl
ewher
ethei
r
breakf
astwasalreadyset.

*
**

AtTshepo’
shouse,
Tshepospoket
oSkar
aont
he
phone.
“
Soever
ythi
ngi
sset
?”
“Yes.Bant
ucouldn’
tcomeyester
daysoKayandI
j
ustdidwhatwesawf it
.ShepaidPul
ewas
beginni
ngtosuspect
.”
Tsheposi
ghed.“
Hewas.Ebi
lehewassmoki
ng.
”
“
Mmewepul
ledi
tof
f.
”
“Doest
hepoli
cedoinvest
igat
ioni
fsomeone
committ
edsui
cide?
”
“
What
?”
“Dot
heydof
ur t
herinvest
igat
ionsi
fsomeone
commit
ssui
cide?”
“
Whatdi
dyoudo?
”
“
Not
hing.Iam j
ustaski
ng.
”
“No.I
fyoucover edyourbasesandt her
e’snothing
suspi
cious,theyshouldn’
t.Whatki
ndofsui ci
de
wasitgape?Ther eareothert
hatarejustobvious,
theydon’ti
nvesti
gate.
”
“
Iam notsur
e.It
hinkt
heyhungt
hemsel
ves.
”
“
Theydon’
tinvest
igat
ethatki
ndusual
ly.
”
“
Ok.
”
“
Doyouneedhel
pensur
ingever
ythi
ngi
sinor
der
?”
“
Ever
ythi
ngi
sinor
der
.Thanks.OkaeSpi
jo?
”
“Busywi
thwhi
tewoman.Buthe’
ssupposedt
obe
arr
ivi
nganymi
nute.
”
“
Ok,
shar
p.”
Tshepohungupandputawayhisphone.Luba
walkedoveri
nadressandheel
s.
“Kayiscomi
ngtopickmeupsowegot othevenue.
Bantusayst
heyarehavingbr
eakfastt
henshewill
dropofft
heki
dstogetherwi
ththei
rnanny.
”
Tshepohuggedhertight
lysqueezi
ngherbody.
Lubahuggedhim back.
“
Areyouok?
”
Heki
ssedherneck.“
Icoul
dn’
tbebet
ter
.”
Shesmi
ledj
ustasKayhooted.Shewal
kedoutand
j
umpedinKay’
snewversi
onG- Wagon.

*
**

Yamasadr
ovetot
hepl
aygr
oundsthatsame
morni
ngwher
eshepi
ckedTi
nayeanddr oveof
f.
“
Youcamebackl
ateyest
erdayf
rom school
.”
“
Yeah,
Iwast
ryi
ngt
opushmyar
tpr
oject
.”
“
Soyouar
edone?
”
“
Almost
.Idon’
twantt
owor
kunderpr
essur
elast
mi
nut
e.”
“
Ithoughtyouwer
edoi
ngsomet
hing.
”
Hesmiled.“
Iwasn’
tdoi
nganyt
hing.Ibehaveat
school
.”
Yamasal
ookedathi
m andsmi
led.“
Good.
”
Shedrovetot
hei
rusuall
odgeandpar
kedhol
ding
thekeyst
othechal
et.
Theywal kedt
otheirroom.Yamasatookoffher
dressremaini
ngnude.Sheconnectedherphoneto
thespeakersandplayedsomemusi cbef
oretur
ning
tohim andundressi
nghim.Sheheldhisdicand
strokedhim.
“Iam goi
ngt
oGabor onetomorrow.Iwi
llbecomi
ng
backonTuesday.Iam goingt
oseeadoct or
.”
“
Iam goi
ngt
omi
ssyou.
”
Shel
aiddownont
hebedt
henhegotont
oofher
ki
ssi
ngher.
Shedi
rect
edhi
sdi
cinsi
dehercl
osi
nghereyest
hen
l
ookedathi
m..
“
Fuckme.Wehavet
hewhol
edayt
oday.
”

*
**

Att
hehospi
tali
nMaun,
Akal
ookedatAl
one.
“
Soyouj
ustl
ostt
hebaby?
”
“
Yes.It
hinki
twasst
ress.
”
“
AndIam supposedt
obel
ievei
t?”
“Iam t
ell
ingyouwhathappened.Ther
e’snot
hingI
candonow.Akereyoudidn’tsl
eephome?Maybei f
youslepthomeyoucouldhavehelpedme.”
“
Ket
lagot
hubakakl
apaAl
one.
”
“
Doi
tandIwi
llopenacaseatt
hepol
ice.
”
“
Iwantadi
vor
ce.
”
Shel
ookedathi
m.“
Why?
”
“Idon’tl
oveyouanymor
e.It
’snotwor
kinggapeI
can’tbewit
hawomant hatki
ll
smychildr
en.”
Shesi
ghed.“
Ok.
”
Akanyangl
ookedather
.“Youdi
dn’
thavet
oki
llmy
chi
ld.
”
“Goandhavechi ldrenwithKefil
we.AndIhope
she’sreadyforthem becauseIam nott aki
ngyour
chil
dren.Iam takingSummerandherbr ot
her.
Akeretheyareonest hatarenotyour s.Yoursare
stayi
ngbehindwi thyou.Allfourofthem.Yout hi
nk
Idon’tknowyouar etryi
ngt oabandonmewi thyour
chil
drenthenIst artsuff
eringbeggingyout otake
careofthem.Iknowyourpl anbutit’
snot
happeningbecauseIam r eadyf oryou.”
“Ishouldhavedivorcedbackthen.Butanyways,I
don’tcare.Iwil
lst
aybehindwithmychi l
dren.I
hopeyouar eawarethatourmarri
ageisnowoutof
communi t
yofpropertyandeveryt
hingexpectyour
carisinmyname.Maybeyouandyourki dscan
startmovingout.”
Shelookedathi
m.“Ever
ythi
ngwasgot t
enthr
ough
me.Iam notwalki
ngawaywithnot
hing.”
“Tal
ktoyourlawyersoyoucangetabett
er
expl
anat
ion.Iam gl
adwehavediscussedthi
s.”
Hewal
kedoutpi
cki
ngacal
l.
“
Heybabe…”
“
Didyouser
veher
?”
“Yes.Iam t
aki
ngmykids.Theyarefour.She’
slost
theotheroneandshe’
staki
ngherswith.Iam t
ell
ing
youthissoyouknow.Mykidsareremainingwit
h
me.”
Kef
il
wesi
ghed.“
Ithoughtshe’
dgowi
tht
hem.
”
“
No.
”
“Ineedt
imetot
hink.
.Idon’
thaveachil
dofmyown
andIam nowexpect
edtomotherfourchi
ldr
en.
”
“Ifyoucan’
tdealwit
hmyki
dsthenl
et’
sendi
t.My
childr
enwil
lalwayscomef
ir
stt
ome.Theyar
emy
fami l
y.”
“
Ineedt
ime.
”
“
Okshar
p.”
Hehungupandgoti
nhi
scar
.
*
**

I
nGaborone,Bantudroveoffwi
ththechi
ldr
en
l
eavi
ngPulealone.Theint
ercom r
ang,hepressed
t
hegateremotewalkingout.
Amanwal
kedi
nhol
dingf
lower
s.
“
Dumel
ang,
wear
elooki
ngf
orMr
.Mot
samai
so.
”
“
It
’sme.
”
Themanhandedhimthefl
ower
s.“
Adel
iver
yfor
you.Youcansi
gnher
e.”
Pulesi
ghedthenthemanwal
kedout
.Pul
etookout
thenot
einthefl
owers.
‘
HappyBi
rt
hday,
checkt
hegar
age.
Your
swi
fe'

Hesmil
edthenopenedthegar
age.Hismout
h
dr
oppedashelookedathi
spresent
.
Hi
sphoner
ang,
hequi
ckl
ytooki
toutandanswer
ed,
hi
shandsshaki
ng.
“Pule,weneedt otalkaboutsomet hingimport
ant
.
CanIcomet oyourhouse.Yourf at
hermustbeon
hiswayt her
e.IhavejusttextedTshepoandhe’s
comi ng.Weneedt osi tdownanddi scuss
somet hingasaf amily.Therearethi
ngs..thi
ngs
thathavebeenkeptawayf r
om people.Thi
ngsyou
needt oknow. ”
“
Ok.Butcan’
twedoi
tanot
herday?
”
“
No.
.today.Iam comi
ng.
”
Theyoungunclehungup.Pul
elookedathi
sspor
t
carhappi
lyandjumped.
“
Fuckyes!
”

Overthi
rt
yminut
eslat
er,Tshepowalkedi
nsi
de
Pul
e’shousewit
htheyounguncle.Hesmil
ed.
“
Who’
scari
sthatout
side?
”
“Getyouawif
ewhowor
ksandexpectsuchas
present
s!”
Tshepol
aughedbumpi
ngshoul
der
swi
thhi
m.
“
It
’sabeast
.Andi
sver
yexpensi
ve.
”
Theyounguncl el
ookedattheti
me.“Let
’ssitdown.
Yourf
atherisnotpicki
ng.It
hinkhe’
schangedhi s
mindbutIcan’tkeepthi
sanymore.And…nowt hat
youaregrownandcanhandl ethetr
uth…it
’stime.
”
Thebr
other
ssatdownl
ooki
ngatt
heyounguncl
e..
“Yourfatherwasmar riedal ongt i
meback.Hi sfir
st
marriagedidn’tlastthatlongbecausehewas
abusivetohist henwi fe.Heusedt obeatherand
j
ustabuseher .Iwasachi ldthen.Shesoonl eft
thenhemar r
iedanot herwoman.Thi swomanhada
chil
d.Shewas9whenhemar r
iedher .Hetookit
uponhi mselftof at
hert hischil
dandi tseemedhe
hadchangedandt hatthiswomanbr oughtout…the
goodi nhim.Twoort hr eeyearsdownt heli
ne,thi
s
chil
dobvi ouslywasgr owi ng.Shewasnow
developi
ngandhest artednoticingthat.Andthat’
s
whenhest art
edr api
ngher .Hermot herwassi ck.
Shecoul dn’tdomuch.Thi schi l
dgotpr egnantand
havebi r
thtoaboybutbecauseyourf atherwas. .
wast hemanhewas, shet hrewawayt hi
schi ldin
fearandsoonaf tershel osthermot her.Yourf ather
cont i
nuedsl eepingwi t
hhert i
llshegotpr egnant
agai ntoanot herboyandsheki ll
edher selfafter
throwi ngawayt hischick.Thef amily…bei ngmy
fatherandhi sbrotherf oundoutandt hetruthwas
sweptundert hecar pet.Allthis..IfoundoutasI
waseavesdr opping.Notal otofpeopl eknowt his
truth.Somet hinkt heyknowbut …whatt heyknowi s
nott hetruth.Yourf at
herhascancerandhef eltyou
hadt oknow.Iagr eedwi thhi m becauset hissecr et
wasbecomi ngt ooheavyf orme.Somet i
mesI
dream yourmot her …it
’snotani cedream.Maybe
nowhersoulcanr estinpeace. .youar ebothso
quiet.Iknowi t’
s…pai nful.Youar eprobablyangr y
andyouwantt o-“
Pul
est
oodup.
.“I
sthi
sjoke?
”
“
No.Iam af
rai
dnot
.”
Pul
e’
sheadspun,conf
usi
onmaki
ngi
tdi
ff
icul
tto
compr
ehendanyt
hing.
Theuncl
est
oodup.
.“Thet
rut
hispai
nfulbut
-“
“Butyoukeptital
ltheseyear
s?Allt
heyearswe
suff
eredattheorphanage?Allt
hoseyear
s?And
peopleknew?”
“Iknew!Iknew!Iwastooyoungt odoanythi
ng!I
washeraget hen.Iwasonlychi
ldPule!Therewas
nothingIcoul
ddo.Thepeoplewhoknewar enow
dead.Expecttherapi
sthi
mself.
”
Angert
ookoverhi
m.“
Getout
!”
“
Pul
e-“
Tshepost
oodup.
.“Go.
”
Theyounguncl
ewalkedout.Pulewalkedupstai
rs
thencamebacksecondsl
ater.HelookedatTshepo.
“
Whyar
eyoust
il
lher
e?”
“
BecauseIam yourbr
other
!”
“
Didn’
tIsayyoushoul
dleave?
”
“Iam notgoi
nganywhere.Youar
enotgoi
ngt
o
pushmeaway.Nott oday.
”
“
Iam notgoi
ngt
otel
lyouagai
n!”
“Iam notgoi
nganywhere.Iam alsohur
ti
ng!Iam
hurt
ingtooPule.Youarenotgoingtopushme
awayandt hi
nkIshouldjustbefineonmyown.You
arenotdoingthatt
omet oday.”
“
Whatdoyouwantfr
om me?Apitypart
y?Isthat
whatyouwant
?Youarenotachi
ldTshepo!
”
“MaybeIam.Iam achi l
d.AndIwantt hatpi
typarty.
Iwantt obecomf orted.Youhaveal waysdonet his…
thi
ngswoul dhappenandIwoul djustgetpushed
overlikeitdidn’t
.Younevercar edaboutmyown
pain.Thesamewayyouar ehur tisthesamewayI
am hur t
.Somet i
mesal lIneededwasyourcomf ort,
j
ustt hat.Ialsoneededl ove..Ididn’thaveanyone
butyou.If eltl
ikeabur denmostoft het ime.Idi
dn’t
needmoneyoranyoft hethingsyout houghtI
needed, Ijustneededyourl ove.Ijustneededmy
brother.Thebr otherIhadgr owingup. .beforeyou
changed. ”
Pul
elookedathi
m si
lent
ly.
“Icr
avedforwhatyouhavel
eboSpi
jo.Why
coul
dn’tyoubethatwi
thme?”
Tshepol
ookedathim andsni
ff
ed.“Iki
ll
edhi
m so
youdon’
t.Maybeyoucanappreci
atemenow.”
Pul
e’
skneesweakenedt
hathesatdown.
.
.
.
[
06/
22,
08:
39] :Fal
lenAngel
#155

Pul
elookedathi
m.
“
Whodi
dyouki
ll
?”
“Hehadcall
edmelastnightandtol
dme.Ihung
himinhissl
eep.Hedeservedmorethant
hat
.He
wouldn’
twakeupsoIhunghi m.”
Pul
etookadeepbr
eat
htr
yingt
opr
ocessi
tal
l.He
l
ookedathi
m.
“
That’
s..t
hat’
snotthel
if
eIwant
edforyou.I
tlooked
l
ikeIwasclosert
oSpij
oandSkar
abecauseofthe
l
ifeIwasl i
ving.Idi dn’twantyout obeapar tofit .I
justwant edt oprotectyou.I fIdi
dn’ tloveyout henI
woul dhavenevert r
iedt omakei t
.Il ovedyouandI
thoughtIwasdoi ngwel latparenting.IknowI
wasn’ tper fect.Iwasj ustdoi ngwhatIt houghtwas
right.Iam onl ygettingi tnowwi thmyki dsbutIam
stilll
ear ningt oo.Idi dn’twantyout ot urnoutl ike
me.Iwant edbet terf oryou.Iappr eci ateyoumor e
thananyt hing.Wi thoutyouIdon’ tknowwhatI
woul dbe.Youkeptmegoi ng.Youwer emot i
vation.
Youst il
lar e.Seei ngyoudosowel l makesme
happy.Youar erunni ngbusi nesses…youhavedone
somuchbet terwi t
ht hatmoneyt hanIwoul dhave
everdone.Youhavet urnedournamear ound.Ilove
seei ngyoui nthenewspaperandmagazi nes.You
ar ethegoodbr other.Ever yoneknowst hat.”He
smi l
ed.“ Ther e’sat i
meBant ualmostki lledme.And
Ir ememberhersayi ngshe’ dmoveont oyoubef ore
kickingmei nthewel l.Shesai dshechoset he
wr ongbr other ,Icoul dn’tevenarguewi tht hat.
”
Tsheposmi
led.“
Itr
y.”
“
Iwi
llt
ryanddobet
ter
.”
“Canwel eaveital
one?Idon’tcar
eofIam arape
product
,IknewIwasami stakebefor
e.Canwe
moveon?Forourf ami
li
es?Forourkids?Lubais
expecti
ng.Thingsaregood.Ili
kethepeace.
”
“
Lubai
sexpect
ing?
”
Tsheposmil
ed.“Yes.If
eelIam bi
tlatebutit
’sf
ine
becauseIam nowcomf or
tabl
etobringkidsint
othe
mix.’
“Iwasgett
ingwor
ri
ed.It
houghtyouwer
eshoot
ing
blanks.
”
Tshepol
aughed.“
Met
oobut
…cl
ear
lyIam not
.”
Thegat
eopenedt
henBant
udr
ovei
n.Tshepost
ood
up.
“
Nicecar
.Obol
ail
e.”
Pul
esmi
led.“
Iknow.I
shest
il
lataunt
’shouse?
”
“
Yes.Iwascar
eful
.”
Bant
uwal
kedi
njustasTshepowal
kedout
.“HeyB!
”
Bant
usmi
led.“
Hi.Theki
dsar
ehome.
”
“
Ok,
letmego.
.shar
p!”
Shewalkedi
nsi
det
hehouseandl
ookedather
husband.
“
Isever
ythi
ngok?
”
“
Yes.Ever
ythi
ngi
sok.
”
“Ok.Canwegot othesalon?Ineedtodomyhai r
thenyoucangetahai rcut.Maybeafterthatwecan
doabi tofshoppingbeforewegof ordinnerl
ater
toni
ght.”
Pulehuggedhert
henpi
ckedherup.“
Ilovei
t.Il
ove
thecar.
”
Shelaughedashet
wir
ledher
.Heputherdownand
ki
ssedher.
“
Iloveyou.
”
Bantuwr
appedherar
msar
oundhi
m.“
Iloveyou
too.
”

*
**

AtSi
rSer
etseKhamaI
nter
nat
ionalAi
rpor
t,St
acy
walkedoutdr aggingherbag.Shegotinthecabthat
tookherstraighttoherhouse.Shedraggedherbag
i
nsidet hentookoutherphoneandherl ocalsi
m
card.Sheinserteditthensatdownopeningher
What sappandt extedherhusband.
Hei
mmedi
atel
ycal
led.
“
Heybabe.
.“
“
Hey,
Ijustar
ri
vedathome.
”
“
Ial
readymi
ssyou.
”
St
acysmil
ed.“Metoo.Iam hopi
ngIcant
alkt
o
Al
oneaboutget
ti
ngthekidstovi
sit
.”
“
Don’
tgetyourhopesup.
”
“
Iwon’
t.Howar
etheki
ds?
”
“
Wear
edoi
ngf
ine.
”
“
Andt
hecase?
”
“Iam notsl
eepi
ngtoni
ght
.Iwanttohaveeveryt
hing
ready.I
fIwinyouknowwhatthatmeansforus
babe…”
St
acysmi
led.“
Iknow.Iknow.
”
Hel
aughed.“
Fini
shupqui
ckl
yandcomeback.
”
“
Ok.Il
oveyou.
”
“
Iloveyout
oo.
”
St
acyhungupandwal kedtothebedr
oom.She
l
ookedaroundandsmilednot
ici
ngthei
rhelperhad
cl
eanedup.Shetookashowerthenchangedand
walkedoutpi
cki
ngacall.
“
Hel
lo?
”
“
Goodaf
ter
noonMr
sKenosi
.Thecari
sher
e.”
St
acyopenedthegatet
henacardrovei
n.The
dr
iverst
eppedoutandhandedhert
hecarkeys.
“
Thankyou.
”
“
Eemma.
”
Thedri
verwal
kedtot
heothercarpar
kedoutsi
de
thegat
e.St
acygoti
ntheAudiQ7andr ever
sedout
.
Shedrovetothemal
landwalkedi
nsi
de.Shesmi
led
get
ti
ngpizza.Bei
ngbackal
waysfel
tgood.
Shetookoutherphoneandcal
lhersi
sterwal
king
backtothecar
.
“
Hel
lo?
”
“
Hey,
guesswho’
sback?
”
“
Mrs.Lawyer
!”
St
acyl
aughed.“
Hi.
.”
“Ahhmmawhydi
dn’
tyout
ellmeyouwer
ecomi
ng
back?
”
“
Iwant
edt
osur
pri
seyou.
”
“
It
’smybossesbi
rthdaypar
tyt
oday.Let
’sgo
t
oget
her
,ebil
eIneededaplusone.
”
“
Youwer
einvi
ted?
”
“
Yes.KanaIam hi
sPAsoIpl
anoutmostofhi
s
t
hings.Igott
hei
nvi
te.
”
“
Hiswi
fei
smyhusband’
sex.
”
“
Idoubtsheknowsyou.Let
’sj
ustgo.
”
St
acysmi
led.“
Ok.ButIwon’
tbest
ayi
ngf
ort
oo
l
ong.
”
“
Iwi
llcomebyt
opi
ckyouup.
”
“
Per
fect
o!”
*
**

Laterthatday,Bantusatinfrontofthemi r
ror
rubbingherli
pst oget
herlookingatherperfect
makeup.Shest oodupi nabodycondr essthat
showedhersmoot hlegs.Sheslippedherperfectl
y
paintedtoesinherheelsjustasPulewal kedin.He
l
ookedatherandsmi led.
Bant
upi
ckedherpur
se.“
Let
’sgo.
”
Helookedathershortbobandsmiled.I
tseemed
shewasget t
ingevenmorebeauti
fulastheyear
s
passed.Shekissedhi
m.“Let
’sgo.
”
Bewalkedbehi
ndherasshecatwalkedoutsi
de.He
l
ookedatherbuttt
henherhi
ps.Bantuunlockedhi
s
newcarandjumpedin.
“
Let
’st
estdr
ivet
hebeast
.
Hesmi l
edt hengoti
n.Bantustart
edtheloudengine
andreversedout.Shepressedthekeysclosi
ngthe
gat
eandspedof fheadedtothevenue.Shestepped
ontheaccel eratorspeedingaway.Shesl owed
downatt heredt r
affi
clightandl ookedthroughthe
rearviewmi r
rornot i
cingacart hathadbeenbehind
them sincetheyl ef
thome.Shet ri
edtolookthrough
thetintedwindowsbutshecoul dhardl
ysee
anything.Shet ookthef ol
lowi ngturnbutthecar
proceededst rai
ght.Bant usighedwi threl
ief,
she
l
ookedatPul ewhowasst i
lllookingoutthroughthe
rearviewmi r
ror.
“
Wher
ewebei
ngf
oll
owed?
”
Hel ookedatherandkissedhercheekwhil
eshe
drove.“Theyaresti
llaf
termeevenafteral
lthese
years.It
’snot
hing.I
t’sok.”
Shesmi
led.“
Ok.
”
Shedroveint
oanunder
groundgar
ageat
MotsamaisoMal
l.
Pul
elookedatherandsmi
led.
“
Wear
ehavi
ngdi
nnerher
e?”
Bant
ust
oppedt
hecarandsmi
led.“
Let
’sgo.
”
Theywal
kedt
otheel
evat
orandgoti
n.Shel
ooked
athi
m andchuckl
ed.
“
Actsur
pri
sedpl
ease!
”
Thedoor ssl
idopenthentheli
ght
sonasever
yone
start
edsingi
ngforhim.Pulel
ookedatt
hem
surpri
sed.Hecouldactual
lyr
ecogni
zesomeofhi
s
employees.
Bant
usmi
ledatt
heent
ir
edeco.Pul
eki
ssedher
.
“
Iwasn’
tcheat
ing.See?
”
Hesmi
led.“
Ineversai
dyouwer
e.”
TheDJstar
tedpl
ayi
ngmusic.Bant
umovedt
oKay
andLubaashisf
ri
endssur
roundedhi
m.
Kaysmi
led.“
Youl
ookbeaut
if
ulmma.
”
Lubasmi
ledhol
dinghergl
assofwi
ne.“
Shedoes.
Wait
seIl
ovethi
sbob.”
Bant
ulaughed.“
Ilovei
ttoo.
”
Pule’
sPAsmi ledatBant
uwalkingpastthem wi
th
Stacy.Bantusmil
edwavingatherandturnedher
at
tentionbacktohergi
rl
s.
“
Kay,
war
eraTanzani
aleng?
”
Kayl
aughed.“
Assoonaspossi
ble.
.even
t
omorrow.
”
Lubasmil
ed.“
Let
’ssaynextweek.Ihaveadeadl
ine
koti
rong.
”
Bant
unodded.“
Nextweeki
sper
fect
.”
Bant ulookedoveratPuleandlookedathim
standingwi t
hhisfri
endsnowhol di
ngacup.He
turnedlockingeyeswithher.Hewinkedather
,
Bant ublushedandlookedawayunabl et
ohideher
smi l
est i
llf
eeli
nghiseyesonherbody.

From adist
anceaway,
Stacywat
chedt
hem t
hen
turnedt
ohersist
er.
“
Ifshewasn’
tmar
ri
ed,
I’
dgethear
tpal
pit
ati
ons.
”
Hersi
sterl
aughed.“
Why?
”
“
She’
sjustt
oobeauti
ful
,givent
hechanceLef
a
woul
dcrawlbackt
oher.”
“
Lef
alovesyou.
”
“
IknowbutIknowdeepdowni
fthi
ngswer
e
diff
erent
,he’dchooseher .Thatwashischil
dhood
crush.Him beingwithherwasadr eam cometrue.
Itj
usthappenedatt hewr ongtime.Helovedher.A
partofherstil
ldoes.Iknow.”
“
Howdoyouknowt
hat
?”
Stacysi ppedherdr ink.“ Iknow.Lifedoesn’ talways
gothewaywepl anf orittogoSt ell
a.Lef alovesme
andsodoI .Ourmar riagest art
edont herockysi de
buther ewear e.Ourswasnotl oveatf i
rstsight.We
l
eantt ol oveeachot her .Iwouldst i
llchoosehi mi fI
could.Lovi nghim gast aughtmeal otbutIknow
mymanSt el
la.Thatovert her
e…i swhathi shear t
shallforeveryear nfor.Itreall
ydoesn’ tbotherme
becauseIknowt hatmanshe’ swithisthel oveof
herlif
e.Bewasj ustal earningcurvef orher.”

*
**

Latert
hateveni
ng,Yamasalai
donherbedt
hen
changedherprof
il
epict
ure.
Shewentt
ohernewsf
eedandpausedwat
chi
nga
comedyvi
deo.
Shelaughedthenr
eactedonthevideobefore
movingon.Shecameacr ossamissingchil
daler
t
thensharedt
hepost.
Herphonepi
ngedal
ert
ingherofamessenger
message.
Shepull
eddownhernoti
fi
cat
ionbarandl
ookedat
themessagef
rom Tef
o.
Tefo:Youl
ooksobeaut
if
ulIwanttotel
lpeopl
e
aboutthet
imewebrokeupthem youranoffwi
th
mypot .
Yamasal
aughedandopenedt
hemessage.
Shet
ypedback.
Yamasa: mxm,
andt
hatst
ewwassoni
ce.
Tef
o: mypot
?
Yamasa:It
hrewaway.Idon’
tkeepdi
lot
sadi
febe
Tef
o: i
tendedi
ntear
sshor
tl
yaf
ter
.
Shel
aughed.
Yamasa:Iknow,
Iwasst
alki
ngyou
Tef
o:Mol
oi!
Yamasa:Youcheat
ed.Icel
ebr
atedyourpai
nand
poppedchampompo
Tef
o:mol
oi kanammeIl
ovedyou.
Yamasa:Waaka!
Tefo:Idid.Youmadeitdi
ffi
cul
tformet ol
oveyou,
thatwast heonl
yprobl
em.Youwer estuckinthi
s..
i
llusi
onyagor eyoudeser
veditall
.Yourefusedt
o
compr omise.
Yamasa:Iknow.Iwasf
ullofshi
t,l
if
ehumbl
edme
somuchinawayIneverexpected.
Tef
o:Sendyournewnumber
,letmecal
l.
Shesenthi
m hernumber
.Tef
osooncal
led.
“
Maset
senwa!
”
Yamasal
aughed.“
Ij
a!”
“
Whathappened?Imi
ssedyourvoi
ce.
”
“Waai,
Isti
llsoundthesame.Ahhrra,alotjust
happened.Istar
teddat
inganeighborkanteIdon’
t
knowhe’smar ri
ed.Nnahetol
dhe’sdivorci
ng.”
“
Andyoubel
ievedhi
m?”
Yamasal aughed.“ Yougavest arted.Ibeli
eved!I
wasst upi d.Thenaf terthatshecat chesus.She
tookmypant yanddi dwhatshecoul d.Ihad
fi
br oi
ds, didpar t
ialhyst erect
omy.Thepai nwasso
i
nt ense.Thebl eedingwassobadIcoul dkillmyself
.
Butguesswhat ?Istillhadper i
odsormaybeI
shouldj ustst ayIwasst i
llbl
eeding.Thef ir
styear
thedoct orsai ditwassor tofnor malbecauseno
amountoft estscoul dshowwhatwaswr ongwith
me.Af tert hatthebl eedingcont i
nuedandi twas
smel l
ycl ots.Wewentt oZi m,Isawamanwho
helpedmebutnott hor oughlyhelpedbecauseIst il
l
bleedsomet i
mesandt hepai nandsmel l
…I j
o!My
relati
onshi psdon’ tlastbecauseoft hat.
”
“
Ser
ious?
”
“
Yes.
”
“
Iam sor
ry.
.haveyout
ri
edchur
ch?Igot
ochur
ch
andt
obehonestIf
eel
li
kemyl
if
ehaschanged.
”
“Ihavegivenup.Ebil
eIam comingtoGabor one
tomorrow.Mygynaesaysshewant stoexamineme
againwithanotherdoct
or.Iknowtheywon’tfind
anythi
ng.”
“
Whatt
imear
eyoucomi
ng?
”
“
Ishoul
dhavear
ri
vedar
ound10.
”
“Let
’sgotochur
chwhenyouar
ri
ve.GapeIwantt
o
seeyou.”
“
Areyounotmar
ri
ed?
”
“No..
notyet
.Ifyougetheal
ed,
youar
egoi
ngt
otake
back.”
Yamasal
aughed.“
Ij
a!”
Shel
if
tedherl
egsast
heycont
inuedt
alki
ng.

*
**

Rr
agwePul
e’
syoungbr
otherpar
kedathi
ssi
ster
’s
housethenwalkedt
ot hedoor
.Heknockedt
hem
tr
iedopeni
ngthedoor.Hewalkedi
nthehouse.
Helookedataround,
itwasunusuallybequietand
somethingj
ustmadet hehai
ratthebackofhi s
neckbestandup.Heisslowlywalkedtothe
bedrooms.Hetookouthisphoneandcalledhim
thenopenedthedoorwherehisphonewasr ingi
ng.
Hiseyesf
ellonhi
sbrot
herhangi
ngfrom t
her
oof
andswall
oweddroppi
nghisphone.
Hestaggeredoutinshockal
mostfal
li
ng.Hi
s
i
nsidestur
nedashewal kedout
sidet
henhe
vomitedontheground.
.
.
.
[
06/
22,
08:
39] :Fal
lenAngel
#156

Lat
ert
hateveni
ng,
Pul
e’
suncl
etr
iedcal
li
ngPul
ebut
hi
sphoneconti
nuedt
ojustr
ingt
henhecal
ledhi
s
ol
derbr
other
.
“
Hel
lo?
”
“
Odi
ri
lehunghi
msel
f.
”
“
What
?”
“Yes.If
oundhi
m hangi
ngf
rom t
her
oofatYvonne’
s
house.”
“
Didhet
ellt
heboysaboutt
hecancer
?”
“No,hewasgoingtodi
esohedidi
thimself
.The
cancerhadspr
ead.It
hinkhedi
dn’
twanttobea
burden.
”
“
Thoseboysl
ovedhi
m.”
“Weshouldstar
tpl
anni
nghi
sfuner
al.I
t’
ssadbuti
t
hashappened.”
“
Eish…haveyout
oldt
hem?
”
“I
t’
sPule’sbi
rthdaytoday.Iwi
llt
ellt
hem t
omor
row.
Letthem cel
ebratet
oday.”
“
Ok.Iwi
llt
ellever
yoneel
se.
”
Hehungupsit
ti
nginthelodgethenputhi
shands
onhi
sfaceknowingver
ywel li
twasn’
tsui
cide.

*
**

AtPul
e’
spar t
y,Bant
ucall
edRut
hst
andi
ngatt
he
cor
nerfarf
rom ever
yone.
“
Hel
lo?
”
“
HiRut
h.I
sever
ythi
ngok?
”
“
Yes.Wearetryi
ngt
owat
chamovi
eri
ghtnowbut
t
heyaresl
eepy.”
“
Ok.Thedoor
sar
elockedr
ight
?”
“
Yes.I
sever
ythi
ngok?
”
“
Yes.
”
Bant
uhungupt henl
ookedatever
yonehavi
ngfun.
Shel
ookedoveratPul
ethenwalkedtohi
m whi
le
ot
herpeopl
ejumpedinthepool
.
Shehuggedhi
mfr
om behi
nd,
Pul
etur
ned.“
Hey.“
“Iam t
ir
ed.Iam goi
ngtocoll
ecttheki
dsandgo
home.Youcanr emainandenjoyyourpar
ty.
”
“
Areyouok?
”
Shesmi
led.“
Yes.Iam j
ustt
ir
ed.
”
“
Wecangohomet
oget
her
.”
Shesmiled.“
Spij
ojustarr
ived.He’
sonhisway.
He’
scomi ngforyou.Al
lthisi
sforyou.Iwil
lwaitf
or
youathome.Stay…Iknowyouar eenj
oyi
ngt hi
s.Ke
l
apil
e… l
etmegett hekidshome.Youwi l
lfi
ndmei n
bedwait
ingforyou.”
Pul
esi
ghedt
henki
ssedher
.“Ok.Il
oveyou.
”
“
Iloveyout
oo.Taot
se.(
Comeandt
ake.
)”
Hewalkedwi
thhertot
hegarage.Awhil
elat
er
Bant
udroveofff
ixi
ngherdr
ess.Shej
oinedt
heroad
andheadedt
oTshepo’
shouse.
Herphoner
angasshedr
oveacr
osst
own.
“
Luba…”
“
Wher
ear
eyou?
”
“
Iam goi
ngt
oyourhouset
ogett
heki
dst
hengo
home.Kel
api
lemma.
”
“
Youar
eal
readyt
ir
ed?
”
Bant
ulaughed.“
Iam mor
ethanj
ustt
ir
ed.
”
“
Ok.Wewi
llt
alkt
omor
rowt
hen.
”
“
Ok.Bye.
”
Bantuhungup.Shelookedatherrearvi
ewmi rr
or
andlookedatacarbehindhers.Shedrovefora
whil
ebutitwassti
llt
here.Herheartski
ppedthen
pi
ckedherphoneandcal l
edPule.
“
Babe-
“
“Ther
e’sabl
ackBMW behindme.I
t’
sfol
lowi
ngme.
ShouldIgohome?Iam scar
ed.
”
“I
t’
sok.It
’snotgottohur
tyou.Ihadtogetyou
secur
it
y.Iam notsurewhat
’sgoingon.I
t’
sjust
secur
it
y.It
’sok.
”
Bant
ustoppedthecaronthesideofther
oad.The
BMW al
sostoppedadistanceback.
“
OhGodIwassoscar
ed.
”
“
Iam sor
ry.
”
Shelaughed.“
OhGod.Ij ust…eversi ncet
hatother
car…Ifeelabi
tscared.Idon’tknowwhatt hose
peopl
ecandot omyki ds.Itwasf i
newheni twas
youandme.Iwon’ tsurvi
veifanythingshould
happentomychildren.
”
“
Nothingi
sgoingt
ohappen.Getourchi
ldr
en.Iwi
ll
meetyouathome.Iam comi
ng.
”
“
Iam r
uini
ngyourpar
ty.
”
“
Myfamil
yisimpor
tanttome.Youandt
heki
dsar
e
mypr
ior
it
y.Iwil
lmeetyouathome.
”
“
Ok.
”
Bant
urej
oinedt
her
oad.

*
**

Atthepar t
y,St
acywal kedt
or ent
alcari
nthe
undergroundgarage.Sheunlockeditj
ustas
anothercarparkednexttoher.
Amanst
eppedoutandl
ookedather
.Hesmi
led.
“
Omont
egor
e,wakae?
”
Stacyl
ookedathi
m andsmi
led.“
Iam goi
nghome
tomyhusband.”
Helookedatherr
ingt henl
aughed.“Wharar
eyou
doi
ngthere?Thenightisst
il
lyoung.What’
syour
name?Iam Kabel
o. ”
“
Iam goi
ngt
osl
eep.
.”
Hel
ockedthecarandwal
kedt
oher
.“Youar
egoi
ng
t
ogetbored.
”
“
Ili
keget
ti
ngbor
edwi
thmyman.
”
Shegotinthecar
.Hesmi
led.“
Elegor
eonyet
swi
that
athat
a?”
Shel
aughed.“
Yes.Bye!
”
Shest
art
edhercaranddroveoff
.Spi
jol
aughed
al
onej
ustasPulewalkedover
.
“
P-Man!
”
Pulel
aughedl
ooki
ngathi
m.“
Didyouj
ustget
rej
ect
ed?”
“
Iwasj
ustt
est
ingt
hewat
ers.Iwasn’
ttr
yinghar
d.”
Pul
elaughed.“
Ihavet
ogo.
.Iwi
llseeyou.
”
“
Isn’
tthi
syourpar
ty?
”
“
Ihaveawi
feandki
ds.Shar
p.”
Pul
egotinSkar
a’scaranddr
oveoff
.Spi
jot
ookt
he
st
air
sheadedtothesecondf
loor
.

*
**

Bantuparkedhercaratthehouset henwal ked

i
nsidewit
ht hechil
drenwhower esleepy..
theyall
walkedt
ot hei
rrooms.Bantutookof fherheelsthen
satdownwai t
ing.Puledr
oveonmi nuteslaterand
walkedi
nsidethehouse.Helookedatherwal ki
ng
i
n.
“
Hi…”
Shewalkedovertohim andhuggedhi
m.Pul
eher
upthenledhergothei
rbedroom.
“
Letmer
unusabat
h.Iam comi
ng.
”
Hewal
kedt
othebat
hroom whi
lesheundr
essed.
Bantusoonj
oinedhi
minsi
det
hent
heysayont
he
water.
Puleki
ssedhershoulder.“
Iknowyouarescared
buteveryt
hingi
salri
ght.Wearefi
ne.Iwon’
tlet
anythi
nghappent ous.Bytheway,myfat
heris
dead.Theyareplanni
nghisfuner
al.
”
Bantul
ookedathi
sfaceandt
ouchedhi
sbear
d.“
I
am sor
ry.
”
“
Hewasmeantt
odi
e.Heki
ll
edhi
msel
f.
”
Bant
ufr
owned.“
Heki
ll
edhi
msel
f?”
“
Yes.Lastni
ght
.Hehunghi
msel
f.
”
Bantul
ookedathimtryingt
ofigur
eoutwhatcoul
d
havehappened.Ther
ewasnowayofhi m
committ
ingsuici
deunlesssomeonef
ini
shedhim
off
.
“
Oh…Iam sor
ry.
”
“
Don’
tbe.
”
Bantulai
dherheadonhi
schestandt
ookadeep
breat
h,herar
msaroundhi
m.
*
**

Stacycal
ledAl
onethatsameevening.Herphonea
coupleofti
mesbef
oreshepicked.
“
Hel
lo?
”
“
Hi,
it’
sSt
acy,
areyouf
reet
otal
k?”
“
Whatdoyouwant
?”
“Ijustwantedtotellyouthatyoubei
ngdi ff
icul
t
simpl ymeansyourchi l
drenmissoutont heir
father’sl
ove.Soonwear egoingtostoptryingand
alsost opsendi
ngmoneyt oyoubecausewhat ’st
he
pur poseifwedon’tgettoseethechi
ldren.”
“Youar
enotget
ti
ngmychi
ldmol
oikewena!Not
aft
erst
eal
ingmyman.
”
“Thatsentenceisr
otten.I
t’
sfine.Keepyour
chil
drenbutmyhusbandandIwon’ tbepayi
ng
mai nt
enancefrom heremovingforward.Good
night.
”
AWEEKLATER…
.
.
.
[
06/
22,
08:
39] :Fal
lenAngel
#157

AWeekLat
er.
.

AtRragwePul e’
sfunerali
nMaun, thefamilyand
famil
yfriendssangsoftl
yatthegraveyard.The
younguncl ej
uststar
edwi t
hnoexpr essi
onwhi l
e
theotherfamil
ymember scried.
Theclosefamil
ymember sthrewahandf
ulofsoi
l
i
ntothegrave.Fr
om adistanceaway,
Bantuand
Pul
esatoncampchai r
swhi skwat
chi
ngwhil
eLuba
andTshepof r
om thecar.
Bantuwatchedast hemanstar
tedf
il
li
ngt
hegr
ave
wit
hsoil
.Pulekissedherhand.
“
Let
’sgo.
”
Bant
ulookathi
m.“
Won’
tyouat
tendt
hef
ami
ly
meeti
ng?”
“
Wedon’
twantanyt
hingf
rom hi
m.Lett
hem t
akei
t.
”
Shest
oodup.Pul
efol
dedthecampchai
rsasone
oft
heaunt
swalkedover
.
“
Hi,
canwet
alk?
”
Pul
elookedoverathi
m.Bant
unoddedt
henwal
ked
abi
twithher.
“
Eemma.
.”
“
Thankyouforst
andi
ngwit
hhi
m.Weal
lknowhow
muchhelovedhi
sfat
her
.”
“I
t’
sgoingtotakeawhi
let
ocomeint
oter
mswith
everyt
hingbutwear
ehappyf
ort
hetimewehad
withhim.”
“
Yes.Uhwear egoi
ngt
odi
scusshowhi
sthi
ngsar
e
t
hendivi
ded.
”
“Unf
ortunatel
ywehavet ogetgoingbutthi
sis
somethingIhadexplai
nedtomal ome.Thefamil
y
cantakethehouse.Thefarmi sour
s.Thecows,
goat
sandever yt
hingelsei
nt hefar
m youcantake
butt
hef armisours.Al
lofit
.”
“It
’snotri
ghtthatwet akeanythingfr
om Odiri
le’
s
thi
ngsbecauseever ythingwasboughtf orhim by
hiskids.Weactuall
yjustwant edtoleaveitupto
theboyssot heyseehowt heyshareitbetween
themselvesbutokar egonal etensi
onso…”
“
That
’sf
ine.Wewi
llt
akeever
ythi
ng.Thankyou.
”
“
Thankyoumychi
ld.
”
Bant
uwal
kedt
oJeep.Pul
elookatherasshegoti
n.
“
Whatwasshesayi
ng?
”
“NgNg, i
t’
st heusual
.Theyar
egoi ngt
ogiveaway
clot
hessot heywereaskingi
fitcanbedonenow.I
saidyes.
”
“
Ok.
”
Pulest
artedt
hecaranddroveof
fbehindTshepo
headedtotheai
rpor
twhi
leBantucal
ledMerapel
o
t
ocheckonherchi
ldr
en.

*
**

Atchur
chinGaborone,
Yamasawat chedasTefo
cl
appedhishandssi
ngingalongwitheveryoneel
se.
Shesmil
edthenjoi
nedinsingingnexttohim.
Awhil
elat
erthepraiseandworshi
pteam satdown
t
oget
herwithrestofthecongr
egat
ion.
Thepastort
ookt
hemi
cst
andi
ngi
nfr
ontof
ever
yone.
“Iknowt hi
si snothowweusual l
ydot hingsbut
todayIwantt oprayforallcoupl esinthisroom.
Mar ri
edornot .Thosegoi ngt hroughhar dshi
psin
theirr
elati
onship.Mighti tbeFi nancialprobl
ems,
comef orwar d,mightitcommi t
menti ssues,come
forward,mightitbef ert
il
ityissues,comef or
wardor
anyhar dship,comef orwar d.
”
Thecoupl
esstoodupgoi
nginfr
ont.Tef
ostoodup
andpul
ledYamasa’
shand.Yamasalookathi
m
conf
usedashepul
ledhert
othef
ront
.
Thecongregati
onclappedasallt
hecoupl esknelt
down.Yamasat ookadeepbreathwonder ingift
he
pastorwouldseethr
oughherandt el
leveryone.Her
heartpoundedsomuchast hepastorfi
nal l
yputhis
handsgentlyontopofthei
rheadsandst arted
prayi
ng.
“Fatherwet hankyouf ort heset wopeopl ethathave
comet ogethertoform auni on.LordIdon’ tknow
whatyouhavei nplanf ort hem butIcalluponl ove
i
nt hisrelati
onship.Ical luponpeaceandhappi ness.
Icalluponsuccessf ort hem bot h.Lor
dwhat ever
theymaybegoi ngthrough, helpthem crosst he
bridge.Shineyourl i
ghtupont hem Lord.Ipray
againstanyspi r
it
sofdest ructi
on…”Hecont inued
praying,takinglongerwi t
ht hem.Yamasaf ound
herselfprayingtooast hepast orconti
nuedf ora
l
itt
lelongert il
lhesaid‘amen’ .
Thepast
ormovedtoanot
hercoupl
e.They
remai
nedkneel
ingt
il
lhewasdone.Hetookhi
smi
c.
“
Thank,
thel
ordi
sgr
eat
.Ever
yonecant
aket
hei
r
seats,
pastorTefocanr emai
nkneel
ingwit
hhis
beauti
fulbeaut
ifulpar
tnert
hathehasfi
nal
ly
broughttochurch.”
Yamasal ookedatTef
o, hermouthdr
oppingopenin
shock.Everyoneel
seclapped.Thepast
orlaughed.
“
WelcometochurchMrs.Tefo.Iknowhehasn’t
mar
riedyoubutIam mani
festi
ngt hef
utur
e!”
Thecongr
egat
ioncl
appedhappi
ly.Yamasasmi
led
shyl
y.
“I
’dli
keeveryonetostret
chtheirhandst owar dsthis
coupleandtoday,wear egoi
ngt opr ayforthem.We
aregoingtopraythatthi
sunionwi llbefruitf
ul.We
aregoingtoprayforGodt of
reet hem from
everyt
hingholdi
ngthem downsot heycanbet he
besttheycanbet oeachother.Let’
sal lpray.”
Tef
oheldherhandaseveryoneprayed.Yamasa
cl
osedhereyessqueezi
nghishand.

*
**
Alonefi
nishedpacki
ngherbelongi
ngsinhertwo
bedroom house.Shel
ookedatherkidspl
ayi
ng
outsi
dethensatdownmi ssi
ngherfourot
her.She
tookherphoneandcall
edherlawyer.
“
Lone…”
“
Isi
tpossi
blef
ormet
ogett
hehol
idays?
”
“
Yes.
”
“
Iwantt
hehol
idays.Ial
sowantshar
edcust
ody
wit
hSummerandherbrother
.”
“
That
’sgood.Doyouwantmet
odot
het
alki
ng?
”
“
Yes.
”
“
Iwi
llgetont
opofi
t.“
“
Thankyou.
”
“
Iam sor
ryaboutt
hedi
vor
ce.
”
“Iexpect
edit.I
t’
sfine.Iam goi
ngforanint
ervi
ew
tomorrowatMowar eFoundati
onBank,t
heyhave
anopening.Iam alsogoingtoapplyatt
he
governmentoffi
ces.Isawapost .
”
“
Iam happyyouhaveapl
an.
”
“
Ihavesever
alpl
ans.
”
“
Good.Bye.
”
“
Bye.
”
Alonehungupthentookoutaformaldr
essupshe
wasgoingtowearforheri
nter
viewthefol
lowi
ng
day.

*
**

Twohourslater
,atSi
rSeret
seKhamaInt
ernat
ional
Ai
rpor
t,Spi
jolookedatSkar
athenBar
onawhohad
anewgirl
fr
iend.
“SoIcan’
tgobecauseIdon’
thaveawomanbymy
side?Gomokediscr
imi
nati
on.”
Skar
alaughed.“
Thi
sisacoupl
est
ri
p.Thel
adi
es
pl
annedit
.”
“
Theladi
esler
ayabomang?Bar
ona’
sgi
rl
fr
iend
wasn’
tpar
tofi
t.Iknow.
”
Bar
onal
aughed.“
MmeIhaveone.
”
“Youarel
ying.Youj
ustgr
abbedanur
seatyour
cli
nic.
”
Skarasmi l
ed.“
YouseewhatIt oldyouaboutexes.
Everyoneknowsyouar ewi t
hMayabutbecause
she’
sPul e’
sex,youcan’tevenenjoyyour
rel
ationshi
pinpeace.Youcan’tbringheront
rips
becauseshe’sanex.Youseeaker ewhatItri
ed
tel
li
ngyou.”
Skaral
ookatPul
eandBantuwal
kingoverwi
th
TshepoandLubabehi
nd.
“
Wear
echecki
ngi
n.Tel
lMayaIsai
dhi
.”
Spi
jocl
ickedhi
stongue.“
Mar
eteakat
se!
”
Skaralaughedwalkingt
oPule.Theybumped
shoulders.Pul
elookedatSpi
joandlaughed.
Spi
jol
aughed.“
Landi
scr
imi
nat
er.
”
Pulesmiled.“
Youarenotbr
ingingthatpersonof
yourstoanygatheri
ng.Mywifeshallnotbemade
tofeeluncomfor
tabl
e.”
Theybumpedf
ist
s.
“
Don’
twor
ry.Wear
ehappywi
thoutyou.She’
s
act
ual
lyagr
eatpar
tner
.”
“
Shecanbe.
”
“Andwear
ehavi
ngoursecondchi
ld.If
eel
sni
ce
havi
ngapr
operf
amil
ythoughIwantustomove
back.
”
Skaralaughed.“
Ilongknewthatyouwoul
dn’
t
survi
vewi t
hwhitepeopl
e.”
Spij
otookoffhi
scapandt
hrewi
tathi
m.Skar
a
dodgedlaughi
ng.
Pul
esmi
led.“
Letusgo.Wewi
llt
alk.
”
“Sure!There’
ssomeonewai
ti
ngforme.Nnasame
kukueverydayisanono.Ineedsomerefr
esher
s
hereandt her
e.Asl
ongasshedoesn’
tknow.”
Pulelookedathi
m abouttocommentthenthought
otherwiseandwalkedovert
oBantu.Heputhisarm
aroundherkissi
nghercheekastheywalkedovert
o
checkin.
.
.
.
Fal
lenAngel
#58

FourYear
sLat
er…

AtLuba’ saccount
ingfi
rm, Lubawor kedonher
l
apt opsippi
ngonhermi lkshake.Shepr i
nteda
reportthenstoodupandwal kedt
oherpr int
er
steppingonherf l
oorwit
hherswol lenfeet.
Shesatdownlooki
ngatthepri
ntedr
epor
t,herdoor
openedmaki
ngherlookup.Shesmil
edasTshepo
walkedi
n.
“
Babe-
“
“
Whatar
eyoudoi
ngher
e?”
Shesmi
ledl
ooki
ngathi
supsetf
ace.
“
Didn’
tweagreeyouar
eonmat
erni
tyl
eave?OrI
wastal
kingal
one?
”
Shest
oodup.“
Iam.Ij
ustcamef
ort
hisonl
y.”
“
Sonoonecoul
ddoi
tbutyou?
”
Shesmil
ed.“
Ineededtoapprovei
t.Iwasathome
al
lthi
sti
me.Iswear.Youcanaskanyone.
”
“
Idon’
tli
ket
his.If
eel
li
kewhenIleftf
ormyt
ri
plast
week,
youst
artedwor
kingagai
n.”
Lubawal
kedovert
ohi
m andhuggedhi
m.
“Ij
ustcametoday.Iknowyouar
enothappyandI
am sorr
y.”
Shetri
edstandingonhertoest oki
sshim.Tshepo
si
ghedandki ssedher.Hepickedherupandplaced
heronhertablegett
ingbetweenherlegs.Luba
openedherlegsevenmor e.
Tshepopul
ledherdr
essupandpul
ledherpant
yto
thesi
deunzippi
nghi
spants.
Lubacl
osedhereyesashepushedhi
msel
fin.
.

Overt
hir
tymi
nut
esl
ater
,Lubawal
kedoutwi
th
Tshepo.Shedroppedt
her
epor
tonher
recept
ioni
st’
sdesk.
.
“
Tel
lSamet
oemai
li
t.I
t’
sfi
ne.
”
“
Eemma.
”
Tshepol
ookedatt
her
ecept
ionistt
oo.“
Andalsolet
Samehandlet
hecompanyt
illmywifei
sback.”
Ther
ecept
ioni
stsmi
led.“
Yessi
r.
”
Lubasmil
edwal
kingwi
thhi
mt othecar
.Shewasn’t
evengoi
ngtoar
guewit
hhim,notaft
ert
hati
ntense
orgasm.
Hehelpedi
nthecaranddr
ovehomeassof
t
showersst
art
edfal
li
ng.
Lubal ookedathi
m dr
ivi
ng,
shecoul
dtel
lhewas
sti
llupset.Shehel
dhi
shand.
“
Youl
ookcut
e.Whendi
dyougetahai
rcut
?”
Hel
ookedatherandsmi
led.“
It
’sni
ce?
”
“Youl
ookreal
lyhandsome.Gapei
tjustscul
ptur
es
yourf
ace.
”
Heshyl
ysmi
led.“
Thanksbabe.
”
Sheleanedoverandki
ssedhim.“Iam sorr
yIwent
agai
nstouragreement
.ButIam hungry.Canyou
getmef ood?
”
Henoddeddr
ivingtothemallwher
ehegotherfast
f
oodbefor
edrivinghome,t
herainget
ti
ngi
ntense.
Theywal
kedi
nsidet
hehouse.Lubasatdown
eat
ingt
henTshepoj
oinedher
.
Shesmi
led.“
Whati
fit
’sagi
rlagai
n?”
Tshepokissedher .“ThenIwillbehappy.Boyorgir
l,
Ilovemyki ds.I
tdoesn’ tmatt
er….Shewillbe
beautif
ull
ikeRylieisbeautif
ul.WhatIknowisthat
thisoneisourlast.Youhear dwhatthedoctor
said…anotheroneaf terthi
smaycostusyourl i
fe.I
am nottakingchancessot hisisit
.”
Shelookedathi
m andsmi
ledunabl
etounder
stand
howshehadgot t
ensuchaperf
ectmanfora
husband.

*
**
AttheFri
dayservi
ce,Yamasawalkedwi
thher
husbandinsi
dethechurchwear
ingabodyhuggi
ng
dressandherheel
s.Sheheldhi
shandasthey
walkedtothefr
ontrol
eandsatdown.
Oneoft hepastor’
swi fewavedather ,Yamasa
happil
ywavedbacksi tti
ngnextt oherman.The
prai
seandwor shipteam f i
nishedsingi
ngt henTefo
tookthestand.Shesmi l
ed,seeinghim st
andt her
e
l
ookinghandsomeal waysmadeherhear thappy
thoughshecoul dn’
tignorethel adi
esthatalways
l
ookedathi mlongert hananor malhumanbei ng
shouldlook.
Herphonevi brated,shel ookedi nherbagand
swipedthescr eent henl ookedataf riendrequest
fr
om Tinaye.Shecur iouslytappedhispr ofil
eand
l
ookedathi shal fnakedpi ct
ures.Hecl ear
lynow
workedout.Thei rrelati
onshi phasendedpeacef ul
ly,
shedidn’
tevenunder st
andwhyhewoul dsendher
afri
endrequestaf teral lthoseyears.Shedel et
edit
andlookedcl osedherhandbagl ookingoverher
husbandpreachaboutl ove.
Overanhourl
ater
,Tef
ogotof
fst
ageasever
yone
cl
apped.Yamasahuggedhi
m.
“
Thatwasgood.
”
Hesmi
led.“
Thankyou.Il
oveyou.
”
“
Iloveyout
oo.
”
Tefopushedherhai
rback.“BythewayIfor
gotto
tel
lyouthatpast
orMoseswasaskingifyoucoul
d
l
eadt hi
syear’
syout
hment orshi
p?”
Yamasasmi
led.“
Yes!I
’
dlovet
hat
!”
Tef
olaughed.“
That
’swhatIhadt
oldhi
m.”
“
Ican’
twai
t.
”
Othermember
soft
hechurchwat
chedast
hey
huggedsmi
li
ngadmir
ingl
y.

*
**

InUK,LefapickedAl
one’
scal
lwal
kingi
nsi
dehi
s
off
iceathishouse.
“
Lone.
.“
“
Hi.It
hinkSummeri
sdat
ing.
”
Lef
aswal
lowed.“
She’
swhat
?”
Stacywalkedinholdi
nghiscupofcof
fee.She
handedittohim andki
ssedhisl
ipsasLefaputt
he
phoneonl oud.
“
She’
sinarel
ati
onshi
p.Ihear
dhersayIl
oveyouon
t
hephone.
”
“Youneedt
otakeawayherphone.Andbest
ri
ctt
oo.
She’
stooyoung.
”
Stacysi
ghed.“
HiLone,
canwecal
lyoubackj
ust
now.Thanks.
”
StacyhungupandlookedatLef
a.“Summeris
goingtouni
ver
sit
yinacoupleofmonthsbabe.
She’sagrownwoman.Andyes,she’sdat
ing.
”
“
Youknow?
”
“Yes.Thatwayit’
seasytoadviseher.She’sgoing
toUBLef a.Youwon’tbeabletocontrolher
.She’s
toooldforherphonebetobet aken.Herboyfr
iend
hasrichparent
s,hecanaffordheranewone. ”
“
Who’
she?
”
“Itdoesn’tmat t
er.Whatmat tersist hatyoucan’ t
controlagr ownwoman.She’ snotachi l
danymor e
andshe’ sbeenwi thhi
mf ort woyear snow.They
arebot hyoung.Thei rloveisst i
llstartingout .You
won’ tcontr
olhernow.She’ si nlove.Not hingyou
sayordowi llchanget hat
.Amei salsogr owi ng.
She’sabi tshybutshewi llsoonst art.Iwast alki
ng
toMai na,shesaysAmei scl oset oherst epdad
thananyofusandhe’ sont opofever ythi
ngsowe
don’thavet owor ry.Yourchi l
drenar egrowi ng,
there’snothingyoucandobutj usthopef orthe
best.
Lef
alookedatherwonder
ingwher
eti
mehadgone.

*
**

AtAlone’
shouseinJwaneng,Summerfi
nished
washinghercl
othest
henwalkedinsi
det
hehouse.
Shelookedathermother
.
“Ij
ustcal
ledyourf
atherker
ekebual
eenethen
Stacyst
arted.Wai
tsethi
swomanthi
nksshe’
sall
that.Idon’
tevenunderst
andwhyshet
hinksI
’
dbe
afterLefaaf
teral
ltheseyear
s.”
Summerwal kedtoherbedroom ashermother
conti
nuedt
ot al
kbit
terl
y.Shechangedintoanice
dressandf
lipfl
opsthencombedherhai rni
cel
y.
Shedidabitofmakeupandwal kedoutholdi
ngher
phonewhil
ehermot herwenton.
“Youneedtofindamanmamaandst opfocusi
ng
onStacy’
sli
fe.Shedoesn’
tevent
hinkaboutyou.”
“Idon’
tneedaman.Iam ahardworking
i
ndependentwoman.IrunMoware’sbrunchher
e.
Allbymyself
.Mysalar
ycanaffor
dmeanyt hi
ngI
want.Iknowmyselfwort
h.”
“Youarebi
tterabouteverything.EvenauntyKefi
lwe
youhateher.ForwhatIdon’ tknowbecauseyou
neverl
ovedPapa.AllKefilwedi dwast olovehi
m
thenal
lofasuddenshe’ sabadper son.Every
happycoupleyoujusthate.Koor enothingmakes
youhappy.Findamanmma!Iam goi ngtoget
air
ti
me.”
“
Dressedl
iket
hat
?Iknowyouar
edat
ing!
”
“Yes.AndIam happy.Youshoul
dtryit
.Youar e
beauti
ful
,rr
agweAidenfrom t
heotherst
reetli
kes
you.Tryi
tout.He’
sacoolguy.Il
oveyou, bye!
”
Summerwal kedoutleavi
nghermot
herst
il
lupset
.
Alonecal
ledLefaagain.
“
Hey.
.”
“Youneedt
otal
ktoSummer
.Iam goi
ngt
otakeher
phone.
”
“Justl
eaveitAlone.She’
ssoongoi
ngt
oUB.She’
sa
biggir
l.Ther
e’snothi
ngwecando.”
“
Stacyt
oldyout
hat
?”
“
Summeri
sabi
ggi
rl
.Ther
e’snot
hingwecando.
”
“
Doyouevermakedeci
sionsonyourown?
”
“
No.Iam amar
ri
edman.Idi
scussever
ythi
ngwi
th
mywife.
”
Al
onehungupbi
tt
erl
ythencl
ickedhert
ongue
t
alki
ngal
one.

*
**
Downt hestr
eet,Summerjumpedi nblackRanger
Evoquethenlookedatherboyfr
iendwhol eaned
overandkissedherwhil
etal
kingont hephonewi t
h
hi
smot her.
“
OkIl
oveyou.
”
Hi
smotherl
aughed.“
Mot
heo,
bri
ngbackmycar
,it
’s
r
aini
ng.
”
Hel
ookedatt
hebl
ackcl
ouds.“
Eemma.
”
Hehungupandsmi
led.“
Hey…”
Summersmiledl
ooki
ngathi
shandsomeface,
he
wassohandsomesheknewhismotherwaspr
oud
wher
evershewas.
“
Hi.Youl
ookni
ce.
”
“
Thankyou.
”
Motheost
art
edt
hecaranddr
oveof
ftur
ningup
musici
nhismot
her
’scar.

*
**
LaterthatdayinGabor one,
itrai
nedsoheavil
ythat
elect
ri
citycut.Pul
eputupcandl esthr
oughoutthe
housewhi leBantuscroll
edthroughFacebook.She
l
ikedYamasa’ spictur
esmi l
ingstar
ingatherand
Tefo.SimcecthebleedingstoppedYanasahad
actual
lygainedweight.Shecomment edunderneat
h.
Bant
u:Mypeopl
e!
Yamasar
epl
ied.
Yamasa:youknowhowwedoi
t
Bantusmi
ledandcont
inuedscrol
li
ng.Pukej
oined
Bantuont
hecouchpull
ingherinhisar
ms.She
smil
edputt
ingawayherphoneandcoveredt
hem
wit
hasoftfl
uff
yfl
eeceandlookedathim.
“
IsMot
heoback?
”
“Ij
ustspoket
oSkar
a.Hesaysyes.Theyar
e
chi
ll
ing.
”
Bant
ulookedathi
m.“
Ishedat
ing?
”
“
No.
”
Shelaughed.“ Youarelyi
ng.Therrababymake
surehe’susingacondom.Idon’ twant
grandchil
dren.Ial
readyfeel
oldasi ti
s.”
Pulelaughedkissi
ngherneck.“Youar
enotthatold.
Youar ebarel
yaging.Youl
ooksobeautif
ul…just
l
ikethefir
stti
meImetyou, onlynowyouare
bathi
ng.”
Bant
ulaughed.“
Ij
a!”
Pul
ecuppedherface.“
Youaresobeautif
ul.You
agi
ngli
kefi
newine.Youaresti
llf
lawl
ess.Ichose
wel
l.
”
Shebl
ushed.“
Iloveyou.
”
“Il
oveyout
oo.Thi
sist
heper
fectweat
herf
orsex
bytheway.
”
Shesmi ledthenki
ssedhi m.Pulefl
ippedthem
getti
ngont opofhertakingoffherdressand
touchingherbaresoftskin.
.

Bant
ucl
osedhereyesconvul
singunder
neat
hhi
m
scratchi
nghisback.Pulegaveherthelastst
roke
andf i
ll
edherup.Hekissedheslidi
ngoutandpul l
ed
ont opofhim.Bantubreat
hedheavilywatchi
ngthe
candlesburni
ngandkissedhistatt
ooedchestwhi l
e
her ubbedherback
Hermindtookherbacktowhentheyfi
rstmetti
ll
t
hatverymoment..shesmil
edknowingifshewere
t
odiethatmoment ,
shewouldn’
tchangeanythi
ng.

Out
side,asecretagentaimedatPulef r
om outsi
de.
Hewatchedt hr
oughthegun’sbinoculars…hehad
t
heperfectshot.Heslowlymovedt othewi f
eas
t
heynowki ssednaked.Pulesaidsomet hing
maki
ngherl augh,t
heywer eprobablyenjoyi
ng
t
hemselveshappilybutthenthi
shadt obedone.
Heslowlyst
ar t
edpulli
ngt hetr
igger
.From behi
nd
hi
m, Spi
jopointedtheguni nhisheadandshirt
wit
houtsecondt hought,
thesil
encermakingsure
nosoundcameout .Skarawalkedoverandlooked.
“
Uhu!Mogat
saMaya!(
Maya’
sman!
)”
Spi
josmi
led.“
Fuck!Imi
ssedt
hat
!”
Skar
alaughed.“
Let
’scl
eanupandgo.Toni
ghtwas
awarni
ng.”
Spi
josmiled.“
Kil
li
ngtheDI
Sgener
alisthehi
ghl
ight
ofi
t.Theyarenevergoi
ngt
otr
yitagain.
”
Theybot
hlaughedcl
eani
ngupt
hemess.

Unawareofthemessout si
de,BantuandPule
conti
nuedchatt
ingandlaughingasPulecaressed
herbodydroppi
ngrandom kissesonhisl
ips.
.
~~~THEEND~~~
.
.
Ever
ygoodt
hingal
wayscomest
oanend,
thank
yousomuchf oryoursuppor
tthr
oughoutt
his
rol
lercoast
er,thankyoutoourmistval
ued
breadwinners.Til
lnextti
me.
Your
s,
Fez