It is Thursday morning. Precious and Wandile are up getting ready for work. With only one car between them things can get intense in the mornings.

“Preshy, the deal was that you drop me off at work in the mornings.”

“I know Wandi, but I need to hurry to the factory first. Sindi says we’re out of gel polish.”

“Great! So now I need to take the taxi in the mornings too!”

“I’m sorry lovey. It’s only for a little while.”

“Yeah, whatever. Guess I better hurry up then. The queue in the morning is ridiculous.”

“Askies honey but you know how the traffic is in the morning. I’ll be late to open the shop if I first have to go all the way to your office.”

Wandile does not reply. He’d love to remind his wife that she is the reason they are having this problem but getting into that battle at this time is going to make him late for work. He grabs his wallet and his cellphone and leaves without even saying goodbye.

“Mxm! Oho,” exclaims Precious. She doesn’t understand why Wandile is acting this way. She thinks he is being dramatic; that sacrifice is part of being a man; that this is how a man proves his love for his woman. She is convinced that being a gentleman means putting your lady first.

“Exactly what does Wandile think is supposed to happen here? I should be the one running around in public transport? In my heels and in all my fabulosity? Please!”says Precious to herself, as she finishes doing her make-up.

*****

The queue at the taxi rank isn’t that bad. Wandile estimates that he should be in the third taxi that loads. He buys the morning paper from the vendor who is walking up and down the queues, selling newspapers and sweets.

The EFF is making headlines again. Wandile shakes his head. He voted for the EFF it the 2014 elections, only because he knew they would stir a little trouble for the ANC, but now he feels it is just too much drama happening in parliament. Wandile is an ANC supporter but he feels that the party needs a wake-up call; something to shake them up and he, like many others, feels that the EFF is just the party to do that.

Page 3, the Kardashians, who cares, sneers Wandile mentally, turning the pages to focus on the sports news. Orlando Pirates has taken the Carling Black Label Cup again and Wandile is chuffed.

The queue moves as taxis arrive and Wandile is soon boarding. He folds his paper as he enters the taxi and sits by the window. While reaching into his pocket, Wandile glances through the window. A young woman catches his eye. She is waiting for the next taxi. He stares. There is something about her. He frowns. He knows her from somewhere, he is sure, but where?

Just then she looks up and their eyes meet. And then the taxi speeds off and he loses sight of her.

***

Tell us: Why do you think the young woman at the taxi rank looks familiar to Wandile?