Wandile wants to go to the event with Precious. He thinks it will be good to go out somewhere together, ease the tension, have a laugh. But when he mentions it to her she doesn’t seem to hear him.

Precious is very distracted because she is feeling stressed about Mmalepona’s arrest. She wants more muti and she doesn’t trust any other sangoma to give her what she needs. Plus, she is so tired she can hardly move.

“Presh, I asked if you had plans for the day,” says Wandile, repeating himself.

“No I don’t. I just want to stay home,” replies Precious, at last.

“Well, Menzi’s younger brother is taking part in this racing event at the showgrounds and I sort of promised I would stop by, to show my support.”

“Oh OK. Sounds hectic. I’m not in the mood,” Precious shrugs and throws herself on the couch, grabbing the TV remote to flip through channels.

“So …”

“Go Wandi. Go be with your buddies.”

Precious is aloof and her attitude surprises, or rather, concerns Wandile. She is not herself.

“Wandi,” Precious calls out, as he is changing for the event.

“Yes hun?”

“Are you still having those headaches?”

“Uhm … I haven’t had one in a while hey.” Wandile smiles as he says that, realising how great it is that the headaches are gone. “It must have been that my system needed cleansing. Giving up sugar must have done the trick. I’m fine now.”

“Hmmm. Yes. OK,” Precious sighs, thinking of the sangoma.

*****

Nolwazi chooses a floral chiffon top to go with her blue jeans and decides she will wear flat sandals and red lipstick – the colour of fire and passion – to the racing.

It feels strange, but brave and exciting, going to an event alone.

She steps out of the taxi looking ‘fresh to def’. The area around the gates of the showground are packed with young people queuing up to buy tickets for the competition. Nolwazi joins the queue and, determined to be sociable, starts chatting to the young woman in front of her. She soon discovers her name is Dipuo and she also lives in Block C. She is there with her cousin. When Nolwazi mentions she is there alone Dipuo insists that she join them.

“That was easy,” says Nolwazi, as she giggles.

“What was easy?” asks Dipuo.

“Finding good company.”

“Oh!” says Dipuo and they both laugh. “My cousin is getting some drinks and snacks. When we’re done buying the tickets we will go find him by the market section.”

“Cool.” Nolwazi is happy to have so quickly clicked with Dipuo.

After buying the tickets the girls go looking for Dipuo’s cousin, and find him by the Coke truck. His name is Glen but he tells Nolwazi to call him, “Lady Gee.”

Yip, he is a fabulous gay queen – pink nail polish, tank top and all. Nolwazi likes him immediately. He’s funny, interesting, and confident being himself.

Tickets are bought, drinks are bought, and snacks too, and it is time to go in.

“I am so glad they are not allowing alcohol inside,” says Lady Gee.

“Oh. Is that so?” asks Nolwazi.

“Yeah choma. People get stupid when they’re drunk,” Lady Gee adds.

They are already at ‘choma’ status thanks to Lady Gee’s good vibes, thinks Nolwazi gratefully.

“Ke eng okari, you are disappointed there, Nolwazi?” says Dipuo.

Glen bursts out laughing.

“No, mara guys. I am seriously not disappointed at all. It’s a good thing. Alcohol just makes some people uncontrollable.”

“Mmhhmm,” Dipuo says, still teasing Nolwazi.

“I have my eye on you choma,” says Lady Gee, pointing a finger at Nolwazi.

Nolwazi just shakes her head and giggles.

*****

Once the trio are inside the showground they find seats, but are soon standing and dancing to the music, while they wait for the racing to start.

“I hope Fire wins the big race today,” says Dipuo.

“He probably will. He is really good at this, but Sting is also racing so it’s gonna be a tough one,” says Glen.

“Ngobani uFire no Sting?” asks Nolwazi, who is totally in the dark.

“I’ll show you when their race starts. They are the two best racers in Mabopane,” says Dipuo.

“Oh. And why are you rooting for Fire?” asks Nolwazi.

“Because she has a crush on him,” says Lady Gee.

“Oooh la la!” says Nolwazi, as she and Lady Gee high five.

“It’s just a little crush. Oh, he is soooooo hottt though,” says Dipuo, rolling her eyes.

“Do you know him personally or do you just admire him from a distance, like a celebrity crush?” asks Nolwazi.

“Something like that. Twice we have locked eyes and I felt the chemistry there but…” Dipuo shrugs her shoulders and sighs.

“I know that feeling,” says Nolwazi.

“Do you have a boyfriend or girlfriend? Nowadays you never know,” says Dipuo, tilting her head towards Lady Gee.

“Hey wena, behave,” says Lady Gee.

“Firstly, I’m straight,” says Nolwazi.

“And I’m what? Crooked?” snaps Lady Gee.

“Never mind him. He only pretends to be sensitive,” says Dipuo.

Nolwazi just giggles and gives Lady Gee a tight squeeze, a one-sided hug, with him rolling his eyes.

“And secondly, no, I don’t have a boyfriend,” Nolwazi replies. “But I know what you mean, with the eyes locking. I experienced that. It was intense.”

“Do you know the guy?” asks Dipuo.

“No. I only saw him once at the taxi rank but there was just a strong connection between us. I don’t know what it was, but it felt like I was a part of his life.”

“Yes. That is exactly what it is. I know Fire likes me, unless he looks at all the girls like that … mara don’t worry Nolwazi, fate will bring you together. If it’s meant to be it shall be,” says Dipuo

***

Tell us: Do you believe in fate and ‘If it’s meant to be, it’s meant to be’?