(Two month later /after school /Hillbrow in Sir Khumalo’s flat. Dineo is in bed, her school uniform well folded on the chest of drawers beside the bed. Sir Khumalo is outside in the balcony smoking a cigarette in his blue boxer, white T-shirt and red slippers. He looks twenty-three but he is actually twenty-nine. He keeps on calling Samantha and every time he gets a voice mail.)

Sir Khumalo:(Trying to call Samantha speaking under his breath) Where are you Samantha, it’s been two months you’re not coming to school no one knows where you are. Call me when you get this)

Dineo: (Yelling from the bedroom) Woza what are you doing? I’ve to go home, my parents are coming back home early today.

Sir Khumalo:(Under his breath/scolding) Who cares? (He reluctantly enters inside.)

(Friday /afternoon/Hillbrow Qhubekani’s flat. Qhubekani and Thaboare watching TV, Qhubekani’s mom is busy up and down with her chaos.)

Thabo:(Mischievous excitement) so jeki what you’re telling is that Linda is pregnant?

Qhubekani’s mom:(Ears dropping)Who’s pregnant?

Qhubekani:(Awkward answer)Well…hmm…some girl in our class.

(She gives the both of them a dubious look.)

Qhubekani’s mom:(Dubious questioning) What’s her name?

Qhubekani:(Awkward answering) Name?

Qhubekani’s mom:(Dubious questioning) The pregnant girl…in your class?

Qhubekani:(Awkward answering) It’s…Hmmm…it’s Samanth-linda.

Qhubekani’s mom:That’s a strange name for a black child, Samanth-linda? What does it mean?

Qhubekani:(Awkward answering)Hmmm….(He looks around and sees a cup in his mother’s right hand.)

Qhubekani:(Awkward answering) Cup, it means cup.

Qhubekani’s mom:(Convinced and confused)Huh… okay

(She goes into the kitchen, Thabo laughs quietly and Qhubekani pushes him.)

Thabo:(Mimic/ mockery)Samanth-linda

Qhubekani:Mxm.

Thabo: (silently explodes into laughter.)

(Someday/hillbrow/ Linda’s flat. Linda and her mom are sitting in the balcony.)

Linda’s mom: No man Linda Iam not happy about this umntwanam, you’ve got school…you’re in grade 11. I mean, eish…

Linda: (Apologetic tone)I’m sorry mama….

Linda’s mom: (Furious) Usorry?

(Linda jerks back in fear, her mother collects herself and calms down.)

Linda’s mom: You know Linda we’re going to call this boy’s parents and tell them the damage he has done and one thing you’re continuing with your studies.

Linda: But they will laugh at me.

Linda’s mom: Mntwanami you’re not going to school to learn for other kids, they may laugh now but when high schoool ends you will thank me.

(Later that day at 20:30pm Hillbrow, thabo’s flat. Thabo and his parents are watching Uzalo eating dinner.)

Thabo’s dad: Thabo did your mom tell you that wena nentombi yakho you’ll be staying in Alexandra…we’ve found a room for the both of you.

Thabo: (Confused)Ahhh why?

Thabo’s mom: We can’t afford to have you and your pregnant girlfriend live here it’s bad for your father’s church image.

Thabo’s dad: If I was not a pastor I was going to abort the child, but thou shall not murder.

Thabo: Sending us away is a sin too.

Thabo’s mom: We’re not sending you away…you’ll come back after a year or two..

Thabo’s dad: I’ve found a job for you in some restaurant in Brammfontein.

Thabo:(Shocked)A job, what?

Thabo’s mom: We’ll take care of your bills and baby things, just don’t show up here.

Thabo’s dad: You’ll use your mother’s surname for now.

Thabo:(Shocked)What?

Thabo’s dad: Just do as you’re told and you’re leaving tomorrow

Thabo: You’re quick to get rid of me?

Thabo’s mom: Sweet heart we’re doing what’s best for you and your child.

Thabo:(Shocked)By sending me away…like tomorrow, tomorrow really mom and dad?

Thabo’s dad: I already told your girlfriend’s mother and she agreed.

Thabo’s dad: I can’t believe this…Jesus.

(He stands up and storms out.)

(Following day/ hillbrow /in fast food restaurant. Sir Khumalo and Dineo are eating lunch.)

Sir Khumalo:Here.

(He gives her a packet of yellow pills. Dineo takes the pills studies them.)

Dineo: What are these?

Sir Khumalo:(Smiling)Abortion pills.

Dineo: (Shocked and provoked)What? Uyahlanya, under whose roof will I stay after committing murder?

Sir Khumalo:You have parents.

Dineo: You certainly don’t know abazali bam they’ll kill me, if not, I am out of the house, back emakhaya.

Sir Khumalo:We have no choice, I don’t want this baby.

Dineo: I can’t do…it and I won’t…

Sir Khumalo:Raise the baby yourself then Dineo.

Dineo: I’ll cry rape.

Sir Khumalo: No you won’t.

(He stands up and leaves, Dineo is still in shock.)

***

Tell us: What would you do if you were Dineo?