[Lily came from a modern family that could afford adequate lifestyle. And her Wednesdays have always been left open for Jeffrey, the man of her dreams. Her parent’s name stands high among the educated in the village. Her mother is a nurse at local clinic and her father is a teacher by profession. Jeffrey is seen waiting outside Lily’s home. The fence is the only barrier between him and Lily, who’s busy inside the house. For the past 30 minutes he’s been waiting for her, impatiently he starts pacing up and down. His blood boils with rage as Lilly approaches.]

LILY: Hello baby (Tries to embrace him but as she attempts to hijack warmth of his body, Jeffrey rejects her advances.) What’s wrong, sweetie? (She takes a step back and lets her hands fall loosely about her African hips.)

JEFFREY: The problem with you children of good breeding is that you don’t respect other people’s priorities. Your parents let you do as you see fit, long as you don’t suffer like everyone else.

LILY: (Shocked and attempts to sideline his opinions) Askies, I told you that I was washing the dishes but now I’m here baby.

JEFFREY: (Scornful) ‘But now I’m here baby,’ that’s the only sentence you could compensate me with? You’re a seed of readers of encyclopaedias, I’m sure you can think of something smarter than that?

LILY: (Feign smile) Shoooo! I’m tired beyond bodily fatigue how about a massage? (Plants a kiss on his cigarette-burned lips, but she feels cold and unwanted) Okay, what’s wrong?

JEFFREY: (Bold) You keep me waiting out here in the blistering cold and then you ask what’s wrong? Are you fucking retarded or just taking me for a fool?

LILY: (Confused) What? How many times should I apologise for that? And how many times must I ask you not to use such words?

JEFFREY: Fuck you, Lily Moroko. Entlek you think I don’t know what you’ve been doing behind my back? Where’s your phone?

LILY: Jeffrey, if you didn’t want…

JEFFREY: Sfebe(Violently grabs her right hand and starts twisting it. Lily’s body turns against his as he penetrates his assault even deeper) To have cereals for breakfast won’t stop me from pounding some sense into you fucking head, hear me? Even your smart-ass parents can’t stop me from doing as I please.

LILY: (Tears well-up in her eyes) Jeffrey… Jeffrey…You’re hurting me.

Jeffrey: Who’s the son-of-a-bitch you’ve been fucking lately? (continues to twist her hand as she breaks down in front of him) I’m talking to you, Ms Snobbish shit.

LILY: (Sobs softly)

JEFFREY: I said who’s been poking your hole when I’m not around? (he lets go and her knees fail to hold her. She kneels before him like a loyal servant taking orders; she looks at him with tears streaming down her face)

LILY: Why… why are you doing this to me, Jeffrey? What have I done to deserve such name-calling and humiliation and accusations? What have I done to you? (she strikes his pronounced chest with an open hand, repeatedly.)

JEFFREY: (remains silent as he acknowledges his mistake. He tries to cough out words but they fall over themselves)

LILY: I had unconditionally given myself to you, and all I ever asked for in return was your loving. Tonight you throw slogans at my face and physically attack me. I’m defenceless, but Jeffrey I loved you with purpose. Why do you hurt my love? Countless times I had trained my soul to forgive you for many faults you’ve committed against us, but this one is too painful to bear.

JEFFREY: (Wishing to cover her body with his and let her know how sorry he was, but his guilt withheld his attempts.) Lily, I’m…

LILY: (Gives him talk-to-the-hand attitude) In the privacy of my heart I always defined myself as a Moroko by birth but Batho by marriage and academia. I dreamed of having your children and I always dreamed of the day you pay lobola and we take as one. I wanted all these things in the name of love. Why do you assault my dreams?

JEFFREY: Lily (she walks towards the gate and looks at Jeffrey. Then lets go of a heartfelt cry before turning and disappearing into the house).

***

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