Aphelele: Molweni.
Bongi’s older sister/Linda: (Shocked and happy) Hi Aphelele, unjani, bekunjani ekapa lodumo?
Aphelele: Ndiright Linda, hay wethu ikapa likapa. Ukhona uBongi?
Linda: Usaye evenkileni, noba uyeza ngoku, mlinde.
[They talk until Bongi returns from the shop.]
Bongi: Hay suka andiphindi ndiye pha ma (going straight to her sister who as standing beside the fridge).
Linda: Ngoba?
Bongi: Bekugcwele pha.
Linda: Yeah right.
Aphelele: Haibo awandibulisa kwa Bongi.
Bongi: (She turns with an annoyed face) Ngubani lo funa ubuliswa ndim sana?
[When she sees it is her boyfriend, she jumps into his arms. They giggle and kiss.]
Bongi: When did you arrive home?
Aphelele: About 30 minutes or so ago. I just wanted to see my baby.
Bongi: (Blushing) I missed you so much. I’m glad to see you love, how are you?
Aphelele: I’m good.
[They talk until it is dark outside then Bongi walks him out as he takes his leave to go home.]
Aphelele: Baby can you sleep over at my place tomorrow night? I missed you so much.
Bongi: Okay I will. I missed you too love.
Aphelele: I’ll see you tomorrow then. I love you. Go back home now.
Bongi: Good night, I love you too.
[The next afternoon Bongi visits Aphelele at his home. She plans to sleep over as she promised him the night before. They cuddle and watch a movie before going to sleep. The next day, Aphelele meets up with his friends and tells them about what a wonderful girlfriend he has. But one of his friends spoils his mood by asking him about Miranda.]
Aphelele: (Shocked) Why are you asking me about Miranda? I thought you didn’t like her.
Siyabonga: We never said we don’t like her.
Vuyo: (Nodding his head) Certainly bro.
Aphelele: Then why did you push me to date all those other girls?
Vuyo: ‘Because you were miserable and stressing. We just wanted our friend back.
Aphelele: Hey, I wasn’t like that!
Siyabonga: You have no idea how miserable you were dude.
Vuyo: It was like you met and lost a soul mate or something.
Aphelele: What if she was?
Siyabonga: Then you will meet her again.
Aphelele: What if it’s after 10 years? I really loved that girl.
Vuyo: Sorry dude.
Siyabonga: Yeah, sorry bro, at least you have Bongi now.
Aphelele: Yeah, true that. (Smiling)
Vuyo: Hey someone is in love.
Siyabonga: He’s even glowing.
Aphelele: (Laughing) Gee, I’m so out of here, see you later losers.
[He goes home and helps his mom cook dinner.]
*****
[Miranda is getting tired of her mother’s attitude. She wants nothing but to just escape from her life. She goes to her friend Tshepiso’s house.]
Miranda: Can I crash here tonight?
Tshepiso: No problem, just make sure your mom knows. I don’t want her to think naughty and nasty stuff.
Miranda: I don’t care what she thinks.
Tshepiso: Hey no, Miranda. (Shocked)
Miranda: What? She drove me to this edge.
Tshepiso: Yoh.
Miranda: I don’t want to talk about it anymore my friend.
Tshepiso: Okay sweetie, you know Miranda you can talk to me about anything. Your pretence of not caring about your mom is all an act. You know that I love you and I would do anything for you.
Miranda: If you love me as much as you claim you do, then help me.
Tshepiso: How?
Miranda: I want to run away.
Tshepiso: (Shocked) What? Where to? To whom?
Miranda: To Jo’burg, I will start over there. You know that I’m a good singer, I’ll look for producers and agents and stuff.
Tshepiso: Seriously Miranda? You are 15-years-old, you are young. You should focus on school.
Miranda: I’ll live with my friends’ family, they’ll take me in. So, I will have to look for a job.
Tshepiso: Sorry that this is going on in your life. You totally don’t deserve it. (hugging and kissing her)
[They start kissing and taking off their clothes.]
Miranda: Do you love me Tshepiso?
Tshepiso: I love you so much.
[They continue kissing and Tshepiso’s mother calls him. They stop immediately and get dressed then he goes to his mother in the kitchen.]
Lerato: Did I just hear right?
Tshepiso: About? (He seems confused)
Lerato: Miranda is planning to run away?
Tshepiso: (Shocked) Where did you hear that?
Lerato: It doesn’t matter, is it true or not?
Tshepiso: (Looking down) Yes it is.
Lerato: Oh my word, wow, you can go now son.
[When Tshepiso leaves the kitchen, Lerato calls Nondumiso, Miranda’s aunt from her father’s side of the family.]
Lerato: Hi Ndumi, how are you, it’s Lerato.
Nondumiso: I’m good Rato, and you?
Lerato: I’m good. Miranda is planning to run away. She is willing to leave school and go to Johannesburg. Thought I should tell you.
Nondumiso: (Shocked) What! Please stop her, hayi this can’t happen. My brother doesn’t want to solve this then I’ll solve it for him and his daughter. Thank you, Rato for telling me.
Lerato: My pleasure. Please move fast, bye.
Nondumiso: Okay, bye.
*****
Tell us what you think: Do you think Nondumiso will reach Miranda in time before she runs away?