At the clinic, Dr Sibanyoni gives Mrs Skhosana samples of blood to take to the lab. She returns not knowing whose samples they are. The doctor tells her that the patient was HIV positive and pregnant. She looks at the report and sees Niniwe’s name.

Doctor: Niniwe, your state of health is deteriorating. Are you being abused in some way?

Niniwe: Slightly.

Doctor: Slightly means yes! You don’t have to be afraid, I am your friend.

Niniwe: My father raped me.

There is a knock at the door. Mrs Skhosana drops off the results and sees Niniwe. She is shocked but doesn’t say anything.

Nurse: Doc, here are results. The patient is HIV positive and pregnant.

Doctor: Thank you, nurse.

Mrs Skhosana leaves the room.

Doctor: Niniwe, come let’s talk this through, you must lay charges. Your samples say you are HIV positive and pregnant.

Niniwe: My mom won’t believe me.

Doctor: Who is your mom? I will call and speak to her.

Niniwe: Nurse Skhosana.

Doctor: What! (opens the door) Nurse.

Mrs Skhosana: Doctor you called.

Doctor: Come on in, sit down. Do you recognise this patient?

Mrs Skhosana: She’s my daughter, Doc.

Doctor: She’s the one you brought the results for, she’s been raped.

Mrs Skhosana: She is lying, she fools around and frames my husband for rape.

Doctor: You may leave, nurse. Niniwe, you must come back after a week for check-up.

Outside.

Poppie: Thabisile, look at Niniwe’s mom she’s crying.

Thabisile: Let’s go to her… Mrs Skhosana how is Niniwe?

Nurse: She’s fine.

Thabisile: But Mom, you don’t seem fine?

Mrs Skhosana: I said she was fine and she’s leaving town as from tomorrow.

Thabisile: Where is she going to?

Mrs Skhosana: I don’t know!

Mrs Skhosana leaves.

Poppie: I thought so; this woman is a devil herself.

Thabisile: I never thought you’d say that.

Poppie: I’ll take Niniwe to my joint, and she’ll live there serving as a hooker.

*****

Later, the Pastor and his wife go to the Skhosanas to try and address the problem. It hits back on them as they are chased away by Mrs Skhosana herself.

Pastor: Knock! Knock… knock! Knock!

Mr Skhosana: Enter! Who’s that speaking like an angel?

Pastor: (laughing) It is I my friend.

Mr Skhosana: Oh! Come on in with your charming and beautiful wife, have a sit.

Pastor and wife: Thank you, God bless.

Pastor: Family, there are bad news we receive that make us to visit you today.

Mrs Skhosana: What has happened, is anyone dead?

Pastor: In spirit, yes.

Mr Skhosana: The Bible says he who obeyeth not the command of God is dead therefore who failed obeying this His word Pastor?

Pastor: Thou hast!

Mrs Skhosana: Bullshit! You have Niniwe’s madness into your head! Man of God, why allow the devil to trick you? My husband and I have been loyal to the Church for years now, paying up all tithes due. Why are you allowing all these lies against us?

Mr Skhosana: I think they should leave!

Mrs Skhosana: Yes! Let them go. You have exhausted your visit, now leave us in peace not in pieces.

(They both leave the house.)

Mrs Skhosana: Niniwe! Niniwe!

Niniwe: Mom! (she enters)

Mrs Skhosana: Sit! You have disgraced me now you are even HIV positive and pregnant. I think you also should pack now and leave to your granny’s to die there. Go pack now, be gone.

Niniwe leaves with her bag of clothes, crying and speaking to herself.

Niniwe: If only one had a chance to live now. I am doomed, what have I done? What was my sin? I was no bitch. I was no bitch, no bitch. I was no bitch!

***

Tell us: What do you think will happen to Niniwe now?