As I was approaching her she was holding something in her hands. Again I asked, “Aunty, what is that?”

“It’s nothing, Thando-lwami. Why are you awake, are you ok nana?”

“Yes I am. And you aunty, are you okay?”

“Oh you mean me… I’m fine,” replied aunty.

“Aunty, thank you for saving my life. God bless you,”

Tears just rolled out from Auntie’s eyes.

“Auntie, did I do or say something wrong?” I asked surprised. What had triggered her tears to come out?

“It’s just that I thank God He has sent you here to be safe. Praise the Lord,” said Auntie.

Oh… aunty you can say that again and again, I thought to myself.

“Go rest, tomorrow is gonna be a hectic day,” said aunty.

“Ja, you’re right aunty,”

I then went to bed. I was very tired and I woke up after 9:00am. As I walked towards the kitchen aunty was busy on the phone. I didn’t want to disturb her so I stood there silently as she was busy speaking.

“Guys, she is in my house sleeping. Hurry up. That R100 000 first then you get the girl. Hope we do business well because a deal is a deal.” I then walked slowly back to the room, thinking of a plan to run away.

I opened the dining room door slowly while aunty was in the kitchen. I had no place to run to because my wanted posts were all over the streets. The only place of safety was running back into the bush.

In the bush I hid myself under trees and watched from far as the two men got into auntie’s yard. Aunty was calling my name. Putting her hands on her head as the two men shouted at her that she wasted their time for nothing, calling her a chancer.

I then told myself I had watched enough, I had to run.

I ran and ran. As I was running I tripped and fell into a big hole. I just saw myself falling and the next moment I woke up in a house I didn’t know. I almost peed on myself thinking the two men got me. Only to be surprised to see a white man opening the door.

“Oh finally you’re awake. My name is Bernard. My workers found you in a hole we use to put waste things from the farm. Are you okay?”

“Yes, yes, I’m okay, thanks for saving my life.
I then explained all to Meneer Bernard. He promised to help me. Firstly he called my worried mom to tell her I was safe and sound, then gave me the phone to speak to her. After a few minutes the police arrived I told them everything. After they left mom arrived.

She was over the moon to see me alive. When I told her how aunty sold me she was furious. The good thing was within days, through my auntie’s help, Jojo and Snoopy were arrested and sentenced twenty-five years in prison. Aunty got community service for five years. Though aunty had betrayed me, me and her daughter, Tshego, are best friends.
After all that had happened, Bernard asked us to come live with him and his family. We agreed and are enjoying every minute of it.

The End

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Tell us what you think: Would you forgive a relative if they sold you out?