The day Fana is released he breathes the outside air slowly. He makes his way to the benches just across the road to wait for his friend, Dozi. In no time, a blue Golf GTI stops next to where Fana is waiting. An electric window rolls down and there’s Dozi in the driver’s seat.
“Ola boy boy,” he laughs and steps out of the car.
They hug, shake hands and hop in the car. He drives to Fana’s home where Mr Khumalo has organised a cleansing ceremony for his son before he goes inside the gates.
Fana does everything as instructed and they welcome him back home. After six long years, he notices nothing much has changed at his home. His parents still love him and show more support than before, which is what he needs.
A week goes by and Fana is still indoors, mostly sleeping.
On Sunday morning his mother knocks on his door.
“I’m going to church with your father, don’t you want to tag along?” It’s been a full week and her son hasn’t left the house and this worries her.
“No mom, I have never gone to church with you before, I’m staying home,” he says and covers his head with the bed covers and sleeps some more.
A while later, a call on his phone wakes him up. He searches for it on the bedside table with his hand, eyes still closed.
“Hello?” he yawns as he answers the phone.
“Are you okay? You sound sleepy.”
“Cindy, yeah I’m okay. I sleep a lot these days.”
“I’m really sorry you had to go through this because of me. But I am ready to do whatever to make amends. I owe you that much.”
“Nah you don’t, your boyfriend does. Love is blind Cindy and for my eyes to open I had to go to jail,” he doesn’t want to hurt Cindy, but he can’t help it.
“Wow and there I thought you forgave me,” she sounds a little sad.
“I did, I just haven’t forgotten. And for some strange reason, Cindy, I still love you.”
“Can we please not talk about that now?”
“Alright then, why did you call?”
“Wanted to check if you’re still going to help me.”
“Well yeah, I have plan. We need to meet so I can tell you all about it.”
“Get ready then, I’ll be there in 40 minutes.”
He ends the call and jumps off the bed. After taking a shower, he fixes his bed and waits for Cindy on the veranda. Cindy shows up, driving a white Audi A4 and parks in the driveway.
“Hey, nice wheels.” Fana gets up and walks towards Cindy.
They hug each other tightly, for a long while. Cindy’s eyes have tears after they let go from hugging.
“Cindy please, don’t do that again. You don’t have to cry every time you see me,” he says, calmly and hugs her again.
Mr and Mrs Khumalo come in and park behind Cindy’s car. Fana and Cindy quickly pull out of each other’s arms, but it’s a bit too late. Mrs Khumalo slams the door and her anger is on display just by the way she walks.
“Hey, what’s happening here? What is this girl doing here in my house?” she fumes.
“Mom please, calm down. She came to see me.”
“Don’t tell her to be calm wena la! It wasn’t enough she got you arrested for nothing?” Bellows Mr Khumalo, taking his wife’s side.
“But dad, I told you everything. Yes, she could have stopped me from going to jail, but her life was also on the line.”
“That’s because you didn’t listen, her boyfriend warned you to stay away. Nxa!” Mrs Khumalo slaps Fana’s left cheek and goes inside the house.
“Do not, and I mean it, don’t come crying to us when her man messes with your life again.” Mr Khumalo pushes them out of his way as he follows his wife.
***
Tell us: What do you think Fana will do? What’s his plan?