Grace asks me to tell her about Lifa and the time we spent together in detail.

“Oh, Bless is an amazingly strong and decent man,” I tell her. “He is great at his job, very smart. He often acts tough but sweet once you get to know him and he’s very mercurial, much like you.”

Grace’s smirk matches mine. “And he smirks when he thinks he’s smart,” I add. Grace laughs out loud, and suddenly she seems years younger.

I tell her about Blessing during my time with him, although I obviously leave out a few of our intimate details. She makes all the right faces in the right places. She’s very amusing when she’s shocked. I tell her about the time Blessing was shot, which she’s not surprised to know. She cringes when I tell her about his home surgery, performed by ‘Ma Thoko’s father. I also tell her about how they thought we were married.

We talk well into the afternoon, when my Mom comes back from her societal meeting. I had to beg her to go, because she wouldn’t leave me for a second. Having Grace over helped me to win my case.

We move our meeting outside, with a blanket and a cold drink. Grace cannot remember the last time she sat under a tree, on a blanket, without her shoes, and just relaxed. From the time she got out of rehab, she focused all her energy into building her company. Every time she sat down was for a meeting, and she never took off her shoes.

People who walk by my house stop to wave hello to me. They congratulate me and thank God that we came back alive. They are also grateful for what I’ve done, and they thank my Mom for the great job she’s done with me.

I frown because they remind me of Mark, who has not returned any of my calls or text messages. I guess he meant it when he said we paid a heavy price for winning the battle. I dismiss these thoughts quickly when I notice my Mom studying me. I guess I’m still bad at acting. In the evening, a limousine fetches Grace. She promises to come to the ceremony tomorrow.

***

I am dressed in a high-waist skirt, with a split in the front, and an off-the-shoulder maroon frill top and black palms. My Mom curls my new short hair and applies a little make up on me. My cast is the only thing that does not match my outfit, but it’s a scar that I’m proud of. My Mom is dressed in a black dress and matching shoes.

“Alexandra Precious Lubisi!” she calls to me from the kitchen. “Blessing’s here. Will you come out already?”

I emerge from my bedroom, carrying my small clutch bag that has my phone, lip-gloss and keys. Blessing stands on his feet when he sees me, and his lips form a perfect wow. He’s wearing the sharp navy suit he wore when we first met.

“You look absolutely stunning,” he tells me as he kisses my cheek.

“And you look sharp,” I reply. We grin.

“Look,” he says, showing me his manicured fingers. We burst out laughing. My Mom shakes her head at us and we walk to the car: a stretch limousine.

“Dope ride,” I murmur. Blessing opens the door for my Mom and I. I climb in first and I’m forced to sit next to Mark, who looks quite handsome in his black tuxedo.

“Hi,” I greet him.

I hear his sharp intake of breath as his eyes sweep over me in a nanosecond. “Hi,” he replies curtly.

My Mom and Blessing sit opposite us. The car smells freshly washed, with the scent of black leather.

“I was so happy to hear that you were alive, Mark,” my Mom tells him, launching into a conversation with him. Mark looks relieved.

Blessing pops open a bottle of chilled champagne. “The President’s compliments,” he says with a grin, as he pours glasses for all of us.

“To ending corruption, to bravery, to making it out alive and to victory,” Blessings says, raising his glass.

“To new beginnings,” I add, and we all clink our glasses together. The positive atmosphere consumes us, and we make random yet engaging conversation. Blessing and my Mom begin to debate about the President’s love life.

“You look beautiful,” Mark whispers in my ear. “Short hair really suits you.”

“Thank you. How’s your leg?” I ask.

“Getting there. I’ll be happy to be rid of this damn cast.”

I nod. “I know what you mean.”

“About not taking your calls…” his voice is lowered further, but I notice Blessing casting a secret glance at us.

“I get it, it’s fine. You don’t have to explain anything,” I tell Mark, not only because this is not the right place, but also because it’s not the right time. In fact, I don’t want to talk about it now and spoil my mood. Mark is surprised. I wonder if I should tell him that I’m leaving town tonight. No, why bother him. It’s not as if he cares anymore.

We come to a stop in front of a three-story mansion that is beautifully lit in the warm evening. A red carpet is rolled out from the car to the entrance, and two security men stand on either side of the door. Another opens the door for us. My Mom gets out first, followed by Blessing, myself and finally Mark. Photographers click away, taking our pictures. They scream out our names and ask us many questions.

The security men usher us into a colossal room. It is all white, with gold railings and a chandelier. On my right is a huge door that leads to a sitting room. Ahead of that is a passage that goes further into the house. My feet itch to go exploring, but I stop myself. Ahead of us are the stairs. We go past the stairs, into another room that is filled with many elegantly dressed people.

They immediately light up upon seeing us. They start whispering amongst themselves, and some of them approach us. They insist on shaking our hands. I’m surprised that they know us by name. From one hand to another we are passed on and moved forward. My jaw starts complaining from the non-stop smiling. I cannot remember any of their names. I am overwhelmed by the moment.

“Ms Alexandra Lubisi,” says a tall, beautiful man, beaming down at me. He stretches his hand and I take it.

“Mr President,” I say, trying my best to sound lively.

“It’s an honour to finally shake your hand,” he tells me, gently pulling me under his left arm while he greets Blessing, Mark and my Mom. “Now that our guests of honour have arrived, we can begin,” he says with a brief nod, but not at us. Suddenly, a man dressed in black and white shows us to our table in front of the room.

The President ascends the stage and clears his throat. The murmuring subsides as we all stare at him.

“Ladies and gentlemen, good evening,” he beams at the crowd confidently. He’s obviously done this a million times. A stage is practically his second home. “Thank you all for honouring our invite tonight as we gather to celebrate valour and scrupulousness at its best. If a country is judged by how it treats its children, then I’d ask where our award is?”

The crowd chortles. The President continues speaking: “I am hopeful for our future when we have young people like these three before us, because the person who is willing to serve others is the person who deserves the throne.”

“What you three have done is beyond me,” he says, looking at us with genuine pride. “You have shown courage, resiliency and exemplary service. We couldn’t be more proud of your achievements. You’ve gone above and beyond the call of duty of any law enforcement or public service. You were absolutely splendid. I read the report of the entire seven months and I thought I was reading a script for movie.” I smile at this: my sentiments exactly. “We just want to say absolutely well done to you, and thank you.”

“Alex, will you join me please,” he asks. The crowd applauses as I make my way to the stage, careful not to fall flat on my face.

The Minister of Safety and Security is standing next to the President. He opens a square velvet box. Inside is a huge gold coin with a fierce woman lifting a spear in her hand inside the SAI logo. The words for bravery are written around her. The medal’s strap is the South African flag.

“You have served your country well, thank you,” the President says, as he places the medal around my neck. Applause erupts from the crowd. My Mom is crying and clapping fiercely.

“If you’re ever looking for a job, let me know,” whispers the Minister to me as he shakes my hand. The President calls Mark up next. His medal is the same as mine, except that on his medal a man is holding a spear.

Last but not least, Lifa is called to the stage. After he gets his medal, the President holds on to Blessing’s hand. “Ladies and gentlemen, I am proud to introduce to you our newest SAI Director.” Blessing winks at me, and I grin back at him. I am so happy for him. Nobody deserves this more than he does. Photographers click away as we stand on the stage.

***

Tell us what you think: Where will Alex go? Should she tell Mark about her plans to leave town tonight?