“Hey, uhm, what did she say to you?” Sikhu asked nervously.

“Siks, is there something I need to know, she clearly acted like that after she saw you,” tears nearly dropped as she asked, everybody in the store was now looking at them.

“Uhm… what… what did… what she say to you?” Siks stammered out of nervousness.

“Is she your girlfriend?” Sange frowned. Siks sighed and his eyes started to sparkle, but Sange did not notice.

“Yes… no, well we broke up,” Siks said, now avoiding eye-contact.

“Clearly she is still in love with you, she told me to stay away from you, imagine,” she said. So I’ve been worrying myself over a couple all along, she thought to herself.

“It makes sense now, the reason why you both have matching tattoos. Nice,” she said, mockingly. They both laughed.

“I am sorry, I do not know why she did that to you, she actually does that to every girl I talk to. I will make sure she does not do that again.” Siks crossed his fingers as a sign of promise.

“You better” Sange said while giving him a nudge. They both ran their errands. Siks could feel the connection between them, it was not forced but was natural.

“Look, I know we’ve just met, but you make me happy,” Sange said, while holding his hand. They smiled at each other, Siks did not say anything, he felt guilty, he desperately wanted to reverse time. They finished and went their separate ways, it was late already.

In the morning, Sange woke up. She was not used to this at all, she thought she would wake up next to her granny. She opened the windows, made her bed and went straight to shower.

Good morning beautiful, Sikhulile texted. She did not respond instantly, she wanted to finish her breakfast first and settle down.

Good morning. Sange smiled and kept the text flirt-free. She did not want rush things just yet. I want to get to know him first, she thought. What if she was getting all the wrong ideas about this guy? She went to the TV room with snacks and found two girls sitting there watching news. She joined them.

How are you? Siks texted

Just before he responded, a familiar face showed up on the news.

“A girl was found dead this morning near the bridge, it seems like she was shot multiple times and was dumped under the C. Steinweg Bridge. The police are still investigating. I am Mallis Van Kyk, morning news, Johannesburg.”

She could not breath, she was sweating, tears fell down her cheeks as she was staring at the TV screen.

Have you seen the news? Your ex-girlfriend was found dead this morning, Sange texted anxiously, she was shaking. Siks received the message, his eyes and mouth were wide open.

“Brick, I hope none of this will lead back to us, it is already on the news, I can’t be arrested,” he said, fiddling with his fingers.

“Relax, see the reason why I cannot work with amateurs? This kind of panic will make everyone suspicious. Don’t call me, I will call you when the work is done,” Brick snapped.

“About that, I think I am in love with her, I am not sure about the deal anymore. Please tell bo-” Brick hung up the phone before he could finish his sentence.

“Brick! Brick…come on,” said Siks hopelessly. He texted Sange immediately before she could suspect anything:

I just saw it on the newspaper, can’t explain how deeply I am hurt. Who would do this to that innocent girl? Sange saw the text and just fell to her knees, pushing back her tears. She felt for the poor boy and the girl’s family. Maybe they were right about this city, it was dangerous.

I am sorry, if you need someone to talk to, I am here, Sange offered.

Within a few minutes, she received a call from the security, she had a visitor. She already knew who it was. She heard a knock on the door and quickly opened it. His eyes were teary and his arms weak like they were going to touch the floor. She hugged him and he let out all the hurt. She allowed him to be vulnerable.

Tell us: The mysterious girl in the bus has just been killed, what do you think happened?