“You can’t keep pursuing him dear, let him go,” Queen says, concerned.

“I love him, I can’t let him go,” Palesa says, looking through the window.

“This love thing will cost you. Cousin, you have to let him live his life,” she says, apprehensively.

“Just have a little faith, please Queen,” she says certainly.

The two ladies are in the bedroom. Palesa and Queen are cousins. Their fathers are brothers. Queen’s parents passed away when she was young, and that drew her and Palesa close. Palesa has been so sympathetic and caring towards Queen. They share everything, even the deepest secrets. Palesa has been trying to move on, but she keeps dreaming about Tony.

She’s been waiting for Tony to come back to her. She can’t date anyone anymore because of her emotions towards him. She would trade anything on Earth to get back with Tony. It’s been years after they separated, so Palesa’s thinking about using another identity.

“It’s been years, don’t you think he moved on. He could have a wife and children by now,” Queen urges.

“I will see that for myself,” she smiles.

“What if he blocks you?” she asks.

“You have a point. I will catfish him,” she answers. Queen looks at her, upset, and lifts her head up. She leaves Palesa in her room, thinking she might be insane.

Palesa doesn’t notice Queen because her mind is thinking about what name to use. After hours of thinking about the name, she decides to use Queen’s name. Her cousin doesn’t stay in Joburg but in London. She visits her every holiday. Palesa writes details about her cousin down so that she can answer Tony well.

She creates a new account on Gmail using Queen Smith’s details so that she can open a Facebook account. She writes the email address and password in her notebook, so she won’t forget it. She needs to log in her real Facebook account too, and the password and email address are easy to cram.

She knows how Tony loves Facebook. She searches his name and finds it. She requests to be his friend. She closes Facebook on her laptop, smiling. She can’t remember when she was happy. Tony makes her happy and talking to him makes her delighted. She hopes he accepts the request. Her blood is boiling with joy.

She can’t eat. She’s waiting for his response. He was last seen three days ago. She’s starting to get worried. Maybe he knows he is being cat-fished, but he doesn’t know my cousin and she has not friended with her cousin’s page, she thinks. She wishes Tony would accept her friendship on Facebook.

“Palesa, dinner time,” her mother calls out behind the door.

“I am coming, mom,” she sighs.

She opens the account again and still he isn’t online. She regrets doing this. What if he has another woman? How will she make a move on him using Queen’s identity?

“Palesa, come on let’s eat. We’re waiting for you,” Queen opens the door. Palesa stands up, annoyed. The table is set, stunning, with mouth-watering food. They all sit down and gnaw on the delicate food. Palesa loves her mother’s cooking. She is the best chef, she always reminds her. But her mind is still on Tony.

After the meal, Palesa helps Queen with the dishes. Her mother despises a dirty kitchen. With her mother’s hard work spent cooking for her, she’s happy to keep the kitchen clean. They go and pack because they will be traveling the next morning. Queen will share with her since there are only two bedrooms in the house they’re renting. Palesa cares for Queen, and they even share clothes.

Palesa waits for Queen to fall into a deep sleep so she can check again for Tony. Still, there isn’t any response. She has to be patient, and Queen can’t know she is using her identity.

Tell us: What do you think of Palesa’s desperate measures?