The singing in the kitchen woke Debbie up. She wiped her eyes and checked the time on the clock on the wall. She had a smile on her face and rushed to the bathroom. She wore her favourite jeans and red sleeveless top after a quick bath. She could hear her parents were still bathing because of the noisy tap in her their bathroom.

She prepared breakfast with her earphones on, while dancing to ‘Via Orlando’, Debbie was a fan of Dr Malinga.

Mom entered the kitchen but she was surprised. Debbie noticed her mom and gave her a hug. Christine could feel the room filled with love and joy. She smiled.

“Morning Mommy,” she exclaimed.

“Morning my baby,” she said, startled.

She kept wanting to know how her mood changed because her behaviour had been stressing her. She sat on the chair and observed what Debbie was doing. She wanted to ask her what happened last night but she quickly pushed that question away.

“I like seeing you happy like today,” she said gently.

“Thanks Mama,” she said giving her a fork.

Her dad entered the kitchen holding his briefcase. He widened his eyes, Christine saw it and shook her head that no questions should be asked, please. Debbie didn’t notice her dad standing by the door, she was busy dishing up toast, eggs, beans and sausages.

“Hello, my child,” Calvin said silently.

Debbie ran and gave him a hug.

“Morning Daddy,” she whispered in his ears.

Debbie grabbed his bag and put it on the empty chair, and showed him where to sit. Calvin ate his food quietly but he needed answers. Debbie sat facing her parents and tucked in her food.

“Debbie, I don’t like your behaviour from last night,” he said sincerely.

“Baba…” Christine tried to stop him.

“No, I won’t stop talking about this. You have to respect us, we brought you in the world,” he said angrily.

“Then why didn’t you kill me?!” she shouted furiously.

Christine held Calvin’s hand and shook her head. Debbie clicked her tongue and left for school.

“Baba…” she nagged him to cool down.

“Our daughter has a demon, don’t you see? I never raised her like this. This started when she became friends with that Paula,” he shouted.

“Calm down Baba. Eat and let’s go to work,” she said calmly.

They ate in peace but Calvin was still angrily and thought it was time to put Debbie on a corner and discipline her.

Debbie was angry with her dad, instead of going to school she walked to the clothing shop. She didn’t go the same shops or malls where she stole.

“Your father shouldn’t have behaved like that. He hates you,” the voice in her head said.

“Yes, he irritated me,” she whispered, looking through the packed shelves.

“You can have everything you want in the world, just take and go,” a voice whispered to her.

She saw some perfumes on the shelf and wanted them. She stole some brand perfumes worth a thousand Rands. She didn’t see there were cameras in the shop when she put them in her satchel.

She continued to browse in the shop and decided to go. Two guards stopped her at the door.

She stood at the door confused, not knowing what was happening to her.

“Can we see what is in your bag?” a short guard with a muscular body said.

“No that’s my bag,” she pushed him when he grab her bag.

Two other men came and pulled her to the office.

“Hey, I will be late for my lessons,” she screamed.

“We need to talk before we call the police,” the security man said.

Debbie remained quiet and calm as the security searched her bag and found the perfumes. They demanded her parent’s number but she remained quiet.

***

Tell us: What do you think will happen to Debbie?