“Brenda didn’t give up on love because she wanted to one day get married. She would do anything. She met Nyiko, who didn’t want money except her love. She was doing weddings, unveilings and birthdays, business was booming that she got to build a house and buy fancy furniture. Brenda changed, too much pride crept in her and her kids. She even brought a car for personal use and a Toyota for work. It was as if they were the richest people. She got money and brought things that she didn’t need. Her fridge was always loaded with every expensive food you can think of, but it lasted a week. Nyiko brought some groceries too. She had a positive mind that good guys still existed, until she started to cheat. He caught her in bed with another man. He left her.”

Xolile’s jaw drops. She shuffles on the bed, ready to hear more.

“A lot of people didn’t like Brenda, like two teachers from the school she was supplying lunch at. One day the two ladies were talking about her behind her back.

‘She’ll never get married, look at her,’ Nokuthula said laughing.

‘She is a bitch… Four kids, different fathers,’ Mamsy join her.

“The ladies taught at the school and hated it when she and her kids bragged about what they have.

‘I will get married, wait and see,’ Brenda said it loudly.

“The teachers heard it and frowned with big eyes. She felt it in her blood that one day her dreams will come true. Brenda and her kids started to attend church every Sunday but her dressing was very inappropriate. Women gave her cold shoulders every time they greeted one another. They were afraid their husbands will look at her and leave them for her. She met a truck driver, and everything went well.

“Willy was so gentle and outgoing. He was a gentleman and responsible. In a six months relationship, he proposed to Brenda. She felt happy and became more proud. If she was not bragging about her ring, she talked about how great Willy is. Everything went well until a lady answered his phone. Brenda cried and was frustrated.

‘See we told you, no man will marry you!’ Those words hurt her too much that she made a move on a guy two years younger. The guy, Mahlatsi, liked the fact that she was a hardworking woman and had everything. He told her she was a good woman, I will marry you,’ he said.

“‘Really… You mean it?’ she asked happily. He kissed her and cuddled her. Little did she know it was just an act, a prey acting innocent until it’s time to take what it wanted. He had a car and decided to sell it and Brenda decided to buy it.”

Xolile opens her mouth wider in shock. She can’t believe how Brenda is so clueless.

“Did that money get used to marry her?” she asks angrily. Granny nods her head.

“She is stupid,” Xolile clicks her tongue.

“And desperate too,” Granny adds.

“What happened?” she asks anxiously.

“Tomorrow I will finish it up, time to cook child,” Granny says slowly.

Xolile drags her feet to the kitchen worriedly. All she thinks is what happens next. She knows she will never be like Brenda, so hopeless and doing anything to wed. She will never marry for that reason but love only.

She cooks pap and they eat with Inkomasi, sour milk. Granny leaves to sleep while Xolile sorts the dishes and rooms and goes to study.

***

Tell us: Do you think Xolile has really learnt her lesson?