One week later, Nothando returned home. The school launched a campaign against the violence and abuse of school pupils as part of welcoming her back, and the police department also got involved.

“Welcome back, best friend,” Lulu said. “I missed you.”

“Me too,” Nothando said and they hugged.

Later that day, Nothando had a private talk with Samson near the school’s kitchen. “I wanted to thank you for saving my life,” she said.

“I’m just glad that you’re alive and well, that’s what matters,” Samson responded.

“My parents also asked me to thank you, you saved their daughter’s life. Please don’t hesitate to ask them for anything, it’s the least they can do to show their gratitude,” Nothando said, leaning forward and wrapping her soft hands around Samson and hugging him.

With Nothando’s touching hands around him, Samson’s heart pounded slowly to savour the moment. He got lost in the wilderness of his mind, and the feeling he had was one a person received when they were liked by a girl. “I hope only a few men get to understand how it feels like,” he thought to himself. “I want this to last forever; I want it to be a part of me.”

Nothando released Samson from the hug, but Samson still held her waist. She then looked at his hands and held them off.

“Things are not going well at home,” Samson said, giving Nothando a poor lie. “My grandmother isn’t well. She’s the one taking care of us, and now she can’t work. We need money and food.”

On hearing the news, Nothando got touched. “I’ll tell mom and dad,” she said.

After school, Nothando and Lulu spent a moment chatting at the school gate. Thami came to them, and as soon as Lulu saw him, she left.

“What’s that all about?” Nothando asked.

“She keeps avoiding me whenever I see her,” Thami said. “I told her I loved her, and I couldn’t hold myself back when she told me she loved someone else. Don’t you know this guy of hers?”

“No, she hasn’t told me. Where’s your bag? Aren’t you going home?” Nothando asked.

“No, we have choir practice,” Thami replied.

“Okay,” Nothando said.

“I saw you struggling to let go of Samson after that long romantic hug,” Thami said, changing the topic. “You got your shot at taming him?”

“You’ve been spying on us?” Nothando replied.

“No, I just saw you by accident. So, does he like you too?” Thami asked.

“He said that?”

“You didn’t tell him you love him?” Thami asked.

“Why would I?”

“Because you said you would if you got the chance.”

“I don’t know about that, but he didn’t say anything to me either.”

“Yes he loves you, Nothando,” Thami emphasized.

“He told you that?”

“No, but maybe he didn’t tell you because he’s worried whether you feel the same, and that it’s gonna look like he’s taking advantage of you after what happened.”

“Pathetic love stories,” Nothando said. “But either way, I’d give him a chance if I heard the words coming out of his mouth. But I don’t want you telling him lies, I’ll see you tomorrow then.”

“Sharp-sharp,” Thami said, and they went their separate ways.

After choir practice, Samson, Thami and Clement walked home together. Thami wanted to talk to Samson and Nothando together and discuss his disappointment with Lulu.

“Samson, I managed to talk with Nothando, and man, I think she loves you,” Thami said.

“Are you serious?” Samson asked in excitement.

“She couldn’t hold herself, and she wanted to know if you felt the same. Trust me, you have her heart in your hands, man,” Thami said.

“That’s unbelievable,” Samson said.

“It’s true, and I suggest you act fast before someone else takes her,” Thami added.

“Okay,” Samson said.

“I wish you good luck,” Thami said, holding Samson’s shoulder. “Unlike you, I didn’t get this chance. It’s for the greater good, though.”

When Samson got home, he threw himself on his bed. “I’ve never dated before,” he thought to himself. “So this is my chance to see what happens in a relationship.” His heart then started pounding as he felt the love he had for Nothando.

That was when Samson decided to write a letter professing his love to Nothando. That way, he would be able to say a lot, and she would be able to understand his feelings better. He ripped a page out of one of his books, picked up a pen, and poured his feelings out for her. When he was done, he held the letter and felt like tomorrow was decades away.

Tell us: What do you think is going to happen to Nothando now that she is falling in love and the spell her father put on her goes against it?