Another one bites the dust

Two weeks passed, yet the sermon was still on people’s lips. I thought that after it, Lerato would never be the same, however, she was down for two days then back to her old self again, as if nothing had happened.

At school, some pupils – the Amigos –  tried to make a mockery of her, but she was unbothered, she continued to live her best life. When they realised that she wasn’t phased by their behaviour, the mocking simmered down. 

Lizwi hoped that his father’s sermon would somehow alter Lerato’s mind and change her to liking boys- well liking Lizwi in this case. There were times in class I would catch him glancing at Lerato with admiration and lust. The heart wants what it wants, and his heart wanted Lerato. 

On a laid-back Saturday afternoon, Lerato and I were lying on my bed facing up with our eyes closed, sharing earphones listening to and singing along to our favourite song ‘Like you’ll never see me again’ by Alicia Keys. We recently found out that Alicia wrote this song for her late grandmother and not her lover. 

After that discovery, the song also had a new meaning for us. I felt her hand squeezing mine, I turned to her, and she was staring at me with that big bright smile that she gave me when we first met. Again I couldn’t help myself but smile back.

I asked,  “And then, what’s with that look?” while blinking countlessly. 

She replied with a cheerful voice, “You know that I love you, right?”

For some reason, I blushed and replied, “Yes, I know.”

She then said, “Always remember that, alright.”

I nodded and then there was a long pause as we stared into each other’s eyes. She then turned and embraced me with one arm under my back and the other one across my waist and she laid her head on my chest and said, “No matter what happens always remember that.”

I looked at her, confused by this sentiment. 

Hours passed, the sun set and the skies introduced the moon, and the stars came out to display their beauty. Lerato received a message from an unknown, foreign number and read it in private. I heard her saying, “Mxmanso.” I asked her what the message was about, and she said it was nothing, and I believed her. I mean, why would she lie to me?

After a few minutes, she decided that it was time for her to go home. 

“Okay, let me get my jersey and shoes so I can accompany you,” I said, but she refused.

“No, it’s cool. I’ll walk by myself. I just need some alone time with my thoughts,” said Lerato. 

I looked at her concerned and asked, “Are you sure?”

She assured me by saying, “Don’t worry, I’ll be fine. I’m a big girl.”

I said, “Cool, I’ll walk you out then.” I did that and watched her as she walked away.

Sunday came. Mom and I arrived at church – I know after that chaotic Sunday service, one would stay away from this church, but here we were. As we arrived, the church was closed, whispers floating through the wind echoed that the keys were nowhere to be found and that Mr Mazulu had gone to fetch the spare keys. 

The Mazibuko’s came to us and Mrs Mazubuko asked  “Khanyi, where is Lerato?”

I replied, “Didn’t you come with her?” 

“No, isn’t it last night you two had a sleepover?” she asked. 

There I was, confused and worried at the same time. I thought to myself, “a sleepover?” what is Mrs Mazibuko talking about? Mrs Mazibuko could read my face, and she reached out for her phone in her bag and showed me a text coming from Lerato saying that she and I are having a sleepover. 

I was baffled. Then I heard the church doors open, and people started to enter. As I was about to respond to Mrs Mazibuko, I heard people screaming and looking at us. I rushed to see what the fuss was about. When I entered the church there was a shock of my life.

It was  Lerato naked, lifeless and crucified. Next to her was a picket sign written, “A woman is a woman”. My eyes couldn’t believe what they saw. Everything paused, my heart rate fainted/dropped, and I heard sirens in my head. I was dead numb. I convinced myself that I was in a nightmare. I refused to believe this was real. I wanted to run to her and wake her up, but my body failed me, and it collapsed.