The policeman on the counter was unhelpful and suggested they wait 24 hours to report a missing child. Puseletso walked her grandmother over to the bench to catch her breath. Buhle’s mother called, telling them to wait at the station after Puseletso had told her they didn’t get any help. They waited until Koko fell asleep.

“Is your aunt here?” she asked softly after a hour.

“No, Granny,”

Sweat began falling from her face and her breathing intensified. Eventually Buhle’s mother arrived.

“Ma’am, if a child is missing for before the 24 hours, there are few chances of her being found,” the policeman said while writing Buhle’s description on paper.

Koko cried uncontrollably and nearly fell down, as if all her energy was draining away with her tears. Her daughter and Puseletso helped her sit upright and kept rubbing her back, telling her it will be OK.

Another policeman took their concerns more seriously and opened the case. The family had to go home and wait.

They wait for a week, hoping someone would want a ransom but not even a tip came in. The police kept asking if maybe they had any enemies, or know of anyone who would do this to them.

“My daughter, Buhle, where are you?” Buhle’s mother cried, feeling her heart break inside her chest.

“Let’s pray, God will help us,” Koko said, holding her hands.

The police, now feeling helpless, looked at them sympathetically as they left the station. Buhle’s mother held Koko’s hand and Puseletso followed them.

Two policewomen stood in the corner whispering.

“Children shouldn’t talk to strangers,” the fat tall policewoman said.

“Maybe she didn’t talk to them, she was kidnapped,” the tall and slender one snapped back.

“Probably she was given sweets or money. Why do they take things from strangers?” the fat policewoman said, condescendingly.

“I hope they will find her. People are heartless,”

“She won’t be found, except when she dies,” she said with a grin.

A policeman in the counter was hearing their entre conversation.

“Hey don’t be heartless. Go and do your work! Maybe if you lost some weight you’d find your heart,” he said loudly and irritably.

*****

Buhle’s mother couldn’t go back to work, she stayed behind to nurse her aging mother. Day after day the pain worsened and they started to think Buhle would never be found, or maybe that she was dead.

Buhle’s mother returned to the city after 2 weeks.

The word had spread and the community and church checked on Koko daily. They would pray and advise her positively, saying one day she will be found. As days went by everyone slowly lost hope but Koko waited for miracle. She prayed daily at bedtime.
Puseletso and the siblings started to feel a missing void in the house. Buhle was always laughing and helping the young with their homework but now the house was quiet.

***

Tell us: Do you think Buhle will ever be found?