Nombuso wakes up. Her back is aching because sleeping in a car is not child’s play. She then steps out of her car, stretches her body, and takes in the smell of nature. She is parked in a forest, so she leans on her car, lights a zol, pulls on it, and then breathes out.

She has not had a proper bath in two whole weeks. After a while, she digs in her pocket and looks at the picture she has of Zanele and her family. She then takes a lighter and burns the faces of Lihle and her kids, leaving only Zanele visible on the picture.

She laughs. “Soon baby, soon. It will be just you and I,” she says, kissing the photo and then slipping it back into her pocket.

While Nombuso is busy, she hears Zanele’s voice in her head telling her that she loves her, and that she longs to be with her. “I am coming baby. I know you don’t love that thing you call a wife,” she responds to the voices in her head.

“Aw! The main woman,” her newfound homeless ‘friend’ says to her. She looks dirty and she smells.

“Mpumi,” Nombusp says, looking at her.

“Here’s some food,” Mpumis responds, and then hands her a box of meat, which Nombuso eats.

“So, what’s your plan?” Mpumi asks.

“Mpumi, you stink,” Nombuso responds, and then shifts.

“Where do you think a person can get a decent bath here?” Mpumi says, laughing. “You think you’re better than me because you have money to buy food,” she continues.

“I did not say that. I just need to get my Zanele back. You know that Lihle abducted her,” Nombuso responds.

“You’re starting to sound obsessed. Leave this Zanele person alone,” Mpumi says, shaking her head while her teeth sink into the meat.

“I’m not obsessed! Zanele loves me. She just does not know how to show it yet because of her wife,” Nombuso shouts.

“Do not bite! All I want to know is why a beautiful woman like you is living in the forest,” Mpumi says. “You look like you were once a prominent person.”

“I was a cop,” Nombuso responds, smiling proudly.

“Do not get smart with me! You? A cop?” Mpumi asks, laughing.

“Believe it or not, but then I met Zanele. She and I were destined for each other,” Nombuso responds.

“People say I am crazy. They definitely have not met you. You are nuts,” Mpumi says, throwing the bones on the ground.

“Don’t you ever say I’m mad!” Nombuso responds, slapping Mpumi.

“Okay, okay! Sorry,” Mpumi apologises.

“I need to devise a plan,” Nombuso says.

“Yes, but question is, how?” Mpumi asks. “Remember, everyone thinks you are dead.”

“I don’t know yet,” Nombuso responds. After a while, she gets into her car and starts the engine.

Mpumi also quickly jumps into the car. “Where are we going?” she asks.

“To get a good bath,” Nombuso responds, smiling.

***

Tell us: What plan do you think Nombuso might come up with?