Seven years later, as Nombuso walked out of the prison buildings, the sun got into her eyes. She had gotten parole, and she could smell the freedom. While she was slowly walking out of the prison, she was wearing the same clothes that she had had on the day she got sentenced. It was a smart black skirt and a white shirt, with a blouse thrown on top. The clothes seemed a little big on her, though, because she had lost a few kilos.

Nombuso was now 34 years old, and after walking out of the prison’s gate, she stared at her now slim fingers and walked towards a car. Her car was still the same one that she was given by the person she loved, still loves. But, before getting into the car, she stared at herself on the car’s windows. She was still beautiful, and if anything, the weight loss had made her look even more appealing. She needed a real bath, though, because she still smelt like prison.

After looking at herself for a while, Nombuso got into her car. Nobody was there to meet her, so she drove to her mother’s house. Her mother had died 3 years prior, and since she was an only child, she inherited her mother’s four bedroom house. She had built it for her the minute she started working, and it was now going to be her house.

The house was in Soweto, which was very far from Centurion, the place she had lived before the tragedy. Nombuso drove to the location with her windows open, and she enjoyed the feeling of the cool air hitting her face, and the freedom she was at last feeling.

After a while, Nombuso’s house came into full view. As a purple house, it stood out, and it was also the only one in that street that was a double storey. The motor gate opened after she pressed the remote for it to open, then she slowly drove in. It was going to take some time for her to get used to not seeing her mother coming towards her with her hands stretched out when she drove in, though. But, after a while, she parked the car in the driveway, then she slowly got out and walked into the house.

After walking into the house, Nombuso realised that the house was clean – dusty, but clean. She let out a sigh because she knew that she would have to wash the sheets, mop the house, and do all that other stuff. But, all she wanted at that moment was to take a good bath and a peaceful sleep. So, after going through the house one last time, she took a bath and slept.

**********

Nombuso woke up the following day feeling refreshed, and after cleaning the house, she went to get her hair done. The afro that she had on was not her style, so she drove to the salon and did her hair with the money her mother had left for her. R450 000 would go a long way, until she found a job. All her money had gone to lawyers, and she knew that, if it was not for her mother’s insurance pay-out, she would be dead broke. For now, she was rich. There were a lot of people out there with jobs, and they did not have the type of money she had.

Later that day, as Nombuso walked out the salon, she felt good about herself. After a while, she looked at herself and realised that a new wardrobe would also do the trick, so she spent about R10 000 on clothes and shoes. She also bought Zanele a watch, and had it couriered to her house.

***

Tell us: What do you think Nombuso is going to do now that she is out of prison?