Three days later, I still could not get in touch with Stanley, so I went to his place and, unfortunately, I still could not get him there. I then decided to visit Sma.

“Vula mngani ngim (open up friend it is me),” I said when I got there.

“Mngani, I am with Sandile, so I cannot open up,” she responded.

That was very strange for me because, even though Sandile was around before, she usually opened up for me, and I would not stay for very long. I then left without wanting to get in or see if she was really with Sandile. I was very bored, so I called the man I had been with the other night. I was surprised that I had his phone numbers, but I did not know his name.

“Hey, it is Charnel here, the girl you gave a lift three days ago,” I said.

“Hi Nel, how have you been since we saw each other?” he responded.

“I am still okay, and you? Anyway, why did you just call me Nel?” I asked.

“I am also fine. I am awesome because I am speaking to the most beautiful lady right now. I called you Nel because I am different from the rest, baby,” he responded.

“What a flirt,” I said, laughing.

“You missed me, and that is why you called? I can come over if you want,” he responded.

“Actually, I want us to meet up, there is something we need to talk about. Can we meet at 17:00 at The African Elephant Restaurant?” I requested.

“Oh, yes we can. I have to go, we will talk later, bye,” he responded.

“Bye,” I said.

Later that day, I met up with the man at the restaurant. The waiter came to our table and took our orders. While we were waiting for our meal, I told him what happened the other night, and that I wanted him to go with me to explain the whole matter to my boyfriend. He did not have any issues about clearing the whole mess up, but he then said something out of the ordinary.

“Why don’t we just do what your boyfriend is suspecting us of doing?” he asked.

I was shocked at how he could ask me such a thing after I told him everything. He then laughed at me after saying that.

“You should see your face. Ease up,” he said. “I was only pulling your leg. Sure, I will clear up the misunderstanding.”

That was a relief for me at that moment. Our food arrived after a while, so we ate, chatted, and had a moment of laughter. Suddenly, I had a strange feeling that Stanley was around. I knew that I had blown it, and that maybe I was thinking too much, but I continued with what I was doing.

“Please do not take me the wrong way, but we have been talking for a long time and I do not know your name. So if you do not mind telling me,” I said.

“Are you being for real now? Okay, I am Mpho Nxumalo,” he responded.

“Well, Mpho …” I said, and then suddenly froze, not knowing what to say next. Stanley was standing behind Mpho, and he was looking at me. Mpho was holding my hand, so I quickly let go of it. Just when I was about to call out his name, he turned around and walked out, so I ran after him.

“Stanley, wait! Stop! Please, I can explain!” I said, running after him, but he kept on walking away without looking backwards. I then went back to the restaurant.

“Yes, your plan is working. He was here a few minutes ago, and he saw everything,” Mpho said, speaking over the phone.

“Who was here a minute ago?” I asked.

“I do not like it when people listen to my private conversations! You are interrupting me,” he shouted in response.

“Why are you yelling at me?” I asked.

“Sorry about that. It is someone you do not know about from my work. Do not ever do that again,” he responded, calmly.

I had never seen him like that before. I could not explain his facial expression because he was sweating on one side, and on the other side his eyes were filled with fear and anger at the same time. I then tried getting his mind out of everything and, within a minute, things were back to normal. We did not stay long after that, and he offered to take me home.

Tell us: Who do you think Mpho was talking to over the phone?