Qhawekazii took a bath and packed her few clothes into a small suitcase. She was looking beautiful in a navy silky dress that she was gifted by Luthando for her matric dance on her birthday earlier this year. She was staring at herself non-stop at the broken mirror that was on her hand as she felt really beautiful and excited about her departure.

When, Luthando came back to the hut. His eyes were stunned with his gaze frozen on how sexy her body looked in that dress. It was absolutely seducing.

“Wow,” he uttered. Still in shock of how he never noticed how she was gifted with such an amazing body.

“How do I look?” she asked, with a wide grin spread across her face. She always wanted to wear this dress that he bought for her.

Luthando cleared his throat as he snapped out from drooling, “You, umm…”

Even words seemed to be difficult to explain how beautiful she looked.

“You look amazing,” he finally responded to her.

A sigh of relief escaped her lips. His few seconds of silence made her heart race as she thought that maybe the dress didn’t look as good as he expected.

“Thank you,” she said with her low voice and her lips moved to Luthando’s cheeks.

Luthando yanked out a plastic bank bag that was filled with a few R100 notes which took Qhawekazii by surprise at seeing so much money.

“This is all my savings. I’m sure they’d help you to get you where you’re going,” he said, reaching out his fingers to her, clenching to the small thin plastic.

“Luthando, I really can’t accept so much money,” her brows were furrowed together as she couldn’t accept so much money.

“It’s just R1500, Qhawekazii,” his tone pleaded as he pressed the plastic to her hand. “Please take it. You’ll need it.”

Qhawekazii smiled as she felt emotional at how generous the man she had rejected for years was. How he hadn’t given up on the future he wished for with her. She hugged him as she wrapped her arms around his neck, her chin rested on his shoulder. Her heart wanted stay with him forever.

“Now listen to me,” he said, breaking off the emotional hug. “Durban is a very big city. A city with a lot of criminals too. I’m not really sure which rank has taxis to Umlazi. When you ask around, don’t just ask anyone. Ask a shop security or the people that are doing their businesses on the street. The vendors. Okay?” His instructions had a serious tone.

Qhawekazii nodded, “Okay.”

“And please do me a favour and don’t be gallivanting around the city because you do not know it. Just find the rank and get inside a taxi. Okay?” Qhawekazii’s cheeks flashed at how worried he looked about her safety.

“Maybe I should go with you,” he added.

“No. It’s fine Luthando. I’m a big girl. You don’t have to worry about me,” she said assuring.

Luthando’s fingers laced in her natural hair and he pulled her closer.

“And one more thing,” he said as Qhawekazii’s head rested in the crook of his arm. “Durban boys are really attractive. Don’t get fooled by their looks or swag. They’re bad boys.”

She jerked her head to look at him. Sensing a trace of jealousy as she twitched her lips.

“You don’t have to worry about that too,” she said while she cupped her hands on his face.

“I’m serious, Qhawekazii. They’re very good at using girls. I’ve lived amongst them. I know how their minds operate.”

“Luthando. I’m also serious. You’re the only man for me.”

And he was at the time. She couldn’t see herself with another man.

“And no one will have me besides you,” she added that she would give up her pride only to him as her last words.

“Promise?”

She did.

“I love you,” she said.

Luthando pressed his mouth to hers. His hands all over her as they kissed. She felt every part of him and the heat between them ignited with their minds, so consumed with one another.

“I love you too,” he replied with a smirk laid across his lips.

They parted for a moment, allowing the sensation of love through them before they left each other. Qhawekazii looked around the hut with her last memories of when growing up in the hut, living with her late father.

Tell us: Do you think Qhawekazii should have allowed Luthando to go with her to Umlazi? Why or why not?