It took a while, but Xolani finally bounced back and began finding himself. But, the occasional thought of Nokthula always crept on him. One night, he decided to talk to his grandparents and announce that he wanted to leave.

“Ma! Pa! We all know there is nothing left for me here,” Xolani said. “I’m hated beyond recognition. I have a child I will never see, and I am certain the Nguni family will make sure my face is a totem of embarrassment here. I might as well leave and never return.”

Xolani’s grandparents felt a combination of shock and ease on hearing the news. They wanted him to leave the land, but they did not want to let him live alone. He was not old enough to be alone, but his grandfather understood. He saw no future for the young man in that land. He saw that, if Xolani stayed any longer, his already broken heart would rot, and danger would always be a foot away.

Days went by, and one morning, Xolani’s grandfather selected five of his finest cows to sell. Xolani’s grandmother cooked a meal fit for a king. It was the day when Xolani would leave his cursed village. He was terrified. He did not know anyone out there, and he was afraid of what he would find, but most of all, he was afraid of leaving Nokthula behind.

As he sat alone in the room that comforted him for the last time, he quickly prayed.

“Dear God. It is me again. I have done many wrong things, I might not even deserve what I’m gonna ask, but I’ll ask away and hope for the best. I am about to leave for uncharted territory I know nothing about. I ask you to protect me in my leave. Help me make clear decisions that will build me, and if I fall, let it be for the best. Protect the love of my life. My leave is for her security and mine. My presence in this retched place stains it. So thank you God for listening, and I pray my words find you in good spirits. Amen.”

Xolani did not realise that his grandmother had heard his prayer, and her face welled with tears. She was scared. She had lost her children to the outside world, and now she was going to lose her grandchild.

Word spread that Xolani was about to leave the village, and there was some celebration, but when news reached Nokthula, like an injured lioness, her roar was heavy and deep. Her anger even made her break a door. She left her new residence to search for Xolani, and a crowd followed her, curious to see what was happening.

After a long walk and lots of cursing, Nokthula reached Xolani’s home. Unfortunately, she had just missed him. His grandmother told her he was heading to the bus station. She ran, and ran like her life depended on it. She was desperate. She wanted to feel his touch, and she wanted him for one more second. She ran with tears in her eyes.

The crowd behind Nokthula tried to support her. They helped her get up when she fell, but she did not care about them. All she wanted was Xolani, the one they hated, the one who was different, the one who owns her heart.

***

Tell us: Do you think Nokthula will be able to convince Xolani not to leave?