Elsa sat in the table at the cafeteria, absorbed in her own thoughts about the trivialities of life. She was just sitting there; unaware that she was there, it often happened to her. When she was young, she used to sit like this and daydream about life and the possibilities of the future.

She didn’t even notice the boy who crept into the chair opposite her.

“I was told I would find you here,” he said, “day dreaming,” he added as if an afterthought. He smiled at Elsa’s enchanting brown eyes.

She considered him with raised eyes brows trying to remember who he was, whether they’ve met before. But not even his charming smile could ring a bell. She was now convinced that she didn’t know him.

“Who are you? Who told you you’d find me here?” Elsa asked, switching into defence mode like a roosting hen protecting its eggs. She had read a few articles in the local newspapers about Bloemfontein being the hub of human traffickers. Not forgetting the lecture her mother had gave her the night before she went to Bloemfontein.

“Take care of yourself my baby. The world is full of monsters that make money out of our children,” her mother had said.

“Yes, mom, I won’t forget to pray, I won’t forget our God,” she remembered saying that to her mother, holding her tears back from falling. Why should mothers always be so emotional?

“God has sent me to find you,” the voice of the stranger in front of her brought her back to the present.

It was as if he had crept into her mind and discovered what she had been thinking. Embarrassed by this thought, she laughed.

“Finally!” he exclaimed, pausing to relish the dramatic tension he had created.

“Finally what?” she asked, feeling that the pause was too long. She was now curious about the strangers.

“Finally you smiled. I was sitting over there,” he said, pointing at a table where his friend sat, “and I couldn’t help noticing how sad you looked, thought I would just come around and lighten up your day.”

She blushed at this kindness. “Thank you.”

“God also sent me to have your numbers,” he said this whilst smiling. He knew there was no way she could say no.

“I don’t usually do this… giving out my numbers to strangers,” she said.

He had his phone at the ready. He punched in the numbers as she sang them out. She didn’t notice the coy smile of triumph on his face. If she did, then she was easier than he thought. How many times had he heard that before; all the girls always said no. But their no was never a plain no, but a maybe.

He knew his mission was achieved; the fish was caught in the net.

***

“Boy, oh, boy, I’m the man, just say I am the man…” Ntsika’s high-pitched voice said boisterously. He was sauntering inside the pub, and went to sit next to his friends, Thabo and Olwethu.

“You look like a man who has just won the jackpot,” Thabo said, his interest in whatever Ntsika had to say sparked.

“You can say so,” he said, taking out his phone. “Her name is Elsa. What have you got to say now? Just say I’m the man,” he gave them his phone to read the message on his WhatsApp, his face shining with pride.

Can’t wait 2 c u Mr Funny-guy. I like how you make me smile. Lol

The message was there, glaring at them from the screen of the phone. Ntsika just looked at them; their faces were like those of kids amazed by something they considered to be the coolest ever. Like a sojourner who had had a successful trip he couldn’t wait to tell them how easy she was.

“I am the man, huh?” he said, nodding his head, looking for affirmation.

“It’s not enough…” Thabo said, “I could’ve gotten her too. Shag her and post the video on Youtube. And only then shall I call you a man,” he whispered, making sure that this piece of information was only heard by the three of them.

Dead silence fell upon the table. Nobody spoke; they just looked at each other, maybe surprised that Thabo actually had it in him to say that. Where was the ‘parent’ in him that he always bragged about?

“You are joking, right? It’s the alcohol speaking,” Olwethu’s voice was full of revulsion.

“No!” Thabo said firmly, “So, what do you say, Champ?” he said focusing his attention on Ntsika.

“I am your man, consider the mission accomplished,” Ntsika said casually.

“C’mon gents, you cannot do this,” Olwethu tried again.

“Who are you to tell us? Uyikwenkwana nje, a mere boy,” Ntsika challenged him.

“It’s a foolish, stupid game… you guys are drunk,”

“I always thought of you as nothing but a coward, you are nothing but a coward of a pig,” Ntsika retorted.

Olwethu saw red. He could take all insults, but he couldn’t stand being called a pig. That part of his life he left in the village. He hurled himself over the table and grabbed Ntsika by the collar. Before Thabo knew what was going on, Olwethu punched Ntsika on the face.

Ntsika wriggled himself loose. As soon as he was free, he took a knife out of his pocket.

“Come just one step closer, I’ll slice you up, you pig,” he said panting. The music had stopped. And that meant everyone heard them. Everybody laughed. Olwethu couldn’t take the laughter; he dashed straight for the door, running…

That night, Olwethu couldn’t sleep. A lot was in his mind. He kept tossing and truning, hoping that he’d find sleep if he switched positions. But nothing came out of it. His conscious just wouldn’t allow him to sleep.

“Superheroes do not sleep whilst there are souls out there that need to be saved,” a voice whispered inside of him. It was his own voice.

Only if I could get her to trust me without raising suspicion, he thought to himself. He shifted position again.

“Why am I even losing sleep over her? For all I know she could be a bad person who wouldn’t look twice at me?” he muttered to himself.

Maybe Ntsika was right, I am jealous that he got her, he thought. Maybe I knew that what they are doing is wrong, he thought again. Or maybe I love her… He quickly dismissed that thought and reprimanded himself for even thinking of it.

He kept picturing the first day he laid eyes on her. And to the vision of her angelic, brown eyes, he slipped into soundless sleep.

***

Tell us: What do you think of the bet that Ntsika and Thabo made? Should Olwethu try and stop them?