“One day, my boy, one day the truth will come out and it will be too late for you. If you knew my daughter like you claimed you did, you would have known that Lulu couldn’t hurt a fly. I will pack my bags and go, if that is what you want. I don’t want to be bitten by the snake that has bitten my daughter,” she said, eyeing me with so much hatred in her eyes.

Honestly who cared what she thought? What mattered was that Katlego and the police believed me. Even though I had convinced myself that I didn’t care what she thought, the truth was the fact that Lulama was awake didn’t look well for me, and something told me I needed to do something about it. But first I had to make sure that obnoxious woman didn’t go turning everyone against me.

On Friday afternoon while we waited for Thateho’s corpse to arrive home, a fancy car parked outside and some white guy walked in. He asked to see Mr Mangena and I was the one who took him to Katlego’s study where he was having a meeting with his family members. When the man walked in, he asked the elders to excuse them and he asked me to bring them two cups of coffee.

I could see how hard it was for Katlego to try and act professional. Shame, my poor baby! If only he had treated me better, everything happening now could have been avoided.

It turned out Mrs Mabitsela didn’t get far with her accusations. On my way to make coffee, I overheard the elders discussing her: “She needs to leave this house as soon as our granddaughter is laid to rest. All this nonsense she is saying about her daughter is just lies. Our son wants a divorce, so we should support him as his family.”

Mmh, it was as if the gods were smiling down on me. Everything was going smoothly. Life for me was finally a bed of roses. Almost.

I prepared coffee for Katlego and his visitor and headed to the study. Just as I was about to enter, I overheard them having an argument.

“Look, Craig! I really don’t care what she is claiming. I don’t care if she sounds genuine. That woman is a murderer, and I don’t want to hear anything coming from her mouth,” spat Katlego.

“Mr Mangena, sir, I understand that you are in pain but so is she. That child was hers as well and…”

“Who forced her to kill our child? She is in pain for what? Because she failed at committing suicide, now she wants to deny everything? No, we don’t work that way. She told me that very same night that I must go, but I wouldn’t find her waiting for me, and then all this happens? Can’t you see that she is playing you for a fool?” he asked with a shaky voice.

“Look man, I’ve known you two for a while now and I don’t want it to seem as if I’m taking sides. All I’m saying is that, before you make any decisions, go to the hospital and hear her side of….”

“I will do no such thing, and if you are not here to help me with the divorce settlement, I suggest you leave my house,” shouted Katlego.

I heard someone’s footsteps approaching and I knew it was better to get inside the room.

“I’m sorry Mantoa. Craig is leaving,” said Katlego.

“Look man, I’ll go, but for a piece of advice, it’s high time you explored other possibilities before you end up doing something you will regret later. You might find that the possibilities are staring you right in the face. Let me go, man.” He picked up his briefcase and left, and I was left shaking like a leaf. I did not for one second like what he said to Katlego. It seemed as if he knew that I was behind everything.

“Sir, I’m so sorry about all these stresses,” I said, placing the tray on his table.

“It’s okay Mantoa, you don’t have to apologise. It’s not your fault,” he said burying his face in his hands.

“It’s just that whenever I pass Thateho ‘s room, I’m reminded of all the things she would still do, and it breaks my heart into a billion pieces. I miss her. Sometimes I find myself thinking of preparing her a bottle and then I would remember and….”

He got up from where he sat, came to me and held me in his arms. “I’m so sorry. I’m so wrapped up in all the drama, I seem to have forgotten how close you two were. She was like your own child. I remember how she would cry for you when you were busy with your chores. I’m so sorry Mantoa, you’re such a good person, I’m sure Thati is missing you as well, wherever she is…”

For quite a few minutes I managed to wring out a few sobs, and I have to admit that it felt so good to be comforted in his strong warm arms. In short, I could say it was a little trip down memory lane. In my heart I could feel I was one step closer to getting my man exactly where I needed him.

My day couldn’t have gone better. During Thateho’s memorial, Katlego took a seat right next to me, and he even held my hand in front of everyone. I felt so special and wanted. God bless Thateho! She was really a special tool to use to get my man back.

The funeral was so touching, and again I stood by my man. I made sure to pour out as many tears as possible for those who didn’t know. I guess Katlego and I looked like a married couple, Thateho’s mother and father. We were inseparable throughout the ceremony, and I could hear the elders whispering behind us: “Oh poor child! She took care of that little girl as if she was her own!” I had them all wrapped around my little finger. As for Katlego, he treated me like his own wife, holding me, making sure I had everything I needed, and my personal best was when he insisted I accompany him in the family car.

After laying our little princess to rest, we were ready to go, only to be interrupted by the so-called Personal Assistant, coming to our car, giving my man unnecessary hugs! Gosh, I was so bloody annoyed.

***

: Oh, this is interesting! Do you think the Personal Assistant is going to try her luck with Katlego too?