As she was fixing her makeup, Bheki remembered the sachet he had in his jacket pocket. “Have you ever tasted an alcoholic drink in your life, miss?” he asked, shaking it up.

“No, I don’t like it.” she replied, making her final touches.

“Aw, how can you say you don’t like it when you’ve never tried it?” Here, have a sip, then you can know for sure,” he carried on.

She doubted it, but he persisted that she should have a sip so she did. “Mmh! That isn’t bad!” she said, taking yet another sip. That got Bheki smiling.

“Let’s go!” she suggested, leading the way, but Bheki saw how much of an effect the drink had on her. “Wait! Oops!” She missed the step, falling into Bheki’s arms that were ready and open. As she regained her balance, she felt tipsy, and Bheki’s face was really close to hers.

Bheki kissed her as she was getting dizzy, laid her down as she was giggling and making noises of laughter. He programed his phone onto video mode and stripped the giggling, pretty lady of her tailored red evening dress. There was no time for a condom, or thinking about safety. He had to do this as fast as he could before somebody found them.

She was screaming, and moaning: “You’re hurting me!”

“It’s going to get better. You’ll enjoy it, I promise!” he said, raping her.

Soon he was done. He comforted her and helped her up, dressed her and groomed her well, so it wouldn’t be obvious what had happened. As they walked towards the door, Jane came in, holding her phone in her hand. She was obviously drunk, so he didn’t worry about it.

A little sigh of relief came from him though. Thank God she didn’t come in earlier, he thought.

They reached the table they were all sitting at. Bobo and Blondie were sitting there, looking worried, Bobo more so. “My son, this is my gold, silver, diamond and pearls.” Pastor Mabhena’s words replayed in his ears, but he sighed with relief seeing the two of them walking towards them and his pretty partner, the lady of the evening, Sophie, looking so friendly and relaxed.

“We were worried about you!” Bobo said, getting her back from the monster, Bheki.

Something was off! Bobo realized from her eyes and sudden over-excitement. Her eyes were glossy and lumpy. “Are you feeling well, Sophie?” asked Bobo. He knew all the signs of nyaope. He was a drug dealer for Heaven’s sake. He should know them.

“What did you give her?” Bobo asked in a rage. He knew what, but he was asking for finality. Blondie was nursing Sophie. “Get me a cocktail over here,” she was ordering.

Girls were gathering around something that looked interesting in the corner of the bar. They were laughing, staring at Bobo, some pointing to Sophie. “This girl isn’t as innocent as people make her out to be. She’s a freak, a hoe!” Jane pronounced loudly.

That was enough to trigger Bobo’s anger. “What did you do?!” shouted Bobo, shoving Bheki hard, and he wobbled backwards trying to find balance. “I gave her some real fun. The fun that you couldn’t offer her, other than parading her around like a trophy!” replied Bheki as he regained his feet.

“I told you. She was not going to give it up to you,” he continued. “Guess what, she was looking for me all this time. She even admitted it herself as she shared with me a slice of her fresh cookie.” He giggled proudly.

“You drugged her! That’s rape!” Bobo cried. “You’re more of a monster than I thought you were. All this time I thought you were my best friend, and you do something like this to me?” Bobo closed in on him, but the crowd held him back before he could do any harm.

The whole event turned into a disaster. It was already the early hours of the morning. The teachers called the police on Bheki, and he was arrested while Sophie was taken into hospital for drug draining and treatment.

Bobo was right there next to her. crying and apologising to her. “I couldn’t protect you! I couldn’t keep my vow to your father! I failed you, my dear. I failed everybody, including myself. I am so sorry, my dear.”

The year went by, and life blossomed for Sophie and Bobo. They found love in each other. Sophie had a baby from the rape, and was getting ready to be married to the man of her dreams.

Bra Smokey died in prison after he was arrested for possession of illegal substances and drug trafficking.

Bobo was lucky. There wasn’t enough evidence against him, and now he is a well-respected business man in the village of KwaMhlanga. Bra Smokey’s legacy fell into his lap, and he operates smoothly and very wisely. He had a good fronting from registering an NGO company to help rape-impregnated victims like Sophie, the face of the brand.

Bheki became really ill in prison, and he was diagnosed with AIDS which spread all over the prison cells.

Pastor Mabhena was preparing to marry his daughter to his respectful and responsible son-in-law, Bobo.

Nyaope is still circulating out there, but no one knew who really was the boss.

Now there was going to be yet another matric dance at Silamba Secondary School. Bobo sat there thinking about how much the Matric Dance they went to affected his life.

The End

***

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