Later that evening, Thuli’s mother, Brenda and Lerato’s mother Thoko, spent time on the dressing table applying makeup. Preparing themselves to go and do what they do every night. No one knew what they did. Rumours said that they were pole dancers in the club up in the city, but some said they were hookers in one of the busiest robots down town.

“People will always have something good or bad thing to say about you. No matter how hard you try. My children, please, never take what they say in the corners and streets of this city to your hearts. This is a jungle, a dog eat dog world. To survive, we must stand together, defend each other as family. Because that’s what we are. A family.” These were Thoko’s words.

This was after Thuli moved into the city shortly after her grandmother died of cancer back in the former Kwandebele. A village called Siyabuswa. Three years have passed now, and nothing has changed. Every night Thoko and Brenda went out. Just like tonight.

“Take care of yourselves girls. We’ll be back before you know it,” shouted Brenda then they closed the door behind them.

Soon after the elders have gone, Lerato plotted a scheme, she wanted to sneak out to the spring bash happening down town. They started getting ready. Meanwhile Thuli told her all about the guy she met earlier.

“What’s his name choma, and what’s he look like?” asked Lerato on the dressing table combing her afro hair style.

“He is light in complexion and he has a blonde hair cut. He spoke to me like no other guy has. Every word he spoke was coated with sweetness,” she said that with her eyes closed and her hands held the pillow tidily against her chest.

She fell back wards onto the bed she was sitting on weakly.

“Wena na, mmmh! It’s obvious that you like the guy. Finally, someone to take your virginity,” Lerato said looking at Thuli through the mirror.

“Who said he’s going to have my virginity?” Thuli jumped back up, alarmed by the thought.

She was fifteen years old, and still a virgin.

“Thuli my child, preserve yourself for that special one. Don’t be like your mother, she gave herself to all the boys out there. Then they ruined her bright future by making her pregnant with you. Till today, we don’t know who your father is. So please, do not disappoint me.” These were gogo Ncema’s last words before she passed on.

They kept replaying in the back of Thuli’s head for the last three years. It made her unpopular to the other school girls and boys. A virgin was uncool in the cities like Pretoria. She was getting tired of being a boring farm girl; a Ndebele girl that didn’t know anything about life.

“But, maybe he could be the one. He is older and experienced,” she said reconsidering, rolling her eyes.

“Yoh, what has this guy done to you mara?” said Lerato smiling, applying her mascara to finish her make up. She refused to be left behind, she was going too.

A spring bash was the place to be this weekend. Popular DJ’s were expected to play there. And Thuli had found love.

Thuli’s phone beeped. It was Tshepo. She smiled from ear to ear reading the WhatsApp massage confirming if she was coming to the spring bash.

Lerato thought it might be the mysterious Mr Taxi Man. She quickly closed the gap between them. Looking sexy in her high heeled stilettoes, a white pencil skirt and white blouse. She topped it all off with clear swagger glasses. She was convincing to be a grown up. Just like Thuli did.

“You can’t just agree to it just like that,” advised Lerato. “Make him beg. That way he won’t take you cheap,” she continued.

I dnt know

She texted back to him trying to make him beg, following Lerato’s advice.

Lerato snatched the phone off Thuli and quickly typed.

Promisd my frnd to come with

Agh. Please Angel. I Promise to behave, and to look after you well.
He replied, begging. YOU CAN BRING HER ALONG. He added.

Okay, but that’s if you take us there.

She agreed on Thuli’s behalf. Everything was arranged and Thuli quickly changed into something else.

What would he think of me if he sees me in the same clothes, twice? She thought.

***

Tell us: Do you think Thuli will give up her virginity to Cheese Boy? What do you think of Lerato’s advice?