But there was nothing she could do about it but to just accept the situation. So she took a nap while waiting for Zanele. Before she knew it she was woken by a knock at the door. She went in front and opened the door and found Zanele standing there smiling.

“Hi honey, you made it!” said Luntu cheerfully, seeing Zanele after a week

“How are you doing Miss?” she said hugging Luntu.

“Cool sweety, please come in and take a sit,”

“Thanks. I missed you and a lot has happened in your absence. You can only guess what was going on…”said Zanele rolling her eyes as Luntu was laughing knowing how Zanele can be most of the time.

“OK. What did I miss?” asked Luntu

“Where do I start? Mm…OK, Mr James was found in the staffroom after school kissing…well you can guess who?” just like that she left Luntu hanging.

“Come on now Zanele, don’t do this to me.” Zanele laughed at Noluntu.

“Mrs Ntsindo! Can you imagine that! Yoh!” said Zanele so loudly

“No! Oh my God. James has two wives already and Mrs Ntsindo’s married. Wow!” said Luntu shocked.

“Yep. Everyone at school was surprised and shocked,” said Zanele

“Wow! Some people have no shame. At school?” said Luntu.

“You can say that again. It’s good to see you smiling. You sounded so tense over the phone.” said Zanele

“I feel guilty for not telling you what’s what.” said Luntu.

“’It’s Ok Miss, just take your time. if you aren’t ready I’ll totally underst…” she got destructed by Luntu crying.

“Is it something I said?” asked Zanele worried.

“No. I just…I never told you everything about me and Mangi. We aren’t just friends, we’re dating or were.”

“Are you saying that you gay? That’s awesome Miss! At least you won’t have to fall pregnant. I’m so scared of having kids…”

“Zanele I’m no longer gay. I’m expecting. I’m pregnant and I…” Luntu couldn’t finish up her sentence. Zanele couldn’t hold up any longer.

“Wait a minute. You thought you were gay all along but…”

“But I’m not anymore,” said Luntu.

“Oh my God, Miss Manto! Why didn’t you say something? I’m so sorry for what you are going through,” said Zanele in sympathy.

“No don’t be, I’m to blame,” said Luntu crying.

“Miss this isn’t your fault. Please stop stressing and just look forward to the future…”

“How can I do that?” asked Luntu.

“Hey, you’ll be fine. Trust me,” said Zanele hugging Luntu. Zanele didn’t want to leave Luntu like that but Luntu said she’ll be ok on her own, so she left. Just a few minutes later Luntu’s phone rang.

“Another number?” she said. “Noluntu hello?”

“Hello, how do you do?”

“I’m alive, thanks and you?”

“I’m Sam Vilakazi, Mangi’s dad.”

“Oh OK. Is…is Mangi OK?”

“Unfortunately not, she’s gone…she passed away an hour ago,”

“She…It can’t be…there must be…no. No!”

“I’m sorry. She drank a lot of pills. The reason I called, she left you a letter,”

“I’ll be there shortly. Thanks.”

It all sounded like a dream. So Luntu took off to Mangi’s house. That’s when she realised that everything was real. The house was full of people and outside the yard was full of cars around the street. As she entered the gate two of Mangi’s friends came over, Lindy and Lucia.

“Hey guys I’m sorry about Mangi,” said Luntu.

“She told us that you two broke up and that she…she couldn’t live without you,” said Lucia in tears.

“What! You think she…Oh my gosh. I can’t be the reason…NO!”

“Noluntu, she was very serious about you. She was ready to put a ring on your finger. But yeah everything happens for a reason,” said Lindy who had always had doubts about Luntu, not that Luntu minded her, she only cared for Mangi.

“Once again I’m sorry guys. I know how close you were with Mangi,” as Luntu was talking an old man was walking from the house to where the girls were standing.

“Ah Lindy I’m looking for…you must be Noluntu?” said the old man shaking hands with Luntu.

“Yes. Yes that’s me. Mangi’s dad?” asked Luntu and the old man nodded. The girls excused themselves.

“How’s everyone sir?” asked Luntu.

“We’ll get through this, that’s what Mangi would have wanted us to do, be strong. So I hear you two were pretty close, very close I mean,” said the old man.

“We were… very close, yes,” said Luntu.
“The reason I called you is because of this…” he said handing her a letter.

“Thanks and I’m sorry for your loss.”

“Me too child. Go well,” said the old man

“Um sir…I’d like to see Mrs Vilalazi, just to…”

“I know but that’s not a good idea,” said the old man

“I see. Thanks.” said Luntu as she took off.

Tell us what you think: What do you think is in the letter?

***