Mary is back at the kitchen sink, washing the cup she left there, and looking out of the window. She watches the stranger get back into his car and drive to the flats at the back. Then a figure blurs past her kitchen window. Mary is sure that this is none other than the complex’s foremost gossip monger, MaMgobhozi.
“Mary!” MaMgobhozi knocks and shouts simultaneously.
“I am coming, Ma.” She opens the door.
“No, I am not coming in,” says MaMgobhozi. “What nonsense are you up to, Mary? What rubbish is this? You do know you are too young for this nonsense?”
“What did I do, Ma?”
“Mary, you are only eighteen years old. Too young to be frolicking with men and expecting us to remain quiet. Who is this man who was standing at this door? Where is he from?”
“I don’t know him, Ma.” Mary can feel tears filling her eyes.
“You father would be so disappointed if he heard about this, Mary.”
“Why would you tell Dad? I just explained that I don’t know this man.”
“What did he want?”
“He didn’t say.”
“Who did he say he was? From where?”
“He didn’t say.”
“You keep saying you don’t know him but you were standing right here talking to him for ten years.”
“But, Mama …” says Mary, tears falling down her face.
“Did he intimidate you?” MaMgobhozi’s voice tones down.
“I told you I don’t know him! I asked if he needed help but he asked for my number. Then I slammed the door in his face. Now how will I know his details? Or do you want me to go after him and ask for his details?”
Mary surprises herself: answering her elder with such anger.
“Forgive me, my child. These Richards Bay men have messed up many a good girl’s life. What scared me is that I saw him enter the flat at the back. There is something fishy going on in that flat. Just be careful. Forgive me, child,” MaMgobhozi says, as she wipes tears from Mary’s cheeks.
“Do you think there is something sinister about his coming to my door?” Mary’s eyes bulge with alarm.
“I can’t say for sure. It could be he was taken by your beauty and wanted to propose love to you. But I don’t trust anyone who enters that flat.” MaMgobhozi has lowered her voice to a whisper.
“Do you think they are drug dealers?” asks Mary.
“It could be, because lots of different people come and go. They keep to themselves. They don’t greet. And nobody knows where they work.”
Mary remains quiet, looking at MaMgobhozi.
“I better get going. I will catch up with you later.”
“Go well, Ma. I am sorry for the way I blew up at you.”
“No problem, Mary. I was also at fault for accusing you over nothing.”
“Ma?”
“Yes.”
“Please don’t tell Dad about this. I am afraid he will get angry with me and not give me a chance to explain. You know how he gets when he loses his temper.”
“Don’t worry, I won’t get you into trouble with your father. Are you not going to school today?”
“I am getting ready to leave. My class starts at twelve.”
“I will keep a look out while you are gone. In case that man tries to burgle your flat,” says MaMgobhozi.
***
Tell us: Do you think MaMgobhozi will cause trouble for Mary?