Rhino passes over the rings and buys a gold and diamond necklace and bracelet set.
“Mary is one lucky girl, Rhino. It’s a pity she does not know it. I have never seen you spend so much on a gift. R12 000 for a girl you hardly know!” exclaims Bhubesi.
“You know, Bhubesi, my love for Mary J will make it into the history books one day.”
“Just make sure you don’t make history from a hospital bed because she made it clear that she hates being called Mary J! She will deck you if you call her Mary J again. When will you give her this gift?”
“Tomorrow morning. I will sleep at the flat today and give her this gift in the morning.”
“Good luck to you. You will need lots of it,” says Bhubesi.
“The problem with you, Bhubesi, is that you are not a smooth talker. Women only love you for your money. I grew up in a rural area where you have to smooth talk a woman. Mary will warm up to me; all I need is the opportunity to talk to her.”
Rhino buys a bouquet of roses from a flower shop at the mall. Then they head to Arboretum, and Rhino goes on alone to Rachel’s house as soon as they arrive. Though he is not related to Rachel, they affectionately call each other ‘uncle’ and ‘niece’. Rhino presses the bell at the gate.
“Hi, how may I help you?” answers Rachel.
“My dear niece, I need you help,” says Rhino.
Rachel peeks out at the gate from the dining room window.
“Hello, Uncle R,” she says, when she gets to the gate.
“How are you, Rachel?”
“I am good. You look mighty swank today! For sure all the young ladies had their eyes on you.”
“You think so?” Rhino looks at his getup.
“What kind of help do you need, Uncle R?”
“Do you know a Mary Jane? Surname Buthelezi.”
“Hha! Mary is my classmate. How do you know Mary?”
“That’s not important. Does she have a boyfriend?”
“Hell no she doesn’t! She comes from a strict family. Why all the questions? Do you want her?”
“You have too many questions, Rachel.”
“I must ask, since you need my help.”
“True.”
“Let me help you then. Aren’t you a bit old for Mary, Uncle R? Hahaha!” Rhino cracks an embarrassed smile.
“Listen, I need to talk to Mary today. I saw her going to school in the morning. Can you hook us up? I tried speaking to her but …”
“I know what you mean. I know Mary very well. She doesn’t entertain nonsense. But I can make a plan.”
“What plan are you thinking of?”
“I will ask for Londi’s number from other students. Let’s see … Londi is Mary’s best friend. Londi knows how things work. I am sure she will be able to help us.”
She gets a reply with Londi’s number in less than a minute.
With a smile running from ear to ear, Rhino enters the gang house and packs a few things into his bag.
“And now?” asks Ndlovu, dumbfounded.
“What?” replies Rhino.
“What’s going on? Why are you packing?”
“I told you I will sleep at the flat today.”
“Hhayi bo! I thought you were joking. Can’t this Mary business wait?”
“Why should it wait?”
“Have you forgotten that we should be in Durban by eight tonight? We have that loose end to attend to.”
“Eish! I forgot about that,” says Rhino.
“Get your mind back in the game, Rhino. We have to tie up that issue,” says Bhubesi.
“No ways, Bhubesi. Today I have to see Mary. Do or die. You guys can handle the loose end. I trust you.”
Rhino sits in his car for a long time, contemplating, before he leaves. He had forgotten about that Durban thing. What if he ran away with Mary to Durban? He has tackled much tougher opponents in his life. Mary he can surely handle.
***
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