Rhino gets into another one of his many cars, a Nissan Navara, places the gifts he bought for Mary on the passenger seat, and starts the engine. He calls Londi Zungu, Mary’s best friend.
“Hi, is that Londi?”
“Yes. Who is this?”
“Rachel’s uncle.”
“How may I help you, uncle?”
“Do you have Mary Buthelezi’s number?”
“I don’t think she has a cellphone.”
“How can I get in contact with her? I need to speak to her urgently.”
“We are in class at the moment. Can you call later?”
“No problem. What time do classes finish?”
“At four.”
“What if I gave you guys a lift in the afternoon? Would that be a problem?”
“Tjo! Mary won’t agree unless …”
“Please, Londi. I’m desperate here!”
“I’ll tell her you are my uncle. She will only get into your car if I say that.”
Rhino cracks a smile.
“I don’t know how to thank you, Londi.”
“Don’t name a baby before it is born. Thank me after my muti has worked, says the sangoma,” Londi giggles.
“I’ll be there at four. I drive a black Nissan Navara. Bye, angel.”
“Sharp!” Londi says and drops the call.
Rhino is driving off when he sees Rachel running after him in the rear view mirror.
“Uncle Rhino, Uncle Rhino!” she shouts. “Uncle R, did you get in contact with Mary?” She is out of breath.
“No, not Mary herself, but Londi came up with a plan. What’s the matter?”
“I’ve got a bad feeling about this. My dad and Mary’s father work together. I will be in deep trouble if it comes out that I am the mastermind behind all of this.”
“How will they find out?”
“I don’t know. I just have a bad feeling. My mother would kill me if she found out.”
“Tell me, Rachel, where does Mary’s mom work?”
“She does not have a mom. She died when Mary was an infant. It’s just her and her father.”
“Do they have a domestic worker?”
“I don’t know, Uncle R. I better go.”
“Wait a second, dear niece. What time do your fathers get off work?”
“At five.”
“OK, I’ll see you soon, with an update.”
“Bye, Uncle R. Please ungaflopi (don’t embarrass yourself), hahaha!”
Rhino cracks a smile as he drives off. The smile stays on his face until he reaches the main gate of the complex. He enters and stops at the security guard’s booth.
“Good day, my brother,” says the guard.
“How are you, brother? I am in a hurry here, I need your help.”
“Talk, sir, I am listening.”
“I have a gift for the girl that lives there.” Rhino points to Mary’s flat.
“For Mary?”
“Yes. Can you give it to her when she comes back?”
“Who will I say it is from?”
“The card inside will explain everything. Make sure nobody else sees when you give it to her. Are we clear?” Rhino has switched into gangster mode.
“Ye–yes, Sir,” the guard answers, intimidated.
“If you make a mistake and she doesn’t get it …” Rhino cuts his throat with his thumb. “It will mean your life.”
He passes the gifts to the security guard. The guard stares after Rhino until the car disappears to the flats at the back.
***
Tell us: Why do you think Rachel has a bad feeling?