A box of Twinsavers is given to Cindy to help her wipe her tears inside the police station.
“When you’re ready, Miss, I need you to tell me again exactly what happened. Even the smallest detail would help,” says Sergeant Mathebula.
Cindy squashes the tissue, “We met at Jelo Park around 17:00. Everything was fine; we bought food and drinks before returning to the park. Then he insisted we sit on the western bench, closer to the trees. And when the sun was down, he pulled me deep into the trees and wanted a quickie. But when I resisted and fought him, that’s when he attacked me.”
Cindy looks at Mpumi. “Once he was done hitting me, I found the strength to call my friend and we came here.”
Sergeant Mathebula jots down her statement, “Did he assault you sexually?”
“No, he didn’t,” Cindy looks down.
“OK. Do you know where he lives?” the sergeant asks.
“Yes, I do! I can show you,” Cindy responds.
Mathebula finishes writing and stands up, “Lets go get him.”
A police van shines blue lights on the face-brick corner house in Mashaba Street. Sergeant Mathebula jumps the black gate and clenches his fist to knock on the front door violently, but nobody opens. A neighbour looks over the wall, and informs the policemen that the family left two hours ago, around 8pm. The police have a last look then return to the van.
“He’s not here, but we will come back tomorrow morning. For now, we’ll take you guys home.” Mathebula starts the car. “Don’t worry, I will find him,” he reassures them and leaves the scene.
Monday morning, Itumeleng jams to deep house on his walk to school and, for the first time ever, everyone pays attention to him as he enters the school. He receives awkward stares, so he takes off his earphones to look around.
He overhears a group of girls near the school tuck shop whispering, “There he is,” as they point at him. And before passing the library, he meets Stacy.
“Did you do it?” she asks him.
Confusion clouds his mind, “Did I do what?”
Sergeant Mathebula creeps up behind him. “Got you!” he grabs Itumeleng and pins him against the wall. “You thought you could run away from the police, heh?” the sergeant takes out his handcuffs.
“What are you talking about? What did I do?” Itumeleng’s head is pressed against the wall.
“Shut up! You’re under arrest for assault. You have the right to remain silent, anything you do or say can be used against you in the court of law.” The sergeant cuffs him in front of everyone at school.
Trashed papers are thrown at Itumeleng, and some pupil spits on his shoe as the sergeant walks him to the van. Cindy and Mpumi are standing next to the van when Itumeleng is apprehended. Itumeleng is shocked to see Cindy sporting a black eye. The sergeant grabs the back of Itumeleng’s head and throws him inside the van, then locks the door. Cindy looks at Itumeleng through the side-grill of the van’s canopy and smiles.
At the police station inside an interrogation room, Itumeleng begins, “I’m going to tell you again, I assaulted no one. I don’t know what happened to her.”
Mathebula slams the table, “Save that for the judge. Weak men like yourself show toughness by abusing women and children. I hate men like you!” Then they take him to a holding cell down the hall.
Time has fled the day, the north star reveals herself and so does darkness. Itumeleng looks out the small window and contemplates how he got there. As more stars reveal themselves, so does the realisation that the link up was indeed a set up.
Tell us: What do you think of the story so far? Why do you think Cindy is behaving this way?