“My love! ” Thabani said as he reached Busi.

“Where were you going? Let me walk you …” Thabani avoided Busi’s questions.

The couple set off with a gentle pace, holding hands, enjoying the physical contact to replace the stolen moment earlier that day.

“Gogo asked me to look for a real estate agent to buy us a new home, so I’m off to Sihle’s to talk with her about an estate agent she used. And I also need to deposit this money for Gogo.” She patted her bulging handbag.

Thabani looked surprised. He paused for a moment and then asked, “How much is it, my love?”

Busi rolled her eyes. “I think ten thousand – Gogo shouldn’t have been keeping that amount of cash with her. Why do you ask?”

“It’s just that this afternoon the hospital informed us that we need to pay 12k for Mama’s operation by tomorrow; otherwise, they won’t proceed with the treatment.”

Busi was taken aback and slowed down.

“My brother tried to find the money, but we could only scrape together a few thousand. Could you perhaps lend me that money, baby? I’ll give it back before Gogo finds out. Some of our relatives in KZN said they could probably give us the cash by the weekend.”

“Thabani, are you asking me to scam my grandmother…unbelievable!” Busi stormed away, and Thabani ran after her.

“Baby, wait! I just wanted to save my mother’s life, that’s all, but if you can’t, I understand. I’d have to go to Pretoria for a while to hustle.”

Suddenly, there was a change of expression on Busi’s face. She didn’t want Thabani to leave. She was sombre and hesitated a few times before giving up the stack of cash. Thabani stashed the lump of money in his pocket and kissed his love.

They proceeded with their meandering journey to Sihle’s house until Busi spotted her friend standing in front of her gate. With one last kiss, Thabani let go of Busi’s hand and headed back home.

“Please bring back the money by Monday, Thabani. I don’t want Gogo to die of heartache!” she called out, but Thabani was already halfway across the street.

“Haibo, are you not done kissing your man, chommie?” Sihle’s blue hair was almost the same shade as the sky, and she looked like a sausage wrapped up in her tight brown jumpsuit.

“My friend, I just wanted to remind him of something, but I’ll call him later.”

The best friends headed to sit on Sihle’s stoep, where they discussed the matter of the house, and Sihle called the estate agent with Busi on speaker phone to arrange a meeting with him the day after.

As Sihle explained her house-buying experience, it was as if she was talking to herself. Busi’s eyes were fixed on the path that Thabani had followed home. Part of her had the urge to run after him and steal the money back, but part of her was too weak even to reverse that act of cruelty on her grandmother, her only family.

Tell us: What do you think about Busi giving Thabani the money?