Sombre like the grey sky above them, the ladies wove through the thin passage between the shacks until they reached Thabani’s. Gogo squeezed her nose shut as they passed piles of dirt along the way. Busi sent up a little prayer, hoping to find him in the house. Even though the weather was chilly, Busi’s hands were sweating.

“Gogo, I don’t think I can go,” Busi whispered under her breath. Then MaKhumalo stopped and stared at her, and she knew by that look that she had no say in this, so she dragged her feet along.

Finally, they stopped at Thabani’s green door, and Busi knocked. A middle-aged lady answered the door.

“Dumelang,” she smiled, still hiding behind the door.

“Dumela sisi, I’m MaKhumalo…her grandmother,” Gogo pointed at Busi who was staring at the ground. They were ushered into the zinc shack. The interior was well furnished, compensating for the dingy-looking exterior that had convinced the ladies that they were going to be greeted by thugs. Gogo couldn’t help but worry that her money had contributed to the new-looking TV set that stood in front of them. The friendly old lady introduced herself as Thembi and the ladies lay out the matter of the day.

Thembi was not shocked at the news. Instead, she started crying. “Ai, I knew that new TV was suspicious!”

“Is there a chance that we can see him and at least get my money back, sis’ Thembi?” MaKhumalo asked with a glimmer of hope sparkling in her eyes.

“Eish, I would like to apologize on behalf of my nephew, my sister, I’ve tried with all my might to bring him to order since he moved to Soweto, but he doesn’t listen, sisi, and my girl don’t blame yourself I know what love can do to you. These young men, especially those ones who speak tsotsitaal can make you give up your life for them …they have a smooth tongue.” Thembi held Busi’s hand and rubbed it between her fingers.

“I know and would also like to apologise to Gogo and everyone for being a fool for love,” whispered Busi, wiping the stream of tears with the back of her hand.

“My child, what’s important now is that we get the money back, and if we don’t get it we’ll have to go back to Sheila’s. The rest we’ll discuss later,” Makhumalo said.

Sheila and Sihle felt their hearts sink for MaKhumalo.

“I don’t think he had used it all yet… he hasn’t been spending much lately except for the TV. He said he wanted to save up for a motorbike. So there’s a chance he might still have some of the money, hopefully,” Thembi assured the ladies, and like the universe heard their cries, the culprit burst through the door, carrying a crate of Black Labels. He was smiling, but as he saw Busi, he looked alarmed.

“There he is, Gogo! You crook, where’s the money? Give it back now!” Busi’s shouting echoed off the zinc roof.

“Let’s calm down chommie!” Sihle said.

“Oh, that’s what you’re here for! At least you’re not pregnant!” Thabani blurted out.

“You might not respect me, but you’ll respect these poor ladies here, Thabani!” Thembi slapped him, and the house went silent.

“Mfanami, we’re only here to take our money back, not cause a fight. Can we please do this without involving the police, my boy,” Sheila said, looking straight into Thabani’s eyes. Her years as a landlord had made her come up with ways to get people to pay up. Her look shook Thabani and he took a long deep breath and headed for the top of the wardrobe. He put his hand under a blanket, and within a second, a handful of money and the envelope fell out.

He picked it up and handed it to Sheila, his head hanging down.

“There’s only seven thousand in here, Ma. I used the rest for the TV. But I’ll take it back to the shop and get you the rest later today. Just please don’t mention the police!”

“You said it was for your mom’s operation, you liar!” Busi shook her head in disbelief.

“My dear sister, his mom, is late,” Thembi said, casting her eyes down.

“Now, do you not owe everyone an apology?” Sheila said, still giving him the “look.”

“I’m sorry, Gogo. I’m sorry, Busi.” He hung his head low.

Sheila cleared her throat.

“I’m sorry, Aunt Thembi, for embarrassing you like this,” he mumbled.

MaKhumalo’s spirit lifted again, and Busi’s face lit up for the first time in a few days. Her smile slowly returned to her face. Busi gave Thabani one last look of disgust and turned around towards the door.

The ladies made their way out as the clouds started to spit out tiny droplets of rain. Gogo held onto the envelope tightly.

“Mara, why do you do this to me? After all I’ve done for you!”

Back at the shack, Thembi cried to her nephew, and Thabani stood there silent as guilt crept in on him like the cold wind seeping in through the cracks of the old zinc house.

Tell us: Do you think Thabani can change his behaviour in the future?