Between them, Mozambique and South Africa deal with Mucus speedily. Papa phones to tell me that, on the South African side, BK Nxumalo’s thugs are also being rapidly rounded up.
The matter of BK takes longer, so I can’t go home yet. I don’t mind and, if I do sometimes get homesick, Rui, Noemia and Dino know how to cheer me up – Rui especially.
It’s an ordinary weekday back in South Africa, but a public holiday in Moz, so the four of us are at Bilene again. It’s all about sun, sea and sand; about music pumping and beer flowing. Rui and I have joined in some dancing when I feel my phone vibrating in my shorts pocket.
Papa. I tell Rui I’ll be back, and find a quiet place.
“Your mother is a hero. BK Nxumalo has just been sent to prison for a very long time,” Papa tells me. “You can come home, girl.”
I return to Rui and share this news. “I can’t believe that, not so long ago, I’d have wanted to rush back to Manhica to start packing.” I’m laughing, but somehow I feel like crying too. “But now! I’ve got so much still to learn, not just about this special country, not just about kind Noemia, but about you, Rui!”
I love the feeling of his hands on my hips as he draws me in close. I love his warm lips on mine even more, the way his kiss is more about giving than taking.
“You’ll come back,” he whispers when he lifts his head. His black eyes are sparkling.
“Yes! Papa says he and Ma want to get leave during my next school holiday, so we can all come … Only it’s so long to wait,” I say.
“Too long. We will visit you before that, for a long weekend,” he promises. “Because I will be missing you, Chansenga.”
Our mouths merge again, and this time it’s me trying to show him everything I’m feeling, trying to give back to him.
It’s not long after I’m home in South Africa that I get Rui’s message. He’s on his way, with Noemia and her beloved Dino.
OMG, I can’t wait.
*****
Tell us what you think: Did you get any surprises in this final chapter?
