Nathi is woken up by a knock on the door. “Eh, Nathi boy, it’s Thabo, open up.”
Nathi gets up to open the door.
“Mfethu, it’s Sunday today, remember our deal?” Thabo asks.
Nathi is confused for a second but then he remembers. In exchange for Thabo pleading for him to Mam’Dineo about the rent, Nathi has to go to church with him. “I knew you would forget, you have 45 minutes to get ready. Ma’gogo does not like being late,” he says and leaves.
***
“Where we just read in Luke Chapter 12 about the rich fool, we see that this man had large crops but not enough barns to store the crops. He then decides to build bigger barns to store the crops and he says to himself, “I will now rest, eat, drink, and enjoy my life.” Only for him to lose his life that night,” says the pastor. “What he was supposed to do was to share with the poor, not hoard all the crops for himself. There is a quote that says purpose is when passion meets the needs of others, not just your own.”
“HALLELUJAH!” the congregation shouts.
“Money is a good servant but a bad master. It promises us identity, happiness, and security, but it never delivers. Children of God, listen to me, find your identity, happiness, and security in Jesus Christ. Money finishes, yes, yet you can never have enough of it, that is where self-control and contentment come in. Knowing yourself as a child of God is important because you would know that the most precious thing you have is your soul, which is yourself. Do not sell your soul for material and recognition, it is far more precious. Remember the words of Jesus Christ, ‘What is the use of gaining the whole world but losing your own soul?’ People who truly love you do not care about what you have. If you have to be someone you are not to be accepted then you do not belong there, for the bible says ‘you are fearfully and wonderfully made.’ Amen.”
***
“How was the service, ntwana?” Thabo asks.
“It was great, I’m actually glad that I came,” Nathi replies.
“So will you come next Sunday?” Thabo asks.
Nathi laughs, “Relax, ntwana, I will see.”
Thabo laughs too. “OK, no pressure. Come join us for lunch, Ma’gogo prepared a feast,” Thabo offers.
“Eish, sorry, but I cannot, I have to pick a few loads to get the check-in money, but please do keep a plate for me,”’ Nathi says.
“Sho,” Thabo says, and he leaves.
Nathi goes to the taxi rank and picks up a few loads. On his last load, Gugu comes in with two of her friends. Nathi does not notice until they are the only passengers left in the taxi.
“He will not do anything to you, chommie, we are here as witnesses,” says one of the friends.
“You have the right to date whomever you choose, besides, his rat ate your weave,” the other friend says, and they giggle.
Nathi, hearing the laugh he knows so well, looks back, his eyes landing on Gugu.
“You have the nerve to get into my taxi,” he says, hitting the brakes.
“Nathi, there is no need to be petty. We paid to be taken to our destination. Can you please be professional?” Gugu asks with an attitude.
Nathi takes out R50 and throws it at them, “Get out of my taxi!”
Gugu’s friend replies, “This is not your taxi, bhuti. Yoh, you have nothing, just that rat in that room you’re struggling to pay rent for.” They laugh as they get out of the taxi and wait to catch another one.
“Nxa!” Nathi clicks his tongue, fuming inside and out.
No more will people look down on you, women will be like flies seeing shit, Malahle’s voice echoes in Nathi’s head.
He takes his phone and opens Google Maps. He types, “128 Butter Str.”
“In 500m, turn left,” the GPS lady says. Nathi starts his engine and heads in that direction.
Tell us: What do you think Nathi’s motivation is for wanting to go through with the sacrifice?