“Riri, it’s been two days since you locked yourself in there. You have to eat something,” Ntaoleng begs as she leans into Sephiri’s bedroom.

After the reading of the will, everyone had been so mortified, so overwhelmed by the revelations that all left in silence. There was no resolution to the situation.

Ntaoleng has spent the last two days avoiding neighbourhood gossips and being conflicted as to what she is most angry about. Was it the paternal truth about Sephiri’s father? Or the fact that the man who stole her marriage and her heart was having an affair with her late husband’s mistress?

The past has caught up with her and she is now living her worst nightmare.

During her pregnancy she had been suspicious about Paul possibly being the father but wanted to believe that there was no way this could be true. She convinced herself that Ntjapule was Sephiri’s father. Her relief came when Sephiri was born. She looked very like Paul but to an unsuspecting eye or one that refused to see, she looked like Ntjapule too.

Ntaoleng begs Sephiri once more, before heading to the kitchen. She fills the familiar yellow rusted kettle and puts it on. She sits on the same blue kitchen chair that gave refuge to Ntjapule’s nostalgia a month ago.

Dazed, she barely notices Puseletso come in. “Mama, are you fine? I knocked and no-one answered but the door was open,” Puseletso says, worried.

“I’m fine Letso. How’s your mother?” Ntaoleng asks as she gets up to make tea.

“Mama ke mama, she’ll never change,” Puseletso responds, trying to lighten the mood. “Is Riri here? Her phone’s been off since Wednesday. It’s her birthday tomorrow so I was hoping we can go out tonight. It’s Friday – ladies night after all!”

“She is in her room,” Ntaoleng says, embarrassed. The escalated family drama has caused her to even forget Sephiri’s upcoming birthday.

Puseletso makes her way towards Sephiri’s room, where she finds her friend brooding, curled up on her bed.

“You are a hot mess girl. Iyoh wassup?” Ntaoleng exclaims, shocked at Sephiri’s appearance.

“I’m not well … but I’ll be fine,” Sephiri says, sounding very low and unconvincing.

“Well it’s your birthday tomorrow so I’m taking you out.”

“Tomorrow?”

“No, we are going out tonight. Ladies night.”

“Eish girl, I don’t feel like going out and besides I have decided not to celebrate my birthday this year,” Sephiri says, stalling.

“What! It’s your eighteenth birthday. You must be kidding me.”

Sephiri thinks about the month she has had. Maybe a drink or two would help cure the gaping wound inside of her.

“OK girl, I’ll come,” she agrees reluctantly.

“Great! Get ready then. Wear that pink number. I’ll be back at seven,” Puseletso celebrates. “Oh – and Thabo is coming with,” she says over her shoulder as she rushes out of the door.

“What does Thabo want?” Sephiri mutters as she gets up to get ready. The mysterious visits from Thabo and his friend Tokelo had stopped since last week. He must have lost interest, she thinks.

***

Later that evening the two girls arrive at Caprivi Night Club. The past month had been full of horrible drama and Sephiri is now determined to have fun tonight. She looks across to the entrance and sees Thabo and Tokelo waiting. Her heart flutters and her palms are suddenly sweaty, her knees began to wobble and she feels a little faint. She doesn’t realise she has come to a complete standstill until Puseletso calls, “Girl why’d you stop? Come on!”

Sephiri hurries over and greets the guys, avoiding eye contact. The four of them push into the crowds inside and it isn’t long before Puseletso is the life of the club, disappearing on to the dance floor. The other three find a table near the DJ booth, Tokelo goes to the bar to get drinks, so leaving an awkward Sephiri in the hands of a very eager Thabo. Her stomach begins to turn and all she can hear are snatches of his voice over the noise.

“Let’s go outside, I want to show you something!” Thabo eventually shouts.

“I can’t hear you!” Sephiri responds, also gesturing that they should go outside. The two make their way to the lapa area. The temperature drops dramatically and a cold breeze caresses their skin so Thabo takes off his cardigan and places it gently around Sephiri’s shoulders.

There is a long pause, then they awkwardly start speaking at the same time and giggle.

“Please, you go first,” says Thabo.

“Why were you lurking outside my gate?” Sephiri decides to boldly shoot straight to the point.

“I didn’t realize that you were watching me,” Thabo replies, amused.

“You’re not answering my question, and I wasn’t watching you.”

“I wanted to give you something.” Thabo pulls a charm bracelet from his pocket and holds it out, displayed in his hand. Sephiri blushes but before she can say anything, Thabo hurries on: “It’s from your father; he asked that I give it to you on your birthday.”

“What!? Where did you meet my father?” Sephiri is shocked – and disappointed that the gift is not from Thabo. “That man won’t give me a moment of rest!” she exclaims.

“After my party, word got around that you and I …er …slept together. I think someone told Aus’ Puleng who then told Ntate Ronny and your father. The following day your dad came to my house, and gave me this bracelet, and a letter apologising for neglecting you. I think he thought we are an item and so he asked me to be the bearer of these gifts. He was quite emotional, I tell you.” Thabo pulls out a letter from his pocket and hands it over to Sephiri.

“Not another letter. Do you know that he is not my real father?” Sephiri says, her voice wavering as she feels the trauma of the revelations all over again.

“That’s why I was lurking outside your gate; it was difficult for me to bring you these gifts. I knew you must already be so upset by everything. Aus’ Puleng told my mom, who then told me. Plus … I thought you only went with me that night because you were so drunk,” Thabo says.

Then Thabo leans over to embrace Sephiri. She lays her head on his chest and for a moment they are floating above the club in mystical silence and tranquillity. Sephiri lifts her head and Thabo wipes the tears off her face.

“So, are we an item?” Thabo asks with a gentle smile.

“Let’s get away from here,” Sephiri replies, smiling back.

As the two of them leave Sephiri is able to see some light in the darkness: the secrets that have torn her apart over the last month are the very same secrets that have brought her closer to this lovely guy – a guy she’s liked since she was a fourteen-year-old.

With her right hand she clasps Thabo’s hand firmly; with her left she texts:

Hy Grl a new chpter aw8s me on de
otha side of 18. Thabo nd I left 2geda. *wink*
Plz catch a lift wit Tokelo. Luv u lots

***

Tell us what you think: What did Ntaoleng do about Paul? Will Paul be able to be a father to Beauty and Sephiri?