Things with Kabelo went downhill fast, even though Malaika was still deeply in love. Sometimes Kabelo screamed at her. Sometimes he pushed her. Sometimes he accused her of things she hadn’t done.

“Don’t lie to me, babe! I saw the way you were looking at Tshidi. I told you I don’t like girls who can’t stay faithful.”

But Kabelo always said sorry afterwards. And of course Malaika forgave him.

“It’s OK, Kabelo. I understand. You’re having a rough time right now.”

Then came the day he smashed her head against the wall. Then kicked her as she lay curled up on the floor.

“This is not OK, Kabelo,” she said, once the nurse had finished stitching up her forehead. “I’m leaving you.” And she did, too.

Except that 2011 started up all over again for Malaika. All over again she fell in love with Kabelo. Even though she knew how it would end. But she was doomed. Cursed. There was no changing anything.

For a second time, she had her head smashed against the wall. For a second time, a nurse stitched up her wounded forehead.

Then the year 2012 dawned.

A whole new beginning. That was when she met Isaac, right there at a New Year’s Eve party, just five minutes after midnight.

“Happy New Year, lovely lady,” he said. He kissed her lightly on the cheek. Malaika looked up into his eyes. And all she could see there was gentleness.

But she was careful. It was March before she agreed to go out on a first date with Isaac. It was April before she even allowed him to kiss her properly.

“That’s OK,” said Isaac. “I don’t mind how long it takes. I have all the time in the world, lovely lady.”

But of course Isaac was wrong. He didn’t have all the time in the world. He only had another seventeen months before his terrible accident.

By October, Malaika felt safe and secure with Isaac. They moved into a small flat together. And every day was a special day. Malaika knew she had met her soulmate, the love of her life.

They celebrated their first year together at a New Year’s Eve party.

“This has been the best year of my life,” said Isaac as he held her close.

“Mine too,” said Malaika.

Ten, nine, eight…

Malaika wondered: would 2012 repeat itself for her? She’d be happy to live through 2012 a second time.

Seven, six, five, four…

Just imagine that! If the Curse turned into the Blessing! If she could repeat the good years instead of the bad ones!

Three, two, one. Happy New Year, everyone!

Isaac kissed her and held her even closer as people cheered around them.

“What year is it?” Malaika asked.

Isaac frowned. “What a strange question. Sometimes I don’t understand what you’re thinking! It’s 2013 of course, sweetheart. You know, the year that comes after 2012?”

Malaika nodded. So the year was not going to repeat itself. Aah well, it was OK. She and Isaac would just turn 2013 into another happy, loving year.

“And this year, Malaika, you are going to tell me your secret. I know there is something bad that haunts you. I can see it in your eyes. Yes, together we will find a way to fix it. Even if it takes me all year.”

But Isaac didn’t have all year.

On 29 September 2013, Isaac went out to buy them some chicken pies at the garage shop two blocks away. He was knocked down by a drunk hit-and-run driver. Malaika got the terrible phone call from the garage owner, Mr Naidoo, at exactly 9.25 p.m.

For three days Isaac lay in hospital in a coma. Malaika sat at his bedside, weeping helplessly. On the fourth day, he died.

So 2013 turned out to be the most terrible year in Malaika’s whole life. Far worse than any year she had ever lived through before. Her parents’ divorce, her brother’s detention, Kabelo’s abuse – they were all nothing compared to the pain that shredded her soul apart now.

And now – now it was New Year’s Eve, the very last day of 2013. Malaika sat alone in the flat that she and Isaac had once shared. She sat in darkness. In her hand she held the fridge magnet that Isaac had once given her.

Yesterday is history.
Tomorrow is a mystery.
Today is a gift.

Isaac had been dead these past three months now. But for Malaika, the pain of losing him was as fresh and raw and agonising as on the day he died. Her grief never left her for a moment. She woke up to the shock of it every morning.

Across the street, a New Year’s party was in full swing. The loud music hurt her ears.

Malaika whispered in the darkness, “Please let yesterday be history now. Please let tomorrow be a mystery. Don’t make me live through 2013 again. My mind will disintegrate into a million pieces. They will have to lock me away with Auntie Sophie.”

Auntie Sophie was back in the psychiatric hospital. Auntie Sophie had given up trying to pretend. She started screaming that her years were coming back. So the mental-health paramedics had taken her away. For good.

The party across the street had quietened down now. The music was turned low and Malaika could hear the countdown begin. The numbers tumbled through her window.

Ten, nine, eight…

Malaika was still whispering, still begging, “Please, let 2014 begin for me too. No repeats, please! I cannot sit beside Isaac’s broken, injured body there in the hospital a second time over. I cannot stand beside his grave as they bury him all over again.”

Seven, six, five, four…

“Show me some mercy!” Malaika pleaded. “Don’t make me endure 2013 for a second time! Not when there is nothing I can do to save Isaac.”

Three, two, one! Happy New Year, everyone!

***

Tell us what you think: Will the Curse force Malaika to re-live 2013?