It was the beginning of January, and Sipho and Karabo were on lunch break. They both worked in Liesbeek Mall – Karabo was a bank teller, and Sipho had just been promoted to assistant manager of the pet store.

“Babes, I brought you some food for lunch,” Karabo said, holding out a lunchbox with chicken and pap inside. “Let’s go to the park and sit under the trees.”

“Thanks, my angel.” Sipho took her hand. Karabo is such a blessing, he thought as they walked down the busy passage towards the main entrance of the mall. She reminds me of my mom – always thinking about other people.

As they passed by Starlight Diamonds jewellery store, Karabo stopped. “Wow. That is the most beautiful thing I have ever seen,” she said, looking at the window display. A red necklace shaped like flowers stood in an open velvet-lined box.

“It really is beautiful, babes,” Sipho said. “You could wear it with the earrings I got you for Christmas.”

“OMG. But it’s kind of expensive, hey?”

Sipho put his arm around her waist. “You should try it on.”

“But I can never afford that, not on my salary. The bank doesn’t pay much.”

“Trying on is free. Come on babes, I want to see how it looks on you.”

“What if it refuses to come off?” she laughed.

“Then I’ll buy it.”

Laughing, they went into the store.

A few moments later the necklace lay around her neck. A gold chain held a string of red beads that ended in three clusters of flowers. The crystals shone against her dark skin, with the smaller red jewel flowers resting just below her collar bone. The largest flower hung in her cleavage, and it glistened in the bright shop light.

“What’s wrong?” she asked, “Why are you staring at me? Andiyophulang’ phofu? Did I break it or something?”

“Nothing’s wrong. It’s like I’m seeing an angel from heaven standing right in front of me.”

She took the necklace off and the salesperson put it back in the display. As they went off to the park, Sipho wondered if he could buy it for her. It cost almost a month’s salary. And it was January. He was broke. But Karabo was so precious to him that she deserved nothing but the best. He would make a plan. One way or another he had to get it.

At four thirty he was giving the baby parrots their last meal of the day in the pet shop. All seven fledglings were huddling together in the incubator. Sipho was feeding one with a big syringe, and they were all shouting and pushing at once.

Mr Mahomed, the shop owner, laughed as the greediest parrot squawked loudly for more food. “This parrot is just like you – he’s always hungry. I’ve been wanting to give you a bonus for all your hard work over the festive season. He’s yours.”

“Oh thanks, Mr Mahomed. I’ve always wanted a parrot of my own. I’m going to teach him to say, ‘Karabo is a lovely lady’.”

Mr Mahomed laughed. “That’s a good idea. Parrots live sixty years, so he’ll keep Karabo sweet until you’re old and grey.”

Sipho finished the feeding and closed up the incubator. “Sir, can I clock out early today? I have some personal business I’d like to take care of.”

“Sure,” said Mr Mahomed. “Business is so quiet this time of the year.”

A few minutes later Sipho entered Starlight Diamonds for the second time that day. Should I buy the necklace? he thought. I’m still tangled up in my festive season debts. But then he saw the necklace on the deep blue velvet cloth, and he remembered how beautiful it looked on Karabo’s soft neck. He had to have it.

How the hell am I going to get the money? And then he had an idea. I can sell my parrot, Perry, he decided. It would break his heart, and Mr Mahomed would be upset, but Perry was the only thing he had to sell that might bring in enough to buy the necklace. And Karabo was worth it.

“Can I help you Sir?” the jewellery sales assistant asked.

He took a deep breath. “Can I purchase something on lay-by?”

***

Tell us what you think: Is Sipho wise to spend so much money on his girlfriend?