The journey back to Gauteng was different for me. The love of my heart was sitting next to me, her head resting on my lap. Tools was driving and we had the whole backseat to ourselves. I could not stop touching her, stroking her hair and ears. That annoyed Tools. He kept on staring at us in the front mirror with glowing eyes.

He even warned me about the consequences of my actions while we stopped in Mookgopong to buy food and drinks. I did not know he was watching us as we left the store. I was asking Mapula to wait for me, but she refused, complaining that the ground was burning her because she was barefoot. I chased her and tickled her. She laughed, begging me to stop. I then offered to carry her on my back. As soon as I dropped her next to the car, Tools came and grasped my hand, dragging me to the back of the complex.

“Are you mad, monna? What’s this shit that you’re doing?” he said when we were alone, peeing behind the shops, hiding behind a JoJo tank.

“What do you mean?”

“Playing Romeo and Juliet with the girl, fool! Remember how much she is worth, bro! I can’t let you mess up our plan, jo.” He stopped, zipping his jeans. Then he glared at me and asked, “Did you sleep with her?”

My heart skipped a beat. I knew I couldn’t tell him the truth, otherwise he would tell Miss P and she would be livid. I am the second in charge and should lead by example, Miss P had always advised me.

“No,” I looked down as I swivelled around and walked away.

“That better be the truth, boy. Miss P will kill you for that. In fact, I’ll kill you myself if you mess up our mission. I want that money, boy. I can’t let your stupid, childish emotions get in our way. Not now!”

“Eish! Bro, don’t you wish we could just stop this thing of trafficking girls, monna? I mean…come on, this thing that we’re doing is just pure evil.”

“What! There you go again with this nonsense of yours!” Tools was livid. “Hey wena mfana, have you lost your mind? Are you planning to mess this up?”

“No man. Chill. Everything is still in line. Relax,” I said, terrified by his reaction.

“Good! Imagine how that girl will feel when I tell her that you were just using her. Do you think she will still love you if she could know how you helped trafficking her? Don’t be a fool, boy! Focus!”

My heart raced. I knew that wasn’t just a threat. Tools would do anything for money. I had to wake up from this dream. There was nothing good that could come out of this. But my heart said otherwise. It was 3 o’clock and soon we would be in Pretoria. Tools was going to take her away and I would never see her again. That nearly got me crying.

***

The time I had been dreading finally arrived. It was time for me and Shakes to say goodbye to them. Tools had stopped at Miss P’s house in Centurion, where Shakes and I stayed. I had told Mapula that she would be safe at the house and have a comfortable room. I told her that I would come to see her the very next day.

“OK! There you are, gents. Let me just introduce this beautiful girl to the boss before it’s too late,” Tools said, chewing gum. His eyes were fixed on me. He had a smug look on his face.

I ignored him and threw my arm around Mapula’s shoulders. “I’ll call you, right?” I said, kissing her on the forehead. “Just don’t worry. I’m here for you, babe. I’ll see you tomorrow.”

She nodded, sadly. I could see the fear in her eyes. I reminded her what I said yesterday when she was hesitant to come with us. I promised her that everything was going to be fine because Tools had already helped a lot of young people. My heart was bleeding inside though. I felt like I was the one selling her to the hyenas.

“Call me as soon as you get a chance. Tools, take care of this jewel of mine,” I kissed her lips this time.

“Hei, man! This is not some soapy. Wena Melford…via, man. Shakes, take this fool and leave.” Tools was irritated.

Finally, they left. I stood by the road, watching the car as it disappeared into the traffic.

“Come on, man. Zwakala. They are gone. Now we can start planning how we are going to spend our money. We’ve done our part, jo! This deserves a celebration,” Shakes said, pulling his bag.

I followed him into the house, my heart as heavy as a rock. I wished I could just get one more time to be with Mapula. Just to touch her smooth face and kiss her lips gently for the last time. I could still smell her perfume on my jacket and that made me miss her even more.

“Wena boy, you don’t listen. Look at you now. Heartbroken like a little puppy whose mother just died. Rules are there for a reason, papa,” Shakes said, standing at the door of my bedroom. He was holding a bottle of beer in his hand, staring at me with pity as I lay on my bed.

“What do you mean?”

He chuckled. “Come on! I’m not a fool. I know you slept with that girl, bro. They told me that you were with her last night. Do you really like her so much that you can even break Miss P’s rules? She is doing all this for you, bro. How can you be so stupid?” He looked disappointed and disgusted by my actions.

“You don’t understand, man. That…”

“Argh!” he interrupted me, waving his hand. “Just stop, man. Let’s just go out and have some beers and have fun with the girls. That will help you forget about her. Idiot. Let’s just go.”

I could not believe what that man said. Did he think beer would make me forget about her? I did not want his stupid girls. I wanted Mapula.

Tell us: Have you ever been tempted to ignore your instincts when searching for work? What happened?