Mtho is rendered speechless. Kwazi’s whole demeanor and voice tells him that she means business. The only thing different from when she’s doing heists is the outfit.

“Baby,” Gugu says to Mtho, shaking with fear.

“Shut up!” Kwazi places the muzzle of the Glock 18 between Gugu’s long eyelashes.

“Kwazi, what’s happening?” says Mtho, still seated and making sure not to move in a way that’ll startle Kwazi. He’s seen her pull the trigger several times on men who realise that she’s a female and attempt to overpower her. Plus, he has told her about the gun he keeps taped under the coffee table.

“You know exactly what’s happening, my friend,” replies Kwazi. “Your gate is always locked so I jumped over your wall, your dog knows me so it didn’t bark, your doors were wide open and I just hit you by surprise. Two or less, give me what I want and nobody gets hurt.”

“Kwazi, this is not funny,” says Mtho, confusion wrinkling his face.

“That’s because it’s not a joke.” Kwazi flicks a hand, telling Mtho to stand up and away from the coffee table. “I’ve been thinking about this ever since you told me you’d proposed to Gugu. You’re only 23 and have been dating her for just two years, Mtho. This is the only big step you’ve ever taken without talking to me first. You knew you were messing up.”

Mtho slowly gets on his feet, keeping his hands where Kwazi can see them. The anger he sees on Kwazi’s face doesn’t frighten him as much as the desperation she’s trying to suppress. She looks to him like she’s about to break down and cry, get down on her knees and beg. But Mtho knows she’s too proud to do that.

“It’s OK, my friend,” he says. “Talk to me. You don’t need to use a gun. What do you want?”

Kwazi grits her teeth at that, trying to be strong, but tears slide down her face. “I’ve always felt bad that by the time we were old enough to seriously date, you couldn’t get me because I was attracted to girls. I knew that hurt you but I was a confused little girl, Mtho.”

“What—” Gugu tries to ask what this is about. Kwazi turns to her with a sharp eye and shushes her.

“I’m listening,” says Mtho, trying to keep Kwazi’s attention on him so she won’t hurt Gugu.

“I’m still that confused little girl. I’m still attracted to girls; I really love Athandwa, but I’m also attracted to you, Mtho. You’re the only man I’ve ever had feelings for and it wasn’t the alcohol that made me sleep with you on your 21st birthday, I’d wanted to for a long time.”

“I knew it,” says Gugu, temporarily forgetting the gun pointed at her. “I knew that you slept with her, you piece of shit.”

Kwazi clicks her tongue. Her big eyes squint with focus as she lowers the gun to Gugu’s knee. Mtho knows from experience that she’s about to pull the trigger.

“Kwazi, will you marry me?” he says quickly.

Tell us: Do you think Mtho’s question is sincere?