Reneilwe is just standing there, watching me pacing. I need to come up with a plan. I promised her that I wouldn’t let anything happen to her or me. I mean, I can’t die, not now. What will happen to my mother and Reneilwe? Now that she knows his plan, he’ll find a way to punish her. Or at least ensure that she never says anything to anyone.

“What am I going to do? What are we going to do?” I say, more to myself than to her.

“You need to leave, Muzi! You need to leave Sophiatown and never return. I wouldn’t forgive myself if anything happened to you,” she says between her sobs.

There has to be a way out of this mess. I mean, it can’t end this way. I am not willing to just leave her here with that animal she calls a brother. There has to be something we can do. Yeah, we need to get out of here together.

“What we need is an escape plan. A way we can evade your brother and disappear,” I say.

“Are you insane? There is no way we can run away together. My brother will find us anywhere. Unless …” She suddenly stops talking and looks right at me. “The only way we can escape my brother is if we leave the country,” she says.

“Mozambique!” We say the word together, because it’s the only plan that makes sense. And this way I avoid being gunned down by Bra Cobra’s henchmen.

“I think I know how we can get out of here before he can do anything to you. We must–”

She is interrupted by Zweli opening the door. He freezes when he sees us standing there. I have no idea what to say or do, so I decide an introduction is the best move.

“Um, Bafo, this is Reneilwe. My love, this is my brother, Zweli,” I say nervously.

Zweli doesn’t move. He just stares at me.

“It’s nice to finally meet you, Zweli. Muzi has told me a lot about you,” she says, her hand outstretched, ready to shake his. Zweli hesitates for a moment, then takes her hand.

“I’m afraid my brother has told me nothing about you Reneilwe, which is why I’m surprised to see you here. However, I am pleased to meet you too. I’ll leave you to finish your conversation,” he says, getting ready to leave.

“No, it’s fine. Muzi and I will talk later. Muzi, meet me outside Suzy’s at 8 o’clock tonight. I think I have an idea. It was good to meet you, Zweli. Goodnight,” she says.

Once she has left the room, Zweli turns to me, fuming with rage. He drops his bag on the floor by the door, then in an instant has me pinned against the wall, his hands clenching my shoulders.

“Are you crazy, Muzi? Have you completely lost your mind? What is wrong with you?” he asks furiously.

“I love her, Zweli,” is all I can manage to say in my defence.

“You have a death wish. Why else would you do this? Cobra is going to kill you. Is that what you want?” he asks, shaking me.

“Bafo, what do you want me to do? Forget how I feel about her? Ignore the fact that, whenever I’m with her, I feel complete? When she is with me everything inside me feels alright. She is the first and last thing I think of every single day. I can’t imagine my life without her,” I say, desperation rising in my voice.

“You need to forget about that girl for your own good, Muzi. She is not worth losing your life over. What will I tell Mama if you get yourself killed over this girl? I hear what you are saying, but you will find another girl you can love without all this risk. Please stay away from her,” he pleads now.

“Don’t you think I’ve tried? She is the one for me! I’ve never felt this way and I just can’t give up on her. Not without a fight,” I say.

He lets me go, defeated, and walks to the door. He grips the handle, then stops and looks me in the eye.

“Are you sure she’s worth it?” he asks.

“She is worth everything and more. I’m in love with her,” I say sincerely.

“Then I won’t stop you; do what you must. Just be careful. Make sure this doesn’t come back to affect me and Mama. Our mother has been through enough.”

“I promise we have a plan. I would never put you or Mama in any danger. I will make sure everything turns out okay, I swear,” I say.

“Fine! You’d better be right. I need a drink,” he says and walks out.

I hope to God this all works out and my mother and brother don’t get dragged into the whole mess. I meant every word I said to Zweli, but part of me is afraid that I’m in way over my head with this whole thing. What if Reneilwe’s plan doesn’t work, and we end up in a lot more trouble than we are in already? What if this whole thing backfires and my family gets caught in the crossfire? What if, despite our best efforts, I still end up with a bullet in my head? Can I seriously run away with Reneilwe and never look back?

***

Tell us: What do you think Muzi should do?