The following evening, after MaNgqobela has left for work, Khalipha walks a short distance to Mr Ngxaka’s car, and they drive to someplace near the community soccer ground where there are many trees.

MR NGXAKA: Well, it is good to see you. I didn’t think you would come.

KHALIPHA: I didn’t have anything else to do.

MR NGXAKA: OK. I bought you some chocolate and chips.

KHALIPHA: Thank you. How was your day?

MR NGXAKA: I was asleep the whole day. Woke up with a terrible hangover, took a shower, went to the stores, and now I am here.

KHALIPHA: Nice. If you don’t mind me asking again, why are you not mourning your father?

MR NGXAKA: I cannot mourn someone I did not know.

KHALIPHA: But you loved him. He was still your father.

MR NGXAKA: Yeah, well, that is the sad part.

KHALIPHA: Are you at least going to go to his funeral?

MR NGXAKA: Yes. Maybe, maybe not.

KHALIPHA: You were on the verge of tears because of the man. You should at least go to his funeral.

MR NGXAKA: I was not hurt, I was angry. I still am.

KHALIPHA: That is not healthy.

MR NGXAKA: Can we drop this topic?

KHALIPHA: OK, fine. Why are we here, Ngxaka?

MR NGXAKA: I want to spend time with you.

KHALIPHA: You said you weren’t into me.

MR NGXAKA: You said the same.

KHALIPHA: I didn’t ask for a meetup.

MR NGXAKA: But you still came. Look, I know what I said. But I really want to get to know you…outside of class.

KHALIPHA: That would be wrong.

MR NGXAKA: I know, but no one would ever find out. I will give you time to think about it. I will not coerce you into doing anything you don’t want, and if this is going to make you lose focus and be uncomfortable in class, I can bear the pain of only seeing you in class.

KHALAPHI: I…don’t know what to say.

MR NGXAKA: Say you will think about it, nkosazana.

KHALIPHA: Why me and not any other learner?

MR NGXAKA: This is not about the fact that you are a learner. I like you for your beauty and brains, your sense of humour, your beautiful soul…You are a gorgeous woman, and any of these boys who have dated you were lucky.

KHALIPHA: I…have never dated. (looking down and fiddling with her hands)

MR NGXAKA: That is…great.

KHALIPHA: You think I am lame.

MR NGXAKA: No, I think you are wise for that. As I said, you are more mature than the girls your age, including your friend.

KHALIPHA: (laughing) Alizwa is wiser than I am. She just likes having fun.

MR NGXAKA: What do you like?

KHALIPHA: Staying in, reading, watching TV…things like that.

MR NGXAKA: Wow, you know, watching you in class, I was intrigued by how your mind functions. I am happy to say I am even more intrigued now.

KHALIPHA: Come on, none of my friends think that I am interesting, let alone ‘intriguing’.

MR NGXAKA: (laughing) Why are you making air quotes? Anyways, I think your friends are the boring ones.

KHALIPHA: (yawning) Thank you.

MR NGXAKA: Well, I guess this is my cue to take you back home.

KHALIPHA: (sounding a bit disappointed) Oh. I guess.

MR NGXAKA: Tell you what? I will come to see you again tomorrow.

KHALIPHA: Mom will be home since it’s Sunday.

MR NGXAKA: OK then, I…will see you in class on Monday. Is that OK? We will be texting, so you won’t miss me too much.

KHALIPHA: (looking puzzled) Who said I was going to miss you in the first place?

MR NGXAKA: (laughing) Come on, I know you will. I will, too. In fact, I do already. But for now…let me take you home.

Tell us: Can you recognise any manipulation tactics in this scene? For example, Mr Ngxaka says he “can bear the pain of only seeing [Khalipa] in class”, which simultaneously compliments her (he likes her so much it hurts not to see her — she must be special!) and blames her for causing him harm. See if you can spot any other ways Mr Ngxaka tries to make Khalipha do what he wants.