As Xolani laid in bed, his thoughts began to spiral out of control. “Finally, I’m far away, but now I know not what’s ahead for me. I need to find a way forward”, he said to himself. For what felt like minutes to Xolani, but was actually 3 hours, he napped peacefully. Hlengiwe was sent to wake him up as dinner was prepared. But before she did, she stood there at the door and marvelled at the man she sees.

Hlengiwe has never been fond of men. She was born with a vivacious body, and the older boys in the streets always groped her. She ever feared boys the day she survived rape at the age of 9, when Bab Mabezela decided to take a different route from his normal routine. 6 boys were already undressing her, forcing her to play with their private parts. Hlengiwe ever despised boys since that day, but this boy she’s looking at. Sculptured like a Basket Ball player. She felt his strength when she and her sister hugged him. She has never felt this. She had butterflies in her stomach, her heart skipped a few beats. A smile creeped on her face. Non of her family has seen her smile this brightly since she survived the incident. This was not like her cold projected self everybody has come to accept, and it’s all because of this boy.

She recalled looking him in the eyes as Xolani boarded off the bus. She saw a deep pain. A pain that could shatter someone’s sanity. A pain similar if not bigger then her own. She looked at him while he slept and said, “I wonder how you came to be?”. She hesitantly woke Xolani for dinner. She felt bad because he was a masterpiece to marvel as he slept.

The family sat around a kitchen table and the girls dished up, said grace and sat. Then Bab Mabezela said, “My boy, tomorrow I want you to walk around and familiarise yourself with the surroundings, this is your home now. I expect you to enjoy yourself, but as long as we set some rules”. Xolani just nodded and agreed. Questions of curiosity began to cloud him. He really wanted to know Bab Mabezela’s relationship with his grandfather, but also was fearful for the answer. Xolani then asked “Baba, is there any sporting grounds around?”. Bab Mabezela then answered “there isn’t, but there are some gym equipment in the backroom. Your old man did mention you’re a gym fanatic”, he then had a little laugh. “Maybe you might motivate my heavy angels to start taking care of their bodies”, and the girls simultaneously through their spoons to Bab Mabezela and they all laughed. The kept conversing.

For Xolani, this was heart warming. He’s family at the village were not all about family bonding. It was either work or isolation, no laughing or giggling. He in fact expected Bab Mabezela to spank the girls for throwing spoons at him. He felt their energy. He felt secure.

Dinner was over and everybody went to the living room. Xolani insisted on washing the dishes himself. He exclaimed “this you call a chore, is therapy for me”. Straight after he was done, he walked to his room to rest. Nokthula crept back to his thoughts. He couldn’t help but wonder were is she? What is she doing? I wish to see her again, and by the strength I have in me I will! These thoughts knocked Xolani out.

It was a new day, Xolani laid in bed trying to think of what to do. He heard someone knocking. Lindiwe was at the door. The bubbly girl with a naturally flirtatious smile entered the room. And without saying much, she pulled Xolani out of bed .“Wake up sleepy head. You’re wasting daylight”. They went to the kitchen and Xolani realised they were alone and asked, “Where’s everyone?”. Lindiwe responded “Baba went to work and Hlengi went to school”. The word school brought back some bad memories. Getting bullied, getting beat. But he pushed the thoughts away. He then asked “Where does Baba work?”. “He owns a hardware store and some taxis. Today he’ll be driving one of his taxis since one of his subordinates is sick”.
Lindiwe as bubbly as she is, she’s the older sister. She loves her family dearly, but she looks too ambitious for her own good. She is a senior manager at Bab Mabezela’s Hardware store, and since she began running the place, sales have grown big. The sisters were abandoned by their parents at the age of 5. Bab Mabezela tried his best to raise the girls well. But couldn’t fully prevent misfortune from happening to them, but he tried his hardest, alongside Trying to raise he’s own son alone.

Lindiwe took Xolani out for a walk, were they shared their life stories and experiences. Lindiwe broke down after hearing what actually got Xolani to their town. “How have you survived this long?” she asked, he simply said with a smile “Love is a complicated thing”. They got back to the house and Xolani requested to see the back room. His smile grew large at what he saw. A punching bag that looks unused, some dumb bells, a bench and a couple of weights stacked, everything was dusty and could use a good cleaning. He then said “I assume this also was your big brothers?” and with a simple nod, Lindiwe answered. With that Xolani took a few swings at the punching bag and said to himself, “finally, inner peace”.

Nokthula was discharged from hospital and was accompanied home by Bab Nguni who was very sympathetic with her. “I apologize for Bongani’s actions my dear. I wish we as a family could have prevented any of this”. Nokthula just looked at the old man, clicked her tongue and looked outside. She began to wonder what her life is going to be now. She feels she now knows Bongani’s true nature and his family may act supportive, but they hide their true agendas. Bab Nguni kept apologizing and pleading to her until she heard him say “…I hope there is anything we could do to appease you….”, and she said “actually, there is. Keep that devil far away from me and my child. I never wanted any of this, but here I am!”. The anger on her face was clearly visible, which stretched a stitch on her face, hurting her. “Makoti, please relax”, Bab Nguni said. “We can not do that, as per custom, new weds must spend their time together until the day of the ceremony”. She objected “I’ll be dead by then! Look at my face. If this is his appreciation to his wife, then I refuse to be.”. She felt Bab Nguni’s hand touch her face “Our families have already exchanged Lobola. To our ancestors, Bongani is your husband. The ceremony is to make sure everyone in the village knows so, to prevent scandals from happening, like the one you caused”. Nokthula looked outside and began silently praying, asking God to protect her, for she might have to forgive the demon she despise for her survival and sanity.