My name is Litha by the way I’m a boy in Grade 11 from the Eastern Cape, and I don’t know why my grandfather is calling for *us* in my dreams. Well, maybe I do know and I just do not want to accept it. Anyways nice to meet you, and here’s what happened on Wednesday night.

Oh yes; I left off at Rihanna’s lyrics, didn’t I? Well we all already know the types of guys that gather around a young high school boy in the middle of the night. They wanted something, I did not know what but I was scared from the moment my intoxicated brain gathered what was about to occur. “Andinamali” ( I don’t have money) I cry loudly, trying to wake up any adult in their bedrooms right now.

” Ifani yakho Andinamali?” ( What’s your surname Andinamali) responds another guy as he slaps the cheek out my face. I vividly remember seeing my cheek fly off my face. Okay maybe I’m being dramatic a little.

“Uxolo, bra andin…” Another slap flew, on that very non-existent cheek. I sob, but I have hope because I’m not that far from home and my aunt is probably on her way back from work now, she uses this road to get home.

“Ulithathaphi eligama?” ( Who named you/ gave you this name?) Asks the slapper🙄.

“Ndingu Li…li…litha bra, ndicela uxolo gents” ( My name is Litha (stuttering) I am sorry gents) I cry even loudly hoping someone I know who is awake now will hear my name and come to my rescue.

“Sulila Lilitha, don’t cry my baby” Says the guy behind me. Mxm he didn’t even get my name right. “Ligama lama-cherry uLilitha” (Lilitha is a girls name) they burst out laughing. Did I mention that these were six guys, from Komani, that the reason I was heading home was load shedding, so there were no street lights? Did I mention that they were armed? I really should have not left that party.

“Myekeni uLilitha, yi cherry yam” ( Leave Lilitha alone, He’s my girlfriend) Says the guy that looks the oldest. Not even one of them protests, this is probably the ring leader.

Another guy comes from the front side of the road, and some of them leave to go pick on him. This whole time I’m literally crying, begging for them to let me go, apologizing for… nothing.

The ring leader guy calls me ” Yizapha kwedini!” I hesitate as they let go of my now numb arms. ” come to me baby girl, come la!” He repeats. I feel my legs getting wet and warm, shivers down my spine. I pray.