30 minutes later, Hlomla is at the hospital staring at her once beautiful wife lying in bed, covered by white bandages. Mr Mnci and Vuvu walk in quietly.
” Is she going to be okay son? ” asks concerned Mr Mnci.
” I pray so! I am not prepared to be a widower. “
” What happened exactly? “
” Apparently, she was getting hot and sweating in the office. And a fire occurred out of nowhere and burnt her only. Her work files and everything didn’t catch fire. “
” This is definitely uvutha! ” The old man whistles and shakes his head in disbelief.
” What is uvutha tata? ” asks Vuyelwa.
” It’s fire that is sent by witches to someone else. She is lucky that she is still breathing. “
” Who would do that to Lumka? She is a people’s person! She is committed to the community! “
” Maybe she stepped into someone’s dangerous toes, she is an investigating officer after all. ” says Vuvu.
” Or a blood relative. ” Mr Mnci stares at Vuvu.
Vuvu walks out of the ward nervously, avoiding eye contact with Mr Mnci. She is feeling guilty for playing a part in get rid of Lumka. She recalls the good times they had together, how she used to cover up for her when she was out with boys. The tea parties they had under the oak tree. The tension in the house never affected their relationship and Lumka never judged how she chose to live her life. Pandemonium broke out at the passage as she fell down, blood was flowing from her mouth and nose.
” She has been shot! ” yells one of the nurses.
” Tell the security team to block all the entrances! “
” How come we didn’t see a thug here? ” asks nurse Mbatha.
” He is probably disguised as a doctor or a nurse! “