[

THESLAVEGI
RL

I
NTRODUCTI
ON

HELLO ev
eryoneam j adadlaminiam agir
l
borni
nthefamil
yoft wo"am thefir
stbornjada
thenmyyoungersist
eri somuhlet hat
'
smy
mother
'snamet oo.
Iwasnamedaftermyfat
herwhi
lemylit
tl
e
sist
erwasnamedaft
ermymother
,tal
kofthe
twolovebi
rdsmyparent
sloveeachot
heral
ot
.
WhenIgrowupi wantt
ohav eamant hatis
goi
ngtol ov
emel i
kemyf atherl
ove'
smy
mother
"thenIwanttol
ivehappil
yeverafter.
Icomef r
om amiddlecl
assfamilywer e
happinessisever
ythi
ngunt i
lmyf at
her
receiv
edaphonecal lf
rom hi
sf r
iendinRwanda
sayingtherei
sajobopportunit
yt hatpaysv
ery
welliti
ncl
udesf
reeaccommodati
on,car
,
medicalai
dandyourki
d'sgett
ogotot
hebest
schoolsi
ntown .
Myfat
herappli
edfort
hej
obandi
nknowt
ime
hewasgi
venthejob.
Wemov edt
oRwanda thecit
yofKigal
iwhere
weli
vedinabeaut
if
ulbi
ghouseeveryt
hing
wasper
fect.
Butthiscount
ryhadonebadsi
dewhi
chi
s
tr
ibal
ism i
t'
sveryhi
gh.
Omuhl eandIareonl yay earapartwefight
alotbutIlov
emyy oungersist
eralotal
thoughI
somet i
meswi shshewasaboy ,
Iwantto
experi
encehav i
ngababybr otherbecause
havingasist
eri sbori
ng.
Isti
llremembermyhomei nmpumal anga
provincev erywel
l,ourfarm housewas
perfectmyf at
her
'smotherwhoi smy
grandmot hermov edt
oourf arm she'
snow
stayingthere.
Imi
ssmyf ri
endsbutam now usedt
o
Rwanda.
..
..
..
..
..
..
..
..
..
..
..
..
..
..
..
..
..
..
..
.

In1994i wi
l
lneverfor
getthi
syeart
heyearthat
changedmylif
efrom ahappyki
dtoali
ving
corpse.
Her
eismystor
y70%ofthisstor
yistr
uewhi
l
e
t
heother30%i
sjustmyi
maginat
ion.

Don'
tfor
gettol
i
ke,
commetandshar
eit
meansalot
.
[
06/
12,
12:
50]Ron:
THESLAVEGI
RL

#2

Aft
eramont hofworki
ngomuhlef al
lsi
ck,
shewasshaki
ngandcryingmylit
tl
esist
er
hadafev
erIdidn'
tknowanyt
hingabout
t
radi
ti
onal
medi
cines.
ForamomentIfelthast
houghIwasgoingto
l
osemyl i
tt
lesi
ster"
ther
easonIwant
edt o
ret
urnhomesafeandsoundwasbecauseof
her.
Duri
ngourjourneyi twaslikeeachmanf or
hi
mselfbutGodf orusal l,nobodycar
edt o
evenhelpmeomuhl ewasnowv omiti
ngblood
outofthethousandst hatwewer eeveryone
passedli
ket heydidn'tseemeatal l
.
Am onl
y7year
'soldmyl i
tt
lesist
eris6year
s
ol
dmyst r
engt
hf i
nishedifel
thelpl
ess
me:
yougoi
ngt
obej
ustf
ine.
Il
aydownnextt oheri
nt hegr
assthen
cover
edherwi t
hmyj acketist
art
edsi
ngi
ng
songstohershecl
osedherey e'
s.
Tosaythetruthidon'
tknowwhatthi
s
si
cknessreall
yisimeanv omi
ti
ngbl
ood?
Omuhl
etal
ki
ngi
nal
owv
oicej
adasoi
fIdi
e
ri
ghtnow am Igoi
ngt
omeetmum anddadi
n
heavenli
keyoualwayssay
?
Jada:don'
tsayt
haty
ougot
oheav
enoneday
butnotnow.
Omuhle: butam seei
ngt
heopengateswi
th
bri
ghtl
ightsdadandmum arecal
l
ingmecan'
t
youseethem?
Jada:(
shouti
ng)NOOMUHLETELLTHEM TO
GOTHEYCAN' TTAKEYOU.br eaki
ngdown
youal
lIhavelefttheycan'
ttakeyoufr
om me
NOshecriedbitt
erl
y.
Omuhle'
seye'
swentupshest
art
edst
ret
chi
ng
l
ikeachi
ckenabutt
odi
e.
Iruntotheroadli
vi
ngheri
nthebushesIthen
scream ontoofmyv oi
cesomebodyhel
pme
mysi st
erisdyi
ng.
Butever
yonewasbusymov i
ngtheyl
ookedat
mel i
keIwascr
azyitwasli
keIl
ostmymind
theymademefeelcrazy
.
Icr
iedl
etti
ngmybodyf al
ltothegroundf
ora
momentIfeltdefeat
edthereasonformy
l
ivi
ngwasbeent akenawayfrom meatthe
ageof7year'
s.
Istoodupandl
ookedatt
heskyi
wassuper
angry.
Me: uwanttotakehergoaheadandt akeher"
youv er
ywellknow thatIwasgoingt
ot akeher
backhomesaf eandsound,sonowy outaki
ng
herfrom mesot hatIl
ivewi
ththegui
ltofnot
taki
ngcareofher .
Youwantmetosayif
ail
edt
hepr
omi
seImade
tomylat
epar
ents.
Ihaveseenwor seandt hi
sisnothingIwi
l
l
waitforhert
orotthencarr
yherbonesand
burr
yherhomet hat
'showbravei am.
Shewassayingal
lthi
swhi
l
ecr
yingandt
alki
ng
ontopofhervoi
ce.
Shet
hensatdowndef
eat
edandcl
osedher
eye'
saftersometi
mesheheardtheli
on'
srow
wereomuhlewas,peopl
ewererunni
ngaway
butjadawasrunni
ngtothel
i
on'
s.
Jada:
seewhowegother
e.
Thel
ionst
artedmov
ingt
ohershest
oodst
il
l
wai
ti
ngfortheli
ont
oeather
.
Bef
oresheknewi
tthel
i
onf
all
deadi
nfr
ontof
her
.
Jada: i
sthatev
enpossi
ble?
Voice:oohy
esi
tispossi
blewi
thanAf
ri
can
accent
.
Shetur
nedtolookitwasaboyhel
ooked15
year
soldheactual
l
ykill
edt
heli
onwit
hhis
spar
e.
Me:
am j
ada.
Boy:am ROHI
D.
Me:
thanky
ouf
orsav
ingmyl
i
fey
ouknow.
ROHI
D:i
tisapl
easur
ebecauseIsav
edher
t
oopoi
nti
ngatomuhl
e.
Ilookedatmyli
ttl
esist
ershel
ookedst
rong
l
ikenothi
ngeverhappenedt
oher.
Lolir
untoherthenhuggedhersoti
ght
omuhl
eIthoughty oul
eftmeIthoughtyou
gone wi
thmum anddad.
Omuhle:
laughi
ngnocr
yingbecauseam her
e
now.
Jadawipi
nghert
ear
swhi
l
elaughi
ngur
ight
youher
enow.
ROHID wi
thhi
sAfr
icanaccentthi
sisf
oody
ou
know l
ooki
ngatt
hedeadlion.
Omuhl
e:laughi
ngt hi
spl
aceweateadog
t
hensandthengrassnowit
'sal
i
on.
ROHID wearegoi
ngtoeatthisal
lby
our
sel
vesit'
sGodforusal
leachmanfor
hi
mself.
Jada:howdi
dyourevi
veomuhle?Shewas
dyi
ng?Orshoul
dIsayshewasdead.
ROHID Iheardyouscr
eamingintheroadsoI
deci
dedtotrysomeleavesmymot herusedon
myli
ttl
ebrotherhehadthi
ssickness.
Jada:
youmeanomuhl
eissi
ck.
ROHID:don'
tworryam her
ewi
thy
ouso
not
hingwellhappent
oher.
Let'
skeepwal kingheputomuhleonhi sback
wecont inuedwalki
ng"ifImostsayROHI Dis
ver
yki ndamongstev er
yonehereit
'snowthatI
understandthemot oeachmanf orhimsel
fbut
Godf orusall.
Omuhl
e:Whatabutt
hel
i
onhi
sfoodr
ight
?
ROHID:
laughi
ngt heymostbemanymor
ein
her
ewecan'tstay
.
Jada:
yay
our
ight
.
Omuhle:mymot herusedtosayl
i
feinthe
j
ungleisnoteasyit'
seit
heryoueatorget
eat
en.
ROHI
Dlaughi
ngsowhydi
dsheusedt
osay
t
hat?
Jada:
becauseomuhlewant
edt
obeazebr
a
wenshewas3y ear
sold.
ROHID:somissomuhledidshegi
veyout
ips
ofhow t
oli
veinthej
ungl
ehasazebra?
Omuhlel
aughingy
esshesai
dIshoul
dbea
l
ionessonl
ythenIcanr
ulet
hej
ungl
e.
ROHID:
soher
eist
hepl
ani
fwewantt
ost
ay
al
iv
e.
(
1)wedon'
tst
ayatt
heback.
(
2)don'
tbeatt
hef
ront
.
(
3)l
eastbet
oget
herandbehav
eli
keal
i
oness

Jada:i
t'
sadeal .butdon'
tyouhav
eany
brot
herorsi
steroranyrel
ati
ve?
ROHID:am theonlysur
vivi
ngmemberofmy
fami
ly,myfatherwasami ni
sterweli
vedl
arge
butl
ookatmenow f rom herotozer
o.
Jada:theyhavethesomespil
l
ingyoucanj
ust
removethezinthecomingfut
uret
henputt
heh
thehut
upeopletookfrom y
ou.
ROHI
D:i
mostsayy
ouar
ever
ybr
il
li
ant
.
Whil
etal
ki
ngt oROHIDwemanagedt
ocatchup
wi
thathousandofpeopl
e"i
twasthr
eeyear
s
of
fwalki
ngwef i
nal
ly
arr
ivedinCongoDRCt hi
nki
ngtoour
sel
vesthe
wasteisovernotknowi
ngthemyst
eryt
hat
awai
tsus.
[
06/
12,
12:
50]Ron:
THESLAVEGI
RL

#1

Apl
anet hathadt
hepr esi
dentofRwandaand
t
hepresi
dentofBurundicrashed.
I
twasthent
hatt
hewarstar
tedinthecountr
y
t
ri
bal
i
sm wasabigpr
oblem athandtheplane
cr
ushgav
ewayf
orwar
.
Thehutupeoplestart
edkill
ingt het
utsi
s
peoplethesear
ethetribsthathadbeefbutt
he
tut
sispeopleweremost l
ykill
ed.Itwas
announcedontheradiothatthehutushoul
d
kil
lthet
utsi
s.
Thecit
ywasful
lofbl
oodanddeadbodiesu
canimagi
nepeopleoft
hesomecount
ri
e
ki
ll
ingeachot
herincol
dblood.
Neighbour
ski
l
li
ngeachot
heri
twasaser
ious
headache.
Thatdayf
athercamehomer
unni
ngj
ustt
o
makesurewear esafe.
Ournei ghbournex tdoorwasahut uman
mar r
iedt oatutsistheall
groupofhutumen
arri
vedatt her
edoorwecoul dhearpeopl
e
shoutingandt alki
ngt hemanwasgi v
enagan
toshoothi sownwi fe"thatcoupl
elovedeach
otherlikeforr
eal.
Themanref
usedtheyinst
eadheki
l
ledhi
msel
f
thegangki
l
ledthewif
e.
Mymot herwasnow cryi
ngshehi demeinthe
suit
casemyl i
tt
lesi
sterint
hewashingbasket
thencover
edherwit
ht hecl
othes.
Omuhle: gi
rl
spromisemummyy ouwon'
t
scream ormoveunt
ilt
heyar
egone.Mum was
cry
ingsowasdadt heyknew t
odaywasther
e
deathday.
Uscr
yingwepr
omi
se.
Dad:ifwedon'tmakeitfindawayandgo
backhomet osouthAfri
ca"jadapromiseme
yougoingt
ol ookaft
eryoursi
steromuhle?
Jadacr
yingIpr
omi
se.
Al
oudbangwashear
dont
hedoor
.
Mum anddadhel
dhandsandstart
edpray
ing
ganghear
dthem pr
ayi
ngtheystar
tedl
aughi
ng.
Guyone:todayev
enGodhasgoneonbr
eakt
ry
pr
ayi
nglouderhecan'
theary
ou.
Ther
estoft
hem l
aughed.
Theybr
okeinihear
dglassesbr eaki
ngmum
wasgangrapedtodeat
hwhiledeadwasshoot
anumberofti
mesinthechest.
Theystar
tedsear
chinginever
yroom br
ing
anyt
hingandever
ythingdown.
Thewashi
ngbasketwashi
tsohadi
tfal
ldown
mypoorsi
ster
.
May
beGodhear
dmypar
ent
spr
ayst
heyl
eft
.
Aftersometi
met heplacewasquitei checked
onomuhl eshewasj ustfi
neihel
dherhand
thenr ant
otheloungef at
herwaslay
inginthe
pool ofhi
sownbl oodsowasmot herwi th
therehandsjoi
nedtogether.
Jada:
dadar
eyouok?
Dad:justr
unhasf
asthasy
ourf
eetmayt
ake
you.
Omuhl
e:cr
yingwhatabuty
ou?
Dad:icanseeopengateswi
thbr
ightl
i
ght
s
yourmotheri
swai
ti
ngforme.
Rememberwhaty
oupr
omi
sedj
ada.
Jada:
iwi
l
lkeepmypr
omi
se.
Dad:nowrun.Hethenclosedhi
seye'
sIhel
ped
mylit
tl
esi
sterupandstart
edrunni
ngtoGod
knowswer
e.
Whenwegotout
sidepeopl
ewer
erunni
ngup
anddownwejoi
nedanygroupt
hatwas
runni
ng.
Itwasnoteasyatall
"wespentt
woweeks
runni
ngIwouldputomuhl
eonmybackwhen
shesaidshe'sti
red.
Wewentonandonr
unni
ngdownwi
thnof
ood
orwat
ert
odri
nk.
Wegott oonef or
estwesawwat er"ev
eryone
wasdri
nkingwatertoget
herwi
thsandsothat
wedon'
tfeelhungryforday
s.
Wewer
enowami
l
li
onmi
l
esawayf
rom home.
Mynei ghbour,Inewherfrom ourhoodshe
j
usthadababy"al lthi
slongshewas
breast
feedingandbackingadogwhi chshe
thoughtwasherbaby.
Aft
erreal
isi
ngthati
twasadogi
nst
eadofher
babyshecri
edbit
ter
ly.
Theni
ghtcamewesl
eepof
fnotknowi
ngi
twas
i
nthegamepark.
Li
on'scameouttheyr
unafterpeoplethey
ki
ll
edt hel
adyt
hatt
ookthedoginsteadofthe
baby.
Itwasconfusinglion'
skil
li
ng"peopl
er unin
diff
erentdi
recti
onsIheldti
ghttomyl i
ttl
e
sist
ershandt henstar
tedr
unningtoGodknows
were.
Morningcamewemetagr oupofpeopl
e
cal
ledthemaimait
hesepeopl
ekil
lwit
hNo
mercyganshootswerefi
redatpeopledy
ing
l
ikeanimals.
Omuhl
eandIf al
ldownpretendi
ngt
obedead
sot
hattheydon'
tshootatus.
Welayondeadbodieswhi
leother
swere
shootdeadandfal
lont
opofus"welayi
not
her
peopl
e'spoolofbl
ood.
Iheldmysi
ster
shandandsai
dtoheri
na
whisper
.
Me:rememberwhatmum sai
dbest
rongdon'
t
scr
eam nomatt
erwhat.
Omuhl
e:okj
ada.(
Whi
sper
ing)
Af
terabutami
l
li
onpeopl
ewer
eki
l
ledt
hemai
mail
eft
.
Omuhl
e:j
adaam hungr
y.
Jada:
wecanki
l
lthi
sdogandeaty
ouknow.
Themannextt
ous.
Man:andi
fyouonfir
ethesmokewellbr
ingt
he
maimaiher
eunlessyoucaneati
traw.
Omuhl
e:i
don'
tmi
ndam sohungr
yit
'sbeena
mont
hsi
nceIl
asteat
.
Hopeyouguysremembert
hedogwear
e
eat
ingr
ightnow.
i
twasagr
oupofpeopl
eyetweal
leat
.
Ev
enthebi
blesay
sthatwhatweeatdoesn'
t
makeusuncl
eanbutourdeeds.
Weconti
nuedwalkingaft
eral ongdaythe
l
ion'
sappearedrunningaftertir
edpeopl
eit
wasabadt hingt
oexperience.
Werunhasfasthaswecouldwi
thomuhl
e
compl
aini
ngabouthowtir
edshereal
l
ywas.

Don'
tfor
gett
oli
ke,
commetandshar
e.
[
06/
12,
12:
50]Ron:
THESLAVEGI
RL

#3
ourstayinthedeepforestofCongoDRC was
hecti
cev eryst
epofthewayIf earedthatI
mightnevermakeitt omyhome count r
y,
thi
splacewasf ul
lofthemai mai thef
orest
wascov eredwit
hdeadbodi es.
Itwasv eryhadf orustoev enbreat
ht hat
's
howbadt hi
swer einthef or
estofCongoDRC
themai maiki l
l
edanyl i
v i
ngpersontheysaw
i
ft heyhearanynoi seev enifi
t'
sthegrassthey
startshooti
ngint hegrassany onethathidin
thegrassnev ercameout .
Thi
snightwasactual
lythelongestni
ghtofmy
l
if
eev er
ycornerhadganshoot sROHI D,
omuhle andInewt hisisit
,werearedone.
800,
000t ut
sispeopl
ewer ereport
eddead.
Theforestwaswit
hmor
eofdeadpeopl
ethen
thel
i
v i
ngone's.
Outofthet housandsthatwewerewenow
movedi ngroupsof3ort womanyhaddreams
butonl
yaf ewgett oleavethi
sfor
estal
i
ve.
I
fyousurvi
vethemai maithenhungerwil
lki
l
l
youbutifyousur
viv
ehungerthenwildani
mals
wil
l.i
t'
seit
heryoueatorgeteat
en.
Ibel
i
evewi
l
dli
fehasmor
ethanenought
oeat
.
Peoplear
edeadev
ery
wher
ethi
sisal
i
fet
ime
horr
or.
Omuhl
ecryi
ngIcan'tt
aket
hisany
moream
t
ir
edifyousti
l
lwannagojustdoi
t"wekeep
r
unni
ngit'
syears.
Iwas6butnowam ni
ney
ety
oukeepsayi
ng
wearegoi
nghomewhenwellt
hatbe?
Justgoam seat
ingher
eandwai
tformydeat
h.
Jada:wi
pinghert
ear
sdoy
out
hankam happy
?
Doesi
tlookl
i
ke f
unt
oyou?
Eveniwantt obeoutofhereandgohomewe
arenol ongerki
d'
s.Wearenowpar ent
stoeach
otherstopbeingababydadandmum ar e
nevercomingback"thi
struthshoul
dsinkin
yourheadnowgetupl et'
sgo.
Omuhl
estoodupl
ooki
ngt
ir
edam sor
ryf
or
bei
ngr
ude.
Jada:
it'
soknow l
et'
sgo.
Lif
ewasnoteasyonusatanyriverwer
ewe
foundour
sel
veswedrankwaterincl
udi
ngt
he
sandtohel
pusfr
om feel
inghungry.
Thejour
neyofmi l
li
onsofpeoplebecamet he
j
ourneyofthreepeoplebeforewemov ed
withal
otofpeopleavoi
dingfr
om bei
nginthe
backorint
hef r
ont,butnowwear etheone'
sin
thebackinthefrontapartf
rom ust
herewas
noone.
Righti
nCongoDRC wear r
ivedint hevi
ll
age
werepeopleli
vedwebeggedf orfoodthey
gaveus"y ouseethatt
hingthatremainsint
he
potaft
erremovingpap?
Exact
lythat'
swhatt
heygaveus"whi
l
esome
gaveusburntdownfood.
SomechasedusROHI
DandImadei
tourai
m
tomakesur
et hatomuhlehadeateneven
thoughi
tmeantpicki
ngorangepeel
sandgive
hersoshedoesn'
tsleeponanempt yst
omach.
DuringourstayinCongoweeatfr
om the
rubbish"wecleanedf
orpeopl
esothatt
heycan
giveusf ood.
Itwasdur
ingwint
ert
imeomuhlewasfeeli
ng
couldsoIdeci
dedtogi
vehermyj
acket.
Omuhl
e:j
aday
ouneedt
olookaf
tery
our
sel
f
t
oo.
Jada:
okma'
am j
ustusei
tfornow.
ROHI
Dt aughtusasongi
nt ut
sisl
anguage
whi
chsayswehav eseenital
lwhatcouldbe
wor
se?
We'vesur
viv
edthewor
sty
etwest
il
lst
rongt
his
i
sjustamal lhi
l
l.
Thi
ssonghadthatthingt
oit
,somet
hingt
hat
say
sthi
stooshallpass.
Wecont
inuedmov
ingunt
ilwegott
olububansh
aver
ybusyt owninCongoDRC west
ayed
t
hereforanothert
hreey
ear
s.
Thenwearri
vedi
nZambi
ainav
erysmal
ltown
cal
ledl
uyanshat
own.
Peopleoft hi
scountr
ydon'tl
ikeforei
gnersatall
i
ft heyhearthi
spersonisaforei
gner"theyj
ust
goandcal ltheimmigr
ati
onbef oreyouknowi t
theyalreadysendi
ngyoubackt oyourcountry
.
Someofthepeopl
ethatsur
vivedandcamet o
Zambi
afrom RwandaandBurundiwer eal
lput
i
noneplacether
efugecampinapl acecal
led
sol
wezimaheba.
Someweresentt
oschoolbutIj
ustwant
edt
o
gohome.
Anungovernmentalorganisati
onwaspayi
ng
mineandomuhl e'
sschoolfeesatmeheba
boardi
ngschool.ROHIDl eftusther
ewenever
eversawhim ev
eragain.
I
n2007i
twasannouncedont
her
adi
othat
Rwandawasnowsaf eandthatpeoplecoul
d
gobackhomethepl anet
icketwasfree,
maybeROHI Dr
eturnedhomewedon' tknow
unt
ilt
oday"
evenifRwandawast obeheav enI
am wil
l
ingt
ogotohel l
.
Thi
scount
ryt
ookal
otf
rom us.
By2010bothomuhleandIcomplet
edourG12
wit
hf l
yi
ngcolour
sthenmovedt
oLusakathe
capi
talci
tyofZambia.
Wewentt ot heSouthAfr
icanEMBASSYaf t
er
t
ell
ingthem ourstor
ytheembassypai
dforour
t
icket
sbackhome.
Fi
nal
lyaf
tery
ear
sofbei
ngi
nthedeser
twe
ar
ri
vedatORTambo.
Iki
ssedt
heear
thwear
ehome.
Mama,
dad.
i
madei
twear
ehomesaf
eandsound.
[
06/
12,
12:
50]Ron:
THESLAVEGI
RL
#4

OMUHLE: l
aughi
ngfi
nal
l
ywearehomeshe
sai
dlooki
ngaroundsowher
etofr
om her
e?
Jada:youar
egoi
nghome"andam goingto
l
ookforajobsot
hatIcanbeabl
etopayfor
youatt
heschoolofnursi
ng.
Oneguygaveusal
eftt
hendr
oppedusatt
he
MTNTaxirank.
Ouruncl
e"mumsbr otherworksherehisataxi
dr
iverwelookedf
orhim ever
ywherebuthe
wasnowheretobefound,weaskedsomet axi
dr
iver
'st
heysaidhejustl
eftf
orPretor
ia.
Iexpl
ainedt
othem aboutmyli
ttl
esist
ershe
needstobeinmpumal angapr
ovincet
oday.
Taxidr
iver:don'twor
ryy ourgr
andmaandmy
motherliv
eont hesomef armtheyhav
ebeen
bestfr
iendssincechi
ldhood.
Am dr
ivi
nghometodayl
i
ker
ightnow doy
ou
guy
swantaleft
?
Me:y
esomuhl
eneedst
ogohome.
Driver:don'tworr
yshe'ssafeeveryonehere
hasseenmewi t
hy ouguysIcan'tdoany t
hing
stupidbesidesyouruncleisfearedherei can'
t
doShi tIst
illl
ovemy sel
f.
Jada:
thanky
ou.
Theyhuggedwithomuhleforthel
ongestt
ime
j
adaal mostcr
iedorshouldIsaytheybot
h
cri
edf ort
hefi
rstt
imeinforev
ertheyhadto
partways.
Omuhle:besaf
ei l
oveyou.Youar
emy
mothermyf at
herandsist
erir
eal
lyl
oveu
j
ada.
Jada:il
oveyoutoonomor
ecr
ying,she
ki
ssedherfor
ehead
Dri
ver:y
ebanat hi
sisj
ozii
t'
sabusypl
ace
andti
mei smoneyl
et'
sgoorIl
eav
ey ouher
e.
Thet
axii
sfull
ofpeopl
ear
ewai
ti
ngf
oronl
y
youbyejada.
Theygoti
nthet
axi
anddr
oveof
f
JadaonlyhadR100wi t
hhershehadtofinda
j
obbeforesunset
"shekeptmovingl
ookingand
droppi
ngherCVev er
ywhereshecould
Butitwasgett
inglat
ethi
sisj
oziwer
e
any
thingispossi
ble.
asi
stert
hati
swil
li
ngt
odoanythi
ngj ustt
o
makesureherl
i
ttl
esi
steri
swel
ltakencareof
Sheeatnot
hingatal
l
.
Ti
mewasnoti
nfav
ourofhershekeptl
ooki
ng
i
twasnowdar
k.
Around8pm shewal kedinaclubinsear
chf
or
aj obtheladylookedatherwithpi
tyeye'
s
mor elikeshewant edtosaysomethi
ngtoher
"butanotherladycameandt ookj
adat oa
room upstair
s.
Ther
oom l
ookeddi
ff
erenti
thadnol
i
ght
sit
wasonlyabl uel
ightImeanitwasst
il
ldark
themanlookedscaryhei
sbigwit
htat
too'
s
ever
ywherehiseye'
sweregreen,
Lady:i
foundthegirlyouneedfort
hejobli
the
i
sarri
vingfrom UK i
nthenext2hoursit'
s
ei
theryoutakeheroryoulosey
ourli
fe.
Jada:Whatar
ey outal
ki
ngabout
?Shewas
conf
usedam leavi
ngshesaidtur
ningher
back.
Bef
oreshecouldl
eav
et hedoorwascl
osedby
2bi
gbodyguardsi
nblack.
Tat
tooguy:
thi
spl
acei
scal
l
ednowayout
.
Helaughedhelaughedsohar
dthi
sti
mey
ou
seeallt
hesegi
rl
s?
Theyaremysl
avegi
rl
stheydowhat
everIask
them t
odo.
j
adalaughingshel
aughedsomemor et
hen
spi
teinthescar
yguy'
sfacet
hensaid"you
don'
tscaremet ohel
lwithy
ourclubandyour
r
ules.
Guy:i
li
keherat
ti
tude.Het
hensl
aptherso
har
dshepassedout.
Phoner
ingi
ng.
Jar
u:hel
l
oboss.
Li
the:
didy
ouf
indt
hegi
rly
esorNo?
Jaru:l
ookli
theyouaremybestclientyoupay
mewel lsothist
imearoundIfoundy oua
vi
rginshe'
sreadytobeyoursl
avegirl
Al
thoughbewar
nedshe'
ssomet
oughwor
k.
Li
the:
ilov
ethem t
ough,getherr
eady
.
Jar
u:sur
eboss.
Theygotjada"dressedheri
nabeautif
uldr
ess
thendi
dhermakeupherl ongbl
ackhai
rwas
doneinanetbun"sheopenedhereye'sjar
u
wasseatedinfrontofher.
Jaru:wr
itedownyourf
amil
ydetai
l
sIwil
lbe
sendi
ngthem R3000permont
hdependi
ngon
howyoubehav
ewi
thmymast
ermi
ndy
ouhi
s
whi
te.
Me:
ipr
omi
set
oki
l
lyoumy
sel
foneday
.
Jaru:oklet
'swai
tforthatdayt
ocomef ornow
youareamai daslavetotheWi l
l
iamsf
orthe
restofy
ourlif
e.
Thebigtwomeninbl
acktookmetot
hebl
ack
carout
sideigoti
nwedroveof
f.
Iwaslostinthought
si neededmyl
i
ttl
esist
er
tol
iv
eherdr eam"becomeanur seforomuhle
Iwouldlaydownmyl if
e.
Am al
waysreadytotakeabul
l
etf
orheri
hav
e
seeni
tal
lthisisnot
hing.
Weareherema'am Ihear
dthedr
iverand
body
guardssaytome.
Thi
shousei
sbi
gorshoul
dIcal
li
tamansi
on.
Iwal
kedinsi
det
hegat
eitwasv
eryt
allsecur
it
y
i
severy
whereher
e.
Howwi
l
lIr
unaway
?
[
06/
12,
12:
50]Ron:
Thesl
ave

#5

Jada

everyoneintheworldissuff
eri
ngf
rom one
thi
ngort heother"butsomeofusj
ustsuff
er
mor ethanot her
s,am notsayi
ngy
ourpainis
nothingcompar edtomi ne.
Regar
dlessofwhatf or
mitmay
bepai
nis
pai
n..
..
..
..
..
..
..
..
..
..
..
..
..
Iwalkedinsi
dethehouseitwasqui
te
nobodywasar oundorshoul
dIsayIdi
dn'
tsee
themaster.
Thesecuri
tyl
eftaf
tershowingmetomyr oom
i
twasv er
yclosetotheki
tcheni
t'
slooked
beauti
fulimostsay"Ilockedt
hedoort
hen
tr
iedtosleepwhichIdi
dbecausewhenI
openedmyey esnexti
twasmor ni
ng.
Iopenedthedoort henwalkedoutsi
de,t
his
pl
acei sli
keaj ai
lsecurit
yi sv
erytough
befor
ey ougooutsideyouneedasecur i
ty
codenumberwhi chchangesthreeti
mesa
day.
Thesecuri
tyguardsweresoscar yucan'
task
them not
hing"Ilat
erwal kedar
oundj
ustto
makesuremypr isonbreakcanbeasuccessi
sawcamer aseverywhere.
Youneverknowthej
oyofseeingablackmani
n
themi
deastofwhitepeopl
ethatyoudon'
t
knowtherenextmoveonyou.
Thisbl
ackguyisagardenboyil
ookedathim
becauseIwant
edtosaysomethingtohi
m ,I
wanttoaskquest
ions,Ineededanswer's.
ButIsawsomethi
ngIl
eantduri
ngourj our
ney
wehardl
yspoketoeachotherbutoureyes
di
dthet
alki
ng.
Theeye'
ssay'
sthi
ngsthatnoamountofwords
candescr
ibebest
"Isaw t
hepit
yhef el
tforme
i
nhiseye'
s,Isawthewhyy ouofal
lpeopl
e?
Isawt
hehowdi
dyougether
e?
Questionsthatonl
yt heeye'scanask.I
wantedt otal
ktohim "hej ustl
ookedatthe
securi
tycamerast henbackatme,I
understoodhi
slanguagev erywellIf
elt
helpl
ess,power l
ess,f oramomentmybr ain
fr
oze.
Idon'
tknow i
fyouhav eeverfoundyourselfi
na
si
tuati
onwhereyoufeeldead"onlythebodyi s
mov i
ng, y
oucan'tf
eelyoursel
fatallsojaru
wasrightt
her
ewasnowayout .
..
..
..
..
..
..
..
..
..
..
..
Iwal
kedt
otheki
tchent
hensatdownona
chai
r.
Voi
ce:
teaorcof
fee?
It
urnedt
oseeawhi
teguyst
andi
ngont
he
cof
feemaker
.
Justbylooki
ngathimy oucoul
dtel
lhi
sthet
ype
thatgrowupwit
hasi l
verspooninhi
smouth,
youcouldtel
lhi
sthattypeofguythatgr
owup
call
ingcol
gatet
oothpaste.
Theguyt hatcoul
daskwhatispovert
y?The
typethatcal
lsraw meati
nexpensiv
e
rest
aurantshalfdone,
If
eltsomuchhat
redt
owar
dshi
m.
Guy:
iaskedaquest
ion?
Me:bl
ackt
eawi t
hext
rapoi
son.Isai
dthatwi
th
ast
rai
ghtf
ace.
Guy
:icanseey
ouhav
easmar
tmout
h
Hesai
dgi
vi
nghert
hebl
ackt
ea.
Jada:
it'
sint
hegeneofev
erybl
ackwoman.
Guy
:am Li
the"Jar
utol
dmey
ournamei
sjada.
j
ada:
jar
uknowsnot
hingabutme.
Li
the:
lookj
adaam notabadguyi
fyou
copyr
ightwearegoingt
obeatpeacebuti
fyou
tr
yandacttoughwebot hgoi
ngt
ohavealong
j
ourneyofdepressi
onandpai
n.
Jada:l
aughingi
sthi
swhatyoual
way
stel
lthe
sl
avegi
rlsyoual
wayshad?
Lookam notscar
edofpai
nbecauseam pai
n
mysel
f.
Am notscar
edofdeat
hbecauseam t
he
motherofdeat
h.
Shemeantever
ythi
ngshesai
dtol
i
theherbody
l
anguagemeantitt
o.
Li
the:
imostsayy
ousoundbi
tt
er.
Jadal
aughi
ngt
hat
'smymi
ddl
enamebi
tt
er.
Lit
he:ther
e'sadai
ryandpensinyourr
oom
usethem t
owr i
tewhatyoufeeli
t'
sgonnahel
p
youbecomeabet t
erper
son.
Jada:thanky
ou.Shesai
dfi
nishi
ngt
het
eai
n
hercup.
Lit
he:getr
eadywearegoingtooneofmy
fri
endshousef
orabraai
"Don'tev
enthi
nkof
runni
ngawaywhil
eatthebraai
.
Jada:
idon'
thav
ecl
othest
owear
.
Li
the:mydesi
gneri
scomi
ngt
ogi
vey
oua
wardr
obemadeover
.
Me:
thethi
ngsyoudof
orsl
avegi
rl
sthenki
l
l
t
hem i
ntheend.
Li
the:
shocked!whatar
eyousay
ing?
Jade:ij
ustl
ovehowyoupret
endsowellMr
l
it
heWi l
l
iamsborni
nLondonjudgeby
prof
essi
on.
Lit
he:howdi
dyouknow?Notev
enj
aruknows
that
.
Jada:
whatt
imei
sthedesi
gnercomi
ng?

Mpumal
angapr
ovi
nce
OMUHLE

Todaymakesexact
ly6monthssi
nceIl
ast
hear
dfrom j
ada"shesendsmemoneyever
y
month.
Atfi
rstitwasR3000permont h"butnow5k
myst udiesar
egoingonjustperf
ectInormal
l
y
buyaput cobusti
cketf
orev er
ymont h.
ButtodayIdon'tf
eel
li
kegoi
ngt
oschool
it'
s
ver
ycoldoutside.
Gogo:omuhl
evuka.
Omuhl
e:hmmmm i
khona.
Gogo:
uyagul
a?v
ukauzobal
ate.
Omuhl
e:ngi
zov
ukango8:
00am.
Gogo:ngizokuvusangempama y oursisteri
s
busywashingwhit
epeopl
e'spant
sjusttosee
youthr
oughschool"andyouareher
et el
li
ng
meuzov ukango8:
00am.Lett hi
sbethelast
t
imey
ouev
ert
hinkofski
ppi
ngschool
.
Don'
tbat
hjustwi
pyour
sel
fort
hebuswi
l
lleav
e
youbehi
nd.
Me:
okokaynomor
eyel
l
ing.
Gogojustcl
i
ckedhert
angt
henwentbackt
o
herr
oom.
Igotreadythenleftf
orschoolshenormal
ly
givesmeR10somet i
mesR20f orl
unchbut
todaysherefusedsayi
ngthatIpi
ssdherof
f.
Thi
sol
dladywel
lbemydeat
hiswear
.
Butthenagai
nev er
ythi
ngshejustsai
distrue
j
adai samaidinJohannesbur
gshe'snoteven
all
owedt ovi
si
tandhereIam abuttoskip
school.
Grandmaisri
ghti needt
othi
nkofjadabefor
e
doingst
upi
dthings"shesayst
hatalmostevery
si
ngleday.
[
06/
12,
12:
50]Ron:
Thesl
avegi
rl

#6

Jada

Mondaymor ni
ngIwokeuptosomefunny
soundsinthehousei
openedt
hedooritwasa
cl
eaningcompany.
Oki dothecl
eani
ngever
ydaysoIdon't
underst
andhastohow acleani
ngcompany
wascalledi
n.
Ihaveneverki
ll
edinmyl i
fenotonce"butI
havethi
scravi
ngofki l
l
ingjaruwithmyhands
Iwanthim 6feetunderhassoonhaspossi bl
e
manyt i
mesIt houghtofkil
l
ingmyselfthi
s
painIfeelist
omuch.
Igot
osl
eepwi
thaheav
yhear
tli
kewhatdi
dI
ev
erdot
odeser
vet
his?
Whodi dIpr
ov oket
ohavesuchi
nter
nal
and
ext
ernalpunishment.
Mymot herusedt osay"Godgi veshishardest
tasktohistoughestsoldier
s"am notok"Ial so
wanttobet oldthi
snight marei
sover.Instead
ofbuil
dingme, allt
hisisactuall
ybreakingme
l
ittl
ebyl i
tt
leatmyageIdon' tevenadmi r
el i
fe
i
t'susel
essf ormet oli
v e.
Butthenagai
nIrememberj
aruIfeelthewant
tofacetomor
rowwithev
eryfi
berlef
tinme.
Likehowmanymor
egi
rl
sar
esl
avesout
ther
e?
Thi
shast
ost
op"andi
tbegi
nswi
thme.
Il
ookedthr
ought
hewi ndowli
thewasdr
ivi
ng
outsowasthecl
eani
ngservi
ce.
Iwenttotheki
tchent henopenedthef
ri
dge
wowIcan'tbesuffer
ingmy sel
fforwhat
exact
ly?
Ir
emov edaful
lchi
ckenthenspicesI
marinadet hechi
ckenverywellt
henpl acedit
i
ntheov enIwal
ktothewineroom thesef ool
s
ar
eenj oy i
ngri
ghti
nmycountryy ethecallsme
aslave.
Itookoutabot t
leofwinethensatdowni nthe
l
oungei thenont heTV r
epeatforisi
bayawas
showingIputmyl egsonthetableand
start
edeat i
ngwhi lewat
chingTV atleastI
mostbeenj oyi
ngmysl aver
ytothisfoolso
muchf oodinthishouse.
Am alwaysscaredt
oeat"Iseepeopl
e
smell
ingthewinebefor
edrinki
ngsoItr
iedt
o
smellitbutdol
olo.
Iact
uall
yfi
nishedaf ul
lchi
ckenwithabot
tl
eof
redwineIgottipsi
yt hehousephonest
art
ed
ri
ngi
ng.
Me:
Wil
l
iamsr
esi
denceshowcanIhel
p?
Cal
l
er:
...
..
..
Me:
okcal
lbackwheny
our
eadyt
otal
k.
Call
er:doyouknow howmuchi
sthatbot
tl
eof
wineyoujustdr
ank?
Me:
mast
er.OohmyGodam soscar
ed.
Lithe:youev
enrol
li
ngy
oureye'
s?It
'snot
funnydon'tt
ouchmywi
neeveragai
narewe
clear.
Jadal
aughi
ngokokaymay
beIwi
l
ltr
yokay
.
Li
thel
aughi
ngi
tgoty
ou"j
ustgot
oyourr
oom
andsl
eep.
LessIfor
getIhear
dal
lthenamesy
ouj
ust
cal
led.
Jada:
what
ever
.
Li
the:
wow(
fai
ntl
y)wow.
Befor
ehecouldcut
ethel
inejadaalreadydi
d
shewalkedt
oherroom andsleptof
f.
Li
theontheot
herhandwasst
il
lshockedl
i
ke
how onear
thl
ol"thi
sgi
rli
ssomet hi
ngel
se
hesai
dtohi
msel
f.
..
..
..
..
..
..
..
..
..
..
..
..
..
..
..
..
..
Foll
owingdayIwentt
otheki
tchenhad
breakf
astwit
hal
ongsi
dejui
cewasjustper
fect
.
Li
the:
What
?Imadet
hatf
ormy
sel
f.
Jada:
youar
eself
ishtheiri
sy ouandIher
eso
howdoyoumakebreakfastforone?
Li
the:am t
ryi
ngsohar
dtokeepmycool
don'
t
pushi
t.
Jada:
tel
lmet
hewast
eyoucando?
Li
the:
lookj
adadon'
tpushy
ourl
uck"j
ustdon'
t.
Jada:ihav
eneverhadl
uck"Ist
oppedbei
nga
chi
ldat7year
'sol
d.
Youcanneverunder
standwhatt
hatmeans
becausey
oualwayshadital
l.
Li
the:okam sor
ryforbei
ngrudeIj
ustwant
mybreakf
astbackonthetabl
e.
Me:
domást
er'
sapol
ogi
es?
Li
the:
her
ewegoagai
n.
Jada:okj
usttell
mewhatt
odot
henam goi
ng
tomakeyourbreakf
ast
.
Li
the:idon'
twor
ryIactual
lymadei
tfory
oui
al
readyhadmybreakf
ast.
Jada:i
sthatev
enal
l
owedi
nthehi
stor
yof
master
s?
Li
the:
jaday
out
alkt
omuch.
Me:
am j
ustbei
ngcur
ious.
Li
the:
doy
ouknowhowt
odr
iveacarj
ada?
Jada:
nope.
Li
the:getr
eadyam goi
ngt
oteachy
ouhowt
o
dr
ive.
Jada:
idon'
ttr
usty
ou.
Li
the:(
1)youst
ayi
nmyhouse(2)eatmyf
ood
onl
yforyout
osayy
oudon'
ttr
ustme?
Me:f
ine,letmechanget
osomet
hingmor
e
comf
ortabl
e.
Li
the:
youngl
adyj
ustgetadecentbat
h.
Jada:
whati
alr
eadyt
ookmybat
h.
Li
thel
aughi
ngbuty
oust
il
li
nyourpj
'
s.
Jada:
what
ever
.
Shetookherbaththenworedeni
mr eaped
ski
nnyjeanswit
hawhi t
eTshirtandwhit
eNike
sneaker
s.Shedidherhai
rinaponytai
l.
Li
the:
youl
ookbeaut
if
ul.
Jada:
iwasbor
nbeaut
if
ul"t
hanky
ouf
ort
he
compl
iment
.
Li
thel
aughi
ngy
oucr
azyshawe?
Jada:
Smi
l
ingy
essi
r.
Theydr
oveout
"thegardenboylooked
conf
usedbutkepthi
scool.
..
..
..
..
..
..
..
..
..
..
.
Youguysknowjadaisfearl
esssot
hedr
ivi
ng
l
essonswasjustper
fect.

Don'
tfor
gett
oli
ke,
commetandshar
e.
[
06/
12,
12:
50]Ron:
Thesl
avegi
rl

#7

Mpumal
angapr
ovi
nce

OMUHLE
Shehadj ustar r
ivedfr
om schoolwi thapacket
ofsneakheav enshegott i
redofbegging
grandmaf orlunchti
memoney"goi ngto
schoolev eryday,ifyoumakej ustonemistake
forgett
heR10orR20l iker
eall
ywhati swrong
withgogo?
Ideci
dedtobuysneakheav
enIal
sot
ake
waterfr
om home.
I
magengoingtoschoolwithsneakheaven
whi
lemyfri
endscomewi t
hr ealmoney
buy
ingKFC,McDonald'
s,hungryl
ion.Omuhle
i
seati
ngsneakheav
en"li
ker
eal
lymaybe
zi
nhl
ewasr i
ghti
needt
ofi
ndmysel
fablesser
.
Shesai
dwhil
ewal ki
ngtothehouseshehad
beenthi
nki
ngalotlat
elyseei
ngyoungl
adi
es
l
ooksuperamazing"t
heyareusing
smart
phonesyetshehadnophone.
Ifor
gottoment i
onuncleBobmyl at
emot her'
s
brotherhi
salwaysonmycaseIcan' tbr
eathhe
alwayswantsmet obestudyi
ngnoboy fr
iend'
s
atwhatageexactlyar
etheygoingtoall
owme
tohav eaboyf
ri
end?
Sheopenedt
hedoortoherroom andsl
ept
ont
hebedwhi l
est
il
lthi
nki
ng.
Sotheyt hi
nkam aki d?Ther e'
sthisguyfrom
thenextf arm hi
snamei sjabuhel i
kesme
andbringsmeor angesf r
om hisf ar
m"and
promisedmet hathisgoingtobegi vi
ngmoney
wellj
abui sj
ustwor kingatthatfarm butI
needtoshowof fatschool haswel l
.
Knocki
ng:
knockknock
OMUHLE:
comei
n.
Uncl
eBob:
hey.
Omuhle:Whatisitt
hist
imeuncl
eBob?Ar e
younotsupposedtobedri
vi
ngyourt
axioryou
areonstr
ike?
Uncl
eBob:i
wantust
otal
kthati
swhyIcame
her
e.
Shesatupr
ightonherbed.
UncleBob:omuhleIknow youwantthethi
ngs
ot
hergirl
shave"theworl
disnothaseasyhas
i
tlooksther
e'smoret
oli
fethenal
lthese
materi
althi
ngsyouseei
ng.
Agi r
lthathi
sgonet hr
oughwhatyouwent
throughdoesn'thavet
osuff
erinl
ifebuti t
'sa
decisi
ononlyy oucanmake,Isaw thatgood
forthingboyjabubri
ngyouthi
ng'
sinabl ack
plasti
c.
i
nourfami
lynobodyiseducatedyourl
ate
mum myhersoulr
estinpeace.Wastheonl
y
personwedependon"y ourgrandmai samai d
soisy oursister
,butl
i
fehasgi venyoua
chancet oeducat i
onmakeuseofi tSome
opportunit
iescomesoncei nalifet
ime.Your
grandma'sf ri
endhergranddaughteri
sbuil
ding
ahousef ort hem ,
makeadiff
erenceinthi
s
familyitallbeginswi
thyou.
Omuhl
e:i
promi
set
omakeadi
ff
erence.
Uncl
eBob:
itr
usty
ou.Het
henl
eftf
orj
ozi
.

Johannesbur
g

Jada

Iwenttomyr oom togetreadyli

theandIare
act
uall
ygoi ngt ohi
sbrothershousefordinner
"butInot
icedsomet hi
ngst r
angeabutthe
cl
othesli
thecl aimsheboughtformet heydon'
t
haveanypricetags.
Theyalsosmell
ofalady
'sperf
umeIknow
how expensi
veclot
hesl
ookli
kebutmy
quest
ioniswhoownedthesecl
othesorwho
ownsthem?
Ipr
etendtobecoolj
ustl
i
kel
i
theIal
sohav
e
myplains.
Iwenttothecarwedr
oveoff
,thethi
ngi
sIcan
onl
yleavethi
splacei
fam wi
thli
the.
Wear r
ivedathisbrot
hersplacei
saw
somethingthatgotmyattenti
oni
twasthenI
real
i
sedt hatt
hisfamil
yhasaseriouspr
obl
em.
Isawthel
adythatwantedtosaysomethi
ngto
mebutbefor
eshecoul
dAr ealj
aru'
sgi
rl
fri
end
tookmeaway.
Shewaswear
ingl
i
keamai dwhi
l
eEthenand
hi
swif
esatdownshesav
edusfood.
Myheartwasbeat
ingoutofmychest
"Sandr
a
wasgivi
ngmethatlookt
hat'
ssay
senjoywhi
le
youcan.
Ichooset
oignor
ethesi
gnal
.
AfterdinnerSandra, l
i
theandEthenmov edt
o
outoft hetabl
eallt
hiswhil
eselinawas
standingwaiti
ngforlef
tover'
siaskedherto
seatdownshewaseat ingl
ikesomeonet hat
hasnoteat eninyear
's.
Sel
ina:WhateverIt
ell
youj
ustkeepsmi
l
ing
andlaughi
ng.
JadaSmi
l
ingok.
Seli
na:youarethet
hir
dwomanwear
ingt
hat
dresst
hisyear
.
Jada:
laughi
ngoohmygoodness.
Sel
i
na:
don'
tgett
ooexci
tedi
t'
sat
rap.
Jada: l
aughingi
alway
shadaf
eel
i
nghi
sa
greatdevi
l.
Seli
na:star
tlooki
ngforwaysandmeansy
ou
needtorunawayy oust
il
lyoung.
Jada:
Smi
l
ingoohy
esr
unni
ngi
sver
ygoodf
or
t
hebodyy
ouknow?
Seli
na:
ifyouev
ergetachancet
oleav
epl
ease
rememberme.
Jada:
withever
ybreat
hinmeIpr
omi
set
o
comebackforyou.
Sel
i
na:
laughi
ngwhi
l
eeat
ingIhav
efai
thi
nyou.
Jada:
whatabutt
hecamer
as?Shel
aughed.
Sel
i
na:
Smi
l
ingt
hisonei
snotwor
king.
Lit
helaughi
ngl
ooksl
ikey
ouhavingagreatt
ime
youhavebeenl
aughi
ngsincewelef
t.
Jada:
laughi
ngshe'
ssof
unny
"shawe?
Li
the:
yasur
e.
Theydr
ovebackhomewithj
adat
hinki
ngdeep
wit
hasmileonherf
ace.
[
06/
12,
12:
50]Ron:
Thesl
avegi
rl

#8
Jada

Iwokeupi nt henightandmov edt hebedi

j
ustwant edtoseei fIcouldfindsomet hi
ng"
am onagr eatmissi
onwhi chIneedt o
accomplishunderanyci r
cumst ancesIf ound
outthatl
itheisajudge"it'
sliket heladythat
washer ebef or
ewaswr i
tt
endownt hingson
thewallusingapenci l,giv
ingt henextv i
cti
m
astart
erpack.
Thewrit
ingwasnotver
yvi
sibl
eitt
akea
genui
nostoreadt
his.
Isaw l
atter
'sfr
om AtoZt heyal
lwerewr
it
ten
i
ndiff
erentplacesli
keIsaiditt
akesa
genui
nost oreadthi
s.
Thi
spersonwaswr
it
tendownt
hepl
ainoft
his
house.
Idon'
twantt
obei
nahur
ryi
fIdon'
ttakemy
t
imeam goi
ngt
orui
nsomeone'
selse'shard
wor
k"shemosthav
eworkedhar
df orthi
s.
Ihav
etwopl
ainsr
ightnow.
I
fpl
ain(
A)f
ail
edam usi
ngpl
ain(B)
Isatdownandst art
edstudyi
ngthe
alphabeti
calorderi cl
osedmyeye'stry
ingto
fi
gureoutwhatshehadi nmindwhil
ewr iti
ng
thisi
fAi ssymbol i
singentr
ancewhatisB?To
catchathiefyoumostt hi
nkli
keone.This
housei ssuperbig.
YouneedaGPSt
ogetar
oundher
e.
Istoodupandlookedcl
osel
yBi
stheki
tchen
thecisact
ual
l
ymyr oom.
Wowt hi
sladydeservesatr
ophy"Dwast he
l
ongestofall
thelat
ter'
sittur
nsleftIt
hinkthis
mostbethelefthi
ghwayshe'stalki
ngabout .
Isatdowntr
yingtof
igur
eoutwhi
chpl
acei
s
outofthecamerasreach.
Ther
e'sonet
hingt
hatnev
erl
i
esi
nthi
swor
ld(
1)
camera'
snev
erl
i
etheyt
ell
thi
ngshast
heysaw
them.
IfImostst
artmypri
sonbreaki
mostmake
surethecamerasdon'
tseemeatal
l
.
Theymostbet
hosehar
dtor
eachpl
acesf
or
camer
as.
IfIdon'
tleav
ethi
splaceali
veam kil
li
nglit
he
withmyownhandst henkil
lmy sel
fbutthi
s
onlyhappensaft
eromuhleisdonewithher
studi
es.
Iwentbackt
osl eepplanBremainsamy st
ery
wegoingtofoundouttoget
herlolthi
sis
gonnabefunlet'
splayMrWi l
l
iams.

Li
the:

Knockknock.
Jada:
what
?
Li
the:
breakf
asti
sready
.
Me:oohthati
ssokindofy
ou.Shewenttot
he
ki
tchent
herewasnofoodi
ntheki
tchen.
Jada:
Athen?
Lit
he:y
oumaki
ngbreakf
astyounott
heboss
l
adyIcan'
tbemaki
ngbreakf
astev
ery
dayfor
you.
Jada:
nicemov
eMrWi
l
li
amsl
et'
spl
ay.
Lit
helaughingi don'
tunder
standyou"i
t'
sli
ke
yourheart,mindandf acearehav
ingaseri
ous
misunderst
anding.
Jada:
meani
ng?
Li
the:
yourf
acei
sver
yhumbl
ever
yinnocent.
Themindit
'sver
ydi
ff
icul
tforonet
oknowwhat
youar
ethi
nking.
Heartnomatterhowy
ouacti
hav
eaf
eel
i
ng
youhaveagood.
Butyourhear
t,mindandfacedon'
twork
toget
hertheydon'tactl
i
ketheycoul
dever
worktoget
her.
Yourmout
hyouspeakcal
mlybutwi
thaut
hor
it
y
.
Jada:
ust
udy
ingt
hewr
ongbookt
ryhar
der
.
Li
the:
doy
oupl
anonki
l
li
ngme?
Jada:l
aughi
nggi venachanceIwoul
dstar
t
wit
hyou"butam nothear
tl
essl
iket
heWil
l
iams.
Li
the:
doy
ouknowhowt
ouseagun?
Jada:
nope.
Li
thel
aughi
nghowabuti
teachy
out
oday
.
Jada:thatwoul
dbenicebutdoy out
eachal
l
thesl
avegirl
soram t
heluckyone?
l
it
he:t
here'
ssomet
hingabouty
oui
can'
tget
myhandsonit
.
Jadalaughi
ngfindi
toutshesai
dputt
ingt
he
foodonthetabl
etheybot
hatetal
ki
ngand
l
aughi
ng.
Theywenti
nthewoodsli
thegav
ejadathegun
sheimagi
nedi
twasjarushewasseei
ngt r
ust
mesheshootli
keapro.
Li
theshockedwhoar
eyou?
Jada:ar
ewedone?
Shereadmoreoft
hisi
nherr
oom itwaswrit
ten
onthedoori
nti
nnypenci
lwr
it
ing'
sneverl
et
yourenemi
esknowyourf
ear
s.
Actl
i
key
oumeani
t.
Lit
he:let
'sgohomeImostsayIi
ndeedwas
readi
ngawr ongbook.
Jada: iknowt
hisall
thi
ngwasatestyou
thoughtIwasgoingtoki
ll
yout
henrunaway
?
Li
the:
nope.
Jada:t
elly
ourbody
guar
dsnott
owearbl
ack
andwhit
enext.
Icoul
dseet
hem hi
dingal
mostev
ery
wher
e
Andy
ourbul
l
etpr
oofi
sshowi
ng
Shesai
dwi
thast
rai
ghtf
ace.
Li
thel
aughi
ngwowj
ustwowy
oushoul
d'
ve
beenaC.I.S
j
adawalkedt
othecarsodi
dli
thet
heybot
h
dr
ovehome.

Mpumal
angapr
ovi
nce

NARRATED

OMUHLE
changedaft
eruncleBobspoketoher"she
becameadi f
ferentper
sonherbookshasnow
becomet heonl
ybestfri
endshehas.
Inherschoolshehasbecomeoneofthebest
student
st heschooli
snowpay i
nghalfofher
tui
tionf
eeswhi l
eshepaysther
est.
Inst
eadofbuy i
ngfancycl
othesora
smartphonesheisusingt
her emai
ningmoney
tobuycementandsand"shehasmadea
rout
ineeveryweekendshemakesbr i
ckswith
hergrandmother,uncl
eBobcamet ov i
sitl
i
ke
always.
Uncl
eBob:
Yoohy
aneh.
Omuhl
e:Whati
sfunny
?
Uncl
eBob:
sohowmuchi
sabagofcement
?
Omuhle:KBC i
sonspeci
ali
nBui
l
dit
.It
'sgoi
ng
atR60
Uncl
eBob:
iwel
lbuymor
efory
out
omor
row.
Omuhle:
gogowonbetterbetsowear
efi
ne
wi
thcementwej
ustneedabuilder
.
UncleBob:don'
twor
rymyf r
iendsandIwel
ldo
thatonever
ySundaysj
ustcookpapfort
hat
wellbeourpay.
Omuhl
e:l
aughi
ngt
hanky
ouuncl
e.
Uncl
eBob:i
t'
snothingIboughty
oual
apt
opt
o
hel
pyouwi
thyourreach.
Omuhlescr
eami
ngoohmyGodt
hanky
ouuncl
e
Bob.
Gogo:
cont
inuebeingagoodgirl
Ipr
omi
sewe
ar
egoi
ngtoloveandrespecty
ou.
Omuhl
e:ipr
omiseshesai
dhuggi
ngher
gr
andmot
hersoti
ght
.
Gogo:
inki
ngaay
ikho.
Uncl
eBob:
am l
eav
ingt
akecar
e.
Usby
e.
GogoIcan'
tbel
i
evewear
eaboutt
oext
endt
he
fami
l
yhouse.
Omuhle:
atl
eastj
adawel
lbemeetbyabi
g
sur
pri
set
hedayshe'
sgoi
ngtocomeandvi
sit
.
[
06/
12,
12:
50]Ron:
Thesl
avegi
rl

#9
JADA

todayIwokeupi nthatmoodwere"Idon'
t
wantt otal
ktoanyone, i
tfi
nal
l
yhithome
thatIhavemissedsomuchf r
om my
chil
dhood.
Forthef i
rstti
mei nalongt i
meImi ssedbeing
achild,Ialsomi ssedthehappyli
femy
parentsandIl i
ved, Imissedsi
ngi
ngand
l
aughi ngwi t
hROHI Dtheonlyper
sont hat
stoodbyuswhenweneededsomeonet he
most.
Hecamehasastrangerthenbecamepartof
usjustl
i
ket
hati
tfeelsl
ikefor
eversi
nceIlast
sawhim.
Il
eftmyroom t
henwentt ot
heki
tchent
odri
nk
water"i
twas9: 00AM i
nthemorni
ngLi
the
di
dn'twokemeupt oday.
Af
terdri
nki
ngmywaterIl
eftmyey
e'st
her
ehe
waslooki
ngatme.
Jada:
what
?
Li
the:
don'
ttel
lmey
ounotbat
hingt
oday
?
Jada:
am noti
nthemood.
Lit
helaughi
ngokfi
nechangei
wantt
otake
yousomewhere.
Jada:okfi
ne.Sheknowsbett
ersayingNoto
l
it
heisawast eofti
meshegotinherroom
andgotthel
ongestbat
hever
.
Thenwalkedoutinblackjeanswithabl
ack
gol
fTshirtandblackair
max, herhai
rwasi
na
ponyt
ail
wi t
hablackcapon.
Li
the:imostsaythi
sshoul
dbet
hel
ongest
bathofyourl
i
fe.
Jada:
arewegoi
ngornot
?
Lit
he: am goi
ngf
ormyboxi
ngclassessoI
thoughtyouwoul
dwanat
agalong?
Jada:
shawe.
..
..
..
..
..
..
..
..
..
..
..
..
..
..
..
..
..
..
..
..
Theydrovet otheschool
ofboxing l
i
thetook
j
adaandr egist
eredheri
ntheschoolofkar
ate
andboxing.
Shelookedathim notbel
iev
ingor
underst
andi
nghast owhyhewasdoingal
lthi
s
butshekepthercool
.
Tohert
hisi
swhatsheneededthemost,l
ear
n
howtofi
ghtandl
earnhowt odefi
nedher
sel
f
Sheputinherall,shewasv erydeterminedthe
fi
rstsessi
onwasnoteasybecauseher e
peoplefi
ghtforreal
"it'
snotjustapract
iceful
l
ofjokesit'
satruething.
Iwasbeatenfort
hreegoodr
oundsy
eti
did
not
hingbutit
.
I
tmademer eal
iset
hatthewor
ldisst
eppi
ngon
mebecauseIdonothi
ngabuti
t.
Ist
oodupt
hengoti
nther
ing,
Li
the:
arey
ousur
ethi
siswhaty
ouwant
?
Me:
am notaki
diknowwhati
want
.
Li
thel
aughi
ng:
ok.
Shegotintheringwi
thsomeladythefi
ght
wasahi tbecauseshewasfi
ght
ingl
ikefor
real
"li
thehadtogetint
heri
ngandpull
edher
outshewassuperangry.
Li
the:
jadabr
eat
h.
Angr
yjadadi dy
ouhav
et opul
lmeout?When
Iwasbeingbeat
enupy oudi
dnot
hingnowit
's
myturny oupul
l
edmeout.
Li
the:
(shout
ing)ISAI
DBREATH.
Shesatdownandbreathedshewasful
lof
angerbutt
hebreat
hinghelpedhert
ocalm
down.
Li
the:theladyyouweref
ight
inghaspassed
outshejustfai
nted.
Jadal
aughi
ngoohmygoodness.
Li
thel
aughi
ngl
et'
sgobef
orey
ouki
l
lsomeone
her
e.
Wegoti
nhiscarhet
hendrovetoasuper
mar
ketIsawmayoaft
ersolong.
Me:
buymet
hesei
sai
dremov
ingt
hemay
o.
Lit
he:i
fit
'syoghur
ty ouwantjustwai
twegoing
towool
wor t
hsIwillbuyyouthebestyoghur
t.
Jada:that
'si
t.Youaresoboringit'
salway
s
abutcl
asswit
husmi ddl
eclasspeoplewe
makethemostoutoflit
tl
ethi
ngs"besidesit
s
onl
yR3y ouevengettosave.
Li
the:
gethasmanyhasy
ouwant
.
Jadat ookthreet
henwalkedt
othecarli
the
paidthenfol
lowedherandgoti
nthecarthey
droveoff
Jada:
hav
eoneshesai
dtol
i
the.
Li
the:
ican'
teatt
hat
.
Jada:
justt
ryi
t'
smor
eni
cerweni
t'
sst
il
lfr
ozen.
Li
the:
tooki
tthenl
ookedati
tli
kesomet
hingi
s
notr
ightwi
thi
t.
Jadal
aughi
ngy
ouar
esuchaspoi
l
tbr
aty
ou
know?
Li
the:
am notaspoi
l
tbr
at.
Jada:
prov
eit.
Lit
he: at
ethemay oandf ini
shedit"j
adawas
l
ookingoutsidesol i
thehadt hechanceto
extendhishandandgett heremainingone
whiletheotherhandwasdr i
ving.
Hemanagedtogetit,
beforeheremov
inghi
s
handcompl
etel
yj adaheldhi
shandsoti
ght
puti
tbackr
ightnow.
Li
thel
aughi
nghowdi
dyouseeme?
Jada:
isai
dputi
tdown.
Li
the:
whyshoul
dyoueatt
woHhh?
I
fit
'sl
i
ket
hatwear
eshar
ingi
nbet
ween.
Jada:y
out
hinkam backi
ngdown?Let
'
s
shar
e.
Li
the:
womendon'
teatt
omuch.
Me:
idon'
tcar
e.
Theybothsharedandeatwithli
theteasingj
ada
fr
om ti
met otimeunti
ltheygotint
otownwer e
j
adasawchi ckengi
zzardbyt heroadsidethey
l
ookedyummyandhot .
Li
the:
iknowt
hatl
ooki
fyouaskmei
t'
sabi
g
NO.
Jada:
justR20.
Li
the:i
t'
snotheal
thyIdon'
ttr
ustf
oodf
rom t
he
st
reet
s"hesaidgi
v i
nghert
heR20.
Sheboughtthegi
zzar
dsthengotbacki
ntothe
carandoff
eredLit
hetwowhil
eshealsoatethe
remaini
ngtwo.
Lit
he: t
hisissuperamazi
ngam eat
ingt
hisf
or
thefi
rstti
me....
..
..
..
..
..
Jada:
umi
ssi
ngoutonabi
gsl
i
ceofl
i
fe.
Byt
het
imet
heygothomei
twasl
ateal
ready
eachwentt
ohi
sroom andsl
ept
.
Thef ol
lowingmor ni
ngLitheleftforworksoit
actuall
ygav ej
adaenought i
met ostar
ther
mission..
..
..
..
..
..
..
..
..
..
..
..
..
..
..
..
..
..
..
..
..
..
..
..
.
Shet ookcleani
ngmateri
alsandstart
ed
cleaningl
ookingatanypl
acet hatwasoutof
thecamer asreachandwhyitwasoutoft he
camer asreach.
Shemadesur eitdoesn'
tl
ooksuspici
ousshe
j
ustlookedl
ikeonewho'sseri
ousl
ycleani
ng
hermainmissionwastofindt
hewayoutof
here.

Thesl
avegi
rl
#10

♡j
ada♡
Ilookedeverywher
e"mindyouthi
shousei
s
verybig,butIwon'
tletmy
selfdowncome
whatmay .
Icoul
dnotf i
ndanythingaf teral
lhoursI
spentinthehouseigotsoangr ythatIfelt
l
ikebreakingsomething,ev eryt
imeIgetso
angryLit
hewoul daskmet okeepbreathing
sothatIcanthinkstraight
.
Iwentbackt omyr oom duri
ngt hebreathi
ng
exciseIsatdownt hatwasaf t
eri camedown
Iclosedmyey e'
stryingtofi
gureoutwhatt he
alphabeti
calorderreall
ymeant,sofarsogood
becauseIf oundsomehadt oreachplacesfor
camer as.
Alongt hehi
ghwayt hel
att
erwaslongitt
urns
totheleftandthi
splaceisthestudyr
oom
thatIneverseen li
thegoingto,
notevenfora
day.
Ii
magi
nedt
hehousewi
thoutt
hebodybut
j
ustthefoundati
onIsaw somet hi
ngt hat
caughtmyattenti
onthelatt
erDhadadot ein
betweenwhichmeansi nthemiddleofthi
s
room theymostbesomet hing"butmy
questi
oniswhatcoul
ditbe?
Iwentt ot heroom andstart
edcleani
ngmy
usual,i nthisstudyther
e'sabigexpensi
ve
conferencet abl
ewithchair
stheroom isver
y
wellvanished.
ButIwant edt
oseewhati sunderneat
ht he
carpet"itwasredincol
ourIwasscar ed
whatifLithefi
ndsmei nher
e?Whati fthere
arehiddencamerasinher
e?
Cur
iosi
tyki
l
ledacat
.
Whilethinki
ngIheardthexoxosoundt hat
soundt hatisnormal
lyhear
dwheni t'
sli
nki
ng
somewher eiKeptQuit
eIstoppedbreat
hing
becauseIwant edtoknow werethi
ssound
wascomi ngfr
om.
Il
att
eronr
eal
i
sedt
hati
twascomi
ngf
rom
bel
ow t
her
edcar
pet
.
Irememberseei
ngtheequal
sign'
st hatkept
goingdownanddownt hebl
ackdote.
Aft
err emovingthecar
petisawthesewage
l
ed.Likeisitevenpossi
blefort
hesewageto
beinsidet
hehouse?
Myhear twasbeat i
ngf astandt enmet ers
awayf r
om mychest ,iopenedt heledt henI
fi
guredt hoseequal sign'sneededl i
nesi nthe
sidest oform aladderwhenIopenedmyey es
l
andedont heladder ,t
hisplacei ssuperblackI
couldnotseeat hingt heproblem isIsuf fer
from nightblandnessIdon' tseei nverydar k
places.Ineedat orchtoseecl earl
yi fwateris
droppingi nheret heymostbet heexitwer e
thiswaterisgoingt o.
Butmyquesti
oni
s"wer
eisthi
swat
ergoi
ng?
Ormaybether
eisatwi
stt
oit?
Icameoutcl
osedt
heledthenputev
ery
thing
backt
oitsnormal
place"andwal
kedoutside
whi
leinthestudyi l
osttr
ackoft
imeonlyt
obe
meetbyl i
thestandingoutsi
det
hecl
oseddoor
oft
hestudyroom.
Iknewv erywellifIactscar
edhisgoi
ngtoget
suspensionesalthoughmyheartwasbeati
ng
fastmybodyl anguageandmyf acewascool
andveryr el
axed.
Lit
hewasrightmymi ndmyhear tandmyf ace
haveaseriousmi
sunderstandingIdon' tt
hink
theycanev
erworktogether.
..
..
...
..
..
..
..
..
..
..
..
..
.
Li
the:
doy
ouknowwhatt
imei
tis?
Jada:
NOwhydoy
ouask?
Lit
he:it
's9pm i
ntheni
ghtIwasl
ooki
ngfor
youeverywher
e"foramomentIt
houghtIl
ost
you.
me:
am her
enownomor
ecr
ying.
Li
thel
aughi
ngandwhoi
scr
ying?
Jada:am supert
ir
edIcl
eanedt
hewhol
elotof
thi
shousetoday.
Li
the:
poort
hingsor
ry,whatcanIdot
ohel
p?
Jada:
not
hing.
Li
the:t
odayisv
erycol
dlet
'sgoseatbyt
hef
ir
e
pl
aceoutsi
de.
Jada:okletmegetabat
hfi
rstt
henam comi
ng
tojoi
nyou.
Li
thel
aughi
ngokf
ine.
Aft
ertaki
ngabat
hshewentt
ojoi
nLi
theont
he
coach.
Li
the:
whyar ey
ouseat
ingv
eryf
arf
rom me?
Movecloser
.
Jada:
am cool
her
e.
Lit
he:whydoIf
eel
hast
houghy
ouar
eal
l
ergi
c
tomen?
Jada:
am notal
l
ergi
c.
Li
the:
prov
eit
.
Shemovedcl
oserthencoveredhersel
fwit
hthe
somet
hrowoverthatLi
theisusingtheybot
h
wer
edr
inki
ngwi
nusi
ngt
hesomegl
ass.
Thefi
rstbott
lef
ini
shedthenthesecondt
hen
thet
hir
dt heybothweredrank.
Jadawasnowl i
ningherheadonl i
the'
s
shoul
dert
heykepttal
kingandlaughingthey
werel
aughi
ngatuselessthi
ngs.
Li
the:
imostsayy out
hemosti
nter
est
ing
womanihav
eev ermet.
Jada:
???
.
Li
the:
irespecty
ourt
hinki
ngcapaci
tyIswear
.
Jada:l
aughi
ngwhatdoest
hatmean?Whatar
e
youget
ti
ngat?
Li
the:i
nmynextl
if
ei wantt
ogoonadat
ewi
th
mygir
lf
ri
endwi
thonlyR29.
Jadalaughi
ngoohsomeonel
ear
ntsomethi
ng
shesaidpori
ngher
sel
fsomemorewine.
Lit
hel
aughi
ngandthenIwantmyfi
rstdaughter
tobecal
l
edzeynepwhichmeansherfather
's
j
ewel
l
ery
.
Iwenthert
oknowt
hat
,il
ovedherbef
oreImet
her
.
Jada:beauti
fulname, nowIunder st
andwhy
youhavethatnamewr i
ttenonalmostal l
your
thi
ngs"ifIeverhaveadaught eriwellname
herZuri
elwhi chmeansmyr ockisGod"and
theni
fit
'saboyi wellnamehi m zuhairwhich
meansal i
ttl
eblossom.
Lit
hel
aughinginmynextli
feiwanttomeet
youfi
rstbef
oremeeti
nganyonethenmarryy
ou
andgiveourki
d'
sthosebeaut
if
ulnames.
Jade:
laughi
ng.
Li
the:i
thi
nk.
..
I.
..l
i
key
ou.
Jadal
aughi
ngsor
rywhatdoest
hatmean?
Lit
he:iwishIcoul
dprot
ectyouorr
unawayt o
werenothi
ngcanharmyou"butwhatawai
ts
youonl
yGodcanser v
ey ou.
Theybot
hwer
edr
anksoj
adacoul
dnot
under
standl
i
theonebet
.
Theybot
hki
ssedpassi
onat
elywi
thl
i
the'
slead.

[
06/
12,
12:
50]Ron:
Thesl
avegi
rl

#11

Mpumal
angapr
ovi
nce

4y
ear
'sl
ett
er

OMUHLE

Iam gl
adthatIli
stenedtouncl
eBobwhenhe
spoketomet hatday,her
ei am anur
seby
prof
essi
on.
Ev
ery
thi
nghappenedsof
astwi
tht
hemoneyI
usedtogetduri
ngmyschool day
splus
grandma'
ssalarywemanagedt ofi
nisht
he
famil
yhouseam j ustsopr
oudofmy sel
fthatI
couldbeofhelptomyf ami
ly.
Ican'
twaitf
orthedayjadaisgoi
ngtocome
homet othi
ssurpr
ise"Idon'
twantt
oimagi
ne
howshe'sgoingt
olookatus.
Grandma:am soproudofyouboth,youhav
e
provedt
obethebestkid'
sIhaveevercome
acrossmyent
irel
i
fe.
Omuhle:jadacannow stopbeingamai dand
comehomeal ready"Iwel
lbepayingforher
school
feesIwanthert obewhatevershe
wantstobe.
Gr
andmacryi
ngIwishy
ourpar
entswerest
il
l
al
i
vetoseewhatki
ndofki
d'
stheyhav
e.
Omuhle:wereevertheyaretheymostbeso
pr
oudwef inal
l
yhav eagr aduatei
nthef
amil
y.
Ver
ysoonwear egoingtohav eanot
her
gr
aduatemissjadadlamini.
Grandma: howdoweev enreachher
?your
unclesai
dt hattheboythatusedtobri
ngyour
si
ster'
ssalarydoesn'tbr
ingitanymoream
gett
ingwor r
ied,issheok?
Omuhl
e:am havi
ngabadfeel
i
nghaswel
lIpray
t
hatGodbr
ingsherbackt
oussaf
eandsound.
Grandma:
Amen.Eishwhenar
ewemov
ingi
n
t
oournewhouse?
Omuhlel
aughi
ngl
ooksl
i
kesomeoneher
ecan'
t
wai
t.
Grandma: inev
erthoughtthatonedayam
goingtol
iveinahousethatlooksthi
sbigand
beauti
ful
ngobauyazilokho.
Whati
fIdi
etoday
?
Omuhlel
aughingnobodyisdyingtodaywecan
moveintoday,butIwantbeauti
fulf
urni
tur
efor
j
ada'
sroom tomorrow.
UncleBobdrovei
nwit
hhi
staxiandt
woofhi
s
fr
iendstohel
pwit
hthemovi
ng.
Omuhlelaughi
ngi
khonay
ouguy
scan'
twai
t
l
ikef
orreal.
UncleBob: whymostwewai t?Forthef
ir
st
ti
mepeopl eareusi
ngourhouseasanexample
whent heyaretaki
ngtother
ekid'swehavea
graduateinthefamil
yjustl
ikethat
.
Theyal
ll
augh.
Uncl
eBobtalkingtohisfr
iendsl
et'
susst
art
movi
ngandpl easedon'tl
ookatmynieceonly
apri
ncei
sal
lowedt olookather.
Manana:justl
etmemar
ri
eherudon'
tev
en
knowift
hispri
ncei
samonst
er.
Uncl
eBob:ar
eyousmoki
ngmar
iguana?
Youwanttomar
ri
etheonl
ygr
aduat
ewehav
ein
thef
amil
y?
Mov
ebef
oreIl
osemycool
.
Manana:aimakot
iwhil
ewearemovingthi
sto
thebi
ghousecooksomepapwi
thchi
ckenfor
us.
Grandma: y
ouevensay
ingchi
cken?Weonl
y
havecabbageher
e.
Thabo:
aibocabbagewi
tht
hisheav
yjob?
Omuhlel
aughi
ngdon'
tmi ndheram goi
ngto
cookwhat
everyouwantplust
hebeerofyour
choi
ce.
Them nowy ouaret al
king.Theycont i
nued
doingther
ejobwhi l
eomuhl ewentt ocook
grandmawenti nsi
det hefarmt owat erher
cabbage..
..
..
..
..
..
..
..
..
..
..
..
...
..
..
..
..
..
..
..
..
..
..
..
..
..
..

Johannesbur
g

Jada

Forthr
eemonthsnowl i
thehasnotbeenaround
hewenttoLondonforsomebusinessihadto
stayal
lbymysel
f"betweentheloungeandthe
hi
ghwayther
e'sanaut
omat
icdoorhenow
l
ocksi
tGodknowswhy.
Whilecleaningt
oday"Idon'
tknowwer eorhow
i
thappenedbutt hedooropenedi managedto
openthedoort othestudyandwentinsi
dethe
tunnelIfoundatorchl
ightbythesi
deofthe
wall.
Istartedwal ki
ngthrought
hedi r
tywat ert
hat
wasi nt hetunnelalongmywayIf ounda
skeletonint hewatermybreathi
ngr ate
changedbutIkeptonwal kinguntilIgottot
he
endt hisplacehasahugest ronggatewi t
h
somet hingthatlooksli
keawheel beforeuopen
i
tyouent erasecretcode.
It
ri
edtoguesssomenumber
stheal
arm
sy
stem wenton.
Ihadtorunbackt ot
hestudyroom t
henput
backevery
thinginor
derandwentbacktothe
l
oungeafterclosi
ngthedoor
.
Thesecur
it
yguar
dswer
eknocki
ngont
hedoor
Iopenedt
hedoorwi
that
ti
tude.
Me:
what
?
Guar
d:ar
eyouok?
Jada:
hasy
oucansee.
Guar
d:okf
ine.Hel
eftIt
hencl
osedt
hedoor
behi
ndme.
Upontur
ningther
ehewasl
i
theWi
l
li
ams
l
ooki
ngcut el
i
kealway
s.
Me:
thi
ef.
Li
thewi
thaconf
usedf
acel
i
kewhat?
Jada:
howdi
dyouent
er?
Li
the:
sti
l
lconf
used"t
hisi
smyhouse.
Jada:thatdoesn'
tanswert
hequest
ion
(shout
ing)THIEF.
Li
theplacedhiscoldsoftl
ipsonher'
stheyboth
ki
ssedwi t
houtalcoholbei
nginvol
vedthey
broketherul
es,inthehistor
yofmastersyou
notall
owedtof al
linlovewit
hyoursl
ave.
Jadaont heotherhanddoesn'tneedany
dist
ract
ionifherpri
sonbreakhast obea
success"butloveisget
ti
ngI nthewayforbot
h
ofthem.
I
sthi
slov
e?
Whoi
spl
ayi
ngwho?I
sthi
sagameor
st
rat
egy
?
#sl
eepi
ngwi
tht
heenemy
.
[
06/
12,
12:
50]Ron:
Thesl
avegi
rl

#12

●Jada●

I
nhasmuchhasIwanttobreakfr
eefr
om li
the
mybodybetr
ayedme"myinnermekeptsayi
ng
j
ustt
hisoncethenwear
edone.
Lit
hewasdoi ngthingst
omethatIhav
enever
experiencedbef ore,Iwant
edmoreofwhathe
wasdoi ng"theinnermewantedtostopiwas
havingaser i
ouswarwi thi
n,y
etmybodyspoke
adifferentlanguage.
May beIf al
linlovewi
thli
thewebot hf
eelthe
somet hi
ngt heli
tt
let
imehewasawayi f
elthas
thought imewasnotmov ing,thr
eemonths
fel
tlikethreeyears"ormay behe'
snotwhatI
thoughthei s.
May behi
sdiff
erentf
rom othermáster'
sIhav e
beenhereforl
ongnotforadayhasheev er
doneanythi
ngthatsayshisjustpr
etendingfor
thefir
stt
imeinmyl i
feIwant edtoletsomeone
l
ov eme.
WhenIlookinhiseye'stheyspeakthelanguage
ofl
oveatthismomenti justwanttoli
veal i
tt
le
j
ustformy sel
f..
..
..
..
..
..
..
..
..
..
..
..
..
..
..
..
.
Li
thecarri
edj
adat
ohi
sroom t
heki
ssi
ng
cont
inued.
Jada:
lookl
i
theI
...
.I
...
Litheshutherupwit
hakissclot
heswere
throwntothef l
oorther
estr
emainsbehi
nd
closeddoors.
Afterwemadelovel
it
heprepar
edawar
m bat
h
thencar
ri
edmet ohi
sbat
hroom It
ookmy
bathsodidhe.
Iworehi
sshi
rt"l
it
hejustwor
eat owelar
ound
hi
swaistwebothwentt
othekit
chenforsome
snacks.
Li
theki
ssi
ngj
ada'
sheadi
real
l
ymi
ssedy
ou.
Jada:imi
ssedy
out
ooshesai
dsi
ppi
ngonher
j
uice.
Lit
he: itf
eltl
i
kef
orev
ersinceIlastsaw y
ou
don'tknowhowhappyIam toseey ou"mytr
ip
toLondonmademer eal
isejusthowmuchI
real
lyloveu.
Jadal
aughingithinkyourt
ri
ptoLondon
mademer eal
isejusthowemptymylif
eis
wi
thouty
oui
lov
eyout
ool
i
the.
Theybot
hhuggedt hatl
oveyki
ndahug?
Exact
lyt
hatsomeone.
Aft
erhavi
ngt hesnackstheywenttothe
l
oungeandwat chedamoviet
ogetherjadafal
l
asl
eepinl
ithe'sarmshewasbusyst ocking
herhai
r.
Looki
ngathersleepi
nginhi
sarmsmadehim
wanttoprot
ecther"i
tmadehi
m wantt
ofi
ght
forwhathefeel
sforher
.
Butsomebat
tl
esar
ebey
ondourphy
sical
power.
Starti
ngfrom t
odayherdaysar
enumber ed
sorryjadahesaidi
nawhisperthenki
ssedher
forehead.
Thencar
ri
edthesl
eepi
ngj adat ohisr
oom she
sl
epti
nhisar
ms....
..
..
..
..
..
...
..
..
..
..
..
.
Gudmor
ningsl
eepyhead.
Jadaopenedherey
e'sgudmor
ningshesai
dto
l
i
thehebr
oughtherbr
eakf
asti
nbed.
Theybot
hat
etoget
herwhi
l
efeedi
ngeachot
her
.
Theybothtookther
ebatht ogetherwhi
le
makingjokesl
it
heboughthercl othesf
rom
Londonshewor edenim shortswithawhit
e
cropandAdidassneaker
s.
Lit
he:hasany
oneev
ert
oldy
ouhowbeaut
if
ul
youar
e.?
Jada:
youj
ustdeed.
Li
the:
howar
eyourkar
ateandboxi
ngcl
asses
goi
ng?
Jada:
per
fect
.
Li
the:
2904.
Jada:what
'st
hatshesai
dwhi
l
eget
ti
ngi
nthe
cart
hey dr
oveout.
Li
the:
that
'smybi
rt
hdayApr
il29.
Nev
erf
orgett
hat
.
Jada:
oksi
r.
Li
the:i
hopey
ounow f
ight
ingwi
thmenatt
he
cl
ub?
Jadal
aughi
ngl
ithey
oushoul
dseemefi
ght
ing
wit
hmenam li
keGodWWEshouldhi
reme.
Butwhyar
eyoudoi
ngal
lthi
sforme?
Lit
he:adaywell
comeonl
ytheny
ouar
egoi
ng
tounder
standme.
j
ada:
youar
enowscar
ingme.
Li
thetookherhandt
henki
ssedi
til
ovey
ou
neverf
orgett
his.
Jadal
aughi
ngi
lov
eyout
oo.

Gudni
ght
.Ihopeknowoneget
sconf
used
now.
[
06/
12,
20:
49]Ron:
Thesl
avegi
rl

#13
♡j
ada♡

Li
theandIdrovetothesal
oonheneededa
hai
rcutandIneededtowashandhai
rdry.
Thesal
oonlookedexpensi
vet
heyev
enof
fer
cof
feeort
eaorcooldri
nks.
Thewayl itheissoobsessedwi thmehecoul d
notletgoofmyhandnotev enf orasecond,
wef ini
shedwithourhairthenwalkedt oli
the'
s
favouri
teicecream shopheor der edforthe
bothofuswesatdownt oeat"Ir eali
sedthat
i
t'sthesmal lt
hingsthatmeant hewor l
dto
l
ithe, i
t'
snotabutt hemoney.
i
t'
sabutgoingf
orawalkwithoutt
alki
ngt o
muchit'
sabutseat
ingi
nfrontofthefi
replace
wit
hhishand'
swrappedar
oundmewhi le
havi
nghiscoff
eeandIhav emybl acktea.
Runni
ngar
oundt
hehousechasi
ngeachot
her
overcr
azythi
ngsthecuddl
i
ngbefor
ewithf
all
asl
eepthosearet
hethi
ngsthatmeant
he
mosttohi
m.
Helove'
scr eat
ingmemor i
esbutl
atel
yhis
beensay i
ngwei r
dthingsinhasmuchasIwant
tounderstandhim ,Istil
ldon'
tgetathi
ngall
I
know ri
ghtnow i shel ove'
smeasmuchasI
l
ovehi m.
Li
the:
Whatar
eyout
hinki
ngof
.
Jada:
it'
snot
hing.
Li
thelaughi
ngf
rom her
ewegoi
ngt
oschooli
wantt
oseewhyWWEshouldhir
eyou.
Jada:boyy
ouhavet oseemef
ight
ingl
i
ke
Johncenaam badnews.
Li
thelaughingam scar
edofy
ounowt
haty
ou
fi
ght
inglikeJohncena.
Jada:am donelet
's goalr
eadyandwhydo
youlov
elookingatmel i
kethat
?
Li
the:
li
kehow?
Jada:
li
key
ouwantt
oswal
l
owme.
Lithe:ienj
oylooki
ngaty ouwhil
ey outal
k
everyt
hingabutyouleavesmev er
yamused
youarev er
ybubbly, r
ude,cal
m,lov i
ng.Fi
rst
l
eaner,y ouarecuri
ous,Imeani t
'sli
keyouthe
kindofwomani alwayswantedtospendt he
restofmyl i
fewith.
Jada:
hmm r
eal
l
y.
Lit
hewi t
haser i
ousfacehel
ookedatherf
or
thelongestt
imethensai
dImeanitwhenI
saythatIlov
eyou,
Butsomet i
mesev enloveisnotgoodenough
hekissedherhandt hentheybothwalkedto
thecaranddr oveofftoschool.
...
..
..
..
..
..
..
..
..
..
..
..
..
..
Li
thehadalr
eadyarrangedsomeonetocome
andchall
engejadaatt oday
'spr
acti
sehe
wantedt
oseej usthow goodshehad
becomewi t
hherlessons.
Lit
he: don'
tbescaredremember "men target
themostsensiti
vepartsofawoman' sbody
whilefi
ghti
ngamanpr otectyoursel
fwhil
eon
theotherhandtar
getyourat t
ackerssensi
ti
ve
part
s"l oldon'
tki
llsomeone.
don'tlookatthesi
zeofhi
sbodyjustl
ookat
thesizeofyourstr
engt
h"Il
oveyouhekissed
herforehead.
Jadal
aughi
ngi
lov
eyout
oo.
Bot
hjadaandtheguyshewasf i
ghti
ngwith
ar
ri
vedweari
ngther
efighti
ngcl
othesjada
l
ookedatl
it
henotbeli
evingherowneye'sli
ke
Godhelpme.
Li
thel
aughi
ngi
trusty
ouJohncena.
Jadal
aughi
ngy
ouwanaseemedeadr
ight
?
Li
the:
youcandot
hispumpki
n.
Thef
ightagainstjadaandtheotherguystar
ted
i
twasheat edli
thejustsatt
her
el ooki
ngat
j
ada'
st r
icksofselfdefencehewasi mpressed
shereal
l
yi swhatshesai
dshei
sthef
emal
e
ver
sionofJohncena.
Theotherguyregar
dlessofhav
ingaser
ious
muscularbodyjadamanagedtoknockhim out
.
Butshewasal
sogi
vensomegoodbl
ows.
Me:
pumpki
nar
eyouok?
Jada:l
aughi
ngmyeye'
scanhar
dlyopenand
herey
ouareaski
ngi
fam ok?
Li
the:am sosorrylet
'sgohomet heybot
h
walkedt
ot hecarwithli
themaki
ngfunofher
fr
om her
eandt here.
Whentheygothomeli
thewor
medwaterand
usedatowelt
opresst
hebrui
sesal
lov
erher
body.
Hehel pedherwearpj'
sthengaveherpain
kil
ler
'sshef al
lasl
eephethentookhertohis
room thencoveredherup,heal
sogotinbed
thensleptnexttoher
.
Li
thecoul
dnotsl
eephekeptl
ooki
ngather
whi
lestocki
ngherhair"inhasmuchasli
the
wastry
ingtomanupt earscamer
unni
ngdown
hi
sfaceitwasforthefir
stti
meinhisl
i
fethat
hefel
tthi
swayov erawoman.
Jadaont heotherhandwashav
ingabaddr
eam
sheletoutaloudscream.
Li
thesatuprightandshakej
adagent
lyshe
openedherey
e's.
Li
the:it'
sjustabaddream youokyouar
esafe
am here,hesaidbri
ngingheri
ntohi
sembrace
sherestedherheadonhischest.
Li
the:
doy
ouwannat
alkabout
?
Jadacryi
ngsomeonewant
edt
ost
abmeonmy
stomachwit
haknife.
Li
thewi
pesherf
acei
t'
sjustabaddr
eam
pumpki
n.
Jada:pr
omi
semey
ougoi
ngt
obet
her
eforme
al
ways.
Li
the:
ican'
tpr
omi
sej
ustknowIl
ovey
ou
enought
otr
y.
[
06/
12,
20:
49]Ron:
Thesl
avegi
rl
#15

●Jada●

Istoodbyt hedoorl ooki

ngatl i
theIwas
curi
ous bef oreIknewi tsomeoneat tacked
mef rom behi ndhecov eredmynoi sewith
somet hingthatmademef eeldi
zzybef or
eI
knewi t"itwaslight
soutf orme.
Iwokeupi nadar kImeanverydarksmalland
smell
ingroom t hesmallwassobadt hatit
mademybr eathingdi
ffi
cul
tyistart
edcoughing
thensomeonespoket hankGody ouawakeI
havenightblandnesssoIdon'tseeinthedark
Jada:
whoi
sther
e.
Sel
i
na:
it'
smesel
i
na.Shesai
dmov
ingcl
osert
o
j
adashewr
appedherhandsar
oundher
.
Jadawasv
eryweakwer
ear
ewe?
Seli
na: ialsodon'
tknow buty
ouhavebeen
outforthreegoodmonthsadoctorcome'
s
everydaytocheckonyou.
Heal
sosaidyouar
epregnanti
fhetel
lst
he
mast
erhisgonnast
abyout odeat
h.
j
ada:
bymást
ery
oumeanl
i
the?
Seli
:noli
theisJrhisf atheristherealmaster
hehasnomer cyonsl avegirl
st hedoctori
s
evenscaredtoment iony ourpregnancytohim
thedaythishappenedl i
thedidnotwantt o
worryyousoheputsl eepingtablet
sinyour
j
uicesot hati
fy oufallasleephewasgoi ngto
parkyouinabigbagt henputy ouinhiscarand
runawaywi t
hy ou.
Li
theJrfal
li
nlovewi
thy
ouforr
eal
het
oldme
ev
eryt
hingheusedt
odofory
ou.
Atf
ir
stIt
houghthi
sjustl
i
kehi
sbr
otherEt
hen
hewaski ndandallt
henalongthewayhe
changedandbecameaweakenedmast erhe
abusedmesexualyandphy sical
l
yhiswi
fe
al
sor apesmet i
meswi t
houtnumberam a
l
ivi
ngcopsej ada.
Li
theistheonlydif
fer
entpersonint
hisfamily
ofdev
il
s"Jaruisthefi
rstbor
nt henEthenthen
l
it
heJristhelastborn.
Thedayofy ouratt
ackl i
theaskedhi
sbrother
thathewantedtosleepwithmesohet ookme
toar est
aur
antieatreal
foodaft
eralongti
me.
Hethent
oldmeabutyouandthathef
all
inl
ove
wi
thyouthedayhesawyou.
Het oldmeofhi splansofrunni
ngawaywi t
h
you, hedi dn'twantt obetr
ayhisfamilyby
givi
ngy ououtj ustli
kethathewantedy outo
usey ouronbr aintorunawayt hatalphabeti
cal
orderhewr oteitforyouremembert hedayy ou
wenti nthatr oom i thadnowr i
ti
ng'
s,Li the
meantev erythingheev ersaidt oyou.
Hetoldmeaf t
ery
oudiscover
edt
hesewage
youfoundhi
m bythedoor
?
Jadacr
yingy
es.
Hewantedtomakesurey
ouareoki
fyou
scr
eam j
ustoncehewoul
dhav
ecomer unni
ng
tohel
pyou.
Thenextdayyouvi
sit
edt
het
unnel
youf
ounda
tor
chli
ghtri
ght?
Jada:
don'
ttel
lmeheputi
tther
e.
Sel
i
na:
yeshedi
d.
Thereasonhewant edtokeepever
ythi
nga
secr
etisbecausehedoesn'tt
rusthisfat
her
Mrli
theseinercanputsomethi
ngli
keaspeak
i
nhisclotheswithoutl
i
the'
sJr'
s noti
ce.
Thati
swhyyouweardif
fer
entcl
othesatt
he
kar
ateandboxi
ngcl
asses.
Hi
sfathersentstr
icti
nst
ruct
ionssayi
ngy ou
mostnotleavethemansionanymorethatis
whyli
thenevertookyououtwithhi
m anymor e
becauset
heguar
dst
akeor
der
sfr
om LI
THE
sei
neronl
y.
Am sorr
ybutnowi t
'st
oolatetheall
famil
yis
herenowtheygoingtogiveyouaunfor
mt hey
keptmeherewithyoubecauseifyoudieIwas
theonetocarr
yyourcross.
Lit
hehadfai
thi
nyouthati
fyouev
errunaway
youwoul
dneverf
orgetmewhathesaid
Remembert
hedayy
ouv
isi
tedatourhouse?
Me:
yes.
Sel
ina:l
it
hewast heonet hatdamagedthe
camerabecausehewant edy out
otalkt
o
someoney oucantrust
.
Het
oldmethi
sthev
erysomedayhet
ookme
f
orl
unch.
Ihavel
osthopeofevergoingoutbutIbeli
eve
i
ny oudon'
tl
etyourbabydi
einherefightwit
h
al
lyouhaveandlett
hathe/shecally
ou
mommy1day .
TheDoct
oract
uall
yli
edsayi
ngthedrugst
hey
usedonyouweret
ostrongt
hatiswhy.
Idon'
tknowwhyhef
eel
ssor
ryf
ory
ou.
thisisnothi
ngt heyhav eafunct
ioncal
ledthe
gala.Allt
herichpipooft hi
scit
yaregoingto
comeandt heyallgoingtorapeustodeath
thati
swhatki l
lseveryyoungladythathasever
beenhere.
Buti
ftheyfi
ndt
hatyouar
epr
egnantt
heyst
ab
youi
nt hest
omach.
Jada:
howdi
dthef
athernoal
lthi
s?
Seli
na:li
thedidn'
tknowthathisbrotherEt
hen
wasf ol
l
owingusf r
om behindIdidn'
tknow
eit
herunti
lwhenhedr oppedmehomebecause
allt
hiswasbeingsaidinthecarnotknowing
theyputspeakersi
nhiscar.
Jada:
oohmyGod.
Sel
i
na:thekar
ateandboxingcl
asseswesai
dit
i
nther
estaur
antsotheydon'
tknowabutt
hat.
Yougavehim awaywhenyouletLi
thet
akethat
carr
otpuddi
ng"butanyt
hewastehas
happenedlet
'sj
ustaskGodt
ol ethi
swil
lbe
done.
Jada: mybabyandIwon'tdieheret
hisismy
promiseyoucomingwit
hmet hosei
diotsmen
thatatt
endtheGal
aforsl
av egir
lswellbe
disappoi
nted.
Sel
i
na:
idon'
tknowwhybutIt
rusty
ou.
Jadacriedsi
l
ent
lywhi
l
ebr
ushi
nghert
ummy
gent
ly.
Thewordsli
thesai
dtohercamebackplay
ing
l
oudandclearihopey
ounev err
egr
etwhatyou
j
ustdi
d.
[
06/
12,
20:
49]Ron:
Thesl
avegi
rl

#14
 Mpumal
angapr
ovi
nce

OMUHLE

Ifi
nall
ygotajobatkwamhl angahospitalmy
l
ifeisevery
thi
ngIi magi
nedittobe"t heonl
y
thi
ngmi ssi
ngri
ghtnow i smysisterand
meet i
ngmypr incescharmy,grandmai snow
sayi
ngshe' sworri
edaboutmebecauseshe' s
growingoldandIhav enotbr
oughtaman
home.
Li
ker
eal
l
ywhati
swr
ongwi
thgogo?
wenIwant edamani nmylif
eshewasbusy
tel
li
ngmeabutbooksandhow schoolshould
beev er
ythi
ngtoawomant hathasachancet
o
educati
onbecausenotev
eryonehasthat
chanceinli
fe.
Her
eIam wi
thaj
obIputi
nmyall
"Il
ove
wor
kingf
ormeworki
sloveputi
ntopr
act
icei
noti
cehowhappypeoplegetwenam onduty.I
don'
tyel
latmypat i
ent
satall,
ilov
ewor ki
ng
formypeoplethi
sismyt r
uelovefornow
gogowon'tseemeinJesusname.
Iaskeduncl
eBobt ohel
pmef
indj
adaIam
deadworr
iedabouther.
Ireport
edherhasami ssingper
sonin
Johannesbur gherphotoshavebeenpubl
ished
hasami ssingpersoni putmynumberif
anyonef indsheram payingt
heperson
R10,000cash.
I
fshe'
sdeadatl
eastt
heyshoul
dletmeBar
ry
heri
npeace.
Ikeepgoi
ngt oJohannesbur
gpolicebut
nothi
ng,herphotosarepubl
ishedinnews
papersev
eryday.
Ij
ustwantherbodyt
obebar
redhomet
hat
'
sif
shedead.
IwasWoki
ngni
ghtshi
ftsoi
tgav
emeenough
t
imet
ogol
ooki
ngf
orherdur
ingt
heday
Yetnothinghascomeupam superst r
essed
ri
ghtnow Godwer eevershei spleasebri
ngher
homet omesaf eandsound,buti fshe'
sdead
all
owmet obarri
ehergiv emeachancet osay
thankyoubygi vi
ngthef uner
al shedeserves
please.
..
..
..
..
..
..
..
..
..
..
..
..
..
..
..
..
..
..
..
..
...
..
..
..
..
Bongii salsoanur
seInor mall
ytal
kherabut
myissuesandsheal sot
alkstomeabuther
i
ssuesaf t
eralongdayIgotreadyandl
eftf
or
workthisweekIhavebeenf eel
ingemoti
onal
Idon'
tknowwhy"
Icryatever
ythi
ngandany
thingt
helastti
me
thi
shappenedwewer esti
lli
nRwandal i
vi
nga
happyl
ifewit
hbothmyparentsandjada.
Imissbei
ngababyaroundherever
yt i
meI
pi
ssdhereoffIwoul
dcallhermymothert
hat
namewoul dmeltherheart
.
She'
smymot
hermyf
atherandsi
ster
,
 fat
hermadeherpromi
setotakecar
eofme
buthemadeami st
akenott
otell
hert
oequal
l
y
takecar
eofher
self
.
I
fany
thi
nghappenedt
oheri
t'
sal
lmyf
aul
t.
Iwal
kedi
nthehospi
tal
andmeetbongi
.
Bongi
:sorr
yfri
endiwast
oldt
hatt
her
e'sno
newsabutyoursi
ster
.
:youmostt
ryprayi
ngthewor l
dishushmy
fr
iendshemightbeinwronghandshaswe
speak"wehavetri
edevery
thi
ngletustr
yGod
nowlal
a.
Me:youar
eri
ghtsodoy
ouknowachur
chwe
cangoto.
Bongi:
yeswearegoi
ngt
omychur
chour
past
orcanpr
ay.
Omuhl
e: okthentomorr
owmor
ningl
et'
sgo
andmeetyourpastor
.
Bongi:sho!r
emov
ethatsadf
acet
hist
ooshal
l
pass.
Omuhl
e:oohbongi
youar
esuchaf
ri
end.
Bongi
:don'
tment
ioni
twhatar
efr
iendsf
or?

Johannesbur
g

●Jada●

OKthi
ngshavechangedali
tt
lebefor
eli
thetook
meeverywher
ehewentbutnow hedoesn't"he
goesal
onemostoftheti
mehej ustzoomsout
onme,
Ireall
ywonderhastowhati
sgoi
ngoni
nhi
s
head"i knowot
her'
scanhat
emenotLI
THEhe
can'tevenhar
m anant.
Il
ovel
it
hewhol
ehear
tedl
yhel
ove'
sandt
rust
s
metoo.
ihear
dhimtal
ki
ngonthephoneyel
l
ingat
someonef
orGodknowswhatsomethi
ngl
ike
toomuchf r
eedom Ipretendt
obesleepi
ngso
hewast alki
ngcomf ortabl
yifhet
ry'
sanythi
ng
funnyIpromi set
obringheavenandeart
h
toget
her.
ButIknowl i
thecan'
t"heknowsmel i
kehisf
ace
heev encanguesswhatam t hi
nki
ng
somet i
mes,wecookt ogetherwashi
ng
togethercl
eantogetherimeanevery
thi
ngbut
there'
sthi
sbadf eel
i
ngIhav e.
Isati
ntheki
tchencookingf ort
hebot
hofus
hecameandwr appedhishandsar
oundme
fr
om behi
ndt henkissedthebackofmyhead.
Li
the:
heypumpki
n.
Jada:
heysweetcakes.
Li
the:
itsmel
l
sgoodi
nher
e
Jada:
dinneri
sreadyshedi
shedupf
orhi
m
Li
thewaseati
nghisf
oodbutnotj
adashe
l
ookedathi
mforthel
ongestt
imethenspoke.
Acowar
dmani
sonewhoawakenst
hel
oveof
awomanandisnotr
eadyt
olov
eheri
nret
urn
t
hat
'swhaty
ouare.
Thisal
lIl
ovey
out
hingi
snot
hingbutagamet
o
you.
Li
the:
jadawhatar
eyout
alki
ngabout?
Jada:isawyouputti
ngsomethi
nginmyj ui
ce
befor
eyoulef
tforworkthi
smorningguess
whatIusedt hej
uicetocookt
hiscar
rot
puddi
ngforyou.
Lit
hewi t
hheavyeye'
shepull
edhi
mselft
ohis
room wi
thjadawalki
ngbehi
ndhi
m shewas
curi
ous,hegotinbed.
:Ihopey ouneverr
egr
etwhaty
ouj
ustdi
dhe
saidthenclosedhi
seye'
s.

[
06/
12,
20:
49]Ron:
THESLAVEGI
RL
#16.

●Jada●

Ial
waysi
maginedt hatonedayam goingt o
meetapr
inceonawhi teworseandhi sgoing
tot
akemeawayt oourlit
tl
epalace"Idreamt
off
all
i
ngpregnantwi t
hmyhusbandamant hat
l
ove'
sme.
Ineverpl
annedonhav i
ngkidsbef or
emar ri
age
iwantedtohav ekid'
sandr ai
sethem withmy
husbandi nev
erf oradayt houghtt hi
scould
happentome, weal l
hav eplansforoursel
ves
butli
fehasdif
ferentplanstoo.
Am hereabuttobeamum inthemost
unexpect
edplaceidon'
tknowwhatt
odor
ight
now?
iwantt
oloveandprot
ectt
hisli
tt
lehumani
n
me"hi
sdependi
ngonmeforevery
thi
nghisso
hel
plesswi
thoutme.
IfImanagetor
aise,f
ightandeducat
eomuhl
e
Iwon'tf
all
myonlychi
l
d.
Sheconti
nuedbr
ushhert
ummygent
lythi
s
babygavejadat
hewanttol
eav
ehassoonhas
possi
ble.
Thedooropenedt het
wobodyguardsst
ep
asi
deheenteredtheroom andtheli
ght
swent
onautomati
call
y.
Jadasatupr
ightsodi
dsel
i
na.
TheDrwal kedintheroom t
hentheguards
steppedoutsidetheynormall
ycompanyt he
Drwhenit'
st i
met ogi
vejadahermedici
nesbut
theydon'
tstayinsi
de.
Am doct
ormar
kkhumal
oLi
the'
sbestf
ri
end.
Jada:
nicet
omeety
ou.
Dr
:Ihopesel
i
nat
oldy
ou.
Jada:
shedi
d"butIst
il
ldon'
twanthi
spi
tyt
ell
hi
m Ihat
ehi
m.
Dr:herehesaidgivi
ngjadahermedi ci
nesshe
drankit.Hethengavehervi
taminsforthe
pregnancybuthewr ot
eastrangenameso
thatnoonesuspectsthatj
adaispregnant.
Hetol
dherhowt ouseitshet
hankedhim ,Dr
gaveherthel
unchboxandapacketofmash
Mell
onssheeatwi t
hseli
nahasfasthas
possi
ble.
Jadaopenedt
hemashMell
onst
henshesawa
notewri
tt
ensorr
yif
ail
edy
ou.
Sherol
ledherey
e'si
nir
ri
tat
ionshev
erywel
l
knew whoitwas.
Dr:
mywor
kher
eisdoneseey
oul
aterl
ady
's
Jadadoy
ouhav
eamessagef
orl
i
the?
Jada:
nope.
DrK:okt
hisisitt
henheleftthelady'
s
i
mmediat
elytheroom wasclosedfrom out
side
andt
heli
ghtswentoff
..
..
..
..
..
..
..
..
..
..
..
..
..
.
Drk:af
tervi
sit
ingt
het hel
ady
'sIdr
ovet
omy
fl
ati
nPretor
iasunnysi
de.
Trut
hbet oldam ti
redofworki
ngforthe
Will
i
amsf amil
y,i
havealwayswant
edt oqui
t
butam scaredofli
thesei
nerhemightkil
lmy
famil
y.
Thet hi
ngIsli
theandIhav
ebeenbestf
ri
ends
sincechil
dhoodwewentt ot
hesomeschool
thesomeuni ver
sit
y.
Hewasst udyi
ngl
aw andIwasst udyi
ng
medicinebackinLondon afterhefi
nishedhis
studi
esheal sodidagri
cult
uralsci
encet hat
wasaf terhedidl
awhet henwentontost udy
andfinall
ybecameajudgeatt hesupr
eme
Court.
Ethenhisbrotheri
salawy erbyprofessi
onj ar
u
openedclubnowayoutf orhisf
atherhisa
chiefofpol
icealso.intheendall t
hesethings
wor ki
nfavouroflit
heseiner,heget soutof
anymessyt hi
ngheget sintobecausehehasal l
ofus.
Li
thesei
neri
sapower
fulbusi
nessmanbacki
n
London.
Iopenedt
hedoort
omyf l
atonl
ytof
indl
i
the
vomiti
nginmybat
hroom.
Me:
oohhel
lnowhatar
eyoudoi
ng?
Li
the:
justshutupmar
kpl
ease.
hecl
eanedhimsel
fthenusedwat
ertoclean
hi
smout hhesatdowninthebat
hroom feel
i
ng
power
less.
Mark:
lit
hedon'
tfr
eakoutpromisemeyou
goi
ngtobecal
m andthi
nktwicebef
oreact
ing.?
Li
the:
what
'sup?
Mar
k:i
sai
dpr
omi
seme.
LI
THE:
ipr
omi
se.
Mar
kSmi
l
ingy
ougoi
ngt
obeadad.
Li
the:t
ell
mey ouar
ejoki
ng.Youmeanj
adai
s
pr
egnantwit
hmybaby?
Mar
k:y
es.
Li
the:idon'
tnoifIshoul
dcr
yorbehappymy
chi
ldi
stobekil
ledbymyownf at
herhowdoI
dothi
s?
Mar
k:j
ustdowhaty
out
hinki
sbest
.
Li
the:Di
dsheeatt
hesandwi
chImadef
orher
?
Mark:shedidi
t'
sli
keshewascr av
ingmash
Mell
onst hewayherey
e'sbr
ightupaft
er
seei
ngthem.
Li
the:
whenar
eyougoi
ngt
her
enext
?
Mark:t
heyt
aki
ngherbackt
othemansi
on
t
oday.
thesadthi
ngisweareget
tingclosert
othe
monthi
nwhi chgal
aist
otakeplace,youdon'
t
havemuchtime.
Li
the:
am l
i
vingseey
ousoon.
Mar
k:sho.
Jada

Wehav enoteatenatallapartf
rom t
he
l
unchboxmar kbr oughtforme"nowam super
hungr
yIcanf i
nishawhol ecow.
Thedooropenedtheypi
ckedmeroughl
yand
tookmet othemansi
ontoget
herwi
thsel
ina.
Webot hwearouruni
for
mshasmaid'sIhada
waistt
rainerf
ormybabybumpmarkbroughti
t
formet hismorni
ng.
Wewal kedint hehouset hatwasoncemysaf e
heav
ent herestoodapr egnantwomanl i
the
hadhishandswr appedar oundher"Isawa
weddingr i
ngonhi sfingerIlookedatt
hel ady
shehadonet oo.
Soli
kehegotherpr
egnantt
het
imehev
isi
ted
London.
IsawMrlit
hesei
nerandhi
swi
fei
was
sweat
ing.
Sol
i
thei
smarried?howcoul
dhi
det
hisf
rom
me?heshoul
dhav et
oldme.
[
06/
12,
20:
49]Ron:
Thesl
avegi
rl

#17

Twomont
hsl
ater

●Jada●

Thingshav egott
enfrom badt
oworsewedon't
eatev ery
day"weonl yhaveourmeal
saf
tert
he
mast ershaveeaten.
theycookenoughjustf
orthefouroft
hem t
he
r
emainingt
hatisi
f"ther
e'sany
"theyputf
orus
t
ogetherwi
ththedog's.
Themast
ernev
erl
eavest
hest
udyhisal
way
s
i
nthest
udydoi
ngGodknowswhat
.
Ihardl
yseelit
hewhenhisaroundhedoesn'
t
evenlookatme,It rybyAllmeansj
ustso
thathelooksatmebutnothi
ng.
Nextmont htheyarehavingtheGalaam super
str
essedmyonl yhopeofrunni
ngi snow
complicated"thismanisadev i
lhi
mselfhis
verytallandhasmuscleswhenIl ookathimi
j
ustwantt okil
lhim,
Lit
hecamehomedr ankbydrankImean
wastedhehadaguni nhi
sback, ihel
pedhim
gotohisroom t
hewi fewassleepi
ngalreadyi
helphi
m geti
ntobedr emovedhisshoe'sItook
hisgunandhideiti
nmywai sttrai
nerIclosed
thedoort
ohisroom thenwalkedout .
Iwenttomyroom onl
yt ofi
ndmast erseni
or
rapi
ngseli
nabeat
ingherint
heprocessi
boil
edinsi
deIheathi
m sohadthathealmost
fai
nted.
Mást
er:
wowseewhowegother
e.
Sel
i
naont
heot
herhandwascr
yingsi
l
ent
ly
Me:real
mendon'trapewomeny ouandyour
son'
sareal
lcowardsy ounotmenenough
growsomeextr
abal l
s.
Máster:wowyouhav easmar tmouth.Hesaid
whil
echewingmar i
guanahehadscar yeye'
s"
hestart
edmovingclosertojadashedi dn'
t
moveorshowsi gnsoffear,
hegav eherav er
y
hotslapshej
ustlaughedwhilebleedi
nginher
mouth.
Jada:
beatsomemorei
fit
'
sgoi
ngt
omakey
ou
manenoughgoon.
Mast
er:
wow j
ustwow.
Fourofhisbodygui
destookmet oasmall
room thathadametal
objectt
hatlooksl
i
kea
chairtheyti
edmetheream nowf ivemont
hs
pregnant.
Irecei
vedtheworstelect
ri
cal
shocksofmyl i
fe
Iwasscreamingt her
e's nowayIcoul
dkeep
quietIcouldf
eell
ifeleav
ingmybodyi f
ailed
myownchi ldItol
dhim am goingt
oprotect
y
ouy
eti
fai
l
edhi
m/her.
Whatdi
dIeverdotodeservethi
s?WhodidI
everwr
ong?Whydoesi thavetobeme?Ihat
e
toli
veihat
emyli
fe.
Wer
edi
dIgowr
ong?
ihaveseeital
lthemoreIsuf
fert
hemoreIl
ose
st
rengt
ht hecar
riaget
oli
veisgoi
ngoutofme.
Mysweethearti
sturni
ngcol
d"Ifeelhas
thoughGodtooksideswhenhecreat
ed
peoplel
i
kel
it
heandus.
Wepayf
orwhatwenev
ert
ook.
Weeatwithdog'
sonthesomepl
ates,they
makeusdancefort
hem dur
ingt
heref
reetime
wewrongednoone.
Doesmyi
nnocentchi
l
dhav
etosuf
ferhaswel
l
.
Ican'tl
ethimrapeseli
nashe'
smor ethan
brokenshei sali
vi
ngcopsetheonlyhuman
beingi cantal
kto,f
ri
endspr
otectandfi
ghtf
or
eachother.
Idon'tr
egrethel
pingheriwil
lnev
erregret
hel
pingsomeonet hatneedsmyhelp"i fit
happensthatIdi
ef r
om beingelect
ri
fiedIwill
behappythatmeandmybabydi edforbeing
heroes.
Icouldnotscr
eam anymorebecauseever
y
energyhadlef
tme...
..
..
..
..
..
..
..
..
..
..
..
..
..
.

Li
thewassl
eepi
nghet houghti
twasjusta
dr
eam t
hatj
adaisbei
ngelectr
if
ied.
Heopenedhisey
e'sitwasreal
"ev
eryal
cohol
hehadinhi
ssystem expi
red.
heranli
keonerunni
ngforhisl
ifeunt
ilhe
openedthedoort
oar oom cal
l
edboom.
Li
the:
dadof
fthi
sfucki
ngt
hingnow.
Sei
ner:
real
l
yjuni
ory
ounowt
alkbackatme?
Li
the:shout
ingISAI
DOFFTHEFUCKI
NG
THINGNOW.
sei
ner:
youver
ywel
lknowt
hatyouwon'
tbe
abl
etosav
eheront
hedayoft
heGALAright
?
Li
the:
idon'
tcar
ehesai
dbr
eat
hless.
Themachinewentof
f,sei
nerl
eftwi
thhi
s
body
guards.
Li
thecri
edli
keshejustdi
edheremovedher
fr
om thechai
rthenpl
acedherinhi
shands
whil
eseatedonthecoldf
loor
"
shewasnotmov
ingatal
l,
heletoutal
oud
scr
eam wi
tht
ear
srunni
nghisface.
Nobodyhasev erseenhim cryl
iket
hatbefore,
hi
smot herst
oodatadi stancesheweptforthe
fi
rstti
meinforevershesawhersoncrythis
bi
tter.
Jadawasstruggl
i
ngtoopenherey
e'sshe
di
dn'twantl
i
thetohol
dher.
Li
the:shhhshhhshhham herenothi
ngis
goi
ngtohateyouhethenkissedherfor
eheadI
l
oveyou.
Hi
smot
hert
urnedandl
efthi
mther
e.
Lithecl
osedthedoortotheboom room he
thenremovedherwaistt
rai
nerherstomachhad
becomev erybi
gwiththehelpofthetr
aineri
t
didn'
tshow.
Thebabymovedafterremovingthet
rai
nerhe
di
dn'
tknowifheshouldcryorlaughhi
sbaby
j
ustmovedandhesawi t.
Butj
ada'
scondi
tionchangedshewas
st
ruggl
i
ngtobreath.
Het
ookouthi
sphoneAndcal
l
edmar
k.
Mar
k:Daddyar
eyouok?
Li
the:am l
osi
ngjadashecan'
tmov
eandshe'
s
st
ruggl
ingt
obreath"comenow.
Mar
k:comedownam i
nJohannesbur
gam on
mywayri
ghtnow.
Justl
eaveyourwi
ndowopenIdon'
twanty
our
fat
hertoknowam par
toft
his.
Li
the:
shar
p.
[
06/
12,
20:
49]Ron:
THESLAVEGI
RL
#19

Newmont
hal
mostendi
ng

Mpumal
angapr
ovi
nce

OMUHLE

Imanagedtofinishmybi gsi
ster
'sbedroom i
boughtever
ythingIneededforherroom bongi
hel
pedmewi tht r
anspor
t,
Sheal
sohel
pedwi
tht
hedecor
ati
ngofj
ada'
s
room.
Sometimesy ouhavetochooseyourcompany
wisel
yifyourfr
iendsdon'
tbuil
dyou"it'
sbet
ter
tobey ourownbestf ri
endthent ohav
eami
l
li
on
offri
endsthattakey ounowher e.
...
..
..
..
..
..
..
..
..
..
..
..
..
..
..
..
..
..
..
..
..
..
..
..
..
.
Omuhl
e:areyousur
eshe'
scomingbongi?Or
maybeweshoul
dgotoJer
usal
em andpray
t
her
e"maybeGodisgoi
ngt
oanswerfast
?
Bongi:Godworksmiracl
eshi
snotamagi ci
an
hedoesn'tdomagicourGodwi l
ldoit"God
doesn'
tli
veinJer
usal
em heli
vesinus.
Pastormahl
agusaidt
hismonthGodwill
wi pe
yourtear
swhoknowsitcoul
dbejadacoming
home.
Me:
thanky
oubongi
youar
eaf
ri
endi
ndeed.
Bongi:l
aughi
ngsoIwaswi thyourgr
andma
yest
erdayshetol
dmeabutjabuIalmost
fai
nted,li
kelookatyounow"y oual
most
wastedyourl
if
ewi t
hsomef ar
m boyli
kereal
l
y.
Omuhl
e:l aughi
ngt
hecompanyIkepti
nvasi
ty
al
mostcausedmethisl
i
feinowhavebackin
thedayKFC,
McDonald'
st heymeantever
ythi
ng
butl
ookatmenow"Icanbuyany t
hingat
anyt
imeIwantit
,thi
smademer eali
sethat
goodthi
ngscomestothosewhowai t
.
Johannesbur
g

♡j
ada♡

LOLi tstwodays beforet

heGal aand
everyoneissuperexci
tedbutnotli
thehi
swi
fe
can'twaittoseemedead"toher"am her
greatestcompetit
ion.
shekeepst
alki
ngaboutt
hegal
ali
kenoman'
s
busi
ness"
inhasmuchhasam concer
nedshecanhav e
l
ithebutIwil
lal
wayshavehi
skid's,Idon'
t
thinkhi
severgoi
ngtoseemyki d'
sthisi
sa
promise.
butIknow j
usthowmuchhel
ove'
sthem he
hast
ri
ed.
I
t'
snotlikeheneverwarnedme"Ial so
under
standthathi
sstandingbet
weenthe
womenhel ove'
sandhiskid'sontheother
handit
'shisf
amilyhowcanhechose?
Ir
ememberheoncetol
dmet hatsomet
imes
ev
enlov
eisnotgoodenough.
I
t'
severymother
'sdut
ytoprot
ectherki
dsam
goi
ngoutther
everysoonbutam notr
ushi
ngI
wantt
hem towatchmeleave,
j
ustl
iket
hem,
am al
socount
ingmyday
'st
o
l
eave.
Thi
sisgonnabelit
e,li
thel
oadedmygunwi t
h
bul
let
s"Iam goi
ngt omisshi
ml ol
myf i
rstl
ove
hi
sbeensoclosetomel at
elyhedoesn'
tcare
whathiswi
fesays.
Behindcl
oseddoorshewanttobrushmy
stomachandfeelhi
sbabieskike'
shetel
ls
them j
usthowhelove'
sthem al
mostever
yday
.
Il
ethi
mtalkt
ohiski
d'sbecausehisnev
erev
er
goi
ngtoseeort
alkt
othem that
'showmuchI
hat
ehim.
If
eelsor
ryforhi
m hi
sthemostsaddestper
son
l
iv
ingint
hishouse.
Landl
ordmast
ergivesmethoseican'
twai
tto
getmyhandsonyoukindal
ook,
am enj
oyi
ngt
his.
..
..
..
..
..
..
..
..
..
..
..
..
..
..
..
..
..
..
..
..
..
..
..
..
.
Me: sel
i
nahowdidyoufindyour
sel
fhereI
askedwebothwereseat edi
nourbedr
oom
l
andlordmast
erhadourbedremoved,
butlit
hegav
eushisownplushi
sbl
anket
she
checksonusev
eryminut
e.
Seli
na: wi
l
lital
lstar
tedbackint
hedayli
ke6
yearsagoIwasi nschooldoi
nggradeel
even
myf ri
endshadboy f
riend'
ssodi
di"
butmyboyfr
iendcoul
dnotaf
for
dnicet
hings.
soIaskedoneofthem t
omakeconnect
ionsfor
me.
thatwashowsheconnectedmetoEt
hen
Ethengavemeever
ythi
ngIwant
edinschool
theycal
ledmet
hebosslady.
Ihadli
keR2,000ev
erydayIwasabigspender
unti
lheaskedmetov i
sithi
minJohannesbur
g
bythenIwasschooli
nginPret
ori
a.
ThedayIv
isi
tedInev
err
etur
nedhomet
omy
mother
,
shewasasi
nglemom t
ryi
ngf
orsomeonewho
i
sver
yungr
atef
ull
ikeme.
ButnowIhav
elear
ntmyl
essongi
rl
Ineedt
ogof
orcancel
l
ingonceam outofher
e.
Inowunder
standmymot
herwast
ryi
ngIgav
e
hersomuchstress.
Jada:
don'
twor
rywear
eleav
ingv
erysoondear
.
[
06/
12,
20:
49]Ron:
Thesl
avegi
rl

#18
 NARRATED

Li
thedi
dn'tmov ehestayedi
nthatposit
ionunti
l
markarr
ived"thesecuri
tydi
dnotgivehim
st
ressbecausetheyknow thatMarkisfamil
y.
Butthi
st i
mear oundmarkenteredt
hrought
he
windowwhi chisbyli
the'
sbedroom hewalked
l
ikeathieftotheboom room.
Mar
k:(
whi
sper
ing)l
i
theopenam her
e.
Li
theopenedthedoor,y
oucoul
dtel
lthathi
s
beencr
yinghisf
acewaspinkhemovedaside
gi
vingwayformark.
Markcheckedherbpwhichwasver
yhi
ghshe
neededt
ogot ot
hehospi
tall
i
kenow.
Butbecauseit
'si
mpossi
blet
heyhadtouse
somehomer emedi
est
ohelpherbptocome
down.
Markputjadaonadr ipofwat
erwhi
ch
contai
nsenergy"i
ttookthem t
heal
lni
ghtt
o
rev
ivejada.
Markwasv eryangr
yatli
theforlett
inghis
fat
herdot hi
stoawomant hatiscarryi
nghis
ownchild,butwhocanwi nagainstseniorwe
areal
lcowardswhenitcomest ohim.
Am evensurpri
sedhastohowj adamanagedto
speaktohi
sf acebecausetherestofuswhat
everhesayswej ustgoli
keyessir
,ifhesay
s
j
umpweaskhowhi gh?
Ifyouseeev eryonehereyouwouldthinki
t'
sa
happyf ami
lyt heyareri
ch,theydriv
e
expensivecar'
s,t heyl
eavei
namansi onBut
whaty oudon'tknowi swhathappensbehi
nd
closeddoors.
Thi
sfami
lyisthemostdi
sfunct
ionf
ami
l
yi
hav
eeverseen.
Thismenev enabuseshi
sownsonssexual
y
theycan'
tdoanyt
hingabuti
t.
Li
thehasbeenavicti
mtooforanumberof
ti
mesy eti
t'
shi
sfatherhecan'
tdoany
thi
ng
abuti
t.
Hisownwi feMrshezel Wi
ll
i
amshasnosay
abutanyt
hingthathappensher
eshe' sj
ustli
ke
onepersonthatdiedal
ongti
mey etherbodyis
sti
l
lali
ve.
Itt
akesal
ottohearherspeakshehadl
ytal
ks
shehassuff
eredmorethanenough.
Shelooksl
ikeonepr
ayi
ngfordeat
h"li
feis
funnywhenyouneedyourowndeathi
tdoesn'
t
come.
Lit
heseinerdoeswhat everhewant sbecause
hehasnobodyt oanswer
to.
..
..
..
..
..
..
..
..
..
..
..
..
..
..
..
..
..
..
..
..
..
..
..
..
..
..
..
..
..
..
..
..
..
..
..
..
..
..
..

Mar
k:l
i
theyouhavebeendrinki
ngalotl
atel
y
doy
outhi
nkal
coholwi
llchangethi
ngs?
Bot
hyouandIknowv
erywel
lthatt
hebabyy
our
wif
eiscarr
yingisnotyour
sit'
syourf
ather
's
baby,yetyoutakeherever
ywereshewant st
o
go.
Yourownkid'
seatwithdog'
sonadailybasi
s
whenlastDi
dy ouseetoi
tthatj
adahada
decentmeal.
Ifshesur
viv
edthi
str
ustmeshewi
l
lnev
erwant
anythi
ngtodowit
hyou.
Becauseit
'sti
mey ouhel pedthewomany ou
l
ov eandyourchi
ldrenbecauseaf t
erdoi
ngthe
testonhershe'
scar r
yingtwins.
Therestisuptoyouam l
eav
ingrememberwe
areenter
ingthemont
hofthegal
atomor
row.
She'
snowf
ineal
lsheneedsr
ighti
stoeatf
or
thr
ee.
Lithewasspeechl esshesaidnot
hingbecause
everyt
hingmar ksaidwastruehecouldnotrun
awaywi thjadanow"becausehisfatherhad
connectionsever
ywherethi
sshouldhav ebeen
abaddr
eam.
Mark:
am l
eav
ingtakecar
eoft
hem t
heyneed
youmoret
hanever
,
Hel
eftthr
oughthewi
ndowandwal kedout
side
t
hegateanddroveof
f..
..
..
..
..
..
..
..
..
..
..
..
..
.
I
nthemorni
ngjadaopenedhereye'
sand
l
ookedar
oundandsawl it
hehisf
acelooked
pi
nk.
Li
thel
etoutasoundofr
eli
efaf
tersheopened
herey
e's.
Wearehav i
ngt
winshesai
dtojadathenleft
andcamebackwithfoodt
hatheorderedfor
her
...
..
..
..

Lowv
oices

Jada:
how i
ssel
i
na?
Li
the:
broken.
Jada:
ihat
eyou.
Li
the:
inoandIam sor
ry.
[
06/
12,
20:
49]Ron:
Thesl
avegi
rl

#20

♡j
ada♡

THEDAYOFTHEGALA

Sotodayist
hedayoftheGALA"wehavethe
cl
eaningcompanydoi
ngthecl
eani
ngthe
househasbeendecor
ated.
Iaskedli
thetogotothemallandgetmeblack
l
eggingswithablackTshi
rt
,blacksneaker
s
andat hr
owov er
.
Bei
ngt
hel
ovi
ngmant
hathei
sheagr
eedand
l
eft
.
I
mmediat
elyaf
terhedr
oveout
,mast
ersenthi
s
body
guar
dstocallme.
Iwent"t
hatwasaf
terhi
dingmyl
i
ttl
esweet
cakes.
WhenIgotthereif
oundmasterseatinginthe
backofthehousechewi
ngmariguanal i
ke
al
wayst hewif
ewasseatedontheotherside
aft
erIsatdownonthegr
eengrass.
Master:soyout
hereasonwhymyownson
di
srespect
edmeright
?
Jada:
..
..
..
.
Máster:i
fam t
alki
ngt
oyoui
expecty
out
o
answer.
Jada:
..
..
..
..
Máster:youneedt
olear
nal
essony
ouar
eso
di
srespectf
ul.
Hiswifejustst
oodupandl
eftsheknew what
herhusbandisgoi
ngtodo,
soshedi dn'
twant
tobepartofthedr
ama.
Masterwasnowbr eat
hingfir
eheopenedhis
str
ongestalcohol
anddr ankitdownsof
asthe
doesn'
trememberthelastti
mehewast hi
s
di
srespect
ed.
Thegardenboylookedatjadawit
hpi t
yeye's
theguyknewwhatwasgoi ngtogodownsohe
stoppedwat
eri
ngthegardensandl ef
tthat
place.
Jada: l
aughi
ngi fyoust
il
lval
ueyourl
ifekeep
yourpantsup.Am nothezelam noty
ourwi f
e,
trymeandIpr omisetomakeyoumety our
fatheri
nhell
thisverymi
nute.
Themast
erhasneverbeent
hisdi
srespect
edhe
st
oodupandsleptj
adasohardthatshef al
l
.
Jadal
aughingyounotall
owedt osl
eepor
shoul
dIusethewordrape,theslavegi
rlont
he
dayoftheGALAbefor
eitstarts"dar
etouchme
andIwi
l
lrepor
tyout
oyour
guest
s.
Masterst
oodupangryhet
ookhi
sbel
tand
gav
ehisbodyguar
ds
Mast
er:
beatherunt
ilIsayst
op.
Jadawasweptsohardbyt
hesebody
guards
theywer
eev
enexchangi
ngwenoneget'
s
ti
red
Sel
i
nahear
djadascr
eami
ng.
sheRuntower
ethev oicewascomingfr
om
onlyt
ofi
ndmasterseniorisenj
oyi
ngtheshow.
Sherantojadaandwr appedher
selfar
oundher
.
i
nsteadofjada"selinar
eceiv
edthebeati
ngon
j
ada'sbehalfwithoutmakinganysoundonly
tear
scamer unningdownherface.
Li
thedr
ov ei
nandaskedhi sfat
hertostop.that
waswhenmast eraskedhi
sbodyguardsto
st
opwhi chtheydid.
Masterwal
kedi
nsi
dethehousesel
i
nast
ood
upthenhel
pedj
adagetup.
Li
the:
arey
ouguy
sok?
Sel
i
na:
yeswear
e.
Jadasai
dnothingshejustwalkedt
ot heroom
andwenttotakealongbath"Li
thewasseated
wait
ingf
orhertocomeout .
Shecameoutwi t
hat
owel
aroundherbodyshe
thensatdown.
Sel
i
nawentontotakeherbat
hshesati
nthe
bat
hli
kef
orev
er.
Li
theusedsomeoi ntmentonj aden'
sbody
aft
erhewasdoneshet ookther emaini
ngt
o
sel
inainthebathr
oom shecl osedthedoor
behindherthenminist
eredtheoi nt
mentonher.
Theybothstartedtol
aughoutl
oudf
orno
reason,
theylaughedsomemore.
Jada:
thatwascr
azy
.
Sel
ina:haiweareti
redofcr
ying,t
hey
conti
nuedlaughi
ng.
Fi
nall
ytheybothl ef
tthebathr
oom li
the
br
oughtthem breakfastseli
naeatwhil
eli
the
i
nsist
edthathef eedsjada.
Shel
ethim doi
tthi
sispr
obablyt
helastt
ime
hi
severgoi
ngtoholdmeclosetohi
m.
Todayit'
seitherwerunorwediet
yingjadasai
d
toseli
nawhol aughedinst
eadoff
eeli
ngsorry
forher
self.
Jadajoinedinthel
aughi
ngt
hetwol
ady
's
endedthelaughwit
hahighf
ive.
Li
the:
youguy
sar
enowgoi
ngcr
azy
.
Sel
i
na:
youcansayt
hatagai
n.
Jada:
sweetcakesIneedwat
erandsnacks
Li
the:
okpumpkinam coming.Hel
eftt
ogo
br
ingjadawhatsher
equested.
Jadashout
ingDON'
TFORGETTHEMI
LK
SHAKEANDTHEHOTWI
GS.
LI
THEshout
ingOKAY.
sel
i
na: uy
ahlupawenaYekaumnt
ana
womlunguyedwa.
Jadalaughi
ngthi
sisprobabl
ythel
astt
imehi
s
evergoingt
orunaroundforme.
Sel
ina:yowehav eeat
enhotwingsl
ikecrazy
thi
spregnancyhassav
edusfrom st
arvi
ng.
Jada:
ist
il
lcan'
tbel
i
evewear
eleav
ingt
oday
.
Sel
i
na:
someher
e.
Lit
hecamebackwiththegoodsweeatwhi
l
e
tal
kingweal
lwer
elaughingandl
ooki
ng
for
war df
ort
oni
ght'
sgala.
Around5pm sel
i
nadidhermakeupandwor
e
thedresst
hatmast
ersenti
nforher
.
Act
ual
l
ymast
ersentout
fi
tsandt
oil
etr
iesf
orus.
Ont
heot
herhand sel
i
nal
ookedbeaut
if
ul.
Thegal
aisst
art
ingat8pm soIst
il
lhav
e
somet i
met
ofi
ghtwi
thsweetcakesf
orno
reason.
Me:
didy
oui
ronmyout
fi
t?
Li
the:
yes.
Jada:
thanky
ou.
Li
the:
don'
tment
ioni
t.
Shef
all
asl
eepi
nhi
shandsf
oronel
astt
ime.

Nexti
nser
twi
l
lbecomi
ngi
nonMonday
.

[
06/
12,
22:
20]Ron:
Thesl
avegi
rl

#21

Mpumal
angapr
ovi
nce
OMUHLE

Sat
urdaysar
esobusyIcanhadl yf
eelmyown
l
egs"hasifi
t'
snotenoughgrandmaandIar
e
goi
ngforwholeni
ghtpray
erstoday
.
Pastormahl
aguinsi
stedweat
tendt
hepr
ayer
s
thatar
etotakepl
acetoday
.
Ideci
dedt otakeabreakandjustr
estam doi
ng
dayshif
tsot hatIcanbeabl
etoatt
endthe
wholenightprayer
s.
Bongi
joi
nedmeont
hebenchshel
ookedt
ir
ed
haswell
.
Bongi
:am t
ir
ed.
Omuhl
e:l
aughi
ngsomeher
e.
Bongi
:soanycut
eguymaki
ngmov
esony
ou?
Omuhl
e:nope.
Bongi
:don'
twor
ryt
her
ightonewi
l
lcomeatt
he
r
ightt
ime.
Omuhl
e:y
oucansayt
hatagai
n.
Bongi
:sowhowasy
ourf
ir
stboy
fri
end.
Omuhl
e:i
hav
enev
erhadaboy
fri
end.
Bongi
:soy
ouar
est
il
lpur
e?
Omuhle:l
aughi
ngyepi
t'
ssoembarr
assi
ng
ri
ght.
?Whatabuty
ouhowdidy
ouloseyour
puri
ty?
Bongi:l
oli
tsastor
yinev
ert
oldany
oney
ou
thef
ir
stper
sonam t
ell
i
ng.
backi
nt hedayaf
terIf
ini
shmyG12It
ooka
gapyear.
Ournextdoorneighbour
swer ealotofgir
ls
l
ivi
nginonehouse"theyusedtotalkaboutsex
andIcouldnotaddtothestor
ybecauseInev er
hadanyexperi
enceofsex.
Sooneofthesi
ster
'saskedmeonedayi
fIwas
st
il
lavi
rgi
n?
Isai
dyes.
Theysometi
mesusedt
omakef
unofme
ever
ywher
etheysawme.
Unti
lonedayt heyaskedi
fIcouldgototheclub
wit
ht hem i
agr eed"wegottothecl
ubthey
boughtmeal coholIdr
ankli
ketwobottl
esIthen
l
eftforthetoi
let.
Notknowi
ngt
hatt
heypl
annedt
ohav
eme
r
aped.
aftersomet i
meaguywal kedi
nthel
ady'
s
toi
l
etshecl osedthedoorbehi
ndhi
mi wast
he
onl
yper soninthetoi
let
s.
Itr
iedt
ofi
ghthi
m buthewast
ost
rongt
hat
'
s
howIgotr
aped.
Somyadvicet
oyoui
sthatdon'
ttel
lany
oney
ou
st
il
lav
irgi
n.
Ifpeopl
earetal
ki
ngaboutsexcontr
ibut
etothe
storywi
thanyli
tt
lest
oryyouhaveheardof
.
Peopl
ear
ever
ybi
tt
ert
heycan'
texpect
ev
ery
onet
obet
hesome.
Neverfeelembar
rassedforbei
ngdi
ff
erent
,and
neverl
etthewholeworldknowwhoyoureall
y
arebecausenotever
yonecare'
s.
Omuhl
ecr
yingam sosor
ry.
Bongi
pul
l
edheri
nforahugshhhshhhi
t'
sok,
Let'sgohomei t
'scl
osi
ngt
imeforusdon't
forgetat6pm wemeeti
ngatchur
chfortheal
l
nightprayer
s.
Omuhl
e:don'
twor
ryma'
am am game.
Theybot
hlaughed.

Johannesbur
g

♡j
ada♡

Ti
memov
esv
eryf
astwheny
oudon'
twanti
tto
Mov
e.
Iwentt
othebat
hroom t
ookmybat
hthenl
oti
on
mybody.
Iwor
ethecl
othesl
i
theboughtf
orme"
Idon'tknowhowsomewomenmanagetowear
waisttrai
ner
swhi
lepr
egnantbel
i
eveme.
i
t'
ssuperpai
nful
.
becauseyouactuall
ypusht hebabybackwards
sowenay outakeitoff
"thatbabyisgoingt
o
str
etchtoamor ecomfortableposi
ti
on,
Umi
ghtev
enf
aint
.
becauset
hepai
nyougett
ofeel
isoutoft
his
worl
d.
Lit
heleftf
orhi
sroom hehadt
ogetr
eadyf
or
thegala.
Sel
inaandIst
art
edtal
kingabouthowi
t'
sgoi
ng
tobeonceweareoutther
e.
Theguestst
art
edar
ri
vi
ngi
twasst
ri
ctl
yRi
ch
peopl
eonl
y.
Ever
yminut
ethatpassbymyhear
tst
art
ed
beat
ingver
yfasti
t'
s.
Westart
edserv
ingtheguestsomedr i
nksI
keptl
ooki
ngupst ai
rsbutIcouldnotseeany
si
gnofli
thecomingdownst ai
rs.

■LI
THE■

Li
thewasi nhisroom getti
ngreadyt
heti
me
wasnow7: pasti
ntheni ght"
hewearhi
ssui
t
andlookedsuperamazi ng,
Aft
erhewasdonehesatont
hebedt
owearhi
s
shoe'
s.
Hi
sfat
herwal
kedi
nwi
thoutev
enknocki
ng
Whi
leontheotherhandhiswif
ewas
wel
comingtheguestitwasfew mi
nut
es
r
emaini
ngbeforetheGalast
art
s
Sei
ner:sonam sor
ryf
ornotbei
ngagr
eat
fat
her
,i f
ail
edy
ouandam sorry
.
Li
the:lookdaddyam notdoi
ngt
hiswi
thy
ou
ri
ghtnow.
Sei
ner:
it'
sei
therwedoi
ttheeasywayort
he
har
dway.
Jr:doy ourwast
efat
heral
lIknowr
ightnowi
s
thatIhateyouwit
hpassi
on.
Hesai
dtr
yingt
obypasshi
sfat
herwhowas
st
andi
ngonthedoorway
.
Sei
nerhel
dhissonsotightandinj
ect
edhim
wit
hadrugthatcankeephim outf
orli
ke48hr
s.
I
mmedi
atel
yitwasl
i
ght
soutf
orl
i
the.
[
06/
12,
22:
20]Ron:
Thesl
avegi
rl

#23

Thi
sact
ual
l
yhappenedi
nreal
li
fe.
 NARRATED

thetaxit
hattookjadadroveinsomebushes
theytooheroutofthetaxishetr
iedtowalk
butcouldnotbecauseshecouldfeel
thebaby
coming.
Soshedeci dedt
osayapray erj
adai
snotakind
ofpersonthatpr
ayer
salot"butsheknewthat
ther
e'sisagreat
erpowerthatli
vedi
nheav
en.
Jada:Godjustt
hisonce"ki
ndl
ysavemeand
mykids"becauseri
ghtnowIfeel
li
kegi
vi
ngup.
I
freal
l
ytheheav
ensar
enotempt
ysendme
hel
p.
Iwentintoear
lyl
abourIknownothingabout
cutt
ingthecodebetweenmotherandchi
ldI
knownot hi
ngaboutwhatyouneedtodotoa
newbor n.
Theguy
swer
edet
ermi
nedt
otakemet
ower
e
t
heywant
edmet
obe.
Av er
ybigsnakeappearedf r
om nowher ei
twas
hasbighastheanaconda"wear ei
nthemiddle
ofnowheret hetaxi
driv
erandhi sfri
endboth
ranawayleav i
ngthetaxibehindbutIcouldnot
runnotbecauseIwasnotscar edbutIwasin
l
abour.
Iwasscar
edbecauset
hissnakekeptl
ooki
ngat
me.
Ipushedbyfir
ebyfor
ce,thefi
rstbabywasa
gir
lthesecondonewasalsoagirlIremember
verywel
lthati
twascoldonthatni
ght.
Iremovedmythr owoverandcov
eredthem
both,t
heydidn'tmakeasounditscar
edme
andnotthesnake.
Iheardt
hemov ementofcarsf
rom adist
anceI
star
tedpushi
ngmyselfusi
ngmybut t
.
I
fImov
ethesnakeal
somov
ed
Iwasf
eel
i
ngweakIl
ostal
otofbl
oodbutI
won'
tdi
eher
ewi
tht
hem t
heyj
ustst
art
ed
t
hey'
rel
i
ves.
Themor
eImov
edt
hesnakemov
edt
oo.
I
twasv er
ydarkuguy
sshoul
dknowbynow
t
hatIdon'
tseeint
hedar
k.
Butbeingamum youbecomesomet hi
ngwords
can'
texplai
n"Ir
eali
sedthi
ssnakewasnothere
toharm mebecauseifi
tdi
d,Iwoul
dbedeadby
now.
Itwasalongdi
stancesbutIkeptpushi
ngmy
selfbyt
heti
meIf i
nall
yresear
chthemainroad
thesnakest
ayedinthebushesbutIcouldsee
himlooki
ngatme.
Hej
ustwantedt
omakesur
eIdon'
tgeti
nto
wr
onghands.
Li
ket
hreecar
spassedandcoul
dnothel
p.
Ikeptscr
eamingforhel
p"Il
ookedbehi
ndme
thesnakewassti
l
l i
nthebushesbutst
il
l
l
ookingat.
Awhi
tecarpassedt
heni
tret
urned.
Guy:heycomedownam doct
orROHI
DIwi
l
l
hel
py ou"what
'sy
our
?
Jadadl
ami
ni:
that
'smyname.
ROHI
D:myGodj
ada?
Hehelpedwi
tht
hecut
ti
ngoffcodehet
ookt
he
babi
esandhel
pedmegeti
nthecar.
Ilookedatt
hesnakehet
urnedandwenti
nsi
de
thebush.
Af
terwegott othehospi
tal
idon'
tremember
whathappened"itwasli
ght
soutforme.
ROHID:she'
sgoi
ngtobef
ineshej
ustl
ostal
ot
ofbl
oodhesaidt
othepol
i
ce.
Theycal
l
edomuhlear
ound02:00AM shewas
j
ustcomingf
rom t
hewhol
enightpr
ayer
swit
h
gogoandbongi
wasdri
vi
ngthem home
Thehappi
nessshef
eltwasbey
ondexpl
anat
ion
Bongi
justmadeaut
urnt
oJohannesbur
g
gogocoul
dnotbel
i
evet
hatj
adawasf
inal
l
y
found.
Omuhlehadtoclosehercasebecausej
ada
wasnowf ound.
2dayspassedshestil
lcouldn'
topenherey e'
s
ormoveafinger
...
..
..
..
..
..
..
..
..
..
..
..
..
..
..
..
..
..
..
..
..
..

LI
THE

fi
nal
l
yopenedhi
sey
e'shi
smot
herwasbyhi
s
bedsi
de.
Li
the:
forhowl
onghav
eibeenher
e?
Hezel
:2day
snow.Shesai
dwi
thabr
eaki
ng
voi
ce.
Li
the:"
mom "whathappenedt
ojadaandmy
ki
ds?
Hezel
cry
ingIdon'
tknow.
Li
the:
mom i
sshedead?
Hezel:sor
rysonbutIdon'
tknow.Yourf
ather
andyourbrot
herj
arupassedaway.
Li
the:
goodf
ort
hem i
prayt
heybur
ninhel
l.
Hezel
:don'
tsayt
hathi
sst
il
lyourf
ather.
Li
the: hisnotmyfat
her"father
'sprotectt
her
e
chi
ldrennotdest
roythem ,myf atherhas
destr
oy edmehekill
edmyi nnerchil
dIhatehi
m.
Et
henwal
kedi
nli
the'
sbedr
oom andl
ookedat
Li
the.
Ethen:l
ookl
it
het hi
sfamilyjustdi
dyoua
favoury
oushoul
dbegr eatfull
.
Hezel
:Et
henshutup.
Et
hen:
nomum hehast
oknowwhoher
eal
l
yis.
Hezel
: i
t'
snoty
ourst
oryt
otelli
t'
smystor
y
whenthetimei
sri
ght
,iwel
ltel
lhim my
sel
f.
Li
the:noIact
ual
l
ywantt
oknowt
hest
oryl
i
ke
ri
ghtnow.
Et
henwi
that
ti
tude"l
ookl
i
they
ounotmy
br
other
.
Lit
he:Whatar
eyousayi
ng?Mum t
ell
him hi
s
runni
ngmadhiscr
azy
.
Ethen:lookwhenmum hadababydadnamed
him Jr.inst
eaddadrapedhi
m whenmum was
notaround, t
heboypassedawaymum was
sacredbecausedadwasgoingtoki
ll
her.
Shedecidedt
ot akeawalki
nthewoodsIwas
withher
,wehear dababycry
ingt
hat'
showwe
repl
acedyouforli
theJr
.
Youjustaper
sonwit
hnonamenowt
hati
sno
morei hav
enothi
ngt
olose.
Li
the:
mum t
ell
mehi
sly
ing?
Hezel:sonam sor
ry"nothi
ngisgoingto
changeyoursti
l
lmylastbornsonyoustil
lmy
favour
it
echil
dshesaidinbetweenhersobs.
Lit
he:youshoul
dhav
etol
dmehesai
dwi
th
tear
ful
eye'
s.
Het
ookhi
sphoneAndcal
l
edmar
k.
Mar
k:heyhowar
eyou?
Li
thecr
yingam notok"canImov
einwi
thy
ou?
Mark: y
oudon'
thav
etoaskj
ustcomewhen
youready.
Hezel
cry
ingdon'
tgol
i
thepl
ease.
Hejustt
ookhi
scl
othesandhi
scart
hendr
ove
out
.
Ethen:motherstopcryi
ngwehav etwo
funeral
stotakecareofaft
erev
erythi
ngfat
her
didforhimthisi
showhesay sthankyou.

Gudni
ght
.
[
06/
12,
22:
20]Ron:
Thesl
avegi
rl

#22 NARRATED

Jada St
oodbyt
hecor
neri
ntheki
tchenand
l
etitall
out"shefel
tbet
ray
edLi
thepr
omi
sedt
o
getthem outt
oday.
Sel
i
nawal
kedt
oherandhuggedher
.
Sel
i
na:
Whati
swr
ong?
Jadacr
yinghel
etmedownhepr
omi
sedt
oget
usout.
Hepr
omi
sedt
ofi
ghtf
oruswer
eishenow?
should'
veknownbet
tert
hant
rust
ingasonofa
beast
.
HowdidIevenexpectanorangeonal
emon
t
reehi
sjustl
ikehi
sfather,
ihat
ehim al
lhear
tedl
ythi
sal
lthi
ngwasj
ust
hi
str
ickt
ogetuskill
ed.
Sel
ina:j
adajustbr
eat
hkeepbreat
hingit'
snot
goodtogetstr
essedi
nyourconsi
derat
ion.
Jada:
themomentf ort
hef
ir
stsl
avet
ogo
donei
salmosther
e.
Ican'
tseel
andl
ordmast
er?
Sel
i
namet
wo.
Jada:l
et'
sgoshesai dholdi
ngsel
i
na'
shand
andpassintheloungeareawer
eallt
heguest
s
wereenj
oyingthemselv
es.
Themast
erscouldnotwai
ttogett
her
ehands
onsel
i
naandjada.
Jadaontheotherhandwenti
nthest
udyand
cl
osedthedoorbehindher
.
Shemov edthetabl
ethent hecar
pettheybot
h
enter
edthetunnelshetookthetorchl
i
ghtand
onittheyst
art
edmov ing,sel
inaontheot
her
handwasdeadscar ed.
Yetj
adacandoanythi
ngt
osav
eherki
dst
hey
fi
nal
l
ygottothebi
ggate.
Shedidthebr
eat
hingexci
seIwi
l
ldi
etr
ying
shesaid.
Sel
i
na:
oohJesuschr
istpl
easehel
pus.
Jada:l
ookseli
naoncet
hedooropensj
ustr
un
thi
sist
helestIcandof
ory
ou.
Seli
na:wi
thtear
ful
eye'
sokjada"justknow
thatIr
eal
l
yloveu"youareasi
sterineverhad.
Jada:
ilov
eyout
oo.Ar
eyour
eady
.
Sel
i
na:
yes.
Jada:shet
henent
eredt
hecodeal
thoughshe
wasnotsure2904.
Thet hi
ngI
sthi
sdoorisaut
omati
cbef
oreit
opensacomputeri
sedfemal
evoi
cehasto
announcet
heopeni
ngofthedoor
.
Jadaontheot
herhandwashav
ingst
omach
crumbs.
Thest
resswasnotseati
ngwel
lwi
thhert
oday
.
Rememberstr
essisnotgudf
orpr
egnant
womensaidsel
ina.
Jada:iknow.Onceit
'sopensdon'
tl
ookback
don'
twaitf
ormejustr
un.
Sel
i
na:
ok.
Aut
omat
icv
oice:t
hedoori
sopeni
ngatt
he
countof5,
4,3,
2,1.
Thebuzzi
ngsoundwasheardinsi
det
hehouse
j
aruandhisfat
herstar
tedr
unni
ngtot
hegate
theoneatthetunnel
.
Thegateopenedl
ady
'sandgentl
emenseli
na
wasnotrunni
ngshewasfly
ingonewould
thi
ngshewasabirdi
nherprevi
ousl
i
fe.
Byt
heti
mejadawasgetti
ngoutMrl
andl
ord
mast
erwasi
nfrontofher
.
Mast
er:
seewhowegother
e.Your
unni
ng
away
?
Jadajustt
ookouthergunt
histi
mearoundher
heartwasbeat
ingtenmetersawayf
rom her
chest.
Shebehavedhasthoughshe'
sscaredofmast
er
befor
ehecouldtouchhersheshoothi
m
countl
essti
mes.
Herbul
l
etsf
ini
shedshedr
oppedhergun.
t
hest
omachcr
umbswer
eget
ti
ngwor
seshe
t
ouchedherst
omach.
Jada:canyouguy
'shanginther
eformummy
shesai
dbrushi
ngherpai
nful
stomach.
Wenshetur
nedj
aruwasbr
eathi
ngoutf
ir
ehis
f
ather
'sl
i
fel
essbodywasl
yi
ngontheground.
Jar
u:wow soy
ouact
ual
l
ypr
egnant
.
Letmeguess?Li
thei
sthef
ather
?
Mybr
otheri
stheonet
hatt
oldusy
ouwant
edt
o
r
unaway.
Aswespeakhi
ssleepi
ngwi
thanot
hersl
avehe
l
aughedsohar
d.
Jadawasbr
eathi
ngfi
reatt
houghtofl
i
the
sl
eepi
ngwi
thanot
herwoman.
Jar
upunchedheri
nthest
omach.
Jadal
aughi
ngl
et'
sfi
ghtl
i
ker
eal
menshoul
d.
Shet
henrememberedt
hedayshefoughtwi
th
somemuscul
arguyatt
hecent
re.
Li
thet
oldhert
onev
erl
ookatt
hesi
zeofy
our
enemi
esbody
.
Yety
oushoul
dlookatt
hesi
zeofy
ourst
rengt
h.
Thef
ightbeganforapr
egnantwomant
hat
wasJohncenainafemal
eversi
on.
Jar
uwast
arget
ingherst
omach
l
it
hewoul
dsayal
wayspr
otecty
oursensi
ti
ve
par
tswhi
l
efi
ghti
ngaman.
Andalwaysatt
acky
ourenemi
esbyt
her
e
sensi
ti
vepart
s.
Sheusedkarat
eonhim andhi
thi
m onhi
sbal
l
s
j
arufal
ltot
heground.
Shetookhi
sgunandshoothi
m numberof
ti
mes.
Shet
hennot
icedt
hatshewasbl
eedi
ng.
Thebleedi
ngwast
oomuchsowast hepai
n
shekeptmovi
ngunt
ilshegott
othemai
nroad.
At
axi
stopi
nfr
ontofher
.
I
thadt
woguy
sinsi
de.
Guy1she'
sthel
adyt
heysayi
ngi
fyouf
indher
t
heygoi
ngtogiv
eusR10,000.
Comeincc.Jadaent
eredshecoul
dnotmov
e
anymorethepai
nwasbeyondher.
Driver:t
heyar
erichwereshecomesfr
om let
's
kidnapherandaskformoremoneyfr
om her
fami l
y.
Guy2.:
youar
eri
ght
.
Theydr
oveawaywi
thheronhi
ghspeed
[
06/
12,
22:
20]Ron:
THESLAVEGI
RL

#24

1mont
hlat
er

Pr
etor
iasunny
side
 ●mar
k●

It
'sbeenamont hsinceli
themov edinwit
hme
"Ihaveneverseenhimthi
ssadmyent i
rel
if
e,I
meanl i
theandIhavebeenfri
endssince
chil
dhood.
Butt
hisper
sonher
e"i
sbr
oken.
someti
mesIfeel
li
keam notenough"whi
chis
tr
uebecausehi
sworri
edaboutjadahi
sworri
ed
abouthiski
d'
s.
Isometi
meswhishIcouldcar r
yhiscross"it
's
beentwohour
ssinceIar r
ivedfrom workyet
am st
il
lint
hecaridon'thavethecarr
iaget
otell
himit
'sgoi
ngtobefine.
Ideci
dedt
ogoinbecausei
don'
twanthi
mto
thi
nkam t
ir
edofhi
m.
Mar
kwalkedi
nsi
dehi
sfl
atandt
her
ehewas
wat
chi
ngamov i
e.
Mar
k:doy
ouwantt
otal
kabout
?heasked
seat
ingnextt
oli
the.
Li
the:
cany
oubel
i
evet
hatam notl
i
theJr
?
Mar
k:whatdoy
oumean?
Li
the:iwaspi
ckedi
nthewoodsbacki
n
London.
Et
hensai
dwhenthereal
li
thepassedaway
t
heyusedmetorepl
acehim.
Hasi
fthat
'snotenough"t
heyshoul
dhav
etol
d
methetr
uth,
Whywouldanyonewomancarryachi
ldf
ornine
monthsonl
ytothrowhi
m awayaft
erbi
rt
h"l
ike
whydidmymot herl
eav
emet odi
einthe
woods.
whensheknewt
hatIwashopel
ess?
That'
swhyIwanttofi
ndj
ada,Idon'
twantmy
ki
d'stot
hinkIlef
tthem.
Iwantt
oholdt
her
ehandsandhel
pthem t
ake
t
her
efir
stst
ep.
Iwantt
opi
ckt
hem upwhent
heyf
all
.
Iwanttobet
her
ewhent
heysayt
her
efi
rst
word.
Iwanttowipether
etearswhentheycr
y"Iwant
totel
lthem i
t'
soktofal
lbutIpr
omisetoal
ways
pickt
hem up.
Idon'
twantj
adatodothisal
lbyher
sel
fwhenI
havearol
einther
eli
ves,
Idon'
twantt
hem t
oendupl
i
keme.
Mar k:iunderst
andy ourpai
nlikereal
lyi
t'
snot
easybutIwanty outoknowt hatonedayy ou
goingtohav ebothjadaandthekid'sunderone
roof"Idon'
tknowhowi t'
sgoi
ngt ohappenbut
i
t'sgoingtohappent hi
sam sosur eof.
Stopcr
yingl
ookforaj
obanddi
str
acty
our
sel
f
savemoneyfort
hem.
Li
thel
aughi
ngy
ouar
eri
ghty
ouknow"
Mark:am al
way
sr i
ght,Let
'
sgohav
esome
pi
zzadowntheroad.
Li
the:
sho.
Theybot
hwal
kedoutt
othepi
zzashop.

Hospi
tal

☆j
ada☆

Iopenedmyey esthel
i
ghtwast
oost
rongI
cl
osedthem agai
n,
Itr
iedthenfinal
l
yopenedt hem t
herehewas
l
ookingsocut ealothaschangedabouthi
m but
Icannev erf
orgetmyownbestf ri
endofal
l
ti
mes.
ROHI
D: f
inal
l
yy ouopenedyourey
e's"gi
rlI
wasdeadworri
edaboutyou.
j
adaSmi
l
ingIneedwat
er.
ROHI
Dgav
ehert
hewat
ershedr
anki
tdown.
ROHI
D:howar
eyouf
eel
i
ng?
Jada:
per
fect
lyf
ine,
wer
eisomuhl
e?
ROHID:oohmadam she'scomingverysoon
shewenttogetsomet
hingfrom cl
i
cks.
Jada:
andt
hegi
rl
s?
ROHID: don'
twor
ryt
heydoingj
ustfi
ne"
omuhlehasgrownlordhav
emer cyshe'
sver
y
j
umpyt oo.
Jadalaughi
ngt
ell
meabuti
t"Iwantt
oseet
he
gi
rls.
ROHI
Dlet
'sgother
eintheN,I
,C,
U.Iguesst
hey
woul
dal
solovetohearyourv
oiceri
ghtnow .
Wewal
kedt
otheN,
I,C,
U.
mygirlswerethesmall
estt
heyhadpi pes
i
nstal
l
edont hem Icoul
dnotcr
yijustwantedt
o
beposit
ive.
Iwaswonderi
nghowpeopl
emanagedtotel
l
whothebabylooksl
i
kewhil
ether
est
il
lsmall
becauseher
eionl
yseesmal
lgi
rl
sfi
ght
ingf
or
ther
eliv
es"
Iknewv er
ywell
theygoingt
omakei t,
because
theyhavemygene'
sinthem Idon'
tgi
veupeasy
sowillt
hey.
Me:
whatar
ethedo'
sanddont
'
s.
ROHID: ihatedoingthis.Premat urebabies
easi
lygetsicktheyeasilycatchinfect
ionsso
youneedt okeept hem awayf r
om any onethat
hasflu,cough,et c.Becausei t
'seasyt obe
tr
ansferr
edt othebabies.
Uneedtowashy ourhandsbeforetouchi
ng
them"andanypersonthatt
ouchest hem
alt
houghIpr
eferyoudon'tl
etalotpeopl
et ouch
them.
Pr
ematur
ebabi
escangr
owupt
obeheal
thy
ki
d'
s.
Ifnott
reatedwellt
heymightsuff
erfr
om some
seri
oussicknessf
orther
estoftherel
ives.
Butdon'
twor
rywearegoi
ngtodothi
stogether
andmakesurewehavest
rongandheal
thygir
ls.
JadaSmil
ingIknowthatnothi
ngevergoes
wrongwhenyouarehere"youaremy
assur
ance.
ROHI
D:l
aughi
ngmadam cr
azyi
sbackbynow.
Jadalaughi
ngoohmygoodnessam goi
ngt
o
repor
tyoutoher
.
ROHI
D:y
ouar
esupposedt
obemybestf
ri
end.
Jadal
aughingandshe'
smysi
ster
"shesai
d
openi
ngthedoortoherr
oom.
ther
eshewasomuhl
edl
ami
nil
ooki
ngsuper
beauti
ful
.
Jadacoul
dnotbeli
evehereye'
sthi
sgir
linf
ront
ofherwasbeaut
if
ulandlookedmatur
edtoo.
Jada:oohmybabyhasgr own"shesai
dwit
h
tear
ful
eye'
sshenevert
houghtadaywould
comewereshe'
severgoingtoseeomuhlei
n
fl
esh.
Omuhl
est oodupandgav
ejadat
hebi
ggest
hugev
er.
Jadakissedherall
overherf
acej
ustt
omake
surei
t'
snotadr eam,
OMUHLE:mymother,mysweetsi
stershe
hadt
ear
sinherey
es.
Jadaki
ssedheragai
nIr
eal
l
ymi
ssedt
hisy
ou
know?
Omuhl
e:hav
eumeetmyl
i
ttl
epr
incesses?
Jada:
yest
heyar
esoador
abl
ejustl
i
key
ou.
Omuhle:oknowdon'
tki
ssmeal
lov
ermyf
ace
becauseam nowamum.
Jadalaughi
ngoohsor
rymadam If
orgoty
ou
nowamum"butImostsayy ourki
d'
sareso
ador
able.
Omuhl
e:l
aughi
ngt
hanky
oupl
easehav
esome
r
est
.
Jadagoti
nherbedomuhl
ejoi
nedi
n.
Jada:
imi
ssedt
hiscr
azi
nessofy
our
s.
ROHID:l
aughi
ngsoam nott
heonl
yonehe
l
aughedsomemore.
Omuhl
e:t
ookapi
l
lowandt
hrowi
tonhi
m.
ROHI
D:y
ankedi
t.
JADAl
aughi
ngy
ounev
ergoi
ngt
ochanget
he
bot
hofyou.
onthisdayjadawashappy"shefeltsafethi
s
companyinher ei
sal
lsheneededt oheal her
i
nnerself,
therewasnoreasontofightanythi
ng
"becauseshewaswi t
htherightpeople.
[
06/
12,
22:
20]Ron:
Thesl
avegi
rl

#25
Thr
eemont
hsl
ater

♢ROHI
D♢
Hast i
megoesbyi not
icet
hatjadaisnot
hersel
f"somet i
meswecanbet al
ki
ng"thinki
ng
she'spartofthest
orykantishe'
sgone,I
somet i
mesaskhersomet hingshewi l
lanswer
i
mmedi atelynotev
enknowingwhatshej ust
sai
d.
Aft
ersometi
meshe'
sgoi
ngt
oaski
fIsai
d
somethi
ng?
Andshe'
salsogoi
ngt
oaskmewhather
answerwas.
Icanseeshehasal otonhermindbutInever
wanttopushherintotal
ki
ng,i
fshet
rustme
enoughshe'sgoingtotel
lmeexact
lywhat
happenedtoher.
Shezoomsoutonpeoplejustl
ikethat,i
fI
don'
tswi
tchontheli
ght
sinherr oom she'
s
goi
ngtostayi
nt hedar
kjustli
kethat
.
Thet
hingI
sjadawasdi
schar
gedwhi
l
ethe
kid'
sstay
edbehi
ndbecausewewantedt
o
makesuretheymat
uredenoughbef
orel
eav
ing
thehospi
tal
.
Soshehadt
omov
einwi
thmef
ort
hemi
nti
me.
Butitwasnothel
pingomuhl
eandgrandmot
her
wouldcomeov erduri
ngt
heweekendbutonce
theyleav
eshebecomescoldagai
n.
IaskedgrandmatomoveinwithusbecauseI
fel
tli
kesheneededcl
oserat
tent
ionmostl
y
whenam atwork.
Hergrandmotherdi
d"buti
tdi
dn'
tchange
anyt
hing,ti
mejustcomeswhenshewantst
o
bealone.
Iwantt
ohelpbuthow am Isupposedt
ohel
pif
she'
snotr
eadytoopenup?
Whensomet hi
ngisbother
ingyoutal
kt o
someoneshar ebecauseaproblem sharedi
sa
probl
em sol
ved.
 ☆ JADA☆

foramomentam f i
ne"Ieatnormall
ydri
nk
normall
y,Il
aughmor esleepatpeacethen
somethingtakesoverl
ikeaswitchgoesoff
somewhere.
Isinkinselfpi
tyIl
ookatmysel
fandfeel
disappoint
edwithmysel
fli
kehowdidIgett
o
thisextent
?
ROHIDpaidformyhospi
tal
bil
l
shi
sal
so
pay
ingfort
hegir
ls.
Lastmont hherunoutoffundshisadopt
ive
parentshadtohelp"Ij
ustfeel
li
keaburdenI
feell
ikeachari
tycase.
Ican'
tev
enbuymyownchi
l
drenapai
rofsocks.
omuhleandROHI
Dkeepr
unni
ngar
oundf
orme
andt
hekid'
s.
Idon'
twantomuhletofeel
hasthoughshehas
todothi
sbecauseIoncesenthert
oschool
.
Idon'
twanthert
oloseher
sel
fint
hepr
ocessof
taki
ngcar
eofus.
MaybeifIwasmor
ecarefulwit
hmysel
fIwas
notgoi
ngtobri
ngr
esponsibi
li
ti
esonomuhl
e
andROHID.
Ist
il
ldon'
tbel
i
evel
i
kehowdi
dIgett
othi
s.
If
eell
ikeIshoul
dhav
ewaitedbefor
ebecoming
amother"poorROHIDIsometi
mesf eel
li
ke
am j
ustgi
vinghi
mtoomuchproblems.
Ihavekil
ledwit
hmyownhandst i
llnowIdon't
getastowhyIwasfi
ghti
ngsohadt ol eav
e"
onlytocomeandgi
veinnocentpeoplemor e
responsi
bil
it
y.
Everyoneisdoi
ngfinebutme,Idon'
tknowwer
e
tostartf
rom i
somuhl eandROHIDgoingto
takecareofmef orther
estofmylif
e?
Nobodywi
l
leverunder
standj
usthowIfeelI
wi
shIcoul
dtakebackthehandsoft
ime.
That
'swhydar
knessandl
onel
i
nessi
smyonl
y
compani
on.
Am ti
redofseei
ngjusthowsor
ryeveryonefeel
forme"todaythegir
lshav
ebeendischarged
andwegoingbackhomempumal angapr ovi
nce.
If
eelsorryf
oromuhlebutIdon'
tknow whatt
o
doinordert
ohelpherfi
nanci
all
y.
Becausethi
shouset
okeeprunni
ngomuhle
hastokeepworki
ng"butnowther
e'smeand
thegi
rls.
Ev
eryt
imeIlooki
nthemir
rorIseeal
i
ttl
egi
rli
n
mypupi
lcr
yingoutf
orhel
p.
I
fIcan'ttakecareofmysel
fhowoneart
ham I
goingtot akecareoft
hegi
rl
sIfeel
li
kea7
year'
soldgirlt
rappedinmybody
.
Igotr
eadywhilegrandmagott
hekid'
sr eady
ROHIDpackedther
eclot
heshet
hendroveusto
mpumalanga.
Whenwegottothefar
m myeye'
sgott
ear
y
whatIsawwassotouchi
ngf
orme.
Omuhlebuil
tourf
ami
lyhome? Shedi
dal
lthe
t
hingsIcoul
dnotdo.
Iwassopr oudofhershedi dagreatj
obher
brainisi
ndeedwor ki
ng"butIdon'twanttobea
responsi
bil
it
yt oanyonethati
smypr oblem i
wantmysi stertoli
veherl
if
ewithoutstr
essbut
i
st hisev
enpossi bl
e?
Grandma:t
hisi
syourr
oom shesai
dput
ti
ngt
he
babyonthebed.
JadaSmi
l
ingt
hanky
ou.
GrandmaleftIcl
osedthewi
ndowst
omake
surethegi
rl
sdon'tcat
chcol
d
ROHIDLEFTbecausehewaswor
kingni
ght
shi
ft
.

Feel
i
ngsl
epywi
l
lpostmor
etomor
row.
[
06/
12,
22:
20]Ron:
THESLAVEGI
RL
#27

5YEARSLATER.

☆JADA☆

Alothaschangedl
atel
ymyki d'
sar
esogrown
upnow ,Inev erthoughtt
heywoul
dgr
owup
tobebiggirl
s.
Ifearedthewastewouldhappentothem ,
rai
singthem uphasbeenachal l
engingtask
thereweretimeswhenzeynepwouldf al
lil
lfor
2week' sinhospi
tal
.
Thet
imeIt
hinkt
hewast
eisov
erZur
iel
fal
l
s
si
ck.
Somet
imesi
twoul
dbet
hebot
hoft
hem.
butt
hroughi
tal
lIl
ear
ntt
odependuponGod.
Manyaretheti
mesIaskedGodtotaket
hem
al
readyt
heytooyoungt
osuff
ert
hismuch.
Nothi
ngissochal
lengi
nginawoman'sli
feli
ke
havi
ngtodealwi
ththefactt
hatshecan'
tsave
herownkid'
s.
Butthi
stoohaspassedt heysoadorableand
bothlookmor el
ikeLI
THE( l
aughi
ng)looksli
ke
hisgotst
rongergene'
scomparedtomi ne.
Becauseeventhereeye'
sandskint
onei sj
ust
l
ikelit
he.
Everyti
met hei
ratt
herebestbehavi
ouromuhle
cal
lsthem herki
ds(l
aughing)butoncethey
misbehaveshebeli
keJadacany outal
kto
yourkid'
s?
Thefar
mi sjustex
actl
ywhatIwanteditt
obe
i
tssuperbeauti
fult
hecropsar
egrowingupso
heal
thy
.
Wearedoingsowell
ev ery
thi
ngi
ssuperbI
havebeenablet
osuppl yi
nmostsuper
market
pl
usIalwayshavecl
ientswhosal
einthest
reet
.
mywor
khashumbl
edmeal
ot.
Ialsogett odealwit
hdif
ferentty
pesofpeopl
e
onadai lybasis"wehavehiredabutt
enpeopl
e
sof ar,grandma'sbestf
ri
endownsaTLB and
otherusef ulmachi
nesyoucouldusefor
farming.
Am sogr
eatfullf
orhavingROHIDar
oundhe
mademer eal
isethatl
i
feownsmenot hi
ngbutI
owetoli
feeveryt
hingIam today
.
Lif
eisachoiceit
'seit
heryoumakeuseofwhat
youhave"orseatdownandcomplai
n
for
ever
..
..
..
..
..
..
..
..
..
..
..
..
..
..
..
..
..
.
It
'si
nt heearl
ymor ni
ngam j
ustcomi
ngf
rom
checki
ngt hecabbageandmaki
ngsur
e
every
thingisok.
Alt
houghwehav ecomet oaconclusi
onthat
thi
sfar
m needsamanager,ROHI Dand
omuhlearebusywi t
hworkwhil
eont heother
handIhavetodothedeli
ver
yandhel pwit
h
whatIcanaroundthefar
m"sot hebesti
deais
hi
ri
ngaf
arm manager
.
ROHI D'
sf r
iendwho'salsoadoctori
shavinga
bi
rthdaypartyforhi
sson"thet wodoct
ors
havebeenf ri
endsforsometi
menowbutt hey
don'tworkatthesomehospital
.
SoROHIDthegi
rl
sandIar
edr
ivi
ngt
oPr
etor
ia
todayar
ound1pm.
Iusedt
hebackdoort
oent
erthehouseonl
yto
bemeetbyuncl
eBobhavi
ngbreakf
ast
.
Me:
gudmor
ninguncl
e.
Uncl
eBob: t
here'
snothi
nggoodabutthi
s
morni
ngatall,call
yoursi
sterwehavetot
alk
i
nfactam sodi
sappoint
edinyouboth.
JADA shout
ing(OMUHLE)butomuhledidn'
t
answersojadasentzey
nept
ocal
lheraunti
e.
Af
tersomet
imeomuhl
ejoi
ned.
UncleBob:doIal
way
shav
etot
hinkf
ort
he
bothofyou?
Jadaandomuhl
ewer
elostt
heydi
dn'
tgethi
m
onebet
.
Uncl
eBob: youbothar
esingl
e,ROHI
Di st
he
mosthandsomebachelori
ntownyetyoubot
h
seehi
mf orabrot
her.
Jadal
aughi
ng.
UncleBob: angr
ydon'tlaughbecauseit'snot
funnyatal
l.onedayy oubot hgoi
ngt oreal
ise
hisgonetoanotherwoman,andl etmet elly
ou
thatsomewomancandest royafr
iendshipthat
haslast
edf oral
ifet
imei njustaday.
Ineedt
hatguyt
ostayi
nthi
sfami
l
yfor
ever
guy'
sthi
nkabout
.
Omuhl
e:l
aughi
ngwehav
ehear
dyouuncl
e.
Uncl
eBob:l
ikewhatmoredoyouwantthi
s
ROHIDHasbeeni
nourfamil
yforf
ive-
year
snow
.
Iwanty
ouguy
'st
ogetmar
ri
ed.
y
ounotget
ti
nganyy
oungerpl
usIal
sowantt
o
uset
hatmoneyf
ory
ourl
obol
atobuymy
sel
fa
newtaxi
.
Peopl
ethi
nkIcan'
tbuycashIwi
l
lshowt
hem.
Jadal
aughi
ngi
knewt
hatsomeonepi
ssdy
ou
off
.
UncleBobl
aughi
ngknowl
i
keguy
syoumost
thi
nkabuti
t.
Omuhle:l
aughingmar
auncleBobIwas
worri
edt
hinki
ngtomysel
fli
kewhathav
ewe
done.
Uncl
eBob:
am nowl
eav
ingf
orj
ozi
seey
ou
fami
ly.
Us:
bey
.
Omuhl
ewentbacktosleepipr
epar ed
br
eakf
astweeatt
ogethert
henpreparedthe
ki
d'
swithnoti
meROHI Dwaswaitingforus
ZeynepandZuri
elwer
esohappyt
oseehi
m
theyst
art
edt
alki
ng.
Jadafi
nall
yfi
nishedsheworedeni
mj eanswith
awhiteTshir
tandwhi t
econver
seallstardi
d
herhai
rinaponyt ai
lwi
thl
ightmakeup.
Thegir
lswor etwinni
ngoutf
it
somuhlecamet
o
watchthem l
eav ethenwentbackt
o
sl
eep..
..
..
..
..
..
..
..
..
..
..
..
.
Theywenti
ntot
ownf
orl
uncht
henwentt
othe
par
ty.
Thegi
rl
shadthi
sthi
ngforpart
iest
heyr
unout
bef
orej
adaandROHIDcould.
Theygoti
nsi
dethi
sy ar
d"i
tlookedsi
mpl
ethey
st
artedr
unni
ngaround.
Thiswasmark'sson'
sbi
rthdaypartyheturned
2yearsol
d.Mar knowstayswi t
hhiswi f
e,
Li
thesti
ll
stay
swi t
hthem althoughtheyhadto
mov ei
nabiggerhousenow.
LI
THEwasbusywi
tht
hebr
aai
andt
hegent
s
i
ncludi
ngmar
k.
Whi
l
eSel
i
nawasbusywi
tht
heguestpar
ent
s
t
hatcamewi
tht
her
eki
d'
s.
Sel
i
nahasbeenmarri
edtomarkfor3years
now andt
heyar
erai
singt
hei
rchi
l
dtogether
.
Lit
hesawtwobeauti
fulgi
rl
srunni
ngar
oundhe
walkedtot
hem andsai
dhi"am l
it
hewhatar
e
yournames?
Am zey
nept
heol
dert
win.
Andam Zur
iel
they
oungestt
win.
I
mmedi atel
yLit
he'
sfacechangedhi
shear
twas
beat
ingfast.
Li
the:
whodi
dyouguy
scomewi
th?
Them ourmum andDad.
Hisfacechangedagai
nwhenhehear
dthedad
part
.
Li
the:
iwantt
omeety
ourpar
ent
sdoy
ouguy
s
mindt
aki
ngmetot
hem.
Zey
nep:
nopr
obl
em.
Whent
heygotout
sideROHI
Dwasmaki
ngau
tur
nthehospit
alcal
l
edsay i
ngther
e'san
emergencyandhispresencewasneeded
Hedr
oveof
f.
JADAtur
nedonl
ytobemetbyherwast
e
ni
ght
mareLITHEWILLI
AMSholdi
ngthegi
rl
sin
hi
shands.
LI
THE:
"JADA"
Jada:
rol
l
edherey
e'si
nir
ri
tat
ion.
[
06/
12,
22:
20]Ron:
THESLAVEGI
RL

#26

♡omuhl
e♡

Igotreadyforwor
kthenwentt
otheki
tchenf
or
breakf
ast"
Gogohadal
readymademyl
unchbox
.
t
hegudpar
tofhavi
ngherar
ound,Idrankmy
t
eagogowalk'
sint
hekit
chenthensatdown.
Me:
gudmor
ninggr
andma.
Gogo:
gudmor
ningdearhowar
eyou?
Omuhl
e:am ok.Al
thoughIwast
hinki
ng.
Gogo:
goon.
Omuhl
e:iwast
hinki
ngwei
ntr
oducedt
heki
d'
s
t
othebot
tl
e.
Gogo: t
hati
snotpossi
blethesekidsar
e
prematur
ebabi
estheyneedbreastmil
knott
he
bott
le.
Omuhl e:thethi
ngisjadaisalway sst ressed
abutwhatIdon' t
?Andi fabreastfeeding
mot heri
sstressedshepassest hestressdown
tothechil
dt hr
oughbreastf
eeding.
SoIsuggestshest
oppedbreastf
eedi
ngthem
thati
swhythekid'
sarenotgrowi
ngtheysti
l
l
l
ooklikenewbornbabi
es.
Gogo:it
hinky ouhav
eapoi
ntt
her
e,Iagr
ee
wit
hyouont hatone.
Omuhle:
am comingwi
tht
hemi
l
kandt
he
bot
tl
esaft
erwor
k.
Gr
andma:
okwor
kwel
l
.
Omuhl
e:l
eftf
orwor
kwi
tht
hebus.
Onherwayuncl
eBobcal
l
ed.
Omuhl
e:y
esuncl
e.
Uncl
eBob:
lear
ntogr
eety
oungl
ady
.
Omuhl
e:l
aughi
ngsor
rygudmor
ninguncl
eBob
howar
eyou?
Uncl
e:am okdearhowar
eyou?
Omuhl
elaughi
ngam ok"am act
ual
l
yonmyway
t
owork.
UncleBob: iact
uall
ycall
edtotel
lyouthat
someonei ssell
i
ngacar"i t
'salady'
smi nicar
thepersonisdesperat
eshe'
sonlyaskingfor
R5000.
Me:
isi
tinagoodcondi
ti
on?
UncleBob:itest
edmysel
fit'
singood
condit
ionremembert
heR10,000y ougav
eme
tokeepsothatwecanpaythepersont
hat
fi
ndsjada?
Omuhle:oohmyGodIhav ebeensost
ressed
l
atel
yIev
enf or
gotabouti
t.
Uncl
eBob:i
sti
l
lhav
eit
.Al
thoughIusedR1500
outofi
t.
Omuhle:laughingi
t'
sokyoucanbuyitf
orme
thencomeov ersot
hatwecangotothepol
ice
stat
ionf
orpaperwork.
LessIf
orgetsendmyremainingbal
anceineed
tobuysomethingsf
orthekid'
sli
ketoday
.
Uncl
eBob:
oksho.
..
..
..
..
..
..
..
..
..
..
..
..
..

☆ JADA☆
It
ookmybathbef
oretouchingthekid'
sthen
worecl
eanpj
'
sIstar
tedbreastf
eeding.
Ioverheadgrandmaandomuhl
etalki
ngi
nthe
morningthismademer eal
i
sej
usthowmuchI
neededhelp.
Locki
ngmy sel
fupwasnothel
ping"butagai
nI
don'
tfeel
li
keam readyt
oheal
.
Thedoort
omyr
oom openedgogocamet
o
cl
ean,
i
mov
edt
othel
oungear
eawi
tht
hegi
rl
s.
Gogo:
hav
eyout
houghtofanynamesy
et?
Jadathoughttohersel
finhasmuchhasshe
hatesli
the"shecouldnottakeawayhiswi
sh
healway swantedhisf
ir
stborndaught
ert
obe
cal
ledzey nepwhichmeansherfat
her'
s
j
eweller
y .
So"am notgoi
ngt
otakeawayhi
sri
ght
.
Gr
andma:
iaskedy
ouaquest
ion?
Jada:
theol
dert
wini
szey
nept
hey
oungesti
s
Zur
iel
.
Gogo:weredi
dyougett
hesenamesandwhat
dotheymean?
Jada:
zey
nepmeansherf
ather
'sj
ewel
l
ery
.
ThenZur
iel
meansmyr
ocki
sGod.
Ij
ustwant
eduni
quenamesf
ort
hem t
hat
'
swhy
.
Gogo:youchi
ldr
enoftheseday
s"whydon'
t
younameyourki
d'sni
cenameslikezi
nhl
e,i
ri
s,
i
sihl
eetc.
Jadalaughi
ngknowgr andmaIwantsomet hi
ng
di
ffer
entIwanttostandoutnotfi
tin.Idon'
t
needtodothingsj
ustbecausethewor l
dagrees
wit
hme.
Gogo:
youarether
emom ibel
iev
ethei
r'
smor
e
t
owerethesenamescomefr
om.
Jada:
arey
oudone?Iwantt
oputt
het
osl
eep.
Gogo:
yespl
ease.
Jadawentontoputt
heki
d'
stosl
eepshe
walkedout
sidef
orsomefr
eshai
r.
..
..
..
..
..
..
..
..
..
..

ROHI
D

Hasnotbeenhi
mselfaf
tert
hesuddenchange
i
nJada'sbehav
iour
.
i
twasnotseat
ingwel
lwi
thhi
m.
Hewantedsomucht
ogi
vej
adat
hepeaceof
hi
smind,
hejustgoti
nhi
scaranddrov
eoffto
mpumalangapr
ovi
ncehewassopissdof
f.
Hi
snott
het
ypet
hatl
i
kest
obeher
eignor
ed
Most
lyf
rom j
adaofal
lpeopl
e.
Hedrovel
ikei
twasj
usthi
mintheroadwithi
na
shor
tperi
odofti
mehewasinkwamhlanga.
Thenhear
ri
vedatt
hef
arm.
Jadasawhi
m shewasnoti
nthemoodof
tal
ki
ng.
ROHI
Dwasnotei
ther
.
hepassedherwit
houtevensayi
nghel
lohe
wenti
nsidethensai
dhell
otogogoaftert
hat
hewenttocheckonhisfavour
it
epeopl
einthe
worl
d.
Theyweresoundasl
eepweart
het
winni
ng
cl
othesheboughtt
hem.
Thisbr
oughtaverybi
gsmi
leonhi
sfacehe
thenwalkedout
sidet
ower
ejadawas.
ROHI
Dangr
y.
Lookj
adaIhat
edoi
ngt
hiswi
thy
oubuty
ou
mademedo.
Youbusypushi
ngever
yoneawayincl
udi
ngyour
ownkid'
sdoy out
hinkwearehappyseei
ng
youl
ikethi
s?
Jada:t
heprobl
em i
syoual
lfeel
i
ngsof
orme
andIdon'
tl
ike.
Ihat
ethef
actt
hatIcan'
thel
pyouandomuhl
e
youdoi
ngfi
newhatabutme?
Am aburdent
oal
lof
fli
feownsmeal
otof
thi
ngs.
ROHI
D
(
SHOUTI
NG)SHUTUPJADAJUSTSHUTUP.
LIFEOWNSYOUNOTHI
NGI
TNEVERDI
DAND
ITNEVERWILL,
BUT YOUOWEI
TEVERYTHI
NGYOUHAVE
LI
FEPRESENTSUSWITHOPPORTUNITI
ESYOU
TAKEADVANTAGEOFLIFE'
SOPPORTUNITI
ES.
LOOKAROUNDYOU"WHATCANYOUDOWI
TH
THETHINGSANDTHEPEOPLETHAT
SURROUNDYOU.
LEARNTOTAKEADVANTAGEOFTHI NGSAND
USETHEM INYOUROWNI NTERESTSTHAT'
S
WHATWEDOTOSHOW LI FETHATWEARE
GREATFULLFOREVERYTHING.
 NOTSEATI
NTHEDARKANDCRYI
TNEVER
HELPS.
YOUONCETOLDMETHEDI FFERENCE
BETWEEN HEROANDZEROTHESPELLINGIS
THESOMETHEONLYDI FFERENCE I
STHERE
FI
RSTLATERSWHICHONLYYOUCAN
CHANGEIFYOUWORKHARDREMOVETHEZ
ANDPUTTHEH.
WHATHAPPENEDTOMYJADA?
AM GOI
NGBACKHOMETHINKABUTI
TTHEN
CALLMEWHENYOUREADY.
AM NOTGOINGTOGIVEYOUMONEYBUTAM
READYTOINVESTI
N YOURDREAMS.
Onemor
ethi
ng.
don'
tev
enthi
nkofkeepi
ngthekid'
sawayf
rom
mebecausei
twon'
twork..
..
..
..
.
ROHI
Dgoti
nhi
scaranddr
oveof
fjustl
i
ket
hat
.
Eveni
ngcamebuthi
swor
dskepteat
ingmy
soulIdeci
dedt
osl
eepwi
thomuhl
eIdidn'
twant
t
obeal
onet
oday
.
Grandmasleptwi
ththeki
d'sbecauset
heynow
usingbot
tl
esinst
eadofbreastmil
k.
Iaskedomuhl
eifIcoul
dcal
lROHI
D shegav
e
meherphone.
ROHID:hel
l
omadam cr
azywhatcanIdot
o
hel
p.?
Jada:
it'
sjada.
ROHI
D:oohi
t'
syou.
JADA:
CANWETALK?
ROHID:l
etmecall
youback.Hecutt
hencal
l
ed
usi
ngthel
and-
li
ne.
Jadaexpl
ainedev
ery
thi
ngt
oROHI
Dleav
ingout
nothi
ng.
ROHIDwasshockedbutmanagedtokeephi
s
coolsothatj
adadoesn'
tthi
nkhi
sfeel
i
ngsor
ry
forher
self
.
ROHI
D:sower
etof
rom her
e?
j
ada: i
am thi
nki
ngoffar
minglet'
sbebusi
ness
par
tnersandbri
ngthi
sfarmtoli
fe.
Wecanst
artwi
thdi
ff
erentt
ypesofv
eget
abl
es,
Thenseef
rom t
her
e.
Omuhl ecr
iedaft
erli
steni
ngtojada'
sstor
yshe
didn'
tknowwhatjadahadt ogothroughj
ustt
o
seeherthroughschool.
Omuhl
e:i
wantt
obeani
nvest
ort
oo.
JadaSmi
l
ingr
eal
l
y?
Omuhl
eSmi
l
ingy
es.
Theybot
hhuggedandcr
ied.
ev
enthest
rongestper
sonneedsashoul
dert
o
cr
yon.
ROHIDwi
thabreaki
ngvoicewil
ll
eaveyoubot
h
tocr
yimeant
hat'swhatgir
lsenj
oydoi
ngri
ght?
Hewastryi
ngtobethest
rongestamongst
t
hem buthi
svoicesol
dhi
m off.
Thel
adi
esl
aughedathi
m.
ROHI
D:heywhat
'
sfunny
?
Them att
hesomet
imenot
hing.
Theyl
aughedsomemor
e.
[
06/
12,
22:
20]Ron:
THESLAVEGI
RL

#29

♢Li
the♢

Ifeel
sodi sappoi
ntedi
nmy sel
f"maybeI
shouldhavewai t
edali
tt
lebitl
onger,may
beI
shouldn'
thavebeensoselfi
sh.
Jadahasdonewel
lsof
arandam sopr
oudof
her,
Seeinghert
oday"Ifel
tbet
terbecauseIstar
ted
thi
nkingmaybeshedied,orsomet hi
ng,she
l
ookedbeautif
ulandshest
ill
glowing.
Seei
nghertodaymademer
eal
i
sej
usthow
muchImissedher.
WhenIsawherSmi
li
ngIsowi
sht
hatsmi
l
e
wasdi
rect
edatme.
BothjadaandIhav
ebookswe'
venotopenedup
toeachother
.
Ihavenorightt
oactl
ikeavi
cti
m her
ebecauseI
fai
ledherwhensheneededmethemost.
Sheneededt
obeawomanev
enj
ustf
oraday
.
Iontheothersi
deneededtoprot
ectmyf
ami
l
y
that
'swhatamanoft hehousedoes.
Butbet
weenusshehasal
way
sbeent
heman.
She'
sr i
ghtiam notgudatkeepi
ngpr
omi
ses.
..
..
..
..
..
..
..
..
..
..
..
..
.
Mar
k:l
i
thest
opbeat
ingy
our
sel
fup"
Li
the:
tel
lmewhatt
odo?
Mar
k:i
don'
tknow.
Li
the:
whyi
smyl
i
fesocompl
i
cat
ed? Don'
tI
hav
ether
ight
stohappi
ness?
Mar
k:l
i
thet
akei
teasy
.
Lit
he: am goi
ngtolookforaplacei
n
mpumal angaprov
inceandstayther
eunt
ilIwi
n
them back.
Mar
k:y
ougoi
ngcr
azydon'
ttel
lmey
ouser
ious?
Lit
he:mymotherl
eftmetodi
eam notdoi
ng
thesomewi
thmykid's.
Mar
k:whati
fshehasaboy
fri
end?
Li
the:hi
sgonnahav
etogo.
Sel
i
na:sother
e'st
hisf
armi
nmpumalangaI
j
ustsawi
tli
keri
ghtnowont
heI
nter
net.
theyar
elookingforafarm managerthat
'
sif
i
t'
sokbyy ou"besi
desy oustudi
edagr
icul
tur
al
sci
encesoitshouldnotbehadt ohi
reyou.
Ial
sowantyout
ogett
hem back"Iwantt
osee
youhappy
.
Buti
fitf
ail
swear
eal
way
sreadyt
ohav
eyou
home.
Li
thefi
rstt
hingt
omor
rowmor
ningsendmet
he
l
ocati
on.
Sel
i
nay
essi
r.
Mark:howam Isupposedt
oleavewit
houty
ou?
Imeanam usedtohavi
ngyouaround.
Li
thel
aughi
ngnowy
ousoundgi
rl
y.
Sel
ina: whydoment hinkwomenarecr
y
babies?Ican'
twaittohavejadaonmysi
de
cl
ear l
yican'
thandl
ey oubot
h.
Mark:
li
ther
ememberduringChri
stmast
ime"
sel
i
nacri
edbecausewehadlyst
ayedathome.
Li
thel
aughi
ngl
i
ker
eal
l
ywhodoest
hat
?
Sel
ina:l
i
theIfeel
sorr
yforyou"youofal
l
peopl
eshoul
dknowjadaprett
ywell
.
Mark:wit
haser
iousf
acedoesshebeaty
ouor
somet
hing?
Sel
i
nal
aughi
ngl
i
ker
eal
l
ymar
k?
Li
the:
ihav
eaj
obi
nter
viewt
omor
rowgudni
ght
.
Mar
k:don'
tgoandcr
yint
her
e.
Li
thet
ookabookandt
hrowi
tonmar
ktheyal
l
l
augh.
Earl
yinthemorningLi
thedroveto
mpumal angawi
thMark"by7:00AM they
arr
ivedattheDLAMINIFARM.hesawanol d
l
adyt al
kingont
hephone,af
tershewasdone,
omuhl ecameal
ongandspoket othem .
Af
tert
heywer
edone,
sheof
fer
edhi
m aj
ob.
Omuhle:mysi
steri
snotaroundbutIt
hink
she'
sgoi
ngtol
ov ewor
kingwithy
ou.
Mar
k:i
fImayaskwer
eisy
oursi
ster
?
Omuhl
e:she'
sgonet
oPr
etor
iaf
orsome
del
i
ver
y'
s.
Mar
k:ok.
Li
the:
let
'sgonow.
Zey
nepsawherf
atherf
rom af
arsheshout
ed
(
DAD)t
henZur
iel
fol
l
owed(
DAD)
Li
thel
ookedwer
ethev
oicescamef
rom and
sawhi
sgirl
s.
Mark(
whi
sper
ing)
looksl
i
kewear
eint
her
ight
pl
ace.
Theybothr
ant ohim Li
thepi
ckedt
hem upand
ki
ssedthem both.
Li
the:
Whatar
eyouguy
sdoi
ngher
e?
Zur
iel
:wel
i
veher
e.
Zey
nep:
yesdadwel
i
ver
ighther
e.
Gogo:
what
?
Omuhl
econf
usedar
eyout
her
eDad?
LI
THE:
YESIAM.
Gogo:weneedtohaveaseri
oustalk,
Zuri
el
andzey
nepgotoyourroom i
promiseyou
goi
ngtoseedaddybef
oreheleav
es.
Them:
ok.
Mar
k:act
ual
lyam goi
ngf
orwor
k,Ishoul
duse
t
heput
cobus.
Li
the:
shar
p.
Markwasnotr
eadytohearj
ada'
sfami
l
yget
j
udgement
alwi
thLi
the.
Put
coar
ri
vedmarkl
efti
mmedi
atel
ywi
thout
l
ooki
ngbehi
nd.
Ontheotherhandli
thewasr
eadyt
ojustsay
not
hingbutthetr
uth.
Heexpl
ainedev
erythi
ngtogogoandomuhl
e
t
heyall
gotemotional.
Gogohuggedhi
m andsai
ddon'
twor
ryam now
yourf
amil
yyoucancountonme.
Omuhle:metoo.Butj
usttakei
teasyonjada
she'
sgoi
ngtoknowwhoy oureal
lyar
e,andthat
youl
oveheral
ot.
Li
theSmi
li
ngIt
houghty
ouguy
sar
egoi
ngt
o
j
udgeme.?
Gogo:sonyouwer
elef
twithnoopti
onbut
ever
ythi
ngshedi
disal
lthi
nkstoyou,t
hewor
ld
needsmoremenli
keyou.
Omuhle:wehaveaspareroom t
hat
'
sify
ou
don'
tmindstay
ingher
ethesegi
rl
sneeda
fat
herf
igur
e.
LI
THE: i
candoj
ustanyt
hingi
nthewor
ldt
o
havet
hewomanIloveandourki
d'
s.
Gogo:youhav
emyblessi
ngs,
Shesai
dget
ti
ng
of
fherchai
rwalki
ngi
ntot
hehouse.
Li
the:
thanky
ou.
Omuhl
e:l
etmegety
ourr
oom r
eady,
Li
the:
pleasecal
lzey
nepandZur
iel
.
Omuhle:comei n,andpleasef
eelathome
al
thoughjadawill
givey
ouahadt imeIpromise
she'
sanicepersonandshewi l
lcomearound.
Li
the:
Smi
l
ingt
hanky
ou.
[
06/
12,
22:
20]Ron:
THESLAVEGI
RL
#28

☆ JADA☆

Il
ookedatli
thet
hent
houghttomyselfishoul
d
nothavecometothi
spart
yinthef
irstpl
ace,
nowIcan'tr
unawaybecauseROHIDisnot
here.
LI
THE:
canwet
alk?
JADA: lookwehav enot
hingtot
alkabout
thankyourGod"becauseifi
twasuptome, y
ou
wouldnev erseet
hesetwo.
Zey
nep:
mummyar
eyouok?
Jadawipedhert
ear
sandki
ssedbot
hZur
iel
andzey
nep.
Jada: doyouguy'
srememberIoncetol
dyou
thatsweetcakeswentawaybutonedayhi
s
goi
ngt
ocomebackf
ory
ou?
Zur
iel
:ir
emember
.
Jada:
zey
nepdon'
tyour
emember
?
Zey
nep:
ido.buty
oul
ooksad.
Jadalaughi
ngam notsadam superhappy
becausehisfi
nal
l
yheretomeety ouguys.
Zey
nep:
youmeanhi
sourdad?
Jada:
yes.
Li
thehadtear
sinhi
seye'
s"hehuggedhiski
d's
soti
ght,hegaveuponsear
chi
ngforthem .
Thi
swast
hel
astt
hinghet
houghtcoul
dhappen
tohi
m.
Jadawal kedoutleavi
nglit
hetoconnectwi
th
hiskid'
s"beforeshecouldent
er,ablonde
Brit
ishgir
lparkedhercarandshout
edbabeare
youok?
j
adat
urnedandlookedatt
hegir
lthenbackat
l
i
theshethenenter
edthehousethefi
rst
per
sonshesawwasmar
k.
Mar
k:myf
ir
stwi
fet
ell
met
hisi
sadr
eam.
Jadal
aughi
ngt
ell
meam i
nthewr
onghouse.
Mar
k:"
babe"
.Heshout
ed
Sel
inawasbusyi
nthekit
chenhav
ingt
odeal
wit
hkidsi
snotajoke.
Am comi
ngsheanswer
ed.
Aft
ersometi
meshewal kedint
othel
aunch
andsawjadari
ghtunderherr
oof.
Sel
inawassohappyshehuggedandki
ssed
j
adaanumberoftimesweneedtotal
kshe
sai
dtojadawhojustsmi
l
edather.
Jadalaughi
ngy
ouhav
eal
otofguest
sfi
nishup
fi
rst
,
am st
il
lar
oundunt
ilROHI
Dcomest
opi
ckus
up.
Sel
i
na:
wer
ear
ethey?
I
mmedi
atel
yLi
theandt
heki
d'
swal
kedi
nsel
i
na
wast
ear
ytheyl
ookedsomuchl
i
ket
her
eDad.
Sar
ah:
am sosor
rysel
i
naIcamel
ate.
sheistheBrit
ishblondegir
l"sel
inawasmore
i
nthemi ddlebecauseshef el
tli
keJadawas
nevercomingbackt hatiswhyshewasokwith
Li
thehavingagirl
friend.
Sel
ina:
don'twor
rydearam al
mostdone"
she
sai
dtoSarah.
Thepl
acewassuffocat
ingj
adasheneededt
o
l
eavel
iker
ightnow.
ZeynepandZur
ielwer
esohappytobear
ound
ther
eDadtheconnect
ionwasnat
ural
.
Jada'
sphoner
angshewal
kedtoamor
equi
te
pl
aceandanswer
edherephone,
shesawabenchnear
byandsatdown.
i
tplayedi
nhermindthatwhil
eshewasbusy
r
aisi
ngthegi
rl
sLi
thewasenjoyi
nghi
sli
fe.
Tear
swant
edt
ocomeoutbutshef
oughtt
hem
back.
Sheuploadedonsocialmediathatshewas
l
ookingforafar
m manager"shewast oo
boredwithever
ythi
ngit'
sliket
hepastshe
workedsohardtoforgetcamebacki nt
hebli
nd
ofaneye.
Shetr
iedt
ocal
lROHI
Dbuthi
sphonewason
voi
cemail
.
ZeynepandZuri
elspott
her
emum andwent
runni
ngtoher
.
Jada:
cany
out
wost
opr
unni
ng.
Them:
wesor
ry.
JadaSmi
l
ingnowt
ell
mewhaty
ouwant
?
Zur
iel
:canwehav
esomecakemummy
?
Jada:
thoughtweagr
eedt
hatnosweett
hings
Zur
iel
:butmummyt
hisi
ssupposet
obea
par
tyri
ght
?
Jadal
aughi
ngi
don'
tknowwhyam l
aughi
ngar
e
y
out
woaski
ngory
ouar
etel
l
ingme?
Them:
wear
easki
ng.
Jada:
oky
oucanhav
ethecakebutnosweet
s.
Them:
ok.Thankmum.
Shesmiledatherki
dshastheywalkedinthe
house,
Lithe'
sperf
umefil
l
edupt heplacewhen
shetur
nedbackt her
ehewasl ooki
ngather,
I
t'
snoteasytoknowwhatj
adaisfeel
i
ng"
becauseshe'
snott
het
ypethathassomuch
goingon.
LI
THEsatnextt
oherandl
ookedatheragai
n
Shej
usthadast
rai
ghtf
acewi
thnof
eel
i
ngsor
what
soever
.
Lit
he: it
houghtIwouldneverseeyouagain"I
searchedforyouhighandlowbutnothi
ng,
thr
eey ear
slateri
metSar aham sosorr
yjada.
Jada:l
ookLi
the"youdon'
towemeany
apol
ogyit
'sy
ourli
fe.
besidesyounev erpr
omisedmeanyf orev
er"
evenifyoudid,Iknowforsur
ethatyounot
goodwheni tcomest okeepi
ngpromises.
Li
the:hadmi xedfeeli
ngsthi
sisnotwhathe
hadinmind"ever
ythinghappenedsofast
.
Jadawal
kedinsi
dethehouse"becauseshe
di
dn'
twantt
olookli
keabadper sontoSarah.
Seli
nafini
shedever
ythi
ngandjoi
nedJadaon
thecarpetshewashelpi
ngherki
dswearwor
m
thi
ng's.
Sel
i
na:
canwet
alk.
Jada:what
everi
tisihopei
tdoesn'
ti
nvol
ve
Li
the.
Sel
i
na:
itdoesn'
t.
Jadar
equestedforuberbef
oresel
i
nacoul
d
event
alkuberar
rived.
Thet
wol
adi
esexchangednumber
s
Jada:
gir
lssayby
ewel
eav
ingnow.
Theygirl
sdi
dhast
oldLi
thedi
dn'
twantt
olet
them go.
Jadawr ot
edowngrandma'
snumberf
orli
the
cal
lthatnumberwhenyouwantt
otal
ktothem.
Shehuggedmar
khesavedherki
dsandshewi
l
l
for
everr
emai
ngreatf
ull
.
Sel
inaontheotherhandwasint
earsshefel
tso
badjadadidn'
tl
ookhappyatal
l,jadahugged
herandlef
twithherki
ds.
Alongthewayshefel
ttheneedt
ocr
ythegi
rl
s
hadsleptshel
etal
lout.
[
06/
12,
22:
20]Ron:
Thesl
avegi
rl

#30

NARRATED

Jadahadal
ongdayi
nPr
etor
ia,
shehadal
ot
goi
ngonbyt hethet
imeshegothomei
twas
al
ready7pm i
nthenight
.
Shewalkedtoherr
oom gotabatht
henwentt
o
theki
tchenandmadeher
selfacupoft
ea.
Shecoul
dheargi
ggl
escomi
ngf
rom t
hespar
e
room.
gr
andmawassleepi
nginherroom,and
omuhlewaswor
kingnightshi
ft
.
Shewalkedsl
owlytot
hespar
eroom andst
ood
onthealmostcl
oseddoor
.
Shet
henhear
dzey
nepaski
ngquest
ionsl
i
ke
Sowhathappenedtosweetcakesandpumpki
n
theynev
ergotmarr
ied?
Li
the:l
aughi
ngnoshedoesn'
tl
ovehi
m
anymor
e.
Zuri
el:whathappenedt
osweetcakesdi
dhe
fi
ndhisrealmum?
Li
the:
henev
erf
oundhi
sreal
fami
l
y"but
pumpki
nbroughthi
m anewf
ami
l
ysohi
sfi
ne
nowIguess.
Zur
iel
:Dadt
hat
'sasadst
ory
.
Zeynep:
iwishsweetcakesandpumpki
ncoul
d
fi
ndhappiness.
Li
the:youguy
sshouldsleepbeforey our
motherfi
ndsyouawake..
..
..
..
..
..
..
..
..
..
Jadamatchedtohergr
andmother
sroom and
cl
osedt
hedoorbehindher,gr
andmawakeup
weneedtotalk.
Gogo:
whati
sit?
Jadawasbreat
hingf
ir
eshecoul
dnotev
en
seatdown"
Jada:whati
sgoi
ngon?whati
sli
thedoi
ng
here?
Gogo:
hmmmm hi
sthenewf
arm manager
.
Jada:
whyhi
m?
Gogo:
ithoughty
ouneededhel
pint
hef
ir
st
pl
ace?
Jada:idon'
tneedhel
pany
mor
etel
lhi
m hi
s
notneededher
eatall
.
Gogo:jadabr
eat
hjustr
elaxbecauseLi
thei
s
notgoi
nganywher
e.
Jada:
say
swho?
Gogo:
myhousemyRulesonl
yigett
odeci
de
whost
aysandwhol
eav
es.
Jada:
cry
inggogoushoul
dhav
easkedmef
ir
st.
Gogo:ical
l
edyouandy
ousai
domuhl
eandI
coul
dhandl
ethi
s.
Jadacr
yingoohnothi
m,i
dontwhatt
oseehi
m.
Gogo:geti
nmybedandt el
lmeevery
thi
ng
l
ivi
ngoutnot
hingstopcry
ingyouknowIdon'
t
l
ikeseei
ngyoulikethi
s.
Shegoti
ngr
andma'
sbedandl
etherhear
tout
toher
.
Gogo:
ithi
nkonedayj
ustcr
eat
eti
meandl
et
l
it
heknowhowyoufeel
"am notsay
inggetback
wit
hhi
m,Am onl
ysayi
ngthebothofyouneed
t
omakepeace.
Jada:
okgogogudni
ght
.
Grandma: gudnight
dear.
..
..
..
..
..
..
..
..
..
..
..
..
..
..
..
..
..
..
..
..
..
..
.
Omuhl egotfr
om wor
kinst
eadofgoi
ngtoher
room shechooset
ogotograndmashewas
scar
edofjada.
Sheclosedt hedoorbehi
ndherandsaid"
grandmal etmesl eepi
nher
ebef or
ejadaki
l
ls
me, am notgoingtomyroom.
Jadal
aughi
ngam goi
ngt
oki
l
lyour
ighti
nher
e.
Omuhlelaughi
ngi
khonaam r
unni
ngawaykant
i
youher
e.
Grandma:laughi
ngomuhl
eyoumostmake
surethepl
aceissaf
ebef
oreyout
hinkoutl
oud.
Omuhl
eopenedthedoorandrant
oherr
oom
wi
thj
adafol
lowi
ngintheback,
OMUHLE: letmeexplai
nshesai
dbr
eat
hing
fastbecauseoftherunni
ng.
Jada:
youofal
lpeopl
e?
Omuhl
e:am sosorr
ymaybey
oumostgi
vehi
m
t
imetoexpl
ainhi
mself
.
Jada:ar
eyoumyr
eal
fami
l
yvel
e?
Omuhl
e:don'
tsayt
hat,
youknow wel
ovey
ou.
Jada:evenzey
nepandZur
iel
didn'
tsl
eepi
nmy
room l
astni
ght
.
Omuhle:don'tbehar
donyour
selftodayy
ou
andli
theshouldj
ustt
alkt
hendeci
dewhatyou
wantnext.
Jada:
ihav
enot
hingt
osayt
ohi
m.
Omuhl
e:her
ewegoagai
n.
Jadal ef
tforherr
oom gotr
eadyandwentt
o
checkonthecrops.
Mostofthewor
khadbeendoneandi
twas
onl
y09:00AM i
nthemorni
ng.
Shewassur
pri
sedwhoonear
thdi
dthi
s?
t
heseguysnev
erforadaydoany
thi
ngwi
thout
mepushingt
hem ar
ound.
Shelookedaroundandsawli
thehewasbusy
worki
ngwi t
ht heguy
s"onecoul
dseetheywer
e
havi
ngagr eatti
me,
Aft
erhesawherhewal
kedupt
oherandsai
d
gudmorni
ng.
Jada:
gudmor
ning.
Lit
he: youneedtohandov ert
hebookst
ome
beforeaft
ernoonsothatIknowmywayar ound
thefarm"andwhatIneedt odoonmydaily
basis.
Jada:
ok.
Li
the:
okwhat
?Ineedt
hem l
i
ker
ightnow.
Jada:
arey
ougoi
ngt
oor
dermear
ound?
Li
the:
NOma'
am.
Jada:
isai
doki
wel
lper
sonal
l
ybr
ingt
hem t
o
y
ou.
Lit
he:whydon'
tyoul
ookmei
ntheey
e'swhen
youtal
ktome?
Jadatur
nedandwal
kedaway
,shewasnot
readyf
orhi
sdrama.

[
06/
13,
17:
45]Ron:
Thesl
avegi
rl

#31

Thr
eemont
hsl
ater

Jada

I
t'
saSundayomuhlei
sonsi
ckl
eav
e"buti
n
r
eall
i
feshe'
snotsi
ck,
WehadSundayl
unchuncl
eBobi
sar
oundsoi
s
mar
kandROHID.
Seli
nai
sherewit
hhersonf oraweekIdon't
knowwhyithadtobeaweek,gr andmabeing
apeopl
e'sper
sonthatshei
s,sheletsel
i
nastay
foraweek.
Iti
sagreatdayandeveryonewashappyuncl e
Bobwast hehappi
estbecauseev er
ytimehe
seesLi
thelobolai
sthefirstt
hingthatcomes
tohismindpl
usdamagef ee.
Lit
heboughtbeer
sandt
heguy
'swer
ehav
ing
fun.
Uncl
eBob:l
it
hesowhenareyoumar
ryi
ngj
ada?
Heaskedwhi
leeat
inghi
spap.
Mar
k:l
aughi
ngy
anowt
hati
saquest
ion?
Jadawaswi
tht
hel
adiesi
ntheki
tchen
cooki
ngwhi
let
heguy
'sdi
dthebr
aai.
Li
the:al
lam wai
tingf
or,
isf
orj
adat
ogi
veusa
secondchance.
Uncl
eBob:
meani
ng?
ROHID:
meaningj
adadoesn'
twantt
omake
thi
swor
kbet
weenthem.
Uncl
eBob:maralomnt
wana(
shout
ing)JADA
"
JADA:am coming.
Shewentt
owher
ehewas.
Jada:
uncl
eyoucal
l
edme?
Uncl
eBob:
udaki
we?
j
adawasconf
usedshedi
dn'
tunder
standwhy
uncl
eBobsai
dthat
.
UncleBob:kodwaabant
wanaoft
his
generat
ionwhatiswr
ongwit
hyou?
Jada:
whathav
eidone?
Uncl
eBob:am notaski
ngyoubutam t
ell
i
ng
yout
ogoandtalkthi
ngsthr
oughwit
hLITHE.
UncleBobpul
ledj
adaasi
de,andsaidtoher"
thisguyt
hemomenthi
sgoingtoleav
et hi
s
placeipr
omi
seyou,
hi
snotcomi
ngbackwemengett
ir
edof
pl
eadi
ng.
Thi
sworldhasnev
erhadshortageofwomen.
Buti
thasalway
shadashortageofmen.
Jadakeeptr
eat
inghi
m badl
yyougoi
ngt
o
regr
ett
his.
Ify
oudon'
tlov
ehim any
morel
ethi
m gohi
s
someone'
sson"?
hedeserv
estobehappy
.
Doy
ouev
enknowhi
sst
ory
?
Jada:
no.
UncleBob: hi
swaiti
ngfory
oui nthebackoft
he
house,goandt al
k,ify
oustil
lfeelhat
redf
or
hi
m wel et
ti
nghim go.
Jada:
ok.Letmedr
inksomewat
erf
ir
st.
Uncl
eBob:
giv
emet
hef
eedback.
Jada:
ok.
Sel
i
na:
uyaphi
?
j
ada:
uncl
eBobwant
sli
theandIt
otal
kthi
ngs
t
hrough.
Omuhl
e:atl
ast
.
Jada:
dizof
ikandi
thi
niaphondi
say
akhona.?
Omuhl
e:j
ustt
ell
him whaty
ouf
eel
.
Seli
na:remembert
ogi
vehi
m achancet
o
expl
ainhimsel
f.
Jadalef
ttogoandmetli
theshedi
dbr
eat
hin
thensatdown"l
i
thedi
dthesome,
Backint
hehousesel
i
naandomuhl
ewer
e
tal
ki
ng.
Sel
i
na:MarkandIcameupthisi
sidealwe
j
ustwantt
omakesur
etheyst
aytogether
.
Omuhl
e:t
hat
'ssoni
ceofy
ou,
Buti
fjadaf
indsout,
youar
edead.
Sel
i
na:it'
sourlit
tl
esecret
.Theybot
h
l
augh.
..
..
..
..
..
..
..
..
..
..
..
..
..
Jada:
youcangof
ir
st.
Li
the:
NO,y
ougof
ir
st.
Jada:tel
lmewhyy
ounev
erkepty
ourpr
omi
se
onthatday?
Lit
heexplai
nedev
ery
thingtojadaincl
udi
ngt
he
factt
hathewasnotthereall
i
the.
Shecr
iedsodi
dli
the.
Jadaexpl
ainedwhyshehatedl
it
hesomuch"
shetol
dhim howsheneededhimthemost
whenzeynepandZuri
elwerebor
n"
Andwhathappenedwhenhewasnotar
ound
shewascry
ingwhil
eexpl
aini
ng.
Li
thecr
iedbecausehedi
dn'
tknowwhatshe
hadtogothr
ough.
Li
the:
am sor
ry.Thatwasal
lhecoul
dsay
.
Jada:am sor
ryfornotgi
vi
ngy
ouachancet
o
expl
ainal
lthi
slong.
Li
the:
ihav
emi
ssedusj
ada.
j
ada:
whatabutSar
ah?
Li
the:shesai
dshewantsamanthatlooksat
her"t
hewayIlookaty
ou,Soshel
eft
.
Jada:iknowam beingsel
fi
shbutIwashat
e
whenIsawy ouwit
hher.
Li
the:she'
snotcomi ngbackam al
lyour
s,he
pul
ledhergentl
yintohi
sstrongarmsand
ki
ssedherforehead.
Li
the:
ireal
l
ymi
ssedt
his.
JadaSmi
l
ingmet
oo.
Hewipedhert
ear
saway
,sheal
sowi
pedhi
s
t
ear
saway .
Theyst
ayedi
neachot
her
sar
msf
oral
ongt
ime.
Omuhlewal
kedupt
othem andcl
ear
edher
t
hroat
.
Jadal
aughi
ngwhatdoy
ouwant
?
Omuhlelaughi
ngjustmakingsur
emyf
avour
it
e
coupl
eisdoingjustf
ine.
Mar
kont
heot
herhandwasdeadwor
ri
edhas
t
owhyt
heyt
aki
ngsol
ong.
Hehadtogoandseewhatwashappening
whenhegotthere,hej
ustt
ookomuhlebyhand
l
earntomindyourownbusi
nesswhatdoyou
wanther
e?
Omuhle:t
heexactsamet
hingy
oucame
l
ooki
ngfor.
Theybot
hwal
kedawaywhi
l
efi
ght
ingeach
other
.
Li
thel
aughi
ngt
heybot
hcr
azy
.
Jada:
l
aughi
ngy
oucansayt
hatagai
n.
Li
the:t
hanky
ouf
orgi
vi
ngmesuchador
abl
e
babi
es.
Jada:
youdeser
vet
hem.
Li
the:
ist
il
ll
ovey
ou,Inev
erst
oppedl
ovi
ngy
ou.
Jada:
ilov
eyout
oo.Inev
erst
oppedl
ovi
ngy
ou.
[
06/
13,
17:
45]Ron:
THESLAVEGI
RL
#32

NARRATED

Lit
heandjadadeci dedtotel
luncl
eBobwhat
theyhaddecided,
becauseuncl
eBobsai
dhe
needsfeedback.
Jadawal
kedtothel
adi
eswhi
l
eli
thedeci
ded
total
ktouncl
eBob,
UncleBobwashavi
ngagreatt
imewiththe
gentl
emental
ki
nguntill
i
theappear
ed"my
"boy"howdidi
tgo?Uncl
eBobaskedlit
he.
Li
the:
per
fect
,Ihav
emywomanback.
Theboy swerehappyf orhimincl
udingROHI
D
because"hi
m ofallpeopleknewjusthowmuch
j
adalovedli
the.
Ever
yti
meshetr
iedtopushhi
m awayROHI
D
coul
dseel
ovebehi
ndherbehavi
our
.
Uncl
eBob:
sowheni
sthebi
gday
?
Li
thel
aughi
nghassoonhaspossi
ble.
ROHI
D:howsoon.
Li
the:markwill
havet
owalkmethrought
his
becauseIdon'
tknowwhati
stobedone.
Mar
k:i
gotu.
Uncl
eBob:
whenshoul
dweexpecty
ourpeopl
e?
Mark:expectt
hem t
hedayaf
tert
omor
row
af
ter
noonisthebestti
me.
Uncl
eBob:laughi
ngsosoon.It
houghty
ou
goi
ngtot
alkabout1or2years.
Mark:know wedon' tt
aketime,thismeans
Li
theandIareleavi
ngt odayit
self"sothatwe
canprepar
eforthelobolanegoti
ation.
Mypar
ent
sandhi
smot
herwi
l
lbepr
esentt
oo.
UncleBoblaughi
ngNoprobl
em myboywe
havetopreparehaswel
l
.
Uncl
eBob:
ROHI
Dyouv
erywel
lknowt
haty
ou
aretherebrot
her,youdon'thavet
omissthe
negoti
ationcl
earyourschedul
efort
hedayaft
er
tomorrow.
ROHI
D:nopr
obl
em.
LI
THE:
can'
twej
ustl
eav
etomor
rowmor
ning?
Mar
k:l
aughi
ngl
i
ker
eal
l
ydude?
Uncl
eBob:hi
sri
ghti
t'
snotsaf
etot
rav
el
dur
ingt
heni
ght.
ROHI
D: whyi
sitt
hatt
hisf
ami
l
yhashi
sback
somuch?
IhopeonedayIal
sogetawomanf
rom af
ami
l
y
asgoodasthi
sone.
Mar
k:don'
twor
rymi
racl
esst
il
lhappen.
Aft
erdi
nnerthatwasaround7pm i
ntheni
ght
l
it
heaskedjadaiftheycoul
dgoforawalkshe
agr
eed.
I
twasquit
einthemainroadthetwolovebi
rds
hel
dhandsandwalkedt
ot hesupermar
ket
t
hatwascl
oseby
.
Lit
heboughtthr
eemay ojustl
iketheol
ddays
theyhadtofi
ghtfort
heremainingone,
Unti
l
theydeci
dedtoshareinbetween.
Jada:
wehav
enotboughtgi
zzar
ds.
Li
thel
aughi
ngwhydoy
oul
ovet
hem somuch?
j
adawi
thasadf
acepl
easej
ustonepl
ease.
Li
thel
aughi
ngokokaydon'
tcr
y.
Jada:
what?
Li
the:iknowt
hispl
acet
heyhav
eev
eryt
ast
y
one'
s.
Jada:oohmyGod.Thi
smeansy
ouhav
ebeen
eati
ngthem .
Li
the:
yep.
Theybot
hlaugh
Afterbuyi
ng4ofthem theyshared2eacht
hey
keptteasi
ngeachotherandlaughed.
Li
the:t
hiswasourf
ir
stdat
einf
orev
erandwe
usedj
ustR29.
Jada:ir
emembery
ouoncesai
diny ournext
l
ife,
yougoi
ngt
ouseR29onyourfi
rstdate.
I
sthi
syournextl
i
fe.
Li
the:yes,laughi
ngist
il
ldon'
tbel
i
evewear
e
parent
s"l
ikewehavecomealongway.
Jada:somepeoplewoul
dlookatusand
admir
ewhatwehav e,
notknowi
ngwhatwe
havebeent
hrough.
Li
thel
aughi
ngpeopl
eonl
yadmi
ret
hef
inal
pr
oduct
.
Jada:
wehomeal
ready
?
Li
the:
don'
ttel
lmey
oudon'
twantt
obehome?
Jada:
whyi
sitt
hatwedi
dn'
ttaket
ime?
Li
the:that
'swhathappenswhenyouwalki
ng
wi
ththelov
eofy oul
ife,
hewinkedhi
seyeather
.
Thet
imewas8pm i
ntheni
ghtandj
adahadt
o
putt
hegi
rl
stobed.
Shenor
mal
l
yreadst
heBi
bleandpr
ayswi
tht
he
gi
rl
s.
Zey
nepkeptgi
ggl
i
ngIdon'
tknowwhy
.
Me:
honeyar
eyouok?
Zey
nep:
yesmummy
.
Zuriel
:yougoi
ngt
ospoi
ldad'
ssur
pri
sest
op
that.
Jada:
whatsur
pri
se?
Zur
iel
:it
'snot
hing.
Thet hi
ngI sZuri
eli
smor eofadaddy'sli
ttl
egi
rl
andz eynepismummy '
sgir
l"al
thoughthey
mightbei denti
calt
heybothhavetoodiffer
ent
personali
ti
es.
Jada:zeynept
ell
mummywhatsur
pri
sey
our
dadhasforme.
Zey
nep:
sor
rymummynott
oday
.
Zur
iel
:that
'smysi
ster.
Thefunnypar
tistheyevendi
dahighfiv
eonly
omuhleandIdothat,thismeanstheseto
watchus.
Me:
okl
et'
sreadt
heBi
blet
henpr
ay.
Zur
iel
:myf
avour
it
epar
t.
Zey
nep:
sincewhen?
Zur
iel
:si
ncenow.
Jada: okokaynofighti
ng,shethenopened
theBibletohersur
prisethi
sBibl
ehadast r
ing
onthest r
ingwasaringwithanoteint
he
cornersaying.
Wi
l
lyoumar
ri
eme?
Shehadt
ear
sinherey
esshedi
dn'
tseet
his
onecomi
ng.
Thegi
rl
swer elaughi
ngbecauseev
ery
one
knewexpecther
.
Well
theringwasboughtbysel
i
nashehad
ev
erythi
ngplannedout
.
Sheevent
oldherhusbandt
hatshehadf
ait
h
herpl
answoul
dwor k.
Whenjadalookedatherdaught
ert
her
ehewas
ononeknee,wellyoumarri
eme?
Jadawi
tht
ear
ful
eye'
syesIwi
l
lmar
ri
eyou.
Li
thet
ooktheri
ngandputi
tonherf
ingershe
cr
iedt
ear
sofjoy.
Ever
yonewal
kedi
nandcongr
atul
atedt
he
coupl
e.
Markwalkedtohiswifeandstoodnearher
t
hen(whisper
ed)Imostsayy oudidagreatj
ob
Mrskhumalo,Iunderest
imatedyou.
Sel
i
na(whi
sper
ingback)nev
erunderest
imat
e
awoman.
Mark:congr
atul
ati
onsguy
sbutt
hegr
oom and
Ineedtol
eave.
ROHI
D:am al
sogoi
ng,
OMUHLE:
thoughty
ousai
dyouwor
kingni
ght
shi
ftt
omor
row.
?
ROHID:am comi
ngoverf
ort
wol
ongday
's
yougoi
ngtoseemoreofme.
Omuhle: i
t'
snotl
i
keweev
enneedy
oui
nthe
fi
rstpl
ace.
ROHID:cray
,cr
ay.Hesai
dthatpar
twi
th
at
ti
tude.
Omuhl
egotangr
y.
ROHI
D:am sor
ry,
wasj
ustj
oki
ng.
Omuhl
e:y
ouf
orgi
ven.
Mar
kkissedhiswif
eandchil
dsodidl
it
het
hey
wal
kedoutgoti
nthecaranddrov
eoff
.
[
06/
13,
17:
45]Ron:
THESLAVEGI
RL

#33

☆JADA☆
everythi
nghappenedsofasti
can'
tbeli
evethat
afterall
thedr
ama"Li t
heandIst
il
lendedup
together.
Ist
il
lcan'
tbel
i
evewear
eget
ti
ngmar
ri
ed,
Mywhol
eli
fei
haveneverbeent
hisexci
ted,
howdoot
herpeopl
efeel
?
Becauset
hisf
ami
l
yisoutoft
hingswor
ld.
Am noteducatedt
ohislevel
,am notcl
oset
o
thewomeni haveseenhim wi
th.
Li
kehowdidhesettl
edforl
esswhenhecan
haveanypower
ful
educatedandi
ndependent
woman.
Whydidhethi
nkIdeserv
etobehi
swif
e?Igot
comfor
tabl
ewithj
ustbei
ngthemot
herofhi
s
ki
d'
s.
Tr
ustmeIhat
ethewor
ldbabymama.
Yeswehav
eyourki
d'
saddr
essusj
ustal
i
ttl
e
beatwi
thr espectl
i
ket
hat
'
st hemot herofmy
ki
d'sorthat'
smysonsmot hernotbaby
(mama).
Iwaswai
ti
ngf
orl
i
thetocall
met
hatt
henam
goi
ngtobl
owupi
nhisface.
Buthekeptt
ell
i
nggrandmathatunti
lhe
marri
edmehisnotgiv
ingup,andherewear
e.
Iwasinbedwithsel
i
nawewer etal
ki
ng,am
awayscuri
oussoIwant edt
oknowhowshe
andmarkgettoweretheyar
enow.
Me:
gir
lhowdi
dyougethomet
hatday
?
Seli
nal
aughingit'
scrazybutthatwast
hedayI
tookonajourneytobeinghappy.
Jada:
tel
lmeal
labuti
t.
Seli
na: wheni rantotheroadsideIsaw a
blackcaritstoppedinfrontofme,itwasmark
hecamet ot elljar
uthathecoul dnotmakei
t
tothepart.
Igoti
nwet
hendr
ovest
rai
ghtt
oPr
etor
iat
o
ourol
dfl
atmymot
herwassohappyt
oseeme
.
Shecr
ied,wespokeshewassohappyto
meetmarkandshe'
sdy
ingtomeetyou"has
ti
mewentbyMarkwouldcometocheckonme.
Ineededtobehappysomum sentmet oa
rehabi
li
tat
ioncent
ret
hat'swhatIwanted
becauseIwasgoingcrazyli
ttl
ebyl
it
tl
e"what
happenedtomewasnotaj oke.
Ihat
edmysel
fev
erymomentIwant
edt
otake
myownli
fe.
mar kandLi
thevi
sit
edalmostev
eryweekend
everyti
meIsawthem Ir
ememberedour
fr
iendshi
p,oursi
ster
hood.
ThenIhadt
her
easont
oleav
eagai
nunt
ilaf
ter
ayear
.
Markwoul
dcomehomet
ocheckonme.
somet
imeshewoul
daskifIneededany
thi
ng?
Hebr
oughtmeany
thi
ngIaskedhi
mtobr
ing,
apar
tfr
om mum hewast
heonl
yper
sonI
tr
ust
ed.
Onedaywewentf
oramov
ie,
aft
eramov
ieat
Arcadi
amal
l
.
weact ual
l
ywalkedbecausehestay
edi
n
sunny
sideandIstay
edinArcadi
a.
hejustkissedmeunannounced"f
ort
hef
ir
st
ti
mei nforevert
hisf
eltsor
ight
.
If
eltIhadt
omuchi
nmysui
tcase,
If
eltIhadsomuchskel
etonsi
nmycl
oset
,
nobodywasev
ergoi
ngt
olov
emef
orme.
ButIwaswr
ong.
If
elthedeser
vesbett
eraft
ert
hekissIt
oldhi
m
i
t'
snotsafetotouchbr
okengl
asses
"buthesai
dhi snotscaredofwoundedpeopl
e
hedealswi
ththem onadai l
ybasi
s,andt
hey
arethemostsweetestpeopl
e.
HeaskedmeoutandIsai
dyes.
Wedi
dn'
tdat
eforl
onghispeopl
ecamehome
f
orl
obol
anegot
iat
ion.
Aftert
hatwegotmar
ri
ed,Ihadt
woson'
sin
thehouse.
l
itheandmar
kwouldmesst
hingsupandi
had
t
opickaft
ert
hem.
Il
ovedhav
ingthem aroundal
thought
heyar
e
sover
yannoyi
ngatt i
me.
Ihadt omakesuretheybot
hcleanand
spot
lessbefor
etheyleav
eforwork"ienj
oyed
ever
ything.
Markwantedt
osendmebacktoschooli
r
efusedIj
ustwant
edtobeahousewi
fe,Iknow
i
t'
soldschool
butt
hati
swhatIlov
edoing.
Lifei
sachoi
ceandbothmar
kandLi
the
respect
edmychoi
ces,
foundoutIwaspregnantwithoursonAndr
ew
andbothli
theandmar k"wouldnotl
etmedo
anythi
ng.
From cookingt
ocl
eani
ngt
heyhadt
odoi
t
themselves.
Beforet
heycouldclean,
theyhadt
ofi
ghteach
otherov
ercrazythi
ngs.
Ienjoyedhav
ingt
hem aroundunti
loursonwas
born,nowIhadthreeboystotakecar
eof
that'
swhat'
sup.
unt
ilwemeety
ouont
hatday
.
Li
themov
edouti
real
l
ymi
sshav
inghi
m
ar
ound.
Butam happyhi
shappyandy
ouar
ehi
shappy
pl
ace.
Jada:
am happyy
ouar
efi
nal
l
yhappy
,canI
hugu?
Seli
nal
aughi
ngwhynot .Theybothhugged
eachot
her..
..
..
..
..
..
..
..
..
..
..
..
..
..
..
..
..
..
..
..
..
..
..
.
Morni
ngcameomuhlewascal
l
edatworkt
hat
i
twasanemergencyt
heypr
omisedt
ogi
veher
anext
raweekof
f.
Shegotreadyandl
eftforworki
twaseasy
becauseshewasdri
vinghersmall
car.
I
twasabusydayatt hehospi
talshehel
ped
unt
ili
twasaround4pm,shedidn'tev
engoon
l
unchbreak.
that'
showmuchshel
oveswor
kingf
orher
peopl
e.
ShesentROHIDatextandaskedhi
mtobr
ing
herst
eersonhiswaytothef
arm.
ROHIDbroughthert hef oodandpassedby
kwamhlangahospi tal
"andcal l
edomuhlet he
nur
se'swereimpr essedbyhi slookssomesaid
helooksl
oaded, whi l
esomeaskedomuhl eto
makeconnectionsf orthem t
hatwasaf terhe
l
eft
.
Bongibeingomuhle'
slawyershest
oodupand
l
iedtothem say
ingthatwasomuhle'
shusband
tobe.
Theyl
aughedwhi
l
eenj
oyi
ngt
hef
ood"t
het
wo
l
adi
esgr
owev
encl
osert
oeachot
her
.
Omuhl
e:t
hatwasaf
atl
i
eyouj
ustsai
dout
t
her
e.
Bongi:
maybey
oushoul
dchangethewayyou
l
ookathim,mi
ndy
ou"youwon'tstayy
oung
for
ever
.
[
06/
13,
17:
45]Ron:
Thesl
avegi
rl
#34

☆ omuhl
e☆

aweekhaspassedsi
ncet
hel
obol
anegot
iat
ion
"t
rustmeuncleBobi
ssuchadr
amaQueen.
Gr
andmawant
edtoinv
iteot
herf
ami
l
y
member
sfr
om dad'
ssi
de,
uncl
ewasbr
eat
hingf
ir
e.
Hewentont
oaskgr andmawer
ewher
ethey
whenwehadnot
hing?
Nobodycamet ocheckonusorhelpwit
h
anythi
ng,nowt hathewantstouset
hemoney
andbuyat axif
amilymostcomeanddemand
forshares.
Gogo:
theyar
est
il
lfami
l
yshesai
dtouncl
eBob.
UncleBob:
stopmakingpeopler
eapwher
e
theydi
dnotsowit
'sagai
nsttheBibl
e.
Thefoll
owi
ngmorni
nghecamehomewi
tha
brandnewtaxi
.
Incl
udingt
heol
donei
t'
sli
kehet
ooki
tfor
servi
ce.
hewasoncloudni
ne,
Icanjusti
magi
net
he
ki
ndofbehav
iorhej
ustpul
l
edupattheMTN
Taxi
rank.
If
eelsor
ryf
orthoset
hatsai
dhecan'
tbuya
br
andnew taxi
cash,
Becauset
hewayIknow" uncl
e"hi
sgoi
ngt
o
makesuretheyal
lhearf
rom him.
 ♡♡♡♡♡♡♡♡♡♡♡♡♡♡♡♡♡♡♡♡♡♡♡
Ont heotherhandwewentont opr
epar
ea
surpri
seweddingforbot
hjadaandLi
the(shhh
don'tt
ell
them)
Wefoundaperf
ectplacewi
thi
nthef
armt
hen
hi
redadecorat
ingcompany,t
heydi
dan
amazi
ngjob.
Thisweddingisbei
ngsponsoredbyourfami
ly
thisi
ncl
udesROHI D andLi
the'
sfami
lywhichis
hismother,Markandhisenti
refami
lythen
closefr
iends.
Wejustwantthem t
oknowj usthowmuchwe
appr
eciat
ethem,andt hi
swasourwayof
showi
ngourloveforthem.
I
twasnotsomethi
ngbigwedeci
dedon100
peopl
ewhi
chincl
udescl
osef
amil
yandfr
iends.
Ipickedj
ada'sweddingdressbecauseIknow
whatshel i
ke,Ipai
dfort
hedr esswhil
emar kon
theotherhandboughtLITHEt hesui
tforhi
s
weddi
ngbysui
tImeanev
ery
thi
ngi
ncl
udi
ng
t
heshoe'
sandal
l.
Sel
inaontheot
herhandshei
sver
ygudat
makeupandstyl
i
nghairsoj
adawon'
tthi
nkof
any
t hi
ng.
Ourmeanai
mist
omakesur
eit
'sper
fectf
or
t
hecoupl
e.
(Lol)t
het hingi
stheythi
nkweal
laregoi
ngf
or
dinnertonight,Idon'
twantt
hem t
oget
suspici
ous".
mostl
yjadashe'
sjustt
omuchf
ormewheni
t
comestofi
ndi
ngoutthi
ngs.
Imadesur enobodywenttothevenuebecause
evengrandmai st
obesurpri
sedlongwiththe
couple,butImadesurethatthepeopl
ethat
aredeartoher"ii
nvi
tedt
hem andmadesur e
theydon'tt
ell
her.
Thi
sincl
udest
hebri
deandthegroom fort
he
bri
desmai
dsitwassel
i
na,pal
isashe'
sour
neighbourgrandma'
sbestf
ri
ends
granddaught
er.
Am t
hethesuper
visorwhi
l
eROHI
Dandmar
k
ar
egroomsmen.
Thedecori
spurewhi
tewi
thj
asmi
nef
lower
s
andatouchofgol
d.
Thethemeispur
ewhi
tewi
that
ouchofgol
dfor
ever
yone.
Expectf
orthebr
idesmai
dsther
edressar
ehi
gh
kneepeachcol
ourwithgol
dsti
l
ett
os.
f
ormen"
it
'
scharcoal
greysuit
swi
thst
arwhi
teshi
rts
wi
thpeachball
tie,
tomat
chwit
hwit
htheladies.
Weal
sohi
redt
hecompanyt
hatt
ookcar
eoft
he
f
oodandt
hedr
inks.
Thecakewasdel
i
ver
edont
ime,ev
ery
thi
ng
wasontime.
by6pm ev
ery
thi
ngwasj
ustper
fectROHI
Dis
wal
ki
ngj
adadownt
heAi
sl
e.
Sotheotherthi
ngist
odaywearealsogoi
ngt
o
meetROHI D'
Sadopti
vepar
ent
sam super
exci
tedl
i
kei t
'sact
ual
lymywedding.
Mar
kist
heonewi
tht
her
ings.
ZeynepandZur
iel
aref
lowergi
rl
sfort
he
wedding.
Jadaworeherdr
essshelookedbeaut
if
ulwi
th
thel
it
tl
etouchofmakeup.
Uncl
eBobi
sthemast
erofcer
emony
.
Lol
icoul
dnott
hinkofabet
terper
sont
henhi
m.
ThedecorwasjustsuperamazingIcan'
tgett
o
descr
ibej
usthowbeaut i
ful
ital
lcameout.
Everyonel
ookedbeaut
if
ulihadtogoand
coll
ectmyoutfi
tfr
om kwamhlangaCROSS
ROADS.
mycol
leaguesamanda,mphoandbongiI
mett
hem bythecompl
exthatwasaf
ter
col
l
ect
ingmyout
fi
t.
Iwasdr
ivi
ngwi
thbongi
whi
l
eamadawas
dri
vi
ngwit
hmpho.
Myout
fi
tcoll
ect
iont
ooksometi
meandwe
wer
edelay
edfor30minut
esormor
e.
Soourdri
vebackhomehadtobeaf astone
becauset
heweddinghadal
readyst
arted.
Iwantedtocal
lsel
i
naj
ustt
omakesur
e
ever
ythi
ngisOK!
i
thenr
eal
i
sedt
hatmyphonei
swi
thAmanda,
Iaskedhert
ohol
ditf
orme.
wearebothgoi
ngtomypl
acesoam goi
ngt
o
col
l
ectitf
rom t
here.
Whileintheroadav erybi
gtr
ucklostcont
rolI
thoughti
tjustthebadbehavi
ourdriv
ers
developduri
ngt henight
.
Befor
eIcouldknowi
tmymi ni
carwasunder
thetr
uckIrememberhear
ingmphoscr
eaming
shecal
ledmynamet henbongi
,butIcoul
dnot
answerifel
tli
fel
i
vingmybody.
Theysaybef or
eaper
sondie'
slif
efl
ashesi
n
frontoft
hem ,Isawi
tfl
ashri
ghti
nfr
ontofme
thisisi
t.
..
..
..
..
..
..
..
Amandaandmphogotoutofther
ecarwhi
ch
wasdri
vi
ngbehi
ndbongiandomuhle.

●Amanda●

thebl
oodthatcamefr
om underneat
hthet
ruck
t
rustmethere'
snogoodnewsatall.
Igotconf
usedIdi
dn'tknow whotocal
l
,I
deci
dedtocal
lthepoli
ce,thent
heambulance.
Mphoontheotherhandcal
l
edbongi
'
sparent
s
Icoul
dnotcal
ljadaIknewj
usthowmucht
his
daymeanttoher.
Thepol
i
cecamesodi
dtheambul
ancet
he
tr
uckdriv
erwasnothat
eherwasact
ual
l
y
drank.
Bothomuhl
eandbongiwer
ebadl
yinj
uredand
coul
dnotbr
eat
ht her
espul
secol
l
apsedinfact
ther
ewasnosignofl
if
e.

BACKHOME

j
adawashappyshedidnotseet
hiscomi
ng
Li
thewasshockedt
hiswashisdream
weddi
ng.
Jadacoul
dnotbeliev
ethatsomeonecoul
d
actual
l
yorgani
seherweddingsoperf
ect
wit
houtaski
ngwhatsheloved?Orwantedbut
thi
swasjustperf
ect.
Alt
houghshewassohappyshecouldnotwait
tofi
ghtomuhl
eforhi
dingsuchat
hingf
rom her
.
Jadamadeapromiset
oor
gani
seasurpr
ise
weddi
ngforomuhl
ewhenshemeet
stheright
guy,
andshewon'
tseet
hiscomi
ng.
Thecer
emonyf i
nal
l
ycamet oanendthen
ROHIDrecei
vedacall
from omuhle'
sphone.
[
06/
13,
17:
45]Ron:
THESLAVEGI
RL

#35

Oneweekl
ater

NARRATED

Bongicouldnotmakei tshediedonthespot
omuhl eontheotherhandwasinabad
conditi
on"shewasonl if
esupport
ingmachines
ri
ghtnowany thi
ngcanhappenshehasnot
mov ed.
Let'
sjustsayonlyGodknowsatthi
smoment,
becauseherlungskeepcoll
apsi
ng.
It
'ssadhow somepeoplekeepsuf
fer
ing
fr
om onepr obl
em t
otheot
herwhil
eot her
s
aredoingj
ustfi
ne.
It
'sf
unnyhowwepr ayforabet
tert
omorr
ow
andsti
l
lsuff
erbecausetomorr
ownevercomes.
Ourdemonsf
eedonoursor
rowssot
heywon'
t
l
etgo,
ROHIDHasbeenlookingafteromuhl
eandt he
ki
d'sbecausej
adaandLithelef
tfort
here
honeymoononthenightofther
ewedding,
hecouldnottel
lherjusti
ncaseomuhl e
doesn'
tmakeit,j
ada shouldhaveamoment
sheoncewashappybecausef r
om thelookof
thi
ngshappi
nessi sjustaguesti
nherli
feit
doesn'
tst
ayforever.
Thisal
lthingwasdr
aini
ngROHI D hewas
gett
ingt
iredbuthepr
omi sedt
oalwaysbe
ther
e.
Gr
andmahadt
osy
mpat
hisewi
thBongi
'
s
famil
ybutt hef
amil
ybl
amedomuhl
efort
her
e
daughter
'sdeat
h,
Theyblamedherf
ordri
vi
ngwitht
her
edaught
er,
theybl
amedherforev
eryt
hing.
Ifnotfor"omuhle"bongiwoul
dsti
llbeal
iv
e
i
nst eadtheyaskedgogot ol
eaveandnotto
attendthefuneralunl
essshewantstodie.
I
t'
sbeent
hemostdepr
essi
ngmomentf
ort
he
f
amil
y.
Thecondit
ionwasbadt hatt
hedoct
ors
suggest
edt hemachinesbetur
nedoffbecause
omuhlewassuffer
ingsheneedstorest
.
ROHIDcoul
dnotmakethatdeci
sion,gi
vena
chancehewoul
daskt
hem towaitalit
tl
elonger
,
Thisti
mehewasl ef
twithnoopt ionbutt
otel
l
j
adat hetrut
h"het oldherthere'
san
emergencyathomeherpr esenceis
desperat
elyneeded.
Lucki
l
ythecoupl
ewasi
nCapeTown,sot
hey
goti
nPr
etor
iaont
ime.
JADA wasshakingsheknewROHIDcoul
d
neveraskhert
oretur
nunlessi
t'
sbey
ondhim.
Shewalkedi
nsi
det
hehospi
talt
hinki
ngmay
be
theki
d'
sgothat
e.
Maybegrandmahadahear
tat
tackduet
o
agei
ng.
Butomuhlewast helastpersonshet houghtof"
becauset
oheri fanythi
ngev erhappenedto
omuhle,itshouldtakejadahaswel l
.
Jada'sdayst
art
sandendswi
thherf
avour
it
e
person.
Tojada,
omuhl ei
snotj
ustherl
i
ttl
esi
ster"
she'
sherfi
rstbor
ndaught
er.
ROHIDkeptthi
ngscoolhenormal
l
yusedtotext
j
adaonomuhl e'
sphonejustt
omakejadast
ay
ateasewereshewas.
Jadawast akent
oomuhle'
sRoom shewas
shocked,herwholebodywascol
d.
Theplacewasl
i
keacol droom toher
"shehad
toseatdownwi
thherbodyli
ningagai
nstt
he
wall
.
Shewantedtot
alkbuthervoicefail
edher ,
her
whol
ebodybecamet oheav yforhertear
s
camerunni
ngdownherf ace.
Omuhl
ehadpi
pesi
nst
all
edonher
.
Li
thewasshockedt
oo.
ROHI
Dcouldnotfacej
adahedi
dn'
twantt
osee
j
ada'
sreact
ion.
Whatthef
amil
ydoesn'tknowisthatj
adais
suf
fer
ingf
rom depr
essionandanxiet
ydi
sorder
.
Every
oneinthi
swor l
dissuf
fer
ingfr
om one
thi
ngortheother,
butsomeofusjustsuf
fer
morethanothers.
Atthismomentshefeell
i
kedyi
ngwhatev
ert
he
doctorwasexpl
aini
ngshehear
dnot
hing.
Jadausesmedi
cinest
ocomehersel
fdownbut
shewastoweaktoevent
ouchherhandbag.
Af
teranhourofseati
ngont hefl
oorROHI D
wal
kedinthentookherhandt heywentoutfor
awalkar
oundthehospital
.
Hewantedhert
oshoutathim,
fornot
i
nfor
mingheral
lthi
slong.
t
ohi
ssur
pri
seshedi
dn'
t.
Theywal
kedt
oget
herbuthert
hought
swer
enot
wit
hhim.
Shesawat apofwatert
henwalkedtoit
,she
removedhermedici
nesfastbef
oreROHI
D
coul
dseeit.
Shetooki
tanddr
ankt
hewat
erROHI
Dhel
dher
hand.
ROHID:i
wantt
oseet
hemedi
ciney
ouj
ust
dr
ank.
Jadayankedhi
shand,
butwhowi
nsagai
nst
ROHID.
Shelookedokaftersomet
ime"ev
ery
thi
ngwas
okinfrontofot
herpeopl
e.
Li
thewasevensur
pri
sedaf
tersher
etur
nedshe
l
ookedst
rong.
Shewantedl
i
thet
obehappyandnotf
eel
sor
ry
forher
.
Whati
sdepr
essi
on?
depr
essi
oni
sSmi
l
ingwheny
ouwantt
ocr
y.
Depr
essi
oni
spret
endingever
ythi
ngi
sOKwhen
i
ntheact
ual
senseit
'snot
.
Peopl
ewi
thdepressi
onandanxiet
ydisor
der
st
andahi
ghriskofcommitt
ingsuici
de.
Jadakeptthef
aithshehadonzey
nepand
Zuri
elforomuhle.
Shemostl
iv
et oseet
omor
row butapar
tofher
wasget
ti
ngtir
ed.
Yett
heoutsi
deshel
ookedj
ustf
ine.
Herinnerchi
ldwasti
redofbigprobl
ems
ever
y t
hingshe'
sbeenthr
oughtookwithi
ta
pi
eceofher .
Theysaypr
oblemscomet omakeusst r
onger,
butsomeofust heyactual
lydr
aineveryt
hing
wehavelefti
ncl
udingtheenergytol
i
v e.

[
06/
13,
17:
45]Ron:
Thesl
avegi
rl

#37

☆JADA☆

Amonthhaspassedsi
nceomuhl
ewokeup
she'
srecov
eri
ngver
yfast
,
Andam gl
adt
osayt
her
e'sGod,
theheav
ensar
e
notempty
.
bel
i
evei
tornott
her
e'saGodupt
her
e.
Doctorsarehumanbeingstoo,j
ustyest
erday
t
hedoct orsaskedmetostartpr
epar
ingforher
funer
al"todaythesomedoctorstol
dmet o
cont
inuesav
ingt
heGodt
hatam sav
ingf
or
whenheshowsupheGodshowsoff.
mysweethearthasbeendi
schar
gedfrom t
he
hospi
talwearegoi
nghometodayandam
superhappyabuti
t.
ROHI
Ddoesn'
twantomuhlet
ogoto
mpumal
angaprov
incewi
thusandt
her
eason
ar
e.
hehast
okeepacl
oseey
eonher
,
Shehasabr
okenar
m andcan'
twal
konher
own.
Ireal
lywantt
ogohomewithherbutshe'
sst
il
l
scaredofcar
'sandal
ongdi
stancesi
snot
goingtohel
p.
ROHIDi
sv er
yhappybecauseomuhl
eand
gr
andmothergett
ostaywithhi
m.
iontheotherhandf
eeljeal
ousofhim ,butI
haveahusbandandkid'
sthatIneedtotake
car
eoftheyneedme, al
thoughomuhleneeds
met
hemost
.
Isomet i
meswhi shIhadatwinitcoul
dhav e
beeneasier"butam justgl
admyl i
tt
lepri
ncess
i
sdoi ngjustf
inealt
houghshehaslostsomuch
weight.
ROHI D dr
oveustohi shouseselinaandthe
kid'
scamet ovi
sit
,thehousewasonf irewit
h
thekid'
splayi
ngaround,Lithei
scomi ngto
pickusupandi don'tfeel
li
kegoingbackhome
withhim.
It
'sbeenamont hsi
ncewemovedtoPr
etor
ia
andthegir
lsneedtogobackt
oschool
.
Wecan' tmovetoPr et
ori
aIfeelhasthoughli
fe
i
ssof ast,comper edtompumal angait'
svery
Quietandpeacefulwedon'tgettoexperi
ence
thefastci
tyl
if
ei t'
sjustani
malsandbi r
ds
goingonatthefarm.
Sel
inal
eftwit
hhersongr andmawentt osleep
l
it
hecall
edsayinghispi
ckingusupt omorr
ow
hecan'
tdri
vehi ssl
eepi
ngi nJohannesbur
g
t
hatwasokwi t
hmebecauseIknowl
i
thei
s
v
eryreasonabl
e.
Afterput
ti
ngt
hegi
rl
stosl
eepi
deci
dedt
osl
eep
nexttoomuhl
e.
ROHI
Diswor
kingdoubl
eshi
ft
.
Omuhlewashav i
ngahardt
imef
all
i
ngasleep
soIsatupandlai
dherheadmymylapsand
star
tedst
ocki
ngherhai
rmum usedtodothat
touswhenwewer eki
ds.
Me:
arey
ouok?
Omuhl
e:not
hingcoul
dgowr
ongwheny
ou
her
e.
Jada:
ilov
eyoual
otmypr
incess.
Omuhl
e:i
lov
eyout
oomum.
Jada:aaaw t
hati
smusi
ctomyhear
sIr
eal
l
y
missedyoushame.
Omuhl
e:nocr
yingam her
e.
Jadal
aughi
ngy
ouaway
ssayt
hataf
tery
ou
sur
viv
edeat
h.
Idon'
twantyoutodri
veyoursel
feveragai
n
becausei
fanyt
hinghappenedtoyoui wi
ll
die.
Omuhle:
am sor
ryf
orbei
ngt
her
easonf
ory
our
pai
n.
Jada:
nosweethear
tthatwasjustanacci
dent
somet
hingy
ouhadNocont r
olover.
Thatt
ruckdr
iverwassentt
ojai
l
.
Omuhl
e:i
tst
il
lwon'
tbr
ingbackbongi
.
Jada:li
keIsaidwecan'
tcontr
olwhat
happenedmuhl ei
t'
sbeyondusbutGodknows
whyhet ookher
.
Justl
i
kemum anddadwecoul
dnotsav
ethem
remember
?
Omuhle:youawaysmakemefeelbet
terdon'
t
st
ressabutme"thel
it
tl
eonedoesn'
tlike
st
ress.
Jada:
Smi
l
ingIpr
omi
senott
obewor
ri
edbutI
wantyoutobehappyi
fyoudon'
twantmet
obe
st
ressed.
Omuhl
e:i
promi
semum.
Jadakissedherf
oreheadt henROHI
Dwalked
i
nf r
om work,
hewentt ofr
eshenupwhil
ejada
wormedhisfoodafterhewasdonesheserved
hi
m.
ROHIDt ookhi
sfoodandjoi
nedt
helady'
sin
thei
rroom hethensatdownontheedgeofthe
bed.
Jadacont
inuedst
ocki
ngomuhl
e'
shai
r
ROHI
D:i
cangetusedt
othi
syouknow.
Jada:it
'sabutt
imey
out
hinkofget
ti
ngy
our
sel
f
agir
lf
ri
end.
ROHID:mostofwomenl
i
kemebecauseIam a
doct
orbyprof
essi
on.
ButIwantawomanthatisgoi
ngtol
ovemehas
apersonnotmyf
inanci
alst
atus.
Jada:don'
twor
ryshe'
soutt
her
ewai
ti
ngf
or
you.
ROHID:am v
eryol
dschool
hopeshe'
sgoi
ngt
o
manage.
Omuhl e:speakingofol
dschool
isawyour
parentstheylookedli
kenewschooli
snoti
n
theredict
ionar
y.
Jada:speaki
ngofparent
stel
lmehow y
ou
endedupwiththatcoupl
e?
ROHID:t
heUN.wassendi
ngr
efugeest
oov
er
sea'
s.
butyouguy
sref
usedbecausey
ouwer
ever
y
det
ermi
nedt
ogobackhome.
It
ookt
heoppor
tuni
tyandmadeuseofi
t,
whenwegott oCanadaacitycall
edOt tawa
myadopt i
vepar
entswher
ewhi t
esmyf ri
end
Jacksonwasadoptedbyablackcouplehewas
soangryhewantedawhit
ef amil
ysot he
couplehadournameswrit
tenonapi eceof
paper.
SoIsaidtoJacksongowi
tht
hewhi
tef
ami
l
y
andpretendt
obeme.
ThenIwentt ohisadoptiveparentswhoare
Africans,theyar esuchgreatpeopl
eafter
l
ivingwi t
hthem forayear"Itol
dthem t
hetrut
h
theydi dn'
tgetangryatme.
Theysentmet
oschoolandt
reat
edmel
i
ke
ther
eownson.
Ihavetwosi st
ersIRI
Sandnqobeli
very
beauti
fulgi
rl
smyf amil
yisv
eryoldschoolt
hey
dothingstheoldway.
ButIwasgladthatmyDad'
shomecountr
yis
sout
hAfri
caitgavemehopeofseei
ngyouguys
agai
n.
Aft
erdadr
etir
edfrom hi
swor
khedeci
dedto
comeandstaybackhomeinmountai
nvi
ew
zone4.
Mymot
heri
sZi
mbabweani
ri
sandnqobel
i
don'
tl
ikeAf
ri
ca.
af
terIwasdonewit
hschoolideci
dedto
movebacktoAfri
caandstaywi
thdadand
mum"mi ndyouam theonl
yguyinourhumbl
e
f
ami l
y.
Daddy'
sli
tt
leboy
,wi
thdadam st
il
lj
ustal
i
ttl
e
boy.
Howmum t hi
nksbei
nghomeam goingt
obe
usel
essshehadtoaskherbr
othert
ohel
pme
getajobi
nJohannesbur
g.
Af
terwor
kingf
oray earanot
herhospit
algav
e
meabett
erofferi
nPr et
ori
aitookit
.
I
nmyparent
shouseam notal
lowedt
obr
inga
womanunl
essIwantt
omar r
yher.
Thatni
ghtImeetyoujadaIwascomi
ngf
rom
myapartmentIwentt
or et
urnt
he
key.
☆☆☆☆☆☆☆☆▪ ▪
▪▪▪
▪▪▪
▪

Omuhl
e:wear
esol
uckyi
fyoudi
dn'
tswi
tch
wit
hJacksonIwonderwhatwecoul
dhav
e
donewi
thoutyou.
Jada:
youcansayt
hatagai
n.
ROHI
D: am t
hel
uckyoney
ouguy
smeant
he
wor
ldtome.
Jada:
letmebr
ingy
ouacupofhotcof
feecut
e
Dr.
ROHID:pleasedon'
t,
idon'
twantpr
oblemswi
th
Li
the"justresty
ouhavedonemorethan
enough.
Omuhle:l
aughi
nghmmmm ROHI
DHasact
ed
gent
leIwonder
.
ROHID:omuhl
eam t
ryi
ngsohadnott
o
pr
ovokeyoupl
easedon'
tpushi
t.
Omuhl
elaughi
ngpl
easegoonsi
r.
ROHI
D:cr
aycr
ay.
Omuhl
e:jadapl
easeaskROHI
Dtobehav
e
hi
msel
f.
Jada:
youbot
har
epr
ovoki
ngeachot
her
ROHI
Dgent
lemendon'
tmakegi
rl
scr
y.
Omuhl
e:j
adasoundsl
i
keaQueenMot
her
.
Theyal
ll
augh.
[
06/
13,
17:
45]Ron:
Thesl
avegi
rl
#36

2mont
hsl
ater

☆JADA☆

Accordi
ngtothel
awomuhlei
stostayonl
i
fe
support
ingmachi
nesf
or90day'
s"
Oncei
t'
sday"
90"thef
oll
owi
ngdayt
heyneedt
o
t
urnof
fthemachi
nes.
it
'
snoteasytobemeIswear"am amom, wif
e,
si
ster
,Ineedt
odiv
idemyti
mef oral
lthese
cat
egor
ies.
Isometi
mesfeelsorr
yf orROHID hi
sbeen
ther
eandIappreci
atethat,butIf
eelhast
hough
hisl
osthi
mself
.
Iaskedhimtojustl
etgo"iwil
ltakeitf
rom her
e
butheinsi
stsonstayi
ngthr
oughi tal
l,
Icookformyfamil
y"thendri
vet
oPr et
ori
a
ever
ydaytospendti
mewi thmysist
erthen
backtocheckonthefarm.
Grandmaisst
ayi
ngatROHI
D'Shousesoshe
cancheckonomuhl
eatany
time.
Bef
oretheworl
dam superstr
ongbutbehind
cl
oseddoorsam j
ustali
tt
legi
rlcr
yingoutfor
hel
p.
Idr
anktodr
awnmysorr
ows butnowt
hey
hav
elear
nedtoswi
m,
Ideci
dedtogof orcounsel
li
ngser v
iceswhich
wasdecidedbyROHI Di tr
eal
lyhelpedmeal ot
Ireal
i
sedthatsomethingsdon'tchangeunl
ess
y
oul
ear
nsomet
hingf
rom t
hem.
weareremai
ningwit
hjustamont
hbefor
ethe
machi
nesar
et ur
nedoff
,Imovedi
nwit
hROHI D
andgr
andmother.
Li
thewouldvisi
tduri
ngweekend'
sbecausehe
act
uall
ytookbackhisoldJob.
Wecouldnotmanagedwi t
htheexpenses
becauseomuhledidmostofthethingsdueto
thecurr
entsi
tuat
iongr
andmast oppedworki
ng.
Thef
arm al
onecannotpayhospi
talbi
ll
spl
us
mont
hlyhomebill
sandtheworkers.
Lucki
l
yLit
he'
smom hel pedhi
m getbackhi
s
for
merJobinJohannesburg.
alt
houghthisti
mear
oundhi
sdoi
ngi
twi
th
goodreasons.
Withti
meZurielandzey
nepmovedinwi
th
sel
inaandmar ksodidLit
hehewant
edtobe
support
ive.
Al
thoughhi
swor
kisv
erydemandi
nghei
s
t
ryi
ng.
Weweret
oldtost
artprepar
ingf
orherf
uner
al
t
imewasrunni
ngout.
I
maginepr
epar
ingaf uner
alforomuhl
eofall
peopl
eint
heworld,Iknewshewasgoi ngt
o
di
eonedaybutnotli
kethis.
Thi
ssit
uati
onbroughtmecl
osert
oGod,t
he
st
oryofj
obtouchedmysoul
.
thedayhel ostevery
thi
nginst
eadof
complaini
nghet hroughhi
mselft
othegr
ound
andsaid.
Icamewit
hnot
hingt
othi
swor
ldandIwi
l
lleav
e
thi
swor
ldwit
hnothi
ng.
Ireal
i
sedt
hatwearenot
hingbutpenci
l
sint
he
handsoft
hecreat
or.
Godi
stheaut
hor"
j
ustl
ikehegav
eus"het
ake'
sawaywhenhe
want
st o.
Iwashappyi
hadagreatt
imewit
hheri
t'
s
al
waysbeenomuhl
e,ROHIDandIagai
nstt
he
worl
d.
Apieceofuswastodepar
tfr
om ussooni
t'
s
pai
nful,
Ithi
nkt
hisi
sthemostpai
nful
moment
ofmyli
fe.
Ispentmostoffday'
swithherROHIDandI
couldtel
lherst
oresofhowboringi
t'
sist
o
l
eavewi t
houther.
Howwehav
emi
ssedhav
ingherar
ound.
Imissedhowshecal
l
edmehermot
her
,her
si
ster,
herfat
her.
Whowasev
ergoi
ngt
ocal
lmet
hat?
Imissedr
unningar
oundwit
hher"pl
ayi
ngli
ke
weusedto,butal
lthi
s"i
sst
oppi
ngfor
everi
n
j
ustamonth.
Myjour
neyoflif
ehast aughtmeal
ot"wi
sdom
come'
swithexperi
encenotage.
Il
ear
ntal
lIcoul
dfr
om mypai
nandmi
ser
yI
r
espectl
i
feabov
eal
lIr
espectGod.
ROHIDandIhadalongDaywespoketo
omuhlebecauseweknewshecoul
dhearus.
ROHIDsati
nachai
randasatonthef l
oornext
toherbedwhi
l
ehol
dingherhand.
..
..
..
.
♡♡♡♡♡♡♡♡♡♡

ROHID:l
aughi
ngi
t'
sfunnyhowomuhl
ewant
ed
tobeazebr
aandl
iveinthej
ungl
e.
Jada:
laughi
ngshewas3y
ear
sol
dbyt
hen.
ROHI
D:i
tst
il
ldoesn'
tchanget
hef
actt
hatshe
want
edt
obeazebra.
Jadal
aughi
ngar
eyouf
orr
eal
rightnowROHI
D?
ROHID:irememberthedayIki
l
ledt
heli
onfor
youshewassohappynotbecausei
tdi
dn'
teat
youbutbecauseshel
ovedmeat.
j
ada:
iwi
shshecoul
ddef
inedher
sel
fri
ghtnow.
ROHI
D:t
her
e'snot
hingshecoul
dhav
esai
ddo
y
our
emembert
hej
oyi
nherey
es?
Jadal
aughi
ngshewasl
i
ket
hisi
smeatr
ight
?
ROHI Dwithtear
sinhisey
e'sandIpl
ayedwi
th
herthoughtsiwasli
kewehav i
ngthi
sto
ourselv
eswenotgi v
inganyone.
Jada:
shegotsosadwheny
ousai
dwehav
eto
l
eavewecan'
tst
ayher
e.
ROHI
D:wehav
ecomeal
ongway
.
Jada:
youcansayt
hatagai
n.
ROHI
D:l
aughi
ngi
misshercr
azi
ness.
Jada:
am pr
egnant
.
ROHI
D:what??
??
Jada:don'
tsoundjudgemental
am mar
ri
ed
secondl
ythegir
lsaretur
ning6year
sol
dsoon.
ROHI
D:i
knewt
hathoneymoont
ri
p.?
Jada:
laughi
ngwhati
swr
ongwi
thy
ou?
ROHI
D:not
hingi
swr
ongIj
usthopei
t'
stwi
ns
agai
n.
Jada:
it'
sjustonebabynott
wo.
ROHI
D:oohsoy
ouscar
edoft
wins?
Jada:zey
nepandZur
iel
thesegi
rl
shumbl
edal
l
ofus.
Omuhlemovedherhandt heonejadawas
hol
dingl
iv
ingjadaspeechless.
ROHI
D:what
'swr
ongar
eyouok?
Jada:
omuhl
ejustmov
ed.
ROHIDusedsomethi
ngtoscr
atchherfeet
she
thensaidt
oheri
fyoufeel
anythi
ngjustmove
yourhandorf
eet
sokay.
Omuhl
emov
edherf
eet
sindi
cat
ingshej
ustf
elt
t
hat
.
Bothj
adaandROHI
Dwer
ehappyf
ort
hef
ir
st
ti
meinfor
ever
.
Jadawasaskedt
oleav
etheroom whi
l
eROHID
andhi
steam wor
kedonthenewdevel
opment
.
[
06/
13,
17:
45]Ron:
Thesl
avegi
rl

#38

OMUHLE

Thejour
neytomyheal
i
ngpr
ocesshasbeen
ver
ysuccessf
ul,
Jadai
sal
way
sher
eal
mostv
erysi
ngl
eday
Ifeel
li
kea2y ear
sol
dev er
ytimeshe'
s
aroundshe'
sjustt
ooper
fect.
Iwonderhastowhatgoodthi
ngIdeedi
nmy
prev
iousl
i
fetodeser
veher,
j
adaandIfi
ghtsometi
mesi t'
snotal
ways
r
oseybutweputourprideasi
deandapol
ogies
t
oeachotherthenpi
ckupfrom wer
ewelef
t.
Al
thoughshe'
sthebestsi
sterandmot
hert
o
me,
Imi
ssbongi
alot
.
Iwi
shshewasher
et ot
ell
mej
usthowl
uckyI
wastohav
eherar
ound.
Imi
ssgoi
ngt
owor
kwi
thher
,Imi
ssheral
ot.
Cometot
hinkofi
t"apar
tfr
om j
adal
i
theand
ROHI
D.
Bongiwast
heonl
yper
sont
hatcal
l
edandsent
mealotoft
ext
.
Ist
il
lhav
ehernumber.
Istar
eati
tli
keshe'
sgoi
ngt
oansweri
fIcal
l
ed
her
.
Ilov
emyjobbutwi
thoutbongi
myl
i
fei
sgoi
ng
tobemi
serabl
e.
Justl
i
ket
hatmypar
tneri
nev
ery
thi
ngi
sgone.
Grandmar
etur
nedt
othef
armf
orsomet
ime
now.
ROHIDisonl
eavesoweget
ti
ngr
eadyt
ogo
backhome,#farm.
Beingaroundhi
mi ssorel
axingROHI Di
sjust
anotherhumanbeingidon'tunderst
and"hi
s
amazing,hissocari
ng,likethisguyhasso
muchl ovetoof
fer
.
Heactual
lyt
ookmeonev eningwalksone
woul
dt hi
nkwear e"l
over
's"Ihav
egot t
enused
t
ohavinghim ar
ound.
Westi
ll
fightov
ersmal
lthi
ngst
henmakei
ta
bi
gdeal
,
Wel
aughatour
sel
vesf
orbei
ngst
upi
datt
imes.
☆☆☆☆☆☆☆☆☆☆☆

ROHID:omuhlehur
ryupt
her
oadsgetv
ery
busydur
ingt
heweekend.
Omuhl
e(shout
ing)AM COMI
NG JUSTRELAX.
ROHID:t
akei
teasywi
thy
ourf
acei
t'
shot
today
.
t
omuchmakeupi
sbor
ing.
Omuhle:
laughi
ngy
oucr
azyIdon'
tdoheav
y
makeup.
Sheshout
edf
rom i
nsi
deherr
oom
ROHID:whydowoment
akesomucht
imej
ust
dr
essi
ngup?
Omuhl
e:i
t'
sinournat
ure.
ROHI
D:t
hatdoesn'
tst
il
lanswermyquest
ion?
Omuhle:ROHI
Djustgoggl
ethatquest
ion
pl
ease.
Shefi
nall
ywalkedoutofherr
oom l
ooki
ng
beaut
if
ulinst
arblack.
BothomuhleandROHI
Ddrov
etompumalanga
pr
ov i
ncebefor
egoi
nghomehet
ookhert
o
Bongi'
sgrav
e.
Al
thoughherfamil
ywouldnotappr
ov eofit
,
omuhlewantedtovisi
therf
ri
endsgrave.
Gogocoul
dnotatt
endthefuner
albutROHID
di
dhewantedtodorightbybei
ngthereatt
hat
t
ime.
Omuhl
ecriedsohadvisi
ti
ngherf
ri
endwas
somet
hingshewantedtodo.
Thi
smomentmadeherr
eal
i
sej
usthowmuch
shemi
ssedbongi
,
OMUHLE:
am sor
ryf
ornotbei
ngabl
etosav
e
you.
Am sor
ryfori
nvi
ti
ngyoutoourweddi
ngi
fnot
forme,youwouldst
il
lbeher
e.
ROHI
D:i
t'
snott
imet
obl
amey
our
sel
f.
Omuhl
e:ikhonai
sti
l
ldon'
tbel
i
eveshenot
comi
ngback.
ROHID:i
t'
sever
yone'
sjour
neyweal
lgoi
ngt
o
endupher
e.
Omuhle:l
aughi
ngshe'
sact
uall
ytheonet
hat
t
oldpeopl
eyouaremyhusbandtobe.
Bongiiwantyout
omeetsomeonehi
snamei s
ROHID"sorr
yInevergav
eyoubot
haproper
i
ntr
oduct
ion.
ROHID: hey"
bongi"i
t'
ssadwemeetli
kethis,
abutiguessever
ythi
nghappensf
orareasonI
bel
iev
ey ouwereagreatper
son.
Hethenputf
lower
sonhert
ombt
heyl
ater
drove
out♡♡♡♡♡♡♡♡♡♡♡♡♡♡♡♡♡♡♡♡♡♡♡♡♡

Uponarr
ivi
ngatt
hef
arm gogohadherown
pl
ans.
shemadeaf
uner
alf
orMrandMr
sDLAMI
NI.
Shebeli
evedthatther
easontheseki
dssuf
fer
fr
om oneproblem tot
heotheri
sbecauset
her
e
parent
ssoulsarenotatpeace.
Wear
eAf
ri
cans"
afterthedeat
hofpar
ent
s,theymostbea
tradi
ti
onalcer
emonytomakesuret
heresoul
s
restinpeace.
Jadaontheot
herhandr
espect
edher
grandmot
her
swish,
Someoft
hefami
l
ymember
sar
ri
vedandacow
wasbr
ought
.
JADA wrot
edownsomethi
ngst
hatwer
e
neededt
hengaveLi
thel
i
sttogobri
ngt
hem f
or
her.
Li
thedr
ovewi
thomuhl
etot
hemal
l,
thet
hingi
swedon'
thaveamal latt
hefar
m so
wenormall
ygot
owitbankorkwamhlanga
CROSSROADSOrmphol amall
.
Li
thewasdr
ivi
ngt
henl
ookedatt
heSmi
l
ing
omuhl
e.
Li
the:
whyar
eyouSmi
l
ingal
onel
ear
ntoshar
e.
Omuhl
e:i
t'
snot
hing.
Li
the:j
adaandInev
ergott
hechancetotell
eachot
herj
usthowmuchwehadfall
eninlove
wit
heachot
her.
Unti
lonedaylif
epresent
eduswi
than
opport
uni
ty"shecall
edmeathi
efri
ghti
nmy
house.
Iwantedtostopherwithouthat
ingherf
eel
i
ngs
soIthoughtofakiss.
Idi
dn'tt
hinkshewasgoingtorespond
becausejadaist
hishadtogetki
ndofper
son
butIwaswr ong.
Webothneededt
hesomet
hingwef
eltt
he
somet
hing.
Fr
om thatdayti
l
ltodaywest
il
lfeel
whatwef
elt
onourfi
rstki
ss.
Whatam sayi
ngt
oy ouist
hatnev
erfeelscar
ed
t
oletpeopl
eknowjusthowmuchy oufeelabut
t
hem.
Theresomanypeopl
eoutt
her
ewhoar
einl
ove
butcan'
tbet
ogether
.
Andsomanywhoscaredofbei
ngr
eject
edl
i
fe
i
ssupposet
obefun.
I
fyoulovesomeone,
tel
lthem t
omor
rowmi
ght
betoolat
e.
Nowthebal
li
siny
ourhandspl
aysaf
eandi
t
get
stost
aywit
hyoufor
ever
,
Li
fei
stooshor
ttonev
ersaywhaty
ouf
eel
.
Omuhl
e:am scar
ed.
Li
the:
iknow"
yoursi
stermademef
eel
thatbutwer
ear
ewe
now?
I
fhereject
edy
out
henhedoesn'
tknowwhathi
s
missi
ng.
Wedr
ov ebackatt
hef
arm wi
tht
het
hingst
hen
t
heceremonybegin,
ROHI
Dsati
nbet
weenj
adaandIt
hat
'
showwe
away
ssat
.
Thi
sceremonyr
emi
ndedmeofwhathappened
onthatday
.
Ir
emember
edj
usthowmot
herwasbegi
nni
ng
f
orherl
if
e,Ir
emember
edj
usthowherv
oice
f
aded.
Thegunshot
sthatwer
efi
redondadwher
eso
cl
ear
,
Ir
ememberedj
usthowmuchl
i
fehadchanged
wi
thoutt
hem.

☆ ROHI
D'S☆

Iloveev er
ythi
ngIhaveinmypresentl
if
ewe
nev erspokeabutever
ythi
ngwehav ebeen
through.
Mynewfamil
yissuperamazi
ng,zey
nepand
Zur
iel
sti
l
lcal
lmethereDad.
Butall
thisdoesn'
tchanget
hef
actthatIdon'
t
knowifthere'
sanymemberofmyfami l
yout
ther
e.
Iwi
shIcoul
ddot
hesamet
hingf
ormypar
ent
s
andmyi
nti
ref
ami
l
y.
Imi
ssmyBi
ologi
cal
par
ent
s,Imi
ssmyol
dli
fe.
Likehowdiditgett
othi
s? Icoul
dnotcont
rol
my
tearsanymoresoIdecidedtomoveto
omuhl e'
sRoom andcr
ymyhear tout.

☆ JADA☆

If
oll
owedROHI
Dtoomuhl
e'
sRoom i
knowhow
hefeel
s.
Icryfornothav
ingmum anddadwhatabuthi
m
thathasnobloodrel
ati
onany
where?
Ireal
isedeveryt
imeyougothroughsomet
hing
al
way srememberthatsomeonesomewhere
hasitworse.
Omuhl
ecameint
oo,
idon'
tknowwhybutwe
cr
iedt
oget
her
.
Att
hismomentt
hepai
nwef
eltcoul
dnotbe
Thesl
avegi
rl

#39

NARRATED

It'
sbeenthreeday
ssincetheceremony"
ROHID deci
dedtogobackt ohishome
count
ryandf i
ndhisf
amily
.
Hewasst
il
latt
hef
arm hav
ingagr
eatt
ime
l
ikeal
way
s.
ZeynepandZuri
eljustgocrazywhenhis
around"theybot
hshar easpeci
albound
whichcannotbeexplai
ned.
ROHID wenttovi
sithi
sparent
sandt
oldt
hem
abuthi
sdecisi
ontheywereokwit
hit
,
HetookzeynepandZur
ielf
orshoppi
nghe
knowsjusthowmuchtheylov
edshoppi
ng ,
goingoutwit
hthem i
ssor
efr
eshi
ngbecause
theyneverst
optal
ki
ng.
Theymor
elikeJadathesegi
rl
sar
esocur
ious
andhel
ovesthatabutt
hem.
Aft
erthegreatdayhehadwi
tht
hem t
hey
fi
nal
lyret
urnedhome.
Jadaprepar
eddinnerwit
homuhl
ehelpi
ng
aroundtheyeatl
ikeafamil
ymakingj
okes
uncleBobwasaroundsowasgrandma.
Thi
swassomet
hingt
heyal
lneededatt
hat
ver
yti
me,
7pm i
nthenightomuhlewasseat
edinthe
gar
denbyher sel
fthi
nkingofhowshewas
goi
ngt ot
ellROHIDjusthowshefeel
stowar
ds
hi
m,
Butshef
ear
edshemi
ghtl
osehi
mforev
er
i
fhedoesn'
tfeel
whatshef
eel
sforhi
m,
Butshedeci
dedt
ot r
y"ther
e'snohar
min
tr
yingshesai
dtoher
sel
f.
ROHIDwasseat edontheswingwhiletalki
ng
onthephoneomuhlejoinedinandsatnextt o
hi
m ,hefini
shedwithhi
sphonecallthen
l
ookedatomuhlewhowasl i
ter
aryshaking.

ROHI
D:ar
eyouok?
Omuhl
e:y
es.Um no.
ROHID:t
ell
mewhati
swr
ong"het
ookherhand
i
nhis.
Omuhle:l
ookam notcr
azy,whatam abutt
o
sayi
sstupi
dandIfeell
i
keit'
sver
ysel
fishof
metodoso.
Trustme,Iam try
ingsohadnottofeelt
hisway
becauseIneverwanttolosewhatwehave,y
ou
areagreatperson"andIlovet
hatabuty
ou,
butmyhear
tissel
fi
sh"i
twant
smor
ethanj
ust
whoweare.
ROHID:
am hear
ingy
oubutIdon'
tunder
stand
you.
Omuhlel
ookedhopel
esssheknewt
hisi
sitbut
shehadt
ogiveitatr
y.
Omuhl
e:am i
nlov
ewi
thy
ou.
ROHIDsai
dnothi
nghej ustlookedathernot
bel
ievi
nghi
sownhears,aftersomuchsi l
ence
whichmadeomuhl
efeelsosmal lhefi
nal
ly
spoke.
ROHI
D:am 9y
ear
'sol
dert
heny
ouomuhl
e.
Shef
eltl
i
ket
hegroundcoul
dopenand
swal
l
owheral
ready
.
Sher
emov edherhandf
rom hisgr
ipandwalked
awaythi
swassoembar rassi
ngforhershefel
t
l
ikebeat
inghersel
fupf
ort hi
s.
Lit
hehadinstal
ledaswi
mmingpoolatt
hefar
m
verycl
osetothebackdooromuhl
edecidedt
o
goswimmi ng.
Omuhle:i
don'
twantt
ocr
yformaki
ngaj
okeof
mysel
f.
Ir
emember
edt
hissongt
hatsay
s.
(Wholeofmelove'
swhol
eofyou)t
here'
sthi
s
partt
hatsay'
smyheadsunderwat
erbutam
breat
hingf
ine.
It
ri
edt
hatShi
tandIal
mostdi
ed.
Mypoorarm couldnott
akeitanymoreLit
he
broughtmeatowelIgotoutofthewaterand
coveredmysel
f.
Lit
he:i
onl
yswim atni
ghtwhenam st
ressed
tel
lmewhati
swrong.
Omuhl
ecr
yingIj
ustmadeaf
ool
ofmy
sel
f.
Li
the:
it'
shi
slose.
Omuhl
e:i
wantt
osl
eep.
Li
the:
it'
sokayt
ocr
y.
Omuhl
ewentt
oherr
oom andl
ockedher
sel
fup.
Whenitwasmor
ningROHI
Dhadal
readyl
eftf
or
Rwanda.

Omuhl
eopenedherey
e'st
hent
ookherphone
f
rom underherpi
l
low.
Ther
ewasat
extmessagef
rom ROHI
D

Textmessage

Ist
il
lthi
nkyoudeser
vebet
ter"youarebeaut
if
ul
i
ntel
li
gent,
smartandyouaretooy oung.
t
heagedi
ff
erencebet
weenusi
stomuch.
Bythet
imeyou'
llber
eadi
ngt
hisi
wil
lbehal
f
waytoRwanda.
Ifweevermeetagai
nandyousti
ll
feelthe
some,i pr
omisetogi
veusachancethat'
sif
weevermet.
Idon'
tknowi
fam ev
ercomi
ngback

LOVEROHI
D.
 ☆ Omuhl
e☆

threemonthshaspassedsi
ncehelef
t"no
phonecall
nonothingfrom hi
m,isti
l
lcrywhen
Ireadthemassagehesentmeont hatday.
IwishInevertoldhim any
thi
ngbynow he
wouldbecall
ingandcheckinguponusli
kehe
al
way sdi
d"If eell
i
keIam thereasonj
adalost
herbestf
ri
end.
Iwassel
fi
shandl
ostmygr
eat
estper
sonev
er.
Isti
l
lvi
sitBongi
'sgr
aveandt al
ktoherl
i
ke
she'
sgoi
ngt oanswerback.
Unt
ilt
odayj
adadoesn'
tknowwhathappened
ont
hatday.
Li
thehasbeenv erysuppor
ti
vehehelpedme
getovermyfearofdri
vingwhichIdi
dandnow
am j
ustanormal per
son.
JadaandLi
thear
eli
kepar
entst
omeIcan'
t
i
maginemylif
ewit
houtme.
Myfeel
i
ngsforROHI
Dhav
enotchangednota
si
ngl
eday.
Ihavelearnedalotf
rom l
it
her
egardl
essof
ever
ythinghisfamil
yputhimt
hroughhenever
foradayhat edhismother
.
Ev
enaft
erhemov
edouthest
il
lkepti
ntouch
wi
thher
.
Am nowworki
ngatanear
bypr
ivat
ecl
i
nici
don'
tneedt
odriv
e.
butl
it
hepref
err
edIdrov
ethecarhegotfor
j
adabecauseshe'snowheav
ypregnantand
can'
tdri
ve.
Si
nceROHI
Dlef
tit
'
sli
kehet
ookapi
eceofme
wi
thhi
m,
Am nott
hehappyandbubbl
yper
sonany
mor
e.
Imi
sshi
m al
ot.
cont
rol
l
ed.
[
06/
13,
17:
45]Ron:
THESLAVEGI
RL

#40

FI
NALEPI
SODE

2YEARSLATER

NARRATED

2year
shaspassedsinceROHIDlef
tunt
il
t
odaynobodyhasheardfr
om hi
m.
Omuhlehasembracedt hechangesinherli
fe
guesshewasnottherightper
son,may behe
deserv
esbet
terbecauseROHI Di sagreat
personhedeser
vesnot hi
ngbutthebest.
Shenowhasanew cl
osef
ri
endcal
l
edt
hat
o
theywor
ktoget
her
,
Whatmake' sthem evencloseri
sther
e
di
ff
erences"t hat
oisgayadoct orby
pr
ofessiont heyj
ustcli
ck,t hatoissof
ree
wi
thomuhl e'sfamil
yhef eelsathomewhen
hi
sthere.
Afr
iendofomuhl
eisaf
ri
endofj
adaj
ustl
i
ke
t
hat.
Jadahadacut
ebabyboyt
hatl
ooksl
i
kehi
s
fat
heragai
n.
Looksli
keLI
THEhasst
rongergene'
scompar
ed
toher
's,
Theynamedhi
m Adri
an"thi
sbabylov
e's
omuhlemoret
hananyonei
nthehousehasat
now.
Whenababyl ov
e'ssomeonetheyshowi t
becausetheydon'tknowhowtopretend,
once
omuhleisbackfrom workjadagetsabr eak
f
rom baby
sit
ti
ng,
Fr
om thedayhewasbor njadahasnev er
sl
eptwit
hhersonduringthenightbecausehe
cr
y'
suntilomuhl
etakeshim "Onceshetakes
hi
mf r
om jadaAdri
anstartsgiggli
ngli
kehe
wasnotcryi
ngontopofhisv oice.
Omuhlesti
ll
thinksj
adadoesn'
tknow herl
i
ttl
e
secr
etwit
hlit
he.
Jadaontheotherhandhasabiggestsurpr
ise
ofhersi
ster
'sl
if
ebutf ornow she'
splay
ing
al
ong.
ETHENnev
erapol
ogi
sedt
ohi
sbr
other
,
l
i
thedeci
dedt
oapol
ogi
sef
ordoi
ngnot
hing,
Et
henhasmovedbacktoLondont
heMasi
on
wascl
eanedupt
henputonsal
e.
Misshezelhadbeenst
ayi
ngatt
heol
dage
homeunt i
ljadafoundout
.
shewasver
yangryatherhusbandt
hen
deci
dedtoextendt
hehouseandaddmoder
n
f
urni
tur
etoitj
ustt
omakei
tfeel
li
kehomef
or
madam hezel.
Theladyhadbeent
hroughal
otsheneeded
peoplet
hatl
ove'
sandcare'
sforher
,
Gogodi
dnothaveapr
oblem becausethi
sf ar
m
washometoherandshewouldnev eragree
onthei
deaofbei
ngt
akentooldagehome.
LI
THEcoul
dnotthankj
adaenoughforbr
ingi
ng
hi
smothertocomeleavewi
ththem.
Thefarmi sdoingjustf i
net hehousehasbeen
renovatedandi tl
ookssomoder nandst
yli
sh.
...
..
..
..
..
...
..
..
..
..
..
..
..
..
..
..
..
..
..
..
..
..
..
..
..
.

I
twasaSat
urdaymorni
ngt
heki
d'
shadal
ready
hadt
her
ebreakf
ast,
Li
thei
snotgoi
ngt
owor
ksowasomuhl
e,
Adr
ianmadeomuhl
ehi
sNannyheev
ensl
eeps
i
nherroom.
Thet
wolovebi
rdsev
enwokeupt oget
her
omuhl
eisnowusedtother
out
ineofbathi
ng
andf
eedi
ngbabyAdri
an.
Shewalkedt
otheki
tchenwi
thAdr
iani
nher
hands.
Thenmadehi
spor r
idgeaf
terf
eedi
nghi
m she
tookhi
mtoli
the.
Thenwentt
omakebr eakf
astf
orher
sel
fjada
cameinandki
ssedhercheek.
Omuhle:
l
aughingwhat
'
sthatf
or?You'
venot
ki
ssedmesince3day'
snow.
Jadaki
ssedomuhl
eal
lov
erherf
acemaki
ng
hert
olaugh.
Jada:
hopei
madeupf
ort
het
hreeday
's.
Omuhl
e:l
aughi
ngy
oudi
dsi
s.
That
owalkedtotheki
tchenwi
thpl
atest
hen
pl
acedt
hem inthezi
nc.
Omuhl
e:t
hat
odon'
tyouhav
efoodwer
eyou
st
ay?
That
o:"
omuhl
e"doy
oubuyf
oodi
nthi
shouse?
Omuhl
e:i
don'
t.
Thato:thanky
ou.Justeatandenj
oyl
i
keme,
heturnedandlookedatj
ada.
That
o:j
adapl
easeadoptme.
Theyal
ll
aughedatt
hesomet
ime.
JADA: youdr
ivi
ngaMercedes-
BenzC500,you
wearexpensi
veandcol
ogne.Yourrol
l-
onisl
ike
$100whi chi
sli
keR1,
100ar eyouadopti
ngme
i
ndir
ectl
y ?
Theyl
aughedatt
hecomment
.
Omuhle:l
aughingikhonathat
ohasadopt
ed
hi
mselfi
nthisfamily"hi
sdadwasevenaski
ng
i
fthat
oisevergoinghome.
That
o:solongIdon'
tpayrent'am notgoi
ng
homeunt
ilmyboyfri
enddecidestomar r
yme.
Jada:
laughi
ngThat
owhenar
eyougoi
ngt
o
f
orgi
vet
hepoorguy
?
Omuhl
e:hekeepsapologi
singforcheat
ing
t
hengoesontocheatdon'
tforgi
vehimthis
t
ime.
JADA: omuhleIwantyout
ogopickupa
busi
nesspartnerofmi
neattheai
rpor
tpl
ease
l
ookrepresentabl
e.
Thato:l
etmehelpwithsel
ecti
ngt
hecl
othes
becauseIdon'
ttr
usthert
est.
Omuhl
e:l
et'
sgot
oget
heri
don'
twantt
oget
bol
d.
Jada:That
oisgoi
ngt
ohel
pmewi
thcooki
ng
ri
ghtThat
o?
That
o:v
eryt
rue.
Omuhle:
butThat
odoesn'
tknowhowt
ocook
notev
enanegg.
j
ada:ther
e'safi
rstt
imeforever
ythi
ngshesai
d
pushi
ngomuhletothebathr
oom.
Aftert
helongbathomuhl
elot
ionupt
henwore
thenavybluebandagedr
essthat
opi
ckedf
or
her,
thenthenudest
il
ett
osmat
chi
ngwi
thher
clut
chbag.
Omuhle:i
havetogoandspeakEngl
ishagain
l
ikewehavenotspokenenoughi
nthishouse.
Thato:l
aughinggir
lEngl
i
shi sbor
ingI
someti
mesj ustl
aughwhenLi t
heist
alki
ngl
i
ke
Idon'
thearsomeoft het
hingshesays.
Omuhl
e:l
aughi
nggogosay
sthesomet
hing.
That
o:uy
abaziabel
unguAny
way.
Omuhl
e:ubozot
hini
na?
That
o: l
ooksl
i
keJadalove'
sherchocol
ate
whit
e"andwejustl
ovei
tdarker
.
Omuhle: whyam Ilooki
ngsobeauti
ful?The
guyam goingtopickupungubaniy
ena?She
Saidremov i
ngthethrowoverf
rom her
shoul
ders.
That
opi ckedi
tandplacedi
tbackonher
,ar
e
youcrazy?Uphapheni?
Omuhl
e:am l
eav
ing shesai
dwal
ki
ngouther
r
oom.
That
o:don'
tgo"wear
enotdone.
Omuhlenoti
cedhermakeupwasnotdoneshe
t
henretur
nedtoherroom.
That
o:andt
hen?
Omuhl
elaughi
ngmymakeupi
snotdone.
That
o: ngi
theungahambiwahamba,
sal
a
kanj
alo.
Omuhl
e:t
hat
o"pl
ease.
That
ofi
nall
ydidomuhl
e'
smakeupj
adawal
ked
i
nthensatdown.
Youl
ookbeaut
if
ulshesai
dtoher
.
Omuhl
e:t
hanky
ou.
That
o:nowgoandr
epr
esentuswel
l
.
omuhl
elaughi
ngi
khonay
ouar
ehandf
ulshame.
Jada:youlookbr
eat
htaki
ng"
omuhl
e"myf
ir
st
borndaughter
.
whenIl
ookatyouifeel
li
ke,
Ihavedoneagr
eat
j
obbothhasasist
erandamother.
Li
thewon'
tletmetaket
hefat
herf
igur
e
becausehehastakeni
t.
Am notscar
edofrai
singzey
nep,Zuri
eland
Adri
anbecauseIhav
ey ouhasmygreatest
example.
I
fmarr
iagewasforsal
eiwouldhavebought
y
outhemostexpensiv
emar
riageintheworl
d,
I
t'
sapi
tyonl
yGodgi
ves.
Thato:
canyoubothst
opcr
yingy
oumessed
upthemakeupnow.
Hedi dt
hemakeupagai
nthensai
dtothel
adi
es
befor
eyour
uinthemakeupcel
aniphume
tor
ho.
Jadal
aughi
ngokf
inewegoi
ngoutbuty
ou
needt
ohelpmear
oundtheki
tchen.
That
o:l
i
thei
sgoi
ngt
olookaf
tert
heki
d'
sri
ght
?
Jada:
yep.
Omuhl
e:j
adabr
ingmey
ourcarkey
's.
Thato:babygi
rlt
odayyoudr
ivi
ngmycar
"dar
k
chocol
atehastor
especty
ou.
Speaki
ngofdar
kchocolatejadai
stheguycut
e?
Hishemarr
iedorsear
ching?
Jadal
aughi
nghi
scut
eandst
il
lsi
ngl
e.
That
o:gi
rlgogety
ourman.
Omuhl
elaughi
ngi
khonaam donewi
thy
ou
t
hat
o.
That
o: y
oudriv
ingmycarunderthecondi
ti
on
of,i
fyoubri
ngitwi
thanyscrat
chyoupayi
ng
R5,
000becauseam st
il
lpayi
ngforthi
scar
.
Omuhl
elaughi
ngokf
ine.
Shet
hendr
ovet
otheai
rpor
tlooki
ngbeaut
if
ul
shehadl
ostwei
ght
.
Shesati
nthewai
ti
ngar
eaf
orl
i
keanhour
.
Jadacal
l
edtosayhisf
li
ghtgotdel
ayedbuti
s
arr
ivi
ngi
nthenext20minut
es.
Omuhle:butIdon'
tknowtheper
sonhowam I
supposedt
oguesshistheone.
Jadal
aughingi
gav
ehi
myournumberhi
sgoi
ng
tocal
lyou.
Omuhl
e:ok.
Shest
art
edpl
ayi
ngwi
thherphonet
opass
ti
me.
Aft
ersomet i
meshecoul
dsmallasimil
ar
col
ogne,butdeci
dedt
obr
ushthethought
s
awayshewasf aci
ngt
hef
loor
.
Butthenshenot
icedsomeonest
andi
ngi
nfr
ont
ofher.
Hewor
eanavybl
uetuxedosui
thi
sbeltwas
mat
chi
ngwi
ththeshoe'
sandthewat
ch.
shewasscar
edofl
ooki
ngathi
sface"
Sheletoutadeepbreat
h"Thenl
ookedathi
s
face,
towasROHI D.
Shewant
edtojumponhimthencomposed
her
sel
fwhati
fhedoesn'
tl
ikei
t.
Omuhle: hiam youruberguy
"thi
swayplease
shesaidwalki
ngout"butROHI Dhel
dherhand
thenpull
edherinforahug.

☆Omuhl
e☆

IthoughtIwasoverhi
m"butbei
nginhis
embr aceri
ghtnow,ev
ery
thi
ngIfel
tforhi
m
cameback.
Imi
ssedt
hishumanImi
ssedhi
scol
ogne.

Omuhl
e:i
thoughtIl
osty
ouf
orev
er.
ROHI
D:shhhl
i
stent
oourhear
tbeat
s.
Theybot
hwentsi
l
entf
oral
most5mi
nut
es.
ROHI
D:cany
ouheart
hat
?
Omuhl
e:myhear
tbeatmat
chesy
our
s.
ROHID:that
'showmyfat
herf
oundoutmy
motherwastheone.
Omuhl
e:di
dyouf
indy
ourf
ami
l
y?
ROHI
D:notasi
ngl
eonesur
viv
ed.
Omuhl
ecr
yingam sosor
ry.
ROHI
D:i
t'
soki
sti
l
lhav
eyouandev
ery
oneel
se,
I
'm sor
ryfornotrespecti
ngyourfeel
i
ngsf
orme,
i
ttookme2y earstoreal
isej
usthowmuchI
hadfal
leninlovewithyou.
Il
ovey
ouomuhl
e.
Omuhl
e:am st
il
l9y
ear
'sy
oungert
hany
ou.
ROHI
D:mymum wast enyear
syoungert
han
mydadguesshi
stor
yjustr
epeat
edit
self
.
Omuhl
e:i
lov
eyouROHI
Dmyf
eel
i
ngst
owar
ds
y
ouhav
enotchanged.
ROHI
D:i
lov
eyoumor
endl
ovukazi
.

☆JADA☆
I
khonaar
eyounotdone?
ROHI
Dlaughi
ngy
ougoodatt
hisbadt
imi
ng.
Omuhl
elaughi
ngsoj
adapl
annedal
lthi
s?
Jada: t
hat
'sf
orkeepi
ngmyweddi
nga
surpr
ise.
West
il
lhav
emor
ecomi
ngf
ory
oubot
h.
ROHI
Dandomuhl
eki
ssed.
Thato:
someonejusthadherf
irstki
ss"l
ikey
ou
guysshoul
djustgetmarr
iedr
ightnow.
ROHI
D:t
hatr
emi
ndsme,
heremovedt
her
ingf
rom hi
spocketandwent
ononeknee.
Mar
rymeomuhl
e,Iwantt
ogr
owol
dri
ghtnext
toyou"iwantt
okeepfight
ingwit
hli
kewe
alwaysdofort
herestofmylif
e..
Omuhl
ecr
yingy
esIwi
l
lmar
ryme.
ROHI
Dsl
i
det
her
ingonherf
ingert
heyki
ssed.
Li
the:
theki
d'
sar
eal
onei
nthecar
.
Theyal
ll
aughedandwal
kedtothecarmar
k
and sel
i
nawer ewi
tht
hekid'
s
Theydr
oveoutomuhl
edr
ovewi
thherbae.

THEYFOUNDTHERELI
GHTATTHEENDOF
THETUNNEL.

THEEND.