Realities – Chapter Twenty One

Only people who have never been to prison will readily say that this was a good idea. Why then do you get so scared when the police stop you even for something stupid as speeding? Don’t be a hero! We all know that it is the most terrifying thing ever even when you know you will get away with a fine. Now if the police scare you that much, what about the prisoners if you end up sleeping in jail. Most people that have been arrested for being drunk or whatever tell you that you sober up immediately! That’s fact. Then the fear and panic sets in! Girls and Boys Town is a first step towards prison meant to scare young people back into shape. It is real and it is not a joke. This is not like he was sending my daughter to her grandmother, he was sending her to jail, let’s get that straight

“Ma’am please step back!”

The bigger of the two men said. Ok he wasn’t bigger, he was huge! I stepped back but went for my husband whom I started hitting. This was all his fault. He pulled me into his arms and held me tightly. Nelisa at this stage had come downstairs to see what the commotion was about. When he saw her he told her to bring Nelisa’s bag. The big guy literally picked up my daughter to the car and locked her at the back like a prisoner. She had actually stopped kicking and screaming. The one who stayed behind asked Nelisa to open the bag. Everything of value or fancy they tossed out. She was literally left with pyjamas. He said that the other kids would not only steal but possibly beat her up for it! Now you say I am being irrational. She was a naughty child that needed disciplining by her absent parents and not a career criminal who needed jail. I know for a fact, she will never forgive us for this.

After she tossed out all the un necessities including any decent underwear there. They told us that we could only visit after a two days to make her acclimatise and miss home. They were torturing my baby. She also said I should not worry most kids after three days are begging to come home and after a week they are scared straight. A week! Seven Days. They also would not give her access to the phone in those forty eight ours and in my head all I could see was them torturing her. Eventually they left and I could not stop crying. It’s not that I did not want my child to be ‘fixed’ but the fact that I was scared for her.

My husband did not seem to worry even more. Nelisa asked to be taken home and he told her that I would take her. He gave her r200 and she gave him that disappointed thank you. Who can blame her if she had sugar daddies she was used to getting more. I did not want to look at my husband right now so leaving the house was actually a good thing. She came and we drove together in silence. When we got to her place she asked me if I wanted to see where she stayed. I said yes for the sake of it and went upstairs. Milpark was the building just next to the University Of Johannesburg. Her room mate was there and she introduced herself by name and surname as Thandeka Mkhize. She was a bit rural though. You know how every tribal group has an accent that you can identify them by, I could tell she was a Zulu girl. She seemed busy with her books but she had a weave more expensive than mine. Nelisa was not like her. She was actually more simplistic. She introduced me as her aunt which I think was ok. As she walked me out, the biggest man I had ever seen was walking towards us. Nelisa said hi to him and he greeted back. Haibo! How did this girl know such people? She saw the shock on my face and immediately smiled and said,

“Relax, that’s Thandeka’s friend. I stay far away from Nigerian men! She calls him Gorilla so don’t worry, he scares the crap out of me!”

I made an uneasy laugh but she had given me an opening and I was going to use it,

“Why do you date sugar daddies?”

She was a bit surprised by the question because I don’t think she thought I would ever ask.

“I am going to be honest with you and you can judge me if you want. The boys my age don’t respect us. They will date you and proceed to date every other girl in site. I know I am beautiful, more than other girls to be frank and because of that most guys my age want to fu… I mean have sex with me just to be able to tell their friends they hit that!”

I had no idea what hit that meant but go on with the excuses,

“Married men because they have so much to lose treat you with respect and yes there are some who are abusive but they only do it to girls who act like they are dating out of desperation!”

The way this girl was so candid and open about her relationship. I think if I was her mother I would die hearing such.

“They don’t demand too much sex because they can’t keep up and they love you with both money and gifts but am not about that. Rodney, that’s his name, had a wife, business and child. He never said a word out of place and makes sure every month I get an allowance. He insisted I save it and the apartment I stay at I don’t pay anything. So yes a day might come where I get dumped and he kicks me out but I am more than ready for it.”

She said. I was so scared of her I won’t lie. Maybe I should not have asked. These are the kind of people that kill you with a smile whilst explaining why it’s for the good of everyone else that you die!

“Don’t you worry about his wife at home that he hurting? You are harming her too by your actions and one day it will happen to you too. It’s called kharma!”

I asked her.

“She is not my business, her man is. He is not really her man to be honest because once he starts looking outside of marriage something is missing. I am not a prostitute Auntie, and to that end would you rather he has a mistress, me, or be sleeping with prostitutes, different ones everyday. The only difference between me and what you would call a mistress is that I am young otherwise I am just like you. Yes one day I will or might get married and yes he might or will cheat but unlike you I don’t have unrealistic expectations were I expect a man to be hundred percent faithful.”

This child needed Jesus, no she needed God Himself and all the angels in heaven to come possess her. Yes that’s better! She was smiling as she said this even. See why I said she had a coldness about her, an I don’t give a fuck attitude! Now tell me if you would allow your daughter to be close to such a person who thinks she has such a clear view of the world?

As I drove out of Milpark I looked around and just saw the concrete coldness of the place and it reminded me of where my daughter was. I was not going to fight it though. I called Joseph, the private investigator.

“Please don’t call again! Please!”

And then?

What had happened to the man who was so eager to take my money just yesterday?

“What’s wrong?”

I asked him.

“In my investigations I bumped into a Mthobisi character! I barely escaped with my life. Doctors are saying I could have been paralysed or killed! Please please I am begging you stay away from me!”

Mthobisi? That’s Lesedi’s husband moes!

Even I didn’t want to go that route,

The man was scary!

*****The End******

@diaryofazulugal
Mikeatdiary
Michael Nkululeko Maphoto
[email protected]

Dear Mike

You are a great writer! I know we have started to take it for granted but if truth be told the fact that you post us something every day is amazing. Thank you on behalf of everyone.

My problem, Mike I am in love with my boss. He is not married but divorced. He has never flirted with me but every time I see him I just melt. I am not a bad girl at alll but I have noticed that I have changed my dress code. My skirts are a bit shorter and tighter but the guy will not blink. I don’t stalk him or anything but I am reaching that point. My friends tell me that I am going to get myself fired that’s why I asked for a transfer. I doubt I will get one. I have worked with him for four years. I am thirty one and he is 39. I feel pathetic now.

Anyway I want this man guys. He is very single that much I am certain but I know he won’t be for long. Help a sister out. What should I do?

Thank You

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