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Chapter Thirty-Seven

Author's note: Hey everyone, I hope you're doing well or at least better than me. This week has been a nightmare for South Africa, with the protests against Gender based violence, the disappearance and rape cases of women and the xenophobic attacks, I've been feeling mentally exhausted and hurt all week. I have all this built up rage and sadness from all of this and i've been putting it into school work and writing; writing in journals and being with family has helped for the most part. To all my South African Readers, it's a bittersweet time for us. but i must say i am proud of us for making our voices heard, especially the women. Lord knows how long we've fought and sadly died to be heard. But i'm less hurt to know that it isn't going unnoticed. I truly hope we find some common ground in this country. After all, Women's rights are Human rights. 

anyway, enough with the heavy, here's a short chapter of the story. I hope you like it. 

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Sitting at a café after the disaster that unfolded in court, Henri and his grandmother shared tea and sandwiches in silence. Madam Sonja stared at her grandson anxiously, she wondered how he was feeling after what went down in court. Seeing his mother in handcuffs and sent back to her cell crushed him to pieces. He chased after his mother, calling her name again and again until she disappeared.

The court was adjourned and a warrant to find Nolwazi was sent out. Madam Sonja hoped they would find the girl soon enough; it was already beginning to take a toll on her grandson. She was seeing signs of emotional distance again in his behavior, just like when his father and grandfather died. He'd be still and quiet for a while, harboring his emotions until it was too late, and they'd collide inside of him, sending him to lash out. that was the script she remembered.

She sighed heavily, "Henri, praat met my asseblief (talk to me please)." He remained silent, stirring the spoon in his mug repeatedly; his sandwich untouched. "For the record, I didn't doubt her for a second." She spoke softly again, He remained silent.

She cleared her throat in nervousness, "It's okay to feel the things you're feeling, Henri." He paused and shot a quick glance at her, finally grabbing his attention. She reached out to hold his hand in her frail ones, "But don't block me out, talk to me. You're not alone, I was there too, remember..."

"I'm...I'm sorry I just, don't know what to think or feel..." He spoke finally, looking up at his dear grandmother, He began to wonder what she thought and felt about today. Would her son be put to rest knowing justice was served and her daughter-in-law would be free? Could she sleep knowing she was on the right side of the law? Henri knew she couldn't believe what her son was capable of, but she stood by Henri and his mother's side.

Truth is, Henri was conflicted in his feelings. despite his fiery rage and betrayal, He couldn't help but feel like something just didn't add up. Why would she go missing when they needed her most, when he needed her most? Why wouldn't she do the right thing and be there for His mother? He had every right to be enraged, sad and frustrated. His mother was so close to her chance at freedom, and in the same moment it evaporated. How things could change for the worst in a moment.

Shaking his head, Henri felt frustrated that what he felt most for Nolwazi wasn't anger or betrayal as many expected of him. "Ouma, I...What if there's something she wasn't telling me?" He asked under his breath.

"What do you mean?" She replied, frowning in confusion.

"I mean what if she didn't mean to run away? what if there's an explanation to why she didn't show up?"

Madam Sonja frowned and sighed sadly, fearing her grandson was becoming a little delusional. 

"Henri, whatever you think you might know, you don't. I know you cared about her, I do...But even we don't know what our loved ones are capable of...I mean, I had no idea your father was capable of attempted murder on your mother." She paused, still coming to terms with the fact that her son would even lay a hand on his wife. 

"That girl, isn't just the girl you love, she's a witness to your mother's attack. She knew that, and even with the love you claim you share with her, She wasn't there for y-"

Henri shook his head, refusing to believe it all. "It can't be that simple, Ouma. she couldn't have-"Henri stopped mid-sentence, for what caught his attention appeared on the tv screen sent a shiver down his spine.

"Henri? Wat..." His grandmother's voice and the noise in the café faded to the background when he watched the news come on the screen. 

Children running away in fear; Policemen firing guns and bombs at them...Homes destroyed by bombings and shootings...And the headline that read, '...Soweto in a state of terror...' There was a protest between students and the police force and with the ammunition the police had, there was no sign of survival for any of those students.

Soweto...Where had he heard of that place before? His mind scurried through his memories for any clues until finally, it hit him. It was beginning to make sense to him, Nolwazi didn't runaway because she didn't want to testify; She ran away because her family was in danger. That's why his keys and car had disappeared at the apartment.

Henri stood up in his chair, shocking his grandmother. "Henri, waar gaan jy? (where are you going?)" But is was too late, Henri was already out of the café. He stepped out of the café, as if to clear his head so he could think. And despite the events of today, something in him couldn't help but want to help her in some way. The footage on Tv were enough for him to know that she was in danger, the type of danger that could get herself killed and he wouldn't let that happen to her.

But with no car, he wondered how he could get to her in time to save her. Henri wasn't sure who he could turn to for help at this point. His friendship with Conrad was in shambles, His chosen love was the reason for that. Conrad made it known his friend's relationship with a maid wasn't something he'd support, let alone help Henri save her. His mother was in prison and his grandmother was in no position to help.

In that moment, Henri made a decision he didn't think he'd ever make. 

Author's note: It is a short chapter, i know but i hope you all liked it enough to know what happens int he next chapter. Again, I can't thank you all enough for supporting this story and basically figuring it out with me too. It's always appreciated.