Eric Boskati

I

WISH
WE HAVE

NEVER MET

ERIC N BOSKATI

I Wish We Have Never Met © 2022 Eric N Boskati All rights reserved.
No part of this book maybe be used or reproduced in any manner whatsoever

without written permission from the author.
This book is a work of Non-fiction. Names, characters, businesses, places, events
and incidents are the products of the author’s reality and are used Non-fictitiously. Any
resemblance to actual persons, living or dead, events or locales is entirely truthful.

Cover design: Urban Publishing Design Team
Published 2022 by Urban Publishing
First Edition Sept 2022
Printed in South Africa
ISBN: 978-0-6397-2502-4

For more information:
Email: [email protected]

www.urbanpublishing.co.za



1 -ERIC N BOSKATI

Chapter I

Tembani had served the South African Police Service
with distinction, albeit with one regret. That fatal
shot he fired missed its target and instead took the life of
an innocent five-year-old boy. If it wasn’t for this tragic
incident, Tembani would still be in the police service. His
family, friends, and colleagues did everything in their power
to persuade him to stay, but to no avail. Stubborn as a mule,
Tembani had vowed never to wear a police uniform again.
He returned his uniform and gun and as he put it, “It was
all a mistake. I shouldn’t have joined the police service.”The
boy whose life he mistakenly took was the son of a single
mom whose father had died two years ago in a horrific car
accident.Throughout the ordeal,Tembani had tried to speak
to the mom’s boy, just to say how sorry he was. He wanted
to say something, anything, that could possibly take away her
pain and perhaps explain the circumstances under which he
fired that deadly shot. His many attempts, however, proved
futile.“Linda,” he was told,“was so distraught by the incident
and didn’t want anything to do with the police or anything
that would remind her of the gruesome death of her only
son.” On his last attempt,Tembani was told that Linda took a

2 -I Wish We Have Never Met

transfer outside of Johannesburg. He took that with a pinch
of salt. In his mind, Linda’s family was probably tired of his
pestering. He tried to find out where she had been transferred
to, but nothing came of it. That made his suspicions all the
more real: that Linda’s family was so determined to make sure
he never sees her. He swore to himself that he will never rest
nor tire until he has met Linda. It didn’t matter to him where
or when. He was sure he would one day meet her, pour out
his heart, and profusely apologize so as to lay to rest the ghost
of guilt haunting him each night he goes to bed. Each day that
passed,Tembani prayed to God that his wish be granted. If not
for Linda’s sake, then for his conscience.

He himself knew the pain of losing a child even though
his circumstances were different from Linda’s.At age twenty he
impregnated a seventeen-year-old girl from his village whose
father was the principal of the local high school. The father
was so angry and bitter about his daughter’s twist of fate that
he demanded the two get married before the child was born.
Instead of marrying the principal’s daughter,Tembani secretly
left the village for Johannesburg with a matric certificate.
Once in Johannesburg, he texted his girlfriend Lulama a
long message and explained to her why he had to leave the
village without her knowing. He also promised Lulama that
as soon as he got a job in the city he’d support both her and
the unborn child. Lulama was so excited by the news and
returned the message with lots of love. She in turn promised
Tembani that she’d wait for him no matter how long it took.
It took Tembani more than five years to get a decent job in
Johannesburg. For two years he worked as a casual worker in
one of the retail stores in the central business district of Jozi.

3 -ERIC N BOSKATI

He sent Lulama some money as promised, even though it was
not enough. He explained to her that as soon as things got
better he’d double the allowance.

One afternoon while he was on lunch, he saw an
advertisement for police recruits.He jumped at the opportunity
and sent his application before the deadline. Six months later
he was called for an interview.Three months passed without
hearing anything from the South African Police Services.After
days, weeks and months of waiting, a call informing him to
report to the police academy the following week changed his
life. On completion of the six-month intense police training,
Tembani reported for duty the following month. As soon as
he settled in his new job, he sent more money as promised.
A few months later and while he was calling Lulama on
her cellphone, somebody else answered the phone. He told
Tembani that Lulama was now a married woman and that
Tembani should stop calling her. Not believing what he was
hearing, Tembani made two more calls and got the same
response from the same person. Agitated by the sudden turn
of events, he called his childhood friend Mbulelo and asked
about Lulama’s love life. Not only did Mbulelo confirm the
news, but he also told him that Lulama was pregnant and that
she,together with her new husband,had moved to CapeTown.
He asked about the whereabouts of his child with Lulama. He
was told the little boy left with the newlyweds. He couldn’t
believe his ears. He had spoken to Lulama a few weeks prior
and she hadn’t said anything about getting married or moving
to Cape Town.The news sent him into a tailspin. For a week
or more he couldn’t eat. He spent sleepless nights trying to
figure out why Lulu, as he affectionately called her, didn’t at

4 -I Wish We Have Never Met

least give him a hint as to what was happening in her life.
There were times he cried and bitterly so, wondering why life
was so cruel to him. He had expected things to be better, but
instead life turned its back on him.

One afternoon while at work his boss called him to his
office. Worried that he might have done something wrong,
Tembani rushed to his boss’ office. He was, however, surprised
to find the station commander, Mr. Natuse, in a jovial mood.

“Mr. Nzise, how are you doing this afternoon?” asked the
station commander as he welcomed him into his office.

“I’m alright, Sir, and you?”
“I’m doing fine, thank you… please take a seat.”
Tembani sat down and looked anxious as he waited for
his boss to say why he called him into his office.
“I can see you’re wondering why I called you?” said the
station commander, looking at Tembani very concerned.
“Indeed, Sir.”
“Relax, Mr Nzise, you haven’t done anything wrong.”
“Glad to hear that, Sir,” repliedTembani with a controlled
smile. Mr. Natuse got up from his chair and walked around his
desk to get closer to Tembani.
“Chief,” he said once he was closer, “I’ve noticed in
the past few weeks that something’s bothering you. It is also
affecting your work.” He paused and looked at Tembani for
a response. Tembani looked back at the station commander
but said nothing. “And I was thinking,” went on the station
commander, “that you could take two weeks off so that you
can sort things out with whatever is happening in your life.”
He looked at him for a few seconds, then asked, “What do
you think?”

Tembani’s head dropped and for a few seconds looked
down nervously at his shoes.“I think you need some-time off,
son,” insisted the station commander.

“You’re right, Mr Natuse. I’m really under emotional
strain at the moment,” he said, lifting up his head to look at
the station commander.

“I think it will do you much good, son.”
“I’ll take your advice, sir, and I thank you for it. However,
I need to complete my docket, after which I’ll be off probably
in about two weeks.”
“That’s alright with me. It will do you much good, I’m
telling you,” the station commander said, glad that his advice
was well-received. He stood up from the edge of his desk
and the two shook hands and Tembani left the office. As fate
would have it, the following week was when Tembani fired
the fatal shot that took the life of an innocent five-year-old
boy. The incident sent his life into a spiral. Two weeks later
he tendered his resignation, against everybody’s advice. As
soon as all the paperwork was done,Tembani started sending
job applications to various companies across the country. A
private security company based in Milnerton, Cape Town
was the first to respond. Desperate for a replacement after
their long-serving employee took an early retirement, they
scheduled Tembani for an interview the following week. He
flew to Cape Town for the interview and two weeks later was
appointed as a security supervisor with immediate effect. His
relocation a week later gave him a gleam of hope that one day
he’d see both his ex-girlfriend and his son in Cape Town.

Chapter II

On this particular day ,Tembani drove his car round
a bend before turning left to approach the freeway.
Once on the freeway, his hand steadied the steering wheel
as he pushed the car toward the direction of the mall. His
wristwatch showed 14h30 and he wondered if he would
make it to Ndumiso’s place, his former colleague from the
police service whom he had promised a visit on his way back
from the mall. Like Tembani, Ndumiso started his career in
the police service in Johannesburg. They were both recruits
when they met and later on, Ndumiso moved to Cape Town.
The two were always in touch well before Tembani relocated
to Cape Town.Today Tembani had hoped that his visit to his
old friend’s place would be more exciting as he, among other
things, wanted to know about certain criminal cases that were
on current affairs. The trouble was that traffic was moving
slowly and taxi drivers were making the experience even more
irritating with their shifting from lane to lane.Tyres screeched,
cars hooted, and the hot-headed and short-tempered hollered
and yelled, but taxi drivers continued with their meandering
as if a crowd was cheering them on. Trying to divert his
thoughts away from the maddening mechanical scenery in

5 -ERIC N BOSKATI

front of him,Tembani looked at the blistering sun across the
sky. The temperature had earlier been reported at thirty-five
degrees Celsius. Lately, it had receded to twenty-eight, but
was still hot. He pulled down the car’s interior sunshield to
have a better view of the traffic in front of him. As he did so,
he noticed a red hatchback a few meters ahead of him. It was
the same model as his car, except for the colour.The car was
slowly pulling away from the traffic over to the yellow line.
It came to a stand-still a few meters away. Motorists passed
by minding their own business. Others peered through their
windows trying to figure out what might have happened.
As Tembani’s car got closer, the driver had her hands on her
cheeks.Without thinking,Tembani signalled to the motorists
behind him that he was going for the middle lane. Slowly
he eased his car away from the middle to the left lane and
then over to the yellow line without any difficulty. He parked
his car just behind the red hatchback. He got out and went
to the lady whose hopelessness was written all over her face.
“Breakdown?” he enquired. Either embarrassed, shy, or both,
the lady replied,“It’s a puncture and I don’t even have a spare
wheel.” Her hands were on her mouth.

“No big deal,” said Tembani without looking at her. He
went back to his car and opened the trunk. He took out his
wheel-spanner from his tool-box and shifted some items inside
the trunk before lifting the heavy tyre out of the trunk.With
the wheel-spanner in his hand and a dried-up old oil rag,
he wheeled the tyre toward the hatchback. The lady looked
confused, wondering what this guy was all about. She asked,
“Are you going…?” Before she could finish, Tembani asked
her if she had a car-jack.

6 -I Wish We Have Never Met

“I don’t think so… I lost my tools a week ago...I’m so
sorry to be this disorganized.” Tembani looked at her and
shook his head.“Your name again?”

“Lizzie,” replied the young woman.
“Lizzie?” said Tembani shaking his head a second time.
“No spare wheel, car-jack or wheel spanner.You can’t leave
your house without them. It’s too much of a risk,” he told her.
Lizzie couldn’t say anything. She just stood there and watched
Tembani going back to his trunk for the car-jack. For some
reason she felt a huge sense of relief now that her tyre problem
was going to be solved.Tembani came back with the car-jack
in his hand. He shoved it under the car and began pumping it
up to lift the car.To ease the tension for herself more than for
Tembani, Lizzie asked,“You said your name was…?”
“Oh, my name,” said Tembani as if he had not heard her
well.“My name is Tembani.” He was twisting and turning the
wheel spanner unscrewing the wheel bolts.
“Are you staying far from here?” asked Lizzie trying to be
useful if not in deed at least in word.
“I wouldn’t say far; a twenty-minute drive, probably?”
“Where’s that?”
“I’m staying in Khayelitsha, and you?”
“Kwa-Langa.”
Lizzie looked at Tembani more closely and a little
sceptical.“Khayelitsha?” she asked, finding it hard to believe.
“Yes I’m staying in Khayelitsha; why?” Tembani was
taking a break and he had the wheel-spanner in his hand as
he stood up.
“No, let’s leave it,” said Lizzie, cautious not to step on
toes.

7 -ERIC N BOSKATI

“I really want to know why you’re so surprised,” insisted
Tembani.

“Yes, I am,” said Lizzie, unashamedly this time.
“Why is that?” asked Tembani eagerly.
“The thing is…you’re…you’re too much of a gentleman,”
said Lizzie, not knowing what to expect next.
“Are you flattering me?” asked Tembani, going back to
the wheel bolts.
“No, I’m really serious.” She sounded sincere.
“Well, if you say so.” He gave her a wry smile.
“I mean it.”
“I guess so,” said Tembani, remembering why and when
he started his good Samaritan campaign. His acts of kindness
didn’t just come out of the blue. The last few years were so
painful and traumatic for him. Those years were the reasons
he was oozing altruism.To him it was like an obligation. And
every now and then he needed to show mankind some love.
Having loosened all the bolts, he pulled out Lizzie’s tyre
from its socket, replaced it with his own, and began tightening
the bolts. Later on, he unscrewed the car-jack to bring the
tyre down and to gain some balance as he continued with
the tightening of the bolts. After a few minutes and a little
tired, he asked Lizzie to do the same. “You just tighten the
remaining bolts.” He handed her the wheel-spanner. She
took it but didn’t know where to start. She smiled, thinking
Tembani was joking. Tembani wasn’t smiling. He instead
pointed down to the loose wheel. Lizzie went down on her
knees and her soft hands clasped the handles of the wheel-
spanner. Her delicate fingers tightened on the tool and her
polished fingernails knuckled the wheel spanner to give it a

8 -I Wish We Have Never Met

tight grip. While on her knees, she struggled to connect the
wheel spanner with the bolts’ holes. Her tight jeans made her
efforts all the more difficult. She twisted and turned without
finding a comfortable position to lock the bolts onto their
holes. She realized then that she was utterly dependent on
Tembani. If this was Tembani’s idea of proving a point, he had
succeeded. She was indeed useless except, of course, when it
came to talking.

Tembani took the wheel-spanner from her. Lizzie stood
up with a sigh of relief, but Tembani softly pulled her down by
the arm.“You haven’t started yet,”he said,pointing at her jeans.
“You’ll have to pull them up from your ankles.” Lizzie did as
was told.Tembani took the old dry-oiled rag he usually used
for such occasions. He rolled it down and handed Lizzie the
wheel-spanner. Lizzie took it and went for the bolts. A little
relaxed and more comfortable now than before, she connected
easily with the bolts’ holes and started tightening them up. It
was a physically draining exercise but Lizzie didn’t want to be
useless. She exerted the needed amount of pressure. “You’re
doing fine,” said Tembani, impressed by her determination.
Lizzie applied more pressure, moving from one bolt to the
next with such diligence that Tembani was taken aback by this
sudden show of capabilities. For Lizzie, the whole exercise was
exhausting and there were moments she groaned.

“You’ve done well,” said Tembani, like any teacher would
to a below-average learner who had achieved a distinction.
He helped her onto her feet as he pulled her up by the hand.

“My God, that was tough,” said Lizzie, dusting off her
jeans.

Tembani released the car-jack and pulled it out. Looking

9 -ERIC N BOSKATI

at Lizzie, he said, “I had to see you doing it. I won’t always
be around…you know too well that there aren’t too many
gentlemen out there like me.”

Lizzie knew he was telling the truth even though he was
saying it as a matter of fact. Her hands were aching and her
arms felt numb. The truth was that Tembani had saved her a
day’s work.

“Thank you very much,” she said, stretching out her hand.
Tembani shook it and smilingly said,“Be careful next time.”

“I’ve heard you,” she smiled back.
“It’s not a joke; you can’t drive without a spare-wheel,”
said Tembani, going to his car. After reaching his car, he
searched the glove compartment, took out a pen and a piece
of paper, and came back to Lizzie who was now inside her
car. He wrote down on the piece of paper and handed it to
her. “Once you have your tyre fixed, call me on this number
and I’ll come fetch mine.” Lizzie took the piece of paper
and put it in her jean pocket. She was sure he’d get it back
and she promised him. Tembani went back to his car and
once inside, he indicated to her to join the traffic before he
could do so himself. Lizzie waved and hooted as she joined
the traffic.Tembani hooted back and slowly followed behind
her.The two cars proceeded one behind the other for about
hundred and twenty meters before Lizzie took the left lane
and disappeared into the conglomerate of cars heading for
the Cape Flats. As Tembani drove off, he took a quick look
at his dashboard clock. The time was now 16h35 and he
realized then that there was no point in going to the mall or
to Ndumiso’s place. He took the next turn, and the road sign
ahead read ‘Kwa-Langa,’ with an arrow pointing to the left.

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Chapter III

Something was ringing; was it her phone or was she
dreaming? For some strange reason Lizzie didn’t want
to figure it out.The warmth and comfort of her blankets made
it difficult for her to clearly distinguish reality from fantasy.
Half-awake, Lizzie peered over her blankets just to see how
early it was.“It is morning, alright,” she told herself. However,
she was not about to wake up this early on a Saturday morning
because of a phone call. She went back to sleep. Soon after,
the phone started ringing again. Lizzie held on tightly to
her blankets, cursing the day she bought the phone. Out of
frustration, she threw her blankets aside and reached for the
phone. Just as she was about to touch it, the phone stopped
ringing. Angrily, she pulled back her blankets. This time she
vowed not to pay any attention to it, no matter how long it
rang.The room grew quiet and it seemed as if the caller had
given up on her. A few minutes later and out of nowhere, a
small voice called,“Auntie…auntie.” Lizzie laid still.
A tap on her shoulder nearly awoke her, but she remained
still.The small voice called again.“Auntie, auntie?”The tap on
her shoulder became firm and quickly turned into a shake.

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“Auntie…auntie! Mama Radebe is calling for you.” As
if the name Mama Radebe was a magic wand, Lizzie quickly
came to her senses. Her big eyes glared at the young girl
standing next to her bed.

“What?” She asked, removing the sleep from her eyes.
“Mama Radebe has been calling for you. There’s
something she wants you to see,” said the young girl relieved
to have managed to wake her up.
“Is that so?” asked Lizzie, getting out of bed.“You know
ma-Radebe,Talitha; she always does this whenever she wants
someone to chat with in the morning…my God.” She
opened her wardrobe, took out her morning gown and went
for the bathroom.Talitha followed her behind.“You came late
yesterday; did you visit any of your friends?”
“I had a puncture, Talie, and I had to replace the tyre.”
She was brushing her teeth.
“All by yourself?”askedTalitha,truly eager to know.Lizzie
had to intermittently stop brushing her teeth to respond to
Talitha’s questions.
“Of course, Talitha. What do you think?” After rinsing
her mouth, she took a wet towel and gently wiped the
toothpaste off her lips. Talitha was like her own child now.
She took her in when she was only four years old.Very soon
she will be celebrating her tenth birthday. Lizzie’s younger
sister, Nomalizo, gave birth to her when she was still in high
school. Not only that, during her second year at Technikon
she gave birth to her second child. The whole reproductive
experience she was proving to her boyfriends later became a
family problem. That was when Lizzie decided to intervene
so as to ease the burden from her mom. Her mom was against

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the idea of Lizzie taking Talitha. Not so much because it was
bad, but because she was so attached to her grandchildren.
“Irritants or troublemakers, but darlings at the same time,” she
would say whenever she was in a good mood.

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Chapter IV

Lizzie finished cleaning her face, and looking atTalitha
said, “Let me go and see what is it that ma-Radebe
wants me to see.” As she went outside, it was still morning
but the heat from the sun was already intense. Some of her
neighbours were hiding from it under trees and wall shadows.
She could also tell that some in the neighbourhood were
already halfway through their morning chores. Her mom
would have called her a sluggard. “A girl must be the first to
wake up in any household, single or married.”
“Gone are those days, mom,” Lizzie would say, looking at
her mom from the corner of her eye. Her mom would shake
her head, uttering,“Today’s children.”
Lizzie went around her house close to the fence separating
her from ma-Radebe’s house. She expected ma-Radebe to
be waiting for her on the other side. When she got there,
there was no ma-Radebe. She went to the front part of her
yard. Still, there was no ma-Radebe. She stood next to her car
waiting for ma-Radebe to show up over the fence. For some
strange reasons all the people passing by in the street looked
at her car as if to say something. Lizzie quickly went around

14 -I Wish We Have Never Met

her car. By the time she reached the rear part, her legs were
wobbling. She learned against the car struggling to contain
her shock. All she could say was, “Oh my God!”The car was
standing on bricks and all four of her tyres were missing.

Just then ma-Radebe appeared over the wall-fence. “I
tried to call you earlier…those scoundrels over there never
get tired of their evil deeds,” she said, pointing far off across
the street. Lizzie was trying to regain her strength. She felt as if
a huge blunt object had hit her hard on the chest snuffing out
every bit of air in her lungs, leaving her weak and depleted.

“Talitha?” She called in desperation. “Please bring me a
glass of water.”

“You must call the police; I hope they catch them this
time. I so wish they could come to my spaza shop; that would
be their last evil deed. I swear to God,” said ma-Radebe
threateningly.

Talitha came with a glass of water and gave it to her aunt.
After drinking the water Lizzie felt better.

“Where’s my phone? Go fetch it inside.”Talitha quickly
ran into the house.

“There’s that house right there at the corner.That is where
all the scoundrels around here hang out,” said ma-Radebe
rushing back to her spaza shop to attend to a customer.Talitha
came out still running and handed her aunt the phone. Lizzie
dialled the police number. It took her nearly ten minutes to
report the incident. The police promised to be there in less
than fifteen minutes.

Fifteen minutes could mean an hour or more, thought
Lizzie to herself as she made her way back to the house.
Lizzie’s biggest worry was Tembani’s spare-wheel, which to

15 -ERIC N BOSKATI

her seemed all the more important than the other three tyres.
It was not so much the value of the spare-wheel than the
circumstances under which it was secured and the efforts that
went with all of that.Talitha came through the kitchen door,
and leaning against the doorframe said, “Ma-Radebe is right;
it must be those crooks at the corner house.”

“I just wonder how they managed to get in and out with
the gate still locked?” pondered Lizzie.

“They must have climbed over,” said Talitha, glad to have
figured that out before her aunt.“Can I make you something
to drink…coffee?” asked Talitha, sensing impending gloom.

“Good of you, please my baby,” said Lizzie, really pleased
by the suggestion.Talitha came toward her aunt and gave her
a big hug. “Don’t worry, auntie; the police will find them.”
Lizzie sighed before saying, “Thanks my child. I hope they
do.” Talitha stroked her aunt’s back before disengaging from
the hug. She went to the kitchen, plugged in the kettle and
while waiting for the water to boil she busied herself with
the coffee ingredients. For the first time Lizzie realized how
important and valuable Talitha’s presence was in her life. At
such a young age she seemed very perceptive.At just the right
time she knows what to say or do.Talitha appeared from the
kitchen doorway carrying the beverage tray. She put it down
on the coffee table and sat opposite her aunt.“The police will
catch them,” she said trying to re-assure her aunt.

“You think so?” asked Lizzie, amazed by her niece’s faith
in the police service.

“They always catch them,” hammered Talitha to settle the
issue.

“If you say so, baby.” Whether it was her lack of faith

16 -I Wish We Have Never Met

or downright pessimism, Lizzie cared less about whether the
criminals would be caught or not.What was more important
to her were the tyres. In her mind, by the time the police find
out the truth or arrest those criminals, the tyres would long
be gone and the money used for drugs. Back to Tembani’s
spare wheel. Lizzie admitted that she didn’t know much about
Tembani except for his name. She was not even sure how he
would react once he was told his spare-wheel has been stolen.
He seemed caring enough to have helped her, but beyond
that she can’t say anything more about him. She picked up
her phone from the coffee table and asked Talitha to bring
her jeans; “The one I was wearing yesterday.” When Talitha
brought her jeans, Lizzie went through the pockets and
brought out the piece of paper Tembani had given her. She
put it on the coffee table while making up her mind whether
to call Tembani or not. She took the paper and started dialling
the number. Halfway through, she cancelled the call.

“I wonder how he is going to react.”
“Who’s that?” asked Talitha curiously. Lizzie didn’t realize
she was thinking out loud.“The tyre I was talking about this
morning was given to me by a friend, so I don’t know now
how he is going to react when I tell him it’s been stolen.”
“Is he the one who helped you replace your tyre?”
“I know what you’re thinking, Talitha. Yes, he helped
me, but I also did some tough work out there. Look at my
fingernails.” She laid her hands on the coffee table for her to
see.Talitha squinted her eyes as she looked at the fingernails.
“I see…but why are you worried?You can tell him you’ll buy
him another one.”
“I’ve thought about that, my dear.The problem is that he

17 -ERIC N BOSKATI

will think I just don’t want to give it back.... Besides, I was
very disorganized when I met him. He will think that is how
I am.”

“I can phone and tell him the whole story; I’m not scared.
Give me your phone.” How she wished it was that easy. Lizzie
shook her head.“That won’t be a good idea, my child. I’ll do
it myself, but I must first take a bath. It will make me feel a
lot better.” In her head, she knew she was trying to avoid the
inevitable, which was making that call. She knew too that the
more she delayed the call, the less credible her story would
be. Her wall clock chimed eight o’ clock and nearly thirty
minutes since calling the police. Lizzie picked up the piece of
paper and dialled the number again, praying to God Tembani’s
phone was on voice-mail. That way she wouldn’t need to
explain anything. She’d only leave a message and say she’ll call
later. The phone rang once, twice, and a voice on the other
end said,“Hello?”

“Can I speak to Tembani?” Her voice was shaky.
“Speaking?” said the voice on the other end.
“Hello Tembani…this is Lizzie…how are you doing?”
“Lizzie? My God, that was quick. I’m doing fine. How
are you doing?”
“Not bad...” replied Lizzie nervously.
“Have you fixed your tyre?” Lizzie didn’t know how to
respond.
“No...no…no…no Tembani, there’s a problem.”
“You said a problem?”
“Yes…there’s a big problem. Some crooks have broken
into my yard and stolen four of my tyres, including yours.”
There was silence on the other end. Lizzie’s heart began

18 -I Wish We Have Never Met

to pound against her chest. Seconds ticked by while she
wondered what Tembani was thinking of her. She was sure
he was blaming himself for being so stupid as to give his
spare-wheel to a woman as disorganized as her. She wanted
to say, “Don’t worry, I’ll pay you double the price you paid
for it,” but her voice had gone.There was a lump in her throat
choking her vocal cords.

“Is this your number on my screen?” the voice said finally.
“Yes, it is,Tembani.”
“Are you alright?”
“Yes, I’m alright.”
“Look ...don’t worry about my spare-wheel. It’s a tyre,
for God’s sake.Are you sure you’re alright?”
“Yes...I am,Tembani.”
“Call me if you need my help. Don’t be shy…I’ll check
on you later. Have you called the police?”
“Yes…they’re on their way.” Lizzie’s voice was heavy
with emotions and she had to clear her throat every time she
had to respond.
“Great, don’t worry.The police will find them.”
“Thank you, Tembani. I’ll call you if there’s anything
new.”
“Good…and bye.”
“Bye...” Lizzie quickly put the phone down and ran to
the bathroom. Even though it was still morning her body
felt tired. Emotionally she felt drained. She closed the door
behind her as she looked at her face in the bathroom mirror.
Tears rolled down her cheeks. She didn’t know why she was
crying but her throat and body felt lighter each time fresh
tears came rolling down her cheeks. She took a seat on the

19 -ERIC N BOSKATI

edge of the bathtub. Her hands covering her face, she began
to sob.

20 -I Wish We Have Never Met

Chapter V

The police came, took fingerprints, and promised
Lizzie that they would nail the culprits.“Everything
will now depend on the fingerprint results and they will be
out in a few weeks’ time, Ms. Matsha,” Detective Tumi had
said. He promised to raid the corner house and take everyone
there for questioning. Meanwhile, Lizzie was asked to keep an
eye out for any suspicious or guilty-looking young men in the
neighborhood. She had nodded and promised to do so even
though she had no idea how. After the police left, Lizzie sat
down trying to figure out how she was going to get to work
on Monday.This was the least of her problems, since she alone
would bear it. She shifted her mind to Talitha’s birthday on
Friday the following week. The tradition has been to have a
night out- go watch a movie, pick a restaurant for dinner, then
come home and have some more fun.With the car in such a
terrible condition, all of that seemed impossible.
Her mind quickly returned to the bathroom incident a
few hours earlier. Lizzie felt embarrassed that she had cried,
especially because she couldn’t explain why. Yes, the last six
years have been traumatic for her.There were times she’d react

21 -ERIC N BOSKATI

or respond to situations in ways that were at odds with her
normal behaviour. For an hour or so she’d be fine, but the next
she’d be angry and withdrawn. Her psychologist had advised
her to take things slowly and not put too much pressure on
herself as that might trigger negative memories.Just then Lizzie
remembered something- that she had not yet told Tembani of
the latest developments and that the police had come to comb
the crime scene and had promised a thorough investigation
going forward. She looked for her phone but could not find
it. She went back to the lounge and found it on top of the
coffee table. Despite her obligation to keep Tembani abreast
of the latest developments, she was in no mood to talk to him.
She decided to send him a text message. She wrote,“The police
came and took fingerprints. They promised to catch the criminals.
Have a good day...Lizzie.” She pressed the ‘send’ button and
a few seconds later her screen read, “Message sent.” Realizing
that she was still in her morning gown and pyjamas, Lizzie
decided to clean up the house, starting with her room. She
was in no mood for breakfast and must have lost her appetite
after the tyre incident. She went outside and called for Talitha.
Talitha came running.“Before you start playing, take all those
clothes lying around your room and put them in the washing
basket. And don’t forget to clean your room. I don’t have to
remind you.” Talitha went past Lizzie, clearly disappointed at
her aunt’s disruptive house calls . Taking note of this, Lizzie
hammered,“Since when is playing more important than house
chores?You haven’t even brushed your teeth and there you’re
.” Lizzie went to her room and started cleaning it up. It took
her almost an hour to make it clean and neat. She went to the
kitchen and started washing the dishes and cutlery. She wiped

22 -I Wish We Have Never Met

them and put them back on the cupboard shelves. This was
followed by her mopping the kitchen tiles. Fifteen minutes
later you would have mistaken them for floor-mirrors. By the
time she finished all the cleaning, Lizzie looked more like a
pig farmer than a professional health worker. She thought she
had heard her phone ring but could not tell for sure if it did.
She assumed that it must be Tembani responding to her earlier
message. Feeling tired and a little bit thirsty, she poured herself
a glass of water, went to the living room and slouched on the
couch before checking her phone’s screen.There was only the
network’s name and no message. Not knowing whether she
was disappointed or not, Lizzie rested another few minutes.
Talitha came in through the door and leaning against the door
frame as usual asked, “Where did you get all that energy?”
Lizzie was not going to tellTalitha that she did all that cleaning
because she was stressing.When you’re stressed you can either
lash out at those around you or channel that energy by doing
something productive. She was not going to tell her all of that.
Instead, she told her to go and take a bath.“And once you’re
done, only then can you go and play.”

“What about you? You look like you need it more than
I do.”

“As soon as I finish .”
“Are you going to cook something nice today, auntie?”
“Just don’t spoil my mood.”
Talitha knew what that meant. By now she was more
familiar with her aunt’s mood swings. She knew too all her
emotive buttons.This time they were all green. If not carefully
managed, they could turn red quickly. To cheer her up she
said,“You’re the best.The very best cooker, auntie.” Her aunt

23 -ERIC N BOSKATI

smiled.
“I know what you’re up to,” she said, wagging her finger

at her.Talitha made her way to the bathroom and closed the
door behind her. Lizzie heard the bath-tap running and was
happy that her niece would soon treat herself to a thorough
body wash. After about fifteen minutes Talitha was all dressed
up and ready to go and play.

“So quick?” asked her aunt in disbelief.
“Yes, I’m done, auntie.”
“Haaibo Talitha! You didn’t wash yourself properly.” She
looked at her, her eyes roving all over her body.
“I did look,” said Talitha, turning around so that her aunt
could inspect her even more if she chose to. Lizzie shook her
head. She could tell that her niece had made up her mind to
go out and play irrespective of the concerns she was raising.
She shrugged her shoulders and said, “If you say so.” Talitha
gave her one look. In the blink of an eye, she sped out of the
door and disappeared outside the gate. In defeat, Lizzie said,
“Children,” shaking her head.
After Talitha went out to play Lizzie decided to take a hot
bath. She went to the bathroom and let the bath-tap run. As
she often did when she felt so tired, she took out some bath
salts, oils and scented candles from the bathroom cabinet.The
lavender scent from the candles and oils always lifted her mood.
She sprinkled the bath salts into the water, took out the four
small bottles of bath oils, and poured them one at a time into
the water. She started with the lavender oil, followed by the
chamomile, rosemary, and, lastly, the eucalyptus. She stirred the
water using her right hand.Then she put the scented candles
at both ends of the bathtub and one on the floor and lit them.

24 -I Wish We Have Never Met

She switched off the bathroom light to allow the candles to
give the bathroom a fair amount of light for relaxation. She
took off her gown, hung it on the hook behind the bathroom
door,and slowly climbed into the bathtub.As her body entered
the bathtub, the water heaved to give space to the full length of
her body. She laid on her back, feeling the soothing warmth of
the oils and salts. Submerged in the bath-tub, she inhaled the
lavender smell from the candles and oils and began to relax.
The essential oils soaked into her skin whilst also softening it.
She could feel her entire body going into repair mode. Blood
flow seeped through her veins, navigating through her tense
muscles and carried oxygen to every tissue and sinew in her
body. Inflamed internal organs and muscles began to relax and
heal. She closed her eyes and felt the impact of the chamomile
oil and the serotonin lulling her nerves. All of a sudden, she
started feeling drowsy. She stretched her body, wishing the
bathtub was bigger than it was. Her mind was ridding itself of
the day’s stressful moments. Lizzie could feel them all melting
away. Her mental recycle bin opened up and disposed of all
the old and bad files. Feeling light and at ease, her medulla
oblongata also eased up, allowing her respiratory organs and
heartbeat to return to their full capacity. Her mind switched
to reboot mode and without any effort her eyes closed and
she fell asleep.

Ten minutes later she opened her eyes and looked surprised
that she had been sleeping. She found the scented candles still
burning.The water was no longer warm or hot. She stretched
out her hand for the bath shampoo and squeezed it into the
water until foam was floating all around her. She took the
bar of soap and her face towel from the towel rack and began

25 -ERIC N BOSKATI

to wash herself, starting with her face, then her breasts, arms
and armpits and down to her abdomen. She proceeded right
down between her thighs then down to her legs and feet.The
motion was repeated twice or thrice only to reassure herself
that she hadn’t skipped any part of her body. A few minutes
later she got out of the bathtub. From the towel rack she took
a white dry towel and wiped her entire body. She put the wet
towel back and looked at the reflection of her naked body
on the bathroom mirror. She turned around as if to re-assure
herself that it was really her body and not somebody else’s
reflection. Refreshed and full of energy, she made her way to
her room. From the dressing table, she pulled out her make-up
kit and began pampering her face. She took the moisturizer
and massaged it on her face with upward and outward circular
motions.When she was done with the moisturizer, she picked
up the primer but then decided against it. Instead, she took
a small brush and used it to apply the foundation powder
on her face. With each stroke, she looked at the small hand-
mirror to ensure that there were no smudges or blotches on
her face.Then she took out a small sponge and concealer and
diligently applied it to her face. Slowly and meticulously, she
repeated her movements to ensure that her motions produced
the desired results. Lizzie continued with the application of
her makeup from eye shadow to eyeliner and mascara. Finally,
she took out her lip stick and began contouring and painting
her lips.When she was done, she looked at herself in the big
dressing table mirror and satisfied herself that everything was
in perfect order. She stood up from the small chair and went
to her wardrobe. She browsed through the wardrobe not sure
what to wear. “It must match my mood,” she told herself as

26 -I Wish We Have Never Met

she moved from hanger to hanger, still undecided on what
to wear. A few seconds passed with Lizzie still figuring out
what to wear. As if tired of the indecision, she pulled out a
light-yellow dress from the hanger and put it on the bed. She
closed the wardrobe door and looked at the dress on the bed,
then picked it up and placed it against her full body length
while standing in-front of the mirror. Satisfied that it was the
perfect choice, she put it on. The dress was yellow but not
bright, and sleeveless with straps running over her shoulders.
It was firm on her upper body with an apologetic cleavage.
The tightness descended right down below her hips whilst
also accommodating her curves. A little above her knees, the
dress flowed freely. Her long toned legs jutted out under it to
give her an immaculate physique. Dressed up, Lizzie went to
the kitchen and pulled over an apron to start cooking dinner.
The cooking took her more than two-and-a-half hours. Her
niece was not flattering her; she was indeed very good in the
kitchen, almost too good.

Her mom once said to her,“It’s a pity that you don’t have
a husband to cook for. I hope one of these days you’ll find
somebody to enjoy your meals.”

Taken aback, Lizzie had asked her mom,“Why is it that if
a woman is good at something, it must benefit a man?”

“It’s the same with them, my child. If they’re good at
something or anything, it must benefit a woman.”

“But I think the grooming is aimed too much at us.”
“It’s because without you, men are nothing.”
“I didn’t know that.”
“It’s the only reason they pay lobola.”
“You think so?”

27 -ERIC N BOSKATI

“I know so,” her mom had said. Lizzie had laughed out
so loud that her mom had to stop what she was doing just to
watch her.

“Oh my God...so dad must have paid a huge lobola then?”
“Your father was different, my child. He was an honest
and loving man,” she said with a smile on her face. And from
the corner of her eye Lizzie saw the smile.
“I see,” said Lizzie smiling back at her mom.
“Lobola or no lobola, Lizzie, your father was a loving man.
I pity your generation. Men like your father are not easy to
come by. I pray every day that God gives you a loving man,
my child.”
“Oh, please, mom. There are many men out there. You
know that.”
“Yes, there are, my child...but there are very few real men.
There are many, but few,” said her mom emphatically.
“I’m giving up.”
“I’m telling you. It’s not nice to see on television women
being beaten up or killed by people who claim to love them.
Your father never once raised a hand to me.”
“Stop that, mom.”
“It’s just that sometimes I do miss him,” said Sis Tembie,
looking through the window in deep thought.
“I know; we miss him too, mom,” retorted Lizzie, giving
her mom a comforting hug. Her husband, Bra Tammy as he
was called by his peers in the neighbourhood, passed away
two years ago after a long battle with prostate cancer. His
departure, although expected, left a huge hole in the small
Matsho family. The damage, however, was more to Sis-
Tembsie’s heart than the children. She never stopped talking

28 -I Wish We Have Never Met

about her husband or how good he was as a person. Lizzie
and her sister had gotten familiar with their mom’s coping
methods. They were trying their best to give her all the
support they could, despite dealing with their own eventful
lives. The fact that her cooking skills had not attracted any
man so far, didn’t bother Lizzie one bit. Cooking, for her,
was just a hobby. Oddly enough , she did it with ease and
with a tremendous amount of passion. Those who have sat
at the dinner table to enjoy her meals thought she was an
amazing cooker. Done with cooking, Lizzie took the apron
off and went to the living room to relax. She sat on the couch
browsed through the TV channels. For some strange reasons,
she felt at ease and the tyre incident that morning seemed
a distant memory, something Lizzie herself was not willing
to retrieve nor entertain. She continued browsing through
television channels hoping to find something interesting and
that blended well with how she was feeling that afternoon.

29 -ERIC N BOSKATI

Chapter VI

Lizzie continued browsing through the channels
without finding anything interesting.Out of nowhere
a voice said, “If you tune in to channel 104 there’ll be no
regrets.” It was a male voice and Lizzie was not sure where
it came from, but was sure it was real. Slowly she turned her
head and right in the doorway was a tall figure of a man
wearing a crew neck sweater, blue jeans, and black sneakers.
Lizzie was not sure who he was. She blamed herself for not
closing the door while she was relaxing. Slowly she stood up
from the couch hoping to get a better view of the stranger’s
face. Sun rays that streaked through the window curtains
blinded her view, making it difficult for her to tell who this
stranger was. It was when the man said,“Hello Lizzie how are
you doing this afternoon?” that she recognized his voice, but
didn’t know how to respond. She just stood there paralyzed
by the potpourri of emotions stirring up inside her. Her mind
was trying to figure out how he got to know where she was
staying. She never gave him her address. She heard herself
saying, “Tembani…uTembani…?” Her hands were on her
mouth in absolute shock.

30 -I Wish We Have Never Met

Tembani was standing in the doorway. His smiling face
gave the expression of a magician who had just pulled off the
most unbelievable trick his audience had ever seen. “Come
inside…please,” said Lizzie with her hands still covering her
mouth.Tembani came inside the living room and looked for
a place to sit.

“You can sit there,” said Lizzie, pointing to the empty
couch opposite her.“You really surprised me, you know?” She
was pleasantly surprised.Tembani sat down and made himself
comfortable on the couch. “I was passing by and thought of
doing a welfare check on you.”

“But how did you find out where I’m staying?” asked
Lizzie, truly eager to know.

“I’m psychic; didn’t I tell you the first time we met?”
“I really want to know,Tembani. How did you...?”
“Let’s leave it for another day, Lizzie. I really cannot dare
reveal my psychic powers at this stage.” Tembani was not
going to tell Lizzie that after replacing her punctured tyre,
he had tailed her to her house . It was police instinct, and it
happens impulsively. It doesn’t matter how often you shake it
off, it never leaves you. Once a police officer, always a tracker.
Lizzie looked at him for two or three seconds before shaking
her head.“Anyway, anything to drink? Soda , coffee, or juice?”
“Soda will do, thanks.”
Lizzie looked at Tembani for another two or so seconds
before disappearing into the kitchen. A few minutes later she
re-appeared with two long glasses filled with soda. She gave
one to Tembani while taking a seat opposite him. “You’re
cruel,Tembani,” she said looking at him.
“Have I done anything wrong?” asked Tembani with a

31 -ERIC N BOSKATI

big smile on his face.
“I’m sure you know what I’m talking about,” said Lizzie

trying to hide a smile.“Anyway, how are you doing?”
“I’m alright. What about you? You got me worried this

morning,” said Tembani with a concerned look on his face.
“I’m doing fine, wethu.Those things don’t often happen,

you know. I was shocked but I’m alright now.”
“You don’t look alright to me, Lizzie.”
Lizzie gave Tembani a stare then said,“I am,Tembani. I’m

really alright now.Thanks to you. It was your spare-wheel that
worried me most.”

“Okay, if you say so,” said Tembani, indeed relieved to
hear her say so.

At that moment Talitha came rushing through the door.
Seeing a stranger and a male for that matter sitting on the
couch opposite her aunt, she came to an abrupt stop. She
looked at her aunt then to the stranger then again back to her
aunt.“Come inside,Talitha, and say hello to boetie Tembani.”

“Hello, boetie Tembani,” said Talitha in a low shy voice.
“Hi sisi, how are you doing?”
“I’m alright, wena?”
“Ndiphilile nam, sisi, enkosi.”
“Good,” said Lizzie, “Now you can go about your
business.” Talitha went straight into her room and a few
minutes later came out carrying a tennis ball and a worn-
out tennis racquet. “That was my niece,” explained Lizzie to
Tembani.“She’s almost like my child now.”
“You two look alike; I thought she’s your daughter. She’s
adorable but looks shy.”
“Most people say the same thing but don’t be fooled by

32 -I Wish We Have Never Met

her demeanour.Wait ‘til you know her; nothing is shy about
her.”

“Is that so?” asked Tembani rhetorically.
“I’m telling you. She’s a good soul, though. We are so
used to each other and I love her to bits.”
“Nieces and aunts, uncles and nephews; you’ll never go
wrong there.”
“You’re very right,” said Lizzie, taking a sip from her glass.
“Did the police say when they’ll start taking suspects in
for questioning?” asked Tembani, changing the subject.
“Not really, but they talked about going further with the
investigation and in the meantime there’s nothing one can do
but wait.”
“No suspects yet?”
“Except for those kids in that corner house over there.
The police promised to take them in for questioning and
when will that be? I have no idea.”
Tembani took the TV remote from the coffee table and
looking at Lizzie asked,“Can I?” Lizzie nodded. He tuned the
television to his favourite show on channel 104. The show
was called House of Comedy. It lined up the up-and-coming
young black comedians. Each was given fifteen minutes to tell
his or her jokes. “It’s my favourite show,” said Tembani while
Lizzie looked on.
“I can see,” retorted Lizzie, her eyes on the screen. One
of the young promising comedians, Myolisi, affectionately
known in comedy circles as Sir Boss, was on stage strutting his
stuff.“Come on guys,” he was saying.“What’s wrong with the
English language? You see a gorgeous woman passing by and
you say she’s hot… like a hot chick.The next minute you see

33 -ERIC N BOSKATI

somebody passing by munching something. He tells you he’s
having a hotdog. A minute ago you saw a hot-chick; really?”
The audience burst into rapturous laughter. “Come on now,
a hot chick and a hotdog? You’re talking about animals here.
We all know what a chick is? It’s a baby chicken, isn’t it?
The dog, how can it be eaten? The English language tells us
they’re both hot and probably both can be eaten”. Again, the
audience went wild with laughter followed by a thunderous
round of applause. Both Lizzie and Tembani laughed. “This
guy is really funny,” Lizzie said.

“He is,” said Tembani, still laughing. “I really enjoy his
jokes.”

Sir Boss waited until the applause from the audience had
died down before launching another joke. “Have you guys
been to a fast-food restaurant?” He brought the microphone
to his audience.The audience responded.“Yeah.”

“How long did you have to wait to get this so-called fast-
food?”

“Too long.” Few voices were heard followed by some few
laughs.

“That long, huh?”
“Yeah.”
“Was it because you were chasing it?”
“Nooo…”
“So how did you know the food was fast without having
chased it?” Some more laughter.“Let me tell you my brothers
and sisters what fast-food is. When a cheetah is chasing a
gazelle; that, my people, is fast-food.” The audience went
wild with laughter and both Lizzie and Tembani also burst
out laughing. Sir Boss was smiling and going up and down

34 -I Wish We Have Never Met

the stage really enjoying the moment. The audience started
applauding him. Seizing the moment, Sir Boss continued,
“Do you guys remember when you were still young and you
did something regrettable?”

“Yeah,” came the chorus.
“When I did that, I was fourteen.”The audience abruptly
became quiet.“I was with my two friends.We were just sitting
in front of our house and talking about stuff our parents
needed to buy us. To cut a long story short, this friend of
mine said, “Anyway, your dad has a lot of money. I hear he’s
a truck driver.Truck drivers are paid lots of money?” He was
whispering. In our small minds he was right and in agreement
I said,“Yeah. Just as our teacher use to say when someone has
a lot of money, he’s a high-earner.” I could smell cigarette
smoke coming from behind us. It was my dad doing his usual
hourly smokes. My other friend, however, didn’t hear me well
and he asked,“He’s a what?” I responded and said,“My dad is
a high-earner,” raising my voice a little.The next thing I felt
was a full boot on my ass. It sent me sprawling across the front
yard. I fell flat on my stomach just a few feet from where I
was sitting.
“What did you say?”Asked my dad angrily. I was confused
and crying at the same time. Fortunately, my mom came
running out of the front door. She asked what was happening.
“Ask him,” said my father pointing at me. My mom came to
me and asked,“What did you say to your father, Myolisi?”
“I didn’t say anything mom…I was just telling my friends
that my father is a high-earner.
“You hear that?” said my father, vindicated. My mom had
her hands on her mouth.“A hyena? Why would you say that,

35 -ERIC N BOSKATI

Myolisi? Why? What’s gotten into this child’s head? How can
your father be a hyena?”The audience was in stitches.

“Thank you everyone for tonight. This is Sir Boss, your
boy and true entertainer, and I’m out. Peace to y’all,” and he
disappeared backstage.Tembani and Lizzie were also laughing
their lungs out.

“I knew he’d close with something very funny,” said
Tembani, still laughing.

“I’ll never miss this show again.The guy is really funny,”
said Lizzie, engrossed in the TV screen and still laughing at Sir
Boss’ last joke with tears streaming down her cheeks. She took
a Kleenex and wiped her eyes.

“You miss it, it’s your loss,” said Tembani, glad to have
introduced her to the show.

“No, never,” said Lizzie, smiling at Tembani.
“I’m telling you.”
“I’m so famished.” She was standing up and looking at
Tembani.Tembani looked back at her a little confused. “You
want me to say something?”
“I skipped breakfast this morning. Will you join me?”
She looked at Tembani again for an answer.“Join you?” asked
Tembani, a little embarrassed.
“I can’t eat alone, Tembani,” said Lizzie, going to the
kitchen. A few minutes later she came back with one plate
on a kitchen tray. She gave it to Tembani and went back to
the kitchen. She re-appeared with another kitchen tray. This
one had two bowls of salad. There was asparagus, mangetout
and tomato salad with ginger dressing and the other bowl had
baked beans that were fried with onion and olive oil. She put
the tray in the middle of the coffee table and went back to the

36 -I Wish We Have Never Met

kitchen for her own plate.
When she had sat down, she asked Tembani if he could

allow her to bless the food.Tembani agreed.They both closed
their eyes and Lizzie blessed the food and both said “Amen.”

“I heard you were coming and I thought of cooking
something special,” she said looking at Tembani from the
corner of her eye.

“Who told you I was coming?”askedTembani,pretending
to be surprised.

“I just knew,” said Lizzie matter-of-factly.
“Why then were you surprised when I stood at the door
if indeed you knew I was coming?”
“Just pretending.”
“How did you know?” he asked in earnest.
“I’m also psychic. And I can’t dare reveal my psychic
powers at this stage.”
They both burst out laughing. “You think you’re funny,
nhe?” said Tembani, no doubt impressed by Lizzie’s sense of
humour.
“Look who’s talking?” Lizzie was smiling from ear to ear.
“Okay…I’ll give you that,” he said scanning his plate.
There were two succulent mutton chops, two baked wedge
potatoes, green peas, five spoons of spiced rice, and two spoons
of stir-fried veggies.
“This meal looks delicious,” he said looking at Lizzie.
“You haven’t even tasted it yet.”
“This food smells good.”
“That’s more like it. Now you can start eating.”
They started eating and there was silence in the living
room except for the television set that was on. Other than

37 -ERIC N BOSKATI

that, the only sound came from the knives, forks, and plates.
After about twenty or so minutes Tembani finished his meal.
He looked up at Lizzie.“I wasn’t wrong.Thank you.”

Lizzie also finished her meal.“Glad to hear that,” she said
standing up. She went to the kitchen and came back with two
glasses filled with soda. She put one next to Tembani’s tray and
sat down to enjoy hers.

“Tell me, did you go for cooking classes or did somebody
teach you?” He took the soda and drank it.

“Not at all. I just fell in love with cooking while I was
still young. I used to watch my mom cook and as I got older,
I’d sometimes tune in to cooking shows.”

“That explains it.You’re very good indeed.”
“Again, thank you.”
“Do you then believe in the saying that the way to a
man’s heart is via his stomach?” asked Tembani with a big
smile on his face.
“Yes and no,” she responded shaking her head sideways,
knowing deep down that Tembani was playing tricks on her.
“Please explain.”
“Yes, only if the food is balanced and healthy. No if the
food is junk.” Tembani nodded as if this was new to him. “I
think you’re right.” He looked at Lizzie and when Lizzie
looked back at him, he smiled and asked, “Do you think this
meal in particular went through to my heart?”
“Tembani, you’re asking too many questions. I’m sure it
went through to your stomach, though.” She was blushing.
This time Tembani laughed out loud. “I’m pulling your
leg, Lizzie.” Lizzie just smiled. “I know.” She gave Tembani a
serious look before saying, “I didn’t know you’re this funny.

38 -I Wish We Have Never Met

You looked serious when I first saw you.”
“I’ll take that as a compliment. Imagine if I did look

funny; we would have stayed there for hours.”
“That is true.You really helped me out there,” said Lizzie

while cleaning the coffee table. He put the trays one on top
of the other and started collecting the plates and cutlery
and putting them all on one tray. “More soda?” she asked
disappearing to the kitchen.

“I’m alright.Thank you.”
Lizzie came back carrying two dessert bowls. “Please
don’t tell me you’re not a dessert person. I made it specially
for you.”
“You think you’re funny, yhaaz Lizzie?” Lizzie was
smiling.“Please don’t disappoint me.”
“I’ll have it,” said Tembani, taking the bowl. He took
three spoons and said, “I’m not going to say anything about
the dessert now, otherwise you’ll think I’m flattering you.”
“I understand,” said Lizzie her face wide with a smile.
Tembani finished his dessert and put the bowl on the coffee
table. “I really feel so special. I’ll never forget this afternoon.
Please tell your psychic powers to continue with these special
afternoons.” Lizzie started giggling but, unable to control
herself, ended up laughing out so loud that Tembani ended
up joining her.The two laughed like two kids without a care
in the world.
“You think you’re funny Tembani, yhaaz.” She laughed
again and tears were rolling down her cheeks.Tembani stood
up and asked if he could use Lizzie’s bathroom. “Just behind
you, the door on your left.” He made his way to the bathroom
and once inside he closed the door behind him.

39 -ERIC N BOSKATI

Chapter VII

Lizzie heard the noise outside in the street but did
not pay any particular attention to it. People were
coming out of their houses to watch the police as they chased
three suspects down the street. The police van was going up
and down Mukhara Street in full speed with tyres screeching.
When police officers pulled out their guns taking aim at the
running criminals, the residents started screaming and running
back into their houses. A few shots were fired as the police
didn’t want to be outrun by the criminals. It was then that
Lizzie realized something was happening outside. She heard
some heavy footsteps running around her house. She stood
up from the couch and the footsteps became quiet.“Did you
hear that?” hollered Tembani from the bathroom. Lizzie went
to the door and looked outside.“I see a police van and people
are in the street. Something is going on out here,” she hollered
back. As soon as she said that, a young man appeared out of
nowhere and violently pushed her inside the house. Lizzie
reeled backwards and fell on her back on the couch. The
young man brought out from his waist a big sharp knife. He
told Lizzie to keep quiet. Lizzie tried to scream but the young

40 -I Wish We Have Never Met

man slapped her across the face. “I told you to keep quiet.”
He brought the knife straight to her neck and threatened her.
“If you scream again, I’ll kill you.” Lizzie looked at the sharp
glistening blade of the knife and, shaking like a leaf, went
deathly silent.Tembani heard the commotion and his instinct
told him that there was an intruder in the house. He knew
from his experience as a police officer that he had to act fast.
Circumstances like that, if not properly dealt with, could turn
out very badly. He brought out a 38 special revolver from his
holster under his left arm.He looked at it,checked if everything
was alright, then held it with both hands. He came closer to
the bathroom door and tried to listen. The young man was
asking if Lizzie was alone in the house.Tembani couldn’t hear
Lizzie’s response as she was sobbing. This angered the young
man and he asked her again. “Are you alone in here?” Lizzie
looked at the young man with fear written all over her face.
“You better tell me the truth.” Lizzie slowly nodded and tried
to assume a crouching position on the couch. “No…you sit
still,” said the young man as he brought the knife closer to
her face. “No funny tricks, okay. Otherwise, I’ll mess your
face up.” Slowly he moved away from Lizzie and closer to the
window. He peered through the curtains, trying desperately
to ascertain what was going on outside. Lizzie looked at him
and was astonished to see him so scared. “Don’t you move.”
He said still peering through the curtains.“They’re not going
to arrest me,” he said, his voice shaking. “And I’ll kill you
if I have to,” he said, wiping sweat from his temple. A few
seconds later he returned to his position and put the knife
closer to Lizzie’s face. He kept looking at the window as if
he was expecting something or somebody. And whoever or

41 -ERIC N BOSKATI

whatever it was, it was a real threat to him. On the other side
of the bathroom door, Tembani was trying to figure out the
right time to introduce himself to the young man, knowing
full well that once he opened that bathroom door, there was
no turning back.The outcome of such an act was as dreadful
as an encounter between a snake and a honey badger. He had
heard the young man’s threat and he knew too that it was no
empty threat. “And I’ll kill you if I have to,” he had said, and
it was a sign of extreme desperation. A threat like that, if not
handled properly, can easily be carried out.When a fugitive is
cornered and has no way out, anything can happen.Tembani
tried to listen but the silence in the living room sent his mind
into panic mode. He knew he had to make up his mind, and
very quickly. His hand slowly touched the door handle and in
a split second he burst the bathroom door wide open. Before
the young man could tell what was happening,Tembani was
standing in the doorway facing him with his gun in his hands.
“Let go of her now,” he said in a calm and cool voice. The
young man looked at him, then at Lizzie. “If you move, I’ll
shoot you,” said Tembani, knowing deep down this was not
what he wished for.The young man ignored his warning. He
moved the knife closer to Lizzie’s neck without taking his
eyes off Tembani.Very quickly he pushed Lizzie up from the
couch and crouched behind her.

“And now…lover-boy?” he said, raising the stakes. This
surprised Tembani. He had underestimated this young man.

“I’m warning you…let go of her now,” he warned with
a little shake in his voice.

“I thought so,” said the young man sensing Tembani’s
feeble warning.

42 -I Wish We Have Never Met

“Scared to shoot, huh?” His dirty face gave a cruel smile.
He seemed to be gaining a lot of confidence, thoughtTembani
to himself. He could also tell that this young man in front of
him had not only done this before, but had also sent a few of
his victims to the grave.This realization sent shivers down his
spine. He realized then that this was in no way a small thing,
but a matter of life and death.

“Put the knife down and back away from her,” he said,
this time with a little determination in his voice. The young
man ignored the threat and instead pressed the knife hard
against Lizzie’s neck. Lizzie gave a muffled scream and blood
streaked down her neck. Tembani tightened his grip on the
revolver and pulled the trigger. The deafening bang of the
gun shook the windows. Lizzie gave a loud scream while the
young man jolted away from her. When he landed, it was
with such force that he sent the coffee table flying in the
opposite direction. Tembani kept his poise with the gun still
pointing at the young man as he fell on his back on the floor.
He made two steps forward just to make sure the bullet had
immobilized him.Then he went over to Lizzie and pulled her
up by the arm,“It’s alright, Lizzie,” he said helping her to her
feet.A voice behind him said,“Put that gun down.”Tembani’s
body stiffened.

“I said put that gun down,” repeated the voice behind
him. Tembani tried to turn around to see who said that.
“Don’t,” said the voice threateningly. “Put your gun down…
slowly.” He realized then that this must be a police officer.
Tembani slowly and with one hand up, put his gun down on
the floor.

“Move away with your hands right above your head.”

43 -ERIC N BOSKATI

The police officer came forward and kicked Tembani’s gun
away from him. “Turn around and stand against the wall.”
Tembani did as was told and the police officer pulled down
both his hands and handcuffed him. “Stand right here.” He
went over to Lizzie and asked her,“Ma’am, are you alright?”

“She’s hurt.”
“I’m not talking to you. Ma’am, are you alright?” Lizzie
remained in her crouching position sobbing uncontrollably.
The police officer came closer and noticed that her hands
were covered in blood.“Are you hurt?” Lizzie took her hands
off her face and looked at the police officer.The police officer
saw the wound on her neck.“I think you need an ambulance.”
He looked over at the young man writhing on the floor. “I
think you both need an ambulance.” Lizzie stood up from the
couch and came toward Tembani.The policer officer blocked
her way. “I advise that you remain where you are ma’am.
This is a crime scene, and besides, you need some medical
attention.”
“Oh my God, what is happening to me?” asked Lizzie,
crying.
“A love triangle?” asked the police officer looking at
Lizzie. Lizzie shook her head, but the police officer ignored
her and instead said, “They always end up like this.” He held
Tembani’s hand and led him out of the door.

44 -I Wish We Have Never Met

Chapter VIII

Tembani followed the narrow lane leading to the
parking area in the basement of the huge hospital
building.The car went down two floors before he spotted an
empty parking bay. He squeezed his car between two sedans
and got out. Using his key’s remote, he locked the doors and
hurried to the hospital entrance. To his luck, the reception
area was empty except for the female receptionist who was
on the phone. He waited for a few minutes and when the
receptionist returned the receiver to the cradle, he approached
her.“Good day, ma’am,” he greeted her.
“Yes, sir, how can I help you?”
“I’ve come for Miss Matsho. She’s being discharged
today,” he explained.
“Just a minute, sir. Her name again?”
“Miss L Matsho.”The receptionist went to her computer,
punched in the initials and surname before pressing the ‘Enter’
button. She read the file on the screen and thereafter picked
up the phone and dialled the internal code.“Your name, sir?”
“Mr Nzise,” responded Tembani.
“Mr Nzise is at the reception waiting for Miss Matsho.”

45 -ERIC N BOSKATI