LAILAH

I walked to Ahmit as They backed away. I stepped outside and closed the door. Suddenly I felt very self-conscious; I was wearing my grey vest, jeans and sneakers and my hair was plaited into a messy plait- courtesy of Katie. I mean he looked so nice; a black checked top, jeans and new sneakers.

'Hey,' I said, my cheeks warming.

He flashed his dazzling smile and grabbed my waist. Suddenly my hands were around his neck and he was kissing me. It was a long kiss and when it finally stopped we were both gasping for air.

Ahmit bent his head and whispered, 'Meet me at The HYeahtt at 11.'

I nodded as he gave me a hug and said goodbye. When he was gone I still stood there, shocked. I walked to the nearest tap and rinsed my face with water. I dried my face with my top and went back inside.

I was greeted by That Boy-Nine- and a couple of curious faces.

'What was that about?' That Boy asked.

'None of your concern,' I replied. 'Some government things.'

'Oh,' the one called Marina said, looking disappointed.

I went back to my room and lay on my bed. I looked on the ceiling. Hydrogen= first element, least. Never break into anywhere without knowing how to escape. Goodnight, sweetheart. We love you and we'll always be with you.

Mama and Papa wrote that when we last came here. 2008. I couldn't help it, I started to cry. I missed them so much. They were always there with me, now they would never come back. I sat up and wept into my palms. I wanted them back, but I couldn't have them back. I couldn't have them back because of Setrakús Ra. I wanted to kill him; I wanted to torture him like he tortured Mama and Papa.

I got up and changed into a white top and redid my hair and walked out, tears still running down my cheeks. They were still out, talking at the table. I walked right past them.

'Hey, Lailah, where are you going?' John asked.

'None of your business, pretty boy,' I said as I swung the door open.

I walked right out the gate and into the streets of Houghton. I walked past all the big houses and into the cemetery. I walked until I stopped at a large gravestone.

Ali and Fathima Naidoo

Beloved parents

Lived on by their daughter

1964-2012, 1 February

1968-2012, 1 February

This is where Mama and Papa were. Under the ground in a silver coffin. And that's where they'll always be. A fresh wave of tears came to me. I cried into my hands and my knees buckled. I hit the floor with a thud. I knelt by Mama and Papa and wept. Then a hand was on my shoulder and I was being helped up.

I looked up and saw the face of Ahmit. He brought me into his arms as I wept. He stroked my hair and comforted me. I stained his shirt with my tears but he didn't seem to mind. When I had finally calmed down I looked into his brown eyes.

'How did you know I was going to be here?' I asked.

'You always go to see your parents,' he replied.

I nodded.

'Come,' he said and he led me by the hand to his car parked up front.

I got into the passenger seat. 'Where are we going?'

'My house,' he said and started the car.

Ahmit's house wasn't far; he lived a street away from me. I had come to Ahmit's house a few times to deliver messages from Papa. His father didn't like our friendship. We were soon at the huge gates of his mansion. He pressed the outside bell and a voice responded.

'Hello?' It was a man's voice.

'Papa, it's me, Ahmit,' Ahmit replied.

'Oh.'

The gates opened and Ahmit drove in. When we got out he gave me his coat. We headed for the door and Ahmit walked in, me trailing behind me. An old man and woman stood there, arms crossed and feet tapping.

'Papa,' Ahmit greeted his father. 'Mama.'

'Ahmit,' his parents acknowledged their eldest son. 'Who is our guest?'

'You know Lailah. Lailah you've met my parents.'

I nodded nervously.

'Well, Ahmit, you have to get ready. Zaafirah will be back soon and she wishes to speak you.'

'Uh, ok. I just need to give Lailah something,' and with that Ahmit rushed me off to his room with him.

He closed the door and breathed a sigh of relief.

'Who's Zaafirah?' I asked.

'A girl my father's trying to set me up with.'

A wave of jealousy passed through me.

'Anyway, I'm sorry we couldn't go to the HYeahtt. It was just a bit too far.'

'It's okay, Ahmit,' I replied.

'Well, maybe we can go tomorrow.'

I shed his coat and laid it on his bed. 'Anyway, I'd better be going.'

He nodded and grabbed my waist. My arms went around his neck as he kissed me. When we stopped he brought me close and put his arm around me. He opened the door and we walked out.

Ahmit's mother and father were still standing there, except there was now a nineteen year old girl standing next to them. She had chocolate coloured skin, dark brown hair and hard brown eyes. Zaafirah.

'Ahmit!' His father's face was red. 'Get your hands of that girl!'

I froze. I was about to draw away but Ahmit's hand was firm on my shoulder.

'Why?' Ahmit was angry.

'Because your fiancé is standing here!'

'Fiancé? I barely know her!'

'You are going to marry her! Now take your hands off that child!'

'No!'

Ahmit's father walked up to where we stood and slapped the black-haired boy across the face. His hand came off my shoulder but two other hands clasped around my throat. It would've hurt if I could feel pain. Suddenly I felt so angry. My face felt burning hot and Ahmit's father's hands fell away.

'Ah!' the old man screamed. His hands were red hot and smouldering.

Then I realized what I had done. 'I'm so sorry! I didn't mean to hurt you! I'm sorry!'

Ahmit grabbed my hand and we ran outside. We got into his car and drove out.

'Ahmit, I'm sorry I hurt your father! I didn't mean to!' Tears were about to come out.

'NO! It's okay! He deserved it! He shouldn't have done that to you,' Ahmit stopped the car.

We were outside the Hyatt Hotel. He got out as did I.

He put his arm around me and said, 'I know you didn't mean to hurt him.'

Very soon we were inside the fancy hotel and eating dinner. Everything seemed better now; we were laughing and chatting and making jokes. When dinner was done Ahmit got up and offered me his arm. I took it and he led me up a flight of stairs and into a hallway.

There were doors along the hallway. Ahmit stopped at door 4. He opened it with a key and ushered me in. It was a nice room; it had a double bed, a single bathroom and a mirror.

When I turned around I was greeted by a kiss. Except the kiss didn't stop, it was multiple kisses. Then he descended down to my neck, planting kisses at my throat. His hands slid under my shirt and it soon came off. His lips were now on mine and his shirt was off.

He brought me to his bed and laid me down. My sneakers were already off; it was just my pants and underwear left. Ahmit and mine pants were off now. He slid next to me and kissed me, our legs tangling.

'You're so beautiful,' Ahmit whispered as his hands found the top of my pants. He pulled them off and looked down at my thin legs.

'What, are you disappointed?' I asked, moving closer.

He smiled and said, 'Disappointed? How could I be disappointed when I have the most beautiful girl here in my bed?'

Ahmit put his hands on my hips and lifted me on top of him. He kissed me and unclasped my bra. The bra fell away and his hands moved downwards. My underwear came off and I was lying naked on top of him.

It was my turn now. I grasped Ahmit's shoulders and brought him on top of me.

I pulled off his boxers and threw them to the side. We were both naked now and laying side by side. He kissed me and, once again, descending down-all the way down.