That Night

Lerato was busy doing her hair, the music was loud and she was listening to Amapiano genre music. It was happiness in her heart and you could see she was ready for her mission. "Today is my special day, and I will show these men that I am going to rob them," Lerato said. Many women go to taverns without money, hoping they will get more drinks from men. Lerato was not aware of her mission. She took a phone and called her friend Palesa. "My friend, it is time for our mission, we need to show men that they have to buy us drink," after Lerato said that, she hung the phone without giving Palesa a chance to speak. Lerato was in a hurry and she was beautiful and elegant, every man would want to date or marry her.
Karisto Night Club was a busy club at that time, Albert and Johnny were busy playing a pool and drank an expensive beer. Lerato and Palesa arrived dressed up, everyone in the tavern stares at them and they were elegant, Lerato saw Albert playing pool and she approached him. "Hey love, I like your style of playing," said Lerato stroking her head. "I will attend you after this game," said Albert. These girls sat next to the pool and they watched them till the end of the game. After a moment Albert approached Lerato and kissed her hand. "You are such a beautiful woman, would you like some drink?" Lerato got excited and he accepted the offer. Palesa took Johnny and they went to the VIP section, everyone was excited about the club. "Hey my friend, Ta Mike give this woman the special bottle," Albert took out two hundred from his wallet, the wallet was full of money. "So nice to serve a woman Albert," said Ta Mike the club owner. Lerato sat with Albert and they shared jokes. "Look, my love, I would like you to visit me after finishing this bottle. I have something special for you at my house," Albert started touching her thigh. "Wait a minute, not so fast. Don't be in a hurry, we are still enjoying drinks," Lerato was a bit nervous. "Okay no problem," Albert understood. Albert bought two long Tom cans and they drank. "Come on my love, you must be excited to meet me,"
"Yes I am too excited," Lerato smiled. Ta Mike was watching these two people and he was surprised. "I wonder what makes Albert so soft?" Ta Mike was talking to himself. "Look, love, you won't regret having me," said Albert touching her thigh again. "Just stop it please, what is wrong with you?" Lerato got angry. "Okay... Okay, I am sorry to upset you," Albert continued drinking, and he was watching Lerato with anger. "But I don't understand you. I am buying beer and an expensive bottle, but you keep rejecting me."
"Rejecting you from what?" Lerato asked staring at him. "Look, my love, we can have fun and enjoy," Albert wanted to have sex with her. Lerato stood and he pointed a finger at him. "I am not your friend okay?" This question shocked Albert, but he decided to keep quiet. "Please sit down, and I am so sorry for hurting you," Lerato sat down and continued to drink. Albert kept buying drinks. "Albert please don't hurt the girl. I know your tricks," said Ta Mike advising his friend. "Look Ta Mike, I can't buy beer and expect these results. I need to have fun with her."
"Relax my friend, this girl doesn't want that, so you need to respect her," Albert didn't listen to Ta Mike, he grabbed a beer and sat down with Lerato. Ta Mike wanted to approach these two people but it was hard for him because of customers. "Lerato, how about making a relationship with you? Look Lerato I can take care of you."
"Excuse me?" Lerato was shocked. "I am serious my love," said Albert and he smiled. Lerato didn't bother to answer him, she kept drinking.

After a moment Lerato went to the toilet, Albert followed her. Lerato entered the toilet and he stood in front of the mirror. "This man thinks I am stupid, I need to teach him a lesson. He will buy me a beer until this club closes," said Lerato and she giggled. Albert entered the toilet and found her standing and see speaking to herself. "Who do you think you are?" Said, Albert. "Wait a minute dude, I am coming." Albert didn't listen to her excuses, she pushed her and started to unzip his trouser. "I am going to show you who am I," said Albert laughing. Lerato wanted to scream but couldn't because of the sound. She was hoping someone would enter to rescue her. "I am so sorry, please stop it," Lerato cried. "I know your mission you slut, you wanted to use me." Albert forced himself to Lerato, luckily an empty bottle was beside her. Lerato took the bottle, she broke it on the floor and stabbed Albert in the neck. Lerato came out of the toilet crying, Ta Mike saw her and wondered what happened. Albert came out holding her hand to the neck to stop bleeding, people started screaming and the sound went off. Ta Mike approached Albert and found that he is dead.

Johnny and Palesa approached Albert's body and they started crying. "What have you done Lerato?" Palesa was crying. "I am so sorry my friend, he wanted to rape me," said Lerato crying. Ta Mike chased people outside the club and called the police. After moment police arrived and found Albert's body lying in a pool of blood. "Who committed murder?" Asked Constable Khuto. "This girl murdered him," said Ta Mike. "Sister, are you aware you committed murder?"
"I am so sorry officer, this man wanted to rape me," she kept crying. Johnny was very hurt about his friend and he wanted to fight Lerato. Due to drunk conditions, Johnny approached Lerato while police questioned her. "You bastard! You killed my friend," police call the fight off but Johnny was stubborn. "I am going to show you flames you slut!" Police took Johnny out of the club.

Police took Lerato to the police station to interrogate her. "Why did you murder him?" Said detective Mandla. "He wanted to rape me, and I tried to save myself," said Lerato sniffing and wiping tears. The detective locked Lerato until the day of the court. Lerato was very stressed inside the cell, she even cried. "I regret myself for killing Albert, right now I am in a hot water." Lerato became depressed by sitting inside the cell, she couldn't eat and sleep, her hair was not in good condition, she holed herself.

Palesa knelt and prayed, she was asking herself why Lerato did that. Everything was a mess and Palesa told herself she won't go to the tavern without money. She decided to change her life and look for a job. "Lord please forgive us, we didn't know we would face this disaster," Palesa cried. Palesa took days without eating and bathing, she thought the world hated her.

The day of the court arrived, Lerato was standing inside the court and tears were flowing. "Accused number one committed murder on December 16, 2009, are you pleading guilty or not?" Asked the judge.
"I am not guilty your worship." Johnny made a noise. "You are mad Lerato, you murdered my friend." The judge called the court to order. "Order," Judge reprimanded. "Your worship, my client here was trying to protect herself from being raped. The deceased was trying to rape her." Her lawyer was defending her, the judge was busy writing down. The court took almost two hours before the verdict. "Rape is a serious issue in South Africa, and also it is a criminal offence to murder someone. I understand the accused was trying to protect herself from being raped. The accused is found not guilty of murder, she was defending herself." Johnny was not happy. "So the court is asking you to behave outside." Johnny was hoping Lerato would be behind the bars.

After few weeks, Lerato visited Albert's grave, she knelt and asked apology. "Albert, I know what I did is painful and I can't undo it. I was trying to protect myself, and I hope you will find it in your heart to forgive me." Lerato was depressed about what she did. "Oh Lord please forgive me for what I have done," said Lerato. Everything was a mess for Lerato, she stopped drinking beer after the incident, looked for a job and started over.