Cry, my beloved people

Chapter 7 Her name was Thandi Part 56

"Gertrude this nursery school is a beautiful safe haven for children.  The little girl in the photo looks like Rosi, is it Rosi?"  Tracey asked.

"Her name was Thandi."  Gertrude wiped over her eyes as a cloud wavered over her face.

"That's the name of the nursery school, Tracey said and Gertrude nodded as she swallowed hard.

"It's not easy to talk about it, but I'll try my best," Gertrude said and took a deep breath.

I was busy making supper, while Thandi and Rosa were playing outside.   Rosa was her little friend from next door.  I was making potato fries in hot, deep oil and was eager to finish it for supper.  I heard them talking outside and while I could hear them talking, I knew they were safe.

I was occupied by the hot oil and potatoes on the stove.  When I took it off and switched off the stove, I realized that I didn't hear their voices anymore.  I went outside.  They were gone.  I went next door.  Rosa was there, but she didn't know where Thandi was.

The fear was choking me.  I started at my neighbors and asked everybody I met if they haven't seen my little girl.   A young boy said he saw a man with a little girl walking and he was talking to her.  He thought it was her dad because she was smiling and looked happy.

Agony overwhelmed me, hope mingled with fear and drained me.  Neighbors helped to look for her, but they could find nothing.   I went to the police.  They said they would be on the lookout for her, but I felt it was just not enough, I felt deprived.   I took them this photo on their request and they posted it on the lampposts all over the village.

Two days later they found her body.  She was raped and strangled.  They found her body in an ablution block near a hostel on the outskirts of the village.

My life was ripped from me.  I was shocked at the blatant cruelty.  I don't know how I got through the funeral, as I was numb.  I suppose my family and neighbors supported and helped me.  I still can't remember those days.

I started walking the same path, that man was walking with my little girl, the last day of her life.   I did it every day.  I don't know what I was looking for, but it seemed to ease the pain.  I couldn't stand to be alone at home.  I missed my little one so badly.

My mind was playing tricks on me.  I couldn't understand or comprehend what kind of a man, villain, animal or psychopath could do something so unbelievable horrible and cruel to a trusting, harmless little child."

"Here,"  Tracey handed her a tissue and rubbed her back while the tears streamed from Gertrude's eyes.  "I'm so sorry."