They risked it all for love.

"May I join you?" He sat down before I even said anything, I looked at him and carried on with what I was doing. "Want to hear a fun fact?" "My sister used to work at this place, she loved working here, she met the people she loved here" He said while looking around the place. "I wasn't ready you know? Like she was here and now she is just gone. Forever" I let out a sarcastic laugh Me" I know what you mean" I ordered four more tequilas, and paid for them. "Fuck life" He smiled, I pushed two tequilas his way and downed mine. Me" I have to go, it was nice meeting you sir" I pat his back and then grabbed my things. "You from England?" "The accent" I nodded Me" Well I'm from Cape Town but I moved to England when I was 6 years old with my Aunt." He also got up from his chair "Enjoy your vacation" I shrugged Me" I'm actually here for a funeral and my brother is getting married two weeks after that" He laughed "Isn't there a movie about that?" I laughed too "There is, I really have to go. It was nice meeting you" He said Me" Goodnight" He smiled "Goodnight" I laughed because Qhama really didn't recognize me and I feel stupid, because in a room full of people. He would be the only person I recognize, I guess I don't matter anymore.

My story matters. I am often judged by what I do, as if being a prostitute is some character trait. #### Fiction The places mentioned here have nothing to do with the story.

#1 Youth 13th October, 2019. #1 parenting 11th August, 2019. #1 attorney 30th Sept, 2020 #5 Youth 1st October, 2019. #3 youth 28th August, 2019. #15 English 30th August, 2019 Maryam was afraid of how he made her feel. The reality of her circumstances. She had never been this emotionally raw, weak as she was with Mubarak, she physically felt safe in his presence. She had never felt safe in the presence of a man like she did with him. That was not on her agenda. She wasn't supposed to be feeling all the things she felt now, but they were there. That was the last thing she wanted. She could sense his resistance, she had never seen a man so intent on not liking her as he. The rest just ignored her, him? He saw her but it felt as if he didn't want to. And here she was all intent on Becoming Mrs Bugaje. What would he say to Maryam? This would devastate her beyond all measures. His hands travelled to hold his nape, squeezing the thick muscle there, he had never felt so worthless all his life like he did now. A graceful light-eyed girl who brightened a crowd with her mere presence, a girl with the heart of gold, his young gazelle. He had her right where he wanted, loving him like no other, despite him being reckless, nonchalant, a liar by omission and a rogue she still loved him whole. Her love made him so full that despite giving her his all he was still left with excess from her. This was the woman he would inevitably lose because of his recklessness. She would face the pain. A pain of Becoming Mrs Bugaje. He had vowed to protect her from herself. Yet he had pushed her over. He had vowed to make her see what people had done to her, she taught him forgiveness. Under all that crazy bubbly mouthiness, was his angelic queen, compassionate, loving- a jewel. Yet he ruined her. Now her ruin was his ruin, he had carried his pain long, hard and deep in his heart. She was a pain he was willing to live through life with. Her voice what he lived for. Her smile his home.

Siphosethu "She will leave today with you! and we will make sure they get married tomorrow" Me"But I am only 18" My Mother hugged me, she said all she could to convince everyone that getting me married at 18 isn't fair . But my Father owed his father cows and it was only fair to give his daughter away to pay this debt . "Nje nani nibona, azange waphathwa yindoda engaze wa zekwa" "Yintombi enyulu" Yes my innocence were being paraded like it was Black Friday . Jola"Uyindoda emadodeni wena Radebe" "Bayohamba kule veki ilandelayo, beqala ubomi ubutsha bobabini. Ebe keyena unya ephangela, kodwa intombi iyakifundameza ikhaya. Ize ibentse azele abafana" Me"Tata!" My dad smiled at me, he was so proud of me for being a virgin, a virgin that will be given away to marry a guy I've never met, a virgin that will be a housewife and well give him children. Ziphozethu "Nooooo! Zee its still early " My friends believe in calling me the life of the party, they love how spontaneous I am and how carefree I am. Me"Nope, Its almost 4 you guys" The guys we were with tried convincing me with more vodka to stay. Lerato"Tshomi please stay" Me"How about we return tomorrow? drinks on me" Club literally going up on a tuesday, I am your typical nineteen year old. I rebel every now and then, I leave alone in Central Port Elizabeth . I don't remember much about my childhood or my parents, I work as a waitress at a nearby restaurant. A lot in my life doesn't make sense, but one thing I know is; I am happy and everything else doesn't matter. Two girls Two different characters One carefree One a housewife Life is not always what it looks like, and behind every smile is hardship that stays hidden. *********

A perfect love story Boy meets girl They date Fall in love Get married Then she gets the shock of her life