Asanda believes in finders keepers. But where would that belief, and the little white lies that follow, lead her?
WHAT time does your lunch break end?”
Anathi was leaning over, trying to get my attention, but I wasn’t really listening.
My focus was on something else – a shiny gold locket lying on the floor. I lifted my hand towards my lips, as if to hush her, and then she saw it too.
I shot her a warning glance, “Stand on guard,” it said. Anathi knew me well enough to understand exactly what I meant.
Even so, I looked around before bending down and quickly snatching it up. I felt paranoid that the locket’s owner was somewhere out there, watching me.
Now what was I going to do? If I opened it and there was a picture inside, would I make it my mission to find the owner and return it? Would I throw the picture away and claim the locket as my own? Would I put it back where I found it, or hand it into someone?
I opened the locket. A rose petal. What a letdown! No picture, just a ragged looking bit of flower.
“Take it!”
I’d forgotten Anathi was standing there. “I’m doing that, aren’t I?” I snapped back, still nervous. “And throw that dead flower away, it’s ugly.”
But I didn’t want to. I couldn’t explain why. I liked to think it was dying, not dead, which somehow meant I wasn’t meant to throw it away.
Someone had placed a rose petal in their locket, and I imagined it was part of a beautiful love story. I’m a sucker for love, so I decided to keep it.
“Now,” I said, returning to the present.
“Huh?” Anathi sounded confused.
“My lunch break ends now,” I explained, as I walked back to the shop where I worked during the university holidays.
This story is from the {{IssueName}} edition of {{MagazineName}}.
Start your 7-day Magzter GOLD free trial to access thousands of curated premium stories, and 9,000+ magazines and newspapers.
Already a subscriber ? Sign In
This story is from the {{IssueName}} edition of {{MagazineName}}.
Start your 7-day Magzter GOLD free trial to access thousands of curated premium stories, and 9,000+ magazines and newspapers.
Already a subscriber? Sign In
Homegrown Heroes
Drum speaks to two volunteers in the Covid-19 vaccine trial and the professor heading the team in Africa
The Big Clean Up
Whenever a Covid-19 case is confirmed at a shop, they call in the deep-cleaners. We find out exactly how they disinfect stores and supermarkets
I'm Back & Better!
Babes Wodumo shares what she’s been up to in lockdown – and there’s some new music on the horizon
Not An Easy Ride
Taxi commuters and industry players tell DRUM what’s driving them to defy lockdown rules
Mam' Mary Bows Out
Iconic actress Mary Twala is fondly remembered by friends and family for her humour and talent
‘They Lived For Each Other'
This Cape Town teen’s parents died from Covid-19 on the same day. Now she’s alone and battling the virus too
Stranger Than Fiction
For actor Mangaliso Ngema and his daughter Khosi Ngema, her role in Blood & Water was like watching their family’s real-life story unfold
I Was Raped By A Pastor
His accusations against a well-known man of the cloth turned an Eastern Cape man’s life into turmoil but now more victims have spoken out
My Fight With Life And Death
More Covid-19 patients, too few beds and staff, constant sanitising and personal fears – a Western Cape doctor shares her experience
I AM ENOUGH
Ten years after being set alight, Thembi Maphanga is living life to the fullest