PABALLO SHORT STORY

South Africa has problems and if you don't notice you will only find that hunger is a big problem, when people find out that hunger has spread throughout the world they come up with many tricks. Women or girls take advantage of men because the law protect them and that makes them belittle and disrespect men. A town was Makubung, a town that was extremely attractive. Paballo was on the road when he met Teboho, this girl was suffering at home and did not eat well, the decision she made got her into a big trouble after sleeping with Teboho. The day was hot and Teboho saw a gorgeous girl walking on the side of the road, he stopped his luxurious car. “Where are you going, sister?” Teboho asked.

“I’m going to town, this heatwave is giving me a tough time,” said Paballo, smiling.

“Get on, sister, you’re going to fall in this heat,” said Teboho. Paballo got on and they continued talking. 

“As I look at you like this, I feel satisfied to have met such a beautiful sister,” said Teboho, smiling. 

“Thank you, brother, I’m Paballo, and who are you?” said Paballo, asking a question. “I’m Teboho, you’re a truly beautiful woman,” said Teboho. Paballo seemed very satisfied and asked this brother for love. 

“I feel like I love you, my heart is feelig a warmth of love around you,” said Paballo. Teboho was surprised and asked himself questions. “My sister, I’m married, we’ve been married for three months,” said Teboho. Paballo felt surprised.

“I don’t think your wife would know, we’ll hide.”

“I don’t think it is a good idea, I might land in a big trouble,” said Teboho. 

“We are both adult, we must stop acting like child. You wife won’t find out,” Paballo smiled. This woman was even more beautiful than Mantwa, Teboho’s wife.

“You’re just beautiful, we’ll meet tomorrow afternoon,” said Teboho. This made Paballo smile and agree.

Teboho knew some very dangerous people, these people were feared in the town, Paballo didn’t know about that. Teboho was going to the mine to meet them. Teboho had a serious syndicate about gold smuggling and this is how he got rich. Teboho had police on his payroll and the police officers protected him. “Men, I hope that’s a lot of gold you brought,” said Teboho. The men gathered in a house in the forest near the gold mine. “We tried hard to dig up a lot of gold,” said Mpho wiping sweat on his forehead. “I want to buy a car for my wife, so I don’t want any mistakes,” said Teboho staring at them. Teboho loved his wife, but his eyes were at Paballo. This matter was weighing heavily on him. “I’m worried about that white man from that farm over there, he seems so problematic to us,” said Mpho. These men were famous for mining gold in a closed mine. “Let’s meet tomorrow, men,” said Teboho. The men parted ways.

It had been days since Teboho met Paballo, both of them were at a hotel and they started arguing. 

“What are you telling me to do? I explained to you that I will have money next week,” said Teboho.

“I am not cheap, is it fair to sleep with you without money?” Asked Paballo angrily.

“Don’t be angry, I will fix that matter,” said Teboho. 

“You are used to sleeping with us without providing us with money,” said Paballo. “Don’t worry,” said Teboho as he kissed her. “Let me go! I'm leaving, you'll talk to the police.” When Teboho heard that, he tried to calm her down. “My dear, please don't do that,” said Teboho. “What can I do? I'm not your child, you will know me well.” Paballo put on his clothes and left. Teboho picked up the phone and called Mpho.

“Mpho, I'm in trouble. I slept with a girl called Paballo. She's wearing a black dress and a red T-shirt. She's going to the police and lay a charge against me . Do something about her.” Teboho smiled after talking to Mpho.

Paballo was strangely calm, speaking to herself. 

“Who do you think I am? I'm not going to be betrayed by Teboho. You'll give me the money,” said Paballo. A car was coming after him and Moretlo opened the car door, they dragged her roughly into the car and it sped away at high speed. She wailed, not knowing what to do. 

“Oh my goodness! Who are you?” Asked Paballo. 

“Shut up!” Shouted Mpho. “You are risking your life,” said Moretlo.

“Why did I risk my life for?” Asked Paballo, looking for scared and she felt so tense. 

“We said shut up,” said Mpho. Moretlo covered her mouth and eyes so she couldn’t see where they were going. 

“Man, this girl wants to lay a charge of rape against our boss,” said Moretlo and slapped her. “We are going to deal with her,” said Mpho.

The men took Paballo to the mine. “You should know that you’ve put your life in danger. Your loved ones will never see you,” Teboho said. “Please forgive me. I will not do this again,” Paballo said humbly.

“We will not listen to anything you say,” Moretlo shot him on the head. Paballo fell into the mine and they left her. Many girls slept with men and accused them of false rape. This raised many questions and men or boys wondered where they were going when they slept with girls. Even women can accused their husbands, where are we going as nation? This matter of hunger is making women or girls make difficult decisions.

©Author Brian Makara, 2025.