I'm a young South African Muslim woman in my last year at the University of Cape Town. I'm studying. It was there that I met Hasani, a South African Indian Muslim. The first time I saw him, I was standing in the hallway, waiting for my friend, Mandisa. He was with a friend, an African …
Disappointments & Dating
It was Monday and the first work day of 2022. Alecia was in the office. She was surprised when she went in and Daxon wasn't there as yet. Usually, he was sitting at his desk when she arrived but this morning, his office door was still closed. She opened it with her set of keys …
The Dances and the Kiss
The moment she went into the hall where the party was in full swing, her eyes scanned the sea of faces for Daxon. She spotted him with a group of people. Erin was standing beside him. "Is he here?" Daryl asked. She glanced up at him. "Who?" "Who else?" "Yes, he's over there." Daryl followed …
Jabulani Meets Mrs. Klein
Jabulani was happy to see a few familiar faces at the luncheon thrown by Avianna Klein in honor of students like her who were being sponsored to study abroad through FACES Africa. Mrs. Klein was the founder and CEO of the non-profit organization. Jabulani walked over to the other students who were very excited about …
Ede’s Rival
"Did you have a good birthday yesterday, Ede?" Ede was at the cosmetic shop where her friend worked. It was Isoka's lunch break and they were sitting outside in the shade. They had just finished having something to eat. "Yes, I did, Isoka." The highlight was when Pastor Hank called her in the morning to …
Working Late
It was Friday morning and Tadeas was in the kitchenette fixing himself a cup of hot chocolate when, Velma Moore, his supervisor walked in. "Mr. Gray, I need you to stay and finish working on the Ad layout for Kiskadee Records. The deadline has been moved up to Monday." "But, I have a date." "I'm …
Jason Goes to Karine
On Friday, instead of going straight to his apartment, he went to Karine's. He rang the doorbell. This time she answered. She seemed startled to see him. "Hello, Jason," she said. "Hello, Karine," he replied. "We need to talk." She was wearing the same top she was wearing the last time they spoke. His heart …
The Senior Party
The sun was setting when Shiloh arrived at the school. The parking lot was filled with cars and cars were coming and going as parents dropped their teenagers off at the front of the building. Her father gave her and with her friends Carla, Patricia and Dawn a ride over. "I'll pick you up at …
Adaliya and Liang
It was during the summer and I was working as a waitress at a swanky restaurant. The first time he came I noticed him the moment he walked in. He didn't notice me as he made his way over to the table where a group of people were already seated. I finished serving at the …
Being True to Yourself
"Lyndon, a group of us are going out for drinks after work. Would you like to join us?" Jane asked him as he stopped by her desk to give her a brown envelope he wanted her to give to the mailman when he made his afternoon rounds. "No thanks. I already have plans for this …
Notes to Women 