[kiasusam]

Chapter 8

Olivia slowed down her jogging pace as she approached the bus stop. No one seemed to care about her and her bare feet. It was rush hour as everyone struggled to get home from work. She spotted a payphone a few metres from the bus stop. Her body was not yet fully recovered so she hurt all over. She decided to catch her breath first as she sat on the bus stop bench. She had never been so scared and alone in all her life. She repeated her self-motivation mantra to herself: I am safe and alive, I am safe and alive. Her racing heart slowed down as she repeated the mantra over and over. After a couple of minutes had passed by Olivia felt stronger so she rummaged through her pockets for loose change and found a few coins.

Standing in front of the payphone she dialled Michael’s number.

‘Hello? ’ a deep voice sounded from the other side of the phone.

‘Hello, is this Michael?’
‘Yes, who is this?’

‘its Olivia, I need your help’ Her voice was shaky, so she tired clearing her throat.

‘okay, where are you?, I can come over to you right now’

‘errr ….’
‘Olivia, you can trust me, where are you?’

‘I am on the corner of holmer and baker streets in Midrand.’

‘Have you called the police yet?’

'Errrr….’
‘Okay, stay there, am on my way!, don’t move!’ With that Michael hanged up.

Olivia felt a cold shiver rush through her. The way that Michael had sounded put her off. Maybe I am being paranoid as usual she thought. ‘Calm down girl, not everyone is out to get you’. She let out a sigh of relief and relaxed on the bench. Her thoughts wondered as people got in and out the buses, oblivious to the danger and trouble she was in. Today she longed to be one of them, for things to go back to the way they were, she would go to work, enjoy making delicious food, come home, relax in a bubble bath with a glass of wine ………

Oh damn, food! Olivia jumped up and walked around. She spotted the object of her affection: the bakery. It was a few metres away so it took her a few minutes to get there.

She counted her coins again and ordered a donut with coffee. The bakery had a small sitting so she sat down to eat with the knowledge that it was going to be a while before Michael arrived. Munching hungrily on the donut her thoughts wondered to her mother. Josephine had arrived at her doorstep more than 8 weeks ago. She had looked nervous and was very jumpy as she inspected the doors and insisted that all windows be kept closed. Olivia had tried to calm her down and after a while her on and off mother had asked her to keep a secret for her. Olivia remembered the bewildered look on her face, her instinct had told her to say no, but her naïve nature had said: ‘yes mama, you can trust me’. Olivia sat there wishing she could take that back, her eyes misted and her heart hurt. ‘Damn you mother! Where are you when I need you!’ damn you!
Olivia sat there silently weeping as she drank her coffee. Repeating one of her many mantra’s over and over again: “you are strong and you can get through this”.

2 hours had passed since her phone call and the sun was setting. She looked around to see if she could spot Michael and she did. He was standing by the bus stop and talking to someone. She couldn’t see who it was so she stood up and started walking towards him. The figure talking to Michael turned around, Olivia froze on the spot, was her mind playing tricks on her? Is that really Bastino? This can’t be happening. They were a few metres away from her so she quickly ducked behind a food caravan. Her heart was beating so fast. Oh my God, did they see me? How could Michael a police man do this? I have to get out of here before they see me!