Louisa wrapped her arms around Star, holding her close as if she could shield her from the world's cruelty. "The first time is always the hardest," she whispered. "This is the first time I'm truly fighting for my rights... And I just don't want… I'm sorry, Star. I feel like I'm risking your life."
"No, Ma, you're not," Star reassured her, gripping her mother's hands tightly. "You're protecting me, and I'm doing the same for you. Let's be each other's guides, Mom."
Star glanced at the clock and gasped. "Oh, Mom! Tomas will be here any minute. I have to go."
Louisa clung to her daughter's hands, reluctant to let go. Tears welled in her eyes, but she swallowed them down. Star was her weakness, the one thing that made her vulnerable, but she had promised to be strong. Until Star came to get her, she would stand firm.
When she finally released her grip, she felt as if she had let go of a piece of her soul. Watching Star leave, she clenched her fists. She would never forgive Tomas.
Star arrived at school and checked her mother's savings—N$560. She decided to buy a simple phone for her mother, something less than N$200. With the remaining money, she bought some snacks and junk food, indulging in a rare moment of carefree spending.
Meanwhile, at Mandume's house, Bonita frantically called Tiffanie over. When Tiffanie arrived, Bonita wasted no time. "You're the only one who can calm him down," she said urgently. "You need to make Mandume forget about Star."
Tiffanie found Mandume in his room, engrossed in his laptop.
"Oh, you're here. What are you doing?" she asked, slipping off her jacket and joining him on the bed.
Mandume didn't respond. He acted as if she wasn't even there. Tiffanie, undeterred, rested her head against his shoulder. "What's that? A college app? Are you having an online class?"
The college app was a portal for students to access online lectures, quizzes, and tests. It also contained contact details of every student.
Mandume's fingers moved swiftly over the keyboard, typing 'Shining Star' into the search box.
Tiffanie's eyes narrowed. "Wait… Who called you here? Because last I checked, I told you to only come when I say so. Who invited you this time?"
"So I can't visit my boyfriend whenever I want?" she huffed, then caught sight of the search box. "What the hell?! Why are you looking for Star's details? What spell did that witch put on you? You're following her around like a lost puppy!"
Mandume's expression darkened. "Hey, mind your language. Or use the door."
"Are you serious right now?" she fumed.
Mandume ignored her. His eyes lit up as he found Star's contact details. He jumped up and rushed to the living room, dialing her number with shaking hands.
"Mandume!" Tiffanie stormed after him.
"Star?" he breathed into the receiver, heart pounding.
"Star?" Star repeated, confused.
"It's me, Mandume—"
Before he could say another word, Tiffanie snatched the phone from his hands. "Listen here, Star, or whatever your name is," she snapped. "Don't ever answer my man's calls again, you hear me?"
She cut the call and shoved the phone back at Mandume. "I can't lose you to anyone. Especially not Star."
Fuming, she stormed out.
Star blinked at her phone. "Hmm. Insecurities will kill somebody one day."
Mandume, raised never to disrespect a woman, took a deep breath and let it go. He grabbed a drink and sat outside on the zing, letting Star's voice echo in his memory. A slow smile spread across his lips.
The next morning, Mandume woke up early for his class. Arriving at school, he went to the external library to wait, only to spot Star sitting on a bench.
"Star? What's she doing here so early? Her classes don't start until nine…"
He stepped forward, but before he could reach her, a course mate called out to him.
"Hey, man, can I use your phone? My minutes ran out."
Mandume handed it over, then turned back—but Star was gone.
"Where did she go? She was just here…"
He searched for her, but she had vanished.
Star had been deliberately avoiding him. And Mandume, stubborn as he was, wasn't getting the message.
Desperate to ease her financial burdens, Star applied for domestic work near her school, hoping to walk between jobs and classes. But so far, no one had responded.
One day, after an exhausting lecture on the second floor of a faculty building, Star rushed down the stairs, juggling assignments and the phone she planned to take to her mother before Tomas returned.
She didn't see Bonita and Tiffanie until it was too late.
"Hey, watch it! Don't you have eyes?" Bonita snapped. "Oh… it's you."
"Of course, Boni," Tiffanie sneered. "She doesn't have eyes—otherwise, she'd see that my Mandume is taken."
"I—I'm sorry!" Star stammered. "I didn't see you… I'm so, so sorry."
"Sorry? Will sorry clean my shoe?" Bonita snapped, thrusting her foot forward. "Will it fix the pain I feel right now, huh?"
"Oh… your shoe…" Star bent down. "Let me clean it. I—I really am sorry."
"Hey!" Bonita shrieked. "How dare you touch me with your filthy, poor hands?"
She shoved Star, hard.
Star tumbled backward. Her foot missed a step. Gravity pulled her down.
She screamed.
Her body crashed against the stairs, her head hitting the ground first.
Everything went black.
A lecturer witnessed the fall. Bonita and Tiffanie panicked, ready to run, but the lecturer caught them.
At that very moment, Mandume, drinking water at a fountain, fumbled with his bottle. It slipped from his grasp, crashing onto the pavement. A strange shiver ran through him. He didn't know why, but a deep unease settled in his chest.
Star was rushed to the college clinic. She remained unconscious, unresponsive. Concerned, the staff transferred her to the hospital.
When the doctors asked what had happened, the lecturer relayed everything. Given the circumstances, the police were called in. Charges were filed against Bonita.
The college's disciplinary committee summoned her parents.
Only her mother showed up.