Two days had passed since Mandume had received news that might change everything for Star. The air in the living room was light as everyone settled down to watch TV, but the peaceful moment was interrupted by a knock on the door.
Mandume, sensing the significance of the visit, quickly stood up to answer. Opening the door, he was greeted by Rudra, his trusted detective friend.
"Oh, Rudra! You're here... Hope you've got some good news," Mandume said, his voice tinged with hope.
Rudra grinned, his eyes filled with confidence. "Of course, buddy!"
"Okay, come in," Mandume gestured, ushering him inside.
As Rudra stepped into the room, Mandume introduced him to the others. "Everyone, this is Rudra, the detective investigating Star's case."
Rudra nodded respectfully. "Nice to meet you all. Mandume talks about you often. Star, you sell sweets, right?"
Star, caught off guard but smiling politely, responded, "Yeah... I used to, but not anymore. Nice meeting you too."
Rudra, with a more serious tone now, continued, "Well, Star, I have both good and bad news for you about your parents."
The words hung in the air as Star's heart skipped a beat. "Oh... I want to know about my mom. Did you find her? Is she alive?"
Rudra handed Star an envelope, his expression softening. "Here… take this."
With trembling hands, Star opened the envelope, finding a few photos and a letter inside. Her breath caught in her throat as she flipped through the images. One of them showed her mother, Louisa, smiling at the camera alongside Rudra.
"Mom?!" Star gasped, tears welling up in her eyes as she held the photo to her chest.
Mandume, alarmed by Star's reaction, rushed to her side. "Hey, Star... What happened? Why are you crying?"
"Mendu," Star whispered between sobs, "Mom is alive! These are tears of joy!"
Mandume pulled her into a hug, trying to comfort her as she cried. "That's amazing news! Where is she? Can we see her?"
"Maybe you should read the letter too," Rudra suggested.
Star, eager to hear more, ignored the letter's formalities. "Forget about it... I already know what she would have written. Just tell me where she is."
Rudra nodded. "She's up north, at her parents' house. From what we know, she's living alone now, selling fruits at a nearby shop. She's doing well. The letter has her contact information. You can call her anytime."
Star's face lit up with pure joy. "She has a phone now! Mendu, did you hear that?!"
Maria, who had been quiet until now, smiled warmly. "You're a lucky child, Star. Your mother's found and she's safe. That's wonderful news."
"But... what's the bad news?" Mandume asked, his curiosity piqued.
Rudra's expression darkened. "The bad news is we couldn't find Tomas. However, we believe he's still in Windhoek, working somewhere."
Star's brow furrowed, but she remained calm. "That's not bad news! All my parents are well. If Tomas is working, that means he's okay. And my mom... she even has her own business now. I'm so happy."
"We haven't met him yet, but we're planning to track him down tomorrow. We need to figure out his state and give him a warning," Rudra clarified.
"Dad... or Tomas... is fine. You said mom is up north and doing well. So maybe Tomas was just trying to scare me," Star said, attempting to lighten the situation.
Rudra's tone was more serious. "It's a threat against you, and we have to take it seriously. We need to protect you, and we still don't know how violent he could be."
Star nodded reluctantly. "Okay, if you say so."
Rudra's eyes softened as he turned to her. "I've told your mother about your situation here, and she's asking the Davids to let you stay here for the rest of the year. She'll figure things out for next year."
"Something like what?" Maria asked, looking suspicious.
Rudra shrugged slightly. "She's planning to come back next year to build her own house. She's saving for that. Just needs some time."
Mandume chimed in, his voice steady. "That's already settled. Star will stay here for the year. Right, Mom?"
Maria gave a reluctant nod and quietly slipped away.
"Thank you so much, Rudra. We'll be waiting for updates about Tomas," Star said gratefully.
Rudra smiled. "You're welcome. I'll be on my way now."
With a final wave to everyone, Rudra turned to leave. But before he did, he looked at Star, his gaze lingering a little longer than necessary. Star, still in a daze from the news, didn't notice the subtle attraction in his eyes. But Mandume did.
"Can I walk you out?" Mandume asked quickly, jealousy simmering beneath his calm exterior.
"Yeah, sure," Rudra replied, smiling at Star before nodding to Mandume. "Goodbye, Star."
"Goodbye," Star said softly, her mind still reeling with the revelation of her mother's survival.
As Rudra left, Bonita rushed to her room, and Star followed shortly after. Alone in her room, she let out a breath she hadn't realized she was holding.
"Thank you, Lord. Honestly, I never thought I'd hear from Mom again. I love you, Jesus," Star whispered to the heavens. Then she opened the letter, recognizing her mother's handwriting.
To my Star,
Star, it's your mother, Louisa. I know the officials approached you, and I can imagine how worried you must have been. I'm doing well, and I'm now at my parents' house. I started my fruit business, and I'm getting by just fine. Rudra told me what happened, how you ended up with the Davids. I just want to say I love you so much. Please, behave for their sake—every house has its rules, and you must respect them. I'll come to get you soon. I hope college is going well, and don't worry about Tomas. He no longer poses a threat to either of us. I have a phone now. Please contact me at +264812645859. I'm waiting.
Love you,
Mom Louisa.
Star wiped away a tear as she read the letter, her voice breaking. "Love you too, Mom."
She looked at the pictures again, her heart swelling with love. She blew a kiss to the photos before placing them over her chest. Then, lying back on her bed, she whispered softly, "I love you, Mother."
"I love her too."
Star sat up, startled by the voice. Mandume was standing in the doorway, his expression filled with emotions.
"Mendu!" Star cried out, rushing toward him. She threw her arms around him in a joyful hug, pressing a quick kiss to his cheek.
Mandume stood frozen for a moment, feeling a rush of warmth flood through him, his heart beating wildly. He didn't know how to process the surge of emotions.
"Thank you so much, Mendu! I love you! Mom is alive, she's safe, and it's all because of you!" Star said, her voice cracking with excitement.
Mandume's eyes softened, and he hugged her back. "Yes, love. I promised I'd help you. I don't break promises."
Star smiled, pulling back slightly. "And now... it's my turn."
Mandume blinked in confusion. "What do you mean?"
"I'm going to help you find your father. I haven't been able to help you with anything yet, but maybe this is why I came into your life. To help you find him," Star said, her voice firm.
Mandume's face darkened. "Star, my father's been missing for five years. No sign, no trace. It's like he vanished off the face of the earth. There's nothing left to find."
"Maybe you only think he's dead because you've given up. You haven't seen his body, Mendu. Don't you want to know the truth? You owe it to him. He gave you everything... his love, his care, even a car and a house. But now, what? You've forgotten him?" Star's voice was sharp, filled with frustration.
Mandume sat down, his emotions overwhelming him. Tears began to slip down his face, as the weight of his guilt pressed down on him.
Star knelt beside him, wiping away his tears with gentle hands. "You don't have to cry. I'll find him, Mendu. Just like you helped me find my mom, I'll help you find your father."
Mandume's eyes hardened with resolve, the tears still staining his face. "I love my father. I haven't given up. I won't."
"I'll help you, Mendu. We'll find him. I promise," Star said, her voice a soft vow.
With that, Mandume stood and pulled her into a long embrace, feeling the weight of his burdens lifting, if only slightly, as they shared the silent promise between them.