Chapter Ten

All eyes were fixed on Maya. Mama said to her: “You’ve heard our stories. Now it’s your turn. As you can see, we want to hear your story. All of this will help us to live in hope as we serve our jail terms.”

Maya knew it was time to confess what she had done. With remorse written all over her face, she began:

I am Maya Isaac. Born to Samuel Isaac and a woman, who, according to my father, was named Cynthia, I am the only child of my father. Born and bred in Durban and raised by a single father, my life was incomplete. I had quality primary and secondary school education. But my quest for knowing who I really am, what I termed ‘destiny’, kept me distracted me from the reality of how caring my dad was.

It was in my pursuit of destiny that I ran into a certain Craig who introduced me to a society for juveniles called the Alternative Lifestyle Club. I was told by the leader that if I wanted to achieve my aim in this life of mine, I would have to ensure that my father and I no longer lived together. Despite the detailed story my father told me about myself, I was skeptical. So, instead, I followed the counsel of the ALC. I also endured the torture of the initiation rites. That’s a long story in itself! So, I provoked my father to anger, who consequently beat me to a pulp. And as planned, I called Ms. Diana’s number, and she came to my residence, in the company of her close confidant, Craig, and police. They arrested my dad and had me

taken to the hospital. The verdict by the Durban Magistrate Court favoured my freedom. It was then that I moved in with Craig and completed my education.

I was given three assignments with dates all specified--drug trafficking in the form of courier services to various destinations, prostitution, and robbery. It was on one of these assignments that I shot the famous merchant, Van Brussels. I peddled drugs successfully as was instructed, and a regular ‘jump-around’ material. But I felt something was fishy. Craig, my assigned guardian, was not giving me my money when due. I asked him a number of times, but he kept giving me the same vague answers. To me, enough was enough! I decided to do things my own way. The ALC decided to disclose me to the police on my last drug peddling trip to Johannesburg. I was arrested in 2001, charged for attempted murder and drug trafficking, and sentenced to three years in prison. I haven’t seen my father since! What a mistake!”

Maya tearfully ended her story. The rest consoled her, and from that experience came a feeling of true family among the small group. Before long, Maya’s view of life experienced a sublime turnaround for the better. During the next five months, Maya began to show changes in her attitude, so much so that it got noticed even by the jailers. Reading books, learning from the ordeals of her inmates, meditating on thoughts, reflections, and re-evaluation of her past life, became her daily routine. There were those who asked her about her attitude change, and she would tell them what she had experienced. Her audience got so large that she was allowed to lecture to a whole room of convicts at a time. She would later make a speech that would captivate everyone!

The change in Maya stunned Mama, Khadijah, and Mercy, who were her biggest fans. Other inmates, the jailers, even the prison heads, were attracted to her lectures. On January 8, 2002, at the prison hall, dressed in her blue prison gown, Maya spoke

openly like she had never done before, to over two hundred inmates. Surprisingly, Van Brussels, one of the invitees, now lame, was there to listen to her lecture. As brief a talk as it was, it would change her personality and fortunes forever!

Our minds, based on what the five senses perceive reveal to us our personalities –the way we approach issues. In this world of increasing materialistic cravings, humanity craves the physical dimensions its natural senses are in tune with. Getting good cars, connections in high places, clothes, making money, building great structures, and aspiring to outclass everyone are the goals much of mankind has successfully attained. But attaining them came with a price!

Killings, prostitution, drug trafficking, and other vices are often the means to that end. Hence, the reason world crimes have seriously increased. Not only am I the physical prisoner you see. Like many, I am also a prisoner of my own fight for those goals. Our bodily desires have limited our access to the infinite potential our Creator had bestowed on us.

Until we free our minds of mental slavery, we forever remain imprisoned. Just as we, the prisoners are under check by the warders or jailers, so are we all, imprisoned by the knowledge we have, checked by the warders of our five senses. Until we are free from the greed and materialism our senses put us under, and instead strive for what our Creator intended, we will remain imprisoned, no matter where we are physically.

In finishing, I would like to emphasize this: if we don’t emancipate ourselves from mental slavery, individually, our reality at the end of the day will be like this saying: A man with determination but no conception is like reaching a destination without intention.

Thanks for listening!!!

The inmates all clapped their hands. Applause filled the room as Khadijah, Mercy, Mama, and the other female inmates took turns to stand up to congratulate her. Even the jailers told her how much they appreciated her speech.

The last to congratulate her was the wheelchair-bound Van Brussels.

Maya was stunned! Seeing that Van was still alive, she fell to her knees, crying profusely while placing her hands on his thigh. She knew, without being told, that Van’s situation was as a result of what she had done two years ago.

“I’m sorry for what I did to you,” Maya cried. “It was what I was told to do by Ms. Diana through the ALC!”

“I know, Maya.” he said in a gentle voice. “Even when you shot me, I knew you had what it takes to be the great woman you are becoming. If not for the wickedness of Ms. Diana and her cohorts, you wouldn’t be here in the first place. You should know that investigations are going on regarding Ms. Diana’s ALC’s criminal activities, herself, my aide Henry Yale, and other conspirators. Henry Yale confessed to me after being arrested that he worked with Ms. Diana to give you the opportunity to do what you never wanted to do. I could tell that the shooting was not your idea, because my powers of intuition said so, and they have never failed me! Rest assured, my dear, justice will bring them to trial! More importantly, you will be released within the next three months, which I promised you. I’ll use my connections in our government to get you out of this prison. You are too precious to spend even six months here. You weren’t guilty at all, because you were only being taken advantage of. I just happened to be the victim. You’ll be vindicated, and I will make sure that you won’t be held responsible for any crime. I’m behind you, I promise!”

“That will be wonderful, sir!” Maya exclaimed. “I owe you one, sir!”

“Mark my words, within the next three months; you will be out of here,” Van Brussels assured her before he left her in the hands of the jailer.

Within three months, Maya was a free woman! May 31, 2002 was her date of release from prison. As Maya was about to leave, she saw Khadija, Mama, and Mercy. Crying, the freed girl and the prisoners waved good-bye to each other. Maya muttered: “I will miss you all big time! But be assured, I will come back to get you all released!”

Mama’s voice was heard above everyone else as she courageously called out, “I believe in you. I have no doubt that you will come for us! We are looking forward to seeing you soon.” The other prison inmates waved at her too.

In the company of Van Brussels and his security entourage, Maya was granted freedom from the prison. Her prison robe was exchanged for an exquisite, fashionable outfit.

Once processed out of the prison, they drove to his Durban mansion – the very house where Maya had first met Van Brussels. Once the security people had gone to their appointed positions, the two of them sat in his study.

Brussels brought out a document and showed it to Maya, and gestured for her to read it:

Dear Maya,

It is a pleasure to inform you that you have been given a work permit to study Secretarial Studies, and to work at the Louisville Institute of Secretarial Studies and Louisville Shipping Company with a monthly salary of $5,000.

We look forward to your answer, indicating your interest.
Yours Faithfully, Ω
Van Brussels Chairman,
Louisville Shipping Company
Maya was more than glad to accept! Going to the United States of America for a two-year course in Secretarial Studies at the Louisville Institute of Secretarial Studies, with a monthly payment of $5,000, and getting to work at the prestigious Louisville Shipping Company? Maya couldn’t believe what she was being offered. She said excitedly, “Thank you so much for this great opportunity. I’m very happy that this is happening to me, especially after all that has happened. I promise to be the best I can be. No disappointments! I guarantee you excellence at school and work.”
Van replied, “I know you’ll make me proud. Going by what you talked about on that day when I saw you at the prison, Louisville will know that Maya can stand up to anybody, anytime and anywhere. I hope you have a great experience. You need not thank me! You deserve what you’re being offered…even more!”
“By the way,” he quickly added, “do you have a Secondary School Leaving Certificate?” This necessity almost slipped his mind.
“Yes,” answered Maya, who now realized the importance of the qualification and was grateful that she had gotten it. “I have an Advanced Level Cambridge GCE-General Certificate of Education which I sat in my school, St. Steven Beak Comprehensive College, Durban.”
“Do you mind my driver taking you there?” he asked.

“I don’t mind, sir,” she replied.

Van instructed Mr. Frank, his personal driver, to take her to the school. When they got there, they had to wait a long time, but eventually, she obtained her certificate. Minutes after, Maya left the school premises in Frank’s Toyota Jeep, back to Van’s residence. Van received the certificate and made sure everything concerning her departure was in good order.

Maids prepared the room where Maya would be staying until she left for the United States, and she settled in happily. Her departure date for the US would be four months later.

During her stay with Van, Maya was introduced to the society’s high and mighty, had the privilege of watching elite Rugby players at Protea Stadium in Johannesburg, and got to meet and dine with elite golfers in South Africa. The mansion was surrounded by trees and natural landscaping, and in this atmosphere, Maya became much more relaxed and healthier. By carefully observing her attitude, Van knew that Maya would make it in the States. She was beginning to find her destiny in an entirely different sphere. In his opinion, he had acquired a real asset to his company.