It’s on a Thursday evening, 6pm. Liso gets to her house very exhausted from a ladies’ soccer practice. The team has been preparing for a tournament for Friday. Her mother is still at work. Liso goes to her room and collapses onto her bed.
LISO: (deep sigh) Oh what a day! How I wish I could just get a full day of sleep.
She stands up to gather her toiletries and take a bath. After she is done she goes to rest on her bed. She hears the front door opening.
NOLUVUYO: (shouting) Liso! I’m home sana lwam.
LISO: Hello mama! I’m in my room.
The door opens in Liso’s room.
NOLUVUYO: Yhu my darling, your room is scented in sweat! Let’s open these windows, shall we?
LISO: I’m too tired to even open the windows mama. I can’t even lift my finger.
NOLUVUYO: (laughing softly) I hope it’s not your laziness speaking.
Noluvuyo opens the windows then comes to sit by Liso on her bed.
NOLUVUYO: How was your day at school? And how was practice?
LISO: Same old stories mama.
A glimpse of sadness is seen in her face.
NOLUVUYO: Oh my baby!
(She gives her daughter a warm hug.)
NOLUVUYO: (concerned) How did it look today?
LISO: It went from me having two panic attacks before lunch break to me messing up practice as if we don’t have a big match to win tomorrow. In between it was me sitting alone during lunch and feeling lonely. And feeling like my skull is empty in all the classes. (starting to cry) I don’t know when things will be better mama.
NOLUVUYO: (rubbing Liso’s back) It will all be okay, my love. I know it’s not easy at all. But I trust the psychologist we are going to. Please just remember to use all the advice she gives us. I promise you, we will get through this mntanam. God is on our side.
Liso hugs her mother tightly. Her mother responds by wiping away Liso’s tears. She is holding back her own. She tries to ease out the emotional tension.
NOLUVUYO: I bought some dinner for us. I will bring it all up here since you ‘can’t even lift a finger’ (Imitating Liso).
LISO: (slightly smiling) Thank you mama. I really thank God that I still have you. So, what are we eating today? I hope it’s not umngqusho.
NOLUVUYO: (loud laughter) No sisi, I know you despise umngqusho. Take a guess.
LISO: (cheerfully) Please tell me you bought pizza…
Her mother affectionately smiles as she sees that her baby is now cheered up.
NOLUVUYO: See how much I know you! Yes I bought the BBQ Chicken flavour that you like.
LISO: You are a star Mama!
Noluvuyo laughs as she goes out to fetch food. Liso is left thinking about their conversation. Noluvuyo comes back with the pizza and fruit juice. They start eating.
LISO: Another thing that’s stressing me Mama, I have a prepared speech to do tomorrow. I have written my speech and I am happy with my writing. But what if I mess it up like the past two speeches we had this year? What if I panic while standing in front? What if…
NOLUVUYO: Liso, take deep breaths. Breathe in….. And out….
Noluvuyo goes on to direct Liso on the breathing techniques the psychologist advised them on until she sees that she is calm.
NOLUVUYO: How do you feel now?
LISO: A bit more relaxed Mama. Am I worrying about unnecessary stuff?
NOLUVUYO: Not at all my baby. This is a normal process we have to go through. Time will lead us to better states.
LISO: Thank you for being my pillar, Mama.
NOLUVUYO: You’re welcome nana. What else is on your schedule for tomorrow?
LISO: I have the presentation at 9am then sports start at 12pm. That’s pretty much all we have for tomorrow.
NOLUVUYO: Alright! Remember to take it easy and breathe through it okay? Have you started that diary that the psychologist recommended you try?
LISO: Not yet Mama. But thank you for buying it for me, Mama. I will try it soon, but now I just need to rehearse my speech before I sleep then call it a night.
NOLUVUYO: You do that baby. I will be in the kitchen cleaning up if you need me. I love you sisi.
LISO: I love you too Mama.