Angela was in grade twelve when Joe matriculated and gained admission into South Africa University at Gauteng to study chemical engineering on scholarship. The scholarship only covered his tuition fees, accommodation and book allowance. Joe paid for his own feeding and transportation, but he was robbed of his credit card on his way to Pretoria.

When he informed his bank they put a block on it. That really affected Joe and made frequent movement difficult for him because he had to manage with the little money that was left with him. When the school gave students a week vacation, Joe didn’t have enough money to return home because he hadn’t been issued a new credit card. Therefore, his uncle had to send him more money for transportation. He had a very strong desire to see Angela.

Joe stayed in school to celebrate Good Friday and left Gauteng for home very early on Saturday and reached Mpumalanga in the evening. Joke’s uncle and his family were very happy to see him again. Joe told them about his experiences at the university while they were all at the table.

“I will soon retire from my job,” Joke’s uncle informed.

“So, Uncle, you are going on pensions?” Joe asked.

“I’m a grown man, boy! You can see the head is all grey now,” he answered with pride.

“No ways! Uncle can’t be going on pension now.”

“I am…” Uncle John replied with even more satisfaction.

When Joe visited Angela the following day, Angela told him that her mother was critically ill and that she had been admitted to the hospital; Joke’s face grew with solemn.

“Has she been diagnosed with any illness?” Joe asked

“Yes. She has cancer,” Angela responded, “She is undergoing chemo-therapy at the hospital.”

“You must try to remain positive in order that she can keep a healthy attitude. Oh, she really needs emotional support at this difficult time. Can I visit her now at the hospital?” Joe asked.
“It is the government hospital; the hospital has visiting hours,” Angela replied.

“We will sail the storm together. We will overcome all the challenges that this storm may present. We will never be weary, oh, we will never be. No matter how hard the challenges we face we shall sail to the shore; for the joy that’s at the end will overwhelm any woe,” Joe confidently and poetically said.

“Oh, thank you, Joe. I don’t know anyone else who can help us,” Angela responded.

“Oh, tell me one who is great that has not pitched tent with failure?
If the great had known no failure, they wouldn’t have known the worth of greatness.
One who seeks for success must never give-up within confines of failure;
Her fortress is weak and soon it will fall. Hence we must continue to pound on her gate to hone our skills,” Joe convincingly said to lift the spirit of Angela.

“I really don’t know what to say again,” Angela said as tears rolled down her face.

“You need to be strong, Angela. Because your little sister and your mother need you more now. Yes, I know it’s hard, but you must try. You know I cannot yet give you the financial support that is needed, but I will try to help in my own little way, Angela?” Joe said.

Angela looked Joe in the eyes and said, “Ok.”

“That’s my girl!” Joe exclaimed and Angela smiled, “This heart beats because of you, this mirror reflects only you. This body isn’t mine; it belongs to you,” Joe said with a smile as Angela wiped tears of her own eyes.

“Can I give you a hug?” Joe asked Angela.

“Angela smiled and said, “Yes, you can.”

Joe moved towards her and cuddled her and said, “This life that I am living, I am living just for you.”

Joe checked on Angela for four days and visited Angela’s mother at the hospital once. On the last day of his holiday, he spent more time with Angela before he left Mangweni for Gauteng the following day.

“Will you hold me close in your arms, if I feel cold;
Or will you shun me, oh, sleep and dream dreams throughout the night
Will you love me, if I crave your love;
Or will you deny me your love, oh, sleep around and always break my heart
Will you listen to me, if I have words to say;
Or will you always dictate everything to me, oh, leave the room and bang the door,” Angela sang to Joe.

“Will you tell me, if the storm wrecks the ship;
Or will you leave suddenly, oh, save yourself alone and let me sink into the sea
Will you answer, if I call;
Or will you leave this soul behind, oh, mock me and row the rowing-boat to shore
Will you still be mine, if I lost all my wealth;
Or will you lay claim to this shelter, oh, throw me in the street and turn me into a destitute,” Joe sang to Angela.

“Oh, now that you know, that I can’t help thinking,
Oh, dreaming of you and I feel am living this life just for you
Oh! Please come and hold me in a warm embrace.
Let me listen to the beat of your heart while you feel my pulse with the whole of you
Oh! Please come and hold me in a warm embrace.
Let me listen to the beat of your heart while you feel my pulse with the whole of you
I thought I had all the answers until I found you,” Angela and Joe sang the song together.

As they were cuddling and kissing each other, Joe couldn’t help making promises; it was a romantic day; neither Angela nor Joe wanted it to end, but they had to part. Although their eye-lids were heavy, they were unable to sleep that night. They were saturated with the thoughts of each other. Joe left Mangweni town for Gauteng the following day and arrived at school before evening.

Tell us: Do you think their love will last?