Xolile wakes up after the alarm has gone off. She takes a bath and dresses herself in her grey silk tracksuit. She quickly packs her books which are lying on the table where she studies. She heads to the kitchen and makes a full breakfast for herself. She eats quickly and also dishes for her granny. Granny loves whole-wheat bread but she prefers it as toast.

“Morning Granny, will you tell me the story today?” she smiles.

“Yes I will. Did you iron my clothes? I need to go for my check-up,” she sips the hot tea.

“I forgot. Can’t you wear something else in the wardrobe?” she answers.

“I have got an early appointment or I will be late,” she kisses her granny’s cheeks.

Xolile dashes out of the house quickly but she can’t wait for afternoon. She keeps thinking of her granny’s story, she wants to know what happens next. She can’t concentrate in the lessons, at least Mr Gate isn’t teaching her today, he is strict and punishes those who aren’t serious. He quickly sees them by asking questions individually. The whole class participates or else they get ridiculous assignments as punishment.

School is over and Xolile rushes back home, he ‘vanishes’, as her friend Christine describes it. It’s unusual, they usually hang together for an hour.

Xolile walks fast till she is home. But something surprises her, Granny isn’t in the garden. Could she sick? She runs inside the house, worried.

“Granny? Granny?” she has expressions of fear, the fear of losing her granny, the only parent she has.

Granny wakes up from the bed. She sits up in shock, not knowing what the noise is about. She is tired after her visit to the hospital.

“Child… You are back early?” she puts her feet on the floor while sitting on the bed.

Xolile keeps breathing quickly. She feels relieved when she hears Granny’s voice. She rushes inside her bedroom and hugs her tightly.

“I am OK. Get some water for me,”

Xolile strolls to the kitchen after putting her bag on the floor. She puts water in a glass and takes it to her granny. Granny drinks it slowly as Xolile joins her on the bed.

“Why don’t you eat? I’ll tell you the story later,” she speaks gently.

“I am OK Granny, tell me how your check-ups went,” she says sincerely.

Granny lights up and smiles, it’s first time Xolile asks of her health and check-ups. Xolile is always feeling scared asking because the last time it was bad news. She doesn’t want Granny to leave her alone, she still needs her.

“I am doing OK, no high blood pressure and my level for sugar is normal. I am now OK,” she replies with a smile, touching Xolile’s hands.

Xolile’s face turns bright with happiness.

“Can I conti…” she gets interrupted by Xolile who scream “Yes”.

***

Tell us: Do you think Xolile still wants a boyfriend?