A month went by and Mahlatsini’s work started taking effect. David got a call from Harley furniture franchise in Durban, and they offered him a major position as its manager. Because he was unemployed, they offered him a front payment, and he bought a house with it, which he paid for every month after that, and they all moved to Durban. Thandeka and the children became very happy to have such a big change in their lives and the fact that, in the end, they all had a place to call home.

The family had all had enough of the landlord always preaching to them to pay rent in time, and to stop wasting water and electricity. He didn’t care about the fact that the house’s roof leaked, and that on every raining day, they had to place cups and bowls under the leaking spots in order to prevent a disaster from happening, and that, on some days, water flooded the house and damaged their belongings.

In their new house’s bedroom, Thandeka and David were discussing their children’s school issues because they had to finish the rest of their grades in new schools.

“I hope you managed to find the children space at Sakhasonkhe high school?” Thandeka said.

“Yes, but they accepted Nothando alone,” David responded. “I then later got an opening for both Vuyisile and Zethu at Mayrose primary school.”

“Well, that’s great. Nothando can take care of herself. But as for Zethu, he needs someone to look after him.”

“Don’t worry yourself too much,” David responded. “Next year they’ll all go to private schools.”

“You know David,” Thandeka said with a smile on her face. “You’re the best husband in the world.”

“And you’re that husband’s wife.”

“Yes,” Thandeka said, still smiling. “And thank you for that.”

“I’m doing what every father would do for his family, forcing myself to do everything I can to make sure that we live as a happy family.”

“I know,” Thandeka responded. “I’ll call the children so we can let them know about the good news.”

Sometime later, while Nothando was walking to her new school, a sweaty, breathless face came rushing behind her. It was Thami, a boy who he lived a few blocks away from the Sibiya’s.

“Hey!” Thami said, rushing behind Nothando. “Wait for me. You’re one fast girl. I’ve been trying to catch up with you since down the road. Hi, I’m Thami.”

“I’m Nothando Sibiya.”

“Nice to meet you. You’re the new family in the hood?” Thami asked.

“Yeah.”

“Welcome to the neighbourhood, then,” Thami said. “But I didn’t expect you to go for Sakhasonkhe high school, though.”

“Why so?”

“I heard that your father works in the furniture industry and makes a lot of cash, so I expected you to go for some college or something?”

“We’ve only been here for a week, so how do you know all that?” Nothando asked surprised.

“The wind grabs whatever is spoken in every house, feeds it to the birds, which then sing what they’re told to whoever listens to them.”

“Wow, so now we must shut our windows so that no words can escape them and reach the ears of the birds?” Nothando said, sounding very irritated.

“Which standard are you in?” Thami said, changing the subject.

“Standard seven,” Nothando responded.

“Then you’re talking to the right guy,” Thami energetically responded. “I’m also in standard seven, and I also know everything there is to know about Sakhasonkhe high. I’ll introduce you to Lulu, I trust you’ll be good friends with her.”

“That’s if she’s not the oldest girl in the school, who has been seating behind the desk for three full years, trying to grasp the definition of photosynthesis.”

“Well, she lives at the top of the food chain, and trust me, she runs the school with intelligence.”

“I was once a top learner back in my old school,” Nothando said, taking a swipe at Thami.

“We’ll see,” Thami said. “Anyway, let’s hurry up before we’re late.”

Tell us: How do you think Nothando is do in her new school now that her father had taken away her luck and destiny in order to feed his hunger for success?