“I hear that you’re a good kid,” Natasha’s father, Mr Jones said. “What do you wish to become when you grow up?”

“I…h… haven’t…t… thought a… about it…b… but I’m thinking of being a doctor,” Thabang murmured with a low tone, and a shuttering voice.

“Well, my wife is a doctor, she could mentor you,” Mr Jones exclaimed.

“I…w… would r… really a… appreciate t… that a lot,” Thabang shuttered. “W… What…a… about y… you Natasha, w… what a… are y… your p… plans?” asked Thabang.

“I want to be an accountant,” she responded with a big smile.

“And you will be an accountant my dear,” said Mrs Jones.

Thabang was the first boy Natasha had ever liked and she spoke well of him to her parents. They told Thabang that if he needed anything he could just talk to them.

“Who do you stay with?” Mr Jones asked.

“W…with my u…uncle,” Thabang murmured.

“Natasha told us about him, is he…” before Mr Jones could finish talking, Natasha stopped him.

“Dad, please don’t talk about sad things,”

Natasha’s family was very nice towards Thabang, they treated him with kindness and generosity.

Thabang and Natasha became best of friends, Thabang started calling her ‘Tasha’ and that really pleased Natasha. They always walked together; nothing had ever made Natasha so happy than walking with Thabang. You would find her smiling, laughing and even screaming. People were really surprised by Natasha’s happiness, they knew her as a very quiet and shy girl but when she was with Thabang, she was the opposite of what she was known to be.

One Sunday, on their way from church they met a group of thugs.

“Yes… Money, phones, everything,” one thug commanded.

“We don’t have money,” Natasha responded.

“Shut up!” another thug shouted.

One thug pulled out a gun and said, “Do as we say if you want to live,”

Thabang was very stubborn; he told them to back off.

“L… Leave…u…us alone!” he exclaimed with a very loud voice. “W… we…” before he could finish his sentence, one thug interrupted him.

“Just shut your mouth!” The thugs were losing patience. “YOU THINK WE’RE PLAYING!”

He tried to shoot at Thabang but Natasha jumped in front of him. Thabang opened his eyes after that shot and saw Natasha on the floor. The thugs ran away and Thabang was left there screaming for help with Natasha in his hands.

People heard Thabang screaming and rushed to help. Thabang called Natasha’s parents and Natasha was taken to a private hospital. Thabang spent his days stressed and wondering how Natasha was doing. When Natasha woke up, she told her parents that they should not blame Thabang, she wanted to see him but no one was allowed at the hospital except Natasha’s family.

The private hospital she was at was very expensive. Thabang couldn’t sleep; he kept thinking of what Natasha did for him, he felt bad. He knew that the only way he can see Natasha was if he could afford the expenses at that private hospital. Thabang was always saving some money and he had R2500, it was enough for one night. All he needed was a reason to get to the hospital.

He took a knife and stabbed himself on the stomach and called his uncle. He begged his uncle to take him to the same private hospital Natasha was at. His uncle tried to understand Thabang’s reasons but he didn’t make sense. He showed his uncle the R2500, his uncle took him to that hospital.

At night when everybody was asleep, Thabang looked for the room where Natasha was sleeping. He found her room, he kneeled next to her bed and started praying for her. He then confessed all his lies and he was speaking well. As he was busy confessing and crying, he heard Natasha’s voice.

“Why, Thabang?”

He could not respond to Natasha’s question, he just stood up and said, “I’m sorry,” then he left the room.

Natasha was released from hospital and as anticipated, she wanted nothing to do with Thabang. Thabang went to Natasha’s place and pleaded to talk to her. Her parents were about to chase him away but Natasha asked them to let him explain himself, they stood at the door.

“Why did you lie?” Natasha asked.

“It was the only way I could get your attention,” Thabang responded. “I’m sorry Tasha,” he added.

“Well, too late for that because I’m leaving, my family is taking me to a private school,” Natasha exclaimed with teary eyes, she then closed the door.

Thabang stood there alone, with a sad face. Natasha was taken to another school and Thabang spent his days regretting what he did to Natasha.

***

Tell us what you think: What did you think of the story?