Morning came and it was time to go to school but they were tired and couldn’t wake up. But they had no choice. They both couldn’t concentrate in class so they were given parents’ letters, by their class teacher who already knew they were dating.

When Thulile arrived at home, she was scared and worried of what her mother would say, so was Lesego.

“Thulile all these years, you were the top student, never slept in class unless sick, but now what happened?” Thulile’s mom said looking at the letter.

“I slept very late last night because I was studying.”

“If you say so!” Her mom just left her standing.

“Thulile has changed since she became very close with Lesego,” said Thulile’s teacher looking at her mother.

“Who is Lesego?” Her mother turned her eyes to Thulile.
She kept quiet and her teacher jumped in.

“It’s her boyfriend!”

“Why didn’t you tell me that you have a boyfriend? The worst part is that he’s distracting you!” a slap went across Thulile’s face in front of her whole class. She cried and ran to the toilet. Natasha followed her to comfort her.
After school, they went home and Thulile went to check Lesego at his house. When she got there, there wasn’t no one but Lesego only.

“I’m sorry about what your mother did at school.”

“Its fine.” Lesego started kissing Thulile and she responded well to the kiss. One thing led to another and they ended up being intimate with each other. It was her first time and she ran back home shaking with fear.

A month later Thulile started feeling sick and she decided to take a pregnancy test, which came out negative. She then decided to go to the hospital to do some tests. The results came back 7 days later. She was HIV positive. She felt her world tumbling down. Suicide was the only way out, she thought. She then took a paper and a pen to start writing her suicide letter:

All my life has been good and I thank God for it. My last days have been beautiful with ‘the love of my life’. Killing myself was not by choice, but by situation. Mom I love you, you always made sure that I was safe at all times. And I’ll forever be grateful for that. I want you to know that I’m not angry at you for what you did to me at school. You have always been the best parent. Nothando, I never told much that I love you but I really do. You are the best sister anyone could ever ask for. I have one request, I want you to go to university and follow your dreams. I want you to be the best and make me proud. Lesego, why did you not tell me that you were sick? Well then it’s fine, there is nothing I can do now. I wish we could continue our relationship in our next life. I love you. For my confession: Mom I slept with Lesego and as a result, I’m HIV positive.

She then committed suicide. Nothando found her and the letter. As she read it, tears started streaming down her cheeks. Thulile’s mother heard the noise and rushed into the room.

“Why are you cryi…oh my child, I’m sorry!” she fell to her knees.

Later they called and read the letter to Lesego who couldn’t hold back his tears and just ran outside. He jotted a letter:

I didn’t know that I was HIV positive but there were tablets that I used to take every day that my mother wouldn’t tell me what they were for. So I just decided to follow my love since she said we shall continue in the next life.

When Lesego’s mother found the letter she couldn’t believe it and started blaming herself for it. She had a panic attack and couldn’t breathe so she was taken to hospital. They discharged her on the same day and she started preparing for Lesego’s funeral.

One week later, Lesego and Thulile were buried together. Their tombstones were written in bold letters: Thulile and Lesego. Young but in love. May their souls rest in eternal peace.

“Suicide is not an option and HIV is not a life sentence. You can still live your life healthily if you seek help. Please young people don’t bottle feelings, talk to someone you trust and not die inside. May we never experience this again in the name of love,” said Thulile’s mother addressing the hundreds of pupils who had shown up to bid farewell to their schoolmates.

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