The day was dark and cloudy, not a trace of sunshine was visible in the Ngonyama Segment of Luxury City. Despite the horrible weather, the kids were outside and playing a game. Every child in the area was playing outside, with an exception of one special child who glared outside the window and another child who was a dear friend of the special child, his whereabouts were unknown.

The special child was talking with his father, “Tata, what’s kismet?” he asked after he read the name on a story he read at school.

“Where did you come up with the name Lukhanyiso?” his father asked behind his son who stared at the window.

“I read a story titled Kismet. It’s about a young boy who finds treasure and shares it with his entire community which suffers from poverty. In the end the boy realises that his reason to live is to help people. But I don’t know the meaning of the word kismet.” Lukhanyiso said.

“Oh, I would love to read that story. Well kismet means destiny. The boy was destined to help his community.” His father said.

“What is my kismet then?” Lukhanyiso asked.

“I don’t know. But I promise you, destiny will come for you. Once it comes to you, you should accept it and embrace it. Okay?”

Lukhanyiso nodded, he wanted to have a destiny too. But he didn’t know what it was, but he wanted to help people, just like the boy did.

“Lukhanyiso, why don’t you go and play with them?” his father asked behind Lukhanyiso.

“Tata, I don’t want to play with them!” Lukhanyiso exclaimed as he walked away from the window and turned on the Television.

“I’m sorry. But really son, go outside and play with the other kids. Spending time inside the house is not healthy for you. Look at you; you look like you swallowed a horse. Chubby kids are cute, but every kid should exercise.” Lukhanyiso’s father said as he sat next to his son who flicked through the channels.

“I do not want to be outside father. I want to be alone,” Lukhanyiso said while locking his eyes on the television.

“But you are not alone, you are with me.” His father raised an eyebrow,

“Yes, but you’re different. You don’t make fun of me like the other kids do at school,” Lukhanyiso said as he looked down.

Lukhanyiso’s father jerked from shock, “Lukhanyiso why didn’t you tell me this before? What do they say to you?”

“They make fun of me…” Lukhanyiso stopped flicking through the channels and watched the weather, “I don’t want to talk about it, and the weather is on. So hush now.”

“Okay, but we will talk later. Okay?” Lukhanyiso’s father said as he placed his hand on Lukhanyiso’s shoulder.

“Okay.” Lukhanyiso looked at him and flashed a smile that assured his father that he was okay.

Lukhanyiso’s father stood up and walked away from his son who glared at the weather update. He knew that something was troubling Lukhanyiso but didn’t want to interrupt his son who liked the weather very much.

***

Tell us what you think: What do you think is troubling Lukhanyiso?