Things went well for the first semester. Joe passed all his modules and managed to proceed to the next level. Although it was difficult, he tried by all means to get enough money so that he could travel home to see Angela, his girlfriend and future wife, whom he missed. Angela missed Joe more than she could handle. She tried her best to help him come back home.

When Joe finally arrived home, his family and girlfriend were overjoyed. He noticed how his uncle had grown more grey hairs. He even explained to Joe that he would be retiring soon from his construction job. Joe had then realised that his uncle was really ageing.

“So, Uncle, are you going to be getting pension funds?” Joe asked while sarcastically laughing.

“I’m a grown man, boy! You can see the head is all grey now.” He answered with pride.

“No ways! Uncle can’t be going on pension now.” Joe said.

“I am.” Uncle John replied, with even more pride.

There was joy in the atmosphere and everyone celebrated Joe’s return and his excellent results.

The following morning Joe went back to his parents to see them; they were both excited to see him. They even got more ecstatic and proud when they heard that he had passed all his modules. Although they couldn’t read or write, they just felt proud that he was succeeding. Joe stayed at home for some few days and helped his parents with whatever they needed help with.

He would fetch water for them, like he used to before, and he would make sure there was enough firewood for his mother to cook. It wasn’t long again, before he had to go back to his studies in Gauteng. He didn’t want to leave; he wanted more time with his uncle and his girlfriend.

He couldn’t see his girlfriend as much as he wanted to because her mother was in critical condition and she had to take care of her, which would require all of her time. Joe understood the situation and supported his girlfriend. He would check up on her whenever possible and would encourage her to be strong, reminding her of all the tough situations they had overcome together in the past. Then they would hug each other, tightly, smiling and that’s how they kept strong.

The day arrived for Joe to leave. This time Angela made time to spend with him, just a little while longer, before he left. It was emotional. They couldn’t let go of each other. They were embracing each other with unending kisses. They renewed their promise to each other, that they would love each other no matter what. Separating from each other was hard but they had to do it.

Weeks passed and a month followed, since Joe had returned back to school and there was no contact between Joe and his family or girlfriend either. Things had gone worse both sides. Joe’s father was sick and his girlfriend’s mother was now in ICU at the nearby hospital. The whole situation was weighing harder for both the girlfriend and the family. But somehow without any agreement, they separately decided not to tell him about it because they were afraid of disturbing him from his studies. They both had considered that he would be preparing for the upcoming exams, so they wouldn’t want to bother him much.

At this time, it was the trial exams for the high school learners, so Angela was busy with both, looking after her ill mother and examinations. It was hard work for her, but with the grace of God she was managing to do it.

A week since she had started with her exams, she encountered a situation that changed her life forever.

***

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