A week later Rachel asked Ntandozi how her mum was doing.

“Well. She looked OK on Saturday so I guess she’s fine. Wasn’t paying attention, you know hospitals freak me out.”

Fezeka smiled. “She will pull through friend, no need to worry.”

“Plus she is a natural born Vanquisher, she will conquer this pneumonia I’m sure of it,” Rachel encouraged her.

“Let’s hope so, I have no idea how I would go on without her.”

A classmate of theirs, Muzi interrupted. “Ladies, I hope you all are ready for the paper!”

“And if we’re not, how is that any of your business?” Ntandozi blurted out.

Rachel and Fezeka were shocked by Ntandozi’s behaviour. They felt that she was mean and her outburst was uncalled for.

Ntandozi left them all standing there.

Rachel and Ntandozi became friends by default. She was the loud person, yet she on the other hand was a bit of an introvert. One thing Rachel knew was that the love Ntandozi had for her mother was undying and her mother being in hospital was taking its toll on her. Rachel hoped that this didn’t distract Ntandozi too much with exams. She wished she could just hold her and tell her everything would be OK.

“Hello people, I’m super exhausted, but anyway, need to go study, I’ll be in my room.” Ntandozi said when she got home after the exam.

“You need to eat first.” Dolly said.

Ntandozi said she wasn’t hungry and went to her room.

Dolly didn’t know how to tell Ntandozi that her mother was not coming back. That morning before she left for school Dolly looked at her as she was getting ready, and her heart shattered into a thousand pieces. Nathi, God how would he take the news? Dolly was in despair. This was not what she signed up for. She didn’t even have the strength to call her brother. Mbusi and Simthandile were inseparable, how would he take it?

Dolly felt like God had forsaken her. She didn’t how to console so many people when she was crumbling herself. She felt like this family had been cursed. All of their loved ones were always snatched away from them just when they thought their lives were starting to flourish.
Dolly felt so tired, as though every joint of her body had been battered.

Nathi couldn’t help this unshakable feeling, as if something was about to go wrong. He could not get over the fact that he was almost was knocked by a car today. His heart was so heavy and he just felt like being alone. He really didn’t feel like going home. It wasn’t the same without Aunt Simthandile, she needed to get better and come back home. But then again, it was not like she had a choice. If only soccer practice ran till 9 p.m., then he’d get home late, bath and get into bed.

Nathi got home and there was a home cell prayer that nobody told him about. There was weeping at every corner. Time stood still and Nathi felt numb.

***

Tell us: How do you think things will be now for the kids?