Thulisile entered the public hospital premises and was escorted to the offices by the guards. Her feet were sore and she was exhausted – she had been sent back and forth between a number of different rooms with prescriptions. After the doctors had taken tests she was asked to wait for her results in Dr Marais’ office.

Eventually Dr Marais made her way into her office with her hands holding her spectacles. “Good evening! You’re Mrs Gumede?” said Dr Marais. Thulisile gave her a nod, secretly impressed with her pronunciation. Dr Marais drew in a shard breath and asked “So where do you come from?” while she browsed through the report. Thulisile was tired and impatiently replied, “You have my file – look at it! I have already been here far too long!”. Shocked by her irritation Dr Marais said “I just wanted to understand where you come from so that we can take it from here and deal with this situation effectively.” Thulisile was even more impatient by this point and shot back a reply, “Unlike you my job has no pay cheque. My walls get colder when it’s cold. My kids don’t receive the best education. My husband is a stay home alcoholic. And I’m not sure what am I doing here without any insurance. I’m still battling with the basic things in life. That’s where I come from…”

“Life is a journey. I’m sure the hospital assistants told you all about the new challenges I’m about to present to you. I have dealt with many cases and everyday is no different. We will have to get past our differences.” said Dr Marais in anticipation before she passed the papers across the table for Thulisile to look at. Thulisile quickly scanned the papers and then put them down. “It’s not about the devil you know. The next six months won’t be easy for you…” said Dr Marais.

Thulisile put on her jacket and left the hospital, she slowly walked past everyone with her head down, lugging an old plastic bag filled with medicine. As she walked she noticed the resentment on everyone’s face because of the lives that they were having to endure. Sun shine shone onto her back while she crossed a number of streets with traffic. A bit further on she struggled to get over the high lands but eventually managed to cross over. She looked up and could see heavy rains ahead of her near the mountains. She finally got home and neglected her sandy shoes. The dusty winds were blowing around her and she could feel the storm was coming.

When she got inside her husband was already home and began to whip her. She tried to fight back but she wasn’t strong enough. In a last attempt to get him off her she dug her finger nails into his face. Senzo who couldn’t watch this anymore got up and punched his father in the knee. Bhekizulu angered by his son’s actions stood up and tossed his son in a pile of pots which collapsed all around him. Senzo crawled back up and tried to get a grip on his father’s foot. Bhekizulu threw Thulisile across the room and violently flung Senzo across the room. Thulisile ran across the room in an attempt to stop Bhekizulu from locking the door but before she could get there he pulled a hand gun out from his jacket and gestured authoritatively for her to back off.

It soon became dark and started to rain very hard, across the table Bhekizulu sat still holding his gun. By 1:20 AM he had lost consciousness and Thulisile quickly ran out into the rain. She ran to the local shebeen and asked if anyone had Senzo, who had escaped during the fight. They gave her instructions to cross over the bridge, and go to a nearby garage where she had to cross a channel. Two security guards gazed at her as she walked through the storm. Finally she spotted a fire burning under a bridge. She lost control of her emotions when she saw a child sleeping in a muddy blanket. Thulisile placed her hand onto his head and saw her son Senzo sleeping quietly. She sat down with her child’s head in her arms, across the way from a homeless man with brown hair who took no notice of her and continued to stare at the fire without any worries.

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