My mother was so proud of me. She was ready and willing to go the extra mile just to keep me on the right track. She gave me the best advice and motivation that will never leave my head.

“If there is no hard work, there would be no rewards,” my mother would say.

She would check my books every day. The last time she checked my books. I saw tears in her eyes streaming down on her face like they were racing to reach her chin. She was holding my English marked script, where I wrote an essay and got all the available marks. My English teacher, Mr Ngama pasted a gold star on the top centre of the script. Those were tears of joy, I thought as I was wiping her face with my hand.

When I was in Grade eleven I started being cheeky and not appreciating my mother. I was no longer a good girl anymore. All her efforts meant nothing to me. I felt like she over protected me. I never had time to hang out with my boyfriend Thabo, or go to a party.

It was parents meeting at school. The learners we were requested to come along with their parents to the school hall at 09h00 a.m.

I didn’t bother myself to tell my mother about the meeting thus the learners at school would tease me about my mother who had one eye.

I woke up very early than my usual time. I poured water in a kettle and lit the stove to boil water. On the other hand I was preparing breakfast for myself. After the water had boiled, I bathed and I was ready to face the world. I sneaked out of the house without my mother seeing me. I headed for school. The gates were still closed. The security guard had fallen asleep. How could he be so careless? I asked myself.

This person could lose his job. The crunching sound made by my steps towards the gate aroused him. I had to wait about fifteen minutes then the gate was wide open. I went to seat on the library stairs. I had to come with a sorrowful story of why I didn’t come along with my parent.

The clock ticked and ticked, in the blink of an eye the time was 08h50 a.m. Parents and their children were arriving and the meeting was going to begin within ten minutes time. I had to delay outside the hall to calm my nerves and come up with a reasonable excuse for my mother’s absence. When I entered, the hall was quiet and people were looking at me as if I was in the wrong place at the wrong time. I decided to seat on the very last row of chairs.

The intention was to hide myself. But that didn’t work. The school Principal, Mr Wellington saw me. He waved his hand calling me. I wondered what he was going to say. My false excuse was ready to be dished out. I hoped Mr Wellington was starving for it.

“I’ve noticed that you came late and that doesn’t please me. You are supposed to give the welcoming speech on behalf of the learners.” Mr Wellington said.

“I’m so sorry sir that I came late. My mother had a stroke this morning. I had to look after her and help with some of the household chores she was about to do. She is probably not coming.” I said knowing this was far from the truth.

“I’m sorry my child I didn’t know. Everything will be okay and please forgive me about being harsh on you.” Said Mr Wellington with a sad voice.

I faked a sad face. Before I knew it I was embraced by Mr Wellington. He then ordered me to go home to look after my mother. The welcoming speech was taken over by my vice president. I decided not to go home right away. I delayed along the way with some school drop-outs.

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