There was a boy named John who was born to a successful business family. He was dating a girl called Joyce from a much respected family. Although Joyce’s parents were not as privileged, they were always striving for perfection. They both lived in the same village and had the same dream of becoming a teacher. They had quite a lot of things in common.

When they received their matric results, their excitement was beyond measure. They were over the moon. They planned to go to the same college, always included each other in their plans and shared the same dreams. It seemed nothing would ever stand in their way and to them, this showed how strong their love was.

They were very brilliant students and were always in a competition and that is what kept them going. It made them see that everything was possible. They had a chance to achieve their dream of going to tertiary after completing high school. Joyce’s parents thought about borrowing money so they could take their bright daughter to tertiary. On the other hand, John’s parents did not even struggle or stress like Joyce’s parents did.

Eventually Joyce’s parents had to borrow money from John’s parents. Joyce didn’t mind about where she would get tertiary money from, she just kept on believing that nothing would stand in her way. She mostly told herself that she would get what she wanted. Joyce was a strong believer in Christ.

The kids were happy about completing secondary school and what excited them the most was that they wouldn’t wear school uniforms any longer. They also couldn’t wait to live the life of “not being controlled” by their parents.

They started preparing for tertiary hoping that God would guide them and help them succeed. They finally went to college.

Their dream of being together finally came to reality until Joyce got pregnant in the middle of the year. They were both very shocked, they didn’t expect the pregnancy. Joyce thought of aborting the child but she couldn’t go on with it. John didn’t worry about the pregnancy because he knew that he would have money to support the child.

Joyce’s parents were very angry about what their bright child had done. The whole community was shocked because they looked up to Joyce’s family. Her pregnancy discouraged many young girls in the community; she had brought shame to her family.

She was forced to go back home and take a gap year. She was ashamed and had lost her confidence and self-esteem. She had the worst harassment of her life from the community. But through all that all stress, Joyce gave birth to a bouncing baby boy and his name was Samuel.

John looked after both the baby and mother. He took the baby when he was four months to his mother as she wasn’t busy, the baby was welcomed with open arms. Joyce’s parents never agreed to raise the baby because they believed it would bring the family’s dignity down. Joyce had regular headaches thinking about how she would solve the situation. She was set back two years at college and John refused to go back to the college; he didn’t want to leave Joyce behind and alone with the baby. In the third year, Joyce went back to college.

She hoped to retain her self-esteem by scoring high marks. Indeed, she got a hundred percent in the first term on Bible studies, Mathematical Literacy and Xitsonga HL. She was honoured and even offered a bursary. This made her parents regain faith in her, she had done them proud. The bursary took the pressure off Joyce’s father who had always borrowed money so he could keep his dignity.

Joyce started to brighten her future, it went back to the way it was in the beginning. She was back to her hardworking-self in the second term, until the boy came back to the college. She had asked her parents if they would trust her again if she left John and they said yes.

But the two loved each other and staying away was impossible. But Joyce tried; she didn’t want to speak to John again but he kept on insisting until she agreed. Then one thing led to another and the girl got pregnant again.

***

Tell us: How do you think her parents will take these news, what’s the worst thing that could happen to her?