Every morning she got up, fixed a cup of coffee and then went through her phone, particularly for e-mails, followed by a bit of Facebook.

She took a quick shower and began to lament in front of a beautiful mirror, decor.

“A lady is always complete with a dress.” said Mary, her aging mother. Khosi, feeling concerned and with a stern look on her face, turned around to look, not realising that her bathroom door had been left ajar.

“Mom, for how long were you standing there?” She asked pathetically.

“Daughter, it doesn’t matter really,” Marry replied anxiously. Marry, feeling troubled and with her pounding heart, spoke cautiously. “I’ve been thinking lately about what you should do when I’m gone. You cannot continue in the direction of taking care of me; you have your whole life ahead of you. It’s time you lived your life, love bountifully and no matter what look unto God for direction. This cancer is like a heavy jacket on my shoulders,” Marry wiped away tears.

Khosi cried out! “Mom you’re going to be fine!”

“No sweetheart,” she continued, “you’ve been oblivious to this fact because of your merry heart, which resembles that of your father. “You constantly see the good and the good only in people, Khosi.”

Now Khosi’s coffee had gone cold as she lifted her eyes to spot the clock on the wall. Realising she was running late, she grabbed her purse, leaving her mom there, and hurried to the car and straightway left for work. While driving, mixed emotions began to barrage her mind. She tried setting aside the disturbing news told by her mother that morning. But a thought lingered there for a while, that which was brought on by her mother’s appearance. It was even harder now, as she pondered on that thought, which caused her to be uneasy.

Later that day after work, Khosi and Melisa came home from work to find neighbours gathered in their living room. An ambulance was parked outside the gate. She shrugged her shoulders as tears descended her face. It dawned on her what had transpired.

“How can she leave without saying goodbye?” Khosi screamed aloud! Melisa got her a tissue and hugged her. They spent their whole evening crying, Melisa couldn’t even go home that day. She decided to offer solace to her dear friend.

It was exactly two months post her mother’s passing. The following day at work Melisa asked Khosi if they would grab a bite for lunch. She noticed a drastic change on her friend, yet she was too scared to come out with it.

While their orders were being served, Melisa asked, “What are you thinking about wearing on Friday?” But before her friend could answer, Melisa went on, “I think I’m going to stick with my blue cocktail dress, you know? I don’t want us wearing the same dress.”

Khosi just smiled. She didn’t have the guts to tell her friend that her fashion sense was sometimes weird.

She had never really mourned her mom’s passing. She was tough yet weakening. Now her mind was clouded with a bunch of things lately. That whole lunch-hour; Khosi could not stop fidgeting. The silence began to get even louder. She had thought by now, that she would have completely understood what her mother said few months ago.

Khosi was brought out of her reverie, when Melisa asked, “So what are you wearing?”

“Hum…I don’t know, perhaps a formal dress. I will see.” Khosi replied neutrally.

Friday night ultimately arrived. Coming down the stairs, Khosi headed towards the door to meet Melisa. Both were dressed up for the night and ready to have a jolly time. Upon arrival at the office, their colleagues gathered in the business lounge. This meeting happened once yearly, to announce the best employee of the year.

While Melisa took pleasure on the fine wine, Khosi had no inkling when Mr Dreyer, the boss stood to speak.

“All the years, I spent working in this company. I never came across a young selfless, bright and sagacious leader in IT consultations until day.” He added, “her journey proved challenging, including the loss a loved one. Ladies and gentlemen, please allow me to introduce the best employee of the year, Khosi Ncwane!”

The crowd celebrated and applauded her! She couldn’t believe it. It was a huge step in her life. She jumped for joy. An epiphany hit her however; she wondered how proud her late mother would have been. Nonetheless it was the best news she’s heard in a while, the night continued.

***

Tell us what you think: Do you think her mother is proud of Khosi?