Tlokwe was weeping silently, sniffing here and there and hadn’t said a word to anyone since they had met on that waiting room. Ncedo felt powerless and helpless. He so badly wanted to be in his son’s shoes, take away the pain from his tiny body. That surely would make Tlokwe smile even if just for a few minutes. He missed her warmth, her smile and her laughter but he missed his son’s giggles more.

When the sun went down, the doctor told them to go home as there was nothing they could do for the child. He assured them that the boy was in safe hands and would be there the following morning when they came back. Tlokwe protested and started wailing, saying that she would not leave her child there all alone. After much begging and pleading, she agreed to go, but promised to be at that hospital corridor first thing the following morning.

“I’m scared Ncedo, what if we lose him, what if he never wakes up?” those were the first words Tlokwe said to Ncedo as they headed towards the hospital gates.

As scared as Ncedo was, he assured her that nothing bad would happen to their only son. God had given him to them for a reason and wasn’t about to take him away from them when life was only beginning to look up for them. Hand in hand, they found their way into a taxi heading towards their village. It was already dark when Ncedo said his goodbyes to the love of his life and the mother of his heir.

“Pray hard and try to get some sleep, tomorrow will be a different day altogether. I will go and see my boss in the morning and ask for a day or two off.” Ncedo said as he bid farewell to her. He gave a few R20 for her to use on her way to the hospital the following day and left.

That night he hardly slept. He had deep conversations with God. Sometimes begging and pleading with Him to spare his son’s life. Sometimes he questioned His timing and asked Him why He was testing him when he was trying hard to be a good Christian. He didn’t smoke or drink like young men his age did. He still listened to his mother and most of all, though his clothes were mostly rags, he still went on to spend his first pay on his family. What more did God want from him?

Before he knew it, his alarm went off, taking him off his wondering mind. He got ready for work. He was going to do the early morning runs only and talk to his boss when the bakery opened. The trip to Sisonke General Dealer seemed longer that day to Ncedo. His mind was at the hospital and the image of his little boy in a small bed. They didn’t want to leave his mind, even his assistant tried in vain to make conversation, but Ncedo had much more important matters to focus his mind on than senseless talk.

At long last, the bakery boss came in. Ncedo relayed his story and he was let off immediately and given a few days off. He raced down the street to the hospital. He found Tlokwe already sitting in a chair next to their son. They had been allowed to see him, but had to sanitize their hands before touching him. He was sleeping peacefully with bandages all over his head and was still connected to some beeping machine. A tear escaped his eye but he quickly wiped it away because he didn’t want to crack in front of Tlokwe. He had to be strong for her and their son.

***

Tell us: What do you think will happen next?