Three months later, Hope and I were waiting anxiously for our exam results. We were sitting at Spur, enjoying some rib burgers and milkshakes.

Hope turned to me. “Are you ready for the varsity life?” she asked.

I looked into her gorgeous eyes. “Are you sure we should count our chickens before they hatch? The results are only coming out tomorrow. We don’t even know if I managed to get that ten per cent increase,” I looked down at my burger and fries.

Hope extended her hand and took mine. “Okay, tell me hypothetically, if you already knew what your results were and you have managed to get your grades up, what would you do next?

I smiled. “Oh well, if you put it like that … I’d love to study Business Management at TUT in Limpopo, that has always been a dream of mine. How about you?”

Hope grinned. “See, that wasn’t so hard now, was it? And mina, I’m off to Pretoria to major in Public Relations. I know you’re going to pass. As a matter of fact, you’ve already passed, we worked hard and we’ll both make it.”

I looked up at Hope. “This is messed up, because if things go the way we planned, it means we won’t get to see each other for quite some time. I don’t think I am ready to lose you yet.”

Hope chuckled. “Don’t worry, you won’t lose me. I will always be there for you, you’re very special to me and I know our bond is true and won’t go away overnight. Believe me!”

I smiled, “I do believe you.”

After we finished our meal, we caught a taxi back to the location. I got off at Ekuthuleni and said my goodbyes to Hope. “See you tomorrow, handsome,” she said.

I smiled. “Tomorrow it is, beautiful,” I said and shut the taxi door. I watched as the taxi made a turn at 2000 and headed for Welasi. Then I walked home.

The next morning, I woke up full of confidence about my results. I took a bath and had breakfast, then went to school. I had arranged to meet up with Hope before finally getting our results. When I arrived at school, Hope was already there, waiting for me outside the library.

“Hey Thulasizwe, how are you?” she asked.

I smiled. “I’m all good, thanks, and yourself?”

Hope chuckled. “I’m glad you’re good, and me, I’m better than good because I know we did great and this is the beginning of the rest of our lives.”

We walked into the principal’s office to fetch our results. Hope got hers first. She had excelled in all subjects. But my results were withheld because Mrs Masemola wanted to have a word with me first.

As I sat waiting to be called into her office, I thought about the day it had all begun, when I was given the ultimatum. I felt nervous suddenly. What if I hadn’t succeeded. What if she wanted to see me not to praise me but to tell me how disappointed she was.

“Thulasizwe, Mrs Masemola is ready for you,” said sis’ Ntombi, the secretary.

I went in, my heart in my throat. Mrs Masemola got up and met me with a great smile. “Mfanawami ngiyabonga, I am glad you listened to me. Now look at these results. You actually managed to raise your average by twenty per cent. I am so proud of you!” she exclaimed.

I smiled in astonishment and relief. “Thank you for showing me the right path, I’m forever indebted to you for giving me a second chance. Thanks ma’am.”

I took the sheet with my results and walked out of the principal’s office in a daze. I went over to where Hope was waiting anxiously for me outside the library.

When Hope saw my face, she grinned. “I told you, you had nothing to worry about!”

I smiled shyly. “I’m sorry I doubted you.”

“This calls for a celebration!” Hope said.

I got excited. “My friends are having a party tonight in our neighbourhood. Do you want to come along?”

Hope smiled. “It’s a date!”

We agreed to meet later at the party and then we went our separate ways.

When I got home, I shared the good news with my mother and Gogo. My mother had some good news of her own. She sat me down. “My boy, I’ve found a job, so I will be able to take care of you and Snethemba; especially now that it’s clear you will be headed for varsity. And I give you my word I am never buying on credit again. I joined a stokvel, so that will help me save up.”

I got up and gave my mother a hug. “I love you Mama, thank you,” I said.

My mother smiled. “I am so proud of you my boy and I love you.”

Gogo walked in and the three of us shared a group hug. “Lord, thank you for your mercy,” Gogo said and we all smiled.

Later, at the party, S’bonelo kept teasing Hope and me. “You guys are a match made in heaven! You make such a great couple. Hope, thank you for everything you did for my friend. You’ve transformed him into the greatest version of himself. Thanks sis’ wami!”

When I walked Hope home after the party, we held hands and kept glancing at each other until we arrived outside Hope’s father’s house.

I pulled her closer. “Thank you so much, Hope, for everything you’ve done for me. You really are heaven-sent.” I drew back and looked into her eyes and she smiled.

“Don’t forget about me when you get to Limpopo,” she said shyly.

“I won’t, I promise!”

We smiled and kissed, until a car drove past.

“I have to get going before it gets dark,” I said as I pulled away.

“Okay, see you then,” she said. As I turned around and slowly began to walk away, Hope whispered, “I love you.”

I turned back and held her tight in my arms and kissed her passionately. “I love you more than the moon and the stars,” I whispered in her ear. Then we hugged again and I left.

As I walked home, I thought about how lucky I was to have the love of three women in my life: my loving Gogo, my caring mother and the incredible Hope Mnisi. I closed my eyes for a second. “Lord, thanks for your mercy,” I said under my breath.

Tell us: Do you have someone in your life who has helped you succeed? Who are they and how did they help?