Kylie’s sister woke up. “Wha…what’s wrong? What happened?”
“She tried to kill herself! We need a car to take her to the hospital! Do you know anyone?”
“Yes!”
She ran out of the door and was back in a few minutes with a man. He picked Kylie up in his arms and carried her to the car waiting outside. We all got in and headed for the hospital – all except her father who still lay snoring under his blankets.
*****
Although the nurses first refused to allow me, I stayed with Kylie. I think they felt bad that none of her family members were there so they let me stay. Kylie’s sister and the man (I learned later he was her boyfriend) had disappeared as soon as they dropped us off. Both were afraid the police might be called because it was a suicide and neither one was keen to answer any police questions.
The emergency staff had pumped her stomach and hooked her up to an IV but all the nurse had to say was, “We’ll hope for the best.”
Kylie’s sister at least did take my cell number and called a few times to check on how she was doing.
The following morning Kylie woke up, but she was groggy. “Where am I?” she asked.
“In the hospital,” I said. “How do you feel?”
“Confused.” She thought for a minute and things seemed to come back to her. “OK, I remember… sorry. I’m sorry Gosego. I guess I’m a coward.”
“No, you’re not a coward. Never! Don’t worry about anything. Everything is going to get sorted. You go back to sleep. You need to rest.”
Once I was sure she was back to sleep, I rushed home. I had a few things to take care of.
*****
I got back to the hospital in the late afternoon. I found Kylie sitting up and eating. “You look much better,” I said.
“I feel better.”
“I have some people who want to see you.” I went outside and collected my mother, the headmaster of our school, Mr Renalemang, and Sergeant Modise, a policewoman from Central Police Station.
Kylie looked at me confused. “This is the team that is going to help you,” I said.
Mr Renalemang stepped forward. “Kylie, you should know we found Kago and his friends with the video of what they’ve done to you on their phones. They’ve been expelled from the school. You are free to come back without the fear of being bullied by these boys.”
Sergeant Modise came forward. “A rape charge has been laid against Kago Williams. When you are better, you can give me your statement. I will ask the doctor here to do an examination and fill out the report. We have the video evidence, so I don’t think it will be any problem to get a conviction. Williams is eighteen so he’ll be charged as an adult.”
My mother came forward. “Kylie I wished you had told us long ago about the situation that you’ve been living under. I want you to come and stay with us. I hope that you’ll agree. We want to help you get through all of this. We want you to live with us now.”
Kylie smiled at me. “Of course I’ll agree. Thank you, Gosego. You’ve saved me.”
“No thanks needed,” I said. “You’re my best friend. It’s my job to take care of you.”
***
Tell us: What do you think of Kylie and Gosego’s friendship? Do you have a friend like this?
