Kamvi lay curled up on her bed in the hostel. Her roommates all seemed very subdued. Their room was known as the noisy room. They were always getting into trouble for being too loud.

Well, thought Kamvi turning over to face the wall, I was always so happy. But that’s all over now. She felt a wave of depression wash over her. Kamvi and her roommates were known as the drama queens of the school. They were always being called on to fulfil the performance needs of Mrs Mpiti, the teacher in charge of drama.

They were good, and they knew it, and were proud of their acting abilities. Especially Kamvi. She could sing and dance as well as act. Lying on her side, Kamvi smiled to herself and closed her eyes, remembering. It had always been her dream to be a singer or an actress. She had landed the lead role in the school play, Romeo and Juliet, just a month ago.

It was going well – Kamvi knew it. Lying on her bed Kamvi said a few lines softly to herself.

“Romeo, Romeo, wherefore art thou Romeo…”

Even Mrs Mpiti had said she had talent, lots of it. Kamvi closed her eyes tightly. The play was due to open at the end of the year. Kamvi wrapped her arms around her stomach and rocked herself from side to side.

I’m never going to fit into the costume, Kamvi thought to herself honestly. She had dreamt of herself in that beautiful costume for months, and somehow it was that thought that made Kamvi cry more than anything. She shut her eyes, and cried herself to sleep.

Kamvi awoke to the feeling that someone was sitting on her bed. She opened her eyes. It was Cynthia. Cynthia laid her arm on Kamvi’s hip and sat in silence for a while, looking out of the window.

“No-one knows what I am about to tell you,” said Cynthia softly.

Kamvi half turned on the bed and lay still, frowning a little, waiting for Cynthia to continue.

“You know that I came here in Grade 9, two years ago? Well, I was already sixteen. The year before that, when I lived in Cape Town, and went to school there, I fell pregnant.”

Kamvi pushed herself up on her elbow.

“But my Mom found out early cos I lived at home with her then. She always watched me like a hawk. I swear she knew the first day that I missed my period.” Cynthia paused, but Kamvi said nothing and waited for her to continue. “Obviously she hadn’t been watching me well enough.” A small smile played around Cynthia’s mouth. “I swear though, she knew I was pregnant before I did. She came to me. She was very angry, and she made me take a test.”

Cynthia fell silent again, and then, with a shrug, continued. “So now I live here and only go home on holidays. Like you do.”

“And the baby?” asked Kamvi softly.

“I had an abortion,” said Cynthia. “I had to. Mpoi never even knew. He still doesn’t. My Mom threatened to kill me if I ever told anyone and I never have. Until now.”

Kamvi sat up and the two girls hugged each other.

“Anyway,” said Cynthia, her head resting on Kamvi’s shoulder, “I did agree to it. I did. It was for the best. I don’t regret it. It’s just…” her voice trailed off.

The two girls sat in silence for a few minutes.

“But sometimes I have dreams…” Cynthia’s eyes filled with tears. “I think things,” she said then shrugged, and sniffed.

Kamvi leant back and looked into Cynthia’s face as she spoke. “I do wonder about it … I think it was a girl and it feels like she comes to me in dreams sometimes … but it’s OK …”

Cynthia wiped her hands over her cheeks and sniffed hard. “I do go to counselling now,” she half smiled. “You know, my Wednesday appointment. It helps. And its confidential.”

“I think that option is too late for me,” said Kamvi softly.

“Maybe I should have said something earlier,” said Cynthia, “but I wasn’t sure.”

“Somebody felt sure enough to say something. Mrs Jason knows.” Kamvi covered her face with her hands. “It seems like everyone knows.”

“It’s getting obvious now Kamvi,” said Cynthia. “You hardly show, but it’s pretty noticeable when you change for PE. I suppose a few girls have started gossiping.”

Kamvi nodded.

“You better tell your mom.”

“I think maybe Mrs Jason is going to,” said Kamvi.

“I think you had better do it,” said Cynthia. “Before Mrs Jason, and before Miss Strydom. Unless they already have.”

“No,” said Kamvi. “When she is working she only takes calls from me.”

“Then you had better get it over with,” said Cynthia, and Kamvi slowly nodded.

***

Tell us what you think: How will Kamvi’s mom react to the news of the pregnancy?