I had just got out of a taxi from work when I received a call from my sister Mbali, telling me that
she’s pregnant. At first, I did not believe her because I thought it’s another one of her pranks. I
was too tired from work and so I asked her to stop playing around.
“Nonhle it’s true. I’m pregnant and I don’t know what to do.”
I stood dumbfounded in the middle of the street and did not hear anything else she said. How
could it be? What are we going to do? How are we going to tell our parents? I quickly gathered
myself and asked her when did she find out.
“I was at the clinic this morning,” said Mbali crying. “Nonhle, I think I have to get an abortion.
The nurse asked me about it but I wanted to let you know first. Mom can’t find out about this.”
Our call got cut and I realised she must have run out of airtime. I hurriedly went to buy one at the
nearby tuckshop.
Mbali is my younger sister. She’s a second-year law student at UFS. I remember when I
accompanied her all the way to Bloemfontein to assist her with registration last year. She’s the first
one at home to go to university and we were all so happy and proud of her. Our older brother
Zakes is a taxi driver and has recently started working as a delivery guy for Uber Eats and Mr D.
Our parents have worked very hard to give us a better life. I can never forget the disappointment
in my mother’s face when she found out I was pregnant at Grade 10. She avoided speaking to me
for four months, until my father asked her to forgive me. My son was born and my mom smiled
softly as she held him in her arms. I went back to school to finish my grade and mom hired a
babysitter. She was very pleased when I made it to Grade 12, but it did not last long because she
found out that I had fallen pregnant again.
“You have humiliated this family Nonhle and you have made a mockery of me at church,” she
yelled at me. “You are supposed to set a good example to your sister. You are a spoilt child and I
have given up on you. I am not going to raise that baby.”
This time, even dad could not intercede on my behalf. It became apparent that I will have to drop
out of school in order to take care of my two children. I got a job as a cashier at Checkers. Luckily,
I had Mbali, who loved and adored my babies. She willingly helped me with them wherever she
could. Mbali loved children and that’s why I could not allow her to get rid of her own. It was now
my turn as her older sister to be there for her. I recharged my cell phone with airtime and dialled
her back.
“Mbali, I know how frustrating and frightening this is but I am here for you. Don’t worry, I will
speak to mom and make her understand. Do you really want to terminate your pregnancy?”
“No, but…”
“Then don’t. I will take care of the child. Please focus on your studies dadewethu and leave
everything else to me.”
I managed to calm her down and by the end of the call, we were both laughing and looking forward
to having a little baby.
***
I got home and saw an ambulance on the street next to our house. I saw my dad being taken inside
it and I rushed to find out what had happened.
“Nonhle mntanami, your father had a stroke,” said mom as she hugged me. “I tried calling you and
your brother but you both weren’t answering your phones. Please don’t say anything to Mbali for
now. I don’t want her to panic.”
My brother Zakes arrived and we all went to the hospital. The three of us prayed together for my
father’s life. My father worked as a car mechanic and my mother was a teacher at Aldinville Primary
School. We stayed at the hospital for a while until the nurses told us to go home.
As we drove back home, I couldn’t help thinking about the predicament in which I found myself.
I realised that I had to keep Mbali’s pregnancy a secret for now, while keeping dad’s illness a secret
from Mbali.
***
Dad came home after a couple of weeks but had to go to physiotherapy four times a week because
he was unable to move his left arm. Mom still insisted that we do not tell Mbali about dad’s minor
stroke.
“I don’t want anything to bother my little girl. I want her to focus on her studies. University is no
joke, not that you two would understand.”
My brother and I decided to leave it at that.
One day during lunchtime at work, I went to Ackerman’s to buy some clothes for Mbali’s baby.
They were so tiny and cute that I could not resist taking photos and sending them to Mbali. She
loved them. I got home and hid the clothes in my wardrobe. I took off my uniform and went to
take a bath but suddenly overheard my mom talking on the phone.
“Mbali is the only child I’m proud of and I know my baby would never disappoint me. Unlike her
elder siblings who both have no matric,” said mom, who suddenly saw me standing near the
bathroom door. “Nonhle mntanami I didn’t realise you were back from work. Dinner is on the
table.”
She continued with her conversation with her sister. I was used to such talk and I could not say
anything about it.
***
The following day I received a call from mom while I was at work.
“Nonhle, I just saw brand new baby clothes in your wardrobe and I hope you are not pregnant
again my dear. If you are, I want you to come home right now and pack your things and leave my
house. I will not live with a woman who has three kids and no husband; over my dead body.” She
shouted angrily.
I calmed her down and told her the clothes were for my friend’s baby shower. I assured her that I
was not pregnant.
“I would have killed you with my bare hands Nonhle. It’s fine then. Let me call your sister and
find out how she’s doing at varsity. See you later.”
Mom had always been proud of Mbali and enjoyed bragging about how she has never given her
any trouble. She was happy that her daughter followed her house rules, completed her high school,
remained a virgin and will soon be a university graduate. ‘My very own lawyer’, she had already
started calling her.
The time for school holidays came and Mbali managed to tell mom and dad she won’t be coming
home because she had two supplementary exams to write. They understood and wished her the
best for the exams. Mom sent her some money.
***
Months passed and I finally received a call from a nurse at a hospital in Bloemfontein, informing
me my sister had given birth. I was overjoyed. I packed some clothes for the baby and booked the
next available bus to Bloemfontein. I wondered if now was the time to tell my mom but decided
perhaps she should see the baby first; certainly it would melt her heart. I took the bus and got to
Bloemfontein the following morning. I found my way to the hospital and asked for Sister Tsotetsi,
the nurse I had spoke to over the phone.
“You’re finally here. Please come this side my dear.”
I followed her to her office. I told her how excited I was to be an aunt and asked if I could see my
sister and the baby.
“The baby is fine, but I’m afraid there’s some terrible news I need to tell you first. There were
some complications and your sister died after giving birth. I’m very sorry.”
The only thing I remember is that I let out the loudest scream and passed out. I woke up after an
hour and the nurse brought the baby to me. I felt so sad and I cried so much as I held her in my
arms. I named her Mbali. You looked just like your mother. I took you home and introduced you
to your grandmother, grandfather and uncle. They were so happy to see you, but deeply hurt by
the death of your mother. She was very important to us and we will always love her. I’m very sure
she would have loved you more than anything in the world.
“You know what’s strange? Sometimes I feel like she’s with me and she’s watching me.”, said
Mbali to her aunt.
“That’s because she is, my child. She’s with you as your guardian angel. Always there to protect
you. Just like your grandfather. May their souls rest in peace.”; responded mom, Mbali’s
grandmother, as she closed the family album.
The End…