I heard sob stories before and they told me the worst, I have good listening skills. I always wanted to be a storyteller, until I realised that the life I lived already told that story I wanted to share with you. Have you ever dreamt? All of a sudden you lost your dream right in front of your eyes. Have you ever tried to dig for your progress and find out you are good for nothing? Have you ever told yourself that you winning only to find out you losing it?

After I passed matric that’s when I realised that life is hard than I thought. Dad became good for nothing but my mother tried her best to bring food to the table. Mom and Dad weren’t married, I didn’t wanted to be a burden to her. As I could see she struggled in being a single parent. I acted okay when I’m with my friends… and forgot my mom’s struggle for supper on that current day. Whatever was on the table I eat until the plate is empty, I knew if I do so mom would be very happy. Everyone thought that my Dad wasn’t alive at the time.

Every time I try to ask for clothes and other needs from Dad he always complains about how he worked hard for cash for a whole day, only to find out how I am someone who can’t stand watching a father whining to spend money on his own biological son. I moved to Durban to find jobs for a better living, What really breaks my heart is seeing mom entering door to door begging for food. I wanted to continue with my studies but situations are tougher. On the day I left home…It was peaceful and they all wished me a safe journey. I arrived in Lusikisiki town and bought something to eat, I went to Border rank… entering a taxi to Durban, “Hello! How are you doing people?”Greeting, “Hi…We are doing well thanks!”A polite voice answered. I introduced myself to the stunning lady next to me and she did the same.

Across borders, I couldn’t even see places properly thinking about my mother, two sisters, and granny and how they holding up.I remembered greeting when I entered the taxi and sit near a polite sister close to me… my mind came back when I noticed the board bold written UMTATA and a few kilometers, and we entered and passed a garage for petrol. We jumped and grabbed ourselves something to eat. “You haven’t said anything since we left Lusikisiki, you seem to be miles away… what’s eating you Mkhaya?” I fixed my throat….”It’s part of life Mkhaya…I don’t know how to tell you this, it’s long story”.

“Let me tell you this whatever troubling you it’s going to be okay, I can’t imagine how you feel right now”.She said,”Don’t even try to imagine what I’m going through…heyy!!”I added. “So in Durban you are just visiting or you’re going to look for job?”.She asked, “I going to look for a job… theres my older brother I’m going to temporarily live with in his room… until I can stand on my two feet “. I replied, “You know people change here?…Trust me I’ve been here to trust on someone even your relative doesn’t give a damn here.”He’s my biological brother…we separated by father’s, he can’t be that rude”. She smiled and we looked outside windows.

“I even forget your name, you didn’t tell me much about you and your journey”. I said looking her in the eyes, “I knew you were in big thought, I’m Anna I am working in Frimax…I rented a room in Verulam, I was just visited my family “. She replied.”I hear you…and my brother is also in Verulam close to the high school”. I added…Our Taxi arrived in Durban, those tall buildings were like it’s going to fall, I got nervous but I didn’t want anybody to notice. “Anna…I’m going to railway station, I heard they are cheaper, so take care”.

“We are going to take another taxi…trains are always crowded and in this pandemic, I will pay for you don’t worry”. I agree and we went to the rank, there were also crowded here I don’t know why Anna cared so much about me, I recently met her…but I see in her face she so beautiful and kind. We entered the taxi, It was starting to be dark…I don’t know the place but I called the name of a stop the taxi to drop me. “Look it’s dark outside…I don’t don’t mind if you can come with me I have visitors rooms and you can look for your brother tomorrow”.She said in polite voice, “That thoughtful of you, you have done enough… Beside I don’t want to be burden to you.”

” Clearly you don’t know how Durban is…I don’t think you know how heartless people are here, so I just wanted to help you Jadee mfana”. She said, “I know and you’re very kind you know…I didn’t think there are still people like you”.I said…Taxi dropped us near a mansion I thought we going to pass but she walked front and lead me in.