After a long struggle of seeking love. Blissful times fell on a downhearted tiny Hazel, a 17-year-old girl who was battling self-love, born and bred on the filthy and dusty villages of Gobhoza. Hazel lived with her only hardworking grandmother, maVilakazi, who worked as a vendor. They lived in a three roomed cracked house. Getting a boyfriend that will love her whole heartedly was the only thing Hazel ever wished for.
“Be quiet learners,” said Mr Mazibuko, a grade 11 mathematics teacher in the lime green and white painted Sobahle high school. “Today I introduce to you a new learner, Cleo Makhathini. He is transferred from High Veld Secondary school.”
“Wow! He’s hot!” Mbali shouted, the tall yellow-bone and slay queen of their school, at the back sit.
“Shut up!” Mr Mazibuko said. “Take a good care of this young man everyone, you may grab a sit sir,” he said while showing him a place to sit.
“Thank you Mr,” Cleo replied.
Few hours went by. It was after school. Girls in Cleo’s classroom threw themselves on him. Lessons on that day had gone to waste. His looks charmed everyone; fresh Mohawk cut, smooth face, dimples, white teeth with U silver, plus, a cute left bowed leg, his gentleman walk was well created.
“Ahh! You guys!” Cleo held his head. “Is it the first time you see Chris Brown in this school?”
“Mmmmm!” everyone said.
“Bagcwele ngawe boy!” Bafana shouted, the most energetic guy in their classroom. “Enter them Cleo! Cleo!” And made a loud whistle.
“Dude! Come on! I don’t see my cup of coffee here.”
Amazed, all the girls said, “Wooow!”
“My apologies ladies,” he replied softly.
Unexpected, a calm and shy girl from another grade 11 classroom entered with a box of papers.
“Afternoon everyone.”
“The bell doesn’t ring twice!” Mbali yelled.
Not intimidated, she continued, “I’ve been asked to give you this copies of a case study, principal Mamindza won’t be at school tomorrow.”
“Thanks mosquito!” shouted Bafana.
“Eh…uhm…” she mumbled and gawked at the floor.
Everyone laughed, except one guy, Cleo.
“You’re dumb Bafana!” he said, irritated. “Can I go with you my lady? It’s already after school.”
“Me?” she looked at herself with disbelief.
“Yes madam.”
“Ye-yes.”
Cleo took his navy and Nike labelled bag, then walked to her. Amazement shattered everyone. He hugged her firmly and wiped her teary eyes. “Its okay, I’m Cleo Makhathini, leave the box, I will take my case study and they will take theirs by themselves.”
“Thank you Cleo, I’m Hazel Moba,” she replied, and they headed out of the class.
“Wow!” Mbali clapped her hands, and stood up, then kicked her chair to the table. “Things happen.”
***
“Do know that you gave me strength today?” Hazel asked when they approached the black sliding gate of their big old school.
“Really? I didn’t know,” he replied, looking shy.
“I wish I can thank you with something better, but, I only have my words.”
They stopped and looked at each other.
“I believe you have something to thank me with,” he blushed. “Bless me with your ten digits Hazy.”
“Okay, fine,” she opened her bag, then took a blue pen and inked it on Cleo’s soft hands. “Happy now?”
“More than you know.”
They both laughed. Their lungs flew on the air. A bell of a white Jeep then distracted them.
“Eish! Its my dad! Which road do you take? He can give you a lift.”
“Ahh! Its okay, I take the dusty one here,” she pointed. “This one on the left side of Ndlangamandla tavern.”
He grabbed her hand. “Come, I’ll ask daddy to take you home.”
“Nooo!”
“Come!” he insisted and pulled her to his father’s car.
***