It was early February 2017, when I first met Mathabo. She was beautiful, her dark skin suited her, and the way her eyes twinkled when I caught her staring at me, made my stomach twist and turn.

She blushed shyly and looked away, still smiling, I could see from the way she was sitting that she was now feeling a bit giddy on the inside. She sat by the assembly, with a friend of hers, I didn’t know.

I stared at the two girls in their green jerseys and short tunic dresses, and smiled at Mathabo. I observed her, she had captured my attention, and I was now completely blocked out from my surroundings.

Rain droplets started falling, and instantly brought me back to reality, summer and it’s rains. We all rushed back to our classes. I couldn’t even get her name, I felt stupid. In a school full of over 1000 learners, how was I going to get her name, or even see her again?

Frustrations got the better of me, as I started feeling anxious. My mind couldn’t stop playing Mathabo’s smile. I couldn’t say she had stolen my heart, oh no, that was too soon, but she had captured my direct attention, and I was willing to shower her with kindness and attention. 

She looked innocent and sheltered, she probably didn’t know who I was, and how I was labeled as a “playgirl”, maybe she could be the one to tame me. After all, a lion needs to be tamed. She looked calm and humble,she could’ve been the one to tame me.