“Is this how love should be?” Christopher poured out those heart wrenching words as he was sitting in his room realizing the consequences of his affectious actions.

He could not stop questioning himself through the dawn of the night because these last few months of his love life came with a dark cloud lingering over him and his world being shuttered by love he believed to be his source of strength in the beginning but later would lead him to pits. “What’s wrong me?”

The two young couple met at their school valedictory as they were both seniors at Sakhile Secondary School.

Through the excitement of saying goodbye to high school, the modern way, that is shirt signing (if you are in your early twenties you are probably familiar with this ritual), they accidentally bumped into each other.

“Ohhh sorry” Christopher apologized, as he notice that he bumped into someone behind him.

“No worries” replied Naledi with a beautiful smile as she is.

“Can I please sign your shirt?” Said Christopher. She gave him the go ahead and he went for it.

“I am sure going to miss this place because I had many wonderful moments here, I am Naledi by the way” Naledi continued as she reached out her hand for a handshake.

Christopher was still amazed by her beauty and politeness, staring at her with attentiveness.

“Yes, this place will forever be a part of us” he quickly replied shaking her hand and realized that bumping into her was not an accident, she was heavenly sent. He knew at that moment something needed to be done in order to fulfil what he believed to be true love at his doorstep.

“Forgive me here if I am being forward, but I believe bumping into you was not an accident, do you perhaps have some time to spare so we can talk more?”

Look, anyone would think this was just a typical moment of a charmer-boy trying to impress a lady, but Christopher had just pull his last guts to stand for what he believed in.

“Maybe another time” Naledi replied but promising him that it will happen soon but not today as she was about to go on stage and give a speech about her favorite moments and teachers in the school.

Christopher Jones grew up in the rural areas of Kei Mouth outside of East London, and was raised by his grandmother with his two cousins.

This is a boy born in the late 90s. And if he was still alive today, he would be graduating and getting ready for his honors.

His parents Mr. and Mrs. Jones stayed in Johannesburg. His father was an activist fighting for black empowerment and his mother a public figure who inspired the world through public speaking and counselling.

They visited during holidays and brought him and his cousins clothes and food and any special requests they would make during their phone calls exchange.

His peers described him as someone with much affection as he seemed as someone who easily falls in love and easily gets heart broken. Although this was not viewed as a negative trait and no particular reason to be labelled as a foul in any case. They teased him and all laughed about it.

Naledi Mbele was a popular girl in school as she was a genius in her academics and had every boy chasing after her, but a girl who is not easily impressed by material things and a fancy lifestyle that most of the gents were trying to impress her by. She only wanted someone who was going to respect her and make her laugh. While this was not the most important thing to her at that moment, however, she did day dream about getting married and having a family of her own. She lost both her parents when she was just two years old in a car crash that left her an orphan to be raised by her aunt who was very kind and loving to her. Naledi had openly spoken out about her life at school on presentations and motivated other pupils who faced similar challenges. Her bravery proved acceptance of her circumstance.

Christopher moved to East London to finish his last year of high school as the last one he attended sent him a No-Return Report because he was constantly involved in fights at the school premises. He stayed with his aunt and attended Sakhile Secondary School in the city. 

The valedictory was coming to an end, everyone was heading home. Christopher knew that this was his chance for him to go and speak to Naledi, but she was no where to be found.

“Hey Buhle, have you seen Naledi?” He asked one of her friends who was standing in front of the classrooms and apparently also waiting for her. Buhle and Christopher stayed in the same area, they knew each other very well.

“No, that girl can be a headache sometimes, I’ve been waiting here for almost twenty minutes for her. And what’s your deal? Why are you looking for her?” She asked looking a bit perplexed.

“It’s none of your business Buhle, I just need to speak to her about something really important, when you see her will you please tell her that the guy who bumped into her, Christopher, wants to have a word with her, please. I will be in the library.” He said as he slowly walked away wishing by any chance she would show up.