Bound by Fate

The sun shine brightly over the University of KwaZulu‑Natal campus, making the green lawns glow and lighting up the strong red‑brick buildings. To everyone else, it was just another lovely day, but for Lindiwe, the warmth did not reach her heart. She walked steadily, her school bag heavy on her shoulder, filled with old, well‑used books and notes. They were her most precious things, worth more to her than anything money could buy. Being a student was hard enough, but having to struggle for every single thing she owned made it twice as difficult. As she walked, she saw other students passing by. Groups of friends laughed together, talking happily about their plans. Many carried new laptops, wore nice clothes and walked without a care in the world. Lindiwe looked at them and smiled gently. She did not feel jealous. Her own clothes were simple and few, but they were always clean and neat. Her laptop was slow and old, but it worked, and that was enough for her. “I am here to learn, not to impress anyone,” she told herself firmly. “Education is my true wealth, and no one can ever take that away from me.” Even as she thought this, her stomach gave a loud growl, reminding her of her situation. She pressed her hand against it, hoping no one had heard. She had not eaten anything since the evening before, when she had shared a small meal with her mother and younger brothers and sisters. Money was very tight this month; almost everything she had went towards her books, school supplies and transport costs, leaving very little left for food. “I will be fine,” she said to herself, lifting her chin high. “I have done this many times before. I will focus on my work, and the hunger will not matter. Things will get better soon, I know they will.” She pushed open the heavy doors of the library and stepped inside. The air was cool and quiet, smelling of paper and ink — a scent that always made her feel safe and calm. This was her favourite place in the whole world. She walked between the tall shelves full of books until she reached her usual spot: a small table in the corner, right beside a big window where the light was perfect for reading. She sat down, put her bag on the floor and opened her books straight away. Today she was studying Population Geography, learning about the theories of Thomas Malthus and Ester Boserup. She read carefully, making sure she understood every detail. For her, this was not just school work; it was life. She saw these lessons in her own life every day. She knew what it meant when there was not enough, and she knew what it meant to work hard just to get by. She was so deep in her reading that she did not notice someone walking quickly towards her, looking down at papers in his hands and not watching where he was going. Suddenly, BAM! A whole pile of books and papers fell right onto her table and scattered all over the floor. Pens and notebooks rolled everywhere. Lindiwe jumped and looked up, ready to ask what was happening. Standing in front of her was a young man, tall and handsome, dressed in expensive clothes and shiny shoes. He looked like he came from a very rich family. But instead of saying sorry, he looked angry and annoyed, as if this was all her fault. “Can’t you look where you are sitting?” he said sharply. “I was carrying these carefully, and now everything is ruined because of you!” Lindiwe felt her blood get hot. “Excuse me? I am sitting here studying, which is what this place is for! You are the one who wasn’t looking where you were going, and you dropped your things. How dare you blame me and shout at me like that? That is very rude and unfair!” He looked shocked. It was clear no one had ever spoken to him like that before. Most people were polite or even afraid of him because his family was well‑known and powerful. But Lindiwe did not care about any of that. “I am Thando,” he said, saying his name as if it was something very important. “And these things are very valuable.” “Well Thando, I am Lindiwe. And my time and work are also valuable. Now, are you going to stand there complaining all day, or are you going to help me pick this up?” she replied firmly. Thando stared at her for a moment, and the anger he felt disappeared. He only felt curious now she was different from anyone he had ever met. He sighed and knelt down to help gather everything. As they worked, he looked at the books on her table and recognised them. “You are studying this same subject?” he asked, his voice much softer now. “Yes,” Lindiwe answered. “It teaches us about people, resources, and how hard work helps us survive. It is very meaningful.” “I do the same module,” he admitted, looking a little ashamed. “But I find it so hard and confusing. I am really scared I will fail.” Lindiwe looked at him in surprise. Someone who seemed to have everything was struggling with the same work she spent hours on every day. “Maybe it is hard for you because you have never known what it feels like to have very little,” she said gently. “When you live through hard times, these ideas make much more sense.” Thando thought about this. He realised she was right. For him, everything was always given to him. He never had to worry about anything. “You are right,” he said quietly. “And I am truly sorry for how I spoke to you earlier. I was having a bad day and I took it out on you. That was wrong of me. I hope you can forgive me.” Lindiwe nodded. “I forgive you. And I am sorry if I was too sharp with you too. I am also going through a hard time right now.” She sat back down to study, but Thando stayed standing there. “Lindiwe,” he said, “I know I started off badly… but would you help me study this subject? I will pay you well for your time, I promise. I really need to pass, and I can see you understand it perfectly.” Lindiwe’s heart skipped a beat. This was exactly what she needed money to buy food and pay for things. But she did not want him to think he could buy her respect. “I will help you,” she said clearly. “But not because of your money, but because I know the work well. And I will not just give you answers I will teach you properly so you understand it yourself. If you agree to that, then we can work together.” Thando smiled, a warm and genuine smile that made him look completely different from the rude young man she met earlier. “I agree completely. Thank you so much, Lindiwe. You have no idea what this means to me.” As he walked away, Lindiwe watched him go. She never thought that a simple accident in the library would change her whole life. She did not know it yet, but this meeting was just the beginning of a long journey that would test everything she believed in, and show her that love and life work in the most unexpected ways. She opened her books again, but this time, she did not feel hungry or tired or worried. For the first time in a long while, she felt hope growing strong in her heart. Maybe, just maybe, things were finally going to get better after all.