Elite High

Ndlovu Residence, Ha Rona Estate “Have you heard that the drama club is looking for more recruits?” Gwen nudges my shoulder, grabbing my attention from my phone. She had her legs sprawled across my lap while leaning back on the armrest of the bench. Her eyes met mine when she lowered the brochure from her face. The brown, doe orbs that I fell in love with at first sight. A smile instantly forms on my face, my hand dropped to her exposed knee to brush it lightly. “You should definitely sign up.” Gwen has always had a love for the arts, especially performing arts. This was an opportunity for her to showcase her talent for the final year that we were in Elite High. After this, she could decide whether she wanted to consider it as a career or not. “Could you please get the forms for me from the Mrs. Hogan’s office tomorrow?” I agreed without hesitation. Not only because I’ll be willing to do anything for Gwen, but because as the head boy of Elite High, it is mandatory for me to frequent the principal’s office every morning. It only made sense. Eventually, the afternoon befell us and it was time for Gwen to leave. Unfortunately for us, Father and his associates were seated in a common sitting area, enjoying a bottle of cognac while laughing hysterically at jokes which generally don’t make sense. “Oh hey, my daughter in law is here.” Father exclaims as Gwen and I come into view. My soft smile turns into a forced grin. I reluctantly step closer to them, still hand locked with Gwen, hoping that the interaction doesn’t last for longer than two minutes. “Good afternoon, Mr. Ndlovu.” She responds coyly. They exchange pleasantries, and Father takes the opportunity to preach to his brethren what good of a choice I have made and how Gwen will make a perfect fit for the Ndlovu clan. “Gwen needs to hurry home father.” I cut off the rant, increasing the urgency in my voice so as not to come off rude. “No problem. Send regards to your parents and Hungani, travel safe.” He directs the last part towards me. It is understandable since he isn’t particularly fond of me driving at night, and by the time I return, it would already be nighttime. “Will do Father.” Gwen never minds his behavior because she is used to it. It didn’t bother me initially – I regarded it as my father accepting my girlfriend. Over time, it ended up sounding like my father goes about most things. Every time he would perform such a stunt it ended up sounding like a series of commands. Gwen will become my wife. Gwen will bore beautiful grandchildren. She will make a perfect fit for the Ndlovu family. I am not against any of these traits as I believe them as well, but the way he delivers his sentiments is what gets to me. “You seem to have a lot on your mind.” She mentions after I brought the car to a stop in front of her house. “You barely said a word the whole ride.” She continues. “I’m just thinking of all the stuff I have to do when I get home, nothing is wrong.” I lean over to give her a small peck on the cheek before heading out the door to open the car for her. “Have yourself a good night. And take care of yourself.” She says sweetly, brushing the side of my face. “I will contact you when I get home.” I said before getting into my car and speeding off. _____________________________________________ My morning routine was undeterred because it had to fit perfectly into my daily schedule. I usually prepare things the night prior so that all is ready in the morning. After making my bed, I dump my pajamas in the laundry basket, grab a clean towel from the dresser drawer and step into the shower to freshen up. My neatly ironed school uniform is kept away in my closet for me to grab after moisturizing my body. I take time wearing each piece, admiring the reflection of how it sits on me in the mirror. The final piece of clothing to go on is my white blazer. White, with the school emblem, embroidered in navy on the chest pocket, golden bordering and golden cufflinks, which were gifted by my father on my eighteenth birthday earlier this year, to match. I admired my reflection one last time in the full-length mirror before stepping out of my room, backpack strapped around my shoulder. The new maid comes in early afternoon and leaves just before nightfall. I don’t know how Father agreed to this arrangement because it has changed a lot of dynamics around the house. The house is cleaned thoroughly, I admit. Every chore is always done immaculately, and I wonder how she manages to get it all done in a span of such a few hours. However, this means that Father and I no longer get to have breakfast in the dining hall. I don’t mind having cereal in the morning my body has gotten accustomed to it. If it means I won’t get to see Father, it’s a bonus. The gates of the estate open for me at 07h30 sharp and Mr. Motloung, the head of security, greets me with a smile. I smile back and wave before making my way to the outskirts of the city. Elite High, Outskirts of Johannesburg The summon I received from the intercom to visit Mrs. Hogan’s office surprised me. As I made my way down the halls, I questioned my movements throughout the past week and I don’t recall doing anything out of bounds the past week. The call pulled me out of my second period, so I couldn’t even warrant it to me doing anything wrong on my prior visit. I reluctantly knock on the wooden door. After only a single knock, I hear Mrs. Hogan’s voice inviting me inside. I was not anticipating what had awaited me on the other end. “Hello again Mr. Ndlovu.” She greets me with a pleasant smile on her face. I return the smile, deterring my focus from the other presence in the room. It was almost as if my brain didn’t want to process what was being laid out in front of me. “Mrs. Hogan…” I say blandly. “I’m sure you are surprised why I called you in the middle of class. But I assure you the matter is urgent.” My eyes dart to the other presence to catch a glimpse of her for a brief moment before returning my focus back to our principal. It infuriates me, sure, but I simply have to make sure that I’m seeing correctly. “We have a new student at Elite High. Shekhinah Zulu. She will be joining your class, so I’d appreciate if you showed her the ins and outs of the school, and guided her for these first few days as she navigates.” No further clarification was given after that. She simply thanked me ahead of time for the task and handed me two papers—one for the sporting codes offered at the school and the other for the extramural activities. Every student receives these at the beginning of the year so that they can choose their respective activities and continue with them for the rest of the year. No explanation was given to me as to why my own maid was in my school premises, wearing the same uniform as me. I had too many questions that I was desperate to ask Mrs. Hogan the moment she referred to the girl as a new student. The greatest one being how? How is any of this possible? I accepted the papers from her with a smile still plastered across my face and headed out of the office, with the presence following behind me. I heard the door shut from behind but had to keep myself from erupting until we were a safe distance from the door and the prying camera placed all across the hallway. I bottled my questions and expressions of confusion until we reached outside. I stood still, and she followed suit. She has not said a word. “So,” I begin, “what brings you here, Shekhinah Zulu?” I hadn’t even learned her name prior to hearing it a few minutes ago. She has only been in our home for two months, which is not that long for me to even know what she looks like, never mind her name. She also makes sure that we don’t cross paths, and doesn’t try to be in my space as other maids had previously. I can count the times we’ve encountered on less than both hands, and that was only the time when she had first started working at the house. She seemed to have gotten accustomed to my routine over the first few weeks, because it got to a point where I didn’t have to ask for anything – chicken mayo sandwich and freshly squeezed lemonade waits for me every day after practice in the fridge. That’s how efficient she is at her job. I had an appreciation for this efficiency. Until this morning, of course. “To study.” She answers nonchalantly. The blank expression on her face accompanies that statement, almost too perfectly. Seeing her unbothered about this situation infuriated me more. “To study? How did you even get admission here Ms. Zulu? With my father’s salary? Two months of your salary doesn’t even cover registration.” “I came here to study, Mr. Ndlovu,” she reiterates calmly, “and I respect you as my boss’s son but I don’t see how it’s any of your business as to how I acquired funding to come to this prestigious institution.” “You do realize that talking to me in that matter could cost you your job?” I scoffed, finally coming to the realization from her statement, “Never mind your job, but your livelihood, scholarship kid.” “Ding ding ding!” She exclaims loudly, “I’m glad to see that the school representation isn’t on the Hall of Fame for nothing.” She retorts. “Did you not hear a thing that I said?” “I don’t see how answering your questions can lead to me getting fired.” “If you listen to the guy on the Hall of Fame, you’ll figure it out. Because it’s blatant.” “I don’t understand what your problem with all this is. It’s not like I came here for you, you won’t ever get to interact with me, so why are you bothered?” Why am I bothered? I’m going to sit in the same class with the same person who washes my underwear. “I’m not bothered. Welcome to Elite High Ms. Zulu. Good luck navigating.” I start walking in the direction of Advanced Chemistry class. “I suppose you’re not going to do your delegated task.” “Ding ding ding!” I mock her, “Seems like you didn’t attain that scholarship by mistake.” I leave.