EVERYTHING SHE NEVER HAD

12

Months later.

TUMAHOLE

the sad thing about life is that it's unfair, and we all know that and yet we expect more from it. He was already getting used the life that he's living, going from riches to rags, for want of a better word. Things were looking good, he had applied in different universities for law and his future looked promising, but like it is said, life will throw you lemons, but the bitter taste of it can't help him make lemonade, not when Mme is lying at the hospital bed will massive bills to pay and no clue as to where he will get the money from.

"come on Tumo, she will pull through okay" he wants to believe that, but no amount of words said to him can make him believe that, Mme is old, she need to be resting, her children should be taking care of her, not the other way around, but because troubles of life knows no boundaries, mme lost the only child she ever had at the arms of man who claimed loved her, now she's taking care of her grandson because his father ruled him an orphan while he still alive. What more can a person take? Where is the God that they pray to? The most happiest time of his life just had to be the most painful one, he can't even enjoy the goodnews he has nor his December holidays because of this, besides, Christmas has a bitter and sour memory which he wishes to forget. This is the first Christmas ever since the passing of his mother and its just proven not to be a jolly season.

Besides all else, he's happy that Maya is here, when he called her, he didn't think that she would drop anything and come see him. He had to ask one of the schools security to lend him his phone and getting her number was not easy, by luck he got kagisos' number, without thinking twice, he had already called the number and asked to speak to Maya, Lucky for him, Kagiso didnt ask question and gave the phone to Maya.

She dropped everything she was doing and asked their driver to drive him here, she had never walked out of an argument with her father, but that day she did, and didn't think twice doing it. She could lie and say she's scared what her father is going to do, but the honest truth is, she just doesn't care anymore.

It was one of their regular endless arguments that started out of the blue and the next thing she's being shouted at. She knows that when she goes home she will get the end of it, but she's used to it isn't it? And being here is more important that fighting with Vusi.

"this year was supposed to be better Maya, it should have been" he says, a single tear dropping from his eye, he let it slide. They sat man don't cry, but he's not a man yet, his still a boy transitioning to become a man, but what kind of man will he be?

"it will be. I promise" she pulled him closer into her embrace. "i promise you"

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One way or another, he had to go back home, he couldn't stay at the hospital all day, home is not a place it used to be, vele it never was, but with Mme, it became home.

"I have to try and make money to pay for her bills, I don't know what to do" he suppressed a sigh and rubbed his face.

"something will come up, I promise you. In the meantime you take a rest okay" she took a blanket and covered him with it, as much as he tried to fight sleep, it won and took over, now he's on the couch passed out like he hasn't had a proper sleep in months.

Tomorrow is yet another day, and hopefully they will be able to make lemonades, or atleast try right? You cant get it right the first time.

Stepping outside, she took her phone out and called her brother, she doesn't know what to do but being here is the first step In helping right?

"hey, how is he?" kagisos voice boomed over the phone speakers.

"not good" she said, sounding tired and exhausted. "how are things there?"

She doesnt really want to know. But a change of topic could do. At only Sixteen she's encountered a lot she deserves to be a grown up. They don't face such difficulties right? Or is she juts one of the unlucky?

"he left, don't worry too much. When are you coming back?"

"ha.a Kagiso, mane ngihlale Lana than kini. Uphi umawakho?" (no Kagiso, I would rather stay here. Where is your mother?)

"angazi, Yaz kuhlangahlangene Lana ekhaya, Katlego ophumile nabangane bakhe, u loyiso is with umuntu wakhe, kahle kahle ngisele ngione" (I dont know, you know it's a mess here at home, Katlego went out with her friends, loyiso is with his girlfriend, so basically I'm all alone)

"aii. Okay heh. We will talk, I'm going to try and make him something to eat, Kagiso this is taking a toll on him hle" she rubbed her forehead. Something she does when she's streesed.

"I might just swing by soon. Xap"

She hung the phone and rested her head on her knees. Why must good people like gogo get sick, but the devils incarnates like Vusi Mahlangu live? The world would be a better place without him in it.