Down The Street
#3
At the hospital…
The gynecologist smiled and turned the papers to her.
Dr. Priya: You are clean! Everything came back negative… (smiled) no STDs, no infections. Your Pap smear looks good too.
Onkemetse’s shoulders relaxed, and a small laugh escaped her.
Onkemetse: I was so scared.
Dr. Priya: I know it can be stressful. But you’ve been responsible. I’m going to give you something extra to protect you, a Hepatitis B vaccine booster, and here’s a prescription for daily multivitamins to help keep your immune system strong. I also recommend keeping condoms handy and regular check-ups every three months…and come in anytime for your PrEP or PEP if God forbid.
Onkemetse: (smiled) Thank you
Minutes later she walked out and glanced at her watch; she jumped in the car and reversed as her business phone rang.
She picked it while driving with one hand…
Onkemetse: Hello?
Tumi: They just called me back, they went through the security footage, i wasn’t aware there were cameras around that area.
Onkemetse: Oh my God, that is good news. Did they see anything?
Tumi: (low voice) It’s my friends, it’s not strangers
Onkemetse: what?
Tumi: They took them in for questioning, its not clear if all of them took turns on me, but they will be taking their DNA samples. They say it won’t happen overnight but there is hope since the cameras show who I left the party with. (sighed) Just wanted to tell you.
Onkemetse: Thanks for letting me know. How are you feeling?
Tumi: Like a weak stupid man
Onkemetse: You cannot let this affect you like this, you are the most manly man i have ever met, you are the only man i always look forward to meeting.
Tumi: (smiled) waaka kwa
Onkemetse: (smiled) I am serious, golo ha gaka theogela ke bua nnete. I’ve no reason to lie to you right now. You’re still you.
They both laughed as she got off the road and drove beside the road passing a traffic jam, the wheels of her Ford bounced on potholes that little cars avoid like it’s nothing then she eventually joined the road and sped off.
She glanced at the time again, her daughter had knocked off 5 minutes ago.
At school…
Meanwhile Kesego put her swimming suit in the bag and sighed as she hung the towel over her shoulder before walking towards the pool area gate, one of the boys caught up with her and smiled…
Him: Hey
Kesego: Hi
Him: Can we go on a date? If you don’t mind, Saturday…around 3pm, my dad says it can’t be later than 6 because girls have to be home before 6. He will take me to your house so I can also ask your mom for a permission to take you out on a date…
Before she could answer him, the captain of the football joined them and put his arm over her shoulder then he kissed her on the cheek.
Captain: (whispered in her ear) See you tonight. Don’t forget to disarm the alarm system.
He let go of her and turned around smiling before winking at her. He jogged towards his father`s car
The guy walking with her smiled a little and sighed…
Kesego: Sorry
Him: Its cool, just don’t tell him i asked you, i don’t want any beef.
Kesego: Its okay, i won’t tell anyone. Thanks for asking me out, maybe one, just as friends
Onkemetse drove through and gulped as she looked at Kesego calmly walking side by side with a boy, he smiled at her and walked away.
She took a deep breath and sighed calming herself down as Kesego approached and got in the car. Of course, she knew this was coming, but she didn’t expect it so soon…thought they said if you provide everything girls start dating later than when poor.
Onkemetse: Who was that? I’ve never seen you with him.
Kesego: Just a boy from the other class
Onkemetse: what were you two charting about? You sure smiled a lot.
Kesego: (laughed embarrassed) Mama
Onkemetse: Who is he?
Kesego: He asked me out, but i said no
Onkemetse: Thank you, because boys should be the last thing on your mind. We have an exam coming up and you cannot fail. The only way i am going to rest is if you pass.
Kesego: I know mama.
Onkemetse: Please no boys, and if you ever really want to start these things tell me because you cannot start dating without birth control. Pregnancy happens so fast…
Kesego: Mom stop, i am not naive, i know what unprotected sex brings…STDs and babies, then babies mean no more school and the end of my future. I know…you taught me ever since i got my period.
Onkemetse: Baby please promise me you will not have sex until you have at least written your exams.
Kesego: I won’t, please stop worrying.
Onkemetse: (sighed) Fine
Kesego: How was your day?
Onkemetse: It was great, i did a pap smear and it came out negative, i am so happy,
Kesego: Congratulations, oh by the way. Charlotte`s mom got your number; she is inviting us to the party. Please come with me, i promised Charlotte I’d come for sure.
Onkemetse: what time is it? I have a trip on Saturday; my flight is at 8.
Kesego: Great! The party starts at 5pm until 8, so we can go and leave at half 7!
Onkemetse: Ok, I’m going away for a few days, it’s a workshop.
Kesego: I dont need a babysitter, i am old enough to be alone while you are gone.
Onkemetse: No, you are not, Auntie will be sleeping over; she needs that overtime anyways.
Kesego: I am literally going to be the dumbest girl in university because even though i am about to be 18 i am being babysat, you should save this money for something else. I am fine being home alone. We will video chat every night.
Onkemetse: I am not negotiating with you.
Kesego: i know you had me long before you turned 18 but i have a better mother than you had, i won’t get pregnant. Please stop worrying about me.
Onkemetse: (singing) lalalalalalala
They both laughed out loud as they chatted on the way home.
At Charlotte’s house…
Later that evening, Charlotte’s father walked out of the bathroom drying his hair with a towel and caught a glimpse of Mavis on the laptop his wife was holding. His heart almost stopped as he took a step back and gulped.
Him: what are doing?
Her: Going through the profile for one of Charlotte`s friend’s mother’s, i invited her to the party. Just wanted to see what kind of a person she is
Him: Urm…that’s her?
Her: yeah, she is Kessy`s mom
Him: I don’t know Charlotte`s friends that well
Her: the head girl, come on; she was on the news last term when she went to the nationals for tennis.
Him: Oh shit, i remember, so that lady is her mom?
Her: yeah
Him: And she is coming to the party?
Her: yeah, is there a problem?
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