CHAPTER 5
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WARONA NAOMI SEBOTHOMA
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How I hate this time of the month. I literally wore school pants today,for the first time since I got here,And a long sleeve white shirt , a school tie with a pullover ,my blazer not forgetting my white socks. I woke up super early today.
We’re attending anyway. I just tied my huge black afro be,no styling it. I’m lazy to do so. I wore earrings and packed my boss in my backpack and went to the kitchen. I prepared tea for myself and made a poured the hot water in my water bottle. I made myself lunch,just a white bread toasted with cheese between the two slices,two apples and a banana plus my juice. I packed it in my lunchbox and made myself cereal so long.
As I ate up I had my water bottle around my abdomen. I went to catch a taxi. Mr Q is also inside the taxi only this time around,I was waiting for it at the gate. And again,I sat next to him and greeted then paid the driver. I held the water bottle more closer to my abdomen and closed my eyes. I feel like sleeping right now.
Mr Q : are you okay?
Naomi : I’m good.
Mr Q : maybe you should ask for a permission slip to go back home.
Naomi : I’ll try to,thanks for the advice.
Mr Q : you usually catch taxis in the morning but you have a school transport?
Naomi : it’s gets here exactly at 7 o’clock. I would be late for the morning classes if i wait for it.
Mr Q : oh,I get it now.
I pulled my bag that is on my thighs as it was slipping off. He took it and held it for me.
Mr Q : it’s the least I could do.
Naomi : thank you.
We got to our destination,I took my bag from him before climbing out heading to class. I checked the time,6:50. Ten minutes left. I sighed thinking of what might happen next. We walked to class silently and I wiped my chair and table before sitting down.
Mr Q : should I make tea for you?
Naomi : uhm… I don’t have any cup for it and my water bottle has juice.
Mr Q : the bottle you have on your abdomen,I’ll feel it up with warm water afterwards.
Naomi : okay,thank you.
I gave him the bottle and he left me in the classroom. I smiled a little thinking he really cares about me. He said he’s attracted to me. I frown at the thought that tells me that he is my teacher,a teacher and a student can’t have a relationship. He might lose his job because of that. I might get expelled because of that. I sighed. There’s no way I can be with him,I can’t be with him. He might need this job as much as I want to be at this school.
“here” I took the bottle and he also hand me a plastic with 3 puff puffs(amagwinya) and a banana.
Mr Q : they’re still warm.
I smiled at him and thanked him before he walked out. I started eating up, Ncumisa and the girls walked in.
Ncumisa : you’re early.
Naomi : as always.
Ntando : are we attending altogether again?
Mbali : looks like it
Ntando smiled and quickly sat down behind me. The other two sat down on the second Row’s first two desks. Learners started coming in and settling down.
…
“here,I promised I’ll replace the warm water”
Naomi : thank you
Mr Q : go ask for a permission slip
I nodded and he left me there. I’m sure he’s going to eat,it’s lunch time anyway. I took my bag and went to the principal’s office. I knocked and she said I could come in. I walked in and I found her eating.
Mrs Jones : oh Ms Sebothoma,is everything okay?
Naomi : yes uhm… Not really. I don’t feel well and I’d like to get a permission slip to go home.
Mrs Jones : oh,what’s wrong?
Naomi : I’m on my periods,I had my lunch but vomited,I might need to eat something soft as usual.
Mrs Jones : when did they start?
Naomi : this morning during the morning classes.
Why am I lying?
Mrs Jones : you got the toxic ones hey?
Naomi : yes ma’am
Mrs Jones : I understand and I’m sure you would’ve made something for yourself if they started at home.
Naomi : yes ma’am,they came very early this time around.
Mrs Jones : okay,let me…(wipes her mouth)give you the permission slip and left you go. I’ll get your homeworks sent to your mother.
Naomi : thank you ma’am.
Mrs Jones : here it is.
Naomi : thank you
Mrs Jones : how will you get home though?
Naomi : I’ll get a taxi
Mrs Jones : I can ask someone to drop you off.
Naomi : no ma’am I’ll be okay.
Mrs Jones : no don’t worry I’ll just…(takes her phone and called someone)Qhawelethu can you quickly come to my office please.
Who is Qhawelethu now?
Mrs Jones :… there’s a sick student and her transport can’t make it,I need you to take her home if you’re done eating… Okay sir. (Places her phone down) Mr Mthembu will be here to take you home,he agreed.
Naomi : Mr Q?
Mrs Jones : oh yeah I forgot you call him that. Yes I’m talking about him.
She smiles and tells me to sit down,I sat down and she continued with eating,Mr Q comes in,as soon as he sees it’s me he smiles a little and hides his smile instantly. So his name is Qhawelethu? Mrs Jones gave him hee car keys and we went to the car,I got in at front as he asked me to and he drove off.
Naomi : Mr Qhawelethu.
He looks at me amused.
Mr Q : yes Ms Warona.
Naomi : I prefer Naomi,you have a nice name
Mr Q : thank you. How are you feeling?
Naomi : still the same as this morning,I need to eat and drink painkillers.
Mr Q : okay,I hope you get better though
Naomi : thanks. So,you don’t have a car.
Mr Q : yes,not yet.
Naomi : I get you,how long have you been a teacher?
Mr Q : this is my first time,I’ve been looking for a job with no luck.
Naomi : okay.
Mr Q : a car is the last thing on my mind Ms Sebothoma. I still want to spoil my mom for raising me hard and sacrificing for me. I still have to build my home,I dunno if I should rebuild or renovate but with how my house looks like,I have to rebuild and I will. I’ll buy a car after that.
He gasps and looks away.
Naomi : is everything okay?
Mr Q: yes I’m okay,you’re here.
He says parking at my gate. I took my bag and bid my goodbyes and he quickly drove off.
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QHAWELETHU MTHEMBU
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I might’ve just messed up my chances of being with her. No girl has ever accepted me for who I am especially after seeing my home. I never lasted in relationship. I wanted to fix up my house before I can take her home but I’ve already gave her an idea of what my house would look like.
She might leave me. Let me just spare myself and stop going after her. What if she says I’m too old for her anyway? I mean,I’m 23years old. I got my Degree at the age of 22. A whole year of looking for a job. Okay yes I do look smart because of my mom. She makes sure I wear smart clothes for work. She’s my whole world.
I have two siblings. My big sister is married but sadly turned her backs from us. Her name is Nontobeko Mthembu-Zwide, 26years old. And I also have a little sister who is 17 years old and in grade 11,her name is Thembelihle Mthembu. I got back at work and tried to focus as much as I could. The fact that she might know where I come from,my background and not give me a chance hurts me. It breaks me. I’ll just focus at work and try to push these feelings I have for her aside and focus on building my homework. The fact that she is sick makes me worried about her. But I’ll try to stop thinking about her
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NOTHANDO KHUZWAYO
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Nothando : are you okay?
Naomi : no, period pains are the worst
Nothando : eish,lay on your side and put a pillow in between your thighs.
Naomi : okay I’ll try that out
Nothando : if it doesn’t work,lay on the floor with your stomach, it work for me
Naomi : okay I’ll try it out too.
Nothando : reduce the amount of sugar you take. Just don’t each much sugar please. I’ll come and check up on you after school and we’ll watch a movie after writing our homeworks obviously.
Naomi : I’d appreciate that.
“Ms Khuzwayo!! Using a cellphone in my period? Go to the principal’s office”
Oops! I’m in trouble.
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