Grade 10, Rena Le Lona Creative Centre for Children
Monday morning 05:00 a.m., my alarm rings and I feel like throwing my phone at the wall because this means I have to go to school. Don’t get me wrong, I don’t hate school, it’s just that people are not really nice to me there. I don’t know if it’s because I’m smart but they call me names like, “Teacher’s Pet,” “Miss Goody Two Shoes” etc. But I just learned to live with it. I’m Amahle Ngcobo. I’m 17 years of age and I’m doing Matric at Zimisele Secondary. I finally decide to get up and make my bed. When I enter the kitchen, my mom is standing in front of the stove cooking something. “What’s for breakfast mama?” I said leaning on the doorframe.
“Morning to you, Mahle. I slept well, thanks, my baby.” I just giggled, “Uxolo, Mama.” I kissed her cheek then went to the bathroom.
After taking a bath I got dressed in my uniform then went to the kitchen for breakfast. “Are you ready for your exams?” “More than ready. I just want to write and get my distinctions already.”
“Then you buy me a house in Sandton.” “Ewe, and get you a helper so that you don’t overwork yourself.”
She smiled showing her dimples. After breakfast we both left the house. We waited at the bus station for five minutes, then the bus came. The bus usually passes by the bus stop that is by my school so I get off the bus first. I kissed her cheek then got off of the bus. I waved my hand with a smile, blowing kisses to her and she was also blowing me kisses as the bus went off. I love this woman so much. I walked to school and the day started. At lunch time I was sitting alone in class as usual when Kabelo walked in.
“Hey, Loner,” he said. I just giggled. “It’s not my fault that your classmates don’t like me.” “They are just jealous of you, but who wouldn’t brains.” I just smiled. “I love your dimples.” “Thank you.” We chilled until lunch was over.
After school I walked to the bus station and waited for a while. When I got home mom was in the living room, watching TV but it seemed like the TV was watching her. She seemed to be very deep in thought. I jumped next to her on the couch and kissed her cheek. She snapped out of it, “Hello, my baby.”
“Why are you home early?” Her smile faded and she looked down. “Mah, are you okay?” “I’m okay, my baby. Someone tested positive at work so they closed the shop.”
“Oh, I thought you were sick or something.” “I might have it, baby,” she said.
I looked deep in her eyes and tears just rolled down from her eyes. I squeezed her in a hug and we cried together. I was crying because I might lose my mother, the only person I have.
I woke up the next day and went to take a bath. We had breakfast together then I left for school. Mom wasn’t goingto work though. The walk to the bus station and the ride to school was quiet. I missed my mom more than anything. The day went by and after school I went home. When I entered the house, I found a paper on the table. It had my mom’s details on it. I read it until the end. I felt dizzy when I saw: “Mandisa Ngcobo tested positive for COVID-19.” I knocked on her bedroom door and when I tried to open the door it was locked. “Mama! Mama!” I was in tears. “I take it you saw the results on the table. I’ll have to stay in my room for 14 days, baby. You’ll have to cook for us now and you will leave my food at my door. I’ll see you when I’m going to the bathroom but you have to be far away from me. It will be okay, baby. I will leave this room and we will be together again.” I couldn’t even utter a word the way I was crying. My mom kept on telling me it would be okay.
The next day I woke up early, took a bath, then made breakfast. I put my mom’s food on a tray then knocked on her door.“Put it there by the door, Mahle,” she said from her bedroom. I did as I was told and she opened the door after a few minutes.I was still standing at the door. I just took a few steps back. She waved at me and took the tray. She mouthed, “Thank you.” As the door closed tears escaped my eyes. I wanted to jump in her arms and kiss her cheek but I couldn’t. “It’s gonna be okay, my baby. Don’t worry,” she said from her room. I went back to the kitchen and ate breakfast by myself. The house was so quiet with no giggles and voices. After breakfast I washed the dishes I used, then walked to the bus station. It had been one day but I just missed her so badly. The whole day at school I was just restless.
It was lunch time. I was staring at my food, thinking about this whole thing. “Mahle, what’s wrong?” I looked up at him, then looked away, wiping my tears. “You know you can always talk to me, right? So who made you cry?” He had so much anger in his eyes. Kabelo used to fight for me when kids at school bullied me. He was like a brother I never had. “Mahle, I said who made you cry?” “No one made me cry, Kabelo. I’m fine. It’s just that my mom… she… uhm.” I couldn’t even continue. He held me in his arms and I cried. After a while I was calm and I told him what happened. “Mam’Mandisa is a strong woman, ndoni. She will survive, okay?” I just nodded. We talked more until lunch was over. When I got home, I made sandwiches for lunch. I knocked on my mom’s door and took a few steps back. She opened the door, took the tray and blew me a kiss. “Can I hug you?” “You know you can’t do that, baby, but I promise you when this is over, I’ll give you the longest hugs.” I just nodded, wiping a tear that escaped my eye. She was wearing a mask when talking to me and she looked very pale. The door closed and my heart sank. I went to the kitchen then cooked dinner. After that I kept myself busy with my school work. After giving Mom her food, I also ate then went to sleep.
14 days later:
The past 14 days were the worst. I wasn’t coping anymore because of Mom’s situation. Some days she was worse than others. She coughed so hard I could hear her from my room and that broke my heart. I got her some medication with my savings money and I guess it helped her.
When my alarm rang, I awoke with a smile. I woke up and kneeled next to my bed and I said a prayer, thanking God for keeping my mom, for helping her to survive this sickness. When I said, “Amen,” I heard her voice coming from behind me. I turned and there she was, standing at my door. I smiled, looking at her. She had lost a little weight but she was still as beautiful as ever. She opened her arms and I ran to her and hugged herfor dear life. It felt so good to be in her arms again.