Mrs Jobe known to many as the lovely Mrs J came back late from work today. With all the wealth in her family she did not need to work but she loved her job. Being a principal at a primary school had its privileges but also had a lot of paperwork. Primary schools were not under a lot of pressure like High schools that had to produce great results and be compared to other schools. Primary schools had young children from grade 0 to 7 and did not have to deal with rebellious teenagers. By the time they were big enough to challenge their teachers, it would be time move to High school. This week was however busy for her as inspectors were coming to her school, so she needed to make sure that everything was in order.
She expected to find her daughter in her room lying on the bed talking to her friends on her phone or in front of the television.
What are you doing in here? Mrs J asked her daughter. She had never seen Mandy studying or sitting in the study before.
Practicing mathematics, Mandy answered her mother without looking up.
Are you ok? Mrs J asked worried as she placed the back of her hand on Mandy’s forehead to check her temperature.
Mom, you disturbing me. I’ve got to know these calculations tomorrow.
Are the Teachers that strict? asked Mrs J. She knew the schools reputation and also knew her rebellious daughter very well. Mrs J wanted Mandy to get her act together but also could not help but worry for her. Mandy was a good child growing up. Being the only daughter, maybe she spoiled her too much. The past two years she had become unruly, problematic and materialistic. Her parents were sent multiple warning letters from the previous schools. Mandy missed classes, left school grounds to drink and party. Often escaped from the residences at night to go to clubs. She disregarded all the rules despite warnings and eventually got expelled. She felt like a failure as a mother. Sending her to this school was a last resort. Yesterday when she saw sjambok marks on Mandy’s back, she felt guilty for sending her.
This time it’s my irritating desk mate. If I get this wrong, she will want to help correct me and I can’t stand it!
Why would she correct you? asked Mrs J curious.
She’s irritating mom, she even corrected Mr Q today. Apparently “she can’t stand wrong calculations” Mandy said imitating Thandi’s voice.
Mandy told her mom about the quarrel she had with her desk mate.
So you are studying so you don’t get help from your desk mate? Mmh I need to meet this girl, she’s impressive!
Mandy was not impressed with her mother and gave her a cold look. Mrs J just laughed and left Mandy in the study. When she closed the door she jumped with joy. She made a call to her husband and told him that he was right, the school was perfect for Mandy.
Auntie, what is JJL? Thandi asked Noli. The conversation she had at school with Mandy was playing over and over in her mind. She did not want to look stupid in front of her desk mate.Jabu Jobe Logistics, why do you ask?What is it antie? Thandi still did not understand.Noli looked at her niece with curiosity. Tell me why you want to know first, she said. Her niece was very focused on her school work, she hardly paid any interest on anything else.My stupid rich desk mate asked me about it. Thandi could not help but get angry when thinking of Mandy.Who is this desk mate and why is she stupid? Noli was puzzled. Thandi 
Today Thandi was not feeling well. She had very bad cramps and could not help it but hold her tummy and wince now and then.What’s going on with you? asked Mandy concerned. The two of them never quarrelled again but were not very close. Her desk mate looked like she was in pain and she couldn’t help but feel sort for her.Dysmenorrhea, said Thandi still holding her tummy.What? Mandy raised her eyebrows.Period pains, I get bad ones. Thandi clarified.Mandy opened her bag took out some painkillers and gave Thandi two. Here have these, I get migraine headaches so I keep these in my bag.Mandy looked at them and said “these can give you ulcers”.
Today they were solving old Mathematics question papers. Mandy, Pretty,Cindy and Mandy were sitting around a circle solving the problems. There was one particular equation they had been working on for sometime and could not come up with an answer. They were tired and were taking a break, except for Thandi who could not stop until it was solved. This was an obsession of hers. A problem must be solved, no matter how long it takes. The door suddenly opened and S’bu walked in carrying a tray. On it was juice and biscuits. Beautiful Ladies, I thought I should bring you refreshments since you working so hard, he said with a breathtaking smile. They looked up at him. Mandy was furious, Pretty and Cindy were blushing. S’bu was handsome and his physique drove girls crazy and today he was wearing a tight vest that wa
They were interrupted by Amahle who was screaming hysterically. Tadie, Tadie she said pulling Mandy’s skirt with wet eyes. Mandy picked her up her niece and tried consoling her. She will come see you soon, ok precious. Let’s go get a lollipop for Amahle. The little girl nodded her head, wiping her tears. Yes lollipop, she said. Mandy laughed walking into the house, it was very easy to please her niece.S’bu are you ok?S’bu..... S’bu!, Menzi was now shouting waving his hand in front of his eyes.What? S’bu answered absentmindedI’ve been talking alone for 20 minutes now, what’s going on with you? Menzi and S’bu had been very close for as long as they could remember.They spent a lot of time together and knew everything about each other. They were similar in so m
S’bu made sure that he was back home early for the whole week but was disappointed. The study group girls did not come back.Mandy went to other girls homes for studying and got back when it was supper everyday.Today grade 11’s had just come out of the exam. They were walking home discussing the Physics paper they just wrote when an exquisite car stopped next to them.Ladies and a gentleman, S’bu greeted them with a smile.What are you doing here, Mandy asked her brother suspicious.Mom sent me to the shops and asked me to look out for you and give you a lift home. Your friends can also come, he said still smiling.Before he knew it Pretty was sitting ne
My home is an hour away! Thandi exclaimedI know. Get in, I will take you there, S'bu saidI’m sorry you can’t take me home, she said turning down his offerOuch, he said putting his hand over his heart pretending to be hurt. Most girls would not miss the opportunity to get into his car or spend time with him but it was different with her. Fortunately he was prepared for this.What have I done to offend you? he asked sounding hurt.Thandi suddenly felt guilty. This was her best friend's s brother and he had never offended her in any waybut she could not let him take her home. She tried to speak but could not find the words. In the end she just opened and closed her mouth.At least tell me why you won’t let
S’bu was in a good mood. He drove home playing his favourite song on full blast with a huge smile. Menzi saw S’bu getting off the car with a smile and knew that their plan worked so he went to meet him outside.Jobe , he said addressing S’bu by their surname. Should I organise uncles to go represent you at the Dlamini’s?S’bu laughed, unable to hold his excitement he told Menzi about the conversation he had with Thandi. Excuse me bro I need to send her a list of our similarities so she can see that we not so different.In the taxi heading home,Thandi thought about her conversation with S’bu and how she couldn’t stop blushing. This had never happened to her before. Suddenly she received a message then her jaw dropped.Similarities&n
Thandi Dlamini you better tell me you were in a coma or prison!, Mandy exclaimed answering the call.I’m sorry Mandy, the past two days were the worst days of my life, Thandi answered with hoarse voice. She had cried so much she lost her voice.Hearing Thandi’s voice Mandy knew there was a reason her friend did not talk to her for two whole days. She calmed down and asked her what the matter was.Thandi took a deep breath and told Mandy everything. She was already sobbing when she finished.Thandi please don’t cry, Mandy urged her friend feeling helpless. Grandma is strong, she will be fine and maybe the rest of your family won’t get it, Mandy tried her best to reassure her friend and made her promise that she won’t switch her phone off again.