S’bu and Thandi were inseparable from the day she was discharged from the hospital. They were spotted a multiple times walking holding hands, sharing ice cream at their favourite ice cream shop with their children. Thandi’s relationship with Dlamini and Jobe family had also improved.
S’bu and Menzi’s relationship was even better than before. They literally spent every other day in each other’s homes just like they did growing up. Menzi brought Joy every time he came until her fear of marriage subsided after witnessing how in love S’bu and Thandi were after everything they went through. Thandi was happy to gain a new friend and they soon discovered that they had a lot in common. Their relationship made Mandy and Cindy uneasy as they felt that they were loosing Thandi to Joy and it didn’t help that they betrayed her.
It’s
The 15th of January was the first day of school. Thandi has always dreamed of being a quantum physicist one day and knew how to get there. Getting good grades and get into University was what was required. She was very confident, focused and has never doubted her ability to achieve anything. Achieving the best grades at school in all her previous classes boasted that confidence. School opening has always been something she looked forward to in the past. Cashing up with friends, going to the next grade, having a new Teacher, meeting new classmates, learning new games during break has always been a delight. But this year was different, she couldn’t help but feel nervous. Her dear granny’s health had deteriorated and her mother being the eldest daughter and a widow had to resign from her job and move back to take care of her. Thandi was delighted by the decision to move to grannies, she was by no doubt the favourite of all the grandchildren and her granny spoiled her. But granny’s house
Sheep or Goat?Thandi looked at the man puzzled.Sheep or Goat? He repeated, clearly annoyed.He was tall dark man with short black hair that was neatly cut into precision and no beard. He was neatly dressed in simple clothes with no stain and not a single wrinkle could be seen on his clothes. He had sharp piercing eyes that seemed to be looking right through her soul. Thandi shivered, she had no idea what he was asking and how she might have offended him.Don’t scare our kids on the first day back! What’s wrong with you? It was a Miss Cele, she was her aunt Noli’s friend. Thandi had seen her a few days ago at her aunts house. She knew that she was a teacher but did not know that she teaches here and now she was so happy to seekher. Don’t mind Mr Q. and don’t
Her whole life Mandy was treated like a Princess. Except for her parents no one dared raise their voice at her. In the past her parents had taken away her gadgets and allowance as punishment but they have never raised their hand at her. Now she was whipped with a sjambok by a Teacher at a government school she hated on her first day!. She couldn’t believe it and cried even louder.Stand up and stand in front so the whole class can see you. He commanded.Mandy who was now shaking, did as she was told. Thandi felt sorry for her. It was their first day, this punishment was ver harsh in her eyes. The rest of you sit down, he ordered.Number 21, tell number 8 why she got eight strikes. He commanded. He knew all their names but preferred using their desk numbers. Numbers made sense to him.&n
The next day Thandi got to school 15 minutes early and asked Sthe, the only new boy in 9a to switch desks with her. She was now sitting on desk number 5 next to Cindy and very happy. When Mandy got to her desk she discovered that she had a new desk mate. She thought Thandi would plead and coax her into becoming her friend but she moved instead and was chatting happily with her new desk mate, paying no attention to her at all. Sthe was not a talker and he kept to himself. The bell rang again at 8 o’clock and the Physical science teacher came and thought them. When questions were asked Thandi knew all the answers.Mandy was confused. Was this not only the second day in grade 9? then why did Thandi know so much about this stuff? Mandy was not the top of the class in her previous school but she was among the brightest but she did not know these answers. If she was n
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 ask
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