My home is an hour away! Thandi exclaimed I 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 way but 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

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.

Mandy was thrilled to be able to spend time with her best friend. They spent the whole afternoon in Mandy’s room. They chatted the whole evening about school, friends and family. Mandy’s room was on the second floor of the house. Thandi was thirsty so she went downstairs to drink water. She got into the kitchen and drank water. When she turned around to leave she bumped into S’bu. MaDlamini, what a pleasant surprise, he said looking at her in the eyes. He already knew that she was around and had patiently waited to meet her. Thandi blushed, before she knew it, S’bu was hugging her. I have missed you, he whispered on her ear still holding her. Are you crazy? there are elders around, Thandi said pushing him away. If you let me kiss you then I will let you go, he said teasing her. Shameless! she said r

In the village, Thandi packed all her clothes, cooked the chicken and steamed bread she was taking back to the city with her. The schools were opening the following day and she was looking forward to seeing her friends again. This year she will be doing grade 12 also known as matriculation or matric. This was the most challenging and important grade in the school as it was the last grade before university. Grade 12's write a national paper at the end of the year and universities use the results of that exam to accept or decline your admission to different courses. Thandi knew if she wanted to be accepted into quantum physics she had to work very hard this year. In grade 12a the pupils had finally settled down after greeting their friends and shared their festive stories. Mr Q entered the classroom, pupils stood up, clapped their hands and cheered for him. He had produced outstanding results with the previous years matriculants t

S’bu spent the whole morning and day thinking about a way to resolve the issue of the man troubling Thandi. He wandered if the private chat messages would be enough to convince the judge to grant restraining orders against the man. He consulted Zake about it. Zake was a respected lawyer and his father’s youngest brother. Since he was not as old, S’bu could speak freely with him and they got on very well. After a long conversation with him S’bu discovered that unless the young man were threatening Thandi, there’s was no way to get the law involved in the matter. He had to come up with another plan to get the man to back off and leave Thandi alone. He was interrupted by a call from Mandy. S’bu they took Thandi!,  Mandi shouted frantically over the phone. S’bu could not make out  the details as Mandy was now sobbing over the phone. He go