Azalea The Queen

Azalea

A man was lying down on the floor, he seemed to be struggling with his breathing and he was sweating profusely. It seemed like no one was helping him, some were just holding their phones out to take videos and pictures instead of calling for help. Thankfully back in college, I did my mandatory first aid course.

I quickly put my things on the floor next to me as I crouched down to help the man. His eyes seemed to flutter back, he was having a seizure. I wasn't thinking about anything but saving the man. I started by unbuttoning his white shirt. I felt his heartbeat and it was beating faintly.

"Can someone please pass me some water!" I was looking around when someone handed me a bottle of water. I rummaged through my bag and took out my towel before wetting it with water. I gently pressed it against the guy's face, basically all over his upper body that wasn't covered by clothes.

After a few minutes, the convulsions went down. His breathing went back to normal but he was still unconscious. I took out my phone and was about to call for an ambulance but two bulky men appeared and started to shove everyone away. People started to dispense when they saw that the drama was over and there was nothing to record anymore.

I didn't understand people sometimes. How could they just stand there and watch someone almost die and instead of helping, they take videos for social media? Sigh.

I got up, and took my things, before leaving I cast one look at the unconscious man to see that he was now being hoisted by the two hunks, probably to take him to the hospital. I felt relief. At least he was going to be fine now.

___

I got home a little late than I thought. I wanted to be early to celebrate my brothers' birthday properly but that didn't happen.
When I got home, my brother was already waiting impatiently for me, which explains the huge hug he attacked me with. I laughed and wished him a happy birthday.

"I got you something, come on let's go inside." He took my bag and helped me inside. Entering the small three-bedroom house, I made a beeline for my bedroom. I wasn't really in the mood to deal with my family at the moment. The day was for Abongile and him alone.

"Sesi, what did you get me?" he was practically bouncing around after he closed the door. Thankfully the room I shared with my older sister, Azola was free of her presence for the time being. I knew it wasn't for long though, she would come back from her outings anytime soon, hence I needed to get over with my presents for Abo.

"Take a look inside," I handed him the plastic with the cake inside. His face was priceless as he grinned at me before saying thanks.
"Andddd, I know you've been wearing the torn-down shoes at school for a month now, so tadaaa." I took out the shoe box I had hidden behind the wardrobe.

I bought these school shoes last month with my salary after I saw my little brother's torn shoes. I cried that day because I felt bad for my brother. He didn't even ask for anything, he didn't tell anyone that he needed shoes. He accepted that he was going to have to go to school with torn shoes instead.

My brother cried and hugged me tightly. I sniffled as I hugged him back, kissing his head a few times. "Thank you sesi," he pulled back and kissed my cheek.

"Come on, try them on." he did and they were the perfect fit. "Okay, now for your last gift. This has to be eaten by the whole family though, I bought some takeaway from Mam'Solly, I know how much you love her mogodu." he nodded eagerly.

I changed into comfortable clothes and took the food while Abo took the cake and we went to the dining room that was connected to the kitchen.

"Uma no baba bakuphi?" I found my younger sister, Alungile typing vigorously on her phone. She didn't even acknowledge me as I asked her a question. "Haibo, ngikhuluma nawe!" I tried to get her attention by snapping.

Where are mom and dad?

Hey, I'm talking to you!

"Hai awume kancane, haibo." she snapped back, going back to her phone. "They're your parents mos, why are you asking me?" she rolled her eyes.

Geez, hold on a minute.

I clicked my tongue and shook my head. "Abongile can you check the parents' room-"

Just as I was about to send Abongile to go check if they were in the room, my father appeared at the door, drunk as hell. I sighed. Of course, he comes home wasted on his lastborn's birthday.

"Baba, you know it's Abongile's birthday today kodwa buka unjani!" I couldn't help it, I snapped.

My father clicked her tongue, looking at me with so much distaste. "Leave me alone! You think you better than all of us here wena!? Nx" he bumped my shoulder and went along to the room. Soon I heard shouting. Must be his wife yelling at his drunken ass. I hated this family, all except for my precious young brother.

"Abongile, dish up for everyone, I'll be back" he nodded like the obedient and respectful child he was. I made my way to my parent's bedroom. I knocked once before peeping inside. "Ma, I brought food, can you guys come to eat?"

"Do I look like I'm hungry to you? Hai phuma kimi wena, uyafana nalo baba wakho, waste of sperm." she was yelling and flailing her hands. I sighed probably for the hundredth time that day. "Ngiyeza marn, phuma la eroomin lam" She clicked her tongue.

Leave me alone, you're just like that father of yours, a waste of sperm.

I'm coming, get out of my room.

I closed the door with a frown. This was an everyday thing. My parents took out their frustrations on us children, more especially Abongile and me. Maybe it was because we tried so hard to seek love from them, unlike the other kids who just went about their lives not caring whether it was black or white.

Abongile dished up for everyone, and we started to eat. My mother joined us in silence, I guess my father had fallen asleep.

Alungile cleared her throat and looked at me with nervous eyes. I knew that look.

"Ses' Aza, can I please have some money for my outing tomorrow with my friends." she had put that phone of hers away, obviously trying to look polite all of a sudden.

"Tomorrow is a school day Alu, how are you going to an outing on a school day?" I asked while focusing on my food. Oh, but I could feel her heated gaze directed at me. I didn't understand why she didn't ask her precious mother instead.

"I'm going after school with my friends, ngiyakcela ses Aza," she must have really wanted to go to that outing if she even used the 'please' word. I sighed.

Please sister Aza

"How much?" I looked at her as she beamed.

"R500, it's not a lot" She even had the nerve to say it was not a lot. I wondered what a 15-year-old was going to do with that kind of money.

"I'm sorry Alu but I don't have that kind of money, that's a lot of money and it's not even my payday." I didn't have that kind of money, mostly because I spent most of my money on Abo's birthday cake and the food.

"Mxm, baba was right, you think you better than us just because you work," She stood up and put her food away before grabbing her phone.

"Yeyi uyaphi wena!?" my mother finally said something as she saw her daughter heading for the door. "Sit down and finish that food."
Alu grumbled under her breath but she did as told. One thing, she was afraid of our mother, and it was rare that my mother ever intervened in our issues. 

Where are you going?

Even now, she didn't seem like she cared how disrespectful her child was, only cared that her voice was the last to be heard.

"I will only give you R180, that's all I have," I said while reaching behind my phone's case and taking out the money before giving it to her. That was my taxi fare for this week, or at least what was left of it.

"Thanks," she rolled her eyes. Well, that was genuine.

I shook my head.