Surviving High School.

chap.69

"Ouch." I winced for the hundredth time. Dr Hudson let out a sigh and moved to look up at me. "I'm sorry, its just really uncomfortable." I look up at the white lights as the tears fall on the sides of my face. "I understand Miss Mthethwa. Perhaps we should try an ultrasound. We can't have you feeling in pain or uncomfortable."

I nod and slowly bring my legs down from the pedestals. I've never felt so bare, even with my upper body covered I can't help but feel like everyone is staring. "Oh!" The gel feels very cold on my skin. "Alright, let's see what we have here."

The room goes quiet while he searches. In this quietness, I can't help but hope that it's all in my mind. I'm hoping that maybe I'm just bloated and not in fact pregnant. 'Bupbupbupbupbup' the sound breaks my train of thought.

"Is that-" he points at the screen. "It is. There is your baby." I turn my eyes to the screen and i see a white little dot. At this point, I cannot control my tears. Dr. Hudson hands me some tissues. "Oh, thank you!" I wipe my face.

"Would you like a copy of the sonogram?" I nod, unable to speak. He hands me what seems like a paper towel to wipe the gel off my stomach. "Thank you." I get up and he leave to allow me to change. "Composure Yandi, composure. " I whisper to myself as I get dressed.

When I get back to the office, I'm met with my parents who sat on the chairs provided in Dr. Hudson's office so I was left to stand. "Okay. As I was saying, it looks like Miss Mthethwa is in her early trimester. Right around 3 weeks and a few days. So I will ask that you get pre natal vitamins before you leave. I will write the prescription down for you. I will see you in two months." 

"That won't be necessary Dr. Hudson. I was hoping for Yandisokuhle to get an abortion." My eyes snapped straight to Baba. "Babakhe-" I shook my head as the tears fell down my face. "No. I'm doing what's best for my daughter. I will not allow for her future to get ruined because of a boy!" Dr. Hudson sat quietly and listened. "I hear you Mr Mthethwa but ultimately, the decision is Yandisokuhle's as it is her body and her baby-" 

"But she is my baby and she is a minor." Dr. Hudson shook his head. "Miss Mthethwa, are you not above the age of 16?" I nod and wipe my tears. "I'm 16." He took a deep breath before turning to look at my parents, "This means she is not a minor anymore Sir and the choice is hers." Baba stormed out of the office fuming. "I'll go after him. Please make sure to get your prescription Yandisokuhle." I nod and grab the prescription papers from Dr. Hudson. "Thank you Dr." 

"Good luck." I give him a small smile before walking out. Thank goodness for brown skin. You can't really see that I've been crying unless you look closely. I go to the pharmacy and hand them the prescription. "Yandisokuhle?" My heart drops down to my knees when I hear my name being called. I slowly turn around. "Yes?" I don't quite recognize this person but they look like someone I know. "I'm Simukelisiwe, Buhlebendalo's sister." I offer her a smile. "It's nice to see you outside of school." 

"Uhm...what are you doing in the hospital alone?" I look around half hoping to see Buhlebendalo or someone elder whom she might be with. "It's...it's uhm-" 

"Miss Mthethwa." I turn to the pharmacist who hands me my vitamins. "Thank you. It was good to see you Simukelisiwe." Just as I turn to leave, she pulls me back. "Please help me.." She looks away. "With?" She looks around the room as though she's scanning for something. "I need this but I won't be allowed to get it because I'm a minor." She shows me the pregnancy test and my heart rushes. "Simukelisiwe-" Her shoulders drop, "Give it here." She hands it to me as well as the money. "Hi, sorry. I'd like to get this as well." The lady nods and does what needs to be done. "Do you need anything else?" I look at Simukelisiwe who shakes her head. "No, thank you." 

We walk out and go our separate ways. I rush to the car where MaZulu seems to be trying to calm Baba down. "I hope I didn't take too long." No one says anything. I sit down with the brown paper bag in my lap. We drive out and head back home. On the way we pass by a burger king and I ask Baba to go through the drive through so that I can get something. "Just know that it's going to come from your bank account since you feel the need to grow up before your time." I chose to remain quiet. My phone vibrates and when I turn it on, it's a notification from FNB saying that R500 had been taken out. 

I just shut my eyes and took deep breaths. "I'll be fine. It's all going to work out just fine-" I stifled a sob. "Thatha Yandi." I open my eyes to see MaZulu holding the bag out to me. "Thank you." I no longer feel hungry so I just set it aside and close my eyes as the tears flow down my face. "Back home." Baba leaves the car the minute he turns it off and MaZulu follows suit. I wait for them to disappear into the house before I let it all out. 

It must not have been 30 minutes when the doors opened and I quickly wiped my eyes. "Marshmellow..." 

"B-bhuti-iiiii..." I wailed into my brother's chest. "Shhhh, shhh. Kuzolunga. (All will be well.)" I shake my head as I continue to cry into his chest, making his shirt wet with tears and mucus. I feel a different set of arms come around my mid section and his scent let's me know who it is...Bhut'Simphiwe. "Bhuti-" 

"Just come." He carries me on his back and I hide my face in his shoulder as he walks. I made the mistake of looking up when I see that we are in the living room. MaZulu was crying in Baba's lap. My heat clenched tightly at the sight. Bhut'Simphiwe quickly rushed up the stairs. He set me on my bed as soon as we got to my room. Feeling ashamed, I chose to roll over and face the other side. "Look at me Yandi." I shook my head no. "Yandi-" 

"I don't want to see the disappointment in your eyes bhuti." With my nose blocked and eyes blurry with tears, I managed to whisper out. I heard him sighing. The door opened and from the scent, I knew it is Bhut'Ntsika. "I've got to get to the office but we will talk as soon as I am back. Yandisokuhle ngikhuluma nawe njalo. (I'm talking to you Yandisokuhle.)" I nod and keep my eyes closed. They talk about somethings but I ignore them. Eventually, they leave my room and I'm able to sleep. When I wake up, it's quite late at night. I get up from my bed, stretch and go to the bathroom to freshen up. 

I take a shower and wear my bunny onsie. Once my heart rate decreases, I walk out and head downstairs. The family is sitting in the dinning room and are having dinner. "Sanibonani. (Good evening.)" My siblings greet me while my father just stares at me and my mother ignores me. I walk to my seat and begin dishing up for myself. "So...why did Yandi not go to school today?" I look up to my mother who doesn't look at me but rather my baby brothers. "Seniqedile bafana? (Are you boys done?)" They nod and she stands up. "Let's go get you tucked into bed." 

They come to me and each kiss my cheeks. "Good night siso." I kiss their foreheads, "good night Sibonga, good night Konke." They run behind my mother and soon disappear.   "I've lost my appetite." Baba leaves the dinner table before I can even leave. "Okay, I am going to not ask what's going on even though I feel like we should address the big elephant in the room-" I dropped my fork harshly on the table. "I'm pregnant Nkosinathi and your parents are disgusted by me. I've lost my appetite as well." I ran back upstairs and threw myself on my bed.

 How could I have been so stupid!