Surviving High School.

chap.76

"Who would've thought that the Heiress would be so selfless." 

"To give up an entire year of your education just to take care of a child that isn't yours? Well I wish I could do that and not have to worry about money. Talk about rich kids!" 

"If I had the kind of liver that Yandisokuhle has to purposefully get pregnant in high school, well, I would be so far in life right now! #WastedOpportunity"

So many people had so many things to say yet they didn't even bother to try and understand my situation but it's not like they will. I walked out of the room where the interview was being held at and went straight up to my room. My phone was already abuzz with tweets, I even had to turn it off because ziningi. "Knock knock." The door opens and Bhut'Ntsika enters, holding a tray of snacks. "Mom and dad are finishing up wuth the interview people." I can only nod my head and sit on my bed.

I've gotten so swollen, it hurts to even be in my skin. I can't wait to have this baby and just get it all over and done with. "Why did you lie?" I look to my brother, "How do you mean?" I grab some biltong off the platter and toss it in to my mouth. "You said you're a surrogate for some friend of our parents? That's a lie-'"

"OK Bhuti, I'm gonna stop you there. Firstly, what does it matter that I lied? Anande himself lied about this baby not being his so why should I tell the truth? And besides, I'm doing it to protect myself. You never know who's watching." He nods, "I just don't like how you did it. It felt like an ambush." 

"An ambush to who bhuti? Wena? Or perhaps our parents? Look bhuti, I am tired. I want to sleep on my stomach but I cant. I want to eat sushi, go out with friends, heck even swimming. But I can't because of this," I point to my large stomach, "So forgive me for wanting something to myself, something I can control and that's the truth about this child." I huff and try to roll on to my side, "would you like some help?" 

Lately, I've been finding my family annoying, like more than usual which is frustrating because I love my family so much. "No thanks bhuti. I've got it." I eventually get on my side and just lay there, feeling more exhausted than I thought I would. "Okay, I'm gonna go check on a few corporate files." I nod, feeling myself doze off. If only all this as a dream. "Yandisokuhle vuka. (Wake up.)" Someone pulls on the blanket that was covering me. "Hmmm?" The bright lights blind me and I have trouble adjusting to the light.

"Oh MaZulu?" I sit up and rest on the bed post, my dress presses uncomfortably on my bump and I begin pulling at it. "Did you hear me Yandi?" I look up at my mother, "chaa. Ngicela uphinde. (no. Please repeat what you were saying.)" She sighs, shakes her head and sits on the bed. "I said, pack your suitcase, we are going to KZN in 2 days. We need to catch a break from all the media and it's a nice distraction, Zodwa's memulo and such." I immediately look away, feeling ashamed. 

"Yes ma." She walks out without a second thought. I didn't think about how these December holidays would go. Earlier on in the year, all I could think of was hiding my bump from the vicious Rosery High vultures an just getting through grade 11. I should've thought about life after grade 11. I am 7 months pregnant and I am going home to the rural, seriously traditional Kwa-Zulu Natal. 

Fuck!

I got out of bed and pulled my suitcase out from the closet and began packing my clothes inside. KZN weather is unpredictable and I need to be able to work, I know my aunts won't excuse my bump...in fact, I know they will work me twice as hard so I just have to brace myself. By the time I'd finished packing, it was late at night. I waddled to the bathroom and took a long shower, making sure to wear myself down so that sleep wouldn't be a problem for me. Once I finished with my shower, I wore my only sports bra that would fit and sat on my bed.