17-year-old Hazel has been living the perfect life since day one. Her parents are both doctors who want nothing but the best for their little girl, so sending her off to one of the world's best private boarding school based far away from her roots i...
Arriving home, my mother hummed to the song that was playing on the radio as she parked the car. Our conversation abruptly ended after I asked to let go of her assumptions about Sizwe and I, so I haven't been able to address the huge elephant in the room.
We got out of the car, and we made our way to the dining room, where my father and Lindo were happily chatting away about whatsoever my cousin had just accomplished. They greeted us with warm smiles, and I sat right next to Lindo. My father poured my mother some wine and then he started, "So s'thandwa, Hazel is not happy with our decision on enrolling her in that fancy private school her head teacher suggested."
My mother turned to me, a frown creasing her face, "Is that so H? What do you then suggest we do then? We've already invested much into that school. The boarding fees, transport and not to mention that hefty amount you call an allowance." I cleared my throat before I began, "Mama, it's not that I'm ungrateful, I just think it's a bit too much and too soon. Couldn't I have enrolled next year? After matric? Think of all they might have covered by now?" My mother simply rolled her eyes "I honestly don't understand you find is the problem with acquiring an opportunity of a lifetime. Many kids would kill for this. I would have given up anything to actually have an education, let alone the best." she said.
My father patted my mother's hand, "Dear, let's not get worked up over this. Hazel is going to that school and there's nothing she can do about it. First thing Monday morning, she will be on a flight to Switzerland's School of Kings.
Oops! This image does not follow our content guidelines. To continue publishing, please remove it or upload a different image.
My eyebrows rose upon hearing this. "School of Kings as in Le Rosey in Switzerland?" My mother nodded at this. Instantaneously, excitement, joy and enthusiasm surged through me. My parents actually got me a place at the world's most prestigious school. How in the world did I not read through this? "Tata?" I called out to my dad, my mouth agape in amazement. He turned to me, "Dankie." I squealed, as I threw through myself onto him.
My mother chuckled at my reaction, and my cousin clapped in joy. "Okay, okay you need to stop adapting your friend's tongue it's unlike you. Use your mother tongue." My father playfully reprimanded. I squealed in excitement as I adjusted myself in my seat. Embarrassment settled itself in the pit of my stomach as I thought of the unnecessary commotion I had created after finding the letter on the table earlier today.
I took a sip of the glass of water that was before me. This was the confirmation I needed, right after today's sermon. Pastor Menzi talked about how God sometimes doesn't give us what we want, but instead gives us something better. As sceptical as I was at the time, I now know that it was no joke.
Dinner went by without a hitch, then my cousin and I went to my room as she gushed about how perfect the school was for me. Lindo was my dad's brother's only child and she and I always found comfort in each other as we both never had any siblings, although that gap had always been covered by her presence.
"I honestly don't know how I'm going to cope without you." Lindo said for the third time, as we threw ourselves onto my bed. I laughed at her then said, "Lindo, can you please stop saying that. You're well versed about this thing called Zoom, Skype, Emails and Video Chat. You will literally be the only person that gets to talk to me on a daily basis. I'm not calling my parents unless I need money." We both giggled at that.
"Okay so now that sounds very bratty." She playfully stated. I gave her a playful punch then rolled my eyes. Lindo was the last person to make such a statement. She was our family's own Valentina Paloma, having all of her clothes tailor made by Rich Mnisi, South Africa's very own luxury brand owner. Insisting for her own closet and car collection funded by her father of course.
"Haha, very funny. But I'm not too sure me leaving Hailey will be a good thing for my mental health." I sadly stated. She gave me a massive eye roll and then sat upright. She got off my bed and took my phone that was idly laying on my dressing table. She opened it and went through my phone.
"What are you doing?" I asked, knowing that I had nothing to hide from her. "Nothing much, just trying to see if Hailey is down to sneak out right now." I immediately sat up upon hearing that not really sure my parents would be cool with having her over this late.
"Lindo!" I scolded, she simply chuckled. A few seconds later she announced that Hailey was held up with Algebra and she couldn't make it out. This took me by surprise as I knew she was not one to actually back out of a chance to disobey any of her parents' rules which included going out after 10pm, and she hated algebra.
"There's nothing fun we can do now." Lindo sadly announced. I took my phone from her and scrolled through my contacts. None of the people here would dare try and cross my parents by sneaking out with me right now.
I threw myself on the pillow in frustration and turned to a bored Lindo. We eventually just fell asleep staring at the ceiling.
