KGOMOTSO: HIS FIRST

Chapter 4

SIMPHIWE

I've receieved a lot of birthday messages today from friends and family. Some through SMSes, but mostly through calls. But today of all days I was thinking about my grandmother.
Thinking about how she'd call for long just to tell me happy birthday. I have a feeling I'm not going to enjoy my birthday. Turning 16 this year was supposed to be a big deal. My father promised to teach me how to drive this year. It's the only thing I'm looking forward to if that is going to happen since he's so busy with work and that lady.

Her name is Nomasonto. I still don't like her although she tried to be nice to me. I prayed to God though it was so hard to do so since I'm in a household where the name of Jesus Christ isn't to be mentioned. Praying was sure going to be tough this weekend.

I was still in my bed, checking my phone when my aunt came in. Sihle's mother. I don't know where she was the whole of yesterday but I'm glad she's here today.

Simphiwe: "MaFuze."

Aunty: "Mntana ka bhuti. Unjani namhlanje?"

Simphiwe: "I'm fine."

Aunty: "You don't look too happy. Come on, it's your birthday."

Simphiwe: "Uph' uBaba?"

Aunty: "He left for work." Why am I not surprised?

Simphiwe: "He couldn't even just take one day off work to spend time with his son?"

Aunty: "Listen--"

"Lydia?" A voice from afar. It's her. My face changed and my aunt could notice.

Aunty: "Simphiwe, ngane yami, don't do that. Yebo Nomasonto?!"

Nomasonto: "Ukuphi?"

Aunty: "I'm in Simphiwe's room." She walked in.

Nomasonto: "Oh, you're busy? Let me not disturb." She walked out.

Simphiwe: "How long have you known? Because it seems to me you already like her than you've ever liked uMa."

Aunty: "It's been only 3 months."

I didn't want to hear any of it now. I let out a huge sigh. She stood up and went off, leaving me upset.

I regret asking because now it changed my mood. The fact that everyone knew except me. My mother didn't even call to wish me a happy birthday. It just made my morning worse.

I got up from bed and went downstairs to the living room. And to my surprise, I see balloons everywhere and gift boxes. It did make me smile because I have a thing for balloons. I'm sure it was my aunt who bought them since she knows I love balloons so much.

Sihle: "Happy birthday, bafo."

Simphiwe: "Ngiyabonga kakhulu!"

Nomasonto: "Uhm... happy birthday, Simphiwe."

Simphiwe: "Thank you." I say briefly.

KGOMOTSO

My morning was so hectic because firstly, our headmistress had to come do searches in our room. I really didn't understand why because we had nothing to hide. We also decided to go back to our rooms. It felt good to be back, honestly.

And come to think of it, I've actually had such a crazy first week! I mean, I met 3 amazing friends, I met someone on my first night, though I won't bother speaking to him again, I bumped into some a girl that's a bully, my friend was almost initiated to a cult, we had to sleep in an old house, that same friend was a hero to the same people that almost initiated her. It was just an adventerous week! Today I decided to call my dad to tell him about how me week went. He laughed it off. Well, I didn't tell him about Simphiwe because I know he wouldn't want me around boys. The call went so well that even my mom and Mahlodi were talking to me. I miss my family so much, but I like it here too.