Shadows of Survival

### Insert 2: "Hidden Plans"

*Ayanda’s POV**

KwaMashu felt heavier than usual tonight. The house, always full of noise and tension, seemed more oppressive. Mama had been in one of her moods all day, and Thabo… well, Thabo was never sober long enough to care about anything. As for me, I was drowning in textbooks, trying to force information into my brain for an upcoming exam.

It wasn’t that I didn’t love studying—I did—but today, the weight of everything was pressing down on me. I couldn’t focus. I couldn’t breathe. My future felt like it was slipping through my fingers, no matter how hard I worked. And the worst part? No one in this house cared. Not Mama, not Thabo. It was like I was invisible.

I sighed and closed my textbook. What was the point of trying so hard when everything else around me was falling apart? I needed a break. I needed air.

*Thabo’s POV**

I sat on the couch, staring at the empty bottle in my hand. My head was spinning, but it wasn’t just the alcohol messing with me—it was the weight of the debt hanging over my head like a noose.

I owed them. I owed a lot, and these guys weren’t the type to let things slide. For weeks, I’d been dodging their calls, pretending like I had some big plan to pay them back. But the truth? I was broke. No job, no money, no way out. And they were coming for me.

“Thabo, kanti uzothini?” I muttered to myself, rubbing my temples. I could hear Nokuthula clattering in the kitchen, probably complaining about something like usual. Ayanda was probably in her room, studying like the goody-goody she always was.

Everything was crumbling. I could feel it.

There was a loud knock on the door. My heart dropped. I knew that knock—firm, unrelenting. It wasn’t a casual visitor. It was them.

“F*ck,” I whispered under my breath.

I stumbled to the door and opened it just a crack. Two men stood there, their faces cold as stone.

“Thabo,” the bigger one said, his voice low and dangerous. “It’s time.”

“Ngicela, ngicela ninginike isikhathi,” I pleaded, knowing how pathetic I sounded. “I just need a bit more time.”

The guy’s eyes narrowed. “Time? You’re out of time, bru. Either you pay up, or we take something valuable.”

I swallowed hard. I had nothing left. “I’ll get the money. I swear.”

“By Friday,” he growled. “Or you’ll regret it.”

As they walked away, my legs gave out, and I collapsed onto the couch. I had no idea how I was going to fix this.

**Nokuthula’s POV (Ayanda’s mother)**

Ayanda was in her room, buried in books again. Always studying, always chasing some pipe dream of being a doctor, as if that was going to solve anything. I watched her from the doorway earlier, her head bent over her notes, and all I could think was how much time she was wasting.

She’s 20 years old, and what does she have to show for it? A useless degree and no man to take care of her. I’d worked too hard, sacrificed too much, to watch her throw her life away like this. All this studying, for what? Does she think a piece of paper will save her from the real world? From the life we live here in KwaMashu?

No, it’s time she faced reality. It’s time I did something.

I wiped my hands on my apron, staring out of the window at the dusty street. Ayanda needed structure. She needed a husband—a man who could provide for her, make sure she didn’t end up like me, struggling every day just to get by. I’d been talking to my friend Gugu, whose brother, Mzwakhe, was quite wealthy. He had businesses all over Durban and knew the right people. His son, Sipho, was around Ayanda’s age, and they needed a wife for him.

This was the only way. Ayanda didn’t know it yet, but I was doing this for her own good.

I grabbed my phone and dialed Gugu’s number. “Yebo, Gugu. It’s me. Listen, I’ve been thinking. Let’s talk about Sipho and Ayanda again. I think it’s time.”

Gugu laughed softly. “Ah, Nokuthula, I knew you’d come around. It’s a good match, uzobona. Sipho is a good boy, and they’ll be well taken care of. We’ll start the talks soon.”

I hung up, feeling satisfied. This was it. Ayanda would finally be on the right track, away from her useless dreams. She might hate me for it now, but one day, she’ll thank me. I’m sure of it.

**Ayanda’s POV**

The next day, Mama called me into the living room. She had this look on her face, like she was trying to be calm but failing miserably.

“Ayanda, ngilalele kahle,” she started, and I could already tell this wasn’t going to be good. “I’ve been thinking about your future. All this studying you’re doing... it’s good, but it’s not enough. You need something more stable. Something real.”

“Ma, what are you talking about?” I asked, already dreading what was coming next.

“I’ve spoken to Gugu,” she said, her voice too cheerful, too rehearsed. “Her brother’s son, Sipho, is ready to settle down, and they’re interested in you. You’ll be married soon.”

I blinked, the words hitting me like a punch to the gut. “What?”

“Yebo, Ayanda,” she continued, completely ignoring my shock. “Sipho has money. He’ll take care of you. You won’t have to struggle like me, living in this place. You’ll have a better life.”

I stared at her, my mind racing. Was she serious? How could she just decide my life like this?

“Ma, I don’t want to get married!” I shouted, my voice shaking. “I’m not marrying some guy I don’t even know! I’m focused on school, on becoming a doctor! I’m not giving that up for some… some guy!”

Her expression hardened. “Ayanda, you’re 20. You’re not a child anymore. This is what’s best for you. You’ll thank me one day.”

I stormed out of the house, tears burning my eyes. How could she do this? How could she just sell me off like I was some commodity? I needed to clear my head, to get away from this madness. I grabbed my bag and headed to the only place that ever gave me peace—the library.

The library was quiet, just the way I liked it. I found my usual corner and sat down, pulling out a random book. I didn’t even care what it was. I just needed something to distract me from the nightmare my life was turning into.

I kept my head down, trying to focus on the pages in front of me. It was peaceful here, with the soft hum of silence around me. Just what I needed to escape everything going wrong at home.

I breathed deeply, hoping for a moment of calm, but something in the air made me feel like things were far from settled. The sense that everything was still waiting to unfold lingered like a quiet storm in the distance.