WHEN THREE HEARTS COLLIDE

CHAPTER 1 

Carine's POV

I've barely left my bed this month. I've been napping there, staring at the ceiling, feeling hollow and empty, as if the world outside no longer existed. Every creak of the house, every whisper of wind against the windows sends my heart racing. The future feels dark and frightening, like a shadow looming over me. Mammie's words echo in my mind, the constant pressure she's put on me to excel in school. I feel trapped by their expectations, as if I'm carrying a weight too heavy to bear, and I'm not sure if I'll ever live up to them.

Suddenly, my phone rings, snapping me out of my thoughts. It's Elijah. His voice is full of excitement, almost breathless. "Did you hear the news?" he asks. "The matric results are out!" My stomach drops, and panic floods my veins as I hang up the phone, realizing that the moment I've dreaded all year has arrived.

My heart pounds in my chest as I scramble to grab my laptop. I sit at the edge of my bed, hands trembling as I log onto the results website. The seconds stretch into eternity as the page loads. I can hardly breathe. My hands are shaking so much that I mistype my details twice before finally getting them right. I hold my breath as the page refreshes, and there, on the screen, are my results.

I blink, once, twice, unable to believe my eyes. Top grades? It's impossible, unreal. For a second, I feel like I'm dreaming, but then the joy hits me. I leap out of bed, screaming, "Oh my gosh! I did it! I actually did it!" After all the pressure, all the sleepless nights, all the moments where I thought I'd collapse under the weight of expectations, I didn't just pass—I aced it. I exceeded even my own wildest hopes.

The sound of my screams brings Mommie and Mr. Harden rushing into my room, their faces full of concern. "Are you okay?" Mammie asks, her eyes wide with worry.

"I'm more than okay!" I say, my voice shaky with excitement. "I passed! I'm going to university, Mammie!"

In an instant, her expression softens into joy, and they both hug me tightly. We celebrate together, their pride wrapping around me like a warm blanket. For the first time in a long time, I feel light, free—like I've broken out of a cage I didn't even realize I was trapped in.

In the days leading up to my departure for university, I pour my energy into preparing. I make endless lists, double-checking everything. I pack my favorite clothes, textbooks, and notebooks, making sure nothing is left behind. My room becomes a sea of boxes and bags. I carefully tuck away my favorite novels—Risha Minhas' Passion and Poppadom and Half of a Yellow Sun by Chimamanda Ngozi Adichie—feeling comforted by the familiar words that have been my escape through the tough times. Every little thing I pack feels like a piece of home, a reminder of who I am and where I come from.

I want to be ready for whatever the future holds, but I also want to hold on to everything that has made me who I am. As I zip up my last suitcase, I take a deep breath. This is it. A new chapter is beginning.

The day had finally come. The day I had both dreaded and eagerly awaited. My bags were packed, bulging with clothes, books, and fragments of home, and I stood at the door, ready to say my goodbyes. My family and friends had gathered, their faces a mix of pride and sadness, but none more emotional than Mammie. I could see the tears welling up in her eyes, and before I knew it, they spilled down her cheeks.

I hugged her tight, feeling the warmth of her body against mine, the only place I'd ever known as safe. "I'll be okay, Mammie. I promise," I whispered into her shoulder, trying to sound strong, though I was anything but. "I'll take care of myself, and I'll be responsible with every decision I make." She seemed to relax a bit, her sobs quieting, though the sadness lingered. But then, she dropped a bombshell.