Blank Slate

Chapter 2

I check the time and it is almost 6 am. I haven't slept a wink since my chat with Sibusiso. I have been wasting wifi on ticktok just to keep my mind preoccupied. I haven't explored Johannesburg city as yet mainly because I am lazy and have no one to show me around and also because everything is a a bit more expensive if you have to pay it on your own. I am lucky that uncle Msizi has been sending some money for essentials whilst I wait for my bursary to payout. Unlike NSFAS students, I don't get a monthly stipend, but at least I get an R1000 voucher for food on a monthly basis, so no hunger this side.

There were some mishaps with my documentation at the finance department that delayed my first lumpsum that I was supposed to receive in the first quarter. With my paperwork sorted, I can not wait for the end of this term so that I can get my money. I totally need a makeover to boost my confidence. I have bought a few jeans and crop tops from small treet with the money that Uncle Msizi has been sending, though.

Joburg is a little colder than I am used to. It is towards the end of May and every day gets colder than the previous one. I am almost done with my semester exams as well, with only two more modules left, and then my holidays begin. I am a very dedicated and motivated student, and so far, the results are showing. I decided to be lazy today and just rest. I will revise for my Monday exam tomorrow. I long studied, and the remaining two are actually my favorite, statistics and mathematics.

I have made a decision to get a holiday job during this winter break so that I get some experience and also make me some extra money. I have also done some research to see what kind of work I can get and warehouse assistance. Retail, call center assistant, and waitresses were at the top of my list. So maybe I should start applying online. I will be done with exams by Thursday anyway.

With that thought in mind, I exit ticktok and start applying there's this restaurant in maboneng that has a vacancy and also Take-a-lot warehouse assistance. I immediately apply for both and hope to get a call from either. I browse for more, but then I realized other jobs are far from where I am based, and the pay is way too little for my efforts.

I get out of bed and decide to do my laundry whilst it is still early so that I can get space at the hanging line. By 10 am, I am done with all the chores, done applying, and I am just laying on my single bed catching up with Facebook blogs. I am disturbed by a knock on the door that gets me back to reality. I check the time it is just after 15:00 I was so lost in fiction that I even forgot about my laundry. I got off my bed and put on my sweat pants because I was only in my baggy t-shirt that I normally sleep in.

I checked the door and there stood some guy I had never seen. Thank God I still have my buggler locked. I stand with a frown on my face, trying to see if I can maybe recognize him. He finally snaps me out of it.
Hi. He greets
Hi, I respond
Sorry to disturb my name is Keofentse, your new next-door neighbor. We are busy cleaning the aparment so I can move in, but we seem to have forgotten some essentials to cleaning. Can you please borrow us a bucket and a mop. He says nervously
Oh OK please don't run away with my things because I know how you look like. It would be easy for me to describe you to a scratch artist. I make a joke trying to ease the tension.
He laughs a little, showing his pearly white teeth. He looks too pretty to be a boy. Some parents surely order their beforehand because wow.
I am still staring when he clears his throat.
I look down and ask him to give me a minute.
I go to my bathroom to get them for him. I also bring my laundry busket with. I open the door and hand him what he asks and he thanks me. We both head in the same direction as I make my way out as well to get my laundry.
He stops at the next door and says I should pop in so I can meet his crazy friend who are busy being loud in his apartment.
I head to the hanging line to get my stuff and head back to my apartment. He noticed me when I passed his apartment and called out... hey neighbor.
I stopped on my track and looked at him as he rushed to the door.
Um... sorry I forgot to ask your name.. he says
Oh, my name is Senzozakhe. You can call me Zee or Zakhe in short. I say
That's a beautiful and unique name for a beautiful girl.
I smile a little just to be polite. I am not sure if he is trying to flirt, but he can pass me. He is way too gorgeous for me to give attention to him.
I tell him I will see him later when he returns my stuff. And that I am actually busy.
He apologizes for keeping me and retreat back to his apartment as I head to mine.

I exhaled loud breath as I closed the door behind me, releasing the breath I didn't even know I was holding. I don't know if I am a shy person or not but what I know is that I have a low self esteem and not good at socializing because of my past. I am comfortable being a loner and keeping to myself. I get very awkward in social settings. I don't have a problem interacting in groups on campus because it is always about academics, which is my forte.

I fold my clothes and pack every away as I prepare to make something to eat. Come to think of it I haven't had anything today and last night I had noodles so there were no left overs. I think it's the popcorn's that I have been munching on that duped me so I forget about food. I am almost done cooking when the knock comes. I am assuming it's the neighbour returning my things so I head to door. And indeed it was him. I open for him so I can my things.
Thank you so much Zee and for appreciation for what you did for me please join us next weekend for my house warming. He says as he hands me my things
Err... you welcome. But as for the party I am not sure I am in the middle of my exams. I lie because I will be done before the weekend but he doesn't have to know that mos.
Oh ohk but if you change your mind I am literally just three feet away...he says with the brightest smile ever.
Thanks I guess I will see you around then... I says trying cut the conversation short. And dismiss him.
Err yes yes thank you again... and don't hesitate to borrow anything from me even sugar I will make sure I always hammer plenty... he jokes
I laugh a little and thank him for thousand times.
He leaves and I couldn't be more happier. Yoh hai I have already exhausted my daily social bundles phela that's the longest interaction I have had with a stranger.
I have my supper and retire to bed. I today went by in a blur and I hope the week ahead is just as short.