A week goes by swiftly, and I am certain I aced my exams. I just finished writing my last paper, and I am about to head to my apartment. I normally walk to my place on most days. I just existed the campus, and I am busy fiddling with my phone when I realize I have two missed calls from a number I do not recognize. I am glad I brought minutes for the entire week because Sbu complained about data at the beginning of the week, and I needed to keep in touch with him.
I dialed the number and lady answered
The Mable restaurant how may I help you.
Um..um... hello, I am Senzozakhe Mbatha and I missed your call earlier. I say nervously that's the restaurant I sent my application to.. Oh God, please let this be good news
Oh, Hi... OK, let me check with the manager if he called you... she says, and I hear shuffling
Ok, thank you... I say
Ok, please hold on for a minute he will be right with you. She says after about a minute of silence
Hello. A male voice says
Hi, I am Senzozakhe Mbatha I missed your call earlier. I was in the middle of an exam. I say rushed, explaining myself.
Hi Senzozakhe Mbatha, I am Jabu, and I called earlier with regards to your application. I would like to invite you to an interview on Monday morning at 8:30 am. Would you be available. He says
I am literally screaming in my head with excitement.
Yes, yes, I am available... thank you very much. I say eagerly, trying to contain my excitement.
Alright then, see on Monday. Enjoy the rest of your week. He says
Thank you very much. You too enjoy your day. I say, and he hangs up.
I almost jump in excitement as I make my way back to my apartment.
Hey Zee. I hear a voice behind me as I make my way to the elevator. I don't have to turn to know it is my neighbor because I haven't interacted with anyone in this building. I have one group member that lives in this building that normally greets when we bump into each other but it's a girl so I know for sure this must be my new neighbour because it's a male voice.
Hey, how are you.. I greet back, and I turn to acknowledge him
I am good, just can not wait for the weekend to begin. He says with ethuasism
Me too, hey, I need the rest. I say
We make our way to the elevator to the 3th floor of 7th floor flat that we stay in.
I am glad we won't be staying long in an elevator because I would literally suffocate.
He asked me how the exams are coming along. I tell him I am crossing my fingers that I pass everything. I don't want to come out as arrogant and say it was all just a breeze because, honestly, I have yet to experience the hardship of the university as yet. Everything is just a breeze so far, and I am enjoying my studies.
We get to our floor, and we were almost at his door, when suddenly asked for my numbers.
I just stare at him because I don't know what we could be discussing because we are doing different courses.
Hey Zee, he waves his hand in my face to get my attention, I blink a few times.
I promise I won't be a nuisance and I will call when you allow me to and text when you want me to but I would really like to have your number and occasionally check up on as a good neighbour of cause. he adds.
Ok, I call out my numbers as he punch them on his phone.
I am using Samsung A02. Uncle Msizi brought it for me after getting my results. He was so proud of me and promised to upgrade it for me in December if I kept my grades up.
We might not talk much, but I appreciate him so much for everything. He might not protect me from his siblings, but at least he shows up and also caters for most of my financial needs. I know if he had more, he would probably spoil me, but the fact that he shares with me the little he has he makes it in my prayer list every day.
After giving Keofentse my numbers, he thanked me, and we go our separate ways. I get to my room and the excitement from earlier on about the possible job surge again. I warm yesterday's leftovers so I can eat something. I haven't eaten anything the entire day and my exam was from 12 pm, it's now almost 16:00 and I am having my first and last meal of the day.
I set a reminder for 18:00 so that I can call Sbu. I miss him so much, and if I could, I would have him spending his winter break this side. But nah, his school decided to have a camp for Grade 12s, so that won't be possible. Two hours later, my alarm rings, and I know it is the reminder. I called Sbu and he answered after a few rings.
Hey baby boy, missing me already... He says as he answers
Mxm... Yazi Sbu mara, even when a person is in high spirit and misses you. You just have to and ruin a good thing.... I whine
Ncoo mshana(niece) you miss your favorite uncle sorry nana yezwa... he says playfully
How are you and how are the exams so far? I asked and changed the subject because I could tell he was in his playful mood today.
You know me mos, plus we have only wrote languages and we yet to get to the good stuff. He says.
Ok, then I am rooting for you.. remember that.
As long as you get me some Jordan's in Jan when we get my excellent results, then cheer on. He says.
You know I got you. As soon as the bursary pays out, I am saving your portion for Jan, I promise.
Awesome, anyway, how were your exams. He asked.
You know me cannot complain about books.
He laughs a little. Senzo, you know I love you right. He says with a serious tone.
Yes, I know and trust I believe it too. I say.
Good. Because I worry that you have been in Joburg for almost half a year and you haven't made any friends as yet or even gotten a boyfriend ke. He says with a worried tone.
Sigh. Sbu, you know you are my best friend and I am not really good with people. I say.
No, Senzo Hai Hai, stop putting yourself down. I know it was a little tough at home because of your cousins, but only if you knew how amazing you are. You are funny and the smartest person I know, you also kind and mostly you an awesome company. Please don't shut yourself off and deprive the world of getting to know the Senzo I know and love. He says.
I am so emotional right now that I don't even know what to say.
Please don't cry. I just want you to know that you can be you now. You are free, and you don't have to worry about being put down. I know some of your cousin are in Joburg living their best life at UJ and Jeepe college I am glad none of them are at your campus nor do they stay within a radius around you because you deserve your peace. I never worry about your academics because I know how capable you are, but I need you to live a little. You deserve to have a life as well. You don't have to be the one that doesn't fit in because you at your own space now and the rest should try to fit into your space and adjust themselves to your comfort not the other way around. I wish I was able to come this winter break so I can make sure that you are settled but circumstances don't allow but trust I am applying in schools around Joburg so I can be closer to you next year.
I am crying mess busy now. What he said hit hard, and I know he is right. I am always trying to hide and be invisible so that I am never noticed and no one can come for me. The emotional scars I endured at my grandmother's house made me an easy target to bullies in the neighborhood because they knew I never had back up, especially when Sbu is not around.
Please, nana, promise me that you will do better. Promise me you will live from now on. Promise me, please. He says
I..I... Sbu
No, please just promise me . He says
It's not easy......but I promise. I say
Thank you. I love you, Zee. He says
I love you too. I say
Now stop crying, you way too beautiful to cry like this. He say
I laugh a little between sobbs. I don't know why he chose today to say all this, but I needed this confidence booster for the coming interview.
Goodnight, please call me in the morning when you are no longer crying. He says
Mxm you so incentive you make cry and won't pacify me.. I whine jokingly
I love you night. He says and hangs up
YOU ARE READING
Blank Slate
RomanceA beginning has no prior, and sometimes that's all one needs. Sometimes, all we need is a fresh start and new identity with no past attached, but is that even possible?
