Later that evening, the atmosphere in the dining room was anything but cheerful. The usual dinner chatter had dimmed to a dull hum as the kids began to notice something was off. The tension in the room was palpable, but no one said anything. Everyone was too afraid to ask, to push further.
Sisonke and Thando sat across from each other, their minds heavy with what they had just learned. They knew the others would sense it soon—Nandi's behavior was hard to ignore.
But there was something else hanging in the air, too. The kids, most of whom were too young to fully understand the weight of what was happening, were still quick to make assumptions. Sisonke overheard a conversation between two of the girls in the corner, their voices barely above a whisper:
"Did you hear about Nandi?" one of them asked. "I bet she's pregnant. I saw her walk out this afternoon looking like she was hiding something."
"She's been acting so weird," the other girl replied. "Like she's hiding a secret. Maybe it's not just a stomach ache. I think she's... pregnant."
The words seemed to echo through the room, and Sisonke felt a chill run down his spine. The rumors had started. But the worst part? Nandi wasn't ready for this. She wasn't ready for the world to see her as "that girl"—the one who'd made a mistake. And for a moment, Sisonke wondered what the kids would do if they knew. Would they comfort her? Or would they turn on her like they had with so many others before?
YOU ARE READING
LEAP - The journal of a street kid
PertualanganMiracle House: A Journey of Healing follows Sisonke, a young boy scarred by trauma and loss, as he begins his journey of healing at Miracle House, a sanctuary for orphaned children. When a group of students from Shanbrook Upper School visits, they b...
