all aboard on this love train

chapter 6

FRIDAY, 12 APRIL

I wake up, tidy up and go and take a shower. By the time that I'm done getting dressed, it is inspection time. The matrons find no faults in our room so they leave.

We pack our bags and then we go to school. On the way there, Kanyo is telling us about how perfect his girlfriend is.

Me: I bet Enzo will never have that.
Enzo: I bet you will be single forever and be a cat man.
Me: whatever.

We get to school and I meet Didi at the entrance. She asked me to show her the venues for the extra curricular activities.

Me: which ones are you interested in?
Didi: the newspaper club, the writer's club, the chess club and tennis.
Me: you really want that participation award, huh?
Didi: there is a participation award too?
Me: oh my days.

She giggles shortly as we approach the tennis court.

Me: this is where you will be playing tennis. the tennis season has already begun so you need to go and sign up right away.
Didi: okay.

We then tour around the other venues and we finish just in time for the assembly. Today, we have colours assembly and I will be getting my full colours. My boys will be getting it too.

My mom is excited and she promised she would be here today. My dad is on a business trip so he will not be able to make it.

We are all led to our seats in the hall and our parents are seated at the gallery at the end of the hall.

Mrs T: good morning, ladies and gentlemen. I would also like to give a warm welcome to our parents and guardians that have gathered with us this morning to celebrate the achievements of our learners.

We all stand and give a warm round of applause before taking our seats again. She then proceeds to call Mr Singh to the mic. He then allocates each teacher a sport or activity to present awards for. Mrs Mons and Coach will be the ones handing out the rugby awards. Mr Singh will be handing our public speaking awards which I also participate in.

I am also in drama which is from June to September. I also used to play basketball which is why Mpho is even more angry.

Mr S: the last senior who made it to nationals and came out in the top 10 for public speaking is Nkazimulo Thabani Nkomo.

I get up to receive my award and my badge and go back to my seat. Mrs Mons and Coach are then asked to stand up.

Mrs Mons: full colours for four years of playing rugby and dedication to the sport goes to Nkazimulo Thabani Nkomo, Enzo Daniel Swanepoel and  Boikanyo Zwide.

They also list many other players with us. I then head back towards my seat but I am stopped by an announcement.

Coach: we would like to ask for Nkazimulo Thabani Nkomo to make his way back to the front.

I do as asked of me and when I get there, they hand me a certificate and a badge. There is no way!

Coach: Nkazimulo Thabani Nkomo is our new first team captain.

Everyone stands and claps. There are some whistles and ululations there too. I can see my mom making a video from where she is standing.

They then continue with awards for other sports and activities before concluding the assembly.

Mrs T: we thank you all for being here with us today and supporting our learners along with us for their hardwork and dedication. we do hope that you enjoy the rest of your day and you may be dismissed.

We all exit the hall and I meet Didi outside the hall.

Didi: congratulations.
Me: thank you.
Mom: Thabi!
Me: oh my.
Didi: Thabi?

She says before giggling and walking away. My mom walks towards me. She then pulls me into a hug.

Mom: oh, my son. I am so proud of you. come! let us take a selfie.
Me: selfie, ma?
Enzo: you do not have to take a selfie. I can take a picture of you.
Me: where are you even coming from?
Enzo: that is not important.

He takes her phone and takes a picture of us together with me holding up my awards. My trophies are in the hall because they are going to display them next to my photo in the office.

My dad calls my mom's phone and she hands the phone over to me very quickly.

Me: dad.
Dad: son. I am so proud of you.
Me: thank you, dad.
Dad: I will send you a gift which will be a personal award from me and your mother.
Me: okay.

My mom takes the phone and it is time for us to move to our classes and for the parents to leave.

Mom: bye, my boy.
Me: bye, mom.
Mom: also, I like that girl.
Me: mom, please.
Enzo: I like her too.
Mom: Enzo, stop.

She gives us both pecks on the cheek and then she leaves. We then make our way to our classes. Throughout the day, I keep receiving good wishes from people.

As much as I am enjoying that, I do not know if I will be able to cope with the pressure of being coach. At the end of the day, I get a text from Kayla...

Kay: hey, are you with her this afternoon?
Me: no, I have practice. Friday afternoon was your turn, remember?
Kay: oh, but I have other obligations.
Me: what am I supposed to do then?
Kay: I have no idea. you will make a plan and congratulations on making captain.

Oh my days. I am currently at the rugby field so I run back to the quad where she normally waits for me. I find her sitting alone and reading a bible.

Me: hey.

She looks up at me and smiles.

Didi: hey.
Me: I have practice today so if you do not mind then you can watch us practice?
Didi: is that allowed?
Me: Coach does not like having spectators during practice but I can have a word or two with him.
Didi: are you sure? I do not want to get you in trouble.
Me: no, silly. Didi, just come with me.
Didi: okay.

She takes her bag and her bible and her phone. We then walk to the field together. As we approach the grandstands, the boys whistle.

Me: hey! no!

She takes her seat on the grandstand and I run to the field.

Coach: Nkomo?
Me: Coach, Kayla dropped her last minute and she was already waiting.
Coach: okay.
Me: Coach, can we just revisit the whole captain thing?
Coach: no, you are the best I have. Nkomo, you have got this! I trust you and you need to trust yourself.
Me: okay.
Coach: boys, we all know that our game tomorrow is a home game and we cannot afford to lose on our home ground. tomorrow, we fight!

The boys hype themselves up and then practice begins. Practice ends and then I accompany Didi to the girls accompanied with my boys before we go our accommodation.

Enzo: come on, boy!
Me: what?
Mpho: you better open your eyes or someone else will take her from right under your nose.
Me: you are crazy.