Oyama: Her Story

CHAPTER 59

“Bona Don, I know your life is hard now, but you can’t keep not coming to school, not being able to pay school fees, I can understand” says Principal Mthembu, “But not coming regardless is unacceptable”
I lean back and clinch my jaw, “I know, I have just been busy” I say, “And I have been passing all my tests”
“Yes, but the Education Department wants every student to attend a set minimum number of days, you only got 4 days left and then I have to fail you for the term” he says, “You mother wouldn’t have wanted that”
“Voetsek Mthembu ungaqali”(Don’t start) I say out of frustration what does he know, what my mother would’ve wanted.
“I understand, I crossed a boundary, I’m sorry, but I need us to be honest with each other, you are in Grade 11, its term 1 you have only attended a number of 15 days” he says, I lean back, “Keabetswe, you are a smart kid, who’s been dealt a bad hand, but flunking isn’t the way to go about it, OK” he says, “I just need you to come to school for a full week that’s it”
“Can I go?” I ask.
He nods, “I heard you got 90% on a History assignment” he says.
“Yeah” I say.
“Good job” he says.
I give him a thumbs up and walk out the office.
I walk to my Math’s class, “Mahlatji your late” says Miss Jamnek.
“I know, I was busy with the Principal” I say.
“Oh ok, sit down” she says.
I walk to my seat and sit down and lean back into my chair.

As I sink into my chair, I let out a breath I didn’t even realize I was holding. My eyes flick around the classroom. Some students are busy scribbling down notes, while others shoot me quick glances, whispering to one another.
I know what they’re saying. Everyone knows my situation—or at least the version of it they think they know. "The kid with no father, no mother, no money, and no chance," they probably call me behind my back.
"Mahlatji, focus," says Miss Jamnek sharply, breaking me out of my thoughts.
She's standing by the whiteboard, her marker frozen mid-equation. I nod, pulling my notebook from my bag.
Math has always been my escape, the one place where logic makes sense and emotions don’t get in the way. Numbers don’t pity you, don’t judge you, and don’t ask questions you don’t want to answer. I open my notebook to a fresh page, the edges worn and frayed, and start jotting down the problem she’s written on the board.
The bell rings and now its break, I actually need to thank Mthembu, him putting me in that office, kind of lessened the load of the Math’s.
I stand up and walk out, I’m scrolling on my Instagram, I know its bad to be envious, because Envy is the killer of Joy, but how can you not be, when a motherfucker your age has a lot more than you, all because of inheritance.
I walk to the field, “Ekse ekse boys” I say dabbing up, Mandla and Tips, “O waar Lucas?”
Mandla lifts his head and points in a direction, I release a low whistle, “Is she still angry?” I ask smiling.
“Ja” they both say.
When he walks closer, I try and hide my joy, but I can’t, “Ah joh da kind mxm” he clicks his mouth.
I laugh out loud, “Ko boditse hore tlogela Cassandra, otlo bakela stress(I told you to leave Cassandra she’s gonna give you stress) because she saw you sitting with Nomsa at that party” I say.
“Mxm” he repeats.
“Hai boys lets go play ball” I say.

The bell rings after our break is over and now I have 2 classes left. I breeze through them because it was History and English.
“Ejoh ere ketla bona ko ntlong”(I see yall at home) I say to Tips.
“Haina flop broer waka” he says dapping me up.
I start walking away from the school grounds all the way to Viper Academy in Hatfield, my school is near Rietondale so its not a bad walk, gets me time to clear my head from all the stress of the world.
I get in the gym and look at the padded floor, “Wassup Don” says Lisa.
“Wassup Lisa” I say dabbing her up.
Today is the day I need to ask James for a job, last night can never happen again. NEVER AGAIN WILL I let me and my brothers go to bed hungry.
Umama, left me in charge and I couldn’t have kept all of us fed last night. It will never happen again.
“Is he in?” I ask.
“Yeah he’s in his office” she says.
I walk to the changing room and change into something more train simpler.
I walk to James office upstairs, I knock and peak my head in, “Wassup boss” I say.
“Don what’s going on my boy?” he asks leaning back.