A lot of things had changed over the past few days. Zahara found herself growing more and more drawn to baby Anelisa. She'd refused to acknowledge her at first and couldn't even bring herself to think of her name, but the little angel softened her up.
She was now able to calm her once she started crying. She would rock her and sing her a little hum. She could hear herself at the back of her head, and believed that little Anelisa did too, because whenever she hummed, the girl stared back at her with transfixed brown eyes.
Zahara had even cleaned up the nursery and moved baby Anelisa there, and she'd bought baby formula and foods, and a pair of girly clothes. Her home was now filled with baby stench, but she liked it.
It was comforting as it reminded that she wasn't alone anymore. She was more happy and well even after Nombuso told her about what happened with Zekhethelo. She had brushed it off and relished in the moment although a part of her was still waiting for a call from the police commissioner or child services.
However, as each second passed, she found herself reluctant in communicating with child services, and her mind kept wandering to the conversation she had with the doctor as she stood in front of the small building with her eyes constantly moving between the card in her hands and the building in front of her.
She had decided to visit Dr Masuku, and thankfully, her help, Zandile, had returned. She couldn't stop apologising, saying none of these would have happened if she hadn't left, but Zahara assured her that it was okay. She offered to watch the baby for the day and urged Zahara to see the therapist.
She sighed and walked into the building, and relaxed immediately upon meeting the receptionist who spoke and signed at the same time, asking how she may be of assistance. Zahara told her that she had an appointment with Doctor Masuku, and then 10 minutes later, she was waiting in his office for his arrival.
"Sorry for being late!" The doctor apologised with a smile as he trudged into the office with a file in his hand. He placed the file on his desk and moved to the couch, and then signed for Zahara to join him.
She nodded and sat down at the couch. Doctor Masuku sat with his legs crossed and focused his attention to her. "Hi, I'm Dr Masuku, and you must be Zahara?" He said, and Zahara nodded timidly before signing.
"Pleased to meet you."
"Priscilla- I mean, Dr Zungu, told me your story. Now I know this was not an easy decision for you, but believe me when I say that you made the right decision by coming here. Not meaning to be smug, but I'm the best available right now, and rest assured, you will get your voice soon. I know this is going to be difficult, but it gets better." He offered a smile. "There are times when you will feel like you can't take it anymore and think 'I'm better off mute' and other times you will feel like whooping my ass out!" He said, and he swore his imaginative mind had heard her giggle, but when he looked at her face he saw a shy smile. "It is going to be a long road, but at the end of the day, it is going to pay off. I'm going to be with you all the way through the process both as your therapist and friend, how does that work for you?" He asked, and Zahara smiled.
"That would be great!" She signed.
"Great, now let's get down to business." The doctor said cheerfully and Zahara sighed in relief.
YOU ARE READING
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Short Story"Have you ever felt trapped and suffocated? Have you ever felt like you can't breathe but you hold on to that last breath with the hope that someday something is going to come up and make you feel whole again?" When tragedy strikes, a woman turns to...
