ESCAPE to Africa

CHAPTER THREE

CHAPTER THREE

Hindi made her way between the houses in Nefas Meewcha, down the alleyways she jumped over trenches filled with rubbish and effluence. The rancid smell used to make her sick but it had become more and more familiar to her and now she barely noticed it.

Clutching her precious notebooks to her chest she hopped from side to side. She had awoken early, before light to collect wood so she could stay at school all day today. She was excited to see Miss Baker the show her the work she had done on her own interpretation of Lola’s story, she had stayed up past dark last night finishing off the story by moonlight and she was really proud of the work she had put into her own story, she knew Miss Baker would love it. Her cousins ran ahead of her.

“Wait!” she called after them, but they kept going, running down the alleyways, while pushing and shoving each other in playful banter. Hindi, chased after them hoping they would slow down, but they kept running. They didn’t want their friends to see them with the cursed girl. Hindi, breathless, slowed down and concentrated instead on avoiding as much mud as possible so at least she wouldn’t smell when she got to school. She had accepted a long time ago that other children and adults would not help or include her, they wouldn’t want to be cursed too, she thought.

Running through the school gates, she quickly made her way to the classroom where Miss Baker was busily writing on the chalkboard. She was the first one into the classroom as the other children were still playing in the school yard and catching up after the weekend.

“Morning Hindi” she said with a smile. Hindi felt warm and welcome in Miss Baker’s company.

“Morning Miss Baker” She answered while settling into her seat at the front of the class.

“How did you get on with the work I set you last week Hindi?” Miss Baker asked as she walked up to Hindi’s desk. Hindi felt a little nervous as she opened her notebook, she really hoped Miss Baker would like it.

“I, I, I think I did OK” she stuttered as she twisted her notebook on her desk so Miss Baker could she her work. Miss Baker picked up the notebook and began reading the pages.

“This is very good, Hindi. Did you find the work difficult?” She asked still reading the pages. Embarrassed, Hindi looked down at her feet.

“I found it OK, I enjoyed being able to imagine another place and person and write about them.” Hindi confessed. She found it easy to imagine she was someone else and escape her life, even for just a few minutes. This was her only escape from her tormented life. Sarah looked at Hindi with softness in her eyes.

“You know Hindi, I know it doesn’t seem hopefully now, I know things will change for you. You are a bright girl with a big future ahead of you.” She told here. Hindi dropped her head shyly. She wasn’t use to compliments and didn’t know how to take them.

“Well, Hindi, I think I need to push you on a little bit further,” Miss Baker said, handing back her notebook. “I am very impressed with your work, it is of a very high standard. I think you have a lot more to give. Can you see me at the end of the day and we will work on some of the grammar?”

Hindi nodded excitedly, with a big smile on her face, she felt alive with self-confidence.

The bell rang in the hall, it was the end of another day and as the other children packed away their books and bags, but Hindi remained seated, fidgeting in excited nervousness. She wondered what Miss Baker would show her and if she would understand what she was telling her.

“Don’t forget to practice today’s spelling words!” Miss Baker called after the children as they headed out of the classroom in hurry to play football and skipping with their friends.