Scattered Stars

Chapter 38

"Kg says they found Palesa." I quickly inform Dian.

"Where did they find her?"

"He says a hospital, but we need to get to the police station fast, come on." I pulled him by the hand and rushed out of the train station to where we could quickly catch a taxi.

On the way, I could feel my heart literally pummeling my ribcage. Dian tried to soothe me by rubbing his thumb across my knuckles and it helped calm down my breathing.

As soon as the police station was in view we jumped out and ran straight for the entrance, we found Kg and the rest of the search party at the reception area.

The police station has a large reception desk facing the entrance door with four police officers attending the desk, the walls have pictures of the minister of police and current president hung alongside the police station's colonel. The rest of the walls are painted blue and white with posters about community safety plastered on them.

"Kgotatso, where is she? How did you find her? Is she okay? Is she hurt? Why is she at the hospital?" I fire rapidly.

"Nana, breathe, calm down. We need to head over there right now, there are police already on their way to question her." Kg says calmly. How he can stay calm in this type of situation is beyond me.

I'm about to leave when I turn back and see my friends and brother all standing there, I don't know what to do because I know obviously Dian is going with me but I can't leave the rest of them here.

Fish sees the frustration in my eyes," it's okay I'll take care of them."

I nod grateful and follow my mother and Kg outside with Dian by my side.

The car ride is awkward even with the current predicament, Dian is sitting in the front with Kg and my mother is sitting beside me in the back.

"Naledi, where do you find the time for boys when you are supposed to be studying?" She is not even looking at me but facing the window. I can tell she is vexed by the whole boyfriend situation and she is trying really hard to not lose her temper.

"Having a boyfriend has never affected my academics. You know that my education will always come first to me."

"What do you know about boyfriends? Naledi, you are a child who needs to focus on her school work, no wonder you got second place last term." She was talking about the school top ten, and it stung when she mentioned that because she knows it was not my fault.

I can see Dian looking at me through the side mirror, he looks worried and terrified at the same time.

I know better than to reply, it's easier to just let her vent.

"Your sister is missing and you have the audacity to bring this boy, Naledi that is disrespectful not only to me but to Kgotatso as well." Kg glances at me through the rearview mirror with a guilt-ridden expression because he knew about Dian before we were even a thing.

"Whatever this foolishness is, you better end it. You cannot risk your future over a boy."

"Ma, but I love him."

"Love? Love, Naledi? You are seventeen years old, seventeen! Do you think you are going to marry him, build a home with him, huh?"

I keep quiet because I don't know how to answer the question. We were seventeen, yes that's true even if we did break up tomorrow I would forever cherish the love and happiness he brought me. My mother would never understand that.

"Boy, I understand in your culture it's fine to date at this age but Naledi is black and at this age, it is absolutely unacceptable especially for a young girl with such a bright future and trust me when I say, I will not allow a boy to derail that future." My mother said speaking to Dian.