THE GOOD ABDUCTION

"I love him"

As I sat in the hall for the morning announcements, a sense of dread washed over me. It was the third day of training, and I was already dreading what drama the day might bring. To my surprise, someone settled into the seat beside me, and my heart sank as I realized it was him again.

Instantly, beads of sweat began to form on my brow, a physical manifestation of the nerves that threatened to overwhelm me. The familiar sensation of fear clenched at my chest, as if trying to shield me from an unseen danger. But there was no danger here, only the uncomfortable presence of the person beside me.

I forced myself to focus on the announcements, trying to ignore his presence beside me. But his voice cut through the silence, and I couldn't help but tense up as he spoke. "You forgot your plate," he said, holding it out to me.

"Oh, there it is. I've been looking for it," I replied, reaching out to take it. But before I could grab hold of it, he hesitated, his expression unreadable.

"Um... so before I give it to you, I think I deserve something in return," he said, his tone playful yet strangely intimidating.

Forget it, you can keep it," I blurted out, standing up abruptly and moving to another seat. I couldn't explain it, but there was something about him that made me incredibly nervous.

He had the kind of face that stopped you in your tracks, with piercing eyes and a confident demeanor that demanded attention. I could only imagine he was used to the sudden pause in a person's natural expression when they looked his way, followed by a weak smile and averted gaze.

As I settled into my new seat, I couldn't shake the feeling of unease that lingered in the air. What was it about him that made me so uneasy? And why did he seem intent on unsettling me even further? The questions swirled in my mind, but I pushed them aside, determined to focus on the day ahead.

As I sat quietly across the hall, trying to maintain my composure, my gaze inevitably drifted across to him. There he was, his face adorned with a lazy smile as he greeted a friend who had come to sit beside him. His features were strikingly symmetrical, with high cheekbones that added to his allure. Despite his fair complexion, his nose bore the unmistakable shape of African heritage, a perfect complement to his brown eyes and dark hair.

"He's handsome, isn't he? Yeah, he has everyone's heads turning," a girl with blond hair remarked, her voice pulling me out of my thoughts.

"He's okay," I muttered awkwardly, sitting up straight and facing forward, hoping to divert attention away from my momentary lapse in focus.

"If you say so. My name is Leon," she said, extending her hand for a handshake.

"Im Neo," I replied, returning the gesture with a shy smile, grateful for the distraction from my own thoughts.

As the afternoon sun cast long shadows down the empty hallway, it felt like traversing through the corridors of an abandoned cathedral, solemn and serene. The floor, though plain, gleamed under the light, reflecting a sheen reminiscent of morning dew, meticulously maintained by the caretaker's diligent efforts.

At precisely three thirty, the bustling noise of recess subsided, replaced by a hushed tranquility that enveloped the hallway. It seemed as though everyone had somewhere urgent to be, their hurried footsteps echoing faintly against the walls.

Walking alongside Leon, I felt a sense of camaraderie in our shared destination. "Where are you heading?" I inquired, breaking the silence as we strolled together.

"That way," she replied, gesturing towards the same direction as mine with a casual wave of her hand.

"Oh, lucky me," I remarked with a smile, relieved to have company on the journey. "I'm heading the same way."

"Well, let's go," she said, falling into step beside me as we continued down the corridor, our footsteps echoing softly in the empty space.

After bidding farewell to Leon, I continued on my path until I reached the turning point leading to Lesedi's creche. "See you tomorrow, girl," I called out to Leon, waving goodbye as we parted ways.

Turning towards the creche, my thoughts drifted to Lesedi. Day by day, I noticed her becoming increasingly pale and thin, a concern that weighed heavily on my heart. Yet, despite her physical frailty, she remained a beacon of joy and innocence. Her giggles and baby babble filled our home with a sense of warmth and vitality, reminding us of the simple joys in life.

As I entered the creche to retrieve Lesedi, her bright eyes and toothless grin greeted me, instantly lifting my spirits. She playfully grabbed at toys, her laughter echoing through the room. In that moment, I made a silent vow to ensure her well-being, starting with a visit to the clinic.

With Lesedi nestled in my arms, I made my way towards the clinic, determined to address any concerns about her health. Despite the uncertainty that lay ahead, her presence reminded me of the precious gift of innocence and resilience that children bring into our lives.

As I walked home from the clinic with Lesedi on my back, the weight of worry and exhaustion bearing down on me, I couldn't help but notice the car parked in front of our house. It seemed out of place in our neighborhood, and there was no one inside. Brushing off the oddity, I entered the house to be met with an unexpected sight.

Standing before me was a face from the past, older and yet familiar. "Ashe," he said, breaking the silence as everyone's eyes turned towards me, waiting for my reaction.

"Ashe," I replied evenly, masking any hint of surprise. "How can we help you?" I asked, trying to maintain composure with Lesedi still on my back."It's alright, he came with me. I invited him for dinner so you all could meet him," Nthabi explained from behind me.

In silence, I walked over to the bed to gently lay Lesedi down, my mind racing with a mix of emotions and questions. The table was set, and despite the tension in the air, the food looked inviting, enticing my hunger.

During dinner, awkward small talk filled the room as everyone attempted to navigate the unfamiliar situation. Despite my reservations, I refrained from speaking out, opting to observe quietly.

As the evening progressed and the gentleman bid his farewell, I couldn't help but feel a sense of relief. "Please clean up the table, I'm having an early night," I announced, eager to retreat from the uncomfortable atmosphere.

However, before I could leave, Nthabi attempted to address the tension between us. "Mosima, I know you must be..." she started, but I cut her off.

"Please don't, okay?" I interjected, my frustration evident. "How can you bring a stranger into our home? Let alone him being old enough to be your uncle... Why are you even dating?"

Nthabi defended her actions with a shaky voice, insisting, "I love him."

"Love? Love, Nthabi? What do you know about love, huh?" I retorted, my voice rising with emotion.

Our heated exchange ended with a clear directive from me: "As long as we live in the same house, there have to be some ground rules, and bringing strangers is not part of it. So please! I don't want to see that old thing here ever again!"

The tension lingered in the air as Nthabi sat in silence, the weight of our disagreement hanging heavily between us. Eventually, with tensions still simmering, we parted ways for the night, each retreating to our own space with unresolved feelings hanging in the air.

Like and share!