THE GOOD ABDUCTION

"Sir, I don't have one"

As I hurried through the quiet house, I couldn't shake the uneasy feeling that lingered in the air. It was unusual for the morning to be so silent, devoid of the usual chatter and laughter that filled our home. Despite the urge to address the palpable tension, I had no time to spare—I had to rush off to work.

With Lesedi's illness weighing heavily on my mind and the increasing demands of my job, I felt overwhelmed. The onset of practicals only added to the pressure, requiring additional hours of dedication. As much as I wanted to, I realized I wouldn't be able to fetch Lesedi from the creche anymore—I'd have to ask one of my sisters to do it for me.

Arriving at work, I was greeted by Leon, who noticed the strain in my demeanor. "Hi, Neo. You don't look okay," she remarked, concern evident in her voice. Forced to put on a facade, I replied, "Hey, oh yeah, it's just work stress, hey. I guess it's getting to me.".

Her keen observation of my demeanor prompted a brief exchange, but our conversation was swiftly interrupted by the instructor's arrival. With the announcement of the next project requiring partners, I felt a sense of relief knowing I could rely on Leon's competence.

Despite past experiences of working with partners who lacked dedication, I had confidence in Leon's abilities. Her intelligence and work ethic assured me that we would make a formidable team, alleviating any concerns I had about the project ahead. With Leon by my side, I felt ready to tackle whatever challenges lay ahead in the day.

Lunch..

"So partner, are you ready for our project? I think it's gonna be hard," I said, turning to Leon with a hopeful smile.

"Uhm...partner? We can't be partners, girl!" Leon replied, her tone apologetic.

"What? Why not? You have to be my partner!" I protested, feeling a surge of disappointment.

"I take it you didn't read the notice board," Sanele chimed in from behind me.

"What notice?" I asked, turning to face him, my heart sinking with each word.

"Partners have to be male and female," Sanele clarified, his expression sympathetic.

As the break came to an end and Mr. Kgomo called the class back together, I couldn't shake off the sinking feeling in my chest. I watched as my classmates paired off, each finding their partner for the upcoming project. Meanwhile, I remained rooted to the spot, unable to move or find anyone to join forces with.

The sense of betrayal gnawed at me as I glanced over at Leon, who seemed to be enjoying the situation a little too much. Her smirk only added insult to injury, a silent reminder of my predicament. I felt exposed, vulnerable in my isolation, while everyone else seemed to effortlessly find their partners.

With each passing moment, the weight of embarrassment and hopelessness grew heavier. I couldn't bear the thought of being the odd one out, the one without a partner. It felt like a glaring spotlight was trained on me, highlighting my inadequacy for all to see.

But just as despair threatened to consume me, a voice broke through the turmoil. It was Leon, offering a glimmer of hope amidst the chaos. Her reassurance that there was still someone available to partner with gave me a sliver of optimism.

Taking a deep breath, I pushed aside my pride and apprehension. With determination, I set out to find my partner, determined not to let this setback define me. Despite the initial setback, I knew I couldn't afford to give up now. There was still a chance to salvage the situation and prove myself capable of overcoming adversity.

As I sat at the back, watching the last few pairs pick up their materials, a wave of embarrassment washed over me. It didn't make sense. Our class was supposed to have an even number of students, ensuring everyone had a partner. So who was missing? And why was I the odd one out?

I glanced around the room, trying to identify who might be absent. But everyone seemed to be present, bustling about with their partners, discussing the upcoming project.

My mind raced with questions. Did someone forget to show up? Or was there a mistake in the pairing process? Whatever the reason, I couldn't shake the feeling of being left behind, isolated in my predicament.

Feeling self-conscious and exposed, I slumped lower in my seat, hoping to blend into the background. But the weight of my solitude hung heavy around me, a stark reminder of my current predicament.

"Miss Parker where is your partner?" Mr. Kgomo's voice boomed across the classroom.

"Sir, I don't have one," I replied, trying to keep my voice steady despite the sinking feeling in my chest.

"How come? Everyone is supposed to have one, and in my books, everyone is here. Can anybody tell me if someone is not present?" Mr. Kgomo scanned the classroom, his gaze lingering on each student.

The room fell into a hushed murmur as my classmates exchanged uncertain glances.

"Okay, okay, settle down," Mr. Kgomo commanded, raising his hand to quiet the room. "Miss Parker, I expect you to find your partner by tomorrow. Then you can come and take your materials. The rest of you, you can start brainstorming for the rest of the time left. Thank you and see you tomorrow."

As the class dispersed, I felt a knot of anxiety tightening in my stomach. Tomorrow seemed like a daunting deadline, and the prospect of finding a partner in such a short amount of time felt increasingly overwhelming. But I knew I had no choice but to face this challenge head-on and find a solution before time ran out.