Love Saved Me

ONE

LANGALETHU.

Today is school day, I've been awake but I'm still waiting for the morning cock to make noise so that I can wake up and start making a fire and boil water for aunt's twins and wait for them. After they finish bathing then I can also bath, that's my daily routine while aunt is busy making them breakfast. Sometimes I get to eat their left overs sometimes they finish it and I eat yesterday's left overs and go to school.

Time came and I woke up before she comes and knock here. Did I tell you that I sleep on the outside hut? Oh, yes I sleep on the old hut, I also make fire here so you can imagine the smell on my school uniform and books. Other children at school always laugh at me.
I made fire and poured water on a big pot and went back to my sponge, I sat there and covered myself with a blanket. An old small blanket that doesn't even help me when it's really cold.

*Door knock*
I went and opened the door, it was Thembela,she came with her bathing basin.
Her :" mom said pour me water"
I took her basin and rinsed it to avoid being shouted by aunt.
Me :" you'll tell me when it's enough"
She stood there folding her arms infront of her chest. I continued pouring until I thought they were enough for someone to actually bath, I stopped.
Her :" who said they're enough?"
I sighed and continued pouring them.
Her :" it's enough,now carry it for me"
I looked at her, she pointed the basin. I took it and walked to the main house with her following me. On our  way we met Thembeka.
Thembeka :" Thembela stop making Langa your slave"
Thembela :" Mxm!" She said walking passing me.
Thembeka :" I'll wait for you Langa" I just nodded and put the water basin infront of the door and walked back.I found Thembeka waiting for me,she then separated the remaining water into two equal halfs.
Her :" bath, I want to go with you today"
Me :" Thank you" she walked out.
I remained and bathed and wore my school uniform. I took my school bag and walked out. Closed the door and went to the main house and knocked,aunt opened. She looked at me from head to toes.
Her :" what do you want?"
Me :" I came for Thembeka"
Her :" Thembeka is your friend now?"
Thembeka appeared with her bag and a lunchbox on her hand.
Her :" oh Langa, let's go"
Aunt clicked her tounge and walked away.
Thembeka :" you're so strong, I can't stand all this nonsense"
Me :" what can I do, it's not like I have a choice"
Her :" if it was me, I would've long left"
Me :" this is the only home I have"
Her :" this is for you"
Me :" but.."
Her :" I'll eat at school"
I took the lunchbox and thanked her.
Her :" Langalethu"
Me :" mmh"
Her :" I'm sorry for the way I've been treating you. It took me too long to come back to my senses because you're also family. You shouldn't be treated like this"
Me :" thank you for finally thinking like that, atleast now I have someone by my side"
Her :" always" she said smiling
Me :" I'm worried though,that I'm causing fights between you and aunt"
Her :" Don't mind that one, she will come around

We now reached my school.
Thembeka :" bye.. have a good day"
She hugged me and left.

The school started, I was sitting alone as usual. I mean who would want to sit next to someone who smells like me. Periods changed and it was break time. Others went to play outside,others went to collect food from the kitchen, I sat down and ate the lunchbox that Thembeka gave to me. It was a sandwich with lettuce,bacon,fried egg and tomatoes. I then drank water, I always bring water bottle in my bag. I finished eating and took out my books and studied. I use break time to study because at home I don't get enough time to study and at night, sometimes I don't even have a candle.
I studied, break time was over. School continued as usually. It was now school out.
"Langalethu Msimango please come to my office" that was the school principal.
I suddenly became scared. I mean, why would I be called to the principal's office?
I took my bag and followed him. He sat down and signaled for me to sit down too.
I sat down.
Him :" stop sweating, you're not in trouble" I breathed out.
He took a big plastic bag from express and gave it to me.
Him :" me and other teachers put something together and got you this" he said handing me the plastic bag.
I knew exactly what was on that plastic bag. I smiled.
Me :" Thank you somuch principal"
Him :" it's okay kid. We're so proud of you, you're doing so well on your school work"

Tears ran down my cheeks as I wiped them with the back of my hand.He stood up and hugged me.
Him :" don't cry. Wipe those tears, go home and fit your things"
I wiped my tears and took the plastic bag and thanked him again. I went home. Luckily aunt wasn't outside,so I rushed to my hut and opened the plastic bag. It was two school uniforms,a pair of tracksuits,a jersey,socks,shoes and a backpack. I fitted my things, they all fitted me.

Thembeka walked in while I was fitting my tracksuits.
Her :" wow!"
I smiled and turned around.
Her :" those were made just for you"
I told her about where I got them, she then helped me washing all my new uniform and the old one and hanged them at the back of the hut.
Her :" I think you should stop making fire on the hut and make it outside. In that way I'll be able to make it if I woke up first and you won't go to school with smoke smelling on your school uniform"
Me :" do you think aunt won't mind?"
Her :" never mind mom,and I can't wait to see her reaction when she sees you wearing your school uniform"