Insert 17

The day at school went by pretty fast after break. It was now after school and there was a dress rehearsal for the grade 8 concert. It is important that I also rehearse with the lot but my mom commanded that I head home straight after school. I really don’t feel like going home, how am I going to explain sleeping at a boy’s place and reassure them that nothing happened? I mean, I did lie about where I was going so what certainty do I have that they’ll believe my story? Technically, it’s not a story but then parents will always be parents.

I packed my stuff and prepared to leave. Amo walked up to me, I don’t know why he keeps trying so hard but then again we are going to host a concert together so by all means, I’m stuck with him for the next 24 hrs or so. Him:” Dress rehearsals??? Are you going?” Me:” I wish I could but I have to head on home like immediately.” I sighed. Him:” Why is that? You do know that it is crucial that you stay for rehearsals right?” Me:” Got dammit Amo I do know that okay!!! some things are just impossible to get out off.” I snapped at him Him:” No need to be like that, I was just try…” Me:” Oh please save me the sympathy or whatever you trying to do. No, I’m not going to rehearsals and that’s final.” I took my bag and left him there shocked as ever. Who does he think he is? Amo just gets on my nerves, it was just yesterday when I would do anything to have him talk to me but now, I just don’t care anymore. I do still feel something for him but what if I let him in and he breaks my heart? I just can’t trust a guy who takes part in casual sex. I just need to get over him. I rushed through the gate when someone called out to me. Voice:” Zee…” Me:”…” I was speechless, I didn’t know what to say to Lindo. I was trying by all means that I don’t bump into her today and Livia for that matter. I already dealt with Busi, I guess it’s time I deal with her too. Her:” Are you going to say anything or just stare at me?” I chuckled a little, like did she just say that with an attitude? Last I checked, I’m the one who was wronged here so she really needs to check herself. Me:” I have nothing to say to you, I have to go. Bye.” With that said, I walked away. I don’t have the energy to deal with her right now, I have my mom to focus on at the moment. I’ll just have to call her later, that’s if I’m still alive by then. I got on the taxi to the taxi rank and hoping that the next one fills up quickly, I need to get home in record time.

Voice:” Fancy finding you here? I thought you had a car?” Talk about perfect timing. I needed something to get my mind of things and who better than Tebo himself and he was with his friend, Thabo. Me:” Perfect timing T. It’s okay if I call you T right?” I smiled. Him:” Why not? So, I thought you had a set of wheels daddy’s little girl?” They sat next to me. Me:” Don’t call me that and no, I’m hoping I’ll get them on my 18th birthday though.” Him:” So what’s been happening?” Me:” A lot… This year is just not my year.” I looked out the window. I had tears in my eyes just thinking about how everything is just going south. I’m struggling to accept that I might never be with Amo, I crushed over him for over 3 years and for what? I have nothing to show for it but a broken heart. I was lost in my many thoughts when Tebo brought me back to reality. Him:” You must really have it bad neh?” He stared into my eyes. A tear escaped my eye, flip Zee you’re not about to cry in front of him. He is so sweet and kind and I can feel the warmth of his heart. With him staring at me like this, we didn’t need to talk. It was like our souls were communicating with each other, he makes me feel safe. Thabo:” Can I also join in your staring contest?” He chuckled. Him:” Futsek T’bos, phuma lapho.” He laughed.

They started having a conversation amongst themselves, I was laughing at whatever they were saying, in all honesty my mind was far away and thank goodness the taxi was now full. Time to brace myself for what lies ahead. Tebo and Thabo got off three streets away from mine and yes, he kissed me on the cheek when he got off and promised to call me before I go to bed. That made me blush shem. I got off at my usual spot and walked slowly to my house. I am really scared, I need to come up with something fast or else I’m doomed. I walked through the door and luckily it was around 15:30 so I was right on time. I looked around and no one was in the kitchen but I noticed strange items on the kitchen counter. There was dad’s belt, sjambok, a wooden spoon, a cable and a wet face cloth. Suddenly I was terrified, is mom planning on using all these on me? It’s their fault I didn’t sleep here last night. She can’t do me like this… Voice:” Good, you’re here…” I looked up and mom was standing next to the sink with her hands on her waist. She looked like she hadn’t slept for days and she was pissed! Me:” Hi mom, y…yes I made sure I came straight home.” My voice was shaky. Mom:” Wow!!! And suddenly she listens, for once…” She clapped once. Me:” I always listen mom.” I looked down. Mom: Are back chatting young lady? I see you’ve lost respect for your elders…” She sounded cheeky. Me:” No ma’am I’m not, just that…” My eyes got teary. Mom:” Shut up Zee and listen to me for once!!!” She shouted, more like roared at me. I was shocked to say the least, mom has never spoken to me like this before. I must have really pissed her off. Mom:” Here’s how this is going to play out. Since you feel like you’re old enough now to just decide uk’lala ama out and lie about your whereabouts. It’s only fair I give you an opportunity to tell me truthfully where you were, with who, doing what then after you have truthfully told me we’ll take it from there…” She was walking up and down the kitchen.

This woman didn’t even give me the opportunity to get out of my school uniform or better yet, eat something before we got into this one sided discussion. Is it time for me to be bitchy? Maybe she’ll back off like she always does, but then there’s all these things on the kitchen counter. What if she beats me to a pulp? I can see she is not thinking rationally right now, probably what dad did but now I’m the one who’s going to suffer for the sins of another. Mom:” Are you going to explain your whereabouts ZARA FONTÉ? Her eyes were bloodshot red. Me:” Ye…. Yes ma’am. I … See after yesterday, yo… uhm…. Can I just drink water?” I started crying. Mom:” Speak Zara, it was fun last night huh? Now you’re crying. Did you cry when you lied to me and dad? Did you cry wherever you slept last night? Did you cry when you woke up this morning in a random place? Did you? DID YOU ZARA?” She shouted. She startled me, I have never seen mom like this. She has always been this sweet woman and never lost her temper. She would always approach situations calmly, I mean she’s a Psychologist so this is in her nature. But right at this moment, this is not my mom talking. My mom is not like this. I just sat on the highchair and started crying my heart out screaming “I’m sorry mommy, please forgive me.” Mom:” I’ll give you 5 minutes, when I get back you better start talking if you know what’s good for you.” She clicked her tongue and left. That really scared me, what is she planning to do to me.