Left alone, Helen mulled over what she remembered of what Stephen had just said. Her son was in trouble. All she wanted and had ever wanted, was for Stevie to be happy. ‘I’m just a typical mother,’ she thought.
He had held Themi’s hand as they walked towards the cell. "Ndihamba noStephen..."
Stephen had heard the constable mumble, "Oook, I see the new South Africa really is working for you!", he replies in an irritatingly sarcastic voice. She felt her son’s pain. Thembi had immediately shrugged the officer off.
On the other side of a door they go through are two detectives, and as they soon found out they were detectives Ncube and Mazibuko. After intro0ducinge everyone, the constable than leaves.
"So you came to see the suspects?", questioned Ncube.
"Yes I have, have they told you anything yet detective?", Stephen spoke with a small voice.
She went over his words again and the way he had created the scene again."Can't tell you anything yet sir, but lets get down to it shall we...', said Mazibuko in an impatient tone of his voice. Mazibuko had pointed them in the direction of the viewing room and Thembeka could feel stephen's hand shiver almost shudder in her's. They walked in and waited for the suspects. Helen empathized with the feelings of the two young people. Stephen was facing two very difficult situations – seeing the people who had potentially harmed his mother, and the reactions of the police, both White and Black, to his holding Thembi’s hand. ‘Oh, my son,’ she thought, ‘you have chosen a difficult way.’
The suspects walk in one at a time and Stephen turns red with anger.. he slowly stares at each of them. ‘Mom, I just couldn’t believe it.’ Helen closed her eyes again, remembering the disappointment in the human race that she had heard in his voice. ‘Why would they hurt you to steal?’ It wasn’t fair for him to have to find out about life in this way. She admitted to herself, ‘At least Thembi looks genuine. Keep thinking of Nelson Mandela,’ she told herself. ‘Then all this will make sense. Then I will be able to help Stephen and Thembi. I need to get better. Ah….’ A germ of an idea entered her `mind. ‘This is the way to go…”
Tuesday, September 14, 2010
Tuesday, August 31, 2010
Chapter 10 - Kalla (Elec eng student)
Chapter 10- Kalla
They stare Tembi up and down before murmuring a few words in a language not understood by either Stephen or Tembeka. ‘Don’t you dare start with that nonsense mchana!’, exclaimed a visibly flustered yet agitated Stephen- unable to comprehend the racial intolerance amongst members of ‘the New South Africa’ .
‘Gentlemen, can we please get down to business?’, Tembi pleaded to bring an end to a potentially uncomfortable situation.
‘Follow me then.’ Constable Ncube directed the couple to the screening room. ‘Stevie, have you ever seen any of these accused gentlemen?’. The screen veil lifted. Stephen was utterly speechless…’Alpha, Silva, Gamma and Andile! Th..The..They *gasp* they were all employed at my parents’ home as gardeners but were all promptly fired 6 months ago after my father suspected them for having stolen one of his tools from his shed.’ Stephen’s blood boiled as the anger within him grew with every glance he took of these men. ‘But why?!’ He thought to himself. Constable Ncube firmly broke the silence, ‘the charges are attempted murder, theft, malicious damage to property and trespassing- maximum 60 years if found guilty’.
Tembi loosened the grip of Stephens’ hand and thought to herself,’ that thick glass is the only thing keeping them safe from Stephens’ potentially harmful wrath. The session came to an end, and the couple were escorted back to the front desk by Constable Archvidi. ‘They are scheduled to appear in court for sentencing in a fortnight’s time.’ Tembi radiated a somewhat shy smile which oddly cooled Stephen. He smiled back before sending an SMS to his father. The text read, ‘Pa, jy sal nie kan glo wat ek nou net gesien het’ie. Alpha, Silva, Beta en Andile sit hier, hulle het DIT gedoen. I hope they rot in jail. Trial = next Friday.’
Seconds turned to minutes, minutes to hours, and hours to days. As the fateful Friday drew near, Helen started showing signs of recovery, as her eyes responded to an optical torch held by Dr Thabalala. Jan hadn’t left his wife’s side all throughout the weekend. On Monday Jan skipped work, as he sensed that being with his’ wife’s side was the only thing keeping him from re-engaging a battle with the drinking problem that he had conquered for just over a year. He declared himself unfit to work. Even wine farmers need a break. 'Kosie, mangage for me please. Helen needs me more than the farm now.' Sunrise to sunset, Mr Jan remained in the room constantly talking to his stark and vividly beautiful wife, with an echo created by the empty room following every word he uttered.
'Of course, Jan. The grapes are not going to wither and die now. The weather is fine. Be at peace, I am here.'
Wednesday, during the visit from Stephen, Tembi and Nonna, she awoke from her coma appearing visibly unwell. Her visitors jumped for joy and immediately alerted the medical staff.
Then the mood transformed from jovial to sombre. After a few minutes of explaining the situation at hand, Helen paid minimal attention to the conversation and recalled only one thing they had told her - Court case on Friday morning. Unable to speak, she blinked her eyes when Stevie explained what had happened at the police station.
Nonna, Stephen and Tembi had to leave when the doctoral staff came in to assess Helen’s condition. After a few moments of fidgeting with gadgets, it was explained to Jan and his spouse that under no condition may Helen leave the hospital until further notice. From the back of the room came a stern summary of the lecture from Dr Thabalala, ‘Failure to adhere to these instruction may be perilous to your health Helen, and it may cause serious damage to your nervous system or even death.’ Helen’s spirit visibly plummeted and left a gap in the neutral atmosphere of the room. She would miss the court session.'
They stare Tembi up and down before murmuring a few words in a language not understood by either Stephen or Tembeka. ‘Don’t you dare start with that nonsense mchana!’, exclaimed a visibly flustered yet agitated Stephen- unable to comprehend the racial intolerance amongst members of ‘the New South Africa’ .
‘Gentlemen, can we please get down to business?’, Tembi pleaded to bring an end to a potentially uncomfortable situation.
‘Follow me then.’ Constable Ncube directed the couple to the screening room. ‘Stevie, have you ever seen any of these accused gentlemen?’. The screen veil lifted. Stephen was utterly speechless…’Alpha, Silva, Gamma and Andile! Th..The..They *gasp* they were all employed at my parents’ home as gardeners but were all promptly fired 6 months ago after my father suspected them for having stolen one of his tools from his shed.’ Stephen’s blood boiled as the anger within him grew with every glance he took of these men. ‘But why?!’ He thought to himself. Constable Ncube firmly broke the silence, ‘the charges are attempted murder, theft, malicious damage to property and trespassing- maximum 60 years if found guilty’.
Tembi loosened the grip of Stephens’ hand and thought to herself,’ that thick glass is the only thing keeping them safe from Stephens’ potentially harmful wrath. The session came to an end, and the couple were escorted back to the front desk by Constable Archvidi. ‘They are scheduled to appear in court for sentencing in a fortnight’s time.’ Tembi radiated a somewhat shy smile which oddly cooled Stephen. He smiled back before sending an SMS to his father. The text read, ‘Pa, jy sal nie kan glo wat ek nou net gesien het’ie. Alpha, Silva, Beta en Andile sit hier, hulle het DIT gedoen. I hope they rot in jail. Trial = next Friday.’
---oOo---
Seconds turned to minutes, minutes to hours, and hours to days. As the fateful Friday drew near, Helen started showing signs of recovery, as her eyes responded to an optical torch held by Dr Thabalala. Jan hadn’t left his wife’s side all throughout the weekend. On Monday Jan skipped work, as he sensed that being with his’ wife’s side was the only thing keeping him from re-engaging a battle with the drinking problem that he had conquered for just over a year. He declared himself unfit to work. Even wine farmers need a break. 'Kosie, mangage for me please. Helen needs me more than the farm now.' Sunrise to sunset, Mr Jan remained in the room constantly talking to his stark and vividly beautiful wife, with an echo created by the empty room following every word he uttered.
'Of course, Jan. The grapes are not going to wither and die now. The weather is fine. Be at peace, I am here.'
Wednesday, during the visit from Stephen, Tembi and Nonna, she awoke from her coma appearing visibly unwell. Her visitors jumped for joy and immediately alerted the medical staff.
Then the mood transformed from jovial to sombre. After a few minutes of explaining the situation at hand, Helen paid minimal attention to the conversation and recalled only one thing they had told her - Court case on Friday morning. Unable to speak, she blinked her eyes when Stevie explained what had happened at the police station.
Nonna, Stephen and Tembi had to leave when the doctoral staff came in to assess Helen’s condition. After a few moments of fidgeting with gadgets, it was explained to Jan and his spouse that under no condition may Helen leave the hospital until further notice. From the back of the room came a stern summary of the lecture from Dr Thabalala, ‘Failure to adhere to these instruction may be perilous to your health Helen, and it may cause serious damage to your nervous system or even death.’ Helen’s spirit visibly plummeted and left a gap in the neutral atmosphere of the room. She would miss the court session.'
Monday, August 23, 2010
Chapter 9 – Marie-Anne
Chapter 9 – Marie-Anne
Stephen looks at his father’s grim face. ‘You need to go to the police station now, Stephen. They are questioning the four men. I want to know if we know them at all.’
‘Come on, Thembi. I am going to need your strength now.’
She doesn’t hesitate. All other thoughts are put aside. Stephen needs her, he wants her to go with him. She moves towards him. ‘I’m here, baby.’
There is no parking outside the police station. Stephen mumbles something that sounds like a curse to Thembi, but she ignores it. He is too stressed for any challenge now. He is just not himself. They’ll have to park in Dorp street and walk back to the police station. He opens her door and she quietly slips her hand into his. They turn in the direction of the station.
As they walk, the two joggers coming towards them are staring. There is a nasty expression on the blonde’s face. He makes no effort to avoid Thembi and Stephen . He bumps into Thembi. ‘Bloody top deck couple. We don’t need you here. Stellenbosch is not for the likes of you. We want it as it always used to be,’ he hisses.
Stephen grabs his tracksuit top. His face is red with anger. ‘She is with me. If you want to cause trouble, be a man. Say those things to me, you coward.’ He shakes the blonde student hard. ‘Apologise, or I am going to mess you up seriously.’ He raises his fist.
“Please leave him, Stephen, he’s not worth it,’ Thembi screams. ‘Think of your mother. Let’s just go to the police.’
‘Ja, listen to the black poppie. Take your orders from your new masters, or mistress,’ the second dark-haired student mocks. ‘There are two of us, don’t forget.’
‘It would take three of you to one of me, you rubbish. I will leave you but only because you are not worthy of wasting our precious time now. Make sure I don’t run into you on campus.’ He puts his arm protectively around Thembi and moves forward. ‘Why are you shaking, Thembi? I’m not scared. Part of our rugby training consists of karate moves. I’d take them both on right now if we weren’t due at Sup Labuschagne’s right now.’ He gently strokes her hair. ‘They better get used to it, baby, cos I’m not giving you up now that I have found you. It isn’t even a decision for me. It’s already been made.’
They enter the police station. The two constables are having a conversation in Xhosa while they help the student who is filling in forms. ‘Sorry, Stephen, hi! My car was stolen last night. I won’t be long. I’m so sick of these people who just can’t understand the law.’ He falls silent as he notices Thembi. ‘Oh...!” The constables have broken off their conversation in mid-sentence as they look at Stephen and Thembi.
What do you think their reaction to Stephen and Thembi will be? Do you think there will be more teething problems linked to a relationship like this in the new South Afrtica?
Stephen looks at his father’s grim face. ‘You need to go to the police station now, Stephen. They are questioning the four men. I want to know if we know them at all.’
‘Come on, Thembi. I am going to need your strength now.’
She doesn’t hesitate. All other thoughts are put aside. Stephen needs her, he wants her to go with him. She moves towards him. ‘I’m here, baby.’
There is no parking outside the police station. Stephen mumbles something that sounds like a curse to Thembi, but she ignores it. He is too stressed for any challenge now. He is just not himself. They’ll have to park in Dorp street and walk back to the police station. He opens her door and she quietly slips her hand into his. They turn in the direction of the station.
As they walk, the two joggers coming towards them are staring. There is a nasty expression on the blonde’s face. He makes no effort to avoid Thembi and Stephen . He bumps into Thembi. ‘Bloody top deck couple. We don’t need you here. Stellenbosch is not for the likes of you. We want it as it always used to be,’ he hisses.
Stephen grabs his tracksuit top. His face is red with anger. ‘She is with me. If you want to cause trouble, be a man. Say those things to me, you coward.’ He shakes the blonde student hard. ‘Apologise, or I am going to mess you up seriously.’ He raises his fist.
“Please leave him, Stephen, he’s not worth it,’ Thembi screams. ‘Think of your mother. Let’s just go to the police.’
‘Ja, listen to the black poppie. Take your orders from your new masters, or mistress,’ the second dark-haired student mocks. ‘There are two of us, don’t forget.’
‘It would take three of you to one of me, you rubbish. I will leave you but only because you are not worthy of wasting our precious time now. Make sure I don’t run into you on campus.’ He puts his arm protectively around Thembi and moves forward. ‘Why are you shaking, Thembi? I’m not scared. Part of our rugby training consists of karate moves. I’d take them both on right now if we weren’t due at Sup Labuschagne’s right now.’ He gently strokes her hair. ‘They better get used to it, baby, cos I’m not giving you up now that I have found you. It isn’t even a decision for me. It’s already been made.’
They enter the police station. The two constables are having a conversation in Xhosa while they help the student who is filling in forms. ‘Sorry, Stephen, hi! My car was stolen last night. I won’t be long. I’m so sick of these people who just can’t understand the law.’ He falls silent as he notices Thembi. ‘Oh...!” The constables have broken off their conversation in mid-sentence as they look at Stephen and Thembi.
What do you think their reaction to Stephen and Thembi will be? Do you think there will be more teething problems linked to a relationship like this in the new South Afrtica?
Sunday, August 22, 2010
Chapter 8- Tutors
Chapter 8- Tutors
‘It’s complicated it always is…that’s just the way it goes...’ that’s mine said Stephen as he let go of Thembi’s hand and answered his phone. ‘Steve, hello.’ ‘What am I doing?’ thought Thembi as she watched Stephen walk away. ‘How ironic that song, this is complicate. How can something so right be so wrong? How I wish those green hazel eyes could gaze into mine and I could easily be swept away into another...’ Her thoughts were disturbed as she remembered the fury in Mr Jan’s face, back to reality!... Her heart filled with uncertainty, she frowned.
Is Thembi having second thoughts on this new relationship? Should she walk away? What must happen next? It’s up to you now. I’ll be waiting... (^^,)
‘Thembeka!’, she jumped at the sound of a familiar voice, her mother. ‘What is going on mtana wam?’ her eyes could not meet with her mother’s eye sin fear of what she would find there. ‘What do you think your father would say about this? Not to mention uGogo.’ Nona’s face filled with disappointment.
‘Mama, you have always told me to follow my heart. You and dad got married for love against all odds, you followed your heart Ma.’ That was different’, said Nona as she wiped a tear running down her daughters cheek. ‘You and I both know it will never work between you two, you are too…you’re very different. ’
Nona looked at her daughter, touched her arm and said. ‘I want you to be married to a good man …’
Mama, by good you mean a black Xhosa man!’
‘Do not raise your voice Thembeka’
‘I am sorry mama, but you do not know how I feel.’
‘Ssshh…, said Nona, You must understand, this is very wrong in may ways mtana wam’
‘But Ma…’
‘No buts, izithethe namsiko ethu will not be compromised because of a white boy. We can never take him to Eastern Cape to see your Gogo and the rest of our family…Start forgetting about him, now.
‘It’s complicated it always is…that’s just the way it goes...’ that’s mine said Stephen as he let go of Thembi’s hand and answered his phone. ‘Steve, hello.’ ‘What am I doing?’ thought Thembi as she watched Stephen walk away. ‘How ironic that song, this is complicate. How can something so right be so wrong? How I wish those green hazel eyes could gaze into mine and I could easily be swept away into another...’ Her thoughts were disturbed as she remembered the fury in Mr Jan’s face, back to reality!... Her heart filled with uncertainty, she frowned.
Is Thembi having second thoughts on this new relationship? Should she walk away? What must happen next? It’s up to you now. I’ll be waiting... (^^,)
‘Thembeka!’, she jumped at the sound of a familiar voice, her mother. ‘What is going on mtana wam?’ her eyes could not meet with her mother’s eye sin fear of what she would find there. ‘What do you think your father would say about this? Not to mention uGogo.’ Nona’s face filled with disappointment.
‘Mama, you have always told me to follow my heart. You and dad got married for love against all odds, you followed your heart Ma.’ That was different’, said Nona as she wiped a tear running down her daughters cheek. ‘You and I both know it will never work between you two, you are too…you’re very different. ’
Nona looked at her daughter, touched her arm and said. ‘I want you to be married to a good man …’
Mama, by good you mean a black Xhosa man!’
‘Do not raise your voice Thembeka’
‘I am sorry mama, but you do not know how I feel.’
‘Ssshh…, said Nona, You must understand, this is very wrong in may ways mtana wam’
‘But Ma…’
‘No buts, izithethe namsiko ethu will not be compromised because of a white boy. We can never take him to Eastern Cape to see your Gogo and the rest of our family…Start forgetting about him, now.
Tuesday, May 25, 2010
Chapter 7 - Gail
Tembeka took the scene in, in an instant. Mr Botha’s suspicious face, Stephen stiffening next to her, Mrs Botha lying almost lifelessly in her hospital bed, her mother’s terrified glances at her ‘Mr Jan…’
She wriggled her hand free and bolted. The doors swung behind her and she didn’t stop running until she got to the front entrance once more. As she gasped for breath, her feet sank into the soft green grass and she gradually slowed to a gentle walk. The sun warmed her shoulders and she moved towards the wooden bench a little distance away. Dandelions swirled across the lawn, in the light breeze and s he picked up as many as she could fit into her scarf and then sorted through them to keep the perfect ones. Tears dropped into her mouth, as she mulled over the scene she had just run away from. As she bent to gather more of the fragile plants, her skirt lifted up and revealed her long legs for a moment, before she grabbed at the edges and rearranged it. She should really go back inside to Stephen, but the soft grass and the sunshine warming her shoulders, seemed a much safer option.
Gradually she became aware of another presence in her aura, watching her closely.
"Tembeka!"
What was he doing out here?
"Tembi. Why did you bolt like that? "
As she turned, Stephen was already holding his arms out for her. She dug her toes into the soft grass and dropped her head. By the time he reached her side, the tears were streaming down her cheeks. She pushed against his embrace, but he tightened his grip and only when her arms ached, did she allow herself to sink into him. He cradled her head as soggy tears drenched his cotton shirt.
"I can’t do this."
Stephen pulled her even closer.
"Did you see the way your dad looked at us? At me? My mum looked terrified…as if she was the one doing something wrong…"
Tembeka’s words were being gulped up by sobs.
" Shh… it’s going to be okay."
She shook her head and tried to pull away once more, but Stephen held onto her and kissed her forehead. As her tears subsided, he released his grip and gently took her hands in his.
"We need to go back in."
She didn’t offer any resistance now and followed him quietly. The swing doors gave way to his push and she felt his grasp on her hand tighten, as they entered the room together.
She wriggled her hand free and bolted. The doors swung behind her and she didn’t stop running until she got to the front entrance once more. As she gasped for breath, her feet sank into the soft green grass and she gradually slowed to a gentle walk. The sun warmed her shoulders and she moved towards the wooden bench a little distance away. Dandelions swirled across the lawn, in the light breeze and s he picked up as many as she could fit into her scarf and then sorted through them to keep the perfect ones. Tears dropped into her mouth, as she mulled over the scene she had just run away from. As she bent to gather more of the fragile plants, her skirt lifted up and revealed her long legs for a moment, before she grabbed at the edges and rearranged it. She should really go back inside to Stephen, but the soft grass and the sunshine warming her shoulders, seemed a much safer option.
Gradually she became aware of another presence in her aura, watching her closely.
"Tembeka!"
What was he doing out here?
"Tembi. Why did you bolt like that? "
As she turned, Stephen was already holding his arms out for her. She dug her toes into the soft grass and dropped her head. By the time he reached her side, the tears were streaming down her cheeks. She pushed against his embrace, but he tightened his grip and only when her arms ached, did she allow herself to sink into him. He cradled her head as soggy tears drenched his cotton shirt.
"I can’t do this."
Stephen pulled her even closer.
"Did you see the way your dad looked at us? At me? My mum looked terrified…as if she was the one doing something wrong…"
Tembeka’s words were being gulped up by sobs.
" Shh… it’s going to be okay."
She shook her head and tried to pull away once more, but Stephen held onto her and kissed her forehead. As her tears subsided, he released his grip and gently took her hands in his.
"We need to go back in."
She didn’t offer any resistance now and followed him quietly. The swing doors gave way to his push and she felt his grasp on her hand tighten, as they entered the room together.
Sunday, May 16, 2010
Chapter 6 - Vidius
Nonna sighs and senses a nagging, worrying feeling in her stomach. She has never seen her daughter so alive. ‘I can only hope that if this carries on, nobody is going to get hurt … this is dangerous, what is my family going say and do if this carries on? Intuitively she rubs over the scar in her neck. ‘ Ag, go on! 10 minutes only!’
She listens to the noise of the engine as they drive off. A phone rings. She see Steven’s phone on the couch. ‘Stevie’s phone, hello?’ ‘Nonna. Is that you?’ She recognizes Jan’s voice. ‘Hello Mr Jan.’
‘ Can I talk to Stephen?’ She explains to Jan that Stephen’s gone to get milk for tea, experiencing first an awkward silence on his side, and then she hears the sorrow in his voice when he elaborates what transpired at the hospital. ‘Mr Jan, I’ll tell him the moment they are back. He’ll come right over.’
As he terminates the call, Jan thinks: ‘What did she mean by “they”?’ But then he swings back to the tragedy in front of him.
‘Come on! Let me show you my favourite spot in Stellenbosch! Nonna won‘t mind, it will only take an extra few minutes!’ The excitement in Stephen’s voice is contagious. The drive to Lanzerac is only 5 minutes away, and Stephen’s excitement grows as he sees the admiration on Tembeka’s face as she drinks in the beautiful scenery on the farm. At one of the fountains they pause, stare deep into each other’s eyes. The lingering kiss that follows is so automatic, natural, exciting all at once…and it is as if time lingers as well.
‘What do you mean “with your daughter”? I did not know you had a daughter. How old is she?’
‘She is in her final year at CPUT, and she and Stephen met yesterday at the rugby, and planned to braai together, but then the news about the burglary broke and…’
‘What you meant to tell me is that he has been gone for two hours to buy milk…WITH your daughter?! Tell him to come to the hospital when you see him.’ Jan’s voice is dark.
‘Stevie where have you guys been? I was worried sick!’ Nonna can’t help but notice they are holding hands.
“Sorry Nonna, but I had to show Tembi the scenery at Lanzerac, and I left my cell..’
‘ Never mind that, Stevie. Your dad called … I don’t know how to put it…they caught four men…but…Oh Stevie I’m so sorry, your mother has gone into a coma!’
The shock on Stephen’s face is visible. ‘I’ve gotta go…sorry you two, I’ll call you later and…’
‘Not a chance’, interrupts Tembeka, ‘I’m coming with you.’
‘Then me too.’ There is concern in Nonna’s voice
---o0o---
The door at the ICU reception opens and Jan looks up. In storms his beloved son and Nonna. He is holding hands with a young black girl. This scene is all wrong and Jan is dumbfounded. Then he senses what he sees…he turns and looks at the bed with Helena in, he looks at his son again. His face darkens with fury.
She listens to the noise of the engine as they drive off. A phone rings. She see Steven’s phone on the couch. ‘Stevie’s phone, hello?’ ‘Nonna. Is that you?’ She recognizes Jan’s voice. ‘Hello Mr Jan.’
‘ Can I talk to Stephen?’ She explains to Jan that Stephen’s gone to get milk for tea, experiencing first an awkward silence on his side, and then she hears the sorrow in his voice when he elaborates what transpired at the hospital. ‘Mr Jan, I’ll tell him the moment they are back. He’ll come right over.’
As he terminates the call, Jan thinks: ‘What did she mean by “they”?’ But then he swings back to the tragedy in front of him.
‘Come on! Let me show you my favourite spot in Stellenbosch! Nonna won‘t mind, it will only take an extra few minutes!’ The excitement in Stephen’s voice is contagious. The drive to Lanzerac is only 5 minutes away, and Stephen’s excitement grows as he sees the admiration on Tembeka’s face as she drinks in the beautiful scenery on the farm. At one of the fountains they pause, stare deep into each other’s eyes. The lingering kiss that follows is so automatic, natural, exciting all at once…and it is as if time lingers as well.
‘What do you mean “with your daughter”? I did not know you had a daughter. How old is she?’
‘She is in her final year at CPUT, and she and Stephen met yesterday at the rugby, and planned to braai together, but then the news about the burglary broke and…’
‘What you meant to tell me is that he has been gone for two hours to buy milk…WITH your daughter?! Tell him to come to the hospital when you see him.’ Jan’s voice is dark.
‘Stevie where have you guys been? I was worried sick!’ Nonna can’t help but notice they are holding hands.
“Sorry Nonna, but I had to show Tembi the scenery at Lanzerac, and I left my cell..’
‘ Never mind that, Stevie. Your dad called … I don’t know how to put it…they caught four men…but…Oh Stevie I’m so sorry, your mother has gone into a coma!’
The shock on Stephen’s face is visible. ‘I’ve gotta go…sorry you two, I’ll call you later and…’
‘Not a chance’, interrupts Tembeka, ‘I’m coming with you.’
‘Then me too.’ There is concern in Nonna’s voice
---o0o---
The door at the ICU reception opens and Jan looks up. In storms his beloved son and Nonna. He is holding hands with a young black girl. This scene is all wrong and Jan is dumbfounded. Then he senses what he sees…he turns and looks at the bed with Helena in, he looks at his son again. His face darkens with fury.
Tuesday, May 11, 2010
Chapter 5 - Vidius
Chapter Five – Vidius
‘Thanks Sup, I appreciate your moral support, or should I say, Colonel? Your rank structure has changed back to the old days, hasn’t it?’ Jan is staring at the face of his darling, barely recognizable, through the glass of the ICU reception area. Stephan and Nonna just left. He will have to work on his attitude towards Nonna. A thought rushes through his mind. But these Blacks, they are all the same.
He has to move out of the ward in case the cell phone causes interference with the sophisticated life support machines. ‘Yes, it has’ answers the head of the Police of Stellenbosch. ‘I don’t particularly like the changing back, it might just remind too many people of our difficult past.’ Jan feels a bit of a temperature rise, but in the current situation he quickly suppresses it.
‘So how many did you catch?’ ‘ Well, we interrogated the four that we caught, it seems like there were only four… AND it seems they have been watching your house for weeks. This normally means inside assistance and we…’ The police chief is interrupted by a sickening noise in his ear. ‘Hello Mr Botha? Are you there?’ The line has gone dead.
Jan has dropped his phone and it crashes into pieces on the ground. The life support machines at Helena’s bed have gone crazy and he rushes to the bed, only to be forcefully stopped by the staff. ‘Please Mr Botha, stay back!’ He is forced back to the reception area.
45 minutes later the head of the medical team approaches him. The doctor looks at Jan and a brief feeling of pity spills through him. It looks like Jan’s 1.9m frame has shrunk to the size of a dwarf.
‘Mr Botha, your wife has gone into a deep coma. She is stable now and physically out of danger.’
‘What do you mean by “deep coma”, Dr van Zyl?’
‘Well, she could slip out of it in days, or it could…well it could take months…and …well, it may never happen.’ Van Zyl always felt that with this kind of news, one always says it as soon as possible and with as few as possible words. Jan slips back into his chair, looking up into the doctor’s face, devastated.
The doctor pauses for a moment, changes his gaze towards the entrance. Coming through the entrance is an elegant, distinguished looking black woman with her hair tightly bound behind her neck, making her attractive features even more prominent.
‘Mr Botha, I’d like you to meet Dr Thabalala, our resident psychiatrist. I called for her, because I’d like her to orientate you as to what has just happened. She’ll support you over the next few days. She will head the team that takes care of your wife over the interim period. She has a reputation of being one of the best in the business … and I should know … she is my wife as well!’
The news of the relationship doesn’t really sink in. Then it does. ‘I must phone my son … he has gone to drop off our domestic worker.’ A quick subtle glance passes between the two doctors.
Jan reaches for his cell, remembering it broke on the floor. ‘Dr van Zyl, can I use a hospital phone? I’m afraid I dropped my phone on the floor, splitting it on the floor.’ Jan is not even aware of it himself, but he is completely ignoring Dr Thabalala. But she is very aware of it … and used to it. She sighs. When will this prejudice ever disappear? ‘I am so sick of it,’ she thinks silently.
‘No problem, Mr Botha, just go to the counter, the nurse will assist you.’
‘Tembi! WHAT are you doing here?!’ asks Stephen in disbelief, and but with excitement in his voice.
“Tembi? How come Stevie calls you Tembi? Only Papa used to call you Tembi!’
Stephen’s cell rings. ‘Excuse me, I just want to take this,’ and steps outside the front door.
‘Thanks Sup, I appreciate your moral support, or should I say, Colonel? Your rank structure has changed back to the old days, hasn’t it?’ Jan is staring at the face of his darling, barely recognizable, through the glass of the ICU reception area. Stephan and Nonna just left. He will have to work on his attitude towards Nonna. A thought rushes through his mind. But these Blacks, they are all the same.
He has to move out of the ward in case the cell phone causes interference with the sophisticated life support machines. ‘Yes, it has’ answers the head of the Police of Stellenbosch. ‘I don’t particularly like the changing back, it might just remind too many people of our difficult past.’ Jan feels a bit of a temperature rise, but in the current situation he quickly suppresses it.
‘So how many did you catch?’ ‘ Well, we interrogated the four that we caught, it seems like there were only four… AND it seems they have been watching your house for weeks. This normally means inside assistance and we…’ The police chief is interrupted by a sickening noise in his ear. ‘Hello Mr Botha? Are you there?’ The line has gone dead.
Jan has dropped his phone and it crashes into pieces on the ground. The life support machines at Helena’s bed have gone crazy and he rushes to the bed, only to be forcefully stopped by the staff. ‘Please Mr Botha, stay back!’ He is forced back to the reception area.
45 minutes later the head of the medical team approaches him. The doctor looks at Jan and a brief feeling of pity spills through him. It looks like Jan’s 1.9m frame has shrunk to the size of a dwarf.
‘Mr Botha, your wife has gone into a deep coma. She is stable now and physically out of danger.’
‘What do you mean by “deep coma”, Dr van Zyl?’
‘Well, she could slip out of it in days, or it could…well it could take months…and …well, it may never happen.’ Van Zyl always felt that with this kind of news, one always says it as soon as possible and with as few as possible words. Jan slips back into his chair, looking up into the doctor’s face, devastated.
The doctor pauses for a moment, changes his gaze towards the entrance. Coming through the entrance is an elegant, distinguished looking black woman with her hair tightly bound behind her neck, making her attractive features even more prominent.
‘Mr Botha, I’d like you to meet Dr Thabalala, our resident psychiatrist. I called for her, because I’d like her to orientate you as to what has just happened. She’ll support you over the next few days. She will head the team that takes care of your wife over the interim period. She has a reputation of being one of the best in the business … and I should know … she is my wife as well!’
The news of the relationship doesn’t really sink in. Then it does. ‘I must phone my son … he has gone to drop off our domestic worker.’ A quick subtle glance passes between the two doctors.
Jan reaches for his cell, remembering it broke on the floor. ‘Dr van Zyl, can I use a hospital phone? I’m afraid I dropped my phone on the floor, splitting it on the floor.’ Jan is not even aware of it himself, but he is completely ignoring Dr Thabalala. But she is very aware of it … and used to it. She sighs. When will this prejudice ever disappear? ‘I am so sick of it,’ she thinks silently.
‘No problem, Mr Botha, just go to the counter, the nurse will assist you.’
‘Tembi! WHAT are you doing here?!’ asks Stephen in disbelief, and but with excitement in his voice.
“Tembi? How come Stevie calls you Tembi? Only Papa used to call you Tembi!’
Stephen’s cell rings. ‘Excuse me, I just want to take this,’ and steps outside the front door.
Monday, May 3, 2010
Chapter 4 - Vidius
Chapter Four - Vidius
‘... have a baby by me baby be a millionaire have a baby by me...’ Tembeka checks her cell phone display – it is 6.55.
‘Tembeka,’ she answers, with her heart in her throat. She recognises Stephen’s number.
‘Hi Tembeka. Look, I’m really sorry, I have to cancel. There was a major burglary at my parents’ house in Stellenbosch, and my mom is in a bad way and my dad in frenzy. I have to go home immediately. Is it ok if I call you later?’
Tembeka closes her eyes. Those green eyes. She will always remember them … for the rest of her life…this gut feel has taken over her heart ever since she stared into them at the rugby match. But now doubts rush through her mind. In the Afrikaner culture, do they lie a lot? Do they make excuses when getting cold feet? Are they as honest as we are? Where are Stephen’s feelings – still locked in the pre-1994 dispensation? Maybe her Gogo is right: you can’t trust Afrikaners.
‘It’s ok, Stephen.’ She can hardly hide her disappointment.
‘Thanks Tembi. Thanks for understanding. Call you later tonight!’ I’m sure she does not believe me; her voice was so…cold. Do they not understand the violence and burglaries? These thoughts ripple through Stephen’s heart. No! The feeling rushing through my heart when I saw her angel face for the first time cannot be false! Impossible. And those brown eyes. Angelic! But the negative thoughts keep coming back as he rushes back home on the N2.
Tembeka stares at her cell. So much for that. But, did he call me Tembi? The only other person that ever called me Tembi, is Dad, bless his eternal soul. She rushes back to her room, avoiding her friends.
‘Just look at her arms! I tell you what. If I had not returned early from the golf game, we could have lost your mother.’ Jan and Stephen are standing next to the bed in which his mother, Helena, is lying, tubes and wires connected to her body. ‘Our country is going down the tubes…these Blacks think they can do what they want.’
‘Dad!’ Stephen quickly retaliates. ‘You know you are wrong! You simply just CANNOT generalise like that. Just take Nonna as an example. She is one of the greatest ladies I have ever met. And such classiness is literally in all other Blacks…great South African citizens and patriots! Criminals exist across the spectrum of our nation, not just blacks.’ Stephen and his dad argue regularly on these issues. Although it usually is in a constructive and positive way. And Nonna - she’s been working for them as a house worker since his high school days…a true testimony of a woman with a heart of gold. Although he still doesn’t know much about her – mainly due to the Afrikaner culture of his parents. They treat her with respect and there is a great mutual understanding – but in the seven years she has been working for them, they still only know three things about her: she travels daily by taxi to and from their residence, her cell number and she is black. Jan and Helena are embracing the democracy but there are some remnants in their make-up from the past that bother him. One such remnant is a sense of “classism”.
‘I suppose you are right, Stephen,’ Jan concurs, ‘but it still does not change the fact that we almost lost your mother today.’
‘Jo, jo, jo!’ are just about the only sounds Nonna can say when she walks into the house on Sunday morning. ‘How is Miss Helena, Stevie? Can I go and visit her?’
‘Oh goodness, Nonna,’ Stephen responds, hugging her. ‘I was supposed to phone you and let you know that the lunch you had to come and cook has been put on hold due to the crime at our house. Now you traveled all the way for nothing on your off weekend! But I’m sure we can go and visit and then I can drop you off at your house. Then I can at last see where you stay.’
‘No, no Stevie, after seeing Miss Helena you can just drop me off at the taxi rank.’
‘Let’s go, Nonna! You always insist on travelling by taxi. We can argue on the way. Wait! Nonna, could I just quickly make a phone call?’ With a shock he realises he has made a promise to phone Tembeka last night. The phone just rings and rings and rings…and suddenly it goes dead.
Nonna must have seen the disappointment on his face. ‘Stevie, why do you look so sad?’
‘I met this girl yesterday. We had a date, but I had to cancel because of the burglary and I promised to phone last night, and forgot. Now she does not answer.’
‘What!’, Nonna giggles. ‘You losing your heart? Never!’
After a few kilometers of silence, Stephen opens up to her. ‘Nonna, we have barely spoken since this girl and I met, but there is something really special about this girl. She is…is…almost like an angel.’
At the hospital bed Nonna stares in shock at Helena. She looks broken, fragile and with a badly swollen face. Medically she should recover, say the doctors, but she might retain permanent mental scars.
On the way to the taxi rank Nonna sits silently, still in shock. ‘No arguments, Nonna, I’m going to take you home,’ Stephen insists.
‘My place is very humble and small, Stevie, some of the walls are not even brick walls.’ Thoughts race through Stephen’s mind. All these years…she did not want them to see her humble abode…shame driven? Or what?
‘Nonna, I need to ask you something I cannot ask my parents…yet. What are your feelings about interracial relationships?’
‘For me and my family Stevie, and I say this with respect: it is a no go area. Our traditions do not allow it. Why?’
‘Well, Nonna, the girl I met yesterday is black.’
‘ Oh no Stevie, do not go there, it will never work,’ answers Nonna as they pull up in front of her house.
‘Nonna, can I come in for a cup of tea? I would really like to chat more about this, because I am going to make sure that I meet with this girl again, and I will have to talk to my parents.’ Nonna hesitantly agrees, and Stephen sees it as an affirmation that Nonna is ashamed of her house.
As they get to the front door, Stephen tries to make light conversation to support Nonna in what he feels is a very awkward moment for her. ‘I tell you what, Nonna, you show me where everything is and I’ll serve you tea. How’s that for a reversal of roles? Then you can give me all the motherly advice you have on interracial relationships and life.’
The front door opens by itself. What the…he stares into the same angelic brown eyes he saw yesterday.
‘Hi Mama,’ says Tembeka, giving Nonna a huge hug. And her face freezes as she stares into those piercing green eyes.
Do you think the fact that Nonna is working for Stephen's parents will affect his feelings for Thembi?
Wednesday, April 28, 2010
Chapter 3
It takes Tembeka exactly 5 minutes to put on her sexy new pink t-shirt and a pair of jeans. Not a bad feat for somebody who usually takes at least 20 minutes in front of the mirror to get ready for class...but, eish, its 6.45 and Stephen said 7.00 in front of the main entrance. 'I’m never going to make it’, she mumbles under her breath...quick, quick brush your teeth – who knows what is going to happen tonight...oh my...what am I even thinking...this is a guy from Stellenbosch...my dad’s biggest nightmare come true...his precious daughter with a white guy? And an Afrikaaner on top of it all...ach...I’ll think about this later. Now I need to get going...where are my earrings...and my bag?
Finally Tembeka has all her stuff together and heads out of her room...oh my, there is Thandi and Joe, the two biggest gossips in her residence...no way she can sneak past them without them noticing...’Hi Tembeka, where are you up to?’ asks Thandi promptly. ‘Just going out for a bit...’ ‘In that nice t-shirt, on a Sunday evening? Tell us the truth...’ Tembeka sits down – maybe it’s not a bad thing to discuss this issue quickly with her friends. Ask them for advice. A bit of waiting makes the heart grow fonder...or something like that. ‘You know that hunk today at the game, the one with the green eyes and black hair who asked for my phone number? Well, he just called and asked me whether I want to meet him at a braai in Mowbray...’ ‘And?’ ‘Well...I kind of said yes, and now I am in a bit of a rush to get there...’
‘ Wait – that guy, that Afrikaaner guy? You can’t be serious’, says Thandi. ‘What do you want from him? What would your family say if they found out? Are you going to date a white guy behind their backs, just because of some sparkling green eyes? Just think about the consequences! What if you really fall for that guy...how are you going to ever bring him home? I would just cut my losses and forget him as quickly as possible...’
‘Hey, hey, calm down’ replies Tembeka, ‘I am just meeting him for one drink...no talk of lobola yet...’. ‘You are right’, adds Joe,’uzenzile akakhalelwa...it’s her choice...if you like him, go for it. I mean, it’s the new South Africa, enjoy yourself as long as you can...we are students for god’s sake, these should be our times to experiment, isn’t it...just imagine, maybe his father has a wine farm and one day he’ll take you there...I wish I were you...love knows no boundaries...go follow your heart!’ Tembeka looks at Joe with relief, at least one who understands her a bit, although Joe has always been a bit too cheesy for her taste. ‘Thanks girls for your advice, very much appreciated, but now I really need to rush...I’ll tell you tomorrow how it went!’
Posted by Daniela
What do you think Tembeka and Stephen are going to talk about tonight? What are the things that could interest both of them? Music? University life? Politics?
Finally Tembeka has all her stuff together and heads out of her room...oh my, there is Thandi and Joe, the two biggest gossips in her residence...no way she can sneak past them without them noticing...’Hi Tembeka, where are you up to?’ asks Thandi promptly. ‘Just going out for a bit...’ ‘In that nice t-shirt, on a Sunday evening? Tell us the truth...’ Tembeka sits down – maybe it’s not a bad thing to discuss this issue quickly with her friends. Ask them for advice. A bit of waiting makes the heart grow fonder...or something like that. ‘You know that hunk today at the game, the one with the green eyes and black hair who asked for my phone number? Well, he just called and asked me whether I want to meet him at a braai in Mowbray...’ ‘And?’ ‘Well...I kind of said yes, and now I am in a bit of a rush to get there...’
‘ Wait – that guy, that Afrikaaner guy? You can’t be serious’, says Thandi. ‘What do you want from him? What would your family say if they found out? Are you going to date a white guy behind their backs, just because of some sparkling green eyes? Just think about the consequences! What if you really fall for that guy...how are you going to ever bring him home? I would just cut my losses and forget him as quickly as possible...’
‘Hey, hey, calm down’ replies Tembeka, ‘I am just meeting him for one drink...no talk of lobola yet...’. ‘You are right’, adds Joe,’uzenzile akakhalelwa...it’s her choice...if you like him, go for it. I mean, it’s the new South Africa, enjoy yourself as long as you can...we are students for god’s sake, these should be our times to experiment, isn’t it...just imagine, maybe his father has a wine farm and one day he’ll take you there...I wish I were you...love knows no boundaries...go follow your heart!’ Tembeka looks at Joe with relief, at least one who understands her a bit, although Joe has always been a bit too cheesy for her taste. ‘Thanks girls for your advice, very much appreciated, but now I really need to rush...I’ll tell you tomorrow how it went!’
Posted by Daniela
What do you think Tembeka and Stephen are going to talk about tonight? What are the things that could interest both of them? Music? University life? Politics?
Monday, April 19, 2010
Chapter 2
“... have a baby by me baby be a millionaire have a baby by me...” Tembeka rolls over her pillow to reach her ringing cell phone that is playing her favourite rapper ‘50 Cent’. It is 6.30 pm and she had not intended to nap for so long. She blames her lethargy on the warm Stellenbosch sun that has a way to soothe your soul, slow down a hectic body and delay any form of thought related to engineering. Gosh! She still has to complete her reference section of her Engineering English technical report that is due for tomorrow at 8.30 am!
‘Thank goodness Brigitte called now or I could so easily have slept until morning!’ thought Tembeka as she drags herself to answer the phone: ‘Hello’ she murmurs. ‘Hi is that Tembeka?’ a deep male’s voice jolts her awake. ‘It is not Brigitte, can it be? No! It can’t?’ thought a shocked Thembeka. ‘Y..ye..yes this is Tembeka’ she started, shaking like a single leaf left on an autumn windblown tree. She could feel her stomach go into instant knots of anxiety and excitement. Her heart is racing and her cell phone slips out of her hot sweaty hand. ‘No!’ She yells as she grabs the cell before it reaches the floor. ‘I mean yes, yes this is her’. Tembeka composes herself.
‘It’s me, Stephen, Stephen Botha, I am the one who asked you for your number this afternoon’ the voice carries on, ‘ I am sorry for knocking into you like I did today, but this was the only way that I could make contact with you. I’ve been asking about you at CPUT all of last week at the rugby tournament, but no one was able to get me your cell number. I tried your e-mail but no luck. And I lost you in the crowd at the cafeteria. So two of my closest friends, who are also rugby players, help to pass the ball ‘out’ in your direction so that I could take the ‘pass in’ giving me only a few seconds to talk to you. Sorry that I pressurised you into giving me, a total stranger, your cell number. I was wondering if there is any possibility that we could meet this evening. Our team has been invited to a braai at the CPUT residents in Mowbray. Please could I meet you this evening? Hello, hello, are you there?’
Tembeka’s mind and body are frozen. Her lips will not part to say anything! Suddenly she thought of her Gogo reminding her before she left Eastern Cape ‘yes my child, a good African boy, no matter Xhosa or Zulu... a good African boy for good African sons’. She could hear the voice in her mind reply ‘Yes Gogo, a good African boy...no matter Xhosa or Zulu... from Stellenbosch!’ She blurted: ‘Who? Well, em, ok’.
‘Great’ said an enthusiastic Stephen. ‘I’ll look out for you at the Main entrance near the security. I’ll be there at about seven ‘o clock. I look forward to seeing you then’.
‘Great!’ repeated a shell shocked Tembeka. ‘See you at seven’. And she hung up.
As Tembeka rushed to her wardrobe to find something appropriate to wear, she offered her humblest apologies to all deserving parties: ‘I am so very sorry Gogo for not looking hard enough for a good African Xhosa or Zulu son, I am sorry dear ancestors for disobeying my Gogo, I am sorry Ms Ogle I am not going to be able to hand in my report tomorrow ... but I going to meet a good looking boy from Stellenbosch, Stephen Botha, the grape farmers’ son with the deep sea green eyes that sparkle!
Posted by Aysha
Do you think that it is a good idea for Tembeka to break with tradition and go against her grandmother's wishes?? Please leave a comment.
‘Thank goodness Brigitte called now or I could so easily have slept until morning!’ thought Tembeka as she drags herself to answer the phone: ‘Hello’ she murmurs. ‘Hi is that Tembeka?’ a deep male’s voice jolts her awake. ‘It is not Brigitte, can it be? No! It can’t?’ thought a shocked Thembeka. ‘Y..ye..yes this is Tembeka’ she started, shaking like a single leaf left on an autumn windblown tree. She could feel her stomach go into instant knots of anxiety and excitement. Her heart is racing and her cell phone slips out of her hot sweaty hand. ‘No!’ She yells as she grabs the cell before it reaches the floor. ‘I mean yes, yes this is her’. Tembeka composes herself.
‘It’s me, Stephen, Stephen Botha, I am the one who asked you for your number this afternoon’ the voice carries on, ‘ I am sorry for knocking into you like I did today, but this was the only way that I could make contact with you. I’ve been asking about you at CPUT all of last week at the rugby tournament, but no one was able to get me your cell number. I tried your e-mail but no luck. And I lost you in the crowd at the cafeteria. So two of my closest friends, who are also rugby players, help to pass the ball ‘out’ in your direction so that I could take the ‘pass in’ giving me only a few seconds to talk to you. Sorry that I pressurised you into giving me, a total stranger, your cell number. I was wondering if there is any possibility that we could meet this evening. Our team has been invited to a braai at the CPUT residents in Mowbray. Please could I meet you this evening? Hello, hello, are you there?’
Tembeka’s mind and body are frozen. Her lips will not part to say anything! Suddenly she thought of her Gogo reminding her before she left Eastern Cape ‘yes my child, a good African boy, no matter Xhosa or Zulu... a good African boy for good African sons’. She could hear the voice in her mind reply ‘Yes Gogo, a good African boy...no matter Xhosa or Zulu... from Stellenbosch!’ She blurted: ‘Who? Well, em, ok’.
‘Great’ said an enthusiastic Stephen. ‘I’ll look out for you at the Main entrance near the security. I’ll be there at about seven ‘o clock. I look forward to seeing you then’.
‘Great!’ repeated a shell shocked Tembeka. ‘See you at seven’. And she hung up.
As Tembeka rushed to her wardrobe to find something appropriate to wear, she offered her humblest apologies to all deserving parties: ‘I am so very sorry Gogo for not looking hard enough for a good African Xhosa or Zulu son, I am sorry dear ancestors for disobeying my Gogo, I am sorry Ms Ogle I am not going to be able to hand in my report tomorrow ... but I going to meet a good looking boy from Stellenbosch, Stephen Botha, the grape farmers’ son with the deep sea green eyes that sparkle!
Posted by Aysha
Do you think that it is a good idea for Tembeka to break with tradition and go against her grandmother's wishes?? Please leave a comment.
Sunday, April 11, 2010
Make a suggestion please...
Chapter One
Tembeka rubbed her eyes. She felt a little bored. She had agreed to come to the rugby match with Brigitte because she loved Stellenbosch. The oak-lined avenues and the streams in the specially built gutters. Last time she had taken her shoes off and dangled them in the freshly running water. The coolness stimulated them but she didn't move.
She watched the Matie students as they were called. The girls were pretty and the guys looked so macho...apart from the geek with the pile of books and the huge spectacles. 'Stop it', she chastised herself, 'I am sure he is a wonderful friend and I'd never have to save up to have my computer fixed.' There were very few students walking alone. Her eyes met those of a really wow guy on the opposite side of the road. 'Mmm,' she thought and closed her eyes.
'Ow! What are you doing?' she yelped as she was knocked sideways by a body clutching an oval-shaped ball. A sweaty hand helped her up and she blinked. The person in front of her was tall with wide shoulders and black hair flopping over a broad forehead and green eyes that were sparkling.
'Oh, I know what I am doing,' the lips moved in reply. 'It was the only way I could get to meet you before the game is over. Give me your cell number quickly. I'll remember it, Please. Please. They are waiting for me to throw the ball in.'
He sounded so serious. The moment seemed frozen. She was frozen. 'What do I do? I don't give my cell number to any stranger. ' In the same split second she rattled off, '072-555 7890.'
'o72-555 7890,' he repeated. 'Tonight.' And he was lifting the ball up to throw it into the lineout. Men's voices shouted numbers in Afrikaans which she couldn't understand. Suddenly a tall player leaped seemingly to the sky, grabbed the ball and passed it on. The game moved on. He was gone with the rest of the team, moving the ball forward to score a try.
She knew about tries. You scored five points with a try and another two if a player managed to kick the ball between the posts. But that was it. She wondered why they stood in a line, one behind the other. She caught herself thinking, 'Why are you even wondering about what they are doing? Just now you were falling asleep. Come on, Tembeka, be honest with yourself? Yes, he was gorgeous, yes, he had the greenest eyes you have ever seen, yes, you gave him your number...' She straightened her corn braids and her t-shirt. 'You can't take him home to the Eastern Cape. They won't accept him as a man.' She tried to imagine him dining in the next room because he couldn't sit with the other men according to tradition.
She took her hand out of her pocket and looked at her cell phone. What was the point of even waiting. He couldn't have been serious in any case.
Tembeka rubbed her eyes. She felt a little bored. She had agreed to come to the rugby match with Brigitte because she loved Stellenbosch. The oak-lined avenues and the streams in the specially built gutters. Last time she had taken her shoes off and dangled them in the freshly running water. The coolness stimulated them but she didn't move.
She watched the Matie students as they were called. The girls were pretty and the guys looked so macho...apart from the geek with the pile of books and the huge spectacles. 'Stop it', she chastised herself, 'I am sure he is a wonderful friend and I'd never have to save up to have my computer fixed.' There were very few students walking alone. Her eyes met those of a really wow guy on the opposite side of the road. 'Mmm,' she thought and closed her eyes.
'Ow! What are you doing?' she yelped as she was knocked sideways by a body clutching an oval-shaped ball. A sweaty hand helped her up and she blinked. The person in front of her was tall with wide shoulders and black hair flopping over a broad forehead and green eyes that were sparkling.
'Oh, I know what I am doing,' the lips moved in reply. 'It was the only way I could get to meet you before the game is over. Give me your cell number quickly. I'll remember it, Please. Please. They are waiting for me to throw the ball in.'
He sounded so serious. The moment seemed frozen. She was frozen. 'What do I do? I don't give my cell number to any stranger. ' In the same split second she rattled off, '072-555 7890.'
'o72-555 7890,' he repeated. 'Tonight.' And he was lifting the ball up to throw it into the lineout. Men's voices shouted numbers in Afrikaans which she couldn't understand. Suddenly a tall player leaped seemingly to the sky, grabbed the ball and passed it on. The game moved on. He was gone with the rest of the team, moving the ball forward to score a try.
She knew about tries. You scored five points with a try and another two if a player managed to kick the ball between the posts. But that was it. She wondered why they stood in a line, one behind the other. She caught herself thinking, 'Why are you even wondering about what they are doing? Just now you were falling asleep. Come on, Tembeka, be honest with yourself? Yes, he was gorgeous, yes, he had the greenest eyes you have ever seen, yes, you gave him your number...' She straightened her corn braids and her t-shirt. 'You can't take him home to the Eastern Cape. They won't accept him as a man.' She tried to imagine him dining in the next room because he couldn't sit with the other men according to tradition.
She took her hand out of her pocket and looked at her cell phone. What was the point of even waiting. He couldn't have been serious in any case.
Tuesday, March 16, 2010
Hi students
Welcome to our new blog. We are very excited that we will be talking to one another in this way. We are going to use this blog to write a story We will all share in the creation. We are going to write a weekly installment and you will be able to comment and help me continue the story. Who knows?? We may end up with a bestseller and all live a life of luxury afterwards. The sky is the limit.
A few parts of the story may seem political but remember that we are discussing, always with respect, and in the interest of getting to know and share who we are as South Africans and welcome guests.. How about we start by taking photos in class and then we upload them? Think about who our lead character and his/her leading partner will be. At the moment I am thinking about a story based on the Sidney Poitier movie where he is invited to meet his girlfriend's
parents.
Let us take an example of where Tembeka Mobo meets Stephen Botha. Tembeka comes from Eastern Cape and she is studying engineering at CPUT. She has won the Face of Africa 2008 competition and has also won a school scholarship for Mathematics. She is very popular with both sexes. Stephen hails from Stellenbosch and is a real Matie who is not shy to pick grapes on his father's farm. He plays rugby for Stellenbosch which is where they meet.
We need suggestions as to how they meet and what happens on their first encounter. Post your ideas as comments to this blog. Make sure that you become a follower of this blog to keep up to date.
Source of image: http://www.solcomhouse.com/images/Sidney-Pottier-Into_l.jpg
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