Chapter 1
Wake up, wake up. Shouts a matron in a girl's hostel, in a bording school. The matron keeps banging the door, there is no way that one could continue sleeping in so much noise. I wake up eventually, lifting my head up; Dang! I come to realize that it is a sartuday today, we might not have a class. Well, only if our physics and maths teachers decide to spend some quality time with their families. I mean, had I been in their place, I would not even bother coming on Saturday, I love sleeping. I know it does not pay off but getting a little rest could not kill.
Our room is very big and it has 13 bunked beds which we call 'skefula'. We are 13 in the room, however, there is still some space left. I sleep next to my best friend Fezeka but I call her Fix. Well, I chose the name because she's a perfect fixer, one of a kind. I check Fix and she is ready to start the day. Looking fresh and clean. " Good morning Fix, when did you bath and why didn't you wake me up?" I did friend but you did not want to wake up, so I just went on without you, says Fix. It's okay, let me quickly rush to the bathroom so we can go downstairs to get some breakfast. The breakfast better be good today, coz I'm dying of hunger, I say walking out the door to the bathroom. Hurry up dude, calls out Fix.
We are on our way downstairs and Fix keeps blubbering about some stuff as usual. In my mind, I keep on wondering what I would have done without her. She's the best thing that has happened to me, especially in this premises. I have found a friend who is in fact acting like my big sister, who is always there to listen and comfort me no matter what I go through. To be honest, I am such a cry baby sometimes and I get upset by very small things. I think the reason for all that, is that I miss home so much. I have not been away from my family for such a long time before. This is all new to me.
'A penny for your thoughts?', asks Fix. Umhh I am listening to you really, so have you thought about being a class rap? I mean I could vouch for you, you are the perfect fixer for our class. And besides, this will be good for your report, I say. Yes sure, I will think about it; I really appreciate you ( says Fix). She hugs me, we both smile and we rush downstairs before the food gets finished.
I can't believe I have been in this place for quite a while now. It kinda feels like home. I am so used to everyone and the environment is not so bad. Even though, I would die to see new faces. I see the same faces everyday. I now can even tell who a person is by looking at their back. This school is so different and their rules are so out of this world. It is nothing I have ever seen before. Who can control students, I would give that one a medal. Students are something else. When you tell them not to do something, it is like you are telling them to do it more. Adding oil into a fire, that is exactly what it is. In this school, the rules are very clear, boys to that side and girls to the other side. There's a huge boundary that sepates them, but as you know rules were meant to be broken.
... Thank God, we did not attend today. We had a very chilled sartuday. I got a chance to do my washing. Yes, we wash our clothes, there is no machine or whosoever to wash clothes for anyone. That is one of the things I admire about the school. It teaches us responsibility, to be responsible people. It is lunch time, and we are walking down the stairs. I swear the aim was for us girls not to gain weight, but the plan failed, looking at how I am gaining so much weight, my butt is getting bigger. I am getting a new body shape.
I like the way they have put this board here, it reads;
No pain, no gain. No sweat, no sweets.
It is motivating in a way. Fix what do you think? She replies; I like it too, so what game have you thought of today? You know it's Saturday and we do not want to get bored with nothing to do. I reply, Yes Fix you're right, we will have to figure something out. But you know we have the best squad, they will surely come up with something to do. Power to us girls, there is never a dull moment in our hostel. I wonder what is happening from the boys side. Oh, I almost forgot, we are having a party tonight. We do that every Saturday night, we go downstairs to refresh our minds and listen to our very own dj, playing some hits. Dj T is my play dad, we are both from the same tribe, he is very cool and I admire him very much.
One could swear that everything is by force in this school. Is it necessary for them to chase us out of the rooms just to attend a party. I mean, who would say no to that. As a music lover, I wouldn't miss it for anything. Plus I want to know which songs came out recently. We all get downstairs, it is lit. The dj is playing already and the boys are dancing and having fun. The boys are always on time. Of course, the rules applies everywhere and in everything we do. The boys are on the other side and girls far away from the boys. It is now a normal. We are all used to it.
Fix, wow! Dude you can dance. You should teach me some of your dance moves. They are fire. We are all having fun. Yes innocent fun, alcohol free party, that is what we are having right here. What is that Black Coffee and Alicia Keys song? Wow! Our very own South African brother collaborated with an American. We are going places, I tell you. It is a lovely song, says one of the girls. I say it to myself, I wish I knew the lyrics, dang, it is a good song indeed. Time moves fast, now we are going back to the girls hostels and they will be locking our rooms soon. The boarding master, in short BM reminds us that tomorrow we have church at 9:00. Cool that is not bad, at least we have a free day after that.
Church is always amazing. We have singers in the school. So much talent. I look so good, this dress suits me perfectly. All the girls are looking good as always. Coming to church makes us all forget, where we are and it is good to be connected to God at all times. It is amazing here. Fix is the MC of the day. My friend is a master of it all, there is nothing she does not want to do. I like that about her.
Mmh friend, you were amazing today. Thank you, I should give up your name for MC next time, says Fix. I did not even let her finish whatever she was about to say after that, I ran for my life. MC what? Maybe the last day of church before we leave. I run to my sister Zee, we have the same last name and I found out that, apparently she is one of the leaders from my hometown's daughter. Isn't that cool? So cool. I am meeting good people here. We get our food and we all walk together, back in the hostel. Oh I should have bought something to eat later at night when I get hungry, studying drains all the little energy I am left with, so something to snack helps. Here, I bought you something to eat. Am I not lucky, I did say she is one of the kind. We eat some snacks while studying, it's good.
Here we go again, in this room there is no peace, not when Kendall is here. She is forever debating or telling a story about boys that one. She is very good at telling stories, you cannot help but want to look her in the eye while listening to her tell stories. There is something about her, which draws your attention, she is beautiful. I would be lying if I say there is some repulsive girl I have seen here. All the girls are beautiful and unique. Crogz is joining in as always, it is refreshing though listening to their stories. Besides, it is very obvious that many of us here in this room, we are still innocent. So it prepares us for the future.
Did I not say, time moves fast indeed. It is monday and I decided to leave for class early today. I needed to clear my mind and do some thinking. I am walking alone, down the stairs. Tems is looking up at me as I go down the stairs. I think to myself, what is wrong with him, did he see a ghost or something. I keep on walking....
