Lanton POV
I don't know where in the world these weird feelings were coming from, I just made our team lose for the first time because I was lost in thought. I am so stupid. Whatever that's making me feel like this please stop, I can't take it anymore. These were my feelings for the following weeks and days.
I tried so hard to figure out what was wrong with me but I just couldn't place a finger on it. Weeks and days passed and it was now our first holiday of the year. Whenever I am on holidays the flashbacks of Shennie and I always came back and that made me hate my mom in some type of way for abandoning Kay .
The first week of the holiday passed and my only friend was Kaylin. We would play anything just to take our minds off things. I ended up playing doles with her. Funny !
It was on a Monday and Mondays are boring as hell. The sky was cloudy, oooooh crap it was clear that it was going to rain. I really don't like rainy seasons that much. Staying indoors made me feel like I'm in a jail cell. I am an outgoing person. Being outside makes me feel so close to God because and I love smelling the fresh breeze and enjoying nature. The sky, the moon and twinkle little stars at night, the sun, the grass, the trees, the butterflies and everything else that comes with it. Sometimes I just look up the heaven and just asked God a question " Will I ever see Shennie? ". I was never a praying type but all because of Shennie I prayed to God every once in a while to just reunite us but my prayers were never replied. I almost gave up but I remembered that God's delay isn't deny. This girl was making me go nuts.
Kaylin, aunty and I had our breakfast and I must say aunt is a great cook. She makes mouth watering food I always tell her to go to Culinary school and maybe one day she'll own a restaurant or even a hotel. We finished eating cleaned the kitchen.
We were now hogging the TV and being surrounded by women made me watch Bollywood, we were watching Twist of Fate I never imagined myself watching these kind of shows , but if I was with grandpa I knew we will always be watching soccer. I never complained though. We were all silent whilst watching the series then out of the blue.
Voice: Hey!!! (The voice was so familiar and I knew exactly who it was.) We all looked back and saw mom dressing so fancy in a beautiful nude pink dress with red bottom high heels and a very gorgeous black and pink clutch bag. She had a long curly weave, I don't know if that is what women call Brazilian weaves. It was clear that mama was living lavish in SA she looks so expensive and radiant.
If only she knew how much we had missed her whilst she was enjoying herself. All eyes were on her from head to toe. Jaws just dropped at that moment and Kaylin was drooling a little😂. Aunty and Kay ran towards mom, screaming and shouting. God knows what they were saying in between the screams. These two can be very dramatic sometimes. They greeted each other and complemented mom on her looks and new style.
As all this was happening I was just standing still not knowing what to do or how to feel. Should I be happy that the woman who abandoned us is back? Should I get angry at her for changing our lives every time she gets?I was really losing it , Many thoughts were running through my mind and every second I heard her voice I could feel so tense trying to keep my temper in my stomach.
Mom: Lenti aren' t you going to give mama a hug. (She said opening her arms for a hug.)
Me: You want me to hug the same woman who just left us and went away for 2 damn years. You abandoned Kay and me. You left us for no reason. You keep moving us from house to house like we are some packages being delivered!!!! We aren't opharns mama!!!! (All hell breaked loose after this I just felt a hot slap landing on my chubby cheeks and I really deserved it. I was so angry at mom that I just started throwing tantrums at her and said things that I regret ever saying to her but I will never forgive her for leaving us just like that.)
Mom: I am not your friend Lenti! (She shouted at me for the first time in her life and I knew that I had pressed all the wrong buttons.)
Me: Im sorry but you shouldn't have done that. What on earth was so important for you to abandon us like that mommy . (I was hurting inside)
Mom: Im sorry baby. (She started to cry and thats the last thing I want to see on my mom, her tears are my weakness and I just can't bare to see her in this state. I just hugged her and after a while she broke it, I just stormed out of the room and went somewhere that was quiet.)
I was so hurt that I just wanted to be by myself. I didn't want any company. I sat under a big mango tree that was at the back yard of our house. I tried to be strong but I found myself crying like a baby. Just to think that she lost 2 years of my life was breaking me. I kept asking myself ", What was more important than raising us up with proper care and love as a mother, was it that important that she chose to go than to be with us?".
I became vicious by every passing second, I kept telling myself that I will never forgive her, she separated me from Shennie. She was the reason of all that and now I can't fulfill all the promises I made to Shennie all because of someone so selfish as my mother. It disgust me to even call her my mom now.
I was infuriated over this whole situation and I couldn't even hide it. When I came back inside after what seemed like 4 hours I found mom and aunt having a conversation in the kitchen. I stopped and eavesdropped at them. I know its very bad to eavesdrop peoples' conversations but I just thought maybe I could pick one or two things of the important work she had to do for almost 3 years. I stood by the door listening carefully.
Aunt: Are you sure its done.
Mom: Yes it is and we all got our last payments, that is the money I used to buy my car.
Aunt: I hope they will never trouble you again, you can't put your children's life at risk just for this. You are now a mother of two and doing this will be risking their lives.( She said this whispering)
Mom: I promise sis, I won't join again.
Aunt: A promise is a credit Anisha.
Mom: I know sis, I love my kids I won't put their innocent souls in danger just for money.
Whilst I was still standing Kay ran into the kitchen and interrupted the whole conversation. MXM she is always a party pooper everything I was so close to finding out the whole truth and now this. What was my mom doing that could put Kay and me in danger? Who was aunt referring to when she said "they"? I was left with many unanswered questions that only mom could answer.
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Days passed and I started to investigate and eavesdropping at mom's every call and conversations she had but I couldn't connect the dots. I was not talking to her at all and that was breaking her bit by bit, but I just couldn't find the courage to just forgive her like that. What if she died in SA and I would be left with the responsibility of looking after my baby sis all alone. I was mute at everyone and the only thing I wanted was silence and peace of mind. My mom couldn't take the silent treatment anymore so one night she came to my room and tried to explain everything to me.
Mom: Im so sorry son but I had to do something back home in SA. I had to... (She didn't finish her sentence but I knew something was really fishy here. She took me upstairs and we left aunt and Kaylin downstairs.)
Me: What mom, what happened. (I was so curious)
Mom: Promise me you won't hate me after you hear this. (This sounded so serious, like I could never hate my mom for any reason whatsover.)
Me: I promise. (I meant it.)
Mom: I've been keeping something from you for all these years and I don't want to tell you now, you are still young to understand some things I did in the past. I don't want you to change the way you think about me so I will tell you everything when you are a bit older Lenti. And just know that everything I did was for the happiness of Kay and you. I want you to understand me Lenti, I know you are a big boy but this I just can't tell you now. I will never do anything to hate you son, remember that you are my hero, my prince and you will always be. (She was so serious and I didn't have a choice but to listen to mom, I know that she loves me so much and she cannot just go to SA leaving us for no solid reason.)
Me: Mom, I don't want you to ever leave us like that, even if the work is very important mom please just don't abandon us. I tried to hate you mom but I just can't you are my mom, the only woman I call mine in this world. (I said sobbing and she pulled me in for a hug.)
Mom: I promise son, I will never leave you and your sis like that again. Im happy to tell you that what I had gone to do is now accomplished and totally finished. The job was successful. (I thought that now she was going to tell me.)
Me: What job mom? (I said looking into her eyes and she looked down. Why can't she look me in the eyes?)
Mom: That's what I told you Lenti, somethings you will understand when you are fully grown and now lets not focus on that lets focus on our lives and the fact that I am back for you. (She kissed my forehead)
Me: Ok mom. (I wanted to know but I can't argue it anymore)
Mom: That's more like it son. I want you to have the finer things in life and that's why sometimes you won't understand why I do somethings but just know that everything I do, I do it for you and your sister's well being. (A tear escaped from her eyes.)
Me: No mom I don't want to see you crying ever again, I am sorry for swearing and shouting at you earlier. You are my mom and I shouldn't have done that. (I said looking down and then she raised my chin so that I could look at her.)
Mom: Its ok baby, I understand and most of the things you said were true. I keep on changing you homes and I know that's not how things should be. So I have decided that you tell me where you want to stay, here with aunt, with grandpa or you want to just go back to SA??
The questions came like thunder in my ears and I didn't know where I wanted my permanent home to be at. Living in SA was not a choice because the way we left that place the more I don't ever want to go back . Have you ever in your life been treated like gabbage? Have you ever felt so useless and homeless? Have you ever been thrown out of your house like a lost dirty puppy? That is how we left SA feeling all homeless and solace.
It was a nightmare! Aunty was so good and she played the role of a mother so perfectly the past years and I wouldn't complain if I were to live with her permanently. Grandpa's place, OMG the place of all my good beginnings in life. The same area as Shennie. I will be so close to her and I will have a chance to fulfil my promises to her. Which one was the best place to chose??
We moved back into grandpa's house and he was so happy that we are back for good and I couldn't be more happier. Yes, I ended up chosing grandpa's place, I really wanted to see Shennie and to tell her that I still remember her and she will always be my friend. I don't know why life is busy playing mind games with me but I am so sure that one day I will see her and I just hope she never gave up on me.
My mom now owned her own car,a white G wagon Mercedes Benz what a wow. She was going to continue being a teacher although she had everything she needed. She says that she just loves teaching little children not because she wants the money but she feels at peace being around small children with innocent hearts.
After some days she went to look for a school where they needed a professional teacher and you won't believe where my mom would be teaching from now on😱. She was going to be a teacher at Maranatha Primary School.
The day we just moved in I went to see my one and only friend Alvin and I found him watching Power Rangers, he couldn't believe that I was really back to stay for good this time. He was over the moon and I was so thrilled to be so close to him again. Despite that we learnt at the same school, just having him this close meant a lot to me. We spent the whole of the day together and we went to Shennie's crib, I couldn't wait to see how grown she was. We rang the bell at the gate and an elderly woman came out who was the older version of Shennie. Maybe its her mom.
Me: Good afternoon ma'am. (I greeted with so much respect.)
Her: Afternoon son. (She also had the same voice as Shennie as much as I could remember her voice.)
Me: My name is Lanton and this is my friend Alvin, we are Shennie's friends is she here. (I said with the utmost respect I could ever give her.)
Her: Ohh nice to meet you but she never said anything about you. (Oh that bruised me deeplyy.)
Me: Ohh I see.
Her: Anyways she's not home she is at her aunt's place for the holiday, she will be back when schools open. (Oh my goodness what's this game that fate is playing with me, this is not cool at all. All my hard efforts had gone down the drain and I can't believe I had to wait for another holiday for me to see her MXM.)
Me: ohh thank you Mrs Zhloy. You can tell her that I came to see her. (I said with a breaking voice.)
Her: Lanton right? (She asked.)
Me: Yes ma'am. (We then walked away and went to see Princess since Alvin wanted to see her.)
We arrived at Princess' crib and she came out. She couldn't believe her eyes when she saw me, she was looking at me as if she had seen a ghost.
Me: Earth to Princess!! (I snapped her out of it.)
Her: OMG, is this really you Lenti? (She said pinching me, she is too dramatic.)
Me: Ouch! Princess you haven't changed one bit. (We laughed it off and I must say Alvin and Princess had a weird connection that I just couldn't get my mind to understand.)
It was fun spending time with these two but I only wished for Shennie to be here with us. Days and weeks passed and I must say with each day that passed I had these strong feelings for Shennie. I don't know what type of feelings but I just missed her and staying so close to her house is not helping at all. It was now in the evening and it was windy outside so we wore our warm cloths and I went to mom's room. I found her braiding Kay.
Me: Hy mom and this innocent one. (I said hugging both of them.)
Mom: Hey its good you came here, I need to discuss something with you. (What does she want to say now?)
Me: Ok sure. Whats the matter.
Mom: So I've been thinking that since I am going to teach at Maranatha you could transfer and start learning there and I already transfered Kaylin. If only you want. (WTF, learning at the same school with Shennie. Just imagine us at the same school. That would be so great. I am even willing to give up all my important positions as the head boy just for her. I was willing to leave it all behind just for her.I was willing to leave Alvin at school alone just for her. I can even kill dragons just for her. )
Me: Mom!!!! Are you serious right now!! (I screamed with enthusiasm)
Mom: If only you want my boy.
Me: Hell yeah!! I want to mom. Thank you, thank you and thank you. (I couldn't even hide my happiness, I was in cloud 9. This is going to be the best time of my life.) This is when I knew that fate was on my favour.
First day at Maranatha
My mom was just the best, she didn't know why I was so happy to learn at this school but I surely was overwhelmed with joy. Getting me transfered wasn't that easy, since I was the head boy of Moleli but I fought hard to get the transfer letter. My teachers were so hurt by this sudden change since I was their best student but I couldn't careless, all I could think of was Shennie in front of me. So now its my first day at Maranatha and I am feeling anxious and nervous as hell.
Shennie POV
After what happened at Moleli, I just told myself that all hopes I had of seeing Lenti was all lost and it was never going to happen. I will only see him in my dreams and in my fantasies. So weeks passed and my life was good. My family's bond grew stronger by day and Violet was still the best thing in my life she was my priceless gift from above. Paris and Cherry came back last month and they had a lot of things to tell. They told us how breath-taking Durban was.
Since they were living at Paris's father beach house, they often went to the beach. They took a lot of pictures and I must say Durban is a really beautiful place. They enjoyed themselves so much and Jayden and I were really getting bored with these two always talking about their vacation. We were now getting sick and tired of hearing their stories, it was becoming a monotomy. is it a crime that we never went to SA? Ellain and I would talk on video calls every now and then. University life was treating her so great.
Finally the time I have been waiting for just arrived. It was the day that O level results came out and I couldn't wait to see Cherry's results. I mean she is not that intelligent but she was an average student. I just hoped that she had better grades with atleast a C+, it will be better. Cherry went to their school and she took her results.
Everyone was waiting so anxious at home. Mom didn't even eat properly she was fuming. We waited for about 2 hours watching tv or should I say tv was watching us since our minds were not even there. A car hooted outside the house and I ran to look through the window and it was Cherry, looking all down. The look on face screamed failure. I ran to the door and we met halfway.
Me: Cherry, oh no no no whats with that look. Please don't tell me. (I said with a fading voice. If she hadn't passed she was going to really give mom a heart attack.)
Her: This is not what I wanted. (She said calmly. Mom was now standing on my left side, curiosity written all over her face.)
Mom: Cherry give me the result slip. (She said taking the result slip.)
Me: No mom I don't think its good for you to open it let me open it. (I didn't want her to get demoralized by all this so I thought I must look first.)
I took the slip and my hands were shaking. Cherry was just looking at me with no expression at all. What was with her? I opened the slip and I just couldn't believe what I was seeing. I screamed out loud and I found myself in the arms of Cherry. I began to cry and she just started to cry along with me. They were tears of joy. She had passed all her subjects with Bs and she had an A in accounts.
My mom was totally confused by all this and I just gave her the slip. When she opened it, it was as if she had seen an angel not a ghost. She joined us in this crying league and we all rejoiced. Our hearts were filled with joy and we were elated to a higher level. We never expected these kind of results from Cherry, it was really shocking for us. We all couldn't wait for father to get home. It was like the time was moving on a snail's pace I don't know why.
The gate opened and fathers Range rover evoque got inside. I ran to him as soon as I saw him and I just gave him Cherry's result slip. He was a proud father at that moment. He just went to Cherry and said, " If I were to give you my heart right now, you could have seen all sorts of things I'm feeling right now in , I am very proud to have you as my big girl. You have proven me to be a great father amongst other fathers, I love you my girl". He said all those jubilant words and just hugged Cherry and kissed her fore head. Cherry was over the moon and I was happy for my sis. She was also setting a pace for me. I need to pass too and make my father praise me like this.
Me: This calls for a celebration!!! (Everyone just looked at me and we all laughed at the same time.)
Dad: Surely it does.
All the preparations for Cherry's great party were done and mom called Paris' father to know her results too and she started to ululate. She can be dramatic sometimes. So it turned out that Paris also passed all her subjects with Bs too but she had an A in English. That was so great and when dad heard about this, he decided that the party was going to be for both Paris and Cherry. When Paris heard about this she couldn't stop tears from running on her cheeks. It was a heart touching moment and she wished her mom was here. Nevertheless it was so splendid.
The day of the party arrived and everyone was dressed in black and white, which were Paris and Cherrys' favourite colours. Everyone was congratulating them and our proud fathers who were so overwhelmed with joy. People gave them gifts and speeches. It was their moment to shine, they really worked hard for this and it was worth it. We dined, danced, sang and we just enjoyed ourselves till 9 in the evening. People started to go to their houses and we were all so jaded that we just went to sleep.
Weeks and days passed, the holidays finally arrived and I went to Violet's house for the holiday as planned. It was so much fun having her family around and most nights Violet, Vinneter and I would sleep at midnight watching Korean Movies. The holiday was the best holiday I've ever had in my life. I don't know why but I feel safe when Im with Vee and the feelings are mutual.
The holidays passed and I came back home the day before schools opened. My family was so happy to have me back in the house they said the house was so silent without me. What were they trying to imply here? I asked myself and just laughed. Mom told me that there were two guys who came looking for me but unfortunately she forgot the names. Maybe they are my classmates or I don't know. It was also good to be home anyways.
I was just looking forward to opening schools and learning hard so that I could pass my grade 7 with flying colours. I don't know what back to school was holding for me but I don't know why I had a very good feeling about it. Let me just wait and see.
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Thanks for reading this chapter, I hope you enjoyed it as much as I enjoyed writing it. Whats going to happen next? Shennie is clueless about whats happening. We should really thank Lenti's mom for that proposal she gave to our boy Lenti. What is going to happen at school now? Is fate going to takeover and play its role? Whats the big secret that Lenti's mom is keeping from him? Find out in the next chapters..
Your Author Atipa
Edited by Pamela