MR CEO
https://pixabay.com/photos/reading-book-girl-woman-sunshine-925589/
FIVE YEARS LATER
CHAPTER 2
Njabulo woke up at 4am and went to the bathroom and took a shower. It was his birthday. It was the fifth one without his parents and the third one without his grandmother. Life has not been easy for him. He has been living for the sake of being alive. Things have been very hard.
After the death of his grandmother his mother's cousin opted to be his guardian. He has been staying with her and her kids. They stay in the house that his father had built for his mother. But that doesn't make any difference. He is still treated like it is not his home. Sometimes he wishes he could have died that day his parents were shot.
After he was done taking a bath he got ready for the day. He was going to celebrate his birthday. It didn't matter how he would do it. But he was going to do it. He put his hoodie in his torn backpack and put it on his back and left before the others could wake up. He didn't want to be given chores that were only going to ruin his day.
He got to the bus stop and waited. This is not the first time he does this. He does it a couple of times when he has some coins. He goes out to hussle so he can have some nice food once in a while. They do give him food but not the same as the others on most of the days. So he does what he has to.
A taxi stopped next to him and he got in. He paid as it moved. He looked outside the window as tears fell. He may have been young but he does remember his birthdays when his parents were still alive. They loved having parties for him and getting him presents. Sometimes they would take him out. Not to mention the rides he went on with his father. He misses all of that. And he wonders if he will ever have that life again.
Njabulo:after robbot.
The taxi stops and he gets out. He runs down the road going to the plaza. There's no way that he's not going to get something to eat. He just needs something that would make his day. Something that will make his birthday memorable.
When he gets to the plaza he walks around looking at shops. No matter how bad things get he would never steal. He is scared of jail. He knows everything about jail. His neighbor who got released about a year ago told him stories about what happens in there and adviced him to be a good kid so that he doesn't end up in there.
As he's moving around he sees a family leave the restaurant. They didn't finish their food. He walks in and sits where they were sitted. He looks at the food they left and his stomach makes a sound. Just when he's about to put his fingers on the food he feels someone pat him on his shoulder. He turns startled. He looks at the little girl with no front tooth smiling at him. She waves at him. He nods his head and turns back to the plate.
Girl:that's not your food. Are you hungry?
He looks at her getting annoyed. He came here to enjoy the food. The workers haven't noticed him but this little girl comes and ruins his day? What a bad way to start the day!
Girl:come and eat with us. My mom said I should call you.
He looks at her to see if she's not joking. Her smile hasn't left. It's still there. Was she joking? He looked where she pointed and the father waved at him. He walked to them with the little girl. He greeted and sat down. A waiter came with more food and put it in front of him.
Woman:I saw you get in. Are you alright?
He nodded his head. They realised that he didn't want to talk much. He focused on his food. After he finished eating he had his milkshake and wiped his mouth. He looked at the parents of the little girl and wiped a tear that fell.
Njabulo:thank you. It's my birthday today. You made it so beautiful. God bless you.
Woman:it's your birthday?
He nodded his head.
The little girl started singing for him. The mother called for the waiter and ordered a slice of cake for him. Soon the stuff was singing for him. He had a big smile. It reminded him of when his parents were still alive. The waiter came with his cake. He blew the candle and started eating.
Father:how old are you?
Njabulo:13.
Father:do you go to school?
He nodded his head.
Njabulo:I'm in grade 9.
Mother:9?
Njabulo:yes. I skipped a grade.
Father:wow. You must be really smart. Are you from around here?
Njabulo:no. I stay with my aunt in Mamelodi.
Girl:here. It's your gift. My grandmother made me this and my other grandmother bought me this.
Njabulo:thank you.
He took the two bracelets from the girl.
Father:if someone wanted to get you something for your birthday what would you choose?
Njabulo:school uniform.
They looked at him amazed. Out of everything he chose uniform.
Father:take our details and send them to your aunt. Just in case you are scared. We are going to buy you school uniform.
Njabulo:thank you so much.
He took the man's phone and called his neighbor. He knew his number by heart. He gave it to him and told him that he can call him any time he needs his help.
After that they left for Menlyn mall. It was his first time there. He was happy and even nervous at the same time. They started off by getting him uniform. Even got a school blazer. He knew his aunt would take it or even sell it. So he was going to hide it. After getting uniform they got him stationery. No one has ever done something like that for him. Then they got him food to eat and celebrate his birthday with his family and a big cake.
After getting him all those things they drove back to Hatfield and the father gave him a R200 note. He was happy. He got a taxi back home.
When he got home he jumped over the wall and went to the window of his bedroom. He put his things in there and closed the window and went to the door. Luckily it was not locked. He walked in and stopped at the living room. His aunt was there fixing her make up.
Aunt:where have you been? I've been looking for you.
Njabulo:it's my birthday today.
Aunt:so what? If your mother wasn't a homewrecker she would still be alive! What should I do with the fact that it's your birthday? I'm leaving now. I will be back on Monday.
Njabulo:okay.
She walked to her room after she was done then came back pulling a bag. He walked out to see if she really left. A car was waiting at the gate for her. Her two kids also ran to it. This time he wasn't sad that they left him on his own. He was going to enjoy his weekend without being ill treated for once. After the car drove off he went to lock the gate and cleaned the pool. Then he went to cut a slice of cake. He also got juice and changed into shorts.
He got inside the pool and started swimming. He never swims.In fact,no one is allowed to swim unless his aunt has a party. Even during that time he is not allowed to swim. So this was like Christmas for him.
During the afternoon he went inside the house and went to his aunt's bedroom and searched. He looked in the drawers and the walk in closet until he found a little box. He also got the key. He took them and went with them to his bedroom. He unlocked it and looked at the documets. He didn't understand most of the things. But his mother's name and his were on the documents.
That night he went to bed feeling light. He didn't have that heavy burden on him anymore. He felt at psace. He was happy and wished that his aunt could stay where she went for good.
.
.
.
.
The following morning he woke up to noise. He went out to check. There was someone at the gate. He went to open. It was his other aunt. He opened for her and rushed back to the house and took all his food back to his bedroom. He didn't want her to see it.
She walked in with her bags and he just stared at her. She was moving in too? It was surely going to be a full house. And his duties would multiply.
Aunt:can you make me some tea?
Njabulo:okay. Are you here to stay?
Aunt:yes. I've heard how Ntebaleng has been treating you. So I'm moving in and she's moving out of here.
Njabulo:really?!
Aunt:yes. She promised to be good to you but I'm not seeing that. So I will take care of you.
Njabulo:thank you so much for coming.
Aunt:so what did you have for your birthday?
Njabulo:aunt didn't do anything for me. But I met some people in Hatfield. They bought things for me. I'm coming.
He went to his room and took out the food,cake and his uniform and stationery. He showed her.
Aunt:they also got you uniform?
Njabulo:yes. They asked what I want for my birthday and I said uniform.
Aunt:you're a wise young man. You will go far with this mindset.
He smiled. Maybe his aunt coming was the best thing for him. He wouldn't have to go through what he went through everyday.
On monday his aunt Ntebaleng came back. It was really not a good day for him. She shouted at him for opening for his other aunt.
Aunt:who gave you permission to let her in my house?
Ntebaleng:this is his house. I have heard that you've been treating him bad. Everything in here belongs to him. But what do you do? You treat him like a slave! Is this what you meant when you said you will look after him?
Aunt:who buys groceries here? Who pays for his school fees? Me!
Ntebaleng:who do you think must do that? His mother left money for him! You finished it. So you must do everything for him. Tomorrow you are leaving.
Aunt:we will see who will leave between the two of us!
She clicked her tongue and walked away.
The following day Njabulo went to Ntebaleng's bedroom. He wanted to greet her before going to school. He opened as the door wasn't locked. He saw her laying on the bed with her mouth hanging open and her eyes also open. He shook her but she was silent. That reminded him of the day his parents died. Everything just came back and all hope was lost again.
.............
15 years later
Continues
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