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24
24THE FIRST WEEKEND AFTER GETTING DISCHARGED
THE MAGAGULA HOUSEHOLD
Upon getting discharged Sandile noticed a change of attitude towards him. He was kept on the eye and watched all day, hell they even installed some cameras in his room to spy on him, so they stop worrying about him trying to take his life again. Since the therapist was out of the picture, just a few days ago Bantu broke down the camp news to Sandile, not giving him a choice but telling him when, why, and how he will be admitted to the reflection camp. It was set to be 2 days from now and Sibu was supposed to drive him there. He was expected to stay a maximum of 2 weeks and then be discharged if he proved to be working towards himself and bettering his life.
The door to his room was now kept unlocked, so everyone in the house had easy access to his room. An unannounced visitor entered the room followed by his mother.
Sazi: Sandile, there’s someone I would like you to meet. This is Nomhle, your fiancé, she came to see how you’re doing since the--- since--- yeah, she came to see you.
Nomhle: hi Sandile, My name is Nomhle Luvela. It is great to finally meet you.
He looked her up and down and then asked his mother to give them the room.
Sazi: I will go prepare some refreshments. You kids have fun.
Nomhle: thank you.
Sandile: so, Nomhle, what are you doing here?
Nomhle: I came here to see you.
Sandile: see me? What for?
Nomhle: I heard you were hospitalized upon trying to take your own life. I don’t know what pushed you to that point. But I’m here to tell you that I am here for you. From today onwards, you will never suffer. I will always be here for you. I love you.
Sandile threw a sarcastic chuckle at the comment of loving wondering to what degree was this fiancé person brainwashed. What mode of being toyed with and controlled was she in that she’d utter such words at first encounter and without batting an eye? Was this even normal? Did it seem normal to her?
Sandile: what?
Nomhle: when I heard what happened to you, my heart shattered, my father made matters worse by not even allowing me to go visit you at the hospital. Seeing you finally really is a relief. I thought you’d die, and I’d have to mourn you even though I haven’t met you yet.
This girl was dense and clearly brainwashed and showed signs of being controlled her whole life. Her behavior was alarming to Sandile.
Sandile: ma’am, do you even know me?
Nomhle: does that matter?
Sandile: wow…
Defeated and out of words, Sandile cut the conversation short by asking Nomhle to leave the room making an excuse that he wanted to rest some more. Hesitantly Nomhle picked up her bag and left the room after looking back to check on Sandile who was gawking at him with a face full of worry. From their conversation, he got to know a whole lot about his supposed fiancé. The girl had major dependence issues; one could tell she was someone who had never had the taste of freedom nor even had a chance to make her own decisions. She was a pawn to be moved around by her parents and Sandile’s parents too were on the road o do the same with him. It was evident enough from just this encounter that their marriage was going to be controlled and dictated by their parents.
This made him even wonder if getting married off was even worth his time. Is there even an escape from this?
OUTSIDE THE ROOM
Sazi: oh, I was just about to send in some refreshments. Are you guys done already?
Nomhle: I think so, Sandile asked if I could leave so he could rest.
Sazi: okay, come with me.
Nomhle followed with slouched shoulders disappointed she couldn’t spend a little more time with Sandile. She liked what she saw from first impressions, but she worried about her representation to him. What did Sandile think of him? Did she take things too far? did she sound desperate or come off as forward when she professed love for someone she just met today?
THE CAMPUS GROUNDS
Chuma talked nonstop bringing up Thando’s anxiety levels as he kept on discussing the exam questions and asking Thando what he put as his answers to certain questions to determine who got the correct answers between them.
Chuma: okay, this is the last one and I will stop. In the second question of the third section, what did you put as the answer to question number 4?
Thando: you.
Chuma: can you be serious for a second?
Thando: no, because you have been doing this for the past 10 minutes and I’ve put up with it for long enough. I am tired now. Leave me alone.
Chuma: wow, stingy bastard.
Thando: that goes for you as well… come with me to the cafe. I need something sweet.
Chuma: answer my question first.
Thando: you do realize even if I do nothing is going to change, right? Just drop this. Let’s go.
Chuma: I cannot believe you.
Thando: this is not high school, hurry up.
Chuma: okay.
2 DAYS LATER
The day for the reflection camp came earlier than expected. Sibu had packed and loaded the car with 2 weeks’ worth of materials Sandile would need at the camp. Saying goodbye for a while proved to be hard for Sazi as she kept looking at her son with tears falling down her cheeks. This was supposedly the right thing to do for them, but she could not stop thinking about the moment she found Sandile lifeless on the floor. She wanted him to be in her eyes all day long, now that he was going to be out of sight for a while, she worried he might just repeat his past actions. Suicidal thoughts come every now and then to an average daily person, but to someone who has attempted multiple times, it is a thought that is always there just waiting for a motive, a moment of pressure, and the time to erupt.
Sazi: please take care of him, make sure you drive safely.
Sibu: I will now stop the tears. It is embarrassing.
Bantu: I will call the people of the center. Don’t make any stupid decisions on the way because I will not let it go.
Sibu: we won’t. I will drive straight there.
Bantu: and you boy, this is your last chance. Mess it up--- and I will strangle you to death with my own two hands.
Sazi: that is not a nice thing to say.
Bantu: as if care, I am not the nice guy and never will be.
Sazi: okay, babies. Drive safely, please. And Sandile--- take care, son, I will visit soon.
Sibu: okay, bye.
Sazi watched as the revered out of the yard into the street. She said a silent prayer for protection on Sandile’s behalf who didn’t say a word the whole morning. She knew this was going to be hard on him, she hoped he would survive it and come back a better person. Bantu had long disappeared by the time she turned around to go back to the house. Typical toxic male behavior.
AFTER AN HOUR-LONG DRIVE
Keeping conversation was hard in the car. Sandile was silent the whole journey which kind of upset Sibu. It was unlike her little brother not to bother her at all. Seeing him sad again was just as unbearable and uneasy as she felt when she was ordered to drive him here. After the suicide attempt, Sandile has really been closed off, he barely talks, eats, or even socializes anymore. A total change of personality. Sibu wondered how bad the world has gotten to his little brother that he changed from being the person who was forever on social media, hanging with friends, and partying to being an introverted introvert who is now a suicide risk.
Sibu: we’ve arrived. You can unload your stuff first. I will go handle some paperwork at the reception. Meet you there.
Sandile: okay.
A FEW MINUTES LATER
After moving in being assigned to a room. Sibu left and bid farewell to her little brother whose condition seemed to be deteriorating by the second. She was not comfortable leaving him like this, but rules were rules and she had to leave. Sandile spent an hour in his room until an announcement from the intercom ordered all members of the center to meet at the dining hall for supper. The place buzzed with up to 80 people of different shades, shapes, and sizes but one person in particular was familiar to him. Just what the---
Mina: Sandile? What are you doing here?
Sandile: Mina?
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