Ntsika

I was watching TV at Mpande's when my phone buzzed. Mom's name flashed on the screen. "Hello ma?"

Her voice carried a tension I'd never heard before. "Boy-boy, I need you to come to North-West immediately."

"Haibo ma, North-West? Wenzani lapho?" The sudden request made no sense. We never traveled there.

"UKabelo invited us for dinner," she said, then hesitated. "There was... a shooting. A girl got shot. She needs blood, Ntsika. Your blood type." Her voice broke on the last words. "I'm begging you."