PROLOGUE
"My child. I'm sorry I have to leave like this but I can hold on any longer. I'm sorry I robbed you a chance of growing up in a loving warm home with both parents. Some of the things I have done , I can't tell you but they will be revealed in due time , I hope by then you will be able to forgive me. I'm sorry mntanam." Her mother says and then coughs badly.
"Mama , drink water." She helps her drink water.
"Siko, you are a special being and one of a kind. You will find out a lot as time goes by and there are going to be a lot of challenges but always remain strong and true to yourself. Never doubt your abilities. I love you so much. Forgive me mntanam."
"I love you too mama." She says sobbing on her mother's chest. Her mother kisses her head.
"Help me lay down babygirl. I love you so much yezwa?" She hugs her daughter tightly crying then sleeps.
"I love you too so much mama." She says sobbing.
"Go and fetch water."
"Okay mama."
.
"Lethu!" She turns smiling as she hears her friend calling her.
"Hey Kuhle." They hug and walk together to the river.
"I'm so happy to see you mnganam."
"Me too oe! How is Durban?" She asks enthusiastically. They hug again.
"Oh it's nice hey but the studies are hard mngan hha! The fresh air is so nice , ohhh and the beach! I can't wait for you to come that side oe!" She keeps on blabbering and her friend is just as excited as her
"Me too mfethu. I'm happy that you haven't changed and I hope you continue like this and don't loose focus of what you are there for. Okay?"
"Yes Sikolethu , I hear you." She says rolling her eyes and her friend pinches her. She helps her friend with filling the two buckets with water before loading them in the wheelbarrow. They then start their journey back home talking about everything.
"What's going on kini?" Asks Kuhle as they see their neighbors at her yard.
"Umama!" She screams running towards her home , leaving the wheelbarrow behind. Her friend follows her behind pushing the barrow. She finds Siko holding on tightly to her mother's lifeless body screaming crying.
"Aw bakithi."
"Ohh isono nkosiyami."
"Oh smakade! Akasemncane."
The neighbors say looking at Siko crying for her mother.
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My name is Sikolethu Mbatha , a 18 year old girl. I matriculated last year but couldn't further my studies this year due to my mother's illness. I was an only child of Mantombi Mbatha , it has always been the two of us ; no extended families , no siblings , just me and mama. I never really knew what was mama's illness , she just became sick all of a sudden and that's why I decided to not go to varsity anymore but look after my mother.
My father? I don't know him , it's a topic we've never really spoke about with mama. I never needed him anyway , I've never really felt like knowing him or felt a void of a father. My mother was my everything.
