The next morning, Thiwe, as she lay on her bed looking at the white ceiling above, kept on recalling Tim’s version of events.
She can’t stop reciting Tim’s story of Mrs Thembekwayo’s role in his life. It was more of ‘one’s loss is another’s gain’.
Sabathile, I mean Mrs Thembekwayo, was a blessing in my life.
I was a teenager, good at cricket and the son of the conglomerate bachelor. But behind it all, I was boiling with emotions due to my mom no longer being there.
My Dad was there, and he tried his best, but he couldn’t replace a mother’s love. I never thought someone would even come close. Many had tried. Trying to use me to get to my dad. Many failed not only because my dad loved my mom with all his entire being but because they were not ‘interested’ in me.
Then this student teacher came around, always talking about a ‘daughter’ without giving away too much of her sorrow. Her heart was heavy.
But she breathed cricket. It was as if it was her way to escape, which was the same for me.
She never went into the heavy stuff.
During my practice sessions, she would go:
“Try focusing on hitting the middle stump”.
“Look at the pitch. Connect with it”
“Find your rhythm, wides are freebies”.
“I know you regret quitting spinning but since you’re here now, as a fast bowler, you need to make the best of it”.
“You have one job today; to take wickets. But bonus points if you score some runs”.
Suddenly, I found myself calming down because she was around. Even to this day, I don’t know what I would have become without her.
Thiwe’s thoughts are interrupted by Okuhle who jumps on top of her bed ending up right next to her.
“So, I heard you went to Fifth Avenue where someone booked an entire restaurant for you”.
“Which restaurant was it? “Okuhle continues with her enquiry.
“Are you now close to being a... Man, what do they call the wife of a cricket player?”
“Cricket widow?” Thiwe answers
“Yes, that!”
“Wait, how did you find out I was with Tim last night” Thiwe questions Okuhle’s intel.
“So, how was the date?”
“Don’t change the topic, how did you find out?”
“Well, Tumi told me”.
Thiwe gives Okuhle a surprised look.
“Tim, your man, is crashing by Tumi’s boyfriend’s place. He told Tumi over pillow talk and she told me. But Tumi doesn’t know that it’s you. She’s still cracking her head about who the girl might be” Okuhle continues.
“Oh yeah, it would make sense why he’s staying over at a friend’s given the situation” Thiwe replies as if she didn’t want to say that out loud.
“What situation?” Okuhle pries
“Do you mind if I discuss it with Tim before I tell you?”
“What? Thiwe I’m not like that”.
“It’s sort of sensitive information and his dad might be extreme about it in case you tell Tumi”.
“You’ve met his dad?”
“Yeah, please trust me?”
“I do, but I feel like I’m already speaking to a cricket widow. I’m scared”
“Anyway, we need to prep for exams”. Okuhle says jumping off Thiwe’s bed.
“Yes, final exams. Okuhle, we are finally here! Can you believe it?”
“Remember when you got to your first class for your teaching degree and saw many students and you were in full panic mode.” Thiwe says to Okuhle.
“Yeah, the class was too big. I was stressed about how we were all going to make it” Okuhle laughs.
“But what was more stressful was when you told me, that for your entrance exam, they had given you images of scaffolds and stuff and you had to do a piece of creative writing of no more than 300 words, interpreting the selected photograph. I found that weird and was wondering what extremes they are going to bring in the actual course” Okuhle adds.
“Fun times!” They both say in sync as they laugh.
Thiwe leaves the room to shower.
Upon her return, she sees two missed calls: one from Tim and one from her biological mother.
She then sees a text from Tim.
“Good morning Thiwe, hope I didn’t keep you up too late last night. I know it’s a Thursday, but are you keen on going hiking, if of course, you’re available?”
“Hiking?” Thiwe shouts, alarming Okuhle, who rushes to Thiwe’s side of the room.
Okuhle then convinces Thiwe to call him to clarify exactly why he is suggesting today out of all days.
“There might be a reason why he chose today. Either way, someone is very interested in you... “Okuhle sings as she walks back to her side of the room making space for Thiwe to make the call.
“Hi, Tim”
“Hey, Thiwe, tried to call you but couldn’t reach you”.
Thiwe getting the same chills she gets every time he calls her name.
“Yeah, I saw your text?”
“How are you?” she adds.
“Super and you? Also, did I keep you too late last night?”
“No, I arrived in time. I’m also doing well thanks.
“But hiking? today?” Thiwe asks but the silence on the other end of the phone is giving her a sense of Tim’s anxiety on the other end.
“Uhm, I have exam prep. Can we move it to the weekend maybe?” Thiwe continues.
“Jeepers, I forgot about your exams. You did say yesterday”.
“I never thought of you studying architecture, but your hands gave it away,” Tim sounding concerned.
“Yeah, I also can’t believe I’m almost close to reaching the first milestone”.
“I thought you were into journalism and sport. It’s true when they say dynamite comes in small packages”.
Thiwe bursts out in laughter.
“Dynamite, Tim?” Thiwe says laughing as she goes to her study desk and grabs a chair as if preparing herself for a very long phone call.
“Well, you are sort of into journalism and sport.” Tim says.
“But back to the hiking? Why did you suggest today?”
“Tomorrow evening, we have Mrs Thembekwayo’s anniversary. Then on Saturday, we have umpiring. “
Thiwe is silent due to shock.
“Tim, what are you talking about when you say we have Mrs Thembekwayo’s anniversary?”
“I guess you haven’t opened Mrs Thembekwayo’s gift yet”.
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