Chapter 6 — A Motherʼs Disapproval

Qhawekazi's victory over Dineo was short-lived, as she soon found herself facing a new challenger: Luthando's mother. Mrs. Dlamini's anger and disapproval were palpable as she confronted Qhawekazi about her relationship with her son.

"Did you give my son a love potion?" Mrs. Dlamini demanded, her arms folded across her chest. "I've told him to stay away from you, but he keeps running back to you!"

Qhawekazi's heart sank as she tried to explain, but Mrs. Dlamini wouldn't listen. "You're sick, and I don't want my son to catch your disease," she spat, her words cutting deep into Qhawekazi's soul.

Tears pricked at the corners of Qhawekazi's eyes as she apologized, trying to placate Mrs. Dlamini. But the older woman was unforgiving, her anger and pride driving her to lash out at Qhawekazi.

As the confrontation ended, Qhawekazi ran from the school, tears streaming down her face. She felt like she'd been punched in the gut, her heart heavy with sorrow. The insults from the boys at the store only added to her pain, and she ran again, seeking solace in the safety of her home.

But even there, she found no peace. Her father lay on the bed, his eyes half-open, a bottle of vodka clutched in his hand. Qhawekazi's heart went out to him, her own pain momentarily forgotten in the face of her father's struggles.

She approached him quietly, her tears falling onto his chest as she whispered, "Baba, I'm so sorry. I wish things were different."

Her father's eyes flickered open, and he gazed up at her, his expression softening. "My child, I'm sorry too. Sorry that I can't be the father you deserve."

Qhawekazi's tears fell harder, her heart breaking for her father, for Luthando's mother, and for the pain that seemed to follow her everywhere. But in that moment, she knew she couldn't give up. She had to keep fighting, for herself, for her father, and for the love she shared with Luthando.

[06/28, 06:30] Meta AI: She sniffled and wiped her tears with her sleeve. "It's okay, Baba. We'll get through this together."

Her father's eyes closed, and he nodded slightly. Qhawekazi lay down beside him, feeling the warmth of his body and the comfort of his presence. She knew that he was struggling with his own demons, but in this moment, she just wanted to be close to him.

As they lay there in silence, Qhawekazi's mind wandered back to Luthando and his mother's harsh words. She felt a pang of sadness and rejection, but she pushed it aside, focusing on the love and support that she and her father shared.

After a while, Qhawekazi's father spoke up, his voice weak but determined. "Qhawekazi, my child, I want you to know that I'm proud of you. You're strong and brave, and you deserve all the happiness in the world."

Qhawekazi smiled, feeling a warmth in her heart. "Thanks, Baba. That means a lot to me."

Her father's eyes opened again, and he looked at her with a serious expression. "Qhawekazi, I want you to promise me something."

"Anything, Baba," she replied, her voice filled with conviction.

"I want you to promise me that you'll never give up on yourself or your dreams. No

She sniffled and wiped her tears with her sleeve. "It's okay, Baba. We'll get through this together."

Her father's eyes closed, and he nodded slightly. Qhawekazi lay down beside him, feeling the warmth of his body and the comfort of his presence. She knew that he was struggling with his own demons, but in this moment, she just wanted to be close to him.

As they lay there in silence, Qhawekazi's mind wandered back to Luthando and his mother's harsh words. She felt a pang of sadness and rejection, but she pushed it aside, focusing on the love and support that she and her father shared.

After a while, Qhawekazi's father spoke up, his voice weak but determined. "Qhawekazi, my child, I want you to know that I'm proud of you. You're strong and brave, and you deserve all the happiness in the world."

Qhawekazi smiled, feeling a warmth in her heart. "Thanks, Baba. That means a lot to me."

Her father's eyes opened again, and he looked at her with a serious expression. "Qhawekazi, I want you to promise me something."

"Anything, Baba," she replied, her voice filled with conviction.

"I want you to promise me that you'll never give up on yourself or your dreams. No matter what happens, no matter what people say, you keep pushing forward. You hear me?"

Qhawekazi nodded, feeling a surge of determination. "I promise, Baba. I'll never give up."

Her father's eyes closed, a small smile on his face. Qhawekazi lay there with him, feeling a sense of peace and resolve wash over her. She knew that she would face challenges in the future, but with her father's love and support, she was ready to take them on.