Chapter 4 — Love & Ambition

As Qhawekazi and Luthando walked back to her hut, he stopped and looked her in the eye. "I told you I'm a man, didn't I?" he said, his voice filled with determination. Qhawekazi's face lit up with a bright smile, and she shook her head, her heart racing with excitement.

As they approached Dineo's house, Qhawekazi glanced over, relieved to see the door closed. She didn't need another confrontation with Luthando's obsessive admirer. "Luthando, you need to tell your girlfriend that we're not dating," she said, her voice laced with frustration. "She's always insulting me, thinking we're a couple."

Luthando stopped and placed the bucket on the ground, his chest heaving. "She's not my girlfriend, Qhawekazi. I don't know how many times I have to tell you that. She's just obsessed with me, but I only want you."

Qhawekazi's heart skipped a beat at his words, her cheeks flushing with pleasure. She knew he was telling the truth, and she couldn't get enough of his affection.

As they reached her hut, Luthando insisted on meeting her father, but Qhawekazi hesitated, knowing her father's temper. "Perhaps next time, Luthando. Today is not a good time," she said, her smile faltering.

Luthando nodded understandingly, his grin still plastered on his face. "I understand. I hope next time will be perfect, and I'll get your father's blessings."

They shared a small hug, and Luthando left, leaving Qhawekazi to her thoughts.

In English class, Qhawekazi's mind wandered to her future, her dreams of writing and acting clashing with the harsh reality of no money for studies. Her teacher's voice broke her reverie, calling her up to recite her poem. Qhawekazi's heart raced as she stood before her classmates, her voice trembling at first, then gaining strength as she spoke the words from her heart.

"My beauty was keeping me moving forward, I admired myself every morning in the mirror, I used to practice my smile, I used to talk to the mirror, That was the only friend I used to trust 'The Mirror'."

The classroom erupted in applause, her teacher beaming with pride. Qhawekazi's heart swelled with hope, knowing her words had touched others. Maybe, just maybe, her dreams weren't as far-fetched as she thought.

*******

Qhawekazi's mind wandered in class, her thoughts consumed by dreams of her future. She longed to pursue a career in writing and acting, but financial constraints seemed to dash her hopes. Her teacher's voice snapped her back to reality, summoning her to recite her poem.

With a fluttering heart, Qhawekazi rose from her stool and faced the class. Her teacher asked for the draft, but Qhawekazi had none, having memorized the poem instead. With a nod, her teacher allowed her to proceed.

Qhawekazi began, her voice steady, "My beauty was keeping me moving forward, I admired myself every morning in the mirror, I used to practice my smile, I used to talk to the mirror, That was the only friend I used to trust 'The Mirror'."

The class listened intently, mesmerized by her words. Qhawekazi's passion for poetry shone through, her voice dripping with emotion. As she finished, the class erupted in applause, her teacher beaming with pride.

"Well done, Qhawekazi," her teacher said, "Your talent is undeniable. Keep nurturing it, and your dreams will surely come true."

Qhawekazi smiled, her heart swelling with gratitude. She knew that with hard work and determination, her future was hers to shape. And with Luthando by her side, nothing seemed impossible.