Country boy in the city

Thabo felt ecstatic and overjoyed the day he left Botshabelo, one of the small locations in Bloemfontein going to the mother city, Cape Town.

Soon after passing matric he knew that the time was now for him to stand on his feet, fend for himself and support his mother, Mathabo. These two were staying together struggling with none to support them as the family's head had passed on.

This became the time for the lad to approach and face the outside world. All the while as he was sitting down amongst other travelling commuters in Shosholoza meyl train from Bloemfontein station en route Cape Town; Thabo spent the time reminiscing about good old days back home, whilst trying to imagine the world ahead. The thing that saved him from getting mad was falling asleep in between as the train was navigating it's way through in that 18 hours time frame. Even nature's beauty along the tracks caught his attention from time to time. These as well as smaller towns stole his mind and attention. Upon his arrival in mother city, Thabo was received warmly by his cousin Nkatiso.

Luckily his host made him to feel comfortable, and also took time to show him around, as it was his first time in the bigger city. Immediately at the start of the following year the job prospects doors opened unto him. Life became promising within a short space of time, as the lad kept frequenting in between Evermore Packaging (Pty) Ltd and home. Even Mathabo in Bloemfontein got relieved and counted herself blessed amongst women because of his son. She was as sure as death now that poverty is broken completely, also glory days have arrived in her family. Cape Town as is amongst the big, busy and beautiful cities in South Africa; even Thabo never got a dull moment, instead the city lifestyle captivated, also showed signs of swallowing him. In his coming in and going out he bumped into one gorgeous lady by the name of Zodwa. She epitomised everything he was dreaming of seeing in a woman; well structured body, soft voice and bigger eyes. The lady's arrival in Thabo's life made his heart beat race faster. Indeed he witnessed and saw bone of his bones, and got hooked on her from the word go. He never heard about love at first sight but was sure that he is in the midst of the popular saying. From there on one thing led to another as he couldn't help himself about bragging and telling his cousin about intending to move out inorder to cohabit with his newly found love. Nkatiso tried his utmost best to dissuade and talk him out of that dangerous idea, but he would none of it. He decided to leave him alone to follow his heart though feeling uneasy. Preparations of buying an already made shack and finding a yard or space to rent were done in a twinkle of an eye. This as if he was already tired in staying and sharing a room with his cousin. Masiphumelele Township in Fishoek became Thabo and Zodwa's second home, as the lady was coming from Eastern Cape, Engcobo. The manner at which the guy loved this lady gave him goosebumps and peace at heart, hence he decided to spend most of the time with her. He didn't want to lose her out of his sight as if saying, I've been searching for you everywhere. Even going to visit Nkatiso became a thing of the past. During midweek Thabo would leave his girlfriend at home and go to work, and will come back to her. Zodwa besides doing the house chores she had a best friend, also who happens to come from the same village, Siphosethu. Most of the time these two stays together during the day whilst both their boyfriends are at work, and chat about all sorts of things. One thing that attracted Thabo to Zodwa besides beauty was her sense of humour, and openness. These qualities made and prompted him to go overboard in fulfilling and satisfying her needs. He didn't want to see her sad and lacking also to him she was an apple of his eyes. Therefore everything Zodwa was asking she gets. In the midst of finding himself suddenly with a wife without paying a dowry or lobola as is called here, Thabo slowly forgot about his mother back home. The very same money he used to send to Mathabo was going to the lady. Even telephone calls now coming from Bloemfontein asking for money started to irritate him, and at times would ignore them. Mathabo was indeed at cruelty's receiving end. Zodwa on the other hand was treated with royalty even given money to send home as she had a baby girl from previous relationship: who according to her was denied and rejected by the father before birth. Thabo assured her that not to worry because he will take full responsibility and support the toddler as Zodwa was not working. To himself he saw a lady who was open, also in their relationship for a long haul, and someone to be trusted completely. When the same first year was nearing an end, Zodwa asked permission from her sweetheart inorder to bring his struggling cousin into Cape Town. This as for this relative to find himself a job just like the rest of his peers. As the plea was addressed nicely under the romantic candlelight, Thabo didn't object to the idea. Decision was reached that a room must be prepared for him, also his rent and food be provided by them until Szwe, as cousins name was should ble to stand on feet. Because he was older than Zodwa as she suggested also when he stays with them that might interfere with their privacy. The lad never for a minute suspected a smelling rat in all this, instead he jumped and did as told without hesitation. Indeed it was a love is blind scenario. Upon Sizwe's arrival both gentlemans met each other and embrace one another. Zodwa started spending most of the time in the latters house or shack. In all this while Thabo was kept in the dark regards the guys real identity, and his business in town. Siphesonke because of jealousy and guilty conscience summoned Thabo aside secretly, and told him that Sizwe is Zodwa's ex boyfriend, and the father of their child at home. Also whilst she was staying with him, Zodwa was busy taking money to support his guy at home. Thabo got so devastated, hurt and felt totally betrayed by someone he love so dearly. The picture of his mom Mathabo and the pain she went through due to his recklessness, and irrational decisions tormented him. Zodwa had milked him dry and left him alone. " How could she do this?" He asked himself this question crying with no one to answer. The hottest pill was that deep down in his heart he love her so dearly, and within himself was making decision and arrangement of taking her to wife. He felt so useless and a loser on losing so good a thing as love, that's what Thabo thought to himself. Besides he started to develop mistrust toward Xhosa ladies, as a Sotho speaking guy. Soon after discovering this hidden secret these two parted ways, and in December of the same year, upon company's closure, Thabo went home to apologize to Mathabo.