GETTING THEM 34

GETTING THEM 34

TWO DAYS LATER

Thokozile had asked if I had any family or friends nearby who could come and check on me as I had to spend another day in hospital. We had talked a lot and in the conversation she did not care much to talk about my family or my background, I figured she was trying not to be inquisitive. However, Thokozile was concerned that I had been in hospital for three days and not one person came to check up on me. I was emotional as I looked at her. 

“If you do not want to talk about it I promise not to meddle in” she said.

I knew I had to say something as that was the only way she could come in to help if need be.

Thokozile was sitting on my bedside sipping on a smoothie while she waited for my response.

“I am a double orphan, I was living with my sister all along who was a maid in Kabulonga working for a white family. One day, my sister came to school and informed me that she was travelling overseas with her boss. She left me some money and assured me she would be in touch as soon as she arrived. True to her word, Lumbiwe called and we often spoke on WhatsApp. However, one day Lumbiwe stopped calling and went off all social media sites. She neither called no messaged, even when I tried to reach her email there was no response. This went on for a whole month and I got worried, I decided to seek help from immigration. The only help I could get were leads to someone who worked for the white family at some point. I only managed to get word that my sister had left the white family and living alone but why she could not get in touch with me was never communicated”

Thokozile was quietly looking at me before she finally offered a solution. I thought I was half way asleep when I heard her say she could try and help find my sister.  “Immigration has tried everything but...”

Thokozile picked her phone from her lap and immediately dialed a number, I wondered who she was trying to call but it wasn’t long before I figured out who it was. The call was going to the ambassador to Zambia from the state my sister was. From what I could pick Thokozile was told to check in after an hour. I sat there in disbelief as I watched her end the call.

“We may not find your sister today but a possible lead will guide us there... Something to help” she said

“But the place is so big... I have literally been losing hope”

“No, hope is something you cannot afford to lose. Just hang in there”

I had many questions for Thokozile but before I could even get to one, Thokozile asked to see her friend outside and she said she would be back shortly. I was still lying flat on my bed and now staring at the ceiling wondering what was happening.

“Knock knock” Thokozile said as she pushed the door open to come in. Behind her was her friend, I recognised him. He was a government minister.