Chapter Thirty

A few years ago,

It was already dark when she arrived home. As a diligent and ambitious nursing student, she was on the verge of fulfilling a dream she had harbored since she was five. She had entered college at just 15 without much difficulty.

How was that possible?

It seemed improbable, right?

Yet, it happened due to her rare blend of beauty and intelligence.

She held a place in the Guinness Book of Records as a shining example for future generations.

She had started school at two and a half years old, and from that point, extraordinary things began to happen.

She received multiple promotions and short-term scholarships during primary school. Her grades were exceptional, leading some to jokingly refer to her as a witch for her extraordinary intellect.

Gifted with exceptional intelligence, others even called her a goddess who seemed to need no instruction.

Her brilliance incited envy from her peers and even her teachers.

She was a beacon of inspiration to every child.

As the only girl and the youngest of two children in her family, she was cherished but not spoiled.

Yes, she was indulged, but it never diverted her attention from her studies.

There were times when she was asked to delay her college entrance exams—not because of her results, but because she was so petite and young.

Although she excelled in mock exams, her age often hindered her admission. At that time, the country required college applicants to be at least 18, while she was only 15.

Her affluent background, however, helped ease her entry into college.

She was the youngest and smallest in her college, in her department, in her class, and likely the youngest ever to start college at such an early age.

Her striking golden eyes could charm anyone and even make adversaries falter, seeing her as a divine figure.

She was simply blessed with beauty.

People often labeled her a nerd because she wore prescription glasses and always sat in the front row, emphasizing her large, endearing eyes.

It seemed she had forgotten her new wristwatch again, and with her phone's battery dead, she couldn't check the time.

But she could see that it was already dark.

So dark that she was the only one left studying in the school library.

"Oh shit," she muttered as she gathered her belongings to leave.

She had done it once more.

Her parents would be livid, not directly with her, but with her personal bodyguard, who had been assigned to watch over her since childhood.

She had told her guard a fib, saying she needed to use the restroom for some privacy, not wanting him to follow her.

She could only find privacy by setting up this scenario.

When she reached the fields near the school's garage, she saw him wandering in the darkness.

She felt a pang of sympathy, knowing he would be in trouble with her parents. She hoped her prepared excuse would help.

She called him "Endurance" for his great patience and tolerance. His real name was Thabo, meaning "Joy" or "Happiness."

Anyone who saw Thabo would know he was a simple, easygoing person.

In Clifton, Cape Town, South Africa, a secure and tranquil area, Thabo knew she was probably safe on the premises.

Finally, she appeared. But what about the consequences at home? Who would face them?

"Little madame, you know I might get fired today, right? Lose my job forever?" he said.

She bit her lip, her eyes resembling those of a remorseful kitten as she looked down.

By now, she was 19, nearing graduation from college. "I'm really sorry, Endurance. I didn't mean to cause you trouble."

"But little miss, it's my job, my duty, and my obligation to protect you."

She moved closer, gazing up at his tall figure. "I never said it wasn't. I just needed some privacy. I needed time alone—listen," she took a deep breath, "I'm sorry, okay? I was at the library."

"Doing what? Reading from noon till dusk! Is that what you call privacy? Eh?" Her father wouldn't let up.

Meanwhile, Endurance stood trembling like a drenched chicken, looking defeated as he leaned against a pillar in the sitting room.

The butler stood quietly, observing. After receiving a glance from Endurance, he silently withdrew, head bowed.

"Dad, can you please calm down? I'm here now." She struggled to maintain her composure.

The middle-aged man raised an eyebrow, not entirely surprised by his daughter's boldness. He glanced at his exhausted wife. "Did you hear that? She's even telling me to calm down."

Zanele Dlamini rolled her eyes. "Sweetheart, stop talking while your father is making a point," she gently admonished her daughter.

"But I didn't—"

"You've already been out for so long, and look, it's just nine minutes to ten."

"But mommy—"

"You nearly gave me a heart attack. At least you should have called."

"Yes, I know, but my battery died." She pulled her phone from her black purse and pressed the power button to show them. "See? It's dead."

Seeing their displeased expressions, she quickly apologized. "Mom, Dad... I'm truly sorry for making you worry today, and I promise I won't let you down again. Please don't blame Endurance, and please don't fire him—it was my fault, not his."

Sipho Dlamini shook his head at his daughter's guilty plea. "It's alright." He pulled her into a hug, making her older brother Katlego, who had been silent, feel a twinge of jealousy.

"Hey, what about me? No one acknowledges me anymore?"

Zanele flicked his head, making him wince. "Get upstairs and get ready for your master's program."

He rubbed the spot where she had flicked him and complained, "I will, but you guys need to remember my status as the only heir to the Dlamini name." He pouted.

Everyone burst into laughter, including Endurance from his corner.

"Well, I never realized this family was also royal, crackhead," Thandeka teased.

Katlego stood up from the couch, irritation evident. "Who the hell are you calling crackhead?" He began walking towards her, and she started backing away.

Tilting her head in a mockingly girlish manner, she said, "Oh, is there another Katlego here? Of course, it's you, baby Dlamini."

"You, little—"

"Mom, Dad," she squealed, running up the stairs as he chased her like a cat after a mouse.

Zanele and Sipho laughed at their children's antics, seeing them play around as if they were still five years old.

Later, around 11:09 p.m., Thandeka finished her bath and was about to dive into her assignment when she realized she had left her textbook, which contained the questions for her assignment, in the school library.

A quick curse escaped her lips.

How on earth was she going to retrieve it at this late hour, especially with the assignment due at 7 a.m. the next morning?

The idea of driving out to retrieve it was daunting, but she had no choice.

First, she needed to ensure that everyone was asleep, including Endurance.

The gate wouldn't be a problem—she had a spare key and a plan to deceive the gatekeeper.

Driving out while deceiving the gatekeepers wouldn't be easy.

She mentally apologized to her dad as she got out of bed.

Still in her pajamas, she grabbed her fully charged phone, pulled a band from her vanity table to tie her hair into a rough ponytail without looking in the mirror, and hurried out.

She tiptoed down the passage and stairs, and fortunately, no one noticed her.

That's how she managed to slip out of the mansion.

The university was a short distance from the Dlamini mansion, so getting there quickly on foot would be manageable.

The night was eerily quiet, with only the occasional chirping of crickets breaking the silence.

Her nerves were on edge, her thoughts haunted by the possibility of something going wrong.

She hoped she would reach her destination safely.

The stories she had heard about young girls encountering trouble at night flashed through her mind, and she prayed she wouldn't become a victim just to avoid a carryover in a 4-unit course.

The negative thoughts were overwhelming, giving her goosebumps. She rubbed her skin to stave off the fear and quickened her pace.

"She has to get there on time, she has to get there on time," she repeated to herself.

Just two blocks away, as she glimpsed the school's gatehouse roof, she started to smile, thinking she had nearly reached her goal. But then, she noticed a black Mercedes GLE 350 parked in front of the gate.

The car's lights were still on, as if someone had forgotten to turn them off.

She slowed her pace, scrutinizing from a distance.

Two thoughts crossed her mind: either the car's owner had forgotten something or perhaps had come to study, or the car could be connected to something sinister, like a kidnapper, assassin, or undercover spy.

Despite her fear, something urged her to approach. When she did...

"Oh my God, oh my God," she screamed in shock as she saw a young man lying unconscious in a pool of thick blood on the ground. "Somebody help, please!" She rushed over to him.

There was no one around, not even a fly. It was just the two of them.

Thandeka frantically searched for help, running back and forth, but the road remained desolate.

The man was losing blood rapidly; the pool beneath him looked like it contained all the blood in his body.

Thandeka struggled to comprehend how such a drastic, fatal scene could happen in her region. Such violence was rare in Cape Town, and this was

her first encounter with something so severe.

If someone had done this to him, they must have been very close to him.

Seeing the scene, it appeared he had been shot.

With no time to ponder further, Thandeka managed to lift him with all her strength and placed him in the backseat of the car. She drove off, trying hard not to think about whether the scene was real or if he had truly been shot.

"Was he really shot?" she wondered to herself.

When they arrived at the hospital, Thandeka was greeted by a concerned doctor.

"Yes, he was shot, and he has lost a significant amount of blood, Ms.," the doctor said.

Thandeka gasped, her hands covering her mouth. "Oh my God."

The doctor sighed and continued, "He was shot twice in his torso and once in his right rib. If he hadn't been brought here in time, his chances of survival would have been only three percent."

Thandeka was frantic, grabbing the doctor's coat desperately. "No, doctor, you can't let him die... Do you need help? I'm a nurse and can assist... We need to do everything to save him..."

The doctor held her wrists gently, trying to calm her. "Ms. Relax, please. I understand your urgency to save your boyfriend's life. I assure you that he will be fine."

Thandeka didn't catch the "boyfriend" part. It made her hands, which were gripping his coat, fall to her sides in shock.

She was about to clarify that he wasn't her boyfriend but just a stranger, but there was no time for explanations. The doctor added, "We need blood—two pints will do for now."

Without hesitation, Thandeka extended her arms. "Take mine. You can have three if necessary, but please, save him."

The doctor was momentarily taken aback but soon guided her to the lab for the blood donation.

That night, Thandeka didn't return home or even go back to the library for the textbook. She spent the night at the hospital reception.

At daybreak, her phone rang, and she saw her mom's name flashing on the screen.

"Mom," she gasped, jolting awake and clearing her throat. She asked a passing nurse, "Excuse me, what time is it?"

The nurse smiled warmly. "It's 9:30 a.m., ma'am."

Thandeka's eyes widened in shock. "What?"

"Is there anything else you need?" the nurse asked.

"No, I'm fine, thank you," Thandeka replied, her mind racing.

Her phone rang again, and this time it was her father.

Oh no, she thought, bracing herself for the worst.

After taking several deep breaths, she answered with a strained smile. "Good morning, Daddy."

She could almost envision her father's wild reaction. "Deka, where are you?" he asked in Zulu.

Thandeka's soul felt as if it had left her body, but she managed to defend herself. "I'm at school, Daddy. What's up?"

He paused before asking, "Did you really have to leave so early, leaving the breakfast Rhoda made for you?"

"Oh, come on, Dad. I just didn't have an appetite," she fibbed.

"So why didn't you answer your mom's call? Was your appetite also affected?" he pressed.

She bit her lower lip, "I was in class, Dad. Actually, I'm in class right now."

After a brief pause, Sipho said, "Okay, but make sure you come home on time, alright?"

Thandeka grinned in relief. "Promise, Dad."

After ending the call, she wiped the cold sweat from her forehead and tucked her phone away.

"The doctor," she said to herself, heading to the receptionist desk with a bright face.

The receptionist, busy with paperwork, paused and smiled back. "Good morning, ma'am. How can I assist you?"

Thandeka drummed her fingers on the desk, anxious. "Can I speak to the doctor before I leave?"

"Yes," the receptionist replied, directing her to the doctor's office on a different floor after making a call.

Even as she prepared to leave, Thandeka stopped by a boutique to buy a stylish outfit so no one would question her pajamas.

She was ready to face whatever awaited her at home, knowing she had done everything she could for the young man who had come into her life in such a dramatic way.