Chapter Fourteen
"Hospital "
(Waiting room).....
London:(crying her eyes out in Ermias' arms).....
Ermias:(his arms around her, comforting her)......
Emani :(looking at London and Ermias)....... This was all my fault..... (Breaks down).......
Sahari:(lays her head on his lap)... It wasn't, don't even think like that.......
Ayanda :(beside her brother)..... I'm scared.....
Sahari :(puts his arm around her).... I know..... She'll be okay....
Zara:... (Sitting between her friends in complete silence).....
Kuffi:.......
Ndasi:(standing opposite them all)....
Rose:(pacing back and forth I'm worry).....
Driver who caused the accident :(talking to the receptionist)....
Jhene :(to Kuffi)... Did you get a hold of Kross...
Kuffi:.. No his phone is off.....
Zara:..... It's okay...... And you can go, you've been here long enough.....
Jhene:.. But...
Zara:... I'll call you if anything happens...... Your parents will get worried....
J'hream :... Let them get worried........ I can't go home knowing my friend's sister got hit by a car and I don't know if she's okay.....
Zara:......
Tandeo:.. Yeah like for real......
Kuffi:.... We'll text them....
Jhene:... I'm staying till after the doctor tells us how Vanessa is.....
Zara:(leans back, sighs deeply).....
Sahari:.......
Ndasi:(sits down next to Ayanda, to Sahari not so loudly).... What are you doing here? ....
Sahari:... I was about to ask you the same thing........ Vanessa is my sister's friend and she really wanted to come along....
Ndasi :.... That's it?....
Sahari:..... (lies).....Yeah.....
Ndasi:... I came cause Zara is my friend....
Sahari:...... Great.....
"Durban, 8:26pm".....
(Celebratory party).....
Teenagers:(about 80 of them, swimming, dancing, getting drunk)......
Nicole:.... (Dancing with Kross)....
Kross:(drunk, also dancing)....
Random girl:(taking a video).....
Nicole:....(pulls Kross close to her, whispering in his ear)....
Kross:(listening).....
"Hospital "
(Room 147).....
Sahari:(Outside the door, still in his uniform, Ayanda in his arms)...
Ayanda :(sleeping, her head on his shoulder).....
Zara:... Thank you so much for being here...
Sahari:..... You're welcome...... I'm glad she's okay...
Zara :.. Me too, I don't know what I would have done if something happened to her......
Sahari :.... Call me if anything happens.......
Zara:(chuckles).... I don't have your number.....
Sahari:...... DM me on Instagram..... I'll text you my number.....
Zara :.. Okay....
Sahari:..... I'm off now...
Zara:... Okay, tell Ayanda I said thank you too...
Sahari :... Okay....... (Leaves)........
Zara:(enters Vanessa's room)....
Vanessa:(on the hospital bed, connected to several tubes with a bandage around her head with a cervical collar(neck brace) on her neck and a caste on her left arm).......
London:(sitting next to Vanessa, holding her little hand.....
Doctor :(to Ermias).... She suffered excessive bleeding due to the cut on the side of her head...... A fracture to the neck.... Broken arm..... And several cuts on her arms and knees....
Ermias:..... So she'll be fine?....
Doctor:.. We gave her blood and did all we could but we can't make that assumption this soon .......... She's a real fighter.... The impact from the car was quite strong...... If you need anything, you can have one of the nurses call me....
Ermias:... (Sighs)... Thank you
Doctor:..... Excuse me...(leaves)....
Rose:...... (Sitting in a chair opposite Emani and Zara).....
Ermias:(by London's side, rubbing her shoulder while looking at Vanessa).....
Rose:(in great anger)....... Why was Vanessa alone and not with one of you?.......
Emani:.....
Ermias:... Rose please...
Rose:DON'T STOP ME!........ MY GRAND DAUGHTER ALMOST LOST HER LIFE AT THE EXPENSE OF YOUR IRRESPONSIBLE DAUGHTERS!.....
Zara:........
London:......... (Turns around to face the girls)....... Zara where were you?.....
Ermias:... Babe....
London:.... I'm just curious.....
Zara:.... (Irritated).... Uhm. I was talking to a friend..... I told Emani and Vanessa to wait for me at the bench..... It wasn't the first time to have them get a head start.....
Emani:....... (Crying)..... I'm sorry...
Zara:(upset).... Don't be, this isn't your fault ....... Emani went to get ice cream...... Not the first time either........ But today was the first time Vanessa decided to go wherever she was going.....
Rose:RUBBISH!.......
Emani:(crying even more).....
Zara:(takes Emani out of the room by her hand)....
London:(turns back).....
Ermias:... You're really pinning this on them?.....
London:...... Babe, she was left alone...... That's the only reason she got up....... So yes, I am pinning this on them.....
"Hospital bathroom".....
Emani:(sitting on the flat base of the sinks)...... (Crying).....
Zara:(standing right in front of her)...... Emani you'll get a head ache you have to stop crying.....
Emani:... Its my fault...
Zara:... Its not, its that driver....... Who drives at that speed in a school......
Emani:.......
Zara:... Emani you always leave her there to get ice cream.....
Emani:... You remain with her..... This time I left her alone...... (Breaks down).....
Zara:(hugs her)...... (Holding back her tears)........... Please stop crying.......
Emani:(crying the more)......
Zara:(her phone gets a spam of messages)......... (Breaks the hug, checks her phone).......... (Speechless, her hand over her mouth..... Tears roll down her face).....
Emani:(scared)..... Whats happened?.....
Zara:.... (Crying)........... (Stops suddenly)....... (Puts her phone in her blazer pocket).....
Emani :... Is it about Vanessa?....
Zara:.... No................
Emani:..... (Wipes her tears)... Whats wrong?....
Zara:..... Kross sent me a text under pictures........
Emani:...... Pictures of what?....
Zara:.... And videos......... It's him with another girl.....
Emani:(opens her arms wide).....
Zara:(hugs her).....
Emani:... It's okay........ Sahari likes you anyway......
Zara:(breaks the hug)..... What?....
Emani:... Calm down (chuckles)..... He didn't say it, but I know.....
Zara:.... (Chuckles)..... You almost gave me a heart attack.....
Emani:what?.... You like him? ......
Zara :....Emani really?...... Come on...... Let's go for a walk.....
Emani:(gets off the sink base).....
Zara:... Listen to me.......
Emani:(looking at her).....
Zara:... Today wasn't your fault...... God does everything for a reason....
Emani:....
Zara:.. This is probably his plan...... to break us or fix us and make us stronger..... Its our choice...
Emani :(nods her head)......
Zara:... He made me get caught up with Ndasi..... And made you go to the ice cream parlor.....
Emani:...... Why would he let something bad happen?..... Daddy says God loves us, so then why?....
Zara:... Because its through that bad that we grow............ Life isn't meant to be perfect..... Its a task that we choose to fail or pass, never let a downfall get the best of you........... at the end of the day....... No matter what happens...... You're not alone, I'm here and I love you....
Emani:(smiles)..... I love you too....
Zara:... Now let's go outside.... We need the breathe....
Emani :... Okay.... (They go off together)......
"Outside"
(Call on speaker, Zara and Emani sitting on a bench)........
Kuffi:(on the call).... Kross is a big dick....
Emani:(laughing).....
Zara:.... Language guys my sister is here with me...
Emani:.... I know those words either way....
Jhene:... You tell her girl......
Emani:... (Smiles).....
J'hream :..... I told you Nicole was a snake, I bet Lebana and her made that plan....
Tandeo:..... Or maybe he just wanted to cheat...
Zara:...... Even if it was a plan J'hream...... It takes two people to cheat....
Kuffi:.... For real. Are you sad friend?......
Tandeo :..... Yeah are you okay?...
Zara:.... There's worse really...... I'm sad but not about Kross.....
Jhene:.... Just focus on the important things really.........
Zara:... I am...... London and Rose are blaming us for the accident.....
Kuffi:(angry).... That woman didn't leave?.....
Tandeo :... Its not your fault Zara....... Emani its not your fault you hear me? ....
Emani:... Yeah.....
Jhene:....she's lucky I have respect for elders otherwise I would have called her things......
Zara:....
J'hream :(chuckles)...... I have no idea who those people are.....(they all laugh).....
Zara :... London is my father's wife......
J'hream :.... (Confused).... Your mum...
Kuffi:... No, that's Vanessa's mother......
J'hream :....... Oh....
Zara:... The three of us have our own mothers, like individually.
J'hream :... Okay. Whose Rose....
Zara:...London's mother.....
J'hream :... Okay now at least I won't be lost alone..... (They laugh again)......
Emani:.....
Kuffi:............
Zara:........
Jhene:.... (clears her throat)....Kross is shit really...... You're a good girl...
Zara:yeah but it's whatever......
Kuffi:..... We can burn everything in his locker you know.......
Jhene:.. Right...
Girls:(all excited talking over each other)....
Zara:... No need, I'm mature.....
Girls:...(go quiet)....
Kuffi:... Party pooper....
Zara:... Come on..... We're better than that....
Jhene:... When it's time to be petty its time friend.....
Zara:... Nows not the time......
J'hream :.... (Sighs)...... What can we do though? .......
Zara:.... Nothing you guys...... He's Kross, he'll make us look stupid....
Jhene:.... I'll call him.....
Kuffi :... (corrects).....We
Zara:... No don't...
Jhene:... Bye...(cuts the call)....
Kuffi:.. Before you convince me.... (Cuts)...
Zara:... Kuffi....
J'hream :... Before I run out of curses... (Cuts the call)...
Tandeo :(also cuts)...
Emani:(laughs)...... He'll really have it...
Zara:.... (Smiles a bit)..... I'll let them do that at least...
Emani:.... You're not sad for real ........
Zara:.... I am........ I gave in so much......... It sucks. But it doesn't hurt as much as the accident and the accusations.....
Emani:..... Its just a task and you'll pass....
Zara:(chuckles)..... My words.......... Good game.
Emani:(looking at the hospital building)..... Are we going back in now.....
Zara:... I don't want to but if you do we can go in....
Emani:... No. I actually want to sleep outside...
Zara:(laughs)....
Emani:... For real. I know you've said it's not my fault.......... I still can't help but think it is each time I see Vanessa.....
Zara:(puts her arm around her)...........
Emani :.......
"The next day "....
(Waterford)....
Zara:(walking through the halls)....
Sahari:(calls out)..... Zara....
Zara:(stops then turns)....
Sahari:(reaches her)..... Hey, I didn't think you'd come to school today......
Zara :...(irritated)..... It's better here trust me....
Sahari:..... Do you want to talk about it?.......
Zara:..... Later....... I just want to get through the day without reviving too much......
Sahari:....... I get that....... See you later then....
Zara:... Yeah..... (Walks away)....
Sahari:........
Zara:(walks into her class, all eyes on her).......
Her friends:(equally shocked)....
Teacher:(walks into the classroom)............ (Notices Zara)........ You're here?........ Is your sister fine?.....
Zara:................ I wouldn't be here if she wasn't......
Teacher:........... (Embarrassed, laughing at himself )......... Uhm...
Students :(all silent)........
Kross:(knocks at the door)......... (Bumps eyes with Zara).....
Teacher:.... Our qualifier......
Students:.... (Clapping except Zara and her friends).....
Jhene:...... Stupid.....
Tandeo :..... Piece of shit....
Kross :(walks to his seat in guilt).....
Lebana:(smiles)......
Ndasi:(smiles a bit).....
Zara:(holding herself together)....
Teacher:.... Okay..... Prepare your pens and calculators for my test....
Students :(whining).....
Teacher:... (Giving out the papers).....
Zara:.............
Kross :(looking at Zara from his seat)........
Asani :(to Kross in a whisper).... Her sister was hit by a car yesterday.....
Kross :.... I got a call about it........ A rather angry call....
Asani:... She called you?....
Kross:... Her friends..... They were angry.....
Asani :... (Confused)..... Why?....
Kross:..... I cheated.....
Asani:...........
Kross :(sighs)....... I was drunk and......... Oh my God.
Asani:........ drunk?..... you want to use drunk as your excuse?.....
Teacher:(hands them their tests).... No more chatting....
Kross:(looking at his paper)......
Asani:.... (Disappointed)......
"Later that day"
(Old chemistry lab)....
Zara:(her arms folded, leaning on one of the stations,).....
Kross:(standing in front of her, looking at her).....
Zara:.... (Looking down)..... I read the texts over and over again...... I looked at the pictures...... I watched the videos over and over again..... (Looks at him)....
Kross:..... (Sad)....
Zara:.... I watched a two hour program...... Supporting a boy that didn't even give a shit about me or about our relationship.....
Kross :......
Zara:.... I could have studied or gone to class......
Kross :... It was Lebana's plan I swear....
Zara:.... Yeah, a plan that you made successful......
Kross:......
Zara:.... This all just had to coincide with the accident....
Kross :........ I told Nicole about you..... I really did....
Zara:... (Sighs)......
Kross :... I'm sorry, I don't want to lose you.....
Zara:...... I called you here to express my disappointment......... Not to forgive you or assure you a continuation of our relationship......
Kross:... I was drunk Zara....
Zara:... The whole trip?.....
Kross :....
Zara :... These pictures were not for a day........
Kross:... I admit that and I'm really really sorry......
Zara:.....
Kross:... I love you......
Zara:.... I don't get all excited by that phrase really..... Or happy..... Or satisfied............ They're just three words that are so over used and tend to be meaningless cause everyone wants to use them.....
Kross:... I mean it.....
Zara:... So did my mum..... But she still hurt me......... Kinda like you, you say that you love me but why would you do something that you know would hurt me?....
Kross:....
Zara:... I don't need this really.... I'm over it anyway.... I was over it the minute I got the pictures and the texts.....
Kross :.. Zara I'm sorry....
Zara:... Yeah.... I heard you the first time...... But, I can't...... And I won't...
Kross:......
Zara:(walks away).....
Kross:(raises his head to the ceiling, upset).....
"Last period of class"........
Students :(taking notes as the projector plays out slides).....
Secretary:(walks to the open door)...... Zara Ahli.....
Students :(all look up)....
Zara:..... Yes.....
Secretary:.... Step out of class for me please......
Zara:(confused, gets up)...
Ndasi:.....
Kuffi:(scared)...
Kross:.....
Zara:(walking)...
Secretary:.... Get your bag and books........ This is the end of your day.....
Zara:(scared, walks back to get her books).....
Students:(start talking among themselves).....
Zara:(puts her bag over her back, walks out of class).............
Secretary :(still at the door).........
Students:(curious).........
Secretary :.... All of you should put Zara into prayer.......
Teacher:..... What has happened?..... Is it her little sister?.....
Secretary :...... No.
Kross:.......
Secretary:...... Zara has lost her mother......
Kuffi:........ (Shocked)......
Secretary:.... Kuffi.......... Zara's father asked for you.....
Kuffi:(gets her books together quickly, throws them in her bag and rushes out).....
Ndasi :........
Jhene:.......(looks at Tandeo).....
J'hream :(speechless)......
"Car drive "
Ermias:(driving, emotional)......
Zara:(crying uncontrollably in Kuffi's lap)......
Kuffi:(rubbing her shoulder, holding back her tears).......
"Ahli house"
(Song still playing).....
Zara:(screaming from upstairs in her room).....
Ermias :...... (Sighs)....
Lauren:..... The doctor who was responsible for the pseudo papers is currently in prison....
Ermias:... Why would he do this....
Lauren:... We'll know after the questioning........ But his lie built hatred among the other prisoners..... They called her a witch and beat her up each time they could........... That consistency in beatings affected her both physically and mentally............ She was found dead in her cell........... She was holding a small paper and a pen, I'm not sure how she got them but it was a letter for Zara and I gave it to her.....
Ermias :.........
Lauren:... She was lacking her medication......... She was tortured for something she did in her least mind.
Ermias:....
Lauren:.... Personally........ I feel so guilty..... She didn't deserve to be in a cell but at a psychiatric hospital.....
Ermias:...
Zara:(crying gets louder)....
Ermias :.... How am I going to start with this explanation.....
Lauren:... She deserves to know........ The doctor will pay for this and I'll make sure of it....
Ermias:... Thank you so much......
Lauren:.....
Ermias:... Can you also have the prisoners brought out......... They too should pay for this too...
Lauren:.... I will.......
Ermias :(sad)......
Lauren:... Everything will be fine...
Ermias:... My plate keeps getting loaded..... Vanessa is fighting for her life...... My family is divided and know my daughter lost her mother.....
Lauren:......That's really tough, sorry (Sighs).... She had pure love for her mother you know....
Ermias:... I know that. I saw it....... In the defense...... The protection and overall care......
Lauren:..... I know you'll get through this..... Everything will be fine....
Ermias:.......
"Zara's room"....
Zara:(now quiet, leaning against the wall sitting on the floor, holding a small piece of paper, her eyes swollen with traces of tears down her face)......
Kuffi:(also sitting on the floor)....
Zara:............. The last thing I told her was that I hated her.....
Kuffi:she knows you didn't mean it.....
Zara:.... (Starts crying)..... The paper says that she loves me and that she always has.....
Kuffi:........
Zara:(sighs)....... I can't help but think I was the reason she died..... She probably killed herself....
Kuffi:... Friend.
Zara:...... I just want to die.....
Kuffi;... Its not your fault...
Ermias:(knocks at the door)......
Kuffi:......
Zara:.... (Looks down)....
Ermias:(walks in)........ Zara.
Zara:(looks up at him)....
Ermias:....... The doctor lied about Jennifer's health...... She was suffering from a mental illness....
Zara:(shocked)...... What?....(angry).... Why?......
Ermias:... Lauren is yet to find out. That lie made the other prisoners torture Jennifer..... Physically..... Mentally....... That's why she passed....
Zara:(breaks down).....
Ermias :... I'm so sorry dear.... And....
Zara:(now laying on the floor, crying in silence)..... Go away.....
Ermias :(walks out)...
Kuffi:... Do...
Zara:.. Go....... Please just leave me alone....
Kuffi:.... I know that...
Zara:You don't know anything....... Just leave, I'm fine.....
Kuffi :....
Zara:.. Kuffi leave....
Kuffi :(looking down at her, gets up)....
Zara:(curls herself up on the white carpet)......
Kuffi:............ (Walks out of the room)....