Could life get any better?

Short Story Makanaka Mavaneka
“WHAT am I to do now?” uttered Sihle sorrowfully. How could life be so cruel, was all the suffering really worth it? Sihle was alone in this so called world of the living, she saw nothing worth living for. Her two precious and dearest parents had been snatched right before her eyes, four wheels can cause one so much pain. Born into poverty, Sihle never had an opportunity to enjoy anything except the comfort of her parents, now her only source of joy was no more.

One could swear Sihle was born with poverty clinging on to her like her own skin. After her parents were laid to rest, Sihle was taken in by her mother’s sister and her new parent tried by all means to fill up the gap her two parents had left.

It wasn’t easy for Sihle to get the memory of her late parent’s off her mind even though they never had much to offer her.
Unlike her parents, Sarah was financially stable; she could offer Sihle what her parents had failed to offer her in the past 19 years.

Sihle was beautiful and very intelligent; she possessed the morals of a child brought up in a Christian family. Young men always tried their luck on her.

Her God given intelligence had acquired her exceptionally good results in her O-levels. Things at her new home were taking quite a good turn; life was looking up for her.

Sarah was childless and Sihle was like that long unanswered prayer, which God had finally taken into consideration and answered.

Sarah loved Sihle unconditionally and her affinity towards Sihle was beyond words.
Sihle’s sad memories slowly began fading, as school preoccupied her mind.

Sarah took Sihle to one of the best Christian schools in Zimbabwe. She wanted her to maintain her good personality. Her zeal of excelling in her studies was never lost. Each term she received merits for being the best pupil. Months went by and Sihle managed to make a friend who was well known by Sarah. Sihle and her new-found friend — Tashinga soon grew fond of each other and developed a bond which resembled that of siblings.

Tashinga had drawn himself closer to Sihle, after learning of her tragedy.
He was touched by her life story and at the same time proud of the strong young woman Sihle had turned out to be.

Tashinga’s life was far different from that of Sihle, Tashinga never knew his parents, as he grew up in a foster home where he got everything he wanted.

His foster parents were wealthy and influential people. Coming from such a good home, Tashinga was honestly expected to be a snob but he wasn’t.

His humble character is what kindled sparks in Sihle’s heart, Sihle saw Tashinga as her source of strength.
They both shared the same dream of changing the world. Being born in poverty gave Sihle the zeal to assist those who were held captive by it.

Her final A-level exams were drawing closer, all her examination requirements were catered for.
Unlike her O-level waiting period this one was full of adventure and fun. Sarah took Sihle to Victoria Falls and for the first time she got to see the other side of life, the good one, and life was worth living.

In the middle of the fun, it was time to collect the results. Sarah wished she could escort Sihle to collect her results for moral support but had an errand to run.

Sihle collected Tashinga from his home and they went together. The drought had withered the once ever green trees at her former school. The teachers were happy to see the two former pupils; they toured around the school before collecting their results.

As expected they both passed with flying colours.
They were both happy and couldn’t wait to break the news to their parents. Sarah was on her way back from her errand when Sihle called her. Trying to get hold of her phone she lost grip of the wheel and the car lost control.

Sihle was eager to get home, on arriving she got a call from the hospital telling her that her aunt was seriously injured from an accident she was involved in.

It felt like a joke but it was reality.
She rushed to the hospital; Tashinga followed her an hour later after learning of the accident.

Sihle sounded devastated and confused on the phone. She only managed to tell Sarah that she had excelled in her exams, beneath the tears Sarah had managed to pull a genuine smile. The last painful and joyful smile Sarah gave Sihle before fate grimly took her.

Sihle was not really sure what life wanted from her, Sarah’s death caught Sihle off guard.
Tashinga tried comforting her but nothing he said seemed to have meaning. Could life get any worse . . . who knows what life had in store for her?