TAKE IT FROM ME

SEKGABO RAMAABYA
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 Chapter One
It was another day in Africa and everything seemed all right. Whenever I am bored I write in my
diary, it gives me something to do. I am Metsimontle, the girl from Botswana. So today was my
dad’s birthday, he was in the military but unfortunately, he … passed on. Mama and I loved him
to bits yet she moved on to Moremi! Now it brings me to my mother(the devil herself!) Mama
was so many things that I couldn’t list them all but I will try, evil; selfish; unbelievably irrelevant
in my life; horrid etc. Then just as I was about to go get my phone and watch YouTube… the devil
called. Why did she of all people have to be my mother?

I went downstairs to discover that she was of to work so I had to make dinner for her and
Moremi then stay at a friend’s place this weekend if I don’t want to be in the same house as
Moremi and her. A friend’s place…Yes! Make dinner for the two people I hate…No! As soon as
she left, I took my bag and went to Stokies tuckshop. When I got there I knew the person I was
looking for was there.
“Hey Lorato! ”I said calling to my best friend.
“Hi! How are you?” She asked excited to see me as I was.
“I’m good… I was wondering can I stay at your place tonight, ”I said shyly “Mama is having
Moremi over and ---”
“Of course, chomi, anything for you!” Lorato interrupted.

Lorato was as golden as the sun. Her beautiful brown eyes spoke for themselves when she
smiled, it was like she was your embrace. The pair of shorts she wore reminded me of when…
my dad was still here. The day before he died Lorato came over wearing those shorts and we all
pretended we were at war! Oh, those were the good old days.
“Hey! Wena Metsimontle you come to my tuckshop without greeting me?” Uncle Stokies said.
“Uncle Stokies nice to see you, how are you?” I asked hoping he will forgive me.
“I am good now that you talked to me,” he said in a kind of sassy tone “How is my sister?”
“Horrible as usual!” I said imitating his sass “I wish she was dead or probably even better she
wasn’t my mother!”

Stokies was silent so was Lorato. They both looked at the dirt. I sighed. Lorato and Stokies were
my only chance at family but why would they want to be when I made death wishes on my own.
“I’m sorry, I just can’t deal with this pain Mama gives me,” I muttered “We can go now. Thanks
for having us Stokies”
Lorato came walking beside me as we went to her place. I felt horrible! Stokies didn’t even say
goodbye. Was I that mean? I wanted to go back home but I couldn’t because I had not made

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dinner for Mama and Moremi. Then having the guts to show up to their date would land me in
even deeper trouble such as the … belt.
The minute we reached Lorato’s house my mouth was gaping! It looked even more majestic
than the last time I came here. The garden was full of flowers