DIANA

by Charity Ngwenya

CHAPTER 1

Scene 1:1

“Young lady are you out of your senses?” Tranos’ blood shot eyes and egoistic voice cut deep through Diana’s heart, “Babe l swear l don’t know this girl! Please Mavis believe me”

“Hey you trash! Get the hell out of my man’s house!” Mavis said as she dragged Diana out of Tranos’ house. Tranos got hold of Diana’s cake and threw it like trash out of the house, broken pieces were splashed all over the spotless pavement and a few landed on Mavis and Diana who only clasped their hands over their mouths. Diana spontaneousely sprung out of the house in a fit of raged tears.

“Honey, you are just too much. The young girl just came to wish you a happy birthday”

“I don’t give a damn sweetheart. It’s these useless girls who go about destroying people’s relationships. Can you just imagine! Did you see how ugly she is and not to mention the baggy dresses”

“Calm down my King, you’re exaggerating now. Come let me give you a massage”

The more Diana recalled Tranos’ harsh words the more she ran like a lunatic in day light. All those who saw her, paved way for her, cars screeched, drivers cursed and passersby marveled. The voice that echoed in her head was,

“What does she have that l don’t have?”

Finally she stopped by the river. She  sat on the ground, defeated as tears rolled down her eyes and the chipping of the birds sounded like mockery. She screamed her lungs out not minding the presence of any soul. All she saw before her, were her dreams evaporating into thin air. She had survived the previous six heartbreaks. She just didn’t have the strength anymore, to stand the seventh heartbreak. Maybe if she died all her misery was going to be buried along with her.

After fully convincing herself about dying that day and ending it all. She stood up, wiped her eyes with maddy hands,making her to look like a scare-crow. She walked slowly into the river, slowly putting one foot after the other to test the waters. She veered as she heard the sound of clapping and laughter behind her, 

“Bravo! Bravo! I am happy for you” Said a strange man. Diana had never met him before and she didn’t care. She continued with her suicidal journey “You’re doing a great job, today mother earth will be rid of one poor, little coward who thought life is but a joke. This river is much deeper on the other side come let me show you. You will die in a second” 

Diana stopped and looked at the man, who only smiled and continued… 

“This world doesn’t have a place for cowards like you. Who think because of a few heartbreaks they can commit suicide.” He suddenly burst into tears. “If only you could give me that kidney before you die, l will be a forever grateful dad. I will give it to my twenty five years old son who was born with a kidney failure. He has been in a comma for the past one year. Foolish child if only you knew the meaning of life.” He turned and left, he walked faster to his car. 

Took his car keys out of his jacket’s pocket, opened the car, got inside, sat on the driver’s seat and held the steering wheel. He bowed his head and mourned as the car roared into life. Diana came running as soon as the car was about to take off, she stopped him, 

“May you take me to your son” 

The man only nodded, giving her the sign of consent. He said nothing to her all the way to the hospital. He stopped before the hospital’s gate, got out of the car, lit a cigarette and began to smoke. He would punch or kick in the air, grambling quietly to himself. Diana wanted to get out of the car and talk to him but she was too afraid. After 5 minutes he came back in and drove into the hospital. 

“Son, l met someone” He said holding the hand of his seemingly lifeless son who lay hopeless on the hospital bed. “Can you believe that she tried to kill herself! Can you believe it?” he laughed without meaning to.

When Diana got home, everyone stared at her.

“Good evening” she said.

“The results are out” Her mother said in a scary tone that made Diana to involuntarily sit on a chair.

“Oo!” was all she could say after a moment of throat clearing.

“Your sister passed and as usual you failed. I am so disappointed! You’re good for nothing Diana!” her mother screamed.

To be continued……