Graduation

“Doctor Menzi Jobe, distinction in Obstetrics and Gynaecology, Psychiatry and Family medicine”. A round of applause, ululating and whistles were heard from the audience as Menzi walked on the stage to collect his certificate. He had finally graduated, making him the first Jobe doctor. His parents and the whole Jobe family were very proud of him. S’bu was the proudest of them all, he told everyone he met, spoke about him in board meetings and posted about his doctor brother on social media. He had more posts on Menzi’s graduation than Menzi himself. Menzi was going to start his internship but everyone was already telling him their medical problems and checking with him if the medication they were taking was correct. The Jobe’s had a huge extravagant graduation party for him.

“You must stop telling people about me now, I’m getting consultations from people I don’t even know” Menzi told his brother.

“My brother is a doctor, I just can’t keep quiet” S’bu said proudly.

Menzi realised that speaking to S’bu about this was a futile exercise. He was already trending as the handsome Jobe doctor, beside the consultations, he was enjoying the attention he was getting from women. Few months after that, Thandi and Mandy completed their degrees. They literally begged S’bu to not throw any party for them. They decided to celebrate privately by travelling abroad together for a month. S’bu was not very keen on Thandi traveling without him but he couldn’t leave the company for a month. While abroad they visited a lot of tourists destinations but they also visited different research units and took notes on what they could implement when they got back home. They made acquaintances with people in their field and even got job offers which they turned down stating that they already have jobs waiting for them in South Africa. When they got back, S’bu asked them to come via JC to inspect the research unit before their official first day. When they got there it was midday but the JC was so quiet, very few employees could be seen walking around. They paid no attention to that and went straight to the research wing.

“Surprise!” hundreds of voices shouted.

Thandi and Mandy stood still, shocked. Their parents, JC employees, board members and other company CEO’s were there looking at them.

“On behalf of JC, I would like to welcome our two quantum physicists and managers of our brand new research unit” S’bu said with a dazzling smile. “Thank you to everyone for coming. Make yourself at home and have refreshments” the added.

Applause followed from the guests. S’bu walked to his sister and hugged her. “Congratulations MaJobe” he said lovingly. Then pulled Thandi to his arms and kissed her passionately with the guest applauding. Thandi pushed him away embarrassed. He laughed, he knew Thandi was very private and shy and expected her reaction.

“MaDlamini, I have missed you” he said lovingly. Thandi blushed and S’bu was satisfied that he has made it clear to the man in the party that Thandi was his.

“You agreed to not to have a party for us” Thandi accused him.

“I agreed to no graduation party, this is welcome to work party”he said smiling.

Thandi didn’t know whether to cry or laugh. Mandy rolled her eyes and walked to her parents. She knew that there was no winning with her brother once he decided on something.

“You promised to stay with me this week” S’bu reminded her.

“How can I forget, looking forward to just us” she said blushing.

“Great, we have a lot of catching up to do”he said mischievously.

“I’m going to greet my mom and Bonga” Thandi said leaving S’bu. She didn’t want him to continue teasing and making her blush in front of everyone.

Thandi’s mom and cousin were so happy to see her and very proud of her. Thandi was surprised to find her cousin in the party since he was very busy at the Kings palace but when he saw Bonga checking Mandy out, she suspected that he did not just come for her.

“You still like her” Thandi asked.

“I never stopped” Bonga responded.

“Then why did you let her go in the first place?” Thandi asked curious. When they were in matric, Mandy was crazy about Bonga and had begged Thandi to introduce her. They dated after that but broke up after few months and either of them ever told Thandi the reason.

“I was young, stupid and naive at that time. I know better now” he said still looking at Mandy.

“Well unless you tell me what you did, I’m not helping you” Thandi said.

“I found out about the life she lived in the private high school before she got expelled and I ended things with her” Banga said embarrassed.

“You are right, you were very stupid and naive. You spent time with her after that and realised that she was no longer that person but you still judged her based on her past” Thandi said getting angry. Mandy did stupid things when she was a teenager but turned her life around, it was not fair for anyone to use her past against her. Mandy was also her best friend, she would defend her to death if there was ever a need.

“Don’t be angry Cuz, I know I was wrong. Would you help me?” Bonga asked smiling.

“No, I’m afraid you are not worthy of her. If you are serious, then you must earn her” Thandi said angrily.

Bonga realised that Thandi was mad at him and decided to approach Mandy on her own. “Jobe Princess” he said charmingly looking at Mandy’s eyes.

“Bonga, long time no see” Mandy said blushing.

“Too long but long enough for me to realise my mistakes”he said smiling.

“What mistake is that?”Mandy asked curious.

“I was wrong to judge you based on your past and I was a fool to let you go” he said touching her face.

Mandy blushed again. Of all the man she dated, Bonga was the one she still liked. He treated her well and even though he ended things with her, he was never rude about it.

“Thandi says I’m not worthy of you and that I need to prove myself. I’m asking for you to give me the chance to do that” he asked sincerely.

“You told her!” Mandy exclaimed.

“Yes, I’m pretty sure that she would have punched me if we were not in public” Bonga said remembering Thandi’s words.

“She’s overprotective that cousin of yours but you deserve it” Mandy said laughing. She knew how irritated and angry her best friend got when anyone messed up with her. This was the reason she never told her the reason for their break up.

“Does that meant you’ll give me a chance?” he asked expectedly.

“I will ask Thandi first” Mandi teased.

“Please don’t, she hates me at the moment and she already said I’m not worthy of you” Bonga begged.

Mandy laughed until tears we’re running down her cheeks. Bonga was tall and bigger than Thandi and he was used to commanding man at the Kings palace but he was terrified of Thandi.

“Take me to the movies tomorrow and we can take it from there” she said.

“Thank you, I will never let you down again” Bonga said delighted.