Breathe
CHAPTER 1

“Another attack?” Faith asks, walking into my room. she settles on the chair beside my bed.

“What caused it this time?” Sibusiso her husband asks, and I shrug my shoulders.

“I don’t know. I don’t even remember what happened that led me here” I respond, and they look at each other and then Faith shakes her head at her whatever her husband is thinking.

“Maybe we should consult someone and see, so that we know what we are dealing with” Sbu suggests, Faith shakes her head no.

“My religion doesn’t allow me to consult. We not doing that” Faith says, completely against her husband’s suggestion.

“Wouldn’t it be better to know than sitting in the dark? This has been going on for years now Faith!” Sbu argues and Faith doesn’t respond clearly done with the discussion.

“Don’t I get a say in what happens with my life?” I interject, the tension in the room is so thick you can’t even cut it with a knife this time around.

“Maybe when you 18 and no longer under my care you can worry about your own life but until then, no you don’t” Faith says, and my mouth snaps shut.

“And how is our patient feeling?” nurse Sally asks walking into the room, I force a smile.

“I feel fine Sal, I feel normal. Let me guess, you guys still don’t know what’s wrong with me?” I say and she smiles apologetic.

“Every other test we’ve run has led us to a dead end. I guess you can go home now” Sal says, and I nod, Faith walks out with Sal leaving me with her husband.

“Would you like ice cream when we go home?” Sbu asks and I shrug my shoulders.

“I don’t know. Maybe it wouldn’t be so bad” I say, and he nods.

“Your sister means well, she’s just worried and stressed about what’s happening with you” Sbu says.

“This has been happening for 6 years now and no doctor seems to replace what’s wrong with me, would it be such a bad idea to consult?” I say pouting annoyed because either way I’ll be turning 18 in 2 months.

“Look at it this way, 2 months to go and then you get to make your own decisions” Sbu says with a smile and I roll my eyes.

“I’m heading to varsity in 2 months. I can’t get there and be the weird freak who always has fainting episodes or panic attacks randomly. There has to be something wrong with me, something that cannot be solved using western medication Sbu” I say, and he shrugs his shoulders.

“Ready to leave?” Sbu asks.

“Yeah” I say leaping off the bed. It’s no use staying overnight anyway especially if you weren’t even admitted in.

We walk out and meet my sister in the hallway with my doctor, they say their goodbyes and then we head on out to the car. The drive home is a quiet one with nothing but the radio playing, I’m pressing my phone and so is Faith while Sbu drives. He parks the car and I’m the first one to get out of the car and make my way inside the house.

“What did the doctor say Joy?” Mom asks showing up from the kitchen as if she’s been waiting for me to come home already.

“Still doesn’t know what’s wrong with me. Sbu suggested that we consult” I say walking past her to the lounge.

“I can’t imagine Faith was for the idea, you know how she is with her religion and beliefs. This is her house and we have to respect her and her beliefs” mom says and I nod.

“2 More months and I’m consulting. I hate not knowing what’s going on with me mom, what if I’m having some kind of spiritual attack or something and we don’t know?” I suggest and mom laughs.

“You watch too much of these series and they making you crazy honey. There’s no such a thing” mom says still laughing.

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2 MONTHS LATER

Yesterday I turned 18 and the day I have been waiting for is finally here. Faith is still against the idea, she hates it with a passion but it’s sadly not up to her what I do as long as it doesn’t mess with school then I should be good.

“What do you think?” Mila asks turning to me, I look up and squint my eyes.

“You do understand that we going to a traditional healer right? It doesn’t matter what you wear” I remind her because surely she has forgotten.

“I know but what if we go past the mall and we meet my future baby daddy?

So?

How do I look?” she asks and I let out a breath shaking my head.

“You always look good Mila, now can we go?” I ask her getting off the bed because this one could change until Jesus comes back. I take my handbag and put it over my shoulder and walk out of her room bumping into her housemate I’m assuming.

“Sorry, I wasn’t looking where I was going” I say and she chuckles as we both pick up her books on the floor.

“I’m also sorry. I’m Sybil, are you my housemate?” she asks straightening having picked up everything.

“I’m Joy and no, you housemate is still inside. TAKING FOREVER!” I yell out the last part so that Mila can hear me. Sybil laughs.

“Nice to meet you Joy,” she says holding her hand out to me, I place my hand into hers.

My eyes widen as I feel something deep and warm inside of me. It’s like I know her, it’s like I’ve met her before or something and yet it’s my first time meeting her. I pull my hand away and look at her as she stares back and me.

“You’re a witch!”