Chapter 18

"Mam!" I turn my head to see who is calling. "Mam!" I slow down as I see a girl running after me so she catches up with me. "Mam..." she pauses to gasp for air, "How are you?". "I am good and you?", "I am good too", "What can I help you with?" I look at her as she tries to recover her breathing. "I need help Mam. I do not understand the topic you introduced thoroughly..." she pauses, "I know the school recommends tutorials for better understanding but I can't afford them. I...I am sorry if I overstepping my boundaries, I am just desperate. I want to pass Mam" She drops her gaze. I lazily glance at her face, "Okay, let's talk more after school", "Thank you mam!" She replies enthusiastically.

I head to the stuff. I let out a heavy sigh as I settled myself on my seat. Today, I have five periods and now I am free till lunch break. Thereafter, I will be free. I was expecting to have a few hours now that I was officially teaching the senior phase not the FET phase. However, all that changed because of Windsor's absence, I had to go back to Grade 12 for the time being till the matter was resolved. The matter which I don't know and I do not think I will ever know it.

I hear a click of a stiletto kissing the floor, I raise my head to the main character of the school walking in. The door gets flung open, "Is everybody here free?" She centers her beautiful self in the middle of the room. Adorned in a red leather bodycon with a thin high-heeled stiletto with a touch of black on its heel. The look would not be complete without her red matte lipstick, then a drop of white pearl earrings, necklace, and bracelet. Looking at her reminds me of Valentine's Day, red and a touch of white.

"Is everybody free?" She repeats herself displaying her annoyance on her grim face. "I understand this is a workplace, not a hangout spot" she continues. Everybody just kept quiet. "Fine!" She walks angrily towards the notice board. Should I have replied when everybody kept silent?

She scans the timetable and tilts her head towards us. "It is great that you are not in class indeed, however..." She turns, "A teacher is never free, therefore by the end of the day, you will have a full-fledged plan on how we are going to celebrate Valentine's Day tomorrow. Chop, chop, we do not have time to waste, we need to release the learners after school with letters that have a clear agenda for tomorrow, alright? Alright!" She leaves the room without even waiting for an answer.

"She is so bossy!" One voice speaks.

"She just doesn't want anyone to enjoy her work." Thank expresses his grief.

"Why is she always in red?" I ask and everybody laughs. "No one knows, it can be too much sometimes" Thabo replies. "Can we at least start planning the Valentine's Day event? I do not want to be kept here after school. My wife just gave birth, she needs all the help she can get" One of the teachers replies.

"Aww, congratulations. This is your second right? Oh, you guys are working" Thabo comments and the man hides his flustered face by shrugging his shoulders.

From that moment lady in red walked, and we didn't rest till the last minute when learners were given letters to take home. "Mam...", "Lucy...can I see you first thing after school tomorrow. I am a bit drained. I will give you a clear way of moving forward. Here's the letter, I bet you will look beautiful tomorrow" I smile at her, "Yes, I will". I finish hanging out the letter with Ayanda and we head back together to the staff room.

"So...girl, what's up between you and Mr Windsor?" She bluntly asks.

"Nothing..."I frown a bit as I did not expect this question and I did not think we were that close to talking on this personal level.

"Really? Then why is Mrs Windhoek upset about it? " She smirks as she lazily leans into me.

"Upset?" I stop.

"Come on, 1+1=2. You should have figured it out by now" She walks away and heads into the room first.

"Mam, the principal is calling you" The receptionist pops up through his window."Okay, thanks".

Argh! The walk of shame, walking through this long corridor feels like that. You must have done something so terrible to be summoned to her office. I knock on the door.

"Come in!"

I walk in as I hear her chuckle. "Bye sweetie! " she turns her attention to me. "You must wonder why I called you. It will be brief. I would firstly apologize for Mr. Windsor's advances towards you, it must have been a tough situation for you since he was your senior, but I sorted the matter out. In the future, do not hesitate any harassment you may encounter with your coworkers. On that note, I will also extend a word of advice, as I see potential in you. Try to stay away from Mr. Windsor, he is...uhm...rather complicated, I do not want you to be hurt by that. As for the learners, do not become close or smile at them, they will create stories that can ruin your career and this school's reputation, I am sure you do not want that. " She tears her white teethed grin. "No." Do I even have a choice in this? "I am glad we have an understanding about these matters. You may leave, enjoy the rest of your day", and "Thank you". I vacate the room.

I sigh as I walk back to the staff room to take my bag. Harassment? Is this what it was? Now, I fear what it would be called if they discovered about that night's visit. Lucas...what is it about you that everyone knows and I don't know. I see Amanda packing her things up, I hurry to my table to grab my bag, "Can you please give me a lift?".

"Sure, I do not mind indulging you on the questions" She smiles.