Chapter 2

The people who had been at the shop were shocked by Simon's mother's loud voice and the way she kept talking about her family's wealth.

When Senoinoi arrived home, her mother looked at her in surprise.

"Senoinoi, what's wrong? Why are you carrying your shoes in your hands? Did something happen?"

Senoinoi sat down, took a deep breath, and thought to herself, How am I going to explain why I'm carrying my shoes? I'll have to lie to my mother. Oh... I wish I had never argued with Maisha, she thought with a small laugh.

"Don't ever run into the house like that again," her mother warned.

"I'm sorry, Mom. I won't do it again," Senoinoi replied politely.

She went into her bedroom, threw herself onto her bed, closed her eyes, and started thinking about Simon.

"Now I'm in love again. My whole body trembles whenever Simon holds my hand. It's as if he speaks a language that only my heart understands.

But now Simon's mother has come between us, boasting about how rich they are. I shouldn't worry about her. She was once my age too.

The only thing I don't know is whether Simon will leave me because of his mother's words, or whether he will stand against what she said."

"Senoinoi! Aren't you coming to eat? I want to wash the dishes and go to bed," her mother called.

Senoinoi came out of her room with a bright smile.

"Mom, it's only six o'clock. Why do you want to eat before seven today?"

Her mother looked at her carefully.

"Why are you so happy? Is there something that's making you smile?"

Senoinoi smiled even more.

"Mom, am I supposed to be sad all the time?"

Her mother smiled back.

"Don't forget, you're my only child. I should know everything that happens in your life."

Those words made Senoinoi a little uncomfortable, but she hid her feelings behind another smile.

"If anything happens, Mom, I'll tell you. But right now, there's nothing to worry about."

Meanwhile, Simon had locked himself inside his bedroom. His mother kept shouting at him, but he never answered.

Not long afterwards, Simon's father arrived home from work. He owned five restaurants stores.

The moment he stepped inside, his wife started complaining about Simon and Senoinoi.

"Today I almost killed your son. Next time I really will!"

Simon's father sighed. He knew his wife often exaggerated.

"What did Simon do that makes you want to kill him?"

"While I was washing the dishes, Lucky came running as fast as he could. He told me that Simon was holding hands with that Mokgadi's girl at Moriks' shop."

"I rushed there immediately. When I arrived, I found them standing together, smiling at each other. They didn't even care that people were watching them."

Simon's father jumped to his feet in anger.

"Where is that boy?"

"He's in his room," Sophia replied.

He shouted loudly,

"Simon! Simon! Come here right now!"

Simon hurried out of his room. He was frightened, ashamed, and too embarrassed to lift his head.

He stood in front of his father.

His father grabbed him by the collar and glared at him.

"What were you doing with that girl? Don't you know how respected I am in this village? Are you trying to ruin my reputation by running around with girls from unknown families?"

Simon was so terrified that he simply nodded his head, not even knowing what he was agreeing to.

His father continued scolding him angrily.

"If I ever see you with that girl again, I'll break your neck!"

He shoved Simon to the floor.

Simon quickly stood up, tears streaming down his face, and ran back into his bedroom.

His father followed him to the door.

"You're only nineteen years old. What do you know about love?"

"Even if you're grown up, you still don't know which girls are right for you."

"Why would you choose to date a girl who doesn't even know who her father is? You were raised by both your parents."

After saying those harsh words, Simon's father walked away from the bedroom door.

At eight o'clock that evening, Simon's mother went to his bedroom and knocked.

"Simon, my son, we were only correcting you. We're not fighting with you. Come out and eat."

Simon remained silent because he was deeply hurt and angry.

His father called out from the living room.

"Sophia... Sophia... leave that boy alone and come eat. If he chooses not to eat, that's his problem. Why are you forcing him?"

Simon's mother suddenly felt guilty and her heart became heavy.

The next morning, Simon's father woke up shouting.

"Simon, bring me your phone. It seems to be the thing causing all these problems."

Without saying a word, Simon handed the phone to his father. He had always been an obedient child and never talked back to his parents.

He picked up his school bag and left for school.

On his way, he saw Lucky. Simon quickly walked up to him without even greeting him.

"Tell me something. Why did you go to my house and tell my mother about me and Senoinoi? What were you trying to do?"

Lucky became angry too.

"I was only trying to protect my loyal friend, Senoinoi."

Simon replied angrily,

"Did Senoinoi ever ask for your protection?"

Lucky lowered his head.

"I'm sorry, my friend. I made a mistake. Please don't let this destroy our friendship. We've grown up together."

Simon took a deep breath.

"Don't ever do that again. My parents have already taken my phone because of you."

The two boys walked to school together.

During break time, Simon entered Senoinoi's classroom, placed a small notebook on her desk, and quietly walked away.

Senoinoi opened it and smiled as she started reading.

Before she could finish, Lucky rushed over, grabbed the notebook from her hands, and quickly read the letter.

Senoinoi became furious. She chased after him, snatched the notebook back, and shouted,

"Do you think you can control my life? Why are you reading my letter? Your behavior is completely wrong!"

Lucky forced a small laugh, although he felt ashamed.

After school, Simon and Senoinoi walked home hand in hand.

They agreed to meet later that afternoon at White Mount, behind their village.

Meanwhile, Lucky hurried to Simon's house.

"Grandma!" he called.

Sophia smiled when she saw him because she had asked him to keep an eye on Simon and Senoinoi.

"Where are Simon and that girl?" she asked.

Lucky answered immediately,

"Simon wrote Senoinoi a letter. They're going to meet at White Mount, near the big rock, at five o'clock."

Sophia was shocked.

"Ah... Simon doesn't know when to stop. Thank you, my child."

As Lucky was leaving, Simon saw him coming out of his house. Simon quickly hid behind the fence so Lucky wouldn't notice him.

He spoke to himself.

"That boy is trying to start a war between me and my mother. My parents can do whatever they want because of Senoinoi, but they'll never separate us. Even if they beat me, I don't care."

Simon quietly entered the house through the back door, went to his room, changed his clothes, and rushed out again.

He climbed White Mount and sat on top of a large rock, looking down toward the village.

A little later, Senoinoi hurried home, changed her clothes, and climbed the mountain too.

As soon as she saw Simon sitting on the rock, her heart raced, and a bright smile spread across her face.

Simon stretched out his hand, pulled her closer, and looked into her eyes.

"You are the only woman I want to spend the rest of my life with."

"What do you say, my love?"

Senoinoi covered her face with both hands because she was so shy.

Simon gently lifted her onto the rock where he was sitting and kissed her.

As they embraced, Simon suddenly heard a loud smack.

He turned around to see who had hit him and found his mother standing there.

Mom!"