TRIP TO SOUTH AFRICA

Be Prepared for Anything Bad Will Happen in the Future

It was a long winter break and we went for a travel to South Africa. It was early in the morning at the embassy of Malaysia, Harare, Zimbabwe, Africa where we reached there from our hometown Malawi. We were force to wake up for a long journey. “ Wake up guys! It is a long journey so, we have to wake up early, begin early, and be there early. You guys got to be ready physically and mentally. Remember it is Africa, not Malaysia where you have public toilet…..” Mom shout. At that time, we were all freezing. One by one we took a bath. I shouted for toothbrush, socks, sweater, and everything else made that morning become cheerful and happening. In fact we were all very excited for the next long journey to South Africa. In a quite big room we fit seven members of our family at the embassy. A few minutes later, our bags were neatly laid beyond the wall, ready to go.

Afterwards, the aunties that stayed there had prepared breakfast for us, two family. No wonder I smelled something so good just now while waiting for my turn to take bath. I remembered. We were actually two families that travelled from Malawi, to Zimbabwe by car, and on to or last destination; South Africa. There were seven members in my family and five members in the other family. We were so happy that the aunties that stayed at the embassy, prepared our breakfast. We did not expect that to happened as it was too early; still dark in the morning. We happily ate the breakfast and had our last conversation and hoping that this moment will happen again. The funny part was; “ Dad can you please wait for me, I need a poop”. I bravely mentioned that and later on, my sister and brothers, started to go after me. They were scared to tell dad because he told us earlier to get ready but I did. I was young, all I knew is just tell what I felt. “ It’s okay guys its still early, take your time.” Dad said. He was in a good mood that morning maybe because he ate the delicious “fried noodles” cooked by Aunties at the embassy. It was a really “bright” and happy morning.

After spending about three night at the embassy, it was time for us to continue to our last destination, South Africa for about 1000km from there. Pajero and Mercedez E class cars with diplomatic plate; they started the engines. Ours, was the pajero that fit seven people. Dad and uncle Mad, were checking their car, and the two big containers of petrol in the boot of our pajero. Everything checked out and now we were ready to leave. Heavy, sad mournful, and hoping that we will meet again. “Mom, dad, the aunties and uncles were all very nice to us.” I said. “ Of course, but you have to learn that every meeting must meet an end.” Dad answered.

Dad followed behind uncle Mad’s car as he is more master of the way to the destination; he went there before.. We were still in the city and unfortunately, the light turn red. We came to a stop. But Uncle Mad’s car had gone further. We thought that he realized we had to stop as usually we experienced that. It was desolate, sad, quite still dark, freezing and no car behind, next and in front of our Pajero as giving us the hint that  something bad will happen later. I wonder why because just now at the embassy, we were all very happy. Suddenly, a “bump, crash, cracking, explode” sound appeared from at the back of the pajero. Everyone held their heads as we thought the petrol that we brought for our journey, exploded and I also thought that I was going to die, burn in the car altogether with my family. While I was thinking those bad things, I heard my brother who was fifteen years old, tall and big, asked for a permission from dad. “What??” I wondered. He opened the door and ran out to a black guy that were holding my brothers’ bag. “Wait, why is he holding my brothers’ bag?, in fact it’s only kids’ clothes, does not fit that guys’s body.” Then only I realize that they broke the back mirror of our Pajero and took two bags which were my brothers’ bag and ran away toward the brick walls near the traffic lights. My brother caught one guy and kick him as he was lying down. There were about two to three other black people that saw the incident and also my dad  tried to stopped my brother from hitting the guy. The other guy left the bag that he took and climbed across the brick wall and he succeeded. Later, there were few policemen came and took the man to the police car. Who called the police I did not know but it was not my dad. Finally, uncle Mad came. He realized that we took so long at the traffic light. He sped back to us. Dad and uncle Mad decided that we continue the journey even without the back mirror of our Pajero. Somehow dad covered with some kind of plastic and because of that, dad could not drive 140 km/h as it is going to make the pajero fly up in the sky.

            I realized that we were all crying in the car. My small brother and my older brother at the back had all the small chip of  the broken mirror on their head. We cleaned the car and again hope for a safe journey this time. Nobody was injured. Even without the back mirror we safely arrived Johannesburg city about eight o’clock at night. Beautiful as heaven. Lights were all around, tall buildings were really graet view at night. We stopped by at a place and uncle Mad called his daughter who stayed and studied there to take us to the place that she rent for us. Uncle Mad also asked my dad whether we are going to send the car to the shop or not and finally my father said no as he was so tired; in fact the shop is far. While we were waiting for uncle Mad’s daughter, we again talked about the horrible incident that morning and said that we had a really good experience to tell to our descendants years later. We should also be prepared because anything will happen even if you assume it will be a bright day. However, we laughed and happy at that moment and felt thankful that everyone was okay and safe.