“We‘ve been together for 22 years Chris, and you’ve only recognised now that you don’t love me,” Lindiwe said, with tears in her eyes.
“What will I say to the kids? How will they feel?” She asked weeping uncontrollably.
“Lindiwe, we didn’t really want to be together, you know that,” Chris said.
“Then why marry me? Why put me through 22 years of lies?”
“Our parents forced us into marriage. I thought that over the years I would learn to fall in love with you, Lindiwe. But clearly, I fail to,”
“It’s fine, Chris. Go. But, please, at least wait until our daughters come home so that you can tell them why you’re leaving us,” she said as she threw herself on the bed, sobbing.
“Look, Lindi, you’ve been good to me. You have even given up your music career to be with me. I will always appreciate you. After all, you did give me six beautiful daughters. But I have to go now,” he said banging the door behind him.
Khanya, their eldest daughter was not feeling well that day so she came back from work early, she met with her father on the door and when she asked what was wrong he just stared at her and left.
She ran to check on her mother, she found her broken and crying, and she has never seen her mother crying before. She hugged her and cried with her.
“Hush my baby, all will be well. Your father will be back home soon,” Lindiwe said, attempting to comfort her daughter.
Later that day after supper, Lindiwe called her daughters to her bedroom.
“My beautiful lionesses, heroines of tomorrow, mommy called you here because she wants to tell you something,” Lindiwe said, heartbroken.
“Oh, let me guess, you going back to make music?” Her last born, Khwezi asked.
“You know that mommy has been living with HIV for ten years now and she’s been doing fine but now, heaven is calling for her,” Lindiwe said, tears flooding her eyes.
“What is wrong mama, talk to us?” Nandi said.
“The results came back, three days ago, I have skin cancer. I must go for chemo therapy urgently, but I do not have the fight or strength, my children,” she said.
“We should fold our arms and watch you die slowly?” Khanya asked.
“When my time comes, my children, I want you to take care of each other. Stick with each other, fight tooth and nail for each other. Khanya, Nandi and Amahle please make sure that your sisters’ graduate, like you did,” she said.
Before they could say anything, she said, “Please close the door when you go out I need to rest. I had a long day,”
They went to their rooms and slept with broken hearts.
Early in the morning Nandi was preparing breakfast, she decided to go check on her mother. She found her mother lying on the floor lifelessly with empty containers of pills around her corpse.
“Mama! Mama! Please wake up, we need you!”
The other girls came running in after the screams…
One week later has passed ever since their mother was buried. They received a letter written by their father. Khanya wanted to tear it apart and throw it in the bin but Nandi insisted that they read it. Khwezi took the letter from Khanya, and opened it.
To my children
I know that I’m the last person you want to hear from. You probably hate me more for not coming to your mother’s funeral. After all, I’m the cause of her death.
I wanted to come, but I couldn’t. The woman I left your mother for accused me of raping her. They arrested me the day before the funeral. I am everything but a rapist.
I am not expecting you to feel sorry for me but I want you to know that I am sorry and I regret leaving you. One day when you have forgiven me please come and see me so that we can talk face to face.
Your father
Chris Nkosi
They tore the letter apart and threw it in the bin. They moved on with their lives
Tell us: What would you do if you were one of Lindiwe’s daughters?