My father came home from work to find me seated with Thabo. I could see from his smile that he was proud.

“Thabo Ndoda yamadoda?” he singled Thabo out in his greeting.

I murmured what he’d just said about Thabo: “Men among men.”

“What was that, Thando?”

“Nothing, Baba.”

“Has your wife-to-be made you something to drink, Mkhwenyana?”

I could see my father was on form. Probably still drunk off lobola money from the weekend.

He looked at me when he asked his precious future son in law if I had made him tea.

“He has hands,” I murmured. This time Dad heard me.

“Hhay’ bo Thando,” he lowered his voice. “Who is this to you?”

“Husband,” I answered. “Ngiyaxolisa Baba,” I apologised.

I rose to make tea. I sobbed in silence. Just like my mother told me she had. I’d thought that stress killed her. Silence did.