(Zodwa and Tumelo are having lunch in the kitchen of their home)

Zodwa: Would you like something to drink, dear?

Tumelo: Yes, please.

Zodwa: Orange juice or sparkling water?

Tumelo: Orange…

Zodwa: Coming up.

Tumelo: What is coming up?

Zodwa: Orange juice.

Tumelo: What if I wanted orange water? You didn’t let me finish.

Zodwa: Your actions don’t resemble those of an adult, Mr Luthuli.

Tumelo: Am I not allowed to go back into childhood? Or to make you smile? Come here! (tickling her)

Zodwa: Stop it! We grow for a reason. Let me go! I have to make food for Muzi too.

Tumelo: He’s a big boy, he’ll make it for himself.

Zodwa: Aren’t you a big boy, Mr Luthuli?

Tumelo: I am, but I have you as my wife. Things are well handled with you by my side.

Zodwa: You’re making me feel like a teenager again. Stop flirting with me. I gave you my love a long time ago.

Tumelo: I don’t remember (shaking head). I feel like starting afresh.

Zodwa: Why?

Tumelo: You’re too beautiful to not be reminded how much I love you, my sweet.

Zodwa: Stop it, someone might be listening outside.

Tumelo: I don’t care. If I have to stand on Mount Kilimanjaro and tell the world how much I love you, my dear wife, I would triumphantly do so.

Zodwa: Stop showering me with all these sweet words. You know I am not good with words.

Tumelo: No one is forcing you to say anything. You’re feeling guilty?

Zodwa: Yes! Now, let me go.

(Tumelo leans closer)

Zodwa: Your face is too close now, Mr Luthuli. We’re in the kitchen. At least wait until it’s dark outside!

Tumelo: Music to my ears!

Zodwa: Men!

Tumelo: What about men?

Zodwa: Nothing. Let’s talk about something serious now. Do you think what we’re doing to our son is right?

Tumelo: We’ve discussed this already. Leave that chapter sealed.

Zodwa: It’s just that I can’t help but feel a pang of guilt every time I see him.

Tumelo: You’re a woman. You’re his mother. Of course you’ll feel that way.

Zodwa: He is not happy. I can see it. He didn’t even have breakfast with us. That’s unlike him.

Tumelo: Sometimes we have to close our eyes and make hard decisions.

Zodwa: How do you close your eyes when making a decision?

Tumelo: You’ve never been to war, you won’t understand.

Zodwa: What does war have to do with this?

Tumelo: Muzi is not getting any younger. He needs to find a wife so that he can stand on his own feet. That’s what we’re doing for him. What’s so bad about us helping him out?

Zodwa: Times have changed. It’s not like our times anymore. Please let him decide what he wants. We can’t be making decisions for him.

Tumelo: What exactly is your point?

Zodwa: Let’s cancel the wedding and give him some time to come around. I don’t want to see my son giving a toothy grin at his wedding. He should smile from the heart.

Tumelo: The invitations have already gone out. There is no turning back now.

Zodwa: I know, but weddings are cancelled each and every day. You wanted a boy, and I gave you one. You wanted him to be a doctor, he’s nearly one. Now, please, let him live his life.

Tumelo: No. He is getting married, like it or not. Only then can he do as he pleases.

Zodwa: I’ve never seen this side of you.

Tumelo: You have, plenty of times. You’ve just never acknowledged it. Now please…

(There is a knock on the door)

Muzi: (calling out) I’m home!

Zodwa: (whispering) Do you think he heard us?

Tumelo: (whispering) Not a chance.

Zodwa: We’re here in the kitchen, son.

Muzi: Here I am. (opening his arms)

Zodwa: I was going to whip you up something to eat. Your father distracted me.

Muzi: Typical! Don’t worry mother, I already had lunch.

Zodwa: There is always space for a home cooked meal.

Muzi: I don’t want to be obese mother, but I’ll eat. Let me join dad on the island.

(Muzi sits down beside his father)

Muzi: Hi dad.

Tumelo: Tired of pretending you hate my guts, huh?

Muzi: I miss my carefree father.

Tumelo: You buried your carefree father when you became 21. It’s life, son.

Muzi: Are you proud of me, dad?

Tumelo: Yes, I am. That’s why we’re rewarding you with a beautiful wife. After all you’ve accomplished in life, you deserve someone who is as accomplished as you are.

Muzi: Father, I love you. I will always love you. But I dislike you when you take the decisions for me as if I am still in diapers.

Tumelo: Son…

Muzi: Allow me to finish! I already have someone I love. Someone I would love to death. Someone who, when I’m with that person, I forget about everything in the world. I can’t choose who I love, but my heart has. If you love me as you’ve always told me, allow me to love who my heart has chosen.

Tumelo: I’m afraid you have no choice in all this. I am sorry that your heart doesn’t love Rendaan, but she is the woman for you. She is certainly your type.

Muzi: What’s my type, father? Is she my type because her family is as rich as you are? Is she my type because she is going to be a doctor?

Zodwa: Muzi, please. I am tired of witnessing you two fighting. I don’t enjoy it. It’s not fun.

Muzi: Sorry, mother.

Zodwa: It’s fine, my baby. We love you.

Muzi: I am not sure about that.

Zodwa: Why?

Muzi: Mother, do I really need to answer that question?

Zodwa: Come and take your food. It’s ready.

Muzi: You’re done?

Zodwa: Yes, your mommy knows what’s best for your tummy. (smiling)

Muzi: I wish your smile was genuine, mother.

Zodwa: It is. You’ve just told your mind that isn’t. Anyway, who is this girl your heart loves?

Muzi: I-I-t’s n-not a girl.

Tumelo and Zodwa: It’s not a girl?

Muzi: Do I have to say it for a second time?

Zodwa: What is wrong with you today?

Muzi: Nothing mother. Your son loves a guy. Go on, crucify me with your rock hard and sharp as barbed wire words, father.

Zodwa: Are you trying to give me a heart attack?

Muzi: No, mother. I’ve been seeing him since high school. That’s why you never saw me bringing any girls in the house.

Zodwa: I don’t believe any of this!

Muzi: I know it’s hard for you to accept a gay son. It was hard for me to come to terms with my sexuality too.

Zodwa: Muzi, we raised you in a church. We’re Christians. We fear God. You’re not gay. You’re just confused.

Muzi: Mother, who are you trying to convince? Me or you?

Zodwa: I know you Muzi. I gave birth to you. I raised you. It can’t be, it can’t be.

Muzi: You have to accept it mother. The sooner, the better.

Zodwa: Who is this boy you’re with?

Muzi: I’m not with him. I love him, and he loves me back.

Zodwa: Who?

Muzi: Sihle.

Zodwa: Isn’t that your friend?

Sihle: We’re more than that. We’ve been hiding. We realised that our love was too precious to be hidden. It was time.

Zodwa: I can’t, I can’t. (crying out)

Zodwa: Aren’t you going to say something to him? Our son is gay.

Tumelo: I am too old for his games. He just wants attention. I know him very well.

(Silence)

Muzi: That’s why I invited him for dinner the day after tomorrow. He’ll be eating with us, at this very table.

Zodwa: Why are you doing this to us? Just when we thought everything was coming together, you split everything apart and bring another problem. What are we to say to the community about your love with another boy? Do you realise the situation you’re putting us in? Do you know what you’re doing to us?

Muzi: Mother…

Zodwa: We might outwardly look strong, but our hearts are brittle.

Muzi: Mother, please don’t do this to me. The only thing I want from you is support. The world out there is hating us. I wouldn’t want you to give me the cold shoulder. I am already down. Lift me up, please. You’re my mother.

Tumelo: You’re expecting our support when you humiliate yourself and us? Would the world out there be hating something ethical? You’re aware that what you’re doing is a sin?

Muzi: Dad, I know that. I know. But I am not responsible for my feelings. Love comes naturally. I don’t choose who to love. I am not justifying my actions. All I want is to know that I have your support. That’s all.

Zodwa: We’ll have to meet Sihle first. But you remember my words: what you’re doing will put you in your grave.

Muzi: Dad?

Tumelo: What?

Muzi: Can Sihle join us for dinner the day after tomorrow?

Tumelo: As a friend, yes.

Muzi: But I’ve just told you that he is my…thank you. I’ll be in my room if you need me.

(Muzi rushes upstairs to his room)

Zodwa: What has he become?

Tumelo: He’ll forget about all that once he is married. Don’t worry.

***

Tell us: Do you think his parents will be able to come to terms with his sexuality, even though it’s just a charade?