They both laugh.

They reached the door and opened it.

Precious: Koko! I’m home!

Carol: Hey sis.

They hug.

Tebalo: Hello Carol. I hope you are well.

Maria showed up.

Maria: Well, she is not. She’s worried about her sister’s way of life these days. It concerns me too.

Precious: Ma!

Maria: OK. Come here. (Hugging Precious then Tebalo) I have to say, if you hadn’t come here today, I was going to chain her.

Precious: Bathong!

Maria: He came! So there’s no need to be dramatic.

Tebalo: Thank God. (Laughing). Ma, can I talk to you?

Maria: OK. Come this way. (Leading to the lounge).

Precious and Carol went to Precious’ bedroom.

Maria: Would you like something to drink?

Tebalo: Water please.

Maria went to get the water meanwhile Precious and Carol kept guessing what Maria and Tebalo may be talking about.

Maria: Here! (Hands Tebalo a glass of water).

Tebalo: Thank you.

Maria: What did you want to talk about?

Tebalo: Firstly, I want to apologize for taking your daughter away in such short notice.

Maria: As much as I want to bite your head off right now, I know it was her choice. There’s just something about this full of spirit character of hers that worries me. But I don’t wan to think about it too much.

Tebalo: I promise you! I have only good intentions for your daughter.

Maria: Tebalo, I know sometimes I come across as unkind towards you. It is not because I don’t like you. That’s just how I am. As you already know, I lost my husband and little girl in a car accident. That kind of loss makes a person take whatever measure necessary to make sure they don’t go through it again. So I’m very protective of my daughters. I like you, I really do. If I didn’t, you wouldn’t be here, trust me on that. You’re a good person and you make Precious happy, and that makes me a happy mother. I’m telling you all of this to let you know that I accept you. You even get to call me Ma. That’s something only my children call me by, it should say something to you.

Tebalo: (Feeling overwhelmed) Thank you for saying that because honestly, it makes what I’m about to say less harder.

Maria: What?

Tebalo: When we get to New Zealand, I want to ask Precious to marry me. I needed your blessings first of course.

Maria: Why are you saying “you needed”, don’t you need them anymore?

Tebalo: Uhm…

Maria: (Laughing) I’m just playing with you. You have my blessings.

Tebalo let out a huge sigh.

Maria: You better take care of her!

Tebalo: I will do my absolute best. Thank you.

Carol is talking from Precious’ room.

Carol: Ma! When are you finishing your talk? We want to come over!

Maria: There’s no such! You’re just being nosey! Come out here!

Tebalo chuckles.

Tell us: Do you think it’s important to ask for parents blessings before getting married?