A year after discovering the truth about the twins, the Zondos were picking up the pieces, & Lerato was still with Danny. He tried to raise the child as promised. The process had been fruitful so far.

The unpleasant thing in the Zondo family was Sipho’s health. He kept going in and out of hospital. It got to a point where the doctors have done their best and can’t do anymore.

He was discharged and sent home, popping pills to improve his strength. He was suffering from cancer.

“You have to keep drinking pills, they will make you better,” said Naledi, handing Sipho the pills.

Sipho knocked the pills on the floor.
“These things aren’t helping at all. I will only drink what Mr. Khaya gave me, stop feeding me these things.”

“Sipho, do you want to die?” asked Naledi.

“Naledi, I feel my time is near. My father visited me last night, my ancestors are ready for me.” He coughed hard. “I have to decide the future for this family,” he said, while drinking water, as Naledi picked up the pills.

“Hello family,” out of nowhere appeared Denise.

His parents looked at him, shocked at his arrival. They surely didn’t expect him, after their last encounter. He had all his bags with him.

Naledi slowly stood up and gave her son a tight mother’s hug. Denise cinched the hug deeper.

“I’m sorry mom,” he said as they broke the hug. He put his bags down. “Mom I’m sorry. I messed up again.”

“I thought I’d never see you again.” Tears filled Naledi’s eyes.

Sipho stared motionless at his son.

Denise took a step closer, to see his sick father.

“Hi, Dad. I heard you are not well” Denise raised his hand to greet.

Sipho stirred from the floor he was laying on, and sat up. “Denise, you messed up this family. You ran away.” He intensely stared in his frozen eyes. “Now, what bought you back here?”

Denise sat down with his mother. He seemed less cocky and less arrogant than usual, he drank the water as he deeply sighed.

“I messed up when I was overseas. I lost my job, my house, and my car. I have no money. I had to sell my watch and phone for a ticket to return home.” Denise tried hard not to cry. He kept wiping tears before they rolled down his eyes. “So I have nothing. I met the wrong crowd, and I had nowhere else to go. I’m heartbroken,” said Denise.

“This is your home baby; you are not lost.” Naledi brushed his back for comfort.

“This is only his home, because he doesn’t have a cent to his name!” annoyingly shouted Sipho. “Where was he when I fell sick? I called you home, but you kept telling me you were busy!” Sipho shouted again as he coughed hard. “You hurt me, Denise, I almost died without seeing you again. You are my only biological son.”

Denise listened carefully as the words cut deeply through him. “I’m here and I’m not going anywhere. I promise to be a better man, a man like you, Dad

Sipho replied disappointedly. “You will never be like me, son, I don’t run away when things get tough. I didn’t run away when I found out I would only have one child. Until you can prove otherwise – you are just a boy, not a man.”

Denise was speechless; he picked up his bags. “I’ll put my bags in the room,” he said.

He stood up and then the door slowly opened. He heard laughter coming from outside. Lerato and Danny entered with a child in their arms.

Do you think Sipho was right to yell at Denise, or would you have reacted differently?