Brenda’s mother was devastated and asked daughter why.

“‘He loves me,’ she defended.

“‘Is this what you want? That house you built is not for you and your husband but your kids. I hope you understand,’ she shouted angrily.

“At Mahlatsi’s parents’ home, they went to bed hungry some days. Brenda would spend the day at her mother’s home and return to her new home. She would take her children’s grant money and use it to buy food until she decided to go to her house. She didn’t want to feed her husband’s parents. Her mother would come insult her all the time because of her actions that affected her children.

“Mahlatsi never went to work but spent the whole day eating and watching TV. The children struggled to accept him. Her mother gave up on giving her suggestions because she never listened. Mahlatsi thought about how he could rob Brenda of all her wealth. He persuaded Brenda to tie their knot in court and she had agreed.”

“Brenda is a fool,” Xolile says.

“She is blinded by the word ‘love’. Granny sounds exhausted.

Xolile had put the muffins in the oven and she sits to have toast and tomato on the sofa. She eats slowly with her ears to the ground, wanting to hear all the details.

“All the grant money and her business money, Brenda used to satisfy Mahlatsi. I don’t know how but when he wanted something, she made sure he got it. In a month’s time they tied the knot in court, her family was absent. They got married in community of property and she put her house and a shop as assets. Their marriage wasn’t bliss anymore, he cheated and they fought daily. One day he took a protection order because she beat him to a pulp. She chased him away from her house. Now he is selling the house.”

“Yoh! That isn’t fair!” Xolile says sadly.

“Luckily her mother was told by one of the people who wanted to buy it. She talked to her since the house was an asset…” she gets interrupted by Xolile.

“Please don’t tell me it’s a sad ending!” she sighs.

“No… The house was removed as an asset but it was too late. The only thing they have is a shop,” she says lifting her legs on the sofa.

“That’s a relief,” Xolile speaks happily and walks to the kitchen.

Xolile removes the muffins and puts some dough back in the oven. She grabs a bananas and grapes and joins her Granny who is falling asleep.

“Remember, love will find you, don’t be desperate,” Granny murmurs with her eyes closed.

Xolile stands up and kisses her granny’s cheeks and eats a banana and goes to do the laundry before noon.

***

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