“I didn’t know you’re a man of God,” said Samson.

“I got that line from your sister. Hey, she talks a lot, man. Whenever we gets to bed she opens a bible of her daily experiences. This, that, and that, yoh, I sleep early when she comes home tired. I just keep saying yes, yes, sometimes I even edit my yesses and say yesses, yesses.”

“You’re really having a great life hey.”

“Samson, to be honest, we humans don’t adapt to anything. We’re made to suffer, and each one of us chooses a cup of suffering we’re willing to drink. I chose to suffer by this bottle. I drink not to get drunk but to forget about my problems with this world, it’s just too much. We’re all destined to suffer and suffer over and over again; everything about us includes suffering. By all of that I’m trying to say it’s not like I don’t face any problems with your sister, but it’s because we work together as a couple that nothing stops us from living a happy life,” Jackie said.

“So it all depends on one’s choice?”

“Exactly.”

“We’ve got the ability and freedom to make choices and live by them. I chose to give your sister the best life even to the extent of dying while trying.”

“I should’ve known ever since I lost my daughter. I wish to die sometimes, but I also don’t want my boy to grow up without a father like me, it’s just complicated,” Samson said, shaking his head.

“If there’s one lesson I’ve learned in life, Samson, it’s to never ever run away from your problems because they’ll always find you wherever you go. Stand with your family, never leave them. Right now they need you more than ever.”

“How come you know all of that while you’re not a father?”

“I’m infertile.”

“Oh, I’m sorry.”

“Don’t; treasure your only son, Samson. A man without one feels more than pain. Let’s go home.”

They went to Samson’s sister’s house and ate dinner.

“Sister, I’m going back to Durban tomorrow.”

“You’re leaving so soon?”

“Yeah, since I came here I haven’t spoken to my wife. I’m sure she’s angry with me and so I need to ask for an apology face-to-face, not through a phone call. Thank you very much for welcoming me, I’m very grateful.”

“You’re welcome Samson, we’re family. I hope she forgives you because I’m looking forward to meeting her and Sihle,” said Angel, giving Samson a hug.

“And thank you, brother in-law, for your kindness.”

“You’re welcome, man,” responded Jackie.

“I’ve finally found peace in knowing that my father loved me. Even if I didn’t get a chance to meet him, I feel like we’ve met through you guys.”

“I feel so too, and you really look like him yourself, Samson. You’re surely a Nkalanga without a doubt.”

“Thank you.”

They said their goodbyes and he left.

Samson arrived at his room, he took a deep breath and sat on the bed. He looked around at his belongings.

“Huh, I bought a lot of stuff not thinking about the day I’d move out. Okay, I’ll only take my clothes.”

He packed his clothes. He wanted to leave behind the TV, refrigerator, wardrobe, microwave, bed and blankets, which cost more than the ones he left at home. The rest of the utensils weren’t that important. He put back his old SIM card.

“Thirty missed calls!? Eish, I’m not prepared to talk you all right now. I’ll wait for Nothando, I’ll leave the furniture with her. Oh God, I’m supposed to break her heart once again after what happened; I’ll disappoint her. She’ll have to accept the furniture on behalf of our love. I’ll do it, it’s for my family.”

***

Tell us: Do you think Samson is making the right decision?