He dialled his father’s number the next morning at the office.

“Baba, I think I made things worse. I met Shamiso. I didn’t even know it was her,” he spoke hysterically.

The only person he could blame was himself. He made them lose contact, if he didn’t sexually abused his little sister, he would have seen her and known her.

“What did you do to the poor girl?” Gerald hissed.

“I was falling for her. I wanted her to give me her number,” he answered, hurt.

“Bright, grow up. You want the same mistake to repeat…”he shouted loudly.

“Baba, I didn’t even know it was her.” he spoke calmly.

“Let me tell you a secret. Before Shamiso told her mother about the rape, I cheated on your mother a lot of times. I stopped when Shamiso spoke about your raping her.” Gerald spoke nervously.

“Baba you cheated on Mama?” Bright asked, concerned.

The phone went silent. Bright was hurt to know his father and his brothers did the same as he and Lovemore did to Shamiso. Bright had never raped his mother’s child but maybe Lovemore did, but he didn’t know.

“This is our secret that must go to the grave with us,” Gerald said, sadly.

“Mama can’t know this. It will break her,” he spoke quietly.

“Keep this secret to yourself, promise you won’t tell. That’s why I don’t want you and Jessica to separate,” he said solemnly.

Bright dropped the phone after his father said he needed to attend to something quickly.

After work, he went shopping. He brought groceries and even bought the baby clothes since Jessica had told him the sex of the baby. He arrived home to find Jessica making tripe which was his favourite.

“My wife, Jessy I love you,” he said, hugging her.

That night, they were intimate; they made love after a long time. They slept arm in arm. Jessica didn’t care what made him change, as long he was back. That’s all she wanted; to stay sexually active because she didn’t want to commit adultery. She was thinking of using muti if her husband didn’t come around.

Jessica stayed for a month and two weeks with Bright. She went home, she missed the village. Her plants would probably be dead after no one had attended to them. She loved every fruit and vegetable she planted because they were fresh and tasted good. She arrived the village at 2 p.m.

It was a short walk to her home from the bus station. She had a big bag with her and her purse. Bright texted her but she wanted to reach home and reply. Bright was back to his normal self. He had been showing his wife so much love to hide all secrets in his family. Jessica suspected that they hid something, but who would tell her?

She sat on the sofa eating soil created by termites. She was addicted to it. People spoke of the soil as dirty and unhygienic but she was craving it. She took her phone and texted Bright.

I arrive safely. Thanks my love.

OK take care. Will call tomorrow.

Good night Baba.

Mwaaaa. I love you.

I love you too.

***

Tell us: Do you think this relationship will last? Why or why not?