She felt relieved, but she felt more pain. She felt she deserved all that was coming to her. At lunch, she called Rudo and her mother and told them about finding her baby. They were all excited for her. She knew it was not going to be easy. The way Thandi grew up would be good enough reason to blame her for it. She would want to know why Tatenda threw her way.

She couldn’t sleep the whole night that night, thinking about how she would explain the decisions she made years ago. She met up with her mother for lunch at a local restaurant the next day.

“Just be honest with her,” Mrs Shumba told her daughter while holding her hand.

“She will hate me, I am selfish,” Tatenda said trying to be strong. Tatenda became emotional whenever it came to personal issues.

“I will come with you,” her mother offered and hugged her.

“Thank you, Mom,” she whispered resting her head on her mother’s shoulder.

As they sat down, Mrs Shumba was trying to change subjects.

“How is Anesu?” She asked concerned.

“He is fine, supporting me in doing the right thing,” Tatenda answered.

“He still wants to marry you, this is great news. Papa will be rejoicing at that news,” she said smiling.

Tatenda called Mrs Daniels from her office the next day. It was time to let her client know the truth. Mrs Daniels came in after lunch looking frail. Her age could easily be seen by the way she walked. Mrs Daniels entered the office while Tatenda pulled out the chair for her.

“Mrs Daniels come in, sit down please,” She said motioning her to sit down.

“Is it about the will?” She asked sitting down.

“No, it’s a personal matter,” she answered.

She didn’t know how to start the conservation. Mrs Daniels looked at her curiously.

“It’s about Thandi,” she finally said.

She told the old woman that Thandi was her daughter. Mrs Daniels was shocked at the news. Tatenda told Mrs Daniels the whole story from the beginning to where she found herself wishing that she could make up for the past.

“I would like you to meet her. It won’t be easy though,” Mrs Daniels said taking a deep breath.

“Thank you, Mrs Daniels,” Tatenda said relieved.

“I have to talk to her first,” Mrs Daniels said as she struggled to stand.

Tatenda stood up and helped her to the door.

“Thank you, Mrs Daniels,” she said again.

“I am doing this for Thandi, so that she can get peace as well,” she said and walked out.

Tatenda’s heart seemed to be dancing with joy. She felt at peace. She sat on her chair and dialled her parents. She asked to speak to her mother. They spoke for half an hour, laughed and then Tatenda hung up, finally at peace.

She could finally sleep at night her burden felt lifted. Mrs Daniels called her while she was asleep.

“I will bring her tomorrow, so be ready,” she said quickly and hung up.

She called Ray and told him about the news. He was excited to be reunited with Thandi too. She couldn’t wait for the morning to come so that she could finally meet Thandi.

The next morning, Anesu picked her up with his car. She told Anesu about her going to meet her daughter after all these years. Tatenda went on excitedly about how she felt on the entire drive. Anesu just held her hand the entire time.

He dropped her off at her work and kissed goodbye on her cheek. She waved at him as he drove off. As she passed the reception, her colleagues noticed that there was something different about her; she glowed with happiness. Her happiness could be seen by everyone.

Tatenda sat at her desk staring at the clock on the wall above her office door. It was 8:35 a.m. Mrs Daniel sent her a message letting her know what time they were arriving. She canceled all all her clients for the day.

***

Tell us what you think: Do you think Tatenda’s happiness will last? Will Thandi accept her?