“So? How did your cheating affect your family?” the family therapist asks Zanele.

“The woman went crazy. She tried to kill me, and she abducted my son,” Zanele responds, shrugging.

“I know it’s not good to rejoice when someone dies, but I’m glad Nombuso did,” Lihle says.

“Why do you cheat?” the therapist asks.

“The question you’re looking for is why did I use to cheat?” Zanele responds, correcting the therapist, and the therapist nods in responds. “My wife and I are always in and out of the country. Especially my wife. She is always sealing deals here and there,” Zanele continues, glancing at Lihle.

“Oh, so you blame me?” Lihle asks.

“No. All I’m saying is that I needed that feeling,” Zanele responds.

“What feeling?” the therapist asks.

“I don’t know,” Zanele responds, standing up and pacing up and down the room. “You know, maybe it’s paranoia, but sometimes I feel like she is still alive, you know,” Zanele continues.

“Who? Nombuso?” the therapist asks, jotting down everything they were saying. Zanele nods in response while staring out the window. “Why do you feel like that?” the therapist asks.

“I don’t know,” Zanele responds.

“No Zanele, you know,” Lihle says, also standing up.

“Sometimes I feel like we are being watched. I can’t describe the feeling,” Zanele says, picking up a jug and pouring water for herself. She then takes one sip and sets it down again.

“Why do you feel like that? Is it because, deep inside of you, you wish she was not dead?” the therapist asks, watching Zanele closely.

“No, but then again, a part of me knows that I’m the reason Nombuso turned to what she turned into. I damaged her, and now that she is dead. I can’t even apologise to her,” Zanele responds, reaching for the glass again and taking another sip.

“But you did pay for her entire funeral, and that should at least give you some peace,” the therapist says.

“I know, but something in me refuses to believe that Nombuso is really dead,” Zanele responds, shaking her head and sitting down

***

Tell us: Do you think Zanele is right to feel bad for what Nombuso did to her family?