“We need to maintain our distance,” Tito told Temwa, still in her embrace.

“Of course.” She quickly let go.

“I don’t mean to be rude but…” he turned to face her, “I think you are being unfair to your dad.”

“Unfair? What about to my mom? Was it fair when he cheated on mom with a maid?” she crossed her arms.

“We are human beings; we make mistakes,” Tito said, concerned.

“Hum, I will try to forgive him but I am not moving back there,” she said, pissed off.

“Proper. Now, I will organise a meeting with him,” he paused and gestured that she should not interrupt.

“If you are committed to staying here longer, you have to comply with this simple request,” he warned and she agreed.

“Good. I will be in my room.” He left.

Three days later, Tito went to his work as usual. Upon knocking off, he went to pick Mr. Msiska. Temwa prepared rice with vegetable salad and beef. She put everything on the table and went to her room, not sure if it was a good idea.

A few minutes later, she heard a knock. She pulled down her purple miniskirt and headed to the door. Tito was the first to enter. Then came the time to face her demons. Her father entered and tried to hug her but she walked away. They all went to sit down. Tito and Temwa sat next to each other while the father sat opposite to them. Since the house had no dining-room, they had to take their food in the living room. Soon after taking the meal, Tito gave them their privacy.

“I’m sorry. It was never meant to be like that,” Mr. Msiska pleaded.

“Is that all you can say?” she asked.

“Look my darling, it was just a once-off mistake. It will never happen again,” he said.

“If you mean it, chase her away!” she suggested.

“There’s something that makes it hard to chase her away. You can’t understand right now…” he said calmly.

“What? Is she pregnant?” she asked.

Mr. Msiska hesitated a bit then he looked confused.

“You have a point. Yes! You have a point,” he sounded scared.

“What are you talking about?” she said surprised.

“Temwa,” he stood up, “I have to go. Thanks for your time.” He headed to the door.

“Dad!” Temwa shouted while standing up. “Dad come back!”

Tito appeared after hearing Temwa screaming then slamming the door.

“What have you done to your father?” he asked, visibly angry.

“Can’t you for once ask without accusing me?”

“Just tell me what I want to know.” He looked in her eyes with fury.

Temwa explained everything to him.

“Then something must be wrong. He might have impregnated her,” Tito suggested.

“Maybe but the look in his eyes got me thinking that there’s something bigger than pregnancy. I just hope my father is safe with the maid,” she said, sounding genuinely concerned.

Mr. Msiska arrived at his house and found the maid waiting for him in the living room.

“Welcome back sweetheart.” She stood up to face him.

“I have no time for this.” He avoided her.

“Let me guess, she refused to come back, not so?” she mocked.

“Listen,” he said, facing her. “My daughter is out of our business!”

“Your blood is cursed. You are cheating on your wife with your maid and I’m sure your daughter is opening her legs for that poor bachelor,” she continued.

“Stop your nonsense!” he snapped.

“Don’t shout at your baby mama,” she responded.

“Baby mama?” he asked.

“You heard me right!” she ordered as Mr. Msiska threw himself on his dark-green sofa.

“Are you sure?” he asked helplessly.

“And don’t ever try to deny it cos…”

“Stop! My bigger worry is not you but Tonde!” he said and walked out of her sight.

A week later, Temwa called her dad but he did not pick up her five calls. It was odd for a desperate man like him to ignore her. She wanted to visit him in person but then he appeared, right there at Tito’s house. It was lunchtime and Tito was still at work.

“Welcome dad!” she hugged him as the anger in her had been replaced with concern.

“Is Tito in?” he asked.

“No,” she said and they all got in.

“Dad, you don’t look fine. What is the matter?” she asked, holding his hands.

“Very soon, I will be a murderer,” he said without thinking twice.

Tell us: Why do you think Mr. Msiska says he’ll soon become a murderer?