“Was it me?

Always wished my family could be strong like leather
Always felt cold no matter what the weather
Because something is missing and that’s a father
I would call your brother dad, but I don’t know him either
Don’t worry, I won’t go any further.
If you are still alive I know you are not a free breather.
Only if these questions for me you can answer.
Was it something my mother had done?
That made you decide that with me you were done?
Did you ever think of me all the time you were gone?
Do you wish you were there the day I was born?
Does it ever cross your mind that you have a son?
Would you be proud of a son that never carries a gun?
I wonder why!”

Sihle was standing in front of the mirror, reciting the lines from his poem.

***Else Where ***

At about 3 o’clock in the afternoon, Dumisani Majola arrived home. He usually arrived at home after 6pm.

“Melokuhle, Meloo!” Dumisani called his daughter the minute he got in the house. Melokuhle came out of her bedroom looking tired; she had taken a taxi home from school. Her mother, who normally drove her to school and back, was at a business meeting and so couldn’t make it.

“Yes dad,” Melokuhle did not only look tired she even sounded tired.

“Baby we are going to K.Z.N right now.” Dumisani said looking like he was in a huge hurry.

“Dad no! I am very busy. Can’t you go alone just once?” Melokuhle responded. She was ready to throw herself in a big river if her dad would force her to go.

“What are you busy with baby?”

“I am writing a poem dad. I entered Poetic Voices.”

“What? Why did you do that? I mean a person who is going to win that will get money and a record deal at my record label. I can give you that money and you can get a record deal without entering that.”

“Dad this is not about money or the record deal, it’s about proving to myself that I am the best.” Dumisani eyed his daughter for a minute, he then came close to her and gave her a hug.

“I am proud of you baby,” Dumisani said.

“I’m proud of you too dad.” Melokuhle said. If only you knew that I am doing this to win a boy, she thought to herself.

*****

Dumisani was really proud of his daughter Melokuhle. He was thinking of her as he was driving to K.Z.N. The fact that he did not have a son was eating him deeply inside. He was not getting any younger. Whenever he thought of it, it reminded him of a secrete he had. A secrete he had never told anyone.

***

Tell us what you think: What is the secrete Dumisani is hiding from everyone?