‘My actions of abandoning you was a choice. I knew I wouldn’t be able to provide for you. My cowardice made me run away. However, I knew I left you in the good hands of your father. I wanted to find myself a job in the big city so you’d not grow up in poverty like I did with your father. The city and the life were getting too fast for me. I met a man that took me in and cared for me. I did not see any reason of coming back at the time. My mind was stupid and controlled. But when the years went by, there was nothing I wished for more than to meet my little princess.’

Her mother’s honesty made her feel flushed and happy.

‘I hope someday you’ll find it in your heart to forgive me. And if your heart decided for forgiveness, then I’d be more than happy to meet you, connect with you and live happily like mother and daughter. If you ever wish to do so, my address is at the end of this letter. I will continue to send you some little money that’d help you with school. I love you my princess, and do not ever forget that you’re Qhawekazii, you’re stronger than you think, whatever life hits you with. You will always get back up to your feet.’

The ending left butterflies in her stomach that just wouldn’t quit. At that very moment, tears streamed on her cheeks. With her mind leaving this place, to finally meet her mother. She went through all the letters hoping she sent more, but it was just the one in her hand. When her eyes glanced to the end of the letter, her address was in Durban, Umlazi, section C.

While she was smiling through her tears, a knock on the door ruined her moment of extreme happiness.

“Qhawekazii, it’s me.” It was, Luthando. She looked around the hut and recognised the mess she had made.

“Qhawekazii.” Luthando cried outside the door.

“I’m coming,” she said. She got up and wiped her tears to open the door for him.

“Hey, I’m sorry to come at this hour. I was just worried about you,” he said, standing outside the door feeling a bit cold as the weather was chilly outside.

“Come in.” She led him in and he closed the door behind him. His eyes were surprised to see the mess around the house, but he was taken by aghast to see a body covered in a sheet.

“Qhawekazii,” he said, venturing to the body. “What’s going on?” He slid the sheet down and up quickly as he saw Mthethwa’s face with his eyes half open, laying there breathless. He glanced at Qhawekazii with his eyes wide open.

“He died this afternoon,” she said.

“What happened?”

“I don’t know. I just found him like that,” she responded while a tear slipped down her cheek. Luthando pulled her into his arms. She cried again on his shoulder until she stopped. They both sat down on the floor.

“Why is his body still here? Did you call the police?” he asked, then remembered she didn’t own a cell phone.

“Let me call them,” he added, but Qhawekazii refused.

“No. No police.”

Luthando looked at her puzzled. “They will come with those forensics people and they’ll take his body to the mortuary.”

“But that’s the way it’s to be done with a dead body, Qhawekazii,” said Luthando, trying to sound as comforting as it could be.

Qhawekazii stood up with a sniff.

“And then I’d have to pay money to release his body. Money I don’t have. I don’t even know how I will bury him because he was an asshole that didn’t have a funeral plan.”

Her heart felt like it was about to explode with hatred for her father not using his brains.

“I don’t know what to do, Luthando. I have no one left. Even his best friend wouldn’t help. This is just all a mess.”

Desperation was etched into every word.

“It’s okay. You have me. We will make a plan,” he said assuring her.

“We don’t have a plan, Luthando. There’s no money.”

“We won’t need money,” he replied and Qhawekazii looked at him confused.

Tell us: What do you think Luthando is going to suggest to Qhawekazii?