As soon as Hilda boarded the bus, the commuters who witnessed what happened in the morning started murmuring. Hilda had not taken the 5 p.m. bus since she started working at Riverside because she always left with her colleagues to get drunk. When she sat down, she took out her phone and continued to play her game. The ride home was serene, and in a long while, Hilda was able to gather her thoughts.

The walk home seemed easier that day since she was not swaying from side to side due to drunkenness. “She’s home early today? She must be broke”, said the neighbourhood gossip, Mrs Nkosi. She always said freely whatever was on her mind and never cared if anyone heard her. Hilda would tell her off, but today, she just greeted her with a smile and continued walking.

“Yehheni!! What is this now? I must tell the neighbours. Since when does Zanele’s daughter know how to greet?” She picked up her long skirt on the sides and walked towards her neighbour’s house. Hilda, unbothered, continued walking home.

When she opened the door, she found Lily and her mother sitting in the kitchen. They had been talking but stopped when they heard the door open. Lily could not contain her shock; she grabbed her phone and looked at the time. Her eyes then locked with her mother’s eyes.

“Good evening, family”, greeted Hilda with a forced smile on her face. Without wasting time, she walked to her room and closed her door. Zanele and Lily were frozen for a second before they answered, but Hilda was already gone.

“And then? What was that about?” asked Lily as she scratched her head.

“Something must be wrong. I need to check on her.” Zanele stood up and went straight to Hilda’s room. After knocking on her door for a while with no answer, she opened it gently. Hilda was doing some work on her laptop.

“Hilda, I’m sorry to barge in like this, but are you okay?” Hilda nodded. “If you are still upset about what happened this morning, just know I am sorry. You know I love you and want the best for you.” Zanele’s lips were quivering. Although she despised how loud Hilda was, her being quiet did not sit well with her.

Hilda just raised a thumbs up and never turned to look at her mother. Zanele defeated, left her room and closed the door. She dished up for them and called Hilda to join them without expecting her to come out, but she did. After finishing her food, she gave her mother a thumbs up and returned to her room.

Zanele and Lily were dumbfounded by her behaviour. They spent a few minutes quiet before Lily broke the ice. “Is something wrong with her?”

“I really don’t know. It’s the first time in 2 years that she has come home early and sober. The first time that we have had peace and quiet.”

“I’m sure the neighbours think she has finally killed us, as she always threatens to.”

“Lily! Don’t say that.”

“You know if she….”

“Stop it!” snapped Zanele. Whatever it is. I’m just grateful for one night of peace.” Zanele cleared the dishes from the table and yawned. “Wash the dishes. I am going to have an early night today.”