The following morning, when I went back to the house, I found Teboho alone. He was sitting in the veranda outside, sipping some coffee, and he looked like he had been crying. “All that stuff yesterday, you didn’t really mean it?” he asked.

“I did,” I responded.

“Because of my mom?” he asked.

“No. I haven’t been in love with you for two whole years, Teboho,” I responded.

“Why? What have I done?” Teboho asked, sobbing.

“Nothing actually,” I responded while holding his hands.

“Is there another man?” he asked, taking his hands off mine.

“Nope. I just want to do me,” I responded.

“Maybe you just need space? We can postpone the wedding?” Teboho asked.

“No! My family is already pestering me about this, and I don’t need you to do the same thing. We’ve had our fun, and it’s over now,” I responded.

“Our fun? You make it sound like it was some sort of fling,” he said with tears running down his cheek.

“I’ll always love you,” I said, wiping his tears away.

“But you’ll never love me enough to actually marry me, right?” he asked.

“You deserve better,” I responded, shaking my head.

“I deserve you,” Teboho begged.

“I’m here for my stuff,” I said, disappearing into the house.

“And the car that’s waiting for you?” Teboho asked.

“That’s a friend,” I responded.

“A male friend. Is he the reason you’re leaving?” he asked, sitting down on the bed.

“Thulani is gay,” I responded, smiling.

***

Tell us: What do you think is going to happen in both Nomusa and Teboho’s lives?