“Wilfred, please give me money for the groceries and school fees,” Tawana said to her adorable husband.

“OK, my dear. I will give it to you tomorrow on pay day,” he answered, following his reply with a kiss. He walked to the door and waved to Tawana.

Tawana had made lunches for the twins. Wilfred had already gone when she saw the twins in the bathroom.

“It’s already seven, you are going to be late,” she shouted to them.

“We are off,” Angela said smiling and walking away.

Agrippa hugged his mother and walked out the door.

“Don’t forget your lunches,” she shouted behind them.

After she cleaned the bathroom se walked out to go to other rooms. The house was very quiet.

*****

While Wilfred drove to work, he was disturbed by a woman who walked near the car park. He parked his car then, he couldn’t keep his eyes off that woman. He went out and walked closer to the woman. She was beautiful, and he was attracted to her.

“Oh, I am Wilfred, and you are?” he asked staring in detail at her.

“I am Rose,” she answered smiling.

“You look lovely. I would like to know you,” he said smiling at her.

She took a card and gave it to him.

“You can call me anytime,” she whispered in his ear.

Wilfred was delighted that day. He had won this woman’s heart. He couldn’t stop thinking about Rose. As he entered the office, he grabbed his office phone and that’s how their relationship started.
He felt like a man who had been given an award. His day at work was more exciting than other days. He already got an invite to Rose’s home who stayed alone, single.

“You couldn’t wait,” Rose smiled as he sat on the couch.

“Who would ignore such a beautiful woman?” he asked.

“What about your wife? Wouldn’t she be furious?” she asked as she handed him a glass of wine.

“Never mind my wife. She is nobody to me anymore,” he said unconcerned.

Rose gave him a dish to wash his hands. Wilfred felt like a king as she gave him a seven-colour dish. He felt like he was in wonderland. His wife never treated him like this anymore.

Feeling young love and being treated like a puppy and king convinced Wilfred not to return home.

*****

At the Sithole home, Tawana sat down reading a book, while the twins came from school.

“Good afternoon, ma,” the twins said as they went to their rooms.

Angela came back dressed in her clothes. She stared at her mother, who sat on the sofa.

“Ma, when is papa paying our fees?” she asked sadly.

“He will, his pay comes tomorrow,” she answered confidently. “Make me a cup of tea. Your lunch food is in the
microwave,” she continued.

Angela switched on the kettle and took the food from the microwave. She looked more bored when she saw it was samp and beans.

“Aaaa, Ma, not samp again,” she said putting it down.

“Angy, just eat. Tomorrow will be another day,” Tawana said.

Angela sighed and left. Agrippa took his food and ate.

That night, Wilfred didn’t return. Tawana sat down and read a book after supper. She got worried and tried to call Wilfred. His phone kept going to voicemail. She kept looking at the time as her anxiety grew. It was 9:25 p.m., but Wilfred wasn’t home.

She paced by the window. There was no one coming. It was dark with branches blowing in the wind. Nothing came through the gate. All she could see were ghosts. She wished he would return that night. She fell asleep on the sofa until a cat meowing outside woke her up. She looked and saw that Wilfred wasn’t home.

Tawana checked her children. They were sound asleep. She went straight to the bedroom after switching the lights off. Tawana’s heart was not at ease. She became terribly worried.

If he doesn’t come back, I will call his office and the police, she decided as she slept. She then slept peacefully, hoping he was overworking and safe.

***

Tell us what you think: What do you think of Wilfred’s selfishness?