Tawana would wake up early to sell at the bus stations, the town was always busy. Agrippa couldn’t stop stealing people wallets. That’s how he had money for beer every day. He never slept at home anymore. Angela decided not to snitch on her brother. It would hurt their mother. Tawana didn’t notice because she comes back tired from the market. Two years later, this was now their life.
Angela saw Agrippa drunk one morning when he came back. He was sleeping around with the older woman at the bar. The woman took advantage of him, but he liked it. His school performance was worsening because he had lost focus.
“You need to start focusing,” Angela would say as he pushed her away.
Angela would cry, thinking back to when his family was good; while their father still loved them. She kept quiet about her brother. Tawana tried every possible way to help her children. Angela passed with flying colours, and she got a bursary to study at University. Agrippa failed. Tawana was bewildered by Agrippa’s failing.
He had to repeat. Agrippa knew his actions had led him to these consequences. He didn’t want to be like his father. Wilfred stayed with Rose, planning to marry her despite the fact that she had two other kids from different fathers. Wilfred got infected with HIV and he still carried on his relationship with Rose.
Agrippa failed Form 6 and he became a loafer, a drunkard and a Ben 10.
“I drink beer and sleep with women,” he said to Angela.
He started to get sick, so his mother suggested he go to a clinic. He tested positive. While at home, Tawana stressed over her son having an incurable disease. She had to be strong.
“I am sorry, Ma. After what baba did, I can’t focus on schoolwork,” he said in remorse.
“You see. What did I tell you? You don’t listen,” Angela said, hitting her palms.
Tawana was shocked and stared at her daughter. She stood up, wanting to talk, but no words came out of her mouth.
“You knew about this, Angela? Tell me,” she said puzzled.
“I am sorry, Ma. I didn’t want to hurt you,” she answered. “You had a lot on your plate,” Angela continued, holding her mother’s hand and Agrippa’s hands.
“Agrippa, I want you to do something with your life. You can be a better man if you pass and make something for yourself,” she said, smiling.
“Ma, I will rewrite and pass. I promise. I will make you proud,” he said sadly.
Agrippa rewrote his exams and passed. He studied mechanical engineering while Angela was in her second year of studying to become a doctor.
The Sithole family would never be the same again, but they would survive. The children made Tawana proud in the absence of their father. But one day, he would come crawling back like a lost puppy.
Angela sat down, staring at the window, wishing her father would come back home so that her mother wouldn’t have to work again. Angela thought about the days when they had to eat the same food every night, but now things were improving. She thanked God that their mother didn’t abandon them as their father had. She smiled at what they had lost; at least they had bursaries for school.
Tawana still went to do piece jobs in people’s homes. The money was not much, but it was enough. Tawana could provide for her family. Angela was happy that her mother had finally moved on. She was always happy and smiling. Wilfred had behaved cruelly and had already been forgotten by his family, but they knew that what goes around comes around.
***