A little later a knock surprises me. It’s Samu. I give her a hostile glare.
“I know what you think Thando. But it’s all … more … much more than you think. I’ve realised I have to tell you, even though–”
“Oh yeah? Well this better be good,” I snap.
“Dad has two other kids Thando. From two different women. Both a little younger than you. He’s also now cheating on Mom with a friend of mine, Thandeka! Or she was a friend … at least that’s what I thought. Mom doesn’t know. She thinks he’s with one of the baby Mamas, but he was seen picking my former friend up from her house. I can’t tell Mom this. It will crush her. And then Thandeka sent her brother to threaten me. That was him out there. She has a video of me and my boyfriend, you know … doing it. I can’t–”
I slump on the floor in disbelief, my mind reeling. “The person you were talking to last night was her brother?”
“Yes. He was passing a message from Thandeka that they know you are back and that if I tell you, they will publish the video.”
She sobs uncontrollably and I’m trying to process everything.
“The same Thandeka that we used to take holiday trips with?”
“She’s the one who told dad about Zuri and your career switch. She’s the one behind everything. He only made it seem like it came from me to cover his tracks. I’m sorry Thando! It’s all my fault, I shouldn’t have shared such information with my friends. I thought …”
She continues crying.
I’m both angry and defeated. I try to think straight. It’s all so much! I try to talk calmly.
“Look. Revenge porn is illegal here. There’s a law that protects people in your position. She will face serious charges if she posts the video. We can solve that problem easily. I know she probably doesn’t know or care but I’m pretty sure her parents will care,” I console her.
A text from Zu comes in.
Just because you’re mad at me doesn’t mean
I need to hold my breath, cross my
fingers and wish on a star just so I
can receive a call back or text back from you.
I think I’ll book the next flight to Durban.
What? Is she insane? I don’t have the energy to deal with her right now. I put my phone on silent and put it back in my gown pocket.
“Are you going to tell your mother?” says Samu.
“I don’t know … but maybe it is time,” I say, hesitating. “Too many secrets have already turned us against each other, and Mom has the right to know. Yes … I must. It’s the only way we can find a solution to this mess and move forward.”
“Do you think she will divorce him?”
“That’s entirely her own decision Samu. None of what is happening is our fault. If she does, it’s his fault.”
Tell us: What do you think about men having relationships with young women the age of their daughters? Is it acceptable or not?