Zelwande feels queasy a few minutes after Snothile leaves. She rushes to the bathroom and throws up. This – throwing up – has happened for the past three days. She finally takes the home pregnancy test she bought. The result is as she expected. Positive. She doesn’t want to tell Thobani just yet, not until she confirms it with a doctor.
Thobani and Zelwande have been invited to the Khumalo household for supper. Zelwande notices a look of concern on Senzo’s face as she is checking herself in the mirror in the lounge.
“Please don’t go, Zelwande. I have a bad feeling about those people,” says Senzo, when his eyes lock with Zelwande’s.
She turns and walks over to Senzo. “There’s nothing to worry about, Senzo. Mrs Khumalo and Snothile have finally come around. Promise me you won’t worry about this anymore. Will you do that for me?”
Senzo nods. Zelwande is so elated she doesn’t recognise that Senzo’s eyes still carry concern, as she hugs him.
“I want to apologize face to face to you and Zelwande, my son. I am sorry for my conduct,” Mrs Khumalo had said when she called Thobani during the day.
Thobani is hand in hand with Zelwande as they enter his family home in Durban North.
“Good evening my dear family!” says Thobani, as he sits at the decadently set table.
“How are you, my son and daughter?” says Mr Khumalo at the head of the table.
“We are well, Baba,” answer Thobani and Zelwande simultaneously.
Mrs Khumalo looks at Zelwande with sincerity. “My daughter, I’m so ashamed of my actions I’m afraid to look you in the eye. I don’t know what came over me.” Her eyes turn glassy with tears. “I want to apologize to you in front of the whole family. Please find it in your heart to forgive me.”
Zelwande reaches across the table and holds Mrs Khumalo’s hand. “I forgive you, Ma. We are all human; we make mistakes.”
Mrs Khumalo bursts into tears and comes over to hug Zelwande. “Thank you, Zelwande. Thank you, my new daughter!”
Snothile joins them in the hug. “I’m also sorry, Zelwande. You are my sister now.” She looks over to Thobani. “Thank you, Thobani for finding me a sister.”
A breeze of peace and happiness wafts through the Khumalo household as they enjoy their supper. The same feeling of happiness is in Thobani’s SUV as they head to Hilary. Zelwande feels her love for Thobani multiply as they both sing along to Celine Dion’s My Heart Will Go On.
They head straight to their bedroom and tear their clothes off as soon as they lock the door. They make passionate love and then stare into each other’s eyes. Zelwande lays her head on Thobani’s chest.
“My love, I have good news,” says Zelwande.
“I’m listening.”
“I think I’m pregnant.”
“Really, Zelwande?”
“I still have to confirm with my doctor but the home pregnancy test is positive. I’ve been throwing up in the morning for three days.”
Thobani is standing on the bed, his face alight with excitement. “I’m going to be a father?”
“Yes, my love.”
Thobani is jumping on the bed like a child. “I’m going to be a father!” he shouts over and over.
***
Tell us: Why do you think Mrs Khumalo and Snothile are suddenly being nice to Zelwande?