“Your father’s side of the family is heartless. They were never close to us when your father was alive, but now that he is gone they want to know about his will,” says Nontobeko.

Sane lays a tray with tea and biscuits on the table.

“Thank you for the tea, my girl, but I’ve lost my appetite.”

“Mama, you have to eat something,” says Hlengiwe moving the tray closer to her mother. “Mama, don’t worry too much about Dad’s will, he wouldn’t give away his hard-earned money. I’m sure he left everything to us.”

“What disappoints me above all else is that Bab’Lindelani is talking about the will when the ground hasn’t even sunk on Dad’s grave,” says Sane.

“You can say that again, my girl. I wonder what your father is thinking when he sees all of this happening.” Nontobeko lets out a sigh and turns to Hlengiwe. “How are your studies going?”

“They are going well, Ma. But university life is very different from what I’m used to. There’s no teacher pestering you about your work, you have to do it on your own,” says Hlengiwe.

“Stick to your studies, my child. Forget about boys because they will impregnate you and leave you when they find someone better,” says Nontobeko.

***

It is midday on Monday. All the Mdlalose family members are at Nontobeko’s house, waiting for the lawyer for the reading of the will. Even long-lost relatives from Thuthukani’s side of the family are present for this occasion.

“Before I read out the will I’m going to play a video that Mr Mdlalose instructed me to play in the event of his passing,” says the lawyer.

There is a collective gasp as Thuthukani appears on the laptop. His smile brings about smiles in Nontobeko and their two daughters.

“If you are watching this video it means that I have passed away. Nontobeko, love of my life, please know that I will always love you. Even in death I love you because together we have made a home full of love and you gave me the most loving children any father would be proud to call his daughters. Please honour my love by carrying on with your life. In time I hope you find love again. I don’t want you to be alone in this tough unforgiving world. I want you to be happy again. Sane, my baby girl, find focus and finish your studies and make me proud. Hlengiwe, you have a bright future, if you make your dreams come true that will be enough to honour my memory. Last but not least: Ma. You brought me into this world. Mama, thank you for everything you have done for me. Please help Nontobeko in raising my children,” says Thuthukani.

Most people are sniffling in the lounge.

The lawyer stops the video and gets on with the business at hand.

“The last will and testament of Thuthukani Mdlalose reads like this. I leave my house to my wife, Nontobeko Mdlalose. I leave the Hyundai i10 and the sum of R 200 000 to my youngest daughter Sanelisiwe. I leave the Hyundai i20 and a sum of R 200 000 to my oldest daughter, Hlengiwe. I leave a sum of R150 000 to my mother Nonhlanhla Faith Mdlalose. The rest of my estate is left solely to my wife, Nontobeko Mdlalose.”

“Thank you, my son, for looking after me even from beyond the grave!” screams Thuthukani’s mom, MaGina.

“Mama, are you in agreement with this? It’s impossible that my brother wouldn’t leave me anything!” Lindelani is pacing about in the lounge.

“Calm down, Lindelani. Thuthukani had to leave his wealth to his wife and children. His family is his priority, not you,” says MaGina.

Lindelani stares at Nontobeko menacingly. “You are a bad woman! You killed my brother for his wealth. You have bribed this lawyer to change his will. I wouldn’t put that past you!”

“Leave my home right now, Lindelani! Leave or else I’ll call the police!” says Nontobeko.

“I’ll go but this isn’t over,” says Lindelani.

MaGina is shaken by the confrontation between Nontobeko and Lindelani. She is sweating buckets and feels lightheaded.

“Sane, go get Gogo’s medication and water, her diabetes is acting up,” says Nontobeko.

She switches on the aircon and fans MaGina with a towel.

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