Thando is queuing inside a kiosk just outside the petrol station while John and Ruth remain in the car.

“There you go ma’am,” the cashier says giving Thando take-away food and drinks in a plastic bag.

“Thanks!”Thando says, “I bought lunch!”Thando moves past the petrol attendant filling fuel into the tank. “I got you a sandwich Ruth,” says Thando.

Ruth is feeling depressed and wants nothing to do either John or Thando.

“I think you should remain behind while I transport Ruth to my parent’s house,” John says, taking his change from the petrol attendant.

Thando’s face turns sour as she leans towards the car, dropping the plastic bag on the ground.

“We all need to speak about this John,” Thando says, looking at Ruth who quickly interrupts John’s reply.

“How do you sleep at night ?” asks Ruth, staring at Thando with hate in her eyes. “You took my child away from me and yet you stand there like you care,” Ruth steps out of the car.

Thando begins to cry. John is speechless with tears rolling down his face.

“I made a terrible mistake, please find it in your heart to forgive me Ruth,” Thando says with a heavy heart.

John watches on as Ruth continues to attack Thando. “Killing an innocent child is not a mistake!” rages Ruth grabbing Thando by the neck. “You killed my baby!”

Ruth starts to strangle Thando and John quickly gets out of the car and hold Ruth back.

“You don’t want to do this Ruth, please let her go now! Please leave us be Thando!” John says as he holds the now powerless Ruth in his arms and puts her back into the car.

John starts the car as he and Ruth slowly exit the petrol station leaving Thando behind.

“I am truly sorry John!” shouts Thando, falling to her knees and breaking into tears.

But before John and Ruth could fully exit the petrol station tanker truck coming in to offload fuel crashes into John’s car resulting in a big explosion.

“Noooo!” shouts Thando watching John’s car burst into flames before her eyes.

“Move away ma’am, an emergency fire squad is on high alert!” shouts the station manager.

“John!!” screams Thando running towards the flames.”

“What are you doing ma’am?” asks the station manager preventing Thando from going any further.

“I need to save my husband!” Thando says trying to free herself from the station manager.

“I’m so sorry ma’am , but he could not have survived the explosion” the station manager says.

Thando breaks down on the ground.

***

Tell us: What would you have done if you were in Thando’s shoes?