Sandile is shocked by Themba’s story. He wonders if he would not have left dead bodies in that room if he were in the same situation. He looks at the vast empty landscape outside the window and feels deep sadness for Themba. Endless streams of tears fall down Themba’s face.

“I don’t blame you one bit for crying, Themba. What happened to you is really sad. All I can say is, cry until all the pain you feel is gone. They used to say a man doesn’t cry but those were the old days. Men also have hearts. We are human and we hurt. What should we do when we hurt?”

Themba tries to wipe away his tears but it is to no avail. It is as if he is encouraging his eyes to produce more.

“Men have turned to animals because of all the pain and hurt we are forced to keep bottled inside. Today, men murder their whole families, even their children, and we never find out the reason because—”

Sandile suddenly stops speaking. Could it be that Themba and Zanele have children? What will happen to their children after what has happened? Sandile has questions but he knows he can’t ask Themba because it would be like pouring salt on a wound.

“Sandile, my brother, my biggest problem is that I am all alone in this problem.  My family told me point-blank that they want nothing to do with my wife. I fought with them about that and told them I would stick with my wife because I love her,” says Themba.

Sandile picks up the pace now, stepping a bit harder on the accelerator. His mind still can’t get around what he has just heard. Not in his wildest dreams did he think he would hear such a story while on his way to visit his uncle in Jozi. He glances at Themba, who is no longer crying, just sniffling.

“My brother, I know what I’m going to tell you may not sit well with you. Please forgive me if that is so,” says Sandile.

Themba looks at Sandile with a blank stare.

“I want to congratulate you for having the power to control yourself,” Sandile continues. “You showed great control when you left that scene while you had a gun in hand. You showed great bravery by not murdering everyone in that bedroom. Most people would have ended it all, and I am one of them.”

Themba takes a deep breath and nods.

“So where did you go when you got into your car?” asks Sandile.

“I just kept on driving. My mind was completely blank. I didn’t know where I was going. I only realised where I was when I saw the Drakensburg mountains. I got out of my car and looked at the beauty of those green mountains. Then I thought to myself that there isn’t just beauty, there is also danger in those mountains. There are snakes, lions, jackals and hyenas,” says Themba.

“That is a deep, thought-provoking way to look at life in general,” says Sandile.

“I also thought of putting a bullet through my head, but I quickly decided against it. I actually decided I was going back home, but when I was supposed to make off-ramp from the N11 I didn’t. I kept driving until I got to the Black Rock Casino and booked a room,” says Themba.

Tell us: What do you think will happen next?