Basetsana glares at Seipati. “One more word from you, and a whole lot of trouble will start,” she warns, clenching her fists.

“Basetsana, I don’t care what you do to me. You have kept this secret for too long. That’s right. I found out, and now I am telling everyone that Mpho is not your husband’s child. Finish and klaar!” she says, loud enough for everyone in the room to hear.

Basetsana looks over to where her husband, Joe, is fixing himself and Basetsana drinks. When he turns and comes towards her she knows that he heard Seipati.

“Honey, what is she talking about?” Joe asks, handing her a glass of wine.

“She’s talking nonsense. Can’t you see she’s drunk. Of course Mpho is yours.”

“Hei wena!” Seipati yells. “Don’t you dare say I am a liar. I may be drunk but you know very well that I am telling the truth. You don’t deserve my brother. He is better off without you. I don’t know what he ever saw in you. You are a shameless woman.”

Basetsana starts to cry. “Please believe me Joe. She is lying.” She reaches out to take Joe’s hand but he flinches.

“Don’t touch me. Is this true? Why would Seipati, my sister, make such a thing up? How could you lie to me?”

Basetsana says nothing. It is her silence that tells Joe the truth. He stands up and takes his jacket off the couch. “I’m going. I can’t be here with you right now.”

“I am sorry I lied to you Joe. I did it to protect our marriage,” she calls after him as he storms out of the house.

Basetsana glares at Seipati. “What is wrong with you? Are you trying to ruin my marriage?”

“Oh no honey. You are doing a pretty good job of doing that all by yourself.”

The atmosphere between the two women is toxic. Basetsana switches the music off, signalling the end of the party, and everyone starts leaving.

Those who overheard the fight in the room can’t wait to get away from Basetsana and Seipati, and to start spreading the news of the scandal they witnessed. “Who knew Basetsana could be capable of such …” they are saying as they go out, giggling and laughing.

Seipati staggers towards the door, drunkenly talking to herself.

“It serves her right. Who does she think she is? Miss Goody Two Shoes.”

When they have gone, Basetsana goes to her bedroom and gets Mpho’s baby album out of the cabinet. Her cheeks are wet with tears. “I am sorry my baby. I wish I hadn’t lied about who your father is,” she says softly, as she stares at a picture of Mpho as a newborn. “Now I will have to tell you the truth and the truth is going to break your heart.”

***

Tell us: Do you think Basetsana was right to keep this secret? Why/Why not?