After dinner Reneilwe and I are finally alone in my room. It makes me really happy that my mother is already so taken with her, but it’s a relief to have her to myself again.

“I’m so glad that my mom likes you, Reneilwe. I knew she would,” I say.

“I like her too, Muzi. She made me feel immediately at home and welcome. I am so happy to finally be here with you,” she says, wrapping her arms around my waist. I lean down and kiss her gently on the forehead.

“I know it’s late, my love, but I guess we need to talk about what to do next. All I’ve been thinking about since you arrived is how we get to Mozambique, and how we tell my mom. I’d like to tell her she can come with us, at least for a while. She would love it there … By the way, did you organise the passports? And what happened with your brother?” I ask.

Reneilwe looks down. “My brother got what he deserved,” she says quietly. “But we’ll have to leave very early in the morning in case his henchmen come after us.”

“What do you mean ‘he got what he deserved’?” I say.

“Yes to the passports. I spent my time in Johannesburg sorting out our travel arrangements,” she says, turning her back to me and avoiding my question.

I walk over to her and make her turn around and face me. “What happened with your brother?” I say.

“Just know that we don’t have to worry about him anymore. He got dealt with by one of his guys who was secretly in love with me and saw what he did to me that night … and after you left. He’s going to be out of action for a while. Maybe forever … Please trust that now we can move on with our lives,” she says, and walks out of the room.

I decide to let this matter go. I just hope that she will finally open up and tell me in detail what happened. I won’t pressure her; I’ll let her tell me when she is good and ready. I guess it must have been the guy who helped her up when her brother beat her …

* * * * *

I slept so peacefully last night with Reneilwe in my arms. I feel I have nothing to worry about anymore because she is here with me.

When we walk into the kitchen we find Mama busy setting the table for breakfast. Reneilwe springs into action, helping my mother dish up eggs and sausage. They chat light-heartedly.

All I feel in this moment is overwhelming happiness. This could be my life every single day.

We are seated at the table eating quietly for a few moments before my mother interrogates us about our future plans.

“So what are you two going to do now? I hope you plan on getting married. I won’t accept that cohabitating nonsense from Joburg,” she says, making me choke on my eggs.

“Mama, I think it is a little soon to be talking about marriage,” I say.

“What Muzi is trying to say is we haven’t discussed that yet,” Rene says nudging me with her elbow.

“Okay, so what are your plans for the future then? I am getting old and I want to have grandchildren to bounce on my knee while I still have strong knees.”

“Mama, we are planning to leave the country,” I say quietly.

“Leave? Where are you going Muzi?”

“Mozambique, Mama,” Rene says when I can’t open my mouth to answer my mother’s question. “Our time in Joburg has ended and we would like to start over in Mozambique.”

“Oh no! How long will you be gone? Will you come back to visit me? I just told you I want grandchildren and you tell me you’re leaving. Lord Jesus!”

Although Mama’s shock is expected, I can’t bear to see her like this. So I decide then and there I can’t leave her behind.

“Mama, come with us! We can start over all together,” I say.

“What would I do in Mozambique, nganezam?”

Rene takes her hand. “We would live by the beach, and you could help me keep your son in line. You would help raise your future grandchildren and give Muzi peace of mind knowing you are safe by our side,” Rene says.

I see tears well up in my mother’s eyes.

“Mama, please say you will come with us,” I plead.

“How can I say no when makhoti paints such a beautiful picture? I will go with you.”

We’ve spent a week preparing for our journey. Mama has asked Malume Joseph to take care of the house and promises that we will come back to visit often.

Although I can tell that she is excited, Mama wipes away a tear as we sit down to an early breakfast. We want to leave before sunrise.

My mother isn’t the only one having a hard time leaving this small village behind. I feel I still have some unfinished business here.

It doesn’t feel right to go without telling Nokulunga that I have moved on and that she shouldn’t wait for me. It’s only fair to tell her that my feelings for her have changed.

I don’t have the guts to tell her to her face, and, besides, it’s too early to go around to her house. I write her a letter instead.

Dear Nokulunga,
I want you to know that I care very deeply for you. My time with you
was special because you were the first girl I loved.

While I was in Johannesburg I grew as a man and so much in my life
changed. I met a woman who showed me what devotion really meant.

I don’t want to hurt you, but making you believe that I will be
coming back from Joburg to start a life with you would be wrong.

So instead I wish you a love like the one I have, a love that will make
you move mountains and risk your life to be with that one person.

I know you will be hurt by this. I just hope that in time you will
understand that I had to follow my heart.

I wish you love and happiness always.
Bekumuzi

I feel a load lift from my shoulders as I seal the envelope. I will post the letter when we reach Empangeni.

Now the car is packed and we must take our leave. As we drive off I look back at my childhood home and say a silent farewell. I see that Mama’s eyes have filled with tears.

“Don’t cry, Mama. You can always come back if you’re unhappy in Mozambique.”

“You’re right, my son. I just hope that Zweli will leave Joburg and join us in Mozambique too one day, start a new chapter …”

“I agree. We must encourage him to come. But now, wipe your eyes. Let us enjoy this new beginning.” I turn to Rene in the driver’s seat. “Ready for the rest of our lives?”

“I couldn’t imagine life without you, Muzi. Yes, I’m ready!” she says, smiling. “Mozambique, here we come.”

 ***

Tell us: Do you think Muzi should have handled the way he let Nokulunga know differently, or do you think it was OK for him to write her a letter? Do you think he made the right choice in his relationship with Reneilwe?