Mme Engie was alone in her house when she suddenly fell while stirring her porridge. She was deadly I’ll and had no one to look after her. Her younger daughter, Abisiswe had found herself a new home in the nearest tavern, she slept and woke up there. Only once in a blue moon she would go to her mother’s house, not to check up on her dying mother but only to get her self something to eat and to bath after stinking for several days.

On the other hand Lwandle, his son was a drug addict, he lived in a nearby section. Just like Abisiswe he never bothered to check up on his mother unless he wanted to get something valuable he could sell and earn money to buy drugs.Alungile her first daughter was in Jo’burg working so hard to buy her mother a decent house, according to Mme Engie.

As usual Mme Engie tried and drag herself to stand up. She cried and groaned in pain as she hold onto the chair next to her for support. When she was about to restore her balance, someone behind her assisted her . Without looking Mme Engie was certain that her daughter had returned from Jo’burg. Ohhh Lord you’ve answered my daily prayer you brought my daughter back home to look after me. She said numerous words until she realised that it wasn’t Alu who was behind her but a stranger.

She tried to recognise this familiar face however she couldn’t. Still she was not afraid because the smile in the stranger’s face clarified that she wasn’t a foe. While confused Mme Engie was shocked by the bags full of groceries on either sides of the lady, she looked at them with curiosity. Her eyes were asking whether this grocery was hers or not. The lady greeted with a smile and said this is all for you.

There was a moment of silence then Mme Engie offered the lady to sit on the chair but she refused. She preferred to sit down on the pale dusty floor without hesitation, not considering dirtying her expensive looking clothes. Again there was silence then the lady looked at Mme Engie and started talking. I can see you’ve forgotten me ,I’m Zandile, your stepdaughter. I came here to thank you for loving me more than your own children that you carried in your womb for nine months.

I want to thank you for teaching me that before I can relax and eat I need to work like a slave. That has helped me study hard and find a good paying job then live a good life.I also want to thank you for teaching me how to do all the household chores on my own because for that reason out of all your children I’m the only one who is married. I don’t have enough words to thank you but I promise to be there for you for the rest of my life.

Mme Engie couldn’t believe her ears she remembered everything now. As Zandile continued talking tear fell down from Mme Engie’s eyes. Her heart felt very heavy, she knew how she made Zandile’s life miserable after his father died. She also remembered that she never allowed her to eat until she finished all the household chores. How can she forget that she never allowed her to go and play whilst she let her own children to.

Mme Engie felt as if she was dreaming but it was all happening. The child she treated with an iron fist and never considered as her own was infront of her, praising her like her own mother. She was grateful to her.