The doctors checked for any sicknesses in the babies and they concluded that they were both happy and healthy babies. They had spent one night in the hospital and I fetched them so we could get home.

I had set up another cot, and rocking chair as it was now twins. Petunia was glad I did. I felt immense love for the twins. The girl, Siphesihle, was so small and fragile. She was pale white in complexion, had little grey eyes, just like her mother, and pink little lips. The boy, Siphosethu, was light in complexion too, his eyes were also grey, but his lips were brown and he didn’t have that much hair like his twin sister.

I was no child expert, and I knew all infants looked the same, but it was clear who the kids would look like if they reached the maturity stage.

We bonded over the babies, Petunia took a nap with them while I prepared dinner. She was happy that we had twins, she said they were enough. I was happy too, atleast I’d know how being a father feels like, even though I know it won’t last for long.

When Nomalwandle catches their scent, and hears their cries, all will be over. I knew telling Petunia to go to her home with the kids would be pointless, Nomalwandle would find and kill them even if I made them skip the country.

I was happy to enjoy this moment, feeding the babies, rocking them back to sleep, and massaging Petunia and telling her funny stories till she laughed till her stomach hurt and she dozed off.

The master called me at 8pm. She wanted to see me urgently, I knew what it was about, I didn’t expect it to be so soon. I kissed my twins and kissed my wife, and I watched the twins as they slept, as I knew this was the last time I’d hear their shallow breathing.