After he recovered he searched for work and he got it. Every time when it was pay day he would curse, beat and belittle Tsholofelo and he didn’t even contribute to the households spending. This went on for months and there were times when he even forced himself on her. She didn’t report as she hoped he would change, she hoped there was a good person hidden inside of him and needed someone to dig him out. Tsholofelo’s happy nature lessened and she became more depressed.

Those that were helped by Tsholofelo were observant and decided to take matters in their hands. They called police on Keabetswe but given the justice system of our country and Tsholofelo’s denial he always got away with it. She tried to change him but a leopard never changed its spots. It was until she was hospitalised that she realised she was loving and living with a predator that preyed on her life. She finally decided to follow Oleboheng’s advice and leave.

She couldn’t bear to see him instead she sent Oleboheng to the house to collect the smallest things she owned. She then moved in with Oleboheng and filed for a protection order. Whilst still recovering she applied to various Universities and got accepted at Stellenbosch University for Medicine and she relocated there. Her life finally was peaceful. She then met another guy named Keatlegile and she hesitated to fall for him given her past.

Irregardless of how perfect Keatlegile was Tsholofelo was hesitant to fall again. She always saw men as a weapon formed against her. Keatlegile never gave up on her. He was always there for her in her weakest times and he loved her dearly but all of that was disregarded by Tsholofelo as she still had some love left for Keabetswe. At times Keatlegile would find Tsholofelo still crying over Keabetswe. And as her friend he became a shoulder to cry on.

As years went by Keatlegile finally soften up Tsholofelo’s heart and managed to occupy the vacant place in Tsholofelo’s heart. They decided to give it a shot and as expected their love blossomed. Tsholofelo’s life was closer to reaching the light at the end of the tunnel. At her graduation day Keatlegile decided to propose and Tsholofelo agreed. Both of them decided to tie the knot and the news of that didn’t seat well with Keabetswe. For the first time in Tsholofelo’s life she was genuinely happy.

She finally realised that she didn’t need to continue hugging a thornbush with the hope of turning it into a flower plant. She then put effort in making her life more about herself and less about others. She heard rumours around saying Keabetswe was later arrested her love for him made her pity him but she decided it was enough and she had to stop hugging a thornbush.