REWIND...
Muzi loosened his grip on her hand and she marched into the bathroom, banging the door behind her. He looked up, trying to fight the burning sensation that was surrounding his eyes. It stung but it had nothing on the flame that was busy engulfing all the hay of hope in his heart. He walked into the closet to put on a set of tracksuits and some sneakers, then walked out. His temples were drumming and throbbing painfully as he sped the car out. Lwandile heard him bang the door and felt something in his heart go off. He ran out through his slightly open door and went after him. He shot out the front door and was left with only the furious sound coming from his father's exhaust pipes. Mxolisi came after him-- running as well.
"What's going on?", he questioned the anxious Lwandile, who had his hands on his waist.
"I don't know. I heard him speed out and I just--"
"I heard YOU running out that's why I'm here. What's going on?!"
"I don't know. I think... I think they fought. Mxo this family is falling apart"
Mxo let out a deep breath as they stood outside, the cool air lightly brushing their skin.
"Let's go back inside", he said in an exhausted, hushed tone. Lwandile followed him in and they found Betso drinking milk in the kitchen. She quickly wiped her tears then moment she heard the door open as she sat on the high kitchen chair. Mxo turned back to Lwa to ask him if they should intervene-- silently through confused eyes. Lwandile gave a small nod before closing the door behind him.
"Mom?", Mxo probed.
"Yes baby?", she replied with an obviously fake smile. A smile even the cheapest of misers wouldn't buy from small street. The boys took their seats across her.
"What's going on?", Lwandile questioned. Betso sniffed away the wayward mucus that was prepared to snitch on her--travelling down one of her nostrils.
"With what?"
"We are not playing that game today. What the hell is going on?!", Mxolisi patience was swinging by his last nerve.
"Mxo!", Lwa reprimanded. Mxo kept his eyes on Betso.
"Are you getting a divorce?", Mxo aimed and shot at the elephant in the room. Betso remorselessly pursed her lips.
"Is it true? Are YOU getting a divorce mommy?", Lwandile reinforced Mxolisi's hanging question.
"I... I don't know. This is difficult for me my babies. I don't want one for your sake but... I no longer love your father. Staying one more minute in this marriage will drive me crazy"
Lwandile's speechless jaw dropped to his feet.
"Is that what you told him?", Mxolisi asked with threatening eyes.
Betso nodded. "Koppie I am tired..."
"But how is that possible? I've seen couples before but I have NEVER, I have never seen people that love each other like the two of you do. Did he do something to you?"
"Why does it have to be his fault?", Mxo turned to Lwa and defended his absent father.
"I know mom wouldn't--"
"And dad would?!"-Mxo
"Please don't fight", Betso begged. They paid no attention to her.
"The problem with you is that you see dad as a God or some superhero. I love him too but I know for a fact that mom loves him more and--"
"WHY DOES IT HAVE TO BE HIS FXCKING FAULT?!"
The bickering was beginning to grate Betso's patience and she lost it.
"I AM IN LOVE WITH SOMEBODY ELSE!", she shot out and instantly regretted it. The twins popped their identical eyes.
"Wait what?", Lwandile wasn't getting it. He definitely thought he heard wrong.
"Still dad's fault?", Mxo raised his brow to Lwa, then sprung down off the chair.
"Kopano...", Betso gingerly called out.
He turned back. His eyes were glassy-- filled with tears. Betso's emotions suddenly felt like this was contagious.
"If there's one fact I know about dad, is that he adores you. He literally worships the ground you walk on. I have been watching how badly you've been treating me these past few months but I thought it's an whatever pregnancy phase. What about your soul tie? Huh? I swear... mark my words. If he seizures and dies from this...", he had his index finger held up and dropped it when he ran out of words. Then left. Betso wiped her tears and the equally emotional Lwandile extended his upper body over the kitchen counter so he holds her hands.
"Tell me the truth. What does this new person have on you? I know you're incapable of loving anybody else apart from dad", he pleaded with her.
"Nothing. You will grow and understand that forever can be a myth sometimes. Love does run out"
"Well excuse me but I am not falling for that"
"Boikanyo...", she said with pained pleading eyes.
"No mom. No!"
