01
THINGOLUHLE MTHETHWA
Dad: Thingo, you must understand, this is for your own good. The protection and benefits the mafia can offer are beyond anything you could imagine.
Thingo: Dad, you know as well as I do that the mafia is a dangerous world. It’s a world of violence and corruption. How can you ask me to marry into that?
Dad : We all must make sacrifices for our family. And as the head of this family, it is my responsibility to ensure its safety and prosperity.
Thingo: But what about my safety?
Dad : You will be under the protection of your husband. And trust me, this boy is not the monster you think he is. He’s a good man, strong and loyal. He will take care of you.
Thingo :I don’t want to be taken care of, Dad! I want to be my own person. I want to live my own life.
Dad : Your own life? What kind of life do you think you’ll have if you refuse this offer? You’ll be an outcast.
Thingo: I’d rather be an outcast than be married to a criminal. You can’t force me into this.
Dad: I don’t want to force you, Thingo. But I’m afraid you leave me no choice. It’s either this, or you’re on your own.
Thingo: Then I choose to be on my own. I can’t be part of this, Dad. I’m sorry.
Dad (shouting): Thingo, stop! You can’t just leave!
Thingo (shouting back) :Watch me!
l tore through my room, yanking clothes from hangers and stuffing them into a suitcase. l grabbed my staff from the closet.
As l zipped up my suitcase, l could hear my father’s heavy footsteps coming up the stairs, his voice growing louder with anger.
Dad: You will not do this to your family! You will not disgrace us like this!
Thingo : I’m not the one who’s disgracing our family, Dad. You are!
l zipped up my bag and slung it over my shoulder. l took one last look around my room, trying to commit it to memory.
As l descended the stairs, my father stood in her way, blocking the front door.
Dad: You will not leave this house.
Thingo : Dad, please. Don’t make this any harder than it already is.
Dad :You’re a disgrace to your family. If you leave now, you will never be welcome here again.
My heart ached as l heard those words, but l knew there was no turning back. l knew l have to follow my own path.
mother rushed into the room, her face streaked with tears.
Mom : Thingo mntwanam , please, you can’t leave us. Your father is right—you’ll be alone out there.
Thingo (turning to her mother) : Mama , I’m sorry. But I have to do this. You raised me to be strong and independent. Well, this is me being strong.
mother’s eyes welled with tears, but she nodded, and gave me a long, tight hug.
Mom (crying): Promise me you’ll be careful out there.
Thingo : I promise, Mama. I’ll make you proud.
father stood by the door, watching the scene with a mix of anger and sadness.
Dad : If you walk out that door, Thingo, don’t expect us to be waiting for you when you come back.
l pause, feeling a lump rise in my throat.
Thingo(choking back tears): I’m not expecting anything from you, Dad. I’m doing what I need to do.
father looks at me with a look of cold disappointment, and steps aside to let me pass. As l walk out the door, l feel the weight of my family’s disapproval, but l also feel a rush of excitement.
Outside, the sun was setting, painting the sky with streaks of pink and orange. Guess this is it.... l , Thingoluhle going against my father's wishes .
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