2 days later, Kupa and Tadi are visiting their mom in hospital. Tadiwa , who is too young to comprehend the idea of Tanya still recovering from an operation, is all too excited to be with her. He is throwing himself at his mother and demanding her attention.
Tanya ends up telling the little boy his favorite folklore, ‘gudo natsuro’ while the toddler sits on her bed.
‘Ini fambe, ini terere,’ Tanya repeats the familiar line, imitating a voice she imagines a baboon, if it could speak, would use.
Tadiwa throws his head back in laughter, a light cackle that is carefree, unweighted by any care. ‘Again mummy, again!’ He demands when Tanya attempts to move on to another part of the story.
Kupakwashe looks on from the chair she is seating on, her legs crossed at the knees.
Feeling left out of the whole happy family scenario, she interrupts her mother’s story telling, much to Tadiwa’s annoyance.
‘So Mhama, when will the twins come home?’
‘The doctor says we may leave in a few days, they have been making good progress, the boys.’
Kupakwashe does not miss the loving tone in Tanya’s voice, she can’t control her own jealousy. She sighs loud enough for Tanya to hear.
‘What’s wrong Kupakwashe?’
The time apart has given the 2 a sense of closeness, each surprised by how they missed the other.
Tadiwa at this point gives up trying to ask Tanya to continue with the story and goes about driving his car on the fluffy terrain of his mother’s bed.
Kupakwashe , who to Tanya is becoming more confident,does not wait to be asked twice.
‘Will we go back to..to.., we will go back?’
Tanya’s heart leaps out for her daughter.
‘Why on earth would you think that Kupa?’ We’re your parents, the twins will never replace you. They are your siblings.’
‘I was just thinking that maybe you just wanted 2 kids, now that there’s 4 of us…’
‘No, no. You all are God’s gifts to us. Ever heard of anyone returning a gift?’ Tanya laughs, trying to lighten the mood.
Kupakwashe remains morbid, ‘Yes, if they are bad gifts.’ She mumbles.
‘Well you are not! You’re good children, it’s not even a question of us keeping you! We are your family. You’re stuck with us, come here.’
They hug, Dylan comes back from the doctor’s office, worry etched on his face about the bill. He sees the 2 hugging and smiles, pulling them both into an embrace. Tadiwa gets excited about whatever is going on and claps his hands gleefully as he observes.
