Evening fell as Christine returned from her mysterious outing. She entered the kitchen, arms full of grocery bags, and found Star standing over the stove.
"Grandma, you're back," Star greeted, surprised.
"Yeah... How are you holding up?" Christine asked as she began unpacking the bags.
"I'm fine..." Star replied, though her nerves twitched. The memory of Christine's earlier demand for the truth still lingered in her mind.
"I brought something special for you," Christine said, pulling out a small covered dish. "It's called khowa—a dessert we used to eat when pregnant. I ate it when I carried David. He came out fat and handsome."
Star smiled, though uneasily.
"My mother used to say," Christine continued, "if a woman eats khowa while pregnant out of wedlock, and her man eats it too, he'll surely marry her and give her a happy life. It's said to attract a true husband."
Star's eyes widened. "Wait... Grandma, are you saying you got pregnant before marriage?"
Christine chuckled. "Yes, I was still a teenager, studying abroad. Roberts stood by me and brought me home to tell my parents. That's when my mother gave me khowa. Look at me now—married, and my son was happily married too."
"Grandma... Don't say was. He is still married. He has his company and the mother of his children," Star corrected gently.
Christine turned away, her tone shifting. "There are things better left unsaid. If my son were here, many truths would come to light."
Star frowned, confused.
"Never mind me. I'll join you shortly," Christine said before walking out. Star stood in silence, trying to unravel the meaning behind her grandmother's cryptic words. Eventually, she shook it off, fetched a plate, and scooped some khowa. She placed it on the table and headed to the basin to wash her hands.
Just then, Mandume entered. Seeing Star's back turned, he crept in, meaning to startle her—but his eyes landed on the plate.
"Mmm, this looks too good," he whispered to himself. Grinning, he picked up a spoon and took a bite—just as Christine walked by and spotted him, smiling knowingly.
Star turned just in time to catch him mid-chew.
"I'm sorry! But this is too delicious to resist," Mandume said, grinning, holding his ears in mock apology.
Star froze. Christine's words echoed in her mind: If a man eats khowa... he will marry you. She instinctively cradled her stomach.
"Hey! That's enough!" she snapped, snatching the plate away. "Grandma brought this for me. It's made for pregnant women."
"But it's so good! Just one more bite?" Mandume pleaded.
"Nope. You've had enough." Star said, scooping more khowa into her hand and eating with delight.
"So this is how it is, Grandma? You get her something and leave me out?" Mandume teased.
That's when Star realized Christine had been watching the entire time.
"That's khowa, Mendu," Christine said calmly. "Only for pregnant women... unless you're pregnant?"
Star laughed. "Yes, grandma! Ask him properly!"
Mandume raised his hands. "No! I mean—can I just eat it too?"
"You're pregnant now, Mendu?" Star mocked, chuckling.
Mandume groaned. "You know what, fine. I'll just drink water and get my dessert. You won't get a bite of it!" He stormed off, muttering. Star burst into laughter.
Christine, meanwhile, drifted into a quiet flashback...
She was at the market earlier, scanning the aisles until her eyes landed on a familiar brown paste—khowa.
Mandume loves Star. That baby she's carrying may not be his, and that could cause chaos in this family... But fighting fate is a mistake I can't afford to make. Mother always said khowa reveals the true husband. If Mandume eats it, maybe—just maybe—he's the one for Star.
I'm sorry, Star. I'm doing this behind your back... but I won't let my son's life be ruined again.
Christine smiled to herself.
"Grandma, why are you smiling like that?" Star asked, snapping Christine from her thoughts.
"I'm just... happy," Christine said, returning to the kitchen.
Mandume ate the khowa. Their love is real. I'll do everything I can to get them married. That woman already ruined one life—I won't let her ruin another, Christine thought silently.
"You're not thinking what I think you're thinking, are you?" Star asked, eyeing her grandmother suspiciously.
"Not at all," Christine replied, cheerily evasive.
They continued preparing dinner together, laughing and chatting like old friends. But in the back of Star's mind, a question lingered.
Did Grandma forget she was pressing for answers earlier? Or is she just pretending nothing happened?
Later at the dinner table, Mandume couldn't help himself.
"So... any more of that khowa?" he asked, grinning.
Christine and Star exchanged a knowing glance—and burst into laughter.
"I finished it," Star said smugly.
"It was only for Star," Christine added firmly.
Maria, sitting quietly, watched the unexpected camaraderie between Star and Christine with narrowed eyes.
What happened while I was away? she wondered.
"Madam… want to know what happened?" Star said suddenly, making Maria flinch.
"Grandma bought me khowa. Mendu here loved it so much he started acting pregnant himself just to eat more," Star joked. The table erupted with laughter—except Maria, who faked a smile, and Mandume, who sulked over his khowa cravings.
"This food is tasteless now… but for the sake of my stomach, I'll manage," he said dramatically. More laughter followed.
"Mom, did you reach Dr. Mathews?" Mandume asked, shifting the mood.
"Yeah, I've already withdrawn his services," Maria replied curtly.
"Did he say who was behind everything?" Christine asked sharply.
"No. He didn't reveal anything," Maria answered. Christine's jaw tightened.
Her expression turned cold.