Theophilia : Coming of Age

Theophilia Ndlela grew up in a typical village house with her grandmother, sister and her uncle who died after she turned 16. Theophilia always shared a strong father-daughter bond with her uncle who returned to their lives when she was 6 years old. Her relationship with her half sister Clara has always been a complicated one. While their grandmother always played the role of a mother since their mother died giving birth to Theophilia. Both the girls never met their fathers.

Theophilia had a crush on a popular boy at her school but as per usual her insecurities convinced her that she wasn't good enough for him. Until the night of their matric dance when she gets a chance to dance with the boy she loves. It is not long before they start dating and making plans for future. All this is new to Theophilia and it scares her. Clara always blamed Theophilia for their mother's death and she won't rest until she gets her revenge.

Theophilia is a simple girl with simple dreams, she doesn't want much out of life except for two things- love and happiness. Unlike most people around her, her village was enough for her- it's a place she never wanted to leave. Until that fateful day, when she caught the boy she loved in the arms of her sister. That moment changed everything for her, her world and her dreams. She needed an escape. She goes to a private college in Pretoria to study journalism. Her grandmother arranges for her a place to stay in the city with their neighbour- Thando. Thando's's life is way complicated than any of them could have ever anticipated. Theophilia gets a peek of it on her first day in college when Thando finds her an after school job at a renowned restaurant.

Soon Theophilia falls madly in love with the owner of the restaurant who is 21 years her senior. This man changes Theophilia's life not in a very pleasant way. The man is the most wanted criminal and a brutal lover. Even though he loves Theophila in his own strange way, he doesn't know how to show it. Still, she believes in her love. He becomes her entire world when she loses her remaining family members family- indirectly at his hands. After horrific events and her brush with death- twice. Theophila gets a shock of her pregnancy, she is 19 years old, second year in college and living with a man who has orphaned her. This leads to the hardest decision of her life. She turns her back on the city and finds herself back in Eastern Cape. She settles in Port St Johns- it is just her and her son.