I am absolutely shocked and devastated at Bart’s passing last night, how could they do this to us? I really did not see this coming, thought they were just messing around with us by giving us hope and snatching it away again but I knew for sure this is a fantasy land and everything will be okay, Bart will get his happily ever after, but it was not to be.
Tessa learns the truth about BartWhen Bart found out that his was dying, he kept the truth from everybody except Hilda. He broke off his engagement with Tessa because he didn’t want to her to suffer the pain of loss at his dying. He decided to quit his job at Oppiekoffie, pack up and head back into the bush.
On his last night in Hillside, he and the boys went to O’Malley’s but after downing a few shots, Bart cried out in pain and was rushed to hospital. Eventually the truth would emerge that Bart was dying, his liver was affected by a fatal concoction he drank in the Okovango and he desperately needed a liver transplant in order to survive. The chances of an organ being available in the limited time he had left was very slim.
When Tessa was informed of Bart’s condition, she rushed to the clinic and was very relieved to know that he wasn’t the jerk she thought he was by dumping her so brutally just after he had proposed. Yes, she was saddened by the fear of him dying but she promised to be there for him every step of the way, she was positive for Bart and that is exactly what he needed.
As the news of Bart’s condition spread throughout Hillside, everyone came out in full support of Tessa and Bart. Bart was then discharged from the clinic because there was basically nothing they could do for him without a new liver.
As the days went by slowly, Tessa and Bart made the most of the precious time left to them. Tessa was constantly at his side, helping him, giving him hope to cling to. Bart tried to fit in as much precious moments with her in the little time he had left.
A new liver for Bart?Then came the news that a liver was available for him. Everyone was so excited, Tessa more so than anyone. The two prepared to go to the hospital, Tessa helped pack his bags but just before they left, a surprise awaited Bart when Tessa popped in at Oppiekoffie with him.
The folks of Hillside had thrown a party in his honour to wish him well and a speedy recovery as he goes for this major operation.
Then the couple arrived at the clinic and received the bad news that the liver was not suitable for Bart, they tried calling him, the nurse said, but no answer from his cellphone. Poor Tessa was in a state, she lashed out at the nurse but all Bart did was tell Tessa to leave it, they are going home. The disappointment on that poor guy’s face, shame man, how can they mess around with his feelings like this?
The days slowly dragged by for Tessa and Bart and it was emotionally draining for Tessa. She tried to be strong for Bart as everyone rallied around her, trying to be supportive by offering her food, company, etc.
There were times when things got too much for Tessa but without her friends and sound advice from Charmaine and Hilda, she probably would’ve given up and broken down but she remained as strong as she could for Bart.
The clinic informed them they will let them know if a liver is available for him and if it’s suitable. As Felicity, Mandla, Tessa, Bart, Hilda and Maria were eating cake in Hilda’s flat, the phone rang and judging from Hilda’s excited tone of voice, the news sounded good.
Hope once again, as Hilda shooed Bart and Tessa off to the clinic.
Well it seemed the liver was okay this time as Bart underwent the major liver transplant operation. When he came out of theatre he was groggy and still in pain which is normal and Tessa was right there, giving him hope of a future as she discussed their wedding plans.
Things take a turn for the worseWe all thought this was it, everything will be fine for Bart but the way in which the nurse was looking at the monitor told a different story, something was terribly wrong.
As the days passed, Bart was not getting better, it seemed as the liver was having a negative reaction to his body. Tessa spent the night at the girls flat and they did everything to be supportive of her, eventually Hilda came and told them the news that the doctor said they must prepare for the worst, Bart is not doing well at all, he is dying!
Tessa did not want to give up, she made Bart promise her that he would pull through, he would fight for her. Sadly it was not to be.
Everyone was speaking about Tessa not willing to accept the truth about what was happening with Bart, she kept clinging to the hope that he will make it, he will do it for her, he promised her.
Charmaine overheard the girls talking and decided to take matters into her own hands. She approached Tessa at the clinic and told her to let Bart go, he’s body is too weak to fight anymore but still Tessa did not want to admit what was staring her in the face, she cried and said that Bart promised he would fight for her but Charmaine sadly shook her head and told Tessa, Bart made a promise he is unable to keep, its not in his hands anymore. Only then did Tessa realize what she needed to do.
Bart’s final momentsTessa went to Bart and even though it appeared as if he was sleeping, she spoke to him seriously and told him to let go, she was basically freeing him of the promise he had made to her.
Later when Tessa goes to the clinic again, everyone is in the waiting room ready to support her. Bart wakes up from his sleep and this time things are different, he tells her there is no pain, for the first time things are not blurry but very clear. This gives Tessa renewed hope that the liver did work and she’s overjoyed as she smiles happily at Bart.
Then Bart tells her of the most amazing dream he had, sitting under a baobab tree with the sky being all red and orange and a fish eagle was flying overhead, making these noises as if he wanted Bart to follow him. Tessa tells Bart she wished she was there, she doesn’t click what the dream could possibly mean but we knew, we knew this was it for Bart. He tells her that she was there in the dream telling him that she will be okay, they both will be okay and just then he goes into a spasm and breathes his last breath.
Poor Tessa, she seems in shock but she takes his hand and places it over his chest and makes her way in a daze to the waiting room.
The others are keen to know but nobody dare ask, Charmaine eventually asks how Bart is doing, Hilda asks if they must call a doctor but Tessa says its not necessary anymore, Bart doesn’t need a doctor and she blurts out that he had just died now.
Everyone is filled with sorrow and it was another tear jerker as everybody silently wept, Charmaine held Tessa as she continued to look shocked and in a daze.
So that is it 7de laan fans, I feel for all the Bart fans out there, I didn’t expect his storyline to have such a dramatic and sad ending. After everything this character has been through, all his upheavals with women in his life, his flings with Connie, Dezi, Paula, Rentia, Liesl and Libby, none of these girls were right for Bart, he searched and searched for love eventually giving up until he returned to Hillside two months back and that is when he met her, the ultimate girl of his dreams, Tessa, little did we know how shortlived their happiness would be.
All Bart ever wanted was to have the girl of his dreams by his side and he did, he had the best girl for him right up until the end, at least he died happy.
BYE BYE BART, YOU WILL BE MISSED!
7de laan
Mondays - Fridays
SABC 2
18:27