His Helper

2

Weeks rolled by, and I hadn't glimpsed Nelisa's grandfather, unlike the other customers who regularly popped in to settle their utility bills. I was beginning to think that it was one of those moments where you meet people and never see them again. People often talk about those moments because one would think they had encountered their life partner, then never see the person again. Some get lucky and meet again. In my case, I knew I had fallen for the little boy; it felt like I had known him for a long time.

Work was ticking along fine; I was gradually settling into my job, surrounded by friendly faces. This particular morning, the air was filled with the melody of "happy birthday" as Sandra, my colleague, spilled the news on Facebook that it was my special day. From the start, as my sisters also sang for me before I left the house.

The manager, catching wind of the celebration, granted me an early exit, considering it was a Friday. Just as I prepared to make my exit, Sandra intercepted me, retrieving my purse from the locker. After a quick change, I made my way to the tellers, calling out to Sandra, "Hey, Sandra, I'm about to leave." I didn't want to inconvenience the queue since they were wrapping up an hour after me. On weekdays and on their paydays, they usually got off work early, and from the morning, I could hear them talking about what they were planning to do - some going shopping, some just going out for fun.

Sandra handed me a plastic bag, and my puzzled expression couldn't hide my confusion. "Uh, what is this?" I queried. Without missing a beat, she exclaimed, "Go enjoy yourself; it's the weekend! Happy birthday!" The sentiment echoed as a chorus from my colleagues, urging me to embrace the day. I couldn't believe what they did, making my day so wonderful. With a smile, I thanked them before stepping out into the bustling streets, ready to savor the essence of a birthday celebration.

As I strolled through the lively streets, the rhythmic buzz of diverse South African accents surrounded me. The sun painted the city with warm hues, casting a golden glow on the bustling scene. The streets buzzed with activity as people streamed out of workplaces, some heading for lunch, while others were engrossed in shopping. It was the twenty-fourth, and even my colleagues were caught up in the shopping frenzy. However, being employed by a different company under the municipality, I had to patiently wait until the last day of the month for my own payday, but it wasn't a problem for me because I had already started saving, and I didn't need to do anything but contribute to household items.

With the bag of treats in hand, I embraced the spontaneous birthday gift from my colleagues. Examining it, I found an array of treats-chocolate bars, small packets of jelly beans, and biscuits. A pack of wings added an unexpected savory twist.

Passing by vibrant market stalls, I couldn't resist the tempting aroma of street food wafting through the air. The rhythmic beats of local music created a soundtrack to the lively atmosphere, and I couldn't help but immerse myself in the cultural richness of the moment.

Anticipating the lengthy queues in town, I opted for Vincent Park mall, knowing it was usually a better choice than navigating East London. Boarding a local taxi that meandered through town to pick up passengers, I arrived at Vincent Park after 2 PM. Eager to escape the sun, I practically sprinted to the mall, dressed in a floral dress and sandals, giving off the impression that I was there for a leisurely shopping spree.

I joined other people who looked like they were having a good time shopping, and some were just walking around the mall. I wished I had someone to sit and have lunch with. I had always admired seeing a couple on a date, some with their children around. It made me think about my own future-when and where I would find the one created just for me, the one who would support me in everything I did, even in my craziest ideas.