His Helper

4

It had been nearly a month since the birthday weekend, and quite a bit unfolded, including some workplace drama. I stumbled upon two cleaners gossiping about me in the bathroom. Initially, I shrugged it off with a smile, but as time passed, I realized their venom was spreading to others. This all stemmed from a simple gesture by Sandra and the other tellers, making the cleaners believe I was a threat to Amanda's job during her maternity leave.

Sandra advised me to ignore the gossip, and that's precisely what I did. However, when I discovered they were trying to convince Amanda to return by painting me as a job-stealer, confusion set in. Prayers and fasting followed, seeking divine intervention. My sister, Belinda, warned me about the potential use of "Umthi" to drive me away or cast bad luck upon me.

One morning, grappling with the turmoil, I opted to send my resignation via email and never set foot in that office again. As I navigated this decision, my sister's words lingered, cautioning against potential mystical interference.

In the aftermath, I found solace in spending time with Sandra. Our Saturdays were filled with outings when she was free, and occasionally, she visited my house. Through these encounters, I got to know her better.

"Why didn't you go to your parents this weekend? I thought you said you wanted to spend time with them before Easter," I asked Sandra as we sat in my living room.

"I kind of did, but they told me they were going to some funeral." She paused then continued,
"Plus, my uncle asked me to spend the next weekend with my cousin's children; he's going away with his wife, mentioned something about a wedding in Port Alfred," she explained. I sensed her desire to break away from family Easter traditions.

"I thought your uncle also lived in King Williams Town with his wife," I said, puzzled.

"Well, he does, but now he's always here in his son's house in Sterling. His grandchildren go to school there, and the helper has no license and is getting old or something like that. So, he drives them to school, then goes to work in King Williams Town," she clarified. Now it made sense.

"I see. Well, I guess I'll see you after Easter," I said as we finished eating the muffins I had baked.

"I wish you were going with me. I had always wanted to bring a friend home; my parents would love you, unlike my other friends," she admitted. I recalled her mentioning how her parents never approved of her friends. While I couldn't voice it aloud, every parent tends to think they know the right people for their children. I believed it's essential to let your child explore and find their own path. Before becoming a parent myself, I understood those boundaries.

After chatting for a while before she left, as she didn't want to drive home late, I joined Unathi in the kitchen, and we cooked dinner together. The rhythmic clatter of pots and pans filled the air as thoughts about the challenges of job hunting lingered in my mind. Despite diligently sending out applications, the job market remained elusive.

While reflecting on my struggles, my prayers were centered on securing employment by the time my sister was ready for university. I held onto the hope that I could contribute and support my sisters. Despite the setbacks, I didn't lose faith, and whenever I had the chance, I diligently saved up for the future.

Every day, I found myself eagerly checking my emails, hoping for that crucial letter bearing good news. The anticipation fueled my determination, and as the weeks rolled on, the Easter weekend arrived. Together with my siblings, we relished every moment we had, even though the other two had work commitments, and the youngest had school vacation classes.

Occasionally bored, I filled my time by engaging with the kids-playing with them, taking them out for movies and games, and sometimes just staying indoors due to unpredictable weather. Despite the uncertainties in my professional life, these moments with my siblings became a cherished source of joy during the Easter break.

Sitting in the living room playing a game on my phone the week after Easter, with the kids back at school, Sandra unexpectedly called me in the morning, which was unusual. We usually spoke around eleven during her tea break or lunch.

"Hey, what's up?" I asked.

"Hey, uh, I kind of need your help. My uncle just called; he had a little accident, his leg is broken, and he can't drive for a while. Even Nosakhele, his wife, has to come this side. They need someone to drive the kids to and from school," she explained in a rush. Although accustomed to her rambling, this time, she seemed in a hurry.

"Slow down. I didn't catch most of what you said. Can you calm down and try again? Better yet, send me a voice recording, then get back to work," I suggested. She followed through, sending me a voice recording with the details. I responded with questions about how I would get there and how long I'd be helping. She provided contact details for her uncle and gave me some answers.

Deciding a call would be more professional than a text, I dialed the contact Sandra provided. The gentleman on the other end, despite sounding authoritative, didn't come across as old. He explained the details: I needed to be there by seven every morning, drive the kids to school, and pick them up. One of them attended a nearby nursery school, but I could drive him there. After agreeing, he promptly sent a formal agreement to my email. I read through and signed it, sending it back within minutes. The starting day was set for the next day.

Sandra and I caught up when she had a moment, and I informed her of my agreement. She shared a bit about the kids, describing them as adorable. With everything in place, I prepared for the new responsibility that awaited me.

My sisters expressed genuine happiness for me; they couldn't believe I was going to be a driver. Unathi, ever sarcastic, commented, "Seems like you only get the exciting jobs." Ignoring her, aware that arguing wouldn't lead anywhere, I shook my head, signaling to my other sisters to do the same.

Unathi failed to grasp the difficulty of securing a job aligned with your education. Despite witnessing my earnest efforts, she clung to the belief that after graduating, she would effortlessly land her dream job. I wished she would listen, comprehend that life wasn't that straightforward, and understand the value of patience and perseverance.

Waking up early and well-prepared, I left with Somila, who gave me a lift to town on her way to work. By the time I reached town at six-thirty, the sun had yet to rise, and it was a bit chilly. Clad in grey tracksuits, white trainers, and a jacket, I walked to the taxi rank, finding it still had space for three people. Panicking, I decided to pray and pretend everything was okay. Fortunately, it was a short drive from town.

Exiting the taxi, I started jogging to the address, thankful it was locked in my Google Maps. Arriving at the beautiful house, I rang the gate. The house mirrored others in the neighbourhood. As the gate swung open five minutes before seven, no one appeared, and I entered with a silent prayer for a smooth day in Jesus' name. Knocking and waiting for a response, I eventually went inside, greeted by familiar faces – Nelisa's siblings.

Surprised, we faced each other with open mouths, and Sandra rushed over. "Hey guys, time is up! Stop staring and finish packing your lunch," she exclaimed. I hadn't realized she slept over, but I decided to wait until later to catch up with her.

"You can go warm up the car; they'll be with you soon," she added, tossing the car key my way.