His Helper

6

The next morning, after dropping the kids off at school, I headed home to prepare Nelisa for school. As Sandra left the house, she appeared exhausted. After taking Nelisa to his school, I drove straight to Vincent Park Mall, my preferred spot. Contemplating how the grandfather was faring after his accident, thoughts swirled about what I needed to buy.

The night before, I had informed Sandra about the lack of food, prompting her to hastily message her cousin. He claimed to send money to the former nanny every weekend, while the grandfather also contributed. It seemed the grandfather was aware but unsure how to address the situation. The new nanny purchased what she thought would last for a week. Don't ask me what she did with the money.

When Mr. Anele neglected to rectify the situation, Sandra fearlessly confronted him. Despite his age, she asserted, "We grew up together; him getting married doesn't mean he is old. I'll treat him the same way I did before." I opted to stay out of their family matters; after all, they were relatives, and the intricacies of their disagreements were unknown to me. It was evident that discussing him irked her, and I respected her boundary on the matter.

With the money in my bank account, I embarked on an extensive shopping spree, grabbing everything I deemed cookable, from baking ingredients to kids' cereals. Anticipating Sandra's knack for oatmeal, I even bought cleaning detergents and toilet paper rolls.

Upon returning home with a treat of chicken wings for myself, I first tackled the refrigerator-organizing meat in the freezer and placing fruits and veggies in the fridge. The pantry followed suit, as I cleared out the old and restocked it.

After stowing away the cleaning supplies, I sat down with my wings and ate, I patiently awaited Sandra's call to provide her with updates. I made sure to send her the receipt, keeping her informed about the groceries. While I wished to involve Mr. Anele, he shared his concerns with Sandra, who, unlike me, fearlessly stood her ground against his perceived ruthlessness. It seemed she held a certain influence over him, a dynamic that intrigued me.

It turns out she had forwarded the receipt to him, and I received a message from an unknown number expressing gratitude. Uncertain how to respond, I forwarded it to Sandra, who responded with laughing emojis. When I inquired about it, she explained that she had warned him not to intimidate me with his voice or else he would need to find someone else. We both laughed off the situation, realizing his attempts at being friendly.

Soon, I found myself accustomed to his texts, receiving them almost daily. The revelation of Mr. Anele's attentive parenting didn't surprise me, given his consistent checking on his kids through texts and phone calls. The adorable scenes of the family gathering for video calls, all seated on the couch, left me contemplating. I found it endearing, yet I couldn't help but wonder why he remained physically distant from them, only seeing them during holidays. Questions lingered, and I wished I could openly ask him about the reasons behind this choice.

The upcoming weekend kept me at home with a plethora of cleaning tasks, a welcome break from my usual weekend work routine. Unfortunately, it meant missing out on outings with my nephews. On Sunday, as I attended church, a peculiar message arrived, coincidentally during the church service, introducing an unexpected turn of events.

"If you don't mind, could you please look after the kids from now on? I understand this wasn't our agreement, but I really need your help. The nanny is not coming back. I'll work on your new salary and agreement if you agree." I shared the message with my sisters before responding, and they advised me to ask questions before agreeing. When I discussed it with Sandra, she revealed she had already declined her cousin's plea due to early wake-ups. Understanding her perspective, I knew a decision lay ahead.

I empathized with Sandra's situation; living with her boyfriend. Despite his attempts to marry her, she valued her freedom. Her reluctance to return home stemmed from her parents' persistent inquiries about her marital status. She confided in me about her insecurities, expressing concern that a man could marry you but still seek companionship outside of marriage. Although I had no immediate response to her dilemma, my determination to help the kids prompted me to discuss the situation with Mr. Anele.

After understanding the agreement, I signed on, assuring him that if a better opportunity arose, I would leave. Meanwhile, his father was back home with his mother. On weekends, I would have had to drive the kids to their place in King Williams Town.

As I prepared for the upcoming Monday morning, I prayed for stability and mutual respect, hoping that nothing would change in our newfound arrangement. I couldn't help but ponder how different it would be if I were packing for my dream job.

Packing a bag with some clothes, I sat in my room that night, reflecting on the journey and offering prayers for the path ahead. The children were warming up to me, appreciating my cooking, and we formed a routine of watching movies and chatting. I expressed gratitude for the unexpected opportunity, embracing it with the same dedication I gave to loving and caring for those kids.

The mystery surrounding the kids' mother lingered, with no one mentioning her and no picture of her in the house. The only framed image featured Anele and the kids. Interestingly, Anele in the photo didn't resemble the man I spoke to on the phone. Light in complexion like his children, he exuded handsomeness, resembling someone who owned a gym card-firm muscles without being overly fit. His smile, captured in the photograph, radiated joy, revealing a family seemingly having a great time together.

During long holidays, the kids typically headed to Johannesburg, and that would give me a potential break in June. My nephews, saddened by my departure, were accustomed to our playful antics. However, it was time for me to mature and be realistic; there was no turning back. As I prepared for a future career, I remembered wanting to bring my old laptop. Though not in perfect condition, it still ran fine, allowing me to write and save my work. I hoped for moments of quiet to write, perhaps when the kids were at school. After ensuring the house was clean that night, and following my prayers, I was pleasantly surprised to receive payment for the week's work. Grateful for a full salary, I debated whether to question its legitimacy or leave it be. A confirming text arrived, and I expressed my gratitude. I saved some of the money and sent some to Unathi's account for her needs.

Observing that things were going well, with the prospect of saving money instead of spending, I laid in bed, reflecting on the events that led me to this point. If I had rejected the cleaning job due to being a qualified teacher, I would have missed out on a valuable opportunity. I wouldn't have met Sandra, my friend, and I would still go to sleep with tears in my eyes, relying on others for everything. A profound realization struck me, acknowledging God's unseen guidance in my life. Despite the challenges, I worshipped and thanked the Lord before drifting into a hopeful sleep, eagerly anticipating what the future held.