His Helper

12

Almost two weeks later, everything continued smoothly. The kids relished exploring Johannesburg, committed to visiting various places - from malls and historical houses to other notable spots. One evening, I sat down, determined to add excitement to our activities, researching potential ventures. To my delight, they all agreed. Anele took charge on Saturdays, taking the kids out while I tackled household chores. Initially, he didn't fancy the idea, but perhaps avoiding a confrontation, he went along with it.

The truth was, I was still grappling with my emotions. This strategy served as a shield to keep my distance from him. Men, I observed, could conceal their emotions effortlessly, leaving me puzzled about his feelings and behaviours. Tired of the emotional confusion, I planned to stay away from him. I even found humour in the idea of running away from him, imagining myself darting to my bedroom or hiding near the kids whenever I heard him approaching from upstairs.

Packing became a daunting task with the abundance of items they had bought. I hesitated, telling Akha she might need to leave some things behind. She looked crestfallen, prompting me to reconsider, suggesting, "You know what, on second thought, I'll check if your dad can courier them." Liyema seemed pleased with the idea, given his own considerable purchases. I couldn't fathom why Anele allowed them to go on a shopping spree, but I had no say in the matter. Now, the challenge was finding space for all these new belongings back in one of the guest rooms in East London.

With our departure looming in two days, I had started packing my own things. However, I couldn't shake the feeling of missing something – one of my sweatshirts. No one seemed to know its whereabouts, and I had checked all the rooms, excluding Anele's room due to the lack of permission. Even Liyema's search turned up empty. It felt peculiar, and a sense of unease crept in, leading me to pray, hoping it wasn't somehow connected to darker forces.

Juggling between cooking dinner and cleaning the kitchen, my goal was to leave everything spotless. Opening every cabinet and drawer, I wanted no trace left behind. By the time the food was ready, I had finished my chores and went for a bath. While showering, a memory struck me – that morning, I had planned to ask Anele about checking his car for my missing sweatshirt.

After dressing in a maroon dress and sandals, securing my braid, I made my way to the kitchen. The dining table was set, and I placed the serving dishes, waiting for the others to descend from upstairs. We prayed for the meal, and as we ate in silence, their enjoyment was evident with praises and occasional moans of satisfaction.

"I'll miss this," Anele remarked. Akha chimed in, "We will miss you too, Daddy." Their banter about calling him for dinner when they were set seemed heartwarming. When I was suddenly asked why I wasn't eating, I realized I had been holding a spoon while feeding Nelisa. The kids laughed, but I couldn't escape the truth – I was shy about eating in front of Anele.

As the conversation continued, Liyema mentioned my missing sweater. A sense of discomfort emerged when Anele offered to buy another one. Excusing myself, I prepared the bed and checked on Akha and Nelisa. Later, while watching cartoons, Liyema expressed his desire for a specific car after finishing high school. The exchange hinted at a peculiar power dynamic between father and son.

In the quiet hours of the night, I sought warmth in the kitchen. An unexpected encounter with Anele revealed a side of him I hadn't seen before. Amid shattered glass and spilled milk, he seemed vulnerable, and a conversation ensued. I sensed a hidden struggle, with Liyema's actions casting a shadow over their relationship.

As I shared my observations about Liyema's potential blackmail, Anele seemed taken aback. Offering some advice, I emphasized the importance of teaching Liyema right from wrong and not allowing him to exploit their relationship. The night ended with an unspoken understanding – guiding the younger generation while they are still malleable is crucial, ensuring they grow with the right values.

Our elders often say, "You bend a tree while it's still small," conveying the importance of instilling the right values in children from a young age. This wisdom emphasizes the crucial role of early guidance in shaping a person's character and ensuring they grow with a strong moral foundation.

That night, I went to bed content, trusting that Anele would do the right thing. In my mind, I speculated that perhaps Anele and Liyema were discussing Liyema's initiation school, considering he was already sixteen. Anele had mentioned a car after finishing matric, and I presumed that his father might be encouraging him to wait until completing school. While I hoped Anele had a way to convey the importance of patience, I was uncertain about the exact nature of their conversation.

I wished I knew what was happening; perhaps I could have offered my assistance. I didn't want them to argue or be in an awkward situation, especially with only a few hours left before our departure.

The next morning, I ensured most of our things were packed and stored the boxes in the garage, ready for the courier service. Anele headed to work, planning to take Tuesday off for our departure. I took the opportunity to clean the rooms upstairs, but as I was about to check on Akha and Nelisa, Liyema emerged, claiming his space was already clean. Suspicious, I peeked inside and found it indeed in good order. I could sense he was up to something.

Liyema then approached with a request, asking to meet his friends by the mall and promising to return in two hours. It was clear he was trying to sway me, as he had been missing out on meeting his friends during our outings around Johannesburg. I agreed, cautioning him not to do anything that would upset his dad.

Later, as we enjoyed the warm weather on the patio, Akha suggested getting ice cream from the mall. Though we had ice cream at home, she specifically wanted the one from Milky Lane. We decided to make our own version, creating a playful and messy ice cream assembly. We sent a photo to Anele, who responded with a message expressing his longing for the family fun. His profile picture transformed into the ice cream moment, and his status conveyed how much he would miss the family and our culinary adventures, accompanied by a heart emoji.

Soon, a message arrived from Sandra asking, 'What did you do to him?' I was surprised and replied, 'I'm lost; what are you talking about?' Our daily chats during her lunch breaks usually revolved around casual topics. Sandra explained that Anele rarely posted statuses, so the sudden change caught her off guard. I assured her that I had nothing to do with it and mentioned that Anele wasn't even at home.

Speculating on the reason, I suggested he might be showcasing his time with his children. Sandra chuckled and replied, "Whatever you say." Anele's unexpected transformation was confusing; he was no longer the distant voice on the phone. Now, he engaged with the kids, playing toys and even joining Liyema for a game of pool during our outings. While part of me wondered if he was doing it for his children, another inner voice questioned, 'Are you sure he's not doing this for you?' After contemplation, I affirmed, 'No, there is nothing between us. All I want is for him to spend time with his children.'

I didn't even want to entertain the idea of him having feelings for me. The man was still mourning the loss of his wife, the mother of his children. It crossed my mind that he might be seeking companionship, but I wasn't someone he could be with and not be with simultaneously. Knowing Anele, he likely hadn't given his heart the time it needed to heal from the profound pain of losing a loved one.

While I, too, had experienced heartbreak, it wasn't on the same level as losing a life partner. I realized Anele needed time and guidance. Despite not being with the love of my life, I hadn't delved into relationships at that emotional depth. Now thinking of someone who had shared their deepest feelings and emotions with a partner, only to lose them, it was evident he needed time to process and heal.

I found solace in the fact that Anele joined us in church, and I hoped he would continue attending even after we left. My prayers were dedicated to asking the Holy Spirit to guide him, granting him peace within himself and helping him understand that God's plans are intended for our prosperity, even in the face of adversity.