His Helper

18

Just days before schools reopened, I spent my day assisting Chantelle's sister in preparing for her daughter's birthday party. We drove around searching for decorations to set up a picnic party in her backyard. The weather was favorable, albeit a bit windy. Prepared for any chill, we had a gas heater set up in the middle of the tent. With the cake and cupcakes sorted, Aunt Aubrey didn't mind me closing the shop early on that Saturday.

Upon my return to the shop after a successful celebration, it was already past one. The shop had a few lingering customers. As I walked through to the back, Aunt Aubrey asked, "How's the party?" Entering the kitchen, I replied, "Beautiful. Everything went well, but I need to leave. I'm not feeling well." She looked at me with concern, and our close bond became evident. She had become a mother figure, and we shared everything from conversations to meals. It felt like home, not just as a tenant or business partner.

"I don't know, but it feels like something is about to go wrong, and it's scary," I confessed. Aunt Aubrey shook her head reassuringly. "Nothing wrong will happen. Trust in the Lord. As it says, 'Do not be anxious about anything; in everything, by supplication and Thanksgiving, pray; make your request known to God.'" Her words brought a smile to my face—a testament that through God, there is peace, and that's what I needed. To attain it, I decided to pray. Excusing myself, I went to my room, where I sat down and prayed.

I don't know what happened, but the next thing I knew, I was woken up by Nolitha, one of our employees, informing me that there were kids looking for me. Without questioning her, I figured they probably wanted to read or something. I headed to my bathroom, changed into leggings, a big grey hoodie, tied my natural hair in a bun, and then went downstairs.

Rather than racing down the stairs, I descended slowly this time. My spirit remained subdued, and as I reached the door, opening it on the side of the shop, I observed kids peering through the pastry counter, likely contemplating their choices. A man stood by the cash register, ready to make a purchase. Almost as if my mind was playing tricks on me, I envisioned them to be Anele and his family.

I halted and gazed at them, seeing my family mirrored in theirs. Someone once said that home is where your heart is, and mine seemed to reside with him and his children. If only they could sense the same, if only Anele would open up to the idea.

Nolitha pointed towards me, and I composed myself, prepared to interact with the kids. However, instead of the expected young faces, familiar figures turned to me—the very faces I had been yearning to see. It felt like a dream turned reality, and my heart surged with emotion. I could feel my pulse quickening, and the room temperature seemed to rise.

The tipping point was when I saw that handsome face, turning around with a beanie like the others. I was on the verge of collapsing, my heart racing, and then the room blurred. In a desperate attempt to control my stress, I recalled lessons from meditation class—count five things you can see, four things you can touch, three things you can smell, and so on. But, overwhelmed, I fainted.

I woke up with a sense of disorientation, realizing something was amiss. Despite having changed, I found myself back in bed. Aunt Aubrey was whispering to someone outside the door. "Aunt Aubrey," I said, my voice betraying my concern. She came over, leaving the door slightly ajar, and I could hear voices on the other side.

"Is she pregnant?" I heard Akhanani inquire, but her father promptly denied it, with Liyema asserting, "No way." I looked at Aunt Aubrey, seeking answers. "What happened?" I questioned, trying to piece together the last events. She responded, "Don't you remember? You fainted." As memories flooded back, the voices in the other room helped me connect the dots. "Oh my God," I exclaimed. Aunt Aubrey got up from the bed, adjusting her skirt, saying, "Well, honey, I better go down and close up the shop. I guess you'll need some privacy, so I'll be downstairs when you need me." I nodded, still grappling with what to do, as they all entered the room.

Nelisa and his sister Akhanani were whispering, while Liyema wore a smirk. Their father approached the bed. I had always envisioned our reunion after reconnecting to be like a movie scene—actors standing there, a dramatic spin of the camera, and background music intensifying the moment. But reality was different. He was in my room, in my personal space, his eyes locked onto mine.

As I began to feel uneasy, he even sat down on my right, taking my hand in his, perhaps to ensure I was okay. However, as the connection sparked strange sensations—goosebumps and a fluttering sensation in my belly—I abruptly got up, pulling my hand away.

I had read about these kinds of feelings, but I never expected to experience them. Even in past relationships, like the one that resembled more of a friendship, where my ex would come over, we'd watch movies, hold hands, and cuddle—I felt nothing. It was more about feeling safe than anything else.

Anele gazed at me with a questioning expression, but before I could focus on him, Akhanani and Nelisa came to hug me, expressing how much they had missed me. I held them tightly, reciprocating the warmth. Bending down to their level, I whispered, "I've missed you so much." The room fell silent as we cherished the moment. After a while, they bombarded me with questions about cakes and living by the sea.

Liyema took them downstairs, providing a moment for his father and me to talk. "This was a surprise to me too," he admitted, and I looked up at him. "Liyema wanted to try your pastries, convinced they were the best. He even claimed to have missed a friend he made here, and I thought it was his girlfriend." We stood at a distance, the air thick with awkwardness, and I had no idea what to say.

"I'm just happy I got to see you today," he said, smiling. It dawned on me that the reason he couldn't call was because he had flown down from Johannesburg and had to navigate around once he landed.

As we stood there talking, mostly him asking questions to which I responded, Anele broke the silence after a while. "We've been standing here for a while now, and I can sense that I'm not going to get any hug like Akha and Nelisa. So, can we find a place to sit?" There was a smirk on his face as he noticed my nervous reaction. "Uhm, let's go downstairs," I stammered before leading the way.

Avoiding the living room, I opted not to be alone with the man I had feelings for, especially since it was the first time. Joining the others seemed like the safer choice. Aunt Aubrey entertained Nelisa, who expressed a desire to buy the whole store upon seeing me and Anele. Aunt Aubrey then mentioned she would check on Chantelle and bring her some treats as the pregnancy was taking its toll. Before she left, she advised that I take Anele and his family around.

We all went out for a late lunch, enjoying each other's company and creating a shared experience that bridged the gap between past and present. We spent the day driving around, exploring Kowie River, Port Alfred Marine & Coastal Research, and catching a glimpse of the golf club. I watched their faces light up at the beauty of the town. They expressed a desire to cruise around the river, and Anele promised they would next time they visited. I shared that there were more places to explore, like The Toposcope historical landmark, the museum, and other spots I enjoyed in town. The day unfolded with shared experiences, creating memories that bound us together.