His Helper

25

The traditional wedding in King William's Town on Easter Monday unfolded seamlessly. The atmosphere was filled with celebration, devoid of elaborate rituals. The welcoming of the bride commenced at the gate, where we, accompanied by my family, sang joyously. Inside, Anele's family mirrored our celebratory spirit.

Before entering, a customary fee had to be paid. Once inside, my family presented various items they had brought for the Makinanas – gifts for the kitchen and other essentials. The day brimmed with joyful moments as I officially joined my new family. The attire was vibrant, with Liyema and Akhanani looking adorable in their traditional outfits. Liyema sported a blanket akin to his father's, while Nelisa, dressed in white adorned with beads, radiated simplicity and elegance.

As my family left me in King Williams Town after the second wedding, I was left contemplating what was to come – embracing motherhood, being a wife, and stepping into the role of a daughter-in-law, something I had always dreamt of, albeit not anticipating becoming an instant mother. In prayer, I sought the Lord's help, recognizing that taking on such responsibilities is no easy feat, especially without having children of my own. I needed courage and an abundance of love to navigate this new chapter in my life.

In moments of anxiety, my husband would reassure me, saying, "Relax, baby, you already got this. Our children love you, and you love them. I don't see why you are so anxious. I'll be right here when you need me." His comforting words provided me with strength, knowing that we would face the challenges ahead together and navigate this journey as a united team.

In the days following the traditional wedding, I remained in King William's Town, adjusting to my role as the new daughter in the family. I carefully attended to my chores, often with my husband by my side. As the time came for him to leave after schools reopened, I found myself staying with my in-laws.

Initially apprehensive, I feared how they would treat me now that their son had departed. The absence of certain rituals added to my unease. However, as the second week unfolded, my mother-in-law embraced me warmly, treating me like her own daughter. We shared household responsibilities, and I took charge of cooking when she was at work, ensuring she returned to a comfortable home.

One morning, as I spent time with my father-in-law before he left for work, he addressed me by the name they had given me, "Soyama," meaning "we will lean on you, Lord." I sat down on the couch as he expressed genuine happiness and gratitude for my presence in the family. His words touched me deeply, and I smiled, feeling a sense of belonging. However, I sensed a hint of conflict in his expression, as if there was more behind his heartfelt statement.

As my father-in-law continued speaking, he shared a vulnerable part of their family history. After Anele lost his wife, he had fallen into a dark hole, believing that providing financial support was sufficient for his children. Even during their holidays with him, he remained emotionally distant. The pain was evident in his eyes as he revealed his struggles.

He continued, expressing his gratitude for my presence in Anele's life. His heartfelt words revealed the depth of his appreciation, acknowledging that I had played a role in bringing light back into their family. I listened intently, realizing that meeting him for the first time had been a blessing not only for Anele but for me as well. It had opened a door I had kept closed, leading to emotional healing during that time.

"Not only did I save him, Tata; he has saved me from myself as well. I'm grateful to God for sending you into my life," I shared, smiling. The conversation fostered a sense of belonging, particularly when Mr. Makinana recounted how Anele stood firm against his uncle's objections regarding rituals. Anele defended our choices, asserting that acceptance was essential. His parents were content with his decision, happy for him and overjoyed that he had found happiness and love.

Returning to Port Alfred, I settled into my new home with Anele and our children. All my belongings were already in place, thanks to Aunt Aubrey's assistance. Anele continued working from home, dedicating his efforts to secure new clients. While he occasionally traveled to East London for pro-bono cases, it inadvertently expanded his client base as people witnessed his success in court.

We maintained open communication, and Anele made a point to return home promptly after completing each case. To ensure a professional setting for his clients, he eventually sought office space. I assisted him in settling into his new workspace, starting with a modest rental. Anele's office was just a block away from the bakery. Although I found it cramped, especially once filing cabinets were added, he reassured me that it was functional. He utilized the front space as his meeting room, furnished with a table and chairs.

During lunch breaks at Anele's office, we would sit in the meeting room and engage in discussions about various topics. Anele shared his future plans, expressing a desire to relocate after establishing a solid clientele. Despite having substantial financial resources, he aimed to be prudent with his expenditures. His vision involved purchasing either a house or an old establishment not in use, transforming it into his office space.

Meanwhile, the bakery thrived, and the growing success prompted me to reconsider the space for our book club gatherings. With a burgeoning collection of books, I envisioned expanding the book club but realized it required additional funds. Keen on the idea, I began saving towards its realization, recognizing its alignment with my passions and the flourishing bakery.

Around September, I stumbled upon a teaching position advertised on my Facebook page. It seemed tailor-made for me, even though I lacked formal teaching experience. Acting on a whim, I decided to apply, not even sharing the opportunity with Anele. I submitted my CV and documents without my usual prayerful contemplation.

During the spring break holidays, the grandparents visited our home, and we opted to stay put instead of sending the kids to their grandparents' house. My mother-in-law, a teacher on holiday, and my father-in-law, on leave, joined us for a sightseeing adventure around town. They reveled in the beauty of the weather, with frequent trips to the beach. Finally, they persuaded me to join them on a cruise—an activity I had resisted numerous times. Catching my nails on Anele's arms, I faced my fear, but in the end, the experience turned out to be amazing.

As school resumed, our routine returned to normal – the kids attending school, and Anele dropping us off before heading to his office. Despite having other two cars, Anele opted to use one while I refrained from driving, given the close proximity of everything.

Liyema taking charge of driving the VW Polo on occasions when Anele was away not only accommodated the kids but also provided me with a lift to work, making our daily routine more convenient.

Thinking about when Liyema went for his driving licence, I recalled the initial worry despite his grandfather having taught him to drive at sixteen. Liyema proved to be an excellent driver, but uncertainties always loom during tests. When he called to share the news of passing his driving test, my joy was boundless. It was a significant milestone, and I hoped his newfound skill would serve him well as he ventured into university life.

The bakery experienced a surge in deliveries, and the existing truck proved insufficient. Recognizing the need for a new and reliable vehicle, especially with expanding clientele in places like Hamburg and East London.

Attending the auction in East London proved fruitful as we successfully acquired another vehicle – a white medium-sized van, reminiscent of the ones used on Cake Boss, perfect for our business needs. The plan was to customize the outlook, incorporating our logo, both on the new van and our existing truck. This strategy aimed to enhance our brand visibility and attract more customers during deliveries, making a distinctive and memorable impression in the process.

Aunt Aubrey, witnessing the unexpected success and growth of the bakery, expressed her joy through tears. She never anticipated such prosperity, initially thinking the bakery might close down. With Chantelle's support and my involvement, the bakery flourished to the extent that we were able to hire around nine additional staff members – a true blessing. In our bakery, we had a mix of experienced staff and fresh culinary school graduates, creating a dynamic team. We also implemented apprentice programs, allowing individuals to build their profiles and gain valuable experience while working part-time.