Easier

Loveable

Its Friday after work. I left the office after lunch; I am rushing home to pick up Lesedi as we are sleeping over at the strangers place. He is taking us out for Pizza and a play date at Monte. He instructed me to pack black outfits and white sneakers for tomorrow, blue jeans and white tops for today.
"I am so happy you are going out. Woo, I thought you'd start collecting cats."
"Wang bora shem. Did I tell you what Otsile said?"
"Tell me my love." She coaxes.
"Did you pack the snacks?"
"I did, tell me." Zamo.
"She spat on my face."
"Tell me you beat her up." Zamo.
"Nope, I let her be."
"She's lucky I wasn't there. She's disrespectful that one." Zamo.
"I gave up on her a long time ago. Anyway, let me get going. I will see you later."
"I'm still saying, if you get pregnant, I want a raise." She laughs strapping Lesedi in her car seat.
"Zamo, I love you. Enjoy your weekend."
I drive to Midrand with Lesedi, we find the stranger waiting for us outside. I drive into the garage, and he takes Lesedi out from her seat, she gets excited and squeals when he throws her in the air.
"Hello Nkosazana ka daddy." The stranger.
"Daddy, again." Lesedi giggles.
I take our bags out and take them inside , they stay outside closing the car. I place the bags on the couch, the stranger and Lesedi walk in singing. He pecks my lips then they walk to the bedroom.
*tilili tilili* I look behind me, Lesedi is on a pink tricycle that has a silver bell, the arms have pink pompoms and a basket. She's got on protective gear. The stranger encourages her to race down the passage and back, she is laughing and screaming excitedly.
I take a video of them and a picture as he kneels in front of her fixing the helmet. She kisses his cheek saying thank you.
"Would you like anything to drink?" He asks after giving Lesedi a juice box.
"No thanks, what time are we leaving?"
"In an hour, I'm waiting for the meat to be delivered. We will be outside if you need us." The stranger.
"Please take out the car seat and put it in your car."
He agrees walking out with Lesedi on his tail. I post their picture as my Dp. And the video as my status. The loud laugher outside gives me peace. My daughter is happy and that makes me happy.
An hour later. I am told to put on my shoes we are leaving. He has his car out of the garage. I take my bag and Lesedi's jersey. The stranger opens the passenger door for me and then he straps Lesedi in.
"That's not our seat." I say as we drive out.
"I got it on Monday." He casually says.
"Sir, are we not supposed to be saving?"
"I spent less than 10k to make sure Lesedi is comfortable whenever she visits, it's not a big deal." The stranger.
"Not a big deal?" I ask astonished. How can ten thousand Rands not a big deal.
"It's money I got when we left for CAR. Fifi my child will be comfortable and it's a once off spend. Please let's enjoy our weekend together and we can fight on Monday." He says.
"Thank you, I really appreciate it."
"Doesn't seem like it." He comments.
"I know and I am sorry for my manner of approach."
He silently drives. We arrive at Montè, and he walks to the front with Lesedi on his shoulders. I have both our phones and my purse in hand. They stop at a pizza house. I roll my eyes, safa yipizza bo.
I feel like a third wheel in this romantic dinner date. The stranger is conversing with Lesedi like an adult, I doubt he can make out some of her words but his laughing as she laughs and saying yes and really, every now and then.
I take pictures and videos of them. A lesson I learnt after Bongs died was that I didn't take enough pictures with him and of him. Now I take a lot.
"Are you okay?" He asks after catching me staring at them. I nod my head and drink my juice as Lesedi pulls his head to face him, she's jealous of the attention I'm getting. He settles the bill 15 minutes later then I take Lesedi to the bathroom. He carries her on his shoulders again and we go to the arcade.
We leave at 8pm, Lesedi gets grumpy as it's her bedtime. He gently buckles her in, and he drives us to his house. I lock the doors; he puts her on the bed. I join him to change her into her pyjamas, I am stunned by what I see.
The spare bedroom had a double bed when I left on Sunday night and now there's a single cream house shaped bed with removable sides, pink and grey bedding. A house shaped dresser, that has story books and a full body length mirror and matching chair, a cream white chest of drawer. A net and fairy lights around the frame of the roof. There's rainbow led L shaped light on the chest.
There's a princess couch, a toy box, the bike and on the wall near the door there's a black board paint and a box of colourful chalks. I take a deep breath and kiss Lesedi on her forehead and walk out. I go back to the room to take pictures and the stranger is cramped on the bed with Lesedi.
*Pictures of the room.* "Am I dramatic?" I send the pictures to Karabo and Kea. I settle on the couch.
"That's very beautiful. Give the man head." Karabo.
"Sies, Karabo. Night."
"Sbari is working overtime. Tell him he can take me if you don't want him." Kea.
The stranger sits next to me after he puts our drinks on the table. He holds my hand. "I saw your face in the bedroom, I am not sorry for getting that room comfortable for Lesedi. I should have informed you. I am sorry, I forgive you." He kisses my hand.
"Hai forgive me for what?" I laugh, he kisses my neck and I laugh hard getting away from him.
"I forgive the eye roll you gave. You asked for forgiveness earlier, I didn't want us ruining the evening for Lesedi hence I waited until we got home." The stranger.
"Thank you. I was shocked by the room; however, it looks beautiful thank you for involving my light. I really appreciate it."
"Our light, she deserves it and more." He says.
I prepare our clothes for tomorrow then we go to bed. "I got a waterproof mattress." The stranger says after I take Lesedi to the bathroom.
"She still needs to get up."
"I won't argue with you. I love you." The stranger.
"I'm loveable." I tease

Love and light.