Church Chronicles: Part 1

Six: Cementing Myself

Three years ago I would have never settled to be a side chick, I had a vision, a dream, and a whole potential to be someone's wife but I here I was...comfortable, happy, and loving being a pastor's side chick. We were preparing for his birthday, everyone in the church was excited, being his personal assistant felt like a second job, that I wasn't getting paid for but I was enjoying it. Weird.

We had a meeting, we being the church executive, and I walked into the temporal structure of the church with my diary and a pen. Almost every one of the executive members was already waiting, chatting away, and luckily for me, I never made friends in the church. I spoke to whosoever I needed to speak to at any given moment, but my priorities were anything and everything that had to do with the "father of the house" and his wife had gotten used to my drill. She had accepted that I would assist her with anything she wanted assistance with, but she had her own PA who had to work for her, not me.

The meeting commenced, the planning of the birthday, they had great ideas that weren't really interesting but they were great. Especially for a small church that just branched out three years ago. I noted down everything I needed and then the meeting was adjourned. My own personal task was to buy him a car, I could afford to, so why not? He needed an upgrade from that small Chevrolet he was sharing with his wife.

**** **** ****

Akhonke had brought me lunch at work, the "newly found" church commitment had severely interfered with our friendship because I was always at church whether I was at a meeting or a convention or simply cleaning the church. That irritated both my friends but I couldn't really disclose to them the real reason I was always there. They'd never approve, and even if they were to approve, it wasn't something I could publicize.

"So church girl, are you really serious about this church thing?" she asked sipping on her cocktail, I smiled at her with a nod.

"What's in it for you? I know you, you never do anything non-beneficial to you" she added.

"Well, maybe I just needed to try something else"

"I get that, but church Yandisa? That's not you"

"I grew up in church, you know?"

"But you outgrew the church"

Okay I laughed at that.

"But babe, I'm happy at church. Things have been working out great for me there, I just have to prioritize a bit you know... Make time for you guys as well"

She looked at me surprised, so I added.

"In three months' time we're celebrating the pastor's birthday, don't you wanna come? For that one day"

"How much does he pay you?"

"For what?"

"For being his PA? That's an extra job besides the one that actually pays your bills Yaya"

"I know... I don't want to be paid though. I offered my free services"

She put her glass down and clapped three times dramatically.

"Wena? Free services? Noooo chomi. Are you sure you're okay?"

I laughed at her, I had no further explanation for her in as much as she dug and dug for answers I had none. When we were done I walked her out, then she left.

Two months later I went to fetch the blue Ranger I had bought for Pastor Mike, drove it to my place, and went to fetch my own car that I had left at the dealership. He didn't know I bought him a car, but I knew he'd be thrilled.

**** **** ****

His birthday was on a Thursday, the celebration planned by the church was on a Saturday, after that he would leave with his wife and spend the rest of the weekend at a secret location booked and paid for by the church executive. Then the following week I would have him all to myself for the whole week. He was set to attend a three-day conference in Johannesburg that would commence from Thursday to Saturday but he had scheduled to leave home on Monday afternoon and return on Sunday morning. In time for church.

Thursday morning I called him, to wish him a happy birthday and his wife answered

"Hello Yandi" she answered with excitement. I swallowed hard, I didn't expect to hear her voice.

"Hello madam, unjani?"

"Siyaphila sisi, iNkosi isame nathi. Unjani wena?" (We are good thank you, the Lord is still on our side. How are you?)

"Ndibulela uvuka mama, bendifuna ukuthi happy birthday kutata" (I'm grateful for waking up today mother, well I called to wish the father a happy birthday)

"Usavasa sthandwa sam, ndicela uphinde u phone'e after ten minutes" (He is still bathing my love, please call him again after ten minutes)

"Hay wethu uyaw'mxelela ba bendiphone'ile" (That won't be necessary, please tell him I called)

"He wanted to call you about next week's arrangements anyway"

"Oh... Is he canceling?"

"No sisi, he just wants an update. I'm not sure about what exactly"

"Ooh okay I think it's about his accommodation. I'll send him an email once I get to work"

"Okay ke sisi, thank you man. For everything, you've made his load lighter ever since you accepted the appointment of being his PA"

I smiled... "Thank you for trusting me," I said, honestly. I wasn't going to work anyway, my two-weeks leave was approved and it was day one of it. I lay in bed wondering what she had planned for him, she was young and maybe a bit naive but she was a lover of nice things. You could tell by the shoes and handbags she owned, they didn't go unnoticed.

After thirty minutes he called me back and my heart jumped for joy.

"Hello Mfundisi" (Hello Pastor)

"Mh, you're in a good mood today"

"Because it's someone's special day"

"Do I know the someone?"

"Maybe, maybe not"

He chuckled, I closed my eyes with one hand on my forehead. I was really excited, excited to see his face when I gave him his gift(s).

"Your mother says you called"

"Yes... How busy is your day today?"

"Well, you know I'm never too busy for you"

"Are you driving?"

"No, my wife will be using the car today. I'm in a cab going to town. What's up?"

"Can you ask the driver to bring you here?"

"You're not joking, right?", he asked unsure.

"Why would I?"

"Are you at work?"

"No, I'm at home"

"Shuuu! Okay, I'm on my way"

"I'll be waiting"

I ran to the shower, quickly made the bed while the towel wrapped around my body, "fa fa" a little air freshener in the air, and then bandaged my body in fitted lacy lingerie. Brushed my teeth and wore a gown and went to make coffee, he buzzed the gate, I opened and he walked in dressed in denims and a navy golf shirt that I bought for him when we started out "seeing" each other. I briskly walked to the door and opened it before he knocked, we both smiled as I threw my arms around his neck and pulled us inside, closing the door behind him. I melted in his embrace, he was warm, as usual, and his touch was sincere. "Happy birthday baby" I mumbled and he squeezed my waist in response.

He pulled his head back, looked at me still smiling, lowered his lips onto mine and we kissed.

He kissed me with so much passion and hunger, every time. Sometimes I wondered if that's how he kissed her as well? Or was this specifically for me?

He lifted me up and put me on the counter, his lips not leaving mine. After a few minutes, he stopped and looked deep into my eyes asking "How much time do we have?". I immediately loosened the tie of my gown, and slowly took it off. I watched his eyes twinkle as my laced body became fully exposed to him and I answered his question "All the time we could ever need".