Church Chronicles: Part 1

Eight: Bitter-Sweet

I prepared rooms for the two friends and their wives, and to my surprise, Pastor Mike's younger sister was also added to the number but I had no space for her. Luckily, she didn't mind sleeping on the couch, I really wasn't ready to share my bed with her as well. Sharing it with her brother was enough, even if we did that secretly.

They had supper at the "mission house" and only came over to sleep. The husbands seemed like friendly people, one of the wives was very preserved but smiling, and the other was grumpy. I showed them their rooms and gave Asekiwe (Mike's sister) her blanket then I vanished to my room. He called me as I turned off my light...

"Hello Mfundisi"

"Hey uhm, you're okay?"

"Yeah, why? "

"What I mean is, are you okay with so many people in your space?"

I kind of froze right there oh-kay... How did he know that these people were here? Wasn't this whole thing supposed to be a surprise?

"Yes I'm okay, I don't really mind"

"I'm sorry about this, I don't know why they weren't taken to Mam'Sihlaba's house"

"Your wife said it's because I'm closer to church"

"But what does the church have to do with them being here?"

"I don't know...look, it's okay."

He didn't respond.

"Really Pastor Mike, it's okay."

"Alright, thank you. I'll make up for it uyevha?"

"Haha, okay. Good night"

"Good night"

We hung up, I lay there replaying the whole conversation in my head. He asked what did church have to do with them being here? Kanti what was he told?

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

I woke up and made breakfast for them, I didn't know what time Mam'mfundisi was going to come and fetch them if she was going to (Maybe I was expected to take them to church, I don't know) so I just started preparing breakfast. Asekiwe woke up and came to help me...

"So, I heard you're my brother's Personal Assistant", she asked smiling as she buttered the toasted bread.

"You heard right", I responded with my own smile.

"Does he not give you a hard time?"

"Not at all"

"And his wife?"

"What about her?"

"Does she not give you a hard time?"

"Not at all, and anyway she has her own PA so we don't necessarily cross-heads"

"Yhu u sisi e bossy enje? Hay inoba uyakoyika" (Maybe she's afraid of you, she's a very bossy person though).

I laughed at that, I had not seen that side of hers yet. The young woman continued...

"You're so warm and loving, unlike her."

"Well, I'm not the pastor's wife and I don't have peoples problems on my shoulders."

"What people?"

"The church, and maybe work you know? Those people"

"Ya'll have Mrs Hlangu and the board nje, why would she be carrying people's burdens on her? Yho haike idrama ku sisi"