Church Chronicles: Part 1

Nine: Love Trip

Pastor Mike's surprise birthday celebration was great, in fact, it was successful. Everything went according to plan, everyone from church, his friends and his family were happy and he was happy as well. That was very important, him being happy.

After the celebration he left with his wife for their weekend away, I drove Asekiwe and the second set of her brother's friends home (the kinder ones) and left Liyakha and her husband behind on purpose. And anyway, they were still mingling with some of the elders that they knew. Once the couple was settled and comfortable, I went back to church to assist with cleaning for Sunday service. After about two hours, Mrs. Hlangu came to talk to me...

"Ma-Yandi? What time are you going home?"

"When we're done here, mama"

"Oh, don't you wanna take Pastor Khuriya home first?"

"Pastor who?"

She pointed at Liyakha and her husband, they were standing near the entrance chatting.

"Oh them?" I asked, "I think you should ask Mam'Sihlaba to come fetch them ma"

"Haibo ngoba? Kanti abafikelanga kwakho? Khona baphi abanye?"

"I've taken them home already, hence I'm suggesting you speak to Mam'Sihlaba about those two"

She looked at me quizzically, I chuckled and left her there. Fifteen minutes later I saw her walking up and down still looking for Mrs Sihlaba and I pretended as though I didn't see her. I wasn't going to have another woman disrespect me in my own house just because she's a pastor's wife, no, she had all the opportunity to do that in her own house and at her own church. Not here.

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Around 1 am we left the church spotless clean, I delivered everyone else that didn't have means to go home and then went back for the last trip: Pastor Khuriya and wife. As they got in, I looked at his wife and asked "Where am I taking you, Mam'mfundisi?" she shifted uncomfortably before answering "I don't know". I drove out of the church and dialed Mam'Sihlaba on hands-free and she answered.

"Yandi?"

"Mamzo, we're on our way to your house"

"You and?"

"Pastor and Pastoress Khuriya"

"Yho! Yazi ndilibele nobalungiselela indawo yolala.... Heeeee Yandi, yinto endizoyithini na lena ngelixesha?"

"Andiyazi mama, and ke andifuni umntu anyanzeleke ahlale kwam ibe intliziyo yakhe ingafuni so ndiyakucela wethu khawenze icebo"

"Hey bantwana ndini! Okay, yhiza nabo mntanam. Akhonto ngobusuku obunye"

"Enkosi mama"

I hung up and drove to Mam'Sihlaba's house in silence. There was tension in the car but I didn't care one bit, I didn't care what Pastor Khuriya thought of my attitude. I didn't give a rats ass. I dropped them off and then Mam'Sihlaba said she'd send her son in the morning to fetch their bags. As I drove into my own garage, I received a text from Pastor Mike but I didn't open it. I was too tired and the worst part was that in a matter of five if not four hours I'd have to be up and prepare breakfast for the visitors before preparing for the church service.

I took a shower, I would have loved a soak in the bath but, I'd fall asleep in there. I was way too tired for it. Once in the warmth of my bed, I shut the whole world out and rested.

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Mrs Sikhona Ndizi accompanied us to the airport as we embarked on a journey of solidifying our love well, of course, that's not true, we were going to the conference in Johannesburg. They must have had a great weekend, they were flirting and playing around, she was clingy and glowing. They seemed to be in a good place. Really.