The Widow's Helper

23

I loathed the fact that we only had a handful of weeks to mend the rift between us. Anele didn't speak much, but each time he checked in on me, it was always about whether I had eaten. He even tasked Aubrey with ensuring I had my meals, as if I had some eating disorder. What he failed to grasp was that the family's expectations were overwhelming me. Everything seemed to be going according to plan, yet I still hadn't secured a wedding gown. Whenever my sisters inquired about it, I'd brush it off, claiming I'd take care of it. Truth be told, I had lost hope. Every boutique I considered turned out to be either too pricey or didn't have the style I fancied. I resolved to wait until the last minute, settling for whatever I could afford.

The thought that weighed heavily on me was the lack of communication from my soon-to-be husband. He never inquired about the wedding plans or how things were progressing on my end. I wondered if he had doubts about our marriage or simply preferred that I made all the decisions. He missed our counseling session, citing an abrupt trip, and when Mrs. Smith offered to reschedule, he adamantly declined.

On the day of one of my sister's birthdays, I pleaded with Aunt Aubrey to let me return home. She was adept at handling bakery payments, so I entrusted her with the day's reports, promising to resume my duties upon my return.

Arriving in East London, I relied on Somila for a ride after her shift. Despite informing Liyema of my visit, reaching his father proved futile upon. Somila bombarded me with questions, sensing the discord between Anele and me.

Upon reaching home, I spent time with my family before retreating to my room. A sudden realization struck – the manuscript submission deadline loomed before midnight. Anxious, I checked my stories for completion and attempted submission. The system lagged under the influx of fellow submitters. Sleep eluded me that night as I persevered in submitting my work late into the evening.

The morning of the birthday, I awoke around eleven to find everyone already up. A gnawing unease plagued my mind, though I endeavored to conceal it. Anele, still in Johannesburg, was expected back that day, but I lacked the desire to contact him. After ensuring Liyema and the kids were well, I powered down my phone, freshened up, and joined the family outside for a braai.

Amidst the laughter and joy, playing with my energetic nephews became a temporary respite. Yet, as evening approached, and the kids slumbered, watching a movie with my sisters, an abrupt, loud knock echoed through the gate. The metallic clang suggested a forceful impact, possibly a rock wielded against the gate.

Unathi checked the source of the loud knock, and dread washed over me as she returned with the man I had hoped to avoid. My body slumped on the couch, a silent plea to escape racing through my mind. Belinda and Somila chuckled, speculating on the reason for his visit.

As he greeted his in-laws with a smile, his eyes lingered on me. The unspoken desire for a private conversation hung in the air. Our intense moments had always been reserved for when we were alone, navigating our emotions in solitude. Stepping outside, beneath the night sky adorned with stars, I couldn't escape the beauty of those stars forming a hand shape. Softly, I sang, "May your hand always be upon us," hoping for guidance in the midst of the brewing storm.

Anele stood before me, acknowledging the tension. "I'm sorry I didn't see your calls," he admitted, aware that the responsibility to address the issue lay with him. He explained, "I left my phone in the office by mistake, and when I realized, it was too late to go back." His words faltered, hinting at a struggle to articulate what transpired.

He continued, "I went to finalize selling my shares; the company is no longer in my name. I wanted to tell you when I returned, the reason for my busy schedule." When I inquired about the personal assistant, he revealed, "She found my phone and kept it, only returning it this morning. I don't know why she would have it, considering she's not my assistant anymore."

His revelation left me grappling with a day of unwarranted doubts about our relationship. Anele clarified that he sought a fresh start, establishing a new law firm in Port Alfred to avoid frequent trips to Johannesburg. We delved into a candid conversation about our relationship, as he expressed genuine interest in the ongoing plans.

Choosing to leave the past behind, we shifted our focus to the future. Anele departed that night, intending to book a hotel room and drive back to Port Alfred in the morning. Despite my desire to go with him the next morning, my sisters insisted on dress shopping, resisting any deviation from the plan.

The next morning, an early wake-up call ensued. After dropping off the kids at my aunt's place, we headed to the airport. Confusion struck when we arrived. "I thought we were dress shopping," I voiced my surprise as the car approached a parking spot. "Yes, we are, just not here. We couldn't find anything suitable in this area," Belinda explained.

Shaking my head in disbelief, I pointed out, "It's Sunday; most places are closed." Somila chimed in, "Exactly, which is why we're leaving early. Our appointment is before noon, and if we miss it, we're in trouble." We all boarded the plane to Johannesburg, anticipation building for what lay ahead.

Driving the hired car in the familiar streets of Rosebank, we embarked on a successful shopping day. Shoes and my dream dress were acquired, seemingly within the budget set for the occasion. Somila, overseeing the shopping, assured me not to worry about the prices.

However, during lunch, a revelation surfaced – Anele's card, bearing his initials, was being used. The realization hit me, and I confronted Somila, demanding an explanation. "Okay, what's going on? Why is Anele's card with you?" I could sense her unease, having likely not anticipated my discovery. Anger seeped into my voice as I questioned, "What did you do?"

"I... I," Somila stuttered, and Belinda interjected, revealing that Anele had provided his card to purchase the wedding dress. Unathi remained quiet, and I pressed for an explanation, questioning not only the use of his card but why they resorted to asking him for money.

"He wanted to ensure everything was perfect. We explained your dress predicament, and he was genuinely concerned. Initially, he thought to talk to you directly, but since you weren't okay after the incident," Somila explained, and Belinda nodded in agreement. I recognized their genuine concern, especially considering the emotional aftermath of recent events.

Unathi, knowing my reservations about a simple white dress, admitted, "I didn't like when you spoke about the white clothe." Apologies followed, resolving the tension. We decided to enjoy the rest of the day, exploring the casino in Monte Casino before heading back to the hotel.

The next morning, we embarked on a sightseeing adventure around Johannesburg, capturing moments with photos at every stop. After a leisurely lunch, we headed to the airport to ensure we wouldn't miss our flight. The airport buzzed with the coming and going of celebrities, offering a glimpse of the glamorous world.

As we neared the end of the trip, I anticipated returning home rather than hitchhiking late. To my surprise, Anele awaited me outside my home. Engaging in conversation by his car, Unathi arrived with my bags, announcing that Anele was here to take me. "Who said I am leaving?" I questioned, bemused. "He is here to get you, andithi sbali?" Unathi shrugged. Anele smiled, evidently forming a closer bond with my siblings.

"Ngathi ngebehamba before it starts raining," Belinda suggested, and they gathered outside to bid us goodbye. I hadn't noticed the changing weather, and I secretly wished for a storm to avoid the nerves that accompanied traveling in such conditions.

Feeling uneasy during thunderstorms, I preferred them to occur late at night when I could sleep through them. Anele, perceptive of my discomfort, reassured me on the way home, promising that the rain wouldn't start until we left East London. True to his word, as we passed Hamburg, the weather remained clear.

Despite the assurance, my thoughts shifted from the weather to the lingering unresolved issues between us. Staring out of the window with my arms wrapped around myself, Anele chuckled, "You can relax now, baby."

Stopping at a petrol station, Anele surprised me with a cup of coffee after attending to the car. "This coffee doesn't taste anything close to ours," I remarked after a sip. His response, "That's because yours is made with love and by people who love what they are doing," resonated with me. I appreciated his support, especially considering my unconventional career path. Despite the support, a part of me still yearned to return to university, even if it meant pursuing distance learning courses and advancing my education.